Distinct transcription factor interactions drive HOXB13 activity in different stages of prostate cancer

B Betul Ersoy-Fazlioglu (Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine) S Shreyas Lingadahalli (Vancouver Prostate Centre) U Umut Berkay Altintas (Vancouver Prostate Centre) A Ahmet Cingoz (Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine) E Emirhan Tekoglu (Department of Medical Pharmacology, School of Medicine) I Ivan Pak Lok Yu (Vancouver Prostate Centre, Mohseni Institute of Urologic Science, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada) M Meric Dikbas (Vancouver Prostate Centre) O Olka Missaghimamaghani (Vancouver Prostate Centre) K Kerim Yavuz (Vancouver Prostate Centre) H Hans Adomat (Vancouver Prostate Centre) I Ibrahim Kulac (Department of Medical Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Koç University) T Tunc Morova (Vancouver Prostate Centre) K Kevin Xiao (Vancouver Prostate Centre) M Martin Gleave (Vancouver Prostate Centre) L Ladan Fazli (Vancouver Prostate Centre) P Paloma Cejas (Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute) A Artem Cherkasov (Vancouver Prostate Centre) W Wilbert Zwart M Michael Christoph Haffner (Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center) H Henry W. Long (Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute) C Colin Collins (Vancouver Prostate Centre) T Tugba Bagci-Onder (Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine) N Nathan A. Lack (Vancouver Prostate Centre, Mohseni Institute of Urologic Science, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada)

Abstract

HOXB13 is a lineage-specific transcription factor that plays a critical role in initiation and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). While most research has focused on the role of HOXB13 on androgen receptor (AR) activity, here we demonstrate that HOXB13 is frequently expressed in AR-negative tumors and is essential for the proliferation of both AR-positive and -negative PCa models. Strikingly, HOXB13 is remarkably selective and has almost no effect on nonprostatic tissues. Despite this common essentiality in PCa, HOXB13 activity is markedly different in AR-negative stem cell–like tumors, where interactions with the AP-1 change the HOXB13 cistrome and interactome. Yet despite these distinct activities, HOXB13 activity is commonly mediated by SMARCD2, a member of the mSWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. The HOXB13/SMARCD2 interaction alters chromatin accessibility at HOXB13-binding sites, causing increased proliferation in AR-negative PCa. Overall, this work demonstrates a distinct mechanism of action for HOXB13 and highlights its critical role in AR-negative castration-resistant PCa.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 122, Issue 49
Published December 09, 2025
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (23)

B

Betul Ersoy-Fazlioglu

Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine

S

Shreyas Lingadahalli

Vancouver Prostate Centre

U

Umut Berkay Altintas

Vancouver Prostate Centre

A

Ahmet Cingoz

Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine

E

Emirhan Tekoglu

Department of Medical Pharmacology, School of Medicine

I

Ivan Pak Lok Yu

Vancouver Prostate Centre, Mohseni Institute of Urologic Science, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada

M

Meric Dikbas

Vancouver Prostate Centre

O

Olka Missaghimamaghani

Vancouver Prostate Centre

K

Kerim Yavuz

Vancouver Prostate Centre

H

Hans Adomat

Vancouver Prostate Centre

I

Ibrahim Kulac

Department of Medical Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Koç University

T

Tunc Morova

Vancouver Prostate Centre

K

Kevin Xiao

Vancouver Prostate Centre

M

Martin Gleave

Vancouver Prostate Centre

L

Ladan Fazli

Vancouver Prostate Centre

P

Paloma Cejas

Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

A

Artem Cherkasov

Vancouver Prostate Centre

W

Wilbert Zwart

M

Michael Christoph Haffner

Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

H

Henry W. Long

Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

C

Colin Collins

Vancouver Prostate Centre

T

Tugba Bagci-Onder

Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine

N

Nathan A. Lack

Vancouver Prostate Centre, Mohseni Institute of Urologic Science, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada