O-GlcNAcylation promotes colorectal cancer metastasis via the miR-101-O-GlcNAc/EZH2 regulatory feedback circuit

Oncogene. 2019 Jan;38(3):301-316. doi: 10.1038/s41388-018-0435-5. Epub 2018 Aug 9.

Abstract

Advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the deadliest cancers, and the 5-year survival rate of patients with metastasis is extremely low. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is considered essential for metastatic CRC, but the fundamental molecular basis underlying this effect remains unknown. Here, we identified that O-GlcNAcylation, a unique posttranslational modification (PTM) involved in cancer metabolic reprogramming, increased the metastatic capability of CRC. The levels of O-GlcNAcylation were increased in the metastatic CRC tissues and cell lines, which likely promoted the EMT by enhancing EZH2 protein stability and function. The CRC patients with higher levels of O-GlcNAcylation exhibited greater lymph node metastasis potential and lower overall survival. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assays revealed that both O-GlcNAcylation transferase (OGT) and EZH2 are posttranscriptionally inhibited by microRNA-101. In addition, O-GlcNAcylation and H3K27me3 modification in the miR-101 promoter region further inhibited the transcription of miR-101, resulting in the upregulation of OGT and EZH2 in metastatic CRC, thus forming a vicious cycle. In this study, we demonstrated that O-GlcNAcylation, which is negatively regulated by microRNA-101, likely promotes CRC metastasis by enhancing EZH2 protein stability and function. Reducing O-GlcNAcylation may be a potential therapeutic strategy for metastatic CRC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylglucosamine / metabolism*
  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma / mortality
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein / metabolism*
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / physiology*
  • Feedback, Physiological
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / physiopathology*
  • MicroRNAs / physiology*
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Prognosis
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • MIRN101 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • EZH2 protein, human
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases
  • OGT protein, human
  • Acetylglucosamine