ARF Differentially Modulates Apoptosis Induced by E2F1 and Myc

Abstract

The ARF tumor suppressor participates in a p53-dependent apoptotic pathway that is stimulated in response to some oncogenic stimuli. The E2F1 transcription factor is a critical downstream target of the Rb tumor suppressor and, when active, can promote proliferation as well as apoptosis. The finding that E2F1 transcriptionally regulates the ARF gene has led to the suggestion that ARF contributes to E2F1-induced apoptosis. Counter to this hypothesis, this study demonstrates not only that ARF is unnecessary for E2F1 to induce apoptosis but also that inactivation of ARF actually enhances the ability of E2F1 to promote apoptosis. Inactivation of ARF also cooperates with E2F1 activity to promote entry into the S phase of the cell cycle. This relationship between ARF and E2F1 is demonstrated in transgenic epidermis in vivo and in mouse embryo fibroblast cultures in vitro. In contrast, the ability of Myc to induce apoptosis is diminished in the absence of ARF. E2F1 induces the accumulation of p53 in the absence of ARF, and this is associated with the phosphorylation of p53 on several residues. These findings demonstrate that ARF is a negative regulator of E2F1 activity and is not required for E2F1-induced apoptosis.

We are especially grateful to Tim Kowalik for helpful discussions, reagents, and training. We thank Jen Smith for outstanding technical assistance, Dale Weiss and coworkers for animal care, Judy Ing and Chris Yone for artwork, and Shawnda Sanders for preparation of the manuscript.

This work was supported by grants from the National Institute of Health (CA79648 to D.G.J., CA42157 to C.J.C., NIEHS center grant ES007784, and CA16672). The work was also supported by Tobacco Settlement Funds as appropriated by the Texas State Legislature. J.L.R. is supported in part by an American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship.

J.L.R. and J.T.P. contributed equally to this work.