KDM4B plays an important role in mitochondrial apoptosis by upregulating HAX1 expression in colorectal cancer

Histone methyltransferases and demethylases regulate transcription by altering the epigenetic marks on histones in tumorigenesis. Members of the histone lysine(K)-specific demethylase 4 (KDM4) family are dysregulated in several types of cancer. Here, we report a novel role for KDM4B in mitochondrial apoptosis. In this study, we demonstrate that KDM4B is overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues. Decreased expression of KDM4B significantly promoted apoptosis of CRC cell lines. Moreover, our data indicate that HAX1 is required for KDM4B-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis. The transcription of HAX1 was directly activated by KDM4B. We also show that HAX1 is overexpressed in CRC tissues and is positively correlated with KMD4B expression. Collectively, we demonstrate that KDM4B may play an important role in mitochondrial apoptosis and represent a potential therapeutic cancer target in CRC.