Selective induction of cell cycle regulatory genes cdk1 (p34cdc2), cyclins A/B, and the tumor suppressor gene Rb in transformed cells by okadaic acid.

Genes encoding cdk1 (p34cdc2), cyclin A, cyclin B, and the tumor suppressor gene Rb are fundamental regulators of cell cycle progression which associate as a complex with the transcription factor E2F. Expression of many of these proteins has previously been shown to be repressed by okadaic acid, a specific inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1/2A (PP1/PP2A), resulting in growth arrest in nontransformed but immortalized cells. We have investigated levels of mRNA encoding cdk1 (p34cdc2), cyclin A, cyclin B, Rb, GAPDH, c-myc, and histone H4 genes for sensitivity to okadaic acid in HeLa cells to determine if transformation altered their regulation. Serum starvation slowed growth and diminished mRNA levels for all genes tested except c-myc and GAPDH. When starved cells were subsequently exposed to 19 nM okadaic acid or refed 10% serum, mRNA levels of cyclin A, cyclin B, cdk1, and Rb dramatically increased while mRNA levels for c-myc and GAPDH were largely unaffected. Histone H4 mRNA levels and the rate of DNA synthesis were greatly enhanced by serum addition but not affected appreciably by okadaic acid. Okadaic acid was also effective in blocking proliferation of exponentially growing HeLa cells at G2/M and S phase. Despite the cell cycle phase-specific block, elevated mRNA levels for cdk1, cyclin A, cyclin B, Rb, and suppression of H4 mRNA levels were detected and persisted for at least 12 hr following okadaic acid removal. The results demonstrate that cell cycle progression is blocked and several cell cycle regulatory genes, encoding transcription factor E2F-associated proteins, experience elevation of mRNA levels through mechanisms sensitive to okadaic acid likely through a PP1/PP2A-sensitive mechanism. Data from transformed cells contrast with data from immortalized but nontransformed cells in which okadaic acid also blocks cell cycle progression during G2/M phase but suppresses expression of these genes. Such contrasts may be correlated with reduced growth factor dependence and transformation.