Wenbo Lin

Subunit-subunit interactions in the human 26S proteasome.

Ubiquitin‐dependent proteolysis is mediated by the proteasome. To understand the structure and function of the human 26S proteasome, we cloned complete ORFs of 32 human proteasome subunits and conducted a yeast two‐hybrid analysis of their interactions with each other. We observed that there are 114 interacting‐pairs in the human 26S proteasome. About 10% (11/114) of these interacting‐pairs was confirmed by the GST‐pull down analysis. Among these observed interacting subunits, 58% (66/114) are novel and the rest 42% (48/114) has been reported previously in human or in other species. We observed new interactions between the 19S regulatory particle and the β‐rings of the 20S catalytic particle and therefore proposed a modified model of the 26S proteasome.

The Roles of Multiple Importins for Nuclear Import of Murine Aristaless-related Homeobox Protein

Nuclear import of proteins with nuclear localization signals (NLSs) is mediated by shuttling carriers, the importins. Some cargoes display more than a single NLS, and among these are homeodomain proteins such as Arx, which is critical for development of multiple tissues. Arx has two functional NLSs. The present studies show that several pathways can import Arx via its NLS2, which is within its DNA binding homeodomain. Using an in vitro nuclear import assay, we show that import of Arx via NLS2 can be mediated by importin β1, importin 9, or importin 13, with binding being strongest to importin β1. All binding is sensitive to RanGTP. Experiments based on precise domain deletions indicate that NLS2 binds impβ1, imp9, and imp13 and includes both an importin binding subdomain and a regulatory subdomain with arginine residues being important for function. Moreover, Arx can be co-precipitated with these importins when NLS2 is present. Although nuclear import of Arx can be mediated by these three importin βs, importin β1 seems to play the major role judging from in vivo small interfering RNA ablations and the in vitro import assay. This is the first evidence to show the role of importin β1 in nuclear import of paired-type homeodomain proteins. We propose a novel and possibly quite general mechanism for nuclear import of paired-type homeodomain proteins which is critical for development.

Karyopherins in nuclear transport of homeodomain proteins during development

Homeodomain proteins are crucial transcription factors for cell differentiation, cell proliferation and organ development. Interestingly, their homeodomain signature structure is important for both their DNA-binding and their nucleocytoplasmic trafficking. The accurate nucleocytoplasmic distribution of these proteins is essential for their functions. We summarize information on (a) the roles of karyopherins for import and export of homeoproteins, (b) the regulation of their nuclear transport during development, and (c) the corresponding complexity of homeoprotein nucleocytoplasmic transport signals. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Regulation of Signaling and Cellular Fate through Modulation of Nuclear Protein Import.

A novel role of proteasomal β1 subunit in tumorigenesis

p27Kip1 is a key cell-cycle regulator whose level is primarily regulated by the ubiquitin–proteasome degradation pathway. Its β1 subunit is one of seven β subunits that form the β-ring of the 20S proteasome, which is responsible for degradation of ubiquitinated proteins. We report here that the β1 subunit is up-regulated in oesophageal cancer tissues and some ovarian cancer cell lines. It promotes cell growth and migration, as well as colony formation. β1 binds and degrades p27Kip1directly. Interestingly, the lack of phosphorylation at Ser158 of the β1 subunit promotes degradation of p27Kip1. We therefore propose that the β1 subunit plays a novel role in tumorigenesis by degrading p27Kip1.

Competitive regulation of IPO4 transcription by ELK1 and GABP

Nuclear import is a highly selective process that involves the specific recognition of appropriate import signals by suitable receptors. Many nuclear transport pathways are mediated by importin β superfamily members. Among them, IPO4 is a nuclear import receptor for many cargoes. However, its transcriptional regulation remains largely unknown. In the present study, we identified a core region encompassing nt -118 to +108 that is necessary for its promoter activity. Transcription factors binding to this region were screened, resulting in the identification of two members of the Ets family, Ets-like transcription factor-1 and GA binding protein, which repress or activate its promoter activity, respectively. Within this promoter region, two Ets binding sites were identified and shown to be required for promoter activity. Ets-like transcription factor-1 and GA binding protein compete with each other to regulate its promoter activity via its downstream Ets binding sites, as evidenced by EMSA and a luciferase reporter assay. Overexpression of Ets-like transcription factor-1 or GA binding protein results in its down-regulation or up-regulation in cells. Therefore, both Ets-like transcription factor-1 and GA binding protein regulate IPO4 transcription.

Nuclear import of aristaless-related homeobox protein via its NLS1 regulates its transcriptional function

Nucleocytoplasmic transport of transcription factors is essential in eukaryotes. We previously reported the presence of two functional NLSs in the homeodomain protein, aristaless-related homeobox (Arx) protein, which is a key transcriptional repressor of LMO1, SHOX2, and PAX4 during development. NLS2, that overlaps the homeodomain, is recognized directly by multiple importin βs, but not by importin αs. In this study, we found that the N-terminal NLS1 of Arx is targeted by multiple importin α proteins, including importin α3 and α5. Both in vivo and in vitro assays demonstrated that nuclear import of Arx via NLS1 is mediated by the importin α/β pathway. Mutagenesis analysis indicated that two basic amino acids, 84K and 87R, are essential to the function of NLS1, and that their mutation prevents interactions of Arx with importin αs. Interestingly, inhibition of nuclear import of Arx via NLS1 clearly attenuates its ability of transcriptional repression, suggesting that nuclear import of Arx via NLS1 contributes to its transcriptional function.

Site-specific phosphorylation of importin13 by PKA regulates its subcelluar localization and nuclear transport function

Importin 13 (IPO13) is a key member of the importin β superfamily, which can transport cargoes both into and out of the nucleus to contribute to a variety of important cellular processes. IPO13 is known to undergo phosphorylation, but the impact of this on function has not been investigated. Here, we show for the first time that IPO13 is phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A specifically at serine 193. Results from fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and fluorescence loss in photobleaching approaches establish that negative charge at serine 193 through phosphorylation or point mutation both reduces IPO13 nuclear import and increases its nuclear export. Importantly, phosphorylation also appears to enhance cargo interaction on the part of IPO13, with significant impact on localization, as shown for the Pax6 homeobox-containing transcription partner. This is the first report that IPO13 can be phosphorylated at Ser193 and that this modification regulates IPO13 subcellular localization and nucleocytoplasmic transport function, with important implications for IPO13s role in development and other processes.