Myc protein is stabilized by suppression of a novel E3 ligase complex in cancer cells

Genes Dev. 2010 Jun 15;24(12):1236-41. doi: 10.1101/gad.1920310.

Abstract

Rapid Myc protein turnover is critical for maintaining basal levels of Myc activity in normal cells and a prompt response to changing growth signals. We characterize a new Myc-interacting factor, TRPC4AP (transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily C, member 4-associated protein)/TRUSS (tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated ubiquitous scaffolding and signaling protein), which is the receptor for a DDB1 (damage-specific DNA-binding protein 1)-CUL4 (Cullin 4) E3 ligase complex for selective Myc degradation through the proteasome. TRPC4AP/TRUSS binds specifically to the Myc C terminus and promotes its ubiquitination and destruction through the recognition of evolutionarily conserved domains in the Myc N terminus. TRPC4AP/TRUSS suppresses Myc-mediated transactivation and transformation in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, we found that TRPC4AP/TRUSS expression is strongly down-regulated in most cancer cell lines, leading to Myc protein stabilization. These studies identify a novel pathway targeting Myc degradation that is suppressed in cancer cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cullin Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Protein Stability
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism*
  • Sequence Deletion
  • TRPC Cation Channels / genetics
  • TRPC Cation Channels / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cullin Proteins
  • DDB1 protein, human
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • MYC protein, human
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • TRPC Cation Channels
  • TRPC4AP protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases