Mechanisms underlying the oncogenic and tumour suppressor functions of IER3 [RNA-seq]

The IER3 (Immediate Early Response 3) gene exhibits a multifaceted role in cancer biology, acting as both a tumor suppressor and an oncogene depending on the specific cancer type. This duality underscores the complexity of molecular pathways. Despite its significance, there is a dearth of studies dedicated to elucidating the exact mechanisms underlying IER3's involvement in cancer development. Recently, we identified that IER3 functions as an oncogene in cervix, breast, and lung cancer cell lines. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that IER3 acts as a tumor suppressor in Neuroblastoma. Through RNA sequencing, ChIP sequencing, and functional assays, we identified two critical IER3 target genes.