The different role of YKL-40 in glioblastoma is a function of MGMT promoter methylation status

Cell Death Dis. 2020 Aug 21;11(8):668. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-02909-9.

Abstract

Inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity is a hallmark of glioblastoma (GBM) that facilitates recurrence, treatment resistance, and worse prognosis. O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation is a significant prognostic marker for Temozolomide (TMZ) resistance in GBM patients. YKL-40 is a molecular marker for the mesenchymal subtype of GBMs and is responsible for TMZ resistance. However, underlying mechanisms by which MGMT epigenetics impacts patient outcomes and the function of YKL-40 are not fully determined. Herein, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments, six human IDH1/2 wild-type glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs) were established and studied to further determine a potential interaction of YKL-40 and MGMT promoter methylation. We demonstrated that YKL-40 functioned differently in human IDH1/2 wild-type GSCs. In MGMT promoter-methylated (MGMT-m) GSCs, it acted as a tumor suppressor gene. On the other hand, in MGMT promoter-unmethylated (MGMT-um) GSCs, it promoted tumorigenesis. Notably, the reason that YKL-40 played different roles in GSCs could not be interpreted by the molecular classification of each GSCs, but is a function of MGMT promoter methylation status and involves the RAS-MEK-ERK pathway. YKL-40 mediated TMZ sensitivity by activating DNA damage responses (DDRs) in MGMT-m GSCs, and it mediated resistance to TMZ by inhibiting DDRs in MGMT-um GSCs. Our report demonstrated that MGMT promoter methylation status might influence a gene's function in human cancer. Moreover, our data also highlight the point that gene function should be investigated not only according to the molecular tumor classification, but also the epigenetic signature.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 / metabolism*
  • Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 / physiology
  • DNA Methylation / genetics
  • DNA Modification Methylases / genetics*
  • DNA Modification Methylases / metabolism
  • DNA Repair Enzymes / genetics*
  • DNA Repair Enzymes / metabolism
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / drug effects
  • Female
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylation
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Temozolomide / pharmacology
  • Temozolomide / therapeutic use
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • CHI3L1 protein, human
  • Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • DNA Modification Methylases
  • MGMT protein, human
  • DNA Repair Enzymes
  • Temozolomide