A predictive mathematical model of the DNA damage G2 checkpoint
JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY
Authors: Kesseler, Kevin J.; Blinov, Michael L.; Elston, Timothy C.; Kaufmann, William K.; Simpson, Dennis A.
Abstract
A predictive mathematical model of the transition from the G2 phase in the cell cycle to mitosis (M) was constructed from the known interactions of the proteins that are thought to play significant roles in the G2 to M transition as well as the DNA damage- induced G2 checkpoint. The model simulates the accumulation of active cyclin B1/Cdk1 (MPF) complexes in the nucleus to activate mitosis, the inhibition of this process by DNA damage, and transport of component proteins between cytoplasm and nucleus. Interactions in the model are based on activities of individual phospho-epitopes and binding sites of proteins involved in G2/M. Because tracking phosphoforms leads to combinatorial explosion, we employ a rule-based approach using the BioNetGen software. The model was used to determine the effects of depletion or over-expression of selected proteins involved in the regulation of the G2 to M transition in the presence and absence of DNA damage. Depletion of Plk1 delayed mitotic entry and recovery from the DNA damage-induced G2 arrest and over-expression of MPF attenuated the DNA damage-induced G2 delay. The model recapitulates the G2 delay observed in the biological response to varying levels of a DNA damage signal. The model produced the novel prediction that depletion of pkMyt1 results in an abnormal biological state in which G2 cells with DNA damage accumulate inactive nuclear MPF. Such a detailed model may prove useful for predicting DNA damage G2 checkpoint function in cancer and, therefore, sensitivity to cancer therapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Fisetin Inhibits Cell Proliferation through the Induction of G(0)/G(1) Phase Arrest and Caspase-3-Mediated Apoptosis in Mouse Leukemia Cells
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE
Authors: Tsai, Yu-Hsiang; Lin, Jen-Jyh; Ma, Yi-Shih; Peng, Shu-Fen; Huang, An-Cheng; Huang, Yi-Ping; Fan, Ming-Jen; Lien, Jin-Cherng; Chung, Jing-Gung
Abstract
Fisetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, is found in common fruits and vegetables and has been shown to induce cytotoxic effects in many human cancer cell lines. No information has shown that fisetin induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in mouse leukemia WEHI-3 cells. We found that fisetin decreased total viable cells through G(0)/G(1) phase arrest and induced sub-G(1) phase (apoptosis). We have confirmed fisetin induced cell apoptosis by the formation of DNA fragmentation and induction of apoptotic cell death. Results indicated that fisetin induced intracellular Ca2+ increase but decreased the ROS production and the levels of Delta Psi m in WEHI-3 cells. Fisetin increased the activities of caspase-3, -8 and -9. Cells were pre-treated with inhibitors of caspase-3, -8 and -9 and then treated with fisetin and results showed increased viable cell number when compared to fisetin treated only. Fisetin reduced expressions of cdc25a but increased p-p53, Chk1, p21 and p27 that may lead to G(0)/G(1) phase arrest. Fisetin inhibited anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL and increased pro-apoptotic protein Bax and Bak. Furthermore, fisetin increased the protein expression of cytochrome c and AIF. Fisetin decreased cell number through G(0)/G(1) phase arrest via the inhibition of cdc25c and induction of apoptosis through caspase-dependent and mitochondria-dependent pathways. Therefore, fisetin may be useful as a potential therapeutic agent for leukemia.