N52 monodeamidated Bcl-x_L shows impaired oncogenic properties in vivo and in vitro

Bcl-x_L is a member of the Bcl--2 family, playing a critical role in the survival of tumor cells. Here, we show that Bcl-x_L oncogenic function can be uncoupled from its anti--apoptotic activity when it is regulated by the post--translational deamidation of its Asn52. Bcl-x_L activity can be regulated by post-translational modifications: deamidation of Asn52 and 66 into Asp residues was reported to occur exclusively in response to DNA damage, and to cripple its anti-apoptotic activity. Our work reports for the first time the spontaneous occurrence of monodeamidated Asp⁵²Bcl-x_L in control conditions, in vivo and in vitro. In the normal and cancer cell lines tested, no less than 30% and up to 56% of Bcl-x_L was singly deamidated on Asn52. Functional analyses revealed that singly deamidated Bcl-x_L retains anti--apoptotic functions, and exhibits enhanced autophagic activity while harboring impaired clonogenic and tumorigenic properties compared to native Bcl-x_L. Additionally, Asp⁵²Bcl-x_L remains phosphorylatable, and thus is still an eligible target of anti--neoplasic agents. Altogether our results complement the existing data on Bcl-x_L deamidation: they challenge the common acceptance that Asn52 and Asn66 are equally eligible for deamidation, and provide a valuable improvement of our knowledge on the regulation of Bcl-x_L oncogenic functions by deamidation.