Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2025

Simultaneous Measurement of HDAC1 and HDAC6 Activity in HeLa Cells Using UHPLC-MS
Published on: August 10, 2017
Deacetylation induced nuclear condensation of HP1γ promotes multiple myeloma drug resistance
Xin Li1, Sheng Wang1, Ying Xie1
1The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases; Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Heping, Tianjin, 300070, China.
Abstract:
Acquired chemoresistance to proteasome inhibitors is a major obstacle in managing multiple myeloma but key regulators and underlying mechanisms still remain to be explored. We find that high level of HP1γ is associated with low acetylation modification in the bortezomib-resistant myeloma cells using SILAC-based acetyl-proteomics assay, and higher HP1γ level is positively correlated with poorer outcomes in the clinic. Mechanistically, elevated HDAC1 in the bortezomib-resistant myeloma cells deacetylates HP1γ at lysine 5 and consequently alleviates the ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation, as well as the aberrant DNA repair capacity. HP1γ interacts with the MDC1 to induce DNA repair, and simultaneously the deacetylation modification and the interaction with MDC1 enhance the nuclear condensation of HP1γ protein and the chromatin accessibility of its target genes governing sensitivity to proteasome inhibitors, such as CD40, FOS and JUN. Thus, targeting HP1γ stability by using HDAC1 inhibitor re-sensitizes bortezomib-resistant myeloma cells to proteasome inhibitors treatment in vitro and in vivo. Our findings elucidate a previously unrecognized role of HP1γ in inducing drug resistance to proteasome inhibitors of myeloma cells and suggest that targeting HP1γ may be efficacious for overcoming drug resistance in refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma patients.
Insights
High levels of HP1γ protein promote drug resistance in multiple myeloma by hindering proteasome inhibitor effectiveness. Targeting HP1γ stability with HDAC1 inhibitors can re-sensitize resistant cells, offering a new therapeutic strategy for patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Acquired chemoresistance to proteasome inhibitors presents a significant challenge in multiple myeloma treatment.
- The precise molecular regulators and mechanisms driving this drug resistance are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of HP1γ protein in the development of bortezomib resistance in multiple myeloma.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms by which HP1γ influences drug sensitivity and identify potential therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Utilized SILAC-based acetyl-proteomics to compare acetylation patterns in bortezomib-sensitive and resistant myeloma cells.
- Investigated the interaction between HP1γ, HDAC1, and MDC1, and their impact on DNA repair and gene expression.
- Assessed the efficacy of targeting HP1γ stability using HDAC1 inhibitors in vitro and in vivo models.
Main Results:
- Elevated HP1γ levels correlate with reduced acetylation and poorer clinical outcomes in multiple myeloma patients.
- HDAC1 deacetylates HP1γ, stabilizing the protein and promoting DNA repair and drug resistance.
- HP1γ deacetylation enhances its interaction with MDC1, leading to increased nuclear condensation and altered chromatin accessibility of key genes.
Conclusions:
- HP1γ plays a critical, previously unrecognized role in mediating drug resistance to proteasome inhibitors in multiple myeloma.
- Targeting HP1γ stability through HDAC1 inhibition demonstrates potential for overcoming bortezomib resistance.
- This strategy offers a promising therapeutic avenue for patients with refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma.
Related Concept Videos
Treatment Resistant Cancers
Abnormal Proliferation
Heterochromatin
Constitutive heterochromatin: It is a highly compact region of chromatin that is mostly concentrated in the centromere and telomere. Unlike euchromatin, the amino acid at...
Spreading of Chromatin Modifications
Writers
The writer...
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....

