EZH2 regulates the malignancy of human glioblastoma cells via modulation of Twist mRNA stability

Eur J Pharmacol. 2021 Aug 5:904:174177. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174177. Epub 2021 May 17.

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a lethal primary brain tumor with poor survival lifespan and dismal outcome. However, the effects and mechanisms of epigenetic factors on the development of GBM were still not well illustrated. We found that expression of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), which can catalyze histone H3K27me3 to modulate gene expression, was increased in GBM cells. Knockdown of EZH2 can suppress proliferation and migration, while increase temozolomide (TMZ) sensitivity, of GBM cells. Further, knockdown of EZH2 or its specific inhibitor GSK126 can decrease expression of Twist, while over expression of Twist can reverse si-EZH2-suppressed malignancy of GBM cells. Mechanistically, EZH2 can positively regulate mRNA stability of Twist1 mRNA. Further, miR-206, which can bind with 3'UTR of Twist1 mRNA, was involved in EZH2-regulated mRNA stability of Twist1. Collectively, our data suggest that EZH2 might be a potential target for GBM treatment. Further, miR-206/Twist axis is involved in EZH2-regulated malignancy of GBM cells.

Keywords: EZH2; GBM; Malignancy; Migration; Twist.

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein / genetics*
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein / metabolism*
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Glioblastoma / genetics*
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA Stability / genetics
  • Temozolomide / pharmacology
  • Twist-Related Protein 1 / genetics*
  • Twist-Related Protein 1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Histones
  • MIRN206 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • TWIST1 protein, human
  • Twist-Related Protein 1
  • histone H3 trimethyl Lys4
  • EZH2 protein, human
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein
  • Temozolomide