Heng Yin Yang

Association of the Cyclin-dependent Kinases and 14-3-3 Sigma Negatively Regulates Cell Cycle Progression

14-3-3 sigma, implicated in cell cycle arrest by p53, was cloned by expression cloning through cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) association. 14-3-3 sigma shares cyclin-CDK2 binding motifs with different cell cycle regulators, including p107, p130, p21CIP1, p27KIP1, and p57KIP2, and is associated with cyclin·CDK complexesin vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of 14-3-3 sigma obstructs cell cycle entry by inhibiting cyclin-CDK activity in many breast cancer cell lines. Overexpression of 14-3-3 sigma can also inhibit cell proliferation and prevent anchorage-independent growth of these cell lines. These findings define 14-3-3 sigma as a negative regulator of the cell cycle progression and suggest that it has an important function in preventing breast tumor cell growth.

14-3-3σ positively regulates p53 and suppresses tumor growth

ABSTRACT The 14-3-3σ (sigma) protein, a negative regulator of the cell cycle, is a human mammary epithelium-specific marker that is downregulated in transformed mammary carcinoma cells. It has also been identified as a p53-inducible gene product involved in cell cycle checkpoint control after DNA damage. Although 14-3-3σ is linked to p53-regulated cell cycle checkpoint control, detailed mechanisms of how cell cycle regulation occurs remain unclear. Decreased expression of 14-3-3σ was recently reported in several types of carcinomas, further suggesting that the negative regulatory role of 14-3-3σ in the cell cycle is compromised during tumorigenesis. However, this possible tumor-suppressive role of 14-3-3σ has not yet been characterized. Here, we studied the link between 14-3-3σ activities and p53 regulation. We found that 14-3-3σ interacted with p53 in response to the DNA-damaging agent adriamycin. Importantly, 14-3-3σ expression led to stabilized expression of p53. In studying the molecular mechanism of this increased stabilization of p53, we found that 14-3-3σ antagonized the biological functions of Mdm2 by blocking Mdm2-mediated p53 ubiquitination and nuclear export. In addition, we found that 14-3-3σ facilitated the oligomerization of p53 and enhanced p53s transcriptional activity. As a target gene of p53, 14-3-3σ appears to have a positive feedback effect on p53 activity. Significantly, we also showed that overexpression of 14-3-3σ inhibited oncogene-activated tumorigenicity in a tetracycline-regulated 14-3-3σ system. These results defined an important p53 regulatory loop and suggested that 14-3-3σ expression can be considered for therapeutic intervention in cancers.

Regulators of G1 cyclin-dependent kinases and cancers.

The mammalian cell cycle can be divided into four phases: G1 (gap phase 1), S (DNA synthesis), G2 (gap phase 2), and M (mitosis). Progression through each phase of the cell cycle is delicately controled by the activity of different cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and their regulatory subunits known as cyclins. CDK2, CDK4, CDK6 and their associated cyclins control the G1 to S phase transition. The association of CDK4 or CDK6 with D-type cyclins is critical for G1 phase progression, whereas the CDK2-cyclin E complex is important for initiation of the S phase. Cancer can originate from dysregulation of these regulators. A variety of intrinsic and extrinsic signals were recently identified to regulate these G1 or G1/S CDKs and cyclins. Here we discuss the regulators of these protein kinases at different mechanistic level with a hope that these insights can be applied to develop therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.

DNA Damage–Induced Protein 14-3-3 σ Inhibits Protein Kinase B/Akt Activation and Suppresses Akt-Activated Cancer

14-3-3 sigma is induced by tumor suppressor protein p53 in response to DNA damage. p53 can directly transactivate the expression of 14-3-3 sigma to cause a G(2) cell cycle arrest when cell DNA is damaged. The expression of 14-3-3 sigma protein is down-regulated in various tumors, but its function has not been fully established. Protein kinase B/Akt, a crucial regulator of oncogenic signal involved in cell survival and proliferation, is deregulated in many types of cancer. Akt activation can enhance p53 degradation, but its role in DNA damage response is not clear. Here, we show that Akt activation is diminished when p53 and 14-3-3 sigma is up-regulated in response to DNA damage. Evidence is provided that 14-3-3 sigma binds and inhibits Akt. In keeping with this concept, Akt-mediated cell survival is inhibited by 14-3-3 sigma. Significantly, we show that 14-3-3 sigma inhibits Akt-mediated cell growth, transformation, and tumorigenesis. Low expression of 14-3-3 sigma in human primary breast cancers correlates with Akt activation. These data provide an insight into Akt regulation and rational cancer gene therapy by identifying 14-3-3 sigma as a molecular regulator of Akt and as a potential anticancer agent for Akt-activated cancers.

Constitutively active FOXO4 inhibits Akt activity, regulates p27 Kip1 stability, and suppresses HER2-mediated tumorigenicity

The FOXO family of Forkhead transcription factors, regulated by the phosphoinositide-3-kinase–Akt pathway, is involved in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. Strong expression of HER2, a receptor tyrosine kinase oncogene, in cancers has been associated with a poor prognosis. Recently, FOXO4 was shown to regulate the transcription of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 Kip1 gene directly. Also, we have shown that HER2 promotes mitogenic growth and transformation of cancer cells by downregulation of p27 Kip1. Given the fact that FOXO4 mediates p27 transcription, we hypothesize that an Akt phosphorylation mutant of FOXO4 (FOXO4A3), which maintains the activity to transactivate p27 Kip1, may be used as an anticancer agent for HER2-overexpressing cancers. Here, we applied the FOXO4 gene as a novel anticancer agent for HER2-overexpressing cells under the control of a tetracycline (tet)-regulated gene expression system. Overexpression of FOXO4A3 inhibits HER2-activated cell growth. We found that FOXO4A3 inhibited the kinase activity of protein kinase B/Akt and reversed HER2-mediated p27 mislocation in the cytoplasm. FOXO4A3 expression also led to decreased levels of CSN5, a protein involved in p27 degradation. These data suggest that FOXO4A3 also can regulate p27 post-transcriptionally. In addition, we found that FOXO4A3 sensitized cells to apoptosis induced by the chemotherapeutic agent 2-methoxyestradiol. Most significantly for clinical application, FOXO4A3 expression in HER2-overexpressing cells can be regulated in vivo and reduces the tumor volume in a tumor model. These findings indicate the applicability of employing FOXO4 regulation as a therapeutic intervention in HER2-overexpressing cancers.

Roles for CSN5 in control of p53/MDM2 activities

The 5th subunit of COP9 signalosome (CSN5, also known as Jab1 or COPS5) is implicated in regulating p53 activity and is overexpressed in various tumors. However, the precise roles of CSN5 in p53 network and tumorigenesis are not well characterized. Here we show that CSN5 is a critical regulator of both p53 and MDM2. We show that curcumin, an important inhibitor of CSN‐associated kinases, can downregulate not only CSN5 but also MDM2, which results in p53 stabilization. Importantly, CSN5 interacts with p53. CSN5 expression leads to p53 degradation, facilitating MDM2‐mediated p53 ubiquitination, and promoting p53 nuclear export. Additionally, CSN5 expression results in stabilization of MDM2 through reducing MDM2 self‐ubiquitination and decelerating turnover rate of MDM2. Significantly, we further show that CSN5 antagonizes the transcriptional activity of p53. These results demonstrate that CSN5 is a pivotal regulator for both p53 and MDM2. Our studies may pave the way for targeting CSN5 for anti‐cancer drug development. J. Cell. Biochem. 103: 1219–1230, 2008.

p27 Kip1 inhibits HER2/neu-mediated cell growth and tumorigenesis

HER2/neu, a receptor tyrosine kinase oncogene, promotes mitogenic growth and transformation of cancer cells. We previously identified that its oncogenic signals down-regulate the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 Kip1, which is defined as a haplo-insufficient tumor suppressor. Here, we applied the human p27 gene as a novel anticancer agent for HER2/neu-overexpressing cells under the control of a tetracycline (tet)-regulated gene expression system. Overexpression of p27 inhibits HER2/neu-activated CDK2 activity, cell proliferation, and transformation. Most significantly for clinical application, p27 expression in HER2/neu-overexpressing cells can be regulated in vivo and reduce the tumor volume in a tumor model. The findings demonstrate the applicability of employing p27 in HER2/neu-associated cancer gene therapy.

Negative cell cycle regulator 14-3-3σ stabilizes p27 Kip1 by inhibiting the activity of PKB/Akt

The 14-3-3σ (sigma) protein is a human cancer marker downregulated in various tumors, but its function has not been fully established. 14-3-3σ is a negative regulator of cell cycle when overexpressed, but it is not clear whether 14-3-3σ regulates cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 to negatively affect cell cycle progression. Protein kinase B/Akt is a crucial regulator of oncogenic signal and can phosphorylate p27Kip1 to enhance p27Kip1degradation, thereby promoting cell growth. Here, we show that 14-3-3σ-mediated cell cycle arrest concurred with p27Kip1 upregulation and Akt inactivation. We show that 14-3-3σ blocks Akt-mediated acceleration of p27Kip1 turnover rate. 14-3-3σ inhibits Akt-mediated p27Kip1 phosphorylation that targets p27Kip1 for nuclear export and degradation. 14-3-3σ inhibits cell survival and tumorigenicity of Akt-activating breast cancer cell. Low expression of 14-3-3σ in human primary breast cancers correlates with cytoplasmic location of p27Kip1. These data provide an insight into 14-3-3σ activity and rational cancer gene therapy by identifying 14-3-3σ as a positive regulator of p27 and as a potential anticancer agent.

CDK inhibitor p57Kip2 is downregulated by Akt during HER2-mediated tumorigenicity

HER2/neu oncogene is frequently deregulated in cancers, and the (PI3K)-Akt signaling is one of the major pathways in mediating HER2/neu oncogenic signal. p57Kip2, an inhibitor of cyclin-depependent kinases, is pivotal in regulating cell cycle progression, but its upstream regulators remain unclear. Here we show that the HER2-Akt axis is linked to p57Kip2 regulation, and that Akt is a negative regulator of p57Kip2. Ectopic expression of Akt can decrease the expression of p57Kip2, while Akt inhibition leads to p57Kip2 stabilization. Mechanistic studies show that Akt interacts with p57Kip2 and causes cytoplasmic localization of p57Kip2. Akt phosphorylates p57 on Ser 282 or Thr310. Akt activity results in destabilization of p57 by accelerating turnover rate of p57 and enhancing p57 ubiquitination. Importantly, the negative impact of HER2/Akt on p57 stability contributes to HER2-mediated cell proliferation, transformational activity and tumorigenicity. p57 restoration can attenuate these defects caused by HER2. Significantly, Kaplan-Meier analysis of tumor samples demonstrate that in tumors where HER2 expression was observed, high expression levels of p57Kip2 were associated with better overall survival. These data suggest that HER2/Akt is an important negative regulator of p57Kip2, and that p57 restoration in HER2-overexpressing cells can reduce breast tumor growth. Our findings indicate the applicability of employing p57 regulation as a therapeutic intervention in HER2-overexpressing cancers.

CDK inhibitor p57Kip2 is negatively regulated by COP9 signalosome subunit 6

Subunit 6 of the COP9 signalosome complex, CSN6, is known to be critical to the regulation of the MDM2-p53 axis for cell proliferation and anti-apoptosis, but its many targets remain unclear. Here we show that p57Kip2 is a target of CSN6, and that CSN6 is a negative regulator of p57Kip2. CSN6 associates with p57Kip2, and its overexpression can decrease the steady-state expression of p57Kip2; accordingly, CSN6 deficiency leads to p57Kip2 stabilization. Mechanistic studies show that CSN6 associates with p57Kip2 and Skp2, a component of the E3 ligase, which, in turn, facilitates Skp2-mediated protein ubiquitination of p57Kip2. Loss of Skp2 compromised CSN6-mediated p57Kip2 destabilization, suggesting collaboration between Skp2 and CSN6 in degradation of p57Kip2. CSN6’s negative impact on p57Kip2 elevation translates into cell growth promotion, cell cycle deregulation and potentiated transformational activity. Significantly, univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis of tumor samples demonstrates that high CSN6 expression or low p57 expression is associated with poor overall survival. These data suggest that CSN6 is an important negative regulator of p57Kip2, and that overexpression of CSN6 in many types of cancer could lead to decreased expression of p57Kip2 and result in promoted cancer cell growth.