The human homologues of murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and 4 (MDM4) negatively regulate p53 tumour suppressor activity and are reported to be frequently overexpressed in human malignancies, prompting clinical trials with drugs that prevent interactions between MDM2/MDM4 and p53. Bone marrow samples from 111 patients with acute myeloblastic leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndrome or chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia were examined for protein (fluorescence-activated cell sorting) and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) of MDM2, MDM4 and tumour protein p53 (TP53). Low protein expression of MDM2 and MDM4 was observed in immature cells from patients with excess of marrow blasts (>5%) compared with CD34+ /CD45low cells from healthy donors and patients without excess of marrow blasts (<5%). The mRNA levels were indistinguishable in all samples examined regardless of disease status or blast levels. Low MDM2 and MDM4 protein expression were correlated with poor survival. These data show a poor correlation between mRNA and protein expression levels, suggesting that quantitative flow cytometry analysis of protein expression levels should be used to predict and validate the efficacy of MDM2 and MDM4 inhibitors. These findings show that advanced disease is associated with reduced MDM2 and MDM4 protein expression and indicate that the utility of MDM2 and MDM4 inhibitors may have to be reconsidered in the treatment of advanced myeloid malignancies.

• MeSH
• akutní myeloidní leukemie * genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• messenger RNA genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• myelodysplastické syndromy * genetika   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nádorový supresorový protein p53 genetika   MeSH
• proteiny buněčného cyklu genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-mdm2 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Specific C-terminal nucleophosmin (NPM) mutations are related to the acute myeloid leukaemia and cause mistargeting of mutated NPM (NPMmut) to the cytoplasm. Consequently, multiple NPM-interacting partners, e.g., the tumour suppressor p53, become also mislocalized. We found that ubiquitin ligase Mdm2 mislocalizes to the cytoplasm in the presence of NPMmut as well. Since p53 interacts with Mdm2, we searched for the NPMmut-p53-Mdm2 complex and interactions of its constituents in live cells and cell lysates using fluorescently tagged proteins, fluorescence lifetime imaging and immunoprecipitation. We proved existence of the ternary complex, which likely adopts a chain-like configuration. Interaction between Mdm2 and NPMmut was not detected, even under conditions of upregulated Mdm2 and p53 induced by Actinomycin D. We assume that p53 serves in the complex as a bridging link between Mdm2 and NPMmut. This conclusion was supported by disruption of the Mdm2-p53 interaction by Nutlin-3A, which resulted in relocalization of Mdm2 to the nucleus, while both NPMmut and p53 remained in the cytoplasm. Importantly, silencing of p53 also prevented mislocalization of Mdm2 in the presence of NPMmut.

• MeSH
• cytoplazma genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• jaderné proteiny * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• nádorový supresorový protein p53 * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• nukleofosmin MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-mdm2 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Activation of p53 by small molecule MDM2 inhibitors can induce cell cycle arrest or death in p53 wildtype cancer cells. However, cancer cells exposed to hypoxia can develop resistance to other small molecules, such as chemotherapies, that activate p53. Here, we evaluated whether hypoxia could render cancer cells insensitive to two MDM2 inhibitors with different potencies, nutlin-3a and navtemadlin. Inhibitor efficacy and potency were evaluated under short-term hypoxic conditions in human and mouse cancer cells expressing different p53 genotypes (wild-type, mutant, or null). Treatment of wild-type p53 cancer cells with MDM2 inhibitors reduced cell growth by > 75% in hypoxia through activation of the p53-p21 signaling pathway; no inhibitor-induced growth reduction was observed in hypoxic mutant or null p53 cells except at very high concentrations. The concentration of inhibitors needed to induce the maximal p53 response was not significantly different in hypoxia compared to normoxia. However, inhibitor efficacy varied by species and by cell line, with stronger effects at lower concentrations observed in human cell lines than in mouse cell lines grown as 2D and 3D cultures. Together, these results indicate that MDM2 inhibitors retain efficacy in hypoxia, suggesting they could be useful for targeting acutely hypoxic cancer cells.

• MeSH
• antitumorózní látky * farmakologie   MeSH
• apoptóza MeSH
• hypoxie genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádorový supresorový protein p53 metabolismus   MeSH
• nádory * farmakoterapie   genetika   MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-mdm2 metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

HDMX and its homologue HDM2 are two essential proteins for the cell; after genotoxic stress, both are phosphorylated near to their RING domain, specifically at serine 403 and 395, respectively. Once phosphorylated, both can bind the p53 mRNA and enhance its translation; however, both recognize p53 protein and provoke its degradation under normal conditions. HDM2 has been well-recognized as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, whereas it has been reported that even with the high similarity between the RING domains of the two homologs, HDMX does not have the E3 ligase activity. Despite this, HDMX is needed for the proper p53 poly-ubiquitination. Phosphorylation at serine 395 changes the conformation of HDM2, helping to explain the switch in its activity, but no information on HDMX has been published. Here, we study the conformation of HDMX and its phospho-mimetic mutant S403D, investigate its E3 ligase activity and dissect its binding with p53. We show that phospho-mutation does not change the conformation of the protein, but HDMX is indeed an E3 ubiquitin ligase in vitro; however, in vivo, no activity was found. We speculated that HDMX is regulated by induced fit, being able to switch activity accordingly to the specific partner as p53 protein, p53 mRNA or HDM2. Our results aim to contribute to the elucidation of the contribution of the HDMX to p53 regulation.

• MeSH
• jaderné proteiny genetika   MeSH
• messenger RNA metabolismus   MeSH
• nádorový supresorový protein p53 * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• proteiny buněčného cyklu metabolismus   MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-mdm2 * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny genetika   MeSH
• serin metabolismus   MeSH
• ubikvitin genetika   MeSH
• ubikvitinace MeSH
• ubikvitinligasy genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The p53 tumor suppressor is a transcription factor with roles in cell development, apoptosis, oncogenesis, aging, and homeostasis in response to stresses and infections. p53 is tightly regulated by the MDM2 E3 ubiquitin ligase. The p53-MDM2 pathway has coevolved, with MDM2 remaining largely conserved, whereas the TP53 gene morphed into various isoforms. Studies on prevertebrate ancestral homologs revealed the transition from an environmentally induced mechanism activating p53 to a tightly regulated system involving cell signaling. The evolution of this mechanism depends on structural changes in the interacting protein motifs. Elephants such as Loxodonta africana constitute ideal models to investigate this coevolution as they are large and long-living as well as having 20 copies of TP53 isoformic sequences expressing a variety of BOX-I MDM2-binding motifs. Collectively, these isoforms would enhance sensitivity to cellular stresses, such as DNA damage, presumably accounting for strong cancer defenses and other adaptations favoring healthy aging. Here we investigate the molecular evolution of the p53-MDM2 system by combining in silico modeling and in vitro assays to explore structural and functional aspects of p53 isoforms retaining the MDM2 interaction, whereas forming distinct pools of cell signaling. The methodology used demonstrates, for the first time that in silico docking simulations can be used to explore functional aspects of elephant p53 isoforms. Our observations elucidate structural and mechanistic aspects of p53 regulation, facilitate understanding of complex cell signaling, and suggest testable hypotheses of p53 evolution referencing Peto's Paradox.

• MeSH
• geny p53 MeSH
• nádorový supresorový protein p53 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• nádory * genetika   MeSH
• protein - isoformy genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-mdm2 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• sloni * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• ubikvitinace MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Since the discovery of the first MDM2 inhibitors, we have gained deeper insights into the cellular roles of MDM2 and p53. In this review, we focus on MDM2 inhibitors that bind to the p53-binding domain of MDM2 and aim to disrupt the binding of MDM2 to p53. We describe the basic mechanism of action of these MDM2 inhibitors, such as nutlin-3a, summarise the determinants of sensitivity to MDM2 inhibition from p53-dependent and p53-independent points of view and discuss the problems with innate and acquired resistance to MDM2 inhibition. Despite progress in MDM2 inhibitor design and ongoing clinical trials, their broad use in cancer treatment is not fulfilling expectations in heterogenous human cancers. We assess the MDM2 inhibitor types in clinical trials and provide an overview of possible sources of resistance to MDM2 inhibition, underlining the need for patient stratification based on these aspects to gain better clinical responses, including the use of combination therapies for personalised medicine.

• MeSH
• antitumorózní látky farmakologie   MeSH
• bakteriální léková rezistence účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• cílená molekulární terapie metody   MeSH
• klinické zkoušky jako téma MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorový supresorový protein p53 antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• nádory farmakoterapie   MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-mdm2 antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

The identification of the essential role of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) in the control of cell division has prompted the development of small-molecule CDK inhibitors as anticancer drugs. For many of these compounds, the precise mechanism of action in individual tumor types remains unclear as they simultaneously target different classes of CDKs - enzymes controlling the cell cycle progression as well as CDKs involved in the regulation of transcription. CDK inhibitors are also capable of activating p53 tumor suppressor in tumor cells retaining wild-type p53 gene by modulating MDM2 levels and activity. In the current study, we link, for the first time, CDK activity to the overexpression of the MDM4 (MDMX) oncogene in cancer cells. Small-molecule drugs targeting the CDK9 kinase, dinaciclib, flavopiridol, roscovitine, AT-7519, SNS-032, and DRB, diminished MDM4 levels and activated p53 in A375 melanoma and MCF7 breast carcinoma cells with only a limited effect on MDM2. These results suggest that MDM4, rather than MDM2, could be the primary transcriptional target of pharmacological CDK inhibitors in the p53 pathway. CDK9 inhibitor atuveciclib downregulated MDM4 and enhanced p53 activity induced by nutlin-3a, an inhibitor of p53-MDM2 interaction, and synergized with nutlin-3a in killing A375 melanoma cells. Furthermore, we found that human pluripotent stem cell lines express significant levels of MDM4, which are also maintained by CDK9 activity. In summary, we show that CDK9 activity is essential for the maintenance of high levels of MDM4 in human cells, and drugs targeting CDK9 might restore p53 tumor suppressor function in malignancies overexpressing MDM4.

• MeSH
• cyklin-dependentní kinasa 9 antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• genetická transkripce MeSH
• imidazoly farmakologie   MeSH
• inhibitory proteinkinas farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• melanom genetika   metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• MFC-7 buňky MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádory prsu genetika   metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• piperaziny farmakologie   MeSH
• pluripotentní kmenové buňky metabolismus   MeSH
• proteiny buněčného cyklu biosyntéza   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-mdm2 biosyntéza   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny biosyntéza   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• roskovitin farmakologie   MeSH
• sulfonamidy farmakologie   MeSH
• synergismus léků MeSH
• transfekce MeSH
• triaziny farmakologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Allosteric changes imposed by post-translational modifications regulate and differentiate the functions of proteins with intrinsic disorder regions. HDM2 is a hub protein with a large interactome and with different cellular functions. It is best known for its regulation of the p53 tumour suppressor. Under normal cellular conditions, HDM2 ubiquitinates and degrades p53 by the 26S proteasome but after DNA damage, HDM2 switches from a negative to a positive regulator of p53 by binding to p53 mRNA to promote translation of the p53 mRNA. This change in activity is governed by the ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase via phosphorylation on serine 395 and is mimicked by the S395D phosphomimetic mutant. Here we have used different approaches to show that this event is accompanied by a specific change in the HDM2 structure that affects the HDM2 interactome, such as the N-termini HDM2-p53 protein-protein interaction. These data will give a better understanding of how HDM2 switches from a negative to a positive regulator of p53 and gain new insights into the control of the HDM2 structure and its interactome under different cellular conditions and help identify interphases as potential targets for new drug developments.

• MeSH
• alosterická regulace MeSH
• aminokyselinové motivy MeSH
• ATM protein genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• fosforylace MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• missense mutace * MeSH
• nádorový supresorový protein p53 genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-mdm2 chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Tumor suppressor p53 is mutated in about 50% of cancers. Most malignant melanomas carry wild-type p53, but p53 activity is often inhibited due to overexpression of its negative regulators Mdm2 or MdmX. We performed high throughput screening of 2448 compounds on A375 cells carrying p53 activity luciferase reporter construct to reveal compounds that promote p53 activity in melanoma. Albendazole and fenbendazole, two approved and commonly used benzimidazole anthelmintics, stimulated p53 activity and were selected for further studies. The protein levels of p53 and p21 increased upon the treatment with albendazole and fenbendazole, indicating activation of the p53-p21 pathway, while the levels of Mdm2 and MdmX decreased in melanoma and breast cancer cells overexpressing these proteins. We also observed a reduction of cell viability and changes of cellular morphology corresponding to mitotic catastrophe, i.e., G2/M cell cycle arrest of large multinucleated cells with disrupted microtubules. In summary, we established a new tool for testing the impact of small molecule compounds on the activity of p53 and used it to identify the action of benzimidazoles in melanoma cells. The drugs promoted the stability and transcriptional activity of wild-type p53 via downregulation of its negative regulators Mdm2 and MdmX in cells overexpressing these proteins. The results indicate the potential for repurposing the benzimidazole anthelmintics for the treatment of cancers overexpressing p53 negative regulators.

• MeSH
• albendazol farmakologie   MeSH
• benzimidazoly farmakologie   MeSH
• down regulace MeSH
• fenbendazol farmakologie   MeSH
• jaderné proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• léky antitumorózní - screeningové testy MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• melanom farmakoterapie   metabolismus   MeSH
• MFC-7 buňky MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádorový supresorový protein p53 metabolismus   MeSH
• přehodnocení terapeutických indikací léčivého přípravku MeSH
• proliferace buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• proteiny buněčného cyklu MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-mdm2 metabolismus   MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese u nádorů účinky léků   MeSH
• rychlé screeningové testy MeSH
• viabilita buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

A large number of signalling pathways converge on p53 to induce different cellular stress responses that aim to promote cell cycle arrest and repair or, if the damage is too severe, to induce irreversible senescence or apoptosis. The differentiation of p53 activity towards specific cellular outcomes is tightly regulated via a hierarchical order of post-translational modifications and regulated protein-protein interactions. The mechanisms governing these processes provide a model for how cells optimize the genetic information for maximal diversity. The p53 mRNA also plays a role in this process and this review aims to illustrate how protein and RNA interactions throughout the p53 mRNA in response to different signalling pathways control RNA stability, translation efficiency or alternative initiation of translation. We also describe how a p53 mRNA platform shows riboswitch-like features and controls the rate of p53 synthesis, protein stability and modifications of the nascent p53 protein. A single cancer-derived synonymous mutation disrupts the folding of this platform and prevents p53 activation following DNA damage. The role of the p53 mRNA as a target for signalling pathways illustrates how mRNA sequences have co-evolved with the function of the encoded protein and sheds new light on the information hidden within mRNAs.

• MeSH
• 3' nepřekládaná oblast genetika   MeSH
• 5' nepřekládaná oblast genetika   MeSH
• fyziologický stres genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ligandy MeSH
• messenger RNA genetika   MeSH
• nádorový supresorový protein p53 genetika   MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-mdm2 metabolismus   MeSH
• riboswitch genetika   MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH