Histone methyltransferase SETD2 regulates osteosarcoma cell growth and chemosensitivity by suppressing Wnt/β-catenin

Chaoyin Jiang1, Chao He2, Zhiqiang Wu3

  • 1Department of Bone Tumor Surgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second MilitaryMedical University, Shanghai, 200003, China.

Insights

The study found that SETD2 (histone methyltransferase) inhibits osteosarcoma growth and enhances chemotherapy sensitivity. SETD2 regulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling, suggesting it as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for osteosarcoma.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • SETD2, a histone methyltransferase, catalyzes H3K36 trimethylation.
  • SETD2 mutations are common in human cancers, but its role in osteosarcoma is undefined.
  • Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary bone cancer with limited treatment options.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of SETD2 in osteosarcoma (OS) oncogenesis.
  • To determine SETD2's impact on OS tumor growth and chemosensitivity.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which SETD2 influences OS.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro and in vivo studies of osteosarcoma cell lines.
  • Assessment of apoptosis, cell growth, and cancer stem cell properties.
  • Analysis of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway components and downstream targets (c-myc, CD133, cyclin D1).
  • Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to examine H3K36me3 modification at GSK3B loci.

Main Results:

  • SETD2 overexpression significantly inhibited osteosarcoma cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo.
  • SETD2 enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis and suppressed cancer stem cell characteristics in OS cells.
  • SETD2 was found to regulate Wnt/β-catenin signaling by upregulating H3K36me3 at GSK3B, promoting its transcription and leading to β-catenin degradation.

Conclusions:

  • SETD2 acts as a tumor suppressor in osteosarcoma.
  • SETD2 regulates osteosarcoma progression and chemosensitivity through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
  • SETD2 represents a novel therapeutic target for osteosarcoma diagnosis and combination chemotherapy.

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