Summary Targeted intracellular protein degradation in eukaryotes is largely mediated by the proteasome. Here we report formation of an alternative proteasome isoform in human cells, previously found only in budding yeast, which bears an altered subunit arrangement in the outer ring of the proteasome core particle. These proteasomes result from incorporation of an additional α4 (PSMA7) subunit in the position normally occupied by α3 (PSMA4). Assembly of ‘α4-α4’ proteasomes depends on the relative cellular levels of α4 and α3, and on the proteasome assembly chaperone PAC3. The oncogenic tyrosine kinases ABL and ARG and the tumor suppressor BRCA1 regulate cellular α4 levels and formation of α4-α4 proteasomes. Cells primed to assemble α4-α4 proteasomes exhibit enhanced resistance to toxic metal ions. Taken together, our results establish the existence of a novel mammalian proteasome isoform and suggest a potential role in enabling cells to adapt to environmental stresses.

Gain-of-function p53 mutants such as p53-R175H form stable aggregates that accumulate in cells and play important roles in cancer progression. Selective degradation of gain-of-function p53 mutants has emerged as a highly attractive therapeutic strategy to target cancer cells harboring specific p53 mutations. We identified a small molecule called MCB-613 to cause rapid ubiquitination, nuclear export, and degradation of p53-R175H through a lysosome-mediated pathway, leading to catastrophic cancer cell death. In contrast to its effect on the p53-R175H mutant, MCB-613 causes slight stabilization of p53-WT and has weaker effects on other p53 gain-of-function mutants. Using state-of-the-art genetic and chemical approaches, we identified the deubiquitinase USP15 as the mediator of MCB-613’s effect on p53-R175H, and established USP15 as a selective upstream regulator of p53-R175H in ovarian cancer cells. These results confirm that distinct pathways regulate the turnover of p53-WT and the different p53 mutants and open new opportunities to selectively target them.

Background: MYC is rapidly degraded in cells, and its accumulation is associated with many human malignancies. Results: Sequential phosphorylation of MYC by protein kinase A (PKA) and polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) protects MYC from proteasome-mediated degradation. Conclusion: A MYC-PKA-PLK1 signaling loop exists in cells. Significance: We highlight the importance of considering possible regulatory feedback loops while targeting molecules occupying hub positions in signaling pathways.