IER family proteins are regulators of protein phosphatase PP2A and modulate the phosphorylation status of CDC25A

Proteins encoded by immediate-early response (IER) family genes, IER2, IER5, and IER5L, share homology at their N-terminal regions. IER5 binds to protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and enhances dephosphorylation of PP2A target proteins such as heat shock factor HSF1. Here, we show the expression of IER family genes and the target protein-specific function of IER proteins. The IER homology regions of IER2 and IER5L are required for the interaction with PP2A. Expression of IER2 and IER5L in cells leads to reduced phosphorylation of HSF1 and derepression of its transcriptional activity. Although IER5 and IER5L enhance dephosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase, IER2 fails to do so. IER2, IER5, and IER5L all bind to the cell cycle regulator CDC25A and convert it to the hypophosphorylated form, which causes dissociation from 14-3-3 regulatory protein. IER5 differentially regulates CDC25A levels in cells under normal and thermal stress conditions. These results suggest that IER proteins are target protein-specific regulators of PP2A activity and modulate cell proliferation through CDC25A activity.