Project description:The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/Cip1 is the prototype downstream effector of the tumor suppressor protein p53. Yet, evidence from human cancer and mice models, imply that p21WAF1/Cip1, under certain conditions, can exercise oncogenic activity. The mechanism behind this behavior is still obscure. Within this context we unexpectedly noticed, predominantly in p53 mutant human cancers, that a subset of highly atypical cancerous cells expressing strongly p21WAF1/Cip1 demonstrated also signs of proliferation. This finding suggests either tolerance to high p21WAF1/Cip1 levels or that p21WAF1/Cip1 per se guided a selective process that led to more aggressive off-springs. To address the latter scenario we employed p21WAF1/Cip1-inducible p53-null cellular models and monitored them over a prolonged time period, using high-throughput screening means. After an initial phase characterized by stalled growth, mainly due to senescence, a subpopulation of p21WAF1/Cip1 cells emerged, demonstrating increased genomic instability, aggressiveness and chemo-resistance. At the mechanistic level unremitted p21WAF1/Cip1 production â??saturatesâ?? the CRL4CDT2 and SCFSkp2 ubiquitin ligase complexes reducing the turn-over of the replication licensing machinery. Deregulation of replication licensing triggered replication stress fuelling genomic instability. Conceptually, the above notion should be considered when anti-tumor strategies are designed, since p21WAF1/Cip1 responds also to p53-independent signals, including various chemotherapeutic compounds. We used microarrays to compare the non-induced and â??escapedâ?? Saos2-p21WAF1/Cip1 Tet-ON cells gene expression profile Multiple arrays for non-induced and â??escapedâ?? Saos2-p21WAF1/Cip1 Tet-ON cells
Project description:The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/Cip1 is the prototype downstream effector of the tumor suppressor protein p53. Yet, evidence from human cancer and mice models, imply that p21WAF1/Cip1, under certain conditions, can exercise oncogenic activity. The mechanism behind this behavior is still obscure. Within this context we unexpectedly noticed, predominantly in p53 mutant human cancers, that a subset of highly atypical cancerous cells expressing strongly p21WAF1/Cip1 demonstrated also signs of proliferation. This finding suggests either tolerance to high p21WAF1/Cip1 levels or that p21WAF1/Cip1 per se guided a selective process that led to more aggressive off-springs. To address the latter scenario we employed p21WAF1/Cip1-inducible p53-null cellular models and monitored them over a prolonged time period, using high-throughput screening means. After an initial phase characterized by stalled growth, mainly due to senescence, a subpopulation of p21WAF1/Cip1 cells emerged, demonstrating increased genomic instability, aggressiveness and chemo-resistance. At the mechanistic level unremitted p21WAF1/Cip1 production “saturates” the CRL4CDT2 and SCFSkp2 ubiquitin ligase complexes reducing the turn-over of the replication licensing machinery. Deregulation of replication licensing triggered replication stress fuelling genomic instability. Conceptually, the above notion should be considered when anti-tumor strategies are designed, since p21WAF1/Cip1 responds also to p53-independent signals, including various chemotherapeutic compounds.
Project description:The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/Cip1 (p21) is a cell-cycle checkpoint effector and inducer of senescence, regulated by p53. Yet, evidence suggests that, through a so-far obscure mechanism, p21 could also be oncogenic. We report that a subset of atypical cancerous cells strongly expressing p21 showed proliferation features. This occurred predominantly in p53-mutant human cancers suggesting p53-independent upregulation of p21 selectively in more aggressive tumour cells. Multifaceted phenotypic and genomic analyses of p21-inducible, p53-null, cancerous and near-normal cellular models showed that after an initial senescence-like phase, a subpopulation of p21-expressing proliferating cells emerged, featuring increased genomic instability, aggressiveness and chemo-resistance. Mechanistically, sustained p21-accumulation inhibited mainly the CRL4CDT2 ubiquitin-ligase, leading to deregulated origin licensing and replication stress. Collectively, our data reveal tumour-promoting ability of p21 through deregulation of DNA replication licensing machinery, an unorthodox role to be considered in cancer treatment, since p21 responds to various stimuli including some chemotherapy drugs.
Project description:The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/Cip1 (p21) is a cell-cycle checkpoint effector and inducer of senescence, regulated by p53. Yet, evidence suggests that, through a so-far obscure mechanism, p21 could also be oncogenic. We report that a subset of atypical cancerous cells strongly expressing p21 showed proliferation features. This occurred predominantly in p53-mutant human cancers suggesting p53-independent upregulation of p21 selectively in more aggressive tumour cells. Multifaceted phenotypic and genomic analyses of p21-inducible, p53-null, cancerous and near-normal cellular models showed that after an initial senescence-like phase, a subpopulation of p21-expressing proliferating cells emerged, featuring increased genomic instability, aggressiveness and chemo-resistance. Mechanistically, sustained p21-accumulation inhibited mainly the CRL4CDT2 ubiquitin-ligase, leading to deregulated origin licensing and replication stress. Collectively, our data reveal tumour-promoting ability of p21 through deregulation of DNA replication licensing machinery, an unorthodox role to be considered in cancer treatment, since p21 responds to various stimuli including some chemotherapy drugs.