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H3 histone oxidation is a new posttranslational modification linking heavy metal-induced metabolic changes and oncegenic epigenetic reprogramming

Award Number: R01ES035723
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/23/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 10/31/2028

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H3 histone oxidation is a new posttranslational modification linking heavy metal-induced metabolic changes and oncegenic epigenetic reprogramming - Transcription stability enforces cellular identity and is tightly controlled by restrictions imposed on both transcription factor function and target gene accessibility. Progression of cancer to metastasis and multi-drug resistance requires fluid transcriptional programs that can explore different genomic landscapes to enable clonal diversification and the origination of aggressive and treatment resistant phenotypes. In this application, we explore the recent discovery that an increase in the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), induced by heavy metal contaminants (such as arsenic, lead and cadmium) promotes histone H3.1 oxidation, eviction from nucleosomes and replacement by the oxidation-resistant variant H3.3. Oxidation- induced H3 variant replacement opens silenced portions of chromatin thereby licensing epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of ER+/PR+ breast cancer cells leading to the origination of aggressive, therapy-resistant and metastatic phenotypes. Protecting H3.1 from oxidation (using pharmacologic compounds) seem to block metal-induced EMT thereby improving chemotherapy outcomes of metal-transformed xenograft tumors treated in mice. The fact that suppressing nuclear ROS opposes metal-induced EMT also suggests that there is a key pathway for transformation downstream of the many targets of heavy metals in cells that can be explored for therapeutic gain. We suggest that metal-induced H3.1 oxidation by mitochondrial ROS is a new regulatory link between metal-induced changes to the cancer cell metabolism and chromatin remodeling controlling gene expression programs that enable breast cancer progression and drug resistance acquisition. Hence, we believe that developing pharmacologic solutions to target this pathway in the short term may represent a significant step forward towards providing new first-in-kind therapeutic solutions for breast cancer patients.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $444,350 )
2026	2026	H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CENTER AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE HOSPITAL, INC.	12902 USF MAGNOLIA DR	TAMPA	FL	33612	HILLSBOROUGH	USA	Environmental Health	001	4	12/8/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$444,350
2026	2025	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY	633 CLARK ST	EVANSTON	IL	60208	COOK	USA	Environmental Health	000	2	12/5/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $444,350

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $387,660 )
2025	2025	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY	633 CLARK ST	EVANSTON	IL	60208	COOK	USA	Environmental Health	001	2	9/18/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$372,661
2025	2025	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY	633 CLARK ST	EVANSTON	IL	60208	COOK	USA	Environmental Health	000	2	11/8/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$387,661
2025	2025	H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CENTER AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE HOSPITAL, INC.	12902 USF MAGNOLIA DR	TAMPA	FL	33612	HILLSBOROUGH	USA	Environmental Health	002	3	9/20/2025	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$372,660
														Subtotal = $387,660

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $387,661 )
2024	2024	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY	633 CLARK ST	EVANSTON	IL	60208	COOK	USA	Environmental Health	000	1	1/22/2024	NEW	$387,661
														Subtotal = $387,661

Grand Total All Awards = $1,219,671

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H3 histone oxidation is a new posttranslational modification linking heavy metal-induced metabolic changes and oncegenic epigenetic reprogramming

Award Number: R01ES035723

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/23/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 10/31/2028

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