U19/Eaf2 binds to and stabilizes von hippel-lindau protein

Cancer Res. 2009 Mar 15;69(6):2599-606. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-08-2595. Epub 2009 Mar 3.

Abstract

Studies have firmly established a key regulatory role for the tumor suppressor pVHL in the regulation of the vascular system and normal spermatogenesis. Here, we report that knockout of the newly identified tumor suppressor U19/Eaf2 also caused vascular system abnormalities and aspermatogenesis, suggesting a potential link between U19/Eaf2 and pVHL. Coimmunoprecipitation and in vitro binding assays showed an association between U19/Eaf2 and pVHL, whereas deletion mutagenesis revealed the requirement of the NH(2) terminus of U19/Eaf2 and both the alpha and beta domains of pVHL for this binding. U19/Eaf2 stabilizes pVHL, as shown by protein stability and pulse-chase studies. Testes and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) derived from U19/Eaf2 knockout mice expressed reduced levels of pVHL, indicating that full in vivo expression of pVHL indeed requires U19/Eaf2. As expected, U19/Eaf2 knockout MEF cells exhibited an increased level and activity of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF1alpha), a protein typically regulated via a pVHL-mediated degradation pathway. Furthermore, angiogenesis in a Matrigel plug assay was significantly increased in U19/Eaf2 knockout mice. The above observations argue that U19/Eaf2 can modulate HIF1alpha and angiogenesis, possibly via direct binding and stabilization of pVHL.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Gene Deletion
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Rats
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Transfection
  • Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein / genetics
  • Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • FESTA protein, mouse
  • Hif1a protein, mouse
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein