Epigenetic silencing of the RASSF1A tumor suppressor gene through HOXB3-mediated induction of DNMT3B expression

Mol Cell. 2009 Oct 23;36(2):219-30. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2009.10.009.

Abstract

The RASSF1A tumor suppressor gene is epigenetically silenced in a variety of cancers. Here, we perform a genome-wide human shRNA screen and find that epigenetic silencing of RASSF1A requires the homeobox protein HOXB3. We show that HOXB3 binds to the DNA methyltransferase DNMT3B gene and increases its expression. DNMT3B, in turn, is recruited to the RASSF1A promoter, resulting in hypermethylation and silencing of RASSF1A expression. DNMT3B recruitment is facilitated through interactions with Polycomb repressor complex 2 and MYC, which is bound to the RASSF1A promoter. Mouse xenograft experiments indicate that the oncogenic activity of HOXB3 is due, at least in part, to epigenetic silencing of RASSF1A. Expression analysis in human lung adenocarcinoma samples reveals that RASSF1A silencing strongly correlates with overexpression of HOXB3 and DNMT3B. Analysis of human cancer cell lines indicates that the RASSF1A epigenetic silencing mechanism described here may be common in diverse cancer types.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / metabolism*
  • DNA Methyltransferase 3B
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Genome, Human / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Mice
  • Polycomb-Group Proteins
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • HoxB3 protein, human
  • Polycomb-Group Proteins
  • RASSF1 protein, human
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases