Absence of PTHrP Nuclear Localization and Carboxyl Terminus Sequences Leads to Abnormal Brain Development and Function

We assessed whether the nuclear localization sequences (NLS) and C terminus of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) play critical roles in brain development and function. We used histology, immunohistochemistry, histomorphometry, Western blots and electrophysiological recordings to compare the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells, neuronal hippocampal synaptic transmission, and brain phenotypes including shape and structures, in Pthrp knock-in mice, which express PTHrP (1-84), a truncated form of the protein that is missing the NLS and the C-terminal region of the protein, and their wild-type littermates. Results showed that Pthrp knock-in mice display abnormal brain shape and structures; decreased neural cell proliferative capacity and increased apoptosis associated with up-regulation of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors p16, p21, p27 and p53 and down-regulation of the Bmi-1 oncogene; delayed neural cell differentiation; and impaired hippocampal synaptic transmission and plasticity. These findings provide in vivo experimental evidence that the NLS and C-terminus of PTHrP are essential not only for the regulation of neural cell proliferation and differentiation, but also for the maintenance of normal neuronal synaptic transmission and plasticity.     

Injury‐induced spinal motor neuron apoptosis is preceded by DNA single‐strand breaks and is p53‐ and Bax‐dependent

The mechanisms of injury‐induced apoptosis of neurons within the spinal cord are not understood. We used a model of peripheral nerve‐spinal cord injury in the rat and mouse to induce motor neuron degeneration. In this animal model, unilateral avulsion of the sciatic nerve causes apoptosis of motor neurons. We tested the hypothesis that p53 and Bax regulate this neuronal apoptosis, and that DNA damage is an early upstream signal. Adult mice and rats received unilateral avulsions causing lumbar motor neurons to achieve endstage apoptosis at 7–14 days postlesion. This motor neuron apoptosis is blocked in bax^?/? and p53^?/? mice. Single‐cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay), immunocytochemistry, and quantitative immunogold electron microscopy were used to measure molecular changes in motor neurons during the progression of apoptosis. Injured motor neurons accumulate single‐strand breaks in DNA by 5 days. p53 accumulates in nuclei of motor neurons destined to undergo apoptosis. p53 is functionally activated by 4–5 days postlesion, as revealed by immunodetection of phosphorylated p53. Preapoptotically, Bax translocates to mitochondria, cytochrome c accumulates in the cytoplasm, and caspase‐3 is activated. These results demonstrate that motor neuron apoptosis in the adult spinal cord is controlled by upstream mechanisms involving DNA damage and activation of p53 and downstream mechanisms involving upregulated Bax and cytochrome c and their translocation, accumulation of mitochondria, and activation of caspase‐3. We conclude that adult motor neuron death after nerve avulsion is DNA damage‐induced, p53‐ and Bax‐dependent apoptosis. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 50: 181–197, 2002; DOI 10.1002/neu.10026     

Akhirin regulates the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in intact and injured mouse spinal cord

Although the central nervous system is considered a comparatively static tissue with limited cell turnover, cells with stem cell properties have been isolated from most neural tissues. The spinal cord ependymal cells show neural stem cell potential in vitro and in vivo in injured spinal cord. However, very little is known regarding the ependymal niche in the mouse spinal cord. We previously reported that a secreted factor, chick Akhirin, is expressed in the ciliary marginal zone of the eye, where it works as a heterophilic cell‐adhesion molecule. Here, we describe a new crucial function for mouse Akhirin (M‐AKH) in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of progenitors in the mouse spinal cord. During embryonic spinal cord development, M‐AKH is transiently expressed in the central canal ependymal cells, which possess latent neural stem cell properties. Targeted inactivation of the AKH gene in mice causes a reduction in the size of the spinal cord and decreases BrdU incorporation in the spinal cord. Remarkably, the expression patterns of ependymal niche molecules in AKH knockout (AKH?/?) mice are different from those of AKH+/+, both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we provide evidence that AKH expression in the central canal is rapidly upregulated in the injured spinal cord. Taken together, these results indicate that M‐AKH plays a crucial role in mouse spinal cord formation by regulating the ependymal niche in the central canal. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 75: 494–504, 2015     

Mice defective in p53 nuclear localization signal 1 exhibit exencephaly

p53 is a major suppressor of human malignancy. The protein levels and activity are tightly regulated in cells. Early experiments identified nuclear localization signal 1 (NLS1) as a regulator of p53 localization. We have generated mice bearing a mutation in p53 ^NLS1 , designated p53 ^NLS1 . Our experiments confirm a role for NLS1 in regulating p53 function. Murine embryonic fibroblasts generated from homozygous p53 ^NLS1 animals are partially defective in cell cycle arrest and do not respond to inhibitory signals from oncogenic Ras. In addition, p53-dependent apoptosis is abrogated in thymocytes. Contrary to predicted results, fibroblasts from homozygous p53 ^NLS1 animals have a greater rate of proliferation than p53-null cells. In addition, p53 ^NLS1 cells are more resistant to UV-induced death. Surprisingly, the homozygous p53 ^NLS1 animals exhibit embryonic and peri-natal lethality, with a significant portion of the animals developing exencephaly. Thus, p53 ^NLS1/NLS1 embryos exhibit a reduced viability relative to p53-null mice. These studies indicate that the NLS1 is a major regulator of p53 activity in vivo.     

Dysfunctional telomeres induce p53‐dependent and independent apoptosis to compromise cellular proliferation and inhibit tumor formation

Aging is associated with progressive telomere shortening, resulting in the formation of dysfunctional telomeres that compromise tissue proliferation. However, dysfunctional telomeres can limit tumorigenesis by activating p53‐dependent cellular senescence and apoptosis. While activation of both senescence and apoptosis is required for repress tumor formation, it is not clear which pathway is the major tumor suppressive pathway in vivo. In this study, we generated Eμ‐myc; Pot1b ^?/? mouse to directly compare tumor formation under conditions in which either p53‐dependent apoptosis or senescence is activated by telomeres devoid of the shelterin component Pot1b. We found that activation of p53‐dependent apoptosis plays a more critical role in suppressing lymphoma formation than p53‐dependent senescence. In addition, we found that telomeres in Pot1b^?/?; p53^?/? mice activate an ATR‐Chk1‐dependent DNA damage response to initiate a robust p53‐independent, p73‐dependent apoptotic pathway that limited stem cell proliferation but suppressed B‐cell lymphomagenesis. Our results demonstrate that in mouse models, both p53‐dependent and p53‐independent apoptosis are important to suppressing tumor formation.     

Delta-Notch signaling and lateral inhibition in zebrafish spinal cord development

Background  

Vertebrate neural development requires precise coordination of cell proliferation and cell specification to guide orderly transition of mitotically active precursor cells into different types of post-mitotic neurons and glia. Lateral inhibition, mediated by the Delta-Notch signaling pathway, may provide a mechanism to regulate proliferation and specification in the vertebrate nervous system. We examined delta and notch gene expression in zebrafish embryos and tested the role of lateral inhibition in spinal cord patterning by ablating cells and genetically disrupting Delta-Notch signaling.     

Transforming growth factor-beta1 regulates the fate of cultured spinal cord-derived neural progenitor cells

Abstract. Objectives: We have evaluated the physiological roles of transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) on differentiation, migration, proliferation and anti‐apoptosis characteristics of cultured spinal cord‐derived neural progenitor cells. Methods: We have used neural progenitor cells that had been isolated and cultured from mouse spinal cord tissue, and we also assessed the relevant reaction mechanisms using an activin‐like kinase (ALK)‐specific inhibitory system including an inhibitory RNA, and found that it involved potential signalling molecules such as phosphatidylinositol‐3‐OH kinase (PI3K)/Akt and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK1/2). Results and Conclusions: Transforming growth factor‐β1‐mediated cell population growth was activated after treatment and was also effectively blocked by an ALK41517‐synthetic inhibitor (4‐(5‐benzo(1,3) dioxol‐5‐yl‐4‐pyridine‐2‐yl‐1H‐imidazole‐2‐yl) benzamide (SB431542) and ALK siRNA, thereby indicating the involvement of SMAD2 in the TGF‐β1‐mediated growth and migration of these neural progenitors cells (NPC). In the present study, TGF‐β1 actively induced NPC migration in vitro. Furthermore, TGF‐β1 demonstrated extreme anti‐apoptotic behaviour against hydrogen peroxide‐mediated apoptotic cell death. At low dosages, TGF‐β1 enhanced (by approximately 76%) cell survival against hydrogen peroxide treatment via inactivation of caspase‐3 and ‐9. TGF‐β1‐treated NPCs down‐regulated Bax expression and cytochrome c release; in addition, the cells showed up‐regulated Bcl‐2 and thioredoxin reductase 1. They also had increased p38, Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, showing the involvement of both the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK1/2 pathways in the neuroprotective effects of TGF‐β1. Interestingly, these effects operate on specific subtypes of cells, including neurones, neural progenitor cells and astrocytes in cultured spinal cord tissue‐derived cells. Lesion sites of spinal cord‐overexpressing TGF‐β1‐mediated prevention of cell death, cell growth and migration enhancement activity have been introduced as a possible new basis for therapeutic strategy in treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, including spinal cord injuries.     

Nuclear PTHrP targeting regulates PTHrP secretion and enhances LoVo cell growth and survival

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is expressed by human colon cancer tissue and cell lines; expression correlates with colon carcinoma severity. PTHrP is synthesized as a prepro isoform and contains two targeting sequences — a signal sequence and a nuclear localization signal (NLS). The signal peptide (SP) directs PTHrP to the secretory pathway, where it exerts autocrine/paracrine effects. The NLS directs PTHrP to the nucleus/nucleolus, where it exerts intracrine effects. In this study, we used the human colon cancer cell line LoVo as a model system to study the effects of autocrine/paracrine and intracrine PTHrP action on cell growth and survival, hallmarks of malignant tumor cells. We report that PTHrP increases cell growth and survival, protects cells from serum-starvation-induced apoptosis, and promotes anchorage-independent cell growth via an intracrine pathway. Conversely, autocrine/paracrine PTHrP action decreases cell growth and survival. We also show an inverse relationship between secreted and nuclear PTHrP levels, in that cells overexpressing NLS-deleted PTHrP secrete higher PTHrP levels than those overexpressing the wild-type isoform. Conversely, SP deletion results in higher nuclear PTHrP levels. These observations provide evidence of a link between intracrine PTHrP action and cell growth and survival. Targeting PTHrP production in colon cancer may thus prove therapeutically beneficial.     

Beneficial activity of Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 in the anti‐lymphoma protective response

Aims: To study the anti‐tumour effects of Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 on LBC cells, an aggressive murine T‐cell lymphoma that kills the host in 18 days when is intraperitoneally (i.p.) administrated. Methods and Results: In vitro studies have shown that LBC cell proliferation was inhibited by Ent. faecalis CECT7121 stimulus in a dose‐dependent manner, inducing apoptosis. The production of ceramide was involved in the latter effect. To undertake in vivo studies, syngeneic BALB/c mice pre‐treated i.p. with Ent. faecalis CECT7121 (2·5 × 10⁸ CFU) were challenged i.p. with LBC cells (1·0 × 10⁶ cells) the day after. On day 30 post‐inoculation of LBC cells, 70% of Ent. faecalis CECT7121 pre‐treated mice survived, whereas no survivals were recorded in the control group. A group of surviving mice was re‐challenged with LBC cells, and 89% of them survived. Upon stimulation with irradiated LBC cells, spleen cell proliferation, high IFNγ, IL‐12 and IL‐10 levels were observed in surviving animals. Conclusions: Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 affected multiple factors of the tumour establishment by the following methods: down‐regulating the LBC cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis in these cells; and enhancing the immune response that protects animals from lymphoma challenge and re‐challenge. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study demonstrate that Ent. faecalis CECT7121 has potential as a probiotic that could facilitate the development of novel complements to therapeutic strategies against oncological diseases.     

MiR‐139‐5p,miR‐940 and miR‐193a‐5p inhibit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting SPOCK1

The study was aimed to screen out miRNAs with differential expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to explore the influence of the expressions of these miRNAs and their target gene on HCC cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis. MiRNAs with differential expression in HCC were screened out by microarray analysis. The common target gene of these miRNAs (miR‐139‐5p, miR‐940 and miR‐193a‐5p) was screened out by analysing the target genes profile (acquired from Targetscan) of the three miRNAs. Expression levels of miRNAs and SPOCK1 were determined by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The target relationships were verified by dual luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA pull‐down assay. Through 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2‐H‐tetrazolium bromide,thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and transwell assays and flow cytometry, HCC cell viability, invasion and apoptosis were determined. In vivo experiment was conducted in nude mice to investigate the influence of three miRNAs on tumour growth. Down‐regulation of miR‐139‐5p, miR‐940 and miR‐193a‐5p was found in HCC. Overexpression of these miRNAs suppressed HCC cell viability and invasion, promoted apoptosis and inhibited tumour growth. SPOCK1, the common target gene of miR‐139‐5p, miR‐940 and miR‐193a‐5p, was overexpressed in HCC. SPOCK1 overexpression promoted proliferation and invasion, and restrained apoptosis of HCC cells. MiR‐139‐5p, miR‐940 and miR‐193a‐5p inhibited HCC development through targeting SPOCK1.     

HCMV IE86对恶性胶质瘤细胞凋亡及p53表达活性的影响

人巨细胞病毒(human cytomegalovirus,HCMV)能诱导肿瘤细胞恶性转化且抑制肿瘤细胞凋亡,但HCMV编码的主要即刻早期调控蛋白IE86在这一过程中是否发挥关键作用仍然未知。为探究IE86对基因修饰荷胶质瘤小鼠p53表达水平及恶性胶质瘤细胞凋亡情况的影响,本研究通过PCR技术鉴定基因修饰小鼠IE86表达情况;实时定量PCR技术检测IE86和p53mRNA表达水平变化;免疫组织化学方法检测p53和p21蛋白的表达水平;TUNEL检测肿瘤组织细胞凋亡情况。结果显示,成功构建了IE86基因修饰小鼠模型;与IE86阴性组相比IE86阳性组p53表达水平上升(P0.05),但p21表达水平下降(P0.05);IE86阳性组细胞抗凋亡能力增强(P0.05)。以上结果表明,在基因修饰的小鼠中IE86持续表达但p53转录活性的指示标志p21下调,且IE86可提高恶性胶质瘤细胞抗凋亡能力。     

The effects of parathyroid hormone-related peptide on cardiac angiogenesis,apoptosis, and function in mice with myocardial infarction

It is known that parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) contains a nuclear localization sequence (NLS, 87-107), which, together with its C-terminus (107-139), has been shown to positively regulate vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMCs) proliferation and vascular neointima formation, and inhibit cellular apoptosis. The role of PTHrP in ischemic cardiac diseases remains unclear. In this study, we attempted to determine whether PTHrP 87 to 139 can play a role in promoting cardiac function via enhancing angiogenesis after myocardial infarction (MI) occurred. MI was reproduced in C57BL/6 mice using a coronary artery ligation method. In total, three groups (n = 11 per group) of animals were used, and they were received either PTHrP 87 to 139 (80 µg/kg, treatment group) or saline (MI and Sham group) subcutaneously once a day for 4 weeks after MI. To measure cardiac function, an echocardiography was generated and cardiac tissue was harvested for immunohistological studies 4 weeks after operation. Our results show that, after MI, the cardiac function of the experimental mice was significantly impaired. PTHrP 87 to 139 treatment attenuated cardiac dysfunction in MI mice. Besides, as indicated by decreased heart weight/body weight and lung weight/body weight ratio, PTHrP 87 to 139 attenuated pulmonary congestion and cardiac hypertrophy. Masson staining revealed that PTHrP 87 to 139 attenuated myocardial fibrosis after MI. Also, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining and the expression of cleaved caspase 3 suggested that MI-induced myocytes apotosis was inhibited by PTHrP 87 to 139. In addition to the significantly increased capillary density, PTHrP 87 to 139 treatment also induced p-Akt and several angiogenic factors. In conclusion, PTHrP 87 to 139 treatment preserved cardiac function after MI, and stimulated angiogenesis via upregulating vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in infarct border zone of ischemic myocardium,. These results suggest that PTHrP 87 to 139 is of therapeutic potential for MI.     

PP2A interaction with Rb2/p130 mediates translocation of Rb2/p130 into the nucleus in all‐Trans retinoic acid‐treated ovarian carcinoma cells

One of the mechanisms by which all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been shown to suppress the growth of CAOV3 ovarian carcinoma cells involves an increase in the accumulation of Rb2/p130 protein, a member of the retinoblastoma family of tumor suppressors. This increase in accumulation of RB2/p130 by ATRA results from increased stability of Rb2/p130 protein as a result of an increase in dephosphorylation of the protein by the serine/threonine phosphatase PP2A. We show that upon ATRA treatment, PP2A interacts with the Rb2/p130 C‐terminus and specifically dephosphorylates two residues (S1080 and T1097) adjacent to NLS1 and NLS2 of Rb2/p130. Moreover, co‐immunoprecipitation studies reveal that Rb2/p130 can form a complex with the nuclear transport proteins, importin α and importin β, binding to the same dephosphorylated NLS1 and NLS2 sites. Finally, mutation of S1080 and T1097 results in retension of Rb2/p130 in the cytoplasm. Our studies suggest that one mechanism by which ATRA treatment of CAOV3 cells induces G0/G1 arrest involves the recruitment of PP2A to the C‐terminus of Rb2/p130, resulting in the dephosphorylation of the S1080 and T1097 adjacent to the NLS and the subsequent interaction of Rb2/p130 with importins leading to transport of the Rb2/p130 to the nucleus where it inhibits cell‐cycle progression. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 1027–1034, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Salidroside attenuates neuroinflammation and improves functional recovery after spinal cord injury through microglia polarization regulation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe neurological disease; however, few drugs have been proved to treat SCI effectively. Neuroinflammation is the major pathogenesis of SCI secondary injury and considered to be the therapeutic target of SCI. Salidroside (Sal) has been reported to exert anti‐inflammatory effects in airway, adipose and myocardial tissue; however, the role of Sal in SCI therapeutics has not been clarified. In this study, we showed that Sal could improve the functional recovery of spinal cord in rats as revealed by increased BBB locomotor rating scale, angle of incline, and decreased cavity of spinal cord injury and apoptosis of neurons in vivo. Immunofluorescence double staining of microglia marker and M1/M2 marker demonstrated that Sal could suppress M1 microglia polarization and activate M2 microglia polarization in vivo. To verify how Sal exerts its effects on microglia polarization and neuron protection, we performed the mechanism study in vitro in microglia cell line BV‐2 and neuron cell line PC12. The results showed that Sal prevents apoptosis of PC12 cells in coculture with LPS‐induced M1 BV‐2 microglia, also the inflammatory secretion phenotype of M1 BV‐2 microglia was suppressed by Sal, and further studies demonstrated that autophagic flux regulation through AMPK/mTOR pathway was involved in Sal regulated microglia polarization after SCI. Overall, our study illustrated that Sal could promote spinal cord injury functional recovery in rats, and the mechanism may relate to its microglia polarization modulation through AMPK‐/mTOR‐mediated autophagic flux stimulation.     

miR-31 promotes neural stem cell proliferation and restores motor function after spinal cord injury

This study aims to examine whether miR-31 promotes endogenous NSC proliferation and be used for spinal cord injury management. In the present study, the morpholino knockdown of miR-31 induced abnormal neuronal apoptosis in zebrafish, resulting in impaired development of the tail. miR-31 agomir transfection in NSCs increased Nestin expression and decreased ChAT and GFAP expression levels. miR-31 induced the proliferation of mouse NSCs by upregulating the Notch signaling pathway, and more NSCs entered G1; Notch was inhibited by miR-31 inactivation. Injection of a miR-31 agomir into mouse models of spinal cord injury could effectively restore motor functions after spinal cord injury, which was achieved by promoting the proliferation of endogenous NSCs. After the injection of a miR-31 agomir in spinal cord injury mice, the expression of Nestin and GFAP increased, while GFAP expression decreased. In conclusion, the zebrafish experiments prove that a lack of miR-31 will block nervous system development. In spinal cord injury mouse models, miR-31 overexpression might promote spinal cord injury repair.     

Serine peptidase inhibitor Kazal type I (SPINK1) promotes BRL‐3A cell proliferation via p38, ERK,and JNK pathways

Serine peptidase inhibitor Kazal type I (SPINK1) has the similar spatial structure as epidermal growth factor (EGF); EGF can interact with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to promote proliferation in different cell types. However, whether SPINK1 can interact with EGFR and further regulate the proliferation of hepatocytes in liver regeneration remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of SPINK1 in a rat liver hepatocyte line of BRL‐3A in vitro. The results showed the upregulation of endogenous Spink1 (gene addition) significantly increased not only the cell viability, cell numbers in S and G₂/M phase, but also upregulated the genes/proteins expression related to cell proliferation and anti‐apoptosis in BRL‐3A. In contrast, the cell number in G₁ phase and the expression of pro‐apoptosis‐related genes/proteins were significantly decreased. The similar results were observed when the cells were treated with exogenous rat recombinant SPINK1. Immunoblotting suggested SPINK1 can interact with EGFR. By Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software, the SPINK1 signalling pathway was built; the predicted read outs were validated by qRT‐PCR and western blot; and the results showed that p38, ERK, and JNK pathways‐related genes/proteins were involved in the cell proliferation upon the treatment of endogenous Spink1 and exogenous SPINK1. Collectively, SPINK1 can associate with EGFR to promote the expression of cell proliferation‐related and anti‐apoptosis‐related genes/proteins; inhibit the expression of pro‐apoptosis‐related genes/proteins via p38, ERK, and JNK pathways; and consequently promote the proliferation of BRL‐3A cells. For the first time, we demonstrated that SPINK1 can associate with EGFR to promote the proliferation of BRL‐3A cells via p38, ERK, and JNK pathways. This work has direct implications on the underlying mechanism of SPINK1 in regulating hepatocytes proliferation in vivo and liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy.     

Overexpression of parathyroid hormone-related protein promotes cell growth in the rat intestinal cell line IEC-6

The rat intestinal cell line, IEC-6, was used as a model to study effects of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) on crypt cell growth. Studies showed that addition of PTHrP analogs (1-34), (67-86), or (107-139) to growth medium did not affect proliferation of cells grown in either high (10% Nu-Serum) or low serum (1% Nu-Serum). However, studies on clonal lines of IEC-6 cells stably transfected with PTHrP cDNA and overexpressing PTHrP showed that increased PTHrP production enhanced cell growth and 3H-thymidine incorporation in high, but not low, serum. Additional studies examined the role of the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) of PTHrP in mediating the growth effect. In three clonal IEC-6 lines transfected with PTHrP cDNA bearing a mutated NLS, the ability of PTHrP to stimulate 3H-thymidine incorporation and cell growth was lost. The results suggest that endogenously produced PTHrP can promote proliferation of IEC-6 cells and that the integrity of the NLS of PTHrP is required for its growth effects.     

Increase in the nuclear localization of PTEN by the Toxoplasma GRA16 protein and subsequent induction of p53‐dependent apoptosis and anticancer effect

This study investigated the efficacy of Toxoplasma GRA16, which binds to herpes virus‐associated ubiquitin‐specific protease (HAUSP), in anticancer treatment, and whether the expression of GRA16 in genetically modified hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells (GRA16‐p53‐wild HepG2 and GRA16‐p53‐null Hep3B) regulates PTEN because alterations in phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) and p53 are vital in liver carcinogenesis and the abnormal p53 gene appears in HCC. For this purpose, we established the GRA16 cell lines using the pBABE retrovirus system, assessed the detailed mechanism of PTEN regulation in vitro and established the anticancer effect in xenograft mice. Our study showed that cell proliferation, antiapoptotic factors, p‐AKT/AKT ratio, cell migration and invasive activity were decreased in GRA16‐stable HepG2 cells. Conversely, the apoptotic factors PTEN and p53 and apoptotic cells were elevated in GRA16‐stable HepG2 cells but not in Hep3B cells. The change in MDM2 was inconspicuous in both HepG2 and Hep3B; however, the PTEN level was remarkably elevated in HepG2 but not in Hep3B. HAUSP‐bound GRA16 preferentially increased p53 stabilization by the nuclear localization of PTEN rather than MDM2‐dependent mechanisms. These molecular changes appeared to correlate with the decreased tumour mass in GRA16‐stable‐HepG2 cell‐xenograft nude mice. This study establishes that GRA16 is a HAUSP inhibitor that targets the nuclear localization of PTEN and induces the anticancer effect in a p53‐dependent manner. The efficacy of GRA16 could be newly highlighted in HCC treatment in a p53‐dependent manner.