Gene expression and regulation in H2O2-induced premature senescence of human foreskin fibroblasts expressing or not telomerase.
We compared the DNA-binding activity of transcription factors and gene expression patterns in BJ human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs) expressing or not telomerase (hTERT) in stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS). Senescent BJ cells were also studied. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced SIPS modulated gene expression in both BJ and hTERT-BJ1 cells. Increased p21(WAF-1) mRNA level was amongst the common gene expression changes in BJ and hTERT-BJ1 cells induced by SIPS. Telomerase expression markedly changed gene expression in non-stressful conditions. Expression patterns of senescent BJ cells partially overlapped those of BJ and hTERT-BJ1 cells in SIPS. The basal levels of DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB and phosphorylated ATF-2 were different in BJ and hTERT-BJ1 cells. Both cell lines displayed a higher DNA-binding activity of p53 and HIF-1 72 h after H2O2 exposure. Our results indicate that similar mechanisms involving p21(WAF-1) and probably p53 are at work in BJ and hTERT-BJ1 HDFs under H2O2-induced SIPS, suggesting that generalized DNA damage rather than telomere length/telomerase plays a crucial role in H2O2induced SIPS. We propose that H2O2-induced SIPS involves a rearrangement of proliferative and apoptotic pathways. The marked changes in gene expression induced by telomerase suggest that apart from immortalization of HDFs, telomerase also alters the normal cellular functions but does not protect against SIPS.
Research Unit on Cellular Biology (URBC), Department of Biology, University of Namur (FUNDP), Rue de Bruxelles, 61, B-5000 Namur, Belgium.
João Pedro
JP
de Magalhães
Florence
F
Chainiaux
Françoise
F
de Longueville
Véronique
V
Mainfroid
Valérie
V
Migeot
Laurence
L
Marcq
José
J
Remacle
Michel
M
Salmon
Olivier
O
Toussaint
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
D014157:Transcription Factors; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D019098:Telomerase