JMJD1C is required for the survival of acute myeloid leukemia by functioning as a coactivator for key transcription factors.
RUNX1-RUNX1T1 (formerly AML1-ETO), a transcription factor generated by the t(8;21) translocation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), dictates a leukemic program by increasing self-renewal and inhibiting differentiation. Here we demonstrate that the histone demethylase JMJD1C functions as a coactivator for RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and is required for its transcriptional program. JMJD1C is directly recruited by RUNX1-RUNX1T1 to its target genes and regulates their expression by maintaining low H3K9 dimethyl (H3K9me2) levels. Analyses in JMJD1C knockout mice also establish a JMJD1C requirement for RUNX1-RUNX1T1's ability to increase proliferation. We also show a critical role for JMJD1C in the survival of multiple human AML cell lines, suggesting that it is required for leukemic programs in different AML cell types through its association with key transcription factors.
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, USA;
Mo
M
Chen
Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA;
Nan
N
Zhu
Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA;
Xiaochuan
X
Liu
Division of Newborn Medicine, Epigenetics Program, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Benoit
B
Laurent
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, USA;
Zhanyun
Z
Tang
Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA;
Rowena
R
Eng
Division of Newborn Medicine, Epigenetics Program, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Yang
Y
Shi
Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA;
Scott A
SA
Armstrong
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, USA;
Robert G
RG
Roeder
D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000235:genetics; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000235:genetics; D050676:Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015973:Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic; D056484:Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010089:Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
D050676:Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit; D014157:Transcription Factors; C520448:JMJD1C protein, human; C554520:JMJD1c protein, mouse; D056484:Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases; D010089:Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating
AML1-ETO; HEB; LYL1; acute myeloid leukemia; histone demethylase; transcription regulation