Cyclin-dependent kinase-1: linking apoptosis to cell cycle and mitotic catastrophe

Genome-wide profile of pleural mesothelioma versus parietal and visceral pleura: the emerging gene portrait of the mesothelioma phenotype

BACKGROUND

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is considered an almost incurable tumour with increasing incidence worldwide. It usually develops in the parietal pleura, from mesothelial lining or submesothelial cells, subsequently invading the visceral pleura. Chromosomal and genomic aberrations of mesothelioma are diverse and heterogenous. Genome-wide profiling of mesothelioma versus parietal and visceral normal pleural tissue could thus reveal novel genes and pathways explaining its aggressive phenotype.

METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Well-characterised tissue from five mesothelioma patients and normal parietal and visceral pleural samples from six non-cancer patients were profiled by Affymetrix oligoarray of 38 500 genes. The lists of differentially expressed genes tested for overrepresentation in KEGG PATHWAYS (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) and GO (gene ontology) terms revealed large differences of expression between visceral and parietal pleura, and both tissues differed from mesothelioma. Cell growth and intrinsic resistance in tumour versus parietal pleura was reflected in highly overexpressed cell cycle, mitosis, replication, DNA repair and anti-apoptosis genes. Several genes of the "salvage pathway" that recycle nucleobases were overexpressed, among them TYMS, encoding thymidylate synthase, the main target of the antifolate drug pemetrexed that is active in mesothelioma. Circadian rhythm genes were expressed in favour of tumour growth. The local invasive, non-metastatic phenotype of mesothelioma, could partly be due to overexpression of the known metastasis suppressors NME1 and NME2. Down-regulation of several tumour suppressor genes could contribute to mesothelioma progression. Genes involved in cell communication were down-regulated, indicating that mesothelioma may shield itself from the immune system. Similarly, in non-cancer parietal versus visceral pleura signal transduction, soluble transporter and adhesion genes were down-regulated. This could represent a genetical platform of the parietal pleura propensity to develop mesothelioma.

CONCLUSIONS

Genome-wide microarray approach using complex human tissue samples revealed novel expression patterns, reflecting some important features of mesothelioma biology that should be further explored.

A class of DNA-binding peptides from wheat bud causes growth inhibition, G2 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction in HeLa cells

Background

Deproteinized DNA from eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells still contains a low-molecular weight peptidic fraction which can be dissociated by alkalinization of the medium. This fraction inhibits RNA transcription and tumor cell growth. Removal from DNA of normal cells causes amplification of DNA template activity. This effect is lower or absent in several cancer cell lines. Likewise, the amount of active peptides in cancer cell DNA extracts is lower than in DNA preparation of the corresponding normal cells. Such evidence, and their ubiquitous presence, suggests that they are a regulatory, conserved factor involved in the control of normal cell growth and gene expression.

Results

We report that peptides extracted from wheat bud chromatin induce growth inhibition, G₂ arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis in HeLa cells. The growth rate is decreased in cells treated during the S phase only and it is accompanied by DNA damage and DNA synthesis inhibition. In G₂ cells, this treatment induces inactivation of the CDK1-cyclin B1 complex and an increase of active chk1 kinase expression.

Conclusion

The data indicate that the chromatin peptidic pool inhibits HeLa cell growth by causing defective DNA replication which, in turn, arrests cell cycle progression to mitosis via G₂ checkpoint pathway activation.

AZD5438, a potent oral inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 1, 2, and 9, leads to pharmacodynamic changes and potent antitumor effects in human tumor xenografts

Deregulation of the cell cycle has long been recognized as an essential driver of tumorigenesis, and agents that selectively target key cell cycle components continue to hold promise as potential therapeutics. We have developed AZD5438, a 4-(1-isopropyl-2-methylimidazol-5-yl)-2-(4-methylsulphonylanilino) pyrimidine, as a potent inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) 1, 2, and 9 (IC(50), 16, 6, and 20 nmol/L, respectively). In vitro, AZD5438 showed significant antiproliferative activity in human tumor cell lines (IC(50) range, 0.2-1.7 micromol/L), causing inhibition of the phosphorylation of cdk substrates pRb, nucleolin, protein phosphatase 1a, and RNA polymerase II COOH-terminal domain and blocking cell cycling at G(2)-M, S, and G(1) phases. In vivo, when orally administered at either 50 mg/kg twice daily or 75 mg/kg once daily, AZD5438 inhibited human tumor xenograft growth (maximum percentage tumor growth inhibition, range, 38-153; P < 0.05). In vivo, AZD5438 reduced the proportion of actively cycling cells. Further pharmacodynamic analysis of AZD5438-treated SW620 xenografts showed that efficacious doses of AZD5438 (>40% tumor growth inhibition) maintained suppression of biomarkers, such as phospho-pRbSer(249)/Thr(252), for up to 16 hours following a single oral dose. A comparison of different schedules indicated that chronic daily oral dosing provided optimal cover to ensure antitumor efficacy. These data indicate that broad cdk inhibition may provide an effective method to impair the dysregulated cell cycle that drives tumorigenesis and AZD5438 has the pharmacologic profile that provides an ideal probe to test this premise.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 inhibitor RO-3306 enhances p53-mediated Bax activation and mitochondrial apoptosis in AML

Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 1 and the murine double minute 2 homolog (MDM2)-p53 interaction are potential therapeutic targets in cancer, and their inhibition has been reported to be more proapoptotic in malignant cells compared to normal cells. We investigated the effect of CDK1 inhibition on p53 signaling after simultaneous dual blockade using the CDK1 inhibitor RO-3306 and the MDM2 inhibitor Nutlin-3 in AML. Treatment of growing AML cells with RO-3306 induced G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We found that RO-3306 acts cooperatively with Nutlin-3 to induce mitochondrial apoptosis in a cell cycle-independent fashion. RO-3306 downregulated expression of the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and survivin and blocked p53-mediated induction of p21 and MDM2. CDK1 siRNA experiments showed that reduced CDK1 expression affects p53-induced p21 transactivation. We suggest that RO-3306 actively enhances downstream p53 signaling to promote apoptosis and that a combination strategy aimed at both inhibiting CDK1 and activating p53 signaling is potentially effective in AML, where TP53 mutations are rare and downstream p53 signaling is intact.

Doublecortin induces mitotic microtubule catastrophe and inhibits glioma cell invasion

Doublecortin (DCX) is a microtubule (MT) binding protein that induces growth arrest at the G2-M phase of cell cycle in glioma and suppresses tumor xenograft in immunocompromised hosts. DCX expression was found in neuronal cells, but lacking in glioma cells. We tested the hypothesis that DCX inhibits glioma U87 cell mitosis and invasion. Our data showed that DCX synthesizing U87 cells underwent mitotic MT spindle catastrophe in a neurabin II dependent pathway. Synthesis of both DCX and neurabin II were required to induce apoptosis in U87 and human embryonic kidney 293T cells. In DCX expressing U87 cells, association of phosphorylated DCX with protein phosphatase-1 (PP1) in the cytosol disrupted the interaction between kinesin-13 and PP1 in the nucleus and yielded spontaneously active kinesin-13. The activated kinesin-13 caused mitotic MT catastrophe in spindle checkpoint. Phosphorylated-DCX induced depolymerization of actin filaments in U87 cells, down-regulated matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9, and inhibited glioma U87 cell invasion in a neurabin II dependent pathway. Thus, localization of the DCX-neurabin II-PP1 complex in the cytosol of U87 tumor cells inhibited PP1 phosphatase activities leading to anti-glioma effects via (1) mitotic MT spindle catastrophe that blocks mitosis and (2) depolymerization of actin that inhibits glioma cell invasion.

AKT/eNOS signaling module functions as a potential feedback loop in the growth hormone signaling pathway

Background

While evidence suggested that the activity states of Protein kinase B (AKT/PKB) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) play an important role in the progression of the Growth Hormone (GH) signal cascade, the implication of the activation of AKT/PKB and eNOS in terms of their function in the signaling pathway was not clear.

Results

Using a specific AKT/PKB inhibitor and a functional proteomic approach, we were able to detect the activities of multiple signal transduction pathway elements, the downstream targets of the AKT/PKB pathway and the modification of those responses by treatment with GH. Inhibiting the AKT/PKB activity reduced or eliminated the activation (phosphorylation) of eNOS. We demonstrated that the progression of the GH signal cascade is influenced by the activity status of AKT and eNOS, wherein the suppression of AKT activity appears to augment the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (Erk1/2) and to antagonize the deactivation (phosphorylation) of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDC2/Cdk1) induced by GH. Phosphorylation of GSK3a/b (glycogen synthase kinase 3), the downstream target of AKT/PKB, was inhibited by the AKT/PKB inhibitor. GH did not increase phosphorylation of ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (RSK1) in normal cells but increases phosphorylation of RSK1 in cells pre-treated with the AKT and eNOS inhibitors.

Conclusion

The MAP kinase and CDC2 kinase-dependent intracellular mechanisms are involved in or are the targets of the GH's action processes, and these activities are probably directly or indirectly modulated by AKT/PKB pathways. We propose that the AKT/PKB-eNOS module likely functions as a negative feedback mediator of GH actions.

Heat shock protein 90 inhibition abrogates hepatocellular cancer growth through cdc2-mediated G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

PURPOSE

17-(demethoxy), 17-allylamino geldanamycin (17-AAG) suppresses growth in some cancers by inhibiting Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). We examined the effects of 17-AAG-mediated Hsp90 inhibition on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

Human HCC cell lines, Hep3B and HuH7, were exposed to 17-AAG and cell viabilities and apoptosis were determined. Cell cycle profiles were analyzed and the G(2)/M cell cycle checkpoint proteins cdc2 and cyclin B1 were examined. Studies were performed to determine whether 17-AAG-mediated cdc2 decrease was due to altered gene expression, transcription, or protein degradation. The effects of 17-AAG on Hep3B and HuH7 xenograft growth in athymic nude mice were also examined.

RESULTS

Hep3B and HuH7 treated with 17-AAG versus untreated controls showed decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis. Cells treated with 17-AAG also showed an increased fraction in G(2)/M phase and an associated decrease in cdc2 through protein degradation rather than through other mechanisms. Hsp90 inhibition by 17-AAG also decreased HCC xenograft growth in association with decreased cdc2 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

17-AAG-mediated inhibition of Hsp90 abrogates human HCC cell growth in vitro and in vivo through cdc2 decrease, which in turn induces G(2)/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Hsp90 is a mediator of HCC growth and survival and its inhibition may serve as a potential treatment.

Diallyl disulfide induces apoptosis in human colon cancer cell line (COLO 205) through the induction of reactive oxygen species, endoplasmic reticulum stress, caspases casade and mitochondrial-dependent pathways

In this study, we investigated the effects of DADS on human colon cancer cell line COLO 205 on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro. After 24 h treatment of COLO 205 cells with DADS, the dose- and time-dependent decreases of viable cells were observed and the IC50 was 22.47 microM. The decreased percentages of viable cells are associated with the production of ROS. Treatment of COLO 205 cells with DADS resulted in G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis occurrence through the mitochondrial-pathway (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL down-regulation and Bak, Bax up-regulation). DADS increased cyclin B, cdc25c-ser-216-9 and Wee1 but did not affect CDK1 protein and gene expression within 24 h of treatment. DADS-induced apoptosis was examined and confirmed by DAPI staining and DNA fragmentation assay. DADS promoted caspase-3, -8 and -9 activity and induced apoptosis were accompanied by increasing the levels of Fas, phospho-Ask1 and -JNK, p53 and decreasing the mitochondrial membrane potential which then led to release the cytochrome c, cleavage of pro-caspase-9 and -3. The COLO 205 cells were pre-treated with JNK inhibitor before leading to decrease the percentage of apoptosis which was induced by DADS. Inhibition of caspase-3 activation blocked DADS-induced apoptosis on COLO 205 cells.

Mitotic catastrophe cell death induced by heat shock protein 90 inhibitor in BRCA1-deficient breast cancer cell lines

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a molecular chaperone involved in folding, assembly, maturation, and stabilization of the client proteins that regulate survival of malignant cells. As previous reports correlate high Hsp90 expression with decreased survival in breast cancer, Hsp90 may be a favorable target for investigational therapy in breast cancer. In our study, we have examined the response of a panel of both BRCA1-null (UACC 3199, HCC 1937, and MBA-MD-436) and BRCA1-wt breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MBA-MD-157, and Hs578T) to determine the proteins governing response to Hsp90 inhibitor 17-allyloamino-17-demethoxy-geldanamycin. On treatment with the drug, cells arrested at G(2)-M phase and entered aberrant mitosis in a BRCA1-dependent manner. Failure to arrest the cells at or before mitosis resulted in formation of micronucleated cells, aberrant segregation of chromosomes, microtubule misalignment, and multicentrosomes, leading in eventual mitotic catastrophe cell death. Our observations show that BRCA1 mediates G(2)-M transition mainly through chek1 on 17-allyloamino-17-demethoxy-geldanamycin treatment.

Generation of an indestructible cyclin B1 by caspase-6-dependent cleavage during mitotic catastrophe

Overriding the G(2) DNA damage checkpoint permits precocious entry into mitosis that ultimately leads to mitotic catastrophe. Mitotic catastrophe is manifested by an unscheduled activation of CDK1, caspase activation and apoptotic cell death. We found that although cyclin B1 was required for mitotic catastrophe, it was cleaved into a approximately 35 kDa protein by a caspase-dependent mechanism during the process. Cyclin B1 cleavage occurred after Asp123 in the motif ILVD(123) downward arrow, and mutation of this motif attenuated the cleavage. Cleavage was abolished by a pan-caspase inhibitor as well as by specific inhibitors for the effector caspase-6 and the initiator caspase-8. Cleavage created a truncated cyclin B1 lacking part of the NH(2)-terminal regulatory domain that included the destruction box sequence. Although cleavage of cyclin B1 itself was not absolutely required for mitotic catastrophe, expression of the truncated product enhanced cell death. In support of this, ectopic expression of this truncated cyclin B1 was not only sufficient to induce mitotic block and apoptosis but also enhanced mitotic catastrophe induced by ionizing radiation and caffeine. These data underscore a possible linkage between mitotic and apoptotic functions by caspase-dependent processing of mitotic activators.

Tanshinone IIA, an isolated compound from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, induces apoptosis in HeLa cells through mitotic arrest

AIMS

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) is a compound isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen). The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of its anti-cancer effect.

MAIN METHODS

To clearly delineate the cell cycle-dependent effects of Tan IIA, we used either synchronized cells or single living cell analysis to conduct our studies. Subcellular fractionation, Western blot analysis, immuno-fluorescence staining and FACS analysis were also employed in our study.

KEY FINDINGS

We found that Tan IIA could arrest cancer cells in mitosis by disrupting the mitotic spindle and subsequently triggered cells to enter apoptosis through the mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway. Thus, Tan IIA could selectively kill mitotic cells over interphase cells. In comparison with other existing anti-cancer drugs that cause mitotic arrest by interfering with the microtubule structure (such as vincristine or taxol), Tan IIA destroyed only the mitotic spindle during the M phase but not the microtubule structure in interphase cells. Furthermore, Tan IIA could trigger the mitotic arrested cells to enter apoptosis faster than vincristine or taxol.

SIGNIFICANCE

Since Tan IIA can selectively induce cancer cells to enter apoptosis through mitotic arrest, it has the potential to be developed into an anti-cancer drug.

Cytosolic phospholipase A2 regulates viability of irradiated vascular endothelium

Radiosensitivity of various normal tissues is largely dependent on radiation-triggered signal transduction pathways. Radiation simultaneously initiates distinct signaling from both DNA damage and cell membrane. Specifically, DNA strand breaks initiate cell-cycle delay, strand-break repair or programmed cell death, whereas membrane-derived signaling through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) enhances cell viability. Here, activation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) and production of the lipid second-messenger lysophosphatidylcholine were identified as initial events (within 2 min) required for radiation-induced activation of Akt and ERK1/2 in vascular endothelial cells. Inhibition of cPLA(2) significantly enhanced radiation-induced cytotoxicity due to an increased number of multinucleated giant cells and cell cycle-independent accumulation of cyclin B1 within 24-48 h of irradiation. Delayed programmed cell death was detected at 72-96 h after treatment. Endothelial functions were also affected by inhibition of cPLA(2) during irradiation resulting in attenuated cell migration and tubule formation. The role of cPLA(2) in the regulation of radiation-induced activation of Akt and ERK1/2 and cell viability was confirmed using human umbilical vein endothelial cells transfected with shRNA for cPLA(2)alpha and cultured embryonic fibroblasts from cPLA(2)alpha(-/-) mice. In summary, an immediate radiation-induced cPLA(2)-dependent signaling was identified that regulates cell viability and, therefore, represents one of the key regulators of radioresistance of vascular endothelial cells.

CUGBP2 downregulation by prostaglandin E2 protects colon cancer cells from radiation-induced mitotic catastrophe

Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) is a potent inhibitor of ionizing radiation (IR)-induced cell death. Exposure of colon cancer cells to IR leads to increased CUGBP2 expression. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that PGE(2) radioprotects colon cancer cells by inhibiting CUGBP2 expression. Exposure of HCT-116 cells to gamma-IR (0-12 Gy) resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in cell growth and an increase in the G(2)-M phase of the cell cycle. Western blot analyses demonstrated increased levels of activated caspase 9 and caspase 3. In addition, whereas Bax expression is increased, that of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) was reduced. Further analyses demonstrated increased activation of Chk1 and Chk2 kinases, coupled with higher levels of nuclear cyclin B1 and Cdc2. Pretreatment with PGE(2) suppressed the activation of caspase 3 and caspase 7 and inhibited Bax expression. In addition, PGE(2) treatment restored growth and colony formation to control levels. IR significantly upregulated the expression of CUGBP2 in the cells, which was suppressed when cells were pretreated with PGE(2). Ectopic overexpression of CUGBP2 also induced apoptosis. Furthermore, it reversed the PGE(2)-mediated protection from IR-induced mitotic catastrophe. Furthermore, there was an increase in nuclear localization of cyclin B1 and Cdc2 coupled with increased phosphorylation of p53, Chk1, Chk2, and Cdc25c proteins. Cell cycle analysis also demonstrated increased G(2)-M transition. In contrast, siRNA-mediated suppression of CUGBP2 expression restored normal cell cycle progression and decreased IR-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these data demonstrate that PGE(2) protects colon cancer cells from IR-induced mitotic catastrophe in part through suppression of CUGBP2 expression.

Desmocollin expression in oral atrophic lichen planus correlates with clinical behavior and DNA content

BACKGROUND

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic mucocutaneous inflammatory disease, with some tendency toward malignant transformation. Markers are needed to identify the lesions at risk.

METHODS

A series of 82 biopsies from 70 patients with atrophic OLP was analyzed for desmocollin-1, E-cadherin, cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (cdk-1) and Rad-51 expression using immunohistochemistry and static DNA cytometry, with particular reference to clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Desmocollin-1 and E-cadherin expression were each detected in 24.4% (20/82) of the samples. Of the positive samples, only eight specimens expressed both desmocollin-1 and E-cadherin. Strong desmocollin-1 and E-cadherin expression was found in 8.5% and 3.7% of OLP biopsies, respectively. Desmocollin-1 expression increased the risk of dysplasia 31.8-fold (95% confidence intervals (CI) 3.6-280.9; p = 0.0001), while E-cadherin was significantly related to cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 5.13; 95% CI 3.3-8.1; p = 0.001). In univariate survival analysis, desmocollin-1 was a significant predictor of both cancer (log-rank test; p = 0.033) and dysplasia (p = 0.0001), while E-cadherin predicted the development of cancer (p = 0.0001). Neither cdk-1 nor Rad-51 had any predictive value. Importantly, desmocollin-1 retained its value as the only independent predictor of dysplasia in the multivariate (Cox) model (adjusted Hazard Ratio (HR) = 44.13; 95% CI 3.7-525.6).

CONCLUSIONS

In atrophic OLP, desmocollin-1 is a powerful predictor of an important intermediate endpoint marker (dysplasia) in the causal pathway toward oral cancer.

Novel intestinal splice variants of RNA-binding protein CUGBP2: isoform-specific effects on mitotic catastrophe

CUG triplet repeat-binding protein 2 (CUGBP2) is a RNA-binding protein that regulates mRNA translation and modulates apoptosis. Here, we report the identification of two splice variants (termed variants 2 and 3) in cultured human intestinal epithelial cells and in mouse gastrointestinal tract. The variants are generated from alternative upstream promoters resulting in the inclusion of additional NH(2)-terminal residues. Although variant 2 is the predominant isoform in normal intestine, its expression is reduced, whereas variant 1 is overexpressed following gamma-irradiation. All three variants bind cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA. However, only variant 1 inhibits the translation of the endogenous COX-2 mRNA and a chimeric luciferase mRNA containing the COX-2 3'untranslated region. Furthermore, whereas variant 1 is predominantly nuclear, variants 2 and 3 are predominantly cytoplasmic. These data imply that the additional amino acids affect CUGBP2 function. Previous studies have demonstrated that variant 1 induces intestinal epithelial cells to undergo apoptosis. However, in contrast to variant 1, the two novel variants do not affect proliferation or apoptosis of HCT116 cells. In addition, only variant 1 induced G(2)/M cell cycle arrest, which was overcome by prostaglandin E(2). Moreover, variant 1 increased cellular levels of phosphorylated p53 and Bax and decreased Bcl2. Caspase-3 and -9 were also activated, suggesting the initiation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, increased phosphorylation of checkpoint kinase (Chk)1 and Chk2 kinases and increased nuclear localization of Cdc2 and cyclin B1 suggested that cells were in mitotic transition. Taken together, these data demonstrate that cells expressing CUGBP2 variant 1 undergo apoptosis during mitosis, suggesting mitotic catastrophe.

STX140 is efficacious in vitro and in vivo in taxane-resistant breast carcinoma cells

PURPOSE

The aim of these studies was to characterize the action of STX140 in a P-glycoprotein-overexpressing tumor cell line both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, its efficacy was determined against xenografts derived from patients who failed docetaxel therapy.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

The effects of STX140, Taxol, and 2-methoxyestradiol (2-MeOE2) on cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis were assessed in vitro in drug-resistant cells (MCF-7(DOX)) and the parental cell line (MCF-7(WT)). Mice bearing an MCF-7(DOX) tumor on one flank and an MCF-7(WT) tumor on the other flank were used to assess the in vivo efficacy. Furthermore, the responses to STX140 of three xenografts, derived from drug-resistant patients, were assessed.

RESULTS

In this study, STX140 caused cell cycle arrest, cyclin B1 induction, and subsequent apoptosis of both MCF-7(DOX) and MCF-7(WT) cells. Taxol and 2-MeOE2 were only active in the MCF-7(WT) parental cell line. Although both STX140 and Taxol inhibited the growth of xenografts derived from MCF-7(WT) cells, only STX140 inhibited the growth of tumors derived from MCF-7(DOX) cells. 2-MeOE2 was ineffective at the dose tested against both tumor types. Two out of the three newly derived docetaxel-resistant xenografts, including a metastatic triple-negative tumor, responded to STX140 but not to docetaxel treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

STX140 shows excellent efficacy in both MCF-7(WT) and MCF-7(DOX) breast cancer xenograft models, in contrast to Taxol and 2-MeOE2. The clinical potential of STX140 was further highlighted by the efficacy seen in xenografts recently derived from patients who had failed on taxane therapy.

Proteolysis of CDH1 enhances susceptibility to UV radiation-induced apoptosis

As a critical ubiquitin ligase, the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) governs cell cycle progression, signaling modulation and the pathogenesis of some human diseases. Recent studies implicate APC in maintaining genomic integrity, but the mechanism by which it plays such a role remains largely unknown. We report here that acute UV radiation triggers proteolysis of CDH1, an activator of APC, which is involved in regulation of apoptosis induced by UV radiation. Depletion of CDH1 by RNA interference enhances the cellular susceptibility to apoptosis in response to UV radiation, whereas overexpression of non-degradable CDH1 delays UV radiation-induced apoptosis. In addition, UV-induced degradation of CDH1 results in the accumulation of cyclin B1 and therefore to increased CDK1 activity, which is believed to enhance UV-induced apoptosis. The present results unveil a novel role for the APC in UV-induced cell death and demonstrate a new regulatory mechanism for APC/CDH1 through proteolysis.

Gamma-secretase inhibitors enhance taxane-induced mitotic arrest and apoptosis in colon cancer cells

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Colorectal cancers are resistant to conventional chemotherapeutic treatments, including taxanes. gamma-Secretase is a multimeric membrane protein complex responsible for the intramembrane proteolysis of various type I transmembrane proteins, including amyloid beta-precursor protein and Notch. gamma-Secretase inhibitors have attracted increasing interest as anticancer drugs because of their ability to inhibit Notch signaling. However, the therapeutic usefulness of gamma-secretase inhibitors against colorectal cancers remains unclear.

METHODS

The effects of gamma-secretase inhibitors on growth and apoptosis induced by various chemotherapeutic agents in colon cancer cells were evaluated using Hoechst 33342 staining, colony formation assay, and cell cycle analysis. The effect of gamma-secretase inhibitors on taxane-induced mitotic arrest was evaluated using the cyclin B1-associated histone H1 kinase assay and MPM-2 reactivity. The involvement of Notch signaling was evaluated by the silencing of Notch/CBF1 signaling by RNA interference.

RESULTS

gamma-Secretase inhibitors enhanced taxane-induced mitotic arrest and apoptosis of colon cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, although gamma-secretase inhibitors alone did not affect growth and apoptosis of colon cancer cells. We also showed that this effect by gamma-secretase inhibitors was restricted to taxanes and colon cancer cells. Silencing of Notch/CBF1 signaling failed to affect paclitaxel-induced mitotic arrest and apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that gamma-secretase inhibitors could be a new therapeutic modality for overcoming resistance to taxanes in colorectal cancers.

Prazosin displays anticancer activity against human prostate cancers: targeting DNA and cell cycle

Quinazoline-based alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonists, in particular doxazosin and terazosin, are suggested to display antineoplastic activity against prostate cancers. However, there are few studies elucidating the effect of prazosin. In this study, prazosin displayed antiproliferative activity superior to that of other alpha1-blockers, including doxazosin, terazosin, tamsulosin, and phentolamine. Prazosin induced G2 checkpoint arrest and subsequent apoptosis in prostate cancer PC-3, DU-145, and LNCaP cells. In p53-null PC-3 cells, prazosin induced an increase in DNA strand breaks and ATM/ATR checkpoint pathways, leading to the activation of downstream signaling cascades, including Cdc25c phosphorylation at Ser216, nuclear export of Cdc25c, and cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) 1 phosphorylation at Tyr15. The data, together with sustained elevated cyclin A levels (other than cyclin B1 levels), suggested that Cdk1 activity was inactivated by prazosin. Moreover, prazosin triggered mitochondria-mediated and caspase-executed apoptotic pathways in PC-3 cells. The oral administration of prazosin significantly reduced tumor mass in PC-3-derived cancer xenografts in nude mice. In summary, we suggest that prazosin is a potential antitumor agent that induces cell apoptosis through the induction of DNA damage stress, leading to Cdk1 inactivation and G2 checkpoint arrest. Subsequently, mitochondria-mediated caspase cascades are triggered to induce apoptosis in PC-3 cells.

Butyrate-induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in bovine kidney epithelial cells: involvement of caspase and proteasome pathways

Beyond their nutritional effect, short-chain fatty acids, especially butyrate, modulate cell differentiation, proliferation, motility, and in particular, they induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. A bovine kidney epithelial cell line (Madin-Darby bovine kidney; MDBK) was used to investigate the cell cycle regulatory and apoptotic effects of butyrate. Butyrate not only induced apoptosis but also induced cell cycle arrest at the G1/S boundary and M/G2 in MDBK cells (P < 0.01). The cell responses were concentration-dependent (r(2) = 0.9482, P <0.001). In examining possible mechanisms for the apoptosis and cell cycle arrest induced by butyrate, the results showed that butyrate treatment activates caspase-3 activities and induces accumulation of acetylated histone. At least two proteins, cdc6 and cdk1, become targeted for destruction on butyrate treatment. These two proteins are downregulated (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) by proteolytic pathways. Moreover, the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 (carbobenzoxy-L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-leucinal) reverses the cell cycle arrest induced by butyrate, indicating a multiprotein crosstalk wherein the ubiquitination/ proteasome pathway interacted with the caspase-signaling pathway. Because the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 blocked activation of caspase-3, these results functionally locate the proteasome pathway upstream of the caspase pathway. All these results indicate that butyrate functions as both a nutrient and signaling molecule regulating cell growth and proliferation.

ROS production by adrenodoxin does not cause apoptosis in fission yeast

We previously showed that production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by overexpression of the mitochondrial electron transfer protein adrenodoxin (Adx) induces apoptosis in mammalian cells. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, ROS are also produced in cells that undergo an apoptotic-like cell death, but it is not yet clear whether they are actually causative for this phenomenon or whether they are merely produced as a by-product. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to trigger mitochondrial ROS production in fission yeast by overexpression of either wildtype Adx (Adx-WT) or of several activated Adx mutants and to investigate its consequences. It was found that strong expression of either Adx-WT or Adx-S112W did not produce any ROS, while Adx-D113Y caused a twofold and Adx1-108 a threefold increase in ROS formation as compared to basal levels. However, no typical apoptotic markers or decreased viability could be observed in these strains. Since we previously observed that an increase in mitochondrial ROS formation of about 60% above basal levels is sufficient to strongly induce apoptosis in mammalian cells, we conclude that S. pombe is either very robust to mitochondrial ROS production or does not undergo apoptotic cell death in response to mitochondrial ROS at all.

Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 ORF20 induces cell-cycle arrest in G2 by inhibiting the Cdc2-cyclin B complex

The objective of this work was to identify novel viral 'evasion' genes without homology in the database through functional assays. Using this approach, the 'unassigned', conserved murine gammaherpesvirus ORF20 gene was shown to localize in the nucleus and to induce cell-cycle arrest followed by apoptosis in both mouse and human cells. Such growth-arrested cells did not express phospho-histone H3, demonstrating that the virus protein caused arrest at the G2 stage of the cell cycle. To characterize the mechanism further, Western blots of ORF20-recombinant lentivirus-infected cells were developed with antibodies to cyclin B1, Cdc2 and phospho-Tyr-15-Cdc2. This analysis revealed a relative increase in cyclin B and phospho-Tyr-15-Cdc2, from 24 to 72 h after infection with recombinant lentivirus. The demonstration that Cdc2 is in its inactive phosphorylated form and the clearly increased levels of cyclin B indicated that the virus gene blocks the progression of cells into mitosis by acting at the level of the Cdc2-cyclin B complex. To confirm this result, the Cdc2-cyclin B complex in ORF20-expressing cells was shown to be essentially without kinase activity. As the ORF20 gene is conserved in all herpesvirus, it may be presumed to have evolved to fulfil an important, as yet undefined, biological role in host-cell modification.

Quinolone analogue inhibits tubulin polymerization and induces apoptosis via Cdk1-involved signaling pathways

Cancer chemotherapeutic agents that interfere with tubulin/microtubule function are in extensive use. Quinolone is a common structure in alkaloids and its related components exhibit several pharmacological activities. In this study, we have identified the anticancer mechanisms of 2-phenyl-4-quinolone. 2-Phenyl-4-quinolone displayed anti-proliferative effect in several cancer types, including hormone-resistant prostate cancer PC-3, hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B and HepG2, non-small cell lung cancer A549 and P-glycoprotein-rich breast cancer NCI/ADR-RES cells. The IC(50) values were 0.85, 1.81, 3.32, 0.90 and 1.53 microM, respectively. 2-Phenyl-4-quinolone caused G2/M arrest of the cell-cycle and a subsequent apoptosis. The turbidity assay showed an inhibitory effect on tubulin polymerization. After immunochemical examination, the data demonstrated that the microtubules were arranged irregularly into dipolarity showing prometaphase-like states. Furthermore, 2-Phenyl-4-quinolone induced the Mcl-1 cleavage, the phosphorylation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL (12-h treatment), and the caspase activation including caspase-8, -2 and -3 (24-h treatment). The exposure of cells to 2-phenyl-4-quinolone caused Cdk1 activation by several observations, namely (i) elevation of cyclin B1 expression, (ii) dephosphorylation on inhibitory Tyr-15 of Cdk1, and (iii) dephosphorylation on Ser-216 of Cdc25c. Moreover, a long-term treatment (36h) caused the release reaction and subsequent nuclear translocation of AIF. In summary, it is suggested that 2-phenyl-4-quinolone displays anticancer effect through the dysregulation of mitotic spindles and induction of mitotic arrest. Furthermore, participation of cell-cycle regulators, Bcl-2 family of proteins, activation of caspases and release of AIF may mutually cross-regulate the apoptotic signaling cascades induced by 2-phenyl-4-quinolone.

Clavaminols A–F, novel cytotoxic 2-amino-3-alkanols from the ascidian Clavelina phlegraea

The chemical investigation of the Mediterranean ascidian Clavelina phlegraea has led to the isolation of six new 2-amino-3-alkanol derivatives, clavaminols A-F (1-6). Their stereostructures were established by analysis of spectroscopic data and chemical conversion. Clavaminols A, B, C, and F were tested for their cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic properties and clavaminol A was shown to be the more potent cytotoxic compound of this series inducing cell death through activation of the apoptotic machinery.

2-methoxyestradiol inhibits the anaphase-promoting complex and protein translation in human breast cancer cells

2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2), an estradiol metabolite with antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activities, is in phase I/II clinical trials for breast cancer. 2ME2 inhibits microtubule polymerization and causes cells to arrest in G2-M. The purpose of this study was to further elucidate the molecular mechanism of 2ME2. MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells were treated with 2ME2 (2 micromol/L) or vehicle alone. RNA was extracted and genomic profiling was done using 22k Agilent microarrays. Expression Analysis Systematic Explorer was used to determine enrichment of Gene Ontology categories. Protein isolates were subjected to Western blot analysis. Protein synthesis was measured with a [35S]methionine pulse assay. An MDA-MB-435 cell line with two beta-tubulin mutations (2ME2R) was used to determine whether novel mechanisms were tubulin-dependent. Gene Ontology categories enriched include genes that regulate the mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint, apoptosis, and the cytosolic ribosome. The target of the mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint is the anaphase-promoting complex (APC). APC inhibition was confirmed by measuring protein levels of its targets securin and cyclin B1, which were increased in 2ME2-treated cells. Because gene expression in the cytosolic ribosome category was decreased, we evaluated whether 2ME2 decreases protein translation. This was confirmed with a pulse assay, which showed decreased isotope incorporation in 2ME2-treated cells, which was maintained in the tubulin-resistant 2ME2R cells. APC inhibition was not maintained in 2ME2R cells. 2ME2 induces tubulin-dependent cell cycle arrest through regulation of genes involved in the mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint, which results in inhibition of the APC and tubulin-independent inhibition of protein translation.

PPARgamma inhibitors reduce tubulin protein levels by a PPARgamma, PPARdelta and proteasome-independent mechanism, resulting in cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and reduced metastasis of colorectal carcinoma cells

The nuclear transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) has been identified as an important therapeutic target in murine models of colorectal cancer (CRC). To examine whether PPARgamma inhibition has therapeutic effects in late-stage CRC, the effects of PPARgamma inhibitors on CRC cell survival were examined in CRC cell lines and a murine CRC model. Low doses (0.1-1 microM) of PPARgamma inhibitors (T0070907, GW9662 and BADGE) did not affect cell survival, while higher doses (10-100 microM) of all 3 PPARgamma inhibitors caused caspase-dependent apoptosis in HT-29, Caco-2 and LoVo CRC cell lines. Apoptosis was preceded by altered cell morphology, and this alteration was not prevented by caspase inhibition. PPARgamma inhibitors also caused dual G and M cell cycle arrest, which was not required for apoptosis or for morphologic alterations. Furthermore, PPARgamma inhibitors triggered loss of the microtubule network. Notably, unlike other standard antimicrotubule agents, PPARgamma inhibitors caused microtubule loss by regulating tubulin post-transcriptionally rather than by altering microtubule polymerization or dynamics. Proteasome inhibition by epoxomicin was unable to prevent tubulin loss. siRNA-mediated reduction of PPARgamma and PPARdelta proteins did not replicate the effects of PPARgamma inhibitors or interfere with the inhibitors' effects on apoptosis, cell cycle or tubulin. PPARgamma inhibitors also reduced CRC cell migration and invasion in assays in vitro and reduced both the number and size of metastases in a HT-29/SCID xenograft metastatic model of CRC. These results suggest that PPARgamma inhibitors are a novel potential antimicrotubule therapy for CRC that acts by directly reducing microtubule precursors.

Paclitaxel induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells requires cell cycle transit but not Cdc2 activity

PURPOSE

Paclitaxel (PTX) is a widely used chemotherapy agent and may cause cell death by apoptosis subsequent to microtubule (MT) disruption. In this paper, we have investigated whether cell cycle transit and or Cdc2 (Cdk1) activity is required for the apoptosis induced by PTX.

METHODS

Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry, Cdc2 was assayed bio chemically. Cdc2 activity was decreased by siRNA and dominant negative (dn) Cdc2 expression. Cells were arrested by chemical or biological inhibitors in a G1 or S phase. Apoptosis was measured by DNA fragmentation and examination of nuclei by microscopy. JNK and AKT activations were assessed as well.

RESULTS

Cell cycle inhibition was highly effective in decreasing PTX induced apoptosis. MT morphology was not altered by these inhibitors. PTX induced JNK activity or AKT mediated BAD phosphorylation was unaffected by cell cycle inhibitors. Abrogation of Cdc 2 activity was without effect on PTX induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

While cell cycle transit is required for PTX induced apoptosis; Cdc2 activity is not required.

Effect of Curcumin Treatment on Protein Phosphorylation in K562 Cells

Deregulation of signaling pathways is a common feature observed in human cancers and other diseases. Therefore, there is a strong need for compounds that are able to modulate or inactivate upregulated signaling events. Natural compounds extracted from plants have long been used and still present a dynamic domain in the research of new therapeutic tools. Among those molecules, curcumin was already described for its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. Many actions of curcumin target proteins and kinases implicated in the signaling pathways. However, the effects described depend on the treatment conditions used, as well as the cell line studied, and these features vary strongly from one study to the other. During this work, we evaluated the effect of one curcumin treatment (20 muM, 48 h) on the phosphorylation of a number of proteins and kinases in the human chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line K562. These results allow to compare the results obtained in one condition on various proteins.

Production of reactive oxygen species in response to replication stress and inappropriate mitosis in fission yeast

Previous studies have indicated that replication stress can trigger apoptosis-like cell death, accompanied (where tested) by production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), in mammalian cells and budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). In mammalian cells, inappropriate entry into mitosis also leads to cell death. Here, we report similar responses in fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe). We used ROS- and death-specific fluorescent stains to measure the effects of mutations in replication initiation and checkpoint genes in fission yeast on the frequencies of ROS production and cell death. We found that certain mutant alleles of each of the four tested replication initiation genes caused elevated ROS and cell death. Where tested, these effects were not enhanced by checkpoint-gene mutations. Instead, when cells competent for replication but defective in both the replication and damage checkpoints were treated with hydroxyurea, which slows replication fork movement, the frequencies of ROS production and cell death were greatly increased. This was a consequence of elevated CDK activity, which permitted inappropriate entry into mitosis. Thus, studies in fission yeast are likely to prove helpful in understanding the pathways that lead from replication stress and inappropriate mitosis to cell death in mammalian cells.

Sequential combination of flavopiridol and docetaxel reduces the levels of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis and AKT proteins and stimulates apoptosis in human LNCaP prostate cancer cells

Clinical trials have shown that chemotherapy with docetaxel combined with prednisone can improve survival of patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer. It is likely that the combination of docetaxel with other novel chemotherapeutic agents would also improve the survival of androgen-independent prostate cancer patients. We investigated whether the combination of docetaxel and flavopiridol, a broad cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, can increase apoptotic cell death in prostate cancer cells. Treatment of DU 145 prostate cancer cells with 500 nmol/L flavopiridol and 10 nmol/L docetaxel inhibited apoptosis probably because of their opposing effects on cyclin B1-dependent kinase activity. In contrast, when LNCaP prostate cancer cells were treated with flavopiridol for 24 hours followed by docetaxel for another 24 hours (FD), there was a maximal induction of apoptosis. However, there was greater induction of apoptosis in DU 145 cells when docetaxel was followed by flavopiridol or docetaxel. These findings indicate a heterogeneous response depending on the type of prostate cancer cell. Substantial decreases in X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) protein but not survivin, both being members of the IAP family, were required for FD enhanced apoptosis in LNCaP cells. Androgen ablation in androgen-independent LNCaP cells increased activated AKT and chemoresistance to apoptosis after treatment with FD. The proteasome inhibitor MG-132 blocked FD-mediated reduction of XIAP and AKT and antagonized apoptosis, suggesting that the activation of the proteasome pathway is one of the mechanisms involved. Overall, our data suggest that the docetaxel and flavopiridol combination requires a maximal effect on cyclin B1-dependent kinase activity and a reduction of XIAP and AKT prosurvival proteins for augmentation of apoptosis in LNCaP cells.

Analysis of cyclin B1 and CDK activity during apoptosis induced by camptothecin treatment

We have studied the role of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity in apoptosis induced by camptothecin (CPT). In this model, 22% of the cells stain for annexin-V at 24 h and then proceed to be 93% positive by 72 h. This time window permits the analysis of cyclins in cells that are committed to apoptosis but not yet dead. We provide evidence that cyclin protein levels and then associated kinase levels increase after CPT treatment. Strikingly, cyclin B1 and cyclin E1 proteins are present at the same time in CPT treated HT29 cells. Although cyclin B1 and E1 CDK complexes are activated in CPT treated cells, only the cyclin B1 complex is required for apoptosis since reduction of cyclin B1 by RNAi or roscovitine treatment reduces the number of annexin-V-stained cells. We have detected poorly organized chromosomes and phosphorylated histone H3 epitopes at the time of maximum cyclin B1/CDK kinase activity in CPT-treated cells, which suggests that these cells enter a mitotic catastrophe. Understanding which CDKs are required for apoptosis may allow us to better adapt CDK inhibitors for use as anti-cancer compounds.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme signalling in human preadipocytes and adipocytes

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II) is a plasma membrane zinc metallopeptidase that acts as a key enzyme for the extracellular conversion of vasoactive peptides. Recently, ACE outside-in signalling in endothelial cells has been described. The present study tested the hypothesis that ACE signalling is not restricted to endothelial cells and may act as an additional peptide receptor on human preadipocytes and adipocytes. ACE protein levels were not changed during adipose conversion of human primary preadipocytes. The enzyme was primarily localized to the non-detergent-resistant fraction of the membrane and phosphorylated in non-dividing cells. Antibody arrays of whole cell lysate detected putative ACE-interacting proteins, which all share important roles in cell cycle control and/or apoptosis. These findings suggest that ACE is a versatile molecule, involved both in the regulation of extracellular peptide concentrations and direct intracellular signalling. In human adipose cells ACE may potentially influence exit from the cell cycle, differentiation, and programmed cell death signalling.

The cellular phenotype of AZ703, a novel selective imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor

Because the majority of cancers exhibit direct or indirect deregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) function, members of the CDK family are attractive targets for the development of anticancer agents. As part of an ongoing program, novel imidazopyridines were identified and developed as potent and selective CDK inhibitors. Here, we describe data on the in vitro biological activities of one of these compounds, AZ703. The selectivity profile of AZ703 was investigated in kinase assays against a range of CDK enzymes as well as a panel of protein kinases in vitro. IC50s were assessed against different tumor cell lines in vitro. The mechanism of action of AZ703 was determined by observing changes in phosphorylation of CDK substrates and cell cycle effects on tumor and normal cells. In vitro studies revealed that AZ703 is a selective inhibitor of CDK1 and CDK2 and displays a mode of action consistent with the induction of G1-, S-, and G2-M-phase arrest. AZ703 also showed potent antiproliferative activity across a wide range of tumor cell lines in vitro. Moreover, AZ703 induced reversible blockade of normal cells while causing tumor cells to undergo apoptosis. We have identified AZ703 as a novel selective imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine CDK inhibitor that shows promising antitumor properties in vitro.

Mechanisms of apoptosis induction by the HIV-1 envelope

The envelope glycoprotein complex (Env) of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) can induce apoptosis by a cornucopia of distinct mechanisms. A soluble Env derivative, gp120, can kill cells through signals that are transmitted by chemokine receptors such as CXCR4. Cell surface-bound Env (gp120/gp41), as present on the plasma membrane of HIV-1-infected cells, can kill uninfected bystander cells expressing CD4 and CXCR4 (or similar chemokine receptors, depending on the Env variant) by at least three different mechanisms. First, a transient interaction involving the exchange of lipids between the two interacting cells ('the kiss of death') may lead to the selective death of single CD4-expressing target cells. Second, fusion of the interacting cells may lead to the formation of syncytia which then succumb to apoptosis in a complex pathway involving the activation of several kinases (cyclin-dependent kinase-1, Cdk1; checkpoint kinase-2, Chk2; mammalian target of rapamycin, mTOR; p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, p38 MAPK; inhibitor of NF-kappaB kinase, IKK), as well as the activation of several transcription factors (NF-kappaB, p53), finally resulting in the activation of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Third, if the Env-expressing cell is at an early stage of imminent apoptosis, its fusion with a CD4-expressing target cell can precipitate the death of both cells, through a process that may be considered as contagious apoptosis and which does not involve Cdk1, mTOR, p38 nor p53, yet does involve mitochondria. Activation of some of the above- mentioned lethal signal transducers have been detected in patients' tissues, suggesting that HIV-1 may indeed trigger apoptosis through molecules whose implication in Env-induced killing has initially been discovered in vitro.

Is the Rac GTPase-activating toxin CNF1 a smart hijacker of host cell fate?

The term mitotic catastrophe (MC) was coined to describe the mammalian cell death caused by aberrant mitosis. MC occurs with features that are fundamentally different from those typifying other forms of cell death, including apoptosis. We report here for the first time that the Rac-activating toxin CNF1 interferes with the occurrence of MC and leads to aneuploidy and multinucleation. This seems to be in line with the anti-apoptotic activity of the toxin and consistent with the hypothesis that points at CNF1 as a toxin bearing a carcinogenic potential.

Induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by a chalcone panduratin A isolated from Kaempferia pandurata in androgen-independent human prostate cancer cells PC3 and DU145

Because of unsatisfactory treatment options for prostate cancer (CaP) there is a need to develop novel preventive approaches for this malignancy. One such strategy is through chemoprevention by the use of non-toxic dietary substances and botanical products. We have shown previously that panduratin A isolated from the extract of Kaempferia pandurata (Zingiberaceae) is a strong inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 in RAW264.7 cells and induces apoptosis in HT-29 cells. In the present study, we provide evidence that panduratin A treatment to androgen-independent human CaP cells PC3 and DU145 result in a time and dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth with an IC50 of 13.5-14 microM and no to little effect on normal human prostate epithelial cells. To define the mechanism of these anti-proliferative effects of panduratin A, we determined its effect on critical molecular events known to regulate the cell cycle and the apoptotic machinery. Annexin V/propidium iodide staining provided the evidence for the induction of apoptosis which was further confirmed by the observation of cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and degradation of acinus. Panduratin A treatment to cells was found to result in inhibition of procaspases 9, 8, 6 and 3 with significant increase in the ratio of Bax:Bcl-2, suggesting the involvement of a mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway. Panduratin A-mediated apoptosis was accompanied with upregulation of Fas death receptor and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). Furthermore, cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry showed that panduratin A treatment of cells resulted in a G2/M arrest in a dose-dependent manner. The immunoblot analysis data revealed that in both cell lines panduratin A treatment resulted in a dose-dependent (i) induction of p21WAF1/Cip1 and p27Kip1, (ii) downregulation of cdks 2, 4 and 6 and (iii) decrease in cyclins D1 and E. These findings suggest that panduratin A may be an effective chemopreventive or therapeutic agent against CaP.

Inhibitors of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway induce mitotic catastrophe in non-small cell lung cancer cells

Non-small cell lung cancer cells (NSCLC) are more resistant to anticancer treatment as compared with other types of cancer cells. Recently (Hemström et al., Exp Cell Res 2005;305:200-13) we showed that apoptosis of U1810 NSCLC cells induced by the staurosporine analog PKC 412 correlated with inhibition of Akt and ERK1/2, suggesting the involvement of these kinases in cell survival. Here we investigated the contribution of the PI3-kinase/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways to survival of NSCLC cells. The two signaling pathways were studied by using different combinations of the PI3-kinase inhibitors LY-294002 and wortmannin, the Akt activator Ro 31-8220, the MEK inhibitor PD 98059 and PKC 412. PI3-kinase inhibitors induced apoptosis-like death in U1810 cells. H157 cells in general were relatively resistant to PI3 kinase/Akt inhibitors yet these compounds sensitized cells to the DNA-damaging drug VP-16, while Ro 31-8220 could not. PD 98059 only had a sensitizing effect on H157 cells when combined with PI3-kinase inhibition and VP-16. Morphological data indicated that LY-294002 and PKC 412 induced cell death at anaphase and metaphase, respectively, suggesting death by mitotic catastrophe. Analyzes of cells blocked in G2/M-phase by nocodazol revealed that LY-294002 increased, while PKC 412 decreased histone H3 phosphorylation, suggesting that LY-294002 allowed, while PKC 412 inhibited cells to leave M-phase. Flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle distribution demonstrated that LY-294002 allowed cells to leave G2/M phase, while PKC 412 inhibited cytokinesis, resulting in formation of multinucleated cells. These results indicate that sensitization of NSCLC cells by PI3-kinase inhibition involves interplay between cell cycle regulation, mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis.

2-Methoxyestradiol and paclitaxel have similar effects on the cell cycle and induction of apoptosis in prostate cancer cells

2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME) is an endogenous metabolite of estradiol with promise for cancer chemotherapy, including advanced prostate cancer. We have focused on events related to cell cycle arrest (G1 and G2/M) and induction of apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells. Treatment with 2-ME increased cyclin B1 protein and its associated kinase activity followed by later inhibition of cyclin A-dependent kinase activity and induction of apoptosis. Similar results were obtained with paclitaxel (taxol), a clinically relevant agent used to treat advanced prostate cancer. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors prevented 2-ME and paclitaxel-mediated increase in cyclin B1-dependent kinase activity and blocked induction of apoptosis. Reduction of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) protein by 2-ME and paclitaxel correlated with increased apoptosis. Lower doses of 2-ME and paclitaxel resulted in G1 (but not G2/M) cell cycle arrest in the p53 wild type LNCaP cell line, but with minimal induction of apoptosis. We suggest that 2-ME and paclitaxel-mediated induction of apoptosis in prostate cancer cells requires activation of cyclin B1-dependent kinase that arrests cells in G2/M and subsequently leads to the induction of apoptotic cell death.

Perturbations of cell cycle control in T cells contribute to the different outcomes of simian immunodeficiency virus infection in rhesus macaques and sooty mangabeys

In contrast to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of humans and experimental simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of rhesus macaques (RMs), SIV infection of sooty mangabeys (SMs), a natural host African monkey species, is typically nonpathogenic and associated with preservation of CD4+ T-cell counts despite chronic high levels of viral replication. In previous studies, we have shown that the lack of SIV disease progression in SMs is related to lower levels of immune activation and bystander T-cell apoptosis compared to those of pathogenic HIV/SIV infection (G. Silvestri, D. Sodora, R. Koup, M. Paiardini, S. O'Neil, H. M. McClure, S. I. Staprans, and M. B. Feinberg, Immunity 18:441-452, 2003; G. Silvestri, A. Fedanov, S. Germon, N. Kozyr, W. J. Kaiser, D. A. Garber, H. M. McClure, M. B. Feinberg, and S. I. Staprans, J. Virol. 79:4043-4054, 2005). In HIV-infected patients, increased T-cell susceptibility to apoptosis is associated with a complex cell cycle dysregulation (CCD) that involves increased activation of the cyclin B/p34-cdc2 complex and abnormal nucleolar structure with dysregulation of nucleolin turnover. Here we report that CCD is also present during pathogenic SIV infection of RMs, and its extent correlates with the level of immune activation and T-cell apoptosis. In marked contrast, naturally SIV-infected SMs show normal regulation of cell cycle control (i.e., normal intracellular levels of cyclin B and preserved nucleolin turnover) and a low propensity to apoptosis in both peripheral blood- and lymph node-derived T cells. The absence of significant CCD in the AIDS-free, non-immune-activated SMs despite high levels of viral replication indicates that CCD is a marker of disease progression during lentiviral infection and supports the hypothesis that the preservation of cell cycle control may help to confer the disease-resistant phenotype of SIV-infected SMs.

Silibinin efficacy against human hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common recurrent malignancies, for which, currently, there is no effective therapy. Considering the antihepatotoxic activity of silibinin, a widely used drug and supplement for various liver disorders, together with its strong preventive and anticancer efficacy against various epithelial cancers, we investigated the efficacy of silibin against human HCC cells.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Silibinin effects were examined on growth, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression in two different HCC cell lines, HepG2 (hepatitis B virus negative; p53 intact) and Hep3B (hepatitis B virus positive; p53 mutated). At molecular level, cell cycle effects of silibinin were assessed by immunoblotting and in-bead kinase assays.

RESULTS

Silibinin strongly inhibited growth of both HepG2 and Hep3B cells with a relatively stronger cytotoxicity in Hep3B cells, which was associated with apoptosis induction. Silibinin also caused G1 arrest in HepG2 and both G1 and G2-M arrests in Hep3B cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that silibinin induces Kip1/p27 but decreases cyclin D1, cyclin D3, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-2, and CDK4 levels in both cell lines. In Hep3B cells, silibinin also reduced the protein levels of G2-M regulators. Furthermore, silibinin strongly inhibited CDK2, CDK4, and CDC2 kinase activity in these HCC cells.

CONCLUSION

Together, these results for the first time identify the biological efficacy of silibinin against HCC cells, suggesting the importance of conducting further investigations in preclinical HCC models, especially on in vivo efficacy, to support the clinical usefulness of silibinin against hepatocellular carcinoma in addition to its known clinical efficacy as an antihepatotoxic agent.

INHIBITION OF LUNG CANCER CELL GROWTH BY QUERCETIN GLUCURONIDES VIA G2/M ARREST AND INDUCTION OF APOPTOSIS

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in many developed countries, including Taiwan. Quercetin, a widely distributed bioflavonoid, is well known to induce growth inhibition in a variety of human cancer cells. Quercetin glucuronides are the main circulating metabolites after dietary supplements with quercetin in humans. However, there is little information available as to how quercetin glucuronides affect human cancer cells. We investigated the effects of quercetin glucuronides in a human lung cancer cell line NCI-H209. We checked the cell viability, cell cycle checkpoint proteins, pro- and antiapoptotic proteins, caspase-3 activity, and gene expression by flow cytometry and Western blot. The viability of cells decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis revealed a significant increase of the proportion of cells in G2/M phase and subG0/G1 phase (corresponding to apoptotic cells). Moreover, quercetin glucuronides increased the expressions of cyclin B, Cdc25c-ser-216-p, and Wee1 proteins, indicating the G2/M arrest. We also demonstrated a concurrent decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c, up-regulation of Bax, down-regulation of Bcl-2, and activation of caspase-3, and subsequently, cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. In addition, quercetin glucuronide-induced apoptosis was totally blocked by the broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp fluoromethylketone. Taken together, we demonstrated that quercetin glucuronides inhibited proliferation through G2/M arrest of the cell cycle and induced apoptosis via caspase-3 cascade in the human lung cancer cell line NCI-H209. Delineation of the biological effects of specific major quercetin metabolites on chemotherapeutic potential or chemoprevention of human cancers warrants further investigation.

