The tumorigenic potential and cell growth characteristics of p53-deficient cells are equivalent in the presence or absence of Mdm2

The Mdm2 oncoprotein forms a complex with the p53 tumor suppressor protein and inhibits p53-mediated regulation of heterologous gene expression. Recently, Mdm2 has been found to bind several other proteins that function to regulate cell cycle progression, including the E2F-1/DP1 transcription factor complex and the retinoblastoma tumor-suppressor protein. To determine whether Mdm2 plays a role in cell cycle control or tumorigenesis that is distinct from its ability to modulate p53 function, we have examined and compared both the in vitro growth characteristics of p53-deficient and Mdm2/p53-deficient fibroblasts, and the rate and spectrum of tumor formation in p53-deficient and Mdm2/p53-deficient mice. We find no difference between p53-deficient fibroblasts and Mdm2/p53-deficient fibroblasts either in their rate of proliferation in culture or in their survival frequency when treated with various genotoxic agents. Cell cycle studies indicate no difference in the ability of the two cell populations to enter S phase when treated with DNA-damaging agents or nucleotide antimetabolites, and p53-deficient fibroblasts and Mdm2/p53-deficient fibroblasts exhibit the same rate of spontaneous immortalization following long-term passage in culture. Finally, p53-deficient mice and Mdm2/p53-deficient mice display the same incidence and spectrum of spontaneous tumor formation in vivo. These results demonstrate that deletion of Mdm2 has no additional effect on cell proliferation, cell cycle control, or tumorigenesis when p53 is absent.