Role of RNA binding protein HuR in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast
JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
Authors: Heinonen, Mira; Hemmes, Annabrita; Salmenkivi, Kaisa; Abdelmohsen, Kotb; Vilen, Suvi-Tuuli; Laakso, Marko; Leidenius, Marjut; Salo, Tuula; Hautaniemi, Sampsa; Gorospe, Myriam; Heikkila, Paivi; Haglund, Caj; Ristimaki, Ari
Abstract
HuR is a ubiquitously expressed RNA-binding protein that modulates gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. It is predominantly nuclear, but can shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. While in the cytoplasm HuR can stabilize its target transcripts, many of which encode proteins involved in carcinogenesis. While cytoplasmic HuR expression is a marker of reduced survival in breast cancer, its role in precursor lesions of malignant diseases is unclear. To address this we explored HuR expression in atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and in ductal in situ carcinomas (DCIS). We show that cytoplasmic HuR expression is elevated in both ADH and DCIS when compared to normal controls, and that this expression associated with high grade, progesterone receptor negativity and microinvasion and/or tumour-positive sentinel nodes of the DCIS. To study the mechanisms of HuR in breast carcinogenesis, HuR expression was silenced in an immortalized breast epithelial cell line (184B5Me), which led to reduction in anchorage-independent growth, increased programmed cell death and inhibition of invasion. In addition, we identified two novel target transcripts (CTGF and RAB31) that are regulated by HuR and that bind HuR protein in this cell line. Our results show that HuR is aberrantly expressed at early stages of breast carcinogenesis and that its inhibition can lead to suppression of this process. ArrayExpress Accession No. E-MEXP-3035. Copyright (C) 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rab31 and APPL2 enhance Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis through PI3K/Akt signaling in macrophages
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
Authors: Yeo, Jeremy C.; Wall, Adam A.; Luo, Lin; Stow, Jennifer L.
Abstract
Membrane remodeling in the early stages of phagocytosis enables the engulfment of particles or pathogens and receptor signaling to activate innate immune responses. Members of the Rab GTPase family and their disparate effectors are recruited sequentially to regulate steps throughout phagocytosis. Rab31 (Rab22b) is known for regulating post-Golgi trafficking, and here we show in macrophages that Rab31-GTP is additionally and specifically recruited to early-stage phagosomes. At phagocytic cups, Rab31 is first recruited during the phosphoinositide transition from PI(4,5)P-2 to PI(3,4,5)P-3, and it persists on PI(3) P-enriched phagosomes. During early phagocytosis, we find that Rab31 recruits the signaling adaptor APPL2. siRNA depletion of either Rab31 or APPL2 reduces Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis. Mechanistically, this corresponds with a delay in the transition to PI(3,4,5)P-3 and phagocytic cup closure. APPL2 depletion also reduced PI3K/Akt signaling and enhanced p38 signaling from Fc gamma R. We thus conclude that Rab31/APPL2 is required for key roles in phagocytosis and prosurvival responses of macrophages. Of interest, in terms of localization and function, this Rab31/APPL2 complex is distinct from the Rab5/APPL1 complex, which is also involved in phagocytosis and signaling.