Novel anthranilamide-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine conjugates modulate the expression of p53-MYCN associated micro RNAs in neuroblastoma cells and cause cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

It has previously been shown that anthranilamide-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine conjugates activate p53 and cause apoptosis in cervical cancer cells such as HeLa and SiHa. Here we establish the role of these conjugates in activating p53 pathway by phosphorylation at Ser15, 20 and 46 residues and downregulate key oncogenic proteins such as MYCN and Mdm2 in IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells. Compounds decreased the proliferation rate of neuroblastoma cells such as IMR-32, Neuro-2a, SK-N-SH. Compound treatment resulted in G2/M cell cycle arrest. The expression of p53 dependent genes such as p21, Bax, caspases was increased with concomitant decrease of the survival proteins as well as anti-apoptotic proteins such as Akt1, E2F1 and Bcl2. In addition the expression of important microRNAs such as miR-34a, c, miR-200b, miR-107, miR-542-5p and miR-605 were significantly increased that eventually lead to the activation of apoptotic pathway. Our data revealed that conjugates of this nature cause cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in IMR-32 cells [MYCN (+) with intact wild-type p53] by activating p53 signalling and provides a lead for the development of anti-cancer therapeutics.     

p53-Mediated gene activation in mice at high doses of chronic low-dose-rate γ radiation

The time course of the changes in the expression of p53-mediated genes in vivo after high doses of chronic low-dose-rate γ radiation remains unclear. Here we analyzed peripheral blood cell counts and the expression of p53-mediated genes in the spleens of mice chronically irradiated at low dose rate (0.0167 Gy/h) for 1-40 days. Low-dose-rate irradiation induced p53-dependent chronic decreases in white blood cell (WBC) counts in p53 wild-type mice. Upregulation of p53-mediated genes by low-dose-rate radiation was confirmed in the whole spleen cells from the p53 wild-type mice, while suppressed gene expression was observed in the spleen cells of p53-deficient mice. The expression of p21 and Bax in radiosensitive cells such as T and B lymphocytes from low-dose-rate irradiated mice at 10, 20, and 40 days were increased, although that of Mdm2 in both the lymphocytes was decreased at 20 and 40 days. Moreover, spleen weights for low-dose-rate irradiated mice were decreased at 20 and 40 days. Thus downregulation of Mdm2 in both T and B lymphocytes by low-dose-rate radiation may cause higher p53 activation; further, higher p53 expression may determine the radiosensitivity and cause a reduction in the spleen weights in low-dose-rate irradiated mice. These results indicate that p53 may be chronically activated by low-dose-rate radiation.     

The E3 ligase Topors induces the accumulation of polysumoylated forms of DNA topoisomerase I in vitro and in vivo

Human Topors has originally been identified as binding partner of p53 and DNA topoisomerase I (TOP1). It can function as both an ubiquitin and SUMO-1 E3 ligase for p53. Here we demonstrate that Topors enhances the formation of high-molecular weight SUMO-1 conjugates of TOP1 in a reconstituted in vitro system and also in human osteosarcoma cells, similar to treatment with CPT. In contrast to the situation observed with p53, overall sumoylation levels were rather unaffected. Experiments with TOP1 point mutants strongly suggest that the high-molecular weight conjugates represent SUMO-1 chains formed on a limited number of SUMO-1 acceptor sites.     

结直肠癌mP53 和PCNA 表达的相关性及临床意义

目的:探讨结直肠癌中突变型P53基因(mP53)和增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)表达的相关性及临床意义。方法:应用免疫组化二步法,检测60例结直肠癌组织及20例正常肠粘膜中mP53、PCNA的表达,结合临床病理资料进行统计分析。结果:60例结直肠癌中mP53阳性表达率65.0%,PCNA阳性表达率78.3%,20例正常肠粘膜中mP53、PCNA表达均为阴性(P<0.05)。mP53和PCNA阳性表达率在低分化组、浆膜层浸润组、淋巴结转移组均较高(P均<0.05)。mP53和PCNA表达呈正相关(r=0.58,P<0.05)。结论:mP53和PCNA在结直肠癌中表达均增高,二者与结直肠癌病理学分级、浸润深度和淋巴结转移有关,可作为判断结直肠癌预后的参考指标。     

Image cytometric analysis of p53 and mdm-2 expression in primary and recurrent mucoepidermoid carcinoma of parotid gland: immunohistochemical study

Aims and Objectives

This study aims to analyze immunocytochemically p53 aberrant expression and mdm-2 expression in primary and recurrent mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of parotid gland and to ascertain if expression of these markers correlates with tumor behavior, clinical outcome, histological grade and local recurrence.

Methods

20 cases histologically diagnosed as primary MEC with different grades were included in the study. Out of 20 cases, 7 were classified as grade I, 8 as grade II and 5 as grade III. Immunohistochemical staining of these 20 primary cases as well as 6 recurrent cases with anti-p53 and anti-mdm-2 antibodies was carried out. Area fraction of immunopositivity was estimated by image analysis software.

Results

16/20 primary cases were p53 +ve (80%). The p53 positive cases included 3 cases classified as grade (I), 8 cases as grade (II) and 5 cases as grade (III). All 6 recurrent cases were p53 +ve. On the other hand, 14/20 primary and only 2/6 recurrent cases were mdm-2 +ve. The mdm-2 +ve primary cases included 2 classified as grade (I), 7 as grade (II) and 5 as grade (III). 12 primary MEC showed co-expression of both p53 and mdm-2 of which 2 cases showed local recurrence.

Conclusions

these data suggested that expression of p53 and mdm-2 in primary and recurrent MEC correlates with the high histological grade. P53 aberrant expression is not only considered as an early event in MEC carcinogenesis but also correlates to tumor behavior and local recurrence. Mdm-2 overexpression is correlated to pathogenesis of MEC. However, no strong evidence was found between mdm-2 expression and MEC local recurrence.     

外源性p53诱导肝癌细胞Wnt通路抑制因子Dickkopf-1的表达

研究p53对Wnt通路抑制抑制因子Dickkopf-1(DKK-1)表达的调节作用,将携带p53基因的复制缺陷型腺病毒载体(Adp53)导入到p53缺失的人肝癌细胞株Hep3B中,以RT-PCR技术检测p53对DKK-1表达的调节作用．检测结果表明DKK-1 mRNA水平在转染p53 20h后即有明显升高,其中以32h达最高水平,随后逐渐降低,量效关系研究表明在转染剂量为0、5、5、50pfu／cell的Adp53时DKK-1mRNA表达均有显著增高,尤以50pfu／cell时表达水平最高。提示p53能明显诱导Wnt通路抑制因子DKK-1的mRNA表达。     

Prognostic value of p53 and MDM2 expression in bilharziasis-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder

The aim of this study was to elucidate the associations between immunostaining for MDM2 and p53, their respective expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, and the value of these variables for predicting treatment outcome after cystectomy. Inactivation of TP53 might play a role in the development and progression of bladder cancer. Complex formation with the MDM2 product is one mechanism that inactivates the p53 protein. Therefore, the MDM2 and the p53 protein were investigated to study potential interactions in bladder cancer. Fifty archival bladder tissue specimens were immunohistochemically stained using monoclonal antibodies against p53 and MDM2. Staining for p53 was observed in 48% of the specimens and staining for MDM2 in 20%. Univariate analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between p53 accumulation and survival (p = 0.0101), while the correlation between MDM2 and survival was not significant (p = 0.7183). The combined expression of MDM2 and p53 doest not add to the prognostic information provided by p53 alone.     

Differential regulation of cutaneous oncoprotein HPVE6 by wtp53, mutant p53R248W and ΔNp63α is HPV type dependent

UV exposure and p53 mutations are major factors in non-melanoma skin cancer, whereas a role for HPV infections has not been defined. Previous data demonstrated the wtp53-mediated degradation of cutaneous HPV20E6 by caspase-3. ΔNp63α and hot-spot mutant p53R248W conveyed a protective effect on HPV20E6 under these conditions. We demonstrate a differential regulation by wtp53 of the E6 genes of cutaneous types HPV4, HPV5, HPV7, HPV27, HPV38, HPV48, HPV60 and HPV77. Caspase- or proteasome-mediated down-regulation was HPV type dependent. Mutant p53R248W up-regulated expression of all these E6 proteins as did ΔNp63α except for HPV38E6 which was down-regulated by the latter. None of these cellular proteins affected HPV41E6 expression. Ectopic expression of both mutp53R248W and ΔNp63α in the normal NIKS keratinocyte cell line harbouring endogenous p53 and p63however led to a down-regulation of HPV20E6. We demonstrate that HPV20E6 expression in these cells is modulated by additional, yet unidentified, cellular protein(s), which are not necessarily involved in apoptosis or autophagy. We further demonstrate proliferation of HPV20E6-expressing keratinocytes. Levels of proteins involved in cell cycle control, cyclin-D1, cdk6 and p16(INK4a), phosphorylated pRB, as well as c-Jun and p-c-Jun, were all increased in these cells. HPV20E6 did not compete for the interaction between p16(INK4a) with cyclin-D1 or cdk6. Phosphorylation of pRB in the HPV20E6 expressing cells seems to be sufficient to override the cytokenetic block induced by the p16(INK4a)/pRB pathway. The present study demonstrates the diverse influence of p53 family members on individual cutaneous HPVE6 proteins. HPV20E6 expression also resulted in varying protein levels of factors involved in proliferation and differentiation.     

Translocation of an Aib-containing peptide through cell membranes

The biophysical characteristics and channel-forming activity of peptaibols inserted into artificial membranes have been studied over the last 30 years. However, to our knowledge, no studies have addressed directly their behavior in living cells. In this work, a novel strategy has been employed to precisely assess the living cell membrane-penetrating activity of a fluorescein-labeled Aib (α-aminoisobutyric acid)-containing peptide derived from a peptaibol, trichorovin-XIIa (TV-XIIa). We have demonstrated for the first time that the peptide containing an unusual amino acid residue, Aib, is taken up by cells via a non endocytic pathway. The replacement of Aib in the TV-XIIa sequence with Ala inhibits the cellular uptake.     

P53 expression between 13–27 weeks old human male fetus gonads

P53 is a tumor suppressor gene and a critical component of cellular mechanisms that respond to genotoxic stresses. During normal fetal development, some of these cells lose their genomic stability because of intensive cell proliferation. They arrest cell cycle progression and repair genomic stability by p53 induction or die via apoptosis. If p53 is overexpressed, some structures may have different abnormalities. This study was conducted to investigate normal p53 expression in human male gonads during second trimester. Twenty one normal human male fetuses’ testes in 2nd trimester were processed and immunohistochemistry was applied. The spermatogonia with nuclear and perinuclear staining, were accepted as p53 (+). The number of p53 (+) spermatogonia was counted in randomly 10 different seminiferous tubules. The results suggest that p53 expression in gonads of human male fetuses significantly increases in the 20th week.     

Loss of Expression of Reprimo,a p53-induced Cell Cycle Arrest Gene,Correlates with Invasive Stage of Tumor Progression and p73 Expression in Gastric Cancer

Reprimo (RPRM), a downstream effector of p53-induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M, has been proposed as a putative tumor suppressor gene (TSG) and as a potential biomarker for non-invasive detection of gastric cancer (GC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the epigenetic silencing of RPRM gene by promoter methylation and its tumor suppressor function in GC cell lines. Furthermore, clinical significance of RPRM protein product and its association with p53/p73 tumor suppressor protein family was explored. Epigenetic silencing of RPRM gene by promoter methylation was evaluated in four GC cell lines. Protein expression of RPRM was evaluated in 20 tumor and non-tumor matched cases. The clinical significance of RPRM association with p53/p73 tumor suppressor protein family was assessed in 114 GC cases. Tumor suppressor function was examined through functional assays. RPRM gene expression was negatively correlated with promoter methylation (Spearman rank r = -1; p = 0.042). RPRM overexpression inhibited colony formation and anchorage-independent growth. In clinical samples, RPRM gene protein expression was detected in 75% (15/20) of non-tumor adjacent mucosa, but only in 25% (5/20) of gastric tumor tissues (p = 0.001). Clinicopathological correlations of loss of RPRM expression were significantly associated with invasive stage of GC (stage I to II-IV, p = 0.02) and a positive association between RPRM and p73 gene protein product expression was found (p<0.0001 and kappa value = 0.363). In conclusion, epigenetic silencing of RPRM gene by promoter methylation is associated with loss of RPRM expression. Functional assays suggest that RPRM behaves as a TSG. Loss of expression of RPRM gene protein product is associated with the invasive stage of GC. Positive association between RPRM and p73 expression suggest that other members of the p53 gene family may participate in the regulation of RPRM expression.     

Deregulation of DNA methyltransferases and loss of parental methylation at the insulin-like growth factor II (Igf2)/H19 loci in p53 knockout mice prior to tumor development

To ascertain whether p53 deficiency in vivo leads to the deregulation of DNA methylation machinery prior to tumor development, we investigated the expression profile of DNA methyltransferases in the thymus and the liver of p53(+/+), p53(+/-), and p53(-/-) mice at 7 weeks of age before tumor development. The expression of DNA methyltransferases was examined in the thymus at 7 weeks of age, since the malignant T-cell lymphoma develops most frequently in p53(-/-) mice around 20 weeks of age. Both mRNA and protein levels of Dnmt1 and Dnmt3b were increased in the thymus and the liver of p53-deficient mice. The expression of Dnmt3a was also increased in the liver but not in the thymus of p53-deficient mice. Dnmt3L expression was reduced in the thymus of p53(+/-) and p53(-/-) mice. The total 5-methylcytosine (5-MeC) in the genomic DNA of p53(+/+), p53(+/-), and p53(-/-) mice was quantitated by dot-blot using antibody against 5-MeC. Global methylation was increased in the thymus and the liver of p53-deficient mice. To correlate the deregulated expression of DNA methyltransferases with the disturbance of the epigenetic integrity, we examined the DNA methylation of the imprinting control region (ICR) at the insulin-like growth factor II (Igf2)/H19 loci in the thymus and the liver of p53(+/+), p53(+/-), and p53(-/-) mice. The region containing two CCCTC binding factor (CTCF) binding sites in the 5'-ICR tended to be hypomethylated in the thymus of p53(-/-) mice, but not in the liver. The expression profile of Igf2 and H19 indicated that the thymus-specific changes of Igf2 and H19 expression were coherent to the hypomethylation of the ICR in the thymus. Our results suggest that p53 is required for the maintenance of DNA methylation patterns in vivo.     

Regulation of p53 stability and function in HCT116 colon cancer cells

We have used a lentiviral vector to stably express p53 at a physiological level in p53 knockout HCT116 cells. Cells transduced with wild type p53 responded to genotoxic stress by stabilizing p53 and expressing p53 target genes. The reconstituted cells underwent G(1) arrest or apoptosis appropriately depending on the type of stress, albeit less efficiently than parental wild type cells. Compared with cells expressing exogenous wild type p53, the apoptotic response to 5-fluorouracil (5FU) was >50% reduced in cells expressing S15A or S20A mutant p53, and even more reduced by combined mutation of serines 6, 9, 15, 20, 33, and 37 (N6A). Among a panel of p53 target genes tested by quantitative PCR, the gene showing the largest defect in induction by 5FU was BBC3 (PUMA), which was induced 4-fold by wild type p53 and 2-fold by the N6A mutant. Mutation of N-terminal phosphorylation sites did not prevent p53 stabilization by doxorubicin or 5FU. MDM2 silencing by RNA interference activated p53 target gene expression in normal fibroblasts but not in HCT116 cells, and exogenous p53 could be stabilized in HCT116 knockout cells despite combined mutation of p53 phosphorylation sites and silencing of MDM2 expression. The MDM2 feedback loop is thus defective, and other mechanisms must exist to regulate p53 stability and function in this widely used tumor cell line.     

Selective COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib) decreases cellular growth in prostate cancer cell lines independent of p53

Abstract

Celecoxib is a clinically available COX-2 inhibitor that has been reported to have antineoplastic activity. It has been proposed as a preventative agent for several types of early neoplastic lesions. Earlier studies have shown that sensitivity of prostatic carcinoma (PCa) to celecoxib is associated with apoptosis; however, these studies have not demonstrated adequately whether this effect is dependent on p53 status. We studied the relation between sensitivity to celecoxib and the phenotypic p53 status of PCa cells lines, LNCaP (wild type p53), PC3 (null p53) and DU145 (mutated p53). Cellular growth was assessed at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after celecoxib treatment at concentrations of 0, 10, 30, 50, 70 and 100 μM using an MTT assay. Cellular proliferation (Ki-67 expression) was determined by immunocytochemistry. Phenotypic expression of p53 was analyzed by western blotting. The effects of celecoxib on cellular growth and its association with p53 were assessed after down-regulation of p53 using synthetic interfering RNAs (siRNA) in LNCaP cells. Expression of p53 and COX-2 at mRNA levels was assessed by quantitative real time polymerase reaction (qRT-PCR). We found that celecoxib inhibited cellular growth and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in all three cell lines; LNCaP cells with a native p53 were the most sensitive to celecoxib. We observed a down- regulation effect on p53 in LNCaP cells exposed to ≥ 30 μM celecoxib for 72 h, but found no significant changes in the p53 levels of DU145 cells, which have a mutated p53. Reduced COX-2 expression was found with decreased p53 in LNCaP and PC-3 cells that were exposed to ≥ 20 μM of celecoxib for 72 h, but COX-2 expression was increased in DU145 cells. All three cell lines demonstrated pan-cytotoxicity when exposed to 100 μM celecoxib. When p53 expression was inhibited using siRNA in LNCaP cells, the inhibitory effects on cellular growth usually exerted by celecoxib were not changed significantly. Celecoxib reduces the growth of prostate cancer cell lines in part by decreasing proliferation, which suggests that the inhibition of growth of LNCaP cells by celecoxib is independent of normal levels of native p53.     

Cancer susceptibility polymorphism of p53 at codon 72 affects phosphorylation and degradation of p53 protein

The common polymorphism of p53 at codon 72, either encoding proline or arginine, has drawn attention as a genetic factor associated with clinical outcome or cancer risk for the last 2 decades. We now show that these two polymorphic variants differ in protein structure, especially within the N-terminal region and, as a consequence, differ in post-translational modification at the N terminus. The arginine form (p53-72R) shows significantly enhanced phosphorylation at Ser-6 and Ser-20 compared with the proline form (p53-72P). We also show diminished Mdm2-mediated degradation of p53-72R compared with p53-72P, which is at least partly brought about by higher levels of phosphorylation at Ser-20 in p53-72R. Furthermore, enhanced p21 expression in p53-72R-expressing cells, which is dependent on phosphorylation at Ser-6, was demonstrated. Differential p21 expression between the variants was also observed upon activation of TGF-β signaling. Collectively, we demonstrate a novel molecular difference and simultaneously suggest a difference in the tumor-suppressing function of the variants.     

bcl-2癌基因蛋白在甲状腺癌中的表达及其意义

利用免疫组织化学技术,对６４例甲状腺癌进行了ｂｃｌ－２蛋白表达的检测,同时进行ｐ５３蛋白的对照检测。结果显示,甲状腺癌中ｂｃｌ－２蛋白阳性表达率为８１．３％（５２／６４）,但未分化癌无阳性表达。ｐ５３蛋白在甲状腺癌的阳性表达率为２０．３％（１３／６４）,而未分化癌全部为阳性表达。两种抗体在甲状腺癌的阳性表达率有显著性差异（Ｐ＜０．０１）。结果提示ｂｃｌ－２蛋白在甲状腺癌的表达与肿瘤细胞的分化程度有关,并与ｐ５３蛋白呈反比关系,ｂｃｌ－２与ｐ５３蛋白表达的不同分布可作为判断甲状腺癌预后的一个重要参考指标     

含p53保守结合位点的microRNA表达载体的构建及应用

目的:构建含p53保守结合位点的microRNA(miRNA)表达载体,促进相关miRNA在具有野生型p53蛋白细胞中的高效表达。方法:改构miRNA表达载体pCMV-miR,在其多克隆位点前插入p53保守结合位点,分别将miR-138、miR-34a和miR-21前体序列pre-miR-138、pre-miR-34a和pre-miR-21插入上述改构的载体pCMV/p53-miR,将构建的pCMV/p53-miR-138、pCMV/p53-miR-34a和pCMV/p53-miR-21表达载体转染具有野生型p53的HeLa细胞和不表达p53的H1299细胞,分析p53对上述miRNA表达调控的影响。结果:转染改构的miRNA表达载体后,HeLa细胞中miR-138、miR-34a和miR-21的表达水平明显提高,它们对应的已知靶基因Cyclin D3、CDK2和PTEN的表达同时被显著下调。结论:在p53转录调控作用下,具有p53保守结合位点的miRNA表达载体能够更加有效地提高miRNA的表达水平;构建的载体不但可用于促进相关miRNA的表达,也能用于miRNA是否受p53调控的检测。     

Stabilization of alanine substituted p53 protein at Ser15, Thr18, and Ser20 in response to ionizing radiation

Phosphorylation of p53 at Ser15, Thr18, and Ser20 has been thought to be important for p53 stabilization in response to ionizing radiation. In the present study, we examined the X-ray-induced stabilization of Ala-substituted p53 protein at Ser15, Thr18, and Ser20, whose gene expression was controlled under an ecdyson-inducible promoter. We found that all single-, double-, or triple-Ala-substituted p53 at Ser15, Yhr18, and Ser20 were accumulated in the nucleus similarly to wild-type p53 after X-irradiation. These results indicate that the phosphorylation of p53 at Ser15, Thr18, and Ser20 is not necessarily needed for p53 stabilization in response to ionizing radiation.