The DNMT1-PAS1-PH20 axis drives breast cancer growth and metastasis

Abstract PH20 is a member of the human hyaluronidase family that degrades hyaluronan in the extracellular matrix and controls tumor progression. Inhibition of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) leads to elevated hyaluronan levels; however, whether DNMT inhibitors control PH20 remains unclear. Here, we report that the DNMT1 inhibitor, decitabine, suppresses PH20 expression by activating the long non-coding RNA PHACTR2-AS1 (PAS1). PAS1 forms a tripartite complex with the RNA-binding protein vigilin and histone methyltransferase SUV39H1. The interaction between PAS1 and vigilin maintains the stability of PAS1. Meanwhile, PAS1 recruits SUV39H1 to trigger the H3K9 methylation of PH20, resulting in its silencing. Functionally, PAS1 inhibits breast cancer growth and metastasis, at least partially, by suppressing PH20. Combination therapy of decitabine and PAS1-30nt-RNA, which directly binds to SUV39H1, effectively blocked breast cancer growth and metastasis in mice. Taken together, DNMT1, PAS1, and PH20 comprise a regulatory axis to control breast cancer growth and metastasis. These findings reveal that the DNMT1-PAS1-PH20 axis is a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.