Calpain cleavage regulates the protein stability of p73

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 Aug 5;333(3):954-60. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.05.188.

Abstract

The function of p73, a transcription factor belonging to the p53 family, is finely regulated by its steady-state protein stability. p73 protein degradation/stabilization can be regulated by mechanisms in part dependent on the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS): (i) Itch/NEDD4-like UPS degradation, (ii) NEDD8 UPS degradation, and (iii) NQO1 20S proteasome-dependent (but ubiquitin-independent) breakdown. Here, we show that, in vitro, Calpain I can cleave p73 at two distinct sites: the first proline-rich region and within the oligomerization domain. Consequently, different p73 isoforms can be degraded by calpains, i.e., both N-terminal isoforms (TAp73 and DeltaNp73) as well as the C-terminal isoforms (alpha, beta, gamma, delta). Moreover, overexpression of the specific endogenous calpain inhibitor, calpastatin, in cultured cells increased the steady-state p73 level. This suggests that calpains may play a physiological role in the regulation of p73 protein stability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Calpain / chemistry
  • Calpain / metabolism*
  • Cell Death
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Humans
  • Hydrolysis
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Plasmids
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Tumor Protein p73
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • TP73 protein, human
  • Tumor Protein p73
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • delta Np73 protein, human
  • Calpain