EBNA3C facilitates RASSF1A downregulation through ubiquitin-mediated degradation and promoter hypermethylation to drive B-cell proliferation

PLoS Pathog. 2019 Jan 7;15(1):e1007514. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007514. eCollection 2019 Jan.

Abstract

EBV latent antigen 3C (EBNA3C) is essential for EBV-induced primary B-cell transformation. Infection by EBV induces hypermethylation of a number of tumor suppressor genes, which contributes to the development of human cancers. The Ras association domain family isoform 1A (RASSF1A) is a cellular tumor suppressor, which regulates a broad range of cellular functions, including apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, mitotic arrest, and migration. However, the expression of RASSF1A is lost in many human cancers by epigenetic silencing. In the present study, we showed that EBNA3C promoted B-cell transformation by specifically suppressing the expression of RASSF1A. EBNA3C directly interacted with RASSF1A and induced RASSF1A degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent pathway. SCFSkp2, an E3-ubiquitin ligase, was recruited by EBNA3C to enhance RASSF1A degradation. Moreover, EBNA3C decreased the transcriptional activity of RASSF1A promoter by enhancing its methylation through EBNA3C-mediated modulation of DNMTs expression. EBNA3C also inhibited RASSF1A-mediated cell apoptosis, disrupted RASSF1A-mediated microtubule and chromosomal stability, and promoted cell proliferation by upregulating Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E expression. Our data provides new details, which sheds light on additional mechanisms by which EBNA3C can induce B-cell transformation. This will also facilitate the development of novel therapeutic approaches through targeting of the RASSF1A pathway.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Viral / genetics
  • Apoptosis
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Viral / genetics
  • DNA Methylation / genetics
  • Down-Regulation
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / genetics
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / genetics
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / metabolism*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / genetics
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens
  • RASSF1 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins