NRF1 predominantly causes EZH2 overexpression in cancer cells

EZH2 is an oncogene and therapeutic target. Only a small proportion of cancer patients benefit from treatment with EZH2 inhibitors (EZH2is). The mechanisms underlying EZH2 overexpression and EZH2i resistance are not clear. Here, we report that the nuclear respiratory factor 1 gene (NRF1) is the gene whose expression is most strongly correlated with that of the EZH2 gene in various cancer cell lines and that changes in NRF1 expression consistently cause changes in EZH2 expression in cancer cells. Mechanistically, as a transcription factor, NRF1 directly binds to the NRF1-binding sequence within the EZH2 promoter and increases EZH2 promoter activity. Deletion of the DNA-binding motif within the NRF1 or NRF1-binding sequence within the EZH2 promoter abolishes the effects of NRF1 on EZH2 expression. Notably, we further found that the status of NRF1 expression affected the sensitivity of human cancer cells to EZH2is, including GSK343 and tazemetostat. The sensitivity of cancer cells actively expressing both NRF1 and EZH2 to EZH2i is significantly greater than that of cancer cells actively expressing individual EZH2 or NRF1 alone and much greater than that of cancer cells expressing low levels of EZH2 and NRF1. The effect of NRF1 on the sensitivity of cancer cells to EZH2is is EZH2 dependent. In conclusion, our findings reveal that NRF1 is a dominant cause of EZH2 overexpression in human cancers and that NRF1 overexpression increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to EZH2is. Active NRF1 and EZH2 expression may be a useful combined predictor for the treatment of cancers with EZH2is.