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Zhang HQ, Kong F, Kong X, Jiang T, Ma M, Zheng S, Guo J, Xie K. Loss of GATA6-mediated up-regulation of UTX promotes pancreatic tumorigenesis and progression. Genes Dis 2024; 11:921-934. [PMID: 37692474 PMCID: PMC10491869 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat on chromosome X (UTX), also known as lysine (K)-specific demethylase 6A (KDM6A), functions as a tumor suppressor gene or oncogene depending on the tumor type and context. However, its tumor-suppressive mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the clinical significance and biological effects of UTX expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) and determined the potential mechanisms of its dysregulation. UTX expression and its association with clinicopathologic characteristics of PDA patients were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. UTX mRNA and protein expression and their regulation in PDA cell lines were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses. The biological functions of UTX in PDA cell growth, migration, and invasion were determined using gain- and loss-of-function assays with both in vitro and in vivo animal models. UTX expression was reduced in human PDA cell lines and specimens. Low UTX expression was associated with poor differentiation and prognosis in PDA. Forced UTX expression inhibited PDA proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and PDA growth and metastasis in vivo, whereas knockdown of UTX expression did the opposite. Mechanistically, UTX expression was trans-activated by GATA6 activation. GATA6-mediated PDA progression could be blocked, at least partially, by silencing UTX expression. In conclusion, loss of GATA6-mediated UTX expression was evident in human PDA and restored UTX expression suppressed PDA growth and metastasis. Thus, UTX is a tumor suppressor in PDA and may serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Qing Zhang
- The Third Department of Medical Oncology, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Fanyang Kong
- Departments of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xiangyu Kong
- Departments of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Tingting Jiang
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Muyuan Ma
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Shaojiang Zheng
- Hainan Clinical Medical Research Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 570102, China
| | - Junli Guo
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research of Hainan Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 571199, China
| | - Keping Xie
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
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Tong D, Tang Y, Zhong P. The emerging roles of histone demethylases in cancers. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024:10.1007/s10555-023-10160-9. [PMID: 38227150 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10160-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Modulation of histone methylation status is regarded as an important mechanism of epigenetic regulation and has substantial clinical potential for the therapy of diseases, including cancer and other disorders. The present study aimed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the enzymology of histone demethylases, as well as their cancerous roles, molecular mechanisms, therapeutic possibilities, and challenges for targeting them, in order to advance drug design for clinical therapy and highlight new insight into the mechanisms of these enzymes in cancer. A series of clinical trials have been performed to explore potential roles of histone demethylases in several cancer types. Numerous targeted inhibitors associated with immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy have been used to exert anticancer functions. Future studies should evaluate the dynamic transformation of histone demethylases leading to carcinogenesis and explore individual therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dali Tong
- Department of Urological Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400042, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ying Tang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China.
| | - Peng Zhong
- Department of Pathology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400042, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Chen Z, Qi Y, Shen J, Chen Z. Histone demethylase KDM6A coordinating with KMT2B regulates self-renewal and chemoresistance of non-small cell lung cancer stem cells. Transl Oncol 2023; 37:101778. [PMID: 37683307 PMCID: PMC10493599 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Wnt signaling is essential for the maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs), but mutations in the β-catenin and APC genes are less common in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Thus, the mechanism underlying the constitutive activation of Wnt signaling in lung CSCs is still unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS Gene set enrichment analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed to establish the correlation between KDM6A/KM2B and CSC stemness. Human NSCLC cell lines were genetically manipulated for functional studies. Sphere formation assay and stemness gene expression profiling were examined to investigate the role of KDM6A/KMT2B in lung CSCs. Tumor xenograft assay were used to identify the function of KDM6A/KMT2B on tumorigenicity and tumor recurrence in vivo. Western blot analysis, coimmunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed to understand KDM6A/KMT2B mediated epigenetic regulation of Histone 3 lysine 4 methylation (H3K4me) on Wnt signaling pathway. RESULTS We discovered that the expression of Histone demethylase KDM6A and methyltransferase KMT2B correlate with the stemness of CSCs in NSCLC. KDM6A coordinates with KMT2B to activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by regulating the H3K4me3 level and promotes the tumorigenicity and maintenance of CSC stemness. Furthermore, KDM6A/ KMT2B overexpression promotes the CSC chemoresistance and tumor recurrence both in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of KDM6A and KMT2B potently suppress tumor initiation and recurrence in xenografted animal models. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that KDM6A and KMT2B mediate the constitutive activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in lung CSCs, potentially providing a therapeutic target for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Chen
- Department of Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuwen Qi
- Department of Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Chen
- Department of Pathology, Shidong hospital, Yangpu District, Shidong hospital affiliated to University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, China.
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Luo D, Chen M, Li Q, Wang K, Wang K, Li J, Fu G, Shan Z, Liu Q, Yang Y, Liang L, Ma Y, Qin Y, Qin J, Gao D, Li X. CUL4B-DDB1-COP1-mediated UTX downregulation promotes colorectal cancer progression. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:77. [PMID: 37679762 PMCID: PMC10483726 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00440-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND UTX (encoded by KDM6A), a histone demethylase for H3K27me2/3, is frequently mutated in human cancers. However, its functional and regulatory mechanisms in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. METHODS Immunohistochemistry staining was used to investigate the clinical relevance of UTX in CRC. Additionally, we generated a spontaneous mouse CRC model with conditional Utx knockout to explore the role of UTX in the colorectal tumorigenesis. Post-translational regulation of UTX was determined by co-immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analyses. RESULTS Herein, we identify that downregulation of UTX, mediated by the Cullin 4B-DNA Damage Binding Protein-1-Constitutive Photomorphogenesis Protein 1 (CUL4B-DDB1-COP1) complex, promotes CRC progression. Utx deletion in intestinal epithelial cells enhanced the susceptibility to tumorigenesis in AOM/DSS-induced spontaneous mouse CRC model. However, this effect is primarily alleviated by GSK126, an inhibitor of histone methyltransferase EZH2. Mechanistically, EMP1 and AUTS2 are identified as putative UTX target genes mediating UTX functions in limiting intestinal tumorigenesis. Notably, the CUL4B-DDB1-COP1 complex is identified as the functional E3 ligase responsible for targeting UTX for degradation in CRC cells. Thus, Cop1 deficiency in mouse intestinal tissue results in UTX accumulation and restricts tumorigenesis. Furthermore, patient cohort analysis reveals that UTX expression is negatively correlated with clinical stage, favorable disease outcomes, and COP1 expression. CONCLUSIONS In the current study, the tumor suppressor function and regulation of UTX in CRC provide a molecular basis and the rationale to target EZH2 in UTX-deficient CRC.
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Grants
- 82103259, 81972260, 81925029, 82230098, 32221002, 81790253 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- 82103259, 81972260, 81925029, 82230098, 32221002, 81790253 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- 82103259, 81972260, 81925029, 82230098, 32221002, 81790253 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- 2020YFA0803203 and 2019YFA0802102 National Key Research and Development Program of China
- YSBR-014 CAS project for young scientists in basic research
- JCTD-2018-14 CAS Interdisciplinary Innovation Team
- CAS Interdisciplinary Innovation Team and the Shanghai Municipal
Science and Technology Major Project
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakui Luo
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Min Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qingguo Li
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Kangjunjie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Kaihua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Junqiang Li
- D1 Medical Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 201802, China
| | - Guoxiang Fu
- D1 Medical Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 201802, China
| | - Zezhi Shan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yufei Yang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lei Liang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yanlei Ma
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yi Qin
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jun Qin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Daming Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
| | - Xinxiang Li
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Chen LJ, Xu XY, Zhong XD, Liu YJ, Zhu MH, Tao F, Li CY, She QS, Yang GJ, Chen J. The role of lysine-specific demethylase 6A (KDM6A) in tumorigenesis and its therapeutic potentials in cancer therapy. Bioorg Chem 2023; 133:106409. [PMID: 36753963 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Histone demethylation is a key post-translational modification of chromatin, and its dysregulation affects a wide array of nuclear activities including the maintenance of genome integrity, transcriptional regulation, and epigenetic inheritance. Lysine specific demethylase 6A (KDM6A, also known as UTX) is an Fe2+- and α-ketoglutarate- dependent oxidase which belongs to KDM6 Jumonji histone demethylase subfamily, and it can remove mono-, di- and tri-methyl groups from methylated lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me1/2/3). Mounting studies indicate that KDM6A is responsible for driving multiple human diseases, particularly cancers and pharmacological inhibition of KDM6A is an effective strategy to treat varieties of KDM6A-amplified cancers in cellulo and in vivo. Although there are several reviews on the roles of KDM6 subfamily in cancer development and therapy, all of them only simply introduce the roles of KDM6A in cancer without systematically summarizing the specific mechanisms of KDM6A in tumorigenesis, which greatly limits the advances on the understanding of roles KDM6A in varieties of cancers, discovering targeting selective KDM6A inhibitors, and exploring the adaptive profiles of KDM6A antagonists. Herein, we present the structure and functions of KDM6A, simply outline the functions of KDM6A in homeostasis and non-cancer diseases, summarize the role of KDM6A and its distinct target genes/ligand proteins in development of varieties of cancers, systematically classify KDM6A inhibitors, sum up the difficulties encountered in the research of KDM6A and the discovery of related drugs, and provide the corresponding solutions, which will contribute to understanding the roles of KDM6A in carcinogenesis and advancing the progression of KDM6A as a drug target in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Xin-Yang Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Xiao-Dan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Yan-Jun Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Ming-Hui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Fan Tao
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Chang-Yun Li
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Qiu-Sheng She
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Henan University of Urban Construction, Pingdingshan 467044, Henan, China.
| | - Guan-Jun Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China.
| | - Jiong Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China.
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JMJD family proteins in cancer and inflammation. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:304. [PMID: 36050314 PMCID: PMC9434538 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01145-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of cancer entails a series of genetic mutations that favor uncontrollable tumor growth. It is believed that various factors collectively contribute to cancer, and there is no one single explanation for tumorigenesis. Epigenetic changes such as the dysregulation of enzymes modifying DNA or histones are actively involved in oncogenesis and inflammatory response. The methylation of lysine residues on histone proteins represents a class of post-translational modifications. The human Jumonji C domain-containing (JMJD) protein family consists of more than 30 members. The JMJD proteins have long been identified with histone lysine demethylases (KDM) and histone arginine demethylases activities and thus could function as epigenetic modulators in physiological processes and diseases. Importantly, growing evidence has demonstrated the aberrant expression of JMJD proteins in cancer and inflammatory diseases, which might serve as an underlying mechanism for the initiation and progression of such diseases. Here, we discuss the role of key JMJD proteins in cancer and inflammation, including the intensively studied histone lysine demethylases, as well as the understudied group of JMJD members. In particular, we focused on epigenetic changes induced by each JMJD member and summarized recent research progress evaluating their therapeutic potential for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases.
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Ao C, Yu L, Zou Q. Prediction of bio-sequence modifications and the associations with diseases. Brief Funct Genomics 2020; 20:1-18. [PMID: 33313647 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elaa023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Modifications of protein, RNA and DNA play an important role in many biological processes and are related to some diseases. Therefore, accurate identification and comprehensive understanding of protein, RNA and DNA modification sites can promote research on disease treatment and prevention. With the development of sequencing technology, the number of known sequences has continued to increase. In the past decade, many computational tools that can be used to predict protein, RNA and DNA modification sites have been developed. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the modification site predictors for three different biological sequences and the association with diseases. The relevant web server is accessible at http://lab.malab.cn/∼acy/PTM_data/ some sample data on protein, RNA and DNA modification can be downloaded from that website.
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Histone 3 lysine-27 demethylase KDM6A coordinates with KMT2B to play an oncogenic role in NSCLC by regulating H3K4me3. Oncogene 2020; 39:6468-6479. [PMID: 32879445 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01449-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Aberrations in epigenetic modulation dysregulate transcription, playing a critical role in the developmental process of tumors, including lung cancer. Aberrant levels of the histone 3 lysine-27 demethylase KDM6A have been found in cancer and are either positively or negatively associated with tumorigenesis and prognosis. However, the clinical relevance and functional role of KDM6A in lung cancer is largely unknown. We found that KDM6A protein expression was higher in NSCLC tissues than in the corresponding paracancer tissues and that high KDM6A expression was associated with poor patient prognosis. Furthermore, KDM6A knockdown in NSCLC cell lines markedly inhibited the tumorigenic phenotype both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, KDM6A colocalized and cooperated with KMT2B to reprogram the transcriptional network via regulating the cancer pathway, in which abnormal activation of the Wnt pathway is the dominant factor. Interestingly, in NSCLC cell lines, H3K4me3 but not H3K27me2/3 or H3K4me1/2 was markedly altered upon KDM6A or KMT2B knockdown, indicating that KDM6A may act independently of H3K27 demethylases in NSCLC. Taken together, these results indicated that KDM6A or KMT2B may be a prognostic biomarker and promising therapeutic target in NSCLC.
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