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Abstract :
[en] The Ets factors are a family of 27 transcription factors characterized by their unique DNA-binding domain. We aimed at building a protein-protein interaction (PPI) map (interactome) of the human Ets factors in order to better define their roles and regulations in normal and oncogenic processes. The Ets interactome was built on a high-throughput yeast-two hybrid (Y2H) approach, and a literature and database curation. We identified 431 PPIs and 276 different protein partners. Clustering of the Ets interactome divided it into 24 functional subnetworks classified on their novelty index and their size.
Cluster#1 was exclusively composed of newly identified interaction partners and was highly connected to the Erg subfamily of Ets factors. Gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed that it was associated to mRNA processing. In support of this result, we observed in HeLa cells that ERG and the components of cluster#1 localized in p-bodies and stress granules, physically linked cytoplasmic sites of mRNA degradation and silencing. Hence, we hypothesized that Erg proteins might have a role in post-transcriptional gene regulation and be involved in cellular mRNAs degradation.
To test this hypothesis, we performed a MS2-based tethering assay and showed that the recruitment of ERG on a mRNA reporter promoted inhibition of its expression via a two-fold decrease of its half-life. ERG controls degradation of target mRNAs via different mechanisms including polysome stability, mRNA deadenylation, and p-bodies aggregation. A microarray-based appraoch identified 321 endogeneous genes whose mRNA decay rate was lowered in ERG silenced cells.
Results point out the Nter domain of ERG as the predominant domain required for mRNA degradation. Importantly, oncogenic TET-Erg fusions described in AML and Ewing’s sarcoma exhibited diminished ability to degrade target mRNAs, concomitantly with the loss of the ERG Nter domain. This reinforces the important role of Erg proteins in mRNA degradation in cancer.
