Resistance to apoptosis contributes to tumorigenesis as well as poor therapeutic outcome. The tumor suppressor p53 mediates two predominant cellular responses, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, but the molecular basis for this cell fate determination has remained elusive. It is proposed that an interplay between p53-independent effectors and p53-dependent gene expression may be the crucial determinant for cellular outcome. The proposed studies test this hypothesis by examining the interplay between Sp/KLF family members and p53 on regulating gene expression, focusing on the role of p21CIP1 as an attenuator of the apoptotic response, and elucidating whether alterations in basal levels of expression of key members of apoptotic pathways contribute to cell fate decisions. Multiple p53 response elements located in both the promoter and first intron are involved in the DNA damage-induced upregulation of p21CIP1 with the two sites in the p21CIP1 promoter being regulated in distinct manners. In the first aim, the molecular basis for the differences between the two types of p53 sites will be elucidated and the interplay between p53, Sp1, and other Sp/KLF family members will be examined. The key role of other cellular factors such as Sp/KLF family members in p53-dependent gene regulation will be addressed as a means for influencing cellular outcomes. The ability of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21CIP1 to interfere with apoptosis and influence cell fate has been suggested by published studies as well as preliminary data. In the second aim, the role of p21CIP1 in attenuating the cell death response will be validated and characterized and the underlying molecular basis for this intriguing effect of p21CIP1 will be elucidated. Regulating the basal levels of expression of key components of apoptotic pathways is an alternative mechanism for determining cell fate outcomes. Elements in the bax gene that confer constitutive transcriptional regulation of Bax have been identified. NHE1 is a novel p53 target gene that has been shown to regulate the anti-apoptotic effects of Bcl-XL via deamidation. In the third aim, the molecular interplay between Bax, NHE1, and Bcl-XL will be explored to determine whether such mechanisms can explain the apoptotic resistant phenotype of particular tumor cells. Depending upon particular cellular conditions, the tumor suppressor protein p53 induces growth arrest or mediates an apoptotic response. The optimal therapeutic response to DNA damage caused by many chemotherapeutic agents is cell death rather than inhibition of cell cycle progression. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms that are responsible for regulating the ability of p53 to trigger apoptosis versus arrest may lead to more effective therapeutic intervention and a way to overcome the chemotherapeutic-resistant phenotype found in many tumors.

Public Health Relevance

Depending upon particular conditions, the tumor suppressor protein p53 induces growth arrest or mediates an apoptotic response. The optimal therapeutic response to DNA damage caused by many chemotherapeutic agents is cell death rather than inhibition of cell cycle progression. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms that are responsible for regulating the ability of p53 to trigger apoptosis versus arrest may lead to more effective therapeutic intervention and a way to overcome the chemotherapeutic-resistant phenotype found in many tumors.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01CA086001-06A2
Application #
7676622
Study Section
Cancer Molecular Pathobiology Study Section (CAMP)
Program Officer
Salnikow, Konstantin
Project Start
2000-04-10
Project End
2014-03-31
Budget Start
2009-04-10
Budget End
2010-03-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$283,426
Indirect Cost
Name
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
078861598
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10029
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Chander, Harish; Halpern, Max; Resnick-Silverman, Lois et al. (2011) Skp2B overexpression alters a prohibitin-p53 axis and the transcription of PAPP-A, the protease of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4. PLoS One 6:e22456
Resnick-Silverman, Lois; Manfredi, James J (2011) Analyzing p53 regulated DNA damage checkpoints by flow cytometry. Methods Mol Biol 782:193-203
Chander, Harish; Halpern, Max; Resnick-Silverman, Lois et al. (2010) Skp2B attenuates p53 function by inhibiting prohibitin. EMBO Rep 11:220-5
Manfredi, James J (2010) An identity crisis for a cancer gene: subcellular location determines ASPP1 function. Cancer Cell 18:409-10
Manfredi, James J (2010) The Mdm2-p53 relationship evolves: Mdm2 swings both ways as an oncogene and a tumor suppressor. Genes Dev 24:1580-9
Varmeh, Shohreh; Manfredi, James J (2009) Inappropriate activation of cyclin-dependent kinases by the phosphatase Cdc25b results in premature mitotic entry and triggers a p53-dependent checkpoint. J Biol Chem 284:9475-88
Giono, Luciana E; Manfredi, James J (2007) Mdm2 is required for inhibition of Cdk2 activity by p21, thereby contributing to p53-dependent cell cycle arrest. Mol Cell Biol 27:4166-78
Resnick-Silverman, Lois; Manfredi, James J (2006) Gene-specific mechanisms of p53 transcriptional control and prospects for cancer therapy. J Cell Biochem 99:679-89

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