DICER1 regulates endometrial carcinoma invasion via histone acetylation and methylation

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is one of the most common gynecologic malignancy, but molecular mechanisms of the development and progression of EC remain unclear. Here we showed that the expression of DICER1 was negatively associated with the level of histone methylation, histone acetylation and PRC2 components SUZ12 and EZH2 in EC cells. In addition, knockdown of DICER1 significantly downregulated miR-200b and let-7i, which may then regulate their targets SUZ12 and EZH2. Furthermore, knockdown of DICER1 remarkably suppressed the expression of epithelial cell marker E-cadherin, induced the expression of mesenchymal cell marker Vimentin, and promoted the invasion of EC cells. In conclusion, our data suggest that DICER1 suppresses SUZ12 and EZH2 via affecting their upstream miRNA synthesis, and inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) and invasion of EC cells via histone modification.

Aberrant histone acetylation and methylation levels in woman with endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the alterations in histone modifications in woman with endometriosis.

METHODS

Global histone H3/H4 acetylation and H3K4/H3K9 methylation in eutopic and ectopic endometrium from 15 endometriosis patients were assayed using the EpiQuik global histone H3/H4 acetylation and H3K4/H3K9 methylation assay kits. Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was applied to measure mRNA levels of 12 members of histone-related chromatin modifier genes.

RESULTS

Histone H4 hypoacetylation was detected both in eutopic and ectopic endometrium. There were no difference between patients with endometriosis and controls on global levels of H3 acetylation. Furthermore, global histone H3K4 hypomethylation and H3K9 hypomethylation were detected both in ectopic and eutopic endometrium (p < 0.001), and in ectopic endometrium (p < 0.001), respectively. SIRT1 mRNA level was significantly decreased in eutopic endometrium, while mRNA levels of HDAC1, SUV39H1, SUV39H2 and G9a were significantly downregulated in ectopic endometrium. HDAC2 mRNA level was significantly increased in eutopic endometrium. PCAF mRNA level was significantly increased in ectopic endometrium.

CONCLUSIONS

Aberrant histone modification may play an important role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Abnormal histone acetylation and methylation levels in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas

To investigate whether alterations in histone modifications occur in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), we measured histone H3/ H4 acetylation and H3K4/H3K27 methylation levels, as well as the expression of chromatin modifier genes in tumor and healthy esophageal tissue from ESCC patients. We found evidence of global H3 and H4 hypoacetylation, H3K4 and H3K27 hypermethylation in ESCC tissue. Both H3 hypoacetylation and H3K27 hypermethylation correlated with the severity and histological differentiation of the tumor, and H3K4 hypermethylation also correlated with tumor differentiation. Our results suggest that aberrant histone modifications may play an important role in the development and progression of ESCC.