Alternative spliceosomal protein Eftud2 mediated Kif3a exon skipping promotes SHH-subgroup medulloblastoma progression

Abstract

Alternative splicing plays a pivotal role in various facets of organogenesis, immune response, and tumorigenesis. Medulloblastoma represents a prevalent childhood brain tumor, with approximately one-third classified as the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) subgroup. Nevertheless, the contribution of alternative splicing to medulloblastoma oncogenesis remains elusive. This investigation delineated an upregulation of the spliceosomal protein Eftud2 in the SHH-subgroup medulloblastoma mouse model and human medulloblastoma patients. Targeted ablation of Eftud2 in granule precursor cells (GNPs) within the cerebellum prolonged the survival of SHH-subgroup medulloblastoma mice, indicating a putative association between Eftud2 expression and medulloblastoma prognosis. Functional assays unveiled that EFTUD2 depletion in human medulloblastoma cells significantly curtailed cellular proliferation by impeding the activation of the SHH signaling pathway. Through multi-omics sequencing analysis, it was discerned that Eftud2 influences exons 10–11 skipping of Kif3a, a kinesin motor critical for primary cilia formation. Notably, exons 10–11 skipping in Kif3a augmented human medulloblastoma cell proliferation by potentiating the transcriptional activity of Gli2. These findings underscore a robust correlation between Eftud2 and SHH-subgroup medulloblastoma, emphasizing its regulatory role in modulating downstream transcription factors through the alternative splicing of pivotal genes within the SHH signaling pathway, thereby propelling the aggressive proliferation of SHH-subgroup medulloblastoma.