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Review
. 2024 Nov;56(11):2325-2336.
doi: 10.1038/s12276-024-01326-8. Epub 2024 Nov 1.

SMYD family in cancer: epigenetic regulation and molecular mechanisms of cancer proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance

Tae-Su Han  1   2   3 , Dae-Soo Kim  4   5 , Mi-Young Son  6   7   8 , Hyun-Soo Cho  9   10   11
Affiliations
Review

SMYD family in cancer: epigenetic regulation and molecular mechanisms of cancer proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance

Tae-Su Han et al. Exp Mol Med. 2024 Nov.

Abstract

Epigenetic modifiers (miRNAs, histone methyltransferases (HMTs)/demethylases, and DNA methyltransferases/demethylases) are associated with cancer proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance. Among these modifiers, HMTs are frequently overexpressed in various cancers, and recent studies have increasingly identified these proteins as potential therapeutic targets. In this review, we discuss members of the SET and MYND domain-containing protein (SMYD) family that are topics of extensive research on the histone methylation and nonhistone methylation of cancer-related genes. Various members of the SMYD family play significant roles in cancer proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance by regulating cancer-specific histone methylation and nonhistone methylation. Thus, the development of specific inhibitors that target SMYD family members may lead to the development of cancer treatments, and combination therapy with various anticancer therapeutic agents may increase treatment efficacy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Functions of the SMYD family in cancer.
The SMYD family is overexpressed in cancer and functions as a prognostic marker, proliferation regulator, and metastasis regulator. The SMYD family also plays a role in regulating drug resistance.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Overview of the functions of SMYD1, SMYD4, and SMYD5.
In cancer, SMYD1, SMYD4, and SMYD5 serve as prognostic markers. The normal functions of SMYD1, SMYD4, and SMYD5 include regulating heart development, muscle differentiation, and stem cell differentiation.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Overview of the cancer-related functions of SMYD2 and methods of SMYD2 inhibition (inhibition of its expression or activity) in cancers.
SMYD2 is overexpressed and regulates cancer proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance through histone methylation and nonhistone methylation. SMYD2 can also be used as a prognostic marker.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. Roles of SMYD3 in cancer and strategies for inhibiting SMYD3 expression and activity during oncogenesis.
SMYD3 is overexpressed and regulates cancer proliferation, metastasis, prognosis, and drug resistance.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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