RGS6 suppresses Ras-induced cellular transformation by facilitating Tip60-mediated Dnmt1 degradation and promoting apoptosis

J Huang, A Stewart, B Maity, J Hagen, RL Fagan… - Oncogene, 2014 - nature.com
J Huang, A Stewart, B Maity, J Hagen, RL Fagan, J Yang, DE Quelle, C Brenner, RA Fisher
Oncogene, 2014nature.com
The RAS protooncogene has a central role in regulation of cell proliferation, and point
mutations leading to oncogenic activation of Ras occur in a large number of human cancers.
Silencing of tumor-suppressor genes by DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) is essential for
oncogenic cellular transformation by Ras, and Dnmt1 is overexpressed in numerous human
cancers. Here we provide new evidence that the pleiotropic regulator of G protein signaling
(RGS) family member RGS6 suppresses Ras-induced cellular transformation by facilitating …
Abstract
The RAS protooncogene has a central role in regulation of cell proliferation, and point mutations leading to oncogenic activation of Ras occur in a large number of human cancers. Silencing of tumor-suppressor genes by DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) is essential for oncogenic cellular transformation by Ras, and Dnmt1 is overexpressed in numerous human cancers. Here we provide new evidence that the pleiotropic regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) family member RGS6 suppresses Ras-induced cellular transformation by facilitating Tip60-mediated degradation of Dmnt1 and promoting apoptosis. Employing mouse embryonic fibroblasts from wild-type and RGS6−/− mice, we found that oncogenic Ras induced upregulation of RGS6, which in turn blocked Ras-induced cellular transformation. RGS6 functions to suppress cellular transformation in response to oncogenic Ras by downregulating Dnmt1 protein expression leading to inhibition of Dnmt1-mediated anti-apoptotic activity. Further experiments showed that RGS6 functions as a scaffolding protein for both Dnmt1 and Tip60 and is required for Tip60-mediated acetylation of Dnmt1 and subsequent Dnmt1 ubiquitylation and degradation. The RGS domain of RGS6, known only for its GTPase-activating protein activity toward Gα subunits, was sufficient to mediate Tip60 association with RGS6. This work demonstrates a novel signaling action for RGS6 in negative regulation of oncogene-induced transformation and provides new insights into our understanding of the mechanisms underlying Ras-induced oncogenic transformation and regulation of Dnmt1 expression. Importantly, these findings identify RGS6 as an essential cellular defender against oncogenic stress and a potential therapeutic target for developing new cancer treatments.
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