CDK4 and CDK6 delay senescence by kinase-dependent and p16INK4a-independent mechanisms.
Replicative senescence of human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs) is largely implemented by the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors p16(INK4a) and p21(CIP1). Their accumulation results in a loss of CDK2 activity, and cells arrest with the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) in its hypophosphorylated state. It has become standard practice to bypass the effects of p16(INK4a) by overexpressing CDK4 or a variant form that is unable to bind to INK4 proteins. Although CDK4 and CDK6 and their INK4-insensitive variants can extend the life span of HDFs, they also cause a substantial increase in the levels of endogenous p16(INK4a). Here we show that CDK4 and CDK6 can extend the life span of HDFs that have inactivating mutations in both alleles of INK4a or in which INK4a levels are repressed, indicating that overexpression of CDK4/6 is not equivalent to ablation of p16(INK4a). However, catalytically inactive versions of these kinases are unable to extend the replicative life span, suggesting that the impact of ectopic CDK4/6 depends on their ability to phosphorylate as yet unidentified substrates rather than to sequester CDK inhibitors. Since p16(INK4a) deficiency, CDK4 expression, and p53 or p21(CIP1) ablation have additive effects on replicative life span, our results underscore the idea that senescence is an integrated response to diverse signals.
Ruas
Margarida
M
Cancer Research UK, London Research Institute, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, UK.
Gregory
Fiona
F
Jones
Rebecca
R
Poolman
Robert
R
Starborg
Maria
M
Rowe
Janice
J
Brookes
Sharon
S
Peters
Gordon
G
D000483:Alleles; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology*; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051361:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics
C493956:CDKN1A protein, human; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; C495900:CDK4 protein, human; C495911:CDK6 protein, human; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; D051361:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6