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Updated: Jun 3, 2025

Exploring Sequence Space to Identify Binding Sites for Regulatory RNA-Binding Proteins
Published on: August 9, 2019
Cul3 substrate adaptor SPOP targets Nup153 for degradation
Joseph Y Ong1, Mai Abdusamad1, Ivan Ramirez1
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Abstract:
SPOP is a Cul3 substrate adaptor responsible for the degradation of many proteins related to cell growth and proliferation. Because mutation or misregulation of SPOP drives cancer progression, understanding the suite of SPOP substrates is important to understanding the regulation of cell proliferation. Here, we identify Nup153, a component of the nuclear basket of the nuclear pore complex, as a novel substrate of SPOP. SPOP and Nup153 bind to each other and colocalize at the nuclear envelope and some nuclear foci in cells. The binding interaction between SPOP and Nup153 is complex and multivalent. Nup153 is ubiquitylated and degraded upon expression of SPOPWT but not its substrate binding-deficient mutant SPOPF102C. Depletion of SPOP via RNAi leads to Nup153 stabilization. Upon loss of SPOP activity, the nuclear envelope localization of spindle assembly checkpoint protein Mad1, which is tethered to the nuclear envelope by Nup153, is stronger. Altogether, our results demonstrate that SPOP regulates Nup153 levels and expands our understanding of the role of SPOP in protein and cellular homeostasis.
Insights
The study identifies Nuclear Pore Protein 153 (Nup153) as a novel substrate of Speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP). SPOP regulates Nup153 levels, impacting cell proliferation and homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP) is a crucial E3 ubiquitin ligase adaptor regulating protein degradation.
- Dysregulation of SPOP is implicated in cancer progression by affecting cell growth and proliferation.
- Understanding SPOP substrates is key to deciphering its role in cellular homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel substrates of SPOP.
- To investigate the functional relationship between SPOP and its newly identified substrate, Nup153.
- To elucidate the impact of SPOP-Nup153 interaction on cellular processes.
Main Methods:
- Co-immunoprecipitation to confirm SPOP-Nup153 binding.
- Immunofluorescence microscopy to assess subcellular localization.
- RNA interference (RNAi) to deplete SPOP levels.
- Western blotting to analyze protein stability.
Main Results:
- Nuclear Pore Protein 153 (Nup153) was identified as a novel SPOP substrate.
- SPOP and Nup153 interact and colocalize at the nuclear envelope.
- SPOP mediates Nup153 ubiquitylation and degradation; SPOP depletion stabilizes Nup153.
- Loss of SPOP enhances nuclear envelope localization of Mad1, a protein tethered by Nup153.
Conclusions:
- SPOP directly regulates Nup153 protein levels.
- This regulation impacts nuclear pore complex function and spindle assembly checkpoint.
- Findings expand the understanding of SPOP's role in protein homeostasis and cell proliferation control.
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