Engineering responsiveness to cell culture stresses: growth arrest and DNA damage gene 153 (GADD153) and the unfolded protein response (UPR) in NS0 myeloma cells

The successful movement of a newly synthesized protein through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and associated membranous compartments is dependent on appropriate recognition by complex processing systems. Failure to perceive appropriately processed or modified intermediates in the pathway can initiate a series of cellular signaling events (ER stress or unfolded protein response, UPR) that can lead to cell apoptosis and loss of biomass in culture processes. We have shown that expression of growth arrest and DNA damage gene 153 (GADD153) is associated with recognition of damaged or mis-processed proteins within the secretory processes of CHO and NS0 myeloma cells. To directly characterize the roles of GADD153 in UPR-directed apoptosis, we have generated stable clones of NS0 myeloma cells with elevated (constitutive and inducible) and deleted GADD153 expression. Although GADD153 is a robust indicator of the onset of ER stress or the UPR, GADD153 expression alone is not sufficient to provoke NS0 myeloma apoptosis and it is not required for apoptosis to occur.

Cooperativity between Rad51 and C/EBP family transcription factors modulates basal and Tat-induced activation of the HIV-1 LTR in astrocytes

Transcription of the HIV-1 genome is a complex event that requires functional and physical communication of cellular proteins that recognize the LTR sequence with viral proteins, most notably, Tat. Moreover, studies have revealed the ability of Tat to induce transcription of a variety of cellular genes whose products can affect the status of cells, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of AIDS. Recently, we demonstrated that expression of Tat in astrocytes and other neural cells leads to upregulation of Rad51, a major component of DNA repair via homologous recombination. The unscheduled upregulation of Rad51, in turn, has an impact upon the extent of chromosomal abnormalities that are seen in Tat-producing cells. Here, we asked whether an elevation in Rad51 levels influences the extent of viral gene transcription in astrocytic cells. Our results demonstrate that ectopic expression of Rad51 enhances the basal- and the Tat-induced transcription of the LTR promoter. This event requires cooperativity from the C/EBP family of transcription factors including C/EBPbeta and C/EBPbeta homologous protein (CHOP). Similar to Tat, we showed that Rad51 interacts with C/EBPbeta and augments its interaction with the DNA motif spanning nucleotides -120 to -94 of the LTR. Interestingly, Tat exhibited the capacity to augment the synergism between Rad51 and C/EBPbeta. Our results also demonstrate that the level of activation of the LTR by CHOP and Tat, either alone or together, is elevated in the presence of the SW1/SNF1 chromatin remodeling complex. These observations unravel a new pathway for Tat activation of the LTR that includes the positive feedback loop involving Rad51 and C/EBPbeta family proteins.

Cytotoxicity and transcriptional activation of stress genes in human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells exposed to iprodione

Iprodione (C13H13Cl2N3O3) is a broad spectrum dicarboximide fungicide used on a wide variety of crop diseases. It is used on vegetables, ornamentals, pome and stone fruit, root crops, cotton and sunflowers, to control a variety of fungal pests. Iprodione inhibits the germination of spores and the growth of the fungal mycelium. Experimental studies with mice have indicated that exposure to iprodione at dose levels 5 to 15 folds greater than the LOAEL for liver injury, induces microsomal enzyme activities, hepatocyte proliferation, hepatomegaly, centrilobular hypertrophy, diffuse hypertrophy, and an increase in lauric acid hydroxylation. Currently, there is no toxicological data available on human health effects associated with exposure to iprodione. In this research, we performed the MTT Assay for cell viability to assess the cytotoxicity of iprodione, and the CAT-Tox (L) assay to measure the induction of stress genes in thirteen recombinant cell lines generated from human liver carcinoma cells (HepG2). The cytotoxicity data indicated a strong concentration-response relationship with regard to iprodione toxicity. The percentages of cell viability were 100 +/- 0%, 128.0 +/- 41.4%, 97.5 +/- 37.7%, 70.1 +/- 35.4%, 33.5 +/- 16.1%, and 5.1 +/- 3.7% in 0, 31.3, 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 microg/mL, respectively. The LC50 was 208.3 +/- 83.3 microg/mL. Data obtained from the CAT-Tox (L) assay showed that iprodione is able to induce a significant number of stress genes in HepG2 cells. At 250 ug/mL exposure, the induction levels were 1.2 +/- 0.4, 50.1 +/- 17.8, 3.9 +/- 1.2, 16.8 +/- 7.2, 10.7 +/- 0.7, 1.8 +/- 0, 26.3 +/- 10.0, 7.2 +/- 2.4, 1.8 +/- 0.0, 6.8 +/- 1.3, 6.7 +/- 0.5, and 4.3 +/- 1.8 for CYP1A1, GSTYa, XRE, HMTIIA, c-fos, NF-kBRE, HSP70, CRE, RARE, GADD153, GADD45, and GRP78, respectively. These results indicate that the metabolism of iprodione involves Phase II biotransformation in the liver (XRE, GSTYa), and that this chemical has the potential to cause cell proliferation and/or inflammatory reactions (c-fos, NF-kB), proteotoxic effects (HSP70, GRP78), metabolic disruption (CRE), and DNA damage (GADD45, GADD153).

C/EBP Homologous Protein (CHOP) Is Crucial for the Induction of Caspase-11 and the Pathogenesis of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatio

C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP)/growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible gene 153 is a C/EBP family transcription factor which is involved in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated apoptosis. To determine whether the ER stress-CHOP pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of the lung inflammation, mice were given LPS intratracheally. Treatment with LPS induced mRNAs for CHOP and BiP. The LPS-induced inflammation in lung, including the IL-1beta activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, was attenuated in the Chop knockout mice. Caspase-11, which is needed for the activation of procaspase-1 and pro-IL-1beta, was induced by LPS treatment in the lung and primary cultured macrophages. The induction of caspase-11 by LPS was suppressed in Chop knockout mice. Caspase-11 was also induced by such ER stress inducers as thapsigargin or tunicamycin. These results show that CHOP plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of inflammation through the induction of caspase-11.

C/EBP homologous protein is necessary for normal osteoblastic function

C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) suppresses adipogenesis and accelerates osteoblastogenesis in vitro. However, the effects of CHOP in the skeleton in vivo are not known. To investigate the actions of CHOP on bone remodeling, we examined the skeletal phenotype of chop null mice from 1 to 12 months of age. Chop null mice appeared normal and their growth and serum insulin like growth factor (IGF) I and osteocalcin levels were normal. X-ray analysis of the skeleton revealed no abnormalities and bone mineral density was normal. Static and dynamic histomorphometry revealed that chop null mice had decreased bone formation rates, without changes in osteoblast cell number, indicating an osteoblastic functional defect. The number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts and eroded surface were normal. Northern blot analysis revealed decreased type I collagen and osteocalcin mRNA levels in calvariae of chop null mice. In conclusion, chop null mice exhibit decreased bone formation and impaired osteoblastic function, indicating that CHOP is necessary for the normal expression of the osteoblastic phenotype.

GADD153 mediates celecoxib-induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cells

Celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, is known to possess anti-inflammatory activity and also induces apoptosis in various types of cancer cells. Here, we examined the molecular mechanism of celecoxib-induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa, CaSki and C33A). Screening of a cDNA microarray chip containing 225 different genes revealed that GADD153 (growth arrest and DNA damage inducible gene), a transcription factor involved in apoptosis, showed the strongest differential expression following celecoxib treatment in all three cervical cancer cell lines. Notably, siRNA-induced silencing of GADD153 suppressed celecoxib-induced apoptosis in all three cell lines, and exogenous expression of GADD153 triggered apoptosis in cervical cancer cells in the absence of other apoptotic stimuli. A luciferase reporter gene assay and mRNA stability tests revealed that the expression of GADD153 was regulated at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels following celecoxib treatment. The region between -649 and -249, containing an intact C/EBP-ATF binding site, is required for celecoxib-induced stimulation of GADD153 promoter activity. In terms of signaling pathway, addition of the NF-kappaB inhibitor, N-tosyl-L-phenylalanyl-chloromethyl ketone, had no effect on GADD153 expression levels. Celecoxib treatment induced Bak expression, whereas cell transfected with siGADD153 showed lower levels of celecoxib-induced Bak upregulation. These novel findings collectively suggest that GADD153 may play a key role in celecoxib-induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cells by regulating the expression of proapoptotic proteins such as Bak.

Cis-hydroxyproline-induced inhibition of pancreatic cancer cell growth is mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress

AIM: To investigate the biological effects of cis-hydroxyproline (CHP) on the rat pancreatic carcinoma cell line DSL6A, and to examine the underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODS: The effect of CHP on DSL6A cell proliferation was assessed by using BrdU incorporation. The expression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was characterized by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was investigated by using RT-PCR and Western blotting for the glucose-related protein-78 (GRP78) and growth arrest and DNA inducible gene (GADD153). Cell viability was determined through measuring the metabolic activity based on the reduction potential of DSL6A cells. Apoptosis was analyzed by detection of caspase-3 activation and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) as well as DNA laddering.

RESULTS: In addition to inhibition of proliferation, incubation with CHP induced proteolytic cleavage of FAK and a delocalisation of the enzyme from focal adhesions, followed by a loss of cell adherence. Simultaneously, we could show an increased expression of GRP78 and GADD153, indicating a CHP-mediated activation of the ER stress cascade in the DSL6A cell line. Prolonged incubation of DSL6A cells with CHP finally resulted in apoptotic cell death. Beside L-proline, the inhibition of intracellular proteolysis by addition of a broad spectrum protease inhibitor could abolish the effects of CHP on cellular functions and the molecular processes. In contrast, impeding the activity of apoptosis-executing caspases had no influence on CHP-mediated cell damage.

CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the initiation of ER stress machinery by CHP leads to an activation of intracellular proteolytic processes, including caspase-independent FAK degradation, resulting in damaging pancreatic carcinoma cells.

The ER stress pathway involving CHOP is activated in the lungs of LPS-treated mice

CHOP is a C/EBP family transcription factor involved in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated apoptosis. To determine if the ER stress pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of LPS-treated mouse lung injury, mice were given lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intraperitoneally. The mRNAs for activating transcription factor (ATF) 4 and X-box binding protein (XBP) 1, transcriptional activators of the CHOP gene, and that for CHOP were induced by or after the LPS treatment. Apoptosis induced by LPS treatment was suppressed in the lungs of Chop-knockout mice. Overexpression of CHOP induced apoptosis in a lung cancer-derived cell line. These results suggest that the ER stress pathway, involving CHOP, is activated and plays a role in the pathogenesis of septic shock lung.

Hypoxia selects for high-metastatic Lewis lung carcinoma cells overexpressing Mcl-1 and exhibiting reduced apoptotic potential in solid tumors

Low oxygen tension (hypoxia) is a common feature of solid tumors and stimulates the expressions of a variety of genes including those related to angiogenesis, apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. Here we show a close correlation between metastatic potential and the resistance to hypoxia- and ER stress-induced apoptosis among the cell lines with differing metastatic potential derived from Lewis lung carcinoma. An apoptosis-specific expression profiling and immunoblot analyses revealed that the expression of antiapoptotic Mcl-1 increased as the resistance to apoptosis increased. Downregulation of the Mcl-1 expression in the high-metastatic cells by Mcl-1 small interfering RNA increased the sensitivity to hypoxia-induced apoptosis and decreased the metastatic ability. The hypoxia-induced apoptosis was not associated with p53 accumulation, although at present it is not possible to conclude that apoptosis-induced apoptosis is p53-independent. There was no correlation between the expression levels of ER stress-response proteins GADD153, GRP78 and ORP150 and the resistance to hypoxia or ER stresses. In vitro, small numbers of the high-metastatic cells overtook the low-metastatic cells after exposure to several rounds of hypoxia and reoxygenation. In solid tumors initially established from equal mixtures, the proportion of the high-metastatic cells to low-metastatic cells was significantly higher in hypoxic areas. Moreover, the high-metastatic cells were overtaking the low-metastatic cells in some of the tumors. Thus, tumor hypoxia and ER stress may provide a physiological selective pressure for the expansion of the high-metastatic cells overexpressing Mcl-1 and exhibiting reduced apoptotic potential in solid tumors.

Detection of TLS/FUS-CHOP fusion transcripts in a case of oral liposarcoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to detect the chromosomal translocation t(12;16)(q13;p11) that leads to a gene fusion encoding a FUS-CHOP chimeric protein and has been shown to be highly characteristic of myxoid and round cell subtypes of liposarcoma, in a case of oral myxoid liposarcoma.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

Nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to detect the TLS/FUS-CHOP fusion gene transcript was performed. A case of inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia and a case of oral lipoma were included as negative controls.

RESULTS

Only the myxoid oral liposarcoma showed a 103-base pair product, specific of TLS/FUS-CHOP fusion type II transcript.

CONCLUSION

The identification of FUS-CHOP transcript is potentially useful in the diagnosis and research of oral liposarcomas.

Absence of typical unfolded protein response in primary cultured cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells

We examined whether the unfolded protein response is activated in cells expressing incorrectly folded cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. Airway epithelial cells from three control and three CF patients homozygous for the deltaF508 mutation were tested. There were no differences in protein expression of the pro-apoptotic factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) or the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone binding Ig protein. Nor were there differences in phosphorylation of protein kinase R-like ER kinase or eukaryotic initiation factor-2alpha, or the splicing of X-box binding protein (XBP)-1. However, CF cells showed increased mRNA expression of CHOP and XBP-1. A proteasome inhibitor increased CHOP expression in CF cells, suggesting that enhanced proteasome activation is responsible for the observed post-transcriptional regulation. Finally, CF cells were resistant to apoptosis, suggesting that post-transcriptional regulation of CHOP prevents apoptosis. While CHOP and XBP-1 mRNA expression is increased in CF cells, the classic UPR is not present.

Generation of the Novel Monoclonal Antibody Against TLS/EWS-CHOP Chimeric Oncoproteins That Is Applicable to One of the Most Sensitive Assays for Myxoid and Round Cell Liposarcomas

The fusion oncoproteins, TLS-CHOP and EWS-CHOP, are characteristic markers for myxoid and round cell liposarcomas (MLS/RCLS). Especially, the peptide sequence of 26 amino acids corresponding to the normally untranslated CHOP exon 2 and parts of exon 3 (5'-UTR) is a unique structure for these chimeric proteins. In this report, we have generated monoclonal antibodies against the unique peptide sequence of TLS/EWS-CHOP oncoproteins. These antibodies reacted with TLS-CHOP fusion protein, but not reacted with normal TLS and CHOP proteins by Western blot analysis. In addition, one of the antibodies also recognized the chimeric oncoprotein in archival paraffin-embedded tissue samples of MLS/RCLS. The oncoprotein was detectable by the antibody even in the paraffin-embedded tissue samples whose mRNAs were too degraded to be detected by a nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-based assay. Thus, the molecular assay using the novel antibody is expected to be one of the most sensitive diagnostic assays for MLS/RCLS.

CHOP plays a pivotal role in the astrocyte death induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation

Ischemia has different consequences on the survival of astrocytes and neurons. Thus, astrocytes show a remarkable resistance to short periods of ischemia that are well known to cause neuronal death. We have used a cell culture model of stroke, oxygen, and glucose deprivation (OGD), to clarify the mechanisms responsible for the exclusive resistance of astrocytes to ischemia. The expression of genes implicated in both ischemia-induced astrocyte death and post-ischemic survival was analysed by the RNA differential display technique. Our study revealed that the expression of the CEBP homologous protein (CHOP)-coding gene is promptly an intensely upregulated following astrocyte oxygen and glucose deprivation. CHOP mRNA induction was accompanied by the activation of other genes (grp78, grp95) that, alike CHOP, are involved in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. In addition, drugs that cause ER calcium depletion or protein N-glycosylation inhibition mimicked the effects of OGD on astrocyte survival, further supporting the involvement of ER in the astrocyte responses to OGD. Our experiments also demonstrated that upregulation of CHOP during the ER stress response is required for ischemia to cause astrocyte death. Not only the levels of CHOP mRNA and protein correlate perfectly with the degree of OGD-triggered cell injury, but also astrocyte death induced by OGD is significantly overcome by CHOP antisense oligonucleotide treatment. Nevertheless, we observed that astrocytes undergo apoptosis only when CHOP is permanently upregulated, and not when CHOP increases are transient. Finally, we found that the extent of CHOP induction is determined by the length of the ischemic stimulus. Taken together, our results indicate that permanent upregulation of CHOP is decisive for the induction of astrocyte death by OGD.

NMDA-induced retinal injury is mediated by an endoplasmic reticulum stress-related protein, CHOP/GADD153

We investigated the role of an endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated protein, CHOP/GADD153, after NMDA-induced mouse retinal damage. After injection of NMDA into the vitreous, TUNEL-positive cells were detected in the retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL) and inner nuclear layer (INL) at 6 h after NMDA injection, and these gradually increased in number up to 24 h. Analysis by real-time RT-PCR revealed that CHOP mRNA was induced by about 3-fold, at 2 h after NMDA injection. Immunoreactivity for the CHOP protein was intense in cells of the GCL following NMDA treatment. Immunoblot analysis showed that NMDA injection increased the expression of CHOP protein in the retina. Compared with wild-type mice, CHOP/ mice were more resistant to NMDA-induced retinal cell death as determined by TUNEL assay. At 7 days after NMDA treatment, the thickness of the inner plexiform layer and INL were larger in CHOP/ mice than in wild-type mice. The number of residual cells in the GCL following NMDA treatment was significantly higher in CHOP/ mice than in wild-type mice. In conclusion, CHOP is induced in mouse retina by NMDA treatment, and CHOP/ mice are more resistant to NMDA-induced retinal damage, suggesting that CHOP plays an important role in NMDA-induced retinal cell death.

Green tea polyphenol stimulates cancer preventive effects of celecoxib in human lung cancer cells by upregulation ofGADD153 gene

To more clearly understand the molecular mechanisms involved in synergistic enhancement of cancer preventive activity with the green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), we examined the effects of cotreatment with EGCG plus celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor. We specifically looked for induction of apoptosis and expression of apoptosis related genes, with emphasis on growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible 153 (GADD153) gene, in human lung cancer cell line PC-9: Cotreatment with EGCG plus celecoxib strongly induced the expression of both GADD153 mRNA level and protein in PC-9 cells, while neither EGCG nor celecoxib alone did. However, cotreatment did not induce expression of other apoptosis related genes, p21(WAF1) and GADD45. Judging by upregulation of GADD153, only cotreatment with EGCG plus celecoxib synergistically induced apoptosis of PC-9 cells. Synergistic effects with the combination were also observed in 2 other lung cancer cell lines, A549 and ChaGo K-1. Furthermore, EGCG did not enhance GADD153 gene expression or apoptosis induction in PC-9 cells in combination with N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide or with aspirin. Thus, upregulation of GADD153 is closely correlated with synergistic enhancement of apoptosis with EGCG. Cotreatment also activated the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK: Preteatment with PD98059 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) and UO126 (selective MEK inhibitor) abrogated both upregulation of GADD153 and synergistic induction of apoptosis of PC-9 cells, while SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) did not do so, indicating that GADD153 expression was mediated through the ERK signaling pathway. These findings indicate that high upregulation of GADD153 is a key requirement for cancer prevention in combination with EGCG.

ATF3 expression precedes death of spinal motoneurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-SOD1 transgenic mice and correlates with c-Jun phosphorylation, CHOP expression, somato-dendritic ubiquitination and Golgi fragmentation

To obtain insight into the morphological and molecular correlates of motoneuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mice that express G93A mutant superoxide dismutase (SOD)1 (G93A mice), we have mapped and characterized 'sick' motoneurons labelled by the 'stress transcription factors' ATF3 and phospho-c-Jun. Immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization showed that a subset of motoneurons express ATF3 from a relatively early phase of disease before the onset of active caspase 3 expression and motoneuron loss. The highest number of ATF3-expressing motoneurons occurred at symptom onset. The onset of ATF3 expression correlated with the appearance of ubiquitinated neurites. Confocal double-labelling immunofluorescence showed that all ATF3-positive motoneurons were immunoreactive for phosphorylated c-Jun. Furthermore, the majority of ATF3 and phospho-c-Jun-positive motoneurons were also immunoreactive for CHOP (GADD153) and showed Golgi fragmentation. A subset of ATF3 and phosphorylated c-Jun-immunoreactive motoneurons showed an abnormal appearance characterized by a number of distinctive features, including an eccentric flattened nucleus, perikaryal accumulation of ubiquitin immunoreactivity, juxta-nuclear accumulation of the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum, and intense Hsp70 immunoreactivity. These abnormal cells were not immunoreactive for active caspase 3. We conclude that motoneurons in ALS-SOD1 mice prior to their death and disappearance experience a prolonged sick phase, characterized by the gradual accumulation of ubiquitinated material first in the neurites and subsequently the cell body.

Induction of apoptosis by 1-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-3-phenyl-1,3-propanedione through reactive oxygen species production, GADD153 expression, and caspases activation in human epidermoid carcinoma cells

This study examined the growth inhibitory effects of the structurally related beta-diketones compounds in human cancer cells. Here, we report that 1-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-3-phenyl-1,3-propanedione (HMDB) induces growth inhibition of human cancer cells and induction of apoptosis in A431 cells through modulation of mitochondrial functions regulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS generation occurs in the early stages of HMDB-induced apoptosis, preceding cytochrome c release, caspase activation, and DNA fragmentation. The changes occurred after single breaks in DNA were detected, suggesting that HMDB induced irreparable DNA damage, which in turn triggered the process of apoptosis. Up-regulation of Bad and p21; down-regulation of Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bid, p53, and fatty acid synthase; and cleavage of Bax were found in HMDB-treated A431 cells. Glutathione and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) suppress HMDB-induced apoptosis. HMDB markedly enhanced growth arrest DNA damage inducible gene 153 (GADD153) mRNA and protein in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. NAC prevented up-regulation of GADD153 mRNA expression caused by HMDB. These findings suggest that HMDB creates an oxidative cellular environment that induces DNA damage and GADD153 gene activation, which in turn helps trigger apoptosis in A431 cells.

Gold(III) compound is a novel chemocytotoxic agent for hepatocellular carcinoma

Recently, a series of gold(III) meso-tetraarylporphyrins that are stable against demetallation in physiological conditions have been synthesized. In the present study, the antitumor effects of one of these compounds, gold(III) meso-tetraarylporphyrin 1a (gold-1a) was investigated in an orthotopic rat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model as well as using a HCC cell line. The rat HCC model was induced by injection of rat hepatoma cells, McA-RH7777, into the left lobe of the liver. Seven days after tumor cell inoculation, gold-1a was injected directly into the tumor nodule at different doses, followed by the same doses via intraperitoneal injection twice a week. Gold-1a administration significantly prolonged the survival of HCC-bearing rats. Importantly, gold-1a induced necrosis as well as apoptosis in the tumor tissues, but not in the normal liver tissues. Furthermore, gold-1a treatment neither caused significant drop in body weight of the rats nor affected plasma aspartate aminotransferase level. In the in vitro studies, we observed that gold-1a treatment inhibited the proliferation of McA-RH7777 cells. Gold-1a upregulated genes that increase apoptosis, stabilize p53, decrease proliferation and downregulated genes playing roles in angiogenesis, invasion, and metabolism, as demonstrated by microarray. In particular, the compound upregulated 2 members of the growth arrest and DNA damage (Gadd) inducible gene family, Gadd34 and Gadd153. Suppression of Gadd34 and Gadd153 in McA-RH7777 cells by small hairpin RNA reduced the gold-1a-induced apoptosis and growth inhibition, indicating that gold-1a mediated its effects via upregulation of Gadd34 and Gadd153. Results from our study demonstrated that gold-1a might be a novel promising chemocytotoxic agent for treating HCC.

Role of CHOP in Hepatic Apoptosis in the Murine Model of Intragastric Ethanol Feeding

BACKGROUND

CHOP is a transcriptional regulator involved in apoptosis caused by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We previously reported that CHOP as well as other ER stress response genes is induced in the liver of a murine model of intragastric ethanol feeding. This study was undertaken to determine the role of CHOP in hepatocellular apoptosis and liver injury in this model.

METHODS

CHOP wild-type (+/+) mice and CHOP null (-/-) mice were fed alcohol for four weeks with glucose as control. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, TUNEL, and caspase 3 staining of liver tissues were performed for assessment of fatty liver, necroinflammation, and apoptosis. Total RNA was extracted for microarray and reverse transcription-PCR analyses, and proteins were used for western blotting.

RESULTS

Significant increased liver/body ratio, steatosis, liver triglyceride levels, and plasma homocysteine concentrations were observed in alcohol-fed mice as compared with controls in both genotypes. There was no significant difference between wild-type and CHOP null (-/-) mice in the parameters related to fatty liver. Alcohol-induced increased serum alanine aminotransferase levels and necroinflammatory foci were not significantly reduced in CHOP null (-/-) mice. However, apoptosis was present in alcohol-fed wild-type mice but virtually absent in alcohol-fed CHOP null (-/-) mice. The ER stress response indicated by increased Grp78 mRNA was observed in both types of mice fed alcohol. Of 12,423 transcripts analyzed for >or= two-fold changes, several related to apoptosis were influenced by CHOP: Gadd45 and cathepsin B were up-regulated in ethanol-fed wild-type mice but not in CHOP null (-/-) mice, whereas Jun D and Bcl-xL were down-regulated in ethanol-fed wild-type mice but not in ethanol-fed CHOP null (-/-) mice.

CONCLUSIONS

CHOP null (-/-) mice have remarkable absence of hepatocellular apoptosis in response to alcohol feeding but no protection against hyperhomocysteinemia, ER stress, and fatty liver. Thus, CHOP up-regulation occurs downstream of and contributes to one manifestation of ER stress, namely, apoptosis. Microarray studies confirmed by PCR analysis and western blotting indicate that genes affected by CHOP are both proapoptotic and antiapoptotic and CHOP induction by ethanol may tip the balance of cell survival and death toward apoptosis.

Decreased expression of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein zeta (C/EBPzeta) in patients with different myeloid diseases

CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) are a family of transcription factors that have been implicated in diverse cellular functions such as cellular differentiation and proliferation, and inflammatory processes. C/EBPzeta, also known as GADD153, CHOP10, and DDIT3 has been found associated with the development of myxoid liposarcoma and the progression of melanoma. To investigate the correlation of C/EBPzeta transcript levels with the development of leukemia, samples from 187 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) were examined for C/EBPzeta mRNA using real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR). RQ-PCR analysis demonstrated the median levels of C/EBPzeta were significantly decreased in MDS, AML, and CML patients compared with normal controls (1.40, 0.96, 2.60 versus 14.69, P<0.0001). Significant differences were also observed between patients with CML and with AML or MDS. These results suggest that the insufficient dosage of C/EBPzeta might be involved in the development of leukemia.

Hepatitis C virus envelope proteins regulate CHOP via induction of the unfolded protein response

Unfolded protein response (UPR) is a cellular adaptive response that functions to reduce stress caused by malfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). UPR can be induced under physiological or pathological conditions and is responsible for the pathogenesis of many human diseases. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus causing chronic diseases. Its genome encodes two envelope proteins E1 and E2, which mature in the ER to form a noncovalently bound, native complex and disulfide aggregates and have previously been shown to induce expression of the molecular chaperone immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein. In this study, we show that HCV envelope protein expression regulates another stress indicator CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein (CHOP). The ER-stress element and the activating transcription factor 4 element in the CHOP promoter were activated to a similar extent by HCV envelope protein expression. Using mouse embryonic fibroblasts deficient in the ER stress kinase RNA-activated protein kinase-like ER-resident kinase (PERK), we showed that PERK was necessary and sufficient for activating the CHOP promoter. Expression of HCV E1 and/or E2 also induced splicing of X-box binding protein 1 and transactivation of the unfolded protein response element, leading to the speculation that HCV E1 and E2 not only regulate the UPR but also ER-associated degradation.

Regulation of asparagine synthetase gene transcription by the basic region leucine zipper transcription factors ATF5 and CHOP

Asparagine synthetase catalyses the glutamine- and ATP-dependent conversion of aspartic acid to asparagine. In human hepatoma cells cultured in mediumcontaining amino acids, the mRNA of asparagine synthetase is not detectable by RNase protection mapping. However, maintaining the cells in amino acid-free Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer strongly upregulated asparagine synthetase biosynthesis. The effect of amino acid deprivation on asparagine synthetase gene transcription is mediated by a genetic element termed the nutrient-sensing response unit. Previous studies revealed that the basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor CREB2/ATF4 is involved in the nutrient deprivation-induced upregulation of asparagine synthetase gene transcription. Here we show that overexpression of the bZIP protein ATF5, a transcriptional activator, stimulates asparagine synthetase promoter/reporter gene transcription via the nutrient-sensing response unit. In contrast, ATF5 does not transactivate cAMP response element (CRE)-containing reporter genes. Overexpression of the C/EBP homologous transcription factor CHOP impaired transcriptional activation of the asparagine synthetase promoter following amino acid deprivation or over-expression of ATF5 or CREB2/ATF4. These data indicate that CHOP functions as a shut-off-device for nutrient deprivation-induced gene transcription.

[Detection of FUS-CHOP fusion gene in paraffin-embedded tissues and its clinicopathologic significance for myxoid/round cell liposarcomas]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the feasibility of detecting FUS-CHOP fusion gene in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue and its application in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of myxoid/round cell liposarcomas (MRCLs).

METHODS

Forty-four formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded MRCL samples and 60 control cases (atypical/well-differentiated liposarcoma, pleomorphic liposarcoma, low-grade myofibrosarcoma, etc.) retrieved from the archival files were studied. Nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was employed to detect the FUS-CHOP mRNA expression, followed by DNA sequencing confirmation of the PCR product. Housekeeping gene PGK was used to assess the quality of the mRNA templates.

RESULTS

PGK mRNA was detected in 93 of 104 tumor cases (89.4%), including 39 MRCLs cases (39/44, 88.6%) and 90% of the negative control cases. Type II FUS-CHOP fusion transcript was successfully detected in 20 out of 39 (51.3%) MRCL cases. Type I FUS-CHOP fusion transcript was not detected in any MRCLs in this study. All 60 negative control cases were negative for the FUS-CHOP fusion gene transcripts.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) Nested RT-PCR can be used to detect FUS-CHOP mRNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. (2) FUS-CHOP is considered a specific molecular and genetic hallmark for MRCLs. Nested RT-PCR is a sensitive and specific technique in detecting FUS-CHOP gene, and can be used in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of MRCLs.

Curcumin-induced GADD153 gene up-regulation in human colon cancer cells

Ingestion of plant products containing the phenolic phytochemical, curcumin, has been linked to lower incidences of colon cancer, suggesting that curcumin has cancer chemopreventive effects. Supporting this suggestion at the cellular level, apoptosis occurs in human colon cancer cells exposed to curcumin. However, the mechanism is unclear, prompting this investigation to further clarify the molecular effects of curcumin. HCT-116 colonocytes were incubated with 0-20 microM curcumin for 0-48 h. In concentration-dependent and time-dependent manners, curcumin induced DNA damage, resulting later in the appearance of cellular features characteristic of apoptosis. To identify a potential pro-apoptotic gene that could be responsive to the DNA damage in curcumin-treated cells, growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible gene 153 (GADD153) was considered. Curcumin increased GADD153 mRNA (and also protein) expression, which was prevented by actinomycin D and also by a broad protein kinase C inhibitor, but not by selective MAPK inhibitors. These findings suggest that curcumin-induced up-regulation of GADD153 mRNA expression was at the level of transcription, but apparently without depending on upstream MAPK. In determining the involvement of reactive oxygen species in mediating the effect of curcumin on GADD153, the antioxidants pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), but neither alpha-tocopherol nor catalase, also blunted or prevented up-regulation of GADD153 mRNA expression caused by curcumin. Most noteworthy, when NAC was tested, it inhibited the DNA damage and apoptosis caused by curcumin. Because expression of GADD153 protein was detected before the appearance of apoptotic features, this observation raises the possibility that GADD153 protein might be important for curcumin-induced apoptosis.