scholarly journals PDTM-29. STRUCTURE FUNCTION AND CELL TYPE DETERMINANTS OF C11orf95-RELA DRIVEN TUMORS IN MICE

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi193-vi193
Author(s):  
Jesse Dunnack ◽  
Ericka Randazzo ◽  
Jahmique Caines ◽  
Jame He ◽  
Joseph LoTurco
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signals ◽  
Transcriptional Activation Domain ◽  
Neuronal Progenitor ◽  
Glial Progenitor

Abstract We used a new mouse model to better understand the cellular and molecular determinants of tumors driven by the C11orf95-RELA fusion. Our approach makes use of in utero electroporation and a binary transposase system to introduce human C11orf95-RELA sequence, wild type and mutant, into neural progenitors, and drive expression of the fusion in different glial and neuronal progenitor cell types. Our results indicate that truncations or point mutations in C11orf95 sequence which interfere with nuclear localization result in a complete loss of tumor-inducing activity. The mutations include truncations of the first 60 amino acids, internal truncations that delete possible mono and bipartite nuclear localization signals, and point mutations of two cysteines and histidines that make up a possible zinc finger domain in C11orf95. Interestingly, all of the mutations that block tumorigenesis also block signal independent nuclear localization of the wild type fusion, without blocking induction of NFKB response genes. We further found that over-expression of the NFKB1 subunit P50 which lacks a transcriptional activation domain significantly inhibits tumor formation by the fusion. In addition, we find that driving expression of the wild type fusion in glial progenitor types using promoters for either astrocytes or oligodendrocytes results in the formation of tumors with transcriptomes displaying significant similarities to human supratentorial ependymoma (ST-EPN), but with distinct patterns depending upon the glial progenitor promoter utilized. In contrast, promoters driving expression selectively in neuron restricted progenitors do not result in the formation of ST-EPN. Together our results reveal three new features of C11orf95-RELA driven tumorigenesis: i) multiple sequences within the C11orf95 domain are required for oncogenic driver activity of the fusion, ii) the P50 subunit of NFKB1 can inhibit fusion induced tumorigenesis, and iii) neuron-restricted precursors are less competent than glia-restricted precursors to form tumors induced by C11orf95-RELA.

scholarly journals Extensive mutagenesis of a transcriptional activation domain identifies single hydrophobic and acidic amino acids important for activation in vivo.

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
M B Sainz ◽  
S A Goff ◽  
V L Chandler
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Carboxyl Terminus ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Activation Domain ◽  
Hydrophobic Residues ◽  
Transcriptional Activation Domain ◽  
Acidic Amino Acids

C1 is a transcriptional activator of genes encoding biosynthetic enzymes of the maize anthocyanin pigment pathway. C1 has an amino terminus homologous to Myb DNA-binding domains and an acidic carboxyl terminus that is a transcriptional activation domain in maize and yeast cells. To identify amino acids critical for transcriptional activation, an extensive random mutagenesis of the C1 carboxyl terminus was done. The C1 activation domain is remarkably tolerant of amino acid substitutions, as changes at 34 residues had little or no effect on transcriptional activity. These changes include introduction of helix-incompatible amino acids throughout the C1 activation domain and alteration of most single acidic amino acids, suggesting that a previously postulated amphipathic alpha-helix is not required for activation. Substitutions at two positions revealed amino acids important for transcriptional activation. Replacement of leucine 253 with a proline or glutamine resulted in approximately 10% of wild-type transcriptional activation. Leucine 253 is in a region of C1 in which several hydrophobic residues align with residues important for transcriptional activation by the herpes simplex virus VP16 protein. However, changes at all other hydrophobic residues in C1 indicate that none are critical for C1 transcriptional activation. The other important amino acid in C1 is aspartate 262, as a change to valine resulted in only 24% of wild-type transcriptional activation. Comparison of our C1 results with those from VP16 reveal substantial differences in which amino acids are required for transcriptional activation in vivo by these two acidic activation domains.

scholarly journals Cubitus interruptus Requires DrosophilaCREB-Binding Protein To Activate wingless Expression in theDrosophila Embryo

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1616-1625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Chen ◽  
R. H. Goodman ◽  
Sarah M. Smolik
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Creb Binding Protein ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Interaction Domain ◽  
Cubitus Interruptus

ABSTRACT CREB-binding protein (CBP) serves as a transcriptional coactivator in multiple signal transduction pathways. The Drosophilahomologue of CBP, dCBP, interacts with the transcription factors Cubitus interruptus (CI), MAD, and Dorsal (DL) and functions as a coactivator in several signaling pathways during Drosophiladevelopment, including the hedgehog (hh),decapentaplegic (dpp), and Tollpathways. Although dCBP is required for the expression of thehh target genes, wingless (wg) andpatched (ptc) in vivo, and potentiatesci-mediated transcriptional activation in vitro, it is not known that ci absolutely requires dCBP for its activity. We used a yeast genetic screen to identify several ci point mutations that disrupt CI-dCBP interactions. These mutant proteins are unable to transactivate a reporter gene regulated by cibinding sites and have a lower dCBP-stimulated activity than wild-type CI. When expressed exogenously in embryos, the CI point mutants cannot activate endogenous wg expression. Furthermore, a CI mutant protein that lacks the entire dCBP interaction domain functions as a negative competitor for wild-type CI activity, and the expression of dCBP antisense RNAs can suppress CI transactivation in Kc cells. Taken together, our data suggest that dCBP function is necessary forci-mediated transactivation of wg duringDrosophila embryogenesis.

scholarly journals Partial Inactivation of the Chromatin Remodelers SMARCA2 and SMARCA4 in Virus-Infected Cells by Caspase-Mediated Cleavage

2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra H. Dudek ◽  
Florian Pfaff ◽  
Hardin Bolte ◽  
Collins Waguia Kontchou ◽  
Martin Schwemmle
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Cell Damage ◽  
Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signals ◽  
Interferon Stimulated Genes ◽  
Efficient Induction ◽  
Infected Cells

ABSTRACT The BAF-chromatin remodeling complex, with its mutually exclusive ATPases SMARCA2 and SMARCA4, is essential for the transcriptional activation of numerous genes, including a subset of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Here, we show that C-terminally truncated forms of both SMARCA2 and SMARCA4 accumulate in cells infected with different RNA or DNA viruses. The levels of truncated SMARCA2 or SMARCA4 strongly correlate with the degree of cell damage and death observed after virus infection. The use of a pan-caspase inhibitor and genetically modified cell lines unable to undergo apoptosis revealed that the truncated forms result from the activity of caspases downstream of the activated intrinsic apoptotic pathway. C-terminally cleaved SMARCA2 and SMARCA4 lack potential nuclear localization signals as well as the bromo- and SnAC domain, with the latter two domains believed to be essential for chromatin association and remodeling. Consistent with this belief, C-terminally truncated SMARCA2 was partially relocated to the cytoplasm. However, the remaining nuclear protein was sufficient to induce ISG expression and inhibit the replication of vesicular stomatitis virus and influenza A virus. This suggests that virus-induced apoptosis does not occur at the expense of an intact interferon-mediated antiviral response pathway. IMPORTANCE Efficient induction of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) prior to infection is known to effectively convert a cell into an antiviral state, blocking viral replication. Additionally, cells can undergo caspase-mediated apoptosis to control viral infection. Here, we identify SMARCA2 and SMARCA4 to be essential for the efficient induction of ISGs but also to be targeted by cellular caspases downstream of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. We find that C-terminally cleaved SMARCA2 and SMARCA4 accumulate at late stages of infection, when cell damage already had occurred. Cleavage of the C terminus removes domains important for nuclear localization and chromatin binding of SMARCA2 and SMARCA4. Consequently, the cleaved forms are unable to efficiently accumulate in the cell nucleus. Intriguingly, the remaining nuclear C-terminally truncated SMARCA2 still induced ISG expression, although to lower levels. These data suggest that in virus-infected cells caspase-mediated cell death does not completely inactivate the SMARCA2- and SMARCA4-dependent interferon signaling pathway.

scholarly journals Transformation by Polyomavirus Middle T Antigen Involves a Unique Bimodal Interaction with the Hippo Effector YAP

2016 ◽  
Vol 90 (16) ◽  
pp. 7032-7045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecile Rouleau ◽  
Arun T. Pores Fernando ◽  
Justin H. Hwang ◽  
Nathalie Faure ◽  
Tao Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Ras Signaling ◽  
Hippo Signaling ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Positive Contribution ◽  
Activation Functions ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Middle T Antigen

ABSTRACTMurine polyomavirus has repeatedly provided insights into tumorigenesis, revealing key control mechanisms such as tyrosine phosphorylation and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling. We recently demonstrated that polyomavirus small T antigen (ST) binds YAP, a major effector of Hippo signaling, to regulate differentiation. Here we characterize YAP as a target of middle T antigen (MT) important for transformation. Through a surface including residues R103 and D182, wild-type MT binds to the YAP WW domains. Mutation of either R103 or D182 of MT abrogates YAP binding without affecting binding to other signaling molecules or the strength of PI3K or Ras signaling. Either genetic abrogation of YAP binding to MT or silencing of YAP via short hairpin RNA (shRNA) reduced MT transformation, suggesting that YAP makes a positive contribution to the transformed phenotype. MT targets YAP both by activating signaling pathways that affect it and by binding to it. MT signaling, whether from wild-type MT or the YAP-binding MT mutant, promoted YAP phosphorylation at S127 and S381/397 (YAP2/YAP1). Consistent with the known functions of these phosphorylated serines, MT signaling leads to the loss of YAP from the nucleus and degradation. Binding of YAP to MT brings it together with protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), leading to the dephosphorylation of YAP in the MT complex. It also leads to the enrichment of YAP in membranes. Taken together, these results indicate that YAP promotes MT transformation via mechanisms that may depart from YAP's canonical oncogenic transcriptional activation functions.IMPORTANCEThe highly conserved Hippo/YAP pathway is important for tissue development and homeostasis. Increasingly, changes in this pathway are being associated with cancer. Middle T antigen (MT) is the primary polyomavirus oncogene responsible for tumor formation. In this study, we show that MT signaling promotes YAP phosphorylation, loss from the nucleus, and increased turnover. Notably, MT genetics demonstrate that YAP binding to MT is important for transformation. Because MT also binds PP2A, YAP bound to MT is dephosphorylated, stabilized, and localized to membranes. Taken together, these results indicate that YAP promotes MT transformation via mechanisms that depart from YAP's canonical oncogenic transcriptional activation functions.

Mutations of the SBDS Gene Result in Nuclear Mislocalization.

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 2034-2034
Author(s):  
Masafumi Yamaguchi ◽  
Kingo Fujimura ◽  
Hanae Toga-Yamaguchi ◽  
Valentina Svetic ◽  
Naoki Okamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signal ◽  
Bone Marrow Failure ◽  
Pancreatic Insufficiency ◽  
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency ◽  
Expression Level ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signals ◽  
Localization Signal ◽  
Domain I

Abstract Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS) is an autosomal-recessive disorder characterized by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and bone marrow failure. The SDS disease locus was mapped to chromosome 7q11. We have previously reported that Shwachman-Bodian- Diamond syndrome (SBDS) gene is not required for neutrophil maturation. However, SBDS knockdown cells were sensitive to apoptotic stimuli, indicating that SBDS acts to maintain survival of granulocyte precursor cells. (Exp Hematol35; 579, 2007). A wide variety of mutations in SBDS gene has been identified, and almost of all patients show truncated immature proteins, p.K62X (c.183_184TA>CT) or p.C84fsX3 (c.258+2T>C). However, it is not yet clear how these truncated proteins affect cellular processes that result in the SDS phenotype. The SBDS protein is localized to the nucleoli but does not have the canonical nuclear localization signal. In order to clarify the molecular basis of pathogenicity of mutated SBDS proteins, we explored the subcellular distribution of normal and mutant SBDS proteins in Hela and 32Dcl3 cells. Using various N-terminal and C-terminal deletion constructs, we found N-terminal region, domain I (1-87 amino acid residue) in particular, was necessary to localize to the nucleus. The disease related mutations (C31W, K33E, N34I, L71P) and the mutations which are conserved among the species in the domain I (E44K, K62E, D70N, E82K) were generated. C31W and N34I mutants failed to localize SBDS to the nuclei. The SV40 derived nuclear localization signal was fused to these mutated SBDS protein, and these proteins were clearly localized to the nuclei. In addition to the mislocalization, the protein expression level of these mutants showed a dramatic decrease compared to the wild type. We also established SBDS wild type and domain I overexpressed 32Dcl3 cell. SBDS wild type overexpressed cells could differentiate to normal neutrophils in the presence of mG-CSF, however domain I overexpressed cells did not differentiate. Almost of all cells showed apoptosis in this domain I overexpressed cells in the presence of mG-CSF, and this was very similar like SBDS RNAi knockdown cells. The localization of endogenous SBDS protein was also analyzed in this domain I overexpressed cells. The domain I was concentrated to nuclei, however endogenous SBDS protein was diffused to cytosol. Conclusions: The present findings enable us to document the nuclear localization signals in SBDS domain I, and that the shuttling protein would promote SBDS to nuclei. These results also showed that mislocalization and/or low expression level of mutated SBDS protein would cause SDS.

scholarly journals Phosphorylation adjacent to the nuclear localization signal of human dUTPase abolishes nuclear import: structural and mechanistic insights

2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 2495-2505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gergely Róna ◽  
Mary Marfori ◽  
Máté Borsos ◽  
Ildikó Scheer ◽  
Enikő Takács ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signal ◽  
Nucleocytoplasmic Transport ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signals ◽  
M Phase ◽  
Importin Α ◽  
Localization Signal

Phosphorylation adjacent to nuclear localization signals (NLSs) is involved in the regulation of nucleocytoplasmic transport. The nuclear isoform of human dUTPase, an enzyme that is essential for genomic integrity, has been shown to be phosphorylated on a serine residue (Ser11) in the vicinity of its nuclear localization signal; however, the effect of this phosphorylation is not yet known. To investigate this issue, an integrated set of structural, molecular and cell biological methods were employed. It is shown that NLS-adjacent phosphorylation of dUTPase occurs during the M phase of the cell cycle. Comparison of the cellular distribution of wild-type dUTPase with those of hyperphosphorylation- and hypophosphorylation-mimicking mutants suggests that phosphorylation at Ser11 leads to the exclusion of dUTPase from the nucleus. Isothermal titration microcalorimetry and additional independent biophysical techniques show that the interaction between dUTPase and importin-α, the karyopherin molecule responsible for `classical' NLS binding, is weakened significantly in the case of the S11E hyperphosphorylation-mimicking mutant. The structures of the importin-α–wild-type and the importin-α–hyperphosphorylation-mimicking dUTPase NLS complexes provide structural insights into the molecular details of this regulation. The data indicate that the post-translational modification of dUTPase during the cell cycle may modulate the nuclear availability of this enzyme.

scholarly journals Deletion of Open Reading Frame UL26 from the Human Cytomegalovirus Genome Results in Reduced Viral Growth, Which Involves Impaired Stability of Viral Particles

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (11) ◽  
pp. 5423-5434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Lorz ◽  
Heike Hofmann ◽  
Anja Berndt ◽  
Nina Tavalai ◽  
Regina Mueller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Deletion Mutant ◽  
Artificial Chromosome ◽  
Open Reading Frame ◽  
Wild Type Virus ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Transcriptional Activation Domain ◽  
Viral Particles

ABSTRACT We previously showed that open reading frame (ORF) UL26 of human cytomegalovirus, a member of the US22 multigene family of betaherpesviruses, encodes a novel tegument protein, which is imported into cells in the course of viral infection. Moreover, we demonstrated that pUL26 contains a strong transcriptional activation domain and is capable of stimulating the major immediate-early (IE) enhancer-promoter. Since this suggested an important function of pUL26 during the initiation of the viral replicative cycle, we sought to ascertain the relevance of pUL26 by construction of a viral deletion mutant lacking the UL26 ORF using the bacterial artificial chromosome mutagenesis procedure. The resulting deletion virus was verified by PCR, enzyme restriction, and Southern blot analyses. After infection of human foreskin fibroblasts, the UL26 deletion mutant showed a small-plaque phenotype and replicated to significantly lower titers than wild-type or revertant virus. In particular, we noticed a striking decrease of infectious titers 7 days postinfection in a multistep growth experiment, whereas the release of viral DNA from infected cells was not impaired. A further investigation of this aspect revealed a significantly diminished stability of viral particles derived from the UL26 deletion mutant. Consistent with this, we observed that the tegument composition of the deletion mutant deviates from that of the wild-type virus. We therefore hypothesize that pUL26 plays a role not only in the onset of IE gene transcription but also in the assembly of the viral tegument layer in a stable and correct manner.

scholarly journals Antimorphic goosecoids

Development ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 125 (8) ◽  
pp. 1347-1359 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Ferreiro ◽  
M. Artinger ◽  
K. Cho ◽  
C. Niehrs
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Marginal Zone ◽  
Homeobox Gene ◽  
Axis Formation ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Transcriptional Activation Domain ◽  
Spemann Organizer ◽  
Axial Defects ◽  
Dorsal Mesoderm

goosecoid (gsc) is a homeobox gene expressed in the Spemann organizer that has been implicated in vertebrate axis formation. Here antimorphic gscs are described. One antimorphic gsc (MTgsc) was fortuitously created by adding 5 myc epitopes to the N terminus of gsc. The other antimorph (VP16gsc) contains the transcriptional activation domain of VP16. mRNA injection of either antimorph inhibits dorsal gastrulation movements and leads to embryos with severe axial defects. They upregulate ventral gene expression in the dorsal marginal zone and inhibit dorsal mesoderm differentiation. Like the VP16 domain, the N-terminal myc tags act by converting wild-type gsc from a transcriptional repressor into an activator. However, unlike MTgsc, VP16gsc is able at low dose to uncouple head from trunk formation, indicating that different antimorphs may elicit distinct phenotypes. The experiments reveal that gsc and/or gsc-related genes function in axis formation and gastrulation. Moreover, this work warns against using myc tags indiscriminately for labeling DNA-binding proteins.

scholarly journals SUMOylation Is Required for ERK5 Nuclear Translocation and ERK5-Mediated Cancer Cell Proliferation

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 2203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Erazo ◽  
Sergio Espinosa-Gil ◽  
Nora Diéguez-Martínez ◽  
Néstor Gómez ◽  
Jose M Lizcano
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Kinase Domain ◽  
Cancer Cell Proliferation ◽  
Transcriptional Activation Domain ◽  
Nuclear Shuttling

The MAP kinase ERK5 contains an N-terminal kinase domain and a unique C-terminal tail including a nuclear localization signal and a transcriptional activation domain. ERK5 is activated in response to growth factors and stresses and regulates transcription at the nucleus by either phosphorylation or interaction with transcription factors. MEK5-ERK5 pathway plays an important role regulating cancer cell proliferation and survival. Therefore, it is important to define the precise molecular mechanisms implicated in ERK5 nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling. We previously described that the molecular chaperone Hsp90 stabilizes and anchors ERK5 at the cytosol and that ERK5 nuclear shuttling requires Hsp90 dissociation. Here, we show that MEK5 or overexpression of Cdc37—mechanisms that increase nuclear ERK5—induced ERK5 Small Ubiquitin-related Modifier (SUMO)-2 modification at residues Lys6/Lys22 in cancer cells. Furthermore, mutation of these SUMO sites abolished the ability of ERK5 to translocate to the nucleus and to promote prostatic cancer PC-3 cell proliferation. We also show that overexpression of the SUMO protease SENP2 completely abolished endogenous ERK5 nuclear localization in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation. These results allow us to propose a more precise mechanism: in response to MEK5 activation, ERK5 SUMOylation favors the dissociation of Hsp90 from the complex, allowing ERK5 nuclear shuttling and activation of the transcription.

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