The proliferation of mammalian cells is driven by the core cell cycle machinery. The key components of this machinery are proteins called cyclins, which bind, activate and provide substrate specificity to the cyclin- dependent kinases (CDKs). Cyclin-CDK complexes phosphorylate cellular proteins, thereby driving cell proliferation. Cyclins operating during the G1 phase of the cell cycle (the so-called G1 cyclins) are of particular importance to the cancer field, as many oncogenic pathways were shown to impinge on these proteins. Two classes of G1 cyclins operate in mammalian cells: D-type (cyclins D1, D2 and D3) and E-type (E1 and E2). D-cyclins activate CDK4 and CDK6, whereas E-cyclins activate mostly CDK2. Cyclin D-CDK4, D-CDK6 and E-CDK2 complexes phosphorylate an overlapping set of proteins; cyclin E-associated kinase is thought to target a broader spectrum of substrates. In the past, our laboratory generated and characterized mice lacking D-type or E-type cyclins. Although these animals displayed focused abnormalities, the majority of cell types proliferated normally or nearly normally in the absence of D-type or E-type cyclins. We ascribed the absence of more profound phenotypes to the overlapping functions of the two G1 cyclin classes. To better understand the in vivo functions of G1 cyclins, we generated conditional quintuple knockout mouse embryonic stem cells. These cells allow us to study the consequences of an acute shutdown of all five G1 cyclins in embryonic stem cells. In the proposed work, we will use this experimental system to study the molecular functions of G1 cyclins. An important part of our research plan are analyses of G1 cyclin functions in mouse and in human cancer cells. We will focus on glioblastoma, the most aggressive and incurable brain cancer. We will investigate the molecular functions of G1 cyclins in this tumor type, using a mouse model of glioblastoma as well as primary patient-derived glioblastoma cells. We will test whether inhibition of G1 cyclin function might represent a therapeutic strategy in this deadly cancer type. We will address the following major issues in our three Specific Aims:
In Specific Aim 1, we will study the function of G1 cyclins in embryonic stem cells.
In Specific Aim 2, we will investigate the molecular functions of G1 cyclins during differentiation. Lastly, in Specific Aim 3, we will extend our studies to mous and human patient-derived cancer cells, by analyzing the function of G1 cyclins in glioblastoma cells. Our work may suggest novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of glioblastoma. This tumor represents the most aggressive and incurable brain cancer, and the median survival time of the affected patients is currently less than one year.

Public Health Relevance

This application focuses on a class of proteins called 'G1 cyclins', which play important roles in human cancers. In the proposed work, we will study the molecular functions of these proteins in normal cells, and in cells of a malignant brain cancer, glioblastoma. Our work may help to design novel therapeutic strategies for this incurable cancer type.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA202634-05
Application #
9886203
Study Section
Cellular Signaling and Regulatory Systems Study Section (CSRS)
Program Officer
Willis, Kristine Amalee
Project Start
2016-04-01
Project End
2021-03-31
Budget Start
2020-04-01
Budget End
2021-03-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
076580745
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02215
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Zhang, Jinfang; Bu, Xia; Wang, Haizhen et al. (2018) Cyclin D-CDK4 kinase destabilizes PD-L1 via cullin 3-SPOP to control cancer immune surveillance. Nature 553:91-95
Hinohara, Kunihiko; Wu, Hua-Jun; Vigneau, Sébastien et al. (2018) KDM5 Histone Demethylase Activity Links Cellular Transcriptomic Heterogeneity to Therapeutic Resistance. Cancer Cell 34:939-953.e9
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Liu, Lijun; Michowski, Wojciech; Inuzuka, Hiroyuki et al. (2017) G1 cyclins link proliferation, pluripotency and differentiation of embryonic stem cells. Nat Cell Biol 19:177-188
Otto, Tobias; Sicinski, Piotr (2017) Cell cycle proteins as promising targets in cancer therapy. Nat Rev Cancer 17:93-115
Hydbring, Per; Wang, Yinan; Bogorad, Roman L et al. (2017) Identification of cell cycle-targeting microRNAs through genome-wide screens. Cell Cycle 16:2241-2248
Wang, Haizhen; Nicolay, Brandon N; Chick, Joel M et al. (2017) The metabolic function of cyclin D3-CDK6 kinase in cancer cell survival. Nature 546:426-430
Otto, Tobias; Candido, Sheyla V; Pilarz, Mary S et al. (2017) Cell cycle-targeting microRNAs promote differentiation by enforcing cell-cycle exit. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114:10660-10665

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