CLOCK and BMAL1 stabilize and activate RHOA to promote F-actin formation in cancer cells

Exp Mol Med. 2018 Oct 4;50(10):1-15. doi: 10.1038/s12276-018-0156-4.

Abstract

Circadian genes control most of the physiological functions in cancer cells, including cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The CLOCK and BMAL1 complex plays a central role in circadian rhythms. Previous studies have shown that circadian genes may act as oncogenes or tumor-suppressor genes. In addition, F-actin, regulated by RHOA, has been shown to participate in tumor progression. However, the roles of the CLOCK and BMAL1 genes in the regulation of tumor progression via the RHOA-ROCK-CFL pathway remain largely unclear. Here we first indicate that the rearrangement of F-actin is regulated by CLOCK and BMAL1. We found that CLOCK and BMAL1 can upregulate RHOA expression by inhibiting CUL3-mediated ubiquitination and activate RHOA by reducing the interaction between RHOA and RhoGDI. Consequently, CLOCK and BMAL1 control the expression of the components of the RHOA-ROCK-CFL pathway, which alters the dynamics of F-actin/G-actin turnover and promotes cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In conclusion, our research proposes a novel insight into the role of CLOCK and BMAL1 in tumor cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ARNTL Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • CLOCK Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cullin Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Protein Stability
  • Ubiquitination
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • ARNTL Transcription Factors
  • BMAL1 protein, human
  • Actins
  • CUL3 protein, human
  • Cullin Proteins
  • CLOCK Proteins
  • CLOCK protein, human
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein