Differential regulation of cyclin D1 and D2 in protecting against cardiomyocyte proliferation

Cardiomyocytes withdraw from cell cycle after terminal differentiation due in part to impaired nuclear import of cyclin D1. Thus, we have previously shown that expression of nuclear localization signal-tagged cyclin D1 (D1NLS) and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Here we show that cyclin D2 fails to stimulate cell cycle in cardiomocytes through a mechanism distinct from that of cyclin D1. We demonstrate that cyclin D2 can express in the nucleus much more efficiently than cyclin D1. Cyclin D2, however, was much less effective in activating CDK2 and cell proliferation than cyclin D1 when expressed transiently in the nucleus of cardiomyocytes using nuclear localization signals. Consistent with such an observation, CDK inhibitors p21cip1 and p27kip1 remained bound to CDK2 in cells expressing cyclin D2, whereas p21 and p27 were sequestered to cyclin D1 in cells expressing D1NLS. These data suggest that cyclin D2 has weaker affinities to the CDK inhibitors and therefore is less efficient in activating cell cycle than cyclin D1. According to such a notion, double knockdown of p21 and p27 in cells expressing D2NLS induced activation of CDK2/CDC2 and BrdU incorporation to levels similar to those in cells expressing D1NLS. Taken together, our data suggest that distinct mechanisms keep cyclin D1 and cyclin D2 from activating cell cycle in terminally differentiated cardiomyocytes.     

Cooperation of p27(Kip1) and p18(INK4c) in progestin-mediated cell cycle arrest in T-47D breast cancer cells

The steroid hormone progesterone regulates proliferation and differentiation in the mammary gland and uterus by cell cycle phase-specific actions. The long-term effect of progestins on T-47D breast cancer cells is inhibition of cellular proliferation. This is accompanied by decreased G(1) cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activities, redistribution of the CDK inhibitor p27(Kip1) among these CDK complexes, and alterations in the elution profile of cyclin E-Cdk2 upon gel filtration chromatography, such that high-molecular-weight complexes predominate. This study aimed to determine the relative contribution of CDK inhibitors to these events. Following progestin treatment, the majority of cyclin E- and D-CDK complexes were bound to p27(Kip1) and few were bound to p21(Cip1). In vitro, recombinant His(6)-p27 could quantitatively reproduce the effects on cyclin E-Cdk2 kinase activity and the shift in molecular weight observed following progestin treatment. In contrast, cyclin D-Cdk4 was not inhibited by His(6)-p27 in vitro or p27(Kip1) in vivo. However, an increase in the expression of the Cdk4/6 inhibitor p18(INK4c) and its extensive association with Cdk4 and Cdk6 were apparent following progestin treatment. Recombinant p18(INK4c) led to the reassortment of cyclin-CDK-CDK inhibitor complexes in vitro, with consequent decrease in cyclin E-Cdk2 activity. These results suggest a concerted model of progestin action whereby p27(Kip1) and p18(INK4c) cooperate to inhibit cyclin E-Cdk2 and Cdk4. Since similar models have been developed for growth inhibition by transforming growth factor beta and during adipogenesis, interaction between the Cip/Kip and INK4 families of inhibitors may be a common theme in physiological growth arrest and differentiation.     

Expression of constitutively active 4EBP-1 enhances p27<Superscript>Kip1</Superscript> expression and inhibits proliferation of MCF7 breast cancer cells

BACKGROUND: Eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is essential for cap-dependent initiation of translation. Cell proliferation is associated with increased activity of eIF4E and elevated expression of eIF4E leads to tumorigenic transformation. Many tumors express very high levels of eIF4E and this may be a critical factor in progression of the disease. In contrast, overexpression of 4EBP, an inhibitor of eIF4E, leads to cell cycle arrest and phenotypic reversion of some transformed cells. RESULTS: A constitutively active form of 4EBP-1 was inducibly expressed in the human breast cancer cell line MCF7. Induction of constitutively active 4EBP-1 led to cell cycle arrest. This was not associated with a general inhibition of protein synthesis but rather with changes in specific cell cycle regulatory proteins. Cyclin D1 was downregulated while levels of the CDK inhibitor p27Kip1 were increased. The levels of cyclin E and CDK2 were unaffected but the activity of CDK2 was significantly reduced due to increased association with p27Kip1. The increase in p27Kip1 did not reflect changes in p27Kip1 mRNA or degradation rates. Rather, it was associated with enhanced synthesis of the protein, even though 4EBP-1 is expected to inhibit translation. This could be explained, at least in part, by the ability of the p27Kip1 5'-UTR to mediate cap-independent translation, which was also enhanced by expression of constitutively active 4EBP-1. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of active 4EBP-1 in MCF7 leads to cell cycle arrest which is associated with downregulation of cyclin D1 and upregulation of p27Kip1. Upregulation of p27Kip1reflects increased synthesis which corresponds to enhanced cap-independent translation through the 5'-UTR of the p27Kip1 mRNA.     

FTY720 induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of rat glomerular mesangial cells

The present study aimed to examine the effect of FTY720, a new immunosuppressive agent, on the proliferation and apoptosis of glomerular mesangial cells (GMC), and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Cultured rat GMC were treated by FTY720, and the cell viability, apoptosis and cell cycle progression were examined. Furthermore, cell cycle related gene expression profile was analyzed by cDNA microarray, and the protein expression of cell cycle related genes as well as Bax and Bcl-2 were examined by Western blot. The results showed that FTY720 inhibited GMC proliferation and induced apoptosis of GMC in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and induced G(1) phase cell cycle arrest in GMC in a dose-dependent manner as well. cDNA microarray analysis revealed that FTY720 regulated the expression of cell cycle-related gene. Western blot analysis showed that FTY720 induced the downregulation of cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK2, CDK4, Bcl-2 and E2F1 and the upregulation of Kip1/p27, Cip1/p21, Bax and Rb in GMC in a dose-dependent manner. These results demonstrated that FTY720 could inhibit the proliferation of GMC through inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, probably via the regulation of the expression of cell cycle-related genes and Bax/Bcl-2.     

Proliferation of intimal smooth muscle cells. Attenuation of basic fibroblast growth factor 2-stimulated proliferation is associated with increased expression of cell cycle inhibitors

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) is a potent mitogen for medial smooth muscle cells and is necessary for their proliferation after balloon catheter injury; however, intimal smooth muscle cells do not require FGF2 for their proliferation, and they respond only weakly to exogenous FGF2. The present study examined the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling as well as the expression and activity of cell cycle proteins in FGF2-stimulated intimal smooth muscle cells. FGF2 activates ERKs 1 and 2, and Western blot analysis showed that cyclin D, cyclin E, and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDKs) 2 and 4 were expressed in intimal smooth muscle cells after FGF2 infusion. FGF2 stimulation, however, did not lead to phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb), CDK 2 activation, or expression of cyclin A. Western blot analysis showed that intimal smooth muscle cells express elevated levels of the cell cycle inhibitors p15(INK4b) and p27(Kip1), compared with medial smooth muscle cells, and that FGF2 stimulation does not reduce the level of these inhibitors. These studies suggest that despite activation of ERKs 1 and 2 and expression of the cell cycle activators, cyclin D and cyclin E, high levels of cell cycle inhibitors may inhibit cell cycle transit in FGF2-stimulated intimal smooth muscle cells.     

CDK inhibitors,p21 and p27, participate in cell cycle exit of mammalian cardiomyocytes

Mammalian cardiomyocytes actively proliferate during embryonic stages, following which cardiomyocytes exit their cell cycle after birth. The irreversible cell cycle exit inhibits cardiac regeneration by the proliferation of pre-existing cardiomyocytes. Exactly how the cell cycle exit occurs remains largely unknown. Previously, we showed that cyclin E- and cyclin A-CDK activities are inhibited before the CDKs levels decrease in postnatal stages. This result suggests that factors such as CDK inhibitors (CKIs) inhibit CDK activities, and contribute to the cell cycle exit. In the present study, we focused on a Cip/Kip family, which can inhibit cyclin E- and cyclin A-CDK activities. Expression of p21^Cip1 and p27^Kip1 but not p57^Kip2 showed a peak around postnatal day 5, when cyclin E- and cyclin A-CDK activities start to decrease. p21^Cip1 and p27^Kip1 bound to cyclin E, cyclin A and CDK2 at postnatal stages. Cell cycle distribution patterns of postnatal cardiomyocytes in p21^Cip1 and p27^Kip1 knockout mice showed failure in the cell cycle exit at G1-phase, and endoreplication. These results indicate that p21^Cip1 and p27^Kip play important roles in the cell cycle exit of postnatal cardiomyocytes.     

Involvement of p27Kip1 in the G1- and S/G2-phase lengthening mediated by glucocorticoids in normal human lymphocytes.

Glucocorticoids inhibit cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle lengthening. In this report, we have analyzed, in normal peripheral blood lymphocytes, the involvement of p27Kip1 in this slowing of proliferation. Following dexamethasone (DXM) treatment, p27Kip1 expression and regulation varied differently with the level of lymphocyte stimulation. In quiescent cells, DXM inhibited p27Kip1 protein expression by decreasing its rate of synthesis, whereas its half-life and mRNA steady state remained constant. In contrast, in stimulated lymphocytes, DXM increased p27Kip1 expression by enhancing its mRNA steady state. This increase is not only a consequence of the DXM-induced interleukin 2 inhibition: we also found an increase in p27Kip1 mRNA stability that was not observed in quiescent lymphocytes. Cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) complexes immunoprecipitated with p27Kip1 are differentially modified by DXM addition: (a) G1 kinasic complexes (cyclin D/CDK4 or CDK6) associated with p27Kip1 are strongly decreased by DXM, (b) S-phase complexes (CDK2/cyclin E and A) remained stable or increased, and (c) the association of p27Kip1 with the phosphorylated forms of CDK1 is increased by DXM. In addition, CDK2 kinase activity was decreased in DXM-treated cells: we suggest that p27Kip1 might participate in inhibiting its catalytic activity. These results indicated that, in normal lymphoid cells, p27Kip1 may be involved in DXM antiproliferative effects. The increase of p27Kip1 expression and a decrease in G1 mitogenic factors, together with the redistribution of p27Kip1 to S/G2-M regulatory complexes, may explain the lengthening of G1 and S/G2 after DXM treatment in lymphocytes.     

Oncostatin M induces growth arrest of skeletal muscle cells in G1 phase by regulating cyclin D1 protein level

Oncostatin M (OSM), an IL-6 family cytokine, either inhibits or enhances the growth of cells depending on cell type. Here, we report that OSM inhibits proliferation of skeletal muscle cells by blocking cell cycle progression from G(1) to S phase. OSM treatment significantly reduced levels of cyclin D1 protein and phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (Rb) at Ser-795, a CDK4-specific phosphorylation site. The OSM-induced cyclin D1 reduction correlated with decreased amount of the cyclin D1/p27 Kip1 complex and increased amounts of the CDK2/p27 Kip1 complex, resulting in inhibition of CDK2 activity. Results obtained with lactacystin, a proteasome inhibitor, demonstrated that cyclin D1 reduction occurred through ubiquitin/proteasome proteolysis. In addition, activation of STAT3, but not STAT1, is likely to regulate OSM-induced cyclin D1 reduction. Dominant negative (DN)-STAT3 blocked OSM-induced cyclin D1 reduction, and constitutively active-STAT3 also induced cyclin D1 reduction. These results suggest that OSM arrests skeletal muscle cell growth at the G1/S checkpoint and that this response occurs by an ubiquitin/proteasome-dependent cyclin D1 protein reduction which is regulated by STAT3.     

Cyclin D1 overexpression induces progestin resistance in T-47D breast cancer cells despite p27(Kip1) association with cyclin E-Cdk2

Long-term growth inhibition, arrest in G(1) phase and reduced activity of both cyclin D1-Cdk4 and cyclin E-Cdk2 are elicited by progestin treatment of breast cancer cells in culture. Decreased cyclin expression, induction of p18(INK4c) and increased association of the CDK inhibitors p21(WAF1/Cip1) and p27(Kip1) with cyclin E-Cdk2 have been implicated in these responses. To determine the role of decreased cyclin expression, T-47D human breast cancer cells constitutively expressing cyclin D1 or cyclin E were treated with the progestin ORG 2058. Overexpression of cyclin E had only a modest effect on growth inhibition. Although cyclin E expression was maintained during progestin treatment, cyclin E-Cdk2 activity decreased by approximately 60%. This was accompanied by p27(Kip1) association with cyclin E-Cdk2, indicating that both cyclin E down-regulation and p27(Kip1) recruitment contribute to the decrease in activity. In contrast, overexpression of cyclin D1 induced progestin resistance and cell proliferation continued despite decreased cyclin E-Cdk2 activity. Progestin treatment of cyclin D1-overexpressing cells was associated with increased p27(Kip1) association with cyclin E-Cdk2. Thus the ability of cyclin D1 to confer progestin resistance does not depend on sequestration of p27(Kip1) away from cyclin E-Cdk2, providing evidence for a critical function of cyclin D1 other than as a high-capacity "sink" for p27(Kip1). These data indicate that regulation of cyclin D1 is a critical element of progestin inhibition in breast cancer cells and suggest that breast cancers overexpressing cyclin D1 may respond poorly to progestin therapy.     

The p21(Cip1) and p27(Kip1) CDK 'inhibitors' are essential activators of cyclin D-dependent kinases in murine fibroblasts

The widely prevailing view that the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs) are solely negative regulators of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) is challenged here by observations that normal up-regulation of cyclin D- CDK4 in mitogen-stimulated fibroblasts depends redundantly upon p21(Cip1) and p27(Kip1). Primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts that lack genes encoding both p21 and p27 fail to assemble detectable amounts of cyclin D-CDK complexes, express cyclin D proteins at much reduced levels, and are unable to efficiently direct cyclin D proteins to the cell nucleus. Restoration of CKI function reverses all three defects and thereby restores cyclin D activity to normal physiological levels. In the absence of both CKIs, the severe reduction in cyclin D-dependent kinase activity was well tolerated and had no overt effects on the cell cycle.     

Attenuation of cell cycle regulator p27<Superscript>Kip1</Superscript> expression in vertebrate epithelial cells mediated by extracellular signals in vivo and in vitro

Cell cycle arrest in potentially dividing cells is often mediated by inhibitors of G1/S-phase cyclin-dependent kinases. The cyclin E/CDK2-inhibitor p27^Kip1 has been implicated in this context in epithelial cells. We cloned and sequenced p27^Kip1 of ducklings (Anas platyrhynchos) and used an in vitro assay system to study the mechanism of p27^Kip1 downregulation in the nasal gland which precedes an increase in proliferation rate upon initial exposure of the animals to osmotic stress. Western blot studies revealed that p27^Kip1 is downregulated during 24 h of osmotic stress in ducklings with the steepest decline in protein levels between 5 and 8 h. As indicated by the results of Northern blot and semi-quantitative PCR studies, protein downregulation is not accompanied by similar changes in mRNA levels indicating that Kip1 is regulated mainly at the translational (synthesis) or posttranslational level (degradation). Using recombinant duck Kip1 protein expressed in E. coli, we showed that Kip1 is subject to polyubiquitinylation by cytosolic enzymes from nasal gland cells indicating that loss of Kip1 may be regulated, at least in part, by acceleration of protein degradation. In cultured nasal gland tissue, attenuation of Kip1 expression could be induced by activation of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor indicating that mAChR-receptor signalling may play a role in the re-entry of quiescent gland cells into the cell cycle.     

TGF-beta induced G(1) cell cycle arrest requires the activity of the proteasome pathway. Transforming growth factor

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) induces a potent G(1)/S-phase cell cycle arrest of epithelial cells by inhibiting the activities of cyclin D- and cyclin E-associated kinase complexes. Downregulation of the kinase activities is mediated by induction of cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p15(Ink4b) which blocks CDK4 and CDK6 kinases and leads to binding of p27(Kip1) to CDK2-cyclin E complex. Levels of several of these factors are controlled by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. We demonstrate here that proteasomal inhibitors release the cells from TGF-beta imposed G(1)-phase arrest and instigate the entry of the cells into S-phase. Proteasomal inhibitors are shown to specifically increase the activity of the cyclin D-kinase complex by increasing the levels of p27(Kip1) and cyclin D and by maintaining CDK4/6 protein levels leading to phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein without increasing cyclin E-associated kinase activity. The results indicate caution in the potential therapeutic use of the proteasome inhibitors due to unscheduled initiation of DNA replication in the presence of a physiological growth inhibitor.     

BCR-ABL and interleukin 3 promote haematopoietic cell proliferation and survival through modulation of cyclin D2 and p27Kip1 expression

Although it is evident that BCR-ABL can rescue cytokine-deprived hematopoietic progenitor cells from cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, the exact mechanism of action of BCR/ABL and interleukin (IL)-3 to promote proliferation and survival has not been established. Using the pro-B cell line BaF3 and a BaF3 cell line stably overexpressing BCR-ABL (BaF3-p210), we investigated the proliferative signals derived from BCR-ABL and IL-3. The results indicate that both IL-3 and BCR-ABL target the expression of cyclin Ds and down-regulation of p27(Kip1) to mediate pRB-related pocket protein phosphorylation, E2F activation, and thus S phase progression. These findings were further confirmed in a BaF3 cell line (TonB.210) where the BCR-ABL expression is inducible by doxycyclin and by using the drug STI571 to inactivate BCR-ABL activity in BaF3-p210. To establish the functional significance of cyclin D2 and p27(Kip1) expression in response to IL-3 and BCR-ABL expression, we studied the effects of ectopic expression of cyclin D2 and p27(Kip1) on cell proliferation and survival. Our results demonstrate that both cyclin D2 and p27(Kip1) have a role in BaF3 cell proliferation and survival, as ectopic expression of cyclin D2 is sufficient to abolish the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by IL-3 withdrawal or by BCR-ABL inactivation, while overexpression of p27(Kip1) can cause cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the BaF3 cells. Furthermore, our data also suggest that cyclin D2 functions upstream of p27(Kip1), cyclin E, and cyclin D3, and therefore, plays an essential part in integrating the signals from IL-3 and BCR-ABL with the pRB/E2F pathway.     

A preliminary study: the anti-proliferation effect of salidroside on different human cancer cell lines

Salidroside (p-hydroxyphenethyl-beta-d-glucoside), which is present in all species of the genus Rhodiola, has been reported to have a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties. The present study, for the first time, focused on evaluating the effects of the purified salidroside on the proliferation of various human cancer cell lines derived from different tissues, and further investigating its possible molecular mechanisms. Cell viability assay and [³H] thymidine incorporation were used to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of salidroside on cancer cell lines, and flow cytometry analyzed the change of cell cycle distribution induced by salidroside. Western immunoblotting further studied the expression changes of cyclins (cyclin D1 and cyclin B1), cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK4 and Cdc2), and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (p21^Cip1 and p27^Kip1). The results showed that salidroside inhibited the growth of various human cancer cell lines in concentration- and time-dependent manners, and the sensitivity to salidroside was different in those cancer cell lines. Salidroside could cause G1-phase or G2-phase arrest in different cancer cell lines, meanwhile, salidroside resulted in a decrease of CDK4, cyclin D1, cyclin B1 and Cdc2, and upregulated the levels of p27^Kip1 and p21^Cip1. Taken together, salidroside could inhibit the growth of cancer cells by modulating CDK4-cyclin D1 pathway for G1-phase arrest and/or modulating the Cdc2-cyclin B1 pathway for G2-phase arrest.     

The role of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 in anti-HER2 antibody-induced G1 cell cycle arrest and tumor growth inhibition

Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p27Kip1 binds to the cyclin E.CDK2 complex and plays a major role in controlling cell cycle and cell growth. Our group and others have reported that anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies exert inhibitory effects on HER2-overexpressing breast cancers through G1 cell cycle arrest associated with induction of p27Kip1 and reduction of CDK2. The role of p27Kip1 in anti-HER2 antibody-induced cell cycle arrest and growth inhibition is, however, still uncertain. Here we have provided several lines of evidence supporting a critical role for p27Kip1 in the anti-HER2 antibody-induced G1 cell cycle arrest and tumor growth inhibition. Induction of p27Kip1 and G1 growth arrest by anti-HER2 antibody, murine 4D5, or humanized trastuzumab (Herceptin) are concentration-dependent, time-dependent, irreversible, and long-lasting. The magnitude of G1 cell cycle arrest induced by trastuzumab or 4D5 is well correlated with the level of p27Kip1 protein induced. Up-regulation of p27Kip1 and G1 growth arrest could no longer be removed with as little as 14 h of treatment with trastuzumab. Anti-HER2 antibody-induced p27Kip1 protein, G1 arrest, and growth inhibition persist at least 5 days after a single treatment. The magnitude of growth inhibition of breast cancer cells induced by anti-HER2 antibody closely parallels the level of p27Kip1 induced. Induced expression of exogenous p27Kip1 results in a p27Kip1 level-dependent G1 cell cycle arrest and growth inhibition similar to that obtained with anti-HER2 antibodies. Reducing p27Kip1 expression using p27Kip1 small interfering RNA blocks anti-HER2 antibody-induced p27Kip1 up-regulation and G1 arrest. Treatment with anti-HER2 antibody significantly increases the half-life of p27Kip1 protein. Inhibition of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, but not inhibition of calpain and caspase activities, up-regulates p27Kip1 protein to a degree comparable with that obtained with anti-HER2 antibodies. We have further demonstrated that anti-HER2 antibody significantly decreases threonine phosphorylation of p27Kip1 protein at position 187 (Thr-187) and increases serine phosphorylation of p27Kip1 protein at position 10 (Ser-10). Expression of S10A and T187A mutant p27Kip1 protein increases the fraction of cells in G1 and reduces a further antibody-induced G1 arrest. Consequently, p27Kip1 plays an important role in the anti-HER2 antibody-induced G1 cell cycle arrest and tumor growth inhibition through post-translational regulation. Regulation of the phosphorylation of p27Kip1 protein is one of the post-translational mechanisms by which anti-HER2 antibody upregulates the protein.     

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor fluvastatin prevents angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy via Rho kinase and inhibition of cyclin D1

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, so called statins, decrease cardiac events. Previous studies have shown that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors inhibit cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo by blocking Rho isoprenylation. We have shown that the G1 cell cycle regulatory proteins cyclin D1 and Cdk4 play important roles in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. However, the relation between Rho and cyclin D1 in cardiomyocyte is unknown. To investigate whether HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors prevent cardiac hypertrophy through attenuation of Rho and cyclin D1, we studied the effect of fluvastatin on angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo. Angiotensin II increased the cell surface area and [(3)H]leucine uptake of cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and these changes were suppressed by fluvastatin treatment. Angiotensin II also induced activation of Rho kinase and increased cyclin D1, both of which were also significantly suppressed by fluvastatin. Specific Rho kinase inhibitor, Y-27632 inhibited angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and increased cyclin D1. Overexpression of cyclin D1 by adenoviral gene transfer induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, as evidenced by increased cell size and increased protein synthesis; this hypertrophy was not diminished by concomitant treatment with fluvastatin. Infusion of angiotensin II to Wistar rats for 2 weeks induced hypertrophic changes in cardiomyocytes, and this hypertrophy was prevented by oral fluvastatin treatment. These results show that an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, fluvastatin, prevents angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in part through inhibition of cyclin D1, which is linked to Rho kinase. This novel mechanism discovered for fluvastatin could be revealed how HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are preventing cardiac hypertrophy.     

p53 and Mdm2 act synergistically to maintain cardiac homeostasis and mediate cardiomyocyte cell cycle arrest through a network of microRNAs

Defining the roadblocks responsible for cell cycle arrest in adult cardiomyocytes lies at the core of developing cardiac regenerative therapies. p53 and Mdm2 are crucial mediators of cell cycle arrest in proliferative cell types, however, little is known about their function in regulating homeostasis and proliferation in terminally differentiated cell types, like cardiomyocytes. To explore this, we generated a cardiac-specific conditional deletion of p53 and Mdm2 (DKO) in adult mice. Herein we describe the development of a dilated cardiomyopathy, in the absence of cardiac hypertrophy. In addition, DKO hearts exhibited a significant increase in cardiomyocyte proliferation. Further evaluation showed that proliferation was mediated by a significant increase in Cdk2 and cyclin E with downregulation of p21^Cip1 and p27^Kip1. Comparison of miRNA expression profiles from DKO mouse hearts and controls revealed 11 miRNAs that were downregulated in the DKO hearts and enriched for mRNA targets involved in cell cycle regulation. Knockdown of these miRNAs in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes significantly increased cytokinesis with an upregulation in the expression of crucial cell cycle regulators. These results illustrate the importance of the cooperative activities of p53 and Mdm2 in a network of miRNAs that function to impose a barrier against aberrant cardiomyocyte cell cycle re-entry to maintain cardiac homeostasis.     

Protein kinase Cdelta inhibition of S-phase transition in capillary endothelial cells involves the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1).

Distinct protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms differentially regulate cellular proliferation in rat microvascular endothelial cells (EC). Overexpression of PKCalpha has little effect on proliferation, whereas PKCdelta slows endothelial cell proliferation and induces S-phase arrest. Analyses were performed on EC overexpressing PKCalpha (PKCalphaEC) or PKCdelta (PKCdeltaEC) to determine the role of specific cell cycle regulatory proteins in the PKCdelta-induced cell cycle arrest. Serum-induced stimulation of cyclins D1, E, and A-associated kinase activity was delayed by 12 h in the PKCdeltaEC line in association with S-phase arrest. However, the protein levels for cyclins D1, E, and A were similar. Nuclear accumulation of cyclin D1 protein in response to serum was also delayed in PKCdeltaEC. In the PKCdeltaEC line, serum induced p27(Kip1) but not p16(Ink4a) or p21(Cip1). Serum did not affect p27(Kip1) levels in the control vascular endothelial cell line. Immunoprecipitation-Western blotting analysis of p27(Kip1) showed serum stimulation of the vascular endothelial cell line resulted in increased amounts of cyclin D1 bound to p27(Kip1). In the PKCdeltaEC line, serum did not increase the amount of cyclin D1 bound to p27(Kip1). Transfection of full-length p27(Kip1) antisense into the PCKdeltaEC line reversed the S-phase arrest and resulted in normal cell cycle progression, suggesting a critical role for p27(Kip1) in the PKCdelta-mediated S-phase arrest.     

Confluence-induced cell cycle exit involves pre-mitotic CDK inhibition by p27Kip1 and cyclin D1 downregulation

Tissue homeostasis requires precise control of cell proliferation and arrest in response to environmental cues. In situation such as wound healing, injured cells are stimulated to divide, but as soon as confluence is reached proliferation must be blocked. Such reversible cell cycle exit occurs in G1, requires pRb family members, and is driven by p27Kip1-dependent Cdk inactivation. This implies that, while dividing, cells should simultaneously prepare the exit once mitosis is accomplished. For a long time, the decision to cycle or not was presumed to occur in G1, prior to the restriction point, beyond which the cells were bound to divide even in the absence of mitogens, before finally arresting after mitosis. However, more recent reports suggested that the commitment to cycle in response to serum occurs already in G2 phase and requires the Ras-dependent induction of cyclin D1, which promotes following G1/S transition. To test whether this hypothesis applies to arrest induced by contact inhibition, we used an in vitro wounding model where quiescent human dermal fibroblasts, stimulated to proliferate by mechanical injury, synchronously exit cell cycle after mitosis due to renewed confluence. We show that this exit is preceded by p27-dependent inhibition of cyclin A-Cdk1/2, cyclin D1 downregulation and reduced pre-mitotic pRb pocket protein phosphorylation. Over-expression of cyclin D1 but not p27 depletion reversed this phenotype and compromised confluence-driven cell cycle exit. Thus, a balance between cyclin D1 and p27 may provide sensitive responses to variations in proliferative cues operating throughout the cell cycle.