EZH2-dependent suppression of a cellular senescence phenotype in melanoma cells by inhibition of p21/CDKN1A expression.

ABSTRACT: Polycomb group (PcG) proteins such as Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) are epigenetic transcriptional repressors that function through recognition and modification of histone methylation and chromatin structure. Targets of PcG include cell cycle regulatory proteins which govern cell cycle progression and cellular senescence. Senescence is a characteristic of melanocytic nevi, benign melanocytic proliferations that can be precursors of malignant melanoma. In this study, we report that EZH2, which we find absent in melanocytic nevi but expressed in many or most metastatic melanoma cells, functionally suppresses the senescent state in human melanoma cells. EZH2 depletion in melanoma cells inhibits cell proliferation, restores features of a cellular senescence phenotype, and inhibits growth

SUBMITTER: Fan T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3078218 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature