Loss of cell adhesion to substratum up-regulates p21Cip1/WAF1 expression in BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts

Tenascin-C blocks cell-cycle progression of anchorage-dependent fibroblasts on fibronectin through inhibition of syndecan-4

Tenascin-C is an adhesion-modulatory extracellular matrix protein that is predominantly expressed during embryonic development, wound healing and in tumor stroma. Here we report that anchorage-dependent human, rat and mouse fibroblasts adhere poorly and fail to proliferate on pure tenascin-C. This was due to a significant reduction of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2) activity, resulting from elevated expression and association of the cdk inhibitors (CKIs) p21Cip1 and p27Kip1. To analyse the effect of tenascin-C on fibronectin-mediated adhesion, cells were plated on a mixed fibronectin/tenascin-C substratum. Compared to fibronectin alone, cell spreading and adhesion signaling were compromised, as determined by delayed phosphorylation kinetics of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Despite the presence of growth factors, these cells remained arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. In contrast to cells plated on pure tenascin-C, cdk2 activity appeared to be inhibited independently of CKIs. Interestingly, overexpression of the transmembrane proteoglycan syndecan-4 restored cell spreading, adhesion signaling and DNA replication on the fibronectin/tenascin-C substratum. A similar rescue was observed using a recombinant peptide that spans the syndecan-4-binding site in fibronectin. This indicates that tenascin-C causes cell cycle arrest and cdk2 inactivation by interfering with fibronectin-syndecan-4 interactions. We therefore propose that syndecan-4 signaling plays a central role in the control of cellular proliferation of anchorage-dependent fibroblasts.

Diol- and triol-type ginseng saponins potentiate the apoptosis of NIH3T3 cells exposed to methyl methanesulfonate

In this study we investigated the effect of ginseng saponins on the p53-dependent apoptosis in NIH3T3 cells exposed to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), an alkylating agent. Trypan blue exclusion assay, cell morphology studies, and apoptotic index determined by acridine orange staining showed that the postincubation of MMS-exposed cells in medium containing diol- (PD) or triol-type (PT) ginseng saponins potentiate the apoptotic cell death. FACS analysis indicated that the increased apoptotic cell population in the saponin-postincubation group was accompanied by the accumulation of cells in G0/G1 phase. By Western blot analyses it was demonstrated that postincubation of saponins increases the expression of p53 and p21 in MMS-exposed cells but decreased that of CDK2, cyclin E and D1, and PCNA. The upregulation of p53 and p21 and downregulation of CDK2 was shown to be p53-dependent in experiments using the p53 antisense oligonucleotide. These results suggest that ginseng saponins contain components potentiating the apoptosis of MMS-exposed NIH3T3 cells via p53 and p21 activation, accompanied with by downregulation of cell cycle-related protein expression.

Effect of flavonoids on cell cycle progression in prostate cancer cells

The effect of some flavonoids, which are components of fruits, vegetables, and peas, on the cell cycle progression of human LNCaP prostate cancer cells has been investigated in this study. Genistein arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phases, which is attributed to the suppression of cyclin B expression. In addition, genistein induced the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, which does not depend on p53 activation. Apigenin and luteolin also increased p21 levels, but quercetin did not. Apigenin induced p21 production through a p53-dependent pathway, but luteolin did so in a p53-independent manner. These results suggest that flavonoids are potent regulators of cyclin B and p21 for cell cycle progression, which may play some roles in prevention of carcinogenesis.

Sandwich configuration of type I collagen suppresses progesterone production in primary cultured porcine granulosa cells by reducing gene expression of cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme

When porcine granulosa cells were cultured on type I collagen (TIC)-coated dishes, progesterone was continuously secreted in the culture medium. However, when cells were overlaid with a TIC gel, progesterone production was decreased to 34% (day 3) and 16% (day 4) of the value measured for cells without the overlay. The effect of TIC gel overlay on cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), which catalyzes the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone and is thought to be the rate-limiting enzyme in the conversion of cholesterol to progesterone, was examined. P450scc gene expression in cells overlaid with a TIC gel was decreased to 62% (day 3) and 36% (day 4) of the value measured for cells without the overlay. Amounts of P450scc were also reduced in the cells overlaid with a TIC gel. When pregnenolone, the direct precursor of progesterone, was added to the culture medium, the increase in progesterone production by cells overlaid with a TIC gel was much greater than that for cells without a TIC gel and a statistical difference in progesterone production was no longer observed between the two groups of cells. Treatment of the cells with human FSH (hFSH) enhanced progesterone production in a dose-dependent manner, irrespective of the presence of a TIC gel overlay. Moreover, hFSH induced P450scc gene expression in cells with and without a TIC gel overlay. These results indicate that a TIC gel overlay reduces progesterone production in granulosa cells via the suppression of P450scc gene expression. This supports the possibility that the existence of a TIC gel on the apical side of granulosa cells prevents the spontaneous luteinization of granulosa cells cultured on TIC-coated dishes. The fact that hFSH overcomes the suppressive effect of the TIC gel overlay on progesterone production may explain the mechanism for the subtle rise in serum progesterone concentration in the late follicle phase of the "in vitro fertilization" program.

Cyclin D1 overexpression in a model of human breast premalignancy: preferential stimulation of anchorage-independent but not anchorage-dependent growth is associated with increased cdk2 activity

Cyclin D1 is frequently overexpressed in human breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) specimens, which confer a high risk for the development of infiltrating ductal carcinoma. If causally involved in the genesis of human breast malignancy, cyclin D1 may represent an interesting target for chemopreventive approaches, as it sits at the junction of many growth factor and hormonal pathways. We have used the MCF-10A human breast cell line, derived from a mastectomy containing a low risk premalignant lesion, as a model system. Three cyclin D1 transfectants exhibited physiologically relevant levels of transgene overexpression, but no coordinate overexpression of other cell cycle related genes. Proliferation assays, flow cytometry, and cdk enzymatic assays of anchorage-dependent proliferation indicated only a minimal and transient effect of cyclin D1. In contrast, cyclin D1 overexpression significantly stimulated anchorage-independent colonization in soft agar or methylcellulose, accompanied by greater Gl-S progression. The cdk4 activity of the control- and cyclin D1 transfectants in colonization assays was comparable, but the cdk2 activity was higher in the latter. Injection of control- and cyclin D1 transfected MCF-10A cells in matrigel into nude mice failed to produce tumors within 1.5 years. The data suggest that cyclin D1 overexpression is an early feature of breast neoplastic progression, and can contribute to cancer development through the promotion of colonization.

Integrin signaling at the M/G1 transition induces expression of cyclin E

The activities of the mammalian G1 cyclins, cyclin D and cyclin E, during cell cycle progression (G1/S) are believed to be regulated by cell attachment and the presence of growth factors. In order to study the importance of cell attachment and concomitant integrin signaling on the expression of G1 cyclins during the natural adhesion process from mitosis to interphase, protein expression was monitored in cells that were synchronized by mitotic shake off. Here we show that in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and neuroblastoma (N2A) cells, expression of cyclin E at the M/G1 transition is regulated by both growth factors and cell attachment, while expression of cyclin D seems to be entirely dependent on the presence of serum. Expression of cyclin E appears to be correlated with the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein, suggesting a link with the activity of the cyclin D/cdk4 complex. Expression of the cdk inhibitors p21(cip1/Waf1) and p27(Kip1) is not changed upon serum depletion or detachment of cells during early G1, suggesting no direct role for these CKIs in the regulation of cyclin activity. Although inhibition of cyclin E/cdk2 kinase activity has been reported previously, this is the first time that cyclin E expression is shown to be dependent on cell attachment.

The structural and mechanical complexity of cell-growth control

Tight control of cell proliferation is required to ensure normal tissue patterning and prevent cancer formation. The analysis of cultured cells has led to an explosion in our understanding of the molecules that trigger growth and mediate cell-cycle progression. However, the mechanism by which the local growth differentials that drive morphogenesis are established and maintained still remains unknown. Here we review recent work that reveals the importance of cell binding to the extracellular matrix, and associated changes in cell shape and cytoskeletal tension, to the spatial control of cell-cycle progression. These findings change the paradigm of cell-growth control, by placing our understanding of molecular signalling cascades in the context of the structural and mechanical complexity of living tissues.

Genistein induces p21(Cip1/WAF1) expression and blocks the G1 to S phase transition in mouse fibroblast and melanoma cells

Genistein, the principal isoflavonoid in soybeans, is reported to inhibit cell cycle progression, but the molecular basis for this event is unknown. Here we show that genistein inhibits DNA synthesis and suppresses cyclin E-associated cyclin-dependent kinase-2 (CDK2) activity when quiescent BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts are stimulated with serum. In these cells, a CDK2 inhibitor, p21(Cip1/WAF1), is markedly increased by genistein, but another CDK2 inhibitor, p27(Kip1), is not increased. In exponentially growing BALB/c 3T3 cells, genistein inhibits proliferation of the cells in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis and measurement of DNA synthesis indicate that genistein blocks the G1 to S phase transition of these cells, which is concomitant with G2-M arrest. In mouse B16-F1 melanoma cells, genistein also blocks the transition of G1 to S phase without arresting at G2-M at low doses. In both cell lines, genistein suppresses cyclin E/CDK2 activity and induces p21(Cip1/WAF1) expression. These results suggest that genistein affects the restriction point control of the cell cycle by inducing p21(Cip1/WAF1) expression in mouse fibroblast and melanoma cells.