Cancer‐specific mutations in p53 induce the translation of Δ160p53 promoting tumorigenesis

Wild‐type p53 functions as a tumour suppressor while mutant p53 possesses oncogenic potential. Until now it remains unclear how a single mutation can transform p53 into a functionally distinct gene harbouring a new set of original cellular roles. Here we show that the most common p53 cancer mutants express a larger number and higher levels of shorter p53 protein isoforms that are translated from the mutated full‐length p53 mRNA. Cells expressing mutant p53 exhibit “gain‐of‐function” cancer phenotypes, such as enhanced cell survival, proliferation, invasion and adhesion, altered mammary tissue architecture and invasive cell structures. Interestingly, Δ160p53‐overexpressing cells behave in a similar manner. In contrast, an exogenous or endogenous mutant p53 that fails to express Δ160p53 due to specific mutations or antisense knock‐down loses pro‐oncogenic potential. Our data support a model in which “gain‐of‐function” phenotypes induced by p53 mutations depend on the shorter p53 isoforms. As a conserved wild‐type isoform, Δ160p53 has evolved during millions of years. We thus provide a rational explanation for the origin of the tumour‐promoting functions of p53 mutations.     

Phosphorylation regulates the interaction and complex formation between wt p53 protein and PARP-1

We recently characterized the interaction between poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and the product of the tumor suppressor gene p53. We investigated which domains of human PARP-1 and of human wild-type (wt) p53 were involved in this protein-protein interaction. We generated baculoviral constructs encoding full length or distinct functional domains of both proteins. Full length PARP-1 was simultaneously coexpressed in insect cells with full length wt p53 protein or its distinct truncated fragments and vice versa. Reciprocal immunoprecipitation of Sf9 cell lysates revealed that the central and carboxy-terminal fragments of p53 were sufficient to confer binding to PARP-1, whereas the amino-terminal part harboring the transactivation functional domain was dispensable. On the other hand, the amino-terminal and central fragments of PARP-1 were necessary for complex formation with p53 protein. As the most important features of p53 protein are regulated by phosphorylation, we addressed the question of whether its phosphorylation is essential for binding between the two proteins. Baculovirally expressed wt p53 was post-translationally modified. At least six distinct p53 isomeres were resolved by immunoblotting following two-dimensional separation of baculovirally expressed wt p53 protein. Using specific phospho-serine antibodies, we identified phosphorylation of baculovirally expressed p53 protein at five distinct sites. To define the role of p53 phosphorylation, pull-down assays using untreated and dephosphorylated p53 protein were performed. Dephosphorylated p53 failed to bind PARP-1 indicating that complex formation between both proteins is regulated by phosphorylation of p53. The marked phosphorylation of p53 at Ser392 observed in unstressed cells suggests that the phosphorylated carboxy-terminal part of p53 undergoes complex formation with PARP-1 resulting in masking of the NES and thereby preventing its export. The functional significance of the interaction between both proteins was investigated at two different conditions: inactivation of PARP-1 and overexpression of PARP-1. Our results unequivocally show that the presence of PARP-1 regulates the basal expression of wt p53 in unstressed cells.     

异构体ΔASPP2可拮抗ASPP2对p53（细胞）凋亡功能的增强作用

p53 凋亡刺激蛋白2(apoptosis stimulating protein 2 of p53, ASPP2)能够与p53 蛋白结合特异性地增强其促细胞凋亡功能,进而发挥肿瘤抑制作用．我们发现的1个比ASPP2少300多个N端氨基酸的异构体ΔASPP2.目前,ΔASPP2对p53起何种作用尚不清楚．在本研究中,我们构建了rAd-ASPP2、rAd-ΔASPP2腺病毒,利用rAd-p53、rAd-ASPP2、rAd-ΔASPP2 感染p53缺失的细胞系H1299,在MMS的作用下研究ASPP2 和 ΔASPP2 对p53介导的细胞凋亡的影响．结果发现,p53自身过表达能明显促进肿瘤细胞的凋亡;ASPP2可显著增强p53介导的MMS引起的H1299细胞凋亡的作用;然而,ΔASPP2对p53介导的细胞凋亡没有明显影响但却显著抑制rAd-ASPP2 增强的rAd-p53的促细胞凋亡作用．p53-ASPP2 复合体可能改变p53 蛋白的构象,促进p53 和增强子Bax的结合活性．p53 转录调控基因的表达研究显示,ΔASPP2的存在可显著抑制ASPP2增强p53 介导的bax基因转录活性, 提示ΔASPP2可能与ASPP2结合后来抑制p53的凋亡基因转录活性．     

Growth inhibitory effects of large subunit ribosomal proteins in melanoma

Ribosome biogenesis can modulate protein synthesis, a process heavily relied upon for cancer cell proliferation. In this study, involvement of large subunit ribosomal proteins (RPLs) in melanoma has been dissected and RPLs categorized based on modulation of cell proliferation and therapeutic targeting potential. Based on these results, two categories of RPLs were identified: the first causing negligible effects on cell viability, p53 expression, and protein translation, while the second category decreased cell viability and inhibited protein synthesis mediated with or without p53 protein stabilization. RPL13 represents the second category, where siRNA‐mediated targeting inhibited tumor development through decreased cellular proliferation. Mechanistically, decreased RPL13 levels increased p53 stability mediated by RPL5 and RPL11 binding to and preventing MDM2 from targeting p53 for degradation. The consequence was p53‐dependent cell cycle arrest and decreased protein translation. Thus, targeting certain category 2 RPL proteins can inhibit melanoma tumor development mediated through the MDM2‐p53 pathway.     

p53 arrests growth and induces differentiation of v-Myb-transformed monoblasts

Abstract The p53 protein can control cell cycle progression, programmed cell death, and differentiation of many cell types. Ectopic expression of p53 can resume capability of cell cycle arrest, differentiation, and apoptosis in various leukemic cell lines. In this work, we expressed human p53 protein in v-Myb-transformed chicken monoblasts. We found that even this protein possessing only 53% amino acid homology to its avian counterpart can significantly alter morphology and physiology of these cells causing the G2-phase cell cycle arrest and early monocytic differentiation. Our results document that the species-specific differences of the p53 molecules, promoters/enhancers, and co-factors in avian and human cells do not interfere with differentiation- and cell cycle arrest promoting capabilites of the p53 tumor suppressor even in the presence of functional v-Myb oncoprotein. The p53-induced differentiation and cell cycle arrest of v-Myb-transformed monoblasts are not associated with apoptosis suggesting that the p53-driven pathways controlling apoptosis and differentiation/proliferation are independent.     

Central and carboxy-terminal regions of human p53 protein are essential for interaction and complex formation with PARP-1

It has been previously described by different groups that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and the product of the tumor suppressor gene p53 form tight complexes. We investigated which domains of human PARP-1 and of human wild-type p53 were involved in this protein-protein interaction. We generated baculoviral constructs encoding full length protein or distinct functional domains of both proteins. Baculovirally expressed wild-type p53 was posttranslationally modified. Full length PARP-1 was simultaneously coexpressed in insect cells with full length wt p53 protein or its distinct truncated fragments and vice versa. Reciprocal immunoprecipitation of Sf9 cell lysates revealed that the central and carboxy-terminal fragments of p53 were sufficient to confer binding to PARP-1. The amino-terminal part harboring the transactivation functional domain of p53 was dispensable. On the other hand, the amino-terminal and central fragments of PARP-1 were necessary for complex formation with p53 protein. Finally, we explored the functional significance of the interaction between both proteins. Inactivation of PARP-1 resulted in the reduction of p53 steady-state levels. Inhibition of nuclear export by leptomycin B prevented accelerated degradation of p53 in PARP-1 KO cells and led to accumulation of p53 protein. Considering the fact that the accelerated p53 nuclear export in the absence of PARP-1 contributes to enhanced p53 degradation, we conclude that PARP-1 may mask the NES of p53 through complex formation with its carboxy-terminal part, thereby preventing the export.     

Suppression of thioredoxin-1 induces premature senescence in normal human fibroblasts

Thioredoxin (TRX) is a ubiquitous multifunctional thiol protein that is critically involved in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. Levels of thioredoxin-1 (TRX1), the major isoform of TRX, have been shown to correlate with organismal lifespan and age-associated tissue deterioration. Accordingly, we investigated the direct functional effects of suppressing TRX1 levels on cellular senescence, a phenomenon intimately linked with tissue degeneration and aging. Here we find that suppression of TRX1 expression via shRNA rapidly induces premature senescence in young human skin fibroblasts through upregulation of the p53/p21^Cip1/Waf1 and p16^INK4a tumor suppressor pathways. Moreover, inhibition of these pathways by introduction of SV40 Large T Antigen prevents TRX1 suppression-induced premature senescence but not susceptibility to oxidative stressors. Thus our results suggest that TRX1 has a role in suppressing senescence in normal cells in addition to its function as a redox-protective protein.     

p53 does not control the spindle assembly cell cycle checkpoint but mediates G1 arrest in response to disruption of microtubule system

p53 plays a critical role as a tumour-suppressor in restricting the proliferation of damaged cells, thus preventing formation of genetically altered cell clones. Its inactivation leads, in particular, to accumulation of polyploid and aneuploid cells. To elucidate the role of p53 in control of chromosome number, we analysed its participation in the cell cycle checkpoints controlling: (1) spindle assembly; and (2) G1-to-S transitions in cells with disintegrated microtubule cytoskeleton. Treatment with 8-10 ng/ml of colcemid causing no visible destruction of the spindle leads to arrest of metaphase-to-anaphase transition in both p53-positive and p53-negative murine fibroblasts, as well as in p53-positive REF52 cells and their counterparts (where the p53 function was inactivated by transduction of dominant-negative p53 fragment). Furthermore, p53-positive and p53-defective rodent and human cells showed no significant difference in kinetics of metaphase-to-interphase transitions in cultures treated with high colcemid doses preventing spindle formation. These data argue against the hypothesis that p53 is a key component of the spindle-assembly checkpoint. However, p53 mediates activation of the G1 checkpoint in response to depolymerization of microtubules in interphase cells. Treatment of synchronized G0/G1 cells with colcemid causes arrest of G1-to-S transition. Inactivation of the p53 function by transduction of dominant-negative p53 fragment abolishes the G1 checkpoint that prevents entry into S phase of cells with disrupted microtubules. Transduction of kinase-defective dominant-negative c- raf mutant or application of PD 098059, a specific inhibitor of MEK1, also abrogates the G1 cell cycle arrest in cells with disintegrated microtubule system. It seems that Raf-MAP-kinase signalling pathways are responsible for p53 activation induced by depolymerization of microtubules.     

Loss of p53 expression in cancer cells alters cell cycle response after inhibition of exportin-1 but does not prevent cell death

The tumor suppressor protein p53 is central to the cellular stress response and may be a predictive biomarker for cancer treatments. Upon stress, wildtype p53 accumulates in the nucleus where it enforces cellular responses, including cell cycle arrest and cell death. p53 is so dominant in its effects, that p53 enforcement – or – restoration therapy is being studied for anti-cancer therapy. Two mechanistically distinct small molecules that act via p53 are the selective inhibitor of nuclear export, selinexor, and MDM2 inhibitor, nutlin-3a. Here, individual cells are studied to define cell cycle response signatures, which captures the variability of responses and includes the impact of loss of p53 expression on cell fates. The individual responses are then used to build the population level response. Matched cell lines with and without p53 expression indicate that while loss-of-function results in altered cell cycle signatures to selinexor treatment, it does not diminish overall cell loss. On the contrary, response to single-agent nutlin-3a shows a strong p53-dependence. Upon treatment with both selinexor and nutlin-3a there are combination effects in at least some cell lines – even when p53 is absent. Collectively, the findings indicate that p53 does act downstream of selinexor and nutlin-3a, and that p53 expression is dispensable for selinexor to cause cell death, but nutlin-3a response is more p53-dependent. Thus, TP53 disruption and lack of expression may not predict poor cell response to selinexor, and selinexor’s mechanism of action potentially provides for strong efficacy regardless of p53 function.     

Nucleolar protein GLTSCR2 stabilizes p53 in response to ribosomal stresses

p53 is a key regulator of cell growth and death by controlling cell cycle progression and apoptosis under conditions of stress such as DNA damage or oncogenic stimulation. As these processes are critical for cell function and inhibition of tumor development, p53 regulatory pathways are strictly monitored in cells. Recently, it was recognized that nucleolar proteins, including nucleophosmin/B23, ribosomal protein L11, and alternate reading frame (ARF), form the nucleolus-ARF-murine double minute 2 (MDM2) axis in p53 regulatory pathways, which increases p53 stability by suppressing the activity of MDM2. In this work, we show that nucleolar protein glioma tumor-suppressor candidate region gene 2 (GLTSCR2) translocates to the nucleoplasm under ribosomal stress, where it interacts with and stabilizes p53 and inhibits cell cycle progression without the involvement of the major upstream p53 regulator, ARF. Furthermore, ectopic expression of GLTSCR2 significantly suppressed growth of cancer cells in a xenograft animal model via p53-dependent pathway. Our data identify GLTSCR2 as a new member of the nucleolus-nucleoplasmic axis for p53 regulation. ARF-independent direct regulation of p53 by GLTSCR2 may be a key mechanism and therapeutic target for cell death or growth inhibition when nucleolus-ARF-p53 pathways are inactivated by genetic or epigenetic modifications of ARF, which are the second most common types of genetic change observed in human cancers.     

过表达UHRF2通过上调p53及p21表达引起HEK293细胞G1期阻滞

UHRF2（ubiquitin like with PHD and ring finger domains 2）是新近发现的具有多个结构域的核蛋白,在细胞周期调控和表观遗传学中发挥重要作用．近期研究提示,UHRF2是肿瘤抑制蛋白p53的1个E3连接酶,在体内外能与p53相互结合并促进其泛素化,过表达UHRF2能使细胞周期停滞于G1期．然而,UHRF2介导的G1期阻滞及其与p53联系尚不清楚．通过共转染UHRF2质粒及p53特异性小干扰RNA(siRNAs)到HEK293细胞构建细胞模型,探索UHRF2引起细胞周期停滞与p53之间的关系．结果显示,UHRF2能促进HEK293细胞中p53的稳定,从而引起p21 (CIP1/WAF1)基因表达,并使细胞周期停滞于G1期;但在siRNA抑制p53的表达后p21(CIP1/WAF1)表达降低,UHRF2引起的细胞周期阻滞消除．研究结果提示,UHRF2可通过稳定p53,上调p21的表达,从而介导细胞周期阻滞于G1期;同时UHRF2可能参与细胞周期调控及DNA损伤反应（DNA damage response, DDR）．UHRF2稳定p53的具体分子机制及其在DDR中的作用有待进一步研究证明．     

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.     

The can and can't dos of p53 RNA

The p53 protein, like any other protein, cannot be made in the cell without RNA. And even once made, the p53 protein will be more rapidly degraded without the p53 RNA. Furthermore, the p53 RNA helps deciding which p53 isoform should be produced and under which cell conditions. Mutant p53 mRNA codes for an unstable and inactive protein. These matters are discussed in this article as well as the recent reports on p53 RNA mutations, interacting-proteins, 3′ processing and 5′–3′ loop.     

Crosstalk between P53 and DNA damage response in ageing

Ageing is a sophisticated process, accompanied by reduction in general physiological capacity and increase in mortality and death, stemming from damage accumulation over time. Various signaling pathways are known to be involved in the functional decrease in various organs in ageing humans. One of the most prominent pathways is DNA damage response (DDR), which is responsible for maintenance of the genomic integrity and stability. Insufficient or dysfunctional DDR signaling and the subsequent accumulation of potential DNA lesions are associated with the initiation/progression of various human pathologies including ageing. As a tumor suppressor gene, with critical functions in the ageing process, p53 is considered as a DDR centerpiece. In this review, we aim to discuss the interactions between p53 and DDR signaling and their contributions in ageing.     

Searching for target sequences by p53 protein is influenced by DNA length

One of the most important functions of the tumor suppressor p53 protein is its sequence-specific binding to DNA. Using a competition assay on agarose gels we found that the p53 consensus sequences in longer DNA fragments are better targets than the same sequences in shorter DNAs. Semi-quantitative evaluation of the competition experiments showed a correlation between the relative p53-DNA binding and the DNA lengths. Our results are consistent with a model of the p53-DNA interactions involving one-dimensional migration of the p53 protein along the DNA for distances of about 1000 bp while searching for its target sites. Positioning of the p53 target in the DNA fragment did not substantially affect the apparent p53-DNA binding, suggesting that p53 can slide along the DNA in a bi-directional manner. In contrast to full-length p53, the isolated core domain did not show any significant correlation between sequence-specific DNA binding and fragment length.     

Overexpressed poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase delays the release of rat cells from p53‐mediated G1 checkpoint

We have previously reported that in cells ectopically expressing temperature‐sensitive p53^135val mutant, p53 formed tight complexes with poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP). At elevated temperatures, p53^135val protein, adopting the mutant phenotype, was localized in the cytoplasm and sequestered the endogenous PARP. To prove whether an excess of p53^135val protein led to this unusual intracellular distribution of PARP, we have established cell lines overexpressing p53^135val + c‐Ha‐ras alone or in combination with PARP. Interestingly, immunostaining revealed that PARP is sequestered in the cytoplasm by mutant p53 in cells overexpressing both proteins. Simultaneous overexpression of PARP had no effect on temperature‐dependent cell proliferation and only negligibly affected the kinetics of p53‐mediated G₁ arrest. However, if the cells were completely growth arrested at 32°C and then shifted up to 37°C, coexpressed PARP dramatically delayed the reentry of transformed cells into the cell cycle. Even after 72 h at 37°C the proportion of S‐phase cells was reduced to 20% compared to those expressing only p53^135val + c‐Ha‐ras. The coexpressed PARP stabilized wt p53 protein and its enzymatic activity was necessary for stabilization. J. Cell. Biochem. 80:85–103, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.