Cell cycle molecules and vertebrate neuron death: E2F at the hub

Pro-apoptotic Bim induction in response to nerve growth factor deprivation requires simultaneous activation of three different death signaling pathways

Bim is a pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family that is induced and contributes to neuron death in response to nerve growth factor (NGF) deprivation. Past work has revealed that Bim is downstream of multiple independent transcriptional pathways in neurons, including those culminating in activation of the c-Jun, FoxO, and Myb transcription factors. This study addresses the issue of whether the three signaling pathways are redundant with respect to Bim induction or whether they act cooperatively. Examination of the proximal Bim promoter reveals binding sites for FoxO, Mybs, and, as shown here, c-Jun. We find that mutation of any one of these types of sites abolishes induction of a Bim promoter-driven reporter in response to NGF deprivation. Moreover, down-regulation of either c-Jun, FoxOs, or Mybs by short hairpin RNAs blocks induction of Bim promoter-reporter activity triggered by withdrawal of NGF. This was the case for reporters driven by either the proximal promoter or a promoter that also includes additional regulatory elements in the first intron of the Bim gene. Such short hairpin RNAs also suppressed the induction of endogenous Bim protein. These findings thus indicate that the Bim promoter acts as a coincidence detector that optimally responds to the simultaneous activation of three different pro-apoptotic transcriptional pathways. Such a mechanism provides a "fail-safe" that prevents neurons from dying by accidental activation of any single pathway. It also permits neurons to utilize individual pathways such as JNK signaling for other purposes without risk of demise.

The nuclear localization of SET mediated by impalpha3/impbeta attenuates its cytosolic toxicity in neurons

SET is a multi-functional protein in proliferating cells. Some of the proposed functions of SET suggest an important nuclear role. However, the nuclear import pathway of SET is also unknown and the function of SET in neurons is unclear. Presently, using cortical neurons, we report that the nuclear import of SET is mediated by an impalpha/impbeta-dependent pathway. Nuclear localization signal, (168)KRSSQTQNKASRKR(181), in SET interacts with impalpha3, which recruits impbeta to form a ternary complex, resulting in efficient transportation of SET into nucleus. By in vitro nuclear import assay based on digitonin-permeabilized neurons, we further demonstrated that the nuclear import of SET relies on Ran GTPase. We provide evidence that this nuclear localization of SET is important in neuronal survival. Under basal conditions, SET is predominately nuclear. However, upon death induced by genotoxic stress, endogenous SET decreases in the nucleus and increases in the cytoplasm. Consistent with a toxic role of SET in the cytoplasm, targeted expression of SET to the cytoplasm exacerbates death compared to wild type SET expression which is protective following DNA damage. Taken together, our results indicate that SET is imported into the nucleus through its association with impalpha3/impbeta, and that localization of SET is important in regulation of neuronal death.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-Akt-kinase-dependent phosphorylation of p21(Waf1/Cip1) as a novel mechanism of neuroprotection by glucocorticoids

The role of glucocorticoids in the regulation of apoptosis remains incongruous. Here, we demonstrate that corticosterone protects neurons from apoptosis by a mechanism involving the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(Waf1/Cip1). In primary cortical neurons, corticosterone leads to a dose- and Akt-kinase-dependent upregulation with enhanced phosphorylation and cytoplasmic appearance of p21(Waf1/Cip1) at Thr 145. Exposure of neurons to the neurotoxin ethylcholine aziridinium (AF64A) results in activation of caspase-3 and a dramatic loss of p21(Waf1/Cip1) preceding apoptosis in neurons. These effects of AF64A are reversed by pretreatment with corticosterone. Corticosterone-mediated upregulation of p21(Waf1/Cip1) and neuroprotection are completely abolished by glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists as well as inhibitors of PI3- and Akt-kinase. Both germline and somatically induced p21(Waf1/Cip1) deficiency abrogate the neuroprotection by corticosterone, whereas overexpression of p21(Waf1/Cip1) suffices to protect neurons from apoptosis. We identify p21(Waf1/Cip1) as a novel antiapoptotic factor for postmitotic neurons and implicate p21(Waf1/Cip1) as the molecular target of neuroprotection by high-dose glucocorticoids.

Caspase-9 regulates apoptosis/proliferation balance during metamorphic brain remodeling in Xenopus

During anuran metamorphosis, the tadpole brain is transformed producing the sensorial and motor systems required for the frog's predatory lifestyle. Nervous system remodeling simultaneously implicates apoptosis, cell division, and differentiation. The molecular mechanisms underlying this remodeling have yet to be characterized. Starting from the observation that active caspase-9 and the Bcl-X(L) homologue, XR11 are highly expressed in tadpole brain during metamorphosis, we determined their implication in regulating the balance of apoptosis and proliferation in the developing tadpole brain. In situ hybridization showed caspase-9 mRNA to be expressed mainly in the ventricular area, a site of neuroblast proliferation. To test the functional role of caspase-9 in equilibrating neuroblast production and elimination, we overexpressed a dominant-negative caspase-9 protein, DN9, in the tadpole brain using somatic gene transfer and germinal transgenesis. In both cases, abrogating caspase-9 activity significantly decreased brain apoptosis and increased numbers of actively proliferating cells in the ventricular zone. Moreover, overexpression of XR11 with or without DN9 was also effective in decreasing apoptosis and increasing cell division in the tadpole brain. We conclude that XR11 and caspase-9, two key members of the mitochondrial death pathway, are implicated in controlling the proliferative status of neuroblasts in the metamorphosing Xenopus brain. Modification of their expression during the critical period of metamorphosis alters the outcome of metamorphic neurogenesis, resulting in a modified brain phenotype in juvenile Xenopus.

Apoptotic action of E2F1 requires glycogen synthase kinase 3-β activity in PC12 cells

Both E2F1 and GSK3beta have been described as essential targets in neuronal apoptosis. Previous studies have demonstrated that GSK3beta binds to E2F1 in vivo. We wanted to investigate whether these proteins could share a common apoptotic signal pathway in neuronal cells. With this intention, we developed a PC12 ER-E2F1 stable cell line in which E2F1 activity was dependent on the presence of 4-hydroxitamoxifen. E2F1 activation produced apoptosis in naive and post-mitotic cells; serum and nerve growth factor respectively protected them from E2F1 apoptotic stimuli. The presence of specific GSK3beta inhibitors SB216763 and LiCl completely protected cells from apoptosis induced by E2F1 activation. In addition, knocked down GSK3beta experiments by small interference RNAs have demonstrated that a reduction of GSK3beta protein levels can lower the apoptotic effect of E2F1. Finally, we demonstrated that the apoptotic effect of E2F1 is not due to the regulation of GSK3beta activity, and that the inhibitory effect of GSK3beta inhibitor SB216763 on E2F1 induced apoptosis could be due to an alteration in the E2F1-regulated transcription gene pattern. In summary, we have demonstrated that the apoptotic action of E2F1 requires GSK3beta activity.

E2F-1 regulates expression of FOXO1 and FOXO3a

E2F and FOXO transcription factors both play a role in neuronal apoptosis. In addition, both E2F-induced apoptosis and FOXO function are inhibited by the kinase Akt. We therefore tested whether FOXO is downstream of E2F-1 during neuronal apoptosis. We found that expression of endogenous FOXO1 and FOXO3a is induced by E2F-1. The presence of putative E2F binding sites in the promoters of both genes suggested that FOXO genes are direct targets of E2F-1. Indeed, a 4-hydroxytamoxifen activated E2F-1-ER fusion protein induced FOXO expression in the presence of cycloheximide. Moreover, E2F-1 activated the FOXO1 promoter in transient reporter assays, and E2F-1-ER as well as endogenous E2F bound to the FOXO1 promoter in vivo. Yet, E2F-1-mediated apoptosis of differentiated PC12 cells after withdrawal of NGF was not accompanied by changes in FOXO expression, indicating that no transcriptional induction of FOXO occurs during E2F-1-dependent neuronal apoptosis. In summary, our data identify E2F-1 as a first transcription factor regulating FOXO expression, providing a link between E2F and FOXO proteins in the control of cell fate.

Role of Cell Cycle Proteins in CNS Injury

Following trauma or ischemia to the central nervous system (CNS), there is a marked increase in the expression of cell cycle-related proteins. This up-regulation is associated with apoptosis of post-mitotic cells, including neurons and oligodendrocytes, both in vitro and in vivo. Cell cycle activation also induces proliferation of astrocytes and microglia, contributing to the glial scar and microglial activation with release of inflammatory factors. Treatment with cell cycle inhibitors in CNS injury models inhibits glial scar formation and neuronal cell death, resulting in substantially decreased lesion volumes and improved behavioral recovery. Here we critically review the role of cell cycle pathways in the pathophysiology of experimental stroke, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, and discuss the potential of cell cycle inhibitors as neuroprotective agents.

Cell division in the CNS: protective response or lethal event in post-mitotic neurons?

Cell cycle events have been documented to be associated with several human neurodegenerative diseases. This review focuses on two diseases--Alzheimer's disease and ataxia telangiectasia--as well as their mouse models. Cell cycle studies have shown that ectopic expression of cell cycle markers is spatially and regional correlated well with neuronal cell death in both disease conditions. Further evidence of ectopic cell cycling is found in both human diseases and in its mouse models. These findings suggest that loss of cell cycle control represents a common pathological root of disease, which underlies the defects in the affected brain tissues in both human and mouse. Loss of cell cycle control is a unifying hypothesis for inducing neuronal death in CNS. In the disease models we have examined, cell cycle markers appear before the more well-recognized pathological changes and thus could serve as early stress markers--outcome measures for preclinical trials of potential disease therapies. As a marker these events could serve as a new criterion in human pathological diagnosis. The evidence to date is compatible with the requirement for a second "hit" for a neuron to progress cell cycle initiation and DNA replication to death. If this were true, any intervention of blocking 'second' processes might prevent or slow the neuronal cell death in the process of disease. What is not known is whether, in an adult neuron, the cell cycle event is part of the pathology or rather a desperate attempt of a neuron under stress to protect itself.

Single mage gene in the chicken genome encodes CMage, a protein with functional similarities to mammalian type II Mage proteins

In mammals, the type II melanoma antigen (Mage) protein family is constituted by at least 10 closely related members that are expressed in different tissues, including the nervous system. These proteins are believed to regulate cell cycle withdrawal, neuronal differentiation, and apoptosis. However, the analysis of their specific function has been complicated by functional redundancy. In accordance with previous studies in teleosts and Drosophila, we present evidence that only one mage gene exists in genomes from protists, fungi, plants, nematodes, insects, and nonmammalian vertebrates. We have identified the chicken mage gene and cloned the cDNA encoding the chick Mage protein (CMage). CMage shares close homology with the type II Mage protein family, and, as previously shown for the type II Mage proteins Necdin and Mage-G1, it can interact with the transcription factor E2F-1. CMage is expressed in specific regions of the developing nervous system including the retinal ganglion cell layer, the ventral horn of the spinal cord, and the dorsal root ganglia, coinciding with the expression of the neurotrophin receptor p75 (p75(NTR)) in these regions. We show that the intracellular domain of p75(NTR) can interact with both CMage and Necdin, thus preventing the binding of the latter proteins to the transcription factor E2F-1, and facilitating the proapoptotic activity of E2F-1 in N1E-115 differentiating neurons. The presence of a single mage gene in the chicken genome, together with the close functional resemblance between CMage and Necdin, makes this species ideal to further analyze signal transduction through type II Mage proteins.

Bim is elevated in Alzheimer's disease neurons and is required for beta-amyloid-induced neuronal apoptosis

The molecules that mediate neuron death in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are largely unknown. We report that beta-amyloid (Abeta), a death-promoting peptide implicated in the pathophysiology of AD, induces the proapoptotic protein Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim) in cultured hippocampal and cortical neurons. We further find that Bim is an essential mediator of Abeta-induced neurotoxicity. Our examination of postmortem AD human brains additionally reveals upregulation of Bim in vulnerable entorhinal cortical neurons, but not in cerebellum, a region usually unaffected by AD. Accumulating evidence links inappropriate induction/activation of cell cycle-related proteins to AD, but their roles in the disease have been unclear. We find that the cell cycle molecule cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (cdk4) and its downstream effector B-myb, are required for Abeta-dependent Bim induction and death in cultured neurons. Moreover, neurons that overexpress Bim in AD brains also show elevated levels of the cell cycle-related proteins cdk4 and phospho-Rb. Our observations indicate that Bim is a proapoptotic effector of Abeta and of dysregulated cell cycle proteins in AD and identify both Bim and cell cycle elements as potential therapeutic targets.

The pRb/E2F cell-cycle pathway mediates cell death in Parkinson's disease

The mechanisms leading to degeneration of dopaminergic neurons (DNs) in the substantia nigra of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are not completely understood. Here, we show, in the postmortem human tissue, that these neurons aberrantly express mitosis-associated proteins, including the E2F-1 transcription factor, and appear to duplicate their nuclear DNA. We further demonstrate that the dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine injected into mice and application of its active metabolite 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium to mesencephalic cultures activate the retinoblastoma-E2F pathway in postmitotic DNs. We also find that cell death rather than mitotic division followed the toxin-induced replication of DNA, as determined by BrdU incorporation in DNs. In addition, blocking E2F-1 transcription protected cultured DNs against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium toxicity. Finally, E2F-1-deficient mice were significantly more resistant to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced dopaminergic cell death than their wild-type littermates. Altogether, BrdU incorporation in mature neurons and lack of evidence for newborn neurons argue against neuronal turnover in normal conditions or during pathological states in the substantia nigra. Instead, our results demonstrate that mitosis-like signals are activated in mature DNs in patients with PD and mediate neuronal death in experimental models of the disease. Inhibition of mitosis-like signals may therefore provide strategies for neuroprotection in PD.

p19(Ink4d) and p21(Cip1) collaborate to maintain the postmitotic state of auditory hair cells, their codeletion leading to DNA damage and p53-mediated apoptosis

Sensory hair cells of the auditory organ are generated during embryogenesis and remain postmitotic throughout life. Previous work has shown that inactivation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) p19(Ink4d) leads to progressive hearing loss attributable to inappropriate DNA replication and subsequent apoptosis of hair cells. Here we show the synergistic action of another CKI, p21(Cip1), on cell cycle reactivation. The codeletion of p19(Ink4d) and p21(Cip1) triggered profuse S-phase entry of auditory hair cells during a restricted period in early postnatal life, leading to the transient appearance of supernumerary hair cells. In addition, we show that aberrant cell cycle reentry leads to activation of a DNA damage response pathway in these cells, followed by p53-mediated apoptosis. The majority of hair cells were absent in adult cochleas. These data, together with the demonstration of changing expression patterns of multiple CKIs in auditory hair cells during the stages of early postnatal maturation, show that the maintenance of the postmitotic state is an active, tissue-specific process, cooperatively regulated by several CKIs, and is critical for the lifelong survival of these sensory cells.

Thinking within the D box: initial identification of Cdh1-APC substrates in the nervous system

The anaphase-promoting complex (APC) has a well-established role in cell cycle control, but recent exciting evidence has uncovered unexpected neurobiological functions for this complex E3 ubiquitin ligase. With its co-activator Cdh1, APC's effects upon the nervous system range from regulation of axon growth and patterning to development of synapses to neuronal survival. The Cdh1-APC substrates that control these biological processes in neurons are just beginning to be identified. These findings may offer a glimpse of the wide spectrum of neural activities that are orchestrated by Cdh1-APC.

Necdin downregulates CDC2 expression to attenuate neuronal apoptosis

The cell cycle-regulatory transcription factor E2F1 induces apoptosis of postmitotic neurons in developmental and pathological situations. E2F1 transcriptionally activates many proapoptotic genes including the cyclin-dependent protein kinase cell division cycle 2 (Cdc2). Necdin is a potent mitotic suppressor expressed predominantly in postmitotic neurons and interacts with E2F1 to suppress E2F1-mediated gene transcription. The necdin gene NDN is maternally imprinted and expressed only from the paternal allele. Deletion of the paternal NDN is implicated in the pathogenesis of Prader-Willi syndrome, a genomic imprinting-associated neurodevelopmental disorder. Here, we show that paternally expressed necdin represses E2F1-dependent cdc2 gene transcription and attenuates apoptosis of postmitotic neurons. Necdin was abundantly expressed in differentiated cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). Neuronal activity deprivation elevated the expression of both E2F1 and Cdc2 in primary CGNs prepared from mice at postnatal day 6, whereas the necdin levels remained unchanged. In chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis, endogenous necdin was associated with the cdc2 promoter containing an E2F-binding site in activity-deprived CGNs. After activity deprivation, CGNs underwent apoptosis, which was augmented in those prepared from mice defective in the paternal Ndn allele (Ndn(+m/-p)). The levels of cdc2 mRNA, protein, and kinase activity were significantly higher in Ndn(+m/-p) CGNs than in wild-type CGNs under activity-deprived conditions. Furthermore, the populations of Cdc2-immunoreactive and apoptotic cells were increased in the cerebellum in vivo of Ndn(+m/-p) mice. These results suggest that endogenous necdin attenuates neuronal apoptosis by suppressing the E2F1-Cdc2 system.

Functional identification of Api5 as a suppressor of E2F-dependent apoptosis in vivo

Retinoblastoma protein and E2-promoter binding factor (E2F) family members are important regulators of G1-S phase progression. Deregulated E2F also sensitizes cells to apoptosis, but this aspect of E2F function is poorly understood. Studies of E2F-induced apoptosis have mostly been carried out in tissue culture cells, and the analysis of the factors that are important for this process has been restricted to the testing of a few candidate genes. Using Drosophila as a model system, we have generated tools that allow genetic modifiers of E2F-dependent apoptosis to be identified in vivo and developed assays that allow effects on E2F-induced apoptosis to be studied in cultured cells. Genetic interactions show that dE2F1-dependent apoptosis in vivo involves dArk/Apaf1 apoptosome-dependent activation of both initiator and effector caspases and is sensitive to levels of Drosophila inhibitor of apoptosis-1 (dIAP1). Using these approaches, we report the surprising finding that apoptosis inhibitor-5/antiapoptosis clone-11 (Api5/Aac11) is a critical determinant of dE2F1-induced apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. This functional interaction occurs in multiple tissues, is specific to E2F-induced apoptosis, and is conserved from flies to humans. Interestingly, Api5/Aac11 acts downstream of E2F and suppresses E2F-dependent apoptosis without generally blocking E2F-dependent transcription. Api5/Aac11 expression is often upregulated in tumor cells, particularly in metastatic cells. We find that depletion of Api5 is tumor cell lethal. The strong genetic interaction between E2F and Api5/Aac11 suggests that elevated levels of Api5 may be selected during tumorigenesis to allow cells with deregulated E2F activity to survive under suboptimal conditions. Therefore, inhibition of Api5 function might offer a possible mechanism for antitumor exploitation.

The retinoblastoma protein (pRB) was the first human tumor suppressor to be described, and it works by limiting the activity of the E2F transcription factor. The pRB pathway is inactivated in most forms of cancer, and, accordingly, most tumor cells have deregulated E2F. Uncontrolled E2F drives cell proliferation, but it also sensitizes cells to die (apoptosis). E2F-induced apoptosis is not well understood, but it affects the development of cancer and, potentially, could be exploited for cancer treatment. To date, however, there have been very few studies of E2F-induced apoptosis in animal models. The authors describe a series of genetic tools that allow systematic studies of E2F-induced apoptosis in Drosophila. As validation, this approach identified some known regulators of E2F-dependent apoptosis and also identified Api5, a little-studied gene that had not previously been linked to E2F, as a potent suppressor of E2F-induced cell death. The effects of Api5 on E2F occur in several different tissues and are conserved from flies to humans. This last point is significant since Api5 is upregulated in cancer cells. The discovery of the E2F–Api5 interaction demonstrates that important modulators of E2F-induced apoptosis are waiting to be discovered and that they can be found using Drosophila.

Neuropilin-1 is a direct target of the transcription factor E2F1 during cerebral ischemia-induced neuronal death in vivo

The nuclear transcription factor E2F1 plays an important role in modulating neuronal death in response to excitotoxicity and cerebral ischemia. Here, by comparing gene expression in brain cortices from E2F1(+/+) and E2F1(-/-) mice using a custom high-density DNA microarray, we identified a group of putative E2F1 target genes that might be responsible for ischemia-induced E2F1-dependent neuronal death. Neuropilin 1 (NRP-1), a receptor for semaphorin 3A-mediated axon growth cone collapse and retraction, was confirmed to be a direct target of E2F1 based on (i) the fact that the NRP-1 promoter sequence contains an E2F1 binding site, (ii) reactivation of NRP-1 expression in E2F1(-/-) neurons when the E2F1 gene was replaced, (iii) activation of the NRP-1 promoter by E2F1 in a luciferase reporter assay, (iv) electrophoretic mobility gel shift analysis confirmation of the presence of an E2F binding sequence in the NRP-1 promoter, and (v) the fact that a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that E2F1 binds directly to the endogenous NRP-1 promoter. Interestingly, the temporal induction in cerebral ischemia-induced E2F1 binding to the NRP-1 promoter correlated with the temporal-induction profile of NRP-1 mRNA, confirming that E2F1 positively regulates NRP-1 during cerebral ischemia. Functional analysis also showed that NRP-1 receptor expression was extremely low in E2F1(-/-) neurons, which led to the diminished response to semaphorin 3A-induced axonal shortening and neuronal death. An NRP-1 selective peptide inhibitor provided neuroprotection against oxygen-glucose deprivation. Taken together, these findings support a model in which E2F1 targets NRP-1 to modulate axonal damage and neuronal death in response to cerebral ischemia.

Cell cycle molecules define a pathway required for neuron death in development and disease

We review here evidence defining a molecular pathway that includes cell cycle-related molecules and that appears to play a required role in neuron death during normal development as well as in disease and trauma. The pathway starts with inappropriate activation of cyclin dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4) in neurons which leads to hyper-phosphorylation of the pRb family member p130. This in turn results in dissociation of p130 and its associated chromatin modifiers Suv39H1 and HDAC1 from the transcription factor E2F4. Dissociation of this complex results in de-repression of genes with E2F binding sites including those encoding the transcription factors B- and C-Myb. Once elevated in neurons, B- and C-Myb proteins bind to the promoter for the pro-apoptotic BH3-only protein Bim and promote its induction. Bim then interacts with the core cellular apoptotic machinery, leading to caspase activation and apoptotic death. This pathway is supported by a variety of observations and experimental findings that implicate it as a required element for neuron loss in development and in many nervous system traumas and disorders. The components of this pathway appear to represent potential therapeutic targets for prevention of disease-associated neuron death.

The Chk1/Cdc25A pathway as activators of the cell cycle in neuronal death induced by camptothecin

Cell cycle regulators appear to play a paradoxical role in neuronal death. We have shown previously that cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), along with their downstream effectors, Rb (retinoblastoma) and E2F/DP1 (E2 promoter binding factor/deleted in polyposis 1), regulate neuronal death evoked by the DNA damaging agent camptothecin. However, the mechanism by which CDKs are activated in this model is unclear. The cell division cycle 25A (Cdc25A) phosphatase is a critical regulator of cell cycle CDKs in proliferating cells. In cortical neurons, we presently show that expression of Cdc25A promotes death even in the absence of DNA damage. Importantly, Cdc25A activity is rapidly increased during DNA damage treatment. Inhibition of Cdc25A blocks death and reduces cyclin D1-associated kinase activity and Rb phosphorylation. This indicates that endogenous Cdc25A activity is important for regulation of cell cycle-mediated neuronal death. We also examined how Cdc25A activity is regulated after DNA damage. Cultured embryonic cortical neurons have a significant basal activity of checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1), a kinase that regulates cell cycle arrest. During camptothecin treatment of neurons, this activity is rapidly downregulated with a concomitant increase in Cdc25A activity. Importantly, expression of wild-type Chk1, but not kinase-dead Chk1, inhibits the camptothecin-induced increase in Cdc25A activity. In addition, Chk1 expression also promotes survival in the presence of the DNA-damaging agent. Together, our data suggest that a Chk1/Cdc25A activity participates in activation of a cell cycle pathway-mediated death signal in neurons. These data also define how a proliferative signal may be abnormally activated in a postmitotic environment.

The pattern of E2F1 and c-myb immunoreactivities in the CA1 region is different from those in the CA2/3 region of the gerbil hippocampus induced by transient ischemia

In this study, we examined transient ischemia-induced changes in transcription factor E2F1 and c-myb expressions in the gerbil hippocampus after 5 min of transient forebrain ischemia. E2F1 immunoreactivity significantly increased in the CA1 region 6-12 h after ischemia/reperfusion. c-myb immunoreactivity increased mainly in CA1 pyramidal cells with time by 12 h after ischemia. Thereafter, E2F1 and c-myb immunoreactivities significantly decreased compared to those in the 12 h post-ischemic group. Four days after ischemia/reperfusion, E2F1 and c-myb immunoreactivities were detected in non-pyramidal cells. Ten days after ischemia, c-myb immunoreactivity increased again: at this time, astrocytes as well as non-pyramidal cells showed E2F1 and c-myb immunoreactivities. In the CA2/3 region, E2F1 and c-myb immunoreactivities mainly changed in non-pyramidal cells, and 10 days after ischemia, c-myb immunoreactivity was not expressed in astrocytes. In conclusion, E2F1 and c-myb significantly alter in pyramidal cells and express in astrocytes in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 region after transient ischemia. These results indicate that E2F1 and c-myb in the CA1 region after ischemic damage may be associated with delayed neuronal death.

Expression of an expanded polyglutamine domain in yeast causes death with apoptotic markers

Huntington's disease is caused by specific mutations in huntingtin protein. Expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat of huntingtin leads to protein aggregation in neurons followed by cell death with apoptotic markers. The connection between the aggregation and the degeneration of neurons is poorly understood. Here, we show that the physiological consequences of expanded polyQ domain expression in yeast are similar to those in neurons. In particular, expression of expanded polyQ in yeast causes apoptotic changes in mitochondria, caspase activation, nuclear DNA fragmentation and death. Similar to neurons, at the late stages of expression the expanded polyQ accumulates in the nuclei and seems to affect the cell cycle of yeast. Interestingly, nuclear localization of the aggregates is dependent on functional caspase Yca1. We speculate that the aggregates in the nuclei disturb the cell cycle and thus contribute to the development of the cell death process in both systems. Our data show that expression of the polyQ construct in yeast can be used to model patho-physiological effects of polyQ expansion in neurons.

HATs and HDACs in neurodegeneration: a tale of disconcerted acetylation homeostasis

Gradual disclosure of the molecular basis of selective neuronal apoptosis during neurodegenerative diseases reveals active participation of acetylating and deacetylating agents during the process. Several studies have now successfully manipulated neuronal vulnerability by influencing the dose and enzymatic activity of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), enzymes regulating acetylation homeostasis within the nucleus, thus focusing on the importance of balanced acetylation status in neuronal vitality. It is now increasingly becoming clear that acetylation balance is greatly impaired during neurodegenerative conditions. Herein, we attempt to illuminate molecular means by which such impairment is manifested and how the compromised acetylation homeostasis is intimately coupled to neurodegeneration. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of reinstating the HAT-HDAC balance to ameliorate neurodegenerative diseases.

Bim is a direct target of a neuronal E2F-dependent apoptotic pathway

The inappropriate expression/activation of cell-cycle-related molecules is associated with neuron death in many experimental paradigms and human neuropathologic conditions. However, the means whereby this links to the core apoptotic machinery in neurons have been unclear. Here, we show that the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 homology 3 domain-only molecule Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim) is a target of a cell-cycle-related apoptotic pathway in neuronal cells. Induction of Bim in NGF-deprived cells requires expression and activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (cdk4) and consequent de-repression of E2 promoter binding factor (E2F)-regulated genes including members of the myb transcription factor family. The Bim promoter contains two myb binding sites, mutation of which abolishes induction of a Bim promoter-driven reporter by NGF deprivation or E2F-dependent gene de-repression. NGF deprivation significantly increases endogenous levels of C-myb and its occupancy of the endogenous Bim promoter. These findings support a model in which apoptotic stimuli lead to cdk4 activation, consequent de-repression of E2F-regulated mybs, and induction of pro-apoptotic Bim.

Ectopic cell cycle events link human Alzheimer's disease and amyloid precursor protein transgenic mouse models

Nerve cells that re-enter a cell cycle will die rather than divide, a fact that likely underlies the neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several mouse models of familial AD have been created, and although many display amyloid plaques in their brains, none captures the extensive pattern of nerve cell death found in the human disease. Using both immunocytochemistry and fluorescent in situ hybridization, we show that neurons in three different mouse models reproduce the ectopic cell cycling found in human AD. The temporal and spatial appearance of the cell cycle events in the mouse closely mimics the human disease progression. The cell-cycle events are evident 6 months before the first amyloid deposits and significantly precede the appearance of the first CD45+ microglia. These data suggest that the ectopic initiation of cell-cycle processes in neurons is an early sign of neuronal distress in both human and mouse AD. The close phenotypic correspondence indicates a previously unsuspected level of fidelity of the mouse model to the human disease. Finally, the relative timing suggests that neither the activated microglia nor the amyloid plaques themselves are necessary to initiate the pathogenic events in AD.

Cdh1-APC/C, cyclin B-Cdc2, and Alzheimer’s disease pathology

The anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) is a key E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that functions in regulating cell cycle transitions in proliferating cells and has, as revealed recently, novel roles in postmitotic neurons. Regulated by its activator Cdh1 (or Hct1), whose level is high in postmitotic neurons, APC/C seems to have multiple functions at different cellular locations, modulating diverse processes such as synaptic development and axonal growth. These processes do not, however, appear to be directly connected to cell cycle regulation. It is now shown that Cdh1-APC/C activity may also have a basic role in suppressing cyclin B levels, thus preventing terminally differentiated neurons from aberrantly re-entering the cell cycle. The result of an aberrant cyclin B-induced S-phase entry, at least for some of these neurons, would be death via apoptosis. Cdh1 thus play an active role in maintaining the terminally differentiated, non-cycling state of postmitotic neurons--a function that could become impaired in Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

The cell cycle-apoptosis connection revisited in the adult brain

Adult neurogenesis is studied in vivo using thymidine analogues such as bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to label DNA synthesis during the S phase of the cell cycle. However, BrdU may also label DNA synthesis events not directly related to cell proliferation, such as DNA repair and/or abortive reentry into the cell cycle, which can occur as part of an apoptotic process in postmitotic neurons. In this study, we used three well-characterized models of injury-induced neuronal apoptosis and the combined visualization of cell birth (BrdU labeling) and death (Tdt-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling) to investigate the specificity of BrdU incorporation in the adult mouse brain in vivo. We present evidence that BrdU is not significantly incorporated during DNA repair and that labeling is not detected in vulnerable or dying postmitotic neurons, even when a high dose of BrdU is directly infused into the brain. These findings have important implications for a controversy surrounding adult neurogenesis: the connection between cell cycle reactivation and apoptosis of terminally differentiated neurons.

Analysis of gene expression changes in a cellular model of Parkinson disease

We employed Serial Analysis of Gene Expression to identify transcriptional changes in a cellular model of Parkinson Disease (PD). The model consisted of neuronally differentiated PC12 cells compared before and after 8 hours' exposure to 6-hydroxydopamine. Approximately 1200 transcripts were significantly induced by 6-OHDA and approximately 500 of these are currently matched to known genes. Here, we categorize the regulated genes according to known functional activities and discuss their potential roles in neuron death and survival and in PD. We find induction of multiple death-associated genes as well as many with the capacity for neuroprotection. This suggests that survival or death of individual neurons in PD may reflect an integrated response to both protective and destructive gene changes. Our findings identify a number of regulated genes as candidates for involvement in PD and therefore as potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Such intervention may include both inhibiting the induction/activity of death-promoting genes and enhancing those with neuroprotective activity.

