Monoubiquitination of Tob/BTG family proteins competes with degradation-targeting polyubiquitination

Transducer of ERBB2.1 (TOB1) as a Tumor Suppressor: A Mechanistic Perspective

Transducer of ERBB2.1 (TOB1) is a tumor-suppressor protein, which functions as a negative regulator of the receptor tyrosine-kinase ERBB2. As most of the other tumor suppressor proteins, TOB1 is inactivated in many human cancers. Homozygous deletion of TOB1 in mice is reported to be responsible for cancer development in the lung, liver, and lymph node, whereas the ectopic overexpression of TOB1 shows anti-proliferation, and a decrease in the migration and invasion abilities on cancer cells. Biochemical studies revealed that the anti-proliferative activity of TOB1 involves mRNA deadenylation and is associated with the reduction of both cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) expressions and the induction of CDK inhibitors. Moreover, TOB1 interacts with an oncogenic signaling mediator, β-catenin, and inhibits β-catenin-regulated gene transcription. TOB1 antagonizes the v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene (AKT) signaling and induces cancer cell apoptosis by activating BCL2-associated X (BAX) protein and inhibiting the BCL-2 and BCL-XL expressions. The tumor-specific overexpression of TOB1 results in the activation of other tumor suppressor proteins, such as mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (SMAD4) and phosphatase and tensin homolog-10 (PTEN), and blocks tumor progression. TOB1-overexpressing cancer cells have limited potential of growing as xenograft tumors in nude mice upon subcutaneous implantation. This review addresses the molecular basis of TOB1 tumor suppressor function with special emphasis on its regulation of intracellular signaling pathways.

Inhibition of DNA damage-induced apoptosis through Cdc7-mediated stabilization of Tob

BACKGROUND

Preventing unnecessary cell death is essential for DNA-damaged cells to carry out the DNA repair process.

RESULTS

Cdc7 inhibits the Cul4-DDB1(Cdt2)-dependent Tob degradation.

CONCLUSION

Cdc7 enables mild DNA-damaged cells to keep their viability by competing with the Tob degradation system.

SIGNIFICANCE

Cells deal with moderate DNA damage not only by cessation of the cell cycle but also through direct mediated pro-survival signaling. Cells respond to DNA damage by activating alternate signaling pathways that induce proliferation arrest or apoptosis. The correct balance between these two pathways is important for maintaining genomic integrity and preventing unnecessary cell death. The mechanism by which DNA-damaged cells escape from apoptosis during DNA repair is poorly understood. We show that the DNA replication-initiating kinase Cdc7 actively prevents unnecessary death in DNA-damaged cells. In response to mild DNA damage, Tob levels increase through both a transcriptional mechanism and protein stabilization, resulting in inhibition of pro-apoptotic signaling. Cells lacking Cdc7 expression undergo apoptosis after mild DNA damage, where Cul4-DDB1(Cdt2) induces Tob ubiquitination and subsequent degradation. Cdc7 phosphorylates and interacts with Tob to inhibit the Cul4-DDB1(Cdt2)-dependent Tob degradation. Thus, Cdc7 defines an essential pro-survival signaling pathway by contributing to stabilization of Tob, thereby the viability of DNA-damaged cells being maintained.