Antagonistic activities of miR-148a and DNMT1: Ectopic expression of miR-148a impairs DNMT1 mRNA and dwindle cell proliferation and survival

Rapid isolation method for extracellular vesicles based on Fe3O4@ZrO2

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are pivotal in intercellular communication, disease mechanisms. Despite numerous methods for EVs isolation, challenges persist in yield, purity, reproducibility, cost, time, and automation. We introduce a EVs isolation technique using Fe3O4@ZrO2 beads, leveraging ZrO2-phosphate interaction. The results indicated that EVs were efficiently separated from large volumes of samples in 30 minutes without preconcentration. Our method demonstrated capture efficiency (74%-78%) compared to ultracentrifugation, purity (97%), and reproducibility (0.3%-0.5%), with excellent linearity (R2 > 0.99). EVs from urine samples showed altered expression of miRNAs. The logistic regression model achieved an AUC of 0.961, sensitivity of 0.92, and specificity of 0.94. With potential for automation, this magnetic bead-based method holds promise for clinical applications, offering an efficient and reliable tool for EVs research and clinical studies.

Epigenetic regulation of androgen dependent and independent prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies among men worldwide. Besides genetic alterations, epigenetic modulations including DNA methylation, histone modifications and miRNA mediated alteration of gene expression are the key driving forces for the prostate tumor development and cancer progression. Aberrant expression and/or the activity of the epigenetic modifiers/enzymes, results in aberrant expression of genes involved in DNA repair, cell cycle regulation, cell adhesion, apoptosis, autophagy, tumor suppression and hormone response and thereby disease progression. Altered epigenome is associated with prostate cancer recurrence, progression, aggressiveness and transition from androgen-dependent to androgen-independent phenotype. These epigenetic modifications are reversible and various compounds/drugs targeting the epigenetic enzymes have been developed that are effective in cancer treatment. This chapter focuses on the epigenetic alterations in prostate cancer initiation and progression, listing different epigenetic biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of the disease and their potential as therapeutic targets. This chapter also summarizes different epigenetic drugs approved for prostate cancer therapy and the drugs available for clinical trials.

DNA Methylation in the Adaptive Response to Exercise

Emerging evidence published over the past decade has highlighted the role of DNA methylation in skeletal muscle function and health, including as an epigenetic transducer of the adaptive response to exercise. In this review, we aim to synthesize the latest findings in this field to highlight: (1) the shifting understanding of the genomic localization of altered DNA methylation in response to acute and chronic aerobic and resistance exercise in skeletal muscle (e.g., promoter, gene bodies, enhancers, intergenic regions, un-annotated regions, and genome-wide methylation); (2) how these global/regional methylation changes relate to transcriptional activity following exercise; and (3) the factors (e.g., individual demographic or genetic features, dietary, training history, exercise parameters, local epigenetic characteristics, circulating hormones) demonstrated to alter both the pattern of DNA methylation after exercise, and the relationship between DNA methylation and gene expression. Finally, we discuss the changes in non-CpG methylation and 5-hydroxymethylation after exercise, as well as the importance of emerging single-cell analyses to future studies-areas of increasing focus in the field of epigenetics. We anticipate that this review will help generate a framework for clinicians and researchers to begin developing and testing exercise interventions designed to generate targeted changes in DNA methylation as part of a personalized exercise regimen.

Evaluation of miR-148a-3p and miR-106a-5p as Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer: Pilot Study

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that may function as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. Alteration of their expression levels has been linked to a range of human malignancies, including cancer. The objective of this investigation is to assess the relative expression levels of certain miRNAs to distinguish between prostate cancer (PCa) from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Blood plasma was collected from 66 patients diagnosed with BPH and 58 patients with PCa. Real-time PCR technology was used to evaluate the relative expression among the two groups for miR-106a-5p and miR-148a-3p. The significant downregulation of both miRNAs in plasma from PCa versus BPH patients suggests their potential utility as diagnostic biomarkers for distinguishing between these conditions. The concurrent utilization of these two miRNAs slightly enhanced the sensitivity for discrimination among the two analyzed groups, as shown in ROC curve analysis. Further validation of these miRNAs in larger patient cohorts and across different stages of PCa may strengthen their candidacy as clinically relevant biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis.

Involvement of CCCTC-binding factor in epigenetic regulation of cancer

A major global health burden continues to be borne by the complex and multifaceted disease of cancer. Epigenetic changes, which are essential for the emergence and spread of cancer, have drawn a huge amount of attention recently. The CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), which takes part in a wide range of cellular processes including genomic imprinting, X chromosome inactivation, 3D chromatin architecture, local modifications of histone, and RNA polymerase II-mediated gene transcription, stands out among the diverse array of epigenetic regulators. CTCF not only functions as an architectural protein but also modulates DNA methylation and histone modifications. Epigenetic regulation of cancer has already been the focus of plenty of studies. Understanding the role of CTCF in the cancer epigenetic landscape may lead to the development of novel targeted therapeutic strategies for cancer. CTCF has already earned its status as a tumor suppressor gene by acting like a homeostatic regulator of genome integrity and function. Moreover, CTCF has a direct effect on many important transcriptional regulators that control the cell cycle, apoptosis, senescence, and differentiation. As we learn more about CTCF-mediated epigenetic modifications and transcriptional regulations, the possibility of utilizing CTCF as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for cancer will also increase. Thus, the current review intends to promote personalized and precision-based therapeutics for cancer patients by shedding light on the complex interplay between CTCF and epigenetic processes.

Metformin regulates expression of DNA methyltransferases through the miR-148/-152 family in non-small lung cancer cells

BACKGROUND

To understand the molecular mechanisms involved in regulation of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) by metformin in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells.

METHODS

Expression levels of DNMTs in response to metformin were analyzed in NSCLC cells. MicroRNAs regulating expression of DNMTs at the post-transcriptional level were searched using miRNA-target databases (miRDB and miRTarBase), TCGA RNASeqV2 lung cancer data, and miRNA-seq.

RESULTS

Metformin dose-dependently downregulated expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3a at the post-transcriptional level and expression of DNMT3b at the transcriptional level in A549 lung cancer cells. Activity of DNMTs was reduced by about 2.6-fold in A549 cells treated with 10 mM metformin for 72 h. miR-148/-152 family members (miR-148a, miR-148b, and miR-152) targeting the 3'UTR of DNMTs were associated with post-transcriptional regulation of DNMTs by metformin. Metformin upregulated expression of miR-148a, miR-148b, and miR-152 in A549 and H1650 cells. Transfection with an miR-148b plasmid or a mimic suppressed expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3b in A549 cells. Transfection with the miR-148a mimic in A549 and H1650 cells decreased the luciferase activity of DNMT1 3'UTR. A combination of metformin and cisplatin synergistically increased expression levels of miR-148/-152 family members but decreased expression of DNMTs in A549 cells. Low expression of miR-148b was associated with poor overall survival (HR = 2.56, 95% CI 1.09-6.47; P = 0.04) but not with recurrence-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that metformin inhibits expression of DNMTs by upregulating miR-148/-152 family members in NSCLC cells.

Emerging role of different DNA methyltransferases in the pathogenesis of cancer

DNA methylation is one of the most essential epigenetic mechanisms to regulate gene expression. DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) play a vital role in DNA methylation in the genome. In mammals, DNMTs act with some elements to regulate the dynamic DNA methylation patterns of embryonic and adult cells. Conversely, the aberrant function of DNMTs is frequently the hallmark in judging cancer, including total hypomethylation and partial hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs), which improve the malignancy of tumors, aggravate the ailment for patients, and significantly exacerbate the difficulty of cancer therapy. Since DNA methylation is reversible, currently, DNMTs are viewed as an important epigenetic target for drug development. However, the impression of DNMTs on cancers is still controversial, and therapeutic methods targeting DNMTs remain under exploration. This review mainly summarizes the relationship between the main DNMTs and cancers as well as regulatory mechanisms and clinical applications of DNMTs in cancer and highlights several forthcoming strategies for targeting DNMTs.

Epigenetic perspectives of COVID-19: Virus infection to disease progression and therapeutic control

COVID-19 has caused numerous deaths as well as imposed social isolation and upheaval world-wide. Although, the genome and the composition of the virus, the entry process and replication mechanisms are well investigated from by several laboratories across the world, there are many unknown remaining questions. For example, what are the functions of membrane lipids during entry, packaging and exit of virus particles? Also, the metabolic aspects of the infected tissue cells are poorly understood. In the course of virus replication and formation of virus particles within the host cell, the enhanced metabolic activities of the host is directly proportional to viral loads. The epigenetic landscape of the host cells is also altered, particularly the expression/repression of genes associated with cellular metabolism as well as cellular processes that are antagonistic to the virus. Metabolic pathways are enzyme driven processes and the expression profile and mechanism of regulations of the respective genes encoding those enzymes during the course of pathogen invasion might be highly informative on the course of the disease. Recently, the metabolic profile of the patients' sera have been analysed from few patients. In view of this, and to gain further insights into the roles that epigenetic mechanisms might play in this scenario in regulation of metabolic pathways during the progression of COVID-19 are discussed and summarised in this contribution for ensuring best therapy.

MicroRNAs as biomarkers for prostate cancer prognosis: a systematic review and a systematic reanalysis of public data

Background

Reliable prognostic biomarkers to distinguish indolent from aggressive prostate cancer (PCa) are lacking. Many studies investigated microRNAs (miRs) as PCa prognostic biomarkers, often reporting inconsistent findings. We present a systematic review of these; also systematic reanalysis of public miR-profile datasets to identify tissue-derived miRs prognostic of biochemical recurrence (BCR) in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.

Methods

Independent PubMed searches were performed for relevant articles from January 2007 to December 2019. For the review, 128 studies were included. Pooled-hazard-ratios (HRs) for miRs in multiple studies were calculated using a random-effects model (REM). For the reanalysis, five studies were included and Cox proportional-hazard models, testing miR association with BCR, performed for miRs profiled in all.

Results

Systematic review identified 120 miRs as prognostic. Five (let-7b-5p, miR-145-5p, miR152-3p, miR-195-5p, miR-224-5p) were consistently associated with progression in multiple cohorts/studies. In the reanalysis, ten (let-7a-5p, miR-148a-3p, miR-203a-3p, miR-26b-5p, miR30a-3p, miR-30c-5p, miR-30e-3p, miR-374a-5p, miR-425-3p, miR-582-5p) were significantly prognostic of BCR. Of these, miR-148a-3p (HR = 0.80/95% CI = 0.68-0.94) and miR-582-5p (HR = 0.73/95% CI = 0.61-0.87) were also reported in prior publication(s) in the review.

Conclusions

Fifteen miRs were consistently associated with disease progression in multiple publications or datasets. Further research into their biological roles is warranted to support investigations into their performance as prognostic PCa biomarkers.

miR-148a, miR-152 and miR-200b promote prostate cancer metastasis by targeting DNMT1 and PTEN expression

MicroRNAs (miRs) modulate the expression of target genes in the signal pathway on transcriptome level. The present study investigated the ‘epigenetic-based miRNA (epi-miRNA)-mRNA’ regulatory network of miR-34b, miR-34c, miR-148a, miR-152, miR-200a and miR-200b epi-miRNAs and their target genes, DNA methyltransferase (DNMT1, 3a and 3b), phosphate and tensin homolog (PTEN) and NK3 Homeobox 1 (NKX3.1), in prostate cancer (PCa) using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The expression level of NKX3.1 were not significantly different between the PCa, Met-PCa and control groups. However, in the PCa and Met-PCa groups, the expression level of DNMT1 was upregulated, while DNMT3a, DNMT3b and PTEN were downregulated. Overexpression of DNMT1 (~5 and ~6-fold increase in the PCa and Met-PCa groups respectively) was accompanied by a decreased expression in PTEN, indicating a potential negative association. Both groups indicated that a high level of DNMT1 is associated with the aggressiveness of cancer, and there is a a directly proportional relationship between this gene and PSA, GS and TNM staging. A significant ~2 to ~5-fold decrease in the expression levels of DNMT3a and DNMT3b was found in both groups. In the PCa group, significant associations were identified between miR-34b and DNMT1/DNMT3b; between miR-34c/miR-148a and all target genes; between miR-152 and DNMT1/DNMT3b and PTEN; and between miR-200a/b and DNMT1. In the Met-PCa group, miR-148a, miR-152 and miR-200b exhibited a significant association with all target genes. A significant negative association was identified between PTEN and DNMT1 in the Met-PCa group. It was also revealed that that miR-148a, miR-152 and miR-200b increased the expression of DNMT1 and suppressed PTEN. Furthermore, the ‘epi-miRNA-mRNA’ bidirectional feedback loop was emphasised and the methylation pattern in PCa anti-cancer therapeutics was highlighted.

Human prostate epithelial cells and prostate-derived stem cells malignantly transformed in vitro with sodium arsenite show impaired Toll like receptor -3 (TLR3)-associated anti-tumor pathway

A therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer (PCa) involves the use of 9-cis-retinoic acid (9cRA) to induce cancer stem cells (CSCs) differentiation and apoptosis. Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (PIC) is a Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist that induces tumor cells apoptosis after activation. PIC+9cRA combination activates retinoic acid receptor β (RARβ) re-expression, leading to CSC differentiation and growth arrest. Since inorganic arsenic (iAs) targets prostatic stem cells (SCs), we hypothesized that arsenic-transformed SCs (As-CSCs) show an impaired TLR3-associated anti-tumor pathway and, therefore, are unresponsive to PIC activation. We evaluated TLR3-mediated activation of anti-tumor pathway based in RARβ expression, on As-CSC and iAs-transformed epithelial cells (CAsE-PE). As-CSCs and CAsE-PE showed lower TLR3 and RARβ basal expression compared to their respective isogenic controls WPE-Stem and RWPE-1. Also, iAs transformants showed reduced expression of mediators in TLR3 pathway. Importantly, As-CSCs were irresponsive to PIC+9cRA in terms of increased RARβ and decreased SC-markers expression, while CAsE-PE, a heterogeneous cell line having a small SC population, were partially responsive. These observations indicate that iAs can impair TLR3 expression and anti-tumor pathway activated by PIC+9cRA in SCs and prostatic epithelial cells. These findings suggest that TLR3-activation based therapy may be an ineffective therapeutic alternative for iAs-associated PCa.

Inverse relationship between the level of miRNA 148a-3p and both TGF-β1 and FIB-4 in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health burden globally. Dysregulation of miRNA 148a-3p is engaged in carcinogenesis. TGF-β is a profibrogenic cytokine. This study assesses the expression level of miRNA 148a-3p and its relationship with serum TGF-β1 and fibrosis index based on four factors (FIB-4) in Egyptian patients with HCV-associated HCC.

SUBJECTS

and Methods: The study included 72 HCC patients with HCV, 48 HCV cirrhotic patients, and 47 healthy controls. Serum TGF-β1 was assessed by ELISA and the expression of miRNA 148a-3p was measured by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Patients with HCC had lower plasma miRNA 148a-3p, higher serum TGF-β1, and higher FIB-4 levels than patients with cirrhosis and controls. miRNA 148a-3p discriminated HCC either from control (AUC: 0.997, 95.83% sensitivity, 85.11% specificity) or from cirrhosis (AUC: 0.943, 91.67% sensitivity, 81.25% specificity). Moreover, it distinguished metastatic from nonmetastatic patients (AUC: 0.800, 88.89% sensitivity, 60.0% specificity). The decreased miRNA 148a-3p and the increased TGF-β1 levels were related to distant metastasis, multinodular lesions, advanced TNM stage, and BCLC score (C). A negative correlation between miRNA 148a-3p and each of FIB-4 and TGF-β1 was detected. The decreased miRNA 148a-3p was associated with poor overall survival and poor progression-free survival.

CONCLUSION

An inverse relationship between miRNA 148a-3p and both TGF-β1 and FIB-4 was observed, which could be involved in HCC pathogenesis. Moreover, this miRNA is a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HCC.

Association Between miR-148a and DNA Methylation Profile in Individuals Exposed to Lead (Pb)

Experimental and epidemiologic studies have shown that lead (Pb) is able to induce epigenetic modifications, such as changes in DNA methylation profiles, in chromatin remodeling, as well as the expression of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). However, very little is known about the interactions between microRNAs (miRNAs) expression and DNA methylation status in individuals exposed to the metal. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of hsa-miR-148a expression on DNA methylation status, in 85 workers exposed to Pb. Blood and plasma lead levels (BLL and PLL, respectively) were determined by ICP-MS; expression of the miRNA-148a was quantified by RT-qPCR (TaqMan assay) and assessment of the global DNA methylation profile (by measurement of 5-methylcytosine; % 5-mC) was performed by ELISA. An inverse association was seen between miR-148a and % 5-mC DNA, as a function of BLL and PLL (β = −3.7; p = 0.071 and β = −4.1; p = 0.049, respectively) adjusted for age, BMI, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Taken together, our study provides further evidence concerning the interactions between DNA methylation profile and miR-148a, in individuals exposed to Pb.

Emerging histone glutamine modifications mediated gene expression in cell differentiation and the VTA reward pathway

Gene expression is the key to cellular functions and homeostasis. Histone modifications regulate chromatin dynamics and gene expression. Neuronal cell functions largely depend on fluxes of neurotransmitters for activation of chromatin and gene expression. New studies by Lepack et al. and Farrelly et al. recently demonstrated how tissue transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) mediated histone glutamine modifications, either dopaminylation in the dopaminergic reward pathway or serotonylation in the context of cellular differentiation and signaling regulate gene expression and decipher striking differences from their known functions. This opens new avenues of research in the field of epigenetics in general and neuroepigenetics as special; and to find out the enzymes responsible for the reversible reaction of histone de-dopaminylation and de-serotonylation.

Regulation of DNA methylation machinery by epi-miRNAs in human cancer: emerging new targets in cancer therapy

Disruption in DNA methylation processes can lead to alteration in gene expression and function that would ultimately result in malignant transformation. In this way, studies have shown that, in cancers, methylation-associated silencing inactivates tumor suppressor genes, as effectively as mutations. DNA methylation machinery is composed of several genes, including those with DNA methyltransferases activity, proteins that bind to methylated cytosine in the promoter region, and enzymes with demethylase activity. Based on a prominent body of evidence, DNA methylation machinery could be regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs) called epi-miRNAs. Numerous studies demonstrated that dysregulation in DNA methylation regulators like upstream epi-miRNAs is indispensable for carcinogenesis; consequently, the malignant capacity of these cells could be reversed by restoring of this regulatory system in cancer. Conceivably, recognition of these epi-miRNAs in cancer cells could not only reveal novel molecular entities in carcinogenesis, but also render promising targets for cancer therapy. In this review, at first, we have an overview of the methylation alteration in cancers, and the effect of this phenomenon in miRNAs expression and after that, we conduct an in-depth discussion about the regulation of DNA methylation regulators by epi-miRNAs in cancer cells.

Roles of OCT4 in pathways of embryonic development and cancer progression

Somatic cells may be reprogrammed to pluripotent state by ectopic expression of certain transcription factors; namely, OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and c-MYC. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms are not adequately understood, especially for human embryonic development. Studies during the last five years implicated importance of OCT4 in human zygotic genome activation (ZGA), patterns of OCT4 protein folding and role of specialized sequences in binding to DNA for modulation of gene expression during development. Epigenetic modulation of OCT4 gene and post translational modifications of OCT4 protein activity in the context of multiple cancers are important issues. A consensus is emerging that chromatin organization and epigenetic landscape play crucial roles for the interactions of transcription factors, including OCT4 with the promoters and/or regulatory sequences of genes associated with human embryonic development (ZGA through lineage specification) and that when the epigenome niche is deregulated OCT4 helps in cancer progression, and how OCT4 silencing in somatic cells of adult organisms may impact ageing.

Dissecting miRNA facilitated physiology and function in human breast cancer for therapeutic intervention

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key epigenomic regulators of biological processes in animals and plants. These small non coding RNAs form a complex networks that regulate cellular function and development. MiRNAs prevent translation by either inactivation or inducing degradation of mRNA, a major concern in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Aberrant regulation of gene expression by miRNAs is frequently observed in cancer. Overexpression of various 'oncomiRs' and silencing of tumor suppressor miRNAs are associated with various types of human cancers, although overall downregulation of miRNA expression is reported as a hallmark of cancer. Modulations of the total pool of cellular miRNA by alteration in genetic and epigenetic factors associated with the biogenesis of miRNA machinery. It also depends on the availability of cellular miRNAs from its store in the organelles which affect tumor development and cancer progression. Here, we have dissected the roles and pathways of various miRNAs during normal cellular and molecular functions as well as during breast cancer progression. Recent research works and prevailing views implicate that there are two major types of miRNAs; (i) intracellular miRNAs and (ii) extracellular miRNAs. Concept, that the functions of intracellular miRNAs are driven by cellular organelles in mammalian cells. Extracellular miRNAs function in cell-cell communication in extracellular spaces and distance cells through circulation. A detailed understanding of organelle driven miRNA function and the precise role of extracellular miRNAs, pre- and post-therapeutic implications of miRNAs in this scenario would open several avenues for further understanding of miRNA function and can be better exploited for the treatment of breast cancers.

Epigenetics and prostate cancer: defining the timing of DNA methyltransferase deregulation during prostate cancer progression

DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) regulate gene expression by methylating cytosine residues within CpG dinucleotides. Aberrant methylation patterns have been shown in a variety of human tumours including prostate cancer. However, the expression of DNMTs in clinical samples across the spectrum of prostate cancer progression has not been studied before. Tissue microarrays were constructed from the prostatectomy specimens of 309 patients across the spectrum of prostate cancer progression: hormone-naïve low-grade prostate cancer (n=49), hormone-naïve high-grade prostate cancer (n=151), hormonally treated high-grade prostate cancer (n=65), and castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) including neuroendocrine carcinoma (n=44). Adjacent non-neoplastic parenchyma was also available in 100 patients. In 71 patients with high-grade carcinoma and lymph node metastasis, tissue from the metastasis was also available for analysis. Immunohistochemical staining was performed with antibodies against DNMT1, DNMT2, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, and DNMT3L. Our results showed that DNMT1 and DNMT3L were upregulated early in prostate cancer progression, whereas DNMT2 was upregulated as a response to androgen ablation. DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B were higher in the late stages of prostate cancer progression, i.e., the emergence of castrate resistance and androgen-independent growth. Lastly, DNMT1, DNMT2, and DNMT3L were upregulated in lymph node metastases compared to primary carcinomas. Our results highlight a cascade of epigenetic events in prostate cancer progression.

DNA methylation regulates Microtubule-associated tumor suppressor 1 in human non-small cell lung carcinoma

Microtubule associated tumor suppressor 1 (MTUS1) has been recognized as a tumor suppressor gene in multiple cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of MTUS1 are yet to be investigated. This study aimed to clarify the significance of DNA methylation in silencing MTUS1 expression. We report that MTUS1 acts as tumor suppressor in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Analysis of in silico database and subsequent knockdown of DNMT1 suggested an inverse correlation between DNMT1 and MTUS1 function. Interestingly, increased methylation at MTUS1 promoter is associated with low expression of MTUS1. Treatment with DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (AZA) leads to both reduced promoter methylation accompanied with enrichment of H3K9Ac and enhanced MTUS1 expression. Remarkably, knockdown of MTUS1 showed increased proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells in contrast to diminished proliferation and migration, upon treatment with AZA. We concluded that low expression of MTUS1 correlates to DNA methylation and histone deacetylation in human NSCLC.