The EZH2/MCM Complex/hTERT axis facilitates hepatocellular carcinoma progression by inhibiting cellular senescence

IF 5.3 3区医学 Q2 CELL BIOLOGY Mechanisms of Ageing and Development Pub Date : 2025-02-09 DOI:10.1016/j.mad.2025.112040

Ziyi Shen , Yuanhui Wang , Jie Gao , Wei Gu , Ziyi Ren , Luanqi Xu , Rui Qian , Qinyi Miao , Xiaomeng Hu , Yan Wu , Wei Liu , Yi Cai , Chunpeng (Craig) Wan , Yansong Zhu , Lei Sun , Tingdong Yan

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Abstract

The complex pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) limits the effectiveness of current therapies. Through RNA sequencing of cancerous and adjacent non-cancerous tissues from six HCC patients, we identified a significant upregulation of MCM2–7 genes, which encode proteins that form the MCM complex, a DNA helicase involved in DNA replication and cell cycle progression. We focused on MCM2, MCM3, and MCM7, and observed that knockdown of these proteins inhibited HCC cell proliferation. Further analysis revealed a critical regulatory axis involving EZH2, the MCM complex, and hTERT. EZH2 was found to be highly correlated with MCM complex gene expression and directly bound to the MCM gene promoters, regulating their expression. This EZH2/MCM complex/hTERT axis may play a key role in suppressing cellular senescence, thereby promoting HCC progression. Knocking down MCM complex genes reduced hTERT expression, inducing HCC cell senescence and enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib. These findings suggest that the EZH2/MCM complex/hTERT axis could serve as a novel therapeutic target for HCC.

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来源期刊

Mechanisms of Ageing and Development 医学-老年医学

CiteScore

11.10

自引率

1.90%

发文量

审稿时长

32 days

期刊介绍： Mechanisms of Ageing and Development is a multidisciplinary journal aimed at revealing the molecular, biochemical and biological mechanisms that underlie the processes of aging and development in various species as well as of age-associated diseases. Emphasis is placed on investigations that delineate the contribution of macromolecular damage and cytotoxicity, genetic programs, epigenetics and genetic instability, mitochondrial function, alterations of metabolism and innovative anti-aging approaches. For all of the mentioned studies it is necessary to address the underlying mechanisms. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development publishes original research, review and mini-review articles. The journal also publishes Special Issues that focus on emerging research areas. Special issues may include all types of articles following peered review. Proposals should be sent directly to the Editor-in-Chief.