Epigenetic Regulation of CXC Chemokine Expression by Environmental Electrophiles Through DNA Methyltransferase Inhibition

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences 2024-10, Vol.25 (21), p.11592
• Main Authors: Tsuchida, Tomoki, Kubota, Sho, Kamiuezono, Shizuki, Takasugi, Nobumasa, Ito, Akihiro, Kumagai, Yoshito, Uehara, Takashi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A549 Cells; Cell cycle; Cell Line, Tumor; Chemokines; Chemokines, CXC - genetics; Chemokines, CXC - metabolism; DNA; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases - antagonists & inhibitors; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases - genetics; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases - metabolism; DNA methylation; DNA Methylation - drug effects; DNA Methyltransferase 3B; Environmental law; Epigenesis, Genetic - drug effects; Epigenetic inheritance; Epigenetics; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; Gene expression; Health aspects; Histidine; Humans; Interleukin-8 - genetics; Interleukin-8 - metabolism; Kinases; Lysine; Methylation; Methyltransferases; Naphthoquinones - pharmacology; Physiology; Proteins; Scientific equipment and supplies industry
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms252111592

Ubiquitously distributed environmental electrophiles covalently modify DNA and proteins, potentially leading to adverse health effects. However, the impacts of specific electrophiles on target proteins and their physiological roles remain largely unknown. In the present study, we focused on DNA methylation, which regulates gene expression and physiological responses. A total of 45 environmental electrophiles were screened for inhibitory effects on the activity of DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B), a key enzyme in DNA methylation, and four compounds were identified. We focused on 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ), an air pollutant whose toxicity has been reported previously. Interestingly, we found that 1,2-NQ modified multiple lysine and histidine residues in DNMT3B, one of which was near the active site in DNMT3B. It was found that 1,2-NQ altered gene expression and evoked inflammatory responses in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Furthermore, we found that 1,2-NQ upregulated expression through DNA demethylation of the distal enhancer and promoted cancer cell growth. Our study reveals novel mechanisms of epigenetic regulation by environmental electrophiles through the inhibition of DNMT3B activity and suggests their physiological impact.