Metabolic reprogramming during neuronal differentiation.

Newly generated neurons pass through a series of well-defined developmental stages, which allow them to integrate into existing neuronal circuits. After exit from the cell cycle, postmitotic neurons undergo neuronal migration, axonal elongation, axon pruning, dendrite morphogenesis and synaptic maturation and plasticity. Lack of a global metabolic analysis during early cortical neuronal development led us to explore the role of cellular metabolism and mitochondrial biology during ex vivo differentiation of primary cortical neurons. Unexpectedly, we observed a huge increase in mitochondrial biogenesis. Changes in mitochondrial mass, morphology and function were correlated with the upregulation of the master regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis, TFAM and PGC-1α. Concomitant with mitochondrial biogenesis, we observed an increase in glucose metabolism during neuronal differentiation, which was linked to an increase in glucose uptake and enhanced GLUT3 mRNA expression and platelet isoform of phosphofructokinase 1 (PFKp) protein expression. In addition, glutamate-glutamine metabolism was also increased during the differentiation of cortical neurons. We identified PI3K-Akt-mTOR signalling as a critical regulator role of energy metabolism in neurons. Selective pharmacological inhibition of these metabolic pathways indicate existence of metabolic checkpoint that need to be satisfied in order to allow neuronal differentiation.

Idh1 protects murine hepatocytes from endotoxin-induced oxidative stress by regulating the intracellular NADP(+)/NADPH ratio.

Isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (Idh1) is an important metabolic enzyme that produces NADPH by converting isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate. Idh1 is known to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced in cells by treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro. Here, we used Idh1-deficient knockout (Idh1 KO) mice to investigate the role of Idh1 in antioxidant defense in vivo. Idh1 KO mice showed heightened susceptibility to death induced by LPS and exhibited increased serum levels of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. The serum of LPS-injected Idh1 KO mice also contained elevated levels of AST, a marker of inflammatory liver damage. Furthermore, after LPS injection, livers of Idh1 KO mice showed histological evidence of elevated oxidative DNA damage compared with livers of wild-type (WT) mice. Idh1 KO livers showed a faster and more pronounced oxidative stress than WT livers. In line with that, Idh1 KO hepatocytes showed higher ROS levels and an increase in the NADP(+)/NADPH ratio when compared with hepatocytes isolated from WT mice. These results suggest that Idh1 has a physiological function in protecting cells from oxidative stress by regulating the intracellular NADP(+)/NADPH ratio. Our findings suggest that stimulation of Idh1 activity may be an effective therapeutic strategy for reducing oxidative stress during inflammatory responses, including the early stages of septic shock.

Role of Nek2 on centrosome duplication and aneuploidy in breast cancer cells.

Breast cancer is the most common solid tumor and the second most common cause of death in women. Despite a large body of literature and progress in breast cancer research, many molecular aspects of this complex disease are still poorly understood, hindering the design of specific and effective therapeutic strategies. To identify the molecules important in breast cancer progression and metastasis, we tested the in vivo effects of inhibiting the functions of various kinases and genes involved in the regulation/modulation of the cytoskeleton by downregulating them in mouse PyMT mammary tumor cells and human breast cancer cell lines. These kinases and cytoskeletal regulators were selected based on their prognostic values for breast cancer patient survival. PyMT tumor cells, in which a selected gene was stably knocked down were injected into the tail veins of mice, and the formation of tumors in the lungs was monitored. One of the several genes found to be important for tumor growth in the lungs was NIMA-related kinases 2 (Nek2), a cell cycle-related protein kinase. Furthermore, Nek2 was also important for tumor growth in the mammary fat pad. In various human breast cancer cell lines, Nek2 knockdown induced aneuploidy and cell cycle arrest that led to cell death. Significantly, the breast cancer cell line most sensitive to Nek2 depletion was of the triple negative breast cancer subtype. Our data indicate that Nek2 has a pivotal role in breast cancer growth at primary and secondary sites, and thus may be an attractive and novel therapeutic target for this disease.

PTPN12 promotes resistance to oxidative stress and supports tumorigenesis by regulating FOXO signaling.

