GRP-receptor-mediated signal transduction, gene expression and DNA synthesis in the human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line HPAF

γ-Aminobutyric Acid and Derivatives Reduce the Incidence of Acute Pain after Herpes Zoster - A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Herpes zoster (HZ) causes considerable pain and distress, and γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and its derivatives are assumed to control this, but the available data are inconsistent. This meta-analysis and systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of GABA derivatives in the prevention of acute herpetic pain. The metaanalysis was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines using PICO format, registered in PROSPERO number CRD42018095758. PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, Scopus, and EMBASE databases were searched. Records were included if they were randomized controlled trials of patients undergoing HZ infection, investigating the effect of GABA derivatives versus placebo in the treatment of HZ pain. Eligible trials were evaluated for the risk of bias. Then data were extracted and analysed. The number of patients with observed presence of pain after treatment was used to calculate odds ratio in a random effect model with the DerSimonian-Laird estimator. The I2 statistic was analysed for heterogeneity. The potential risk of bias was measured using Egger's regression test. The meta-analysis included three randomized controlled trials with a total of 297 patients. The incidence of acute HZ pain events for GABA group was significantly lower compared to placebo group,18/148 vs 44/149, respectively (OR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.14 to 0.93; Z = 2.11; P = 0.035), Egger's test yielded P = 0.308. In conclusion, the present meta-analysis demonstrates that GABA derivatives reduce the incidence of acute herpetic pain. However, additional, well-designed randomized clinical trials are needed to determine their dose- and time-dependency regarding this symptom.

Defense Mechanisms Against Acid Exposure by Dental Enamel Formation, Saliva and Pancreatic Juice Production

The pancreas, the salivary glands and the dental enamel producing ameloblasts have marked developmental, structural and functional similarities. One of the most striking similarities is their bicarbonate-rich secretory product, serving acid neutralization. An important difference between them is that while pancreatic juice and saliva are delivered into a lumen where they can be collected and analyzed, ameloblasts produce locally precipitating hydroxyapatite which cannot be easily studied. Interestingly, the ion and protein secretion by the pancreas, the salivary glands, and maturation ameloblasts are all two-step processes, of course with significant differences too. As they all have to defend against acid exposure by producing extremely large quantities of bicarbonate, the failure of this function leads to deteriorating consequences. The aim of the present review is to describe and characterize the defense mechanisms of the pancreas, the salivary glands and enamel-producing ameloblasts against acid exposure and to compare their functional capabilities to do this by producing bicarbonate.

Distribution of the pig gastrin-releasing peptide receptor and the effect of GRP on porcine Leydig cells

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is a mammalian bombesin (BN)-like peptide which plays a role in a number of important physiological functions via its receptor (gastrin-releasing peptide receptor, GRPR) in most animals. However, little is known about the gene encoding GRPR and its functions (especially reproduction) in pigs. In this study, we first cloned and analyzed the pig GRPR cDNA. Then we systematically investigated the expression levels of GRPR mRNA by relative real-time PCR (RT-PCR), and analyzed the distribution of the GRPR protein in pig tissues via immunohistochemistry (IHC). Finally, we studied the effect of GRP on testosterone secretion and GRPR (mRNA and protein) expression in Leydig cells. Results showed that the pig GRPR cDNA cloned at 1487bp, including one open reading frame (ORF) of 1155bp and encodes 384 amino acids. Significantly, compared with other species, the cDNA sequence and amino acid sequence of the pig GRPR were highly homologous and conservative. The RT-PCR results showed that: in the central nervous system (CNS) and the pituitary, GRPR mRNA was found in the cerebellum, hypophysis, spinal cord and hypothalamus; in the peripheral tissues, GRPR mRNA was mainly expressed in the pancreas, esophagus, ovary, testis, spleen, thymus, jejunum lymph node, muscle and fat. Moreover, the IHC results showed that GRPR immunoreactivity was widely distributed in the pig tissues and organs, such as the pancreas, esophagus, testis, ovary, spleen, pituitary gland and adrenal gland. In addition, we found that GRP promotes testosterone secretion, and increases GRPR mRNA and protein expression in cultured Leydig cells in vitro. These molecular and morphological data not only describe the anatomical locations of GRPR in pigs, but also provide the theoretical foundation for further research into its possible physiological functions in pigs. These results suggest that the GRP/GRPR system may play an important role in regulating the reproductive system of the boar.

Importance of bicarbonate transport in pH control during amelogenesis - need for functional studies

Dental enamel, the hardest mammalian tissue, is produced by ameloblasts. Ameloblasts show many similarities to other transporting epithelia although their secretory product, the enamel matrix, is quite different. Ameloblasts direct the formation of hydroxyapatite crystals, which liberate large quantities of protons that then need to be buffered to allow mineralization to proceed. Buffering requires a tight pH regulation and secretion of bicarbonate by ameloblasts. Many investigations have used immunohistochemical and knockout studies to determine the effects of these genes on enamel formation, but up till recently very little functional data were available for mineral ion transport. To address this, we developed a novel 2D in vitro model using HAT-7 ameloblast cells. HAT-7 cells can be polarized and develop functional tight junctions. Furthermore, they are able to accumulate bicarbonate ions from the basolateral to the apical fluid spaces. We propose that in the future, the HAT-7 2D system along with similar cellular models will be useful to functionally model ion transport processes during amelogenesis. Additionally, we also suggest that similar approaches will allow a better understanding of the regulation of the cycling process in maturation-stage ameloblasts, and the pH sensory mechanisms, which are required to develop sound, healthy enamel.

Neuromedin B and its receptor silencing suppresses osteoclast generation by modulating precursor proliferation via M-CSF/c-Fms/D-type cyclins

Neuromedin B (NMB), a mammalian bombesin-like peptide, regulates diverse physiological processes, such as energy metabolism, memory and fear behavior, and cellular growth, through its cognate receptor, NMBR. In this study, we report that NMB expression was upregulated during osteoclast development and that silencing NMB or NMBR attenuated osteoclast generation mediated by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL). We found that knockdown of NMB or NMBR using a small hairpin RNA suppressed M-CSF-induced proliferation of osteoclast precursor cells without altering osteoclast differentiation. Interestingly, NMB or NMBR knockdown reduced the expression of the M-CSF receptor, c-Fms, which is an important modulator of osteoclast development. Consequently, NMB or NMBR silencing inhibited M-CSF/c-Fms-mediated downstream signaling pathways like activation of ERK and Akt and induction of D-type cyclins, cyclin D1 and D2. Moreover, knockdown of NMB or NMBR accelerated apoptosis in osteoclast lineage cells by inducing caspase-3, caspase-9, and Bim expression. In summary, our study demonstrates that the NMB/NMBR axis plays a pivotal role in osteoclast generation by modulating the proliferation and survival of osteoclast lineage cells.

Insights into bombesin receptors and ligands: Highlighting recent advances

This following article is written for Prof. Abba Kastin's Festschrift, to add to the tribute to his important role in the advancement of the role of peptides in physiological, as well as pathophysiological processes. There have been many advances during the 35 years of his prominent role in the Peptide field, not only as editor of the journal Peptides, but also as a scientific investigator and editor of two volumes of the Handbook of Biological Active Peptides [146,147]. Similar to the advances with many different peptides, during this 35 year period, there have been much progress made in the understanding of the pharmacology, cell biology and the role of (bombesin) Bn receptors and their ligands in various disease states, since the original isolation of bombesin from skin of the European frog Bombina bombina in 1970 [76]. This paper will briefly review some of these advances over the time period of Prof. Kastin 35 years in the peptide field concentrating on the advances since 2007 when many of the results from earlier studies were summarized [128,129]. It is appropriate to do this because there have been 280 articles published in Peptides during this time on bombesin-related peptides and it accounts for almost 5% of all publications. Furthermore, 22 Bn publications we have been involved in have been published in either Peptides [14,39,55,58,81,92,93,119,152,216,225,226,231,280,302,309,355,361,362] or in Prof. Kastin's Handbook of Biological Active Peptides [137,138,331].

Evaluation of (99m)Tc-HYNIC-βAla-Bombesin(7-14) as an agent for pancreas tumor detection in mice

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is important in oncology because of its high mortality rate. Deaths may be avoided if an early diagnosis could be achieved. Several types of tumors overexpress gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPr), including pancreatic cancer cells. Thus, a radiolabeled peptide derivative of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) may be useful as a specific imaging probe. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of using^99mTc-HYNIC-βAla-Bombesin_(7-14)as an imaging probe for Capan-1 pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Xenographic pancreatic tumor was developed in nude mice and characterized by histopathological analysis. Biodistribution studies and scintigraphic images were carried out in tumor-bearing nude mice. The two methods showed higher uptake by pancreatic tumor when compared to muscle (used as control), and the tumor-to-muscle ratio indicated that^99mTc-HYNIC-βAla-Bombesin_(7-14)uptake was four-fold higher in tumor cells than in other tissues. Scintigraphic images also showed a clear signal at the tumor site. The present data indicate that^99mTc-HYNIC-βAla-Bombesin_(7-14)may be useful for the detection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

RC-3095, a gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonist, synergizes with gemcitabine to inhibit the growth of human pancreatic cancer CFPAC-1 in vitro and in vivo

OBJECTIVES

Pancreatic cancer remains a lethal disease. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a combination of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonist RC-3095 and gemcitabine on pancreatic cancer CFPAC-1.

METHODS

The antiproliferation effects of RC-3095, gemcitabine, or the combination on pancreatic cancer were monitored in vitro. Nude mice bearing xenografts of CFPAC-1 cell received injections of the vehicle (control), RC-3095 (20 μg, subcutaneously, daily), gemcitabine (15 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, every 3 days), or the combination of RC-3095 and gemcitabine for 4 weeks. The histological changes and protein expression were tested using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.

RESULTS

Treatment with the combination in culture exhibited a powerful inhibition effect on CFPAC-1 cell proliferation. In xenograft mice model, RC-3095 or gemcitabine significantly reduced the volume and weight of tumors after 4 weeks of treatment, as compared with controls. The combination more potently inhibited the tumor growth than either agent used individually. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting showed gastrin-releasing peptide receptor/bombesin receptor subtype-3 positive cells and protein expression in tumors decreased by treatment with RC-3095 or gemcitabine alone or greater in combination.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggested that the combination could be considered for the possible new approaches for treatment of pancreatic cancers.

Autocrine effects of neuromedin B stimulate the proliferation of rat primary osteoblasts

Neuromedin B (NMB) is a mammalian bombesin-like peptide that regulates exocrine/endocrine secretion, smooth muscle contraction, body temperature, and the proliferation of some cell types. Here, we show that mRNA encoding Nmb and its receptor (Nmbr) are expressed in rat bone tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that NMB and NMBR colocalize in osteoblasts, epiphyseal chondrocytes, and proliferative chondrocytes of growth plates from mouse hind limbs. Then, we investigated the effect of NMB on the proliferation of rat primary cultured osteoblasts. Proliferation assays and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assays demonstrated that NMB augments the cell number and enhances DNA synthesis in osteoblasts. Pretreatment with the NMBR antagonist BIM23127 inhibited NMB-induced cell proliferation and DNA synthesis. Western blot analysis showed that NMB activates ERK1/2 MAPK signaling in osteoblasts. Pretreatment with the MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitor U0126 attenuated NMB-induced cell proliferation and DNA synthesis. We also investigated the effects of molecules that contribute to osteoblast proliferation and differentiation on Nmb expression in osteoblasts. Real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that 17β-estradiol (E2) and transforming growth factor β1 increase and decrease Nmb mRNA expression levels respectively. Finally, proliferation assays revealed that the NMBR antagonist BIM23127 suppresses E2-induced osteoblast proliferation. These results suggest that NMB/NMBR signaling plays an autocrine or paracrine role in osteoblast proliferation and contributes to the regulation of bone formation.

Neuromedin B stimulates proliferation of mouse chondrogenic cell line ATDC5

Neuromedin B (NMB), which was originally isolated from porcine spinal cord, is a mammalian bombesin-related peptide that exerts various physiological effects. Previously, we observed expression of NMB in rib cartilage from chicken. Here, we report the initial attempt to elucidate the role of NMB in cartilage. We used RT-PCR to measure the expression of NMB and its receptor (NMB-R) in mouse chondrogenic cell line ATDC5. During chondrogenic differentiation of ATDC5 cells, NMB mRNA transiently increased on day 4 and then decreased on day 14, whereas NMB-R mRNA decreased on days 7 and 14. We also characterized immunoreactive NMB in ATDC5 culture medium using a combination of specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) and reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Furthermore, using the WST-8 assay, we demonstrated that NMB significantly induced ATDC5 proliferation; this was inhibited by NMB-R antagonist, BIM 23127. These results implicate that NMB is involved in cartilage development, either in an autocrine or paracrine manner.

Epigenetic transgenerational actions of vinclozolin on promoter regions of the sperm epigenome

Previous observations have demonstrated that embryonic exposure to the endocrine disruptor vinclozolin during gonadal sex determination promotes transgenerational adult onset disease such as male infertility, kidney disease, prostate disease, immune abnormalities and tumor development. The current study investigates genome-wide promoter DNA methylation alterations in the sperm of F3 generation rats whose F0 generation mother was exposed to vinclozolin. A methylated DNA immunoprecipitation with methyl-cytosine antibody followed by a promoter tilling microarray (MeDIP-Chip) procedure was used to identify 52 different regions with statistically significant altered methylation in the sperm promoter epigenome. Mass spectrometry bisulfite analysis was used to map the CpG DNA methylation and 16 differential DNA methylation regions were confirmed, while the remainder could not be analyzed due to bisulfite technical limitations. Analysis of these validated regions identified a consensus DNA sequence (motif) that associated with 75% of the promoters. Interestingly, only 16.8% of a random set of 125 promoters contained this motif. One candidate promoter (Fam111a) was found to be due to a copy number variation (CNV) and not a methylation change, suggesting initial alterations in the germline epigenome may promote genetic abnormalities such as induced CNV in later generations. This study identifies differential DNA methylation sites in promoter regions three generations after the initial exposure and identifies common genome features present in these regions. In addition to primary epimutations, a potential indirect genetic abnormality was identified, and both are postulated to be involved in the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance observed. This study confirms that an environmental agent has the ability to induce epigenetic transgenerational changes in the sperm epigenome.

Bicarbonate transport by the human pancreatic ductal cell line HPAF

OBJECTIVES

The human pancreatic duct cell line, HPAF, has been shown previously to secrete Cl(-) in response to Ca(2+)-mobilizing stimuli. Our aim was to assess the capacity of HPAF cells to transport and secrete HCO3(-).

METHODS

HPAF cells were grown as confluent monolayers on permeable supports. Short-circuit current was measured by voltage clamp. Intracellular pH (pHi) was measured by microfluorometry in cells loaded with 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF).

RESULTS

In HCO3(-)-free solutions, ATP-evoked changes in short-circuit current were inhibited by bumetanide, and the recovery of pHi from acid loading was abolished by 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride (EIPA). In the presence of HCO3(-), ATP-evoked secretion was no longer inhibited by bumetanide, and there was a strong EIPA-insensitive recovery from acid loading, which was inhibited by 4,4'-diisothiocyanatodihydrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (H2DIDS). ATP, but not forskolin, stimulated HCO3(-) efflux from the cells.

CONCLUSIONS

In the absence of HCO3(-), ATP-evoked Cl(-) secretion is driven by a basolateral Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter, and pH(i) is regulated by apical and basolateral Na(+)/H(+) exchangers. In the presence of HCO3(-), ATP-evoked secretion is sustained in the absence of Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter activity and is probably driven by basolateral Na(+)-HCO3(-) cotransport.

Gastrin-releasing peptide activates Akt through the epidermal growth factor receptor pathway and abrogates the effect of gefitinib

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is a mitogen for lung epithelial cells and initiates signaling through a G-protein-coupled receptor, gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR). Because GRPR transactivates the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), we investigated induction by GRP of Akt, an EGFR-activated signaling pathway, and examined effects of GRP on viability of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells exposed to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib. GRP induced Akt activation primarily through c-Src-mediated transactivation of EGFR. Transfection of dominant-negative c-Src abolished GRP-induced EGFR and Akt activation. GRP induced release of amphiregulin, and pre-incubation with human amphiregulin neutralizing antibody eliminated GRP-induced Akt phosphorylation. Pretreatment with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 completely blocked GRP-initiated Akt phosphorylation. These results suggest that GRP stimulates Akt activation primarily via c-Src activation, followed by extracellular release of the EGFR ligand amphiregulin, leading to the activation of EGFR and PI3K. Pretreatment of NSCLC cells with GRP resulted in an increase in the IC(50) of gefitinib of up to 9-fold; this protective effect was mimicked by the pretreatment of cells with amphiregulin and reversed by Akt or PI3K inhibition. GRP appears to rescue NSCLC cells exposed to gefitinib through release of amphiregulin and activation of the Akt pathway, suggesting GRPR and/or EGFR autocrine pathways in NSCLC cells may modulate therapeutic response to EGFR inhibitors.

Identification of transcriptional targets during pancreatic growth after partial pancreatectomy and exendin-4 treatment

After partial pancreatectomy (Ppx), substantial regeneration of the endocrine and exocrine pancreatic compartments has been shown in adult rodents. Exendin-4 (Ex-4) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist that augments endocrine β-cell mass by stimulating neogenesis, proliferation, and cell survival. After Ppx, treatment with Ex-4 ameliorates hyperglycemia by stimulating β-cell mass recovery. We utilized a cDNA microarray approach to identify genes differentially regulated during pancreatic regeneration after Ppx and/or Ex-4 administration. The pancreatic remnant after Ppx showed a large number of differentially regulated genes. In contrast, Ex-4 treatment resulted in a smaller number of differentially regulated genes. Of note, a common subset of genes regulated by Ex-4 and after Ppx was identified, including three members of the mitogenic Reg gene family, Reg2, -3γ, and -3β, as well as fragilis, a gene that maintains pluripotency during germ cell specification, and Serpin b1a, a member of an intracellular protease inhibitor family involved in cell survival. These observations were confirmed by real-time PCR. We determined that Reg3β protein is also induced in the acinar pancreas after Ppx, suggesting a novel role for this factor in pancreatic growth or response to injury. Finally, comparison of transcription factor-binding sites present in the proximal promoters of these genes identified potential common transcription factors that may regulate these genes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses confirmed Reg3γ as a novel transcriptional target of Foxa2 (HNF3β). Our data suggest molecular pathways that may regulate pancreatic growth and offer a unique set of candidate genes to target in the development of therapies aimed at improving pancreatic growth and function.

Gastrin-releasing peptide and cancer

Over the past 20 years, abundant evidence has been collected to suggest that gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and its receptors play an important role in the development of a variety of cancers. In fact, the detection of GRP and the GRP receptor in small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), and the demonstration that anti-GRP antibodies inhibited proliferation in SCLC cell lines, established GRP as the prototypical autocrine growth factor. All forms of GRP are generated by processing of a 125-amino acid prohormone; recent studies indicate that C-terminal amidation of GRP18-27 is not essential for bioactivity, and that peptides derived from residues 31 to 125 of the prohormone are present in normal tissue and in tumors. GRP receptors can be divided into four classes, all of which belong to the 7 transmembrane domain family and bind GRP and/or GRP analogues with affinities in the nM range. Over-expression of GRP and its receptors has been demonstrated at both the mRNA and protein level in many types of tumors including lung, prostate, breast, stomach, pancreas and colon. GRP has also been shown to act as a potent mitogen for cancer cells of diverse origin both in vitro and in animal models of carcinogenesis. Other actions of GRP relevant to carcinogenesis include effects on morphogenesis, angiogenesis, cell migration and cell adhesion. Future prospects for the use of radiolabelled and cytotoxic GRP analogues and antagonists for cancer diagnosis and therapy appear promising.

Bombesin analogs containing α-amino-isobutyric acid with potent anticancer activity

Six octapeptide bombesin (BN) analogs were synthesized by substituting alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), in place of Ala9 or Gly11, or both, in the [D-Phe6, desMet14]-BN (6-14) sequence: D-Phe6-Gln7-Trp8-Ala9-Val10-Gly11-His12-Leu13-NH2 (P0). Additionally, Leu13 was replaced with isoleucine in two analogs and one of the analogs was butanoylated at the N-terminus. The antiproliferative activity of the analogs was tested in vitro on human pancreatic (MiaPaCa-2) and colon cancer (SW620, HT29 and PTC) cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The analogs demonstrated anticancer activity in the above cell lines at concentrations ranging from 0.01 nM to 1 microM. One of the analogs, P6, was evaluated for in vivo tumor regression in a xenograft model of human primary colon cancer in athymic nude mice and was found to cause significant reduction in tumor volume. NMR and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies for this analog revealed the presence of a mixed 3(10)/alpha-helical structure. This study demonstrates that the designed BN analogs retain their anticancer activity after the incorporation of the constrained amino acid, Aib, and are potential molecules for future use in cancer therapy and drug targeting.

Targeting gastrin-releasing peptide receptors for cancer treatment

Growth factor receptors play critical roles in cancer cell proliferation and progression. A number of such receptors have been targeted for cancer treatment by either a monoclonal antibody or a specifically designed small molecule to inhibit the receptor function. Bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (BN/GRP-Rs) are expressed in a variety of cancer cells and have limited distribution in normal human tissue. Inhibition of BN/GRP-Rs has been shown to block small cell lung cancer growth in vitro. Early phase clinical trials targeting human GRP-R showed anti-cancer activity. This review will focus on the study of the distribution of BN/GRP-Rs in normal and malignant tissues, and various approaches to targeting BN-GRP-Rs for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Neuromedin B and its receptor are mitogens in both normal and malignant epithelial cells lining the colon

Bombesin-like peptides are uniformly thought to act as mitogens in cancer. Yet by studying human tissues, we have recently shown that bombesin and its mammalian homologue gastrin-releasing peptide act as morphogens, promoting tumor differentiation when aberrantly upregulated in colon cancer. In contrast, little is known about the bombesin-like peptide neuromedin B (NMB) and its receptor (NMB-R) in the human gastrointestinal tract. We therefore studied their presence and function in normal and malignant human colonic epithelia. Anti-NMB monoclonal antibodies were made against keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-conjugated human NMB, whereas anti-NMB-R antibodies were raised in rabbits against KLH-conjugated peptides corresponding to the third intracellular loop and COOH-terminal tail of the receptor protein. NMB antibody recognized two bands at approximately 1.2 kDa and approximately 1.5 kDa. NMB-R antibodies recognized a band at 80 kDa (predicted 43 kDa); whereas treatment with the deglycosylating agent peptide-N-glycosidase generated bands at 65, 47, and 43 kDa. By immunohistochemistry, both NMB and NMB-R were expressed in normal and cancerous colonic epithelial tissues. In cancer, the amount of NMB was similar to that expressed by proliferating epithelial cells located within the crypt. In contrast, NMB-R expression was increased in cancer, with higher levels detected in better differentiated tumor cells. To assess NMB function, proliferation was determined in the nonmalignant human colonic epithelial cell line NCM-460 and in the colon cancer cell lines Caco-2 and HT-29. Exogenously added NMB was 50-100% more efficacious than gastrin-releasing peptide in causing tumor cell proliferation, whereas only NMB increased NCM-460 cell proliferation. These findings indicate that NMB and its receptor are coexpressed by proliferating cells in which they act in an autocrine fashion with similar and modest potency in both normal and malignant colonic epithelial cells.

Effects of peptides, with emphasis on feeding, pain, and behavior A 5-year (1999-2003) review of publications in Peptides

Novel effects of naturally occurring peptides are continuing to be discovered, and their mechanisms of actions as well as interactions with other substances, organs, and systems have been elucidated. Synthetic analogs may have actions similar or antagonistic to the endogenous peptides, and both the native peptides and analogs have potential as drugs or drug targets. The journal Peptides publishes many leading articles on the structure-activity relationship of peptides as well as outstanding reviews on some families of peptides. Complementary to the reviews, here we extract information from the original papers published during the past five years in Peptides (1999-2003) to summarize the effects of different classes of peptides, their modulation by other chemicals and various pathophysiological states, and the mechanisms by which the effects are exerted. Special attention is given to peptides related to feeding, pain, and other behaviors. By presenting in condensed form the effects of peptides which are essential for systems biology, we hope that this summary of existing knowledge will encourage additional novel research to be presented in Peptides.

Novel perspective: focusing on the X chromosome in reproductive cancers

In an XX female, one of the two X chromosomes has been inactivated during early embryonic life to achieve a compensation of X-linked gene products between males and females, leaving only one allele of X-linked genes functional. There are some X-linked genes escaping the X-inactivation, i.e., being expressed from both alleles. Escape from X-inactivation varies at different levels; some genes have both alleles active in some women but only one allele active in others, whereas some other genes have both alleles active in neoplastic tissue but only one allele active normally. The X-inactivation may be considered functionally equivalent to a loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for some genes, whereas escape from X-inactivation may be equivalent to functional gene amplification for others. The physiological LOH may make X-linked tumor suppressor genes lose their function more easily, compared with autosomal tumor suppressor genes, thus predisposing women to cancer formation more easily. Moreover, the human X chromosome contains many genes related to cancer or to sex and reproduction. All these properties of the X chromosome suggest that it may play more important roles than any autosomal chromosome in the development and progression of reproductive and urologic cancers.

Role of gastrointestinal hormones in the proliferation of normal and neoplastic tissues

Gastrointestinal (GI) hormones are chemical messengers that regulate the physiological functions of the intestine and pancreas, including secretion, motility, absorption, and digestion. In addition to these well-defined physiological effects, GI hormones can stimulate proliferation of the nonneoplastic intestinal mucosa and pancreas. Furthermore, in an analogous fashion to breast and prostate cancer, certain GI cancers possess receptors for GI hormones; growth can be altered by administration of these hormones or by blocking their respective receptors. The GI hormones that affect proliferation, either stimulatory or inhibitory, include gastrin, cholecystokinin, gastrin-releasing peptide, neurotensin, peptide YY, glucagon-like peptide-2, and somatostatin. The effects of these peptides on normal and neoplastic GI tissues will be described. Also, future perspectives and potential therapeutic implications will be discussed.

Bombesin-like peptides and mast cell responses: relevance to bronchopulmonary dysplasia?

Bombesin-like peptides (BLPs) are elevated in newborns who later develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). In baboon models, anti-BLP blocking antibodies abrogate BPD. We now demonstrate hyperplasia of both neuroendocrine cells and mast cells in lungs of baboons with BPD, compared with non-BPD controls or BLP antibody-treated BPD baboons. To determine whether BLPs are proinflammatory, bombesin was administered intratracheally to mice. Forty-eight hours later, we observed increased numbers of lung mast cells. We analyzed murine mast cells for BLP receptor gene expression, and identified mRNAs encoding bombesin receptor subtype 3 and neuromedin-B receptor (NMB-R), but not gastrin-releasing peptide receptor. Only NMB-R-null mice accumulated fewer lung mast cells after bombesin treatment. Bombesin, gastrin-releasing peptide, NMB, and a bombesin receptor subtype 3-specific ligand induced mast cell proliferation and chemotaxis in vitro. These observations support a role for multiple BLPs in promoting mast cell responses, suggesting a mechanistic link between BLPs and chronic inflammatory lung diseases.

GRP receptor-mediated immediate early gene expression and transcription factor Elk-1 activation in prostate cancer cells

Bombesin (BN) and its mammalian homologue gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) have been shown to play an important role in human cancer as autocrine and paracrine growth factors. Prostatic neuroendocrine cells are thought to secrete these regulatory peptides and they may therefore interact with their specific, aberrantly expressed GRP receptor (GRP-R) in prostate cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of BN on immediate early gene expression in two androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines DU-145 and PC-3 with functional GRP receptor. We found that BN induced c-fos mRNA expression in both cell lines in a time-dependent manner. In contrast, c-jun mRNA was only modestly induced in DU-145 cells but not at all in PC-3 cells. On the protein level, we detected BN-induced stimulation of the c-fos gene product but not of c-jun protein. Sustained increase of the c-myc gene product was detectable in PC-3 but not in DU-145 cells. Concurrently, we demonstrated BN-dependent activation of the transcription factor Elk-1 and significant increase of cell proliferation in both prostate cancer cell lines. Taken together, these data suggest that BN acts as a mitogen in prostate cancer and this might be associated with the activation of the transcription factor Elk-1 and the immediate early gene c-fos.