Individual Src-family tyrosine kinases direct the degradation or protection of the clock protein Timeless via differential ubiquitylation

Cell Signal. 2013 Apr;25(4):860-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2012.12.009. Epub 2012 Dec 22.

Abstract

Timeless was originally identified in Drosophila as an essential component of circadian cycle regulation, where its function is tightly controlled at the protein level by tyrosine phosphorylation and subsequent degradation. In mammals, Timeless has also been implicated in circadian rhythms as well as cell cycle control and embryonic development. Here we report that mammalian Timeless is an SH3 domain-binding protein and substrate for several members of the Src protein-tyrosine kinase family, including Fyn, Hck, c-Src and c-Yes. Co-expression of Tim with Fyn or Hck was followed by ubiquitylation and subsequent degradation in human 293T cells. While c-Src and c-Yes also promoted Tim ubiquitylation, in this case ubiquitylation correlated with Tim protein accumulation rather than degradation. Both c-Src and c-Yes selectively promoted modification of Tim through Lys63-linked polyubiquitin, which may explain the differential effects on Tim protein turnover. These data show distinct and opposing roles for individual Src-family members in the regulation of Tim protein levels, suggesting a unique mechanism for the regulation of Tim function in mammals.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CSK Tyrosine-Protein Kinase
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fyn / chemistry
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fyn / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fyn / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-hck / chemistry
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-hck / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-hck / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-yes / chemistry
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-yes / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-yes / metabolism
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Transfection
  • Ubiquitination
  • src Homology Domains
  • src-Family Kinases / chemistry
  • src-Family Kinases / genetics
  • src-Family Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Timeless protein, mouse
  • CSK Tyrosine-Protein Kinase
  • Csk protein, Drosophila
  • Fyn protein, mouse
  • Hck protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fyn
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-hck
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-yes
  • src-Family Kinases
  • CSK protein, human