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The article offers information on the Fifth Mutant p53 Workshop, which was held on May 2011, in Ariccia, Italy. Some of the papers at the workshop included Varda Rotter's study that showed that wild type (wt) p53 regulates a variety of mesenchymal differentiation programs and David Lane's study that used zebrafish to study the p53 pathway in vivo. Guillermina Lozano's study found that mutp53 is stabilized by genotoxic agents or reactive oxygen species.

The low molecular weight compound PRIMA-1 and the structural analog PRIMA-1MET, also named APR-246, reactivate mutant p53 through covalent binding to the core domain and induce apoptosis in tumor cells. Here, we asked whether PRIMA-1MET/APR-246 can rescue mutant forms of the p53 family members p63 and p73 that share high sequence homology with p53. We found that PRIMA-1MET/APR-246 can restore the pro-apoptotic function to mutant TAp63γ and TAp73β in tumor cells but has less effect on TAp73α. Moreover, PRIMA-1MET/APR-246-stimulated DNA binding of mutant TAp63γ and induced expression of the p53/p63/p73 downstream targets p21 and Noxa. The reactivation of mutant p53, p63 and p73 by PRIMA-1MET/APR-246 indicates a common mechanism, presumably involving homologous structural elements in the p53 family proteins. Our findings may open avenues for therapeutic intervention in human developmental disorders with mutations in p63. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low molecular weight compound PRIMA-1MET reactivates mutant p53 and triggers mutant p53-dependent apoptosis in human tumor cells. We investigated the effect of PRIMA-1MET on global gene expression using microarray analysis of Saos-2 cells expressing His273 mutant p53 and parental p53 null Saos-2 cells. PRIMA-1MET affected transcription of a significantly larger number of genes in the mutant p53-expressing cells compared to the p53 null cells. Genes affected by PRIMA-1MET in a mutant p53-dependent manner include the cell-cycle regulators GADD45B and 14-3-3γ and the pro-apoptotic Noxa. Several of the affected genes are known p53 target genes and/or contain p53 DNA-binding motifs. We also found mutant p53-dependent disruption of the cytoskeleton, as well as transcriptional activation of the XBP1 gene and cleavage of its mRNA, a marker for endoplasmic reticulum stress. Our data show that PRIMA-1MET induces apoptosis through multiple transcription-dependent and -independent pathways. Such integral engagement of multiple pathways leading to apoptosis is consistent with restoration of wild-type properties to mutant p53 and is likely to reduce the risk of drug resistance development in clinical applications of PRIMA-1MET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

p53 mutations occur frequently in human tumors. The low-molecular-weight compound PRIMA-1MET reactivates mutant p53, induces apoptosis in human tumor cells and inhibits tumor xenograft growth in vivo. Here, we show that PRIMA-1MET induces mutant p53-dependent mitochondria-mediated apoptosis through activation of caspase-2 with subsequent cytochrome c release and further activation of downstream caspase-9 and caspase-3. Inhibition of caspase-2 by a selective inhibitor and/or siRNA prevents cytochrome c release on PRIMA-1MET treatment and causes a significant reduction in PRIMA-1MET-induced cell death. Our findings highlight a chain of cellular events triggered by PRIMA-1MET that lead to apoptotic cell death. This should facilitate further development and optimization of efficient PRIMA-1MET-based anticancer drugs.Oncogene (2008) 27, 6571–6580; doi:10.1038/onc.2008.249; published online 28 July 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

p53 triggers apoptosis in response to cellular stress. We analyzed p53-dependent gene and protein expression in response to hypoxia using wild-type p53-carrying or p53 null HCT116 colon carcinoma cells. Hypoxia induced p53 protein levels and p53-dependent apoptosis in these cells. cDNA microarray analysis revealed that only a limited number of genes were regulated by p53 upon hypoxia. Most classical p53 target genes were not upregulated. However, we found that Fas/CD95 was significantly induced in response to hypoxia in a p53-dependent manner, along with several novel p53 target genes including ANXA1, DDIT3/GADD153 (CHOP), SEL1L and SMURF1. Disruption of Fas/CD95 signalling using anti-Fas-blocking antibody or a caspase 8 inhibitor abrogated p53-induced apoptosis in response to hypoxia. We conclude that hypoxia triggers a p53-dependent gene expression pattern distinct from that induced by other stress agents and that Fas/CD95 is a critical regulator of p53-dependent apoptosis upon hypoxia.Cell Death and Differentiation (2007) 14, 411–421. doi:10.1038/sj.cdd.4402022; published online 18 August 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously identified PRIMA-1, a low molecular weight compound that restores the transcriptional transactivation function to mutant p53 and induction of apoptosis. To explore the molecular mechanism for PRIMA-1-induced mutant p53-dependent apoptosis, we examined the intracellular distribution of mutant p53 upon treatment with PRIMA-1MET by immunofluorescence staining. We found that PRIMA-1MET induced nucleolar translocation of mutant p53 and the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) nuclear body-associated proteins PML, CBP and Hsp70. Levels of Hsp70 were significantly enhanced by PRIMA-1MET treatment. PRIMA-Dead, a compound structurally related to PRIMA-1 but unable to induce mutant p53-dependent apoptosis, failed to induce nucleolar translocation of mutant p53. Our results suggest that redistribution of mutant p53 to nucleoli plays a role in PRIMA-1-induced apoptosis.Oncogene (2007) 26, 982–992. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1209858; published online 14 August 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tentative amino acid sequence of pooled, papain-solubilized HLA antigen heavy chains has been determined. The amino acid sequence comprises 273 residues. As the structural analyses were performed on HLA antigen heavy chains comprising a mixture of several allelic forms derived from the A, B, and possibly C loci, multiple residues were encountered in several positions. However, a quantitatively dominating residue could always be easily identified. The present data suggest that the amino acid variability of the HLA-A, -B, and -C antigens is found in restricted regions of the molecule. The COOH-terminal third of the HLA antigen heavy chain appears to be less variable than other regions of the molecule. Previous work has shown that the HLA antigen heavy chain contains two immunoglobulin-like disulphide loops. The COOH-terminal third of the heavy chain was shown to be similar in primary structure to β2-microglobulin and the immunoglobulin G constant domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Papain-solubilized HLA-A,B,C antigen heavy chains have been cleaved by combined acid and CNBr treatment to yield three large fragments. A 14,000-dalton peptide comprises the NH2-terminal portion of the molecule, less a five-membered peptide. The 14,000-dalton fragment is followed in the linear sequence by a 9000-dalton peptide connected through an aspartyl-prolyl bond to the COOH-terminal 11,000-dalton fragment. The 9000- and 11,000-dalton fragments contain disulphide bridges that are immunoglobulin-like inasmuch as they encompass some fifty-five to sixty amino acid residues. The NH2-terminal portion of the HLA antigen heavy chain is devoid of cysteine. NH2-terminal amino acid sequence analyses do not reveal homologies between the 14,000- and 9000-dalton fragments, β2-microglobulin, and the constant immunoglobulin domains. However, the NH2-terminal sequence of the 11,000-dalton fragment is as homologous to β2-microglobulin and the constant immunoglobulin domains as they are to one another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The signal sequences of two HLA-DR β chains and the DR α chain were determined. In addition, the major part of a DC β-chain signal sequence was also elucidated. The data were obtained by combining amino acid sequence analyses of isolated α and β chains with nucleotide sequencing of four cDNA clones. All signal sequences comprise 25 amino acids or more. The two HLA-DR β-chain signal sequences are identical and exhibit only marginal homology to the DC β-chain signal sequence. No homology is apparent between α- and β-chain signal sequences. The differences in the signal sequences of the DR and DC β chains suggest that these sequences may be used to assign β chains to different loci of the human major histocompatibility complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane-bound mRNA was isolated from Raji cells and enriched for message coding for the HLA-DR transplantation antigen α-chain by sucrose gradient centrifugation. Double-stranded cDNA was constructed from this mRNA fraction, ligated to plasmid pBR322, and cloned into Escherichia coli. By hybrid selection, a plasmid, pDR-α-1, able to hybridize with mRNA coding for the HLA-DR α-chain was identified. From the nucleotide sequence of one end of the insert an amino acid sequence was predicted which is identical to part of the amino-terminal sequence of an HLA-DR α-chain preparation isolated from Raji cells. This clearly shows that pDR-α-1 carries almost the complete message for an HLA-DR α-chain. From the nucleotide sequence of this plasmid it will be possible to predict the primary structure of an HLA-DR α-chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

