PRMT1 promotes the tumor suppressor function of p14ARF and is indicative for pancreatic cancer prognosis

The p14^ARF protein is a well‐known regulator of p53‐dependent and p53‐independent tumor‐suppressive activities. In unstressed cells, p14^ARF is predominantly sequestered in the nucleoli, bound to its nucleolar interaction partner NPM. Upon genotoxic stress, p14^ARF undergoes an immediate redistribution to the nucleo‐ and cytoplasm, where it promotes activation of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Here, we identify p14^ARF as a novel interaction partner and substrate of PRMT1 (protein arginine methyltransferase 1). PRMT1 methylates several arginine residues in the C‐terminal nuclear/nucleolar localization sequence (NLS/NoLS) of p14^ARF. In the absence of cellular stress, these arginines are crucial for nucleolar localization of p14^ARF. Genotoxic stress causes augmented interaction between PRMT1 and p14^ARF, accompanied by arginine methylation of p14^ARF. PRMT1‐dependent NLS/NoLS methylation promotes the release of p14^ARF from NPM and nucleolar sequestration, subsequently leading to p53‐independent apoptosis. This PRMT1‐p14^ARF cooperation is cancer‐relevant and indicative for PDAC (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma) prognosis and chemotherapy response of pancreatic tumor cells. Our data reveal that PRMT1‐mediated arginine methylation is an important trigger for p14^ARF’s stress‐induced tumor‐suppressive function.     

Curcumin homing to the nucleolus: mechanism for initiation of an apoptotic program

Curcumin is a plant-derived polyphenol that displays antitumor properties. Incubation of cultured SF-767 glioma cells with curcumin gave rise to intense intranuclear foci of curcumin fluorescence. In vitro studies revealed that nuclear homing by curcumin is not a result of DNA/chromatin binding. On the other hand, curcumin fluorescence colocalized with nucleophosmin, a nucleolus marker protein. To determine the temporal relationship between curcumin-induced apoptosis and nucleolar homing, confocal live cell imaging was performed. The data show that curcumin localization to the nucleolus occurs prior to cell surface exposure of phosphatidylserine. In studies of the mechanism of curcumin-induced apoptosis in SF-767 cells, its effect on the subcellular location of p14^ARF was determined. Whereas p14^ARF was confined to the nucleolus in untreated cells, 2 h following incubation with curcumin, it displayed a diffuse nuclear distribution. Given the role of nuclear p14^ARF in binding the E3 ubiquitin ligase, mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2), the effect of curcumin treatment on cellular levels of the tumor suppressor protein, p53, was examined. Between 2 and 4 h following curcumin treatment, p53 levels increased with maximum levels reached by 8 h. Thus, curcumin homing to the nucleolus induces redistribution of p14^ARF to the nucleoplasm where interaction with MDM2 leads to stabilization of p53, with subsequent initiation of apoptosis.     

ARF——一种新的抑癌因子的研究进展

INK4a/ARF基因位于人染色体9p21,是人类肿瘤中最常见的基因失活位点之一.INK4a/ARF基因有两套各自独立的启动子,通过可变阅读框,能够编码两种蛋白质：p16^INK4a和p14^ARF（ARF在鼠细胞中为p19^ARF）.p16作为CDK4/6的抑制因子,能够阻断pRb磷酸化,将细胞周期阻断在G1期;而ARF可结合原癌蛋白MDM2,稳定p53,将细胞周期阻断在G1期和G2/M转换期,或诱导细胞凋亡.因此ARF蛋白和p16一样也是一种肿瘤抑制因子.     

Nucleolar Disruption Ensures Nuclear Accumulation of p21 upon DNA Damage

p21^cip1 is a protein with a dual function in oncogenesis depending mainly on its intracellular localization: tumor suppressor in the nucleus and oncogenic in the cytoplasm. After DNA damage, p21^cip1 increases and accumulates in the nucleus to ensure cell cycle arrest. We show here that the nuclear accumulation of p21^cip1 is not only a consequence of its increased levels but to a DNA damage cellular response, which is ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR)/ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and p53 independent. Furthermore, after DNA damage, p21^cip1 not only accumulates in the nucleoplasm but also in the disrupted nucleolus. Inside the nucleolus, it is found in spherical structures, which are not a protrusion of the nucleoplasm. The steady‐state distribution of p21^cip1 in the nucleolus resulted from a highly dynamic equilibrium between nucleoplasmic and nucleolar p21^cip1 and correlated with the inhibition of p21^cip1 nuclear export. Most interestingly, inhibition of ribosomal export after expressing a dominant‐negative mutant of nucleophosmin induced p21^cip1 accumulation in the nucleus and the nucleolus in the absence of DNA damage. This proved the existence of a nucleolar export route to the cytoplasm for p21^cip1 in control conditions that would be inhibited upon DNA damage leading to nuclear and nucleolar accumulation of p21^cip1.     

p14ARF对人黑色素瘤细胞增殖的影响及其作用机理的初探

ARF(alternative reading frame)作为INK4a/ARF的β转录产物,能够稳定p53, 诱导细胞周期阻断或凋亡.利用高表达p14^ARF的人黑色素瘤细胞模型,探讨了ARF抑制细胞增殖的分子作用机理.研究发现p14^ARF高表达能将细胞周期阻断在G1和G2期, p53, p21^cip1和p27^kip1蛋白水平明显增强, 而p-ERK1/2,CyclinD1和CyclinE蛋白水平下降, 明显抑制细胞生长. 提示p14^ARF能通过ERK(extracellular signal-regulated kinase)信号通路相互协调作用抑制A375细胞增殖.     

Nucleolar localization and identification of nuclear/nucleolar localization signals of the calmodulin-binding protein nucleomorphin during growth and mitosis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dictyostelium</Emphasis>

The calmodulin-binding protein nucleomorphin isoform NumA1 is a nuclear number regulator in Dictyostelium that localizes to intra-nuclear patches adjacent to the nuclear envelope and to a lesser extent the nucleoplasm. Earlier studies have shown similar patches to be nucleoli but only three nucleolar proteins have been identified in Dictyostelium. Here, actinomycin-D treatment caused the loss of NumA1 localization, while calcium and calmodulin antagonists had no effect. In keeping with a nucleolar function, NumA1 moved out of the presumptive nucleoli during mitosis redistributing to areas within the nucleus, the spindle fibers, and centrosomal region before re-accumulating in the presumptive nucleoli at telophase. Together, these data verify NumA1 as a true nucleolar protein. Prior to this study, the dynamics of specific nucleolar proteins had not been determined during mitosis in Dictyostelium. FITC-conjugated peptides equivalent to presumptive nuclear localization signals within NumA1 localized to nucleoli indicating that they also act as nucleolar localization signals. To our knowledge, these represent the first precisely defined nucleolar localization signals as well as the first nuclear/nucleolar localization signals identified in Dictyostelium. Together, these results reveal that NumA1 is a true nucleolar protein and the only nucleolar calmodulin-binding protein identified in Dictyostelium. The possible use of nuclear/nucleolar localization signal-mediated drug targeting to nucleoli is discussed.     

Nuclear DNA helicase II (RNA helicase A) binds to an F-actin containing shell that surrounds the nucleolus

Nuclear DNA helicase II (NDH II), alternatively named RNA helicase A (RHA), is an F-actin binding protein that is particularly enriched in the nucleolus of mouse cells. Here, we show that the nucleolar localization of NDH II of murine 3T3 cells depended on an ongoing rRNA synthesis. NDH II migrated out of the nucleolus after administration of 0.05 microg/ml actinomycin D, while nucleolin and the upstream binding factor (UBF) remained there. In S phase-arrested mouse cells, NDH II was frequently found at the nucleolar periphery, where it was accompanied by newly synthesized nucleolar RNA. Human NDH II was mainly distributed through the whole nucleoplasm and not enriched in the nucleoli. However, in the human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7, NDH II was also found at the nucleolar periphery, together with the tumor suppressor protein p53. Both NDH II and p53 were apparently attached to the F-actin-based filamentous network that surrounded the nucleoli. Accordingly, this subnuclear structure was sensitive to F-actin depolymerizing agents. Depolymerization with gelsolin led to a striking accumulation of NDH II in the nucleoli of MCF-7 cells. This effect was abolished by RNase, which extensively released nucleolus-bound NDH II when added together with gelsolin. Taken together, these results support the idea that an actin-based filamentous network may anchor NDH II at the nucleolar periphery for pre-ribosomal RNA processing, ribosome assembly, and/or transport.     

Relative position of nucleolar chromatin and nucleolar components in ciliate <Emphasis Type="Italic">Didinium nasutum</Emphasis> somatic nuclei

According to our computer modeling data obtained earlier, nucleoli in interphase ciliates Didinium nasutum are complex netlike structures, in which the trabeculumor lamella-shaped fibrillar component is located on the periphery, and the granular component in the central part of the nucleolus. Chromatin bodies connected with nucleoli act as the nucleolar organizers in D. nasutum. In the present work, the arrangement of all chromatin bodies, which could correspond to nucleolar organizers by morphological criteria, is studied by means of a 3D-reconstruction. It is shown that all of these chromatin bodies are localized outside the nucleoli, on the fibrillar component’s periphery. Even those chromatin bodies which appeared to be completely surrounded by the fibrillar nucleolar component on single ultrathin sections are actually settled down in nucleolus cavities open to the nucleoplasm. This proves that the RNA processing in D. nasutum nucleoli is directed toward the center of nucleoli, where the granular component is located. The analysis of the nucleolar chromatin distribution made it possible to conclude that different parts of the complex interfase netlike nucleoli of D. nasutum have approximately the same activity.     

E2F and Ras Synergize in Transcriptionally Activating p14ARF Expression

The INK4a/ARF locus, which is frequently inactivated in human tumors, encodes two distinct tumor suppressive proteins, ARF and p16^INK4a. ARF stabilizes and activates p53 by negating the effects of mdm2 on p53. Furthermore, its function is not restricted to the p53 pathway and it also inhibits cell proliferation in cells lacking p53. Expression of ARF is up-regulated in response to a number of oncogenic stimuli including E2F1. We show here that while oncogenic Ras does not significantly affect p14^ARF expression in normal human cells it activates p14^ARF in cells containing deregulated E2F. Moreover, oncogenic Ras and E2F1 synergize in activating p14^ARF expression. Activation of p14^ARF promoter by E2F1 persists in the absence of the consensus E2F-binding sites in this promoter, indicating that this activation also occurs through non- canonical binding sites. The activation by oncogenic Ras requires both E2F and Sp-1 activity, demonstrating the complex regulation of p14^ARF in response to oncogenic stimuli.     

ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE NUCLEOLUS DURING THE CHINESE HAMSTER CELL CYCLE

Changes in the structure of the nucleolus during the cell cycle of the Chinese hamster cell in vitro were studied. Quantitative electron microscopic techniques were used to establish the size and volume changes in nucleolar structures. In mitosis, nucleolar remnants, "persistent nucleoli," consisting predominantly of ribosome-like granular material, and a granular coating on the chromosomes were observed. Persistent nucleoli were also observed in some daughter nuclei as they were leaving telophase and entering G₁. During very early G₁, a dense, fibrous material characteristic of interphase nucleoli was noted in the nucleoplasm of the cells. As the cells progressed through G₁, a granular component appeared which was intimately associated with the fibrous material. By the middle of G₁, complete, mature nucleoli were present. The nucleolar volume enlarged by a factor of two from the beginning of G₁ to the middle of S primarily due to the accumulation of the granular component. During the G₂ period, there was a dissolution or breakdown of the nucleolus prior to the entry of the cells into mitosis. Correlations between the quantitative aspects of this study and biochemical and cytochemical data available in the literature suggest the following: nucleolar reformation following division results from the activation of the nucleolar organizer regions which transcribe for RNA first appearing in association with protein as a fibrous component (45S RNA) and then later as a granular component (28S and 32S RNA).     

Nucleolar proteins identified in human cells as antigens by sera from dogs with autoimmune disorders

In the course of a systematic screening of sera from dogs suffering from autoimmune disorders, three sera were shown by indirect immunofluorescence to characteristically label the nucleoli and nucleoplasm of human cell lines (Hep-2 and HeLa). This pattern of staining persisted throughout the cell cycle, except for mitosis when the fluorescence was localized in extrachromosomal areas. By immunoblotting nuclear and subnuclear fractions, three polypeptides of 110,000, 95,000, and 45,000 Da apparent molecular weight were identified, which reacted with all three sera. By means of affinity purification, it was shown that an antibody specific for any one of the three proteins also reacts with the two others. This antigenic cross-reactivity suggested regions of structural homology shared by the three proteins. Indeed, treatment of nucleoli with high concentrations of DNase I containing residual proteolytic activity resulted in the disappearance of the 110- and 95-kDa proteins and the concomitant appearance of a doublet of 45-kDa proteins. Subnuclear localization studies indicated that all three polypeptides were located in both nucleoli and nucleoplasm. Significantly, the 110-kDa protein differs from the major nucleolar protein, nucleolin, by its electrophoretic mobility in two-dimensional gels, its location in nucleoli and in nucleoplasm, its absence in nucleolar organizer regions of chromosomes, and its differential solubility of DNase I. Therefore, the three antigenically related species reported in this study constitute a new class of nucleolar proteins.     

A novel proapoptotic gene PANO encodes a post-translational modulator of the tumor suppressor p14ARF

The protein p14ARF is a known tumor suppressor protein controlling cell proliferation and survival, which mainly localizes in nucleoli. However, the regulatory mechanisms that govern its activity or expression remain unclear. Here, we report that a novel proapoptotic nucleolar protein, PANO, modulates the expression and activity of p14ARF in HeLa cells. Overexpression of PANO enhances the stability of p14ARF protein by protecting it from degradation, resulting in an increase in p14ARF expression levels. Overexpression of PANO also induces apoptosis under low serum conditions. This effect is dependent on the nucleolar localization of PANO and inhibited by knocking-down p14ARF. Alternatively, PANO siRNA treated cells exhibit a reduction in p14ARF protein levels. In addition, ectopic expression of PANO suppresses the tumorigenicity of HeLa cells in nude mice. These results indicate that PANO is a new apoptosis-inducing gene by modulating the tumor suppressor protein, p14ARF, and may itself be a new candidate tumor suppressor gene.