Human Molecular Genetics, 2003, Vol. 12, No. 13 1535-1542
DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddg168
© 2003 Oxford University Press
Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy protein is phosphorylated by c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase
1Department of Genetics, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 3-35-31 Taishido, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 154-8567, Japan and 2Department of Physiological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
Received February 25, 2003; Accepted April 30, 2003
Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is a dominant-inherited neurodegenerative disease characterized by selective cell loss in particular neuronal pathways. This is caused by expansion of CAG repeats in the coding region of the DRPLA gene, and the extended polyglutamine tract (polyQ) confers a toxic activity. It is valuable to characterize disease gene products for elucidation of the mechanism underlying neuron death at specific anatomical areas of the brain. Here, we define the DRPLA protein as a phosphoprotein, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) is one of the major factors involved in its phosphorylation. Endogenous DRPLA protein was serine-phosphorylated. Phosphorylation was demonstrated in a recombinant JNK activation system in vitro and also in overexpressing cells by transfection after the JNK activation with osmotic pressure. One of the phospho-acceptor sites for JNK appearing in the DRPLA sequence was indeed phosphorylated, which was confirmed by a specific antibody raised against the phosphopeptide. Kinetic studies in the JNK recombinant system showed that expanded polyQ slightly reduced the affinity of JNK to the protein. Thus, the abnormal DRPLA protein seems to be slowly phosphorylated in a certain condition of JNK activation in patients. It may delay a process that is essential in keeping neurons alive.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +81 334160181; Fax: +81 334122259; Email: myamada{at}nch.go.jp
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