cDNA for a Βchain of HLA-DR antigens was cloned and the partial nueleotide sequence was determined. The data suggest that the fl-chain consists of approximately 230 amino acids. ot which about 200 are exposed on the cell surface. The 6-chain appears to be composed of Two exposed disulphide-containing domains. The arrangement of the disulphide loops suggests that the 5-chain is similar in structure to the HLA-A, B, C antigen subunits and the immunoglobulin chains. for the Βchain domain closest to the membrane this similarity was verified at the level of primary structure. The partial amino acid sequence of the NH2>terminal domain did not display any apparent homology to HLA-A, B, C antigens and immunoglobulins. However, the similarity established here between the two types of major histocompatibility antigen subunits and the immunoglobulin chains suggests a common ancestral origin for at least some regions of these molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The low molecular weight compound, PRIMA-1MET restores the transcriptional transactivation function of certain p53 mutants in tumor cells. We have previously shown that PRIMA-1MET induces nucleolar translocation of p53, PML, CBP and Hsp70. The Epstein-Barr virus encoded, latency associated antigen EBNA-5 (also known as EBNA-LP) is required for the efficient transformation of human B lymphocytes by EBV. EBNA-5 associates with p53-hMDM2-p14ARF complexes. EBNA-5 is a nuclear protein that translocates to the nucleolus upon heat shock or inhibition of proteasomes along with p53, hMDM2, Hsp70, PML and proteasome subunits. Here we show that PRIMA-1MET induces the nucleolar translocation of EBNA-5 in EBV transformed B lymphoblasts and in transfected tumor cells. The PRIMA-1MET induced translocation of EBNA-5 is not dependent on the presence of mutant p53. It also occurs in p53 null cells or in cells that express wild type p53. Both the native and the EGFP or DSRed conjugated EBNA-5 respond to PRIMA-1MET treatment in the same way. Image analysis of DSRed-EBNA-5 expressing cells, using confocal fluorescence time-lapse microscopy showed that the nucleolar translocation requires several hours to complete. FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching) and FLIP (fluorescence loss in photobleaching) measurements on live cells showed that the nucleolar translocation was accompanied by the formation of EBNA-5 aggregates. The process is reversible since the aggregates are dissolved upon removal of PRIMA-1MET. Our results suggest that mutant p53 is not the sole target of PRIMA-1MET. We propose that PRIMA-1MET may reversibly inhibit cellular chaperons that prevent the aggregation of misfolded proteins, and that EBNA-5 may serve as a surrogate drug target for elucidating the precise molecular action of PRIMA-1MET.

The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of nerve injuries of the upper extremity in the whole population of Finland (1998-2016). Data based on diagnosis codes were obtained from the Care Register for Health Care, including cases of median, radial, ulnar, musculocutaneous, axillary and digital nerves. Age- and gender-specific incidence rates, both crude and standardized (for the European normal population in 2011), were calculated. Our study included 13,440 patients with upper extremity nerve injury. The mean standardized annual incidence rate of any upper extremity nerve injury was 18.18 among men and 8.15 among women per 100,000 person-years over the study period. The incidence peaked among men at working age. Nerve injuries occurred most commonly in the fingers and thumb, with 5532 cases and mean standardized incidence rates per 100,000 person-years of 7.84 among men and 2.95 among women. The annual incidence did not change significantly over the study period. Level of evidence: III.

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.210.

The novel agent PRIMA-1(met) can reactivate WTp53 function in MTp53-expressing cells. We investigated PRIMA-1(met) as a radiosensitizer of WTp53, p53Null or MTp53 prostate cancer cells. Radiosensitization was observed in PC3 (p53Null) cells, even under hypoxia. In certain circumstances, PRIMA-1(met) may therefore act independently of MTp53 status and WTp53 transactivation.

Around half of all human tumours carry mutant p53. This allows escape from p53-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Many tumours express mutant p53 proteins at elevated levels. Restoration of wild-type p53 function should trigger massive apoptosis in tumour cells and thus eradicate tumours. Various types of small molecules have been identified that can restore native conformation and wild-type function to mutant p53. Such molecules may serve as leads for the development of novel efficient anticancer drugs.

We previously identified a novel p53-induced mouse gene, wig-1, that encodes a 290 amino acid zinc finger protein (Varmeh-Ziaie et al., 1997). Here we have identified and characterized the human homolog of mouse wig-1. The human wig-1 protein is 87% identical to the mouse protein and contains three zinc finger domains and a putative nuclear localization signal. Human wig-1 mRNA and protein is induced following activation of wild type p53 expression in our BL41-ts p53 Burkitt lymphoma cells. Wig-1 is also induced in MCF7 cells following treatment with the DNA-damaging agent mitomycin C. Northern blotting detected low levels of wig-1 mRNA in normal human tissues. Fluorescence in situ hybridization mapped wig-1 to human chromosome 3q26.3-27. FLAG-tagged human wig-1 localizes to the nucleus. Ectopic overexpression of human wig-1 inhibits tumor cell growth in a colony formation assay. These results suggest that human wig-1 has a role in the p53-dependent growth regulatory pathway.

The hallmark of Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a constitutively activated c-myc gene that drives tumor cell growth. A majority of BL-derived cell lines also carry mutant p53. In addition, the p16INK4a promoter is hypermethylated in most BL biopsies and BL cell lines, leading to silencing of this gene. Activation of c-myc and/or cell cycle dysregulation can induce ARF expression and p53-dependent apoptosis. We therefore investigated the p14ARF-MDM2-p53 pathway in BL cell lines. p14ARF was expressed and localized to nucleoli in all BL carrying mutant p53. Three out of seven BL carrying wt p53 had a homozygous deletion of the CDKN2A locus that encodes both p14ARF and p16INK4a. Three BL carrying wild type p53 retained the CDKN2A locus and overexpressed MDM2. DNA sequencing revealed a point mutation in CDKN2A exon 2 in one of these BL, Seraphine. However, this point mutation did not affect p14ARF's nucleolar localization or ability to induce p53. The Bmi-1 protein that negatively regulates the p14ARF promoter and co-operates with c-myc in tumorigenesis was expressed at low to moderate levels in all BL analysed. Our results indicate that inactivation of the ARF-MDM2-p53 pathway is an essential step during the development of Burkitt lymphoma, presumably as a mechanism to escape c-myc induced apoptosis.

The CDKN2A locus on chromosome 9p21 contains the p14ARF and p16INK4a genes, and is frequently deleted in human neoplasms, including brain tumors. In this study, we screened 34 primary (de novo) glioblastomas and 16 secondary glioblastomas that had progressed from low-grade diffuse astrocytomas for alterations of the p14ARF and p16INK4a genes, including homozygous deletion by differential PCR, promoter hypermethylation by methylation-specific PCR, and protein expression by immunohistochemistry. A total of 29 glioblastomas (58%) had a p14ARF homozygous deletion or methylation, and 17 (34%) showed p16INK4a homozygous deletion or methylation. Thirteen glioblastomas showed both p14ARF and p16INK4a homozygous deletion, while nine showed only a p14ARF deletion. Immunohistochemistry revealed loss of p14ARF expression in the majority of glioblastomas (38/50, 76%), and this correlated with the gene status, i.e. homozygous deletion or promoter hypermethylation. There was no significant difference in the overall frequency of p14ARF and p16INK4a alterations between primary and secondary glioblastomas. The analysis of multiple biopsies from the same patients revealed hypermethylation of p14ARF (5/15 cases) and p16INK4a (1/15 cases) already at the stage of low-grade diffuse astrocytoma but consistent absence of homozygous deletions. These results suggest that aberrant p14ARF expression due to homozygous deletion or promoter hypermethylation is associated with the evolution of both primary and secondary glioblastomas, and that p14ARF promoter methylation is an early event in subset of astrocytomas that undergo malignant progression to secondary glioblastoma.

The p53 tumor suppressor protein inhibits the formation of tumors through induction of cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis. In the present study we demonstrated that p53 is also a powerful inhibitor of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), a key component for telomerase. Activation of either exogenous temperature-sensitive (ts) p53 in BL41 Burkitt lymphoma cells or endogenous wild type (wt) p53 at a physiological level in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells triggered a rapid downregulation of hTERT mRNA expression, independently of the induction of the p53 target gene p21. Co-transfection of an hTERT promoter construct with wt p53 but not mutant p53 in HeLa cells inhibited the hTERT promoter activity. Furthermore, the activation of the hTERT promoter in Drosophila Schneider SL2 cells was completely dependent on the ectopic expression of Sp1 and was abrogated by wt p53. Finally, wt p53 inhibited Sp1 binding to the hTERT proximal promoter by forming a p53-Sp1 complex. Since activation of telomerase, widely observed in human tumor cell lines and primary tumors, is a critical step in tumorigenesis, wt p53-triggered inhibition of hTERT/telomerase expression may reflect yet another mechanism of p53-mediated tumor suppression. Our findings provide new insights into both the biological function of p53 and the regulation of hTERT/telomerase expression.

We investigated the functional impact of p53 on insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) expression in malignant cells. Using the BL-41tsp53-2 cell line, a transfectant carrying temperature-sensitive (ts) p53 and endogenous mutant p53 (codon 248), we demonstrated a drastic down-regulation of plasma membrane-bound IGF-IRs on induction of wild-type p53. However, a similar response was obtained by treatment of BL-41tsp53-2 cells expressing mutant ts p53 with a p53 antisense oligonucleotide. Thus, even if the negative effect of wild-type p53 predominates under a competitive condition, these data indicate that mutant p53 may be important for up-regulation of IGF-IR. To further elucidate this issue, three melanoma cell lines (BE, SK-MEL-5, and SK-MEL-28) that overexpressed p53 were investigated. The BE cell line has a "hot spot" mutation (codon 248) and expresses only codon 248-mutant p53. SK-MEL-28 has a point mutation at codon 145. SK-MEL-5 cells did not exhibit any p53 mutations, but the absence of p21Waf1 expression suggested functionally aberrant p53. Our data suggest that interaction with Mdm-2 may underlie p53 inactivation in these cells. Using p53 antisense oligonucleotides, we demonstrated a substantial down-regulation of cell surface expression of IGF-IR proteins in all melanoma cell lines after 24 h. This was paralleled by decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of IGF-IR and growth arrest, and, subsequently, massive cell death was observed (this was also seen in BL-41tsp53-2 cells with mutant conformation of ts p53). Taken together, our results suggest that up-regulation of IGF-IR as a result of expression of aberrant p53 may be important for the growth and survival of malignant cells.

The human p14(ARF) protein is encoded by an alternative transcript from the INK4a/ARF locus on chromosome 9p21, a locus frequently afflicted in human tumors. By use of two novel specific antisera against p14(ARF) we show that the protein is localized mainly in nucleoli but also in the nucleoplasm. Transfection of full-length and deletion mutant GFP-p14(ARF) fusion proteins confirmed this subcellular localization and assigned the nucleolar localization signal to the exon 2-encoded C-terminal region. In order to determine p14(ARF) expression in human tumor cells, we examined p14(ARF) in 32 tumor cell lines by immunofluorescence staining. Nucleolar p14(ARF) was detected in 10 lines, all of which lacked functional p53. Double immunostaining with p14(ARF) and B23/nucleophosmin or fibrillarin antibodies using 3D microscopy revealed that p14(ARF) is located mainly in the granular component of the nucleolus. p14(ARF) was also found in distinct granular aggregates scattered throughout the nucleoplasm. RNase digestion or selective inhibition of rRNA transcription by low doses of actinomycin D caused nucleoplasmic translocation of p14(ARF). This indicates that the nucleolar localization of p14(ARF) is dependent on ongoing transcriptional activity in intact functional nucleoli., (Copyright 2000 Academic Press.)

Wild-type p53 triggers two distinct biological responses, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Several small DNA tumor viruses encode proteins that bind p53 and thus block the function of p53. This probably reflects the need of these viruses to prevent p53-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis to allow viral DNA replication. Unlike SV40 large T, polyoma virus large T does not bind p53, and it is still unclear how polyoma virus blocks p53 function. To address this question, we transfected polyoma virus middle T or small t alone or middle T and small t together into J3D mouse T-lymphoma cells carrying temperature-sensitive p53 (ts p53). Induction of wild-type p53 by temperature shift to 32 degrees C triggered both G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in parental J3D-ts p53 cells. In contrast, J3D-ts p53 cells coexpressing middle T and small t showed only a weak G1 cell cycle arrest response after induction of wild-type p53 at 32 degrees C. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis revealed that nearly half of the middle T-expressing cells, 30% of the small t-expressing cells, and a majority of the cells coexpressing middle T and small t were resistant to p53-induced apoptosis. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin partially abrogated the protective effect of middle T but not small t on p53-induced apoptosis, indicating that middle T prevents p53-induced apoptosis through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signal transduction pathway. Our results thus establish a mechanism for polyoma virus-mediated inhibition of p53 function.

p53 acts as a potent tumor suppressor largely through its ability to induce cell death by apoptosis. Diverse cellular stress conditions, e.g., DNA damage, hypoxia, and oncogene activation, trigger p53-dependent apoptosis. ARF is a 14-kDa protein encoded by an alternative reading frame within the human INK4a locus that also encodes the p16 protein. ARF induces p53 in response to oncogene activation by preventing its degradation. This ensures the elimination of emerging tumor cells by p53-dependent apoptosis. p53 promotes apoptosis through multiple mechanisms, including transactivation of specific target genes, down-regulation of a distinct set of genes, and transcription-independent mechanisms. This may explain the frequent inactivation of ARF/p53 rather than downstream effectors during tumor development., (Copyright 1999 Academic Press.)

The ARF protein encoded by the alternative transcript of the INK4a gene inhibits cell growth by stabilization of p53. ARF is induced by activated oncogenes sucll as c-myc, E1A and E2F-1. We show here that ARF protein expression is also induced by serum deprivation in the human tumor cell line MDA-MB-157 and in the SV40 large T-immortalized keratinocyte line Rhek. This increase of expression was reversed by the addition of serum. ARF mRNA levels also increased after serum starvation, suggesting that ARF upregulation is mediated, at least in part, by increased transcription and/or mRNA stability. These results indicate that ARF responds not only to oncogenic hyper-proliferative signals but also to suboptimal growth conditions.

A synthetic 22-mer peptide (peptide 46) derived from the p53 C-terminal domain can restore the growth suppressor function of mutant p53 proteins in human tumor cells (G. Selivanova et al., Nat. Med. 3:632-638, 1997). Here we demonstrate that peptide 46 binds mutant p53. Peptide 46 binding sites were found within both the core and C-terminal domains of p53. Lys residues within the peptide were critical for both p53 activation and core domain binding. The sequence-specific DNA binding of isolated tumor-derived mutant p53 core domains was restored by a C-terminal polypeptide. Our results indicate that C-terminal peptide binding to the core domain activates p53 through displacement of the negative regulatory C-terminal domain. Furthermore, stabilization of the core domain structure and/or establishment of novel DNA contacts may contribute to the reactivation of mutant p53. These findings should facilitate the design of p53-reactivating drugs for cancer therapy.

The p53 gene is frequently mutated in human tumours and therefore an important target for therapeutic intervention. Several p53-based strategies for treatment of cancer are currently under development. p53 gene therapy has resulted in tumour regression in patients with lung cancer. A mutant adenovirus can obliterate tumour cells carrying mutant p53 or lacking p53, but is unable to replicate in normal cells. Furthermore, current studies suggest that reactivation of mutant p53 proteins in tumours using small p53-activating molecules may initiate p53-dependent apoptosis and thus eliminate the tumour.

Most solid tumors are unable to grow in the ascites form, unless selected by prolonged serial transfer of peritoneal fluid (Klein, 1955). Established ascites tumor cells grow under highly crowded, virtually anoxic conditions (Warburg and Hiepler, 1953). Hypoxia was recently identified as a powerful inducer of p53 dependent apoptosis (Graeber et al., 1996). We wished to examine whether the conversion of relatively well-vascularized solid mouse tumors into freely growing ascitic cell variants favors cell with mutated or deleted p53. We have sequenced exons 4-9 of p53 cDNA from two serially transplanted methylcholanthrene induced sarcomas (MCIM and MSWBS) that were available in the original solid and the gradually converted ascites form. We have also examined five additional solid tumors, four carcinomas and one sarcoma and six additional ascites tumors, five carcinomas and one sarcoma. Sequence analysis showed that all solid tumors carried exclusively wild type p53. Among the eight ascites tumors, five carried mutant p53 and three had only the wild type gene. In one of the two isogenic pairs, the original solid tumor line had only wild type, whereas the derived ascites line had only mutant p53. In the second pair, the solid tumor was wild type whereas the ascitic variant was heterozygous. The naturally occurring alternatively spliced p53 (p53as) mRNA was detected in all solid tumors, but not in five of the eight ascites tumors. Our findings indicate that conversion of solid into ascites tumors favors the selection of cell variants with mutated p53 and of cells that lack the alternatively spliced form of p53.

The fact that the p16/INK4a and p15/INK4b genes are frequently inactivated in human malignancies and that p16/INK4a null mice spontaneously develop B-cell lymphomas prompted us to examine the status of both genes in Burkitt's Lymphoma (BL). We found a low frequency of p16/INK4a and p15/INK4b deletions and mutations in BL cell lines and biopsies. However, p16/INK4a exon 1 was methylated in 17 out of 19 BL lines (89.5%) and in 8 out of 19 BL biopsies (42%) analyzed. p15/INK4b Exon 1 was also methylated, although at a lower frequency. p16/INK4a mRNA was readily detected in BL lines carrying unmethylated p16/INK4a, but not in those carrying methylated p16/INK4a. No p16/INK4a protein was detected in any of the BL lines and biopsies examined. In contrast, only one out of seven lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) examined was methylated in p16/INK4a exon 1, and three out of the six LCLs with unmethylated p16/INK4a expressed detectable levels of p16/INK4a protein. Thus, the frequent p16/INK4a methylation in BL lines correlates with downregulation of p16/INK4a expression, suggesting that exon 1 methylation is responsible for silencing the p16/INK4a gene in BL.

The specific DNA binding activity of p53 is crucial for its tumor suppression function. Naturally occurring mutant forms of p53 are deficient for specific DNA binding. However, several studies have indicated that their specific DNA binding can be reactivated. Short peptides derived from the p53 C-terminus can reactivate at least some mutant p53 proteins and trigger a p53-dependent biological response. These results may provide the basis for the design of p53-reactivating anti-cancer drugs.

Wild type p53 expressed from a temperature-sensitive (ts p53) construct induces both G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the p53-negative J3D mouse T lymphoma line (Wang et al., 1995). Using differential display analysis, we have identified one new p53-induced gene, wig-1 (for wild type p53-induced gene 1), whose 7.6 kb and 2.2 kb transcripts are upregulated in ts p53-transfected J3D cells following induction of wild type p53 expression by temperature shift to 32 degrees C. The wig-1 transcripts were also induced in irradiated NIH3T3 and p21-/- fibroblasts but not in irradiated p53-/- fibroblasts. Whole body gamma irradiation caused induction of both wig-1 transcripts in mouse brain, testis, kidney, spleen and lung. A basal wig-1 expression was detected in brain, testis and kidney. The WIG-1 protein contains three zinc finger motifs and a putative nuclear localization signal.