Transcriptional and epigenetic basis for restoration of G6PD enzymatic activity in human G6PD-deficient cells

摘要

HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) increase transcription of some genes through histone hyperacetylation. To test the hypothesis that HDACi-mediated enhanced transcription might be of therapeutic valuefor inherited enzyme deficiency disorders,wefocusedon theglycolytic and pentose phosphate pathways (GPPPs). We show that among the 16 genes of the GPPPs, HDACi selectively enhance transcription of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). This requires enhanced recruitment of the generic transcription factor Sp1, with commensurate recruitment of histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases, increased histone acetylation, and polymerase II recruitment to G6PD. These G6PD-selective transcriptional and epigenetic events result in increased G6PD transcription and ultimately restored enzymatic activity inBcells and erythroid precursor cells frompatientswith G6PD deficiency, a disorder associated with acute or chronic hemolytic anemia. Therefore, restoration of enzymatic activity in G6PD-deficient nucleated cells is feasible through modulation of G6PD transcription. Our findings also suggest that clinical consequences of pathogenic missense mutations in proteins with enzymatic function can be overcome in some cases by enhancement of the transcriptional output of the affected gene.