Sox4 Is a Key Oncogenic Target in C/EBP alpha Mutant Acute Myeloid Leukemia (vol 24, pg 575, 2013)

Mutation or epigenetic silencing of the transcription factor C/EBP? is observed in ~10% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In both cases, a common global gene expression profile is observed, but down-stream targets relevant for leukemogenesis are not known. Here we identify Sox4 as a direct target of C/EBP? whereby its expression is inversely correlated with C/ EBP? activity. Downregulation of Sox4 abrogated increased self-renewal of leukemic cells and restored their differentiation. Gene expression profiles of leukemia initiating cells (LICs) from both Sox4 overexpression and murine C/EBP? mutant AML models clustered together, but differed from other types of AML. Our data demonstrate that Sox4 overexpression resulting from C/EBP? inactivation contributes to the development of leukemia with a distinct LIC phenotype.