TSPYL2 is an essential component of the REST/NRSF transcriptional complex for TGFβ signaling activation

REST/NRSF is a transcriptional repressor of neuronal genes that has been implicated in development and cancer. In epithelial tissues, REST acts as a tumor suppressor and in breast cancer, loss of REST is associated with disease recurrence and poor prognosis. Here, we identify TSPYL2 (also known as CDA1 and DENTT) as a novel component of the REST protein complex. We show that REST and TSPYL2 are regulators of TGF β signaling and that cell-cycle arrest induced by TGF β requires both REST and TSPYL2. Importantly, knockdown of REST or TSPYL2 resulted in transformation of human mammary epithelial cells. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that the TSPYL2/REST complex promotes TGF β signaling by repressing the expression of genes, such as the proto-oncogene neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor C (TrkC). These data provide insight into the role of REST as a tumor suppressor in epithelial tissues through the regulation of the TGF β pathway.