Tip60 histone acetyltransferase acts as a negative regulator of Notch1 signaling by means of acetylation

TIP60 governs the auto‑ubiquitination of UHRF1 through USP7 dissociation from the UHRF1/USP7 complex

Tat interactive protein, 60 kDa (TIP60) is an important partner of ubiquitin-like, containing PHD and RING finger domains 1 (UHRF1), ensuring various cellular processes through its acetyltransferase activity. TIP60 is believed to play a tumor suppressive role, partly explained by its downregulated expression in a number of cancers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role and mechanisms of action of TIP60 in the regulation of UHRF1 expression. The results revealed that TIP60 overexpression downregulated the UHRF1 and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) expression levels. TIP60 interfered with USP7-UHRF1 association and induced the degradation of UHRF1 in an auto-ubiquitination-dependent manner. Moreover, TIP60 activated the p73-mediated apoptotic pathway. Taken together, the data of the present study suggest that the tumor suppressor role of TIP60 is mediated by its regulation to UHRF1.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe KAT5 contributes to resection and repair of a DNA double-strand break

Chromatin remodeling is essential for effective repair of a DNA double-strand break (DSB). KAT5 (Schizosaccharomyces pombe Mst1, human TIP60) is a MYST family histone acetyltransferase conserved from yeast to humans that coordinates various DNA damage response activities at a DNA DSB, including histone remodeling and activation of the DNA damage checkpoint. In S. pombe, mutations in mst1+ causes sensitivity to DNA damaging drugs. Here we show that Mst1 is recruited to DSBs. Mutation of mst1+ disrupts recruitment of repair proteins and delays resection. These defects are partially rescued by deletion of pku70, which has been previously shown to antagonize repair by homologous recombination (HR). These phenotypes of mst1 are similar to pht1-4KR, a nonacetylatable form of histone variant H2A.Z, which has been proposed to affect resection. Our data suggest that Mst1 functions to direct repair of DSBs toward HR pathways by modulating resection at the DSB.

TIP60 in aging and neurodegeneration

Epigenetic modification of chromatin, including histone methylation and acetylation, plays critical roles in eukaryotic cells and has a significant impact on chromatin structure/accessibility, gene regulation and, susceptibility to aging, neurodegenerative disease, cancer, and other age-related diseases. This article reviews the current advances on TIP60/KAT5, a major histone acetyltransferase with diverse functions in eukaryotes, with emphasis on its regulation of autophagy, proteasome-dependent protein turnover, RNA transcription, DNA repair, circadian rhythms, learning and memory, and other neurological functions implicated in aging and neurodegeneration. Moreover, the promising therapeutic potential of TIP60 is discussed to target Alzheimer's disease and other neurological diseases.

NBS1 interacts with Notch signaling in neuronal homeostasis

NBS1 is a critical component of the MRN (MRE11/RAD50/NBS1) complex, which regulates ATM- and ATR-mediated DNA damage response (DDR) pathways. Mutations in NBS1 cause the human genomic instability syndrome Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome (NBS), of which neuronal deficits, including microcephaly and intellectual disability, are classical hallmarks. Given its function in the DDR to ensure proper proliferation and prevent death of replicating cells, NBS1 is essential for life. Here we show that, unexpectedly, Nbs1 deletion is dispensable for postmitotic neurons, but compromises their arborization and migration due to dysregulated Notch signaling. We find that Nbs1 interacts with NICD-RBPJ, the effector of Notch signaling, and inhibits Notch activity. Genetic ablation or pharmaceutical inhibition of Notch signaling rescues the maturation and migration defects of Nbs1-deficient neurons in vitro and in vivo. Upregulation of Notch by Nbs1 deletion is independent of the key DDR downstream effector p53 and inactivation of each MRN component produces a different pattern of Notch activity and distinct neuronal defects. These data indicate that neuronal defects and aberrant Notch activity in Nbs1-deficient cells are unlikely to be a direct consequence of loss of MRN-mediated DDR function. This study discloses a novel function of NBS1 in crosstalk with the Notch pathway in neuron development.

Haploinsufficient tumor suppressor Tip60 negatively regulates oncogenic Aurora B kinase

The Aurora kinases represent a group of serine/threonine kinases which are crucial regulators of mitosis. Dysregulated Aurora kinase B (AurkB) expression, stemming from genomic amplification, increased gene transcription or overexpression of its allosteric activators, is capable of initiating and sustaining malignant phenotypes. Although AurkB level in cells is well-orchestrated, studies that relate to its stability or activity, independent of mitosis, are lacking. We report that AurkB undergoes acetylation in vitro by lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) belonging to different families, namely by p300 and Tip60. The haploinsufficient tumor suppressor Tip60 acetylates two highly conserved lysine residues within the kinase domain of AurkB which not only impinges the protein stability but also its kinase activity. These results signify a probable outcome on the increase in "overall activity" of AurkB upon Tip60 downregulation, as observed under cancerous conditions. The present work, therefore, uncovers an important functional interplay between AurkB and Tip60, frailty of which may be an initial event in carcinogenesis.

The nuclear pore proteins Nup88/214 and T-cell acute lymphatic leukemia-associated NUP214 fusion proteins regulate Notch signaling

The Notch receptor is a key mediator of developmental programs and cell-fate decisions. Imbalanced Notch signaling leads to developmental disorders and cancer. To fully characterize the Notch signaling pathway and exploit it in novel therapeutic interventions, a comprehensive view on the regulation and requirements of Notch signaling is needed. Notch is regulated at different levels, ranging from ligand binding, stability to endocytosis. Using an array of different techniques, including reporter gene assays, immunocytochemistry, and ChIP-qPCR we show here, to the best of our knowledge for the first time, regulation of Notch signaling at the level of the nuclear pore. We found that the nuclear pore protein Nup214 (nucleoporin 214) and its interaction partner Nup88 negatively regulate Notch signaling in vitro and in vivo in zebrafish. In mammalian cells, loss of Nup88/214 inhibited nuclear export of recombination signal-binding protein for immunoglobulin κJ region (RBP-J), the DNA-binding component of the Notch pathway. This inhibition increased binding of RBP-J to its cognate promoter regions, resulting in increased downstream Notch signaling. Interestingly, we also found that NUP214 fusion proteins, causative for certain cases of T-cell acute lymphatic leukemia, potentially contribute to tumorigenesis via a Notch-dependent mechanism. In summary, the nuclear pore components Nup88/214 suppress Notch signaling in vitro, and in zebrafish, nuclear RBP-J levels are rate-limiting factors for Notch signaling in mammalian cells, and regulation of nucleocytoplasmic transport of RBP-J may contribute to fine-tuning Notch activity in cells.

Sensitizing mucoepidermoid carcinomas to chemotherapy by targeted disruption of cancer stem cells

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common malignancy of salivary glands. The response of MEC to chemotherapy is unpredictable, and recent advances in cancer biology suggest the involvement of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumor progression and chemoresistance and radioresistance phenotype. We found that histone acetyltransferase inhibitors (HDACi) were capable of disrupting CSCs in MEC. Furthermore, administration of HDACi prior to Cisplatin (two-hit approach) disrupts CSCs and sensitizes tumor cells to Cisplatin. Our findings corroborate to emerging evidence that CSCs play a key role in tumor resistance to chemotherapy, and highlights a pharmacological two-hit approach that disrupts tumor resistance to conventional therapy.

Interaction of the epigenetic integrator UHRF1 with the MYST domain of TIP60 inside the cell

Background

The nuclear epigenetic integrator UHRF1 is known to play a key role with DNMT1 in maintaining the DNA methylation patterns during cell division. Among UHRF1 partners, TIP60 takes part in epigenetic regulations through its acetyltransferase activity. Both proteins are involved in multiple cellular functions such as chromatin remodeling, DNA damage repair and regulation of stability and activity of other proteins. The aim of this work was to investigate the interaction between UHRF1 and TIP60 in order to elucidate the dialogue between these two proteins.

Methods

Biochemical (immunoprecipitation and pull-down assays) and microscopic (confocal and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy; FLIM) techniques were used to analyze the interaction between TIP60 and UHRF1 in vitro and in vivo. Global methylation levels were assessed by using a specific kit. The results were statistically analyzed using Graphpad prism and Origin.

Results

Our study shows that UHRF1, TIP60 and DNMT1 were found in the same epigenetic macro-molecular complex. In vitro pull-down assay showed that deletion of either the zinc finger in MYST domain or deletion of whole MYST domain from TIP60 significantly reduced its interaction with UHRF1. Confocal and FLIM microscopy showed that UHRF1 co-localized with TIP60 in the nucleus and confirmed that both proteins interacted together through the MYST domain of TIP60. Moreover, overexpression of TIP60 reduced the DNA methylation levels in HeLa cells along with downregulation of UHRF1 and DNMT1.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate for the first time that TIP60 through its MYST domain directly interacts with UHRF1 which might be of high interest for the development of novel oncogenic inhibitors targeting this interaction.

Ataxin-1 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition of cervical cancer cells

The mutant form of the protein ataxin-1 (ATXN1) causes the neurodegenerative disease spinocerebellar ataxia type-1. Recently, ATXN1 was reported to enhance E-cadherin expression in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7, suggesting a potential association between ATXN1 and cancer development. In the present study, we discovered a novel mechanism through which ATXN1 regulates the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cancer cells. Hypoxia-induced upregulation of the Notch intracellular domain expression decreased ATXN1 expression via MDM2-associated ubiquitination and degradation. In cervical cancer cells, ATXN1 knockdown induced EMT by directly regulating Snail expression, leading to matrix metalloproteinase activation and the promotion of cell migration and invasion. These findings provide insights into a novel mechanism of tumorigenesis and will facilitate the development of new and more effective therapies for cancer.

Tat-interactive Protein-60KDA (TIP60) Regulates the Tumorigenesis of Lung Cancer In Vitro

Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) play vital functions in the tumorigenesis of many solid organ malignancies. We previously screened a human HATs cDNA library and identified Tat-interactive protein-60KDa (TIP60) as a candidate critical HATs in the origination of lung cancer. In this study, our data suggested that overexpression of TIP60 inhibited the cell viability of A549 and H1299 cells since day 2. Compared to the control group, the viability of these two lung cancer cells was inhibited by 25% and 19% at day 6 with the overexpression of TIP60. It increased by 36% and 26% when TIP60 was knockdown for 6 days. The invasion ability of these two cells was also restrained when TIP60 was overexpressed. While knockdown of TIP60 had the opposite effect. Inhibition of TIP60 significantly promoted the expression of molecules in AKT signaling pathway especially c-Myc. Furthermore, compared to paired tumor-adjacent tissue, lung cancer tumors had low expression of TIP60. Therefore, we concluded that TIP60 might inhibit the viability and invasion ability of lung cancer cells through down-regulation of AKT signaling pathway.

Acetylation promotes TyrRS nuclear translocation to prevent oxidative damage

Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) is well known for its essential aminoacylation function in protein synthesis. Recently, TyrRS has been shown to translocate to the nucleus and protect against DNA damage due to oxidative stress. However, the mechanism of TyrRS nuclear localization has not yet been determined. Herein, we report that TyrRS becomes highly acetylated in response to oxidative stress, which promotes nuclear translocation. Moreover, p300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF), an acetyltransferase, and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a NAD⁺-dependent deacetylase, regulate the nuclear localization of TyrRS in an acetylation-dependent manner. Oxidative stress increases the level of PCAF and decreases the level of SIRT1 and deacetylase activity, all of which promote the nuclear translocation of hyperacetylated TyrRS. Furthermore, TyrRS is primarily acetylated on the K244 residue near the nuclear localization signal (NLS), and acetylation inhibits the aminoacylation activity of TyrRS. Molecular dynamics simulations have shown that the in silico acetylation of K244 induces conformational changes in TyrRS near the NLS, which may promote the nuclear translocation of acetylated TyrRS. Herein, we show that the acetylated K244 residue of TyrRS protects against DNA damage in mammalian cells and zebrafish by activating DNA repair genes downstream of transcription factor E2F1. Our study reveals a previously unknown mechanism by which acetylation regulates an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase, thus affecting the repair pathways for damaged DNA.

Emerin suppresses Notch signaling by restricting the Notch intracellular domain to the nuclear membrane

Emerin is an inner nuclear membrane protein that is involved in maintaining the mechanical integrity of the nuclear membrane. Increasing evidence supports the involvement of emerin in the regulation of gene expression; however, its precise function remains to be elucidated. Here, we show that emerin downregulated genes downstream of Notch signaling, which are activated exclusively by the Notch intracellular domain (NICD). Deletion mutant experiments revealed that the transmembrane domain of emerin is important for the inhibition of Notch signaling. Emerin interacted directly and colocalized with the NICD at the nuclear membrane. Emerin knockdown induced the phosphorylation of ERK and AKT, increased endogenous Notch signaling, and inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. Notably, the downregulation of barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF) or lamin A/C increased Notch signaling by inducing the release of emerin into the cytosol, implying that nuclear membrane-bound emerin acts as an endogenous inhibitor of Notch signaling. Taken together, our results indicate that emerin negatively regulates Notch signaling by promoting the retention of the NICD at the nuclear membrane. This mechanism could constitute a new therapeutic target for the treatment of emerin-related diseases.

The silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1) is a positive regulator of the Notch pathway in Drosophila

The silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1) has been shown to have negative effects on the Notch pathway in several contexts. We bring evidence that Sirt1 has a positive effect on Notch activation in Drosophila, in the context of sensory organ precursor specification and during wing development. The phenotype of Sirt1 mutant resembles weak Notch loss-of-function phenotypes, and genetic interactions of Sirt1 with the components of the Notch pathway also suggest a positive role for Sirt1 in Notch signalling. Sirt1 is necessary for the efficient activation of enhancer of split [E(spl)] genes by Notch in S2N cells. Additionally, the Notch-dependent response of several E(spl) genes is sensitive to metabolic stress caused by 2-deoxy-d-glucose treatment, in a Sirt1-dependent manner. We found Sirt1 associated with several proteins involved in Notch repression as well as activation, including the cofactor exchange factor Ebi (TBL1), the RLAF/LAF histone chaperone complex and the Tip60 acetylation complex. Moreover, Sirt1 participates in the deacetylation of the CSL transcription factor Suppressor of Hairless. The role of Sirt1 in Notch signalling is, therefore, more complex than previously recognized, and its diverse effects may be explained by a plethora of Sirt1 substrates involved in the regulation of Notch signalling.

MDR1 mediated chemoresistance: BMI1 and TIP60 in action

Chemotherapy-induced emergence of drug resistant cells is frequently observed and is exemplified by the expression of family of drug resistance proteins including, multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1). However, a concise mechanism for chemotherapy-induced MDR1 expression is unclear. Mechanistically, mutational selection, epigenetic alteration, activation of the Wnt pathway or impaired p53 function have been implicated. The present study describes that the surviving fraction of cisplatin resistant cells co- upregulate MDR1, BMI1 and acetyl transferase activity of TIP60. Using complementary gain and loss of function approaches, we demonstrate that the expression of MDR1 is positively regulated by BMI1, a stem-cell factor classically known as a transcriptional repressor. Our study establishes a functional interaction between TIP60 and BMI-1 resulting in upregulation of MDR1 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays further establish that the proximal MDR1 promoter responds to cisplatin in a BMI1 dependent manner. BMI1 interacts with a cluster of E-box elements on the MDR1 promoter and recruits TIP60 resulting in acetylation of histone H2A and H3. Collectively, our data establish a hitherto unknown liaison among MDR1, BMI1 and TIP60 and provide mechanistic insights into cisplatin-induced MDR1 expression resulting in acquired cross-resistance against paclitaxel, doxorubicin and likely other drugs. In conclusion, our results advocate utilizing anti-BMI1 strategies to alleviate acquired resistance to chemotherapy.

Aberrant lysine acetylation in tumorigenesis: Implications in the development of therapeutics

The 'language' of covalent histone modifications translates environmental and cellular cues into gene expression. This vast array of post-translational modifications on histones are more than just covalent moieties added onto a protein, as they also form a platform on which crucial cellular signals are relayed. The reversible lysine acetylation has emerged as an important post-translational modification of both histone and non-histone proteins, dictating numerous epigenetic programs within a cell. Thus, understanding the complex biology of lysine acetylation and its regulators is essential for the development of epigenetic therapeutics. In this review, we will attempt to address the complexities of lysine acetylation in the context of tumorigenesis, their role in cancer progression and emphasize on the modalities developed to target lysine acetyltransferases towards cancer treatment.

NUMB inhibition of NOTCH signalling as a therapeutic target in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is among the most prevalent life-threatening cancers diagnosed in the male population today. Various methods have been exploited in an attempt to treat this disease but these treatments, alongside preventative tactics, have been insufficient to control mortality rates and have usually resulted in detrimental adverse events. An opportunity to devise more-specific and potentially more-effective approaches for the eradication of prostate tumours can be found by targeting specific biological pathways. NUMB (protein numb homologue), a key regulator of cell fate, represents an attractive, actionable target in prostate cancer. NUMB participates in the observed deregulation of NOTCH (neurogenic locus notch homologue protein) signalling in prostate tumours, and the NUMB-NOTCH interaction regulates cell fate. NUMB has potential both as a target for control of prostate tumorigenesis and as a biomarker for identification of patients with prostate cancer who are likely to benefit from NOTCH inhibition.

Notch1 modulates oxidative stress induced cell death through suppression of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1

Notch1 genes encode receptors for a signaling pathway that regulates various aspects of cell growth and differentiation; however, the role of Notch1 signaling in p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is still not well defined. In this study, we found that Notch1 intracellular domain (Notch1-IC) prevents oxidative stress-induced cell death through the suppression of the Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK) 1 signaling pathway. Notch1-IC inhibited H2O2-induced activation of ASK1 and the activation of downstream kinases in the p38 MAPK signaling cascade. The results of both in vivo binding and kinase studies have revealed that ASK1 is the direct target of Notch1-IC, whereas it produced no effect on either MAP kinase kinase (MKK) 3 or p38 MAPK. Notch1-IC blocked both the homooligomerization of ASK1 and inhibited ASK1 activity. Furthermore, Notch1-IC facilitated the translocation of activated ASK1 toward the nucleus. Notch1 knockdown was determined to be highly susceptible to oxidative stress-induced activation of ASK1-MKK3/MKK6-p38 MAPK signaling cascade and cell death. Taken together, our findings suggest that Notch1-IC may act as a negative regulator in ASK1 signaling cascades.

Wnt5a controls Notch1 signaling through CaMKII-mediated degradation of the SMRT corepressor protein

Serine-threonine Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is the key component in noncanonical Wnt5a signaling and has been shown to regulate its signaling. In this study, we found that CaMKII induced by Wnt5a remarkably reduced the protein stability of the silencing mediator of retinoic acid and thyroid hormone receptor (SMRT), a co-repressor of Notch signaling, through proteasomal degradation. Wnt5a was found to enhance Notch1 intracellular domain (Notch1-IC) transcription activity, which could be inhibited by treatment with KN93, a CaMKII inhibitor. The kinase activity of CaMKII was essential for the activation of Notch signaling. We also determined that CaMKII could enhance the association between Notch1-IC and RBP-Jk. Furthermore, the physical association between RBP-Jk and SMRT was substantially suppressed by CaMKII. We demonstrated that CaMKII directly bound and phosphorylated SMRT at Ser-1407, thereby facilitating SMRT translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and proteasome-dependent degradation. These results suggest that CaMKII down-regulated the protein stability of SMRT through proteasomal degradation.

Presenilin-2 regulates the degradation of RBP-Jk protein through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase

Transcriptional regulation performs a central role in Notch1 signaling by recombining binding protein Suppressor of Hairless (RBP-Jk)--a signaling pathway that is widely involved in determination of cell fate. Our earlier work demonstrated the possible regulation of the Notch1-RBP-Jk pathway through protein degradation of RBP-Jk; however, the potential regulator for the degradation of RBP-Jk remains to be determined. Here, we report that the expression of endogenous and exogenous RBP-Jk was increased significantly in cells treated with proteasome- and lysosome-specific inhibitors. The effects of these inhibitors on RBP-Jk occurred in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The level of RBP-Jk protein was higher in presenilin-2 (PS2)-knockout cells than in presenilin-1 (PS1)-knockout cells. Furthermore, the level of RBP-Jk was decreased by expression of PS2 in PS1 and PS2 double-knockout cells. We also found that PS1-knockout cells treated with a specific inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase ∂ (MAPK) had significantly increased levels of RBP-Jk. p38 MAPK phosphorylates RBP-Jk at Thr339 by physical binding, which subsequently induces the degradation and ubiquitylation of the RBP-Jk protein. Collectively, our results indicate that PS2 modulates the degradation of RBP-Jk through phosphorylation by p38 MAPK.

Dual regulation of notch1 signaling pathway by adaptor protein fe65

Notch1 receptor functions as a critical controller of cell fate decisions and also as a key regulator of cell growth, differentiation, and proliferation in invertebrates and vertebrates. In this study, we have demonstrated that the adaptor protein Fe65 attenuates Notch1 signaling via the accelerated degradation of the membrane-tethered Notch1 in the cytoplasm. Fe65 also suppresses Notch1 transcriptional activity via the dissociation of the Notch1-IC-recombining binding protein suppressor of hairless (RBP)-Jk complex within the nucleus. Fe65 is capable of forming a trimeric complex with Itch and membrane-tethered Notch1, and Fe65 enhances the protein degradation of membrane-tethered Notch1 via an Itch-dependent proteasomal pathway. Collectively, our results demonstrate that Fe65 carries out different functions depending on its location in the regulation of Notch1 signaling.

Acetylation controls Notch3 stability and function in T-cell leukemia

Post-translational modifications of Notch3 and their functional role with respect to Notch3 overexpression in T-cell leukemia are still poorly understood. We identify here a specific novel property of Notch3 that is acetylated and deacetylated at lysines 1692 and 1731 by p300 and HDAC1, respectively, a balance impaired by HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) that favor hyperacetylation. By using HDACi and a non-acetylatable Notch3 mutant carrying K/R(1692-1731) mutations in the intracellular domain, we show that Notch3 acetylation primes ubiquitination and proteasomal-mediated degradation of the protein. As a consequence, Notch3 protein expression and its transcriptional activity are decreased both in vitro and in vivo in Notch3 transgenic (tg) mice, thus impairing downstream signaling upon target genes. Consistently, Notch3-induced T-cell proliferation is inhibited by HDACi, whereas it is enhanced by the non-acetylatable Notch3-K/R(1692-1731) mutant. Finally, HDACi-induced Notch3 hyperacetylation prevents in vivo growth of T-cell leukemia/lymphoma in Notch3 tg mice. Together, our findings suggest a novel level of Notch signaling control in which Notch3 acetylation/deacetylation process represents a key regulatory switch, thus representing a suitable druggable target for Notch3-sustained T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia therapy.

Ubiquitination of Notch1 is regulated by MAML1-mediated p300 acetylation of Notch1

Earlier studies demonstrated the involvement of the p300 histone acetyltransferase in Notch signaling but the precise mechanisms by which p300 might modulate Notch function remains to be investigated. In this study, we show that p300 acetylates Notch1 ICD in cell culture assay and in vitro, and conserved lysines located within the Notch C-terminal nuclear localization signal are essential for Notch acetylation. MAML1 and CSL, which are components of the Notch transcription complex, enhance Notch acetylation and we suggest that MAML1 increases Notch acetylation by potentiating p300 autoacetylation. Furthermore, MAML1-dependent acetylation of Notch1 ICD by p300 decreases the ubiquitination of Notch1 ICD in cellular assays. CDK8 has been shown to target Notch1 for ubiquitination and proteosomal degradation. We show that CDK8 inhibits Notch acetylation and Notch transcription enhanced by p300. Therefore, we speculate that acetylation of Notch1 might be a mechanism to regulate Notch activity by interfering with ubiquitin-dependent pathways.

Esco2 promotes neuronal differentiation by repressing Notch signaling

Esco2 is an acetyltransferase that is required for the establishment of sister chromatid cohesion. Roberts-SC phocomelia (RBS) syndrome caused by the mutations of Esco2 gene, is an autosomal recessive development disorder characterized by growth retardation, limb reduction and craniofacial abnormalities including cleft lip and palate. Here, we show that Esco2 protein co-immunoprecipitates with Notch but not with CBF1. Esco2 represses the transactivational activity of Notch protein in an acetyltransferase-independent manner. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments suggest that Esco2 might regulate the activity of NICD-CBF1 via attenuating NICD binding to CBF1 on the promoter of Hes1, the downstream target gene of Notch. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the overexpression of Esco2 promotes the neuronal differentiation of P19 embryonic carcinoma cells and C17.2 neural progenitor cells and the knockdown of Esco2 by siRNA blocks the differentiation. The inhibitory effects of Notch protein on neuronal differentiation of P19 cells was suppressed by Esco2 overexpression. Taken together, our study suggests that Esco2 may play an important role in neurogenesis by attenuating Notch signaling to promote neuronal differentiation.

Regulation of Notch1 signaling by the APP intracellular domain facilitates degradation of the Notch1 intracellular domain and RBP-Jk

The Notch1 receptor is a crucial controller of cell fate decisions, and is also a key regulator of cell growth and differentiation in a variety of contexts. In this study, we have demonstrated that the APP intracellular domain (AICD) attenuates Notch1 signaling by accelerated degradation of the Notch1 intracellular domain (Notch1-IC) and RBP-Jk, through different degradation pathways. AICD suppresses Notch1 transcriptional activity by the dissociation of the Notch1-IC-RBP-Jk complex after processing by γ-secretase. Notch1-IC is capable of forming a trimeric complex with Fbw7 and AICD, and AICD enhances the protein degradation of Notch1-IC through an Fbw7-dependent proteasomal pathway. AICD downregulates the levels of RBP-Jk protein through the lysosomal pathway. AICD-mediated degradation is involved in the preferential degradation of non-phosphorylated RBP-Jk. Collectively, our results demonstrate that AICD functions as a negative regulator in Notch1 signaling through the promotion of Notch1-IC and RBP-Jk protein degradation.

Acetylation-dependent regulation of endothelial Notch signalling by the SIRT1 deacetylase

Notch signalling is a key intercellular communication mechanism that is essential for cell specification and tissue patterning, and which coordinates critical steps of blood vessel growth. Although subtle alterations in Notch activity suffice to elicit profound differences in endothelial behaviour and blood vessel formation, little is known about the regulation and adaptation of endothelial Notch responses. Here we report that the NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase SIRT1 acts as an intrinsic negative modulator of Notch signalling in endothelial cells. We show that acetylation of the Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD) on conserved lysines controls the amplitude and duration of Notch responses by altering NICD protein turnover. SIRT1 associates with NICD and functions as a NICD deacetylase, which opposes the acetylation-induced NICD stabilization. Consequently, endothelial cells lacking SIRT1 activity are sensitized to Notch signalling, resulting in impaired growth, sprout elongation and enhanced Notch target gene expression in response to DLL4 stimulation, thereby promoting a non-sprouting, stalk-cell-like phenotype. In vivo, inactivation of Sirt1 in zebrafish and mice causes reduced vascular branching and density as a consequence of enhanced Notch signalling. Our findings identify reversible acetylation of the NICD as a molecular mechanism to adapt the dynamics of Notch signalling, and indicate that SIRT1 acts as rheostat to fine-tune endothelial Notch responses.

MYST-family histone acetyltransferases: beyond chromatin

Covalently modifying a protein has proven to be a powerful mechanism of functional regulation. N-epsilon acetylation of lysine residues was initially discovered on histones and has been studied extensively in the context of chromatin and DNA metabolism, such as transcription, replication and repair. However, recent research shows that acetylation is more widespread than initially thought and that it regulates various nuclear as well as cytoplasmic and mitochondrial processes. In this review, we present the multitude of non-histone proteins targeted by lysine acetyltransferases of the large and conserved MYST family, and known functional consequences of this acetylation. Substrates of MYST enzymes include factors involved in transcription, heterochromatin formation and cell cycle, DNA repair proteins, gluconeogenesis enzymes and finally subunits of MYST protein complexes themselves. Discovering novel substrates of MYST proteins is pivotal for the understanding of the diverse functions of these essential acetyltransferases in nuclear processes, signaling, stress response and metabolism.

Inhibition of Notch1 signaling by Runx2 during osteoblast differentiation

Notch1 genes encode receptors for a signaling pathway that regulates cell growth and differentiation in various contexts, but the role of Notch1 signaling in osteogenesis is not well defined. Notch1 controls osteoblast differentiation by affecting Runx2, but the question arises whether normal osteoblastic differentiation can occur regardless of the presence of Notch1. In this study, we observed the downregulation of Notch1 signaling during osteoblastic differentiation. BMPR-IB/Alk6-induced Runx2 proteins reduced Notch1 activity to a marked degree. Accumulated Runx2 suppressed Notch1 transcriptional activity by dissociating the Notch1-IC-RBP-Jk complex. Using deletion mutants, we also determined that the N-terminal domain of Runx2 was crucial to the binding and inhibition of the N-terminus of the Notch1 intracellular domain. Notably, upregulation of the Runx2 protein level paralleled reduced expression of Hes1, which is a downstream target of Notch1, during osteoblast differentiation. Collectively, our data suggest that Runx2 is an inhibitor of the Notch1 signaling pathway during normal osteoblast differentiation.

Serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) controls Notch1 signaling by downregulation of protein stability through Fbw7 ubiquitin ligase

Notch is a transmembrane protein that acts as a transcriptional factor in the Notch signaling pathway for cell survival, cell death and cell differentiation. Notch1 and Fbw7 mutations both lead the activation of the Notch1 pathway and are found in the majority of patients with the leukemia T-ALL. However, little is known about the mechanisms and regulators that are responsible for attenuating the Notch signaling pathway through Fbw7. Here, we report that the serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible protein kinase SGK1 remarkably reduced the protein stability of the active form of Notch1 through Fbw7. The protein level and transcriptional activity of the Notch1 intracellular domain (Notch1-IC) were higher in SGK1-deficient cells than in SGK1 wild-type cells. Notch1-IC was able to form a trimeric complex with Fbw7 and SGK1, thereby SGK1 enhanced the protein degradation of Notch1-IC via a Fbw7-dependent proteasomal pathway. Furthermore, activated SGK1 phosphorylated Fbw7 at serine 227, an effect inducing Notch1-IC protein degradation and ubiquitylation. Moreover, accumulated dexamethasone-induced SGK1 facilitated the degradation of Notch1-IC through phosphorylation of Fbw7. Together our results suggest that SGK1 inhibits the Notch1 signaling pathway via phosphorylation of Fbw7.

Involvement of TIP60 acetyltransferase in intracellular Salmonella replication

BACKGROUND

Salmonella enterica is a facultative intracellular pathogen that replicates within a membrane-bound compartment termed Salmonella containing vacuole (SCV). The biogenesis of SCV requires Salmonella type III protein secretion/translocation system and their effector proteins which are translocated into host cells to exploit the vesicle trafficking pathways. SseF is one of these effectors required for SCV formation and Intracellular Salmonella replication through unknown mechanisms.

RESULTS

In an attempt to identify host proteins that interact with SseF, we conduct a yeast two-hybrid screening of human cell cDNA library using SseF as the bait. We identified that TIP60, an acetyltransferase, interacts with SseF. We showed that the TIP60 acetylation activity was increased in the presence of SseF, and TIP60 was upregulated upon Salmonella infection. In addition, TIP60 is required for efficient intracellular Salmonella replication in macrophages.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our data suggest that Salmonella may use SseF to exploit the host TIP60 acetyltransferase activity to promote efficient Salmonella replication inside host cells.

JIP1 binding to RBP-Jk mediates cross-talk between the Notch1 and JIP1-JNK signaling pathway

Notch1 signaling has a critical function in maintaining a balance among cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Our earlier work showed that the Notch1 intracellular domain interferes with the scaffolding function of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-interacting protein-1 (JIP1), yet the effect of JIP1 for Notch1-recombining binding protein suppressor of hairless (RBP-Jk) signaling remains unknown. Here, we show that JIP1 suppresses Notch1 activity. JIP1 was found to physically associate with either intracellular domain of Notch1 or RBP-Jk and interfere with the interaction between them. Furthermore, we ascertained that JIP1 caused the cytoplasmic retention of RBP-Jk through an interaction between the C-terminal region of JIP1 including Src homology 3 domain and the proline-rich domain of RBP-Jk. We also found that RBP-Jk inhibits JIP1-mediated activation of the JNK1 signaling cascade and cell death. Our results suggest that direct protein-protein interactions coordinate cross-talk between the Notch1-RBP-Jk and JIP1-JNK pathways.

Notch targets and their regulation

The proteolytic cleavages elicited by activation of the Notch receptor release an intracellular fragment, Notch intracellular domain, which enters the nucleus to activate the transcription of targets. Changes in transcription are therefore a major output of this pathway. However, the Notch outputs clearly differ from cell type to cell type. In this review we discuss current understanding of Notch targets, the mechanisms involved in their transcriptional regulation, and what might underlie the activation of different sets of targets in different cell types.

Co-localization of the amyloid precursor protein and Notch intracellular domains in nuclear transcription factories

The beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) plays a major role in Alzheimer's disease. The APP intracellular domain (AICD), together with Fe65 and Tip60, localizes to spherical nuclear AFT complexes, which may represent sites of transcription. Despite a lack of co-localization with several described nuclear compartments, we have identified a close apposition between AFT complexes and splicing speckles, Cajal bodies and PML bodies. Live imaging revealed that AFT complexes were highly mobile within nuclei and following pharmacological inhibition of transcription fused into larger assemblies. We have previously shown that AICD regulates the expression of its own precursor APP. In support of our earlier findings, transfection of APP promoter plasmids as substrates resulted in cytosolic AFT complex formation at labeled APP promoter plasmids. In addition, identification of chromosomal APP or KAI1 gene loci by fluorescence in situ hybridization showed their close association with nuclear AFT complexes. The transcriptional activator Notch intracellular domain (NICD) localized to the same nuclear spots as occupied by AFT complexes suggesting that these nuclear compartments correspond to transcription factories. Fe65 and Tip60 also co-localized with APP in the neurites of primary neurons. Pre-assembled AFT complexes may serve to assist fast nuclear signaling upon endoproteolytic APP cleavage.

Widespread regulation of gene expression in the Drosophila genome by the histone acetyltransferase dTip60

The MYST histone acetyltransferase (HAT) dTip60 is part of a multimeric protein complex that unites both HAT and chromatin remodeling activities. Here, we sought to gain insight into the biological functions of dTip60. Strong ubiquitous dTip60 knock-down in flies was lethal, whereas knock-down in the wing imaginal disk led to developmental defects in the wing. dTip60 localized to the nucleus in early embryos and was present in a large number of interbands on polytene chromosomes. Genome-wide expression analysis upon depletion of dTip60 in cell culture showed that it regulated a large number of genes in Drosophila, among which those with chromatin-related functions were highly enriched. Surprisingly, a significant portion of these genes were upregulated upon dTip60 loss, indicating that dTip60 has repressive as well as activating functions. dTip60 protein was directly located at promoter regions of a subset of repressed genes, suggesting a direct role in gene repression. Comparison of the gene expression signature of dTip60 downregulation with that of histone deacetylase inhibition with trichostatin A revealed a significant correlation, suggesting that the dTip60 complex recruits an HDAC-containing complex to regulate gene expression in the Drosophila genome.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe histone acetyltransferase Mst1 (KAT5) is an essential protein required for damage response and chromosome segregation

Schizosaccharomyces pombe Mst1 is a member of the MYST family of histone acetyltransferases and is the likely ortholog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Esa1 and human Tip60 (KAT5). We have isolated a temperature-sensitive allele of this essential gene. mst1 cells show a pleiotropic phenotype at the restrictive temperature. They are sensitive to a variety of DNA-damaging agents and to the spindle poison thiabendazole. mst1 has an increased frequency of Rad22 repair foci, suggesting endogenous damage. Two-hybrid results show that Mst1 interacts with a number of proteins involved in chromosome integrity and centromere function, including the methyltransferase Skb1, the recombination mediator Rad22 (Sc Rad52), the chromatin assembly factor Hip1 (Sc Hir1), and the Msc1 protein related to a family of histone demethylases. mst1 mutant sensitivity to hydroxyurea suggests a defect in recovery following HU arrest. We conclude that Mst1 plays essential roles in maintenance of genome stability and recovery from DNA damage.