2. Academic Validation
  3. Multiple myeloma associated long non-coding RNA PLUM confers chemoresistance by enhancing PRC2 mediated UPR pathway activation

Multiple myeloma associated long non-coding RNA PLUM confers chemoresistance by enhancing PRC2 mediated UPR pathway activation

  • Nat Commun. 2025 Sep 1;16(1):8155. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-63256-x.
Kamalakshi Deka 1,  Jean-Michel Carter 1,  Akash Bahai 1,  Daniel Aron Ang 1,  Nicholas Sim 1,  Hooi Yan Chong 2,  Guan Hwee Bernard Lee 1,  Suet Mien Tan 1,  Wee Joo Chng 2 3 4 5,  Dennis Kappei 2 4 6,  Yinghui Li 7 8
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 School of Biological Sciences (SBS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, Singapore.
  • 2 Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore.
  • 3 Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS, Singapore, Singapore.
  • 4 NUS Centre for Cancer Research, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore, Singapore.
  • 5 Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute of Singapore (NCIS), The National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore, Singapore.
  • 6 Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS, Singapore, Singapore.
  • 7 School of Biological Sciences (SBS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, Singapore. liyh@ntu.edu.sg.
  • 8 Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Proteos, Singapore, Singapore. liyh@ntu.edu.sg.
PMID: 40890111 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63256-x
Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy that displays diverse genetic heterogeneity leading to treatment resistance. Recurrent mutations causing hyperactivation of the non-canonical NF-ĸB pathway are highly prevalent in relapsed, refractory MM patients, but the precise mechanisms driving chemoresistance are poorly understood. Here, we identify a long non-coding RNA termed PLUM, that is overexpressed in NF-ĸB mutant high-risk MM subtypes and patients who are refractory to VRd treatment regimen. Mechanistically, PLUM interacts with Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 to regulate its stability and Histone Methyltransferase activity, modulating the expression of tumor suppressor genes, FOXO3 and ZFP36, to activate the unfolded protein response (UPR). Importantly, disruption of PLUM-EZH2 interaction using steric Antisense Oligonucleotides re-sensitizes myeloma cells to drug treatment in vivo, correlating with the loss of PRC2 stability and H3K27 trimethylation activity. These findings indicate that PLUM facilitates formation of PRC2 complex and enhances EZH2 activity, modulating the myeloma epigenome to mediate chemoresistance. Hence, targeting PLUM-EZH2 interactions may represent a clinically potent strategy for the treatment of relapsed, refractory MM.

Figures
Products