Changes in E2F binding after phenylbutyrate-induced differentiation of Caco-2 colon cancer cells.
Differentiation agents use existing cellular systems to induce neoplastic cells to regain a normal phenotype and/or to cause growth arrest and therefore may offer novel chemotherapeutic approaches to treating solid tumors. In this study, we demonstrate in Caco-2 colon cancer cells that the differentiation agent phenylbutyrate (PB) causes a decrease in viable cells, an increase in cell differentiation, and a G1-S-phase block. The mechanism of this last effect is related to a PB-induced increase in p27Kip1, leading to a decrease in the activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), a positive regulator of the G1-S-phase cell cycle transition. Consistent with the decreased CDK2 kinase activity, we also observed a decrease in the phosphorylation state of the retinoblastoma protein after PB treatment. This was associated with increased binding and consequent inactivation of E2F, a transactivator of genes that regulate the G1 to S phase cell cycle transition. These data suggest that the differentiation agent PB inhibits tumor growth by limiting the availability of active E2F, with a subsequent G1-S-phase block. Additional studies should show whether PB is a clinically effective therapeutic agent against colorectal cancer.
Wang
Q M
QM
Department of Surgery, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07103, USA.
Feinman
R
R
Kashanchi
F
F
Houghton
J M
JM
Studzinski
G P
GP
Harrison
L E
LE
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D042846:CDC2-CDC28 Kinases; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D051357:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; D051361:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6; D050760:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050684:E2F Transcription Factors; D016193:G1 Phase; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010654:Phenylbutyrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D056465:Retinoblastoma-Binding Protein 1; D016196:S Phase; D013997:Time Factors; D050680:Transcription Factor DP1; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050684:E2F Transcription Factors; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D010654:Phenylbutyrates; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D056465:Retinoblastoma-Binding Protein 1; D050680:Transcription Factor DP1; D014157:Transcription Factors; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D050760:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D042846:CDC2-CDC28 Kinases; C495894:CDK2 protein, human; C495900:CDK4 protein, human; C495911:CDK6 protein, human; D051357:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; D051361:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase