Differential roles for cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p16 in the mechanisms of senescence and differentiation in human fibroblasts

The irreversible G1 arrest in senescent human diploid fibroblasts is probably caused by inactivation of the G1 cyclin-cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) complexes responsible for phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb). We show that the Cdk inhibitor p21(Sdi1,Cip1,Waf1), which accumulates progressively in aging cells, binds to and inactivates all cyclin E-Cdk2 complexes in senescent cells, whereas in young cells only p21-free Cdk2 complexes are active. Furthermore, the senescent-cell-cycle arrest occurs prior to the accumulation of the Cdk4-Cdk6 inhibitor p16(Ink4a), suggesting that p21 may be sufficient for this event. Accordingly, cyclin D1-associated phosphorylation of pRb at Ser-780 is lacking even in newly senescent fibroblasts that have a low amount of p16. Instead, the cyclin D1-Cdk4 and cyclin D1-Cdk6 complexes in these cells are associated with an increased amount of p21, suggesting that p21 may be responsible for inactivation of both cyclin E- and cyclin D1-associated kinase activity at the early stage of senescence. Moreover, even in the late stage of senescence when p16 is high, cyclin D1-Cdk4 complexes are persistent, albeit reduced by 相似文献   

Retinoic acid-mediated G1 arrest is associated with induction of p27(Kip1) and inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 3 in human lung squamous carcinoma CH27 cells

Retinoids are promising agents for the prevention and treatment of several human malignancies including lung cancer. In this study, the effect of retinoic acid (RA) on cell growth and the mechanism of growth modulation were examined in human lung squamous carcinoma CH27 cells. Here we report that RA mediated the dose- and time-dependent growth arrest in G1 phase, accompanied by the up-regulation of p27(Kip1) and the down-regulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase 3 (Cdk3) and p21(CIP1/Waf1) proteins. Furthermore, RA-induced growth arrest of CH27 cells was also associated with increased retinoic acid receptor beta (RARbeta) and reduced c-Myc expression. However, RA had no effect on the levels of cyclins A, D1, D3, E, or H, or on Cdk2, Cdk4, Cdk5, CDk6, Cdk7, p16(Ink4A), p15(Ink4B), p53, or pRb proteins in CH27 cells. Evaluation of the kinase activity of cyclin-Cdk complexes showed that RA increases p27(Kip1) expression in CH27 cells leading to markedly reduced cyclin A/Cdk2 kinase activity and slightly reduced cyclin E/Cdk2 kinase activity, with no effect on cyclin D/Cdk4 and cyclin D/Cdk6 activities. Moreover, coincident with the decrease in kinase activity was a drastic increase in cyclin A-bound p27(Kip1). These results suggest that increases in the levels of p27(Kip1) and its binding to cyclin A, as well as reduction of Cdk3 protein expression, are strong candidates for the cell cycle regulator that prevents the entry into the S phase in RA-treated CH27 cells, with prolongation of G1 phase and inhibition of DNA synthesis.     

Human papillomavirus type 16 E6 promotes retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation and cell cycle progression

We show that E6 proteins from benign human papillomavirus type 1 (HPV1) and oncogenic HPV16 have the ability to alter the regulation of the G(1)/S transition of the cell cycle in primary human fibroblasts. Overexpression of both viral proteins induces cellular proliferation, retinoblastoma (pRb) phosphorylation, and accumulation of products of genes that are negatively regulated by pRb, such as p16(INK4a), CDC2, E2F-1, and cyclin A. Hyperphosphorylated forms of pRb are present in E6-expressing cells even in the presence of ectopic levels of p16(INK4a). The E6 proteins strongly increased the cyclin A/cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) activity, which is involved in pRb phosphorylation. In addition, mRNA and protein levels of the CDK2 inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1) were strongly down-regulated in cells expressing E6 proteins. The down-regulation of the p21(WAF1/CIP1) gene appears to be independent of p53 inactivation, since HPV1 E6 and an HPV16 E6 mutant unable to target p53 were fully competent in decreasing p21(WAF1/CIP1) levels. E6 from HPV1 and HPV16 also enabled cells to overcome the G(1) arrest imposed by oncogenic ras. Immunofluorescence staining of cells coexpressing ras and E6 from either HPV16 or HPV1 revealed that antiproliferative (p16(INK4a)) and proliferative (Ki67) markers were coexpressed in the same cells. Together, these data underline a novel activity of E6 that is not mediated by inactivation of p53.     

Senescence from G2 arrest,revisited

Senescence was classically defined as an irreversible cell cycle arrest in G1 phase (G1 exit) triggered by eroded telomeres in aged primary cells. The molecular basis of this G1 arrest is thought to be due to a DNA damage response, resulting in accumulation of the cyclin dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitors p21 and p16 that block the inactivating phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor pRb, thereby preventing DNA replication. More than a decade ago, several studies showed that p21 also mediates permanent DNA damage-induced cell cycle arrest in G2 (G2 exit) by inhibiting mitotic Cdk complexes and pRb phosphorylation. The idea that the senescence program can also be launched after G2 arrest has gained support from several recent publications, including evidence for its existence in vivo.     

Complex mechanisms underlying impaired activation of Cdk4 and Cdk2 in replicative senescence: roles of p16, p21, and cyclin D1

Numerous changes in gene expression are known to occur during replicative senescence, including changes in genes involved in the cell cycle control. In the present study, we have found a severe impairment in the activation of Cdk2 and Cdk4 in response to mitogens in senescent human fibroblasts and determined the molecular basis for this. Although Cdk4 protein was constitutively expressed in senescent cells at the same level as in early-passage young cells, it was found to be complexed with a distinct set of Cdk inhibitors. Cdk4 derived from early passage quiescent cells was effectively activated by incubation with cyclin D1 and Cdk-activating kinase (CAK) in vitro, whereas Cdk4 from senescent cells was not. Cdk2 protein was dramatically decreased in senescent cells and complexed primarily with cyclin D1 and p21. This cyclin D1-bound Cdk2 was not activated by CAK either in vivo or in vitro, implicating cyclin D1 as an inhibitor of Cdk2 activation. Thus, one of the underlying molecular events involved in replicative senescence is the impaired activation of Cdk4 and Cdk2 due to increased binding of p16 to Cdk4 and increased association of Cdk2 with cyclin D1 and p21.     

Cooperation between p53 and p130(Rb2) in induction of cellular senescence

To determine pathways cooperating with p53 in cellular senescence when the retinoblastoma protein (pRb)/p16INK4a pathway is defunct, we stably transfected the p16INK4a-negative C6 rat glioma cell line with a temperature-sensitive mutant p53. Activation of p53(Val-135) induces a switch in pocket protein expression from pRb and p107 to p130(Rb2) and stalls the cells in late G1, early S-phase at high levels of cyclin E. Maintenance of the arrest depends on the functions of p130(Rb2) repressing cyclin A. Inactivation of p53 in senescent cultures restores the pocket proteins to initial levels and initiates progression into S-phase, but the cells fail to resume proliferation, likely due to DNA damage becoming apparent in the arrest and activating apoptosis subsequent to the release from p53-dependent growth suppression. The data indicate that p53 can cooperate selectively with p130(Rb2) to induce cellular senescence, a pathway that may be relevant when the pRb/p16INK4a pathway is defunct.     

Fez1/Lzts1 a new mitotic regulator implicated in cancer development

The retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor gene product, pRb, has an established role in the implementation of cellular senescence, the state of irreversible G1 cell cycle arrest provoked by diverse oncogenic stresses. In murine cells, senescence cell cycle arrest can be reversed by subsequent inactivation of pRb, indicating that pRb is required not only for the onset of cellular senescence, but also for the maintenance of senescence program in murine cells. However, in human cells, once pRb is fully activated by p16^INK4a, senescence cell cycle arrest becomes irreversible and is no longer revoked by subsequent inactivation of pRb, suggesting that p16^INK4a/Rb-pathway activates an alternative mechanism to irreversibly block the cell cycle in human senescent cells. Here, we discuss the molecular mechanism underlying the irreversibility of senescence cell cycle arrest and its potential towards tumor suppression.     

Hyper-mitogenic drive coexists with mitotic incompetence in senescent cells

When the cell cycle is arrested, even though growth-promoting pathways such as mTOR are still active, then cells senesce. For example, induction of either p21 or p16 arrests the cell cycle without inhibiting mTOR, which, in turn, converts p21/p16-induced arrest into senescence (geroconversion). Here we show that geroconversion is accompanied by dramatic accumulation of cyclin D1 followed by cyclin E and replicative stress. When p21 was switched off, senescent cells (despite their loss of proliferative potential) progressed through S phase, and levels of cyclins D1 and E dropped. Most cells entered mitosis and then died, either during mitotic arrest or after mitotic slippage, or underwent endoreduplication. Next, we investigated whether inhibition of mTOR would prevent accumulation of cyclins and loss of mitotic competence in p21-arrested cells. Both nutlin-3, which inhibits mTOR in these cells, and rapamycin suppressed geroconversion during p21-induced arrest, decelerated accumulation of cyclins D1 and E and decreased replicative stress. When p21 was switched off, cells successfully progressed through both S phase and mitosis. Also, senescent mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) overexpressed cyclin D1. After release from cell cycle arrest, senescent MEFs entered S phase but could not undergo mitosis and did not proliferate. We conclude that cellular senescence is characterized by futile hyper-mitogenic drive associated with mTOR-dependent mitotic incompetence.     

Restoration of G1/S Arrest in E1A+c-Ha-ras-Transformed Cells by Bcl-2 Overexpression

Here we show that introduction of human bcl-2 gene into E1A+c-Ha-ras-transformed rat embryo fibroblasts, which are highly susceptible to proapoptotic stimuli and fail to be arrested at the G1/S boundary following genotoxic stresses, results not only in inhibition of apoptosis, but also in restoration of the G1/S arrest. Overexpression of Bcl-2 did not affect proliferation rate and saturation density of E1A+c-Ha-ras transformants. Genotoxic stresses caused prolong G1/S arrest in Bcl-2-overexpressing transformants. Remarkably, levels and activities of Cdk2, cyclins E/A, cyclin E-Cdk2 and cyclin A-Cdk2 were unchanged during G1/S arrest. Introduction of Bcl-2 into E1A+c-Ha-ras-transformants resulted in accumulation of p21/Waf-1 without inhibiting cyclin-Cdk complexes. In both parental and Bcl-2-overexpressing cells, p21/Waf-1 was co-immunoprecipitated with ERK 1,2 and JNK 1,2, whereas p38 was found in complexes with p21/Waf-1 only in Bcl-2-overexpressing transformants. JNK 1,2 and p38 but not ERK 1,2 were detected in complexes with the exogenous Bcl-2. However, Bcl-2 did not affect phosphorylation of ERK 1,2, JNK 1,2 and p38. G1/S arrest induced by adriamycin and serum withdrawal (but not by IR) was accompanied by release of active forms of p38 from complexes with Bcl-2. We suggest that Bcl-2 restores stress-induced G1/S arrest without inhibiting cyclin-Cdk2 complexes and MAPK pathways.     

A pure estrogen antagonist inhibits cyclin E-Cdk2 activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and induces accumulation of p130-E2F4 complexes characteristic of quiescence

Estrogen antagonists inhibit cell cycle progression in estrogen-responsive cells, but the molecular mechanisms are not fully defined. Antiestrogen-mediated G(0)/G(1) arrest is associated with decreased cyclin D1 gene expression, inactivation of cyclin D1-cyclin dependent kinase (Cdk) 4 complexes, and decreased phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb). We now show that treatment of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with the pure estrogen antagonist ICI 182780 results in inhibition of cyclin E-Cdk2 activity prior to a decrease in the G(1) to S phase transition. This decrease was dependent on p21(WAF1/Cip1) since treatment with antisense oligonucleotides to p21 attenuated the effect. Recruitment of p21 to cyclin E-Cdk2 complexes was in turn dependent on decreased cyclin D1 expression since it was apparent following treatment with antisense cyclin D1 oligonucleotides. To define where within the G(0) to S phase continuum antiestrogen-treated cells arrested, we assessed the relative abundance and phosphorylation state of pocket protein-E2F complexes. While both pRb and p107 levels were significantly decreased, p130 was increased 4-fold and was accompanied by the formation of p130.E2F4 complexes and the accumulation of hyperphophorylated E2F4, putative markers of cellular quiescence. Thus, ICI 182780 inhibits both cyclin D1-Cdk4 and cyclin E-Cdk2 activity, resulting in the arrest of MCF-7 cells in a state with characteristics of quiescence (G(0)), as opposed to G(1) arrest.     

The specific role of pRb in p16INK4A-mediated arrest of normal and malignant human breast cells

RB family proteins pRb, p107 and p130 have similar structures and overlapping functions, enabling cell cycle arrest and cellular senescence. pRb, but not p107 or p130, is frequently mutated in human malignancies. In human fibroblasts acutely exposed to oncogenic ras, pRb has a specific role in suppressing DNA replication, and p107 or p130 cannot compensate for the loss of this function; however, a second p53/p21-dependent checkpoint prevents escape from growth arrest. This model of oncogene-induced senescence requires the additional loss of p53/p21 to explain selection for preferential loss of pRb function in human malignancies. We asked whether similar rules apply to the role of pRb in growth arrest of human epithelial cells, the source of most cancers. In two malignant human breast cancer cell lines, we found that individual RB family proteins were sufficient for the establishment of p16-initiated senescence, and that growth arrest in G₁ was not dependent on the presence of functional pRb or p53. However, senescence induction by endogenous p16 was delayed in primary normal human mammary epithelial cells with reduced pRb but not with reduced p107 or p130. Thus, under these circumstances, despite the presence of functional p53, p107 and p130 were unable to completely compensate for pRb in mediating senescence induction. We propose that early inactivation of pRb in pre-malignant breast cells can, by itself, extend proliferative lifespan, allowing acquisition of additional changes necessary for malignant transformation.     

Nuclear Accumulation of p21Cip1 at the Onset of Mitosis: a Role at the G2/M-Phase Transition

Cell cycle arrest in G₁ in response to ionizing radiation or senescence is believed to be provoked by inactivation of G₁ cyclin-cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) by the Cdk inhibitor p21^{Cip1/Waf1/Sdi1}. We provide evidence that in addition to exerting negative control of the G₁/S phase transition, p21 may play a role at the onset of mitosis. In nontransformed fibroblasts, p21 transiently reaccumulates in the nucleus near the G₂/M-phase boundary, concomitant with cyclin B1 nuclear translocation, and associates with a fraction of cyclin A-Cdk and cyclin B1-Cdk complexes. Premitotic nuclear accumulation of cyclin B1 is not detectable in cells with low p21 levels, such as fibroblasts expressing the viral human papillomavirus type 16 E6 oncoprotein, which functionally inactivates p53, or in tumor-derived cells. Moreover, synchronized E6-expressing fibroblasts show accelerated entry into mitosis compared to wild-type cells and exhibit higher cyclin A- and cyclin B1-associated kinase activities. Finally, primary embryonic fibroblasts derived from p21^−/− mice have significantly reduced numbers of premitotic cells with nuclear cyclin B1. These data suggest that p21 promotes a transient pause late in G₂ that may contribute to the implementation of late cell cycle checkpoint controls.     

The specific role of pRb in p16INK4A-mediated arrest of normal and malignant human breast cells

RB family proteins pRb, p107 and p130 have similar structures and overlapping functions, enabling cell cycle arrest and cellular senescence. pRb, but not p107 or p130, is frequently mutated in human malignancies. In human fibroblasts acutely exposed to oncogenic ras, pRb has a specific role in suppressing DNA replication, and p107 or p130 cannot compensate for the loss of this function; however, a second p53/p21-dependent checkpoint prevents escape from growth arrest. This model of oncogene-induced senescence requires the additional loss of p53/p21 to explain selection for preferential loss of pRb function in human malignancies. We asked whether similar rules apply to the role of pRb in growth arrest of human epithelial cells, the source of most cancers. In two malignant human breast cancer cell lines, we found that individual RB family proteins were sufficient for the establishment of p16-initiated senescence, and that growth arrest in G₁ was not dependent on the presence of functional pRb or p53. However, senescence induction by endogenous p16 was delayed in primary normal human mammary epithelial cells with reduced pRb but not with reduced p107 or p130. Thus, under these circumstances, despite the presence of functional p53, p107 and p130 were unable to completely compensate for pRb in mediating senescence induction. We propose that early inactivation of pRb in pre-malignant breast cells can, by itself, extend proliferative lifespan, allowing acquisition of additional changes necessary for malignant transformation.Key words: breast cancer, senescence, retinoblastoma, p130, p107     

Non-malignant and tumor-derived cells differ in their requirement for p27Kip1 in transforming growth factor-beta-mediated G1 arrest

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) induces G(1) arrest in susceptible cells by multiple mechanisms that inhibit the G(1) cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), including Cdk2, Cdk4, and Cdk6. TGF-beta treatment of early passage finite lifespan human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) led to an accumulation of p27(Kip1) in cyclin E1-Cdk2 complexes and kinase inhibition. The requirement for p27 in the G(1) arrest by TGF-beta was assessed by transfection of antisense p27 (ASp27) oligonucleotides into TGF-beta-treated HMECs. Despite a reduction in total and cyclin E-Cdk2 bound p27 after ASp27 transfection, HMECs remained arrested in the G(1) phase. Maintenance of the G(1) arrest was accompanied by increased association of the Cdk inhibitor p21(WAF-1/Cip-1) and the retinoblastoma family member p130(Rb2) in cyclin E1-Cdk2 complexes along with kinase inhibition. In contrast to the findings in HMECs, p27 was essential for G(1) arrest by TGF-beta in two tumor-derived lines. ASp27 transfection into two TGF-beta-responsive, cancer-derived lines was not associated with increased compensatory binding of p21 and p130 to cyclin E1-Cdk2, and these cell lines failed to maintain G(1) arrest despite the continued presence of TGF-beta. Progressive cell cycle deregulation leading to impaired checkpoint controls during malignant tumor progression may alter the role of p27 from a redundant to an essential inhibitor of G(1)-to-S phase progression.     

Extension of replicative lifespan in WI-38 human fibroblasts by dexamethasone treatment is accompanied by suppression of p21 Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 levels

Numerous studies have shown that supplementation of the growth medium of human fibroblasts with dexamethasone at physiologic concentrations extends replicative lifespan up to 30%. While this extension of lifespan has been used to probe various aspects of the senescent phenotype, no mechanism for the increased lifespan of human fibroblasts grown in the presence of dexamethasone has ever been identified. In the present study we present evidence that the extended lifespan of human lung fibroblasts (WI-38 cells) that occurs when these cells are maintained in culture medium supplemented with dexamethasone is accompanied by a suppression of p21(Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1) levels, which normally increase as these cells enter senescence, while p16(INK4a) levels are unaffected. These results suggest that the delay of senescence in cultures grown in the presence of dexamethasone is due to a suppression of the senescence related increase in p21(Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1). These results are consistent with models of replicative senescence in which p53 and p21(Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1) play a role in the establishment of the senescent arrest.     

p21-Mediated nuclear retention of cyclin B1-Cdk1 in response to genotoxic stress

G2 arrest of cells suffering DNA damage in S phase is crucial to avoid their entry into mitosis, with the concomitant risks of oncogenic transformation. According to the current model, signals elicited by DNA damage prevent mitosis by inhibiting both activation and nuclear import of cyclin B1-Cdk1, a master mitotic regulator. We now show that normal human fibroblasts use additional mechanisms to block activation of cyclin B1-Cdk1. In these cells, exposure to nonrepairable DNA damage leads to nuclear accumulation of inactive cyclin B1-Cdk1 complexes. This nuclear retention, which strictly depends on association with endogenous p21, prevents activation of cyclin B1-Cdk1 by Cdc25 and Cdk-activating kinase as well as its recruitment to the centrosome. In p21-deficient normal human fibroblasts and immortal cell lines, cyclin B1 fails to accumulate in the nucleus and could be readily detected at the centrosome in response to DNA damage. Therefore, in normal cells, p21 exerts a dual role in mediating DNA damage-induced cell cycle arrest and exit before mitosis. In addition to blocking pRb phosphorylation, p21 directly prevents mitosis by inactivating and maintaining the inactive state of mitotic cyclin-Cdk complexes. This, with subsequent degradation of mitotic cyclins, further contributes to the establishment of a permanent G2 arrest.     

pRb inactivation in senescent cells leads to an E2F-dependent apoptosis requiring p73

Senescent cells in which pRb is inactivated undergo apoptosis on attempted reinitiation of DNA synthesis. To further explore the cell death resulting from loss of pRb function in senescent cells, we employed a temperature-sensitive pRb mutant protein (tspRb). We found that tspRb inactivation results in rapid E2F reactivation and subsequent S-phase reentry associated with the up-regulation of E2F target gene expression and cyclin E-dependent kinase activity. Total inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 activity results in a cell cycle arrest on pRb loss and a nearly complete suppression of apoptosis. Furthermore, blocking of E2F activity with a dominant-negative DP1 inhibits S-phase reentry and cell death following tspRb inactivation. Finally, inhibition of p73 activity abolishes apoptosis but not S-phase entry on pRb inactivation, suggesting that activation of E2F in senescent cells can result in the use of p73 as a cell death effector. Interestingly, senescent cells rescued from apoptosis maintain their altered shape and express senescence-associated beta-galactosidase despite loss of pRb function. Thus, maintenance of the terminal cell cycle arrest of senescent cells requires continuous pRb-mediated inactivation of E2F activity, the reappearance of which in these irrevocably altered cells triggers a cell death program instead of an inappropriate resumption of cell cycling.     

Transfection with the E1A and E1B-19kDa oncogenes does not prevent rat embryo fibroblasts from cell cycle arrest after gamma-radiation

Introduction of the E1A early region of the human adenovirus type 5 impairs the ability of mammalian cells to arrest the cell cycle at G1/S after damage. Two-parameter fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS) with iododeoxyuridine revealed the radiation-induced G1/S arrest in rat embryo fibroblasts transformed with the complementing E1A + E1B-19 kDa oncogenes. This was due to selective inhibition of CycIE/Cdk2-associated kinase activity, while activities of type 2 kinase and of CyclA/Cdk2 complexes remained unchanged. The inhibitor of G1-phase cyclin kinases, p21/Waf1, was accumulated and interacted with target kinases both in normal and in transformed cells after irradiation. As shown by immunoprecipitation, p21/Waf1 formed complexes with the E1A on coproducts in the transformants, which possibly accounted for its functional inactivation. Kinase modification in cyclin-kinase complexes was assumed to play a key role in regulation of cyclin-dependent kinases in the transformants with inactivated p21/Waf1.