Lysine-Specific Demethylase 1 is Strongly Expressed in Poorly Differentiated Neuroblastoma: Implications for Therapy

Aberrant epigenetic changes are hallmarks of most cancers. Recently, a new class of histone-modifying enzymes, demethylases, was identified catalyzing the removal of methyl groups from histone H3 lysine residues. Here, we address the functional significance of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) in neuroblastoma. LSD1 expression correlated with adverse outcome and was inversely correlated with differentiation in neuroblastic tumors. Differentiation of neuroblastoma cells resulted in down-regulation of LSD1. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of LSD1 decreased cellular growth, induced expression of differe…