Thr 446 phosphorylation of PKR by HCV core protein deregulates G2/M phase in HCC cells

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major causative viral agent of cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma (HCC). HCV core protein affects cell homeostasis, playing an important role in viral pathogenesis of HCC. We investigate the effects of HCV core protein expression on cell growth in HCC cell lines. Cell cycle distribution analysis of HepG2 polyclonal core positive cells reveals a peculiar accumulation of cells in G2/M phase. Different pathways mediate G2/M arrest: such as p53 and double strand RNA protein kinase (PKR). Flow cytometry in p53-null cells demonstrates that p53 plays only a marginal role in inducing HCV core-dependent G2/M phase accumulation that seems to be significantly affected by the functional inactivation of PKR. HCC core positive cells are characterized by a significant PKR phosphorylation in Thr 446 residue, which leads deregulation of mitosis. Moreover, we observe that the overexpression of the viral protein induces an upregulation of PKR activity, which does not correlate with an increased eIF-2 phosphorylation. This uncommon behavior of PKR suggests that its activation by HCV core protein could involve alternative PKR-dependent pathways, implicated in core-dependent G2/M accumulation. The described biological effects of HCV core protein on cell cycle could be an additional viral mechanism for both HCV resistance to interferon (IFN) and HCC HCV-related pathogenesis.

SarCNU-induced G2/M arrest in hepatoma cells is mediated by a p53-independent phosphorylation of cdc-2 at Tyr15

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health problem in the Asia-Pacific region, with high incidence and mortality rate. There is currently no effective treatment for inoperable cases that represent the vast majority of patients. In the present study, we report that in vitro treatment of primary hepatoma, HepG2 (wild-type p53), PLC/PRF/5 (p53-mutant), and Hep3B (p53-deleted) cells with 2-chloroethyl-3-sarcosinamide-1-nitrosourea (SarCNU) resulted in upregulation of p53, p21(Cip1/Waf1), phosphorylated cdc-2 at Tyr15 in wild-type p53 cells and phosphorylation of cdc-2 at Tyr15 in p53-mutant or p53-deleted hepatoma cells. This was accompanied by the reduction in cdc-2 kinase activity and G(2)/M cell cycle arrest. These findings indicate that SarCNU-induced G(2)/M growth arrest in hepatoma cells by a p53-independent phosphorylation of cdc-2. Our data suggest the potential use of SarCNU in treatment of HCC.

Vital functions for lethal caspases

Caspases are a family of cysteine proteases expressed as inactive zymogens in virtually all animal cells. These enzymes play a central role in most cell death pathways leading to apoptosis but growing evidences implicate caspases also in nonapoptotic functions. Several of these enzymes, activated in molecular platforms referred to as inflammasomes, play a role in innate immune response by processing some of the cytokines involved in inflammatory response. Caspases are requested for terminal differentiation of specific cell types, whether this differentiation process leads to enucleation or not. These enzymes play also a role in T and B lymphocyte proliferation and, in some circumstances, appear to be cytoprotective rather than cytotoxic. These pleiotropic functions implicate caspases in the control of life and death but the fine regulation of their dual effect remains poorly understood. The nonapoptotic functions of caspases implicate that cells can restrict the proteolytic activity of these enzymes to selected substrates. Deregulation of the pathways in which caspases exert these nonapoptotic functions is suspected to play a role in the pathophysiology of several human diseases.

Apoptosis in budding yeast caused by defects in initiation of DNA replication

Apoptosis in metazoans is often accompanied by the destruction of DNA replication initiation proteins, inactivation of checkpoints and activation of cyclin-dependent kinases, which are inhibited by checkpoints that directly or indirectly require initiation proteins. Here we show that, in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mutations in initiation proteins that attenuate both the initiation of DNA replication and checkpoints also induce features of apoptosis similar to those observed in metazoans. The apoptosis-like phenotype of initiation mutants includes the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of the budding-yeast metacaspase Yca1p. In contrast to a recent report that activation of Yca1p only occurs in lysed cells and does not contribute to cell death, we found that, in at least one initiation mutant, Yca1p activation occurs at an early stage of cell death (before cell lysis) and contributes to the lethal effects of the mutation harbored by this strain. Apoptosis in initiation mutants is probably caused by DNA damage associated with the combined effects of insufficient DNA replication forks to completely replicate the genome and defective checkpoints that depend on initiation proteins and/or replication forks to restrain subsequent cell-cycle events until DNA replication is complete. A similar mechanism might underlie the proapoptotic effects associated with the destruction of initiation and checkpoint proteins during apoptosis in mammals, as well as genome instability in initiation mutants of budding yeast.

G1/S cell cycle arrest provides anoikis resistance through Erk-mediated Bim suppression

Proper attachment to the extracellular matrix is essential for cell survival. Detachment from the extracellular matrix results in an apoptotic process termed anoikis. Anoikis induction in MCF-10A mammary epithelial cells is due not only to loss of survival signals following integrin disengagement, but also to consequent downregulation of epidermal growth factor (EGFR) and loss of EGFR-induced survival signals. Here we demonstrate that G(1)/S arrest by overexpression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p16(INK4a), p21(Cip1), or p27(Kip1) or by treatment with mimosine or aphidicolin confers anoikis resistance in MCF-10A cells. G(1)/S arrest-mediated anoikis resistance involves suppression of the BH3-only protein Bim. Furthermore, in G(1)/S-arrested cells, Erk phosphorylation is maintained in suspension and is necessary for Bim suppression. Following G(1)/S arrest, known proteins upstream of Erk, including Raf and Mek, are not activated. However, retained Erk activation under conditions in which Raf and Mek activation is lost is observed, suggesting that G(1)/S arrest acts at the level of Erk dephosphorylation. Thus, anoikis resistance by G(1)/S arrest is mediated by a mechanism involving Bim suppression through maintenance of Erk activation. These results provide a novel link between cell cycle arrest and survival, and this mechanism could contribute to the survival of nonreplicating, dormant tumor cells that avert apoptosis during early stages of metastasis.

p53-A pro-apoptotic signal transducer involved in AIDS

P53 is a well-characterized tumor suppressor protein, which can induce apoptosis, either by inducing transcription of pro-apoptotic genes or by direct effects on mitochondrial membranes. Roughly 50% of human cancers are affected by the genetic or epigenetic inactivation of p53. Recently, p53 has been incriminated to play a cardinal role in the destruction of the immune system by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. This suspicion is based on several lines of evidence: (i) p53 exhibits activating phosphorylations in a subset of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and lymph node cells from HIV-1 carriers; (ii) some p53 target genes (e.g., PUMA, a pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family) are overexpressed in HIV-1 carriers; (iii) in vitro, p53 and/or PUMA are rate-limiting for the induction of cell death by HIV-1 infection or, in particular, by the HIV-1 Envelope (Env), in a variety of model systems, including the apoptosis of syncytia elicited by Env or cell death induced by the Env constituent gp120. Thus, p53 may constitute a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of AIDS.

p73 is a p53-independent, Sp1-dependent repressor of cyclin B1 transcription

The p53 protein family, comprised of p53, p63, and p73, has an important role in controlling cell growth and differentiation. We have previously reported that p53 prevents G(2)/M transition by decreasing intracellular levels of both cyclin B1 mRNA and protein, and attenuating the activity of the cyclin B1 promoter. The ability of p53 to control mitotic initiation by regulating intracellular cyclin B1 levels suggests that a cyclin B1-dependent G(2) checkpoint has a role in preventing neoplastic transformation. There is high sequence similarity between p73 and p53, suggesting that the two may have similar ability to repress transcription. In this report, we find that expression of p73alpha and p73beta isoforms can decrease the levels of cyclin B1 mRNA and attenuate expression from the cyclin B1 promoter. This attenuation occurs in both p53-deficient and p53-containing cell lines and cannot be inhibited by a p53 variant deficient in repressing cyclin B1 promoter activity. p73-mediated attenuation of the cyclin B1 promoter is dependent on the presence of functional Sp1-binding sites and is independent of the NF-Y-binding sites. This suggests that p73 mediates transcriptional repression through the Sp1 transcription factor.