Phosphorylation of steroidogenic factor 1 is mediated by cyclin-dependent kinase 7.

Article Details

Citation

Lewis AE, Rusten M, Hoivik EA, Vikse EL, Hansson ML, Wallberg AE, Bakke M

Phosphorylation of steroidogenic factor 1 is mediated by cyclin-dependent kinase 7.

Mol Endocrinol. 2008 Jan;22(1):91-104. Epub 2007 Sep 27.

PubMed ID
17901130 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

The nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1) is critical for development and function of steroidogenic tissues. Posttranslational modifications are known to influence the transcriptional capacity of SF1, and it was previously demonstrated that serine 203 is phosphorylated. In this paper we report that serine 203 is phosphorylated by a cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7)-mediated process. As part of the CDK-activating kinase complex, CDK7 is a component of the basal transcription factor TFIIH, and phosphorylation of SF1 as well as SF1-dependent transcription was clearly reduced in cells carrying a mutation that renders the CDK-activating kinase complex unable to interact with the TFIIH core. Coimmunoprecipitation analyses revealed that SF1 and CDK7 reside in the same complex, and kinase assays demonstrated that immunoprecipitated CDK7 and purified TFIIH phosphorylate SF1 in vitro. The CDK inhibitor roscovitine blocked phosphorylation of SF1, and an inactive form of CDK7 repressed the phosphorylation level and the transactivation capacity of SF1. Structural studies have identified phosphoinositides as potential ligands for SF1. Interestingly, we found that mutations designed to block phospholipid binding dramatically decreased the level of SF1 phosphorylation. Together our results suggest a connection between ligand occupation and phosphorylation and association with the basic transcriptional machinery, indicating an intricate regulation of SF1 transactivation.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Polypeptides
NameUniProt ID
Cyclin-dependent kinase 7P50613Details
Steroidogenic factor 1Q13285Details