Jab1/CSN5 induces the cytoplasmic localization and degradation of RUNX3

Oxidative Stress-Mediated RUNX3 Mislocalization Occurs Via Jun Activation Domain-Binding Protein 1 and Histone Modification

Runt domain transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) suppresses many different cancer types and is disabled by mutations, epigenetic repression, or cytoplasmic mislocalization. In this study, we investigated whether oxidative stress is associated with RUNX3 accumulation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in terms of histone modification. Oxidative stress elevated histone deacetylase (HDAC) level and lowered that of histone acetyltransferase. In addition, oxidative stress decreased the expression of mixed lineage leukemia (MLL), a histone methyltransferase, but increased the expression of euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2/G9a), which is also a histone methyltransferase. Moreover, oxidative stress-induced RUNX3 phosphorylation, Src activation, and Jun activation domain-binding protein 1 (JAB1) expression were inhibited by knockdown of HDAC and G9a, restoring the nuclear localization of RUNX3 under oxidative stress. Cytoplasmic RUNX3 localization was followed by oxidative stress-induced histone modification, activated Src along with RUNX3 phosphorylation, and induction of JAB1, resulting in RUNX3 inactivation.

Regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic potential of JAB1 in neurological development and disorders

c-Jun activation domain binding protein-1 (JAB1) is a multifunctional regulator that plays vital roles in diverse cellular processes. It regulates AP-1 transcriptional activity and also acts as the fifth component of the COP9 signalosome complex. While JAB1 is considered an oncoprotein that triggers tumor development, recent studies have shown that it also functions in neurological development and disorders. In this review, we summarize the general features of the JAB1 gene and protein, and present recent updates on the regulation of JAB1 expression. Moreover, we also highlight the functional roles and regulatory mechanisms of JAB1 in neurodevelopmental processes such as neuronal differentiation, synaptic morphogenesis, myelination, and hair cell development and in the pathogenesis of some neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, and peripheral nerve injury. Furthermore, current challenges and prospects are discussed, including updates on drug development targeting JAB1.

RUNX3 Meets the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System in Cancer

RUNX3 is a transcription factor with regulatory roles in cell proliferation and development. While largely characterized as a tumor suppressor, RUNX3 can also be oncogenic in certain cancers. Many factors account for the tumor suppressor function of RUNX3, which is reflected by its ability to suppress cancer cell proliferation after expression-restoration, and its inactivation in cancer cells. Ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation represent a major mechanism for the inactivation of RUNX3 and the suppression of cancer cell proliferation. On the one hand, RUNX3 has been shown to facilitate the ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of oncogenic proteins. On the other hand, RUNX3 can be inactivated through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This review encapsulates two facets of RUNX3 in cancer: how RUNX3 suppresses cell proliferation by facilitating the ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of oncogenic proteins, and how RUNX3 is degraded itself through interacting RNA-, protein-, and pathogen-mediated ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation.

Research Progress for Targeting Deubiquitinases in Gastric Cancers

Gastric cancers (GCs) are malignant tumors with a high incidence that threaten global public health. Despite advances in GC diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis remains poor. Therefore, the mechanisms underlying GC progression need to be identified to develop prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Ubiquitination, a post-translational modification that regulates the stability, activity, localization, and interactions of target proteins, can be reversed by deubiquitinases (DUBs), which can remove ubiquitin monomers or polymers from modified proteins. The dysfunction of DUBs has been closely linked to tumorigenesis in various cancer types, and targeting certain DUBs may provide a potential option for cancer therapy. Multiple DUBs have been demonstrated to function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in GC. In this review, we summarize the DUBs involved in GC and their associated upstream regulation and downstream mechanisms and present the benefits of targeting DUBs for GC treatment, which could provide new insights for GC diagnosis and therapy.

Signaling Pathways Involved in 5-FU Drug Resistance in Cancer

Anti-metabolite drugs prevent the synthesis of essential cell growth compounds. 5-fluorouracil is used as an anti-metabolic drug in various cancers in the first stage of treatment. Unfortunately, in some cancers, 5-fluorouracil has low effectiveness because of its drug resistance. Studies have shown that drug resistance to 5-fluorouracil is due to the activation of specific signaling pathways and increased expressions of enzymes involved in drug metabolites. However, when 5-fluorouracil is used in combination with other drugs, the sensitivity of cancer cells to 5-fluorouracil increases, and the effect of drug resistance is reversed. This study discusses how the function of 5-fluorouracil in JAK/STAT, Wnt, Notch, NF-κB, and hedgehogs in some cancers.

Analysis of expression profiles and prognostic value of COP9 signalosome subunits for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been associated with poor prognosis, due to its strong invasive ability and resistance to chemotherapy. Thus, there is an urgent requirement to identify effective biomarkers for the early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of HNSCC. COP9 signalosome (COPS) regulates numerous cancer-associated biological processes in various malignancies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between COPS and HNSCC. The mRNA expression profiles of COPS in HNSCC were analyzed using UALCAN, Oncomine and UCSC Xena databases. The association between overall survival time in patients with HNSCC and the COPS genes was investigated using the Kaplan-Meier plotter database. The CERES score was obtained and evaluated to determine the importance of the COPS genes for survival of the HNSCC cell lines. Functional analysis for Gene Ontology and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed using The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery and GSEA software, respectively. After knocking down COPS5 and COPS6, cell Counting Kit-8 and wound healing assays were used to detect cell growth and migration of the CAL27 and SCC25 cell lines, respectively. Among the 10 COPS genes examined, most COPS subunits were upregulated in HNSCC samples compared with that in normal tissues, except for COPS9. Increased mRNA expression level of COPS5, COPS6, COPS7B, COPS8 and COPS9 was associated with TNM stage in patients with HNSCC. High mRNA expression level of COPS2, COPS5, COPS6, COPS7A, COPS7B, COPS8 and COPS9 had prognostic significance of patients with HNSCC. Knockdown of COPS5 and COPS6 inhibited cell growth and migration of the CAL27 and SCC25 cell lines. The results from the present study suggested that COPS subunits could be potential biomarkers in patients with HNSCC. COPS5 and COPS6 were important for cell survival and migration of the HNSCC cells.

Runx Transcription Factors in T Cells-What Is Beyond Thymic Development?

Runx proteins (also known as Runt-domain transcription factors) have been studied for a long time as key regulators of cellular differentiation. RUNX2 has been described as essential for osteogenesis, whereas RUNX1 and RUNX3 are known to control blood cell development during different stages of cell lineage specification. However, recent studies show evidence of complex relationships between RUNX proteins, chromatin-modifying machinery, the cytoskeleton and different transcription factors in various non-embryonic contexts, including mature T cell homeostasis, inflammation and cancer. In this review, we discuss the diversity of Runx functions in mature T helper cells, such as production of cytokines and chemokines by different CD4 T cell populations; apoptosis; and immunologic memory acquisition. We then briefly cover recent findings about the contribution of RUNX1, RUNX2 and RUNX3 to various immunologic diseases. Finally, we discuss areas that require further study to better understand the role that Runx proteins play in inflammation and immunity.

Jab1-siRNA Induces Cell Growth Inhibition and Cell Cycle Arrest in Gall Bladder Cancer Cells via Targeting Jab1 Signalosome

BACKGROUND

The aberrant alteration in Jab1 signalosome (COP9 Signalosome Complex Subunit 5) has been proven to be associated with the progression of several carcinomas. However the specific role and mechanism of action of Jab1 signalosome in carcinogenesis of gall bladder cancer (GBC) are poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of our study was to elucidate the role and mechanism of Jab1 signalosome in gall bladder cancer by employing siRNA.

METHODS

Jab1 overexpression was identified in gall bladder cancer tissue sample. The role of Jab1-siRNA approach in cell growth inhibition and apoptotic induction was then examined by RT-PCR, Western Blotting, MTT, ROS, Hoechst and FITC/Annexin-V staining.

RESULTS

In the current study, we have shown that overexpression of Jab1 stimulated the proliferation of GBC cells; whereas downregulation of Jab1 by using Jab1-siRNA approach resulted incell growth inhibition and apoptotic induction. Furthermore, we found that downregulation of Jab1 induces cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and upregulated the expression of p27, p53 and Bax gene. Moreover, Jab1-siRNA induces apoptosis by enhancing ROS generation and caspase-3 activation. In addition, combined treatment with Jab1-siRNA and gemicitabine demonstrated an enhanced decline in cell proliferation which further suggested increased efficacy of gemcitabine at a very lower dose (5μM) in combination with Jab1-siRNA.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our study strongly suggests that targeting Jab1 signalosome could be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of gall bladder cancer.

Phosphorylation of p53 at threonine 155 is required for Jab1-mediated nuclear export of p53

The Jun activation-domain binding protein 1 (Jab1) induces p53 nuclear export and cytoplasmic degradation, but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we show that phosphorylation at the threonine 155 residue is essential for Jab1-mediated p53 nuclear export. Jab1 stimulated phosphorylation of p53 at T155 was inhibited by curcumin, an inhibitor of COP9 signalosome (CSN)-associated kinases. The T155E mutant, which mimics phosphorylated p53, exhibited spontaneous cytoplasmic localization in the absence of Jab1. This process was prevented by leptinomycin B (LMB), but not by curcumin. The substitution of threonine 155 for valine (T155V) abrogated Jab1-mediated p53 nuclear export, indicating that phosphorylation at this site is essential for Jab1-mediated regulation of p53. Although T155E can be localized in the cytoplasm in the absence of Mdm2, the translocation of T155E was significantly enhanced by ectopic Hdm2 expression. Our data suggests that Jab1-mediated phosphorylation of p53 at Thr155 residue mediates nuclear export of p53.

Corrected and Republished from: The COP9 Signalosome Interacts with and Regulates Interferon Regulatory Factor 5 Protein Stability

The transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) exerts crucial functions in the regulation of host immunity against extracellular pathogens, DNA damage-induced apoptosis, death receptor signaling, and macrophage polarization. Tight regulation of IRF5 is thus warranted for an efficient response to extracellular stressors and for limiting autoimmune and inflammatory responses. Here we report that the COP9 signalosome (CSN), a general modulator of diverse cellular and developmental processes, associates constitutively with IRF5 and promotes its protein stability. The constitutive CSN/IRF5 interaction was identified using proteomics and confirmed by endogenous immunoprecipitations. The CSN/IRF5 interaction occurred on the carboxyl and amino termini of IRF5; a single internal deletion (Δ455-466) was found to significantly reduce IRF5 protein stability. CSN3 was identified as a direct interacting partner of IRF5, and knockdown of this subunit with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) resulted in enhanced degradation. Degradation was further augmented by knockdown of CSN1 and CSN3 together. The ubiquitin E1 inhibitor UBEI-41 or the proteasome inhibitor MG132 prevented IRF5 degradation, supporting that its stability is regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Importantly, activation of IRF5 by the death receptor ligand tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) resulted in enhanced degradation via loss of the CSN/IRF5 interaction. This study defines the CSN as a new interacting partner of IRF5 that controls its stability.

JAB1-STAT3 activation loop is associated with recurrence following 5-fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy in human colorectal cancer

Jun activation domain-binding protein 1 (JAB1) has been shown to have multiple roles in tumorigenesis, including the degradation of tumor suppressor proteins such as p53, Smad7, Runx3 and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27^Kip1, and the activation of oncogenic transcription factors, such as c-Jun and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α. In addition, our previous study revealed that JAB1 positively regulates signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) DNA-binding activity in human colon cancer cells. In turn, the oncogenic transcription factor STAT3 positively regulates JAB1 expression, indicative of a positive feedback loop. Furthermore, high JAB1 expression is associated with a poor prognosis in numerous malignant carcinomas. However, the association between JAB1 expression and prognosis in colorectal cancer remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the association between JAB1 and STAT3 expression and recurrence in colorectal cancer. In the present study, it was found that high JAB1 expression in primary colorectal cancer tissues is an independent predictor of recurrence following 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients, and that high expression of both JAB1 and STAT3 in primary colorectal cancer tissues is associated with a lower recurrence-free survival rate following 5-FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy compared to high expression of only JAB1 or STAT3. Overall, these results suggest that JAB1 is a novel predictive marker of recurrence following 5-FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients, and that the JAB1-STAT3 activation loop may be a potential therapeutic target in recurrent colorectal cancer following 5-FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy.

Mislocalization of Runt-related transcription factor 3 results in airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness in a murine asthma model

The Runt-related transcription factor (RUNX) gene family consists of three members, RUNX1, -2 and -3, which heterodimerize with a common protein, core-binding factor β, and contain the highly conserved Runt-homology domain. RUNX1 and -2 have essential roles in hematopoiesis and osteogenesis. Runx3 protein regulates cell lineage decisions in neurogenesis and thymopoiesis. The aim of the present study was to determine the expression features of the Runx3 protein in a murine asthma model. In vivo, Runx3 protein and mRNA were found to be almost equivalently expressed in the murine lung tissue of the control, ovalbumin (OVA) and genistein groups; however, the nuclear Runx3 protein was abated in lung tissue in OVA-immunized and challenged mice. Following treatment with genistein, which is a flavonoid previously demonstrated to decrease airway inflammation in asthma, the allergic airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness were attenuated and the Runx3 protein tended to augment in the nucleus. These results were further determined in vitro. These results indicated that the mislocalization of Runx3 protein is a molecular mechanism of allergic inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness in a murine asthma model.

Roles of Multifunctional COP9 Signalosome Complex in Cell Fate and Implications for Drug Discovery

The eight subunits containing COP9 signalosome (CSN) complex, is highly conserved among eukaryotes. CSN, identified as a negative regulator of photomorphogenesis, has also been demonstrated to be important in proteolysis, cellular signal transduction and cell cycle regulation in various eukaryotic organisms. This review mainly summarizes the roles of CSN in cell cycle regulation, signal transduction and apoptosis, and its potential as diagnostic biomarkers, drug targets for cancer and infectious diseases. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 1246-1253, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Runx Genes in Breast Cancer and the Mammary Lineage

A full understanding of RUNX gene function in different epithelial lineages has been thwarted by the lethal phenotypes observed when constitutively knocking out these mammalian genes. However temporal expression of the Runx genes throughout the different phases of mammary gland development is indicative of a functional role in this tissue. A few studies have emerged describing how these genes impact on the fate of mammary epithelial cells by regulating lineage differentiation and stem/progenitor cell potential, with implications for the transformed state. The importance of the RUNX/CBFβ core factor binding complex in breast cancer has very recently been highlighted with both RUNX1 and CBFβ appearing in a comprehensive gene list of predicted breast cancer driver mutations. Nonetheless, the evidence to date shows that the RUNX genes can have dualistic outputs with respect to promoting or constraining breast cancer phenotypes, and that this may be aligned to individual subtypes of the clinical disease. We take this opportunity to review the current literature on RUNX and CBFβ in the normal and neoplastic mammary lineage while appreciating that this is likely to be the tip of the iceberg in our knowledge.

The emerging role of RUNX3 in cancer metastasis (Review)

Metastasis remains the major driver of mortality in patients with cancer. The multistep metastatic process starts with the dissemination of tumor cells from a primary site and leading to secondary tumor development in an anatomically distant location. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular characteristics of metastasis, many questions remain regarding the intracellular mechanisms governing transition through the various metastatic stages. The runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) is a downstream effector of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway, and has critical roles in the regulation of cell death by apoptosis, and in angiogenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell migration and invasion. RUNX3 functions as a bona fide initiator of carcinogenesis by linking the Wnt oncogenic and TGF-β tumor suppressive pathways. RUNX3 is frequently inactivated in human cancer cell lines and cancer samples by hemizygous deletion of the Runx3 gene, hypermethylation of the Runx3 promoter, or cytoplasmic sequestration of RUNX3 protein. Inactivation of RUNX3 makes it a putative tumor suppressor in human neoplasia. In the present review, we summarize the proposed roles of RUNX3 in metastasis and, when applicable, highlight the mechanism by which they function.

Inactivation of RUNX3 predicts poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy

The inactivation of RUNX3 in various cancers has been reported while the expression of RUNX3 on protein level in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its relationship with pathological parameters and prognosis still remained unclear. In this study, we examined the expression of RUNX3 in 158 ESCC samples and 20 normal esophageal mucosa samples by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR. The IHC result showed that RUNX3 was detected mainly in the nuclei of basal layer cells in 18 of 20 normal mucosa samples while in 158 ESCC samples, there were 46 with RUNX3 nuclei expression, 37 RUNX3 cytoplasmic expression, and 75 negative expression. The qRT-PCR confirmed the downregulation of RUNX3 mRNA in the RUNX3 protein negative group than in the RUNX3 nuclei and cytoplasmic expression group (P < 0.001), and the methylation-specific PCR showed a low methylation rate in the ESCC tissue samples with RUNX3 protein negative expression (6/40, 15%). The RUNX3 nuclei expression negatively correlated with the lymph node metastasis (P = 0.033) and recurrence status (P = 0.019), and the survival analysis showed that the patients with RUNX3 nuclei expression had a higher 5-year survival rate than the patients with RUNX3 cytoplasmic/negative expression (P = 0.022). The Cox regression analysis showed that the T classification (P = 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001), and RUNX3 inactivation (negative/cytoplasmic expression, P = 0.039) were independent risk factor of poor prognosis. In conclusion, we found a frequent inactivation of RUNX3 due to low expression and cytoplasmic dislocalization in ESCC. The inactivation of RUNX3 may be involved in the progression of ESCC, and RUNX3 could be an indicator of prognosis for patients with ESCC after surgery.

RUNX family members are covalently modified and regulated by PIAS1-mediated sumoylation

Transcription factors of the RUNX family (RUNXs), which play pivotal roles in normal development and neoplasia, are regulated by various post-translational modifications. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of RUNXs, we performed a large-scale functional genetic screen of a fly mutant library. The screen identified dPias (the fly ortholog of mammalian PIASs), an E3 ligase for the SUMO (small ubiquitin-like modifier) modification, as a novel genetic modifier of lz (the fly ortholog of mammalian RUNX3). Molecular biological analysis revealed that lz/RUNXs are sumoylated by dPias/PIAS1 at an evolutionarily conserved lysine residue (K372 of lz, K144 of RUNX1, K181 of RUNX2 and K148 of RUNX3). PIAS1-mediated sumoylation inhibited RUNX3 transactivation activity, and this modification was promoted by the AKT1 kinase. Importantly, PIAS1 failed to sumoylate some RUNX1 mutants associated with breast cancer. In nude mice, tumorigenicity was promoted by RUNX3 bearing a mutation in the sumoylation site, but suppressed by wild-type RUNX3. Our results suggest that RUNXs are sumoylated by PIAS1, and that this modification could play a critical role in the regulation of the tumor-suppressive activity of these proteins.

Comprehensive genomic profiling in diabetic nephropathy reveals the predominance of proinflammatory pathways

Despite advances in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN), currently available therapies have not prevented the epidemic of progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). The morbidity of CKD, and the inexorable increase in the prevalence of end-stage renal disease, demands more effective approaches to prevent and treat progressive CKD. We undertook next-generation sequencing in a rat model of diabetic nephropathy to study in depth the pathogenic alterations involved in DN with progressive CKD. We employed the obese, diabetic ZS rat, a model that develops diabetic nephropathy, characterized by progressive CKD, inflammation, and fibrosis, the hallmarks of human disease. We then used RNA-seq to examine the combined effects of renal cells and infiltrating inflammatory cells acting as a pathophysiological unit. The comprehensive systems biology analysis of progressive CKD revealed multiple interactions of altered genes that were integrated into morbid networks. These pathological gene assemblies lead to renal inflammation and promote apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in progressive CKD. Moreover, in what is clearly a major therapeutic challenge, multiple and redundant pathways were found to be linked to renal fibrosis, a major cause of kidney loss. We conclude that systems biology applied to progressive CKD in DN can be used to develop novel therapeutic strategies directed to restore critical anomalies in affected gene networks.

JAB1/CSN5 inhibits the activity of Luman/CREB3 by promoting its degradation

Luman/CREB3 (also called LZIP) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-bound transcription factor that has been implicated in the ER stress response. In this study, we used the region of Luman containing the basic DNA-binding domain as bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen and identified the Jun activation domain-binding protein 1 (JAB1) or the COP9 signalosome complex unit 5 (CSN5) as an interacting protein. We confirmed their direct binding by glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays, and verified the existence of such interaction in the cellular environment by mammalian two-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Deletion mapping studies revealed that the MPN domain in JAB1 was essential and sufficient for the binding. JAB1 also colocalized with Luman in transfected cells. More interestingly, the nuclear form of Luman was shown to promote the translocation of JAB1 into the nucleus. We found that overexpression of JAB1 shortened the half-life of Luman by 67%, and repressed its transactivation function on GAL4 and unfolded protein response element (UPRE)-containing promoters. We therefore propose that JAB1 is a novel binding partner of Luman, which negatively regulates the activity of Luman by promoting its degradation.

The COP9 signalosome interacts with and regulates interferon regulatory factor 5 protein stability

The transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) exerts crucial functions in the regulation of host immunity against extracellular pathogens, DNA damage-induced apoptosis, death receptor signaling, and macrophage polarization. Tight regulation of IRF5 is thus warranted for an efficient response toward extracellular stressors and for limiting autoimmune and inflammatory responses. Here we report that the COP9 signalosome (CSN), a general modulator of diverse cellular and developmental processes, associates constitutively with IRF5 and promotes its protein stability. The constitutive CSN/IRF5 interaction was identified using proteomics and confirmed by endogenous immunoprecipitations. The CSN/IRF5 interaction occurred on the carboxyl and amino termini of IRF5; a single internal deletion from amino acids 455 to 466 (Δ455-466) was found to significantly reduce IRF5 protein stability. CSN subunit 3 (CSN3) was identified as a direct interacting partner of IRF5, and knockdown of this subunit with small interfering RNAs resulted in enhanced degradation. Degradation was further augmented by knockdown of CSN1 and CSN3 together. The ubiquitin E1 inhibitor UBEI-41 or the proteasome inhibitor MG132 prevented IRF5 degradation, supporting the idea that its stability is regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Importantly, activation of IRF5 by the death receptor ligand tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) resulted in enhanced degradation via loss of the CSN/IRF5 interaction. This study defines CSN to be a new interacting partner of IRF5 that controls its stability.

RUNX family: Regulation and diversification of roles through interacting proteins

The Runt-related transcription factors (RUNX) belong to an ancient family of metazoan genes involved in developmental processes. Through multiple protein-interacting partners, RUNX proteins have been implicated in diverse signaling pathways and cellular processes. The frequent inactivation of RUNX genes in cancer indicates crucial roles for RUNX in tumor suppression. This review discusses the abilities of RUNX proteins, in particular RUNX3, to integrate oncogenic signals or environmental cues and to initiate appropriate tumor suppressive responses.

The transcriptional co-regulator Jab1 is crucial for chondrocyte differentiation in vivo

The evolutionarily conserved transcriptional cofactor Jab1 plays critical roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis by modulating the activity of diverse factors and regulating the output of various signaling pathways. Although Jab1 can interact with the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) downstream effector Smad5 to repress BMP signaling in vitro, the role of Jab1 in BMP-mediated skeletogenesis in vivo is still poorly understood. As a key regulator of skeletogenesis, BMP signaling regulates the critical Ihh-Pthrp feedback loop to promote chondrocyte hypertrophy. In this study, we utilized the loxP/Cre system to delineate the specific role of Jab1 in cartilage formation. Strikingly, Jab1 chondrocyte-specific knockout Jab1(flox/flox); Col2a1-Cre (cKO) mutants exhibited neonatal lethal chondrodysplasia with severe dwarfism. In the mutant embryos, all the skeletal elements developed via endochondral ossification were extremely small with severely disorganized chondrocyte columns. Jab1 cKO chondrocytes exhibited increased apoptosis, G2 phase cell cycle arrest, and increased expression of hypertrophic chondrocyte markers Col10a1 and Runx2. Jab1 can also inhibit the transcriptional activity of Runx2, a key regulator of chondrocyte hypertrophy. Notably, our study reveals that Jab1 is likely a novel inhibitor of BMP signaling in chondrocytes in vivo. In Jab1 cKO chondrocytes, there was heightened expression of BMP signaling components including Gdf10/Bmp3b and of BMP targets during chondrocyte hypertrophy such as Ihh. Furthermore, Jab1 cKO chondrocytes exhibited an enhanced response to exogenous BMP treatment. Together, our study demonstrates that Jab1 represses chondrocyte hypertrophy in vivo, likely in part by downregulating BMP signaling and Runx2 activity.

Tumor suppressor function of RUNX3 in breast cancer

Emerging evidence indicates that RUNX3 is a tumor suppressor in breast cancer. RUNX3 is frequently inactivated in human breast cancer cell lines and cancer samples by hemizygous deletion of the Runx3 gene, hypermethylation of the Runx3 promoter, or cytoplasmic sequestration of RUNX3 protein. Inactivation of RUNX3 is associated with the initiation and progression of breast cancer. Female Runx3(+/-) mice spontaneously develop ductal carcinoma, and overexpression of RUNX3 inhibits the proliferation, tumorigenic potential, and invasiveness of breast cancer cells. This review is intended to summarize these findings and discuss the tumor suppressor function of RUNX3 in breast cancer.

Myeloid leukemia factor: a return ticket from human leukemia to fly hematopoiesis

Even though deregulation of human MLF1, the founding member of the Myeloid Leukemia Factor family, has been associated with acute myeloid leukemia, the function and mode of action of this family of genes have remained rather mysterious. Yet, recent findings in Drosophila shed new light on their biological activity and suggest that they play an important role in hematopoiesis and leukemia, notably by regulating the stability of RUNX transcription factors, another family of conserved proteins with prominent roles in normal and malignant blood cell development.

Roles of COP9 signalosome in cancer

The constitutive photomorphogenesis 9 signalosome (COP9 or CSN) is an evolutionarily conserved multiprotein complex found in plants and animals. Because of the homology between the COP9 signalosome and the 19S lid complex of the proteosome, COP9 has been postulated to play a role in regulating the degradation of polyubiquitinated proteins. Many tumor suppressor and oncogene products are regulated by ubiquitination- and proteosome-mediated protein degradation. Therefore, it is conceivable that COP9 plays a significant role in cancer, regulating processes relevant to carcinogenesis and cancer progression (e.g., cell cycle control, signal transduction and apoptosis). In mammalian cells, it consists of eight subunits (CSN1 to CSN8). The relevance and importance of some subunits of COP9 to cancer are emerging. However, the mechanistic regulation of each subunit in cancer remains unclear. Among the CSN subunits, CSN5 and CSN6 are the only two that each contain an MPN (Mpr1p and Pad1p N-terminal) domain. The deneddylation activity of an MPN domain toward cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases (CRL) may coordinate CRL-mediated ubiquitination activity. More recent evidence shows that CSN5 and CSN6 are implicated in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of important mediators in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Here, we discuss the mechanisms by which some CSN subunits are involved in cancer to provide a much needed perspective regarding COP9 in cancer research, hoping that these insights will lay the groundwork for cancer intervention.

Oncogenic role of RUNX3 in head and neck cancer

Cumulative evidences show that Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) has a tumor suppressive role in various cancers. In particular, RUNX3 appears to be an important component of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced tumor suppression pathway. Contrary to reports on this tumor suppressive role of RUNX3, RUNX3 can also function as an oncogene when overexpressed. Recently, we found that RUNX3 overexpression was frequently observed and was well correlated with malignant behaviors in head and neck cancer, which is one of the most common types of human cancer. Moreover, it has been revealed that RUNX3 overexpression promoted cell growth and inhibited apoptosis in head and neck cancer cells. This review introduces the oncogenic role of RUNX3 in certain types of cancer including head and neck cancer.

New insights into the inactivation of gastric tumor suppressor RUNX3: the role of H. pylori infection

Runt-related transcription factor 3, or RUNX3, is a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer. Inactivation of RUNX3 is causally associated with the genesis of gastric cancer, since RUNX3 is frequently inactivated in gastric cancers by hemizygous deletion, hypermethylation of its promoter, or protein mislocalization. Infection with Helicobacter pylori is the strongest risk factor for the development of gastric cancer. Recent studies have indicated that H. pylori infection plays an important role in the inactivation of RUNX3, and that this inactivation contributes to the pathogenesis of H. pylori. Here we summarize these recent advances and discuss their significances in understanding the initiation and development of gastric cancer.

Control of RUNX3 by histone methyltransferases

Runt-related (RUNX) family proteins function as context-dependent transcription factors during developmental processes such as hematopoiesis, neurogenesis, and osteogenesis. RUNX3 is involved in a variety of physiological processes including neurogenesis, thymopoiesis, and dendritic cell maturation. A large amount of information indicates that RUNX3 may be a tumor suppressor. Recent data suggest that the molecular mechanism responsible for RUNX3 deficiency in numerous cancers is a primarily epigenetic silencing. The present review focuses on the regulation of RUNX3 gene expression by histone modification, emphasizing histone methylation at the RUNX3 promoter and inactivation of protein itself. Inactivation of the promoter and protein can be the results of various chemical modifications, including methylation by histone methyltransferase. Inactivation of RUNX3 may contribute to the tumor initiation, progression and pathogenesis in specific microenvironmental contexts. Finally, this review describes the reactivation of RUNX3 by epigenetic regulatory agents.

Substrate phosphorylation and feedback regulation in JFK-promoted p53 destabilization

The p53 tumor suppressor plays a central role in integrating cellular responses to various stresses. Tight regulation of p53 is thus essential for the maintenance of genome integrity and normal cell proliferation. Previously, we reported that JFK, the only Kelch domain-containing F-box protein in human, promotes ubiquitination and degradation of p53 and that unlike the other E3 ligases for p53, all of which possess an intrinsic ubiquitin ligase activity, JFK destabilizes p53 through the assembly of a Skp1-Cul1-F-box complex. Here, we report that the substrate recognition by JFK requires phosphorylation of p53 in its central core region by CSN (COP9 signalosome)-associated kinase. Significantly, inhibition of CSN-associated kinase activity or knockdown of CSN5 impairs JFK-promoted p53 degradation, enhances p53-dependent transcription, and promotes cell growth suppression, G(1) arrest, and apoptosis. Moreover, we showed that JFK is transcriptionally regulated by p53 and forms an auto-regulatory negative feedback loop with p53. These data may shed new light on the functional connection between CSN, Skp1-Cul1-F-box ubiquitin ligase, and p53 and provide a molecular mechanism for the regulation of JFK-promoted p53 degradation.

Sts1 plays a key role in targeting proteasomes to the nucleus

The evidence that nuclear proteins can be degraded by cytosolic proteasomes has received considerable experimental support. However, the presence of proteasome subunits in the nucleus also suggests that protein degradation could occur within this organelle. We determined that Sts1 can target proteasomes to the nucleus and facilitate the degradation of a nuclear protein. Specific sts1 mutants showed reduced nuclear proteasomes at the nonpermissive temperature. In contrast, high expression of Sts1 increased the levels of nuclear proteasomes. Sts1 targets proteasomes to the nucleus by interacting with Srp1, a nuclear import factor that binds nuclear localization signals. Deletion of the NLS in Sts1 prevented its interaction with Srp1 and caused proteasome mislocalization. In agreement with this observation, a mutation in Srp1 that weakened its interaction with Sts1 also reduced nuclear targeting of proteasomes. We reported that Sts1 could suppress growth and proteolytic defects of rad23Δ rpn10Δ. We show here that Sts1 suppresses a previously undetected proteasome localization defect in this mutant. Taken together, these findings explain the suppression of rad23Δ rpn10Δ by Sts1 and suggest that the degradation of nuclear substrates requires efficient proteasome localization.

JAB1/CSN5: a new player in cell cycle control and cancer

c-Jun activation domain-binding protein-1 (Jab1) acts as a modulator of intracellular signaling and affects cellular proliferation and apoptosis, through its existence as a monomer or as the fifth component of the constitutive photomorphogenic-9 signalosome (CSN5). Jab1/CSN5 is involved in transcription factor specificity, deneddylation of NEDD8, and nuclear-to-cytoplasmic shuttling of key molecules. Jab1/CSN5 activities positively and negatively affect a number of pathways, including integrin signaling, cell cycle control, and apoptosis. Also, more recent studies have demonstrated the intriguing roles of Jab1/CSN5 in regulating genomic instability and DNA repair. The effects of Jab1/CSN5's multiple protein interactions are generally oncogenic in nature, and overexpression of Jab1/CSN5 in cancer provides evidence that it is involved in the tumorigenic process. In this review, we highlight our current knowledge of Jab1/CSN5 function and the recent discoveries in dissecting the Jab1 signaling pathway. Further, we also discuss the regulation of Jab1/CSN5 in cancers and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Molecular pathology of RUNX3 in human carcinogenesis

A major goal of molecular biology is to elucidate the mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression in order to achieve early detection, better diagnosis and staging and novel preventive and therapeutic strategies. We feel that an understanding of Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3)-regulated biological pathways will directly impact our knowledge of these areas of human carcinogenesis. The RUNX3 transcription factor is a downstream effector of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway, and has a critical role in the regulation of cell proliferation and cell death by apoptosis, and in angiogenesis, cell adhesion and invasion. We previously identified RUNX3 as a major gastric tumor suppressor by establishing a causal relationship between loss of function and gastric carcinogenesis. More recently, we showed that RUNX3 functions as a bona fide initiator of colonic carcinogenesis by linking the Wnt oncogenic and TGF-beta tumor suppressive pathways. Apart from gastric and colorectal cancers, a multitude of epithelial cancers exhibit inactivation of RUNX3, thereby making it a putative tumor suppressor in human neoplasia. This review highlights our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of RUNX3 inactivation in the context of cancer development and progression.