Inhibition of UBE2D3 expression attenuates radiosensitivity of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells by increasing hTERT expression and activity

PLoS One. 2013 May 31;8(5):e64660. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064660. Print 2013.

Abstract

The known functions of telomerase in tumor cells include replenishing telomeric DNA and maintaining cell immortality. We have previously shown the existence of a negative correlation between human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and radiosensitivity in tumor cells. Here we set out to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying regulation by telomerase of radiosensitivity in MCF-7 cells. Toward this aim, yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screening of a human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma radioresistant (Hep2R) cDNA library was first performed to search for potential hTERT interacting proteins. We identified ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2D3 (UBE2D3) as a principle hTERT-interacting protein and validated this association biochemically. ShRNA-mediated inhibition of UBE2D3 expression attenuated MCF-7 radiosensitivity, and induced the accumulation of hTERT and cyclin D1 in these cells. Moreover, down-regulation of UBE2D3 increased hTERT activity and cell proliferation, accelerating G1 to S phase transition in MCF-7 cells. Collectively these findings suggest that UBE2D3 participates in the process of hTERT-mediated radiosensitivity in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells by regulating hTERT and cyclin D1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cyclin D1 / genetics*
  • Cyclin D1 / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gamma Rays
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Gene Library
  • Humans
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Radiation Tolerance / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Telomerase / genetics*
  • Telomerase / metabolism
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / genetics*
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Cyclin D1
  • UBE2D3 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes
  • TERT protein, human
  • Telomerase