Lack of mitochondrial topoisomerase I (TOP1mt) impairs liver regeneration

The liver has an exceptional replicative capacity following partial hepatectomy or chemical injuries. Cellular proliferation requires increased production of energy and essential metabolites, which critically depend on the mitochondria. To determine whether Top1mt, the vertebrate mitochondrial topoisomerase, is involved in this process, we studied liver regeneration after carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration. TOP1mt knockout (KO) mice showed a marked reduction in regeneration and hepatocyte proliferation. The hepatic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) failed to increase during recovery from CCl4 exposure. Reduced glutathione was also depleted, indicating increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). Steady-state levels of ATP, O2 consumption, mtDNA, and mitochondrial mass were also reduced in primary hepatocytes from CCl4-treated KO mice. To further test whether Top1mt acted by enabling mtDNA regeneration, we tested TOP1mt KO fibroblasts and human colon carcinoma HCT116 cells and measured mtDNA after 3-d treatment with ethidium bromide. Both types of TOP1mt knockout cells showed defective mtDNA regeneration following mtDNA depletion. Our study demonstrates that Top1mt is required for normal mtDNA homeostasis and for linking mtDNA expansion with hepatocyte proliferation

Na⁺ entry through heteromeric TRPC4/C1 channels mediates (-)Englerin A-induced cytotoxicity in synovial sarcoma cells

The sesquiterpene (-)Englerin A (EA) is an organic compound from the plant Phyllanthus engleri which acts via heteromeric TRPC4/C1 channels to cause cytotoxicity in some types of cancer cell but not normal cells. Here we identified selective cytotoxicity of EA in human synovial sarcoma cells (SW982 cells) and investigated the mechanism. EA induced cation channel current (Icat) in SW982 cells with biophysical characteristics of heteromeric TRPC4/C1 channels. Inhibitors of homomeric TRPC4 channels were weak inhibitors of the Icat and EA-induced cytotoxicity whereas a potent inhibitor of TRPC4/C1 channels (Pico145) strongly inhibited Icat and cytotoxicity. Depletion of TRPC1 converted Icat into a current with biophysical and pharmacological properties of homomeric TRPC4 channels and depletion of TRPC1 or TRPC4 suppressed the cytotoxicity of EA. A Na⁺ /K⁺-ATPase inhibitor (ouabain) potentiated EA-induced cytotoxicity and direct Na⁺ loading by gramicidin-A caused Pico145-resistant cytotoxicity in the absence of EA. We conclude that EA has a potent cytotoxic effect on human synovial sarcoma cells which is mediated by heteromeric TRPC4/C1 channels and Na⁺ loading

Combining the receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor AEE788 and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor RAD001 strongly inhibits adhesion and growth of renal cell carcinoma cells

Background Treatment options for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are limited due to resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. The development of small-molecule multikinase inhibitors have now opened novel treatment options. The influence of the receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor AEE788, applied alone or combined with the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor RAD001, on RCC cell adhesion and proliferation in vitro has been evaluated. Methods RCC cell lines Caki-1, KTC-26 or A498 were treated with various concentrations of RAD001 or AEE788 and tumor cell proliferation, tumor cell adhesion to vascular endothelial cells or to immobilized extracellular matrix proteins (laminin, collagen, fibronectin) evaluated. The anti-tumoral potential of RAD001 combined with AEE788 was also investigated. Both, asynchronous and synchronized cell cultures were used to subsequently analyze drug induced cell cycle manipulation. Analysis of cell cycle regulating proteins was done by western blotting. Results RAD001 or AEE788 reduced adhesion of RCC cell lines to vascular endothelium and diminished RCC cell binding to immobilized laminin or collagen. Both drugs blocked RCC cell growth, impaired cell cycle progression and altered the expression level of the cell cycle regulating proteins cdk2, cdk4, cyclin D1, cyclin E and p27. The combination of AEE788 and RAD001 resulted in more pronounced RCC growth inhibition, greater rates of G0/G1 cells and lower rates of S-phase cells than either agent alone. Cell cycle proteins were much more strongly altered when both drugs were used in combination than with single drug application. The synergistic effects were observed in an asynchronous cell culture model, but were more pronounced in synchronous RCC cell cultures. Conclusions Potent anti-tumoral activitites of the multikinase inhibitors AEE788 or RAD001 have been demonstrated. Most importantly, the simultaneous use of both AEE788 and RAD001 offered a distinct combinatorial benefit and thus may provide a therapeutic advantage over either agent employed as a monotherapy for RCC treatment

Transient receptor potential canonical 4 and 5 proteins as targets in cancer therapeutics

Novel approaches towards cancer therapy are urgently needed. One approach might be to target ion channels mediating Ca²+ entry because of the critical roles played by Ca²+ in many cell types, including cancer cells. There are several types of these ion channels, but here we address those formed by assembly of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) proteins, particularly those which involve two closely related members of the family: TRPC4 and TRPC5. We focus on these proteins because recent studies point to roles in important aspects of cancer: drug resistance, transmission of drug resistance through extracellular vesicles, tumour vascularisation, and evoked cancer cell death by the TRPC4/5 channel activator (−)-englerin A. We conclude that further research is both justified and necessary before these proteins can be considered as strong targets for anti-cancer cell drug discovery programmes. It is nevertheless already apparent that inhibitors of the channels would be unlikely to cause significant adverse effects, but, rather, have other effects which may be beneficial in the context of cancer and chemotherapy, potentially including suppression of innate fear, visceral pain and pathological cardiac remodelling

Simultaneous blockade of AP-1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway in non-small cell lung cancer cells

c-Jun is a major constituent of AP-1 transcription factor that transduces multiple mitogen growth signals, and it is frequently overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Earlier, we showed that blocking AP-1 by the overexpression of a c-Jun dominant-negative mutant, TAM67, inhibited NSCLC cell growth. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signal transduction pathway is important in transformation, proliferation, survival and metastasis of NSCLC cells. In this study, we used NCI-H1299 Tet-on clone cells that express TAM67 under the control of inducible promoter to determine the effects of inhibition of AP-1 and PI3K on cell growth. The PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, produced a dose-dependent inhibition of growth in H1299 cells and that inhibition was enhanced by TAM67. TAM67 increased dephosphorylation of Akt induced by LY294002 and reduced the TPA response element DNA-binding of phosphorylated c-Jun. TAM67 increased G1 cell cycle blockade induced by LY294002, which was partially associated with cyclin A decrease and p27Kip1 accumulation. Furthermore, TAM67 and LY294002 act, at least additively, to inhibit anchorage-independent growth of the H1299 cells. These results suggest that AP-1 and PI3K/Akt pathways play an essential role in the growth of some NSCLC cells

Parathyroid hormone-related protein induces cell survival in human renal cell carcinoma through the PI3K Akt pathway: evidence for a critical role for integrin-linked kinase and nuclear factor kappa B.

We have recently shown that parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), a cytokine-like polyprotein, is critical for human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) growth by inhibiting tumor cell apoptosis. Here, we have explored mechanisms by which PTHrP controls tumor cell survival. Using specific inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and depletion of Akt kinase by RNA interference, we established that PTHrP is one of the main factor involved in the constitutive activation of this pathway in human RCC, independently of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene expression. Interestingly, PTHrP induced phosphorylation of Akt at S473 but had no influence on phosphorylation at T308. Through transfection with integrin-linked kinase (ILK) constructs and RNA interference, we provide evidence that ILK is involved in human RCC cell survival. PTHrP activates ILK which then acts as a phosphoinositide-dependent kinase (PDK)-2 or a facilitator protein to phosphorylate Akt at S473. Among other kinases tested, only ILK was shown to exert this function in RCC. Using specific inhibitors, western blot and transcription assay, we identified nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) as the downstream Akt target regulated by PTHrP. Since RCC remains refractory to current therapies, our results establish that the PI3K/ILK/Akt/NF-kappaB axis is a promising target for therapeutic intervention

The Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase/Akt Pathway: A New Target in Human Renal Cell Carcinoma Therapy

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma is resistant to current therapies. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling cascade induces cell growth, cell transformation, and neovascularization. We evaluated whether targeting this pathway could be of therapeutic value against human renal cell carcinoma. The activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and its role in renal cell carcinoma progression was evaluated in vitro in seven human cell lines by Western blot, cell counting, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase-mediated nick-end labeling assays, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, using two PI3K inhibitors, LY294002 and wortmannin, as well as by transfection with various Akt constructs and through Akt knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA). In vivo nude mice bearing human renal cell carcinoma tumor xenografts were treated with LY294002 (75 mg/kg/wk, 4 weeks, i.p.). Tumor growth was measured and tumors were subjected to Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. Akt was constitutively activated in all cell lines. Constitutive phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) was observed in all cell lines, whereas forkhead transcription factor and mammalian target of rapamycin, although expressed, were not constitutively phosphorylated. Exposure to LY294002 or wortmannin decreased Akt activation and GSK-3 phosphorylation and reduced cell growth by up to 70% through induction of cell apoptosis. These effects were confirmed by transfection experiments with Akt constructs or Akt siRNA. Importantly, LY294002 induced up to 50% tumor regression in mice through tumor cell apoptosis. Tumor neovascularization was significantly increased by LY294002 treatment. Blood chemistries showed no adverse effects of the treatment. Our results suggest an important role of PI3K/Akt inhibitors as a potentially useful treatment for patients with renal cell carcinoma