Loss of Pnn expression results in mouse early embryonic lethality and cellular apoptosis through SRSF1-mediated alternative expression of Bcl-xS and ICAD

J Cell Sci. 2012 Jul 1;125(Pt 13):3164-72. doi: 10.1242/jcs.100859. Epub 2012 Mar 27.

Abstract

Pinin (Pnn), a serine/arginine-rich (SR)-related protein, has been shown to play multiple roles within eukaryotic cells including cell-cell adhesion, cell migration, regulation of gene transcription, mRNA export and alternative splicing. In this study, an attempt to generate mice homozygously deficient in Pnn failed because of early embryonic lethality. To evaluate the effects of loss of Pnn expression on cell survival, RNA interference experiments were performed in MCF-7 cells. Depletion of Pnn resulted in cellular apoptosis and nuclear condensation. In addition, nuclear speckles were disrupted, and expression levels of SR proteins were diminished. RT-PCR analysis showed that alternative splicing patterns of SRSF1 as well as of apoptosis-related genes Bcl-x and ICAD were altered, and expression levels of Bim isoforms were modulated in Pnn-depleted cells. Cellular apoptosis induced by Pnn depletion was rescued by overexpression of SRSF1, which also restored generation of Bcl-xL and functionless ICAD. Pnn expression is, therefore, essential for survival of mouse embryos and the breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7. Moreover, Pnn depletion, modulated by SRSF1, determines cellular apoptosis through activation of the expression of pro-apoptotic Bcl-xS transcripts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism
  • Apoptosis*
  • Bcl-2-Like Protein 11
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cell Survival
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Embryo Loss / genetics
  • Embryo Loss / metabolism
  • Embryo Loss / pathology
  • Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism
  • Embryo, Mammalian / pathology*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors
  • Transfection
  • bcl-X Protein / genetics
  • bcl-X Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • BCL2L1 protein, human
  • BCL2L11 protein, human
  • Bcl-2-Like Protein 11
  • Bcl2l11 protein, mouse
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • PNN protein, human
  • Pnn protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • bcl-X Protein
  • Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors