HIV-1 Vpr Loads Uracil DNA Glycosylase-2 onto DCAF1, a Substrate Recognition Subunit of a Cullin 4A-RING E3 Ubiquitin Ligase for Proteasome-dependent Degradation

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) accessory protein, Vpr, interacts with several host cellular proteins including uracil DNA glycosylase-2 (UNG2) and a cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase assembly (CRL4^DCAF1). The ligase is composed of cullin 4A (CUL4A), RING H2 finger protein (RBX1), DNA damage-binding protein 1 (DDB1), and a substrate recognition subunit, DDB1- and CUL4-associated factor 1 (DCAF1). Here we show that recombinant UNG2 specifically interacts with Vpr, but not with Vpx of simian immunodeficiency virus, forming a heterotrimeric complex with DCAF1 and Vpr in vitro as well as in vivo. Using reconstituted CRL4^DCAF1 and CRL4^DCAF1-Vpr E3 ubiquitin ligases in vitro reveals that UNG2 ubiquitination (ubiquitylation) is facilitated by Vpr. Co-expression of DCAF1 and Vpr causes down-regulation of UNG2 in a proteasome-dependent manner, with Vpr mutants that are defective in UNG2 or DCAF1 binding abrogating this effect. Taken together, our results show that the CRL4^DCAF1 E3 ubiquitin ligase can be subverted by Vpr to target UNG2 for degradation.     

NEDD8 Ultimate Buster-1 Long (NUB1L) Protein Promotes Transfer of NEDD8 to Proteasome for Degradation through the P97UFD1/NPL4 Complex

The NEDD8 protein and neddylation levels in cells are modulated by NUB1L or NUB1 through proteasomal degradation, but the underlying molecular mechanism is not well understood. Here, we report that NUB1L down-regulated the protein levels of NEDD8 and neddylation through specifically recognizing NEDD8 and P97/VCP. NUB1L directly interacted with NEDD8, but not with ubiquitin, on the key residue Asn-51 of NEDD8 and with P97/VCP on its positively charged VCP binding motif. In coordination with the P97-UFD1-NPL4 complex (P97^UFD1/NPL4), NUB1L promotes transfer of NEDD8 to proteasome for degradation. This mechanism is also exemplified by the canonical neddylation of cullin 1 for SCF (SKP1-cullin1-F-box) ubiquitin E3 ligases that is exquisitely regulated by the turnover of NEDD8.     

MSH3 mediates sensitization of colorectal cancer cells to cisplatin, oxaliplatin, and a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor

The MSH3 gene is one of the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes that has undergone somatic mutation frequently in MMR-deficient cancers. MSH3, together with MSH2, forms the MutSβ heteroduplex, which interacts with interstrand cross-links (ICLs) induced by drugs such as cisplatin and psoralen. However, the precise role of MSH3 in mediating the cytotoxic effects of ICL-inducing agents remains poorly understood. In this study, we first examined the effects of MSH3 deficiency on cytotoxicity caused by cisplatin and oxaliplatin, another ICL-inducing platinum drug. Using isogenic HCT116-derived clones in which MSH3 expression is controlled by shRNA expression in a Tet-off system, we discovered that MSH3 deficiency sensitized cells to both cisplatin and oxaliplatin at clinically relevant doses. Interestingly, siRNA-induced down-regulation of the MLH1 protein did not affect MSH3-dependent toxicity of these drugs, indicating that this process does not require participation of the canonical MMR pathway. Furthermore, MSH3-deficient cells maintained higher levels of phosphorylated histone H2AX and 53BP1 after oxaliplatin treatment in comparison with MSH3-proficient cells, suggesting that MSH3 plays an important role in repairing DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). This role of MSH3 was further supported by our findings that MSH3-deficient cells were sensitive to olaparib, a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor. Moreover, the combination of oxaliplatin and olaparib exhibited a synergistic effect compared with either treatment individually. Collectively, our results provide novel evidence that MSH3 deficiency contributes to the cytotoxicity of platinum drugs through deficient DSB repair. These data lay the foundation for the development of effective prediction and treatments for cancers with MSH3 deficiency.     

Augmentation of chemokine production by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 3a/X1 and 7a/X4 proteins through NF-kappaB activation

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is characterized by rapidly progressing respiratory failure resembling acute/adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with uncontrolled inflammatory responses. Here, we demonstrated that, among five accessory proteins of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) tested, 3a/X1 and 7a/X4 were capable of activating nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and significantly enhanced interleukin 8 (IL-8) promoter activity. Furthermore, 3a/X1 and 7a/X4 expression in A549 cells enhanced production of inflammatory chemokines that were known to be up-regulated in SARS-CoV infection. Our results suggest potential involvement of 3a/X1 and 7a/X4 proteins in the pathological inflammatory responses in SARS.     

Crotepoxide Chemosensitizes Tumor Cells through Inhibition of Expression of Proliferation,Invasion, and Angiogenic Proteins Linked to Proinflammatory Pathway

Crotepoxide (a substituted cyclohexane diepoxide), isolated from Kaempferia pulchra (peacock ginger), although linked to antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities, the mechanism by which it exhibits these activities, is not yet understood. Because nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) plays a critical role in these signaling pathways, we investigated the effects of crotepoxide on NF-κB-mediated cellular responses in human cancer cells. We found that crotepoxide potentiated tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and chemotherapeutic agents induced apoptosis and inhibited the expression of NF-κB-regulated gene products involved in anti-apoptosis (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, IAP1,² MCl-1, survivin, and TRAF1), apoptosis (Bax, Bid), inflammation (COX-2), proliferation (cyclin D1 and c-myc), invasion (ICAM-1 and MMP-9), and angiogenesis (VEGF). We also found that crotepoxide inhibited both inducible and constitutive NF-κB activation. Crotepoxide inhibition of NF-κB was not inducer-specific; it inhibited NF-κB activation induced by TNF, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, lipopolysaccharide, and cigarette smoke. Crotepoxide suppression of NF-κB was not cell type-specific because NF-κB activation was inhibited in myeloid, leukemia, and epithelial cells. Furthermore, we found that crotepoxide inhibited TAK1 activation, which led to suppression of IκBα kinase, abrogation of IκBα phosphorylation and degradation, nuclear translocation of p65, and suppression of NF-κB-dependent reporter gene expression. Overall, our results indicate that crotepoxide sensitizes tumor cells to cytokines and chemotherapeutic agents through inhibition of NF-κB and NF-κB-regulated gene products, and this may provide the molecular basis for crotepoxide ability to suppress inflammation and carcinogenesis.     

DJ-1 enhances cell survival through the binding of Cezanne, a negative regulator of NF-kappaB

Heightened DJ-1 (Park7) expression is associated with a reduction in chemotherapeutic-induced cell death and poor prognosis in several cancers, whereas the loss of DJ-1 function is found in a subgroup of Parkinson disease associated with neuronal death. This study describes a novel pathway by which DJ-1 modulates cell survival. Mass spectrometry shows that DJ-1 interacts with BBS1, CLCF1, MTREF, and Cezanne/OTUD7B/Za20d1. Among these, Cezanne is a known deubiquitination enzyme that inhibits NF-κB activity. DJ-1/Cezanne interaction is confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation of overexpressed and endogenous proteins, maps to the amino-terminal 70 residues of DJ-1, and leads to the inhibition of the deubiquitinating activity of Cezanne. Microarray profiling of shRNA-transduced cells shows that DJ-1 and Cezanne regulate IL-8 and ICAM-1 expression in opposing directions. Similarly, DJ-1 enhances NF-κB nuclear translocation and cell survival, whereas Cezanne reduces these outcomes. Analysis of mouse Park7(-/-) primary cells confirms the regulation of ICAM-1 by DJ-1 and Cezanne. As NF-κB is important in cellular survival and transformation, IL-8 functions as an angiogenic factor and pro-survival signal, and ICAM-1 has been implicated in tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis; these data provide an additional modality by which DJ-1 controls cell survival and possibly tumor progression via interaction with Cezanne.     

The X protein of hepatitis B virus inhibits apoptosis in hepatoma cells through enhancing the methionine adenosyltransferase 2A gene expression and reducing S-adenosylmethionine production

The X protein (HBx) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and methionine adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A) promotes the growth of liver cancer cells through altering S-adenosylmethionine homeostasis. Thus, we speculated that a link between HBx and MAT2A may contribute to HCC development. In this study, the effects of HBx on MAT2A expression and cell apoptosis were investigated, and the molecular mechanism by which HBx and MAT2A regulate tumorigenesis was evaluated. Results from immunohistochemistry analyses of 37 pairs of HBV-associated liver cancer tissues/corresponding peritumor tissues showed that HBx and MAT2A are highly expressed in most liver tumor tissues. Our in vitro results revealed that HBx activates MAT2A expression in a dose-dependent manner in hepatoma cells, and such regulation requires the cis-regulatory elements NF-κB and CREB on the MAT2A gene promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) further demonstrated that HBx facilitates the binding of NF-κB and CREB to MAT2A gene promoter. In addition, overexpression of HBx or MAT2A inhibits cell apoptosis, whereas knockdown of MAT2A expression stimulates apoptosis in hepatoma cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that HBx reduces MAT1A expression and AdoMet production but enhances MAT2β expression. Thus, we proposed that HBx activates MAT2A expression through NF-κB and CREB signaling pathways to reduce AdoMet production, inhibit hepatoma cell apoptosis, and perhaps enhance HCC development. These findings should provide new insights into our understanding how the molecular mechanisms underline the effects of HBV infection on the production of MAT2A and the development of HCC.