Nucleolar protein NPM interacts with HDM2 and protects tumor suppressor protein p53 from HDM2-mediated degradation

Localization and altered expression of nucleophosmin in the nuclear matrix during the differentiation of human hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells induced by HMBA

Nucleophosmin (NPM1) is frequently upregulated and mutated in various tumor cells. To investigate the mechanism of induced differentiation of tumor cells, the nuclear matrix of human hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells induced by hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) was selectively extracted and subjected to proteomic methodologies. We confirmed that NPM1 existed in nuclear matrix proteins and downregulated after HMBA treatment. By using immunogold electromicroscopy, we found that NPM1 was localized on nuclear matrix-intermediate filaments. Our study also revealed the colocalization between NPM1 and products of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes including c-Fos, c-Myc, p53, and Rb by using laser scanning confocal microscopy in SMMC-7721 cells.

A newly identified Pirh2 substrate SCYL1-BP1 can bind to MDM2 and accelerate MDM2 self-ubiquitination

The SCY1-like 1 binding protein 1 (SCYL1-BP1) protein was identified as an interacting partner of E3 ligase p53-induced RING H2 protein (Pirh2) and mouse double minute gene number 2 (MDM2) by yeast two-hybrid screening. Further investigation suggested there are two interactions involved in different mechanisms. SCYL1-BP1 can be ubiquitinated and degraded by Pirh2 but not by MDM2, which suggests that SCYL1-BP1 can be regulated by Pirh2. On the other hand, while SCYL1-BP1 binds to ubiquitin E3 ligase MDM2, it promotes MDM2 self-ubiquitination and results in a reduction of MDM2 protein level.

SR and SR-related proteins redistribute to segregated fibrillar components of nucleoli in a response to DNA damage

Pre-mRNA splicing factors are often redistributed to nucleoli in response to physiological conditions and cell stimuli. In telophase nuclei, serine-arginine rich (SR) proteins, which usually reside in nuclear speckles, localize transiently to active ribosomal DNA (rDNA) transcription sites called nucleolar organizing region-associated patches (NAPs). Here, we show that ultraviolet light and DNA damaging chemicals induce the redistribution of SR and SR-related proteins to areas around nucleolar fibrillar components in interphase nuclei that are similar to, but distinct from, NAPs, and these areas have been termed DNA damage-induced NAPs (d-NAPs). In vivo labeling of nascent RNA distinguished d-NAPs from NAPs in that d-NAPs were observed even after full rDNA transcriptional arrest as a result of DNA damage. Studies under a variety of conditions revealed that d-NAP formation requires both RNA polymerase II-dependent transcriptional arrest and nucleolar segregation, in particular, the disorganization of the granular nucleolar components. Despite the redistribution of SR proteins, splicing factor-enriched nuclear speckles were not disrupted because other nuclear speckle components, such as nuclear poly(A) RNA and the U5-116K protein, remained in DNA-damaged cells. These data suggest that the selective redistribution of splicing factors contributes to the regulation of specific genes via RNA metabolism. Finally, we demonstrate that a change in alternative splicing of apoptosis-related genes is coordinated with the occurrence of d-NAPs. Our results reveal a novel response to DNA damage that involves the dynamic redistribution of splicing factors to nucleoli.

Involvement of nucleophosmin/B23 in the cellular response to curcumin

Nucleophosmin (NPM/B23) is a nucleolar phosphoprotein involved in cellular response to many different stimuli. Herein, we studied the molecular mechanism of NPM/B23 induction by curcumin, a natural AP-1 inhibitor with antitumor properties. Exposure to 5-30 μM curcumin significantly and dose-dependently increased the level of NPM/B23 in non-transformed NIH 3T3 cells but not HeLa cells and F9 cells. Besides, the transformed F9 and HeLa cells are more sensitive to curcumin-induced cell death and growth inhibition than NIH 3T3 cells. Overexpression of c-Jun, but not c-Fos, decreased ∼40% of NPM/B23 and enhanced the sensitivity of NIH 3T3 cells to 30 μM curcumin. Furthermore, down-regulation of NPM/B23 by transfection with NPM/B23 antisense plasmid enhanced the sensitivity to curcumin-induced cell death and growth inhibition. These results indicated that NPM/B23 expression regulates cellular sensitivity to curcumin. Besides, NPM/B23 knockdown may facilitate as a novel strategy to promote the sensitivity of cancer cells to curcumin.

Nucleophosmin phosphorylation by v-cyclin-CDK6 controls KSHV latency

Nucleophosmin (NPM) is a multifunctional nuclear phosphoprotein and a histone chaperone implicated in chromatin organization and transcription control. Oncogenic Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) is the etiological agent of Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and multicentric Castleman disease (MCD). In the infected host cell KSHV displays two modes of infection, the latency and productive viral replication phases, involving extensive viral DNA replication and gene expression. A sustained balance between latency and reactivation to the productive infection state is essential for viral persistence and KSHV pathogenesis. Our study demonstrates that the KSHV v-cyclin and cellular CDK6 kinase phosphorylate NPM on threonine 199 (Thr199) in de novo and naturally KSHV-infected cells and that NPM is phosphorylated to the same site in primary KS tumors. Furthermore, v-cyclin-mediated phosphorylation of NPM engages the interaction between NPM and the latency-associated nuclear antigen LANA, a KSHV-encoded repressor of viral lytic replication. Strikingly, depletion of NPM in PEL cells leads to viral reactivation, and production of new infectious virus particles. Moreover, the phosphorylation of NPM negatively correlates with the level of spontaneous viral reactivation in PEL cells. This work demonstrates that NPM is a critical regulator of KSHV latency via functional interactions with v-cyclin and LANA.

Latency is the predominant mode of viral persistence in KS and PEL tumors, and has a fundamental impact on KSHV tumorigenesis. Establishment and maintenance of latency involves a number of viral and cellular factors. This study provides a novel functional link between LANA and v-cyclin by showing that phosphorylation of nucleophosmin (NPM) by the v-cyclin-CDK6 kinase complex supports its interaction with LANA, and thus enables the transcriptional silencing of KSHV lytic genes needed for latency. These findings indicate that KSHV has evolved mechanisms to utilize host proteins for maintaining the latency, and underscores the role of NPM as a regulator of not only mammalian transcription but also of viral transcription. Taken together, our data suggests that a cellular protein, NPM, is a critical factor for the latency of this oncogenic human virus, and may thus represent an attractive novel target for intervention.

Nucleolar disruption ensures nuclear accumulation of p21 upon DNA damage

p21(cip1) is a protein with a dual function in oncogenesis depending mainly on its intracellular localization: tumor suppressor in the nucleus and oncogenic in the cytoplasm. After DNA damage, p21(cip1) increases and accumulates in the nucleus to ensure cell cycle arrest. We show here that the nuclear accumulation of p21(cip1) is not only a consequence of its increased levels but to a DNA damage cellular response, which is ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR)/ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and p53 independent. Furthermore, after DNA damage, p21(cip1) not only accumulates in the nucleoplasm but also in the disrupted nucleolus. Inside the nucleolus, it is found in spherical structures, which are not a protrusion of the nucleoplasm. The steady-state distribution of p21(cip1) in the nucleolus resulted from a highly dynamic equilibrium between nucleoplasmic and nucleolar p21(cip1) and correlated with the inhibition of p21(cip1) nuclear export. Most interestingly, inhibition of ribosomal export after expressing a dominant-negative mutant of nucleophosmin induced p21(cip1) accumulation in the nucleus and the nucleolus in the absence of DNA damage. This proved the existence of a nucleolar export route to the cytoplasm for p21(cip1) in control conditions that would be inhibited upon DNA damage leading to nuclear and nucleolar accumulation of p21(cip1).

Silencing of ribosomal protein S9 elicits a multitude of cellular responses inhibiting the growth of cancer cells subsequent to p53 activation

Background

Disruption of the nucleolus often leads to activation of the p53 tumor suppressor pathway through inhibition of MDM2 that is mediated by a limited set of ribosomal proteins including RPL11 and RPL5. The effects of ribosomal protein loss in cultured mammalian cells have not been thoroughly investigated. Here we characterize the cellular stress response caused by depletion of ribosomal protein S9 (RPS9).

Methodology/Principal Findings

Depletion of RPS9 impaired production of 18S ribosomal RNA and induced p53 activity. It promoted p53-dependent morphological differentiation of U343MGa Cl2:6 glioma cells as evidenced by intensified expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and profound changes in cell shape. U2OS osteosarcoma cells displayed a limited senescence response with increased expression of DNA damage response markers, whereas HeLa cervical carcinoma cells underwent cell death by apoptosis. Knockdown of RPL11 impaired p53-dependent phenotypes in the different RPS9 depleted cell cultures. Importantly, knockdown of RPS9 or RPL11 also markedly inhibited cell proliferation through p53-independent mechanisms. RPL11 binding to MDM2 was retained despite decreased levels of RPL11 protein following nucleolar stress. In these settings, RPL11 was critical for maintaining p53 protein stability but was not strictly required for p53 protein synthesis.

Conclusions

p53 plays an important role in the initial restriction of cell proliferation that occurs in response to decreased level of RPS9. Our results do not exclude the possibility that other nucleolar stress sensing molecules act upstream or in parallel to RPL11 to activate p53. Inhibiting the expression of certain ribosomal proteins, such as RPS9, could be one efficient way to reinitiate differentiation processes or to induce senescence or apoptosis in rapidly proliferating tumor cells.

Mdm2-mediated ubiquitylation: p53 and beyond

The really interesting genes (RING)-finger-containing oncoprotein, Mdm2, is a promising drug target for cancer therapy. A key Mdm2 function is to promote ubiquitylation and proteasomal-dependent degradation of the tumor suppressor protein p53. Recent reports provide novel important insights into Mdm2-mediated regulation of p53 and how the physical and functional interactions between these two proteins are regulated. Moreover, a p53-independent role of Mdm2 has recently been confirmed by genetic data. These advances and their potential implications for the development of new cancer therapeutic strategies form the focus of this review.

The challenge of risk stratification in acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype

Cytogenetic aberrations have long been recognized as the most important prognostic variable in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and are now a major stratification tool for post-remission therapy. Cytogenetics-based stratification improves survival. Patients with AML and normal cytogenetics, the largest single subgroup, have had a very heterogeneous outcome with standard chemotherapy in multiple clinical trials. Hence it is difficult to recommend a "one size fits all" kind of treatment for this heterogeneous population of AML patients. New emerging data from preclinical, retrospective, and large, randomized controlled studies indicate that in addition to cytogenetic abnormalities, many other molecular aberrations are operative in the response to treatment as well as in the risk of relapse. Such molecular markers are being tested for developing targeted therapies and may help in improved stratification of patients in the selection of post-remission therapy. Emerging evidence reveals that at the submicroscopic level, AML with normal cytogenetics may carry poor prognostic genetic lesions or "molecular signatures" as is the case with FLT3 mutations and overexpression of BAALC, ERG or MN1, or may have aberrations that predict better risk as is the case with isolated NPM1 or CEBPA mutations. Later studies have tried to explore the interaction of various prognostically important genes in this group of AML patients. The utility of the evolving data for bedside management of such patients is expected to improve with the wider application of modern tools, using the proposed clinical outcome models, and probably by development of a risk-scoring system based on the relative risk associated with each molecular aberration. The goals include identifying those patients most likely to benefit from upfront allogeneic HSCT and sparing good-prognosis patients from unnecessary transplant-related morbidity. The following is an outline of the most common molecular changes, their impact on the outcome of AML patients with normal cytogenetics and challenges in their wide scale application in risk stratification.

Interaction with checkpoint kinase 1 modulates the recruitment of nucleophosmin to chromatin

The Checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) plays a central role in the cellular response to DNA damage and also contributes to the efficacy of DNA replication in the absence of genomic stress. However, we have only limited knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms that regulate differential Chk1 function in the absence and presence of DNA damage. To address this, we used vertebrate cells with compromised Chk1 function to analyze how altered Chk1 activity influences protein interactions in chromatin. Avian and mammalian cells with compromised Chk1 activity were used in combination with genomic stress, induced by UV, and DNA-associated proteomes were analyzed using 2-DE/MS proteomics and Western-blot analysis. Only one protein, the histone chaperone nucelophosmin, was altered consistently in line with changes in chromatin-associated Chk1 and increased in response to DNA damage. Purified Chk1 and NPM were shown to interact in vitro and strong in vivo interactions were implied from immunoprecipitation analysis of chromatin extracts. During chromatin immunoprecipitation, coassociation of the major cell cycle regulator proteins p53 and CDC25A with both Chk1 and NPM suggests that these proteins are components of complex interaction networks that operate to regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis in vertebrate cells.

Haploinsufficiency of Apc leads to ineffective hematopoiesis

Loss of a whole chromosome 5 or a deletion of the long arm of chromosome 5, -5/del(5q), is a recurring abnormality in myeloid neoplasms. The APC gene is located at chromosome band 5q23, and is deleted in more than 95% of patients with a -5/del(5q), raising the question of whether haploinsufficiency of APC contributes to the development of myeloid neoplasms with loss of 5q. We show that conditional inactivation of a single allele of Apc in mice leads to the development of severe anemia with macrocytosis and monocytosis. Further characterization of the erythroid lineage revealed that erythropoiesis is blocked at the early stages of differentiation. The long-term hematopoietic stem cell (LT-HSC) and short-term HSC (ST-HSC) populations are expanded in Apc-heterozygous mice compared with the control littermates; however, the HSCs have a reduced capacity to regenerate hematopoiesis in vivo in the absence of a single allele of Apc. Apc heterozygous myeloid progenitor cells display an increased frequency of apoptosis, and decreased in vitro colony-forming capacity, recapitulating several characteristic features of myeloid neoplasms with a -5/del(5q). Our results indicate that haploinsufficiency of Apc impairs hematopoiesis, and raise the possibility that loss of function of APC contributes to the development of myelodysplasia.

Acute myeloid leukemia with mutated nucleophosmin (NPM1): molecular, pathological, and clinical features

The NPM1 gene encodes for nucleophosmin, a nucleolus-located shuttling protein that is involved in multiple cell functions, including regulation of ribosome biogenesis, control of centrosome duplication and preservation of ARF tumor suppressor integrity. The NPM1 gene is specifically mutated in about 30% acute myeloid leukemia (AML) but not in other human neoplasms. Mutations cause crucial changes at the C-terminus of the NPM1 protein that are responsible for the aberrant nuclear export and accumulation of NPM1 mutants in the cytoplasm of leukemic cells. Diagnosis of AML with mutated NPM1 can be done using molecular techniques, immunohistochemistry (looking at cytoplasmic dislocation of nucleophosmin that is predictive of NPM1 mutations) and Western blotting with antibodies specifically directed against NPM1 mutants. Because of its distinctive molecular, pathological, immunophenotypic and prognostic features, AML with mutated NPM1 (synonym: NPMc+ AML) has been included, as a new provisional entity, in the 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of myeloid neoplasms.

Dual Role of p53 in Innate Antiviral Immunity

Tumor suppressor p53 is widely known as 'the guardian of the genome' due to its ability to prevent the emergence of transformed cells by the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. However, recent studies indicate that p53 is also a direct transcriptional target of type I interferons (IFNs) and thus, it is activated by these cytokines upon viral infection. p53 has been shown to contribute to virus-induced apoptosis, therefore dampening the ability of a wide range of viruses to replicate and spread. Interestingly, recent studies also indicate that several IFN-inducible genes such as interferon regulatory factor 9 (IRF9), IRF5, IFN-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) and toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) are in fact, p53 direct transcriptional targets. These findings indicate that p53 may play a key role in antiviral innate immunity by both inducing apoptosis in response to viral infection, and enforcing the type I IFN response, and provide a new insight into the evolutionary reasons why many viruses encode p53 antagonistic proteins.

Nucleophosmin (NPM1) mutations in adult and childhood acute myeloid leukaemia: towards definition of a new leukaemia entity

Nucleophosmin (NPM) is a ubiquitously expressed chaperone protein that shuttles rapidly between the nucleus and cytoplasm, but predominantly resides in the nucleolus. It plays key roles in ribosome biogenesis, centrosome duplication, genomic stability, cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Somatic mutations in exon 12 of the NPM gene (NPM1) are the most frequent genetic abnormality in adult acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), found in approximately 35% of all cases and up to 60% of patients with normal karyotype (NK) AML. In children, NPM1 mutations are far less frequent, occurring in 8-10% of all AML cases, and in approximately 25% of those with a NK. NPM1 mutations lead to aberrant localization of the NPM protein into the cytoplasm, thus the designation, NPMc+ AML. NPMc+ AML is seen predominantly in patients with a NK and is essentially mutually exclusive of recurrent chromosomal translocations. Patients with NPM1 mutations are twice as likely as those who lack an NPM1 mutation to also have a FMS-like tyrosine kinase (FLT3) internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutation. NPMc+ AML is also characterized by a unique gene expression signature and microRNA signature. NPMc+ AML has important prognostic significance, as NPMc+ AML, in the absence of a coexisting FLT3-ITD mutation, is associated with a favourable outcome. NPM1 mutations have also shown great stability during disease evolution, and therefore represent a possible marker for minimal residual disease detection. Given its distinctive biologic and clinical features and its clear clinical relevance, NPMc+ AML is included as a provisional entity in the 2008 WHO classifications. There is still much to be learned about this genetic alteration, including its exact role in leukaemogenesis, how it interacts with other mutations and why it confers a more favourable prognosis. Further, it represents a potential therapeutic target warranting research aimed at identifying novel small molecules with activity in NPMc+ AML.

Regulation of p53--insights into a complex process

The p53 protein is one of the most important tumor suppressor proteins. Normally, the p53 protein is in a latent state. However, when its activity is required, e.g. upon DNA damage, nucleotide depletion or hypoxia, p53 becomes rapidly activated and initiates transcription of pro-apoptotic and cell cycle arrest-inducing target genes. The activity of p53 is regulated both by protein abundance and by post-translational modifications of pre-existing p53 molecules. In the 30 years of p53 research, a plethora of modifications and interaction partners that modulate p53's abundance and activity have been identified and new ones are continuously discovered. This review will summarize our current knowledge on the regulation of p53 abundance and activity.

Ribosome-associated nucleophosmin 1: increased expression and shuttling activity distinguishes prognostic subtypes in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Two distinct groups of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) are distinguished by the presence or absence of somatic hypermutation of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene. CLL without somatic hypermutation has an adverse outcome, but the precise biological differences that underlie this more aggressive clinical-course are unclear. Using a proteomic approach, we found that the two prognostic forms of CLL were consistently distinguished according to their protein expression pattern. The most important difference observed related to the different expression of nucleophosmin 1 between the two forms of CLL. This different expression was not related to apoptosis, proliferation or gene mutation. However, co-immunoprecipitation experiments identified an association between nucleophosmin 1 and ribosomal proteins. Using immunocytofluorescence, nucleophosmin 1 expression was identified in the nucleoli and nucleoplasm of all cells, but in a proportion of cells, nucleophosmin had been transferred from the nucleoplasm to the cytoplasm. Both the fluorescent intensity, and the frequency of cytoplasmic nucleophosmin 1 expression, was higher in CLL without somatic hypermutation. We propose therefore, that nucleophosmin 1, in association with ribosomal proteins, undergoes nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling in CLL. This process is most prominent in un-mutated CLL and may signify altered protein biosynthesis.

NPM phosphorylation stimulates Cdk1, overrides G2/M checkpoint and increases leukemic blasts in mice

An elevated level of nucleophosmin (NPM) is often found in actively proliferative cells including human tumors. To identify the regulatory role for NPM phosphorylation in proliferation and cell cycle control, a series of mutants targeting the consensus cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) phosphorylation sites was created to mimic or abrogate either single-site or multi-site phosphorylation. Simultaneous inactivation of two CDK phosphorylation sites at Ser10 and Ser70 (NPM-AA) induced G(2)/M cell cycle arrest, phosphorylation of Cdk1 at Tyr15 (Cdc2(Tyr15)) and increased cytoplasmic accumulation of Cdc25C. Strikingly, stress-induced Cdk1(Tyr15) and Cdc25C sequestration was suppressed by expression of a phosphomimetic NPM mutant created on the same CDK sites (S10E/S70E, NPM-EE). Further analysis revealed that phosphorylation of NPM at both Ser10 and Ser70 was required for proper interaction between Cdk1 and Cdc25C. Moreover, NPM-EE directly bound to Cdc25C and prevented phosphorylation of Cdc25C at Ser216 during mitosis. Finally, NPM-EE overrided stress-induced G(2)/M arrest and increased leukemia blasts in a NOD/SCID xenograft model. Thus, these findings reveal a novel function of NPM on regulation of cell cycle progression, in which phosphorylation of NPM controls cell cycle progression at G(2)/M transition through modulation of Cdk1 and Cdc25C activities.

Polo-like kinase-1 phosphorylates MDM2 at Ser260 and stimulates MDM2-mediated p53 turnover

The E3 ubiqutin ligase, murne double-minute clone 2 (MDM2), promotes the degradation of p53 under normal homeostatic conditions. Several serine residues within the acidic domain of MDM2 are phosphorylated to maintain its activity but become hypo-phosphorylated following DNA damage, leading to inactivation of MDM2 and induction of p53. However, the signalling pathways that mediate these phosphorylation events are not fully understood. Here we show that the oncogenic and cell cycle-regulatory protein kinase, polo-like kinase-1 (PLK1), phosphorylates MDM2 at one of these residues, Ser260, and stimulates MDM2-mediated turnover of p53. These data are consistent with the idea that deregulation of PLK1 during tumourigenesis may help suppress p53 function.

Role of nucleophosmin in acute myeloid leukemia

Nucleophosmin (NPM) is a nucleolar phosphoprotein implicated in the regulation of multiple cellular functions, which possesses both oncogenic and tumor-suppressor properties. Mutations of the NPM1 gene leading to the expression of a cytoplasmic mutant protein, NPMc+, are the most frequent genetic abnormalities found in acute myeloid leukemias. Acute myeloid leukemias with mutated NPM1 have distinct characteristics, including a significant association with a normal karyotype, involvement of different hematopoietic lineages, a specific gene-expression profile and clinically, a better response to induction therapy and a favorable prognosis. NPMc+ maintains the capacity of wild-type NPM to interact with a variety of cellular proteins, and impairs their activity by delocalizing them to the cytoplasm. In this review we summarize recent discoveries concerning NPM function, and discuss their possible impact on the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemias with mutated NPM1.

The regulation of MDM2 by multisite phosphorylation--opportunities for molecular-based intervention to target tumours?

The p53 tumour suppressor is a tightly controlled transcription factor that coordinates a broad programme of gene expression in response to various cellular stresses leading to the outcomes of growth arrest, senescence, or apoptosis. MDM2 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that plays a key role in maintaining p53 at critical physiological levels by targeting it for proteasome-mediated degradation. Expression of the MDM2 gene is p53-dependent and thus p53 and MDM2 operate within a negative feedback loop in which p53 controls the levels of its own regulator. Induction and activation of p53 involves mainly the uncoupling of p53 from its negative regulators, principally MDM2 and MDMX, an MDM2-related and -interacting protein that inhibits p53 transactivation function. MDM2 is tightly regulated through various mechanisms including gene expression, protein turnover (mediated by auto-ubiquitylation), protein-protein interaction with key regulators, and post-translational modification, mainly, but not exclusively, by multisite phosphorylation. The purpose of the present article is to review our current knowledge of the signalling mechanisms that focus on MDM2, and indeed MDMX, through both phosphorylation mechanisms and peptide-docking events and to consider the wider implications of these regulatory events in the context of coordinated regulation of the p53 response. This analysis also provides an opportunity to consider the signalling pathways regulating MDM2 as potential targets for non-genotoxic therapies aimed at restoring p53 function in tumour cells.

A proteomics approach for the identification of nucleophosmin and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C1/C2 as chromatin-binding proteins in response to DNA double-strand breaks

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) of chromosomal DNA trigger the cellular response that activates the pathways for DNA repair and cell-cycle checkpoints, and sometimes the pathways leading to cell death if the damage is too severe to be tolerated. Evidence indicates that, upon generation of DNA DSBs, many nuclear proteins that are involved in DNA repair and checkpoints are recruited to chromatin around the DNA lesions. In the present study we used a proteomics approach to identify DNA-damage-induced chromatin-binding proteins in a systematic way. Two-dimensional gel analysis for protein extracts of chromatin from DNA-damage-induced and control HeLa cells identified four proteins as the candidates for DNA-damage-induced chromatin-binding proteins. MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization-time-of-flight) MS analysis identified these proteins to be NPM (nucleophosmin), hnRNP (heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein) C1, hnRNP C2 and 37-kDa laminin-receptor precursor, and the identity of these proteins was further confirmed by immunoblot analysis with specific antibodies. We then demonstrated with chromatin-binding assays that NPM and hnRNP C1/C2, the abundant nuclear proteins with pleiotropic functions, indeed bind to chromatin in a DNA-damage-dependent manner, implicating these proteins in DNA repair and/or damage response. Immunofluorescence experiments showed that NPM, normally present in the nucleoli, is mobilized into the nucleoplasm after DNA damage, and that neither NPM nor hnRNP C1/C2 is actively recruited to the sites of DNA breaks. These results suggest that NPM and hnRNP C1/C2 may function at the levels of the global context of chromatin, rather than by specifically targeting the broken DNA.

Ribosomal protein S7 is both a regulator and a substrate of MDM2

MDM2 associates with ribosomal protein S7, and this interaction is required to inhibit MDM2's E3 ligase activity, leading to stabilization of MDM2 and p53. Notably, the MDM2 homolog MDMX facilitates the inhibition of MDM2 E3 ligase activity by S7. Further, ablation of S7 inhibits MDM2 and p53 accumulation induced by different stress signals in some cell types. Thus, ribosomal/nucleolar stress is likely a key integrating event in DNA damage signaling to p53. Interestingly, S7 is itself a substrate for MDM2 E3 ligase activity both in vitro and in vivo. An S7-ubiquitin fusion protein (S7-Ub) selectively inhibits MDM2 degradation of p53 and is unaffected by MDMX. S7-Ub promotes apoptosis to a greater extent than S7 alone. This indicates that MDM2 ubiquitination of S7 is involved in sustaining the p53 response. Thus, S7 functions as both effector and affector of MDM2 to ensure a proper cellular response to different stress signals.

Identifying apoptosis-evasion proteins/pathways in human hepatoma cells via induction of cellular hormesis by UV irradiation

Evading apoptosis is pivotal in both of carcinogenesis and resistance to anticancer therapy. We investigated the molecules and pathways of apoptosis evasion in human hepatoma cells by irradiating hepatoma cells with optimized UV (so-called "hormetic responses"). Proteins and pathways related to hormetic responses were identified via proteomic approaches followed by reconstruction of function-networks. Of the 2326 defined protein spots, 42 distinct proteins significantly changed their expression. Eleven hormetic response proteins (HINT1, PHB, CTSD, ANXA1, LGASL1, TPT1, NPM, PRDX2, UCHL1, CERK, and C1QBP) were involved in 5 death-regulatory pathways, including the p53-dependent apoptotic pathway, protein ubiquinization, cellular redox, calcium-mediated signaling pathway, and sphingomyelin-metabolism pathway. Knockdown of HINT1 expression via RNA interference increased tumor cell resistance to apoptosis induction, while silencing NPM, UCHL1, or CERK greatly sensitized tumor cells to apoptosis induction. In conclusion, NPM, UCHL1, and CERK act as apoptosis-evasion proteins that may serve as therapeutic targets for hepatoma. Silencing their expression would increase therapeutic efficacy, thereby reducing the corresponding doses and side-effects of anticancer therapy. This model of induction of cellular hormetic responses to identify apoptosis-evasion molecules/pathways via proteomic approaches can be applied to other modalities of anticancer therapy.

Nucleophosmin blocks mitochondrial localization of p53 and apoptosis

Activation of p53 is an important mechanism in apoptosis. However, whether the presence of p53 in mitochondria plays an important role in p53-mediated apoptosis is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that overexpression of NPM (nucleophosmin) significantly suppresses 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-mediated apoptosis, in part, by blocking the mitochondrial localization of p53. Within 1 h following TPA treatment of skin epithelial (JB6) cells, p53 accumulated in mitochondria. Expression of NPM enhances p53 levels in the nucleus but reduces p53 levels in mitochondria, as detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis. The suppressive effect of NPM on p53 mitochondrial localization is also observed in TPA-treated primary epithelial cells and in JB6 cells treated with doxorubicin. NPM enhances the expression of p53 target gene p21 and bax. However, the increase in Bax level in the absence of p53 in mitochondria did not lead to an increase in TPA-induced apoptosis, suggesting that the presence of p53 in mitochondria is important. Suppression of NPM by NPM small interfering RNA leads to an increase of p53 levels in mitochondria and apoptosis. Furthermore, suppression of NPM in tumor cells with a high constitutive level of NPM results in p53 translocation to mitochondria and enhances TPA-mediated apoptosis. The results demonstrate the effect of NPM on p53 localization in mitochondria and apoptosis. Together, the data indicate that the presence of p53 in mitochondria plays an important role in stress-induced apoptosis and suggest that NPM may protect cells from apoptosis by reducing the mitochondrial level of p53.

Tumor suppressor genes in myeloid differentiation and leukemogenesis

Tumor suppressor genes, such as p53, RB, the INK4-ARF family and PML, suppress malignant transformation by regulating cell cycle progression, ensuring the fidelity of DNA replication and chromosomal segregation, or by inducing apoptosis in response to potentially deleterious events. In myeloid leukemia, hematopoietic differentiation resulting from highly coordinated, stage-wise expression of myeloid transcription and soluble signaling factors is disrupted leading to a block in terminal differentiation and uncontrolled proliferation. This virtually always involves functional inactivation or genetic disruption of one or several tumor suppressor genes in order to circumvent their checkpoint control and apoptosis-inducing functions. Hence, reactivation of tumor suppressor gene function has therapeutic potential and can possibly enhance conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. In this review, we focus on the role of different tumor suppressor genes in myeloid differentiation and leukemogenesis, and discuss implications for therapy.

DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK)-dependent cisplatin-induced loss of nucleolar facilitator of chromatin transcription (FACT) and regulation of cisplatin sensitivity by DNA-PK and FACT

Both the Ku subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) and the facilitator of chromatin transcription (FACT) complex reportedly bind cisplatin-DNA adducts. For this study, we developed an immunocytochemical assay based on detergent extraction allowing unveiling nucleolar subpopulations of proteins present in both the nucleoplasm and the nucleolus. Immunofluorescence analysis in various human cancer cell lines and immunoblotting of isolated nucleoli show that DNA-PK catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), Ku86, the Werner syndrome protein (WRN), and the structure-specific recognition protein 1 (SSRP1) subunit of FACT colocalize in the nucleolus and exit the nucleolus after cisplatin treatment. Nucleolar localization of Ku is also lost after gamma or UV irradiation and exposure to DNA-damaging drugs, such as actinomycin D, mitomycin C, hydroxyurea, and doxorubicin. Ku86 and WRN leave the nucleolus after exposure to low (>1 microg/mL) doses of cisplatin. In contrast, the SSRP1 association with the nucleolus was disrupted only by high (50-100 microg/mL) doses of cisplatin. Both cisplatin-induced loss of nucleolar SSRP1 and DNA-PK activation are suppressed by pretreatment of the cells with wortmannin or the DNA-PK inhibitor NU7026 but not by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002. In the same conditions, kinase inhibitors did not alter the exit of DNA-PKcs and WRN, suggesting that different mechanisms regulate the exit of DNA-PK/WRN and FACT from the nucleolus. Furthermore, RNA silencing of DNA-PKcs blocked the cisplatin-induced exit of nucleolar SSRP1. Finally, silencing of DNA-PKcs or SSRP1 by short hairpin RNA significantly increased the sensitivity of cancer cells to cisplatin.

A regulatory loop composed of RAP80-HDM2-p53 provides RAP80-enhanced p53 degradation by HDM2 in response to DNA damage

The ubiquitin interaction motif-containing protein RAP80 plays a key role in DNA damage response signaling. Using genomic and functional analysis, we established that the expression of the RAP80 gene is regulated in a DNA damage-responsive manner by the master regulator p53. This regulation occurs at the transcriptional level through a noncanonical p53 response element in the RAP80 promoter. Although it is inducible by p53, RAP80 is also able to regulate p53 through an association with both p53 and the E3 ubiquitin ligase HDM2, providing HDM2-dependent enhancement of p53 polyubiquitination. Depletion of RAP80 by small interfering RNA stabilizes p53, which, following DNA damage, results in an increased transactivation of several p53 target genes as well as greater apoptosis. Consistent with these observations, exogenous expression of RAP80 selectively inhibits p53-dependent transactivation of target genes in an mdm2-dependent manner in MEF cells. Thus, we identify a new DNA damage-associated role for RAP80. It can function in an autoregulatory loop consisting of RAP80, HDM2, and the p53 master regulatory network, implying an important role for this loop in genome stability and oncogenesis.

