Regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21<Superscript>WAF1/CIP1</Superscript> by protein kinase Cδ-mediated phosphorylation

Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21^{WAF1/CIP1(-/-)}-null mice have an increased incidence of tumor formation. Here, we demonstrate that p21^WAF1/CIP1 is unstable in HeLa cells treated with siRNA duplexes that target PKCδ. PKCδ phosphorylates p21^WAF1/CIP1 at a serine residue (¹⁴⁶Ser) located in its C-terminal domain. In cells treated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, the levels of both p21^WAF1/CIP1 and its ¹⁴⁶Ser-phosphorylated form increased significantly. We also show that a substitution, resulting from a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at ¹⁴⁹Asp found in certain cancer patients, strongly compromises PKCδ-mediated phosphorylation at ¹⁴⁶Ser and results in cells that are relatively resistant to TNFα-induced apoptosis. Thus, post-translational phosphorylation of p21^WAF1/CIP1 is important from an apoptotic cell death, and may also have patho-physiological relevance for the development of human cancer.     

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).     

SEK1-dependent JNK1 activation prolongs cell survival during G-Rh2-induced apoptosis

We provide here evidence that c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase 1 (JNK1) activity is differentially up-regulated during apoptosis of SK-HEP-1 cells after treatment with ginsenoside Rh2 (G-Rh2). The G-Rh2-mediated JNK1 activation that occurred for the first 10-30min was associated with SEK1 activity, but thereafter, the sustained activation was associated not with SEK1 activity, but with proteolytic cleavage of JNK1-associated p21(WAF1/CIP1). Supporting this is that the expression of the dominant negative SEK1 mutant effectively blocked the early JNK1 activation phase but did not alter the sustained activation phase or apoptosis. Furthermore, expression of p21D112N, an uncleavable mutant of p21(WAF1/CIP1), suppressed the later JNK1 activation. Moreover, the stable overexpression of ectopic JNK1 suppressed apoptosis while expression of the dominant negative JNK1 mutant promoted it. We propose that the early SEK1-associated JNK1 activation phase acts to prolong cell survival in response to apoptosis-inducing agents, thereby serving as an intervening checkpoint prior to the commitment to apoptosis.     

DNA损伤生物学反应中ATM对p21~(WAF1/CIP1)蛋白的直接磷酸化

毛细血管扩张性共济失调症突变蛋白 (mutatedinataxiatelangiectasia ,ATM)是直接感受DNA双链断裂损伤并起始诸多DNA损伤信号反应通路的主开关分子 .已有研究发现 ,DNA损伤生物学反应中 ,ATM可通过磷酸化活化p5 3,继而转录活化细胞周期检查点蛋白p2 1WAF1 CIP1的表达 ,而对于ATM是否直接参与p2 1WAF1 CIP1的早期活化迄今尚无实验证明 .通过免疫共沉淀反应 ,检测到细胞电离辐射 (ionizingradiation ,IR)反应早期ATM与p2 1WAF1 CIP1蛋白存在相互作用 .将p2 1WAF1 CIP1蛋白编码基因全长克隆入原核表达载体pGEX4T 2 ,经诱导表达及亲和层析纯化获取GST p2 1融合蛋白作为磷酸化底物 .体外磷酸化实验检测证明 ,IR活化的ATM具磷酸化p2 1WAF1 CIP1蛋白的功能 ,并且此磷酸化功能可被PI3K家族特异性抑制剂Wortmannin所抑制 .结果揭示了IR后ATM可通过直接磷酸化p2 1WAF1 CIP1蛋白 ,在IR致DNA损伤生物学反应早期调控p2 1WAF1 CIP1蛋白的快速活化过程     

Cdc6 protein activates p27KIP1-bound Cdk2 protein only after the bound p27 protein undergoes C-terminal phosphorylation

In mammalian cells Cdk2 activity during the G(1)-S transition is mainly controlled by p27(KIP1). Although the amount and subcellular localization of p27 influence Cdk2 activity, how Cdk2 activity is regulated during this phase transition still remains virtually unknown. Here we report an entirely new mechanism for this regulation. Cdc6 the AAA+ ATPase, known to assemble prereplicative complexes on chromosomal replication origins and activate p21(CIP1)-bound Cdk2, also activated p27-bound Cdk2 in its ATPase and cyclin binding motif-dependent manner but only after the p27 bound to the Cdk2 was phosphorylated at the C terminus. ROCK, which mediates a signal for cell anchorage to the extracellular matrix and activates the mTORC1 cascade as well as controls cytoskeleton assembly, was partly responsible for C-terminal phosphorylation of the p27. In vitro reconstitution demonstrated ROCK (Rho-associated kinase)-mediated phosphorylation of Cdk2-bound p27 at the C terminus and subsequent activation of the Cdk2 by Cdc6.     

Alphavirus M1 induces apoptosis of malignant glioma cells via downregulation and nucleolar translocation of p21WAF1/CIP1 protein

Alphavirus, a genus of arthropod-borne togavirus, is well-known for its pro-apoptotic capability. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be further clarified. Here, we have identified that M1, an alphavirus isolated in 1960s, targeted C6 malignant glioma cells for apoptosis. Flow cytometry analysis showed that more cells enter S-phase post M1 infection, and subsequently undergo a classic apoptosis. To elucidate the mechanism of S-phase arrest and its relationship to apoptosis, we tested the expression of several critical cell cycle regulatory proteins and found elevated phosphorylation of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), decreased expression of cyclin A and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Notably, the protein level of p21^WAF1/CIP1 was downregulated earliest and most effectively among all tested changes of cell cycle regulators, though its mRNA level was strongly upregulated. To evaluate the role of p21^WAF1/CIP1 in S-phase accumulation and subsequent apoptosis, we confirmed that exogenous p21^WAF1/CIP1 overexpression or treatment with roscovitine (a selective chemical inhibitor of CDK2) efficiently protected against apoptosis with a reduced S-phase accumulation Thus, it is indicated that the downregulation of p21^WAF1/CIP1 mediated C6 apoptosis via overactivation of CDK2. In addition, confocal microscopy showed that p21^WAF1/CIP1 totally translocated to nucleolus during M1-induced C6 apoptosis. Altogether, downregulation and nucleolar translocation of the p21^WAF1/CIP1 protein played an active role in M1-induced C6 apoptosis.     

Mitochondrial ribosomal protein L41 mediates serum starvation-induced cell-cycle arrest through an increase of p21(WAF1/CIP1)

Ribosomal proteins not only act as components of the translation apparatus but also regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis. A previous study reported that MRPL41 plays an important role in p53-dependent apoptosis. It also showed that MRPL41 arrests the cell cycle by stabilizing p27(Kip1) in the absence of p53. This study found that MRPL41 mediates the p21(WAF1/CIP1)-mediated G1 arrest in response to serum starvation. The cells were released from serum starvation-induced G1 arrest via the siRNA-mediated blocking of MRPL41 expression. Overall, these results suggest that MRPL41 arrests the cell cycle by increasing the p21(WAF1/CIP1) and p27(Kip1) levels under the growth inhibitory conditions.     

Induction of p21(CIP1/Waf1) and activation of p34(cdc2) involved in retinoic acid-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma Hep3B cells

The biological activity of retinoic acid (RA) was examined in human hepatoma Hep3B cells. Under serum-deprived conditions, RA induced S/M-phase elevation and mitotic index increase within 24 h, followed by apoptosis. This RA-induced apoptosis was accompanied by p53-independent up-regulation of endogenous p21(CIPI/Waf1) and Bax proteins, as well as activation of p34(cdc2) kinase, and increase of Rb2 protein level and phosphorylation pattern. In addition, RA had no effect on the levels of Bcl-XL; Bcl-XS; cyclins A, B, D1, D3, or E; or Rb1 expression but markedly down-modulated Cdk2 kinase activity and reduced Cdk4 expression. RA also slightly delayed p27(Kip1) expression. Olomoucine, a potent p34(cdc2) and Cdk2 inhibitor, effectively blocked RA-mediated p34(cdc2) kinase activation and prevented RA-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, antisense oligonucleotide complementary to p21(CIP2/Waf1) and p34(cdc2) mRNA significantly rescued RA-induced apoptosis. Our data indicate that p21(CIP2/Waf1) overexpression may not be the only regulatory factor necessary for RA-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma Hep3B cells. RA treatment leads to Rb2 hyperphosphorylation, and p34(cdc2) kinase activation is coincident with an aberrant mitotic progression, followed by appearance of abnormal nucleus. This aberrant cell cycle progression appeared requisite for RA-induced cell death. These findings suggest that inappropriate regulation of the cell cycle regulators p21(CIP2/Waf1) and p34(cdc2) is coupled with induction of Bax and involved in cell death with apoptosis when Hep3B cells are exposed to RA.     

Cyclin-dependent protein kinase 2 activity is required for mitochondrial translocation of Bax and disruption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential during etoposide-induced apoptosis

Previous studies have suggested that upregulation of Cyclin A-dependent protein kinase 2 (Cdk2) activity is an essential event in apoptotic progression and the mitochondrial permeability transition in human cancer cells. Here, we show that upregulated Cyclin A/Cdk2 activity precedes the proteolytic cleavage of PARP and is correlated with the mitochondrial translocation of Bax and the loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Δψm) during etoposide-induced apoptosis in human cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells. Etoposide-induced apoptotic cell death is efficiently prevented in cells that overexpress a dominant negative mutant of Cdk2 (Cdk2-dn) or p21^WAF1/CIP1, a specific Cdk inhibitor. Conversely, apoptotic cell death is promoted in Cyclin A-expressing cells. Disruption of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential in etoposide-induced cells is prevented in cells that overexpress Cdk2-dn or p21^WAF1/CIP1, while this transition is prominently promoted in Cyclin A-expressing cells. We screened for mitochondrial Cdk2 targets in the etoposide-induced cells and found that the mitochondrial level of Bax is elevated by more than three fold in etoposide-treated cells and this elevation is effectively prevented in cells expressing Cdk2-dn under the same conditions. Thus, we suggest that Cdk2 activity is involved in the mitochondrial translocation of Bax, which plays an important role in the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition during apoptotic progression.     

PDK1-dependent activation of atypical PKC leads to degradation of the p21 tumour modifier protein

p21(WAF1/CIP1) Contributes to positive and negative growth control on multiple levels. We previously mapped phosphorylation sites within the C-terminal domain of p21 that regulate proliferating cell nuclear antigen binding. In the current study, a kinase has been fractionated from mammalian cells that stoichiometrically phosphorylates p21 at the Ser146 site, and the enzyme has been identified as an insulin-responsive atypical protein kinase C (aPKC). Expression of PKCzeta or activation of the endogenous kinase by 3-phosphoinositide dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) decreased the half-life of p21. Conversely, dnPKCzeta or dnPDK1 increased p21 protein half-life, and a PDK1-dependent increase in the rate of p21 degradation was mediated by aPKC. Insulin stimulation gave a biphasic response with a rapid transient decrease in p21 protein levels during the initial signalling phase that was dependent on phosphatidylinositol 3- kinase, PKC and proteasome activity. Thus, aPKC provides a physiological signal for the degradation of p21. The rapid degradation of p21 protein during the signalling phase of insulin stimulation identifies a novel link between energy metabolism and a key modulator of cell cycle progression.     

Dissociation of bone morphogenetic protein-mediated growth arrest and apoptosis of mouse B cells by HPV-16 E6/E7

We have previously found that bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), a member of the transforming growth factor-beta family, induces cell-cycle arrest in the G1 phase and apoptotic cell death of HS-72 mouse hybridoma cells. In this study, we show that BMP-2 did not alter expression of cyclin D, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), CDK4, p27KIP1, p16INK4a, or p15INK4b, but enhanced expression of p21(CIP1/WAF1). Accumulation of p21(CIP1/WAF1) resulted in increased binding of p21(CIP1/WAF1) to CDK4 and concomitantly caused a profound decrease in the in vitro retinoblastoma protein (Rb) kinase activity of CDK4. Furthermore, the ectopic expression of human papilloma virus type-16 E7, an inhibitor of p21(CIP1/WAF1) and Rb, reverted G1 arrest induced by BMP-2. Expression of E6/E7, without increasing the p53 level, blocked inhibition of Rb phosphorylation and G1 arrest, but did not attenuate cell death in BMP-treated HS-72 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that inhibition of Rb phosphorylation by p21(CIP1/WAF1) is responsible for BMP-2-mediated G1 arrest and that BMP-2-induction of apoptosis might be independent of Rb hypophosphorylation.     

Overexpression of 15-lipoxygenase-1 induces growth arrest through phosphorylation of p53 in human colorectal cancer cells

To investigate the function of 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LOX-1) in human colorectal cancer, we overexpressed 15-LOX-1 in HCT-116 human colorectal cancer cells. Clones expressing the highest levels of 15-LOX-1 displayed reduced viability compared with the HCT-116-Vector control cells. Further, by cell cycle gene array analyses, the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/CIP1 and MDM2 genes were up-regulated in 15-LOX-1-overexpressing cells. The induction of p21(WAF1/CIP1) and MDM2 were linked to activation of p53 by 15-LOX-1, as there was a dramatic induction of phosphorylated p53 (Ser15) in 15-LOX-1-overesxpressing cells. However, the 15-LOX-1 metabolites 13(S)-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid and 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid failed to induce phosphorylation of p53 at Ser15, and the 15-LOX-1 inhibitor PD146176 did not inhibit the phosphorylation of p53 at Ser15 in 15-LOX-1-overexpressing cells. Nonetheless, the growth-inhibitory effects of 15-LOX-1 were p53 dependent, as 15-LOX-1 overexpression had no effect on cell growth in p53 (-/-) HCT-116 cells. Finally, treatment of HCT-116-15-LOX-1 cells with different kinase inhibitors suggested that the effects of 15-LOX-1 on p53 phosphorylation and activation were due to effects on DNA-dependent protein kinase. Collectively, these findings suggest a new mechanism to explain the biological activity of 15-LOX-1, where 15-LOX plays a stoichiometric role in activating a DNA-dependent protein kinase-dependent pathway that leads to p53-dependent growth arrest.     

Protein p21(WAF1/CIP1) is phosphorylated by protein kinase CK2 in vitro and interacts with the amino terminal end of the CK2 beta subunit

Protein kinase CK2 is a ubiquitous protein that phosphorylates multiple substrates and is composed of catalytic (alpha, alpha') and regulatory (beta) subunits. Abundant evidence relates CK2 to the regulation of cell division. p21(WAF1/CIP1) is a potent inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases and of DNA replication and acts as a key inhibitor of cell cycle progression. In this work we examine the relation between these two important proteins. The interaction between the CK2 beta regulatory subunit of CK2 and p21(WAF1/CIP1) has been confirmed. Using a pull-down assay and fusion constructs of glutathione transferase with fragments of CK2 beta and other mutants, it was possible to define that the N-terminal (1-44) portion of CK2 beta contains a p21(WAF1/CIP1) binding site. CK2 reconstituted from recombinant alpha and beta subunits can phosphorylate p21(WAF1/CIP1) in vitro. This phosphorylation is greatly enhanced by histone H1. p21(WAF1/CIP1) can inhibit the phosphorylation of substrate casein by CK2. This inhibition, however, seems to be due to competition by p21(WAF1/CIP1) as an alternate substrate since in order to observe inhibition it is necessary that the concentration of p21 be of the same order of magnitude as the casein substrate concentration. This competition is not related to the binding of p21(WAF1/CIP1) to CK2 beta because it can also be observed when, in the absence of CK beta, CK alpha is used to phosphorylate casein in the presence of the p21.