Project description:Cyclin C was cloned as a growth-promoting G1 cyclin, and was also shown to regulate gene transcription. Here we report that in vivo cyclin C acts as a haploinsufficient tumour suppressor, by controlling Notch1 oncogene levels. Cyclin C activates an 'orphan' CDK19 kinase, as well as CDK8 and CDK3. These cyclin-C-CDK complexes phosphorylate the Notch1 intracellular domain (ICN1) and promote ICN1 degradation. Genetic ablation of cyclin C blocks ICN1 phosphorylation in vivo, thereby elevating ICN1 levels in cyclin-C-knockout mice. Cyclin C ablation or heterozygosity collaborates with other oncogenic lesions and accelerates development of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL). Furthermore, the cyclin C encoding gene CCNC is heterozygously deleted in a significant fraction of human T-ALLs, and these tumours express reduced cyclin C levels. We also describe point mutations in human T-ALL that render cyclin-C-CDK unable to phosphorylate ICN1. Hence, tumour cells may develop different strategies to evade inhibition by cyclin C.
Project description:Cyclin C was cloned as a growth-promoting G1 cyclin1,2, and several studies postulated a role for cyclin C in driving cell proliferation3-8 . Moreover, cyclin C, together with its kinase partner, the cyclin-dependent kinase CDK8, is believed to represent an essential component of basal transcriptional machinery where it globally represses gene expression9-13. However, the function of cyclin C in vivo has never been addressed. Here we show that in the living organism cyclin C acts as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor, through its function of controlling Notch1 oncogene levels. Cyclin C activates an “orphan” CDK19 kinase14, as well as CDK8 and CDK3. These cyclin C-CDK complexes phosphorylate Notch1 intracellular domain (ICN1), which allows binding of ICN1 to Fbw7 and triggers ICN1 polyubiquitination. Genetic ablation of cyclin C blocks ICN1 phosphorylation, disrupts Fbw7 binding, and decreases ICN1 ubiquitination in vivo, thereby strongly elevating ICN1 levels in several compartments of cyclin C knockout mice. Cyclin C was cloned as a growth-promoting G1 cyclin1,2, and several studies postulated a role for cyclin C in driving cell proliferation3-8 . Moreover, cyclin C, together with its kinase partner, the cyclin-dependent kinase CDK8, is believed to represent an essential component of basal transcriptional machinery where it globally represses gene expression9-13. However, the function of cyclin C in vivo has never been addressed. Here we show that in the living organism cyclin C acts as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor, through its function of controlling Notch1 oncogene levels. Cyclin C activates an “orphan” CDK19 kinase14, as well as CDK8 and CDK3. These cyclin C-CDK complexes phosphorylate Notch1 intracellular domain (ICN1), which allows binding of ICN1 to Fbw7 and triggers ICN1 polyubiquitination. Genetic ablation of cyclin C blocks ICN1 phosphorylation, disrupts Fbw7 binding, and decreases ICN1 ubiquitination in vivo, thereby strongly elevating ICN1 levels in several compartments of cyclin C knockout mice.
Project description:Cyclin C was cloned as a growth-promoting G1 cyclin1,2, and several studies postulated a role for cyclin C in driving cell proliferation3-8 . Moreover, cyclin C, together with its kinase partner, the cyclin-dependent kinase CDK8, is believed to represent an essential component of basal transcriptional machinery where it globally represses gene expression9-13. However, the function of cyclin C in vivo has never been addressed. Here we show that in the living organism cyclin C acts as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor, through its function of controlling Notch1 oncogene levels. Cyclin C activates an “orphan” CDK19 kinase14, as well as CDK8 and CDK3. These cyclin C-CDK complexes phosphorylate Notch1 intracellular domain (ICN1), which allows binding of ICN1 to Fbw7 and triggers ICN1 polyubiquitination. Genetic ablation of cyclin C blocks ICN1 phosphorylation, disrupts Fbw7 binding, and decreases ICN1 ubiquitination in vivo, thereby strongly elevating ICN1 levels in several compartments of cyclin C knockout mice. Cyclin C was cloned as a growth-promoting G1 cyclin1,2, and several studies postulated a role for cyclin C in driving cell proliferation3-8 . Moreover, cyclin C, together with its kinase partner, the cyclin-dependent kinase CDK8, is believed to represent an essential component of basal transcriptional machinery where it globally represses gene expression9-13. However, the function of cyclin C in vivo has never been addressed. Here we show that in the living organism cyclin C acts as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor, through its function of controlling Notch1 oncogene levels. Cyclin C activates an “orphan” CDK19 kinase14, as well as CDK8 and CDK3. These cyclin C-CDK complexes phosphorylate Notch1 intracellular domain (ICN1), which allows binding of ICN1 to Fbw7 and triggers ICN1 polyubiquitination. Genetic ablation of cyclin C blocks ICN1 phosphorylation, disrupts Fbw7 binding, and decreases ICN1 ubiquitination in vivo, thereby strongly elevating ICN1 levels in several compartments of cyclin C knockout mice.