Enhancement of c-Myc degradation by BLM helicase leads to delayed tumor initiation

Chandra, Suruchika ; Priyadarshini, Raina ; Madhavan, Vinoth ; Tikoo, Shweta ; Hussain, Mansoor ; Mudgal, Richa ; Modi, Priyanka ; Srivastava, Vivek ; Sengupta, Sagar (2013) Enhancement of c-Myc degradation by BLM helicase leads to delayed tumor initiation Journal of Cell Science, 126 (16). pp. 3782-3795. ISSN 0021-9533

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Official URL: http://jcs.biologists.org/content/126/16/3782.long

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jcs.124719

Abstract

The spectrum of tumors that arise owing to the overexpression of c-Myc and loss of BLM is very similar. Hence, it was hypothesized that the presence of BLM negatively regulates c-Myc functions. By using multiple isogenic cell lines, we observed that the decrease of endogenous c-Myc levels that occurs in the presence of BLM is reversed when the cells are treated with proteasome inhibitors, indicating that BLM enhances c-Myc turnover. Whereas the N-terminal region of BLM interacts with c-Myc, the rest of the helicase interacts with the c-Myc E3 ligase Fbw7. The two BLM domains act as ‘clamp and/or adaptor’, enhancing the binding of c-Myc to Fbw7. BLM promotes Fbw7-dependent K48-linked c-Myc ubiquitylation and its subsequent degradation in a helicase-independent manner. A subset of BLM-regulated genes that are also targets of c-Myc were determined and validated at both RNA and protein levels. To obtain an in vivo validation of the effect of BLM on c-Myc-mediated tumor initiation, isogenic cells from colon cancer cells that either do or do not express BLM had been manipulated to block c-Myc expression in a controlled manner. By using these cell lines, the metastatic potential and rate of initiation of tumors in nude mice were determined. The presence of BLM decreases c-Myc-mediated invasiveness and delays tumor initiation in a mouse xenograft model. Consequently, in tumors that express BLM but not c-Myc, we observed a decreased ratio of proliferation to apoptosis together with a suppressed expression of the angiogenesis marker CD31. Hence, partly owing to its regulation of c-Myc stability, BLM acts as a ‘caretaker tumor suppressor’.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to Company of Biologists Ltd.
ID Code:111452
Deposited On:31 Jan 2018 09:36
Last Modified:31 Jan 2018 09:36

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