Cancer dormancy and cell signaling: Induction of p21waf1 initiated by membrane IgM engagement increases survival of B lymphoma cells

R. Marches, R. Hsueh, J. W. Uhr

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

The p21WAF1 (p21) cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor plays a major role in regulating cell cycle arrest. It was recently reported that the p53-independent elevation of p21 protein levels is essential in mediating the G1 arrest resulting from signal transduction events initiated by the crosslinking of membrane IgM on Daudi Burkitt lymphoma cells. Although the role of p21 in cell cycle regulation is well documented, there is little information concerning its role in antibody-mediated apoptosis. In the present study, we examined the involvement of p21 in the regulation of apoptosis by suppressing its induction in anti-IgM-treated Daudi cells through a p21 antisense expression construct approach. Reduction in induced p21 protein levels resulted in diminished G1 arrest and increased apoptosis. The increased susceptibility to anti-IgM-mediated apoptosis was associated with increased caspase-3-like activity and poly-(ADP)ribose polymerase cleavage. These data suggest that p21 may directly interfere with the caspase cascade, thus playing a dual role in regulating both cell cycle progression and apoptosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8711-8715
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume96
Issue number15
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 20 1999

Keywords

  • Apoptosis
  • B cell lymphoma
  • Caspase

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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