The Experts below are selected from a list of 1725 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Gabriella Dorazi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • nox1 is involved in p53 deacetylation and suppression of its transcriptional activity and apoptosis
    Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 2010
    Co-Authors: Rosa Puca, Lavinia Nardinocchi, Gideon Rechavi, Ada Sacchi, David Givol, Giuseppe Starace, Gabriella Dorazi
    Abstract:

    Abstract HIPK2 is a stress-induced kinase and a transcriptional corepressor that functionally cooperates with p53 to suppress cancer. Activation of the p53 proapoptotic function requires a cascade of phosphorylations and acetylations, and HIPK2 takes part in both modifications in that it phosphorylates p53 Ser46 and induces p53 Lys382 acetylation. Here, to further investigate the role of HIPK2 in p53 activation, we started with the finding that HIPK2 inhibition upregulated Nox1, a homolog of the catalytic subunit of the superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase, involved in tumor progression and ROS production. We found that Nox1 inhibited p53 Lys382 acetylation, which is a target of SIRT1 deacetylase, and impaired p53 proapoptotic transcriptional activity. By the use of either small interfering RNAs to target SIRT1 or the SIRT1 inhibitor nicotinamide we found that Nox1-dependent inhibition of p53 transcriptional activity was SIRT1-dependent. Thus, Nox1 was unable to inhibit p53 when coexpressed with a SIRT1 deacetylase-defective mutant (SIRT1HY), suggesting a link between Nox1 and SIRT1 activity. Finally, recovery of HIPK2 function downregulated Nox1 expression with rescue of p53 Lys382 acetylation and p53 activity. Together, our findings indicate that Nox1 upregulation may activate SIRT1 and inhibit p53 and that Lys382 is important for p53 proapoptotic function.

  • targeting hypoxia in cancer cells by restoring homeodomain interacting protein kinase 2 and p53 activity and suppressing hif 1α
    PLOS ONE, 2009
    Co-Authors: Lavinia Nardinocchi, Rosa Puca, Gideon Rechavi, Ada Sacchi, David Givol, Gabriella Dorazi
    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND The tumor suppressor homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 (HIPK2) by phosphorylating serine 46 (Ser46) is a crucial regulator of p53 apoptotic function. HIPK2 is also a transcriptional co-repressor of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) restraining tumor angiogenesis and chemoresistance. HIPK2 can be deregulated in tumors by several mechanisms including hypoxia. Here, we sought to target hypoxia by restoring HIPK2 function and suppressing HIF-1alpha, in order to provide evidence for the involvement of both HIPK2 and p53 in counteracting hypoxia-induced chemoresistance. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Upon exposure of colon and lung cancer cells to hypoxia, by either low oxygen or cobalt, HIPK2 function was impaired allowing for increased HIF-1alpha expression and inhibiting the p53-apoptotic response to drug. Cobalt suppressed HIPK2 recruitment onto HIF-1alpha promoter. Hypoxia induced expression of the p53 target MDM2 that downregulates HIPK2, thus MDM2 inhibition by siRNA restored the HIPK2/p53Ser46 response to drug. Zinc supplementation to hypoxia-treated cells increased HIPK2 protein stability and nuclear accumulation, leading to restoration of HIPK2 binding to HIF-1alpha promoter, repression of MDR1, Bcl2, and VEGF genes, and activation of the p53 apoptotic response to drug. Combination of zinc and ADR strongly suppressed tumor growth in vivo by inhibiting HIF-1 pathway and upregulating p53 apoptotic target genes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We show here for the first time that hypoxia-induced HIPK2 deregulation was counteracted by zinc that restored HIPK2 suppression of HIF-1 pathway and reactivated p53 apoptotic response to drug, underscoring the potential use of zinc supplementation in combination with chemotherapy to address hypoxia and improve tumor treatment.

  • inhibition of hif 1alpha activity by homeodomain interacting protein kinase 2 correlates with sensitization of chemoresistant cells to undergo apoptosis
    Molecular Cancer, 2009
    Co-Authors: Lavinia Nardinocchi, Rosa Puca, Ada Sacchi, Gabriella Dorazi
    Abstract:

    Background Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 (HIPK2), a transcriptional co-repressor with apoptotic function, can affect hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) transcriptional activity, through downmodulation of its HIF-1α subunit, in normoxic condition. Under hypoxia, a condition often found in solid tumors, HIF-1α is activated to induce target genes involved in chemoresistance, inhibition of apoptosis and tumor progression. Here, we investigated whether the HIPK2 overexpression could downregulate HIF-1α expression and activity in tumor cells treated with hypoxia-mimicking condition, and evaluated whether HIPK2-dependent downregulation of HIF-1α could sensitize chemoresistant tumor cells to adriamycin (ADR)-induced apoptosis.

  • restoring wtp53 activity in HIPK2 depleted mcf7 cells by modulating metallothionein and zinc
    Experimental Cell Research, 2009
    Co-Authors: Rosa Puca, Lavinia Nardinocchi, Gideon Rechavi, Ada Sacchi, David Givol, Gabriella Dorazi, Gianluca Bossi
    Abstract:

    The maintenance of p53 transactivation activity is important for p53 apoptotic function. We have shown that stable knockdown of HIPK2 induces p53 misfolding with inhibition of p53 target gene transcription. In this study we established a lentiviral-based system for doxycyclin (Dox)-induced conditional interference of HIPK2 expression to evaluate the molecular mechanisms involved in p53 deregulation. We found that HIPK2 knockdown induced metallothionein 2A (MT2A) upregulation as assessed by RT-PCR analysis, increased promoter acetylation, and increased promoter luciferase activity. The MT2A upregulation correlated with resistance to Adriamycin (ADR)-driven apoptosis and with p53 inhibition. Thus, acute knockdown of HIPK2 (HIPK2i) induced misfolded p53 protein in MCF7 breast cancer cells and inhibited p53 DNA-binding and transcription activities in response to ADR treatment. Previous works show that MT may modulate p53 activity through zinc exchange. Here, we found that inhibition of MT2A expression by siRNA in the HIPK2i cells restored p53 transcription activity. Similarly zinc supplementation to HIPK2i cells restored p53 transcription activity and drug-induced apoptosis. These data support the notion that MT2A is involved in p53 deregulation and strengthen the possibility that combination of chemotherapy and zinc might be useful to treat tumors with inactive wtp53.

  • homeodomain interacting protein kinase 2 restrains cytosolic phospholipase a2 dependent prostaglandin e2 generation in human colorectal cancer cells
    Clinical Cancer Research, 2006
    Co-Authors: Gabriella Dorazi, Ada Sacchi, Maria G Sciulli, Valeria Di Stefano, Sabrina Riccioni, Milo Frattini, Rita Falcioni, Lucio Bertario, Paola Patrignani
    Abstract:

    Purpose: Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 (HIPK2), a corepressor for homeodomain transcription factors, is a multifunctional kinase whose role in tumor cell survival is not completely clarified. We addressed whether HIPK2 restrains colon tumorigenesis by turning off cytosolic phospholipase A 2 (cPLA 2 )-dependent prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) generation in the light of overwhelming evidence suggesting the contribution of this prostanoid in a variety of cancers. Experimental Design: In the human colorectal cancer cell line, RKO, we studied the effect of RNA interference for HIPK2 (HIPK2i) on prostanoid biosynthesis, both in the absence and in the presence of the cPLA 2 inhibitor arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone. We evaluated the role of HIPK2 in the cPLA 2 gene regulation by reverse transcriptase-PCR, transcriptional activity, and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses. The involvement of HIPK2 in tumorigenicity in vivo was studied by tumor growth of HIPK2i cells in nude mice. We compared the gene expression of HIPK2 and cPLA 2 in human colorectal cancer specimens by reverse transcriptase-PCR. Results: HIPK2 silencing was associated with rousing PGE 2 biosynthesis that was profoundly suppressed by the cPLA 2 inhibitor. HIPK2 overexpression, along with histone deacetylase-1, inhibited the cPLA 2 -luc promoter that is strongly acetylated in HIPK2i cells. The tumors derived from HIPK2i cells injected in nude mice showed noticeably increased growth compared with parental cells. HIPK2 mRNA levels were significantly higher in colorectal cancers of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, which showed undetectable cPLA 2 levels compared with sporadic colorectal cancer expressing cPLA 2 . Conclusions: Our findings reveal the novel mechanism of HIPK2 to restrain progression of human colon tumorigenesis, at least in part, by turning off cPLA 2 -dependent PGE 2 generation.

Ada Sacchi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Article MDM2-Regulated Degradation of HIPK2 Prevents p53Ser46 Phosphorylation and DNA Damage-Induced Apoptosis
    2020
    Co-Authors: Cinzia Rinaldo, Ada Sacchi, Francesca Mancini, Andrea Prodosmo, Stefano Iacovelli, Fabiola Moretti, Silvia Soddu
    Abstract:

    SUMMARY In response to DNA damage, p53 induces either cell-cycle arrest or apoptosis by differential transcription of several target genes and through transcription-independent apoptotic functions. p53 phosphorylation at Ser46 by HIPK2 is one determinant of the outcome because it takes place only upon severe, nonrepairable DNA damage that irreversibly drives cells to apoptosis. Here, we show that p53 represses its proapoptotic activator HIPK2 via MDM2-mediated degradation, whereas a degradationresistant HIPK2 mutant has increased apoptotic activity. Upon cytostatic, nonsevere DNA damage, inhibition of HIPK2 degradation is sufficient to induce p53Ser46 phosphorylation and apoptosis, converting growth-arresting stimuli to apoptotic ones. These findings establish HIPK2 as an MDM2 target and support a model in which, upon nonsevere DNA damage, p53 represses its own phosphorylation at Ser46 due to HIPK2 degradation, supporting the notion that the cell-cycle-arresting functions of p53 include active inhibition of the apoptotic ones

  • Targeting Hypoxia in Cancer Cells by Restoring Homeodomain Interacting Protein-Kinase 2 and p53 Activity and Suppressing HIF-1a
    2016
    Co-Authors: Lavinia Nardinocchi, Rosa Puca, Gideon Rechavi, Ada Sacchi, David Givol
    Abstract:

    Background: The tumor suppressor homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 (HIPK2) by phosphorylating serine 46 (Ser46) is a crucial regulator of p53 apoptotic function. HIPK2 is also a transcriptional co-repressor of hypoxia-inducible factor-1a (HIF-1a) restraining tumor angiogenesis and chemoresistance. HIPK2 can be deregulated in tumors by several mechanisms including hypoxia. Here, we sought to target hypoxia by restoring HIPK2 function and suppressing HIF-1a, in order to provide evidence for the involvement of both HIPK2 and p53 in counteracting hypoxia-induced chemoresistance. Methodology/Principal Findings: Upon exposure of colon and lung cancer cells to hypoxia, by either low oxygen or cobalt, HIPK2 function was impaired allowing for increased HIF-1a expression and inhibiting the p53-apoptotic response to drug. Cobalt suppressed HIPK2 recruitment onto HIF-1a promoter. Hypoxia induced expression of the p53 target MDM2 that downregulates HIPK2, thus MDM2 inhibition by siRNA restored the HIPK2/p53Ser46 response to drug. Zinc supplementation to hypoxia-treated cells increased HIPK2 protein stability and nuclear accumulation, leading to restoration of HIPK2 binding to HIF-1a promoter, repression of MDR1, Bcl2, and VEGF genes, and activation of the p53 apoptotic response to drug. Combination of zinc and ADR strongly suppressed tumor growth in vivo by inhibiting HIF-1 pathway and upregulating p53 apoptotic target genes. Conclusions/Significance: We show here for the first time that hypoxia-induced HIPK2 deregulation was counteracted b

  • nox1 is involved in p53 deacetylation and suppression of its transcriptional activity and apoptosis
    Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 2010
    Co-Authors: Rosa Puca, Lavinia Nardinocchi, Gideon Rechavi, Ada Sacchi, David Givol, Giuseppe Starace, Gabriella Dorazi
    Abstract:

    Abstract HIPK2 is a stress-induced kinase and a transcriptional corepressor that functionally cooperates with p53 to suppress cancer. Activation of the p53 proapoptotic function requires a cascade of phosphorylations and acetylations, and HIPK2 takes part in both modifications in that it phosphorylates p53 Ser46 and induces p53 Lys382 acetylation. Here, to further investigate the role of HIPK2 in p53 activation, we started with the finding that HIPK2 inhibition upregulated Nox1, a homolog of the catalytic subunit of the superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase, involved in tumor progression and ROS production. We found that Nox1 inhibited p53 Lys382 acetylation, which is a target of SIRT1 deacetylase, and impaired p53 proapoptotic transcriptional activity. By the use of either small interfering RNAs to target SIRT1 or the SIRT1 inhibitor nicotinamide we found that Nox1-dependent inhibition of p53 transcriptional activity was SIRT1-dependent. Thus, Nox1 was unable to inhibit p53 when coexpressed with a SIRT1 deacetylase-defective mutant (SIRT1HY), suggesting a link between Nox1 and SIRT1 activity. Finally, recovery of HIPK2 function downregulated Nox1 expression with rescue of p53 Lys382 acetylation and p53 activity. Together, our findings indicate that Nox1 upregulation may activate SIRT1 and inhibit p53 and that Lys382 is important for p53 proapoptotic function.

  • targeting hypoxia in cancer cells by restoring homeodomain interacting protein kinase 2 and p53 activity and suppressing hif 1α
    PLOS ONE, 2009
    Co-Authors: Lavinia Nardinocchi, Rosa Puca, Gideon Rechavi, Ada Sacchi, David Givol, Gabriella Dorazi
    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND The tumor suppressor homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 (HIPK2) by phosphorylating serine 46 (Ser46) is a crucial regulator of p53 apoptotic function. HIPK2 is also a transcriptional co-repressor of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) restraining tumor angiogenesis and chemoresistance. HIPK2 can be deregulated in tumors by several mechanisms including hypoxia. Here, we sought to target hypoxia by restoring HIPK2 function and suppressing HIF-1alpha, in order to provide evidence for the involvement of both HIPK2 and p53 in counteracting hypoxia-induced chemoresistance. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Upon exposure of colon and lung cancer cells to hypoxia, by either low oxygen or cobalt, HIPK2 function was impaired allowing for increased HIF-1alpha expression and inhibiting the p53-apoptotic response to drug. Cobalt suppressed HIPK2 recruitment onto HIF-1alpha promoter. Hypoxia induced expression of the p53 target MDM2 that downregulates HIPK2, thus MDM2 inhibition by siRNA restored the HIPK2/p53Ser46 response to drug. Zinc supplementation to hypoxia-treated cells increased HIPK2 protein stability and nuclear accumulation, leading to restoration of HIPK2 binding to HIF-1alpha promoter, repression of MDR1, Bcl2, and VEGF genes, and activation of the p53 apoptotic response to drug. Combination of zinc and ADR strongly suppressed tumor growth in vivo by inhibiting HIF-1 pathway and upregulating p53 apoptotic target genes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We show here for the first time that hypoxia-induced HIPK2 deregulation was counteracted by zinc that restored HIPK2 suppression of HIF-1 pathway and reactivated p53 apoptotic response to drug, underscoring the potential use of zinc supplementation in combination with chemotherapy to address hypoxia and improve tumor treatment.

  • inhibition of hif 1alpha activity by homeodomain interacting protein kinase 2 correlates with sensitization of chemoresistant cells to undergo apoptosis
    Molecular Cancer, 2009
    Co-Authors: Lavinia Nardinocchi, Rosa Puca, Ada Sacchi, Gabriella Dorazi
    Abstract:

    Background Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 (HIPK2), a transcriptional co-repressor with apoptotic function, can affect hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) transcriptional activity, through downmodulation of its HIF-1α subunit, in normoxic condition. Under hypoxia, a condition often found in solid tumors, HIF-1α is activated to induce target genes involved in chemoresistance, inhibition of apoptosis and tumor progression. Here, we investigated whether the HIPK2 overexpression could downregulate HIF-1α expression and activity in tumor cells treated with hypoxia-mimicking condition, and evaluated whether HIPK2-dependent downregulation of HIF-1α could sensitize chemoresistant tumor cells to adriamycin (ADR)-induced apoptosis.

Silvia Soddu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Article MDM2-Regulated Degradation of HIPK2 Prevents p53Ser46 Phosphorylation and DNA Damage-Induced Apoptosis
    2020
    Co-Authors: Cinzia Rinaldo, Ada Sacchi, Francesca Mancini, Andrea Prodosmo, Stefano Iacovelli, Fabiola Moretti, Silvia Soddu
    Abstract:

    SUMMARY In response to DNA damage, p53 induces either cell-cycle arrest or apoptosis by differential transcription of several target genes and through transcription-independent apoptotic functions. p53 phosphorylation at Ser46 by HIPK2 is one determinant of the outcome because it takes place only upon severe, nonrepairable DNA damage that irreversibly drives cells to apoptosis. Here, we show that p53 represses its proapoptotic activator HIPK2 via MDM2-mediated degradation, whereas a degradationresistant HIPK2 mutant has increased apoptotic activity. Upon cytostatic, nonsevere DNA damage, inhibition of HIPK2 degradation is sufficient to induce p53Ser46 phosphorylation and apoptosis, converting growth-arresting stimuli to apoptotic ones. These findings establish HIPK2 as an MDM2 target and support a model in which, upon nonsevere DNA damage, p53 represses its own phosphorylation at Ser46 due to HIPK2 degradation, supporting the notion that the cell-cycle-arresting functions of p53 include active inhibition of the apoptotic ones

  • HIPK2 Phosphorylates the Microtubule-Severing Enzyme Spastin at S268 for Abscission.
    Cells, 2019
    Co-Authors: Alessandra Pisciottani, Silvia Soddu, Loredana Biancolillo, Manuela Ferrara, Davide Valente, Francesca Sardina, Laura Monteonofrio, Serena Camerini, Marco Crescenzi, Cinzia Rinaldo
    Abstract:

    Abscission is the final step of cell division, mediating the physical separation of the two daughter cells. A key player in this process is the microtubule-severing enzyme spastin that localizes at the midbody where its activity is crucial to cut microtubules and culminate the cytokinesis. Recently, we demonstrated that HIPK2, a multifunctional kinase involved in several cellular pathways, contributes to abscission and prevents tetraploidization. Here, we show that HIPK2 binds and phosphorylates spastin at serine 268. During cytokinesis, the midbody-localized spastin is phosphorylated at S268 in HIPK2-proficient cells. In contrast, no spastin is detectable at the midbody in HIPK2-depleted cells. The non-phosphorylatable spastin-S268A mutant does not localize at the midbody and cannot rescue HIPK2-depleted cells from abscission defects. In contrast, the phosphomimetic spastin-S268D mutant localizes at the midbody and restores successful abscission in the HIPK2-depleted cells. These results show that spastin is a novel target of HIPK2 and that HIPK2-mediated phosphorylation of spastin contributes to its midbody localization for successful abscission.

  • HIPK2 and extrachromosomal histone H2B are separately recruited by Aurora-B for cytokinesis
    Oncogene, 2018
    Co-Authors: Laura Monteonofrio, Cinzia Rinaldo, Manuela Ferrara, Davide Valente, Serena Camerini, Marco Crescenzi, Roberta Miscione, Silvia Soddu
    Abstract:

    Cytokinesis, the final phase of cell division, is necessary to form two distinct daughter cells with correct distribution of genomic and cytoplasmic materials. Its failure provokes genetically unstable states, such as tetraploidization and polyploidization, which can contribute to tumorigenesis. Aurora-B kinase controls multiple cytokinetic events, from chromosome condensation to abscission when the midbody is severed. We have previously shown that HIPK2, a kinase involved in DNA damage response and development, localizes at the midbody and contributes to abscission by phosphorylating extrachromosomal histone H2B at Ser14. Of relevance, HIPK2-defective cells do not phosphorylate H2B and do not successfully complete cytokinesis leading to accumulation of binucleated cells, chromosomal instability, and increased tumorigenicity. However, how HIPK2 and H2B are recruited to the midbody during cytokinesis is still unknown. Here, we show that regardless of their direct (H2B) and indirect (HIPK2) binding of chromosomal DNA, both H2B and HIPK2 localize at the midbody independently of nucleic acids. Instead, by using mitotic kinase-specific inhibitors in a spatio-temporal regulated manner, we found that Aurora-B kinase activity is required to recruit both HIPK2 and H2B to the midbody. Molecular characterization showed that Aurora-B directly binds and phosphorylates H2B at Ser32 while indirectly recruits HIPK2 through the central spindle components MgcRacGAP and PRC1. Thus, among different cytokinetic functions, Aurora-B separately recruits HIPK2 and H2B to the midbody and these activities contribute to faithful cytokinesis.

  • S: The loss of the p53 activator HIPK2 is responsible for galectin-3 overexpression in well differentiated thyroid carcinomas. PLoS One 2011
    2016
    Co-Authors: Luca Lavra, Cinzia Rinaldo, Ra Ulivieri, Emidio Luciani, Paolo Fidanza, Laura Giacomelli, Carlo Bellotti, Alberto Ricci, Maria Trovato, Silvia Soddu
    Abstract:

    Background: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is an anti-apoptotic molecule involved in thyroid cells transformation. It is specifically overexpressed in thyroid tumour cells and is currently used as a preoperative diagnostic marker of thyroid malignancy. Gal-3 expression is downregulated by wt-p53 at the transcriptional level. In well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas (WDTCs) there is an unexplained paradoxical concomitant expression of Gal-3 and wt-p53. HIPK2 is a co-regulator of different transcription factors, and modulates basic cellular processes mainly through the activation of wt-p53. Since we demonstrated that HIPK2 is involved in p53-mediated Gal-3 downregulation, we asked whether HIPK2 deficiency might be responsible for such paradoxical Gal-3 overexpression in WDTC. Methodology/Principal Findings: We analyzed HIPK2 protein and mRNA levels, as well as loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the HIPK2 locus (7q32-34), in thyroid tissue samples. HIPK2 protein levels were high in all follicular hyperplasias (FHs) analyzed. Conversely, HIPK2 was undetectable in 91.7 % of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) and in 60.0 % of follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTCs). HIPK2 mRNA levels were upregulated in FH compared to normal thyroid tissue (NTT), while PTC showed mean HIPK2 mRNA levels lower than FH and, in 61.5 % of cases, also lower than NTT. We found LOH at HIPK-2 gen

  • methyl cpg binding protein 2 is phosphorylated by homeodomain interacting protein kinase 2 and contributes to apoptosis
    EMBO Reports, 2009
    Co-Authors: Giorgia Bracaglia, Silvia Soddu, Barbara Conca, Anna Bergo, Laura Rusconi, Zhaolan Zhou, Michael E Greenberg, Nicoletta Landsberger, Charlotte Kilstrupnielsen
    Abstract:

    Mutations in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) are associated with Rett syndrome and other neurological disorders. MeCP2 represses transcription mainly by recruiting various co-repressor complexes. Recently, MeCP2 phosphorylation at Ser 80, Ser 229 and Ser 421 was shown to occur in the brain and modulate MeCP2 silencing activities. However, the kinases directly responsible for this are largely unknown. Here, we identify the homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) as a kinase that binds MeCP2 and phosphorylates it at Ser 80 in vitro and in vivo. HIPK2 modulates cell proliferation and apoptosis, and the neurological defects of HIPK2-null mice indicate its role in proper brain functions. We show that MeCP2 cooperates with HIPK2 in induction of apoptosis and that Ser 80 phosphorylation is required together with the DNA binding of MeCP2. These data are, to our knowledge, the first that describe a kinase associating with MeCP2, causing its specific phosphorylation in vivo and, furthermore, they reinforce the role of MeCP2 in regulating cell growth.

Francesca Mancini - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Article MDM2-Regulated Degradation of HIPK2 Prevents p53Ser46 Phosphorylation and DNA Damage-Induced Apoptosis
    2020
    Co-Authors: Cinzia Rinaldo, Ada Sacchi, Francesca Mancini, Andrea Prodosmo, Stefano Iacovelli, Fabiola Moretti, Silvia Soddu
    Abstract:

    SUMMARY In response to DNA damage, p53 induces either cell-cycle arrest or apoptosis by differential transcription of several target genes and through transcription-independent apoptotic functions. p53 phosphorylation at Ser46 by HIPK2 is one determinant of the outcome because it takes place only upon severe, nonrepairable DNA damage that irreversibly drives cells to apoptosis. Here, we show that p53 represses its proapoptotic activator HIPK2 via MDM2-mediated degradation, whereas a degradationresistant HIPK2 mutant has increased apoptotic activity. Upon cytostatic, nonsevere DNA damage, inhibition of HIPK2 degradation is sufficient to induce p53Ser46 phosphorylation and apoptosis, converting growth-arresting stimuli to apoptotic ones. These findings establish HIPK2 as an MDM2 target and support a model in which, upon nonsevere DNA damage, p53 represses its own phosphorylation at Ser46 due to HIPK2 degradation, supporting the notion that the cell-cycle-arresting functions of p53 include active inhibition of the apoptotic ones

  • mdm4 HIPK2 p53 cytoplasmic assembly uncovers coordinated repression of molecules with anti apoptotic activity during early dna damage response
    Oncogene, 2016
    Co-Authors: Francesca Mancini, Luisa Pieroni, Valentina Monteleone, Rossella Luca, Laura Fici, Emilia Luca, Andrea Urbani
    Abstract:

    The p53 inhibitor, MDM4 (MDMX) is a cytoplasmic protein with p53-activating function under DNA damage conditions. Particularly, MDM4 promotes phosphorylation of p53 at Ser46, a modification that precedes different p53 activities. We investigated the mechanism by which MDM4 promotes this p53 modification and its consequences in untransformed mammary epithelial cells and tissues. In response to severe DNA damage, MDM4 stimulates p53Ser46P by binding and stabilizing serine–threonine kinase HIPK2. Under these conditions, the p53-inhibitory complex, MDM4/MDM2, dissociates and this allows MDM4 to promote p53/HIPK2 functional interaction. Comparative proteomic analysis of DNA damage-treated cells versus -untreated cells evidenced a diffuse downregulation of proteins with anti-apoptotic activity, some of which were targets of p53Ser46P/HIPK2 repressive activity. Importantly, MDM4 depletion abolishes the downregulation of these proteins indicating the requirement of MDM4 to promote p53-mediated transcriptional repression. Consistently, MDM4-mediated HIPK2/p53 activation precedes HIPK2/p53 nuclear translocation and activity. Noteworthy, repression of these proteins was evident also in mammary glands of mice subjected to γ-irradiation and was significantly enhanced in transgenic mice overexpressing MDM4. This study evidences the flexibility of MDM2/MDM4 heterodimer, which allows the development of a positive activity of cytoplasmic MDM4 towards p53-mediated transcriptional function. Noteworthy, this activity uncovers coordinated repression of molecules with shared anti-apoptotic function which precedes active cell apoptosis and that are frequently overexpressed and/or markers of tumour phenotype in human cancer.

  • mdm2 regulated degradation of HIPK2 prevents p53ser46 phosphorylation and dna damage induced apoptosis
    Molecular Cell, 2007
    Co-Authors: Cinzia Rinaldo, Ada Sacchi, Francesca Mancini, Andrea Prodosmo, Stefano Iacovelli, Fabiola Moretti, Silvia Soddu
    Abstract:

    In response to DNA damage, p53 induces either cell-cycle arrest or apoptosis by differential transcription of several target genes and through transcription-independent apoptotic functions. p53 phosphorylation at Ser46 by HIPK2 is one determinant of the outcome because it takes place only upon severe, nonrepairable DNA damage that irreversibly drives cells to apoptosis. Here, we show that p53 represses its proapoptotic activator HIPK2 via MDM2-mediated degradation, whereas a degradation-resistant HIPK2 mutant has increased apoptotic activity. Upon cytostatic, nonsevere DNA damage, inhibition of HIPK2 degradation is sufficient to induce p53Ser46 phosphorylation and apoptosis, converting growth-arresting stimuli to apoptotic ones. These findings establish HIPK2 as an MDM2 target and support a model in which, upon nonsevere DNA damage, p53 represses its own phosphorylation at Ser46 due to HIPK2 degradation, supporting the notion that the cell-cycle-arresting functions of p53 include active inhibition of the apoptotic ones.

Lavinia Nardinocchi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Targeting Hypoxia in Cancer Cells by Restoring Homeodomain Interacting Protein-Kinase 2 and p53 Activity and Suppressing HIF-1a
    2016
    Co-Authors: Lavinia Nardinocchi, Rosa Puca, Gideon Rechavi, Ada Sacchi, David Givol
    Abstract:

    Background: The tumor suppressor homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 (HIPK2) by phosphorylating serine 46 (Ser46) is a crucial regulator of p53 apoptotic function. HIPK2 is also a transcriptional co-repressor of hypoxia-inducible factor-1a (HIF-1a) restraining tumor angiogenesis and chemoresistance. HIPK2 can be deregulated in tumors by several mechanisms including hypoxia. Here, we sought to target hypoxia by restoring HIPK2 function and suppressing HIF-1a, in order to provide evidence for the involvement of both HIPK2 and p53 in counteracting hypoxia-induced chemoresistance. Methodology/Principal Findings: Upon exposure of colon and lung cancer cells to hypoxia, by either low oxygen or cobalt, HIPK2 function was impaired allowing for increased HIF-1a expression and inhibiting the p53-apoptotic response to drug. Cobalt suppressed HIPK2 recruitment onto HIF-1a promoter. Hypoxia induced expression of the p53 target MDM2 that downregulates HIPK2, thus MDM2 inhibition by siRNA restored the HIPK2/p53Ser46 response to drug. Zinc supplementation to hypoxia-treated cells increased HIPK2 protein stability and nuclear accumulation, leading to restoration of HIPK2 binding to HIF-1a promoter, repression of MDR1, Bcl2, and VEGF genes, and activation of the p53 apoptotic response to drug. Combination of zinc and ADR strongly suppressed tumor growth in vivo by inhibiting HIF-1 pathway and upregulating p53 apoptotic target genes. Conclusions/Significance: We show here for the first time that hypoxia-induced HIPK2 deregulation was counteracted b

  • nox1 is involved in p53 deacetylation and suppression of its transcriptional activity and apoptosis
    Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 2010
    Co-Authors: Rosa Puca, Lavinia Nardinocchi, Gideon Rechavi, Ada Sacchi, David Givol, Giuseppe Starace, Gabriella Dorazi
    Abstract:

    Abstract HIPK2 is a stress-induced kinase and a transcriptional corepressor that functionally cooperates with p53 to suppress cancer. Activation of the p53 proapoptotic function requires a cascade of phosphorylations and acetylations, and HIPK2 takes part in both modifications in that it phosphorylates p53 Ser46 and induces p53 Lys382 acetylation. Here, to further investigate the role of HIPK2 in p53 activation, we started with the finding that HIPK2 inhibition upregulated Nox1, a homolog of the catalytic subunit of the superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase, involved in tumor progression and ROS production. We found that Nox1 inhibited p53 Lys382 acetylation, which is a target of SIRT1 deacetylase, and impaired p53 proapoptotic transcriptional activity. By the use of either small interfering RNAs to target SIRT1 or the SIRT1 inhibitor nicotinamide we found that Nox1-dependent inhibition of p53 transcriptional activity was SIRT1-dependent. Thus, Nox1 was unable to inhibit p53 when coexpressed with a SIRT1 deacetylase-defective mutant (SIRT1HY), suggesting a link between Nox1 and SIRT1 activity. Finally, recovery of HIPK2 function downregulated Nox1 expression with rescue of p53 Lys382 acetylation and p53 activity. Together, our findings indicate that Nox1 upregulation may activate SIRT1 and inhibit p53 and that Lys382 is important for p53 proapoptotic function.

  • targeting hypoxia in cancer cells by restoring homeodomain interacting protein kinase 2 and p53 activity and suppressing hif 1α
    PLOS ONE, 2009
    Co-Authors: Lavinia Nardinocchi, Rosa Puca, Gideon Rechavi, Ada Sacchi, David Givol, Gabriella Dorazi
    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND The tumor suppressor homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 (HIPK2) by phosphorylating serine 46 (Ser46) is a crucial regulator of p53 apoptotic function. HIPK2 is also a transcriptional co-repressor of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) restraining tumor angiogenesis and chemoresistance. HIPK2 can be deregulated in tumors by several mechanisms including hypoxia. Here, we sought to target hypoxia by restoring HIPK2 function and suppressing HIF-1alpha, in order to provide evidence for the involvement of both HIPK2 and p53 in counteracting hypoxia-induced chemoresistance. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Upon exposure of colon and lung cancer cells to hypoxia, by either low oxygen or cobalt, HIPK2 function was impaired allowing for increased HIF-1alpha expression and inhibiting the p53-apoptotic response to drug. Cobalt suppressed HIPK2 recruitment onto HIF-1alpha promoter. Hypoxia induced expression of the p53 target MDM2 that downregulates HIPK2, thus MDM2 inhibition by siRNA restored the HIPK2/p53Ser46 response to drug. Zinc supplementation to hypoxia-treated cells increased HIPK2 protein stability and nuclear accumulation, leading to restoration of HIPK2 binding to HIF-1alpha promoter, repression of MDR1, Bcl2, and VEGF genes, and activation of the p53 apoptotic response to drug. Combination of zinc and ADR strongly suppressed tumor growth in vivo by inhibiting HIF-1 pathway and upregulating p53 apoptotic target genes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We show here for the first time that hypoxia-induced HIPK2 deregulation was counteracted by zinc that restored HIPK2 suppression of HIF-1 pathway and reactivated p53 apoptotic response to drug, underscoring the potential use of zinc supplementation in combination with chemotherapy to address hypoxia and improve tumor treatment.

  • inhibition of hif 1alpha activity by homeodomain interacting protein kinase 2 correlates with sensitization of chemoresistant cells to undergo apoptosis
    Molecular Cancer, 2009
    Co-Authors: Lavinia Nardinocchi, Rosa Puca, Ada Sacchi, Gabriella Dorazi
    Abstract:

    Background Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 (HIPK2), a transcriptional co-repressor with apoptotic function, can affect hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) transcriptional activity, through downmodulation of its HIF-1α subunit, in normoxic condition. Under hypoxia, a condition often found in solid tumors, HIF-1α is activated to induce target genes involved in chemoresistance, inhibition of apoptosis and tumor progression. Here, we investigated whether the HIPK2 overexpression could downregulate HIF-1α expression and activity in tumor cells treated with hypoxia-mimicking condition, and evaluated whether HIPK2-dependent downregulation of HIF-1α could sensitize chemoresistant tumor cells to adriamycin (ADR)-induced apoptosis.

  • restoring wtp53 activity in HIPK2 depleted mcf7 cells by modulating metallothionein and zinc
    Experimental Cell Research, 2009
    Co-Authors: Rosa Puca, Lavinia Nardinocchi, Gideon Rechavi, Ada Sacchi, David Givol, Gabriella Dorazi, Gianluca Bossi
    Abstract:

    The maintenance of p53 transactivation activity is important for p53 apoptotic function. We have shown that stable knockdown of HIPK2 induces p53 misfolding with inhibition of p53 target gene transcription. In this study we established a lentiviral-based system for doxycyclin (Dox)-induced conditional interference of HIPK2 expression to evaluate the molecular mechanisms involved in p53 deregulation. We found that HIPK2 knockdown induced metallothionein 2A (MT2A) upregulation as assessed by RT-PCR analysis, increased promoter acetylation, and increased promoter luciferase activity. The MT2A upregulation correlated with resistance to Adriamycin (ADR)-driven apoptosis and with p53 inhibition. Thus, acute knockdown of HIPK2 (HIPK2i) induced misfolded p53 protein in MCF7 breast cancer cells and inhibited p53 DNA-binding and transcription activities in response to ADR treatment. Previous works show that MT may modulate p53 activity through zinc exchange. Here, we found that inhibition of MT2A expression by siRNA in the HIPK2i cells restored p53 transcription activity. Similarly zinc supplementation to HIPK2i cells restored p53 transcription activity and drug-induced apoptosis. These data support the notion that MT2A is involved in p53 deregulation and strengthen the possibility that combination of chemotherapy and zinc might be useful to treat tumors with inactive wtp53.