1
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Seehawer M, Li Z, Nishida J, Foidart P, Reiter AH, Rojas-Jimenez E, Goyette MA, Yan P, Raval S, Munoz Gomez M, Cejas P, Long HW, Papanastasiou M, Polyak K. Loss of Kmt2c or Kmt2d drives brain metastasis via KDM6A-dependent upregulation of MMP3. Nat Cell Biol 2024; 26:1165-1175. [PMID: 38926506 PMCID: PMC11251985 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01446-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
KMT2C and KMT2D, encoding histone H3 lysine 4 methyltransferases, are among the most commonly mutated genes in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, how these mutations may shape epigenomic and transcriptomic landscapes to promote tumorigenesis is largely unknown. Here we describe that deletion of Kmt2c or Kmt2d in non-metastatic murine models of TNBC drives metastasis, especially to the brain. Global chromatin profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing revealed altered H3K4me1, H3K27ac and H3K27me3 chromatin marks in knockout cells and demonstrated enhanced binding of the H3K27me3 lysine demethylase KDM6A, which significantly correlated with gene expression. We identified Mmp3 as being commonly upregulated via epigenetic mechanisms in both knockout models. Consistent with these findings, samples from patients with KMT2C-mutant TNBC have higher MMP3 levels. Downregulation or pharmacological inhibition of KDM6A diminished Mmp3 upregulation induced by the loss of histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 (KMT2) and prevented brain metastasis similar to direct downregulation of Mmp3. Taken together, we identified the KDM6A-matrix metalloproteinase 3 axis as a key mediator of KMT2C/D loss-driven metastasis in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Seehawer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zheqi Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jun Nishida
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pierre Foidart
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Ernesto Rojas-Jimenez
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marie-Anne Goyette
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pengze Yan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shaunak Raval
- The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Miguel Munoz Gomez
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paloma Cejas
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Henry W Long
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Kornelia Polyak
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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2
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Wang Z, Ren B. Role of H3K4 monomethylation in gene regulation. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 84:102153. [PMID: 38278054 PMCID: PMC11065453 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Methylation of histone H3 on the lysine-4 residue (H3K4me) is found throughout the eukaryotic domain, and its initial discovery as a conserved epigenetic mark of active transcription from yeast to mammalian cells has contributed to the histone code hypothesis. However, recent studies have raised questions on whether the different forms of H3K4me play a direct role in gene regulation or are simply by-products of the transcription process. Here, we review the often-conflicting experimental evidence, focusing on the monomethylation of lysine 4 on histone H3 that has been linked to the transcriptional state of enhancers in metazoans. We suggest that this epigenetic mark acts in a context-dependent manner to directly facilitate the transcriptional output of the genome and the establishment of cellular identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoning Wang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA. https://twitter.com/@ZhaoningWang
| | - Bing Ren
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Epigenomics, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA; Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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3
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Zhao Z, Aoi Y, Philips CN, Meghani KA, Gold SR, Yu Y, John LS, Qian J, Zeidner JM, Meeks JJ, Shilatifard A. Somatic mutations of MLL4/COMPASS induce cytoplasmic localization providing molecular insight into cancer prognosis and treatment. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2310063120. [PMID: 38113256 PMCID: PMC10756272 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310063120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer genome sequencing consortiums have recently catalogued an abundance of somatic mutations, across a wide range of human cancers, in the chromatin-modifying enzymes that regulate gene expression. Defining the molecular mechanisms underlying the potentially oncogenic functions of these epigenetic mutations could serve as the basis for precision medicine approaches to cancer therapy. MLL4 encoded by the KMT2D gene highly mutated in a large number of human cancers, is a key histone lysine monomethyltransferase within the Complex of Proteins Associated with Set1 (COMPASS) family that regulates gene expression through enhancer function, potentially functioning as a tumor suppressor. We report that the KMT2D mutations which cause MLL4 protein truncation also alter MLL4's subcellular localization, resulting in loss-of-function in the nucleus and gain-of-function in the cytoplasm. We demonstrate that isogenic correction of KMT2D truncation mutation rescues the aberrant localization phenotype and restores multiple regulatory functions of MLL4, including COMPASS integrity/stabilization, histone H3K4 mono-methylation, enhancer activation, and therefore transcriptional regulation. Moreover, isogenic correction diminishes the sensitivity of KMT2D-mutated cancer cells to targeted metabolic inhibition. Using immunohistochemistry, we identified that cytoplasmic MLL4 is unique to the tissue of bladder cancer patients with KMT2D truncation mutations. Using a preclinical carcinogen model of bladder cancer in mouse, we demonstrate that truncated cytoplasmic MLL4 predicts response to targeted metabolic inhibition therapy for bladder cancer and could be developed as a biomarker for KMT2D-mutated cancers. We also highlight the broader potential for prognosis, patient stratification and treatment decision-making based on KMT2D mutation status in MLL4 truncation-relevant diseases, including human cancers and Kabuki Syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zibo Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Yuki Aoi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Cassandra N. Philips
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Khyati A. Meghani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Sarah R. Gold
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Yanni Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Luke St John
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Jun Qian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Jacob M. Zeidner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Joshua J. Meeks
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL60611
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL60611
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4
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Shpargel KB, Quickstad G. SETting up the genome: KMT2D and KDM6A genomic function in the Kabuki syndrome craniofacial developmental disorder. Birth Defects Res 2023; 115:1885-1898. [PMID: 37800171 PMCID: PMC11190966 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kabuki syndrome is a congenital developmental disorder that is characterized by distinctive facial gestalt and skeletal abnormalities. Although rare, the disorder shares clinical features with several related craniofacial syndromes that manifest from mutations in chromatin-modifying enzymes. Collectively, these clinical studies underscore the crucial, concerted functions of chromatin factors in shaping developmental genome structure and driving cellular transcriptional states. Kabuki syndrome predominantly results from mutations in KMT2D, a histone H3 lysine 4 methylase, or KDM6A, a histone H3 lysine 27 demethylase. AIMS In this review, we summarize the research efforts to model Kabuki syndrome in vivo to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to the craniofacial and skeletal pathogenesis that defines the disorder. DISCUSSION As several studies have indicated the importance of KMT2D and KDM6A function through catalytic-independent mechanisms, we highlight noncanonical roles for these enzymes as recruitment centers for alternative chromatin and transcriptional machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl B. Shpargel
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Gabrielle Quickstad
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
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5
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Zhao Z, Cao K, Watanabe J, Philips CN, Zeidner JM, Ishi Y, Wang Q, Gold SR, Junkins K, Bartom ET, Yue F, Chandel NS, Hashizume R, Ben-Sahra I, Shilatifard A. Therapeutic targeting of metabolic vulnerabilities in cancers with MLL3/4-COMPASS epigenetic regulator mutations. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e169993. [PMID: 37252797 PMCID: PMC10313365 DOI: 10.1172/jci169993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic status-altering mutations in chromatin-modifying enzymes are a feature of human diseases, including many cancers. However, the functional outcomes and cellular dependencies arising from these mutations remain unresolved. In this study, we investigated cellular dependencies, or vulnerabilities, that arise when enhancer function is compromised by loss of the frequently mutated COMPASS family members MLL3 and MLL4. CRISPR dropout screens in MLL3/4-depleted mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) revealed synthetic lethality upon suppression of purine and pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis pathways. Consistently, we observed a shift in metabolic activity toward increased purine synthesis in MLL3/4-KO mESCs. These cells also exhibited enhanced sensitivity to the purine synthesis inhibitor lometrexol, which induced a unique gene expression signature. RNA-Seq identified the top MLL3/4 target genes coinciding with suppression of purine metabolism, and tandem mass tag proteomic profiling further confirmed upregulation of purine synthesis in MLL3/4-KO cells. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that compensation by MLL1/COMPASS was underlying these effects. Finally, we demonstrated that tumors with MLL3 and/or MLL4 mutations were highly sensitive to lometrexol in vitro and in vivo, both in culture and in animal models of cancer. Our results depicted a targetable metabolic dependency arising from epigenetic factor deficiency, providing molecular insight to inform therapy for cancers with epigenetic alterations secondary to MLL3/4 COMPASS dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zibo Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics
| | - Kaixiang Cao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics
| | - Jun Watanabe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Robert H. Lurie NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, and
| | - Cassandra N. Philips
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics
| | - Jacob M. Zeidner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics
| | - Yukitomo Ishi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Robert H. Lurie NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, and
| | - Qixuan Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics
| | - Sarah R. Gold
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics
| | - Katherine Junkins
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics
| | - Elizabeth T. Bartom
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics
| | - Feng Yue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics
| | - Navdeep S. Chandel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics
- Robert H. Lurie NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, and
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Rintaro Hashizume
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Robert H. Lurie NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, and
| | - Issam Ben-Sahra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics
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6
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Fotouhi O, Nizamuddin S, Falk S, Schilling O, Knüchel-Clarke R, Biniossek ML, Timmers HTM. Alternative mRNA Splicing Controls the Functions of the Histone H3K27 Demethylase UTX/KDM6A. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3117. [PMID: 37370727 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The UTX/KDM6A histone H3K27 demethylase plays an important role in development and is frequently mutated in cancers such as urothelial cancer. Despite many studies on UTX proteins, variations in mRNA splicing have been overlooked. Using Nanopore sequencing, we present a comprehensive analysis of UTX/KDM6A splicing events in human cell lines and in tissue samples from bladder cancer cases and normal epithelia. We found that the central region of UTX mRNAs encoded by exons 12 to 17 undergoes extensive alternative splicing. Up to half of all stable mRNAs (8-48% in bladder tissues and 18-58% in cell lines) are represented by the UTX canonical isoform lacking exon 14 encoding a nuclear localization sequence, and hence exon 14-containing UTX isoforms exclusively localize to the nucleus, unlike the cytonuclear localization of the canonical isoform. Chromatin association was also higher for exon-14-containing isoforms compared to the canonical UTX. Using quantitative mass spectrometry, we found that all UTX isoforms integrated into the MLL3 and MLL4, PR-DUB and MiDAC complexes. Interestingly, one of the novel UTX isoforms, which lacks exons 14 and 16, fails to interact with PR-DUB and MiDAC complex members. In conclusion, UTX mRNAs undergo extensive alternative splicing, which controls the subcellular localization of UTX and its interactions with other chromatin regulatory complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omid Fotouhi
- Department of Urology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sheikh Nizamuddin
- Department of Urology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Falk
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Schilling
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ruth Knüchel-Clarke
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Martin L Biniossek
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - H T Marc Timmers
- Department of Urology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Morgan MA, Shilatifard A. Epigenetic moonlighting: Catalytic-independent functions of histone modifiers in regulating transcription. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg6593. [PMID: 37083523 PMCID: PMC10121172 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg6593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The past three decades have yielded a wealth of information regarding the chromatin regulatory mechanisms that control transcription. The "histone code" hypothesis-which posits that distinct combinations of posttranslational histone modifications are "read" by downstream effector proteins to regulate gene expression-has guided chromatin research to uncover fundamental mechanisms relevant to many aspects of biology. However, recent molecular and genetic studies revealed that the function of many histone-modifying enzymes extends independently and beyond their catalytic activities. In this review, we highlight original and recent advances in the understanding of noncatalytic functions of histone modifiers. Many of the histone modifications deposited by these enzymes-previously considered to be required for transcriptional activation-have been demonstrated to be dispensable for gene expression in living organisms. This perspective aims to prompt further examination of these enigmatic chromatin modifications by inspiring studies to define the noncatalytic "epigenetic moonlighting" functions of chromatin-modifying enzymes.
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8
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Conner MM, Schaner Tooley CE. Three's a crowd - why did three N-terminal methyltransferases evolve for one job? J Cell Sci 2023; 136:jcs260424. [PMID: 36647772 PMCID: PMC10022744 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
N-terminal methylation of the α-amine group (Nα-methylation) is a post-translational modification (PTM) that was discovered over 40 years ago. Although it is not the most abundant of the Nα-PTMs, there are more than 300 predicted substrates of the three known mammalian Nα-methyltransferases, METTL11A and METTL11B (also known as NTMT1 and NTMT2, respectively) and METTL13. Of these ∼300 targets, the bulk are acted upon by METTL11A. Only one substrate is known to be Nα-methylated by METTL13, and METTL11B has no proven in vivo targets or predicted targets that are not also methylated by METTL11A. Given that METTL11A could clearly handle the entire substrate burden of Nα-methylation, it is unclear why three distinct Nα-methyltransferases have evolved. However, recent evidence suggests that many methyltransferases perform important biological functions outside of their catalytic activity, and the Nα-methyltransferases might be part of this emerging group. Here, we describe the distinct expression, localization and physiological roles of each Nα-methyltransferase, and compare these characteristics to other methyltransferases with non-catalytic functions, as well as to methyltransferases with both catalytic and non-catalytic functions, to give a better understanding of the global roles of these proteins. Based on these comparisons, we hypothesize that these three enzymes do not just have one common function but are actually performing three unique jobs in the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan M. Conner
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Christine E. Schaner Tooley
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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9
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Jezek M, Sun W, Negesse MY, Smith ZM, Orosz A, Green EM. Set1 regulates telomere function via H3K4 methylation-dependent and -independent pathways and calibrates the abundance of telomere maintenance factors. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar6. [PMID: 36416860 PMCID: PMC9816643 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-06-0213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Set1 is an H3K4 methyltransferase that comprises the catalytic subunit of the COMPASS complex and has been implicated in transcription, DNA repair, cell cycle control, and numerous other genomic functions. Set1 also promotes proper telomere maintenance, as cells lacking Set1 have short telomeres and disrupted subtelomeric gene repression; however, the precise role for Set1 in these processes has not been fully defined. In this study, we have tested mutants of Set1 and the COMPASS complex that differentially alter H3K4 methylation status, and we have attempted to separate catalytic and noncatalytic functions of Set1. Our data reveal that Set1-dependent subtelomeric gene repression relies on its catalytic activity toward H3K4, whereas telomere length is regulated by Set1 catalytic activity but likely independent of the H3K4 substrate. Furthermore, we uncover a role for Set1 in calibrating the abundance of critical telomere maintenance proteins, including components of the telomerase holoenzyme and members of the telomere capping CST (Cdc13-Stn1-Ten1) complex, through both transcriptional and posttranscriptional pathways. Altogether, our data provide new insights into the H3K4 methylation-dependent and -independent roles for Set1 in telomere maintenance in yeast and shed light on possible roles for Set1-related methyltransferases in other systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meagan Jezek
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250
| | - Winny Sun
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250
| | - Maraki Y. Negesse
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250
| | - Zachary M. Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250
| | - Alexander Orosz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250
| | - Erin M. Green
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
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10
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Baxter M, Poolman T, Cunningham P, Hunter L, Voronkov M, Kitchen GB, Goosey L, Begley N, Kay D, Hespe A, Maidstone R, Loudon ASI, Ray DW. Circadian clock function does not require the histone methyltransferase MLL3. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22356. [PMID: 35704036 PMCID: PMC9328146 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200368r] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The circadian clock controls the physiological function of tissues through the regulation of thousands of genes in a cell-type-specific manner. The core cellular circadian clock is a transcription-translation negative feedback loop, which can recruit epigenetic regulators to facilitate temporal control of gene expression. Histone methyltransferase, mixed lineage leukemia gene 3 (MLL3) was reported to be required for the maintenance of circadian oscillations in cultured cells. Here, we test the role of MLL3 in circadian organization in whole animals. Using mice expressing catalytically inactive MLL3, we show that MLL3 methyltransferase activity is in fact not required for circadian oscillations in vitro in a range of tissues, nor for the maintenance of circadian behavioral rhythms in vivo. In contrast to a previous report, loss of MLL3-dependent methylation did not affect the global levels of H3K4 methylation in liver, indicating substantial compensation from other methyltransferases. Furthermore, we found little evidence of genomic repositioning of H3K4me3 marks. We did, however, observe repositioning of H3K4me1 from intronic regions to intergenic regions and gene promoters; however, there were no changes in H3K4me1 mark abundance around core circadian clock genes. Output functions of the circadian clock, such as control of inflammation, were largely intact in MLL3-methyltransferase-deficient mice, although some gene-specific changes were observed, with sexually dimorphic loss of circadian regulation of specific cytokines. Taken together, these observations indicate that MLL3-directed histone methylation is not essential for core circadian clock function; however, it may influence the inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Baxter
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research CentreJohn Radcliffe HospitalOxfordUK
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and MetabolismUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Toryn Poolman
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research CentreJohn Radcliffe HospitalOxfordUK
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and MetabolismUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Peter Cunningham
- Centre for Biological TimingFaculty of Biology, Medicine and HealthUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Louise Hunter
- Centre for Biological TimingFaculty of Biology, Medicine and HealthUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Maria Voronkov
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research CentreJohn Radcliffe HospitalOxfordUK
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and MetabolismUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Gareth B. Kitchen
- Centre for Biological TimingFaculty of Biology, Medicine and HealthUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Laurence Goosey
- Centre for Biological TimingFaculty of Biology, Medicine and HealthUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Nicola Begley
- Centre for Biological TimingFaculty of Biology, Medicine and HealthUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Danielle Kay
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research CentreJohn Radcliffe HospitalOxfordUK
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and MetabolismUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Abby Hespe
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research CentreJohn Radcliffe HospitalOxfordUK
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and MetabolismUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Robert Maidstone
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research CentreJohn Radcliffe HospitalOxfordUK
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and MetabolismUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Andrew S. I. Loudon
- Centre for Biological TimingFaculty of Biology, Medicine and HealthUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - David W. Ray
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research CentreJohn Radcliffe HospitalOxfordUK