It is well known that protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) that become oxidized due to exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) undergo a conformational change and are inactivated. However, whether PTPs can actively regulate ROS levels in order to prevent PTP inhibition has yet to be investigated. Here, we demonstrate that PTP non-receptor type 12 (PTPN12) protects cells against aberrant ROS accumulation and death induced by oxidative stress. Murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) deficient in PTPN12 underwent increased ROS-induced apoptosis under conditions of antioxidant depletion. Cells lacking PTPN12 also showed defective activation of FOXO1/3a, transcription factors required for the upregulation of several antioxidant genes. PTPN12-mediated regulation of ROS appeared to be mediated by phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1), which was hyperstimulated in the absence of PTPN12. As tight regulation of ROS to sustain survival is a key feature of cancer cells, we examined PTPN12 levels in tumors from a cohort of breast cancer patients. Patients whose tumors showed high levels of PTPN12 transcripts had a significantly poorer prognosis. Analysis of tissues from patients with various breast cancer subtypes revealed that more triple-negative breast cancers, the most aggressive breast cancer subtype, showed high PTPN12 expression than any other subtype. Furthermore, both human breast cancer cells and mouse mammary epithelial tumor cells engineered to lack PTPN12 exhibited reduced tumorigenic and metastatic potential in vivo that correlated with their elevated ROS levels. The involvement of PTPN12 in the antioxidant response of breast cancer cells suggests that PTPN12 may represent a novel therapeutic target for this disease.

Lipocalin 2 performs contrasting, location-dependent roles in APCmin tumor initiation and progression.

Evidence that lipocalin 2 (LCN2) is oncogenic has grown in recent years and comes from both animal models and expression analysis from a variety of human cancers. In the intestine, LCN2 is overexpressed in colitis patients and its overexpression is a negative prognostic indicator in colorectal cancer. Functionally, LCN2 has a number of different activities that may contribute to its oncogenic potential, including increasing matrix metalloproteinase activity, control of iron availability and stimulating inflammation. In this report, we examined APCmin intestinal tumorigenesis in an LCN2-deficient background. We found that the loss of LCN2 increased tumor multiplicity specifically in the duodenum, suggesting a potential tumor-suppressive activity. Concurrently, however, LCN2 increased the average small intestinal tumor size particularly in the distal small intestine. We found that this increase was correlated to tumor iron(II) content, suggesting that an iron-scavenging role is important for LCN2 oncogenic activity in the intestine.

Caspase-3 deficiency reveals a physiologic role for Smac/DIABLO in regulating programmed cell death.

Inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP)-binding proteins such as Grim, Reaper and HID have been shown to exert a critical role in regulating caspase activity in species such as D. Melanogaster. However, a comparable role for the mammalian homologue of second mitochondrial-derived activator of caspase/direct IAP-binding protein with low pI (Smac/DIABLO) has yet to be clearly established in vivo. Despite tremendous interest in recent years in the use of so-called Smac mimetics to enhance chemotherapeutic potency, our understanding of the true physiologic nature of Smac/DIABLO in regulating programmed cell death (PCD) remains elusive. In order to critically evaluate the role of Smac/DIABLO in regulating mammalian PCD, deficiency of caspase-3 was used as a sensitizing mutation in order to reduce aggregate levels of executioner caspase activity. We observe that combinatorial deletion of Diablo and Casp3, but neither alone, results in perinatal lethality in mice. Consistent with this, examination of both intrinsic and extrinsic forms of PCD in lines of murine embryonic fibroblasts demonstrate that loss of Smac/DIABLO alters both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent intrinsic PCD. Comparative small interfering RNA inhibition studies of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis, cellular inhibitor of apoptosis (cIAP)-1, cIAP-2, caspase-6 and -7 in both wild-type and Casp3/Diablo DKO mouse embryonic fibroblast lineages, supports a model in which Smac/DIABLO acts to enhance the early phase executioner caspase activity through the modulation of inhibitory interactions between specific IAP family members and executioner caspases-3 and -7.

Essential role of the mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor in programmed cell death.

Programmed cell death is a fundamental requirement for embryogenesis, organ metamorphosis and tissue homeostasis. In mammals, release of mitochondrial cytochrome c leads to the cytosolic assembly of the apoptosome-a caspase activation complex involving Apaf1 and caspase-9 that induces hallmarks of apoptosis. There are, however, mitochondrially regulated cell death pathways that are independent of Apaf1/caspase-9. We have previously cloned a molecule associated with programmed cell death called apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). Like cytochrome c, AIF is localized to mitochondria and released in response to death stimuli. Here we show that genetic inactivation of AIF renders embryonic stem cells resistant to cell death after serum deprivation. Moreover, AIF is essential for programmed cell death during cavitation of embryoid bodies-the very first wave of cell death indispensable for mouse morphogenesis. AIF-dependent cell death displays structural features of apoptosis, and can be genetically uncoupled from Apaf1 and caspase-9 expression. Our data provide genetic evidence for a caspase-independent pathway of programmed cell death that controls early morphogenesis.

Interleukin 13 and interleukin 13 receptor are frequently expressed by Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin lymphoma.

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is characterized by the abnormal expression of multiple cytokines, accounting for its unique clinicopathologic features. We have previously shown that interleukin-13 (IL-13) is secreted by HL cell lines and may serve as an autocrine growth factor. To determine the frequency of IL-13 expression in lymphoma patients, tissue sections from 36 patients with classical HL, 5 patients with nodular lymphocyte predominance HL (NLPHL), and 23 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) were subjected to in situ hybridization. In 31 of 36 cases (86%) of classical HL patients of all histologic subtypes, between 25% to almost 100% of Hodgkin and Reed Sternberg (HRS) cells were positive for IL-13 expression. In contrast, in no case of NLPHL and in only 4 of 23 NHL cases (1 of 5 T-cell-rich B-cell lymphomas, 2 of 5 anaplastic large cell lymphomas, and 1 of 5 peripheral T-cell lymphomas) did the neoplastic cells express IL-13. The expression of the IL-13 receptor chain alpha1 (IL-13Ralpha1) was also analyzed by in situ hybridization. In 24 of 27 (89%) cases of classical HL, between 25% to 75% of HRS cells, as well as a high frequency of lymphocytes and histiocytes, were positive for IL-13Ralpha1 expression. These results were confirmed by the construction of complementary DNA libraries from single HRS cells, followed by polymerase chain reaction analysis, in which IL-13Ralpha1 transcripts were found to be present in all 6 cases of HL. These data indicate that expression of IL-13 and IL-13Ralpha1 is a common feature of HRS cells in HL, consistent with the hypothesis that IL-13 may play a role in autocrine growth in classical HL.

Deficiency of T2K leads to apoptotic liver degeneration and impaired NF-kappaB-dependent gene transcription.

Induction of NF-kappaB-dependent transcription requires phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of I-kappaB, an inhibitor of NF-kappaB, followed by nuclear translocation and DNA binding of NF-kappaB. Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) plays a role in NF-kappaB activation in response to cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). In this study, we purified and characterized a novel kinase (T2K, also known as TBK1 or NAK), which associates with TRAF2 and exhibits kinase activity towards I-kappaBalpha in vitro. The physiological function of T2K was investigated using T2K-deficient mice. Heterozygotes appear normal, but t2k(-/-) animals die at approximately E14.5 of massive liver degeneration and apoptosis. Never theless, hematopoietic progenitors from T2K-deficient fetal liver support normal lymphocyte development. Furthermore, t2k(-/-) embryonic fibroblasts and thymocytes do not display increased sensitivity to TNFalpha-induced apoptosis. In response to either TNFalpha or IL-1 induction, t2k(-/-) embryonic fibroblasts exhibit normal degradation of I-kappaB and kappaB-binding activity. However, NF-kappaB-directed transcription is dramatically reduced. These results demonstrate that, like I-kappaB kinase beta and the RelA subunit of NF-kappaB, T2K is critical in protecting embryonic liver from apoptosis. However, T2K has a unique role in the activation of NF-kappaB-directed transcription, apparently independent of I-kappaB degradation and NF-kappaB DNA binding.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) deficiency results in exencephaly and is required for apoptosis within the developing CNS.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) are adaptor proteins important in mediating intracellular signaling. We report here that targeted deletion of traf6 greatly increases the frequency of failure of neural tube closure and exencephaly in traf6 (-/-) mice. The penetrance of this defect is influenced by genetic background. Neural tube fusion requires the coordination of several biological processes, including cell migration invoked by contact-dependent signaling, cell proliferation, and programmed cell death (PCD). To gain greater insight into the role of TRAF6 in these processes, neural development and migration within the CNS of traf6 (-/-) mice and controls were assessed through temporal examination of a number of immunohistochemical markers. In addition, relative levels of cellular proliferation and PCD were examined throughout embryonic development using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP biotinylated nick end labeling (TUNEL), respectively. The data suggest that loss of TRAF6 does not significantly alter the level of cellular proliferation or the pattern of neural differentiation per se, but rather regulates the level of PCD within specific regions of the developing CNS. Substantial reductions in TUNEL were observed within the ventral diencephalon and mesencephalon in exencephalic traf6 (-/-) embryos. Our results demonstrate a novel and prominent role for TRAF6 in the regional control of PCD within the developing CNS.

Requirement for Casper (c-FLIP) in regulation of death receptor-induced apoptosis and embryonic development.

Casper (c-FLIP) associates with FADD and caspase-8 in signaling complexes downstream of death receptors like Fas. We generated Casper-deficient mice and cells and noted a duality in the physiological functions of this molecule. casper-/- embryos do not survive past day 10.5 of embryogenesis and exhibit impaired heart development. This phenotype is reminiscent of that reported for FADD-/- and caspase-8-/- embryos. However, unlike FADD-/- and caspase-8-/- cells, casper-/- embryonic fibroblasts are highly sensitive to FasL- or TNF-induced apoptosis and show rapid induction of caspase activities. NF-kappaB and JNK/SAPK activation is intact in TNF-stimulated casper-/- cells. These results suggest that Casper has two distinct roles: to cooperate with FADD and caspase-8 during embryonic development and to mediate cytoprotection against death factor-induced apoptosis.

Severe liver degeneration and lack of NF-kappaB activation in NEMO/IKKgamma-deficient mice.

Phosphorylation of IkappaB, an inhibitor of NF-kappaB, is an important step in the activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. Phosphorylation is mediated by the IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex, known to contain two catalytic subunits: IKKalpha and IKKbeta. A novel, noncatalytic component of this kinase complex called NEMO (NF-kappaB essential modulator)/IKKgamma was identified recently. We have generated NEMO/IKKgamma-deficient mice by gene targeting. Mutant embryos die at E12.5-E13.0 from severe liver damage due to apoptosis. NEMO/IKKgamma-deficient primary murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) lack detectable NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity in response to TNFalpha, IL-1, LPS, and Poly(IC) and do not show stimulus-dependent IkappaB kinase activity, which correlates with a lack of phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaBalpha. Consistent with these data, mutant MEFs show increased sensitivity to TNFalpha-induced apoptosis. Our data provide in vivo evidence that NEMO/IKKgamma is the first essential, noncatalytic component of the IKK complex.

Retinal stem cells in the adult mammalian eye.

The mature mammalian retina is thought to lack regenerative capacity. Here, we report the identification of a stem cell in the adult mouse eye, which represents a possible substrate for retinal regeneration. Single pigmented ciliary margin cells clonally proliferate in vitro to form sphere colonies of cells that can differentiate into retinal-specific cell types, including rod photoreceptors, bipolar neurons, and Müller glia. Adult retinal stem cells are localized to the pigmented ciliary margin and not to the central and peripheral retinal pigmented epithelium, indicating that these cells may be homologous to those found in the eye germinal zone of other nonmammalian vertebrates.

The mammalian ShcB and ShcC phosphotyrosine docking proteins function in the maturation of sensory and sympathetic neurons.

Shc proteins possess SH2 and PTB domains and serve a scaffolding function in signaling by a variety of receptor tyrosine kinases. There are three known mammalian Shc genes, of which ShcB and ShcC are primarily expressed in the nervous system. We have generated null mutations in ShcB and ShcC and have obtained mice lacking either ShcB or ShcC or both gene products. ShcB-deficient animals exhibit a loss of peptidergic and nonpeptidergic nociceptive sensory neurons, which is not enhanced by additional loss of ShcC. Mice lacking both ShcB and ShcC exhibit a significant loss of neurons within the superior cervical ganglia, which is not observed in either mutant alone. The results indicate that these Shc family members possess both unique and overlapping functions in regulating neural development and suggest physiological roles for ShcB/ShcC in TrkA signaling.

In vivo evidence that caspase-3 is required for Fas-mediated apoptosis of hepatocytes.

Caspase-3 is essential for Fas-mediated apoptosis in vitro. We investigated the role of caspase-3 in Fas-mediated cell death in vivo by injecting caspase-3-deficient mice with agonistic anti-Fas Ab. Wild-type controls died rapidly of fulminant hepatitis, whereas the survival of caspase-3-/- mice was increased due to a delay in hepatocyte cell death. Bcl-2 expression in the liver was dramatically decreased in wild-type mice following anti-Fas injection, but was unchanged in caspase-3-/- mice. Hepatocytes from anti-Fas-injected wild-type, but not caspase-3-/-, mice released cytochrome c into the cytoplasm. Western blotting confirmed the lack of caspase-3-mediated cleavage of Bcl-2. Presumably the presence of intact Bcl-2 in caspase-3-/- hepatocytes prevents the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria, a required step for the mitochondrial death pathway. We also show by Western blot that Bcl-xL, caspase-9, caspase-8, and Bid are processed by caspase-3 in injected wild-type mice but that this processing does not occur in caspase-3-/- mice. This study thus provides novel in vivo evidence that caspase-3, conventionally known for its downstream effector function in apoptosis, also modifies Bcl-2 and other upstream proteins involved in the regulation of Fas-mediated apoptosis.

Expression of human FALS SOD in motorneurons of Drosophila.

Mutations in human CuZn superoxide dismutase (SOD) have been associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). Although leading to many experimental advances, this finding has not yet led to a clear understanding of the biochemical mechanism by which mutations in SOD promote the degeneration of motorneurons that causes this incurable paralytic disease. To explore the biochemical mechanism of FALS SOD-mediated neuropathogenesis, we used transgenic methodology to target the expression of a human FALS SOD to motorneurons of Drosophila, an organism known for its phenotypic sensitivity to genetic manipulation of SOD. Earlier, we showed that targeted expression of human SOD in motorneurons of Drosophila causes a dramatic extension of adult lifespan (>40%) and rescues most of the phenotypes of SOD-null mutants. Using the same genetic system, we now ask if targeted expression of a mutant allele of human SOD that is associated with FALS causes paralysis and premature death, or is otherwise injurious in Drosophila as it is in humans and transgenic mice. Here we report that high-level expression of a human FALS SOD in motorneurons is not detrimental and does not promote paralysis and premature death when expressed in motorneurons of Drosophila. In sharp contrast, the expression of FALS SOD in Drosophila actually extends lifespan, augments resistance to oxidative stress and partially rescues SOD-null mutants in a manner predicted by our earlier studies on the expression of wildtype human SOD in Drosophila motorneurons.

Interleukin 13 is secreted by and stimulates the growth of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells.

Gene expression patterns can provide vital clues to the pathogenesis of neoplastic diseases. We investigated the expression of 950 genes in Hodgkin's disease (HD) by analyzing differential mRNA expression using microarrays. In two independent microarray experiments, the HD-derived cell lines L428 and KMH2 were compared with an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-immortalized lymphoblastoid B cell line, LCL-GK. Interleukin (IL)-13 and IL-5 were found to be highly expressed in the HD-derived cell lines. Examination of IL-13 and IL-5 expression by Northern blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay confirmed these results and revealed the expression of IL-13 in a third HD-derived cell line, HDLM2. Control LCL and EBV-negative non-Hodgkin lymphoma-derived cell lines did not express IL-13. In situ hybridization of lymph node tissue from HD patients showed that elevated levels of IL-13 were specifically expressed by Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (H/RS) tumor cells. Treatment of a HD-derived cell line with a neutralizing antibody to IL-13 resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of H/RS cell proliferation. These data suggest that H/RS cells produce IL-13 and that IL-13 plays an important role in the stimulation of H/RS cell growth, possibly by an autocrine mechanism. Modulation of the IL-13 signaling pathway may be a logical objective for future therapeutic strategies.

Interaction between Notch signalling and Lunatic fringe during somite boundary formation in the mouse.

