Mechanisms of ROS modulated cell survival during carcinogenesis

There is increasing evidence within the literature that the decreased susceptibility of tumour cells to stimuli that induce apoptosis can be linked to their inherently increased redox potential. The review primarily focuses on the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway, and the multiple points along this signalling pathway that may be redox regulated. The PI3-kinase/Akt pathway can influence a cells' sensitivity to death inducing signals, through direct manipulation of apoptosis regulating molecules or by regulating the activity of key transcription factors. Proteins involved in the control of apoptosis that are directly regulated by the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway include caspase-9, Bad and the transcription factor GSK-3beta. Lately, it is becoming increasingly obvious that phosphatases are a major counter balance to the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway. Phosphatases such as PP2A and PP1alpha can dephosphorylate signalling molecules within the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway, blocking their activity. It is the balance between the kinase activity and the phosphatase activity that determines the presence and strength of the PI3-kinase/Akt signal. This is why any protein modifications that hinder dephosphorylation can increase the tumours survival advantage. One such modification is the oxidation of the sulphydryl group in key cysteine residues present within the active site of the phosphatases. This highlights the link between the increased redox stress in tumours with the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway. This review will discuss the various sources of reactive oxygen species within a tumour and the effect of these radicals on the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway.

Cloning and characterization of a novel endothelin receptor from Xenopus heart

Endothelin (ET) receptors display subtype heterogeneity and so far three subtypes of ET receptors, namely ETA, ETB, and ETC, have been identified, cloned, sequenced, and characterized. Based on the binding profile of ET and related peptides, a novel ET receptor (ETAX) was identified in the follicular membranes of Xenopus laevis oocytes (Kumar, C. S., Nuthulaganti, P., Pullen, M., and Nambi, P. (1993). Mol. Pharmacol. 44, 153-157). Here we report the cloning and characterization of this ETAX subtype from X. laevis heart. A cDNA was isolated that encodes a protein of 415 amino acids that shares 74, 60, and 51% identities with human ETA, human ETB, and Xenopus ETC receptors, respectively. Competition binding studies of the cloned receptor expressed in COS cells using ET-related peptides suggested that this receptor is pharmacologically identical to that expressed in Xenopus oocyte follicular, heart, and lung membranes. Phosphoinositide turnover and oocyte electrophysiological studies indicated that the cloned receptor is functionally coupled to a second messenger system.