The histone code reader PHD finger protein 7 controls sex-linked disparities in gene expression and malignancy in <i>Drosophila</i>.

Abstract

The notable male predominance across many human cancer types remains unexplained. Here, we show that <i>Drosophila</i> l(3)mbt brain tumors are more invasive and develop as malignant neoplasms more often in males than in females. By quantitative proteomics, we have identified a signature of proteins that are differentially expressed between male and female tumor samples. Prominent among them is the conserved chromatin reader PHD finger protein 7 (Phf7). We show that <i>Phf7</i> depletion reduces sex-dependent differences in gene expression and suppresses the enhanced malignant traits of male tumors. Our results identify potential regulators of sex-linked tumor dimorphism and show that these genes may serve as targets to suppress sex-linked malignant traits.