NIAM-deficient mice are predisposed to the development of proliferative lesions including B-cell lymphomas

PLoS One. 2014 Nov 13;9(11):e112126. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112126. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Nuclear Interactor of ARF and Mdm2 (NIAM, gene designation Tbrg1) is a largely unstudied inhibitor of cell proliferation that helps maintain chromosomal stability. It is a novel activator of the ARF-Mdm2-Tip60-p53 tumor suppressor pathway as well as other undefined pathways important for genome maintenance. To examine its predicted role as a tumor suppressor, we generated NIAM mutant (NIAM(m/m)) mice homozygous for a β-galactosidase expressing gene-trap cassette in the endogenous gene. The mutant mice expressed significantly lower levels of NIAM protein in tissues compared to wild-type animals. Fifty percent of aged NIAM deficient mice (14 to 21 months) developed proliferative lesions, including a uterine hemangioma, pulmonary papillary adenoma, and a Harderian gland adenoma. No age-matched wild-type or NIAM(+/m) heterozygous animals developed lesions. In the spleen, NIAM(m/m) mice had prominent white pulp expansion which correlated with enhanced increased reactive lymphoid hyperplasia and evidence of systemic inflammation. Notably, 17% of NIAM mutant mice had splenic white pulp features indicating early B-cell lymphoma. This correlated with selective expansion of marginal zone B cells in the spleens of younger, tumor-free NIAM-deficient mice. Unexpectedly, basal p53 expression and activity was largely unaffected by NIAM loss in isolated splenic B cells. In sum, NIAM down-regulation in vivo results in a significant predisposition to developing benign tumors or early stage cancers. These mice represent an outstanding platform for dissecting NIAM's role in tumorigenesis and various anti-cancer pathways, including p53 signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / genetics
  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Hemangioma / genetics
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia / genetics
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / genetics*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Niam protein, mouse
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53