A reversible, p53-dependent G(0)/G(1) cell cycle arrest induced by ribonucleotide depletion in the absence of detectable DNA damage

Cells with a functional p53 pathway undergo a G(0)/G(1) arrest or apoptosis when treated with gamma radiation or many chemotherapeutic drugs. It has been proposed that DNA damage is the exclusive signal that triggers the arrest response. However, we found that certain ribonucleotide biosynthesis inhibitors caused a p53-dependent G(0) or early G(1) arrest in the absence of replicative DNA synthesis or detectable DNA damage in normal human fibroblasts. CTP, GTP, or UTP depletion alone was sufficient to induce arrest. In contrast to the p53-dependent response to DNA damage, characterized by long-term arrest and irregular cellular morphologies, the antimetabolite-induced arrest was highly reversible and cellular morphologies remained relatively normal. Both arrest responses correlated with prolonged induction of p53 and the Cdk inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1/SDI1) and with dephosphorylation of pRb. Thus, we propose that p53 can serve as a metabolite sensor activated by depletion of ribonucleotides or products or processes dependent on ribonucleotides. Accordingly, p53 may play a role in inducing a quiescence-like arrest state in response to nutrient challenge and a senescence-like arrest state in response to DNA damage. These results have important implications for the mechanisms by which p53 prevents the emergence of genetic variants and for developing more effective approaches to chemotherapy based on genotype.