TRC8 suppresses tumorigenesis through targeting heme oxygenase-1 for ubiquitination and degradation

Oncogene. 2013 May 2;32(18):2325-34. doi: 10.1038/onc.2012.244. Epub 2012 Jun 11.

Abstract

The TRC8 gene, which was previously shown to be disrupted by a 3;8 chromosomal translocation in hereditary kidney cancer, encodes for an endoplasmic reticulum-resident E3 ligase. Studies have shown that TRC8 exhibits a tumor-suppressive effect through its E3-ligase activity. Therefore, the identification of its physiological substrates will provide important insights into the molecular mechanism underlying TRC8-mediated tumor suppression. Here we show that TRC8 targets heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an antioxidant enzyme highly expressed in various cancers, for ubiquitination and degradation. Ectopic TRC8 expression suppresses HO-1-induced cancer cell growth and migration/invasion. Conversely, HO-1 depletion reduced the tumorigenic and invasive capacities promoted by TRC8 knockdown. HO-1 downregulation in renal carcinoma cells induces a mitotic delay at G2/M phase by increasing the intracellular reactive oxygen species and the DNA-damage-induced checkpoint activation. These results highlight the tumorigenic role of HO-1 and the importance of TRC8-mediated HO-1 degradation in the control of cancer growth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / pathology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement
  • G2 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints
  • HeLa Cells
  • Heme Oxygenase-1 / genetics
  • Heme Oxygenase-1 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • RNF139 protein, human
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • HMOX1 protein, human
  • Heme Oxygenase-1