The cancer driver genes IDH1/2, JARID1C/ KDM5C, and UTX/ KDM6A: crosstalk between histone demethylation and hypoxic reprogramming in cancer metabolism

Abstract

Cancer: Interplay between histone modification and tumor metabolism Genes involved in the removal of methyl groups from histones associated with DNA can promote or suppress tumor growth depending on the metabolic status of the cancer cell. Hyunsung Park and colleagues at the University of Seoul, South Korea, review current knowledge of two genes encoding histone demethylases which have been identified by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project as cancer driver genes. Because these demethylase enzymes rely on cellular metabolites to function, their effect is influenced by metabolic conditions in the tumor microenvironment such as low oxygen. The mechanisms through which changes in histone methylation affect the expression of genes involved in tumor progression remain unknown. Further understanding of how cancer metabolism affects the modification of histones will help guide the development of more effective cancer treatments.