CHK1 expression in Gastric Cancer is modulated by p53 and RB1/E2F1: implications in chemo/radiotherapy response

Sci Rep. 2016 Feb 12:6:21519. doi: 10.1038/srep21519.

Abstract

Radiation has a limited but relevant role in the adjuvant therapy of gastric cancer (GC) patients. Since Chk1 plays a critical function in cellular response to genotoxic agents, we aimed to analyze the role of Chk1 in GC as a biomarker for radiotherapy resistance. We analyzed Chk1 expression in AGS and MKN45 human GC cell lines by RT-QPCR and WB and in a small cohort of human patient's samples. We demonstrated that Chk1 overexpression specifically increases resistance to radiation in GC cells. Accordingly, abrogation of Chk1 activity with UCN-01 and its expression with shChk1 increased sensitivity to bleomycin and radiation. Furthermore, when we assessed Chk1 expression in human samples, we found a correlation between nuclear Chk1 accumulation and a decrease in progression free survival. Moreover, using a luciferase assay we found that Chk1's expression is controlled by p53 and RB/E2F1 at the transcriptional level. Additionally, we present preliminary data suggesting a posttranscriptional regulation mechanism, involving miR-195 and miR-503, which are inversely correlated with expression of Chk1 in radioresistant cells. In conclusion, Chk1/microRNA axis is involved in resistance to radiation in GC, and suggests Chk1 as a potential tool for optimal stratification of patients susceptible to receive adjuvant radiotherapy after surgery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bleomycin / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1 / biosynthesis*
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1 / genetics
  • Chemoradiotherapy*
  • E2F1 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • E2F1 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic* / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic* / radiation effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic* / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic* / radiation effects
  • Humans
  • Retinoblastoma Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Retinoblastoma Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / genetics
  • Stomach Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology
  • Stomach Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism*

Substances

  • E2F1 Transcription Factor
  • E2F1 protein, human
  • RB1 protein, human
  • Retinoblastoma Binding Proteins
  • TP53 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Bleomycin
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • CHEK1 protein, human
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1