Down-modulation of c-myc expression by phorbol ester protects CEM T leukaemia cells from starvation-induced apoptosis: role of ornithine decarboxylase and polyamines

Recently we demonstrated the induction of apoptosis by the addition of recombinant lipocalin-type prostaglandin D2 synthase (L-PGDS) to the culture medium of LLC-PK1 cells. Because protein kinase C (PKC) has been shown to be involved in the apoptotic process of various cell types, we examined the potential role of L-PGDS in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced apoptosis. We report here the enzymatic activation and phosphorylation of L-PGDS in response to phorbol ester in cell culture and the direct phosphorylation of recombinant L-PGDS by PKC in vitro. Treatment of cells with PMA or L-PGDS decreased phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) activity and concomitantly inhibited protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) phosphorylation, which led to the hypophosphorylation and activation of Bad. In addition, hypophosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein was also observed in response to L-PGDS-induced apoptosis. Cellular depletion of L-PGDS levels by using an antisense RNA strategy prevented PI3-K inactivation by phorbol ester and inhibited caspase-3 activation and apoptosis. We conclude that phorbol ester-induced apoptosis is mediated by L-PGDS phosphorylation and activation by PKC and is accompanied by inhibition of the PI3-K/PKB anti-apoptotic signaling pathways.

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Ornithine decarboxylase is a mediator of c-Myc-induced apoptosis.

Molecular and Cellular Biology ◽

10.1128/mcb.14.9.5741 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

pp. 5741-5747 ◽

Cited By ~ 159

Author(s):

G Packham ◽

J L Cleveland

Keyword(s):

Cell Death ◽

Enzyme Activity ◽

Ornithine Decarboxylase ◽

Cell Cycle Progression ◽

Irreversible Inhibitor ◽

Polyamine Biosynthesis ◽

Dose Dependent Fashion ◽

Induced Apoptosis ◽

Regulation Of Cell Cycle

c-Myc plays a central role in the regulation of cell cycle progression, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, the proteins which mediate c-Myc function(s) remain to be determined. Enforced c-myc expression rapidly induces apoptosis in interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent 32D.3 murine myeloid cells following IL-3 withdrawal, and this is associated with the constitutive, growth factor-independent expression of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), a rate-limiting enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis. Here we have examined the role of ODC in c-Myc-induced apoptosis. Enforced expression of ODC, like c-myc, is sufficient to induce accelerated death following IL-3 withdrawal. ODC induced cell death in a dose-dependent fashion, and alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible inhibitor of ODC enzyme activity, effectively blocked ODC-induced cell death. ODC-induced cell death was due to the induction of apoptosis. We also demonstrate that ODC is a mediator of c-Myc-induced apoptosis. 32D.3-derived c-myc clones have augmented levels of ODC enzyme activity, and their rates of death were also a function of their ODC enzyme levels. Importantly, the rates of death of c-myc clones were inhibited by treatment with DFMO. These findings demonstrate that ODC is an important mediator of c-Myc-induced apoptosis and suggest that ODC mediates other c-Myc functions.

Download Full-text

Ornithine decarboxylase is a mediator of c-Myc-induced apoptosis

Molecular and Cellular Biology ◽

10.1128/mcb.14.9.5741-5747.1994 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

pp. 5741-5747

Author(s):

G Packham ◽

J L Cleveland

Keyword(s):

Cell Death ◽

Enzyme Activity ◽

Ornithine Decarboxylase ◽

Cell Cycle Progression ◽

Irreversible Inhibitor ◽

Polyamine Biosynthesis ◽

Dose Dependent Fashion ◽

Induced Apoptosis ◽

Regulation Of Cell Cycle

c-Myc plays a central role in the regulation of cell cycle progression, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, the proteins which mediate c-Myc function(s) remain to be determined. Enforced c-myc expression rapidly induces apoptosis in interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent 32D.3 murine myeloid cells following IL-3 withdrawal, and this is associated with the constitutive, growth factor-independent expression of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), a rate-limiting enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis. Here we have examined the role of ODC in c-Myc-induced apoptosis. Enforced expression of ODC, like c-myc, is sufficient to induce accelerated death following IL-3 withdrawal. ODC induced cell death in a dose-dependent fashion, and alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible inhibitor of ODC enzyme activity, effectively blocked ODC-induced cell death. ODC-induced cell death was due to the induction of apoptosis. We also demonstrate that ODC is a mediator of c-Myc-induced apoptosis. 32D.3-derived c-myc clones have augmented levels of ODC enzyme activity, and their rates of death were also a function of their ODC enzyme levels. Importantly, the rates of death of c-myc clones were inhibited by treatment with DFMO. These findings demonstrate that ODC is an important mediator of c-Myc-induced apoptosis and suggest that ODC mediates other c-Myc functions.

Download Full-text