[PDF][PDF] The v-Jun point mutation allows c-Jun to escape GSK3-dependent recognition and destruction by the Fbw7 ubiquitin ligase

W Wei, J Jin, S Schlisio, JW Harper, WG Kaelin - Cancer cell, 2005 - cell.com
Cancer cell, 2005cell.com
The c-Jun and c-Myc oncogenic transcription factors are highly unstable proteins due to
polyubiquitination. Similar to c-Myc, we report here that phosphorylation of c-Jun by GSK3
creates a high-affinity binding site for the E3 ligase Fbw7, which targets c-Jun for
polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. In keeping with this, we found that c-Jun
levels were inversely related to GSK3 activity in mammalian cells that had entered the cell
cycle. Importantly, phosphorylation of c-Jun by GSK3 requires a priming phosphorylation …
Summary
The c-Jun and c-Myc oncogenic transcription factors are highly unstable proteins due to polyubiquitination. Similar to c-Myc, we report here that phosphorylation of c-Jun by GSK3 creates a high-affinity binding site for the E3 ligase Fbw7, which targets c-Jun for polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. In keeping with this, we found that c-Jun levels were inversely related to GSK3 activity in mammalian cells that had entered the cell cycle. Importantly, phosphorylation of c-Jun by GSK3 requires a priming phosphorylation event at Ser-243. Ser-243 is mutated to phenylalanine in v-Jun and allows it to escape recognition by Fbw7. These findings explain the enhanced stability and oncogenicity of v-Jun relative to its cellular counterpart and reveal that GSK3 and Fbw7 coordinately regulate c-Jun and c-Myc.
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