EZH2 contributes to 5-FU resistance in gastric cancer by epigenetically suppressing FBXO32 expression.

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence suggests the involvement of enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) in chemoresistance of cancer treatment. Nevertheless, its function and molecular mechanisms in gastric cancer (GC) chemoresistance are still not well elucidated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present study, we investigated the functional role of EZH2 in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance of GC cells and discovered the underlying molecular mechanism.

RESULTS

Results revealed that EZH2 was upregulated in 5-FU-resistant GC tissues and cell lines. High ZEH2 expression was correlated with poor prognosis of GC patients. EZH2 knockdown enhanced 5-FU sensitivity of AGS/5-FU and SGC-7901/5-FU cells. Moreover, EZH2 could epigenetically suppress FBXO32 expression. FBXO32 overexpression could mimic the functional role of downregulated EZH2 in 5-FU resistance. FBXO32 knockdown counteracted the inductive effect of EZH2 inhibition on 5-FU sensitivity of AGS/5-FU and SGC-7901/5-FU cells. Furthermore, EZH2 knockdown facilitated 5-FU sensitivity of 5-FU-resistant GC cells in vivo.

CONCLUSION

In summary, EZH2 depletion overcame 5-FU resistance in GC by epigenetically silencing FBXO32, providing a novel therapeutic target for GC chemoresistance.