Protein phosphatase 2A regulatory subunit B56alpha associates with c-myc and negatively regulates c-myc accumulation

Mol Cell Biol. 2006 Apr;26(7):2832-44. doi: 10.1128/MCB.26.7.2832-2844.2006.

Abstract

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) plays a prominent role in controlling accumulation of the proto-oncoprotein c-Myc. PP2A mediates its effects on c-Myc by dephosphorylating a conserved residue that normally stabilizes c-Myc, and in this way, PP2A enhances c-Myc ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Stringent regulation of c-Myc levels is essential for normal cell function, as c-Myc overexpression can lead to cell transformation. Conversely, PP2A has tumor suppressor activity. Uncovering relevant PP2A holoenzymes for a particular target has been limited by the fact that cellular PP2A represents a large heterogeneous population of trimeric holoenzymes, composed of a conserved catalytic subunit and a structural subunit along with a variable regulatory subunit which directs the holoenzyme to a specific target. We now report the identification of a specific PP2A regulatory subunit, B56alpha, that selectively associates with the N terminus of c-Myc. B56alpha directs intact PP2A holoenzymes to c-Myc, resulting in a dramatic reduction in c-Myc levels. Inhibition of PP2A-B56alpha holoenzymes, using small hairpin RNA to knock down B56alpha, results in c-Myc overexpression, elevated levels of c-Myc serine 62 phosphorylation, and increased c-Myc function. These results uncover a new protein involved in regulating c-Myc expression and reveal a critical interconnection between a potent oncoprotein, c-Myc, and a well-documented tumor suppressor, PP2A.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Catalytic Domain
  • Down-Regulation / genetics*
  • Holoenzymes / biosynthesis
  • Holoenzymes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / chemistry*
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / deficiency
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / genetics
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Phosphatase 2
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Protein Subunits / genetics
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism*
  • RNA Interference
  • Serine / metabolism
  • Transcriptional Activation / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • E4orf4 protein, adenovirus
  • Holoenzymes
  • Protein Subunits
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • Viral Proteins
  • Serine
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases
  • Protein Phosphatase 2