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Multiple isoforms of the tumor protein p73 are expressed in the adult human telencephalon and choroid plexus and present in the cerebrospinal fluid.

p73, a homolog of the p53 tumor suppressor, codes for full-length transactivating (TA) and N-terminally truncated (DeltaN) isoforms, with pro- and anti-apoptotic activities, respectively. We examined the expression of the main p73 isoforms in adult human and mouse telencephalon and choroid plexus by immunohistochemistry on paraffin sections, and immunoblotting (IB) of tissue extracts and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), using antibodies against different protein domains. Cortical neurons expressed TAp73 predominantly in the cytoplasm and DeltaNp73 mainly in the nucleus, with partial overlap in the cytoplasm. Highest expression was found in the hippocampus. IB showed an array of TAp73 variants in adult human cortex and hippocampus. IB of human choroid plexus and CSF using TAp73-specific antibodies revealed the presence of a approximately 90-kDa protein whose molecular weight was reduced after N-deglycosylation, suggesting that glycosylated TAp73 is exported into the CSF. In the mouse, high expression of TAp73 was also detected in the subcommissural organ (SCO), an ependymal gland absent in adult humans. TAp73 colocalized with anti-fibra-Reissner-antibody (AFRU), which is a marker of Reissner's fiber, the secreted SCO product. p73-deficient mice had generalized cortical hypoplasia and hydrocephalus; in addition, we observed a dramatic size reduction of the choroid plexus. However, the SCOs were apparently unaltered and continued to secrete Reissner's fiber. Our findings point to complex and widespread p73 activities in the maintenance of adult cortical neurons and in brain homeostasis. TAp73 in the CSF may play important roles in the maintenance of the adult ventricular wall as well as in the development of the proliferating neuroepithelium.

Adolescent↗

Physical interaction between Wilms tumor 1 and p73 proteins modulates their functions.

The WT1 gene, which is heterozygously mutated or deleted in congenital anomaly syndromes and homozygously mutated in about 15% of all Wilms tumors, encodes tissue-specific developmental regulators. Through alternative mRNA splicing, four main WT1 protein isoforms are synthesized. All isoforms can bind to DNA via their zinc fingers, albeit with different affinities and specificities, and thereby modulate the transcriptional activity of their target genes. Several proteins bind to and alter the transcription regulatory properties of the WT1 proteins, including the product of the tumor suppressor gene p53. Interaction between WT1 and p53 was shown to modulate their ability to regulate the transcription of their respective target genes. Here, we report that all four isoforms of WT1 bind to p73, a recently cloned homologue of p53. p73 binds to the zinc finger region of WT1 and thereby inhibits DNA binding and transcription activation by WT1. Similarly, WT1 inhibits p73-induced transcription activation in reporter assays and counteracts p73-induced expression of endogenous Mdm2. This, taken together with our finding that WT1 also interacts with p63/KET, another p53 homologue, suggests that association between WT1 and the members of the p53 family of proteins may be an important determinant of their functions in cell growth and differentiation.

Alternative Splicing↗

A mechanism of ubiquitin-independent proteasomal degradation of the tumor suppressors p53 and p73.

Protein degradation is an essential and highly regulated process. The proteasomal degradation of the tumor suppressors p53 and p73 is regulated by both polyubiquitination and by an ubiquitin-independent process. Here, we show that this ubiquitin-independent process is mediated by the 20S proteasomes and is regulated by NQO1. NQO1 physically interacts with p53 and p73 in an NADH-dependent manner and protects them from 20S proteasomal degradation. Remarkably, the vast majority of NQO1 in cells is found in physical association with the 20S proteasomes, suggesting that NQO1 functions as a gatekeeper of the 20S proteasomes. We further show that this pathway plays a role in p53 accumulation in response to ionizing radiation. Our findings provide the first evidence for in vivo degradation of p53 and p73 by the 20S proteasomes and its regulation by NQO1 and NADH level.

Animals↗

[Expression of p73 and PTEN in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and their clinical significance].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: There are few ideal predictors used to evaluate the prognosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). This study was designed to investigate the expression of p73 and PTEN (phosphates and tension homolog deleted on chromosome ten) and their association with clinical, histologic characteristics and prognosis in LSCC. METHODS: p73 protein and PTEN protein were examined by using immunochistochemical SABC staining method in 65 cases of LSCC and in 23 cases of para-tumor tissues. RESULTS: p73 protein and PTEN protein in LSCC showed positive expression of about 58.5% (38/65) and 49.2% (32/65), compared to para-tumor tissues of about 17.4% (4/23) and 95.7% (22/23) with statistical significance (P< 0.05). p73 protein positive expression showed stronger in stage III-IV of LSCC than that in stage I-II (P< 0.05); it more often appeared in recurrent cases than in primary cases (P< 0.05). And p73 protein positive expression with distant metastasis was stronger than that in LSCC without distant metastasis (P< 0.05). PTEN protein positive expression was stronger in stage I-II of LSCC than that in stage III-IV (P< 0.05); PTEN protein positive expression appears less frequently in poor differentiation of LSCC, compared to well/moderate differentiation (P< 0.05); PTEN positive expression in cases with cervical lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis was lower than that in those without metastasis (P< 0.05). PTEN expression showed significantly stronger in the patients whose survival time over 5 years (66.7%) than in the patients whose survival time was less than 5 years (27.3%) (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: PTEN positive expression may be useful for predicting the prognosis of LSCC.

Adult↗

Quantitative TP73 transcript analysis in hepatocellular carcinomas.

PURPOSE: The p53 family member p73 displays significant homology to p53, but data from primary tumors demonstrating increased expression levels of p73 in the absence of any gene mutations argue against a classical tumor suppressor function. A detailed analysis of the p73 protein in tumor tissues has revealed expression of two classes of p73 isoforms. Whereas the proapoptotic, full-length, transactivation-competent p73 protein (TA-p73) has a putative tumor suppressor activity similar to p53, the antiapoptotic, NH(2)-terminally truncated, transactivation-deficient p73 protein (DeltaTA-p73) has been shown to possess oncogenic activity. The oncogenic proteins can be generated by the following two different mechanisms: (a) aberrant splicing (p73Deltaex2, p73Deltaex2/3, DeltaN'-p73) and (b) alternative promoter usage of a second intronic promoter (DeltaN-p73). The purpose of our study was to elucidate the origin of DeltaTA-p73 isoforms in hepatocellular carcinomas. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We analyzed the underlying mechanisms of p73 overexpression in cancer cells by quantification of p73 transcripts from 10 hepatocellular carcinoma patients using isoform-specific real-time reverse transcription-PCR. RESULTS: Our data demonstrate that only aberrantly spliced DeltaTA-p73 transcripts from the TA promoter show significantly increased expression levels in the tumor whereas the DeltaN-p73 transcript generated from the second promoter is not significantly up-regulated. CONCLUSIONS: Although we only analyzed 10 patient samples the results strongly suggest that the elevated activity of the first promoter (TA promoter) accounts for high-level expression of both full-length TA-p73 and aberrantly spliced DeltaTA-p73 isoforms in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues.

Aged↗

p53 Family members p63 and p73 are SAM domain-containing proteins.

Homologs of the tumor suppressor p53, called p63 and p73, have been identified. The p63 and p73 family members possess a domain structure similar to p53, but contain variable C-terminal extensions. We find that some of the C-terminal extensions contain Sterile Alpha Motif (SAM) domains. SAM domains are protein modules that are involved in protein-protein interactions. Consistent with this role, the C-terminal SAM domains of the p63 and p73 may regulate function by recruiting other protein effectors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Therapeutic potential of an adenovirus expressing p73 beta, a p53 homologue, against human papilloma virus positive cervical cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer development. p53 based gene therapy is not suitable for cervical cancer because HPV oncoprotein E6 inactivates p53 protein by targeting it for ubiquitin mediated degradation. Here we evaluated the efficiency of Ad-p73, a replication deficient adenovirus expressing p73beta a p53 homologue, to inhibit the growth of HPV positive cervical cancer cells in vitro using tissue culture system and in vivo using human xenografts in nude mice. Ad-p73, but not Ad-p53 (p53 adenovirus), inhibited the growth in vitro of three different HPV positive cervical cancer cell lines, HeLa, ME180, and SiHa, efficiently, which correlated with stable expression of functional p73 protein. However, the growth of a HPV negative cervical cancer cell line, C33A, was inhibited equally by both Ad-p73 and Ad-p53. In addition, we show that Ad-p73 preinfected HeLa cells and HCT116 E6 cells, an E6 stable cell line, failed to form tumors in nude mice unlike Ad-p53 or Ad-LacZ preinfected cells. Moreover, Ad-p73, but not Ad-p53, inhibited completely the growth of already established tumors of HeLa or HCT116 E6 cells. Furthermore, the ability of p73 to inhibit the growth of these tumors correlated with the stable expression of p73 protein with the concomitant induction of its target gene p21(WAF1/CIP1) and induction of apoptosis in tumor cells. These results suggest that Ad-p73 inhibits efficiently the growth in vitro and tumorigenicity and tumor growth in vivo of HPV positive cervical cancer cells and that p73-based approach should be explored as a potential therapeutic model for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Adenoviridae↗

Inactivation of retinoblastoma (RB) tumor suppressor by oncogenic isoforms of the p53 family member p73.

The p53 family includes three members that share significant sequence homology, yet exhibit fundamentally different functions in tumorigenesis. Whereas p53 displays all characteristics of a classical tumor suppressor, its homologues p63 and p73 do not. We have previously shown, that NH(2)-terminally truncated isoforms of p73 (Delta TA-p73), which act as dominant-negative inhibitors of p53 are frequently overexpressed in cancer cells. Here we provide evidence that Delta TA-p73 isoforms also affect the retinoblastoma protein (RB) tumor suppressor pathway independent of p53. Delta TA-p73 isoforms inactivate RB by increased phosphorylation, resulting in enhanced E2F activity and proliferation of fibroblasts. By inactivating the two major tumor suppressor pathways in human cells they act functionally analogous to several viral oncoproteins. These findings provide an explanation for the fundamentally different functions of p53 and p73 in tumorigenesis.

Adenoviridae↗

C-terminal p73 isoforms repress transcriptional activity of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter.

Activation of telomerase is linked to tumorigenesis and has been observed in a variety of human tumors. Previous reports demonstrated that p53 represses human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), a key component for telomerase activity. The p73 protein displays a tumor suppressor activity similar to p53. In the present study, we examined the effect of transactivation competent p73 isoforms on hTERT expression in p53-negative human H1299 cells. Overexpression of C-terminal p73 isoforms (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) resulted in a clear down-regulation of hTERT promoter activity. The strongest inhibitory effect, comparable with p53, was observed for p73beta. Moreover, suppression of hTERT expression was also mediated by endogenous p73 after activation of E2F1 in H1299ER-E2F1 cells. Mutations in the Sp1 transcription factor-binding sites of the proximal core promoter region significantly abolished p73-induced repression, suggesting that the effect is mediated by Sp1. Finally, we demonstrate that p73 directly interacts with Sp1, suggesting that formation of a p73-Sp1 complex is the underlying mechanism for p73-triggered inhibition of hTERT expression. Our findings provide additional evidence that p73 mimics p53 in many aspects in cells lacking functional p53, thereby contributing to tumor surveillance.

Binding Sites↗

Physical and functional interaction between HCV core protein and the different p73 isoforms.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein is a structural viral protein that packages the viral genomic RNA. In addition to this function, HCV core also modulates a number of cellular regulatory functions. In fact, HCV core protein has been found to modulate the expression of the cyclin-dependent inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1) and to promote both apoptosis and cell proliferation through its physical interaction with p53. Here, we studied the ability of HCV core to bind the p53-related p73 protein, its isoforms and its deletion mutants. We found that HCV core co-immunoprecipitated with p73 in HepG2 and SAOS-2 cells. Deletion mutational analysis of p73 indicates that the domain involved in HCV core binding is located between amino-acid residues 321-353. We also demonstrate that p73/core interaction results in the nuclear translocation of HCV core protein either in the presence of the p73 alpha or p73 beta tumor-suppressor proteins. In addition, the interaction with HCV core protein prevents p73 alpha, but not p73 beta dependent cell growth arrest in a p53-dependent manner. Our findings demonstrate that HCV core protein may directly influence the various p73 functions, thus playing a role in HCV pathogenesis.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Monoallelically expressed gene related to p53 at 1p36, a region frequently deleted in neuroblastoma and other human cancers.

We describe a gene encoding p73, a protein that shares considerable homology with the tumor suppressor p53. p73 maps to 1p36, a region frequently deleted in neuroblastoma and other tumors and thought to contain multiple tumor suppressor genes. Our analysis of neuroblastoma cell lines with 1p and p73 loss of heterozygosity failed to detect coding sequence mutations in remaining p73 alleles. However, the demonstration that p73 is monoallelically expressed supports the notion that it is a candidate gene in neuroblastoma. p73 also has the potential to activate p53 target genes and to interact with p53. We propose that the disregulation of p73 contributes to tumorigenesis and that p53-related proteins operate in a network of developmental and cell cycle controls.

Alleles↗

Adenovirus E4orf6 oncoprotein modulates the function of the p53-related protein, p73.

Recently, several proteins have been identified that are related in their sequence to the p53 tumor-suppressor protein. One of these proteins, which is termed p73, exhibits sequence homology to the p53 transcriptional activation, DNA binding, and oligomerization domains. The adenovirus E1B 55-kDa protein, the adenovirus E4orf6 protein, and SV40 T antigen each can bind to p53 and inhibit p53 function. Here we demonstrate that the adenovirus E4orf6 protein, but not the E1B 55-kDa protein or T antigen, interacts with p73. The E4orf6 protein inhibits p73-mediated transcriptional activation and cell killing in a manner similar to its effect on p53. Thus, only a subset of viral oncoproteins that antagonize p53 function also interacts with the related p73 protein.

Adenoviridae↗

Physical interaction of p73 with c-Myc and MM1, a c-Myc-binding protein, and modulation of the p73 function.

p73 shares high sequence homology with the tumor suppressor p53. Like p53, ectopic overexpression of p73 induces cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis, and these biological activities are linked to its sequence-specific transactivation function. The COOH-terminal region of p73 is unique and has a function to modulate DNA-binding ability and transactivation activity. To identify and characterize cellular proteins that interact with the COOH-terminal region of p73 alpha and regulate its activity, we employed a yeast-based two-hybrid screen with a human fetal brain cDNA library. We found MM1, a nuclear c-Myc-binding protein, was associated with p73 alpha in both yeast two-hybrid and in vitro pull-down assays. In mammalian cells, MM1 co-immunoprecipitated with p73 alpha, whereas p73 beta and tumor suppressor p53 did not interact with MM1. Overexpression of MM1 in p53-deficient osteosarcoma SAOS-2 cells enhanced the p73 alpha-dependent transcription from the p53/p73-responsive Bax and PG13 promoters, whereas p73 beta- and p53-mediated transcriptional activation was unaffected in the presence of MM1. MM1 also stimulated the p73 alpha-mediated growth suppression in SAOS-2 cells. More importantly, we found that c-Myc was physically associated with p73 alpha and significantly impaired the transcriptional activity of p73 alpha on Bax and p21(waf1) promoters. Expression of MM1 strongly reduced the c-Myc-mediated inhibitory activity on p73 alpha. These results suggest that MM1 may act as a molecular partner for p73 to prevent the c-Myc-mediated inhibitory effect on its activity.

Base Sequence↗

New p73 variants with altered C-terminal structures have varied transcriptional activities.

p73 has been identified as a protein which shares significant homology with the tumor suppressor p53. We found two new types of splicing variant mRNAs for p73 expressed in MCF-7 cells which we named p73gamma and epsilon. Sequence analysis revealed that these mRNAs encode variant p73 proteins bearing distinct carboxy-terminal structures, which are also different from the previously reported variants p73alpha and beta. The mRNAs encoding p73gamma and epsilon as well as alpha and beta were confirmed to be expressed in normal human tissues in varied patterns. All of these splicing variants activated promoter with the p53-binding consensus sequence, but to different degrees. Furthermore, suppressive effects of p73alpha, gamma and epsilon, but not beta, on endogenous p53 activity were observed when transiently expressed in HepG2 and MCF-7 cells. These results suggested that the carboxy-terminal regions of p73 which were altered by alternative splicing affect these transactivation abilities and modulate the functions of p73 molecules.

Alternative Splicing↗

TP73 allelic expression in human brain and allele frequencies in Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: The p73 protein, a paralogue of the p53 tumor suppressor, is essential for normal development and survival of neurons. TP73 is therefore of interest as a candidate gene for Alzheimer's disease (AD) susceptibility. TP73 mRNA is transcribed from three promoters, termed P1-P3, and there is evidence for an additional complexity in its regulation, namely, a variable allelic expression bias in some human tissues. METHODS: We utilized RT-PCR/RFLP and direct cDNA sequencing to measure allele-specific expression of TP73 mRNA, SNP genotyping to assess genetic associations with AD, and promoter-reporter assays to assess allele-specific TP73 promoter activity. RESULTS: Using a coding-neutral BanI polymorphism in TP73 exon 5 as an allelic marker, we found a pronounced allelic expression bias in one adult brain hippocampus, while 3 other brains (two adult; one fetal) showed approximately equal expression from both alleles. In a tri-ethnic elderly population of African-Americans, Caribbean Hispanics and Caucasians, a G/A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at -386 in the TP73 P3 promoter was weakly but significantly associated with AD (crude O.R. for AD given any -386G allele 1.7; C.I. 1.2-2.5; after adjusting for age and education O.R. 1.5; C.I. 1.1-2.3, N= 1191). The frequency of the -386G allele varied by ethnicity and was highest in African-Americans and lowest in Caucasians. No significant differences in basal P3 promoter activity were detected comparing -386G vs. -386A promoter-luciferase constructs in human SK-NSH-N neuroblastoma cells. CONCLUSIONS: There is a reproducible allelic expression bias in mRNA expression from the TP73 gene in some, though not all, adult human brains, and inter-individual variation in regulatory sequences of the TP73 locus may affect susceptibility to AD. However, additional studies will be necessary to exclude genetic admixture as an alternative explanation for the observed associations.

Aged↗

Functional association between Wwox tumor suppressor protein and p73, a p53 homolog.

The WWOX gene is a recently cloned tumor suppressor gene that spans the FRA16D fragile region. Wwox protein contains two WW domains that are generally known to mediate protein-protein interaction. Here we show that Wwox physically interacts via its first WW domain with the p53 homolog, p73. The tyrosine kinase, Src, phosphorylates Wwox at tyrosine 33 in the first WW domain and enhances its binding to p73. Our results further demonstrate that Wwox expression triggers redistribution of nuclear p73 to the cytoplasm and, hence, suppresses its transcriptional activity. In addition, we show that cytoplasmic p73 contributes to the proapoptotic activity of Wwox. Our findings reveal a functional cross-talk between p73 and Wwox tumor suppressor protein.

Cell Line↗

Exclusion of c-Abl from the nucleus restrains the p73 tumor suppression function.

The p73alpha protein is a functional homolog of the p53 tumor suppressor. Although the TP53 gene is frequently mutated in human cancers, the TP73 gene is rarely inactivated. We have found that p73alpha is highly expressed in a significant fraction of anaplastic thyroid cancer, whereas it is not detectable in normal thyroid epithelial cells or in papillary and follicular thyroid cancer cells. Interestingly, the tumor suppression function of p73alpha is actively restrained in anaplastic thyroid cancer cells. We have also found that c-Abl tyrosine kinase, an activator of p73, is excluded from the nucleus of p73alpha-positive thyroid cancer cells; whereas c-Abl undergoes nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling in normal thyroid and p73-negative thyroid cancer cells. We constructed an AblNuk-FK506-binding protein (FKBP) fusion protein to enforce the nuclear accumulation of an inducible Abl kinase. Activation of this nuclear AblNuk-FKBP by dimerization with AP20187 in anaplastic thyroid cancer cells increased the levels of p73alpha and p21Cip1 and caused p73-dependent apoptosis. These results suggest subcellular segregation of c-Abl from p73 to be a strategy for disrupting the tumor suppression function of p73alpha.

Cell Nucleus↗

The Yes-associated protein 1 stabilizes p73 by preventing Itch-mediated ubiquitination of p73.

Upon DNA damage signaling, p73, a member of the p53 tumor suppressor family, accumulates to support transcription of downstream apoptotic genes. p73 interacts with Yes-associated protein 1 (Yap1) through its PPPY motif, and increases p73 transactivation of apoptotic genes. The ubiquitin E3 ligase Itch, like Yap1, interacts with p73. Given the fact that both Itch and Yap1 bind p73 via the PPPY motif, we hypothesized that Yap may also function to stabilize p73 by displacing Itch binding to p73. We show that the interaction of Yap1 and p73 was necessary for p73 stabilization. Yap1 competed with Itch for binding to p73, and prevented Itch-mediated ubiquitination of p73. Treatment of cells with cisplatin leads to an increase in p73 accumulation and induction of apoptosis, but both were dramatically reduced in the presence of Yap1 siRNA. Altogether, our findings attribute a central role to Yap1 in regulating p73 accumulation and function under DNA damage signaling.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