Upregulated DNMT3a coupling with inhibiting p62-dependent autophagy contributes to NNK tumorigenicity in human bronchial epithelial cells

NNK, formally known as 4-(methyl nitrosamine)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanoe, is a potent chemical carcinogen prevalent in cigarette smoke and is a key contributor to the development of human lung adenocarcinomas. On the other hand, autophagy plays a complex role in cancer development, acting as a "double-edged sword" whose impact varies depending on the cancer type and stage. Despite this, the relationship between autophagy and NNK-induced lung carcinogenesis remains largely unexplored. Our current study uncovers a marked reduction in p62 protein expression in both lung adenocarcinomas and lung tissues of mice exposed to cigarette smoke. Interestingly, this reduction appears to be contingent upon the activity of extrahepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP450), revealing that NNK metabolic activation by CYP450 enzyme escalates its potential to induce p62 downregulation. Further mechanistic investigations reveal that NNK suppresses autophagy by accelerating the degradation of p62 mRNA, thereby promoting the malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells. This degradation process is facilitated by the hypermethylation of the Human antigen R (HuR) promoter, resulting in the transcriptional repression of HuR - a key regulator responsible for stabilizing p62 mRNA through direct binding. This hypermethylation is triggered by the activation of ribosomal protein S6, which is influenced by NNK exposure and subsequently amplifies the translation of DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha (DNMT3a). These findings provide crucial insights into the nature of p62 in both the development and potential treatment of tobacco-related lung cancer.