KRAB-type zinc-finger protein Apak specifically regulates p53-dependent apoptosis

Only a few p53 regulators have been shown to participate in the selective control of p53-mediated cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. How p53-mediated apoptosis is negatively regulated remains largely unclear. Here we report that Apak (ATM and p53-associated KZNF protein), a Krüppel-associated box (KRAB)-type zinc-finger protein, binds directly to p53 in unstressed cells, specifically downregulates pro-apoptotic genes, and suppresses p53-mediated apoptosis by recruiting KRAB-box-associated protein (KAP)-1 and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) to attenuate the acetylation of p53. Apak inhibits p53 activity by interacting with ATM, a previously identified p53 activator. In response to stress, Apak is phosphorylated by ATM and dissociates from p53, resulting in activation of p53 and induction of apoptosis. These findings revealed Apak to be a negative regulator of p53-mediated apoptosis and showed the dual role of ATM in p53 regulation.

In search of nonribosomal nucleolar protein function and regulation

The life of the nucleolus has proven to be more colorful and multifaceted than had been envisioned a decade ago. A large number of proteins found in this subnuclear compartment have no identifiable tie either to the ribosome biosynthetic pathway or to the other newly established activities occurring within the nucleolus. The questions of how and why these proteins end up in this subnuclear compartment remain unanswered and are the focus of intense current interest. This review discusses our thoughts on the discovery of nonribosomal proteins in the nucleolus.

Abnormal cytoplasmic dyslocalisation and/or reduction of nucleophosmin protein level rarely occurs in myelodysplastic syndromes

The Nucleophosmin1 (NPM1) gene located in chromosome 5q35 is affected by chromosomal translocation, mutation and deletion in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). NPM1 haploinsufficiency reportedly causes MDS-like disorders in knockout mice. Here, we studied mRNA and protein expression in bone marrow (BM) samples from 36 patients with MDS. The NPM1 expression levels of mRNA and protein were not related to chromosome 5 abnormalities and were almost the same as those in normal BM and AML cells. However, the protein levels in AML cells with NPM1 mutations were slightly lower than in those without mutation. Immunochemical studies showed no difference in the staining intensity and subcellular localisation between MDS and normal BM cells. It was concluded that abnormal cytoplasmic localisation and/or significant reduction of NPM1 protein level rarely occurs in MDS. The increase in the number of nuclear NPM1-positive cells may be related to the progression of MDS.

Activation of an endogenous suicide response after perturbation of rRNA synthesis leads to neurodegeneration in mice

Transcription of rRNA genes is essential for maintaining nucleolar integrity, a hallmark for the healthy state and proliferation rate of a cell. Inhibition of rRNA synthesis leads to disintegration of the nucleolus, elevated levels of p53, and induction of cell suicide, identifying the nucleolus as a critical stress sensor. Whether deregulation of rRNA synthesis is causally involved in neurodegeneration by promoting cell death and/or by inhibiting cellular growth has however not been addressed. The transcription factor TIF-IA plays a central role in mammalian rRNA synthesis, regulating the transcriptional activity of RNA polymerase I. To investigate the consequences of nucleolar perturbation in the nervous system, we have chosen to specifically ablate the gene encoding the transcription factor TIF-IA in two different contexts: neural progenitors and hippocampal neurons. Here, we show that ablation of TIF-IA leads to impaired nucleolar activity and results in increased levels of the proapoptotic transcription factor p53 in both neural progenitors and hippocampal neurons but induces rapid apoptosis only in neural progenitors. Nondividing cells of the adult hippocampus are more refractory to loss of rRNA transcription and face a protracted degeneration. Our study provides an unexploited strategy to initiate neurodegeneration based on perturbation of nucleolar function and underscores a novel perspective to study the cellular and molecular changes involved in the neurodegenerative processes.

14-3-3 Binding to Pim-phosphorylated Ser166 and Ser186 of human Mdm2--Potential interplay with the PKB/Akt pathway and p14(ARF)

Here we show that 14-3-3 proteins bind to Pim kinase-phosphorylated Ser166 and Ser186 on the human E3 ubiquitin ligase mouse double minute 2 (Mdm2), but not protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt-phosphorylated Ser166 and Ser188. Pim-mediated phosphorylation of Ser186 blocks phosphorylation of Ser188 by PKB, indicating potential interplay between the Pim and PKB signaling pathways in regulating Mdm2. In cells, expression of Pim kinases promoted phosphorylation of Ser166 and Ser186, interaction of Mdm2 with endogenous 14-3-3s and p14(ARF), and also increased the amount of Mdm2 protein by a mechanism that does not require Pim kinase activities. The implications of these findings for regulation of the p53 pathway, oncogenesis and drug discovery are discussed.

Depletion of nucleophosmin leads to distortion of nucleolar and nuclear structures in HeLa cells

NPM (nucleophosmin; also known as B23) is an abundantly and ubiquitously expressed multifunctional nucleolar phosphoprotein, which is involved in numerous cellular processes, including ribosome biogenesis, protein chaperoning and centrosome duplication; however, the role of NPM in the cell cycle still remains unknown. In the present study, we show dynamic localization of NPM throughout the cell cycle of HeLa cells. Using a combination of RNAi (RNA interference) and three-dimensional microscopy we show that NPM is localized at the chromosome periphery during mitosis. We also demonstrate that depletion of NPM causes distortion of nucleolar structure as expected and leads to unexpected dramatic changes in nuclear morphology with multiple micronuclei formation. The defect in nuclear shape of NPM-depleted cells, which is clearly observed by live-cell imaging, is due to the distortion of cytoskeletal (alpha-tubulin and beta-actin) structure, resulting from the defects in centrosomal microtubule nucleation. These results indicate that NPM is an essential protein not only for the formation of normal nucleolar structure, but also for the maintenance of regular nuclear shape in HeLa cells.

Nucleoplasmic mobilization of nucleostemin stabilizes MDM2 and promotes G2-M progression and cell survival

Nucleolar disassembly occurs during mitosis and nucleolar stress, releasing several MDM2-interactive proteins residing in the nucleolus that share the common activity of p53 stabilization. Here, we demonstrate that mobilization of nucleostemin, a nucleolar protein enriched in cancer and stem cells, has the opposite role of stabilizing MDM2 and suppressing p53 functions. Our results show that nucleostemin increases the protein stability and nucleoplasmic retention of MDM2, and competes with L23 for MDM2 binding. These activities were significantly elevated when nucleostemin is released into the nucleoplasm by mutations that abolish its nucleolar localization or by chemotherapeutic agents that disassemble the nucleoli. Nucleostemin depletion decreases MDM2 protein, increases transcription activity without affecting the level of p53 protein, and triggers G2-M arrest and cell death in U2OS cells but not in H1299 cells. This work reveals that nucleoplasmic relocation of nucleostemin during nucleolar disassembly safeguards the G2-M transit and survival of continuously dividing cells by MDM2 stabilization and p53 inhibition.

Nucleophosmin is required for chromosome congression, proper mitotic spindle formation, and kinetochore-microtubule attachment in HeLa cells

Nucleophosmin (NPM) is an abundantly expressed multifunctional nucleolar phosphoprotein. Here we show that depletion of NPM by RNA interference causes defects in cell division, followed by an arrest of DNA synthesis due to activation of a p53-dependent checkpoint response in HeLa cells. Depletion of NPM leads to mitotic arrest due to spindle checkpoint activation. The mitotic cells arrested by NPM depletion have defects in chromosome congression, proper mitotic spindle and centrosome formation, as well as defects in kinetochore-microtubule attachments. Loss of NPM thus causes severe mitotic defects and delayed mitotic progression. These findings indicate that NPM is essential for mitotic progression and cell proliferation.

Nucleostemin: a multiplex regulator of cell-cycle progression

Nucleostemin (NS) is a protein concentrated in the nucleolus of most stem cells and also in many tumor cells, which has been implicated in cell-cycle progression owing to its ability to modulate p53. Depletion of NS causes G(1) cell-cycle arrest, but its overexpression does so as well. Recently, this paradox has been clarified. NS overexpression causes a sequestration of murine double minute 2 (MDM2), preventing the destruction of p53. A recent study has demonstrated that loss of NS promotes the interaction of L5 and L11 ribosomal proteins with MDM2 and, thus, also prevents p53 degradation. This new finding expands our understanding of the multiple modes of NS action and reinforces the concept that the nucleolus has key roles in cell-cycle progression.

Therapeutic considerations for Mdm2: not just a one trick pony

BACKGROUND: The mdm2 proto-oncogene is elevated in numerous late stage cancers. The Mdm2 protein manifests its oncogenic properties in part through inactivation of the tumor suppressor protein p53. Recent efforts in anti-cancer drug design have focused on the identification of small molecules that disrupt the Mdm2-p53 interaction, in hopes of re-engaging the p53 pathway. OBJECTIVE: In addition to binding p53, Mdm2 complexes with numerous proteins involved in DNA repair, translation, metabolic activities, tumor growth and apoptosis. Additional biochemical analysis is required to understand how Mdm2 integrates into all of these cellular processes. Post-translational modifications to Mdm2 can alter its ability to associate with numerous proteins. Changes in protein structure may also affect the ability of small molecule inhibitors to effectively antagonize Mdm2. CONCLUSION: The complexity of Mdm2 modification has been largely neglected during the development of previous Mdm2 inhibitors. Future high-throughput or in silico screening efforts will need to recognize the importance of post-translational modifications to Mdm2. Furthermore, the identification of molecules that target other domains in Mdm2 may provide a tool to prevent other pivotal p53-independent functions of Mdm2. These aims provide a useful roadmap for the discovery of new Mdm2 binding compounds with therapeutic potency that may exceed its predecessors.

Nucleophosmin serves as a rate-limiting nuclear export chaperone for the Mammalian ribosome

Nucleophosmin (NPM) (B23) is an essential protein in mouse development and cell growth; however, it has been assigned numerous roles in very diverse cellular processes. Here, we present a unified mechanism for NPM's role in cell growth; NPM directs the nuclear export of both 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits. NPM interacts with rRNA and large and small ribosomal subunit proteins and also colocalizes with large and small ribosomal subunit proteins in the nucleolus, nucleus, and cytoplasm. The transduction of NPM shuttling-defective mutants or the loss of Npm1 inhibited the nuclear export of both the 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits, reduced the available pool of cytoplasmic polysomes, and diminished overall protein synthesis without affecting rRNA processing or ribosome assembly. While the inhibition of NPM shuttling can block cellular proliferation, the dramatic effects on ribosome export occur prior to cell cycle inhibition. Modest increases in NPM expression amplified the export of newly synthesized rRNAs, resulting in increased rates of protein synthesis and indicating that NPM is rate limiting in this pathway. These results support the idea that NPM-regulated ribosome export is a fundamental process in cell growth.

The regulatory beta-subunit of protein kinase CK2 regulates cell-cycle progression at the onset of mitosis

Cell-cycle transition from the G(2) phase into mitosis is regulated by the cyclin-dependent protein kinase 1 (CDK1) in complex with cyclin B. CDK1 activity is controlled by both inhibitory phosphorylation, catalysed by the Myt1 and Wee1 kinases, and activating dephosphorylation, mediated by the CDC25 dual-specificity phosphatase family members. In somatic cells, Wee1 is downregulated by phosphorylation and ubiquitin-mediated degradation to ensure rapid activation of CDK1 at the beginning of M phase. Here, we show that downregulation of the regulatory beta-subunit of protein kinase CK2 by RNA interference results in delayed cell-cycle progression at the onset of mitosis. Knockdown of CK2beta causes stabilization of Wee1 and increased phosphorylation of CDK1 at the inhibitory Tyr15. PLK1-Wee1 association is an essential event in the degradation of Wee1 in unperturbed cell cycle. We have found that CK2beta participates in PLK1-Wee1 complex formation whereas its cellular depletion leads to disruption of PLK1-Wee1 interaction and reduced Wee1 phosphorylation at Ser53 and 121. The data reported here reinforce the notion that CK2beta has functions that are independent of its role as the CK2 regulatory subunit, identifying it as a new component of signaling pathways that regulate cell-cycle progression at the entry of mitosis.

Nucleophosmin and its AML-associated mutant regulate c-Myc turnover through Fbw7 gamma

Mutations leading to aberrant cytoplasmic localization of nucleophosmin (NPM) are the most frequent genetic alteration in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). NPM binds the Arf tumor suppressor and protects it from degradation. The AML-associated NPM mutant (NPMmut) also binds p19Arf but is unable to protect it from degradation, which suggests that inactivation of p19Arf contributes to leukemogenesis in AMLs. We report here that NPM regulates turnover of the c-Myc oncoprotein by acting on the F-box protein Fbw7γ, a component of the E3 ligase complex involved in the ubiquitination and proteasome degradation of c-Myc. NPM was required for nucleolar localization and stabilization of Fbw7γ. As a consequence, c-Myc was stabilized in cells lacking NPM. Expression of NPMmut also led to c-Myc stabilization because of its ability to interact with Fbw7γ and delocalize it to the cytoplasm, where it is degraded. Because Fbw7 induces degradation of other growth-promoting proteins, the NPM–Fbw7 interaction emerges as a central tumor suppressor mechanism in human cancer.

Elevated levels of oncogenic protein kinase Pim-1 induce the p53 pathway in cultured cells and correlate with increased Mdm2 in mantle cell lymphoma

Mutation of the p53 gene is a common event during tumor pathogenesis. Other mechanisms, such as mdm2 amplification, provide alternative routes through which dysfunction of the p53 pathway is promoted. Here, we address the hypothesis that elevated expression of pim oncogenes might suppress p53 by regulating Mdm2. At a physiological level, we show that endogenous Pim-1 and Pim-2 interact with endogenous Mdm2. Additionally, the Pim kinases phosphorylate Mdm2 in vitro and in cultured cells at Ser(166) and Ser(186), two previously identified targets of other signaling pathways, including Akt. Surprisingly, at high levels of Pim expression, as would occur in tumors, active, but not inactive, Pim-1 or Pim-2 blocks the degradation of both p53 and Mdm2 in a manner that is independent of Mdm2 phosphorylation, leading to increased p53 levels and, proportionately, p53-dependent transactivation. Additionally, Pim-1 induces endogenous ARF, p53, Mdm2, and p21 in primary murine embryo fibroblasts and stimulates senescence-associated beta-galactosidase levels, consistent with the induction of senescence. Immunohistochemical analysis of a cohort of 33 human mantle cell lymphomas shows that elevated expression of Pim-1 occurs in 42% of cases, with elevated Pim-2 occurring in 9% of cases, all of which also express Pim-1. Notably, elevated Pim-1 correlates with elevated Mdm2 in MCL with a p value of 0.003. Taken together, our data are consistent with the idea that Pim normally interacts with the p53 pathway but, when expressed at pathological levels, behaves as a classic dominant oncogene that stimulates a protective response through induction of the p53 pathway.

p53-Driven apoptosis limits centrosome amplification and genomic instability downstream of NPM1 phosphorylation

Chromosome loss or gain is associated with a large number of solid cancers, providing genomic plasticity and thus adaptability to cancer cells. Numerical centrosome abnormalities arising from centrosome over-duplication or failed cytokinesis are a recognized cause of aneuploidy. In higher eukaryotic cells, the centrosome duplicates only once per cell cycle to ensure the formation of a bipolar mitotic spindle that orchestrates the balanced distribution of the sister chromatids to the respective daughter cells. Here we delineate the events that allow abnormal centrosome duplication, resulting in mitotic errors and incorrect chromosome segregation in cells with sustained cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity. We have identified NPM1 as a substrate for CDK6 activated by the Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) D-type cyclin and shown that p53-driven apoptosis occurs downstream of NPM1 phosphorylation as a checkpoint mechanism that prevents accumulation of cells with supernumerary centrosomes. Our findings provide evidence that abnormal chromosome segregation in KSHV-infected cells is a direct consequence of NPM1 phosphorylation and predict that genomic instability is an inevitable consequence of latent KSHV infection.

Aberrant expression of nucleostemin activates p53 and induces cell cycle arrest via inhibition of MDM2

The nucleolar protein nucleostemin (NS) is essential for cell proliferation and early embryogenesis. Both depletion and overexpression of NS reduce cell proliferation. However, the mechanisms underlying this regulation are still unclear. Here, we show that NS regulates p53 activity through the inhibition of MDM2. NS binds to the central acidic domain of MDM2 and inhibits MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitylation and degradation. Consequently, ectopic overexpression of NS activates p53, induces G(1) cell cycle arrest, and inhibits cell proliferation. Interestingly, the knockdown of NS by small interfering RNA also activates p53 and induces G(1) arrest. These effects require the ribosomal proteins L5 and L11, since the depletion of NS enhanced their interactions with MDM2 and the knockdown of L5 or L11 abrogated the NS depletion-induced p53 activation and cell cycle arrest. These results suggest that a p53-dependent cell cycle checkpoint monitors changes of cellular NS levels via the impediment of MDM2 function.

DNA damage-dependent translocation of B23 and p19 ARF is regulated by the Jun N-terminal kinase pathway

The dynamic behavior of the nucleolus plays a role in the detection of and response to DNA damage of cells. Two nucleolar proteins, p14(ARF)/p19(ARF) and B23, were shown to translocate out of the nucleolus after exposure of cells to DNA-damaging agents. This translocation affects multiple cellular functions, such as DNA repair, proliferation, and survival. In this study, we identify a pathway and scrutinize the mechanisms leading to the translocation of these proteins after exposure of cells to DNA-damaging agents. We show that redistribution of B23 and p19(ARF) after the exposure to genotoxic stress occurs preferentially when the c-Jun-NH(2)-kinase (JNK) pathway is activated and is inhibited when the JNK pathway is impaired. The stress-induced translocation of alternative reading frame (ARF) is JNK dependent and mediated by two activator proteins, c-Jun and JunB. Thr(91) and Thr(93) of c-Jun are required for the translocation, but the transcriptional activity of c-Jun is dispensable. Instead, c-Jun interacts with B23 in a dose-dependent manner. c-Jun itself is excluded from the nucleolus in a JNK-dependent manner. Hence, we suggest that c-Jun translocates B23 and ARF from the nucleolus after JNK activation by means of protein interactions. In senescent cells, JNK activity and c-Jun levels are reduced concomitantly with ARF nucleolar accumulation, and UV radiation does not cause the translocation of ARF.

Nucleophosmin interacts with HEXIM1 and regulates RNA polymerase II transcription

Hexamethylene bis-acetamide-inducible protein 1 (HEXIM1) was identified earlier as an inhibitor of positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), which is a key transcriptional regulator of RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Studies show that more than half of P-TEFb in cells is associated with HEXIM1, which results in the inactivation of P-TEFb. Here, we identify a nucleolar protein, nucleophosmin (NPM), as a HEXIM1-binding protein. NPM binds to HEXIM1 in vitro and in vivo, and functions as a negative regulator of HEXIM1. Over-expression of NPM leads to proteasome-mediated degradation of HEXIM1, resulting in activation of P-TEFb-dependent transcription. In contrast, an increase in HEXIM1 protein levels and a decrease in transcription are detected when NPM is knocked down. We show that a cytoplasmic mutant of NPM, NPMc+, associates with and sequesters HEXIM1 in the cytoplasm resulting in higher RNA Pol II transcription. Correspondingly, cytoplasmic localization of endogenous HEXIM1 is detected in an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell line containing the NPMc+ mutation, suggesting the physiological importance of HEXIM1-NPMc+ interaction. Over-expression of NPM has been detected in tumors of various histological origins and our results may provide a possible molecular mechanism for the proto-oncogenic function of NPM. Furthermore, considering that 35% of AML patients are diagnosed with NPMc+ mutation, our findings suggest that in some cases of AML, RNA Pol II transcription may be disregulated by the malfunction of NPM and the mislocation of HEXIM1.