Emerging roles of JMJD3 in cancer

Maryam Farzaneh1,2, Zeinab Kuchaki3, Fatima Rashid Sheykhahmad4

  • 1Fertility, Infertility and Perinatology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Maryamfarzaneh2013@yahoo.com.

Insights

Jumonji domain-containing protein-3 (JMJD3) has a dual role in cancer, promoting growth in some cancers while inhibiting it in others. This review summarizes JMJD3

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Histone lysine methylation, specifically histone H3 trimethylation on lysine-27 (H3K27me3), is a crucial epigenetic mechanism regulating gene expression.
  • Jumonji domain-containing protein-3 (JMJD3) is a key histone demethylase responsible for removing methyl groups, thereby influencing H3K27me3 levels.
  • JMJD3's role in cancer is complex, with evidence suggesting both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions across different cancer types.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize recent findings on the multifaceted roles of JMJD3 in various cancer cells.
  • To highlight the contrasting effects of JMJD3 on tumor growth, migration, and apoptosis in different malignancies.
  • To provide a comprehensive overview of JMJD3's impact on cancer progression and potential therapeutic implications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent scientific publications.
  • Analysis of studies investigating JMJD3's enzymatic activity and its downstream effects on gene expression.
  • Compilation of data from preclinical and clinical studies examining JMJD3's role in different cancer types.

Main Results:

  • JMJD3 promotes proliferation, migration, and growth in cancers such as neural, prostate, ovarian, skin, esophageal, leukemia, hepatic, head and neck, renal, lymphoma, and lung cancers.
  • Conversely, JMJD3 has been shown to suppress tumor propagation and enhance apoptosis in colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancers.
  • The dual role of JMJD3 appears to be context-dependent, influenced by the specific cancer type and cellular environment.

Conclusions:

  • JMJD3 exhibits a dichotomous function in cancer, acting as an oncoprotein in some contexts and a tumor suppressor in others.
  • Understanding the precise mechanisms underlying JMJD3's opposing roles is critical for developing targeted cancer therapies.
  • Further research into JMJD3's regulatory pathways and interactions may unlock new therapeutic strategies for a wide range of cancers.

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