Overexpression of GRIM-19 accelerates radiation-induced osteosarcoma cells apoptosis by p53 stabilization

Abstract Aims Osteosarcoma is one of the most aggressive types of primary bone cancer that responds poorly to radiotherapy frequently. The gene associated with retinoid-interferon mortality (GRIM-19) is a tumor suppressor that mediates cell apoptosis in multiple cancer types. However, the role of GRIM-19 in osteosarcoma and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. This study was designed to investigate the role and the underlying mechanism of GRIM-19 in osteosarcoma progression. Materials and methods Osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines were utilized to analyze the expressions of GRIM-19 in osteosarcoma by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Methods containing flow cytometry, irradiation exposure, cells inoculation, plasmid transfection, and protein immunoprecipitation were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms of GRIM-19 in osteosarcoma progression. Key findings GRIM-19 is downregulated in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines. Exposure to radiation induces osteosarcoma cell apoptosis by upregulation of p53 both in U2OS (p53-wt) and exogenous p53-introduced MG-63 (p53-null) osteosarcoma cells. Overexpression of GRIM-19 accelerates radiation-induced osteosarcoma cells apoptosis by p53 stabilization ex vivo and in vivo . Mechanistically, forced expression of GRIM-19 diminishes the activity of E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2), a specific p53 protease, results in the accumulation of p53 and activation of p53-mediated apoptosis. Significance GRIM-19 was proved to modulate radiation-induced osteosarcoma cells apoptosis in a p53 dependent manner by mediating MDM2 activity, which sheds light on the development of GRIM-19-based molecular target therapy on osteosarcoma.