Reduced Levels of ATF-2 Predispose Mice to Mammary Tumors

Abstract

Transcription factor ATF-2 is a nuclear target of stress-activated protein kinases, such as p38, which are activated by various extracellular stresses, including UV light. Here, we show that ATF-2 plays a critical role in hypoxia- and high-cell-density-induced apoptosis and the development of mammary tumors. Compared to wild-type cells, Atf-2 -/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were more resistant to hypoxia- and anisomycin-induced apoptosis but remained equally susceptible to other stresses, including UV. Atf-2 -/- and Atf-2 +/- MEFs could not express a group of genes, such as Gadd45α, whose overexpression can induce apoptosis, in response to hypoxia. Atf-2 -/- MEFs also had a higher saturation density than wild-type cells and expressed lower levels of Maspin, the breast cancer tumor suppressor, which is also known to enhance cellular sensitivity to apoptotic stimuli. Atf-2 -/- MEFs underwent a lower degree of apoptosis at high cell density than wild-type cells. Atf-2 +/- mice were highly prone to mammary tumors that expressed reduced levels of Gadd45α and Maspin. The ATF-2 mRNA levels in human breast cancers were lower than those in normal breast tissue. Thus, ATF-2 acts as a tumor susceptibility gene of mammary tumors, at least partly, by activating a group of target genes, including Maspin and Gadd45α. Copyright © 2007, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.