Although accumulating evidence suggests that p53-mediated cell cycle arrest, senescence and apoptosis are not absolutely required for its tumor suppression, it remains unclear how p53 executes the tumor suppression activity, in the absence of its canonical functions. In our preliminary study, we found that SLC7A11, a component of the cystine/glutamate antiporter, is a transcriptional target of p53. By suppressing SLC7A11 expression, p53 sensitizes cells to ferroptosis, an iron-dependent non-apoptotic form of cell death. Notably, p533KR fully retains the ability to regulate SLC7A11 expression and ferroptosis. Analysis of mutant mice shows that p53- mediated ferroptosis contributes significantly to the embryonic lethality associated with loss of Mdm2. Moreover, SLC7A11 is overexpressed in human tumors, and p53-mediated regulation of SLC7A11 and ferroptosis modulates cancer cell survival. The central hypothesis to be tested here is whether p53-mediated effects on SLC7A11 expression and ferroptosis act as an independent mechanism in tumor suppression, particularly when the p53-mediated pathways of cell-cycle arrest, senescence and apoptosis are inoperative. The proposed studies include the following two specific aims.
In Aim 1, we will dissect the mechanisms of p53-mediated regulation of SLC7A11 in cancer metabolism and cancer cell survival. To investigate the precise role of p53 in modulating cancer metabolic pathways through suppressing SLC7A11 expression in vivo, we will further examine the roles of both p53-wt and p533KR in regulating cellular uptake of cystine as well as other metabolic changes. Moreover, we will dissect the potential dysregulation of the p53/SLC7A11/ferroptosis pathway by tumor-derived point mutants. We will investigate whether p53-mediated ferroptosis is regulated in both normal and cancer cells under different types of stressed and unstressed conditions. Finally, to elucidate the mechanism of p53-mediated SLC7A11 expression, we will identify cofactors and signaling that are critical for SLC7A11 expression in vivo.
In Aim 2, we will evaluate the biological significance of p53-mediated regulation of SLC7A11 in vivo. We will first examine whether mdm2 inhibition can promote the ability of p53 in regulating SLC7A11 expression and activating ferroptosis, which may improve the efficacy of nutlin-3 in inducing cancer cell death. Moreover, since SLC7A11 overexpression is observed in several forms of human cancer, it is very likely that p53-mediated repression contributes significantly to its mediated tumor suppression. We will examine whether SLC7A11 status modulates the effect of p53 on Myc-induced tumorigenicity using the E-Myc/ p53 lymphoma model.
There is accumulating evidence indicating that p53-mediated cell cycle arrest, senescence and apoptosis are not absolutely required for its tumor suppression. Nevertheless, it remains unclear how p53 executes the tumor suppression activity, in the absence of its canonical functions. We have recently demonstrated that SLC7A11, a component of the cystine/glutamate antiporter, is a transcriptional target of p53. By using both tissue culture and animal models, we will test whether p53-mediated effect on SLC7A11 expression and ferroptosis acts as a new tumor suppression mechanism of p53 independent of its canonical functions.
| Kon, Ning; Wang, Donglai; Li, Tongyuan et al. (2018) Inhibition of Mdmx (Mdm4) in vivo induces anti-obesity effects. Oncotarget 9:7282-7297 |
| Kon, Ning; Gu, Wei (2018) Is MDMX the better target? Aging (Albany NY) 10:1184-1185 |
| Li, Dawei; Tavana, Omid; Sun, Shao-Cong et al. (2018) Peli1 Modulates the Subcellular Localization and Activity of Mdmx. Cancer Res 78:2897-2910 |
| Tavana, Omid; Sun, Hongbin; Gu, Wei (2018) Targeting HAUSP in both p53 wildtype and p53-mutant tumors. Cell Cycle 17:823-828 |
| Tavana, Omid; Gu, Wei (2017) Modulation of the p53/MDM2 interplay by HAUSP inhibitors. J Mol Cell Biol 9:45-52 |
| Chen, Delin; Tavana, Omid; Chu, Bo et al. (2017) NRF2 Is a Major Target of ARF in p53-Independent Tumor Suppression. Mol Cell 68:224-232.e4 |
| Wang, Shang-Jui; Li, Dawei; Ou, Yang et al. (2016) Acetylation Is Crucial for p53-Mediated Ferroptosis and Tumor Suppression. Cell Rep 17:366-373 |
| Tavana, Omid; Li, Dawei; Dai, Chao et al. (2016) HAUSP deubiquitinates and stabilizes N-Myc in neuroblastoma. Nat Med 22:1180-1186 |
| Wang, Donglai; Kon, Ning; Lasso, Gorka et al. (2016) Acetylation-regulated interaction between p53 and SET reveals a widespread regulatory mode. Nature 538:118-122 |
| Wang, Donglai; Kon, Ning; Gu, Wei (2016) Acidic domains: ""converse readers"" for acetylation code. Oncotarget 7:80101-80102 |
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