Role of p53 in UVB-induced apoptosis in human HaCaT keratinocytes

Apoptosis represents an active form of cell death that is involved in the control of tissue homeostasis and in the deletion of DNA-damaged cells. Because the product of the tumor suppressor gene p53 has been demonstrated to be crucial for the induction of apoptosis in certain cell types, the present study was aimed at elucidating its role in ultraviolet-induced apoptosis in HaCaT keratinocytes. After in vitro ultraviolet B irradiation, p53 protein levels were noted to increase prior to the induction of apoptosis in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion. This increase could not be inhibited by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Because HaCaT keratinocytes are known to bear two p53 point mutations and because it is unclear whether p53 in HaCaT cells is still functional regarding induction of apoptosis, HaCaT cells were stably transfected with wild-type p53 cDNA inserted into the expression vector pCMV-Neo-Bam in sense (pC53-SN3) and anti-sense (pC53-ASN) direction. After selection with geniticin, growing colonies were screened for the presence of the transfected cDNA constructs by polymerase chain reaction. Cell clones bearing the anti-sense product were further analyzed for p53 expression by western blotting. Clones showing reduced p53 protein levels were irradiated with ultraviolet B light, and there was a clear reduction of apoptosis in the pC53-ASN bearing cell clones compared with the parental HaCaT cells. These studies demonstrate that blocking mutated p53 can partially block apoptosis in HaCaT keratinocytes and furthermore can confirm the key role for p53 in ultraviolet-induced apoptosis in human keratinocytes. Moreover, HaCaT keratinocytes and their p53-transfectants provide a convenient model that allows for further detailed analyses of apoptosis-associated biochemical and molecular events in human keratinocytes.