Targeting of SET/I2PP2A oncoprotein inhibits Gli1 transcription revealing a new modulator of Hedgehog signaling

Sci Rep. 2021 Jul 6;11(1):13940. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-93440-0.

Abstract

The Hedgehog (Hh)/Gli signaling pathway controls cell proliferation and differentiation, is critical for the development of nearly every tissue and organ in vertebrates and is also involved in tumorigenesis. In this study, we characterize the oncoprotein SET/I2PP2A as a novel regulator of Hh signaling. Our previous work has shown that the zebrafish homologs of SET are expressed during early development and localized in the ciliated organs. In the present work, we show that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockdown of setb gene in zebrafish embryos resulted in cyclopia, a characteristic patterning defect previously reported in Hh mutants. Consistent with these findings, targeting setb gene using CRISPR/Cas9 or a setb morpholino, reduced Gli1-dependent mCherry expression in the Hedgehog reporter zebrafish line Tg(12xGliBS:mCherry-NLS). Likewise, SET loss of function by means of pharmacological inhibition and gene knockdown prevented the increase of Gli1 expression in mammalian cells in vitro. Conversely, overexpression of SET resulted in an increase of the expression of a Gli-dependent luciferase reporter, an effect likely attributable to the relief of the Sufu-mediated inhibition of Gli1. Collectively, our data support the involvement of SET in Gli1-mediated transcription and suggest the oncoprotein SET/I2PP2A as a new modulator of Hedgehog signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hedgehog Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Morpholinos / pharmacology
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Zebrafish / embryology
  • Zebrafish / genetics*
  • Zebrafish Proteins / genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins / metabolism*
  • Zinc Finger Protein GLI1 / genetics*
  • Zinc Finger Protein GLI1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Morpholinos
  • Plxna3 protein, zebrafish
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • Zinc Finger Protein GLI1