Nedd4-2 binding to 14-3-3 modulates the accessibility of its catalytic site and WW domains.

Neural precursor cells expressed developmentally downregulated protein 4-2 (Nedd4-2), a homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus (HECT) ubiquitin ligase, triggers the endocytosis and degradation of its downstream target molecules by regulating signal transduction through interactions with other targets, including 14-3-3 proteins. In our previous study, we found that 14-3-3 binding induces a structural rearrangement of Nedd4-2 by inhibiting interactions between its structured domains. Here, we used time-resolved fluorescence intensity and anisotropy decay measurements, together with fluorescence quenching and mass spectrometry, to further characterize interactions between Nedd4-2 and 14-3-3 proteins. The results showed that 14-3-3 binding affects the emission properties of AEDANS-labeled WW3, WW4, and, to a lesser extent, WW2 domains, and reduces their mobility, but not those of the WW1 domain, which remains mobile. In contrast, 14-3-3 binding has the opposite effect on the active site of the HECT domain, which is more solvent exposed and mobile in the complexed form than in the apo form of Nedd4-2. Overall, our results suggest that steric hindrance of the WW3 and WW4 domains combined with conformational changes in the catalytic domain may account for the 14-3-3 binding-mediated regulation of Nedd4-2.

TRPM5 Channel Binds Calcium-Binding Proteins Calmodulin and S100A1.

Melastatin transient receptor potential (TRPM) channels belong to one of the most significant subgroups of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel family. Here, we studied the TRPM5 member, the receptor exposed to calcium-mediated activation, resulting in taste transduction. It is known that most TRP channels are highly modulated through interactions with extracellular and intracellular agents. The binding sites for these ligands are usually located at the intracellular N- and C-termini of the TRP channels, and they can demonstrate the character of an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP), which allows such a region to bind various types of molecules. We explored the N-termini of TRPM5 and found the intracellular regions for calcium-binding proteins (CBPs) the calmodulin (CaM) and calcium-binding protein S1 (S100A1) by in vitro binding assays. Furthermore, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations (MDs) of the discovered complexes confirmed their known common binding interface patterns and the uniqueness of the basic residues present in the TRPM binding regions for CaM/S100A1.

Molecular basis of the 14-3-3 protein-dependent activation of yeast neutral trehalase Nth1.

The 14-3-3 proteins, a family of highly conserved scaffolding proteins ubiquitously expressed in all eukaryotic cells, interact with and regulate the function of several hundreds of partner proteins. Yeast neutral trehalases (Nth), enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of trehalose to glucose, compared with trehalases from other organisms, possess distinct structure and regulation involving phosphorylation at multiple sites followed by binding to the 14-3-3 protein. Here we report the crystal structures of yeast Nth1 and its complex with Bmh1 (yeast 14-3-3 isoform), which, together with mutational and fluorescence studies, indicate that the binding of Nth1 by 14-3-3 triggers Nth1's activity by enabling the proper 3D configuration of Nth1's catalytic and calcium-binding domains relative to each other, thus stabilizing the flexible part of the active site required for catalysis. The presented structure of the Bmh1:Nth1 complex highlights the ability of 14-3-3 to modulate the structure of a multidomain binding partner and to function as an allosteric effector. Furthermore, comparison of the Bmh1:Nth1 complex structure with those of 14-3-3:serotonin N-acetyltransferase and 14-3-3:heat shock protein beta-6 complexes revealed similarities in the 3D structures of bound partner proteins, suggesting the highly conserved nature of 14-3-3 affects the structures of many client proteins.

Mapping of CaM, S100A1 and PIP2-Binding Epitopes in the Intracellular N- and C-Termini of TRPM4.

Molecular determinants of the binding of various endogenous modulators to transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are crucial for the understanding of necessary cellular pathways, as well as new paths for rational drug designs. The aim of this study was to characterise interactions between the TRP cation channel subfamily melastatin member 4 (TRPM4) and endogenous intracellular modulators-calcium-binding proteins (calmodulin (CaM) and S100A1) and phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PIP2). We have found binding epitopes at the N- and C-termini of TRPM4 shared by CaM, S100A1 and PIP2. The binding affinities of short peptides representing the binding epitopes of N- and C-termini were measured by means of fluorescence anisotropy (FA). The importance of representative basic amino acids and their combinations from both peptides for the binding of endogenous TRPM4 modulators was proved using point alanine-scanning mutagenesis. In silico protein-protein docking of both peptides to CaM and S100A1 and extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations enabled the description of key stabilising interactions at the atomic level. Recently solved cryo-Electron Microscopy (EM) structures made it possible to put our findings into the context of the entire TRPM4 channel and to deduce how the binding of these endogenous modulators could allosterically affect the gating of TRPM4. Moreover, both identified binding epitopes seem to be ideally positioned to mediate the involvement of TRPM4 in higher-order hetero-multimeric complexes with important physiological functions.

TRPM6 N-Terminal CaM- and S100A1-Binding Domains.

Transient receptor potential (TRPs) channels are crucial downstream targets of calcium signalling cascades. They can be modulated either by calcium itself and/or by calcium-binding proteins (CBPs). Intracellular messengers usually interact with binding domains present at the most variable TRP regions-N- and C-cytoplasmic termini. Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium-dependent cytosolic protein serving as a modulator of most transmembrane receptors. Although CaM-binding domains are widespread within intracellular parts of TRPs, no such binding domain has been characterised at the TRP melastatin member-the transient receptor potential melastatin 6 (TRPM6) channel. Another CBP, the S100 calcium-binding protein A1 (S100A1), is also known for its modulatory activities towards receptors. S100A1 commonly shares a CaM-binding domain. Here, we present the first identified CaM and S100A1 binding sites at the N-terminal of TRPM6. We have confirmed the L520-R535 N-terminal TRPM6 domain as a shared binding site for CaM and S100A1 using biophysical and molecular modelling methods. A specific domain of basic amino acid residues (R526/R531/K532/R535) present at this TRPM6 domain has been identified as crucial to maintain non-covalent interactions with the ligands. Our data unambiguously confirm that CaM and S100A1 share the same binding domain at the TRPM6 N-terminus although the ligand-binding mechanism is different.

CaMKK2 kinase domain interacts with the autoinhibitory region through the N-terminal lobe including the RP insert.

BACKGROUND: Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CaMKK2), a member of the Ca⁠2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaMK) family, functions as an upstream activator of CaMKI, CaMKIV and AMP-activated protein kinase. Thus, CaMKK2 is involved in the regulation of several key physiological and pathophysiological processes. Previous studies have suggested that Ca2+/CaM binding may cause unique conformational changes in the CaMKKs compared with other CaMKs. However, the underlying mechanistic details remain unclear. METHODS: In this study, hydrogen-deuterium exchange coupled to mass spectrometry, time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, small-angle x-ray scattering and chemical cross-linking were used to characterize Ca2+/CaM binding-induced structural changes in CaMKK2. RESULTS: Our data suggest that: (i) the CaMKK2 kinase domain interacts with the autoinhibitory region (AID) through the N-terminal lobe of the kinase domain including the RP insert, a segment important for targeting downstream substrate kinases; (ii) Ca2+/CaM binding affects the structure of several regions surrounding the ATP-binding pocket, including the activation segment; (iii) although the CaMKK2:Ca2+/CaM complex shows high conformational flexibility, most of its molecules are rather compact; and (iv) AID-bound Ca2+/CaM transiently interacts with the CaMKK2 kinase domain. CONCLUSIONS: Interactions between the CaMKK2 kinase domain and the AID differ from those of other CaMKs. In the absence of Ca2+/CaM binding the autoinhibitory region inhibits CaMKK2 by both blocking access to the RP insert and by affecting the structure of the ATP-binding pocket. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our results corroborate the hypothesis that Ca2+/CaM binding causes unique conformational changes in the CaMKKs relative to other CaMKs.

14-3-3 protein directly interacts with the kinase domain of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK2).

BACKGROUND: Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CaMKK2) is a member of the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaMK) family involved in adiposity regulation, glucose homeostasis and cancer. This upstream activator of CaMKI, CaMKIV and AMP-activated protein kinase is inhibited by phosphorylation, which also triggers an association with the scaffolding protein 14-3-3. However, the role of 14-3-3 in the regulation of CaMKK2 remains unknown. METHODS: The interaction between phosphorylated CaMKK2 and the 14-3-3γ protein, as well as the architecture of their complex, were studied using enzyme activity measurements, small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and protein crystallography. RESULTS: Our data suggest that the 14-3-3 protein binding does not inhibit the catalytic activity of phosphorylated CaMKK2 but rather slows down its dephosphorylation. Structural analysis indicated that the complex is flexible and that CaMKK2 is located outside the phosphopeptide-binding central channel of the 14-3-3γ dimer. Furthermore, 14-3-3γ appears to interact with and affect the structure of several regions of CaMKK2 outside the 14-3-3 binding motifs. In addition, the structural basis of interactions between 14-3-3 and the 14-3-3 binding motifs of CaMKK2 were elucidated by determining the crystal structures of phosphopeptides containing these motifs bound to 14-3-3. CONCLUSIONS: 14-3-3γ protein directly interacts with the kinase domain of CaMKK2 and the region containing the inhibitory phosphorylation site Thr145 within the N-terminal extension. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggested that CaMKK isoforms differ in their 14-3-3-mediated regulations and that the interaction between 14-3-3 protein and the N-terminal 14-3-3-binding motif of CaMKK2 might be stabilized by small-molecule compounds.

Structural Insight into the 14-3-3 Protein-dependent Inhibition of Protein Kinase ASK1 (Apoptosis Signal-regulating kinase 1).

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1, also known as MAP3K5), a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) family, regulates diverse physiological processes. The activity of ASK1 is triggered by various stress stimuli and is involved in the pathogenesis of cancer, neurodegeneration, inflammation, and diabetes. ASK1 forms a high molecular mass complex whose activity is, under non-stress conditions, suppressed through interaction with thioredoxin and the scaffolding protein 14-3-3. The 14-3-3 protein binds to the phosphorylated Ser-966 motif downstream of the ASK1 kinase domain. The role of 14-3-3 in the inhibition of ASK1 has yet to be elucidated. In this study we performed structural analysis of the complex between the ASK1 kinase domain phosphorylated at Ser-966 (pASK1-CD) and the 14-3-3ζ protein. Small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements and chemical cross-linking revealed that the pASK1-CD·14-3-3ζ complex is dynamic and conformationally heterogeneous. In addition, structural analysis coupled with the results of phosphorus NMR and time-resolved tryptophan fluorescence measurements suggest that 14-3-3ζ interacts with the kinase domain of ASK1 in close proximity to its active site, thus indicating this interaction might block its accessibility and/or affect its conformation.

Structural Characterization of Phosducin and Its Complex with the 14-3-3 Protein.

Phosducin (Pdc), a highly conserved phosphoprotein involved in the regulation of retinal phototransduction cascade, transcriptional control, and modulation of blood pressure, is controlled in a phosphorylation-dependent manner, including the binding to the 14-3-3 protein. However, the molecular mechanism of this regulation is largely unknown. Here, the solution structure of Pdc and its interaction with the 14-3-3 protein were investigated using small angle x-ray scattering, time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, and hydrogen-deuterium exchange coupled to mass spectrometry. The 14-3-3 protein dimer interacts with Pdc using surfaces both inside and outside its central channel. The N-terminal domain of Pdc, where both phosphorylation sites and the 14-3-3-binding motifs are located, is an intrinsically disordered protein that reduces its flexibility in several regions without undergoing dramatic disorder-to-order transition upon binding to 14-3-3. Our data also indicate that the C-terminal domain of Pdc interacts with the outside surface of the 14-3-3 dimer through the region involved in Gtßγ binding. In conclusion, we show that the 14-3-3 protein interacts with and sterically occludes both the N- and C-terminal Gtßγ binding interfaces of phosphorylated Pdc, thus providing a mechanistic explanation for the 14-3-3-dependent inhibition of Pdc function.

Biophysical and structural characterization of the thioredoxin-binding domain of protein kinase ASK1 and its interaction with reduced thioredoxin.

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. Its activity is regulated by thioredoxin (TRX1) but the precise mechanism of this regulation is unclear due to the lack of structural data. Here, we performed biophysical and structural characterization of the TRX1-binding domain of ASK1 (ASK1-TBD) and its complex with reduced TRX1. ASK1-TBD is a monomeric and rigid domain that forms a stable complex with reduced TRX1 with 1:1 molar stoichiometry. The binding interaction does not involve the formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds. Residues from the catalytic WCGPC motif of TRX1 are essential for complex stability with Trp(31) being directly involved in the binding interaction as suggested by time-resolved fluorescence. Small-angle x-ray scattering data reveal a compact and slightly asymmetric shape of ASK1-TBD and suggest reduced TRX1 interacts with this domain through the large binding interface without inducing any dramatic conformational change.

Two-photon lifetime-based photoconversion of EGFP for 3D-photostimulation in FLIM.

Enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) is a fluorescent tag commonly used in cellular and biomedical applications. Surprisingly, some interesting photochemical properties of EGFP have remained unexplored. Here we report on two-photon-induced photoconversion of EGFP, which can be permanently converted by intense IR irradiation to a form with a short fluorescence lifetime and spectrally conserved emission. Photoconverted EGFP thus can be distinguished from the unconverted tag by the time-resolved detection. Nonlinear dependence of the two-photon photoconversion efficiency on the light intensity allows for an accurate 3D localization of the photoconverted volume within cellular structures, which is especially useful for kinetic FLIM applications. For illustration, we used the two photon photoconversion of EGFP for measurements of redistribution kinetics of nucleophosmin and histone H2B in nuclei of live cells. Measurements revealed high mobility of fluorescently tagged histone H2B in the nucleoplasm and their redistribution between spatially separated nucleoli.

Cytoplasmic localization of Mdm2 in cells expressing mutated NPM is mediated by p53.

Specific C-terminal nucleophosmin (NPM) mutations are related to the acute myeloid leukaemia and cause mistargeting of mutated NPM (NPMmut) to the cytoplasm. Consequently, multiple NPM-interacting partners, e.g., the tumour suppressor p53, become also mislocalized. We found that ubiquitin ligase Mdm2 mislocalizes to the cytoplasm in the presence of NPMmut as well. Since p53 interacts with Mdm2, we searched for the NPMmut-p53-Mdm2 complex and interactions of its constituents in live cells and cell lysates using fluorescently tagged proteins, fluorescence lifetime imaging and immunoprecipitation. We proved existence of the ternary complex, which likely adopts a chain-like configuration. Interaction between Mdm2 and NPMmut was not detected, even under conditions of upregulated Mdm2 and p53 induced by Actinomycin D. We assume that p53 serves in the complex as a bridging link between Mdm2 and NPMmut. This conclusion was supported by disruption of the Mdm2-p53 interaction by Nutlin-3A, which resulted in relocalization of Mdm2 to the nucleus, while both NPMmut and p53 remained in the cytoplasm. Importantly, silencing of p53 also prevented mislocalization of Mdm2 in the presence of NPMmut.

14-3-3 protein inhibits CaMKK1 by blocking the kinase active site with its last two C-terminal helices.

Ca2+ /CaM-dependent protein kinase kinases 1 and 2 (CaMKK1 and CaMKK2) phosphorylate and enhance the catalytic activity of downstream kinases CaMKI, CaMKIV, and protein kinase B. Accordingly, CaMKK1 and CaMKK2 regulate key physiological and pathological processes, such as tumorigenesis, neuronal morphogenesis, synaptic plasticity, transcription factor activation, and cellular energy homeostasis, and promote cell survival. Both CaMKKs are partly inhibited by phosphorylation, which in turn triggers adaptor and scaffolding protein 14-3-3 binding. However, 14-3-3 binding only significantly affects CaMKK1 function. CaMKK2 activity remains almost unchanged after complex formation for reasons still unclear. Here, we aim at structurally characterizing CaMKK1:14-3-3 and CaMKK2:14-3-3 complexes by SAXS, H/D exchange coupled to MS, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results revealed that complex formation suppresses the interaction of both phosphorylated CaMKKs with Ca2+ /CaM and affects the structure of their kinase domains and autoinhibitory segments. But these effects are much stronger on CaMKK1 than on CaMKK2 because the CaMKK1:14-3-3γ complex has a more compact and rigid structure in which the active site of the kinase domain directly interacts with the last two C-terminal helices of the 14-3-3γ protein, thereby inhibiting CaMKK1. In contrast, the CaMKK2:14-3-3 complex has a looser and more flexible structure, so 14-3-3 binding only negligibly affects the catalytic activity of CaMKK2. Therefore, Ca2+ /CaM binding suppression and the interaction of the kinase active site of CaMKK1 with the last two C-terminal helices of 14-3-3γ protein provide the structural basis for 14-3-3-mediated CaMKK1 inhibition.

