UBC Theses and Dissertations

UBC Theses Logo

UBC Theses and Dissertations

Characterization of NSD1 and NSD2 in malignant rhabdoid tumor Wang, Siyun

Abstract

Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor (MRT) is an aggressive pediatric tumor driven by a biallelic loss of SMARCB1, a member of the ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling Brahma-associated factor (BAF) complex. While MRT remains incurable, recent studies suggest that Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) inhibition may offer clinical benefits. However, treatment resistance often develops through the loss of function of a related histone methyltransferase Nuclear Receptor Binding SET Domain Protein 1 (NSD1). NSD1 and a closely related family member NSD2 are responsible for the deposition and maintenance of H3K36me2, a histone modification that acts in opposition to H3K27me3. The disruption of this H3K36me2/H3K27me3 balance due to NSD1 loss is thought to underlie resistance to EZH2 inhibitors, although the reasons for selective NSD1 loss and its precise role in the SMARCB1-deficient context remain poorly understood. To investigate these mechanisms, I used CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out NSD1 and NSD2, individually and in combination, in two MRT cell lines engineered to re-express SMARCB1. Through integrated ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analysis, this study elucidates the roles of NSD1 and NSD2 in shaping the H3K36me2/H3K27me3 landscape and regulating transcription, providing new insights into their function in MRT resistance mechanisms.

Item Media

Item Citations and Data

Rights

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International