DIPG-47. DISCOVERING A MOLECULAR BASIS FOR VULNERABILITY OF H3K27M-DMG TO HISTONE DEACETYLASE INHIBITORS

Using two H3K27M-DMG treatment-naive preclinical models (PBT22 and PBT29), we detected a 20-fold differential response to the histone deacetylase inhibitor, Quisinostat. PBT-22 harbors mutations in H3F3A, TP53, and ASXL2, while PBT-29 has mutations in H3F3A, TP53, PIK3CA and FGFR1. Acetylation and deacetylation of wtH3 alter chromatin structure as part of normal regulation of gene expression. The methionine substitution for Lysine in H3K27M removes this histone from participating in acetylation/deacetylation regulated gene expression. Concomitantly, H3K27M induces a marked reduction in global acetylation of histone tails on wtH3. In the native state of H3K27M DMG with hypoacetylated H3, we posit that the specific pattern of nucleosome integration with genes responsible for cell survival/death underlies the differential vulnerability of DMGs to HDACi. Additionally, the nucleosome integration pattern with cell survival/death genes may be based on the relative abundance of wtH3wt versus H3K27M- histones. Following Quis treatment (48 hrs) in both preclinical models, total wtH3ac protein abundance increased 3-fold, suggesting HDACi stabilizes or impedes K27 acetylated H3 histone turnover. Comparison of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from control and Quis-treated PBT22 and PBT29 will seed gene ontology analysis focusing on chromatin remodeling, cell death, and growth arrest pathways accounting for differential vulnerability. Findings will be validated by measuring transcripts and proteins (qRT-PCR and ELISA or mass spectrometry) from analytes from a larger panel of DMG cell lines. The data depicts DMG preclinical models with large differential sensitivity to Quis. The long-term goal is to discover a molecular profile of DMGs predictive of the vulnerability to HDACi. The discovery exercise is also likely to yield insight into the development of resistance to HDAC inhibitors.