The LIM protein AJUBA recruits protein arginine methyltransferase 5 to mediate SNAIL-dependent transcriptional repression

Mol Cell Biol. 2008 May;28(10):3198-207. doi: 10.1128/MCB.01435-07. Epub 2008 Mar 17.

Abstract

The SNAIL transcription factor contains C-terminal tandem zinc finger motifs and an N-terminal SNAG repression domain. The members of the SNAIL family have recently emerged as major contributors to the processes of development and metastasis via the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition events during embryonic development and tumor progression. However, the mechanisms by which SNAIL represses gene expression are largely undefined. Previously we demonstrated that the AJUBA family of LIM proteins function as corepressors for SNAIL and, as such, may serve as a platform for the assembly of chromatin-modifying factors. Here, we describe the identification of the protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) as an effector recruited to SNAIL through an interaction with AJUBA that functions to repress the SNAIL target gene, E-cadherin. PRMT5 binds to the non-LIM region of AJUBA and is translocated into the nucleus in a SNAIL- and AJUBA-dependent manner. The depletion of PRMT5 in p19 cells stimulates E-cadherin expression, and the SNAIL, AJUBA, and PRMT5 ternary complex can be found at the proximal promoter region of the E-cadherin gene, concomitant with increased arginine methylation of histones at the locus. Together, these data suggest that PRMT5 is an effector of SNAIL-dependent gene repression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Methyltransferases / genetics*
  • Protein Methyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • DNA Primers
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors
  • ajuba protein, mouse
  • Protein Methyltransferases
  • PRMT5 protein, human
  • Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases