A signalling pathway controlling c-Myc degradation that impacts oncogenic transformation of human cells

Nat Cell Biol. 2004 Apr;6(4):308-18. doi: 10.1038/ncb1110. Epub 2004 Mar 14.

Abstract

The stability of c-Myc is regulated by multiple Ras effector pathways. Phosphorylation at Ser 62 stabilizes c-Myc, whereas subsequent phosphorylation at Thr 58 is required for its degradation. Here we show that Ser 62 is dephosphorylated by protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) before ubiquitination of c-Myc, and that PP2A activity is regulated by the Pin1 prolyl isomerase. Furthermore, the absence of Pin1 or inhibition of PP2A stabilizes c-Myc. A stable c-Myc(T58A) mutant that cannot bind Pin1 or be dephosphorylated by PP2A replaces SV40 small T antigen in human cell transformation and tumorigenesis assays. Therefore, small T antigen, which inactivates PP2A, exerts its oncogenic potential by preventing dephosphorylation of c-Myc, resulting in c-Myc stabilization. Thus, Ras-dependent signalling cascades ensure transient and self-limiting accumulation of c-Myc, disruption of which contributes to human cell oncogenesis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence / genetics
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming / genetics
  • Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism*
  • Genes, myc / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mutation / genetics
  • NIMA-Interacting Peptidylprolyl Isomerase
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Peptidylprolyl Isomerase / genetics
  • Peptidylprolyl Isomerase / metabolism
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / genetics
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Phosphatase 2
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism*
  • RNA Stability / genetics
  • Rats
  • Serine / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Threonine / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming
  • NIMA-Interacting Peptidylprolyl Isomerase
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • Threonine
  • Serine
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases
  • Protein Phosphatase 2
  • PIN1 protein, human
  • Peptidylprolyl Isomerase
  • Pin1 protein, mouse