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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.07.15.738615

Seizure-related gene 6 (SEZ6) encodes a Cancer stem cell-specific proangiogenic molecule: A novel glioma therapeutic target

Mukherjee, A.·Sengupta, S.·Chowdhury, A.·Garg, L.·Prasasvi, K. R.·Mishra, P.·Sharma, D.·Saha, S.·Chatterjee, J.·Perikal, P.·Furtado, S. V.·Thiruvenkatam, V.·Kirubakaran, S.·Somasundaram, K.
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Abstract

Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) not only initiate tumors but also orchestrate angiogenesis through multiple mechanisms, thereby sustaining vascularization and promoting tumor growth. In glioblastoma (GBM; WHO grade IV glioma), the most aggressive adult brain tumor, glioma stem-like cells (GSCs; glioma CSCs) are the main drivers of tumor progression, drug resistance, and recurrence. An interrogated multi-omic secretome analysis identified Wnt-{beta}-catenin signaling-regulated, membrane-localized Seizure Related 6 Homolog (SEZ6) as a patient-derived GSC-specific proangiogenic molecule. Silencing of SEZ6 inhibited the ability of the GSC secretome to induce angiogenic network formation by brain- and lung-derived endothelial cells, but not GSC growth as neurospheres in vitro. SEZ6 silencing also suppressed patient-derived GSC-initiated glioma tumors, resulting in reduced tumor vasculature in an orthotopic mouse model. We also found that SEZ6 induces TGF{beta}-dependent IL-8 expression in endothelial cells to promote angiogenesis. Coimmunoprecipitation and molecular dynamics simulation experiments determined that the Sushi 3 domain of SEZ6 mediates the interaction with TGF{beta} RII to activate the TGF{beta} pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of BACE1 with an in-house-developed small molecule, or blockade of the SEZ6-TGF{beta} RII interaction using a rationally designed peptide, markedly attenuated SEZ6-driven TGF{beta} signaling, and suppressed angiogenesis. Thus, our findings identify SEZ6 as a novel CSC-specific therapeutic target for GBM.

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Mukherjee, A., Sengupta, S., Chowdhury, A., Garg, L., Prasasvi, K. R., Mishra, P., Sharma, D., Saha, S., Chatterjee, J., Perikal, P., Furtado, S. V., Thiruvenkatam, V., Kirubakaran, S., Somasundaram, K.. 2026-07-16. Seizure-related gene 6 (SEZ6) encodes a Cancer stem cell-specific proangiogenic molecule: A novel glioma therapeutic target. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.15.738615

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