p53 downregulates expression of the G1/S cell cycle phosphatase Cdc25A

The Tumor Microenvironment: Signal Transduction

In the challenging tumor microenvironment (TME), tumors coexist with diverse stromal cell types. During tumor progression and metastasis, a reciprocal interaction occurs between cancer cells and their environment. These interactions involve ongoing and evolving paracrine and proximal signaling. Intrinsic signal transduction in tumors drives processes such as malignant transformation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, immune evasion, and tumor cell metastasis. In addition, cancer cells embedded in the tumor microenvironment undergo metabolic reprogramming. Their metabolites, serving as signaling molecules, engage in metabolic communication with diverse matrix components. These metabolites act as direct regulators of carcinogenic pathways, thereby activating signaling cascades that contribute to cancer progression. Hence, gaining insights into the intrinsic signal transduction of tumors and the signaling communication between tumor cells and various matrix components within the tumor microenvironment may reveal novel therapeutic targets. In this review, we initially examine the development of the tumor microenvironment. Subsequently, we delineate the oncogenic signaling pathways within tumor cells and elucidate the reciprocal communication between these pathways and the tumor microenvironment. Finally, we give an overview of the effect of signal transduction within the tumor microenvironment on tumor metabolism and tumor immunity.

Fanconi anemia pathway regulation by FANCI in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of death among men worldwide, and thus, research on the genetic factors enabling the formation of treatment-resistant cancer cells is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Here, we report a cell line-specific dependence on FANCI and related signaling pathways to counteract the effects of DNA-damaging chemotherapy in prostate cancer. Our results reveal that FANCI depletion results in significant downregulation of Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway members in prostate cancer cells, indicating that FANCI is an important regulator of the FA pathway. Furthermore, we found that FANCI silencing reduces proliferation in p53-expressing prostate cancer cells. This extends the evidence that inactivation of FANCI may convert cancer cells from a resistant state to an eradicable state under the stress of DNA-damaging chemotherapy. Our results also indicate that high expression of FA pathway genes correlates with poorer survival in prostate cancer patients. Moreover, genomic alterations of FA pathway members are prevalent in prostate adenocarcinoma patients; mutation and copy number information for the FA pathway genes in seven patient cohorts (N = 1,732 total tumor samples) reveals that 1,025 (59.2%) tumor samples have an alteration in at least one of the FA pathway genes, suggesting that genomic alteration of the pathway is a prominent feature in patients with the disease.

A Selective Nano Cell Cycle Checkpoint Inhibitor Overcomes Leukemia Chemoresistance

Cell cycle checkpoint activation promotes DNA damage repair, which is highly associated with the chemoresistance of various cancers including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Selective cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors are strongly demanded to overcome chemoresistance, but remain unexplored. A selective nano cell cycle checkpoint inhibitor (NCCI: citric acid capped ultra-small iron oxide nanoparticles) that can catalytically inhibit the cell cycle checkpoint of AML to boost the chemotherapeutic efficacy of genotoxic agents is now reported. NCCI can selectively accumulate in AML cells and convert H2 O2 to • OH to cleave heat shock protein 90, leading to the degradation of ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related proteinand checkpoint kinase 1, and the subsequent dysfunction of the G2/M checkpoint. Consequently, NCCI revitalizes the anti-AML efficacy of cytarabine that is previously ineffective both in vitro and in vivo. This study offers new insights into designing selective cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors for biomedical applications.

BPTF inhibition antagonizes colorectal cancer progression by transcriptionally inactivating Cdc25A

As the largest subunit of the nuclear remodeling factor complex, Bromodomain PHD Finger Transcription Factor (BPTF) has been reported to be involved in tumorigenesis and development in several cancers. However, to date, its functions and related molecular mechanisms in colorectal cancer (CRC) are still poorly defined and deserve to be revealed. In this study, we uncovered that, under the expression regulation of c-Myc, BPTF promoted CRC progression by targeting Cdc25A. BPTF was found to be highly expressed in CRC and promoted the proliferation and metastasis of CRC cells through BPTF specific siRNAs, shRNAs or inhibitors. Based on RNA-seq, combined with DNA-pulldown, ChIP and luciferase reporter assay, we proved that, by binding to -178/+107 region within Cdc25A promoter, BPTF transcriptionally activated Cdc25A, thus accelerating the cell cycle process of CRC cells. Meanwhile, BPTF itself was found to be transcriptionally regulated by c-Myc. Moreover, BPTF knockdown or inactivation was verified to sensitize CRC cells to chemotherapeutics, 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) and Oxaliplatin (Oxa), c-Myc inhibitor and cell cycle inhibitor not just at the cellular level in vitro, but in subcutaneous xenografts or AOM/DSS-induced in situ models of CRC in mice, while Cdc25A overexpression partially reversed BPTF silencing-caused tumor growth inhibition. Clinically, BPTF, c-Myc and Cdc25A were highly expressed in CRC tissues simultaneously, the expression of any two of the three was positively correlated, and their expressions were highly relevant to tumor differentiation, TNM staging and poor prognosis of CRC patients. Thus, our study indicated that the targeted inhibition of BPTF alone, or together with chemotherapy and/or cell cycle-targeted therapy, might act as a promising new strategy for CRC treatment, while c-Myc/BPTF/Cdc25A signaling axis is expected to be developed as an associated set of candidate biomarkers for CRC diagnosis and prognosis prediction.

Homo and Heterotypic Cellular Cross-Talk in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Impart Pro-Tumorigenic Properties through Differential Activation of the Notch3 Pathway

An active fluidic microenvironment governs peritoneal metastasis in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), but its critical functional/molecular cues are not fully understood. Utilizing co-culture models of NIH3T3 cells (differentially overexpressing Jagged1) and SKOV3 cells expressing a Notch3 luciferase reporter-sensor (SNFT), we showed that incremental expression of Jagged1 led to proportional Notch3 activation in SNFT. With no basal luciferase activity, this system efficiently recorded dose-dependent Notch3 activation by rh-Jag1 peptide and the non-appearance of such induction in co-culture with NIH3T3Δjag1 cells indicates its sensitivity and specificity. Similar Notch3 modulation was shown for the first time in co-cultures with HGSOC patients' ascites-derived cancer-associated fibroblasts and Jagged1-expressing EOC cell lines. NIH3T3J1-A and OVCAR3 co-cultured SNFT cells showed maximum proliferation, invasion, and cisplatin resistance among all the heterotypic/homotypic cellular partners. VEGFA and CDKN1A are the two most upregulated genes identified across co-cultures by the gene profiler array. Co-culture induced VEGFA secretion from SNFT cells which also reduced cancer stem cell differentiation in platinum-resistant A2780 cells. rh-Jag1-peptide promoted enhanced nuclear-cytoplasmic p21 expression. Additionally, metastatic HGSOC tumors had higher VEGFA than corresponding primary tumors. This study thus demonstrates the tumoral and non-tumoral cell-mediated differential Notch3 activation imparting its tumorigenic effects through two critical molecular regulators, VEGFA and p21, during EOC progression.

Cell cycle regulation: p53-p21-RB signaling

The retinoblastoma protein RB and the transcription factor p53 are central tumor suppressors. They are often found inactivated in various tumor types. Both proteins play central roles in regulating the cell division cycle. RB forms complexes with the E2F family of transcription factors and downregulates numerous genes. Among the RB-E2F target genes, a large number code for key cell cycle regulators. Their transcriptional repression by the RB-E2F complex is released through phosphorylation of RB, leading to expression of the cell cycle regulators. The release from repression can be prevented by the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21/CDKN1A. The CDKN1A gene is transcriptionally activated by p53. Taken together, these elements constitute the p53-p21-RB signaling pathway. Following activation of p53, for example by viral infection or induction of DNA damage, p21 expression is upregulated. High levels of p21 then result in RB-E2F complex formation and downregulation of a large number of cell cycle genes. Thus, p53-dependent transcriptional repression is indirect. The reduced expression of the many regulators leads to cell cycle arrest. Examination of the p53-p21-RB targets and genes controlled by the related p53-p21-DREAM signaling pathway reveals that there is a large overlap of the two groups. Mechanistically this can be explained by replacing RB-E2F complexes with the DREAM transcriptional repressor complex at E2F sites in target promoters. In contrast to RB-E2F, DREAM can downregulate genes also through CHR transcription factor binding sites. This results in a distinct gene set controlled by p53-p21-DREAM signaling independent of RB-E2F. Furthermore, RB has non-canonical functions without binding to E2F and DNA. Such a role of RB supporting DREAM formation may be exerted by the RB-SKP2-p27-cyclin A/E-CDK2-p130-DREAM link. In the current synopsis, the mechanism of regulation by p53-p21-RB signaling is assessed and the overlap with p53-p21-DREAM signaling is examined.

Interplay between HMGA and TP53 in cell cycle control along tumor progression

The high mobility group A (HMGA) proteins are found to be aberrantly expressed in several tumors. Studies (in vitro and in vivo) have shown that HMGA protein overexpression has a causative role in carcinogenesis process. HMGA proteins regulate cell cycle progression through distinct mechanisms which strongly influence its normal dynamics along malignant transformation. Tumor protein p53 (TP53) is the most frequently altered gene in cancer. The loss of its activity is recognized as the fall of a barrier that enables neoplastic transformation. Among the different functions, TP53 signaling pathway is tightly involved in control of cell cycle, with cell cycle arrest being the main biological outcome observed upon p53 activation, which prevents accumulation of damaged DNA, as well as genomic instability. Therefore, the interaction and opposing effects of HMGA and p53 proteins on regulation of cell cycle in normal and tumor cells are discussed in this review. HMGA proteins and p53 may reciprocally regulate the expression and/or activity of each other, leading to the counteraction of their regulation mechanisms at different stages of the cell cycle. The existence of a functional crosstalk between these proteins in the control of cell cycle could open the possibility of targeting HMGA and p53 in combination with other therapeutic strategies, particularly those that target cell cycle regulation, to improve the management and prognosis of cancer patients.

Babam2 Regulates Cell Cycle Progression and Pluripotency in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells as Revealed by Induced DNA Damage

BRISC and BRCA1-A complex member 2 (Babam2) plays an essential role in promoting cell cycle progression and preventing cellular senescence. Babam2-deficient fibroblasts show proliferation defect and premature senescence compared with their wild-type (WT) counterpart. Pluripotent mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) are known to have unlimited cell proliferation and self-renewal capability without entering cellular senescence. Therefore, studying the role of Babam2 in ESCs would enable us to understand the mechanism of Babam2 in cellular aging, cell cycle regulation, and pluripotency in ESCs. For this study, we generated Babam2 knockout (Babam2^−/−) mESCs to investigate the function of Babam2 in mESCs. We demonstrated that the loss of Babam2 in mESCs leads to abnormal G1 phase retention in response to DNA damage induced by gamma irradiation or doxorubicin treatments. Key cell cycle regulators, CDC25A and CDK2, were found to be degraded in Babam2^−/− mESCs following gamma irradiation. In addition, Babam2^−/− mESCs expressed p53 strongly and significantly longer than in control mESCs, where p53 inhibited Nanog expression and G1/S cell cycle progression. The combined effects significantly reduced developmental pluripotency in Babam2^−/− mESCs. In summary, Babam2 maintains cell cycle regulation and pluripotency in mESCs in response to induced DNA damage.

Context is key: Understanding the regulation, functional control, and activities of the p53 tumour suppressor

The p53 tumour suppressor is considered one of the most critical genes in cancer biology. By upregulating apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and DNA damage repair in normal cells, p53 prevents the propagation of cells with tumorigenic potential; therefore, mutations in p53 are associated with carcinogenic transformation and can be accompanied by the accumulation of a novel gain-of-function oncogenic protein, mutant p53. Although p53 is most often understood to utilize context-dependent post-translational modifications to achieve regulation of its many target genes, recent research has also sought to define other mechanisms of regulating p53 gene expression prior to translation and to understand how this alternative regulation of p53 may influence target gene expression and cellular outcome. This review attempts to summarize what is known about p53 regulation at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels while paying special attention to the ways in which context may influence p53 regulation and subsequent regulation of its target genes.

HAUSP stabilizes Cdc25A and protects cervical cancer cells from DNA damage response

Resistance to DNA-damaging agents is one of the main reasons for the low survival of cervical cancer patients. Previous reports have suggested that the Cdc25A oncoprotein significantly affects the level of susceptibility to DNA-damaging agents, but the molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we used Western blot and flow cytometry analyses to demonstrate that the deubiquitinating enzyme HAUSP stabilizes Cdc25A protein level. Furthermore, in a co-immunoprecipitation assay, we found that HAUSP interacts with and deubiquitinates Cdc25A both exogenously and endogenously. HAUSP extends the half-life of the Cdc25A protein by circumventing turnover. HAUSP knockout in HeLa cells using the CRISPR/Cas9 system caused a significant delay in Cdc25A-mediated cell cycle progression, cell migration, and colony formation and attenuated tumor progression in a mouse xenograft model. Furthermore, HAUSP-mediated stabilization of the Cdc25A protein produced enhanced resistance to DNA-damaging agents. Overall, our study suggests that targeting Cdc25A and HAUSP could be a promising combinatorial approach to halt progression and minimize antineoplastic resistance in cervical cancer.

DNA damage in human skin and the capacities of natural compounds to modulate the bystander signalling

Human skin is a stratified organ frequently exposed to sun-generated ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which is considered one of the major factors responsible for DNA damage. Such damage can be direct, through interactions of DNA with UV photons, or indirect, mainly through enhanced production of reactive oxygen species that introduce oxidative changes to the DNA. Oxidative stress and DNA damage also associate with profound changes at the cellular and molecular level involving several cell cycle and signal transduction factors responsible for DNA repair or irreversible changes linked to ageing. Crucially, some of these factors constitute part of the signalling known for the induction of biological changes in non-irradiated, neighbouring cells and defined as the bystander effect. Network interactions with a number of natural compounds, based on their known activity towards these biomarkers in the skin, reveal the capacity to inhibit both the bystander signalling and cell cycle/DNA damage molecules while increasing expression of the anti-oxidant enzymes. Based on this information, we discuss the likely polypharmacology applications of the natural compounds and next-generation screening technologies in improving the anti-oxidant and DNA repair capacities of the skin.

Notch pathway: a bistable inducer of biological noise?

Notch signalling pathway is central to development of metazoans. The pathway codes a binary fate switch. Upon activation, downstream signals contribute to resolution of fate dichotomies such as proliferation/differentiation or sub-lineage differentiation outcome. There is, however, an interesting paradox in the Notch signalling pathway. Despite remarkable predictability of fate outcomes instructed by the Notch pathway, the associated transcriptome is versatile and plastic. This inconsistency suggests the presence of an interface that compiles input from the plastic transcriptome of the Notch pathway but communicates only a binary output in biological decisions. Herein, we address the interface that determines fate outcomes. We provide an alternative hypothesis for the Notch pathway as a biological master switch that operates by induction of genetic noise and bistability in order to facilitate resolution of dichotomous fate outcomes in development.

Cell cycle arrest through indirect transcriptional repression by p53: I have a DREAM

Activation of the p53 tumor suppressor can lead to cell cycle arrest. The key mechanism of p53-mediated arrest is transcriptional downregulation of many cell cycle genes. In recent years it has become evident that p53-dependent repression is controlled by the p53–p21–DREAM–E2F/CHR pathway (p53–DREAM pathway). DREAM is a transcriptional repressor that binds to E2F or CHR promoter sites. Gene regulation and deregulation by DREAM shares many mechanistic characteristics with the retinoblastoma pRB tumor suppressor that acts through E2F elements. However, because of its binding to E2F and CHR elements, DREAM regulates a larger set of target genes leading to regulatory functions distinct from pRB/E2F. The p53–DREAM pathway controls more than 250 mostly cell cycle-associated genes. The functional spectrum of these pathway targets spans from the G₁ phase to the end of mitosis. Consequently, through downregulating the expression of gene products which are essential for progression through the cell cycle, the p53–DREAM pathway participates in the control of all checkpoints from DNA synthesis to cytokinesis including G₁/S, G₂/M and spindle assembly checkpoints. Therefore, defects in the p53–DREAM pathway contribute to a general loss of checkpoint control. Furthermore, deregulation of DREAM target genes promotes chromosomal instability and aneuploidy of cancer cells. Also, DREAM regulation is abrogated by the human papilloma virus HPV E7 protein linking the p53–DREAM pathway to carcinogenesis by HPV. Another feature of the pathway is that it downregulates many genes involved in DNA repair and telomere maintenance as well as Fanconi anemia. Importantly, when DREAM function is lost, CDK inhibitor drugs employed in cancer treatment such as Palbociclib, Abemaciclib and Ribociclib can compensate for defects in early steps in the pathway upstream from cyclin/CDK complexes. In summary, the p53–p21–DREAM–E2F/CHR pathway controls a plethora of cell cycle genes, can contribute to cell cycle arrest and is a target for cancer therapy.

Stimulating effect of normal-dosing of fibrates on cell proliferation: word of warning

BACKGROUND

Fibrates are widely used hypolipidemic drugs, which serve as ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). Recently, they have also been considered as potential anticancer agents. We studied effect of fibrates treatment on cell proliferation, expression of CYP2J2 and concomitant changes in expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins in three different human cell lines: HEK293, HepG2, and HT-29.

METHODS

We used WST-1 viability test, western blot and immunocytochemistry for detection of proteins of interests and analysis of cell cycle.

RESULTS

Our results showed that at lower concentrations of all tested fibrates, viability of all tested cell lines is increased, whereas at higher concentrations, repression is apparent. Unfortunately, the viability of tested cells is predominantly increased in a range of concentration which is reached in patient plasma. This phenomenon is accompanyed by elevation of CYP2J2, increased number of cyclin E-positive cells and decreased number of Cdc25A-positive cells in all tested cell lines, and elevated cyclin A expression in HepG2 and HT-29. These changes are concentration-dependent. We suppose that increased level of CYP2J2 could explain enhanced cell proliferation in lower concentration of fibrates.

CONCLUSION

Based on our results, we suggested there is no anti-cancer effect of fibrates in tested carcinoma cell lines.

Silencing of protein kinase D2 induces glioma cell senescence via p53-dependent and -independent pathways

Background

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive tumor of the central nervous system with a dismal prognosis for affected patients. Aberrant protein kinase C (PKC) signaling has been implicated in gliomagenesis, and a member of the PKC-activated protein kinase D (PRKD) family, PRKD2, was identified as mediator of GBM growth in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

The outcome of PRKD2 silencing and pharmacological inhibition on glioma cell proliferation was established with different glioma cell lines. Western blotting, senescence assays, co-immunoprecipitation, fluorescence activated cell sorting, quantitative PCR, and immunofluorescence microscopy were utilized to analyze downstream signaling.

Results

RNA-interference (21-mer siRNA) and pharmacological inhibition (CRT0066101) of PRKD2 profoundly inhibited proliferation of p53^wt (U87MG, A172, and primary GBM2), and p53^mut (GM133, T98G, U251, and primary Gli25) glioma cells. In a xenograft experiment, PRKD2 silencing significantly delayed tumor growth of U87MG cells. PRKD2 silencing in p53^wt and p53^mut cells was associated with typical hallmarks of senescence and cell cycle arrest in G1. Attenuated AKT/PKB phosphorylation in response to PRKD2 silencing was a common observation made in p53^wt and p53^mut GBM cells. PRKD2 knockdown in p53^wt cells induced upregulation of p53, p21, and p27 expression, decreased phosphorylation of CDK2 and/or CDK4, hypophosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRb), and reduced transcription of E2F1. In p53^mut GM133 and primary Gli25 cells, PRKD2 silencing increased p27 and p15 and reduced E2F1 transcription but did not affect pRb phosphorylation.

Conclusions

PRKD2 silencing induces glioma cell senescence via p53-dependent and -independent pathways.

The p53-p21-DREAM-CDE/CHR pathway regulates G2/M cell cycle genes

The tumor suppressor p53 functions predominantly as a transcription factor by activating and downregulating gene expression, leading to cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. p53 was shown to indirectly repress transcription of the CCNB2, KIF23 and PLK4 cell cycle genes through the recently discovered p53-p21-DREAM-CDE/CHR pathway. However, it remained unclear whether this pathway is commonly used. Here, we identify genes regulated by p53 through this pathway in a genome-wide computational approach. The bioinformatic analysis is based on genome-wide DREAM complex binding data, p53-depedent mRNA expression data and a genome-wide definition of phylogenetically conserved CHR promoter elements. We find 210 target genes that are expected to be regulated by the p53-p21-DREAM-CDE/CHR pathway. The target gene list was verified by detailed analysis of p53-dependent repression of the cell cycle genes B-MYB (MYBL2), BUB1, CCNA2, CCNB1, CHEK2, MELK, POLD1, RAD18 and RAD54L. Most of the 210 target genes are essential regulators of G₂ phase and mitosis. Thus, downregulation of these genes through the p53-p21-DREAM-CDE/CHR pathway appears to be a principal mechanism for G₂/M cell cycle arrest by p53.

The transcription factor p53: not a repressor, solely an activator

The predominant function of the tumor suppressor p53 is transcriptional regulation. It is generally accepted that p53-dependent transcriptional activation occurs by binding to a specific recognition site in promoters of target genes. Additionally, several models for p53-dependent transcriptional repression have been postulated. Here, we evaluate these models based on a computational meta-analysis of genome-wide data. Surprisingly, several major models of p53-dependent gene regulation are implausible. Meta-analysis of large-scale data is unable to confirm reports on directly repressed p53 target genes and falsifies models of direct repression. This notion is supported by experimental re-analysis of representative genes reported as directly repressed by p53. Therefore, p53 is not a direct repressor of transcription, but solely activates its target genes. Moreover, models based on interference of p53 with activating transcription factors as well as models based on the function of ncRNAs are also not supported by the meta-analysis. As an alternative to models of direct repression, the meta-analysis leads to the conclusion that p53 represses transcription indirectly by activation of the p53-p21-DREAM/RB pathway.

Arsenic-induced S phase cell cycle lengthening is associated with ROS generation, p53 signaling and CDC25A expression

Cellular response to arsenic is strongly dependent on p53 functional status. Primarily arresting the cell cycle in G1 or G2/M phases, arsenic treatment also induces an increase in the S-phase time in wild-type p53 cells. In contrast, cells with a non-functional p53 display only a subtle increase in the S phase, indicating arsenic differentially affects the cell cycle depending on p53 status. Importantly, it has been reported that arsenic induces reactive oxygen species (ROS), a process counteracted by p53. To evaluate the participation of p53 in the lengthening of the S phase and the connection between the transient cell cycle arrest and oxidative stress, we evaluated the cell response to arsenic in MCF-7 and H1299 cells, and analyzed p53's role as a transcription factor in regulating genes involved in ROS reduction and S phase transition. Herein, we discovered that arsenic induced an increase in the population of S phase cells that was dependent on the presence and transcriptional activity of p53. Furthermore, for the first time, we demonstrate that arsenic activates p53-dependent transcription of ROS detoxification genes, such as SESN1, and by an indirect mechanism involving ATF3, genes that could be responsible for the S phase cell cycle arrest, such as CDC25A.

Expression of p53 target genes in the early phase of long-term potentiation in the rat hippocampal CA1 area

Gene expression plays an important role in the mechanisms of long-term potentiation (LTP), which is a widely accepted experimental model of synaptic plasticity. We have studied the expression of at least 50 genes that are transcriptionally regulated by p53, as well as other genes that are related to p53-dependent processes, in the early phase of LTP. Within 30 min after Schaffer collaterals (SC) tetanization, increases in the mRNA and protein levels of Bax, which are upregulated by p53, and a decrease in the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl2, which are downregulated by p53, were observed. The inhibition of Mdm2 by nutlin-3 increased the basal p53 protein level and rescued its tetanization-induced depletion, which suggested the involvement of Mdm2 in the control over p53 during LTP. Furthermore, nutlin-3 caused an increase in the basal expression of Bax and a decrease in the basal expression of Bcl2, whereas tetanization-induced changes in their expression were occluded. These results support the hypothesis that p53 may be involved in transcriptional regulation during the early phase of LTP. We hope that the presented data may aid in the understanding of the contribution of p53 and related genes in the processes that are associated with synaptic plasticity.

Induction of p53 expression and apoptosis by a recombinant dual-target MDM2/MDMX inhibitory protein in wild-type p53 breast cancer cells

The tumor suppressor gene p53 is often inactivated in breast cancer cells due to gene mutation or overexpression of its repressors (such as murine double minute 2 and murine double minute X). Inhibitors of murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and murine double minute X (MDMX) could lead to tumor suppression by restoration of p53 activity and such an approach is a promising strategy for future control of breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of the recombinant MDM2 and MDMX inhibitory protein in control of breast cancer in vitro. A cell-permeable dual-target MDM2/MDMX inhibitory protein was expressed in E. coli and incubated with p53 wild-type breast cancer cells. The data showed that this recombinant MDM2/MDMX inhibitory protein reduced the viability of MCF-7 and ZR-75-30 breast cancer cell lines and promoted cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by activation and stabilization of the p53 protein. Mechanistically, this MDM2/MDMX inhibitory protein increased the expression of p21, Bax and puma proteins, and inhibitory expression of MDM2 and MDMX proteins. This recombinant protein showed a better in vitro effect than that of nutlin-3α, a small molecule MDM2 inhibitor. The data further support the hypothesis that targeting of the p53 gene pathway could effectively control breast cancer.

A ceRNA analysis on LMNA gene focusing on the Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome

BACKGROUND

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is a rare dominant human disease of genetic origin. The average life expectancy is about 20 years, patients' life quality is still very poor and no efficient therapy has yet been developed. It is caused by mutation of the LMNA gene, which results in accumulation in the nuclear membrane of a particular splicing form of Lamin-A called progerin. The mechanism by which progerin perturbs cellular homeostasis and leads to the symptoms is still under debate.Micro-RNAs are able to negatively regulate transcription by coupling with the 3' UnTranslated Region of messenger RNAs. Several Micro-RNAs recognize the same 3' UnTranslated Region and each Micro-RNA can recognize multiple 3' UnTranslated Regions of different messenger RNAs. When different messenger RNAs are co-regulated via a similar panel of micro-RNAs, these messengers are called Competing Endogenous RNAs, or ceRNAs.The 3' UnTranslated Region of the longest LMNA transcript was analysed looking for its ceRNAs. The aim of this study was to search for candidate genes and gene ontology functions possibly influenced by LMNA mutations that may exert a role in progeria development.

RESULTS

11 miRNAs were isolated as potential LMNA regulators. By computational analysis, the miRNAs pointed to 17 putative LMNA ceRNAs. Gene ontology analysis of isolated ceRNAs showed an enrichment in RNA interference and control of cell cycle functions.

CONCLUSION

This study isolated novel genes and functions potentially involved in LMNA network of regulation that could be involved in laminopathies such as the Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.

p53 can repress transcription of cell cycle genes through a p21(WAF1/CIP1)-dependent switch from MMB to DREAM protein complex binding at CHR promoter elements

The tumor suppressor p53 plays an important role in cell cycle arrest by downregulating transcription. Many genes repressed by p53 code for proteins with functions in G₂/M. A large portion of these genes is controlled by cell cycle-dependent elements (CDE) and cell cycle genes homology regions (CHR) in their promoters. Cyclin B2 is an example of such a gene, with a function at the transition from G₂ to mitosis. We find that p53-dependent downregulation of cyclin B2 promoter activity is dependent on an intact CHR element. In the presence of high levels of p53 or p21^WAF1/CIP1, protein binding to the CHR switches from MMB to DREAM complex by shifting MuvB core-associated proteins from B-Myb to E2F4/DP1/p130. The results suggest a model for p53-dependent transcriptional repression by which p53 directly activates p21^WAF1/CIP1. The inhibitor then prevents further phosphorylation of p130 by cyclin-dependent kinases. The presence of hypophosphorylated pocket proteins shifts the equilibrium for complex formation from MMB to DREAM. In the case of promoters that do not hold CDE or E2F elements, binding of DREAM and MMB solely relies on a CHR site. Thus, p53 can repress target genes indirectly through CHR elements.

Prox1 suppresses the proliferation of neuroblastoma cells via a dual action in p27-Kip1 and Cdc25A

Neuroblastoma is a pediatric tumor that originates from precursor cells of the sympathetic nervous system with less than 40% long-term survival in children diagnosed with high-risk disease. These clinical observations underscore the need for novel insights in the mechanisms of malignant transformation and progression. Accordingly, it was recently reported that Prox1, a homeobox transcription regulator, is expressed in higher levels in human neuroblastoma with favorable prognosis. Consistently, we have recently shown that Prox1 exerts a strong antiproliferative effect on neural precursor cells during embryonic development. Thus, Prox1 is a candidate gene with a critical role in suppressing malignant neuroblastoma transformation. Here, we provide evidence that Prox1 strongly suppresses the proliferation of mouse and human neuroblastoma cell lines and blocks the growth of neuroblastoma tumors in SCID mice. Conversely, short hairpin RNA (shRNA) -mediated knockdown of basal Prox1 expression significantly induces proliferation, genomic instability and the ability of neuroblastoma cells to form tumors. Mechanistically, analysis of an inducible Prox1-overexpressing Neuro2A cell line indicates that Prox1 is sufficient to suppress CyclinD1, CyclinA and CyclinB1, consistent with a role in cell cycle arrest. Surprisingly, Prox1 strongly induces CyclinE1 expression in the same system despite its action on blocking cell cycle progression, which could account for the context dependent oncogenic function of Prox1. Most importantly, Prox1 was sufficient to decrease Cdc25A and induce p27-Kip1, but not p21-Cip1 or p53. By alleviating the Prox1 action in Cdc25A and p27-Kip1 expression, we were able to rescue its effect on cell cycle arrest. Together these data suggest that Prox1 negatively regulates neuroblastoma carcinogenesis through suppression of Cdc25A and induction of p27-Kip1 to counteract CyclinE1 overexpression and block cell cycle progression. Furthermore, these observations render Prox1 a candidate target for the treatment of neuroblastoma tumors.

Loss of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) inhibitory phosphorylation in a CDK2AF knock-in mouse causes misregulation of DNA replication and centrosome duplication

Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) inhibitory phosphorylation controls the onset of mitosis and is essential for the checkpoint pathways that prevent the G(2)- to M-phase transition in cells with unreplicated or damaged DNA. To address whether CDK2 inhibitory phosphorylation plays a similar role in cell cycle regulation and checkpoint responses at the start of the S phase, we constructed a mouse strain in which the two CDK2 inhibitory phosphorylation sites, threonine 14 and tyrosine 15, were changed to alanine and phenylalanine, respectively (CDK2AF). This approach showed that inhibitory phosphorylation of CDK2 had a major role in controlling cyclin E-associated kinase activity and thus both determined the timing of DNA replication in a normal cell cycle and regulated centrosome duplication. Further, DNA damage in G(1) CDK2AF cells did not downregulate cyclin E-CDK2 activity when the CDK inhibitor p21 was also knocked down. We were surprised to find that this was insufficient to cause cells to bypass the checkpoint and enter the S phase. This led to the discovery of two previously unrecognized pathways that control the activity of cyclin A at the G(1) DNA damage checkpoint and may thereby prevent S-phase entry even when cyclin E-CDK2 activity is deregulated.

CDC25A(Q110del): a novel cell division cycle 25A isoform aberrantly expressed in non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

Lung cancer remains number one cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Cell cycle deregulation plays a major role in the pathogenesis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). CDC25A represents a critical cell cycle regulator that enhances cell cycle progression. In this study we aimed to investigate the role of a novel CDC25A transcriptional variant, CDC25A(Q110del), on the regulation of the CDC25A protein, and its impact on prognosis of NSCLC patients.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Here we report a novel CDC25A transcript variant with codon 110 (Glutamine) deletion, that we termed CDC25A(Q110del) in NSCLC cells. In 9 (75%) of the 12 NSCLC cell lines, CDC25A(Q110del) expression accounted for more than 20% of the CDC25A transcripts. Biological effects of CDC25A(Q110del) were investigated in H1299 and HEK-293F cells using UV radiation, flowcytometry, cyclohexamide treatment, and confocal microscopy. Compared to CDC25A(wt), CDC25A(Q110del) protein had longer half-life; cells expressing CDC25A(Q110del) were more resistant to UV irradiation and showed more mitotic activity. Taqman-PCR was used to quantify CDC25A(Q110del) expression levels in 88 primary NSCLC tumor/normal tissue pairs. In patients with NSCLC, Kaplan Meier curves showed tumors expressing higher levels of CDC25A(Q110del) relative to the adjacent lung tissues to have significantly inferior overall survival (P = .0018).

SIGNIFICANCE

Here we identified CDC25A(Q110del) as a novel transcriptional variant of CDC25A in NSCLC. The sequence-specific nature of the abnormality could be a prognostic indicator in NSCLC patients as well as a candidate target for future therapeutic strategies.

The NF-Y/p53 liaison: well beyond repression

NF-Y is a sequence-specific transcription factor - TF - targeting the common CCAAT promoter element. p53 is a master TF controlling the response to stress signals endangering genome integrity, often mutated in human cancers. The NF-Y/p53 - and p63, p73 - interaction results in transcriptional repression of a subset of genes within the vast NF-Y regulome under DNA-damage conditions. Recent data shows that NF-Y is also involved in pro-apoptotic activities, either directly, by mediating p53 transcriptional activation, or indirectly, by being targeted by a non coding RNA, PANDA. The picture is subverted in cells carrying Gain-of-function mutant p53, through interactions with TopBP1, a protein also involved in DNA repair and replication. In summary, the connection between p53 and NF-Y is crucial in determining cell survival or death.

The impact of S- and G2-checkpoint response on the fidelity of G1-arrest by cisplatin and its comparison to a non-cross-resistant platinum(IV) analog

OBJECTIVE

Cisplatin is a DNA-damaging antitumor agent that is highly effective in treating ovarian cancer. It activates the p53/p21 pathway for its cytotoxic mode of action, but it does not induce p21-dependent cell cycle arrest in G1. Therefore, we investigated this paradox, and used the model analog DAP as a positive control for p21-dependent G1-arrest.

METHODS

Studies were conducted in p53-proficient ovarian A2780 tumor cells to examine Cdk activity, cell cycle distribution and DNA damage signaling after cisplatin or DAP in combination with the mitotic inhibitor nocodazole.

RESULTS

Cisplatin consistently induced transient S-phase arrest by inhibiting Cdk2/cyclin A complex in S-phase at 12 h and then a durable G2/M-arrest by inhibiting Cdc2/cyclin B complex at 12-18 h. These inhibitions were associated with Chk1 and Chk2 activation and resultant increase in inhibitory tyrosine phosphorylation of Cdk2 and Cdc2. Cisplatin also potently inhibited G1-phase Cdk4/cyclin D1 and Cdk2/cyclin E activities at ~18 h. In agreement, exposure of cisplatin-treated A2780, HCT-116(p53-/-) and HCT-116(p21-/-) tumor cells to nocodazole revealed limited G1-arrest that was dependent on p53 and p21. In contrast, the durable G1-arrest by DAP, which failed to activate Chk1 and Chk2, was unaffected by nocodazole.

CONCLUSIONS

Cisplatin induced G1-arrest, but at an attenuated level. This was primarily due to orchestration of Cdk inhibition in S-phase first, then in G2, and finally in G1 that effectively blocked cells in G2 and prevented cells from progressing and arresting in G1. These studies demonstrate that cisplatin unequivocally activates G1-checkpoint response, but the fidelity of G1-arrest is compromised by Chk1/2 activation and checkpoint response in S- and G2/M-phase.

LYG-202 inhibits the proliferation of human colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 cells through induction of G1/S cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via p53 and p21(WAF1/Cip1) expression

We recently established that LYG-202, a new flavonoid with a piperazine substitution, exerts an anti-tumor effect in vivo and in vitro. In the present study, we demonstrate that LYG-202 induces G1/S phase arrest and apoptosis in human colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 cells. Data showed that the blockade of the cell cycle was associated with increased p21(WAF1/Cip1) and Rb levels and reduced expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E, and CDK4. Moreover, PARP cleavage, activation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, and an increased ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 were detected in LYG-202-induced apoptosis. Additionally, activation of p53 resulted in the up-regulation of its downstream targets PUMA and p21(WAF1/Cip1), as well as the down-regulation of its negative regulator MDM2, suggesting that the p53 pathway may play a crucial role in LYG-202-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, siRNA knockdown of p53 attenuated the G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by LYG-202, as the effects of LYG-202 on up-regulation of p21(WAF1/Cip1) and down-regulation of Bcl-2 and pro-caspase-3 were partly inhibited in p53 siRNA transfected cells compared with control siRNA transfected cells. Collectively, these data indicate that LYG-202 exerts its anti-tumor potency by activating the p53-p21 pathway for G1/S cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.

One function--multiple mechanisms: the manifold activities of p53 as a transcriptional repressor

Maintenance of genome integrity is a dynamic process involving complex regulation systems. Defects in one or more of these pathways could result in cancer. The most important tumor-suppressor is the transcription factor p53, and its functional inactivation is frequently observed in many tumor types. The tumor suppressive function of p53 is mainly attributed to its ability to regulate numerous target genes at the transcriptional level. While the mechanism of transcriptional induction by p53 is well characterized, p53-dependent repression is not understood in detail. Here, we review the manifold mechanisms of p53 as a transcriptional repressor. We classify two different categories of repressed genes based on the underlying mechanism, and novel mechanisms which involve regulation through noncoding RNAs are discussed. The complete elucidation of p53 functions is important for our understanding of its tumor-suppressor activity and, therefore, represents the key for the development of novel therapeutic approaches.

Spatiotemporal aspects of MicroRNA-mediated gene regulation

MicroRNA-mediated modulation of translation has been recently discovered as a new dimension in gene expression regulation. In this chapter we review how this regulation operates in time between the fast protein modification and degradation steps on the one hand and the slow transcriptional reprogramming associated with more stable changes in gene expression patterns on the other hand. We also discuss the additional layer of complexity associated with spatial redistribution of the RNA silencing machinery in subcellular structures. Various stress conditions induce both a transient change in microRNA expression within the first few hours after exposure and a redistribution of the RNA silencing machinery from P-bodies to Stress Granules, which differ in their function and protein content. Insight into the spatiotemporal aspects of the microRNA response will be indispensable for a full understanding of this level of gene regulation.

Ubiquitin proteasomal pathway mediated degradation of p53 in melanoma

Ubiquitin proteasomal pathway (UPP) is the principle mechanism for protein catabolism and affects cellular processes critical for survival and proliferation. Levels of tumor suppressor protein p53 are very low in cells due to its rapid turnover by UPP-mediated degradation. While p53 is mutated in human cancers, most human melanomas maintain wild-type conformation. In this study, to investigate the effects of UPP inhibitor invitro and in vivo, we used a genetically-engineered mouse model (GEMM) that has the same genetic alterations as those of human melanomas. Melanoma cells were established from mouse tumors and named 8B20 cells. Treatment of 8B20 cells with the UPP inhibitors, MG132 and clasto-lactacystin-β-lactone, led to an increase in levels of p53 while treatment with non-proteasomal inhibitors did not alter p53 levels. UPP inhibitors induced formation of heavy molecular weight ubiquitinated proteins, a hallmark of UPP inhibition, and p53-specific poly-ubiquitinated products in 8B20 cells. To further decipher the mechanism of p53 stabilization, we investigated half-life of p53 in cells treated with cycloheximide to block de novo protein synthesis. Treatment of 8B20 cells with MG132 led to an increase in the half-life of p53. Further analysis revealed that p53 stabilization was not mediated by phosphorylation of Ser-15 and Ser-20 residues. In vivo studies showed that MG132 induced p53 overexpression and reduced tumor growth, suggesting an important role of p53 stabilization in controlling melanoma. Taken together, our studies provide a proof of principle for using a GEMM to address the mechanisms of action and efficacy of melanoma treatment.

p53 activates the PANK1/miRNA-107 gene leading to downregulation of CDK6 and p130 cell cycle proteins

The tumor suppressor p53 is a central regulator of cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis by acting as a transcription factor to regulate numerous genes. We identified all human p53-regulated mRNAs by microarray analyses and searched for protein-coding genes which contain intronic miRNAs. Among others, this analysis yielded the panthothenate kinase 1 (PANK1) gene and its intronic miRNA-107. We showed that miRNA-107 and PANK1 are coregulated by p53 in different cell systems. The PANK1 protein, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step of coenzyme A biosynthesis, is also upregulated by p53. We observed that p53 directly activates PANK1 and miRNA-107 transcription through a binding site in the PANK1 promoter. Furthermore, p53 is recruited to the PANK1 promoter after DNA damage. In order to get more insight into miRNA-107 function we investigated its potential target genes. Cell-cycle regulators are significantly enriched among predicted miRNA-107 targets. We found miRNA-107-dependent regulation of two important regulators of G(1)/S progression, CDK6 and the RB-related 2 gene RBL2 (p130). CDK6 and p130 proteins are downregulated upon miRNA-107 expression. Our results uncover a novel miRNA-dependent signaling pathway which leads to downregulation of cell cycle proteins in the absence of transcriptional repression.

The central role of CDE/CHR promoter elements in the regulation of cell cycle-dependent gene transcription

The cell cycle-dependent element (CDE) and the cell cycle genes homology region (CHR) control the transcription of genes with maximum expression in G(2) phase and in mitosis. Promoters of these genes are repressed by proteins binding to CDE/CHR elements in G(0) and G(1) phases. Relief from repression begins in S phase and continues into G(2) phase and mitosis. Generally, CDE sites are located four nucleotides upstream of CHR elements in TATA-less promoters of genes such as Cdc25C, Cdc2 and cyclin A. However, expression of some other genes, such as human cyclin B1 and cyclin B2, has been shown to be controlled only by a CHR lacking a functional CDE. To date, it is not fully understood which proteins bind to and control CDE/CHR-containing promoters. Recently, components of the DREAM complex were shown to be involved in CDE/CHR-dependent transcriptional regulation. In addition, the expression of genes regulated by CDE/CHR elements is mostly achieved through CCAAT-boxes, which bind heterotrimeric NF-Y proteins as well as the histone acetyltransferase p300. Importantly, many CDE/CHR promoters are downregulated by the tumor suppressor p53. In this review, we define criteria for CDE/CHR-regulated promoters and propose to distinguish two classes of CDE/CHR-regulated genes. The regulation through transcription factors potentially binding to the CDE/CHR is discussed, and recently discovered links to central pathways regulated by E2F, the pRB family and p53 are highlighted.

Gold (III) porphyrin complexes induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest and inhibit tumor growth in colon cancer

BACKGROUND

Gold (III) compounds have exhibited favorable antitumor properties both in vitro and in vivo. In a previous study, the authors reported that the novel gold (III) complex 1a (gold 1a) exhibited strong cytotoxicity in some tumor cell lines. In the current study, the effect of gold 1a was investigated on colon cancer cells.

METHODS

The cytotoxicity of gold 1a was determined by using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thihazyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide method. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and cell cycle. The expression of protein was evaluated by Western blot assay. Tumor growth in vivo was evaluated in nude mice.

RESULTS

Gold 1a exhibited marked cytotoxic effects in vitro to human colon cancer, and the concentration of drug required to inhibit cell growth by 50% compared with control (IC(50)) values ranged from 0.2 muM to 3.4 muM, which represented 8.7-fold to 20.8-fold greater potency than that of cisplatin. Gold 1a significantly induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest and cleaved caspase 3, caspase 7, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase; released cytochrome C, and up-regulated p53, p21, p27, and Bax. In vivo, intraperitoneal injection of gold 1a at doses of 1.5 mg/kg and 3.0 mg/kg significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and suppressed colon cancer tumor growth. An acute toxicology study indicated that gold 1a at effective antitumor concentrations did not cause any toxic side effects in mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results suggested that gold 1a may be a new potential therapeutic drug for colon cancer.

Control of thymic T cell maturation, deletion and egress by the RNA-binding protein HuR

HuR emerged as a posttranscriptional regulator of mRNAs involved in cellular control, stress, and immunity but its role in governing such responses remains elusive. In this study, we assessed HuR's role in the staged progression of thymic T cell differentiation by means of its genetic ablation. Mice with an early deletion of HuR in thymocytes possess enlarged thymi but display a substantial loss of peripheral T cells. We show that this discordant phenotype related to specific defects in thymic cellular processes, which demonstrated HuR's involvement in: 1) intrinsic checkpoint signals suppressing the cell cycle of immature thymocyte progenitors, 2) TCR and antigenic signals promoting the activation and positive selection of mature thymocytes, 3) antigenic and death-receptor signals promoting thymocyte deletion, and 4) chemokine signals driving the egress of postselection thymocytes to the periphery. The cellular consequences of HuR's dysfunction were underlined by the aberrant expression of selective cell cycle regulators, TCR, and death-receptor signaling components. Our studies reveal the signal-dependent context of HuR's cellular activities in thymocytes and its importance in the generation of a physiological T cell pool.

MicroRNA-mediated gene silencing modulates the UV-induced DNA-damage response

DNA damage provokes DNA repair, cell-cycle regulation and apoptosis. This DNA-damage response encompasses gene-expression regulation at the transcriptional and post-translational levels. We show that cellular responses to UV-induced DNA damage are also regulated at the post-transcriptional level by microRNAs. Survival and checkpoint response after UV damage was severely reduced on microRNA-mediated gene-silencing inhibition by knocking down essential components of the microRNA-processing pathway (Dicer and Ago2). UV damage triggered a cell-cycle-dependent relocalization of Ago2 into stress granules and various microRNA-expression changes. Ago2 relocalization required CDK activity, but was independent of ATM/ATR checkpoint signalling, whereas UV-responsive microRNA expression was only partially ATM/ATR independent. Both microRNA-expression changes and stress-granule formation were most pronounced within the first hours after genotoxic stress, suggesting that microRNA-mediated gene regulation operates earlier than most transcriptional responses. The functionality of the microRNA response is illustrated by the UV-inducible miR-16 that downregulates checkpoint-gene CDC25a and regulates cell proliferation. We conclude that microRNA-mediated gene regulation adds a new dimension to the DNA-damage response.

Dual regulation of Cdc25A by Chk1 and p53-ATF3 in DNA replication checkpoint control

Eukaryotic cells respond to DNA damage and stalled replication forks by activating signaling pathways that promote cell cycle arrest and DNA repair. A systematic screening of the protein kinase small interfering RNA library reveals that Chk1 and ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) and Rad3-related (ATR) are the main kinases responsible for intra-S-phase checkpoint upon topoisomerase I inhibitor camptothecin-induced DNA damage. It is well known that ATR-Chk1-mediated protein degradation of Cdc25A protein phosphatase is a crucial mechanism conferring this checkpoint activation. Here we describe another mechanism underlying Cdc25A down-regulation in response to DNA damage that occurs at the transcriptional level. We show that activation of tumor suppressor p53 by DNA damage results in inhibition of Cdc25A transcription as a result of activation of transcriptional repressor ATF3 that directly binds to the Cdc25A promoter. In cells deficient in both Chk1 and p53, Cdc25A down-regulation upon camptothecin-induced DNA damage is completely abolished, leading to severe defects in cell cycle checkpoints and remarkable cell death in mitosis. Our findings reveal two independent mechanisms acting in concert in regulation of Cdc25A in DNA damage response. Although Chk1 affects Cdc25A via rapid phosphorylation and protein turnover, inhibition of Cdc25A transcription by p53-ATF3 is required for the maintenance of cell cycle arrest.

Is Cdc25 a druggable target?

Proper control of cell cycle progression requires the functionality of a small family of activating phosphatases termed Cdc25, which have been implicated in cancer and Alzheimer's disease. These protein tyrosine phosphatases are therefore recognized as attractive molecular targets for small molecules. We review the rationale, approaches, progress and challenges for developing small molecule inhibitors of the Cdc25 family. A number of potential chemical probes are discussed and their characteristics are summarized.

Multimodal control of Cdc25A by nitrosative stress

Cdc25A propels cell cycle progression, is overexpressed in numerous human cancers, and possesses oncogenic and antiapoptotic activities. Reactive oxygen species, such as hydrogen peroxide, regulate Cdc25A, but the physiologic and pathologic effects of nitric oxide (*NO) and *NO-derived reactive species are not well defined. Herein, we report novel independent mechanisms governing Cdc25A in response to nitrosative insult. We observed direct and rapid inhibition of Cdc25A phosphatase activity after in vitro treatment with the low molecular mass cell-permeable S-nitrosothiol S-nitrosocysteine ethyl ester (SNCEE). In addition, treatment of cancer cells with SNCEE induced nitrosative stress and decreased Cdc25A protein levels in a time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner. Similarly, iNOS-derived *NO was sufficient to suppress Cdc25A expression, consistent with its role in mediating nitrosative stress. Whereas a decrease in Cdc25A half-life was not observed in response to SNCEE, we found the translational regulator eukaryotic initiation factor 2alpha (eIF2alpha) was hyperphosphorylated and total protein translation was decreased with kinetics consistent with Cdc25A loss. Inhibition of eIF2alpha decreased Cdc25A levels, supporting the hypothesis that SNCEE suppressed Cdc25A translation through inhibition of eIF2alpha. Nitrosative stress decreased the Cdc25A-bound fraction of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 (ASK-1) and sensitized cells to apoptosis induced by the ASK-1-activating chemotherapeutic cis-diaminedichloroplatinum (II), suggesting that nitrosative stress-induced suppression of Cdc25A primed cells for ASK-1-dependent apoptosis. Together these data reveal novel *NO-dependent enzymatic and translational mechanisms controlling Cdc25A, and implicate Cdc25A as a mediator of *NO-dependent apoptotic signaling.

Isosilybin B and isosilybin A inhibit growth, induce G1 arrest and cause apoptosis in human prostate cancer LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells

Silymarin and, one of its constituents, silibinin exert strong efficacy against prostate cancer (PCA); however, anticancer efficacy and associated mechanisms of other components of silymarin, which is a mixture of flavonolignans, are largely unknown. Here we have assessed the anticancer efficacy of two pure compounds isosilybin B and isosilybin A, isolated from silymarin, in human prostate carcinoma LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells. Isosilybin B and isosilybin A treatment resulted in growth inhibition and cell death together with a strong G(1) arrest and apoptosis in both the cell lines. In the studies examining changes in cell cycle and apoptosis regulators, isosilybin B and isosilybin A resulted in a decrease in the levels of both cyclins (D1, D3, E and A) and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk2, Cdk4 and cell division cycle 25A), but caused an increase in p21, p27 and p53 levels, except in 22Rv1 cells where isosilybin B caused a decrease in p21 protein level. Isosilybin B- and isosilybin A-induced apoptosis was accompanied with an increase in the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, caspase-9 and caspase-3 and a decrease in survivin levels. Compared with LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells, the antiproliferative and cytotoxic potentials of isosilybin B and isosilybin A were of much lesser magnitude in non-neoplastic human prostate epithelial PWR-1E cells suggesting the transformation-selective effect of these compounds. Together, this study for the first time identified that isosilybin B and isosilybin A, two diastereoisomers isolated from silymarin, have anti-PCA activity that is mediated via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction.