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Characterization of Molecular Mechanisms of In vivo UVR Induced Cataract
Published on: November 28, 2012
Role for cyclin D1 in UVC-induced and p53-mediated apoptosis
1Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Neuroscience Center, Neurosurgical Services, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02129, USA.
Abstract:
DNA damaging agents such as ultraviolet (UV) induce cell cycle arrest followed by apoptosis in cells where irreparable damage has occurred. Here we show that during early phase G1 arrest which occurs in UV-irradiated human U343 glioblastoma cells, there are (1) decreases in cyclin D1 and cdk4 levels which parallel a loss of S-phase promoting cyclin D1/cdk4 complexes, and (2) increases in p53 and p21 protein levels. We also show that the late phase UV-induced apoptosis of U343 cells occurs after cell cycle re-entry and parallels the reappearance of cyclin D1 and cdk4 and cyclin D1/cdk4 complexes. These findings suggest that cyclin D1 can abrogate UV-induced G1 arrest and that the p53-mediated apoptosis that occurs in these cells is dependent on cyclin D1 levels. We examined these possibilities using U343 cells that ectopically express cyclin D1 and found that indeed cyclin D1 can overcome the cell cycle arrest caused by UV. Moreover, the appearance of p53 protein and the induction of apoptosis in UV-irradiated cells was found to be dependent on the level of ectopically expressed cyclin D1. These findings, therefore, indicate that expression of cyclin D1 following DNA damage is essential for cell cycle re-entry and p53-mediated apoptosis.
Insights
Cyclin D1 abrogates UV-induced G1 arrest and is essential for cell cycle re-entry and p53-mediated apoptosis in glioblastoma cells. This finding reveals a critical role for cyclin D1 in DNA damage response pathways.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- DNA damaging agents like UV radiation trigger cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
- Glioblastoma cells exhibit complex responses to DNA damage, involving cell cycle regulation and programmed cell death.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cyclin D1 in UV-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human U343 glioblastoma cells.
- To determine if cyclin D1 levels influence p53-mediated apoptosis following DNA damage.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cyclin D1, cdk4, p53, and p21 protein levels in UV-irradiated U343 cells.
- Examination of cyclin D1/cdk4 complex formation during cell cycle progression.
- Utilizing U343 cells engineered to ectopically express cyclin D1 to assess its functional impact.
Main Results:
- UV irradiation caused G1 arrest with decreased cyclin D1/cdk4 complexes and increased p53/p21 levels.
- Apoptosis occurred after cell cycle re-entry, coinciding with cyclin D1/cdk4 complex reappearance.
- Ectopic cyclin D1 expression overcame UV-induced G1 arrest, and apoptosis induction was dependent on cyclin D1 levels.
Conclusions:
- Cyclin D1 plays a crucial role in overcoming UV-induced G1 arrest, enabling cell cycle re-entry.
- The p53-mediated apoptotic response to DNA damage is modulated by cyclin D1 levels.
- Cyclin D1 expression is essential for both cell cycle re-entry and subsequent apoptosis following DNA damage in glioblastoma cells.
Related Concept Videos
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DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle
Inhibition of Cdk Activity
Abnormal Proliferation
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle

