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Basta MD, Petruk S, Summer R, Rosenbloom J, Wermuth PJ, Macarak E, Levin AV, Mazo A, Walker JL. Changes in nascent chromatin structure regulate activation of the pro-fibrotic transcriptome and myofibroblast emergence in organ fibrosis. iScience 2023; 26:106570. [PMID: 37250334 PMCID: PMC10214303 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell reprogramming to a myofibroblast responsible for the pathological accumulation of extracellular matrix is fundamental to the onset of fibrosis. Here, we explored how condensed chromatin structure marked by H3K72me3 becomes modified to allow for activation of repressed genes to drive emergence of myofibroblasts. In the early stages of myofibroblast precursor cell differentiation, we discovered that H3K27me3 demethylase enzymes UTX/KDM6B creates a delay in the accumulation of H3K27me3 on nascent DNA revealing a period of decondensed chromatin structure. This period of decondensed nascent chromatin structure allows for binding of pro-fibrotic transcription factor, Myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) to nascent DNA. Inhibition of UTX/KDM6B enzymatic activity condenses chromatin structure, prevents MRTF-A binding, blocks activation of the pro-fibrotic transcriptome, and results in an inhibition of fibrosis in lens and lung fibrosis models. Our work reveals UTX/KDM6B as central coordinators of fibrosis, highlighting the potential to target its demethylase activity to prevent organ fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan D. Basta
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Svetlana Petruk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Ross Summer
- Center for Translational Medicine, The Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute at the Sidney Kimmel Medial College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Joel Rosenbloom
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, The Joan and Joel Rosenbloom Research Center for Fibrotic Diseases, Sidney Kimmel Medical College Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Peter J. Wermuth
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, The Joan and Joel Rosenbloom Research Center for Fibrotic Diseases, Sidney Kimmel Medical College Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Edward Macarak
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, The Joan and Joel Rosenbloom Research Center for Fibrotic Diseases, Sidney Kimmel Medical College Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | | | - Alexander Mazo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Janice L. Walker
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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2
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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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3
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Kolev HM, Swisa A, Manduchi E, Lan Y, Stine RR, Testa G, Kaestner KH. H3K27me3 Demethylases Maintain the Transcriptional and Epigenomic Landscape of the Intestinal Epithelium. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 15:821-839. [PMID: 36503150 PMCID: PMC9971508 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Although trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) by polycomb repressive complex 2 is required for intestinal function, the role of the antagonistic process-H3K27me3 demethylation-in the intestine remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of H3K27me3 demethylases to intestinal homeostasis. METHODS An inducible mouse model was used to simultaneously ablate the 2 known H3K27me3 demethylases, lysine (K)-specific demethylase 6A (Kdm6a) and lysine (K)-specific demethylase 6B (Kdm6b), from the intestinal epithelium. Mice were analyzed at acute and prolonged time points after Kdm6a/b ablation. Cellular proliferation and differentiation were measured using immunohistochemistry, while RNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing for H3K27me3 were used to identify gene expression and chromatin changes after Kdm6a/b loss. Intestinal epithelial renewal was evaluated using a radiation-induced injury model, while Paneth cell homeostasis was measured via immunohistochemistry, immunoblot, and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS We did not detect any effect of Kdm6a/b ablation on intestinal cell proliferation or differentiation toward the secretory cell lineages. Acute and prolonged Kdm6a/b loss perturbed expression of gene signatures belonging to multiple cell lineages (adjusted P value < .05), and a set of 72 genes was identified as being down-regulated with an associated increase in H3K27me3 levels after Kdm6a/b ablation (false discovery rate, <0.05). After prolonged Kdm6a/b loss, dysregulation of the Paneth cell gene signature was associated with perturbed matrix metallopeptidase 7 localization (P < .0001) and expression. CONCLUSIONS Although KDM6A/B does not regulate intestinal cell differentiation, both enzymes are required to support the full transcriptomic and epigenomic landscape of the intestinal epithelium and the expression of key Paneth cell genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Kolev
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Avital Swisa
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Elisabetta Manduchi
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yemin Lan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Rachel R Stine
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Giuseppe Testa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Klaus H Kaestner
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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4
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Sex differences in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. BLOOD SCIENCE 2022; 4:185-191. [PMID: 36311819 PMCID: PMC9592170 DOI: 10.1097/bs9.0000000000000133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematopoiesis is a continuous and well-regulated process requiring both the capacity for self-renewal and the potential for differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells. Multiple studies indicate that sex hormones exert significant effects on not only hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, but also the development of hematopoietic lineages, resulting in sexual dimorphisms in normal hematopoiesis. Hematologic malignancies comprise a wide variety of cancers affecting the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system, such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome, and myeloproliferative diseases. Overall, males are at greater risk and have worse prognosis for most of these malignancies compared with females. A better understanding of the differences between male and female could be of substantial value in research as well as clinical management.
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5
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Staehle HF, Pahl HL, Jutzi JS. The Cross Marks the Spot: The Emerging Role of JmjC Domain-Containing Proteins in Myeloid Malignancies. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11121911. [PMID: 34944554 PMCID: PMC8699298 DOI: 10.3390/biom11121911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone methylation tightly regulates chromatin accessibility, transcription, proliferation, and cell differentiation, and its perturbation contributes to oncogenic reprogramming of cells. In particular, many myeloid malignancies show evidence of epigenetic dysregulation. Jumonji C (JmjC) domain-containing proteins comprise a large and diverse group of histone demethylases (KDMs), which remove methyl groups from lysines in histone tails and other proteins. Cumulating evidence suggests an emerging role for these demethylases in myeloid malignancies, rendering them attractive targets for drug interventions. In this review, we summarize the known functions of Jumonji C (JmjC) domain-containing proteins in myeloid malignancies. We highlight challenges in understanding the context-dependent mechanisms of these proteins and explore potential future pharmacological targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Felix Staehle
- Division of Molecular Hematology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany; (H.F.S.); (H.L.P.)
| | - Heike Luise Pahl
- Division of Molecular Hematology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany; (H.F.S.); (H.L.P.)
| | - Jonas Samuel Jutzi
- Division of Molecular Hematology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany; (H.F.S.); (H.L.P.)
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02115, MA, USA
- Correspondence:
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6
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Wu B, Pan X, Chen X, Chen M, Shi K, Xu J, Zheng J, Niu T, Chen C, Shuai X, Liu Y. Epigenetic drug library screening identified an LSD1 inhibitor to target UTX-deficient cells for differentiation therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2019; 4:11. [PMID: 31044091 PMCID: PMC6483994 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-019-0040-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
UTX (also known as KDM6A), a histone 3 lysine 27 demethylase, is among the most frequently mutated epigenetic regulators in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Recent studies have suggested that UTX mutations promote MDS and AML by blocking the differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Here, we performed an epigenetic drug library screening for small molecules able to release the differentiation block on HSPCs induced by UTX deficiency. We found that SP2509, a selective inhibitor of LSD1, specifically promoted the differentiation of Utx-null HSPCs while sparing wild-type HSPCs. Transcriptome profiling showed that Utx loss reduced the expression of differentiation-related and tumor suppressor genes, correlating with their potential roles in HSPC self-renewal and leukemogenesis. In contrast, SP2509 treatment reversed these changes in gene expression in Utx-null HSPCs. Accordingly, Utx loss decreased H3K4 methylation level probably through the COMPASS-like complex, while LSD1 inhibition by SP2509 partially reversed the reduction of H3K4 methylation in Utx-deficient HSPCs. Further, SP2509 promoted the differentiation of Utx-null AML cells in vitro and in vivo and, therefore, extended the survival of these leukemic mice. Thus, our study identified a novel strategy to specifically target both premalignant and malignant cells with Utx deficiency for differentiation therapy and provided insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of Utx in regulating HSPCs and related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baohong Wu
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Xiangyu Pan
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Xuelan Chen
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Mei Chen
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Kaidou Shi
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Jianan Zheng
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Ting Niu
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Chong Chen
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Xiao Shuai
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, Sichuan China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, Sichuan China
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Rejlova K, Musilova A, Kramarzova KS, Zaliova M, Fiser K, Alberich-Jorda M, Trka J, Starkova J. Low HOX gene expression in PML-RARα-positive leukemia results from suppressed histone demethylation. Epigenetics 2018; 13:73-84. [PMID: 29224413 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2017.1413517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeobox (HOX) genes are frequently dysregulated in leukemia. Previous studies have shown that aberrant HOX gene expression accompanies leukemogenesis and affects disease progression and leukemia patient survival. Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) bearing PML-RARα fusion gene have distinct HOX gene signature in comparison to other subtypes of AML patients, although the mechanism of transcription regulation is not completely understood. We previously found an association between the mRNA levels of HOX genes and those of the histone demethylases JMJD3 and UTX in PML-RARα- positive leukemia patients. Here, we demonstrate that the release of the PML-RARα-mediated block in PML-RARα-positive myeloid leukemia cells increased both JMJD3 and HOX gene expression, while inhibition of JMJD3 using the specific inhibitor GSK-J4 reversed the effect. This effect was driven specifically through PML-RARα fusion protein since expression changes did not occur in cells with mutated RARα and was independent of differentiation. We confirmed that gene expression levels were inversely correlated with alterations in H3K27me3 histone marks localized at HOX gene promoters. Furthermore, data from chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing broaden a list of clustered HOX genes regulated by JMJD3 in PML-RARα-positive leukemic cells. Interestingly, the combination of GSK-J4 and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) significantly increased PML-RARα-positive cell apoptosis compared with ATRA treatment alone. This effect was also observed in ATRA-resistant NB4 clones, which may provide a new therapeutic opportunity for patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) resistant to current treatment. The results of our study reveal the mechanism of HOX gene expression regulation and contribute to our understanding of APL pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Rejlova
- a CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague.,b Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology , Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Alena Musilova
- a CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague.,b Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology , Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Karolina Skvarova Kramarzova
- a CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague.,b Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology , Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Zaliova
- a CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague.,b Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology , Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Karel Fiser
- a CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague.,b Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology , Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic
| | | | - Jan Trka
- a CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague.,b Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology , Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic.,c University Hospital Motol , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Julia Starkova
- a CLIP - Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague.,b Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology , Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic
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8
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Li SH, Lu HI, Huang WT, Tien WY, Lan YC, Lin WC, Tsai HT, Chen CH. The Prognostic Significance of Histone Demethylase UTX in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19010297. [PMID: 29351209 PMCID: PMC5796242 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The dysregulation of the ubiquitously transcribed TPR gene on the X chromosome (UTX) has been reported to be involved in the oncogenesis of several types of cancers. However, the expression and significance of UTX in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains largely undetermined. Immunohistochemistry was performed in 106 ESCC patients, and correlated with clinicopathological features and survival. The functional role of UTX in ESCC cells was determined by UTX-mediated siRNA. Univariate analyses showed that high UTX expression was associated with superior overall survival (OS, p = 0.011) and disease-free survival (DFS, p = 0.01). UTX overexpression was an independent prognosticator in multivariate analysis for OS (p = 0.013, hazard ratio = 1.996) and DFS (p = 0.009, hazard ratio = 1.972). The 5-year OS rates were 39% and 61% in patients with low expression and high expression of UTX, respectively. Inhibition of endogenous UTX in ESCC cells increased cell viability and BrdU incorporation, and decreased the expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin. Immunohistochemically, UTX expression was also positively correlated with E-cadherin expression. High UTX expression is independently associated with a better prognosis in patients with ESCC and downregulation of UTX increases ESCC cell growth and decreases E-cadherin expression. Our results suggest that UTX may be a novel therapeutic target for patients with ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shau-Hsuan Li
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan.
| | - Hung-I Lu
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan.
| | - Wan-Ting Huang
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan.
| | - Wan-Yu Tien
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan.
| | - Ya-Chun Lan
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan.
| | - Wei-Che Lin
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan.
| | - Hsin-Ting Tsai
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510020, China.
| | - Chang-Han Chen
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510020, China.
- Department of Applied Chemistry, and Graduate Institute of Biomedicine and Biomedical Technology, National Chi Nan University, Nantou 54561, Taiwan.
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
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9
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Xiao H, Wang LM, Luo Y, Lai X, Li C, Shi J, Tan Y, Fu S, Wang Y, Zhu N, He J, Zheng W, Yu X, Cai Z, Huang H. Mutations in epigenetic regulators are involved in acute lymphoblastic leukemia relapse following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Oncotarget 2016; 7:2696-708. [PMID: 26527318 PMCID: PMC4823065 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although steady improvements to chemotherapeutic treatments has helped cure 80% of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases, chemotherapy has proven to be less effective in treating the majority of adult patients, leaving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) as the primary adult treatment option. Nevertheless relapse are the leading cause of death following allo-HSCT. The genetic pathogenesis of relapse following allo-HSCT in Philadelphia chromosome- negative ALL (Ph− ALL) remains unexplored. We performed longitudinal whole-exome sequencing analysis in three adult patients with Ph− B-cell ALL (Ph− B-ALL) on samples collected from diagnosis to relapse after allo-HSCT. Based on these data, we performed target gene sequencing on 23 selected genes in 58 adult patients undergoing allo-HSCT with Ph− B-ALL. Our results revealed a significant enrichment of mutations in epigenetic regulators from relapsed samples, with recurrent somatic mutations in SETD2, CREBBP, KDM6A and NR3C1. The relapsed samples were also enriched in signaling factor mutations, including KRAS, PTPN21, MYC and USP54. Furthermore, we are the first to reveal the clonal evolution patterns during leukemia relapse after allo-HSCT. Cells present in relapsed specimens were genetically related to the diagnosed tumor, these cells therefore arose from either an existing subclone that was not eradicated by allo-HSCT therapy, or from the same progenitor that acquired new mutations. In some cases, however, it is possible that leukemia recurrence following allo-HSCT could result from a secondary malignancy with a distinct set of mutations. We identified novel genetic causes of leukemia relapse after allo-HSCT using the largest generated data set to date from adult patients with Ph− B-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haowen Xiao
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China.,Department of Hematology, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command (Guangzhou Liuhuaqiao Hospital), Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Li-Mengmeng Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Yi Luo
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Xiaoyu Lai
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Caihua Li
- Center for Genetic and Genomic Analysis, Genesky Biotechnologies Inc., Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jimin Shi
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Yamin Tan
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Shan Fu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Yebo Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Ni Zhu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Jingsong He
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Weiyan Zheng
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Xiaohong Yu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Zhen Cai
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - He Huang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China
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10
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The cancer COMPASS: navigating the functions of MLL complexes in cancer. Cancer Genet 2015; 208:178-91. [PMID: 25794446 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The mixed-lineage leukemia family of histone methyltransferases (MLL1-4, or KMT2A-D) were previously linked to cancer through the founding member, MLL1/KMT2A, which is often involved in translocation-associated gene fusion events in childhood leukemias. However, in recent years, a multitude of tumor exome sequencing studies have revealed that orthologues MLL3/KMT2C and MLL2/KMT2D are mutated in a significant percentage of a large variety of malignancies, particularly solid tumors. These unexpected findings necessitate a deeper inspection into the activities and functional differences between the MLL/KMT2 family members. This review provides an overview of this protein family and its relation to cancers, focusing on the recent links between MLL3/KMT2C and MLL2/4/KMT2D and their potential roles as tumor suppressors in an assortment of cell types.
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11
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Skvarova Kramarzova K, Fiser K, Mejstrikova E, Rejlova K, Zaliova M, Fornerod M, Drabkin HA, van den Heuvel-Eibrink MM, Stary J, Trka J, Starkova J. Homeobox gene expression in acute myeloid leukemia is linked to typical underlying molecular aberrations. J Hematol Oncol 2014; 7:94. [PMID: 25539595 PMCID: PMC4310032 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-014-0094-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although distinct patterns of homeobox (HOX) gene expression have been described in defined cytogenetic and molecular subsets of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), it is unknown whether these patterns are the direct result of transcriptional alterations or rather represent the differentiation stage of the leukemic cell. Method To address this question, we used qPCR to analyze mRNA expression of HOXA and HOXB genes in bone marrow (BM) samples of 46 patients with AML and sorted subpopulations of healthy BM cells. These various stages of myeloid differentiation represent matched counterparts of morphological subgroups of AML. To further study the transcriptional alterations of HOX genes in hematopoiesis, we also analyzed gene expression of epigenetic modifiers in the subpopluations of healthy BM and leukemic cells. Results Unsupervised hierarchical clustering divided the AMLs into five clusters characterized by the presence of prevalent molecular genetic aberrations. Notably, the impact of genotype on HOX gene expression was significantly more pronounced than that of the differentiation stage of the blasts. This driving role of molecular aberrations was best exemplified by the repressive effect of the PML-RARa fusion gene on HOX gene expression, regardless of the presence of the FLT3/ITD mutation. Furthermore, HOX gene expression was positively correlated with mRNA levels of histone demethylases (JMJD3 and UTX) and negatively correlated with gene expression of DNA methyltranferases. No such relationships were observed in subpopulations of healthy BM cells. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that specific molecular genetic aberrations, rather than differentiation per se, underlie the observed differences in HOX gene expression in AML. Moreover, the observed correlations between epigenetic modifiers and HOX ex pression that are specific to malignant hematopoiesis, suggest their potential causal relationships. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13045-014-0094-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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12
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Ostrup O, Reiner AH, Aleström P, Collas P. The specific alteration of histone methylation profiles by DZNep during early zebrafish development. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2014; 1839:1307-15. [PMID: 25260724 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2014.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Revised: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Early embryo development constitutes a unique opportunity to study acquisition of epigenetic marks, including histone methylation. This study investigates the in vivo function and specificity of 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZNep), a promising anti-cancer drug that targets polycomb complex genes. One- to two-cell stage embryos were cultured with DZNep, and subsequently evaluated at the post-mid blastula transition stage for H3K27me3, H3K4me3 and H3K9me3 occupancy and enrichment at promoters using ChIP-chip microarrays. DZNep affected promoter enrichment of H3K27me3 and H3K9me3, whereas H3K4me3 remained stable. Interestingly, DZNep induced a loss of H3K27me3 and H3K9me3 from a substantial number of promoters but did not prevent de novo acquisition of these marks on others, indicating gene-specific targeting of its action. Loss/gain of H3K27me3 on promoters did not result in changes in gene expression levels until 24h post-fertilization. In contrast, genes gaining H3K9me3 displayed strong and constant down-regulation upon DZNep treatment. H3K9me3 enrichment on these gene promoters was observed not only in the proximal area as expected, but also over the transcription start site. Altered H3K9me3 profiles were associated with severe neuronal and cranial phenotypes at day 4-5 post-fertilization. Thus, DZNep was shown to affect enrichment patterns of H3K27me3 and H3K9me3 at promoters in a gene-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Ostrup
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Stem Cell Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1112, Blindern, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Andrew H Reiner
- Stem Cell Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1112, Blindern, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Peter Aleström
- BasAM, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, PO Box 8146 Dep., 0033 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Philippe Collas
- Stem Cell Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1112, Blindern, Oslo, Norway.
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13
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Abstract
Human UTX, a member of the Jumonji C family of proteins, associates with mixed-lineage leukemia 3/4 complexes. Stimulation with retinoic acid leads to the recruitment of UTX-containing complexes to HOX genes, which results in demethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 and concomitant methylation of histone H3 lysine 4. Here, we show that UTX interacts with the retinoic acid receptor α (RARα) and that this interaction is essential for proper differentiation of leukemic U937 cells in response to retinoic acid. UTX occupies the promoters of several RAR target genes and regulates their transcriptional output by modulating ASH2L complex recruitment. Overexpression of UTX in promyelocytic NB4 cells results in enhanced cellular differentiation upon retinoic acid treatment. Our results show that UTX is important for RAR-mediated transcription and provide insight into the critical role of cross talk between histone H3 lysine 4 methylation and histone H3 lysine 27 demethylation during cellular differentiation.
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14
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Van der Meulen J, Speleman F, Van Vlierberghe P. The H3K27me3 demethylase UTX in normal development and disease. Epigenetics 2014; 9:658-68. [PMID: 24561908 PMCID: PMC4063824 DOI: 10.4161/epi.28298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2007, the Ubiquitously Transcribed Tetratricopeptide Repeat on chromosome X (UTX) was identified as a histone demethylase that specifically targets di- and tri-methyl groups on lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me2/3). Since then, UTX has been proven essential during normal development, as it is critically required for correct reprogramming, embryonic development and tissue-specific differentiation. UTX is a member of the MLL2 H3K4 methyltransferase complex and its catalytic activity has been linked to regulation of HOX and RB transcriptional networks. In addition, an H3K27me2/3 demethylase independent function for UTX was uncovered in promoting general chromatin remodeling in concert with the BRG1-containing SWI/SNF remodeling complex. Constitutional inactivation of UTX causes a specific hereditary disorder called the Kabuki syndrome, whereas somatic loss of UTX has been reported in a variety of human cancers. Here, we compile the breakthrough discoveries made from the first disclosure of UTX as a histone demethylase till the identification of disease-related UTX mutations and specific UTX inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frank Speleman
- Center for Medical Genetics; Ghent University; Ghent, Belgium
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15
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Kim JH, Sharma A, Dhar SS, Lee SH, Gu B, Chan CH, Lin HK, Lee MG. UTX and MLL4 coordinately regulate transcriptional programs for cell proliferation and invasiveness in breast cancer cells. Cancer Res 2014; 74:1705-17. [PMID: 24491801 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-1896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Histone methyltransferases and demethylases reversibly modulate histone lysine methylation, which is considered a key epigenetic mark associated with gene regulation. Recently, aberrant regulation of gene expression by histone methylation modifiers has emerged as an important mechanism for tumorigenesis. However, it remains largely unknown how histone methyltransferases and demethylases coregulate transcriptional profiles for cancer cell characteristics. Here, we show that in breast cancer cells, the histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) demethylase UTX (also known as KDM6A) positively regulates gene expression programs associated with cell proliferation and invasion. The majority of UTX-controlled genes, including a cohort of oncogenes and prometastatic genes, are coregulated by the H3K4 methyltransferase mixed lineage leukemia 4 (MLL4, also called ALR, KMT2D, and MLL2). UTX interacted with a C-terminal region of MLL4. UTX knockdown resulted in significant decreases in the proliferation and invasiveness of breast cancer cells in vitro and in a mouse xenograft model. Such defective cellular characteristics of UTX-depleted cells were phenocopied by MLL4 knockdown cells. UTX-catalyzed demethylation of trimethylated H3K27 and MLL4-mediated trimethylation at H3K4 occurred interdependently at cotarget genes of UTX and MLL4. Clinically, high levels of UTX or MLL4 were associated with poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer. Taken together, these findings uncover that coordinated regulation of gene expression programs by a histone methyltransferase and a histone demethylase is coupled to the proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Hwan Kim
- Authors' Affiliations: Department of Molecular & Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Cancer Biology Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas; Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung; and Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
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16
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Morales Torres C, Laugesen A, Helin K. Utx is required for proper induction of ectoderm and mesoderm during differentiation of embryonic stem cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e60020. [PMID: 23573229 PMCID: PMC3616089 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2012] [Accepted: 02/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic development requires chromatin remodeling for dynamic regulation of gene expression patterns to ensure silencing of pluripotent transcription factors and activation of developmental regulators. Demethylation of H3K27me3 by the histone demethylases Utx and Jmjd3 is important for the activation of lineage choice genes in response to developmental signals. To further understand the function of Utx in pluripotency and differentiation we generated Utx knockout embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Here we show that Utx is not required for the proliferation of ESCs, however, Utx contributes to the establishment of ectoderm and mesoderm in vitro. Interestingly, this contribution is independent of the catalytic activity of Utx. Furthermore, we provide data showing that the Utx homologue, Uty, which is devoid of detectable demethylase activity, and Jmjd3 partly compensate for the loss of Utx. Taken together our results show that Utx is required for proper formation of ectoderm and mesoderm in vitro, and that Utx, similar to its C.elegans homologue, has demethylase dependent and independent functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Morales Torres
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Epigenetics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Laugesen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Epigenetics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristian Helin
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Epigenetics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Danish Stem Cell Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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17
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Abstract
Regulated migration of hematopoietic stem cells is fundamental for hematopoiesis. The molecular mechanisms underlying stem cell trafficking are poorly defined. Based on a short hairpin RNA library and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) migration screening assay, we identified the histone 3 lysine 27 demethylase UTX (Kdm6a) as a novel regulator for hematopoietic cell migration. Using hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from our conditional UTX knockout (KO) mice, we were able to confirm the regulatory function of UTX on cell migration. Moreover, adult female conditional UTX KO mice displayed myelodysplasia and splenic erythropoiesis, whereas UTX KO males showed no phenotype. During development, all UTX KO female and a portion of UTX KO male embryos developed a cardiac defect, cranioschisis, and died in utero. Therefore, UTY, the male homolog of UTX, can compensate for UTX in adults and partially during development. Additionally, we found that UTX knockdown in zebrafish significantly impairs SDF-1/CXCR4-dependent migration of primordial germ cells. Our data suggest that UTX is a critical regulator for stem cell migration and hematopoiesis.
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18
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Vu LP, Luciani L, Nimer SD. Histone-modifying enzymes: their role in the pathogenesis of acute leukemia and their therapeutic potential. Int J Hematol 2013; 97:198-209. [PMID: 23288492 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-012-1247-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Histone-modifying enzymes have recently been shown to play a central role in the regulation of both normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Post-translational modifications of histones and non-histone proteins underlies a regulatory complexity affecting numerous processes including transcriptional regulation, RNA processing and DNA damage response. Insights into the functions of these enzymes as well as their role in the epigenetic alterations found in leukemia will guide the development of novel therapeutic approaches. This review discusses examples of the proteins that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of leukemia, that may serve as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ly P Vu
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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19
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Epigenetic control and cancer: the potential of histone demethylases as therapeutic targets. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2012; 5:963-90. [PMID: 24280700 PMCID: PMC3816642 DOI: 10.3390/ph5090963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2012] [Revised: 07/21/2012] [Accepted: 08/17/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of cancer involves an immense number of factors at the molecular level. These factors are associated principally with alterations in the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate gene expression profiles. Studying the effects of chromatin structure alterations, which are caused by the addition/removal of functional groups to specific histone residues, are of great interest as a promising way to identify markers for cancer diagnosis, classify the disease and determine its prognosis, and these markers could be potential targets for the treatment of this disease in its different forms. This manuscript presents the current point of view regarding members of the recently described family of proteins that exhibit histone demethylase activity; histone demethylases are genetic regulators that play a fundamental role in both the activation and repression of genes and whose expression has been observed to increase in many types of cancer. Some fundamental aspects of their association with the development of cancer and their relevance as potential targets for the development of new therapeutic strategies at the epigenetic level are discussed in the following manuscript.
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20
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Abstract
In the April 1, 2012, issue of Genes & Development, Simon and colleagues (pp. 651-656) demonstrated that the disruption of Ezh2 in mice is sufficient to cause T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Moreover, in concert with concurrent studies, the authors revealed that similar mechanisms are involved in human T-ALL. These data contrast with previous findings showing that increased EZH2 activity promotes cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanno Hock
- Cancer Center, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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