Targets of epigenetic therapy – Gene reactivation as a novel approach in MDS treatment

The Impact of Epigenetic Modifications in Myeloid Malignancies

Myeloid malignancy is a broad term encapsulating myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Initial studies into genomic profiles of these diseases have shown 2000 somatic mutations prevalent across the spectrum of myeloid blood disorders. Epigenetic mutations are emerging as critical components of disease progression, with mutations in genes controlling chromatin regulation and methylation/acetylation status. Genes such as DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A), ten eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2), additional sex combs-like 1 (ASXL1), enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 (IDH1/2) show functional impact in disease pathogenesis. In this review we discuss how current knowledge relating to disease progression, mutational profile and therapeutic potential is progressing and increasing understanding of myeloid malignancies.

Directed evolution of a histone acetyltransferase--enhancing thermostability, whilst maintaining catalytic activity and substrate specificity

Histone acetylation plays an integral role in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Transcriptional activity reflects the recruitment of opposing classes of enzymes to promoter elements; histone acetyltransferases (EC 2.3.1.48) that deposit acetyl marks at a subset of histone residues and histone deacetylases that remove them. Many histone acetyltransferases are difficult to study in solution because of their limited stability once purified. We have developed a directed evolution protocol that allows the screening of hundreds of histone acetyltransferase mutants for histone acetylating activity, and used this to enhance the thermostability of the human P/CAF histone acetyltransferase. Two rounds of directed evolution significantly stabilized the enzyme without lowering the catalytic efficiency and substrate specificity of the enzyme. Twenty-four variants with higher thermostability were identified. Detailed analysis revealed twelve single amino acid mutants that were found to possess a higher thermostability. The residues affected are scattered over the entire protein structure, and are different from mutations predicted by sequence alignment approaches, suggesting that sequence comparison and directed evolution methods are complementary strategies in engineering increased protein thermostability. The stabilizing mutations are predominately located at surface of the enzyme, suggesting that the protein's surface is important for stability. The directed evolution approach described in the present study is easily adapted to other histone modifying enzymes, requiring only appropriate peptide substrates and antibodies, which are available from commercial suppliers.