F-box protein FBXO31 directs degradation of MDM2 to facilitate p53-mediated growth arrest following genotoxic stress

The tumor suppressor p53 plays a critical role in maintaining genomic stability. In response to genotoxic stress, p53 levels increase and induce cell-cycle arrest, senescence, or apoptosis, thereby preventing replication of damaged DNA. In unstressed cells, p53 is maintained at a low level. The major negative regulator of p53 is MDM2, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that directly interacts with p53 and promotes its polyubiquitination, leading to the subsequent destruction of p53 by the 26S proteasome. Following DNA damage, MDM2 is degraded rapidly, resulting in increased p53 stability. Because of the important role of MDM2 in modulating p53 function, it is critical to understand how MDM2 levels are regulated. Here we show that the F-box protein FBXO31, a candidate tumor suppressor encoded in 16q24.3 for which there is loss of heterozygosity in various solid tumors, is responsible for promoting MDM2 degradation. Following genotoxic stress, FBXO31 is phosphorylated by the DNA damage serine/threonine kinase ATM, resulting in increased levels of FBXO31. FBXO31 then interacts with and directs the degradation of MDM2, which is dependent on phosphorylation of MDM2 by ATM. FBXO31-mediated loss of MDM2 leads to elevated levels of p53, resulting in growth arrest. In cells depleted of FBXO31, MDM2 is not degraded and p53 levels do not increase following genotoxic stress. Thus, FBXO31 is essential for the classic robust increase in p53 levels following DNA damage.One of the most fundamental and extensively studied anticancer mechanisms is the large increase in the levels of the tumor suppressor p53 that occurs following DNA damage (reviewed in ref. 1). The increased p53 then mediates growth arrest and/or apoptosis. The importance of this anticancer mechanism is highlighted by the mutation or functional inactivation of the p53 gene in more than 50% of human cancers (2, 3).In unstressed cells, p53 is maintained at a low level. The major negative regulator of p53 is MDM2, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that interacts directly with p53 and promotes its polyubiquitination, leading to the subsequent destruction of p53 by the 26S proteasome (reviewed in ref. 4). Following DNA damage, MDM2 is degraded rapidly, resulting in increased p53 stability. Originally it was proposed that MDM2 degradation was caused by auto-ubiquitination; however, subsequent experiments showed that the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of MDM2 is not required for its degradation (5).We originally identified the F-box protein FBXO31 in an RNAi screen as one of 17 factors required for oncogenic BRAF to induce senescence in primary human cells (6). F-box proteins are best known for their role as the substrate-recognition components of the SKP1/CUL1/F-box protein (SCF) class of E3 ubiquitin ligases (7). The F-box motif is responsible for the ability of F-box proteins to interact with the SCF complex and to promote ubiquitination of their targets (8).One of the other genes we isolated in our original RNAi screen was p53 (6), raising the possibility that FBXO31 and p53 function in a common pathway(s). Consistent with this idea, both FBXO31 and p53 can induce growth arrest (9, 10), and we have found that after DNA damage there is a posttranslational increase of FBXO31 levels, as there is for p53 (9). These considerations prompted us to ask whether there was a functional relationship between FBXO31 and p53.     

Distinct mechanisms of cell cycle arrest control the decision between differentiation and senescence in human neuroblastoma cells

Retinoic acid (RA) induces cell cycle arrest and differentiation of human neuroblastoma (NB) cells. Typically, NB cells differentiate along the neuronal lineage, but quiescent, "flat" cell types frequently have been described after treatment with differentiating agents. Two indistinguishable subclones of the cell line SK-N-SH, SK-N-SH-N (SH-N) and SK-N-SH-F (SH-F), display dramatically different responses to RA. In SH-N, RA induces neuronal differentiation, but in SH-F it transforms the small neuroblastic cells into large, flattened, epithelium-like cells. Here we analyze the mechanistic basis for the different effects of RA in the two NB subclones. First, we show that the flattened RA-treated SH-F expresses markers of cells undergoing replicative senescence. Inhibition of DNA synthesis by RA is significantly more rapid in SH-F than in SH-N. SH-F, which expresses basal amounts of p16(INK4A), responds to RA with elevation of p18(INK4C), marked down-regulation of cyclin D1, and swift inhibition of cyclin D-dependent kinases (cdks). Conversely, after addition of RA, SH-N retains cell cycling due to high expression of cyclin D1, the absence of Ink4 inhibitors, and accumulation of p21(Cip1). These changes result in sustained cdk activity. Accordingly, overexpression of p21(Cip1) but not p16(INK4A) induces neuronal differentiation of untreated NB cells. We propose that rapid inhibition of cdks by RA in NB leads to early cell cycle arrest, prevents neuronal differentiation, and results in a senescence-like state.     

大黄素通过p53途径抑制血管平滑肌细胞增殖的实验研究

目的探讨p53途径在大黄素抑制血管平滑肌细胞增殖作用中的地位。方法通过细胞计数、老化相关β-半乳糖苷酶染色、Annexin V标记等方法观察大黄素抑制血管平滑肌细胞增殖的特点。^3H-胸苷掺入法测定DNA合成、流式细胞仪了解细胞周期变化、Western blot检测p53蛋白表达变化、基因芯片观察mRNA表达水平。结果（1）1．6～3．1μg／ml大黄素延缓细胞生长,6．3～12．5μg／ml大黄素促进细胞老化,25．0μg／ml大黄素则可显著诱导细胞凋亡。（2）大黄素干预24h后,出现非计划性DNA合成现象,这是DNA损伤的敏感性标志。p53基因和蛋白表达水平呈大黄素浓度依赖性上调。除了细胞增殖基因表达下调,其他基因表达均上调,如细胞老化基因、细胞凋亡基因、DNA损伤修复基因。（3）大黄素能够迅速渗透进入细胞,在细胞内的分布具有明显的选择性,绝大多数以颗粒形态分布于细胞胞浆中,细胞核中也有少量分布。结论大黄素通过损伤DNA激活p53途径。随着大黄素浓度升高,p53途径激活程度也随之增强并产生多种细胞增殖抑制效应,即生长停滞、细胞老化和细胞凋亡。     

Resistance to vincristine in DLBCL by disruption of p53-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis mediated by KIF18B and USP28

The frontline therapy R-CHOP for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has remained unchanged for two decades despite numerous Phase III clinical trials investigating new alternatives. Multiple large studies have uncovered genetic subtypes of DLBCL enabling a targeted approach. To further pave the way for precision oncology, we perform genome-wide CRISPR screening to uncover the cellular response to one of the components of R-CHOP, vincristine, in the DLBCL cell line SU-DHL-5. We discover important pathways and subnetworks using gene-set enrichment analysis and protein–protein interaction networks and identify genes related to mitotic spindle organization that are essential during vincristine treatment. The inhibition of KIF18A, a mediator of chromosome alignment, using the small molecule inhibitor BTB-1 causes complete cell death in a synergistic manner when administered together with vincristine. We also identify the genes KIF18B and USP28 of which CRISPR/Cas9-directed knockout induces vincristine resistance across two DLBCL cell lines. Mechanistic studies show that lack of KIF18B or USP28 counteracts a vincristine-induced p53 response suggesting that resistance to vincristine has origin in the mitotic surveillance pathway (USP28-53BP1-p53). Collectively, our CRISPR screening data uncover potential drug targets and mechanisms behind vincristine resistance, which may support the development of future drug regimens.     

曲古菌素A对食管癌EC1细胞增殖和细胞周期的影响及其分子机制

目的:探讨不同浓度曲古菌素A对食管癌细胞系EC1 细胞增殖、细胞周期的影响及其对细胞周期调控基因p21 WAF1/CIP1 表达的影响. 方法:用0.3,0.5,1.0 μmol/L 的TSA 处理EC1 细胞,MTT 检测TSA 作用24 、48 h 对EC1 细胞的抑制作用,流式细胞仪检测0.3,0.5,1.0 μmol/L 的TSA 作用24 h 后EC1 细胞周期的改变,Western blot 法检测p21 WAF1/CIP1 变化. 结果:TSA 在0.5 μmol/L 以上时对EC1 细胞有抑制作用;0.3 μmol/L TSA 处理细胞后细胞周期与对照组相比,无明显变化;0.5 μmol/L TSA 处理EC1 细胞后,G0/G1期细胞较对照组明显增加,S 期细胞较对照组明显减少(74.56% ±1.34% vs 62.12%±0.52%;14.52%±1.81% vs 27.50%±0.66%,均P <0.05);0.5,1.0 μmol/L TSA 处理细胞后p21 WAF1/CIP1 表达明显增加(均P<0.05). 结论:一定浓度的TSA 对人食管癌细胞EC 具有的增殖抑制作用,引起EC1 细胞发生G0/G1 期阻滞,其部分机制与p21 WAF1/CIP1 上调有关.     

高氟对大鼠口腔粘膜细胞增殖周期和DNA合成的影响

目的研究高氟对大鼠口腔粘膜细胞增殖周期和DNA合成的影响。方法雄性SD大鼠饮用含150mg／LNaF的蒸馏水溶液4周，用流式细胞术研究大鼠口腔粘膜细胞增殖周期和DNA相对含量(DNARC)，用单细胞凝胶电泳检测DNA损伤。结果高氟能引起大鼠口腔粘膜细胞增殖周期的改变，使G2／M期细胞明显下降，DNARC也显著下降，DNA损伤率明显升高。另外，高氟也造成口腔粘膜组织的氧化应激，活性氧族、脂质过氧化产物显著增高，还原型谷胱甘肽明显下降。结论高氟不仅改变了大鼠口腔粘膜细胞的增殖周期，还造成氧化应激，引起DNA损伤并影响DNA合成使DNA相对含量显著下降。     

Phosphorylation of Hdmx mediates its Hdm2- and ATM-dependent degradation in response to DNA damage

Maintenance of genomic stability depends on the DNA damage response, an extensive signaling network that is activated by DNA lesions such as double-strand breaks (DSBs). The primary activator of the mammalian DSB response is the nuclear protein kinase ataxia-telangiectasia, mutated (ATM), which phosphorylates key players in various arms of this network. The activation and stabilization of the p53 protein play a major role in the DNA damage response and are mediated by ATM-dependent posttranslational modifications of p53 and Mdm2, a ubiquitin ligase of p53. p53's response to DNA damage also depends on Mdm2-dependent proteolysis of Mdmx, a homologue of Mdm2 that represses p53's transactivation function. Here we show that efficient damage-induced degradation of human Hdmx depends on functional ATM and at least three sites on the Hdmx that are phosphorylated in response to DSBs. One of these sites, S403, is a direct ATM target. Accordingly, each of these sites is important for Hdm2-mediated ubiquitination of Hdmx after DSB induction. These results demonstrate a sophisticated mechanism whereby ATM fine-tunes the optimal activation of p53 by simultaneously modifying each player in the process.     

Mediterranean diet supplemented with coenzyme Q10 induces postprandial changes in p53 in response to oxidative DNA damage in elderly subjects

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ) is a powerful antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress. We explored whether the quality of dietary fat alters postprandial oxidative DNA damage and whether supplementation with CoQ improves antioxidant capacity by modifying the activation/stabilization of p53 in elderly subjects. In this crossover study, 20 subjects were randomly assigned to receive three isocaloric diets during 4 weeks each: (1) Mediterranean diet (Med diet), (2) Mediterranean diet supplemented with CoQ (Med+CoQ diet), and (3) saturated fatty acid-rich diet (SFA diet). Levels of mRNAs were determined for p53, p21, p53R2, and mdm2. Protein levels of p53, phosphorylated p53 (Ser20), and monoubiquitinated p53 were also measured, both in cytoplasm and nucleus. The extent of DNA damage was measured as plasma 8-OHdG. SFA diet displayed higher postprandial 8-OHdG concentrations, p53 mRNA and monoubiquitinated p53, and lower postprandial Mdm2 mRNA levels compared with Med and Med+CoQ diets (p < 0.05). Moreover, Med+CoQ diet induced a postprandial decrease of cytoplasmatic p53, nuclear p-p53 (Ser20), and nuclear and cytoplasmatic monoubiquitinated p53 protein (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Med+CoQ diet improves oxidative DNA damage in elderly subjects and reduces processes of cellular oxidation. Our results suggest a starting point for the prevention of oxidative processes associated with aging.     

Prognostic value of cell cycle regulatory proteins in muscle-infiltrating bladder cancer

Purpose The aims of this study were to investigate the expression levels of proteins involved in cell cycle regulation in specimens of bladder cancer and to correlate them with the clinicopathological characteristics, proliferative activity and survival.Methods Eighty-two specimens obtained from patients affected by muscle-invasive bladder cancer were evaluated immunohistochemically for p53, p21 and cyclin D1 expression, as well as for the tumour proliferation index, Ki-67. The statistical analysis included Kaplan–Meier curves with log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards models.Results In univariate analyses, low Ki-67 proliferation index (P = 0.045) and negative p21 immunoreactivity (P = 0.04) were associated to patient’s overall survival (OS), but in multivariate models p21 did not reach statistical significance. When the combinations of the variables were assessed in two separate multivariate models that included tumour stage, grading, lymph node status, vascular invasion and perineural invasion, the combined variables p21/Ki-67 or p21/cyclin D1 expression were independent predictors for OS; in particular, patients with positive p21/high Ki-67 (P = 0.015) or positive p21/negative cyclin D1 (P = 0.04) showed the worst survival outcome.Conclusions Important alterations in the cell cycle regulatory pathways occur in muscle-invasive bladder cancer and the combined use of cell cycle regulators appears to provide significant prognostic information that could be used to select the patients most suitable for multimodal therapeutic approaches.     

