Poly(rC)-binding proteins (PCBPs) are multifunctional adapters that mediate interactions between nucleic acids, iron cofactors, and other proteins, affecting the fates and activities of the components of these interactions. Here, we show that PCBP2 forms a complex with the Hippo pathway components Salvador (Sav1), Mst1, Mst2, and Lats1 in human cells and mouse tissues. Hippo is a kinase cascade that functions to phosphorylate and inactivate the transcriptional coactivators YAP and TAZ, which control cell growth and proliferation. PCBP2 specifically interacts with the scaffold protein Sav1 and prevents proteolytic cleavage of the Mst1 kinase, resulting in increased signaling through Hippo and suppressed activity of YAP and TAZ. Human breast epithelial cells lacking PCBP2 exhibit impaired proteasomal degradation of TAZ. They accumulate TAZ in both the nucleus and the cytosol, increase expression of YAP and TAZ connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and Cyr61 target genes, and exhibit anchorage-independent growth. Thus, PCBP2 can function as a component of the Hippo complex, enhancing signaling, suppressing activity of YAP and TAZ, and altering the growth characteristics of cells.

Hundreds of cellular proteins require iron cofactors for activity, and cells express systems for their assembly and distribution. Molecular details of the cytosolic iron pool used for iron cofactors are lacking, but iron chaperones of the poly(rC)-binding protein (PCBP) family play a key role in ferrous ion distribution. Here we show that, in cells and in vitro, PCBP1 coordinates iron via conserved cysteine and glutamate residues and a molecule of noncovalently bound glutathione (GSH). Proteomics analysis of PCBP1-interacting proteins identified BolA2, which functions, in complex with Glrx3, as a cytosolic [2Fe-2S] cluster chaperone. The Fe-GSH-bound form of PCBP1 complexes with cytosolic BolA2 via a bridging Fe ligand. Biochemical analysis of PCBP1 and BolA2, in cells and in vitro, indicates that PCBP1-Fe-GSH-BolA2 serves as an intermediate complex required for the assembly of [2Fe-2S] clusters on BolA2-Glrx3, thereby linking the ferrous iron and Fe-S distribution systems in cells.

Background and aims

Iron is essential yet also highly chemically reactive and potentially toxic. The mechanisms that allow cells to use iron safely are not clear; defects in iron management are a causative factor in the cell-death pathway known as ferroptosis. Poly rC binding protein 1 (PCBP1) is a multifunctional protein that serves as a cytosolic iron chaperone, binding and transferring iron to recipient proteins in mammalian cells. Although PCBP1 distributes iron in cells, its role in managing iron in mammalian tissues remains open for study. The liver is highly specialized for iron uptake, utilization, storage, and secretion.

Approach and results

Mice lacking PCBP1 in hepatocytes exhibited defects in liver iron homeostasis with low levels of liver iron, reduced activity of iron enzymes, and misregulation of the cell-autonomous iron regulatory system. These mice spontaneously developed liver disease with hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and degeneration. Transcriptome analysis indicated activation of lipid biosynthetic and oxidative-stress response pathways, including the antiferroptotic mediator, glutathione peroxidase type 4. Although PCBP1-deleted livers were iron deficient, dietary iron supplementation did not prevent steatosis; instead, dietary iron restriction and antioxidant therapy with vitamin E prevented liver disease. PCBP1-deleted hepatocytes exhibited increased labile iron and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), were hypersensitive to iron and pro-oxidants, and accumulated oxidatively damaged lipids because of the reactivity of unchaperoned iron.

Conclusions

Unchaperoned iron in PCBP1-deleted mouse hepatocytes leads to production of ROS, resulting in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and steatosis in the absence of iron overload. The iron chaperone activity of PCBP1 is therefore critical for limiting the toxicity of cytosolic iron and may be a key factor in preventing the LPO that triggers the ferroptotic cell-death pathway.