Open Access
Aberrant cytoplasmic localization of ARID1B activates ERK signaling and promotes oncogenesis
Author(s) -
Srinivas Animireddy,
Padmavathi Kavadipula,
Viswakalyan Kotapalli,
Swarnalata Gowrishankar,
Satish Rao,
Murali D. Bashyam
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of cell science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.384
H-Index - 278
eISSN - 1477-9137
pISSN - 0021-9533
DOI - 10.1242/jcs.251637
Subject(s) - nuclear localization sequence , biology , cytoplasm , subcellular localization , carcinogenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , transcription factor , chromatin remodeling , nucleus , cell nucleus , nls , cancer research , genetics , gene
The ARID1B/BAF250b subunit of the human SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex is a canonical nuclear tumor suppressor. We employed in silico prediction, intracellular fluorescence and cellular fractionation based subcellular localization analyses to identify the ARID1B nuclear localization signal. A cytoplasm-restricted ARID1B-NLS mutant was significantly compromised in its canonical transcription activation and tumor suppressive functions, as expected. Surprisingly however, cytoplasmic localization appeared to induce a gain of oncogenic function in ARID1B as evidenced from several cell line and mouse xenograft based assays. Mechanistically, cytoplasm-localized ARID1B could bind c-RAF and PPP1CA causing stimulation of RAF-ERK signaling and β-catenin transcription activity. ARID1B harboring NLS mutations derived from tumor samples also exhibited aberrant cytoplasmic localization and acquired a neo-morphic oncogenic function via activation of RAF-ERK signaling. Further, immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray revealed significant correlation of ARID1B cytoplasmic localization with increased levels of active forms of ERK1/2 and β-catenin as well as with advanced tumor stage and lymph node positivity in human primary pancreatic tumor tissues. ARID1B therefore promotes oncogenesis through cytoplasm-based gain of function mechanisms in addition to dysregulation in the nucleus.