Identification of a novel c-Myc protein interactor, JPO2, with transforming activity in medulloblastoma cells

Cancer Res. 2005 Jul 1;65(13):5607-19. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-05-0500.

Abstract

c-myc oncogene activation is critical in the pathogenesis of a spectrum of human malignancies. The c-Myc NH2-terminal domain (MycNTD) is essential for cellular transformation, and mediates critical protein interactions that modulate c-Myc oncogenic properties. In medulloblastoma, the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor, deregulated c-myc expression is linked with poorer disease phenotypes and outcomes. The biological basis for these associations is, however, not well understood. To better understand mechanisms underlying Myc-mediated transformation of medulloblastoma, we sought to identify novel MycNTD protein interactors from a medulloblastoma cell line library using a unique two-hybrid system. We identified a novel MycNTD binding protein, JPO2, which shows nuclear colocalization with c-Myc, and interacts with c-Myc both in vitro and in mammalian cells. In Rat1a transformation assays, JPO2 potentiates c-Myc transforming activity, and can complement a transformation-defective Myc mutant. Immunohistochemical studies indicate tumor-specific JPO2 expression in human medulloblastoma, and an association of JPO2 expression with metastatic tumors. Significantly, JPO2 expression induces colony formation in UW228, a medulloblastoma cell line, whereas RNAi-mediated JPO2 knockdown impairs colony formation in UW228, and in Myc-transformed UW228 cells. These data provide evidence for biochemical and functional interaction between c-Myc and JPO2 in medulloblastoma transformation. JPO2 is closely related to JPO1, a Myc transcriptional target with transforming activity. As tumor-specific JPO1 expression in human and murine medulloblastoma has also been reported; these collective observations suggest important functional links between the novel JPO protein family and c-Myc in medulloblastoma transformation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Growth Processes / physiology
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism*
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • HL-60 Cells
  • Humans
  • Medulloblastoma / genetics
  • Medulloblastoma / metabolism*
  • Medulloblastoma / pathology
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nuclear Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptides / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism*
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • CDCA7L protein, human
  • Chromatin
  • MYC protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptides
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • Repressor Proteins
  • FLAG peptide