Mutant p53 reactivation by PRIMA-1MET induces multiple signaling pathways converging on apoptosis

Oncogene. 2010 Mar 4;29(9):1329-38. doi: 10.1038/onc.2009.425. Epub 2009 Nov 30.

Abstract

The low molecular weight compound PRIMA-1(MET) reactivates mutant p53 and triggers mutant p53-dependent apoptosis in human tumor cells. We investigated the effect of PRIMA-1(MET) on global gene expression using microarray analysis of Saos-2 cells expressing His273 mutant p53 and parental p53 null Saos-2 cells. PRIMA-1(MET) affected transcription of a significantly larger number of genes in the mutant p53-expressing cells compared to the p53 null cells. Genes affected by PRIMA-1(MET) in a mutant p53-dependent manner include the cell-cycle regulators GADD45B and 14-3-3gamma and the pro-apoptotic Noxa. Several of the affected genes are known p53 target genes and/or contain p53 DNA-binding motifs. We also found mutant p53-dependent disruption of the cytoskeleton, as well as transcriptional activation of the XBP1 gene and cleavage of its mRNA, a marker for endoplasmic reticulum stress. Our data show that PRIMA-1(MET) induces apoptosis through multiple transcription-dependent and -independent pathways. Such integral engagement of multiple pathways leading to apoptosis is consistent with restoration of wild-type properties to mutant p53 and is likely to reduce the risk of drug resistance development in clinical applications of PRIMA-1(MET).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Genes, p53 / physiology
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology*
  • Mutation*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • PRIMA1 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53