Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0025202 (melanoma)
 69,561 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The CDKN2A gene encodes the cell cycle inhibitor p16/ INK4A, which is involved in familial cutaneous melanoma. We have studied five Swedish familial melanoma kindreds characterized by germline mutations in CDKN2A and dysplastic naevus syndrome (DNS). We found significant correlations between germline CDKN2A mutations and melanoma and between DNS phenotype and melanoma, respectively. There was also a correlation between mutation status and the presence of DNS. In CDKN2A mutation carriers, all cases of early-onset melanoma occurred in DNS individuals, and the mean age at melanoma diagnosis was significantly lower in individuals with DNS than in those without a confirmed DNS phenotype. In one family where the proband had a P48L mutation in CDKN2A exon 1, the DNS phenotype was studied in detail. In vitro binding experiments established that the P48L mutant protein does not bind to cdk4 or cdk6 and thus is functionally abnormal. Furthermore, we demonstrated loss of heterozygosity at markers on chromosome 9p flanking the CDKN2A locus in a primary melanoma and a metastasis from the proband. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that germline CDKN2A mutations and DNS both contribute to the predisposition to melanoma and may lead to the development of early-onset melanoma when present in the same individual.
Melanoma Res 1999 Feb
PMID:Melanoma development in relation to non-functional p16/INK4A protein and dysplastic naevus syndrome in Swedish melanoma kindreds. 1033 31

UV-radiation is a major risk factor for non-melanoma skin cancer causing specific mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene and other genetic aberrations. We here propose that elevated temperature, as found in sunburn areas, may contribute to skin carcinogenesis as well. Continuous exposure of immortal human HaCaT skin keratinocytes (possessing UV-type p53 mutations) to 40 degrees C reproducibly resulted in tumorigenic conversion and tumorigenicity was stably maintained after recultivation of the tumors. Growth at 40 degrees C was correlated with the appearance of PARP, an enzyme activated by DNA strand breaks and the level corresponded to that seen after 5 Gy gamma-radiation. Concomitantly, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analyis demonstrated that chromosomal gains and losses were present in cells maintained at 40 degrees C while largely absent at 37 degrees C. Besides individual chromosomal aberrations, all tumor-derived cells showed gain of chromosomal material on 11q with the smallest common region being 11q13.2 to q14.1. Cyclin D1, a candidate gene of that region was overexpressed in all tumor-derived cells but cyclinD1/cdk4/cdk6 kinase activity was not increased. Thus, these data demonstrate that long-term thermal stress is a potential carcinogenic factor in this relevant skin cancer model, mediating its effect through induction of genetic instability which results in selection of tumorigenic cells characterized by gain of 11q.
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PMID:Tumorigenic conversion of immortal human skin keratinocytes (HaCaT) by elevated temperature. 1052 43

Transformation of normal melanocytes to metastatic melanoma cells is characterized by loss of dependency on external growth factors required for the viability and proliferation of normal melanocytes. The molecular events that lead to melanoma cell autonomous growth are not well defined, but are likely to include sustained activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK2, CDK4 and CDK6) as a result of loss of CDK inhibitors (such as p16INK4a and possibly p27KIP1), and persistent upregulation of several cyclins (cyclin D1, cyclin A and cyclin E), the positive regulators of CDKs. CDKs phosphorylate, and consequently, inactivate the retinoblastoma family of tumor suppressor proteins (pRb, p107 and p130), termed pocket proteins. The inactivation of pocket proteins liberates E2F transcription factors from suppressive complexes ('free' E2F) that, in turn, induces the continuous expression of target genes whose products promote cell cycle progression. In normal melanocytes, external growth factors suppress the activity of all three pocket proteins, allowing E2F activity to accumulate and sustain transcription of target genes required for cell proliferation. In contrast, in melanoma cells from advanced lesions, all three pocket proteins are highly phosphorylated and inactive, even in the absence of environmental mitogens, and free E2F activity is constitutively high. Manipulations of normal mouse melanocytes in vitro, and in vivo in transgenic mouse expressing ectopic genes, further support the notion that growth rate, and release from dependency on external mitogens, positively correlate with inactivation of pocket proteins. The latter has been accomplished by sustained cell surface receptor stimulation, such as constitutive high expression of a growth factor, or by sequestration with dominantly acting viral proteins. Taken together, chronic hyperphosphorlyation/inactivation of pRb, p107 and p130 is probably one of the key events in converting growth-factor dependent normal melanocytes, to autonomously growing melanoma cells. Since all pocket proteins are regulated by CDKs activity, it is likely that agents that inhibit this class of enzymes will be effective in treating melanoma patients.
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PMID:Melanoma cell autonomous growth: the Rb/E2F pathway. 1072 88

We have investigated the effect of genistein on cell cycle distribution of the human choroidal melanoma cell line OCM-1. We report that this isoflavonoid arrested cells in G2. This effect was correlated with the induction of the CDK inhibitor p21CIP1. However, while CDK1 activity was markedly reduced following genistein treatment, CDK2 activity was not affected. This was in agreement with the absence of G1 arrest that we observed but caused some doubt about the functionality of p21CIP1. Attempts to demonstrate mutation or post-translational modification of p21CIP1 from OCM-1 cells were unsuccessful. In fact, the level of p21CIP1 induced by genistein was shown to be insufficient to cause CDK2 inhibition. The role of p21CIP1 in the inhibition of CDK1 was questionable, as we demonstrated that genistein impaired Tyr15 dephosphorylation of CDK1 and because CDK1-cyclin B1 complexes from treated cells could be reactivated upon exposure to CDC25 phosphatase. Finally, we report that p21CIP1 was not absolutely required for the genistein-induced G2 arrest, as the isoflavone caused at least partial G2 arrest in p21-deficient Rat-1 fibroblasts as well as in p21-/- mouse embryo fibroblasts.
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PMID:p21CIP1 is dispensable for the G2 arrest caused by genistein in human melanoma cells. 1091 92

The activation of cell cycle checkpoints in response to genotoxic stressors is essential for the maintenance of genomic integrity. Although most prior studies of cell cycle effects of UV irradiation have used UVC, this UV range does not penetrate the earth's atmosphere. Thus, we have investigated the mechanisms of ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation-induced cell cycle arrest in a biologically relevant target cell type, the early stage human melanoma cell line, WM35. Irradiation of WM35 cells with UVB resulted in arrests throughout the cell cycle: at the G1/S transition, in S phase and in G2. G1 arrest was accompanied by increased association of p21 with cyclin E/cdk2 and cyclin A/cdk2, increased binding of p27 to cyclin E/cdk2 and inhibition of these kinases. A loss of Cdc25A expression was associated with an increased inhibitory phosphotyrosine content of cyclin E- and cyclin A-associated cdk2 and may also contribute to G1 arrest following UVB irradiation. The association of Cdc25A with 14-3-3 was increased by UVB. Reduced cyclin D1 protein and increased binding of p21 and p27 to cyclin D1/cdk4 complexes were also observed. The loss of cyclin D1 could not be attributed to inhibition of either MAPK or PI3K/PKB pathways, since both were activated by UVB. Cdc25B levels fell and the remaining protein showed an increased association with 14-3-3 in response to UVB. Losses in cyclin B1 expression and an increased binding of p21 to cyclin B1/cdk1 complexes also contributed to inhibition of this kinase activity, and G2/M arrest. Oncogene (2000) 19, 4480 - 4490.
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PMID:UVB induced cell cycle checkpoints in an early stage human melanoma line, WM35. 1100 21

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) inhibits the growth of A375S2 human melanoma cells by arresting them at G(1) and G(2) phases of the cell cycle. The arrests are preceded by a rapid decrease in kinase activities of cyclin E-Cdk2 and cyclin B1-Cdc2, which are critical for G(1)-S and G(2)-M progression, respectively. IL-1 quickly enhances the protein expression of the CDK inhibitor p21(cip1). The induced p21 binds preferentially to cyclin E-Cdk2, and the increase in p21 binding parallels the decrease in cyclin E-Cdk2 activity. Thus, p21 is likely to be responsible for the inhibition of cyclin E-Cdk2 activity and G(1) arrest. Coinciding with the decrease in cyclin B1-Cdc2 activity, there is an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of Cdc2, suggesting that an increase in the inactive Tyr-15-phosphorylated form of Cdc2 is involved in the decrease in cyclin B1-Cdc2 activity and G(2) arrest. Furthermore, we found that IL-1 causes rapid dephosphorylation of p107, but not of pRb or p130, while the total protein levels of p130 are increased. Thus, IL-1 may exert its growth-arresting effects via p107 and p130 pathways rather than through pRb.
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PMID:Altered regulation of cell cycle machinery involved in interleukin-1-induced G(1) and G(2) phase growth arrest of A375S2 human melanoma cells. 1109 59

Germ-line CDKN2A mutations are present in some kindreds with hereditary cutaneous melanoma, and in Sweden a founder mutation with an extra arginine in codon 113 (113insR) has been identified. We screened 80 individuals with at least two primary cutaneous melanomas, who were identified mainly by a search of a regional cancer registry, for germ-line CDKN2A mutations. In nine patients, CDKN2A alterations that may contribute to melanoma predisposition were detected. In six individuals with a family history of melanoma, the 113insR founder mutation was present. One patient, who also had a family history of melanoma, had a 24-bp deletion that included codons 62-69. An in vitro binding assay established that the resulting mutant p16 protein was unable to bind cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and cyclin-dependent kinase 6. Two patients without a family history of melanoma had CDKN2A alterations: (a) one had a mutation in the 5' noncoding sequence (-14C/T); and (b) the other had an insertion of an extra T in codon 28, which results in a stop signal in codon 43. The median age at diagnosis of the first melanoma was significantly lower, the number of primary melanomas was significantly higher, and the presence of a family history of melanoma was significantly more common in patients with CDKN2A mutations than in those without germ-line mutations. The proportion of CDKN2A mutation carriers was significantly higher among patients treated for three or more primary melanomas compared with those with two tumors only. We conclude that mutation screening of individuals with multiple primary melanomas is a useful strategy to identify new melanoma kindreds with CDKN2A germ-line mutations.
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PMID:CDKN2A germ-line mutations in individuals with multiple cutaneous melanomas. 1115 81

Knowledge about adhesion checkpoints is important to counteract dissemination of cells from solid tumors. Lack of anchorage in adherent cells is associated with growth arrest and inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) required to drive cell cycle progression. Because cyclin-cdk complex activation requires CDK-activating kinase comprising cdk7 and cyclin H, we now investigated their relationship to decreased proliferation by lack of cell spreading. This report shows that either UV irradiation on an adhesive substrate or culture on a nonadhesive substrate produced K1735 melanoma growth arrest. Inhibition of proliferation by UV primarily induced the cdk inhibitor p21WAF1 without a significant effect on cyclin H and cdk7. In contrast, lack of adhesion to substratum decreased cyclin H but not cdk7 with accumulation of a slower migrating, presumably unphosphorylated cdk4 isoform. These results were paralleled by decreased cdk7-mediated phosphorylation of GST-cdk2 and lower activation of a baculovirus-derived cdc2-cyclin B kinase complex. This is the first report showing that cyclin H-mediated down-regulation of cdk-activating kinase activity is involved in growth arrest induced by lack of anchorage.
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PMID:Lower cyclin H and cyclin-dependent kinase-activating kinase activity in cell cycle arrest induced by lack of adhesion to substratum. 1115 19

The majority of hematopoietic malignancies have aberrancies in the retinoblastoma (Rb) pathway. Loss in Rb function is, in most cases, a result of the phosphorylation and inactivation of Rb by the cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks), main regulators of cell cycle progression. Flavopiridol, the first cdk modulator tested in clinical trials, is a flavonoid that inhibits several cdks with evidence of cell cycle block. Other interesting preclinical features are the induction of apoptosis, promotion of differentiation, inhibition of angiogenic processes and modulation of transcriptional events. Initial clinical trials with infusional flavopiridol demonstrated activity in some patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, renal, prostate, colon and gastric carcinomas. Main side-effects were secretory diarrhea and a pro-inflammatory syndrome associated with hypotension. Phase 2 trials with infusional flavopiridol in CLL and mantle cell lymphoma, other schedules and combination with standard chemotherapies are ongoing. The second cdk modulator tested in clinical trials, UCN-01, is a potent protein kinase C inhibitor that inhibits cdk activity in vitro as well. UCN-01 blocks cell cycle progression and promotes apoptosis in hematopoietic models. Moreover, UCN-01 is able to abrogate checkpoints induced by genotoxic stress due to modulation in chk1 kinase. The first clinical trial of UCN-01 demonstrated very prolonged half-life (approximately 600 h), 100 times longer than the half-life observed in preclinical models. This effect is due to high binding affinity of UCN-01 to the human plasma protein alpha-1-acid glycoprotein. Main side-effects in this trial were headaches, nausea/vomiting, hypoxemia and hyperglycemia. Clinical activity was observed in patients with melanoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and leiomyosarcoma. Of interest, a patient with anaplastic large cell lymphoma refractory to high-dose chemotherapy showed no evidence of disease after 3 years of UCN-01 therapy. Trials of infusional UCN-01 in combination with Ara-C or gemcitabine in patients with acute leukemia and CLL, respectively, have commenced. In conclusion, flavopiridol and UCN-01 are cdk modulators that reach biologically active concentrations effective in modulating CDK in vitro, and show encouraging results in early clinical trials in patients with refractory hematopoietic malignancies. Although important questions remain to be answered, these positive experiences will hopefully increase the therapeutic modalities in hematological malignancies.
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PMID:Development of cyclin-dependent kinase modulators as novel therapeutic approaches for hematological malignancies. 1124 75

We have investigated the effects of a series of flavonoids on cell proliferation and cell cycle distribution in human melanoma cells OCM-1. Among the compounds that potently inhibited OCM-1 cell proliferation, we show that the presence of a hydroxyl group at the 3'-position of the ring B in quercetin and luteolin, correlated to a G1 cell cycle arrest while its absence in kaempferol and apigenin correlated to a G2 block. Genistein with a hydroxyl at 5-position of the ring A arrested cells in G2 while daidzein which lacks it, induced an accumulation of cells in G1. We demonstrate that flavonoids, which induced a cell cycle block in G1, inhibited the activity of CDK2 by 40-60%. By contrast, those which caused an accumulation of cells in G2/M were without effect. On the other hand, while quercetin, daidzein and luteolin did not alter the activity of CDK1, kaempferol, apigenin and genistein inhibited this kinase by 50-70%. We demonstrate that the up-regulation of the CDK inhibitors p27(KIP1) and p21(CIP1) is likely responsible for the inhibition of CDK2 while inhibition of CDK1 was rather due to the phosphorylation of the kinase on Tyr15 residue.
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PMID:Effects of structurally related flavonoids on cell cycle progression of human melanoma cells: regulation of cyclin-dependent kinases CDK2 and CDK1. 1132 24


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