Discovery of novel murine PML isoforms

Karolína Anderová1, Lenka Horníková1, Vojtěch Šroller1

  • 1Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic.

Nucleus (Austin, Tex.)
|March 23, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Researchers characterized mouse Promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) isoforms, revealing distinct functions and turnover rates. A novel isoform, mPMLX7, shows unique properties, suggesting specialized roles in nuclear bodies and nucleoplasm.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) is crucial for forming PML nuclear bodies (PML NBs), which are vital membraneless organelles.
  • The specific roles of individual PML splicing variants are not well understood, especially in mouse models.
  • Understanding PML isoform function is key to deciphering PML NB biology and associated cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the repertoire of murine PML isoforms expressed in mouse tissues and cells.
  • To characterize the distinct properties and functions of different PML isoforms, including turnover kinetics and localization.
  • To establish an isoform-resolved PML system for studying PML NB-associated processes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of murine PML isoform expression in various mouse tissues and cells.
  • Characterization of isoform-specific turnover kinetics at endogenous PML NBs.
  • Assessment of de novo PML NB formation and degradation in PML-knockout cells upon arsenic exposure.
  • Molecular dynamics simulations to predict isoform conformation and stability.
  • Subcellular localization studies to determine enrichment in nucleoplasm or PML NBs.

Main Results:

  • Identified canonical mPML1-3 and five predicted variants (mPMLX1, mPMLX2, mPMLX4-X6), plus a novel isoform, mPMLX7, with unique RBCC domain splicing.
  • All identified PML isoforms exhibit distinct turnover rates within endogenous PML NBs.
  • Except for mPMLX7, all isoforms can form PML NBs de novo in PML-knockout cells and are degraded by arsenic.
  • Molecular dynamics simulations indicate mPMLX7 possesses a stable conformation and is enriched in the nucleoplasm, suggesting a specialized function.

Conclusions:

  • The study comprehensively characterizes murine PML isoforms, revealing significant diversity in their expression, localization, and dynamics.
  • The novel mPMLX7 isoform displays unique characteristics, including nucleoplasmic enrichment and resistance to de novo NB formation/degradation, pointing to specialized functions.
  • This isoform-resolved PML system provides a valuable model for future research into the multifaceted roles of PML and PML NBs in cellular regulation.

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