SCARB2 drives hepatocellular carcinoma tumor initiating cells via enhanced MYC transcriptional activity

Feng Wang, Yang Gao, Situ Xue, Luyao Zhao, Huimin Jiang, Tingting Zhang, Yunxuan Li, Chenxi Zhao, Fan Wu, Tana Siqin, Ying Liu, Jie Wu, Yechao Yan, Jian Yuan (), Jian-dong Jiang () and Ke Li ()
Additional contact information
Feng Wang: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College
Yang Gao: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College
Situ Xue: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College
Luyao Zhao: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College
Huimin Jiang: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College
Tingting Zhang: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College
Yunxuan Li: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College
Chenxi Zhao: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College
Fan Wu: Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College
Tana Siqin: Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College
Ying Liu: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College
Jie Wu: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College
Yechao Yan: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College
Jian Yuan: East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine
Jian-dong Jiang: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College
Ke Li: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-20

Abstract: Abstract CSCs (Cancer stem cells) with distinct metabolic features are considered to cause HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) initiation, metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Here, we perform a metabolic gene CRISPR/Cas9 knockout library screen in tumorspheres derived from HCC cells and find that deletion of SCARB2 suppresses the cancer stem cell-like properties of HCC cells. Knockout of Scarb2 in hepatocytes attenuates HCC initiation and progression in both MYC-driven and DEN (diethylnitrosamine)-induced HCC mouse models. Mechanistically, binding of SCARB2 with MYC promotes MYC acetylation by interfering with HDCA3-mediated MYC deacetylation on lysine 148 and subsequently enhances MYC transcriptional activity. Screening of a database of FDA (Food and Drug Administration)-approved drugs shows Polymyxin B displays high binding affinity for SCARB2 protein, disrupts the SCARB2-MYC interaction, decreases MYC activity, and reduces the tumor burden. Our study identifies SCARB2 as a functional driver of HCC and suggests Polymyxin B-based treatment as a targeted therapeutic option for HCC.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41593-z

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