Dual histone reader ZMYND8 inhibits cancer cell invasion by positively regulating epithelial genes

Enhanced migratory potential and invasiveness of cancer cells attribute crucially.in cancer progression. These phenotypes are achieved by precise alteration of invasion-associated genes through local epigenetic modifications which are recognized by a class of proteins termed as chromatin reader. ZMYND8 (zinc finger MYND (Myeloid, Nervy and DEAF-1)-type containing 8), a key component of transcription regulatory network, has been recently shown to be a novel reader of H3.1K36Me2/H4K16Ac marks. Through differential gene expression analysis upon silencing this chromatin reader, we identified a subset of genes involved in cell proliferation and invasion/migration regulated by ZMYND8. Detailed analysis uncovered its anti-proliferative activity through BrdU incorporation, alteration in the expression of proliferation markers and cell cycle regulating genes and cell viability assays. In addition, performing wound healing and invasion/migration assays, its anti-invasive nature is evident. Interestingly, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a key mechanism of cellular invasion, is regulated by ZMYND8 where we identified its selective enrichment on promoters of CLDN1 / CDH1 genes, rich in H3K36Me2/H4K16Ac marks, leading to their upregulation. Thus, presence of ZMYND8 could be implicated in maintaining the epithelial phenotype of cells. Further, syngeneic mice, injected with ZMYND8-overexpressed invasive breast cancer cells showed reduction in tumor volume and weight. In concert with this, we observed a significant downregulation of ZMYND8 in invasive ductal and lobular breast cancer tissues compared to normal one. Taken together, our study elucidates a novel function of ZMYND8 in regulating EMT and invasion of cancer cells, possibly through its chromatin reader function.