Developmental vascular regression is regulated by a Wnt/β-catenin, MYC and CDKN1A pathway that controls cell proliferation and cell death

Normal development requires tight regulation of cell proliferation and cell death. Here, we have investigated these control mechanisms in the hyaloid vessels, a temporary vascular network in the mammalian eye that requires a Wnt/β-catenin response for scheduled regression. We investigated whether the hyaloid Wnt response was linked to the oncogene Myc, and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor CDKN1A (P21), both established regulators of cell cycle progression and cell death. Our analysis showed that the Wnt pathway co-receptors LRP5 and LRP6 have overlapping activities that mediate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hyaloid vascular endothelial cells (VECs). We also showed that both Myc and Cdkn1a are downstream of the Wnt response and are required for hyaloid regression but for different reasons. Conditional deletion of Myc in VECs suppressed both proliferation and cell death. By contrast, conditional deletion of Cdkn1a resulted in VEC overproliferation that countered the effects of cell death on regression. When combined with analysis of MYC and CDKN1A protein levels, this analysis suggests that a Wnt/β-catenin and MYC-CDKN1A pathway regulates scheduled hyaloid vessel regression.

Abstract A13: Macrophage FLT1 mediated inflammatory response determines breast cancer distal metastasis

Macrophages are abundantly found in the tumor microenvironment and enhance malignancy. At distal metastatic sites, our previous studies identified a distinct population of metastasis associated macrophages (MAMs) that promotes tumor cell extravasation, seeding and persistent growth. These macrophages were derived from circulating inflammatory monocytes recruited by CCL2/CCR2 chemokine signaling and directly promote tumor cell extravasation and metastatic seeding in vivo through VEGF production. Our recent studies identified that MAMs express high levels of cell surface FMS-like tyrosine kinase 1 (FLT1, also known as VEGFR1) after their recruitment. Blockade of FLT1 signaling using specific inhibitory antibodies significantly inhibited the metastatic seeding and persistent growth. Using several genetic models of Flt1 deficiency, we show that macrophage specific FLT1 signaling is critical for breast tumor distal metastatic potential. FLT1 is not expressed by other hematopoietic cells and its inhibition did not affect the recruitment of MAMs, which indicated that specific FLT1 signaling in MAMs are important for their metastasis promoting functions. Indeed, we identified that FLT1 regulates a set of inflammatory response genes including Colony Stimulating Factor 1 (CSF1) a central regulator of macrophage biology. Using a genetic gain-of-function approach we show that CSF1 mediated autocrine signaling in MAMs is downstream of FLT1 and can restore the tumor-promoting activity in MAMs even when FLT1 has been inhibited. Together, our data established a link between inflammation and cancer metastasis and suggested the therapeutic potential of targeting these pathways in treating metastatic disease.

Citation Format: Bin-Zhi Qian, Hui Zhang, Jiufeng Li, Eun-Jin Yeo, Neil O. Carragher, Anne R. Bresnick, Richard A. Lang, Jeffrey W. Pollard. Macrophage FLT1 mediated inflammatory response determines breast cancer distal metastasis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Metastasis; 2015 Nov 30-Dec 3; Austin, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(7 Suppl):Abstract nr A13.

Role of protein kinase C-η in cigarette smoke extract-induced apoptosis in MRC-5-cells

Cigarette smoke (CS) is a major risk factor for emphysema, which causes cell death in structural cells of the lung by mechanisms that are still not completely understood. We demonstrated previously that CS extract (CSE) induces caspase activation in MRC-5 human lung fibroblasts, activated protein kinase C-η (PKC-η), and translocated PKC-η from the cytosol to the membrane. The objective of this study was to investigate the involvement of PKC-η activation in a CSE-induced extrinsic apoptotic pathway. We determined that CSE increases expression of caspase 3 and 8 cleavage in MRC-5 cells and overexpression of PKC-η significantly increased expression of caspase 3 and 8 cleavage compared with control LacZ-infected cells. In contrast, dominant negative (dn) PKC-η inhibited apoptosis in MRC-5 cells exposed to CSE and decreased expression of caspase 3 and 8 compared with control cells. Exposure to 10% CSE for >8 h significantly increased lactate dehydrogenase release in PKC-η-infected cells compared with LacZ-infected cells. Additionally, PKC-η-infected cells had an increased number of Hoechst 33342 stained nuclei compared with LacZ-infected cells, while dn PKC-η-infected cells exhibited fewer morphological changes than LacZ-infected cells under phase-contrast microscopy. In conclusion, PKC-η activation plays a pro-apoptotic role in CSE-induced extrinsic apoptotic pathway in MRC-5 cells. These results suggest that modulation of PKC-η may be a useful tool for regulating the extrinsic apoptosis of MRC-5 cells by CSE and may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of CS-induced lung injury.

FLT1 signaling in metastasis-associated macrophages activates an inflammatory signature that promotes breast cancer metastasis

Although the link between inflammation and cancer initiation is well established, its role in metastatic diseases, the primary cause of cancer deaths, has been poorly explored. Our previous studies identified a population of metastasis-associated macrophages (MAMs) recruited to the lung that promote tumor cell seeding and growth. Here we show that FMS-like tyrosine kinase 1 (Flt1, also known as VEGFR1) labels a subset of macrophages in human breast cancers that are significantly enriched in metastatic sites. In mouse models of breast cancer pulmonary metastasis, MAMs uniquely express FLT1. Using several genetic models, we show that macrophage FLT1 signaling is critical for metastasis. FLT1 inhibition does not affect MAM recruitment to metastatic lesions but regulates a set of inflammatory response genes, including colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1), a central regulator of macrophage biology. Using a gain-of-function approach, we show that CSF1-mediated autocrine signaling in MAMs is downstream of FLT1 and can restore the tumor-promoting activity of FLT1-inhibited MAMs. Thus, CSF1 is epistatic to FLT1, establishing a link between FLT1 and inflammatory responses within breast tumor metastases. Importantly, FLT1 inhibition reduces tumor metastatic efficiency even after initial seeding, suggesting that these pathways represent therapeutic targets in metastatic disease.

Myeloid WNT7b mediates the angiogenic switch and metastasis in breast cancer

Oncogenic targets acting in both tumor cells and tumor stromal cells may offer special therapeutic appeal. Interrogation of the Oncomine database revealed that 52 of 53 human breast carcinomas showed substantial upregulation of WNT family ligand WNT7B. Immunolabeling of human mammary carcinoma showed that WNT7B immunoreactivity was associated with both tumor cells and with tumor-associated macrophages. In the MMTV-PymT mouse model of mammary carcinoma, we found tumor progression relied upon WNT7B produced by myeloid cells in the microenvironment. Wnt7b deletion in myeloid cells reduced the mass and volume of tumors due to a failure in the angiogenic switch. In the tumor overall, there was no change in expression of Wnt/β-catenin pathway target genes, but in vascular endothelial cells (VEC), expression of these genes was reduced, suggesting that VECs respond to Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Mechanistic investigations revealed that failure of the angiogenic switch could be attributed to reduced Vegfa mRNA and protein expression in VECs, a source of VEGFA mRNA in the tumor that was limiting in the absence of myeloid WNT7B. We also noted a dramatic reduction in lung metastasis associated with decreased macrophage-mediated tumor cell invasion. Together, these results illustrated the critical role of myeloid WNT7B in tumor progression, acting at the levels of angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. We suggest that therapeutic suppression of WNT7B signaling might be advantageous due to targeting multiple aspects of tumor progression.

FK506: An Immunosuppressive Agent Preserving HIF-1 Activity

During transplantation, donor organs or cells are subjected to hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is essential for cellular adaptation to hypoxia. Immunosuppressive agents should be used for preventing graft rejection, but of these, rapamycin and cyclosporine A have been reported to inhibit HIF-1. We examined whether or not another important immunosuppressant, FK506, inhibits HIF-1. In contrast to cyclosporine A, FK506 neither inhibits HIF-1alpha expression in 8 different cell lines, nor represses the transcriptional activity of HIF-1. Compared with cyclosporine A, FK506 significantly reduced the apoptotic cell death by hypoxia. FK506 could preserve HIF-1 activity in donor organs subjected to hypoxia.

Contribution of HIF-1α or HIF-2α to erythropoietin expression: in vivo evidence based on chromatin immunoprecipitation

Circulating erythropoietin (EPO) is mainly produced by the kidneys and mediates erythrogenesis in bone marrow and nonhematopoietic cell survival. EPO is also produced in other tissues where it functions as a paracrine. Moreover, the hypoxic induction of EPO is known to be mediated by HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha, but it remains obscure as to which of these two mediators mainly contributes to EPO expression. Thus, we designed in vivo experiments to evaluate the contributions made by HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha to EPO expression. In mice exposed to mild whole body hypoxia, HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha were both induced in all tissues examined. However, EPO mRNA was expressed in kidney and brain, but not in liver and lung. Likewise, chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) analyses demonstrated that HIF-1alpha or HIF-2alpha binding to the EPO gene increased under hypoxic conditions only in kidney and brain. A comparison of CHIP data and EPO mRNA levels suggested that, during mild hypoxia, renal EPO transcription is induced equally by HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha, but that brain EPO is mainly induced during hypoxia by HIF-2alpha. Thus, HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha appear to contribute to EPO expression tissue specifically.

A domain responsible for HIF-1alpha degradation by YC-1, a novel anticancer agent

HIF-1alpha is believed to promote tumor growth and metastasis, and many efforts have been made to develop new anticancer agents based on HIF-1alpha inhibition. YC-1 is a widely used HIF-1alpha inhibitor both in vitro and in vivo, and is being developed as a novel class of anticancer drug. However, little is known about the mechanism by which YC-1 degrades HIF-1alpha. As the first step for understanding the mechanism of action of YC-1, we here identified the HIF-1alpha domain responsible for YC-1-induced protein degradation. YC-1 blocked the HIF-1alpha induction by hypoxia, iron chelation, and proteasomal inhibition and also degraded ectopically expressed HIF-1alpha. In deletion analyses, C-terminal HIF-1alpha was found to be sensitively degraded by YC-1. Using a GFP-fusion method, the YC-1-induced degradation domain was identified as the aa. 720-780 region of HIF-1alpha. We next tested the possible involvement of HDAC7 or OS-9 in YC-1-induced HIF-1alpha degradation. However, their binding to HIF-1alpha was not affected by YC-1, suggesting that they are not involved in the YC-1 action. It is also suggested that YC-1 targets a novel pathway regulating HIF-1alpha stability.

YC-1 Induces S Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis by Activating Checkpoint Kinases

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) seems central to tumor growth and progression because it up-regulates genes essential for angiogenesis and the hypoxic adaptation of cancer cells, which is why HIF-1alpha inhibition is viewed as a cancer therapy strategy. Paradoxically, HIF-1alpha also leads to cell cycle arrest or the apoptosis of cancer cells. Thus, the possibility cannot be ruled out that HIF-1alpha inhibitors unlock cell cycle arrest under hypoxic conditions and prevent cell death, which would limit the anticancer effect of HIF-1alpha inhibitors. Previously, we reported on the development of YC-1 as an anticancer agent that inhibits HIF-1alpha. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of YC-1 on hypoxia-induced cell cycle arrest and cell death. It was found that YC-1 does not reverse the antiproliferative effect of hypoxia, but rather that it induces S-phase arrest and apoptosis at therapeutic concentrations that inhibit HIF-1alpha and tumor growth; however, YC-1 did not stimulate cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate production in this concentration range. It was also found that YC-1 activates the checkpoint kinase-mediated intra-S-phase checkpoint, independently of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated kinase or ataxia-telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related kinase. These results imply that YC-1 does not promote the regrowth of hypoxic tumors because of its cell cycle arrest effect. Furthermore, YC-1 may induce the combined anticancer effects of HIF-1alpha inhibition and cell growth inhibition.

Amphotericin B blunts erythropoietin response to hypoxia by reinforcing FIH-mediated repression of HIF-1

Amphotericin B (AmB) is widely used for treating severe systemic fungal infections. However, long-term AmB treatment is invariably associated with adverse effects such as anemia. The erythropoietin (EPO) suppression by AmB has been proposed to contribute to the development of anemia. However, the mechanism whereby EPO is suppressed remains obscure. In this study, we investigated the possibility that AmB inhibits the transcription of the EPO gene by inactivating HIF-1, which is a known key transcription factor and regulator of EPO expression. EPO mRNA levels were markedly attenuated by AmB treatment both in rat kidneys and in Hep3B cells. AmB inactivated the transcriptional activity of HIF-1α, but did not affect the expression or localization of HIF-1 subunits. Moreover, AmB was found to specifically repress the C-terminal transactivation domain (CAD) of HIF-1α, and this repression by AmB required Asn803, a target site of the factor-inhibiting HIF-1 (FIH); moreover, this repressive effect was reversed by FIH inhibitors. Furthermore, AmB stimulated CAD-FIH interaction and inhibited the p300 recruitment by CAD. We propose that this mechanism underlies the unexplained anemia associated with AmB therapy.

Spontaneous generation of reactive oxygen species in the mixture of cyanide and glycerol

Reactive oxygen species are involved in tumor promotion or apoptosis. In assaying prooxidant or antioxidant activities, cyanide has been commonly used as an inhibitor of mitochondrial oxidases, peroxidases, or Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase, which have an influence on intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. It has also been used to chemically mimic hypoxia. On the other hand, glycerol has been widely used as a stabilizer of various enzymes. In particular, glycerol is required to maintain the enzymatic activities of membrane-bound NAD(P)H oxidases extracted from surrounding phospholipids. Since both cyanide and glycerol are relatively inert, they have been used concomitantly regardless of any mutual interference. In this study, we demonstrate that a mixture of glycerol and cyanide reduced cytochrome c and nitroblue tetrazolium, both of which are superoxide anion indicators. The mixture also enhanced the production of superoxide anion in the presence of redox-cycling compounds. Superoxide production by the mixture was confirmed by electron spin resonance spectra. Moreover, the mixture induced lipid peroxidation and hemolysis in human erythrocytes. These results suggest that cyanide and glycerol should be used carefully in reaction systems used to measure superoxide production or antioxidant activity. However, sucrose and sodium azide in combination do not produce such artifacts and thus may be used as an alternative.

New anticancer strategies targeting HIF-1

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), which is present at high levels in human tumors, plays crucial roles in tumor promotion by up-regulating its target genes, which are involved in anaerobic energy metabolism, angiogenesis, cell survival, cell invasion, and drug resistance. Therefore, it is apparent that the inhibition of HIF-1 activity may be a strategy for treating cancer. Recently, many efforts to develop new HIF-1-targeting agents have been made by both academic and pharmaceutical industry laboratories. The future success of these efforts will be a new class of HIF-1-targeting anticancer agents, which would improve the prognoses of many cancer patients. This review focuses on the potential of HIF-1 as a target molecule for anticancer therapy, and on possible strategies to inhibit HIF-1 activity. In addition, we introduce YC-1 as a new anti-HIF-1, anticancer agent. Although YC-1 was originally developed as a potential therapeutic agent for thrombosis and hypertension, recent studies demonstrated that YC-1 suppressed HIF-1 activity and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in cancer cells. Moreover, it halted tumor growth in immunodeficient mice without serious toxicity during the treatment period. Thus, we propose that YC-1 is a good lead compound for the development of new anti-HIF-1, anticancer agents.

Versatile pharmacological actions of YC-1: anti-platelet to anticancer

Since the first article on YC-1 was published in 1994, it has been popularly used as a pharmacological tool to activate soluble guanylate cyclase and to increase cyclic GMP levels in cultured cells or isolated tissues. In terms of the pharmacological actions of YC-1, previous studies tend to be limited to it inhibition of platelet aggregation and vascular concentration. However, recent studies have demonstrated that YC-1 has versatile pharmacological effects other than the anti-platelet and vasodilatory effects. In particular, two recent reports suggest that YC-1 could be developed as a new class of anticancer agent for rapidly growing solid tumors, because it inhibits hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) activity, and has been reported to halt tumor growth in vivo. We here review the cyclic GMP-dependent and independent pharmacological actions of YC-1, and its anti-HIF-1, anticancer effect.

Phorbol ester stimulates the nonhypoxic induction of a novel hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha isoform: implications for tumor promotion

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), which is present at higher levels in human tumors, plays important roles in tumor promotion. It is composed of HIF-1alpha and HIF-1beta subunits and its activity depends on the amount of HIF-1alpha, which is tightly controlled by cellular oxygen tension. In addition to hypoxia, various nonhypoxic stimuli can stabilize HIF-1alpha in tumor cells, implying that both hypoxic and nonhypoxic stimuli contribute to the overexpression of HIF-1alpha in tumors. On the other hand, phorbol esters such as phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) are known to be potent tumor promoters. Here, we identified a novel HIF-1alpha isoform, which is regulated primarily by PMA. The variant mRNA lacks exon 11 and produces a 785-amino acid isoform (HIF-1alpha(785)) without altering the reading frame and therefore the COOH-terminal transcriptional activity. HIF-1alpha(785) is induced markedly by PMA and heat shock, the latter of which is also known to induce HIF-1alpha. HIF-1alpha(785) escapes from lysine acetylation because of the loss of Lys(532) and was stabilized under normoxic conditions. Its expression was blocked by reducing agents and by a mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 inhibitor and enhanced by hydrogen peroxide. In addition, HIF-1alpha(785) overexpression strikingly enhanced tumor growth in vivo. These results suggest that HIF-1alpha(785) is induced by PMA under normoxic conditions via a redox-dependent mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 pathway and that it plays an important role in tumor promotion.

YC-1: a potential anticancer drug targeting hypoxia-inducible factor 1

BACKGROUND

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1alpha), a component of HIF-1, is expressed in human tumors and renders cells able to survive and grow under hypoxic (low-oxygen) conditions. YC-1, 3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzylindazole, an agent developed for circulatory disorders that inhibits platelet aggregation and vascular contraction, inhibits HIF-1 activity in vitro. We tested whether YC-1 inhibits HIF-1 and tumor growth in vivo.

METHODS

Hep3B hepatoma, NCI-H87 stomach carcinoma, Caki-1 renal carcinoma, SiHa cervical carcinoma, and SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells were grown as xenografts in immunodeficient mice (69 mice total). After the tumors were 100-150 mm(3), mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of vehicle or YC-1 (30 microg/g) for 2 weeks. HIF-1 alpha protein levels and vascularity in tumors were assessed by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of HIF-1-inducible genes (vascular endothelial growth factor, aldolase, and enolase) was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

Compared with tumors from vehicle-treated mice, tumors from YC-1-treated mice were statistically significantly smaller (P<.01 for all comparisons), expressed lower levels of HIF-1 alpha (P<.01 for all comparisons), were less vascularized (P<.01 for all comparisons), and expressed lower levels of HIF-1-inducible genes, regardless of tumor type.

CONCLUSIONS

The inhibition of HIF-1 alpha activity in tumors from YC-1-treated mice is associated with blocked angiogenesis and an inhibition of tumor growth. YC-1 has the potential to become the first antiangiogenic anticancer agent to target HIF-1 alpha.

A new HIF-1 alpha variant induced by zinc ion suppresses HIF-1-mediated hypoxic responses

The expressions of hypoxia-inducible genes are upregulated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), which is a heterodimer of HIF-1α and HIF-1β/ARNT (aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear transporter). Under hypoxic conditions, HIF-1α becomes stabilized and both HIF-1α and ARNT are translocated into the nucleus and codimerized, binding to the HIF-1 consensus sequence and transactivating hypoxia-inducible genes. Other than hypoxia, cobalt and nickel, which can substitute for iron in the ferroprotein, induce the stabilization of HIF-1α and the activation of HIF-1. We found previously that, although zinc, another example of a metal substitute for iron, stabilized HIF-1α, it suppressed the formation of HIF-1 by blocking the nuclear translocation of ARNT. Here, we identify a new spliced variant of human HIF-1α that is induced by zinc. The isoform lacks the 12th exon, which produced a frame-shift and gave a shorter form of HIF-1α (557 amino acids), designated HIF-1αZ (HIF-1α induced by Zn). This moiety was found to inhibit HIF-1 activity and reduce mRNA expressions of the hypoxia-inducible genes. It blocked the nuclear translocation of ARNT but not that of endogenous HIF-1α, and was associated with ARNT in the cytosol. These results suggest that HIF-1αZ functions as a dominant-negative isoform of HIF-1 by sequestering ARNT in the cytosol. In addition, the generation of HIF-1αZ seems to be responsible for the inhibitory effects of the zinc ion on HIF-1-mediated hypoxic responses, because the expressed HIF-1αZ behaved in the same manner as zinc in terms of inhibited HIF-1 activity and ARNT translocation.

Inhibitory effect of YC-1 on the hypoxic induction of erythropoietin and vascular endothelial growth factor in Hep3B cells

YC-1 is a newly developed agent that inhibits platelet aggregation and vascular contraction. Although its effects are independent of nitric oxide (NO), it mimics some of the biological actions of NO. For example, it stimulates soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and increases intracellular cGMP concentration. Here, we tested the possibility that YC-1 inhibits hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1-mediated hypoxic responses, as does NO. Hep3B cells were used during the course of this work to observe hypoxic induction of erythropoietin (EPO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and the effects of YC-1 were compared with those of a NO donor, sodium nitropurruside (SNP). In hypoxic cells, YC-1 blocked the induction of EPO and VEGF mRNAs, and inhibited the DNA-binding activity of HIF-1. It suppressed the hypoxic accumulation of HIF-1alpha, but not its mRNA level. It also reduced HIF-1alpha accumulation induced by cobalt and desferrioxamine. Treatment with antioxidants did not recover the HIF-1alpha suppressed by YC-1. We examined whether these effects of YC-1 are related to the sGC/cGMP signal transduction system. Two sGC inhibitors examined failed to block the effects of YC-1, and 8-bromo-cGMP did not mimic actions of YC-1. The effects of YC-1 on the hypoxic responses were comparable with those of SNP. These results suggest that YC-1 and SNP suppressed the hypoxic responses by post-translationally inhibiting HIF-1alpha accumulation. The YC-1 effect may be linked with the metal-related oxygen sensing pathway, and is not due to the stimulation of sGC. This observation implies that the inhibitory effects of YC-1 on hypoxic responses can be developed to suppress EPO-overproduction by tumor cells and tumor angiogenesis.

Effect of short-term ethanol on the proliferative response of Swiss 3T3 cells to mitogenic growth factors

Both adaptive and deleterious responses of cells to ethanol are likely triggered by short-term interactions of the cells with ethanol. Many studies have demonstrated the direct effect of ethanol on growth factor-stimulated cell proliferation. Using Swiss 3T3 cells whose growth was inhibited by ethanol in a concentration-dependent manner, we further investigated the molecular mechanisms of acute ethanol treatment by examining its effect on EGF- and PDGF-mediated cellular signaling systems for the mitogenic function. Tyrosine autophosphorylation of the growth factor receptors was partially prevented by ethanol in intact cells. When ethanol was included before or after EGF stimulation, no effect on the receptor signaling was observed. Here we also report that ethanol inhibits activation of ERK induced by both EGF and PDGF. EGF-induced JNK activation was reduced but PDGF-induced rapid JNK activation was delayed by the addition of ethanol. The balance between its inhibitory and stimulatory effect on the signaling molecules might determine the rate of cell growth.

Reduction of UV-induced cell death in the human senescent fibroblasts

We studied mechanisms by which senescent cells acquire resistance to UV-induced cellular insults. Human primary foreskin fibroblast culture was used since it undergoes cellular senescence in vitro after a limited number of passages. Senescence was induced by a brief treatment of the early passage cells with 100 microM of H2O2 for 1 h, and subsequent culture for 3 weeks. Hydrogen peroxide-treated cells showed an enhancement of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity. In the senescent cells, DNA fragmentation in response to UV-irradiation was found to decrease significantly compared with that in the young cells. The SAPK/JNK activation by UV irradiation was reduced in both non-treated senescent cells and the hydrogen peroxide-induced senescent cells, suggesting that a reduced DNA fragmentation by UV-irradiation in the senescent cells is closely related to the decreased SAPK/JNK activity. Since a cell cycle inhibitor, p21Waf1, has been implicated in protecting cells against apoptotic cell death, we determined p21Waf1 to assess whether its elevation has any impact on the reduction of UV-induced activation of SAPK/JNK in the senescent cells. The expression of p21Waf1 increased in both the nontreated and the hydrogen peroxide-treated senescent cells. Our study also revealed that the blockage of SAPK/JNK activation in the senescent cells was closely related to the increased level of p21Waf1. Our observation might provide clues about molecular mechanism of resistance to DNA fragmentation and the consequent cell death by UV-irradiation.

Senescence-like changes induced by hydroxyurea in human diploid fibroblasts

Hydroxyurea was found to inhibit the growth of human diploid fibroblasts, which resulted in senescence-like changes both in morphology and replicative potential similar to the replicative senescence. SA-beta-gal activity, a typical characteristic of the replicative senescence was also induced through a long-term treatment of the presenescent cells with 400-800 microgM of hydroxyurea for about 3 weeks. In addition, we determined the levels of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p21(Waf1) and p16(INK4a), and the p53 tumor suppressor in order to monitor its effect on cell cycle and stress responses. We observed a great induction of both p53 and p21(Waf1), but not of p16(INK4a) in the premature senescent cells. UV-irradiation of the premature senescent cells showed a decreased level of DNA fragmentation presumably ascribed to the reduced activation of stress-activated protein kinases. These results suggest that a chronic hydroxyurea treatment induces the cellular senescence in association with the induction of p53 and p21(Waf1).

Inhibition of glycine N-methyltransferase by 5-methyltetrahydrofolate pentaglutamate

Glycine N-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.20) catalyzes the methylation of glycine by S-adenosylmethionine to form sarcosine and S-adenosylhomocysteine. The enzyme was previously shown to be abundant in both the liver and pancreas of the rat, to consist of four identical monomers, and to contain tightly bound folate polyglutamates in vivo. We now report that the inhibition of glycine N-methyltransferase by (6S)-5-CH(3)-H(4)PteGlu(5) is noncompetitive with regard to both S-adenosylmethionine and glycine. The enzyme exhibits strong positive cooperativity with respect to S-adenosylmethionine. Cooperativity increases with increasing concentrations of 5-CH(3)-H(4)PteGlu(5) and is greater at physiological pH than at pH 9.0, the pH optimum. Under the same conditions, cooperativity is much greater for the pancreatic form of the enzyme. The V(max) for the liver form of the enzyme is approximately twice that of the pancreatic enzyme, while K(m) values for each substrate are similar in the liver and pancreatic enzymes. For the liver enzyme, at pH 7.0 half-maximal inhibition is seen at a concentration of about 0.2 microM (6S)-5-CH(3)-H(4)PteGlu(5), while at pH 9.0 this value is increased to about 1 microM. For the liver form of the enzyme, 50% inhibition with respect to S-adenosylmethionine at pH 7.4 occurs at about 0.27 microM. The dissociation constant, K(s), obtained from binding data at pH 7.4 is 0.095. About 1 mol of (6S)-5-CH(3)-H(4)PteGlu(5) was bound per tetramer at pH 7.0, and 1.6 mol were bound at pH 9.0. The degree of binding and inhibition were closely parallel at each pH. At equal concentrations of (6R,6S)- and (6S)-5-CH(3)-H(4)PteGlu(5), the natural (6S) form was about twice as inhibitory. These studies indicate that glycine N-methyltransferase is a highly allosteric enzyme, which is consistent with its role as a regulator of methyl group metabolism in both the liver and the pancreas.

Aging process is accompanied by increase of transglutaminase C

Crosslinking has been suggested as one of the mechanisms involved in the aging process. Among the various random or enzyme-mediated crosslinking reactions, transglutaminase (TGase)-catalyzed crosslinking activity has been proposed for its possible involvement in cell proliferation, differentiation, carcinogenesis, programmed death, and aging. Moreover, recent findings of TGase C as a putative signal transducer and cell cycle regulator has renewed interest in the study of TGase C in relation to aging phenomena. The ubiquitous presence of TGase C compared to the organ-specific localization of other types of TGases has attracted special attention as a cellular aging device. In the present investigation for in vitro studies, we have compared the pattern of TGase C in young and old human red blood cells, separated by density differentiation, and in early and late-passage or hydrogen peroxide-treated human primary fibroblasts. For in vivo study, we monitored the age-dependent changes of TGase C in the liver and brain tissues of 4, 12, 18, and 24-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats. We obtained evidence that both the activity and protein levels of TGase C were high in old RBC and late-passage or hydrogen peroxide-treated fibroblasts. Similar findings were seen in liver and brain tissue such as age-dependent increases in TGase activity and protein level in an organ-specific pattern. These data suggest that TGase C might play an active role in the cellular process with age.

The effect of pyrimidine nucleosides on adenosine-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells

Among several nucleosides, adenosine is the only one to induce typical apoptotic cell death in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. Intracellularly transported adenosine seemed to be required for the induction of apoptosis, since dipyridamole, which inhibits the transport of adenosine, strongly suppressed apoptosis, and 8-phenyltheophylline, a receptor antagonist, did not affect the adenosine-induced effect. The viability of adenosine-treated HL-60 cells was partially recovered by supplementation with a pyrimidine nucleoside, uridine or thymidine. Cytidine or deoxycytidine had no effect on the growth and survival of adenosine-treated cells, while uridine or thymidine inhibited adenosine-induced intracellular DNA fragmentation. These results suggest that the quantitative adjustment of purine and pyrimidine nucleosides might play an important role in the adenosine-induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells. The reduction of c-Myc expression in adenosine-treated cells was prevented by uridine or thymidine. These observations suggest that the expression of c-Myc might be related to an intracellular sensing system for the quantitative balance of nucleosides or nucleotides.

Phospholipase D activity in L1210 cells: a model for oleate-activated phospholipase D in intact mammalian cells

Phospholipase D (PLD) in lymphocytic mouse leukemic L1210 cells has been found to be activated by oleate both in vitro and in intact cells. The PLD activity was measured by phosphatidylethanol produced from radiolabeled phosphatidylcholine or myristic acid in the presence of ethanol. This oleate-activated PLD was further characterized in intact cells and compared with that in HL60 cells. Unlike PLD in HL60 cells, the PLD in L1210 cells was activated by unsaturated fatty acids, stimulated by melittin, insensitive to guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S), ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), independent of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and staurosporine, and inhibited by pervanadate. These observations indicate that the PLD present in L1210 cells is distinct from that in HL60 cells. Key PLD properties of L1210 cells such as insensitivity to GTP gamma S, ARF, PIP2, or PMA were in good agreement with currently known in vitro properties of the oleate-activated PLD found in mammalian sources. Therefore, the L1210 cells could be used as an intact-cell source for an oleate-activated PLD.

Dissociation of tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of phosphoinositide phospholipase C induced by the protein kinase C inhibitor Ro-31-8220 in Swiss 3T3 cells treated with platelet-derived growth factor

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulates the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (Ptd InsP2) via phospholipase C-gamma1 (PLC-gamma1) in Swiss 3T3 cells. Treatment of cells with the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Ro-31-8220 greatly decreased PDGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma1, but paradoxically enhanced the production of inositol phosphates (InsPs). The inhibitor also caused an increase of PDGF receptor tyrosine phosphorylation at later times. The changes in phosphorylation of the receptor were correlated with alterations in PLC-gamma1 translocation to the particulate fraction. Thus, although activation of PLC-gamma1 was associated with phosphorylation of the receptor and translocation of the enzyme to the particulate fraction, it was dissociated from its tyrosine phosphorylation. A non-receptor-associated, cytosolic tyrosine kinase also was found to phosphorylate PLC-gamma1 in a PDGF-dependent manner, but was not inhibited by Ro-31-8220 in vitro. PKC depletion by phorbol ester treatment decreased the tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma1 induced by PDGF and slowed the translocation of PLC-gamma1, but Ro-31-8220 produced further effects. The effect of Ro-31-8220 to enhance the production of InsPs could not be attributed to inhibition of PKC since InsPs production with PDGF was decreased in PKC-depleted cells and a stimulatory effect of the inhibitor was still evident. Interestingly, Ro-31-8220 decreased the radioactivity in phosphatidylinositol and increased that in phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and PtdInsP2 in cells labeled with myo[3H]inositol. The increased synthesis of PtdInsP2 could contribute to the increased production of InsPs induced by Ro-31-8220. In summary, these results support the conclusion that the activation of PLC-gamma1 in response to PDGF requires autophosphorylation of the receptor and membrane association of PLC-gamma1, but not phosphorylation of the enzyme. Furthermore, the effects of Ro-31-8220 on the tyrosine phosphorylation and activity of PLC-gamma1, and on PtdInsP2 synthesis cannot be attributed to inhibition of PKC.

Stimulation of phospholipase D by epidermal growth factor requires protein kinase C activation in Swiss 3T3 cells

The proposal that epidermal growth factor (EGF) activates phospholipase D (PLD) by a mechanism(s) not involving phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) hydrolysis was examined in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. EGF, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), bombesin, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) activated PLD as measured by transphosphatidylation of butanol to phosphatidylbutanol. The increase in inositol phosphates induced by bFGF, EGF, or bombesin was significantly enhanced by Ro-31-8220, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), suggesting that PtdIns(4,5)P2-hydrolyzing phospholipase is coupled to the receptors for these agonists but that the response is down-regulated by PKC. Activation of PLD by EGF was inhibited dose dependently by the PKC inhibitors bis-indolylmaleimide and Ro-31-8220, which also inhibited the effects of bFGF, bombesin, and PDGF. Down-regulation of PKC by prolonged treatment with 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate also abolished EGF- and PDGF-stimulated phosphatidylbutanol formation. EGF and bombesin induced biphasic translocations of PKC delta and epsilon to the membrane that were detectable at 15 s. In the presence of Ro-31-8220, translocation of PKC alpha became evident, and membrane association of the delta- and epsilon-isozymes was enhanced and/or sustained in response to the two agonists. The inhibitor also enhanced EGF-stimulated [3H]diacylglycerol formation in cells preincubated with [3H]arachidonic acid, which labeled predominantly phosphatidylinositol, but inhibited [3H]diacylglycerol production in cells preincubated with [3H]myristic acid, which labeled mainly phosphatidylcholine. These data support the conclusion that EGF can stimulate diacylglycerol formation from PtdIns(4,5)P2 and that PKC performs the dual role of down-regulating this response as well as mediating phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis. In summary, all of the results of the study indicate that PLD activation by EGF is downstream of PtdIns(4,5)P2-hydrolyzing phospholipase and is dependent upon subsequent PKC activation.

Activation of phospholipase C-gamma is necessary for stimulation of phospholipase D by platelet-derived growth factor

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulates phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis via phospholipase D (PLD) in several tissues. To determine whether PLD activation is dependent on phosphoinositide hydrolysis by phospholipase C (PLC), we measured the formation of phosphatidylbutanol (PtdBut), in TRMP cells overexpressing wild type or various mutant PDGF receptors. Both PLC and PLD were stimulated by PDGF in cells expressing wild type receptors whereas they were not in cells expressing kinase-deficient (R634) receptors. These data indicate that tyrosine phosphorylation is required for activation of both PLC and PLD. Mutation of Tyr-1021 of the PDGF receptor to Phe caused loss of PDGF stimulation of both PLC and PLD. On the other hand, a mutant PDGF receptor that was able to bind PLC gamma 1 but not other signaling proteins (including the Ras GTPase-activating protein, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and a SH2-containing phosphotyrosine phosphatase (Syp)) restored the stimulatory effect of PDGF on PLC and PLD. Furthermore, receptors in which association with the GTPase-activating protein, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, or Syp was individually restored were unable to mediate PDGF stimulation of PLC or PLD. These data indicate that these other signal transduction proteins are not involved in the activation of PLD by PDGF. Treatment of the cells with the protein kinase C inhibitor, Ro-31-8220, and depletion of cellular protein kinase C by pretreatment with 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate resulted in loss of PLD activation by PDGF indicating a PKC-dependent mechanism. In summary, these results indicate that activation of PLC gamma 1 and protein kinase C are necessary for the stimulation of PLD by PDGF and provide no evidence for alternative mechanisms.

Lysophosphatidic acid activation of phosphatidylcholine-hydrolysing phospholipase D and actin polymerization by a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism

Incubation of IIC9 fibroblasts with lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) induced an increase in the amount of filamentous actin (F-actin), which was concentration-dependent with a maximal effect at 100 ng/ml. Phosphatidic acid (PA) also produced a concentration-dependent increase of F-actin, but it was less potent than LPA. The LPA-induced increase in F-actin was rapid and sustained for at least 60 min. LPA rapidly increased the levels of PA and choline, with maximal increases at 5 min and 30 s respectively. LPA also caused a monophasic increase in diacylglycerol (DAG) which lagged behind the increases in PA and choline. LPA stimulated phosphatidylbutanol formation in the presence of butanol and produced a small increase in inositol phosphates that was much less than that induced by alpha-thrombin. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin (PTX) caused greater than 50% inhibition of the LPA-stimulated increases in PA, DAG and choline. PTX increased the LPA concentration required to induce half-maximal actin polymerization by about 10-fold. PTX caused a similar shift in the dose-response curve for LPA-induced PA formation. These results suggest that LPA induces an increase in PA by activating a phosphatidylcholine-hydrolysing phospholipase D via a PTX-sensitive G-protein and that the increase in PA is involved in the activation of actin polymerization.

Tissue distribution of glycine N-methyltransferase, a major folate-binding protein of liver

Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT; S-adenosyl-L-methionine:glycine N-methyltransferase, EC 2.1.1.20) is a major protein in rat liver that binds 5-methyltetrahydrofolate polyglutamate in vivo. This enzyme is believed to function in the regulation of the availability of S-adenosylmethionine, the primary donor of methyl groups in the body. The distribution of GNMT in a variety of rat tissues was examined immunohistochemically. In liver, GNMT was most abundant in the periportal region, whereas in kidney it was seen primarily in the proximal convoluted tubules. In pancreas, GNMT was abundant, principally in the exocrine tissue. GNMT was present in the striated duct cells of the submaxillary gland. In the jejunum, GNMT was found in the epithelial cells of the villi. Close examination of the liver indicated GNMT in the nucleus; this site was confirmed by purification of the nuclei and measurement of enzyme activity. The location of GNMT in the liver and kidney suggests that this enzyme plays a role in gluconeogenesis, while its presence in the exocrine cells suggests it may also be a factor in secretion.

Purification and properties of pancreatic glycine N-methyltransferase

Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) regulates the ratio of S-adenosylmethionine to S-adenosylhomocysteine. It is very abundant in liver cytosol and earlier studies have shown it to be present in high concentrations in the pancreas. We have previously reported that liver GNMT is allosterically inhibited by 5-methyltetrahydrofolate pentaglutamate (5-CH3-H4PteGlu5), and proposed that this represents a metabolic control mechanism which links the de novo synthesis of methyl groups to the methylating ability of the liver. We now report that pancreatic GNMT also contains bound folate in vivo. Purified pancreatic GNMT is inhibited by reduced folate polyglutamates in vitro. The KI for the synthetic (R,S)5-CH3-H4PteGlu5 is 2.4 x 10(-7) M. The natural (S) form of 5-CH3-H4PteGlu5 is tightly bound and has a Kd of 1.3 x 10(-7) M. One mole is bound per enzyme tetramer. These studies suggest that GNMT is important in the regulation of methyl group metabolism in the pancreas as well as in the liver.