Mutant GTF2I induces cell transformation and metabolic alterations in thymic epithelial cells.

In-Kyu Kim, Guanhua Rao, Xiaoliang Zhao, Ruzong Fan, Maria Laura Avantaggiati, Yisong Wang, Yu-Wen Zhang, Giuseppe Giaccone

Cell death and differentiation 2020 Jul

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The pathogenesis of thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) is poorly understood. Recently we reported the frequent occurrence of a missense mutation in the GTF2I gene in TETs and hypothesized that GTF2I mutation might contribute to thymic tumorigenesis. Expression of mutant TFII-I altered the transcriptome of normal thymic epithelial cells and upregulated several oncogenic genes. Gtf2i L424H knockin cells exhibited cell transformation, aneuploidy, and increase tumor growth and survival under glucose deprivation or DNA damage. Gtf2i mutation also increased the expression of several glycolytic enzymes, cyclooxygenase-2, and caused modifications of lipid metabolism. Elevated cyclooxygenase-2 expression by Gtf2i mutation was required for survival under metabolic stress and cellular transformation of thymic epithelial cells. Our findings identify GTF2I mutation as a new oncogenic driver that is responsible for transformation of thymic epithelial cells.

Citation

In-Kyu Kim, Guanhua Rao, Xiaoliang Zhao, Ruzong Fan, Maria Laura Avantaggiati, Yisong Wang, Yu-Wen Zhang, Giuseppe Giaccone. Mutant GTF2I induces cell transformation and metabolic alterations in thymic epithelial cells. Cell death and differentiation. 2020 Jul;27(7):2263-2279