Mechanisms of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid inhibition of mammary cell growth

 

The mechanism of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid in cell growth inhibition involved induction of pRb-2/p130 interaction and nuclear translocation with E2F-4, followed by significant repression in E2F-1 and PCNA nuclear levels, which led to inhibition in DNA synthesis in mammary epithelial cell lines.

Synopsis

Background

Hybrid polar compounds (HPCs) have induced cell growth arrest, terminal differentiation and/or apoptosis in various transformed cell lines. We have previously reported that the prototype HPC (hexamethylene bisacetamide [HMBA]) was able to arrest the growth of transformed mammary (TM) 2H cells (p53 null), a highly tumorigenic mouse mammary epithelial cell line, by inhibiting G1 kinase activities, concomitant with an increase in the cyclin D2 protein level and hypophosphorylated isoforms of the three pRb pocket proteins, which led to the formation of stable cyclin D2/pRb complexes and G1 cell arrest. It has been reported that the second generation of HPCs (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid [SAHA]), structurally related to but 2000-fold more potent than HMBA, was an inhibitor of histone deacetylase activity and caused accumulation of hyperacetylated histone H4 in murine erythroleukemia.

Objectives

To determine the mechanism of SAHA in cell growth inhibition in TM10 (p53 wt) and TM2H (p53 null) hyperplastic mouse mammary cell lines.

Methods

TM10 and TM2H cells were examined in the presence or absence of 2.5 μM SAHA for cell growth rate by [³H]-thymidine uptake, DNA synthesis by flow cytometry after cells were labeled with BrdU, G1/S cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) activities, phosphorylation levels of pRb pocket proteins, protein levels of E2F-1, PCNA and p21, pRb-2/p130 interaction, and nuclear localization with E2F-4 by western blot, immunoprecipitation and immunostaining assays.

Results

SAHA was able to arrest cell growth at G1, and inhibited DNA synthesis in both TM10 and TM2H cell lines. Cell growth arrest was accompanied by increases in histone H3 and H4 protein and acetylation levels, a profound increase in the interaction and nuclear localization of pRb-2/p130–E2F-4 complexes, significant reductions in E2F-1 and PCNA protein levels, inhibition in G1/S cdk activities and increases in the levels of hypophosphorylated isoforms of three pRb pocket proteins.

Conclusion

A novel mechanism of SAHA mediated growth inhibition through significant increases in the formation and nuclear localization of pRb-2/p130–E2F-4 complexes, which resulted in cell growth arrest and significant repression in the levels of two key molecules, E2F-1 and PCNA, essential for DNA synthesis in two mouse mammary epithelial cell lines. These responses to SAHA were independent of the p53 status of the cell; however, reversibility of SAHA-mediated growth correlated with the wild type p53 status.     

Phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma-related protein p130 in growth-arrested cells

The retinoblastoma family of proteins including pRB, p107 and p130 undergoes cell cycle dependent phosphorylation during the mid-G1 to S phase transition. This phosphorylation is dependent upon the activity of cyclin D/cdk4. In contrast to pRB and p107, p130 is phosphorylated during G0 and the early G1 phase of the cell cycle. We observed that p130 is specifically phosphorylated on serine and threonine residues in T98G cells arrested in G0 by serum deprivation or density arrest. Identification of the phospho-serine and phospho-threonine residues revealed that most were clustered within a short co-linear region unique to p130, defined as the Loop. Deletion of the Loop region resulted in a change in the phosphorylation status of p130 under growth arrest conditions. Notably, deletion of the Loop did not affect the ability of p130 to bind to E2F-4 or SV40 Large T antigen, to induce growth arrest in Saos-2 cells, and to become hyperphosphorylated during the proliferative phase of the cell cycle. p130 undergoes specific G0 phosphorylation in a manner that distinguishes it from pRB and p107.     

Cell cycle genes as targets of retinoid induced ovarian tumor cell growth suppression.

We have examined the effect of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) on cell cycle gene expression in RA sensitive CA-OV3 and RA resistant SK-OV3 ovarian carcinoma cell lines. Gene expression was analysed by multiprobe RNAse protection, Western blotting and in vitro kinase assays. No differences were observed between RA sensitive and RA resistant ovarian carcinoma cells in the levels of expression of many cell cycle genes including cyclin A, B and E, cdk 2,4 and 6, E2F-1, E2F-2, E2F-3, E2F-4, E2F-5, DP-1 and DP-2. However, RA sensitive CA-OV3 cells expressed higher levels of p53, p27, p21, and p16 compared to RA resistant SK-OV3 cells. In addition, RA treatment of CA-OV3 cells resulted in a significant decrease in hyperphosphorylated RB and RB-2/p130 and corresponding significant increases in the levels of hypophosphorylated and/or partially phosphorylated RB-2/p130 protein and hypophosphorylated RB. Also, RA treatment increased expression of the cdk inhibitor p27 and decreased activity of cdk 2, cdk 4 and cdk 6. Finally, amounts of p27-cyclin E and RB-2/p130-E2F4 complexes were found to increase in CA-OV3 cells growth arrested by RA. These results suggest that the pocket protein pathways are critical targets for retinoid suppression of ovarian carcinoma cell growth.     

Caspase activation and changes in Bcl-2 family member protein expression associated with E2F-1-mediated apoptosis in human esophageal cancer cells.

The prognosis for patients with esophageal cancer remains poor, prompting the search for new treatment strategies. Overexpression of E2F-1 has been shown to induce apoptosis in several cancer cell types. In the present study, the effect of adenovirus-mediated E2F-1 overexpression on human esophageal cancer cell lines Yes-4 and Yes-6 was evaluated. Cells were treated by mock infection, infection with an adenoviral vector expressing beta-galactosidase (Ad5CMV-LacZ), or E2F-1 (Ad5CMVE2F-1). Western blot analysis confirmed marked overexpression of E2F-1 in Ad5CMVE2F-1-infected cells. Overexpression of E2F-1 resulted in marked growth inhibition and rapid loss of cell viability due to apoptosis, although Yes-6 cells were somewhat more resistant to E2F-1-mediated growth inhibition than Yes-4 cells. Cell cycle analysis revealed that overexpression of E2F-1 led to G2 arrest, followed by apoptotic cell death. p53 expression remained undetectable in both cell lines after E2F-1 overexpression. The apoptosis inhibitor proteins of the Bcl-2 gene family, Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and BcI-XL, decreased at 48 h after infection in Yes-4 cells, but remained unchanged in Yes-6 cells. Levels of retinoblastoma gene product (pRb) declined at 48 h after E2F-1 infection in Yes-4 cells, at which apoptosis predominated, whereas pRb expression remained constant in Yes-6 cells. Expression of p14ARF did not change after E2F-1 infection in either cell line. Involvement of caspase 3 and caspase 6 in E2F-1-mediated apoptosis was demonstrated by cleavage of caspase 3/CPP32 and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase, as well as fragmentation of the caspase 6 substrate, lamin B. These results indicate that the sensitivity of esophageal cancer cells to E2F-1-mediated apoptosis may be related to differential expression of Bcl-2 family member proteins and suggest that the adenovirus-mediated E2F-1 gene therapy may be a promising treatment strategy for the treatment of this disease.     

Interaction between HIV-1 Tat and pRb2/p130: a possible mechanism in the pathogenesis of AIDS-related neoplasms

Tat protein is an early nonstructural protein necessary for virus replication, which is secreted by infected cells and taken up by uninfected cells. Extensive evidence indicates that Tat may be a cofactor in the development of AIDS-related neoplasms. The molecular mechanism underlying Tat's oncogenic activity may include deregulation of cellular genes. Among these genes, it has recently been shown that pRb2/p130 oncosuppressor protein is one of the targets in the interaction between HIV gene product Tat and host proteins. However, whether the HIV-1 gene product Tat may inactivate the oncosuppressive function of pRb2/p130 has not yet been elucidated. Here, we show that mRNA levels of pRb2/p130 increase in the presence of Tat, whereas no change in the phosphorylation status of pRb2/p130 is observed. In addition, Tat can inhibit the growth control activity exerted by pRb2/p130 in the T98G cell line. Finally, Tat does not compete with E2F-4 in binding to pRb2/p130. The interaction between Tat and pRb2/p130 seems to result in the deregulation of the control exerted by pRb2/p130 on the cell cycle. Taken together, these results open a window on the role of pRb2/p130 in AIDS-related oncogenesis.     

HDAC inhibitors trigger apoptosis in HPV-positive cells by inducing the E2F-p73 pathway

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors induce an intrinsic type of apoptosis in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive cells by disrupting the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (deltapsim). Loss of deltapsim was only detected in E7, but not in E6 oncogene-expressing cells. HDAC inhibition led to a time-dependent degradation of the pocket proteins pRb, p107 and p130, releasing 'free' E2F-1 following initial G1 arrest. Inhibition of proteasomal proteolysis, but not of caspase activity rescued pRb from degradation and functionally restored its inhibitory effect on the cyclin E gene, known to be suppressed by pRb-E2F-1 in conjunction with HDAC1. Using siRNA targeted against p53, E2F-1 still triggered apoptosis by inducing the E2F-responsive proapoptotic alpha- and beta-isoforms of p73. These data may determine future therapeutic strategies in which HDAC inhibitors can effectively eliminate HPV-positive cells by an apoptotic route that does not rely on the reactivation of the 'classical' p53 pathway through a preceding shut-off of viral gene expression.     

p16INK4a, but not constitutively active pRb, can impose a sustained G1 arrest: molecular mechanisms and implications for oncogenesis.

p16ink4 and pRb, two components of a key G1/S regulatory pathway, and tumor suppressors commonly targeted in oncogenesis, are among the candidates for gene therapy of cancer. Wild-type p16 and a constitutively active pRb(delta cdk) mutant both blocked G1 in short-term experiments, but only p16 imposed a sustained G1 arrest. Unexpectedly, cells conditionally exposed to pRb(delta cdk) entered S phase after 2 days, followed by endoreduplication between days 4-6. The distinct phenotypes evoked by p16 vs pRb(delta cdk) appear mediated by cyclin E/CDK2 which, while active in the pRb(delta cdk)-expressing cells, became rapidly inhibited through restructuring diverse cyclin/CDK/p21 complexes by p16. These results provide novel insights into the roles of p16, pRb and cyclin E in G1/S control and multistep oncogenesis, with implications for gene therapy strategies.     

Inositol hexaphosphate inhibits growth,and induces G1 arrest and apoptotic death of prostate carcinoma DU145 cells: modulation of CDKI-CDK-cyclin and pRb-related protein-E2F complexes

Cancer chemopreventive effects of inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), a dietary constituent, have been demonstrated against a variety of experimental tumors, however, limited studies have been done against prostate cancer (PCA), and molecular mechanisms are not well defined. In the present study, we investigated the growth inhibitory effect and associated mechanisms of IP6 in advanced human PCA cells. Advanced human prostate carcinoma DU145 cells were used to study the anticancer effect of IP6. Flow cytometric analysis was performed for cell cycle progression and apoptosis studies. Western immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation and kinase assay were performed to investigate the involvement of G1 cell cycle regulators and their interplay, and end point markers of apoptosis. A significant dose- as well as time-dependent growth inhibition was observed in IP6-treated cells, which was associated with an increase in G1 arrest. IP6 strongly increased the expression of CDKIs (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors), Cip1/p21 and Kip1/p27, without any noticeable changes in G1 CDKs and cyclins, except a slight increase in cyclin D2. IP6 inhibited kinase activities associated with CDK2, 4 and 6, and cyclin E and D1. Further studies showed the increased binding of Kip1/p27 and Cip1/p21 with cyclin D1 and E. In down-stream of CDKI-CDK/cyclin cascade, IP6 increased hypophosphorylated levels of Rb-related proteins, pRb/p107 and pRb2/p130, and moderately decreased E2F4 but increased its binding to both pRb/p107 and pRb2/p130. At higher doses and longer treatment times, IP6 caused a marked increase in apoptosis, which was accompanied by increased levels of cleaved PARP and active caspase 3. IP6 modulates CDKI-CDK-cyclin complex, and decreases CDK-cyclin kinase activity, possibly leading to hypophosphorylation of Rb-related proteins and an increased sequestration of E2F4. Higher doses of IP6 could induce apoptosis and that might involve caspases activation. These molecular alterations provide an insight into IP6-caused growth inhibition, G1 arrest and apoptotic death of human prostate carcinoma DU145 cells.     

Cell cycle regulatory protein expression in fresh acute myeloid leukemia cells and after drug exposure.

Characteristics of treatment-induced cell cycle arrest are important for in vitro and in vivo sensitivity of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells to cytotoxic drugs. We analyzed the expression of the major G1 cell cycle regulators (p21Cip1, p27Kip1, cyclins D, cyclin E and pRb) in 41 fresh AML cell samples. The level of p27 expression was the only factor correlated with the response to chemotherapy, a high level of p27 expression being predictive of complete remission. There was a close relation between expression of pRb, cyclin D2 and FAB subtype, illustrated by the absence of both proteins in most samples having a monocytic component (M4, M5). We also assessed the expressions of pRb, cyclin E, p21 and p27 and the activity of cdk2, the major regulator of S-phase entry, after exposure to cytosine-arabinoside (AraC) and daunorubicin (DNR), and found these proteins could characterize time- and dose-dependent cellular response to each drug. We observed hyperphosphorylated pRb, increased levels of cyclin E and a high cdk2 activity, but no p21 induction, in AML cells exposed to 10(-6) M AraC. After exposure to 10(-5) M AraC, corresponding to the serum concentration reached in high-dose AraC regimens (HDAraC), a strong p21 induction was observed, associated with similarly overexpressed cyclin E and even higher cdk2 activity than after 10(-6) M AraC, while apoptosis was significantly increased. These data suggest that cdk2 activity is likely to play a role in AraC-induced apoptosis in AML cells. This mechanism may account for high efficacy of HDAraC in cells showing little sensitivity to conventional AraC doses.     

Differential effects of transforming growth factor on cell cycle regulatory molecules in human myeloid leukemia cells.

In this report we have studied the mechanism by which Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF beta) inhibits growth of human myeloid leukemia cell lines. TGF beta 1 arrested cells in G1 phase and significantly downregulated the expression of cyclin D2, cyclin D3, cdk4, cyclin A, and cdk2. The downregulation of the molecules resulted in approximately 50-90% decrease of the molecule-dependent kinase activity, varying with each molecule. Although treatment of cells with TGF beta 1 up-regulated accumulation of p27(kip1) in both nucleus and cytoplasm, the association of the p27(kip1) with cdk2, cyclin A, cyclin D2, cyclin D3, and cdk4 was markedly down-regulated, suggesting that p27(kip1) is not responsible for the downregulation of the kinase activity. In contrast, TGF beta 1 upregulated cyclin E-associated p27(kip1) with no effect on the expression of cyclin E. p27(kip1)-immunodepletion upregulated cyclin E-dependent kinase activity by more than 10-fold in TGF beta 1-treated cells but not in proliferating cells; whereas immunodepletion of p27(kip1) from cdk2-immunoprecipitates markedly downregulated cdk2 kinase activity in the lysates extracted from both proliferating and TGF beta-treated cells. Consistent with this observation, TGF beta 1 and p27(kip1) antisense cDNA had a synergistic or additive inhibitory effect on cdk2 but not cyclin E-dependent kinase activity. Our data suggest that (1) TGF beta 1-mediated growth inhibition is accomplished through multiple pathways and (2) p27(kip1) has opposing effects on cdk2 and cyclin E activity in response to TGF beta 1.     

Abbreviated cell cycle progression induced by the serine/threonine protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid at concentrations that promote neoplastic transformation

We examined cell cycle-related effects of the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid (OA) in T51B rat liver epithelial cells under conditions chosen to mimic early stages of tumor promotion by this compound. Optimal transformation (colony formation in soft agar) was seen after prolonged culture of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-initiated T51B cells in 7 nM OA. Paradoxically, T51B cells treated with 2-10 nM OA showed decreased, rather than increased, proliferation in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF), as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation. Complete inhibition was observed within 24 h at 10 nM OA. This response paralleled a loss of EGF-stimulated cdk2 kinase activity and an increase in association of the inhibitors p21 (cip-1) and p27 (kip-1) with cdk2. An increase in p53 phosphorylated on serine 15 accompanied the rise in p21 (cip-1). Both phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein and induction of cyclin A by EGF were blocked in cells treated with OA, but there was an increase in cyclin E. Resting cells treated with OA alone also showed elevated cyclin E levels, together with reduced levels of the E2F regulator pRb2/p130. Taken together, these observations indicate transforming levels of okadaic acid elicit a G(1)-trapping effect by facilitating cell cycle progression to the G(1)/S checkpoint, where cells are trapped by mechanisms that include p21 (cip-1)-mediated inhibition of cdk2. They support the premise that disruption of cellular processes regulating the transitions from G(0) to G(1) to S-phase is an important early step in tumor promotion by low levels of okadaic acid.     

The tyrphostin AG1024 accelerates the degradation of phosphorylated forms of retinoblastoma protein (pRb) and restores pRb tumor suppressive function in melanoma cells

Constitutive cell surface receptor kinase signaling and persistent phosphorylation/inactivation of the retinoblastoma (pRb) family of proteins (pRb, p107 and p130, known as pocket proteins) have been implicated in conferring uncontrolled growth to melanoma cells. However, the signals linking receptor kinase activity to neutralization of pocket proteins have not yet been fully elucidated. We therefore used specific chemical inhibitors to examine pRb regulation in melanoma cells. The most efficient agent, AG1024, known as an inhibitor of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor and insulin receptor, arrested melanoma cell growth in vitro at nanomolar concentrations within 24 h of application. AG1024 inhibited the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway and restored pRb tumor suppressive function. The latter was observed by the reduction in the phosphorylated forms of pRb, p107 and p130, and the formation of growth suppressive DNA binding complexes consisting of pRb and E2F1 or E2F3. The loss of phosphorylated forms of pRb at early time points after AG1024 application was not associated with suppression of cyclin-dependent kinases 2 and 4 activity but rather with proteasomal and nonproteasomal degradation. Thus, inhibition of melanoma cell proliferation by AG1024 is mediated by inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 signaling and activation of pRb by a mechanism involving protein degradation.     

Defects in TGF-beta signaling overcome senescence of mouse keratinocytes expressing v-Ha-ras

Previous studies have shown that TGFbeta1 expression is upregulated in mouse keratinocytes infected with a v-rasHa retrovirus, although the functional significance of this has not been clear. Here we show that v-rasHa retrovirus transduced primary mouse keratinocytes undergo hyperproliferation followed by a TGFbeta1 dependent G1 growth arrest and senescence. The growth arrest is accompanied by a 15-fold increase in total TGFbeta1 secreted and a fourfold increase in secreted active TGFbeta1. When cultured in the presence of a neutralizing antibody to TGFbeta1, the senescence response is suppressed. Levels of the TGFbeta1 target p15ink4b increase during senescence as does association of this kinase inhibitor with cyclinD/cdk4 complexes. However, p16ink4a, p53 and p19ARF expression also increase during senescence. Genetic analysis shows that TGFbeta1 null and dominant negative TbetaBRII expressing v-rasHa keratinocytes resist the G1 growth arrest and do not senescence. This resistance is associated with low expression of p15ink4b and p16ink4a, constitutive Rb phosphorylation and high levels of cdk4 and cdk2 kinase activity. In contrast, inactivation of TGFbetabeta1 secretion or response does not block the induction of p53 and p19ARF, but the level of p21waf1, a p53 target gene, is reduced in cyclin D/cdk4 and cyclin E/cdk2 complexes. Thus, although multiple senescence pathways are activated in response to a ras oncogene, inactivation of TGFbeta1 secretion or response is sufficient to block the senescence program. Since v-rasHa transduced TGFbeta1-/- keratinocytes form squamous cell carcinomas following skin grafting, these results suggest that in mouse keratinocytes, defects in TGFbeta1 signaling accelerate malignant progression by overcoming oncogene induced replicative senescence.