The ubiquitin-mediated proteolytic pathway as a therapeutic area

The Impact of Induction Regimes on Immune Responses in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Current standard frontline therapy for newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma (NDMM) involves induction therapy, autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), and maintenance therapy. Major efforts are underway to understand the biological and the clinical impacts of each stage of the treatment protocols on overall survival statistics. The most routinely used drugs in the pre-ASCT "induction" regime have different mechanisms of action and are employed either as monotherapies or in various combinations. Aside from their direct effects on cancer cell mortality, these drugs are also known to have varying effects on immune cell functionality. The question remains as to how induction therapy impacts post-ASCT immune reconstitution and anti-tumor immune responses. This review provides an update on the known immune effects of melphalan, dexamethasone, lenalidomide, and bortezomib commonly used in the induction phase of MM therapy. By analyzing the actions of each individual drug on the immune system, we suggest it might be possible to leverage their effects to rationally devise more effective induction regimes. Given the genetic heterogeneity between myeloma patients, it may also be possible to identify subgroups of patients for whom particular induction drug combinations would be more appropriate.

PDZ Domain-Containing Protein NHERF-2 Is a Novel Target of Human Papillomavirus 16 (HPV-16) and HPV-18

Cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 oncoproteins have a class I PDZ-binding motif (PBM) on their C termini, which play critical roles that are related to the HPV life cycle and HPV-induced malignancies. E6 oncoproteins use these PBMs to interact with, to target for proteasome-mediated degradation, a plethora of cellular substrates that contain PDZ domains and that are involved in the regulation of various cellular pathways. In this study, we show that both HPV-16 and HPV-18 E6 oncoproteins can interact with Na⁺/H⁺ exchange regulatory factor 2 (NHERF-2), a PDZ domain-containing protein, which among other cellular functions also behaves as a tumor suppressor regulating endothelial proliferation. The interaction between the E6 oncoproteins and NHERF-2 is PBM dependent and results in proteasome-mediated degradation of NHERF-2. We further confirmed this effect in cells derived from HPV-16- and HPV-18-positive cervical tumors, where we show that NHERF-2 protein turnover is increased in the presence of E6. Finally, our data indicate that E6-mediated NHERF-2 degradation results in p27 downregulation and cyclin D1 upregulation, leading to accelerated cellular proliferation. To our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate that E6 oncoproteins can stimulate cell proliferation by indirectly regulating p27 through targeting a PDZ domain-containing protein.IMPORTANCE This study links HPV-16 and HPV-18 E6 oncoproteins to the modulation of cellular proliferation. The PDZ domain-containing protein NHERF-2 is a tumor suppressor that has been shown to regulate endothelial proliferation; here, we demonstrate that NHERF-2 is targeted by HPV E6 for proteasome-mediated degradation. Interestingly, this indirectly affects p27, cyclin D1, and CDK4 protein levels and, consequently, affects cell proliferation. Hence, this study provides information that will improve our understanding of the molecular basis for HPV E6 function, and it also highlights the importance of the PDZ domain-containing protein NHERF-2 and its tumor-suppressive role in regulating cell proliferation.

Ecrg4 deficiency extends the replicative capacity of neural stem cells in a Foxg1-dependent manner

The self-renewal activity of neural stem cells (NSCs) has been suggested to decrease with aging, resulting in age-dependent declines in brain function, such as presbyopia and memory loss. The molecular mechanisms underlying decreases in NSC proliferation with age need to be elucidated in more detail to develop treatments that promote brain function. We have previously reported that the expression of esophageal cancer-related gene 4 (Ecrg4) was upregulated in aged NSCs, whereas its overexpression decreased NSC proliferation, suggesting a functional relationship between Ecrg4 and NSC aging. Using Ecrg4-deficient mice in which the Ecrg4 locus was replaced with the lacZ gene, we here show that Ecrg4 deficiency recovered the age-dependent decline in NSC proliferation and enhanced spatial learning and memory in the Morris water-maze paradigm. We demonstrate that the proliferation of Ecrg4-deficient NSCs was partly maintained by the increased expression of Foxg1. Collectively, these results determine Ecrg4 as a NSC aging factor.

Precoce and opposite response of proteasome activity after acute or chronic exposure of C. elegans to γ-radiation

Species are chronically exposed to ionizing radiation, a natural phenomenon which can be enhanced by human activities. The induced toxicity mechanisms still remain unclear and seem depending on the mode of exposure, i.e. acute and chronic. To better understand these phenomena, studies need to be conducted both at the subcellular and individual levels. Proteins, functional molecules in organisms, are the targets of oxidative damage (especially via their carbonylation (PC)) and are likely to be relevant biomarkers. After exposure of Caenorhabditis elegans to either chronic or acute γ rays we showed that hatching success is impacted after acute but not after chronic irradiation. At the molecular level, the carbonylated protein level in relation with dose was slightly different between acute and chronic exposure whereas the proteolytic activity is drastically modified. Indeed, whereas the 20S proteasome activity is inhibited by acute irradiation from 0.5 Gy, it is activated after chronic irradiation from 1 Gy. As expected, the 20S proteasome activity is mainly modified by irradiation whereas the 26S and 30S activity are less changed. This study provides preliminaries clues to understand the role of protein oxidation and proteolytic activity in the radiation-induced molecular mechanisms after chronic versus acute irradiation in C. elegans.

Integrative Bioinformatic Analysis of Transcriptomic Data Identifies Conserved Molecular Pathways Underlying Ionizing Radiation-Induced Bystander Effects (RIBE)

Ionizing radiation-induced bystander effects (RIBE) encompass a number of effects with potential for a plethora of damages in adjacent non-irradiated tissue. The cascade of molecular events is initiated in response to the exposure to ionizing radiation (IR), something that may occur during diagnostic or therapeutic medical applications. In order to better investigate these complex response mechanisms, we employed a unified framework integrating statistical microarray analysis, signal normalization, and translational bioinformatics functional analysis techniques. This approach was applied to several microarray datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) related to RIBE. The analysis produced lists of differentially expressed genes, contrasting bystander and irradiated samples versus sham-irradiated controls. Furthermore, comparative molecular analysis through BioInfoMiner, which integrates advanced statistical enrichment and prioritization methodologies, revealed discrete biological processes, at the cellular level. For example, the negative regulation of growth, cellular response to Zn2+-Cd2+, and Wnt and NIK/NF-kappaB signaling, thus refining the description of the phenotypic landscape of RIBE. Our results provide a more solid understanding of RIBE cell-specific response patterns, especially in the case of high-LET radiations, like α-particles and carbon-ions.

Identification of Novel Signal Transduction, Immune Function, and Oxidative Stress Genes and Pathways by Topiramate for Treatment of Methamphetamine Dependence Based on Secondary Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Topiramate (TPM) is suggested to be a promising medication for treatment of methamphetamine (METH) dependence, but the molecular basis remains to be elucidated.

METHODS

Among 140 METH-dependent participants randomly assigned to receive either TPM (N = 69) or placebo (N = 71) in a previously conducted randomized controlled trial, 50 TPM- and 49 placebo-treated participants had a total 212 RNA samples available at baseline, week 8, and week 12 time points. Following our primary analysis of gene expression data, we reanalyzed the microarray expression data based on a latent class analysis of binary secondary outcomes during weeks 1-12 that provided a classification of 21 responders and 31 non-responders with consistent responses at both time points.

RESULTS

Based on secondary outcomes, 1,381, 576, 905, and 711 differentially expressed genes at nominal P values < 0.05 were identified in responders versus non-responders for week 8 TPM, week 8 placebo, week 12 TPM, and week 12 placebo groups, respectively. Among 1,381 genes identified in week 8 TPM responders, 359 genes were identified in both week 8 and week 12 TPM groups, of which 300 genes were exclusively detected in TPM responders. Of them, 32 genes had nominal P values < 5 × 10^-3 at either week 8 or week 12 and false discovery rates < 0.15 at both time points with consistent directions of gene expression changes, which include GABARAPL1, GPR155, and IL15RA in GABA receptor signaling that represent direct targets for TPM. Analyses of these 300 genes revealed 7 enriched pathways belonging to neuronal function/synaptic plasticity, signal transduction, inflammation/immune function, and oxidative stress response categories. No pathways were enriched for 72 genes exclusively detected in both week 8 and week 12 placebo groups.

CONCLUSION

This secondary analysis study of gene expression data from a TPM clinical trial not only yielded consistent results with those of primary analysis but also identified additional new genes and pathways on TPM response to METH addiction.

Dual effects of hydrogen sulfide donor on meiosis and cumulus expansion of porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has been revealed to be a signal molecule with second messenger action in the somatic cells of many tissues, including the reproductive tract. The aim of this study was to address how exogenous H₂S acts on the meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes, including key maturation factors such as MPF and MAPK, and cumulus expansion intensity of cumulus-oocyte complexes. We observed that the H₂S donor, Na₂S, accelerated oocyte in vitro maturation in a dose-dependent manner, following an increase of MPF activity around germinal vesicle breakdown. Concurrently, the H₂S donor affected cumulus expansion, monitored by hyaluronic acid production. Our results suggest that the H₂S donor influences oocyte maturation and thus also participates in the regulation of cumulus expansion. The exogenous H₂S donor apparently affects key signal pathways of oocyte maturation and cumulus expansion, resulting in faster oocyte maturation with little need of cumulus expansion.

Chronic morphine treatment induces over-expression of HSP70 in mice striatum related with abnormal ubiquitin-proteasome degradation

BACKGROUND

It has been shown that opioid dependence-related neuronal plasticity may rely not only on protein synthesis, but also on protein degradation, mainly mediated by ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of morphine on the regulation of protein degradation in the brain and to determine which proteins are involved in the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Mice were given chronic morphine administration and the state of morphine dependence was confirmed by induction of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal jumping. The level of ubiquitinated proteins in the striatum and spinal cord of morphine-dependent mice was detected by Western blotting. One of the abnormal-ubiquitinated proteins in mice striatum was identified by electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry and the result was further confirmed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence method.

RESULTS

We found that the expression of some ubiquitinated proteins was clearly decreased in the striatum of morphine-depnendent mice, but not in the spinal cord. And we identified a ubiquitinated protein (>79 kDa) decreased in the striatum as heat shock cognate 70 protein, one member of the 70 kDa family of heat shock proteins (HSP70). Moreover, we confirmed the level of HSP70 protein was significantly increased in mice striatum.

CONCLUSIONS

These data strongly suggest morphine-induced HSP70 overexpression in the striatum is closely related with its abnormal degradation by UPS and it seems to be an important mechanism associated with morphine dependence.

UCH-L1 induces podocyte hypertrophy in membranous nephropathy by protein accumulation

Podocytes are terminally differentiated cells of the glomerular filtration barrier that react with hypertrophy in the course of injury such as in membranous nephropathy (MGN). The neuronal deubiquitinase ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) is expressed and activated in podocytes of human and rodent MGN. UCH-L1 regulates the mono-ubiquitin pool and induces accumulation of poly-ubiquitinated proteins in affected podocytes. Here, we investigated the role of UCH-L1 in podocyte hypertrophy and in the homeostasis of the hypertrophy associated "model protein" p27(Kip1). A better understanding of the basic mechanisms leading to podocyte hypertrophy is crucial for the development of specific therapies in MGN. In human and rat MGN, hypertrophic podocytes exhibited a simultaneous up-regulation of UCH-L1 and of cytoplasmic p27(Kip1) content. Functionally, inhibition of UCH-L1 activity and knockdown or inhibition of UCH-L1 attenuated podocyte hypertrophy by decreasing the total protein content in isolated glomeruli and in cultured podocytes. In contrast, UCH-L1 levels and activity increased podocyte hypertrophy and total protein content in culture, specifically of cytoplasmic p27(Kip1). UCH-L1 enhanced cytoplasmic p27(Kip1) levels by nuclear export and decreased poly-ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of p27(Kip1). In parallel, UCH-L1 increased podocyte turnover, migration and cytoskeletal rearrangement, which are associated with known oncogenic functions of cytoplasmic p27(Kip1) in cancer. We propose that UCH-L1 induces podocyte hypertrophy in MGN by increasing the total protein content through altered degradation and accumulation of proteins such as p27(Kip1) in the cytoplasm of podocytes. Modification of both UCH-L1 activity and levels could be a new therapeutic avenue to podocyte hypertrophy in MGN.

Synthesis and activity of proteasome inhibitors

Among its various catalytic activities, "chymotrypsin-like" activity of proteasome, a large multicatalytic proteinase complex has emerged as the focus of drug discovery efforts in cancer therapy. Herein, we report results from our investigation on a series of peptidomimetic inhibitors.

Proteomic profiling of lymphocytes in autoimmunity, inflammation and cancer

Lymphocytes play important roles in the balance between body defense and noxious agents involved in a number of diseases, e.g. autoimmune diseases, allergic inflammation and cancer. The proteomic analyses have been applied to identify and validate disease-associated and disease-specific biomarkers for therapeutic strategies of diseases. The proteomic profiles of lymphocytes may provide more information to understand their functions and roles in the development of diseases, although proteomic approaches in lymphocytes are still limited. The present review overviewed the proteomics-based studies on lymphocytes to headlight the proteomic profiles of lymphocytes in diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, allergic inflammation and cancer, with a special focus on lung diseases. We will explore the potential significance of diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets from the current status in proteomic studies of lymphocytes and discuss the value of the currently available proteomic methodologies in the lymphocytes research.

An historic perspective of proteasome inhibition

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and associated signaling pathways are regarded today as an exciting area of development for novel therapeutics. However, two decades ago, following the discovery and elucidation of ubiquitin and the 26S proteasome as key mediators of protein turnover, the concept of inhibiting the UPS was not even considered a feasible therapeutic approach due to the assumption that inhibition of this pathway would have widespread deleterious effects. Subsequent clinical developments with the first-in-class proteasome inhibitor bortezomib have radically overturned that view, with the proteasome now recognized as a validated target and proteasome inhibition demonstrated to be a highly successful treatment for a number of hematologic malignancies. Here we provide a historic perspective on the emergence of proteasome inhibition, sharing some of the lessons learned along the way. We describe the development of bortezomib and the elucidation of the effects of its novel mechanism of action, and place the cutting-edge work described elsewhere in this issue in the context of these historic developments.

Emerging biological insights and novel treatment strategies in multiple myeloma

INTRODUCTION

Survival in multiple myeloma (MM) has improved significantly in the past 10 years due to new treatments, such as thalidomide and lenalidomide (immunomodulatory drugs or IMiDs) bortezomib and advances in supportive care. Nevertheless, almost all MM patients show disease relapse and develop drug resistance.

AREAS COVERED

The authors review the therapeutic approach for untreated MM patients. Furthermore, the prognostic stratification of patients and the proposed risk-adapted strategy are discussed. Finally, preclinical and clinical data regarding newer antimyeloma agents, currently undergoing examination such as proteasome inhibitors (PIs, carfilzomib), IMiDs (pomalidomide), epigenetic agents (histone deacetylase inhibitors vorinostat and panobinostat), humanized monoclonal antibodies (elotuzumab and MOR03087) and targeted therapies (inhibitors of NF-κB, MAPK, HSP90 and AKT) are reported.

EXPERT OPINION

MM patient outcome has remarkably improved due to the use of three to four drug combination therapies including PIs and IMiDs, which target the tumor in its bone marrow microenvironment, however MM treatment remains challenging. The use of high-throughput techniques has allowed to discover new insights into MM biology. The identification of candidate therapeutic targets and availability of respective investigative agents will allow for a substantial progress in the development and implementation of personalized medicine in MM.

Synthesis and inhibitory activities against colon cancer cell growth and proteasome of alkylresorcinols

We have identified alkylresorcinols (ARs) as the major active components in wheat bran against human colon cancer cell growth (HCT-116 and HT-29) using a bioassay-guided approach. To further study the structure-activity relationships, 15 ARs and their intermediates (1-15) were synthesized expediently by the modified Wittig reaction in aqueous media, and six 5-alkylpyrogallols and their analogues (16-21) were prepared by the general Grignard reaction. The synthetic AR analogues were evaluated for activities against the growth of human colon cancer cells HCT-116 and HT-29 and the chymotrypsin-like activity of the human 20S proteasome. Our results found that (1) AR C13:0 and C15:0 (13 and 14) had the greatest inhibitory effects in human colon cancer cells HCT-116 and HT-29, while decreasing or increasing the side chain lengths diminished the activities; (2) two free meta-hydroxyl groups at C-1 and C-3 on the aromatic ring of the AR analogues greatly contributed to their antitumor activity; (3) the introduction of a third hydroxyl group at C-2 (20 and 21) into the aromatic ring of the AR analogues yielded no significant enhancement in activity against HCT-116 cells and decimated the effects against HT-29 cells, but dramatically increased the activity against the chymotrypsin-like activity of the human 20S proteasome; and (4) AR C11:0 (12) was found to have the greatest effect in a series of AR C9:0-C17:0 against the chymotrypsin-like activity of the human 20S proteasome.

Bortezomib alleviates experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension

Vascular remodeling and endothelial dysfunction are important pathogenic features of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). There is a growing body of evidence that proteasome inhibitors may be beneficial in vascular diseases by inhibiting proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and ameliorating endothelial dysfunction. Here, we evaluated whether bortezomib (BTZ) could alleviate hypoxia- and monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH. BTZ (at doses from 1 to 100 μg/kg, or a dose of 100 μg/kg) was administered to mice every other day for the last 2 weeks of a 5-week hypoxia (10% O(2)) period, or to rats once daily from Day 22 to Day 34 after MCT challenge, respectively. BTZ treatment substantially suppressed elevation of right ventricular (RV) systolic pressure, RV hypertrophy, and pulmonary vascular remodeling in hypoxia-exposed mice. Similarly, BTZ treatment inhibited RV hypertrophy and vascular remodeling in MCT-injected rats. Strikingly, BTZ rescued 70% of MCT-injected rats up to Day 60, along with a considerable reduction in RV systolic pressure and suppression of vascular remodeling, whereas, among MCT-injected rats not administered BTZ, there were no survivors by Day 41. BTZ significantly suppressed proliferation of pulmonary VSMCs in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, BTZ increased not only endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS), phosphorylated eNOS, and NO production in vitro, but also eNOS and p-eNOS in hypoxia-exposed mice and MCT-injected rats, respectively. In contrast to the beneficial effects, BTZ increased active caspase-3 in cardiac ventricles of MCT-injected rats. Taken together, with caution for cardiotoxicity, BTZ could be a potential therapeutic strategy in PAH, possibly acting by inhibition of VSMC proliferation and amelioration of endothelial dysfunction.

A phase 2 study of single-agent carfilzomib (PX-171-003-A1) in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma

Carfilzomib is a next-generation, selective proteasome inhibitor being evaluated for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. In this open-label, single-arm phase 2 study (PX-171-003-A1), patients received single-agent carfilzomib 20 mg/m(2) intravenously twice weekly for 3 of 4 weeks in cycle 1, then 27 mg/m(2) for ≤ 12 cycles. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (≥ partial response). Secondary endpoints included clinical benefit response rate (≥ minimal response), duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival, and safety. A total of 266 patients were evaluable for safety, 257 for efficacy; 95% were refractory to their last therapy; 80% were refractory or intolerant to both bortezomib and lenalidomide. Patients had median of 5 prior lines of therapy, including bortezomib, lenalidomide, and thalidomide. Overall response rate was 23.7% with median duration of response of 7.8 months. Median overall survival was 15.6 months. Adverse events (AEs) were manageable without cumulative toxicities. Common AEs were fatigue (49%), anemia (46%), nausea (45%), and thrombocytopenia (39%). Thirty-three patients (12.4%) experienced peripheral neuropathy, primarily grades 1 or 2. Thirty-three patients (12.4%) withdrew because of an AE. Durable responses and an acceptable tolerability profile in this heavily pretreated population demonstrate the potential of carfilzomib to offer meaningful clinical benefit. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00511238.

Nitric oxide-donor SNAP induces Xenopus eggs activation

Nitric oxide (NO) is identified as a signaling molecule involved in many cellular or physiological functions including meiotic maturation and parthenogenetic activation of mammalian oocytes. We observed that nitric oxide donor SNAP was potent to induce parthenogenetic activation in Xenopus eggs. NO-scavenger CPTIO impaired the effects of SNAP, providing evidence for the effects of the latter to be specific upon NO release. In Xenopus eggs, SNAP treatment induced pigment rearrangement, pronucleus formation and exocytosis of cortical granules. At a biochemical level, SNAP exposure lead to MAPK and Rsk inactivation within 30 minutes whereas MPF remained active, in contrast to calcium ionophore control where MPF activity dropped rapidly. MAPK inactivation could be correlated to pronuclear envelope reformation observed. In SNAP-treated eggs, a strong increase in intracellular calcium level was observed. NO effects were impaired in calcium-free or calcium limited medium, suggesting that that parthenogenetic activation of Xenopus oocytes with a NO donor was mainly calcium-dependent.

