Different cell cycle mechanisms between UV-induced and X-ray-induced apoptosis in WiDr colorectal carcinoma cells

Although DNA-damaging agents such as ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray can induce apoptosis, the difference in the apoptotic mechanism is not clearly understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of these two genotoxic agents on the induction of DNA damage and subsequent apoptotic cell death from the viewpoint of cell cycle regulation by using WiDr cells. Transient G1 arrest was observed after UV exposure, whereas G2 but not G1 arrest was induced after X-ray irradiation. UV-exposure could induce G1 arrest in both mutant-type (mt-p53) and wild-type p53 (wt-p53) cells, but obvious G1 arrest was not observed in the cells lacking in p53 expression. An increase in the DNA fragmentation was observed at S phase in UV-irradiated cells and at G2 phase in X-irradiated cells, respectively. UV-irradiated cells showed an increase production of p53 protein and accumulation of p21 protein. On the contrary, both p53 and p21 proteins remained at a low level in X-irradiated cells. Treatment with aphidicolin, an S phase blocking agent, prolonged cell cycle arrest and reduced the rate of apoptotic cell death in both UV-irradiated and X-irradiated cells. From these results, it is suggested that UV-induced apoptosis occurs mainly at S phase and is regulated by increased production of p53 and p21 proteins, while X-ray-induced apoptosis occurs after G2 blockade and may be independent of p53.     

p53-dependent apoptosis induced by proteasome inhibition in mammary epithelial cells

We have examined the effects of inhibition of the 26S proteasome in a murine mammary cell line, KIM-2 cells using the peptide aldehyde inhibitor MG132. These studies have demonstrated a clear requirement for proteasome function in cell viability. Induction of apoptosis was observed following MG132 treatment in KIM-2 cells and this death was shown to be dependent on the cell actively traversing the cell cycle. KIM-2 cells were generated using a temperature sensitive T-antigen (Tag) and studies at the permissive temperature (33 degrees C) have shown that a Tag binding protein was essential for this apoptotic response. Studies in two additional cell lines, HC11, which is a mammary epithelial cell line carrying mutant p53 alleles and p53 null ES cells suggest that p53 is actively required for the apoptosis induced as a consequence of proteasome inhibition. These results suggest a pivotal role for the 26S proteasome degradation pathway in progression through the cell cycle in proliferating cells.     

Induction of G1 arrest and apoptosis in human jurkat T cells by pentagalloylglucose through inhibiting proteasome activity and elevating p27Kip1, p21Cip1/WAF1, and Bax proteins

Pentagalloylglucose, which is found in many medicinal plants, can arrest the cell cycle at G(1) phase through down-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinases 2 and 4 and up-regulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p27(Kip1) and p21(Cip1/WAF1) in human breast cancer cells. Pentagalloylglucose also induces apoptosis in human leukemic cells. However, the mechanisms by which pentagalloylglucose induces these effects is unclear. We now show that pentagalloylglucose inhibits the activities of purified 20 and 26 S proteasomes in vitro, the 26 S proteasome in Jurkat T cell lysates, and chymotrypsin-like activity of the 26 S proteasome in intact Jurkat T cells. The turnover of p27(Kip1) and p21(Cip1/WAF1), which is necessary for cell cycle progression mediated by proteasome degradation, was disrupted by treatment of human Jurkat T cells with pentagalloylglucose. This was shown by cycloheximide treatment and in vivo pulse-chase labeling experiments, and this effect correlated with the arrest of proliferation of Jurkat T cells at G(1). Inhibition of the proteasome by pentagalloylglucose and by the proteasome inhibitor MG132 caused accumulation of ubiquitin-tagged proteins in Jurkat T cells. The addition of pentagalloylglucose to Jurkat T cells enhanced the stability of the proteasome substrate Bax and increased cytochrome c release and apoptosis. Our findings suggest a mechanism for the effect of pentagalloylglucose on the cell cycle in human leukemic cells: that pentagalloylglucose down-regulates proteasome-mediated pathways because it is a proteasome inhibitor.     

Early events in murine erythroleukemia cells induced to differentiate: Variation of the cell cycle parameters in relation to p53 accumulation

Among the early events of induced differentiation of murine erythroleukemia cells that we studied was the variations of cell distribution in the cell cycle as a function of the time of induction. Flow-cytofluorimetry measurements of DNA content and BrdU incorporation allowed for a precise determination of the variations of the cell cycle parameters. Cells underwent a transient arrest in both G1 and G2 + M between 6 to 16 h of induction. The progression of the cells through S phase seems not to be affected during this period. After this time cells escaped from G1 and reentered the S phase. We described previously [S. Khochbin et al. (1988) J. Mol. Biol. 200, 55-64], that p53 decreased continuously during the induction of MELC and remained at a steady-state level after 18 to 20 h of induction. In order to look for a possible redistribution of the protein along the cell cycle during the induction process, we measured the accumulation of the protein along the cell cycle. In noninduced cells there were four steps in the accumulation of the protein throughout the cell cycle: the amount of p53 was constant during G1 and it increased as cells progressed through S phase, which is characterized by an increased accumulation at the G1/S transition and a more moderate accumulation during progression through the rest of the S phase. A constant level in G2/M, approximately twice that obtained in G1, was achieved. There was no change in this distribution that correlated with the various modifications of the cell cycle in induced cells. It seems then, that p53 is associated neither with the progression of the cells in the S phase nor with the resumption of the DNA synthesis after the G1 block.     

Ectopic expression of 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase in A549 cells induces G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

We have recently shown that transient expression of 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (FDH) strongly inhibits proliferation of several cancer cell lines and ultimately results in cell death. In the present studies using Tet-On system, we have generated a stable A549 lung carcinoma cell line capable of inducible FDH expression. Using this system, we were able to express FDH at different levels depending on concentration of the inducer, doxycycline, and we have observed that inhibition of proliferation depends on FDH intracellular levels. We have further shown that induction of FDH expression results in initiation of apoptosis beginning 24 h post-induction. Apoptotic cells revealed cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase and general caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk protected cells against FDH-induced apoptosis. FDH-expressing cells showed accumulation of cells in G(0)-G(1) phase and a sharp decrease of cells in S phase. Accumulation of intracellular FDH was followed by accumulation of the tumor suppressor protein p53 and its downstream target p21. These results indicate that FDH antiproliferative effects on A549 cells include both G(1) cell cycle arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis.     

p53 Regulates Cellular Responses to Environmental Carcinogen Benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide in Human Lung Cancer Cells

The p53 tumor suppressor is a mutational target of environmental carcinogen anti-benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE). We now demonstrate that p53 plays an important role in regulation of cellular responses to BPDE. Exposure of p53-null H1299 human lung cancer cells to BPDE resulted in S and G2 phase cell cycle arrest, but not mitotic block, which correlated with induction of cyclin B1 protein expression, down-modulation of cell division cycle 25C (Cdc25C) and Cdc25B protein levels, and hyperphosphorylation of Cdc25C (S216), cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1; Y15), checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1; S317 and S345) and Chk2 (T68). The BPDE-induced S phase block, but not the G2/M phase arrest, was significantly attenuated by knockdown of Chk1 protein level. The BPDE-mediated accumulation of sub-diploid fraction (apoptotic cells) was significantly decreased in H1299 cells transiently transfected with both Chk1 and Chk2 specific siRNAs. The H460 human lung cancer cell line (wild-type p53) was relatively more sensitive to BPDE-mediated growth inhibition and enrichment of sub-diploid apoptotic fraction compared with H1299 cells. The BPDE exposure failed to activate either S or G2 phase checkpoint in H460 cells. Instead, the BPDE-treated H460 cells exhibited a nearly 8-fold increase in sub-diploid apoptotic cells that was accompanied by phosphorylation of p53 at multiple sites. Knockdown of p53 protein level in H460 cells attenuated BPDE-induced apoptosis but enforced activation of S and G2 phase checkpoints. In conclusion, the present study points towards an important role of p53 in regulation of cellular responses to BPDE in human lung cancer cells.     

Concerted Regulation of Wild-Type p53 Nuclear Accumulation and Activation by S100B and Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase C

The calcium ionophore ionomycin cooperates with the S100B protein to rescue a p53-dependent G(1) checkpoint control in S100B-expressing mouse embryo fibroblasts and rat embryo fibroblasts (REF cells) which express the temperature-sensitive p53Val135 mutant (C. Scotto, J. C. Deloulme, D. Rousseau, E. Chambaz, and J. Baudier, Mol. Cell. Biol. 18:4272-4281, 1998). We investigated in this study the contributions of S100B and calcium-dependent PKC (cPKC) signalling pathways to the activation of wild-type p53. We first confirmed that S100B expression in mouse embryo fibroblasts enhanced specific nuclear accumulation of wild-type p53. We next demonstrated that wild-type p53 nuclear translocation and accumulation is dependent on cPKC activity. Mutation of the five putative cPKC phosphorylation sites on murine p53 into alanine or aspartic residues had no significant effect on p53 nuclear localization, suggesting that the cPKC effect on p53 nuclear translocation is indirect. A concerted regulation by S100B and cPKC of wild-type p53 nuclear translocation and activation was confirmed with REF cells expressing S100B (S100B-REF cells) overexpressing the temperature-sensitive p53Val135 mutant. Stimulation of S100B-REF cells with the PKC activator phorbol ester phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) promoted specific nuclear translocation of the wild-type p53Val135 species in cells positioned in early G(1) phase of the cell cycle. PMA also substituted for ionomycin in the mediating of p53-dependent G(1) arrest at the nonpermissive temperature (37.5 degrees C). PMA-dependent growth arrest was linked to the cell apoptosis response to UV irradiation. In contrast, growth arrest mediated by a temperature shift to 32 degrees C protected S100B-REF cells from apoptosis. Our results suggest a model in which calcium signalling, linked with cPKC activation, cooperates with S100B to promote wild-type p53 nuclear translocation in early G(1) phase and activation of a p53-dependent G(1) checkpoint control.     

Linkage of Curcumin-Induced Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis by Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21/WAF1/CIP1

We have recently shown that curcumin induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cells through Bax translocation to mitochondria and caspase activation, and enhances the therapeutic potential of TRAIL. However, the molecular mechanisms by which it causes growth arrest are not well-understood. We studied the molecular mechanism of curcumin-induced cell cycle arrest in prostate cancer androgen-sensitive LNCaP and androgen-insensitive PC-3 cells. Treatment of both cell lines with curcumin resulted in cell cycle arrest at G1/S phase and that this cell cycle arrest is followed by the induction of apoptosis. Curcumin induced the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors p16/INK4a, p21/WAF1/CIP1 and p27/KIP1, and inhibited the expression of cyclin E and cyclin D1, and hyperphosphorylation of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein. Lactacystin, an inhibitor of 26 proteasome, blocks curcumin-induced down-regulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin E proteins, suggesting their regulation at level of posttranslation. The suppression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E by curcumin may inhibit CDK-mediated phosphorylation of pRb protein. The inhibition of p21/WAF1/CIP1 by siRNA blocks curcumin-induced apoptosis, thus establishing a link between cell cycle and apoptosis. These effects of curcumin result in the proliferation arrest and disruption of cell cycle control leading to apoptosis. Our study suggests that curcumin can be developed as a chemopreventive agent for human prostate cancer.     

Functional interaction of p53 and BLM DNA helicase in apoptosis

The Bloom syndrome (BS) protein, BLM, is a member of the RecQ DNA helicase family that also includes the Werner syndrome protein, WRN. Inherited mutations in these proteins are associated with cancer predisposition of these patients. We recently discovered that cells from Werner syndrome patients displayed a deficiency in p53-mediated apoptosis and WRN binds to p53. Here, we report that analogous to WRN, BLM also binds to p53 in vivo and in vitro, and the C-terminal domain of p53 is responsible for the interaction. p53-mediated apoptosis is defective in BS fibroblasts and can be rescued by expression of the normal BLM gene. Moreover, lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) derived from BS donors are resistant to both gamma-radiation and doxorubicin-induced cell killing, and sensitivity can be restored by the stable expression of normal BLM. In contrast, BS cells have a normal Fas-mediated apoptosis, and in response to DNA damage normal accumulation of p53, normal induction of p53 responsive genes, and normal G(1)-S and G(2)-M cell cycle arrest. BLM localizes to nuclear foci referred to as PML nuclear bodies (NBs). Cells from Li-Fraumeni syndrome patients carrying p53 germline mutations and LCLs lacking a functional p53 have a decreased accumulation of BLM in NBs, whereas isogenic lines with functional p53 exhibit normal accumulation. Certain BLM mutants (C1055S or Delta133-237) that have a reduced ability to localize to the NBs when expressed in normal cells can impair the localization of wild type BLM to NBs and block p53-mediated apoptosis, suggesting a dominant-negative effect. Taken together, our results indicate both a novel mechanism of p53 function by which p53 mediates nuclear trafficking of BLM to NBs and the cooperation of p53 and BLM to induce apoptosis.     

Regulation of the G1 phase of the cell cycle by periodic stabilization and degradation of the p25rum1 CDK inhibitor.

In fission yeast, the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p25(rum1) is a key regulator of progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle. We show here that p25(rum1) protein levels are sharply periodic. p25(rum1) begins to accumulate at anaphase, persists in G1 and is destroyed during S phase. p25(rum1 )is stabilized and polyubiquitinated in a mutant defective in the 26S proteasome, suggesting that its degradation normally occurs through the ubiquitin-dependent 26S proteasome pathway. Phosphorylation of p25(rum1 )by cdc2-cyclin complexes at residues T58 and T62 is important to target the protein for degradation. Mutation of one or both of these residues to alanine causes stabilization of p25(rum1) and induces a cell cycle delay in G1 and polyploidization due to occasional re-initiation of DNA replication before mitosis. The CDK-cyclin complex cdc2-cig1, which is insensitive to p25(rum1 )inhibition, seems to be the main kinase that phosphorylates p25(rum1). Phosphorylation of p25(rum1) in S phase and G2 serves as the trigger for p25(rum1) proteolysis. Thus, periodic accumulation and degradation of the CDK inhibitor p25(rum1 )in G1 plays a role in setting a threshold of cyclin levels important in determining the length of the pre-Start G1 phase and in ensuring the correct order of cell cycle events.     

Caffeine induces G2/M arrest and apoptosis via a novel p53-dependent pathway in NB4 promyelocytic leukemia cells

Methylxantine derivative, caffeine, is known to prevent the p53-dependent apoptosis pathway via inhibition of ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) kinase, which activates p53 by phosphorylation of the Ser-15 residue. In contrast, it has been reported that caffeine induces p53-mediated apoptosis through Bax protein in non-small-cell lung cancer cells. Therefore, the effects of caffeine on cellular growth in malignant cells are controversial. We investigated the effects of caffeine on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and induction of apoptosis in NB4 promyelocytic leukemia cells containing wild-type p53. Caffeine suppressed the cellular growth of NB4 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Caffeine induced G(2)/M phase cell cycle arrest in NB4 cells in association with the induction of phosphorylation at the Ser-15 residue of p53 and induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of cdc2. Expression of Bax protein was increased in NB4 cells after treatment with caffeine. Interestingly, the antisense oligonucleotides for p53 significantly reduced p53 expression and caffeine-induced G(2)/M phase cell cycle arrest in NB4 cells. These results suggest that caffeine induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in association with activation of p53 by a novel pathway to phosphorylate the Ser-15 residue and induction of phosphorylation of cdc 2 in leukemic cells with normal p53.     

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.     

Effects of Iejimalide B, a marine macrolide, on growth and apoptosis in prostate cancer cell lines

Iejimalide B, a marine macrolide, causes growth inhibition in a variety of cancer cell lines at nanomolar concentrations. We have investigated the effects of Iejimalide B on cell cycle kinetics and apoptosis in the p53+/AR+ LNCaP and p53-/AR- PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines. Iejimalide B, has a dose and time dependent effect on cell number (as measured by crystal violet assay) in both cell lines. In LNCaP cells Iejimalide B induces a dose dependent G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis at 48 h (as measured by Apo-BrdU staining). In contrast, Iejimalide B initially induces G0/G1 arrest followed by S phase arrest but does not induce apoptosis in PC-3 cells. qPCR and Western analysis suggests that Iejimalide B modulates the steady state level of many gene products associated with cell cycle (including cyclins D, E, and B and p21(waf1/cip1)) and cell death (including survivin, p21B and BNIP3L) in LNCaP cells. In PC-3 cells Iejimalide B induces the expression of p21(waf1/cip1), down regulates the expression of cyclin A, and does not modulate the expression of the genes associated with cell death. Comparison of the effects of Iejimalide B on the two cell lines suggests that Iejimalide B induces cell cycle arrest by two different mechanisms and that the induction of apoptosis in LNCaP cells is p53-dependent.     

Activation of the cell death program by nitric oxide involves inhibition of the proteasome.

The ubiquitin/proteasome pathway mediates the degradation of many short-lived proteins that are critically involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and cell death, including the tumor suppressor protein p53. Accumulation of p53 and induction of apoptosis in RAW 264.7 macrophages in response to nitric oxide are well established. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in nitric oxide-induced p53 accumulation are unknown. Here we show that, similar to nitric oxide, treatment of macrophages with specific proteasome inhibitors, including clastolactacystin-beta-lactone, induces p53 accumulation and apoptosis, suggesting that nitric oxide may affect the activity of the proteasome. In support of this hypothesis, both exposure of cells to S-nitrosoglutathione and stimulation of endogenous nitric oxide production by lipopolysaccharide/interferon-gamma treatment result in inhibition of proteasome activity as measured in vitro by the degradation of the proteasome-specific substrate succinyl-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-4-methylcoumarin-7-amide. Moreover, chemically diverse nitric oxide donors interfere with proteasome-mediated degradation of polyubiquitinated p53 in vitro. These data imply that nitric oxide-induced apoptosis and accumulation of p53 are, at least in part, mediated by inhibition of the proteasome.     

Role of p53 tumor suppressor in ageing: regulation of transient cell cycle arrest and terminal senescence.

In this study we investigated the function of p53 as a regulator of cell cycle progression in cycling and senescent cells. Using the conditional temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant we could prevent the detrimental effect of constitutive expression of high levels of wt p53 protein. High levels of wt p53 inhibited cell proliferation by blocking the cells to progress from G1 to S phase of the cell cycle. Flow cytometric analysis revelaed a maintenance of G1 cell population for a longer time depending on the prolonged expression of wt p53 protein. The p53 mediated inhibition of cell proliferation and of the cycle was reversible. However, a spontaneous increase of wt p53 occurring in ageing normal human MRC-5 fibroblasts was associated with irreversible reduction of proliferative potential. The accumulation of G1 cells was detected by flow cytometry. By the measurement of DNA content it is not possible to discriminate between cells arrested in G1 and G0 phase, therefore, the expression of G1 markers was determined. Analysis of the expression of distinct cell cycle regulators revealed that quiescent MRC-5 cells were in G0 phase. Our results indicate that cell cycle arrest occurring in senescent cells is associated with the G0 transition.     

DNA damage in human B cells can induce apoptosis, proceeding from G1/S when p53 is transactivation competent and G2/M when it is transactivation defective.

Cisplatin treatment of Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized human B lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) results in p53-mediated apoptosis which occurs largely in a population of cells at the G1/S boundary of the cell cycle. Cell cycle progression appears to be required for this apoptosis because arresting cells earlier in G1 inhibited apoptosis despite the accumulation of p53. Overexpression of wild-type p53 also induces apoptosis in an LCL. Therefore six mutant genes derived from Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cells were assayed for their ability to induce apoptosis when similarly overexpressed. The same genes were analysed in transient transfection assays for their ability to transactivate appropriate reporter plasmids. A correlation between the ability of p53 to transactivate and induce apoptosis was revealed. The only mutant capable of transactivation also induced apoptosis. Further analysis of the BL lines in which p53 had been characterized showed that whereas some lines were essentially resistant to cisplatin, three were rapidly induced to undergo apoptosis. All three have a single p53 allele encoding a mutant which is incapable of transactivation or (for two tested) mediating apoptosis when expressed in an LCL. Cell cycle analysis revealed that this apparently p53-independent apoptosis did not follow G1 arrest but in fact occurred largely in cells distributed in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. These data suggest the existence of a second checkpoint in the G2 or M phase which, in the absence of a functional p53, is the primary point of entry into the apoptosis programme following DNA damage.     

Human cytomegalovirus IE1-72 activates ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase and a p53/p21-mediated growth arrest response

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes several proteins that can modulate components of the cell cycle machinery. The UL123 gene product, IE1-72, binds the Rb-related, p107 protein and relieves its repression of E2F-responsive promoters; however, it is unable to induce quiescent cells to enter S phase in wild-type (p53(+/+)) cells. IE1-72 also induces p53 accumulation through an unknown mechanism. We present here evidence suggesting that IE1-72 may activate the p53 pathway by increasing the levels of p19(Arf) and by inducing the phosphorylation of p53 at Ser15. Phosphorylation of this residue by IE1-72 expression alone or HCMV infection is found to be dependent on the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated kinase. IE2-86 expression leads to p53 phosphorylation and may contribute to this phenotype in HCMV-infected cells. We also found that IE1-72 promotes p53 nuclear accumulation by abrogating p53 nuclear shuttling. These events result in the stimulation of p53 activity, leading to a p53- and p21-dependent inhibition of cell cycle progression from G(1) to S phase in cells transiently expressing IE1-72. Thus, like many of the small DNA tumor viruses, the first protein expressed upon HCMV infection activates a p53 response by the host cell.