The role of histone H1.2 in pancreatic cancer metastasis and chemoresistance

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly metastatic malignant tumor of the digestive system. Drug resistance frequently occurs during cancer treatment process. This study aimed to explore the link between chemoresistance and tumor metastasis in PC and its possible molecular and cellular mechanisms. A Metastasis and Chemoresistance Signature (MCS) scoring system was built and validated based on metastasis- and chemoresistance-related genes using gene expression data of PC, and the model was applied to single-cell RNA sequencing data. The influence of linker histone H1.2 (H1–2) on PC was explored through in vitro and in vivo experiments including proliferation, invasion, migration, drug sensitivity, rescue experiments and immunohistochemistry, emphasizing its regulation with c-MYC signaling pathway. A novel MCS scoring system accurately predicted PC patient survival and was linked to chemoresistance and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in PC single-cell RNA sequencing data. H1–2 emerged as a significant prognostic factor, with its high expression indicating increased chemoresistance and EMT. This upregulation was mediated by c-MYC, which was also found to be highly expressed in PC tissues. The MCS scoring system offers insights into PC chemoresistance and metastasis potential. Targeting H1–2 could enhance therapeutic strategies and improve PC patient outcomes.