Activation of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 Alpha-Mediated DNA Methylation Enzymes (DNMT3a and TET2) Under Hypoxic Conditions Regulates S100A6 Transcription to Promote Lung Cancer Cell Growth and Metastasis

Aims: This research was aimed at investigating the effects of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha)-mediated DNA methylation enzymes (ten-eleven translocase-2 [TET2] and DNA methyltransferase-3a [DNMT3a]) under hypoxic conditions on S100A6 transcription, thereby promoting the growth and metastasis of lung cancer cells. Methods: The expression of HIF-1 alpha or S100A6 in lung cancer cells was interfered with under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, and the cell proliferative, migratory, and invasive properties were assessed. The mechanism of HIF-1 alpha-regulated TET2 and DNMT3 effects on S100A6 transcription under hypoxic conditions was further investigated. Results: Functionally, S100A6 over-expression promoted lung cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. S100A6 over-expression reversed the inhibitory effects of HIF-1 alpha interference on the proliferation and metastasis of lung cancer cells. S100A6 was induced to express in an HIF-1 alpha-dependent manner under hypoxic conditions, and silencing S100A6 or HIF-1 alpha suppressed lung cancer cell proliferation and metastasis under hypoxic conditions. Further, The Cancer Genome Atlas-lung adenocarcinoma database analysis revealed that S100A6 mRNA levels had a negative correlation with methylation levels. Mechanistically, CpG hypomethylation status in the S100A6 promoter hypoxia response element had an association with HIF-1 alpha induction. TET2 was enriched in S100A6 promoter region of lung cancer cells under hypoxic conditions, whereas DNMT3a enrichment was reduced in S100A6 promoter region. HIF-1 alpha-mediated S100A6 activation was linked to DNMT3a-associated epigenetic inactivation and TET2 activation. Innovation: The activation of HIF-1 alpha-mediated DNA methylation enzymes under hypoxic conditions regulated S100A6 transcription, thereby promoting lung cancer cell growth and metastasis. Conclusion: In lung cancer progression, hypoxia-induced factor HIF-1 alpha combined with DNA methylation modifications co-regulates S100A6 transcriptional activation and promotes lung cancer cell growth and metastasis.