PRIMA-1(MET)/APR-246 targets mutant forms of p53 family members p63 and p73

Oncogene. 2010 Dec 9;29(49):6442-51. doi: 10.1038/onc.2010.382. Epub 2010 Sep 6.

Abstract

The low molecular weight compound PRIMA-1 and the structural analog PRIMA-1(MET), also named APR-246, reactivate mutant p53 through covalent binding to the core domain and induce apoptosis in tumor cells. Here, we asked whether PRIMA-1(MET)/APR-246 can rescue mutant forms of the p53 family members p63 and p73 that share high sequence homology with p53. We found that PRIMA-1(MET)/APR-246 can restore the pro-apoptotic function to mutant TAp63γ and TAp73β in tumor cells but has less effect on TAp73α. Moreover, PRIMA-1(MET)/APR-246-stimulated DNA binding of mutant TAp63γ and induced expression of the p53/p63/p73 downstream targets p21 and Noxa. The reactivation of mutant p53, p63 and p73 by PRIMA-1(MET)/APR-246 indicates a common mechanism, presumably involving homologous structural elements in the p53 family proteins. Our findings may open avenues for therapeutic intervention in human developmental disorders with mutations in p63.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / genetics*
  • Aza Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Gene Expression / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Quinuclidines / pharmacology*
  • Trans-Activators / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Protein p73
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Aza Compounds
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • CDKN1A protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • PMAIP1 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Quinuclidines
  • TP63 protein, human
  • TP73 protein, human
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Protein p73
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1-azabicyclo(2,2,2,)octan-3-one
  • eprenetapopt