Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Yeast As a Chassis for Developing Functional Assays to Study Human P53
Published on: August 4, 2019
Exit from arsenite-induced mitotic arrest is p53 dependent
Samuel C McNeely1, Xiaogiang Xu, B Frazier Taylor
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
Background:
Arsenic is both a human carcinogen and a chemotherapeutic agent, but the mechanism of neither arsenic-induced carcinogenesis nor tumor selective cytotoxicity is clear. Using a model cell line in which p53 expression is regulated exogenously in a tetracycline-off system (TR9-7 cells) , our laboratory has shown that arsenite disrupts mitosis and that p53-deficient cells [p53(-)], in contrast to p53-expressing cells [p53(+)], display greater sensitivity to arsenite-induced mitotic arrest and apoptosis.
Objective:
Our goal was to examine the role p53 plays in protecting cells from arsenite-induced mitotic arrest.
Methods:
p53(+) and p53(-) cells were synchronized in G2 phase using Hoechst 33342 and released from synchrony in the presence or absence of 5 microM sodium arsenite.
Results:
Mitotic index analysis demonstrated that arsenite treatment delayed exit from G2 in p53(+) and p53(-) cells. Arsenite-treated p53(+) cells exited mitosis normally, whereas p53(-) cells exited mitosis with delayed kinetics. Microarray analysis performed on mRNAs of cells exposed to arsenite for 0 and 3 hr after release from G2 phase synchrony showed that arsenite induced inhibitor of DNA binding-1 (ID1) differentially in p53(+) and p53(-) cells. Immunoblotting confirmed that ID1 induction was more extensive and sustained in p53(+) cells.
Conclusions:
p53 promotes mitotic exit and leads to more extensive ID1 induction by arsenite. ID1 is a dominant negative inhibitor of transcription that represses cell cycle regulatory genes and is elevated in many tumors. ID1 may play a role in the survival of arsenite-treated p53(+) cells and contribute to arsenic carcinogenicity.
Insights
The tumor suppressor p53 helps cells exit mitosis after arsenite exposure. This process involves increased induction of inhibitor of DNA binding-1 (ID1), potentially impacting arsenic carcinogenicity.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Arsenic is a known human carcinogen and a chemotherapeutic agent, but its mechanisms remain unclear.
- The role of p53 in arsenic's effects on cell division and death is not well understood.
- Previous studies showed arsenite disrupts mitosis and that p53-deficient cells are more sensitive to its effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective role of p53 against arsenite-induced mitotic arrest.
- To understand how p53 influences cell cycle progression following arsenite exposure.
Main Methods:
- Synchronized p53-expressing (p53(+)) and p53-deficient (p53(-)) cells were treated with sodium arsenite.
- Mitotic index analysis was used to assess cell cycle progression.
- Microarray and immunoblotting were employed to analyze gene expression, specifically inhibitor of DNA binding-1 (ID1).
Main Results:
- Arsenite delayed G2 phase exit in both p53(+) and p53(-) cells.
- p53(+) cells exited mitosis more efficiently than p53(-) cells.
- Arsenite induced ID1 expression more extensively and persistently in p53(+) cells compared to p53(-) cells.
Conclusions:
- p53 facilitates mitotic exit in cells exposed to arsenite.
- p53 enhances arsenite-induced ID1 expression.
- ID1 may contribute to cell survival in arsenite-treated cells and play a role in arsenic-induced carcinogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
Abnormal Proliferation
DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle
Negative Regulator Molecules
Separation of Sister Chromatids
At the onset of anaphase, separase, a proteolytic enzyme, is...
The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...

