The influence of insulin on various enzyme activities in human and rat hepatoma cells

A Novel Microtubule-Disrupting Agent Induces Endoplasmic Reticular Stress-Mediated Cell Death in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Here, we present evidence of a novel microtubule-disrupting agent, N-deacetyl-N-(chromone-2-carbonyl)-thiocolchicine (TCD), exhibiting potent antitumor activity (with IC₅₀ values in the nanomolar range) against hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Cell cycle analysis revealed that TCD induced G₂/M cell-cycle arrest in a dose- and time-dependent manner in both Hep-J5 and Mahlavu HCC cell lines. TCD also induced a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and caused DNA damage. Mechanistically, TCD activated protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticular kinase and several transcription factors, including activating transcription factor (ATF) 6, ATF4, ATF3, and the CCAAT-enhancer binding protein homologous protein. These data clearly demonstrate that the antitumor activity of TCD is mechanistically linked to its capacity to trigger both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic cell death via endoplasmic reticular stress pathway. The potent antitumor activity of TCD was similarly demonstrated in a hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft model, where 5 and 10 mg/kg doses of TCD significantly arrested Hep-J5 and Mahlavu tumor growth. Our finding suggests that TCD is a promising therapeutic agent against hepatocellular carcinoma; further translational assessment of its clinical usage is warranted.

Application of an epithelial liver cell line, metabolically competent, for mutation studies of promutagens

Recently numerous attempts have been made to reduce the use of vertebrate animals in laboratory experiments to evaluate general and acute toxicity, mutagenesis and teratogenesis of new drugs or chemicals. One common approach is to use established, proliferating cell lines that preserve differentiated functions such as the competence to metabolize xenobiotics. To this end a continuous Chinese hamster epithelial liver cell line (CHEL cells) was established, cultured as used for mutagenesis studies. Structurally different promutagens, such as 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (7,12-DMBA), benzo[a]pyrene (B(a)P), aflatoxin B1 (AB1) and cyclophosphamide (CP), were used in order to check and validate the test system. anti-Chrysene-1,2-diol 3,4-epoxide (CDE) and mitomycin C (MMC) were taken as representatives of direct mutagens. The genetic change induced by the mutagens was quantified by measuring mutation frequencies at the HGPRT locus. Several parameters, such as mutant expression time for each chemical, cell density for selection of mutants and enzymatic characterization for HGPRT phenotype, were examined to establish the optimal assay conditions. All promutagens analyzed significantly affected either the cloning efficiency and/or the mutant frequency of CHEL cells after 24 h of exposure. In addition, various enzyme activities involved in the metabolism of the promutagens were determined in CHEL cells, under the experimental conditions of chemical exposure used in the mutagenesis assay. The enzyme activities were compared with those found in uninduced Chinese hamster liver.

Abnormal structure and expression of p53 gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma

There is little information regarding the molecular mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis. We studied the p53 gene at the DNA, RNA, and protein level in seven human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-derived cell lines; six of seven showed p53 abnormalities. By Southern blotting, the p53 gene was found to be partially deleted in Hep 3B and rearranged in SK-HEP-1 cells. Transcripts of the p53 gene were undetectable in Hep 3B as well as in FOCUS cells that had no apparent deletion or rearrangement of the p53 gene. Immunoprecipitation after [35S]methionine labeling of HCC cells demonstrated that p53 protein was absent in Hep 3B and FOCUS and reduced in concentration in PLC/PRF/5 cells. p53 synthesized by Mahlavu cells showed a slower migration on SDS/polyacrylamide gels suggesting it was an abnormal protein. In Huh7 cells, p53 protein had a prolonged half-life leading to its accumulation in the nuclei; increased levels of p53 protein were also found by immunoblotting. The p53 gene and its expression appeared to be unaltered in the hepatoblastoma-derived Hep G2 cell line. We found that the loss of p53 expression did not occur as a late in vitro event in the FOCUS cell line because p53 protein was also nondetectable at an early passage. We conclude that the loss of p53 expression or the presence of abnormal forms of the protein are frequently associated with HCC cell lines. These observations suggest that alterations in p53 may be important events in the transformation of hepatocytes to the malignant phenotype.

Establishment and characterization of a new human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line

A human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (FOCUS--Friendship of China and United States) was derived from a patient with primary hepatocellular carcinoma. This cell line has been in continuous culture over an 18-mo period. The morphological and ultrastructural features of FOCUS are consistent with its neoplastic hepatocellular origin. FOCUS cells contain aspartate aminotransferase and glucose-6-phosphatase activity. In addition, alpha 1-antitrypsin, fibrinogen, alpha fetoprotein, and carcinoembryonic antigens were detectable in the cytoplasm of the cultured cells by immunochemical staining techniques. The karyotype of the FOCUS cell is human in origin and its contains human DNA sequences as detected by molecular hybridization analysis. The FOCUS cells do not show evidence of density-dependent inhibition of growth under confluent conditions. Repeated growth curves over an 18-mo period were identical, revealing a doubling time of 42 to 48 h. The malignant potential of FOCUS cells was further demonstrated by their ability to lead to gross tumor formation after subcutaneous injection into nude mice. From one of the solid tumors grown in nude mice, recultured cell lines have been established and found to have properties identical to the original FOCUS cell line. This FOCUS cell line represents an additional model for further investigation of tumor specific antigens and the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatocellular carcinoma. Preliminary molecular characterization has indicated the existence of integrated HBV sequences within the FOCUS genome.

Interactions between insulin and the cyclic AMP system of Cloudman S91 mouse melanoma cells

Insulin inhibits the proliferation of wild-type Cloudman S91 mouse melanoma cells. The effects, which are mediated through specific, high-affinity receptors for insulin, appear to involve interactions with the cAMP system. Our evidence is as follows: 1) Cloudman cells have a cAMP requirement for proliferation and pigmentation. Exposure of cells to insulin results in a lowering of intracellular cAMP levels and inhibition of both cell division and pigment formation. 2) The effects of insulin are reversed by agents which raise cAMP levels, or by the cAMP analogue dibutyryl cAMP. 3) A mutant cell line with a temperature-dependent requirement for cAMP is most sensitive to the growth inhibitory effects of insulin when its requirements for cAMP are maximal. 4) Mutants selected only for alterations in their response to insulin frequently have concomitant alterations in their cAMP systems. 5) The melanotropin-responsive adenylate cyclase system is stimulated following prolonged exposure of cells in culture to insulin. Although we do not know the mechanism(s) for the interactions between the insulin and the cAMP system, our initial findings suggest that protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation reactions are involved.

Genetics of mammalian phenylalanine hydroxylase system. IV. Evidence of phenylalanine hydroxylase in a cultured human hepatoma cell line

We report here te identification of a cultured human hepatoma cell line which possesses an active phenylalanine hydroxylase system. Phenylalanine hydroxylation was established by growth of cells in a tyrosine-free medium and by the ability of a cell-free extract to convert [14C]phenylalanine to [14C]tyrosine in an enzyme assay system. This enzyme activity was abolished by the presence in the assay system of p-chlorophenylalanine but no significant effect on the activity was observed with 3-iodotyrosine and 6-fluorotryptophan. Use of antisera against pure monkey or human liver phenylalanine hydroxylase has detected a cross-reacting material in this cell line which is antigenically identical to the human liver enzyme. Phenylalanine hydroxylase purified from this cell line by affinity chromatography revealed a multimeric molecular weight (estimated 275,000) and subunit molecular weights (estimated 50,000 and 49,000) which are similar to those of phenylalanine hydroxylase purified from a normal human liver. This cell line should be a useful tool for the study of the human phenylalanine hydroxylase system.

Influence of serum and insulin on the accumulation of aminoisobutyrate by rat hepatoma cells

1. Cultured rat hepatoma cells accumulate 2-aminoisobutyrate to high concentrations by a transport mechanism probably of the A type mediation. 2. Transport is enhanced by the presence of serum. When cells are deprived of serum the rate of transport declines over a period of hours; conversely addition of serum leads over a period of hours to increase in transport activity. In the presence of serum the apparent Km for aminoisobutyrate uptake is about 8 mM. In cells deprived of serum the Km is much higher. 3. Addition of insulin produces both an immediate increase in the rate of aminoisobutyrate uptake and a time-dependent rise. 4. The presence of alanine diminished aminoisobutyrate uptake in a concentration-dependent fashion. Competition is seen both in the presence and absence of serum but not when cells are incubated at 4 degrees C. 5. Preincubation with alanine for 1 h also diminishes aminoisobutyrate uptake when the alanine is removed. Cells take a period of several hours to recover from the depression of transport induced by alanine. 6. Transport of aminoisobutyrate rapidly declines in the presence of cycloheximide. Actinomycin had no effect for at least 8 h.