Structural modulation of phosducin by phosphorylation and 14-3-3 protein binding.

Phosducin (Pdc), a highly conserved phosphoprotein, plays an important role in the regulation of G protein signaling, transcriptional control, and modulation of blood pressure. Pdc is negatively regulated by phosphorylation followed by binding to the 14-3-3 protein, whose role is still unclear. To gain insight into the role of 14-3-3 in the regulation of Pdc function, we studied structural changes of Pdc induced by phosphorylation and 14-3-3 protein binding using time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Our data show that the phosphorylation of the N-terminal domain of Pdc at Ser-54 and Ser-73 affects the structure of the whole Pdc molecule. Complex formation with 14-3-3 reduces the flexibility of both the N- and C-terminal domains of phosphorylated Pdc, as determined by time-resolved tryptophan and dansyl fluorescence. Therefore, our data suggest that phosphorylated Pdc undergoes a conformational change when binding to 14-3-3. These changes involve the G(t)ßγ binding surface within the N-terminal domain of Pdc, and thus could explain the inhibitory effect of 14-3-3 on Pdc function.

Structural basis for the 14-3-3 protein-dependent inhibition of the regulator of G protein signaling 3 (RGS3) function.

Regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins function as GTPase-activating proteins for the α-subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins. The function of certain RGS proteins is negatively regulated by 14-3-3 proteins, a family of highly conserved regulatory molecules expressed in all eukaryotes. In this study, we provide a structural mechanism for 14-3-3-dependent inhibition of RGS3-Gα interaction. We have used small angle x-ray scattering, hydrogen/deuterium exchange kinetics, and Förster resonance energy transfer measurements to determine the low-resolution solution structure of the 14-3-3ζ·RGS3 complex. The structure shows the RGS domain of RGS3 bound to the 14-3-3ζ dimer in an as-yet-unrecognized manner interacting with less conserved regions on the outer surface of the 14-3-3 dimer outside its central channel. Our results suggest that the 14-3-3 protein binding affects the structure of the Gα interaction portion of RGS3 as well as sterically blocks the interaction between the RGS domain and the Gα subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins.

Maximum entropy analysis of analytically simulated complex fluorescence decays.

We tested a Maximum Entropy Method developed for oversampled data (SVD-MEM) on complex analytically simulated exponential decay data consisting of both noisy and noiseless multi-exponential fluorescence decay curves. We observed recovery of simulated parameters for three sets of data: a decay containing three exponential functions in both intensity and anisotropy curves, a set of intensity decays composed of 4, 5 and 6 exponential functions, and a decay characterized by a Gaussian lifetime distribution. The SVD-MEM fitting of the noiseless data returned the simulated parameters with the high accuracy. Noise added to the data affected recovery of the parameters in dependence on a data complexity. At selected realistic noise levels we obtained a good recovery of simulated parameters for all tested data sets. Decay parameters recovered from decays containing discrete lifetime components were almost independent of the value of the entropy scaling parameter γ used in the maximization procedure when it changed across the main peak of its posterior probability. A correct recovery of the Gaussian shaped lifetime distribution required selection of the γ-factor which was by several orders of magnitude larger than its most probable value to avoid a band splitting.

14-3-3 proteins inactivate DAPK2 by promoting its dimerization and protecting key regulatory phosphosites.

Death-associated protein kinase 2 (DAPK2) is a CaM-regulated Ser/Thr protein kinase, involved in apoptosis, autophagy, granulocyte differentiation and motility regulation, whose activity is controlled by autoinhibition, autophosphorylation, dimerization and interaction with scaffolding proteins 14-3-3. However, the structural basis of 14-3-3-mediated DAPK2 regulation remains unclear. Here, we structurally and biochemically characterize the full-length human DAPK2:14-3-3 complex by combining several biophysical techniques. The results from our X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that Thr369 phosphorylation at the DAPK2 C terminus creates a high-affinity canonical mode III 14-3-3-binding motif, further enhanced by the diterpene glycoside Fusicoccin A. Moreover, concentration-dependent DAPK2 dimerization is disrupted by Ca2+/CaM binding and stabilized by 14-3-3 binding in solution, thereby protecting the DAPK2 inhibitory autophosphorylation site Ser318 against dephosphorylation and preventing Ca2+/CaM binding. Overall, our findings provide mechanistic insights into 14-3-3-mediated DAPK2 inhibition and highlight the potential of the DAPK2:14-3-3 complex as a target for anti-inflammatory therapies.

TRPM7 N-terminal region forms complexes with calcium binding proteins CaM and S100A1.

Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) represents melastatin TRP channel with two significant functions, cation permeability and kinase activity. TRPM7 is widely expressed among tissues and is therefore involved in a variety of cellular functions representing mainly Mg2+ homeostasis, cellular Ca2+ flickering, and the regulation of DNA transcription by a cleaved kinase domain translocated to the nucleus. TRPM7 participates in several important biological processes in the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Together with the necessary function of the TRPM7 in these tissues and its recently analyzed overall structure, this channel requires further studies leading to the development of potential therapeutic targets. Here we present the first study investigating the N-termini of TRPM7 with binding regions for important intracellular modulators calmodulin (CaM) and calcium-binding protein S1 (S100A1) using in vitro and in silico approaches. Molecular simulations of the discovered complexes reveal their potential binding interfaces with common interaction patterns and the important role of basic residues present in the N-terminal binding region of TRPM.

AML-Related NPM Mutations Drive p53 Delocalization into the Cytoplasm with Possible Impact on p53-Dependent Stress Response.

Nucleophosmin (NPM) interaction with tumor suppressor p53 is a part of a complex interaction network and considerably affects cellular stress response. The impact of NPM1 mutations on its interaction with p53 has not been investigated yet, although consequences of NPMmut-induced p53 export to the cytoplasm are important for understanding the oncogenic potential of these mutations. We investigated p53-NPM interaction in live HEK-293T cells by FLIM-FRET and in cell lysates by immunoprecipitation. eGFP lifetime-photoconversion was used to follow redistribution dynamics of NPMmut and p53 in Selinexor-treated cells. We confirmed the p53-NPMwt interaction in intact cells and newly documented that this interaction is not compromised by the NPM mutation causing displacement of p53 to the cytoplasm. Moreover, the interaction was not abolished for non-oligomerizing NPM variants with truncated oligomerization domain, suggesting that oligomerization is not essential for interaction of NPM forms with p53. Inhibition of the nuclear exporter XPO1 by Selinexor caused expected nuclear relocalization of both NPMmut and p53. However, significantly different return rates of these proteins indicate nontrivial mechanism of p53 and NPMmut cellular trafficking. The altered p53 regulation in cells expressing NPMmut offers improved understanding to help investigational strategies targeting these mutations.

NSC348884 cytotoxicity is not mediated by inhibition of nucleophosmin oligomerization.

Nucleophosmin (NPM) mutations causing its export from the nucleoli to the cytoplasm are frequent in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Due to heterooligomerization of wild type NPM with the AML-related mutant, the wild-type becomes misplaced from the nucleoli and its functions are significantly altered. Dissociation of NPM heterooligomers may thus restore the proper localization and function of wild-type NPM. NSC348884 is supposed to act as a potent inhibitor of NPM oligomerization. The effect of NSC348884 on the NPM oligomerization was thoroughly examined by fluorescence lifetime imaging with utilization of FRET and by a set of immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic methods. Leukemia-derived cell lines and primary AML cells as well as cells transfected with fluorescently labeled NPM forms were investigated. Our results clearly demonstrate that NSC348884 does not inhibit formation of NPM oligomers neither in vivo nor in vitro. Instead, we document that NSC348884 cytotoxicity is rather associated with modified cell adhesion signaling. The cytotoxic mechanism of NSC348884 has therefore to be reconsidered.