CREBZF, a novel Smad8-binding protein

Mol Cell Biochem. 2012 Sep;368(1-2):147-53. doi: 10.1007/s11010-012-1353-4. Epub 2012 Jun 16.

Abstract

Smads are the secondary messengers of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway. TGF-β receptors phosphorylate the Receptor Smads (R-Smads) upon ligand binding; activated R-Smads translocate to the nucleus and function as transcription factors. Among the R-Smads, Smads 1, 5, and 8 mainly mediate signals in the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) pathways, while Smads 2/3 mediate TGF-β signaling. The regulation of Smads in the TGF-β signal pathway has been well defined, but the relationship of Smads 1, 5, and 8 to the BMP pathways has been relatively understudied. To understand the specific regulation of BMP mediating Smads, we performed yeast two-hybrid screening using the Mad homology 2(MH2) domain of Smad8 as bait. In this screening, novel Smad-binding protein, CREBZF-a basic region-leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor-was identified. The interaction of CREBZF and Smads 1, 5, and 8 was confirmed by immunoprecipitation in a human prostate cancer cell line. Overexpression of CREBZF inhibited the promoter activity of BMP response element and abolished the cell growth inhibition induced by BMP-6. Thus, CREBZF inhibits the function of BMP-6 by interacting with Smads. The identification of this novel Smads-binding protein, among others will help us understand the modulation of BMP-signaling pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 / biosynthesis*
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 / genetics
  • Humans
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / physiology*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Smad1 Protein / genetics
  • Smad1 Protein / metabolism
  • Smad2 Protein / genetics
  • Smad2 Protein / metabolism
  • Smad8 Protein / genetics
  • Smad8 Protein / metabolism*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • BMP6 protein, human
  • Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6
  • CREBZF protein, human
  • SMAD1 protein, human
  • SMAD2 protein, human
  • SMAD9 protein, human
  • Smad1 Protein
  • Smad2 Protein
  • Smad8 Protein
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta