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The helix-loop-helix protein Id-2 enhances cell proliferation and binds to the retinoblastoma protein.

Cell growth and differentiation are usually antagonistic. Proteins of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family bind DNA and play important roles in the differentiation of specific cell types. Id proteins heterodimerize with bHLH transcription factors, blocking their activation of lineage-specific gene expression and thereby inhibiting cellular differentiation. To examine the effect of Id-2 on cell proliferation, we overexpressed Id-2 in the human osteosarcoma cell line U2OS. Id-2 expression in U2OS reduced the serum requirement for growth and stimulated cellular proliferation by shortening the doubling time and increasing the percentage of cells in S phase. We demonstrated that Id-2 expression was able to reverse the inhibition of cellular proliferation and the block in cell cycle progression mediated by the product of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene pRB. This effect was not associated with changes in the state of pRb phosphorylation in transfected cells. In vitro, unphosphorylated pRb from cell lysates specifically bound Id-2 but was not able to bind a mutated form of Id-2 lacking the HLH domain that also did not antagonize the growth arrest by pRb. In vitro-synthesized pRb containing mutations within the E1A/large T-binding pocket did not bind Id-2. However, wild-type pRb was able to bind to a region of Id-2 corresponding to only the HLH domain. In vivo, a physical association between Id-2 and pRb was seen in cross-linked extracts from SAOS-2 cells transfected with Id-2 and pRb. Our data identify a role for Id-2 in the regulation of cellular proliferation and suggest that the interaction between Id-2 and pRB is a molecular pathway over which synchronous changes in growth and differentiation are mediated in vivo.

Base Sequence↗

Role of Id-2 in the maintenance of a differentiated and noninvasive phenotype in breast cancer cells.

Id proteins are inhibitors of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors and generally stimulate cell proliferation and inhibit differentiation. We have shown that ectopic expression of Id-1 in murine mammary epithelial cells resulted in loss of differentiation and gain of invasive and proliferative abilities. Moreover, Id-1 was highly expressed in aggressive breast cancer cells in culture and in biopsies from infiltrating carcinomas. In contrast to Id-1, we found that, in vitro and in vivo, Id-2 mRNA and protein were up-regulated as mammary epithelial cells lost proliferative capacity and initiated differentiation. We further determined that this up-regulation of Id-2 was a necessary step toward a fully differentiated phenotype in breast cells. Here we show that one of the components of the extracellular matrix network, laminin, is responsible for the increase in Id-2 expression during differentiation. We also show that Id-2 expression is inversely correlated with the rate of proliferation in murine mammary epithelial cells and that Id-2 is expressed at a higher level in differentiated human breast cancer cells in comparison with very aggressive and metastatic cells. When reintroduced in aggressive breast cancer cells, Id-2 is able to reduce their proliferative and invasive phenotypes and decrease their level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 secretion as well as increase syndecan-1 expression. Moreover, little Id-2 protein expression is detectable in human biopsies from aggressive and invasive carcinomas in comparison with in situ carcinomas. In conclusion, Id-2 expression not only follows a pattern opposite to that of Id-1 during mammary gland development and breast cancer progression but also appears to act as an important protein for the maintenance of a differentiated and noninvasive phenotype in normal and transformed breast cells.

Animals↗

Overexpression of Id-1 is associated with poor clinical outcome in node negative breast cancer.

Id-1 is an important regulator of cellular growth and differentiation and controls malignant progression of breast cancer cells. The aim of our study was to assess the clinical impact of Id-1 expression in breast cancer, i.e., its potential impact on prognosis and prediction of treatment response. Id-1 protein expression was determined immunohistochemically in 191 patients with lymph-node negative breast cancer, and univariate and multivariate survival analysis was carried out. Fifteen (7.9%) specimens showed strong expression, 75 (39.3%) moderate, 55 (28.8%) weak expression and 46 (24.1%) cases no expression of Id-1. Patients with strong or moderate Id-1 expression had a significant shorter overall (p = 0.003, Cox regression) and disease-free survival (p = 0.01, Cox regression) compared to those with absent or low expression. Progesterone receptor density was significantly higher in breast cancers with absent/low Id-1 expression compared to those with moderate/strong expression (p < 0.001, t-test). Id-1 expression was significantly stronger in cases positive for p16(INK4a) expression compared to those negative for p16 (p = 0.049, Mann-Whitney test). The influence of Id-1 on clinical outcome seems much stronger in patients with negative estrogen receptor status compared to those with positive status, who received receptor antagonists as adjuvant therapy in most cases. Overexpression of Id-1 protein represents a strong independent prognostic marker in node negative breast cancer, and future therapies inhibiting Id-1 expression might be beneficial for these patients. Our results also suggest that due to the apparent interaction of Id-1 with the steroid-receptor system in breast cancer, hormonal therapies might influence Id-1 expression and its impact on clinical outcome.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Id-1 promotes proliferation of p53-deficient esophageal cancer cells.

The helix-loop-helix protein inhibitor of differentiation and DNA binding (Id-1) is known to promote cellular proliferation in several types of human cancer. Although it has been reported that Id-1 is over-expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), its function and signaling pathways in esophageal cancer are unknown. In our study, we investigated the direct effects of Id-1 on esophageal cancer cell growth by transfecting an Id-1 expression vector into an ESCC cell line (HKESC-3), which showed serum-dependent Id-1 expression. Ectopic Id-1 expression resulted in increased serum-independent cell growth and G1-S phase transition, as well as up-regulation of mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) and down-regulation of p21Waf1/Cip1 protein expressions in the transfectant clones in a p53-independent manner. However, overexpression of Id-1 had no effect on the pRB, CDK4 and p16INK4A expressions. Stable transfection of Id-1 antisense expression vector to inhibit the expression of endogenous Id-1 in another ESCC cell line (HKESC-1) reversed the effects on MDM2 and p21Waf1/Cip1. In addition, Id-1 expression protected ESCC cells from Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-alpha-induced apoptosis by up-regulating and activating Bcl-2. In conclusion, our study provides evidence for the first time that Id-1 plays a role in both proliferation and survival of esophageal cancer cells. Our findings also suggest that unlike prostate, hepatocellular and nasopharyngeal carcinomas in which Id-1 induces cell proliferation through inactivation of p16INK4A/RB pathway, the increased cell proliferation observed in ESCC cells may be mediated through a different mechanism.

Blotting, Western↗

Sporadic amplification of ID elements in rodents.

ID sequences are members of a short interspersed element (SINE) repetitive DNA family within the rodent genome. The copy number of individual ID elements varies by up to three orders of magnitude between species. This amplification has been highly sporadic in the order Rodentia and does not follow any phylogenetic trend. Using library screening and dot-blot analysis, we estimate there are 25,000 copies of ID elements in the deer mouse, 1,500 copies in the gerbil (both cricetid rodents), and 60,000 copies of either ID or ID-like elements in a sciurid rodent (squirrel). By dot-blot analysis, we estimate there are 150,000, 4,000, 1,000, and 200 copies of ID elements in the rat, mouse, hamster, and guinea pig, respectively (which is consistent with previous reports) and 200 copies in the hystricognath rodent, nutria. Therefore, a rapid amplification took place not only after the divergence of rat and mouse but also following the deer mouse (Peromyscus) and hamster split, with no evidence of increased amplifications in hystricognath rodents. No notable variations of sequences from the BC1 genes of several myomorphic rodents were observed that would possibly explain the varied levels of ID amplification. We did observe subgenera and species-group-specific variation in the ID core sequence of the BC1 gene within the genus Peromyscus. Sequence analysis of cloned ID elements in Peromyscus show most ID elements in this genus arose prior to Peromyscus subgenus divergence. Correspondence of the consensus sequence of individual ID elements in gerbil and deer mouse further confirms BC1 as a master gene in ID amplification. Several possible mechanisms responsible for the quantitative variations are explored.

Animals↗

The helix-loop-helix transcription factor, Id-1, is overexpressed in medullary thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: The Id-1 helix-loop-helix protein inhibits differentiation and enhances cell proliferation. It is required for cell cycle progression. The Id-1 gene is highly expressed in a variety of tumor-derived cell lines. It increases after mitogen stimulation and is overexpressed in some human neoplasms. Therefore, we hypothesized that the Id-1 gene may play a role in medullary thyroid carcinogenesis. METHODS: The expression of the Id-1 protein in human medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) and the corresponding normal thyroid tissue was determined by Id-1 immunohistochemistry. In a human MTC cell line (TT), the effects of growth stimulation and redifferentiation on Id-1 expression were determined by Northern blot analysis. RESULTS: Id-1 immunostaining intensity in 9 MTC samples (6 sporadic, 2 familial, and 1 MEN 2A) was moderate to strong. However, it was absent or faint in the corresponding normal thyroid tissue. The Id-1 protein was significantly overexpressed in MTC compared with corresponding normal thyroid tissue on the basis of the percentage of positive cells and immunostaining intensity (P =.002). In the TT cell line, Id-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was increased 4-fold after growth stimulation with serum. Phorbol ester (which induces redifferentiation in the TT cell line) downregulated Id-1 mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: Id-1 is overexpressed in MTC. The Id-1 gene may play a role in the regulation of MTC differentiation and proliferation.

Adult↗

Expression of an idiotype (Id-460) during in vivo anti-dinitrophenyl antibody responses. II. Transient idiotypic dominance.

After immunization of mice with 2,4-dinitrophenyl-ovalbumin (DNP-OVA), it was shown previously that strains having Igh-Va genes and able to express light chains of the Vk1 group produce high levels of anti-DNP antibody bearing an idiotype (Id-460) associated with the combining site of the BALB/c DNP-binding myeloma protein MOPC 460. Expression of Id-460 in serum is transient; Id-460 levels peak early in the response and are regulated independently of total anti-DNP antibody. In this paper, the transient dominance of Id-460 expression has been confirmed at the cellular level by inhibition of splenic anti-DNP plaque-forming cells (PFC) with rabbit anti-Id-460 antiserum. Id-460+ PFC can account for 52-91% of anti-DNP PFC early after secondary challenge with DNP-OVA. Furthermore, Id-460 is represented at these high levels in IgM, IgG, and IgG1, and IgG2a, the three isotypes tested in the PFC assay, as well as in IgE, as tested by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. Thus, there is no preferential association of Id-460 with a given isotype. We conclude from these studies that Id-460 is a dominant idiotype in the anti-DNP antibody response of BALB/c mice to DNP-OVA. This dominance is expressed transiently and is independent of isotype. A further conclusion from these studies is that regulation of isotype expression is independent of the regulation of idiotype expression in this system. We would suggest that regulation of Id-460 expression involves Ig-dependent helper T cells specific for Id-460 that induce Id-460+ B cells and also activate suppressor T cells, both events occurring via idiotype-anti-idiotype interactions.

Animals↗

Does the ID-MS traceable MDRD equation work and is it suitable for use with compensated Jaffe and enzymatic creatinine assays?

BACKGROUND: International recommendations suggest that measurement of serum creatinine should be supplemented with an estimate of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study equation. One problem has been the lack of standardization of commercially available creatinine assays resulting in varying estimates of GFR. A revision of the MDRD equation offers traceability to a reference method. This study evaluates the use of isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ID-MS), the compensated Jaffe and enzymatic creatinine methods compared with the Beckman CX3 Jaffe assay used to derive the MDRD equation and investigates their impact on GFR estimation using both the original and ID-MS-traceable MDRD equations. METHODS: Serum creatinine was measured in 277 patients by (i) ID-MS, (ii) a Roche enzymatic assay, (iii) a Roche compensated kinetic Jaffe assay and (iv) a Beckman CX3 kinetic Jaffe assay. Estimated GFR was calculated using the MDRD equations. RESULTS: The ID-MS (-7.5%), Roche enzymatic (-8.6%) and compensated kinetic Jaffe (-11.9%) assays were all negatively biased (P < 0.0001) compared with the Beckman CX3 assay, causing predictable, clinically significant, overestimation of GFR when the original MDRD equation is used. This positive bias was reduced (ID-MS 6.7 to 0.4%; enzymatic 8.8 to 3.4%; compensated kinetic Jaffe 13.7 to 7.1%) when GFRs were calculated using the ID-MS-traceable MDRD equation. CONCLUSIONS: Compensated assays that account for non-creatinine chromogen interference produce significantly higher estimates of GFR when using the original MDRD equation. Use of the ID-MS-traceable MDRD equation ameliorates this effect. There is good agreement between estimated GFR derived from the original MDRD equation using Beckman Astra CX3 data and estimated GFR derived from the new ID-MS-traceable MDRD equation using a local ID-MS creatinine assay. This suggests that the ID-MS-traceable MDRD equation may be reliably used with both ID-MS and true ID-MS-traceable creatinine assays without the requirement for standardization to the MDRD laboratory.

Biomarkers↗

The multiple roles of Id-1 in cancer progression.

Id-1 (Inhibitor of differentiation/DNA binding) is a member of the helix-loop-helix protein family expressed in actively proliferating cells. It regulates gene transcription by heterodimerization with the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors and therefore inhibits them from DNA binding and transactivation of their target genes. Early studies showed that Id-1 functions mainly as a regulator in cellular differentiation of the muscle cells. The oncogenic role of Id-1 was revealed recently by the finding that Id-1 expression was able to induce cancer cell growth and promote cell survival. In addition, Id-1 protein was frequently overexpressed in over 20 types of cancer, supporting its role in the tumorigenesis of a wide range of tissues. However, the fact that Id-1 was able to activate multiple pathways involved in tumor progression suggests that Id-1 may in addition function in promotion of tumor development. For example, overexpression of Id-1 was found to induce expression of MT1-MMP protein, leading to invasion of breast cancer cells. A close association between Id-1 expression and angiogenesis has also been demonstrated recently in both normal and cancer cells. Accordingly, in prostate cancer cells, expression of Id-1 was able to activate EGF-R and nuclear factor-kappaB activities and resulted in progression to androgen independence. In addition, in both nasopharyngeal carcinoma and prostate cancer cells, Id-1 expression was found to protect the cells from chemotherapeutic drug-induced apoptosis through regulation of the Raf-1/MAPK and JNK pathways. This review will discuss recent evidence supporting the role of Id-1 in tumor progression and the mechanisms involved.

Animals↗

Id-2 regulates critical aspects of human cytotrophoblast differentiation, invasion and migration.

During early human placental development, the conceptus attaches itself to the uterus through cytotrophoblast invasion. Invasive cytotrophoblast cells differentiate from precursor villous cytotrophoblasts, but the essential regulating factors in this process are unknown. Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor dimers are essential regulators of mouse trophoblast development. We therefore examined the importance of this family of factors in the human placenta. In many cell lineages, bHLH factors are sequestered by members of the Id family, HLH proteins that lack the basic DNA binding domain (Inhibitor of DNA binding proteins (Id-1 to Id-4)). During differentiation of some tissues, Id expression declines, allowing bHLH factors to dimerize, bind DNA and trans-activate lineage-specific genes. To begin to study the role of bHLH transcription factors in human placental development, we first characterized Id expression in cytotrophoblast cells. The cells expressed Id-3 constitutively; Id-2 was downregulated, at the mRNA and protein levels, as the cells differentiated in culture and in situ, respectively. In cases when cytotrophoblast differentiation was compromised (in placentas from women with preeclampsia, or in cells grown under hypoxic conditions in culture), Id-2 expression was maintained. To assess the functional relevance of these correlations, we used an adenovirus vector to maintain Id-2 protein expression in cultured cytotrophoblasts. Compared to control (lacZ-expressing) cells, cytotrophoblasts transduced to constitutively express Id-2 retained characteristics of undifferentiated cells: (alpha)1 integrin expression was low and cyclin B expression was retained. Furthermore, invasion through Matrigel was partially inhibited and migration was strikingly enhanced in Id-2-expressing cells. These results suggest that Id-2 and the bHLH factors that it partners play important roles in human cytotrophoblast development.

Animals↗

Genomic organization and chromosomal distribution of rat ID elements.

Identifier (ID) elements are members of a family of short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs) in rodents. We investigated the genomic organization and chromosomal distribution of the ID elements in the rat, mouse and Chinese hamster. Southern blot hybridization analysis revealed that the ID elements are widespread in the rat genome, but concentrated in the mouse and Chinese hamster genomes, and that the copy of ID elements in the rat is about 5 times and 50 times that in the mouse and Chinese hamster, respectively. FISH analysis showed that the ID elements are predominantly distributed in the R-band regions of rat chromosomes. In mouse and Chinese hamster chromosomes, no specific distribution pattern of the ID elements was found. Furthermore, we found a distinct group of derivative ID elements in the rat, which contain partially repeated ID core domains, by PCR amplification using an ID core sequence. Such derivatives were not found in either the mouse or Chinese hamster. These findings suggest that explosive amplification of the ID elements in the rat has been accompanied by the occurrence of derivative ID elements and a predominant localization to the R-band regions. Similar associations found in the Alu family, one of the human SINEs, allow us to speculate that the rat ID elements and the human Alu family have analogous functions in chromosomal organization.

Animals↗

Level of Id-1 protein expression correlates with poor differentiation, enhanced malignant potential, and more aggressive clinical behavior of epithelial ovarian tumors.

PURPOSE: Id (inhibitor of differentiation/DNA binding) -1 is involved in neoangiogenesis, it antagonizes basic helix-loop-helix proteins, inhibits differentiation, and enhances cell proliferation. Aim of this study was to investigate Id-1 protein expression in epithelial ovarian tumors and its clinical relevance in ovarian cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We have investigated Id-1 expression by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting in ovarian cancer samples. On the basis of these results, Id-1 protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in 101 specimens of epithelial ovarian cancer, in 40 borderline tumors, and in 20 cystadenomas. In these cases, Id-1 expression was correlated with p21 expression, microvessel density, and survival. RESULTS: By immunohistochemistry, detectable expression of Id-1 was found significantly more often in ovarian cancers (74.3%) than in borderline tumors (32.5%) and cystadenomas (0%; P < 0.0001, chi(2) test). Cancer samples with poor or moderate histological differentiation (G3/G2) showed significantly stronger Id-1 expression than cancer samples with high differentiation (G1; P = 0.021, Mann-Whitney test), and no association of Id-1 with p21 expression or microvessel density was found. In cancer samples strong or moderate expression of Id-1 was a strong predictor for shorter overall survival in uni- and multivariate analysis (P = 0.001, Cox-regression). CONCLUSIONS: The level of Id-1 protein expression correlates with the malignant potential of ovarian tumors. In cancer samples, stronger Id-1 expression is associated with poor differentiation and more aggressive behavior of tumor cells, resulting in poor clinical outcome. Consequently, Id-1 inhibition in the future might be of benefit for patients with ovarian cancer.

Analysis of Variance↗

Incidence and disease associations of a proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody idiotype (5/7 Id) whose antiidiotype inhibits proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody antigen binding activity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential of a monoclonal proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA) antiidiotype autoantibody (5/7 anti-Id) as a candidate for specific immunotherapy in Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), and to estimate the immunodiagnostic value of the corresponding idiotype (5/7 Id). METHODS: We analyzed the incidence of 5/7 Id in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitides (WG, microscopic polyangiitis, Churg-Strauss syndrome), in disease controls (systemic lupus erythematosus patients), and in healthy donors. We then investigated the presence of 5/7 Id in relation to disease stage, clinical activity, and organ manifestations in 86 patients with WG. Finally, we investigated the ability of the 5/7 anti-Id reagent to inhibit the binding of PR3-ANCA to corresponding antigen in 19 WG patients. RESULTS: The incidence of 5/7 Id was significantly more frequent in WG patients (43 of 86; 50%). We did not find a significant correlation between the prevalence of idiotype expression and disease activity or organ manifestations. Further, we demonstrated in vitro suppression of PR3-ANCA antigen binding activity by 5/7 anti-Id in 11 of 19 WG patients who were positive for 5/7 Id. CONCLUSION: This study shows that 5/7 Id is a common idiotype with a significantly increased incidence in WG and that 5/7 anti-Id inhibits PR3-ANCA antigen binding activity. Based on these observations, we conclude that 5/7 anti-Id is a promising tool for the development of a specific immunotherapy for WG.

Adolescent↗

Inactivation of Id-1 in prostate cancer cells: A potential therapeutic target in inducing chemosensitization to taxol through activation of JNK pathway.

Resistance to anticancer drugs is the major problem in the treatment of many advanced cancers, including androgen-independent prostate cancer. Recently, increased expression of Id-1, a basic helix-loop-helix protein, is reported in several types of advanced cancer. It is suggested that high expression of Id-1 may provide an advantage for cancer cell survival and inactivation of Id-1 may be able to increase cancer cells' susceptibility to apoptosis. To test this hypothesis, in this study, by using RNA interfering technology, we inactivated the Id-1 gene in 2 androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines, DU145 and PC3, and investigated whether downregulation of Id-1 could lead to increased sensitivity to a commonly used anticancer drug, taxol. By using colony forming assay and MTT assay, we found that inactivation of Id-1 resulted in both decreased colony forming ability and cell viability in prostate cancer cells, after taxol treatment. In addition, the si-Id-1-induced sensitization to taxol was associated with activation of apoptosis pathway, which is demonstrated by increased apoptotic index, DNA laddering, sub-G1 phase of the cell cycle, as well as cleaved-PARP and Caspase 3. Furthermore, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), one of the common pathways responsible for taxol-induced apoptosis, was also activated in the si-Id-1 transfected cells. Inhibition of JNK activity by a specific inhibitor, SP600125, blocked the si-Id-1-induced sensitivity to taxol. These results indicate that increased Id-1 expression in prostate cancer cells may play a protective role against apoptosis, and downregulation of Id-1 may be a potential target to increase sensitivity of taxol-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Evidence of increased Id-1 expression and its role in cell proliferation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

Inhibitor of differentiation or DNA binding (Id-1), a helix-loop-helix transcription factor, has recently been shown to inactivate the retinoblastoma (RB)/p16(INK4a) pathway through down-regulation of p16(INK4a) and increasing phosphorylation of RB in certain cell types. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common cancer in Hong Kong, and inactivation of the tumor suppressor RB at transcription level is a rare event in NPC. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of Id-1 in NPC cell proliferation and its expression in NPC samples. An NPC cell line, CNE1, was transfected with a retroviral vector containing a full-length Id-1 cDNA, and six stable transfectant clones were isolated with differential Id-1 expression levels. The effect of ectopic Id-1 expression on serum-independent cell growth, cell-cycle distribution, and expression of proteins associated with RB pathway was studied. The Id-1 expression in five NPC samples was also investigated using immunohistochemistry. Ectopic Id-1 expression in CNE1 cells resulted in an increase in serum-independent cell growth, percentage of cells in S phase, and phosphorylation of RB and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 proteins. In addition, immunohistochemical studies on NPC samples showed that expression of Id-1 was present in NPC cells but absent in normal tissues. This study demonstrates that Id-1 plays an important role in cell proliferation in NPC cells, and our results provide evidence for the first time of the significance of Id-1 expression in NPC cells and suggest a possible role of Id-1 expression in the inactivation of RB and development of NPC.

CDC2-CDC28 Kinases↗

Non-redundant inhibitor of differentiation (Id) gene expression and function in human prostate epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: The four Id (inhibitor of differentiation) proteins (Id1, Id2, Id3, and Id4) dimerize and neutralize the transcriptional activity of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins. The Id proteins negatively regulate differentiation and promote proliferation hence the expression of specific subsets of Id proteins is high in many different types of cancers. However, the expression of all the Id isoforms and their potential function in specific cancer cell types is not known. In this study, the expression and function of all four Id isoforms in prostate cancer cell lines was investigated to gain a better understanding of the role of each Id isoform in normal prostate epithelial and prostate cancer cells. METHODS: Id gene and protein expression was evaluated in the context of androgen response. The cellular function of Id isoforms was evaluated by targeted loss of function of Id genes. RESULTS: The four Id isoforms are differentially expressed and regulated in normal human prostate epithelial cells versus prostate cancer cell lines DU145 and LNCaP. Id4 is present only in AR positive cells (normal and LNCaP) and its expression regulated by androgens. Loss of Id1 and Id3 expression by siRNA results in loss of proliferation. Loss of Id2 had no effect on proliferation but increased apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: A complex equilibrium between Id isoforms determines the cell fate. Id1 and Id3 target cellular proliferation, Id2 targets apoptosis, and Id4 may act as a potential tumor suppressor in prostate epithelial cells.

Androgens↗

A human Id-like helix-loop-helix protein expressed during early development.

The interaction of helix-loop-helix (HLH) proteins is known to regulate the differentiation of several different tissues, including mammalian muscle and the insect peripheral nervous system. In myoblasts, the products of myogenic HLH genes such as MyoD and ubiquitous HLH proteins such as E12 are present at constant levels throughout development. An E12 monomer and a MyoD monomer form a DNA binding heterodimer that activates muscle-specific genes. These two proteins are unable to dimerize in proliferating myoblasts because a negative regulator HLH protein, Id, is present. We now report the sequence and structure of a human HLH gene related to Id, which has been designated Id-2. Two prominent Id-2 RNA molecules of 2.5 and 1.3 kilobases were found in a number of different human normal and neoplastic tissues. We believe the larger RNA is a precursor of the 1.3-kilobase mRNA that encodes an Id-2 protein of 134 amino acids. The HLH region of the Id-2 protein is 90% homologous to that of myogenic Id, but the homology is much less extensive outside the HLH region. The Id-2 gene is highly expressed during early fetal development in several tissues, including those of the central nervous system, but is not expressed in the corresponding mature tissues. Id-2 expression is modulated in association with retinoic acid-induced ganglionic differentiation of the neuroblastoma cell line SMS-KCNR. These findings suggest that Id-2 is an inhibitor of tissue-specific gene expression, although its distinctive pattern of expression during development suggests a role different from that of Id.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Id-1 expression induces androgen-independent prostate cancer cell growth through activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R).

The failure of prostate cancer treatment is largely due to the development of androgen independence, since the androgen depletion therapy remains the front-line option for this cancer. Previously, we reported that over-expression of the helix-loop-helix protein Id-1 was associated with progression of prostate cancer and ectopic expression of Id-1 induced serum-independent proliferation in prostate cancer cells. In the present study, we investigated if exogenous Id-1 expression in the androgen sensitive LNCaP cells had any effect on androgen-dependent cell growth and studied the molecular mechanisms involved. Using stable Id-1 transfectants, we found that expression of Id-1 was able to reduce androgen-stimulated growth and S phase fraction of the cell cycle in LNCaP cells, indicating that Id-1 may be involved in the development of androgen independence in these cells. The Id-1-induced androgen-independent prostate cancer cell growth was correlated with up-regulation of EGF-R (epidermal growth factor-receptor) and PSA (prostate specific antigen) expression, as confirmed by western blotting analysis and luciferase assays. In contrast, down-regulation of Id-1 in androgen-independent DU145 cells by its antisense oligonucleotides resulted in suppression of EGF-R expression at both transcriptional and protein levels. In addition, the results from immunohistochemistry study showed that Id-1 expression was significantly elevated in hormone refractory prostate cancer tissues when compared with the hormone-dependent tumours. Our results suggest that up-regulation of Id-1 in prostate cancer cells may be one of the mechanisms responsible for developing androgen independence and this process may be regulated through induction of EGF-R expression. Inactivation of Id-1 may provide a potential therapeutic strategy leading to inhibition of androgen-independent prostate cancer cell growth.

Adenocarcinoma↗