TTF-1/NKX2-1 binds to DDB1 and confers replication stress resistance to lung adenocarcinomas

Oncogene. 2017 Jun 29;36(26):3740-3748. doi: 10.1038/onc.2016.524. Epub 2017 Feb 13.

Abstract

TTF-1, also known as NKX2-1, is a transcription factor that has indispensable roles in both lung development and physiology. We and others have reported that TTF-1 frequently exhibits high expression with increased copy number in lung adenocarcinomas, and also has a role as a lineage-survival oncogene through transcriptional activation of crucial target genes including ROR1 and LMO3. In the present study, we employed a global proteomic search for proteins that interact with TTF-1 in order to provide a more comprehensive picture of this still enigmatic lineage-survival oncogene. Our results unexpectedly revealed a function independent of its transcriptional activity, as TTF-1 was found to interact with DDB1 and block its binding to CHK1, which in turn attenuated ubiquitylation and subsequent degradation of CHK1. Furthermore, TTF-1 overexpression conferred resistance to cellular conditions under DNA replication stress (RS) and prevented an increase in consequential DNA double-strand breaks, as reflected by attenuated induction of pCHK2 and γH2AX. Our findings suggest that the novel non-transcriptional function of TTF-1 identified in this study may contribute to lung adenocarcinoma development by conferring tolerance to DNA RS, which is known to be inherently elicited by activation of various oncogenes.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics*
  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1 / genetics
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded
  • DNA Replication / physiology*
  • DNA, Neoplasm / biosynthesis
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • DDB1 protein, human
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • TTF1 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • CHEK1 protein, human
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1