EglN3 hydroxylase stabilizes BIM-EL linking VHL type 2C mutations to pheochromocytoma pathogenesis and chemotherapy resistance.

ABSTRACT: Despite the discovery of the oxygen-sensitive regulation of HIF? by the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) protein, the mechanisms underlying the complex genotype/phenotype correlations in VHL disease remain unknown. Some germline VHL mutations cause familial pheochromocytoma and encode proteins that preserve their ability to down-regulate HIF?. While type 1, 2A, and 2B VHL mutants are defective in regulating HIF?, type 2C mutants encode proteins that preserve their ability to down-regulate HIF?. Here, we identified an oxygen-sensitive function of VHL that is abolished by VHL type 2C mutations. We found that BIM-EL, a proapoptotic BH3-only protein, is hydroxylated by EglN3 and subsequently bound by VHL. VHL mutants fail to bind hydroxylated BIM-EL, regardless of whether they have the ability to bind hydroxylated HIF? or not. VHL binding inhibits BIM-EL phosphorylation by extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) on serine 69. This causes BIM-EL to escape from proteasomal degradation, allowing it to enhance EglN3-induced apoptosis. BIM-EL was rapidly degraded in cells lacking wild-type VHL or in which EglN3 was inactivated genetically or by lack of oxygen, leading to enhanced cell survival and chemotherapy resistance. Combination therapy using ERK inhibitors, however, resensitizes VHL- and EglN3-deficient cells that are otherwise cisplatin-resistant.

SUBMITTER: Li S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6708352 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature