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Published on: October 28, 2014
p21Waf1/Cip1 Is a Novel Downstream Target of 40S Ribosomal S6 Kinase 2
Alakananda Basu1, Zhenyu Xuan2
1Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: The ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (S6K2) acts downstream of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 and is a homolog of S6K1 but little is known about its downstream effectors. The objective of this study was to use an unbiased transcriptome profiling to uncover how S6K2 promotes breast cancer cell survival. Methods: RNA-Seq analysis was performed to identify novel S6K2 targets. Cells were transfected with siRNAs or plasmids containing genes of interest. Western blot analyses were performed to quantify total and phosphorylated proteins. Apoptosis was monitored by treating cells with different concentrations of doxorubicin. Results: Silencing of S6K2, but not S6K1, decreased p21 in MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer cells. Knockdown of Akt1 but not Akt2 decreased p21 in MCF-7 cells whereas both Akt1 and Akt2 knockdown attenuated p21 in T47D cells. While Akt1 overexpression enhanced p21 and partially reversed the effect of S6K2 deficiency on p21 downregulation in MCF-7 cells, it had little effect in T47D cells. S6K2 knockdown increased JUN mRNA and knockdown of cJun enhanced p21. Low concentrations of doxorubicin increased, and high concentrations decreased p21 levels in T47D cells. Silencing of S6K2 or p21 sensitized T47D cells to doxorubicin via c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-mediated downregulation of Mcl-1. Conclusions: S6K2 knockdown enhanced doxorubicin-induced apoptosis by downregulating the cell cycle inhibitor p21 and the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 via Akt and/or JNK.
Insights
Ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (S6K2) promotes breast cancer cell survival by downregulating p21 and Mcl-1. Silencing S6K2 sensitizes cells to doxorubicin, offering potential therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (S6K2) is a homolog of S6K1, downstream of mTORC1.
- The downstream effectors and functions of S6K2 in breast cancer are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of S6K2 in breast cancer cell survival.
- To identify novel downstream targets of S6K2 using transcriptome profiling.
Main Methods:
- RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) for target identification.
- siRNA and plasmid transfections for gene manipulation.
- Western blot for protein analysis.
- Doxorubicin treatment to assess apoptosis.
Main Results:
- S6K2 silencing, not S6K1, decreased p21 levels in breast cancer cells.
- Akt1 and Akt2 influenced p21 levels differently across cell lines.
- S6K2 knockdown increased JUN mRNA, and cJun knockdown enhanced p21.
- S6K2 or p21 silencing sensitized cells to doxorubicin via JNK-mediated Mcl-1 downregulation.
Conclusions:
- S6K2 knockdown enhances doxorubicin-induced apoptosis.
- This effect is mediated by the downregulation of p21 and Mcl-1.
- The Akt and JNK signaling pathways are involved in S6K2's regulation of apoptosis.
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