scholarly journals ROS/RNS Balancing, Aerobic Fermentation Regulation and Cell Cycle Control – a Complex Early Trait (‘CoV-MAC-TED’) for Combating SARS-CoV-2-Induced Cell Reprogramming

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Hélio Costa ◽  
Gunasekaran Mohanapriya ◽  
Revuru Bharadwaj ◽  
Carlos Noceda ◽  
Karine Leitão Lima Thiers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Cell Cycle Control ◽  
Redox Homeostasis ◽  
Transcript Level ◽  
Aerobic Fermentation ◽  
General Observation ◽  
Alpha Tubulin

In a perspective entitled ‘From plant survival under severe stress to anti-viral human defense’ we raised and justified the hypothesis that transcript level profiles of justified target genes established from in vitro somatic embryogenesis (SE) induction in plants as a reference compared to virus-induced profiles can identify differential virus signatures that link to harmful reprogramming. A standard profile of selected genes named ‘ReprogVirus’ was proposed for in vitro-scanning of early virus-induced reprogramming in critical primary infected cells/tissues as target trait. For data collection, the ‘ReprogVirus platform’ was initiated. This initiative aims to identify in a common effort across scientific boundaries critical virus footprints from diverse virus origins and variants as a basis for anti-viral strategy design. This approach is open for validation and extension. In the present study, we initiated validation by experimental transcriptome data available in public domain combined with advancing plant wet lab research. We compared plant-adapted transcriptomes according to ‘RegroVirus’ complemented by alternative oxidase (AOX) genes during de novo programming under SE-inducing conditions with in vitro corona virus-induced transcriptome profiles. This approach enabled identifying a major complex trait for early de novo programming during SARS-CoV-2 infection, called ‘CoV-MAC-TED’. It consists of unbalanced ROS/RNS levels, which are connected to increased aerobic fermentation that links to alpha-tubulin-based cell restructuration and progression of cell cycle. We conclude that anti-viral/anti-SARS-CoV-2 strategies need to rigorously target ‘CoV-MAC-TED’ in primary infected nose and mouth cells through prophylactic and very early therapeutic strategies. We also discuss potential strategies in the view of the beneficial role of AOX for resilient behavior in plants. Furthermore, following the general observation that ROS/RNS equilibration/redox homeostasis is of utmost importance at the very beginning of viral infection, we highlight that ‘de-stressing’ disease and social handling should be seen as essential part of anti-viral/anti-SARS-CoV-2 strategies.

scholarly journals ROS/RNS balancing, aerobic fermentation regulation and cell cycle control a complex early trait ('CoV-MAC-TED') for combating SARS-CoV-2-induced cell reprogramming

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Helio Costa ◽  
Gunasekharan Mohanapriya ◽  
Bharadwaj Revuru ◽  
Carlos Noceda ◽  
Karine Leitao Lima Thiers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Cell Cycle Control ◽  
Redox Homeostasis ◽  
Complex Trait ◽  
Transcript Level ◽  
Aerobic Fermentation ◽  
General Observation

In a perspective entitled From plant survival under severe stress to anti-viral human defense we raised and justified the hypothesis that transcript level profiles of justified target genes established from in vitro somatic embryogenesis (SE) induction in plants as a reference compared to virus-induced profiles can identify differential virus signatures that link to harmful reprogramming. A standard profile of selected genes named ReprogVirus was proposed for in vitro-scanning of early virus-induced reprogramming in critical primary infected cells/tissues as target trait. For data collection, the ReprogVirus platform was initiated. This initiative aims to identify in a common effort across scientific boundaries critical virus footprints from diverse virus origins and variants as a basis for anti-viral strategy design. This approach is open for validation and extension. In the present study, we initiated validation by experimental transcriptome data available in public domain combined with advancing plant wet lab research. We compared plant-adapted transcriptomes according to RegroVirus complemented by alternative oxidase (AOX) genes during de novo programming under SE-inducing conditions with in vitro corona virus-induced transcriptome profiles. This approach enabled identifying a major complex trait for early de novo programming during SARS-CoV-2 infection, called CoV-MAC-TED. It consists of unbalanced ROS/RNS levels, which are connected to increased aerobic fermentation that links to alpha-tubulin-based cell restructuration and progression of cell cycle. We conclude that anti-viral/anti-SARS-CoV-2 strategies need to rigorously target CoV-MAC-TED in primary infected nose and mouth cells through prophylactic and very early therapeutic strategies. We also discuss potential strategies in the view of the beneficial role of AOX for resilient behavior in plants. Furthermore, following the general observation that ROS/RNS equilibration/redox homeostasis is of utmost importance at the very beginning of viral infection, we highlight that de-stressing disease and social handling should be seen as essential part of anti-viral/anti-SARS-CoV-2 strategies.

scholarly journals From Plant Survival Under Severe Stress to Anti-Viral Human Defense – A Perspective That Calls for Common Efforts

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgit Arnholdt-Schmitt ◽  
Gunasekaran Mohanapriya ◽  
Revuru Bharadwaj ◽  
Carlos Noceda ◽  
Elisete Santos Macedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Target Genes ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Complex Trait ◽  
Transcript Level ◽  
Severe Stress ◽  
Human Virus ◽  
Defense Strategies ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Strategy Design

Reprogramming of primary virus-infected cells is the critical step that turns viral attacks harmful to humans by initiating super-spreading at cell, organism and population levels. To develop early anti-viral therapies and proactive administration, it is important to understand the very first steps of this process. Plant somatic embryogenesis (SE) is the earliest and most studied model for de novo programming upon severe stress that, in contrast to virus attacks, promotes individual cell and organism survival. We argued that transcript level profiles of target genes established from in vitro SE induction as reference compared to virus-induced profiles can identify differential virus traits that link to harmful reprogramming. To validate this hypothesis, we selected a standard set of genes named ‘ReprogVirus’. This approach was recently applied and published. It resulted in identifying ‘CoV-MAC-TED’, a complex trait that is promising to support combating SARS-CoV-2-induced cell reprogramming in primary infected nose and mouth cells. In this perspective, we aim to explain the rationale of our scientific approach. We are highlighting relevant background knowledge on SE, emphasize the role of alternative oxidase in plant reprogramming and resilience as a learning tool for designing human virus-defense strategies and, present the list of selected genes. As an outlook, we announce wider data collection in a ‘ReprogVirus Platform’ to support anti-viral strategy design through common efforts.

Mitosis-specific phosphorylation of nucleolin by p34cdc2 protein kinase

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 3607-3618
Author(s):  
P Belenguer ◽  
M Caizergues-Ferrer ◽  
J C Labbé ◽  
M Dorée ◽  
F Amalric
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Cycle Control ◽  
Nucleolar Organizer ◽  
Serine Phosphorylation ◽  
Nucleolar Organizer Regions ◽  
Rdna Transcription ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Nucleolar Chromatin

Nucleolin is a ubiquitous multifunctional protein involved in preribosome assembly and associated with both nucleolar chromatin in interphase and nucleolar organizer regions on metaphasic chromosomes in mitosis. Extensive nucleolin phosphorylation by a casein kinase (CKII) occurs on serine in growing cells. Here we report that while CKII phosphorylation is achieved in interphase, threonine phosphorylation occurs during mitosis. We provide evidence that this type of in vivo phosphorylation involves a mammalian homolog of the cell cycle control Cdc2 kinase. In vitro M-phase H1 kinase from starfish oocytes phosphorylated threonines in a TPXK motif present nine times in the amino-terminal part of the protein. The same sites which matched the p34cdc2 consensus phosphorylation sequence were used in vivo during mitosis. We propose that successive Cdc2 and CKII phosphorylation could modulate nucleolin function in controlling cell cycle-dependent nucleolar function and organization. Our results, along with previous studies, suggest that while serine phosphorylation is related to nucleolin function in the control of rDNA transcription, threonine phosphorylation is linked to mitotic reorganization of nucleolar chromatin.

scholarly journals Elacestrant (RAD1901) exhibits anti-tumor activity in multiple ER+ breast cancer models resistant to CDK4/6 inhibitors

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitisha K. Patel ◽  
Nianjun Tao ◽  
Kyung-Min Lee ◽  
Mariela Huerta ◽  
Heike Arlt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Estrogen Receptor ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Cancer Resistance ◽  
Treatment Paradigm ◽  
Anti Tumor Activity

Abstract Background Addition of CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) to endocrine therapy significantly increased progression-free survival, leading to their approval and incorporation into the metastatic breast cancer treatment paradigm. With these inhibitors being routinely used for patients with advanced estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, resistance to these agents and its impact on subsequent therapy needs to be understood. Considering the central role of ER in driving the growth of ER+ breast cancers, and thus endocrine agents being a mainstay in the treatment paradigm, the effects of prior CDK4/6i exposure on ER signaling and the relevance of ER-targeted therapy are important to investigate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of elacestrant, a novel oral selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD), in preclinical models of CDK4/6i resistance. Methods Elacestrant was evaluated as a single agent, and in combination with alpelisib or everolimus, in multiple in vitro models and patient-derived xenografts that represent acquired and “de novo” CDK4/6i resistance. Results Elacestrant demonstrated growth inhibition in cells resistant to all three approved CDK4/6i (palbociclib, abemaciclib, ribociclib) in both ESR1 wild-type and mutant backgrounds. Furthermore, we demonstrated that elacestrant, as a single agent and in combination, inhibited growth of patient-derived xenografts that have been derived from a patient previously treated with a CDK4/6i or exhibit de novo resistance to CDK4/6i. While the resistant lines demonstrate distinct alterations in cell cycle modulators, this did not affect elacestrant’s anti-tumor activity. In fact, we observe that elacestrant downregulates several key cell cycle players and halts cell cycle progression in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions We demonstrate that breast cancer tumor cells continue to rely on ER signaling to drive tumor growth despite exposure to CDK4/6i inhibitors. Importantly, elacestrant can inhibit this ER-dependent growth despite previously reported mechanisms of CDK4/6i resistance observed such as Rb loss, CDK6 overexpression, upregulated cyclinE1 and E2F1, among others. These data provide a scientific rationale for the evaluation of elacestrant in a post-CDK4/6i patient population. Additionally, elacestrant may also serve as an endocrine backbone for rational combinations to combat resistance.

scholarly journals Quantitative Characterization of a Mitotic Cyclin Threshold Regulating Exit from Mitosis

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 2129-2138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick R. Cross ◽  
Lea Schroeder ◽  
Martin Kruse ◽  
Katherine C. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Budding Yeast ◽  
Cell Cycle Control ◽  
Predictive Ability ◽  
Eukaryotic Cell ◽  
Model Predictions ◽  
Mitotic Cyclin ◽  
Constitutive Overexpression

Regulation of cyclin abundance is central to eukaryotic cell cycle control. Strong overexpression of mitotic cyclins is known to lock the system in mitosis, but the quantitative behavior of the control system as this threshold is approached has only been characterized in the in vitro Xenopus extract system. Here, we quantitate the threshold for mitotic block in budding yeast caused by constitutive overexpression of the mitotic cyclin Clb2. Near this threshold, the system displays marked loss of robustness, in that loss or even heterozygosity for some regulators becomes deleterious or lethal, even though complete loss of these regulators is tolerated at normal cyclin expression levels. Recently, we presented a quantitative kinetic model of the budding yeast cell cycle. Here, we use this model to generate biochemical predictions for Clb2 levels, asynchronous as well as through the cell cycle, as the Clb2 overexpression threshold is approached. The model predictions compare well with biochemical data, even though no data of this type were available during model generation. The loss of robustness of the Clb2 overexpressing system is also predicted by the model. These results provide strong confirmation of the model's predictive ability.

scholarly journals Growth Suppression by Acute PromyelocyticLeukemia-Associated Protein PLZF Is Mediated by Repression ofc-mycExpression

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (24) ◽  
pp. 9375-9388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie J. McConnell ◽  
Nathalie Chevallier ◽  
Windy Berkofsky-Fessler ◽  
Jena M. Giltnane ◽  
Rupal B. Malani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Growth ◽  
Cell Cycle Arrest ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Growth Suppression ◽  
Quiescent State ◽  
Cycle Arrest

ABSTRACT The transcriptional repressor PLZF was identified by its translocation with retinoic acid receptor alpha in t(11;17) acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Ectopic expression of PLZF leads to cell cycle arrest and growth suppression, while disruption of normal PLZF function is implicated in the development of APL. To clarify the function of PLZF in cell growth and survival, we used an inducible PLZF cell line in a microarray analysis to identify the target genes repressed by PLZF. One prominent gene identified was c-myc. The array analysis demonstrated that repression of c-myc by PLZF led to a reduction in c-myc-activated transcripts and an increase in c-myc-repressed transcripts. Regulation of c-myc by PLZF was shown to be both direct and reversible. An interaction between PLZF and the c-myc promoter could be detected both in vitro and in vivo. PLZF repressed the wild-type c-myc promoter in a reporter assay, dependent on the integrity of the binding site identified in vitro. PLZF binding in vivo was coincident with a decrease in RNA polymerase occupation of the c-myc promoter, indicating that repression occurred via a reduction in the initiation of transcription. Finally, expression of c-myc reversed the cell cycle arrest induced by PLZF. These data suggest that PLZF expression maintains a cell in a quiescent state by repressing c-myc expression and preventing cell cycle progression. Loss of this repression through the translocation that occurs in t(11;17) would have serious consequences for cell growth control.

GA Binding Protein (GABP) Is Required for Development and Maturation of Myeloid Cells.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 776-776
Author(s):  
Zhongfa Yang ◽  
Alan G. Rosmarin
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Myeloid Cells ◽  
Transactivation Domain ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Floxed Allele

Abstract GABP is an ets transcription factor that regulates transcription of key myeloid genes, including CD18 (beta2 leukocyte integrin), neutrophil elastase, lysozyme, and other key mediators of the inflammatory response; it is also known to regulate important cell cycle control genes. GABP consists of two distinct and unrelated proteins that, together, form a functional transcription factor complex. GABPalpha (GABPa) is an ets protein that binds to DNA; it forms a tetrameric complex by recruiting its partner, GABPbeta (GABPb), which contains the transactivation domain. GABPa is a single copy gene in both the human and murine genomes and it is the only protein that can recruit GABPb to DNA. We cloned GABPa from a murine genomic BAC library and prepared a targeting vector in which exon 9 (which encodes the GABPa ets domain) was flanked by loxP (floxed) recombination sites. The targeting construct was electroporated into embryonic stem cells, homologous recombinants were implanted into pseudopregnant mice, heterozygous floxed GABPa mice were identified, and intercrossing yielded expected Mendelian ratios of wild type, heterozygous, and homozygous floxed GABPa mice. Breeding of heterozygous floxed GABPa mice to CMV-Cre mice (which express Cre recombinase in all tissues) yielded expected numbers of hemizygous mice (only one intact GABPa allele), but no nullizygous (GABPa−/−) mice among 64 pups; we conclude that homozygous deletion of GABPa causes an embryonic lethal defect. To determine the effect of GABPa deletion on myeloid cell development, we bred heterozygous and homozygous floxed mice to LysMCre mice, which express Cre only in myeloid cells. These mice had a normal complement of myeloid cells but, unexpectedly, PCR indicated that their Gr1+ myeloid cells retained an intact (undeleted) floxed GABPa allele. We detected similar numbers of in vitro myeloid colonies from bone marrow of wild type, heterozygous floxed, and homozygous floxed progeny of LysMCre matings. However, PCR of twenty individual in vitro colonies from homozygous floxed mice indicated that they all retained an intact floxed allele. Breeding of floxed GABPa/LysMCre mice with hemizygous mice indicated that retention of a floxed allele was not due to incomplete deletion by LysMCre; rather, it appears that only myeloid cells that retain an intact GABPa allele can survive to mature in vitro or in vivo. We prepared murine embryonic fibroblasts from homozygous floxed mice and efficiently deleted GABPa in vitro. We found striking abnormalities in proliferation and G1/S phase arrest. We used quantitative RT-PCR to identify mechanisms that account for the altered growth of GABPa null cells. We found dramatically reduced expression of known GABP target genes that regulate DNA synthesis and cell cycle that appear to account for the proliferative defect. We conclude that GABPa is required for growth and maturation of myeloid cells and we identified downstream targets that may account for their failure to proliferate and mature in vitro and in vivo.

The Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor LAQ824 Maintains Normal Hematopoietic Progenitor cells (HPC) Associated with Induction of Notch Target Genes and Does Not Eliminate Leukemic HPC in Vitro.

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 1352-1352
Author(s):  
Kerstin Schwarz ◽  
Oliver Ottmann ◽  
Annette Romanski ◽  
Anja Vogel ◽  
Jeffrey W. Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Gene Expression Analysis ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Notch Pathway ◽  
Cycle Arrest ◽  
Cd34 Cells ◽  
20 Nm

Abstract Introduction: Histone deacetylase inhibitors (DACi) have shown promising antileukemic activity by overcoming the differentiation block and inducing apoptosis in AML blasts. Recent data demonstrating enhanced maintenance and functional capacity of normal, but also leukemic hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) by the selective class I DACi valproic acid (VPA) have raised concerns about VPA in AML therapy. As more potent pan-DACi have entered clinical trials, we analysed the impact of the hydroxamic acid LAQ824 on phenotype and function of normal and leukemic CD34+ HPC and studied LAQ824- induced gene expression in the most primitive CD34+CD38- population of normal HPC. Methods: Differentiation and proliferation of CD34+ cells of bone marrow of healthy donors and peripheral blood samples of newly diagnosed AML patients were evaluated after one week of culture in presence of SCF, FLT3 ligand, TPO, IL-3 +/− LAQ824. The effect of LAQ824 on gene expression profiles in normal CD34+CD38− cells was assessed in three independent cell samples following incubation with cytokines +/− LAQ824 for 48 hours using Affymetrix GeneChip Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 and Gene Spring Software. Serial replating of murine Sca1+Lin- HPC was performed in the presence of SCF, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-6 +/− LAQ824. Results: Treatment of murine Sca1+Lin- HPC with LAQ824 (10 nM) significantly augmented colony numbers (p<0.01; n=3), and supported colony growth after four cycles of replating whereas no colonies developed in its absence beyond the second plating indicating preservation of functionally active multipotent progenitor cells. LAQ824 (10–20 nM) mediated acetylation of histone H3 in human normal and leukemic HPC. In normal HPC, LAQ824 (0–20 nM) lead to a dose-dependent increase in the proportion of CD34+ cells (20% w/o LAQ824 vs. 36% with LAQ824 20nM, p=0.07) and a significant reduction of CD14+ monocytes (18% vs. 3%, p= 0.02; n=3). The total number of CD34+ cells remained stable up to 10 nM and decreased at 20 nM. Gene expression analysis showed, that LAQ824 (20 nM) lead to an at least 3-fold up-regulation of 221 genes in all three HPC samples tested including HDAC11 and the cell cycle inhibitor p21waf1/cip1 known to be induced by most DACi in HPC. We identified several members of the notch pathway such as mastermind-like protein 2 (MAML2, a component of the active notch transcriptional complex) and notch target genes including the transcription factors HES1, HEY1 and HOXA10 and confirmed increase of protein levels by Western blotting. Reduced gene expression of mini-chromosome-maintenance (MCM) protein family members was observed which - in addition to up-regulation of p21 - has previously been associated with notch-mediated cell cycle arrest. To compare the effect of LAQ824 (20 nM) with VPA (150 ng/ml) on leukemic HPC, cells were cultured for one week with or w/o DACi. Of note, LAQ824 resulted in a 0.8-fold reduction of CD34+ leukemic HPC, while VPA expanded this population 2.2-fold compared with cytokine-treated controls (p=0.03; n=12). CFU numbers growing from CD34+ leukemic HPC in presence of LAQ824 did not differ significantly from controls (n=9). Conclusion: LAQ824 seems to diminish, but not eliminate normal as well as leukemic HPC as determined by phenotypic and functional in vitro analyses. Our gene expression analysis suggested an association with coactivator and target genes of the notch pathway and cell cycle arrest-inducing genes. In contrast to VPA, LAQ824 does not seem to support growth of leukemic HPC which may contribute to its more potent antileukemic effect.

Focal Deletion of Genes Involved in the Control of Cell Cycle Progression Contributes to Growth Factor Independence in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 789-789
Author(s):  
Bart Nijmeijer ◽  
Karoly Szuhai ◽  
Henriette M Goselink ◽  
Marianke LJ Van Schie ◽  
Danielle De Jong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Homozygous Deletion ◽  
Cycle Progression ◽  
B Locus ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
B Lineage

Abstract B-lineage ALL, and chronic myeloid leukemia in B-lineage lymphoid blastic phase (CML-LBP), are characterized by deregulated proliferation of clonal B-precursor lymphoblasts. Cytogenetic aberrations, such as the t(9;22) translocation resulting in the bcr/abl fusion oncogene, play a critical role in leukemogenesis. However, full malignant transformation of B cell precursors likely requires secondary cytogenetic lesions. Recently, through array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH), recurrent submicroscopic cytogenetic deletions have been identified in the majority of ALL and CML-LBP. These deletions involve genes that control cell cycle progression such as BTG1 or RB1, or the p14ARF, p15INK4B or p16INK4A genes which are all encoded within the CDKN2A/B region. Alternative lesions involve genes that control lymphocyte development, such as IKAROS or PAX5. Little is known on the contribution of these deletions to the deregulated proliferation of ALL lymphoblasts, due to the limited availability of in vitro assays that allow manipulation of primary ALL blasts. We have established a serum- and growth factor-free in vitro system in which primary cells from 12 out of 34 ALL cases continuously proliferated for over 1 year. Leukemic cells from the other 22 cases survived in vitro for a significant period (>3 weeks) but did not divide significantly. Growth-factor independence was not restricted to a distinct cytogenetic subtype. Proliferating samples included 2 CML-LBP, 4 bcr/abl positive ALL, 1 etv6/abl positive ALL, 2 e2a-pbx1 positive ALL, 1 mll/enl positive ALL and 2 ALL cases with non-typical cytogenetics. To study whether growth factor independence correlated with submicroscopic lesions, we analyzed 10 in vitro proliferating and 10 non-proliferating samples on Agilent 44k CGH arrays. Seven of the 10 in vitro proliferating samples displayed a focal deletion (~500kb) of the CDKN2A/B locus at 9p21. Of these seven, three showed a focal (~150kb) deletion at the RB-1 locus on 13q14.2, two showed focal (~750kb) deletion at the BTG1 locus at 12q22, and one displayed focal deletions at both the RB1 and BTG1 loci. In the remaining three in vitro proliferating samples no submicroscopic deletions were detected. In the 10 non-proliferating samples, only 4 displayed deletions at the CDKN2A/B locus and no RB1 or BTG1 deletions were observed. Deletion of IKAROS was detected only in one of the proliferating samples that displayed RB1 deletion. No deletions at the PAX5 locus were detected. To confirm knock-out of the affected genes, and to study which of the three genes encoded by the CDKN2A/B locus were affected, we analyzed expression of full length transcripts in the primary blasts by RT-PCR. All cases that displayed deletions at the RB1 or BTG1 loci lacked RB1 or BTG1 transcripts, respectively, confirming homozygous deletion. The remaining cases expressed normal RB1 and BTG1 transcripts. Of the samples that showed deletions at the CDKN2A/B locus, two expressed p14, p15 and p16, suggesting hemizygous deletion, two only expressed p15 and p16, suggesting homozygous deletion of p14, and one only expressed p15, suggesting homozygous deletion of p14 as well as p16. Finally, two samples expressed none of the three transcripts, suggesting homozygous deletion of the entire CDKN2A/B region. Interestingly, homozygous deletion of RB1 and homozygous deletion of p15 or p16 were mutually exclusive, suggesting that either of these two events could suffice for deregulation of this pathway. After six months of continuous in vitro proliferation we again determined the status of BTG1, RB1, and the CDKN2A/B encoded genes in the 10 proliferating cell populations. No de novo RB1 or BTG1 deletions were observed. However, all 10 populations now lacked expression of one or more of the CDKN2A/B encoded genes. The majority of the new functional losses could be attributed to de novo deletions within the CDKN2A/B region, as determined by genomic PCR. In conclusion, our results provide evidence that deletion of genes that are involved in the control of cell cycle progression may decrease growth factor dependence of B lymphoblasts, and as such significantly contribute to leukemic transformation and/or clonal evolution.

scholarly journals Overexpression of Bcl-w in the Testis Disrupts Spermatogenesis: Revelation of a Role of BCL-W in Male Germ Cell Cycle Control

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 1868-1879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Yan ◽  
Jun-Xing Huang ◽  
Anna-Stina Lax ◽  
Lauri Pelliniemi ◽  
Eeva Salminen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Germ Cell ◽  
Sertoli Cell ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Cell Cycle Control ◽  
Testicular Development ◽  
Dna Ladder

Abstract To explore physiological roles of BCL-W, a prosurvival member of the BCL-2 protein family, we generated transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing Bcl-w driven by a chicken β-actin promoter. Male Bcl-w TG mice developed normally but were infertile. The adult TG testes displayed disrupted spermatogenesis with various severities ranging from thin seminiferous epithelium containing less germ cells to Sertoli cell-only appearance. No overpopulation of any type of germ cells was observed during testicular development. In contrast, the developing TG testes displayed decreased number of spermatogonia, degeneration, and detachment of spermatocytes and Sertoli cell vacuolization. The proliferative activity of germ cells was significantly reduced during testicular development and spermatogenesis, as determined by in vivo and in vitro 5′-bromo-2′deoxyuridine incorporation assays. Sertoli cells were structurally and functionally normal. The degenerating germ cells were TUNEL-negative and no typical apoptotic DNA ladder was detected. Our data suggest that regulated spatial and temporal expression of BCL-W is required for normal testicular development and spermatogenesis, and overexpression of BCL-W inhibits germ cell cycle entry and/or cell cycle progression leading to disrupted spermatogenesis.

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