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In Vivo Detection and Analysis of Rb Protein SUMOylation in Human Cells
Published on: November 2, 2017
SUMO-modified nuclear cyclin D1 bypasses Ras-induced senescence
1Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Abstract:
Oncogene-induced senescence represents a key tumor suppressive mechanism. Here, we show that Ras oncogene-induced senescence can be mediated by the recently identified haploinsufficient tumor suppressor apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53 (ASPP) 2 through a novel and p53/p19(Arf)/p21(waf1/cip1)-independent pathway. ASPP2 suppresses Ras-induced small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-modified nuclear cyclin D1 and inhibits retinoblastoma protein (Rb) phosphorylation. The lysine residue, K33, of cyclin D1 is a key site for this newly identified regulation. In agreement with the fact that its nuclear localization is required for its oncogenic activity, we show that nuclear cyclin D1 is far more potent than wild-type (WT) cyclin D1 in bypassing Ras-induced senescence. Thus, this study identifies SUMO modification as a positive regulator of nuclear cyclin D1, and reveals a new way by which cell cycle entry and senescence are regulated.
Insights
Apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53 (ASPP) 2 suppresses Ras-induced senescence via a novel pathway. This study reveals SUMO modification as a key regulator of nuclear cyclin D1, impacting cell cycle entry and senescence.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Oncogene-induced senescence is a critical tumor suppressive mechanism.
- The tumor suppressor apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53 (ASPP) 2 is a recently identified protein involved in cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of ASPP2 in Ras oncogene-induced senescence.
- To elucidate the novel p53/p19(Arf)/p21(waf1/cip1)-independent pathway mediated by ASPP2.
- To identify new regulators of cell cycle entry and senescence.
Main Methods:
- Investigated Ras oncogene-induced senescence.
- Analyzed the role of ASPP2 in regulating nuclear cyclin D1 and retinoblastoma protein (Rb) phosphorylation.
- Examined the effect of SUMO modification on cyclin D1.
- Compared the potency of nuclear cyclin D1 versus wild-type (WT) cyclin D1 in bypassing senescence.
Main Results:
- ASPP2 mediates Ras oncogene-induced senescence through a novel pathway independent of p53/p19(Arf)/p21(waf1/cip1).
- ASPP2 suppresses small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-modified nuclear cyclin D1 and inhibits Rb phosphorylation.
- Lysine residue K33 of cyclin D1 is crucial for this regulation.
- Nuclear cyclin D1 is more potent than WT cyclin D1 in bypassing Ras-induced senescence.
Conclusions:
- SUMO modification positively regulates nuclear cyclin D1.
- ASPP2 acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting nuclear cyclin D1 and Rb phosphorylation.
- A new mechanism regulating cell cycle entry and senescence involving SUMO modification of cyclin D1 is identified.
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