Terminal uridyltransferase enzyme Zcchc11 promotes cell proliferation independent of its uridyltransferase activity

J Biol Chem. 2011 Dec 9;286(49):42381-42389. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.259689. Epub 2011 Oct 17.

Abstract

Zcchc11 is a uridyltransferase protein with enzymatic activity directed against diverse RNA species. On the basis of its known uridylation targets, we hypothesized that Zcchc11 might regulate cell proliferation. Confirming this, loss-of-function and complementary gain-of-function experiments consistently revealed that Zcchc11 promotes the transition from G(1) to S phase of the cell cycle. This activity takes place through both Rb-dependent and Rb-independent mechanisms by promoting the expression of multiple G(1)-associated proteins, including cyclins D(1) and A and CDK4. Surprisingly, a Zcchc11 construct with point mutations inactivating the uridyltransferase domain enhanced cell proliferation as effectively as wild-type Zcchc11. Furthermore, truncated mutant constructs revealed that the cell cycle effects of Zcchc11 were driven by the N-terminal region of the protein that lacks the RNA-binding domains and uridyltransferase activity of the full protein. Therefore, the N-terminal portion of Zcchc11, which lacks nucleotidyltransferase capabilities, is biologically active and mediates a previously unrecognized role for Zcchc11 in facilitating cell proliferation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Endothelial Cells
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA / chemistry
  • Retinoblastoma Protein / chemistry
  • Transfection

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Retinoblastoma Protein
  • TUT4 protein, human
  • RNA
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases