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Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma–associated PAX3-FOXO1 promotes tumorigenesis via Hippo pathway suppression
Lisa E.S. Crose, Kathleen A. Galindo, Julie Grondin Kephart, Candy Chen, Julien Fitamant, Nabeel Bardeesy, Rex C. Bentley, Rene L. Galindo, Jen-Tsan Ashley Chi, Corinne M. Linardic
Lisa E.S. Crose, Kathleen A. Galindo, Julie Grondin Kephart, Candy Chen, Julien Fitamant, Nabeel Bardeesy, Rex C. Bentley, Rene L. Galindo, Jen-Tsan Ashley Chi, Corinne M. Linardic
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Research Article Oncology

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma–associated PAX3-FOXO1 promotes tumorigenesis via Hippo pathway suppression

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Abstract

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (aRMS) is an aggressive sarcoma of skeletal muscle characterized by expression of the paired box 3-forkhead box protein O1 (PAX3-FOXO1) fusion oncogene. Despite its discovery nearly two decades ago, the mechanisms by which PAX3-FOXO1 drives tumor development are not well characterized. Previously, we reported that PAX3-FOXO1 supports aRMS initiation by enabling bypass of cellular senescence checkpoints. We have now found that this bypass occurs in part through PAX3-FOXO1–mediated upregulation of RASSF4, a Ras-association domain family (RASSF) member. RASSF4 expression was upregulated in PAX3-FOXO1–positive aRMS cell lines and tumors. Enhanced RASSF4 expression promoted cell cycle progression, senescence evasion, and tumorigenesis through inhibition of the Hippo pathway tumor suppressor MST1. We also found that the downstream Hippo pathway target Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP), which is ordinarily restrained by Hippo signaling, was upregulated in RMS tumors. These data suggest that Hippo pathway dysfunction promotes RMS. This work provides evidence for Hippo pathway suppression in aRMS and demonstrates a progrowth role for RASSF4. Additionally, we identify a mechanism used by PAX3-FOXO1 to inhibit MST1 signaling and promote tumorigenesis in aRMS.

Authors

Lisa E.S. Crose, Kathleen A. Galindo, Julie Grondin Kephart, Candy Chen, Julien Fitamant, Nabeel Bardeesy, Rex C. Bentley, Rene L. Galindo, Jen-Tsan Ashley Chi, Corinne M. Linardic

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Figure 1

RASSF4 is upregulated in PAX3-FOXO1–positive aRMS cells and tumors.

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RASSF4 is upregulated in PAX3-FOXO1–positive aRMS cells and tumors.
(A) ...
(A) Left: Expression profile of HSMM control cells (Vpre) compared with PAX3-FOXO1–expressing HSMM presenescent (PFpre) or postsenescent (PFpost) cells. Right: Semiquantitative RT-PCR validation of select genes identified in the microarray. (B) PAX3-FOXO1–expressing aRMS cells expressed more RASSF4 than eRMS cells or HSMMs, as measured by qPCR and immunoblotting. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.005. Labels for cell lines correspond to qPCR and immunoblotting. Actin was used as a loading control. (C) HSMM-based model of aRMS displayed enhanced RASSF4 expression in a PAX3-FOXO1–dependent manner as measured by qPCR. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.005. (D) PAX3-FOXO1–positive primary human aRMS tumors expressed more RASSF4 than fusion-negative aRMS or eRMS. Error bars represent SEM. *P < 0.0001; #P = 0.0004; Mann-Whitney U test. Median-centered log2 values are shown, and microarray data were obtained from the Oncogenomics database. (E) RMS patient survival based on RASSF4 expression. The median RASSF4 expression value for RMS was the threshold for high versus low RASSF4 expression. High RASSF4, n = 73, Low RASSF4, n = 73. P value is based on log-rank test analysis. (F) dRASSF mutation genetically suppressed PAX7-FOXO1 pathogenicity in a Drosophila aRMS model. PAX7-FOXO1 expression in differentiating larval muscle causes semilethality, as PAX7-FOXO1 adults comprise only 9% of F1 adults (n = 170). (In Mendelian ratios, the F1 population should be composed of 50% wild-type and 50% PAX7-FOXO1 adults). The Df(3RExcel)6193 chromosomal deletion and dRASSFDG30608 and dRASSFA531 loss-of-function alleles suppressed PAX7-FOXO1–induced lethality. Groucho511 (Gro511) is an unrelated mutation included as a representative example of a nonsuppressor. Df(3R)Exel6193, n = 72; dRASSFA531, n = 130; dRASSFDG30608, n = 66; and Gro511, n = 116.

Copyright © 2026 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)

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