Targeting SUV4–20H2-mediated H4K20 methylation restrains growth and migration in pediatric high-grade astrocytomas

Pediatric astrocytomas are characterized by increased molecular and clinical heterogeneity with epigenetic alterations contributing to aggressiveness and therapy resistance. The repressive histone mark H4K20 trimethylation (H4K20me3) and the methyltransferase SUV4-20H2 (KMT5C) are critical regulators of chromatin integrity and genome stability, with limited investigation in pediatric astrocytomas. KMT5C mRNA levels were evaluated in a publicly available pediatric gliomas database using bioinformatic analysis. Investigation of SUV4-20H2 and H4K20me3 expression was performed in a cohort of 43 pediatric astrocytoma tissues by immunohistochemistry. Their functional role and mechanism of action was investigated in pediatric glioma cell lines by using the substrate-competitive inhibitor of SUV4-20, A-196. Cell viability, apoptosis and migration were assessed using XTT, cleaved PARP, and wound healing assays, respectively. Effects of treatment on H4K20 methylation, DNA damage, mitotic stress [Polo-like kinase (PLK1) expression], and invasion markers (N-cadherin, β-catenin expression) were examined by western immunoblotting. KMT5C mRNA was significantly enriched in pediatric high-grade astrocytomas compared to low-grade tumors. A significant elevation of SUV4-20H2 and H4K20me3 expression was detected in astrocytoma tissues indicating epigenetic dysregulation contributing to malignancy. Treatment with A-196 reduced cell proliferation of pediatric glioma cell lines and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. It further impaired cell migration, accompanied by reduced N-cadherin and β-catenin expression. Mechanistically, inhibition of SUV4-20 depleted H4K20me3, inducing chromatin destabilization, replication-associated DNA damage and was associated with increased PLK1 expression, consistent with activation of a mitotic stress response. Our findings indicate that SUV4-20H2-mediated H4K20 activity in pediatric high-grade astrocytomas maintains their growth and migratory potential by regulating chromatin integrity and may serve as potential therapeutic target.