MOZ and HBO1 Histone Acetyltransferase Complexes Are Molecular Dependencies and Therapeutic Targets in NUP98-Rearranged Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract

NUP98 fusion oncoproteins (FOs) are a hallmark of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and drive leukemogenesis through liquid-liquid phase separation-mediated nuclear condensate formation. However, the composition and consequences of NUP98 FO-associated condensates are incompletely understood. Here we show that MYST family histone acetyltransferase (HAT) complex proteins including MOZ/KAT6A, HBO1/KAT7, and the common MOZ/HBO1 complex subunit BRPF1 associate with NUP98 FOs on chromatin and within condensates. MYST HATs are molecular dependencies in NUP98-rearranged (NUP98-r) leukemia, and genetic inactivation or pharmacologic inhibition of Moz and Hbo1 impairs NUP98-r cell fitness. MOZ/HBO1 inhibition decreased global H3K23ac levels, displaced NUP98::HOXA9 from chromatin at the Meis1 locus, and led to myeloid cell differentiation. Additionally, MOZ/HBO1 inhibition decreased leukemic burden in multiple NUP98-r leukemia xenograft mouse models, synergized with Menin inhibitor treatment, and was efficacious in Menin inhibitor-resistant cells. In summary, we show that MYST family HATs are therapeutically actionable dependencies in NUP98-r AML. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTMOZ and HBO1 associate with NUP98 fusion oncoprotein condensates to drive leukemogenesis. Inhibition of their histone acetyltransferase activity is an effective therapeutic strategy in NUP98-rearranged leukemias, including those resistant to Menin inhibition. Moreover, combined MOZ/HBO1 and Menin inhibition is synergistic, supporting clinical translation to improve outcomes of NUP98 FO-driven leukemias.