Role of DHX33 in c-Myc-induced cancers

Oncogene c-Myc is frequently amplified and activated in human cancers. Deregulation of c-Myc protein has been shown to occur in 30% of all human cancers, especially in hematopoietic malignancies. As a transcription factor, c-Myc has been shown to regulate up to 15% of all human genome genes, controlling diverse cellular activities including cell cycle, ribosome biogenesis, protein synthesis, metabolism, apoptosis and angiogenesis. In this report, we provide evidence that the RNA helicase DHX33 is a critical downstream target of c-Myc. Myc binds to DHX33 upstream promoter region and stimulates its transcription. Elevated DHX33 protein is pivotal for c-Myc to drive tumor formation. Knockdown of DHX33 to basal levels in c-Myc overexpressing cells significantly reduced cell proliferation, cell migration and anchorage-independent cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, we found that DHX33 promotes MMP9, MMP14 and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (PLAU) transcription by directly binding to their promoters, thus promoting cancer cell migration. DHX33 protein was overexpressed in a certain subset of human non-Hodgkin's lymphoma tissues. Finally, knockdown of DHX33 significantly inhibits the development of Myc-induced acute myeloid leukemia. Overall, our results implicate the important role for DHX33 in Myc-induced cancer and point toward its potential therapeutic value in Myc driven cancers.