ATM protein expression correlates with radioresistance in primary glioblastoma cells in culture.
OBJECTIVE
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the malignancies most resistant to radiation therapy. In contrast, cells derived from individuals with ataxia telangiectasia (AT), possessing mutations in the ATM gene, demonstrate increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation. Using a collection of glioma specimens adapted to tissue culture and several established GBM cell lines, we investigated the relationship between ATM protein expression and radiosensitivity. The three aims of our study were to: (1) quantify ATM protein levels in cultured glioma cells; (2) measure the correlation between ATM protein levels and radiation sensitivity; and (3) examine the dependence of ATM on p53 status.


METHODS
Glioma specimens were collected, catalogued, and adapted to grow in culture. Levels of ATM, p53, and p21 proteins were determined by Western blot. Radiation sensitivities were determined by clonogenic assays. p53 mutation status was determined by DNA sequencing. Correlations were identified by linear regression analysis.


RESULTS
ATM protein levels were variable in the primary gliomas. Glioma cell lines demonstrated significantly lower levels of ATM protein. Clonogenic assays of cell strains and cell lines yielded survival fractions (SF2s) consistent with the radioresistant behavior of GBM tumors in vivo. Regression analysis revealed a high correlation between ATM protein levels and SF2 for primary glioma cell strains, but not for established GBM cell lines. p53 status failed to predict radiosensitivity.


CONCLUSIONS
We have demonstrated that while our collection of low passage cell cultures depends on ATM for their resistance to IR, established cell lines may acquire adaptive characteristics which downplay the role of the ATM gene product in vitro. Therefore, attenuating ATM gene expression may be a successful strategy in the treatment of GBM tumors.
Tribius
S
S
Department of Radiation Oncology, The Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
Pidel
A
A
Casper
D
D
D064007:Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D016213:Cyclins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000528:radiation effects; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
C493956:CDKN1A protein, human; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D016213:Cyclins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C576324:ATM protein, human; D064007:Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases