Activation of p53 by MDM2 antagonists has differential apoptotic effects on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive and EBV-negative Burkitt's lymphoma cells.
p53 inactivation is often observed in Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cells, because of either mutations in p53 gene or an overexpression of the p53-negative regulator MDM2. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is present in virtually 100% of BL cases occurring in endemic areas, but in only 10-20% of sporadic cases. In EBV(-) BL cells, reactivation of p53, induced by reducing MDM2 protein level, led to apoptosis. We show here that nutlin-3, a potent antagonist of MDM2, activates the p53 pathway in all BL cell lines harboring wild-type p53, regardless of EBV status. However, nutlin-3 strongly induced apoptosis in EBV(-) or latency I EBV(+) cells, whereas latency III EBV(+) cells were much more resistant. Prior treatment with sublethal doses of nutlin-3 sensitizes EBV(-) or latency I EBV(+) cells to apoptosis induced by etoposide or melphalan, but protects latency III EBV(+) cells. p21(WAF1) which is overexpressed in the latter, is involved in this protective effect, as siRNA-mediated inhibition of p21(WAF1) restores sensitivity to etoposide. Nutlin-3 protects latency III BL cells by inducing a p21(WAF1)-mediated G1 arrest. Most BL patients with wild-type p53 tumors could therefore benefit from treatment with nutlin-3, after a careful determination of the latency pattern of EBV in infected patients.
UMR 8126 CNRS, Univ Paris-Sud, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.
B
B
Renouf
E
E
Hollville
A
A
Pujals
C
C
Tétaud
J
J
Garibal
J
J
Wiels
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / Q000502:physiology; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005047:Etoposide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism; D051736:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000502:physiology*
C493956:CDKN1A protein, human; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D007093:Imidazoles; D010879:Piperazines; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; C482205:nutlin 3; D005047:Etoposide; C497206:MDM2 protein, human; D051736:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases