Functional interplay between E2F1 and chemotherapeutic drugs defines immediate E2F1 target genes crucial for cancer cell death

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2010 Mar;67(6):931-48. doi: 10.1007/s00018-009-0222-0. Epub 2009 Dec 15.

Abstract

The E2F1 transcription factor enhances apoptosis by DNA damage in tumors lacking p53. To elucidate the mechanism of a potential cooperation between E2F1 and chemotherapy, whole-genome microarrays of chemoresistant tumor cell lines were performed focusing on the identification of cooperation response genes (CRG). This gene class is defined by a synergistic expression response upon endogenous E2F1 activation and drug treatment. Cluster analysis revealed an expression pattern of CRGs similar to E2F1 mono-therapy, suggesting that chemotherapeutics enhance E2F1-dependent gene expression at the transcriptional level. Using this approach as a tool to explore E2F1-driven gene expression in response to anticancer drugs, we identified novel apoptosis genes such as the tumor suppressor TIEG1/KLF10 as direct E2F1 targets. We show that TIEG1/KLF10 is transcriptionally activated by E2F1 and crucial for E2F1-mediated chemosensitization of cancer cells. Our results provide a broader picture of E2F1-regulated genes in conjunction with cytotoxic treatment that allows the design of more rational therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cluster Analysis
  • E2F1 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Early Growth Response Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • E2F1 Transcription Factor
  • E2F1 protein, human
  • Early Growth Response Transcription Factors
  • KLF10 protein, human
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors