The methyltransferase Ezh2 controls cell adhesion and migration through direct methylation of the extranuclear regulatory protein talin

Nat Immunol. 2015 May;16(5):505-16. doi: 10.1038/ni.3125. Epub 2015 Mar 9.

Abstract

A cytosolic role for the histone methyltransferase Ezh2 in regulating lymphocyte activation has been suggested, but the molecular mechanisms underpinning this extranuclear function have remained unclear. Here we found that Ezh2 regulated the integrin signaling and adhesion dynamics of neutrophils and dendritic cells (DCs). Ezh2 deficiency impaired the integrin-dependent transendothelial migration of innate leukocytes and restricted disease progression in an animal model of multiple sclerosis. Direct methylation of talin, a key regulatory molecule in cell migration, by Ezh2 disrupted the binding of talin to F-actin and thereby promoted the turnover of adhesion structures. This regulatory effect was abolished by targeted disruption of the interactions of Ezh2 with the cytoskeletal-reorganization effector Vav1. Our studies reveal an unforeseen extranuclear function for Ezh2 in regulating adhesion dynamics, with implications for leukocyte migration, immune responses and potentially pathogenic processes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion / genetics
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / immunology*
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / genetics
  • Methylation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Neutrophils / immunology*
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 / genetics
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-vav / metabolism
  • Talin / genetics
  • Talin / metabolism*
  • Transendothelial and Transepithelial Migration / genetics

Substances

  • Actins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-vav
  • Talin
  • Vav1 protein, mouse
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein
  • Ezh2 protein, mouse
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 2

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE60146