RNA-binding protein RBM28 can translocate from the nucleolus to the nucleoplasm to inhibit the transcriptional activity of p53.

Xin Lin, Liwen Zhou, Jianliang Zhong, Li Zhong, Ruhua Zhang, Tiebang Kang, Yuanzhong Wu

The Journal of biological chemistry 2022 Feb

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RNA-binding protein RBM28 (RBM28), as a nucleolar component of spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoproteins, is involved in the nucleolar stress response. Whether and how RBM28 regulates tumor progression remains unclear. Here, we report that RBM28 is frequently overexpressed in various types of cancer and that its upregulation is associated with a poor prognosis. Functional and mechanistic assays revealed that RBM28 promotes the survival and growth of cancer cells by interacting with the DNA-binding domain of tumor suppressor p53 to inhibit p53 transcriptional activity. Upon treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs (e.g., adriamycin), RBM28 is translocated from the nucleolus to the nucleoplasm, which is likely mediated via phosphorylation of RBM28 at Ser122 by DNA checkpoint kinases 1 and 2 (Chk1/2), indicating that RBM28 may act as a nucleolar stress sensor in response to DNA damage stress. Our findings not only reveal RBM28 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for cancers but also provide mechanistic insights into how cancer cells convert stress signals into a cellular response linking the nucleolus to regulation of the tumor suppressor p53. Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Citation

Xin Lin, Liwen Zhou, Jianliang Zhong, Li Zhong, Ruhua Zhang, Tiebang Kang, Yuanzhong Wu. RNA-binding protein RBM28 can translocate from the nucleolus to the nucleoplasm to inhibit the transcriptional activity of p53. The Journal of biological chemistry. 2022 Feb;298(2):101524