# Regulation of interferon signaling in melanoma by the cohesin complex protein STAG2 via 3D genome organization

> **NIH NIH R01** · CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER · 2023 · $374,372

## Abstract

Summary
 Mammalian genomes is folded within the nucleus in a highly organized fashion.
The cohesin complex participates in the organization of 3D genome through generating
and maintaining DNA loops. The tumor suppressor STAG2, which encodes a core subunit
of the cohesin complex, is frequently mutated in various cancers. However, the impact of
STAG2 inactivation on 3D genome organization in cancer cells, especially the long-range
enhancer-promoter contacts and subsequent gene expression control, remains poorly
understood. In our preliminary studies, we have carried out RNA-seq, ChIP-seq as well as
Hi-C analyses in melanoma cells stably expressing inducible shRNA of STAG2. We have
shown that depletion of STAG2 in melanoma cells leads to expansion of topologically
associated domains (TADs) at sites where binding of STAG2 is switched to its paralog
STAG1. We also identified Interferon Regulatory Factor 9 (IRF9) as a putative direct target
of STAG2 in melanoma cells and demonstrated that loss of STAG2 activates IRF9 to
enhance type I interferon signaling and increases the expression of PD-L1. Based on
these preliminary findings, we hypothesize that loss of STAG2 results in dysregulation of
type I interferon signaling in melanoma via perturbation of 3D genome organization. In aim
1, we will characterize the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of type I
interferon response by STAG2 in melanoma via modulating 3D genome organization. We
will also examine the chromatin interactions at the IRF9 locus and other targets in STAG2
wildtype and STAG2 mutant human melanoma samples. In aim 2, we will systematically
characterize STAG2-specific chromatin loops and investigate the effects of STAG2
inactivation on the enhancer-promoter interactome in melanoma cells by carrying out
STAG2- and H3K27ac- HiChIP analyses. In aim 3, we will examine the roles of STAG2 in
regulating tumor-induced immune evasion and in determining the sensitivity to anti-PD-1
immune checkpoint blockade in melanoma. Findings from the proposed study will very
likely reveal functions of STAG2 within the cohesin complex that contribute to the
malignant phenotypes in STAG2 mutant cancer arising from 3D genome perturbation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10905899
- **Project number:** 7R01CA266875-02
- **Recipient organization:** CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Bin Zheng
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $374,372
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10905899

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10905899, Regulation of interferon signaling in melanoma by the cohesin complex protein STAG2 via 3D genome organization (7R01CA266875-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10905899. Licensed CC0.

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