Activation of p53 pathway by Nutlin-3a inhibits the expression of the therapeutic target α5 integrin in colon cancer cells.

Abstract

Integrins emerge nowadays as crucial actors of tumor aggressiveness and resistance to therapies. Integrin α5β1, the fibronectin receptor, determines malignant properties of colon carcinoma which is one of the most important causes of cancer-related deaths in the world. Here we show that inhibition of α5 integrin subunit expression by siRNA or α5β1 integrin function by specific antagonist affects the survival of HCT116 colon cancer cells. We also evidence that pharmacological reactivation of the tumor suppressor p53 by Nutlin-3a inhibits specifically the expression of the α5 integrin subunit both at the transcriptional and protein level. Inversely repression of α5 integrin modulates p53 activity. A clear relationship between p53 activation by Nutlin-3a, α5 repression and cell survival is shown. No such effects are obtained in cells lacking p53 or when another non-genotoxic activator of p53, RITA, is used. Our results emphasize the crucial role of α5β1 integrin in colon tumors. Data also suggest that interfering with the integrin α5β1 through the reactivation of p53 by Nutlin-3a may be of valuable interest as a new therapeutic option for colon tumors expressing high level of the integrin and a wild type p53.

• Authors: Hana Janouskova, Anne-Marie Ray, Fanny Noulet, Isabelle Lelong-Rebel, Laurence Choulier, Florence Schaffner, Maxime Lehmann, Sophie Martin, Jan Teisinger, Monique Dontenwill
• Journal: Cancer letters (Cancer Lett) Vol. 336 Issue 2 Pg. 307-18 (Aug 19 2013) ISSN: 1872-7980 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 23523610 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Imidazoles
• Integrin alpha5
• Piperazines
• TP53 protein, human
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
• nutlin 3

Topics

• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Colonic Neoplasms (drug therapy, genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• HCT116 Cells
• Humans
• Imidazoles (pharmacology)
• Integrin alpha5 (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Molecular Targeted Therapy
• Piperazines (pharmacology)
• Signal Transduction (drug effects)
• Transcription, Genetic
• Transfection
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 (metabolism)