Mdm2, but not Mdm4, protects terminally differentiated smooth muscle cells from p53-mediated caspase-3-independent cell death

p53 is a potent inhibitor of cell growth and an inducer of apoptosis. During embryonic development, Mdm2 and Mdm4 inhibit the growth suppressive activities of p53. However, whether tight surveillance of p53 activity is required in quiescent cells is unknown. To test this, conditional inactivation of mdm2 and mdm4 was carried out in smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Upon SMC-specific inactivation of mdm2, and not of mdm4, mice rapidly became ill and died. Necropsy showed small intestinal dilation, and histological analyses indicated a severe reduction in the number of intestinal SMCs. Increased p53 levels and activity were detected in the remaining SMCs, and the phenotype was completely rescued on a p53-null background. Interestingly, intestinal SMCs are caspase-3-negative and therefore did not undergo caspase-3-dependent apoptotic cell death. Together, Mdm2, but not Mdm4, prevents accumulation of active p53 in quiescent SMCs and thereby the induction of p53-mediated caspase-3-independent cell death.