Involvement of p21 in the PKC-induced regulation of the G2/M cell cycle transition

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibits cell cycle progression at the G1/S and G2/M transitions. We found that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induced upregulation of p21, not only in MCF-7 cells arrested in the G1 phase as previously shown, but also in cells delayed in the G2 phase. This increase in p21 in cells accumulated in the G1 and G2/M phases of the cell cycle after PMA treatment was inhibited by the PKC inhibitor GF109203X. This indicates that PKC activity is required for PMA-induced p21 upregulation and cell cycle arrest in the G1 and G2/M phases of the cell cycle. To further assess the role of p21 in the PKC-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest independently of its G1 arrest, we used aphidicolin-synchronised MCF-7 cells. Our results show that, in parallel with the inhibition of cdc2 activity, PMA addition enhanced the associations between p21 and either cyclin B or cdc2. Furthermore, we found that after PMA treatment p21 was able to associate with the active Tyr-15 dephosphorylated form of cdc2, but this complex was devoid of kinase activity indicating that p21 may play a role in inhibition of cdc2 induced by PMA. Taken together, these observations provide evidence that p21 is involved in integrating the PKC signaling pathway to the cell cycle machinery at the G2/M cell cycle checkpoint.     

Phorbol ester-induced G1 phase arrest selectively mediated by protein kinase Cdelta-dependent induction of p21

Although protein kinase C (PKC) has been widely implicated in the positive and negative control of proliferation, the underlying cell cycle mechanisms regulated by individual PKC isozymes are only partially understood. In this report, we show that PKCdelta mediates phorbol ester-induced G1 arrest in lung adenocarcinoma cells and establish an essential role for this novel PKC in controlling the expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p21. Activation of PKC with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in early G1 phase impaired progression of lung adenocarcinoma cells into S phase, an effect that was completely abolished by specific depletion of PKCdelta, but not PKCalpha. Although the PKC effect was unrelated to the inhibition of cyclin D1 expression, PKC activation significantly up-regulated p21 and down-regulated Rb hyperphosphorylation and cyclin A expression. Elevations in p21 mRNA and protein by PMA were mediated by PKCdelta but not PKCalpha. Studies using luciferase reporters also revealed an essential role for PKCdelta in the PMA-induced inhibition of Rb-dependent cyclin A promoter activity. Finally, we showed that the cell cycle inhibitory effect of PKCdelta is greatly attenuated by RNA interference-mediated knock-down of p21. Our results identify a novel link between PKCdelta and G1 arrest via p21 up-regulation and highlight the complexities in the downstream effectors of PKC isozymes in the context of cell cycle progression and proliferation.     

LYG-202 inhibits the proliferation of human colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 cells through induction of G1/S cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via p53 and p21(WAF1/Cip1) expression

We recently established that LYG-202, a new flavonoid with a piperazine substitution, exerts an anti-tumor effect in vivo and in vitro. In the present study, we demonstrate that LYG-202 induces G1/S phase arrest and apoptosis in human colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 cells. Data showed that the blockade of the cell cycle was associated with increased p21(WAF1/Cip1) and Rb levels and reduced expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E, and CDK4. Moreover, PARP cleavage, activation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, and an increased ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 were detected in LYG-202-induced apoptosis. Additionally, activation of p53 resulted in the up-regulation of its downstream targets PUMA and p21(WAF1/Cip1), as well as the down-regulation of its negative regulator MDM2, suggesting that the p53 pathway may play a crucial role in LYG-202-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, siRNA knockdown of p53 attenuated the G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by LYG-202, as the effects of LYG-202 on up-regulation of p21(WAF1/Cip1) and down-regulation of Bcl-2 and pro-caspase-3 were partly inhibited in p53 siRNA transfected cells compared with control siRNA transfected cells. Collectively, these data indicate that LYG-202 exerts its anti-tumor potency by activating the p53-p21 pathway for G1/S cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.     

Senescence-like changes induced by expression of p21(waf1/Cip1) in NIH3T3 cell line

P21(Waf1/Cip1) is a potent cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. As a downstream mediator of p53, p21(Waf1/Cip1) involves in cell cycle arrest, differentiation and apoptosis. Previous studies in human cells provided evidence for a link between p21(Waf1/Cip1) and cellular senescence. While in murine cells, the role of p21(Waf1/Cip1) is indefinite. We explored this issue using NIH3T3 cells with inducible p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression. Induction of p21(Waf1/Cip1) triggered G1 growth arrest, and NIH3T3-p21 cells exhibited morphologic features, such as enlarged and flattened cellular shape, specific to the senescence phenotype. We also showed that p21(Waf1/Cip1)-transduced NIH3T3 cells expressed beta-galactosidase activity at pH 6.0, which is known to be a marker of senescence. Our results suggest that p2l(Waf1/Cip1) can also induce senescence-like changes in murine cells.     

Involvement of p21(Waf1/Cip1) in protein kinase C alpha-induced cell cycle progression

Protein kinase C (PKC) plays an important role in the regulation of glioma growth; however, the identity of the specific isoform and mechanism by which PKC fulfills this function remain unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that PKC activation in glioma cells increased their progression through the cell cycle. Of the six PKC isoforms that were present in glioma cells, PKC alpha was both necessary and sufficient to promote cell cycle progression when stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Also, decreased PKC alpha expression resulted in a marked decrease in cell proliferation. The only cell cycle-regulatory molecule whose expression was rapidly altered and increased by PKC alpha activity was the cyclin-cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21(Waf1/Cip1). Coimmunoprecipitation studies revealed that p21(Waf1/Cip1) upregulation was accompanied by an incorporation of p21(Waf1/Cip1) into various cyclin-CDK complexes and that the kinase activity of these complexes was increased, thus resulting in cell cycle progression. Furthermore, depletion of p21(Waf1/Cip1) by antisense strategy attenuated the PKC-induced cell cycle progression. These results suggest that PKC alpha activity controls glioma cell cycle progression through the upregulation of p21(Waf1/Cip1), which facilitates active cyclin-CDK complex formation.     

Fucoxanthin induces cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in human colon carcinoma cells through up-regulation of p21WAF1/Cip1

Fucoxanthin, a natural carotenoid, has been reported to have antitumorigenic activity in mouse colon, skin and duodenum models. The present study was designed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of fucoxanthin against colon cancer using the human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines. Fucoxanthin reduced the viability of WiDr cells in a dose-dependent manner accompanied by the induction of cell cycle arrest during the G0/G1 phase at 25 microM and apoptosis at 50 microM. Fucoxanthin at 25 microM inhibited the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) at Ser780 and Ser807/811 24 h after treatment without changes in the protein levels of the D-types of cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) 4, whose complexes are responsible for the phosphorylation of pRb at these sites. A cdk inhibitory protein, p21WAF1/Cip1 increased 24 h after the treatment with 25 microM of fucoxanthin, but not p27Kip1. In addition, the mRNA of p21WAF1/Cip1 also increased in a dose-dependent manner. According to the experiments using the isogenic human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines, fucoxanthin failed to induce G0/G1 arrest in the p21-deficient HCT116 cells, but not in HCT116 wild-type cells. All of these findings showed that fucoxanthin inhibited proliferation of colon cancer cells. The inhibitory mechanism is due to the cell cycle arrest during the G0/G1 phase mediated through the up-regulation of p21WAF1/Cip1, which may be related to the antitumorigenic activity.     

Parathyroid hormone and the regulation of cell cycle in colon adenocarcinoma cells

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) functions as a major mediator of bone remodeling and as an essential regulator of calcium homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the role of PTH in the regulation of the cell cycle in human colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that PTH (10^− 8 M, 12-24 h) treatment increases the number of cells in the G0/G1 phase and diminishes the number in both phases S and G2/M. In addition, analysis by Western blot showed that the hormone increases the expression of the inhibitory protein p27Kip1 and diminishes the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin D3 and CDK6. However, the amounts of CDK4, p21Cip1, p15INK4B and p16INK4A were not different in the absence or presence of PTH. Inhibitors of PKC (Ro-318220, bisindolylmaleimide and chelerythine), but not JNK (SP600125) and PP2A (okadaic acid and calyculin A), reversed PTH response in Caco-2 cells. Taken together, our results suggest that PTH induces G0/G1 phase arrest of Caco-2 intestinal cells and changes the expression of proteins involved in cell cycle regulation via the PKC signaling pathway.     

Overexpression of the signaling adapter FRS2 reconstitutes the cell cycle deficit of a nerve growth factor non-responsive TrkA receptor mutant

We have characterized the cell cycle deficit of a novel TrkA receptor mutant (TrkAS3) that fails to support nerve growth factor (NGF)-dependent cell cycle arrest and neurite outgrowth. TrkAS3 receptors fail to support an NGF-dependent increase in the expression of cyclin D1 and the cell cycle inhibitor, p21(Waf1/Cip1), two important regulators of G(1) /S transition, and do not down-regulate expression of the G(2) /M phase marker, cdc2/cdk1, or the S phase marker, proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Moreover, NGF-activated TrkAS3 receptors do not down-regulate cyclin-dependent kinase 4 phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein, essential for G(1) arrest, in comparison to NGF-activated wild-type TrkA. Collectively these data indicate that TrkAS3 receptors fail to support NGF-dependent G(1) arrest. Interestingly, ectopic expression of regulators of G(1) /S arrest, such as cyclin D1 or inhibitors of cell cycle (p21(Waf1/Cip1), p16(INK4A) ), or the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor substrate-2 (FRS2) in cells expressing TrkAS3 reconstitutes NGF-dependent neurite outgrowth. Collectively, these data suggest a model in which NGF-stimulated TrkA-dependent activation of FRS2 supports neurite outgrowth through a mechanism that likely involves the induction of p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression and the arrest of cells at G(1) /S.     

The timing and extent of activation of diacylglycerol-responsive protein kinase-cs determines their ability to inhibit or promote platelet-derived growth factor-dependent DNA synthesis

In response to natural agonists, such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), diacylglycerol-responsive protein kinase Cs (PKCs) are activated at two distinct times, early and mid G1, and only the late activity is required for the transition into S phase. Surprisingly, the potent PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) inhibits DNA synthesis when it is added in mid G1. Here we investigated why different PKC agonists had opposing effects on cell proliferation. We found that the magnitude and timing of PKC activation determined their ability to suppress DNA synthesis. Furthermore, potent activation of PKCs resulted in robust Erk activation and elevation of p21(CIP1). Finally, PMA was unable to block PDGF-dependent cell cycle progression in cells that lack p21(CIP1). These findings indicate that only potent activators of PKC were capable of blocking cell cycle progression, and the mechanism appears to involve an elevation of p21(CIP1).     

SOCS3 regulates p21 expression and cell cycle arrest in response to DNA damage

Genotoxic agents such as ionizing radiation trigger cell cycle arrest at the G1/S and G2/M checkpoints, allowing cells to repair damaged DNA before entry into mitosis. DNA damage-induced G1 arrest involves p53-dependent expression of p21 (Cip1/Waf-1), which inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases and blocks S phase entry. While much of the core DNA damage response has been well-studied, other signaling proteins that intersect with and modulate this response remain uncharacterized. In this study, we identify Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS)-3 as an important regulator of radiation-induced G1 arrest. SOCS3-deficient fibroblasts fail to undergo G1 arrest and accumulate in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. SOCS3 knockout cells phosphorylate p53 and H2AX normally in response to radiation, but fail to upregulate p21 expression. In addition, STAT3 phosphorylation is elevated in SOCS3-deficient cells compared to WT cells. Normal G1 arrest can be restored in SOCS3 KO cells by retroviral transduction of WT SOCS3 or a dominant-negative mutant of STAT3. Our results suggest a novel function for SOCS3 in the control of genome stability by negatively regulating STAT3-dependent radioresistant DNA synthesis, and promoting p53-dependent p21 expression.     

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.     

Role of p38alpha kinase in activation of premature senescence program in transformed mouse fibroblasts

We investigated the role of p38alpha stress-kinase in regulation of premature senescence program, stimulated by histone deacetylase inhibitor--sodium butyrate (NaB)--after application to rodent transformed cell lines. Investigation was performed on the E1A + cHa-ras transformants selected from mice embryonic fibroblasts null at the p38alpha kinase gene or null fibroblasts at the PPM1D gene, which encoded phosphatase Wip1. Absence of Wip1 led to constitutive activation of p38alpha kinase. It was revealed that after NaB treatment both cell lines completely stopped proliferation due to irreversible cell cycle arrest in G1/S phase. In both cell lines sodium butyrate induced sustained block of prolifaration due to irreversible cell cycle arrest in G1/S phase. Following sodium butyrate treatment cells expressed marker of senescence--beta-galactosidase activity (SA-beta-Gal). Long-term (during several days) NaB treatment of cells led to partial restoration of actin cytoskeleton, focal adhesion contacts and heterochromatin focus formation (SAHF) in the nucleus of senescent cells. Obtained data allow us to suppose that irreversible process of cellular senescence activated by sodium butyrate can occur in the absence of functionally active p38 kinase by means of other ways of cell cycle suppression.