PR55α-containing protein phosphatase 2A complexes promote cancer cell migration and invasion through regulation of AP-1 transcriptional activity

Oncogene. 2015 Mar 5;34(10):1333-9. doi: 10.1038/onc.2014.26. Epub 2014 Mar 17.

Abstract

The proto-oncogene c-Jun is a component of activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor complexes that regulates processes essential for embryonic development, tissue homeostasis and malignant transformation. Induction of gene expression by c-Jun involves stimulation of its transactivation ability and upregulation of DNA binding capacity. While it is well established that the former requires JNK-mediated phosphorylation of S63/S73, the mechanism(s) through which binding of c-Jun to its endogenous target genes is regulated remains poorly characterized. Here we show that interaction of c-Jun with chromatin is positively regulated by protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) complexes targeted to c-Jun by the PR55α regulatory subunit. PR55α-PP2A specifically dephosphorylates T239 of c-Jun, promoting its binding to genes regulating tumour cell migration and invasion. PR55α-PP2A also enhanced transcription of these genes, without affecting phosphorylation of c-Jun on S63. These findings suggest a critical role for interplay between JNK and PP2A pathways determining the functional activity of c-Jun/AP-1 in tumour cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / genetics
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / metabolism
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • MAS1 protein, human
  • PPP2R2A protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun
  • Transcription Factor AP-1
  • fos-related antigen 1
  • Protein Phosphatase 2