Genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screens identify mechanisms of BET bromodomain inhibitor sensitivity.
iScience 2021;
24:103323. [PMID:
34805786 PMCID:
PMC8581576 DOI:
10.1016/j.isci.2021.103323]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BET bromodomain inhibitors hold promise as therapeutic agents in diverse indications, but their clinical progression has been challenging and none have received regulatory approval. Early clinical trials in cancer have shown heterogeneous clinical responses, development of resistance, and adverse events. Increased understanding of their mechanism(s) of action and identification of biomarkers are needed to identify appropriate indication(s) and achieve efficacious dosing. Using genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screens at different concentrations, we report molecular mechanisms defining cellular responses to BET inhibitors, some of which appear specific to a single compound concentration. We identify multiple transcriptional regulators and mTOR pathway members as key determinants of JQ1 sensitivity and two Ca2+/Mn2+ transporters, ATP2C1 and TMEM165, as key determinants of JQ1 resistance. Our study reveals new molecular mediators of BET bromodomain inhibitor effects, suggests the involvement of manganese, and provides a rich resource for discovery of biomarkers and targets for combination therapies.
CRISPR screens identify genes regulating sensitivity to BET bromodomain inhibitors
Sensitivity and resistance hit lists are concentration-dependent
mTOR pathway mediates sensitivity to BET bromodomain inhibitors
Manganese regulates sensitivity to BET bromodomain inhibitors
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