title: The coactivator CRTC1 promotes cell proliferation and transformation via AP-1.
abstract: Regulation of gene expression in response to mitogenic stimuli is a critical aspect underlying many forms of human cancers. The AP-1 complex mediates the transcriptional response to mitogens, and its deregulation causes developmental defects and tumors. We report that the coactivator CRTC1 cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-regulated transcription coactivator 1 is a potent and indispensable modulator of AP-1 function. After exposure of cells to the AP-1 agonist 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), CRTC1 is recruited to AP-1 target gene promoters and associates with c-Jun and c-Fos to activate transcription. CRTC1 consistently synergizes with the proto-oncogene c-Jun to promote cellular growth, whereas AP-1-dependent proliferation is abrogated in CRTC1-deficient cells. Remarkably, we demonstrate that CRTC1-Maml2 oncoprotein, which causes mucoepidermoid carcinomas, binds and activates both c-Jun and c-Fos. Consequently, ablation of AP-1 function disrupts the cellular transformation and proliferation mediated by this oncogene. Together, these data illustrate a novel mechanism required to couple mitogenic signals to the AP-1 gene regulatory program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Pasteur Institute, Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Canettieri
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coni
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Della Guardia
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nocerino
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Antonucci
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Magno
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Screaton
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Screpanti
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giannini
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gulino
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000502:physiology; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / Q000502:physiology; D034622:RNA Interference; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D015534:Trans-Activators; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
chemical_list: C500984:CRTC1 protein, human; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C471297:MAML2 protein, human; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; D015534:Trans-Activators; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1; D014157:Transcription Factors; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate