The magnitude of methylmercury-induced cytotoxicity and cell cycle arrest is p53-dependent

BACKGROUND: Methylmercury (MeHg), a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, is a known potent teratogen selectively affecting the developing central nervous system. While a definitive mechanism for MeHg-induced developmental neurotoxicity remains elusive, in utero exposure has been associated with reduced brain weight and reduction in cell number. This suggests early toxicant interference with critical molecular signaling events controlling cell behavior, i.e., proliferation. METHODS: To examine the role of p53, a major regulator of the G(1)/S and G(2)/M cell cycle checkpoints, in MeHg toxicity, we isolated GD 14 primary embryonal fibroblasts from homozygous wild-type p53 (p53+/+) and homozygous null p53 (p53-/-) mice. Cells were treated at passages 4-7 for 24 or 48 hr with 0, 1.0, or 2.5 microM MeHg and analyzed for effects on viability, cell cycle progression (using BrdU-Hoechst flow cytometric analysis), and apoptosis via annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide (PI) staining. RESULTS: The p53+/+ cells are more sensitive than p53-/- cells to MeHg-induced cytotoxicity, cell cycle inhibition, and induction of apoptosis: at 24 hr, 2.5 microM MeHg reduced p53+/+ cell viability to 72.6% +/- 3.2%, while p53-/- viability was 94.6% +/- 0.4%. The p53-/- cells underwent less necrosis and less apoptosis following MeHg treatment. MeHg (2.5 microM) also halted all cycling in the p53+/+ cells, while 42.6% +/- 7.2% of p53-/- cells were able to reach a new G(0)/G(1) in 48 hr. Time- and dose-dependent accumulation of cells in G(2)/M phase (1.0 and 2.5 microM MeHg) was observed independent of the p53 genotype; however, the magnitude of change was p53-dependent. CONCLUSIONS: These studies suggest that MeHg-induced cell cycle arrest occurs via both p53-dependent and -independent pathways in our model system; however, cell death resulting from MeHg exposure is highly dependent on p53.     

Phosphorylation of Bem2p and Bem3p may contribute to local activation of Cdc42p at bud emergence

Site-specific activation of the Rho-type GTPase Cdc42p is critical for the establishment of cell polarity. Here we investigated the role and regulation of the GTPase-activating enzymes (GAPs) Bem2p and Bem3p for Cdc42p activation and actin polarization at bud emergence in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Bem2p and Bem3p are localized throughout the cytoplasm and the cell cortex in unbudded G1 cells, but accumulate at sites of polarization after bud emergence. Inactivation of Bem2p results in hyperactivation of Cdc42p and polarization toward multiple sites. Bem2p and Bem3p are hyperphosphorylated at bud emergence most likely by the Cdc28p-Cln2p kinase. This phosphorylation appears to inhibit their GAP activity in vivo, as non-phosphorylatable Bem3p mutants are hyperactive and interfere with Cdc42p activation. Taken together, our results indicate that Bem2p and Bem3p may function as global inhibitors of Cdc42p activation during G1, and their inactivation by the Cdc28p/Cln kinase contributes to site-specific activation of Cdc42p at bud emergence.     

Trifluorothymidine Induces Cell Death Independently of p53

Trifluorothymidine (TFT), a potent anticancer agent, inhibits thymidylate synthase (TS) and is incorporated into the DNA, both events resulting in cell death. Cell death induction related to DNA damage often involves activation of p53. We determined the role of p53 in TFT cytotoxicity and cell death induction, using, respectively, the sulforhodamine B-assay and FACS analysis, in a panel of cell lines with either wild type, inactive, or mutated p53. Neither TFT cytotoxicity nor cell death induction changed with TFT exposure in cell lines with wt, inactive or mutated p53. Conclusion: sensitivity to TFT is not dependent on the expression of wt p53.     

Molecular dynamics of the full-length p53 monomer

The p53 protein is frequently mutated in a very large proportion of human tumors, where it seems to acquire gain-of-function activity that facilitates tumor onset and progression. A possible mechanism is the ability of mutant p53 proteins to physically interact with other proteins, including members of the same family, namely p63 and p73, inactivating their function. Assuming that this interaction might occurs at the level of the monomer, to investigate the molecular basis for this interaction, here, we sample the structural flexibility of the wild-type p53 monomeric protein. The results show a strong stability up to 850 ns in the DNA binding domain, with major flexibility in the N-terminal transactivations domains (TAD1 and TAD2) as well as in the C-terminal region (tetramerization domain). Several stable hydrogen bonds have been detected between N-terminal or C-terminal and DNA binding domain, and also between N-terminal and C-terminal. Essential dynamics analysis highlights strongly correlated movements involving TAD1 and the proline-rich region in the N-terminal domain, the tetramerization region in the C-terminal domain; Lys120 in the DNA binding region. The herein presented model is a starting point for further investigation of the whole protein tetramer as well as of its mutants.     

The p57 CDKi integrates stress signals into cell-cycle progression to promote cell survival upon stress

The p57(Kip2) cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKi) has been implicated in embryogenesis, stem-cell senescence and pathologies, but little is known of its role in cell cycle control. Here, we show that p57(Kip2) is targeted by the p38 stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK). Phosphorylation of p57(Kip2) at T143 by p38 enhances its association with and inhibition of Cdk2, which results in cell-cycle delay upon stress. Genetic inactivation of the SAPK or the CDKi abolishes cell-cycle delay upon osmostress and results in decreased cell viability. Oxidative stress and ionomycin also induce p38-mediated phosphorylation of p57 and cells lacking p38 or p57 display reduced viability to these stresses. Therefore, cell survival to various stresses depends on p57 phosphorylation by p38 that inhibits CDK activity. Together, these findings provide a novel molecular mechanism by which cells can delay cell cycle progression to maximize cell survival upon stress.     

24p3-24p3受体系统：一种新的铁转运途径

小鼠24p3是脂质运载蛋白lipocalin家族的成员之一,可在白介素3(interleukin-3,IL-3)缺乏时诱导细胞发生凋亡,并参与细胞的铁转运过程.最近,Devireddy等又成功克隆到了24p3的细胞表面受体(24p3 receptor,24p3R),进一步确定了24p3-24p3R这一新的铁转运途径.该途径的发现不仅增加了对铁转运理论新的认识,更重要的是,这一发现为铁代谢调控细胞凋亡理论的建立奠定了基础.     

mirRNA-17-5p抑制物对骨肉瘤细胞系SOSP_9607增殖和凋亡的影响

目的:探讨miR-17-5p抑制物对于骨肉瘤细胞系SOSP_9607细胞增殖和凋亡的影响.方法:四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法测定细胞增殖,进一步计算抑制率,流式细胞仪测定细胞凋亡.将SOSP_9607细胞分为对照组和实验组,对照组分为阴性对照和正常细胞对照组.实验组采用miR-17-5p抑制物(hsa-miR-17-5p inhibitors)抑制SOSP_9607细胞内miR-17-5p的活性.结果:与对照组相比,实验组显著抑制SOSP_9607细胞的增殖,有明显的剂量依赖性(P<0.01).随着浓度从50 nmol/L逐渐增加至200 nmol/L,抑制率逐渐增高(P<0.01).实验组凋亡率(9.6±1.8)%与阴性对照组凋亡率(3.5±0.4)%相比明显增高(P<0.01).结论:miR-17-5p抑制物通过抑制SOSP_9607细胞中miR-17-5p的活性对SOSP_9607细胞的增殖和凋亡发挥重要作用.     

Cellular senescence induced by p53-ras cooperation is independent of p21waf1 in murine embryo fibroblasts

Oncogenic activation in primary murine fibroblasts initiates a senescence-like cell cycle arrest that depends on the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. Conditional p53 activation efficiently induced a reversible cell cycle arrest but was unable to induce features of senescence. In contrast, coexpression of oncogenic ras with p53 produced an irreversible cell cycle arrest that displayed features of cellular senescence. Introduction of a conditional murine p53 allele (p53val135) into double p53/p21-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts showed that p21waf1 was not required for this effect, since p53-/-;p21-/- double-null cells undergo terminal growth arrest with features of senescence following coexpression of oncogenic Ras and p53. Our results indicate that oncogenic activation of the Ras pathway in murine fibroblasts converts p53 into a senescence inducer through a p21waf1-independent mechanism.     

Cell growth-dependent subcellular localization of p8

p8 is a stress-induced protein, biochemically related to the architectural factor HMG-I/Y, overexpressed in many cancers and required for tumor expansion. The molecular mechanisms by which p8 may exert its effect in aspects of growth is unknown. Using immunocytochemistry, we found that p8 presents nuclear localization in sub-confluent cells, but it localizes throughout the whole cell in high density grown cells. Cells arrested in Go/G1, either by serum deprivation or by hydroxyurea treatment, show a nucleo-cytoplasmic localization of p8, whether in the rest of the cell cycle stages of actively dividing cells the localization is nuclear. A comparison of p8 sequences from human to fly predicts a conserved bipartite nuclear localization sequence (NLS). The putative NLS has been demonstrated to be functional, since nuclear import is energy dependent (inhibited by sodium azide plus 2-deoxyglucose), and fusion proteins GFP-p8 and GFP-NLSp8 localize to the nucleus, whereas GFP-p8NLSmut in which with Lys 65, 69, 76, and 77 mutated to Ala localized to the whole cell. p8 localization does not involve the CRM1 transporter, since it is insensitive to leptomycin B. Inhibitors of MAPK pathways did not affect p8 subcellular localization. The inhibition of deacetylation with Trichostatin A promotes cytoplasmic accumulation of p8. The results suggest that p8 growth stage-dependent localization is regulated by acetylation, that p8 is not free within the cell but forming part of a complex and that it may exert a role in both subcellular localizations.     

MiR-30a-3p 对人滋养肿瘤细胞系JEG-3 细胞侵袭功能的影响

目的：MiRNAs 对于胎盘的形成和正常妊娠的维持起着至关重要的作用,它在胎盘中的表达失衡的可能导致了妊娠相关疾 病的发生,我们前期研究发现miR-30a-3p 在子痫前期患者胎盘上特异性高表达,推测miR-30a-3p 可能参与了子痫前期的发生发 展过程,本课题通过观察miR-30a-3p 对人滋养肿瘤细胞系JEG-3 细胞侵袭能力的影响,深入探讨miR-30a-3p 在子痫前期发病过 程中的作用。方法：应用瞬时转染技术在人滋养肿瘤细胞系JEG-3 细胞中分别转染miR-30a-3p mimics、mimics NC为miR-30a-3p 过表达组和阴性对照组,空白转染组为空白对照组,利用荧光实时定量PCR 技术检测各组细胞中miR-30a-3p的表达,Transwell 实验检测各组细胞侵袭能力的差别。结果：荧光实时定量PCR结果显示miR-30a-3p 过表达组与阴性对照组、空白对照组相比 miR-30a-3p 的表达量明显升高,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）;Transwell 实验结果显示miR-30a-3p过表达组细胞的侵袭能力与 阴性对照组、空白对照组相比均有降低,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。阴性对照组与空白对照组的侵袭能力差异无统计学意义 (P>0.05)。结论：miR-30a-3p 可以显著下调JEG-3 细胞的侵袭力, miR-30a-3p 有可能通过降低滋养细胞的浸润能力,导致滋养细胞 对子宫肌层和螺旋动脉的浸润不足,造成“胎盘浅着床”,从而在子痫前期的发病过程中发挥了重要的作用,miR-30a-3p 有望成为 诊治子痫前期疾病的靶点。     

喉癌中p15、p16基因纯合缺失与EGFR基因扩增相关性研究

研究p15、p16基因缺失和EGFR基因扩增的相关性及其与喉癌发生、发展的关系。提取喉癌新鲜组织中基因组DNA,采用聚合酶链反应技术,分别对30例喉癌进行p15基因第2外显子(p15E2)和p16基因第2外显子(p16E2)进行纯合缺失研究;应用FISH方法进行喉癌实体瘤EGFR基因扩增研究。p15E2纯合缺失率为13．3％(4／30),p16E2纯合缺失率为16．7％(5／30),p15E2、p16E2共同缺失率为6．7％(2／30)。在30例喉癌实体瘤EGFR基因扩增频率为30％(9／30),扩增2～8倍。p15E2和p16E2纯合缺失以及二者共同缺失与EGFR基因扩增相关,可能引起细胞周期失控而导致细胞增殖紊乱,在喉癌的发生及恶性进展中发挥一定作用。     

Subcellular Distribution of 65,000 Calmodulin-Binding Protein (p65) and Synaptophysin (p38) in Adrenal Medulla

Both neuronal and endocrine cells contain secretory vesicles that store and release neurotransmitters and peptides. Neuronal cells release their secretory material from both small synaptic vesicles and large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs), whereas endocrine cells release secretory products from LDCVs. Neuronal small synaptic vesicles are known to express three integral membrane proteins: 65,000 calmodulin-binding protein (65-CMBP) (p65), synaptophysin (p38), and SV2. A controversial question surrounding these three proteins is whether they are present in LDCV membranes of endocrine and neuronal cells. Sucrose density centrifugation of adrenal medulla was performed to study and compare the subcellular distribution of two of these small synaptic vesicle proteins (65-CMBP and synaptophysin). Subsequent immunoblotting and 125I-Protein A binding experiments performed on the fractions obtained from sucrose gradients showed that 65-CMBP was present in fractions corresponding to granule membranes and intact chromaffin granules. Similar immunoblotting and 125I-Protein A binding experiments with synaptophysin antibodies showed that this protein was also present in intact granules and granule membrane fractions. However, an additional membrane component, equilibrating near the upper portion of the sucrose gradient, also showed strong immunoreactivity with anti-synaptophysin and high 125I-Protein A binding activity. In addition, immunoblotting experiments on purified plasma and granule membranes demonstrated that 65-CMBP was a component of both membranes, whereas synaptophysin was only present in granule membranes. Thus, there appears to be a different subcellular localization between 65-CMBP and synaptophysin in the chromaffin cell.     

Cancer-Specific Loss of p53 Leads to a Modulation of Myeloid and T Cell Responses

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Incompatible effects of p53 and HDAC inhibition on p21 expression and cell cycle progression

Nutlin-3 selectively activates p53 by inhibiting the interaction of this tumor suppressor with its negative regulator murine double minute 2 (mdm2), while trichostatin A (TSA) is one of the most potent histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors currently available. As both Nutlin-3 and TSA increase the levels of the cell cycle inhibitor p21(cip1/waf1) in cells, we investigated whether a combination of these compounds would further augment p21 levels. Contrary to expectations, we found that short-term exposure to Nutlin-3 and TSA in combination did not have an additive effect on p21 expression. Instead, we observed that activation of p53 prevented the ability of TSA to increase p21 levels. Furthermore, TSA inhibited Nutlin-3-induced expression of p53-dependent mRNAs including P21. This negative effect of TSA on Nutlin-3 was significantly less pronounced in the case of hdm2, another p53 downstream target. Aside from suggesting a model to explain these incompatible effects of Nutlin-3 and TSA, we discuss the implications of our findings in cancer therapy and cell reprogramming.     

p51/p63, a novel p53 homologue, potentiates p53 activity and is a human cancer gene therapy candidate

BACKGROUND: p51 (p73L/p63/p40/KET), a recently isolated novel p53 homologue, binds to p53-responsive elements to upregulate some p53 target genes and has been suggested to share partially overlapping functions with p53. p51 may be a promising candidate target molecule for anti-cancer therapy. METHODS: In this study, we adenovirally transduced p51A cDNA into human lung, gastric and pancreatic cancer cells and analyzed the intracellular function of p51 in anti-oncogenesis in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Overexpression of p51A revealed an anti-proliferative effect in vitro in all the cancer cells examined in this study. The anchorage-dependent and -independent cell growth of EBC1 cells carrying mutations in both p51 and p53 was suppressed and significant apoptosis following adenoviral transduction with p51 and/or p53 was seen. This growth suppression was cooperatively enhanced by the combined infection with adenoviral vectors encoding both p51 and p53. Furthermore, p51 activated several, but not all, p53-inducible genes, indicating that the mechanisms controlling p51- and p53-mediated tumor suppression differed. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations indicate that, although p51 exhibited reduced anti-oncogenetic effects compared with p53, it cooperatively enhanced the anti-tumor effects of p53. Our results suggest that p51 functions as a tumor suppressor in human cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and may be useful as a potential tool for cancer gene therapy.