Crosstalk between Proline Hydroxylation and Histidine Methylation Regulates Actin-Dependent Cell Mobility Control

Actin filaments generate intrinsic forces that are essential for cell motility. This process is tightly regulated by various posttranslational modifications (PTMs), including acetylation, arginylation, and oxidation. However, the role of actin hydroxylation in regulating its dynamics remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the inhibition of Prolyl Hydroxylase Domain-containing proteins (PHDs) activity significantly promotes actin polymerization and enhances cell motility. Using hydroxylation proteomics, we identified actin as a substrate for PHDs, with hydroxylation occurring at multiple proline residues, especially at proline 70 (Pro70). This modification recruits the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor protein, which then leads to the disruption of the interaction between actin and the histidine methyltransferase SET Domain Containing 3 (SETD3). Consequently, SETD3-mediated methylation of histidine 73 (His73) on actin is suppressed, impairing actin polymerization and compromising cell motility. Notably, genetic loss of VHL or pharmacological inhibition of PHDs restores His73 methylation, enhances actin filament formation, and promotes cell motility. Together, our findings uncover a novel regulatory crosstalk between hydroxylation and methylation on actin, establishing a critical mechanism by which PTMs fine-tune actin dynamics to govern cell motility. Highlights MK-8617 augments cell motility and actin polymerization in VHL dependent manner; Hydroxylation proteomics reveals that actin is hydroxylated by PHDs; Hydroxylation at Pro70 recruits VHL, disrupting actin’s interaction with SETD3 and reducing His73 methylation; Genetic loss of VHL in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) potentially promotes cell motility by increasing His73 methylation on actin.