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Identification of Transcription Factor Regulators using Medium-Throughput Screening of Arrayed Libraries and a Dual-Luciferase-Based Reporter
Published on: March 27, 2020
EZH2 promotes neoplastic transformation through VAV interaction-dependent extranuclear mechanisms.
N Venkatesan1, J F Wong1, K P Tan2,3
1School of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, Republic of Singapore.
Extranuclear EZH2 promotes cancer by methylating Talin1, enhancing cell adhesion turnover and tumorigenesis. Disrupting EZH2-VAV interaction or cytoplasmic EZH2 function halts this transformation process.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- The histone methyltransferase EZH2 (Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2) is known to regulate gene expression epigenetically.
- Extranuclear functions of EZH2, particularly its interaction with cytoskeletal proteins like VAV and Talin, are less understood.
- The role of extranuclear EZH2 in cellular transformation and metastasis remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the extranuclear, epigenetic-independent role of EZH2 in initiating cellular transformation and metastasis.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which EZH2 influences Talin1 methylation and cleavage.
- To determine the association of cytoplasmic EZH2 with cancer stem cell properties and STAT3 activation.
Main Methods:
- Investigated EZH2's effect on Talin1 methylation and cleavage in cellular models.
- Utilized targeted disruption of EZH2-VAV interaction to assess its impact on tumorigenesis.
- Examined the association of cytoplasmic EZH2, EZH2ΔNLS (mutant lacking nuclear localization signal), and a methyl-mimicking Talin1 mutant with JAK2-dependent STAT3 activation and cellular transformation.
Main Results:
- EZH2 increases Talin1 methylation and cleavage, leading to enhanced adhesion turnover and accelerated tumorigenesis.
- Disruption of the EZH2-VAV interaction abolished the transforming capacity of EZH2.
- Cytoplasmic EZH2 is linked to cancer stem cell properties, and its overexpression or specific mutants promote JAK2-STAT3 activation and cellular transformation.
Conclusions:
- Extranuclear EZH2 plays a critical role in neoplastic transformation through VAV interaction-dependent mechanisms.
- EZH2's extranuclear actions, including Talin1 modification, are crucial for promoting tumorigenesis and potentially cancer stem cell phenotypes.
- Targeting extranuclear EZH2 function represents a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
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