Transcriptional activation of cyclooxygenase-2 by tumor suppressor p53 requires nuclear factor-kappaB.
Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) is thought to exert antiapoptotic effects in cancer. Here we show that the tumor suppressor p53 upregulated Cox-2 in esophageal and colon cancer cell lines by inducing the binding of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) to its response element in the COX-2 promoter. Inhibition of NF-kappaB prevented p53 induction of Cox-2 expression. Cooperation between p53 and NF-kappaB was required for activation of COX-2 promoter in response to daunomycin, a DNA-damaging agent. Pharmacological inhibition of Cox-2 enhanced apoptosis in response to daunomycin, in particular in cells containing active p53. In esophageal cancer, there was a correlation between Cox-2 expression and wild-type TP53 in Barrett's esophagus (BE) and in adenocarcinoma, but not in squamous cell carcinoma (P<0.01). These results suggest that p53 and NF-kappaB cooperate in upregulating Cox-2 expression, promoting cell survival in inflammatory precursor lesions such as BE.
Benoit
V
V
Laboratory of Medical Chemistry and Human Genetics, Center for Biomedical Integrated Genoproteomics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
de Moraes
E
E
Dar
N A
NA
Taranchon
E
E
Bours
V
V
Hautefeuille
A
A
Tanière
P
P
Chariot
A
A
Scoazec
J-Y
JY
de Moura Gallo
C V
CV
Merville
M-P
MP
Hainaut
P
P