3’UTR-dependent dynamic changes in TP53 mRNA localization regulate p53 tumor suppressor activity

Abstract

The tumor suppressor p53 triggers senescence in response to oncogenic stress in primary cells. However, the mechanisms by which tumor cells retaining p53 bypass senescence are not fully understood. Here we report that p53 cytostatic activity is inhibited in tumor cells by the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of its mRNA, without altering p53 levels. 3'UTR inhibition requires a long U-rich element (URE) and its binding protein, HuR. The 3'UTR excluded TP53 mRNAs from a perinuclear compartment containing the CK2 kinase, suppressing p53 phosphorylation on an activating CK2 site, Ser392. In primary cells undergoing oncogene-induced senescence and tumor cells treated with genotoxic agents, TP53 mRNAs became concentrated in the perinuclear cytoplasm, coinciding with p53 phosphorylation and activation by CK2. In both cases, perinuclear re-localization of TP53 transcripts required AMPKα2-dependent HuR nuclear translocation. ATM kinase activity was essential for DNA damage-induced spatial reprogramming of TP53 mRNAs, likely through phosphorylation and inactivation of MDM2. MDM2 was required for peripheral localization of TP53 transcripts and negatively regulated levels of the AMPKα2 activating kinase, CaMKKβ. Our findings reveal a critical role for 3'UTR sequences in suppressing p53 protein activity and provide a new mechanistic framework for p53 activation by DNA damaging agents.