Induction of human endometrial cancer cell senescence through modulation of HIF-1alpha activity by EGLN1

Int J Cancer. 2006 Mar 1;118(5):1144-53. doi: 10.1002/ijc.21488.

Abstract

Previous observations indicate that transfer of human chromosome (chr.) 1 induces senescence of endometrial cancer cells. To identify the gene(s) responsible for the senescence, we first analyzed the structural integrity of the introduced chr. 1 in immortal revertant from chr.1-transferred HHUA cells. The data demonstrated a correlation between nonrandom deletions within the 1q31-qter region and reversion to immortality. Next, by using a panel of 12 microsatellite markers, we found high frequencies of loss of heterozygosity in the particular 1q region (1q41-42), in surgically removed samples. Then, we screened the genetic mutation of the genes involved in this region, with endometrial cancer panel. Among them, EGLN1, that is a member of prolyl hydroxylase and can facilitate HIF-1 degradation by ubiquitination through the hydroxylation of HIF-1, was mutated at significantly higher frequencies (12/20, 60%). Introduction of wild-type EGLN1 into endometrial cancer cell lines (HHUA, Ishikawa and HWCA), that carry EGLN1 gene mutations induced senescence. This was invoked through the negative regulation of HIF-1 expression. In addition, alternative way of negative regulation of HIF-1 by Factor inhibiting HIF-1(FIH), SiRNA against HIF-1, and HIF-1 inhibitor, YC-1, could also induce senescence. Thus, EGLN1 can be considered as a candidate tumor suppressor on chr. 1q, and our observation could open the new aspect in exploring the machinery of senescence induction associated with HIF-1 signal transduction. These results also suggested the availability of negative regulation of HIF-1 signals for uterine cancer treatment, especially for uterine sarcomas that have worse prognosis and show a high frequency of EGLN1 gene abnormality.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cellular Senescence / physiology*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 / genetics
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / genetics
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / genetics
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism*
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-Proline Dioxygenases
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / genetics
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Procollagen-Proline Dioxygenase / genetics
  • Procollagen-Proline Dioxygenase / metabolism*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Immediate-Early Proteins
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • EGLN1 protein, human
  • Procollagen-Proline Dioxygenase
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-Proline Dioxygenases