The Spen homolog Msx2-interacting nuclear target protein interacts with the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbcH8

Mol Cell Biochem. 2006 Aug;288(1-2):151-7. doi: 10.1007/s11010-006-9131-9. Epub 2006 Apr 1.

Abstract

The nuclear matrix protein Msx2-interacting nuclear target protein (MINT) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of key transcriptional effectors in diverse signaling pathways. To further understand the function and mechanism of the MINT-mediated transcription regulation, the yeast two-hybrid system was employed to screen proteins that interact with the C-terminal fragment of MINT. From a cDNA library of human lymph nodes, a cDNA encoding the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbcH8 was identified. Using different truncated versions of MINT, we show that the C-terminal Spen paralog and ortholog C-terminal domain (SPOC) domain, which has been demonstrated to mediate interactions between MINT and a panel of other molecules, might be responsible for interaction between MINT and UbcH8 in yeast, as confirmed by the beta-galactosidase assay. The interaction between MINT and UbcH8 in mammalian cells was further proved by a series of biochemical assays including the mammalian two-hybrid assay, GST pull-down assay, and co-immunoprecipitation assay. Using a reporter system, we found that MINT-mediated transcription suppression was sensitive to MG132, an inhibitor of the proteosome system. These results suggest a novel mechanism of MINT-mediated transcription regulation, and might be helpful for understanding functions of MINT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • COS Cells
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • HeLa Cells
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Leupeptins / pharmacology
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitins / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Leupeptins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • SPEN protein, human
  • Ubiquitins
  • UBE2L6 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes
  • benzyloxycarbonylleucyl-leucyl-leucine aldehyde