RESUMEN
The MYC oncoprotein binds to promoter-proximal regions of virtually all transcribed genes and enhances RNA polymerase II (Pol II) function, but its precise mode of action is poorly understood. Using mass spectrometry of both MYC and Pol II complexes, we show here that MYC controls the assembly of Pol II with a small set of transcription elongation factors that includes SPT5, a subunit of the elongation factor DSIF. MYC directly binds SPT5, recruits SPT5 to promoters, and enables the CDK7-dependent transfer of SPT5 onto Pol II. Consistent with known functions of SPT5, MYC is required for fast and processive transcription elongation. Intriguingly, the high levels of MYC that are expressed in tumors sequester SPT5 into non-functional complexes, thereby decreasing the expression of growth-suppressive genes. Altogether, these results argue that MYC controls the productive assembly of processive Pol II elongation complexes and provide insight into how oncogenic levels of MYC permit uncontrolled cellular growth.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas Nucleares/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-myc/genética , ARN Polimerasa II/genética , Transcripción Genética , Factores de Elongación Transcripcional/genética , Línea Celular Tumoral , Proliferación Celular/genética , Quinasas Ciclina-Dependientes/genética , Chaperonas de Histonas/genética , Humanos , Neoplasias/genética , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas , Quinasa Activadora de Quinasas Ciclina-DependientesRESUMEN
The mitotic kinase AURORA-A is essential for cell cycle progression and is considered a priority cancer target. Although the catalytic activity of AURORA-A is essential for its mitotic function, recent reports indicate an additional non-catalytic function, which is difficult to target by conventional small molecules. We therefore developed a series of chemical degraders (PROTACs) by connecting a clinical kinase inhibitor of AURORA-A to E3 ligase-binding molecules (for example, thalidomide). One degrader induced rapid, durable and highly specific degradation of AURORA-A. In addition, we found that the degrader complex was stabilized by cooperative binding between AURORA-A and CEREBLON. Degrader-mediated AURORA-A depletion caused an S-phase defect, which is not the cell cycle effect observed upon kinase inhibition, supporting an important non-catalytic function of AURORA-A during DNA replication. AURORA-A degradation induced rampant apoptosis in cancer cell lines and thus represents a versatile starting point for developing new therapeutics to counter AURORA-A function in cancer.
Asunto(s)
Antineoplásicos/química , Aurora Quinasa A/antagonistas & inhibidores , Inhibidores de Proteínas Quinasas/química , Proteolisis/efectos de los fármacos , Talidomida/química , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligasas/metabolismo , Proteínas Adaptadoras Transductoras de Señales/metabolismo , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Aurora Quinasa A/genética , Benzazepinas/química , Dominio Catalítico , Ciclo Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Línea Celular Tumoral , Replicación del ADN/efectos de los fármacos , Diseño de Fármacos , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Terapia Molecular Dirigida , Polietilenglicoles/química , Unión Proteica , Conformación ProteicaRESUMEN
Cellular growth is a fundamental process of life and must be precisely controlled in multicellular organisms. Growth is crucially controlled by the number of functional ribosomes available in cells. The production of new ribosomes depends critically on the activity of RNA polymerase (RNAP) II in addition to the activity of RNAP I and III, which produce ribosomal RNAs. Indeed, the expression of both, ribosomal proteins and proteins required for ribosome assembly (ribosomal biogenesis factors), is considered rate-limiting for ribosome synthesis. Here, we used genetic screening to identify novel transcriptional regulators of cell growth genes by fusing promoters from a ribosomal protein gene (Rpl18) and from a ribosomal biogenesis factor (Fbl) with fluorescent protein genes (RFP, GFP) as reporters. Subsequently, both reporters were stably integrated into immortalized mouse fibroblasts, which were then transduced with a genome-wide sgRNA-CRISPR knockout library. Subsequently, cells with altered reporter activity were isolated by FACS and the causative sgRNAs were identified. Interestingly, we identified two novel regulators of growth genes. Firstly, the exon junction complex protein RBM8A controls transcript levels of the intronless reporters used here. By acute depletion of RBM8A protein using the auxin degron system combined with the genome-wide analysis of nascent transcription, we showed that RBM8A is an important global regulator of ribosomal protein transcripts. Secondly, we unexpectedly observed that the glycolytic enzyme aldolase A (ALDOA) regulates the expression of ribosomal biogenesis factors. Consistent with published observations that a fraction of this protein is located in the nucleus, this may be a mechanism linking transcription of growth genes to metabolic processes and possibly to metabolite availability.