Phospholipase Cβ1 is linked to RNA interference of specific genes through translin-associated factor X

FASEB J. 2012 Dec;26(12):4903-13. doi: 10.1096/fj.12-213934. Epub 2012 Aug 13.

Abstract

Phospholipase Cβ1 (PLCβ1) is a G-protein-regulated enzyme whose activity results in proliferative and mitogenic changes in the cell. We have previously found that in solution PLCβ1 binds to the RNA processing protein translin-associated factor X (TRAX) with nanomolar affinity and that this binding competes with G proteins. Here, we show that endogenous PLCβ1 and TRAX interact in SK-N-SH cells and also in HEK293 cells induced to overexpress PLCβ1. In HEK293 cells, TRAX overexpression ablates Ca(2+) signals generated by G protein-PLCβ1 activation. TRAX plays a key role in down-regulation of proteins by small, interfering RNA, and PLCβ1 overexpression completely reverses the 2- to 4-fold down-regulation of GAPDH by siRNA in HEK293 and HeLa cells as seen by an ∼4-fold recovery in both the transcript and protein levels. Also, down-regulation of endogenous PLCβ1 in HEK293 and HeLa cells allows for an ∼20% increase in siRNA(GAPDH) silencing. While PLCβ1 overexpression results in a 50% reversal of cell death caused by siRNA(LDH), it does not affect cell survival or silencing of other genes (e.g., cyclophilin, Hsp90, translin). PLCβ1 overexpression in HEK293 and HeLa cells causes a 30% reduction in the total amount of small RNAs. LDH and GAPDH are part of a complex that promotes H2B synthesis that allows cells to progress through the S phase. We find that PLCβ1 reverses the cell death and completely rescues H2B levels caused by siRNA knockdown of LDH or GAPDH. Taken together, our study shows a novel role of PLCβ1 in gene regulation through TRAX association.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11 / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11 / metabolism
  • Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (NADP+) / genetics
  • Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (NADP+) / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / genetics
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / genetics
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / metabolism*
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Phospholipase C beta / genetics
  • Phospholipase C beta / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA Interference*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Histones
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • TSNAX protein, human
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
  • Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (NADP+)
  • PLCB1 protein, human
  • Phospholipase C beta
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11