scholarly journals BTB Protein Keap1 Targets Antioxidant Transcription Factor Nrf2 for Ubiquitination by the Cullin 3-Roc1 Ligase

2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 162-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manabu Furukawa ◽  
Yue Xiong

ABSTRACT The concentrations and functions of many eukaryotic proteins are regulated by the ubiquitin pathway, which consists of ubiquitin activation (E1), conjugation (E2), and ligation (E3). Cullins are a family of evolutionarily conserved proteins that assemble by far the largest family of E3 ligase complexes. Cullins, via a conserved C-terminal domain, bind with the RING finger protein Roc1 to recruit the catalytic function of E2. Via a distinct N-terminal domain, individual cullins bind to a protein motif present in multiple proteins to recruit specific substrates. Cullin 3 (Cul3), but not other cullins, binds directly with BTB domains to constitute a potentially large number of BTB-CUL3-ROC1 E3 ubiquitin ligases. Here we report that the human BTB-Kelch protein Keap1, a negative regulator of the antioxidative transcription factor Nrf2, binds to CUL3 and Nrf2 via its BTB and Kelch domains, respectively. The KEAP1-CUL3-ROC1 complex promoted NRF2 ubiquitination in vitro and knocking down Keap1 or CUL3 by short interfering RNA resulted in NRF2 protein accumulation in vivo. We suggest that Keap1 negatively regulates Nrf2 function in part by targeting Nrf2 for ubiquitination by the CUL3-ROC1 ligase and subsequent degradation by the proteasome. Blocking NRF2 degradation in cells expressing both KEAP1 and NRF2 by either inhibiting the proteasome activity or knocking down Cul3, resulted in NRF2 accumulation in the cytoplasm. These results may reconcile previously observed cytoplasmic sequestration of NRF2 by KEAP1 and suggest a possible regulatory step between KEAP1-NRF2 binding and NRF2 degradation.

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiwei He ◽  
Sheng Yang ◽  
Yanru Zhang ◽  
Xiaoling Li ◽  
Dan Gao ◽  
...  

AbstractLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to be important regulators during the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). We analyzed the lncRNA expression profile during osteogenic differentiation of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) and identified a significantly downregulated lncRNA RP11-527N22.2, named osteogenic differentiation inhibitory lncRNA 1, ODIR1. In hUC-MSCs, ODIR1 knockdown significantly promoted osteogenic differentiation, whereas overexpression inhibited osteogenic differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, ODIR1 interacts with F-box protein 25 (FBXO25) and facilitates the proteasome-dependent degradation of FBXO25 by recruiting Cullin 3 (CUL3). FBXO25 increases the mono-ubiquitination of H2BK120 (H2BK120ub) which subsequently promotes the trimethylation of H3K4 (H3K4me3). Both H2BK120ub and H3K4me3 form a loose chromatin structure, inducing the transcription of the key transcription factor osterix (OSX) and increasing the expression of the downstream osteoblast markers, osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). In summary, ODIR1 acts as a key negative regulator during the osteogenic differentiation of hUC-MSCs through the FBXO25/H2BK120ub/H3K4me3/OSX axis, which may provide a novel understanding of lncRNAs that regulate the osteogenesis of MSCs and a potential therapeutic strategy for the regeneration of bone defects.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura J.A. Hardwick ◽  
Anna Philpott

The proneural basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor Ascl1 is a master regulator of neurogenesis in both central and peripheral nervous systems in vivo, and is a central driver of neuronal reprogramming in vitro. Over the last three decades, assaying primary neuron formation in Xenopus embryos in response to transcription factor overexpression has contributed to our understanding of the roles and regulation of proneural proteins like Ascl1, with homologues from different species usually exhibiting similar functional effects. Here we demonstrate that the mouse Ascl1 protein is twice as active as the Xenopus protein in inducing neural-β-tubulin expression in Xenopus embryos, despite there being little difference in protein accumulation or ability to undergo phosphorylation, two properties known to influence Ascl1 function. This superior activity of the mouse compared to the Xenopus protein is dependent on the presence of the non-conserved N terminal region of the protein, and indicates species-specific regulation that may necessitate care when interpreting results in cross-species experiments.


2015 ◽  
Vol 308 (8) ◽  
pp. L776-L787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nektarios Barabutis ◽  
Christiana Dimitropoulou ◽  
Charalampos Birmpas ◽  
Atul Joshi ◽  
Gagan Thangjam ◽  
...  

New therapies toward heart and blood vessel disorders may emerge from the development of Hsp90 inhibitors. Several independent studies suggest potent anti-inflammatory activities of those agents in human tissues. The molecular mechanisms responsible for their protective effects in the vasculature remain unclear. The present study demonstrates that the transcription factor p53, an Hsp90 client protein, is crucial for the maintenance of vascular integrity, protects again LPS-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction, and is involved in the mediation of the anti-inflammatory activity of Hsp90 inhibitors in lung tissues. p53 silencing by siRNA decreased transendothelial resistance (a measure of endothelial barrier function). A similar effect was induced by the p53 inhibitor pifithrin, which also potentiated the LPS-induced hyperpermeability in human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVEC). On the other hand, p53 induction by nutlin suppressed the LPS-induced vascular barrier dysfunction. LPS decreased p53 expression in lung tissues and that effect was blocked by pretreatment with Hsp90 inhibitors both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the Hsp90 inhibitor 17-allyl-amino-demethoxy-geldanamycin suppressed the LPS-induced overexpression of the p53 negative regulator MDMX as well as p53 and MDM2 (another p53 negative regulator) phosphorylation in HLMVEC. Both negative p53 regulators were downregulated by LPS in vivo. Chemically induced p53 overexpression resulted in the suppression of LPS-induced RhoA activation and MLC2 phosphorylation, whereas p53 suppression caused the opposite effects. These observations reveal new mechanisms for the anti-inflammatory actions of Hsp90 inhibitors, i.e., the induction of the transcription factor p53, which in turn can orchestrate robust vascular anti-inflammatory responses both in vivo and in vitro.


2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (2 and 3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tucker Anderson ◽  
Christopher Wright ◽  
William Brooks

The ubiquitin ligase NARF is a newly identified protein belonging to a small family of structurally similar E3 proteins. NARF is a negative regulator of the canonical Wnt-β-catenin pathway, targeting TCF/LEF family members for proteolytic degradation through poly-ubiquitination. We examined the role that NARF plays in cell division and found that overexpression of NARF in a colony forming assay increases colony formation in a RING finger-dependent manner. Furthermore, we demonstrate that NARF transcripts are expressed at a higher level in the grade IV brain tumor glioblastoma multiforme as compared with low grade astrocytomas. Our data thus indicate that NARF is a positive regulator of cell growth and may be involved in the tumorigenic process.


2009 ◽  
Vol 296 (4) ◽  
pp. H1027-H1037 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca A. Deaton ◽  
Qiong Gan ◽  
Gary K. Owens

There is clear evidence that the phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) contributes to the pathophysiology of vascular disease. Phenotypic modulation refers to the unique ability of SMCs to alter their phenotype in response to extracellular stimuli and is hallmarked by the loss of SMC marker gene expression. The transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a known powerful negative regulator of SMC marker gene expression that works, in part, by decreasing the expression of the serum response factor (SRF) myocardin. KLF4 is not expressed in healthy adult SMCs but is increased in SMCs in response to vascular injury in vivo or PDGF-BB treatment in vitro. The aim of the present study was to determine the molecular mechanisms that regulate the expression of KLF4 in phenotypically modulated SMCs. The results demonstrated that the transcription factor stimulating protein-1 (Sp1) regulated the expression of KLF4 in SMCs. The KLF4 promoter contains three consensus Sp1 binding sites. Using a series of truncated KLF4 promoters, we showed that only fragments containing these Sp1 sites could be activated by PDGF-BB. In addition, overexpression of Sp1 alone was sufficient to increase the activity of the KLF4 promoter. Moreover, inhibiting Sp1 expression with small-interfering RNA attenuated the effects of PDGF-BB on KLF4 expression. Mutation of the three Sp1 sites within the KLF4 promoter abolished both baseline and PDGF-BB-induced activity. Finally, the results demonstrated enhanced Sp1 binding to the KLF4 promoter in SMCs treated with PDGF-BB in vitro and following vascular injury in vivo. Taken together, the results suggest a novel role for Sp1 in increasing the expression of KLF4 in phenotypically modulated SMCs.


2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth N Corry ◽  
D Alan Underhill

To date, the majority of the research regarding eukaryotic transcription factors has focused on characterizing their function primarily through in vitro methods. These studies have revealed that transcription factors are essentially modular structures, containing separate regions that participate in such activities as DNA binding, protein–protein interaction, and transcriptional activation or repression. To fully comprehend the behavior of a given transcription factor, however, these domains must be analyzed in the context of the entire protein, and in certain cases the context of a multiprotein complex. Furthermore, it must be appreciated that transcription factors function in the nucleus, where they must contend with a variety of factors, including the nuclear architecture, chromatin domains, chromosome territories, and cell-cycle-associated processes. Recent examinations of transcription factors in the nucleus have clarified the behavior of these proteins in vivo and have increased our understanding of how gene expression is regulated in eukaryotes. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding sequence-specific transcription factor compartmentalization within the nucleus and discuss its impact on the regulation of such processes as activation or repression of gene expression and interaction with coregulatory factors.Key words: transcription, subnuclear localization, chromatin, gene expression, nuclear architecture.


Oncogene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiuna Zhang ◽  
Xiaoyu Jiang ◽  
Jie Yin ◽  
Shiying Dou ◽  
Xiaoli Xie ◽  
...  

AbstractRING finger proteins (RNFs) play a critical role in cancer initiation and progression. RNF141 is a member of RNFs family; however, its clinical significance, roles, and mechanism in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain poorly understood. Here, we examined the expression of RNF141 in 64 pairs of CRC and adjacent normal tissues by real-time PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis. We found that there was more expression of RNF141 in CRC tissue compared with its adjacent normal tissue and high RNF141 expression associated with T stage. In vivo and in vitro functional experiments were conducted and revealed the oncogenic role of RNF141 in CRC. RNF141 knockdown suppressed proliferation, arrested the cell cycle in the G1 phase, inhibited migration, invasion and HUVEC tube formation but promoted apoptosis, whereas RNF141 overexpression exerted the opposite effects in CRC cells. The subcutaneous xenograft models showed that RNF141 knockdown reduced tumor growth, but its overexpression promoted tumor growth. Mechanistically, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry indicated RNF141 interacted with KRAS, which was confirmed by Co-immunoprecipitation, Immunofluorescence assay. Further analysis with bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays showed that RNF141 could directly bind to KRAS. Importantly, the upregulation of RNF141 increased GTP-bound KRAS, but its knockdown resulted in a reduction accordingly. Next, we demonstrated that RNF141 induced KRAS activation via increasing its enrichment on the plasma membrane not altering total KRAS expression, which was facilitated by the interaction with LYPLA1. Moreover, KRAS silencing partially abolished the effect of RNF141 on cell proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, our findings presented that RNF141 functioned as an oncogene by upregulating KRAS activity in a manner of promoting KRAS enrichment on the plasma membrane in CRC.


Genetics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 156 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R H Evans ◽  
Brian A Hemmings

Abstract PP2A is a central regulator of eukaryotic signal transduction. The human catalytic subunit PP2Acα functionally replaces the endogenous yeast enzyme, Pph22p, indicating a conservation of function in vivo. Therefore, yeast cells were employed to explore the role of invariant PP2Ac residues. The PP2Acα Y127N substitution abolished essential PP2Ac function in vivo and impaired catalysis severely in vitro, consistent with the prediction from structural studies that Tyr-127 mediates substrate binding and its side chain interacts with the key active site residues His-118 and Asp-88. The V159E substitution similarly impaired PP2Acα catalysis profoundly and may cause global disruption of the active site. Two conditional mutations in the yeast Pph22p protein, F232S and P240H, were found to cause temperature-sensitive impairment of PP2Ac catalytic function in vitro. Thus, the mitotic and cell lysis defects conferred by these mutations result from a loss of PP2Ac enzyme activity. Substitution of the PP2Acα C-terminal Tyr-307 residue by phenylalanine impaired protein function, whereas the Y307D and T304D substitutions abolished essential function in vivo. Nevertheless, Y307D did not reduce PP2Acα catalytic activity significantly in vitro, consistent with an important role for the C terminus in mediating essential protein-protein interactions. Our results identify key residues important for PP2Ac function and characterize new reagents for the study of PP2A in vivo.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 480
Author(s):  
Rakshitha Pandulal Miskin ◽  
Janine S. A. Warren ◽  
Abibatou Ndoye ◽  
Lei Wu ◽  
John M. Lamar ◽  
...  

In the current study, we demonstrate that integrin α3β1 promotes invasive and metastatic traits of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells through induction of the transcription factor, Brain-2 (Brn-2). We show that RNAi-mediated suppression of α3β1 in MDA-MB-231 cells caused reduced expression of Brn-2 mRNA and protein and reduced activity of the BRN2 gene promoter. In addition, RNAi-targeting of Brn-2 in MDA-MB-231 cells decreased invasion in vitro and lung colonization in vivo, and exogenous Brn-2 expression partially restored invasion to cells in which α3β1 was suppressed. α3β1 promoted phosphorylation of Akt in MDA-MB-231 cells, and treatment of these cells with a pharmacological Akt inhibitor (MK-2206) reduced both Brn-2 expression and cell invasion, indicating that α3β1-Akt signaling contributes to Brn-2 induction. Analysis of RNAseq data from patients with invasive breast carcinoma revealed that high BRN2 expression correlates with poor survival. Moreover, high BRN2 expression positively correlates with high ITGA3 expression in basal-like breast cancer, which is consistent with our experimental findings that α3β1 induces Brn-2 in TNBC cells. Together, our study demonstrates a pro-invasive/pro-metastatic role for Brn-2 in breast cancer cells and identifies a role for integrin α3β1 in regulating Brn-2 expression, thereby revealing a novel mechanism of integrin-dependent breast cancer cell invasion.


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