Histone methyltransferase PRDM9 promotes survival of drug-tolerant persister cells in glioblastoma

Chemotherapy often kills a large fraction of cancer cells but leaves behind a small population of drug-tolerant persister cells. These persister cells survive drug treatments through reversible, non-genetic mechanisms and cause tumour recurrence upon cessation of therapy. Here, we report a drug tolerance mechanism regulated by the germ-cell-specific H3K4 methyltransferase PRDM9.

Citation:
Joun GL, Kempe EG, Chen B, ……. Kuchibhotla M, Palanisamy R, Jorgensen WT, ……. Johns TG, Kassiou M, et al. Histone methyltransferase PRDM9 promotes survival of drug-tolerant persister cells in glioblastoma. Nat Commun. 2025;16(1).

Keywords:
Histone-Lysine; genetics; metabolism; brain neoplasms; pathology; drug effects; glioblastoma; enzymology; cell survival; antineoplastic agents

Abstract:
Chemotherapy often kills a large fraction of cancer cells but leaves behind a small population of drug-tolerant persister cells. These persister cells survive drug treatments through reversible, non-genetic mechanisms and cause tumour recurrence upon cessation of therapy. Here, we report a drug tolerance mechanism regulated by the germ-cell-specific H3K4 methyltransferase PRDM9.