Barrier properties of Nup98 FG phases ruled by FG motif identity and inter-FG spacer length.

Nup98 FG repeat domains comprise hydrophobic FG motifs linked through uncharged spacers. FG motifs capture nuclear transport receptors (NTRs) during nuclear pore complex (NPC) passage, confer inter-repeat cohesion, and condense the domains into a selective phase with NPC-typical barrier properties. We show that shortening inter-FG spacers enhances cohesion, increases phase density, and tightens such barrier - all consistent with a sieve-like phase. Phase separation tolerates mutating the Nup98-typical GLFG motifs, provided domain-hydrophobicity remains preserved. NTR-entry, however, is sensitive to (certain) deviations from canonical FG motifs, suggesting co-evolutionary adaptation. Unexpectedly, we observed that arginines promote FG-phase-entry apparently also by hydrophobic interactions/ hydrogen-bonding and not just through cation-π interactions. Although incompatible with NTR·cargo complexes, a YG phase displays remarkable transport selectivity, particularly for engineered GFPNTR-variants. GLFG to FSFG mutations make the FG phase hypercohesive, precluding NTR-entry. Extending spacers relaxes this hypercohesion. Thus, antagonism between cohesion and NTR·FG interactions is key to transport selectivity.

Crystal structures of FNIP/FGxxFN motif-containing leucine-rich repeat proteins.

The Cafeteria roenbergensis virus (Crov), Dictyostelium, and other species encode a large family of leucine-rich repeat (LRR) proteins with FGxxFN motifs. We determined the structures of two of them and observed several unique structural features that set them aside from previously characterized LRR family members. Crov588 comprises 25 regular repeats with a LxxLxFGxxFNQxIxENVLPxx consensus, forming a unique closed circular repeat structure. Novel features include a repositioning of a conserved asparagine at the middle of the repeat, a double phenylalanine spine that generates an alternate core packing arrangement, and a histidine/tyrosine ladder on the concave surface. Crov539 is smaller, comprising 12 repeats of a similar LxxLxFGxxFNQPIExVxW/LPxx consensus and forming an unusual cap-swapped dimer structure. The phenylalanine spine of Crov539 is supplemented with a tryptophan spine, while a hydrophobic isoleucine-rich patch is found on the central concave surface. We present a detailed analysis of the structures of Crov588 and Crov539 and compare them to related repeat proteins and other LRR classes.

Mechanical control of nuclear import by Importin-7 is regulated by its dominant cargo YAP.

Mechanical forces regulate multiple essential pathways in the cell. The nuclear translocation of mechanoresponsive transcriptional regulators is an essential step for mechanotransduction. However, how mechanical forces regulate the nuclear import process is not understood. Here, we identify a highly mechanoresponsive nuclear transport receptor (NTR), Importin-7 (Imp7), that drives the nuclear import of YAP, a key regulator of mechanotransduction pathways. Unexpectedly, YAP governs the mechanoresponse of Imp7 by forming a YAP/Imp7 complex that responds to mechanical cues through the Hippo kinases MST1/2. Furthermore, YAP behaves as a dominant cargo of Imp7, restricting the Imp7 binding and the nuclear translocation of other Imp7 cargoes such as Smad3 and Erk2. Thus, the nuclear import process is an additional regulatory layer indirectly regulated by mechanical cues, which activate a preferential Imp7 cargo, YAP, which competes out other cargoes, resulting in signaling crosstalk.

The copper(II)-binding tripeptide GHK, a valuable crystallization and phasing tag for macromolecular crystallography.

The growth of diffraction-quality crystals and experimental phasing remain two of the main bottlenecks in protein crystallography. Here, the high-affinity copper(II)-binding tripeptide GHK was fused to the N-terminus of a GFP variant and an MBP-FG peptide fusion. The GHK tag promoted crystallization, with various residues (His, Asp, His/Pro) from symmetry molecules completing the copper(II) square-pyramidal coordination sphere. Rapid structure determination by copper SAD phasing could be achieved, even at a very low Bijvoet ratio or after significant radiation damage. When collecting highly redundant data at a wavelength close to the copper absorption edge, residual S-atom positions could also be located in log-likelihood-gradient maps and used to improve the phases. The GHK copper SAD method provides a convenient way of both crystallizing and phasing macromolecular structures, and will complement the current trend towards native sulfur SAD and MR-SAD phasing.

NKG2A/CD94 Is a New Immune Receptor for HLA-G and Distinguishes Amino Acid Differences in the HLA-G Heavy Chain.

Natural killer (NK) cell therapies are a tool to antagonize a dysfunctional immune system. NK cells recognize malignant cells, traffic to a tumor location, and infiltrate the solid tumor. The immune checkpoint molecule human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is upregulated on malignant cells but not on healthy surrounding cells, the requirement of understanding the basis of receptor mediated events at the HLA-G/NK cell interface becomes obvious. The NK cell receptors ILT2 and KIR2DL4 have been described to bind to HLA-G; however, their differential function and expression levels on NK cell subsets suggest the existence of an unreported receptor. Here, we performed a ligand-based receptor capture on living cells utilizing sHLA-G*01:01 molecules coupled to TriCEPS and bound to NK cells followed by mass spectrometric analyses. We could define NKG2A/CD94 as a cognate receptor of HLA-G. To verify the results, we used the reciprocal method by expressing recombinant soluble heterodimeric NKG2A/CD94 molecules and used them to target HLA-G*01:01 expressing cells. NKG2A/CD94 could be confirmed as an immune receptor of HLA-G*01:01. Despite HLA-G is marginal polymorphic, we could previously demonstrate that the most common allelic subtypes HLA-G*01:01/01:03 and 01:04 differ in peptide repertoire, their engagement to NK cells, their catalyzation of dNK cell proliferation and their impact on NK cell development. Continuing these studies with regard to NKG2A/CD94 engagement we engineered recombinant single antigen presenting K562 cells and targeted the surface expressed HLA-G*01:01, 01:03 or 01:04 molecules with NKG2A/CD94. Specificity and sensitivity of HLA-G*01:04/NKG2A/CD94 engagement could be significantly verified. The binding affinity decreases when using K562-G*01:03 or K562-G*01:01 cells as targets. These results demonstrate that the ligand-receptor assignment between HLA-G and NKG2A/CD94 is dependent of the amino acid composition in the HLA-G heavy chain. Understanding the biophysical basis of receptor-mediated events that lead to NK cell inhibition would help to remove non-tumor reactive cells and support personalized mild autologous NK cell therapies.

HLA-F*01:01 presents peptides with N-terminal flexibility and a preferred length of 16 residues.

HLA-F belongs to the non-classical HLA-Ib molecules with a marginal polymorphic nature and tissue-restricted distribution. HLA-F is a ligand of the NK cell receptor KIR3DS1, whose activation initiates an antiviral downstream immune response and lead to delayed disease progression of HIV-1. During the time course of HIV infection, the expression of HLA-F is upregulated while its interaction with KIR3DS1 is diminished. Understanding HLA-F peptide selection and presentation is essential to a comprehensive understanding of this dynamic immune response and the molecules function. In this study, we were able to recover stable pHLA-F*01:01 complexes and analyze the characteristics of peptides naturally presented by HLA-F. These HLA-F-restricted peptides exhibit a non-canonical length without a defined N-terminal anchor. The peptide characteristics lead to a unique presentation profile and influence the stability of the protein. Furthermore, we demonstrate that almost all source proteins of HLA-F-restricted peptides are described to interact with HIV proteins. Understanding the balance switch between HLA-Ia and HLA-F expression and peptide selection will support to understand the role of HLA-F in viral pathogenesis.

Correction to: HLA-F*01:01 presents peptides with N-terminal flexibility and a preferred length of 16 residues.

The original version of this article contained errors. The Article Title, Figures 1 and 3, and Electronic Supplementary Materials were incorrectly shown in the wrong version. The original article has been corrected.

Releasing the concept of HLA-allele specific peptide anchors in viral infections: A non-canonical naturally presented human cytomegalovirus-derived HLA-A*24:02 restricted peptide drives exquisite immunogenicity.

T-cell receptors possess the unique ability to survey and respond to their permanently modified ligands, self HLA-I molecules bound to non-self peptides of various origin. This highly specific immune function is impaired following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for a timespan of several months needed for the maturation of T-cells. Especially, the progression of HCMV disease in immunocompromised patients induces life-threatening situations. Therefore, the need for a new immune system that delivers vital and potent CD8+ T-cells carrying TCRs that recognize even one human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) peptide/HLA molecule and clear the viral infection long term becomes obvious. The transcription and translation of HCMV proteins in the lytic cycle is a precisely regulated cascade of processes, therefore, it is a highly sensitive challenge to adjust the exact time point of HCMV-peptide recruitment over self-peptides. We utilized soluble HLA technology in HCMV-infected fibroblasts and sequenced naturally sHLA-A*24:02 presented HCMV-derived peptides. One peptide of 14 AAs length derived from the IE2 antigen induced the strongest T-cell responses; this peptide can be detected with a low ranking score in general peptide prediction databanks. These results highlight the need for elaborate and HLA-allele specific peptide selection.

Between Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses: NKG2A, NKG2C, and CD8⁺ T Cell Recognition of HLA-E Restricted Self-Peptides Acquired in the Absence of HLA-Ia.

On healthy cells the non-classical HLA class Ib molecule HLA-E displays the cognate ligand for the NK cell receptor NKG2A/CD94 when bound to HLA class I signal peptide sequences. In a pathogenic situation when HLA class I is absent, HLA-E is bound to a diverse set of peptides and enables the stimulatory NKG2C/CD94 receptor to bind. The activation of CD8⁺ T cells by certain p:HLA-E complexes illustrates the dual role of this low polymorphic HLA molecule in innate and adaptive immunity. Recent studies revealed a shift in the HLA-E peptide repertoire in cells with defects in the peptide loading complex machinery. We recently showed that HLA-E presents a highly diverse set of peptides in the absence of HLA class Ia and revealed a non-protective feature against NK cell cytotoxicity mediated by these peptides. In the present study we have evaluated the molecular basis for the impaired NK cell inhibition by these peptides and determined the cell surface stability of individual p:HLA-E complexes and their binding efficiency to soluble NKG2A/CD94 or NKG2C/CD94 receptors. Additionally, we analyzed the recognition of these p:HLA-E epitopes by CD8⁺ T cells. We show that non-canonical peptides provide stable cell surface expression of HLA-E, and these p:HLA-E complexes still bind to NKG2/CD94 receptors in a peptide-restricted fashion. Furthermore, individual p:HLA-E complexes elicit activation of CD8⁺ T cells with an effector memory phenotype. These novel HLA-E epitopes provide new implications for therapies targeting cells with abnormal HLA class I expression.

Carbamazepine-Mediated Adverse Drug Reactions: CBZ-10,11-epoxide but Not Carbamazepine Induces the Alteration of Peptides Presented by HLA-B∗15:02.

Among patients treated with the anticonvulsive and psychotropic drug carbamazepine (CBZ), approximately 10% develop severe and life-threatening adverse drug reactions. These immunological conditions are resolved upon withdrawal of the medicament, suggesting that the drug does not manifest in the body in long term. The HLA allele B∗15:02 has been described to be a genomic biomarker for CBZ-mediated immune reactions. It is not well understood if the immune reactions are triggered by the original drug or by its metabolite carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (EPX) and how the interaction between the drug and the distinct HLA molecule occurs. Genetically engineered human B-lymphoblastoid cells expressing soluble HLA-B∗15:02 molecules were treated with the drug or its metabolite. Functional pHLA complexes were purified; peptides were eluted and sequenced. Applying mass spectrometric analysis, CBZ and EPX were monitored by analyzing the heavy chain and peptide fractions separately for the presence of the drug. This method enabled the detection of the drug in a biological situation post-pHLA assembly. Both drugs were bound to the HLA-B∗15:02 heavy chain; however, solely EPX altered the peptide-binding motif of B∗15:02-restricted peptides. This observation could be explained through structural insight; EPX binds to the peptide-binding region and alters the biochemical features of the F pocket and thus the peptide motif. Understanding the nature of immunogenic interactions between CBZ and EPX with the HLA immune complex will guide towards effective and safe medications.

Surface Properties Determining Passage Rates of Proteins through Nuclear Pores.

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) conduct nucleocytoplasmic transport through an FG domain-controlled barrier. We now explore how surface-features of a mobile species determine its NPC passage rate. Negative charges and lysines impede passage. Hydrophobic residues, certain polar residues (Cys, His), and, surprisingly, charged arginines have striking translocation-promoting effects. Favorable cation-π interactions between arginines and FG-phenylalanines may explain this apparent paradox. Application of these principles to redesign the surface of GFP resulted in variants that show a wide span of transit rates, ranging from 35-fold slower than wild-type to ∼500 times faster, with the latter outpacing even naturally occurring nuclear transport receptors (NTRs). The structure of a fast and particularly FG-specific GFPNTR variant illustrates how NTRs can expose multiple regions for binding hydrophobic FG motifs while evading non-specific aggregation. Finally, we document that even for NTR-mediated transport, the surface-properties of the "passively carried" cargo can strikingly affect the translocation rate.

HLA-G mediated immune regulation is impaired by a single amino acid exchange in the alpha 2 domain.

The trade-off from HLA class I expression to HLA-G expression support the immune evasion of malignant cells. The essential role of the virtually invariant HLA-G in immune tolerance, tumor immunology and its expression frequency in immune privileged tissues is known; however the specific importance of allelic subtypes in immune responses is still not well understood. HLA-G∗01:01, ∗01:03 and ∗01:04 are the most prevalent allelic variants differing at residues 31 and 110, respectively. In cytotoxicity assays applying K562 cells transduced with the HLA-G variants as targets and NK cells as effectors the differential protective potential of HLA-G variants was analyzed. Their peptide profiles were determined utilizing soluble HLA technology. An increased protective potential of HLA-G∗01:04 could be observed. All variants exhibit a unique peptide repertoire with marginal overlap, while G∗01:04 differs in its peptide anchor profile substantially. The functional differences between HLA-G subtypes could be explained by the constraint of the bound peptides, modifying the pHLA-G accessible surface. For the first time a contribution of amino acid alterations within the HLA-G heavy chain for peptide selection and NK cell recognition could be observed. These results will be a step towards understanding immune tolerance and will guide towards personalized immune therapeutic strategies.

Understanding the obstacle of incompatibility at residue 156 within HLA-B*35 subtypes.

Defining permissive and non-permissive mismatches for transplantation is a demanding challenge. Single mismatches at amino acid (AA) position 156 of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I have been described to alter the peptide motif, repertoire, or mode of peptide loading through differential interaction with the peptide-loading complex. Hence, a single mismatch can tip the balance and trigger an immunological reaction. HLA-B*35 subtypes have been described to evade the loading complex, 156 mismatch distinguishing B*35:01 and B*35:08 changes the binding groove sufficiently to alter the sequence features of the selected peptide repertoire. To understand the functional influences of residue 156 in B*35 variants, we analyzed the peptide binding profiles of HLA-B*35:01(156Leu), B*35:08(156Arg) and B*35:62(156Trp). The glycoprotein tapasin represents a target for immune evasions and functions within the multimeric peptide-loading complex to stabilize empty class I molecules and promote acquisition of high-affinity peptides. All three B*35 subtypes showed a tapasin-independent mode of peptide acquisition. HLA-B*35-restricted peptides of low- and high-binding affinities were recovered in the presence and absence of tapasin and subsequently sequenced utilizing mass spectrometry. The peptides derived from B*35 variants differ substantially in their features dependent on their mode of recruitment; all peptides were preferentially anchored by Pro at p2 and Tyr, Phe, Leu, or Lys at pΩ. However, the Trp at residue 156 altered the p2 motif to an Ala and restricted the pΩ to a Trp. Our results highlight the importance of understanding the impact of key micropolymorphism and how a single AA mismatch orchestrates the neighboring AAs.

The diversity of the HLA-E-restricted peptide repertoire explains the immunological impact of the Arg107Gly mismatch.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E molecules are potent inhibitors of NK cell-mediated killing. Low in polymorphisms, two alleles are widely expressed among diverse populations: HLA-E*01:01 and HLA-E*01:03. Both alleles are distinguished by one SNP resulting in the substitution Arg107Gly. Both alleles present a limited set of peptides derived from class I leader sequences physiologically; however, HLA-E*01:01 presents non-canonical peptides in the absence of HLA class I molecules. To further assess the functional differences between both alleles, we analyzed the peptide repertoire of HLA-E*01:03 by applying soluble HLA technology followed by mass-spectrometric peptide sequencing. HLA-E*01:03 restricted peptides showed a length of 9-17 amino acids and differed in their biophysical properties, no overlap in the peptide repertoire of both allelic variants could be observed; however, both alleles shared marginal peptides from the same proteomic content. Artificial APCs expressing empty HLA-E*01:01 or E*01:03 molecules were generated and stabilized using cognate HLA class I-derived peptide ligands to analyze the impact of residue 107 within the HLA-E heavy chain on the NKG2/CD94 receptor engagement. Differences in peptide stabilization could be translated to the density and half-life time of peptide-HLA-E molecules on the cell surface that subsequently impacted NK cell inhibition as verified by cytotoxicity assays. Taken together, these data illustrate functional differences of HLA-E allelic variants induced by a single amino acid. Furthermore, the function of HLA-E in pathophysiologic situations when the HLA processing machinery is interrupted seems to be more emphasized than previously described, implying a crucial role for HLA-E in tumor or viral immune episodes.

HLA-E: Presentation of a Broader Peptide Repertoire Impacts the Cellular Immune Response-Implications on HSCT Outcome.

The HLA-E locus encodes a nonclassical class Ib molecule that serves many immune functions from inhibiting NK cells to activating CTLs. Structural analysis of HLA-E/NKG2A complexes visualized fine-tuning of protective immune responses through AA interactions between HLA-E, the bound peptide, and NKG2A/CD94. A loss of cellular protection through abrogation of the HLA-E/NKG2A engagement is dependent on the HLA-E bound peptide. The role of HLA-E in posttransplant outcomes is not well understood but might be attributed to its peptide repertoire. To investigate the self-peptide repertoire of HLA-E (∗) 01:01 in the absence of protective HLA class I signal peptides, we utilized soluble HLA technology in class I negative LCL cells in order to characterize HLA-E (∗) 01:01-bound ligands by mass-spectrometry. To understand the immunological impact of these analyzed ligands on NK cell reactivity, we performed cellular assays. Synthesized peptides were loaded onto recombinant T2 cells expressing HLA-E (∗) 01:01 molecules and applied in cytotoxicity assays using the leukemia derived NK cell line (NKL) as effector. HLA-E in complex with the self-peptides demonstrated a shift towards cytotoxicity and a loss of cell protection. Our data highlights the fact that the HLA-E-peptidome is not as restricted as previously thought and support the suggestion of a posttransplant role for HLA-E.

Oncogenic acidic nuclear phosphoproteins ANP32C/D are novel clients of heat shock protein 90.

The acidic nuclear phosphoproteins (ANP32A-H) are an evolutionarily conserved family of proteins with diverse and sometimes opposing cellular functions. Here we show that the oncogenic family members ANP32C and ANP32D are associated in complexes containing the molecular chaperone Hsp90. The oncogenic ANP32C protein appears to be highly unstable with a rapid degradation (t1/2>30 min) occurring upon treatment of cells with cycloheximide. ANP32C was also found to be associated with oncogenic Hsp90 complexes by virtue of its ability to interact and be immunoprecipitated by the Hsp90 inhibitor PU-H71. Further studies treating cells with the Hsp90 inhibitors PU-H71 and 17-AAG showed atypical increased protein stability and prevention of ANP32C degradation compared to the Hsp90 client AKT. Cells overexpressing ANP32C or its mutant ANP32CY140H showed enhanced sensitivity to treatment with PU-H71 as demonstrated by CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Our results highlight that certain malignancies with ANP32C/D overexpression or mutation might be specifically targeted using Hsp90 inhibitors.

Overexpression of the pp32r1 (ANP32C) oncogene or its functional mutant pp32r1Y140H confers enhanced resistance to FTY720 (Finguimod).

pp32r1 (ANP32C) is oncogenic and has been shown to be overexpressed in tumors of the breast, prostate, and pancreas. In this work we show that pp32 family proteins are able to bind to the sphingosine analog FTY720 (Finguimod). Molecular docking studies highlight that a conserved residue F136 is likely to be a key determinant of the FTY720 binding site on the pp32 leucine-rich repeat domain. Transduction of the renal carcinoma cell line ACHN or cervical cancer cell line HeLa with lentivirus expressing the oncogenic family member pp32r1 or a pp32r1Y140H functional mutant illustrated an enhanced resistance to FTY720 induced apoptosis. These findings highlight that certain cancers overexpressing pp32r1 or pp32r1 mutants are likely to demonstrate enhanced resistance to FTY720 treatment.

Autocrine GM-CSF transcription in the leukemic progenitor cell line KG1a is mediated by the transcription factor ETS1 and is negatively regulated through SECTM1 mediated ligation of CD7.

BACKGROUND: CD7 expression is found on ~30% of acute myeloblastic leukemias (AML). The leukemic progenitor cell line KG1a (CD7+) constitutively expresses GM-CSF while the parental KG1 (CD7-) cell line does not. This study focuses on the molecular basis of CD7 mediated GM-CSF regulation. METHODS: KG1a cells were treated with recombinant SECTM1-Fc protein, the PI3K kinase inhibitors wortmannin, LY292004, or PI4K activator spermine. Stable KG1-CD7+, KG1a-shCD7, KG1a-shETS1 as well as KG1a-GFP, KG1a-PKCßII-GFP cell lines were generated and the levels of CD7, GM-CSF and ETS-1 mRNA and protein were compared by real-time-PCR, western blotting, flow cytometry and ELISA. RESULTS: SECTM1 is expressed in Human Bone Marrow Endothelial Cells (HBMEC) and its expression can be upregulated by both IFN-γ. KG1a cells demonstrated high expression levels of CD7 and ETS-1 allowing a constitutative signaling through the PI3K/Atk pathway to promote GM-CSF expression, while KG1 cells with low expression of CD7 and ETS-1 showed low GM-CSF expression. On KG1a cells GM-CSF expression could be negatively regulated by PI3K inhibitors or by recombinant SECTM1-Fc. Overexpression of CD7 in KG1 cells was insufficient to promote GM-CSF expression, while silencing of CD7 or ETS-1 resulted in reduced GM-CSF expression levels. Differentiation capable KG1a cells overexpressing PKCßII illustrated complete loss of CD7, but maintained normal levels of both ETS-1 and GM-CSF expression. CONCLUSION: These findings add an additional layer to the previously described autocrine/paracrine signaling between leukemic progenitor cells and the bone marrow microenvironment and highlight a role for SECTM1 in both normal and malignant hematopoiesis. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: This work shows that SECTM1 secreted from bone marrow stromal cells may interact with CD7 to influence GM-CSF expression in leukemic cells.

A Micropolymorphism Altering the Residue Triad 97/114/156 Determines the Relative Levels of Tapasin Independence and Distinct Peptide Profiles for HLA-A(*)24 Allotypes.

While many HLA class I molecules interact directly with the peptide loading complex (PLC) for conventional loading of peptides certain class I molecules are able to present peptides in a way that circumvents the PLC components. We investigated micropolymorphisms at position 156 of HLA-A(*)24 allotypes and their effects on PLC dependence for assembly and peptide binding specificities. HLA-A(*)24:06(156Trp) and HLA-A(*)24:13(156Leu) showed high levels of cell surface expression while HLA-A(*)24:02(156Gln) was expressed at low levels in tapasin deficient cells. Peptides presented by these allelic variants showed distinct differences in features and repertoire. Immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated all the HLA-A(*)24/156 variants to associate at similar levels with tapasin when present. Structurally, HLA-A(*)24:02 contains the residue triad Met97/His114/Gln156 and a Trp156 or Leu156 polymorphism provides tapasin independence by stabilizing these triad residues, thus generating an energetically stable and a more peptide receptive environment. Micropolymorphisms at position 156 can influence the generic peptide loading pathway for HLA-A(*)24 by altering their tapasin dependence for peptide selection. The trade-off for this tapasin independence could be the presentation of unusual ligands by these alleles, imposing significant risk following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Dysregulation of cell cycle control caused by overexpression of the oncogene pp32r1 (ANP32C) and the Tyr>His mutant pp32r1Y140H.

The pp32 (ANP32A) gene acts as a tumor suppressor while its closely related homologue pp32r1 (ANP32C) is oncogenic and is overexpressed in breast, prostate and pancreatic tumors. The transduction of p53wt cell lines (ACHN and HeLa) with pp32r1 or pp32r1Y140H lentivirus increased the proliferation of p53wt cell lines compared to the untransduced control cells while transduction of the p53(R248W) MiaPaCa2 cell line had no effect. Cell cycle analysis of transduced ACHN cells by PI staining and BrdU incorporation illustrated a pronounced shift toward the S-phase of the cell cycle in cells overexpressing the pp32r1 and pp32r1Y140H proteins. Confocal microscopy and western blotting demonstrated that pp32r1 and the pp32r1Y140H mutant protein reside predominantly in the cytoplasm in constrast to pp32 which is a nuclear/cytoplasmic shuttling protein. To determine the effects of pp32r1 or pp32r1Y140H overexpression at the proteomic level we performed a comprehensive proteome analysis on ACHN, ACHN-pp32r1 and ACHN-pp32r1Y140H cell lysates using the isotope-coded protein label (ICPL) method. Among those proteins with >40% regulation were Macrophage Capping protein (CAPG) and Chromodomain Helicase DNA binding protein 4 (CHD4) proteins which were significantly upregulated by pp32r1 and pp32r1Y140H overexpression. This increase in CHD4 also appears to influence a number of cell cycle regulator genes including; p53, p21 and cyclinD1 as judged by western blotting. Silencing of CHD4 in ACHN-pp32r1Y140H cells using specific shRNA reverted the cell cycle dysregulation caused by pp32r1Y140H expression to that of the untransduced ACHN cell line, suggesting that CHD4 is the prominent effector of the pp32r1/pp32r1Y140H phenotype.