Bromodomain protein Brd4 binds to GTPase-activating SPA-1, modulating its activity and subcellular localization

Mol Cell Biol. 2004 Oct;24(20):9059-69. doi: 10.1128/MCB.24.20.9059-9069.2004.

Abstract

Brd4 is a mammalian protein that contains a double bromodomain. It binds to chromatin and regulates cell cycle progression at multiple stages. By immunopurification and mass spectrometry, we identified a Rap GTPase-activating protein (GAP), signal-induced proliferation-associated protein 1 (SPA-1), as a factor that interacts with Brd4. SPA-1 localizes to the cytoplasm and to a lesser degree in the nucleus, while Brd4 resides in the nucleus. Bifluorescence complementation revealed that Brd4 and SPA-1 interact with each other in the nucleus of living cells. Supporting the functional importance of the interaction, Brd4 enhanced Rap GAP activity of SPA-1. Furthermore ectopic expression of SPA-1 and Brd4 redirected subcellular localization of the partner and disrupted normal cell cycle progression. These effects were, however, reversed by coexpression of the two proteins, indicating that a proper balance between Brd4 and SPA-1 in G2 is required for cell division. This work reveals a novel link between Brd4 and a GTPase-dependent mitogenic signaling pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle / physiology
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / genetics
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Subcellular Fractions / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors
  • rap GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • BRD4 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • SIPA1 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • RAP2A protein, human
  • rap GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins