Multifaceted regulation of cell cycle progression by estrogen: regulation of Cdk inhibitors and Cdc25A independent of cyclin D1-Cdk4 function

Estrogens induce proliferation of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells by stimulating G(1)/S transition associated with increased cyclin D1 expression, activation of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), and phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb). We have utilized blockade of cyclin D1-Cdk4 complex formation through adenovirus-mediated expression of p16(INK4a) to demonstrate that estrogen regulates Cdk inhibitor expression and expression of the Cdk-activating phosphatase Cdc25A independent of cyclin D1-Cdk4 function and cell cycle progression. Expression of p16(INK4a) inhibited G(1)/S transition induced in MCF-7 cells by 17-beta-estradiol (E(2)) with associated inhibition of both Cdk4- and Cdk2-associated kinase activities. Inhibition of Cdk2 activity was associated with delayed removal of Cdk-inhibitory activity in early G(1) and decreased cyclin A expression. Cdk-inhibitory activity and expression of both p21(Cip1) and p27(Kip1) was decreased, however, in both control and p16(INK4a)-expressing cells 20 h after estrogen treatment. Expression of Cdc25A mRNA and protein was induced by E(2) in control and p16(INK4a)-expressing MCF-7 cells; however, functional activity of Cdc25A was inhibited in cells expressing p16(INK4a). Inhibition of Cdc25A activity in p16(INK4a)-expressing cells was associated with depressed Cdk2 activity and was reversed in vivo and in vitro by active Cdk2. Transfection of MCF-7 cells with a dominant-negative Cdk2 construct inhibited the E(2)-dependent activation of ectopic Cdc25A. Supporting a role for Cdc25A in estrogen action, antisense CDC25A oligonucleotides inhibited estrogen-induced Cdk2 activation and DNA synthesis. In addition, inactive cyclin E-Cdk2 complexes from p16(INK4a)-expressing, estrogen-treated cells were activated in vitro by treatment with recombinant Cdc25A and in vivo in cells overexpressing Cdc25A. The results demonstrate that functional association of cyclin D1-Cdk4 complexes is required for Cdk2 activation in MCF-7 cells and that Cdk2 activity is, in turn, required for the in vivo activation of Cdc25A. These studies establish Cdc25A as a growth-promoting target of estrogen action and further indicate that estrogens independently regulate multiple components of the cell cycle machinery, including expression of p21(Cip1) and p27(Kip1).     

Hyperoxia induces S-phase cell-cycle arrest and p21(Cip1/Waf1)-independent Cdk2 inhibition in human carcinoma T47D-H3 cells

Little is known about cell-cycle checkpoint activation by oxidative stress in mammalian cells. The effects of hyperoxia on cell-cycle progression were investigated in asynchronous human T47D-H3 cells, which contain mutated p53 and fail to arrest at G1/S in response to DNA damage. Hyperoxic exposure (95% O(2), 40-64 h) induced an S-phase arrest associated with acute inhibition of Cdk2 activity and DNA synthesis. In contrast, exit from G2/M was not inhibited in these cells. After 40 h of hyperoxia, these effects were partially reversible during recovery under normoxic conditions. The inhibition of Cdk2 activity was not due to degradation of Cdk2, cyclin E or A, nor impairment of Cdk2 complex formation with cyclin A or E and p21(Cip1). The loss of Cdk2 activity occurred in the absence of induction and recruitment of cdk inhibitor p21(Cip1) or p27(Kip1) in cyclin A/Cdk2 or cyclin E/Cdk2 complexes. In contrast, Cdk2 inhibition was associated with increased Cdk2-Tyr15 phosphorylation, increased E2F-1 recruitment, and decreased PCNA contents in Cdk2 complexes. The latter results indicate a p21(Cip1)/p27(Kip1)-independent mechanism of S-phase checkpoint activation in the hyperoxic T47D cell model investigated.     

Insulin/insulin-like growth factor-I and estrogen cooperate to stimulate cyclin E-Cdk2 activation and cell Cycle progression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells through differential regulation of cyclin E and p21(WAF1/Cip1)

Estrogens and insulin/insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) are potent mitogens for breast epithelial cells and, when co-administered, induce synergistic stimulation of cell proliferation. To investigate the molecular basis of this effect, a MCF-7 breast cancer cell model was established where serum deprivation and concurrent treatment with the pure estrogen antagonist, ICI 182780, inhibited growth factor and estrogen action and arrested cells in G(0)/G(1) phase. Subsequent stimulation with insulin or IGF-I alone failed to induce significant S-phase entry. However, these treatments increased cyclin D1, cyclin E, and p21 gene expression and induced the formation of active Cdk4 complexes but resulted in only minor increases in cyclin E-Cdk2 activity, likely due to recruitment of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21(WAF1/Cip1) into these complexes. Treatment with estradiol alone resulted in a greater increase in cyclin D1 gene expression but markedly decreased p21 expression, with a concurrent increase in Cdk4 and Cdk2 activity and subsequent synchronous entry of cells into S phase. Co-administration of insulin/IGF-I and estrogen induced synergistic stimulation of S-phase entry coincident with synergistic activation of high molecular mass (approximately 350 kDa) cyclin E-Cdk2 complexes lacking p21. To determine if the ability of estrogen to deplete p21 was central to these effects, cells stimulated with insulin and estradiol were infected with an adenovirus expressing p21. Induction of p21 to levels equivalent to those following treatment with insulin alone markedly inhibited the synergism between estradiol and insulin on S-phase entry. Thus the ability of estradiol to antagonize the insulin-induced increase in p21 gene expression, with consequent activation of cyclin E-Cdk2, is a central component of the synergistic stimulation of breast epithelial cell proliferation induced by simultaneous activation of the estrogen and insulin/IGF-I signaling pathways.     

Elevated expression of the estrogen receptor prevents the down-regulation of p21Waf1/Cip1 in hormone dependent breast cancer cells

Expression of an estrogen receptor alpha (ER) transgene in hormone independent breast cancer and normal breast epithelial cells arrests cell cycling when estradiol is added. Although endogenously expressed ER does not typically affect estradiol-induced cell cycling of hormone dependent breast cancer cells, we observed that elevated expression of a green fluorescent protein fused to ER (GFP-ER) hindered entry of estrogen treated MCF-7 cells into S phase of the cell cycle. In analyses of key cell-cycle regulating proteins, we observed that GFP-ER expression had no affect on the protein levels of cyclin D1, cyclin E, or p27, a cyclin dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor. However, at 24 h, p21 (Waf1, Cip1; a Cdk2 inhibitor) protein remained elevated in the high GFP-ER expressing cells but not in non-GFP-ER expressing cells. Elevated expression of p21 inhibited Cdk2 activity, preventing cells from entering S phase. The results show that elevated levels of ER prevented the down-regulation of p21 protein expression, which is required for hormone responsive cells to enter S phase.     

A pure estrogen antagonist inhibits cyclin E-Cdk2 activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and induces accumulation of p130-E2F4 complexes characteristic of quiescence

Estrogen antagonists inhibit cell cycle progression in estrogen-responsive cells, but the molecular mechanisms are not fully defined. Antiestrogen-mediated G(0)/G(1) arrest is associated with decreased cyclin D1 gene expression, inactivation of cyclin D1-cyclin dependent kinase (Cdk) 4 complexes, and decreased phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb). We now show that treatment of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with the pure estrogen antagonist ICI 182780 results in inhibition of cyclin E-Cdk2 activity prior to a decrease in the G(1) to S phase transition. This decrease was dependent on p21(WAF1/Cip1) since treatment with antisense oligonucleotides to p21 attenuated the effect. Recruitment of p21 to cyclin E-Cdk2 complexes was in turn dependent on decreased cyclin D1 expression since it was apparent following treatment with antisense cyclin D1 oligonucleotides. To define where within the G(0) to S phase continuum antiestrogen-treated cells arrested, we assessed the relative abundance and phosphorylation state of pocket protein-E2F complexes. While both pRb and p107 levels were significantly decreased, p130 was increased 4-fold and was accompanied by the formation of p130.E2F4 complexes and the accumulation of hyperphophorylated E2F4, putative markers of cellular quiescence. Thus, ICI 182780 inhibits both cyclin D1-Cdk4 and cyclin E-Cdk2 activity, resulting in the arrest of MCF-7 cells in a state with characteristics of quiescence (G(0)), as opposed to G(1) arrest.     

Caspase 3-mediated cleavage of p21WAF1/CIP1 associated with the cyclin A-cyclin-dependent kinase 2 complex is a prerequisite for apoptosis in SK-HEP-1 cells

Apoptosis of SK-HEP-1 human hepatoma cells induced by treatment with ginsenoside Rh2 (G-Rh2) is associated with rapid and selective activation of cyclin A-associated cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2). Here, we show that in apoptotic cells, the Cdk inhibitory protein p21(WAF1/CIP1), which is associated with the cyclin A-Cdk2 complex, undergoes selective proteolytic cleavage. In contrast, another Cdk inhibitory protein, p27(KIP1), which is associated with cyclin A-Cdk2 and cyclin E-Cdk2 complexes, remained unaltered during apoptosis. Ectopic overexpression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) suppressed apoptosis as well as cyclin A-Cdk2 activity induced by treatment of SK-HEP-1 cells with G-Rh2. The suppressive effects of p21(WAF1/CIP1) were much higher in the cells transfected with p21D112N, an expression vector that encodes a p21(WAF1/CIP1) mutant resistant to caspase 3 cleavage. Overexpression of cyclin A in SK-HEP-1 cells dramatically up-regulated cyclin A-Cdk2 activity and accordingly enhances apoptosis induced by treatment with G-Rh2. These up-regulating effects were blocked by coexpression of a dominant negative allele of cdk2. Furthermore, olomoucine, a specific inhibitor of Cdks, also blocked G-Rh2-induced apoptosis. These data suggest that the induction of apoptosis in human hepatoma cells treated with G-Rh2 occurs by a mechanism that involves the activation of cyclin A-Cdk2 by caspase 3-mediated cleavage of p21(WAF1/CIP1).     

Hyperoxia Induces S-Phase Cell-Cycle Arrest and p21-Independent Cdk2 Inhibition in Human Carcinoma T47D-H3 Cells

Little is known about cell-cycle checkpoint activation by oxidative stress in mammalian cells. The effects of hyperoxia on cell-cycle progression were investigated in asynchronous human T47D-H3 cells, which contain mutated p53 and fail to arrest at G1/S in response to DNA damage. Hyperoxic exposure (95% O₂, 40–64 h) induced an S-phase arrest associated with acute inhibition of Cdk2 activity and DNA synthesis. In contrast, exit from G2/M was not inhibited in these cells. After 40 h of hyperoxia, these effects were partially reversible during recovery under normoxic conditions. The inhibition of Cdk2 activity was not due to degradation of Cdk2, cyclin E or A, nor impairment of Cdk2 complex formation with cyclin A or E and p21^Cip1. The loss of Cdk2 activity occurred in the absence of induction and recruitment of cdk inhibitor p21^Cip1 or p27^Kip1 in cyclin A/Cdk2 or cyclin E/Cdk2 complexes. In contrast, Cdk2 inhibition was associated with increased Cdk2-Tyr15 phosphorylation, increased E2F-1 recruitment, and decreased PCNA contents in Cdk2 complexes. The latter results indicate a p21^Cip1/p27^Kip1-independent mechanism of S-phase checkpoint activation in the hyperoxic T47D cell model investigated.     

Dna damage-induced G(1) arrest in hematopoietic cells is overridden following phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent activation of cyclin-dependent kinase 2

Exposure of hematopoietic cells to DNA-damaging agents induces p53-independent cell cycle arrest at a G(1) checkpoint. Previously, we have shown that this growth arrest can be overridden by cytokine growth factors, such as erythropoietin or interleukin-3, through activation of a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase)/Akt-dependent signaling pathway. Here, we show that gamma-irradiated murine myeloid 32D cells arrest in G(1) with active cyclin D-cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4) but with inactive cyclin E-Cdk2 kinases. The arrest was associated with elevated levels of the Cdk inhibitors p21(Cip1) and p27(Kip1), yet neither was associated with Cdk2. Instead, irradiation-induced inhibition of cyclin E-Cdk2 correlated with absence of the activating threonine-160 phosphorylation on Cdk2. Cytokine treatment of irradiated cells induced Cdk2 phosphorylation and activation, and cells entered into S phase despite sustained high-level expression of p21 and p27. Notably, the PI 3-kinase inhibitor, LY294002, completely blocked cytokine-induced Cdk2 activation and cell growth in irradiated 32D cells but not in nonirradiated cells. Together, these findings demonstrate a novel mechanism underlying the DNA damage-induced G(1) arrest of hematopoietic cells, that is, inhibition of Cdk2 phosphorylation and activation. These observations link PI 3-kinase signaling pathways with the regulation of Cdk2 activity.     

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/Cip1 is an antiestrogen-regulated inhibitor of Cdk4 in human breast cancer cells.

The MCF-7 cell line is a model of estrogen-dependent, antiestrogen-sensitive human breast cancer. Antiestrogen treatment of MCF-7 cells causes dramatic decreases in both Cdk4 and Cdk2 activities, which leads to a G(1) phase cell cycle arrest. In this report, we investigate the mechanism(s) by which Cdk4 activity is regulated in MCF-7 cells. Through time course analysis, we demonstrate that changes in Cdk4 activity in response to estrogen or antiestrogen treatment do not correlate directly with cyclin D1 protein levels or association. In contrast, Cdk4 activity does correlate with changes in the level of the Cdk inhibitor p21(WAF1/Cip1). Furthermore, we show that extracts of antiestrogen-treated cells contain a factor capable of inhibiting the Cdk4 activity present in extracts of estrogen-treated cells, and immunodepletion experiments identify this factor as p21(WAF1/Cip1). These results identify p21(WAF1/Cip1) as an important physiological regulator of Cdk4 complexes in human breast cancer cells.     

Complex mechanisms underlying impaired activation of Cdk4 and Cdk2 in replicative senescence: roles of p16, p21, and cyclin D1

Numerous changes in gene expression are known to occur during replicative senescence, including changes in genes involved in the cell cycle control. In the present study, we have found a severe impairment in the activation of Cdk2 and Cdk4 in response to mitogens in senescent human fibroblasts and determined the molecular basis for this. Although Cdk4 protein was constitutively expressed in senescent cells at the same level as in early-passage young cells, it was found to be complexed with a distinct set of Cdk inhibitors. Cdk4 derived from early passage quiescent cells was effectively activated by incubation with cyclin D1 and Cdk-activating kinase (CAK) in vitro, whereas Cdk4 from senescent cells was not. Cdk2 protein was dramatically decreased in senescent cells and complexed primarily with cyclin D1 and p21. This cyclin D1-bound Cdk2 was not activated by CAK either in vivo or in vitro, implicating cyclin D1 as an inhibitor of Cdk2 activation. Thus, one of the underlying molecular events involved in replicative senescence is the impaired activation of Cdk4 and Cdk2 due to increased binding of p16 to Cdk4 and increased association of Cdk2 with cyclin D1 and p21.     

Cyclin A but not cyclin D1 is essential for c-myc-modulated cell-cycle progression

The proto-oncogene c-myc is a key player in cell-cycle regulation and is deregulated in a broad range of human cancers and cell proliferation disorders. Here we reported that overexpression of c-myc in human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HEL) that have low endogenous c-myc enriched S phase cells with increased expression of cyclin D3, E, A, Cdk2, and Cdk4, and decreased expression of p21 and p27. To the opposite, using RNAi to downregulate c-myc expression in A549 cells that have high endogenous c-myc enriched G1 phase cells with decreased expression of cyclin D3, E, A, Cdk2, Cdk4, and increased expression of p21 and p27. We found that cyclin A expression was the most susceptive to changes in c-myc levels and essential in c-myc-modulated cell cycle pathway via co-transfection, however, cyclin D1 showed no change between treated and control groups in either HEL or A549 cells. Our results indicated that upregulation of c-myc expression promotes cell cycling in HEL cells, whereas downregulation of c-myc expression causes G1 phase arrest in A549 cells, and the c-myc-mediated cell-cycle regulation pathway was dependent on cyclin A and involved cyclin D3, E, Cdk2, Cdk4, p21, and p27, but not cyclin D1.     

c-Myc or Cyclin D1 Mimics Estrogen Effects on Cyclin E-Cdk2 Activation and Cell Cycle Reentry

Estrogen-induced progression through G₁ phase of the cell cycle is preceded by increased expression of the G₁-phase regulatory proteins c-Myc and cyclin D1. To investigate the potential contribution of these proteins to estrogen action, we derived clonal MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines in which c-Myc or cyclin D1 was expressed under the control of the metal-inducible metallothionein promoter. Inducible expression of either c-Myc or cyclin D1 was sufficient for S-phase entry in cells previously arrested in G₁ phase by pretreatment with ICI 182780, a potent estrogen antagonist. c-Myc expression was not accompanied by increased cyclin D1 expression or Cdk4 activation, nor was cyclin D1 induction accompanied by increases in c-Myc. Expression of c-Myc or cyclin D1 was sufficient to activate cyclin E-Cdk2 by promoting the formation of high-molecular-weight complexes lacking the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, as has been described, following estrogen treatment. Interestingly, this was accompanied by an association between active cyclin E-Cdk2 complexes and hyperphosphorylated p130, identifying a previously undefined role for p130 in estrogen action. These data provide evidence for distinct c-Myc and cyclin D1 pathways in estrogen-induced mitogenesis which converge on or prior to the formation of active cyclin E-Cdk2-p130 complexes and loss of inactive cyclin E-Cdk2-p21 complexes, indicating a physiologically relevant role for the cyclin E binding motifs shared by p130 and p21.     

Raf-Induced Cell Cycle Progression in Human TF-1 Hematopoietic Cells

Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK is a crucial pathway regulating cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and drug resistance. The Ras oncogene is frequently mutated in human cancer, which can result in the activation of the downstream Raf/MEK/ERK cascade leading to cell cycle progression in the absence of a growth stimulus. Raf-induced proliferation has been observed in hematopoietic cells. However, the mechanisms by which Raf affects cell cycle progression are not well described. To investigate the importance of Raf/MEK/ERK signaling in human hematopoietic cell growth, the effects of three different Raf genes, A-Raf, B-Raf and Raf-1, on cell cycle progression and regulatory gene expression were examined in TF-1 cells transformed to grow in response to b-estradiol-regulated DRaf:ER genes. Raf activation increased the expression of cyclin A, cyclin D, cyclin E, and p21Cip1, which are associated with G1 progression. Activated DRaf-1:ER and DA-Raf:ER but not DB-Raf:ER increased Cdk2 and Cdk4 kinase activity. The regulatory role of p16Ink4a, a potent Cdk4 kinase inhibitor, on the kinase activity of Cdk2 and Cdk4 was also examined. Raf induced p16Ink4a suppressor but this did not eliminate Cdk4 kinase activity. These results indicate that human hematopoietic cells transformed to grow in response to activated Raf can be used to elucidate the mechanisms by which various cell cycle regulatory molecules effect cell cycle progression. Furthermore, the differences that the various Raf isoforms have on Cdk4 activity and other cell cycle regulatory molecules can be determined in these cells.

Key Words:

Cell cycle, Raf, p21Cip1, p27Kip1, Cyclins, Cdks, Hematopoietic cells     

Bcl-2 controls caspase activation following a p53-dependent cyclin D1-induced death signal

MCF-7 and ZR-75 breast cancer cells infected with an adenovirus constitutively expressing high levels of cyclin D1 demonstrated widespread mitochondrial translocation of Bax and cytochrome c release that was approximately doubled after the addition of all-trans retinoic acid (RA) or Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide. By comparison, the percentage of cells in Lac Z virus-infected cultures containing translocated Bax and cytoplasmic cytochrome c was markedly less even after RA treatment. Despite this, RA-treated Lac Z and untreated cyclin D1 virus-infected cultures contained similarly low proportions of cells with active caspase or cells that were permeable to propidium iodide. Bax activation was p53-dependent and accompanied by arrest in G(2) phase. Although constitutive Bcl-2 expression prevented Bax activation, it did not alter cyclin D1-induced cell cycle arrest, illustrating the independence of these events. Both RA and antisense Bcl-2 oligonucleotide decreased Bcl-2 protein levels and markedly increased caspase activity and apoptosis in cyclin D1-infected cells. Thus amplified cyclin D1 expression initiates an apoptotic signal inhibited by different levels of cellular Bcl-2 at two points. Whereas high cellular levels of Bcl-2 prevent mitochondrial Bax translocation, lower levels can prevent apoptosis by inhibition of caspase activation.     

Non-malignant and tumor-derived cells differ in their requirement for p27Kip1 in transforming growth factor-beta-mediated G1 arrest

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) induces G(1) arrest in susceptible cells by multiple mechanisms that inhibit the G(1) cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), including Cdk2, Cdk4, and Cdk6. TGF-beta treatment of early passage finite lifespan human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) led to an accumulation of p27(Kip1) in cyclin E1-Cdk2 complexes and kinase inhibition. The requirement for p27 in the G(1) arrest by TGF-beta was assessed by transfection of antisense p27 (ASp27) oligonucleotides into TGF-beta-treated HMECs. Despite a reduction in total and cyclin E-Cdk2 bound p27 after ASp27 transfection, HMECs remained arrested in the G(1) phase. Maintenance of the G(1) arrest was accompanied by increased association of the Cdk inhibitor p21(WAF-1/Cip-1) and the retinoblastoma family member p130(Rb2) in cyclin E1-Cdk2 complexes along with kinase inhibition. In contrast to the findings in HMECs, p27 was essential for G(1) arrest by TGF-beta in two tumor-derived lines. ASp27 transfection into two TGF-beta-responsive, cancer-derived lines was not associated with increased compensatory binding of p21 and p130 to cyclin E1-Cdk2, and these cell lines failed to maintain G(1) arrest despite the continued presence of TGF-beta. Progressive cell cycle deregulation leading to impaired checkpoint controls during malignant tumor progression may alter the role of p27 from a redundant to an essential inhibitor of G(1)-to-S phase progression.     

Cyclin D1 overexpression induces progestin resistance in T-47D breast cancer cells despite p27(Kip1) association with cyclin E-Cdk2

Long-term growth inhibition, arrest in G(1) phase and reduced activity of both cyclin D1-Cdk4 and cyclin E-Cdk2 are elicited by progestin treatment of breast cancer cells in culture. Decreased cyclin expression, induction of p18(INK4c) and increased association of the CDK inhibitors p21(WAF1/Cip1) and p27(Kip1) with cyclin E-Cdk2 have been implicated in these responses. To determine the role of decreased cyclin expression, T-47D human breast cancer cells constitutively expressing cyclin D1 or cyclin E were treated with the progestin ORG 2058. Overexpression of cyclin E had only a modest effect on growth inhibition. Although cyclin E expression was maintained during progestin treatment, cyclin E-Cdk2 activity decreased by approximately 60%. This was accompanied by p27(Kip1) association with cyclin E-Cdk2, indicating that both cyclin E down-regulation and p27(Kip1) recruitment contribute to the decrease in activity. In contrast, overexpression of cyclin D1 induced progestin resistance and cell proliferation continued despite decreased cyclin E-Cdk2 activity. Progestin treatment of cyclin D1-overexpressing cells was associated with increased p27(Kip1) association with cyclin E-Cdk2. Thus the ability of cyclin D1 to confer progestin resistance does not depend on sequestration of p27(Kip1) away from cyclin E-Cdk2, providing evidence for a critical function of cyclin D1 other than as a high-capacity "sink" for p27(Kip1). These data indicate that regulation of cyclin D1 is a critical element of progestin inhibition in breast cancer cells and suggest that breast cancers overexpressing cyclin D1 may respond poorly to progestin therapy.     

Raf-induced cell cycle progression in human TF-1 hematopoietic cells

Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK is a crucial pathway regulating cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and drug resistance. The Ras oncogene is frequently mutated in human cancer, which can result in the activation of the downstream Raf/MEK/ERK cascade leading to cell cycle progression in the absence of a growth stimulus. Raf-induced proliferation has been observed in hematopoietic cells. However, the mechanisms by which Raf affects cell cycle progression are not well described. To investigate the importance of Raf/MEK/ERK signaling in human hematopoietic cell growth, the effects of three different Raf genes, A-Raf, B-Raf and Raf-1, on cell cycle progression and regulatory gene expression were examined in TF-1 cells transformed to grow in response to beta-estradiol-regulated DeltaRaf:ER genes. Raf activation increased the expression of cyclin A, cyclin D, cyclin E, and p21(Cip1), which are associated with G(1) progression. Activated DeltaRaf-1:ER and DeltaA-Raf:ER but not DeltaB-Raf:ER increased Cdk2 and Cdk4 kinase activity. The regulatory role of p16(Ink4a), a potent Cdk4 kinase inhibitor, on the kinase activity of Cdk2 and Cdk4 was also examined. Raf induced p16(Ink4a) suppressor but this did not eliminate Cdk4 kinase activity. These results indicate that human hematopoietic cells transformed to grow in response to activated Raf can be used to elucidate the mechanisms by which various cell cycle regulatory molecules effect cell cycle progression. Furthermore, the differences that the various Raf isoforms have on Cdk4 activity and other cell cycle regulatory molecules can be determined in these cells.     

Cell cycle arrest and modulation of HO-1 expression induced by acetyl salicylic acid in hepatocarcinogenesis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Control of cell proliferation is important for cancer prevention since cell proliferation has an essential role in carcinogenesis. In rodent carcinogenesis models, antioxidant agents suppress carcinogen-induced cellular hyper proliferation in the target organs. Strict control of cell division is an essential process to ensure that DNA synthesis and mitotic division are accurately and coordinately executed. We studied the interplay between cell cycle and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and the effect of the acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in hepatic carcinogenesis. METHODS: Male CF1 mice pre-treated with dietary p-dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB; 0.5%, w/w) were fed with ASA (0.16%, w/w). We investigated the hepatic expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E, Cdk2, Cdk4, p21, p27, p53; the level of bcl-2, an antiapoptotic protein and of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a marker of oxidative stress, by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The treatment with ASA produced an important attenuation in the induction of cyclin E and cyclin D1 provoked by DAB. p21 and p27 levels were increased when animals received both drugs. The administration of ASA to DAB treated animals induced Cdk2 (29%). HO-1 induction (65%) provoked by DAB was diminished by ASA administration reaching lower induction levels (23%). CONCLUSION: The deregulation of cyclin/CDK expression and the up-regulation of p21 and p27 with the administration of ASA, post-treatment of the carcinogen administration, would block the pass through out to the G0/G1 check point to permit the cells to repair their DNA and HO-1 protected the liver from reactive oxygen species produced from DAB.