Suv4-20h1 promotes G1 to S phase transition by downregulating p21WAF1/CIP1 expression in chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells.

ABSTRACT: Methylation of histone H4 lysine 20 (H4K20) has been associated with cancer. However, the functions of the histone methyltransferases that trigger histone H4K20 methylation in cancers, including suppressor of variegation 4-20 homolog 1 (Suv4-20h1), remain elusive. In the present study, it was demonstrated that the knockdown of the histone H4K20 methyltransferase Suv4-20h1 resulted in growth inhibition in chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells. Disruption of Suv4-20h1 expression induced G1 arrest in the cell cycle and increased expression levels of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21WAF1/CIP1), an essential cell cycle protein involved in checkpoint regulation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated that Suv4-20h1 directly binds to the promoter of the p21 gene and that methylation of histone H4K20 correlates with repression of p21 expression. Thus, these data suggest that Suv4-20h1 is important for the regulation of the cell cycle in K562 cells and may be a potential therapeutic target for leukemia.

SUBMITTER: Wu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5876467 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature