Modulation of p53 and MDM2 activity by novel interaction with Ras-GAP binding proteins (G3BP).

Inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor pathway is a critical step in human tumorigenesis. In addition to mutations, p53 can be functionally silenced through its increased degradation, inhibition of its transcriptional activity and/or its inappropriate subcellular localization. Using a proteomic approach, we have found that members of the Ras network of proteins, Ras-GTPase activating protein-SH3-domain-binding proteins 1 and 2 (G3BP1 and 2), bind to p53 in vitro and in vivo. Our data show that expression of G3BPs leads to the redistribution of p53 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. The G3BP2 isoform additionally associated with murine double minute 2 (MDM2), a negative regulator of p53. G3BP2 expression resulted in significant reduction in MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitylation and degradation. Interestingly, MDM2 was also stabilized in G3BP2-expressing cells and its ability to ubiquitylate itself was compromised. Accordingly, short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knockdown of G3BP2 caused a reduction in MDM2 protein levels. Furthermore, expression of shRNA targeting either G3BP1 or G3BP2 in human cancer cell lines resulted in marked upregulation of p53 levels and activity. Our results suggest that both G3BP isoforms may act as negative regulators of p53.