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

Int J Cancer. 2006 Aug 1;119(3):508-14. doi: 10.1002/ijc.21874.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Cell Cycle / physiology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Culture Media / pharmacology
  • Culture Media, Serum-Free / pharmacology
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / metabolism
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / metabolism
  • DNA, Antisense / genetics
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 1 / genetics
  • Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 1 / metabolism
  • Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 1 / physiology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2 / metabolism
  • Retinoblastoma Protein / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / deficiency*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism

Substances

  • CDKN1A protein, human
  • Culture Media
  • Culture Media, Serum-Free
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • DNA, Antisense
  • ID1 protein, human
  • Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 1
  • Retinoblastoma Protein
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • MDM2 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2