RGS6 suppresses Ras-induced cellular transformation by facilitating Tip60-mediated Dnmt1 degradation and promoting apoptosis

Oncogene. 2014 Jul 3;33(27):3604-11. doi: 10.1038/onc.2013.324. Epub 2013 Sep 2.

Abstract

The RAS protooncogene has a central role in regulation of cell proliferation, and point mutations leading to oncogenic activation of Ras occur in a large number of human cancers. Silencing of tumor-suppressor genes by DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) is essential for oncogenic cellular transformation by Ras, and Dnmt1 is overexpressed in numerous human cancers. Here we provide new evidence that the pleiotropic regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) family member RGS6 suppresses Ras-induced cellular transformation by facilitating Tip60-mediated degradation of Dmnt1 and promoting apoptosis. Employing mouse embryonic fibroblasts from wild-type and RGS6(-/-) mice, we found that oncogenic Ras induced upregulation of RGS6, which in turn blocked Ras-induced cellular transformation. RGS6 functions to suppress cellular transformation in response to oncogenic Ras by downregulating Dnmt1 protein expression leading to inhibition of Dnmt1-mediated anti-apoptotic activity. Further experiments showed that RGS6 functions as a scaffolding protein for both Dnmt1 and Tip60 and is required for Tip60-mediated acetylation of Dnmt1 and subsequent Dnmt1 ubiquitylation and degradation. The RGS domain of RGS6, known only for its GTPase-activating protein activity toward Gα subunits, was sufficient to mediate Tip60 association with RGS6. This work demonstrates a novel signaling action for RGS6 in negative regulation of oncogene-induced transformation and provides new insights into our understanding of the mechanisms underlying Ras-induced oncogenic transformation and regulation of Dnmt1 expression. Importantly, these findings identify RGS6 as an essential cellular defender against oncogenic stress and a potential therapeutic target for developing new cancer treatments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic*
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Histone Acetyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lysine Acetyltransferase 5
  • Mice
  • Proteolysis*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / metabolism*
  • RGS Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*

Substances

  • RGS Proteins
  • Rgs6 protein, mouse
  • Trans-Activators
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases
  • DNMT1 protein, human
  • Dnmt1 protein, mouse
  • Histone Acetyltransferases
  • Kat5 protein, mouse
  • Lysine Acetyltransferase 5
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)