Retinoic acid-induced downmodulation of telomerase activity in human cancer cells

Short-term retinoic acid treatment sustains pluripotency and suppresses differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) derived from blastocyst and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) generated from somatic cells by ectopic expression of defined transcriptional factors, have both the ability to self-renew and to differentiate into all cell types. Here we explored the two antagonistic effects of retinoic acid (RA) on hiPSCs. Although RA has been widely described as a pharmacological agent with a critical role in initiating differentiation of pluripotent stem cells, we demonstrate that short-term RA exposure not only antagonizes cell differentiation and sustains pluripotency of hiPSCs, but it also boosts and improves their properties and characteristics. To shed light on the mechanistic insights involved in the resistance to differentiation of hiPSCs cultured in RA conditions, as well as their improved pluripotency state, we focused our attention on the Wnt pathway. Our findings show that RA inhibits the Wnt canonical pathway and positively modulates the Akt/mTOR signaling, explaining why such perturbations, under our experimental conditions, do not lead to hiPSCs differentiation. Altogether, these data uncover a novel role for RA in favouring the maintenance of ground-state pluripotency, supporting its bivalent role, dose- and time-dependent, for hiPSCs differentiation and self-renewal processes.

Telomerase as a useful target in cancer fighting-the breast cancer case

Telomerase was initially considered as a relevant factor distinguishing cancer from normal cells. During detailed studies, it appeared that its expression and activity is not only limited to cancer cells however, but in this particular cells, the telomerase is much more abundant. Thus, it has become a very promising target for an anticancer therapy. It was revealed in many studies that regulation of telomerase is a multifactorial process in mammalian cells, involving regulation of expression of telomerase subunits coding genes, post-translational protein–protein interactions, and protein phosphorylation. Numerous proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are engaged in this mechanism, and the complexity of telomerase control is studied in the context of tumor development as well as aging. Additionally, since numerous studies reveal a correlation between short telomeres and increased genome instability or cell mortality, the telomerase control appears to be one of the crucial factors to study in order to improve the cancer diagnostics and therapy or prevention. Interestingly, almost 100 % of adenocarcinoma, including breast cancer cells, expresses telomerase which makes it a good target for telomerase-related therapy. Additionally, telomerase is also supposed to be associated with drug resistance. Thus, targeting the enzyme might result in attenuation of this phenomenon. Moreover, since stem cells existence was reported, it must be considered whether targeting telomerase can bring some serious side effects and result in stem cells viability or their regenerative potential decrease. Thus, we review some molecular mechanisms engaged in therapy based on targeting telomerase in breast cancer cells.

Regulation of telomerase activity by apparently opposing elements

Telomeres, the ends of chromosomes, undergo frequent remodeling events that are important in cell development, proliferation and differentiation, and neoplastic immortalization. It is not known how the cellular environment influences telomere remodeling, stability, and lengthening or shortening. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex that maintains and lengthens telomeres in the majority of cancers. Recent studies indicate that a number of factors, including hormones, cytokines, ligands of nuclear receptor, vitamins and herbal extracts have significantly influence telomerase activity and, in some instances, the remodeling of telomeres. This review summarizes the advances in understanding of the positive and negative regulation by extracellular factors of telomerase activity in cancer, stem cells and other systems in mammals.

Induction of Apoptosis by (Z)-Stellettic Acid C, an Acetylenic Acid from the Sponge Stelletta sp., Is Associated with Inhibition of Telomerase Activity in Human Leukemic U937 Cells

BACKGROUND

(Z)-stellettic acid C, an acetylenic acid from the marine sponge Stelletta sp., has been shown to have cytotoxic activity in some cancer cells; however, its mechanisms on malignant cell growth are not known. In this study, the potential of (Z)-stellettic acid C to induce apoptosis in human leukemic U937 cells and its effects on telomerase activity were investigated.

METHODS

Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assays. Apoptosis was detected using DAPI staining and annexin V fluorescein. The mRNAs of Bcl-2, inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) family and Fas/FasL system were determined by RT-PCR. Caspases and telomerase activities were measured using colorimetric assay and telomeric repeat amplification protocol enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TRAP-ELISA), respectively.

RESULTS

Exposure of U937 cells to (Z)-stellettic acid C resulted in growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with the modulation of Bcl-2 family expression, activation of caspases and downregulation of IAPs family members. (Z)-Stellettic acid C treatment markedly inhibited the activity of telomerase in a dose-dependent fashion. Additionally, the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase, a main determinant of the telomerase enzymatic activity, was progressively downregulated by (Z)-stellettic acid C treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that (Z)-stellettic acid C could have a possible cancer therapeutic potential.