Coordination of stress signals by the lysine methyltransferase SMYD2 promotes pancreatic cancer

Nicolas Reynoird, Pawel K. Mazur, Timo Stellfeld, Natasha M. Flores, Shane M. Lofgren, Scott M. Carlson, Elisabeth Brambilla, Pierre Hainaut, Ewa B. Kaznowska, Cheryl H. Arrowsmith, Purvesh Khatri, Carlo Stresemann, Or Gozani, Julien Sage

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal form of cancer with few therapeutic options. We found that levels of the lysine methyltransferase SMYD2 (SET andMYNDdomain 2) are elevated in PDACand that genetic and pharmacological inhibition of SMYD2 restricts PDAC growth. We further identified the stress response kinase MAPKAPK3 (MK3) as a new physiologic substrate of SMYD2 in PDAC cells. Inhibition of MAPKAPK3 impedes PDAC growth, identifying a potential new kinase target in PDAC. Finally, we show that inhibition of SMYD2 cooperates with standard chemotherapy to treat PDAC cells and tumors. These findings uncover a pivotal role for SMYD2 in promoting pancreatic cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)772-785
Number of pages14
JournalGenes and Development
Volume30
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Lung adenocarcinoma
  • Lysine methylation
  • MAPKAPK3
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Ras
  • SMYD2

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics
  • Developmental Biology

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