Sequential cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase and appearance of a small Bax-immunoreactive protein are blocked by Bcl-X(L) and caspase inhibitors during staurosporine-induced dopaminergic neuronal apoptosis

To assess the role of Bcl-X(L) and its splice derivative, Bcl-X(S), in staurosporine-induced cell death, we used a dopaminergic cell line, MN9D, transfected with bcl-xL (MN9D/Bcl-X(L)), bcl-xS (MN9D/Bcl-X(S)), or control vector (MN9D/Neo). Only 8.6% of MN9D/Neo cells survived after 24 h of 1 microM staurosporine treatment. Caspase activity was implicated because a caspase inhibitor, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone (Z-VAD-fmk), attenuated staurosporine-induced cell death. Bcl-X(L) rescued MN9D cells from death (89.4% viable cells), whereas Bcl-X(S) had little or no effect. Bcl-X(L) prevented morphologically apoptotic changes as well as cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) induced by staurosporine. It is interesting that a small Bax-immunoreactive protein appeared 4-8 h after PARP cleavage in MN9D/Neo cells. The appearance of the small Bax-immunoreactive protein, however, may be cell type-specific as it was not observed in PC12 cells after staurosporine treatment. The sequential cleavage of PARP and the appearance of the small Bax-immunoreactive protein in MN9D cells were blocked either by Z-VAD-fmk or by Bcl-X(L). Thus, our present study suggests that Bcl-X(L) but not Bcl-X(S) prevents staurosporine-induced apoptosis by inhibiting the caspase activation that may be directly or indirectly responsible for the appearance of the small Bax-immunoreactive protein in some types of neurons.ope

Endothelin-2 deficiency causes growth retardation, hypothermia, and emphysema in mice

To explore the physiological functions of endothelin-2 (ET-2), we generated gene-targeted mouse models. Global Et2 knockout mice exhibited severe growth retardation and juvenile lethality. Despite normal milk intake, they suffered from internal starvation characterized by hypoglycemia, ketonemia, and increased levels of starvation-induced genes. Although ET-2 is abundantly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract, the intestine was morphologically and functionally normal. Moreover, intestinal epithelium-specific Et2 knockout mice showed no abnormalities in growth and survival. Global Et2 knockout mice were also profoundly hypothermic. Housing Et2 knockout mice in a warm environment significantly extended their median lifespan. However, neuron-specific Et2 knockout mice displayed a normal core body temperature. Low levels of Et2 mRNA were also detected in the lung, with transient increases soon after birth. The lungs of Et2 knockout mice showed emphysematous structural changes with an increase in total lung capacity, resulting in chronic hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and increased erythropoietin synthesis. Finally, systemically inducible ET-2 deficiency in neonatal and adult mice fully reproduced the phenotype previously observed in global Et2 knockout mice. Together, these findings reveal that ET-2 is critical for the growth and survival of postnatal mice and plays important roles in energy homeostasis, thermoregulation, and the maintenance of lung morphology and function.ope

Caspase-Mediated p65 Cleavage Promotes TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is cytotoxic to a wide variety of transformed cells, but not to most normal cells, implying potential therapeutic value against advanced cancer. However, signal transduction in TRAIL-mediated apoptosis is not clearly understood compared with other TNF family members. Specifically, it is not yet understood how TRAIL controls nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation and overcomes its antiapoptotic effect. We explored the regulation of NF-κB activity by TRAIL and its role in apoptosis. TRAIL combined with IκBα-“superrepressor” induced potent apoptosis of SK-Hep1 hepatoma cells at low concentrations of TRAIL that do not independently induce apoptosis. Apoptosis by high concentrations of TRAIL was not affected by IκBα-superrepressor. Although TRAIL alone did not induce NF-κB activity, TRAIL combined with z-VAD significantly increased NF-κB activation. Analysis of the NF-κB activation pathway indicated that TRAIL unexpectedly induced cleavage of p65 at Asp97, which was blocked by z-VAD, accounting for all of these findings. p65 expression abrogated apoptosis and increased NF-κB activity in TRAIL-treated cells. Cleavage-resistant p65D97A further increased NF-κB activity in TRAIL-treated cells, whereas the COOH-terminal p65 fragment acted as a dominant-negative inhibitor. XIAP levels were increased by TRAIL in combination with z-VAD, whereas XIAP levels were decreased by TRAIL alone. Cleavage of p65 was also detected after FRO thyroid cancer cells were treated with TRAIL. These results suggest that TRAIL induces NF-κB activation, but simultaneously abrogates NF-κB activation by cleaving p65, and thereby inhibits the induction of antiapoptotic proteins such as XIAP, which contributes to the strong apoptotic activity of TRAIL compared with other TNF family members.ope

Functional role and tobacco smoking effects on methylation of CYP1A1 gene in prostate cancer

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 is a phase I enzyme that can activate various compounds into reactive forms and thus, may contribute to carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated the expression, methylation status, and functional role of CYP1A1 on prostate cancer cells. Increased expression of CYP1A1 was observed in all cancer lines (PC-3, LNCaP, and DU145) compared to BPH-1 (P < 0.05); and was enhanced further by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment (P < 0.01). Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and sequencing of bisulfite-modified DNA of the xenobiotic response element (XRE) enhancer site XRE-1383 indicated promoter methylation as a regulator of CYP1A1 expression. In tissue, microarrays showed higher immunostaining of CYP1A1 in prostate cancer than normal and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; P < 0.001), and methylation analyses in clinical specimens revealed significantly lower methylation levels in cancer compared to BPH at all enhancer sites analyzed (XRE-1383, XRE-983, XRE-895; P < 0.01). Interestingly, smoking affected the XRE-1383 site where the methylation level was much lower in cancer tissues from smokers than non-smokers (P < 0.05). CYP1A1 levels are thus increased in prostate cancer and to determine the functional effect of CYP1A1 on cells, we depleted the gene in LNCaP and DU145 by siRNA. We observe that CYP1A1 knockdown decreased cell proliferation (P < 0.05) and increased apoptosis (P < 0.01) in both cell lines. We analyzed genes affected by CYP1A1 silencing and found that apoptosis-related BCL2 was significantly down-regulated. This study supports an oncogenic role for CYP1A1 in prostate cancer via promoter hypomethylation that is influenced by tobacco smoking, indicating CYP1A1 to be a promising target for prostate cancer treatment.ope

DNA mismatch repair gene MLH1 induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.

Mismatch repair (MMR) enzymes have been shown to be deficient in prostate cancer (PCa). MMR can influence the regulation of tumor development in various cancers but their role on PCa has not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to determine the functional effects of the mutL-homolog 1 (MLH1) gene on growth of PCa cells. The DU145 cell line has been established as MLH1-deficient and thus, this cell line was utilized to determine effects of MLH1 by gene expression. Lack of MLH1 protein expression was confirmed by Western blotting in DU145 cells whereas levels were high in normal PWR-1E and RWPE-1 prostatic cells. MLH1-expressing stable transfectant DU145 cells were then created to characterize the effects this MMR gene has on various growth properties. Expression of MLH1 resulted in decreased cell proliferation, migration and invasion properties. Lack of cell growth in vivo also indicated a tumor suppressive effect by MLH1. Interestingly, MLH1 caused an increase in apoptosis along with phosphorylated c-Abl, and treatment with MLH1 siRNAs countered this effect. Furthermore, inhibition of c-Abl with STI571 also abrogated the effect on apoptosis caused by MLH1. These results demonstrate MLH1 protects against PCa development by inducing c-Abl-mediated apoptosis.ope

Influence of lifestyle choices on risks of CYP1B1 polymorphisms for prostate cancer

Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) converts xenobiotics to carcinogens and how lifestyle choices may interact with CYP1B1 polymorphisms and affect prostate cancer risk was assessed. Blood genomic DNA from a Caucasian population was analysed at polymorphic sites of the 5' untranslated region of CYP1B1 using TaqMan genotyping assays. Overall, drinker status and minor alleles at rs2551188, rs2567206 and rs10175368 were associated with prostate cancer. Linkage was observed between rs2551188, rs2567206, rs2567207 and rs10175368, and the G-C-T-G haplotype (major allele at respective sites) was decreased in cancer. Interestingly when classified by lifestyle factors, no associations of genotypes were found for non-smokers and non-drinkers, whereas on the contrary, minor type at rs2567206 and rs10175368 increased and major G-C-T-G decreased risk for cancer among smokers and drinkers. Interestingly, rs2551188, rs2567206 and rs10175368 minor genotypes correlated with increased tissue CYP1B1 as determined by immunohistochemistry. Further, rs10175368 enhanced luciferase activity and mobility shift show stronger binding of nuclear factor for the minor allele. These results demonstrate smoking and alcohol consumption to modify the risks of CYP1B1 polymorphisms for prostate cancer which may be through rs10175368, and this is of importance in understanding their role in the pathogenesis and as a biomarker for this disease.ope

Inhibition of PTEN Gene Expression by Oncogenic miR-23b-3p in Renal Cancer

BACKGROUND: miR-23b is located on chromosome number 9 and plays different roles in different organs especially with regards to cancer development. However, the functional significance of miR-23b-3p in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has not been reported. METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured miR-23b-3p levels in 29 pairs of renal cell carcinoma and their normal matched tissues using real-time PCR. The expression level of miR-23b-3p was correlated with the 5 year survival rate of renal cancer patients. In 15 cases (52%), miR-23b-3p expression was found to be high. All patients with moderate to low miR-23b-3p expression survived 5 years, while those with high miR-23b-3p expression, only 50% survived. After knocking down miRNA-23b-3p expression in RCC cell lines, there was an induction of apoptosis and reduced invasive capabilities. MiR-23b-3p was shown to directly target PTEN gene through 3'UTR reporter assays. Inhibition of miR-23b-3p induces PTEN gene expression with a concomitant reduction in PI3-kinase, total Akt and IL-32. Immunohistochemistry showed the lack of PTEN protein expression in cancerous regions of tissue samples where the expression of miR-23b-3p was high. We studied the in vitro effects of the dietary chemo preventive agent genistein on miR-23b-3p expression and found that it inhibited expression of miR-23b-3p in RCC cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: The current study shows that miR-23b-3p is an oncogenic miRNA and inhibits PTEN tumor suppressor gene in RCC. Therefore, inhibition of miR-23b-3p may be a useful therapeutic target for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.ope

Resistance of mitochondrial DNA-depleted cells against cell death - Role of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase

We have shown that mitochondrial DNA-depleted (rho(0)) SK-Hep1 hepatoma cells are resistant to apoptosis, contrary to previous papers reporting normal apoptotic susceptibility of rho(0) cells. We studied the changes of gene expression in SK-Hep1 rho(0) cells. DNA chip analysis showed that MnSOD expression was profoundly increased in rho(0) cells. O(2)(.) contents increased during rho(0) cell derivation but became normalized after establishment of rho(0) phenotypes, suggesting that MnSOD induction is an adaptive process to increased O(2)(.). rho(0) cells were resistant to menadione, paraquat, or doxorubicin, and O(2)(.) contents after treatment with them were lower in rho(0) cells compared with parental cells because of MnSOD overexpression. Expression levels and activity of glutathione peroxidases were also increased in rho(0) cells, rendering them resistant to exogenous H(2)O(2). rho(0) cells were resistant to p53, and intracellular ROS contents after p53 expression were lower compared with parental cells. Other types of rho(0) cells also showed increased MnSOD expression and resistance against ROS. Heme oxygenase-1 expression was increased in rho(0) cells, and a heme oxygenase-1 inhibitor decreased the induction of MnSOD in rho(0) cells and their resistance against ROS donors. These results indicate that rho(0) cells are resistant to cell death contrary to previous reports and suggest that an adaptive increase in the expression of antioxidant enzymes renders cancer cells or aged cells with frequent mitochondrial DNA mutations to resist against oxidative stress, host anti-cancer surveillance, or chemotherapeutic agents, conferring survival advantage on themope

Up-Regulation of MicroRNA-21 Correlates with Lower Kidney Cancer Survival

BACKGROUND: MicroRNA-21 is up-regulated in a variety of cancers like, breast, colorectal, lung, head and neck etc. However, the regulation of miR-21 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has not yet been studied systematically. METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured miR-21 levels in 54 pairs of kidney cancers and their normal matched tissues by real-time PCR. The expression level of miR-21 was correlated with 5 year survival and the pathological stage. Functional studies were done after inhibiting miR-21 in RCC cell lines. We studied in vitro and in vivo effects of the chemo preventive agent genistein on miR-21 expression. In 48 cases (90%), miR-21 was increased. All patients with low miR-21 expression survived 5 years, while with high miR-21 expression, only 50% survived. Higher expression of miR-21 is associated with an increase in the stage of renal cancer. Functional studies after inhibiting miRNA-21 in RCC cell lines show cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis and reduced invasive and migratory capabilities. Western blot analysis showed an increase in the expression of p21 and p38 MAP kinase genes and a reduction in cyclin E2. Genistein inhibited the expression of miR-21 in A-498 cells and in the tumors formed after injecting genistein treated A-498 cells in nude mice besides inhibiting tumor formation. CONCLUSIONS: The current study shows a clear correlation between miR-21 expression and clinical characteristics of renal cancer. Thus we believe that miR-21 can be used as a tumor marker and its inhibition may prove to be useful in controlling cancers with up-regulated miR-21.ope

Genistein Up-Regulates Tumor Suppressor MicroRNA-574-3p in Prostate Cancer

Genistein has been shown to inhibit cancers both in vitro and in vivo, by altering the expression of several microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, we focused on tumor suppressor miRNAs regulated by genistein and investigated their function in prostate cancer (PCa) and target pathways. Using miRNA microarray analysis and real-time RT-PCR we observed that miR-574-3p was significantly up-regulated in PCa cells treated with genistein compared with vehicle control. The expression of miR-574-3p was significantly lower in PCa cell lines and clinical PCa tissues compared with normal prostate cells (RWPE-1) and adjacent normal tissues. Low expression level of miR-574-3p was correlated with advanced tumor stage and higher Gleason score in PCa specimens. Re-expression of miR-574-3p in PCa cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo. miR-574-3p restoration induced apoptosis through reducing Bcl-xL and activating caspase-9 and caspase-3. Using GeneCodis software analysis, several pathways affected by miR-574-3p were identified, such as ‘Pathways in cancer’, ‘Jak-STAT signaling pathway’, and ‘Wnt signaling pathway’. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that miR-574-3p directly binds to the 3′ UTR of several target genes (such as RAC1, EGFR and EP300) that are components of ‘Pathways in cancer’. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western analysis showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of the three target genes in PCa cells were markedly down-regulated with miR-574-3p. Loss-of-function studies demonstrated that the three target genes significantly affect cell proliferation, migration and invasion in PCa cell lines. Our results show that genistein up-regulates tumor suppressor miR-574-3p expression targeting several cell signaling pathways. These findings enhance understanding of how genistein regulates with miRNA in PCa.ope