Induction of G1 arrest and apoptosis in human jurkat T cells by pentagalloylglucose through inhibiting proteasome activity and elevating p27Kip1, p21Cip1/WAF1, and Bax proteins

Pentagalloyl Glucose: A Review of Anticancer Properties, Molecular Targets, Mechanisms of Action, Pharmacokinetics, and Safety Profile

Pentagalloyl glucose (PGG) is a natural hydrolyzable gallotannin abundant in various plants and herbs. It has a broad range of biological activities, specifically anticancer activities, and numerous molecular targets. Despite multiple studies available on the pharmacological action of PGG, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of PGG are unclear. Here, we have critically reviewed the natural sources of PGG, its anticancer properties, and underlying mechanisms of action. We found that multiple natural sources of PGG are available, and the existing production technology is sufficient to produce large quantities of the required product. Three plants (or their parts) with maximum PGG content were Rhus chinensis Mill, Bouea macrophylla seed, and Mangifera indica kernel. PGG acts on multiple molecular targets and signaling pathways associated with the hallmarks of cancer to inhibit growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis of several cancers. Moreover, PGG can enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy by modulating various cancer-associated pathways. Therefore, PGG can be used for treating different human cancers; nevertheless, the data on the pharmacokinetics and safety profile of PGG are limited, and further studies are essential to define the clinical use of PGG in cancer therapies.

Potent NKT cell ligands overcome SARS-CoV-2 immune evasion to mitigate viral pathogenesis in mouse models

One of the major pathogenesis mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 is its potent suppression of innate immunity, including blocking the production of type I interferons. However, it is unknown whether and how the virus interacts with different innate-like T cells, including NKT, MAIT and γδ T cells. Here we reported that upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, invariant NKT (iNKT) cells rapidly trafficked to infected lung tissues from the periphery. We discovered that the envelope (E) protein of SARS-CoV-2 efficiently down-regulated the cell surface expression of the antigen-presenting molecule, CD1d, to suppress the function of iNKT cells. E protein is a small membrane protein and a viroporin that plays important roles in virion packaging and envelopment during viral morphogenesis. We showed that the transmembrane domain of E protein was responsible for suppressing CD1d expression by specifically reducing the level of mature, post-ER forms of CD1d, suggesting that it suppressed the trafficking of CD1d proteins and led to their degradation. Point mutations demonstrated that the putative ion channel function was required for suppression of CD1d expression and inhibition of the ion channel function using small chemicals rescued the CD1d expression. Importantly, we discovered that among seven human coronaviruses, only E proteins from highly pathogenic coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS suppressed CD1d expression, whereas the E proteins of human common cold coronaviruses, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1, did not. These results suggested that E protein-mediated evasion of NKT cell function was likely an important pathogenesis factor, enhancing the virulence of these highly pathogenic coronaviruses. Remarkably, activation of iNKT cells with their glycolipid ligands, both prophylactically and therapeutically, overcame the putative viral immune evasion, significantly mitigated viral pathogenesis and improved host survival in mice. Our results suggested a novel NKT cell-based anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic approach.

Taohong Siwu Decoction exerts anticancer effects on breast cancer via regulating MYC, BIRC5, EGF and PIK3R1 revealed by HTS2 technology

Taohong Siwu Decoction (TSD), a classical gynecological prescription that was firstly reported 600 years ago, has been widely used in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer (BRCA) in China. However, the mechanism of action of TSD in treating BRCA has remained unclear. Here, high-throughput sequencing-based high-throughput screening (HTS²) technology was used to reveal the molecular mechanism of TSD, combination with bioinformatics and systems pharmacology in this study. Firstly, our results showed that TSD exerts an anticancer effect on BRCA cells by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration and inducing apoptosis as well as cell-cycle arrest. And our results from HTS² suggested that herbs of TSD could significantly inhibit KRAS pathway and pathway in cancer, and activate apoptosis pathway, p53 pathway and hypoxia pathway, which may lead to the anticancer function of TSD. Further, we found that TSD clearly regulates MYC, BIRC5, EGF, and PIK3R1 genes, which play an important role in the development and progression of tumor and have significant correlation with overall survival in BRCA patients. By molecular docking, we discovered that Pentagalloylglucose, a compound derived from TSD, might directly bind to and inhibit the function of BRD4, which is a reported transcriptional activator of MYC gene, and thus repress the expression of MYC. Taken together, this study explores the mechanism of TSD in anti-BRCA by combining HTS² technology, bioinformatics analysis and systems pharmacology.

High Capability of Pentagalloylglucose (PGG) in Inhibiting Multiple Types of Membrane Ionic Currents

Pentagalloyglucose (PGG, penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose; 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloyl glucose), a pentagallic acid ester of glucose, is recognized to possess anti-bacterial, anti-oxidative and anti-neoplastic activities. However, to what extent PGG or other polyphenolic compounds can perturb the magnitude and/or gating of different types of plasmalemmal ionic currents remains largely uncertain. In pituitary tumor (GH₃) cells, we found out that PGG was effective at suppressing the density of delayed-rectifier K⁺ current (I_K(DR)) concentration-dependently. The addition of PGG could suppress the density of proton-activated Cl⁻ current (I_PAC) observed in GH₃ cells. The IC₅₀ value required for the inhibitory action of PGG on I_K(DR) or I_PAC observed in GH₃ cells was estimated to be 3.6 or 12.2 μM, respectively, while PGG (10 μM) mildly inhibited the density of the erg-mediated K⁺ current or voltage-gated Na⁺ current. The presence of neither chlorotoxin, hesperetin, kaempferol, morin nor iberiotoxin had any effects on I_PAC density, whereas hydroxychloroquine or 4-[(2-butyl-6,7-dichloro-2-cyclopentyl-2,3-dihydro-1-oxo-1H-inden-5yl)oxy] butanoic acid suppressed current density effectively. The application of PGG also led to a decrease in the area of voltage-dependent hysteresis of I_PAC elicited by long-lasting isosceles-triangular ramp voltage command, suggesting that hysteretic strength was lessened in its presence. In human cardiac myocytes, the exposure to PGG also resulted in a reduction of ramp-induced I_K(DR) density. Taken literally, PGG-perturbed adjustment of ionic currents could be direct and appears to be independent of its anti-oxidative property.

Viral entry and the ubiquitin-proteasome system

Viruses confiscate cellular components of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) to facilitate many aspects of the infectious cycle. The 26S proteasome is an ATP-dependent, multisubunit proteolytic machine present in all eukaryotic cells. The proteasome executes the controlled degradation of functional proteins, as well as the hydrolysis of aberrantly folded polypeptides. There is growing evidence for the role of the UPS in viral entry. The UPS assists in several steps of the initiation of infection, including endosomal escape of the entering virion, intracellular transport of incoming nucleocapsids and uncoating of the viral genome. Inhibitors of proteasome activity, including MG132, epoxomicin, lactacystin and bortezomib have been integral to developments in this area. Here, we review the mechanistic details of UPS involvement in the entry process of viruses from a multitude of families. The possibility of proteasome inhibitors as therapeutic antiviral agents is highlighted.

1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-Galloyl-Beta-D-Glucopyranoside Inhibits Proliferation of Multiple Myeloma Cells Accompanied with Suppression of MYC Expression

Multiple myeloma (MM) still remains an incurable disease, therefore discovery of novel drugs boosts the therapeutics for MM. The natural compound 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (PGG) has been shown to exhibit antitumor activities against various cancer cells. Here, we aim to evaluate antitumor effects of PGG on MM cell lines. PGG inhibited the growth of three different MM cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis revealed that PGG treatment caused cell cycle arrest in G1 phase. It also induced apoptosis which was indicated by significant increases of Annexin V positive cells, caspase 3/7 activity, and cleaved caspase 3 expression in PGG treated MM cell. Since MYC is frequently hyperactivated in MM and inhibition of MYC leads to MM cell death. We further demonstrated that PGG decreased MYC expression in protein and mRNA levels and reversed the mRNA expression of MYC target genes such as p21, p27, and cyclin D2. In addition, PGG also reduced protein expression of DEPTOR which is commonly overexpressed in MM. Unexpectedly, PGG antagonized the cytotoxic effect of bortezomib in the combination treatment. However, PGG treatment sensitized MM cells to another proteasome inhibitor MG132 induced cytotoxicity. Moreover, MYC inhibitor JQ1 enhanced the cytotoxic effect of bortezomib on MM cells. Our findings raised concerns about the combinatory use of bortezomib with particular types of chemicals. The evidence also provide useful insights into the combination of MYC and proteasome-inhibitors for MM therapy. Finally, PGG has a therapeutic potential for treatment of MM and further development is mandatory.

Melatonin enhances the anti-tumor effect of sorafenib via AKT/p27-mediated cell cycle arrest in hepatocarcinoma cell lines

Proposed model elucidating the role of MT in regulating the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells treated with sorafenib.

Does MW Radiation Affect Gene Expression, Apoptotic Level, and Cell Cycle Progression of Human SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells?

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a cancer that occurs in sympathetic nervous system arising from neuroblasts and nerve tissue of the adrenal gland, neck, chest, or spinal cord. It is an embryonal malignancy and affects infants and children. In this study, we investigated the effects of microwave (MW) radiation on apoptotic activity, cell viability, and cell cycle progression in human SH-SY5Y NB cells which can give information about MW radiation effects on neural cells covering the period from the embryonic stages to infants. SH-SY5Y NB cells were exposed to 2.1 GHz W-CDMA modulated MW radiation for 24 h at a specific absorption rate of 0.491 W/kg. Control samples were in the same conditions with MW-exposed samples but they were not exposed to MW radiation. The apoptotic activity of cells was measured by Annexin-V-FITC and propidium iodide staining. Moreover, mRNA levels of proliferative and cell cycle proteins were determined by real-time RT-PCR. The change in cell cycle progression was observed by using CycleTest-Plus DNA reagent. No significant change was observed in apoptotic activity of MW-exposed cells compared to control cells. The mRNA levels of c-myc and cyclin D1 were significantly reduced in MW group (p < 0.05). The percentage of MW-exposed cells in G1 phase was significantly higher than the percentage of control cells in G1 phase. MW radiation caused cell cycle arrest in G1 phase. These results showed that 2.1 GHz W-CDMA modulated MW radiation did not cause apoptotic cell death but changed cell cycle progression.

The role of the ubiquitin proteasome system in cerebellar development and medulloblastoma

Cerebellar granule cells precursors are derived from the upper rhombic lip and migrate tangentially independent of glia along the subpial stream pathway to form the external germinal zone. Postnatally, granule cells migrate from the external germinal zone radially through the Purkinje cell layer, guided by Bergmann glia fibers, to the internal granular cell layer.

Medulloblastomas (MBs) are the most common malignant childhood brain tumor. Many of these tumors develop from precursor cells of the embryonic rhombic lips. Four main groups of MB are recognized. The WNT group of MBs arise primarily from the lower rhombic lip and embryonic brainstem. The SHH group of MBs originate from cerebellar granule cell precursors in the external germinal zone of the embryonic cerebellum. The cellular origins of type 3 and type 4 MBs are not clear.

Several ubiquitin ligases are revealed to be significant factors in development of the cerebellum as well as in the initiation and maintenance of MBs. Proteasome dysfunction at a critical stage of development may be a major factor in determining whether progenitor cells which are destined to become granule cells differentiate normally or become MB cells. We propose the hypothesis that proteasomal activity is essential to regulate the critical transition between proliferating granule cells and differentiated granule cells and that proteasome dysfunction may lead to MB. Proteasome dysfunction could also account for various mutations in MBs resulting from deficiencies in DNA checkpoint and repair mechanisms prior to development of MBs.

Data showing a role for the ubiquitin ligases β-TrCP, FBW7, Huwe1, and SKP2 in MBs suggest the possibility of a classification of MBs based on the expression (over expression or under expression) of specific ubiquitin ligases which function as oncogenes, tumor suppressors or cell cycle regulators.

NGF promotes mouse granulosa cell proliferation by inhibiting ESR2 mediated down-regulation of CDKN1A

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is known to play key roles in ovarian follicular development, such as the assembly of early follicles and follicular ovulation through its high-affinity receptor, tyrosine kinase receptor A (trkA). Herein, the molecular mechanism controlling NGF-induced granulosa cell (GC) proliferation was not clear. In this study, we found that NGF is abundant in preantral GCs and knockdown of trkA in GCs attenuated NGF-induced GC proliferation and further decreased the levels of phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2). Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A), also named p21, a factor which could be either a negative or a positive regulator via transformation related protein 53 (TRP53, also named p53)-dependent or independent pathways in cell proliferation, was up-regulated during the process of NGF-induced GC proliferation. Blockade of trkA (K252α) and ERK1/2 (U0126) in GCs decreased NGF-induced expression of CDKN1A and did not alter the expression of TRP53, indicating that NGF stimulates CDKN1A expression via the trkA-ERK1/2 pathway in a TRP53-independent manner. Meanwhile, ESR2, a tumor suppressor which is exclusively expressed in GCs, was suppressed in NGF-induced GC proliferation, and this effect was abrogated by U0126. Blockade of ESR2 (ICI182,780) caused the promotion of GC proliferation and CDKN1A expression, indicating that ESR2 may be downstream of the ERK1/2 pathway in mediating the effect of CDKN1A on NGF-induced GC proliferation. Therefore, ESR2 may be involved in the integration of intracellular signal cascades and cell cycle proteins in affecting GC proliferation. Here, we provide mechanistic insights into the roles of CDKN1A in NGF-induced GC proliferation. Understanding potential cross-points between CDKN1A and ESR2 affecting GC proliferation will help in the discovery of new therapeutic targets in some female infertility disorders.

Bioactivity of Fragaria vesca leaves through inflammation, proteasome and autophagy modulation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Fragaria vesca leaves have been used in folk medicine for the treatment of several diseases, namely gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and urinary disorders, which could be related with the potential anti-inflammatory properties of the extract. This work aims to disclose the bioactivity and the underlying action mechanism of an extract from Fragaria vesca leaves in order to support its traditional uses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A hydroalcoholic extract was prepared from Fragaria vesca leaves and its anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated through inhibition of nitric oxide production and expression of several pro-inflammatory proteins in lipopolysaccharide-triggered macrophages. Nitric oxide scavenger activity was also assessed using a standard nitric oxide donor. Since numerous inflammatory proteins are tightly regulated by ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, the putative effect of the extract on these cellular proteolytic pathways was also disclosed. The phytochemical characterization was performed by HPLC-PDA-ESI/MSn and compared with an infusion prepared according to the traditional method.

RESULTS

For non-cytotoxic concentrations (80 and 160µg/mL) the extract inhibited nitrite production, probably due to a direct nitric oxide scavenging. Furthermore, inhibition of proteasome activity was verified, leading to accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins. The extract also increased the conversion of the microtubule-associated protein light chain LC3-I to LC3-II, a marker of autophagy. Polyphenols, namely ellagitannins, proanthocyanidins, and quercetin and kaempferol glucuronide derivatives were identified in Fragaria vesca leaves extract. Most of the identified phenolic compounds matched with those found in traditional preparation, the infusion.

CONCLUSIONS

The extract has a direct nitric oxide scavenging activity giving support to the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Furthermore, the extract affects the proteolytic systems but its role in cancer treatment requires further studies.

Murraya koenigii leaf extract inhibits proteasome activity and induces cell death in breast cancer cells

Background

Inhibition of the proteolytic activity of 26S proteasome, the protein-degrading machine, is now considered a novel and promising approach for cancer therapy. Interestingly, proteasome inhibitors have been demonstrated to selectively kill cancer cells and also enhance the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents. Recently, polyphenols/flavonoids have been reported to inhibit proteasome activity. Murraya koenigii Spreng, a medicinally important herb of Indian origin, has been used for centuries in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Here we show that Murraya koenigii leaves (curry leaves), a rich source of polyphenols, inhibit the proteolytic activity of the cancer cell proteasome, and cause cell death.

Methods

Hydro-methanolic extract of curry leaves (CLE) was prepared and its total phenolic content [TPC] determined by, the Folin-Ciocalteau’s method. Two human breast carcinoma cell lines: MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 and a normal human lung fibroblast cell line, WI-38 were used for the studies. Cytotoxicity of the CLE was assessed by the MTT assay. We studied the effect of CLE on growth kinetics using colony formation assay. Growth arrest was assessed by cell cycle analysis and apoptosis by Annexin-V binding using flow cytometry. Inhibition of the endogenous 26S proteasome was studied in intact cells and cell extracts using substrates specific to 20S proteasomal enzymes.

Results

CLE decreased cell viability and altered the growth kinetics in both the breast cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. It showed a significant arrest of cells in the S phase albeit in cancer cells only. Annexin V binding data suggests that cell death was via the apoptotic pathway in both the cancer cell lines. CLE treatment significantly decreased the activity of the 26S proteasome in the cancer but not normal cells.

Conclusions

Our study suggests M. koenigii leaves to be a potent source of proteasome inhibitors that lead to cancer cell death. Therefore, identification of active component(s) from the leaf extract could lead to the development of anti-cancer agents which could be useful in the treatment of different types of cancers.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate and penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose inhibit protein phosphatase-1

Protein phosphatase-1 (PP1) and protein phosphatase-2A (PP2A) are responsible for the dephosphorylation of the majority of phosphoserine/threonine residues in cells. In this study, we show that (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (PGG), polyphenolic constituents of green tea and tannins, inhibit the activity of the PP1 recombinant δ-isoform of the PP1 catalytic subunit and the native PP1 catalytic subunit (PP1c) with IC(50) values of 0.47-1.35 μm and 0.26-0.4 μm, respectively. EGCG and PGG inhibit PP2Ac less potently, with IC(50) values of 15 and 6.6 μm, respectively. The structure-inhibitory potency relationships of catechin derivatives suggests that the galloyl group may play a major role in phosphatase inhibition. The interaction of EGCG and PGG with PP1c was characterized by NMR and surface plasmon resonance-based binding techniques. Competitive binding assays and molecular modeling suggest that EGCG docks at the hydrophobic groove close to the catalytic center of PP1c, partially overlapping with the binding surface of microcystin-LR or okadaic acid. This hydrophobic interaction is further stabilized by hydrogen bonding via hydroxyl/oxo groups of EGCG to PP1c residues. Comparative docking shows that EGCG binds to PP2Ac in a similar manner, but in a distinct pose. Long-term treatment (24 h) with these compounds and other catechins suppresses the viability of HeLa cells with a relative effectiveness reminiscent of their in vitro PP1c-inhibitory potencies. The above data imply that the phosphatase-inhibitory features of these polyphenols may be implicated in the wide spectrum of their physiological influence.

Hamamelitannin from witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) displays specific cytotoxic activity against colon cancer cells

Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) bark is a rich source of condensed and hydrolyzable tannins reported to exert a protective action against colon cancer. The present study characterizes different witch hazel tannins as selective cytotoxic agents against colon cancer. To cover the structural diversity of the tannins that occur in H. virginiana bark, the hydrolyzable tannins, hamamelitannin and pentagalloylglucose, together with a proanthocyanidin-rich fraction (F800H4) were selected for the study. Treatment with these compounds reduced tumor viability and induced apoptosis, necrosis, and S-phase arrest in the cell cycle of HT29 cells, with hamamelitannin being the most efficient. Owing to polyphenol-mediated H(2)O(2) formation in the incubation media, the antiproliferative effect was determined in the presence and absence of catalase to rule out any such interference. The presence of catalase significantly changed the IC(50) only for F800H4. Furthermore, at concentrations that inhibit the growth of HT29 cells by 50%, hamamelitannin had no harmful effects on NCM460 normal colonocytes, whereas pentagalloylglucose inhibited both cancerous and normal cell growth. Using the TNPTM assay, we identified a highly reactive phenolic position in hamamelitannin, which may explain its efficacy at inhibiting colon cancer growth.

The genome-wide expression profile of 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose-treated MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells: molecular target on cancer metabolism

1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG), a polyphenolic compound isolated from Rhus chinensis Mill. PGG has been known to have anti-tumor, anti-angiogenic and anti-diabetic activities. The present study revealed another underlying molecular target of PGG in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells by using Illumina Human Ref-8 expression BeadChip assay. Through the Beadstudio v3 micro assay program to compare the identified genes expressed in PGG-treated MDA-MB-231 cells with untreated control, we found several unique genes that are closely associated with pyruvate metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and tyrosine metabolism, including PC, ACSS2, ACACA, ACYP2, ALDH3B1, FBP1, PRMT2 and COMT. Consistent with microarray data, real-time RT-PCR confirmed the significant down-regulation of these genes at mRNA level in PGG-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Our findings suggest the potential of PGG as anticancer agent for breast cancer cells by targeting cancer metabolism genes.

Conformation of the tridimensional structure of 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloyl-β-D-glucopyranose (PGG) by (1)H NMR, NOESY and theoretical study and membrane interaction in a simulated phospholipid bilayer: a first insight

1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucopyranose (PGG) is a polyphenolic compound found in substantial amounts in a number of medicinal herbs. We report (i) its conformational analysis by solution NMR and molecular dynamics calculation and (ii) theoretical study of its interaction with a model membrane bilayer. The galloyl groups B and E appear to play important roles in the interaction with the phospholipid bilayer.

Penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose induces G1 arrest and DNA replicative S-phase arrest independently of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B and P53 in human breast cancer cells and is orally active against triple negative xenograft growth

Introduction

Natural herbal compounds with novel actions different from existing breast cancer (BCa) treatment modalities are attractive for improving therapeutic efficacy and safety. We have recently shown that penta-1,2,3,4,6-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (PGG) induced S-phase arrest in prostate cancer (PCa) cells through inhibiting DNA replicative synthesis and G₁ arrest, in addition to inducing cell death at higher levels of exposure. We and others have shown that PGG through intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection exerts a strong in vivo growth suppression of human PCa xenograft models in athymic nude mice. This study aims to test the hypothesis that the novel targeting actions of PGG are applicable to BCa cells, especially those lacking proven drugable targets.

Methods

Mono-layer cell culture models of p53-wild type estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent MCF-7 BCa cells and p53-mutant ER-/progesterone receptor (PR)- and Her2-regular (triple-negative) MDA-MB-231 BCa were exposed to PGG for a comprehensive investigation of cellular consequences and molecular targets/mediators. To test the in vivo efficacy, female athymic mice inoculated with MDA-MB-231 xenograft were treated with 20 mg PGG/kg body weight by daily gavage starting 4 days after cancer cell inoculation.

Results

Exposure to PGG induced S-phase arrest in both cell lines as indicated by the lack of 5-bromo2'-deoxy-uridine (BrdU) incorporation into S-phase cells as well as G₁ arrest. Higher levels of PGG induced more caspase-mediated apoptosis in MCF-7, in strong association with induction of P53 Ser¹⁵ phosphorylation, than in MDA-MB-231 cells. The cell cycle arrests were achieved without an induction of cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitory proteins P21^Cip1 and P27^Kip1. PGG treatment led to decreased cyclin D1 in both cell lines and over-expressing cyclin D1 attenuated G₁ arrest and hastened S arrest. In serum-starvation synchronized MCF-7 cells, down-regulation of cyclin D1 was associated with de-phosphorylation of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein by PGG shortly before G₁-S transition. In vivo, oral administration of PGG led to a greater than 60% inhibition of MDA-MB231 xenograft growth without adverse effect on host body weight.

Conclusions

Our in vitro and in vivo data support PGG as a potential drug candidate for breast cancer with novel targeting actions, especially for a triple negative BCa xenograft model.

The reduction of cell death and proliferation by p27(Kip1) minimizes DNA damage in an experimental model of genotoxicity

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most commonly occurring cancer worldwide. The expression of p27 has been related to reduced severity of tumor grade and recurrence of HCC. The study assessed the role of p27 on the cell proliferation and death, and DNA mutagenesis in experimental genotoxicity induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB(1)) in cultured hepatocytes obtained from control and p27(Kip1) deficient mice. The overexpression of p27 was assessed with wild type p27(Kip1) expression vector in HepG2 cells. The expression of p27, p21 and p53 was assessed in well and poorly-differentiated liver tumors. DNA damage and cell death induced by AFB(1) were related to a reduction of p27 and p21 expression in cultured hepatocytes. AFB(1)-induced nuclear phosphorylated (Ser 10) p27 degradation was related to a rise of nuclear KIST, Rsk-1 and Rsk-2 expression and cytoplasm phosphorylated (Thr 198) p27 expression. The overexpression of p27 reduced cell proliferation, cell death and DNA damage in AFB(1)-treated hepatocytes. The enhanced survival of patients with well differentiated compared to poorly-differentiated tumors was related to high expression of p27, p21 and p53 in liver sections. The study showed that the p27 reduced cell proliferation and death, as well as the accumulation of DNA damage in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and other pharmacologic and biological activities of penta-galloyl-glucose

1, 2, 3, 4, 6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG) is a polyphenolic compound highly enriched in a number of medicinal herbals. Several in vitro and a handful of in vivo studies have shown that PGG exhibits multiple biological activities which implicate a great potential for PGG in the therapy and prevention of several major diseases including cancer and diabetes. Chemically and functionally, PGG appears to be distinct from its constituent gallic acid or tea polyphenols. For anti-cancer activity, three published in vivo preclinical cancer model studies with PGG support promising efficacy to selectively inhibit malignancy without host toxicity. Potential mechanisms include anti-angiogenesis; anti-proliferative actions through inhibition of DNA replicative synthesis, S-phase arrest, and G(1) arrest; induction of apoptosis; anti-inflammation; and anti-oxidation. Putative molecular targets include p53, Stat3, Cox-2, VEGFR1, AP-1, SP-1, Nrf-2, and MMP-9. For anti-diabetic activity, PGG and analogues appear to improve glucose uptake. However, very little is known about the absorption, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism of PGG, or its toxicity profile. The lack of a large quantity of highly pure PGG has been a bottleneck limiting in vivo validation of cancer preventive and therapeutic efficacies in clinically relevant models.

Cell cycle-dependent effects of 3,3'-diindolylmethane on proliferation and apoptosis of prostate cancer cells

Epidemiological studies have shown that a diet rich in fruits and cruciferous vegetables is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and its dimeric product 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) have been shown to exhibit anti-tumor activity both in vitro and in vivo. Recently, we have reported that a formulated DIM (B-DIM) induced apoptosis and inhibited growth, angiogenesis, and invasion of prostate cancer cells by regulating Akt, NF-kappaB, VEGF and the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway. However, the precise molecular mechanism(s) by which B-DIM inhibits prostate cancer cell growth and induces apoptosis have not been fully elucidated. Most importantly, it is not known how B-DIM affects cell cycle regulators and proteasome activity, which are critically involved in cell growth and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of B-DIM on proteasome activity and AR transactivation with respect to B-DIM-mediated cell cycle regulation and induction of apoptosis in both androgen-sensitive LNCaP and androgen-insensitive C4-2B prostate cancer cells. We believe that our results show for the first time the cell cycle-dependent effects of B-DIM on proliferation and apoptosis of synchronized prostate cancer cells progressing from G(1) to S phase. B-DIM inhibited this progression by induction of p27(Kip1) and down-regulation of AR. We also show for the first time that B-DIM inhibits proteasome activity in S phase, leading to the inactivation of NF-kappaB signaling and induction of apoptosis in LNCaP and C4-2B cells. These results suggest that B-DIM could be a potent agent for the prevention and/or treatment of both hormone sensitive as well as hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose induces S- and G(1)-cell cycle arrests in prostate cancer cells targeting DNA replication and cyclin D1

We have recently shown that penta-1,2,3,4,6-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG), a naturally occurring hydrolyzable gallotannin, inhibited the in vivo growth of human androgen-independent p53-mutant DU145 prostate cancer (PCa) xenograft in athymic nude mice without adverse effect on their body weight. We have also shown that PGG induced caspase-mediated apoptosis in the DU145 cells and the androgen-dependent human p53-wild-type LNCaP cells. Here, we investigated the cell cycle effects of PGG in these and other PCa cells. Our data show that treatment with subapoptotic doses of PGG induced S-arrest, whereas higher doses of PGG induced not only S-arrest but also G(1) arrest. We show, for the first time, that irrespective of the p53 functional status of the PCa cell lines, PGG exerted a rapid (within 2 h) and potent inhibition (inhibitory concentration by 50% approximately 6 microM) of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation into S phase cells. In isolated nuclei, PGG inhibited DNA replicative synthesis with superior efficacy than a known DNA polymerase alpha inhibitor, aphidocolin. In addition to the S-arrest action, we have found a close association of downregulation of cyclin D1 with G(1) arrest induced by PGG. Overexpressing this G(1) cyclin abolished G(1) arrest, but hastened the S-arrest induction by PGG. Together, our data indicate that PGG induced PCa S-arrest probably through DNA replicative blockage and induced G(1) arrest via cyclin D1 downregulation to contribute to anticancer activity. Our data raise the hypothesis that PGG may be a novel inhibitor of DNA polymerases.

Hypoxia-induced Abrogation of Contact-dependent Inhibition of Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblast Proliferation

Objective.

Uncontrolled proliferation of synovial fibroblasts is characteristic of the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Since synovial tissues in the rheumatoid joints are hypoxic, we investigated how hypoxia affects RA synovial fibroblast (RASF) proliferation.

Methods.

RASF were cultured at 2000 cells (low density culture) or at 5000 cells (high density, growth-inhibitory confluent culture) per microtiter well under hypoxic (10%, 3%, or 1% O2) or normoxic (21% O2) conditions. Some RASF were treated with recombinant human interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-neutralizing antibodies, anti-N-cadherin-blocking antibodies, or MG132. 3H-labeled thymidine incorporation was quantified to assess their proliferation. Total RNA and cell lysates were prepared for real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses.

Results.

Hypoxia exerted no effect on proliferation of RASF cultured at low density. At high density, it abrogated contact-dependent growth inhibition of RASF, but not of human dermal fibroblasts. Addition of anti-TNF-α antibodies or IL-1ra did not affect the results. Upregulated expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 was observed in the cells cultured at high density under normoxic conditions, but not under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia decreased N-cadherin expression on RASF. Addition of anti-N-cadherin-blocking antibodies mimicked the effects of hypoxic culture; it promoted proliferation of RASF cultured at high density under normoxic conditions. This antibody treatment also downmodulated p27Kip1 expression.

Conclusion.

Hypoxia downregulates N-cadherin expression on RASF, and thus prevents p27Kip1 upregulation for their contact inhibition. It is likely that hypoxia in rheumatoid synovial tissues contributes to rheumatoid pathology by augmenting proliferation of synovial fibroblasts.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system in colorectal cancer

The proteasome is a multiprotein complex that regulates the stability of hundreds of cellular proteins and thus, it is implicated in virtually all cellular functions. Most of the time, to be recognized and processed by the proteasome, a protein has to be linked to a chain of ubiquitin molecules. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and motility, processes with particular importance for carcinogenesis are regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). In colorectal epithelium, UPS plays a role in the regulation of the Wnt/beta-catenin/APC/TCF4 signaling which regulates proliferation of colorectal epithelial cells in the bottom of the crypts and the inhibition of this proliferation as cells move towards colon villi tips. In most colorectal cancers APC (Adenomatous Polyposis Coli) disabling mutations interfere with the ability of the proteasome to degrade beta-catenin leading to uninhibited cell proliferation. Other key molecules in colorectal carcinogenesis such as p53, Smad4 and components of the k-ras pathways are also regulated by the UPS. In this review I discuss the role of UPS in colorectal carcinogenesis and colorectal cancer prognosis and aspects of its inhibition for therapeutic purposes.

Proteasome inhibition suppresses essential immune functions of human CD4+ T cells

The proteasome constitutes the central proteolytic component of the highly conserved ubiquitin-proteasome system, which is required for the maintenance and regulation of basic cellular processes, including differentiation, proliferation, cell cycling, gene transcription and apoptosis. Here we show that inhibition of proteasomal proteolytic activity by the proteasome inhibitors bortezomib and lactacystin suppresses essential immune functions of human CD4(+) T cells activated by allogeneic dendritic cells (DCs). In activated CD4(+) T cells, proteasome inhibition induces apoptosis accompanied by rapid accumulation and stabilization of the tumour suppressor protein p53. Activated CD4(+) T cells surviving proteasome inhibition undergo inhibition of proliferation by induction of G(1) phase cell-cycle arrest. Induction of G(1) arrest is accompanied by the accumulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21(WAF1/CIP1) and p27(KIP1) and the disappearance of cyclin A, cyclin D2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, proteins known to regulate G(1) to S phase cell-cycle transitions. Expression of the activation-associated cell surface receptors CD25, CD28, CD120b and CD134 as well as production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-5 is suppressed in response to proteasome inhibition in CD4(+) T cells activated by DCs. Expression of CD25, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-5 is known to be mediated by the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), and we show here that proteasome inhibition suppresses activation and nuclear translocation of NFATc2 in activated CD4(+) T cells. Thus, the proteasome is required for essential immune functions of activated CD4(+) T cells and can be defined as a molecular target for the suppression of deregulated and unwanted T-cell-mediated immune responses.

Role of proteasomes in cellular regulation

The 26S proteasome is the key enzyme of the ubiquitin-dependent pathway of protein degradation. This energy-dependent nanomachine is composed of a 20S catalytic core and associated regulatory complexes. The eukaryotic 20S proteasomes demonstrate besides several kinds of peptidase activities, the endoribonuclease, protein-chaperone and DNA-helicase activities. Ubiquitin-proteasome pathway controls the levels of the key regulatory proteins in the cell and thus is essential for life and is involved in regulation of crucial cellular processes. Proteasome population in the cell is structurally and functionally heterogeneous. These complexes are subjected to tightly organized regulation, particularly, to a variety of posttranslational modifications. In this review we will summarize the current state of knowledge regarding proteasome participation in the control of cell cycle, apoptosis, differentiation, modulation of immune responses, reprogramming of these particles during these processes, their heterogeneity and involvement in the main levels of gene expression.

Molecular targets of curcumin

Curcumin possesses anti-inflammatory activity and is a potent inhibitor of reactive-oxygen-generating enzymes such as lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase, xanthine dehydrogenase/oxidase, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS); it is an effective inducer of heme oxygenase-1. Curcumin is also a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), EGF-receptor tyrosine kinase, and IkappaB kinase. Subsequently, curcumin inhibits the activation of NF-KB and the expressions of oncogenes including c-jun, c-fos, c-myc, NIK, MAPKs, ERK, ELK, PI3K, Akt, CDKs, and iNOS. It is considered that PKC, mTOR, and EGFR tyrosine kinase are the major upstream molecular targest for curcumin intervention, whereas the nuclear oncogenes such as c-jun, c-fos, c-myc, CDKs, FAS, and iNOS might act as downstream molecular targets for curcumin actions. It is proposed that curcumin might suppress tumor promotion through blocking signal transduction pathways in the target cells. The oxidant tumor promoter TPA activates PKC by reacting with zinc thiolates present within the regulatory domain, whereas the oxidized form of cancer chemopreventive agent such as curcumin can inactivate PKC by oxidizing the vicinal thiols present within the catalytic domain. Recent studies indicated that proteasome-mediated degradation of cell proteins play a pivotal role in the regulation of several basic cellular processes, including differentiation, proliferation, cell cycling, and apoptosis. It has been demonstrated that curcumin-induced apoptosis is mediated through the impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.

Differential apoptosis by gallotannin in human colon cancer cells with distinct p53 status

Gallotannin (GT), a plant polyphenol, has shown anticarcinogenic activities in several animal models including colon cancer. In our previous study, we showed that GT inhibits 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci and tumors in Balb/c mice, thus supporting a role for GT as a chemopreventive agent in colon cancer. However, at the molecular level, GT's mechanism of chemoprevention is still unclear. In this study, we aim at identifying GT's potential molecular mechanisms of action in in vitro studies. We show that GT differentially inhibits the growth of two isogenic HCT-116 (p53+/+, p53-/-) human colon cancer cells versus normal human intestinal epithelial cells (FHs 74Int). DNA flow cytometric analysis showed that GT induced S-phase arrest in both HCT-116 cell lines. Cell-cycle arrest in p53 (+/+) cells was associated with an increase in p53 protein levels and p21 transcript and protein levels. The inhibition of cell-cycle progression of HCT-116 p53 (+/+) cells by GT correlated with a reduction in the protein levels of cyclin D(1), pRb, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Although GT did not induce apoptosis in p53 (+/+) cells, a significant induction of apoptosis was observed in p53 (-/-) cells as shown by TUNEL staining and flow cytometry analysis. Apoptosis induction in p53 (-/-) cells was associated with a significant increase in Bax/Bcl-2 protein levels. Our results demonstrate that GT inhibits the growth of HCT-116 colon cancer cells in a p53-independent manner but exhibits differential sensitivity to apoptosis induction in HCT-116 cells with distinct p53 status.

The Proteasome Inhibitor Bortezomib Acts Independently of p53 and Induces Cell Death via Apoptosis and Mitotic Catastrophe in B-Cell Lymphoma Cell Lines

Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor with proven efficacy in multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This study reports the effects of bortezomib in B-cell lymphoma cell lines with differing sensitivity to bortezomib to investigate factors that influence sensitivity. Bortezomib induced a time- and concentration-dependent reduction in cell viability in five lymphoma cell lines, with EC(50) values ranging from 6 nmol/L (DHL-7 cells) to 25 nmol/L (DHL-4 cells) after 72 h. Bortezomib cytotoxicity was independent of p53 function, as all cell lines exhibited mutations by sequence analysis. The difference in sensitivity was not explained by proteasome or nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) inhibition as these were similar in the most and least sensitive cells. NF-kappaB inhibition was less marked than that of a specific NF-kappaB inhibitor, Bay 11-7082. Cell cycle analysis showed a marked G(2)-arrested population in the least sensitive DHL-4 line only, an effect that was not present with Bay 11-7082 treatment. Conversely, in DHL-7 cells, bortezomib treatment resulted in cells moving into an aberrant mitosis, indicative of mitotic catastrophe that may contribute to increased sensitivity to bortezomib. These studies show that although bortezomib treatment had similar effects on apoptotic and NF-kappaB signaling pathways in these cell lines, different cell cycle effects were observed and induction of a further mechanism of cell death, mitotic catastrophe, was observed in the more sensitive cell line, which may provide some pointers to the difference in sensitivity between cell lines. An improved understanding of how DHL-7 cells abrogate the G(2)-M cell cycle checkpoint may help identify targets to increase the efficacy of bortezomib.

Pentagalloylglucose inhibits estrogen receptor alpha by lysosome-dependent depletion and modulates ErbB/PI3K/Akt pathway in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells

Estrogens and estrogen receptors (ER) play important roles in estrogen-dependent and ER-positive breast cancer development. Inhibitors against estrogen biosynthesis or anti-estrogens have been used in breast cancer treatment for many years. The aim of this study was to determine whether pentagalloylglucose (5GG) has inhibitory effects on ER function. In the present study, we found that 5GG significantly reduced the growth of estrogen-responsive human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, and suppressed the phosphorylation and protein level of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha). Interestingly, 5GG decreased ERalpha protein levels by promoting the degradation of ERalpha protein in the lysosome. The ERalpha can be activated through a ligand-dependent and/or a ligand-independent pathway. The activated Akt kinase was shown to directly phosphorylate ERalpha at its serine residues and cause ligand independent activation. Our results showed that 5GG might inhibit the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway either through directly inhibiting Akt kinase activity or through inhibiting phosphorylation of the upstream receptor tyrosine kinases. The depletion of ErbB family receptors, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), ErbB2, and ErbB3, was also observed. 5GG treatment also led to a dose-dependent decrease in the expression of the estrogen-activated cyclin D1 expression. These findings suggested that 5GG might be a useful chemopreventive or therapeutic agent for hormone-dependent breast cancer through suppressing the functions of ERalpha by lysosome-dependent depletion and modulating the ErbB/PI3K/Akt pathway.

Transcription Factor IIA tau is associated with undifferentiated cells and its gene expression is repressed in primary neurons at the chromatin level in vivo

The levels of General Transcription Factor (TF) IIA were examined during mammalian brain development and in rat embryo fibroblasts and transformed cell lines. The large TFIIA subunit paralogues alphabeta and tau are largely produced in unsynchronized cell lines, yet only TFIIA alphabeta is observed in a number of differentiated tissue extracts. Steady-state protein levels of the TFIIA tau, alphabeta, and gamma subunits were significantly reduced when human embryonal (ec) and hepatic carcinoma cell lines were stimulated to differentiate with either all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) or sodium butyrate. ATRA-treated NT2-ec cells required replating to induce a neuronal phenotype and loss of detectable TFIIA tau and gamma proteins. High levels of TFIIA tau, alphabeta, and gamma and Sp factors were identified in extracts from human fetal and rat embryonic day-18 brains, but not in human and rat adult brain extracts. A high histone H3 Lys9/Lys4 methylation ratio was observed in the TFIIA tau promoter of primary hippocampal neurons from day-18 rat embryos, suggesting that repressive epigenetic marks of chromatin prevent TFIIA tau from being transcribed in neurons. We conclude that TFIIA tau is associated with undifferentiated cells during development, yet is down-regulated at the chromatin level upon cellular differentiation.

Phosphorylation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21Cip1 on serine 130 is essential for viral cyclin-mediated bypass of a p21Cip1-imposed G1 arrest

K cyclin encoded by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus confers resistance to the cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitors p16Ink4A, p21Cip1, and p27Kip1 on the associated cdk6. We have previously shown that K cyclin expression enforces S-phase entry on cells overexpressing p27Kip1 by promoting phosphorylation of p27Kip1 on threonine 187, triggering p27Kip1 down-regulation. Since p21Cip1 acts in a manner similar to that of p27Kip1, we have investigated the subversion of a p21Cip1-induced G1 arrest by K cyclin. Here, we show that p21Cip1 is associated with K cyclin both in overexpression models and in primary effusion lymphoma cells and is a substrate of the K cyclin/cdk6 complex, resulting in phosphorylation of p21Cip1 on serine 130. This phosphoform of p21Cip1 appeared unable to associate with cdk2 in vivo. We further demonstrate that phosphorylation on serine 130 is essential for K cyclin-mediated release of a p21Cip1-imposed G1 arrest. Moreover, we show that under physiological conditions of cell cycle arrest due to elevated levels of p21Cip1 resulting from oxidative stress, K cyclin expression enabled S-phase entry and was associated with p21Cip1 phosphorylation and partial restoration of cdk2 kinase activity. Thus, expression of the viral cyclin enables cells to subvert the cell cycle inhibitory function of p21Cip1 by promoting cdk6-dependent phosphorylation of this antiproliferative protein.

Anti-platelet effects of bioactive compounds isolated from the bark of Rhus verniciflua Stokes

It has previously been shown that EtOAc extracts of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) inhibit the platelet aggregation response. In this report, bioassay-guided fractionation using ADP-, arachidonic acid-, and collagen-induced human platelet aggregation by a whole blood aggregometer yielded the bioactive compounds isomaltol and pentagalloyl glucose from different highly effective fractions. In addition, column chromatography of fractions from RVS yielded another five compounds: butin, fisetin, sulfuretin, butein and 3,4',7,8-tetrahydroxyflavone. We investigated the effects of bioactive compounds from RVS fractions on several markers of platelet activation using receptor expression on platelet membranes, including glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (CD41), GPIIb/IIIa-like expression (PAC-1) and P-selectin (CD62), and intracelluar calcium mobilization responses by flow cytometry in healthy subjects. Dose-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation and significantly decreased platelet activation were observed for the isomaltol- and pentagalloyl glucose-treated platelets, respectively. These results show that isomaltol and pentagalloyl glucose from the bark of Rhus verniciflua Stokes have potent anti-platelet activity and emphasize the need to further examine the mechanism of these active compounds for platelet modulation.

Gentamicin causes apoptosis at low concentrations in renal LLC-PK1 cells subjected to electroporation

Gentamicin accumulates in the lysosomes of kidney proximal tubular cells and causes apoptosis at clinically relevant doses. Gentamicin-induced apoptosis can be reproduced with cultured renal cells, but only at high extracellular concentrations (1 to 3 mM; 0.4 to 1.2 g/liter) because of its low level of uptake. We recently showed that gentamicin-induced apoptosis in LLC-PK1 cells involves a rapid (2-h) permeabilization of lysosomes and activation of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis (10 h). We now examine whether the delivery of gentamicin to the cytosol by electroporation would sensitize LLC-PK1 cells to apoptosis. Cells were subjected to eight pulses (1 ms) at 800 V/cm (square waves) in the presence of gentamicin (3 microM to 3 mM; 1.2 mg/liter to 1.2 g/liter); returned to gentamicin-free medium; and examined at 8 h for their Bax (a marker of mitochondrial pathway activation) contents by Western blotting and competitive reverse transcriptase PCR and at 24 h for apoptosis by 4',6'-diamidino-2'-phenylindole staining (confirmed by electron microscopy) and for necrosis (by determination of lactate dehydrogenase release). Nonelectroporated cells were incubated with gentamicin for 8 and 24 h. Significant increases in Bax levels (8 h) and apoptosis (24 h) were detected with 0.03 mM (13.2 mg/liter) gentamicin in electroporated cells compared with those achieved with 2 mM (928 mg/liter) in incubated cells. The increase in the Bax level was not associated with an increase in the level of its mRNA but was associated with the accumulation of ubiquitinated forms (probably as a result of impairment of its degradation by the proteasome). Assay of cell-associated gentamicin showed a marked, immediate, but transient accumulation in electroporated cells, whereas a slow, steady uptake was detected in incubated cells. The data indicate that cytosolic gentamicin triggers apoptosis. Sequestration of gentamicin in lysosomes would, to some extent, protect against apoptosis.

Proteasome inhibitor-induced apoptosis in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Proteasome inhibitors possess potent antitumor activity against a broad spectrum of human malignancies. However, the effects of these compounds on the immune system still have to be clearly determined. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of proteasome inhibitors on dendritic cells (DC), antigen-presenting cells playing a key role in the initiation of immune responses. Exposure to the proteasome inhibitors bortezomib, MG132 or epoxomicin was found to promote apoptosis of human monocyte-derived DC and to reduce the yield of viable DC when given to monocytes early during differentiation to DC. DC apoptosis via proteasome inhibition was accompanied by mitochondria disruption and subsequent activation of the caspase cascade. Up-regulation and intracellular redistribution of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein, were observed in DC treated with these compounds and represent a suitable mechanism leading to activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Finally, active protein synthesis was found to represent an upstream prerequisite for DC apoptosis induced by proteasome inhibitors, since the translation inhibitor cycloheximide blocked all of the steps of the observed apoptotic response. In conclusion, induction of apoptosis in DC may represent a novel mechanism by which proteasome inhibitors affect the immune response at the antigen-presenting cell level.

1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose up-regulates heme oxygenase-1 expression by stimulating Nrf2 nuclear translocation in an extracellular signal-regulated kinase-dependent manner in HepG2 cells

AIM: To examine the potency of 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (PGG) as a hepatic heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inducer and its regulation in HepG2 cells.

METHODS: Expression of HO-1 and NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases were analyzed by Western blot, immunofluorescence assay, and flow cytometry. Transfections of HO-1 gene, small interfering RNAs for HO-1 and Nrf2, and dominant-negative gene for MAP/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were carried out to dissect the signaling pathways leading to HO-1 expression in HepG 2 cells.

RESULTS: PGG up-regulated HO-1 expression and this expression conferred cytoprotection against oxidative injury induced by t-butyl hydroperoxide. Moreover, PGG induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation, which was found to be an upstream step of PGG-induced HO-1 expression, and ERK activation, of which pathway was involved in PGG-induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation, HO-1 expression and cytoprotection.

CONCLUSION: PGG up-regulates HO-1 expression by stimulating Nrf2 nuclear translocation in an ERK-dependent manner, and HO-1 expression by PGG may serve as one of the important mechanisms for its hepatoprotective effects.

cGMP-independent nitric oxide signaling and regulation of the cell cycle

BACKGROUND

Regulatory functions of nitric oxide (NO*) that bypass the second messenger cGMP are incompletely understood. Here, cGMP-independent effects of NO* on gene expression were globally examined in U937 cells, a human monoblastoid line that constitutively lacks soluble guanylate cyclase. Differentiated U937 cells (>80% in G0/G1) were exposed to S-nitrosoglutathione, a NO* donor, or glutathione alone (control) for 6 h without or with dibutyryl-cAMP (Bt2cAMP), and then harvested to extract total RNA for microarray analysis. Bt2cAMP was used to block signaling attributable to NO*-induced decreases in cAMP.

RESULTS

NO* regulated 110 transcripts that annotated disproportionately to the cell cycle and cell proliferation (47/110, 43%) and more frequently than expected contained AU-rich, post-transcriptional regulatory elements (ARE). Bt2cAMP regulated 106 genes; cell cycle gene enrichment did not reach significance. Like NO*, Bt2cAMP was associated with ARE-containing transcripts. A comparison of NO* and Bt2cAMP effects showed that NO* regulation of cell cycle genes was independent of its ability to interfere with cAMP signaling. Cell cycle genes induced by NO* annotated to G1/S (7/8) and included E2F1 and p21/Waf1/Cip1; 6 of these 7 were E2F target genes involved in G1/S transition. Repressed genes were G2/M associated (24/27); 8 of 27 were known targets of p21. E2F1 mRNA and protein were increased by NO*, as was E2F1 binding to E2F promoter elements. NO* activated p38 MAPK, stabilizing p21 mRNA (an ARE-containing transcript) and increasing p21 protein; this increased protein binding to CDE/CHR promoter sites of p21 target genes, repressing key G2/M phase genes, and increasing the proportion of cells in G2/M.

CONCLUSION

NO* coordinates a highly integrated program of cell cycle arrest that regulates a large number of genes, but does not require signaling through cGMP. In humans, antiproliferative effects of NO* may rely substantially on cGMP-independent mechanisms. Stress kinase signaling and alterations in mRNA stability appear to be major pathways by which NO* regulates the transcriptome.

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.

Synergistic apoptosis induction by proteasome and histone deacetylase inhibitors is dependent on protein synthesis

Proteasome inhibitors are able to efficiently induce apoptosis in many tumor cells while leaving quiescent, untransformed cells largely unharmed. Here we investigated the further enhancement of proteasome inhibitor-mediated apoptosis induction in Bcr-Abl positive K562 CML cells by simultaneous treatment with different histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs). Combining proteasome and HDIs resulted in rapid hyperacetylation of histone H3 and accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins and the synergistic induction of apoptosis. Apoptosis induction was associated with caspase 8, 3 and 9 activation, Bid processing, destruction of the mitochondrial membrane potential, cleavage of PARP and lamin B and extensive DNA fragmentation. The pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK and the caspase-8 inhibitor Z-IETD-FMK could inhibit K562 cell apoptosis. Apoptosis was also delayed by overexpression of Bcl-xL, as well as by crmA, a known inhibitor of caspases 1 and 8. Caspase 8 activity could still be detected in the presence of ectopic Bcl-xL, but not in crmA transfected cells. The most striking anti-apoptotic effect though was obtained by the translational inhibitor cycloheximide, which abolished caspase 8 processing, blocked Bid cleavage and maintained the mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Apoptosis by the combination treatment occurred independently from CD95/Fas receptor stimulation. These results demonstrated that transcriptional activation by HDIs combined with proteasome inhibitor mediated posttranslational stabilization of protein(s) results in significantly enhanced CML apoptosis which was striktly dependent on uninterrupted protein synthesis.

Chrysin induces G1 phase cell cycle arrest in C6 glioma cells through inducing p21Waf1/Cip1 expression: involvement of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase

Flavonoids are a broadly distributed class of plant pigments, universally present in plants. They are strong anti-oxidants that can inhibit carcinogenesis in rodents. Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) is a natural and biologically active compound extracted from many plants, honey, and propolis. It possesses potent anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant properties, promotes cell death, and perturbing cell cycle progression. However, the mechanism by which chrysin inhibits cancer cell growth remains poorly understood. Therefore, we developed an interest in the relationship between MAPK signaling pathways and cell growth inhibition after chrysin treatment in rat C6 glioma cells. Cell viability assay and flow cytometric analysis suggested that chrysin exhibited a dose-dependent and time-dependent ability to block rat C6 glioma cell line cell cycle progression at the G1 phase. Western blotting analysis showed that the levels of Rb phosphorylation in C6 glioma cells exposed to 30 microM chrysin for 24h decreased significantly. We demonstrated the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p21(Waf1/Cip1), to be significantly increased, but the p53 protein level did not change in chrysin-treated cells. Both cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and 4 (CDK4) kinase activities were reduced by chrysin in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, chrysin also inhibited proteasome activity. We further showed that chrysin induced p38-MAPK activation, and using a specific p38-MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, attenuated chrysin-induced p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression. These results suggest that chrysin exerts its growth-inhibitory effects either through activating p38-MAPK leading to the accumulation of p21(Waf1/Cip1) protein or mediating the inhibition of proteasome activity.

Bowman-Birk inhibitor abates proteasome function and suppresses the proliferation of MCF7 breast cancer cells through accumulation of MAP kinase phosphatase-1

The Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI), a soybean-derived protease inhibitor with well-characterized ability to inhibit trypsin and chymotrypsin activities, has been shown to be an effective suppressor of carcinogenesis and treated in human phase IIa clinical trial. However, the precise mechanisms by which BBI suppresses carcinogenesis are unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that BBI specifically and potently inhibits the proteasomal chymotrypsin-like activity in vitro and in vivo in MCF7 breast cancer cells. Proteasome inhibition by BBI is associated with accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins and the proteasome substrates, p21Cip1/WAF1 and p27Kip1, accompanied with downregulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin E which could arrest cell cycle at G1/S phase. Moreover, BBI suppressed MCF7 cell growth and had a novel effect on the decrease of phosphorylated extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK1/2). However, BBI was unable to inactivate ERK1/2 in the presence of a phosphatase inhibitor or a transcription inhibitor suggesting the involvement of a specific phosphatase. We found an induction of MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) in dose- and time-dependent manner correlated with dephosphorylation of ERK1/2 in BBI-treated MCF7 cells. In addition, BBI exhibited no inhibitory effects on EGF-stimulated activation of ERK1/2 and Akt. Together, we suggested that BBI abates proteasome function and results in upregulation of MKP-1, which in turn suppresses ERK1/2 activity. Our results support the notion that proteasome inhibition by BBI is a novel mechanism that contributes to prevention of cancer and further provides evidence that soybean products have the potential to advance as chemopreventive agents.

Suppression of protein kinase C and nuclear oncogene expression as possible action mechanisms of cancer chemoprevention by Curcumin

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a major naturally-occurring polyphenol of Curcuma species, which is commonly used as a yellow coloring and flavoring agent in foods. Curcumin has shown anti-carcinogenic activity in animal models. Curcumin possesses anti-inflammatory activity and is a potent inhibitor of reactive oxygen-generating enzymes such as lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase, xanthine dehydrogenase/oxidase and inducible nitric oxide synthase; and an effective inducer of heme oxygenase-1. Curcumin is also a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), EGF(Epidermal growth factor)-receptor tyrosine kinase and IkappaB kinase. Subsequently, curcumin inhibits the activation of NF(nucleor factor)kappaB and the expressions of oncogenes including c-jun, c-fos, c-myc, NIK, MAPKs, ERK, ELK, PI3K, Akt, CDKs and iNOS. It is proposed that curcumin may suppress tumor promotion through blocking signal transduction pathways in the target cells. The oxidant tumor promoter TPA activates PKC by reacting with zinc thiolates present within the regulatory domain, while the oxidized form of cancer chemopreventive agent such as curcumin can inactivate PKC by oxidizing the vicinal thiols present within the catalytic domain. Recent studies indicated that proteasome-mediated degradation of cell proteins play a pivotal role in the regulation of several basic cellular processes including differentiation, proliferation, cell cycling, and apoptosis. It has been demonstrated that curcumin-induced apoptosis is mediated through the impairment of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Curcumin was first biotransformed to dihydrocurcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin and that these compounds subsequently were converted to monoglucuronide conjugates. These results suggest that curcumin-glucuronide, dihydrocurcumin-glucuronide, tetrahydrocurcumin-glucuronide and tetrahydrocurcumin are the major metabolites of curcumin in mice, rats and humans.

The HTLV-I Tax oncoprotein targets the retinoblastoma protein for proteasomal degradation

Human T-cell leukemia virus type-I (HTLV-I), the etiologic agent of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), is estimated to affect 10-20 million people worldwide. The transforming ability of HTLV-I has been largely attributed to the viral protein Tax, which modulates the activity of several well-known cell cycle regulators. An important cell cycle regulator, the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein, is often inactivated in many cancers including virally induced cancers. Upon examination of Rb status, we observed a decrease in Rb protein expression in HTLV-1-infected cell lines as well as in ex vivo ATL patient samples. Transient transfection assays indicated that decreased Rb protein levels were Tax dependent. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that Tax directly associates with Rb. This interaction was localized within the B pocket of Rb and the C-terminus of Tax (aa 245-353). Within the C-terminus of Tax, we have identified an LXCXE-like motif, that when mutated resulted in the loss of Tax/Rb interaction. Furthermore, through the use of proteasome inhibitors, such as MG-132, in vivo and proteasome degradation assays in vitro, we found that Tax destabilizes the hypo-phosphorylated (active) form of Rb via the proteasome pathway. Therefore, we propose a model whereby Tax targets Rb to the proteasome by acting as a molecular bridge bringing Rb into contact with the proteasome for degradation.

Inhibition of macroautophagy triggers apoptosis

Mammalian cells were observed to die under conditions in which nutrients were depleted and, simultaneously, macroautophagy was inhibited either genetically (by a small interfering RNA targeting Atg5, Atg6/Beclin 1-1, Atg10, or Atg12) or pharmacologically (by 3-methyladenine, hydroxychloroquine, bafilomycin A1, or monensin). Cell death occurred through apoptosis (type 1 cell death), since it was reduced by stabilization of mitochondrial membranes (with Bcl-2 or vMIA, a cytomegalovirus-derived gene) or by caspase inhibition. Under conditions in which the fusion between lysosomes and autophagosomes was inhibited, the formation of autophagic vacuoles was enhanced at a preapoptotic stage, as indicated by accumulation of LC3-II protein, ultrastructural studies, and an increase in the acidic vacuolar compartment. Cells exhibiting a morphology reminiscent of (autophagic) type 2 cell death, however, recovered, and only cells with a disrupted mitochondrial transmembrane potential were beyond the point of no return and inexorably died even under optimal culture conditions. All together, these data indicate that autophagy may be cytoprotective, at least under conditions of nutrient depletion, and point to an important cross talk between type 1 and type 2 cell death pathways.

Regulation of serum response factor-dependent gene expression by proteasome inhibitors

Serum response factor (SRF) is activated by contractile and hypertrophic agonists, such as endothelin-1 (ET1) to stimulate expression of cytoskeletal proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). While studying the regulation of smooth muscle alpha-actin (SMA) expression at the level of protein stability, we discovered that inhibition of proteasome-dependent protein degradation by N-benzoyloxycarbonyl (Z)-Leu-Leu-leucinal (MG132) or lactacystin (LC) did not enhance the levels of SMA, but, unexpectedly, attenuated SMA expression in response to ET1, without affecting the viability of VSMCs. Down-regulation of SMA protein by MG132 or LC occurred at the level of SMA transcription and via the inhibition of SRF activity. By contrast, MG132 and LC potentiated the activity of activator protein-1 transcription factor. Regulation of SRF by MG132 was not related to inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB, an established target of proteasome inhibitors, and was not mediated by protein kinase A, a powerful regulator of SRF activity. Signaling studies indicate that inhibition of ET1-induced SRF activity by MG132 occurs at the level downstream of heterotrimeric G proteins Gq/11 and G13, of small GTPase RhoA, and of actin dynamics but at the level of SRF-DNA binding. MG132 treatment did not result in ubiquitination or accumulation of SRF. By contrast, the levels of c-Jun were rapidly increased upon incubation of cells with MG132, and ectopic overexpression of c-Jun mimicked the effect of MG132 on SRF activity. Together, these data suggest that inhibition of proteasome results in down-regulation of SMA expression via up-regulation of c-Jun and repression of SRF activity at the level of DNA binding.