EZH2 couples pancreatic regeneration to neoplastic progression

JMS Clair, R Soydaner-Azeloglu, KE Lee… - Genes & …, 2012 - genesdev.cshlp.org
JMS Clair, R Soydaner-Azeloglu, KE Lee, L Taylor, A Livanos, Y Pylayeva-Gupta, G Miller…
Genes & development, 2012genesdev.cshlp.org
Although the polycomb group protein Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) is well
recognized for its role as a key regulator of cell differentiation, its involvement in tissue
regeneration is largely unknown. Here we show that EZH2 is up-regulated following cerulein-
induced pancreatic injury and is required for tissue repair by promoting the regenerative
proliferation of progenitor cells. Loss of EZH2 results in impaired pancreatic regeneration
and accelerates KRasG12D-driven neoplasia. Our findings implicate EZH2 in constraining …
Although the polycomb group protein Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) is well recognized for its role as a key regulator of cell differentiation, its involvement in tissue regeneration is largely unknown. Here we show that EZH2 is up-regulated following cerulein-induced pancreatic injury and is required for tissue repair by promoting the regenerative proliferation of progenitor cells. Loss of EZH2 results in impaired pancreatic regeneration and accelerates KRasG12D-driven neoplasia. Our findings implicate EZH2 in constraining neoplastic progression through homeostatic mechanisms that control pancreatic regeneration and provide insights into the documented link between chronic pancreatic injury and an increased risk for pancreatic cancer.
genesdev.cshlp.org