BACKGROUND: The process of somitogenesis can be divided into three major events: the prepatterning of the mesoderm; the formation of boundaries between the prospective somites; and the cellular differentiation of the somites. Expression and functional studies have demonstrated the involvement of the murine Notch pathway in somitogenesis, although its precise role in this process is not yet well understood. We examined the effect of mutations in the Notch pathway elements Delta like 1 (Dll1), Notch1 and RBPJkappa on genes expressed in the presomitic mesoderm (PSM) and have defined the spatial relationships of Notch pathway gene expression in this region. RESULTS: We have shown that expression of Notch pathway genes in the PSM overlaps in the region where the boundary between the posterior and anterior halves of two consecutive somites will form. The Dll1, Notch1 and RBPJkappa mutations disrupt the expression of Lunatic fringe (L-fng), Jagged1, Mesp1, Mesp2 and Hes5 in the PSM. Furthermore, expression of EphA4, mCer 1 and uncx4.1, markers for the anterior-posterior subdivisions of the somites, is down-regulated to different extents in Notch pathway mutants, indicating a global alteration of pattern in the PSM. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a model for the mechanism of somite border formation in which the activity of Notch in the PSM is restricted by L-fng to a boundary-forming territory in the posterior half of the prospective somite. In this region, Notch function activates a set of genes that are involved in boundary formation and anterior-posterior somite identity.

High cancer susceptibility and embryonic lethality associated with mutation of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene in mice.

BACKGROUND: Germ-line and sporadic mutations in the tumor suppressor gene PTEN (also known as MMAC or TEP1), which encodes a dual-specificity phosphatase, cause a variety of cancers such as Cowden disease, glioblastoma, endometrial carcinoma and prostatic cancer. PTEN is widely expressed, and Cowden disease consistently affects various organ systems, suggesting that the PTEN protein must have an important, although as yet poorly understood, function in cellular physiology. RESULTS: Homozygous mutant mice lacking exons 3-5 of the PTEN gene (mPTEN3-5) had severely expanded and abnormally patterned cephalic and caudal regions at day 8.5 of gestation. Embryonic death occurred by day 9.5 and was associated with defective chorio-allantoic development. Heterozygous mPTEN3-5 mice had an increased incidence of tumors, especially T-cell lymphomas; gamma-irradiation reduced the time lapse of tumor formation. DNA analysis of these tumors revealed the deletion of the mPTEN gene due to loss of heterozygosity of the wild-type allele. Tumors associated with loss of heterozygosity in mPTEN showed elevated phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB, also known as Akt kinase), thus providing a functional connection between mPTEN and a murine proto-oncogene (c-Akt) involved in the development of lymphomas. CONCLUSIONS: The mPTEN gene is fundamental for embryonic development in mice, as mPTEN3-5 mutant embryos died by day 9.5 of gestation, with patterning defects in cephalic and caudal regions and defective placentation. Heterozygous mice developed lymphomas associated with loss of heterozygosity of the wild-type mPTEN allele, and tumor appearance was accelerated by gamma-irradiation. These lymphomas had high levels of activated Akt/PKB, the protein product of a murine proto-oncogene with anti-apoptotic function, associated with thymic lymphomas. This suggests that tumors associated with mPTEN loss of heterozygosity may arise as a consequence of an acquired survival advantage. We provide direct evidence of the role of mPTEN as a tumor suppressor gene in mice, and establish the mPTEN mutant mouse as an experimental model for investigating the role of PTEN in cancer progression.

Apaf1 is required for mitochondrial pathways of apoptosis and brain development.

Apoptosis is essential for the precise regulation of cellular homeostasis and development. The role in vivo of Apaf1, a mammalian homolog of C. elegans CED-4, was investigated in gene-targeted Apaf1-/- mice. Apaf1-deficient mice exhibited reduced apoptosis in the brain and striking craniofacial abnormalities with hyperproliferation of neuronal cells. Apaf1-deficient cells were resistant to a variety of apoptotic stimuli, and the processing of Caspases 2, 3, and 8 was impaired. However, both Apaf1-/- thymocytes and activated T lymphocytes were sensitive to Fas-induced killing, showing that Fas-mediated apoptosis in these cells is independent of Apaf1. These data indicate that Apaf1 plays a central role in the common events of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in most death pathways and that this role is critical for normal development.