TAp63-regulated microRNAs suppress cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma [RNA-seq]

The goal of this study is to compare the differences in the global mRNA expression of WT and TAp63-/- skin and SCC TAp63 is a p53 family member and potent tumor and metastasis suppressor. Here, we show that TAp63-/- mice exhibit an increased susceptibility to UVR- induced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cuSCC). A human-to-mouse comparison of cuSCC tumors identified miR-30c-2* and miR-497 as underexpressed in TAp63-deficient cuSCC. Reintroduction of these microRNAs significantly inhibited the growth of cuSCC cell lines and tumors. Proteomic profiling of cells expressing either microRNA showed downregulation of cell cycle progression and mitosis associated proteins. A mouse to human and cross- platform comparison of RNA-Seq and proteomics data identified a 7-gene signature, including AURKA, KIF18B, PKMYT1, and ORC1, which were overexpressed in cuSCC. Knockdown of these factors in cuSCC cell lines suppressed tumor cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Additionally, selective inhibition of AURKA suppressed cuSCC cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and showed anti-tumor effects in vivo. Finally, treatment with miR-30c-2* or miR-497 microRNA mimics was highly effective in suppressing cuSCC growth in vivo. Our data establishes TAp63 as an essential regulator of novel microRNAs that can be therapeutically targeted for potent suppression of cuSCC. Overall design: We performed a RNA-Seq analysis comparing the transcriptomes of WT skin (n=3), TAp63-/- skin (n=3), WT SCC (n=2), and TAp63-/- cSCC (n=4)