Proteasome-Mediated Destruction of the Cyclin A/Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 Complex Suppresses Tumor Cell Growth in Vitro and in Vivo

W Chen, J Lee, SY Cho, HA Fine - Cancer research, 2004 - AACR
W Chen, J Lee, SY Cho, HA Fine
Cancer research, 2004AACR
Cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) represent potentially promising molecular targets for
cancer therapeutic strategies. To evaluate the antitumor activity of selective cyclin/cdk
inhibition, we constructed a chimeric protein composed of a F-box protein (TrCP) fused to a
peptide comprising the cyclin/cdk2 binding motif in p21-like cdk inhibitors (TrCP-LFG). We
now demonstrate that endogenous cyclin A and its binding substrate, cdk2, can be tethered
to β-TrCP, ubiquitinated, and effectively degraded. Degradation of cdk2 and cyclin A …
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) represent potentially promising molecular targets for cancer therapeutic strategies. To evaluate the antitumor activity of selective cyclin/cdk inhibition, we constructed a chimeric protein composed of a F-box protein (TrCP) fused to a peptide comprising the cyclin/cdk2 binding motif in p21-like cdk inhibitors (TrCP-LFG). We now demonstrate that endogenous cyclin A and its binding substrate, cdk2, can be tethered to β-TrCP, ubiquitinated, and effectively degraded. Degradation of cdk2 and cyclin A together, but not cdk2 alone, results in massive tumor cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo in a proteasome-dependent manner with no toxicity to normal tissue. These data demonstrate that cyclin A and/or the cyclin A/cdk2 complex is a promising anticancer target with a high therapeutic index.
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