H3K4 acetylation, H3K9 acetylation and H3K27 methylation in breast tumor molecular subtypes

Epigenomics. 2016 Jul;8(7):909-24. doi: 10.2217/epi-2016-0015. Epub 2016 Jul 18.

Abstract

Aim: Here, we investigated how the St Gallen breast molecular subtypes displayed distinct histone H3 profiles.

Patients & methods: 192 breast tumors divided into five St Gallen molecular subtypes (luminal A, luminal B HER2-, luminal B HER2+, HER2+ and basal-like) were evaluated for their histone H3 modifications on gene promoters.

Results: ANOVA analysis allowed to identify specific H3 signatures according to three groups of genes: hormonal receptor genes (ERS1, ERS2, PGR), genes modifying histones (EZH2, P300, SRC3) and tumor suppressor gene (BRCA1). A similar profile inside high-risk cancers (luminal B [HER2+], HER2+ and basal-like) compared with low-risk cancers including luminal A and luminal B (HER2-) were demonstrated.

Conclusion: The H3 modifications might contribute to clarify the differences between breast cancer subtypes.

Keywords: H3 modifications; St Gallen molecular subtypes; breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Breast Neoplasms / classification
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Histones / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Methylation
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism

Substances

  • Histones
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear