Tumor suppressor SMAR1 activates and stabilizes p53 through its arginine-serine-rich motif

Archana Jalota, Kamini Singh, Lakshminarasimhan Pavithra, Ruchika Kaul-Ghanekar, Shahid Jameel, Samit Chattopadhyay

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Various stresses and DNA-damaging agents trigger transcriptional activity of p53 by post-translational modifications, making it a global regulatory switch that controls cell proliferation and apoptosis. Earlier we have shown that the novel MAR-associated protein SMAR1 interacts with p53. Here we delineate the minimal domain of SMAR1 (the arginine-serine-rich domain) that is phosphorylated by protein kinase C family proteins and is responsible for p53 interaction, activation, and stabilization within the nucleus. SMAR1-mediated stabilization of p53 is brought about by inhibiting Mdm2-mediated degradation of p53. We also demonstrate that this arginine-serine (RS)-rich domain triggers the various cell cycle modulating proteins that decide cell fate. Furthermore, phenotypic knock-down experiments using small interfering RNA showed that SMAR1 is required for activation and nuclear retention of p53. The level of phosphorylated p53 was significantly increased in the thymus of SMAR1 transgenic mice, showing in vivo significance of SMAR1 expression. This is the first report that demonstrates the mechanism of action of the MAR-binding protein SMAR1 in modulating the activity of p53, often referred to as the "guardian of the genome."

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)16019-16029
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume280
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 22 2005
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Tumor suppressor SMAR1 activates and stabilizes p53 through its arginine-serine-rich motif'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this