The Myc binding partner Spt5 is essential for brain tumor growth in Drosophila

The transcription factor SPT5 physically interacts with MYC oncoproteins and is essential for the full transcriptional activation of MYC targets in cultured cells. Here, we use Drosophila to show that SPT5 is also required for MYC-dependent processes in vivo. Depletion of SPT5 strongly impairs the growth of a model neuronal tumor and substantially extends survival of tumor-bearing animals. This beneficial effect is also observed when SPT5 is knocked down systemically after tumor initiation, highlighting SPT5 is a potential drug target in human oncology. Overall design: brat and/or Spt5 were knocked down in type II neuroblasts from larval stages on, using the genotypes: wor-GAL4 ase-GAL80 UAS-mCD8::GFP [UAS-brat-IR] [UAS-Spt5-IR]