Long Noncoding RNAs CUPID1 and CUPID2 Mediate Breast Cancer Risk at 11q13 by Modulating the Response to DNA Damage

Am J Hum Genet. 2017 Aug 3;101(2):255-266. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2017.07.007.

Abstract

Breast cancer risk is strongly associated with an intergenic region on 11q13. We have previously shown that the strongest risk-associated SNPs fall within a distal enhancer that regulates CCND1. Here, we report that, in addition to regulating CCND1, this enhancer regulates two estrogen-regulated long noncoding RNAs, CUPID1 and CUPID2. We provide evidence that the risk-associated SNPs are associated with reduced chromatin looping between the enhancer and the CUPID1 and CUPID2 bidirectional promoter. We further show that CUPID1 and CUPID2 are predominantly expressed in hormone-receptor-positive breast tumors and play a role in modulating pathway choice for the repair of double-strand breaks. These data reveal a mechanism for the involvement of this region in breast cancer.

Keywords: 11q13; DNA repair; GWAS; breast cancer; enhancer; long noncoding RNAs.

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 / genetics*
  • Cyclin D1 / genetics*
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded
  • DNA Damage / genetics
  • DNA Repair / genetics*
  • Enhancer Elements, Genetic / genetics
  • Estrogens / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics

Substances

  • CCND1 protein, human
  • Chromatin
  • Estrogens
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Cyclin D1