RB1-inducible coiled-coil 1 (RB1CC1, also known as FIP200) is a tumor suppressor implicated in the regulation of RB1 (retinoblastoma 1) expression. However, the molecular mechanism of RB1 regulation by RB1CC1 has not been elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that nuclear RB1CC1 binds to the RB1 promoter using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays with anti-RB1CC1 antibody. Luciferase assays with RB1 promoter reporter plasmids revealed that RB1CC1 activated the RB1 promoter through the 201 bp upstream GC-rich region (from the initiation ATG). Electrophoretic mobility shift assay and Western blot analysis supported RB1CC1 binding to the GC-rich region of the RB1 promoter. In addition, the C-terminus of RB1CC1 was required for nuclear localization and subsequent RB1 promoter activation. Furthermore, the expression levels of RB1CC1 and RB1 significantly correlated with in vivo breast cancer tissues as determined by immunohistochemical analysis. These data indicate that nuclear RB1CC1 directly activates the RB1 promoter to enhance RB1 expression in cancer cells. Evaluation of RB1CC1 in various types of human cancer tissues is expected to provide useful information for clinical practice and future therapeutic strategies. '
UICCKey words: RB1CC1; RB1; promoter; transcription The RB1-encoded protein (RB1) is a well-known cell cycle regulator, particularly of G1/S-phase cell cycle progression, 1 and also facilitates cellular differentiation. 2 RB1 is believed to be expressed constitutively in various mammalian tissues, though its expression level often varies in a tissue-specific manner. 3 RB1 plays various roles depending on its phosphorylated state, 1 and the regulation of RB1 phosphorylation has been widely studied. However, its transcriptional regulation is poorly understood. 1 Thus, the regulatory mechanism of RB1 expression should be analyzed more thoroughly.RB1-inducible coiled-coil 1 (RB1CC1: the symbol referred to here and approved by the Human Genome Organization [HUGO] Gene Nomenclature Committee; also known as FIP200, focal adhesion kinase family interacting protein of 200 kDa) was identified as an RB1 regulator and was shown to enhance RB1 expression. 3,4 RB1CC1 functions in various processes such as cell growth, 5,6 proliferation, 3,4,7 apoptosis 8 and autophagy. 9 Mutated RB1CC1 lacking wild-type function has been detected in breast cancers, 4,10 and its functional loss resulted in RB1 repression. Moreover, RNAi-mediated knock down of RB1CC1 leads to reduced RB1 levels and resulted in failure of C2C12 myoblast differentiation. 11 However, the molecular mechanism of RB1CC1 in the RB1 pathway has not been precisely determined yet.In our study, the mechanism of RB1CC1 as a transcriptional regulator of RB1 was investigated. Consequently, it was identified that RB1CC1 binds to and activates the RB1 promoter. The C-terminus of RB1CC1 was essential for its nuclear localization and RB1 promoter activation. Additionally, RB1CC1 status significantly correlated with RB1 expression in in vivo human cancers.
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