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Adhikary U, Paulo JA, Godes M, Roychoudhury S, Prew MS, Ben-Nun Y, Yu EW, Budhraja A, Opferman JT, Chowdhury D, Gygi SP, Walensky LD. Targeting MCL-1 triggers DNA damage and an anti-proliferative response independent from apoptosis induction. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113176. [PMID: 37773750 PMCID: PMC10787359 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
MCL-1 is a high-priority target due to its dominant role in the pathogenesis and chemoresistance of cancer, yet clinical trials of MCL-1 inhibitors are revealing toxic side effects. MCL-1 biology is complex, extending beyond apoptotic regulation and confounded by its multiple isoforms, its domains of unresolved structure and function, and challenges in distinguishing noncanonical activities from the apoptotic response. We find that, in the presence or absence of an intact mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, genetic deletion or pharmacologic targeting of MCL-1 induces DNA damage and retards cell proliferation. Indeed, the cancer cell susceptibility profile of MCL-1 inhibitors better matches that of anti-proliferative than pro-apoptotic drugs, expanding their potential therapeutic applications, including synergistic combinations, but heightening therapeutic window concerns. Proteomic profiling provides a resource for mechanistic dissection and reveals the minichromosome maintenance DNA helicase as an interacting nuclear protein complex that links MCL-1 to the regulation of DNA integrity and cell-cycle progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Utsarga Adhikary
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Joao A Paulo
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marina Godes
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Michelle S Prew
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Yael Ben-Nun
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ellen W Yu
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Amit Budhraja
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Joseph T Opferman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Dipanjan Chowdhury
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Steven P Gygi
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Loren D Walensky
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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2
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Prew MS, Adhikary U, Choi DW, Portero EP, Paulo JA, Gowda P, Budhraja A, Opferman JT, Gygi SP, Danial NN, Walensky LD. MCL-1 is a master regulator of cancer dependency on fatty acid oxidation. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111445. [PMID: 36198266 PMCID: PMC9933948 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
MCL-1 is an anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family protein essential for survival of diverse cell types and is a major driver of cancer and chemoresistance. The mechanistic basis for the oncogenic supremacy of MCL-1 among its anti-apoptotic homologs is unclear and implicates physiologic roles of MCL-1 beyond apoptotic suppression. Here we find that MCL-1-dependent hematologic cancer cells specifically rely on fatty acid oxidation (FAO) as a fuel source because of metabolic wiring enforced by MCL-1 itself. We demonstrate that FAO regulation by MCL-1 is independent of its anti-apoptotic activity, based on metabolomic, proteomic, and genomic profiling of MCL-1-dependent leukemia cells lacking an intact apoptotic pathway. Genetic deletion of Mcl-1 results in transcriptional downregulation of FAO pathway proteins such that glucose withdrawal triggers cell death despite apoptotic blockade. Our data reveal that MCL-1 is a master regulator of FAO, rendering MCL-1-driven cancer cells uniquely susceptible to treatment with FAO inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle S Prew
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Utsarga Adhikary
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Dong Wook Choi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Erika P Portero
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joao A Paulo
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Pruthvi Gowda
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Amit Budhraja
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Joseph T Opferman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Steven P Gygi
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nika N Danial
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Loren D Walensky
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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Caldwell KJ, Budhraja A, Opferman JT, Pui CH, Klco JM, Rubnitz JE. Activity of venetoclax against relapsed acute undifferentiated leukemia. Cancer 2021; 127:2608-2611. [PMID: 33823069 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth J Caldwell
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Amit Budhraja
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Joseph T Opferman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Ching-Hon Pui
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jeffery M Klco
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jeffrey E Rubnitz
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
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Smith KH, Budhraja A, Lynch J, Roberts K, Panetta JC, Connelly JP, Turnis ME, Pruett-Miller SM, Schuetz JD, Mullighan CG, Opferman JT. The Heme-Regulated Inhibitor Pathway Modulates Susceptibility of Poor Prognosis B-Lineage Acute Leukemia to BH3-Mimetics. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 19:636-650. [PMID: 33288732 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Antiapoptotic MCL1 is one of the most frequently amplified genes in human cancers and elevated expression confers resistance to many therapeutics including the BH3-mimetic agents ABT-199 and ABT-263. The antimalarial, dihydroartemisinin (DHA) translationally represses MCL-1 and synergizes with BH3-mimetics. To explore how DHA represses MCL-1, a genome-wide CRISPR screen identified that loss of genes in the heme synthesis pathway renders mouse BCR-ABL+ B-ALL cells resistant to DHA-induced death. Mechanistically, DHA disrupts the interaction between heme and the eIF2α kinase heme-regulated inhibitor (HRI) triggering the integrated stress response. Genetic ablation of Eif2ak1, which encodes HRI, blocks MCL-1 repression in response to DHA treatment and represses the synergistic killing of DHA and BH3-mimetics compared with wild-type leukemia. Furthermore, BTdCPU, a small-molecule activator of HRI, similarly triggers MCL-1 repression and synergizes with BH3-mimetics in mouse and human leukemia including both Ph+ and Ph-like B-ALL. Finally, combinatorial treatment of leukemia bearing mice with both BTdCPU and a BH3-mimetic extended survival and repressed MCL-1 in vivo. These findings reveal for the first time that the HRI-dependent cellular heme-sensing pathway can modulate apoptosis in leukemic cells by repressing MCL-1 and increasing their responsiveness to BH3-mimetics. This signaling pathway could represent a generalizable mechanism for repressing MCL-1 expression in malignant cells and sensitizing them to available therapeutics. IMPLICATIONS: The HRI-dependent cellular heme-sensing pathway can modulate apoptotic sensitivity in leukemic cells by repressing antiapoptotic MCL-1 and increasing their responsiveness to BH3-mimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn H Smith
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.,Integrated Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Amit Budhraja
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - John Lynch
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Kathryn Roberts
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - John C Panetta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jon P Connelly
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.,Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Meghan E Turnis
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Shondra M Pruett-Miller
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.,Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - John D Schuetz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Charles G Mullighan
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Joseph T Opferman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
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5
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Son YO, Hitron JA, Cheng S, Budhraja A, Zhang Z, Guo NL, Lee JC, Shi X. Expression of Concern: "The Dual Roles of c-Jun NH2-Terminal Kinase Signaling in Cr(VI)-Induced Apoptosis in JB6 Cells". Toxicol Sci 2020; 175:145. [PMID: 32065643 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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6
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Wang L, Son YO, Ding S, Wang X, Hitron JA, Budhraja A, Lee JC, Lin Q, Poyil P, Zhang Z, Luo J, Shi X. Retraction: "Ethanol Enhances Tumor Angiogenesis In Vitro Induced by Low-Dose Arsenic in Colon Cancer Cells Through Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 Alpha Pathway". Toxicol Sci 2020; 175:146. [PMID: 32105321 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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7
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Karol SE, Alexander TB, Budhraja A, Pounds SB, Canavera K, Wang L, Wolf J, Klco JM, Mead PE, Das Gupta S, Kim SY, Salem AH, Palenski T, Lacayo NJ, Pui CH, Opferman JT, Rubnitz JE. Venetoclax in combination with cytarabine with or without idarubicin in children with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukaemia: a phase 1, dose-escalation study. Lancet Oncol 2020; 21:551-560. [PMID: 32171069 PMCID: PMC7153631 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(20)30060-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outcomes for children with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukaemia remain poor. The BCL-2 inhibitor, venetoclax, has shown promising activity in combination with hypomethylating agents and low-dose cytarabine in older adults for whom chemotherapy is not suitable with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia. We aimed to determine the safety and explore the activity of venetoclax in combination with standard and high-dose chemotherapy in paediatric patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukaemia. METHODS We did a phase 1, dose-escalation study at three research hospitals in the USA. Eligible patients were aged 2-22 years with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukaemia or acute leukaemia of ambiguous lineage with adequate organ function and performance status. During dose escalation, participants received venetoclax orally once per day in continuous 28-day cycles at either 240 mg/m2 or 360 mg/m2, in combination with cytarabine received intravenously every 12 h at either 100 mg/m2 for 20 doses or 1000 mg/m2 for eight doses, with or without intravenous idarubicin (12 mg/m2) as a single dose, using a rolling-6 accrual strategy. The primary endpoint was the recommended phase 2 dose of venetoclax plus chemotherapy and the secondary endpoint was the proportion of patients treated at the recommended phase 2 dose who achieved complete remission or complete remission with incomplete haematological recovery. Analyses were done on patients who received combination therapy. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03194932) and is now enrolling to address secondary and exploratory objectives. FINDINGS Between July 1, 2017, and July 2, 2019, 38 patients were enrolled (aged 3-22 years; median 10 [IQR 7-13]), 36 of whom received combination therapy with dose escalation, with a median follow-up of 7·1 months (IQR 5·1-11·2). The recommended phase 2 dose of venetoclax was found to be 360 mg/m2 (maximum 600 mg) combined with cytarabine (1000 mg/m2 per dose for eight doses), with or without idarubicin (12 mg/m2 as a single dose). Overall responses were observed in 24 (69%) of the 35 patients who were evaluable after cycle 1. Among the 20 patients treated at the recommended phase 2 dose, 14 (70%, 95% CI 46-88) showed complete response with or without complete haematological recovery, and two (10%) showed partial response. The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were febrile neutropenia (22 [66%]), bloodstream infections (six [16%]), and invasive fungal infections (six [16%]). Treatment-related death occurred in one patient due to colitis and sepsis. INTERPRETATION The safety and activity of venetoclax plus chemotherapy in paediatric patients with heavily relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukaemia suggests that this combination should be tested in newly diagnosed paediatric patients with high-risk acute myeloid leukaemia. FUNDING US National Institutes of Health, American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, AbbVie, and Gateway for Cancer Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth E Karol
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Thomas B Alexander
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Amit Budhraja
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Stanley B Pounds
- Department of Biostatistics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kristin Canavera
- Department of Psychology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Joshua Wolf
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jeffery M Klco
- Department of Pathology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Paul E Mead
- Department of Pathology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Soumyasri Das Gupta
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Ahmed Hamed Salem
- AbbVie, North Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Norman J Lacayo
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Ching-Hon Pui
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Joseph T Opferman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jeffrey E Rubnitz
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
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8
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Ling T, Lang WH, Craig J, Potts MB, Budhraja A, Opferman J, Bollinger J, Maier J, Marsico TD, Rivas F. Studies of Jatrogossone A as a Reactive Oxygen Species Inducer in Cancer Cellular Models. J Nat Prod 2019; 82:1301-1311. [PMID: 31084028 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b01087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Natural products continue to provide a platform to study biological systems. A bioguided study of cancer cell models led us to a new member of the jatrophane natural products from Jatropha gossypiifolia, which was independently identified and characterized as jatrogossone A (1). Purification and structure elucidation was performed by column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and NMR techniques, and the structure was confirmed via X-ray crystallography. The unique molecular scaffold of jatrogossone A prompted an evaluation of its mode of action. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that jatrogossone A displays selective antiproliferative activity against cancer cell models in the low micromolar range with a therapeutic window. Jatrogossone A (1) affects mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This natural product induces radical oxygen species (ROS) selectively in cancer cellular models, with minimal ROS induction in noncancerous cells. Compound 1 induces ROS in the mitochondria, as determined by colocalization studies, and it induces mitophagy. It promotes also in vitro cell death by causing cell arrest at the G2/M stage, caspase (3/7) activation, and PARP-1 cleavage. The combined findings provide a potential mechanism by which 1 relies on upregulation of mitochondrial ROS to potentiate cytotoxic effects through intracellular signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Travis D Marsico
- Department of Biological Sciences , Arkansas State University , Jonesboro , Arkansas 72467 , United States
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Lee T, Christov PP, Shaw S, Tarr JC, Zhao B, Veerasamy N, Jeon KO, Mills JJ, Bian Z, Sensintaffar JL, Arnold AL, Fogarty SA, Perry E, Ramsey HE, Cook RS, Hollingshead M, Davis Millin M, Lee KM, Koss B, Budhraja A, Opferman JT, Kim K, Arteaga CL, Moore WJ, Olejniczak ET, Savona MR, Fesik SW. Discovery of Potent Myeloid Cell Leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) Inhibitors That Demonstrate in Vivo Activity in Mouse Xenograft Models of Human Cancer. J Med Chem 2019; 62:3971-3988. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Taekyu Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Plamen P. Christov
- Chemical Synthesis Core, Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Subrata Shaw
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - James C. Tarr
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Bin Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Nagarathanam Veerasamy
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Kyu Ok Jeon
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Jonathan J. Mills
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Zhiguo Bian
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - John L. Sensintaffar
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Allison L. Arnold
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Stuart A. Fogarty
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Evan Perry
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Haley E. Ramsey
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Rebecca S. Cook
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | | | | | - Kyung-min Lee
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Brian Koss
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Amit Budhraja
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Joseph T. Opferman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Kwangho Kim
- Chemical Synthesis Core, Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Carlos L. Arteaga
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - William J. Moore
- Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21701, United States
| | - Edward T. Olejniczak
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Michael R. Savona
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Stephen W. Fesik
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
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10
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Ling T, Maier J, Das S, Budhraja A, Bassett R, Potts MB, Shelat A, Rankovic Z, Opferman JT, Rivas F. Identification of substituted 5-membered heterocyclic compounds as potential anti-leukemic agents. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 164:391-398. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.12.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Budhraja A, Turnis ME, Churchman ML, Kothari A, Yang X, Xu H, Kaminska E, Panetta JC, Finkelstein D, Mullighan CG, Opferman JT. Modulation of Navitoclax Sensitivity by Dihydroartemisinin-Mediated MCL-1 Repression in BCR-ABL + B-Lineage Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:7558-7568. [PMID: 28974549 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-1231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: BCR-ABL+ B-ALL leukemic cells are highly dependent on the expression of endogenous antiapoptotic MCL-1 to promote viability and are resistant to BH3-mimetic agents such as navitoclax (ABT-263) that target BCL-2, BCL-XL, and BCL-W. However, the survival of most normal blood cells and other cell types is also dependent on Mcl-1 Despite the requirement for MCL-1 in these cell types, initial reports of MCL-1-specific BH3-mimetics have not described any overt toxicities associated with single-agent use, but these agents are still early in clinical development. Therefore, we sought to identify approved drugs that could sensitize leukemic cells to ABT-263.Experimental Design: A screen identified dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a water-soluble metabolite of the antimalarial artemisinin. Using mouse and human leukemic cell lines, and primary patient-derived xenografts, the effect of DHA on survival was tested, and mechanistic studies were carried out to discover how DHA functions. We further tested in vitro and in vivo whether combining DHA with ABT-263 could enhance the response of leukemic cells to combination therapy.Results: DHA causes the downmodulation of MCL-1 expression by triggering a cellular stress response that represses translation. The repression of MCL-1 renders leukemic cells highly sensitive to synergistic cell death induced by ABT-263 in a mouse model of BCR-ABL+ B-ALL both in vitro and in vivo Furthermore, DHA synergizes with ABT-263 in human Ph+ ALL cell lines, and primary patient-derived xenografts of Ph+ ALL in culture.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that combining DHA with ABT-263 can improve therapeutic response in BCR-ABL+ B-ALL. Clin Cancer Res; 23(24); 7558-68. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Budhraja
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Meghan E Turnis
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Michelle L Churchman
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Anisha Kothari
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Xue Yang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Haiyan Xu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Ewa Kaminska
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - John C Panetta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - David Finkelstein
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Charles G Mullighan
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Joseph T Opferman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
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12
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Lee T, Bian Z, Zhao B, Hogdal LJ, Sensintaffar JL, Goodwin CM, Belmar J, Shaw S, Tarr JC, Veerasamy N, Matulis SM, Koss B, Fischer MA, Arnold AL, Camper DV, Browning CF, Rossanese OW, Budhraja A, Opferman J, Boise LH, Savona MR, Letai A, Olejniczak ET, Fesik SW. Discovery and biological characterization of potent myeloid cell leukemia-1 inhibitors. FEBS Lett 2017; 591:240-251. [PMID: 27878989 PMCID: PMC5381274 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) is an antiapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins that when overexpressed is associated with high tumor grade, poor survival, and resistance to chemotherapy. Mcl-1 is amplified in many human cancers, and knockdown of Mcl-1 using RNAi can lead to apoptosis. Thus, Mcl-1 is a promising cancer target. Here, we describe the discovery of picomolar Mcl-1 inhibitors that cause caspase activation, mitochondrial depolarization, and selective growth inhibition. These compounds represent valuable tools to study the role of Mcl-1 in cancer and serve as useful starting points for the discovery of clinically useful Mcl-1 inhibitors. PDB ID CODES Comp. 2: 5IEZ; Comp. 5: 5IF4.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Brian Koss
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Amit Budhraja
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
| | - Joseph Opferman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
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13
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Li G, Zhou J, Budhraja A, Hu X, Chen Y, Cheng Q, Liu L, Zhou T, Li P, Liu E, Gao N. Mitochondrial translocation and interaction of cofilin and Drp1 are required for erucin-induced mitochondrial fission and apoptosis. Oncotarget 2015; 6:1834-49. [PMID: 25595902 PMCID: PMC4359335 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cofilin is a member of the actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF) family protein, which plays an essential role in regulation of the mitochondrial apoptosis. It remains unclear how cofilin regulates the mitochondrial apoptosis. Here, we report for the first time that natural compound 4-methylthiobutyl isothiocyanate (erucin) found in consumable cruciferous vegetables induces mitochondrial fission and apoptosis in human breast cancer cells through the mitochondrial translocation of cofilin. Importantly, cofilin regulates erucin-induced mitochondrial fission by interacting with dynamin-related protein (Drp1). Knockdown of cofilin or Drp1 markedly reduced erucin-mediated mitochondrial translocation and interaction of cofilin and Drp1, mitochondrial fission, and apoptosis. Only dephosphorylated cofilin (Ser 3) and Drp1 (Ser 637) are translocated to the mitochondria. Cofilin S3E and Drp1 S637D mutants, which mimick the phosphorylated forms, suppressed mitochondrial translocation, fission, and apoptosis. Moreover, both dephosphorylation and mitochondrial translocation of cofilin and Drp1 are dependent on ROCK1 activation. In vivo findings confirmed that erucin-mediated inhibition of tumor growth in a breast cancer cell xenograft mouse model is associated with the mitochondrial translocation of cofilin and Drp1, fission and apoptosis. Our study reveals a novel role of cofilin in regulation of mitochondrial fission and suggests erucin as a potential drug for treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guobing Li
- 1 College of Pharmacy, 3rd Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- 1 College of Pharmacy, 3rd Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Amit Budhraja
- 3 Cell & Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis TN 38105, USA
| | - Xiaoye Hu
- 1 College of Pharmacy, 3rd Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yibiao Chen
- 1 College of Pharmacy, 3rd Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Qi Cheng
- 1 College of Pharmacy, 3rd Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Lei Liu
- 1 College of Pharmacy, 3rd Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- 1 College of Pharmacy, 3rd Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Ping Li
- 2 State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ehu Liu
- 2 State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ning Gao
- 1 College of Pharmacy, 3rd Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
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14
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Zhang Z, Pratheeshkumar P, Budhraja A, Son YO, Kim D, Shi X. Role of reactive oxygen species in arsenic-induced transformation of human lung bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 456:643-8. [PMID: 25499816 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic is an environmental carcinogen, its mechanisms of carcinogenesis remain to be investigated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered to be important. A previous study (Carpenter et al., 2011) has measured ROS level in human lung bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells and arsenic-transformed BEAS-2B cells and found that ROS levels were higher in transformed cells than that in parent normal cells. Based on these observations, the authors concluded that cell transformation induced by arsenic is mediated by increased cellular levels of ROS. This conclusion is problematic because this study only measured the basal ROS levels in transformed and parent cells and did not investigate the role of ROS in the process of arsenic-induced cell transformation. The levels of ROS in arsenic-transformed cells represent the result and not the cause of cell transformation. Thus question concerning whether ROS are important in arsenic-induced cell transformation remains to be answered. In the present study, we used expressions of catalase (antioxidant against H2O2) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2, antioxidant against O2(-)) to decrease ROS level and investigated their role in the process of arsenic-induced cell transformation. Our results show that inhibition of ROS by antioxidant enzymes decreased arsenic-induced cell transformation, demonstrating that ROS are important in this process. We have also shown that in arsenic-transformed cells, ROS generation was lower and levels of antioxidants are higher than those in parent cells, in a disagreement with the previous report. The present study has also shown that the arsenic-transformed cells acquired apoptosis resistance. The inhibition of catalase to increase ROS level restored apoptosis capability of arsenic-transformed BEAS-2B cells, further showing that ROS levels are low in these cells. The apoptosis resistance due to the low ROS levels may increase cells proliferation, providing a favorable environment for tumorigenesis of arsenic-transformed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Zhang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
| | - Poyil Pratheeshkumar
- Center for Research on Environmental Diseases, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Amit Budhraja
- Center for Research on Environmental Diseases, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Young-Ok Son
- Center for Research on Environmental Diseases, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Donghern Kim
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Xianglin Shi
- Center for Research on Environmental Diseases, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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15
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Li G, Liu L, Shan C, Cheng Q, Budhraja A, Zhou T, Cui H, Gao N. RhoA/ROCK/PTEN signaling is involved in AT-101-mediated apoptosis in human leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e998. [PMID: 24434521 PMCID: PMC4040709 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2013.519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Revised: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
R-(-)-gossypol acetic acid (AT-101) is a natural cottonseed product that exhibits anticancer activity. However, the molecular mechanism behind the antileukemic activity of AT-101 has not been well characterized. In this study, we investigated how AT-101 induces apoptosis in human leukemia cells. Exposure to AT-101 significantly increased apoptosis in both human leukemia cell lines and primary human leukemia cells. This increase was accompanied by the activation of caspases, cytochrome c release, Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax) translocation, myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) downregulation, Bcl-2-associated death promoter (Bad) dephosphorylation, Akt inactivation, and RhoA/Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1/phosphatase and tensin homolog (RhoA/ROCK1/PTEN) activation. RhoA, rather than caspase-3 cleavage, mediated the cleavage/activation of ROCK1 that AT-101 induced. Inhibiting RhoA and ROCK1 activation by C3 exoenzyme (C3) and Y27632, respectively, attenuated the ROCK1 cleavage/activation, PTEN activity, Akt inactivation, Mcl-1 downregulation, Bad dephosphorylation, and apoptosis mediated by AT-101. Knocking down ROCK1 expression using a ROCK1-specific siRNA also significantly abrogated AT-101-mediated apoptosis. Constitutively active Akt prevented the AT-101-induced Mcl-1 downregulation, Bad dephosphorylation, and apoptosis. Conversely, AT-101 lethality was potentiated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002. In vivo, the tumor growth inhibition caused by AT-101 was also associated with RhoA/ROCK1/PTEN activation and Akt inactivation in a mouse leukemia xenograft model. Collectively, these findings suggest that AT-101 may preferentially induce apoptosis in leukemia cells by interrupting the RhoA/ROCK1/PTEN pathway, leading to Akt inactivation, Mcl-1 downregulation, Bad dephosphorylation, and Bax translocation, which culminate in mitochondrial injury and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Li
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - L Liu
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - C Shan
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Q Cheng
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - A Budhraja
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - T Zhou
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - H Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - N Gao
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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16
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Yang YX, Li XL, Wang L, Han SY, Zhang YR, Pratheeshkumar P, Wang X, Lu J, Yin YQ, Sun LJ, Budhraja A, Hitron AJ, Ding SZ. Anti-apoptotic proteins and catalase-dependent apoptosis resistance in nickel chloride-transformed human lung epithelial cells. Int J Oncol 2013; 43:936-46. [PMID: 23828460 PMCID: PMC3787888 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2013.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic exposure to nickel compounds is associated with increased incidence of certain types of human cancer, including lung and nasal cancers. Despite intensive investigation, the oncogenic processes remain poorly understood. Apoptosis resistance is a key feature for tumor cells to escape physiological surveillance and acquire growth advantage over normal cells. Although NiCl2 exposure induces transformation of human lung epithelial cells, little information is available with regard to its molecular mechanisms, it is also not clear if the transformed cells are apoptosis resistant and tumorigenic. We explored the apoptosis resistance properties of nickel chloride-transformed human lung epithelial cells and the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that transformed BEAS-2B human lung epithelial cells are resistant to NiCl2-induced apoptosis. They have increased Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and catalase protein levels over the passage matched non-transformed counterparts. The mechanisms of apoptosis resistance are mitochondria-mediated and caspase-dependent. Forced overexpression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and catalase proteins reduced NiCl2-induced cell death; siRNA-mediated knockdown of their expression sensitized the cells to nickel-induced apoptosis, suggesting that Bcl-2, Bcl-xl and catalase protein expression plays a critical role in apoptosis resistance. Akt also participates in this process, as its overexpression increases Bcl-xL protein expression levels and attenuates NiCl2-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, transformed cells are tumorigenic in a xenograft model. Together, these results demonstrate that nickel-transformed cells are apoptosis-resistant and tumorigenic. Increased expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and catalase proteins are important mechanisms contributing to transformed cell oncogenic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xiu Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, P.R. China
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17
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Wang L, Kuang L, Hitron JA, Son YO, Wang X, Budhraja A, Lee JC, Pratheeshkumar P, Chen G, Zhang Z, Luo J, Shi X. Apigenin suppresses migration and invasion of transformed cells through down-regulation of C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 expression. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2013; 272:108-16. [PMID: 23743303 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2013.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Revised: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Environmental exposure to arsenic is known to cause various cancers. There are some potential relationships between cell malignant transformation and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) expressions. Metastasis, one of the major characteristics of malignantly transformed cells, contributes to the high mortality of cells. CXCR4 and its natural chemokine ligand C-X-C motif ligand 12 (CXCL12) play a critical role in metastasis. Therefore, identification of nutritional factors which are able to inhibit CXCR4 is important for protection from environmental arsenic-induced carcinogenesis and for abolishing metastasis of malignantly transformed cells. The present study demonstrates that apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone), a natural dietary flavonoid, suppressed CXCR4 expression in arsenic-transformed Beas-2B cells (B-AsT) and several other types of transformed/cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Neither proteasome nor lysosome inhibitor had any effect in reducing the apigenin-induced down-regulation of CXCR4, indicating that apigenin-induced down-regulation of CXCR4 is not due to proteolytic degradation. The down-regulation of CXCR4 is mainly due to the inhibition of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) transcriptional activity. Apigenin also abolished migration and invasion of transformed cells induced by CXCL12. In a xenograft mouse model, apigenin down-regulated CXCR4 expression and suppressed tumor growth. Taken together, our results show that apigenin is a novel inhibitor of CXCR4 expression. This dietary flavonoid has the potential to suppress migration and invasion of transformed cells and prevent environmental arsenic-induced carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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18
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Ding SZ, Yang YX, Li XL, Michelli-Rivera A, Han SY, Wang L, Pratheeshkumar P, Wang X, Lu J, Yin YQ, Budhraja A, Hitron AJ. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition during oncogenic transformation induced by hexavalent chromium involves reactive oxygen species-dependent mechanism in lung epithelial cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2013; 269:61-71. [PMID: 23518002 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2013.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2013] [Revised: 03/07/2013] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is an important human carcinogen associated with pulmonary diseases and lung cancer. Exposure to Cr(VI) induces DNA damage, cell morphological change and malignant transformation in human lung epithelial cells. Despite extensive studies, the molecular mechanisms remain elusive, it is also not known if Cr(VI)-induced transformation might accompany with invasive properties to facilitate metastasis. We aimed to study Cr(VI)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasion during oncogenic transformation in lung epithelial cells. The results showed that Cr(VI) at low doses represses E-cadherin mRNA and protein expression, enhances mesenchymal marker vimentin expression and transforms the epithelial cell into fibroblastoid morphology. Cr(VI) also increases cell invasion and promotes colony formation. Further studies indicated that Cr(VI) uses multiple mechanisms to repress E-cadherin expression, including activation of E-cadherin repressors such as Slug, ZEB1, KLF8 and enhancement the binding of HDAC1 in E-cadherin gene promoter, but DNA methylation is not responsible for the loss of E-cadherin. Catalase reduces Cr(VI)-induced E-cadherin and vimentin protein expression, attenuates cell invasion in matrigel and colony formation on soft agar. These results demonstrate that exposure to a common human carcinogen, Cr(VI), induces EMT and invasion during oncogenic transformation in lung epithelial cells and implicate in cancer metastasis and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-Ze Ding
- Department of Internal Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Wei-Wu Road, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, PR China.
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19
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Pratheeshkumar P, Son YO, Budhraja A, Wang X, Ding S, Wang L, Hitron A, Lee JC, Kim D, Divya SP, Chen G, Zhang Z, Luo J, Shi X. Luteolin inhibits human prostate tumor growth by suppressing vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-mediated angiogenesis. PLoS One 2012; 7:e52279. [PMID: 23300633 PMCID: PMC3534088 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2012] [Accepted: 11/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vascular beds, is essential for tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Luteolin is a common dietary flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables. We studied the antiangiogenic activity of luteolin using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models. In vitro studies using rat aortic ring assay showed that luteolin at non-toxic concentrations significantly inhibited microvessel sprouting and proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation of endothelial cells, which are key events in the process of angiogenesis. Luteolin also inhibited ex vivo angiogenesis as revealed by chicken egg chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM) and matrigel plug assay. Gelatin zymographic analysis demonstrated the inhibitory effect of luteolin on the activation of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9. Western blot analysis showed that luteolin suppressed VEGF induced phosphorylation of VEGF receptor 2 and their downstream protein kinases AKT, ERK, mTOR, P70S6K, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in HUVECs. Proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α level were significantly reduced by the treatment of luteolin in PC-3 cells. Luteolin (10 mg/kg/d) significantly reduced the volume and the weight of solid tumors in prostate xenograft mouse model, indicating that luteolin inhibited tumorigenesis by targeting angiogenesis. CD31 and CD34 immunohistochemical staining further revealed that the microvessel density could be remarkably suppressed by luteolin. Moreover, luteolin reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells, which were correlated with the downregulation of AKT, ERK, mTOR, P70S6K, MMP-2, and MMP-9 expressions. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that luteolin inhibits human prostate tumor growth by suppressing vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-mediated angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poyil Pratheeshkumar
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Young-Ok Son
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Amit Budhraja
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Xin Wang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Songze Ding
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Lei Wang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Andrew Hitron
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Jeong-Chae Lee
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Donghern Kim
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Sasidharan Padmaja Divya
- National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, India
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Zhuo Zhang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Jia Luo
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Xianglin Shi
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
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20
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Pratheeshkumar P, Sreekala C, Zhang Z, Budhraja A, Ding S, Son YO, Wang X, Hitron A, Hyun-Jung K, Wang L, Lee JC, Shi X. Cancer prevention with promising natural products: mechanisms of action and molecular targets. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2012; 12:1159-84. [PMID: 22583402 PMCID: PMC4983770 DOI: 10.2174/187152012803833035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2011] [Revised: 01/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. There is greater need for more effective and less toxic therapeutic and preventive strategies. Natural products are becoming an important research area for novel and bioactive molecules for drug discovery. Phytochemicals and dietary compounds have been used for the treatment of cancer throughout history due to their safety, low toxicity, and general availability. Many active phytochemicals are in human clinical trials. Studies have indicated that daily consumption of dietary phytochemicals have cancer protective effects against carcinogens. They can inhibit, delay, or reverse carcinogenesis by inducing detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes systems, regulating inflammatory and proliferative signaling pathways, and inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Epidemiological studies have also revealed that high dietary intakes of fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of cancer. This review discusses potential natural cancer preventive compounds, their molecular targets, and their mechanisms of actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poyil Pratheeshkumar
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | | | - Zhuo Zhang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Amit Budhraja
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Songze Ding
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Young-Ok Son
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Andrew Hitron
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Kim Hyun-Jung
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Jeong-Chae Lee
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Xianglin Shi
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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21
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Pratheeshkumar P, Budhraja A, Son YO, Wang X, Zhang Z, Ding S, Wang L, Hitron A, Lee JC, Xu M, Chen G, Luo J, Shi X. Quercetin inhibits angiogenesis mediated human prostate tumor growth by targeting VEGFR- 2 regulated AKT/mTOR/P70S6K signaling pathways. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47516. [PMID: 23094058 PMCID: PMC3475699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Accepted: 09/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a crucial step in the growth and metastasis of cancers, since it enables the growing tumor to receive oxygen and nutrients. Cancer prevention using natural products has become an integral part of cancer control. We studied the antiangiogenic activity of quercetin using ex vivo, in vivo and in vitro models. Rat aortic ring assay showed that quercetin at non-toxic concentrations significantly inhibited microvessel sprouting and exhibited a significant inhibition in the proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation of endothelial cells, which are key events in the process of angiogenesis. Most importantly, quercetin treatment inhibited ex vivo angiogenesis as revealed by chicken egg chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM) and matrigel plug assay. Western blot analysis showed that quercetin suppressed VEGF induced phosphorylation of VEGF receptor 2 and their downstream protein kinases AKT, mTOR, and ribosomal protein S6 kinase in HUVECs. Quercetin (20 mg/kg/d) significantly reduced the volume and the weight of solid tumors in prostate xenograft mouse model, indicating that quercetin inhibited tumorigenesis by targeting angiogenesis. Furthermore, quercetin reduced the cell viability and induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells, which were correlated with the downregulation of AKT, mTOR and P70S6K expressions. Collectively the findings in the present study suggest that quercetin inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis by targeting VEGF-R2 regulated AKT/mTOR/P70S6K signaling pathway, and could be used as a potential drug candidate for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poyil Pratheeshkumar
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Amit Budhraja
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Young-Ok Son
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Xin Wang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Zhuo Zhang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Songze Ding
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Lei Wang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Andrew Hitron
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Jeong-Chae Lee
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Mei Xu
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Jia Luo
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Xianglin Shi
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
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Son YO, Wang L, Poyil P, Budhraja A, Hitron JA, Zhang Z, Lee JC, Shi X. Cadmium induces carcinogenesis in BEAS-2B cells through ROS-dependent activation of PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2012; 264:153-60. [PMID: 22884995 PMCID: PMC3462234 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2012.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2012] [Revised: 07/21/2012] [Accepted: 07/28/2012] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium has been widely used in industry and is known to be carcinogenic to humans. Although it is widely accepted that chronic exposure to cadmium increases the incidence of cancer, the mechanisms underlying cadmium-induced carcinogenesis are unclear. The main aim of this study was to investigate the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cadmium-induced carcinogenesis and the signal transduction pathways involved. Chronic exposure of human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells to cadmium induced cell transformation, as evidenced by anchorage-independent growth in soft agar and clonogenic assays. Chronic cadmium treatment also increased the potential of these cells to invade and migrate. Injection of cadmium-stimulated cells into nude mice resulted in the formation of tumors. In contrast, the cadmium-mediated increases in colony formation, cell invasion and migration were prevented by transfection with catalase, superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1), or SOD2. In particular, chronic cadmium exposure led to activation of signaling cascades involving PI3K, AKT, GSK-3β, and β-catenin and transfection with each of the above antioxidant enzymes markedly inhibited cadmium-mediated activation of these signaling proteins. Inhibitors specific for AKT or β-catenin almost completely suppressed the cadmium-mediated increase in total and active β-catenin proteins and colony formation. Moreover, there was a marked induction of AKT, GSK-3β, β-catenin, and carcinogenic markers in tumor tissues formed in mice after injection with cadmium-stimulated cells. Collectively, our findings suggest a direct involvement of ROS in cadmium-induced carcinogenesis and implicate a role of AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Ok Son
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Lei Wang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Pratheeshkumar Poyil
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Amit Budhraja
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - J. Andrew Hitron
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Zhuo Zhang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Jeong-Chae Lee
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
- School of Dentistry and Institute of Oral Biosciences (BK21 program), Research Center of Bioactive Materials, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, South Korea
| | - Xianglin Shi
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
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Wang L, Son YO, Ding S, Wang X, Hitron JA, Budhraja A, Lee JC, Lin Q, Poyil P, Zhang Z, Luo J, Shi X. Ethanol enhances tumor angiogenesis in vitro induced by low-dose arsenic in colon cancer cells through hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha pathway. Toxicol Sci 2012; 130:269-80. [PMID: 22872060 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfs242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Health effects due to environmental exposure to arsenic are a major global health concern. Arsenic has been known to induce carcinogenesis and enhance tumor development via complex and unclear mechanism. Ethanol is also a well-established risk factor for many malignancies. However, little is known about the effects of coexposure to arsenic and ethanol in tumor development. In this study, we investigate the signaling and angiogenic effect of coexposure of arsenic and ethanol on different colon cancer cell lines. Results show that ethanol markedly enhanced arsenic-induced tumor angiogenesis in vitro. These responses are related to intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, NADPH oxidase activation, and upregulation of PI3K/Akt and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) signaling. We have also found that ethanol increases the arsenic-induced expression and secretion of angiogenic signaling molecules such as vascular endothelial growth factor, which further confirmed the above observation. Antioxidant enzymes inhibited arsenic/ethanol-induced tumor angiogenesis, demonstrating that the responsive signaling pathways of coexposure to arsenic and ethanol are related to ROS generation. We conclude that ethanol is able to enhance arsenic-induced tumor angiogenesis in colorectal cancer cells via the HIF-1α pathway. These results indicate that alcohol consumption should be taken into consideration in the investigation of arsenic-induced carcinogenesis in arsenic-exposed populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
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Gao N, Cheng S, Budhraja A, Gao Z, Chen J, Liu EH, Huang C, Chen D, Yang Z, Liu Q, Li P, Shi X, Zhang Z. Ursolic acid induces apoptosis in human leukaemia cells and exhibits anti-leukaemic activity in nude mice through the PKB pathway. Br J Pharmacol 2012; 165:1813-1826. [PMID: 21950524 PMCID: PMC3372832 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01684.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2011] [Revised: 08/11/2011] [Accepted: 08/16/2011] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Ursolic acid (UA) has been extensively used as an anti-leukaemic agent in traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, we investigated the ability of UA to induce apoptosis in human leukaemia cells in relation to its effects on caspase activation, Mcl-1 down-regulation and perturbations in stress-induced signalling pathways such as PKB and JNK. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Leukaemia cells were treated with UA after which apoptosis, caspase activation, PKB and JNK signalling pathways were evaluated. The anti-tumour activity of UA was evaluated using xenograft mouse model. KEY RESULTS UA induced apoptosis in human leukaemia cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner; this was associated with caspase activation, down-regulation of Mcl-1 and inactivation of PKB accompanied by activation of JNK. Enforced activation of PKB by a constitutively active PKB construct prevented UA-mediated JNK activation, Mcl-1 down-regulation, caspase activation and apoptosis. Conversely, UA lethality was potentiated by the PI3-kinase inhibitor LY294002. Interruption of the JNK pathway by pharmacological or genetic (e.g. siRNA) attenuated UA-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, UA-mediated inhibition of tumour growth in vivo was associated with induction of apoptosis, inactivation of PKB as well as activation of JNK. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Collectively, these findings suggest a hierarchical model of UA-induced apoptosis in human leukaemia cells in which UA induces PKB inactivation, leading to JNK activation and culminating in Mcl-1 down-regulation, caspase activation and apoptosis. These findings indicate that interruption of PKB/JNK pathways may represent a novel therapeutic strategy in haematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Gao
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, 3rd Military Medical UniversityChongqing, China
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of KentuckyLexington, Kentucky
| | - Senping Cheng
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of KentuckyLexington, Kentucky
| | - Amit Budhraja
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of KentuckyLexington, Kentucky
| | - Ziyi Gao
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of KentuckyLexington, Kentucky
| | - Jieping Chen
- Department of Hematology, Southwest Hospital, 3rd Military Medical UniversityChongqing, China
| | - E-Hu Liu
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, 3rd Military Medical UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of KentuckyLexington, Kentucky
| | - Deying Chen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, 3rd Military Medical UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Zailin Yang
- Department of Hematology, Southwest Hospital, 3rd Military Medical UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Qun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicines (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of EducationNanjing, China
| | - Ping Li
- Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicines (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of EducationNanjing, China
| | - Xianglin Shi
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of KentuckyLexington, Kentucky
| | - Zhuo Zhang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of KentuckyLexington, Kentucky
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Budhraja A, Gao N, Zhang Z, Son YO, Cheng S, Wang X, Ding S, Hitron A, Chen G, Luo J, Shi X. Apigenin induces apoptosis in human leukemia cells and exhibits anti-leukemic activity in vivo. Mol Cancer Ther 2011; 11:132-42. [PMID: 22084167 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-11-0343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the functional role of Akt and c-jun-NH(2)-kinase (JNK) signaling cascades in apigenin-induced apoptosis in U937 human leukemia cells and anti-leukemic activity of apigenin in vivo. Apigenin induced apoptosis by inactivation of Akt with a concomitant activation of JNK, Mcl-1 and Bcl-2 downregulation, cytochrome c release from mitochondria, and activation of caspases. Constitutively active myristolated Akt prevented apigenin-induced JNK, caspase activation, and apoptosis. Conversely, LY294002 and a dominant-negative construct of Akt potentiated apigenin-induced apoptosis in leukemia cells. Interruption of the JNK pathway showed marked reduction in apigenin-induced caspase activation and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Furthermore, in vivo administration of apigenin resulted in attenuation of tumor growth in U937 xenografts accompanied by inactivation of Akt and activation of JNK. Attenuation of tumor growth in U937 xenografts by apigenin raises the possibility that apigenin may have clinical implications and can be further tested for incorporating in leukemia treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Budhraja
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
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26
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Zhang Z, Wang X, Cheng S, Sun L, Son YO, Yao H, Li W, Budhraja A, Li L, Shelton BJ, Tucker T, Arnold SM, Shi X. Reactive oxygen species mediate arsenic induced cell transformation and tumorigenesis through Wnt/β-catenin pathway in human colorectal adenocarcinoma DLD1 cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2011; 256:114-21. [PMID: 21854796 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2011.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2011] [Revised: 07/27/2011] [Accepted: 07/28/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Long term exposure to arsenic can increase incidence of human cancers, such as skin, lung, and colon rectum. The mechanism of arsenic induced carcinogenesis is still unclear. It is generally believed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) may play an important role in this process. In the present study, we investigate the possible linkage between ROS, β-catenin and arsenic induced transformation and tumorigenesis in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line, DLD1 cells. Our results show that arsenic was able to activate p47(phox) and p67(phox), two key proteins for activation of NADPH oxidase. Arsenic was also able to generate ROS in DLD1 cells. Arsenic increased β-catenin expression level and its promoter activity. ROS played a major role in arsenic-induced β-catenin activation. Treatment of DLD1 cells by arsenic enhanced both transformation and tumorigenesis of these cells. The tumor volumes of arsenic treated group were much larger than those without arsenic treatment. Addition of either superoxide dismutase (SOD) or catalase reduced arsenic induced cell transformation and tumor formation. The results indicate that ROS are involved in arsenic induced cell transformation and tumor formation possible through Wnt/β-catenin pathway in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line DLD1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Zhang
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, University of Kentucky, 121 Washington Avenue, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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27
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Son YO, Wang X, Hitron JA, Zhang Z, Cheng S, Budhraja A, Ding S, Lee JC, Shi X. Cadmium induces autophagy through ROS-dependent activation of the LKB1-AMPK signaling in skin epidermal cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2011; 255:287-96. [PMID: 21767558 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2011.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2011] [Revised: 06/29/2011] [Accepted: 06/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal which is environmentally and occupationally relevant. The mechanisms underlying cadmium-induced autophagy are not yet completely understood. The present study shows that cadmium induces autophagy, as demonstrated by the increase of LC3-II formation and the GFP-LC3 puncta cells. The induction of autophagosomes was directly visualized by electron microscopy in cadmium-exposed skin epidermal cells. Blockage of LKB1 or AMPK by siRNA transfection suppressed cadmium-induced autophagy. Cadmium-induced autophagy was inhibited in dominant-negative AMPK-transfected cells, whereas it was accelerated in cells transfected with the constitutively active form of AMPK. mTOR signaling, a negative regulator of autophagy, was downregulated in cadmium-exposed cells. In addition, cadmium generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) at relatively low levels, and caused poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP) activation and ATP depletion. Inhibition of PARP by pharmacological inhibitors or its siRNA transfection suppressed ATP reduction and autophagy in cadmium-exposed cells. Furthermore, cadmium-induced autophagy signaling was attenuated by either exogenous addition of catalase and superoxide dismutase, or by overexpression of these enzymes. Consequently, these results suggest that cadmium-mediated ROS generation causes PARP activation and energy depletion, and eventually induces autophagy through the activation of LKB1-AMPK signaling and the down-regulation of mTOR in skin epidermal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Ok Son
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0305, USA
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28
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Wang X, Son YO, Chang Q, Sun L, Hitron JA, Budhraja A, Zhang Z, Ke Z, Chen F, Luo J, Shi X. NADPH oxidase activation is required in reactive oxygen species generation and cell transformation induced by hexavalent chromium. Toxicol Sci 2011; 123:399-410. [PMID: 21742780 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfr180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a well-known human carcinogen associated with the incidence of lung cancer. Although overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been suggested to play a major role in its carcinogenicity, the mechanisms of Cr(VI)-induced ROS production remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of NADPH oxidase (NOX), one of the major sources of cellular ROS, in Cr(VI)-induced oxidative stress and carcinogenesis. We found that short-term exposure to Cr(VI) (2μM) resulted in a rapid increase in ROS generation in Beas-2B cells, and concomitantly increased NOX activity and expression of NOX members (NOX1-3 and NOX5) and subunits (p22(phox), p47(phox), p40(phox), and p67(phox)). Cr(VI) also induced phosphorylation of p47(phox) and membrane translocation of p47(phox) and p67(phox), further confirming NOX activation. Knockdown of p47(phox) with a short hairpin RNA attenuated the ROS production induced by Cr(VI). Chronic exposure (up to 3 months) to low doses of Cr(VI) (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5μM) also promoted ROS generation and the expression of NOX subunits, such as p47(phox) and p67(phox), but inhibited the expression of main antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Chronic Cr(VI) exposure resulted in transformation of Beas-2B cells, increasing cell proliferation, anchorage independent growth in soft agar, and forming aggressive tumors in nude mice. Stable knockdown of p47(phox) or overexpression of SOD1, SOD2, or catalase (CAT) eliminated Cr(VI)-induced malignant transformation. Our results suggest that NOX plays an important role in Cr(VI)-induced ROS generation and carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, 1095 V.A. Drive, 306 Health Sciences Research Building, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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Cheng S, Gao N, Zhang Z, Chen G, Budhraja A, Ke Z, Son YO, Wang X, Luo J, Shi X. Quercetin induces tumor-selective apoptosis through downregulation of Mcl-1 and activation of Bax. Clin Cancer Res 2010; 16:5679-91. [PMID: 21138867 PMCID: PMC3069720 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-10-1565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the in vivo antitumor efficacy of quercetin in U937 xenografts and the functional roles of Mcl-1 and Bax in quercetin-induced apoptosis in human leukemia. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Leukemia cells were treated with quercetin, after which apoptosis, Mcl-1 expression, and Bax activation and translocation were evaluated. The efficacy of quercetin as well as Mcl-1 expression and Bax activation were investigated in xenografts of U937 cells. RESULTS Administration of quercetin caused pronounced apoptosis in both transformed and primary leukemia cells but not in normal blood peripheral mononuclear cells. Quercetin-induced apoptosis was accompanied by Mcl-1 downregulation and Bax conformational change and mitochondrial translocation that triggered cytochrome c release. Knockdown of Bax by siRNA reversed quercetin-induced apoptosis and abrogated the activation of caspase and apoptosis. Ectopic expression of Mcl-1 attenuated quercetin-mediated Bax activation, translocation, and cell death. Conversely, interruption of Mcl-1 by siRNA enhanced Bax activation and translocation, as well as lethality induced by quercetin. However, the absence of Bax had no effect on quercetin-mediated Mcl-1 downregulation. Furthermore, in vivo administration of quercetin attenuated tumor growth in U937 xenografts. The TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells in tumor sections increased in quercetin-treated mice as compared with controls. Mcl-1 downregulation and Bax activation were also observed in xenografts. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that quercetin may be useful for the treatment of leukemia by preferentially inducing apoptosis in leukemia versus normal hematopoietic cells through a process involving Mcl-1 downregulation, which, in turn, potentiates Bax activation and mitochondrial translocation, culminating in apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senping Cheng
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Ning Gao
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Zhuo Zhang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Amit Budhraja
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Zunji Ke
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Young-ok Son
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Xin Wang
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Jia Luo
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Xianglin Shi
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
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30
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Son YO, Hitron JA, Cheng S, Budhraja A, Zhang Z, Lan Guo N, Lee JC, Shi X. The dual roles of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase signaling in Cr(VI)-induced apoptosis in JB6 cells. Toxicol Sci 2010; 119:335-45. [PMID: 21047991 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfq335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Occupational exposure to chromium (Cr) compounds has been shown to cause serious toxic and carcinogenic effects. The skin is an important target for the compounds in industrially exposed Cr workers. c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. This protein's effects on cellular response depend upon the cell type and stimuli. The mechanisms by which hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) leads to apoptosis in the skin are unclear at present. The aim of this study is to examine whether JNK regulates apoptosis in Cr(VI)-exposed mouse JB6 epidermal cells. The present study showed that Cr(VI) induced apoptotic cell death through JNK activation. The blockage of JNK by small interference RNA (si-RNA) transfection suppressed Cr(VI)-induced apoptotic cell death with the concomitant downregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, mitochondrial membrane depolarization (Δψm), caspase activation, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. However, inhibition of c-Jun expression by si-RNA transfection enhanced cytotoxicity, which corresponded to increasing apoptosis and Δψm. This phenomenon is associated with p53 activation caused by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels because of the downregulation of superoxide dismutase expression in si-c-Jun-transfected cells. Taken together, Cr(VI) induces apoptosis via JNK-mediated signaling, whereas c-Jun activation acts as an inhibitor of apoptotic signaling. Additionally, ROS generated by Cr(VI) is a pivotal regulator of JNK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Ok Son
- Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0305, USA
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31
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Gao N, Budhraja A, Cheng S, Yao H, Zhang Z, Shi X. Induction of apoptosis in human leukemia cells by grape seed extract occurs via activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase. Clin Cancer Res 2009; 15:140-9. [PMID: 19118041 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-08-1447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To characterize the functional role of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) and other apoptotic pathways in grape seed extract (GSE)-induced apoptosis in human leukemia cells by using pharmacologic and genetic approaches. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Jurkat cells were treated with various concentrations of GSE for 12 and 24 h or with 50 microg/mL GSE for various time intervals, after which apoptosis, caspase activation, and cell signaling pathways were evaluated. Parallel studies were done in U937 and HL-60 human leukemia cells. RESULTS Exposure of Jurkat cells to GSE resulted in dose- and time-dependent increase in apoptosis and caspase activation, events associated with the pronounced increase in Cip1/p21 protein level. Furthermore, treatment of Jurkat cells with GSE resulted in marked increase in levels of phospho-JNK. Conversely, interruption of the JNK pathway by pharmacologic inhibitor (e.g., SP600125) or genetic (e.g., small interfering RNA) approaches displayed significant protection against GSE-mediated lethality in Jurkat cells. CONCLUSIONS The result of the present study showed that GSE induces apoptosis in Jurkat cells through a process that involves sustained JNK activation and Cip1/p21 up-regulation, culminating in caspase activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Gao
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, 3rd Military Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
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32
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Barik S, Budhraja A, Bhalla M, Diwan S. Inherited factor X deficiency in two brothers. INDIAN J PATHOL MICR 1997; 40:63-5. [PMID: 9145616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Two brothers born to same parents were diagnosed with inherited factor X deficiency of severe type. Clinical presentation in both the cases were haemarthrosis. The elder brother was diagnosed in the year 1991 when he was four and half years old. Recently the youngest child in the family also presented with haemarthrosis at age of one and half years. Diagnosis was made by abnormal results of Coagulation factors screening mainly Prothrombin time, Activated partial thromboplastin time, Russell's viper venom test, mixing tests factor X assay. Both the brothers had Factor X activity less than one percent.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Barik
- Department of Pathology and Haematology, Jawahar Lal Nehru Hospital and Research Centre, Bhilai-Durg, India
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