title: Characterization of a new cancer-associated mutant of p53 with a missense mutation (K351N) in the tetramerization domain.
abstract: Inactivation of the tumor suppressor p53 is central to carcinogenesis and acquisition of resistance to drug-induced apoptosis. The majority of alterations are missense mutations and occur within the DNA-binding domain. However, little is known about the point mutations in the tetramerization domain (TD). Here we investigated the properties of a new p53 mutant (Lys 351 to Asn) in the TD identified in a cisplatin-resistant ovarian carcinoma cell line (A2780 CIS). We found that K351N substitution significantly reduces the thermodynamic stability of p53 tetramers without affecting the overall half-life of the protein. Moreover, p53 K351N has a reduced ability to bind DNA and to trans-activate its specific target gene promoters, such as bax. Data obtained from the analysis of p53 subcellular localization revealed that K351N mutation inhibits the nuclear export of p53 and accumulation in the cytoplasm induced by cisplatin treatment. These results identify p53 K351N as a new cancer associated mutant with reduced tumor suppressor activity and altered functions in response to apoptotic stimuli.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Cellular Biology and Development, Sapienza University, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muscolini
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montagni
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caristi
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nomura
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kamada
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Agostino
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corazzari
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piacentini
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blandino
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Costanzo
authors.forename: Kazuyasu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakaguchi
authors.forename: Loretta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tuosto
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D013816:Thermodynamics; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D002945:Cisplatin