Cytoplasmic ubiquitin ligase KPC regulates proteolysis of p27(Kip1) at G1 phase

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1) is degraded at the G0-G1 transition of the cell cycle by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Although the nuclear ubiquitin ligase (E3) SCF(Skp2) is implicated in p27(Kip1) degradation, proteolysis of p27(Kip1) at the G0-G1 transition proceeds normally in Skp2(-/-) cells. Moreover, p27(Kip1) is exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm at G0-G1 (refs 9-11). These data suggest the existence of a Skp2-independent pathway for the degradation of p27(Kip1) at G1 phase. We now describe a previously unidentified E3 complex: KPC (Kip1 ubiquitination-promoting complex), consisting of KPC1 and KPC2. KPC1 contains a RING-finger domain, and KPC2 contains a ubiquitin-like domain and two ubiquitin-associated domains. KPC interacts with and ubiquitinates p27(Kip1) and is localized to the cytoplasm. Overexpression of KPC promoted the degradation of p27(Kip1), whereas a dominant-negative mutant of KPC1 delayed p27(Kip1) degradation. The nuclear export of p27(Kip1) by CRM1 seems to be necessary for KPC-mediated proteolysis. Depletion of KPC1 by RNA interference also inhibited p27(Kip1) degradation. KPC thus probably controls degradation of p27(Kip1) in G1 phase after export of the latter from the nucleus.     

Estrogens down-regulate p27Kip1 in breast cancer cells through Skp2 and through nuclear export mediated by the ERK pathway

The cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p27Kip1 plays a key role in growth and development of the mammary epithelium and in breast cancer. p27Kip1 levels are regulated through ubiquitin/proteasome-mediated proteolysis, promoted by CDK2 and the F box protein Skp2 at the G1/S transition, and independent of Skp2 in mid-G1. We investigated the respective roles of Skp2 and subcellular localization of p27Kip1 in down-regulation of p27Kip1 induced in MCF-7 cells by estrogens. 17beta-Estradiol treatment increased Skp2 expression in MCF-7 cells; however, this increase was prevented by G1 blockade mediated by p16Ink4a or the CDK inhibitor roscovitine, whereas down-regulation of p27Kip1 was maintained. Exogenous Skp2 prevented growth arrest of MCF-7 cells by antiestrogen, coinciding with decreased p27Kip1 expression. Under conditions of G1 blockade, p27Kip1 was stabilized by inhibition of CRM1-dependent nuclear export with leptomycin B or by mutation of p27Kip1 (Ser10 --> Ala; S10A) interfering with CRM1/p27Kip1 interaction. Antisense Skp2 oligonucleotides and a dominant-interfering Cul-1(1-452) mutant prevented down-regulation of p27Kip1S10A, whereas Skp2 overexpression elicited its destruction in mitogen-deprived cells. Active mediators of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway including Raf-1caax induced cytoplasmic localization of p27Kip1 in antiestrogen-treated cells and prevented accumulation of p27Kip1 in these cells independent of Skp2 expression and coinciding with ERK activation. Genetic or chemical blockade of the ERK pathway prevented down-regulation and cytoplasmic localization of p27Kip1 in response to estrogen. Our studies indicate that estrogens elicit down-regulation of p27Kip1 in MCF-7 cells through Skp2-dependent and -independent mechanisms that depend upon subcellular localization of p27Kip1 and require the participation of mediators of the Ras/Raf-1/ERK signaling pathway.     

Role of serine 10 phosphorylation in p27 stabilization revealed by analysis of p27 knock-in mice harboring a serine 10 mutation

The inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase activity by p27 contributes to regulation of cell cycle progression. Serine 10 is the major phosphorylation site of p27, and its phosphorylation has been shown to affect the stability and nuclear export of p27 at the G0-G1 transition in transfected cultured cells. To investigate the physiological relevance of p27 phosphorylation on Ser10, we generated p27 "knock-in" mice that harbor an S10A mutation in this protein. Mice homozygous for the mutation (p27(S10A/S10A) mice) were normal in body size, but the abundance of p27 was decreased in many organs, including brain, thymus, spleen, and testis. The stability of p27 in G0 phase was markedly reduced in lymphocytes of p27(S10A/S10A) mice compared with that in wild-type cells, whereas p27 stability in S phase was similar in cells of the two genotypes. The degradation of p27 in cells of the mutant mice at G0 phase was prevented by a proteasome inhibitor. These data indicate that the physiological role of p27 phosphorylation on Ser10 is to stabilize the protein in G0 phase. Unexpectedly, the nuclear export of p27 at the G0-G1 transition occurred normally in p27(S10A/S10A) mouse embryonic fibroblasts, indicating that phosphorylation of Ser10 is dispensable for this process.     

Degradation of p27(Kip1) at the G(0)-G(1) transition mediated by a Skp2-independent ubiquitination pathway.

Targeting of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1) for proteolysis has been thought to be mediated by Skp2, the F-box protein component of an SCF ubiquitin ligase complex. Degradation of p27(Kip1) at the G(0)-G(1) transition of the cell cycle has now been shown to proceed normally in Skp2(-/-) lymphocytes, whereas p27(Kip1) proteolysis during S-G(2) phases is impaired in these Skp2-deficient cells. Degradation of p27(Kip1) at the G(0)-G(1) transition was blocked by lactacystin, a specific proteasome inhibitor, suggesting that it is mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The first cell cycle of stimulated Skp2(-/-) lymphocytes appeared normal, but the second cycle was markedly inhibited, presumably as a result of p27(Kip1) accumulation during S-G(2) phases of the first cell cycle. Polyubiquitination of p27(Kip1) in the nucleus is dependent on Skp2 and phosphorylation of p27(Kip1) on threonine 187. However, polyubiquitination activity was also detected in the cytoplasm of Skp2(-/-) cells, even with a threonine 187 --> alanine mutant of p27(Kip1) as substrate. These results suggest that a polyubiquitination activity in the cytoplasm contributes to the early phase of p27(Kip1) degradation in a Skp2-independent manner, thereby promoting cell cycle progression from G(0) to G(1).     

A growth factor-dependent nuclear kinase phosphorylates p27(Kip1) and regulates cell cycle progression

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p27(Kip1), which regulates cell cycle progression, is controlled by its subcellular localization and subsequent degradation. p27(Kip1) is phosphorylated on serine 10 (S10) and threonine 187 (T187). Although the role of T187 and its phosphorylation by Cdks is well-known, the kinase that phosphorylates S10 and its effect on cell proliferation has not been defined. Here, we identify the kinase responsible for S10 phosphorylation as human kinase interacting stathmin (hKIS) and show that it regulates cell cycle progression. hKIS is a nuclear protein that binds the C-terminal domain of p27(Kip1) and phosphorylates it on S10 in vitro and in vivo, promoting its nuclear export to the cytoplasm. hKIS is activated by mitogens during G(0)/G(1), and expression of hKIS overcomes growth arrest induced by p27(Kip1). Depletion of KIS using small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibits S10 phosphorylation and enhances growth arrest. p27(-/-) cells treated with KIS siRNA grow and progress to S/G(2 )similar to control treated cells, implicating p27(Kip1) as the critical target for KIS. Through phosphorylation of p27(Kip1) on S10, hKIS regulates cell cycle progression in response to mitogens.     

Phosphorylation of Skp2 regulated by CDK2 and Cdc14B protects it from degradation by APC(Cdh1) in G1 phase

The p27(Kip1) ubiquitin ligase receptor Skp2 is often overexpressed in human tumours and displays oncogenic properties. The activity of SCF(Skp2) is regulated by the APC(Cdh1), which targets Skp2 for degradation. Here we show that Skp2 phosphorylation on Ser64/Ser72 positively regulates its function in vivo. Phosphorylation of Ser64, and to a lesser extent Ser72, stabilizes Skp2 by interfering with its association with Cdh1, without affecting intrinsic ligase activity. Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)2-mediated phosphorylation of Skp2 on Ser64 allows its expression in mid-G1 phase, even in the presence of active APC(Cdh1). Reciprocally, dephosphorylation of Skp2 by the mitotic phosphatase Cdc14B at the M --> G1 transition promotes its degradation by APC(Cdh1). Importantly, lowering the levels of Cdc14B accelerates cell cycle progression from mitosis to S phase in an Skp2-dependent manner, demonstrating epistatic relationship of Cdc14B and Skp2 in the regulation of G1 length. Thus, our results reveal that reversible phosphorylation plays a key role in the timing of Skp2 expression in the cell cycle.     

Phosphorylation at serine 10, a major phosphorylation site of p27(Kip1), increases its protein stability

The association of the p27(Kip1) protein with cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinase complexes inhibits their kinase activities and contributes to the control of cell proliferation. The p27(Kip1) protein has now been shown to be phosphorylated in vivo, and this phosphorylation reduces the electrophoretic mobility of the protein. Substitution of Ser(10) with Ala (S10A) markedly reduced the extent of p27(Kip1) phosphorylation and prevented the shift in electrophoretic mobility. Phosphopeptide mapping and phosphoamino acid analysis revealed that phosphorylation at Ser(10) accounted for approximately 70% of the total phosphorylation of p27(Kip1), and the extent of phosphorylation at this site was approximately 25- and 75-fold greater than that at Ser(178) and Thr(187), respectively. The phosphorylation of p27(Kip1) was markedly reduced when the positions of Ser(10) and Pro(11) were reversed, suggesting that a proline-directed kinase is responsible for the phosphorylation of Ser(10). The extent of Ser(10) phosphorylation was markedly increased in cells in the G(0)-G(1) phase of the cell cycle compared with that apparent for cells in S or M phase. The p27(Kip1) protein phosphorylated at Ser(10) was significantly more stable than the unphosphorylated form. Furthermore, a mutant p27(Kip1) in which Ser(10) was replaced with glutamic acid in order to mimic the effect of Ser(10) phosphorylation exhibited a marked increase in stability both in vivo and in vitro compared with the wild-type or S10A mutant proteins. These results suggest that Ser(10) is the major site of phosphorylation of p27(Kip1) and that phosphorylation at this site, like that at Thr(187), contributes to regulation of p27(Kip1) stability.     

Phosphorylation of p27Kip1 at Thr-157 interferes with its association with importin alpha during G1 and prevents nuclear re-entry

We have studied mechanisms of Akt-mediated phosphorylation and regulation of cellular localization of p27. Akt phosphorylates Thr-157 in p27 and retains it in the cytosol. In cells arrested in G(1) and then synchronized to enter into S phase, Akt-mediated phosphorylation of Thr-157 p27 occurred in the cytosol during G(1) phase of the cell cycle. Both T157A and S10A p27 mutants localized in the nucleus in all phases of the cell cycle regardless of the expression of active Akt. Thr-157 phosphorylation was undetectable in S10A-p27, suggesting that Ser-10 phosphorylation is required for p27 localization in the cytosol and subsequent phosphorylation at Thr-157. Phosphorylation at Thr-157 interrupted the association of p27 with importin alpha. A T157A-p27 mutant protein exhibited higher association with importin alpha than wild-type-p27. Treatment of transfected and endogenous p27 with alkaline phosphatase rescued its association with importin alpha. Leptomycin B inhibited cytosolic Thr-157 P-p27 staining, implying that CRM1-dependent nuclear export is required for Akt-mediated Thr-157 phosphorylation. Heterokaryon shuttling assays with NIH3T3 (mouse) cells transfected with FLAG-p27 and HeLa (human) cells revealed that both wild type and T157A-p27 shuttled from NIH3T3 to HeLa cell nuclei with similar frequencies. However, S10A-p27 was found only in the NIH3T3 nuclei of NIH3T3-HeLa cell fusions. These results suggest that 1) Ser-10 phosphorylation is required for nuclear export of p27, 2) subsequent Akt-mediated phosphorylation at Thr-157 during G(1) phase corrals p27 in the cytosol, and 3) Thr-157 phosphorylation inhibits the association of p27 with importin alpha thus preventing its re-entry into the nucleus.     

CRM1/Ran-mediated nuclear export of p27(Kip1) involves a nuclear export signal and links p27 export and proteolysis

We show that p27 localization is cell cycle regulated and we suggest that active CRM1/RanGTP-mediated nuclear export of p27 may be linked to cytoplasmic p27 proteolysis in early G1. p27 is nuclear in G0 and early G1 and appears transiently in the cytoplasm at the G1/S transition. Association of p27 with the exportin CRM1 was minimal in G0 and increased markedly during G1-to-S phase progression. Proteasome inhibition in mid-G1 did not impair nuclear import of p27, but led to accumulation of p27 in the cytoplasm, suggesting that export precedes degradation for at least part of the cellular p27 pool. p27-CRM1 binding and nuclear export were inhibited by S10A mutation but not by T187A mutation. A putative nuclear export sequence in p27 is identified whose mutation reduced p27-CRM1 interaction, nuclear export, and p27 degradation. Leptomycin B (LMB) did not inhibit p27-CRM1 binding, nor did it prevent p27 export in vitro or in heterokaryon assays. Prebinding of CRM1 to the HIV-1 Rev nuclear export sequence did not inhibit p27-CRM1 interaction, suggesting that p27 binds CRM1 at a non-LMB-sensitive motif. LMB increased total cellular p27 and may do so indirectly, through effects on other p27 regulatory proteins. These data suggest a model in which p27 undergoes active, CRM1-dependent nuclear export and cytoplasmic degradation in early G1. This would permit the incremental activation of cyclin E-Cdk2 leading to cyclin E-Cdk2-mediated T187 phosphorylation and p27 proteolysis in late G1 and S phase.     

Ubiquitination of p27Kip1 requires physical interaction with cyclin E and probable phosphate recognition by SKP2

p27Kip1 is an essential cell cycle inhibitor of Cyclin-dependent kinases. Ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of p27Kip1 is an important mechanism for activation of Cyclin E-Cdk2 and facilitates G1/S transition. Ubiquitination of p27 is primarily catalyzed by a multisubunit E3 ubiquitin ligase, SCF(Skp2), and requires an adapter protein Cks1. In addition, phosphorylation of p27 at Thr187 by Cyclin E and Cdk2 is also essential for triggering substrate ubiquitination. Here we investigate the molecular mechanism of p27 ubiquitination. We show that Cyclin E-Cdk2 is essential for targeting the p27 substrate to SCF(Skp2). Direct physical contact between Cyclin E but not Cdk2 and p27 is required for p27 recruitment to SCF(Skp2). In a search for positively charged amino acid residues that may be involved in recognition of the Thr187 phosphate group, we found that Arg306 of Skp2 is required for association and ubiquitination of phosphorylated p27 but dispensable for ubiquitination of unphosphorylated p21. Thus, our data unravel the molecular organization of the ubiquitination complex that catalyzes p27 ubiquitination and provide unique insights into the specificity of substrate recognition by SCF(Skp2).     

Mutations of phosphorylation sites Ser10 and Thr187 of p27Kip1 abolish cytoplasmic redistribution but do not abrogate G0/1 phase arrest in the HepG2 cell line

The cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p27(Kip1) is an important regulator of cell cycle progression as it negatively regulates G(0/1) progression and plays a major role in controlling the cell cycle. The screening of the p27(Kip1) sequence identified many potential phosphorylation sites. Although Ser(10) and Thr(187) were shown to be important for p27(Kip1) function, the effects of a combined deletion of both sites on p27(Kip1) function are still unknown. To investigate the effects of the overexpression of exogenous p27(Kip1) protein lacking both the Ser(10) and Thr(187) sites on subcellular localization, cell cycle, and proliferation, a plasmid was constructed containing mutations of p27(Kip1) at Ser(10) and Thr(187) (S10A/T187A p27), and transfected into the HepG(2) cell line with Lipofectamine. Wild-type and mutant p27 plasmids S10A and T187A were transfected separately as control groups. As a result, the proliferation of HepG(2) cells was greatly inhibited and cell cycle was arrested in G(0/1) phase after exogenous p27(Kip1) double-mutant expression. All recombinant p27(Kip1) constructs were distributed in the nucleus after synchronization in G(0) phase by treatment with leptomycin B. The expressed wild-type and T187A p27(Kip1) proteins were translocated from the nucleus into cytoplasm when cells were exposed to 20% serum for 8 h, whereas the S10A p27(Kip1) and S10A/T187A p27(Kip1) proteins remained in the nucleus. FACS profiles and cell growth curves indicated that the Ser(10) and Thr(187) double mutant has no significant effect on the biological activities of cell cycle control and growth inhibition. Our results suggest that expression of the p27(Kip1) double-mutant abolishes its cytoplasmic redistribution but does not abrogate G(0/1) phase arrest in the HepG(2) cell line.     

p27(Kip1) ubiquitination and degradation is regulated by the SCF(Skp2) complex through phosphorylated Thr187 in p27.

Many tumorigenic processes affect cell-cycle progression by their effects on the levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1) [1,2]. The phosphorylation- and ubiquitination-dependent proteolysis of p27 is implicated in control of the G1-S transition in the cell cycle [3-6]. To determine the factors that control p27 stability, we established a cell-free extract assay that recapitulates the degradation of p27. Phosphorylation of p27 at Thr187 was essential for its degradation. Degradation was also dependent on SCF(Skp2), a protein complex implicated in targeting phosphorylated proteins for ubiquitination [7-10]. Immunodepletion of components of the complex - Cul-1, Skp1, or Skp2 - from the extract abolished p27 degradation, while addition of purified SCF(Skp2) to Skp2- depleted extract restored the capacity to degrade p27. A specific association was observed between Skp2 and a p27 carboxy-terminal peptide containing phosphorylated Thr187, but not between Skp2 and the non-phosphorylated peptide. Skp2-dependent associations between Skp1 or Cul-1 and the p27 phosphopeptide were also detected. Isolated SCF(Skp2) contained an E3 ubiquitin ligase activity towards p27. Our data thus suggest that SCF(Skp2) specifically targets p27 for degradation during cell-cycle progression.     

