c-Fos degradation by the proteasome. An early, Bcl-2-regulated step in apoptosis

The fine-tuning of proteolytic pathways in Alzheimer's disease

Several integrated proteolytic systems contribute to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis through the continuous removal of misfolded, aggregated or oxidized proteins and damaged organelles. Among these systems, the proteasome and autophagy play the major role in protein quality control, which is a fundamental issue in non-proliferative cells such as neurons. Disturbances in the functionality of these two pathways are frequently observed in neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's disease, and reflect the accumulation of protease-resistant, deleterious protein aggregates. In this review, we explored the sophisticated crosstalk between the ubiquitin-proteasome system and autophagy in the removal of the harmful structures that characterize Alzheimer's disease neurons. We also dissected the role of the numerous shuttle factors and chaperones that, directly or indirectly interacting with ubiquitin and LC3, are used for cargo selection and delivery to one pathway or the other.

Activation of AHR mediates the ubiquitination and proteasome degradation of c-Fos through the induction of Ubcm4 gene expression

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a specific, non-lysosomal pathway responsible for the controlled degradation of abnormal and short-half-life proteins. Despite its relevance in cell homeostasis, information regarding control of the UPS component gene expression is lacking. Data from a recent study suggest that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-dependent transcription factor, might control the expression of several genes encoding for UPS proteins. Here, we showed that activation of AHR by TCDD and β-naphthoflavone (β-NF) results in Ubcm4 gene induction accompanied by an increase in protein levels. UbcM4 is an ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme or E2 protein that in association with ubiquitin ligase enzymes or E3 ligases promotes the ubiquitination and 26S proteasome-mediated degradation of different proteins, including p53, c-Myc, and c-Fos. We also present data demonstrating increased c-Fos ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation through the AHR-mediated induction of UbcM4 expression. The present study shows that AHR modulates the degradation of proteins involved in cell cycle control, consistent with previous reports demonstrating an essential role of the AHR in cell cycle regulation.

Distinct regulatory mechanisms of eukaryotic transcriptional activation by SAGA and TFIID

A growing number of human diseases are linked to abnormal gene expression which is largely controlled at the level of transcriptional initiation. The gene-specific activator promotes the initiation of transcription through its interaction with one or more components of the transcriptional initiation machinery, hence leading to stimulated transcriptional initiation or activation. However, all activator proteins do not target the same component(s) of the transcriptional initiation machinery. Rather, they can have different target specificities, and thus, can lead to distinct mechanisms of transcriptional activation. Two such distinct mechanisms of transcriptional activation in yeast are mediated by the SAGA (Spt-Ada-Gcn5-Acetyltransferase) and TFIID (Transcription factor IID) complexes, and are termed as "SAGA-dependent" and "TFIID-dependent" transcriptional activation, respectively. SAGA is the target of the activator in case of SAGA-dependent transcriptional activation, while the targeting of TFIID by the activator leads to TFIID-dependent transcriptional activation. Both the SAGA and TFIID complexes are highly conserved from yeast to human, and play crucial roles in gene activation among eukaryotes. The regulatory mechanisms of eukaryotic transcriptional activation by SAGA and TFIID are discussed here. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled The 26S Proteasome: When degradation is just not enough!

The 19 s proteasome subcomplex establishes a specific protein interaction network at the promoter for stimulated transcriptional initiation in vivo

The 26 S proteasome complex that comprises the 20 S core and 19 S regulatory (with six ATPases) particles is engaged in an ATP-dependent degradation of a variety of key regulatory proteins and, thus, controls important cellular processes. Interestingly, several recent studies have implicated the 19 S regulatory particle in controlling eukaryotic transcriptional initiation or activation independently of the 20 S core particle. However, the mechanism of action of the 19 S proteasome subcomplex in regulation of eukaryotic transcriptional activation is not clearly understood in vivo. Here, using a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay in conjunction with mutational and transcriptional analyses in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we show that the 19 S proteasomal subcomplex establishes a specific protein interaction network at the upstream activating sequence of the promoter. Such an interaction network is essential for formation of the preinitiation complex at the core promoter to initiate transcription. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the formation of the transcription complex assembly at the promoter is dependent on 19 S ATPase activity. Intriguingly, 19 S ATPases appear to cross-talk for stimulation of the assembly of transcription factors at the promoter. Together, these results provide significant insights as to how the 19 S proteasome subcomplex regulates the formation of the active transcription complex assembly (and, hence, transcriptional initiation) at the promoter in vivo.

Glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis and cellular mechanisms of myopathy

Glucocorticoid-induced myopathy is a common side effect of chronic glucocorticoid therapy. Several mechanisms are currently being examined as ways in which glucocorticoid-induced myopathy occurs. These include apoptotic signaling through mitochondrial-mediated and Fas-mediated apoptosis, the role of the proteosome, the suppression of the IGF-1 signaling, and the role of ceramide in glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis and myopathy. It is difficult to differentiate which mechanism may be the initiating event responsible for the induction of apoptosis; however, all of the mechanisms play a vital role in glucocorticoid-induced myopathy.

Diverse regulatory mechanisms of eukaryotic transcriptional activation by the proteasome complex

The life of any protein within a cell begins with transcriptional activation, and ends with proteolytic degradation. Intriguingly, the 26S proteasome complex, a non-lysosomal protein degradation machine comprising the 20S proteolytic core and 19S regulatory particles, has been implicated in intimate regulation of eukaryotic transcriptional activation through diverse mechanisms in a proteolysis-dependent as well as independent manner. Here, we discuss the intricate mechanisms of such proteasomal regulation of eukaryotic gene activation via multiple pathways.

Regulation of differential pro- and anti-apoptotic signaling by glucocorticoids

More than a quarter of a century ago, the phenomenon of glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in the majority of hematological cells was first recognized. More recently, glucocorticoid-induced antiapoptotic signaling associated with apoptosis resistance has been identified in cells of epithelial origin, most of malignant solid tumors and some other tissues. Despite these huge amount of data demonstrating differential pro- and anti-apoptotic effects of glucocorticoids, the underlying mechanisms of cell type specific glucocorticoid signaling are just beginning to be described. This review summarizes our present understanding of cell type-specific pro- and anti-apoptotic signaling induced by glucocorticoids. In the first section we give a summary and update of known glucocorticoid-induced pathways mediating apoptosis in hematological cells. We shortly introduce mechanisms of glucocorticoid resistance of hematological cells. We highlight and discuss the emerging molecular evidence of a general induction of survival signaling in epithelial cells and carcinoma cells by glucocorticoids. We provide a model for glucocorticoid-induced resistance in cells growing in a tissue formation. Thus, attachment to the extracellular matrix and cell-cell contacts typical for e.g. epithelial and tumor cells may be crucially involved in switching the balance of several interacting pathways to survival upon treatment with glucocorticoids.

Reconstitution of expression of H-2K region-encoded murine MHC class I glycoproteins in MHC class I-deficient B16BL6 melanoma cells affects the expression and function of antigen-processing machinery

We have recently reported that reconstitution of expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I glycoproteins in MHC-deficient and highly metastatic B16BL6 melanoma cells attenuates their malignant capacities by modulation of compartmentalization and functions of cell membrane receptors for growth factors [Assa-Kunik E, et al. J Immunol 2003;171:2945-52]. Our present study provides evidence that re-expression of an H-2K MHC class I-encoding gene in these cells also augments the expression of the Tap-2 peptide transporter and the inducible proteasome subunits, i.e. Lmp-2, Lmp-7 and Lmp-10. Up-regulation of inducible proteasome subunits was also followed by a significant changed in the proteolytic activity of the proteasome complex. We suggest that, in addition to providing a framework for proper presentation of antigenic peptides, MHC class I glycoproteins may regulate the immune response by modulating the expression and function of other genes, whose products are essential for proper antigen processing and presentation.

Proteasome inhibition elicits a biphasic effect on neuronal apoptosis via differential regulation of pro-survival and pro-apoptotic transcription factors

The role of the proteasome in neuronal apoptosis is poorly understood since both anti- and pro-apoptotic effects result from proteasome inhibition. We studied the effects of proteasome inhibition in cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons. Acute exposure to proteasome inhibitors MG-132 and lactacystin blocked caspase activation induced by removal of depolarizing medium. However, chronic treatment with MG-132 activated caspases in neurons maintained in depolarizing potassium. The biphasic effect of MG-132 was hypothesized to be due to differential degradation of anti- and pro-apoptotic proteins. Accordingly, acute exposure to MG-132 inhibited the hyperphosphorylation, loss of DNA binding, ubiquitination, and degradation of the pro-survival transcription factor MEF2D induced by removal of depolarizing medium. In contrast, chronic exposure to MG-132 increased the expression and phosphorylation of c-Jun, elevated levels of the pro-apoptotic protein Bim, and triggered neuronal apoptosis, even in the presence of depolarizing medium. Thus, proteasome inhibition exerts an acute pro-survival action by stabilizing MEF2 transcription factors. However, chronic proteasome inhibition causes a build-up of phosphorylated c-Jun and Bim, which eventually overwhelms the effects of MEF2 and triggers apoptosis.

Molecular mechanisms of glucocorticoids in the control of inflammation and lymphocyte apoptosis

The immune system must be tightly controlled not only to guarantee efficient protection from invading pathogens and oncogenic cells but also to avoid exaggerated immune responses and autoimmunity. This is achieved through interactions amongst leukocytes themselves, by signals from stromal cells and also by various hormones, including glucocorticoids. The glucocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones that exert a wide range of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities after binding to the glucocorticoid receptor. The power of these hormones was acknowledged many decades ago, and today synthetic derivatives are widely used in the treatment of inflammatory disorders, autoimmunity and cancer. In this review, we summarize our present knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of glucocorticoid action, their influence on specific leukocytes and the induction of thymocyte apoptosis, with an emphasis on how molecular genetics has contributed to our growing, although still incomplete, understanding of these processes.

A role for caspases in controlling IL-4 expression in T cells

Although caspase activation is critical for T cell proliferation following activation, the role of caspases in T cell differentiation is unclear. In this study, we have examined the effect of inhibition of caspases on the process of Th1/Th2 differentiation. Naive CD4+ T cells activated under neutral differentiation conditions in the presence of the pan caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp (Z-VAD) fluoromethylketone showed increased Th2 cell differentiation concomitant with an up-regulation of GATA-3. Z-VAD induced optimal Th2 differentiation when T cells were stimulated under strong primary activation conditions. Treatment of naive CD4+ T cells with Z-VAD under strong activation conditions led to a 6-fold increase in IL-4 mRNA compared with control-treated T cells. The Z-VAD-induced increase in IL-4 transcription occurred within 24 h of activation and was independent of Stat6. IFN-gamma mRNA expression was not affected by Z-VAD at the 24-h time point. Z-VAD did not augment IL-4 expression from a committed Th2 cell, suggesting that caspases regulate IL-4 expression specifically during primary T cell activation. Z-VAD did not augment IL-12-driven Th1 differentiation. Activation of T cells in the presence of Z-VAD led to a specific increase in the expression of the transcription factor c-fos. Lastly, retrovirus-mediated expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 resulted in an enhancement of Th2 cytokine expression, suggesting that inhibition of caspase activation by Bcl-2 can also modulate IL-4 expression. These findings reveal a novel regulatory mechanism of cytokine expression by caspases, and may explain how signaling pathways that inhibit apoptosis tend to promote Th2 differentiation.

Mechanisms of glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in hematologic malignancies: updates

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Glucocorticoids remain a central component of the therapeutic armamentarium for a broad spectrum of hematologic malignancies. There is an extensive body of evidence suggesting that the efficacy of glucocorticoids stems from their ability to mediate apoptosis in leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma cells.

RECENT FINDINGS

Traditionally, glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis is divided into three stages: an initiation stage, which involves glucocorticoid receptor activation and glucocorticoid receptor-mediated gene regulation; a decision stage, which engages the prosurvival and proapoptotic factors at the mitochondrial level; and an execution stage, which implicates caspases and endonuclease activation. Recent discoveries have clarified many aspects of the apoptotic pathway, including activation of the caspases cascade and multicatalytic proteasome, suppression of prosurvival transcription factors such as AP-1, c-myc, nuclear factor-kappaB, as well as cross-talk between the T-cell receptor and cytokine signaling pathways.

SUMMARY

This review focuses primarily on insights gained during recent years into the mechanism of the signaling pathways responsible for mediating glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in hematologic malignancies. This information provides a scientific basis to explore synergistic approaches that may enhance glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis and may bypass mechanism of resistance.

Resveratrol and estradiol rapidly activate MAPK signaling through estrogen receptors alpha and beta in endothelial cells

Vascular endothelial cells (EC) are an important target of estrogen action through both the classical genomic (i.e. nuclear-initiated) activities of estrogen receptors alpha and beta (ERalpha and ERbeta) and the rapid "non-genomic" (i.e. membrane-initiated) activation of ER that stimulates intracellular phosphorylation pathways. We tested the hypothesis that the red wine polyphenol trans-resveratrol activates MAPK signaling via rapid ER activation in bovine aortic EC, human umbilical vein EC, and human microvascular EC. We report that bovine aortic EC, human umbilical vein EC, and human microvascular EC express ERalpha and ERbeta. We demonstrate that resveratrol and estradiol (E(2)) rapidly activated MAPK in a MEK-1, Src, matrix metalloproteinase, and epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent manner. Importantly, resveratrol activated MAPK and endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) at nm concentrations (i.e. an order of magnitude less than that required for ER genomic activity) and concentrations possibly achieved transiently in serum following oral red wine consumption. Co-treatment with ER antagonists ICI 182,780 or 4-hydroxytamoxifen blocked resveratrol- or E(2)-induced MAPK and eNOS activation, indicating ER dependence. We demonstrate for the first time that ERalpha-and ERbeta-selective agonists propylpyrazole triol and diarylpropionitrile, respectively, stimulate MAPK and eNOS activity. A red but not a white wine extract also activated MAPK, and activity was directly correlated with the resveratrol concentration. These data suggest that ER may play a role in the rapid effects of resveratrol in EC and that some of the atheroprotective effects of resveratrol may be mediated through rapid activation of ER signaling in EC.

Stabilization of Nrf2 by tBHQ Confers Protection against Oxidative Stress-Induced Cell Death in Human Neural Stem Cells

Recent studies indicate that NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a substrate for the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The present study is aimed to determine whether increased protein stability is a mechanism by which quinone compounds, like tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), may enhance Nrf2-mediated transcriptional activation and subsequent antioxidant protection. H2O2-induced necrotic cell death, evidenced by transmission electronic microscope (TEM) imaging with no caspase 3 activation and PARP cleavage, was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with tBHQ or overexpression of Nrf2 through advenovirus-mediated infection in human neural stem cells (hNSCs). Microarray analysis showed that those identified antioxidant genes, responsible for antiapoptotic action in IMR-32 cells (J. Li et al., 2002, J. Biol. Chem. 277, 388-394), were also coordinately upregulated through Nrf2-dependent antioxidant responsive element (ARE) activation in hNSC. The stabilization of Nrf2 by tBHQ in IMR-32 cells was evidenced by a pulse-chase assay showing no significant increase in Nrf2 protein synthesis after tBHQ treatment, and by ubiquitin immunoprecipitation showing that tBHQ stabilized ubiquitinated Nrf2. An in vitro proteasomal activity assay showed that tBHQ did not act as a 20S/26S proteasome inhibitor. Nrf2 stabilization by tBHQ also was observed in hNSCs. Taken together, this study suggests that identified antioxidant genes, which were upregulated through tBHQ induced Nrf2 stabilization, confer protection on target cells against H2O2-induced apoptotic cell death in neuroblastoma cells as well as the necrotic cell death in the hNSC. Nrf2 stabilization by pharmacological modulation or adenovirus-mediated Nrf2 overexpression, therefore, might be viable strategies to prevent a wide-spectrum of oxidative stress-related neuronal cell injuries.

Role of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in the diagnosis of human diseases

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway constitutes the major system for nuclear and extralysosomal cytosolic protein degradation in eukaryotic cells. A plethora of cell proteins implicated in the maintenance and regulation of essential cellular processes undergoes processing and functional modification by proteolytic degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Deregulations of the pathway have been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of several human diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative, autoimmune, genetic and metabolic disorders, most of them exhibiting abnormal accumulation and altered composition of components of the pathway that is suitable for diagnostic proceedings. While the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is currently exploited to develop novel therapeutic strategies, it is less regarded as a diagnostic area. Future research should lead to an improved understanding of the pathophysiology of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway with the aim of allowing the development of subtle diagnostic strategies.

Regulation of apoptosis proteins in cancer cells by ubiquitin

Ubiquitin inhibitors act at many levels to enhance apoptosis signaling. For TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-mediated apoptosis signaling, there are at least five mechanisms by which apoptosis are regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. First, proteasome inhibitors can decrease Fas-like inhibitor protein (FLIP) protein levels in tumors, resulting in increased apoptosis signaling due to increased caspase-8 activation. This appears to involve the ubiquitin ligase TNF receptor activation factor-2 (TRAF2) and acts indirectly by causing cell-cycle arrest at a stage where there is high degradation of the FLIP-TRAF2 complex. Second, the regulation of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member BAX occurs indirectly. Apoptosis signaling and caspase activation results in a confirmation change in the normally monomeric BAX, which exposes the BH3 domain of BAX, leading to dimerization and resistance to ubiquitin degradation. BAX then translocates into the mitochondria, resulting in the release of proapoptotic mitochondrial factors such as cytochrome c and second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (SMAC). This results in the activation of caspase-9 and formation of the apoptosome and efficient apoptosis signaling. A third mechanism of the regulation of TRAIL signaling in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is mediated by the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAP) E3 ligases. These IAPs can directly bind to caspases but also can act as ubiquitin ligases for caspases, resulting in the degradation of these caspases. IAP binding to caspases can be inhibited by SMAC, which exhibits a caspase-9 homology domain. The fourth mechanism for apoptosis activation by proteasome inhibitors is through the stabilization of the inhibitor of the kappaB (IkappaB)/NF-kappaB complex and prevention of nuclear translocation of the antiapoptosis transcription factor NF-kappaB. During TRAIL-DR4, DR5 signaling, this pathway is activated by interactions of activated Fas-associated death domain with activated receptor-interacting protein (RIP), which in turn activates NF-kappaB-inducing kinase and phosphorylates IkappaB. Therefore, the inhibition of IkappaB degradation blocks this RIP-mediated antiapoptosis signaling event. Last, p53 protein levels, and susceptibility to apoptosis, can be deregulated by the human homolog Hdm2 (Mdm2) E3 ligase. This process is inhibited by p53 phosphorylation and by sequestration of Mdm2 by ARF. Better mechanisms to inhibit the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway targeted at the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation process itself, or more specifically at the E3 ligases known to modulate and downregulate proapoptosis pathways will lead to the enhancement of TRAIL apoptosis signaling and better cancer therapeutic outcomes act through this pathway.

On the link between Bcl-2 family proteins and glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis

As immunosuppressive agents, glucocorticoids (GCs) act by inhibiting the expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. In addition, GCs exerted their effects by modulating apoptosis. In view of the central role of the Bcl-2 family protein in regulating apoptosis, it was tempting to speculate that GCs modulated apoptosis through modulation of the expression of proapoptotic (Bax, Bcl-X(S), Bak) and prosurvival (Bcl-2, Bcl-X(L), Bcl-w) Bcl-2 family members. Prosurvival Bcl-2 family members in various cell types antagonized GC-induced apoptosis, thereby suggesting a causal relationship between GC-induced apoptosis and Bcl-2 proteins. The antagonism of apoptosis afforded by prosurvival Bcl-2 proteins appeared to be specific for the GCs, as Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) blocked GC-induced apoptosis in T cell hybridomas but did not affect Fas or activation-induced apoptosis. Although it is speculated that GC-induced apoptosis may be mediated through the activation of proapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, recent findings suggest that this may vary depending on the conditions and the cell types used. The mechanism by which Bcl-2 inhibited GC-induced apoptosis remains uncertain. It was suggested that Bcl-2 acted on outer mitochondrial membranes to preserve their function. Bcl-2 overexpression also inhibited GC-induced apoptotic events, including caspase activation and mitochondrial dysfunction. The cross-talk of the GC receptors with other secondary messengers could lead to modulation of the activity of Bcl-2 proteins through modification of their phosphorylation status, without ruling out the possibility of a physical interaction between activated GR with Bcl-2 proteins.

Microarray analysis uncovers the induction of the proapoptotic BH3-only protein Bim in multiple models of glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis

Despite being one of the earliest recognized and most clinically relevant forms of apoptosis, little is known about the transcriptional events that mediate glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis. Therefore, we used oligonucleotide microarrays to identify the pattern of dexamethasone-induced changes in gene expression in two well characterized models of glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis, the murine lymphoma cell lines S49.A2 and WEHI7.2. Dexamethasone treatment induced a diverse set of gene changes that evolved over a 24-h period preceding the onset of cell death. These include previously reported changes in the expression of genes regulating prosurvival signals mediated by c-Myc and NFkappaB. Unexpectedly, we discovered that glucocorticoid treatment increases expression of the gene encoding Bim, a BH3-only member of the Bcl-2 family that is capable of directly activating the apoptotic cascade. Induction of Bim was confirmed by immunoblotting not only in S49.A2 and WEHI7.2 cells but also in the human leukemia cell line CEM-C7 and in primary murine thymocytes. All three prototypical isoforms of Bim (BimEL, BimL, and BimS) were induced by dexamethasone. Because elevated expression of Bim initiates the execution phase of cell death, this report that Bim is induced by dexamethasone provides novel insight into the mechanism through which glucocorticoid-mediated changes in gene expression induce apoptosis in lymphoid cells.

The structural determinants responsible for c-Fos protein proteasomal degradation differ according to the conditions of expression

c-fos gene is expressed constitutively in a number of tissues as well as in certain tumor cells and is inducible, in general rapidly and transiently, in virtually all other cell types by a variety of stimuli. Its protein product, c-Fos, is a short-lived transcription factor that heterodimerizes with various protein partners within the AP-1 transcription complex via leucine zipper/leucine zipper interactions for binding to specific DNA sequences. It is mostly, if not exclusively, degraded by the proteasome. To localize the determinant(s) responsible for its instability, we have conducted a genetic analysis in which the half-lives of c-Fos mutants and chimeras made with the stable EGFP reporter protein were compared under two experimental conditions taken as example of continous and inducible expression. Those were constitutive expression in asynchronously growing Balb/C 3T3 mouse embryo fibroblasts and transient induction in the same cells undergoing the G0/G1 phase transition upon stimulation by serum. Our work shows that c-Fos is degraded faster in synchronous- than in asynchronous cells. This difference in turnover is primarily accounted for by several mechanisms. First, in asynchronous cells, a unique C-terminal destabilizer is active whereas, in serum-stimulated cells two destabilizers located at both extremities of the protein are functional. Second, heterodimerization and/or binding to DNA accelerates protein degradation only during the G0/G1 phase transition. Adding another level of complexity to turnover control, phosphorylation at serines 362 and 374, which are c-Fos phosphorylation sites largely modified during the G0/G1 phase transition, stabilizes c-Fos much more efficiently in asynchronous than in serum-stimulated cells. In both cases, the reduced degradation rate is due to inhibition of the activity of the C-terminal destabilizer. However, in serum-stimulated cells, this effect is partially masked by the activation of the N-terminal destabilizer and basic domain/leucine zipper-dependent mechanisms. Taken together, our data show that multiple degradation mechanisms, differing according to the conditions of expression, may operate on c-Fos to ensure a proper level and/or timing of expression. Moreover, they also indicate that the half-life of c-Fos during the G0/G1 phase transition is determined by a delicate balance between opposing stabilizing and destabilizing mechanisms operating at the same time.

To die or not to die for neurons in ischemia, traumatic brain injury and epilepsy: a review on the stress-activated signaling pathways and apoptotic pathways

After a severe episode of ischemia, traumatic brain injury (TBI) or epilepsy, it is typical to find necrotic cell death within the injury core. In addition, a substantial number of neurons in regions surrounding the injury core have been observed to die via the programmed cell death (PCD) pathways due to secondary effects derived from the various types of insults. Apart from the cell loss in the injury core, cell death in regions surrounding the injury core may also contribute to significant losses in neurological functions. In fact, it is the injured neurons in these regions around the injury core that treatments are targeting to preserve. In this review, we present our cumulated understanding of stress-activated signaling pathways and apoptotic pathways in the research areas of ischemic injury, TBI and epilepsy and that gathered from concerted research efforts in oncology and other diseases. However, it is obvious that our understanding of these pathways in the context of acute brain injury is at its infancy stage and merits further investigation. Hopefully, this added research effort will provide a more detailed knowledge from which better therapeutic strategies can be developed to treat these acute brain injuries.

Significance of the caspase family in Helicobacter pylori induced gastric epithelial apoptosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

H. pylori infection results in an increased epithelial apoptosis in gastritis and duodenal ulcer patients. We investigated the role and type of activation of caspases in H. pylori-induced apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells.

METHODS

Differentiated human gastric cancer cells (AGS) and human gastric mucous cell primary cultures were incubated with H. pylori for 0.5-24 hours in RPMI 1640 medium, and the effects on cell viability, epithelial apoptosis, and activity of caspases were monitored. Apoptosis was analyzed by detection of DNA-fragments by Hoechst stain(R), DNA-laddering, and Histone-ELISA. Activities of caspases were determined in fluorogenic assays and by Western blotting. Cleavage of BID and release of cytochrome c were analyzed by Western blot. Significance of caspase activation was investigated by preincubation of gastric epithelial cells with cell permeable specific caspase inhibitors.

RESULTS

Incubation of gastric epithelial cells with H. pylori caused a time and concentration dependent induction of DNA fragmentation (3-fold increase), cleavage of BID, release of cytochrome c and a concomittant sequential activation of caspase-9 (4-fold), caspase-8 (2-fold), caspase-6 (2-fold), and caspase-3 (6-fold). No effects on caspase-1 and -7 were observed. Activation of caspases preceded the induction of DNA fragmentation. Apoptosis could be inhibited by prior incubation with the inhibitors of caspase-3, -8, and -9, but not with that of caspase-1.

CONCLUSIONS

Activation of certain caspases and activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway are essential for H. pylori induced apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells.

On the role of proteasomes in cell biology and proteasome inhibition as a novel frontier in the development of immunosuppressants

The proteasome, a large protease complex in cells, is the major machinery for protein degradation. It was previously considered a humble garbage collector, performing housekeeping duties to remove misfolded or spent proteins. Until recently, the interests of immunologists in proteasomes were focused largely on its role in antigen processing. Its real importance in cell biology has only been revealed contemporarily due to the availability of relatively specific inhibitors. It has now become increasingly clear that many aspects of immune responses highly depend on proper proteasome activity. Recently, a proteasome inhibitor has been successfully used to prevent acute as well as ongoing heart allograft rejection in mice. Such inhibitors are also efficacious in treating several autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis, psoriasis, and probably type I diabetes, in animal models. Phase II and III clinical trials of proteasome inhibitors in treating various tumors have shown promising results, and the side-effects of these drugs are tolerable. Therefore, proteasome inhibition represents a new and promising frontier in immunosuppressant development.

Inhibition of glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in 697 pre-B lymphocytes by the mineralocorticoid receptor N-terminal domain

The glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors (GR and MR) share considerable structural and functional homology and bind as homodimers to hormone-response elements. We have shown previously that MR and GR can form heterodimers that inhibit transcription from a glucocorticoid (GC)-responsive gene and that this inhibition was mediated by the N-terminal domain (NTD) of MR. In this report, we examined the effect of NTD-MR on GC-induced apoptosis in the GC-sensitive pre-B lymphoma cell line, 697. In GC-treated 697 cells, we demonstrated that stable expression of NTD-MR blocks apoptosis and inhibits proteolytic processing of pro-caspases-3, -8, and -9 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Importantly, gel shift and immunoprecipitation analyses revealed a direct association between the GR and amino acids 203-603 of NTD-MR. We observed down-regulation of c-Myc and of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bfl-1 as well as high levels of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bid. Conversely, cells stably expressing NTD-MR exhibited increased expression of Bcl-2 and Bfl-1 and diminished levels of Bid and Bax. These data provide a potential mechanism for the observed inhibition of cytochrome c and Smac release from the mitochondria of NTD-MR cells and resultant resistance to GC-induced apoptosis. Thus, NTD-MR may mediate GC effects through heterodimerization with GR and ensuing inhibition of GC-regulated gene transcription.

Evasion from proteasomal degradation by mutated Fos proteins expressed from FBJ-MSV and FBR-MSV osteosarcomatogenic retroviruses

c-Fos proto-oncoprotein is highly unstable, which is crucial for rapid gene expression shut-off and control of its intrinsic oncogenic potential. It is massively degraded by the proteasome in vivo in various situations. Although there is evidence that c-Fos can be ubiquitinylated in vitro, the unambiguous demonstration that ubiquitinylation is necessary for recognition and subsequent hydrolysis by the proteasome in vivo is still lacking. Moreover, genetic analysis have also indicated that c-Fos can be addressed to the proteasome via different mechanisms depending on the conditions studied. c-Fos has been transduced by two murine osteosarcomatogenic retroviruses under mutated forms which are more stable and more oncogenic. The stabilization is not simply accounted for by simple deletion of a C-terminal c-Fos destabilizer but, rather, by a complex balance between opposing destabilizing and stabilizing mutations. Though mutations in viral Fos proteins confer full resistance to proteasomal degradation, stabilization is limited because mutations also entail sensitivity to (an) unidentified proteolytic system(s). This observation is consistent with the idea that Fos-expressing viruses have evolved gene expression controls that avoid high protein accumulation-linked apoptosis.

Proteasome inhibitors stimulate activator protein-1 pathway via reactive oxygen species production

In this report we explored the effects of proteasome inhibitors (MG132, aLLN, lactacystin and MG262) on interleukin-8 (IL-8) induction. In HEK293 cells, proteasome inhibitors could concentration-dependently increase IL-8 promoter and activator protein-1 (AP-1) activities, but inhibited nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B activation induced by cytokines. The stimulating effects on IL-8 promoter and AP-1 were reduced by N-acetylcysteine, glutathione, diphenyleneiodonium, rotenone and antimycin A. Fluorescent analysis using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescin diacetate further confirmed the abilities of proteasome inhibitors to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. These results suggest that ROS production by proteasome inhibitors leads to AP-1 activation, which in the absence of NF-kappa B activation still transactivates IL-8 gene expression.

Regulation of apoptosis by the ubiquitin and proteasome pathway

Regulated proteolysis plays important roles in cell physiology as well as in pathological conditions. In most of the cases, regulated proteolysis is carried out by the ubiquitin- and proteasome-dependent proteolytic system, which is also in charge of the bulk of cytoplasmic proteolysis. However, apoptosis or the process of programmed cell death is regulated by a different proteolytic system, i.e. by caspases, a family of specialized cysteine proteases. Nevertheless, there is plenty of evidence of a crosstalk between the apoptotic pathways and the ubiquitin and proteasome system, whose function in apoptosis appears to be very complex. Proteasome inhibitors induce apoptosis in multiple cell types, while in other they are relatively harmless or even prevent apoptosis induced by other stimuli. Proteasomes degrade specific proteins during apoptosis, but on the other hand some components of the proteasome system are degraded by caspases. The knowledge about the involvement of the ubiquitin- and proteasome-dependent system in apoptosis is already clinically exploited, since proteasome inhibitors are being tested as experimental drugs in the treatment of cancer and other pathological conditions, where manipulation of apoptosis is desirable.

Recent insights into the mechanism of glucocorticosteroid-induced apoptosis

Glucocorticosteroid hormones induce apoptosis in lymphocytes. Therefore, glucocorticoids are commonly used as immunosuppressive and chemotherapeutic agents. This review examines many facets of the process by which glucocorticoids induce apoptosis. This process is divided into three stages, an initiation stage that involves glucocorticoid receptor-mediated gene regulation, a decision stage that involves the counterbalancing influence of prosurvival and proapoptotic factors, and the execution stage which involves caspase and endonuclease activation. Many aspects of glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis, such as mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation, are important steps in virtually all forms of apoptosis. But the process glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis differs from other forms of apoptosis in terms of initiation at the transcriptional level and involvement of the multicatalytic proteasome and calcium. Moreover, the abundant opportunity for crosstalk between the glucocorticoid receptor and other signaling pathways increases the complexity of glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis and its regulation.

