Altered global histone-trimethylation code and H3F3A-ATRX mutation in pediatric GBM

Mutations in H3.3-ATRX-DAXX chromatin remodeling pathway have been reported in pediatric GBMs. H3.3 (H3F3A) mutations may affect transcriptional regulation by altered global histone-methylation. Therefore, we analyzed yet partly understood global histone code (H3K-4/9/27/36) trimethylation pattern in H3F3A-ATRX mutants and wild-type. H3F3A, HIST1H3B, IDH1, ATRX, DAXX and Tp53 mutations were identified by sequencing/immunohistochemistry in 27 pediatric GBMs. Global histone-methylation H3K-4/9/27/36me3 and Polycomb-protein EZH2 expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. H3F3A-ATRX mutation was observed in 66.7 % (18/27) of pediatric GBMs. K27M and G34R-H3F3A mutations were found in 37 % (10/27) and 14.8 % (4/27) patients respectively. G34V-H3F3A, HIST1H3B and IDH1 mutations were absent. Notably, commonest global histone-methylation mark lost was H3K27me3 (17/25, 68 %) followed by H3K4me3 (45.5 %, 10/22) and H3K9me3 (18.2 %, 4/22). Global H3K36me3 showed no loss. Most significant observation was loss of one or more histone-trimethylation mark in 80 % (20/25) pediatric GBMs. Notably, simultaneous loss of H3K27me3 and H3K4me3 were present in 7/22 (31.8 %) of pediatric GBMs. Low expression of EZH2 was found in 12/24 (50 %) of cases. However no significant correlation of loss of histone-marks or EZH2 expression with H3F3A-ATRX mutants (loss of at least one histone-marks in 87.5 % (14/16) cases) versus wild-types (loss of at least one histone-marks in 75 % (6/8) cases) was seen. The present study highlights for the first time combinatorial loss of one or more histone-trimethylation marks associated with majority of pediatric GBMs and the finding suggests significant role of histone-code in the molecular biology that underlies pediatric GBMs. Hence therapies for patients with particular combinations of histone modifications present opportunity to design innovative patient-tailored treatment protocols.