Cyclin A/Cdk2 regulates Cdh1 and claspin during late S/G2 phase of the cell cycle

Whereas many components regulating the progression from S phase through G2 phase into mitosis have been identified, the mechanism by which these components control this critical cell cycle progression is still not fully elucidated. Cyclin A/Cdk2 has been shown to regulate the timing of Cyclin B/Cdk1 activation and progression into mitosis although the mechanism by which this occurs is only poorly understood. Here we show that depletion of Cyclin A or inhibition of Cdk2 during late S/early G2 phase maintains the G2 phase arrest by reducing Cdh1 transcript and protein levels, thereby stabilizing Claspin and maintaining elevated levels of activated Chk1 which contributes to the G2 phase observed. Interestingly, the Cyclin A/Cdk2 regulated APC/C(Cdh1) activity is selective for only a subset of Cdh1 targets including Claspin. Thus, a normal role for Cyclin A/Cdk2 during early G2 phase is to increase the level of Cdh1 which destabilises Claspin which in turn down regulates Chk1 activation to allow progression into mitosis. This mechanism links S phase exit with G2 phase transit into mitosis, provides a novel insight into the roles of Cyclin A/Cdk2 in G2 phase progression, and identifies a novel role for APC/C(Cdh1) in late S/G2 phase cell cycle progression.

Cyclin A/cdk2 regulates adenomatous polyposis coli-dependent mitotic spindle anchoring

Mutations in adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein is a major contributor to tumor initiation and progression in several tumor types. These mutations affect APC function in the Wnt-beta-catenin signaling and influence mitotic spindle anchoring to the cell cortex and orientation. Here we report that the mitotic anchoring and orientation function of APC is regulated by cyclin A/cdk2. Knockdown of cyclin A and inhibition of cdk2 resulted in cells arrested in mitosis with activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint. The mitotic spindle was unable to form stable attachments to the cell cortex, and this resulted in the spindles failing to locate to the central position in the cells and undergo dramatic rotation. We have demonstrated that cyclin A/cdk2 specifically associates with APC in late G2 phase and phosphorylates it at Ser-1360, located in the mutation cluster region of APC. Mutation of APC Ser-1360 to Ala results in identical off-centered mitotic spindles. Thus, this cyclin A/cdk2-dependent phosphorylation of APC affects astral microtubule attachment to the cortical surface in mitosis.

Convergent antifouling activities of structurally distinct bioactive compounds synthesized within two sympatric Haliclona demosponges

A wide range of sessile and sedentary marine invertebrates synthesize secondary metabolites that have potential as industrial antifoulants. These antifoulants tend to differ in structure, even between closely related species. Here, we determine if structurally divergent secondary metabolites produced within two sympatric haliclonid demosponges have similar effects on the larvae of a wide range of benthic competitors and potential fouling metazoans (ascidians, molluscs, bryozoans, polychaetes, and sponges). The sponges Haliclona sp. 628 and sp. 1031 synthesize the tetracyclic alkaloid, haliclonacyclamine A (HA), and the long chain alkyl amino alcohol, halaminol A (LA), respectively. Despite structural differences, HA and LA have identical effects on phylogenetically disparate ascidian larvae, inducing rapid larval settlement but preventing subsequent metamorphosis at precisely the same stage. HA and LA also have similar effects on sponge, polychaete, gastropod and bryozoan larvae, inhibiting both settlement and metamorphosis. Despite having identical roles in preventing fouling and colonisation, HA and LA differentially affect the physiology of cultured HeLa human cells, indicating they have different molecular targets. From these data, we infer that the secondary metabolites within marine sponges may emerge by varying evolutionary and biosynthetic trajectories that converge on specific ecological roles.

Cyclin A/cdk2 coordinates centrosomal and nuclear mitotic events

Cyclin A/cdk2 has a role in progression through S phase, and a large pool is also activated in G2 phase. Here we report that this G2 phase pool regulates the timing of progression into mitosis. Knock down of cyclin A by siRNA or addition of a specific cdk2 small molecule inhibitor delayed entry into mitosis by delaying cells in G2 phase. The G2 phase-delayed cells contained elevated levels of inactive cyclin B/cdk1. However, increased microtubule nucleation at the centrosomes was observed, and the centrosomes stained for markers of cyclin B/cdk1 activity. Both microtubule nucleation at the centrosomes and the phosphoprotein markers were lost with short-term treatment of the cdk1/2 inhibitor roscovitine but not the Mek1/2 inhibitor U0126. Cyclin A/cdk2 localized at the centrosomes in late G2 phase after separation of the centrosomes but before the start of prophase. Thus G2 phase cyclin A/cdk2 controls the timing of entry into mitosis by controlling the subsequent activation of cyclin B/cdk1, but also has an unexpected role in coordinating the activation of cyclin B/cdk1 at the centrosome and in the nucleus.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors induce mitotic slippage

Chromosomal passenger proteins have emerged as key players in the regulation of mitosis and cytokinesis. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are a class of anticancer drugs that induce aberrant mitosis and can overcome the spindle assembly checkpoint. Here, we investigate the mechanism by which HDACi disrupt normal mitotic progression and checkpoint function. We demonstrate that HDACi treatment temporarily delays mitotic progression through prometaphase due to activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint. Despite failing to congress chromosomes to the metaphase plate, cells aberrantly segregate their chromosomes and exit mitosis to undergo a failed cytokinesis. We show that this premature exit from mitosis is a form of mitotic slippage. Chromosomal passenger proteins fail to accumulate at the centromere following HDACi treatment. This results in inadequate concentrations of chromosomal passenger proteins at the centromere, which are insufficient to regulate the phosphorylation of the kinetochore checkpoint component BubR1, and an inability to maintain the mitotic arrest. Thus, the centromeric accumulation of chromosomal passenger complex components is critical for regulating kinetochore but not centromeric processes, and failure of this accumulation underlies the HDACi-induced mitotic slippage.

Caffeine Promotes Apoptosis in Mitotic Spindle Checkpoint-arrested Cells

The spindle assembly checkpoint arrests cells in mitosis when defects in mitotic spindle assembly or partitioning of the replicated genome are detected. This checkpoint blocks exit from mitosis until the defect is rectified or the cell initiates apoptosis. In this study we have used caffeine to identify components of the mechanism that signals apoptosis in mitotic checkpoint-arrested cells. Addition of caffeine to spindle checkpoint-arrested cells induced >40% apoptosis within 5 h. It also caused proteasome-mediated destruction of cyclin B1, a corresponding reduction in cyclin B1/cdk1 activity, and reduction in MPM-2 reactivity. However, cells retained MAD2 staining at the kinetochores, an indication of continued spindle checkpoint function. Blocking proteasome activity did not block apoptosis, but continued spindle checkpoint function was essential for apoptosis. After systematically eliminating all known targets, we have identified p21-activated kinase PAK1, which has an anti-apoptotic function in spindle checkpoint-arrested cells, as a target for caffeine inhibition. Knockdown of PAK1 also increased apoptosis in spindle checkpoint-arrested cells. This study demonstrates that the spindle checkpoint not only regulates mitotic exit but apoptosis in mitosis through the activity of PAK1.

Deficiency in the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase causes down-regulation of ATM

Previous reports have suggested a connection between reduced levels of the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinases (DNA-PKcs), a component of the nonhomologous DNA double-strand breaks end-joining system, and a reduction in ATM. We studied this possible connection in other DNA-PKcs-deficient cell types, and following knockdown of DNA-PKcs with small interfering RNA, Chinese hamster ovary V3 cells, lacking DNA-PKcs, had reduced levels of ATM and hSMG-1, but both were restored after transfection with PRKDC. Atm levels were also reduced in murine scid cells. Reduction of ATM in a human glioma cell line lacking DNA-PKcs was accompanied by defective signaling through downstream substrates, post-irradiation. A large reduction of DNA-PKcs was achieved in normal human fibroblasts after transfection with two DNA-PKcs small interfering RNA sequences. This was accompanied by a reduction in ATM. These data were confirmed using immunocytochemical detection of the proteins. Within hours after transfection, a decline in PRKDC mRNA was seen, followed by a more gradual decline in DNA-PKcs protein beginning 1 day after transfection. No change in ATM mRNA was observed for 2 days post-transfection. Only after the DNA-PKcs reduction occurred was a reduction in ATM mRNA observed, beginning 2 days post-transfection. The amount of ATM began to decline, starting about 3 days post-treatment, then it declined to levels comparable to DNA-PKcs. Both proteins returned to normal levels at later times. These data illustrate a potentially important cross-regulation between the nonhomologous end-joining system for rejoining of DNA double-strand breaks and the ATM-dependent damage response network of pathways, both of which operate to maintain the integrity of the genome.

Defining the Chemotherapeutic Targets of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors

The use of many conventional chemotherapeutic drugs is often severely restricted due to dose-limiting toxicities, as these drugs target the destruction of the proliferating fraction of cells, often with little specificity for tumor cells over proliferating normal body tissue. Many newer drugs attempt to overcome this shortcoming by targeting defective gene products or cellular mechanisms that are specific to the tumor, thereby minimizing the toxicity to normal tissue. Histone deacetylase inhibitors are an example of this type of tumor-directed drug, having significant toxicity for tumors but minimal effects on normal tissue. These drugs can affect the transcriptional program by modifying chromatin structure, but it is not yet clear whether specific transcriptional changes are directly responsible for their tumor-selective toxicity. Recent evidence suggests that transcriptional changes underlie their cytostatic activity, although this is not tumor-selective and affects all proliferating cells. Here we present evidence that supports an alternative mechanism for the tumor-selective cytotoxicity of histone deacetylase inhibitors. The target is still likely to be the chromatin histones, but rather than transcriptional changes due to modification of the transcriptionally active euchromatin, we propose that hyperacetylation and disruption of the transcriptionally inactive heterochromatin, particularly the centromeric heterochromatin, and the inability of tumor cells to cell cycle arrest in response to a specific checkpoint, underlies the tumor-selective cytotoxicity of these drugs.

Analysis of checkpoint responses to histone deacetylase inhibitors

Cell cycle checkpoints respond to a wide range of stresses to prevent compromise to the integrity of the cell. The best studied checkpoints are those induced by genotoxic agents that cause DNA damage. Histone deacetylase inhibitors not only increase the acetylation state of chromatin histones, but they also perturb the cell cycle, causing both G1 and G2 phase arrests, the latter by initiating a checkpoint response. In this chapter we will describe the analysis of the histone deacetylase inhibitor-sensitive G2 checkpoint using synchronized cell populations.

T Cells Signaled by NF-κB−Dendritic Cells Are Sensitized Not Anergic to Subsequent Activation

Paradoxically, while peripheral self-tolerance exists for constitutively presented somatic self Ag, self-peptide recognized in the context of MHC class II has been shown to sensitize T cells for subsequent activation. We have shown that MHC class II(+)CD86(+)CD40(-) DC, which can be generated from bone marrow in the presence of an NF-kappa B inhibitor, and which constitutively populate peripheral tissues and lymphoid organs in naive animals, can induce Ag-specific tolerance. In this study, we show that CD40(-) human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC), generated in the presence of an NF-kappa B inhibitor, signal phosphorylation of TCR zeta, but little proliferation or IFN-gamma in vitro. Proliferation is arrested in the G(1)/G(0) phase of the cell cycle. Surprisingly, responding T cells are neither anergic nor regulatory, but are sensitized for subsequent IFN-gamma production. The data indicate that signaling through NF-kappa B determines the capacity of DC to stimulate T cell proliferation. Functionally, NF-kappa B(-)CD40(-)class II(+) DC may either tolerize or sensitize T cells. Thus, while CD40(-) DC appear to "prime" or prepare T cells, the data imply that signals derived from other cells drive the generation either of Ag-specific regulatory or effector cells in vivo.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors specifically kill nonproliferating tumour cells

Conventional chemotherapeutic drugs target proliferating cells, relying on often small differences in drug sensitivity of tumour cells compared to normal tissue to deliver a therapeutic benefit. Consequently, they have significant limiting toxicities and greatly reduced efficacy against nonproliferating compared to rapidly proliferating tumour cells. This lack of selectivity and inability to kill nonproliferating cells that exist in tumours with a low mitotic index are major failings of these drugs. A relatively new class of anticancer drugs, the histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDI), are selectively cytotoxic, killing tumour and immortalized cells but normal tissue appears resistant. Treatment of tumour cells with these drugs causes both G1 phase cell cycle arrest correlated with increase p21 expression, and cell death, but even the G1 arrested cells died although the onset of death was delayed. We have extended these observations using cells that were stably arrested by either serum starvation or expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p16(ink4a). We report that histone deacetylase inhibitors have similar cytotoxicity towards both proliferating and arrested tumour and immortalized cells, although the onset of apoptosis is delayed by 24 h in the arrested cells. Both proliferating and arrested normal cells are unaffected by HDI treatment. Thus, the histone deacetylase inhibitors are a class of anticancer drugs that have the desirable features of being tumour-selective cytotoxic drugs that are equally effective in killing proliferating and nonproliferating tumour cells and immortalized cells. These drugs have enormous potential for the treatment of not only rapidly proliferating tumours, but tumours with a low mitotic index.

Tumor cell-selective cytotoxicity by targeting cell cycle checkpoints

Cell cycle checkpoints act to protect cells from external stresses and internal errors that would compromise the integrity of the cell. Checkpoints are often defective in cancer cells. Drugs that target checkpoint mechanisms should therefore be selective for tumor cells that are defective for the drug-sensitive checkpoint. Histone deacetylase inhibitors typify this class of agents. They trigger a G2-phase checkpoint response in normal cells but are cytotoxic in tumor cells in which this checkpoint is defective. In this study, we investigated the molecular basis of the tumor-selective cytotoxicity of these drugs and demonstrated that it is due to the disruption of two cell cycle checkpoints. The first is the histone deacetylase inhibitor-sensitive G2-phase checkpoint, which is defective in drug-sensitive cells and permits cells to enter an aberrant mitosis. The second is the drug-dependent bypass of the mitotic spindle checkpoint that normally detects aberrant mitosis and blocks mitotic exit until the defect is rectified. The disruption of both checkpoints results in the premature exit of cells from an abortive mitosis followed by apoptosis. This study of histone deacetylase inhibitors demonstrates that drugs targeting cell cycle checkpoints can provide the selectivity and cytotoxicity desired in effective chemotherapeutic agents.

Functional link between BLM defective in Bloom's syndrome and the ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated protein, ATM

Chromosome aberrations, genomic instability, and cancer predisposition are hallmarks of a number of syndromes in which the defective genes recognize and/or repair DNA damage or are involved in some aspect of DNA processing. We report here direct interaction between BLM, mutated in Bloom's Syndrome (BS), and ATM, mutated is ataxia-telangiectasia, and we have mapped the sites of interaction. Full-length BLM cDNA corrected sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and radiosensitivity in BS cells. Mitotic phosphorylation of BLM was partially dependent on ATM, and phosphorylation sites on BLM were identified. A phosphospecific antibody against one of these sites (Thr-99) revealed radiation-induced phosphorylation, which was defective in ataxia-telangiectasia cells. Stable cell lines expressing phosphorylation site mutants failed to correct radiosensitivity in BS cells but corrected SCE. These mutants also sensitized normal control cells to radiation and increased radiation-induced chromosome aberrations but did not cause SCE numbers to increase. These data suggest that ATM and BLM function together in recognizing abnormal DNA structures by direct interaction and that these phosphorylation sites in BLM are important for radiosensitivity status but not for SCE frequency.

Identification of a defect in DNA ligase IV in a radiosensitive leukaemia patient

The major mechanism for the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in mammalian cells is non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), a process that involves the DNA-dependent protein kinase [1] [2], XRCC4 and DNA ligase IV [3] [4] [5] [6]. Rodent cells and mice defective in these components are radiation-sensitive and defective in V(D)J-recombination, showing that NHEJ also functions to rejoin DSBs introduced during lymphocyte development [7] [8]. 180BR is a radiosensitive cell line defective in DSB repair, which was derived from a leukaemia patient who was highly sensitive to radiotherapy [9] [10] [11]. We have identified a mutation within a highly conserved motif encompassing the active site in DNA ligase IV from 180BR cells. The mutated protein is severely compromised in its ability to form a stable enzyme-adenylate complex, although residual activity can be detected at high ATP concentrations. Our results characterize the first patient with a defect in an NHEJ component and suggest that a significant defect in NHEJ that leads to pronounced radiosensitivity is compatible with normal human viability and does not cause any major immune dysfunction. The defect, however, may confer a predisposition to leukaemia.

Double strand break rejoining by the Ku-dependent mechanism of non-homologous end-joining

The DNA-dependent protein kinase functions in the repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) and in V(D)J recombination. To gain insight into the function of DNA-PK in this process we have carried out a mutation analysis of Ku80 and DNA-PKcs. Mutations at multiple sites within the N-terminal two thirds of Ku80 result in loss of Ku70/80 interaction, loss of DNA end-binding activity and inability to complement Ku80 defective cell lines. In contrast, mutations in the carboxy terminal region of the protein do not impair DNA end-binding activity but decrease the ability of Ku to activate DNA-PK. To gain insight into important functional domains within DNA-PKcs, we have analysed defective mutants, including the mouse scid cell line, and the rodent mutants, irs-20 and V-3. Mutational changes in the carboxy terminal region have been identified in all cases. Our results strongly suggest that the C-terminus of DNA-PKcs is required for kinase activity.

Cellular localisation of the ataxia-telangiectasia (ATM) gene product and discrimination between mutated and normal forms

The recently cloned gene (ATM) mutated in the human genetic disorder ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is involved in DNA damage response at different cell cycle checkpoints and also appears to have a wider role in signal transduction. Antibodies prepared against peptides from the predicted protein sequence detected a approximately 350 kDa protein corresponding to the open reading frame, which was absent in 13/23 A-T homozygotes. Subcellular fractionation, immunoelectronmicroscopy and immunofluorescence showed that the ATM protein is present in the nucleus and cytoplasmic vesicles. This distribution did not change after irradiation. We also provide evidence that ATM protein binds to p53 and this association is defective in A-T cells compatible with the defective p53 response in these cells. These results provide further support for a role for the ATM protein as a sensor of DNA damage and in a more general role in cell signalling, compatible with the broader phenotype of the syndrome.

Defective signaling through the B cell antigen receptor in Epstein-Barr virus-transformed ataxia-telangiectasia cells

A characteristic series of immunological abnormalities are observed in the human genetic disorder ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T). The recent cloning of a gene mutated in this syndrome provides additional evidence for a defect in intracellular signaling in A-T. We have investigated the possibility that signaling through the B cell antigen receptor is one manifestation of the A-T defect. In response to cross-linking of the B cell receptor, several A-T cell lines were defective in their mitogenic response; in addition Ca2+ mobilization from internal stores was either absent or considerably reduced in these cell lines in response to cross-linking. The defect in signaling was not due to difference in expression of surface immunoglobulin. The defective response in A-T cells was also evident in several arms of the intracellular cascade activated by B cell cross-linking. Tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase Cgamma1, a key step in activation of the enzyme, was reduced or negligible in some A-T cell lines. This defect in signaling was also seen at the level of Lyn tyrosine kinase activation and its association with and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Our results provide evidence for a role for the ATM gene product in intracellular signaling which may account at least in part for the abnormalities in B cell function in A-T.

Rapamycin resistance in ataxia-telangiectasia

The gene mutated in the human genetic disorder ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) has been described recently (Savitsky et al., 1995a) and the complete coding sequence of this gene, ATM, has been reported (Savitsky et al., 1995b). The derived amino acid sequence demonstrates significant homologies to several proteins containing a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) domain, including the yeast TOR proteins and the human protein FRAP. Since the TOR and FRAP proteins are targets for the immunosuppressive drug rapamycin, we have investigated the effects of this compound on A-T cells. We report here that 3 A-T cell lines are more resistant than control cells to rapamycin's growth inhibiting effects but were more sensitive to the PI3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin. As expected rapamycin (1 nM) inhibited the rate of exit of control cells from G1 phase but failed to perturb the progression of A-T cells. This difference in cell cycle progress after rapamycin treatment is reflected in ribosomal S6 protein kinase (p70S6k) by both a downward mobility shift on SDS-PAGE and inhibition of activity. Furthermore, the G1 phase cyclin-dependent kinase, cyclin E-cdk2, was rapidly inhibited in control cells post-treatment, whereas in A-T cells it took considerably longer to observe inhibition. There was no evidence that a GST-FKBP12 fusion protein specifically precipitated the ATM protein in the presence of rapamycin in either cell type. These results demonstrate that the ATM protein is not a direct target for rapamycin but its functional loss renders cells more resistant to this compound.

Defect in multiple cell cycle checkpoints in ataxia-telangiectasia postirradiation

The recent description of a novel gene (ATM) mutated in ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), with homologies to genes encoding proteins involved in both G1/S and G2/M checkpoint control, points to a common defect in cell cycle control in A-T operating through the cyclin-dependent kinases. In this report we demonstrate that cyclin-dependent kinases are resistant to inhibition by ionizing radiation exposure in A-T cells, and this appears to be due to insufficient induction of WAF1. Exposure of control lymphoblastoid cells to radiation during S phase and in G2 phase causes a rapid inhibition of cyclin A-Cdk2 and cyclin B-Cdc2 activities, respectively. Irradiation led to a 5-20-fold increase in Cdk-associated WAF1 in these cells, which accounts at least in part for the decrease in cyclin-dependent kinase activity. In contrast, radiation did not inhibit any of the cyclin-dependent kinase activities in S phase or G2 phase in A-T cells at short times after irradiation nor was there any significant change in the level of Cdk-associated WAF1 compared to unirradiated cells. These results are similar to those reported previously for the G1 checkpoint and provide additional evidence for the involvement of ATM at multiple points in cell cycle regulation.

Genetic complementation of radiation response by 3' untranslated regions (UTR) of RNA

The molecular basis of radiosensitivity was studied using a cDNA complementation approach to correct radiosensitivity in cells. Four cDNAs of sizes 1.6, 2.0, 2.2 and 2.5 kb were isolated that corrected several aspects of the phenotype of cells from patients with the human genetic disorder ataxia-telangiectasia, characterized by hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation. The criteria used to assess correction included cell viability, induced chromosome aberrations, G2 phase delay and induction of p53 after exposure to radiation. One cDNA (2.5 kb) was identified as the complete sequence of the RNA helicase p68, which was capable of correcting radiosensitivity based on two of the above four criteria, with p53 induction post irradiation being partially corrected. The 2.2 kb cDNA was shown to correspond to the complete sequence of arginyl tRNA synthetase and the other two cDNAs were identical to the 3' untranslated regions (UTR) of the transcription factor TFIIS (1.6 kb) and phospholipase A2 (2.0 kb) respectively. Additional transfections with the 3'UTR (198 nucleotides) of p68 RNA helicase and its inverse sequence revealed that the 3'UTR had the same complementation capacity as the full-length cDNA, whereas the inverse construct failed to complement radiosensitivity. These data provide additional support for a novel role for 3'UTRs in the regulation of gene expression.

Nature of G1/S cell cycle checkpoint defect in ataxia-telangiectasia

We have previously demonstrated that cells from patients with ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) fail to show initial delay at several cell cycle checkpoints post-irradiation. In addition a defect in the induction of p53 by ionizing radiation was evident. We demonstrate here that the radiation signal transduction pathway operating through p53, its target gene WAF1, cyclin-dependent kinases and the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein is defective in A-T cells. The defective p53 induction after ionizing radiation, observed previously in A-T cells, was also reflected at the functional level using p53-DNA binding activity, transactivation and transfection with wild type p53. Correction of the defect at the G1/S checkpoint was observed when wild type p53 was constitutively expressed in A-T cells. Exposure of control cells to radiation gave rise to p53 induction and as a consequence increased expression of WAF1 mRNA and protein, but A-T cells were defective in this response. As expected the WAF1 response in irradiated control cells resulted in an inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase activity including cyclin E-cdk2, which plays an important role in the transition from G1 to S phase. No inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase activity was observed in A-T cells correlating with the delayed WAF1 response. On the contrary an enhancement of cyclin-dependent kinase activity was seen in A-T cells post-irradiation. An accumulation of the hypophosphorylated form of Rb protein occurred in irradiated control cells compatible with the G1/S phase delay observed in these cells after exposure to radiation. In unirradiated A-T cells the amount of Rb protein was much higher compared to controls and it was mainly in the hyperphosphorylated (functionally inactive) form. In addition, accumulation of the hypophosphorylated form of Rb in A-T cells post-irradiation was defective, consistent with the lack of cell cycle arrest. Thus the failure of the G1/S checkpoint in A-T cells after exposure to ionizing radiation is consistent with a defective radiation signal transduction pathway operating through p53.

Defect in radiation signal transduction in ataxia-telangiectasia

Exposure of mammalian cells to ionizing radiation causes a delay in progression through the cycle at several checkpoints. Cells from patients with ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) ignore these checkpoint controls postirradiation. The tumour suppressor gene product p53 plays a key role at the G1/S checkpoint preventing the progression of cells into S phase. The induction of p53 by radiation is reduced and/or delayed in A-T cells, which appears to account for the failure of delay at the G1/S checkpoint. We have investigated further this defect in radiation signal transduction in A-T. While the p53 response was defective after radiation, agents that interfered with cell cycle progression such as mimosine, aphidicolin and deprivation of serum led to a normal p53 response in A-T cells. None of these agents caused breaks in DNA, as determined by pulse-field gel electrophoresis, in order to elicit the response. Since this pathway is mediated by protein kinases, we investigated the activity of several of these enzymes in control and A-T cells. Ca+2-dependent and -independent protein kinase C activities were increased by radiation to the same extent in the two cell types, a variety of serine/threonine protein kinase activities were approximately the same and anti-tyrosine antibodies failed to reveal any differences in protein phosphorylation between A-T and control cells. It is not evident what is the nature of the defect in signal transduction in A-T cells. However, it is clear that the p53 response is normal in these cells after exposure to some agents and it is mediated through protein kinase C or another serine/threonine kinase.

Ionizing radiation and cell cycle progression in ataxia telangiectasia

Exposure of mammalian cells to ionizing radiation causes delay in normal progress through the cell cycle at a number of different checkpoints. Abnormalities in these checkpoints have been described for ataxia telangiectasia cells after irradiation. In this report we show that these abnormalities occur at different phases in the cell cycle in several ataxia telangiectasia lymphoblastoid cells. Ataxia telangiectasia cells, synchronized in late G1 phase with either mimosine or aphidicolin and exposed to radiation, showed a reduced delay in entering S phase compared to irradiated control cells. Failure to exhibit G1-phase delay in ataxia telangiectasia cells is accompanied by a reduced ability of radiation to activate the product of the tumor suppressor gene p53, a protein involved in G1/S-phase delay. When the progress of irradiated G1-phase cells was followed into the subsequent G2 and G1 phases ataxia telangiectasia cells showed a more pronounced accumulation in G2 phase than control cells. When cells were irradiated in S phase the extent of delay was more evident in G2 phase and ataxia telangiectasia cells were delayed to a greater extent. These results suggest that the lack of initial delay in both G1 and S phases contributes to the radiosensitivity observed in this syndrome.

Radiosensitivity in ataxia-telangiectasia: anomalies in radiation-induced cell cycle delay

A number of anomalies have been described in the progression of ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) cells through the cell cycle post-irradiation. Some uncertainty still exists as to whether AT cells show increased or reduced division delay after exposure to ionizing radiation. We have attempted to resolve the apparent inconsistencies that exist by investigating the effects of radiation on AT cells at various stages of the cell cycle. Specific labelling of S phase cells with 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) followed by irradiation caused a prolonged accumulation of these cells in G2/M phase with only 2-7% of AT cells progressing through to G1 24h post-irradiation. In contrast, 23-28% of control cells irradiated in S phase reached G1 by 24 h after irradiation. As observed previously with AT fibroblasts, AT lymphoblastoid cells irradiated in G1 phase did not experience a delay in entering S phase. After progressing through S phase these cells also were delayed in G2/M, but not to the same extent as irradiated S phase cells. On the other hand, when AT cells were irradiated in G2 phase they showed less delay initially in entry to mitosis and the subsequent G1 phase than did irradiated control cells. The overall results demonstrate that AT cells fail to show an initial delay in transitions between the G1/S and G2/M phases of the cell cycle and in progression through these phases post-irradiation, but in the long-term, after passage through S phase, they experience a prolonged delay in G2/M. Since several AT complementation groups are represented in this study, the cell cycle anomalies appear to be universal in AT. These results implicate deficiencies in control of cell cycle progression in the increased radiosensitivity and cancer predisposition in AT.