P34cdc2 Kinase Activity Research Articles

Cholesterol starvation decreases p34(cdc2) kinase activity and arrests the cell cycle at G2.

As a major component of mammalian cell plasma membranes, cholesterol is essential for cell growth. Accordingly, the restriction of cholesterol provision has been shown to result in cell proliferation inhibition. We explored the potential regulatory role of cholesterol on cell cycle progression. MOLT-4 and HL-60 cell lines were cultured in a cholesterol-deficient medium and simultaneously exposed to SKF 104976, which is a specific inhibitor of lanosterol 14-alpha demethylase. Through HPLC analyses with on-line radioactivity detection, we found that SKF 104976 efficiently blocked the [(14)C]-acetate incorporation into cholesterol, resulting in an accumulation of lanosterol and dihydrolanosterol, without affecting the synthesis of mevalonic acid. The inhibitor also produced a rapid and intense inhibition of cell proliferation (IC(50) = 0.1 microM), as assessed by both [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA and cell counting. Flow cytometry and morphological examination showed that treatment with SKF 104976 for 48 h or longer resulted in the accumulation of cells specifically at G2 phase, whereas both the G1 traversal and the transition through S were unaffected. The G2 arrest was accompanied by an increase in the hyperphosphorylated form of p34(cdc2) and a reduction of its activity, as determined by assaying the H1 histone phosphorylating activity of p34(cdc2) immunoprecipitates. The persistent deficiency of cholesterol induced apoptosis. However, supplementing the medium with cholesterol, either in the form of LDL or free cholesterol dissolved in ethanol, completely abolished these effects, whereas mevalonate was ineffective. Caffeine, which abrogates the G2 checkpoint by preventing p34(cdc2) phosphorylation, reduced the accumulation in G2 when added to cultures containing cells on transit to G2, but was ineffective in cells arrested at G2 by sustained cholesterol starvation. Cells arrested in G2, however, were still viable and responded to cholesterol provision by activating p34(cdc2) and resuming the cell cycle. We conclude that in both lymphoblastoid and promyelocytic cells, cholesterol availability governs the G2 traversal, probably by affecting p34(cdc2) activity.

Induction of p21CIP1/Waf1and Activation of p34cdc2Involved in Retinoic Acid-Induced Apoptosis in Human Hepatoma Hep3B Cells

The biological activity of retinoic acid (RA) was examined in human hepatoma Hep3B cells. Under serum-deprived conditions, RA induced S/M-phase elevation and mitotic index increase within 24 h, followed by apoptosis. This RA-induced apoptosis was accompanied by p53-independent up-regulation of endogenous p21CIPI/Waf1and Bax proteins, as well as activation of p34cdc2kinase, and increase of Rb2 protein level and phosphorylation pattern. In addition, RA had no effect on the levels of Bcl-XL; Bcl-XS; cyclins A, B, D1, D3, or E; or Rb1 expression but markedly down-modulated Cdk2 kinase activity and reduced Cdk4 expression. RA also slightly delayed p27Kip1expression. Olomoucine, a potent p34cdc2and Cdk2 inhibitor, effectively blocked RA-mediated p34cdc2kinase activation and prevented RA-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, antisense oligonucleotide complementary to p21CIP2/Waf1and p34cdc2mRNA significantly rescued RA-induced apoptosis. Our data indicate that p21CIP2/Waf1overexpression may not be the only regulatory factor necessary for RA-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma Hep3B cells. RA treatment leads to Rb2 hyperphosphorylation, and p34cdc2kinase activation is coincident with an aberrant mitotic progression, followed by appearance of abnormal nucleus. This aberrant cell cycle progression appeared requisite for RA-induced cell death. These findings suggest that inappropriate regulation of the cell cycle regulators p21CIP2/Waf1and p34cdc2is coupled with induction of Bax and involved in cell death with apoptosis when Hep3B cells are exposed to RA.

DNA damage-associated cell cycle and cell death control is differentially modulated by caffeine in clones with p53 mutations.

Caffeine is known to potentiate the cytotoxic effects of DNA damaging agents and increases the sensitivity of p53-deficient cells to X-irradiation (X-IR). We have analyzed the cell cycle and cell death control after X-IR in the absence or presence of caffeine in hematological cell lines with various configurations of the p53 gene; EBV-immortalized lymphoblastoid cells with heterozygous p53 mutation (wt/mt), human leukemia cell lines HL60 and KOPM28 with no and mutant p53 expression, respectively. These cell lines display an impaired G0/G1 checkpoint and G2 delay following X-IR, and resistance to apoptosis, which are in accordance with findings previously reported. When irradiated in combination with caffeine, all these cell lines overrode the G2 delay and accumulated at G0/G1. The cell cycle modifications in these cell lines correlated with the increase in radiation-induced p34Cdc2 kinase activity by caffeine. These cell cycle control modifications by caffeine, however, were not associated with enhancement of radiation-induced apoptosis or reduction of clonogenic growth activity in these cell lines. These results suggest that the cytocidal effect of caffeine may need to be verified independently of its cell cycle regulatory activities at least in some cases with p53 mutation.

Cut5 is a component of the UV-responsive DNA damage checkpoint in fission yeast.

A checkpoint responding to DNA damage in G2 results in a delay in the onset of mitosis through inhibition of p34cdc2 kinase activity via maintenance of inhibitory tyrosine phosphorylation. Genetic analyses of this checkpoint in fission yeast have identified single alleles of several genes, suggesting these screens are not yet saturating, and hence further genes await identification. To fully understand the complexity of this checkpoint it will be necessary to define all the genes involved. To this end we screened for new mutants defective in the ability to delay mitosis in the presence of DNA-damaging agents. Twenty-four mutants were isolated that were defective in UV-C and MMS-induced checkpoint delay. Amongst these mutants was an allele of cut5 that was also defective in the checkpoint responses. We show here, contrary to previous reports, that the UV-C induced checkpoint response is defective in cut5 mutants. Therefore, like all other checkpoint mutants, cut5 is required for G2 checkpoint arrest following DNA damage, regardless of the nature of the lesions involved.

Regulation of the Cell Cycle at the G2/M Boundary in Metastatic Melanoma Cells by 12-O-Tetradecanoyl Phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) by Blocking p34cdc2Kinase Activity

12-O-Tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) inhibits the growth of most malignant melanoma cells but stimulates the growth of normal human melanocytes. We previously showed that addition of TPA inhibits the growth of the human metastatic melanoma cell line, Demel, by blocking cells at both the G1/S and G2/M cell cycle transitions (D. L. Coppocket al.,1992,Cell Growth Differ.3, 485–494). To examine the G2/M transition, we developed a method to synchronize the cells in early S phase using Lovastatin and mevalonate, followed by treatment with hydroxyurea (HU). TPA (30 nM) was effective in blocking cells from entering mitosis and reentering G1 when added up to the end of G2. These cells arrested in G2. Examination of the levels of cyclins A and B1 demonstrated that the levels of these cyclins were not limiting for entrance into M. However, the addition of TPA blocked the increase in p34cdc2/cyclin B1 kinase activity. In cells treated with TPA, most p34cdc2was found in the slowly migrating forms on Western blots, which contained increased levels of phosphotyrosine. In addition, the level of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21Cip1/Waf1, but not of p27Kip1, was increased. We examined the expression of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in Demel cells using Western blots to understand which types were involved in the G2 arrest. Demel cells expressed the PKC α, βI, βII, δ, ϵ, ι/λ, ζ, and μ isozymes. PKC η and PKC θ were not detected. Addition of TPA did not completely down regulate any PKC isozymes over a 12-h period in these synchronized cells. PKC α, βI, βII, δ, and ϵ isozymes were translocated to the membrane fraction from the cytosolic fraction when treated with TPA. PKC δ appeared as a doublet and the addition of TPA shifted a majority to the slower migrating form. The level of PKC μ was constant; however, a slow mobility form was observed in TPA-treated cells. This reduced mobility was at least partially due to phosphorylation. Thus, the arrest of growth in G2 appears to be due to the inhibition of the p34cdc2kinase activity which is associated with the increased expression of p21Cip1/Waf1and increased phosphorylation on tyrosine of p34cdc2. This arrest, in turn, is associated with a shift of PKC isozymes PKC α, PKC βI, PKC βII, PKC δ, PKC ϵ, and PKC μ to the membrane fraction which is induced by addition of TPA.

Induction of apoptosis by taxol and cisplatin and effect on cell cycle-related proteins in cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant human ovarian cells.

The effect of taxol (TX) and cisplatin (CDDP), singly or in association, was assessed on two human ovarian cancer cell lines, one sensitive (A2780) and one resistant (A2780 cp8) to CDDP. Cell lines showed a similar sensitivity to TX, whereas different cytotoxicity results were obtained in the two cell lines as a function of TX and CDDP sequence. Specifically, TX followed by CDDP induced simply additive effects in both cell lines, whereas the opposite sequence produced antagonistic effects in A2780 cells and synergistic effects in A2780 cp8 cells. TX, with or without CDDP, induced oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation typical of the apoptotic process, but the biochemical mechanisms undergoing apoptosis were different in the two cell lines. In fact, in A2780 cells, TX (with or without CDDP) treatment markedly increased p53 as well as p21waf1 protein expression. In A2780 cp8 cells, drug treatment enhanced p53 levels, whereas the expression of p21waf1 was always undetectable at mRNA and protein levels. In the latter cell line, a premature activation of p34cdc2 kinase was observed in correspondence with the drug-induced increase in the S-phase cell fraction. Such an activation was not ascribable to an increase in the overall expression of p34cdc2 or cyclin B1 proteins, but to a dephosphorylation of p34cdc2 kinase. Overall, our results indicate that TX-induced apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells may be sustained by different events at the cell cycle-control level.

Different mechanisms for inhibition of cell proliferation via cell cycle proteins in PC12 cells by nerve growth factor and staurosporine

PC12 cells have previously been shown to cease cell division during nerve growth-factor (NGF)-induced differentiation by affecting specific cell cycle proteins. Staurosporine, a protein kinase inhibitor, also causes PC12 cell differentiation, independently of neurotrophins or plasma membrane receptors. We have investigated the relationship of the tumor suppressor protein, p53, and other cell cycle proteins to the antiproliferative effects of NGF and staurosporine in PC12 cells. NGF treatment of PC12 cells stimulated an increase of p53 protein in the nucleus and, more slowly, an increase in total cellular p53 protein. Levels of the cyclin-kinase inhibitor p21/WAF1, cyclin D1, and cyclin G, all downstream transcriptional targets of p53, increased after short times of NGF treatment. Cessation of replication and differentiation occurred more rapidly in defined medium (2 days) than in serum medium (6 days), in correspondence with the more rapid changes in both p53 and p21/WAF1 levels in defined medium (1 hour) than in serum (1 day). Levels of p34cdc2 and p33cdk2 kinase dropped after 6 to 10 days treatment with NGF in serum, close to the time of terminal differentiation. Staurosporine, on the other hand, inhibited DNA replication of PC12 cells in a time- and dose-dependent fashion by affecting cyclin-dependent kinases. Staurosporine had no effect on the protein levels of p53, p21/WAF1, or cyclin G. The kinase activity of both p34cdc2 and p33cdk2 were inhibited in vitro with IC50 values of 20 nM and 75 nM, respectively. In vivo p34cdc2 kinase activity was inhibited within 1 day, before the decrease in the levels of p34cdc2 protein at days 2 to 3. In contrast, in vivo p33cdk2 kinase activity only decreased in concert with protein levels. Although both NGF and staurosporine inhibit DNA replication concomitant with induction of differentiation by affecting the activity of p34cdc2 and p33cdk2, the mechanism of the two agents is quite different. NGF achieves inhibition of activity of these cyclin-dependent kinases by signalling through the TrkA receptor to the tumor suppressor protein p53 and then to p21/WAF1. In contrast, staurosporine directly inhibits the activity of p34cdc2 and p33cdk2 by binding to them and also indirectly by alteration of their phosphorylation through other regulatory kinases.

Different mechanisms for inhibition of cell proliferation via cell cycle proteins in PC12 cells by nerve growth factor and staurosporine

PC12 cells have previously been shown to cease cell division during nerve growth-factor (NGF)-induced differentiation by affecting specific cell cycle proteins. Staurosporine, a protein kinase inhibitor, also causes PC12 cell differentiation, independently of neurotrophins or plasma membrane receptors. We have investigated the relationship of the tumor suppressor protein, p53, and other cell cycle proteins to the antiproliferative effects of NGF and staurosporine in PC12 cells. NGF treatment of PC12 cells stimulated an increase of p53 protein in the nucleus and, more slowly, an increase in total cellular p53 protein. Levels of the cyclin-kinase inhibitor p21/WAF1, cyclin D1, and cyclin G, all downstream transcriptional targets of p53, increased after short times of NGF treatment. Cessation of replication and differentiation occurred more rapidly in defined medium (2 days) than in serum medium (6 days), in correspondence with the more rapid changes in both p53 and p21/WAF1 levels in defined medium (1 hour) than in serum (1 day). Levels of p34cdc2 and p33cdk2 kinase dropped after 6 to 10 days treatment with NGF in serum, close to the time of terminal differentiation. Staurosporine, on the other hand, inhibited DNA replication of PC12 cells in a time- and dose-dependent fashion by affecting cyclin-dependent kinases. Staurosporine had no effect on the protein levels of p53, p21/WAF1, or cyclin G. The kinase activity of both p34cdc2 and p33cdk2 were inhibited in vitro with IC50 values of 20 nM and 75 nM, respectively. In vivo p34cdc2 kinase activity was inhibited within 1 day, before the decrease in the levels of p34cdc2 protein at days 2 to 3. In contrast, in vivo p33cdk2 kinase activity only decreased in concert with protein levels. Although both NGF and staurosporine inhibit DNA replication concomitant with induction of differentiation by affecting the activity of p34cdc2 and p33cdk2, the mechanism of the two agents is quite different. NGF achieves inhibition of activity of these cyclin-dependent kinases by signalling through the TrkA receptor to the tumor supressor protein p53 and then to p21/WAF1. In contrast, staurosporine directly inhibits the activity of p34cdc2 and p33cdk2 by binding to them and also indirectly by alteration of their phosphorylation through other regulatory kinases. J. Neurosci. Res. 49:461–474, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Dissociation between cell cycle arrest and apoptosis can occur in Li-Fraumeni cells heterozygous for p53 gene mutations.

The radiation response was investigated in two lymphoblastoid cell lines (LBC) derived from families with heterozygous germ-line missense mutations of p53 at codon 282 (LBC282) and 286 (LBC286), and compared to cells with wt/wt p53(LBC-N). By gel retardation assays, we show that p53-containing nuclear extracts from irradiated LBC282 and LBC286 markedly differ in their ability to bind to a p53 DNA consensus sequence, the former generating a shifted band whose intensity is 30-40% that of LBC-N, the latter generating an almost undetectable band. Unlike LBC286, which fail to arrest in G1 after irradiation, LBC282 have an apparently normal G1/S checkpoint, as they arrest in G1, like LBC-N. While in LBC-N, accumulation of p53 and transactivation of p21WAF1 increase rapidly and markedly by 3 h after exposure to gamma-radiation, in LBC286 there is only a modest accumulation of p53 and a significantly delayed and quantitatively reduced transactivation of p21WAF1. Instead, in LBC282 while p53 levels rise little after irradiation, p21WAF1 levels increase rapidly and significantly as in normal LBC. Apoptotic cells present 48 h after irradiation account for 32% in LBC-N, 8-9% in LBC282 and 5-7% in LBC286, while the dose of gamma-radiation required for killing 50% of cells (LD50) is 400 rads, 1190 rads and 3190 rads, respectively, hence indicating that the heterozygous mutations of p53 at codon 282 affects radioresistance and survival, but not the G1/S cell cycle control. In all LBC tested, radiation-induced apoptosis occurs in all phases of the cell cycle and appears not to directly involve changes in the levels of the apoptosis-associated proteins bcl-2, bax and mcl-1. Both basal as well as radiation-induced p53 and p21WAF1 proteins are detected by Western blotting of FACS-purified G1, S and G2/M fractions from the three cell lines. p34CDC2-Tyr15, the inactive form of p34CDC2 kinase phosphorylated on Tyr15, is found in S and G2/M fractions, but not in G1. However, 24 h after irradiation, its levels in these fractions diminish appreciably in LBC-N but not in the radioresistant LBC286 and LBC282. Concomitantly, p34CDC2 histone H1 kinase activity increases in the former, but not in the latter cell lines, hence suggesting a role for this protein in radiation-induced cell death. Altogether, this study shows that, in cells harbouring heterozygous mutations of p53, the G1 checkpoint is not necessarily disrupted, and this may be related to the endogenous p53 heterocomplexes having lost or not the capacity to bind DNA (and therefore transactivate target genes). Radiation-induced cell death is not cell cycle phase specific, does not involve the regulation of bcl-2, bax or mcl-1, but is associated with changes in the phosphorylation state and activation of p34CDC2 kinase.

Biochemical Differences between Staurosporine-Induced Apoptosis and Premature Mitosis

Apoptosis is morphologically related to premature mitosis, an aberrant form of mitosis. Staurosporine, a potent protein kinase inhibitor, induces not only apoptotic cell death in a wide variety of mammalian cells but also premature initiation of mitosis in hamster cells that are arrested in S phase by DNA synthesis inhibitors. Here we report on the biochemical differences between the two phenomena commonly caused by staurosporine. Rat 3Y1 fibroblasts that had been arrested in S phase with hydroxyurea underwent apoptosis by treatment with staurosporine, whereas S-phase-arrested CHO cells initiated mitosis prematurely when similarly treated with a low concentration of staurosporine. Chromosome condensation occurred in both apoptosis (3Y1) and premature mitosis (CHO). However, neither formation of mitotic spindles nor mitosis-specific phosphorylation of MPM-2 antigens was observed in apoptosis of 3Y1 cells, unlike premature mitosis of CHO cells. The p34 cdc2 kinase activated in normal and prematurely mitotic cells remained inactive in the apoptotic cells, probably because the active cyclin B/p34 cdc2 complex was almost absent in the S-phase-arrested 3Y1 cells. The absence of intracellular activation of p34 cdc2 in apoptosis was confirmed by immunohistochemical analyses using a specific antibody raised against Ser 55-phosphorylated vimentin which is specifically phosphorylated by p34 cdc2 during M phase. Furthermore, phosphorylation of histones H1 and H3, which is associated with mitotic chromosome condensation, did not occur in the apoptotic cells. These results indicate that the two phenomena, staurosporine-induced apoptosis and premature mitosis, are different in their requirement for p34 cdc2 kinase activation and histone phosphorylation.

P56(chk1) protein kinase is required for the DNA replication checkpoint at 37 degrees C in fission yeast.

Fission yeast p56(chk1) kinase is known to be involved in the DNA damage checkpoint but not to be required for cell cycle arrest following exposure to the DNA replication inhibitor hydroxyurea (HU). For this reason, p56(chk1) is considered not to be necessary for the DNA replication checkpoint which acts through the inhibitory phosphorylation of p34(cdc2) kinase activity. In a search for Schizosaccharomyces pombe mutants that abolish the S phase cell cycle arrest of a thermosensitive DNA polymerase delta strain at 37 degrees C, we isolated two chk1 alleles. These alleles are proficient for the DNA damage checkpoint, but induce mitotic catastrophe in several S phase thermosensitive mutants. We show that the mitotic catastrophe correlates with a decreased level of tyrosine phosphorylation of p34(cdc2). In addition, we found that the deletion of chk1 and the chk1 alleles abolish the cell cycle arrest and induce mitotic catastrophe in cells exposed to HU, if the cells are grown at 37 degrees C. These findings suggest that chk1 is important for the maintenance of the DNA replication checkpoint in S phase thermosensitive mutants and that the p56(chk1) kinase must possess a novel function that prevents premature activation of p34(cdc2) kinase under conditions of impaired DNA replication at 37 degrees C.

Preferential Cytoplasmic Localization of p34 cdc2 in Recurrent Human Squamous Cell Carcinoma after Radiotherapy

Duration of the G2-phase delay and arrest after exposure to ionizing radiation is thought to influence radiosensitivity. The kinase activity of the p34cdc2-cyclin B complex and the p34cdc2-cyclin A complex is implicated in G2- to M-phase transition and in G2-phase arrest after exposure to ionizing radiation. We analyzed the expression level and the subcellular location of p34cdc2, cyclin A and cyclin B in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tumors; samples were obtained from patients with locally nonrecurrent and recurrent tumors that had been treated by surgery and radiotherapy. No significant difference was noticed in cyclin A, cyclin B and p34cdc2 expression. However, we noted a significant preferential cytoplasmic location of p34cdc2 in recurring tumors compared to the nonrecurring ones (P < 0.001). This abnormal location of p34cdc2 occurs even in primary tumors in patients with recurring tumors, suggesting that a default in the activation of p34cdc2 kinase could be implicated in clinical radioresistance.

Chromosomes with two intact axial cores are induced by G2 checkpoint override: evidence that DNA decatenation is not required to template the chromosome structure.

Here we report that DNA decatenation is not a physical requirement for the formation of mammalian chromosomes containing a two-armed chromosome scaffold. 2-aminopurine override of G2 arrest imposed by VM-26 or ICRF-193, which inhibit topoisomerase II (topo II)-dependent DNA decatenation, results in the activation of p34cdc2 kinase and entry into mitosis. After override of a VM-26-dependent checkpoint, morphologically normal compact chromosomes form with paired axial cores containing topo II and ScII. Despite its capacity to form chromosomes of normal appearance, the chromatin remains covalently complexed with topo II at continuous levels during G2 arrest with VM-26. Override of an ICRF-193 block, which inhibits topo II-dependent decatenation at an earlier step than VM-26, also generates chromosomes with two distinct, but elongated, parallel arms containing topo II and ScII. These data demonstrate that DNA decatenation is required to pass a G2 checkpoint, but not to restructure chromatin for chromosome formation. We propose that the chromosome core structure is templated during interphase, before DNA decatenation, and that condensation of the two-armed chromosome scaffold can therefore occur independently of the formation of two intact and separate DNA helices.

Characterization of NIMA protein kinase in Aspergillus nidulans

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the characterization of NIMA protein kinase in Aspergiuus nidulans. The Aspergillus nidulans NIMA protein kinase is the founding member of a growing family of protein kinases now isolated from many eukaryotic organisms ranging from fungi to humans. Members of this family of kinases all have an N-terminal kinase domain, a long, highly basic, C-terminal extension, and a high isoelectric point (>10). Members of this family studied to date all show a clear preference for/5-casein as in vitro substrate. Among all members of this kinase family the best characterized both molecularly and biochemically is the A. nidulans NIMA kinase. The molecular and biochemical properties of the A. nidulans NIMA kinase are summarized in this chapter. In A. nidulans, NIMA kinase is essential for entry into mitosis, and to initiate mitosis coordinate activation of both p34 Cdc2 and NIMA kinase is required.

Effect of melphalan and hyperthermia on p34cdc2 kinase activity in human melanoma cells.

We previously reported that combined treatment with melphalan and mild hyperthermia (1 h at 42 degrees C) caused a synergistic cytotoxic effect in JR8 melanoma cells, paralleled by a stabilisation of a melphalan-induced G2-phase cell block. In this study, we investigated the effect of melphalan and hyperthermia on proteins that regulate G2-M transition. Neither hyperthermia nor melphalan at a concentration of 2.5 micrograms ml-1, which had no antiproliferative effect at 37 degrees C, interfered with cyclin B1 expression or p34cdc2 kinase activity. At a concentration of 8.5 micrograms ml-1, which reduced cell growth by 50% at 37 degrees C, melphalan inhibited p34cdc2 kinase activity as a consequence of an increased tyrosine phosphorylation of the protein. A similar inhibitory effect on p34cdc2 kinase was obtained when the lowest melphalan concentration (2.5 micrograms ml-1) was used under hyperthermic conditions. Our results indicate that thermal enhancement of melphalan cytotoxicity could be mediated at least in part by an inhibition of p34cdc2 kinase activity, which prevents cell progression into mitosis.

Selective radiosensitization of p53-deficient cells by caffeine-mediated activation of p34cdc2 kinase.

The induction of tumor cell death by anticancer therapy results from a genetic program of autonomous cell death termed apoptosis. Because the p53 tumor suppressor gene is a critical component for induction of apoptosis in response to DNA damage, its inactivation in cancers may be responsible for their resistance to genotoxic anticancer agents. The cellular response to DNA damage involves a cell-cycle arrest at both the G1/S and G2/M transitions; these checkpoints maintain viability by preventing the replication or segregation of damaged DNA. The arrest at the G1 checkpoint is mediated by p53-dependent induction of p21WAF1/CIP1, whereas the G2 arrest involves inactivation of p34cdc2 kinase. Following DNA damage, p53-deficient cells fail to arrest at G1 and accumulate at the G2/M transition. We demonstrate that abrogation of G2 arrest by caffeine-mediated activation of p34cdc2 kinase results in the selective sensitization of p53-deficient primary and tumor cells to irradiation-induced apoptosis. These data suggest that pharmacologic activation of p34cdc2 kinase may be a useful therapeutic strategy for circumventing the resistance of p53-deficient cancers to genotoxic anticancer agents.

P34cdc2 kinase activity is maintained upon activation of the replication checkpoint in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

All eukaryotes use feedback controls to order and coordinate cell cycle events. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, several classes of checkpoint genes serve to ensure that DNA replication is complete and free of error before the onset of mitosis. Wild-type cells normally arrest upon inhibition of DNA synthesis or in response to DNA damage, although the exact mechanisms controlling this arrest are unclear. Genetic evidence in fission yeast suggests that the dependence of mitosis upon completion of DNA replication is linked to the regulation of the p34cdc2 cyclin-dependent kinase. It has been hypothesized that inhibition of DNA synthesis triggers down-regulation of p34cdc2 kinase activity, although this has never been shown biochemically. We analyzed the activity of p34cdc2 in wild-type and checkpoint-defective cells treated with a DNA synthesis inhibitor. Using standard in vitro assays we demonstrate that p34cdc2 kinase activity is maintained in wild-type cells arrested at the replication checkpoint. We also used a novel in vivo assay for p34cdc2 kinase activity, in which we expressed a fragment of the human retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein in fission yeast. Phosphorylation of this fragment of the human retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein is dependent on p34cdc2 kinase activity, and this activity is also maintained in cells arrested at the replication checkpoint. These data suggest that the mechanism for cell-cycle arrest in response to incomplete DNA synthesis is not dependent on the attenuation of p34cdc2 activity.

Regulation of the activity of M-phase promoting factor through protein kinase A-mediated pathway in LP1-1 cells.

Treatment of cAMP analogs, dibutyryl cAMP and 8-bromo-cAMP, was found to inhibit the proliferation of mouse fibroblast LP1-1 cells and the p34cdc2 kinase activity of M-phase promoting factor (MPF). However, it showed relatively little effect on expression of the cyclin B1 and cdc2 genes. On the other hand, when the nuclear extracts obtained from the cells at early G2 phase were treated with cAMP analogs, the kinase activity was significantly decreased as compared to the untreated control. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of cAMP analogs could be reversed upon treating with okadaic acid even in the presence of the cAMP analogs, implying that cdc25 remains in an active form. In addition, the treatment of okadaic acid stimulated the cell progression. These results suggest that down-regulation of MPF activity through protein kinase A-mediated pathway is under post-translational control and cdc25 activation pathway involving okadaic acid-sensitive phosphatase play a role in the regulation of MPF activity.

The Mos/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway regulates the size and degradation of the first polar body in maturing mouse oocytes.

Mos is an upstream activator of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and, in mouse oocytes, is responsible for metaphase II arrest. This activity has been likened to its function in Xenopus oocytes as a component of cytostatic factor. Thus, Mos-deficient female mice (MOS-/-) are less fertile and oocytes derived from these animals fail to arrest at metaphase II and undergo parthenogenetic activation [Colledge, W. H., Carlton, M. B. L., Udy, C. B. & Evans, M. J. (1994) Nature (London) 370, 65-68 and Hashimoto, N., Watanabe, N., Furuta. Y., Tamemoto, B., Sagata, N., Yokoyama, M., Okazaki, K., Nagayoshi, M., Takeda, N., Ikawa, Y. & Aizawa, S. (1994) Nature (London) 370, 68-71]. Here we show that maturing MOS-/- oocytes fail to activate MAPK throughout meiosis, while p34cdc2 kinase activity is normal until late in metaphase II when it decreases prematurely. Phenotypically, the first meiotic division of MOS-/- oocytes frequently resembles mitotic cleavage or produces an abnormally large polar body. In these oocytes, the spindle shape is altered and the spindle fails to translocate to the cortex, leading to the establishment of an altered cleavage plane. Moreover, the first polar body persists instead of degrading and sometimes undergoes an additional cleavage, thereby providing conditions for parthenogenesis. These studies identify meiotic spindle formation and programmed degradation of the first polar body as new and important roles for the Mos/MAPK pathway.

Early embryonic development under oviductal influence in vitro

The relationship between the oviduct and preimplantation embryo development in the mouse has been investigated in vitro, specifically over the period during which the oviducts affect further development. Timing of co-culture was very important. The non-species specific effects of mouse oviducts in vitro was first demonstrated in hamster embryos. Hamster early two-cell embryos maintained in organ culture of mouse oviducts could overcome the developmental arrest to some extent. Developmental competency of bovine IVM/IVF oocytes co-cultured with mouse oviductal tissue was comparable to those cultured on bovine granulosa monolayers. To investigate the effects of oviducts on the morphology of four-cell mouse embryos developed in co-culture, E-cadherin localisation was examined using monoclonal antibody ECCD-2. These developmentally competent four-cell embryos have different morphology to those developed in culture medium alone. It is suggested that the oviductal influence strongly affects the localisation of E-cadherin in the cell-cell contact region at the four-cell stage of mouse embryos. The relationship between p34 cdc2 kinase and developmental arrest at the two-cell stage was also investigated. Co-cultured and non-co-cultured embryos were collected at −1 to 26 h after first cleavage in vitro to analyse the p34 cdc2 kinase activity. The enzyme activity of co-cultured embryos collected 20–23 h after the first cleavage (late G 2 to M phase of the second cell cycle) was found to increase compared with that of non-co-cultured embryos. This suggests that the oviduct can induce the kinase activity of embryos to complete the normal cell cycle.