The dual function of JmjC domain-containing protein KDM5C in both gene transcriptional activation and repression promotes breast cancer cell growth and tumorigenesis [RNA-seq]

ABSTRACT: Emerging evidence suggested that epigenetic regulators can exhibit both co-activator and co-repressor activities in gene transcriptional regulation and disease development, such as cancer. However, how these dual activities are regulated and coordinated in cellular contexts remains elusive. Here, we reported that KDM5C, a repressive histone demethylase, is unexpectedly required for estrogen/estrogen receptor alpha (ERa)-induced gene transcriptional activation to promote cell proliferation, while it suppresses the expression of type I interferons (IFNs) and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) to escape from immuno-surveillance. KDM5C-interacting protein, ZMYND8, is found to be accompanied with KDM5C in regulation of both subsets of genes. Mechanistically, during estrogen/ERa-induced gene transcriptional activation, ERa interacts and recruits KDM5C/ZMYND8 to active enhancers, where ERa masks KDM5C’s demethylase activity towards H3K4me2/3, converting KDM5C from a co-repressor to a co-activator. Furthermore, KDM5C and ZMYND8 are found to recruit the P-TEFb complex in a cooperative manner to activate estrogen/ERa-target genes. In contrast, KDM5C/ZMYND8 represses type I IFNs and ISGs through directly interfering TBK1 phosphorylation in an enzymatic-dependent manner. The combinatory effects of KDM5C’s dual activities in regulation of genes involved in both cell proliferation and immuno-escape lead to breast cancer cell proliferation in vitro and xenograft growth in mice. Taken together, we revealed a mechanism by which a repressive epigenetic regulator can be converted to a co-activator under specific signal cues to regulate specific gene programs, and the dual nature as both a co-repressor and co-activator together contributes to cancer development.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE141987 | GEO | 2021/03/17

REPOSITORIES: GEO