NSD2 links dimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 36 to oncogenic programming.

Abstract

The histone lysine methyltransferase NSD2 (MMSET/WHSC1) is implicated in diverse diseases and commonly overexpressed in multiple myeloma due to a recurrent t(4;14) chromosomal translocation. However, the precise catalytic activity of NSD2 is obscure, preventing progress in understanding how this enzyme influences chromatin biology and myeloma pathogenesis. Here, we show that dimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 36 (H3K36me2) is the principal chromatin-regulatory activity of NSD2. Catalysis of H3K36me2 by NSD2 is sufficient for gene activation. In t(4;14)-positive myeloma cells, the normal genome-wide and gene-specific distribution of H3K36me2 is obliterated, creating a chromatin landscape that selects for a transcription profile favorable for myelomagenesis. Catalytically active NSD2 confers xenograft tumor formation upon t(4;14)-negative cells and promotes oncogenic transformation of primary cells in an H3K36me2-dependent manner. Together, our findings establish H3K36me2 as the primary product generated by NSD2 and demonstrate that genomic disorganization of this canonical chromatin mark by NSD2 initiates oncogenic programming.

• Authors: Alex J Kuo, Peggie Cheung, Kaifu Chen, Barry M Zee, Mitomu Kioi, Josh Lauring, Yuanxin Xi, Ben Ho Park, Xiaobing Shi, Benjamin A Garcia, Wei Li, Or Gozani
• Journal: Molecular cell (Mol Cell) Vol. 44 Issue 4 Pg. 609-20 (Nov 18 2011) ISSN: 1097-4164 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22099308 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Chromatin
• Histones
• Recombinant Proteins
• Repressor Proteins
• Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
• NSD2 protein, human
• Lysine

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Transformation, Neoplastic (genetics, metabolism)
• Chromatin
• Gene Expression Profiling
• Gene Expression Regulation
• Genome-Wide Association Study
• Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase (genetics, metabolism)
• Histones (genetics, metabolism)
• Humans
• Lysine (metabolism)
• Methylation
• Mice
• Mice, SCID
• Multiple Myeloma (enzymology, genetics, pathology)
• Recombinant Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Repressor Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Signal Transduction (genetics)
• Transcription, Genetic
• Translocation, Genetic
• Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays