Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a catalytic subunit of the Polycomb-repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which plays a crucial role in transcriptional repression through the methylation of histone H3 on lysine 27 (H3K27me3). This epigenetic modification leads to chromatin compaction and gene silencing. EZH2 is frequently overexpressed in a variety of cancers, including head and neck, breast, prostate, bladder, colorectal, lung, pancreatic, melanoma, and lymphoma.
Mutations in the EZH2 gene are also prevalent in several hematological malignancies, such as B-lymphomas and follicular lymphomas. The dual role of EZH2 as both a tumor suppressor and oncogene depending on the cancer type underscores its significance in cancer biology and therapy. Mechanisms of EZH2 in cancer EZH2 influences cancer progression through various mechanisms, including promoting cell proliferation, inhibiting apoptosis, and enhancing metastatic potential.
It achieves these effects by repressing tumor suppressor genes and modulating signaling pathways that control cell growth and survival. In addition to its role in tumor cells, EZH2 affects the tumor microenvironment, particularly immune cells, contributing to an immunosuppressive milieu that favors tumor evasion from immune surveillance. EZH2 and the tumor microenvironment Recent studies have highlighted the pleiotropic effects of EZH2 on both tumor and immune cells.
EZH2 modulates the tumor immune microenvironment by affecting the function of various immu.