E2F4's cytoplasmic role in multiciliogenesis is mediated via an N-terminal domain that binds two components of the centriole replication machinery, Deup1 and SAS6

Mol Biol Cell. 2021 Oct 1;32(20):ar1. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E21-01-0039. Epub 2021 Jul 14.

Abstract

Multiciliated cells play critical roles in the airway, reproductive organs, and brain. Generation of multiple cilia requires both activation of a specialized transcriptional program and subsequent massive amplification of centrioles within the cytoplasm. The E2F4 transcription factor is required for both roles and consequently for multiciliogenesis. Here we establish that E2F4 associates with two distinct components of the centriole replication machinery, Deup1 and SAS6, targeting nonhomologous domains in these proteins. We map Deup1 and SAS6 binding to E2F4's N-terminus and show that this domain is sufficient to mediate E2F4's cytoplasmic role in multiciliogenesis. This sequence is highly conserved across the E2F family, but the ability to bind Deup1 and SAS6 is specific to E2F4 and E2F5, consistent with their shared roles in multiciliogenesis. By generating E2F4/E2F1 chimeras, we identify a six-residue motif that is critical for Deup1 and SAS6 binding. We propose that the ability of E2F4 and E2F5 to recruit Deup1 and/or SAS6, and enable centriole replication, contributes to their cytoplasmic roles in multiciliogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Communication / physiology
  • Cell Cycle / physiology
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Centrioles / metabolism
  • Cilia / metabolism
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Cytosol / metabolism
  • E2F4 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Domains
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • DEUP1 protein, human
  • E2F4 Transcription Factor
  • E2F4 protein, human
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • SASS6 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins