Downregulation of the Spi-1/PU.1 oncogene induces the expression of TRIM10/HERF1, a key factor required for terminal erythroid cell differentiation and survival

Cell Res. 2008 Aug;18(8):834-45. doi: 10.1038/cr.2008.68.

Abstract

Sustained expression of the Spi-1/PU.1 and Fli-1 oncoproteins blocks globin gene activation in mouse erythroleukemia cells; however, only Spi-1/PU.1 expression inhibits the inclusion of exon 16 in the mature 4.1R mRNA. This splicing event is crucial for a functional 4.1R protein and, therefore, for red blood cell membrane integrity. This report demonstrates that Spi-1/PU.1 downregulation induces the activation of TRIM10/hematopoietic RING finger 1 (HERF1), a member of the tripartite motif (TRIM)/RBCC protein family needed for globin gene transcription. Additionally, we demonstrate that TRIM10/HERF1 is required for the regulated splicing of exon 16 during late erythroid differentiation. Using inducible overexpression and silencing approaches, we found that: (1) TRIM10/HERF1 knockdown inhibits hemoglobin production and exon splicing and triggers cell apoptosis in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)-induced cells; (2) TRIM10/HERF1 upregulation is required but is insufficient on its own to activate exon retention; (3) Fli-1 has no effect on TRIM10/HERF1 expression, whereas either DMSO-induced downregulation or shRNA-knockdown of Spi-1/PU.1 expression is sufficient to activate TRIM10/HERF1 expression; and (4) Spi-1/PU.1 knockdown triggers both the transcription and the splicing events independently of the chemical induction. Altogether, these data indicate that primary Spi-1/PU.1 downregulation acts on late erythroid differentiation through at least two pathways, one of which requires TRIM10/HERF1 upregulation and parallels the Spi-1/PU.1-induced Fli-1 shutoff regulatory cascade.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Proteins / genetics
  • Blood Proteins / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide / pharmacology
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Erythrocytes / cytology
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism
  • Erythroid Cells / cytology
  • Erythroid Cells / metabolism*
  • Exons / genetics
  • Hematopoiesis / genetics
  • Hematopoiesis / physiology*
  • Hemoglobins / biosynthesis
  • Histocompatibility Antigens / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens / metabolism*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Mice
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1 / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1 / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA Splicing / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Tripartite Motif Proteins
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • Blood Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Epb41 protein, mouse
  • Fli1 protein, mouse
  • Hemoglobins
  • Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • TRIM10 protein, human
  • TRIM10 protein, mouse
  • Trans-Activators
  • Tripartite Motif Proteins
  • proto-oncogene protein Spi-1
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide