CCAAT/enhancer binding protein delta (C/EBPdelta, CEBPD)-mediated nuclear import of FANCD2 by IPO4 augments cellular response to DNA damage

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Sep 14;107(37):16131-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1002603107. Epub 2010 Aug 30.

Abstract

Maintenance of genomic integrity is an essential cellular function. We previously reported that the transcription factor and tumor suppressor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein δ (C/EBPδ, CEBPD; also known as "NFIL-6β") promotes genomic stability. However, the molecular mechanism was not known. Here, we show that C/EBPδ is a DNA damage-induced gene, which supports survival of mouse bone marrow cells, mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF), human fibroblasts, and breast tumor cells in response to the DNA cross-linking agent mitomycin C (MMC). Using gene knockout, protein depletion, and overexpression studies, we found that C/EBPδ promotes monoubiquitination of the Fanconi anemia complementation group D2 protein (FANCD2), which is necessary for its function in replication-associated DNA repair. C/EBPδ interacts with FANCD2 and importin 4 (IPO4, also known as "Imp4" and "RanBP4") via separate domains, mediating FANCD2-IPO4 association and augmenting nuclear import of FANCD2, a prerequisite for its monoubiquitination. This study identifies a transcription-independent activity of C/EBPδ in the DNA damage response that may in part underlie its tumor suppressor function. Furthermore, we report a function of IPO4 and nuclear import in the Fanconi anemia pathway of DNA repair.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Animals
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-delta / deficiency
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-delta / genetics
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-delta / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival
  • DNA Damage*
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group D2 Protein / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Karyopherins / metabolism*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Protein Binding
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • CEBPD protein, human
  • Cebpd protein, mouse
  • FANCD2 protein, human
  • Fancd2 protein, mouse
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group D2 Protein
  • IPO4 protein, human
  • Karyopherins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • importin 4, mouse
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-delta