Epigenetic restriction of Hippo signaling by MORC2 underlies stemness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Cell Death Differ. 2018 Dec;25(12):2086-2100. doi: 10.1038/s41418-018-0095-6. Epub 2018 Mar 19.

Abstract

The evolutionarily conserved Hippo signaling pathway is a key regulator of stem cell self-renewal, differentiation, and organ size. While alterations in Hippo signaling are causally linked to uncontrolled cell growth and a broad range of malignancies, genetic mutations in the Hippo pathway are uncommon and it is unclear how the tumor suppressor function of the Hippo pathway is disrupted in human cancers. Here, we report a novel epigenetic mechanism of Hippo inactivation in the context of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We identify a member of the microrchidia (MORC) protein family, MORC2, as an inhibitor of the Hippo pathway by controlling upstream Hippo regulators, neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) and kidney and brain protein (KIBRA). Mechanistically, MORC2 forms a complex with DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) at the promoters of NF2 and KIBRA, leading to their DNA hyper-methylation and transcriptional repression. As a result, NF2 and KIBRA are crucial targets of MORC2 to regulate confluence-induced activation of Hippo signaling and contact inhibition of cell growth under both physiological and pathological conditions. The MORC2-NF2/KIBRA axis is critical for maintaining self-renewal, sorafenib resistance, and oncogenicity of HCC cells in vitro and in nude mice. Furthermore, MORC2 expression is elevated in HCC tissues, associated with stem-like properties of cancer cells, and disease progression in patients. Collectively, MORC2 promotes cancer stemness and tumorigenesis by facilitating DNA methylation-dependent silencing of Hippo signaling and could be a potential molecular target for cancer therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology*
  • DNA Methyltransferase 3A
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Hippo Signaling Pathway
  • Liver Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, SCID
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / deficiency
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNMT3A protein, human
  • Dnmt3a protein, mouse
  • MORC2 protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors
  • DNA Methyltransferase 3A
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases