LSD1 demethylates repressive histone marks to promote androgen-receptor-dependent transcription.
Gene regulation in eukaryotes requires the coordinate interaction of chromatin-modulating proteins with specific transcription factors such as the androgen receptor. Gene activation and repression is specifically regulated by histone methylation status at distinct lysine residues. Here we show that lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1; also known as BHC110) co-localizes with the androgen receptor in normal human prostate and prostate tumour. LSD1 interacts with androgen receptor in vitro and in vivo, and stimulates androgen-receptor-dependent transcription. Conversely, knockdown of LSD1 protein levels abrogates androgen-induced transcriptional activation and cell proliferation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrate that androgen receptor and LSD1 form chromatin-associated complexes in a ligand-dependent manner. LSD1 relieves repressive histone marks by demethylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3-K9), thereby leading to de-repression of androgen receptor target genes. Furthermore, we identify pargyline as an inhibitor of LSD1. Pargyline blocks demethylation of H3-K9 by LSD1 and consequently androgen-receptor-dependent transcription. Thus, modulation of LSD1 activity offers a new strategy to regulate androgen receptor functions. Here, we link demethylation of a repressive histone mark with androgen-receptor-dependent gene activation, thus providing a mechanism by which demethylases control specific gene expression.
Metzger
Eric
E
Universitäts-Frauenklinik und Zentrum für Klinische Forschung, Klinikum der Universität Freiburg, Breisacherstrasse 66, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
Wissmann
Melanie
M
Yin
Na
N
Müller
Judith M
JM
Schneider
Robert
R
Peters
Antoine H F M
AH
Günther
Thomas
T
Buettner
Reinhard
R
Schüle
Roland
R
D000728:Androgens; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D056466:Histone Demethylases; D006657:Histones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D008297:Male; D008745:Methylation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D010089:Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010293:Pargyline / Q000494:pharmacology; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
D000728:Androgens; D002843:Chromatin; D006657:Histones; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D010293:Pargyline; D056466:Histone Demethylases; C504076:KDM1a protein, mouse; C495195:KDM1A protein, human; D010089:Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating