Over-expression of p73β results in apoptotic death of post-mitotic hNT neurons

Regulation of p27Kip1 and p57Kip2 Functions by Natural Polyphenols

In numerous instances, the fate of a single cell not only represents its peculiar outcome but also contributes to the overall status of an organism. In turn, the cell division cycle and its control strongly influence cell destiny, playing a critical role in targeting it towards a specific phenotype. Several factors participate in the control of growth, and among them, p27^Kip1 and p57^Kip2, two proteins modulating various transitions of the cell cycle, appear to play key functions. In this review, the major features of p27 and p57 will be described, focusing, in particular, on their recently identified roles not directly correlated with cell cycle modulation. Then, their possible roles as molecular effectors of polyphenols’ activities will be discussed. Polyphenols represent a large family of natural bioactive molecules that have been demonstrated to exhibit promising protective activities against several human diseases. Their use has also been proposed in association with classical therapies for improving their clinical effects and for diminishing their negative side activities. The importance of p27^Kip1 and p57^Kip2 in polyphenols’ cellular effects will be discussed with the aim of identifying novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of important human diseases, such as cancers, characterized by an altered control of growth.

Analysis of the intracellular localization of p73 N-terminal protein isoforms TAp73 and ∆Np73 in medulloblastoma cell lines

The protein homologous to the tumor suppressor p53, p73, has essential roles in development and tumorigenesis. This protein exists in a wide range of isoforms with different, even antagonistic, functions. However, there are virtually no detailed morphological studies analyzing the endogenous expression of p73 isoforms at the cellular level in cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the expression and subcellular distribution of two N-terminal isoforms, TAp73 and ΔNp73, in medulloblastoma cells using immunofluorescence microscopy. Both proteins were observed in all cell lines examined, but differences were noted in their intracellular localization between the reference Daoy cell line and four newly established medulloblastoma cell lines (MBL-03, MBL-06, MBL-07 and MBL-10). In the new cell lines, TAp73 and ΔNp73 were located predominantly in cell nuclei. However, there was heterogeneity in TAp73 distribution in the cells of all MBL cell lines, with the protein located in the nucleus and also in a limited non-random area in the cytoplasm. In a small percentage of cells, we detected cytoplasmic localization of TAp73 only, i.e., nuclear exclusion was observed. Our results provide a basis for future studies on the causes and function of distinct intracellular localization of p73 protein isoforms with respect to different protein-protein interactions in medulloblastoma cells.

p73alpha regulates the sensitivity of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to DNA damage agents

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are important cell population located in bone marrow that are thought to have multiple functions in cell transplantation and gene therapy. Although in vitro experiments have demonstrated that hMSCs are resistant to apoptosis induction by DNA damage agents such as chemotherapeutic substances used in bone marrow transplantation, the molecular mechanism underlying remains unclear. p73 is highly similar to p53 and plays crucial roles in regulating DNA damage-induced apoptosis pathways. In this study, we investigated the role of p73 alpha in response to chemotherapeutic substances in cultured human bone marrow MSCs. Cellular chemosensitivity and DNA damage-induced apoptotic cell death were examined in the hMSCs with exogenously over-expressed p73 alpha. Our results showed that the expression of retrovirus-driven human p73 alpha could be successfully induced in hMSCs, the over-expression of ectopic p73 alpha resulted in a significant increase of cellular sensitivity to cisplatin. The increase of cellular apoptosis was attributed to enhanced chemosensitivity in p73 alpha infected cells. Moreover, immunoblot analysis indicated that the co-activation of pro-apoptotic factors Bax and p21 were observed in the p73 alpha infected cells after cisplatin treatment. In conclusion, our findings suggested that p73 alpha is an important determinant of cellular chemosensitivity in human bone marrow MSCs.

p57KIP2: "Kip"ing the cell under control

p57(KIP2) is an imprinted gene located at the chromosomal locus 11p15.5. It is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor belonging to the CIP/KIP family, which includes additionally p21(CIP1/WAF1) and p27(KIP1). It is the least studied CIP/KIP member and has a unique role in embryogenesis. p57(KIP2) regulates the cell cycle, although novel functions have been attributed to this protein including cytoskeletal organization. Molecular analysis of animal models and patients with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome have shown its nodal implication in the pathogenesis of this syndrome. p57(KIP2) is frequently down-regulated in many common human malignancies through several mechanisms, denoting its anti-oncogenic function. This review is a thorough analysis of data available on p57(KIP2), in relation to p21(CIP1/WAF1) and p27(KIP1), on gene and protein structure, its transcriptional and translational regulation, and its role in human physiology and pathology, focusing on cancer development.