G9a mediates Sharp-1-dependent inhibition of skeletal muscle differentiation

Mol Biol Cell. 2012 Dec;23(24):4778-85. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E12-04-0311. Epub 2012 Oct 19.

Abstract

Sharp-1, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, is a potent repressor of skeletal muscle differentiation and is dysregulated in muscle pathologies. However, the mechanisms by which it inhibits myogenesis are not fully understood. Here we show that G9a, a lysine methyltransferase, is involved in Sharp-1-mediated inhibition of muscle differentiation. We demonstrate that G9a directly interacts with Sharp-1 and enhances its ability to transcriptionally repress the myogenin promoter. Concomitant with a differentiation block, G9a-dependent histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) and MyoD methylation are apparent upon Sharp-1 overexpression in muscle cells. RNA interference-mediated reduction of G9a or pharmacological inhibition of its activity erases these repressive marks and rescues the differentiation defect imposed by Sharp-1. Our findings provide new insights into Sharp-1-dependent regulation of myogenesis and identify epigenetic mechanisms that could be targeted in myopathies characterized by elevated Sharp-1 levels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cell Line
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / genetics
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / metabolism*
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Luciferases / genetics
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Lysine / metabolism
  • Methylation
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Muscle, Skeletal / cytology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Mutation
  • MyoD Protein / genetics
  • MyoD Protein / metabolism
  • Myoblasts / cytology
  • Myoblasts / metabolism
  • Myogenin / genetics
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA Interference
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bhlhb3 protein, mouse
  • Histones
  • MyoD Protein
  • MyoD1 myogenic differentiation protein
  • Myogenin
  • Transcription Factors
  • Luciferases
  • G9a protein, mouse
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
  • Lysine