FKBP51 affects cancer cell response to chemotherapy by negatively regulating Akt

Cancer Cell. 2009 Sep 8;16(3):259-66. doi: 10.1016/j.ccr.2009.07.016.

Abstract

Akt is a central regulator of cell growth. Its activity can be negatively regulated by the phosphatase PHLPP that specifically dephosphorylates the hydrophobic motif of Akt (Ser473 in Akt1). However, how PHLPP is targeted to Akt is not clear. Here we show that FKBP51 (FK506-binding protein 51) acts as a scaffolding protein for Akt and PHLPP and promotes dephosphorylation of Akt. Furthermore, FKBP51 is downregulated in pancreatic cancer tissue samples and several cancer cell lines. Decreased FKBP51 expression in cancer cells results in hyperphosphorylation of Akt and decreased cell death following genotoxic stress. Overall, our findings identify FKBP51 as a negative regulator of the Akt pathway, with potentially important implications for cancer etiology and response to chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytarabine / therapeutic use
  • Docetaxel
  • Drug Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Kidney / cytology
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Paclitaxel / therapeutic use
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / isolation & purification
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / physiology*
  • Tacrolimus Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Taxoids / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Taxoids
  • Cytarabine
  • Docetaxel
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • PHLPP1 protein, human
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases
  • Tacrolimus Binding Proteins
  • tacrolimus binding protein 5
  • Paclitaxel

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE16515