Transcriptional regulation of c-jun gene expression by arabinofuranosylcytosine in human myeloid leukemia cells

Impact of Complex Apoptotic Signaling Pathways on Cancer Cell Sensitivity to Therapy

Anticancer drugs induce apoptotic and non-apoptotic cell death in various cancer types. The signaling pathways for anticancer drug-induced apoptotic cell death have been shown to differ between drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cells. In atypical multidrug-resistant leukemia cells, the c-Jun/activator protein 1 (AP-1)/p53 signaling pathway leading to apoptotic death is altered. Cancer cells treated with anticancer drugs undergo c-Jun/AP-1-mediated apoptotic death and are involved in c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation and growth arrest- and DNA damage-inducible gene 153 (Gadd153)/CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein pathway induction, regardless of the p53 genotype. Gadd153 induction is associated with mitochondrial membrane permeabilization after anticancer drug treatment and involves a coupled endoplasmic reticulum stress response. The induction of apoptosis by anticancer drugs is mediated by the intrinsic pathway (cytochrome c, Cyt c) and subsequent activation of the caspase cascade via proapoptotic genes (e.g., Bax and Bcl-xS) and their interactions. Anticancer drug-induced apoptosis involves caspase-dependent and caspase-independent pathways and occurs via intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. The targeting of antiapoptotic genes such as Bcl-2 enhances anticancer drug efficacy. The modulation of apoptotic signaling by Bcl-xS transduction increases the sensitivity of multidrug resistance-related protein-overexpressing epidermoid carcinoma cells to anticancer drugs. The significance of autophagy in cancer therapy remains to be elucidated. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of cancer cell death-related signaling pathways and their alterations during anticancer drug treatment and discuss potential strategies to enhance treatment efficacy.

Bacterial induction of early response genes and activation of proapoptotic factors in pleural mesothelial cells

In bacterial empyema the pleural mesothelium is constantly exposed to microorganisms. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the most frequent pathogens associated with empyema. In an earlier study we demonstrated that S. aureus induced barrier dysfunction in pleural mesothelial cell monolayers. In the present study we report that S. aureus activates the early response genes c-fos and c-jun and activator protein-1 (AP-1), and induces proapoptosis genes Bad and Bak in primary mouse pleural mesothelial cells (PMCs). Our data indicate that in PMCs S. aureus induces apoptosis in a time- and multiplicity of infection (MOI)-dependent manner. Staphylococcus aureus induced Bcl (2), Bcl-X (L), c-fos, c-jun, and AP-1 expression in PMCs during the initial phase of infection. In S. aureus-infected PMCs, Bad and Bak gene expression was increased and correlated with DNA fragmentation and cytochrome-c release. Bcl (2) and Bcl-X (L) gene expression was significantly lower in S. aureus-infected PMCs than in uninfected PMCs 12 h postinfection. We conclude that at the initial stage of infection S. aureus modulates expression of early response genes c-fos and c-jun, and in the late phase of infection S. aureus induces expression of proapoptotic genes Bak and Bad in PMCs. Silencing AP-1 significantly inhibited S. aureus-induced Bak and Bad expression in PMCs. The upregulation of early response genes during the early phase of infection may contribute to the activation of proapoptotic genes Bak and Bad and release of cytochrome-c, caspase-3 thereby resulting in apoptosis in PMCs.

Inhibition of c-Abl with STI571 attenuates stress-activated protein kinase activation and apoptosis in the cellular response to 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine

The response of myeloid leukemia cells to treatment with 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) includes activation of the c-Abl protein tyrosine kinase and the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK). The present studies demonstrate that treatment of human U-937 leukemia cells with ara-C is associated with translocation of SAPK to mitochondria. STI571 (imatinib mesylate), an inhibitor of c-Abl, blocked both activation and mitochondrial targeting of SAPK in the ara-C response. In concert with these effects of STI571, similar findings were obtained in c-Abl-deficient cells. The results further show that STI571 inhibits ara-C-induced loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, caspase-3 activation, and apoptosis. These findings demonstrate that STI571 down-regulates c-Abl-mediated signals that target the mitochondria in the apoptotic response to ara-C.

C-Jun modulates apoptosis but not terminal cell differentiation in murine erythroleukemia cells

The proto-oncogene c-Jun has been implicated in the control of cell proliferation and differentiation and more recently in the regulation of apoptosis. We have previously reported the involvement of c-Jun in the erythroid differentiation block in murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells. As reported here, we investigated the role of c-Jun in the regulation of terminal differentiation and apoptosis of MEL cells by studying different stable transfectant clones containing c-jun constructs in sense or antisense orientation. c-Jun did not prevent cell growth arrest in G0/G1 and p21 induction that are normally associated with terminal differentiation induced by DMSO treatment, suggesting that c-Jun may uncouple phenotypic differentiation and terminal cell division in the MEL cell system. Spontaneous apoptosis was accelerated in c-jun expressing MEL cells before and after DMSO treatment. Moreover, c-Jun sensitized apoptosis induced by various drugs. Drug-induced apoptosis was associated with c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation and c-Jun N-terminal phosphorylation (JNP). In contrast, overexpression of c-jun delayed apoptosis in serum-starved cells, indicating that c-Jun may reduce or accelerate apoptosis in MEL cells depending on the nature of the apoptotic stimulus. These results suggest that the proto-oncogene c-Jun may modulate differentiation and apoptosis of leukemic cells.

Negative regulation of the SHPTP1 protein tyrosine phosphatase by protein kinase C delta in response to DNA damage

The SHPTP1 protein tyrosine phosphatase is activated by the c-Abl and Lyn tyrosine kinases in the cellular response to genotoxic stress. However, signaling mechanisms involved in the negative regulation of SHPTP1 are unknown. This study demonstrates that protein kinase C delta (PKCdelta) associates with SHPTP1. The PKCdelta catalytic domain binds directly to SHPTP1. The results also demonstrate that PKCdelta is required, at least in part, for phosphorylation and inactivation of SHPTP1. The phosphatase activity of SHPTP1 was attenuated by coincubation with PKCdelta in vitro. In addition, treatment of U-937 human myeloid leukemia cells with 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) was associated with induction of the PKCdelta kinase function and inhibition of SHPTP1 activity. Down-regulation of SHPTP1 by ara-C was blocked by the PKCdelta inhibitor rottlerin but not by the PKCalpha and -beta inhibitor Gö6976. Moreover, transient coexpression studies with a dominant-negative mutant of PKCdelta demonstrate that the kinase activity of PKCdelta is required for the down-regulation of SHPTP1. These findings support the functional interaction between PKCdelta and SHPTP1 in the cellular response to DNA damage.

Requirement for caspase activation in monocytic differentiation of myeloid leukemia cells

Human myeloid leukemia cells respond to 12-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and other activators of protein kinase C (PKC) with the induction of terminal monocytic differentiation. The present studies demonstrate that TPA treatment of U-937 leukemia cells is associated with release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, activation of caspase-3 and induction of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. By contrast, the TUR cell variant, which is deficient in PKCbeta, failed to respond to TPA with release of cytochrome c and induction of the caspase-3 cascade. Moreover, stable overexpression of PKCbeta in TUR cells reconstituted sensitivity to TPA-induced cytochrome c release and activation of caspase-3. The results also demonstrate that treatment of cells with the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk blocks both TPA-induced apoptosis and monocytic differentiation. Similar results were obtained in U-937 cells stably expressing the CrmA caspase inhibitor. These findings demonstrate that TPA induces cytochrome c release by a PKCbeta-dependent mechanism and that activation of caspase-mediated signaling is required for induction of the differentiated monocytic phenotype.

Activation of MEK kinase 1 by the c-Abl protein tyrosine kinase in response to DNA damage

The c-Abl protein tyrosine kinase is activated by certain DNA-damaging agents and regulates induction of the stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (SAPK). Here we show that nuclear c-Abl associates with MEK kinase 1 (MEKK-1), an upstream effector of the SEK1-->SAPK pathway, in the response of cells to genotoxic stress. The results demonstrate that the nuclear c-Abl binds to MEKK-1 and that c-Abl phosphorylates MEKK-1 in vitro and in vivo. Transient-transfection studies with wild-type and kinase-inactive c-Abl demonstrate c-Abl kinase-dependent activation of MEKK-1. Moreover, c-Abl activates MEKK-1 in vitro and in response to DNA damage. The results also demonstrate that c-Abl induces MEKK-1-mediated phosphorylation and activation of SEK1-SAPK in coupled kinase assays. These findings indicate that c-Abl functions upstream of MEKK-1-dependent activation of SAPK in the response to genotoxic stress.

Implication of radical oxygen species in ceramide generation, c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation and apoptosis induced by daunorubicin

Anthracyclines such as daunorubicin (DNR) generate radical oxygen species (ROS), which account, at least in part, for their cytotoxic effect. We observed that early ceramide generation (within 6-10 min) through neutral sphingomyelinase stimulation was inhibitable by the antioxidants N-acetylcysteine and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, which led to a decrease in apoptosis (>95% decrease in DNA fragmentation after 6 h). Furthermore, we observed that DNR triggers the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and the transcription factor activated protein-1 through an antioxidant-inhibitable mechanism. Treatment of U937 cells with cell-permeant ceramides induced both an increase in ROS generation and JNK activation, and apoptosis, all of which were antioxidant-sensitive. In conclusion, DNR-triggered apoptosis implicates a ceramide-mediated, ROS-dependent JNK and activated protein-1 activation.

The mechanism of Ara-C-induced apoptosis of differentiating cerebellar granule neurons

Neurotoxicity is one of the side-effects of the therapeutically useful antitumour agent, Ara-C (or 1-beta-d-arabinofuranosyl-cytosine, cytarabine). This agent is also reported to induce cell death of cultured neurons. In this study, we show that Ara-C-induced death of differentiating rat cerebellar granule neurons is prevented by cycloheximide at concentrations corresponding to its action in preventing protein synthesis. The death is accompanied by cleavage of the caspase substrate poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) and c-Abl-dependent activation of the stress-activated protein kinases c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38. However, c-Jun levels do not rise and the activation of the stress-activated protein kinases is not required for this form of neuronal death. Cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) activity and inappropriate cell-cycle re-entry have been implicated in some forms of death in differentiated neurons. Here we show that Ara-C-induced death of cerebellar granule neurons is prevented by an inhibitor of cdk4, whereas inhibition of cdk1, -2 and -5 mimics the death, and non-cdk4/6 cdks are inhibited by Ara-C treatment. Cdk1 and -2 are dramatically down-regulated during neuronal differentiation, and neither Ara-C nor inhibition of these cdks induces death in mature neurons. This mechanism could also play a significant role in the neurotoxicity associated with the therapeutic use of Ara-C, as cdk levels can be upregulated in stressed neurons of adult brain. We propose that the balance between cdk4/6 and cdk1/2/5 activity may determine the survival of early differentiating neurons, and that DNA-damaging agents may induce neuronal death by inhibiting cdk1/2/5 under conditions which require these activities for survival.

Evidence for involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase, rather than stress-activated protein kinase, in potentiation of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine-induced apoptosis by interruption of protein kinase C signaling

The stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades mediate cytotoxic and cytoprotective functions, respectively, in the regulation of leukemic cell survival. Involvement of these signaling systems in the cytotoxicity of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) and modulation of ara-C lethality by protein kinase C PKC inhibition/down-regulation was examined in HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells. Exposure to ara-C (10 microM) for 6 hr promoted extensive apoptotic DNA damage and cell death, as well as activation of PKC. This response was accompanied by downstream activation of the SAPK and MAPK cascades. PKC-dependent MAPK activity seemed to limit ara-C action in that the toxicity of ara-C was enhanced by pharmacological reductions of PKC, MAPK, or both. Thus, ara-C action was (1) partially attenuated by diradylglycerols, which stimulated PKC and MAPK, but (2) dramatically amplified by sphingoid bases, which inhibited PKC and MAPK. The cytotoxicity of ara-C also was substantially increased by pharmacological reductions of PKC, including down-regulation of PKC by chronic preexposure to the macrocyclic lactone bryostatin 1 or inhibition of PKC by acute coexposure to the dihydrosphingosine analog safingol. Significantly, both of these manipulations prevented activation of MAPK by ara-C. Moreover, acute disruption of the MAPK module by AMF, a selective inhibitor of MEK1, suppressed both basal and drug-stimulated MAPK activity and sharply increased the cytotoxicity of ara-C, suggesting the direct involvement of MAPK as a downstream antiapoptotic effector for PKC. None of these chemopotentiating agents enhanced ara-CTP formation. Ceramide-driven SAPK activity did not seem to mediate drug-induced apoptosis, given that (1) neutralization of endogenous tumor necrosis factor-alpha with monoclonal antibodies or soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor substantially reduced ceramide generation and SAPK activation by ara-C, whereas the induction of apoptosis was unaffected; (2) pharmacological inhibition of sphingomyelinase by 3-O-methoxysphingomyelin reduced ceramide generation and SAPK activation without limiting the drug's cytotoxicity; and (3) potentiation of ara-C action by bryostatin 1 or safingol was not associated with further stimulation of SAPK. These observations collectively suggest a primary role for decreased MAPK, rather than increased SAPK, in the potentiation of ara-C cytotoxicity by interference with PKC-dependent signaling.

Biological effects of a relatively low concentration of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine in K562 cells: alterations of the cell cycle, erythroid-differentiation, and apoptosis

Therapeutic strategies for leukemia are directed to induction of differentiation and apoptosis as well as growth inhibition. One of the key antileukemic agents, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara C), is clinically applied according to these therapeutic aims. However, the molecular effects of 0.1 microg/ml of ara C, a concentration that corresponds to the serum level in leukemic patients on a conventional dose of ara C, have not been well disclosed. Here, we addressed these issues using K562 cells which derived from a blastic crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia. DNA synthesis of treated cells was suppressed from 1-6 h. But, it recovered at 12 h and no further inhibition was observed. The number of cells was not decreased but DNA fragmentation was observed at 72 h. The number of erythroid-differentiated cells also increased to 30% at 72 h. Along with treatment, no marked alteration of mRNAs for cell cycle-regulating genes was found and the retinoblastoma gene product remained hyperphosphorylated throughout treatment. The expression of mRNAs for apoptosis-regulating genes also remained unchanged, except for slight down-regulation of Bax. c-myc protein was not found later than 48 h, and Max mRNA was downregulated. c-jun was immediately induced, followed by the fluctuated expression level along with treatment. These findings suggest that the 0.1 microg/ml ara C changed the proliferation, differentiation and death of K562 cells in a biphasic manner. In the early phase, DNA synthesis was inhibited without altering the expression of cell cycle regulating-genes. In the latter phase, cell death and erythroid- differentiation occurred in accordance with the down-regulation of c-myc.

Role of tyrosine kinases in induction of the c-jun proto-oncogene in irradiated B-lineage lymphoid cells

Exposure of B-lineage lymphoid cells to ionizing radiation induces an elevation of c-jun proto-oncogene mRNA levels. This signal is abrogated by protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors, indicating that activation of an as yet unidentified PTK is mandatory for radiation-induced c-jun expression. Here, we provide experimental evidence that the cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases BTK, SYK, and LYN are not required for this signal. Lymphoma B-cells rendered deficient for LYN, SYK, or both by targeted gene disruption showed increased c-jun expression levels after radiation exposure, but the magnitude of the stimulation was lower than in wild-type cells. Thus, these PTKs may participate in the generation of an optimal signal. Notably, an inhibitor of JAK-3 (Janus family kinase-3) abrogated radiation-induced c-jun activation, prompting the hypothesis that a chicken homologue of JAK-3 may play a key role in initiation of the radiation-induced c-jun signal in B-lineage lymphoid cells.

Ara-C: cellular and molecular pharmacology

The antimetabolite cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) represents a prototype of the nucleoside analog class of antineoplastic agents and remains one of the most effective drugs used in the treatment of acute leukemia as well as other hematopoietic malignancies. The ability of ara-C to kill neoplastic cells is regulated at three distinct but interrelated levels. First, the activity of ara-C depends on conversion to its lethal triphosphate derivative, ara-CTP, a process that is influenced by multiple factors, including nucleoside transport, phosphorylation, deamination, and levels of competing metabolites, particularly dCTP. Second, the antiproliferative and lethal effects of ara-C are linked to the ability of ara-CTP to interfere with one or more DNA polymerases as well as the degree to which it is incorporated into elongating DNA strands, leading to DNA fragmentation and chain termination. Finally, the fate of the cell is ultimately determined by whether a threshold level of ara-C-mediated DNA damage is exceeded, thereby inducing apoptosis, or programmed cell death. The latter process is influenced by components of various signal transduction pathways (e.g., PKC) and expression of oncogenes (e.g., bcl-2, c-Jun), perturbations in which may significantly alter ara-C sensitivity. A better understanding of these factors could eventually lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies capable of overcoming ara-C resistance and improving therapeutic efficacy.

Selective effects of DNA damaging agents on HIV long terminal repeat activation and virus replication in vitro

Much attention has recently focused on the observation that UV light can activate the long terminal repeat (LTR) of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although the mechanism of LTR activation remains obscure, several lines of investigation have suggested that it is a result of activation of the NF-kappa B transcription factor(s) following signaling events related to generalized DNA damage. In this report, we present data demonstrating that HIV LTR activation is not a general consequence of cellular DNA damage, but rather a process unique to specific genotoxic stimuli, and that it does not necessarily depend on activation of NF-kappa B. Furthermore, we demonstrate that several of these agents can significantly increase HIV replication and accelerate CD4-positive lymphocyte cytotoxicity in vitro. These findings, therefore, could have clinical significance to AIDS patients with malignancies who are undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

c-Abl activation regulates induction of the SEK1/stress-activated protein kinase pathway in the cellular response to 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine

Previous work has shown that treatment of cells with the antimetabolite 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) is associated with induction of the c-jun gene. The present studies demonstrate that ara-C activates the c-Abl non-receptor tyrosine kinase. We also demonstrate that activity of the stress-activated protein kinase (SAP kinase/JNK) is increased in ara-C-treated cells. Using cells deficient in c-Abl (Abl-/-) and after introduction of the c-abl gene, we show that ara-C-induced c-Abl activity is necessary for the stimulation of SAP kinase. Other studies using cells transfected with a SEK1 dominant negative demonstrate that ara-C-induced SAP kinase activity is SEK1-dependent. Furthermore, we show that overexpression of truncated c-Abl results in activation of the SEK1/SAP kinase cascade.

Requirement of AP-1 for ceramide-induced apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells

Ceramide has emerged as a novel lipid mediator in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In this work, we demonstrate that the levels of c-jun mRNA, c-Jun protein, and DNA binding activity of a nuclear transcription factor AP-1 to 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate responsive elements all increased following treatment with the cell-permeable ceramide, N-acetylsphingosine in human leukemia HL-60 cells. N-Acetylsphingosine (1-10 microM) increased the levels of c-jun mRNA in a dose-dependent manner, and maximal expression was achieved 1 h after treatment. Increase of c-jun expression treated with 5 microM N-acetyldihydrosphingosine, which could not induce apoptosis, was one third of that with 5 microM N-acetylsphingosine. Ceramide-induced growth inhibition and DNA fragmentation were both prevented by treatment with curcumin, 1,7-bis[4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl]-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (an inhibitor of AP-1 activation), or antisense oligonucleotides for c-jun. These results suggest that the transcription factor AP-1 is critical for apoptosis in HL-60 cells and that an intracellular sphingolipid mediator, ceramide, modulates a signal transduction inducing apoptosis through AP-1 activation.

Comparison of the induction of apoptosis in human leukemic cell lines by 2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine (gemcitabine) and cytosine arabinoside

The induction of DNA fragmentation by cytosine arabinoside (araC) and 2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine (dFdC, gemcitabine) was compared in human leukemic cell lines. For both araC and dFdC this process was time- and concentration-dependent and resulted in loss of clonogenic survival of HL-60 myeloid leukemic cells. There was a marked difference in the potency between these two analogs in inducing apoptosis. A 6 h exposure to 5 microM araC was required to produce DNA laddering in HL-60 cells, whereas dFdC at a concentration 100-fold less (0.05 microM) was sufficient to produce similar results. Pre-incubation of HL-60 cells with staurosporine, a non-specific protein kinase C inhibitor, increased the level of apoptosis induced by a 3 h exposure to araC or dFdC, suggesting the possible involvement of this family of enzymes in this process. Also, dFdC was able to increase the expression of both c-jun and c-fos in Molt-3 leukemic cells with a concentration known to induce apoptosis in this cell line.

Regulation of c-jun mRNA expression by hydroxyurea in human K562 cells during erythroid differentiation

Hydroxyurea (HU) is an antitumor agent which also induces hemoglobinization during erythroid differentiation. In addition, HU stimulates the synthesis of fetal hemoglobin in sickle cell anemia patients. To further understand its mechanism of action, we investigated the effects of HU on regulation of c-jun expression prior to the onset of erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. HU induced a dose-dependent stimulation of c-jun synthesis. The levels of c-jun mRNA was elevated 4 to 7.5-fold by HU within 2 h. This was followed by a gradual decline to the basal level by 24 h. Both nuclear run-on and actinomycin D pulse experiments strongly indicate that HU regulates c-jun mRNA expression by increasing the rate of synthesis as well as stabilizing the c-jun mRNA. In addition, the level of jun protein was elevated by 2 to 5-fold within 4 h in HU treated cells. Furthermore, concentrations of HU below 250 microM slightly increased the 5X AP-1/CAT activity. These results strongly suggest that HU induces both transcriptional and post-transcription regulation of c-jun during erythroid differentiation.

Ionizing radiation stimulates a Grb2-mediated association of the stress-activated protein kinase with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

The stress-activated protein (SAP) kinases are induced by tumor necrosis factor, oncoproteins, and UV light. The present studies demonstrate that ionizing radiation (IR) activates p54 SAP kinase. IR-induced activation of SAP kinase is associated with binding to the SH2/SH3-containing adaptor protein Grb2. This interaction is mediated by the SH3 domains of Grb2 and the proline-rich sequence PPPKIP in the carboxy-terminal region of SAP kinase. We also demonstrated that SAP kinase and the p85 alpha-subunit of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase form a complex in irradiated cells. The results indicate that this complex involves binding of the p85 alpha subunit of PI 3-kinase to the SH2 domain of Grb2. The functional role of linking SAP kinase to PI 3-kinase is further supported by the finding that wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI 3-kinase, stimulates SAP kinase activity. These results suggest that the cellular response to IR may include regulation of SAP kinase by a PI 3-kinase-dependent signaling pathway.

Increased c-jun/AP-1 levels in etoposide-resistant human leukemia K562 cells

C-jun mRNA and AP-1 levels were examined in etoposide (VP-16)-sensitive (K562) and -resistant (K/VP.5) human leukemia cell lines. Previously, we reported that K/VP.5 cells have increased basal levels of mRNA for the protooncogene c-jun (Ritke MK and Yalowich JC, Biochem Pharmacol 46: 2007-2020, 1993). In this study, we show that the 3-fold increase in c-jun transcripts in K/VP.5 cells was accompanied by a 2-fold increase in the stability of the mRNA for this gene and a nearly 2-fold increase in AP-1 DNA binding activity compared with parental K562 cells. Treatment of K562 and K/VP.5 cells with 50-200 microM VP-16 resulted in 3- to 10-fold stimulation of c-jun transcripts, which peaked 90-150 min after addition of drug and remained elevated up to 5 hr. In contrast, amsacrine stimulated the levels of c-jun mRNA only 3-fold in both cell lines, and its c-jun stimulatory effects were decreased at concentrations greater than 50 microM. VP-16 stimulation of c-jun mRNA levels resulted in a 2-fold increase in AP-1 binding activity in K562 but not in K/VP.5 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that posttranscriptional changes in c-jun mRNA regulation may be associated with acquired resistance to VP-16.

Activation of the jun-D gene during treatment of human myeloid leukemia cells with 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine

The jun-D gene is a member of the c-jun family of early response genes that code for DNA binding proteins. The present studies demonstrate that 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) increases jun-D expression in HL-525 myeloid leukemia cells. This induction by ara-C was maximal at 6 hr and transient. In contrast, ara-C had no detectable effect on the gene coding for the cAMP-responsive element binding protein 1. Nuclear run-on assays demonstrated that ara-C treatment is associated with an increased rate of jun-D transcription. The results also show that jun-D transcripts are stabilized at a posttranscriptional level in ara-C-treated cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ara-C induces expression of the jun-D gene and that this effect is regulated by transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms.

Growth slow-down and growth arrest of human colon carcinoma cells HCT-8 in vitro after exposure to 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine

Cellular heterogeneity in drug response denotes a mixed response among individual cells in a drug treated population. Individual cell responses may be more complex than 'cell kill' and 'no response'. In this study we employed a colony formation assay and high-resolution image analysis to detect the various responses such as immediate and delayed cessation of growth, growth delay and growth slow-down, at the level of the individual colony. The evaluation was carried out using a human ileocaecal adenocarcinoma cell line (HCT-8) and the anti-tumour agent 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FdUrd). In the presence of a drug concentration which, in standard monolayer assays, inhibits the growth to about 50% (IC50) only about 20% of the colonies ceased to grow and the remaining colonies grew at a growth rate of about 70% of control. At an FdUrd concentration which, in standard monolayer assays, reduced growth by > 90% (> IC90), about 50% of the cells grew, with growth rates of about 30% of control. The slowing of growth, most prominent at lower drug concentrations, should be considered in determining mechanisms of drug action at the individual cell level. In clinical situations in which high drug doses are precluded by toxicity to normal tissues, growth slow-down may play a significant role in tumour response.

Early response gene induction following DNA damage in astrocytoma cell lines

Early response genes (ERGs) are a group of genes with low or absent expression in quiescent cells that can be induced rapidly by a variety of proliferation and differentiation stimuli. c-jun and c-fos are prototypes for this group of genes. Recent evidence suggests that DNA damaging agents such as cytotoxic drugs and ionizing radiation can elicit strong ERG induction, suggesting that these genes may be involved in DNA damage repair and/or cell death. Paralleling this interest in drug-induced ERG expression is a growing body of evidence implicating ERG expression as important to the intrinsic function of the central nervous system. We therefore set out to explore the pattern of chemotherapeutic drug- and radiation-induced c-jun and c-fos expression in neuroectodermally (astrocytic) derived cell lines. We have demonstrated that various chemotherapeutic agents and ionizing radiation can induce c-jun in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, this induction can be prevented by pretreatment of the cells with agents that protect against DNA damage. Finally, we have demonstrated that c-fos and c-jun expression and induction are discoordinately regulated, reflecting a difference in astrocytic cell lines compared to hematopoietic cell lines. The possible relevance of these observations to the clinical resistance of astrocytic tumors to standard chemotherapy and radiation is discussed.

Modulation of cytotoxicity and differentiation-inducing potential of arabinofuranosylcytosine in myeloid leukemia cells by hematopoietic cytokines

Hematopoietic growth factors may be useful in improving the clinical effectiveness of arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C). In vitro studies have indicated that interleukin 3(IL-3) and, to a lesser extent, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), but not G-CSF or M-CSF, may be capable of specifically augmenting the ability of ara-C to kill leukemic myeloid cells by pharmacological and cytokinetic mechanisms including increase of intracellular ara-CTP/dCTP pool ratios and enhanced ara-C DNA incorporation in leukemic blast cells, decrease of IC 90 of ara-C for leukemic colony-forming cells (CFC) as compared with normal CFC growth, and recruitment of quiescent leukemic cells into the cell cycle. In contrast, the combination of ara-C with M-CSF or with the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) appears to be useful in overcoming the block in differentiation of leukemic blast, while the effects of GM-CSF and IL-3 on ara-C-induced differentiation appear limited. The combined treatment of human myeloid leukemia cells by ara-C and LIF is associated with down-regulation of c-myc gene expression, transcriptional activation of jun/fos gene expression, and features of functional differentiation (e.g., the capability to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium, to express lysozyme, or to display differentiation-related surface receptors including C3bi and the c-fms protein). On the basis of these in vitro studies first clinical trials are underway that are examining the efficacy of ara-C combinations with these molecules for the treatment of myeloid disorders.

Effects of bryostatin 1 and rGM-CSF on the metabolism of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine in human leukaemic myeloblasts

The effects of the protein kinase C activator bryostatin 1, either with or without recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rGM-CSF) were examined with respect to the in vitro metabolism of ara-C in leukaemic myeloblasts obtained from 10 patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML). Coincubation of cells with 12.5 x 10(-9) M bryostatin 1 and 10(-5) M ara-C for 4 h resulted in a significant increase in ara-CTP formation (compared to controls) in 6/10 specimens (mean increase 106%; range 38-255%), and no change in the remainder. In contrast, coincubation of cells with 1.25 ng/ml rGM-CSF resulted in a significant increase in only one specimen, and decreases in two. Bryostatin 1 also significantly increased ara-C DNA incorporation in 6/9 evaluable samples, including two which did not display an increase in ara-CTP formation. Coincubation of cells with both bryostatin 1 and rGM-CSF did not lead to a further increase in ara-CTP formation or ara-C DNA incorporation compared to values obtained with either agent alone. Finally, exposure of blasts to bryostatin 1 for 24 h before ara-C led to an increase in ara-CTP formation in 3/8 additional specimens, and a decrease in one sample displaying evidence of bryostatin 1-induced macrophage differentiation. Incubation of cells with both rGM-CSF and bryostatin 1 for this period resulted in ara-CTP levels equivalent to those obtained with bryostatin 1 alone. These studies indicate that while bryostatin 1 exerts a heterogeneous effect on ara-C metabolism in leukaemic myeloblasts, it is capable of potentiating ara-C phosphorylation in a subset of patient samples, including some that do not exhibit an increase in response to rGM-CSF. They also raise the possibility that bryostatin 1-induced potentiation of ara-C metabolism in some leukaemic cells may contribute, at least in part, to the antileukaemic efficacy of this drug combination.

Involvement of reactive oxygen intermediates in the induction of c-jun gene transcription by ionizing radiation

Previous work has demonstrated that the cellular response to ionizing radiation includes transcriptional activation of the c-jun gene. The signaling events responsible for this response, however, remain unclear. The present studies have examined the effects of ionizing radiation on c-jun expression in a variant of HL-60 cells, designated HL-525, which is deficient in protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated signal transduction. The results demonstrate that these cells express low levels of PKC alpha and PKC beta transcripts and exhibit an attenuated induction of c-jun expression following treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). In contrast, HL-525 cells respond to ionizing radiation with an increase in c-jun mRNA which is more pronounced than that in wild-type HL-60 cells. These cells similarly respond to ionizing radiation with increased expression of the jun-B, jun-D, c-fos, and fos-B genes. Nuclear run-on assays demonstrate that X-ray-induced c-jun expression in HL-525 cells is regulated by increases in the rate of c-jun gene transcription. Moreover, mRNA stability studies in irradiated HL-525 cells demonstrate that the half-life of c-jun transcripts is prolonged compared to that in wild-type cells. Studies with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, suggest that X-ray-induced transcriptional activation of the c-jun gene is mediated at least in part through the formation of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs). In this context, H2O2 also induced c-jun expression in HL-525 cells, and this effect was inhibited by NAC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Role of protein kinase C and transcription factor AP-1 in the acid-induced increase in Na/H antiporter activity

Chronic incubation of cultured renal tubular epithelial cells in acid medium causes an increase in Na/H antiporter activity that persists after removal from acid, is dependent on protein synthesis, and is associated with an increase in Na/H antiporter mRNA. Chronic activation of protein kinase C has similar effects in these cells. The present studies examined the role of protein kinase C in the effect of acid incubation. Incubation of MCT cells in acid for 24 h caused a 50% increase in Na/H antiporter activity. This was prevented by inhibition of protein kinase C, either with sphingosine or by protein kinase C downregulation. Pertussis toxin pretreatment did not prevent the increase in antiporter activity. Acid incubation caused an increase in transcription factor AP-1 activity, as shown by an increase in expression from a reporter gene containing six tandem AP-1 binding sites. This was associated with transient increases in c-fos and c-jun mRNAs. This response is typical of that for gene activation by protein kinase C. These studies demonstrate that acid activation of the Na/H antiporter requires protein kinase C and is associated with c-fos and c-jun expression and increased AP-1 activity.

C-jun and jun-B oncogene expression during placental development

During embryogenesis, growth and differentiation occur in a sequential, predetermined order suggesting that specific genes are turned on and off in a precise and well-regulated manner. Placental development, which is characterized by massive proliferation and differentiation of multiple cell types, must be similarly regulated. Early response protooncogenes, such as c-jun and jun-B, have been associated with both proliferation and differentiation of different cell types. In this study, using Northern blot analysis, we found that c-jun and jun-B expression occurred in human placentas throughout gestation. Maximal expression of c-jun occurred in early gestation, and maximal expression of jun-B occurred in late gestation. We speculate that peak expression of c-jun in human placenta at early gestation may be related to cytotrophoblastic proliferation and that peak expression of jun-B in late gestation may be related to further terminal differentiation of trophoblastic cells.

Regulation of c-jun gene expression in HL-60 leukemia cells by 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine. Potential involvement of a protein kinase C dependent mechanism

1-beta-D-Arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent that incorporates into DNA and results in DNA fragmentation. Recent work has demonstrated that ara-C transiently induces expression of the c-jun immediate early response gene. The present studies in HL-60 myeloid leukemia cells extend these findings by demonstrating that the increase in c-jun mRNA levels at 6 h of ara-C treatment is regulated by a transcriptional mechanism. In contrast, the subsequent down-regulation of c-jun expression is controlled by a posttranscriptional decrease in the stability of the c-jun transcripts. Previous work in phorbol ester treated cells has indicated that c-jun expression is regulated by the activation of protein kinase C. The present results demonstrate that protein kinase C activity is increased in ara-C-treated cells. This increase was maximal at 60 min and remained detectable through 6 h of ara-C exposure. Moreover, the induction of c-jun transcripts by ara-C was inhibited by the isoquinolinesulfonamide derivative H7, but not by HA1004, suggesting that this effect is mediated by protein kinase C. Ara-C-induced c-jun expression was also inhibited by staurosporine, another inhibitor of protein kinase C. Taken together, these results indicate that the cellular response to ara-C includes the activation of protein kinase C and that ara-C potentially induces c-jun transcription by a protein kinase C dependent signaling mechanism.