Dysregulation of INF2-mediated mitochondrial fission in SPOP-mutated prostate cancer

PLoS Genet. 2017 Apr 27;13(4):e1006748. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006748. eCollection 2017 Apr.

Abstract

Next-generation sequencing of the exome and genome of prostate cancers has identified numerous genetic alternations. SPOP (Speckle-type POZ Protein) was one of the most frequently mutated genes in primary prostate cancer, suggesting SPOP is a potential driver of prostate cancer development and progression. However, how SPOP mutations contribute to prostate cancer pathogenesis remains poorly understood. SPOP acts as an adaptor protein of the CUL3-RBX1 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that generally recruits substrates for ubiquitination and subsequent degradation. ER-localized isoform of the formin protein inverted formin 2 (INF2) mediates actin polymerization at ER-mitochondria intersections and facilitates DRP1 recruitment to mitochondria, which is a critical step in mitochondrial fission. Here, we revealed that SPOP recognizes a Ser/Thr (S/T)-rich motif in the C-terminal region of INF2 and triggers atypical polyubiquitination of INF2. These ubiquitination modifications do not lead to INF2 instability, but rather reduces INF2 localization in ER and mitochondrially associated DRP1 puncta formation, therefore abrogates its ability to facilitate mitochondrial fission. INF2 mutant escaping from SPOP-mediated ubiquitination is more potent in prompting mitochondrial fission. Moreover, prostate cancer-associated SPOP mutants increase INF2 localization in ER and promote mitochondrial fission, probably through a dominant-negative effect to inhibit endogenous SPOP. Moreover, INF2 is important for SPOP inactivation-induced prostate cancer cell migration and invasion. These findings reveal novel molecular events underlying the regulation of INF2 function and localization, and provided insights in understanding the relationship between SPOP mutations and dysregulation of mitochondrial dynamics in prostate cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics*
  • Dynamins
  • Exome
  • Formins
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microfilament Proteins / genetics*
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Mitochondria / pathology
  • Mitochondrial Dynamics / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Formins
  • INF2 protein, human
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • SPOP protein, human
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • DNM1L protein, human
  • Dynamins

Grants and funding

This work was in part supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81672558 to CW, 31400753 to KG and 81572768 to PZ) and the National Key Research and Development Plan of China-Precision Medicine Project (2016YFC0902202 to CW and SR). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.