Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Milner

Publications and source records attributed to J Milner.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Forms and functions of p53.

There is evidence that wild-type p53 can both promote and suppress cell proliferation and these opposing functions correlate with alternative conformations of the p53 protein. In the light of more recent evidence I now propose that wild-type p53 can adopt at least three different forms, each of which correlates with a defined function in cell growth control. The three forms are most simply defined by reactivity with two monoclonal antibodies, PAb421 and PAb1620. One form (421 degrees/1620+) suppresses cell growth and maintains quiescence, and a second form (421+/1620 degrees) activates and promotes cell proliferation. The third form (421+/1620+) acts as a differential sensor for incoming positive and negative growth regulatory signals and can be converted either to the suppressor or to the promoter form for cell growth. Regulation of p53 tertiary structure involves redox modulation and phosphorylation, and offers a novel rationale for anti-cancer therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Specific DNA binding by p53 is independent of mutation at serine 389, the casein kinase II site.

The best understood function of p53 is that of cell growth suppression and this is likely to involve sequence-specific DNA binding and modulation of gene expression. Casein kinase II phosphorylates the C-terminal serine of p53 (residue 389 for murine p53) and mutation of this site abolishes p53 growth suppressor function. DNA binding by purified p53 is 'activated' by casein kinase II, suggesting that the carboxyl terminus of p53 represents a critical regulatory domain for sequence-specific DNA binding and hence for growth suppressor function. In the present study we have substituted serine 389 with either aspartic acid (mimics phosphoserine and partially conserves p53 suppressor function) or with alanine, a non-phosphorylable residue which abolishes suppressor function (Milne et al., 1992; Nucleic Acids Research 20, 5565-5570). When expressed in vitro p53ala389 and p53asp389 were both indistinguishable from wild type p53 on the basis of size fractionation and immunoreactivity with PAb421, PAb246 and PAb1620. Both mutants also exhibited specific binding for the DNA consensus p53-CON. Since p53ala389 retains the ability to bind DNA and yet is known to lack growth suppressor function we conclude that phosphorylation by casein kinase II is important for p53 growth suppressor function via a mechanism which is ancillary to p53 sequence-specific DNA binding.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Analysis of p53 quaternary structure in relation to sequence-specific DNA binding.

Quaternary interactions of p53 influence its tertiary structure which, in turn, is critical for sequence-specific DNA binding and tumour suppressor function. Given its regulatory potential we have sought to define the quaternary structure of p53 involved in sequence-specific DNA binding. Double stranded DNA [5'-GGACATGCCCGGGCATGTCC-3'; Funk et al. (1992) Mol. Cell. Biol., 12, 2866-2871] was used to test p53 binding capacity in vitro. The p53 protein was translated in vitro and size fractionated prior to the DNA binding reaction. Two independent DNA binding assays were employed. The first detected electromobility shift of 32P-labelled DNA and was carried out in the presence of PAb421, which stabilises and supershifts p53-DNA complexes. The second detected 35S-labelled p53 bound to biotinylated target DNA in the absence of PAb421. Sequence-specific DNA binding was found to be a property of full length, oligomeric p53. Greatest binding activity involved tetramers and/or higher molecular weight forms of p53, minimal binding was observed for dimers. This size profile was unaffected by PAb421 and it therefore seems unlikely that PAb421 dissociates high molecular weight forms of p53 into dimers. We conclude that high molecular weight forms of p53 are the most effective structures for sequence-specific DNA binding in vitro; these structures may represent tetramers and/or heterogeneous complexes of p53 with other proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Redox modulation of p53 conformation and sequence-specific DNA binding in vitro.

The p53 protein is a transcription factor, the function of which is abrogated by oncogenic mutations which affect a flexible domain in the central portion of p53, altering its reactivity with conformation-specific antibodies. Here we show that both conformation and sequence-specific DNA binding of p53 translated in vitro can be modulated by metal chelators and oxidizing agents. Oxidation disrupted wild-type p53 conformation and inhibited DNA binding. Conversely, reduction favored folding of p53 into the wild-type form and restored DNA binding. Redox regulation of p53 protein conformation could represent an important mechanism for the control of p53 function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

A structural role for metal ions in the "wild-type" conformation of the tumor suppressor protein p53.

In human tumors, many different point mutations of the p53 gene knock out suppressor function and induce the p53 polypeptide to adopt an immunologically distinct, "mutant" conformation. Here we show that exposure to the metal chelator 1,10-phenanthroline induces wild-type p53 to adopt the mutant conformation and that this process is reversible. Conversion to mutant phenotype also occurs after exposure to (a) an organic mercurial reagent targeting cysteinyl residues and (b) low concentrations of mercury or cadmium. We propose that binding of metal ions, most probably zinc, to conserved cysteinyl residues stabilizes the tertiary structure of wild-type p53.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Tight DNA binding and oligomerization are dispensable for the ability of p53 to transactivate target genes and suppress transformation.

The p53 tumor suppressor protein can bind tightly to specific sequence elements in the DNA and induce the transactivation of genes harboring such p53 binding sites. Various lines of evidence suggest that p53 binds to its target site as an oligomer. To test whether oligomerization is essential for the biological and biochemical activities of p53, we deleted a major part of the dimerization domain of mouse wild-type p53. The resultant protein, termed p53wt delta SS, was shown to be incapable of forming detectable homo-oligomers in vitro and is, therefore, likely to be predominantly if not exclusively monomeric. In agreement with the accepted model, p53wt delta SS indeed failed to exhibit measurable DNA binding in vitro. Surprisingly, though, it was still capable of suppressing oncogene-mediated transformation and of transactivating in vivo a target gene containing p53 binding sites. These findings indicate that dimerization-defective p53 is biologically active and may engage in productive sequence-specific DNA interactions in vivo. Furthermore, p53 dimerization probably leads to cooperative binding to specific DNA sequences.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Targeting and degradation of p53 by E6 of human papillomavirus type 16 is preferential for the 1620+ p53 conformation.

E6-mediated degradation of p53 is believed to play a role in the transformation of cells by high-risk types of human papillomavirus. In order to explore the structural requirements for targeting of p53 we have compared E6-mediated degradation of variant p53 forms expressed in vitro. Complete degradation was observed in samples containing monomers, dimers and higher molecular weight structures of wild-type p53, indicating that E6 targets all quaternary forms of wild-type p53. Wild-type human and murine p53s reactive with PAb 1620 (which recognizes a conformation-dependent epitope) were degraded when incubated with E6. Mutant p53 proteins were variably resistant to E6-mediated degradation, and this correlated with PAb 1620 reactivity. Thus, mutants hp53Val-154, hp53Val-266 and hp53Pro-273 (1620 degrees) were completely resistant to degradation, whereas hp53Ile-247 and hp53Trp-248 (1620+) were degraded. Mutants hp53Leu-273 and mp53Val-135, which are temperature sensitive for conformation, were completely degraded in the 1620+ form but degradation resistant in the 1620 degrees form. Although the PAb 1620+ conformation appeared important for recognition of p53 by E6, the epitope itself is unlikely to be the actual recognition target since the PAb 1620 monoclonal antibody failed to protect against E6-mediated degradation.

Epitopes↗
PubMed1993

Partially transformed T3T3 cells express high levels of mutant p53 in the 'wild-type' immunoreactive form with defective oligomerization.

High levels of wild-type p53 suppress transformed growth of many cell lines and yet murine T3T3 cells shown partially transformed growth despite high endogenous levels of phenotypically 'wild-type' p53. On sequencing T3T3 p53 was found to encode missense mutations at codons 230 and 287 and, although endogenous T3T3 p53 is 'wild type', the protein adopted the mutant phenotype when expressed in vitro. Size fractionation of T3T3 cell lysate indicated monomeric p53 possibly in complex with a low molecular weight protein. When expressed in vitro T3T3 p53 formed dimers and higher order structures. Thus T3T3 cells appear (i) to drive endogenous mutant p53 to adopt conformational epitopes characteristic of the 'wild-type' protein, and (ii) to interfere with normal assembly of p53 quaternary structure. Phosphopeptide mapping of p53 from 3T3x cells, T3T3 cells and SV3T3 cells indicated reduced amino terminal phosphorylation of the mutant p53 phenotype. Alternative splicing of p53 was also detected in 3T3x cells; similar splicing occurs in wild-type p53 (Han & Kulesz-Martin, 1992; Nucl. Acids Res., 20, 1979-1981) and a possible regulatory function is discussed.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1992

Interaction of heat-shock protein 70 with p53 translated in vitro: evidence for interaction with dimeric p53 and for a role in the regulation of p53 conformation.

In intact cells, hsp70 proteins selectively complex with mutant p53. We report here that rabbit reticulocyte lysate contains hsp70 which selectively complexes with the mutant p53 translated in vitro. Hsp70 complexes with dimers and possibly monomers of p53 in a manner that requires the terminal 28 amino acids of p53. Using murine p53Val135, which is temperature-sensitive for phenotype, we demonstrate that p53-hsp70 complexes can occur after post-translational switching from wild-type to mutant p53 phenotype. Moreover, the temperature-induced switch of full-length p53Val135 from wild-type to mutant phenotype is ATP-independent, whereas the switch from mutant to wild-type form requires ATP hydrolysis and involves hsp70. These results imply that hsp70 is involved in the regulation of p53 conformation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1992

Inhibition of the serine/threonine protein phosphatases PP1 and PP2A in lymphocytes: effect on mRNA levels for interleukin-2, IL-2R alpha, krox-24, p53, hsc70 and cyclophilin.

Lymphocyte activation requires signal transduction mediated by reversible phosphorylation. Changing profiles of phosphorylated intermediates relate to the progressive series of transduction pathways in cells moving from G0 to G1, and thereafter through the cell cycle. We have previously shown that transient inhibition of the serine/threonine protein phosphatases PP1 and PP2A by okadaic acid enhances early mitogenic stimulation. Thus target proteins of PP1/PP2A may be involved in regulation of early mitogenic signalling, with the phosphorylated form(s) being associated with signal enhancement. Later, pathways require dephosphorylation of these proteins, since continuous treatment with okadaic acid blocks lymphocyte progression through the cell cycle. Delayed addition of okadaic acid showed that this blockade occurs between 8 and 24 hr. Here we have furthered these observations to the level of gene induction by measuring messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for the following proteins: interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-2R alpha; p53, a tumour suppressor protein; the transcription factor krox-24; and two mediators of protein folding, namely cyclophilin and the heat-shock protein hsc70. An external standard was used to quantitate the mRNA levels per cell. We found that 24 hr exposure to okadaic acid has a general suppressive effect on concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated gene induction. However, at 4 hr okadaic acid enhanced IL-2 mRNA levels induced by Con A. Moreover, in unstimulated lymphocytes, okadaic acid caused the induction of krox-24, indicating a role for PP1 and PP2A in the regulation of this gene in resting cells.

Amino Acid Isomerases↗
PubMed1992

Correlation between the conformational phenotype of p53 and its subcellular location.

In order to obtain insight into the parameters determining the subcellular localization of mutant and wild-type forms of p53, we analysed the subcellular distribution of p53 in four Balb/c mouse-derived cell lines ranging in their cellular phenotypes from normal (3T3), via minimal transformant (T3T3), to maximally transformed (3T3tx, Meth A). Epitope mapping showed the p53 proteins in 3T3 and in T3T3 cells to be in a wild-type conformation, as they reacted with PAb246, whereas p53 in 3T3tx and in Meth A cells were PAb246 negative and thus displayed a mutant conformation. Despite its reactivity with PAb246, p53 in T3T3 cells had an extended half-life and accumulated to abnormally high levels. We show that the conformationally wild-type p53 in 3T3 and T3T3 cells predominantly localized to the cell nucleus, with about half of it being tightly associated with nuclear structures. In contrast, approximately 60% of mutant p53 in 3T3tx and Meth A cells localized to the cytoplasm, the rest residing in the cell nucleus; all the nuclear p53 in these cells appeared to be structurally bound. The cytoplasmic location of mutant p53 in 3T3tx and Meth A cells was not seen by immunofluorescence microscopic analysis, and required cell fractionation for its detection. Both cytoplasmic and nuclear p53 of the mutant phenotype bound to hsc proteins with a similar stoichiometry, suggesting that hsc binding is not directly related to the subcellular distribution of these proteins. We suggest that the conformational phenotype of p53 is a major determinant of its subcellular location.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Temperature-sensitive mutants of p53 associated with human carcinoma of the lung.

We have compared the effects of specific point mutations on the tertiary and quaternary structure of the human p53 protein. Eight mutants, each derived from primary resected tissues of lung carcinomas, were expressed in vitro under strictly defined conditions, such that the only known variant was the point mutation present in each p53 mRNA. All the mutations were located in highly conserved domains. The tertiary structure of each mutant protein was investigated by reactivity with anti-p53 monoclonal antibodies directed against conformation-dependent epitopes. Quaternary structure was examined by gel filtration. Although all the mutant proteins exhibited abnormal tertiary structures, their quaternary structures appeared similar to wild type, the one exception being p53-tyr135, which contains tyrosine in place of cysteine at residue 135. The conformational phenotype of mutant human p53 was found to be dependent upon (i) the locus of the mutation and (ii) the nature of the amino acid substitution: two different substitutions at residue 273 yielded two mutants with differing structural properties. We have discovered three mutants of human p53 that are temperature sensitive for conformation; one is mutated at codon 273, a 'hotspot' for p53 mutation in human cancer.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1991

A conformation hypothesis for the suppressor and promoter functions of p53 in cell growth control and in cancer.

Cancer is a genetic disease caused by defective control of cell proliferation. As cancer cells divide, the genetic defect is inherited by each daughter cell, leading to tumour development with possible progression to malignancy. The identification of those genes linked with cancer is essential for our understanding of the regulation of cell proliferation and for the therapeutic management of cancer cell growth. Recent studies have revealed that p53 is the most commonly affected gene in human cancer. It is a single copy gene and functions in the regulation of cell proliferation. Mutation of p53 is linked with tumour development, and this may involve abnormal functioning of mutant p53 protein. A mutant allele of p53 is functionally temperature-sensitive and can promote or suppress cell proliferation. The tertiary structure of the mutant protein is also sensitive to temperature and adopts promoter and suppressor forms of p53. A conformation model for the functioning of p53 proposes that wild-type p53 is induced to change from suppressor to promoter form during the cell growth response. This model predicts that any mutation that deregulates the normal control of p53 conformation may lead to cancer.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1991

Cotranslation of activated mutant p53 with wild type drives the wild-type p53 protein into the mutant conformation.

Activating mutations of p53 promote tumor progression. The mutant protein adopts a characteristic conformation, which lacks the growth suppressor function of wild-type p53. We show that mutant p53 can drive cotranslated wild-type p53 into the mutant conformation: a similar effect in vivo would block wild-type suppressor function with dominant negative effect. The cotranslational effect of mutant p53 on wild-type conformation depends upon interaction between nascent polypeptides and oligomerization of the full-length proteins. We also show that oligomers of p53 proteins can be induced to change conformation in a cooperative manner. Cell growth stimulation induces a similar conformational change in p53, and our present results indicate that this may involve allosteric regulation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

The role of p53 in the normal control of cell proliferation.

The regulation of cell proliferation involves p53. A mutant allele of p53, p53-Val135, has been found to be temperature-sensitive for function with separable suppressor and promoter effects on cell proliferation. These opposing suppressor and promoter functions of p53 correlate with two alternative, temperature-sensitive conformations of the p53-Val135 polypeptide.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Tumor suppressor p53: analysis of wild-type and mutant p53 complexes.

It has been suggested that the dominant effect of mutant p53 on tumor progression may reflect the mutant protein binding to wild-type p53, with inactivation of suppressor function. To date, evidence for wild-type/mutant p53 complexes involves p53 from different species. To investigate wild-type/mutant p53 complexes in relation to natural tumor progression, we sought to identify intraspecific complexes, using murine p53. The mutant phenotype p53-246(0) was used because this phenotype is immunologically distinct from wild-type p53-246+ and thus permits immunological analysis for wild-type/mutant p53 complexes. The p53 proteins were derived from genetically defined p53 cDNAs expressed in vitro and also from phenotypic variants of p53 expressed in vivo. We found that the mutant p53 phenotype was able to form a complex with the wild type when the two p53 variants were cotranslated. When mixed in their native states (after translation), the wild-type and mutant p53 proteins did not exhibit any binding affinity for each other in vitro. Under identical conditions, complexes of wild-type human and murine p53 proteins were formed. For murine p53, both the wild-type and mutant p53 proteins formed high-molecular-weight complexes when translated in vitro. This oligomerization appeared to involve the carboxyl terminus, since truncated p53 (amino acids 1 to 343) did not form complexes. We suggest that the ability of the mutant p53 phenotype to complex with wild type during cotranslation may contribute to the transforming function of activated mutants of p53 in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Temperature-dependent switching between "wild-type" and "mutant" forms of p53-Val135.

The p53 gene is a suppressor of abnormal cell growth but is also subject to oncogenic activation by mutation. The mutant allele p53-Val135, has recently been discovered to be temperature-sensitive and functions as an oncogene at 37 degrees C and as a tumor suppressor at 32.5 degrees C. In order to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the temperature sensitivity of p53-Val135 rabbit reticulocyte lysate was used to translate the p53 mRNAs in vitro at 37 degrees C and at 30 degrees C. The immunoreactivity and T antigen binding of wild-type protein p53-Ala135 were unaffected by temperature and were similar to wild-type p53 expressed in vivo. In contrast, the mutant p53-Val135 protein was markedly affected by temperature. At 37 degrees C p53-Val135 showed reduced T antigen binding and did not react with monoclonal antibodies PAb246 and PAb1620. At 30 degrees C, p53-Val135 behaved as the wild-type p53. Temperature also exerted a post-translational effect on p53-Val135 with complete conversion from wild-type to mutant phenotype within two minutes of temperature shift from 30 degrees C to 37 degrees C. There was incomplete conversion from mutant to wild-type phenotype when the temperature was shifted down from 37 degrees C to 30 degrees C. We propose that the temperature dependent forms of p53-Val135 represent conformational variants of the p53 protein with opposing functions in cell growth control.

Animals↗