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Regulation of replicative and stress-induced senescence by RSK4, which is down-regulated in human tumors

Laura López-Vicente1, Gemma Armengol, Berta Pons

  • 1Department of Pathology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Unit of Biological Anthropology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08035, Spain.

Clinical Cancer Research : an Official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Research
|July 9, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The RSK4 gene, often downregulated in colon and renal carcinomas, acts as a tumor suppressor by inducing senescence and controlling cell proliferation. Its restoration may offer therapeutic potential in cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Genetics

Background:

  • Cellular senescence is critical for understanding and controlling cell transformation.
  • RSK4 gene was identified in an RNA interference screen as being related to p53-dependent cell arrest.
  • Investigating RSK4's function is key to understanding its role in cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential role of RSK4 as a tumor suppressor gene.
  • To determine the impact of RSK4 on cell proliferation and senescence.
  • To explore RSK4's involvement in colon and renal carcinogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblotting were used to assess RSK4 expression in tumor samples and cell lines.
  • RSK4 cDNA and shRNA were used to manipulate RSK4 expression in colon carcinoma cell lines and human fibroblasts.
  • Senescence was induced via replicative stress and analyzed through molecular techniques.

Main Results:

  • RSK4 gene was significantly downregulated in colon carcinomas, renal cell carcinomas, and colon adenomas.
  • Overexpression of RSK4 induced cell cycle arrest and senescence features in normal and cancer cells.
  • RSK4 levels increased during both replicative and stress-induced senescence, and its suppression conferred resistance to cisplatin treatment.

Conclusions:

  • RSK4 functions as a tumor suppressor gene by modulating senescence induction.
  • RSK4 plays a role in controlling cell proliferation, particularly in colon and renal cancers.
  • These findings suggest RSK4 as a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment.

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