MOF Acetylates the Histone Demethylase LSD1 to Suppress Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition

The histone demethylase LSD1 facilitates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor progression by repressing epithelial marker expression. However, little is known about how its function may be modulated. Here, we report that LSD1 is acetylated in epithelial but not mesenchymal cells. Acetylation of LSD1 reduces its association with nucleosomes, thus increasing histone H3K4 methylation at its target genes and activating transcription. The MOF acetyltransferase interacts with LSD1 and is responsible for its acetylation. MOF is preferentially expressed in epithelial cells and is downregulated by EMT-inducing signals. Expression of exogenous MOF impedes LSD1 binding to epithelial gene promoters and histone demethylation, thereby suppressing EMT and tumor invasion. Conversely, MOF depletion enhances EMT and tumor metastasis. In human cancer, high MOF expression correlates with epithelial markers and a favorable prognosis. These findings provide insight into the regulation of LSD1 and EMT and identify MOF as a critical suppressor of EMT and tumor progression. [Display omitted] •LSD1 is acetylated in epithelial but not mesenchymal cells•MOF directly acetylates LSD1 and is required for LSD1 acetylation in epithelial cells•Ectopic MOF expression reduces LSD1 at epithelial gene promoters and blocks EMT•MOF inhibits tumor invasion and predicts positive clinical outcomes in human cancer The histone demethylase LSD1 is critical for epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor progression. Luo et al. report that LSD1 is acetylated by the MOF acetyltransferase. This modification reduces association of LSD1 with nucleosomes and decreases histone demethylation, thus suppressing EMT.