Histone acetylation homeodynamics navigates cell survival and apoptosis

K Kang Li (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University) L Ling Tian (Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Guangdong Provincial Sericulture and Mulberry Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University) W Wenxin Cao J Jiahui Zhang (Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University) W Wenhao Zhang (School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai 201210, China) T Tong Lin (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University) S Shumin Huang (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University) Y Yongyu Qiu (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University) Z Zifeng Ruan J Jianhao Deng S Shihui Long (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University) S Subba R. Palli (Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, University of Kentucky) S Sheng Li

Abstract

Abstract The balance between inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) and pro-apoptotic proteins (PAPs) tightly and precisely regulates cellular homeostasis. However, the epigenetic mechanism by which this balance is maintained in vivo remains largely unknown. Here we show that in various Drosophila tissues, the homeodynamics of H3K14ac/H3K27ac/H4K8ac on the promoters/enhancers of E93 and PAPs ( rpr / hid ), modulated by P300-CtBP/HDAC3, directs the decision between cell survival and the activation of hormone-induced developmental apoptosis. Concurrently, the homeodynamics of H3K14ac/H3K27ac/H4K8ac in IAPs ( Diap1 ) promoters, modulated by Tip60/P300-CtBP/HDAC3, sustains cellular homeostasis by antagonizing the activities of PAPs. Notably, the epigenetic mechanism revealed in Drosophila is partially conserved in mammals. Moreover, disrupting the histone acetylation homeodynamics attenuates tumorigenesis through altering the balances between IAPs and PAPs in Drosophila and mice. In conclusion, histone acetylation homeodynamics navigates cell survival and apoptosis, suggesting potential epigenetic targets for the treatment of diseases or tumors caused by the imbalance between IAPs and PAPs.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 16, Issue 1
Published December 12, 2025
ISSN 2041-1723
Publisher Nature Portfolio

Journal Info

Nature Communications

Nature Portfolio

ISSN: 2041-1723 Open Access Life Sciences

Authors (13)

K

Kang Li

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University

L

Ling Tian

Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Guangdong Provincial Sericulture and Mulberry Engineering Research Center, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University

W

Wenxin Cao

J

Jiahui Zhang

Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University

W

Wenhao Zhang

School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai 201210, China

T

Tong Lin

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University

S

Shumin Huang

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University

Y

Yongyu Qiu

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University

Z

Zifeng Ruan

J

Jianhao Deng

S

Shihui Long

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University

S

Subba R. Palli

Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, University of Kentucky

S

Sheng Li