Ribosomal proteins L5 and L11 co-operatively inactivate c-Myc via RNA-induced silencing complex

Oncogene. 2014 Oct 9;33(41):4916-23. doi: 10.1038/onc.2013.430. Epub 2013 Oct 21.

Abstract

Oncogene MYC is highly expressed in many human cancers and functions as a global regulator of ribosome biogenesis. Previously, we reported that ribosomal protein (RP) L11 binds to c-Myc and inhibits its transcriptional activity in response to ribosomal stress. Here, we show that RPL5, co-operatively with RPL11, guides the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) to c-Myc mRNA and mediates the degradation of the mRNA, consequently leading to inhibition of c-Myc activity. Knocking down of RPL5 induced c-Myc expression at both mRNA and protein levels, whereas overexpression of RPL5 suppressed c-Myc expression and activity. Immunoprecipitation revealed that RPL5 binds to 3'UTR of c-Myc mRNA and two subunits of RISC, TRBP (HIV-1 TAR RNA-binding protein) and Ago2, mediating the targeting of c-Myc mRNA by miRNAs. Interestingly, RPL5 and RPL11 co-resided on c-Myc mRNA and suppressed c-Myc expression co-operatively. These findings uncover a mechanism by which these two RPs can co-operatively suppress c-Myc expression, allowing a tightly controlled ribosome biogenesis in cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Argonaute Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Culture Media / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics*
  • RNA Stability
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Ribosomal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ribosomes / metabolism

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • AGO2 protein, human
  • Argonaute Proteins
  • Culture Media
  • MYC protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Ribosomal Proteins
  • ribosomal protein L11
  • ribosomal protein L5, human
  • trans-activation responsive RNA-binding protein