UV Induces phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) at Ser-473 and Thr-308 in mouse epidermal Cl 41 cells through hydrogen peroxide

Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure and its Impacts on Cutaneous Phosphorylation Signaling in Carcinogenesis: Focusing on Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases†

Sunlight exposure is a significant risk factor for UV-induced deteriorating transformations of epidermal homeostasis leading to skin carcinogenesis. The ability of UVB radiation to cause melanoma, as well as basal and squamous cell carcinomas, makes UVB the most harmful among the three known UV ranges. UVB-induced DNA mutations and dysregulation of signaling pathways contribute to skin cancer formation. Among various signaling pathways modulated by UVB, tyrosine phosphorylation signaling which is mediated by the action of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) on specific tyrosine residues is highly implicated in photocarcinogenesis. Following UVB irradiation, PTKs get activated and their downstream signaling pathways contribute to photocarcinogenesis by promoting the survival of damaged keratinocytes and increasing cell proliferation. While UVB activates oncogenic signaling pathways, it can also activate tumor suppressive signaling pathways as initial protective mechanisms to maintain epidermal homeostasis. Tyrosine dephosphorylation is one of the protective mechanisms and is mediated by the action of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). PTP can counteract UVB-mediated PTK activation and downregulate oncogenic signaling pathways. However, PTPs have not been studied extensively in photocarcinogenesis with previous studies regarding their inactivation induced by UVB. This current review will summarize the recent progress in the protective function of PTPs in epidermal photocarcinogenesis.

The potential inhibitory effect of ginsenoside Rh2 on mitophagy in UV-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts

Background

In addition to its use as a health food, ginseng is used in cosmetics and shampoo because of its extensive health benefits. The ginsenoside, Rh2, is a component of ginseng that inhibits tumor cell proliferation and differentiation, promotes insulin secretion, improves insulin sensitivity, and shows antioxidant effects.

Methods

The effects of Rh2 on cell survival, extracellular matrix (ECM) protein expression, and cell differentiation were examined. The antioxidant effects of Rh2 in UV-irradiated normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cells were also examined. The effects of Rh2 on mitochondrial function, morphology, and mitophagy were investigated in UV-irradiated NHDF cells.

Results

Rh2 treatment promoted the proliferation of NHDF cells. Additionally, Rh2 increased the expression levels of ECM proteins and growth-associated immediate-early genes in ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated NHDF cells. Rh2 also affected antioxidant protein expression and increased total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, treatment with Rh2 ameliorated the changes in mitochondrial morphology, induced the recovery of mitochondrial function, and inhibited the initiation of mitophagy in UV-irradiated NHDF cells.

Conclusion

Rh2 inhibits mitophagy and reinstates mitochondrial ATP production and membrane potential in NHDF cells damaged by UV exposure, leading to the recovery of ECM, cell proliferation, and antioxidant capacity.

The effects of UVB irradiance on aberrant epidermal proliferation: Novel insights on how to improve currently available sunscreens

AIMS

Sunscreen use, which prolonged the time required to develop sunburn by reducing the irradiance (mW/cm²) of the UVB radiation, is thought to protect the skin from developing cancers. Recently, in addition to fluence (mJ/cm²), irradiance of the UVB radiation was demonstrated to play an important role leading to photocarcinogenesis of the skin. After equivalent fluence of UVB exposure, enhanced aberrant keratinocyte proliferation contributes significantly to the photocarcinogenic capacity of low irradiance (LI) UVB as compared to its high irradiance (HI) UVB counterpart. However, the mechanism involved remains unclear.

MAIN METHODS

Relevant cell and animal models were employed to investigate the effects of equivalent UVB fluence administered at HI or LI on keratinocyte proliferation. Additionally, the mechanisms involved were also explored.

KEY FINDINGS

We found that at equivalent fluence, LIUVB induces significantly higher reactive oxidative species (ROS) production, cell proliferation, as well as phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) expression in both cell and animal models as compare to its HIUVB counterpart. Pretreating cultured keratinocytes with antioxidant or AKT inhibitor significantly reduced the UVB-induced ROS, cell proliferation, and pAKT expression. Additionally, these pretreatments abrogate the difference between the LI and HIUVB treated keratinocytes. Similar findings were noted using animal model treated with AKT inhibitor.

SIGNIFICANCE

In summary, at equivalent fluence, LIUVB induces significantly more aberrant epidermal proliferation via enhanced ROS and pAKT signaling. Reducing UVB-induced AKT phosphorylation presents a novel strategy to improve the protective capacity of the currently available sunscreens.

TCTP protein degradation by targeting mTORC1 and signaling through S6K, Akt, and Plk1 sensitizes lung cancer cells to DNA-damaging drugs

Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is expressed in many tissues, particularly in human tumors. It plays a role in malignant transformation, apoptosis prevention, and DNA damage repair. The signaling mechanisms underlying TCTP regulation in cancer are only partially understood. Here, we investigated the role of mTORC1 in regulating TCTP protein levels, thereby modulating chemosensitivity, in human lung cancer cells and an A549 lung cancer xenograft model. The inhibition of mTORC1, but not mTORC2, induced ubiquitin/proteasome-dependent TCTP degradation without a decrease in the mRNA level. PLK1 activity was required for TCTP ubiquitination and degradation and for its phosphorylation at Ser46 upon mTORC1 inhibition. Akt phosphorylation and activation was indispensable for rapamycin-induced TCTP degradation and PLK1 activation, and depended on S6K inhibition, but not mTORC2 activation. Furthermore, the minimal dose of rapamycin required to induce TCTP proteolysis enhanced the efficacy of DNA-damaging drugs, such as cisplatin and doxorubicin, through the induction of apoptotic cell death in vitro and in vivo. This synergistic cytotoxicity of these drugs was induced irrespective of the functional status of p53. These results demonstrate a new mechanism of TCTP regulation in which the mTORC1/S6K pathway inhibits a novel Akt/PLK1 signaling axis and thereby induces TCTP protein stabilization and confers resistance to DNA-damaging agents. The results of this study suggest a new therapeutic strategy for enhancing chemosensitivity in lung cancers regardless of the functional status of p53.

Red ginseng oil promotes hair growth and protects skin against UVC radiation

Background

A wide range of environmental factors, such as diseases, nutritional deficiencies, ageing, hormonal imbalances, stress, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, may affect the structure and function of the skin that covers the entire surface of the human body. In this study, we investigated roles of red ginseng oil (RGO) in enhancing skin functions, including hair growth and skin protection, using mouse models.

Methods

For hair growth experiment, shaved dorsal skins of C57BL/6 mice were topically applied with vehicle, RGO, RGO's major compounds, or minoxidil for consecutive 21 days and skin tissues were examined the hair growth promoting capacity. For skin protection experiment, SKH-1 hairless mice were topically applied with vehicle or RGO twice a day for three days prior to exposure to UVC radiation at 20 kJ/cm². Skin tissues were collected to evaluate skin protective effects of RGO.

Results

Topical application of RGO to C57BL/6 mice effectively promoted hair regeneration by inducing early telogen-to-anagen transition and significantly increasing the density and bulb diameter of hair follicles. Major compounds, including linoleic acids and β-sitosterol, contributed to RGO-promoted hair growth. Treatment with RGO as well as its major components upregulated expression of hair growth–related proteins. Furthermore, in SKH-1 hairless mice, RGO had a protective effect against UVC-induced skin damage by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis, as well as inducing cytoprotective systems.

Conclusion

These data suggest that RGO may be a potent agent for improving skin health and thereby preventing and/or treating hair loss and protecting skin against UV radiation.

Low Dose Combined Treatment with Ultraviolet-C and Withaferin a Enhances Selective Killing of Oral Cancer Cells

Withaferin A (WFA), a Withania somnifera-derived triterpenoid, is an anticancer natural product. The anticancer effect of nonionizing radiation such as ultraviolet-C (UVC) as well as the combined treatment of UVC and WFA is rarely investigated. Low dose UVC and/or WFA treatments (12 J/m² and/or 1 μM) were chosen to evaluate antioral cancer cell line effects by examining cytotoxicity, cell cycle disruption, apoptosis induction, and DNA damage. For two cancer cell lines (Ca9-22 and HSC-3), single treatment (UVC or WFA) showed about 80% viability, while a combined treatment of UVC/WFA showed about 40% viability. In contrast, there was noncytotoxicity to normal oral cell lines (HGF-1). Compared to single treatment and control, low dose UVC/WFA shows high inductions of apoptosis in terms of flow cytometric detections for subG1, annexin V, pancaspase changes as well as Western blotting for detecting cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (c-PARP) and caspase 3 (c-Cas 3) and luciferase assay for detecting Cas 3/7 activity. Low dose UVC/WFA also showed high inductions of oxidative stress and DNA damage in terms of flow cytometric detections of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial superoxide (MitoSOX) generation, and membrane potential (MitoMP) destruction, γH2AX and 8-oxo-2’deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) types of DNA damages. For comparison, low dose UVC/WFA show rare inductions of annexin V, Cas 3/7 activity, ROS, MitoSOX, and MitoMP changes to normal oral HGF-1 cells. Therefore, low dose UVC/WFA provides a novel selectively killing mechanism to oral cancer cells, suggesting that WFA is a UVC sensitizer to inhibit the proliferation of oral cancer cells.

Anti-inflammatory action of β-hydroxybutyrate via modulation of PGC-1α and FoxO1, mimicking calorie restriction

β-Hydroxybutyrate (HB) is a ketone body used as an energy source that has shown anti-inflammatory effects similar to calorie restriction (CR); Here, PGC-1α, an abundantly expressed co-factor in the kidney, was reported to interact with both FoxO1 and NF-κB although the definitive interactive mechanism has not yet been reported. In this study, we investigated whether renal aging-related inflammation is modulated by HB. We compared aged rats administered with HB to calorie restricted rats and examined the modulation of FoxO1 and the NF-κB pathway through interactions with PGC-1α. We found that in aged rats treated with HB, pro-inflammatory signaling changes were reversed and showed effects comparable to CR. As FoxO1 and its target genes catalase/MnSOD were upregulated by HB treatment and PGC-1α selectively interacted with FoxO1, not with NF-κB, and ameliorated the renal inflammatory response. These findings were further confirmed using FoxO1 overexpression and siRNA transfection in vitro. Our findings suggest that HB suppressed aging-related inflammation as a CR mimetic by enabling the co-activation and selective interaction between FoxO1 and PGC-1α. This study demonstrates the potential therapeutic role of HB as a CR mimetic, which ameliorates inflammation by a novel mechanism where FoxO1 outcompetes NF-κB by interacting with PGC-1α in aging kidneys.

Glycomacropeptide Prevents Iron/Ascorbate-Induced Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Insulin Sensitivity with an Impact on Lipoprotein Production in Intestinal Caco-2/15 Cells

Background. Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), a major worldwide concern for the public health system, refers to a cluster of key metabolic components, and represents a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. As oxidative stress (OxS) and inflammation are the major triggers of insulin sensitivity (IS), a cardinal MetS feature, the principal aim of the present work is to determine whether glycomacropeptide (GMP), a milk-derived bioactive peptide, exerts beneficial effects on their expression. Methods. Fully differentiated intestinal Caco-2/15 cells are used to evaluate the preventive action of 2 mg/mL GMP against OxS and inflammation induced by the mixture iron-ascorbate (Fe/Asc) (200 μM:2 mM). The potency of GMP of decreasing the production of lipoproteins, including chylomicrons (CM), very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is also assessed. Results. The administration of GMP significantly reduces malondialdehyde, a biomarker of lipid peroxidation, and raises superoxide dismutase 2 and glutathione peroxidase via the induction of the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2, a transcription factor, which orchestrates cellular antioxidant defenses. Similarly, GMP markedly lowers the inflammatory agents tumor necrosis factor-α and cyclooxygenase-2 via abrogation of the nuclear transcription factor-kB. Moreover, GMP-treated cells show a down-regulation of Fe/Asc-induced mitogen activated protein kinase pathway, suggesting greater IS. Finally, GMP decreases the production of CM, VLDL, and LDL. Conclusions. Our results highlight the effectiveness of GMP in attenuating OxS, inflammation and lipoprotein biogenesis, as well as improving IS, the key components of MetS. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the mechanisms mediating the preventive action of GMP.

A new role for the ginsenoside RG3 in antiaging via mitochondria function in ultraviolet-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts

Background

The efficacy of ginseng, the representative product of Korea, and its chemical effects have been well investigated. The ginsenoside RG3 has been reported to exhibit apoptotic, anticancer, and antidepressant-like effects.

Methods

In this report, the putative effect of RG3 on several cellular function including cell survival, differentiation, development and aging process were evaluated by monitoring each specific marker. Also, mitochondrial morphology and function were investigated in ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated normal human dermal fibroblast cells.

Results

RG3 treatment increased the expression of extracellular matrix proteins, growth-associated immediate-early genes, and cell proliferation genes in UV-irradiated normal human dermal fibroblast cells. And, RG3 also resulted in enhanced expression of antioxidant proteins such as nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor-2 and heme oxygenase-1. In addition, RG3 affects the morphology of UV-induced mitochondria and plays a role in protecting mitochondrial dysfunction.

Conclusioin

RG3 restores mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and membrane potential via its antioxidant effects in skin cells damaged by UV irradiation, leading to an increase in proteins linked with the extracellular matrix, cell proliferation, and antioxidant activity.

Akt1/NFκB signaling pathway activation by a small molecule DMA confers radioprotection to intestinal epithelium in xenograft model

Normal tissue protection and recovery of radiation-induced damage are of paramount importance for development of radioprotector. Radioprotector which selectively protects normal tissues over cancerous tissues improves the therapeutic window of radiation therapy. In the present study, small bisbenzimidazole molecule, DMA (5-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-[2'-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-5'-benzimidazolyl]-benzimidazole) was evaluated for in vivo radioprotective effects to selectively protect normal tissue over tumor with underlying molecular mechanism. Administration of single DMA dose prior to radiation has enhanced survival of Balb/c mice against sublethal and supralethal total body irradiation. DMA ameliorated radiation-induced damage of normal tissues such as hematopoietic (HP) and gastrointestinal tract (GI) system. Oxidative stress marker Malondialdehyde level was decreased by DMA whereas it maintained endogenous antioxidant status by increasing the level of reduced glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione-s-transferase, superoxide dismutase and total thiol content in hepatic tissue of irradiated mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that DMA treatment prior to radiation leads to Akt1/NFκB signaling which reduced radiation-induced genomic instability in normal cells. However, these pathways were not activated in tumor tissues when subjected to DMA treatment in similar conditions. Abrogation of Akt1 and NFκB genes resulted in no radioprotection by DMA and enhanced apoptosis against radiation. Plasma half-life of DMA was 3.5h and 2.65h at oral and intravenous dose respectively and 90% clearance was observed in 16h. In conclusion, these data suggests that DMA has potential to be developed as a safe radioprotective agent for radiation countermeasures and an adjuvant in cancer therapy.

Size-dependent cytotoxicity of Fe3O4 nanoparticles induced by biphasic regulation of oxidative stress in different human hepatoma cells

The application of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) has made great progress in the diagnosis of disease and in the drug delivery system for cancer therapy, but the relative mechanisms of potential toxicity induced by Fe₃O₄ have not kept pace with its development in the application, which has hampered its further clinical application. In this article, we used two kinds of human hepatoma cell lines, SK-Hep-1 and Hep3B, to investigate the cytotoxic effects and the involved mechanisms of small Fe₃O₄ NPs with different diameters (6 nm, 9 nm, and 14 nm). Results showed that the size of NPs effectively influences the cytotoxicity of hepatoma cells: 6 nm Fe₃O₄ NPs exhibited negligible cytotoxicity and 9 nm Fe₃O₄ NPs affected cytotoxicity via cellular mitochondrial dysfunction and by inducing necrosis mediated through the mitochondria-dependent intracellular reactive oxygen species generation. Meanwhile, 14 nm Fe₃O₄ NPs induced cytotoxicity by impairing the integrity of plasma membrane and promoting massive lactate dehydrogenase leakage. These results explain the detailed mechanism of different diameters of small Fe₃O₄ NPs-induced cytotoxicity. We anticipate that this study will provide different insights into the cytotoxicity mechanism of Fe₃O₄ NPs, so as to make them safer to use in clinical application.

Anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities of Alpinia oxyphylla on HepG2 cells through ROS-mediated signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Fructus Alpiniae oxyphyllae (A. oxyphylla) is a traditional herb which is widely used in East Asian for the treatment of dyspepsia, diarrhea, abdominal pain, poor memory, inflammatory conditions and cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cytotoxic activities of ethanol extract (EE) and five extract layers including petroleum ether (PE), dichloromethane (DCLM), acetoacetate (EtOAc), n-Butanol (n-Bu) and water fractions (WF) of A. oxyphylla were tested on HepG2, SW480, MCF-7, K562 and HUVEC cell lines using MTT assay and LDH release assay. The component analysis was performed on HPLC with gradient elution. Hoechst 33342 staining, DCFH-DA fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry analysis, western blot and migration assays were carried out to determine the anti-cancer mechanisms of PE.

RESULTS

MTT analysis showed that EE, PE and DCLM could inhibit cell proliferation on HepG2, SW480, MCF-7, K562 and HUVEC cell lines, especially PE fraction. HPLC analysis pointed out five main components which may contribute to the anti-proliferative activity of PE. Further study showed that PE increased LDH release, induced apoptosis, disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential and elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HepG2 cells, whereas the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) prevented PE-induced ROS generation. The results of western blot revealed that PE induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells by enhancing Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, increasing cytochrome c in cytosol and activating caspase-3/9. Meanwhile, high levels of ROS could induce DNA damage-mediated protein expression, AKT, ERK inactivation and SAPKs activation. Furthermore, PE conspicuously blocked the migration of HUVEC cells.

CONCLUSION

The present results demonstrated that PE induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells may be via a ROS-mediated signaling pathway.

The role of NAD(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase 3 subunit α in AFB1 induced liver lesion

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent hepatocarcinogen that causes carcinogenesis in many animal species. In previous study, we found that isocitrate dehydrogenase 3α subunit (IDH3α) was upregulated in AFB1-induced carcinogenesis process. In this study, the sequences of IDH3α from various species were compared and the protein expression levels in different organs were examined, and the results showed that IDH3α was a widely distributed protein and shared highly conserved sequence in various species. In the same time, IDH3α was demonstrated to accumulate in a dose-dependent manner induced by AFB1 in cells, and was also up-regulated in the process of AFB1-induced liver lesion. Similar results were observed when H2O2 was used to replace AFB1. Over-expression of IDH3α increased the phosphorylation level of Akt (Protein kinase B) and neutralized the cellular toxicity induced by AFB1 or H2O2 and apoptosis induced by AFB1, while the reduced expression of IDH3α by siRNA decreased the phosphorylation, indicating that IDH3α played important roles in oxidative stress-induced PI3K/Akt pathway. Overall, the results suggested that AFB1 treatment could increase the expression of IDH3α, and the activated PI3K/Akt pathway by IDH3α eventually neutralized the apoptosis induced by AFB1.

Oxidative stress induces proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting RUNX3 and activating the Akt signaling pathway

We recently reported that the tumor suppressor Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) is silenced in colorectal cancer cells via oxidative stress-induced hypermethylation of its promoter. The resulting downregulation of RUNX3 expression influences cell proliferation. Activation of the Akt signaling pathway is also associated with cell survival and proliferation; however, the effects of oxidative stress on the relationship between RUNX3 and Akt signaling are largely unknown. Therefore, this study investigated the mechanisms involved in cell proliferation caused by oxidative stress-induced silencing of RUNX3. The levels of RUNX3 mRNA and protein were downregulated in response to treatment of the human colorectal cancer cell line SNU-407 with H2O2. Treatment of the cells with H2O2 also upregulated Akt mRNA and protein expression, and inhibited the binding of RUNX3 to the Akt promoter. The inverse correlation between the expression levels of RUNX3 and Akt in H2O2-treated cells was also associated with nuclear translocation of β-catenin and upregulation of cyclin D1 expression, which induced cell proliferation. H2O2 treatment also increased the binding of β-catenin to the cyclin D1 promoter. The results presented here demonstrate that reactive oxygen species silence the tumor suppressor RUNX3, enhance the Akt-mediated signaling pathway, and promote the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells.

ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-L-cysteine antagonizes the activity of proteasome inhibitors

NAC (N-acetyl-L-cysteine) is commonly used to identify and test ROS (reactive oxygen species) inducers, and to inhibit ROS. In the present study, we identified inhibition of proteasome inhibitors as a novel activity of NAC. Both NAC and catalase, another known scavenger of ROS, similarly inhibited ROS levels and apoptosis associated with H₂O₂. However, only NAC, and not catalase or another ROS scavenger Trolox, was able to prevent effects linked to proteasome inhibition, such as protein stabilization, apoptosis and accumulation of ubiquitin conjugates. These observations suggest that NAC has a dual activity as an inhibitor of ROS and proteasome inhibitors. Recently, NAC was used as a ROS inhibitor to functionally characterize a novel anticancer compound, piperlongumine, leading to its description as a ROS inducer. In contrast, our own experiments showed that this compound depicts features of proteasome inhibitors including suppression of FOXM1 (Forkhead box protein M1), stabilization of cellular proteins, induction of ROS-independent apoptosis and enhanced accumulation of ubiquitin conjugates. In addition, NAC, but not catalase or Trolox, interfered with the activity of piperlongumine, further supporting that piperlongumine is a proteasome inhibitor. Most importantly, we showed that NAC, but not other ROS scavengers, directly binds to proteasome inhibitors. To our knowledge, NAC is the first known compound that directly interacts with and antagonizes the activity of proteasome inhibitors. Taken together, the findings of the present study suggest that, as a result of the dual nature of NAC, data interpretation might not be straightforward when NAC is utilized as an antioxidant to demonstrate ROS involvement in drug-induced apoptosis.

The role of SIRT1/AKT/ERK pathway in ultraviolet B induced damage on human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Ultraviolet (UV)-induced damage plays a major role in ocular diseases, such as cataracts and retinal degeneration. UVB may also cause retinal phototoxicity and photic retinopathy. In this study, we explored the effects of UVB on the cell cycle and the role of silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) in the UVB-induced damage. UVB dose-dependently suppressed the growth of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells by activating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway and triggering cell cycle arrest at the S phase. SIRT1, an NAD-dependent histone deacetylase, is involved in multiple biological processes, such as the stress response and the regulation of the cell cycle. However, its role in the effects of UVB on RPE cells is unclear. We showed that UVB down-regulates SIRT1 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Resveratrol, an SIRT1 activator, prevented the UVB-induced damage by inhibiting AKT and ERK phosphorylation. A specific PI3K inhibitor attenuated the UVB-induced ERK1/2 and p53 phosphorylation. Finally, UVB activated the PI3K/AKT/ERK pathway by reducing the expression of SIRT1 in ARPE-19 cells. Our study, therefore, illustrated the molecular mechanisms of UVB-induced phototoxicity and damage of RPE cells. SIRT1 and resveratrol may be significant regulators, protecting against UVB-induced injury.

Deficiency of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor confers resistance to oxidative stress in C2C12 myoblasts

IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling regulates cell growth, transformation and survival. Haploinsufficiency of the IGF-1R is reported to paradoxically confer resistance to oxidative stress in vivo and in cells cultured from Igf1r^+/− mice. In order to determine whether IGF-1R deficiency directly confers resistance to oxidative stress in specific cell types, an siRNA-mediated approach was applied to reduce IGF-1R in C2C12 myoblasts, NIH3T3 fibroblasts and MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Treating the IGF-1R deficient myoblasts with H₂O₂ resulted in significantly higher phosphorylation of Akt as compared to cells having normal expression of IGF-1R. Similar results were obtained with UV treatment, another inducer of oxidative stress. This enhanced activation of Akt was associated with reduced level of cleaved caspase-3 and PARP. Moreover, in the IGF-1R knockdown myoblasts, phosphorylation of the Akt substrate Bad was enhanced after peroxide treatment. However, in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts and MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts, the loss of IGF-1R by siRNA directed knockdown was associated with reduced levels of phosphorylated Akt on treatment with H₂O₂ or UV as compared to control cells and these cells showed more apoptosis. These results suggest a novel mechanism of cell type specific differential regulation of resistance to oxidative stress induced apoptosis by reduced levels of IGF-1R.

The protective effects of 6-CySeCD with GPx activity against UVB-induced injury in HaCaT cells

BACKGROUND

The generation of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by UVB irradiation could induce cell apoptosis and change the cell cycle. 6A,6A'-dicyclohexylamine-6B,6B'-diselenide-bis-β-cyclodextrin (6-CySeCD) is a novel glutathione peroxidase (GPx; EC 1.11.1.9) mimic. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-oxidative effects of 6-CySeCD in cultured immortalised human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT).

METHODS

HaCaT cells were treated with 30 mJ/cm(2) UVB to establish a damage model. The cultured HaCaT cells were randomly assigned to the control, UVB and treatment groups. The treatment group was incubated with 20 μmol/L of GPx mimics before UVB irradiation. Cell viability was detected by (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, the level of lipid peroxidation was determined by the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA), DNA fragmentation was observed using agarose gel electrophoresis and the levels of intracellular ROS and cell cycle progression were measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The levels of cytotoxicity, intracellular ROS, lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage significantly increased after UVB irradiation in the HaCaT cells. UVB irradiation caused pre-G1 -phase arrest in HaCaT cells and significantly reduced the number of HaCaT cells in the S phase. The GPx mimics 6-CySeCD and 2-phenyl-l,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one (ebselen) significantly blocked UVB-induced apoptosis and changed the cell cycle of the HaCaT cells. The blocked effect of pretreatment 6-CySeCD in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells was better than that of pretreatment with ebselen.

CONCLUSION

6-CySeCD can relieve the damage induced by UVB irradiation in HaCaT cells.

CK2 inhibitors enhance the radiosensitivity of human non-small cell lung cancer cells through inhibition of stat3 activation

CK2 interacts and phosphorylates >300 proteins, including Stat3, and is linked to a number of human cancers. Constitutively activated Stat3 has been reported in 50% of human lung cancers. Inhibition of CK2 activity can induce apoptosis and suppression of Stat3 activation in cancer cells. This study examined the effects of CK2 inhibitors on growth inhibition of lung cancer cells and the therapeutic potential on lung cancer. The CK2 inhibitor and radiation both suppressed cancer cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Besides, the cytotoxic effect of irradiation could be augmented by CK2 inhibitors (p<0.05, two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference). Moreover, the growth inhibition of CK2 inhibitor and irradiation was both associated with suppression of Stat3 activation. Taken together, inhibition of CK2 activity appears to be a promising treatment strategy for non-small cell lung cancer and CK2 inhibition results in reduced Stat3 activation. Our data warrant further effort to develop CK2-targeted radiosensitizer for lung cancer treatment.

UV-B induced thymocytes apoptosis blocked by dicyclodextrinyl ditelluride-A GPX mimic

Apoptosis is known to occur after ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. It was found that UV-B could induce cell apoptosis and change cell cycle progression. After exposure to 100J/m(2) of UV-B, pre-G1 phase thymocytes were increased significantly and S phase thymocytes were decreased significantly. UV-B could also induce lipid peroxidation of thymocytes to have their MDA amount increased. These phenomena could be explained by production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which were induced by UV-B radiation. In this study, we examined the protective effect of dicyclodextrinyl ditelluride (2-TeCD), the glutathione peroxidase (GPX, EC 1.11.1.9) mimics, on thymocytes apoptosis induced by UV-B radiation. The experimental results showed that 2-TeCD protects thymocytes from apoptosis. Moreover, 2-TeCD inhibits lipid peroxidation of thymocytes and displayed great antioxidant ability. Furthermore, 2-TeCD blocks the accumulation of wild-type-p53 (wt-p53) tumor-suppressor gene product caused by UV-B radiation.

Reactive oxygen species-activated Akt/ASK1/p38 signaling pathway in nickel compound-induced apoptosis in BEAS 2B cells

Nickel compounds are carcinogenic to humans, possibly through induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage macromolecules including DNA and proteins. The aim of the present study is to elucidate the role of the ROS-mediated Akt/apoptosis-regulating signal kinase (ASK) 1/p38 pathway in nickel-induced apoptosis. Exposure of human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) to nickel compounds induced the generation of ROS and activation of Akt that is associated with the activation of ASK1 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Immunoblotting suggested a down-regulation of several antiapoptotic proteins, including Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL in the nickel compound-treated cells. Indeed, a notable cell apoptosis following nickel compound treatment is evident as revealed by flow cytometry analysis. N-Acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC, a general antioxidant) and vitamin E or catalase (a specific H₂O₂ inhibitor) all decreased nickel-induced ROS generation. Scavenging of nickel-induced ROS by NAC or catalase attenuated Akt, ASK1, and p38 MAPK activation and apoptosis, which implies involvement of ROS in the Akt/ASK1/p38 pathway. In addition, nickel-induced activation of p38 MAPK was attenuated by a small interference of RNA specific to ASK1 (siRNA ASK1), implying that p38 MAPK was downstream of ASK1, while ASK1 activation was not reversely regulated by the inhibition of p38 MAPK by SB203580, a widely used p38 MAPK inhibitor. Silencing Akt by siRNA reduced the activation of ASK1 and p38 MAPK and cell apoptosis, whereas without nickel stimulation, siRNA Akt had no effect on the activation of ASK1 and p38 MAPK. Thus, these results suggest that the ROS-dependent Akt-ASK1-p38 axis is important for nickel-induced apoptosis.

Electron paramagnetic resonance as a unique tool for skin and hair research

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and imaging (EPRI) are deeply rooted in the basic and quantum physics, but the spectrum of their applications in modern experimental and clinical dermatology and cosmetology is surprisingly wide. The main aim of this review was to show the physical foundation, technical limitations and versatility of this method in skin studies. Free radical and metal ion detection, EPR dosimetry, melanin study, spin trapping, spin labelling, oximetry and NO-metry, EPR imaging, new generation methods of EPR and EPR/NMR hybrid technology used under ex vivo and in vivo regime are portrayed in the context of clinical and experimental skin research to study problems such as oxidative and nitrosative stress generated by UV or inflammation, skin oxygenation, hydration of corneal layer of epidermis, transport and metabolism of drugs and cosmeceutics, skin carcinogenesis, skin tumors and many others. A part of the paper is devoted to hair and nail research. The review of dermatological applications of EPR is supplemented with a handful of advice concerning practical aspects of EPR experimentation and usage of EPR reagents.

Proliferative and anti-proliferative effects of thymosin alpha1 on cells are associated with manipulation of cellular ROS levels

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are constantly generated and eliminated in the biological system and play important roles in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Previous studies indicate that modulation of cellular ROS affects cell proliferation. Thymosin alpha 1 (Talpha1) is a naturally occurring thymic peptide and has previously been shown to be a potential therapy for some immunodeficiencies, malignancies, and infections. However, few reports have focused on manipulation of cellular ROS level effects of Talpha1. In this study, the Talpha1-treated leukomonocytes, which were isolated from mice spleens, exhibited a higher ROS level and a lower reduced glutathione (GSH) level; however, HepG2 cells treated with Talpha1 exhibited lower ROS level and higher GSH level. In addition, after treatment with Talpha1, the population of leukomonocytes in the G(2) phase increased, resulting in a slight increase in viability. However, in Talpha1-treated HepG2 cells, the cell cycle was delayed in the G(1) phase, thereby inhibiting tumor cell proliferation; in addition, dephosphorylation of the serine/threonine kinase Akt was detected. In conclusion, we show that Talpha1 has potent anti-proliferative activity against malignant human hepatoma cells and proliferative activity against leukomonocytes associated with manipulation of oxidative stress levels which indicates the potential of Talpha1 as an antitumor drug.

Anticancer and carcinogenic properties of curcumin: considerations for its clinical development as a cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent

A growing body of research suggests that curcumin, the major active constituent of the dietary spice turmeric, has potential for the prevention and therapy of cancer. Preclinical data have shown that curcumin can both inhibit the formation of tumors in animal models of carcinogenesis and act on a variety of molecular targets involved in cancer development. In vitro studies have demonstrated that curcumin is an efficient inducer of apoptosis and some degree of selectivity for cancer cells has been observed. Clinical trials have revealed that curcumin is well tolerated and may produce antitumor effects in people with precancerous lesions or who are at a high risk for developing cancer. This seems to indicate that curcumin is a pharmacologically safe agent that may be used in cancer chemoprevention and therapy. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown, however, that curcumin may produce toxic and carcinogenic effects under specific conditions. Curcumin may also alter the effectiveness of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This review article analyzes the in vitro and in vivo cancer-related activities of curcumin and discusses that they are linked to its known antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties. Several considerations that may help develop curcumin as an anticancer agent are also discussed.

Low-power laser irradiation activates Src tyrosine kinase through reactive oxygen species-mediated signaling pathway

Low-power laser therapy in medicine is widespread but the mechanisms are not fully understood. It has been suggested that low-power laser irradiation (LPLI) could induce photochemical reaction and activate several intracellular signaling pathways. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered to be the key secondary messengers produced by LPLI. Here, we studied the signaling pathway mediated by ROS upon the stimulation of LPLI. Src tyrosine kinases are well-known targets of ROS and can be activated by oxidative events. Using a Src reporter based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and confocal laser scanning microscope, we visualized the dynamic Src activation in Hela cells immediately after LPLI. Moreover, Src activation by LPLI was in a dose-dependent manner. The increase of Src phosphorylation at Tyr416 was detected by Western blotting. In the presence of vitamin C, catalase alone, or the combination of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), the activation of Src by LPLI is significantly abolished. In contrast, Gö6983 loading, a PKC inhibitor, did not affect this response. Treatment of Hela cells with exogenous H(2)O(2) also resulted in a concentration-dependent activation of Src. These results demonstrated that it was ROS that mediated Src activation by LPLI. Cellular viability assay revealed that laser irradiation of low doses (</=25 J/cm(2)) promoted Hela cells viability while high doses impaired. Therefore, LPLI induces ROS-mediated Src activation which may play an important role in biostimulatory effect of LPLI.

Implication of NAG-1 in synergistic induction of apoptosis by combined treatment of sodium salicylate and PI3K/MEK1/2 inhibitors in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells

Aspirin is used as chemopreventive agents in a variety of human cancer cells including those of colon, lung, breast, and leukemia. Sodium salicylate (NaSal, the natural deacetylated form of aspirin) induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in A549 cells; high dose (20mM) of NaSal-induced apoptosis, whereas low dose (2-10mM) induced cell cycle arrest. We found that NaSal-activated Akt/PKB, ERK1/2, and p38MAPK signal cascades. Twenty micromolar of NaSal-induced apoptotic response of A549 cells was enhanced by the PI3K inhibitors (LY294002 and wortmannin) and in a less extent by the MEK1/2 inhibitors (U0126 and PD98059), whereas it was suppressed by the p38MAPK inhibitor (SB203580). Furthermore, simultaneous inhibition of the Akt/PKB and ERK1/2 signal cascades could lower the dose of NaSal to induce apoptosis to 2mM in A549 lung cancer cells. Similar enhancement was observed in cells treated with 2mM NaSal and 100muM genistein, an inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) that are upstream of PI3K and MEK1/2 signaling. We further demonstrated that NAG-1 plays a key role in apoptosis by NaSal-based combined treatment. Collectively, our findings indicate that inhibition of the pro-survival Akt/PKB and ERK1/2 signaling may increase the chemopreventive effects of NaSal and combined treatment of two natural compounds (NaSal and genistein) results in a highly synergistic induction of apoptosis, thereby increasing the chemopreventive effects of NaSal against cancer.

Akt1-mediated intracellular oxidation after UVB irradiation suppresses apoptotic cell death induced by cell detachment and serum starvation

Apoptosis is an important cell death system that deletes damaged and mutated cells to prevent cancer. We have previously reported that a certain dose of UVB irradiation inhibited the apoptosis induced by serum starvation and cell detachment, leading to cell transformation. This antiapoptotic effect was partially inhibited by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) inhibitors. UVB irradiation is known to cause the phosphorylation of Akt via the activation of PI3-kinase; however, the Akt isoform-specific relationship has not yet been clarified. Notably, the role in antiapoptotic effect of UVB has yet to be elucidated. In this study, the role of Akt1 in the UVB-induced inhibition of apoptosis was examined by Akt1 knockdown using small interfering RNA (siRNA). NIH3T3 cells showed typical apoptotic cell death by serum starvation and cell detachment, which was significantly inhibited by UVB irradiation. Akt1 knockdown decreased the antiapoptotic effect of UVB. Hydrogen peroxide-induced suppression of cell death was also decreased in Akt1 knockdown cells. An antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine, inhibited the antiapoptotic effect by UVB irradiation, whereas no inhibition was observed in Akt1 knockdown cells. Furthermore, UVB-induced intracellular peroxidation was not observed in the knockdown cells, indicating that Akt1 played an important role in mediating the intracellular redox status. Treatment with insulin had a similar antiapoptotic effect as UVB irradiation involving intracellular peroxidation, which was also attenuated in Akt1 knockdown cells. These findings suggest that appropriate intracellular oxidation after UVB irradiation prevented apoptosis, a process which might be partially regulated by the production of reactive oxygen species mediated by Akt1.

The activation of NF-kappaB through Akt-induced FOXO1 phosphorylation during aging and its modulation by calorie restriction

Insulin-induced PI3K/Akt activation is known to inhibit a family of Forkhead transcription factors (FOXO), which can lead to increased oxidative stress in several model organisms. One of major transcription factors activated by oxidative stress and responsible for the production of many proinflammatory cytokines is NF-kappaB. In the present study, We were carried out to determine the relationship between FOXO1 and NF-kappaB activation using HEK293T cells and aged kidney isolated from ad libitum fed (AL) and 40% calorie restriction (CR) rats. Results showed that phosphorylation of FOXO1 and NF-kappaB activation were significantly increased in old rats. Moreover, FOXO1 phosphorylation and NF-kappaB activation were shown to be significantly lower in the CR rats compared with 24-month-old AL rats. To further explore the molecular link between FOXO and NF-kappaB, we performed transfection experiments with FOXO-mutant plasmid in cultured HEK293T cells. Treatment of the cell with insulin led to NF-kappaB activation through the phosphorylation of FOXO via the PI3K/Akt pathway. These results indicate that insulin promoted NF-kappaB activation through phosphorylation of FOXO1 by upregulating PI3K/Akt signaling. We conclude that the phosphorylation of FOXO1 regulates NF-kappaB nuclear translocation by activating PI3K/Akt during aging, which was suppressed by the hypoinsulinemic action of CR.

Differential Inhibition of UV-Induced Activation of NFκ B and AP-1 by Extracts From Black Raspberries, Strawberries, and Blueberries

Recent studies from our laboratory have shown that the transactivation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF kappa B) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) plays an important mechanistic role in ultraviolet (UV)-induced skin carcinogenesis in mice. We also demonstrated that a methanol extract (ME) fraction from black raspberries (Rubus occidentalis) (RO; RO-ME) inhibits benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide [B(a)PDE]-induced activation of NF kappa B and AP-1 in cultured mouse epidermal cells. In the present study, we determined if RO-ME might also inhibit the induction of NF kappa B and AP-1 in mouse epidermal cells exposed to mid UV radiation (UVB) and short UV radiation (UVC) and whether methanol fractions from strawberries and blueberries would also be effective. Our results showed that RO-ME inhibited UVB-induced activation of NF kappa B in mouse epidermal cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner; however, the methanol fractions from strawberries and blueberries were ineffective. Interestingly, none of the fractions from all 3 berry types inhibited UVB- or UVC-induced activation of AP-1, suggesting that inhibition of UV-induced signaling pathways is specific for black raspberries and NF kappa B. Cyanidin-3-rutinoside, an anthocyanin found in abundance in black raspberries and not in strawberries or high-bush blueberries, was found to contribute to the inhibition of UVB-induced activation of NF kappa B. These results suggest that berries differ in their ability to influence signaling pathways leading to activation of NF kappa B and AP-1 when using UV light as the inducer.

Anti-proliferative effects of recombinant iron superoxide dismutase on HepG2 cells via a redox-dependent PI3k/Akt pathway

The coding sequence for an iron superoxide dismutase (fe-sod) was amplified from the Nostoc commune genome. Recombinant Fe-SOD was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, accounting for approximately 76% of total bacterial protein. Fe-SOD was purified from bacterial lysate by Ni-NTA column chromatography and used to generate an anti-SOD antibody. The purified Fe-SOD was encapsulated in liposomes and delivered to HepG2 liver tumor cells to eliminate cellular superoxide anions. The SOD-loaded cells exhibited lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and higher reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. In Fe-SOD-treated cells, the cell cycle was delayed in the G(1) phase, and HepG2 cell growth slowed in association with dephosphorylation of the serine-threonine kinase Akt. Low-dose H(2)O(2) stimulated Akt phosphorylation, implying that Akt activation in HepG2 cells is redox-sensitive. Akt phosphorylation was abrogated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors, suggesting that PI3K is an upstream mediator of Akt activation in HepG2 cells. This study provides insight into recombinant Fe-SOD-induced signaling mechanisms in liver tumor cells and suggests the feasibility of using Fe-SOD as an antitumor agent.

p85alpha acts as a novel signal transducer for mediation of cellular apoptotic response to UV radiation

Apoptosis is an important cellular response to UV radiation (UVR), but the corresponding mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here we report that the p85alpha regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) exerted a proapoptotic role in response to UVR through the induction of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) gene expression. This special effect of p85alpha was unrelated to the PI-3K-dependent signaling pathway. Further evidence demonstrated that the inducible transcription factor NFAT3 was the major downstream target of p85alpha for the mediation of UVR-induced apoptosis and TNF-alpha gene transcription. p85alpha regulated UVR-induced NFAT3 activation by modulation of its nuclear translocation and DNA binding and the relevant transcriptional activities. Gel shift assays and site-directed mutagenesis allowed the identification of two regions in the TNF-alpha gene promoter that served as the NFAT3 recognition sequences. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays further confirmed that the recruitment of NFAT3 to the endogenous TNF-alpha promoter was regulated by p85alpha upon UVR exposure. Finally, the knockdown of the NFAT3 level by its specific small interfering RNA decreased UVR-induced TNF-alpha gene transcription and cell apoptosis. The knockdown of endogenous p85alpha blocked NFAT activity and TNF-alpha gene transcription, as well as cell apoptosis. Thus, we demonstrated p85alpha-associated but PI-3K-independent cell death in response to UVR and identified a novel p85alpha/NFAT3/TNF-alpha signaling pathway for the mediation of cellular apoptotic responses under certain stress conditions such as UVR.

Zinc induces cell death in immortalized embryonic hippocampal cells via activation of Akt-GSK-3β signaling

Zinc is an essential catalytic and structural element of many proteins and a signaling messenger that is released by neuronal activity at many central excitatory synapses. Excessive synaptic release of zinc followed by entry into vulnerable neurons contributes severe neuronal cell death. We have previously observed that zinc-induced neuronal cell death is accompanied by Akt activation in embryonic hippocampal progenitor (H19-7) cells. In the present study, we examined the role of Akt activation and its downstream signaling events during extracellular zinc-induced neuronal cell death. Treatment of H19-7 cells with 10 microM of zinc plus zinc ionophore, pyrithione, led to increased phosphorylation of Akt at Ser-473/Thr-308 and increased Akt kinase activity. Zinc-induced Akt activation was accompanied by increased Tyr-phosphorylated GSK-3beta as well as increased GSK-3beta kinase activity. Transient overexpression of a kinase-deficient Akt mutant remarkably suppressed GSK-3beta activation and cell death. Furthermore, tau phosphorylation, but not the degradation of beta-catenin, was dependent upon zinc-induced GSK-3beta activation and contributed to cell death. The current data suggest that, following exposure to zinc, the sequential activation of Akt and GSK-3beta plays an important role directing hippocampal neural precursor cell death.

PI-3K/Akt signal pathway plays a crucial role in arsenite-induced cell proliferation of human keratinocytes through induction of cyclin D1

Exposure of arsenite can induce hyperproliferation of skin cells, which is believed to play important roles in arsenite-induced carcinogenesis by affecting both promotion and progression stages. However, the signal pathways and target genes activated by arsenite exposure responsible for the proliferation remain to be defined. In the present study, we found that: (1) exposure of human keratinocytic HaCat cells to arsenite caused an increase in cell proliferation, which was significantly inhibited by pretreatment of wortmannin, a specific chemical inhibitor of PI-3K/Akt signal pathway; (2) arsenite exposure was also able to activate PI-3K/Akt signal pathway, which thereby induced the elevation of cyclin D1 expression level in both HaCat cells and human primary keratinocytes based on that inhibition of PI-3K/Akt pathway by either pretreatment of wortmannin or the transfection of their dominant mutants, significantly inhibited cyclin D1 expression upon arsenite exposure; (3) PI-3K/Akt pathway is implicated in arsenite-induced proliferation of HaCat cells through the induction of cyclin D1 because either knockdown of cyclin D1 by its siRNA or inhibition of PI-3K/Akt signal pathway by their dominant mutants markedly impaired the proliferation of HaCat cells induced by arsenite exposure. Taken together, we provide the direct evidence that PI-3K/Akt pathway plays a role in the regulation of cell proliferation through the induction of cyclin D1 in human keratinocytes upon arsenite treatment. Given the importance of aberrant cell proliferation in cell transformation, we propose that the activation of PI-3K/Akt pathway and cyclin D1 induction may be the important mediators of human skin carcinogenic effect of arsenite.

Hydrogen peroxide is critical for UV-induced apoptosis inhibition

Apoptosis is an important cell death system that deletes damaged and mutated cells, preventing the induction of cancer. We previously have reported that UV irradiation inhibited the apoptosis induced by serum starvation and cell detachment. This phenomenon is suitable for clarifying the relationship between cancer and the dysregulation of apoptosis by UV irradiation. Here, we have studied the factors responsible for this inhibition of apoptosis, focusing on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage. Treatment with xanthine oxidase in the presence of hypoxanthine, which is known to produce superoxide anion (O2*-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), inhibited the induction of apoptosis. The xanthine oxidase-induced anti-apoptotic effect was suppressed in the presence of an H2O2-eliminating enzyme, catalase, but not in the presence of an O2*--eliminating enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Treatment with H2O2 itself significantly inhibited the induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, the effect of the inhibition of cell death by UVB irradiation and by H2O2 treatment decreased in H2O2-resistant cells. Although both UVB and H2O2 are known to induce DNA damage, other DNA damaging agents, like gamma-irradiation and treatment with cisplatin and bleomycin, showed no inhibition of apoptosis. These findings suggested that H2O2 was essential to the inhibition of apoptosis, in which DNA damage had no role.

Molecular pathways leading to oxidative stress-induced phosphorylation of Akt

Oxidative stress can activate a variety of intracellular signaling pathways. The authors previously reported the CaM-K inhibitor KN-93 inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced phosphorylation of Akt on threonine 308 (T308). In this report they demonstrate that phosphorylation of T308 in response to hydrogen peroxide treatment is not inhibited by LY294002, suggesting that phosphorylation of this residue in response to oxidative stress is largely PI3K independent. In contrast, hydrogen peroxide-induced phosphorylation of Akt on serine 473 (S473) was downregulated by both PI3K and CaM-K inhibition, indicating that hydrogen peroxideinduced phosphorylation of Akt on S473 was largely dependent on both PI3K and a CaM-K activity. Further, it is reported that p56(Lck) had a substantial role in hydrogen peroxide-induced phosphorylation of S473, but only a minimal role in hydrogen peroxide-induced phosphorylation of T308. These data suggest that in response to hydrogen peroxide, two pathways are activated in Jurkat T lymphocytes that converge to result in the phosphorylation of Akt on S473 and T308. One pathway involves the CaM-Ks that may directly phosphorylate Akt on T308. In this pathway, neither the Src kinases nor PI3K are required. The other pathway mediated by hydrogen peroxide results in the phosphorylation of Akt on S473 and requires CaM-K, PI3K, and Src activity.

Reactive oxygen species-induced activation of the MAP kinase signaling pathways

An abundance of scientific literature exists demonstrating that oxidative stress influences the MAPK signaling pathways. This review summarizes these findings for the ERK, JNK, p38, and BMK1 pathways. For each of these different MAPK signaling pathways, the following is reviewed: the proteins involved in the signaling pathways, how oxidative stress can activate cellular signaling via these pathways, the types of oxidative stress that are known to induce activation of the different pathways, and the specific cell types in which oxidants induce MAPK responses. In addition, the functional outcome of oxidative stress-induced activation of these pathways is discussed. The purpose of this review is to provide the reader with an overall understanding and appreciation of oxidative stress-induced MAPK signaling.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt positively regulates Fas (CD95)-mediated apoptosis in epidermal Cl41 cells

Fas (CD95)-mediated apoptosis is an essential mechanism for the maintenance of homeostasis, and disruption of this death pathway contributes to many human diseases. The cell survival protein kinase Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) is a known regulator of apoptosis, but its role in Fas-mediated cell death and its regulatory mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we show that stimulation of the Fas receptor by its ligand (FasL) induces rapid phosphorylation of Akt/PKB and a parallel increase in cell apoptosis in epidermal Cl41 cells. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt by dominant-negative overexpression of PI3K (Deltap85) and Akt (Akt-T308A/S473A) protects the cells from apoptosis, indicating an unexpected proapoptotic role of PI3K/Akt in the Fas signaling process. Treatment of the cells with pharmacological inhibitors of PI3K, wortmannin and 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-1 (LY294002), similarly inhibits FasL-induced apoptosis and Akt/PKB phosphorylation, indicating that PI3K is an upstream mediator of Akt/PKB and is involved in Fas-mediated cell death. Electron spin resonance studies show that FasL treatment induces rapid generation of reactive oxygen species, and inhibition of ROS by antioxidants effectively inhibits Akt/PKB signaling, suggesting that FasL activation of Akt/PKB is redox sensitive. In cells transfected with dominant-negative PI3K/Akt, Fas expression is down-regulated, but FLIP expression is unaffected. Reporter gene and mRNA expression assays show that FasL activates fas transcriptional activity and this effect is inhibited by PI3K/Akt suppression. Together, our results indicate that the PI3K/Akt, in addition to its normal prosurvival role, also plays an apoptotic role in Fas-mediated cell death through a mechanism that involves transcriptional activation of Fas receptor.

Ultraviolet photoalteration of late Na+ current in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes

UV irradiation has multiple effects on mammalian cells, including modification of ion channel function. The present study was undertaken to investigate the response of membrane currents in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes to the type A (355, 380 nm) irradiation commonly used in Ca(2+) imaging studies. Myocytes configured for whole-cell voltage clamp were generally held at -80 mV, dialyzed with K(+)-, Na(+)-free pipette solution, and bathed with K(+)-free Tyrode's solution at 22 degrees C. During experiments that lasted for approximately 35 min, UVA irradiation caused a progressive increase in slowly-inactivating inward current elicited by 200-ms depolarizations from -80 to -40 mV, but had little effect on background current or on L-type Ca(2+) current. Trials with depolarized holding potential, Ca(2+) channel blockers, and tetrodotoxin (TTX) established that the current induced by irradiation was late (slowly-inactivating) Na(+) current (I(Na)). The amplitude of the late inward current sensitive to 100 microM: TTX was increased by 3.5-fold after 20-30 min of irradiation. UVA modulation of late I(Na) may (i) interfere with imaging studies, and (ii) provide a paradigm for investigation of intracellular factors likely to influence slow inactivation of cardiac I(Na).

Cyanidin-3-glucoside, a natural product derived from blackberry, exhibits chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity

Epidemiological data suggest that consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with a lower incidence of cancer. Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), a compound found in blackberry and other food products, was shown to possess chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity in the present study. In cultured JB6 cells, C3G was able to scavenge ultraviolet B-induced *OH and O2-* radicals. In vivo studies indicated that C3G treatment decreased the number of non-malignant and malignant skin tumors per mouse induced by 12-O-tetradecanolyphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated mouse skin. Pretreatment of JB6 cells with C3G inhibited UVB- and TPA-induced transactivation of NF-kappaB and AP-1 and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. These inhibitory effects appear to be mediated through the inhibition of MAPK activity. C3G also blocked TPA-induced neoplastic transformation in JB6 cells. In addition, C3G inhibited proliferation of a human lung carcinoma cell line, A549. Animal studies showed that C3G reduced the size of A549 tumor xenograft growth and significantly inhibited metastasis in nude mice. Mechanistic studies indicated that C3G inhibited migration and invasion of A549 tumor cells. These finding demonstrate for the first time that a purified compound of anthocyanin inhibits tumor promoter-induced carcinogenesis and tumor metastasis in vivo.

Signalling responses linked to betulinic acid-induced apoptosis are antagonized by MEK inhibitor U0126 in adherent or 3D spheroid melanoma irrespective of p53 status

MEK1/2 inhibitors like U0126 can potentiate or antagonize the antitumor activity of cytotoxic agents such as cisplatin, paclitaxel or vinblastine, depending on the drug or the target cells. We now investigated whether U0126, differentially regulates melanoma signaling in response to UV radiation or betulinic acid, a drug lethal against melanoma. This report shows that U0126 inhibits early response (ERK) kinase activation and cyclin A expression in wt p53 C8161 melanoma exposed to either UV radiation or betulinic acid. However, U0126 does not protect from UV damage, but counteracts betulinic acid-mediated apoptosis in the same cells. Protection from the latter drug by joint treatment with U0126 was also evident in wt p53 MelJuso melanoma and mutant p53 WM164 melanoma. The latter cells were the most responsive to betulinic acid, showing a selective decline in the cdk4 protein, without a comparable change in other key cell cycle proteins like cdc2, cdk2, cdk7 or cyclin A, prior to apoptosis-associated PARP fragmentation. Laser scanning cytometry also showed that betulinic acid induced a significant increase in chromatin condensation in WM164 melanoma irrespective of whether they were in adherent form or as multicellular spheroids. All these betulinic acid-induced changes were counteracted by U0126. Our data show for the first time that (a) cdk4 protein is an early target of betulinic acid-induced apoptosis and (b) unrestricted ERK signaling favours betulinic acid-induced apoptosis, but this is counteracted by U0126, partly through counteracting chromatin condensation and restoring Akt activation decreased by betulinic acid treatment.

Free radicals, metals and antioxidants in oxidative stress-induced cancer

Oxygen-free radicals, more generally known as reactive oxygen species (ROS) along with reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are well recognised for playing a dual role as both deleterious and beneficial species. The "two-faced" character of ROS is substantiated by growing body of evidence that ROS within cells act as secondary messengers in intracellular signalling cascades, which induce and maintain the oncogenic phenotype of cancer cells, however, ROS can also induce cellular senescence and apoptosis and can therefore function as anti-tumourigenic species. The cumulative production of ROS/RNS through either endogenous or exogenous insults is termed oxidative stress and is common for many types of cancer cell that are linked with altered redox regulation of cellular signalling pathways. Oxidative stress induces a cellular redox imbalance which has been found to be present in various cancer cells compared with normal cells; the redox imbalance thus may be related to oncogenic stimulation. DNA mutation is a critical step in carcinogenesis and elevated levels of oxidative DNA lesions (8-OH-G) have been noted in various tumours, strongly implicating such damage in the etiology of cancer. It appears that the DNA damage is predominantly linked with the initiation process. This review examines the evidence for involvement of the oxidative stress in the carcinogenesis process. Attention is focused on structural, chemical and biochemical aspects of free radicals, the endogenous and exogenous sources of their generation, the metal (iron, copper, chromium, cobalt, vanadium, cadmium, arsenic, nickel)-mediated formation of free radicals (e.g. Fenton chemistry), the DNA damage (both mitochondrial and nuclear), the damage to lipids and proteins by free radicals, the phenomenon of oxidative stress, cancer and the redox environment of a cell, the mechanisms of carcinogenesis and the role of signalling cascades by ROS; in particular, ROS activation of AP-1 (activator protein) and NF-kappaB (nuclear factor kappa B) signal transduction pathways, which in turn lead to the transcription of genes involved in cell growth regulatory pathways. The role of enzymatic (superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, carotenoids, thiol antioxidants (glutathione, thioredoxin and lipoic acid), flavonoids, selenium and others) in the process of carcinogenesis as well as the antioxidant interactions with various regulatory factors, including Ref-1, NF-kappaB, AP-1 are also reviewed.

Black Raspberry Extracts Inhibit Benzo(a)Pyrene Diol-Epoxide–Induced Activator Protein 1 Activation and VEGF Transcription by Targeting the Phosphotidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt Pathway

Previous studies have shown that freeze-dried black raspberry extract fractions inhibit benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]-induced transformation of Syrian hamster embryo cells and benzo(a)pyrene diol-epoxide [B(a)PDE]-induced activator protein-1 (AP-1) activity in mouse epidermal Cl 41 cells. The phosphotidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K)/Akt pathway is critical for B(a)PDE-induced AP-1 activation in mouse epidermal Cl 41 cells. In the present study, we determined the potential involvement of PI-3K and its downstream kinases on the inhibition of AP-1 activation by black raspberry fractions, RO-FOO3, RO-FOO4, RO-ME, and RO-DM. In addition, we investigated the effects of these fractions on the expression of the AP-1 target genes, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Pretreatment of Cl 41 cells with fractions RO-F003 and RO-ME reduced activation of AP-1 and the expression of VEGF, but not iNOS. In contrast, fractions RO-F004 and RO-DM had no effect on AP-1 activation or the expression of either VEGF or iNOS. Consistent with inhibition of AP-1 activation, the RO-ME fraction markedly inhibited activation of PI-3K, Akt, and p70 S6 kinase (p70(S6k)). In addition, overexpression of the dominant negative PI-3K mutant delta p85 reduced the induction of VEGF by B(a)PDE. It is likely that the inhibitory effects of fractions RO-FOO3 and RO-ME on B(a)PDE-induced AP-1 activation and VEGF expression are mediated by inhibition of the PI-3K/Akt pathway. In view of the important roles of AP-1 and VEGF in tumor development, one mechanism for the chemopreventive activity of black raspberries may be inhibition of the PI-3K/Akt/AP-1/VEGF pathway.