Zinc finger transcription factor INSM1 interrupts cyclin D1 and CDK4 binding and induces cell cycle arrest

J Biol Chem. 2009 Feb 27;284(9):5574-81. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M808843200. Epub 2009 Jan 5.

Abstract

INSM1 is a zinc finger transcription factor that plays an important role in pancreatic beta-cell development. To further evaluate its role in cell fate determination, we investigated INSM1 effects on cell cycle function. The cyclin box of cyclin D1 is essential for INSM1 binding. Competitive pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation revealed that INSM1 binding to cyclin D1 interrupts its association with CDK4 and induces hypophosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein. An inducible Tet-on system was established in Cos-7 and Panc-1 cells. Using serum starvation, we synchronized the cell cycle and subsequently induced cell cycle progression by serum stimulation. Comparison of the INSM1 induction group with the noninduced control group, INSM1 ectopic expression causes cell cycle arrest, whereas the INSM1-mediated cell cycle arrest could be reversed by cyclin D1 and CDK4 overexpression. The proline-rich N-terminal portion of INSM1 is required for cyclin D1 binding. Mutation of proline residues abolished cyclin D1 binding and also diminished its ability to induce cell cycle arrest. Cellular proliferation of Panc-1 cells was inhibited by INSM1 overexpression demonstrated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, soft agar colony formation, as well as tumor growth in a nude mouse model. Taken together, we provide evidence to support that INSM1 binds to cyclin D1, interrupts cell cycle signaling, and inhibits cellular proliferation.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Cycle / physiology*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cyclin D1 / genetics
  • Cyclin D1 / metabolism*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 / genetics
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Insulin / genetics
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Retinoblastoma Protein / genetics
  • Retinoblastoma Protein / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / growth & development
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques
  • Zinc Fingers*

Substances

  • CCND1 protein, human
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Insulin
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Retinoblastoma Protein
  • Cyclin D1
  • INSM1 protein, human
  • CDK4 protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4