First Author | Ferreira M | Year | 2018 |
Journal | J Biol Chem | Volume | 293 |
Issue | 47 | Pages | 18031-18039 |
PubMed ID | 30305391 | Mgi Jnum | J:272813 |
Mgi Id | MGI:6268559 | Doi | 10.1074/jbc.AC118.005577 |
Citation | Ferreira M, et al. (2018) The deletion of the protein phosphatase 1 regulator NIPP1 in testis causes hyperphosphorylation and degradation of the histone methyltransferase EZH2. J Biol Chem 293(47):18031-18039 |
abstractText | Germ cell proliferation is epigenetically controlled, mainly through DNA methylation and histone modifications. However, the pivotal epigenetic regulators of germ cell self-renewal and differentiation in postnatal testis are still poorly defined. The histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is the catalytic subunit of Polycomb repressive complex 2, represses target genes through trimethylation of histone H3 at Lys-27 (H3K27me3), and interacts (in)directly with both protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and nuclear inhibitor of PP1 (NIPP1). Here, we report that postnatal, testis-specific ablation of NIPP1 in mice results in loss of EZH2 and reduces H3K27me3 levels. Mechanistically, the NIPP1 deletion abrogated PP1-mediated EZH2 dephosphorylation at two cyclin-dependent kinase sites (Thr-345/487), thereby generating hyperphosphorylated EZH2, which is a substrate for proteolytic degradation. Accordingly, alanine mutation of these residues prolonged the half-life of EZH2 in male germ cells. Our study discloses a key role for the PP1:NIPP1 holoenzyme in stabilizing EZH2 and maintaining the H3K27me3 mark on genes that are important for germ cell development and spermatogenesis. |