Identification of a cyclin-cdk2 recognition motif present in substrates and p21-like cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors.

Understanding how cyclin-cdk complexes recognize their substrates is a central problem in cell cycle biology. We identified an E2F1-derived eight-residue peptide which blocked the binding of cyclin A and E-cdk2 complexes to E2F1 and p21. Short peptides spanning similar sequences in p107, p130, and p21-like cdk inhibitors likewise bound to cyclin A-cdk2 and cyclin E-cdk2. In addition, these peptides promoted formation of stable cyclin A-cdk2 complexes in vitro but inhibited the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein by cyclin A- but not cyclin B-associated kinases. Mutation of the cyclin-cdk2 binding motifs in p107 and E2F1 likewise prevented their phosphorylation by cyclin A-associated kinases in vitro. The cdk inhibitor p21 was found to contain two functional copies of this recognition motif, as determined by in vitro kinase binding/inhibition assays and in vivo growth suppression assays. Thus, these studies have identified a cyclin A- and E-cdk2 substrate recognition motif. Furthermore, these data suggest that p21-like cdk inhibitors function, at least in part, by blocking the interaction of substrates with cyclin-cdk2 complexes.     

Distinct signaling pathways mediate stimulation of cell cycle progression and prevention of apoptotic cell death by estrogen in rat pituitary tumor PR1 cells

Estrogens control cell growth and viability in target cells via an interplay of genomic and extragenomic pathways not yet elucidated. Here, we show evidence that cell proliferation and survival are differentially regulated by estrogen in rat pituitary tumor PR1 cells. Pico- to femtomolar concentrations of 17beta-estradiol (E2) are sufficient to foster PR1 cell proliferation, whereas nanomolar concentrations of the same are needed to prevent cell death that occurs at a high rate in these cells in the absence of hormone. Activation of endogenous (PRL) or transfected estrogen-responsive genes occurs at the same, higher concentrations of E2 required to promote cell survival, whereas stimulation of cyclin D3 expression and DNA synthesis occur at lower E2 concentrations. Similarly, the pure antiestrogen ICI 182,780 inhibits estrogen response element-dependent trans-activation and cell death more effectively than cyclin-cdk activity, G1-S transition, or DNA synthesis rate. In antiestrogen-treated and/or estrogen-deprived cells, death is due predominantly to apoptosis. Estrogen-induced cell survival, but not E2-dependent cell cycle progression, can be prevented by an inhibitor of c-Src kinase or by blockade of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway. These data indicate the coexistence of two distinguishable estrogen signaling pathways in PR1 cells, characterized by different functions and sensitivity to hormones and antihormones.     

p21(Waf1/Cip1) is an assembly factor required for platelet-derived growth factor-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors interact with cyclin-cdk complexes to arrest mitogen-stimulated transit through the cell cycle, but these proteins have recently been shown to have positive regulatory effects on cyclin-cdk complex activity as well. Most of the previous work in this area has focussed on the finding that overexpressed p21(Waf1/Cip1) causes growth arrest. However, mice lacking p21(Waf1/Cip1) showed normal development with no aberrancy in their cell cycles, and antisense p21(Waf1/Cip1) has only been shown to prevent cell cycle arrest, leading to the conclusion that the cyclin kinase inhibitors may not be required for cell cycle progression. We found that transfection of several lines of vascular smooth muscle cells with antisense oligodeoxynucleotide specific to p21(Waf1/Cip1) correlates with decreased cyclin D1/cdk 4, but not cyclin E/cdk 2, association, yet, unexpectedly, results in dose-dependent inhibition of platelet-derived growth factor-BB-stimulated DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Our finding that p21(Waf1/Cip1) exhibits permissive effects on growth factor-induced vascular smooth muscle cell cycle progression, such that its presence is required for growth factor-induced proliferation, is the first such report and opens up a fertile area of research relevant to diseases involving vascular cell proliferation.     

A robust cell cycle control mechanism limits E2F-induced proliferation of terminally differentiated cells in vivo

Terminally differentiated cells in Drosophila melanogaster wings and eyes are largely resistant to proliferation upon deregulation of either E2F or cyclin E (CycE), but exogenous expression of both factors together can bypass cell cycle exit. In this study, we show this is the result of cooperation of cell cycle control mechanisms that limit E2F-CycE positive feedback and prevent cycling after terminal differentiation. Aberrant CycE activity after differentiation leads to the degradation of E2F activator complexes, which increases the proportion of CycE-resistant E2F repressor complexes, resulting in stable E2F target gene repression. If E2F-dependent repression is lost after differentiation, high anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) activity degrades key E2F targets to limit cell cycle reentry. Providing both CycE and E2F activities bypasses exit by simultaneously inhibiting the APC/C and inducing a group of E2F target genes essential for cell cycle reentry after differentiation. These mechanisms are essential for proper development, as evading them leads to tissue outgrowths composed of dividing but terminally differentiated cells.     

Switching cyclin D-Cdk4 kinase activity on and off

The cyclin-cdks are master regulators of cell proliferation. These serine/threonine kinases are the motors that both start and stop the cell cycle in response to proliferative or antiproliferative signals. They phosphorylate substrates required to trigger orderly cell cycle progression, and thus their activity is tightly regulated in order to prevent inappropriate activation. One of the main interfaces between the extraceullar environment and the cell cycle machinery is the interaction of the cyclin-cdks with two families of stoichiometric cyclin kinase inhibitors (CKIs), the Ink4s and the Cip/Kips. As their name suggests, the CKIs have historically been considered negative regulators of the cyclin-cdks, responsible for rapidly and effectively turning off cyclin-cdk activity. However, the interaction of cyclin D-cdk4 with the Cip/Kip family, and with p27Kip1 in particular, appeared complex. In addition to its ability to inhibit cyclin D-cdk4, p27 appeared to be a required assembly factor for the complex, binding in a non-inhibitory mode at least some of the time. Whether p27 was a cyclin D-cdk4/6 inhibitor or not was controversial, and how it might switch between these two modes was unknown. Arguing for a two state mechanism, we have recently shown that p27 can be both a cdk4 bound-inhibitor and a bound-non-inhibitor, depending on the growth state of the cell. This perspective highlights the significance of this finding in terms of normal cell cycle progression and tumor development.     

Crystal structure of a gamma-herpesvirus cyclin-cdk complex

Several gamma-herpesviruses encode proteins related to the mammalian cyclins, regulatory subunits of cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) essential for cell cycle progression. We report a 2.5 A crystal structure of a full-length oncogenic viral cyclin from gamma-herpesvirus 68 complexed with cdk2. The viral cyclin binds cdk2 with an orientation different from cyclin A and makes several novel interactions at the interface, yet it activates cdk2 by triggering conformational changes similar to cyclin A. Sequences within the viral cyclin N-terminus lock part of the cdk2 T-loop within the core of the complex. These sequences and others are conserved amongst the viral and cellular D-type cyclins, suggesting that this structure has wider implications for other cyclin-cdk complexes. The observed resistance of this viral cyclin-cdk complex to inhibition by the p27(KIP:) cdk inhibitor is explained by sequence and conformational variation in the cyclin rendering the p27(KIP:)-binding site on the cyclin subunit non-functional.     

HBx-dependent cell cycle deregulation involves interaction with cyclin E/A-cdk2 complex and destabilization of p27Kip1

The HBx (X protein of hepatitis B virus) is a promiscuous transactivator implicated to play a key role in hepatocellular carcinoma. However, HBx-regulated molecular events leading to deregulation of cell cycle or establishment of a permissive environment for hepatocarcinogenesis are not fully understood. Our cell culture-based studies suggested that HBx had a profound effect on cell cycle progression even in the absence of serum. HBx presence led to an early and sustained level of cyclin-cdk2 complex during the cell cycle combined with increased protein kinase activity of cdk2 heralding an early proliferative signal. The increased cdk2 activity also led to an early proteasomal degradation of p27(Kip1) that could be reversed by HBx-specific RNA interference and blocked by a chemical inhibitor of cdk2 or the T187A mutant of p27. Further, our co-immunoprecipitation and in vitro binding studies with recombinant proteins suggested a direct interaction between HBx and the cyclin E/A-cdk2 complex. Interference with different signalling cascades known to be activated by HBx suggested a constitutive requirement of Src kinases for the association of HBx with these complexes. Notably, the HBx mutant that did not interact with cyclin E/A failed to destabilize p27(Kip1) or deregulate the cell cycle. Thus HBx appears to deregulate the cell cycle by interacting with the key cell cycle regulators independent of its well-established role in transactivation.     

Theoretical and experimental evidence for hysteresis in cell proliferation

We propose a mathematical model for the regulation of the G1-phase of the mammalian cell cycle taking into account interactions of cyclin D/cdk4, cyclin E/cdk2, Rb and E2F. Mathematical analysis of this model predicts that a change in the proliferative status in response to a change in concentrations of serum growth factors will exhibit the property of hysteresis: the concentration of growth factors required to induce proliferation is higher than the concentration required to maintain proliferation. We experimentally confirmed this prediction in mouse embryonic fibroblasts in vitro. In agreement with the mathematical model, this indicates that changes in proliferative mode caused by small changes in concentrations of growth factors are not easily reversible. Based on this study, we discuss the importance of proliferation hysteresis for cell cycle regulation.     

HIRA, the human homologue of yeast Hir1p and Hir2p, is a novel cyclin-cdk2 substrate whose expression blocks S-phase progression

Substrates of cyclin-cdk2 kinases contain two distinct primary sequence motifs: a cyclin-binding RXL motif and one or more phosphoacceptor sites (consensus S/TPXK/R or S/TP). To identify novel cyclin-cdk2 substrates, we searched the database for proteins containing both of these motifs. One such protein is human HIRA, the homologue of two cell cycle-regulated repressors of histone gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Hir1p and Hir2p. Here we demonstrate that human HIRA is an in vivo substrate of a cyclin-cdk2 kinase. First, HIRA bound to and was phosphorylated by cyclin A- and E-cdk2 in vitro in an RXL-dependent manner. Second, HIRA was phosphorylated in vivo on two consensus cyclin-cdk2 phosphoacceptor sites and at least one of these, threonine 555, was phosphorylated by cyclin A-cdk2 in vitro. Third, phosphorylation of HIRA in vivo was blocked by cyclin-cdk2 inhibitor p21(cip1). Fourth, HIRA became phosphorylated on threonine 555 in S phase when cyclin-cdk2 kinases are active. Fifth, HIRA was localized preferentially to the nucleus, where active cyclin A- and E-cdk2 are located. Finally, ectopic expression of HIRA in cells caused arrest in S phase and this is consistent with the notion that it is a cyclin-cdk2 substrate that has a role in control of the cell cycle.     

Changes in the activity of cyclin-kinase complexes governing cell transition from G1 phase to DNA replication phase in E1A + c-Ha-ras transformants transfected with the bcl-2 gene

The antiproliferative effect of human bcl-2 gene transferred to E1A + c-Ha-ras-transformed rat embryo fibroblasts, which are characterized by the absence of cell cycle checkpoints after damage and by a high proapoptotic sensitivity was studied. Ionizing irradiation, adriamycin treatment, and serum starvation were shown to induce G1/S arrest in E1A + c-Ha-ras-transformants. Bcl-2 antiproliferative effect in E1A + c-Ha-ras-transformants was not associated with alterations in Cdk2, cyclin E and A contents. G1/S arrest following irradiation or serum starvation was accompanied by a decrease in kinase activity associated with cyclin E-cdk2, whereas G1/S arrest in tetraploid subpopulation after adriamycin treatment did not correlate with a decrease in cyclin E-associated kinase activity. Cyclin A-associated kinase activity did not decrease after any used treatment. Transfection of bcl-2 in E1A + c-Ha-ras-transformants resulted in elevated expression of cyclin-cdk complexes inhibitor p21/Waf-1, but not p27/Kip. Damaging agents caused p21/Waf-1 and p27/Kip accumulation, but bcl-2 overexpression did not restore functions of these inhibitors, since p21/Waf-1 and p27/Kip were unable to suppress cyclin-cdk complexes activity after damage. These results suggest that bcl-2 transfection in E1A + c-Ha-ras-transformants is likely to result in irradiation- or serum starvation-induced G1/S arrest accomplished by a selective decrease in cyclin E-associated kinase activity. Adriamycin-induced G1/S arrest seems to be realized via cyclin-cdk complexes activity-independent way involving antiproliferative targets downstream of cyclin E-cdk2 and cyclin A-cdk2 complexes.     

Retinoblastoma Protein Contains a C-terminal Motif That Targets It for Phosphorylation by Cyclin-cdk Complexes

Stable association of certain proteins, such as E2F1 and p21, with cyclin-cdk2 complexes is dependent upon a conserved cyclin-cdk2 binding motif that contains the core sequence ZRXL, where Z and X are usually basic. In vitro phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein, pRB, by cyclin A-cdk2 and cyclin E-cdk2 was inhibited by a short peptide spanning the cyclin-cdk2 binding motif present in E2F1. Examination of the pRB C terminus revealed that it contained sequence elements related to ZRXL. Site-directed mutagenesis of one of these sequences, beginning at residue 870, impaired the phosphorylation of pRB in vitro. A synthetic peptide spanning this sequence also inhibited the phosphorylation of pRB in vitro. pRB C-terminal truncation mutants lacking this sequence were hypophosphorylated in vitro and in vivo despite the presence of intact cyclin-cdk phosphoacceptor sites. Phosphorylation of such mutants was restored by fusion to the ZRXL-like motif derived from pRB or to the ZRXL motifs from E2F1 or p21. Phospho-site-specific antibodies revealed that certain phosphoacceptor sites strictly required a C-terminal ZRXL motif whereas at least one site did not. Furthermore, this residual phosphorylation was sufficient to inactivate pRB in vivo, implying that there are additional mechanisms for directing cyclin-cdk complexes to pRB. Thus, the C terminus of pRB contains a cyclin-cdk interaction motif of the type found in E2F1 and p21 that enables it to be recognized and phosphorylated by cyclin-cdk complexes.     

Cell cycle dysregulation by green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate

Epidemiological, in vitro cell culture, and in vivo animal studies have shown that green tea or its constituent polyphenols, particularly its major polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) may protect against many cancer types. In earlier studies, we showed that green tea polyphenol EGCG causes a G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of human epidermoid carcinoma (A431) cells. We also demonstrated that these effects of EGCG may be mediated through the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B that has been associated with cell cycle regulation and cancer. In this study, employing A431 cells, we provide evidence for the involvement of cyclin kinase inhibitor (cki)-cyclin-cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) machinery during cell cycle deregulation by EGCG. As shown by immunoblot analysis, EGCG treatment of the cells resulted in significant dose- and time-dependent (i) upregulation of the protein expression of WAF1/p21, KIP1/p27, p16 and p18, (ii) downmodulation of the protein expression of cyclin D1, cdk4 and cdk6, but not of cyclin E and cdk2, (iii) inhibition of the kinase activities associated with cyclin E, cyclin D1, cdk2, cdk4 and cdk6. Taken together, our study suggests that EGCG causes an induction of G1-phase ckis, which inhibit the cyclin-cdk complexes operative in G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle thereby causing a G0/G1-phase arrest of the cell cycle, which is an irreversible process ultimately resulting in an apoptotic cell death. We suggest that the naturally occurring agents such as green tea polyphenols which may inhibit cell cycle progression could be developed as potent anticancer agents for the management of cancer.     

Hammerhead ribozymes targeted against cyclin E and E2F1 cooperate to down-regulate coronary smooth muscle cell proliferation

BACKGROUND: Anti-proliferative drugs released from endo-vascular stents have substantially contributed to reduce in-stent restenosis rates in coronary arteries bearing single primary lesions by down-regulating coronary smooth muscle cell (CSMC) growth. However, the considerably lower drug efficacy shown in treatment of more complex coronary lesions suggests that alternative anti-proliferative approaches can be beneficial. Thus, we explored the use of hammerhead ribozymes as tools to knock down cyclin E and E2F1, two potent activators of cell proliferation which cooperate to promote the G1 to S phase transition. METHODS: Two ribozymes, one directed against cyclin E and the other against E2F1 mRNAs, were delivered by liposomes to cultured human CSMCs. The influences on cell proliferation were measured evaluating BrdU incorporation into newly synthesised DNA. The effects on cell cycle phase distribution were determined by BrdU and 7-aminoactinomycin D incorporation into DNA. RESULTS: Both ribozymes exhibited a sequence-specific and dose-dependent reduction in BrdU incorporation, which, at a concentration of 280 nM, persisted up to 4 days after transfection of CSMCs. A combined administration of the two ribozymes (210+210 nM) resulted in a more pronounced decrease in BrdU incorporation compared to the administration of an equimolar amount (420 nM) of each of them. Finally, both ribozymes induced a significant (P<0.05) reduction in S phase cells with a concomitant increase of G1/G0 and G2-M phase cells, compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: The ribozymes selected represent potent tools to prevent CSMC proliferation, especially when administered together, and thus are ideal candidates for in vivo application.