人表皮生长因子受体显性负性突变体诱导胃癌细胞发生G0/G1期阻滞

 目的：探讨人表皮生长因子受体显性负性突变体（dominant negative epidermal growth factor receptor,DNEGFR）对胃癌细胞细胞周期的影响及其分子机制。方法：选用2株人胃癌细胞,分为如下6组：SGC-7901细胞未转染组（US组）、SGC-7901细胞pEGFP-N1质粒转染组(ES组)、SGC-7901细胞pEGFPN1-DNEGFR质粒转染组(DS组)、NCI-N87细胞未转染组（UN组)、NCI-N87细胞pEGFP-N1质粒转染组(EN组)和NCI-N87细胞pEGFPN1-DNEGFR质粒转染组(DN组)。采用流式细胞术检测细胞周期,Western blotting检测细胞周期素依赖性蛋白激酶2（CDK2）、cyclin D1、Ser9位点磷酸化糖原合成酶激酶3β［p-GSK-3β(Ser9)］、p21和p27蛋白水平。结果：转染pEGFPN1-DNEGFR质粒的人胃癌细胞株出现G0/G1期阻滞,CDK2、cyclin D1和p-GSK-3β（Ser9）蛋白水平降低,p21和p27蛋白水平则升高。结论：DNEGFR通过激活GSK-3β使cyclin D1蛋白水平降低,并降低CDK2蛋白水平,上调p21和p27蛋白水平,最终导致胃癌细胞发生G0/G1期阻滞。这一结果将为胃癌生物治疗研究提供新思路。     

Herpes simplex virus type 1 infection imposes a G(1)/S block in asynchronously growing cells and prevents G(1) entry in quiescent cells

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection disrupted cell cycle regulation in at least two ways. First, infection of quiescent human embryonic lung cells simultaneously with readdition of serum caused inhibition of cyclin D/cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4,6-specific and cyclin E/CDK2-specific phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein pRb. The inhibition of cyclin D/CDK4,6 kinase activity corresponded to a loss of cyclin D1 protein and a failure of CDK4 and CDK6 to translocate to the nucleus. Failure to detect cyclin E/CDK2 kinase activity was accompanied by a loss of cyclin E protein and a failure of CDK2 to translocate to the nucleus. Levels of pocket protein p130 persisted, whereas p107 did not accumulate. As a result of these effects on cyclin kinase, G(0)-infected cells failed to reenter the cell cycle. The second type of HSV-induced cell cycle dysregulation was observed in asynchronously dividing cell cultures. A rapid inhibition of preexisting cyclin E/CDK2 and cyclin A/CDK2 activities was observed in human embryonic lung cells, as well as two other human cell lines: C33 and U2OS. HSV-1 immediate-early gene expression was necessary for the inhibition of CDK2 kinase activity. Cyclin and CDK subunit protein levels, intracellular localization, and complex stability were unaffected by infection. In addition, levels of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p27 and p21, were not affected by HSV-1. Previous experiments demonstrated that in asynchronous infected cells, hypophosphorylated pRb and pocket protein-E2F complexes accumulated, and cellular DNA synthesis was rapidly inhibited. Coupled with the present results, this indicates that HSV-1 has evolved mechanisms for preventing cells in G(1) from proceeding through the restriction point and for cells in S from completing a round of DNA replication.     

Benznidazole modulates cell proliferation in acute leukemia cells

Abstract

Context: We have previously reported that benznidazole (BZL), known for its trypanocidal action, has anti-proliferative activity against different cell lines like HeLa and Raw 264.7 among others. At the moment, it has not been reported if the anti-proliferative effect of BZL is similar for non-adherent hematopoietic cells like was reported for adherent cancer cell lines.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of BZL on the growth of the leukemic cell lines THP-1 and OCI/AML3.

Materials and methods: We evaluated cell proliferation by [³H]-thymidine incorporation and MTT reduction as well as cell death by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. We assessed apoptosis by flow cytometry for detection of annexin V-positive and propidium iodide-negative cells, along with nuclear morphology by diamidino-2-phenolindole (DAPI) staining. Western blot studies were performed to evaluate changes in cell cycle proteins in BZL-treated cells.

Results: BZL significantly reduced proliferation of both cell lines without inducing cell death. Likewise it produced no significant differences in apoptosis between treated cells and controls. In addition, flow cytometry analysis indicated that BZL caused a larger number of THP-1 cells in G0/G1 phase and a smaller number of cells in S phase than controls. This was accompanied with an increase in the expression of the CDK inhibitor p27 and of cyclin D1, with no significant differences in the protein levels of CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, cyclins E, A and B as compared to controls.

Conclusion: BZL inhibits the proliferation of leukemic non-adherent cells by controlling cell cycle at G0/G1 cell phase through up-regulation of p27.     

MicroRNA-25 regulates small cell lung cancer cell development and cell cycle through cyclin E2

Purpose: We intended to examine the underlying mechanism of microRNA-25 (miR-25) in regulating small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Methods: The miR-25 expression was measured by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) in 5 SCLC cell lines and 9 human SCLC tissues. In SCLC cell line H510A cells, endogenous miR-25 was downregulated by stable transfection of antisense oligonucleotide of miR-25 (miR-25-as). Then the effects of miR-25 downregulation on SCLC growth, invasion and chemoresistance were assessed by MTT, migration and cisplatin assays, respectively. Furthermore, the effects of miR-25 downregulation on cancer cell cycle arrest, production of cell cycle proteins cyclin E2 and CDK2 were examined by cell cycle assay, western blot and luciferase assays, respectively. Finally, cyclin E2 was over-expressed in H510A cells to investigate its effect on miR-25 mediated SCLC regulation. Results: In both SCLC cells and human SCLC tumor tissues, miR-25 was overexpressed. Down-regulation of miR-25 in H510A cells significantly reduced cancer cell growth, invasive capability and resistance to cisplatin. Also, it induced G1 cell cycle arrest and downregulated cell cycle related proteins cyclin E2 and CDK2. Luciferase assay demonstrated cyclin E2 was directly targeted by miR-25. Overexpression of cyclin E2 in H510A cells reversed the cell cycle arrest and restored invasive capability impaired by miR-25 downregulation. Conclusions: Our study shows miR-25 is overexpressed in SCLC and acting as oncogenic regulator by regulating cyclin E2.     

人乳头状瘤病毒16型E6E7肿瘤性转化人永生化支气管上皮细胞

目的 探讨人乳头状瘤病毒（ＨＰＶ）１６型Ｅ６Ｅ７片段对人永生化支气管上皮细胞系ＴＲ细胞的作用。方法 将Ｅ６Ｅ７片段构建入逆转录病毒载体,导入ＴＲ细胞,观察生长特性和致瘤性的改变;并用免疫沉淀（ＩＰ）－Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ检测ｐ２７蛋白功能及ＦＡＫ、桩蛋白数量及磷酸化状况,结果 嘌呤霉素抗药性克隆ＴＲ／Ｅ６Ｅ７有Ｅ６Ｅ７的存在和稳定表达;ＴＲ／Ｅ６Ｅ７细胞系细胞生长加快,软琼脂集落形成能力增强,     

Apicidin, a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor, has profound anti-growth activity in human endometrial and ovarian cancer cells

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) can inhibit proliferation, induce cell cycle arrest and stimulate apoptosis of cancer cells. Our purpose was to investigate the antiproliferative effects of a novel HDACI, apicidin, on the Ishikawa endometrial cancer cell line, the SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cell line and normal human endometrial epithelial cells. Endometrial and ovarian cancer cells were treated with various concentrations of apicidin, and the effects on cell growth, cell cycle, apoptosis and related measurements were investigated. MTT assays showed that all endometrial and ovarian cancer cell lines were sensitive to the growth inhibitory effect of apicidin, although normal endometrial epithelial cells were viable after the treatment with the same doses of apicidin that induced the growth inhibition of endometrial and ovarian cancer cells. Cell cycle analysis indicated that their exposure to apicidin decreased the proportion of cells in S-phase and increased the proportion in G0/G1 and/or G2/M phases of the cell cycle. Induction of apoptosis was confirmed by Annexin V staining of externalized phosphatidylserine and loss of the transmembrane potential of mitochondria. This induction occurred in concert with the altered expression of p21WAF1, p27KIP1, p16, cyclin A, and E-cadherin. Furthermore, apicidin treatment of these cell lines increased acetylation of H3 and H4 histone tails. These results suggest that apicidin exhibits the antiproliferative effects through selective induction of genes related to cell growth, malignant phenotype, and apoptosis. The findings raise the possibility that apicidin may prove particularly effective in the treatment of endometrial and ovarian cancers.     

Mechanism of hydrogen peroxide-induced cell cycle arrest in vascular smooth muscle

Reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) can positively and negatively modulate vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth. To investigate these paradoxical effects of H(2)O(2), we examined its effect on apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and cell cycle proteins. High concentrations of H(2)O(2) (500 microM to 1 mM) induced apoptosis, whereas moderate concentrations (100 microM) caused cell cycle arrest in G1. H(2)O(2) (100 microM) blocked serum-stimulated cyclin-dependent kinase-2 (CDK2) activity, but not CDK4 activity, suggesting that cell cycle arrest occurred in part by inhibiting CDK2 activity. The serum-induced increase in cyclin A mRNA was also completely suppressed by H(2)O(2), whereas cyclin D1 mRNA was not affected. In addition, H(2)O(2) caused a dramatic increase in expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p21 mRNA (9.67 +/- 0.94-fold at 2 h) and protein (8.75 +/- 0.08-fold at 8 h), but no change in p27 protein. Finally, H(2)O(2 )transiently increased p53 protein levels (3.16 +/- 1.2-fold at 2 h). Thus, whereas high levels of H(2)O(2) induce apoptosis, moderate concentrations of H(2)O(2) coordinate a set of molecular events leading to arrest of VSMCs at the G1/S checkpoint of the cell cycle. These results provide insight into the mechanisms underlying positive and negative regulation of VSMC growth by H(2)O(2) in vascular disease.     

小檗碱增强丝裂霉素C诱导的膀胱癌T24细胞周期阻滞及凋亡

目的:研究小檗碱(berberine,Ber)增强丝裂霉素C(mitomycin C,MMC)诱导的人类膀胱癌T24细胞周期阻滞和细胞凋亡的作用及其相关机制。方法:将T24细胞分为4组:对照组、MMC组、MMC+Ber组和Ber组;采用CCK-8法检测不同药物处理后T24细胞的活力;采用流式细胞术分析不同药物处理后T24细胞周期的情况;Western blot检测细胞周期调控相关蛋白及凋亡相关蛋白的表达;Annexin V-FITC/PI双染后用流式细胞术检测各组细胞凋亡率。结果:CCK-8实验表明Ber能增强MMC抑制T24细胞活力的作用;流式细胞术检测细胞周期结果显示,MMC+Ber组T24细胞滞于G_0/G_1期(P0.05);与MMC组相比,MMC+Ber组p21和p27的蛋白表达上调(P0.05),cyclin D1、CDK2和CDK4的蛋白表达下调(P0.05),同时Ber促进MMC下调survivin的蛋白表达(P0.05);Annexin V-FITC/PI双染结果显示,Ber能促进MMC诱导的T24细胞凋亡(P0.05)。结论:Ber能显著增强MMC抑制T24细胞活力的作用,其机制可能是通过上调p21和p27,进而抑制cyclin D1、CDK2和CDK4表达;同时通过抑制survivin蛋白的表达,最终导致细胞被阻滞在G_0/G_1期,并促进细胞凋亡。     

Chloroquine enhances the chemotherapeutic activity of 5-fluorouracil in a colon cancer cell line via cell cycle alteration

Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process that degrades cytoplasmic proteins and organelles for recycling. The role of autophagy in tumorigenesis is controversial because autophagy can be either protective or damaging to tumor cells, and its effects may change during tumor progression. A number of cancer cell lines have been exposed to chloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, with the aim of inhibiting cell growth and inducing cell death. In addition, chloroquine inhibits a late phase of autophagy. This study was conducted to investigate the anti-cancer effect of autophagy inhibition, using chloroquine together with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in a colon cancer cell line. Human colon cancer DLD-1 cells were treated with 5-FU (10 μΜ) or chloroquine (100 μΜ), or a combination of both. Autophagy was evaluated by western blot analysis of microtubule-associated protein light chain3 (LC3). Proliferative activity, alterations of the cell cycle, and apoptosis were measured by MTT assays, flow cytometry, and western blotting. LC3-II protein increased after treatment with 5-FU, and chloroquine potentiated the cytotoxicity of 5-FU. MTT assays showed that 5-FU inhibited proliferation of the DLD-1 cells and that chloroquine enhanced this inhibitory effect of 5-FU. The combination of 5-FU and chloroquine induced G1 arrest, up-regulation of p27 and p53, and down-regulation of CDK2 and cyclin D1. These results suggest that chloroquine may potentiate the anti-cancer effect of 5-FU via cell cycle inhibition. Chloroquine potentiates the anti-cancer effect of 5-FU in colon cancer cells. Supplementation of conventional chemotherapy with chloroquine may provide a new cancer therapy modality.     

HCV NS2 protein inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell cycle arrest in the S-phase in mammalian cells through down-regulation of cyclin A expression

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection often leads to liver cancer. NS2 protein is a HCV hydrophobic transmembrane protein that associates with several cellular proteins in mammalian cells. In this report, we investigated the functions of NS2 protein by examining its effects on cell growth and cell cycle progression. Stable NS2-expressing HeLa and Vero cell lines were established by transfection of the cells with pcDNA3.1(-)-NS2 followed by selection of the transfected cells in the presence of G418. We found that the proliferation rates of both NS2-expressing cell lines were inhibited by 40-50% compared with the control cells that were transfected with pcDNA3.1(-) control vector. Cell cycle analysis of these NS2-expressing cell lines shows that the proportion of cells in the S-phase increased significantly compared to that of control cells that do not express NS2 protein, suggesting NS2 protein induces cell cycle arrest in the S-phase. Further studies showed that the induction of cell cycle arrest in the S-phase by NS2 protein is associated with the decrease of cyclin A level. In contrast, the expression of NS2 protein does not affect the levels of cyclin-dependent kinase CDK2, CDK4, cyclin D1, or cyclin E. Our results suggest that HCV NS2 protein inhibits cell growth and induces the cell cycle arrest in the S-phase through down-regulation of cyclin A expression, which may be beneficial to HCV viral replication. Our findings not only provide information in the understanding mechanism of HCV infection, but also provide guidance for the future development of potential therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of the viral infection.     

氯喹对人肺癌A549细胞周期阻滞及增殖抑制的机制

目的 探讨氯喹抑制人非小细胞肺癌A549细胞增殖、促进凋亡、阻滞细胞周期的作用及其分子机制。 方法 应用MTT法和流式细胞术分别检测氯喹对A549细胞增殖、细胞凋亡和细胞周期的影响;Western blotting检测氯喹对A549细胞周期蛋白(cyclin E1)和细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶（CDK2）、肿瘤抑制蛋白PTEN以及细胞周期抑制蛋白P21、P27表达水平的影响。 结果 氯喹能够抑制A549细胞增殖,并且具有时间-剂量依赖性。氯喹可以诱导细胞凋亡,不同浓度的氯喹作用于A549细胞24h后,细胞凋亡率随着作用剂量的增加而升高。进一步的研究发现,氯喹还能够阻滞细胞周期于G₀/G₁期,降低cyclinE1和CDK2表达水平,明显提高PTEN、P21和P27的表达水平。 结论 氯喹具有抑制肺癌细胞增殖、促进其凋亡和阻滞细胞周期的作用,其机制可能与其抑制CyclinE1和CDK2表达,并且上调PTEN、P21和P27蛋白的表达有关。     

Protective function of p27(KIP1) against apoptosis in small cell lung cancer cells in unfavorable microenvironments

A previous study of ours unexpectedly found that in contrast to frequent reductions in non-small cell lung cancer, high expression of the p27(KIP1) cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor was retained in virtually all small cell lung cancers (SCLCs), suggesting the possibility of high expression of nonfunctional p27(KIP1) in this virulent tumor. The study presented here, however, shows that p27(KIP1) in SCLC biochemically functions as a CDK inhibitor, clearly showing induction apparently associated with G(1)/G(0) arrest and efficient binding to and inhibition of the cyclin E-CDK2 complex. Interestingly, induction of p27(KIP1) seems to confer on SCLC cells the ability to survive under culture conditions unfavorable for cell growth such as a lack of nutrients and hypoxia. Subsequent experiments manipulating p27(KIP1) levels by using a sense p27(KIP1) expression construct or an antisense oligonucleotide supported this notion. These observations suggest that high expression of p27(KIP1) in vivo may favor the survival of SCLC by preventing apoptosis in a microenvironment unfavorable for cell proliferation.     

Decitabine induces G2/M cell cycle arrest by suppressing p38/NF-κB signaling in human renal clear cell carcinoma

Objective: The anti-neoplastic effects of decitabine, an inhibitor of DNA promoter methylation, are beneficial for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC); however, the mechanism of action of decitabine is unclear. We analyzed gene expression profiling and identified specific pathways altered by decitabine in RCC cells. Methods: Four human RCC cell lines (ACHN, Caki-1, Caki-1, and A498) were used in this study; growth suppression of RCC cells by decitabine was analyzed using the WST-1 assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were examined using flow cytometric analysis. Gene expression of RCC cells induced by decitabine was evaluated with cDNA microarray, and potential biological pathways were selected using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. The activity of the p38-NF-κB pathway regulated by decitabine was confirmed by Western blotting. Results: Decitabine suppresses the proliferation of RCC cells in vitro. Although decitabine did not significantly induce apoptosis, decitabine caused cell cycle arrest at G2/M in a dose-dependent manner. Gene expression regulated by decitabine in RCC cells was investigated using microarray analysis. Ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL1), interferon inducible protein 27 (IFI27), and cell division cycle-associated 2 (CDCA2) may be involved in growth suppression of RCC cells by decitabine. The phosphorylation of p38-NF-κB pathway was suppressed by decitabine in RCC cells. Conclusions: We investigated gene expression profiling and pathways modulated by decitabine in RCC cells. Decitabine was shown to suppress the growth of RCC cells via G2/M cell cycle arrest and the p38-NF-κB signaling pathway may play a role in the anti-neoplastic effect of decitabine in RCC cells.     

Anti-leukemic effect of a synthetic compound, (±) trans-dihydronarciclasine (HYU-01) via cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia

(±) trans-Dihydronarciclasine, isolated from Chinese medicinal plant Zephyranthes candida, has been shown to possess quite potent anti-tumoral effect against selected human cancer cell lines. However, little is known about the anti-tumoral effect of (±) trans-dihydronarciclasine in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study was performed to investigate the effect of a novel synthetic (±) trans-dihydronarciclasine (code name; HYU-01) in AML. The HYU-01 inhibited the proliferation of various AML cell lines including HL-60 as well as primary leukemic blasts in a dose-dependent manner. To investigate the mechanism of the anti-proliferative effect of HYU-01, cell-cycle analysis was attempted in HL-60 cells, resulting in G1 arrest. The expression levels of CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin E, and cyclin A were decreased in a time-dependent manner. In addition, HYU-01 up-regulated the expression of the p27, and markedly enhanced the binding of p27 with CDK2, 4, and 6, ultimately resulting in the decrease of their kinase activities. Furthermore, HYU-01 induced the apoptosis through the induction of proapoptotic molecules and reduction of antiapoptotic molecules in association with the activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9. These results suggest that HYU-01 may inhibit the proliferation of HL-60 cells, via apoptosis, as well as G1 block in association with the induction of p27.     

Two specific drugs, BMS-345541 and purvalanol A induce apoptosis of HTLV-1 infected cells through inhibition of the NF-kappaB and cell cycle pathways

Human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) induces adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL/L), a fatal lymphoproliferative disorder, and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), a chronic progressive disease of the central nervous system after a long period of latent infection. Although the mechanism of transformation and leukemogenesis is not fully elucidated, there is evidence to suggest that the viral oncoprotein Tax plays a crucial role in these processes through the regulation of several pathways including NF-κB and the cell cycle pathways. The observation that NF-κB, which is strongly induced by Tax, is indispensable for the maintenance of the malignant phenotype of HTLV-1 by regulating the expression of various genes involved in cell cycle regulation and inhibition of apoptosis provides a possible molecular target for these infected cells. To develop potential new therapeutic strategies for HTLV-1 infected cells, in this present study, we initially screened a battery of NF-κB and CDK inhibitors (total of 35 compounds) to examine their effects on the growth and survival of infected T-cell lines. Two drugs namely BMS-345541 and Purvalanol A exhibited higher levels of growth inhibition and apoptosis in infected cell as compared to uninfected cells. BMS-345541 inhibited IKKβ kinase activity from HTLV-1 infected cells with an IC₅₀ (the 50% of inhibitory concentration) value of 50 nM compared to 500 nM from control cells as measured by in vitro kinase assays. The effects of Purvalanol A were associated with suppression of CDK2/cyclin E complex activity as previously shown by us. Combination of both BMS-345541 and Purvalanol A showed a reduced level of HTLV-1 p19 Gag production in cell culture. The apparent apoptosis in these infected cells were associated with increased caspase-3 activity and PARP cleavage. The potent and selective apoptotic effects of these drugs suggest that both BMS-345541 and Purvalanol A, which target both NF-κB and CDK complex and the G1/S border, might be promising new agents in the treatment of these infected patients.     

Effects of apicidin, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on the regulation of apoptosis in H-ras-transformed breast epithelial cells

The cellular susceptibility of cancer cells to histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors is increased by the etopic expression of oncogenic Ras. However, the ability of HDAC inhibitors to regulate the apoptotic pathway in human breast cancer cells is still not completely understood. In this study, the anti-proliferative effects of apicidin were compared in H-ras-transformed human breast epithelial (MCF10A-ras) and non-transformed epithelial (MCF10A) cells. MCF10A-ras cells showed a significantly higher growth rate than MCF10A cells. Apicidin significantly increased the levels of acetylated histone H3 and H4 in both cell lines. Western blot analysis and flow cytometry were used to determine if the anti-proliferative effects of apicidin in MCF10A and MCF10A-ras cells could be mediated by modulating the cell cycle. Apicidin attenuated the expression of cyclin E and CDK2 in MCF10A cells, decreased cyclin D1 and cyclin E levels in MCF10A-ras cells, and increased the levels of CDK inhibitors, p21WAF1/Cip1 and p27Kip1, in both cell lines. Notably, the levels of hyperphosphorylation of the Rb protein levels were lower in the MCF10A-ras cells after apicidin treatment. Studies on the regulation of apoptosis showed that apicidin induces the up-regulation of p53 and the downstream activation of ERK in MCF10A-ras cells. The up-regulation of p53 promoted Bax expression leading to activation of caspases-9 and -6, and eventually to apoptosis in MCF10A-ras cells. In addition, apicidin significantly increased the levels of ERK1/2 phosphorylation in MCF10A-ras cells. Therefore, the apicidin-mediated ERK pathway appears to play an important role in modulating the pro-apoptotic pathway in MCF10A-ras cells.     

Clinical significance of cell cycle inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma

It is well accepted that cell cycle regulators are strongly implicated in the progression of cancer development. p16 and p27 are potent cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors involved in G1 phase progression, and are regarded as adverse prognostic biomarkers for various types of cancers. It has been reported that the main mechanism for p16 inactivation is aberrant DNA methylation, while p27 is exclusively inactivated by proteasome-mediated protein degradation. We have found that p27 is decreased in around half of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), and in some cases p27 is inactivated by inappropriate interaction with cyclin D1/CDK4 complexes. In such cases, p16 is concomitantly inactivated through DNA methylation. Taking into consideration the complex interaction between p16 and p27, a comprehensive analysis including p16 and p27 would be useful for predicting the prognosis of HCC patients.     

p16 and p27 are functionally correlated during the progress of hepatocarcinogenesis

The molecular mechanism of the cell-cycle machinery in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been fully elucidated. Among the various types of cell-cycle regulators, p16 and p27 are now considered to be potent tumor suppressors. p16 is a G1-specific cell-cycle inhibitor that prevents the association of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and CDK6 with cyclin D₁. Many studies have reported that p16 is inactivated not only in aggressive types of HCC but also in preneoplastic liver cirrhosis. In many cases of HCC, p16 is mainly inactivated by extensive CpG methylation, suggesting that epigenetic changes in the p16 gene may be important events during hepatocarcinogenesis. p27, an inhibitor of CDK2, is presently regarded as a potent adverse prognostic factor in many aggressive cancers. It should be noted that some cases of HCC show increased cell proliferation despite the expression of considerable amounts of p27. In these cases, p27 is inactivated by sequestration into cyclin D₁–CDK4-containing complexes. Although the reason for the compositional changes in the p27-containing complexes is unclear, our experimental results indicate that loss of p16 following DNA methylation is closely related to the functional inactivation of p27 in HCC. We suggest that assessment of the p16 status may be useful for a precise prognostic prediction for individuals with HCCs expressing high levels of p27.