Ha-RasG12V induces senescence in primary and immortalized human esophageal keratinocytes with p53 dysfunction

Oncogenic Ras induces premature senescence in primary cells. Such an oncogene-induced senescence involves activation of tumor suppressor genes that provide a checkpoint mechanism against malignant transformation. In mouse, the ARF–p53 pathway mediates Ha-RasG12V-induced senescence, and p19ARF−/− and p53−/− cells undergo transformation upon Ras activation. In addition, mouse cells, unlike human cells, express constitutively active telomerase and have long telomeres. However, it is unclear how Ras activation affects human cells of epithelial origin with p53 mutation and/or telomerase activation. In order to address this question, Ha-RasG12V was expressed ectopically in primary as well as hTERT-immortalized human esophageal keratinocytes stably expressing dominant-negative p53 mutants. In human esophageal keratinocytes, we found that Ha-RasG12V induced senescence regardless of p53 status and telomerase activation. Ras activation resulted in changes of cellular morphology, activation of senescence-associated β-galactosidase, and suppression of cell proliferation, all coupled with reduction in the hyperphosphorylated form of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb). Furthermore, Ha-RasG12V upregulated p16INK4a and downregulated cyclin-dependent kinase Cdk4 in human esophageal keratinocytes. Thus, Ras-mediated senescence may involve distinct mechanisms between human and mouse cells. Inactivation of the pRb pathway may be necessary for Ras to overcome senescence and transform human esophageal epithelial cells.