G9a orchestrates PCL3 and KDM7A to promote histone H3K27 methylation

Sci Rep. 2015 Dec 21:5:18709. doi: 10.1038/srep18709.

Abstract

Methylation of histone H3-lysine 9 (H3K9) and H3K27 by the methyltransferase G9a and polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) inhibits transcription of target genes. A crosstalk between G9a and PRC2 via direct physical interaction has been shown recently. Here, we demonstrate an alternative mechanism by which G9a promotes H3K27 methylation. Overexpression of G9a increases both H3K9 and H3K27 methylation, reduces E-cadherin expression, and induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells. Conversely, the depletion of G9a or ectopic expression of methyltransferase-dead G9a in G9a-overexpressing gemcitabine-resistant PANC-1-R cells exhibits opposite effects. G9a promotes H3K27 methylation of the E-cadherin promoter by upregulating PCL3 to increase PRC2 promoter recruitment and by downregulating the H3K27 demethylase KDM7A to silence E-cadherin gene. The depletion of PCL3 or overexpression of KDM7A elevated expression of E-cadherin in PANC-1-R cells while ectopic expression of PCL3 or knockdown of KDM7A downregulated E-cadherin in PANC-1 cells. Collectively, we provide evidence that G9a orchestrates the dynamic balance within histone-modifying enzymes to regulate H3K27 methylation and gene expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cadherins / biosynthesis*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens / genetics*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens / metabolism
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases / biosynthesis*
  • Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases / genetics
  • Methylation
  • Nuclear Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • PHF19 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases
  • KDM6B protein, human
  • KDM7A protein, human
  • EHMT2 protein, human
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase