PiggyBac transposon tools for recessive screening identify B-cell lymphoma drivers in mice

Nat Commun. 2019 Mar 29;10(1):1415. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-09180-3.

Abstract

B-cell lymphoma (BCL) is the most common hematologic malignancy. While sequencing studies gave insights into BCL genetics, identification of non-mutated cancer genes remains challenging. Here, we describe PiggyBac transposon tools and mouse models for recessive screening and show their application to study clonal B-cell lymphomagenesis. In a genome-wide screen, we discover BCL genes related to diverse molecular processes, including signaling, transcriptional regulation, chromatin regulation, or RNA metabolism. Cross-species analyses show the efficiency of the screen to pinpoint human cancer drivers altered by non-genetic mechanisms, including clinically relevant genes dysregulated epigenetically, transcriptionally, or post-transcriptionally in human BCL. We also describe a CRISPR/Cas9-based in vivo platform for BCL functional genomics, and validate discovered genes, such as Rfx7, a transcription factor, and Phip, a chromatin regulator, which suppress lymphomagenesis in mice. Our study gives comprehensive insights into the molecular landscapes of BCL and underlines the power of genome-scale screening to inform biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • Clone Cells
  • DNA Transposable Elements / genetics*
  • Gene Dosage
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Genes, Neoplasm
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genetic Testing / methods*
  • Humans
  • Loss of Heterozygosity
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / genetics*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / pathology
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / metabolism
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell