SMYD3 controls a Wnt-responsive epigenetic switch for ASCL2 activation and cancer stem cell maintenance

Tumor growth is fueled by subset of cells with stem cell properties (Cancer stem cells, CSCs). While persistent activation of Wnt/ β-catenin signaling confers CSC properties, it remains unclear how epigenetic modifications regulate Wnt target genes to dictate their self-renewal. Here, we report a novel Wnt-responsive epigenetic switch for CSC maintenance through activating the stem cell transcription factor ASCL2 in gastric ca rcinoma (GC). We characterize ASCL2-expressing (ASCL2+) GC cells as a subset of Wnt-responsive CSCs that depend on ASCL2 for self-renewal.

Source: Cancer Letters - May 7, 2018 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tao Wang, Hong Wu, Sha Liu, Zengjie Lei, Zhongyi Qin, Liangzhi Wen, Kai-jun Liu, Xing-wei Wang, Yan Guo, Qin Liu, Lei Liu, Jun Wang, Li Lin, Chengyi Mao, Xiangfeng Zhu, Hualiang Xiao, Xiuwu Bian, Dongfeng Chen, Chuan Xu, Bin Wang Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research