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SOX2 drives esophageal squamous carcinoma by reprogramming lipid metabolism and histone acetylation landscape

Author

Listed:
  • Zhen Wang

    (East China Normal University
    Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University)

  • Ruofei Dai

    (Fudan University)

  • Li Kang

    (East China Normal University)

  • Huan Yang

    (Xiamen University)

  • Zhaosu Chen

    (East China Normal University)

  • Jianzhong He

    (Shantou)

  • Lei Shu

    (East China Normal University)

  • Yiting Zhong

    (Fudan University)

  • Yunfeng Zhang

    (East China Normal University)

  • Zhengyi Hua

    (Xiamen University)

  • Yuanyong Huang

    (East China Normal University)

  • Yuhan Jiang

    (Xiamen University)

  • Jiwen Li

    (East China Normal University)

  • Liyan Xu

    (Shantou)

  • Fei Lan

    (Fudan University)

  • Shu-Hai Lin

    (Xiamen University)

  • Jiemin Wong

    (East China Normal University)

Abstract

SOX2 is a potent oncodriver for various squamous cancers, but the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. Here we uncover a role of SOX2 in promoting global histone acetylation in esophageal squamous cancer cells (ESCCs). Mechanistic studies reveal that SOX2 promotes global histone acetylation in an AKT-independent manner, and does so by promoting histone acetylation at both SOX2 binding and non-SOX2 binding sites, and accounts for the formation of about half of the super-enhancers. Combined metabolic and transcriptional analyses reveal two mechanisms by which SOX2 enhances global histone acetylation: promoting the expression of multiple histone acetyltransferases and reducing acetyl-CoA consuming fatty acid synthesis in part by repressing the expression of ACSL5. Finally, SOX2 expression correlates negatively with ACSL5 and positively with histone acetylation in clinical esophageal squamous tumors. Altogether, our study uncovers a role of SOX2 in reprogramming lipid metabolism and driving histone hyperacetylation and super-enhancer function, providing mechanistic insights of SOX2 acting as a potent oncodriver.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhen Wang & Ruofei Dai & Li Kang & Huan Yang & Zhaosu Chen & Jianzhong He & Lei Shu & Yiting Zhong & Yunfeng Zhang & Zhengyi Hua & Yuanyong Huang & Yuhan Jiang & Jiwen Li & Liyan Xu & Fei Lan & Shu-Ha, 2025. "SOX2 drives esophageal squamous carcinoma by reprogramming lipid metabolism and histone acetylation landscape," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-20, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63591-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63591-z
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