Functional Insights to an Understudied Kinase, Extracellular-signal Regulated Kinase 8 (ERK8): A Chromatin Bound Kinase Protects Genomic Integrity by Stabilizing the DNA Clamp, PCNA
Groehler, Angela L., Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia
Lannigan, Deborah A., Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia
Erickson, Loren, Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia
Macara, Ian, Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia
Parsons, John, Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia
Shupnik, Margaret, Department of Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Virginia
PCNA acts as a scaffold, coordinator, and stimulator of numerous processes required for faithful transmission of genetic information. Maintaining PCNA levels above a critical threshold is essential, but little is known about PCNA protein turnover. We now show that ERK8 is required for PCNA protein stability. ERK8 contains a conserved PCNA-interacting protein (PIP) box. Chromatin-bound ERK8 (ERK8CHR0MAT1N/INSOLUBLE) interacts via this motif with PCNACHROMATIN/"SOLUBLE, which acts as a platform for numerous proteins involved in DNA metabolism. Silencing ERK8 decreases PCNA levels and increases DNA damage. Ectopic expression of PCNA blocks DNA damage induced by ERK8 loss. ERK8 prevents HDM2-mediated PCNA destruction by inhibiting the association of PCNA with HDM2. This regulation is physiologically relevant as ERK8 activity is inhibited in transformed mammary cells. Our results reveal an unanticipated mechanism to control PCNA levels in normal cycling mammary epithelial cells and implicate ERK8 in the regulation of genomic stability.
Note: Abstract extracted from PDF file via OCR
PHD (Doctor of Philosophy)
English
All rights reserved (no additional license for public reuse)
2010/09/01