p53 C-terminal phosphorylation by CHK1 and CHK2 participates in the regulation of DNA-damage-induced C-terminal acetylation

Mol Biol Cell. 2005 Apr;16(4):1684-95. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e04-08-0689. Epub 2005 Jan 19.

Abstract

The tumor suppressor protein p53 mediates stress-induced growth arrest or apoptosis and plays a major role in safeguarding genome integrity. In response to DNA damage, p53 can be modified at multiple sites by phosphorylation and acetylation. We report on the characterization of p53 C-terminal phosphorylation by CHK1 and CHK2, two serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) protein kinases, previously implicated in the phosphorylation of the p53 N terminus. Using tryptic phosphopeptide mapping, we have identified six additional CHK1 and CHK2 sites residing in the final 100 amino acids of p53. Phosphorylation of at least three of these sites, Ser366, Ser378, and Thr387, was induced by DNA damage, and the induction at Ser366 and Thr387 was abrogated by small interfering RNA targeting chk1 and chk2. Furthermore, mutation of these phosphorylation sites has a different impact on p53 C-terminal acetylation and on the activation of p53-targeted promoters. Our results demonstrate a possible interplay between p53 C-terminal phosphorylation and acetylation, and they provide an additional mechanism for the control of the activity of p53 by CHK1 and CHK2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1
  • Checkpoint Kinase 2
  • DNA Damage*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Humans
  • Lysine / genetics
  • Lysine / metabolism
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Phosphorylation
  • Phosphoserine / metabolism
  • Phosphothreonine / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / chemistry*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Phosphothreonine
  • Phosphoserine
  • Protein Kinases
  • Checkpoint Kinase 2
  • CHEK1 protein, human
  • CHEK2 protein, human
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Lysine