The β-TrCP-FBXW2-SKP2 axis regulates lung cancer cell growth with FBXW2 acting as a tumour suppressor

Nat Commun. 2017 Jan 16:8:14002. doi: 10.1038/ncomms14002.

Abstract

β-TrCP and SKP2 are two well-studied F-box proteins, which often act as oncogenes. Whether and how they communicate with each other is unknown. Here we report that FBXW2, a poorly characterized F-box, is a substrate of β-TrCP1 and an E3 ligase for SKP2. While β-TrCP1 promotes FBXW2 ubiquitylation and shortens its half-life, FBXW2 does the same to SKP2. FBXW2 has tumour suppressor activity against lung cancer cells and blocks oncogenic function of both β-TrCP1 and SKP2. The levels of β-TrCP1-FBXW2-SKP2 are inversely correlated during cell cycle with FBXW2 and β-TrCP/SKP2 being high or low, respectively, in arrested cells, whereas the opposite is true in proliferating cells. Consistently, FBXW2 predicts a better patient survival, whereas β-TrCP1 and SKP2 predict a worse survival. Finally, the gain- and loss-of-function mutations of FBXW2 are found in various human cancers. Collectively, our data show that the β-TrCP-FBXW2-SKP2 axis forms an oncogene-tumour suppressor-oncogene cascade to control cancer cell growth with FBXW2 acting as a tumour suppressor by promoting SKP2 degradation.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • F-Box Proteins / genetics
  • F-Box Proteins / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Proteolysis
  • S-Phase Kinase-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • S-Phase Kinase-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • beta-Transducin Repeat-Containing Proteins / genetics
  • beta-Transducin Repeat-Containing Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • F-Box Proteins
  • FBXW2 protein, human
  • S-Phase Kinase-Associated Proteins
  • SKP2 protein, human
  • beta-Transducin Repeat-Containing Proteins