Interaction of CacyBP/SIP with NPM1 and its influence on NPM1 localization and function in oxidative stress

Calcyclin (S100A6) binding protein/Siah-1 interacting protein (CacyBP/SIP) is mainly a cytoplasmic protein; however, some literature data suggested its presence in the nucleus. In this work we examined more precisely the nuclear localization and function of CacyBP/SIP. By applying mass spectrometry, we have identified several nuclear proteins, among them is nucleophosmin (NPM1), that may interact with CacyBP/SIP. Subsequent assays revealed that CacyBP/SIP forms complexes with NPM1 in the cell and that the interaction between these two proteins is direct. Interestingly, although CacyBP/SIP exhibits phosphatase activity, we have found that its overexpression favors phosphorylation of NPM1 on S125. In turn, the RNA immunoprecipitation assay indicated that the altered CacyBP/SIP level has an impact on the amount of 28S and 18S rRNA bound to NPM1. The overexpression of CacyBP/SIP resulted in a significant increase in the binding of 28S and 18S rRNA to NPM1, whereas silencing of CacyBP/SIP expression decreased 28S rRNA binding and had no effect on the binding of 18S rRNA. Further studies have shown that under oxidative stress, CacyBP/SIP overexpression alters NPM1 distribution in cell nuclei. In addition, staining for a nucleolar marker, fibrillarin, revealed that CacyBP/SIP is indispensable for maintaining the nucleolar structure. These results are in agreement with data obtained by western blot analysis, which show that upon oxidative stress the NPM1 level decreases but that CacyBP/SIP overexpression counteracts the effect of stress. Altogether, our results show for the first time that CacyBP/SIP binds to and affects the properties of a nuclear protein, NPM1, and that it is indispensable for preserving the structure of nucleoli under oxidative stress.