AUF1 modulates TGF-β signal in renal tubular epithelial cells via post-transcriptional regulation of Nedd4L expression

Posttranscriptional regulation process plays important roles in renal disease pathogenesis. AU-rich element RNA-binding protein (AUF1) interacts with and destabilizes mRNAs containing AU-rich elements (AREs) in their 3′UTR. The current study demonstrated that AUF1 was increased in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) animal models. While proliferation and migration of HK2 cells was unaltered by AUF1 downregulation under normal condition, proliferative inhibition and migratory promotion mediated by TGF-β was significantly compromised. Mechanically, AUF1 downregulation decreased phosphorylated Smad2/3 via increasing their E3 ligase Nedd4L at the posttranscriptional level. In addition, the current study identified Nedd4L as a previously unreported target of AUF1. AUF1 regulates Nedd4L expression at the posttranscriptional level by interaction with AREs in the 3'UTR of the Nedd4L mRNA. Collectively, the current study indicates that AUF1 might be a potential player in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis through modulation of TGF-β signal transduction via posttranscriptional regulation of Nedd4L.