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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Induction and Validation of Cellular Senescence in Primary Human Cells
Published on: June 20, 2018
[Sodium butyrate do not induce the program of premature senescence in transformants with JNK1,2 knockout]
Abstract:
We studied the role of JNK1,2 stress-kinases in the regulation of premature senescence program, stimulated by the inhibitor of histone deacetylase, sodium butyrate (NaB). It was found, that the transformants EIA + cHa-ras selected from embryonic mouse fibroblasts with knockout jnk1,2 stress-kinase genes did not block the cell cycle after sodium butyrate treatment. The data on the cell cycle distribution and cell growth curves showed that even long term (during five days) NaB influence did not suppress proliferation. We did not also reveal any cellular hypertrophy and increase in SA-beta-galactosidase activity after NaB treatment. The data presented suggest that JNK stress-kinases are involved in sodium butyrate-induced senescence in E1A + cHa-Ras mouse transformants, and they are indicative of that JNK1,2 have tumor suppressor properties.
Insights
JNK1,2 stress-kinases are crucial for inducing premature senescence in mouse cells treated with sodium butyrate. Their absence prevents cell cycle arrest, suggesting JNK1,2 possess tumor suppressor properties.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Premature senescence is a cellular response to stress.
- Histone deacetylase inhibitors, like sodium butyrate (NaB), can induce senescence.
- The role of stress-kinases in this process is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of JNK1,2 stress-kinases in sodium butyrate-induced premature senescence.
- To determine if JNK1,2 are necessary for the senescence program in E1A + cHa-Ras mouse transformants.
Main Methods:
- Utilized embryonic mouse fibroblasts with knockout jnk1,2 genes.
- Treated cells with sodium butyrate (NaB).
- Analyzed cell cycle distribution, proliferation rates, cellular hypertrophy, and SA-beta-galactosidase activity.
Main Results:
- Mouse transformants lacking JNK1,2 (jnk1,2 knockout) did not exhibit cell cycle arrest after NaB treatment.
- Proliferation remained unaffected even after prolonged NaB exposure.
- No significant cellular hypertrophy or increased SA-beta-galactosidase activity was observed in knockout cells.
Conclusions:
- JNK stress-kinases are involved in the regulation of sodium butyrate-induced senescence.
- JNK1,2 appear to play a critical role in triggering the premature senescence program.
- These findings suggest JNK1,2 have tumor suppressor functions.
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