Transient inhibition of p53 homologs protects ovarian function from two distinct apoptotic pathways triggered by anticancer therapies

Cell Death Differ. 2019 Mar;26(3):502-515. doi: 10.1038/s41418-018-0151-2. Epub 2018 Jul 9.

Abstract

Platinum-based chemotherapies can result in ovarian insufficiency by reducing the ovarian reserve, a reduction believed to result from apoptosis of immature oocytes via activation/phosphorylation of TAp63α by multiple kinases including CHEK2, CK1, and ABL1. Here we demonstrate that cisplatin (CDDP) induces oocyte apoptosis through a novel pathway and that temporary repression of this pathway fully preserves ovarian function in vivo. Although ABL kinase inhibitors effectively block CDDP-induced apoptosis of oocytes, oocytic ABL1, and ABL2 are dispensable for damage-induced apoptosis. Instead, CDDP activates TAp63α through the ATR > CHEK1 pathway independent of TAp63α hyper-phosphorylation, whereas X-irradiation activates the ATM > CHEK2 > TAp63α-hyper-phosphorylation pathway. Furthermore, oocyte-specific deletion of Trp73 partially protects oocytes from CDDP but not from X-ray, highlighting the fundamental differences of two pathways. Nevertheless, temporary repression of DNA damage response by a kinase inhibitor that attenuates phosphorylation of ATM, ATR, CHEK1, and CHEK2 fully preserves fertility in female mice against CDDP as well as X-ray. Our current study establishes the molecular basis and feasibility of adjuvant therapies to protect ovarian function against two distinctive gonadotoxic therapeutics, CDDP, and ionizing radiation.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Ovary / pathology*
  • Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / etiology*
  • Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / pathology
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53