title: Akt2-mediated phosphorylation of Pitx2 controls Ccnd1 mRNA decay during muscle cell differentiation.
abstract: Paired-like homeodomain 2 (Pitx2), first identified as the gene responsible for the Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome, encodes a protein factor that, controlling cell proliferation in a tissue-specific manner, has a crucial role in morphogenesis. During embryonic development, Pitx2 exerts a role in the expansion of muscle progenitors and is expressed at all stages of myogenic progression. In this study, we show that Pitx2 is phosphorylated by the protein kinase Akt2 and is necessary to ensure proper C2C12 myoblast proliferation and differentiation. Pitx2 associates with a ribonucleoprotein complex that includes the mRNA stabilizing factor HuR and sustains Ccnd1 (also known as Cyclin D1) expression, thereby prolonging its mRNA half-life. When the differentiation program is initiated, phosphorylation by Akt2 impairs the ability of Pitx2 to associate with the Ccnd1 mRNA-stabilizing complex that includes HuR and, as a consequence, Ccnd1 mRNA half-life is shortened. We propose that unphosphorylated Pitx2 is required to favor HuR-mediated Ccnd1 mRNA stabilization, thus sustaining myoblast proliferation. Upon Akt2-phosphorylation, the complex Pitx2/HuR/Ccnd1 mRNA dissociates and Ccnd1 mRNA is destabilized. These events contribute to the switch of C2C12 cells from a proliferating to a differentiating phenotype.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy. rgherzi@ucsd.edu <rgherzi@ucsd.edu>
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gherzi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trabucchi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ponassi
authors.forename: I-E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Gallouzi
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Rosenfeld
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Briata
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009132:Muscles; D032448:Myoblasts, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism*; D034622:RNA Interference; D020871:RNA Stability; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D000097577:Homeobox Protein PITX2
chemical_list: D019938:Cyclin D1; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000097577:Homeobox Protein PITX2; C530105:Ccnd1 protein, mouse; C494922:Akt2 protein, mouse