P21 Waf1 Research Articles

The repressive activity of hepatitis C virus core protein on the transcription of p21 waf1 is regulated by protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein is known to repress the transcription of p21 waf1 directly in a p53-independent manner. In this study, the region of HCV core protein responsible for the transcriptional repression of p21 promoter was determined. N-terminal half of core protein almost completely lost the ability to repress p21 promoter, indicating that the domain required for the majority of p21 repression is located between amino acid positions 84 and 191. The trans-repression activity of HCV core mutant S99L on p21 gene expression was similar to that of wild type core protein whereas mutation of the 116th amino acid Ser into either Ile or Ala completely abolished the repressive ability of HCV core protein. In addition, the trans-repression activity of HCV core mutant S116D was similar to that of wild type core protein, suggesting that an acidic aspartate residue can mimic the effect of phosphorylation. When treated with a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, H-89, the inhibitory activity of wild-type HCV core protein was dose-dependently decreased and was completely lost at the concentration of 5 μM. On the contrary, the repression activity of HCV core protein was increased by treatment with a PKA activator, dibutyryl-cAMP, indicating that the p21 repressive activity of HCV core protein is regulated by phosphorylation at S-116 by protein PKA

Expression of DNA mismatch repair proteins hMSH2 and hMLH1 and the cyclin G1 inhibitor, p21(waf1/cip1) in pediatric tumors: correlation with response to therapy.

The expression of the DNA mismatch repair proteins hMSH2 and hMLH1 and p21(waf1) the cyclin G1 inhibitor, may determine response of adult cancers to anti-cancer drugs, that include alkylating agents and platinum-based drugs. The role of DNA mismatch repair proteins (hMSH2 and hMLH1) and p21(waf1) in pediatric tumor responses to chemotherapy and irradiation is described in the present study of 23 pediatric solid cancers (4 wilms' tumors, 9 neuroblastomas, 3 hepatoblastomas, 3 lymphomas and 4 sarcomas) using immunohistochemical methods. Immunostaining was scored for intensity (0-3) and extent (0-3). Most tumors stained strongly for hMSH2 and weakly or negative for hMLH1. All the hMLH1 negative tumors (1 wilms', 1 hepatoblastoma, 1 sarcoma, 2 lymphomas and 2 neuroblastomas) achieved complete response. p21(waf1) negative and positive tumors achieved relatively similar treatment response. The results suggest that the expression of DNA mismatch repair proteins hMLH1 and hMSH2, and p21(waf1) do not influence individual cancer responses to treatment and the results may reflect the use of multiple drugs and irradiation that cause many different types of DNA damage.

Transcriptional repression of p21 waf1 promoter by hepatitis B virus X protein via a p53-independent pathway

The X-gene product of hepatitis B virus (HBx) has been implicated in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-mediated hepatocellular carcinoma through its ability to induce liver cancer in some transgenic mice and to transactivate a variety of viral and cellular promoters. In this study, we demonstrated that the level of p21 waf1 RNA was decreased in the HBx-expressing cells and this effect was due to the transcriptional repression of the p21 waf1 gene by HBx via a p53-independent pathway. As the Sp1 binding sites of the p21 waf1 promoter were sufficient to confer HBx responsiveness to a previously non-responsive promoter, we suggested that HBx represses the transcription of p21 waf1 by downregulating the activity of Sp1. Because the tumor repressor p21 waf1 protein is a universal inhibitor of cyclin-CDK complexes and DNA replication that induces cell cycle arrest at the G1-S checkpoint, the repression of p21 waf1 by HBx might play an important role in a HBV-mediated pathogenesis.

Expression profiling of cancer-related genes in human keratinocytes following non-lethal ultraviolet B irradiation

Ultraviolet B irradiation initiates and promotes skin cancers, photo-aging, and immune suppression. In order to elucidate the effect of these processes at the level of gene expression, we used cDNA microarray technology to examine the effect of ultraviolet B irradiation on 588 cancer-related genes in human keratinocytes at 1, 6, and 24 h post-irradiation with a mildly cytotoxic dose of ultraviolet B (170 mJ/cm 2). The viability of the irradiated keratinocytes was 75% at 24 h post-irradiation. Various cytokeratins and transcription factors were up-regulated within 1 h post-irradiation. After 6 h, expression of a variety of genes related to growth regulation (e.g. p21 WAF1, notch 4, and smoothened), apoptosis (e.g. caspase 10, hTRIP, and CRAF1), DNA repair (ERCC1, XRCC1), cytokines (e.g. IL-6, IL-13, TGF-β, and endothelin 2), and cell adhesion (e.g. RhoE, and RhoGDI) were altered in human keratinocytes. These data suggest the changes in a cascade of gene expression in human keratinocytes occurring within 24 h after UVB exposure. Although the roles of these cellular genes after UVB-irradiation remain to be elucidated, microarray analysis may provide a new view of gene expression in epidermal keratinocytes following UVB exposure.

Aberrant cell cycle checkpoint function in transformed hepatocytes and WB-F344 hepatic epithelial stem-like cells.

Cell cycle checkpoints are barriers to carcinogenesis as they function to maintain genomic integrity. Attenuation or ablation of checkpoint function may enhance tumor formation by permitting outgrowth of unstable cells with damaged DNA. To examine the function of cell cycle checkpoints in rat hepatocarcinogenesis, we analyzed the responses of the G (1), G (2) and mitotic spindle assembly checkpoints in normal rat hepatocytes, hepatic epithelial stem-like cells (WB-F344) and transformed derivatives of both. Normal rat hepatocytes (NRH) displayed a 73% reduction in the fraction of nuclei in early S-phase 6-8 h following 8 Gy of ionizing radiation (IR) as a quantitative measure of G (1) checkpoint function. Chemically and virally transformed hepatocyte lines displayed significant attenuation of G (1) checkpoint function, ranging from partial to complete ablation. WB-F344 rat hepatic epithelial cell lines at low, mid and high passage levels expressed G (1) checkpoint function comparable with NRH. Only one of four malignantly transformed WB-F344 cell lines displayed significant attenuation of G (1) checkpoint function. Attenuation of G (1) checkpoint function in transformed hepatocytes and WB-F344 cells was associated with alterations in p53, ablated/attenuated induction of p21 (Waf1) by IR, as well as aberrant function of the spindle assembly checkpoint. NRH displayed 93% inhibition of mitosis 2 h after 1 Gy IR as a quantitative measure of G (2) checkpoint function. All transformed hepatocyte and WB-F344 cell lines displayed significant attenuation of the G (2) checkpoint. Moreover, the parental WB-F344 line displayed significant age-related attenuation of G (2) checkpoint function. Abnormalities in the function of cell cycle checkpoints were detected in transformed hepatocytes and WB-F344 cells at stages of hepatocarcinogenesis preceding tumorigenicity, sustaining a hypothesis that aberrant checkpoint function contributes to carcinogenesis.

The human melanocyte: a model system to study the complexity of cellular aging and transformation in non-fibroblastic cells.

The melanocyte is a neural crest-derived cell that localizes in humans to several organs including the epidermis, eye, inner ear and leptomeninges. In the skin, melanocytes synthesize and transfer melanin pigments to surrounding keratinocytes, leading to skin pigmentation and protection against solar exposure. We have investigated the process of replicative senescence and accompanying irreversible cell cycle arrest, in melanocytes in culture. As was found in other cell types, progressive telomere shortening appears to trigger replicative senescence in normal melanocytes. In addition, senescence is associated with increased binding of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDK-I) p16(INK4a) to CDK4, down-regulation of cyclin E protein levels (and consequent loss of cyclin E/CDK2 activity), underphosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein RB and subsequent increased levels of E2F4-RB repressive complexes. In contrast to fibroblasts, however, the CDK-Is p21(Waf-1) and p27(Kip-1) are also down-regulated. These changes appear to be important for replicative senescence because they do not occur in melanocytes that overexpress the catalytic subunit of the enzyme telomerase (hTERT), or in melanomas, which are tumors that originate from melanocytes or melanoblasts. In contrast to unmodified melanocytes, hTERT overexpressing (telomerized) melanocytes displayed telomerase activity, stable telomere lengths and an extended replicative life span. However, telomerized melanocytes show changes in cell cycle regulatory proteins, including increased levels of cyclin E, p21(Waf-1) and p27(Kip-1). Cyclin E, p21(Waf-1) and p27(Kip-1) are also elevated in many primary melanomas, whereas p16(INK4a) is mutated or deleted in many invasive and metastatic melanomas. Thus, the molecular mechanisms leading to melanocyte senescence and transformation differ significantly from fibroblasts. This suggests that different cell types may use different strategies to halt the cell cycle in response to telomere attrition and thus prevent replicative immortality.

Prolonged Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation and the upregulation of p53 and p21 WAF1/ CIP1 preceded apoptosis in hepatocytes after partial hepatectomy and cisplatin

Cisplatin induced apoptosis in regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy (PH). Apoptosis was determined by in situ end-labeling and gel electrophoresis of DNA fragmentation. Characteristic DNA fragmentation was obvious at 4 h and peaked at 8 h after PH. The activity of Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) transiently increased at 1 h after PH. However, in cisplatin-injected rats, the JNK activity increased at 30 min and the increased level was maintained up to 4 h after PH. The in vivo activation of JNK was confirmed by the increased level of the phosphorylated c-Jun protein. Western blot analysis showed that the phosphorylated c-Jun level increased at 1 h and reached more than 30-fold the control level at 2 h after PH with cisplatin. The c-jun mRNA levels also markedly increased at 1 h after PH with cisplatin. The protein level of p53 increased after 1 h on cisplatin injection, but no significant change in the mRNA level was observed. The rise in the p53 protein level was followed by the upregulation of p21 WAF1/ CIP1 mRNA and protein levels. These results suggested that the enhanced and sustained JNK activation and the upregulation of p53 and p21 WAF1/ CIP1 were involved in hepatocyte apoptosis induced by PH with cisplatin.

Functional characterization of naturally occurring mutants (P405R and P425L) of p73alpha and p73beta found in neuroblastoma and lung cancer.

The novel candidate tumor suppressor p73, a structural and functional homolog of p53, activates various p53 responsive promoters and induces tumor cell apoptosis. Although p73 is infrequently mutated in human cancers, we have previously found two types of p73 mutation with amino acid substitution (P405R and P425L) in primary neuroblastoma and lung cancer. Here we report generations of the p73 mutants with either P405R or P425L substitution and functional analysis of these naturally occurring mutants. Indirect immunofluorescence staining revealed that nuclear accumulation of p73alpha or p73beta was not affected by these mutations. The P425L substitution reduced the ability of p73alpha to transactivate various p53 responsive promoters (p21(Waf1), Mdm2, and Bax). Moreover, this down-regulation was correlated with the reduced capability of p73alpha(P425L) to suppress cell growth in p53-deficient SAOS-2 cells. In contrast, p73beta(P425L) was as effective as wild-type p73beta in transactivation and growth inhibition. On the other hand, the P405R substitution had no significant effect on both the transcriptional activity and the growth-suppressive ability of p73alpha or p73beta. These results suggested that, at least, one of the naturally occurring p73 mutants, p73alpha(P425L), was a functionally defective mutant of p73.

Interaction of human thymidine kinase 1 with p21(Waf1).

The overexpression of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21(Waf1) can inhibit cell proliferation, which is mediated by direct binding to CDK and proliferating-cell nuclear antigen. In this study, we demonstrated that human cytosolic thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) polypeptide can form a complex with p21(Waf1). The C-terminal domain of p21(Waf1) appeared to interact with the TK1 polypeptide, but, despite the inhibitory function of p21(Waf1), their association did not alter TK1 functional activity. However, overexpression of TK1 overcame p21(Waf1)-mediated growth suppression and blocked the association of CDK2 with p21(Waf1), suggesting that TK1 interferes with the inhibitory function of p21(Waf1). Based on these results, we here propose that the molecular function of p21(Waf1) in cells can be perturbed through its interaction with another cellular protein, TK1.

Accumulation of soluble and nucleolar-associated p53 proteins following cellular stress.

The tumor suppressor p53 is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein that accumulates in the nucleus of cells exposed to various cellular stresses. One important role of nuclear p53 is to mobilize a stress response by transactivating target genes such as the p21(Waf1) gene. In this study, we investigated more closely the localization of p53 in cells following various stresses. Immunocytochemistry of fixed human fibroblasts treated with either UV light, the kinase and transcription inhibitor DRB or the proteasome inhibitor MG132 revealed abundant p53 localized to the nucleus. When cells treated with UV or DRB were permeabilized prior to fixation to allow soluble proteins to diffuse, the nuclear p53 signal was abolished. However, in cells treated with MG132, residual p53 localized to distinct large foci. Furthermore, nucleolin co-localized with p53 to these foci, suggesting that these foci were nucleolar structures. Interestingly, the MDM2 protein was found to co-localize with p53 to nucleolar structures following proteasome inhibition. Our results suggest that the p53 proteins accumulating in the nucleus following UV-irradiation or blockage of transcription are freely soluble and, thus, should be able to roam the nucleus to ensure high occupancy of p53 binding sites. However, inhibition of proteasome activity may be a unique stress in that it leads to the sequestering of p53 proteins to the nucleolus, thereby blunting the p53-mediated transactivation of target genes.

Expression of Bcl-2 family proteins and spontaneous apoptosis in normal human testis.

We investigated the frequency of spontaneous apoptosis and expression of the Bcl-2 family of proteins during normal spermatogenesis in man. Testicular tissue with both normal morphology and DNA content was obtained from necro-donors and fixed in Bouin's solution. A TdT-mediated dUTP end-labelling method (TUNEL) was used for the detection of apoptotic cells. Expression of apoptosis regulatory Bcl-2 family proteins and of p53 and p21(Waf1) was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Germ cell apoptosis was detected in all testes and was mainly seen in primary spermatocytes and spermatids and in a few spermatogonia. Bcl-2 and Bak were preferentially expressed in the compartments of spermatocytes and differentiating spermatids, while Bcl-x was preferentially expressed in spermatogonia. Bax showed a preferential expression in nuclei of round spermatids, whereas Bad was only seen in the acrosome region of various stages of spermatids. Mcl-1 staining was weak without a particular pattern, whereas expression of Bcl-w, p53 and p21(Waf1) proteins was not detected by immunohistochemistry. The results show that spontaneous apoptosis occurs in all male germ cell compartments in humans. Bcl-2 family proteins are distributed preferentially within distinct germ cell compartments suggesting a specific role for these proteins in the processes of differentiation and maturation during human spermatogenesis.

Kinetics of p53 binding to promoter sites in vivo.

Downstream target genes of p53 are thought to mediate its tumor-suppressive activity, but it is unknown whether differential transactivation of these genes is regulated at the level of p53 binding to their promoters. To address this issue, p53 binding in vivo to consensus sites in the p21(Waf1), MDM2, and PIG3 promoters was investigated in cells exposed to adriamycin (ADR) or ionizing radiation as well as in an inducible p53 cell line. p53-DNA complexes were cross-linked in vivo by treating the cells with formaldehyde and processed by chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR. This methodology allowed for the analysis of relevant p53-DNA complexes by preventing redistribution of cellular components upon collection of cell extracts. Increased p53 binding to the p21(Waf1), MDM2, and PIG3 promoters occurred within 2 h after p53 activation; however, significant increases in PIG3 transcription did not occur until 15 h after p53 binding. Gel shift analyses indicated that p53 had lower affinity for the consensus binding site in the PIG3 promoters compared to its consensus sites in the p21 and MDM2 genes, which suggests that additional factors may be required to stabilize the interaction of p53 with the PIG3 promoter. Further, acetylated p53 (Lys382) was found in chemically cross-linked complexes at all promoter sites examined after treatment of cells with ADR. In summary, the kinetics of p53 binding in vivo to target gene regulatory regions does not uniformly correlate with target gene mRNA expression for the p53 target genes examined. Our results suggest that target genes with low-affinity p53 binding sites may require additional events and will have delayed kinetics of induction compared to those with high-affinity binding sites.

The cytotoxic effect of E1B 55-kDa mutant adenovirus on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.

It has been suggested the E1B 55 kDa mutant adenovirus dl1520 can selectively kill p53-deficient human tumor cells. In this study, we examined the cytotoxic effect of dl1520 on nine human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines with different p53 genetic and functional status. The results showed that HCC cell lines with deleted or mutant p53 gene and reduced p53 transcriptional activities were more susceptible to dl1520-induced cytolysis. Hep3B (p53-null) and HepG2 (p53-wt) cells were arrested at G2/M phase when cytolysis occurred. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI) p21(Waf-1/Cip-1) was downregulated 24 hours after dl1520 infection in HepG2 cells and increased when cytolysis occurred. No p21 expression was detected in Hep3B cells. DNA fragmentation was found in both Hep3B and HepG2 cells after dl1520 infection. Bax expression increased in dl1520-infected HepG2 cells but not in Hep3B cells. Notably, three Bax-like proteins, molecular mass around 40 to 80 kDa, accumulated 48 hours after adenovirus infection in Hep3B cells but not in HepG2 cells. These results suggest that the susceptibility of HCC cells to dl1520-induced cytolysis is related to both p53 genotype and functional status, and is mediated by both cell cycle disturbance and apoptosis.

The SV40 small t-antigen prevents mammary gland differentiation and induces breast cancer formation in transgenic mice; truncated large T-antigen molecules harboring the intact p53 and pRb binding region do not have this effect.

We report here for the first time, that the SV40 small t-antigen inhibits mammary gland differentiation during mid-pregnancy and that about 10% of multiparous WAP-SVt transgenic animals develop breast tumors with latencies ranging from 10-17 months. Cyclin D1 is deregulated and over expressed in the small t-antigen positive mammary gland epithelial cells (ME-cells) and in the breast tumor cells. SV40 small t-antigen immortalized ME-cells (t-ME-cells) exhibit a strong intranuclear cyclin D1 staining, also in the absence of external growth factors and the cells continue to divide for several days without serum. In addition, the expression rate of cyclin E and p21(Waf1) but not of p53 is increased. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed that p21(Waf1) is mainly associated with the cyclin D/CDK4 but not with the cyclin E/CDK2 complex. WAP-SVT transgenic animals exhibit an almost regular mammary gland development until late pregnancy but the majority of the ME-cells are eliminated by apoptosis during the early lactation period. Tumor formation is delayed and less efficient than in T/t-antigen positive animals. Sequestration of p53 and pRb by the N-terminal truncated T-antigen molecules (T1-antigen and T2-antigen) does not affect mammary gland differentiation and the transgenic animals (WAP-SVBst-Bam) do not develop breast tumors.

Correlation between p21 waf1 and p16 INK4a expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: The cyclin dependent kinase p21 waf1 plays a crucial role in the regulation of cell cycle. The family of p53 proteins has the ability to induce p21 waf1, whereas p16 INK4a modulates post-transcriptionally the expression of p21 waf1. Methods: Total 36 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and 24 paired adjacent liver tissues were evaluated for the following: (1) expression of p21 waf1 and p16 INK4a ; (2) that of p21 waf1, p73 and p63 mRNAs; (3) genomic mutations and the loss of heterozygosity of p73 and p53; and (4) frequency of methylation in the 5′CpG promoter region of p16 INK4a . Results: In HCCs compared with the adjacent non-cancerous liver tissues, the expression of p21 waf1 and p16 INK4a was reduced. Indeed, p21 waf1 was not detected in 36% (8/22) of HCCs in spite of the presence of p21 waf1 mRNA: among them, mutations of p53 gene were found in 50%, whereas a lack of p16 INK4a expression in all of them. p21 waf1 and p16 INK4a were reduced in proportion to the degree of methylation in p16 INK4a gene. p73 did not mutated, and p63 did not expressed in HCCs. Conclusion: Methylation status of p16 INK4a gene will play a part for reducing constitutive expression of p16 INK4a and of p21 waf1 coordinately in HCCs.

The interphase microtubule damage checkpoint defines an S-phase commitment point and does not requirep21waf-1

Cell cycle checkpoints ensure orderly progression of events during cell division. A microtubule damage (MTD)-induced checkpoint has been described in G(1) phase of the cell cycle (G(1)MTC) for which little is known. The present study shows that the G(1)MTC is intact in activated T lymphocytes from mice with the p21(waf-1) gene deleted. However, p21(waf-1) gene deletion does affect the ratio of cells that arrest at the G(1)MTC and the spindle checkpoint after MTD. The G(1)MTC arrests T lymphocytes in G(1) prior to cdc2 up-regulation and prior to G(1) arrest by p21(waf-1). Once cells have progressed past the G(1)MTC, they are committed to chromosome replication and metaphase progression, even with extreme MTD. The G(1)MTC is also present in a human myeloid cell line deficient in p21(waf-1) gene expression. The p21-independent G(1)MTC may be important in cellular responses to MTD such as those induced by drugs used to treat cancer.

Inhibition of normal human lung fibroblast growth by beryllium

Inhalation of particulate beryllium (Be) and its compounds causes chronic Be disease (CBD) in a relatively small subset (∼1–6%) of exposed individuals. Hallmarks of this pulmonary disease include increases in several cell types, including lung fibroblasts, that contribute to the fibrotic component of the disorder. In this regard, enhancements in cell proliferation appear to play a fundamental role in CBD development and progression. Paradoxically, however, some existing evidence suggests that Be actually has antiproliferative effects. In order to gain further information about the effects of Be on cell growth, we: (1) assessed cell proliferation and cell cycle effects of low concentrations of Be in normal human diploid fibroblasts, and (2) investigated the molecular pathway(s) by which the cell cycle disturbing effects of Be may be mediated. Treatment of human lung and skin fibroblasts with Be added in the soluble form of BeSO 4 (0.1–100 μM) caused inhibitions of their growth in culture in a concentration-dependent manner. Such growth inhibition was found to persist, even after cells were further cultured in Be 2+-free medium. Flow cytometric analyses of cellular DNA labeled with the DNA-binding fluorochrome DAPI revealed that Be causes a G 0–G 1/pre-S phase arrest. Western blot analyses indicated that the Be-induced G 0–G 1/pre-S phase arrest involves elevations in TP53 (p53) and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor CDKN1A (p21 Waf-1,Cip1). That Be at low concentrations inhibits the growth of normal human fibroblasts suggests the possibility of the existence of abnormal cell cycle inhibitory responses to Be in individuals who are sensitive to the metal and ultimately develop CBD.

Antiproliferative activity and interactions with cell-cycle related proteins of the organotin compound triethyltin(IV)lupinylsulfide hydrochloride

Organotin compounds, particularly tri-organotin, have demonstrated cytotoxic properties against a number of tumor cell lines. On this basis, triethyltin(IV)lupinylsulfide hydrochloride (IST-FS 29), a quinolizidine derivative, was synthesized and developed as a potential antitumor agent. This tin-derived compound exhibited potent antiproliferative effects on three different human cancer cell lines: teratocarcinoma of the ovary (PA-1), colon carcinoma (HCT-8) and glioblastoma (A-172). Cytotoxic activity was assessed by MTT and cell count assays during time course experiments with cell recovery after compound withdrawal. Significant cell growth inhibition (up to 95% in HCT-8 after 72 h of exposure), which also persisted after drug-free medium change, was reported in all the cell lines by both assays. In addition, the cytocidal effects exerted by IST-FS 29 appeared more consistent with necrosis or delayed cell death, rather than apoptosis, as shown by morphologic observations under light microscope, DNA fragmentation analysis and flow cytometry. In the attempt to elucidate whether this compound might affect genes playing a role in G1/S phase transition, the expressions of p53, p21 WAF1, cyclin D1 and Rb, mainly involved in response to DNA-damaging stress, were analyzed by Western blot. Heterogeneous patterns of expression during exposure to IST-FS 29 were evidenced in the different cell lines suggesting that these cell-cycle-related genes are not likely the primary targets of this compound. Thus, the present data seem more indicative of a direct effect of IST-FS-29 on macromolecular synthesis and cellular homeostasis, as previously hypothesized for other organotin complexes.

Nitrogen-Bisphosphonates Block Retinoblastoma Phosphorylation and Cell Growth by Inhibiting the Cholesterol Biosynthetic Pathway in a Keratinocyte Model for Esophageal Irritation

The surprising discovery that nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) act via inhibition of the mevalonate-to-cholesterol pathway raised the possibility that esophageal irritation by N-BPs is mechanism-based. We used normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) to model N-BP effects on stratified squamous epithelium of the esophagus. The N-BPs alendronate and risedronate inhibited NHEK growth in a dose-dependent manner without inducing apoptosis. N-BPs (30 microM) caused accumulation of cells in S phase and increased binucleation (inhibited cytokinesis). Consistent with N-BP inhibition of isoprenylation, geranylgeraniol or farnesol prevented accumulation in S phase. Binucleation was also induced by the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor lovastatin and by the squalene synthase inhibitor zaragozic acid A and was prevented by adding low-density lipoprotein. At 300 microM, N-BPs reduced expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) 2 and cdk4 and enhanced expression of p21(waf1) and p27(kip1) and their binding to cdks with corollary hypophosphorylation of retinoblastoma. Lovastatin and zaragozic acid A produced similar effects, except that p21(waf1) expression and binding to cdks was not induced. Growth inhibition, but not binucleation, was also caused by the geranylgeranyl transferase I inhibitor, GGTI-298, which also enhanced cdk2 and cdk4 association with p27(kip1). These findings are consistent with suppression of epithelial cell growth by N-BPs via inhibition of the mevalonate pathway and the consequent reduction in cholesterol synthesis, which blocks cytokinesis, and in geranylgeranylation, which interferes with progression through the cell cycle.

NBP is the p53 homolog p63.

We previously identified a non-p53, p53-responsive DNA element (p53RE)-binding protein named NBP, functionally analogous to p53, from human cervical carcinoma Hela cells. Here we report a biochemical study demonstrating that this activity is the recently cloned p53 analog p63. NBP was purified through conventional and DNA affinity chromatography to apparent homogeneity with a prominent polypeptide migrating in between the 43 and 68 kDa positions on a SDS gel. This polypeptide immunoreacted with monoclonal anti-p63 but not anti-p53 or anti-p73 antibodies. Also, NBP co-purified with p63 through each step of fractionation, as detected with anti-p63 antibodies. DNA-protein complexes formed with purified NBP and p53RE-containing oligomers derived from the p21(waf1) promoter were supershifted by anti-p63 but not anti-p53 antibodies. Thus, these results demonstrate that NBP is encoded by the p53 homolog p63 gene.