Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Regulates Thymic Exit

To understand the role of PI3K during T cell development, we generated transgenic mice expressing the N terminus of the PI3K catalytic subunit (p110(ABD); ABD, adaptor binding domain) in thymocytes. Expression of p110(ABD) activates endogenous p110 and results in the accumulation of mature single-positive CD3(high)heat-stable Ag(low) thymocytes. This is mostly due to a defect in emigration of those cells, as shown by the delayed appearance of peripheral T cells in neonatal transgenic mice and by competitive adoptive transfer experiments. Although the mechanisms underlying these effects of PI3K are not yet clear, our results show an important role for PI3K activity in the regulation of mature thymocyte exit to the periphery.

Cytochrome P450 1A1 and 1B1 in Human Blood Lymphocytes Are Not Suitable as Biomarkers of Exposure to Dioxin-like Compounds: Polymorphisms and Interindividual Variation in Expression and Inducibility

Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and 1B1 (CYP1B1) are phase I enzymes, the expression of which can be affected by many environmental compounds, including dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. Because CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression can easily be determined in peripheral blood lymphocytes, it is often suggested as biomarker of exposure to these compounds. In this study we investigated the interindividual differences in constitutive and induced CYP1A1-catalyzed ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity and CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 gene expression in human blood lymphocytes in a group of ten non-smoking females. Freshly isolated lymphocytes were cultured in medium containing the mitogen PHA and were exposed to the most potent dioxin, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or the less potent dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl 126 (PCB126). In addition, we determined the occurrence of the CYP1A1 MspI and CYP1B1 Leu432Val polymorphisms. All individuals showed a concentration-dependent increase of EROD activity by TCDD, which was significantly correlated with an increase in CYP1A1, but not CYP1B1 expression. The maximum induced EROD activity by TCDD was very different among the individuals, but the EC50 values were about the same. PCB126 also caused a concentration-dependent increase of EROD activity, but was a factor 100-1000 less potent than TCDD among the individuals. The allele frequencies for CYP1A1 MspI and CYP1B1 Leu432Val reflected a normal Caucasian population and in this study the polymorphisms had no apparent effect on the expression and activity of these enzymes. Our study shows a large interindividual variability in constitutive and induced EROD activity, and CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression in human lymphocytes. In addition, dioxin concentrations at which effects were observed in our in vitro study are about 10-fold higher than the human blood levels found in vivo, indicating that EROD activity and CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression in human lymphocytes might not be applicable as biomarkers of exposure to dioxin and dioxin-like compounds.

Lipopolysaccharide induces matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression via a mitochondrial reactive oxygen species-p38 kinase-activator protein-1 pathway in Raw 264.7 cells

We have identified a novel signaling pathway that leads to expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in murine macrophages in response to the bacterial endotoxin, LPS. We showed that p38 kinase was essential for this induction and observed that LPS-induced MMP-9 expression was sensitive to rottlerin, a putative protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta) inhibitor. However neither infection with a retrovirus expressing a dominant negative mutant of PKCdelta nor down-regulation of PKCdelta by prolonged PMA treatment affected MMP-9 expression, thus excluding involvement of PKCdelta. Interestingly, LPS-induced MMP-9 expression and p38 kinase phosphorylation were shown to be suppressed by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine and the flavoenzyme inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium chloride, but not by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, an NF-kappaB inhibitor. In addition, LPS was found to induce the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and this effect was rottlerin-sensitive, suggesting an inhibitory effect of rottlerin on mitochondrial ROS. LPS-induced MMP-9 expression and p38 kinase phosphorylation were also inhibited by rotenone, a specific inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I, supporting the role of mitochondrial ROS in LPS signaling to MMP-9. Finally, we showed that the ROS-p38 kinase cascade targets the transcription factor AP-1. Taken together, our findings identify a ROS-p38 kinase-AP-1 cascade as a novel pathway mediating LPS signaling to MMP-9 expression in macrophages.

Phosphorylation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase by MPK6, a stress-responsive mitogen-activated protein kinase, induces ethylene biosynthesis in Arabidopsis

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are implicated in regulating plant growth, development, and response to the environment. However, the underlying mechanisms are unknown because of the lack of information about their substrates. Using a conditional gain-of-function transgenic system, we demonstrated that the activation of SIPK, a tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) stress-responsive MAPK, induces the biosynthesis of ethylene. Here, we report that MPK6, the Arabidopsis thaliana ortholog of tobacco SIPK, is required for ethylene induction in this transgenic system. Furthermore, we found that selected isoforms of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACS), the rate-limiting enzyme of ethylene biosynthesis, are substrates of MPK6. Phosphorylation of ACS2 and ACS6 by MPK6 leads to the accumulation of ACS protein and, thus, elevated levels of cellular ACS activity and ethylene production. Expression of ACS6(DDD), a gain-of-function ACS6 mutant that mimics the phosphorylated form of ACS6, confers constitutive ethylene production and ethylene-induced phenotypes. Increasing numbers of stress stimuli have been shown to activate Arabidopsis MPK6 or its orthologs in other plant species. The identification of the first plant MAPK substrate in this report reveals one mechanism by which MPK6/SIPK regulates plant stress responses. Equally important, this study uncovers a signaling pathway that modulates the biosynthesis of ethylene, an important plant hormone, in plants under stress.

Pharmacogenetics and enzyme induction/inhibition properties of antiepileptic drugs

One of the major differences between the older antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and the newer AEDs is the potential of the older AEDs for significant interactions with other medications. Many of the drug-drug interactions involving the older AEDs are reciprocal, i.e., both drugs affect each other. In contrast, the newer AEDs have either no or limited drug interaction potential. Despite our extensive understanding of and our ability to predict drug-drug interactions, serious drug interactions still occur. More than 30% of all new seizures occur in the elderly, and because this population may be taking a variety of other medications the addition of an AED can have profound impact on these other therapies. In women, the use of enzyme-inducing AEDs can cause significant alterations of sex hormones and can decrease the efficacy of oral contraceptives. In children and adults, the use of enzyme inducers may result in long-term endocrine effects, including bone loss and lipid, thyroid, and sex hormone abnormalities. Phenytoin and phenobarbital are metabolized by cytochrome P450 isozymes, with activity dependent on genetic polymorphism (CYP2C9, CYP2C19). The dosing of the newer AEDs is not affected by genetic polymorphism. The decreased induction and inhibition effects and the lack of significant genetic polymorphism of the newer AEDs allow increased ease of use and perhaps greater safety, especially for patients taking multiple medications.

Enzymes in the synthesis of bioactive compounds: the prodigious decades

The growing demand for enantiomerically pure pharmaceuticals has impelled research on enzymes as catalysts for asymmetric synthetic transformations. However, the use of enzymes for this purpose was rather limited until the discovery that enzymes can work in organic solvents. Since the advent of the PCR the number of available enzymes has been growing rapidly and the tailor-made biocatalysts are becoming a reality. Thus, it has been possible the use of enzymes for the synthesis of new innovative medicines such as carbohydrates and their incorporation to modern methods for drug development, such as combinatorial chemistry. Finally, the genomic research is allowing the manipulation of whole genomes opening the door to the combinatorial biosynthesis of compounds. In this review, our intention is to highlight the main landmarks that have led to transfer the chemical efficiency shown by the enzymes in the cell to the synthesis of bioactive molecules in the lab during the last 20 years.

Induction of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 and its activator p35 through the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase and protein kinase A pathways during retinoic-acid mediated neuronal differentiation in human neuroblastoma SK-N-BE(2)C cells

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), a neuronal Cdc2-like kinase, exhibits a variety of functions in neuronal differentiation and neurocytoskeleton dynamics, as well as neuronal degeneration. However, its role and induction mechanisms in retinoic acid (RA)-induced neuronal differentiation have not been well understood. In this study we newly found that RA treatment of SK-N-BE(2)C, human neuroblastoma cells, increased the expression of Cdk5 and its neuron specific activator p35 through the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Inhibition of Cdk5 activity either by an inhibitor, roscovitine, or by transfection with a dominant negative form of Cdk5 caused a dramatic decrease in RA-induced differentiation, suggesting the requirement of Cdk5 kinase activity for the RA-induced neurite outgrowth. Furthermore, Cdk5 and p35 expression was decreased by ERK1/2 inhibition with PD98059 and increased by overexpression of a constitutive active mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1) mutant, suggesting the critical role of ERK1/2 in the induction of Cdk5 and p35. In addition, a transcription factor early growth response 1 (Egr-1) was induced by RA through the ERK1/2 pathway, suggesting its possible involvement in the p35 induction. RA treatment also induced c-fos mediated AP-1 binding, and cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) mediated CRE binding via ERK1/2 and PKA pathway, respectively, in the Cdk5 promoter region, resulting in the induction of Cdk5. Our results suggest that ERK1/2 and PKA-induced regulation of Cdk5 activity possibly through Egr-1, c-fos, and CREB plays a critical role in the RA-induced neuronal differentiation.

17β -Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 11 is a major peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α-regulated gene in mouse intestine

In order to study the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha in mouse intestine, its agonist-induced proteins were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting followed by Northern blot analysis using their cDNAs. One of the most remarkably induced proteins was identified as 17beta-hydroxysterol dehydrogenase type 11. Its very rapid induction by various agonists was most efficient in intestine and then in liver. These findings together with recently reported results showing the enzyme family's wide substrate spectrum, including not only glucocorticoids and sex steroids but also bile acids, fatty acids and branched chain amino acids, suggest new roles for both peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and 17beta-hydroxysterol dehydrogenase type 11 in lipid metabolism and/or detoxification in the intestine.

Dopamine inhibits responses of astroglia-enriched cultures to lipopolysaccharide via a beta-adrenoreceptor-mediated mechanism

We here investigated the effect of the catecholaminergic neurotransmitter dopamine (DA), on the release of two major inflammatory effectors, TNF-alpha and nitric oxide, in rat astroglia-enriched cultures stimulated with the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Upon LPS challenge, we observed a dramatic increase in the culture medium of the TNF-alpha protein, an effect thereafter followed by an increase of nitric oxide synthase type 2 (NOS2) mRNA and, at later times, of nitrite accumulation, an index of nitric oxide (NO) production. DA substantially inhibited the release of TNF-alpha and NO evoked by LPS, an effect not mimicked by selective agonists nor prevented by selective antagonists of the DA receptors. The inhibitory effects of DA were mimicked by noradrenalin and isoproterenol and fully reverted by propranolol, a selective antagonist of the beta-adrenergic receptors. In addition, selective antagonists of beta-adrenergic receptor type 1 (metoprolol) and type 2 (ICI-118,551) counteracted the inhibitory effects of DA on LPS-induced TNF-alpha and NO release. Accordingly, agents capable of elevating intracellular cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), such as forskolin and dibutyryl-cAMP, mimicked DA inhibitory effects on LPS-evoked accumulation of TNF-alpha and nitrite. These data, consistent with a role of DA as local modulator of glial inflammatory responses, uncover the existence of an interaction between DA and heterologous beta-adrenergic receptors in astroglial cells.

Stromelysin-2 (Matrix Metalloproteinase 10) Is Inducible in Lymphoma Cells and Accelerates the Growth of Lymphoid Tumors In Vivo

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 10 (stromelysin-2) is known to degrade various components of the extracellular matrix; however, the signals that regulate its expression and its role in lymphoma growth remain unknown. In the present work, we report the up-regulated expression of MMP10 in T lymphoma cells following contact with endothelial cells. The induction of MMP10 was found to be dependent on the specific interaction between LFA-1 and ICAM-1, which play a central role in regulating the expression of genes involved in the rate-limiting steps of lymphoma development. MMP10, but not MMP3 (stromelysin-1), was also up-regulated in human B lymphoma cells following exposure to IL-4, IL-6, and IL-13, but not to IL-1. To gain further insight into the role of MMP10 in lymphoma development, we generated lymphoma cell lines constitutively expressing high levels of MMP10 and studied these cells for their ability to form thymic lymphoma in vivo. Mice injected with lymphoma cells constitutively expressing MMP10 developed thymic lymphoma more rapidly than those injected with control lymphoma cells. These results provide the first in vivo evidence that overexpression of MMP10 promotes tumor development, and indicate that MMP10 induction is an important pathway activated not only upon ICAM-1/LFA-1-mediated intercellular contact, but also following activation of tumor cells with inflammatory cytokines.

Proinflammatory Cytokines Induce Proteinase 3 as Membrane-Bound and Secretory Forms in Human Oral Epithelial Cells and Antibodies to Proteinase 3 Activate the Cells through Protease-Activated Receptor-2

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic Abs targeting proteinase 3 (PR3) have been detected in relation to a wide range of inflammatory conditions such as periodontitis, and interaction of anti-PR3 Abs with endothelial and epithelial cells provokes cell activation, although the underlying mechanism has been unclear. The present study showed that human oral epithelial cells expressed PR3 mRNA after treatment with proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1alpha, TNF-alpha, IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, and IFN-gamma. A 29-kDa PR3 was expressed on the cell surface and released into culture supernatants by the cells upon stimulation with these cytokines. The membrane and supernatant fractions of oral epithelial cells exhibited enzymatic activity, which was inhibited by serine proteinase inhibitors, but not by a cysteine proteinase inhibitor or secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor. Addition of anti-PR3 Abs to cytokine-primed oral epithelial cells in culture induced remarkable secretion of IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and aggregation of PR3 on the cells. RNA interference targeted to protease-activated receptor-2 mRNA and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization assays revealed that anti-PR3 Abs activated the epithelial cells through protease-activated receptor-2, a family of G protein-coupled receptors. The anti-PR3 Ab-mediated cell activation was completely abolished by RNA interference targeted to PR3 mRNA and by inhibition of phospholipase C and NF-kappaB. Immunohistochemistry showed that inflamed oral epithelium actually expresses PR3 protein. These results suggest that oral epithelial cells express functional PR3 in the inflamed sites and respond to anti-PR3 Abs detected in diseased sera, and that these mechanisms may actively participate in the inflammatory process, including periodontitis.

Effect of prototypical inducing agents on P-glycoprotein and CYP3A expression in mouse tissues

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and CYP3A have considerable overlap in inducers in vitro. Characterizing P-gp induction in vivo and potential coregulation with CYP3A are important goals for predicting drug interactions. This study examined P-gp expression in mouse tissues and potential coinduction with CYP3A following oral treatment with 1 of 7 prototypical inducing agents for 5 days. P-gp expression in brain or liver was not induced by any treatment as determined by Western blot, whereas dexamethasone, pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile (PCN), St. John's wort (SJW), and rifampin induced hepatic CYP3A expression. In intestine, rifampin and SJW induced P-gp expression 3.7- and 1.6-fold and CYP3A 3.5- and 2.4-fold, respectively, whereas dexamethasone and PCN induced CYP3A only. These observations suggest that P-gp in mouse small intestine is inducible by some, but not all, CYP3A inducers, whereas P-gp expression in liver or brain is not readily induced. Intriguingly, rifampin and SJW, both activators of the human pregnane X receptor (PXR), induced CYP3A in both liver and intestine but induced P-gp only in intestine, whereas PCN, an activator of murine PXR, did not induce P-gp in any tissue. Rifampin disposition was evaluated, and hepatic exposure to rifampin was comparable to intestine; in contrast, brain concentrations were low. Overall, these observations demonstrate that P-gp induction in vivo is tissue-specific; furthermore, there is a disconnect between P-gp induction and CYP3A induction that is tissue- and inducer-dependent, suggesting that PXR activation alone is insufficient for P-gp induction in vivo. Tissue-specific factors and inducer pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties may underlie these observations.

Rat pineal arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase: cyclic AMP inducibility of its gene depends on prior entrained photoperiod

The nocturnal biosynthesis of melatonin in the rat pineal depends on strongly enhanced expression of the enzyme N-acetyltransferase [arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT); EC 2.3.1.87]. AA-NAT transcription is stimulated during darkness by adrenergic inputs to the pineal from the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Nocturnal activation of the AA-NAT promotor following stimulation of pinealocyte adrenoceptors involves cAMP-dependent stimulation of protein kinase A (PKA). The nocturnal rise in AA-NAT depends on the lighting conditions. As compared with light/dark (LD) 12:12, the delay between dark onset and the nocturnal rise in AA-NAT is shortened under long photoperiods and prolonged under short photoperiods. Here, we report that the rapidity of nocturnal AA-NAT induction depends on cAMP inducibility of the gene. Accordingly, cAMP produces a strong AA-NAT response in pineals obtained from rats housed under long photoperiods and a weak AA-NAT response under short photoperiods. Changes in AA-NAT inducibility are fully developed not earlier than after seven cycles. This observation suggests that long-term changes in the photoperiod are necessary to achieve full adjustment of cAMP inducibility of the gene. A direct relationship was found between cAMP-dependent AA-NAT inducibility and the pineal protein kinase A (PKA) activity. As compared to LD 12:12, PKA activity was increased under LD 20:4 and attenuated under LD 4:20. On the basis of the present findings, we suggest that the photoperiod determines the effectiveness of nocturnal AA-NAT induction by long-term modulation of the intrapineal pathway that transmits the cAMP signal to the AA-NAT gene.

Short-term cytotoxic effects and long-term instability of RNAi delivered using lentiviral vectors

Background

RNA interference (RNAi) can potently reduce target gene expression in mammalian cells and is in wide use for loss-of-function studies. Several recent reports have demonstrated that short double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), used to mediate RNAi, can also induce an interferon-based response resulting in changes in the expression of many interferon-responsive genes. Off-target gene silencing has also been described, bringing into question the validity of certain RNAi-based approaches for studying gene function. We have targeted the plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2 or SERPINB2) mRNA using lentiviral vectors for delivery of U6 promoter-driven PAI-2-targeted short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression. PAI-2 is reported to have anti-apoptotic activity, thus reduction of endogenous expression may be expected to make cells more sensitive to programmed cell death.

Results

As expected, we encountered a cytotoxic phenotype when targeting the PAI-2 mRNA with vector-derived shRNA. However, this predicted phenotype was a potent non-specific effect of shRNA expression, as functional overexpression of the target protein failed to rescue the phenotype. By decreasing the shRNA length or modifying its sequence we maintained PAI-2 silencing and reduced, but did not eliminate, cytotoxicity. ShRNA of 21 complementary nucleotides (21 mers) or more increased expression of the oligoadenylate synthase-1 (OAS1) interferon-responsive gene. 19 mer shRNA had no effect on OAS1 expression but long-term selective pressure on cell growth was observed. By lowering lentiviral vector titre we were able to reduce both expression of shRNA and induction of OAS1, without a major impact on the efficacy of gene silencing.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate a rapid cytotoxic effect of shRNAs expressed in human tumor cell lines. There appears to be a cut-off of 21 complementary nucleotides below which there is no interferon response while target gene silencing is maintained. Cytotoxicity or OAS1 induction could be reduced by changing shRNA sequence or vector titre, but stable gene silencing could not be maintained in extended cell culture despite persistent marker gene expression from the RNAi-inducing transgene cassette. These results underscore the necessity of careful controls for immediate and long-term RNAi use in mammalian cell systems.

Functional analysis of xenobiotic response elements (XREs) in CYP 1A of the European Flounder (Platichthys flesus)

The induction of hepatic cytochrome P450 1A (CYP 1A) is an important step in the response to contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and has been used as a biomarker of exposure in fish. Several consensus response elements have been identified, including eight potential xenobiotic response elements (XREs) in the promoter region of the European flounder cytochrome P450 1A gene. However not all of these sequences are necessarily active. To help elucidate the molecular regulation of this important gene, site directed mutagenesis and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were employed to characterize the consensus transcription factor binding sites of the CYP 1A 5' flanking region. Mutation of response elements situated -1103, -859, -709 and -172 bases upstream of the transcription start site reduced the induction to 2.75, 1.51, 3.25 and 3.05 fold, respectively, compared with the full-length promoter (4.0-fold induction) on exposure to the PAH 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) (1.0 microM). These results indicate that four out of eight different XREs are functional in the control of CYP 1A in the flounder. The activity of these response elements adds to the evidence for considerable diversity in vertebrate CYP 1A regulation.

Drug resistance in human melanoma: mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities

In malignant melanoma chemotherapy is very ineffective. This poor prognosis largely results from resistance to conventional chemotherapy. The cellular mechanisms involved in melanoma chemoresistance have yet to be fully elucidated. The relevance of well analyzed drug-resistance mechanisms such as intra-/extracellular transport, drug-resistance by induction of certain enzyme systems and DNA repair is reviewed. The results of many studies suggest that drug resistance in melanoma is most likely caused by a dysregulation of apoptotic processes. Identification of genes and gene products that are responsible for apoptosis, together with emerging information about the mechanism of action and structures of apoptotic regulatory and effector proteins, has laid a foundation for the discovery of drugs, some of which are now undergoing evaluation in human clinical trails for melanoma treatment. The complexity of the molecular variants involved in signal transduction along apoptotic pathways suggests that the cell may have a variety of possibilities for regulating apoptosis and generating apoptosis deficiency. However, identification of drug resistance mechanisms provides new therapeutic targets to overcome chemoresistance in this and other malignancies.

Structural determinants for the intracellular degradation of human thymidylate synthase

Thymidylate synthase (EC 2.1.1.45) (TS) catalyzes the conversion of dUMP to dTMP and is therefore indispensable for DNA replication in actively dividing cells. The enzyme is a critical target at which chemotherapeutic agents such as fluoropyrimidines (e.g., 5-fluorouracil and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine) and folic acid analogues (e.g., raltitrexed, LY231514, ZD9331, and BW1843U89) are directed. These agents exert their effects through the generation of metabolites that bind the active site of TS and inhibit catalytic activity. The binding of ligands to the TS molecule leads to dramatic changes in the conformation of the enzyme, particularly within the C-terminal domain. Stabilization of the enzyme and an increase in its intracellular level are associated with ligand binding and may be important in cellular response to TS-directed drugs. In the present study, we have examined molecular features of the TS molecule that control its degradation. We find that the C-terminal conformational shift is not required for ligand-mediated stabilization of the enzyme. In addition, we demonstrate that the N-terminus of the TS polypeptide, which is extended in the mammalian enzyme and is disordered in crystal structures, is a primary determinant of the enzyme's half-life. Finally, we show that TS turnover is carried out by the 26S proteasome in a ubiquitin-independent manner. These findings provide the basis for a mechanistic understanding of TS degradation and its regulation by antimetabolites.

Severely impaired B lymphocyte proliferation, survival, and induction of the c-Myc:Cullin 1 ubiquitin ligase pathway resulting from CD22 deficiency on the C57BL/6 genetic background

Understanding the molecular mechanisms through which CD22 regulates B lymphocyte homeostasis, signal transduction, and tolerance is critical to defining normal B cell function and understanding the role of CD22 in autoimmunity. Therefore, CD22 function was examined in vivo and in vitro using B cells from CD22-deficient (CD22(-/-)) mice. Backcrossing of founder CD22(-/-) mice onto the C57BL/6 (B6) genetic background from a B6/129 mixed background resulted in a dramatically reduced B cell proliferative response following IgM ligation, characterized by a paucity of lymphoblasts and augmented apoptosis. Also, the phenotype of splenic B6 CD22(-/-) B cells was uniquely HSA(high) and IgD(low)/CD21(low) with intermediate levels of CD5 expression, although the percentages of mature and transitional B cells were normal. That B6 CD22(-/-) B cells predominantly underwent apoptosis following IgM ligation correlated with this unique tolerant phenotype, as well as defective induction of the c-Myc:Cullin 1 (CUL1) ubiquitin ligase pathway that is necessary for progression to the S phase of cell cycle. CD40 ligation compensated for CD22 deficiency by restoring lymphoblast development, proliferation, c-Myc and CUL1 expression, and protein ubiquitination/degradation in IgM-stimulated B6 CD22(-/-) B cell cultures. Thereby, this study expands our current understanding of the complex role of CD22 during B cell homeostasis and Ag responsiveness, and reveals that the impact of CD22 deficiency is dictated by the genetic background on which it is rendered. Moreover, this study defines CD22 and CD40 as the first examples of lymphocyte coreceptors that influence induction of the c-Myc:CUL1 ubiquitin ligase pathway.

Opposing effects of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors on oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced neurotoxicity

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors protect against excitotoxicity in vitro yet provide conflicting results in in vivo models of ischemia. To bridge the gap in understanding the discrepancies among these studies, the effects of different cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors were studied in an in vitro model of ischemia. Oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) induced cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression in neuronal cortical cultures. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors exhibited opposing effects on neuronal death induced by OGD. The acidic sulfonamides, N-(2-cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl) methanesulfonamide (NS-398) and N-(4-nitro-2-phenoxyphenyl)-methanesulfonamide (nimesulide), aggravated neuronal death by enhancing OGD-induced increases in extracellular glutamate and intracellular Ca2+ levels. In contrast, 1-[(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3-tri-fluoromethyl-5-(4-fluorophenyl)pyrazole (SC-58125) dose-dependently protected cultures against OGD by suppressing increases in extracellular glutamate and intracellular Ca2+ levels. The NS-398-induced aggravation of neuronal death was lost if the inhibitor was added only following the OGD. The timing of inhibitor application also determined its effects on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced excitoxicity. NS-398 was protective when added both during and post-NMDA exposure, but not if NS-398 was also applied for 60 min prior to the insult. In contrast, SC-58125 afforded protection against NMDA in the presence or absence of a pre-incubation period. This study demonstrates that certain cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors have opposing effects on neuronal survival depending on the timing of application and the nature of the insult. These results may account for the discrepancies among previous studies which used different inhibitors and different models of neurotoxicity.

Differential induction of the expression of GST subunits by geniposide in rat hepatocytes

Geniposide, an iridoid glycoside isolated from the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, has the biological capabilities of detoxication, antioxidation, and anticarcinogenesis. In this study, the mechanism of geniposide affecting the GST (glutathione S-transferase) system was investigated. Primary cultured rat hepatocytes were treated with geniposide and examined for total GST activity and expression of GST subunits. The results showed that the geniposide-induced GST activity was dose and time dependent. Western blotting data demonstrated that geniposide induced increased protein levels of GSTM1 and GSTM2 (approximately 1.7- and 1.8-fold of control, respectively), but did not increase those of GSTA1. The corresponding transcripts levels were confirmed by RT-PCR. Using PD98059, the effect of geniposide was verified to be via the MEK pathway. The results suggest that geniposide possesses a potential for detoxication by inducing GST activity via increasing the transcription of GSTM1 and GSTM2.

Induction of Manganese-Superoxide Dismutase by YS 51, a Synthetic 1-(β-Naphtylmethyl)6,7-Dihydroxy- 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline Alkaloid

The effect of YS 51, a synthetic 1-(beta-naphtylmethyl)6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid, on the expression of manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), an antioxidant enzyme, was examined in sheep pulmonary artery endothelial cells (SPAEC) and a human cervical carcinoma cell line (Hela). YS 51 alone or in combination with cytokines enhanced the expression of Mn-SOD mRNA in SPAEC and Hela cells. YS 51 also showed synergistic effects on the induction of Mn-SOD mRNA with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (TPA) and/or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In Hela cells, the induction of Mn-SOD mRNA by YS 51 was in a time- and dose-dependent manner and the expression of Mn-SOD mRNA was increased to a maximum of 4-fold in 9 h. Enhancement of Mn-SOD mRNA by YS 51 was completely abolished by actinomycin D but not cycloheximide, suggesting that the induction of Mn-SOD mRNA byYS 51 is independent of new protein synthesis. Pretreatment of curcumin, an inhibitor of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), dose-dependently suppressed the induction of Mn-SOD mRNA by YS 51, but not by 2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone (PD98059) and 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazol (SB203580), inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase. Also, YS 51 induced the phosphorylation activity of JNK in a time-dependent manner without affecting the phosphorylation activity of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) and p38 MAP kinase. These results implicated that the JNK pathway appears to play a crucial role in mediating the YS 51-induced Mn-SOD gene expression, and that up-regulation of Mn-SOD would contribute to the anti-inflammatory actions mediated by YS 51.

Substance P Augments Borrelia burgdorferi-Induced Prostaglandin E2 Production by Murine Microglia

Substance P is a ubiquitous CNS neuropeptide and has recently been demonstrated to augment immune cell function during inflammatory events. Central to the ability of substance P to modulate immune cell function is the interaction of substance P with the substance P neurokinin-1 receptor expressed by a variety of immune cells, including microglia. CNS involvement during Lyme disease can occur when Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, gains access to the CNS. In the present study, we demonstrate that substance P augments B. burgdorferi-induced expression of mRNA encoding COX-2 and subsequent secretion of PGE(2) by cultured, murine microglia. Furthermore, this effect is associated with the ability of substance P to enhance B. burgdorferi-induced NF-kappa B activation, as demonstrated by increased nuclear localization of the p65 (RelA) subunit of NF-kappa B in these cells. Interestingly, we demonstrate that substance P augments B. burgdorferi-induced expression of mRNA encoding two PGE(2) receptors, E-prostanoid receptor subtypes 2 and 4, as well as each receptor protein. In addition, these effects are mediated via interactions between substance P and its high affinity receptor, as evidenced by the absence of augmented PGE(2) synthesis in the presence of a specific neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist or in cells genetically deficient in the expression of these receptors. Taken together, the present demonstration that substance P can exacerbate B. burgdorferi-induced inflammatory responses in microglia in vitro may indicate a role for this neuropeptide in the development of CNS inflammation observed during human neuroborreliosis.

Mechanism of gene expression of Arabidopsis glutathione S-transferase, AtGST1, and AtGST11 in response to aluminum stress

The gene expression of two Al-induced Arabidopsis glutathione S-transferase genes, AtGST1 and AtGST11, was analyzed to investigate the mechanism underlying the response to Al stress. An approximately 1-kb DNA fragment of the 5'-upstream region of each gene was fused to a beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene (pAtGST1::GUS and pAtGST11::GUS) and introduced into Arabidopsis ecotype Landsberg erecta. The constructed transgenic lines showed a time-dependent gene expression to a different degree in the root and/or leaf by Al stress. The pAtGST1::GUS gene was induced after a short Al treatment (maximum expression after a 2-h exposure), while the pAtGST11::GUS gene was induced by a longer Al treatment (approximately 8 h for maximum expression). Since the gene expression was observed in the leaf when only the root was exposed to Al stress, a signaling system between the root and shoot was suggested in Al stress. A GUS staining experiment using an adult transgenic line carrying the pAtGST11::GUS gene supported this suggestion. Furthermore, Al treatment simultaneously with various Ca depleted conditions in root region enhanced the gene expression of the pAtGST11::GUS in the shoot region. This result suggested that the degree of Al toxicity in the root reflects the gene response of pAtGST11::GUS in the shoot via the deduced signaling system. Both transgenic lines also showed an increase of GUS activity after cold stress, heat stress, metal toxicity, and oxidative damages, suggesting a common induction mechanism in response to the tested stresses including Al stress.

Role of protein kinase C isoforms in the regulation of interleukin-13-induced 15-lipoxygenase gene expression in human monocytes

We reported previously that interleukin-13 (IL-13) induces tyrosine phosphorylation/activation of Jak2 and Tyk2 kinases and Stats 1, 3, 5, and 6 in primary human monocytes. We recently revealed that p38 MAPK-mediated serine phosphorylation of both Stat1 and Stat3 is required for the induction of 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) expression by IL-13. In this study, we present data indicating that another serine/threonine kinase, PKCdelta, is also required for IL-13-induced 15-LO expression. PKCdelta, a member of the novel protein kinase C (PKC) subclass, was rapidly phosphorylated and activated upon exposure to IL-13. Treatment of cells with rottlerin, a PKCdelta inhibitor, blocked IL-13-induced 15-LO mRNA and protein expression, whereas Go6976, an inhibitor of the conventional PKC subclass, had no inhibitory effects. Down-regulation of cellular PKCdelta protein levels by PKCdelta-specific antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides also inhibited 15-LO expression markedly. IL-13-induced 15-LO expression resulted in significant inhibition of synthesis of the potent chemotactic factor leukotriene B4, and that process was reversed by rottlerin, presumably through the blockage of PKCdelta-dependent 15-LO expression. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that IL-13-mediated activation of PKCdelta and p38 MAPK are independent pathways, because inhibition of one kinase activity had no effect on the other, suggesting that the two pathways act in parallel to regulate the downstream targets necessary for 15-LO expression. Inhibition of PKCdelta activation by rottlerin also markedly attenuated IL-13-induced Stat3 DNA binding activity. Our findings indicate that PKCdelta plays an important role in regulating IL-13-induced 15-LO expression in human monocytes and subsequently modulates the inflammatory responses mediated by 15-LO products.

DNA Enzyme Generated by a Novel Single-Stranded DNA Expression Vector Inhibits Expression of the Essential Bacterial Cell Division Gene ftsZ

Rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens has created urgent demand for the discovery and development of new antibacterial agents directed toward novel targets. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODN) and their modified forms have been utilized to block gene expression in bacterial cells, showing potential for developing highly specific and efficacious antibacterial agents. In this study, a tetracycline-regulated expression vector was developed for generating single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) of a desired target sequence in bacterial cells. This inducible ssDNA expression vector was tested for producing a DNA enzyme designed to specifically cleave ftsZ mRNA. Our results indicate that the expressed DNA enzyme molecules not only repress ftsZ gene expression and but also inhibit bacterial cell proliferation. Although we believe that the cleavage of ftsZ mRNA by the expressed DNA enzyme molecules is responsible for the inhibitory effects on ftsZ gene expression and bacterial cell proliferation, the antisense mechanism could also be responsible for the biological effects. The ability of this ssDNA expression system to selectively modulate gene expression may provide a powerful strategy in determining the contribution of a given gene product to bacterial growth or pathogenesis and opens a new venue for developing antibacterial agents.