RING Finger Domain Of MDM2 Research Articles

Differential requirements for MDM2 E3 activity during embryogenesis and in adult mice.

The p53 tumor suppressor protein is a potent activator of proliferative arrest and cell death. In normal cells, this pathway is restrained by p53 protein degradation mediated by the E3-ubiquitin ligase activity of MDM2. Oncogenic stress releases p53 from MDM2 control, so activating the p53 response. However, many tumors that retain wild-type p53 inappropriately maintain the MDM2-p53 regulatory loop in order to continuously suppress p53 activity. We have shown previously that single point mutations in the human MDM2 RING finger domain prevent the interaction of MDM2 with the E2/ubiquitin complex, resulting in the loss of MDM2's E3 activity without preventing p53 binding. Here, we show that an analogous mouse MDM2 mutant (MDM2 I438K) restrains p53 sufficiently for normal growth but exhibits an enhanced stress response in vitro. In vivo, constitutive expression of MDM2 I438K leads to embryonic lethality that is rescued by p53 deletion, suggesting MDM2 I438K is not able to adequately control p53 function through development. However, the switch to I438K expression is tolerated in adult mice, sparing normal cells but allowing for an enhanced p53 response to DNA damage. Viewed as a proof of principle model for therapeutic development, our findings support an approach that would inhibit MDM2 E3 activity without preventing MDM2/p53 binding as a promising avenue for development of compounds to activate p53 in tumors with reduced on-target toxicities.

Ribosomal protein S2 interplays with MDM2 to induce p53

The MDM2-p53 pathway is crucial for maintenance of p53 homeostasis. Some ribosomal proteins (RPs) play critical roles in regulating p53 by interacting with MDM2. However, the role and functional mechanism of each RP in MDM2-p53 pathway still remain unknown. In this study, we found that Ribosomal Protein S2 (RPS2) is a new regulator of MDM2-P53 signaling pathway to regulate p53 protein level. Here, we characterized that RPS2 interacts with MDM2 through the RING finger domain of MDM2. RPS2 is ubiquitinated by MDM2 and the ubiquitinated status of RPS2 regulates the stability of p53, which is activated in response to cellular stresses such as DNA damage, oxidative stress, and especially ribosomal stress. In addition, p53 is not induced in RPS2 knockdown even in the ribosomal stressed condition, indicating that RPS2 is essential for the stabilization of p53. Collectively, our data suggest that RPS2 plays a critical role in the regulation of p53 signaling including the ribosomal stress response.

Cisplatin binds to the MDM2 RING finger domain and inhibits the ubiquitination activity.

Cisplatin can directly bind to the RING finger domain of MDM2, leading to the zinc-release and protein unfolding. Consequently, cisplatin inhibits the MDM2-mediated ubiquitination, which is the molecular basis of p53 activation. This work provides insight into the cisplatin-induced p53-elevation that is involved in cell apoptosis.

Chromatin modifiers Mdm2 and RNF2 prevent RNA:DNA hybrids that impair DNA replication

The p53-Mdm2 system is key to tumor suppression. We have recently reported that p53 as well as Mdm2 are capable of supporting DNA replication fork progression. On the other hand, we found that Mdm2 is a modifier of chromatin, modulating polycomb repressor complex (PRC)-driven histone modifications. Here we show that, similar to Mdm2 knockdown, the depletion of PRC members impairs DNA synthesis, as determined in fiber assays. In particular, the ubiquitin ligase and PRC1 component RNF2/Ring1B is required to support DNA replication, similar to Mdm2. Moreover, the Ring finger domain of Mdm2 is not only essential for its ubiquitin ligase activity, but also for proper DNA replication. Strikingly, Mdm2 overexpression can rescue RNF2 depletion with regard to DNA replication fork progression, and vice versa, strongly suggesting that the two ubiquitin ligases perform overlapping functions in this context. H2A overexpression also rescues fork progression upon depletion of Mdm2 or RNF2, but only when the ubiquitination sites K118/K119 are present. Depleting the H2A deubiquitinating enzyme BAP1 reduces the fork rate, suggesting that both ubiquitination and deubiquitination of H2A are required to support fork progression. The depletion of Mdm2 elicits the accumulation of RNA/DNA hybrids, suggesting R-loop formation as a mechanism of impaired DNA replication. Accordingly, RNase H overexpression or the inhibition of the transcription elongation kinase CDK9 each rescues DNA replication upon depletion of Mdm2 or RNF2. Taken together, our results suggest that chromatin modification by Mdm2 and PRC1 ensures smooth DNA replication through the avoidance of R-loop formation.

Regulation of the MDM2-p53 pathway by the nucleolar protein CSIG in response to nucleolar stress.

Nucleolar proteins play an important role in the regulation of the MDM2–p53 pathway, which coordinates cellular response to stress. However, the mechanism underlying this regulation remains poorly understood. Here, we report that the nucleolar protein CSIG is a novel and crucial regulator of the MDM2–p53 pathway. We demonstrate that CSIG translocates from the nucleolus to the nucleoplasm in response to nucleolar stress. Moreover, knockdown of CSIG attenuates the induction of p53 and abrogates G1 phase arrest in response to nucleolar stress. CSIG interacts directly with the MDM2 RING finger domain and inhibits MDM2 E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, thus resulting in a decrease in MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitination and degradation. Our results suggest that the CSIG–MDM2–p53 regulatory pathway plays an important role in the cellular response to nucleolar stress.

MAGE-A Cancer/Testis Antigens Inhibit MDM2 Ubiquitylation Function and Promote Increased Levels of MDM4.

Melanoma antigen A (MAGE-A) proteins comprise a structurally and biochemically similar sub-family of Cancer/Testis antigens that are expressed in many cancer types and are thought to contribute actively to malignancy. MAGE-A proteins are established regulators of certain cancer-associated transcription factors, including p53, and are activators of several RING finger-dependent ubiquitin E3 ligases. Here, we show that MAGE-A2 associates with MDM2, a ubiquitin E3 ligase that mediates ubiquitylation of more than 20 substrates including mainly p53, MDM2 itself, and MDM4, a potent p53 inhibitor and MDM2 partner that is structurally related to MDM2. We find that MAGE-A2 interacts with MDM2 via the N-terminal p53-binding pocket and the RING finger domain of MDM2 that is required for homo/hetero-dimerization and for E2 ligase interaction. Consistent with these data, we show that MAGE-A2 is a potent inhibitor of the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of MDM2, yet it does not have any significant effect on p53 turnover mediated by MDM2. Strikingly, however, increased MAGE-A2 expression leads to reduced ubiquitylation and increased levels of MDM4. Similarly, silencing of endogenous MAGE-A expression diminishes MDM4 levels in a manner that can be rescued by the proteasomal inhibitor, bortezomid, and permits increased MDM2/MDM4 association. These data suggest that MAGE-A proteins can: (i) uncouple the ubiquitin ligase and degradation functions of MDM2; (ii) act as potent inhibitors of E3 ligase function; and (iii) regulate the turnover of MDM4. We also find an association between the presence of MAGE-A and increased MDM4 levels in primary breast cancer, suggesting that MAGE-A-dependent control of MDM4 levels has relevance to cancer clinically.

Abstract A29: Mdm2 E3 ubiquitin ligase function is dispensable for the degradation of Mdm2 itself

Abstract Mdm2 has long been considered the major negative regulator of both p53 stability and activity. The RING finger domain of Mdm2 confers its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, and through this function Mdm2 controls p53 stability, additionally, auto-ubiquitination of Mdm2 is believed to be the primary mechanism of Mdm2 degradation. In vitro, mutation or truncation of the RING domain in Mdm2 resulted in loss of ubiquitin ligase activity towards both Mdm2 and its substrate p53. In contrast, recent knock-in mouse models indicate that under physiological conditions the Mdm2 RING-mediated E3 ubiquitin ligase function is dispensable for Mdm2 degradation. To investigate the in vivo significance of Mdm2 auto-ubiquitination, we compared two Mdm2 knock-in mouse strains each harboring a single amino acid substitution in RING domain (C462A) or C-terminus (Y487A). Both knock-in mutants disrupt Mdm2 E3 ligase activity for p53. We observed that (1) mutant Mdm2 protein (C462A or Y487A) fails to degrade p53 protein. (2) Wild type and mutant Mdm2 are degraded similarly. Despite efficient disruption of p53 degradation, half-life assays demonstrated that neither of the Mdm2 mutants affected the rate of degradation of Mdm2 itself indicating not only that Mdm2 auto-ubiquitination is not the primary mechanism for Mdm2 degradation in vivo, but also that an additional mechanism is in action to regulate Mdm2. (3) Inhibition of proteasomal degradation by MG-132 resulted in similar levels of accumulation of both wild type and mutant Mdm2s suggesting Mdm2 degradation is mediated via the proteasome. In vivo ubiquitination assay reconfirmed that Mdm2 RING domain mutation does not affect degradation and accumulation of Mdm2 itself, further implicating the possibility of an outside E3 ligase activity. In conclusion, auto-ubiquitination of Mdm2 is not necessary for Mdm2 degradation in vivo. The identification of E3 ubiquitin ligases with specificity for Mdm2 is an important next step to gain mechanistic insight into the regulation of Mdm2 regulation, and with that, p53. Citation Format: Tae-Hyung Kim, Yanping Zhang. Mdm2 E3 ubiquitin ligase function is dispensable for the degradation of Mdm2 itself. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Third AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; Sep 18-22, 2013; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(19 Suppl):Abstract nr A29.

MDM2 and Fbw7 cooperate to induce p63 protein degradation following DNA damage and cell differentiation

Tight control of p63 protein levels must be achieved under differentiation or apoptotic conditions. Here, we describe a new regulatory pathway for the DeltaNp63alpha protein. We found that MDM2 binds DeltaNp63alpha in the nucleus promoting its translocation to the cytoplasm. The MDM2 nuclear localization signal is required for DeltaNp63alpha nuclear export and subsequent degradation, whereas the MDM2 ring-finger domain is dispensable. Once exported to the cytoplasm by MDM2, p63 is targeted for degradation by the Fbw7 E3-ubiquitin ligase. Efficient degradation of DeltaNp63alpha by Fbw7 (also known as FBXW7) requires GSK3 kinase activity. By deletion and point mutations analysis we have identified a phosphodegron located in the alpha and beta tail of p63 that is required for degradation. Furthermore, we show that MDM2 or Fbw7 depletion inhibits degradation of endogenous DeltaNp63alpha in cells exposed to UV irradiation, adriamycin and upon keratinocyte differentiation. Our findings suggest that following DNA damage and cellular differentiation MDM2 and Fbw7 can cooperate to regulate the levels of the pro-proliferative DeltaNp63alpha protein.

Abstract 4516: A new class of MDM2 inhibitors cause growth inhibition and stabilize wt p53 in lymphoma cells but do not interfere with MDM2 E3 ligase activity

Abstract The p53 tumor suppressor protein function is impaired in over 50% of all cancers via inactivating mutations. However, the frequency of p53 mutations is much lower in hematological malignancies. Most lymphomas have wild-type (wt) p53, mutant (mt) p53 is found in less than 30% of all cases. The ubiquitin E3 ligase MDM2 plays a central role in cancer development and progression and is typically overexpressed in lymphomas. MDM2 expression destabilizes functional wt p53 by causing its polyubiquitination and subsequent degradation in the proteasome. Small-molecule inhibitors (SMI) that can block the MDM2-p53 protein-protein interaction and restore p53 function are a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancers retaining wt p53 that is degraded by overexpression of MDM2. By utilizing two wt p53 and two mt p53 lymphoma cell lines whose p53 status was confirmed by DNA sequencing, we studied the growth inhibitory potential of two different classes of MDM2 SMIs: Nutlin-3, a cis-imidazoline, and MI-219, a new spiro-oxindole MDM2 SMI. Both trypan blue exclusion and MTT assays demonstrated IC50s between 2 and 4 µM in wt p53 cells in vitro. Mutant p53 cells displayed IC50s greater than 10 µM. Growth inhibition was time- and dose-dependent. Additional flow cytometric analyses empolying Annexin V and propidium iodide staining illustrated increasing apoptosis with cells decreasing in G2/M and S phase that also showed time- and dose-dependency. The MDM2 SMI MI-219 showed a much more prominent cell cycle arrest compared to Nutlin-3. Western blotting demonstrated a stabilization of wt p53 and proapoptotic proteins such as p21, Bcl-2, and Bax. In order to determine whether MDM2 SMIs affect the E3 ligase RING-finger domain of MDM2, in vitro autoubiquitination assays were performed using recombinant MDM2 with various concentration of drug. MDM2 autoubiquitination was not affected, even at a concentration as high as 50 µM. These results show that MDM2 autoubiquitination and thus, its degradation remains unaffected in the presence of MDM2 inhibitors that interfere with the p53-MDM2 binding site. This feature of MDM2 SMI is attractive since inhibition of MDM2 autoubiquitination would lead to its stabilization and could negate effects on p53. Our data suggest that MI-219 would be a useful treatment for lymphomas expressing wt p53 and that this should be explored in further preclinical and future clinical studies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4516.

Interplay between MDM2, MDMX, Pirh2 and COP1: the negative regulators of p53

MDM2, Pirh2 and COP1 are important E3 ubiquitin ligases, which directly interact with p53 and target p53 for proteasome-mediated degradation. MDMX, the MDM2 homologous protein, inhibits p53-mediated transcription activity. The interplay between MDM2, MDMX, Pirh2 and COP1 has not been reported, except the interaction between MDM2 and MDMX. Here, we reported that there were interactions between these four proteins independently of p53. The protein levels of MDM2, MDMX, Pirh2 and COP1 changed when any two of them were co-transfected. Our data also showed that the integrity of MDM2 RING finger domain was crucial for its ability to elevate the protein levels of COP1 and Pirh2. Any two of these four proteins could inhibit p53-mediated transcriptional activity synergistically. Furthermore, COP1 inhibited MDM2 self-ubiquitination and interfered with MDMX ubiquitination by MDM2. Our results suggest that MDM2, MDMX, Pirh2 and COP1 might inhibit p53 activity synergistically in vivo.

Convergent solid‐phase and solution approaches in the synthesis of the cysteine‐rich Mdm2 RING finger domain

The RING finger domain of the Mdm2, located at the C-terminus of the protein, is necessary for regulation of p53, a tumor suppressor protein. The 48-residues long Mdm2 peptide is an important target for studying its interaction with small anticancer drug candidates. For the chemical synthesis of the Mdm2 RING finger domain, the fragment condensation on solid-phase and the fragment condensation in solution were studied. The latter method was performed using either protected or free peptides at the C-terminus as the amino component. Best results were achieved using solution condensation where the N-component was applied with the C-terminal carboxyl group left unprotected. The developed method is well suited for large-scale synthesis of Mdm2 RING finger domain, combining the advantages of both solid-phase and solution synthesis.

Regulation of XIAP Translation and Induction by MDM2 following Irradiation

Increases in protein levels of XIAP in cancer cells have been associated with resistance to apoptosis induced by cellular stress. Herein we demonstrate that the upregulation of XIAP protein levels is regulated by MDM2 at the translational level. MDM2 was found to physically interact with the IRES of the XIAP 5'-UTR, and to positively regulate XIAP IRES activity. This XIAP IRES-dependent translation was significantly increased in MDM2-transfected cells where MDM2 accumulated in the cytoplasm. Cellular stress and DNA damage triggered by irradiation induced the dephosphorylation and cytoplasmic localization of MDM2, which also led to an increase in IRES-dependent XIAP translation. Upregulation of XIAP in MDM2-overexpressing cancer cells in response to irradiation resulted in resistance of these cells to radiation-induced apoptosis.

Hetero-oligomerization with MdmX Rescues the Ubiquitin/Nedd8 Ligase Activity of RING Finger Mutants of Mdm2

Mdm2 is a member of the RING finger family of ubiquitin ligases and is best known for its role in targeting the tumor suppressor p53 for ubiquitination and degradation. Mdm2 can bind to itself and to the structurally related protein MdmX, and these interactions involve the RING finger domain of Mdm2 and MdmX, respectively. In this study, we performed a mutational analysis of the RING finger domain of Mdm2, and we identified several amino acid residues that are important for Mdm2 to exert its ubiquitin ligase function. Mutation of some of these residues interfered with the Mdm2-Mdm2 interaction indicating that a homomeric complex represents the active form of Mdm2. Mutation of other residues did not detectably affect the ability of Mdm2 to interact with itself but reduced the ability of Mdm2 to interact with UbcH5. Remarkably, MdmX efficiently rescued the ubiquitin ligase activity of the latter Mdm2 mutants in vitro and within cells. Because the interaction of Mdm2 with MdmX is more stable than the Mdm2-Mdm2 interaction, this suggests that Mdm2-MdmX complexes play a prominent role in p53 ubiquitination in vivo. Furthermore, we show that, similar to Mdm2, the Mdm2-MdmX complex has Nedd8 ligase activity and that all mutations that affect the ubiquitin ligase activity of Mdm2 also affect its Nedd8 ligase activity. From a mechanistic perspective, this suggests that the actual function of Mdm2 and Mdm2-MdmX, respectively, in p53 ubiquitination and in p53 neddylation is similar for both processes.

The RING Finger Domain of MDM2 Is Essential for MDM2-mediated TGF-β Resistance

In this study, we attempt to gain insights into the molecular mechanism underlying MDM2-mediated TGF-beta resistance. MDM2 renders cells refractory to TGF-beta by overcoming a TGF-beta-induced G1 cell cycle arrest. Because the TGF-beta resistant phenotype is reversible upon removal of MDM2, MDM2 likely confers TGF-beta resistance by directly targeting the cellular machinery involved in the growth inhibition by TGF-beta. Investigation of the structure-function relationship of MDM2 reveals three elements essential for MDM2 to confer TGF-beta resistance in both mink lung epithelial cells and human mammary epithelial cells. One of these elements is the C-terminal half of the p53-binding domain, which at least partially retained p53-binding and inhibitory activity. Second, the ability of MDM2 to mediate TGF-beta resistance is disrupted by mutation of the nuclear localization signal, but is restored upon coexpression of MDMX. Finally, mutations of the zinc coordination residues of the RING finger domain abrogates TGF-beta resistance, but not the ability of MDM2 to inhibit p53 activity or to bind MDMX. These data suggest that RING finger-mediated p53 inhibition and MDMX interaction are not sufficient to cause TGF-beta resistance and imply a crucial role of the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of this domain in MDM2-mediated TGF-beta resistance.

Ubiquitination and Degradation of the Anti-apoptotic Protein ARC by MDM2

Current evidence shows that cardiomyocyte apoptosis plays a central role in the pathogenesis of myocardial disease and that reactive oxygen species is critically responsible for mediating cardiomyocyte apoptosis in both ischemia-reperfusion injury and dilated cardiomyopathy. ARC (Apoptosis Repressor with Caspase recruitment domain) is an anti-apoptotic protein that is found abundantly in terminally differentiated cells such as cardiomyocytes. The ARC knock-out mouse developed larger infarct in response to ischemia-reperfusion and transitioned more rapidly and severely to dilated cardiomyopathy following aortic constriction. In addition, ARC protein levels are decreased in human dilated cardiomyopathy and when cardiomyocytes are exposed to oxidative stress in vitro, but the mechanisms regulating ARC protein levels are not known. Here we show that degradation of ARC is dependent on the p53-induced ubiquitin E3 ligase, MDM2. Oxidative stress reduced ARC levels and up-regulated MDM2. MDM2 directly accelerated ARC protein turnover via ubiquitination and proteasomal-dependent degradation. This activity requires a functioning MDM2 ring finger domain because the MDM2(C464A) mutant was unable to direct ARC degradation. Furthermore, ARC degradation requires MDM2, because MDM2 knock-out fibroblasts showed defective ARC degradation that could be rescued by MDM2. Proteasomal inhibitors rescued both MDM2 and H(2)O(2)-induced degradation of ARC and inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Dilated cardiomyopathic hearts from mice that have undergone transverse aortic banding have increased MDM2 levels associated with decreased ARC levels. We conclude that MDM2 is a critical regulator of ARC levels in cardiomyocytes. Prevention of MDM2-induced degradation of ARC represents a potential therapeutic target to prevent cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

ARF-BP1/Mule Is a Critical Mediator of the ARF Tumor Suppressor

Although the importance of the ARF tumor suppressor in p53 regulation is well established, numerous studies indicate that ARF also suppresses cell growth in a p53/Mdm2-independent manner. To understand the mechanism of ARF-mediated tumor suppression, we identified a ubiquitin ligase, ARF-BP1, as a key factor associated with ARF in vivo. ARF-BP1 harbors a signature HECT motif, and its ubiquitin ligase activity is inhibited by ARF. Notably, inactivation of ARF-BP1, but not Mdm2, suppresses the growth of p53 null cells in a manner reminiscent of ARF induction. Surprisingly, in p53 wild-type cells, ARF-BP1 directly binds and ubiquitinates p53, and inactivation of endogenous ARF-BP1 is crucial for ARF-mediated p53 stabilization. Thus, our study modifies the current view of ARF-mediated p53 activation and reveals that ARF-BP1 is a critical mediator of both the p53-independent and p53-dependent tumor suppressor functions of ARF. As such, ARF-BP1 may serve as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in tumors regardless of p53 status.

Regulation of p53 and MDM2 Activity by MTBP

p53 is a critical coordinator of a wide range of stress responses. To facilitate a rapid response to stress, p53 is produced constitutively but is negatively regulated by MDM2. MDM2 can inhibit p53 in multiple independent ways: by binding to its transcription activation domain, inhibiting p53 acetylation, promoting nuclear export, and probably most importantly by promoting proteasomal degradation of p53. The latter is achieved via MDM2's E3 ubiquitin ligase activity harbored within the MDM2 RING finger domain. We have discovered that MTBP promotes MDM2-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of p53 and also MDM2 stabilization in an MDM2 RING finger-dependent manner. Moreover, using small interfering RNA to down-regulate endogenous MTBP in unstressed cells, we have found that MTBP significantly contributes to MDM2-mediated regulation of p53 levels and activity. However, following exposure of cells to UV, but not gamma-irradiation, MTBP is destabilized as part of the coordinated cellular response. Our findings suggest that MTBP differentially regulates the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of MDM2 towards two of its most critical targets (itself and p53) and in doing so significantly contributes to MDM2-dependent p53 homeostasis in unstressed cells.

Inhibition of p53 degradation by Mdm2 acetylation

Mdm2 is a RING finger E3 ubiquitin ligase, which promotes ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of the p53 tumor suppressor protein. Acetylation of p53 regulates p53’s transcriptional activity and inhibits Mdm2-mediated p53 ubiquitination and degradation. We now report that Mdm2 is also a target for acetylation. Mdm2 is acetylated in vitro by CREB-binding protein (CBP) and to a lesser extent by p300, but not by p300/CPB-associated factor. Acetylation occurs primarily within the RING finger domain of Mdm2. In vivo acetylation of Mdm2 was detected easily with CBP but not p300. Efficient in vivo acetylation required the preservation of the RING finger. An Mdm2 mutant (K466/467Q) mimicking acetylation is impaired in its ability to promote p53 ubiquitination, as well as Mdm2 autoubiquitination. Moreover, K466/467Q is defective in promoting p53 degradation in living cells. We thus suggest that acetyltransferases may modulate cellular p53 activity not only by modifying p53, but also by inactivating Mdm2.

Cellular stress and DNA damage invoke temporally distinct Mdm2, p53 and PML complexes and damage-specific nuclear relocalization.

Mdm2 is a nucleoplasmic and nucleolar protein interacting with p53 and alternative reading frame (ARF) tumor suppressor proteins. Here we demonstrate relocalization and novel interactions of Mdm2 with the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein following cellular stress and DNA damage. We show that Mdm2 and PML interact directly in vivo and in vitro depending on the Mdm2 RING finger domain and the PML C-terminus, and that Mdm2 is recruited to the PML nuclear bodies by overexpression of PML. Cellular stress and DNA damage caused by UV-radiation, downregulation of the proteasome and arsenic trioxide promoted Mdm2 and PML damage-specific nuclear relocalization and interaction in a p53-independent manner. However, in vitro analyses showed that PML, Mdm2 and p53 form trimeric complexes. UV-radiation caused rapid rearrangements of PML nuclear bodies and promoted PML-p53 and PML-Mdm2 complex formation, coinciding with p53 stabilization and preceding p53-Mdm2 interaction suggesting temporally distinct complexes. The results demonstrate novel associations between Mdm2 and PML and show the capacity of PML to participate in the activation and stabilization of p53 in response to cellular stress through PML interaction with Mdm2.

Physical and Functional Interactions between PML and MDM2

The tumor suppressor protein PML and oncoprotein MDM2 have opposing effects on p53. PML stimulates p53 activity by recruiting it to nuclear foci termed PML nuclear bodies. In contrast, MDM2 inhibits p53 by promoting its degradation. To date, neither a physical nor functional relationship between PML and MDM2 has been described. In this study, we report an in vivo and in vitro interaction between PML and MDM2 which is independent of p53. Two separate regions of PML are recognized which can interact with MDM2. The C-terminal half of PML, encoded by residues 300-633, can interact with the central region of MDM2 which includes the MDM2 acidic domain. In addition, PML amino acids 1-200, which encode the RING-finger and most of the B box zinc binding motifs, can interact with the C-terminal, RING-finger containing region of MDM2. Interestingly, PML mutants in which sumoylation at lysine 160 was inhibited displayed an increased association with MDM2, suggesting that sumoylation at this site may be a determinant of PML-MDM2 binding. Coexpression with MDM2 caused a redistribution of PML from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and this required the PML N terminus and the MDM2 RING-finger domain. These results suggest that interaction between the PML N terminus and MDM2 C terminus can promote PML nuclear exclusion. Wild-type MDM2 inhibited the ability of PML to stimulate the transcriptional activity of a GAL4-CBP fusion protein. This inhibition required the central, acidic region of MDM2, but did not require the MDM2 C terminus. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that MDM2 and PML can interact through at least two separate protein regions, and that these interactions can have specific effects on the activity and/or localization of PML.