Constitutive c-Myb amino-terminal phosphorylation and DNA binding activity uncoupled during entry and passage through the cell cycle

Oncogene. 2001 Mar 29;20(14):1784-92. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1204345.

Abstract

The c-myb gene encodes a transcription factor that is central to hematopoietic cell growth. Phosphorylation of c-Myb by casein kinase 2 (CK2) at serines 11 and 12 has been variously implicated in the regulation of DNA binding. However, it is unclear when c-Myb phosphorylation at serines 11 and 12 occurs during the cell cycle and how this is regulated. We generated specific antisera that recognize phosphoserines 11 and 12 of c-Myb. C-Myb protein levels, extent of CK2 phosphorylation and DNA binding were then monitored following mitogenic stimulus and passage through the cell cycle in normal peripheral T-cells and the T leukemia cell line CCRF-CEM. We found that endogenous c-Myb is constitutively phosphorylated at serines 11 and 12. The amount of phosphorylated c-Myb correlates with DNA binding activity in cycling CEM cells but not upon entry of T-cells into the cell cycle. Exogenous expression of c-Myb with substitutions of serines 11 and 12 with glutamic acid or alanine had no effect on the transactivation of a c-Myb responsive reporter. These data strongly suggest that c-Myb is constitutively phosphorylated on serines 11 and 12 by CK2 or like activity and is not regulated during the cell cycle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Casein Kinase II
  • Cell Cycle
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / physiology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb / metabolism*
  • Serine / metabolism
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb
  • Serine
  • DNA
  • Casein Kinase II
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases