The EGFR-ZNF263 signaling axis silences SIX3 in glioblastoma epigenetically

Oncogene. 2020 Apr;39(15):3163-3178. doi: 10.1038/s41388-020-1206-7. Epub 2020 Feb 13.

Abstract

The homeotic protein SIX3 is a transcription factor vital for neurogenesis and has a bivalent promoter. We previously showed that SIX3 can be transcriptionally silenced by DNA hypermethylation, functions as a tumor suppressor gene, and inhibits human glioblastoma transcriptionally. Here, we show that the activation of epidermal growth factor (EGFR) induces DNA methylation of SIX3 promoter through the MAPK pathway. ERK, when activated, binds with ZNF263, consequently abrogating the ubiquitination of ZNF263 and leading to its stabilization. ZNF263 binds to the core promoter region of SIX3 and recruits the KAP1/HATS/DNMT corepressor complex to induce transcriptional silencing of SIX3 through H3K27me3 and methylation of SIX3 promoter. Activation of the EGFR-ZNF263 signaling axis in phenotypically normal astrocytes or glioblastoma cells triggers or enhances tumorigenic activities, while elevated expression of the EGFR-ZNF263 signaling components in glioblastoma tissues is associated with poor prognosis of the patients. Together, our findings demonstrate that epigenetic silencing of SIX3 is controlled by a sophisticated and highly ordered oncogenic signaling pathway and therefore provide new insights into initiation and progression of glioblastoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / surgery
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Brain Neoplasms / mortality
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA Methylation
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Disease Progression
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Eye Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Silencing
  • Glioblastoma / genetics*
  • Glioblastoma / mortality
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Glioblastoma / surgery
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Homeobox Protein SIX3
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Prognosis
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Stability
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Eye Proteins
  • Histones
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • ZNF263 protein, human
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors