Loss of p21Sdi1 expression in senescent cells after DNA damage accompanied with increase of miR-93 expression and reduced p53 interaction with p21Sdi1 gene promoter

To answer what is a critical event for higher incidence of tumor development in old than young individuals, primary culture of human diploid fibroblasts were employed and DNA damage was induced by doxorubicin or X-ray irradiation. Response to the damage was different between young and old cells; loss of p21sdi1 expression in spite of p53S15 activation in old cells along with [3H]thymidine and BrdU incorporation, but not in young cells. The phenomenon was confirmed by other tissue fibroblasts obtained from different donor ages. Induction of miR-93 expression and reduced p53 binding to p21 gene promoter account for loss of p21sdi1 expression in senescent cells after DNA damage, suggesting a mechanism of in vivo carcinogenesis in aged tissue without repair arrest.

► Reduced p21 expression in senescent cells treated with DNA damaging agents. ► Increase of [3H]thymidine and BrdU incorporations in DNA damaged-senescent cells. ► Upregulation of miR-93 expression in senescent cells in response to DSB. ► Failure of p53 binding to p21 promoter in senescent cells in response to DSB. ► Molecular mechanism of increased cancer development in aged than young individuals.