MLL3 suppresses tumorigenesis through regulating TNS3 enhancer activity

Cell Death Dis. 2021 Apr 6;12(4):364. doi: 10.1038/s41419-021-03647-2.

Abstract

MLL3 is a histone H3K4 methyltransferase that is frequently mutated in cancer, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we found that MLL3 depletion by CRISPR/sgRNA significantly enhanced cell migration, but did not elevate the proliferation rate of cancer cells. Through RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq approaches, we identified TNS3 as the potential target gene for MLL3. MLL3 depletion caused downregulation of H3K4me1 and H3K27ac on an enhancer ~ 7 kb ahead of TNS3. 3C assay indicated the identified enhancer interacts with TNS3 promoter and repression of enhancer activity by dCas9-KRAB system impaired TNS3 expression. Exogenous expression of TNS3 in MLL3 deficient cells completely blocked the enhanced cell migration phenotype. Taken together, our study revealed a novel mechanism for MLL3 in suppressing cancer, which may provide novel targets for diagnosis or drug development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Carcinogenesis / metabolism*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Enhancer Elements, Genetic / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Tensins / genetics
  • Tensins / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Histones
  • KMT2C protein, human
  • TNS3 protein, human
  • Tensins