Regulation of neuron survival and death by p130 and associated chromatin modifiers

E2F-mediated gene repression plays a key role in regulation of neuron survival and death. However, the key molecules involved in such regulation and the mechanisms by which they respond to apoptotic stimuli are largely unknown. Here we show that p130 is the predominant Rb family member associated with E2F in neurons, that its major partner for repression of pro-apoptotic genes is E2F4, and that the p130-E2F4 complex recruits the chromatin modifiers HDAC1 and Suv39H1 to promote gene silencing and neuron survival. Apoptotic stimuli induce neuron death by sequentially causing p130 hyperphosphorylation, dissociation of p130-E2F4-Suv39H1-HDAC complexes, altered modification of H3 histone and gene derepression. Experimental suppression of such events blocks neuron death while interference with the synthesis of E2F4 or p130, or with the interaction of E2F4-p130 with chromatin modifiers, induces neuron death. Thus, neuron survival and death are dependent on the integrity of E2F4-p130-HDAC/Suv39H1 complexes.

B-myb and C-myb play required roles in neuronal apoptosis evoked by nerve growth factor deprivation and DNA damage

Activation of cell cycle elements plays a required role in neuronal apoptosis associated with both development and neurodegenerative disorders. We demonstrated previously that neuron survival requires gene repression mediated by the cell cycle transcription factor E2F (E2 promoter binding factor) and that apoptotic stimuli lead to de-repression of E2F-regulated genes and consequent death. However, the downstream mediators of such death have been unclear. The transcription factors B- and C-myb are E2F-regulated genes that are induced in neurons by apoptotic stimuli. Here, we examine the role of B- and C-myb induction in neuron death. Antisense and siRNA constructs that effectively block the upregulation of B- and C-myb provide substantial protection against death of cultured neuronal PC12 cells, sympathetic neurons, and cortical neurons elicited by either NGF withdrawal or DNA damage. There is also significant protection from death induced by direct E2F-dependent gene de-repression. Our findings thus establish required roles for B- and C-myb in neuronal apoptosis.

p25/Cdk5-mediated retinoblastoma phosphorylation is an early event in neuronal cell death

In large models of neuronal cell death, there is a tight correlation between Cdk5 deregulation and cell-cycle dysfunction. However, pathways that link Cdk5 to the cell cycle during neuronal death are still unclear. We have investigated the molecular events that precede p25/Cdk5-triggered neuronal death using a neuronal cell line that allows inducible p25 expression. In this system, no sign of apoptosis was seen before 24 hours of p25 induction. Thus, at that time, cell-cycle-regulatory proteins were analysed by immunoblotting and some of them showed a significant deregulation. Interestingly, after time-course experiments, the earliest feature correlated with p25 expression was the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb). Indeed, this phosphorylation was observed 6 hours after p25 induction and was abolished in the presence of a Cdk5 inhibitor, roscovitine, which does not inhibit the usual Rb cyclin-D kinases Cdk4 and Cdk6. Furthermore, analyses of levels and subcellular localization of Cdk-related cyclins did not reveal any change following Cdk5 activation, arguing for a direct effect of Cdk5 activity on Rb protein. This latter result was clearly demonstrated by in vitro kinase assays showing that the p25-Cdk5 complex in our cell system phosphorylates Rb directly without the need for any intermediary kinase activity. Hence, Rb might be an appropriate candidate that connects Cdk5 to cell-cycle deregulation during neuronal cell death.

La3+-promoted proliferation is interconnected with apoptosis in NIH 3T3 cells

Lanthanum ion (La(3+)) has been reported to affect proliferation or apoptosis of different cells. In the present study, La(3+) was confirmed to promote both proliferation and apoptosis of NIH 3T3 cells at the same concentrations. La(3+) was shown to promote proliferation by helping the cells to pass through the G1/S restriction point and enter S phase, however, the proliferating cells induced by incubation with La(3+) eventually underwent apoptosis. The proliferation and apoptosis of NIH 3T3 cells induced by La(3+) were well correlated with cell cycle alterations. La(3+) caused the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2; while inhibition of ERK phosphorylation by 2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone (PD98059) suppressed both proliferation and apoptosis induced by La(3+). Based on the above experimental results, we postulated that La(3+)-promoted proliferation of NIH 3T3 cells could be interconnected with the cell apoptosis, possibly through cell cycle machinery. Our results thus support the recent hypothesis that proliferation and apoptosis of cell are intrinsically coordinated.