title: Role of NF-kappaB in p53-mediated programmed cell death.
abstract: The tumour suppressor p53 inhibits cell growth through activation of cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis, and most cancers have either mutation within the p53 gene or defects in the ability to induce p53. Activation or re-introduction of p53 induces apoptosis in many tumour cells and may provide effective cancer therapy. One of the key proteins that modulates the apoptotic response is NF-kappaB, a transcription factor that can protect or contribute to apoptosis. Here we show that induction of p53 causes an activation of NF-kappaB that correlates with the ability of p53 to induce apoptosis. Inhibition or loss of NF-kappaB activity abrogated p53-induced apoptosis, indicating that NF-kappaB is essential in p53-mediated cell death. Activation of NF-kappaB by p53 was distinct from that mediated by tumour-necrosis factor-alpha and involved MEK1 and the activation of pp90rsk. Inhibition of MEK1 blocked activation of NF-kappaB by p53 and completely abrogated p53-induced cell death. We conclude that inhibition of NF-kappaB in tumours that retain wild-type p53 may diminish, rather than augment, a therapeutic response.
authors.affiliation: Regulation of Cell Growth Laboratory, NCI-FCRDC, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, USA.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Vousden
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011485:Protein Binding; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D004247:DNA