Ubiquitin/proteasome-mediated degradation of p19INK4d determines its periodic expression during the cell cycle

CIP/KIP and INK4 families as hostages of oncogenic signaling

CIP/KIP and INK4 families of Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs) are well-established cell cycle regulatory proteins whose canonical function is binding to Cyclin-CDK complexes and altering their function. Initial experiments showed that these proteins negatively regulate cell cycle progression and thus are tumor suppressors in the context of molecular oncology. However, expanded research into the functions of these proteins showed that most of them have non-canonical functions, both cell cycle-dependent and independent, and can even act as tumor enhancers depending on their posttranslational modifications, subcellular localization, and cell state context. This review aims to provide an overview of canonical as well as non-canonical functions of CIP/KIP and INK4 families of CKIs, discuss the potential avenues to promote their tumor suppressor functions instead of tumor enhancing ones, and how they could be utilized to design improved treatment regimens for cancer patients.

Folding and Stability of Ankyrin Repeats Control Biological Protein Function

Ankyrin repeat proteins are found in all three kingdoms of life. Fundamentally, these proteins are involved in protein-protein interaction in order to activate or suppress biological processes. The basic architecture of these proteins comprises repeating modules forming elongated structures. Due to the lack of long-range interactions, a graded stability among the repeats is the generic properties of this protein family determining both protein folding and biological function. Protein folding intermediates were frequently found to be key for the biological functions of repeat proteins. In this review, we discuss most recent findings addressing this close relation for ankyrin repeat proteins including DARPins, Notch receptor ankyrin repeat domain, IκBα inhibitor of NFκB, and CDK inhibitor p19^INK4d. The role of local folding and unfolding and gradual stability of individual repeats will be discussed during protein folding, protein-protein interactions, and post-translational modifications. The conformational changes of these repeats function as molecular switches for biological regulation, a versatile property for modern drug discovery.

The Involvement of Ubiquitination Machinery in Cell Cycle Regulation and Cancer Progression

The cell cycle is a collection of events by which cellular components such as genetic materials and cytoplasmic components are accurately divided into two daughter cells. The cell cycle transition is primarily driven by the activation of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), which activities are regulated by the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of key regulators such as cyclins, CDK inhibitors (CKIs), other kinases and phosphatases. Thus, the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of the cell cycle progression via recognition, interaction, and ubiquitination or deubiquitination of key proteins. The illegitimate degradation of tumor suppressor or abnormally high accumulation of oncoproteins often results in deregulation of cell proliferation, genomic instability, and cancer occurrence. In this review, we demonstrate the diversity and complexity of the regulation of UPS machinery of the cell cycle. A profound understanding of the ubiquitination machinery will provide new insights into the regulation of the cell cycle transition, cancer treatment, and the development of anti-cancer drugs.

Examining the role of phosphorylation of p19INK4d in its stability and ubiquitination using chemical protein synthesis

p19INK4d plays an important role in the regulation of the cell cycle by inhibiting the function of cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 that is responsible for the phosphorylation and deactivation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) tumour suppressor. Recently, it was reported that phosphorylation of p19INK4d at Ser76 and Ser66 causes structural changes, which lead to its ubiquitination and degradation. Yet the exact contribution of each phosphorylation site remains unclear. To shed light on the role of these sites, we developed the chemical synthesis of unmodified, mono- and doubly phosphorylated p19INK4d using state of the art methods for chemical protein synthesis. The synthesized proteins were characterized by circular dichroism and biochemical methods to examine the effect of phosphorylation on the thermal stability and ubiquitination, respectively. Our results provide clear determination of p19INK4d stability upon phosphorylation at different sites and reveal that phosphorylation of both Ser residues might be necessary for promoting ubiquitination of p19INK4d.

In-Cell NMR: Analysis of Protein-Small Molecule Interactions, Metabolic Processes, and Protein Phosphorylation

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy enables the non-invasive observation of biochemical processes, in living cells, at comparably high spectral and temporal resolution. Preferably, means of increasing the detection limit of this powerful analytical method need to be applied when observing cellular processes under physiological conditions, due to the low sensitivity inherent to the technique. In this review, a brief introduction to in-cell NMR, protein–small molecule interactions, posttranslational phosphorylation, and hyperpolarization NMR methods, used for the study of metabolites in cellulo, are presented. Recent examples of method development in all three fields are conceptually highlighted, and an outlook into future perspectives of this emerging area of NMR research is given.

Phosphorylation-induced unfolding regulates p19INK4d during the human cell cycle

Cell cycle progression is tightly regulated by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). The ankyrin-repeat protein p19^INK4d functions as a key regulator of G1/S transition; however, its molecular mode of action is unknown. Here, we combine cell and structural biology methods to unravel the mechanism by which p19^INK4d controls cell cycle progression. We delineate how the stepwise phosphorylation of p19^INK4d Ser66 and Ser76 by cell cycle-independent (p38) and -dependent protein kinases (CDK1), respectively, leads to local unfolding of the three N-terminal ankyrin repeats of p19^INK4d This dissociates the CDK6-p19^INK4d inhibitory complex and, thereby, activates CDK6. CDK6 triggers entry into S-phase, whereas p19^INK4d is ubiquitinated and degraded. Our findings reveal how signaling-dependent p19^INK4d unfolding contributes to the irreversibility of G1/S transition.

p19Ink4d is a tumor suppressor and controls pituitary anterior lobe cell proliferation

Pituitary tumors develop in about one-quarter of the population, and most arise from the anterior lobe (AL). The pituitary gland is particularly sensitive to genetic alteration of genes involved in the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor (CKI)-CDK-retinoblastoma protein (Rb) pathway. Mice heterozygous for the Rb mutation develop pituitary tumors, with about 20% arising from the AL. Perplexingly, none of the CKI-deficient mice reported thus far develop pituitary AL tumors. In this study, we show that deletion of p19(Ink4d) (p19), a CKI gene, in mice results in spontaneous development of tumors in multiple organs and tissues. Specifically, more than one-half of the mutant mice developed pituitary hyperplasia or tumors predominantly in the AL. Tumor development is associated with increased cell proliferation and enhanced activity of Cdk4 and Cdk6 and phosphorylation of Rb protein. Though Cdk4 is indispensable for postnatal pituitary cell proliferation, it is not required for the hyperproliferative pituitary phenotype caused by p19 loss. Loss of p19 phosphorylates Rb in Cdk4(-/-) pituitary AL cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and rescues their proliferation defects, at least partially, through the activation of Cdk6. These results provide the first genetic evidence that p19 is a tumor suppressor and the major CKI gene that controls pituitary AL cell proliferation.

Regulation of T cell differentiation and alloimmunity by the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p18ink4c

Cellular proliferation in response to mitogenic stimuli is negatively regulated by the Cip/Kip and the Ink4 families of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors. Several of these proteins are elevated in anergic T cells, suggesting a potential role in the induction or maintenance of tolerance. Our previous studies showed that p27kip1 is required for the induction of T cell anergy and transplantation tolerance by costimulatory blockade, but a role for Ink4 proteins in these processes has not been established. Here we show that CD4+ T cells from mice genetically deficient for p18ink4c divide more rapidly than wild-type cells in response to antigenic, costimulatory and growth factor signals. However, this gain of proliferative function was accompanied by a moderate increase in the rate of cell death, and was accompanied by an overall defect in the generation of alloreactive IFNγ-producing effector cells. Consistent with this, p18ink4c-deficient T cells were unable to induce graft-vs-host disease in vivo, and p18ink4c deficiency cooperated with costimulatory blockade to significantly increase the survival of fully mismatched allografts in a cardiac transplantation model. While both p18ink4c and p27kip1 act to restrict T cell proliferation, p18ink4c exerts an opposite effect from p27kip1 on alloimmunity and organ transplant rejection, most likely by sustaining T cell survival and the development of effector function. Our studies point to additional important links between the cell cycle machinery and the processes of T cell differentiation, survival and tolerance.

p19(INK4d) mRNA and protein expression as new prognostic factors in ovarian cancer patients

p19(INK4d) (CDKN2D) is a negative regulator of the cell cycle. Little is known of its role in cancer development and prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of p19(INK4d) expression in ovarian carcinomas with respect to the TP53 accumulation status, as well as the frequency of CDKN2D mutations. p19(INK4d) and TP53 expression was evaluated immunohistochemically in 445 ovarian carcinomas: 246 patients were treated with platinum-cyclophosphamide (PC/PAC), while 199 were treated with taxane-platinum agents (TP). CDKN2D gene expression (mRNA) was examined in 106 carcinomas, while CDKN2D mutations in 68 tumors. Uni- and multivariate statistical analyses (logistic regression and the Cox proportional hazards model) were performed for patient groups divided according to the chemotherapeutic regimen administered, and in subgroups with and without TP53 accumulation. High p19(INK4d) expression increased the risk of death, but only in patients with the TP53-negative carcinomas (HR 1.61, P = 0.049 for PC/PAC-treated patients, HR 2.00, P = 0.015 for TP-treated patients). This result was confirmed by the mRNA analysis (HR 4.24, P = 0.001 for TP-treated group). High p19(INK4d) protein expression associated with adverse clinicopathological factors. We found no alterations in the CDKN2D gene; the c.90C>G (p.R30R; rs1968445) polymorphism was detected in 10% of tumors. Our results suggest that p19(INK4d) expression is a poor prognostic factor in ovarian cancer patients. Analyses of tumor groups according to the TP53 accumulation status facilitate the identification of cancer biomarkers.

The complexity of recognition of ubiquitinated substrates by the 26S proteasome

The Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) was discovered in two steps. Initially, APF-1 (ATP-dependent proteolytic Factor 1) later identified as ubiquitin (Ub), a hitherto known protein of unknown function, was found to covalently modify proteins. This modification led to degradation of the tagged protein by - at that time - an unknown protease. This was followed later by the identification of the 26S proteasome complex which is composed of a previously identified Multi Catalytic Protease (MCP) and an additional regulatory complex, as the protease that degrades Ub-tagged proteins. While Ub conjugation and proteasomal degradation are viewed as a continued process responsible for most of the regulated proteolysis in the cell, the two processes have also independent roles. In parallel and in the years that followed, the hallmark signal that links the substrate to the proteasome was identified as an internal Lys48-based polyUb chain. However, since these initial findings were described, our understanding of both ends of the process (i.e. Ub-conjugation to proteins, and their recognition and degradation), have advanced significantly. This enabled us to start bridging the ends of this continuous process which suffered until lately from limited structural data regarding the 26S proteasomal architecture and the structure and diversity of the Ub chains. These missing pieces are of great importance because the link between ubiquitination and proteasomal processing is subject to numerous regulatory steps and are found to function improperly in several pathologies. Recently, the molecular architecture of the 26S proteasome was resolved in great detail, enabling us to address mechanistic questions regarding the various molecular events that polyubiquitinated (polyUb) substrates undergo during binding and processing by the 26S proteasome. In addition, advancement in analytical and synthetic methods enables us to better understand the structure and diversity of the degradation signal. The review summarizes these recent findings and addresses the extrapolated meanings in light of previous reports. Finally, it addresses some of the still remaining questions to be solved in order to obtain a continuous mechanistic view of the events that a substrate undergoes from its initial ubiquitination to proteasomal degradation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Ubiquitin-Proteasome System. Guest Editors: Thomas Sommer and Dieter H. Wolf.

The role of the ubiquitin proteasome system in lymphoma

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) maintains the integrity of cellular processes by controlling protein degradation pathways. The role of the UPS in proliferation, cell cycle, differentiation, DNA repair, protein folding, and apoptosis is well documented, and a wide range of protein activities in these signaling pathways can be manipulated by UPS inhibitors, which include many anti-cancer agents. Naturally occurring and synthetic drugs designed to target the UPS are currently used for hematological cancers, including lymphoma. These drugs largely interfere with the E1 and E2 regions of the 26S proteasome, blocking proteasomal activity and promoting apoptosis by enhancing activities of the extrinsic (death receptors, Trail, Fas) and intrinsic (caspases, Bax, Bcl2, p53, nuclear factor-kappa B, p27) cell death programs. This review focuses on recent clinical developments concerning UPS inhibitors, signaling pathways that are affected by down-regulation of UPS activities, and apoptotic mechanisms promoted by drugs in this class that are used to treat lymphoma.

The lysine48-based polyubiquitin chain proteasomal signal: not a single child anymore

The conjugation of ubiquitin (Ub) to proteins is involved in the regulation of many processes. The modification serves as a recognition element in trans, in which downstream effectors bind to the modified protein and determine its fate and/or function. A polyUb chain that is linked through internal lysine (Lys)-48 of Ub and anchored to an internal Lys residue of the substrate has become the accepted "canonical" signal for proteasomal targeting and degradation. However, recent studies show that the signal is far more diverse and that chains based on other internal linkages, as well as linear or heterologous chains made of Ub and Ub-like proteins and even monoUb, are recognized by the proteasome. In addition, chains linked to residues other than internal Lys were described, all challenging the current paradigm.

Contrasting behavior of the p18INK4c and p16INK4a tumor suppressors in both replicative and oncogene-induced senescence

The cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors, p18(INK4c) and p16(INK4a), both have the credentials of tumor suppressors in human cancers and mouse models. For p16(INK4a), the underlying rationale is its role in senescence, but the selective force for inactivation of p18(INK4c) in incipient cancer cells is less clear. Here, we show that in human fibroblasts undergoing replicative or oncogene-induced senescence, there is a marked decline in the levels of p18(INK4c) protein and RNA, which mirrors the accumulation of p16(INK4a). Downregulation of INK4c is not dependent on p16(INK4a), and RAS can promote the loss of INK4c without cell-cycle arrest. Downregulation of p18(INK4c) correlates with reduced expression of menin and E2F1 but is unaffected by acute cell-cycle arrest or inactivation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb). Collectively, our data question the idea that p18(INK4c) acts as a backup for loss of p16(INK4a) and suggest that the apparent activation of p18(INK4c) in some settings represents delayed senescence rather than increased expression. We propose that the contrasting behavior of the two very similar INK4 proteins could reflect their respective roles in senescence versus differentiation.

E2F1-mediated upregulation of p19INK4d determines its periodic expression during cell cycle and regulates cellular proliferation

Background

A central aspect of development and disease is the control of cell proliferation through regulation of the mitotic cycle. Cell cycle progression and directionality requires an appropriate balance of positive and negative regulators whose expression must fluctuate in a coordinated manner. p19INK4d, a member of the INK4 family of CDK inhibitors, has a unique feature that distinguishes it from the remaining INK4 and makes it a likely candidate for contributing to the directionality of the cell cycle. p19INK4d mRNA and protein levels accumulate periodically during the cell cycle under normal conditions, a feature reminiscent of cyclins.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this paper, we demonstrate that p19INK4d is transcriptionally regulated by E2F1 through two response elements present in the p19INK4d promoter. Ablation of this regulation reduced p19 levels and restricted its expression during the cell cycle, reflecting the contribution of a transcriptional effect of E2F1 on p19 periodicity. The induction of p19INK4d is delayed during the cell cycle compared to that of cyclin E, temporally separating the induction of these proliferative and antiproliferative target genes. Specific inhibition of the E2F1-p19INK4d pathway using triplex-forming oligonucleotides that block E2F1 binding on p19 promoter, stimulated cell proliferation and increased the fraction of cells in S phase.

Conclusions/Significance

The results described here support a model of normal cell cycle progression in which, following phosphorylation of pRb, free E2F induces cyclin E, among other target genes. Once cyclinE/CDK2 takes over as the cell cycle driving kinase activity, the induction of p19 mediated by E2F1 leads to inhibition of the CDK4,6-containing complexes, bringing the G1 phase to an end. This regulatory mechanism constitutes a new negative feedback loop that terminates the G1 phase proliferative signal, contributing to the proper coordination of the cell cycle and provides an additional mechanism to limit E2F activity.

Ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation of the p21(Cip1), p27(Kip1) and p57(Kip2) CDK inhibitors

The expression levels of the p21(Cip1) family CDK inhibitors (CKIs), p21(Cip1), p27(Kip1) and p57(Kip2), play a pivotal role in the precise regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity, which is instrumental to proper cell cycle progression. The stabilities of p21(Cip1), p27(Kip1) and p57(Kip2) are all tightly and differentially regulated by ubiquitylation and proteasome-mediated degradation during various stages of the cell cycle, either in steady state or in response to extracellular stimuli, which often elicit site-specific phosphorylation of CKIs triggering their degradation.

Ubiquitin not only serves as a tag but also assists degradation by inducing protein unfolding

Protein ubiquitination controls the cellular fate of numerous eukaryotic proteins. Despite its importance, many fundamental questions remain regarding its mechanism. One such question is how ubiquitination alters the biophysical properties of the modified protein and whether these alterations are significant in the cellular context. In this study, we investigate the effects of ubiquitination on the folding thermodynamics and mechanism of various substrates using computational tools and find that ubiquitination changes the thermal stability of modified proteins in a manner relevant to cellular processes. These changes depend on the substrate modification site and on the type of ubiquitination. Ubiquitination of the substrate Ubc7 at the residues that are modified in vivo prior to proteasomal degradation uniquely results in significant thermal destabilization and a local unwinding near the modification site, which indicates that ubiquitination possibly facilitates the unfolding process and improves substrate degradation efficiency. With respect to the substrate p19(4inkd), our results support a synergetic effect of ubiquitination and phosphorylation on the degradation process via enhanced thermal destabilization. Our study implies that, in addition to its known role as a recognition signal, the ubiquitin attachment may be directly involved in the cellular process it regulates by changing the biophysical properties of the substrate.

Nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of p62/SQSTM1 and its role in recruitment of nuclear polyubiquitinated proteins to promyelocytic leukemia bodies

p62, also known as sequestosome1 (SQSTM1), A170, or ZIP, is a multifunctional protein implicated in several signal transduction pathways. p62 is induced by various forms of cellular stress, is degraded by autophagy, and acts as a cargo receptor for autophagic degradation of ubiquitinated targets. It is also suggested to shuttle ubiquitinated proteins for proteasomal degradation. p62 is commonly found in cytosolic protein inclusions in patients with protein aggregopathies, it is up-regulated in several forms of human tumors, and mutations in the gene are linked to classical adult onset Paget disease of the bone. To this end, p62 has generally been considered to be a cytosolic protein, and little attention has been paid to possible nuclear roles of this protein. Here, we present evidence that p62 shuttles continuously between nuclear and cytosolic compartments at a high rate. The protein is also found in nuclear promyelocytic leukemia bodies. We show that p62 contains two nuclear localization signals and a nuclear export signal. Our data suggest that the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of p62 is modulated by phosphorylations at or near the most important nuclear localization signal, NLS2. The aggregation of p62 in cytosolic bodies also regulates the transport of p62 between the compartments. We found p62 to be essential for accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins in promyelocytic leukemia bodies upon inhibition of nuclear protein export. Furthermore, p62 contributed to the assembly of proteasome-containing degradative compartments in the vicinity of nuclear aggregates containing polyglutamine-expanded Ataxin1Q84 and to the degradation of Ataxin1Q84.

Conformational switch upon phosphorylation: human CDK inhibitor p19INK4d between the native and partially folded state

P19INK4d consists of five ankyrin repeats and controls the human cell cycle by inhibiting the cyclin D-dependent kinases 4 and 6. Posttranslational phosphorylation of p19INK4d has been described for Ser66 and Ser76. In the present study we show that mimicking the phosphorylation site of p19INK4d by a glutamate substitution at position 76 dramatically decreases the stability of the native but not an intermediate state. At body temperature the native conformation is completely lost and p19INK4d molecules exhibit the intermediate state as judged by kinetic and equilibrium analysis. High resolution NMR spectroscopy verified that the three C-terminal repeats remained folded in the intermediate state, whereas all cross-peaks of the two N-terminal repeats lost their native chemical shift. Molecular dynamic simulations of p19INK4d in different phosphorylation states revealed large-scale motions in phosphorylated p19INK4d, which cause destabilization of the interface between the second and third ankyrin repeat. Only doubly phosphorylated p19INK4d mimic mutants showed in vitro an increased accessibility for ubiquitination, which might be the signal for degradation in vivo.

Biological regulation via ankyrin repeat folding

By mimicking the phosphorylation of p19(INK4d), a tumor suppressor containing five ankyrin repeats, the native state could be destabilized to such an extent that only a partially folded state is populated at physiological temperature. This partly folded state, which mimics an on-pathway folding intermediate lacking structure in ankyrin repeats 1 and 2, is more rapidly ubiquitinated than the parent construct. Thus, phosphorylation of p19(INK4d) is likely to regulate cell-cycle progression through both biochemical (proteasomal) and biophysical (folding and binding to cyclin-dependent kinases) mechanisms.

Differential post-transcriptional regulation of two Ink4 proteins, p18 Ink4c and p19 Ink4d

Cyclin(-D-)-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitors of the Ink4 family specifically bind to Cdk4 and Cdk6, but not to other Cdks. Ink4c and Ink4d mRNAs are maximally and periodically expressed during the G(2)/M phase of the cell division cycle, but the abundance of their encoded proteins is regulated through distinct mechanisms. Both proteins undergo polyubiquitination, but the half life of p18(Ink4c) (approximately 10 hours) is much longer than that of p19(Ink4d) (approximately 2.5 hours). Lysines 46 and 112 are preferred sites of ubiquitin conjugation in p18(Ink4c), although substitution of these and other lysine residues with arginine, particularly in combination, triggers protein misfolding and accelerates p18(Ink4c) degradation. When tethered to either catalytically active or inactive Cdk4 or Cdk6, polyubiquitination of p18(Ink4c) is inhibited, and the protein is further stabilized. Conversely, in competing with p18(Ink4c) for binding to Cdks, cyclin D1 accelerates p18(Ink4c) turnover. In direct contrast, polyubiquitination of p19(Ink4d) is induced by its association with Cdks, whereas cyclin D1 overexpression retards p19(Ink4d) degradation. Although it has been generally assumed that p18(Ink4c) and p19(Ink4d) are biochemically similar Cdk inhibitors, the major differences in their stability and turnover are likely key to understanding their distinct biological functions.

P19INK4D links endomitotic arrest and megakaryocyte maturation and is regulated by AML-1

The molecular mechanisms that regulate megakaryocyte (MK) ploidization are poorly understood. Using MK differentiation from primary human CD34(+) cells, we observed that p19(INK4D) expression was increased both at the mRNA and protein levels during ploidization. p19(INK4D) knockdown led to a moderate increase (31.7% +/- 5%) in the mean ploidy of MKs suggesting a role of p19(INK4D) in the endomitotic arrest. This increase in ploidy was associated with a decrease in the more mature MK population (CD41(high)CD42(high)) at day 9 of culture, which was related to a delay in differentiation. Inversely, p19(INK4D) overexpression in CD34(+) cells resulted in a decrease in mean ploidy level associated with an increase in CD41 and CD42 expression in each ploidy class. Confirming these in vitro results, bone marrow MKs from p19(INK4D) KO mice exhibited an increase in mean ploidy level from 18.7N (+/- 0.58N) to 52.7N (+/- 12.3N). Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays performed in human MKs revealed that AML-1 binds in vivo the p19(INK4D) promoter. Moreover, AML-1 inhibition led to the p19(INK4D) down-regulation in human MKs. These results may explain the molecular link at the transcriptional level between the arrest of endomitosis and the acceleration of MK differentiation.

Oncogenic H-Ras V12 promotes anchorage-independent cytokinesis in human fibroblasts

Cell anchorage is required for cell proliferation of untransformed cells, whereas anchorage-independent growth can be induced by oncogenes and is a hallmark of transformation. Whereas anchorage-dependent control of the progression of the G(1) phase of the cell cycle has been extensively studied, it is less clear whether and how anchorage may control other cell cycle phases and whether oncogenes may affect such controls. Here, we found that lack of cell anchorage did not influence progression through the cell cycle S phase, G(2) phase, or most of mitosis of primary human fibroblasts. However, unanchored fibroblasts could not complete cytokinesis. The cleavage furrow and central spindle were still formed in the absence of anchorage, but cells were unable to complete ingression, causing binucleation. Importantly, V12 H-Ras-transformed fibroblasts and two cancer cell lines progressed through the entire cell cycle without anchorage, including through cytokinesis. This indicates that oncogenic signaling may contribute to anchorage-independent growth and tumorigenesis by promoting the final cleavage furrow ingression during cytokinesis.

Cell cycle-dependent caspase-like activity that cleaves p27KIP1 is the β1 subunit of the 20S proteasome

We previously described a caspase-like activity, which we termed KIPase that is implicated in the turnover of the mammalian cell cycle regulator p27(KIP1). KIPase cleaves a tetra-peptide substrate, Ac-DPSD-AMC, which mimics the target site in p27(KIP1), and inhibitors based on this tetra-peptide are ineffective against other known caspases. Here we describe the purification and characterization of KIPase, and trace its activity to the beta(1) subunit of the 20S proteasome. Further analyses revealed that the activity of the beta(1) subunit is up-regulated as cells enter the cell cycle without concomitant change in the levels of the proteasome beta(1), beta(2) or beta(5) subunits. To our knowledge, this is the first description of cell cycle regulation of the caspase-like activity of the 20S proteasome.

p19Ink4d and p18Ink4c cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in the male reproductive axis

The loss of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs) p18(Ink4c) and p19(Ink4d) leads to male reproductive defects (Franklin et al., 1998. Genes Dev 12: 2899-2911; Zindy et al., 2000. Mol Cell Biol 20: 372-378; Zindy et al., 2001. Mol Cell Biol 21: 3244-3255). In order to assess whether these inhibitors directly or indirectly affect male germ cell differentiation, we examined the expression of p18(Ink4c) and p19(Ink4d) in spermatogenic and supporting cells in the testis and in pituitary gonadotropes. Both p18(Ink4c) and p19(Ink4d) are most abundant in the testis after 18 days of age and are expressed in purified populations of spermatogenic and testicular somatic cells. Different p18(Ink4c) mRNAs are expressed in isolated spermatogenic and Leydig cells. Spermatogenic cells also express a novel p19(Ink4d) transcript that is distinct from the smaller transcript expressed in Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and in other tissues. Immunohistochemistry detected significant levels of p19(Ink4d) in preleptotene spermatocytes, pachytene spermatocytes, condensing spermatids, and Sertoli cells. Immunoprecipitation-Western analysis detected both CKI proteins in isolated pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. CDK4/6-CKI complexes were detected in germ cells by co-immunoprecipitation, although the composition differed by cell type. p19(Ink4d) was also identified in FSH+ gonadotrophs, suggesting that this CKI may be independently required in the pituitary. Possible cell autonomous and paracrine mechanisms for the spermatogenic defects in mice lacking p18(Ink4c) or p19(Ink4d) are supported by expression of these CKIs in spermatogenic cells and in somatic cells of the testis and pituitary.

Folding mechanism of an ankyrin repeat protein: scaffold and active site formation of human CDK inhibitor p19(INK4d)

The p19(INK4d) protein consists of five ankyrin repeats (ANK) and controls the human cell cycle by inhibiting the cyclin D-dependent kinases (CDK) 4 and 6. We investigated the folding of p19(INK4d) by urea-induced unfolding transitions, kinetic analyses of unfolding and refolding, including double-mixing experiments and a special assay for folding intermediates. Folding is a sequential two-step reaction via a hyperfluorescent on-pathway intermediate. This intermediate is present under all conditions, during unfolding, refolding and at equilibrium. The folding mechanism was confirmed by a quantitative global fit of a consistent set of equilibrium and kinetic data revealing the thermodynamics and intrinsic folding rates of the different states. Surprisingly, the N<-->I transition is much faster compared to the I<-->U transition. The urea-dependence of the intrinsic folding rates causes population of the intermediate at equilibrium close to the transition midpoint. NMR detected hydrogen/deuterium exchange and the analysis of truncated variants showed that the C-terminal repeats ANK3-5 are already folded in the on-pathway intermediate, whereas the N-terminal repeats 1 and 2 are not folded. We suggest that during refolding, repeats ANK3-ANK5 first form the scaffold for the subsequent assembly of repeats ANK1 and ANK2. The binding function of p19(INK4d) resides in the latter repeats. We propose that the graded stability and the facile unfolding of repeats 1 and 2 is a prerequisite for the down-regulation of the inhibitory activity of p19(INK4d) during the cell-cycle.

Expression of p16Ink4a Compensates for p18Ink4c Loss in Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/6–Dependent Tumors and Tissues

Cell cycle progression from G(1) to S phase depends on phosphorylation of pRb by complexes containing a cyclin (D type or E type) and cyclin-dependent kinase (e.g., cdk2, cdk4, or cdk6). Ink4 proteins function to oppose the action of cdk4/6-cyclin D complexes by inhibiting cdk4/6. We employed genetic and pharmacologic approaches to study the interplay among Ink4 proteins and cdk4/6 activity in vivo. Mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF) lacking p16(Ink4a) and p18(Ink4c) showed similar growth kinetics as wild-type MEFs despite increased cdk4 activity. In vivo, germline deficiency of p16(Ink4a) and p18(Ink4c) resulted in increased proliferation in the intermediate pituitary and pancreatic islets of adult mice, and survival of p16(Ink4a-/-);p18(Ink4c-/-) mice was significantly reduced due to aggressive pituitary tumors. Compensation among the Ink4 proteins was observed both in vivo in p18(Ink4c-/-) mice and in MEFs from p16(Ink4a-/-), p18(Ink4c-/-), or p16(Ink4a-/-);p18(Ink4c-/-) mice. Treatment with PD 0332991, a specific cdk4/6 kinase inhibitor, abrogated proliferation in those compartments where Ink4 deficiency was associated with enhanced proliferation (i.e., islets, pituitary, and B lymphocytes) but had no effect on proliferation in other tissues such as the small bowel. These data suggest that p16(Ink4a) and p18(Ink4c) coordinately regulate the in vivo catalytic activity of cdk4/6 in specific compartments of adult mice.

Molecular and clinical aspects of proteasome inhibition in the treatment of cancer

The proteasome is a multicatalytic threonine protease responsible for intracellular protein turnover in eukaryotic cells, including the processing and degradation of several proteins involved in cell cycle control and the regulation of apoptosis. Preclinical studies have shown that the treatment with proteasome inhibitors results in decreased proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and sensitization of tumor cells against conventional chemotherapeutic agents and irradiation. The effects were conferred to stabilization of p21, p27, Bax, p53, I-KB, and the resulting inhibition of the nuclear factor-KB (NF-KB) activation. Bortezomib is the first proteasome inhibitor that has entered clinical trials. In multiple myeloma, both the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) and EMEA (European Medicine Evaluation Agency) granted an approval for the use of bortezomib (Velcade, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA) for the treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma. At present, clinical trials are examining the activity in a variety of solid tumors and hematological malignancies.

The kinase-inhibitory domain of p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) inhibits cell cycle progression independent of PAK1 kinase activity

p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is a mediator of downstream signaling from the small GTPases Rac and Cdc42. In its inactive state, PAK1 forms a homodimer where two kinases inhibit each other in trans. The kinase inhibitory domain (KID) of one molecule of PAK1 binds to the kinase domain of its counterpart and keeps it inactive. Therefore, the isolated KID of PAK1 has been widely used to specifically inhibit and study PAK function. Here, we show that the isolated KID induced a cell cycle arrest with accumulation of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle with an inhibition of cyclin D1 and D2 expression. This cell cycle arrest required the intact KID and was also induced by a mutated KID unable to block PAK1 kinase activity. Furthermore, the KID-induced cell cycle arrest could not be rescued by the expression of a constitutively active PAK1-T423E mutant, concluding that this arrest occurs independently of PAK1 kinase activity. Our results suggest that PAK1 through its KID inhibits cyclin D expression and thereby enforces a cell cycle arrest. Our results also call for serious precaution in the use of KID to study PAK function.

p62/SQSTM1 forms protein aggregates degraded by autophagy and has a protective effect on huntingtin-induced cell death

Autophagic degradation of ubiquitinated protein aggregates is important for cell survival, but it is not known how the autophagic machinery recognizes such aggregates. In this study, we report that polymerization of the polyubiquitin-binding protein p62/SQSTM1 yields protein bodies that either reside free in the cytosol and nucleus or occur within autophagosomes and lysosomal structures. Inhibition of autophagy led to an increase in the size and number of p62 bodies and p62 protein levels. The autophagic marker light chain 3 (LC3) colocalized with p62 bodies and co-immunoprecipitated with p62, suggesting that these two proteins participate in the same complexes. The depletion of p62 inhibited recruitment of LC3 to autophagosomes under starvation conditions. Strikingly, p62 and LC3 formed a shell surrounding aggregates of mutant huntingtin. Reduction of p62 protein levels or interference with p62 function significantly increased cell death that was induced by the expression of mutant huntingtin. We suggest that p62 may, via LC3, be involved in linking polyubiquitinated protein aggregates to the autophagy machinery.

Induction of p19INK4d in response to ultraviolet light improves DNA repair and confers resistance to apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells

The genetic instability driving tumorigenesis is fueled by DNA damage and by errors made by the DNA replication. Upon DNA damage the cell organizes an integrated response not only by the classical DNA repair mechanisms but also involving mechanisms of replication, transcription, chromatin structure dynamics, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated the role of p19INK4d in the response driven by neuroblastoma cells against DNA injury caused by UV irradiation. We show that p19INK4d is the only INK4 protein whose expression is induced by UV light in neuroblastoma cells. Furthermore, p19INK4d translocation from cytoplasm to nucleus is observed after UV irradiation. Ectopic expression of p19INK4d clearly reduces the UV-induced apoptosis as well as enhances the cellular ability to repair the damaged DNA. It is clearly shown that DNA repair is the main target of p19INK4d effect and that diminished apoptosis is a downstream event. Importantly, experiments performed with CDK4 mutants suggest that these p19INK4d effects would be independent of its role as a cell cycle checkpoint gene. The results presented herein uncover a new role of p19INK4d as regulator of DNA-damage-induced apoptosis and suggest that it protects cells from undergoing apoptosis by allowing a more efficient DNA repair. We propose that, in addition to its role as cell cycle inhibitor, p19INK4d is involved in maintenance of DNA integrity and, therefore, would contribute to cancer prevention.

Effects of loss of p53 and p16 function on life span and survival of human urothelial cells

Human urothelial cell carcinoma evolves via the accumulation of numerous genetic alterations, with loss of p53 and p16 function representing important stages in the development of superficial lesions and their progression to malignant disease. To investigate the effects of disabling either or both proteins in otherwise normal human urothelial cells, we performed retroviral transductions with a dominant negative p53 miniprotein and/or mutant cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4R24C) in 3 independent cell lines. Although cells with disabled p53 function showed a higher proliferation rate, inactivation of neither p53 nor p16 function resulted in any extension of life span and the double-transductants failed to flourish, demonstrating that further genetic alterations are required to attain an immortalised phenotype. However, CDK4R24C transductants showed a marked increase in apoptotic susceptibility to membrane-presented CD40 ligand, being intermediate between normal cells (nonsusceptible) and transformed cells (highly susceptible). By contrast, loss of p53 function alone only slightly increased the apoptotic susceptibility of urothelial cells. These results demonstrate that loss of p16 function, while insufficient to immortalise urothelial cells, nevertheless renders the cells more vulnerable to apoptosis induced by CD40 ligation.

The tumor suppressor protein p16(INK4a) and the human papillomavirus oncoprotein-58 E7 are naturally occurring lysine-less proteins that are degraded by the ubiquitin system. Direct evidence for ubiquitination at the N-terminal residue

Conjugation of ubiquitin to an internal lysine is the initial step in the degradation of the majority of the substrates of the ubiquitin system. For several substrates, it has been shown that the first ubiquitin moiety is conjugated to the N-terminal residue. In all these substrates, however, the internal lysines also played a role in modulating their stability. To better understand the physiological significance of this novel mode of modification, it was important to identify proteins in which degradation is completely dependent on N-terminal ubiquitination. Also, although the experimental evidence for N-terminal ubiquitination is rather strong, nevertheless, it has remained indirect. Here we demonstrate that an important group of proteins that are targeted via N-terminal ubiquitination are the naturally occurring lysine-less proteins such as the human papillomavirus (HPV)-58 E7 oncoprotein and the cell cycle inhibitor and tumor suppressor p16(INK4a). For these proteins, the only residue that can be targeted is the N-terminal residue. Interestingly, p16(INK4a) is degraded in a cell density-dependent manner. Importantly, we provide for the first time direct evidence for N-terminal ubiquitination. Analysis of tryptic digest of the ubiquitin conjugate of HPV-58 E7 revealed a fusion peptide that is composed of the C-terminal domain of ubiquitin and the N-terminal domain of E7. With the abundance of native lysine-less proteins, among which are important viral and cell regulators, this novel mode of protein targeting has implications for both physiological and pathophysiological processes.

BRD7, a novel bromodomain gene, inhibits G1-S progression by transcriptionally regulating some important molecules involved in ras/MEK/ERK and Rb/E2F pathways

Bromodomain is a 110 amino acid domain. It is evolutionally conserved and is found in proteins strongly implicated in signal-dependent transcriptional regulation. BRD7 is a novel bromodomain gene and it is downexpressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) biopsies and cell lines; its function is poorly understood. In the present study, tet-on inducible expression system was used to investigate the role of BRD7 in cell growth and cell cycle progression. We found that ectopic expression of BRD7 in NPC cells inhibited cell growth and cell cycle progression from G1 to S. We further performed cell cycle cDNA array to screen potential transcriptional targets of BRD7 in cell cycle. Thirteen important signaling molecules, mainly implicated in ras/MEK/ERK and Rb/E2F pathways, were differentially expressed by induction of BRD7. Moreover, we observed that BRD7 could regulate the promoter activity of E2F3, one of its targets. Taken together, the present study indicated that BRD7 inhibited G1-S progression by transcriptionally regulating some important molecules involved in ras/MEK/ERK and Rb/E2F pathways and suggested that BRD7 may present a promising candidate of NPC trade mark associated tumor suppressor gene.

Nuclear pro-IL-16 regulation of T cell proliferation: p27(KIP1)-dependent G0/G1 arrest mediated by inhibition of Skp2 transcription

The precursor for IL-16 (pro-IL-16) is a nuclear and cytoplasmic PDZ domain-containing protein. In this study we have found that pro-IL-16 is absent or mutated in four T lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines examined. Ectopic expression of pro-IL-16 in pro-IL-16-negative Jurkat cells blocks cell cycle progression from G(0)/G(1) to S phase associated with elevated levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(KIP1). Pro-IL-16 decreases p27(KIP1) degradation by reducing transcription and subsequent expression of Skp2, a key component of the SCF(Skp2) ubiquitin E3 ligase complex. Taken together, these findings identify pro-IL-16 as a novel regulator of Skp2 expression and p27(KIP1) levels and implicate a role for pro-IL-16 in T cell proliferation.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone-Induced DNA Synthesis in the Granulosa Cells of Hamster Preantral Follicles Involves Activation of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-4 Rather Than Cyclin D2 Synthesis1

Although cyclin D2 mRNA synthesis precedes gonadotropin-induced DNA synthesis in quiescent granulosa cells in culture, it is unclear whether a similar mechanism exists for the granulosa cells of growing preantral follicles in cyclic animals. The objective was to evaluate whether the synthesis of cyclin D2 protein was a prerequisite for FSH-induced DNA synthesis in the granulosa cells of intact preantral follicles of cyclic hamsters. Preantral follicles from cyclic hamsters were cultured in the presence or absence of FSH, and cell cycle parameters were examined. FSH stimulated cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-4 activity by 2 h and DNA synthesis by 4 h without altering the levels of cyclin D2 in the granulosa cells. The FSH effect was mimicked by epidermal growth factor administered in vivo. Although FSH increased the levels of cyclin D2 mRNA, it also stimulated the degradation of cyclin D2 as well as p27(Kip1) and p19(INK4) proteins. FSH activation of CDK4 was mediated by cAMP and ERK-1/2. In contrast to granulosa cells in intact follicles, FSH or cAMP significantly increased cyclin D2 protein levels in cultured granulosa cells but failed to induce DNA synthesis. Collectively, these data suggest that granulosa cells of preantral follicles, which are destined to enter the S phase during the estrous cycle, contain necessary amounts of cyclin D2 and other G1 phase components. FSH stimulation results in the formation and activation of the cyclin D2/CDK4 complex leading to DNA synthesis. This mechanism may be necessary for rapid movement of follicles from preantral to antral stages during the short duration of the murine estrous cycle.

The role of the ubiquitin/proteasome system in cellular responses to radiation

In the last few years, the ubiquitin(Ub)/proteasome system has become increasingly recognized as a controller of numerous physiological processes, including signal transduction, DNA repair, chromosome maintenance, transcriptional activation, cell cycle progression, cell survival, and certain immune cell functions. This is in addition to its more established roles in the removal of misfolded, damaged, and effete proteins. This review examines the role of the Ub/proteasome system in processes underlying the classical effects of irradiation on cells, such as radiation-induced gene expression, DNA repair and chromosome instability, oxidative damage, cell cycle arrest, and cell death. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that the proteasome is a redox-sensitive target for ionizing radiation and other oxidative stress signals. In other words, the Ub/proteasome system may not simply be a passive player in radiation-induced responses, but may modulate them. The extent of the modulation will be influenced by the functional and structural diversity that is expressed by the system. Cell types vary in the Ub/proteasome structures they possess and the level at which they function, and this changes as they go from the normal to the cancerous condition. Cancer-related functional changes within the Ub/proteasome system may therefore present unique targets for cancer therapy, especially when targeting agents are used in combination with radio- or chemotherapy. The peptide boronic acid compound PS-341, which was designed to inhibit proteasome chymotryptic activity, is in clinical trials for the treatment of solid and hematogenous tumors. It has shown some efficacy on its own and in combination with chemotherapy. Preclinical studies have shown that PS-341 will also potentiate the cytotoxic effects of radiation therapy. In addition, other drugs in common clinical use have been shown to affect proteasome function, and their activities may be valuably reconsidered from this perspective.

Aberrant ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of cell cycle regulatory proteins and oncogenesis

The ubiquitin pathway plays a central role in the regulation of cell growth and cell proliferation by controlling the abundance of key cell cycle proteins. Increasing evidence indicates that unscheduled proteolysis of many cell cycle regulators contributes significantly to tumorigenesis and is indeed found in many types of human cancers. Aberrant proteolysis with oncogenic potential is elicited by two major mechanisms: defective degradation of positive cell cycle regulators (i.e., proto-oncoproteins) and enhanced degradation of negative cell cycle regulators (i.e., tumor suppressor proteins). In many cases, increased protein stability is a result of mutations in the substrate that prevent the recognition of the protein by the ubiquitin-mediated degradation machinery. Alternatively, the specific recognition proteins mediating ubiquitination (ubiquitin ligases) are not expressed or harbor mutations rendering them inactive. In contrast, the overexpression of a ubiquitin ligase may result in the enhanced degradation of a negative cell cycle regulator. This chapter aims to review the involvement of the ubiquitin pathway in the scheduled destruction of some important cell cycle regulators and to discuss the implications of their aberrant degradation for the development of cancer.

On the role of proteasomes in cell biology and proteasome inhibition as a novel frontier in the development of immunosuppressants

The proteasome, a large protease complex in cells, is the major machinery for protein degradation. It was previously considered a humble garbage collector, performing housekeeping duties to remove misfolded or spent proteins. Until recently, the interests of immunologists in proteasomes were focused largely on its role in antigen processing. Its real importance in cell biology has only been revealed contemporarily due to the availability of relatively specific inhibitors. It has now become increasingly clear that many aspects of immune responses highly depend on proper proteasome activity. Recently, a proteasome inhibitor has been successfully used to prevent acute as well as ongoing heart allograft rejection in mice. Such inhibitors are also efficacious in treating several autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis, psoriasis, and probably type I diabetes, in animal models. Phase II and III clinical trials of proteasome inhibitors in treating various tumors have shown promising results, and the side-effects of these drugs are tolerable. Therefore, proteasome inhibition represents a new and promising frontier in immunosuppressant development.

Role and function of the 26S proteasome in proliferation and apoptosis

The 26S proteasome constitutes the central proteolytic machinery of the highly conserved ubiquitin/proteasome system, the cell's major tool for extralysosomal protein degradation. Recently, a plethora of cell proteins implicated in the regulation of basic cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, cell cycling, and apoptosis have been discovered to undergo processing and functional limitation by entering the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway with the final destination to be proteolytically degraded by the 26S proteasome. Because both negative and positive regulators of proliferation and apoptosis undergo proteasomal degradation in a tightly regulated and temporally controlled fashion, the 26S proteasome can play opposite roles in the regulation of proliferation and apoptosis. These roles are apparently defined by the cell's environment and proliferative state. Finally, proteasomal protein degradation is deregulated in a number of human diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative and myodegenerative diseases, which all exhibit an imbalance of proliferation and apoptosis. An improved understanding of the modes of proteasomal action should lead to the development of beneficial therapeutic and diagnostic strategies in the future.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the human p19(INK4d) gene promoter

p19(INK4d), a member of the INK4 family of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors, negatively regulates the cyclin D-CDK4/6 complexes, which promote G1/S transition by phosphorylating the retinoblastoma tumor-suppressor gene product. To investigate the mechanism of transcriptional regulation of the p19(INK4d) gene, we characterized the 5'-flanking region of the human p19(INK4d) gene. The cap-site hunting method revealed that the transcription starts at -16 nucleotide (nt) upstream of the initiation codon. The 5'-flanking region of the human p19(INK4d) gene was ligated to a luciferase reporter gene and possessed functional promoter activity. Luciferase assay with a series of truncated 5'-flanking regions indicated that the region from -81 to -2 nt could drive the transcription of the p19(INK4d) gene. Several Sp1 and activating protein 2 binding sites are located within the region from -81 to -2 nt. Mutation of the second Sp1 binding site from -33 to -25 nt decreased the promoter activity. Collectively, it was demonstrated that the human p19(INK4d) gene is under the control of TATA-less promoter and the Sp1 binding site is involved in the transcription.

Molecular aspects of the mammalian cell cycle and cancer

Cancer arises mainly from mutations in somatic cells. However, it is not the result of a single mutation, rather, it results from increasing genetic disarray accumulated over time. Tumorigenesis in humans is, therefore, a multistep and age-dependent process. The multiple mechanisms and multiple players involved in this process necessitate an understanding of the molecular mechanisms, in order to distinctively classify the tumor sample and to assess the risk and treatment of the disease.

Cyclin D-dependent kinases, INK4 inhibitors and cancer

The Cyclin D-Cdk4,6/INK4/Rb/E2F pathway plays a key role in controlling cell growth by integrating multiple mitogenic and antimitogenic stimuli. The components of this pathway are gene families with a high level of structural and functional redundancy and are expressed in an overlapping fashion in most tissues and cell types. Using classical transgenic technology as well as gene-targeting in ES cells, a series of mouse models have been developed to study the in vivo function of individual components of this pathway in both normal homeostasis and tumor development. These models have proven to be useful to define specific as well as redundant roles among members of these cell cycle regulatory gene families. This pathway is deregulated in the vast majority of human tumors by genetic and epigenetic alterations that target at least some of its key members such as Cyclin D1, Cdk4, INK4a and INK4b, pRb etc. As a consequence, some of these molecules are currently being considered as targets for cancer therapy, and several novel molecules, such as Cdk inhibitors, are under development as potential anti-cancer drugs.

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p19(Ink4d) and p27(Kip1) are coexpressed in select retinal cells and act cooperatively to control cell cycle exit

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (cdki's), including p19(Ink4d) and p27(Kip1), mediate exit from the cell cycle. To determine the function of these cdki's in regulating neurogenesis, we examined retina from wild-type, Ink4d-null, and Ink4d/Kip1-double null animals. Ink4d was expressed in progenitors and select neurons in the mature retina. Ink4d-null retina showed an extended period of proliferation, followed by apoptosis. Colabeling for p19(Ink4d) and p27(Kip1) revealed that a subpopulation of cells expressed both inhibitors. Deletion of Ink4d and Kip1 resulted in continued proliferation that was synergistic. This hyperproliferation led to an increase in number of horizontal cells and differentiated neurons reentering the cell cycle. Deletion of Ink4d and Kip1 also exacerbated the retinal dysplasia observed in Kip1-null mice, which was shown to be partly dependent on p53. These data indicate that select retinal cells express both p19(Ink4d) and p27(Kip1) and that they act cooperatively to ensure cell cycle exit.

The expression pattern of the cell cycle inhibitor p19(INK4d) by progenitor cells of the rat embryonic telencephalon and neonatal anterior subventricular zone

In this study we investigated whether the pattern of expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p19(INK4d) by the unique progenitor cells of the neonatal anterior subventricular zone (SVZa) can account for their ability to divide even though they express phenotypic characteristics of differentiated neurons. p19(INK4d) was chosen for analysis because it usually acts to block permanently the cell cycle at the G(1) phase. p19(INK4d) immunoreactivity and the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) by SVZa cells were compared with that of the more typical progenitor cells of the prenatal telencephalic ventricular zone. In the developing telencephalon, p19(INK4d) is expressed by postmitotic cells and has a characteristic perinuclear distribution depending on the laminar position and state of differentiation of a cell. Moreover, the laminar-specific staining of the developing cerebral cortex revealed that the ventricular zone (VZ) is divided into p19(INK4d)(+) and p19(INK4d)(-) sublaminae, indicating that the VZ has a previously unrecognized level of functional organization. Furthermore, the rostral migratory stream, traversed by the SVZa-derived cells, exhibits an anterior(high)-posterior(low) gradient of p19(INK4d) expression. On the basis of the p19(INK4d) immunoreactivity and BrdU incorporation, SVZa-derived cells appear to exit and reenter the cell cycle successively. Thus, in contrast to telencephalic VZ cells, SVZa cells continue to undergo multiple rounds of division and differentiation before becoming postmitotic.

Ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of vertebrate G1- and S-phase regulators

Cell-cycle progression in all eukaryotes is driven by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and their cyclin partners. In vertebrates, the proper and timely duplication of the genome during S-phase relies on the coordinated activities of positive regulators such as CDK-cyclins and E2F, and negative regulators such as CDK inhibitors of the Cip/Kip and INK4 families. Recent and ongoing work indicates that many important regulators of G1- and S-phases are targeted for ubiquitination and subsequent degradation by the 26S proteasome. The proteolysis of key proteins during G1- and S-phases appears to be central for proper custodial regulation of DNA replication and the maintenance of cellular homeostasis in general. This review highlights the current literature regarding ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of G1- and S-phase regulators and the control of events during the initiation and completion of DNA replication in vertebrates.

Regulation of G(1) cyclin-dependent kinases in the mammalian cell cycle

Cyclin-dependent kinases are the key regulators of cell-cycle transitions. In mammalian cells, Cdk2, Cdk4, Cdk6 and associated cyclins control the G(1) to S phase transition. Because proper regulation of this transition is critical for an organism's survival, these protein kinases are exquisitely regulated at different mechanistic levels and in response to a large variety of intrinsic and extrinsic signals.