Centrosomal P4.1-associated Protein Research Articles

CPAP enhances and maintains chronic inflammation in hepatocytes to promote hepatocarcinogenesis

Chronic and persistent inflammation is a well-known carcinogenesis promoter. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common inflammation-associated cancers; most HCCs arise in the setting of chronic inflammation and hepatic injury. Both NF-κB and STAT3 are important regulators of inflammation. Centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP), a centrosomal protein that participates primarily in centrosome functions, is overexpressed in HCC and can increase TNF-α-mediated NF-κB activation and IL-6-induced STAT3 activation. A transgenic (Tg) mouse model with hepatocyte-specific CPAP expression was established to investigate the physiological role of CPAP in hepatocarcinogenesis. Obvious inflammatory cell accumulation and fatty change were observed in the livers of CPAP Tg mice. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level and the expression levels of inflammatory genes, such as IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α, were higher in CPAP Tg mice than in wild type (WT) mice. High-dose/short-term treatment with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) increased the ALT level, proinflammatory gene expression levels, and STAT3 and NF-κB activation in CPAP Tg mice; low-dose/long-term DEN treatment induced more severe liver tumor formation in CPAP Tg mice than in WT mice. CPAP can increase the expression of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 16 (CCL-16), an important chemotactic cytokine, in human hepatocytes. CCL-16 expression is positively correlated with CPAP and TNF-α mRNA expression in the peritumoral part of HCC. In summary, these results suggest that CPAP may promote hepatocarcinogenesis through enhancing the inflammation pathway via increasing the expression of CCL-16.

Centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP) positively regulates endocytic vesicular transport and lysosome targeting of EGFR

Centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP) plays a critical role in restricting the centriole length in human cells. Here, we report a novel, positive regulatory influence for CPAP on endocytic vesicular transport (EVT) and lysosome targeting of internalized-cell surface receptor EGFR. We observed that higher CPAP levels cause an increase in the abundance of multi-vesicular body (MVB) and EGFR is detectable in CPAP-overexpression induced puncta. The surface and cellular levels of EGFR are higher under CPAP deficiency and lower under CPAP overexpression. While ligand-engagement induced internalization or routing of EGFR into early endosomes is not influenced by cellular levels of CPAP, we found that targeting of ligand-activated, internalized EGFR to lysosome is impacted by CPAP levels. Transport of ligand-bound EGFR from early endosome to late endosome/MVB and lysosome is diminished in CPAP-depleted cells. Moreover, CPAP depleted cells appear to show a diminished ability to form MVB structures upon EGFR activation. These observations suggest a positive regulatory effect of CPAP on EVT of ligand-bound EGFR-like cell surface receptors to MVB and lysosome. Overall, identification of a non-centriolar function of CPAP in endocytic trafficking provides new insights in understanding the non-canonical cellular functions of CPAP.

CPAP promotes angiogenesis and metastasis by enhancing STAT3 activity

Centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP) is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and positively correlated with recurrence and vascular invasion. Here, we found that CPAP plays an important role in HCC malignancies. Functional characterization indicated that CPAP overexpression increases tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis ex vivo and in vivo. In addition, overexpressed CPAP contributes to sorafenib resistance. Mechanical investigation showed that the expression level of CPAP is positively correlated with activated STAT3 in HCC. CPAP acts as a transcriptional coactivator of STAT3 by directly binding with STAT3. Interrupting the interaction between CPAP and STAT3 attenuates STAT3-mediated tumor growth and angiogenesis. Overexpression of CPAP upregulates several STAT3 target genes such as IL-8 and CD44 that are involved in angiogenesis, and CPAP mRNA expression is positively correlated with the levels of both mRNAs in HCC. Knocked-down expression of CPAP impairs IL-6-mediated STAT3 activation, target gene expression, cell migration, and invasion abilities. IL-6/STAT3-mediated angiogenesis is significantly increased by CPAP overexpression and can be blocked by decreased expression of IL-8. Our findings not only shed light on the importance of CPAP in HCC malignancies, but also provide potential therapeutic strategies for inhibiting the angiogenesis pathway and treating metastatic HCC.

Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) enhances centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP) expression to promote hepatocarcinogenesis

BackgroundOur previous report suggested that centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP) is required for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) encoded non-structure protein X (HBx)-mediated nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activation. CPAP is overexpressed in HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the interaction between CPAP and HBx in HBV-HCC remains unclear.MethodsThe mRNA expression of CPAP and HBx was analyzed by quantitative-PCR (Q-PCR). NF-κB transcriptional activity and CPAP promoter activity were determined using a reporter assay in Huh7 and Hep3B cells. Immunoprecipitation (IP) and in situ proximal ligation assay (PLA) were performed to detect the interaction between CPAP and HBx. Chromatin-IP was used to detect the association of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and HBx with the CPAP promoter. Cell proliferation was measured using cell counting kit CCK-8, Bromodeoxyuridine (5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine, BrdU) incorporation, and clonogenic assays. The tumorigenic effects of CPAP were determined using xenograft animal models.ResultsHBx can transcriptionally up-regulate CPAP via interacting with CREB. Overexpressed CPAP directly interacted with HBx to promote HBx-mediated cell proliferation and migration; SUMO modification of CPAP was involved in interacting with HBx. Knocked-down expression of CPAP decreased the HBx-mediated tumorigenic effects, including cytokines secretion. Interestingly, overexpressed CPAP maintained the HBx protein stability in an NF-κB-dependent manner; and the expression levels of CPAP and HBx were positively correlated with the activation status of NF-κB in HCC. Increased expression of CPAP and CREB mRNAs existed in the high-risk group with a lower survival rate in HBV-HCC.ConclusionThe interaction between CPAP and HBx can provide a microenvironment to facilitate HCC development via enhancing NF-κB activation, inflammatory cytokine production, and cancer malignancies. This study not only sheds light on the role of CPAP in HBV-associated HCC, but also provides CPAP as a potential target for blocking the hyper-activated NF-κB in HCC.

Abstract 3086: CPAP enhances diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis via STAT3 pathway

Abstract Chronic and persistent inflammation is a well-known carcinogenesis promoter. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common inflammation-associated cancers; most HCC arises in the context of chronic inflammation and hepatic injury. Both NF-κB and STAT3 are important regulators for inflammation. Our previous studies indicated that CPAP (centrosomal P4.1-associated protein), a centrosomal protein that majorly participates in centrosome functions, is overexpressed in HCC and can increase TNFα-mediated NF-κB activation and IL-6-induced STAT3 activation. A hepatocyte-specific CPAP-expressing transgenic mouse was generated to investigate the physiological role of CPAP in hepatocarcinogenesis. An obvious inflammatory cell accumulation and fatty change were shown in the CPAP transgenic (Tg) mouse liver. The ALT level as well as the expression of inflammatory genes, such as IL-6, IL1β and TNF-α in CPAP Tg mouse are higher than in the wild type (WT) mouse. By high-dose and short-term diethylnitrosamine (DEN) treatment, the ALT level, pro-inflammatory genes and STAT3 activation are increased in CPAP Tg mouse; low-dose and long-term DEN treatment induces more severe liver tumor formation in CPAP Tg mouse than in WT mouse. In summary, these results suggest that CPAP may promote hepatocarcinogenesis through enhancing the inflammation pathway via activating the STAT3 pathway. Citation Format: Liang-Yi Hung. CPAP enhances diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis via STAT3 pathway [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3086.

Electron Microscopy Structural Insights into CPAP Oligomeric Behavior: A Plausible Assembly Process of a Supramolecular Scaffold of the Centrosome.

Centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP) is a cell cycle regulated protein fundamental for centrosome assembly and centriole elongation. In humans, the region between residues 897–1338 of CPAP mediates interactions with other proteins and includes a homodimerization domain. CPAP mutations cause primary autosomal recessive microcephaly and Seckel syndrome. Despite of the biological/clinical relevance of CPAP, its mechanistic behavior remains unclear and its C-terminus (the G-box/TCP domain) is the only part whose structure has been solved. This situation is perhaps due in part to the challenges that represent obtaining the protein in a soluble, homogeneous state for structural studies. Our work constitutes a systematic structural analysis on multiple oligomers of HsCPAP897−1338, using single-particle electron microscopy (EM) of negatively stained (NS) samples. Based on image classification into clearly different regular 3D maps (putatively corresponding to dimers and tetramers) and direct observation of individual images representing other complexes of HsCPAP897−1338 (i.e., putative flexible monomers and higher-order multimers), we report a dynamic oligomeric behavior of this protein, where different homo-oligomers coexist in variable proportions. We propose that dimerization of the putative homodimer forms a putative tetramer which could be the structural unit for the scaffold that either tethers the pericentriolar material to centrioles or promotes procentriole elongation. A coarse fitting of atomic models into the NS 3D maps at resolutions around 20 Å is performed only to complement our experimental data, allowing us to hypothesize on the oligomeric composition of the different complexes. In this way, the current EM work represents an initial step toward the structural characterization of different oligomers of CPAP, suggesting further insights to understand how this protein works, contributing to the elucidation of control mechanisms for centriole biogenesis.

Abstract 4415: CPAP contributes to HCC malignancy through regulating inflammatory pathways

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies, and the third most prevalent cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Its curative treatments are limited to liver resection and liver transplantation. In addition, HCC is characterized by hypervascular tumor which is described as a formation of many blood vessels during tumor growth. It has been shown that the transcription factors NF-κB and STAT3, both of which play an important role in the inflammatory pathway, are activated in HCC. Centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP) plays a vital role in centrosomal function and is identified as a transcriptional co-activator of NF-κB or STAT5. Our studies indicated that CPAP is overexpressed in HCC and involved in regulating the TNF-α-NF-κB and IL-6/STAT3 pathways. By reporter assay, Q-PCR, immunoblotting and ELISA analysis, we found that the activity of NF-κB or STAT3 is increased in HCC cells with CPAP overexpression upon TNF-α or IL-6 stimulation. Overexpressed GFP-CPAP significantly enhances NF-κB or STAT3-driven transcriptional activation and increases the expression of NF-κB or STAT3-targeted genes in response to TNF-α or IL-6 treatment. Furthermore, by immuoprecipitation and in situ PLA, CPAP could form a complex with NF-κB or STAT3. Expression of CPAP and NF-κB or STAT3 had a positive correlation in clinical HCC tissues. Interestingly, overexpression of GFP-CPAP augmented the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoted tumor growth and metastasis in the orthotopic and splenic mouse models. The expression of CPAP was positively correlated with plasma proinflammatory cytokines expression in HCC patients. Our results suggest that CPAP participates in activating the TNF-α-NF-κB and IL-6/STAT3 pathways, which contributes to HCC malignancy. Citation Format: Liang-Yi Hung. CPAP contributes to HCC malignancy through regulating inflammatory pathways. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4415.

Molecular basis for CPAP-tubulin interaction in controlling centriolar and ciliary length.

Centrioles and cilia are microtubule-based structures, whose precise formation requires controlled cytoplasmic tubulin incorporation. How cytoplasmic tubulin is recognized for centriolar/ciliary-microtubule construction remains poorly understood. Centrosomal-P4.1-associated-protein (CPAP) binds tubulin via its PN2-3 domain. Here, we show that a C-terminal loop-helix in PN2-3 targets β-tubulin at the microtubule outer surface, while an N-terminal helical motif caps microtubule's α-β surface of β-tubulin. Through this, PN2-3 forms a high-affinity complex with GTP-tubulin, crucial for defining numbers and lengths of centriolar/ciliary-microtubules. Surprisingly, two distinct mutations in PN2-3 exhibit opposite effects on centriolar/ciliary-microtubule lengths. CPAPF375A, with strongly reduced tubulin interaction, causes shorter centrioles and cilia exhibiting doublet- instead of triplet-microtubules. CPAPEE343RR that unmasks the β-tubulin polymerization surface displays slightly reduced tubulin-binding affinity inducing over-elongation of newly forming centriolar/ciliary-microtubules by enhanced dynamic release of its bound tubulin. Thus CPAP regulates delivery of its bound-tubulin to define the size of microtubule-based cellular structures using a ‘clutch-like' mechanism.

CPAP promotes timely cilium disassembly to maintain neural progenitor pool.

A mutation in the centrosomal‐P4.1‐associated protein (CPAP) causes Seckel syndrome with microcephaly, which is suggested to arise from a decline in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) during development. However, mechanisms of NPCs maintenance remain unclear. Here, we report an unexpected role for the cilium in NPCs maintenance and identify CPAP as a negative regulator of ciliary length independent of its role in centrosome biogenesis. At the onset of cilium disassembly, CPAP provides a scaffold for the cilium disassembly complex (CDC), which includes Nde1, Aurora A, and OFD1, recruited to the ciliary base for timely cilium disassembly. In contrast, mutated CPAP fails to localize at the ciliary base associated with inefficient CDC recruitment, long cilia, retarded cilium disassembly, and delayed cell cycle re‐entry leading to premature differentiation of patient iPS‐derived NPCs. Aberrant CDC function also promotes premature differentiation of NPCs in Seckel iPS‐derived organoids. Thus, our results suggest a role for cilia in microcephaly and its involvement during neurogenesis and brain size control.

The centriolar protein CPAP G-box: an amyloid fibril in a single domain.

Centrioles are evolutionarily conserved cylindrical cell organelles with characteristic radial symmetry. Despite their considerable size (400 nm × 200 nm, in humans), genetic studies suggest that relatively few protein components are involved in their assembly. We recently characterized the molecular architecture of the centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP), which is crucial for controlling the centriolar cylinder length. Here, we review the remarkable architecture of the C-terminal domain of CPAP, termed the G-box, which comprises a single, entirely solvent exposed, antiparallel β-sheet. Molecular dynamics simulations support the stability of the G-box domain even in the face of truncations or amino acid substitutions. The similarity of the G-box domain to amyloids (or amyloid precursors) is strengthened by its oligomeric arrangement to form continuous fibrils. G-box fibrils were observed in crystals as well as in solution and are also supported by simulations. We conclude that the G-box domain may well represent the best analogue currently available for studies of exposed β-sheets, unencumbered by additional structural elements or severe aggregations problems.

Determination of Mother Centriole Maturation in CPAP-Depleted Cells Using the Ninein Antibody.

BackgroundMutations in centrosomal protein genes have been identified in a number of genetic diseases in brain development, including microcephaly. Centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP) is one of the causal genes implicated in primary microcephaly. We previously proposed that CPAP is essential for mother centriole maturation during mitosis.MethodsWe immunostained CPAP-depleted cells using the ninein antibody, which selectively detects subdistal appendages in mature mother centrioles.ResultsNinein signals were significantly impaired in CPAP-depleted cells.ConclusionThe results suggest that CPAP is required for mother centriole maturation in mammalian cells. The selective absence of centriolar appendages in young mother centrioles may be responsible for asymmetric spindle pole formation in CPAP-depleted cells.

Tankyrase 1 regulates centrosome function by controlling CPAP stability

CPAP--a gene mutated in primary microcephaly--is required for procentriole formation. Here we show that CPAP degradation and function is controlled by the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase tankyrase 1. CPAP is PARsylated by tankyrase 1 in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of tankyrase 1 leads to CPAP proteasomal degradation, preventing centriole duplication, whereas depletion of tankyrase 1 stabilizes CPAP in G1, generating elongated procentrioles and multipolarity. Tankyrase 1 localizes to centrosomes exclusively in G1, coinciding with CPAP degradation. Hence, tankyrase 1-mediated PARsylation regulates CPAP levels during the cell cycle to limit centriole elongation and ensure normal centrosome function.

CPAP is required for cilia formation in neuronal cells

SummaryThe primary cilium is a microtubule-based structure protruded from the basal body analogous to the centriole. CPAP (centrosomal P4.1-associated protein) has previously been reported to be a cell cycle-regulated protein that controls centriole length. Mutations in CPAP cause primary microcephaly (MCPH) in humans. Here, using a cell-based system that we established to monitor cilia formation in neuronal CAD (Cath.a-differentiated) cells and hippocampal neurons, we found that CPAP is required for cilia biogenesis. Overexpression of wild-type CPAP promoted cilia formation and induced longer cilia. In contrast, an exogenously expressed CPAP-377EE mutant that lacks tubulin-dimer binding significantly inhibited cilia formation and caused cilia shortening. Furthermore, depletion of CPAP inhibited ciliogenesis and such effect was effectively rescued by expression of wild-type CPAP, but not by the CPAP-377EE mutant. Taken together, our results suggest that CPAP is a positive regulator of ciliogenesis whose intrinsic tubulin-dimer binding activity is required for cilia formation in neuronal cells.

In silico prediction of a disease-associated STIL mutant and its affect on the recruitment of centromere protein J (CENPJ)

Human STIL (SCL/TAL1 interrupting locus) protein maintains centriole stability and spindle pole localisation. It helps in recruitment of CENPJ (Centromere protein J)/CPAP (centrosomal P4.1-associated protein) and other centrosomal proteins. Mutations in STIL protein are reported in several disorders, especially in deregulation of cell cycle cascades. In this work, we examined the non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) reported in STIL protein for their disease association. Different SNP prediction tools were used to predict disease-associated nsSNPs. Our evaluation technique predicted rs147744459 (R242C) as a highly deleterious disease-associated nsSNP and its interaction behaviour with CENPJ protein. Molecular modelling, docking and molecular dynamics simulation were conducted to examine the structural consequences of the predicted disease-associated mutation. By molecular dynamic simulation we observed structural consequences of R242C mutation which affects interaction of STIL and CENPJ functional domains. The result obtained in this study will provide a biophysical insight into future investigations of pathological nsSNPs using a computational platform.

Centrobin–tubulin interaction is required for centriole elongation and stability

Centrobin is a daughter centriole protein that is essential for centrosome duplication. However, the molecular mechanism by which centrobin functions during centriole duplication remains undefined. In this study, we show that centrobin interacts with tubulin directly, and centrobin-tubulin interaction is pivotal for the function of centrobin during centriole duplication. We found that centrobin is recruited to the centriole biogenesis site via its interaction with tubulins during the early stage of centriole biogenesis, and its recruitment is dependent on hSAS-6 but not centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP) and CP110. The function of centrobin is also required for the elongation of centrioles, which is likely mediated by its interaction with tubulin. Furthermore, disruption of centrobin-tubulin interaction led to destabilization of existing centrioles and the preformed procentriole-like structures induced by CPAP expression, indicating that centrobin-tubulin interaction is critical for the stability of centrioles. Together, our study demonstrates that centrobin facilitates the elongation and stability of centrioles via its interaction with tubulins.

Characterization and functional study of CPAP-associated protein-1(CPAPAP-1) in NF-κB-mediated transcriptional activation (116.3)

Abstract Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) is a Rel transcription factor that controls the gene expression involved in immune response, inflammation, apoptosis, and proliferation. Centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP) is an associating partner of the p65 subunit (RelA) of NF-κB. Molecular biology assays and cell biology experiments showed that the role of CPAP is a coactivator of NF-κB-mediated transcription. The C-terminal region of CPAP appears to contribute NF-κB-mediated transcriptional activation. However, knowledge about the factors that interact with the C-terminal region of CPAP is still little. In a yeast two-hybrid screen using the C-terminal region of CPAP as bait, we isolated a novel associating partner named CPAP-associated protein-1 (CPAPAP-1, GenBank: BC114945). CPAPAP-1 has the effector domain (cAMP) of the CAP family of transcription factors. We confirmed that CPAPAP-1 associates with C-terminal region of CPAP by using Glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays and co-immunoprecipitation experiments. After treatment with TNFα, a portion of CPAPAP-1 was observed to accumulate in the nucleus. We also confirmed that CPAPAP-1 controlled activation of TNFα-induced NF-κB by using NF-κB-dependent reporter gene expression assay and RNA interference technique. These results suggest that CPAPAP-1 functions as a coactivator of NF-κB-mediated transcription.

PLK2 phosphorylation is critical for CPAP function in procentriole formation during the centrosome cycle

Control of centrosome duplication is tightly linked with the progression of the cell cycle. Recent studies suggest that the fundamental process of centriole duplication is evolutionally conserved. Here, we identified centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP), a human homologue of SAS-4, as a substrate of PLK2 whose activity oscillates during the cell cycle. PLK2 phosphorylates the S589 and S595 residues of CPAP in vitro and in vivo. This phosphorylation is critical for procentriole formation during the centrosome cycle. PLK4 also phosphorylates S595 of CPAP, but PLK4 phosphorylation is not a critical step in the PLK4 function in procentriole assembly. CPAP is phosphorylated in a cell cycle stage-specific manner, so that its phosphorylation increases at the G1/S transition phase and decreases during the exit of mitosis. Phosphorylated CPAP is preferentially located at the procentriole. Furthermore, overexpression of a phospho-resistant CPAP mutant resulted in the failure to form elongated centrioles. On the basis of these results, we propose that phosphorylated CPAP is involved in procentriole assembly, possibly for centriole elongation. This work demonstrates an example of how procentriole formation is linked to the progression of the cell cycle.

CPAP is a cell-cycle regulated protein that controls centriole length

Centriole duplication involves the growing of a procentriole (progeny centriole) next to the proximal end of each pre-existing centriole (parental centriole). The molecular mechanisms that regulate procentriole elongation remain obscure. We show here that expression of the centriolar protein CPAP (centrosomal P4.1-associated protein) is carefully regulated during the cell cycle, with the protein being degraded in late mitosis. Depletion of CPAP inhibited centrosome duplication, whereas excess CPAP induced the formation of elongated procentriole-like structures (PLSs), which contain stable microtubules and several centriolar proteins. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that these structures are similar to procentrioles with elongated microtubules. Overexpression of a CPAP mutant (CPAP-377EE) that does not bind to tubulin dimers significantly inhibited the formation of CPAP-induced PLSs. Together, these results suggest that CPAP is a new regulator of centriole length and its intrinsic tubulin-dimer binding activity is required for procentriole elongation.

Centrosomal P4.1-associated Protein Is a New Member of Transcriptional Coactivators for Nuclear Factor-κB

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a transcription factor important for various cellular events such as inflammation, immune response, proliferation, and apoptosis. In this study, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screening using the N-terminal domain of the p65 subunit (RelA) of NF-kappaB as bait and isolated centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP) as a candidate for a RelA-associating partner. Glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays and co-immunoprecipitation experiments followed by Western blotting also showed association of CPAP with RelA. When overexpressed, CPAP enhanced NF-kappaB-dependent transcription induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha). Reduction of the protein level of endogenous CPAP by RNA interference resulted in decreased activation of NF-kappaB by TNFalpha. After treatment with TNFalpha, a portion of CPAP was observed to accumulate in the nucleus, although CPAP was found primarily in the cytoplasm without any stimulation. Moreover, CPAP was observed in a complex recruited to the transcriptional promoter region containing the NF-kappaB-binding motif. One hybrid assay showed that CPAP has the potential to activate gene expression when tethered to the transcriptional promoter. These data suggest that CPAP functions as a coactivator of NF-kappaB-mediated transcription. Since a physiological interaction between CPAP and the coactivator p300/CREB-binding protein was also observed and synergistic activation of NF-kappaB-mediated transcription was achieved by these proteins, CPAP-dependent transcriptional activation is likely to include p300/CREB-binding protein.

CPAP is a novel stat5-interacting cofactor that augments stat5-mediated transcriptional activity.

Stat5, a member of the signal transducer and activators of transcription (Stat) protein family, is a primary mediator of prolactin (PRL) signaling in the mammary gland. There are two distinct Stat5 genes, Stat5a and Stat5b. The Stat5a isoform has been demonstrated to have an essential role in mammary epithelial differentiation, whereas Stat5b is required for dimorphic sexual growth. To search for proteins that interact with the C terminus of Stat5a, a highly divergent region amongst Stat family members, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen of HBL100 and primary breast adenocarcinoma libraries. This led to the identification of a protein that had previously been isolated as a centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP). CPAP was shown to specifically interact with Stat5a and Stat5b but not with Stat1 or Stat3. Both the tyrosine phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms of Stat5, as well as Stat5a/Stat5b heterodimers, could associate with CPAP. CPAP was expressed in human breast cancer cell lines and the developing mammary gland as well as in other tissues. Indirect immunofluorescence and cellular fractionation studies revealed that CPAP was predominantly cytoplasmic, with low levels in the nucleus. Nuclear levels of CPAP increased substantially upon activation of the PRL pathway, most likely reflecting cotranslocation of this protein with activated Stat5. Furthermore, CPAP was found to augment Stat5-mediated transcription. Thus, we have identified CPAP as a novel coactivator of Stat5 proteins in the PRL (and probably other) pathways.