Histone methyltransferase SETD1A interacts with notch and promotes notch transactivation to augment ovarian cancer development

Abstract

Background

High expression of SETD1A, a histone methyltransferase that specifically methylates H3K4, acted as a key oncogene in several human cancers. However, the function and underlying molecular mechanism of SETD1A in ovarian cancer (OV) remain markedly unknown.

Methods

The expression of SETD1A in OV were detected by Western blot and analyzed online, and the prognosis of STED1A in OV were analyzed online. The protein and mRNA levels were determined by Western blot and RT-qPCR. The cell proliferatin, migration and invasion were measured by CCK-8 and transwell assays. The protein interaction was detected by co-IP assay. The interaction between protein and DNA was performed by ChIP assay. The tumor growth in vivo was performed by xenograft tumor model.

Results

SETD1A was overexpressed in OV and a predictor of poor prognosis. Overexpression of SETD1A augmented the abilities of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in MRG1 and OVCAR5 cells. In comparison, SETD1A knockdown suppressed cell growth, migration, and invasion in SKOV3 and Caov3 cells. Specifically, SETD1A enhanced Notch signaling by promoting the expression of Notch target genes, such as Hes1, Hey1, Hey2, and Heyl. Mechanistically, SETD1A interacted with Notch1 and methylated H3K4me3 at Notch1 targets to enhance Notch signaling. In addition, restoration of Notch1 in SETD1A-knockdown OV cells recovered cell proliferation, migration and invasion, which was inhibited by SETD1A knockdown. Furthermore, reduction of SETD1A suppressed tumorigenesis in vivo.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our results highlighted the key role of SETD1A in OV development and proved that SETD1A promotes OV development by enhancing Notch1 signaling, indicating that SETD1A may be a novel target for OV treatment.