Xiao Xin Sun

Ribosomal Protein L23 Activates p53 by Inhibiting MDM2 Function in Response to Ribosomal Perturbation but Not to Translation Inhibition

ABSTRACT The p53-MDM2 feedback loop is vital for cell growth control and is subjected to multiple regulations in response to various stress signals. Here we report another regulator of this loop. Using an immunoaffinity method, we purified an MDM2-associated protein complex that contains the ribosomal protein L23. L23 interacted with MDM2, forming a complex independent of the 80S ribosome and polysome. The interaction of L23 with MDM2 was enhanced by treatment with actinomycin D but not by gamma-irradiation, leading to p53 activation. This activation was inhibited by small interfering RNA against L23. Ectopic expression of L23 reduced MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitination and also induced p53 activity and G1 arrest in p53-proficient U2OS cells but not in p53-deficient Saos-2 cells. These results reveal that L23 is another regulator of the p53-MDM2 feedback regulation.

Aberrant Expression of Nucleostemin Activates p53 and Induces Cell Cycle Arrest via Inhibition of MDM2

ABSTRACT The nucleolar protein nucleostemin (NS) is essential for cell proliferation and early embryogenesis. Both depletion and overexpression of NS reduce cell proliferation. However, the mechanisms underlying this regulation are still unclear. Here, we show that NS regulates p53 activity through the inhibition of MDM2. NS binds to the central acidic domain of MDM2 and inhibits MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitylation and degradation. Consequently, ectopic overexpression of NS activates p53, induces G1 cell cycle arrest, and inhibits cell proliferation. Interestingly, the knockdown of NS by small interfering RNA also activates p53 and induces G1 arrest. These effects require the ribosomal proteins L5 and L11, since the depletion of NS enhanced their interactions with MDM2 and the knockdown of L5 or L11 abrogated the NS depletion-induced p53 activation and cell cycle arrest. These results suggest that a p53-dependent cell cycle checkpoint monitors changes of cellular NS levels via the impediment of MDM2 function.

Inhibition of c-Myc activity by ribosomal protein L11.

The c‐Myc oncoprotein promotes cell growth by enhancing ribosomal biogenesis through upregulation of RNA polymerases I‐, II‐, and III‐dependent transcription. Overexpression of c‐Myc and aberrant ribosomal biogenesis leads to deregulated cell growth and tumorigenesis. Hence, c‐Myc activity and ribosomal biogenesis must be regulated in cells. Here, we show that ribosomal protein L11, a component of the large subunit of the ribosome, controls c‐Myc function through a negative feedback mechanism. L11 is transcriptionally induced by c‐Myc, and overexpression of L11 inhibits c‐Myc‐induced transcription and cell proliferation. Conversely, reduction of endogenous L11 by siRNA increases these c‐Myc activities. Mechanistically, L11 binds to the Myc box II (MB II), inhibits the recruitment of the coactivator TRRAP, and reduces histone H4 acetylation at c‐Myc target gene promoters. In response to serum stimulation or serum starvation, L11 and TRRAP display inverse promoter‐binding profiles. In addition, L11 regulates c‐Myc levels. These results identify L11 as a feedback inhibitor of c‐Myc and suggest a novel role for L11 in regulating c‐Myc‐enhanced ribosomal biogenesis.

5-Fluorouracil Activation of p53 Involves an MDM2-Ribosomal Protein Interaction

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of a variety of solid tumors. The anti-tumor activity of 5-FU has been attributed in part to its ability to induce p53-dependent cell growth arrest and apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying p53 activation by 5-FU remain largely obscure. Here we report that 5-FU treatment leads to p53 stabilization and activation by blocking MDM2 feedback inhibition through ribosomal proteins. 5-FU treatment increased the fraction of ribosome-free L5, L11, and L23 ribosomal proteins and their interaction with MDM2, leading to p53 activation and G1/S arrest. Conversely, individual knockdown of these ribosomal proteins by small interfering RNA prevented the 5-FU-induced p53 activation and reversed the 5-FU-induced G1/S arrest. These results demonstrate that 5-FU treatment triggers a ribosomal stress response so that ribosomal proteins L5, L11, and L23 are released from ribosome to activate p53 by ablating the MDM2-p53 feedback circuit.

Regulation of the MDM2-p53 Pathway by Ribosomal Protein L11 Involves a Post-ubiquitination Mechanism

Inhibition of the MDM2-p53 feedback loop is critical for p53 activation in response to cellular stresses. The ribosomal proteins L5, L11, and L23 can block this loop by inhibiting MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitination and degradation in response to ribosomal stress. Here, we show that L11, but not L5 and L23, leads to a drastic accumulation of ubiquitinated and native MDM2. This effect is dependent on the ubiquitin ligase activity of MDM2, but not p53, and requires the central MDM2 binding domain (residues 51–108) of L11. We further show that L11 inhibited 26 S proteasome-mediated degradation of ubiquitinated MDM2 in vitro and consistently prolonged the half-life of MDM2 in cells. These results suggest that L11, unlike L5 and L23, differentially regulates the levels of ubiquitinated p53 and MDM2 and inhibits the turnover and activity of MDM2 through a post-ubiquitination mechanism.

Positive regulation of p53 stability and activity by the deubiquitinating enzyme Otubain 1

The ubiquitin (Ub)–proteasome system plays a pivotal role in the regulation of p53 protein stability and activity. p53 is ubiquitinated and destabilized by MDM2 and several other Ub E3s, whereas it is deubiquitinated and stabilized by Ub‐specific protease (USP)7 and USP10. Here we show that the ovarian tumour domain‐containing Ub aldehyde‐binding protein 1 (Otub1) is a novel p53 regulator. Otub1 directly suppresses MDM2‐mediated p53 ubiquitination in cells and in vitro. Overexpression of Otub1 drastically stabilizes and activates p53, leading to apoptosis and marked inhibition of cell proliferation in a p53‐dependent manner. These effects are independent of its catalytic activity but require residue Asp88. Mutation of Asp88 to Ala (Otub1D88A) abolishes activity of Otub1 to suppress p53 ubiquitination. Further, wild‐type Otub1 and its catalytic mutant (Otub1C91S), but not Otub1D88A, bind to the MDM2 cognate E2, UbcH5, and suppress its Ub‐conjugating activity in vitro. Overexpression of Otub1D88A or ablation of endogenous Otub1 by siRNA markedly impaired p53 stabilization and activation in response to DNA damage. Together, these results reveal a novel function for Otub1 in regulating p53 stability and activity.

Mycophenolic acid activation of p53 requires ribosomal proteins L5 and L11.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a prodrug of mycophenolic acid (MPA), is widely used as an immunosuppressive agent. MPA selectively inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), a rate-limiting enzyme for the de novo synthesis of guanine nucleotides, leading to depletion of the guanine nucleotide pool. Its chemotherapeutic effects have been attributed to its ability to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. MPA treatment has also been shown to induce and activate p53. However, the mechanism underlying the p53 activation pathway is still unclear. Here, we show that MPA treatment results in inhibition of pre-rRNA synthesis and disruption of the nucleolus. This treatment enhances the interaction of MDM2 with L5 and L11. Interestingly, knockdown of endogenous L5 or L11 markedly impairs the induction of p53 and G1 cell cycle arrest induced by MPA. These results suggest that MPA may trigger a nucleolar stress that induces p53 activation via inhibition of MDM2 by ribosomal proteins L5 and L11.

MDMX promotes proteasomal turnover of p21 at G1 and early S phases independently of, but in cooperation with, MDM2

ABSTRACT We have shown previously that MDM2 promotes the degradation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 through a ubiquitin-independent proteolytic pathway. Here we report that the MDM2 analog, MDMX, also displays a similar activity. MDMX directly bound to p21 and mediated its proteasomal degradation. Although the MDMX effect was independent of MDM2, they synergistically promoted p21 degradation when coexpressed in cells. This degradation appears to be mediated by the 26S proteasome, as MDMX and p21 bound to S2, one of the subunits of the 19S component of the 26S proteasome, in vivo. Conversely, knockdown of MDMX induced the level of endogenous p21 proteins that no longer cofractionated with 26S proteasome, resulting in G1 arrest. The level of p21 was low at early S phase but markedly induced by knocking down either MDMX or MDM2 in human cells. Ablation of p21 rescued the G1 arrest caused by double depletion of MDM2 and MDMX in p53-null cells. These results demonstrate that MDMX and MDM2 independently and cooperatively regulate the proteasome-mediated degradation of p21 at the G1 and early S phases.

Ribosomal protein L11 recruits miR-24/miRISC to repress c-Myc expression in response to ribosomal stress

ABSTRACT c-Myc promotes cell growth by enhancing ribosomal biogenesis and translation. Deregulated expression of c-Myc and aberrant ribosomal biogenesis and translation contribute to tumorigenesis. Thus, a fine coordination between c-Myc and ribosomal biogenesis is vital for normal cell homeostasis. Here, we show that ribosomal protein L11 regulates c-myc mRNA turnover. L11 binds to c-myc mRNA at its 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR), the core component of microRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC) argonaute 2 (Ago2), as well as miR-24, leading to c-myc mRNA reduction. Knockdown of L11 drastically increases the levels and stability of c-myc mRNA. Ablation of Ago2 abrogated the L11-mediated reduction of c-myc mRNA, whereas knockdown of L11 rescued miR-24-mediated c-myc mRNA decay. Interestingly, treatment of cells with the ribosomal stress-inducing agent actinomycin D or 5-fluorouracil significantly decreased the c-myc mRNA levels in an L11- and Ago2-dependent manner. Both treatments enhanced the association of L11 with Ago2, miR-24, and c-myc mRNA. We further show that ribosome-free L11 binds to c-myc mRNA in the cytoplasm and that this binding is enhanced by actinomycin D treatment. Together, our results identify a novel regulatory paradigm wherein L11 plays a critical role in controlling c-myc mRNA turnover via recruiting miRISC in response to ribosomal stress.

Perturbation of 60 S Ribosomal Biogenesis Results in Ribosomal Protein L5- and L11-dependent p53 Activation

Ribosomal proteins play an important role in p53 activation in response to nucleolar stress. Multiple ribosomal proteins, including L5, L11, L23, and S7, have been shown to bind to and inhibit MDM2, leading to p53 activation. However, it is not clear whether ribosomal protein regulation of MDM2 is specific to some, but not all ribosomal proteins. Here we show that L29 and L30, two ribosomal proteins from the 60 S ribosomal subunit, do not bind to MDM2 and do not inhibit MDM2-mediated p53 suppression, indicating that the ribosomal protein regulation of the MDM2-p53 feedback loop is specific. Interestingly, direct perturbation of the 60 S ribosomal biogenesis by knocking down either L29 or L30 drastically induced the level and activity of p53, leading to p53-depedent cell cycle arrest. This p53 activation was drastically inhibited by knockdown of L11 or L5. Consistently, knockdown of L29 or L30 enhanced the interaction of MDM2 with L11 and L5 and markedly inhibited MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitination, suggesting that direct perturbation of 60 S ribosomal biogenesis activates p53 via L11- and L5-mediated MDM2 suppression. Mechanistically, knockdown of L30 or L29 significantly increased the NEDDylation and nuclear retention of L11. Knocking down endogenous NEDD8 suppressed p53 activation induced by knockdown of L30. These results demonstrate that NEDDylation of L11 plays a critical role in mediating p53 activation in response to perturbation of ribosomal biogenesis.