MLL5 Orchestrates a Cancer Self-Renewal State by Repressing the Histone Variant H3.3 and Globally Reorganizing Chromatin

Mutations in the histone 3 variant H3.3 have been identified in one-third of pediatric glioblastomas (GBMs), but not in adult tumors. Here we show that H3.3 is a dynamic determinant of functional properties in adult GBM. H3.3 is repressed by mixed lineage leukemia 5 (MLL5) in self-renewing GBM cells. MLL5 is a global epigenetic repressor that orchestrates reorganization of chromatin structure by punctuating chromosomes with foci of compacted chromatin, favoring tumorigenic and self-renewing properties. Conversely, H3.3 antagonizes self-renewal and promotes differentiation. We exploited these epigenetic states to rationally identify two small molecules that effectively curb cancer stem cell properties in a preclinical model. Our work uncovers a role for MLL5 and H3.3 in maintaining self-renewal hierarchies in adult GBM. [Display omitted] •DNA methylomes of adult GBM self-renewing cells resemble H3.3-mutated pediatric GBM•MLL5 represses H3.3 levels in adult GBM self-renewing cells•MLL5 favors self-renewal and H3.3 favors differentiation in adult GBM•An MLL5/H3.3 signature predicted two compounds that curb GBM self-renewal Gallo et al. show that MLL5 induces reorganization of chromatin structure and decreases expression of H3.3. Reduced H3.3 expression favors self-renewal properties of adult glioblastoma (GBM) cells and phenocopies pediatric GBM with H3.3 mutations, indicating potential therapeutic strategies for adult GBM.