¹Brander Cancer Research Institute, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA

²Alfacell Corporation, Bloomfield, NJ, USA

³Zalmen Arlin Cancer Institute, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA

^aCorrespondence: Z Darzynkiewicz, Brander Cancer Research Institute, New York Medical College, 100 Grasslands Road, Elmsford, NY, 10595, USA; Fax: 914 347 2804

Onconase is a 12 kDa protein homologous to pancreatic RNase A isolated from amphibian oocytes which shows cytostatic and cytotoxic activity in vitro, inhibits growth of tumors in mice and is in phase III clinical trials. The present study was aimed to reveal mechanisms by which onconase perturbs the cell cycle progression. Human histiocytic lymphoma U937 cells were treated with onconase and expression of cyclins D3 and E, as well as of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs) p16^INK4A, p21^WAF1/CIP1 and p27^KIP1 (all detected immunocyto-chemically) was measured by multiparameter flow cytometry, in relation to the cell cycle position. Also monitored was the status of phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRb) by a novel method utilizing mAb which specifically detects underphosphorylated pRb in individual cells. Cell incubation with 170 nM onconase for 24 h and longer led to their arrest in G₁ which was accompanied by a decrease in expression of cyclin D3, no change in cyclin E, and enhanced expression of all three CKIs. pRb was underphosphorylated in the onconase arrested G₁ cells but was phosphorylated in the cells that were still progressing through S and G₂/M in the presence of onconase. The cytostatic effect of onconase thus appears to be mediated by downregulation of cyclin D3 combined with upregulation of p27^KIP1, p16^INK4A and p21^WAF1/CIP1, the events which may prevent phosphorylation of pRb during G_0/1 and result in cell arrest at the restriction point controlled by Cdk4/6 and D type cyclins.

cell cycle; RNase; CKI; Cdk4; G₁ restriction point