TAp73 knockout shows genomic instability with infertility and tumor suppressor functions

Genes Dev. 2008 Oct 1;22(19):2677-91. doi: 10.1101/gad.1695308. Epub 2008 Sep 19.

Abstract

The Trp53 gene family member Trp73 encodes two major groups of protein isoforms, TAp73 and DeltaNp73, with opposing pro- and anti-apoptotic functions; consequently, their relative ratio regulates cell fate. However, the precise roles of p73 isoforms in cellular events such as tumor initiation, embryonic development, and cell death remain unclear. To determine which aspects of p73 function are attributable to the TAp73 isoforms, we generated and characterized mice in which exons encoding the TAp73 isoforms were specifically deleted to create a TAp73-deficient (TAp73(-/-)) mouse. Here we show that mice specifically lacking in TAp73 isoforms develop a phenotype intermediate between the phenotypes of Trp73(-/-) and Trp53(-/-) mice with respect to incidence of spontaneous and carcinogen-induced tumors, infertility, and aging, as well as hippocampal dysgenesis. In addition, cells from TAp73(-/-) mice exhibit genomic instability associated with enhanced aneuploidy, which may account for the increased incidence of spontaneous tumors observed in these mutants. Hence, TAp73 isoforms exert tumor-suppressive functions and indicate an emerging role for Trp73 in the maintenance of genomic stability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / genetics
  • Aging / physiology
  • Aneuploidy
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Embryonic Development / genetics
  • Embryonic Development / physiology
  • Female
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Genomic Instability*
  • Hippocampus / abnormalities
  • Infertility, Female / etiology
  • Infertility, Female / genetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neoplasms / etiology
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / deficiency*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology
  • Phenotype
  • Pregnancy
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / deficiency
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / physiology

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • delta Np73, mouse