Cyclin D2 translocates p27 out of the nucleus and promotes its degradation at the G0-G1 transition

The nuclear export and cytoplasmic degradation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 are required for effective progression of the cell cycle through the G(0)-G(1) transition. The mechanism responsible for this translocation of p27 has remained unclear, however. We now show that cyclin D2 directly links growth signaling with the nuclear export of p27 at the G(0)-G(1) transition in some cell types. The up-regulation of cyclin D2 in response to mitogenic stimulation was found to occur earlier than that of other D-type cyclins and in parallel with down-regulation of p27 at the G(0)-G(1) transition. RNA interference-mediated depletion of cyclin D2 inhibited the nuclear export of p27 and delayed its degradation at the G(0)-G(1) transition. In contrast, overexpression of cyclin D2 in G(0) phase shifted the localization of p27 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and reduced the stability of p27. Overexpression of the cyclin D2(T280A) mutant, whose export from the nucleus is impaired, prevented the translocation and degradation of p27. These results indicate that cyclin D2 translocates p27 from the nucleus into the cytoplasm for its KPC-dependent degradation at the G(0)-G(1) transition.     

Structural basis of the Cks1-dependent recognition of p27(Kip1) by the SCF(Skp2) ubiquitin ligase

The ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of the Cdk2 inhibitor p27(Kip1) plays a central role in cell cycle progression, and enhanced degradation of p27(Kip1) is associated with many common cancers. Proteolysis of p27(Kip1) is triggered by Thr187 phosphorylation, which leads to the binding of the SCF(Skp2) (Skp1-Cul1-Rbx1-Skp2) ubiquitin ligase complex. Unlike other known SCF substrates, p27(Kip1) ubiquitination also requires the accessory protein Cks1. The crystal structure of the Skp1-Skp2-Cks1 complex bound to a p27(Kip1) phosphopeptide shows that Cks1 binds to the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain and C-terminal tail of Skp2, whereas p27(Kip1) binds to both Cks1 and Skp2. The phosphorylated Thr187 side chain of p27(Kip1) is recognized by a Cks1 phosphate binding site, whereas the side chain of an invariant Glu185 inserts into the interface between Skp2 and Cks1, interacting with both. The structure and biochemical data support the proposed model that Cdk2-cyclin A contributes to the recruitment of p27(Kip1) to the SCF(Skp2)-Cks1 complex.     

Triggering ubiquitination of a CDK inhibitor at origins of DNA replication

To ensure proper timing of the G1-S transition in the cell cycle, the cyclin E-Cdk2 complex, which is responsible for the initiation of DNA replication, is restrained by the p21(Cip1)/p27(Kip1)/p57(Kip2) family of CDK (cyclin-dependent kinase) inhibitors in humans and by the related p27(Xic1) protein in Xenopus. Activation of cyclin E-Cdk2 is linked to the ubiquitination of human p27(Kip1) or Xenopus p27(Xic1) by SCF (for Skp1-Cullin-F-box protein) ubiquitin ligases. For human p27(Kip1), ubiquitination requires direct phosphorylation by cyclin E-Cdk2. We show here that Xic1 ubiquitination does not require phosphorylation by cyclin E-Cdk2, but it does require nuclear accumulation of the Xic1-cyclin E-Cdk2 complex and recruitment of this complex to chromatin by the origin-recognition complex together with Cdc6 replication preinitiation factors; it also requires an activation step necessitating cyclin E-Cdk2-kinase and SCF ubiquitin-ligase activity, and additional factors associated with mini-chromosome maintenance proteins, including the inactivation of geminin. Components of the SCF ubiquitin-ligase complex, including Skp1 and Cul1, are also recruited to chromatin through cyclin E-Cdk2 and the preinitiation complex. Thus, activation of the cyclin E-Cdk2 kinase and ubiquitin-dependent destruction of its inhibitor are spatially constrained to the site of a properly assembled preinitiation complex.     

Phosphorylation of Ser72 is dispensable for Skp2 assembly into an active SCF ubiquitin ligase and its subcellular localization

F-box proteins are the substrate recognition subunits of SCF (Skp1, Cul1, F-box protein) ubiquitin ligase complexes. Skp2 is a nuclear F-box protein that targets the CDK inhibitor p27 for ubiquitin- and proteasome-dependent degradation. In G0 and during the G1 phase of the cell cycle, Skp2 is degraded via the APC/CCdh1 ubiquitin ligase to allow stabilization of p27 and inhibition of CDKs, facilitating the maintenance of the G0/G1 state. APC/CCdh1 binds Skp2 through an N-terminal domain (amino acids 46-94 in human Skp2). It has been shown that phosphorylation of Ser69 and Ser72 in this domain dissociates Skp2 from APC/C. More recently, it has instead been proposed that phosphorylation of Skp2 on Ser72 by Akt/PKB allows Skp2 binding to Skp1, promoting the assembly of an active SCFSkp2 ubiquitin ligase, and Skp2 relocalization/retention into the cytoplasm, promoting cell migration via an unknown mechanism. According to these reports, a Skp2 mutant in which Ser72 is substituted with Ala is unable to promote cell proliferation and loses its oncogenic potential. Given the contrasting reports, we revisited these results and conclude that phosphorylation of Skp2 on Ser72 does not control Skp2 binding to Skp1 and Cul1, has no influence on SCFSkp2 ubiquitin ligase activity, and does not affect the subcellular localization of Skp2.     

Skp2-mediated p27(Kip1) degradation during S/G2 phase progression of adipocyte hyperplasia

p27(Kip1), an important regulator of Cdk2 activity and G1/S transition, is tightly regulated in a cell-type and condition-specific manner to integrate mitogenic and differentiation signals governing cell cycle progression. We show that p27 protein levels progressively declined from mid-G1 through late-G2 phase as density-arrested 3T3-L1 preadipocytes synchronously reentered the cell cycle during early stages of adipocyte differentiation. This dramatic fall in p27 protein accumulation was due, at least in part, to a decrease in protein stability. Specific inhibitors of the 26S proteasome were shown to completely block the decrease in p27 protein levels throughout G1, increase the abundance of ubiquitylated p27 protein, and inhibit G1/S transition resulting in G1 arrest. It is further demonstrated that p27 was phosphorylated on threonine 187 during S phase progression by Cdk2 and that phosphorylated p27 was polyubiquitylated and degraded. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Skp2 and Cks1 dramatically increased during S/G2 phase progression concomitantly with the maximal fall in p27 protein. Complete knockdown of Skp2 with RNA interference partially prevented p27 degradation equivalent to that observed with Cdk2 blockade suggesting that the SCF(Skp2) E3 ligase and other proteasome-dependent mechanisms contribute to p27 degradation during preadipocyte replication. Interestingly, Skp2-mediated p27 degradation was not essential for G1/S or S/G2 transition as preadipocytes shifted from quiescence to proliferation during adipocyte hyperplasia. Finally, evidence is presented suggesting that elevated p27 protein in the absence of Skp2 was neutralized by sequestration of p27 protein into Cyclin D1/Cdk4 complexes.     

The p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation triggers p27Kip1 degradation independently of CDK2/cyclin E in NIH 3T3 cells.

The p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase is stimulated by various mitogenic stimuli, and its sustained activation is necessary for cell cycle G(1) progression and G(1)/S transition. G(1) progression and G(1)/S transition also depend on sequential cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activation. Here, we demonstrate that MAP kinase inhibition leads to accumulation of the CDK inhibitor p27(Kip1) in NIH 3T3 cells. Blocking the proteasome-dependent degradation of p27(Kip1) impaired this accumulation, suggesting that MAP kinase does not act on p27(Kip1) protein synthesis. In the absence of extracellular signals (growth factors or cell adhesion), genetic activation of MAP kinase decreased the expression of p27(Kip1) as assessed by cotransfection experiments and by immunofluorescence detection. Importantly, MAP kinase activation also decreased the expression of a p27(Kip1) mutant, which cannot be phosphorylated by CDK2, suggesting that MAP kinase-dependent p27(Kip1) regulation is CDK2-independent. Accordingly, expression of dominant-negative CDK2 did not impair the down-regulation of p27(Kip1) induced by MAP kinase activation. These data demonstrate that the MAP kinase pathway regulates p27(Kip1) expression in fibroblasts essentially through a degradation mechanism, independently of p27(Kip1) phosphorylation by CDK2. This strengthens the role of this CDK inhibitor as a key effector of G(1) growth arrest, whose expression can be controlled by extracellular stimuli-dependent signaling pathways.