The PAF complex synergizes with MLL fusion proteins at HOX loci to promote leukemogenesis.
MLL is involved in chromosomal rearrangements that generate fusion proteins with deregulated transcriptional activity. The mechanisms of MLL fusion protein-mediated transcriptional activation are poorly understood. Here we show MLL interacts directly with the polymerase associated factor complex (PAFc) through sequences flanking the CxxC domain. PAFc interacts with RNA polymerase II and stimulates posttranslational histone modifications. PAFc augments MLL and MLL-AF9 mediated transcriptional activation of Hoxa9. Conversely, knockdown of PAFc disrupts MLL fusion protein-mediated transcriptional activation and MLL recruitment to target loci. PAFc gene expression is downregulated during hematopoiesis and likely serves to regulate MLL function. Deletions of MLL that abolish interactions with PAFc also eliminate MLL-AF9 mediated immortalization indicating an essential function for this interaction in leukemogenesis.
Muntean
Andrew G
AG
Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Tan
Jiaying
J
Sitwala
Kajal
K
Huang
Yongsheng
Y
Bronstein
Joel
J
Connelly
James A
JA
Basrur
Venkatesha
V
Elenitoba-Johnson
Kojo S J
KS
Hess
Jay L
JL
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002460:Cell Line; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D018922:HL-60 Cells; D006367:HeLa Cells; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008954:Models, Biological; D022423:Myeloid Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D000075064:Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 Protein; D051788:Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000502:physiology; D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs / Q000502:physiology; D034622:RNA Interference; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017384:Sequence Deletion / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology; D015533:Transcriptional Activation / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
C454900:CDC73 protein, human; C484387:CTR9 protein, human; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C076554:E2a-Hlf fusion protein, human; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C506154:LEO1 protein, human; C474558:MLL-AF9 fusion protein, human; C425207:MLL-ENL oncoprotein, human; D000075064:Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; C501972:PAF1 protein, human; D010750:Phosphoproteins; C547921:RNA polymerase II associated factor 1, mouse; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C097899:homeobox protein HOXA9; D051788:Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein; D004247:DNA