PKCε phosphorylates MIIP and promotes colorectal cancer metastasis through inhibition of RelA deacetylation

Nat Commun. 2017 Oct 16;8(1):939. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-01024-2.

Abstract

EGFR signaling is implicated in NF-κB activation. However, the concrete mechanisms by which the core transducer of NF-κB signaling pathway, RelA/p65 is regulated under EGFR activation remains to be further clarified. Here, we show that EGF stimulation induces PKCε-dependent phosphorylation of migration and invasion inhibitory protein (MIIP) at Ser303; this phosphorylation promotes the interaction between MIIP and RelA in the nucleus, by which MIIP prevents histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6)-mediated RelA deacetylation, and thus enhances transcriptional activity of RelA and facilitates tumor metastasis. Meanwhile PP1, which functions as a phosphatase, is found to mediate MIIP-S303 dephosphorylation and its expression level inversely correlates with metastatic capability of tumor cells. Moreover, clinical analyses indicate the level of MIIP-S303 phosphorylation correlates with colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis and prognosis. These findings uncover an unidentified mechanism underlying the precise regulation of NF-κB by EGF, and highlight the critical role of nuclear MIIP in tumor metastasis.In colorectal cancer, EGFR signalling is implicated in metastasis. Here, the authors unravel a mechanism through which EGF stimulation induces MIIP phosphorylation, leading to MIIP interacting with RelA-this prevents RelA deactylation and enhances transcriptional activity, facilitating metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Animals
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / pharmacology
  • Female
  • HCT116 Cells
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Kinase C-epsilon / metabolism*
  • RNA Interference
  • Serine / metabolism
  • Transcription Factor RelA / metabolism*
  • Transplantation, Heterologous

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • MIIP protein, human
  • RELA protein, human
  • Transcription Factor RelA
  • Serine
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Protein Kinase C-epsilon