NF-kB2 induces senescence bypass in melanoma via a direct transcriptional activation of EZH2

Oncogene. 2016 May;35(21):2735-45. doi: 10.1038/onc.2015.331. Epub 2015 Sep 14.

Abstract

Enhancer of Zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) belongs to the polycomb repressive complex 2 and catalyzes the methylation of histone H3 lysine 27. These pivotal epigenetic marks are altered in many cancers, including melanoma, as a result of EZH2 overexpression. Here, we show that the non-canonical-NF-kB pathway accounts for most of the NF-kB activity in melanoma cells, in contrast to non-cancer cells. We identify the non-canonical-NF-kB pathway as a key regulator of EZH2 expression in melanoma. We show a striking correlation between NF-kB2 and EZH2 expression in human melanoma metastases. We demonstrate that inhibition of the non-canonical NF-kB pathway by targeting NF-kB2/p52 or the upstream kinase NIK restores the senescence program in melanoma cells through the decrease of EZH2. On the contrary, the overexpression of NF-kB2/p52 in normal human melanocytes prevents stress- and oncogene-induced senescence. Finally, we show in mouse models that the inhibition of the non-canonical NF-kB pathway restores senescence and induces a dramatic reduction in tumor growth compared with controls, thus providing potential drug targets for the re-induction of senescence in melanoma and other cancers where EZH2 is overexpressed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Down-Regulation
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein / genetics*
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein / metabolism
  • Heterografts
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / genetics*
  • Melanoma / metabolism*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • NF-kappa B p52 Subunit / biosynthesis
  • NF-kappa B p52 Subunit / genetics
  • NF-kappa B p52 Subunit / metabolism
  • Transcriptional Activation

Substances

  • NF-kappa B p52 Subunit
  • EZH2 protein, human
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein