摘要
Fas-associated factor 1 (FAF1) is a scaffolding protein that plays multiple functions, and dysregulation of FAF1 is associated withmany types of diseases such as cancers. FAF1 contains multiple ubiquitin-related domains (UBA, UBL1, UBL2, UAS, and UBX), eachdomain interacting with a specific partner. In particular, the interaction of UBL1 with heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is associatedwith tumor formation, although the molecular understanding remains unknown. In this study, the structural analysis revealed thatHis160 of FAF1 is important for its interaction with Hsp70. The association of Hsp70 with FAF1 is required for the interaction withIQGAP1. FAF1 negatively regulates RhoA activation by FAF1–Hsp70 complex formation, which then interacts with IQGAP1. Thesesteps play a key role in maintaining the stability of cell-to-cell junction. We conclude that FAF1 plays a critical role in the structureand function of adherens junction during tissue homeostasis and morphogenesis by suppressing RhoA activation, which induces theactivation of Rho-associated protein kinase, phosphorylation of myosin light chain, formation of actin stress fiber, and disruptionof adherens junction. In addition, depletion of FAF1 increased collective invasion in a 3D spheroid cell culture. These results provideinsightinto how the FAF1–Hsp70 complex acts as a novelregulator ofthe adherens junction integrity. The complex can be a potentialtherapeutic target to inhibit tumorigenesis and metastasis.
基金
Thisworkwas supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)grant funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT(2017R1A2B3007224 and 2020R1A4A4079494 to E.E.K.
2020R1F1A1055369 to K.-J.L.
2019R1A2C2004052 to E.J.S.).S.S.and I.-K.S.were supported by Brain Korea 21 Plus(BK21 Plus)Project.
