Off-pore nucleoporin sPOM121 transcriptionally propels β-Catenin driven tumor progression and immune escape in prostate cancer

Abstract

The roles of nucleoplasmic-residing nucleoporins (NUPs) in solid tumors, including prostate cancer, remain unknown. In this study, we reveal the clinical significance and mechanistic role of the off-pore NUP, soluble POM121 (sPOM121), as a crucial transcriptional regulator that enhances the aggressiveness of metastatic prostate cancer. Using orthogonal methodologies in human samples, sPOM121 was identified as the predominantly expressed nucleoplasmic NUP in prostate cancer. Unbiased proteomic and epigenomic studies demonstrate that sPOM121, through its C-terminus, interacts with the chromatin remodeler SMARCA5 at gene promoter sites and localizes at nuclear condensates, reprogramming gene expression. Indeed, sPOM121 regulates a distinct oncogenic gene network, including β-catenin, leading to prostate cancer progression and immune evasion. Importantly, targeting the sPOM121/β-catenin axis in patient-derived pre-clinical and syngeneic mouse models halts prostate cancer aggressiveness and enhances anti-tumor immunity. Taken together, these findings reveal previously unknown actionable reprogramming functions of off-pore NUPs in solid tumors.