SNAIL is a key regulator of rhabdomyosarcoma progression and myogenic differentiation

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a frequent non-epithelial tumor of soft tissue that originates from a myogenic differentiation defect. Expression of SNAIL transcription factor is elevated in the alveolar subtype of RMS, characterized by a low myogenic differentiation status and high aggressiveness. SNAIL affects RMS metastasis by reorganization of actin cytoskeleton, regulation of ezrin expression and chemotaxis to HGF and SDF-1. The differentiation of human RMS diminishes SNAIL level. SNAIL silencing completely abolishes the growth of human RMS xenotransplants. SNAIL inhibits myogenic differentiation of RMS by binding to the MYF5 promoter, suppressing its expression, displacing MYOD from canonical to alternative E-box sequences and regulating myomiRs expression. SNAIL silencing allows the re-expression of MYF5 and canonical MYOD binding, promoting RMS cell myogenic differentiation. These novel results open potential avenues for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies based on SNAIL silencing.