Ret finger protein is a normal component of PML nuclear bodies and interacts directly with PML

J Cell Sci. 1998 May:111 ( Pt 10):1319-29. doi: 10.1242/jcs.111.10.1319.

Abstract

The ret finger protein (rfp) is a member of the B-box zinc finger gene family many of which may function in growth regulation and in the appropriate context become oncogenic. Members of this family are nuclear proteins that possess a characteristic tripartite motif consisting of the RING and B-box zinc binding domains and a coiled-coil domain. The promyelocytic leukemia gene (PML), another B-box family member, produces a protein product that is detected within punctate nuclear structures called PML nuclear bodies (NBs) or PML oncogenic domains (PODs). These NBs are complex structures that consist of a number of different proteins many of which have yet to be identified. In the disease acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) a fusion protein, PML-RARA, is produced through the t(15:17) translocation. In APL the morphology of the NBs is altered. We report that rfp co-localizes with PML in a subset of the PML NBs and that it interacts directly with PML. This interaction is mediated through the rfp B-box and the distal two coils. In contrast, homomultimerization of rfp preferentially involves the B-box and the proximal coil. The association of rfp with the PML NBs is altered by mutations that affect rfp/PML interaction and in NB4 cells that are derived from APL patients. When treated with retinoic acid, rfp reassociates with the NBs in a pattern similar to non APL cells. Additionally, we found that rfp colocalizes with PML-RARA protein produced in APL patients. These results suggest that rfp, along with the other known/unknown components of PML NBs, have an important role in regulating cellular growth and differentiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cell Division / physiology
  • Cell Nucleus / chemistry*
  • Cell Nucleus / drug effects
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins*
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis / physiology
  • Neoplasm Proteins / analysis
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / analysis
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein
  • Protein Binding / physiology
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Transcription Factors / analysis
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transfection
  • Tretinoin / pharmacology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / chemistry
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / physiology
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Zinc Fingers / genetics

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • TRIM27 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • PML protein, human
  • Tretinoin