Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) signaling suppresses protein kinase Cδ- and p38δ-dependent signaling and keratinocyte differentiation

J Biol Chem. 2012 Mar 2;287(10):7313-23. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.331660. Epub 2011 Dec 23.

Abstract

PKCδ is a key regulator of keratinocyte differentiation that activates p38δ phosphorylation leading to increased differentiation as measured by an increased expression of the structural protein involucrin. Our previous studies suggest that p38δ exists in association with protein partners. A major goal is to identify these partners and understand their role in regulating keratinocyte differentiation. In this study we use affinity purification and mass spectrometry to identify protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) as part of the p38δ signaling complex. PRMT5 is an arginine methyltransferase that symmetrically dimethylates arginine residues on target proteins to alter target protein function. We show that PRMT5 knockdown is associated with increased p38δ phosphorylation, suggesting that PRMT5 impacts the p38δ signaling complex. At a functional level we show that PRMT5 inhibits the PKCδ- or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-dependent increase in human involucrin expression, and PRMT5 dimethylates proteins in the p38δ complex. Moreover, PKCδ expression reduces the PRMT5 level, suggesting that PKCδ activates differentiation in part by reducing PRMT5 level. These studies indicate antagonism between the PKCδ and PRMT5 signaling in control of keratinocyte differentiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Carcinogens / pharmacology
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / physiology*
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology*
  • Male
  • Multienzyme Complexes / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase C-delta / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase C-delta / biosynthesis*
  • Protein Methyltransferases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Methyltransferases / biosynthesis*
  • Protein Precursors / biosynthesis
  • Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carcinogens
  • Multienzyme Complexes
  • Protein Precursors
  • involucrin
  • Protein Methyltransferases
  • PRMT5 protein, human
  • Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases
  • Protein Kinase C-delta
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate