Genome-wide characterization of menin-dependent H3K4me3 reveals a specific role for menin in the regulation of genes implicated in MEN1-like tumors

PLoS One. 2012;7(5):e37952. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037952. Epub 2012 May 30.

Abstract

Inactivating mutations in the MEN1 gene predisposing to the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome can also cause sporadic pancreatic endocrine tumors. MEN1 encodes menin, a subunit of MLL1/MLL2-containing histone methyltransferase complexes that trimethylate histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me3). The importance of menin-dependent H3K4me3 in normal and transformed pancreatic endocrine cells is unclear. To study the role of menin-dependent H3K4me3, we performed in vitro differentiation of wild-type as well as menin-null mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) into pancreatic islet-like endocrine cells (PILECs). Gene expression analysis and genome-wide H3K4me3 ChIP-Seq profiling in wild-type and menin-null mESCs and PILECs revealed menin-dependent H3K4me3 at the imprinted Dlk1-Meg3 locus in mESCs, and all four Hox loci in differentiated PILECs. Specific and significant loss of H3K4me3 and gene expression was observed for genes within the imprinted Dlk1-Meg3 locus in menin-null mESCs and the Hox loci in menin-null PILECs. Given that the reduced expression of genes within the DLK1-MEG3 locus and the HOX loci is associated with MEN1-like sporadic tumors, our data suggests a possible role for menin-dependent H3K4me3 at these genes in the initiation and progression of sporadic pancreatic endocrine tumors. Furthermore, our investigation also demonstrates that menin-null mESCs can be differentiated in vitro into islet-like endocrine cells, underscoring the utility of menin-null mESC-derived specialized cell types for genome-wide high-throughput studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Endocrine Cells / cytology
  • Endocrine Cells / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Genes, Homeobox / genetics
  • Genetic Loci / genetics
  • Genomics*
  • Histones / chemistry*
  • Histones / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Islets of Langerhans / cytology
  • Methylation
  • Mice
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 / genetics*
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 / metabolism
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / deficiency
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Histones
  • Men1 protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE37776