Accumulation Of p27Kip1 Research Articles

Loss of Protein-tyrosine Phosphatase α (PTPα) Increases Proliferation and Delays Maturation of Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells

Tightly controlled termination of proliferation determines when oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) can initiate differentiation and mature into myelin-forming cells. Protein-tyrosine phosphatase α (PTPα) promotes OPC differentiation, but its role in proliferation is unknown. Here we report that loss of PTPα enhanced in vitro proliferation and survival and decreased cell cycle exit and growth factor dependence of OPCs but not neural stem/progenitor cells. PTPα(-/-) mice have more oligodendrocyte lineage cells in embryonic forebrain and delayed OPC maturation. On the molecular level, PTPα-deficient mouse OPCs and rat CG4 cells have decreased Fyn and increased Ras, Cdc42, Rac1, and Rho activities, and reduced expression of the Cdk inhibitor p27Kip1. Moreover, Fyn was required to suppress Ras and Rho and for p27Kip1 accumulation, and Rho inhibition in PTPα-deficient cells restored expression of p27Kip1. We propose that PTPα-Fyn signaling negatively regulates OPC proliferation by down-regulating Ras and Rho, leading to p27Kip1 accumulation and cell cycle exit. Thus, PTPα acts in OPCs to limit self-renewal and facilitate differentiation.

Characterization of Gene Amplification–Driven SKP2 Overexpression in Myxofibrosarcoma: Potential Implications in Tumor Progression and Therapeutics

Myxofibrosarcoma remains obscure in molecular determinants of clinical aggressiveness, for which we elucidated implications of SKP2 amplification. Array comparative genomic hybridization was applied on samples and cell lines (NMFH-1 to OH931) to search causal genes of tumor progression. SKP2 gene dosage was determined in 82 independent tumors for clinical correlates. Stable SKP2 knockdown was achieved in myxofibrosarcoma cells to assess its oncogenic attributes and candidate mediators in prometastatic function. Pharmacologic assays were evaluated in vitro and in vivo for the therapeutic relevance of bortezomib. DNA gains frequently involved 5p in which three amplicons were differentially overrepresented in samples behaving unfavorably, encompassing mRNA-upregulated TRIO, SKP2, and AMACR genes. Detected in NMFH-1 cells and 38% of tumors, SKP2 amplification was associated with SKP2 immunoexpression and adverse prognosticators and independently predictive of worse outcomes. Nevertheless, SKP2-expressing OH931 cells and 14% of such tumors lacked gene amplification. Knockdown of SKP2 suppressed proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, migration, and invasion of sarcoma cells and downregulated motility-promoting genes, including ITGB2, ACTN1, IGF1, and ENAH. In vitro, bortezomib downregulated SKP2 expression at the mRNA level with p27(kip1) accumulation, induced caspase activation, and decreased cell viability in myxofibrosarcoma cells but not in fibroblasts. In vivo, bortezomib inhibited growth of NMFH-1 xenografts, the cells of which displayed decreased SKP2 expression but increased p27(kip1) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). As a predominant mechanism driving protein overexpression, SKP2 amplification confers tumor aggressiveness in myxofibrosarcoma. The sensitivity of myxofibrosarcoma cells to bortezomib with SKP2-repressing effect indicates the potentiality of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway as a therapeutic target.

Ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL1) is a potential tumour suppressor in prostate cancer and is frequently silenced by promoter methylation

BackgroundWe have previously reported significant downregulation of ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL1) in prostate cancer (PCa) compared to the surrounding benign tissue. UCHL1 plays an important role in ubiquitin system and different cellular processes such as cell proliferation and differentiation. We now show that the underlying mechanism of UCHL1 downregulation in PCa is linked to its promoter hypermethylation. Furthermore, we present evidences that UCHL1 expression can affect the behavior of prostate cancer cells in different ways.ResultsMethylation specific PCR analysis results showed a highly methylated promoter region for UCHL1 in 90% (18/20) of tumor tissue compared to 15% (3/20) of normal tissues from PCa patients. Pyrosequencing results confirmed a mean methylation of 41.4% in PCa whereas only 8.6% in normal tissues. To conduct functional analysis of UCHL1 in PCa, UCHL1 is overexpressed in LNCaP cells whose UCHL1 expression is normally suppressed by promoter methylation and found that UCHL1 has the ability to decrease the rate of cell proliferation and suppresses anchorage-independent growth of these cells. In further analysis, we found evidence that exogenous expression of UCHL1 suppress LNCaP cells growth probably via p53-mediated inhibition of Akt/PKB phosphorylation and also via accumulation of p27kip1 a cyclin dependant kinase inhibitor of cell cycle regulating proteins. Notably, we also observed that exogenous expression of UCHL1 induced a senescent phenotype that was detected by using the SA-ß-gal assay and might be due to increased p14ARF, p53, p27kip1 and decreased MDM2.ConclusionFrom these results, we propose that UCHL1 downregulation via promoter hypermethylation plays an important role in various molecular aspects of PCa biology, such as morphological diversification and regulation of proliferation.

MiR-221 and miR-155 regulate human dendritic cell development, apoptosis, and IL-12 production through targeting of p27kip1, KPC1, and SOCS-1

AbstractDendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells derived from hematopoietic progenitor cells and circulating monocytes. To investigate the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) during DC differentiation, maturation, and function, we profiled miRNA expression in human monocytes, immature DCs (imDCs), and mature DCs (mDCs). Stage-specific, differential expression of 27 miRNAs was found during monocyte differentiation into imDCs and mDCs. Among them, decreased miR-221 and increased miR-155 expression correlated with p27kip1 accumulation in DCs. Silencing of miR-221 or overexpressing of miR-155 in DCs resulted in p27kip1 protein increase and DC apoptosis. Moreover, mDCs from miR-155−/− mice were less apoptotic than those from wild-type mice. Silencing of miR-155 expression had little effect on DC maturation but reduced IL-12p70 production, whereas miR-155 overexpression in mDCs enhanced IL-12p70 production. Kip1 ubiquitination-promoting complex 1, suppressor of cytokine signaling 1, and CD115 (M-CSFR) were functional targets of miR-155. Furthermore, we provide evidence that miR-155 indirectly regulated p27kip1 protein level by targeting Kip1 ubiquitination-promoting complex 1. Thus, our study uncovered miRNA signatures during monocyte differentiation into DCs and the new regulatory role of miR-221 and miR-155 in DC apoptosis and IL-12p70 production.

Abstract 1016: Bortezomib (Velcade) induces p27Kip1 expression through S-phase kinase protein 2 degradation in papillary thyroid cancer

Abstract S-phase kinase protein 2 (SKP2), an F-box protein, targets cell cycle regulators including cycle-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 via ubiquitin-mediated degradation. SKP2 is frequently overexpressed in a variety of cancers. In this study, we investigated the role of SKP2 and its ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC) in a panel of PTC cell lines, a large cohort PTC patient samples and NUDE mouse model using tissue microarray, MTT, flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation assays and western blotting. Our data showed that bortezomib caused a dose-dependent growth inhibition in all cell lines studied. The IC 50 was 83.7nM and 61.4nM for B-CPAP1 and TPC-1 respectively. Cell cycle assay showed that the sub-G1 population of B-CPAP1 cell increased from 4.09% in untreated control sample to 36.74% after 25nM treatment for 2 days and 71.91% after 50nM treatment for 2 days. Further confirmation using FITC-conjugated Annexin V and PI assay showed that apoptotic cell increased form 8.43% in untreated cells to 47.6% and 64.82% after 25nM and 50nM treatment respectively in B-CPAP1 cells and from 12.72% in control to 48.16% and 64.02% in TPC-1 cells, indicating a dose-dependent apoptosis induced in both cell lines. Treatment of PTC cell line cells with bortezomib or expression of small interfering RNA of SKP2 caused down-regulation of SKP2 and accumulation of p27Kip1. Furthermore, treatment of PTC cells with bortezomib caused apoptosis by involving the mitochondrial pathway and activation of caspases-9 and 3, and cleavage PARP. Pretreatment with zVAD-fmk abrogated bortezomib induced apoptosis. In addition, treatment of PTC cells with bortezomib down-regulated the expression of XIAP, cIAP1, and survivin. Currently the animal study and data analysis of patient samples are still ongoing. Our preliminary results suggest that SKP2 and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway may be potential targets for therapeutic intervention for treatment of TPC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1016. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1016

Abstract 2011: Epigenetic therapy with the histone methyltransferase EZH2 inhibitor 3-deazaneplanocin A against non-small cell lung cancer cells

Abstract Background: The polycomb group gene, EZH2, mediates the histone methyltransferase activity, and functions as transcriptional repressor involved in gene silencing. It is involved in the malignant transformation and biological aggressiveness of several human cancers. We have previously shown that high EZH2 expression is correlated with tumor aggressiveness and is an independent unfavorable prognostic factor in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). However, the role of EZH2 in lung cancer cells has not been fully determined. Methods: In the present study, we evaluated the effect of a histone methyltransferase EZH2 inhibitor, 3-Deazaneplanocin A (DZNep), in NSCLC cell lines. Results: DZNep depleted cellular levels of EZH2 and SUZ12, and inhibited histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation. DZNep inhibited proliferation of NSCLC cells dose- dependently through apoptosis and G1 cell cycle arrest which was partially associated with cyclin A decrease and p27Kip1 accumulation. Conclusion: Epigenetic therapy with the histone methyltransferase EZH2 inhibitor DZNep may constitute a novel approach for NSCLCs. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2011. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2011

Resveratrol protects leukemic cells against cytotoxicity induced by proteasome inhibitors via induction of FOXO1 and p27Kip1

BackgroundIt was reported recently that resveratrol could sensitize a number of cancer cells to the antitumoral effects of some conventional chemotherapy drugs. The current study was designed to investigate whether resveratrol could sensitize leukemic cells to proteasome inhibitors.MethodsLeukemic cells were treated with MG132 alone or in combination with resveratrol. Cell viability was investigated using MTT assay, and induction of apoptosis and cell cycle distribution was measured using flow cytometry. Western blot and real-time RT-PCR were used to investigate the expression of FOXO1 and p27Kip1. CHIP was performed to investigate the binding of FOXO1 to the p27 Kip1 promoter.ResultsResveratrol strongly reduced cytotoxic activities of proteasome inhibitors against leukemic cells. MG132 in combination with resveratrol caused cell cycle blockade at G1/S transition via p27Kip1 accumulation. Knockdown of p27Kip1 using siRNA dramatically attenuated the protective effects of resveratrol on cytotoxic actions of proteasome inhibitors against leukemic cells. Resveratrol induced FOXO1 expression at the transcriptional level, while MG132 increased nuclear distribution of FOXO1. MG132 in combination with resveratrol caused synergistic induction of p27Kip1 through increased recruitment of FOXO1 on the p27Kip1 promoter.ConclusionsResveratrol may have the potential to negate the cytotoxic effects of proteasome inhibitors via regulation of FOXO1 transcriptional activity and accumulation of p27Kip1.

Damage-specific DNA binding protein 1 (DDB1) is involved in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of p27Kip1 in response to UV irradiation

Damage-specific DNA binding protein 1 (DDB1) is a conserved protein component of the damaged DNA binding protein complex (DDB) that recognizes UV-induced DNA lesions and initiates the nucleotide excision repair process. DDB1 is also part of an E3 ubiquitin-ligase complex that targets a variety of substrates for proteolysis including the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1. The mechanism regulating the trafficking of DDB1 and its relationship with UV irradiation is not known, although cell cycle progression is implicated in the molecular machinery driving DDB1 into the nucleus. We evaluated the involvement of DDB1 in ubiquitination of the cdk inhibitor p27Kip1 in response to UV irradiation. First, we observed that low and high doses of UV irradiation exert different effects on p27Kip1 protein levels. Indeed, low but not high UV doses induced p27Kip1 protein proteolysis in several human cell lines and UV-dependent degradation is dominant over other genotoxic agents such as cisplatin. We also demonstrate that p27Kip1 reduction is not due to transcriptional regulation and that the proteasome inhibitor MG132 affects p27Kip1 degradation.We observed that at low UV doses the decrease in p27Kip1 nuclear protein related with DDB1 translocation into the nucleus; conversely, high doses of UV-induced p27Kip1 accumulation and unchanged level of DDB1. The knockdown of DDB1 or Skp2 prevents UV-induced degradation of p27Kip1 suggesting that DDB1 is essential to regulation of p27kip1 turnover after a mild DNA damage. Our findings support the concept that DDB1 contributes to the activation of DNA repair mechanisms and could be a key factor in regulating the cell cycle in response to UV-induced DNA damage. Although the temporal order with which DDB1 contributes to ubiquitination of p27Kip1 or initiates the nucleotide excision repair process remains to be established, our results represent a major step towards clarifying these issues.

PD-1 Signals Inhibit Cell Cycle Progression by Mediating Upregulation of Both KIP and INK Family of Cdk Inhibitors

AbstractAbstract 585The PD-1 pathway plays a critical role in the inhibition of T cell activation and the maintenance of T cell tolerance. PD-1 is expressed on activated T cells and limits T cell clonal expansion and effector function upon engagement with its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2. PD-1 signals are vital for inhibition of autoimmunity whereas PD-1 ligation by PD-L1 and PD-L2 expressed on malignant cells has a detrimental effect on tumor-specific immunity. Furthermore, PD-1 signals result in T cell exhaustion in several chronic viral infections. The mechanism via which PD-1 signals mediate inhibition of T cell expansion is currently poorly understood. Here, we sought to determine the effects of PD-1 signals on mechanistic regulation of cell cycle progression mediated via TCR/CD3 and CD28 in primary human CD4+ T cells using anti-CD3/CD28 with or without agonist anti-PD-1 mAb conjugated to magnetic beads. Cell cycle analysis by ethynyl-deoxyuridine incorporation revealed that PD-1 induced blockade of cell cycle progression at the early G1 phase. To determine the molecular mechanisms underlying the blocked cell cycle progression we examined the expression and activation of cyclins and cdks and the regulation of cdk inhibitors that counterbalance the enzymatic activation of cyclin/cdk holoenzyme complexes. Our studies revealed that PD-1 mediated signals inhibited upregulation of Skp2, the SCF ubiquitin ligase that leads p27kip1 cdk inhibitor to ubiquitin-dependent degradation, and resulted in accumulation of p27kip1. Expression of cyclin E that is induced at the G1/S phase transition, and cyclin A that is synthesized during the S phase of the cell cycle, was dramatically reduced in the presence of PD-1 signaling. Strikingly, although expression of cdk4 and cdk2 was comparable between cells cultured in the presence or in the absence of PD-1, cdk2 enzymatic activation was significantly reduced in the presence of PD-1 signaling. Smad3 is a novel critical cdk substrate. Maximum cdk-mediated Smad3 phosphorylation occurs at the G1/S phase junction and requires activation of cdk2. Phosphorylation by cdk antagonizes TGF-β-induced transcriptional activity and antiproliferative function of Smad3 whereas impaired phosphorylation on the cdk-specific sites renders Smad3 more effective in executing its antiproliferative function. Based on those findings, we examined the effects of PD-1 signaling on Smad3 phosphorylation on cdk-specific and TGF-β-specific sites using site-specific phospho-Smad3 antibodies. Compared to anti-CD3/CD28 alone, culture in the presence of PD-1 induced impaired cdk2 activity, reduced levels of Smad3 phosphorylation on the cdk-specific sites and increased Smad3 phophorylation on the TGF-b-specific site. To determine whether the differential phosphorylation of Smad3 might differentially regulate Smad3 transcriptional activity in CD4+ T cells cultured in the presence versus the absence of PD-1, we examined expression of the INK family cdk4/6 inhibitor p15, a known downstream transcriptional target of Smad3. Expression of p15 was upregulated in CD4+ T cells cultured in the presence of PD-1 but not in cells cultured in the presence of CD3/CD28-coated beads alone. These results indicate that PD-1 signals inhibit cell cycle progression by mediating upregulation of both KIP and INK family of cdk inhibitors and Smad3 is a critical component of this mechanism, regulating blockade at the early G1 phase. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Cyclin D1 regulates p27 Kip1 stability in B cells

p27 Kip1 is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that plays a critical role in regulating G 1/S transition, and whose activity is, in part, regulated through interactions with D-type cyclins. We have generated the BD1-9 cell line, a BaF3 pro-B cells derivative in which cyclin D1 can be induced rapidly and reversibly by ponasterone A. The induction of cyclin D1 expression leads to a targeted p27 Kip1 accumulation in both cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments. But, only the p27 Kip1 form phosphorylated on serine 10 (pSer10-p27 Kip1) accumulates in BD1-9 cells. We found that the binding of cyclin D1 and pSer10-p27 Kip1 prevents p27 Kip1 degradation by the cytoplasmic Kip1 ubiquitylation-promoting complex (KPC) proteosomic pathway. Importantly, the nuclear CDK2 activity which is crucial for G 1/S transition is not altered by p27 Kip1 increase. Using siRNA techniques, we revealed that p27 Kip1 inhibition does not affect the distribution of BD1-9 cells in the different phases of the cell cycle. Our study demonstrates that aberrant cyclin D1 expression acts as a p27 Kip1 trap in B lymphocytes but does not induce p27 Kip1 relocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and does not modulate the G 1/S transition. Since our cellular model mimics what observed in aggressive lymphomas, our data bring new insights into the understanding of their physiopathology.

Accumulation of p27Kip1 is associated with retinoic acid-induced growth arrest and neuronal differentiation of immortalized human neural progenitor cells

Accumulation of p27Kip1 is associated with retinoic acid-induced growth arrest and neuronal differentiation of immortalized human neural progenitor cells

Apigenin induces apoptosis via downregulation of S‐phase kinase‐associated protein 2‐mediated induction of p27Kip1 in primary effusion lymphoma cells

The mechanisms that regulate mitogenic and antiapoptotic signals in primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) are not well known. In efforts to identify novel approaches to block the proliferation of PEL cells, we assessed the effect of apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone), a flavonoid on a panel of PEL cell lines. We studied the effect of apigenin on four PEL cell lines. Apoptosis was measured by annexin V/PI dual staining and DNA laddering. Protein expression was measured by immunoblotting. Apigenin induced apoptosis in PEL cell lines in a dose dependent manner. Such effects of apigenin appeared to result from suppression of constitutively active kinase AKT resulting in down-regulation of SKP2, hypo-phosphorylation of Rb and accumulation of p27Kip1. Apigenin treatment of PEL cells caused dephosphorylation of p-Bad protein leading to down regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2 and an increase in Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Apigenin treatment also triggered Bax conformational change and subsequently translocation from cytosole to mitochondria causing loss of mitochondrial membrane potential with subsequent release of cytochrome c. Released cytochrome c onto the cytosole activated caspase-9 and caspase-3, followed by polyadenosin-5'-diphosphate-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Finally, treatment of PEL cells with apigenin down-regulated the expression of inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAPs). Altogether, these data suggest a novel function for apigenin, acting as a suppressor of AKT/PKB pathway in PEL cells, and raise the possibility that this agent may have a future therapeutic role in PEL and possibly other malignancies with constitutive activation of the AKT/PKB pathway.

Differential Impact of the SKP2/P27 Pathway On HSC Pool Size and Myeloid Progenitor Differentiation.

Abstract 380S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2) is the F-box subunit of the ubiquitin-ligase complex SCFSKP2 that targets the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) p27Kip1, p21Cip1 and p130 for ubiquitination and degradation. SKP2 protein levels are modulated during cell cycle and in response to mitogenic stimuli: its expression is essential for cell cycle entry whereas its downregulation is critical for cell cycle arrest. The fact that SKP2 controls the destruction of three CKIs underscores its central role as a cell cycle regulator. We have previously shown that Notch1 activation induces the transcriptional activation of SKP2, promoting downregulation of the CKIs and inducing accelerated cell cycle progression in hematopoietic cells. Thus, the Notch/SKP2/CKIs pathway links directly environmental cues to the cell cycle machinery and may play an important role in controlling stem cell pool size and expansion of hematopoietic progenitor cells, in steady-state and during stress conditions. However, it is unclear how SKP2 regulates these CKIs in distinct hematopoietic subpopulations and its function in normal hematopoiesis has not been investigated. Analysis of SKP2 expression on murine bone marrow (BM) hematopoietic cells showed high expression levels in the myeloid progenitors, erythroid cells, B-and T-cells; lower levels were found in Lin- cells, whereas LSK cells showed a little expression of SKP2, in agreement with their more quiescent status. To better define the role of SKP2 during hematopoietic differentiation we analyzed the effects of SKP2 deficiency in the BM compartment of SKP2 null mice at steady-state conditions. As anticipated, in SKP2 knockout mice loss of SKP2 expression correlated with p27Kip1 accumulation and overall reduced cell cycle, both in vivo and in vitro. Loss and decreased levels of SKP2 in SKP2 -/- and SKP2+/- mice correlated with a significant increase in stem cells (LSK, averages: 3.2% in WT vs 6.2% KO; p=0.007), suggesting that low rates of proliferation favor quiescence and decrease the egress of cells from the HSC pool to the more mature compartments. Further immunophenotypical analysis of the BM subsets revealed that SKP2 loss resulted in the specific decrease of granulocyte-monocyte (GMP) and megacaryocytic-erythroid (MEP; averages 16.5% vs 7.6%; p=0.045) progenitor pools. Interestingly, the decrease in GMPs was associated to increased (rather than decreased) percentages of maturing myeloid progenitors Gr1+Mac1+ (averages: 26% vs 33%; p=0.049). An increase in rate of myeloid differentiation in the absence of SKP2 was further confirmed by in vitro differentiation of SKP2-/- progenitors and by overexpression of a SKP2 dominant negative into the PLB myeloid cell line.In conclusion, this data suggests that SKP2 levels may play a distinct role in regulating quiescence in the pool of HSC and rate of proliferation and differentiation in myeloid progenitors. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Bortezomib-mediated expression of p27Kip1 through S-phase kinase protein 2 degradation in epithelial ovarian cancer

S-phase kinase protein 2 (SKP2), an F-box protein, targets cell-cycle regulators including cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 through ubiquitin-mediated degradation. SKP2 is frequently overexpressed in variety of cancers. We investigated the function of SKP2 and its ubiquitin–proteasome pathway in a large series (156) of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patient samples, using a panel of cell lines, and nude mouse model. Using immunohistochemistry, we detected SKP2 in 13.2% tumor samples and found that it was inversely associated with p27Kip1. EOC subset with high level of SKP2 and low level of p27Kip1 showed a strong association with proliferative marker Ki167 (P<0.0014). Treatment of EOC cell lines with bortezomib or expression of siRNA of SKP2 causes downregulation of SKP2 and accumulation of p27Kip1. In addition, co-treatment of EOC with bortezomib and cisplatin causes more pronounced effect on cell proliferation, apoptosis and downregulation of SKP2 leading to accumulation of p27kip1. Bortezomib treatment of EOC cells causes apoptosis by involving mitochondrial pathway, activation of caspases and downregulation of XIAP, and survivin. Finally, treatment of EOC cell line xenografts with bortezomib resulted in growth inhibition of tumors in nude mice through downregulation of SKP2 and accumulation of p27Kip1. Altogether, our results suggest that SKP2 and ubiquitin–proteasome pathway may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention for treatment of EOC.

Oxidized LDL modulates apoptosis of regulatory T cells in patients with ESRD.

Increased levels of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL) contribute to the increased risk for atherosclerosis, which persists even after adjusting for traditional risk factors, among patients with ESRD. Regulatory T cells (CD4+/CD25+ Tregs), which down-regulate T cell responses to foreign and self-antigens, are protective in murine atherogenesis, but whether similar immunoregulation occurs in humans with ESRD is unknown. Because cellular defense systems against oxLDL involve proteolytic degradation, the authors investigated the role of oxLDL on proteasome activity of CD4+/CD25+ Tregs in patients with ESRD. CD4+/CD25+ Tregs isolated from uremic patients' peripheral blood, especially that of chronically hemodialyzed patients, failed to suppress cell proliferation, exhibited cell-cycle arrest, and entered apoptosis by altering proteasome activity. Treating CD4+/CD25+ Tregs with oxLDL or uremic serum ex vivo decreased the number and suppressive capacity of CD4+/CD25+ Tregs. In vitro, oxLDL promoted the accumulation of p27Kip1, the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor responsible for G1 cell cycle arrest, and increased apoptosis in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. In summary, proteasome inhibition by oxLDL leads to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, dramatically affecting the number and suppressive capacity of CD4+/CD25+ Tregs in chronically hemodialyzed patients. This response may contribute to the immune dysfunction, microinflammation, and atherogenesis observed in patients with ESRD.

Proteasome inhibitor MG-132 mediated expression of p27Kip1 via S-phase kinase protein 2 degradation induces cell cycle coupled apoptosis in primary effusion lymphoma cells

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an incurable, aggressive B-cell malignancy that develops rapid resistance to conventional chemotherapy. MG-132, a proteasome inhibitor, suppresses cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in several PEL cell lines. Treatment of PEL cells with MG-132 results in downregulation of S-phase kinase protein 2 (SKP2) and accumulation of p27Kip1. Furthermore, MG-132 treatment of PEL cells causes Bax conformational changes, leading to loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c to the cytosole. Such cytochrome c release results in sequential activation of caspases and apoptosis, while pretreatment of PEL cells with universal inhibitor of caspases, z-VAD-fmk prevents cell death induced by MG-132. Finally, our data demonstrated in PEL cells that MG-132 downregulates the expression of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins XIAP, cIAP1 and survivin. Altogether, these findings suggest that MG-132 is a potent inducer of apoptosis of PEL cells via downregulation of SKP2 leading to accumulation of p27Kip1, resulting in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and strongly suggest that targeting the proteasomal pathway may provide a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of PEL.

Simultaneous blockade of AP-1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway in non-small cell lung cancer cells

c-Jun is a major constituent of AP-1 transcription factor that transduces multiple mitogen growth signals, and it is frequently overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Earlier, we showed that blocking AP-1 by the overexpression of a c-Jun dominant-negative mutant, TAM67, inhibited NSCLC cell growth. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signal transduction pathway is important in transformation, proliferation, survival and metastasis of NSCLC cells. In this study, we used NCI-H1299 Tet-on clone cells that express TAM67 under the control of inducible promoter to determine the effects of inhibition of AP-1 and PI3K on cell growth. The PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, produced a dose-dependent inhibition of growth in H1299 cells and that inhibition was enhanced by TAM67. TAM67 increased dephosphorylation of Akt induced by LY294002 and reduced the TPA response element DNA-binding of phosphorylated c-Jun. TAM67 increased G1 cell cycle blockade induced by LY294002, which was partially associated with cyclin A decrease and p27Kip1 accumulation. Furthermore, TAM67 and LY294002 act, at least additively, to inhibit anchorage-independent growth of the H1299 cells. These results suggest that AP-1 and PI3K/Akt pathways play an essential role in the growth of some NSCLC cells.

S‐phase kinase protein 2 is an attractive therapeutic target in a subset of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma

S-phase kinase protein 2 (SKP2), an F-box protein, targets cell-cycle regulators including cycle-dependent kinase inhibitor p27KiP1 via ubiquitin-mediated degradation. SKP2 is frequently overexpressed in a variety of cancer cells and has been implicated in oncogenesis; however, its role in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has not been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the role of SKP2 and its ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in a large series (301) of DLBCL patient samples and a panel of DLBCL cell lines. Using immunohistochemistry, SKP2 was detected in 41.6% of DLBCL tumours and was inversely associated with p27Kip1 protein level. The DLBCL subset with high SKP2 and low p27Kip1 showed a strong correlation with the proliferating index marker Ki-67 (p < 0.0001) and also with the germinal centre phenotype (p = 0.0147). Treatment of DLBCL cell lines with bortezomib or expression of SKP2-specific siRNA causes down-regulation of SKP2 and accumulation of p27Kip1, leading to suppression of growth by inducing apoptosis. Furthermore, treatment of DLBCL cells with bortezomib causes apoptosis via involving the mitochondrial pathway and activation of caspases. Finally, treatment of DLBCL cells with bortezomib down-regulated the expression of XIAP, cIAP1, and survivin. Altogether, these results suggest that SKP2 and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention in DLBCL.

EGCG Stabilizes p27kip1 in E2-Stimulated MCF-7 Cells through Down-Regulation of the Skp2 Protein

Loss of p27Kip1 is associated with a poor prognosis in breast cancer. According to previous findings, a decrease in p27Kip1 levels is mainly the result of enhanced proteasome-dependent degradation mediated by its specific ubiquitin ligase subunit S-phase kinase protein 2 (Skp2). Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main constituent of green tea, was found to stabilize p27Kip1 levels in breast cancer, but whether this effect is mediated through changes in Skp2 expression remains unclear. Here we investigated the mechanisms involved in EGCG's growth inhibition of estrogen-responsive human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. In our results, EGCG increased p27Kip1 and decreased Skp2 in a time- and dose-dependent manner, suggesting that p27Kip1 and Skp2 may be involved in the growth inhibition by EGCG in estrogen-stimulated MCF-7 cells. Interestingly, mRNA levels of p27Kip1 and Skp2 did not significantly change in estrogen-stimulated MCF-7 cells after EGCG treatments. Moreover, overexpression of Skp2 in MCF-7 cells prevented accumulation of p27Kip1 and promoted resistance to the antiproliferative effects of EGCG. This suggests that the down-regulation of the F-box protein Skp2 is the mechanism underlying p27Kip1 accumulation. Furthermore, both tamoxifen and paclitaxel significantly and synergistically enhanced the growth inhibition of MCF-7 cells by EGCG through the down-regulation of Skp2 protein. However, the down-regulation of Skp2 was not always correlate with the up-regulation of p27, suggesting that EGCG-dependent Skp2 down-regulation can influence cell growth in several ways. The therapeutic strategies designed to reduce Skp2 may therefore play an important clinical role in treatment of breast cancer cells.

Cardiomyocyte proliferation and protection against post-myocardial infarction heart failure by cyclin D1 and Skp2 ubiquitin ligase

Cyclins and other cell-cycle regulators have been used in several studies to regenerate cardiomyocytes in ischaemic heart failure. However, proliferation of cardiomyocytes induced by nuclear-targeted cyclin D1 (D1NLS) stops after one or two rounds of cell cycles due in part to accumulation of p27Kip1, an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK). Thus, expression of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2), a negative regulator of p27Kip1, significantly enhances the effect of D1NLS and CDK4 on cardiomyocyte proliferation in vitro. Here, we examined whether Skp2 can also improve cardiomyocyte regeneration and post-ischaemic cardiac performance in vivo. Wistar rats underwent ischaemia/reperfusion injury by ligation of the coronary artery followed by injection of adenovirus vectors for D1NLS and CDK4 with or without Skp2. Enhanced proliferation of cardiomyocytes in the presence of Skp2 was demonstrated by increased expression of Ki67, a marker of proliferating cells (1.95% vs. 4.00%), and mitotic phosphorylated histone H3 (0.24% vs. 0.58%). Compared with rats that received only D1NLS and CDK4, expression of Skp2 improved left ventricular function as measured by the maximum and minimum rates of change in left ventricular pressure, the left ventricle end-diastolic pressure, left ventricle end-diastolic volume index, and the lung/body weight ratio. Expression of Skp2 enhanced the effect of D1NLS and CDK4 on the proliferation of cardiomyocytes and further contributed to improved post-ischaemic cardiac function. Skp2 might be a versatile tool to improve the effect of cyclins on post-ischaemic regeneration of cardiomyocytes in vivo.