RACK1 identified as the PCBP1-interacting protein with a novel functional role on the regulation of human MOR gene expression

PCBP1 depletion promotes tumorigenesis through attenuation of p27Kip1 mRNA stability and translation

Background

Poly C Binding Protein 1 (PCBP1) is an RNA-binding protein that binds and regulates translational activity of subsets of cellular mRNAs. Depletion of PCBP1 is implicated in various carcinomas, but the underlying mechanism in tumorigenesis remains elusive.

Methods

We performed a transcriptome-wide screen to identify novel bounding mRNA of PCBP1. The bind regions between PCBP1 with target mRNA were investigated by using point mutation and luciferase assay. Cell proliferation, cell cycle, tumorigenesis and cell apoptosis were also evaluated in ovary and colon cancer cell lines. The mechanism that PCBP1 affects p27 was analyzed by mRNA stability and ribosome profiling assays. We analyzed PCBP1 and p27 expression in ovary, colon and renal tumor samples and adjacent non-tumor tissues using RT-PCR, Western Blotting and immunohistochemistry. The prognostic significance of PCBP1 and p27 also analyzed using online databases.

Results

We identified cell cycle inhibitor p27^Kip1 (p27) as a novel PCBP1-bound transcript. We then demonstrated that binding of PCBP1 to p27 3’UTR via its KH1 domain mainly stabilizes p27 mRNA, while enhances its translation to fuel p27 expression, prior to p27 protein degradation. The upregulated p27 consequently inhibits cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and tumorigenesis, whereas promotes cell apoptosis under paclitaxel treatment. Conversely, knockdown of PCBP1 in turn compromises p27 mRNA stability, leading to lower p27 level and tumorigenesis in vivo. Moreover, forced depletion of p27 counteracts the tumor suppressive ability of PCBP1 in the same PCBP1 over-expressing cells. Physiologically, we showed that decreases of both p27 mRNA and its protein expressions are well correlated to PCBP1 depletion in ovary, colon and renal tumor samples, independent of the p27 ubiquitin ligase Skp2 level. Correlation of PCBP1 with p27 is also found in the tamoxifen, doxorubincin and lapatinib resistant breast cancer cells of GEO database.

Conclusion

Our results thereby indicate that loss of PCBP1 expression firstly attenuates p27 expression at post-transcriptional level, and subsequently promotes carcinogenesis. PCBP1 could be used as a diagnostic marker to cancer patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-018-0840-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Identification of gamma-synuclein as a new PCBP1-interacting protein

OBJECTIVES

PolyC binding protein 1 (PCBP1) is a transcriptional regulator of human mu-opioid receptor (hMOR) gene in the CNS and is also related to cancer/diseases. It possesses multi-roles that can be mediated by protein-protein interactions. To understand the mechanism controlling PCBP1 functions, PCBP1-interacting protein was investigated.

METHODS

Using PCBP1 as the bait, a human brain cDNA library was screened via two-hybrid system. DNA sequence of candidate protein was confirmed using NCBI/SNP databases. Candidate protein in various cell lines was examined by RT-PCR. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation were used to validate the physical interaction. Its effects on hMOR gene regulation were examined.

RESULTS

One clone was identified as gamma-synuclein110E, an SNP of gamma-synuclein110V. The interaction between PCBP1 and gamma-synuclein110E was confirmed by further validation and GST pull-down assay. Confocal analysis showed gamma-synuclein110E mainly expressing in the cytosol of human neuronal NMB cells. This interaction was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation with NMB lysates, containing both proteins endogenously. Ectopic expression of gamma-synuclein110E or 110V did not alter hMOR mRNA level or promoter activity, suggesting no involvement of gamma-synuclein in modulating hMOR expression. Co-immunoprecipitation using gamma-synuclein110E or 110V overexpressed NMB cells with anti-PCBP1 antibody revealed a stronger intensity of co-immunoprecipitated gamma-synuclein band using gamma-synuclein110E-overexpressed cells as compared to that using gamma-synuclein110V-overexpressed cells. Synuclein110E was also identified in H292 (lung), HT29 (colon) and T47D (breast) cells, and this physical interaction was confirmed.

CONCLUSION

We report a newly identified PCBP1-interacting protein, gamma-synuclein110E, and provide some insight into its complex role as well as discuss potential roles of this interaction.

A novel role for poly(C) binding proteins in programmed ribosomal frameshifting

Translational control through programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) is exploited widely by viruses and increasingly documented in cellular genes. Frameshifting is induced by mRNA secondary structures that compromise ribosome fidelity during decoding of a heptanucleotide 'slippery' sequence. The nsp2 PRF signal of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus is distinctive in directing both -2 and -1 PRF and in its requirement for a trans-acting protein factor, the viral replicase subunit nsp1β. Here we show that the the trans-activation of frameshifting is carried out by a protein complex composed of nsp1β and a cellular poly(C) binding protein (PCBP). From the results of in vitro translation and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we demonstrate that a PCBP/nsp1β complex binds to a C-rich sequence downstream of the slippery sequence and here mimics the activity of a structured mRNA stimulator of PRF. This is the first description of a role for a trans-acting cellular protein in PRF. The discovery broadens the repertoire of activities associated with poly(C) binding proteins and prototypes a new class of virus-host interactions.

Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2013

This paper is the thirty-sixth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2013 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia; stress and social status; tolerance and dependence; learning and memory; eating and drinking; alcohol and drugs of abuse; sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology; mental illness and mood; seizures and neurologic disorders; electrical-related activity and neurophysiology; general activity and locomotion; gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; and immunological responses.

Transactivation of programmed ribosomal frameshifting by a viral protein

Programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting (-1 PRF) is a widely used translational mechanism facilitating the expression of two polypeptides from a single mRNA. Commonly, the ribosome interacts with an mRNA secondary structure that promotes -1 frameshifting on a homopolymeric slippery sequence. Recently, we described an unusual -2 frameshifting (-2 PRF) signal directing efficient expression of a transframe protein [nonstructural protein 2TF (nsp2TF)] of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) from an alternative reading frame overlapping the viral replicase gene. Unusually, this arterivirus PRF signal lacks an obvious stimulatory RNA secondary structure, but as confirmed here, can also direct the occurrence of -1 PRF, yielding a third, truncated nsp2 variant named "nsp2N." Remarkably, we now show that both -2 and -1 PRF are transactivated by a protein factor, specifically a PRRSV replicase subunit (nsp1β). Embedded in nsp1β's papain-like autoproteinase domain, we identified a highly conserved, putative RNA-binding motif that is critical for PRF transactivation. The minimal RNA sequence required for PRF was mapped within a 34-nt region that includes the slippery sequence and a downstream conserved CCCANCUCC motif. Interaction of nsp1β with the PRF signal was demonstrated in pull-down assays. These studies demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, that a protein can function as a transactivator of ribosomal frameshifting. The newly identified frameshifting determinants provide potential antiviral targets for arterivirus disease control and prevention. Moreover, protein-induced transactivation of frameshifting may be a widely used mechanism, potentially including previously undiscovered viral strategies to regulate viral gene expression and/or modulate host cell translation upon infection.

Transcription of the human sodium channel SCN1A gene is repressed by a scaffolding protein RACK1

Voltage-gated sodium channel α subunit type I (Nav1.1, encoded by SCN1A gene) plays a critical role in the initiation of action potential in the central nervous system. Downregulated expression of SCN1A is believed to be associated with epilepsy. Here, we found that the SCN1A promoter (P1c), located at the 5' untranslated exon 1c, drove the reporter gene expression in human NT2 cells, and a region between nt +53 and +62 downstream of the P1c promoter repressed the promoter activity. Further analyses showed that a scaffolding protein RACK1 (receptor for activated C kinase 1) was involved in binding to this silencer. Knockdown of RACK1 expression in NT2 cells deprived the repressive role of the silencer on the P1c promoter and increased SCN1A transcription, suggesting the potential involvement of RACK1 in negatively regulating SCN1A transcription via interaction with the silencer. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the binding of the protein complex including RACK1 to the SCN1A promoter motif was decreased in neuron-like differentiation of the NT2 cells induced by retinoic acid and resulted in the upregulation of SCN1A transcription. Taken together, this study reports a novel role of RACK1 in regulating SCN1A expression that participates in retinoic acid-induced neuronal differentiation of NT2 cells.

Establishing an in vivo p48ZnF bioluminescence mouse brain imaging model

p48ZnF is a C3H1 zinc finger domain-containing protein that is involved in the control of gene transcription and translation. In the present study a novel transgenic p48ZnF mouse model is described that is useful for in vivo brain imaging using luciferase as bioluminescence-mediating reporter gene. Yeast two-hybrid screening and western blot analyses revealed Drg1 (developmentally regulated GTP binding protein 1) and Pcbp1 (poly (rC)-binding protein 1) as p48ZnF-associated proteins. Interestingly, p48ZnF' cellular location of action depends on the cell's differentiation status: nuclear in proliferating cells and cytoplasmic in differentiated neurons.

Identification of CD68(+) neutrophil granulocytes in in vitro model of acute inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease

CD-68 is widely regarded as a selective marker for human monocytes and macrophages and is commonly used in human pathology studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of CD-68 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), neutrophil granulocytes (NGs) and in inflamed intestinal tissue samples for comparison. PBMCs and NGs were isolated from heparinized human blood samples. Intestinal biopsies were obtained during routine endoscopic procedures from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), e.g. ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Gene and protein expression was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Both PBMCs and NGs preparations contained cells that were positive for CD-68 and either neutrophil elastase (NE), or myeloperoxidase (MPO). CD-68(+)/NE(-)/MPO(-) cells were regarded as monocytes. CD-68 mRNA expression was detected in PBMCs and NGs preparations. With Western blot and by performing immunoprecipitation of cell lysate, we could clearly detect CD-68 in NGs, U-937, THP-1, Hep-G2, Jurkat cells and PBMCs. Identification of inflammatory cells in acutely inflamed colonic mucosa obtained from patients with IBD revealed a strong accumulation of CD-68(+)/MPO(+) cells compared to normal colonic mucosa. The uptake of the marker by phagocytosis was excluded by performing a double staining with CD-163/NE and CD-163/MPO in PBMCs, NGs cultures and in inflamed colonic mucosa. These results identify CD-68(+) NGs in peripheral blood and inflamed colonic mucosa. CD-68 is not only a marker for the macrophages-monocytes but also for NGs.