Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 28, 2026

Optimization of a Multiplex RNA-based Expression Assay Using Breast Cancer Archival Material
11:12

Optimization of a Multiplex RNA-based Expression Assay Using Breast Cancer Archival Material

Published on: August 1, 2018

The RING-H2 protein RNF11 is overexpressed in breast cancer and is a target of Smurf2 E3 ligase

V Subramaniam1, H Li, M Wong

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Molecular and Cellular Biology Research, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, CIHR Group in Matrix Dynamics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

British Journal of Cancer
|October 17, 2003
PubMed

Insights

RNF11 protein is overexpressed in invasive breast cancer and interacts with Smurf2. This interaction restores transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling responsiveness, suggesting a role for RNF11 in cancer progression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The T2A10 clone, now known as RNF11, was identified from a tumor messenger RNA library.
  • RNF11 contains a RING-H2 domain and a PY motif, crucial for protein-protein interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of RNF11 protein in various tumor types.
  • To elucidate the interaction mechanism between RNF11 and Smurf2.
  • To determine the functional consequence of RNF11-Smurf2 interaction on TGF-beta signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Tissue microarray analysis using polyclonal antibodies to detect RNF11 protein expression.
  • GST pulldown and immunoprecipitation assays to study protein interactions.
  • Transfection assays to assess TGF-beta signaling responsiveness.

Main Results:

  • RNF11 protein is overexpressed in invasive breast cancer and weakly expressed in kidney and prostate tumors.
  • RNF11 interacts with Smurf2 via its PY motif, leading to mutual ubiquitination.
  • Overexpression of RNF11 restores TGF-beta signaling responsiveness in transfected cells.

Conclusions:

  • RNF11 is implicated in breast cancer pathogenesis due to its overexpression.
  • The interaction between RNF11 and Smurf2 modulates TGF-beta signaling.
  • RNF11 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for restoring TGF-beta pathway activity in cancer.

More Related Videos

Functional Characterization of RING-Type E3 Ubiquitin Ligases In Vitro and In Planta10:27

Functional Characterization of RING-Type E3 Ubiquitin Ligases In Vitro and In Planta

Published on: December 5, 2019

Comparative Strategies for Ubiquitination Detection in Mammalian Cell Lysates Using SMAD2/SMURF2 as a Model09:00

Comparative Strategies for Ubiquitination Detection in Mammalian Cell Lysates Using SMAD2/SMURF2 as a Model

Published on: April 17, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
The Ras Gene02:38

The Ras Gene

The Ras-gene-encoded proteins are regulators of signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, or cell survival. The Ras-gene family in humans constitutes three primary members—the HRas, NRas, and KRas. These genes code for four functionally distinct yet closely related proteins—the HRas, NRas, KRas4A, and KRas4B. The involvement of mutant Ras genes in human cancer was first discovered in 1982 and is among the most common causes of human tumorigenesis.
Ras is a superfamily...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer01:03

Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer

Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens. He won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1966. His experiments clearly demonstrated that some cancers could be caused by infectious agents and led to the discovery of many more cancer-causing viruses in animals as well as humans.
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand  RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
Small GTPases - Ras and Rho01:24

Small GTPases - Ras and Rho

Ras and Rho are small monomeric GTPases that act downstream of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and regulate various cellular processes. These GTPases switch between active and inactive states by binding to guanine nucleotides.
Three regulatory proteins control their activity: