Pin1 modulates p63α protein stability in regulation of cell survival, proliferation and tumor formation

The homolog of p53 gene, p63, encodes multiple p63 protein isoforms. TAp63 proteins contain an N-terminal transactivation domain similar to that of p53 and function as tumor suppressors; whereas Delta Np63 isoforms, which lack the intact N-terminal transactivation domain, are associated with human tumorigenesis. Accumulating evidence demonstrating the important roles of p63 in development and cancer development, the regulation of p63 proteins, however, is not fully understood. In this study, we show that peptidyl-prolyl isomerase Pin1 directly binds to and stabilizes TAp63 alpha and Delta Np63 alpha via inhibiting the proteasomal degradation mediated by E3 ligase WWP1. We further show that Pin1 specifically interacts with T538P which is adjacent to the P(550)PxY(543) motif, and disrupts p63 alpha-WWP1 interaction. In addition, while Pin1 enhances TAp63 alpha-mediated apoptosis, it promotes Delta Np63 alpha-induced cell proliferation. Furthermore, knockdown of Pin1 in FaDu cells inhibits tumor formation in nude mice, which is rescued by simultaneous knockdown of WWP1 or ectopic expression of Delta Np63 alpha. Moreover, overexpression of Pin1 correlates with increased expression of Delta Np63 alpha in human oral squamous cell carcinoma samples. Together, these results suggest that Pin1-mediated modulation of Delta Np63 alpha may have a causative role in tumorigenesis.