Histone Methyltransferase G9a Promotes the Development of Renal Cancer through Epigenetic Silencing of Tumor Suppressor Gene SPINK5

BACKGROUND: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for approximately 2–3% of malignant tumors in adults, while clear cell renal cell carcinoma accounts for 70–85% of kidney cancer cases, with an increasing incidence worldwide. G9a is the second histone methyltransferase found in mammals, catalyzing lysine and histone methylation. It regulates gene transcription by catalyzing histone methylation and interacting with transcription factors to alter the tightness of histone-DNA binding. The main purpose of this study is to explore the role and mechanism of G9a in renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: Firstly, we investigated the expression of G9a in 80 clinical tissues and four cell lines. Then, we explored the effect of G9a-specific inhibitor UNC0638 on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of two renal cancer cell lines (786-O, SN12C). In order to study the specific mechanism, G9a knocking down renal cancer cell line was constructed by lentivirus. Finally, we identified the downstream target genes of G9a using ChIP experiments and rescue experiments. RESULTS: The results showed that the specific G9a inhibitor UNC0638 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of kidney cancer in vivo and in vitro; similar results were obtained after knocking down G9a. Meanwhile, we demonstrated that SPINK5 was one of the downstream target genes of G9a through ChIP assay and proved that G9a downregulate the expression of SPINK5 by methylation of H3K9me2. Therefore, targeting G9a might be a new approach to the treatment of kidney cancer. CONCLUSION: G9a was upregulated in renal cancer and could promote the development of renal cancer in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we identified SPINK5 as one of the downstream target genes of G9a. Therefore, targeting G9a might be a new treatment for kidney cancer.