Pin1 modulates p63? protein stability in regulation of cell survival, proliferation and tumor formation.

ABSTRACT: The homolog of p53 gene, p63, encodes multiple p63 protein isoforms. TAp63 proteins contain an N-terminal transactivation domain similar to that of p53 and function as tumor suppressors; whereas ?Np63 isoforms, which lack the intact N-terminal transactivation domain, are associated with human tumorigenesis. Accumulating evidence demonstrating the important roles of p63 in development and cancer development, the regulation of p63 proteins, however, is not fully understood. In this study, we show that peptidyl-prolyl isomerase Pin1 directly binds to and stabilizes TAp63? and ?Np63? via inhibiting the proteasomal degradation mediated by E3 ligase WWP1. We further show that Pin1 specifically interacts with T538P which is adjacent to the P550PxY543 motif, and disrupts p63?-WWP1 interaction. In addition, while Pin1 enhances TAp63?-mediated apoptosis, it promotes ?Np63?-induced cell proliferation. Furthermore, knockdown of Pin1 in FaDu cells inhibits tumor formation in nude mice, which is rescued by simultaneous knockdown of WWP1 or ectopic expression of ?Np63?. Moreover, overexpression of Pin1 correlates with increased expression of ?Np63? in human oral squamous cell carcinoma samples. Together, these results suggest that Pin1-mediated modulation of ?Np63? may have a causative role in tumorigenesis.

SUBMITTER: Li C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3877541 | biostudies-other | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other