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Updated: Jan 24, 2026

An Assay for Quantifying Protein-RNA Binding in Bacteria
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An Assay for Quantifying Protein-RNA Binding in Bacteria

Published on: June 12, 2019

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RNA-Binding Protein NF90 Mediates Polycomb-Independent Transactivation by EZH2 to Promote Cancer Growth

Yuan Wang, Liu Peng, Xiaodong Lu

    Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
    |January 23, 2026
    PubMed

    Insights

    The RNA-binding protein NF90 acts as a coactivator for EZH2, promoting prostate cancer (PCa) cell growth by activating androgen receptor (AR) signaling. This interaction, independent of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), highlights NF90 as a potential therapeutic target in advanced PCa.

    Area of Science:

    • Molecular Biology
    • Oncology
    • Epigenetics

    Background:

    • EZH2 plays a role in cancer, but its non-canonical functions are not well understood.
    • Prostate cancer (PCa) progression is linked to EZH2 activity.
    • The mechanism of EZH2-mediated transactivation independent of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) requires elucidation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To identify key mediators of EZH2's polycomb-independent transactivation function in prostate cancer.
    • To elucidate the mechanism by which EZH2 promotes prostate cancer cell growth.
    • To explore NF90 and EZH2 as potential therapeutic targets in advanced PCa.

    Main Methods:

    • Investigated protein-protein interactions between EZH2 and RNA-binding proteins.
    • Utilized RNA immunoprecipitation to study EZH2 and NF90 recruitment to the AR promoter.
    • Assessed the impact of NF90 and EZH2 depletion on PCa cell proliferation and AR signaling.
    • Analyzed NF90 expression in relation to PCa clinical outcomes.

    Main Results:

    • Identified NF90 as an EZH2-interacting protein, binding through RNA.
    • Demonstrated that NF90 and EZH2 mutually recruit to the AR promoter, enhancing AR transcription and signaling.
    • Showed that depletion of NF90 or EZH2 inhibits PCa cell proliferation, which can be rescued by AR re-expression.
    • Found NF90 to be upregulated in advanced PCa and associated with poor prognosis.

    Conclusions:

    • Uncovered RNA-mediated interactions as a mechanism for PRC2-independent EZH2 transcriptional activation.
    • Established NF90 as a crucial coactivator of EZH2 and a master regulator of the cell cycle.
    • Positioned NF90 as a promising therapeutic target for advanced prostate cancer.

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