Publications (50) View all
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Article: Methylation of SUV39H1 by SET7/9 results in heterochromatin relaxation and genome instability.
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ABSTRACT: Suppressor of variegation 3-9 homolog 1 (SUV39H1), a histone methyltransferase, catalyzes histone 3 lysine 9 trimethylation and is involved in heterochromatin organization and genome stability. However, the mechanism for regulation of the enzymatic activity of SUV39H1 in cancer cells is not yet well known. In this study, we identified SET domain-containing protein 7 (SET7/9), a protein methyltransferase, as a unique regulator of SUV39H1 activity. In response to treatment with adriamycin, a DNA damage inducer, SET7/9 interacted with SUV39H1 in vivo, and a GST pull-down assay confirmed that the chromodomain-containing region of SUV39H1 bound to SET7/9. Western blot using antibodies specific for antimethylated SUV39H1 and mass spectrometry demonstrated that SUV39H1 was specifically methylated at lysines 105 and 123 by SET7/9. Although the half-life and localization of methylated SUV39H1 were not noticeably changed, the methyltransferase activity of SUV39H1 was dramatically down-regulated when SUV39H1 was methylated by SET7/9. Consequently, H3K9 trimethylation in the heterochromatin decreased significantly, which, in turn, led to a significant increase in the expression of satellite 2 (Sat2) and α-satellite (α-Sat), indicators of heterochromatin relaxation. Furthermore, a micrococcal nuclease sensitivity assay and an immunofluorescence assay demonstrated that methylation of SUV39H1 facilitated genome instability and ultimately inhibited cell proliferation. Together, our data reveal a unique interplay between SET7/9 and SUV39H1-two histone methyltransferases-that results in heterochromatin relaxation and genome instability in response to DNA damage in cancer cells.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 03/2013; · 9.68 Impact Factor -
Article: The axis of MAPK1/3-XBP1u-FOXO1 controls autophagic dynamics in cancer cells.
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ABSTRACT: Earlier studies have shown that macroautophagy is not a constitutively activated process, however, the mechanism of activation is not fully understood. Here, we report that autophagy is a dynamic process in cancer cells in response to glucose starvation. In addition, we determined that FOXO1 turnover is involved in the regulation of this dynamic process. X-box binding protein 1u (XBP1u) plays a critical role in FOXO1 degradation by recruiting FOXO1 to the 20S proteasome. Moreover, the phosphorylation of XBP1u by mitogen-activated protein kinases 1 and 3 (MAPK1/3, also known as ERK2/1) on serine residues 61 and 176 was found to be essential for the enhancement of the interaction between XBP1u and FOXO1. Thus, our findings support the hypothesis that the turnover of FOXO1 induced by MAPK1/3 and XBP1u is a critical factor regulating the autophagic process.Autophagy 02/2013; 9(5). · 7.45 Impact Factor -
Article: XBP-1u suppresses autophagy by promoting the degradation of FoxO1 in cancer cells.
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ABSTRACT: Autophagy is activated to maintain cellular energy homeostasis in response to nutrient starvation. However, autophagy is not persistently activated, which is poorly understood at a mechanistic level. Here, we report that turnover of FoxO1 is involved in the dynamic autophagic process caused by glutamine starvation. X-box-binding protein-1u (XBP-1u) has a critical role in FoxO1 degradation by recruiting FoxO1 to the 20S proteasome. In addition, the phosphorylation of XBP-1u by extracellular regulated protein kinases1/2 (ERK1/2) on Ser61 and Ser176 was found to be critical for the increased interaction between XBP-1u and FoxO1 upon glutamine starvation. Furthermore, knockdown of XBP-1u caused the sustained level of FoxO1 and the persistent activation of autophagy, leading to a significant decrease in cell viability. Finally, the inverse correlation between XBP-1u and FoxO1 expression agrees well with the expression profiles observed in many human cancer tissues. Thus, our findings link the dynamic process of autophagy to XBP-1u-induced FoxO1 degradation.Cell Research advance online publication 1 January 2013; doi:10.1038/cr.2013.2.Cell Research 01/2013; · 8.19 Impact Factor -
Dataset: Supplemental Fig legends-2012AUTO-zhuweiguo
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Dataset: supplemental Fig 1-2012AUTO-zhuweiguo
