A complex Polycomb issue: the two faces of EZH2 in cancer

Abstract

In the April 1, 2012, issue of Genes & Development, Simon and colleagues (pp. 651–656) demonstrated that the disruption of Ezh2 in mice is sufficient to cause T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Moreover, in concert with concurrent studies, the authors revealed that similar mechanisms are involved in human T-ALL. These data contrast with previous findings showing that increased EZH2 activity promotes cancer.