Pin1 regulates the dynamics of c-Myc DNA binding to facilitate target gene regulation and oncogenesis

Mol Cell Biol. 2013 Aug;33(15):2930-49. doi: 10.1128/MCB.01455-12. Epub 2013 May 28.

Abstract

The Myc oncoprotein is considered a master regulator of gene transcription by virtue of its ability to modulate the expression of a large percentage of all genes. However, mechanisms that direct Myc's recruitment to DNA and target gene selection to elicit specific cellular functions have not been well elucidated. Here, we report that the Pin1 prolyl isomerase enhances recruitment of serine 62-phosphorylated Myc and its coactivators to select promoters during gene activation, followed by promoting Myc's release associated with its degradation. This facilitates Myc's activation of genes involved in cell growth and metabolism, resulting in enhanced proproliferative activity, even while controlling Myc levels. In cancer cells with impaired Myc degradation, Pin1 still enhances Myc DNA binding, although it no longer facilitates Myc degradation. Thus, we find that Pin1 and Myc are cooverexpressed in cancer, and this drives a gene expression pattern that we show is enriched in poor-outcome breast cancer subtypes. This study provides new insight into mechanisms regulating Myc DNA binding and oncogenic activity, it reveals a novel role for Pin1 in the regulation of transcription factors, and it elucidates a mechanism that can contribute to oncogenic cooperation between Pin1 and Myc.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast / metabolism
  • Breast / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • NIMA-Interacting Peptidylprolyl Isomerase
  • Peptidylprolyl Isomerase / genetics*
  • Peptidylprolyl Isomerase / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism
  • RNA Polymerase II / metabolism
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Xenopus
  • Xenopus Proteins / genetics
  • Xenopus Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • NIMA-Interacting Peptidylprolyl Isomerase
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • DNA
  • RNA Polymerase II
  • PIN1 protein, human
  • Peptidylprolyl Isomerase
  • Pin1 protein, mouse
  • Pin1 protein, Xenopus