An RNA interference screen for identifying downstream effectors of the p53 and pRB tumour suppressor pathways involved in senescence.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cellular senescence is an irreversible cell cycle arrest that normal cells undergo in response to progressive shortening of telomeres, changes in telomeric structure, oncogene activation or oxidative stress and acts as an important tumour suppressor mechanism.

Results

To identify the downstream effectors of the p53-p21 and p16-pRB tumour suppressor pathways crucial for mediating entry into senescence, we have carried out a loss-of-function RNA interference screen in conditionally immortalised human fibroblasts that can be induced to rapidly undergo senescence, whereas in primary cultures senescence is stochastic and occurs asynchronously. These cells are immortal but undergo a rapid irreversible arrest upon activation of the p53-p21 and p16-pRB pathways that can b

SUBMITTER: Rovillain E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3161017 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature