Spatiotemporal Switch from ΔNp73 to TAp73 Isoforms during Nephrogenesis

An overview of kinin mediated events in cancer progression and therapeutic applications

Kinins are bioactive peptides generated in the inflammatory milieu of the tissue microenvironment, which is involved in cancer progression and inflammatory response. Kinins signals through activation of two G-protein coupled receptors; inducible Bradykinin Receptor B1 (B1R) and constitutive receptor B2 (B2R). Activation of kinin receptors and its cross-talk with receptor tyrosine kinases activates multiple signaling pathways, including ERK/MAPK, PI3K, PKC, and p38 pathways regulating cancer hallmarks. Perturbations of the kinin-mediated events are implicated in various aspects of cancer invasion, matrix remodeling, and metastasis. In the tumor microenvironment, kinins initiate fibroblast activation, mesenchymal stem cell interactions, and recruitment of immune cells. Albeit the precise nature of kinin function in the metastasis and tumor microenvironment are not completely clear yet, several kinin receptor antagonists show anti-metastatic potential. Here, we showcase an overview of the complex biology of kinins and their role in cancer pathogenesis and therapeutic aspects.

Inheritance Pattern of Hereditary Angioedema Indicates Mutation-Dependent Selective Effects During Early Embryonic Development

BACKGROUND

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) may be caused by a genetic deficiency of functional C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) or linked with mutations in the F12, PLG, and other genes in combination with normal C1-INH (HAEnCI). Although the types of hereditary angioedema due to deficiency of functional C1 inhibitor and HAEnCI are autosomal dominant inherited, there is the impression that in the types of HAEnCI more females carry disease-linked mutations.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze the passing on of the HAE-specific mutations to the next generations in families with various types of HAE.

METHODS

Methods comprised pedigree analysis, Sanger sequencing analysis, biochemical analysis of parameters of the kallikrein-kinin system, and statistical analysis of the results. We analyzed a total of 1494 offspring of individuals carrying an HAE-linked mutation.

RESULTS

In HAE, less male and more female offspring of mutation carriers than expected for autosomal dominant inheritance inherited the familial mutation. In addition, there were less male offspring than expected in HAEnCI. This was independent of paternal or maternal inheritance.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that there is a sex- and mutation-dependent selection during early embryogenesis, possible around the time of implantation, favoring male wild-type and female mutant embryos. It also appears that 20% to 25% of male embryos carrying the HAE mutation are lost specific in HAEnCI. These findings point out that there is a potentially important role of the kallikrein-kinin system during early embryonic development.

From cancer to rejuvenation: incomplete regeneration as the missing link (part II: rejuvenation circle)

In the first part of our study, we substantiated that the embryonic reontogenesis and malignant growth (disintegrating growth) pathways are the same, but occur at different stages of ontogenesis, this mechanism is carried out in opposite directions. Cancer has been shown to be epigenetic-blocked redifferentiation and unfinished somatic embryogenesis. We formulated that only this approach of aging elimination has real prospects for a future that is fraught with cancer, as we will be able to convert this risk into a rejuvenation process through the continuous cycling of cell dedifferentiation-differentiation processes (permanent remorphogenesis). Here, we continue to develop the idea of looped ontogenesis and formulate the concept of the rejuvenation circle.

p53-Related Transcription Targets of TAp73 in Cancer Cells-Bona Fide or Distorted Reality?

Identification of p73 as a structural homolog of p53 fueled early studies aimed at determining if it was capable of performing p53-like functions. This led to a conundrum as p73 was discovered to be hardly mutated in cancers, and yet, TAp73, the full-length form, was found capable of performing p53-like functions, including transactivation of many p53 target genes in cancer cell lines. Generation of mice lacking p73/TAp73 revealed a plethora of developmental defects, with very limited spontaneous tumors arising only at a later stage. Concurrently, novel TAp73 target genes involved in cellular growth promotion that are not regulated by p53 were identified, mooting the possibility that TAp73 may have diametrically opposite functions to p53 in tumorigenesis. We have therefore comprehensively evaluated the TAp73 target genes identified and validated in human cancer cell lines, to examine their contextual relevance. Data from focused studies aimed at appraising if p53 targets are also regulated by TAp73—often by TAp73 overexpression in cell lines with non-functional p53—were affirmative. However, genome-wide and phenotype-based studies led to the identification of TAp73-regulated genes involved in cellular survival and thus, tumor promotion. Our analyses therefore suggest that TAp73 may not necessarily be p53’s natural substitute in enforcing tumor suppression. It has likely evolved to perform unique functions in regulating developmental processes and promoting cellular growth through entirely different sets of target genes that are not common to, and cannot be substituted by p53. The p53-related targets initially reported to be regulated by TAp73 may therefore represent an experimental possibility rather than the reality.

P73 tumor suppressor and its targets, p21 and PUMA, are required for madin-darby canine kidney cell morphogenesis by maintaining an appropriate level of epithelial to mesenchymal transition

P73, a member of p53 tumor suppressor family, plays a crucial role in tumor suppression and neural development. Due to the usage of two promoters, p73 is expressed as two isoforms, TAp73 and ΔNp73, with opposing functions. Here, we investigated the potential role of p73 in epithelial polarity and morphogenesis by using Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells as a model system. We found that knockdown of TAp73 enhances, whereas knockdown of ΔNp73 inhibits, MDCK cell proliferation and migration in two-dimensional (2-D) culture. We also found that knockdown of TAp73, but not ΔNp73, disrupts cyst formation of MDCK cells in three-dimensional (3-D) culture. Interestingly, we found that p21 and PUMA, both of which are induced by TAp73 but repressed by ΔNp73, are required for suppressing cell proliferation and migration in 2-D culture and for MDCK ce ll morphogenesis in 3-D culture. Finally, we showed knockdown of TAp73, p21 or PUMA induces epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) with a decrease in E-cadherin and an increase in EMT transcription factors. Together, our data suggest that TAp73, p21 and PUMA play a critical role in modulating MDCK cell morphogenesis by maintaining an appropriate level of the EMT.

Evaluation of promoter hypomethylation and expression of p73 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in Wilms' tumour

AIMS

A member of the p53 family, the p73 gene is essential for the maintenance of genomic stability, DNA repair and apoptosis regulation. This study was designed to evaluate the utility of expression and DNA methylation patterns of the p73 gene in the early diagnosis and prognosis of Wilms' tumour (WT).

METHODS

Methylation-specific PCR, semi-quantitative (sq-PCR), real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and survival and hazard function curve analyses were utilised to measure the expression and DNA methylation patterns of p73 in WT tissue samples with a view to assessing diagnostic and prognostic value.

RESULTS

The relative expression of p73 mRNA was higher, while the promoter methylation level was lower in the WT than the control group (p<0.05) and closely associated with poor survival prognosis in children with WT (p<0.05). Increased expression and decreased methylation of p73 were correlated with increasing tumour size, clinical stage and unfavourable histological differentiation (p<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed areas under the curve of 0.544 for methylation and 0.939 for expression in WT venous blood, indicating the higher diagnostic yield of preoperative p73 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative venous blood p73 level serves as an underlying biomarker for the early diagnosis of WT. p73 overexpression and concomitantly decreased promoter methylation are significantly associated with poor survival in children with WT.

The MDM2-p53 pathway: multiple roles in kidney development

The molecular basis of nephron progenitor cell renewal and differentiation into nascent epithelial nephrons is an area of intense investigation. Defects in these early stages of nephrogenesis lead to renal hypoplasia, and eventually hypertension and chronic kidney disease. Terminal nephron differentiation, the process by which renal epithelial precursor cells exit the cell cycle and acquire physiological functions is equally important. Failure of terminal epithelial cell differentiation results in renal dysplasia and cystogenesis. Thus, a better understanding of the transcriptional frameworks that regulate early and late renal cell differentiation is of great clinical significance. In this review, we will discuss evidence implicating the MDM2-p53 pathway in cell fate determination during development. The emerging central theme from loss- and gain-of-function studies is that tight regulation of p53 levels and transcriptional activity is absolutely required for nephrogenesis. We will also discuss how post-translational modifications of p53 (e.g., acetylation and phosphorylation) alter the spatiotemporal and functional properties of p53 and thus cell fate during kidney development. Mutations and polymorphisms in the MDM2-p53 pathway are present in more than 50 % of cancers in humans. This raises the question of whether sequence variants in the MDM2-p53 pathway increase the susceptibility to renal dysgenesis, hypertension or chronic kidney disease. With the advent of whole exome sequencing and other high throughput technologies, this hypothesis is testable in cohorts of children with renal dysgenesis.

Histone signature of metanephric mesenchyme cell lines

The metanephric mesenchyme (MM) gives rise to nephrons, the filtering units of the mature kidney. The MM is composed of uninduced (Six2(high)/Lhx1(low)) and induced (Wnt-stimulated, Six2(low)/Lhx1(high)) cells. The global epigenetic state of MM cells is unknown, partly due to technical difficulty in isolating sufficient numbers of homogenous cell populations. We therefore took advantage of two mouse clonal cell lines representing the uninduced (mK3) and induced (mK4) metanephric mesenchyme (based on gene expression profiles and ability to induce branching of ureteric bud). ChIP-Seq revealed that whereas H3K4me3 active region "peaks" are enriched in metabolic genes, H3K27me3 peaks decorate mesenchyme and epithelial cell fate commitment genes. In uninduced mK3 cells, promoters of "stemness" genes (e.g., Six2, Osr1) are enriched with H3K4me3 peaks; these are lost in induced mK4 cells. ChIP-qPCR confirmed this finding and further demonstrated that G9a/H3K9me2 occupy the promoter region of Six2 in induced cells, consistent with the inactive state of transcription. Conversely, genes that mark the induced epithelialized state (e.g., Lhx1, Pax8), transition from a non-permissive to an active chromatin signature in mK3 vs. mK4 cells, respectively. Importantly, stimulation of Wnt signaling in uninduced mK3 cells provokes an active chromatin state (high H3K4me3, low H3K27me3), recruitment of β-catenin, and loss of pre-bound histone methyltransferase Ezh2 in silent induced genes followed by activation of transcription. We conclude that the chromatin signature of uninduced and induced cells correlates strongly with their gene expression states, suggesting a role of chromatin-based mechanisms in MM cell fate.

Mechanisms, function and clinical applications of DNp73

p73, has two distinct promoters, which allow the formation of two protein isoforms: full-length transactivating (TA) p73 and an N-terminally truncated p73 species (referred to as DNp73) that lacks the N-terminal transactivating domain. Although the exact cellular function of DNp73 is unclear, the high expression levels of the genes have been observed in a variety of human cancers and cancer cell lines and have been connected to pro-tumor activities. Hence the aim of this review is to summarize DNp73 expression status in cancer in the current literature. Furthermore, we also focused on recent findings of DNp73 related to the biological functions from apoptosis, chemosensitivity, radiosensitibity, differentiation, development, etc. Thus this review highlights the significance of DNp73 as a marker for disease severity in patients and as target for cancer therapy.

Tissue-specific expression of p73 C-terminal isoforms in mice

p73 is a p53 family transcription factor. Due to the presence in the 5' flanking region of two promoters, there are two N-terminal variants, TAp73, which retains a fully active transactivation domain (TA), and ΔNp73, in which the N terminus is truncated. In addition, extensive 3' splicing gives rise to at least seven distinctive isoforms; TAp73-selective knockout highlights its role as a regulator of cell death, senescence and tumor suppressor. ΔNp73-selective knockout, on the other hand, highlights anti-apoptotic function of ΔNp73 and its involvement in DNA damage response. In this work, we investigated the expression pattern of murine p73 C-terminal isoforms. By using a RT-PCR approach, we were able to detect mRNAs of all the C-terminal isoforms described in humans. We characterized their in vivo expression profile in mouse organs and in different mouse developmental stages. Finally, we investigated p73 C-terminal expression profile following DNA damage, ex vivo after primary cultures treatment and in vivo after systemic administration of cytotoxic compounds. Overall, our study first elucidates spatio-temporal expression of mouse p73 isoforms and provides novel insights on their expression-switch under triggered conditions.

A p53-Pax2 pathway in kidney development: implications for nephrogenesis

Congenital reduction in nephron number (renal hypoplasia) is a predisposing factor for chronic kidney disease and hypertension. Despite identification of specific genes and pathways in nephrogenesis, determinants of final nephron endowment are poorly understood. Here, we report that mice with germ-line p53 deletion (p53(-/-)) manifest renal hypoplasia; the phenotype can be recapitulated by conditional deletion of p53 from renal progenitors in the cap mesenchyme (CM(p53-/-)). Mice or humans with germ-line heterozygous mutations in Pax2 exhibit renal hypoplasia. Since both transcription factors are developmentally expressed in the metanephros, we tested the hypothesis that p53 and Pax2 cooperate in nephrogenesis. In this study, we provide evidence for the presence of genetic epistasis between p53 and Pax2: a) p53(-/-) and CM(p53-/-)embryos express lower Pax2 mRNA and protein in nephron progenitors than their wild-type littermates; b) ChIP-Seq identified peaks of p53 occupancy in chromatin regions of the Pax2 promoter and gene in embryonic kidneys; c) p53 binding to Pax2 gene is significantly more enriched in Pax2 -expressing than non-expressing metanephric mesenchyme cells; d) in transient transfection assays, Pax2 promoter activity is stimulated by wild-type p53 and inhibited by a dominant negative mutant p53; e) p53 knockdown in cultured metanephric mesenchyme cells down-regulates endogenous Pax2 expression; f) reduction of p53 gene dosage worsens the renal hypoplasia in Pax2(+/-) mice. Bioinformatics identified a set of developmental renal genes likely to be co-regulated by p53 and Pax2. We propose that the cross-talk between p53 and Pax2 provides a transcriptional platform that promotes nephrogenesis, thus contributing to nephron endowment.

Mechanisms of p53 activation and physiological relevance in the developing kidney

The tumor suppressor protein p53 is a short-lived transcription factor due to Mdm2-mediated proteosomal degradation. In response to genotoxic stress, p53 is stabilized via posttranslational modifications which prevent Mdm2 binding. p53 activation results in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. We previously reported that tight regulation of p53 activity is an absolute requirement for normal nephron differentiation (Hilliard S, Aboudehen K, Yao X, El-Dahr SS Dev Biol 353: 354-366, 2011). However, the mechanisms of p53 activation in the developing kidney are unknown. We show here that metanephric p53 is phosphorylated and acetylated on key serine and lysine residues, respectively, in a temporal profile which correlates with the maturational changes in total p53 levels and DNA-binding activity. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed a differential role for these posttranslational modifications in mediating p53 stability and transcriptional regulation of renal function genes (RFGs). Section immunofluorescence also revealed that p53 modifications confer the protein with specific spatiotemporal expression patterns. For example, phos-p53(S392) is enriched in maturing proximal tubular epithelial cells, whereas acetyl-p53(K373/K382/K386) are expressed in nephron progenitors. Functionally, p53 occupancy of RFG promoters is enhanced at the onset of tubular differentiation, and p53 loss or gain of function indicates that p53 is necessary but not sufficient for RFG expression. We conclude that posttranslational modifications are important determinants of p53 stability and physiological functions in the developing kidney. We speculate that the stress/hypoxia of the embryonic microenvironment may provide the stimulus for p53 activation in the developing kidney.

Ontogeny of bradykinin B1 receptors in the mouse kidney

Kinins are vasoactive peptides that stimulate two G-protein coupled bradykinin receptors (B1R and B2R). B2R-knockout mice are salt sensitive and develop renal dysgenesis and hypertension if salt stressed during embryogenesis. B1R-knockout mice, on the other hand, are protected from inflammation and fibrosis. This study examined the spatiotemporal expression of B1R during renal organogenesis. The segmental nephron identity of B1R immunoreactivity was determined by costaining with markers of the collecting duct (Dolichos biflorus), proximal tubule (Dolichos tetraglonus), and nephron progenitors (Pax2). At E14.5, the B1R was confined to few cells in the metanephric mesenchyme. Abundance of B1R increased progressively during development. On E17.5, B1R was enriched in differentiating proximal tubular cells and by postnatal day 1, B1R was clearly expressed on the luminal aspect of the proximal tubule. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that the levels of B1R mRNA more than double during renal maturation. We conclude that 1) B1R expression correlates closely with nephron maturation; 2) lack of B1R in nephron progenitors suggests that B1R is unlikely to play a role in early nephrogenesis; and 3) enrichment of B1R in maturing proximal tubule suggests a potential role for this receptor in terminal differentiation of the proximal nephron.

p53 family in development

The p53 family network is a unique cellular processor that integrates information from various pathways and determines cellular choices between proliferation, replication arrest/repair, differentiation, senescence, or apoptosis. The most studied role of the p53 family is the regulation of stress response and tumor suppression. By removing damaged cells from the proliferating pool, p53 family members preserve the integrity of the genome. In addition to this well recognized role, recent data implicate the p53 protein family in a broader role of controlling cell proliferation, differentiation and death. Members of the p53 protein family with opposing activity perform coordination of these processes. Imbalance of p53 protein family may contribute to a significant proportion of congenital developmental abnormalities in humans.

Transcriptional control of terminal nephron differentiation

Terminal differentiation of epithelial cells into more specialized cell types is a critical step in organogenesis. Throughout the process of terminal differentiation, epithelial progenitors acquire or upregulate expression of renal function genes and cease to proliferate, while expression of embryonic genes is repressed. This exquisite coordination of gene expression is accomplished by signaling networks and transcription factors which couple the external environment with the new functional demands of the cell. While there has been much progress in understanding the early steps involved in renal epithelial cell differentiation, a major gap remains in our knowledge of the factors that control the steps of terminal differentiation. A number of signaling molecules and transcription factors have been recently implicated in determining segmental nephron identity and functional differentiation. While some of these factors (the p53 gene family, hepatocyte nuclear factor-1beta) promote the terminal epithelial differentiation fate, others (Notch, Brn-1, IRX, KLF4, and Foxi1) tend to regulate differentiation of specific nephron segments and individual cell types. This review summarizes current knowledge related to these transcription factors and discusses how diverse cellular signals are integrated to generate a transcriptional output during the process of terminal differentiation. Since these transcriptional processes are accompanied by profound changes in nuclear chromatin structure involving the genes responsible for creating and maintaining the differentiated cell phenotype, future studies should focus on identifying the nature of these epigenetic events and factors, how they are regulated temporally and spatially, and the chromatin environment they eventually reside in.

Alternate AChE-R variants facilitate cellular metabolic activity and resistance to genotoxic stress through enolase and RACK1 interactions

Tumorogenic transformation is a multifaceted cellular process involving combinatorial protein-protein interactions that modulate different cellular functions. Here, we report apparent involvement in two independent tumorogenic processes by distinct partner protein interactions of the stress-induced acetylcholinesterase AChE-R and N-AChE-R variants. Human testicular tumors showed elevated levels of N-terminally extended N-AChE-R compared with healthy tissue, indicating alternate promoter usage in the transformed cells. Two-hybrid screens demonstrate that the C-terminus common to both N-AChE-R and AChE-R interacts either with the glycolytic enzyme enolase or with the scaffold protein RACK1. In vitro, the AChE-R C-terminal peptide ARP elevated enolase's activity by 12%, suggesting physiological relevance for this interaction. Correspondingly, CHO cells expressing either human AChE-R or N-AChE-R but not AChE-S showed a 25% increase in cellular ATP levels, indicating metabolic significance for this upregulation of enolase activity. ATP levels could be reduced by AChE-targeted siRNA in CHO cells expressing AChE-R but not AChE-S, attributing this elevation to the AChE-R C-terminus. Additionally, transfected CHO cells expressing AChE-R but not N-AChE-R showed resistance to up to 60 microM of the common chemotherapeutic agent, cis-platinum, indicating AChE-R involvement in another molecular pathway. cis-Platinum elevates the expression of the apoptosis-regulator p53-like protein, p73, which is inactivated by interaction with the scaffold protein RACK1. In co-transfected cells, AChE-R competed with endogenous RACK1 for p73 interaction. Moreover, AChE-R-transfected CHO cells presented higher levels than control cells of the pro-apoptotic TAp73 as well as the anti-apoptotic dominant negative DeltaNp73 protein, leading to an overall decrease in the proportion of pro-apoptotic p73. Together, these findings are compatible with the hypothesis that in cancer cells, both AChE-R and N-AChE-R elevate cellular ATP levels and that AChE-R modifies p73 gene expression by facilitating two independent cellular pathways, thus conferring both a selective metabolic advantage and a genotoxic resistance.

DNp73 a matter of cancer: mechanisms and clinical implications

The p53 family proteins carry on a wide spectrum of biological functions from differentiation, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and chemosensitivity of tumors. NH2-terminally truncated p73 (referred to as DNp73) acts as a potent inhibitor of all these tumor suppressor properties, implying that it has oncogenic functions in human tumorigenesis. This was favored by the observation that high DNp73 expression levels in a variety of cancers are associated with adverse clinico-pathological characteristics and the response failure to chemotherapy. The actual challenge is the deciphering of the molecular mechanisms by which DNp73 promotes malignancy and to unravel the regulatory pathways for controlling TP73 isoform expression. This review is focused on recent findings leaving no doubt that N-terminally truncated p73 proteins are operative during oncogenesis, thus underscoring its significance as a marker for disease severity in patients and as target for cancer therapy.

p53/p63/p73 isoforms: an orchestra of isoforms to harmonise cell differentiation and response to stress

p63, p73 and p53 compose a family of transcription factors involved in cell response to stress and development. p53 is the most frequently mutated gene in cancer (50%) and loss of p53 activity is considered to be ubiquitous to all cancers. Recent publications may have a profound impact on our understanding of p53 tumour suppressor activity. p63, p73 and p53 genes have a dual gene structure conserved in drosophila, zebrafish and man. They encode for multiple p63, p73 or p53 proteins containing different protein domains (isoforms) due to multiple splicing, alternative promoter and alternative initiation of translation. In this review, we describe the different isoforms of p63, p73, p53 and their roles in development and cancer. The changes in the interactions between p53, p63 and p73 isoforms are likely to be fundamental to our understanding in the transition between normal cell cycling and the onset of tumour formation.

The Bradykinin B2 receptor gene is a target of angiotensin II type 1 receptor signaling

Cross-talk between G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) is known to occur at multiple levels, including receptor heterodimerization and intracellular signaling. This study tested the hypothesis that GPCR cross-talk occurs at the transcriptional level. It was demonstrated that the bradykinin B2 receptor gene (BdkrB2) is a direct transcriptional target of the angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 receptor (AT(1)R) in collecting duct cells. AngII induced BdkrB2 mRNA expression in mouse inner medullary collecting duct cells, and this effect was abrogated by AT(1)R blockade; in contrast, AT(2)R blockade was ineffective. Actinomycin D, an inhibitor of gene transcription, abrogated AngII-stimulated BdkrB2 expression. In addition, AngII produced dosage- and time-dependent increases in B2 receptor protein levels (2.9 +/- 0.4 fold; P < 0.05). AngII stimulated phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) on Ser-133 and assembly of p-CREB on the BdkrB2 promoter in vivo. Moreover, AngII induced hyperacetylation of BdkrB2 promoter-associated H4 histones, a chromatin modification that is associated with gene activation. Mutations of the CRE abrogated AngII-induced activation of the BdkrB2 promoter. AngII-treated inner medullary collecting duct cells exhibited augmented intracellular calcium signaling in response to bradykinin, confirming the functional relevance of AT(1)-B2 receptor signaling. Finally, studies that were conducted in angiotensin type 1 receptor (Agtr1)-null mice revealed that BdkrB2 mRNA levels were significantly lower in the renal medulla of Agtr1(A)(-/-) and Agtr1(A/B)(-/-) than in Agtr1(+/+) and Agtr1(B)(-/-) mice. It is concluded that BdkrB2 is a downstream target of the AT(1)R-CREB signaling pathway. Transcriptional regulation represents a novel form of cross-talk between GPCR that link the renin-angiotensin and kallikrein-kinin systems.

DeltaNp73 modulates nerve growth factor-mediated neuronal differentiation through repression of TrkA

p73, a member of the p53 family, expresses two classes of proteins: the full-length TAp73 and the N-terminally truncated DeltaNp73. While TAp73 possesses many p53-like features, DeltaNp73 is dominant negative towards TAp73 and p53 and appears to have distinct functions in tumorigenesis and neuronal development. Given its biological importance, we investigated the role of DeltaNp73 in nerve growth factor (NGF)-mediated neuronal differentiation in PC12 cells. We show that overexpression of DeltaNp73alpha or DeltaNp73beta inhibits NGF-mediated neuronal differentiation in both p53-dependent and -independent manners. In line with this, we showed that the level of endogenous DeltaNp73 is progressively diminished in differentiating PC12 cells upon NGF treatment and knockdown of DeltaNp73 promotes NGF-mediated neuronal differentiation. Interestingly, we found that the ability of DeltaNp73 to suppress NGF-mediated neuronal differentiation is correlated with its ability to regulate the expression of TrkA, the high-affinity NGF receptor. Specifically, we found that DeltaNp73 directly binds to the TrkA promoter and transcriptionally represses TrkA expression, which in turn attenuates the NGF-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Conversely, the steady-state level of TrkA is increased upon knockdown of DeltaNp73. Furthermore, we found that histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and HDAC2 are recruited by DeltaNp73 to the TrkA promoter and act as corepressors to suppress TrkA expression, which can be relieved by trichostatin A, an HDAC inhibitor. Taken together, we conclude that DeltaNp73 negatively regulates NGF-mediated neuronal differentiation by transrepressing TrkA.

The p53 family in differentiation and tumorigenesis

The role of p53 as a tumour suppressor is generally attributed to its ability to stop the proliferation of precancerous cells by inducing cell-cycle arrest or apoptosis. The relatives and evolutionary predecessors of p53 - p63 and p73 - share the tumour-suppressor activity of p53 to some extent, but also have essential functions in embryonic development and differentiation control. Recent evidence indicates that these ancestral functions in differentiation control contribute to the tumour-suppressor activity that the p53 family is famous for.

The polycystic kidney disease-1 gene is a target for p53-mediated transcriptional repression

This study provides evidence that the tumor suppressor protein, p53, is a transcriptional repressor of PKD1. Kidneys of p53-null mice expressed higher Pkd1 mRNA levels than wild-type littermates; gamma-irradiation suppressed PKD1 gene expression in p53+/+ but not p53-/- cells; and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated the binding of p53 to the PKD1 promoter in vivo. In transient transfection assays, p53 repressed PKD1 promoter activity independently of endogenous p21. Deletion analysis mapped p53-mediated repression to the proximal promoter region of PKD1. Mutations of the DNA binding or C-terminal minimal repression domains of p53 abolished its ability to repress PKD1. Moreover, trichostatin A, an inhibitor of histone deacetylase activity, attenuated p53-induced repression of the PKD1 promoter. These findings, together with previous reports showing that dedifferentiated Pkd1-deficient cells express lower p53 and p21 levels, suggest a model whereby PKD1 signaling activates the p53-p21 differentiation pathway. In turn, p53 cooperates with histone deacetylases to repress PKD1 gene transcription. Loss of a p53-mediated negative feedback loop in PKD1 mutant cells may therefore contribute to deregulated PKD1 expression and cystogenesis.