Pharmaceutical-mediated inactivation of p53 sensitizes U87MG glioma cells to BCNU and temozolomide

Pifithrin-alpha (PFTalpha) is a small molecule inhibitor of p53. By reversibly blocking apoptosis in response to DNA damage, PFTalpha protects normal cells from lethal doses of gamma-radiation (Komarov et al., Science, 1999;285:1733-7). We examined the effect of PFTalpha on the chemosensitivity of a human cancer in which cell cycle arrest, not apoptosis, is the principle cellular consequence of p53 activation. This was of interest because E6 silencing of p53 sensitizes U87MG astrocytic glioma cells to BCNU and temozolomide (TMZ), cytotoxic drugs that are modestly helpful in the treatment of aggressive astrocytic gliomas. We observed that exposure of U87MG cells to PFTalpha before cytotoxic chemotherapy attenuated p53-mediated induction of p21WAF1 protein levels, sensitizing U87MG cells to BCNU and TMZ. Sensitization of U87MG cells was associated with G1 arrest, delayed entry into S-phase and decreased repair of DNA damage by BCNU. Our findings suggest that in addition to protecting normal cells from the toxic effects of radiation and chemotherapy, small molecule inhibitors of p53, like PFTalpha, might play a role in clinical oncology by sensitizing certain resistant cancers to cytotoxic chemotherapies.     

p53-R175H mutant gains new function in regulation of doxorubicin-induced apoptosis

Mutation of tumor suppressor p53 gene gains new function in regulation of DNA damage-induced apoptotic response in tumor cells, which may lead to a poor response in cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Transfection of mutant p53 (R175H) to p53-null osteosarcoma Saos-2 cells suppressed apoptosis induced by doxorubicin (DOX), cisplatin and gamma radiation. Downregulation of caspase-3 but not -8 or -9 basal protein levels was also observed in Saos-2 cells transfected with p53-R175H. After 48 hr of DOX treatment, the rate of procasapse-3 activation into 17 kDa active form was about 3-fold higher in the control cells than that in the p53-R175H counterpart. Gene silencing of p53-R175H expression by p53 siRNA upregulate the procaspase-3 protein level and restored DOX-induced apoptosis in p53-R175H cells. Our results suggest that p53-R175H mutation may gain new function in decreasing DOX-induced apoptotic response through suppression of caspase-3 level and its activation.     

Oncogenic WIP1 phosphatase attenuates the DNA damage response and sensitizes p53 mutant Jurkat cells to apoptosis

Wild-type (wt) p53-induced phosphatase 1 (Wip1), encoded by the protein phosphatase, Mg²⁺/Mn²⁺ dependent 1D (PPM1D) gene, is a serine/threonine phosphatase induced upon genotoxic stress in a p53-dependent manner. Wip1/PPM1D is frequently overexpressed, amplified and mutated in human solid tumors harboring wt p53 and is thus currently recognized as an oncogene. Oncogenic Wip1 dampens cellular stress responses, such as cell cycle checkpoints, apoptosis and senescence, and consequently increases resistance to anticancer therapeutics. Targeting Wip1 has emerged as a therapeutic strategy for tumors harboring wt p53. However, little is known about the efficacy of Wip1-targeted therapies in tumors lacking p53. The present study aimed to investigate the potential role of oncogenic Wip1 in p53 mutant (mt) Jurkat cells. In the present study, it was demonstrated that p53 mt Jurkat cells exhibited PPM1D/Wip1 gene amplification and expressed relatively high levels of Wip1, as confirmed by gene copy number and RNA expression analysis. In addition, Jurkat cells underwent G2 cell cycle arrest, apoptotic cell death and senescence in response to etoposide and doxorubicin, although the phosphorylation levels of DNA damage response (DDR) elements, including ataxia-telangiectasia mutated, ataxia-telangiestasia and Rad3-related, checkpoint kinase (Chk)1 and Chk2 were significantly low. Accordingly, the targeting of Wip1 phosphatase by RNA interference increased the phosphorylation of DDR elements, but decreased the rate of apoptosis in response to etoposide or doxorubicin in Jurkat cells. The induction of senescence or cell cycle arrest was not affected by the knockdown of Wip1. The results suggest that increased Wip1 expression enhances the apoptotic sensitivity of Jurkat cells in response to chemotherapeutic agents by attenuating DDR signaling. The present study highlights the possible pro-apoptotic role of Wip1 in a p53 mt T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line. The data suggest the careful consideration of future treatment strategies aiming to manipulate or target Wip1 in human cancers lacking p53.     

MiR-125b acts as an oncogene in glioblastoma cells and inhibits cell apoptosis through p53 and p38MAPK-independent pathways

Background:

We have recently identified miR-125b upregulation in glioblastoma (GMB). The aim of this study is to determine the correlation between miR-125b expression and malignant grades of glioma and the genes targeted by miR-125b.

Methods:

Real-time PCR was employed to measure the expression level of miR-125b. Cell viability was evaluated by cell growth and colony formation in soft-agar assays. Cell apoptosis was determined by Hoechst 33342 staining and AnnexinV-FITC assay. The Luciferase assay was used to confirm the actual binding sites of p38MAPK mRNA. Western blot was used to detect the gene expression level.

Results:

The expression level of miR-125b is positively correlated with the malignant grade of glioma. Ectopic expression of miR-125b promotes the proliferation of GMB cells. Knockdown of endogenous miR-125b inhibits cell proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis. Further studies reveal that p53 is regulated by miR-125b. However, downregulation of the endogenous miR-125b also results in p53-independent apoptotic pathway leading to apoptosis in p53 mutated U251 cells and p53 knockdown U87 cells. Moreover, p38MAPK is also regulated by miR-125b and downregulation of miR-125b activates the p38MAPK-induced mitochondria apoptotic pathway.

Conclusion:

High-level expression of miR-125b is associated with poor outcomes of GMB. MiR-125b may have an oncogenic role in GMB cells by promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis.     

过表达PRRX1 通过p53 介导的线粒体凋亡途径诱导肝癌SMMC7721 细胞凋亡

[摘要] 目的：探讨配对相关同源框1 蛋白（PRRX1）过表达对肝癌SMMC7721 细胞凋亡的影响及其分子机制。方法：分别用慢病毒介导PRRX1 过表达载体（pGMLV-PRRX1）、空载质粒（Vector）感染人肝癌SMMC7721 细胞,用qPCR和WB实验检测慢病毒感染后细胞中PRRX1 mRNA和蛋白的表达变化,用CCK-8 法、Annexin-V FITC/PI 染色流式细胞术分别检测PRRX1 过表达对SMMC7721 细胞增殖、凋亡的影响,用线粒体膜电位检测试剂盒（JC-10 染色法）检测细胞线粒体膜电位变化,用caspase 活性检测试剂盒（分光光度法）测定细胞中caspase-8 和caspase-9 酶活性,用WB实验检测细胞中p53、Bcl-2、Bax、Fas、Cleaved-caspase-3以及线粒体和细胞质中细胞色素C（Cty C）蛋白的表达。结果：成功构建PRRX1 过表达的SMMC7721 细胞株,感染细胞中PRRX1 mRNA和蛋白的表达水平显著升高（均P<0.01）。与对照组和空载组比较,PRRX1 过表达组SMMC7721 细胞的增殖能力显著下降、细胞凋亡率显著增高、Cleaved-caspase-3 剪切水平显著升高、线粒体膜电位显著下降、线粒体中Cty C蛋白表达下调、胞质中Cty C蛋白表达上调以及caspase-9 酶活性升高（P<0.05 或P<0.01）,同时p53 和Bax 蛋白表达增加而Bcl-2 蛋白表达降低（均P<0.05）,但Fas 蛋白表达及caspase-8 酶活性无显著变化（均P>0.05）。结论: PRRX1 过表达可诱导肝癌SMMC7721 细胞凋亡,其机制可能与p53介导的线粒体凋亡途径被激活有关。     

Co-transduction of Apaf-1 and caspase-9 highly enhances p53-mediated apoptosis in gliomas

Mutation of the p53 gene plays a critical role in the development of cancer and response to cancer therapy. To analyze the mechanism of cancer development and to improve cancer therapy, it is important to assess which genes are downstream components of p53 in cancers, and whether the expression levels of these genes affect p53-mediated apoptosis. In this study, we transduced the wild type p53 gene along with the Apaf-1 and caspase-9 genes via adenovirus vectors into U251 and U-373MG glioma cells harbouring a mutated p53, and evaluated the degree of apoptosis. Co-induction of Apaf-1 and caspase-9 genes highly enhanced p53-mediated apoptosis in glioma cells. Induction of wild type p53 enhanced the expression levels of Bax, p21/WAF1, and Fas protein. To determine which gene is activated by wild type p53 induction and, in turn, activates Apaf-1 and caspase-9, we transduced the Bax, p21/WAF1 or Fas gene via adenovirus vector to U251 cells to achieve a similar expression level as that induced by the Adv for p53 in U251 cells. U251 cells transduced with Fas concomitant with the Apaf-1 and caspase-9 genes underwent drastic apoptosis. This suggests that induction of wild type p53 upregulates Fas, which in turn may play a role in the activation of Apaf-1 and caspase-9. These results are important for analyzing the mechanism of tumour development and for predicting the therapeutic effect of p53 replacement gene therapy in a particular patient.     

Overexpression of Sp1 leads to p53‐dependent apoptosis in cancer cells

Numerous studies have documented that Sp1 expression level were elevated in various human cancers. However, the promoters of many pro‐apoptotic genes have been found to contain the Sp1 binding elements and are activated by Sp1 overexpression. To better understand the role and the mechanism of increased Sp1 levels on apoptosis, we used adenovirus to ectopically express GFP‐Sp1 protein in various cancer cell lines. First, in HeLa and A549 cells, we found that Sp1 overexpression suppressed the cell growth and increased the detection of sub‐G1 fraction, caspase‐3 cleavage, and annexin‐V signal revealed that apoptosis occurred. Furthermore, when cells entered the mitotic stage, the cell apoptosis was induced by Sp1 overexpression through affecting mitotic chromatin packaging. We also verified that p53 protein was accumulated and activated the p53‐dependent apoptotic pathways in the wild‐type p53 cells but not in the p53‐mutated or p53‐deleted cell lines when these cells were infected with adeno‐GFP‐Sp1 virus. In addition, A549 (p53^+/+) cells could be protected from apoptosis under Sp1 overexpression when p53 was knockdown by p53 shRNA. Finally, H1299 (p53^?/?) cell viability was significantly inhibited by adeno‐GFP‐Sp1 virus infection in the expression of p53. In conclusion, p53 was an essential factor for Sp1 overexpression‐induced apoptotic cell death in transforming cells. © 2009 UICC     

Role of p53 in the responses of human urothelial cells to genotoxic damage.

Loss of p53 function is a feature of many types of malignancy, including transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC), where it is associated with high-grade lesions and the development of muscle-invasive disease. Genotoxic agents used as part of the treatment strategy may contribute to tumour progression by inducing further non-lethal DNA damage in surviving cells. To determine the role of p53 in cellular responses to genotoxic agents, we used cultured normal human urothelial (NHU) cells and NHU cells with disabled p53 function. Mitomycin C and gamma-radiation caused normal cells to undergo an extended period of cell-cycle arrest, followed by complete recovery of proliferative potential. In contrast, cells with disabled p53 function, whether karyotypically normal (HU-E6 cells) or post-crisis with karyotypic abnormalities (HU-E6P cells), underwent extensive apoptosis. Overall survival was dose-dependent, and surviving HU-E6 cells from low-dose treatments showed clonal karyotypic abnormalities. These findings demonstrate that p53 status is a crucial factor in determining the ability of urothelial cells to survive DNA damage and suggest caution in the use of genotoxic treatments for low-grade tumours as our data imply that malignancies that have not yet lost p53 function will show the same "repair-and-recovery" response as normal cells.     

Array-based genome-wide RNAi screening to identify shRNAs that enhance p53-related apoptosis in human cancer cells

p53 transduction is a potentially effective cancer therapy but does not result in a good therapeutic response in all human cancers due to resistance to apoptosis. To discover factors that overcome resistance to p53-induced apoptosis, we attempted to identify RNAi sequences that enhance p53-induced apoptosis. We screened a genome-wide lentiviral shRNA library in liver cancer Huh-7 and pancreatic cancer Panc-1 cells, both of which resist p53-induced apoptosis. After the infection of adenovirus expressing p53 or LacZ as a control, shRNA-treated populations were analyzed by microarray. We identified shRNAs that were significantly decreased in p53-infected cells compared with control cells. Among these shRNAs, shRNA-58335 was markedly decreased in both cancer cell lines tested. shRNA-58335 enhanced p53-related apoptosis in vitro and augmented the inhibitory effect of adenoviral p53 transduction on tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, the enhanced apoptotic response by shRNA-58335 was also confirmed by treatment with PRIMA-1, which reactivates mutant p53, instead of adenoviral p53 transduction. We found that shRNA-58335 evokes the apoptotic response following p53 transduction or functional restoration of p53 with a small molecule drug in cancer cells resistant to p53-induced apoptosis. The combination of p53 restoration and RNAi-based drugs is expected to be a promising novel cancer therapy.     

低氧条件下食管癌细胞中PRRX1通过p53介导线粒体通路诱导细胞凋亡的研究

目的:探究低氧条件下配对相关同源框1（PRRX1）通过p53介导的线粒体通路诱导食管癌细胞凋亡。方法:GEPIA2数据库分析PRRX1基因在食管癌组织和正常食管组织中的表达变化。RT-qPCR和Western blotting分别检测HEEC、Eca-109、TE-1细胞中PRRX1的mRNA和蛋白表达。二氧化钴处理模拟低氧微环境,在常氧和低氧条件下检测Eca-109、TE-1细胞中PRRX1的mRNA和蛋白表达情况。采用小干扰RNA（Si-PRRX1）转染TE-1细胞,设置分组为Hypoxia-Si-NC、Hypoxia-Si-PRRX1。流式细胞术检测TE-1细胞凋亡,RT-qPCR检测p53 mRNA表达,Western blotting检测p53、BCL-2、BAX、Cleaved-Caspase3等蛋白表达,在TE-1-PRRX1 KO细胞系中过表达p53,检测 BCL-2、BAX、Cleaved-Caspase3等蛋白表达。结果:PRRX1在食管癌组织及细胞系中均高表达。在TE-1细胞中敲低PRRX1,抑制细胞凋亡,下调p53的mRNA及蛋白表达,抑制BAX、Cleaved-Caspase3蛋白表达,促进BCL-2蛋白表达;过表达PRRX1则上调p53蛋白表达。在TE-1-PRRX1 KO细胞系中过表达p53显著抑制BCL-2蛋白表达,促进BAX、Cleaved-Caspase3蛋白表达。结论:低氧条件下,PRRX1通过p53介导的线粒体通路诱导食管癌细胞凋亡。     

In vivo evaluation of the role of DNp73alpha protein in regulating the p53-dependent apoptotic pathway after treatment with cytotoxic drugs

The amino terminus truncated p73 isoform, DeltaNp73alpha, shows dominant negative behavior toward TAp73 and wild-type p53, and has oncogenic potential. By contrast, we recently showed that in HCT116 clones forced expression of DeltaNp73alpha did not increase in vitro cellular resistance to anticancer agents. The purpose of this study was to characterize in vivo models and to investigate the functional interaction between the DeltaNp73alpha isoform and the p53 pathway. Human colon carcinoma HCT116 clones expressing inducible DeltaNp73alpha (HCT116/DN3, HCT116/DN14) and HCT116/8a (transfected with the mock empty vector), transplanted in immunodeficient nude mice, were used to study the antitumor activity of cis-diammine-dichloro-platinum (cDDP) (4 mg/kg, i.v., q7d x 3) and Doxorubicin (DX) (7.5 mg/kg, i.v., q7d x 3), with or without tetracycline-induced DeltaNp73alpha overexpression. DeltaNp73alpha expression was confirmed by RT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemical analysis. DeltaNp73alpha subcellular localization after DX treatment was checked by an immunofluorescence assay. Western blot was used to analyze p53, p21, Bax, Bcl-2 and p53AIP1 expression. DeltaNp73alpha overexpression did not modify the antitumor activity of either DX or cDDP in xenograft models. DX reduced DeltaNp73alpha protein expression, without affecting its nuclear localization. p53, p21, Bax and p53AIP1 protein expression increased and Bcl-2 decreased in HCT116 clone derived tumors 24 hr after DX exposure, independently of the presence of DeltaNp73alpha. Overexpression of DeltaNp73alpha does not affect tumor growth in vivo, does not increase the resistance of established tumors to anticancer agents and does not antagonize p53 apoptotic functions.     

Involvement of p53 in oroxylin A‐induced apoptosis in cancer cells

Oroxylin A, a naturally occurring monoflavonoid extracted from Scutellariae radix, exhibits anticancer activity and induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells according to our previous data. In this study, we investigate whether p53 is involved in oroxylin A‐triggered viability inhibition and apoptosis induction in cancer cells. In a panel of different cancer cell lines, more potent inhibitory effects of oroxylin A were observed in wtp53 cells than those in mtp53 or p53‐null cells. Moreover, p53‐siRNA‐transfected HepG2 cells showed lower levels of apoptosis induced by oroxylin A than control‐siRNA‐transfected cells. Likewise, after oroxylin A treatment, p53‐null K‐562 cells displayed promoted apoptosis rate when transfected with wtp53 plasmid. Western blot and real‐time RT‐PCR assay revealed that oroxylin A markedly upregulated p53 protein expression in HepG2 and p53‐overexpressing K‐562 cells, but had no influence on p53 mRNA synthesis. Furthermore, after co‐treatment with cycloheximide, oroxylin A still exerted a little effect on p53 expression. The negative regulator of p53, MDM2 protein was detected, and downregulated expression was observed. In the presence of MG132, an inhibitor of proteasome‐mediated proteolysis, no change in p53 expression was obtained. Additionally, the antioxidant N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine could obviously abrogate p53 stabilization triggered by oroxylin A. Therefore, it is summarized that oroxylin A stabilized p53 expression and induced apoptosis at the posttranslational level via downregulating MDM2 expression and interfering MDM2‐modulated proteasome‐related p53 degradation. This indicated that oroxylin A could be served as a potential, novel agent candidate for cancer therapy. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Hibiscus polyphenol-rich extract induces apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma cells via p53 phosphorylation and p38 MAPK/FasL cascade pathway

In view of the continuing need for effective anticancer agents, and the association of diet with reduced cancer risk, edible plants are increasingly being considered as sources of anticancer drugs. Hibiscus sabdariffa Linne (Malvaceae), an attractive plant believed to be native to Africa, is cultivated in the Sudan and Eastern Taiwan. Polyphenols had been demonstrated previously to possess antioxidative and antitumor promoting effects. In this study, investigations were conducted to examine the mechanism of the anticancer activity of H. sabdariffa L., Hibiscus polyphenol-rich extracts (HPE). Using HPLC assay, HPE was demonstrated to contain various polyphenols. HPE induced cell death of eight kinds of cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner. Among them human gastric carcinoma (AGS) cells were the most susceptible to HPE (0.95 mg/mL HPE inhibited its growth by 50%). Our results revealed that AGS cells underwent DNA fragmentation, and had an increase in the distribution of hypodiploid phase (apoptotic peak, 52.36%) after a 24-h treatment with HPE (2.0 mg/mL). This effect of HPE in AGS cells might be mediated via p53 signaling and p38 MAPK/FasL cascade pathway, as demonstrated by an increase in the phosphorylation of p53 and the usage of a specific p38 inhibitor, SB203580. Thus, our data present the first evidence of HPE as an apoptosis inducer in AGS cells and these findings may open interesting perspectives to the strategy in human gastric cancer treatment.     

Chloroquine activates the p53 pathway and induces apoptosis in human glioma cells

Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults. The currently available treatments offer only a palliative survival advantage and the need for effective treatments remains an urgent priority. Activation of the p53 growth suppression/apoptotic pathway is one of the promising strategies in targeting glioma cells. We show that the quinoline derivative chloroquine activates the p53 pathway and suppresses growth of glioma cells in vitro and in vivo in an orthotopic (U87MG) human glioblastoma mouse model. Induction of apoptosis is one of the mechanisms underlying the effects of chloroquine on suppressing glioma cell growth and viability. siRNA-mediated downregulation of p53 in wild-type but not mutant p53 glioblastoma cells substantially impaired chloroquine-induced apoptosis. In addition to its p53-activating effects, chloroquine may also inhibit glioma cell growth via p53-independent mechanisms. Our results clarify the mechanistic basis underlying the antineoplastic effect of chloroquine and reveal its therapeutic potential as an adjunct to glioma chemotherapy.