Pleiotropic functions of pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF) revealed by transcriptomics of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells treated with PBEFsiRNA

This study profiled transcriptomes of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-L) treated with pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF) siRNA or scrambled RNA to gain insight into transcriptional regulations of PBEF on the endothelial function using the Affymetrix GeneChips HG-U133 plus 2. Several important themes are emerged from this study. First, PBEF affected expressions of multiple genes in the endothelium. Expression of 373 genes was increased and 64 genes decreased by at least 1.3-fold in the PBEFsiRNA-treated HMVEC-L versus the scramble RNA control. Second, the microarray results confirmed previous reports of PBEF-mediated gene expressions in some pathways but provided a more complete repertoire of molecules in those pathways. Third, most of the affected canonical pathways have not previously been reported to be PBEF responsive. Fourth, network analysis supports that PBEF has pleiotropic functions. Our first transcriptome analysis of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells treated with PBEFsiRNA has provided important insights into the transcriptional regulation of gene expression in HMVEC-L cells by PBEF. Further in-depth analysis of these transcriptional regulations may shed light on molecular mechanisms underlying PBEF-mediated endothelial functions and dysfunctions in various diseases and provide new leads of therapeutic targets to those diseases.

Serendipity in discovery of proteasome inhibitors

Among its various catalytic activities, the 'chymotrypsin-like' activity of the proteasome, a large multicatalytic proteinase complex has emerged as the focus of drug discovery efforts in cancer therapy. Herein, a series of first generation (2S, 3R)-2-amino-3-hydroxybutyric acid derived proteasome inhibitors that were discovered serendipitously en route to original goal of generating a series of sterically constrained oxazoline derivatives has been reported.

Increased expression of MDM2 and NM23 are associated with malignant transformation of pleomorphic adenoma

This study was designed to correlate the expression of both MDM2 and NM23 in pleomorphic adenoma (PA) to clinical background, histological features, local recurrence, and metastatic potentiality in this tumor. Expression of MDM2 and NM23 was studied immunohistochemically in 23 cases of PA. Our results demonstrated MDM2 and NM23 overexpression in almost all cases of PA. There was a significant difference of the MDM2 and NM23 mean values between benign PA and both carcinoma-ex PA and metastasizing PA. The results of this study show that the overexpression of NM23 and MDM2 oncoproteins could be used as reliable predictors of malignant progression as well as metastatic potentiality of PA.

Proteasome inhibitors for cancer therapy

Proteasome, a large multicatalytic proteinase complex that plays an important role in processing of proteins, has been shown to possess multiple catalytic activities. Among its various activities, the 'chymotrypsin-like' activity of proteasome has emerged as the focus of drug discovery efforts in cancer therapy. Herein we report chiral boronate derived novel, potent, selective and cell-permeable peptidomimetic inhibitors 6 and 7 that displayed activity against various rodent and human tumor cell lines (in vitro).

Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-l1 activity induces polyubiquitin accumulation in podocytes and increases proteinuria in rat membranous nephropathy

Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), a key protease of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), is associated with neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Recently, de novo expression of UCH-L1 was described in podocytes in patients with membranous nephropathy (MN), in which UCH-L1 expression correlated with increased ubiquitin content. The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of UCH-L1 in ubiquitin homeostasis and proteasomal degradation in a rat model of MN. After disease induction, UCH-L1 expression increased in podocytes and coincided with decreased glomerular monoubiquitin content. After an initial increase in proteasomal activity, the UPS was impaired. In addition to an increase of ubiquitin in podocytes, aggregates were observed 1 year after disease induction, as in MN in human beings. Inhibition of UCH-L1 hydrolase function in MN reduced UPS impairment and ameliorated proteinuria. In contrast, inhibition of proteasomal activity enhanced UPS impairment, resulting in increased proteinuria. Stable UCH-L1 overexpression in cultured podocytes resulted in accumulation of monoubiquitin and polyubiquitin proteins. In contrast, stable knock-down of UCH-L1 reduced monoubiquitin and polyubiquitin proteins and significantly increased proteasomal activity, indicating that the observed effects in rat MN also occurred in cultured podocytes. These data demonstrate that UCH-L1 activity results in polyubiquitin accumulation, proteasome inhibition, and disease aggravation in experimental models of MN.

An international, multicenter phase II trial of bortezomib in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

Bortezomib (PS-341, VELCADE®) is a selective inhibitor of the 26S proteasome, an integral component of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. This phase II study evaluated the activity and tolerability of bortezomib in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODS

The primary endpoint was confirmed tumor response rate (RR) with secondary endpoints including duration of response, time to disease progression, survival and toxicity. Treatment consisted of bortezomib, 1.3 mg/m2 IV bolus on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 of each 21-day treatment cycle. Eligibility included: no prior systemic chemotherapy, ECOG PS 0-2, Child-Pugh A or B, preserved hematologic, hepatic and neurologic function; prior liver-directed therapy was permitted.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients enrolled and received a median of 2 cycles of treatment (range 1-12). Overall, 24 and 4 patients had a maximum severity of grade 3 and 4 adverse events (AEs), respectively. No treatment related deaths occurred. Only thrombocytopenia (11%) was seen in greater than 10% of patients. One patient achieved a partial response, lasting 13 weeks during treatment and progressed 11.6 months later; two patients received treatment for greater than 6 months. Median time-to-progression was 1.6 months and median survival was 6.0 months.

CONCLUSIONS

This international, multicenter trial evaluated bortezomib as monotherapy in unresectable HCC patients. And, despite the lack of significant activity, this report serves as a baseline clinical experience for the development of future dual biologic approaches including bortezomib.

Immunohistochemical expression of ubiquitin and telomerase in cervical cancer

Ubiquitin and telomerase immunohistochemical expression patterns in cervical cancer were compared with normal cervical tissue samples. Eighty-one cervical cancer cases and 22 normal exo-endocervical tissue were examined with polyclonal antibody for ubiquitin and 44G12 clone for telomerase using tissue microarrays. The results were interpreted using a semiquantitative scale The average age of patients was 50.67 years. The most frequent histological types were moderately differentiated epidermoid carcinoma (43.5%), according to the degree of differentiation, and endocervical adenocarcinoma (42.1%). Immunohistochemical findings were as follows: 98.7% of cervical cancers showed immunoexpression for ubiquitin and 52.6% for telomerase. Statistically significant differences were found in tumor immunoreactivity when compared with control tissue (p < 0.0007) for both biomarkers. There was no significant difference in biomarker expression at different histological types of tumors, although telomerase was less expressed in endocervical adenocarcinoma. Our findings confirm that abnormal immunoexpression pattern of ubiquitin and telomerase is common in HPV-positive cervical cancer, indicating the existence of an intense degradation of proteins, subsequent cellular immortalization and maintenance of the malignant phenotype.

Immunohistochemical localization of mdm-2, p27Kip1 and bcl-2 in Warthin's tumor of the parotid gland

Background

Warthin's tumor is a benign monomorphic adenoma with unclear origin that almost occur exclusively in the parotid gland. Etiology of Warthin's tumor as well as its malignant potential are still unclear. Therefore immunohistochemical assessment of Warthin's tumor may be useful to detect its origin or its malignant transformation potential.

Aims and objectives

The present study aims to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of murine double minute-2 (mdm-2), p27^Kip1 and B cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) in Warthin's tumor of parotid gland and also to clarify the role of these proteins in the behavior of that tumor.

Methods

Twenty paraffin blocks of cases previously diagnosed as Warthin's tumor were collected for immunohistochemical staining with primary antibodies against mdm-2, p27^Kip1 and bcl-2 using streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase staining system.

Results

All cases showed immunopositivity for mdm-2 and p27^Kip1 while 18/20 showed bcl-2 immunopositivity. Both layers of the neoplastic epithelial cells that line the cystic spaces showed immunopositivity with all antibodies used. Goblet cells were mdm-2 immunonegative while myoepithelial cells were p27^Kip-1 immunonegative. Areas of epithelial proliferation that formed buds were p27^Kip-1 and bcl-2 immunopositive.

Conclusion

Mdm-2 played a tumor-suppressor role that might be implicated with the benign behavior of Warthin's tumor. The mutual expression of both p27^Kip1 and bcl-2 suggested a protective role of these slowly proliferating cells from apoptosis to maintain their survival and elevated bcl-2 expression offers a significant protection against p27^Kip1-mediated apoptosis.

Inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome activity prevents glutamate transporter degradation and morphine tolerance

Glutamate transporters play a crucial role in physiological glutamate homeostasis and neurotoxicity. Recently, we have shown that downregulation of glutamate transporters after chronic morphine exposure contributed to the development of morphine tolerance. In the present study, we examined whether regulation of the glutamate transporter expression with the proposed proteasome inhibitor MG-132 would contribute to the development of tolerance to repeated intrathecal (twice daily x 7 days) morphine administration in rats. The results showed that MG-132 (5 nmol) given intrathecally blocked morphine-induced glutamate transporter downregulation and the decrease in glutamate uptake activity within the spinal cord dorsal horn. Co-administration of morphine (15 nmol) with MG-132 (vehicle=1<2.5<5=10 nmol) also dose-dependently prevented the development of morphine tolerance in rats. These findings suggest that prevention of spinal glutamate transporter downregulation may regulate the glutamatergic function that has been implicated in the development of morphine tolerance. The possible relationship between MG-132-mediated regulation of glutamate transporters, ubiquitin-proteasome system, and the cellular mechanisms of morphine tolerance is discussed in light of these findings.

Morphine induces ubiquitin-proteasome activity and glutamate transporter degradation

Glutamate transporters play a crucial role in physiological glutamate homeostasis, neurotoxicity, and glutamatergic regulation of opioid tolerance. However, how the glutamate transporter turnover is regulated remains poorly understood. Here we show that chronic morphine exposure induced posttranscriptional down-regulation of the glutamate transporter EAAC1 in C6 glioma cells with a concurrent decrease in glutamate uptake and increase in proteasome activity, which were blocked by the selective proteasome inhibitor MG-132 or lactacystin but not the lysosomal inhibitor chloroquin. At the cellular level, chronic morphine induced the PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome Ten)-mediated up-regulation of the ubiquitin E3 ligase Nedd4 via cAMP/protein kinase A signaling, leading to EAAC1 ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Either Nedd4 or PTEN knockdown with small interfering RNA prevented the morphine-induced EAAC1 degradation and decreased glutamate uptake. These data indicate that cAMP/protein kinase A signaling serves as an intracellular regulator upstream to the activation of the PTEN/Nedd4-mediated ubiquitin-proteasome system activity that is critical for glutamate transporter turnover. Under an in vivo condition, chronic morphine exposure also induced posttranscriptional down-regulation of the glutamate transporter EAAC1, which was prevented by MG-132, and transcriptional up-regulation of PTEN and Nedd4 within the spinal cord dorsal horn. Thus, inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated glutamate transporter degradation may be an important mechanism for preventing glutamate overexcitation and may offer a new strategy for treating certain neurological disorders and improving opioid therapy in chronic pain management.

p27Kip1 repression of ErbB2-induced mammary tumor growth in transgenic mice involves Skp2 and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling

Expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor (p27(Kip1)) is frequently reduced in human tumors, often correlating with poor prognosis. p27(Kip1) functions as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor; however, the mechanism by which one allele of p27(Kip1) regulates oncogenic signaling in vivo is not well understood. We therefore investigated the mechanisms by which p27(Kip1) inhibits mammary tumor onset. Using the common background strain of FVB, p27(Kip1) heterozygosity (p27(+/-)) accelerated ErbB2-induced mammary tumorigenesis. We conducted microarray analyses of mammary tumors developing in mice with genetic haploinsufficiency for p27(Kip1) expressing a mammary-targeted ErbB2 oncogene. Global gene expression profiling and Western blot analysis of ErbB2/p27(+/-) tumors showed that the loss of p27(Kip1) induced genes promoting lymphangiogenesis, cellular proliferation, and collaborative oncogenic signaling (Wnt/beta-catenin/Tcf, Cdc25a, Smad7, and Skp2). Skp2 expression was induced by ErbB2 and repressed by p27(Kip1). Degradation of p27(Kip1) involves an SCF-type E3 ubiquitin ligase, including Skp2. The Skp2 component of the SCF(SKP2) complex that degrades p27(Kip1) was increased in ErbB2 tumors correlating with earlier tumor onset. In both murine and human ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancers, p27(Kip1) levels correlated inversely with Skp2. p27(Kip1) haploinsufficiency activated Wnt/beta-catenin/hedgehog signaling. Reintroduction of p27(Kip1) inhibited beta-catenin induction of Tcf-responsive genes (Siamosis, c-Myc, and Smad7). p27(Kip1) is haploinsufficient for ErbB2 mammary tumor suppression in vivo and functions to repress collaborative oncogenic signals including Skp2 and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling.

Proteome of human T lymphocytes with treatment of cyclosporine and polysaccharopeptide: Analysis of significant proteins that manipulate T cells proliferation and immunosuppression

The aberrant activation of T lymphocyte proliferation is one of the key events in organ transplant recipients and autoimmune disorders. The present study adopted a gel-based proteomics approach to define the proteins representative of the T cell proliferation and to discover the molecules that play critical roles during the suppression of T cell proliferation. Human T lymphocytes were isolated from healthy donors and primed with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) to undergo proliferation. Two medical fungal products with specific T cell activation inhibitory properties, cyclosporine A (CsA) and polysaccharopeptide (PSP), were used to study the proteins that manipulate T cell proliferation. After demonstrating their similar effects on cell proliferation, cell survival and interleuklin-2 (IL-2) secretion, significant quantitative protein alterations were detected between the CsA- and PSP-treated T cell proteome. These altered proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF and classified into 3 categories: (i) proteins affected by both CsA and PSP, (ii) proteins affected by CsA alone, and (iii) proteins affected by PSP alone. Most of these altered proteins have functional significance in protein degradation, the antioxidant pathway, energy metabolism and immune cell regulation.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 transcriptionally represses p45Skp2 expression via the Sp1 sites in human prostate cancer cells

Upregulation of p27Kip1 protein in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-treated cancer cells is mediated via enhancement of gene transcription and reduction of protein degradation. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits the expression of p45Skp2, the F-box protein which is implicated in p27Kip1 degradation, to reduce turnover of p27Kip1 protein. In this study, we elucidate the underlying mechanism by which 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits p45Skp2 in human LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Western blot and RT-PCR analysis suggest that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 suppresses p45Skp2 via transcriptional repression. Promoter activity assays indicate that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 directly inhibits p45Skp2 promoter activity. Deletion analysis shows that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 response element is localized at -447/-291 bp region from the translational start site of the p45Skp2 promoter. Mutation analysis suggests that two Sp1 sites localized at -386/-380 and -309/-294 bp region are required for transcriptional repression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) assay demonstrates that VDR indirectly binds to these Sp1 sites in vivo and this binding is increased after 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment. Re-CHIP assay suggests that VDR and Sp1 form a complex to bind to the Sp1 sites. DNA affinity precipitation assay (DAPA) shows that histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) is recruited to the Sp1 sites after 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 stimulation. Re-CHIP assay verifies that binding of Sp1 and HDAC1 to p45Skp2 promoter is enhanced after 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment. HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) reverses the inhibition of p45Skp2 promoter activity by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Collectively, our results suggest that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 induces the formation of VDR/Sp1 complex and acts via a Sp1- and HDAC1-depedent pathway to inhibit p45Skp2 transcription.

Inhibitory effect of 6-hydroxy-7-methoxychroman-2-carboxylic acid phenylamide on nitric oxide and interleukin-6 production in macrophages

6-Hydroxy-7-methoxychroman-2-carboxylic acid phenylamide (CP compound) is a novel chemically synthetic compound with vitamin E-like chemical structure. In the present study, the CP compound was discovered to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin (IL)-6 productions in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Further, CP compound attenuated LPS-induced synthesis of mRNA and protein levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), in parallel, and inhibited iNOS promoter activity. In the similar way, CP compound inhibited LPS-induced synthesis of IL-6 transcript but also IL-6 promoter activity. These results indicate that CP compound could down-regulate LPS-induced iNOS and IL-6 expression at the transcription step. As a mechanism of the anti-inflammatory action shown by CP compound, suppression of LPS-induced activation of both nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) has been documented. Finally, CP compound could provide an invaluable tool to investigate LPS-induced NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation, in addition to its therapeutic potential in NO- and IL-6-associated inflammatory diseases.

HDAC inhibition prevents NF-kappa B activation by suppressing proteasome activity: down-regulation of proteasome subunit expression stabilizes I kappa B alpha

The short chain fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate (BA) and other histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors can rapidly induce cell cycle arrest and differentation of colon cancer cell lines. We found that butyrate and the specific HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) can reprogram the NF-(kappa)B response in colon cancer cells. Specifically, TNF-alpha activation is suppressed in butyrate-differentiated cells, whereas IL-1beta activation is largely unaffected. To gain insight into the relationship between butyrate-induced differentiation and NF-(kappa)B regulation, we determined the impact of butyrate on proteasome activity and subunit expression. Interestingly, butyrate and TSA reduced the cellular proteasome activity in colon cancer cell lines. The drop in proteasome activity results from the reduced expression of the catalytic beta-type subunits of the proteasome at both the protein and mRNA level. The selective impact of HDAC inhibitors on TNF-alpha-induced NF-(kappa)B activation appears to relate to the fact that the TNF-alpha-induced activation of NF-(kappa)B is mediated by the proteasome, whereas NF-kappaB activation by IL-1beta is largely proteasome-independent. These findings indicate that cellular differentation status and/or proliferative capacity can significantly impact proteasome activity and selectively alter NF-(kappa)B responses in colon cancer cells. This information may be useful for the further development and targeting of HDAC inhibitors as anti-neoplastic and anti-inflammatory agents.

Hyperthermia-induced proteasome inhibition and loss of androgen receptor expression in human prostate cancer cells

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in men in western countries and is usually treated by surgery and/or radiotherapy. More recently, hyperthermia has been introduced into clinical trials investigating a possible effect in the first-line treatment of prostate cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of hyperthermia are not completely understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of hyperthermia on proteasome function and its significance for signal transduction, cell death and androgen receptor (AR) expression in PC-3, LnCaP, and DU-145 human and TRAMP-C2 murine prostate cancer cells. Hyperthermia caused apoptosis and radiosensitization and decreased 26S proteasome activity in all three human cell lines to about 40% of untreated control cells. 20S proteasome activity was not affected by heat. Heat treatment inhibited constitutive and radiation-induced activation of nuclear factor kappaB caused by stabilization of IkappaB. Although stabilization of AR by proteasome inhibitors has been reported previously, AR protein levels in LnCaP cells decreased dramatically after heat. Our data suggest that inhibition of proteasome function and dependent signal transduction pathways might be a major molecular mechanisms of heat-induced apoptosis and radiosensitization. Hyperthermia abrogates AR expression in androgen-dependent cells and might thus promote malignant progression of prostate cancer.

The proteasome inhibitor MG-132 sensitizes PC-3 prostate cancer cells to ionizing radiation by a DNA-PK-independent mechanism

BACKGROUND

By modulating the expression levels of specific signal transduction molecules, the 26S proteasome plays a central role in determining cell cycle progression or arrest and cell survival or death in response to stress stimuli, including ionizing radiation. Inhibition of proteasome function by specific drugs results in cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and radiosensitization of many cancer cell lines. This study investigates whether there is also a concomitant increase in cellular radiosensitivity if proteasome inhibition occurs only transiently before radiation. Further, since proteasome inhibition has been shown to activate caspase-3, which is involved in apoptosis, and caspase-3 can cleave DNA-PKcs, which is involved in DNA-double strand repair, the hypothesis was tested that caspase-3 activation was essential for both apoptosis and radiosensitization following proteasome inhibition.

METHODS

Prostate carcinoma PC-3 cells were treated with the reversible proteasome inhibitor MG-132. Cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, caspase-3 activity, DNA-PKcs protein levels and DNA-PK activity were monitored. Radiosensitivity was assessed using a clonogenic assay.

RESULTS

Inhibition of proteasome function caused cell cycle arrest and apoptosis but this did not involve early activation of caspase-3. Short-time inhibition of proteasome function also caused radiosensitization but this did not involve a decrease in DNA-PKcs protein levels or DNA-PK activity.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that caspase-dependent cleavage of DNA-PKcs during apoptosis does not contribute to the radiosensitizing effects of MG-132.

Combined effects of gamma radiation and arsenite on the proteome of human TK6 lymphoblastoid cells

Arsenic present in drinking water and mining environments in some areas has been associated with an increased rate of skin and internal cancers. Contrary to the epidemiological evidence in humans, arsenic does not induce cancer in animal models, but is able to enhance the mutagenicity of other agents. In order to achieve a better understanding of the interaction between arsenic and ionising radiation, an investigation was conducted to detect differences at the proteome level of human TK6 lymphoblastoid cells exposed to these agents. Cells were exposed to either a single dose of 1-Gy 137Cs-gamma-rays or to 1 microM arsenite (As(III)) or to both agents in combination. Two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) were employed for the screening and identification of proteins, respectively. It proved possible to identify seven proteins with significantly affected abundance, three of which showed increased levels and the remaining four showed decreased levels under at least one of the exposure conditions. Following arsenite treatment or irradiation, a significant increase compared with that of the control was observed for glutathione (GSH) transferase omega 1 and proteasome subunit beta type 4 precursor. The combined exposure did not result in an induction of the enzymes. The expression of electron-transfer flavoprotein subunit alpha was found to be enhanced under all three-exposure conditions. Ubiquinol-cytochrome C reductase complex core protein I, adenine phosphoribosyl transferase and endoplasmic reticulum protein hERp29 showed decreased levels after irradiation or arsenite treatment, but not after the combined exposure. The level of serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 alpha decreased with all treatments. The main conclusions are that both arsenite and gamma-radiation influence the levels of several proteins involved in major metabolic and regulatory pathways, either directly or by triggering the defence mechanisms of the cell. The combined effect of both exposures on the level of some essential proteins such as glutathione transferase, proteasome or serine/threonine phosphatase may contribute to the co-carcinogenic effect of arsenic.

Botulinum Toxin Type A Targets RhoB to Inhibit Lysophosphatidic Acid-Stimulated Actin Reorganization and Acetylcholine Release in Nerve Growth Factor-Treated PC12 Cells

Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) produced by Clostridium botulinum inhibits Ca2+-dependent acetylcholine (ACh) release (neuroexocytosis) at peripheral neuromuscular junctions, sometimes causing neuromuscular paralysis. This inhibitory effect is attributed to its metalloprotease activity to cleave the 25-kDa synaptosomal-associated protein, which is essential for the exocytotic machinery. However, deletion of this protein does not result in a complete block of neuroexocytosis, suggesting that botulinum-mediated inhibition may occur via another mechanism. Rho GTPases, a class of small GTP-binding proteins (G proteins), control actin cytoskeletal organization, thereby regulating a variety of cellular functions in various cells, including neuronal cells. We have shown that the G protein activator lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) triggered actin reorganization followed by Ca2+-dependent ACh release in nerve growth factor-treated PC12 cells and that BoNT/A blocked both events through degradation of RhoB by the proteasome. Overexpression of wild-type RhoB caused actin reorganization and enhanced the release of ACh by LPA to overcome toxin's inhibitory effect on actin reorganization/exocytosis stimulated by LPA, whereas overexpression of a dominant negative RhoB inhibited ACh release, regardless of LPA and/or toxin treatment. Finally, a knockdown of the RhoB gene via sequence-specific, post-transcriptional gene silencing reduced RhoB expression in PC12 cells, resulting in total inhibition of both actin reorganization and ACh release induced by LPA. We conclude that the RhoB signaling pathway regulates ACh release via actin cytoskeletal reorganization and that botulinum toxin inhibits neuroexocytosis by targeting RhoB pathway.

Parthenolide improves systemic hemodynamics and decreases tissue leukosequestration in rats with polymicrobial sepsis

OBJECTIVE

Nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB is a transcriptional factor required for the gene expression of many inflammatory mediators. This study was designed to investigate the biological effects of parthenolide, a specific inhibitor of NF-kappaB activation, in experimental sepsis and multiple organ failure.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized laboratory investigation that used an established model of cecal ligation and puncture to induce polymicrobial sepsis in rats.

SETTING

University hospital laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Male Sprague Dawley rats underwent cecal ligation and puncture followed by the administration of saline solution.

INTERVENTIONS

A group of rats received parthenolide (1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Mean arterial blood pressure was monitored for 18 hrs, and survival rate was monitored for 4 days. In a separate experiment, rats were killed at 1, 3, 6, and 18 hrs after cecal ligation and puncture.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

In vehicle-treated animals, cecal ligation and puncture resulted in polymicrobial sepsis and was associated with 20% mortality rate, marked hypotension, and lung injury. Immunohistochemistry showed positive staining for nitrotyrosine and poly(adenosine diphosphate [ADP]-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) in thoracic aortas. There was a significant increase in plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10. Elevated levels of myeloperoxidase activity in lung, colon, and liver were indicative of infiltration of neutrophils. These inflammatory events were associated with activation of NF-kappaB in the lung in a time-dependent fashion. In vivo treatment with parthenolide improved the hemodynamic profile and survival; reduced neutrophil infiltration in lung, colon, and liver; and reduced plasma concentrations of cytokines. Treatment with parthenolide also abolished formation of nitrotyrosine and expression of PARP-1 in thoracic aortas. These beneficial effects of parthenolide were associated with reduction of NF-kappaB activity in the lung.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that pharmacologic inhibition of NF-kappaB may represent a potential therapeutic approach in sepsis.

Regulation of beta1C and beta1A integrin expression in prostate carcinoma cells

beta(1C) and beta(1A) integrins are two splice variants of the human beta(1) integrin subfamily that act as an inhibitor and a stimulator of cell proliferation, respectively. In neoplastic prostate epithelium, both these variants are down-regulated at the mRNA level, but only beta(1C) protein levels are reduced. We used an experimental model consisting of PNT1A, a normal immortalized prostate cell line, and LNCaP and PC-3, two prostate carcinoma cell lines, to investigate both the transcription/post-transcription and translation/post-translation processes of beta(1C) and beta(1A). Transcriptional regulation played the key role for the reduction in beta(1C) and beta(1A) mRNA expression in cancer cells, as beta(1C) and beta(1A) mRNA half-lives were comparable in normal and cancer cells. beta(1C) translation rate decreased in cancer cells in agreement with the decrease in mRNA levels, whereas beta(1A) translation rate increased more than 2-fold, despite the reduction in mRNA levels. Both beta(1C) and beta(1A) proteins were degraded more rapidly in cancer than in normal cells, and pulse-chase experiments showed that intermediates and/or rates of beta(1C) and beta(1A) protein maturation differ in cancer versus normal cells. Inhibition of either calpain- or lysosomal-mediated proteolysis increased both beta(1C) and beta(1A) protein levels, the former in normal but not in cancer cells and the latter in both cell types, albeit at a higher extent in cancer than in normal cells. Interestingly, inhibition of the ubiquitin proteolytic pathway increased expression of ubiquitinated beta(1C) protein without affecting beta(1A) protein levels in cancer cells. These results show that transcriptional, translational, and post-translational processes, the last involving the ubiquitin proteolytic pathway, contribute to the selective loss of beta(1C) integrin, a very efficient inhibitor of cell proliferation, in prostate malignant transformation.

The role of the ubiquitin/proteasome system in cellular responses to radiation

In the last few years, the ubiquitin(Ub)/proteasome system has become increasingly recognized as a controller of numerous physiological processes, including signal transduction, DNA repair, chromosome maintenance, transcriptional activation, cell cycle progression, cell survival, and certain immune cell functions. This is in addition to its more established roles in the removal of misfolded, damaged, and effete proteins. This review examines the role of the Ub/proteasome system in processes underlying the classical effects of irradiation on cells, such as radiation-induced gene expression, DNA repair and chromosome instability, oxidative damage, cell cycle arrest, and cell death. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that the proteasome is a redox-sensitive target for ionizing radiation and other oxidative stress signals. In other words, the Ub/proteasome system may not simply be a passive player in radiation-induced responses, but may modulate them. The extent of the modulation will be influenced by the functional and structural diversity that is expressed by the system. Cell types vary in the Ub/proteasome structures they possess and the level at which they function, and this changes as they go from the normal to the cancerous condition. Cancer-related functional changes within the Ub/proteasome system may therefore present unique targets for cancer therapy, especially when targeting agents are used in combination with radio- or chemotherapy. The peptide boronic acid compound PS-341, which was designed to inhibit proteasome chymotryptic activity, is in clinical trials for the treatment of solid and hematogenous tumors. It has shown some efficacy on its own and in combination with chemotherapy. Preclinical studies have shown that PS-341 will also potentiate the cytotoxic effects of radiation therapy. In addition, other drugs in common clinical use have been shown to affect proteasome function, and their activities may be valuably reconsidered from this perspective.

ErbB-2-induced mammary tumor growth: the role of cyclin D1 and p27Kip1

The neu (c-erbB-2, HER2) proto-oncogene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that is a member of an important growth factor receptor family which includes the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, ErbB1), ErbB3 and ErbB4. The neu is found over-expressed in 20-30% of human breast tumors. The c-erbB-2 is sufficient for the induction of mammary tumorigenesis in transgenic mice and the pathology of these mammary tumors strongly resembles human breast cancer. Murine transgenic models engineered to recapitulate human breast cancer provide an excellent and straightforward approach to dissect the molecular mechanisms governing the onset and progression of this disease. The molecular mechanisms by which ErbB-2 transforms cells involves direct effects on components of the cell-cycle regulatory apparatus. Recent studies have demonstrated a key role for components of the cell-cycle, in particular cyclin D1 and p27Kip1 (p27) in the onset and progression of ErbB-2-induced murine mammary tumorigenesis. Such studies have provided further impetus to therapeutics targeting these cell-cycle proteins.

Alternate exon insertion controls selective ubiquitination and degradation of different AUF1 protein isoforms

The A+U-rich element (ARE) in the 3' non-coding region (3' NCR) of short-lived cytokine mRNAs binds several regulatory proteins, including hnRNP D/AUF1, which comprises four isoforms of 37, 40, 42 and 45 kDa. ARE-mRNA degradation involves ubiquitin-proteasome activity, and one or more AUF1 proteins are thought to be ubiquitinated. Here we have characterized the mechanism for differential ubiquitination and degradation of the different AUF1 protein isoforms. We demonstrate in an in vitro ubiquitination system that the p37, followed by the p40 protein, are strongly ubiquitinated, whereas the p42 and p45 forms are not. Over expression in cells of enzymes that control the ubiquitin cycle were found to control p37 and p40 AUF1 protein levels through ubiquitination and proteasome activity, but not p42 and p45 forms. The p42 and p45 AUF1 proteins share a C-terminal exon 7 that is not found in the p37/p40 isoforms. Our studies show that exon 7 blocks ubiquitination and rapid degradation of AUF1 proteins, whereas its deletion permits ubiquitination to occur and promotes rapid turnover of AUF1 proteins. Thus, the stabilities of AUF1 isoforms are differentially controlled by insertion of an alternate exon that regulates ubiquitin targeting activity.

N-acetyl-L-cysteine inhibits 26S proteasome function: implications for effects on NF-kappaB activation

Ionizing radiation shares with cytokines, such as TNF-alpha, an ability to generate free radicals in cells and activate downstream proinflammatory responses through NF-kappaB-dependent signal transduction pathways. Support for the role of free radicals in triggering such responses comes from the use of free radical scavengers like N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). The nature of the link between free radical generation and NF-kappaB activation is, however, unclear. In this study, we explore the possibility that scavenging of free radicals by NAC might not be the mechanism by which it inhibits NF-kappaB activation, but rather that NAC acts through inhibition of proteasome function. The effect of NAC on the chymotryptic function of the 26s and 20s proteasome complex was measured in extracts from EVC 304 bladder carcinoma cells by assessing degradation of fluorogenic substrates. NAC inhibited 26s but not 20s proteasome activity, suggesting that it interferes with 19s regulatory subunit function. NAC blocked radiation-induced NF-kappaB activity in ECV 304 cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages, as measured by a gel shift assay, at doses that inhibited proteasome activity. This provides a possible mechanism whereby NAC could block NF-kappaB activation and affect the expression of other molecules that are dependent on the ubiquitin/proteasome system for their degradation, other than by scavenging free radicals.

A role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain (characterized by hyperalgesia and allodynia to mechanical and thermal stimuli) causes cellular changes in spinal dorsal horn neurons, some of which parallel those in synaptic plasticity associated with learning. Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase (UCH) appears to play a key role in long-term facilitation in Aplysia. The cooperation of UCH with the proteolytic enzyme complex known as the proteasome is required for the degradation of a number of signaling molecules within the cell that may remove normal restraints on synaptic plasticity. We have used electrophysiology, in situ hybridization histochemistry, semiquantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting, and in vivo behavioral reflex analysis to investigate the ubiquitin-proteasome system in a model of neuropathic pain. In neuropathic animals, ionophoretic application of selective proteasome inhibitors attenuated dorsal horn neuron firing evoked by normally innocuous brush or cold stimuli and by noxious mustard oil stimuli. In control animals, only mustard oil-evoked responses were inhibited. Intrathecal administration of proteasome inhibitors attenuated hyperalgesia and allodynia in neuropathic rats. Expression of UCH-L1 (a rat homolog of Aplysia neuronal UCH and of the human UCH-L1, also known as PGP 9.5) and its mRNA were selectively increased within the ipsilateral dorsal horn of neuropathic rats, supporting the idea of a role for the ubiquitin-proteasome system in nociceptive processing. Proteasome inhibitors selectively attenuate allodynic and hyperalgesic responses in neuropathic pain, with some reduction in normal nociceptive, but not non-nociceptive responses, and potentially represent a novel therapeutic strategy for neuropathic pain.