Discovery of novel protein partners of the transcription factor FOXL2 provides insights into its physiopathological roles

Hum Mol Genet. 2012 Jul 15;21(14):3264-74. doi: 10.1093/hmg/dds170. Epub 2012 Apr 27.

Abstract

FOXL2 transcription factor is responsible for the Blepharophimosis Ptosis Epicantus inversus Syndrome (BPES), a genetic disease involving craniofacial malformations often associated with ovarian failure. Recently, a somatic FOXL2 mutation (p.C134W) has been reported in >95% of adult-type granulosa cell tumors. Here, we have identified 10 novel FOXL2 partners by yeast-two-hybrid screening and co-immunoprecipitation. Most BPES-inducing mutated FOXL2 proteins display aggregation in cultured cells. Here, we show that two of the partners (NR2C1 and GMEB1) can be sequestered in such aggregates. This co-aggregation can contribute to the pathogenesis of FOXL2 mutations. We have also measured the effects of FOXL2 interactants on the transcriptional regulation of a series of target promoters. Some of the partners (CXXC4, CXXC5, BANF1) were able to repress FOXL2 activity indistinctively of the promoter. Interestingly, CREM-τ2α, which acted as a repressor on most promoters, increased wild-type (WT) FOXL2 activity on two promoters (PTGS2 and CYP19A1), but was unable to increase the activity of the oncogenic mutant p.C134W. Conversely, GMEB1, which also acted as a repressor on most promoters and increased WT FOXL2 activity on the Per2 promoter, increased to a greater extent the activity of the p.C134W variant. Interestingly, partners with intrinsic pro-apoptotic effect were able to increase apoptosis induction by WT FOXL2, but not by the p.C134W mutant, whereas partners with an anti-apoptotic effect decreased apoptosis induction by both FOXL2 versions. Altogether, these results suggest that the p.C134W mutated form fails to integrate signals through protein-protein interactions to regulate target promoter subsets and in particular to induce cell death.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Blepharophimosis / genetics
  • Blepharophimosis / metabolism*
  • Blepharophimosis / physiopathology
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Female
  • Forkhead Box Protein L2
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mutation, Missense
  • Ovarian Follicle / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Transport
  • Skin Abnormalities / genetics
  • Skin Abnormalities / metabolism*
  • Skin Abnormalities / physiopathology
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Urogenital Abnormalities

Substances

  • CXXC4 protein, human
  • CXXC5 protein, human
  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • FOXL2 protein, human
  • Forkhead Box Protein L2
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors

Supplementary concepts

  • Blepharophimosis, Ptosis, and Epicanthus Inversus