Inhibits DNA Damage-induced Apoptosis Research Articles

Spy1, a unique cell cycle regulator, alters viability in ALS motor neurons and cell lines in response to mutant SOD1-induced DNA damage

Increasing evidence indicates that DNA damage and p53 activation play major roles in the pathological process of motor neuron death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Human SpeedyA1 (Spy1), a member of the Speedy/Ringo family, enhances cell proliferation and promotes tumorigenesis. Further studies have demonstrated that Spy1 promotes cell survival and inhibits DNA damage-induced apoptosis. We showed that the Spy1 expression levels were substantially decreased in ALS motor neurons compared with wild-type controls both in vivo and in vitro by qRT-PCR, western blotting, and Immunoassay tests. In addition, we established that over-expression of human SOD1 mutant G93A led to a decreased expression of Spy1. Furthermore, DNA damage response was activated in SOD1G93A-transfected cells (mSOD1 cells). Moreover, decreased Spy1 expression reduced cell viability and further activated the DNA damage response in mSOD1 cells. In contrast, increased Spy1 expression improved cell viability and inhibited the DNA damage response in mSOD1 cells. These results suggest that Spy1 plays a protective role in ALS motor neurons. Importantly, these findings provide a novel direction for therapeutic options for patients with ALS as well as for trial designs, such as investigating the role of oncogenic proteins in ALS.

Abstract B19: Compound 23 inhibits high glucose-induced breast cancer progression in vivo through regulating activity and expression of PP2Cδ

Abstract Epidemiologic evidence suggests that women with diabetes have increased risk of breast cancer. Moreover, diabetes may dramatically increase mortality in patients with cancer, and there exists some important distinction between the breast cancer patients with and without diabetes in the regimen selection and outcomes of cancer therapy. There is an urgent need for more effective and specific clinical treatment for diabetes-associated breast cancer. Our previous studies have suggested that hyperglycemia, via PKC/GSK3β and ROS/NF-κB pathways that are involved in PP2Cδ activation, suppresses the tumor-suppressor p53 function and inhibits DNA damage-induced apoptosis, inducing proliferation in the epithelium and the development of breast cancer. HG inhibition of p53 activity and induction of cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were significantly blocked by CCT007093, a known PP2Cδ inhibitor. The structure similarity between a group of curcumin mimics (compounds 1-33) and CCT007093 spurred us to investigate the inhibitory ability of compounds 1-33 on PP2Cδ. The growth inhibition assay screening identified that compound 23 (C19H26N4O) has a striking cytotoxicity on MCF-7 cells instead of MCF-12A cells versus CCT007093. More interestingly, the impressive cytotoxicity of 23 is fully mirrored by their much stronger inhibitory ability on PP2Cδ in cells (as assessed by phospho-P38 measurement) than CCT007093. Docking simulation for binding modes of these inhibitors to PP2Cδ phosphatase domain suggests that the carbonyl oxygen and the nitrogen on the heteroaromatic ring of compound 23 form two hydrogen bonds with side chains of Arg258 and Asp105, respectively. This leads to a stable binding model of compound 23, which is inconsistent with its stronger inhibition on PP2Cδ. Furthermore, compound 23 dramatically induces heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27), ablating HG-induced ROS production and NF-κB activation, which partially blocked HG induction of PP2Cδ protein expression. Thus, compound 23 significantly blocked HG inhibition of p53 activity and induction of cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Finally, using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nude mice bearing MCF-7 cells, we demonstrate that hyperglycemia promoted the development of breast cancer in vivo and that compound 23 significantly inhibited xenografted breast cancer growth in mice. Taken together, these results suggest that the identified novel PP2Cδ inhibitor compound 23 inhibits HG-induced breast cancer progression in vivo through regulating expression and activity of PP2Cδ. These findings provide the first evidence proposing an alternative approach for the therapy of breast cancer patients with diabetes. Citation Format: Ke Wu, Xiaoting Yu, Xianghua Yi, Zhimin Huang, Ying-Li Wu, Yahya Elshimali, Yanjun Liu, Donghui Zhu, Shilong Zheng, Qiao-Hong Chen, Guangdi Wang, Yong Wu, Jaydutt V. Vadgama. Compound 23 inhibits high glucose-induced breast cancer progression in vivo through regulating activity and expression of PP2Cδ [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Breast Cancer Research; 2017 Oct 7-10; Hollywood, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2018;16(8_Suppl):Abstract nr B19.

Abstract B76: High glucose induces breast cancer progression through upregulating PP2Cδ

Abstract Breast cancer has a high incidence worldwide. African-American and Hispanic/Latina women have higher mortality from breast cancer than other ethnic groups. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that women with diabetes have increased risk of breast cancer. Diabetes and cancer share many risk factors, but the pathophysiologic relationship between the two diseases is incompletely understood in detail. We observed that exposure of cultured transformed (MCF-7) and normal (MCF-12A) breast epithelial cells to clinically relevant levels of glucose (HG, 22 mM) dramatically suppresses the tumor suppressor p53 acetylation, and, consequently, additively promotes tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Importantly, we found that activation of nuclear phosphatase PP2Cδ (Ppm1d, WIP1) plays a role in the enhancing effects of HG on aggressive phenotypes of these cells. The mechanisms underlying high-glucose stimulation of PP2Cδ involve classical/novel PKCs activation and its downstream target protein GSK3β phosphorylation and inactivation. In addition, HG-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and subsequent NF-κB activation play a partial role in HG induction of PP2Cδ. HG inhibition of p53 activity and DNA damage-induced apoptosis, as well as induction of cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, were significantly blocked by CCT007093, a known PP2Cδ inhibitor. We conclude that hyperglycemia, via PKC/GSK3β and ROS/NF-κB pathways that are involved in PP2Cδ activation, suppresses the tumor suppressor p53 function and inhibits DNA damage-induced apoptosis, inducing proliferation in the epithelium and the development of breast cancer. Citation Format: Ke Wu, Xiaoting Yu, Xianghua Yi, Lynn Ma, Yahya Elshimali, Yanjun Liu, Donghui Zhu, Yong Wu, Jaydutt V. Vadgama. High glucose induces breast cancer progression through upregulating PP2Cδ [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Tenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2017 Sep 25-28; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2018;27(7 Suppl):Abstract nr B76.

Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein, CIRP, inhibits DNA damage-induced apoptosis by regulating p53

CIRP has been implicated in apoptosis, yet its mechanism of action remains unknown. To determine the role of CIRP in DNA damage-induced apoptosis, we performed CIRP overexpression and knockdown experiments to investigate the effects of CIRP on key molecules in apoptosis pathway. Etoposide treatment was used to induce DNA damage-induced apoptosis. We found that CIRP knockdown increased p53 level, which in turn up-regulated pro-apoptotic genes and down-regulated anti-apoptotic genes. In contrast, CIRP overexpression decreased p53 level, which in turn down-regulated pro-apoptotic genes and up-regulated anti-apoptotic genes. The change in the expression levels of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes shifts the balance between life and death of cells. CIRP expression is upregulated by chronic inflammation, and this phenomenon provides an interesting interventional opportunity in cancers arising from chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation up-regulates CIRP, which in turn inhibit apoptosis. Therefore, inhibiting the function of up-regulated CIRP may have a therapeutic value in cancer.

Abstract LB-308: Monoubiquitination is critical for Otub1 to suppress UbcH5 and stabilize p53

Abstract Otub1 regulates p53 stability and activity via non-canonical inhibition of the MDM2 cognate ubiquitin (Ub)-conjugating enzyme (E2) UbcH5. However, it is not clear how this activity of Otub1 is regulated in cells. Here we report that Otub1 is monoubiquitinated by UbcH5 in cells and in vitro, primarily at lysine 59 and 109 residues. This monoubiquitination in turn contributes to the activity of Otub1 to suppress UbcH5. The lysine-free Otub1 mutant (Otub1K0) fails to be monoubiquitinated and is unable to suppress the Ub-conjugating activity of UbcH5 in vitro and the MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitination in cells. Consistently, this mutant is unable to stabilize p53, induce apoptosis, and suppress cell growth. Overexpression of Otub1K0 inhibits DNA-damage induced apoptosis. Adding either Lys 59 or Lys 109 back to the Otub1K0 mutant restored the monoubiquitination of Otub1 and its function to stabilize and activate p53. We further show that UbcH5 preferentially binds to the monoubiquitinated Otub1 via Ub interaction with its backside donor Ub-interacting surface, suggesting that this binding interferes with the self-assembly of Ub-charged UbcH5 (UbcH5∼Ub) conjugates, which is critical for the Ub transfer. Thus, our data reveal novel insights into the Otub1 inhibition of E2 wherein monoubiquitination promotes the interaction of Otub1 with and its function to suppress UbcH5. Citation Format: Yuhunag Li, Xiao-Xin Sun, Johannes Elferich, Ujwal Shinde, Larry David, Mushui Dai. Monoubiquitination is critical for Otub1 to suppress UbcH5 and stabilize p53. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-308. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-LB-308

Monoubiquitination Is Critical for Ovarian Tumor Domain-containing Ubiquitin Aldehyde Binding Protein 1 (Otub1) to Suppress UbcH5 Enzyme and Stabilize p53 Protein

Ovarian tumor domain-containing ubiquitin (Ub) aldehyde binding protein 1 (Otub1) regulates p53 stability and activity via non-canonical inhibition of the MDM2 cognate Ub-conjugating enzyme (E2) UbcH5. However, it is not clear how this activity of Otub1 is regulated in cells. Here we report that Otub1 is monoubiquitinated by UbcH5 in cells and in vitro, primarily at the lysine 59 and 109 residues. This monoubiquitination, in turn, contributes to the activity of Otub1 to suppress UbcH5. The lysine-free Otub1 mutant (Otub1(K0)) fails to be monoubiquitinated and is unable to suppress the Ub-conjugating activity of UbcH5 in vitro and the MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitination in cells. Consistently, this mutant is unable to stabilize p53, induce apoptosis, and suppress cell proliferation. Overexpression of Otub1(K0) inhibits DNA-damage induced apoptosis. Adding either Lys-59 or Lys-109 back to the Otub1(K0) mutant restores the monoubiquitination of Otub1 and its function to stabilize and activate p53. We further show that UbcH5 preferentially binds to the monoubiquitinated Otub1 via Ub interaction with its backside donor Ub-interacting surface, suggesting that this binding interferes with the self-assembly of Ub-charged UbcH5 (UbcH5∼Ub) conjugates, which is critical for Ub transfer. Thus, our data reveal novel insights into the Otub1 inhibition of E2 wherein monoubiquitination promotes the interaction of Otub1 with UbcH5 and the function to suppress it.

GFI1 Is Repressed by p53 and Inhibits DNA Damage-Induced Apoptosis

GFI1 is a transcriptional repressor that plays a critical role in hematopoiesis and has also been implicated in lymphomagenesis. It is still poorly understood how GFI1 expression is regulated in the hematopoietic system. We show here that GFI1 transcription was repressed by the tumor suppressor p53 in hematopoietic cells. Knockdown of p53 resulted in increased GFI1 expression and abolished DNA damage-induced GFI1 downregulation. In contrast, GFI1 expression was reduced and its downregulation in response to DNA damage was rescued upon restoration of p53 function in p53-deficient cells. In luciferase reporter assays, wild type p53, but not a DNA binding-defective p53 mutant, repressed the GFI1 promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays demonstrated that p53 bound to the proximal region of the GFI1 promoter. Detailed mapping of the GFI1 promoter indicated that GFI1 core promoter region spanning from −33 to +6 bp is sufficient for p53-mediated repression. This core promoter region contains a putative p53 repressive response element, mutation of which abolished p53 binding to and repression of GFI1 promoter. Significantly, apoptosis induced by DNA damage was inhibited upon Gfi1 overexpression, but augmented following GFI1 knockdown. Our data establish for the first time that GFI1 is repressed by p53 and add to our understanding of the roles of GFI1 in normal hematopoiesis and lymphomagenesis.

CAMP signalling inhibits p53 acetylation and apoptosis via HDAC and SIRT deacetylases

Activation of cAMP signalling potently inhibits DNA damage-induced apoptosis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells by promoting the turnover of p53 protein. Recently, we showed that the cAMP-induced destabilization of p53 in DNA-damaged cells occurs as a result of enhanced interaction between p53 and HDM2. In this report, we present results showing that increased levels of cAMP in cells with DNA damage enhances the deacetylation of p53, an event that facilitates the interaction of p53 with HDM2, thus annulling the stabilizing effect of DNA damage on p53. The combined inhibition of the HDAC and SIRT1 deacetylases abolished the cAMP-mediated deacetylation of p53, implying that cAMP-mediated deacetylation of p53 is dependent on the activity of these two classes of histone deacetylases. Importantly, diminishing the activity of HDACs and SIRT1 was also found to reverse the inhibitory effect of cAMP on the DNA damage-induced p53 stabilization and apoptosis, suggesting the involvement of the p53 acetylation pathway in the anti-apoptotic effect of cAMP signalling.

Gfi1 Is Repressed by p53 and Inhibits DNA Damage-Induced Apoptosis

Abstract 1228Gfi1 is a transcriptional repressor that plays a critical role in hematopoiesis. Gfi1 has also been implicated in lymphomagenesis when aberrantly activated as a result of deregulated expression. It is still poorly understood how Gfi1 expression is regulated and how it acts in the hematopoietic system. We show here that Gfi1 transcription was repressed by the tumor suppressor p53 in hematopoietic cells. Treatment of cells with doxorubicin (Doxo), which induces topoisomerase II-mediated DNA double strand breaks (DSB), led to a steady increase in p53 protein level, which was accompanied by a gradual decline in Gfi1 expression at both protein and mRNA levels. Knockdown of p53 resulted in increased Gfi1 expression and also abolished Doxo-induced Gfi1 downregulation. In contrast, Gfi1 expression was reduced and its downregulation in response to DNA damage was restored in p53-deficient cells transfected with the p53/estrogen receptor ligand binding domain fusion protein (p53ERTAM) in the presence of 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT). In luciferase reporter assays, Doxo treatment inhibited the activity of a ∼2.4-kb Gfi1 promoter fragment in p53+/+ cells, but not in p53−/− cells. Consistent with this, the wild type p53, but not a DNA binding-defective p53 mutant, repressed the Gfi1 promoter fragment. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays demonstrated that p53 bound to the proximal region of the Gfi1 promoter. Detailed mapping of the Gfi1 promoter indicated that the core promoter region of Gfi1 spanning −33 to +6 bp is sufficient for p53-mediated repression. This core promoter region contains a putative p53 repressive response element (RRE) and, when the RRE was mutated, p53 failed to bind to and repress the Gfi1 promoter. Significantly, apoptosis induction by Doxo treatment was inhibited upon Gfi1 overexpression, but augmented following Gfi1 knockdown. Together, these data establish for the first time that Gfi1 is repressed by p53 and indicate that Gfi1 acts to protect hematopoietic cells from DNA damage-induced apoptosis. Our findings have important implications for understanding the roles of Gfi-1 in normal hematopoiesis and lymphomagenesis. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Induction of microRNA-155 is TLR- and type IV secretion system-dependent in macrophages and inhibits DNA-damage induced apoptosis.

Helicobacter pylori is a gastric pathogen responsible for a high disease burden worldwide. Deregulated inflammatory responses, possibly involving macrophages, are implicated in H. pylori-induced pathology, and microRNAs, such as miR-155, have recently emerged as crucial regulators of innate immunity and inflammatory responses. miR-155 is regulated by Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands in monocyte-derived cells and has been shown to be induced in macrophages during H. pylori infection. Here, we investigated the regulation of miR-155 expression in primary murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) during H. pylori infection and examined the downstream mRNA targets of this microRNA using microarray analysis. We report TLR2/4- and NOD1/2-independent up-regulation of miR-155, which was found to be dependent on the major H. pylori pathogenicity determinant, the type IV secretion system (T4SS). miR-155 expression was dependent on NF-κB signaling but was independent of CagA. Microarray analysis identified known gene targets of miR-155 in BMMs during H. pylori infection that are proapoptotic. We also identified and validated miR-155 binding sites in the 3' UTRs of the targets, Tspan14, Lpin1, and Pmaip1. We observed that H. pylori-infected miR-155(-/-) BMMs were significantly more susceptible to cisplatin DNA damage-induced apoptosis than were wild-type BMMs. Thus, our data suggest a function for the prototypical H. pylori pathogenicity factor, the T4SS, in the up-regulation of miR-155 in BMMs. We propose the antiapoptotic effects of miR-155 could enhance macrophage resistance to apoptosis induced by DNA damage during H. pylori infection.

G-Protein Coupled Receptor Kinase 5 Regulates Prostate Tumor Growth

The limited success of cancer therapeutics is largely attributable to the ability of cancer to become resistant to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. Thus, further identification of signaling molecules and pathways that influence tumorigenesis is needed to increase the overall therapeutic options. GRKs, originally recognized for their conserved role in GPCR signal control, have now emerged as regulators of additional biological molecules and functions. We used Western blot analysis to determine GRK expression in prostate cancer and RNA interference to establish the role of GRK5 in prostate cancer growth and progression through the cell cycle. GRK5 was expressed highly in the aggressive prostate cancer PC3 cell line and its silencing by RNA interference attenuated in vitro cell proliferation. PC3 cells that stably expressed lentiviral small hairpin RNA and targeted GRK5 evidence reduced xenograft tumor growth in mice. This was reversed by rescuing expression with wild-type but not with kinase inactive K215R GRK5, implying the need of GRK5 kinase activity for tumor growth. To investigate possible cellular mechanism(s) for GRK5 in cell growth regulation we tested whether kinase activity would impact cell cycle progression. Like forced over expression of kinase-inactive K215R GRK5, GRK5 knockdown led to G2/M arrest in the cell cycle. Also, evidence revealed that the loss of GRK5 activity resulted in decreased cyclin D1 expression, Rb protein phosphorylation and E2F target gene expression involved in cell cycle control. Results provide direct evidence that GRK5 has an immediate role in the regulation of prostate tumor growth.

G-protein-coupled Receptor Kinase 5 Phosphorylates p53 and Inhibits DNA Damage-induced Apoptosis

G-protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) are an important family of Ser/Thr kinases that specifically phosphorylate and desensitize the activated receptor in response to environmental stimulation. Here we identify p53, a key tumor suppressor, as a novel GRK substrate in vivo, revealing a previously unknown function of GRKs in regulation of genome stability. Knockdown GRK5 in osteosarcoma cells inhibits DNA damage-induced apoptosis via a p53-mediated mechanism. Furthermore, GRK5, but not GRK2 or GRK6, phosphorylates p53 at Thr-55, which promotes the degradation of p53, leading to inhibition of p53-dependent apoptotic response to genotoxic damage. Consistently, the increase of p53 and irradiation-induced apoptosis were observed in GRK5-deficient mice. These results demonstrate GRK5 as a novel kinase of p53, as well as a negative regulator of p53-mediated signal transduction.

Deregulation of DNA Damage Signal Transduction by Herpesvirus Latency-Associated M2

Infected cells recognize viral replication as a DNA damage stress and elicit a DNA damage response that ultimately induces apoptosis as part of host immune surveillance. Here, we demonstrate a novel mechanism where the murine gamma herpesvirus 68 (gammaHV68) latency-associated, anti-interferon M2 protein inhibits DNA damage-induced apoptosis by interacting with the DDB1/COP9/cullin repair complex and the ATM DNA damage signal transducer. M2 expression constitutively induced DDB1 nuclear localization and ATM kinase activation in the absence of DNA damage. Activated ATM subsequently induced Chk activation and p53 phosphorylation and stabilization without eliciting H2AX phosphorylation and MRN recruitment to foci upon DNA damage. Consequently, M2 expression inhibited DNA repair, rendered cells resistant to DNA damage-induced apoptosis, and induced a G(1) cell cycle arrest. Our results suggest that gammaHV68 M2 blocks apoptosis-mediated intracellular innate immunity, which might ultimately contribute to its role in latent infection.

COX-2 regulates p53 activity and inhibits DNA damage-induced apoptosis

We have previously shown that p53 induces cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and COX-2 inhibits p53- or genotoxic stress-induced apoptosis. However, the COX-2 effects have been demonstrated indirectly by the use of a selective inhibitor, NS-398, and the molecular mechanisms by which COX-2 inhibits apoptosis have not been identified. In the present study, we demonstrated that COX-2 inhibits genotoxic stress-induced apoptosis by using an adenoviral COX-2 overexpression system. In addition, we found that COX-2 regulates the transcription function of p53 as evidenced by suppression of p53 target gene induction by COX-2 cotransfection. Furthermore, COX-2 interacted with p53 in vitro and in vivo, which was inhibited by the treatment with NS-398. Taken together, these results suggest a novel function of COX-2 that inhibits DNA damage-induced apoptosis through direct regulation of p53 function.

Proteolytic Cleavage and Activation of Protein Kinase C μ by Caspase-3 in the Apoptotic Response of Cells to 1-β-d-Arabinofuranosylcytosine and Other Genotoxic Agents

Protein kinase C (PKC) mu is a novel member of the PKC family that differs from the other isozymes in structural and biochemical properties. The precise function of PKCmu is not known. The present studies demonstrate that PKCmu is cleaved during apoptosis induced by 1-beta-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) and other genotoxic agents. PKCmu cleavage is blocked in cells that overexpress the anti-apoptotic Bcl-x(L) protein or the baculovirus p35 protein. Our results demonstrate that PKCmu is cleaved by caspase-3 at the CQND(378)S site. Cleavage of PKCmu is associated with release of the catalytic domain and activation of its kinase function. We also show that, unlike the cleaved fragments of PKCdelta and theta, overexpression of the PKCmu catalytic domain is not lethal. Cells stably expressing the catalytic fragment of PKCmu, however, are more sensitive to apoptosis induced by genotoxic stress. In addition, expression of the caspase-resistant PKCmu mutant partially inhibits DNA damage-induced apoptosis. These findings demonstrate that PKCmu is cleaved by caspase-3 and that expression of the catalytic domain sensitizes cells to the cytotoxic effects of ara-C and other anticancer agents.

Phorbol ester inhibits DNA damage-induced apoptosis in U937 cells through activation of protein kinase C

The effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on DNA damage-induced apoptosis were examined in promyelocytic leukemia cells, U937, in comparison with other differentiation-inducing agents to clarify the role of protein kinase C (PKC) vis-a-vis cellular differentiation in apoptosis. The apoptosis of U937 cells was observed at as early as 1–1.5 h following UV irradiation, with most cells being in apoptotic state at 3 h. Pretreatment with PMA for as short as 5 min was sufficient to inhibit apoptosis induced by UV irradiation, whereas apparent changes in cell cycle distributions and expression of differentiation markers by PMA were not observed until 12 h and 48 h, respectively. The inhibition of apoptosis by PMA was completely abolished by the pretreatment with calphostin C, a PKC inhibitor, and 4 alpha-phorbor 12,13-didecanoate, which is unable to activate PKC, did not protect U937 cells against apoptosis induced by UV irradiation. Other differentiation inducers, such as cyclic AMP and active vitamin D 3, did not affect the UV-induced apoptosis of U937 cells. Taken together, it was suggested that PMA inhibits DNA damage-induced apoptosis through the activation of PKC rather than as a result of differentiation of U937 cells.

Ataxia Telangiectasia-mutated Gene Product Inhibits DNA Damage-induced Apoptosis via Ceramide Synthase

DNA double-stranded breaks (dsb) activate surveillance systems that identify DNA damage and either initiate repair or signal cell death. Failure of cells to undergo appropriate death in response to DNA damage leads to misrepair, mutations, and neoplastic transformation. Pathways linking DNA dsb to reproductive or apoptotic death are virtually unknown. Here we report that metabolic incorporation of 125I-labeled 5-iodo-2'deoxyuridine, which produces DNA dsb, signaled de novo ceramide synthesis by post-translational activation of ceramide synthase (CS) and apoptosis. CS activation was obligatory, since fumonisin B1, a fungal pathogen that acts as a specific CS inhibitor, abrogated DNA damage-induced death. X-irradiation yielded similar results. Furthermore, inhibition of apoptosis using the peptide caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp fluoromethylketone did not affect CS activation, indicating this event is not a consequence of induction of apoptosis. ATM, the gene mutated in ataxia telangiectasia, is a member of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase family that constitutes the DNA damage surveillance/repair system. Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized B cell lines from six ataxia telangiectasia patients with different mutations exhibited radiation-induced CS activation, ceramide generation, and apoptosis, whereas three lines from normal patients failed to manifest these responses. Stable transfection of wild type ATM cDNA reversed these events, whereas antisense inactivation of ataxia telangiectasia-mutated gene product in normal B cells conferred the ataxia telangiectasia phenotype. We propose that one of the functions of ataxia telangiectasia-mutated gene product is to constrain activation of CS, thereby regulating DNA damage-induced apoptosis.