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Sun Y, Jin X, Meng J, Guo F, Chen T, Zhao X, Wu H, Ren D. MST2 methylation by PRMT5 inhibits Hippo signaling and promotes pancreatic cancer progression. EMBO J 2023; 42:e114558. [PMID: 37905571 PMCID: PMC10690468 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023114558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hippo signaling axis is a tumor suppressor pathway that is activated by various extra-pathway factors to regulate cell differentiation and organ development. Recent studies have reported that autophosphorylation of the core kinase cassette stimulates activation of the Hippo signaling cascade. Here, we demonstrate that protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) contributes to inactivation of the Hippo signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer. We show that the Hippo pathway initiator serine/threonine kinase 3 (STK3, also known as MST2) of Hippo signaling pathway can be symmetrically di-methylated by PRMT5 at arginine-461 (R461) and arginine-467 (R467) in its SARAH domain. Methylation suppresses MST2 autophosphorylation and kinase activity by blocking its homodimerization, thereby inactivating Hippo signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer. Moreover, we also show that the specific PRMT5 inhibitor GSK3326595 re-activates the dysregulated Hippo signaling pathway and inhibits the growth of human pancreatic cancer xenografts in immunodeficient mice, thus suggesting potential clinical application of PRMT5 inhibitors in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Sun
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Sino‐German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Xin Jin
- Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Uro‐Oncology Institute of Central South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Junpeng Meng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Sino‐German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Department of General SurgeryThe Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Sino‐German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Taoyu Chen
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Sino‐German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Xiaoyan Zhao
- Department of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Heshui Wu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Sino‐German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Dianyun Ren
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Sino‐German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
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Weingartner KA, Tran T, Tripp KW, Kavran JM. Dimerization and autophosphorylation of the MST family of kinases are controlled by the same set of residues. Biochem J 2023; 480:1165-1182. [PMID: 37459121 PMCID: PMC10500444 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
The Hippo pathway controls tissue growth and regulates stem cell fate through the activities of core kinase cassette that begins with the Sterile 20-like kinase MST1/2. Activation of MST1/2 relies on trans-autophosphorylation but the details of the mechanisms regulating that reaction are not fully elucidated. Proposals include dimerization as a first step and include multiple models for potential kinase-domain dimers. Efforts to verify and link these dimers to trans-autophosphorylation were unsuccessful. We explored the link between dimerization and trans-autophosphorylation for MST2 and the entire family of MST kinases. We analyzed crystal lattice contacts of structures of MST kinases and identified an ensemble of kinase-domain dimers compatible with trans-autophosphorylation. These dimers share a common dimerization interface comprised of the activation loop and αG-helix while the arrangements of the kinase-domains within the dimer varied depending on their activation state. We then verified the dimerization interface and determined its function using MST2. Variants bearing alanine substitutions of the αG-helix prevented dimerization of the MST2 kinase domain both in solution and in cells. These substitutions also blocked autophosphorylation of full-length MST2 and its Drosophila homolog Hippo in cells. These variants retain the same secondary structure as wild-type and capacity to phosphorylate a protein substrate, indicating the loss of MST2 activation can be directly attributed to a loss of dimerization rather than loss of either fold or catalytic function. Together this data functionally links dimerization and autophosphorylation for MST2 and suggests this activation mechanism is conserved across both species and the entire MST family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyler A. Weingartner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Thao Tran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Katherine W. Tripp
- The T.C. Jenkins Department of Biophysics, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jennifer M. Kavran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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3
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Weingartner KA, Tran T, Tripp KW, Kavran JM. Dimerization and autophosphorylation of the MST family of kinases are controlled by the same set of residues. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.09.531926. [PMID: 36945437 PMCID: PMC10028985 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.09.531926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
The Hippo pathway controls tissue growth and regulates stem cell fate through the activities of core kinase cassette that begins with the Sterile 20-like kinase MST1/2. Activation of MST1/2 relies on trans -autophosphorylation but the details of the mechanisms regulating that reaction are not fully elucidated. Proposals include dimerization as a first step and include multiple models for potential kinase-domain dimers. Efforts to verify and link these dimers to trans -autophosphorylation were unsuccessful. We explored the link between dimerization and trans -autophosphorylation for MST2 and the entire family of MST kinases. We analyzed crystal lattice contacts of structures of MST kinases and identified an ensemble of kinase-domain dimers compatible with trans -autophosphorylation. These dimers share a common dimerization interface comprised of the activation loop and αG-helix while the arrangements of the kinase-domains within the dimer varied depending on their activation state. We then verified the dimerization interface and determined its function using MST2. Variants bearing alanine substitutions of the αG-helix prevented dimerization of the MST2 kinase domain both in solution and in cells. These substitutions also blocked autophosphorylation of full-length MST2 and its Drosophila homolog Hippo in cells. These variants retain the same secondary structure as wild-type and capacity to phosphorylate a protein substrate, indicating the loss of MST2 activation can be directly attributed to a loss of dimerization rather than loss of either fold or catalytic function. Together this data functionally links dimerization and autophosphorylation for MST2 and suggests this activation mechanism is conserved across both species and the entire MST family.
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Neal SJ, Zhou Q, Pignoni F. Protein Phosphatase 2A with B' specificity subunits regulates the Hippo-Yorkie signaling axis in the Drosophila eye disc. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:jcs259558. [PMID: 36205125 PMCID: PMC10614058 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hippo-Yorkie (Hpo-Yki) signaling is central to diverse developmental processes. Although its redeployment has been amply demonstrated, its context-specific regulation remains poorly understood. The Drosophila eye disc is a continuous epithelium folded into two layers, the peripodial epithelium (PE) and the retinal progenitor epithelium. Here, Yki acts in the PE, first to promote PE identity by suppressing retina fate, and subsequently to maintain proper disc morphology. In the latter process, loss of Yki results in the displacement of a portion of the differentiating retinal epithelium onto the PE side. We show that Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) complexes comprising different substrate-specificity B-type subunits govern the Hpo-Yki axis in this context. These include holoenzymes containing the B‴ subunit Cka and those containing the B' subunits Wdb or Wrd. Whereas PP2A(Cka), as part of the STRIPAK complex, is known to regulate Hpo directly, PP2A(Wdb) acts genetically upstream of the antagonistic activities of the Hpo regulators Sav and Rassf. These in vivo data provide the first evidence of PP2A(B') heterotrimer function in Hpo pathway regulation and reveal pathway diversification at distinct developmental times in the same tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott J. Neal
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, Upstate Medical University, 505 Irving Avenue, NRB 4610, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Qingxiang Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Upstate Medical University, 505 Irving Avenue, NRB 4610, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Francesca Pignoni
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, Upstate Medical University, 505 Irving Avenue, NRB 4610, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Upstate Medical University, 505 Irving Avenue, NRB 4610, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Upstate Medical University, 505 Irving Avenue, NRB 4610, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
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Koehler TJ, Tran T, Weingartner KA, Kavran JM. Kinetic Regulation of the Mammalian Sterile 20-like Kinase 2 (MST2). Biochemistry 2022; 61:1683-1693. [PMID: 35895874 PMCID: PMC10167949 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Canonically, MST1/2 functions as a core kinase of the Hippo pathway and noncanonically during both apoptotic signaling and with RASSFs in T-cells. Faithful signal transduction by MST1/2 relies on both appropriate activation and regulated substrate phosphorylation by the activated kinase. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating the activation of MST1/2 and identifying downstream signaling events. Here, we investigated the ability of MST2 to phosphorylate a peptide substrate and how that activity is regulated. Using a steady-state kinetic system, we parse the contribution of different factors to substrate phosphorylation, including the domains of MST2, phosphorylation, caspase cleavage, and complex formation. We found that in the unphosphorylated state, the SARAH domain stabilizes interactions with a peptide substrate and promotes turnover. Phosphorylation drives the activity of MST2, and once activated, MST2 is not further regulated by complex formation with other Hippo pathway components (SAV1, MOB1A, and RASSF5). We also show that the phosphorylated, caspase-cleaved MST2 is as active as the full-length one, suggesting that caspase-stimulated activity arises through noncatalytic mechanisms. The kinetic analysis presented here establishes a framework for interpreting how signaling events and post-translational modifications contribute to the signaling of MST2 in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Koehler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Thao Tran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Kyler A Weingartner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Jennifer M Kavran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States.,Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States.,Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
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Wang M, Dai M, Wang D, Xiong W, Zeng Z, Guo C. The regulatory networks of the Hippo signaling pathway in cancer development. J Cancer 2021; 12:6216-6230. [PMID: 34539895 PMCID: PMC8425214 DOI: 10.7150/jca.62402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hippo signaling pathway is a relatively young tumor-related signaling pathway. Although it was discovered lately, research on it developed rapidly. The Hippo signaling pathway is closely relevant to the occurrence and development of tumors and the maintenance of organ size and other biological processes. This manuscript focuses on YAP, the core molecule of the Hippo signaling pathway, and discussion the upstream and downstream regulatory networks of the Hippo signaling pathway during tumorigenesis and development. It also summarizes the relevant drugs involved in this signaling pathway, which may be helpful to the development of targeted drugs for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maonan Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Manli Dai
- Hunan Food and Drug Vocational College, Changsha 410036, China
| | - Dan Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Can Guo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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7
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Regulation of MST complexes and activity via SARAH domain modifications. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:675-683. [PMID: 33860801 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Three elements of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway - MST1/2, SAV1, and RASSF1-6 - share in common a C-terminal interaction motif termed the SARAH domain. Proteins containing this domain are capable of self-association as homodimers and also of trans-association with other SARAH domain containing proteins as well as selected additional proteins that lack this domain. Recently, the association of MST1/2 with itself or with other proteins has been shown to be regulated by phosphorylation at sites near or within the SARAH domain. In this review, we focus on recent findings regarding the regulation of such MST1/2 interactions, with an emphasis on the effects of these events on Hippo pathway activity.
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Tran T, Mitra J, Ha T, Kavran JM. Increasing kinase domain proximity promotes MST2 autophosphorylation during Hippo signaling. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:16166-16179. [PMID: 32994222 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.015723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway plays an important role in developmental biology, mediating organ size by controlling cell proliferation through the activity of a core kinase cassette. Multiple upstream events activate the pathway, but how each controls this core kinase cassette is not fully understood. Activation of the core kinase cassette begins with phosphorylation of the kinase MST1/2 (also known as STK3/4). Here, using a combination of in vitro biochemistry and cell-based assays, including chemically induced dimerization and single-molecule pulldown, we revealed that increasing the proximity of adjacent kinase domains, rather than formation of a specific protein assembly, is sufficient to trigger autophosphorylation. We validate this mechanism in cells and demonstrate that multiple events associated with the active pathway, including SARAH domain-mediated homodimerization, membrane recruitment, and complex formation with the effector protein SAV1, each increase the kinase domain proximity and autophosphorylation of MST2. Together, our results reveal that multiple and distinct upstream signals each utilize the same common molecular mechanism to stimulate MST2 autophosphorylation. This mechanism is likely conserved among MST2 homologs. Our work also highlights potential differences in Hippo signal propagation between each activating event owing to differences in the dynamics and regulation of each protein ensemble that triggers MST2 autophosphorylation and possible redundancy in activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thao Tran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jaba Mitra
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA; Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Taekjip Ha
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA; Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; T. C. Jenkins Department of Biophysics, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer M Kavran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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