A large number of human and experimental cancers display genetic alterations that activate G1-controlkinases (CDK4 and CDK6). In this process, aberrant levels'ofD-type cyclins provide a growth advantageover normal cells. Whereas a role for cyclin D1 and D2 in cell proliferation have been established, recentdata suggests that cyclin D3 (eye D3) plays additional roles in differentiation and growth arrest. This datacorrelates well with our preliminary results suggesting a role of eye D3 as a negative regulator of keratinocyteproliferation. Notably, overexpression of this cyclin results in inhibition of tumor development and decreasedmalignant progression to squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Analysis of primary keratinocytes shows thatoverexpression of eye D3 results in strong reduction of the eye D2 protein levels, whereas elevated levels ofeye D2 was observed in eye D3 null mice. Thus, we have hypothesized that eye D3 negatively regulatekeratinocyte proliferation through a posttranslational mechanism downregulating eye D2. Supporting thishypothesis, cell lines derived from keratinocytes, papillomas and SCC, showed increased eye D3 stability inall but the SCC cell lines, whereas cell lines derived from SCC showed elevated stability of eye D1suggesting that these two cyclins play opposing roles. To determine the potential application of D-typecyclins as target for therapeutic intervention it is essential to understand the role of each member. The workperformed for this application has led to a number of relevant questions related to the roles of D-type cyclinsin neoplastic development and epidermal homeostasis. However, in order to remain focused, we willconcentrate on the role of eye D3 and eye D2 in tumorigenesis. Based on the preliminary results obtained forthis application, we proposed two hypotheses: 1- Cyc D3 expression inhibits tumorigenesis through aposttranslational mechanism that results in decreased levels of eye D2 changing the proliferative capacity ofepidermal cells. 2- Cyc D3 expression inhibits carcinogenesis by positive regulation of the differentiationprocess. In order to investigate these hypotheses, we propose the following specific aims: SA 1: Todetermine the effect of unbalanced expression of D-type cyclins in tumorigenesis. SA 2: To determine theposttranslational mechanism that regulates the levels of cyclin D2. SA 3: To determine the role of cyclinD3/CDK6 complexes in normal and neoplastic proliferation, and keratinocyte differentiation.
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