Mammalian G1 cyclins

Effect of active vitamin D on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis in endometriotic stromal cells

RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the effect of vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)₂D₃) on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of endometrial stromal cells (ESC) in endometriotic patients?

DESIGN

ESC isolated from 10 women with endometriosis and 10 healthy controls were treated with 1,25(OH)₂D₃. The proliferation of control endometrial stromal cells (CESC), eutopic endometrial stromal cells (EuESC) and ectopic endometrial stromal cells (EESC) was analysed 72 h after the treatment using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. Propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry were used to determine the cell cycle distribution in ESC. Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining was used to evaluate apoptosis in ESC.

RESULTS

In the presence of oestrogen, 1,25(OH)₂D₃ treatment inhibited the proliferation of ESC from all three origins (P = 0.009 for CESC, P = 0.005 for EuESC and P < 0.001 for EESC). The percentage of S phase cells in EESC was higher than in EuESC and CESC (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively). The percentage of S phase cells in EuESC was higher than in CESC (P = 0.005). The percentage of G1 phase cells in EESC was lower than that of EuESC and CESC (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively) and the percentage of G1 phase cells in EuESC was lower than that of CESC (P = 0.007). Moreover, 1,25(OH)₂D₃ inhibited cell cycle regardless of cell type (P = 0.002 in EESC, P = 0.001 in EuESC and P = 0.014 in CESC), but in the absence of oestrogen, inhibited cell cycle only in EuESC (P = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

Although 1,25(OH)₂D₃ increased apoptotic and necrotic cells and decreased live cells in the EuESC and EESC, it did not affect apoptosis in CESC and only increased necrotic cells. These findings indicate that 1,25(OH)₂D₃ potentially has a growth-inhibiting and pro-apoptotic effect on ESC from endometriotic patients.

The Tumor Suppressor Role of the Ras Association Domain Family 10

The Ras association domain family 10(RASSF10), a tumor suppressor gene, is located on human chromosome 11p15.2, which is one of the members homologous to other N-terminal RASSF families obtained through structural prediction. RASSF10 plays an important role in inhibiting proliferation, invasion, and migration, inducing apoptosis, making cancer cells sensitive to docetaxel, and capturing G2/M phase. Some studies have found that RASSF10 may inhibit the occurrence and development of tumors by regulating Wnt/β-catenin, P53, and MMP2. Methylation of tumor suppressor gene promoter is a key factor in the development and progression of many tumors. Various methylation detection methods confirmed that the methylation and downregulation of RASSF10 often occur in various tumors, such as gastric cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, and leukemia. The status of RASSF10 methylation is positively correlated with tumor size, tumor type, and TNM stage. RASSF10 methylation can be used as a prognostic factor for overall survival and disease-free survival, and is also a sign of tumor diagnosis and sensitivity to docetaxel chemotherapy. In this review, we mainly elucidate the acknowledged structure and progress in the verified functions of RASSF10 and the probably relevant signaling pathways.

The Role of the MCTS1 and DENR Proteins in Regulating the Mechanisms Associated with Malignant Cell Transformation

The mutations associated with malignant cell transformation are believed to disrupt the expression of a significant number of normal, non-mutant genes. The proteins encoded by these genes are involved in the regulation of many signaling pathways that are responsible for differentiation and proliferation, as well as sensitivity to apoptotic signals, growth factors, and cytokines. Abnormalities in the balance of signaling pathways can lead to the transformation of a normal cell, which results in tumor formation. Detection of the target genes and the proteins they encode and that are involved in the malignant transformation is one of the major evolutions in anti-cancer biomedicine. Currently, there is an accumulation of data that shed light on the role of the MCTS1 and DENR proteins in oncogenesis.

Abnormalities in Cell Cycle Control in Cancer and Their Clinical Implications

Recent studies indicate that the functions of several genes that control the cell cycle are altered during the carcinogenic process and that these changes perturb both cell proliferation and genomic stability, thus promoting cell transformation and enhancing the process of tumor progression. The purpose of this paper is to review current information on the role of cyclins and related genes in the control of the mammalian cell cycle, the types of abnormalities in these genes found in human tumors and the possible clinical implications of these findings.

MicroRNA miR-4779 suppresses tumor growth by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through direct targeting of PAK2 and CCND3

Depending on the function of their target genes, microRNAs (miRNAs) act as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes. Therefore, miRNAs represent a novel therapeutic strategy for prevention and management of cancer by targeting of onco-miRNAs or mimicking of tumor suppressor miRNAs. Herein, we identified novel tumor suppressor miRNAs and investigated their molecular mechanisms. To identify novel tumor suppressor miRNAs, we used 532 human miRNA mimic libraries and measured cell viability using MTS assays. The function of miR-4779 was then analyzed using cell cycle analyses and apoptosis, colony forming, and soft agar assays. Target genes of miR-4779 were predicted using TargetScan and miRDB databases and were confirmed using luciferase assays. Levels of miR-4779 and target genes in colon cancer tissue samples from patients were evaluated using qRT-PCR and western blotting analyses. Finally, in vivo tumor suppressive effects of miR-4779 were evaluated in HCT116 xenografts. In this study, miR-4779 inhibited cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, and the putative survival factors PAK2 and CCND3 were identified as direct targets of miR-4779. In subsequent experiments, PAK2 knockdown induced cell cycle arrest and CCND3 knockdown induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In addition, miR-4779 suppressed tumor growth and tumorigenesis in an in vivo HCT116 xenograft model. Finally, miR-4779 expression was low in 9 of 10 colon cancer tissues, whereas PAK2 and CCND3 expressions were significantly high in colon cancer tissues. The novel tumor suppressor miR-4779 inhibits cancer cell growth via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by directly targeting PAK2 and CCND3. The present data indicate the potential of miR-4779 as a therapeutic target for miRNA-based cancer therapy.

Role of Epigenetics in Uveal Melanoma

Uveal melanoma (UM) is a severe human malignancy with a high mortality rate that demands continued research into new and alternative forms of prevention and treatment. The emerging field of epigenetics is beginning to unfold an era of contemporary approaches to reducing the risk and improving the clinical treatment of UM. Epigenetic changes have a high prevalence rate in cancer, are reversible in nature, and can lead to cancer characteristics even in mutation-free cells. The information contained in this review highlights and expands on the main mechanisms of epigenetic dysregulation in UM tumorigenesis, progression and metastasis, including microRNA expression, hypermethylation of genes and histone modification. Epigenetic drugs have been shown to enhance tumor suppressor gene expression and drug sensitivity in many other cancer cell lines and animal models. An increased understanding of epigenetic mechanisms in UM will be invaluable in the design of more potent epigenetic drugs, which when used in combination with traditional therapies, may permit improved therapeutic outcomes.

Spatiotemporal Expression of EAPP Modulates Neuronal Apoptosis and Reactive Astrogliosis After Spinal Cord Injury

E2F-associated phosphoprotein (EAPP) is a novel E2F binding protein that interacts with the activating members of the E2F transcription factors family and involved in various biological processes. However, the expression and function of EAPP in central nervous system (CNS) are still unknown. In this study, we performed an acute spinal cord injury (SCI) model in adult rats, we found that EAPP protein levels were significantly increased and reached a peak at day 3, and then gradually returned to normal level at day 14 after spinal cord injury and we observed that the expression of EAPP is enhanced in the gray and white matter. Spatially, increased levels of EAPP were striking in neurons and astrocytes. Moreover, colocalization of EAPP/active caspase-3 was detected in neurons, and colocalization of EAPP/proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was detected in astrocytes after spinal cord injury. These results indicated that EAPP might play an important role in neuronal apoptosis and reactive astrogliosis. Furthermore in vitro, EAPP depletion by siRNA inhibited astrocyte proliferation, migration and CDK4/cyclinD1 expression. Meanwhile, EAPP knockdown also reduce neuronal apoptosis and cell cycle related proteins. Which indicated that EAPP might integrate cell cycle progression and play a crucial role in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Taken together, we speculated that EAPP was involved in biochemical and physiological responses after SCI.

CDK/CCN and CDKI alterations for cancer prognosis and therapeutic predictivity

The regulation of cell growth and division occurs in an accurate sequential manner. It is dictated by the accumulation of cyclins (CCNs) and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) complexes and degradation of CCNs. In human tumors, instead, the cell cycle is deregulated, causing absence of differentiation and aberrant cell growth. Oncogenic alterations of CCNs, CDKs, and CDKIs have been reported in more than 90% of human cancers, and the most frequent are those related to the G1 phase. Several molecular mechanisms, including gene overexpression, chromosomal translocations, point mutations, insertions and deletions, missense and frame shift mutation, splicing, or methylation, may be responsible for these alterations. The cell cycle regulators are involved in tumor progression given their association with cancers characterized by higher incidence of relapses and chemotherapy resistance. In the last decade anticancer drug researches focused on new compounds, able to target molecules related to changes in genes associated with tumor status. Recently, the studies have focused on the restoration of cell cycle control modulating molecular targets involved in cancer-cell alterations. This paper aims to correlate alterations of cell cycle regulators with human cancers and therapeutic responsivity.

Isoangustone A, a novel licorice compound, inhibits cell proliferation by targeting PI3K, MKK4, and MKK7 in human melanoma

Licorice root is known to possess various bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Glycyrrhizin, a triterpene compound, is the most abundant constituent of dried licorice root. However, high intake or long-term consumption of glycyrrhizin causes several side effects, such as hypertension, hypertensive encephalopathy, and hypokalemia. Therefore, finding additional active compounds other than glycyrrhizin in licorice that exhibit anticancer effects is worthwhile. We found that isoangustone A (IAA), a novel flavonoid from licorice root, suppressed proliferation of human melanoma cells. IAA significantly blocked cell-cycle progression at the G1-phase and inhibited the expression of G1-phase regulatory proteins, including cyclins D1 and E in the SK-MEL-28 human melanoma cell line. IAA suppressed the phosphorylation of Akt, GSK-3β, and JNK1/2. IAA also bound to phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), MKK4, and MKK7, strongly inhibiting their kinase activities in an ATP-competitive manner. Moreover, in a xenograft mouse model, IAA significantly decreased tumor growth, volume, and weight of SK-MEL-28 xenografts. Collectively, these results suggest that PI3K, MKK4, and MKK7 are the primary molecular targets of IAA in the suppression of cell proliferation. This insight into the biologic actions of IAA provides a molecular basis for the potential development of a new chemotherapeutic agent.

Evaluation of proliferation of neural stem cells in vitro and in vivo

This unit describes two basic protocols for the detection of the proliferation of neural stem cells (NSC). The first one addresses cell proliferation in cultures, starting with primary cell cultures isolated from the mouse subventricular zone (SVZ), in which SVZ-derived NSC are kept in culture as neurospheres. By using this culture system, we are able to study different stages of adult neurogenesis, such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, and survival. Thus, in the first basic protocol, we describe two different techniques to evaluate cell proliferation based on EdU incorporation: (a) immunocytochemistry and (b) flow cytometry. EdU, a new thymidine analog, which is detected by a reproducible and sensitive method based on click chemistry, does not require DNA denaturation, as is the case with BrdU. Thus, co-labeling of EdU with other specific antibodies of extracellular or intracellular targets, as well as other DNA dyes, is possible. In the second basic protocol, we describe an in vivo assay to evaluate proliferation of NSC in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus of adult mice, by both BrdU and EdU detection. With this approach, it is also possible to study different stages of adult neurogenesis, by co-labeling thymidine analogs with other specific markers, such as doublecortin (DCX) or neuronal nuclei protein (NeuN).

Hbo1 is a cyclin E/CDK2 substrate that enriches breast cancer stem-like cells

Expression of cyclin E proteolytic cleavage products, low-molecular weight cyclin E (LMW-E), is associated with poor clinical outcome in patients with breast cancer and it enhances tumorigenecity in mouse models. Here we report that LMW-E expression in human mammary epithelial cells induces an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition phenotype, increases the CD44(hi)/CD24(lo) population, enhances mammosphere formation, and upregulates aldehyde dehydrogenase expression and activity. We also report that breast tumors expressing LMW-E have a higher proportion of CD44(hi)/CD24(lo) tumor cells as compared with tumors expressing only full-length cyclin E. In order to explore how LMW-E enriches cancer stem cells in breast tumors, we conducted a protein microarray analysis that identified the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) Hbo1 as a novel cyclin E/CDK2 substrate. The LMW-E/CDK2 complex phosphorylated Hbo1 at T88 without affecting its HAT activity. When coexpressed with LMW-E/CDK2, wild-type Hbo1 promoted enrichment of cancer stem-like cells (CSC), whereas the T88 Hbo1 mutant reversed the CSC phenotype. Finally, doxorubicin and salinomycin (a CSC-selective cytotoxic agent) synergized to kill cells expressing LMW-E, but not full-length cyclin E. Collectively, our results suggest that the heightened oncogenecity of LMW-E relates to its ability to promote CSC properties, supporting the design of therapeutic strategies to target this unique function.

PP2A(Cdc55) regulates G1 cyclin stability

Maintaining accurate progression through the cell cycle requires the proper temporal expression and regulation of cyclins. The mammalian D-type cyclins promote G1-S transition. D1 cyclin protein stability is regulated through its ubiquitylation and resulting proteolysis catalyzed by the SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase complex containing the F-box protein, Fbx4. SCF E3-ligase-dependent ubiquitylation of D1 is trigged by an increase in the phosphorylation status of the cyclin. As inhibition of ubiquitin-dependent D1 degradation is seen in many human cancers, we set out to uncover how D-type cyclin phosphorylation is regulated. Here we show that in S. cerevisiae, a heterotrimeric protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A(Cdc55)) containing the mammalian PPP2R2/PR55 B subunit ortholog Cdc55 regulates the stability of the G1 cyclin Cln2 by directly regulating its phosphorylation state. Cells lacking Cdc55 contain drastically reduced Cln2 levels caused by degradation due to cdk-dependent hyperphosphorylation, as a Cln2 mutant unable to be phosphorylated by the yeast cdk Cdc28 is highly stable in cdc55-null cells. Moreover, cdc55-null cells become inviable when the SCF(Grr1) activity known to regulate Cln2 levels is eliminated or when Cln2 is overexpressed, indicating a critical relationship between SCF and PP2A functions in regulating cell cycle progression through modulation of G1-S cyclin degradation/stability. In sum, our results indicate that PP2A is absolutely required to maintain G1-S cyclin levels through modulating their phosphorylation status, an event necessary to properly transit through the cell cycle.

Probing the role of nascent helicity in p27 function as a cell cycle regulator

p27 regulates the activity of Cdk complexes which are the principal governors of phase transitions during cell division. Members of the p27 family of proteins, which also includes p21 and p57, are called the Cip/Kip cyclin-dependent kinase regulators (CKRs). Interestingly, the Cip/Kip CKRs play critical roles in cell cycle regulation by being intrinsically unstructured, a characteristic contrary to the classical structure-function paradigm. They exhibit nascent helicity which has been localized to a segment referred to as sub-domain LH. The nascent helicity of this sub-domain is conserved and we hypothesize that it is an important determinant of their functional properties. To test this hypothesis, we successfully designed and prepared p27 variants in which domain LH was either more or less helical with respect to the wild-type protein. Thermal denaturation experiments showed that the ternary complexes of the p27 variants bound to Cdk2/Cyclin A were less stable compared to the wild-type complex. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments showed a decrease in the enthalpy of binding for all the mutants with respect to p27. The free energies of binding varied within a much narrower range. In vitro Cdk2 inhibition assays showed that the p27 variants exhibited disparate inhibitory potencies. Furthermore, when over-expressed in NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells, the less helical p27 variants were less effective in causing cell cycle arrest relative to the wild-type p27. Our results indicate that the nascent helicity of sub-domain LH plays a key role mediating the biological function of p27.

An immune-active tumor microenvironment favors clinical response to ipilimumab

PURPOSE

Ipilimumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody specific to CTLA-4, has been shown to improve overall survival in metastatic melanoma patients. As a consequence of CTLA-4 blockade, ipilimumab treatment is associated with proliferation and activation of peripheral T cells. To better understand various tumor-associated components that may influence the clinical outcome of ipilimumab treatment, gene expression profiles of tumors from patients treated with ipilimumab were characterized.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Gene expression profiling was performed on tumor biopsies collected from 45 melanoma patients before and 3 weeks after the start of treatment in a phase II clinical trial.

RESULTS

Analysis of pre-treatment tumors indicated that patients with high baseline expression levels of immune-related genes were more likely to respond favorably to ipilimumab. Furthermore, ipilimumab appeared to induce two major changes in tumors from patients who exhibited clinical activity: genes involved in immune response showed increased expression, whereas expression of genes for melanoma-specific antigens and genes involved in cell proliferation decreased. These changes were associated with the total lymphocyte infiltrate in tumors, and there was a suggestion of association with prolonged overall survival in these patients. Many IFN-γ-inducible genes and Th1-associated markers showed increased expression after ipilimumab treatment, suggesting an accumulation of this particular type of T cell at the tumor sites, which might play an important role in mediating the antitumor activity of ipilimumab.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the proposed mechanism of action of ipilimumab, suggesting that cell-mediated immune responses play an important role in the antitumor activity of ipilimumab.

Activation of the hedgehog signaling pathway in the developing lens stimulates ectopic FoxE3 expression and disruption in fiber cell differentiation

PURPOSE

The signaling pathways and transcriptional effectors responsible for directing mammalian lens development provide key regulatory molecules that can inform our understanding of human eye defects. The hedgehog genes encode extracellular signaling proteins responsible for patterning and tissue formation during embryogenesis. Signal transduction of this pathway is mediated through activation of the transmembrane proteins smoothened and patched, stimulating downstream signaling resulting in the activation or repression of hedgehog target genes. Hedgehog signaling is implicated in eye development, and defects in hedgehog signaling components have been shown to result in defects of the retina, iris, and lens.

METHODS

We assessed the consequences of constitutive hedgehog signaling in the developing mouse lens using Cre-LoxP technology to express the conditional M2 smoothened allele in the embryonic head and lens ectoderm.

RESULTS

Although initial lens development appeared normal, morphological defects were apparent by E12.5 and became more significant at later stages of embryogenesis. Altered lens morphology correlated with ectopic expression of FoxE3, which encodes a critical gene required for human and mouse lens development. Later, inappropriate expression of the epithelial marker Pax6, and as well as fiber cell markers c-maf and Prox1 also occurred, indicating a failure of appropriate lens fiber cell differentiation accompanied by altered lens cell proliferation and cell death.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that the ectopic activation of downstream effectors of the hedgehog signaling pathway in the mouse lens disrupts normal fiber cell differentiation by a mechanism consistent with a sustained epithelial cellular developmental program driven by FoxE3.

LMW-E/CDK2 deregulates acinar morphogenesis, induces tumorigenesis, and associates with the activated b-Raf-ERK1/2-mTOR pathway in breast cancer patients

Elastase-mediated cleavage of cyclin E generates low molecular weight cyclin E (LMW-E) isoforms exhibiting enhanced CDK2-associated kinase activity and resistance to inhibition by CDK inhibitors p21 and p27. Approximately 27% of breast cancers express high LMW-E protein levels, which significantly correlates with poor survival. The objective of this study was to identify the signaling pathway(s) deregulated by LMW-E expression in breast cancer patients and to identify pharmaceutical agents to effectively target this pathway. Ectopic LMW-E expression in nontumorigenic human mammary epithelial cells (hMECs) was sufficient to generate xenografts with greater tumorigenic potential than full-length cyclin E, and the tumorigenicity was augmented by in vivo passaging. However, cyclin E mutants unable to interact with CDK2 protected hMECs from tumor development. When hMECs were cultured on Matrigel, LMW-E mediated aberrant acinar morphogenesis, including enlargement of acinar structures and formation of multi-acinar complexes, as denoted by reduced BIM and elevated Ki67 expression. Similarly, inducible expression of LMW-E in transgenic mice generated hyper-proliferative terminal end buds resulting in enhanced mammary tumor development. Reverse-phase protein array assay of 276 breast tumor patient samples and cells cultured on monolayer and in three-dimensional Matrigel demonstrated that, in terms of protein expression profile, hMECs cultured in Matrigel more closely resembled patient tissues than did cells cultured on monolayer. Additionally, the b-Raf-ERK1/2-mTOR pathway was activated in LMW-E-expressing patient samples, and activation of this pathway was associated with poor disease-specific survival. Combination treatment using roscovitine (CDK inhibitor) plus either rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor) or sorafenib (a pan kinase inhibitor targeting b-Raf) effectively prevented aberrant acinar formation in LMW-E-expressing cells by inducing G1/S cell cycle arrest. LMW-E requires CDK2-associated kinase activity to induce mammary tumor formation by disrupting acinar development. The b-Raf-ERK1/2-mTOR signaling pathway is aberrantly activated in breast cancer and can be suppressed by combination treatment with roscovitine plus either rapamycin or sorafenib.

Knockdown of cyclin D1 inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, and attenuates the invasive capacity of human glioblastoma cells

Elevated cyclin D1 (CCND1) in human glioblastoma correlates with poor clinical prognosis. In this study, the human glioblastoma cell lines SHG-44 and U251 were stably transfected with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting cyclin D1 or with ectogenic cyclin D1 by lentivirus-mediated transfection. Glioblastoma cells overexpressing or underexpressing cyclin D1 were then examined by in vitro growth assays, apoptosis assays, cell cycle analysis, and invasion assays. Cyclin D1 knockdown in SHG-44 cells inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and attenuated migration across Matrigel, a model of invasive capacity. Western blot analysis and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed that cells underexpressing CCND1 exhibited decreased multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) expression, but enhanced apoptosis effector caspase-3 expression. In contrast, cyclin D1 overexpression promoted cell proliferation, attenuated apoptosis, and enhanced invasive capacity. Furthermore, cyclin D1 overexpression was associated with increased expression of MDR1 and Bcl-2, and decreased caspase-3 expression. Results using the U251 cell line confirmed the effects of CCND1-targeted shRNA and lentivirus-mediated overexpression on proliferation and apoptosis of glioblastoma cells. Overexpression of cyclin D1 enhanced the proliferation and invasive potential of human glioblastoma cells, while reducing apoptosis. The ability to suppress the malignant phenotype by downregulating cyclin D1 expression may provide a new gene therapy approach for patients with malignant glioma.

Modulation of p53, c-fos, RARE, cyclin A, and cyclin D1 expression in human leukemia (HL-60) cells exposed to arsenic trioxide

Arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) has recently been successfully used to treat all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) resistant relapsing acute promyelocytic leukemia. However, its molecular mechanisms of action are poorly understood. In the present study, we used the human leukemia (HL-60) cell line as a test model to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of anti-cancer properties of As(2)O(3). We hypothesized that As(2)O(3)-induced expression of stress genes and related proteins may play a role in the cellular and molecular events leading to cell cycle modulation in leukemic cells. To test this hypothesis, we performed Western blot analysis to assess the expression of specific cellular response proteins including p53, c-fos, RARE, Cyclin A, and Cyclin D1. Densitometric analysis was performed to determine the relative abundance of these proteins. Western Blot and densitometric analyses demonstrated a strong dose-response relationship with regard to p53 and RARE expression within the dose-range of 0-8 microg/ml. Expression of c-fos was slightly up-regulated at 2 microg/ml, and down-regulated within the dose-range of 4-8 microg/ml. A statistically significant down-regulation of this protein was detected at the 6 and 8 microg/ml dose levels. No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) in Cyclin D1 expression was found between As(2)O(3)-treated cells and the control. Cyclin A expression in As(2)O(3)-treated HL-60 cells was up-regulated at 6 microg/ml, suggesting that it is required for S phase and passage through G(2) phase in cell cycle progression. Taken together, these results indicate that As(2)O(3) has the potential to induce cell cycle arrest through activation of the 53-kDa tumor suppressor protein and repression of the c-fos transcription factor. Up-regulation of RARE by As(2)O(3) indicates that its cytotoxicity may be mediated through interaction/binding with the retinoic acid receptor, and subsequent inhibition of growth and differentiation.

Oligomycin induced the proteasomal degradation of cyclin D1 protein

We searched for compounds that affect the cyclin D1/retinoblastoma protein pathway from the in-house natural product library using a recombinant adenovirus with the Cre/loxP-regulated cyclin D1 overexpression system, and we found that oligomycin inhibited cell growth more effectively in cyclin D1-overexpressing SW480 cells than in control SW480 cells. We also found that oligomycin reduced the expression levels of cyclin D1 protein and that this reduction is, at least in part, mediated by Thr-286 phosphorylation-dependent proteasomal degradation.

Human papillomavirus type 16 mutant E7 protein induces oncogenic transformation via up-regulation of cyclin A and cdc25A

A new mutant human papillomavirus type 16 E7 gene, termed HPV16 HBE7, was isolated from cervical carcinoma biopsy samples from patients in an area with high incidence of cervical cancer (Hubei province, China). A previous study showed that the HPV16 HBE7 protein was primarily cytoplasmic while wild-type HPV16 E7 protein, termed HPV16 WE7, was concentrated in the nucleus. With the aim of studying the biological functions of HPV16 HBE7, the transforming potential of HPV16 HBE7 in NIH/3T3 cells was detected through observation of cell morphology, cell prolieration assay and anchorage-independent growth assay. The effect of HPV16 HBE7 on cell cycle was examined by flow cytometry. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RT-PCR were used to investigate the influence of HPV16 HBE7 protein on the expression of regulation factors associated with G1/S checkpoint. The results showed that HPV16 HBE7 protein, as well as HPV16 WE7 protein, held transformation activity. NIH/3T3 cells expressing HPV16 HBE7 could easily transition from G1 phase into S phase and expressed high level of cyclin A and cdc25A. These results indicated HPV16 mutant E7 protein, located in the cytoplasm, induces oncogenic transformation of NIH/3T3 cells via up-regulation of cyclin A and cdc25A

Bivariate analysis of DNA content and expression of cyclin proteins

Cyclins are key components of the cell cycle machinery. This unit describes techniques associated with measurement of these transiently expressed molecules and focusses on the combination of cell cycle analysis and expression of proliferation-associated proteins via immunocytochemically attached antibodies.

Distinct modes of activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in response to cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate or insulin-like growth factor I play different roles in regulation of cyclin D1 and p27Kip1 in FRTL-5 cells

Bioactivities of IGFs in various cells are often potentiated in the presence of other hormones. In previous studies we showed that pretreatment of rat FRTL-5 thyroid cells with TSH or other cAMP-generating agents markedly potentiated DNA synthesis induced by IGF-I. Under these conditions we found that phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase was activated in response to either cAMP or IGF stimulus, and both activation modes were indispensable for the potentiation of DNA synthesis. The present studies were undertaken to elucidate how cAMP and/or IGF-I stimulus regulated the G1 cyclin-cyclin dependent kinase (CDK)-inhibitor system, and to determine the roles of PI 3-kinase activation by cAMP or IGF-I stimulus in this system. We found that cAMP pretreatment enhanced IGF-I-dependent increases in cyclin D1, due to synergistic increases in mRNA and elevation of translation rates. Furthermore, cAMP pretreatment enhanced IGF-I-induced protein degradation of the CDK inhibitor, p27(Kip1). These changes well explained an increase in cyclin E, leading to marked activation of G1 CDKs, followed by retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation. Our results using a PI 3-kinase inhibitor showed that cAMP-dependent PI 3-kinase activation plays an important role in the increase in cyclin D1 translation. In contrast, IGF-I-dependent PI 3-kinase activation was required for the increase in cyclin D1 mRNA levels and degradation of p27(Kip1). Together, the present study elucidates the role of cAMP and IGF-I in differentially activating PI 3-kinase as a mediator of multiple molecular events. These events converge in the regulation of cyclin D1 and p27(Kip1), leading to cAMP-dependent potentiation of IGF-I-dependent CDK activation and DNA synthesis.

Determining cell cycle stages by flow cytometry

This unit describes assays used to determine the distribution of a population of cells to the different stages of the cell cycle as analyzed by flow cytometry. Staining the DNA with different fluorescent dyes, propidium iodide or DAPI, is one of the most direct ways of staging the cells based on DNA content. These staining procedures can be used with fixed cells or detergent-permeabilized cells. Alternatively, live cells can be stained with the membrane-permeable stain, Hoechst 33242, and sorted on the basis of DNA content for further culture and characterization. When DNA content measurements are coupled with immunostaining for cyclin expression, it is possible to reliably detect even more stages in progression through the cell cycle.

CCND1 messenger RNA expression is correlated with EGFR mutation status in lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) stimulation markedly increases cyclin D1 protein expression. Recently, it has been reported that cyclin D1 expression was increased in EGFR mutant cell lines; however, the expression status of CCND1 in EGFR mutant lung cancer tissues has not been reported.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We have investigated the CCND1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels and other clinicopathologic data in 74 lung cancers. The CCND1 mRNA levels were quantified by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction using LightCycler.

RESULTS

The CCND1/GAPDH mRNA levels were significantly higher in adenocarcinoma (35.125 +/- 37.387) than in non-adenocarcinoma (15.2 +/- 24.699; P = .0158), and CCND1/GAPDH mRNA levels were not significantly different among smoking status, sex, or pathologic stage. The CCND1/GAPDH mRNA levels were significantly higher in lung cancer with EGFR mutation (39.713 +/- 41.265) than in lung cancer without EGFR mutation (21.805 +/- 29.152; P = .0338). CCND/GAPDH mRNA expression did not correlate with prognosis of lung cancer.

CONCLUSION

Using the LightCycler real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay, CCND1 gene expression might correlate with EGFR mutation in lung cancer. However, further studies are needed to confirm the impact of cyclin D1 for a molecular target of lung cancer.

A plant oxylipin, 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid, inhibits proliferation of human breast cancer cells by targeting cyclin D1

Cyclin D1 overexpression has been associated with poor prognosis and resistance to therapy in human breast cancer. Thus, the development of therapeutic agents that selectively target cyclin D1 activity is of clinical interest. This study demonstrates that 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA), a phytohormone with critical functions in growth and development in plants, induces growth arrest in MDA-MB-231 and T47D breast cancer cells. In response to OPDA treatment, the human breast cancer cell lines exhibit a progressive decline in cyclin D1 expression, which is tightly associated with the accumulation of hypophosphorylated form of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) and G1 arrest. The decrease in cyclin D1 protein expression accompanies a dramatic decline in nuclear but not membranous beta-catenin expression and activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3-beta (GSK3beta) caused by inhibition of its serine-9 phosphorylation. The proteasome inhibitor MG132 blocks OPDA-mediated decrease in cyclin D1. In addition, the overexpression of T286A, a cyclin D1 mutant which is refractory to phosphorylation by GSK3beta and proteosomal degradation, is resistant to OPDA-mediated Rb dephosphorylation as well as G(1) cell cycle arrest. Thus, our results demonstrate that degradation of cyclin D1 protein is a key event in OPDA induced growth inhibition in breast cancer cells. These data provide the basic foundation for future efforts to develop OPDA-based approaches in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and other types of cancer.

Functions of cyclin D1 as an oncogene and regulation of cyclin D1 expression

Cyclin D1 binds to the Cdk4 and Cdk6 to form a pRB kinase. Upon phosphorylation, pRB loses its repressive activity for the E2F transcription factor, which then activates transcription of several genes required for the transition from the G1- to S-phase and for DNA replication. The cyclin D1 gene is rearranged and overexpressed in centrocytic lymphomas and parathyroid tumors and it is amplified and/or overexpressed in a major fraction of human tumors of various types of cancer. Ectopic overexpression of cyclin D1 in fibroblast cultures shortens the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that introduction of an antisense cyclin D1 into a human carcinoma cell line, in which the cyclin D1 gene is amplified and overexpressed, causes reversion of the malignant phenotype. Thus, increased expression of cyclin D1 can play a critical role in tumor development and in maintenance of the malignant phenotype. However, it is insufficient to confer transformed properties on primary or established fibroblasts. In this review, we summarize the role of cyclin D1 on tumor development and malignant transformation. In addition, our chemical biology study to understand the regulatory mechanism of cyclin D1 transcription is also reviewed.

Trichostatin A, an inhibitor of histone deacetylase, inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation via induction of p21(WAF1)

The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can contribute to a variety of pathological states, including atherosclerosis and post-angioplasty restenosis. The p21(WAF1) cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor regulates cell-cycle progression, senescence, and differentiation in injured blood vessels. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have shown utility in controlling proliferation in a wide range of tumor cell lines, possibly by inducing the expression of p21(WAF1). Our goal was to investigate the effect of trichostatin A (TSA), a specific and potent HDAC inhibitor, on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) isolated from rat thoracic aorta. TSA suppressed the HDAC activity of VSMCs in a dose-dependent manner and inhibited VSMC proliferation as demonstrated by cell number counting and the degree of [3H] thymidine incorporation. Further, TSA reduced the phosphorylation of Rb protein, a regulator of cell-cycle progression. TSA treatment also induced the expression of p21(WAF1) but not of p16(INK4), p27(KIP1) or p53. Finally, TSA inhibited HDAC activity of VSMCs from p21(WAF1) knock-out mice but had no effect on VSMC proliferation in these animals. In conclusion, TSA inhibits VSMC proliferation via the induction of p21(WAF1) expression and subsequent cell-cycle arrest with reduction of the phosphorylation of Rb protein at the G1-S phase.

Cell cycle regulation in the developing lens

Regulation of cell proliferation is a critical aspect of the development of multicellular organisms. The ocular lens is an excellent model system in which to unravel the mechanisms controlling cell proliferation during development. In recent years, several cell cycle regulators have been shown to be essential for maintaining normal patterns of lens cell proliferation. Additionally, many growth factor signaling pathways and cell adhesion factors have been shown to have the capacity to regulate lens cell proliferation. Given this complexity, understanding the cross talk between these many signaling pathways and how they are coordinated are important directions for the future.

Focal adhesion kinase: a potential target in cancer therapy

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that plays an important role in signal transduction pathways that are initiated at sites of integrin-mediated cell adhesions and by growth factor receptors. FAK is a key regulator of survival, proliferation, migration and invasion: processes that are all involved in the development and progression of cancer. FAK is also linked to oncogenes at both a biochemical and functional level. Moreover, overexpression and/or increased activity of FAK is common in a wide variety of human cancers, implicating a role for FAK in carcinogenesis. Given the important role of FAK in a large number of processes involved in tumorigenesis, metastasis and survival signalling FAK should be regarded as a potential target in the development of anti-cancer drugs. Therefore, selective inhibitors of FAK need to be developed. Combination of these selective FAK inhibitors with cytotoxic agents could be a very promising anti-cancer therapy.

Anti-phosphopeptide antibody, P-STM as a novel tool for detecting mitotic phosphoproteins: identification of lamins A and C as two major targets

A polyclonal, phospho-epitope-specific antibody (P-STM) was generated to detect the activated p21-activated kinase 2 (PAK2), based on the regulatory autophosphorylation site Thr(402) of PAK2 [Yu et al., 1998]. In this report, we show that this antibody can also recognize many phosphoproteins in mitotic HeLa and A431 cells. Signal of these phosphoproteins emerged after treating the cells with nocodazole and okadaic acid, and was highly detected in G2-M phase transition of HeLa cells released from double thymidine block. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that P-STM strongly stained HeLa cells at prometaphase and metaphase, but not at interphase and anaphase. Interestingly, this staining pattern was almost identical to that obtained by staining with MPM2, a monoclonal antibody known to react with phosphoproteins in mitotic HeLa cells. However, the phosphoproteins detected by the two antibodies are quite different. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) and tryptic peptide fingerprint analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry were employed to identify lamins A and C as two of the mitotic cell-specific phosphoproteins recognized by P-STM. Lamins A and C immunoprecipitated from nocodazole-treated cells, but not from untreated cells showed strong reactivity to P-STM, and this reactivity lost completely after protein phosphatase 2A treatment. In summary, our results show that P-STM represents a novel tool for detecting mitotic phosphoproteins, which are different from those recognized by MPM2, and that lamins A and C are the two prominent mitotic phosphoproteins detected by P-STM.

The Medicago CDKC;1-CYCLINT;1 kinase complex phosphorylates the carboxy-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II and promotes transcription

The Ms;CDKC;1 kinase is structurally similar to those cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that are not involved directly in cell cycle regulation. The presence of a PITAIRE motif in Ms;CDKC;1 suggests that it interacts with cyclins different from known PSTAIRE/PPTALRE kinase regulatory subunits. Here we demonstrate that a Medicago CYCLINT (CYCT) protein is a specific interactor of Ms;CDKC;1 and the interaction between these two proteins gives rise to an active kinase complex that localizes to the nucleus and phosphorylates the carboxy-terminal YSPTSPS heptapeptide repeat domain (CTD) of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II in vitro. Mutation of Ser to Ala at position 5 within the heptapeptide repeat abolishes substrate phosphorylation by the Ms;CDKC;1 kinase complex. Furthermore, our data show that addition of the Medicago CDKC;1-CYCT;1 heterodimer completely restored the transcriptional activity of a HeLa nuclear extract depleted of endogeneous CDK9 kinase complexes. Together, these results indicate that the Medicago CDKC;1-CYCT;1 complex is a positive regulator of transcription in plants and has a role similar to the CDK9/cyclin T complex of human positive transcription elongation factor P-TEFb.

Transcriptional regulation of cyclin A2 by RASSF1A through the enhanced binding of p120E4F to the cyclin A2 promoter

Recent advances in the study of RASSF1A, the candidate tumor suppressor gene, indicate a possible role of RASSF1A in cell cycle regulation; however, very little is known regarding molecular mechanisms underlying this control. Using small interfering RNA to knockdown endogenous RASSF1A in the breast tumor cell line HB2 and in the cervical cancer cell line HeLa, we identify that a key player in cell cycle progression, cyclin A2, is concomitantly increased at both protein and mRNA levels. In A549 clones stably expressing RASSF1A, cyclin A2 levels were diminished compared with vector control. A known transcriptional regulator of cyclin A2, p120(E4F) (a repressor of cyclin A2), has been shown previously by our group to interact with RASSF1A. We show that levels of p120(E4F) are not affected by RASSF1A small interfering RNA in HB2 and HeLa cells. However, electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicate that knockdown of endogenous RASSF1A in HB2 and HeLa cells leads to a reduction in the binding capacity of p120(E4F) to the cyclin A2 promoter, whereas in the A549 clone stably expressing RASSF1A the binding capacity is increased. These data are further corroborated in vitro by the luciferase assay and in vivo by chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments. Together, these data identify the cyclin A2 gene as a cellular target for RASSF1A through p120(E4F) and for the first time suggest a transcriptional mechanism for RASSF1A-dependent cell cycle regulation.

The cell cycle: accelerators, brakes, and checkpoints

PROLIFERATIVE CUES TRIGGER a complex series of molecular signaling events in cells. Early in the cell cycle, cells are faced with an important decision that affects their fate. They either initiate a round of replication or they withdraw from cell division. Passage through the restriction point, or "point of no return," marks cellular commitment to a new round of division. Genetic mutations that predispose individuals to tumorigenesis often affect pathways that influence cellular proliferation. Many of the mutated genes give rise to molecules that are no longer able to appropriately regulate the mammalian cell cycle; the end result is neoplasia. In this review, the critical elements that permit cell cycle progression and the positive and negative regulators that affect the process are reviewed.

Roles of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and p53 in neuronal cell death induced by doxorubicin on cerebellar granule neurons in mouse

Cell cycle regulators such as cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) and their inhibitors (Ckis) have been reported to be involved in neuronal cell death (NCD) induced by a variety of insults such as ischemia, UV-irradiation, nerve growth factor (NGF)-withdrawal, and anticancer therapeutics. But their precise interactive regulation has still to be unveiled. In the present study, we focused on cell cycle regulators such as Cdk4, p21(WAF1) and p53 to clarify their regulatory mechanisms, using NCD induced by doxorubicin (D-NCD) in mouse cerebellar granule neurons as a model. Doxorubicin induced NCD in a dose-dependent manner, a typical feature of apoptosis as determined by TUNEL assay. Doxorubicin increased the protein expression of p53 in time- and dose-dependent manners. The protein expression of p21(WAF1), a Cki of Cdk4, was stimulated by doxorubicin at low concentrations, but it disappeared at high concentrations. Doxorubicin activated the kinase activity of Cdk4 without the enhancement of Cdk4 protein. 3-Amino-9-thio(10H)-acridone (3-ATA), the specific inhibitor of Cdk4, prevented D-NCD in a dose-dependent manner. Wortmannin, an inhibitor of ATM (ataxia telangiectasia, mutated) that has high homology with the phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase (PI3K) family and has protein kinase activity for the induction of p53 with specificity for serine and threonine residues, inhibited the activation of Cdk4 without the induction of p53 in D-NCD. These data suggest that (1) Cdk4 is one of the essential components for inducing NCD, that (2) p53 may prevent D-NCD through the induction of p21(WAF1) at low concentrations of doxorubicin, and that (3) Cdk4 might be activated by the same signal-molecules, like ATM, that are necessary for the activation of p53 in D-NCD.

Mitotic cyclins stimulate the activity of c-Myb-like factors for transactivation of G2/M phase-specific genes in tobacco

Myb transcription factors, which contain three imperfect repeats in the Myb domain, are evolutionarily conserved members of the Myb superfamily. Vertebrate Myb proteins with three repeats, c-Myb, A-Myb, and BMyb, play important roles at the G(1)/S transition in the cell cycle. In plants, this type of Myb protein controls the G(2)/M phase by activating or repressing the transcription of cyclin B genes and a variety of other G(2)/M phase-specific genes. In tobacco, two genes for Myb activators, NtmybA1 and NtmybA2, are transcriptionally controlled and are expressed specifically at the G(2)/M phase. As we showed here, in addition to the control at the transcriptional level, activity of NtmybA2 is also controlled at the post-translational level. We found that the transactivation potential of NtmybA2 is repressed by a regulatory domain located at its carboxyl terminus and that specific classes of cyclins A and B enhanced NtmybA2 activity possibly by relieving this inhibitory effect. Mutations at the 20 potential sites of phosphorylation by cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) in NtmybA2 blocked the enhancing effects of the cyclins on NtmybA2 activity. Recombinant NtmybA2 was phosphorylated in vitro by a CDK fraction prepared from tobacco BY2 cells. The kinase activity for NtmybA2 in the CDK fraction was cell cycle-regulated in BY2 cells, peaking at the G(2)/M phase when the level of transcripts of cyclin B is maximal. Taken together, our data suggest that NtmybA2 is phosphorylated by a specific cyclin/CDK complex(es) at G(2)/M and that this phosphorylation removes the inhibitory effect of its C-terminal region, thereby activating NtmybA2 specifically at G(2)/M.

Geldanamycin, an inhibitor of the chaperone activity of HSP90, induces MAPK-independent cell cycle arrest

The effects of GA, an ansamycin antibiotic in development as a lead anticancer drug, were studied in mouse BP-A31 fibroblasts and in human cancer-derived cell lines. GA and related molecules act by inhibiting the chaperone function of the Hsp90 protein through competition for ATP binding. The antiproliferative effects of GA have been attributed to destabilization of the Raf-1 protein, one of the targets of Hsp90, and to the resulting inhibition of MAPK. Addition of GA to BP-A31 cells, synchronously progressing through the G(1) phase, inhibited Rb hyperphosphorylation and G(1)/S transition irrespective of the time of addition. The G(1) arrest was accompanied by a progressive decrease in Raf-1 content, especially of the phosphorylated form; however, GA caused only partial inhibition of MAPK phosphorylation. We show that GA triggers a rapid and marked decrease in the kinase activity of the cyclin E/cdk2 complex coupled with a decline in both total and cdk2-associated cyclin E. In transient transfection experiments, inhibition of cyclin E expression by GA was correlated with inhibition of the transcriptional activity of the cyclin E gene promoter. Inhibition of cdk4 activity by GA was observed 3 hr after addition of the drug to late G(1) cells but not after a short (1 hr) exposure, as revealed by the phosphorylation of Rb on the Ser(780) residue. In human cancer-derived cell lines expressing or not a functional Rb protein, GA blocked proliferation and inhibited the transcriptional activity of the cyclin E gene promoter. In these cell lines, the antiproliferative effect of GA was not limited to the G(1) phase, suggesting the existence of multiple cellular targets of the drug.

Regulation of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase in the proliferation of rat FRTL-5 cells: involvement of both cAMP-PKA and PI3-AKT pathways

We have reported that geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), one of the isoprenoids in the mevalonate pathway, plays an essential role for cell growth through the geranylgeranylation of Rho small GTPases, which control the degradation of P27Kip1 at G1/S transition in rat thyroid FRTL-5 cells. Since GGPP is synthesized from isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) by GGPP synthase, we analyzed the regulatory roles of GGPP synthase in the proliferation of FRTL-5 cells stimulated by thyrotropin and insulin in the presence of 5% calf serum (TSH+Ins). We found that: (1) GGPP synthase was activated at G1/S transition with increasing mRNA accumulation followed by protein expression, (2) pravastatin, an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, did not suppress the increasing activity of GGPP synthase with its protein expression although it inhibits proliferation in growth-stimulated FRTL-5 cells, (3) forskolin stimulated proliferation with activation of GGPP synthase in FRTL-5 cells, and (4) LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, inhibited proliferation with the decreasing activity of GGPP synthase in growth-stimulated FRTL-5 cells. These data indicated that growth stimulation by TSH+Ins increased the activity of GGPP synthase with its increasing protein expression from G1/S transition, in which both cAMP-PKA and PI3-kinase pathways are involved in the proliferation of FRTL-5 cells.

The Trypanosoma brucei cyclin, CYC2, is required for cell cycle progression through G1 phase and for maintenance of procyclic form cell morphology

CYC2 is an essential PHO80-like cyclin that forms a complex with the cdc2-related kinase CRK3 in Trypanosoma brucei. In both procyclic and bloodstream form T. brucei, knock-down of CYC2 by RNA interference (RNAi) led to an accumulation of cells in G(1) phase. Additionally, in procyclic cells, but not in bloodstream form cells, CYC2 RNAi induced a specific cell elongation at the posterior end. The G(1) block, as well as the posterior end elongation in the procyclic form, was irreversible once established. Staining for tyrosinated alpha-tubulin and morphometric analyses showed that the posterior end elongation occurred through active microtubule extension, with no repositioning of the kinetoplast. Hence, these cells can be classified as exhibiting the "nozzle" phenotype as has been described for cells that ectopically express TbZFP2, a zinc finger protein that is involved in the differentiation of the bloodstream form to procyclic form. Within the tsetse fly, procyclic trypanosomes differentiate to elongated mesocyclic cells. However, although mesocyclic trypanosomes isolated from tsetse flies also show active microtubule extension at the posterior end, the kinetoplast is coincidentally repositioned such that it always lies approximately midway between the nucleus and posterior end of the cell. Thus, in the procyclic form CYC2 has dual functionality and is required for both cell cycle progression through G(1) and for the maintenance of correct cell morphology, whereas in the bloodstream form only a role for CYC2 in G(1) progression is evident.

The cooperation of B-Myb with the coactivator p300 is orchestrated by cyclins A and D1

B-Myb is a highly conserved member of the Myb family of transcription factors whose activity is regulated during the cell cycle. Previous work has shown that the activity of B-Myb is stimulated by cyclin A/Cdk2-dependent phosphorylation whereas interaction of B-Myb with cyclin D1 inhibits its activity. Here, we have investigated the role of p300 as a coactivator for B-Myb. We show that B-Myb-dependent transactivation is stimulated by p300 as a result of interaction between B-Myb and p300. We have mapped the sequences responsible for the interaction of B-Myb and p300 to the E1A-binding region of p300 and the transactivation domain of B-Myb, respectively. Furthermore, our data suggest that phosphorylation of B-Myb stimulates its acetylation by p300 and that the acetylation of B-Myb is necessary for the full stimulation of its transactivation potential by p300. We have also studied the effect of cyclin D1 on the cooperation of B-Myb and p300. Based on our results we propose that cyclin D1 inhibits the activity of B-Myb by interfering with the interaction of B-Myb and p300. The data reported here provide novel insight into the mechanisms by which the activity of B-Myb is regulated during the cell cycle. Taken together they suggest that the coactivator p300 plays an important role in this regulation and that the cooperation of B-Myb and p300 is orchestrated by cyclins A and D1.

Cdc25B as a steroid receptor coactivator

The traditional role of the Cdc25 family of dual-specificity phosphatases is to activate cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) to enable progression through the cell cycle. This chapter reports that in addition to its cell cycle role, Cdc25B functions as a novel steroid receptor coactivator (SRC). When overexpressed in transgenic mammary glands, Cdc25B can up-regulate the expression of two estrogen receptor (ER)-target genes: cyclin D1 and Lactoferrin. In addition, when coexpressed with ER, Cdc25B can coactivate an ER-dependent reporter in the presence of estradiol. The coactivation of Cdc25B can be extended to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), progesterone receptor (PR), and androgen receptor (AR). Because of the respective importance of ER and AR in breast and prostate cancer, this chapter focuses on the coactivation of both receptors by Cdc25B. We demonstrate that Cdc25B can interact directly with these nuclear receptors, recruit and enhance the activity of histone acetyltransferases (HATs), and potentiate cell-free transcription independent of its cell cycle regulatory function. Furthermore, because Cdc25B is up-regulated in highgrade and poorly differentiated prostate tumors, which are likely transiting from the hormone-dependent to hormone-independent state, we hypothesize that the coactivation of AR by Cdc25B may induce genes responsible for this progression. Taken together, it is highly conceivable that Cdc25B can promote neoplasia by its two disparate functions of (1) coactivation to induce higher levels of expression of steroid receptor target genes and (2) its role of activating CDKs to deregulate progression of the cell cycle, DNA replication, and mitosis.

Expression of p27, cyclin E and cyclin A in hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical significance

AIM: To investigate the expression of p27, cyclin E and cyclin A in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its potential clinical significance.

METHODS: Expression of p27, cyclin E and cyclin A in 45 HCC specimens and 30 adjacent noncancerous lesions obtained from 45 patients during surgery was examined by immunohistochemical SABC assay. The diameter of tumor ranged from 1 cm to 19 cm (d ≤ 5 cm, 9 samples; 5 cm < d ≤ 10 cm, 19 samples; d > 10 cm, 17 samples). The tumors were graded according to the criteria described by Edmondson-Steiner: well-differentiated HCC group (Grade I + II), 26 samples; poorly-differentiated HCC group (Grade III + IV), 19 samples. According to the clinical-pathologic features, 19 samples were poorly encapsulated, 15 samples had portal invasion of cancer, 11 samples had extrahepatic metastasis, and 12 samples had intrahepatic metastasis. All of the samples were classified as the invasive and metastatic group, while the remaining was classified as the non-invasive and non- metastatic group.

RESULTS: The average labeling index (LI) of p27 in HCC lesions was significantly higher than that in adjacent noncancerous lesions (45.87 ± 14.21 vs 33.77 ± 12.92, t = 3.745, P < 0.001). The LI of p27 was associated with differentiation, invasiveness and metastasis of the tumors (34.46 ± 12.29 vs 52.80 ± 11.36, t = 5.17; 41.42 ± 12.86 vs 51.44 ± 14.10, t = 2.48; P < 0.05). Cyclin E was overexpressed in 16 cases (35.6%) while cyclin A was overexpressed in 21 cases (46.7%) in HCC lesions. No overexpression of cyclin E or cyclin A could be observed in adjacent non-carcinoma lesions and normal liver tissues. The overexpressions of cyclin E and cyclin A were correlated with differentiation, tumor thrombus, invasiveness and metastasis (P < 0.05). Expression of cyclin E was significantly correlated with expression of cyclin A (r = 0.329, P < 0.05). The LI of p27 was significantly decreased in cyclin E, cyclin A positive groups (40.33 ± 11.91 vs 49.50 ± 13.76, t = 3.05; 38.86 ± 11.19 vs 52.57 ± 12.62, t = 3.89; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: p27, cyclin E, cyclin A play cooperative roles in HCC tumorigenesis, differentiation, invasiveness and metastasis. Detection of their expression may be helpful in prediction of tumor progression.

Expression of p21(WAF1/Cip1) through Sp1 sites by histone deacetylase inhibitor apicidin requires PI 3-kinase-PKC epsilon signaling pathway

We previously reported that the activation of p21(WAF1/Cip1) transcription by histone deacetylase inhibitor apicidin was mediated through Sp1 sites and pointed to the possible participation of protein kinase C (PKC). In this study, we investigated the role and identity of the specific isoforms of PKC involved and identified phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) as an upstream effector in HeLa cells. Using an isoform-specific pharmacological inhibitor of PKC, a PKC epsilon dominant-negative mutant, and antisense oligonucleotide to inhibit PKC epsilon specifically, we found that among PKC isoforms, PKC epsilon was required for the p21(WAF1/Cip1) expression by apicidin. In addition to PKC epsilon, PI 3-kinase appeared to participate in the activation of p21(WAF1/Cip1) promoter by apicidin, since inactivation of PI 3-kinase either by transient expression of dominant-negative mutant of PI 3-kinase or its specific inhibitors, LY294002 and wortmannin, attenuated the activation of p21(WAF1/Cip1) promoter and p21(WAF1/Cip1) protein expression by apicidin. Furthermore, membrane translocation of PKC epsilon in response to apicidin was blocked by the PI 3-kinase inhibitor, indicating the role of PI 3-kinase as an upstream molecule of PKC epsilon in the p21(WAF1/Cip1) promoter activation by apicidin. However, the p21(WAF1/Cip1) expression by apicidin appeared to be independent of the histone hyperacetylation, since apicidin-induced histone hyperacetylation of p21(WAF1/Cip1) promoter region was not affected by inhibition of PI 3-kinase and PKC, suggesting that the chromatin remodeling through the histone hyperacetylation alone might not be sufficient for the expression of p21(WAF1/Cip1) by apicidin. Taken together, these results suggest that the PI 3-kinase-PKC epsilon signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in the expression of the p21(WAF1/Cip1) by apicidin.

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent modulation of cell cycle elements pRb and p27kip1 involved in the enhanced proliferation of lymphoblasts from patients with Alzheimer dementia

Failure of cell cycle regulation in neurons might be critically involved in the process of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We present here evidence to support the hypothesis that cell cycle alterations occur in cells other than neurons in AD sufferers. Lymphocytes from AD patients immortalized with Epstein-Barr virus showed an enhanced rate of proliferation and increased phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) and other members of the family of pocket proteins compared with cell lines derived from normal age-matched controls. The calmodulin antagonist calmidazolium, as well as W-7 and W-13, abrogated the enhanced activity of AD cells without altering the normal basal rate of proliferation. The effect of calmidazolium was accompanied by partially dephosphorylation of pRb. No changes were found in the expression levels of the G1 cyclin/Cdks complexes. However, lymphoblasts derived from AD patients showed reduced levels of the Cdk inhibitor p27(kip1), which were restored after anti-calmodulin treatment of the cultures. These observations suggest that in AD cells the enhanced rates of cell proliferation and phosphorylation of pRb and the intracellular content of p27(kip1) may be interrelated events controlled by a mechanism dependent on the Ca(2+)/calmodulin signaling pathway. The distinct functional features of lymphoblastoid cells from AD patients offer an invaluable, noninvasive tool to investigate the etiopathogenesis, and eventually, for the early diagnosis and prognosis of this devastating disease.