High-intensity Raf signal causes cell cycle arrest mediated by p21Cip1.

Activated Raf has been linked to such opposing cellular responses as the induction of DNA synthesis and the inhibition of proliferation. However, it remains unclear how such a switch in signal specificity is regulated. We have addressed this question with a regulatable Raf-androgen receptor fusion protein in murine fibroblasts. We show that Raf can cause a G1-specific cell cycle arrest through induction of p21Cip1. This in turn leads to inhibition of cyclin D- and cyclin E-dependent kinases and an accumulation of hypophosphorylated Rb. Importantly, this behavior can be observed only in response to a strong Raf signal. In contrast, moderate Raf activity induces DNA synthesis and is sufficient to induce cyclin D expression. Therefore, Raf signal specificity can be determined by modulation of signal strength presumably through the induction of distinct protein expression patterns. Similar to induction of Raf, a strong induction of activated Ras via a tetracycline-dependent promoter also causes inhibition of proliferation and p21Cip1 induction at high expression levels. Thus, p21Cip1 plays a key role in determining cellular responses to Ras and Raf signalling. As predicted by this finding we show that Ras and loss of p21 cooperate to confer a proliferative advantage to mouse embryo fibroblasts.     

The protein SET regulates the inhibitory effect of p21(Cip1) on cyclin E-cyclin-dependent kinase 2 activity.

The cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21(Cip1) has a dual role in the regulation of the cell cycle; it is an activator of cyclin D1-CDK4 complexes and an inhibitor of cyclins E/A-CDK2 activity. By affinity chromatography with p21(Cip1)-Sepharose 4B columns, we purified a 39-kDa protein, which was identified by microsequence analysis as the oncoprotein SET. Complexes containing SET and p21(Cip1) were detected in vivo by immunoprecipitation of Namalwa cell extracts using specific anti-p21(Cip1) antibodies. We found that SET bound directly to p21(Cip1) in vitro by the carboxyl-terminal region of p21(Cip1). SET had no direct effect on cyclin E/A-CDK2 activity, although it reversed the inhibition of cyclin E-CDK2, but not of cyclin A-CDK2, induced by p21(Cip1). This result is specific for p21(Cip1), since SET neither bound to p27(Kip1) nor reversed its inhibitory effect on cyclin E-CDK2 or cyclin A-CDK2. Thus, SET appears to be a modulator of p21(Cip1) inhibitory function. These results suggest that SET can regulate G(1)/S transition by modulating the activity of cyclin E-CDK2.     

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     

Raf-induced proliferation or cell cycle arrest is determined by the level of Raf activity with arrest mediated by p21Cip1.

The Raf family of protein kinases display differences in their abilities to promote the entry of quiescent NIH 3T3 cells into the S phase of the cell cycle. Although conditional activation of deltaA-Raf:ER promoted cell cycle progression, activation of deltaRaf-1:ER and deltaB-Raf:ER elicited a G1 arrest that was not overcome by exogenously added growth factors. Activation of all three deltaRaf:ER kinases led to elevated expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E and reduced expression of p27Kip1. However, activation of deltaB-Raf:ER and deltaRaf-1:ER induced the expression of p21Cip1, whereas activation of deltaA-Raf:ER did not. A catalytically potentiated form of deltaA-Raf:ER, generated by point mutation, strongly induced p21Cip1 expression and elicited cell cycle arrest similarly to deltaB-Raf:ER and deltaRaf-1:ER. These data suggested that the strength and duration of signaling by Raf kinases might influence the biological outcome of activation of this pathway. By titration of deltaB-Raf:ER activity we demonstrated that low levels of Raf activity led to activation of cyclin D1-cdk4 and cyclin E-cdk2 complexes and to cell cycle progression whereas higher Raf activity elicited cell cycle arrest correlating with p21Cip1 induction and inhibition of cyclin-cdk activity. Using green fluorescent protein-tagged forms of deltaRaf-1:ER in primary mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) we demonstrated that p21Cip1 was induced by Raf in a p53-independent manner, leading to cell cycle arrest. By contrast, activation of Raf in p21Cip1(-/-) MEFs led to a robust mitogenic response that was similar to that observed in response to platelet-derived growth factor. These data indicate that, depending on the level of kinase activity, Raf can elicit either cell cycle progression or cell cycle arrest in mouse fibroblasts. The ability of Raf to elicit cell cycle arrest is strongly associated with its ability to induce the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21Cip1 in a manner that bears analogy to alpha-factor arrest in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These data are consistent with a role for Raf kinases in both proliferation and differentiation of mammalian cells.     

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.     

p19ARF-independent induction of p53 and cell cycle arrest by Raf in murine keratinocytes

In tumorigenesis of the skin, activated Ras co-operates with mutations that inactivate the tumour suppressor p53, but the molecular basis for this co-operation remains unresolved. Here we show that activation of the Raf/MAP kinase pathway in primary mouse keratinocytes leads to a p53 and p21^Cip1-dependent cycle arrest and to terminal differentiation. Raf activation in keratinocytes lacking p53 or p21^Cip1 genes leads to expression of differentiation markers, but the cells do not cease to proliferate. Thus, loss of p53 or p21^Cip1 function is necessary to disable growth-inhibitory Raf/MAP kinase signalling. Activation of oncogenes, including Ras, has been reported to stabilize and activate p53 via induction of the tumour suppressor p19^ARF. However, the response to Raf in p19^ARF–/– keratinocytes was indistinguishable from wild-type controls. Thus, p19^ARF is not essential for Raf-induced p53 induction and cell cycle arrest in keratinocytes, indicating that oncogenes engage p53 activity via multiple mechanisms.     

Involvement of the ERK signaling cascade in protein kinase C-mediated cell cycle arrest in intestinal epithelial cells

We have reported previously that protein kinase C (PKC) signaling can mediate a program of cell cycle withdrawal in IEC-18 nontransformed intestinal crypt cells, involving rapid disappearance of cyclin D1, increased expression of Cip/Kip cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, and activation of the growth suppressor function of pocket proteins. In the current study, we present evidence to support a requisite role for PKC alpha in mediating these effects. Furthermore, analysis of the signaling events linking PKC/PKC alpha activation to changes in the cell cycle regulatory machinery implicate the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK cascade. PKC/PKC alpha activity promoted GTP loading of Ras, activation of Raf-1, and phosphorylation/activation of ERK. ERK activation was found to be required for critical downstream effects of PKC/PKC alpha activation, including cyclin D1 down-regulation, p21(Waf1/Cip1) induction, and cell cycle arrest. PKC-induced ERK activation was strong and sustained relative to that produced by proliferative signals, and the growth inhibitory effects of PKC agonists were dominant over proliferative events when these opposing stimuli were administered simultaneously. PKC signaling promoted cytoplasmic and nuclear accumulation of ERK activity, whereas growth factor-induced phospho-ERK was localized only in the cytoplasm. Comparison of the effects of PKC agonists that differ in their ability to sustain PKC alpha activation and growth arrest in IEC-18 cells, together with the use of selective kinase inhibitors, indicated that the length of PKC-mediated cell cycle exit is dictated by the magnitude/duration of input signal (i.e. PKC alpha activity) and of activation of the ERK cascade. The extent/duration of phospho-ERK nuclear localization may also be important determinants of the duration of PKC agonist-induced growth arrest in this system. Taken together, the data point to PKC alpha and the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK cascade as key regulators of cell cycle withdrawal in intestinal epithelial cells.     

Dual growth arrest pathways in astrocytes and astrocytic tumors in response to Raf-1 activation

Normal human fibroblasts have been shown to undergo a p16(Ink4a)-associated senescence-like growth arrest in response to sustained activation of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. We noted a similar p16(Ink4a)-associated, senescence-like arrest in normal human astrocytes in response to expression of a conditional form of Raf-1. While HPV16 E7-mediated functional inactivation of the p16(Ink4a)/pRb pathway in astrocytes blocked the p16(Ink4a)-associated growth arrest in response to activation of Raf-1, it also revealed a second p21(Cip1)-associated, senescence-associated, beta-galactosidase-independent growth arrest pathway. Importantly, the p21(Cip1)-associated pathway was present not only in normal astrocytes but also in p53-, p14(ARF)-, and p16(Ink4a)/pRb-deficient high grade glioma cells that lacked the p16(Ink4a)-dependent arrest mechanism. These results suggest that normal human cells have redundant arrest pathways, which can be activated by Raf-1, and that even tumors that have dismantled p16(Ink4a)-dependent growth arrest pathways are potentially regulated by a second p21(Cip1)-dependent growth arrest pathway.     

Cytoplasmic localization of p21Cip1/WAF1 by Akt-induced phosphorylation in HER-2/neu-overexpressing cells

Amplification or overexpression of HER-2/neu in cancer cells confers resistance to apoptosis and promotes cell growth. The cellular localization of p21Cip1/WAF1 has been proposed to be critical either in promoting cell survival or in inhibiting cell growth. Here we show that HER-2/neu-mediated cell growth requires the activation of Akt, which associates with p21Cip1/WAF1 and phosphorylates it at threonine 145, resulting in cytoplasmic localization of p21Cip1/WAF1. Furthermore, blocking the Akt pathway with a dominant-negative Akt mutant restores the nuclear localization and cell-growth-inhibiting activity of p21Cip1/WAF1. Our results indicate that HER-2/neu induces cytoplasmic localization of p21Cip1/WAF1 through activation of Akt to promote cell growth, which may have implications for the oncogenic activity of HER-2/neu and Akt.     

Efficient down-regulation of cyclin A-associated activity and expression in suspended primary keratinocytes requires p21(Cip1)

When suspended in methylcellulose, primary mouse keratinocytes cease proliferation and differentiate. Suspension also reduces the activity of the cyclin-dependent kinase cdk2, an important cell cycle regulatory enzyme. To determine how suspension modulates these events, we examined its effects on wild-type keratinocytes and keratinocytes nullizygous for the cdk2 inhibitor p21(Cip1). After suspension of cycling cells, amounts of cyclin A (a cdk2 partner), cyclin A mRNA, and cyclin A-associated activity decreased much more rapidly in the presence than in the absence of p21(Cip1). Neither suspension nor p21(Cip1) status affected the stability of cyclin A mRNA. Loss of p21(Cip1) reduced the capacity of suspended cells to growth arrest, differentiate, and accumulate p27(Kip1) (a second cdk2 inhibitor) and affected the composition of E2F DNA binding complexes. Cyclin A-cdk2 complexes in suspended p21(+/+) cells contained p21(Cip1) or p27(Kip1), whereas most of the cyclin A-cdk2 complexes in p21(-/-) cells lacked p27(Kip1). Ectopic expression of p21(Cip1) allowed p21(-/-) keratinocytes to efficiently down-regulate cyclin A and differentiate when placed in suspension. These findings show that p21(Cip1) mediates the effects of suspension on numerous processes in primary keratinocytes including cdk2 activity, cyclin A expression, cell cycle progression, and differentiation.     

Phosphorylation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21Cip1 on serine 130 is essential for viral cyclin-mediated bypass of a p21Cip1-imposed G1 arrest

K cyclin encoded by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus confers resistance to the cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitors p16Ink4A, p21Cip1, and p27Kip1 on the associated cdk6. We have previously shown that K cyclin expression enforces S-phase entry on cells overexpressing p27Kip1 by promoting phosphorylation of p27Kip1 on threonine 187, triggering p27Kip1 down-regulation. Since p21Cip1 acts in a manner similar to that of p27Kip1, we have investigated the subversion of a p21Cip1-induced G1 arrest by K cyclin. Here, we show that p21Cip1 is associated with K cyclin both in overexpression models and in primary effusion lymphoma cells and is a substrate of the K cyclin/cdk6 complex, resulting in phosphorylation of p21Cip1 on serine 130. This phosphoform of p21Cip1 appeared unable to associate with cdk2 in vivo. We further demonstrate that phosphorylation on serine 130 is essential for K cyclin-mediated release of a p21Cip1-imposed G1 arrest. Moreover, we show that under physiological conditions of cell cycle arrest due to elevated levels of p21Cip1 resulting from oxidative stress, K cyclin expression enabled S-phase entry and was associated with p21Cip1 phosphorylation and partial restoration of cdk2 kinase activity. Thus, expression of the viral cyclin enables cells to subvert the cell cycle inhibitory function of p21Cip1 by promoting cdk6-dependent phosphorylation of this antiproliferative protein.     

Biological effects of G1 phase arrest compound,sesquicillin, in human breast cancer cell lines

Sesquicillin, isolated from fungal fermentation broth, strongly induced G1 phase arrest in human breast cancer cells. During G1 phase arrest, the expression level of cyclin D1, cyclin A, and cyclin E was decreased, and the expression of CDK (cyclin-dependent-kinase) inhibitor, protein p21(Waf1/Cip1), was increased in a time-dependent manner in a breast cancer cell MCF-7. Interestingly, the G1 phase arrest induced by sesquicillin also occurred independently of the tumor suppressor protein, p53. Sesquicillin inhibits the proliferation of MCF-7 via G1 phase arrest in association with the induction of CDK inhibitor protein, p21(Waf1/Cip1), and the reduction of G1 phase related-cyclin proteins.     

IGF-1 increases laminin, cyclin D1, and p21Cip1 expression in glomerular mesangial cells: an investigation of the intracellular signaling pathway and cell-cycle progression

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 is accumulated in the diabetic kidney and is considered to be involved in the development of glomerular sclerosis. Here, we investigate IGF-1 regulation of laminin, an extracellular matrix (ECM) component, and cyclin D1 and p21Cip1, cell-cycle progression factor, expressions in glomerular mesangial cells. We show that IGF-1 increases the level of laminin gamma1 and beta1 subunits approximately 1.5- and 2.5-fold, respectively, in a time-dependent manner. IGF-1 also stimulates protein kinase Akt/PKB phosphorylation at Thr 308, which correlates with its activity, up to 24 h. The Akt activation is coupled with Ser 9 phosphorylation of its downstream target, glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta), which inhibits its kinase activity. Laminin beta1 is reduced significantly (P < 0.03) by inhibitors of Akt and p38MAPK whereas laminin gamma1 is not affected. Surprisingly, IGF-1 activates the expression of both cyclin D1 and cell-cycle arrest factor, p21Cip1 parallely. Pharmacological inhibition of calcineurin by cyclosporin A blocks IGF-1-induced cyclin D1 and p21Cip1expression significantly (P < 0.05). IGF-1 enhances cellular metabolic activity and viability of rat mesangial cells; however, they are arrested at the G1 phase of cell cycle as revealed by the FACS analysis. These results indicate that IGF-1 mediates mesangial cell-cycle progression, hypertrophy, and ECM protein synthesis. The Akt/GSK-3beta, p38MAPK, and calcineurin pathways may play an important role in IGF-1 signaling, cell-cycle regulation, and matrix gene expression in mesangial cells leading to the development of diabetic glomerulopathy.     

The SET protein regulates G2/M transition by modulating cyclin B-cyclin-dependent kinase 1 activity

The SET protein and the cell cycle inhibitor p21(Cip1) interact in vivo and in vitro. We identified here the domain (157)LIF(159) of p21(Cip1) as essential for the binding of SET. We also found that SET contains at least two domains of interaction with p21(Cip1), one located in the fragment amino acids 81-180 and the other one in the fragment including amino acids 181-277. SET and p21(Cip1) co-localize in the cell nucleus in a temporal manner. Overexpression of SET blocks the cell cycle at the G(2)/M transition in COS and HCT116 cells. Moreover, SET inhibits cyclin B-CDK1 activity both in vivo and in vitro in both cell types. This effect is specific for these complexes since SET did not inhibit either cyclin A-CDK2 or cyclin E-CDK2 complexes. SET and p21(Cip1) cooperate in the inhibition of cyclin B-CDK1 activity. The inhibitory effect of SET resides in its acidic C terminus, as demonstrated by the ability of this domain to inhibit cyclin B-CDK1 activity and by the lack of blocking G(2)/M transition when a mutated form of SET lacking this C terminus domain was overexpressed in COS cells. These results indicate that SET might regulate G(2)/M transition by modulating cyclin B-CDK1 activity.     

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.