The stability of c-Myc is regulated by multiple Ras effector pathways. Phosphorylation at Ser 62 stabilizes c-Myc, whereas subsequent phosphorylation at Thr 58 is required for its degradation. Here we show that Ser 62 is dephosphorylated by protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) before ubiquitination of c-Myc, and that PP2A activity is regulated by the Pin1 prolyl isomerase. Furthermore, the absence of Pin1 or inhibition of PP2A stabilizes c-Myc. A stable c-Myc(T58A) mutant that cannot bind Pin1 or be dephosphorylated by PP2A replaces SV40 small T antigen in human cell transformation and tumorigenesis assays. Therefore, small T antigen, which inactivates PP2A, exerts its oncogenic potential by preventing dephosphorylation of c-Myc, resulting in c-Myc stabilization. Thus, Ras-dependent signalling cascades ensure transient and self-limiting accumulation of c-Myc, disruption of which contributes to human cell oncogenesis.

The neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies include senile plaques and/or neurofibrillary tangles. Although mouse models have been created by overexpressing specific proteins including beta-amyloid precursor protein, presenilin and tau, no model has been generated by gene knockout. Phosphorylation of tau and other proteins on serine or threonine residues preceding proline seems to precede tangle formation and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. Notably, these phospho(Ser/Thr)-Pro motifs exist in two distinct conformations, whose conversion in some proteins is catalysed by the Pin1 prolyl isomerase. Pin1 activity can directly restore the conformation and function of phosphorylated tau or it can do so indirectly by promoting its dephosphorylation, which suggests that Pin1 is involved in neurodegeneration; however, genetic evidence is lacking. Here we show that Pin1 expression is inversely correlated with predicted neuronal vulnerability and actual neurofibrillary degeneration in Alzheimer's disease. Pin1 knockout in mice causes progressive age-dependent neuropathy characterized by motor and behavioural deficits, tau hyperphosphorylation, tau filament formation and neuronal degeneration. Thus, Pin1 is pivotal in protecting against age-dependent neurodegeneration, providing insight into the pathogenesis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies.

Phosphorylation of proteins on serine͞threonine residues preceding proline is a key signaling mechanism. The conformation and function of a subset of these phosphorylated proteins is regulated by the prolyl isomerase Pin1 through isomerization of phosphorylated Ser͞Thr-Pro bonds. Although young Pin1 ؊/؊ mice have been previously shown to develop normally, we show here that they displayed a range of cell-proliferative abnormalities, including decreased body weight and testicular and retinal atrophies. Furthermore, in Pin1 ؊/؊ adult females, the breast epithelial compartment failed to undergo the massive proliferative changes associated with pregnancy. Interestingly, many of these Pin1-deficient phenotypes such as retinal hypoplasia and mammary gland impairment are also the characteristic of cyclin D1-deficient mice. Cyclin D1 levels were significantly reduced in many tissues in Pin1-deficient mice, including retina and breast epithelial cells from pregnant mice. Moreover, Pin1 directly bound to cyclin D1 phosphorylated on Thr-286 -Pro increased cyclin D1 in the nucleus and stabilized cyclin D1. These results indicate that Pin1 positively regulates cyclin D1 function at the transcriptional level, as demonstrated previously, and also through posttranslational stabilization, which together explain why Pin1 loss-of-function phenotypes in the mouse resemble cyclin D1-null phenotypes. Our results provide genetic evidence for an essential role of Pin1 in maintaining cell proliferation and regulating cyclin D1 function. P hosphorylation of proteins on serine͞threonine residues preceding proline (pSer͞Thr-Pro) is a key regulatory mechanism for the control of various cellular processes, including cell division and transcription (for reviews see refs. 1-3). The pSer͞Thr-Pro moiety in peptides and proteins exists in two distinct cis and trans conformations, whose conversion is catalyzed specifically by Pin1 (4, 5). Pin1 is a cis͞trans peptidyl-prolyl isomerase that acts only on phosphorylated Ser͞Thr-Pro bonds (6-8). In addition, Pin1 contains an N-terminal WW domain, which functions as a phosphorylated Ser͞Thr-Pro binding module (9, 10). This phosphorylationdependent interaction targets Pin1 to a defined subset of phosphorylated substrates facilitating conformational changes in phosphorylated proteins, thereby regulating their biological function (7,(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Thus, Pin1-dependent prolyl isomerization is an essential and novel postphosphorylation regulatory mechanism.Given its phosphorylated Ser͞Thr-Pro substrate specificity, Pin1 has also been shown to be essential for maximal cell growth in different systems (4, 5). Interestingly, we have recently found that Pin1 is strikingly overexpressed in most human breast cancer tissues (21,22). Pin1 levels are correlated with cyclin D1 mRNA and protein levels in human cancer tissues. Moreover, Pin1 can activate the cyclin D1 promoter in cell lines via binding phosphorylated c-Jun and ␤-catenin and increasing their transcriptional activity (21,22). The...

The tumour suppressor p53 is important in the cell decision to either arrest cell cycle progression or induce apoptosis in response to a variety of stimuli. p53 post-translational modifications and association with other proteins have been implicated in the regulation of its stability and transcriptional activities. Here we report that, on DNA damage, p53 interacts with Pin1, a peptidyl-prolyl isomerase, which regulates the function of many proteins involved in cell cycle control and apoptosis. The interaction is strictly dependent on p53 phosphorylation, and requires Ser 33, Thr 81 and Ser 315. On binding, Pin1 generates conformational changes in p53, enhancing its transactivation activity. Stabilization of p53 is impaired in UV-treated Pin1(-/-) cells owing to its inability to efficiently dissociate from Mdm2. As a consequence, a reduced p53-dependent response was detected in Pin1(-/-) cells, and this correlates with a diminished transcriptional activation of some p53-regulated genes. Our results suggest that, following stress-induced phosphorylation, p53 needs to form a complex with Pin1 and to undergo a conformational change to fulfil its biological roles.

p53 is activated in response to various genotoxic stresses resulting in cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. It is well documented that DNA damage leads to phosphorylation and activation of p53 (refs 1-3), yet how p53 is activated is still not fully understood. Here we report that DNA damage specifically induces p53 phosphorylation on Ser/Thr-Pro motifs, which facilitates its interaction with Pin1, a member of peptidyl-prolyl isomerase. Furthermore, the interaction of Pin1 with p53 is dependent on the phosphorylation that is induced by DNA damage. Consequently, Pin1 stimulates the DNA-binding activity and transactivation function of p53. The Pin1-mediated p53 activation requires the WW domain, a phosphorylated Ser/Thr-Pro motif interaction module, and the isomerase activity of Pin1. Moreover, Pin1-deficient cells are defective in p53 activation and timely accumulation of p53 protein, and exhibit an impaired checkpoint control in response to DNA damage. Together, these data suggest a mechanism for p53 regulation in cellular response to genotoxic stress.