Harold I. Saavedra

The RAS oncogene induces genomic instability in thyroid PCCL3 cells via the MAPK pathway

Activating mutations of RAS are thought to be early events in the evolution of thyroid follicular neoplasms. We used a doxycycline-inducible expression system to explore the acute effects of H-RASV12 on genomic stability in thyroid PCCL3 cells. At 2–3 days (first or second cell cycle) there was a significant increase in the frequency of micronucleation. Treatment of cells with YVAD-CHO inhibited RAS-induced apoptosis, but had no effect on micronucleation. The effects of H-RASV12 were mediated by activation of MAPK, as treatment with PD98059 at concentrations verified to selectively inhibit MEK1 reduced the frequency of prevalence of cells with micronuclei. In addition, doxycycline-inducible expression of a constitutively active MEK1, but not of a mutant RAC1, mimicked the effects of H-RASV12. The effects of H-RASV12 on genome destabilization were apparent even though the sequence of p53 in PCCL3 cells was confirmed to be wild-type. Acute activation of H-RASV12 evoked a proportional increase in both CREST negative and CREST positive micronuclei, indicating that both clastogenic and aneugenic effects were involved. H-RASV12 and activated MEK1 also induced centrosome amplification, and chromosome misalignment. Evidence that acute expression of constitutively activated RAS destabilizes the genome of PCCL3 cells is consistent with a mode of tumor initiation in which this oncogene promotes phenotypic progression by predisposing to large scale genomic abnormalities.

Cdk2 and Cdk4 Regulate the Centrosome Cycle and Are Critical Mediators of Centrosome Amplification in p53-Null Cells

ABSTRACT The two mitotic centrosomes direct spindle bipolarity to maintain euploidy. Centrosome amplification—the acquisition of ≥3 centrosomes—generates multipolar mitoses, aneuploidy, and chromosome instability to promote cancer biogenesis. While much evidence suggests that Cdk2 is the major conductor of the centrosome cycle and that it mediates centrosome amplification induced by various altered tumor suppressors, the role played by Cdk4 in a normal or deregulated centrosome cycle is unknown. Using a gene knockout approach, we report that Cdk2 and Cdk4 are critical to the centrosome cycle, since centrosome separation and duplication are premature in Cdk2−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and are compromised in Cdk4−/− MEFs. Additionally, ablation of Cdk4 or Cdk2 abrogates centrosome amplification and chromosome instability in p53-null MEFs. Absence of Cdk2 or Cdk4 prevents centrosome amplification by abrogating excessive centriole duplication. Furthermore, hyperactive Cdk2 and Cdk4 deregulate the licensing of the centrosome duplication cycle in p53-null cells by hyperphosphorylating nucleophosmin (NPM) at Thr199, as evidenced by observations that ablation of Cdk2, Cdk4, or both Cdk2 and Cdk4 abrogates that excessive phosphorylation. Since a mutant form of NPM lacking the G1 Cdk phosphorylation site (NPMT199A) prevents centrosome amplification to the same extent as ablation of Cdk2 or Cdk4, we conclude that the Cdk2/Cdk4/NPM pathway is a major guardian of centrosome dysfunction and genomic integrity.

Control of the p53-p21CIP1 Axis by E2f1, E2f2, and E2f3 is essential for G1/S progression and cellular transformation.

The E2F family of transcription factors is believed to have an essential role in the control of cellular proliferation by regulating the transcription of genes involved in cell cycle progression. Previous work has demonstrated that the targeted inactivation of E2f1, E2f2, and E2f3 results in elevated p21CIP1 protein levels, loss of E2F target gene expression, and cell cycle arrest at G1/S and G2/M, suggesting a strict requirement for these E2Fs in the control of normal cellular proliferation. We now demonstrate that E2f1, E2f2, and E2f3 are also required for oncogene-mediated transformation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Analysis of synchronized populations of mouse embryonic fibroblasts revealed that the inactivation of p21CIP1 restores the ability of E2f1-3-deficient cells to enter and transit through G1/S (but not G2/M). In contrast, loss of p53 restored the ability of these cells to progress through both G1/S and mitosis, leading to their continued proliferation. The inactivation of p53 (but not p21CIP1) rendered E2f1-3-deficient cells sensitive to transformation and tumorigenesis. These results suggest that the negative regulation of the p53-p21CIP1 axis by the E2F1-3 factors is critical for cell cycle progression and cellular transformation.

The Ras oncogene signals centrosome amplification in mammary epithelial cells through cyclin D1/Cdk4 and Nek2

Centrosome amplification (CA) contributes to carcinogenesis by generating aneuploidy. Elevated frequencies of CA in most benign breast lesions and primary tumors suggest a causative role for CA in breast cancers. Clearly, identifying which and how altered signal transduction pathways contribute to CA is crucial to breast cancer control. Although a causative and cooperative role for c-Myc and Ras in mammary tumorigenesis is well documented, their ability to generate CA during mammary tumor initiation remains unexplored. To answer that question, K-RasG12D and c-Myc were induced in mouse mammary glands. Although CA was observed in mammary tumors initiated by c-Myc or K-RasG12D, it was detected only in premalignant mammary lesions expressing K-RasG12D. CA, both in vivo and in vitro, was associated with increased expression of the centrosome-regulatory proteins, cyclin D1 and Nek2. Abolishing the expression of cyclin D1, Cdk4 or Nek2 in MCF10A human mammary epithelial cells expressing H-RasG12V abrogated Ras-induced CA, whereas silencing cyclin E1 or B2 had no effect. Thus, we conclude that CA precedes mammary tumorigenesis, and interfering with centrosome-regulatory targets suppresses CA.

E2f1-3 Control E2F-target Expression and Cellular Proliferation via a p53-dependent Negative Feedback Loop

ABSTRACT E2F-mediated control of gene expression is believed to have an essential role in the control of cellular proliferation. Using a conditional gene-targeting approach, we show that the targeted disruption of the entire E2F activator subclass composed of E2f1, E2f2, and E2f3 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts leads to the activation of p53 and the induction of p53 target genes, including p21CIP1. Consequently, cyclin-dependent kinase activity and retinoblastoma (Rb) phosphorylation are dramatically inhibited, leading to Rb/E2F-mediated repression of E2F target gene expression and a severe block in cellular proliferation. Inactivation of p53 in E2f1-, E2f2-, and E2f3-deficient cells, either by spontaneous mutation or by conditional gene ablation, prevented the induction of p21CIP1 and many other p53 target genes. As a result, cyclin-dependent kinase activity, Rb phosphorylation, and E2F target gene expression were restored to nearly normal levels, rendering cells responsive to normal growth signals. These findings suggest that a critical function of the E2F1, E2F2, and E2F3 activators is in the control of a p53-dependent axis that indirectly regulates E2F-mediated transcriptional repression and cellular proliferation.

Nek2 and Plk4: prognostic markers, drivers of breast tumorigenesis and drug resistance

The Nek2 and Plk4 kinases serve as crucial regulators of mitotic processes such as the centrosome duplication cycle and spindle assembly. Deregulation of these processes can trigger chromosome instability and aneuploidy, which are hallmarks of many solid tumors, including breast cancer. Emerging data from the literature illustrated various functions of Nek2 in breast cancer models, with compelling evidence of its prognostic value in breast tumors. The two kinases control distinct steps in the centrosome-centriole cycle and their dysregulation lead to centrosome amplification, marked by the presence of more than two centrosomes within the cell. We found single or composite overexpression of these kinases in breast tumor samples, regardless of subtype, which strongly associated with poor prognosis. Interestingly, in a panel of established cell lines, both kinases are highly expressed in Her2-positive breast cancer cells exhibiting centrosome amplification and trastuzumab resistance. In summary, it appears that Nek2 and Plk4 might synergize to promote breast tumorigenesis and may also be involved in tamoxifen and trastuzumab resistance.

The G1 phase Cdks regulate the centrosome cycle and mediate oncogene-dependent centrosome amplification

Because centrosome amplification generates aneuploidy and since centrosome amplification is ubiquitous in human tumors, a strong case is made for centrosome amplification being a major force in tumor biogenesis. Various evidence showing that oncogenes and altered tumor suppressors lead to centrosome amplification and aneuploidy suggests that oncogenes and altered tumor suppressors are a major source of genomic instability in tumors, and that they generate those abnormal processes to initiate and sustain tumorigenesis. We discuss how altered tumor suppressors and oncogenes utilize the cell cycle regulatory machinery to signal centrosome amplification and aneuploidy.

Poldip2 knockout results in perinatal lethality, reduced cellular growth and increased autophagy of mouse embryonic fibroblasts.

Polymerase-δ interacting protein 2 (Poldip2) is an understudied protein, originally described as a binding partner of polymerase delta and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Numerous roles for Poldip2 have been proposed, including mitochondrial elongation, DNA replication/repair and ROS production via Nox4. In this study, we have identified a novel role for Poldip2 in regulating the cell cycle. We used a Poldip2 gene-trap mouse and found that homozygous animals die around the time of birth. Poldip2−/− embryos are significantly smaller than wild type or heterozygous embryos. We found that Poldip2−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) exhibit reduced growth as measured by population doubling and growth curves. This effect is not due to apoptosis or senescence; however, Poldip2−/− MEFs have higher levels of the autophagy marker LC3b. Measurement of DNA content by flow cytometry revealed an increase in the percentage of Poldip2−/− cells in the G1 and G2/M phases of the cell cycle, accompanied by a decrease in the percentage of S-phase cells. Increases in p53 S20 and Sirt1 were observed in passage 2 Poldip2−/− MEFs. In passage 4/5 MEFs, Cdk1 and CyclinA2 are downregulated in Poldip2−/− cells, and these changes are reversed by transfection with SV40 large T-antigen, suggesting that Poldip2 may target the E2F pathway. In contrast, p21CIP1 is increased in passage 4/5 Poldip2−/− MEFs and its expression is unaffected by SV40 transfection. Overall, these results reveal that Poldip2 is an essential protein in development, and underline its importance in cell viability and proliferation. Because it affects the cell cycle, Poldip2 is a potential novel target for treating proliferative conditions such as cancer, atherosclerosis and restenosis.

Silencing CDK4 radiosensitizes breast cancer cells by promoting apoptosis

BackgroundThe discovery of molecular markers associated with various breast cancer subtypes has greatly improved the treatment and outcome of breast cancer patients. Unfortunately, breast cancer cells acquire resistance to various therapies. Mounting evidence suggests that resistance is rooted in the deregulation of the G1 phase regulatory machinery.MethodsTo address whether deregulation of the G1 phase regulatory machinery contributes to radiotherapy resistance, the MCF10A immortalized human mammary epithelial cell line, ER-PR-Her2+ and ER-PR-Her2- breast cancer cell lines were irradiated. Colony formation assays measured radioresistance, while immunocytochemistry, Western blots, and flow cytometry measured the cell cycle, DNA replication, mitosis, apoptosis, and DNA breaks.ResultsMolecular markers common to all cell lines were overexpressed, including cyclin A1 and cyclin D1, which impinge on CDK2 and CDK4 activities, respectively. We addressed their potential role in radioresistance by generating cell lines stably expressing small hairpin RNAs (shRNA) against CDK2 and CDK4. None of the cell lines knocked down for CDK2 displayed radiosensitization. In contrast, all cell lines knocked down for CDK4 were significantly radiosensitized, and a CDK4/CDK6 inhibitor sensitized MDA-MB-468 to radiation induced apoptosis. Our data showed that silencing CDK4 significantly increases radiation induced cell apoptosis in cell lines without significantly altering cell cycle progression, or DNA repair after irradiation. Our results indicate lower levels of phospho-Bad at ser136 upon CDK4 silencing and ionizing radiation, which has been shown to signal apoptosis.ConclusionBased on our data we conclude that knockdown of CDK4 activity sensitizes breast cancer cells to radiation by activating apoptosis pathways.

E2F Activators Signal and Maintain Centrosome Amplification in Breast Cancer Cells

ABSTRACT Centrosomes ensure accurate chromosome segregation by directing spindle bipolarity. Loss of centrosome regulation results in centrosome amplification, multipolar mitosis and aneuploidy. Since centrosome amplification is common in premalignant lesions and breast tumors, it is proposed to play a central role in breast tumorigenesis, a hypothesis that remains to be tested. The coordination between the cell and centrosome cycles is of paramount importance to maintain normal centrosome numbers, and the E2Fs may be responsible for regulating these cycles. However, the role of E2F activators in centrosome amplification is unclear. Because E2Fs are deregulated in Her2+ cells displaying centrosome amplification, we addressed whether they signal this abnormal process. Knockdown of E2F1 or E2F3 in Her2+ cells decreased centrosome amplification without significantly affecting cell cycle progression, whereas the overexpression of E2F1, E2F2, or E2F3 increased centrosome amplification in MCF10A mammary epithelial cells. Our results revealed that E2Fs affect the expression of proteins, including Nek2 and Plk4, known to influence the cell/centrosome cycles and mitosis. Downregulation of E2F3 resulted in cell death and delays/blocks in cytokinesis, which was reversed by Nek2 overexpression. Nek2 overexpression enhanced centrosome amplification in Her2+ breast cancer cells silenced for E2F3, revealing a role for the E2F activators in maintaining centrosome amplification in part through Nek2.