Targeting the KAT8/YEATS4 Axis Represses Tumor Growth and Increases Cisplatin Sensitivity in Bladder Cancer

Adv Sci (Weinh). 2024 Jun;11(22):e2310146. doi: 10.1002/advs.202310146. Epub 2024 Mar 25.

Abstract

Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common tumors characterized by a high rate of relapse and a lack of targeted therapy. Here, YEATS domain-containing protein 4 (YEATS4) is an essential gene for BC cell viability using CRISPR-Cas9 library screening is reported, and that HUWE1 is an E3 ligase responsible for YEATS4 ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation by the Protein Stability Regulators Screening Assay. KAT8-mediated acetylation of YEATS4 impaired its interaction with HUWE1 and consequently prevented its ubiquitination and degradation. The protein levels of YEATS4 and KAT8 are positively correlated and high levels of these two proteins are associated with poor overall survival in BC patients. Importantly, suppression of YEATS4 acetylation with the KAT8 inhibitor MG149 decreased YEATS4 acetylation, reduced cell viability, and sensitized BC cells to cisplatin treatment. The findings reveal a critical role of the KAT8/YEATS4 axis in both tumor growth and cisplatin sensitivity in BC cells, potentially generating a novel therapeutic strategy for BC patients.

Keywords: DNA repair; KAT8; YEATS4; acetylation; bladder cancer; cisplatin sensitivity; tumor growth.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cisplatin* / pharmacology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Histone Acetyltransferases* / genetics
  • Histone Acetyltransferases* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • Cisplatin
  • Histone Acetyltransferases
  • KAT8 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins