骨形成蛋白Ⅱ型突变受体基因转染对口腔鳞癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的探讨骨形成蛋白（BMPs）与口腔鳞癌的发生、发展的可能关系。方法将含有BMP-Ⅱ突变受体的真核表达载体转染入Tea8113舌癌细胞,筛选和鉴定后,构建稳定表达BMP-Ⅱ突变受体的细胞株tBRⅡ-Tea8113。对tBRⅡ—Tca8113细胞和Tca8113细胞分别进行MTT检测,流式细胞仪（FCM）分析、BrdU标记检测细胞的增殖活性及DNA合成;检测tBRⅡ-Tca8113细胞和Tea8113细胞的凋亡及细胞周期相关因子（CyclinD1,CDK-4,p27,p57）的表达。结果Tea8113细胞和tBRⅡ-Tea8113细胞的增殖指数MTT检测为0．47±0．01和0．35±0．008（t=22．953,P=0．000）,BrdU检测为12．0±3．4和23．0±1．9（f=6．918,P=0．000）,FCM检测为6.3和7．9;两组的凋亡指数为3．7±1．2和8．7±1．6（t=29．583,P=0．000）;细胞周期因子在Tca8113和tBRⅡ-ca8113细胞中的平均灰度测量值为CyclinD1（186．5±2．4和145．6±3．9,t=28．244,P=0．000）,CDK4（169．9±2．9和129．5±3．2,t=29．583,P=0．000）,p27（110．1±1．1和167．34-1．8,f=85．754,P=0．000）,p57（107．9±2．1和156．8±2．2,t=50．844,P=0．000）。结论BMPs及其受体可能在口腔上皮组织的恶变过程中有重要作用,研究结果为探讨BMPs信号在上皮性肿瘤中的作用提供了重要依据。tBRⅡ-Tea8113细胞的建立,进一步表明了BMPs及其受体在口腔上皮组织的恶变过程中有重要作用,并为进一步探讨BMP信号在上皮性肿瘤的恶变过程中的作用奠定了基础。     

普罗布考对动脉粥样硬化大鼠平滑肌细胞凋亡及p53和Fas蛋白表达的影响

目的探讨普罗布考防治动脉粥样硬化（AS）的机制。方法选用雄性大鼠,复制大鼠AS模型,随机分为动脉粥样硬化模型组、普罗布考组和正常对照组。大鼠造模成功后给予普罗布考治疗,6周后处死大鼠,采用流式细胞术检测平滑肌细胞凋亡率及凋亡相关基因p53和Fas蛋白的表达。结果模型组大鼠血管平滑肌细胞凋亡率明显高于对照组（P〈0．05）,p53和Fas蛋白的表达增强（P％0．05）,主动脉壁可肉眼观测典型斑块。普罗布考组大鼠平滑肌细胞的凋亡率明显低于模型组（P〈0．05）,p53和Fas蛋白表达下调（P〈0．05）,主动脉斑块面积较模型组减小明显。结论普罗布考通过调节p53和Fas蛋白表达来调节AS大鼠平滑肌细胞的凋亡。     

Epha4基因通过FGF信号通路调节大脑皮层发育

目的阐明Epha4基因在大脑皮层发育早期放射性胶质细胞(RGCs)命运决定中的功能。方法利用Cre-loxp技术分别在孕龄为11.5 d或13.5 d的小鼠皮层细胞中敲掉Epha4基因。根据小鼠的基因型分为3组:对照组、Nestin;Epha4fx/fx及GFAP;Epha4fx/fx,分别通过尼氏染色、免疫荧光共染色及免疫印迹分析了突变小鼠大脑皮层表现型、大脑皮层RGCs增殖和分化及皮层细胞信号通路。组间比较利用F检验进行统计学分析。结果尼氏染色结果表明,与正常新生小鼠皮层(709±30)μm相比,在孕龄11.5 d Epha4基因敲除新生小鼠大脑皮层厚度减少至(475±66)μm,差异具有统计学意义(t=7.252,P<0.05),而孕龄13.5 d Epha4基因敲除新生小鼠大脑皮层厚度(727±37)μm,差异无统计学意义。Brd U标记及免疫荧光共染色结果表明,在孕龄14.5 d两种突变小鼠中RGCs增殖能力减弱(46±1)%vs Epha4fx/fx(58±2)%,t=10.72,P<0.05;GFAP;Epha4fx/fx(50±2)%vs Epha4fx/fx(58±2)%,t=5.575,P<0.05),而向神经元分化能力增强(Nestin;Epha4fx/fx(34±5)%vs Epha4fx/fx(25±1)%,t=4.269,P<0.05;GFAP;Epha4fx/fx(35±2)%vs Epha4fx/fx(25±1)%,t=12.48,P<0.05。Western blotting分析表明分离的皮层细胞经成纤维生长因子(FGFs)作用时ERK及FRS2α磷酸化减弱。结论 Epha4基因决定大脑皮层发育早期RGCs的命运,这一过程是通过FGFs信号通路完成的。这些发现为临床治疗脊髓损伤及阿尔茨海默症等神经疾病提供了理论依据。     

少突胶质细胞条件性敲除FGF9基因小鼠模型的建立、鉴定及初步表型

目的建立少突胶质细胞特异性敲除成纤维生长因子9(FGF9)小鼠模型,进一步研究FGF9在神经发育中的作用。方法将Olig1-Cre转基因小鼠与FGF9转基因小鼠(FGF9~(flox/flox))杂交,选取雌性FGF9~(flox/wt)/Olig1-Cre~+与雄性FGF9~(flox/flox)合笼交配,F3代获得少突胶质细胞特异性敲除FGF9基因小鼠(FGF9~(flox/flox)/Olig1-Cre~+)。为了证实条件性基因敲除的特异性及有效性,提取鼠尾组织基因组DNA,通过PCR技术鉴定其基因型,利用蛋白电泳以及激光共聚焦验证FGF9蛋白的表达,并对其表型进行观察。结果从基因水平和蛋白水平证实了成功构建了FGF9~(flox/flox)/Olig1-Cre~+小鼠。初步表型分析显示,敲除组小鼠可活可育,生存期与对照组相同,但发育缓慢体重显著减轻。结论成功获得少突胶质细胞中特异性敲除FGF9基因小鼠,FGF9基因条件性敲除后引起小鼠发育缓慢。     

大鼠肺纤维化细胞凋亡及Cathepsin B基因变化的关系

目的:检测大鼠肺纤维化时细胞凋亡及组织蛋白酶B(Cathepsin B,CB)基因的变化,探讨细胞凋亡和CB基因变化在肺间质纤维化中的意义。方法:将20只大鼠分为正常对照组及模型组,每组10只,应用末端原位杂交(TUNEL)、RT-PCR、免疫组化技术检测博莱霉素致肺间质纤维化大鼠肺组织细胞凋亡、CB mRNA水平及蛋白表达的变化。结果:模型组大鼠肺组织中细胞凋亡指数为(13．7±3．4)%,对照组为(1．9±0．3)%,两组比较差异有统计学意义(t=-11．03,P＜0．01);模型组CB蛋白表达为29．76±4．62,正常对照组为78．48±5．36,两组比较差异有统计学意义(t=23 713;P＜0．01);CB mRNA在模型组为0．9413±0．0592,正常对照组为0．4280±0．0161,两组比较差异有统计学意义(t为—26．447,P＜0．01)。结论:博莱霉素致大鼠肺间质纤维化时引起肺组织CB表达上调,启动肺组织细胞凋亡程序,在肺纤维化发生、发展中起到重要的作用。     

基质交联分子1表达下调对人胰腺癌SW1990细胞周期及细胞凋亡的影响

目的探讨基质交联分子1(STIM1)表达下调对人胰腺癌细胞株SW1990细胞周期和细胞凋亡的影响,并研究其分子作用机制。方法构建携带STIM1基因si RNA的慢病毒载体转染SW1990细胞,分为对照组、空载体组和STIM1组。采用半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和Western blot验证STIM1组SW1990细胞STIM1表达下调。通过MTT增殖实验和流式细胞术检测STIM1表达下调对细胞增殖、周期和细胞凋亡的影响,采用RT-PCR和Western blot法检测细胞周期和细胞凋亡相关分子表达的变化。两组间比较采用t检验。结果STIM1组SW1990细胞中STIM1表达mRNA(0.261±0.029)、蛋白(0.120±0.032)低于空载体组mRNA(1.002±0.091)、蛋白(0.996±0.053),t=20.74、26.89,P均0.01。SW1990细胞24、48、72 h的增殖水平STIM1组分别为(0.122±0.008)、(0.252±0.031)、(0.373±0.028),相比空载体组(0.223±0.035)、(0.618±0.017)、(0.924±0.140),t=6.48、16.90、23.99,P0.01,受到抑制。STIM1组中SW1990细胞G2/M期细胞比例(41.47±0.66)﹪高于空载体组(10.30±2.24)﹪,t=23.14,P0.01。STIM1组中SW1990细胞凋亡率(25.21±1.96)﹪高于空载体组(3.71±1.23)﹪,t=16.03,P0.01。半定量RT-PCR和Western blot提示,STIM1组细胞周期蛋白B1(cyclin B1)表达mRNA(0.344±0.031)、蛋白(0.776±0.042)相比空载体组mRNA(1.011±0.060)、蛋白(1.034±0.036),t=40.06、8.51,P均0.01下调;STIM1组p21表达mRNA(1.970±0.107)、蛋白(1.315±0.093)相比空载体组mRNA(1.025±0.044)、蛋白(0.998±0.036),t=17.10、9.52,P均0.01上调;STIM1组Bcl-2表达mRNA(0.156±0.025)、蛋白(0.381±0.028)相比空载体组mRNA(1.010±0.072)、蛋白(0.980±0.057),t=15.46、14.63,P均0.01下调;STIM1组survivin表达mRNA(0.188±0.022)、蛋白(0.022±0.019)相比空载体组mRNA(1.016±0.090)、蛋白(0.994±0.047)t=58.08、442.58,P均0.01下调;STMI1组procaspase-3表达蛋白(0.389±0.030)相比空载体组蛋白(1.008±0.040)下调,差异有统计学意义(t=19.22,P0.01)。结论在胰腺癌SW1990细胞中,沉默STM1可阻滞细胞于G2/M期,抑制细胞增殖,诱导细胞凋亡,有望成为胰腺癌治疗的分子靶点。     

Fancm基因敲除小鼠构建及其表型分析

目的构建范可尼贫血通路Fancm基因敲除小鼠,研究Fancm基因缺失对小鼠生理功能,特别是雄性生殖器官的影响。方法采用CRISPR/Cas9技术,获得Fancm基因敲除小鼠。分析FANCM蛋白在野生型和Fancm^-/-小鼠睾丸组织中的表达。统计Fancm^-/-小鼠的出生率、体重、性别比例及子代生育情况,分析血液常规指标。组织形态学研究雄性Fancm^-/-小鼠睾丸生理病理表型。结果敲除Fancm基因ATG区域,获得稳定遗传的C57BL/6背景Fancm^-/-小鼠。Fancm^-/-小鼠睾丸中FANCM蛋白表达完全丢失。Fancm^-/-小鼠无明显的胚胎致死现象,但雌性Fancm-/-小鼠数目显著少于雄性Fancm^-/-小鼠。同窝Fancm^-/-小鼠比较野生型体重无明显区别,部分血常规指标有显著性差异。Fancm^-/-小鼠有明显的生殖能力缺陷。雄性Fancm^-/-小鼠睾丸有显著的发育缺陷,其生精细胞凋亡增加、细胞周期阻滞,影响睾丸发育与精子的生成。结论成功获得稳定遗传C57BL/6背景Fancm^-/-小鼠,Fancm基因参与小鼠的生长发育,特别是雄性生殖器官功能的维持及调控。     

组蛋白去乙酰化酶3通过抑制AICD维持T细胞自稳（英文）

为探讨组蛋白去乙酰化酶3(HDAC3)在T细胞自稳中的作用,采用Lox P-cd4cre酶系统在胸腺CD4~+CD8~+双阳性T细胞(DP)中敲除hdac3基因.hdac3基因敲除小鼠不影响T细胞在胸腺中的发育,但导致外周T细胞显著降低,而且,hdac3基因敲除的外周T细胞主要以活化/效应/记忆表型为主.机制分析表明,hdac3基因敲除的外周T细胞凋亡增加并伴随细胞增殖加速,同时,Fas和Fas配体阳性细胞比率以及Fas配体的表达显著增加.体外TCR活化不影响正常外周T细胞的凋亡,但导致hdac3基因敲除的外周T细胞凋亡显著增加.实验结果表明,HDAC3通过抑制活化诱导的细胞凋亡维持外周T细胞自稳.     

Stra 8基因的激活与精原干细胞的特异性分化研究

视黄酸对维持正常的雄性睾丸结构和功能起着重要的作用。近来的研究发现,在雄性生殖腺发育过程中有一组基因,它们可以被视黄酸特异性的诱导活化,称为Stra(Stimulated by Retinoic Acid)基因。从鼠源分离得到的Stra8基因编码一种细胞质蛋白,该基因只特异性的在成熟雄性生殖细胞中表达,其功能被认为与精子形成有关。为研究Stra8基因的表达特性,我们从小鼠的基因组中克隆了Stra8基因的启动子序列(1.4kb)。将Stra8基因的1.4kb启动子序列克隆到pEGFP-1载体的EGFP基因之前,构建成由Stra8基因1.4kb启动子序列调控表达绿色荧光蛋白的pStra8-EGFP载体。将其分别转化到不同类型的细胞中,如小鼠ES-129细胞、人胎儿胰腺干细胞、小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞和小鼠精原干细胞等,通过荧光显微镜观察发现,绿色荧光蛋白只在小鼠精原干细胞中表达,表明Stra8基因是组织特异性表达的基因。将pStra8-EGFP转化小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞,经G418筛选2周后,用视黄酸诱导,12h培养后,有一部分转化pStra8-EGFP载体的细胞表达绿色荧光蛋白。RT-PCR证明这些细胞中有精原干细胞特异表达基因Stra8的转录,还有生殖细胞特异表达基因CyclinA8和Oct4的转录,这些结果说明小鼠骨髓间充质细胞经视黄酸的诱导可以向生殖细胞方向分化。     

miR-340-5p及PDCD4在过表达乙肝病毒X蛋白的足细胞中的表达及生物学意义

乙肝病毒X蛋白(HBx)引起足细胞损伤与乙型肝炎相关性肾小球肾炎的发病有关,但具体的机制尚不清楚。miR‐340‐5p是受到HBx调控的miR,能够靶向细胞程序性死亡基因4(PDCD4)基因发挥神经元保护作用。本研究观察了过表达HBx的足细胞中miR‐340‐5p及PDCD4表达的变化及生物学意义。培养小鼠足细胞系MPC5后转染HBx质粒、miR‐340‐5p、si‐PDCD4,MTS法检测细胞增殖活力OD₄₉₀、TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡率、荧光定量PCR检测miR‐340‐5p的表达、Western blot检测PDCD4的表达、双荧光素酶报告基因实验验证miR‐340‐5p靶向PDCD4基因3’UTR。结果显示,与对照组比较,HBx组细胞中miR‐340‐5p的表达、OD₄₉₀水平降低,PDCD4的表达、凋亡率增加;与HBx组比较,HBx+miR‐340‐5p组细胞中miR‐340‐5p的表达、OD₄₉₀水平增加,PDCD4的表达、凋亡率降低,HBx+si‐PDCD4组细胞中OD₄₉₀水平增加,...     

Deficiency of Trp53 rescues the male fertility defects of Kit(W-v) mice but has no effect on the survival of melanocytes and mast cells.

Mutations of the receptor tyrosine kinase, Kit, or its ligand, mast growth factor (Mgf), affect three unrelated cell populations: melanocytes, germ cells, and mast cells. Kit signaling is required initially to prevent cell death in these lineages both in vitro and in vivo. Mgf appears to play a role in the survival of some hematopoietic cells in vitro by modulating the activity of p53. Signaling by Mgf inhibits p53-induced apoptosis of erythroleukemia cell lines and suppresses p53-dependent radiation-induced apoptosis of bone marrow cells. We tested the hypothesis that cell survival in Kit mutant mice would be enhanced by p53 deficiency in vivo. Double-mutant mice, which have greatly reduced Kit receptor tyrosine kinase activity and also lack Trp53, were generated and the affected cell lineages examined. Mast cell, melanoblast, and melanocyte survival in the double Kit(W-v/W-v):Trp53(-/-) mutants was not increased compared to the single Kit(W-v/W-v):Trp53(+/+) mutants. However, double-mutant males showed an increase in sperm viability and could father litters, in contrast to their homozygous Kit mutant, wild-type p53 littermates. This germ cell rescue appears to be male specific, as female ovaries were similar in mice homozygous for the Kit mutant allele with or without p53. We conclude that defective Kit signaling in vivo results in apoptosis by a p53-independent pathway in melanocyte and mast cell lineages but that in male germ cells apoptosis in the absence of Kit is p53-dependent.     

Fas is involved in the p53-dependent apoptotic response to ionizing radiation in mouse testis

Apoptosis induced in male germ cells following ionizing radiation is dependent on functional p53 (Trp53) being present. We sought to determine whether Fas (Tnfrsf6/CD95/APO-1), an apoptotic factor, is involved in this p53-dependent germ cell death. In p53 knock-out mice exposed to 5 Gy of x-radiation, germ cells were protected from cell death, as assessed by counting apoptotic seminiferous tubules 12 h following radiation. Similarly, spermatid head counts in p53 knock-out mice remained near normal 29 days after exposure to 0.5 Gy of radiation, whereas wild-type animals had a more than twofold reduction in spermatid head counts. Fas mRNA expression remained at pretreatment levels in p53 knock-out mice; however, Fas increased in a time-dependent manner in wild-type mice following exposure to 5 Gy of radiation, indicating that radiation-induced Fas expression is p53-dependent. The functional significance of Fas involvement was demonstrated when lpr(cg) mice, having a nonfunctional Fas receptor, were exposed to 5 Gy of radiation; the number of apoptotic seminiferous tubules 12 h following radiation was significantly reduced compared to that of wild-type mice. Additionally, lpr(cg) mice exposed to 0.5 Gy of radiation had increased spermatid head counts 29 days following radiation compared to wild-type mice. Interestingly, gld mice with a non-functional Fas ligand (Tnfsf6/FasL/CD95L) were as sensitive to radiation as wild-type animals, and levels of FasL mRNA were not affected by radiation treatment. These results indicate that apoptosis and up-regulation of Fas following radiation are both p53-dependent events. Although Fas is necessary, in part, for radiation-induced p53-dependent apoptosis, FasL is not.     

Functional analysis of the p53 gene in apoptosis induced by heat stress or loss of stem cell factor signaling in mouse male germ cells

Apoptosis plays an important role in controlling germ cell numbers and restricting abnormal cell proliferation during spermatogenesis. The tumor suppressor protein, p53, is highly expressed in the testis, and is known to be involved in apoptosis, which suggests that it is one of the major causes of germ cell loss in the testis. Mice that are c-kit/SCF mutant (Sl/Sld) and cryptorchid show similar testicular phenotypes; they carry undifferentiated spermatogonia and Sertoli cells in their seminiferous tubules. To investigate the role of p53-dependent apoptosis in infertile testes, we transplanted p53-deficient spermatogonia that were labeled with enhanced green fluorescence protein into cryptorchid and Sl/Sld testes. In cryptorchid testes, transplanted p53-deficient spermatogonia differentiated into spermatocytes, but not into haploid spermatids. In contrast, no differentiated germ cells were observed in Sl/Sld mutant testes. These results indicate that the mechanism of germ cell loss in the c-kit/SCF mutant is not dependent on p53, whereas the apoptotic mechanism in the cryptorchid testis is quite different (i.e., although the early stage of differentiation of spermatogonia and the meiotic prophase is dependent on p53-mediated apoptosis, the later stage of spermatids is not).     

Testicular germ cell sensitivity to TRAIL-induced apoptosis is dependent upon p53 expression and is synergistically enhanced by DR5 agonistic antibody treatment

The ability of the TRAIL/DR5 signaling pathway to induce apoptosis has generally been limited to tumor cells. Here we report that in primary testis explants, addition of TRAIL (0.5 μg/ml) caused a three-fold increase in germ cell apoptosis. Furthermore, exposure of C57BL/6 mice to the testicular toxicant, mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), caused an increased p53 stability and elevated DR5 mRNA levels coincident with increases in the levels of apoptosis in spermatocytes. To further assess the mechanisms responsible for the sensitivity of germ cells to undergo TRAIL/DR5-mediated apoptosis, we used the germ cell lines GC-1spg and GC-2spd(ts) (a temperature sensitive spermatocyte-like cell line that allows for p53 nuclear localization at 32°C but not 37°C). Addition of TRAIL and the anti-DR5 monoclonal antibody, MD5-1, triggered a robust synergistic increase of apoptosis in p53 permissive GC-2 cells (32°C) but not in GC-1 cells. In addition, DR5 levels on the plasma membrane of permissive cells were considerably enhanced concomitant with p53 expression and after MD5-1 treatment. These data represent the first indication that testicular germ cells, specifically spermatocytes, can undergo TRAIL-mediated apoptosis and the clinically relevant observation that pretreatment with a DR5 monoclonal antibody can greatly sensitize their apoptotic response to TRAIL. This work was supported, in part, by grants from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/NIH (ES09145, JHR), Toxicology Training grant (ES T32 ES007247, CM), NIH Center Grant (P30 ES07784^, JHR) and the Center for Molecular and Cellular Toxicology (CMCT).     

Susceptibility to p53 dependent apoptosis correlates with increased levels of Gas2 and Gas3 proteins

p53 dependent apoptosis is a critical regulator of tumorigenesis. In this paper we demonstrate that BALB/c cells transformed with a LT mutant perturbing pRb but not p53 functions (LT-2809) show unrestrained cell division under low serum condition which is actively counterbalanced by apoptosis. BALB/c cells transformed with a LT mutant perturbing p53 but not pRb functions (LT-K1), show similar unrestrained cell division but no evident signs of apoptosis when grown in low serum. Such apoptotic response of LT-2809 cells is characterised by increased expression of Gas2 which becomes proteolytically processed. Similarly Gas3 expression is markedly increased in LT-2809 cells with respect to LT-K1. Since both Gas2 and Gas3 have been previously associated with the apoptotic response at growth arrest, our observations suggest that they could also contribute to the regulation of cellular susceptibility to p53 dependent apoptosis.     

p53 and thymic 'death by neglect': thymic epithelial cell-induced apoptosis of CD4+8+ thymocytes is p53-independent

The involvement of the tumor suppressor protein, p53, in thymic epithelial cell-induced apoptosis of CD4+8+ (double positive) thymocytes, was studied in an in vitro model consisting of a thymic epithelial cell line (TEC) and thymocytes. p53 expression was not augmented in double positive (DP) thymocytes upon co-culturing with TEC, although extensive apoptosis was observed. In the same cells, p53 expression was upregulated in response to low ionizing irradiation, which was accompanied with massive apoptosis. Moreover, TEC induced apoptosis in two DP thymomas, derived from p53(-/-) mice, and in a double positive thymoma clone expressing mutant p53. The extent and kinetics of TEC-induced apoptosis was not affected by the status of p53 in the thymocytes tested. We conclude that thymic epithelial cell-induced apoptosis of immature DP thymocytes is p53-independent and apparently, involves a different apoptotic pathway than that triggered by DNA damage.     

Absence of p53-dependent apoptosis leads to UV radiation hypersensitivity,enhanced immunosuppression and cellular senescence

Genotoxic stress triggers the p53 tumor suppressor network to activate cellular responses that lead to cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, apoptosis or senescence. This network functions mainly through transactivation of different downstream targets, including cell cycle inhibitor p21, which is required for short-term cell cycle arrest or long-term cellular senescence, or proapoptotic genes such as p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) and Noxa. However, the mechanism that switches from cell cycle arrest to apoptosis is still unknown. In this study, we found that mice harboring a hypomorphic mutant p53, R172P, a mutation that abrogates p53-mediated apoptosis while keeping cell cycle control mostly intact, are more susceptible to ultraviolet-B (UVB)-induced skin damage, inflammation, and immunosuppression than wild-type mice. p53^R172P embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) are hypersensitive to UVB and prematurely senesce after UVB exposure, in stark contrast to wild-type MEFs, which undergo apoptosis. However, these mutant cells are able to repair UV-induced DNA lesions, indicating that the UV hypersensitive phenotype results from the subsequent damage response. Mutant MEFs show an induction of p53 and p21 after UVR, while wild-type MEFs additionally induce PUMA and Noxa. Importantly, p53^R172P MEFs failed to downregulate anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, which has been shown to play an important role in p53-dependent apoptosis. Taken together, these data demonstrate that in the absence of p53-mediated apoptosis, cells undergo cellular senescence to prevent genomic instability. Our results also indicate that p53-dependent apoptosis may play an active role in balancing cellular growth.