Abstract
Growth factor erv1-like (Gfer) is an evolutionarily conserved sulfhydryl oxidase that is enriched in embryonic and adult stem cells and plays an essential prosurvival role in pluripotent embryonic stem cells. Here we show that knockdown (KD) of Gfer in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) compromises their in vivo engraftment potential and triggers a hyper-proliferative response that leads to their exhaustion. KD of Gfer in HSCs does not elicit a significant alteration of mitochondrial morphology or loss of cell viability. However, these cells possess significantly reduced levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(kip1). In contrast, overexpression of Gfer in HSCs results in significantly elevated total and nuclear p27(kip1). KD of Gfer results in enhanced binding of p27(kip1) to its inhibitor, the COP9 signalosome subunit jun activation-domain binding protein 1 (Jab1), leading to its down-regulation. Conversely, overexpression of Gfer results in its enhanced binding to Jab1 and inhibition of the Jab1-p27(kip1) interaction. Furthermore, normalization of p27(kip1) in Gfer-KD HSCs rescues their in vitro proliferation deficits. Taken together, our data demonstrate the presence of a novel Gfer-Jab1-p27(kip1) pathway in HSCs that functions to restrict abnormal proliferation.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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COP9 Signalosome Complex
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Cell Proliferation*
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Cell Survival / genetics
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Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / genetics
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Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / metabolism*
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Down-Regulation
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Gene Expression
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
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Gene Knockdown Techniques
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Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
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Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
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Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism*
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
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Lentivirus
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred Strains
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Oxidoreductases Acting on Sulfur Group Donors / genetics
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Oxidoreductases Acting on Sulfur Group Donors / metabolism*
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Peptide Hydrolases / genetics
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Peptide Hydrolases / metabolism*
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Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology
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Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
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Protein Binding / genetics
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RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism*
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Transfection
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Whole-Body Irradiation
Substances
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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RNA, Small Interfering
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins
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Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27
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Oxidoreductases Acting on Sulfur Group Donors
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GFER protein, mouse
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Peptide Hydrolases
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Cops5 protein, mouse
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COP9 Signalosome Complex