Akt-phosphorylated PIKE-A inhibits UNC5B-induced apoptosis in cancer cell lines in a p53-dependent manner

Mol Biol Cell. 2011 Jun 1;22(11):1943-54. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E10-11-0923. Epub 2011 Apr 1.

Abstract

UNC5B acts as a tumor suppressor, and it induces apoptosis in the absence of its cognate ligand netrins. UNC5B is a direct transcriptional target of p53 upon UV stimulation. Here we show that Akt phosphorylates PIKE-A and regulates its association with UNC5B and inhibits UNC5B-provoked apoptosis in a p53-dependent manner. PIKE-A GTPase binds active Akt and stimulates its kinase activity in a guanine-nucleotide-dependent way. Akt feeds back and phosphorylates PIKE-A on Ser-472 and subsequently enhances its stimulatory effect on Akt kinase activity. Akt activity is significantly reduced in PIKE -/- Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast (MEF) cells as compared to wild-type cells. PIKE-A directly interacts with UNC5B, which is regulated by netrin-1-activated Akt. Overexpression of PIKE-A diminishes UNC5B expression through down-regulation of p53. Knocking down PIKE-A stabilizes p53, increases UNC5B, and escalates UV-triggered apoptosis. Depletion of Akt abrogates PIKE-A's inhibitory effect on both p53 and UNC5B. Hence our findings support the notion that Akt--phosphorylated PIKE-A inhibits UNC5B-elicited apoptosis and reduces its expression level through inactivation of p53.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Down-Regulation
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Nerve Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Netrin Receptors
  • Netrin-1
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Stability
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • NTN1 protein, human
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Netrin Receptors
  • Ntn1 protein, mouse
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • TP53 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • UNC5B protein, human
  • Netrin-1
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • AGAP2 protein, human
  • GTP-Binding Proteins