Crk-associated substrate lymphocyte type regulates transforming growth factor-beta signaling by inhibiting Smad6 and Smad7

Oncogene. 2007 Feb 8;26(6):893-904. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1209848. Epub 2006 Aug 7.

Abstract

Crk-associated substrate lymphocyte type (Cas-L) is a 105 kDa docking protein with diverse functional properties, including regulation of cell division, proliferation, migration and adhesion. Cas-L is also involved in beta1 integrin- or antigen receptor-mediated signaling in B and T cells. In the present study, we demonstrate that Cas-L potentiates transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway by interacting with Smad6 and Smad7. Immunoprecipitation experiments reveal that single domain deletion of full-length Cas-L completely abolishes its docking function with Smad6 and Smad7, suggesting that the natural structure of Cas-L is necessary for its association with Smad6 and Smad7. On the other hand, both N-terminal and C-terminal deletion mutants of Smad6 and Smad7 still retain their docking ability to Cas-L, suggesting that Smad6 and Smad7 possess several binding motifs to Cas-L. Moreover, Cas-L interaction with Mad-homology (MH)2 domain, but not with MH1 domain of Smad6 or Smad7, ameliorates TGF-beta-induced signaling pathway. Finally, depletion of Cas-L by small-interfering RNA oligo attenuates TGF-beta-induced growth inhibition of Huh-7 cells, with a concomitant reduction in phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3. These results strongly suggest that Cas-L is a potential regulator of TGF-beta signaling pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activin Receptors, Type I / metabolism
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Humans
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Smad Proteins, Inhibitory / metabolism
  • Smad6 Protein / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Smad6 Protein / genetics
  • Smad6 Protein / metabolism
  • Smad7 Protein / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Smad7 Protein / genetics
  • Smad7 Protein / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • NEDD9 protein, human
  • Phosphoproteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Smad Proteins, Inhibitory
  • Smad6 Protein
  • Smad7 Protein
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Activin Receptors, Type I
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I