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EAPP modulates the activity of p21 and Chk2
Peter Andorfer1, Ludwig Schwarzmayr, Hans Rotheneder
1Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Abstract:
Genomic instability is thought to be critical for the development of cancer. Among its causes microsatellite instability (MIN) and chromosomal instability (CIN) have attracted the most attention. Cell cycle checkpoints and DNA repair mechanisms are the first line of defense against DNA damage. Among the most dangerous DNA lesions are double-strand breaks. The response to DNA double strand breaks is regulated mainly by the serine/threonine kinases ATM and Chk2 and their downstream target the tumor suppressor p53, which in turn stimulates the expression of growth-inhibitory genes like p21 or pro-apoptotic genes like Bax. The balance between these gene products determines the fate of a cell. EAPP is a nuclear phosphoprotein that is frequently upregulated in human tumors. We have recently shown that EAPP levels are critical for cellular homeostasis. DNA damage elevates EAPP levels and its overexpression results in G1 arrest and impairs apoptosis in a p21-dependent manner. EAPP binds to the p21 promoter, stimulates its activity and seems to be essential for transcription initiation. In the present work we show that EAPP also regulates the phosphorylation status and thus the activity of Chk2. EAPP binding seems to trigger the dephosphorylation of P-Chk2 resulting in its inactivation. A newly described function of Chk2 in mitosis that secures genomic integrity might also be affected by EAPP overexpression. This might explain the abundance of EAPP in aneuploid tumor cells.
Insights
Genomic instability in cancer is linked to DNA damage response. EAPP protein overexpression disrupts cell cycle checkpoints by affecting Chk2 activity, potentially promoting tumor development.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Genetics
Background:
- Genomic instability, including microsatellite instability (MIN) and chromosomal instability (CIN), is crucial for cancer development.
- Cell cycle checkpoints and DNA repair mechanisms, particularly the response to double-strand breaks involving ATM, Chk2, and p53, are vital for maintaining genomic integrity.
- EAPP, a nuclear phosphoprotein upregulated in tumors, plays a role in cellular homeostasis and its overexpression impacts cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of EAPP in regulating DNA damage response pathways.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which EAPP influences Chk2 activity and its implications for genomic stability.
- To understand the contribution of EAPP to the development of aneuploid tumor cells.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of EAPP protein levels in human tumors.
- Investigating the effect of EAPP overexpression on G1 arrest and apoptosis.
- Assessing EAPP's interaction with the p21 promoter and its transcriptional activity.
- Examining the impact of EAPP on Chk2 phosphorylation and activity.
Main Results:
- EAPP overexpression leads to G1 arrest and impaired apoptosis in a p21-dependent manner.
- EAPP binds to and stimulates the p21 promoter, suggesting a role in transcription initiation.
- EAPP regulates the phosphorylation status of Chk2, leading to its dephosphorylation and inactivation.
- EAPP overexpression may affect the newly identified role of Chk2 in mitosis, potentially contributing to aneuploidy in tumor cells.
Conclusions:
- EAPP is a key regulator of cellular homeostasis and DNA damage response.
- EAPP's modulation of p21 and Chk2 activity has significant implications for cell fate decisions and genomic stability.
- The findings suggest EAPP's overexpression contributes to cancer development by disrupting critical cell cycle control mechanisms.
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