Regulation of human heterochromatin protein 1 binding protein 3 (HP1BP3, also known as HP1BP74) in response to the DNA damage

DNA damage can result from exposure to exogenous agents such as ionizing radiation (IR), ultraviolet radiation (UV), environmental toxins and drugs or from endogenous sources such as reactive oxygen species or errors during DNA replication. DNA repair involves both post-translational modification of nucleosomes and concentration of DNA repair proteins at the damaged site(s). Therefore, the nucleosome rearrangement and chromatin disassembly with histones and other non-histone proteins upon damage must be in a dynamic balance with chromatin reestablishment following repair. Any impediment of this regulation process may cause extensive damage and trigger the growth of tumours. However, most studies have mainly focused on the core histones, whereas the heterochromatin proteins and their partners’ identity remained unknown. Recent studies in Dr Nateri’s laboratory identified the heterochromatin protein HP1 binding protein 3 (HP1B3, also known HP1-BP74) as one of the FBXW7 (F-box and WD repeat domain containing 7, E3 ubiquitin protein ligase, also known Fbw7, CDC4, sel10) interacting proteins, using a modified yeast 2-hybrid reverse Ras-recruitment system (rRRS). HP1BP3 is a predicted nuclear protein consisting of 553 amino acids with distinct protein interaction domains. At the start of this study, apart from a single publication (Hayashihara et al., 2010) very little was known about the HP1BP3 protein. HP1BP3 is a chromosomal protein that exists as a component of heterochromatin and is involved in chromatin function and structure. Our recent laboratory analysis also indicate that HP1BP3 degradation by the E3 ubiquitin ligase Fbxw7 regulates mouse hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) cycle entry and the transcriptional “signature” that is associated with the quiescent, self-renewing of HSC phenotype and leukemic status (Abuzinadah et al., submitted). To this end, our laboratory and more recent data from other groups suggest that the regulation of HP1BP3 may play a key role in many types of biological events occurring in normal and cancer cells. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underpinning HP1BP3 protein activity regulation that signal into biological response, we initially investigated structural features and phosphorylation sites of the HP1BP3 protein using various web-based computational and bioinformatics analyses. We determined the distribution of several clusters of amino acid residues surrounding the DNA damage-regulated phospho-SQ (S: Ser & Q: Gln), a consensus ATM and ATR phosphorylation motif on the HP1BP3. This is consistent with the notion that E (Glu) or D (Asp) is often found around SQ or TQ sequences phosphorylated by ATM or ATR kinases in vitro. We have therefore hypothesized that HP1BP3 protein could be a potential target of ATM/ATR in cells treated with DNA-damaging agents. Herein, experimental evidence is presented on a wide range of cell and molecular biology tools and biochemical approaches to analyze the HP1BP3 regulation in response to DNA-damaging agents. This allows us to conclude a possible cross talk between HP1BP3 protein and activation of ATM and possibly ATR kinases via: 1) Identification of nuclear localization signals within the HP1BP3 protein (chapter 3) 2) ATM/ATR kinases coordinate the expression of HP1BP3 protein level and phosphorylation in response to DNA-damaging agents, such as UV light, ionizing radiation and chemotherapeutic drug in human fibroblasts (chapter 4) 3) FBXW7-mediated degradation of HP1BP3 protein is antagonized by ATM/ATR activation in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells (chapter 5) 4) Knockout of HP1BP3 generated using CRISPR/Cas9 system, caused p53 accumulation in HCT116 CRC cells lacking FBXW7 after exposure to ionizing radiation (chapter 6). From these data it was concluded that further research is required to explore the biological significance of HP1BP3 phosphorylation events modulated by ATM/ATR; to study mechanistic changes occurred on patterns of histone modifications as a result of HP1BP3 phosphorylation and the influence of nucleosome packing degree on the integration of DNA repair signaling and the complexity of the chromatin architecture. In addition, another challenge is to identify the direct target genes that are regulated via HP1BP3/ATM signaling axis, and to show how they contribute to cancer development, which could be critical for designing therapies to compensate mutation(s) of upstream regulators such as the FBXW7 tumour suppressor gene in human cancers

ATM Regulated PTEN Degradation Is XIAP E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Mediated in p85α Deficient Cancer Cells and Influence Platinum Sensitivity

Ataxia-telegiectasia mutated (ATM), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), and p85α are key tumour suppressors. Whether ATM regulates PTEN expression and influence platinum sensitivity is unknown. We generated ATM knockdowns (KD) and CRISPR knock outs (KO) in glioblastoma (LN18, LN229) and ovarian cancer cells (OVCAR3, OVCAR4). Doxycycline inducible PTEN expression was generated in LN18 and LN229 cells. Transient KD of p85α, CK2, and XIAP was accomplished using siRNAs. Stable p85α knock-in was isolated in LN18 cells. Molecular biology assays included proteasome activity assays, PCR, flow cytometry analysis (cell cycle, double strand break accumulation, apoptosis), immunofluorescence, co-immunoprecipitation, clonogenic, invasion, migration, and 3D neurosphere assays. The clinicopathological significance of ATM, PTEN, p85α, and XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein) was evaluated in 525 human ovarian cancers using immunohistochemistry. ATM regulated PTEN is p85α dependant. ATM also controls CK2α level which in turn phosphorylates and stabilizes PTEN. In addition, p85α physically interacts with CK2α and protects CK2α from ATM regulated degradation. ATM deficiency resulted in accumulation of XIAP/p-XIAP levels which ubiquitinated PTEN and CK2α thereby directing them to degradation. ATM depletion in the context of p85α deficiency impaired cancer cell migration and invasion reduced 3D-neurosphere formation and increased toxicity to cisplatin chemotherapy. Increased sensitivity to platinum was associated with DNA double strand breaks accumulation, cell cycle arrest, and induction of autophagy. In ovarian cancer patients, ATM, PTEN, p85α, and XIAP protein levels predicted better progression free survival after platinum therapy. We unravel a previously unknown function of ATM in the regulation of PTEN throμgh XIAP mediated proteasome degradation

Regulation of human heterochromatin protein 1 binding protein 3 (HP1BP3, also known as HP1BP74) in response to the DNA damage

DNA damage can result from exposure to exogenous agents such as ionizing radiation (IR), ultraviolet radiation (UV), environmental toxins and drugs or from endogenous sources such as reactive oxygen species or errors during DNA replication. DNA repair involves both post-translational modification of nucleosomes and concentration of DNA repair proteins at the damaged site(s). Therefore, the nucleosome rearrangement and chromatin disassembly with histones and other non-histone proteins upon damage must be in a dynamic balance with chromatin reestablishment following repair. Any impediment of this regulation process may cause extensive damage and trigger the growth of tumours. However, most studies have mainly focused on the core histones, whereas the heterochromatin proteins and their partners’ identity remained unknown. Recent studies in Dr Nateri’s laboratory identified the heterochromatin protein HP1 binding protein 3 (HP1B3, also known HP1-BP74) as one of the FBXW7 (F-box and WD repeat domain containing 7, E3 ubiquitin protein ligase, also known Fbw7, CDC4, sel10) interacting proteins, using a modified yeast 2-hybrid reverse Ras-recruitment system (rRRS). HP1BP3 is a predicted nuclear protein consisting of 553 amino acids with distinct protein interaction domains. At the start of this study, apart from a single publication (Hayashihara et al., 2010) very little was known about the HP1BP3 protein. HP1BP3 is a chromosomal protein that exists as a component of heterochromatin and is involved in chromatin function and structure. Our recent laboratory analysis also indicate that HP1BP3 degradation by the E3 ubiquitin ligase Fbxw7 regulates mouse hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) cycle entry and the transcriptional “signature” that is associated with the quiescent, self-renewing of HSC phenotype and leukemic status (Abuzinadah et al., submitted). To this end, our laboratory and more recent data from other groups suggest that the regulation of HP1BP3 may play a key role in many types of biological events occurring in normal and cancer cells. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underpinning HP1BP3 protein activity regulation that signal into biological response, we initially investigated structural features and phosphorylation sites of the HP1BP3 protein using various web-based computational and bioinformatics analyses. We determined the distribution of several clusters of amino acid residues surrounding the DNA damage-regulated phospho-SQ (S: Ser & Q: Gln), a consensus ATM and ATR phosphorylation motif on the HP1BP3. This is consistent with the notion that E (Glu) or D (Asp) is often found around SQ or TQ sequences phosphorylated by ATM or ATR kinases in vitro. We have therefore hypothesized that HP1BP3 protein could be a potential target of ATM/ATR in cells treated with DNA-damaging agents. Herein, experimental evidence is presented on a wide range of cell and molecular biology tools and biochemical approaches to analyze the HP1BP3 regulation in response to DNA-damaging agents. This allows us to conclude a possible cross talk between HP1BP3 protein and activation of ATM and possibly ATR kinases via: 1) Identification of nuclear localization signals within the HP1BP3 protein (chapter 3) 2) ATM/ATR kinases coordinate the expression of HP1BP3 protein level and phosphorylation in response to DNA-damaging agents, such as UV light, ionizing radiation and chemotherapeutic drug in human fibroblasts (chapter 4) 3) FBXW7-mediated degradation of HP1BP3 protein is antagonized by ATM/ATR activation in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells (chapter 5) 4) Knockout of HP1BP3 generated using CRISPR/Cas9 system, caused p53 accumulation in HCT116 CRC cells lacking FBXW7 after exposure to ionizing radiation (chapter 6). From these data it was concluded that further research is required to explore the biological significance of HP1BP3 phosphorylation events modulated by ATM/ATR; to study mechanistic changes occurred on patterns of histone modifications as a result of HP1BP3 phosphorylation and the influence of nucleosome packing degree on the integration of DNA repair signaling and the complexity of the chromatin architecture. In addition, another challenge is to identify the direct target genes that are regulated via HP1BP3/ATM signaling axis, and to show how they contribute to cancer development, which could be critical for designing therapies to compensate mutation(s) of upstream regulators such as the FBXW7 tumour suppressor gene in human cancers

FBXW7-mutated colorectal cancer cells exhibit aberrant expression of phosphorylated-p53 at Serine-15

FBXW7 mutations occur in a variety of human cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). Elucidating its mechanism of action has become crucial for cancer therapy; however, it is also complicated by the fact that FBXW7 can influence many pathways due to its role as an E3-ubiquitin ligase in proteasome degradation. FBXW7 and TP53 are tumour suppressors intensively implicated in colorectal carcinogenesis. Deletion mutations in these two genes in animal models mark the progression from adenoma to carcinoma. Although still largely unknown, the last defense mechanism against CRC at the molecular level could be through a synergistic effect of the two genes. The underlying mechanism requires further investigation. In our laboratory, we have used a phospho-kinase profiler array to illustrate a potential molecular link between FBXW7 and p53 in CRC cells. In vitro and in vivo assessments demonstrated aberrant induction of phosphorylated p53 at Serine 15 [phospho-p53(Ser15)] in human FBXW7-deficient CRC cells as compared to their FBXW7-wild-type counterparts. FBXW7 loss in HCT116 cells promoted resistance to oxaliplatin. Immunoblotting data further confirmed that reduction of phospho-p53(Ser15) may contribute to the decreased efficacy of therapy in FBXW7-mutated CRC cells. The findings may suggest the applicability of phospho-p53(Ser15) as an indicative marker of FBXW7-mutations. Phospho-p53(Ser15) regulation by FBXW7 E3-ligase activity could provide important clues for understanding FBXW7 behavior in tumour progression and grounds for its clinical applicability thereafte