Identification of a C-terminal tripeptide motif involved in the control of rapid proteasomal degradation of c-Fos proto-oncoprotein during the G(0)-to-S phase transition

c-Fos proto-oncoprotein is rapidly and transiently expressed in cells undergoing the G(0)-to-S phase transition in response to stimulation for growth by serum. Under these conditions, the rapid decay of the protein occurring after induction is accounted for by efficient recognition and degradation by the proteasome. PEST motifs are sequences rich in Pro, Glu, Asp, Ser and Thr which have been proposed to constitute protein instability determinants. c-Fos contains three such motifs, one of which comprises the C-terminal 20 amino acids and has already been proposed to be the major determinant of c-Fos instability. Using site-directed mutagenesis and an expression system reproducing c-fos gene transient expression in transfected cells, we have analysed the turnover of c-Fos mutants deleted of the various PEST sequences in synchronized mouse embryo fibroblasts. Our data showed no role for the two internal PEST motifs in c-Fos instability. However, deletion of the C-terminal PEST region led to only a twofold stabilization of the protein. Taken together, these data indicate that c-Fos instability during the G0-to-S phase transition is governed by a major non-PEST destabilizer and a C-terminal degradation-accelerating element. Further dissection of c-Fos C-terminal region showed that the degradation-accelerating effect is not contributed by the whole PEST sequence but by a short PTL tripeptide which cannot be considered as a PEST motif and which can act in the absence of any PEST environment. Interestingly, the PTL motif is conserved in other members of the fos multigene family. Nevertheless, its contribution to protein instability is restricted to c-Fos suggesting that the mechanisms whereby the various Fos proteins are broken down are, at least partially, different. MAP kinases-mediated phosphorylation of two serines close to PTL, which are both phosphorylated all over the G(0)-to-S phase transition, have been proposed by others to stabilize c-Fos protein significantly. We, however, showed that the PTL motif does not exert its effect by counteracting a stabilizing effect of these phosphorylations under our experimental conditions.

The proteasome in cancer biology and treatment

During the last 30 years, investigation of the transcriptional and translational mechanisms of gene regulation has been a major focus of molecular cancer biology. More recently, it has become evident that cancer-related mutations and cancer-related therapies also can affect post-translational processing of cellular proteins and that control exerted at this level can be critical in defining both the cancer phenotype and the response to therapeutic intervention. One post-translational mechanism that is receiving considerable attention is degradation of intracellular proteins through the multicatalytic 26S proteasome. This follows growing recognition of the fact that protein degradation is a well-regulated and selective process that can differentially control intracellular protein expression levels. The proteasome is responsible for the degradation of all short-lived proteins and 70-90% of all long-lived proteins, thereby regulating signal transduction through pathways involving factors such as AP1 and NFKB, and processes such as cell cycle progression and arrest, DNA transcription, DNA repair/misrepair, angiogenesis, apoptosis/survival, growth and development, and inflammation and immunity, as well as muscle wasting (e.g. in cachexia and sepsis). In this review, we discuss the potential involvement of the proteasome in both cancer biology and cancer treatment.

Plant bZIP G-box binding factors. Modular structure and activation mechanisms

In this review we sum-up the knowledge about bZIP G-box binding factors (GBFs), which possess an N-terminal, proline-rich domain. The GBF has been one of the most extensively studied transcription factor family. Based on protein sequence homology with yeast and animal basic leucine-zipper (bZIP) transcription factors, bioinformatic studies have identified their main structural domains (proline-rich, basic and leucine-zipper), which have been further functionally characterized by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Recent reports have led to the discovery of other GBF-specific short amino-acid sequences that may take part in the regulation of gene expression by post-transcriptional modifications or interaction with other proteins such as bZIP enhancing factors or plant 14-3-3-like proteins. We identified a GBF region, called the 'multifunctional mosaic region', that may be implicated in cytoplasmic retention, translocation to the nucleus and regulation of transcription. We also identified many conserved protein motifs that suggest a modular structure for GBFs. At the whole plant level, GBFs have been shown to be involved in developmental and physiological processes in response to major cues such as light or hormones. Nevertheless, it remains difficult to assign a physiological role to a particular GBF protein modular structure. Finally, bringing together these different aspects of GBF studies we propose a model describing the puzzling transduction pathway involving GBFs from cytoplasmic events of signal transduction to the regulation of gene expression in the nucleus.

TRAIL (APO-2L) induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells that is inhibitable by Bcl-2

To determine if TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human prostate tumor cells was suppressed by bcl-2, we compared the levels of apoptosis induced by recombinant human TRAIL in pairs of isogenic cell lines that do or do not express bcl-2. Three human prostate tumor cell lines (PC3, DU145 and LNCaP) and their bcl-2-expressing counterparts were tested for their susceptibility to TRAIL. Cells were exposed to TRAIL in the presence of cycloheximide which acted as a sensitizer. Apoptosis was induced rapidly in PC3 and DU145 neo-control transfected cells, whereas induction in LNCaP required 24 h. All three cell line variants expressing bcl-2 were resistant to the apoptotic effects of TRAIL. Caspase 3 and 8 activation was also detected in the neo control cells after treatment with TRAIL, demonstrating the rapid activation of the caspase cascade similar to that seen with other death receptors. Bcl-2 overexpression in these cells blocked activation of these caspases, suggesting that bcl-2 expression of human cancer cells may be a critical factor in the therapeutic efficacy of TRAIL.

Photochemical destruction of the Bcl-2 oncoprotein during photodynamic therapy with the phthalocyanine photosensitizer Pc 4

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), utilizing a photosensitizer and visible light, causes localized oxidative damage. With the mitochondrial photosensitizer Pc 4, PDT induces apoptosis, yet its molecular targets are not known. Here, the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 is shown to be highly sensitive to PDT, as judged on Western blots by the disappearance of anti-Bcl-2-reactive material from the position of the native 26 kDa protein. The loss of Bcl-2 was PDT dose dependent and was observed for both endogenous and overexpressed Bcl-2 in several cell lines, immediately after PDT, and with chilled cells. It was accompanied by a trace of a 23-kDa cleavage product as well as high-molecular weight products that may result from photochemical crosslinking. PDT-induced Bcl-2 loss occurred in MCF-7 cells that do not express caspase-3 or in the presence of protease inhibitors, but was prevented, along with the induction of apoptosis, by the singlet oxygen scavenger L-histidine. Loss of FLAG-Bcl-2 was observed with both anti-FLAG and anti-Bcl-2 antibodies, indicating loss of native protein rather than simple BCL-2-epitope destruction. Photochemical damage was not observed in Bcl-x(L), Bax, Bad, the voltage-dependent anion channel, or the adenine nucleotide translocator. Therefore, Bcl-2 is one target of PDT with Pc 4, and PDT damage to Bcl-2 contributes to its efficient induction of apoptosis.

Early c-Fos induction after cerebral ischemia: a possible neuroprotective role

The role of c-Fos in neurodegeneration or neuroprotection after cerebral ischemia is controversial. To investigate whether early c-Fos induction after ischemia is associated with neuroprotection, rats were subjected to 10 minutes of transient forebrain ischemia and c-Fos expression was examined. Resistant dentate granule cells and neurons in CA2-4 displayed more robust immunoreactivity than vulnerable neurons in the CA1 region of hippocampus during early hours of reperfusion. By 6 hours after reperfusion, c-Fos immunoreactivity was greatly diminished in all areas of the hippocampus. Administration of N-acetyl-O-methyldopamine (NAMDA), a compound previously shown to protect CA1 neurons against ischemia, increased c-Fos immunoreactivity in the CA1 vulnerable region at 6 hours after ischemia and protected SK-N-BE(2)C neurons from oxygen glucose deprivation. Further in vitro study showed that NAMDA potentiated phorbol-12 myristate-13 acetate (PMA)-induced c-Fos expression, AP1 binding activity, and late gene expression determined by chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity from AP1 containing tyrosine hydroxylase promoter-CAT fusion gene in SK-N-BE(2)C neurons. In vivo and in vitro results showed that a neuroprotectant, NAMDA, in concert with another stimulus (for example, ischemia or PMA) up-regulates c-Fos expression and suggested that the early rise of NAMDA-induced c-Fos expression in vulnerable CA1 neurons may account for neuroprotection by means of up-regulating late gene expression for survival.

Proteasome- and p38-dependent regulation of ERK3 expression

Proteasome inhibition leads to accumulation of transcription factors, heat shock proteins, cyclins, and other proteasome substrate proteins by blocking their proteolytic degradation. An increase in gene transcription upon proteasome inhibition was found for a group of proteins, including p21(WAF1/CIP1), ubiquitin, and transcription factors. In this study, we have demonstrated selective up-regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 3 (ERK3) mRNA and protein expression upon treatment with peptide-based proteasome inhibitors or lactacystin. ERK3 is a family member of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (also called ERK) that are key mediators of signal transduction from the cell surface to the nucleus. ERK3 up-regulation is independent of the p53, Bcl2, and caspase 3 status of cells. p38 pathway kinase inhibitors prevent proteasome-dependent ERK3 induction and enhance the antiproliferative effect of proteasome inhibitors. MCF-7 cells expressing ERK3 ectopically show increased resistance toward proteasome inhibition. The results indicate that ERK3 expression is a consequence of p38 pathway activation and most probably represents an intracellular defense or rescue mechanism against cell stress and damage induced by proteasome inhibition.

Degradation of cellular and viral Fos proteins

c-Fos proto-oncoprotein is a short-lived transcription factor with oncogenic potential. We have shown that it is massively degraded by the proteasome in vivo under various experimental conditions. Other proteolytic systems including lysosomes and calpains, might, however, also marginally operate on it. Although there is evidence that c-Fos can be ubiquitinylated in vitro, the unambiguous demonstration that ubiquitinylation is necessary for its addressing to the proteasome in vivo is still lacking. c-Jun, one of the main dimerization partners of c-Fos within the AP-1 transcription complex, is also an unstable protein. Its degradation is clearly proteasome- and ubiquitin-dependent in vivo. Interestingly, several lines of evidence indicate that the addressing of c-Fos and c-Jun to the proteasome is, at least in part, governed by different mechanisms. c-Fos has been transduced by two murine osteosarcomatogenic retroviruses under mutated forms which are more stable and more oncogenic. The stabilization is not simply accounted for by simple deletion of c-Fos main destabilizer but, rather, by a complex balance between opposing destabilizing and stabilizing mutations. Though mutations in viral Fos proteins confer full resistance to proteasomal degradation, stabilization is limited because mutations also entail sensitivity to an unidentified proteolytic system. This observation is consistent with the idea that Fos-expressing viruses have evolved to ensure control protein levels to avoid high protein accumulation-linked apoptosis. In conclusion, the unveiling of the complex mechanism network responsible for the degradation of AP-1 family members is still at its beginning and a number of issues regarding the regulation of this process and the addressing to the proteasome are still unresolved.

Cellular and viral Fos proteins are degraded by different proteolytic systems

c-Fos proto-oncoprotein is a short-lived transcription factor degraded by the proteasome in vivo. Its mutated forms expressed by the mouse osteosarcomatogenic retroviruses, FBJ-MSV and FBR-MSV, are stabilized two- and threefold, respectively. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying v-Fos(FBJ) and v-Fos(FBR) protein stabilization, we conducted a genetic analysis in which the half-lives and the sensitivities to various cell-permeable protease inhibitors of a variety of cellular and viral protein mutants were measured. Our data showed that the decreased degradation of v-Fos(FBJ) and v-Fos(FBR) is not simply explained by the deletion of a c-Fos destabilizing C-terminal domain. Rather, it involves a complex balance between opposing destabilizing and stabilizing mutations which are distinct and which include virally-introduced peptide motifs in both cases. The mutations in viral Fos proteins conferred both total insensitivity to proteasomal degradation and sensitivity to another proteolytic system not naturally operating on c-Fos, explaining the limited stabilization of the two proteins. This observation is consistent with the idea that FBR-MSV and FBJ-MSV expression machineries have evolved to ensure controlled protein levels. Importantly, our data illustrate that the degradation of unstable proteins does not necessarily involve the proteasome and provide support to the notion that highly related proteins can be broken down by different proteolytic systems in living cells.

Protective role of Raf-1 in Salmonella-induced macrophage apoptosis

Invasive Salmonella induces macrophage apoptosis via the activation of caspase-1 by the bacterial protein SipB. Here we show that infection of macrophages with Salmonella causes the activation and degradation of Raf-1, an important intermediate in macrophage proliferation and activation. Raf-1 degradation is SipB- and caspase-1-dependent, and is prevented by proteasome inhibitors. To study the functional significance of Raf-1 in this process, the c-raf-1 gene was inactivated by Cre-loxP-mediated recombination in vivo. Macrophages lacking c-raf-1 are hypersensitive towards pathogen-induced apoptosis. Surprisingly, activation of the antiapoptotic mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and nuclear factor kappaB pathways is normal in Raf-1-deficient macrophages, and mitochondrial fragility is not increased. Instead, pathogen-mediated activation of caspase-1 is enhanced selectively, implying that Raf-1 antagonizes stimulus-induced caspase-1 activation and apoptosis.

Involvement of c-Fos in signaling grp78 induction following ER calcium release

Release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) signals an increase in transcription of both the early response gene, c-fos, and the late response gene, grp78. We have used thapsigargin (TG), an ER calcium-ATPase pump inhibitor that induces calcium release from the ER, to investigate the possible involvement of c-Fos, a component of the AP-1 transcription factor, in grp78 induction. Two cell lines with markedly different responses to TG treatment were employed: the WEHI7.2 mouse lymphoma line in which TG fails to induce grp78, and the MDA-MB-468 mammary epithelial line in which TG induces grp78. In WEHI7.2 cells, TG-induced calcium release triggers a rapid increase in c-fos mRNA, but the level of c-Fos protein decreases due to degradation by the multicatalytic proteasome. C-FosdeltaC, a proteasome resistant c-Fos mutant with AP-1 activity similar to that of wild type c-Fos, restores grp78 induction in WEHI7.2 cells, detected by both Northern hybridization and a grp78 promoter-luciferase reporter assay. In MDA-MB-468 cells, TG-mediated calcium release induces a sustained elevation of c-Fos protein that precedes grp78 induction. A region of the grp78 promoter containing both ERSE and CORE regions, but missing TRE and CRE regions, is sufficient to mediate induction of reporter luciferase activity. Induction of this reporter was blocked by A-Fos, a dominant negative inhibitor of c-Fos. Also, the induction of grp78-luciferase reporter activity was inhibited by c-fos antisense mRNA. In summary, the findings indicate that c-Fos is involved in signaling grp78 induction following TG treatment, and that grp78 induction is inhibited by proteasome-mediated c-Fos degradation.

Proteasome inhibition: a new strategy in cancer treatment

The ubiquitin proteasome pathway is a highly conserved intracellular pathway for the degradation of proteins. Many of the short-lived regulatory proteins which govern cell division, growth, activation, signaling and transcription are substrates that are temporally degraded by the proteasome. In recent years, new and selective inhibitors of the proteasome have been employed in cell culture systems to examine the anti-tumor potential of these agents. This review covers the chemistry of selected proteasome inhibitors, possible mechanisms of action in cell culture and the in vivo examination of proteasome inhibitors in murine and human xenograft tumor models in mice. One inhibitor, PS-341, has recently entered Phase I clinical trials in cancer patients with advanced disease to further test the potential of this approach.

Inhibition of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway-mediated I kappa B alpha degradation by a naturally occurring antibacterial peptide

Induction of NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression plays an important role in a number of biological processes including inflammation and ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, few attempts aimed at selective regulation of this transcription factor have been successful. We report here that a naturally occurring antibacterial peptide PR39 reversibly binds to the alpha 7 subunit of the 26S proteasome and blocks degradation of NF-kappa B inhibitor I kappa B alpha by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway without affecting overall proteasome activity. I kappa B alpha phosphorylation and ubiquitination occur normally after PR39 treatment, and binding of valosin-containing proteins is not impaired. The inhibition of I kappa B alpha degradation abolishes induction of NF-kappa B-dependent gene expression in cell culture and in mouse models of acute pancreatitis and myocardial infarction, including upregulation of endothelial adhesion proteins VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. In the latter model, sustained infusion of PR39 peptide resulted in significant reduction of myocardial infarct size. PR39 and related peptides may provide novel means to regulate cellular function and to control of NF-kappa B-dependent gene expression for therapeutic purposes.

Protooncogenes as mediators of apoptosis

Apoptosis has been well established as a vital biological phenomenon that is important in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Three major protooncogene families and their encoded proteins function as mediators of apoptosis in various cell types and are the subject of this chapter. Protooncogenic proteins such as c-Myc/Max, c-Fos/c-Jun, and Bcl-2/Bax utilize a synergetic effect to enhance their roles in the pro- or antiapoptotic action. These family members activate and repress the expression of their target genes, control cell cycle progression, and execute programmed cell death. Repression or overproduction of these protooncogenic proteins induces apoptosis, which may vary as a result of either cell type specificity or the nature of the apoptotic stimuli. The proapoptotic and antiapoptotic proteins exert their effects in the membrane of cellular organelles. Here they generate cell-type-specific signals that activate the caspase family of proteases and their regulators for the execution of apoptosis.

Proteasome inhibition: a new strategy in cancer treatment

The ubiquitin proteasome pathway is a highly conserved intracellular pathway for the degradation of proteins. Many of the short-lived regulatory proteins which govern cell division, growth, activation, signaling and transcription are substrates that are temporally degraded by the proteasome. In recent years, new and selective inhibitors of the proteasome have been employed in cell culture systems to examine the anti-tumor potential of these agents. This review covers the chemistry of selected proteasome inhibitors, possible mechanisms of action in cell culture and the in vivo examination of proteasome inhibitors in murine and human xenograft tumor models in mice. One inhibitor, PS-341, has recently entered Phase I clinical trials in cancer patients with advanced disease to further test the potential of this approach.

Multi-faceted regulation of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase

Glutathione is an important antioxidant that is involved in numerous cellular activities. gamma-Glutamylcysteine synthetase (gammaGCS) is a key regulatory enzyme in the synthesis of glutathione. It is a heterodimeric zinc metalloprotein that belongs to a unique class of proteins that gain activity due to formation of a reversible disulfide bond. The two subunits of gammaGCS exhibit differential and coordinate transcription regulation. In addition, the subunits are regulated at the posttranscriptional and posttranslational levels. These various levels of regulation allow numerous stimuli to induce or inhibit activity.

Inhibition of proteasome function induces programmed cell death in proliferating endothelial cells

Proteolysis mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system has been implicated in the regulation of programmed cell death. Here we investigated the differential effects of proteasomal inhibitors on the viability of proliferating and quiescent primary endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo. Subconfluent, proliferating cells underwent carbobenzoxy-L-isoleucyl-gamma-t-butyl-L-glutamyl-L-alanyl-L-leucinal (PSI) -induced apoptosis at low concentrations (EC(50)=24 nM), whereas at least 340-fold higher concentrations of PSI were necessary to obtain the same effect in confluent, contact-inhibited cells. PSI-mediated cell death could be blocked by a caspase-3 inhibitor (Ac-DEVD-H), but not by a caspase-1 inhibitor (Ac-YVAD-H), suggesting that a caspase-3-like enzyme is activated during PSI-induced apoptosis. When applied to the embryonic chick chorioallantoic membrane, a rapidly expanding tissue, PSI induced massive apoptosis also in vivo. PSI treatment of the CAM led to the formation of areas devoid of blood flow due to the induction of apoptosis in endothelial and other cells and to the collapse of capillaries and first order vessels. Our results demonstrate that proteasomal inhibitors such as PSI may prove effective as novel anti-angiogenic and anti-neoplastic substances.

Interleukin-7: physiological roles and mechanisms of action

Interleukin-7 (IL-7), a product of stromal cells, provides critical signals to lymphoid cells at early stages in their development. Two types of cellular responses to IL-7 have been identified in lymphoid progenitors: (1) a trophic effect and (2) an effect supporting V(D)J recombination. The IL-7 receptor is comprised of two chains, IL-7R alpha and gamma(c). Following receptor crosslinking, rapid activation of several classes of kinases occurs, including members of the Janus and Src families and PI3-kinase. A number of transcription factors are subsequently activated including STATs, c-myc, NFAT and AP-1. However, it remains to be determined which, if any, previously identified pathway leads to the trophic or V(D)J endpoints. The trophic response to IL-7 involves protecting lymphoid progenitors from a death process that resembles apoptosis. This protection is partly mediated by IL-7 induction of Bcl-2, however other IL-7-induced events are probably also involved in the trophic response. The V(D)J response to IL-7 is partly mediated through increased production of Rag proteins (which cleave the target locus) and partly by increasing the accessibility of a target locus to cleavage through chromatin remodeling.