TRIM24: an oncogenic histone reader in breast cancer

Epigenetic factors are frequent targets of aberrant regulation, amplification or mutation in all human cancers. The interest in epigenetics for therapeutic development lies in the potential reversibility of epigenetic changes. Our laboratory focuses on Tripartite Motif Protein 24 (TRIM24), a multi-functional protein that i) negatively regulates p53 as an E3-ligase, ii) is a nuclear receptor co-regulator and iii) a PHD/bromodomain histone reader that recognizes a unique signature of histone PTMs (H3K4me0;H3K23ac). Recently, we found that conditional over-expression of a Trim24 transgene in mouse mammary epithelia is sufficient for tumor initiation, development and progression to highly heterogeneous mammary tumors, the majority of which are carcinosarcomas, known in humans as metaplastic TNBC. Our long-term goal is to leverage a mechanistic understanding of TRIM24 functions and this model of metaplastic TNBC toward potential therapeutic development.

Speaker Information

Michelle Barton, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Time & Location

12:00 pm at Van Andel Institute
Conference Room 3104/3105

VARI Host: Hong Wen, Ph.D.

Questions?

For questions, please contact Kim Cousineau at 616.234.5684.