Nuclear import of transcription factor BR-C is mediated by its interaction with RACK1

PLoS One. 2014 Oct 3;9(10):e109111. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109111. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

The transcription factor Broad Complex (BR-C) is an early ecdysone response gene in insects and contains two types of domains: two zinc finger domains for the activation of gene transcription and a Bric-a-brac/Tramtrack/Broad complex (BTB) domain for protein-protein interaction. Although the mechanism of zinc finger-mediated gene transcription is well studied, the partners interacting with the BTB domain of BR-C has not been elucidated until now. Here, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen using the BTB domain of silkworm BR-C as bait and identified the receptor for activated C-kinase 1 (RACK1), a scaffolding/anchoring protein, as the novel partner capable of interacting with BR-C. The interaction between BR-C and RACK1 was further confirmed by far-western blotting and pull-down assays. Importantly, the disruption of this interaction, via RNAi against the endogenous RACK1 gene or deletion of the BTB domain, abolished the nuclear import of BR-C in BmN4 cells. In addition, RNAi against the endogenous PKC gene as well as phosphorylation-deficient mutation of the predicted PKC phosphorylation sites at either Ser373 or Thr406 in BR-C phenocopied RACK1 RNAi and altered the nuclear localization of BR-C. However, when BTB domain was deleted, phosphorylation mimics of either Ser373 or Thr406 had no effect on the nuclear import of BR-C. Moreover, mutating the PKC phosphorylation sites at Ser373 and Thr406 or deleting the BTB domain significantly decreased the transcriptional activation of a BR-C target gene. Given that RACK1 is necessary for recruiting PKC to close and phosphorylate target proteins, we suggest that the PKC-mediated phosphorylation and nuclear import of BR-C is determined by its interaction with RACK1. This novel finding will be helpful for further deciphering the mechanism underlying the role of BR-C proteins during insect development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Bombyx / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA Interference
  • Receptors for Activated C Kinase
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / analysis
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / analysis
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • Receptors for Activated C Kinase
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Transcription Factors

Grants and funding

Support was provided by the National Basic Research Program of China (no. 2012CB114600), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 31272503 and no. 31172267), the National Hi-Tech Research and Development Program of China (no. 2011AA100306), and the Municipal Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (no. cstc2012jjA80023). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.