Ethanol differently affects stress protein and HERG K+ channel expression in SH-SY5Y cells

Ethanol Activation of PKA Mediates Single-Minded 2 Expression in Neuronal Cells

Prenatal ethanol exposure can cause extensive apoptotic neurodegeneration throughout the developing central nervous system (CNS), which results in cognitive deficits and memory decline. However, the underlying mechanisms need further study. Single-minded 2 (Sim2), a transcriptional repressor, is reportedly involved in diseases that impair learning and memory, such as Down syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer's disease. It is still unknown whether Sim2 is involved in regulating ethanol-mediated neuronal injury that might ultimately lead to neuronal dysfunction and subsequent learning and memory deficits. To study the effects of ethanol on Sim2 expression and neuronal injury, we used animal models and cell culture experiments. Our results indicated that in SH-SY5Y cells, ethanol exposure increased Sim2 expression and levels of cleaved caspase 3, which is a marker for cells undergoing apoptosis. Silencing Sim2 expression attenuated caspase 3 activation and cellular apoptosis. We also found that protein kinase A (PKA) activation induced Sim2 expression, as did ethanol. Inhibiting the PKA signaling pathway with H-89 decreased Sim2 expression and cleavage of caspase 3 that was induced by ethanol in vivo and in vitro. We further found that PKA regulated Sim2 expression at the transcriptional level. These results demonstrate that ethanol leads to increased Sim2 expression via the PKA pathway, ultimately resulting in apoptotic cell death.

Melatonin inhibits insulin secretion in rat insulinoma β-cells (INS-1) heterologously expressing the human melatonin receptor isoform MT2

Melatonin exerts some of its effects via G-protein-coupled membrane receptors. Two membrane receptor isoforms, MT1 and MT2, have been described. The MT1 receptor is known to inhibit second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling through receptor-coupling to inhibitory G-proteins (G(i) ). Much less is known about the MT2 receptor, but it has also been implicated in signaling via G(i) -proteins. In rat pancreatic β-cells, it has recently been reported that the MT2 receptor plays an inhibitory role in the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway. This study addresses the signaling features of the constitutively expressed human recombinant MT2 receptor (hMT2) and its impact on insulin secretion, using a rat insulinoma β-cell line (INS-1). On the basis of a specific radioimmunoassay, insulin secretion was found to be more strongly reduced in the clones expressing hMT2 than in INS-1 controls, when incubated with 1 or 100 nm melatonin. Similarly, cAMP and cGMP levels, measured by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), were reduced to a greater extent in hMT2 clones after melatonin treatment. In hMT2-expressing cells, the inhibitory effect of melatonin on insulin secretion was blocked by pretreatment with pertussis toxin, demonstrating the coupling of the hMT2 to G(i) -proteins. These results indicate that functional hMT2 expression leads to the inhibition of cyclic nucleotide signaling and a reduction in insulin release. Because genetic variants of the hMT2 receptor are considered to be risk factors in the development of type 2 diabetes, our results are potentially significant in explaining and preventing the pathogenesis of this disease.

Prognostic significance of hERG1 expression in gastric cancer

Previous studies have demonstrated that human ether-à-go-go-related potassium channel (hERG1) is highly expressed in many tumor cell lines, as well as in primary human cancers, and, hence, have a critical role in cell cycle progress and proliferation. In this study, hERG1 expression was investigated in gastric cancer by immunohistochemistry and/or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). It was discovered that hERG1, which was negatively expressed in surrounding non-tumor tissues, switched to aberrantly positive expression in gastric cancer. Statistically, there were significant differences in hERG1 protein expression according to factors such as serosal invasion, venous invasion, lymph node metastases, other organ metastases, and stage. The mean survival time for the hERG1-positive expression group was significantly shorter than the negative group, the survival rates for the positive group were significantly lower than the negative group, and hERG1 expression was found to be an independent prognostic factor. In summary, hERG1 channel was proved to be a potential biomarker for gastric cancer invasion and survival.

Long-term ethanol exposure impairs neuronal differentiation of human neuroblastoma cells involving neurotrophin-mediated intracellular signaling and in particular protein kinase C

BACKGROUND

Revealing the molecular changes in chronic ethanol-impaired neuronal differentiation may be of great importance for understanding ethanol-related pathology in embryonic development but also in the adult brain. In this study, both acute and long-term effects of ethanol on neuronal differentiation of human neuroblastoma cells were investigated. We focused on several aspects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling because BDNF activates the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade, promoting neuronal differentiation including neurite outgrowth.

METHODS

The effects of ethanol exposure on morphological differentiation, cellular density, neuronal marker proteins, basal ERK activity, and ERK responsiveness to BDNF were measured over 2 to 4 weeks. qRT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to investigate the expression of neurotrophin receptor tyrosin kinase B (TrkB), members of the ERK-cascade, protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms and Raf-Kinase-Inhibitor-Protein (RKIP).

RESULTS

Chronic ethanol interfered with the development of a neuronal network consisting of cell clusters and neuritic bundles. Furthermore, neuronal and synaptic markers were reduced, indicating impaired neuronal differentiation. BDNF-mediated activation of the ERK cascade was found to be continuously impaired by ethanol. This could not be explained by expressional changes monitored for TrkB, Raf-1, MEK, and ERK. However, BDNF also activates PKC signaling which involves RKIP, which finally leads to ERK activation as well. Therefore, we hypothesized that ethanol impairs this branch of BDNF signaling. Indeed, both PKC and RKIP were significantly down-regulated.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic ethanol exposure impaired neuronal differentiation of neuroblastoma cells and BDNF signaling, particularly the PKC-dependent branch. RKIP, acting as a signaling switch at the merge of the PKC cascade and the Raf/MEK/ERK cascade, was associated with neuronal differentiation and significantly reduced in ethanol treatment. Moreover, PKC expression itself was even more strongly reduced. In contrast, members of the Raf-1/MEK/ERK cascade were less affected and the observed changes were not associated with impaired differentiation. Thus, reduced RKIP and PKC levels and subsequently reduced positive feedback on ERK activation provide an explanation for the striking effects of long-term ethanol exposure on BDNF signal transduction and neuronal differentiation, respectively.

The role of acetaldehyde in mediating effects of alcohol on expression of endogenous opioid system genes in a neuroblastoma cell line

Ethanol (EtOH) alters neural activity through interaction with various neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. The endogenous opioid system seems to play a key role in the activities of EtOH, since the opioid antagonist naltrexone (ReVia) attenuates craving. We have investigated the transcriptional regulation of opioid system genes in response to EtOH exposure for up to 96 h in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. We observed a significant decrease in the expression of opioid peptide precursors (proopiomelanocortin, proenkephalin, and prodynorphin) and of the kappa opioid receptor after 48 and 72 h of EtOH exposure (10 and 40 mM). These alterations were not present when the EtOH metabolism was blocked by 4-methylpyrazole. To evaluate whether the effects evoked by EtOH were possibly due to the first product of EtOH metabolism, cells were exposed to 0.4 mM acetaldehyde. We observed the same pattern of changes for prodynorphin, proenkephalin, and the kappa opioid receptor as after 72 h exposure to EtOH. These results contribute to our understanding of EtOH action at a cellular level and provide evidence of the role of acetaldehyde in mediating some of the EtOH-induced effects.

Chronic inhibition of cardiac Kir2.1 and HERG potassium channels by celastrol with dual effects on both ion conductivity and protein trafficking

A high percentage of drugs and drug candidates has been found to cause cardiotoxicity by reducing potassium conductance, more commonly known as QT prolongation. However, some compounds do not show direct block of ionic flow, suggesting that other mechanisms may also lead to reduction of potassium currents. Using the functional recovery after chemobleaching (FRAC) assay, we have examined a collection of drugs and drug-like compounds for potential perturbation of cardiac potassium channel trafficking. Here we report that a significant number of inhibitory compounds displayed effects on channel expression on the cell surface. Further investigation of celastrol (3-hydroxy-24-nor-2-oxo-1 (10),3,5,7-friedelatetraen-29-oic acid), a cell-permeable dienonephenolic triterpene compound, revealed its potent inhibitory activity on both Kir2.1 and hERG potassium channels, causal to QT prolongation. In addition to acute block of ion conduction, celastrol also alters the rate of ion channel transport and causes a reduction of channel density on the cell surface. In contrast, celastrol has no effects on trafficking of either CD4 or CD8 membrane proteins. Furthermore, the potency for reducing surface expression is approximately 5-10-fold more effective than that for either direct acute inhibition or reported cytoprotectivity via activation of the heat shock transcription factor 1. Because the reduction of potassium channel activity is a common form of druginduced cardiotoxicity, the potent inhibition of cell surface expression by celastrol underscores a need to evaluate drug candidates for their chronic effects on biogenesis of potassium channels. Our results suggest that chronic exposure to certain drugs may be an important aspect of acquired QT prolongation.

Indication of circadian oscillations in the rat pancreas

The central circadian oscillator of the suprachiasmatic nucleus controls diurnal rhythmicity of the body with light as its dominant zeitgeber. Recently, peripheral oscillators have been detected in liver and heart, which follow as yet unidentified cues. In this study real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used in analysis of the expression of the major clock genes Per1, Per2, Bmal1, Cry1, Tim (timeless) and Clock, as well as of the output genes Dbp and Rev-erbalpha in the pancreatic tissue of rats. The results presented here indicate a robust circadian expression of clock genes (e.g. Per1 and Bmal1) and the probable existence of a peripheral oscillator in the pancreas. Whether this oscillator regulates the diverse functions of the islets of Langerhans remains to be elucidated.