[HTML][HTML] HGF-MET signals via the MLL-ETS2 complex in hepatocellular carcinoma

S Takeda, H Liu, S Sasagawa, Y Dong… - The Journal of …, 2013 - Am Soc Clin Investig
S Takeda, H Liu, S Sasagawa, Y Dong, PA Trainor, EH Cheng, JJ Hsieh
The Journal of clinical investigation, 2013Am Soc Clin Investig
HGF signals through its cognate receptor, MET, to orchestrate diverse biological processes,
including cell proliferation, cell fate specification, organogenesis, and epithelial-
mesenchymal transition. Mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL), an epigenetic regulator, plays
critical roles in cell fate, stem cell, and cell cycle decisions. Here, we describe a role for MLL
in the HGF-MET signaling pathway. We found a shared phenotype among Mll–/–, Hgf–/–,
and Met–/–mice with common cranial nerve XII (CNXII) outgrowth and myoblast migration …
HGF signals through its cognate receptor, MET, to orchestrate diverse biological processes, including cell proliferation, cell fate specification, organogenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL), an epigenetic regulator, plays critical roles in cell fate, stem cell, and cell cycle decisions. Here, we describe a role for MLL in the HGF-MET signaling pathway. We found a shared phenotype among Mll–/–, Hgf–/–, and Met–/– mice with common cranial nerve XII (CNXII) outgrowth and myoblast migration defects. Phenotypic analysis demonstrated that MLL was required for HGF-induced invasion and metastatic growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. HGF-MET signaling resulted in the accumulation of ETS2, which interacted with MLL to transactivate MMP1 and MMP3. ChIP assays demonstrated that activation of the HGF-MET pathway resulted in increased occupancy of the MLL-ETS2 complex on MMP1 and MMP3 promoters, where MLL trimethylated histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4), activating transcription. Our results present an epigenetic link between MLL and the HGF-MET signaling pathway, which may suggest new strategies for therapeutic intervention.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation