Integrin α6β4-Src-AKT signaling induces cellular senescence by counteracting apoptosis in irradiated tumor cells and tissues

Seung Hee Jung, Minyoung Lee, Hyun A. Park, Hyung Chul Lee, Donghee Kang, Hyun Jung Hwang, Chanho Park, Dong Min Yu, Yu Ri Jung, Mi Na Hong, Yong Nyun Kim, Heon Joo Park, Young Gyu Ko, Jae Seon Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cellular senescence refers to an irreversible growth arrest that is triggered by various intrinsic and extrinsic stresses. Many recent studies have demonstrated that cellular senescence plays a crucial role in the regression of tumors exposed to ionizing radiation (IR), but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here we show that the activation of integrin β4 is essential for IR-induced cellular senescence. IR treatment results in the phosphorylation of integrin β4 at tyrosine residue 1510, leading to activation of the integrin α6β4-Src-AKT signaling pathway. We further reveal that the IR-induced phosphorylation of integrin β4 is regulated by the cholesterol content and membrane fluidity. We also find that IR-induced p53-caspase signaling is independent of integrin α6β4-Src-AKT signaling. Finally, we show that siRNA- or inhibitor-mediated blockade of integrin α6β4-Src-AKT signaling switches the post-irradiation fate from senescence to apoptosis, under p53 activated condition, in both cancer cells and tumor tissues of xenograft mice. On the basis of our finding that, integrin α6β4 is specifically activated and acts primarily to induce premature senescence in irradiated cancer cells, we propose that this integrin may be a valuable target and biomarker for radiotherapy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)245-259
Number of pages15
JournalCell Death and Differentiation
Volume26
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019 Feb 1

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018, ADMC Associazione Differenziamento e Morte Cellulare.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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