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and MetabolismUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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Wang X, Rosikiewicz W, Sedkov Y, Martinez T, Hansen BS, Schreiner P, Christensen J, Xu B, Pruett-Miller SM, Helin K, Herz HM. PROSER1 mediates TET2 O-GlcNAcylation to regulate DNA demethylation on UTX-dependent enhancers and CpG islands. Life Sci Alliance 2021; 5:5/1/e202101228. [PMID: 34667079 PMCID: PMC8548262 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
PROSER1 promotes the interaction between TET2 and the glycosyltransferase OGT to regulate TET2 O-GlcNAcylation and stability on genomic elements that depend on the activity of the MLL3/4 complexes. DNA methylation at enhancers and CpG islands usually leads to gene repression, which is counteracted by DNA demethylation through the TET protein family. However, how TET enzymes are recruited and regulated at these genomic loci is not fully understood. Here, we identify TET2, the glycosyltransferase OGT and a previously undescribed proline and serine rich protein, PROSER1 as interactors of UTX, a component of the enhancer-associated MLL3/4 complexes. We find that PROSER1 mediates the interaction between OGT and TET2, thus promoting TET2 O-GlcNAcylation and protein stability. In addition, PROSER1, UTX, TET1/2, and OGT colocalize on many genomic elements genome-wide. Loss of PROSER1 results in lower enrichment of UTX, TET1/2, and OGT at enhancers and CpG islands, with a concomitant increase in DNA methylation and transcriptional down-regulation of associated target genes and increased DNA hypermethylation encroachment at H3K4me1-predisposed CpG islands. Furthermore, we provide evidence that PROSER1 acts as a more general regulator of OGT activity by controlling O-GlcNAcylation of multiple other chromatin signaling pathways. Taken together, this study describes for the first time a regulator of TET2 O-GlcNAcylation and its implications in mediating DNA demethylation at UTX-dependent enhancers and CpG islands and supports an important role for PROSER1 in regulating the function of various chromatin-associated proteins via OGT-mediated O-GlcNAcylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaokang Wang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Wojciech Rosikiewicz
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yurii Sedkov
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Tanner Martinez
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Baranda S Hansen
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Patrick Schreiner
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jesper Christensen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre and The Novo Nordisk Foundation for Stem Cell Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Beisi Xu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Shondra M Pruett-Miller
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kristian Helin
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre and The Novo Nordisk Foundation for Stem Cell Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Cell Biology Program and Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Hans-Martin Herz
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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The MLL3/4 H3K4 methyltransferase complex in establishing an active enhancer landscape. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:1041-1054. [PMID: 34156443 PMCID: PMC8286814 DOI: 10.1042/bst20191164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Enhancers are cis-regulatory elements that play essential roles in tissue-specific gene expression during development. Enhancer function in the expression of developmental genes requires precise regulation, while deregulation of enhancer function could be the main cause of tissue-specific cancer development. MLL3/KMT2C and MLL4/KMT2D are two paralogous histone modifiers that belong to the SET1/MLL (also named COMPASS) family of lysine methyltransferases and play critical roles in enhancer-regulated gene activation. Importantly, large-scale DNA sequencing studies have revealed that they are amongst the most frequently mutated genes associated with human cancers. MLL3 and MLL4 form identical multi-protein complexes for modifying mono-methylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) at enhancers, which together with the p300/CBP-mediated H3K27 acetylation can generate an active enhancer landscape for long-range target gene activation. Recent studies have provided a better understanding of the possible mechanisms underlying the roles of MLL3/MLL4 complexes in enhancer regulation. Moreover, accumulating studies offer new insights into our knowledge of the potential role of MLL3/MLL4 in cancer development. In this review, we summarize recent evidence on the molecular mechanisms of MLL3/MLL4 in the regulation of active enhancer landscape and long-range gene expression, and discuss their clinical implications in human cancers.
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Reevaluating the roles of histone-modifying enzymes and their associated chromatin modifications in transcriptional regulation. Nat Genet 2020; 52:1271-1281. [PMID: 33257899 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-020-00736-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Histone-modifying enzymes are implicated in the control of diverse DNA-templated processes including gene expression. Here, we outline historical and current thinking regarding the functions of histone modifications and their associated enzymes. One current viewpoint, based largely on correlative evidence, posits that histone modifications are instructive for transcriptional regulation and represent an epigenetic 'code'. Recent studies have challenged this model and suggest that histone marks previously associated with active genes do not directly cause transcriptional activation. Additionally, many histone-modifying proteins possess non-catalytic functions that overshadow their enzymatic activities. Given that much remains unknown regarding the functions of these proteins, the field should be cautious in interpreting loss-of-function phenotypes and must consider both cellular and developmental context. In this Perspective, we focus on recent progress relating to the catalytic and non-catalytic functions of the Trithorax-COMPASS complexes, Polycomb repressive complexes and Clr4/Suv39 histone-modifying machineries.
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