Epigenetic co-regulator HCF-1 promotes lung cancer via O-GlcNAcylation-dependent pathways

The rise in the incidences of lung cancer currently poses a global health challenge, making it crucial to understand the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms. Host cell factor-1 (HCF-1), a conserved epigenetic transcriptional co-regulator, undergoes proteolytic maturation and glycosylation by O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) transferase (OGT). Elevated O-GlcNAc and OGT levels have been observed in lung cancer, highlighting their potential significance in disease progression. In human lung cancer tissues, we observed a significant upregulation of HCF-1, which coincides with increased OGT, O-GlcNAc, and Nkx2.1 (a diagnostic marker for non-small cell lung cancer [NSCLSC]) levels. To further explore HCF-1's role mechanistically, we utilized the NSCLC cell lines, where HCF-1 depletion resulted in reduced proliferation, O-GlcNAcylation, Nkx2.1 expression, and O-GlcNAcylated proteins upon wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) pull-down, reinforcing its role in lung cancer progression. Additionally, Nkx2.1-mediated conditional knockout of HCF-1 impaired murine lung development and cell proliferation. Interestingly, OGT inhibition with OSMI-1 also reduced HCF-1, Nkx2.1 levels, and proliferation, suggesting a role for O-GlcNAcylation in HCF-1-mediated signaling cascades. Thus, our findings elucidate the critical role of HCF-1 and O-GlcNAcylation in lung cancer pathogenesis. These insights not only deepen our understanding of lung cancer pathogenesis but also identify potential molecular targets for studies aimed at intervention.