The role of AUF1 in thyroid carcinoma progression

AUF1/heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D is an adenylate-uridylate-rich elements (AREs) -binding protein, which regulates the mRNA stability of many genes related to growth regulation, such as proto-oncogenes, growth factors, cytokines, and cell cycle-regulatory genes. Several studies demonstrated AUF1 involvement in the processes of apoptosis, tumorigenesis, and development by its interactions with ARE-bearing mRNAs. We report here that AUF1 may be involved in thyroid carcinoma progression. Investigations on thyroid tissues revealed that cytoplasmic expression of AUF1 in malignant tissues was increased when compared with benign thyroid tissues. In thyroid carcinoma cell lines, AUF1 was mostly detectable in the nucleus; however, in dividing cells, its increased production was also observed in the cytoplasm. We found AUF1 in complexes with ARE-bearing mRNAs, previously described to be crucial for proliferation and cell cycle of thyroid carcinoma. Total or exon-selective knockdown of AUF1 led to growth inhibition accompanied by induction of cell cycle inhibitors and decreased levels of cell cycle promoters. Our data demonstrate the existence of a complex network between AUF1 and mRNAs encoding proteins related to cell proliferation. AUF1 may control the balance between stabilizing and destabilizing effects, both of which are exerted on cell cycle machinery in thyroid carcinoma. Although we cannot exclude participation of other factors, thyroid carcinoma may recruit cytoplasmic AUF1 to disturb the stability of mRNAs encoding cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, leading to uncontrolled growth and progression of tumor cells. Thus, AUF1 may be considered as a new, additional marker for thyroid carcinoma.