RNF8/RNF168信号通路在DNA损伤修复中的作用

细胞内DNA会受部分外界因素(如紫外辐射,电离辐射和化学毒素)和内部因素(如复制错误)的影响而发生损伤,包括DNA双链断裂、DNA错配和DNA交链等。DNA损伤发生后,损伤部位会被一些蛋白识别,进而招募一系列蛋白至损伤部位,形成一个修复系统。DNA双链断裂是最严重的一种DNA损伤,错误修复往往导致疾病的发生。DNA双链断裂(double strand break, DSB)后,细胞启动RNF8/RNF168信号通路进行修复。RNF8和RNF168是这条通路的枢纽蛋白;53BP和BRCA1是关键的效应蛋白,决定着DSB修复的方式;组蛋白泛素化、磷酸化和甲基化等翻译后修饰是这条通路顺利进行的基本条件;染色质重塑、泛素化酶/去泛素化酶平衡和蛋白稳定性是这条通路的主要调节方式。本综述对RNF8/RNF168信号通路进行了梳理总结,希望其能对相关研究者起到参考作用。     

E3连接酶RNF148泛素化降解TSPAN15

真核生物蛋白的泛素化是细胞维持对某些受组成型调节和环境刺激产生的蛋白质水平的基本调节方式,泛素-蛋白酶体途径对蛋白质降解、运输和免疫反应过程的控制等细胞功能起着非常重要的作用．本研究揭示了一个功能未知、具有RING结构特征的Ⅰ型穿膜蛋白RNF148的泛素化降解功能．通过流式筛选、免疫共沉淀、浓度梯度依赖降解实验及泛素化检测等实验证明：RNF148与四跨膜区蛋白(tetraspanin)家族的一个成员TSPAN15有相互作用,即RNF148可以泛素化并降解TSPAN15．RNF148的RING结构被突变后,TSPAN15的泛素化被严重影响;而TSPAN15的N端胞浆段的21位赖氨酸和C端278位赖氨酸被突变为精氨酸后,RNF148对其泛素化的程度也降低．TSPAN15经由RNF148泛素化后会连接 K29位或K63位多泛素链,进而导致TSPAN15的转位或降解．本研究证明RNF148作为泛素连接酶可以泛素化降解TSPAN15．     

家犬RNF141基因的电子克隆和初步分析

利用序列比对、拼接和软件预测等生物信息学方法成功克隆了家犬RNF141基因,其eDNA序列全长1450bp,含有一个编码231个氨基酸的完整开放阅读框。起始密码子侧翼序列符合Kozak规则。与人的RNF141基因进行比对,核酸序列同源性为90％,编码氨基酸序列相似性达96％。     

RNF122诱导细胞凋亡功能依赖于其RING结构域

人类功能基因RNF122能够明显抑制细胞生长,导致细胞凋亡.RNF122含有RING-H2结构域.为了研究RNF122的RING结构域和凋亡的相互关系,构建了RING结构域突变体.MTT和凋亡实验发现,RNF122与细胞存活的密切关系依赖于其RING结构域.进一步的实验提示,RNF122能够负向调节ERK通路,而RING结构域突变型RNF122则能够增强ERK的磷酸化,提示RNF122可能通过ERK通路调节细胞的存活.总之,RING结构域对于RNF122发挥功能起至关重要的作用.     

转染RNF6基因对肝癌细胞IRS-2表达的影响

构建环指蛋白6(RNF6)真核表达载体,并探讨其对胰岛素受体底物1(IRS-2)表达的影响。以人cDNA为模板,PCR扩增RNF6全长编码基因,并将其克隆至载体pcDNA3.1-CHA中,将重组质粒转染肝癌细胞株HepG2,利用Real time-PCR、Western blot检测细胞内IRS-2 mRNA水平及蛋白表达情况。携带RNF6目的基因的质粒转染HepG2细胞48 h后IRS-2的mRNA表达降低,为对照组的37%,显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。RNF6引起IRS-2的表达下调,这一过程可能由于泛素化导致胰岛素信号转导通路障碍。     

一个新的RNF6剪切子spg2的克隆和鉴定

环指蛋白是一类含有环指基序的锌指蛋白,它们主要作为毋泛素连接酶,与成泛素结合酶相结合,促进靶蛋白的降解．应用cDNAarray技术,通过对成人和胚胎睾丸进行基因表达谱分析,获得一在成人睾丸中高表达,胚胎睾丸中低表达的环指结构基因RNF6的不同剪切子spg2．它的全长cDNA的可读框为2055个碱基,编码685个氨基酸残基,其羧基端含有一环指结构．NCBIBLAST显示该基因定位于人13号染色体,含有5个外显子．多组织mRNA表达水平研究显示,它在成人睾丸中高表达,胚胎睾丸中低表达．本研究推测spg2可能通过它的环指结构参与人类睾丸的发育．     

RNF149通过泛素化介导的CD9降解调控细胞增殖

选取功能未知的泛素连接酶RNF149作为研究对象．该分子同GRAIL(gene related to anergy in lymphocytes)具有较高的同源性,属于Ⅰ型跨膜蛋白．激光共聚焦显微镜的观察结果显示,RNF149是一个定位在溶酶体上的蛋白质,它与CD9在细胞内有共定位．免疫共沉淀实验证明RNF149与CD9有相互作用．RNF149通过泛素分子的第48位赖氨酸多泛素化CD9．在HeLa细胞中转染数量一定的CD9质粒和数量梯度增加的RNF149质粒24 h后,蛋白质印迹检测外源RNF149和CD9的表达,结果表明,随外源RNF149表达量梯度增高,外源CD9的表达量梯度降低．在HEK293T细胞内以shRNA敲低内源的RNF149,并检测内源CD9的变化,发现RNF149被敲低后内源CD9的量增多．上述结果提示,CD9很有可能是RNF149的底物,被RNF149通过泛素化降解．此外,RNF149被敲低的HEK293T细胞增殖受到抑制,这可能与其内源CD9的量增多有关,提示RNF149可能是一种细胞增殖的调控因子．     

Inhibiting the inhibitor: the role of RNF12 in TGF-β superfamily signaling

In this issue of Molecular Cell, Zhang et al. (2012) identify the E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF12 as a new component of the TGF-β superfamily signaling pathways, which functions by targeting the negative regulator Smad7 for proteasomal degradation and thus potentiates pathway activity.     

多巴胺通过促进RNF20降解抑制神经细胞中组蛋白H2B泛素化

表观遗传修饰参与了药物成瘾的形成过程,而在药物成瘾过程中组蛋白泛素化水平的变化仍未可知。药物成瘾过程中常表现为多巴胺(dopamine, DA)表达量的升高,因此本研究欲探讨多巴胺升高对神经细胞组蛋白泛素化的影响及其机制。Western印迹结果显示,在终浓度0.8 mmol/L的多巴胺作用8 h后,人神经母细胞瘤细胞系SH-SY5Y细胞中环指蛋白20(ring finger protein 20, RNF20)表达量降低(0.29±0.032 vs. 1.0±0.025,P<0.0001),泛素化组蛋白H2B(H2Bub1)表达量下降(0.28±0.032 vs. 1.0±0.017,P<0.0001)。但是RT-PCR结果显示,多巴胺处理SH-SY5Y细胞后,RNF20在mRNA水平的表达无明显变化。在SH-SY5Y细胞中沉默RNF20的表达,H2Bub1在蛋白质水平的表达明显降低(0.20±0.069 vs. 1.0±0.060,P=0.001)。在加入多巴胺的基础上,分别加入蛋白酶体抑制剂MG132、自噬体形成抑制剂3-MA以及空泡型H^+-ATP酶特异性抑制剂Baf-A1等药物来检测RNF20的降解途径,结果发现,加入MG132、3-MA以及Baf-A1后,RNF20表达量均比DA处理组显著上升(1.51±0.095,P=0.0003; 0.89±0.075,P=0.0021; 2.74±0.099,P<0.0001;vs. 0.27±0.044)。上述结果表明,在SH-SY5Y细胞中,RNF20对H2Bub1具有调控作用,多巴胺可通过泛素化及自噬两种途径促进RNF20降解,从而抑制组蛋白H2B泛素化。     

The E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF121 is a positive regulator of NF-κB activation

Background

The nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) family members regulate several biological processes as cell proliferation and differentiation, inflammation, immunity and tumor progression. Ubiquitination plays a key role in NF-κB activation and the ubiquitylated transmitters of the NF-κB signaling cascade accumulate in close proximity to endomembranes.

Findings

We performed an unbiased siRNA library screen targeting the 46 E3 ubiquitin ligases bearing transmembrane domains to uncover new modulators of NF-κB activation, using tumor necrosis factor–α (TNF-α) receptor (TNFR) stimulation as a model. We report here the identification of a new Golgi Apparatus-resident protein, RNF121, as an enhancer of NF-κB promoter activity through the catalytic function of its RING domain. From a molecular standpoint, while knocking down RNF121 did not alter RIP1 ubiquitination and IKK activation, the proteasomal degradation of IκBα was impaired suggesting that this E3 ubiquitin ligase regulates this process. However, RNF121 did not directly ubiquitinate IκBα While they were found in the same complex. Finally, we discovered that RNF121 acts as a broad regulator of NF-κB signaling since its silencing also dampens NF-κB activation following stimulation of Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs), Nod-Like Receptors (NLRs), RIG-I-Like Receptors (RLRs) or after DNA damages.

Conclusions

These results unveil an unexpected role of Golgi Apparatus and reveal RNF121 as a new player involved in the signaling leading to NF-κB activation.

     

RNF13通过IRE1/XBP-1 通路调控内质网应激介导的细胞凋亡

目的:在研究内质网应激介导的细胞凋亡过程中,我们发现Ring finger protein13(RNF13)具有促进细胞凋亡的功能。我们拟研究沉默RNF13后细胞对Tunicamycin等引起的细胞凋亡的影响,以及RNF13对活性形式的caspase3,XBP1(X-box binding protein 1)的剪切以及IRE1(Endoplasmic reticulum to nucleus signaling 1)磷酸化的影响以有助于了解RNF13促进细胞凋亡的信号通路的研究。方法:基因沉默RNF13,利用MTT方法研究RNF13沉默后对细胞增殖的影响,RNF13基因沉默后对XBP1剪切的影响,免疫印迹观察RNF13对IRE1磷酸化的影响。结果:RNF13基因沉默效率在80%以上。RNF13基因沉默后明显抑制细胞凋亡;敲低RNF13的细胞可抵抗衣霉素以及毒胡萝卜素的诱导的细胞凋亡。Caspase-3是细胞凋亡的关键蛋白。敲低RNF13后caspase-3的活性形式明显降低(降低70%,P0.001)。在加入衣霉素引起内质网应激的情况下,敲除RNF13的细胞XBP1的切割活性明显降低。敲除RNF13的细胞中IREl的磷酸化明显降低(降低90%,P0.001)。结论:RNF13通过IRE1-XBP1信号通路调节细胞凋亡。     

慢病毒介导的低表达RNF20肝癌稳转细胞系的构建及其生物学功能分析

该文探讨了环指蛋白(RNF20)缺陷对肝细胞肝癌的细胞增殖和迁移的影响,及其可能的作用机制。针对RNF20基因设计3组短发夹RNA序列(RNF20-shRNA1、RNF20-shRNA2和RNF20-shRNA3),通过构建pLent-U6-GFP-Puro-shRNF20慢病毒载体,包装慢病毒后感染人肝癌细胞SMMC-7721和Huh7,经嘌呤霉素抗性筛选建立RNF20敲低的肝细胞肝癌稳转细胞系。同时,设感染对照慢病毒pLV-shCtrl-EGFP的对照组(shCtrl-7721/shCtrl-Huh7)。实时荧光定量PCR检测RNF20 mRNA表达,荧光显微镜观察其绿色荧光蛋白表达,免疫荧光染色法和蛋白免疫印迹法检测RNF20、T-Akt及p-Akt蛋白的表达情况,BrdU掺入实验及CCK-8法检测各组细胞增殖能力,划痕实验检测各组细胞迁移能力,转录组测序分析基因转录水平。结果显示,RNF20-shRNA2对应肝癌细胞中的RNF20 mRNA表达最低,稳转细胞感染效率均高于85%,RNF20缺陷的SMMC-7721和Huh7较对照组细胞内RNF20、Wee1、p27、p53基因转录水平及RNF20蛋白表达水平明显降低,增殖与迁移能力明显增加,且p-Akt蛋白表达上调。Akt抑制剂派立福新处理的RNF20缺陷的肝癌细胞较未处理组增殖与迁移能力降低。实验结果提示,RNF20下调后促进肝癌细胞体外增殖与迁移,且其可能通过Akt通路进行调节。     

The Ubiquitin Ligase RNF220 Enhances Canonical Wnt Signaling through USP7-Mediated Deubiquitination of β-Catenin

Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays critical roles in embryonic development and disease. Here, we identify RNF220, a RING domain E3 ubiquitin ligase, as a new regulator of β-catenin. RNF220 physically interacts with β-catenin, but instead of promoting its ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, it stabilizes β-catenin and promotes canonical Wnt signaling. Our analysis showed that RNF220 interacts with USP7, a ubiquitin-specific peptidase, which is required for RNF220 to stabilize β-catenin. The RNF220/USP7 complex deubiquitinates β-catenin and enhances canonical Wnt signaling. Interestingly, the stability of RNF220 itself is negatively regulated by Gsk3β, which is a key component of the β-catenin destruction complex and is inhibited upon Wnt stimulation. Accordingly, the RNF220/USP7 complex works as a positive feedback regulator of β-catenin signaling. In colon cancer cells with stimulated Wnt signaling, knockdown of RNF220 or USP7 impairs Wnt signaling and expression of Wnt target genes, suggesting a potentially novel role of RNF220 in Wnt-related tumorigenesis.     

The role and mechanism of action of RNF186 in colorectal cancer through negative regulation of NF-κB

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant gastrointestinal cancers worldwide. RING finger protein 186 (RNF186) is a member of the RING finger protein family. RNF186 has been reported to be involved in the regulation of the intestinal homeostasis through the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in colonic epithelial cells. However, its role in CRC remains unclear. In this study, we found that colorectal tumours from human patients had decreased levels of RNF186. We demonstrated that overexpression of RNF186 suppressed the growth and migration of CRC-derived cell lines in vitro and inhibited tumour proliferation in vivo. Further, our findings indicated that forced expression of RNF186 inhibited nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation by reducing the phosphorylation of NF-κB. In addition, our results showed that RNF186^−/− mice exhibited significantly increased tumour burden compared to the wild type (WT) mice following treatment with azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS). Compared to WT mice, the percentage of Ki67 positive cells was increased in the RNF186^−/− mice, indicating that RNF186 is crucial for intestinal cell proliferation during tumorigenesis. Taken together, our data suggest that RNF186 inhibits the development of CRC, and that this effect is mediated through the suppression of NF-κB activity.     

Ubiquitin ligase RNF123 Mediates Degradation of Heterochromatin Protein 1α and β in Lamin A/C Knock-Down Cells

Background

The nuclear lamina is a key determinant of nuclear architecture, integrity and functionality in metazoan nuclei. Mutations in the human lamin A gene lead to highly debilitating genetic diseases termed as laminopathies. Expression of lamin A mutations or reduction in levels of endogenous A-type lamins leads to nuclear defects such as abnormal nuclear morphology and disorganization of heterochromatin. This is accompanied by increased proteasomal degradation of certain nuclear proteins such as emerin, nesprin-1α, retinoblastoma protein and heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1). However, the pathways of proteasomal degradation have not been well characterized.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To investigate the mechanisms underlying the degradation of HP1 proteins upon lamin misexpression, we analyzed the effects of shRNA-mediated knock-down of lamins A and C in HeLa cells. Cells with reduced levels of expression of lamins A and C exhibited proteasomal degradation of HP1α and HP1β but not HP1γ. Since specific ubiquitin ligases are upregulated in lamin A/C knock-down cells, further studies were carried out with one of these ligases, RNF123, which has a putative HP1-binding motif. Ectopic expression of GFP-tagged RNF123 directly resulted in degradation of HP1α and HP1β. Mutational analysis showed that the canonical HP1-binding pentapeptide motif PXVXL in the N-terminus of RNF123 was required for binding to HP1 proteins and targeting them for degradation. The role of endogenous RNF123 in the degradation of HP1 isoforms was confirmed by RNF123 RNAi experiments. Furthermore, FRAP analysis suggested that HP1β was displaced from chromatin in laminopathic cells.

Conclusions/Significance

Our data support a role for RNF123 ubiquitin ligase in the degradation of HP1α and HP1β upon lamin A/C knock-down. Hence lamin misexpression can cause degradation of mislocalized proteins involved in key nuclear processes by induction of specific components of the ubiquitin-proteasome system.