PRRX1 induced by BMP signaling decreases tumorigenesis by epigenetically regulating glioma-initiating cell properties via DNA methyltransferase 3A

Mol Oncol. 2022 Jan;16(1):269-288. doi: 10.1002/1878-0261.13051. Epub 2021 Jul 16.

Abstract

Glioma-initiating cells (GICs), a major source of glioblastoma recurrence, are characterized by the expression of neural stem cell markers and the ability to grow by forming nonadherent spheres under serum-free conditions. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), members of the transforming growth factor-β family, induce differentiation of GICs and suppress their tumorigenicity. However, the mechanisms underlying the BMP-induced loss of GIC stemness have not been fully elucidated. Here, we show that paired related homeobox 1 (PRRX1) induced by BMPs decreases the CD133-positive GIC population and inhibits tumorigenic activity of GICs in vivo. Of the two splice isoforms of PRRX1, the longer isoform, pmx-1b, but not the shorter isoform, pmx-1a, induces GIC differentiation. Upon BMP stimulation, pmx-1b interacts with the DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A and induces promoter methylation of the PROM1 gene encoding CD133. Silencing DNMT3A maintains PROM1 expression and increases the CD133-positive GIC population. Thus, pmx-1b promotes loss of stem cell-like properties of GICs through region-specific epigenetic regulation of CD133 expression by recruiting DNMT3A, which is associated with decreased tumorigenicity of GICs.

Keywords: BMP; CD133; DNA methyltransferase; PRRX1; cancer-initiating cell; glioblastoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Carcinogenesis / metabolism
  • DNA Methyltransferase 3A
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Glioblastoma* / genetics
  • Glioblastoma* / metabolism
  • Glioma* / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • PRRX1 protein, human
  • DNA Methyltransferase 3A