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Biomedical subjects

Frank McKeon

Publications and source records attributed to Frank McKeon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

p63 protects the female germ line during meiotic arrest.

Meiosis in the female germ line of mammals is distinguished by a prolonged arrest in prophase of meiosis I between homologous chromosome recombination and ovulation. How DNA damage is detected in these arrested oocytes is poorly understood, but it is variably thought to involve p53, a central tumour suppressor in mammals. While the function of p53 in monitoring the genome of somatic cells is clear, a consensus for the importance of p53 for germ line integrity has yet to emerge. Here we show that the p53 homologue p63 (refs 5, 6), and specifically the TAp63 isoform, is constitutively expressed in female germ cells during meiotic arrest and is essential in a process of DNA damage-induced oocyte death not involving p53. We also show that DNA damage induces both the phosphorylation of p63 and its binding to p53 cognate DNA sites and that these events are linked to oocyte death. Our data support a model whereby p63 is the primordial member of the p53 family and acts in a conserved process of monitoring the integrity of the female germ line, whereas the functions of p53 are restricted to vertebrate somatic cells for tumour suppression. These findings have implications for understanding female germ line fidelity, the regulation of fertility and the evolution of tumour suppressor mechanisms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Relationships between p63 binding, DNA sequence, transcription activity, and biological function in human cells.

Using tiled microarrays covering the entire human genome, we identify approximately 5800 target sites for p63, a p53 homolog essential for stratified epithelial development. p63 targets are enriched for genes involved in cell adhesion, proliferation, death, and signaling pathways. The quality of the derived DNA sequence motif for p63 targets correlates with binding strength binding in vivo, but only a small minority of motifs in the genome is bound by p63. Conversely, many p63 targets have motif scores expected for random genomic regions. Thus, p63 binding in vivo is highly selective and often requires additional factors beyond the simple protein-DNA interaction. There is a significant, but complex, relationship between p63 target sites and p63-responsive genes, with DeltaNp63 isoforms being linked to transcriptional activation. Many p63 binding regions are evolutionarily conserved and/or associated with sequence motifs for other transcription factors, suggesting that a substantial portion of p63 sites is biologically relevant.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2005

p63 protein is essential for the embryonic development of vibrissae and teeth.

Development of skin appendages strongly depends on epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. One of the genes involved in this process is p63, a member of the p53 family of transcription factors, essential for ectodermal development, as elucidated by the phenotype of p63 knock-out mice. Surprisingly, no information on p63 expression in tooth and hair is yet available. Here, we show p63 expression during teeth and vibrissae morphogenesis in mouse embryos and we also show a correlation with the expression patterns of the epithelial marker keratin 5 and the proliferation marker Ki67. Our results show that p63 colocalizes with both K5 and Ki67 in the epithelium of developing vibrissae, while in teeth p63 is expressed, together with K5, in the undifferentiated ectoderm (enamel organ), and in ameloblasts, a subpopulation of differentiated ectodermal cells. Moreover, p63 expression in tooth seems not to be fully colocalized with nuclear Ki67 expression.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Identification of a peptide fragment of DSCR1 that competitively inhibits calcineurin activity in vitro and in vivo.

Calcineurin phosphatase activity regulates the nuclear localization of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family of transcription factors during immune challenge. Calcineurin inhibitors, such as the cyclosporin A-cyclophilin A and FK506-FKBP12 complexes, regulate this enzymatic activity noncompetitively by binding at a site distinct from the enzyme active site. A family of endogenous protein inhibitors of calcineurin was recently identified and shown to block calcineurin-mediated NFAT nuclear localization and transcriptional activation. One such inhibitor, Down Syndrome Critical Region 1 (DSCR1), functions in T cell activation, cardiac hypertrophy, and angiogenesis. We have identified a small region of DSCR1 that is a potent inhibitor of calcineurin activity in vitro and in vivo.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed2005

p63 regulates commitment to the prostate cell lineage.

Molecular mechanisms underlying prostate and urothelial development remain unclear. This situation presents major limitations in identifying the cell type(s) and molecular events involved in the development of prostate and bladder cancer. It has been shown that mice lacking the basal cell marker p63 present several epithelial defects, including epidermis and prostate buds agenesis and urothelial abnormalities. Here, we use the p63-/- mouse as a tool to define cell lineages in the prostate epithelium and urothelium. By complementing p63-/- blastocysts with p63+/+ beta-galactosidase (beta-gal)-positive ES cells, we show that secretory cells of the prostate originate from p63-positive basal progenitor cells. Importantly, our urogenital sinus transplantation studies demonstrate that p63 prevents intestinal differentiation of the urogenital sinus endoderm and is therefore required to maintain commitment to the prostate cell lineage. Finally, in contrast with the prostate findings, analysis of the urothelium from rescued p63-/- chimeras shows that umbrella (superficial) cells can develop and be maintained independently from p63-positive basal and intermediate cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Tumor predisposition in mice mutant for p63 and p73: evidence for broader tumor suppressor functions for the p53 family.

p63 and p73 are functionally and structurally related to the tumor suppressor p53. However, their own role in tumor suppression is unclear. Given the p53-like properties of p63 and p73, we tested whether they are involved in tumor suppression by aging mice heterozygous for mutations in all p53 family genes and scored for spontaneous tumors. We show here that p63+/-;p73+/- mice develop spontaneous tumors. Loss of p63 and p73 can also cooperate with loss of p53 in tumor development. Mice heterozygous for mutations in both p53 and p63 or p53 and p73 displayed higher tumor burden and metastasis compared to p53+/- mice. These findings provide evidence for a broader role for the p53 family than has been previously reported.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

DNA-binding and transactivation activities are essential for TAp63 protein degradation.

The p53-related p63 gene encodes six isoforms with differing N and C termini. TAp63 isoforms possess a transactivation domain at the N terminus and are able to transactivate a set of genes, including some targets downstream of p53. Accumulating evidence indicates that TAp63 plays an important role in regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, whereas transactivation-inert deltaNp63 functions to inhibit p63 and other p53 family members. Mutations in the p63 gene that abolish p63 DNA-binding and transactivation activities cause human diseases, including ectrodactyly ectodermal dysplasia and facial clefting (EEC) syndrome. In this study, we show that mutant p63 proteins with a single amino acid substitution found in EEC syndrome are DNA binding deficient, transactivation inert, and highly stable. We demonstrate that TAp63 protein expression is tightly controlled by its specific DNA-binding and transactivation activities and that p63 is degraded in a proteasome-dependent, MDM2-independent pathway. In addition, the N-terminal transactivation domain of p63 is indispensable for its protein degradation. Furthermore, the wild-type TAp63gamma can act in trans to promote degradation of mutant TAp63gamma defective in DNA binding, and the TA domain deletion mutant of TAp63gamma inhibits transactivation activity and stabilizes the wild-type TAp63 protein. Taken together, these data suggest a feedback loop for p63 regulation, analogous to the p53-MDM2 feedback loop.

Amino Acid Motifs↗
PubMed2005

Caspases-dependent cleavage of mitotic checkpoint proteins in response to microtubule inhibitor.

The mitotic checkpoint ensures the fidelity of chromosomal segregation by delaying the onset of anaphase until all chromosomes are aligned on the metaphase plate. After sustained mitotic arrest, however, cells eventually exit mitosis without the mitotic checkpoint being silenced. These cells then undergo apoptosis, an event that is important for prevention of the chromosomal instability observed in human cancers. An interesting question is to establish the biochemical link between the mitotic checkpoint and the subsequent apoptotic cell death. Here, we found that following prolonged spindle damage, the mitotic checkpoint kinases such as Bub1 and BubR1 were cleaved through a mechanism sensitive to caspases inhibitor. Interestingly, the expression of these mutants resistant to caspases-dependent cleavage led to increased apoptosis after sustained mitotic arrest, and a correspondingly more efficient elimination of the polyploid population than that seen in cells expressing wild-type proteins. These findings provide the novel biochemical properties of mitotic checkpoint proteins through its cleavage by caspases-dependent manner.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2004

Chemical genetics to identify NFAT inhibitors: potential of targeting calcium mobilization in immunosuppression.

The development of more selective immunosuppressive agents to mitigate transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases requires effective strategies of blocking signaling pathways in T cells. Current immunosuppressive strategies use cyclosporin A (CsA) or FK506 to inhibit calcineurin, which dephosphorylates and promotes the nuclear import of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factors. These nuclear NFATs then transactivate cytokine genes that regulate proliferative responses of T cells. Both CsA and FK506 have debilitating side effects, including nephrotoxicity, hypertension, diabetes, and seizures, that argue for the development of alternative or complementary agents. To this end, we developed cell-based assays for monitoring NFAT dynamics in nonlymphoid cells to identify small molecules that inhibit NFAT nuclear import. Interestingly, we found that the majority of these small molecules suppress NFAT signaling by interfering with "capacitative" or "store-operated" calcium mobilization, thus raising the possibility that such mobilization processes are relevant targets in immunosuppression therapy. Further, these small molecules also show dose-dependent suppression of cytokine gene expression in T cells. Significantly, the IC(50) of CsA in primary T cells was reduced by the addition of suboptimal concentrations of these compounds, suggesting the possibility that such small molecules, in combination with CsA, offer safer means of immunosuppression.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Dual role of sumoylation in the nuclear localization and transcriptional activation of NFAT1.

The nuclear import of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factors is critical for regulating NFAT activity. Here we demonstrate that the sumoylation of NFAT1 defines a novel mechanism of the nuclear anchorage and transcriptional activation downstream from the known mechanism of calcineurin-mediated dephosphorylation and nuclear import. We show that Lys(684) and Lys(897) of NFAT1 can be sumoylated. The sumoylation at Lys(684) is required for NFAT1 transcriptional activity and subsequent sumoylation of Lys(897), whereas the sumoylation of Lys(897) is only required for nuclear anchorage. Because Lys(897) of NFAT1 is not conserved among other members of the NFAT family, we propose that sumoylation of Lys(897) may provide a mechanism for NFAT1 isotype-specific regulation of nuclear anchorage and transcriptional activation. Furthermore, we found that treatment with both ionomycin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate ensured efficient nuclear anchorage with the recruitment of NFAT1 into the SUMO-1 bodies, whereas treatment with ionomycin alone induced nuclear translocation of NFAT1 but not recruitment into the SUMO-1 bodies. Our results suggest that the recruitment of NFAT1 into SUMO-1 bodies may be required for the progressive transcriptional activity of NFAT1 upon co-stimulation with ionomycin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, whereas anergic transcription stimulated by ionomycin alone may occur without recruitment into the SUMO-1 bodies.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

p63 and p73 are not required for the development and p53-dependent apoptosis of T cells.

The recent discoveries of p63 and p73, homologs of the tumor suppressor p53, raised the possibility of a network of these family members governing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in response to stress. However, mice lacking p73 show no tendency for spontaneous tumors, and mutations in p63 or p73 are rare in human tumors, rendering any obligate role of these genes in cell death and tumor suppression unclear. In an effort to reconcile these incongruent data, we examined the genetic interactions between p53, p63, and p73 in well-established paradigms of p53-dependent and -independent T cell death using primary, genetically defined lymphocytes. Our findings challenge the generality of the notion that p63 and p73 are required for p53 function or for apoptosis in T cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

The threshold pattern of calcineurin-dependent gene expression is altered by loss of the endogenous inhibitor calcipressin.

Calcineurin links calcium signaling to transcriptional responses in the immune, nervous and cardiovascular systems. To determine the function of the calcipressins, a family of putative calcineurin inhibitors, we assessed the calcineurin-dependent process of T cell activation in mice engineered to lack the gene encoding calcipressin 1 (Csp1). Csp1 regulated calcineurin in vivo, and genes triggered in an immune response had unique transactivation thresholds for T cell receptor stimulation. In the absence of Csp1, the apparent transactivation thresholds for all these genes were shifted because of enhanced calcineurin activity. This unbridled calcineurin activity drove Fas ligand expression, which normally requires high T cell receptor stimulation and results in the premature death of T helper type 1 cells. Thus, calcipressins modulate the pattern of calcineurin-dependent transcription, and may influence calcineurin activity beyond calcium to integrate a broad array of signals into the cellular response.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

p53 and TGF-beta in development: prelude to tumor suppression?

Recent work in Xenopus embryos reveals an unexpected developmental role for the tumor suppressor gene p53. This finding may have implications for the evolution of p53, its interaction with Smads in TGF-beta dependent mesoderm specification, and the cooperation among p53 family members.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Dual roles of human BubR1, a mitotic checkpoint kinase, in the monitoring of chromosomal instability.

In this study, we show that the formation of polyploidy following sustained mitotic checkpoint activation appears to be preceded by the ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis of hBubR1. In addition, the level of hBubR1 is significantly reduced not only in polyploid cells created by sustained mitotic spindle damage, but also in 21 (31.3%) of 67 human colon adenocarcinomas tested. Importantly, the introduction of hBubR1 triggers the apoptosis of polyploid cells formed by aberrant exit from mitosis and inhibits the growth of tumors established with these cells in athymic nude mice. These results suggest that hBubR1-mediated apoptosis prevents the propagation of cells that breach the mitotic checkpoint and that the control of hBubR1 protein level is an important factor in the acquisition of preneoplastic polyploidy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

p53 deficiency and defective mitotic checkpoint in proliferating T lymphocytes increase chromosomal instability through aberrant exit from mitotic arrest.

During the proliferation of T cells for successful immune responses against pathogens, the fine regulation of cell cycle is important to the maintenance of T cell homeostasis and the prevention of lymphoproliferative disorders. However, it remains to be elucidated how the cell cycle is controlled at the mitotic phase in proliferating T cells. Here, we show that during the proliferation of primary T cells, the disruption of the mitotic spindle leads to cell-cycle arrest at mitosis and that prolonged mitotic arrest results in not only apoptosis but also the form of chromosomal instability observed in human cancers. It is interesting that in response to spindle damage, the phosphorylation of BubR1, a mitotic checkpoint kinase, was significantly induced in proliferating T cells, and the expression of the dominant-negative mutant of BubR1 compromised mitotic arrest and subsequent apoptosis and thus led to the augmentation of polyploidy formation. We also show that in response to prolonged spindle damage, the expression of p53 but not of p73 was significantly induced. In addition, following sustained mitotic arrest, p53-deficient T cells were found to be more susceptible to polyploidy formation than the wild type. These results suggest that during flourishing immune response, mitotic checkpoint and p53 play important roles in the prevention of chromosomal instability and in the maintenance of the genomic integrity of proliferating T cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

p63 and p73 are required for p53-dependent apoptosis in response to DNA damage.

The tumour-suppressor gene p53 is frequently mutated in human cancers and is important in the cellular response to DNA damage. Although the p53 family members p63 and p73 are structurally related to p53, they have not been directly linked to tumour suppression, although they have been implicated in apoptosis. Given the similarity between this family of genes and the ability of p63 and p73 to transactivate p53 target genes, we explore here their role in DNA damage-induced apoptosis. Mouse embryo fibroblasts deficient for one or a combination of p53 family members were sensitized to undergo apoptosis through the expression of the adenovirus E1A oncogene. While using the E1A system facilitated our ability to perform biochemical analyses, we also examined the functions of p63 and p73 using an in vivo system in which apoptosis has been shown to be dependent on p53. Using both systems, we show here that the combined loss of p63 and p73 results in the failure of cells containing functional p53 to undergo apoptosis in response to DNA damage.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗
PubMed2002

Gain-of-function mutation in ADULT syndrome reveals the presence of a second transactivation domain in p63.

The transcriptional co-activator p63 is of crucial importance for correct development of the limbs, ectodermal appendages (skin, nails, teeth, hair, glands), lip and palate. Mutations in the p63 gene are found in a number of human syndromes, including ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip/palate (EEC) syndrome, limb-mammary syndrome (LMS), Hay-Wells syndrome and in non-syndromic split-hand/split-foot malformation (SHFM). Each syndrome has a specific pattern of mutations with different functional effects in in vitro functional assays. We report a mutation R298Q in acro-dermato-ungual-lacrimal-tooth (ADULT) syndrome, another EEC-like condition. The mutation is located in the DNA binding domain of p63, which harbors almost all EEC associated mutations. However, unlike mutations in EEC syndrome, the R298Q ADULT syndrome mutation does not impair DNA binding. Rather, the mutation confers novel transcription activation capacity on the DeltaN-p63gamma isoform, which normally does not possess such activity. These results confirm that ADULT syndrome is a clinically as well as molecularly distinct member of the expanding p63 mutation family of human malformation syndromes. Our results further show that p63 contains a second transactivation domain which is normally repressed and can become activated by mutations in the DNA binding domain of p63.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