Features Of Cellular Senescence Research Articles

Growth Inhibition by the Tumor Suppressor p33ING1 in Immortalized and Primary Cells: Involvement of Two Silencing Domains and Effect of Ras

ING1 was identified as an inhibitor of growth and has been described as a tumor suppressor. Furthermore, the expression of ING1 is induced in senescent cells and antisense ING1 extends the proliferative life span of primary human fibroblasts. Cooperation of p33ING1 with p53 has been suggested to be an important function of ING1 in cell cycle control. Intriguingly, it has been shown that p33ING1 is associated with histone acetylation as well as with histone deacetylation function. Here we show that p33ING1 is a potent transcriptional silencer in various cell types. However, the silencing function is independent of the presence of p53. By use of deletion mutants two potent autonomous and transferable silencing domains were identified, but no evidence of an activation domain was found. The amino (N)-terminal silencing domain is sensitive to the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) whereas the carboxy-terminal silencing function is resistant to TSA, suggesting that p33ING1 confers gene silencing through both HDAC-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Interestingly, the presence of oncogenic Ras, which is able to induce premature senescence, increases the p33ING1-mediated silencing function. Moreover, ING1-mediated silencing was reduced by coexpressing dominant-negative Ras or by treatment with the mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor PD98059 but not by treatment with SB203580, an inhibitor of the p38 pathway. In addition, we show that both silencing domains of ING1 are involved in cell cycle control, as measured by inhibition of colony formation of immortalized cells and by thymidine incorporation of primary human diploid fibroblasts (HDF). Interestingly, p33ING1 expression induces features of cellular senescence in HDFs.

5-Lipoxygenase regulates senescence-like growth arrest by promoting ROS-dependent p53 activation

5-Lipoxygenase (5LO) is involved in the production of leukotrienes and reactive oxygen species (ROS) from arachidonic acid. Its strong activation has been associated with several diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration. Here we show that 5LO activity increases during senescence-like growth arrest induced by oncogenic ras or culture history in both human and mouse embryo fibroblasts. Overexpression of 5LO promotes senescence-like growth arrest via a p53/p21-dependent pathway, and this occurs independently of telomerase activity. 5LO stabilizes p53 through phosphorylation at Ser15 and increases expression of the p53-transcriptional target p21. This is achieved by regulating ROS production. Indeed, ROS are increased in 5LO-arrested cells. Antioxidants and a low oxygen environment prevent 5LO-induced growth arrest. Finally, 5LO inhibition reduces the growth arrest induced by oncogenic ras or culture history and these effects are neutralized by the addition of exogenous ROS. These data link the 5LO pathway to oxidative crises of primary fibroblast and suggest that the ability of 5LO to induce senescence-like growth arrest may be important in the pathogenesis of 5LO-associated disorders.

Impaired Histone H3 Lysine 9 Methylation Accelerates Ras-Driven Lymphomagenesis by Disabling Cellular Senescence.

As a barrier against malignant transformation, checkpoint-mediated failsafe mechanisms such as apoptosis or cellular senescence may be activated in response to mitogenic oncogenes. Acute induction of oncogenic Ras has been shown to provoke a senescence-like cell-cycle arrest that involves the retinoblastoma (Rb) pathway. Recently, Rb-mediated formation of heterochromatin was identified as a critical feature of cellular senescence. Since methylation of histone H3 lysine 9 by the Rb-bound histone methyltransferase Suv39h1 contributes to the transcriptional repression of growth promoting genes, we asked whether inactivation of Suv39h1 may disable cellular senescence as a suppressor mechanism against malignant transformation by oncogenic Ras.To investigate the role of Suv39h1 in Ras-driven lymphomagenesis, Eμ-N-ras-transgenic mice were crossbred to mice harboring targeted deletions in the Suv39h1 locus, as well as to p53 knockout mice. Ras-transgenic mice with no additional defined genetic lesion - hereafter referred to as controls - developed a terminal condition mostly due to a neoplastic histiocytic infiltration of the liver with a median latency of about 250 days. In stark contrast, ras-transgenic mice lacking Suv39h1, or carrying heterozygous defects in the Suv39h1 or p53 locus, respectively, entered a final disease stage significantly earlier, i.e. at a median age of 50 to 100 days, due to aggressive T cell lymphomas that were virtually absent or only sporadically found in the control group. Importantly, similar to p53+/− mice which typically lost the remaining wild-type allele in lymphoma cells, Suv39h1 heterozygous mice produced tumors that invariably lacked Suv39h1 expression, rendering these lymphomas in fact Suv39h1 null. Suv39h1 null cells propagated as primary cultures grew readily in an exponential fashion, surpassed only by the growth potential of p53 null cells. In short-term cytotoxicity assays, the anticancer agent adriamycin efficiently killed both control and Suv39h1 null lymphoma cells, whereas p53 null cells were resistant, indicating no overt apoptotic defect in Suv39h1 null cells. While non-neoplastic ras-transgenic Suv39h1+/+ cells exhibited heterochromatin foci reminiscent of cellular senescence, this phenotype was completely lost in Suv39h1 null lymphoma cells. In the presence of Bcl2 - introduced to block apoptotic cell death - adriamycin-treated control cells entered cellular senescence, whereas Suv39h1 null cells failed to display a senescent phenotype in response to therapy, demonstrating that stress-inducible senescence is a Suv39h1-dependent program.The data unveil the fundamental role of cellular senescence as a tumor suppressor principle by establishing a novel link between Ras-driven transformation and deregulated histone modification in vivo. Impaired cellular senescence due to inactivation of the histone H3 lysine 9 methyltransferase Suv39h1 promotes malignant transformation by oncogenic Ras, leading to a dramatic acceleration of Ras-driven lymphoma formation. Moreover, the observation that a full-blown malignancy may arise as a consequence of disabled senescence but without an apparent apoptotic defect has important therapeutic implications.

PEA-15 Is Inhibited by Adenovirus E1A and Plays a Role in ERK Nuclear Export and Ras-induced Senescence

Oncogenic ras activates multiple signaling pathways to enforce cell proliferation in tumor cells. The ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is required for the transforming effects of ras, and its activation is often sufficient to convey mitogenic stimulation. However, in some settings oncogenic ras triggers a permanent cell cycle arrest with features of cellular senescence. How the Ras/ERK1/2 pathway activates different cellular programs is not well understood. Here we show that ERK1/2 localize predominantly in the cytoplasm during ras-induced senescence. This cytoplasmic localization seems to be dependent on an active nuclear export mechanism and can be rescued by the viral oncoprotein E1A. Consistent with this hypothesis, we showed that E1A dramatically down-regulated the expression of the ERK1/2 nuclear export factor PEA-15. Also, RNA interference against PEA-15 restored the nuclear localization of phospho-ERK1/2 in Ras-expressing primary murine embryo fibroblasts and stimulated their escape from senescence. Because senescence prevents the transforming effect of oncogenic ras, our results suggest a tumor suppressor function for PEA-15 that operates by means of controlling the localization of phospho-ERK1/2.

Ninjurin1 increases p21 expression and induces cellular senescence in human hepatoma cells

Ninjurin1 is a novel adhesion molecule that has a role in promoting nerve regeneration. Although ninjurin1 is ubiquitously expressed in various human tissues, including the liver, the biologic functions of ninjurin1 in tissues other than the nervous system remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the function of ninjurin1 in hepatocytes. The effect of ninjurin1 overexpression was examined in Huh-7 hepatoma cells. Ninjurin1 expression was examined by Western blot in human hepatocellular carcinoma tissues as well as their adjacent liver tissues. Ninjurin1-overexpressing clones exhibited strong growth inhibition due to G1 cell cycle arrest, which is associated with a posttranscriptional increase in p21WAF1/Cip1, a decrease of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 activity and the hypophosphorylation of Rb. The ninjurin1-overexpressing clones had increased senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity and autofluorescent pigment, characteristic features of cellular senescence. The levels of ninjurin1 expression were higher in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues than those in adjacent liver tissues. The present study provides the first evidence that ninjurin1 is able to induce the senescence program. Ninjurin1 may be involved in the regulation of cellular senescence in the liver during carcinogenesis.

Cellular senescence induced by p53-ras cooperation is independent of p21waf1 in murine embryo fibroblasts.

Oncogenic activation in primary murine fibroblasts initiates a senescence-like cell cycle arrest that depends on the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. Conditional p53 activation efficiently induced a reversible cell cycle arrest but was unable to induce features of senescence. In contrast, coexpression of oncogenic ras with p53 produced an irreversible cell cycle arrest that displayed features of cellular senescence. Introduction of a conditional murine p53 allele (p53val135) into double p53/p21-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts showed that p21waf1 was not required for this effect, since p53-/-;p21-/- double-null cells undergo terminal growth arrest with features of senescence following coexpression of oncogenic Ras and p53. Our results indicate that oncogenic activation of the Ras pathway in murine fibroblasts converts p53 into a senescence inducer through a p21waf1-independent mechanism.

Oncogenic ras and p53 cooperate to induce cellular senescence.

Oncogenic activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade in murine fibroblasts initiates a senescence-like cell cycle arrest that depends on the ARF/p53 tumor suppressor pathway. To investigate whether p53 is sufficient to induce senescence, we introduced a conditional murine p53 allele (p53(val135)) into p53-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts and examined cell proliferation and senescence in cells expressing p53, oncogenic Ras, or both gene products. Conditional p53 activation efficiently induced a reversible cell cycle arrest but was unable to induce features of senescence. In contrast, coexpression of oncogenic ras or activated mek1 with p53 enhanced both p53 levels and activity relative to that observed for p53 alone and produced an irreversible cell cycle arrest that displayed features of cellular senescence. p19(ARF) was required for this effect, since p53(-/-) ARF(-/-) double-null cells were unable to undergo senescence following coexpression of oncogenic Ras and p53. Although the levels of exogenous p53 achieved in ARF-null cells were relatively low, the stabilizing effects of p19(ARF) on p53 could not explain the cooperation between oncogenic Ras and p53 in promoting senescence. Hence, enforced p53 expression without oncogenic ras in p53(-/-) mdm2(-/-) double-null cells produced extremely high p53 levels but did not induce senescence. Taken together, our results indicate that oncogenic activation of the MAP kinase pathway in murine fibroblasts converts p53 into a senescence inducer through both quantitative and qualitative mechanisms.

Elevation in the ratio of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase to glutathione peroxidase activity induces features of cellular senescence and this effect is mediated by hydrogen peroxide.

Although reactive oxygen species have been proposed to play a major role in the aging process, the exact molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this study we investigate the effects of a perturbation in the ratio of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase activity (Sod1 dismutases .O2-to H2O2) to glutathione peroxidase activity (Gpx1 catalyses H2O2 conversion to H2O) on cell growth and development. Our data demonstrate that Sod1 transfected cell lines that have an elevation in the ratio of Sod1 activity to Gpx1 activity produce higher levels of H2O2 and exhibit well characterised markers of cellular senescence viz. slower proliferation and altered morphology. On the contrary, Sod1 transfected cell lines that have an unaltered ratio in the activity of these two enzymes, have unaltered levels of H2O2 and fail to show characteristics of senescence. Furthermore, fibroblasts established from individuals with Down syndrome have an increase in the ratio of Sod1 to Gpx1 activity compared with corresponding controls and senesce earlier. Interestingly, cells treated with H2O2 also show features of senescence and/or senesce earlier. We also show that Cip1 mRNA levels are elevated in Down syndrome cells, Sod1 transfectants with an altered Sod1 to Gpx1 activity ratio and those treated with H2O2, thus suggesting that the slow proliferation may be mediated by Cip1. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that Cip1 mRNA levels are induced by exposure of cells to H2O2. These data give valuable insight into possible molecular mechanisms that contribute tribute to cellular senescence and may be useful in the evolution of therapeutic strategies for aging.

The impaired transcription factor AP-1 DNA binding activity in lymphocytes derived from subjects with some symptoms of premature aging.

The study of human disorders known as premature aging syndromes may provide insight into the mechanisms of cellular senescence. The main feature of cellular senescence in vitro is cessation of cell proliferation. Down syndrome (DS) and neuronal ceroid-lypofuscinosis (NCL) are clinically characterized by the premature onset of numerous features normally associated with human aging. Phytohemagglutinin stimulated lymphocytes derived from DS subjects showed a statistically significant diminished proliferation capacity in comparison with lymphocytes derived from NCL and healthy individuals. We demonstrated, by applying the electrophoretic mobility shift assay, slightly impaired AP-1 DNA binding activity in NCL lymphocytes and strong in DS ones. Our results showed that the same molecular mechanisms of proliferation cessation could exist in fibroblasts characterized by replicative senescence and in lymphocytes derived from individuals with premature aging syndromes (Down).

Loss of transcription factor AP-1 DNA binding activity during lymphocyte aging in vivo

The main feature of cellular senescence is cessation of cell proliferation. Protooncogene c-fos, which is required for the cell to enter into DNA synthesis, is repressed in senescent fibroblasts. Diminished expression of c-fos and impaired formation of AP-1, which is a complex of c-Fos and c-Jun proteins acting as a transcription factor, was found in lymphocytes derived from old (> 18 months) mice and stimulated with Con A. There were no differences in c-jun expression and formation of other transcription factors (AP-2 and AP-3) between lymphocytes isolated front old and young mice.

Cellular senescence: A reflection of normal growth control, differentiation, or aging?

Normal cells, with few exceptions, cannot proliferate indefinitely. Cell populations--in vivo and in culture--generally undergo only a limited number of doublings before proliferation invariably and irreversibly ceases. This process has been termed the finite lifespan phenotype or cellular senescence. There is long-standing, albeit indirect, evidence that cellular senescence plays an important role in complex biological processes as diverse as normal growth control, differentiation, development, aging, and tumorigenesis. In recent years, it has been possible to develop a molecular framework for understanding some of the fundamental features of cellular senescence. This framework derives primarily from the physiology, genetics, and molecular biology of cells undergoing senescence in culture. Our understanding of senescence, and the mechanisms that control it, is still in its infancy. Nonetheless, recent data raise some intriguing possibilities regarding potential molecular bases for the links between senescence in culture and normal and abnormal growth control, differentiation, and aging.