老龄大鼠局灶性脑缺血周围区DNA损伤的研究

目的　探讨老龄大鼠局灶性脑缺血周围DNA损伤特点。方法　应用HE染色、原位末端标记法 (TUNEL)标记、原位分子杂交、免疫组织化学等方法 ,分别对缺血 4、2 4h和 5d组大鼠脑组织中坏死细胞、凋亡细胞、p5 3mR NA、p5 3蛋白阳性细胞密度及空间分布进行观察和比较。结果　不同时间点病灶周围每高倍视野TUNEL、p5 3蛋白、p5 3mRNA的阳性细胞数分别为 4h :8.0± 1.5、2 5 .1± 2 .6、10 .3± 1.9;2 4h :2 0 .5± 2 .4、6 0 .0± 4.8、2 2 .0± 1.8;5d :2 .1± 0 .4、3.6± 1.4、3.5± 0 .8。p5 3基因主要在形态完整和可逆性损伤细胞中表达、分布范围较TUNEL细胞广泛。结论　局灶性脑缺血后 ,缺血周围DNA损伤区大于凋亡区 ,p5 3基因表达范围可能代表病理意义上的半暗带 ;p5 3主要发挥DNA修复作用     

Distinct inflammatory mechanisms mediate early versus late colitis in mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Progression from the acute to chronic phase of inflammatory bowel disease cannot be easily evaluated in patients and has not been characterized in animal models. We report a longitudinal study investigating changes in the mucosal immune response in an experimental model of colitis. METHODS: Severity of colitis, body mass, stool consistency and blood content, serum amyloid A, and tissue histology were examined in interleukin (IL)-10-deficient mice over 35 weeks. The corresponding production of IL-12, IL-18, interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-4, and IL-13 by lamina propria mononuclear cells in the inflamed intestine was measured. Administration of neutralizing antibody to IL-12 at distinct times during disease progression permitted evaluation of its therapeutic potential. RESULTS: The clinical manifestations and intestinal inflammation delineated an early phase of colitis (10-24 weeks), characterized by a progressive increase in disease severity, followed by a late phase (>25 weeks), in which chronic inflammation persisted indefinitely. Lamina propria mononuclear cells from mice with early disease synthesized progressively greater quantities of IL-12 and interferon gamma, whereas production of both cytokines dramatically declined and returned to pre-disease levels in the late phase of colitis. Consistent with this pattern, neutralizing antibody to IL-12 reversed early, but not late, disease. In contrast, IL-4 and IL-13 production increased progressively from pre- to early to late disease. CONCLUSIONS: Colitis that develops in IL-10-deficient mice evolves into 2 distinct phases. IL-12 plays a pivotal role in early colitis, whereas its absence and the synthesis of IL-4 and IL-13 in late disease indicate that other immune mechanisms sustain chronic inflammation.     

The essential role of p21 in radiation-induced cell cycle arrest of vascular smooth muscle cell

The biologic mechanisms for the success and failure of intravascular radiation therapy after angioplasty have not been well studied. We investigated the molecular mechanism of radiation-induced cell cycle arrest in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) and examined whether p21 knock-out is a cause of radiation failure. Using different dosages of gamma radiation, we evaluated the effect of radiation on VSMC apoptosis and cell cycle progression, and its action mechanism. Irradiation significantly retarded the growth of cultured VSMC, which was not due to induction of apoptosis but mainly due to cell cycle arrest. Radiation showed remarkable cell cycle arrest at G1 and G2 phase (G0/G1:S:G2/M phases = 61%:34%:5% with 0 Gy versus 61%:9%:30% with 16 Gy, 12 h after radiation). In immunoblot analysis and kinase assay, radiation increased the expression of p21 and decreased the expression and activity of CDK2 and 1. In contrast, radiation did not affect the expression and activity of CDK4 and 6, nor the expression of p27 and p16. When p21 was knocked out, cell cycle of VSMC was not arrested by radiation, leading to increased proliferation. These finding provide the evidence that radiation inhibits VSMC proliferation through cell cycle arrest by enhancing p21 expression and suppressing CDK1 and 2. This observation supports the key role of p21 in radiation-induced cell cycle arrest and the degree of p21 expression may be the possible mechanism of radiation failure and delayed restenosis.     

Continuous elimination of oxidized nucleotides is necessary to prevent rapid onset of cellular senescence

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) appear to play a role in limiting both cellular and organismic lifespan. However, because of their pleiotropic effects, it has been difficult to ascribe a specific role to ROS in initiating the process of cellular senescence. We have studied the effects of oxidative DNA damage on cell proliferation, believing that such damage is of central importance to triggering senescence. To do so, we devised a strategy to decouple levels of 8-oxoguanine, a major oxidative DNA lesion, from ROS levels. Suppression of MTH1 expression, which hydrolyzes 8-oxo-dGTP, was accompanied by increased total cellular 8-oxoguanine levels and caused early-passage primary and telomerase-immortalized human skin fibroblasts to rapidly undergo senescence, doing so without altering cellular ROS levels. This senescent phenotype recapitulated several salient features of replicative senescence, notably the presence of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA beta-gal) activity, apparently irreparable genomic DNA breaks, and elevation of p21^Cip1, p53, and p16^INK4A tumor suppressor protein levels. Culturing cells under low oxygen tension (3%) largely prevented the shMTH1-dependent senescent phenotype. These results indicate that the nucleotide pool is a critical target of intracellular ROS and that oxidized nucleotides, unless continuously eliminated, can rapidly induce cell senescence through signaling pathways very similar to those activated during replicative senescence.     

Different susceptibility of increased DNMT1 expression by exposure to tobacco smoke according to histology in primary non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is known to play an important role in the development of cancers. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for the altered expression of DNMT1 in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) remain to be elucidated. Methods We investigated the relationships of mRNA expression levels of DNMT1 to the altered expression of retinoblastoma (Rb) and p53 and to the clinicopathological variables in 153 NSCLCs. The expression of DNMT1 was determined by quantitative real-time PCR, and the altered expressions of p53 and Rb were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results The increased expression of DNMT1 was found in 47 (31%) of 153 NSCLC patients examined. The prevalence of increased DNMT1 expression was significantly different between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (42% vs. 19%, respectively; P = 0.004). Patients who had smoked more than 65 packyears showed a 4.17 times [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.17–69.49; P = 0.007] higher risk of increased DNMT1 expression compared to those who had smoked less than 45 packyears in adenocarcinoma. The expressions of Rb and p53 proteins were not associated with the increased expression of DNMT1 in 153 NSCLCs (P = 0.18 and 0.54, respectively). Conclusions The present study suggests that the susceptibility of increased DNMT1 expression by exposure to tobacco smoke may be different according to histologic subtypes in NSCLC. Young-Mi Kwon and Jung Ho Park have contributed equally for this project.     

Effects of allitridi on cell cycle arrest of human gastric cancer cells

AIM: To determine the effect of allitridi on cell cycle of human gastric cancer (HGC) cell lines MGC803 and SGC7901 and its possible mechanism. METHODS: Trypan blue dye exclusion was used to evaluate the proliferation, inhibition of cells and damages of these cells were detected with electron microscope. Flow cytometry and cell mitotic index were used to analyze the change of cell cycle, immunohistochemistry, and RTPCR was used to examine expression of the p21~(WAF1) gene. RESULTS: MGC803 cell growth was inhibited by allitridi with 24 h IC_(50) being 6.4 μg/mL. SGC7901 cell growth was also inhibited by allitridi with 24 h IC_(50) being 7.3 μg/mL After being treated with allitridi at the concentration of 12 μg/mL for 24 h, cells were found to have direct cytotoxic effects, including broken cellular membrane, swollen and vesiculated mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticula, and mass lipid droplet. When cells were treated with allitridi at the concentration of 3, 6, and 9 μg/mL for 24 h, the percentage of G_0/G_1 phase cells was decreased and that of G_2/M phase cells was significantly increased (P=0.002) compared with those in the group. When cells were treated with allitridi at the concentration of 6 μg/mL, cell mitotic index was much higher (P=0.003) than that of control group, indicating that allitridi could cause gastric cancer cell arrest in M phase. Besides, the expression levels of p21~(WAF1)gene of MGC803 cells and p21~(WAF1) gene of SGC7901 cells were remarkably upregulated after treatment. CONCLUSION: Allitridi can cause gastric cancer cell arrest in M phase, and this may be one of the mechanisms for inhibiting cell proliferation. Effect of allitridi on cells in M phase may be associated with the upregulation of p21~(WAF1) genes. This study provides experimental data for clinical use of allitridi in the treatment of gastric carcinoma.