The chromatin remodeler complex ATRX-DAXX-H3.3 and telomere length in meningiomas

ATRX-DAXX-H3.3 chromatin remodeler complex is a well known epigenetic factor responsible for the heterochromatin maintenance and control. ATRX is an important nucleosome controller, especially in tandem repeat regions, and DAXX is a multi-function protein with particular role in histone H3.3 deposition due to its chaperone characteristic. Abnormalities in this complex have been associated with telomere dysfunction and consequently with activation of alternative lengthening of telomeres mechanism, genomic instability, and tumor progression in different types of cancer. However, the characterization of this complex is still incomplete in meningioma. We analyzed ATRX, DAXX and H3.3 expressions and the telomere length in a cohort of meningioma of different malignant grades. We observed ATRX upregulation at gene and protein levels in grade II/III meningiomas. A low variability of telomere length was observed in meningiomas across different ages and malignant grades, in contrast to the shortening of telomere length with aging in normal controls.

Automated summary

The ATRX-DAXX-H3.3 chromatin remodeler complex is associated with telomere dysfunction and tumor progression in different types of cancer, with ATRX upregulation observed in grade II/III meningiomas. Telomere length in meningiomas shows low variability across different ages and malignant grades, in contrast to the shortening observed in normal controls with aging.