Senescence-like changes induced by expression of p21(waf1/Cip1) in NIH3T3 cell line

Cell Res. 2002 Sep;12(3-4):229-33. doi: 10.1038/sj.cr.7290129.

Abstract

P21(Waf1/Cip1) is a potent cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. As a downstream mediator of p53, p21(Waf1/Cip1) involves in cell cycle arrest, differentiation and apoptosis. Previous studies in human cells provided evidence for a link between p21(Waf1/Cip1) and cellular senescence. While in murine cells, the role of p21(Waf1/Cip1) is indefinite. We explored this issue using NIH3T3 cells with inducible p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression. Induction of p21(Waf1/Cip1) triggered G1 growth arrest, and NIH3T3-p21 cells exhibited morphologic features, such as enlarged and flattened cellular shape, specific to the senescence phenotype. We also showed that p21(Waf1/Cip1)-transduced NIH3T3 cells expressed beta-galactosidase activity at pH 6.0, which is known to be a marker of senescence. Our results suggest that p2l(Waf1/Cip1) can also induce senescence-like changes in murine cells.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cellular Senescence / genetics*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Cyclins / metabolism*
  • Doxycycline / pharmacology
  • G1 Phase / drug effects
  • Gene Expression
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Mice
  • Phenotype
  • S Phase / drug effects
  • Transduction, Genetic
  • Transformation, Genetic
  • beta-Galactosidase / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cdkn1a protein, mouse
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Cyclins
  • beta-Galactosidase
  • Doxycycline