Addition Of Cycloheximide Research Articles

Creatine as a compatible osmolyte in muscle cells exposed to hypertonic stress

Exposure of C2C12 muscle cells to hypertonic stress induced an increase in cell content of creatine transporter mRNA and of creatine transport activity, which peaked after about 24 h incubation at 0.45 osmol (kg H(2)O)(-1). This induction of transport activity was prevented by addition of either cycloheximide, to inhibit protein synthesis, or of actinomycin D, to inhibit RNA synthesis. Creatine uptake by these cells is largely Na(+) dependent and kinetic analysis revealed that its increase under hypertonic conditions resulted from an increase in V(max) of the Na(+)-dependent component, with no significant change in the K(m) value of about 75 mumol l(-1). Quantitative real-time PCR revealed a more than threefold increase in the expression of creatine transporter mRNA in cells exposed to hypertonicity. Creatine supplementation significantly enhanced survival of C2C12 cells incubated under hypertonic conditions and its effect was similar to that obtained with the well known compatible osmolytes, betaine, taurine and myo-inositol. This effect seemed not to be linked to the energy status of the C2C12 cells because hypertonic incubation caused a decrease in their ATP content, with or without the addition of creatine at 20 mmol l(-1) to the medium. This induction of creatine transport activity by hypertonicity is not confined to muscle cells: a similar induction was shown in porcine endothelial cells.

The Tyrosine Kinase c-Abl Protects c-Jun from Ubiquitination-mediated Degradation in T Cells

The cross-talk of ubiquitination with other types of posttranscriptional modifications, such as phosphorylation, regulates the stability of many proteins. We have previously demonstrated that c-Jun is a substrate of Itch, a HECT-type E3 ubiquitin ligase. c-Jun is also a substrate of the tyrosine kinase c-Abl. Here we report that genetic ablation of c-Abl accelerated c-Jun degradation. Phosphorylation of the tyrosine within the PPXY motif by c-Abl inhibited c-Jun ubiquitination and its binding by Itch. The nuclear localization of c-Abl, triggered by T-cell activation signals, was essential for its activity in regulating c-Jun transcription activity. These findings define a potential molecular mechanism for the immunodeficiency in mice lacking the c-abl gene.

Repression of ergosterol level during oxidative stress by fission yeast F-box protein Pof14 independently of SCF

We describe a new member of the F-box family, Pof14, which forms a canonical, F-box dependent SCF (Skp1, Cullin, F-box protein) ubiquitin ligase complex. The Pof14 protein has intrinsic instability that is abolished by inactivation of its Skp1 interaction motif (the F-box), Skp1 or the proteasome, indicating that Pof14 stability is controlled by an autocatalytic mechanism. Pof14 interacts with the squalene synthase Erg9, a key enzyme in ergosterol metabolism, in a membrane-bound complex that does not contain the core SCF components. pof14 transcription is induced by hydrogen peroxide and requires the Pap1 transcription factor and the Sty1 MAP kinase. Pof14 binds to and decreases Erg9 activity in vitro and a pof14 deletion strain quickly loses viability in the presence of hydrogen peroxide due to its inability to repress ergosterol synthesis. A pof14 mutant lacking the F-box and an skp1-3 ts mutant behave as wild type in the presence of oxidant showing that Pof14 function is independent of SCF. This indicates that modulation of ergosterol level plays a key role in adaptation to oxidative stress.

Hormonal regulation of cytochrome P450 aromatase mRNA stability in non-luteinizing bovine granulosa cells in vitro

In the present study, we determined the potential for post-transcriptional regulation of cytochrome P450 aromatase (Cyp19), cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (Cyp11a) and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase I (Hsd17b1) mRNA. Bovine granulosa cells were cultured in non-luteinizing conditions that permit long-term oestradiol secretion. Half-lives of mRNA were measured by Northern and/or reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR after inhibition of gene transcription. In FSH-stimulated cells, the Cyp11a and Hsd17b1 mRNAs had half-lives greater than 12 h. The half-life of Cyp19 mRNA was significantly shorter at 3 h. The addition of the translation inhibitor cycloheximide to FSH-stimulated cells significantly increased Cyp19 mRNA half-life to approximately 12 h. Stimulation of cells with insulin resulted in Cyp19 mRNA half-life that was double (P<0.05) that in FSH-stimulated cells. We conclude that bovine Cyp19 mRNA is very labile under physiological conditions, and that Cyp19 expression is under hormonal control at a post-transcriptional level.

Production of horse foals via direct injection of roscovitine-treated donor cells and activation by injection of sperm extract

We evaluated the effects of different donor cell treatments and activation methods on production of blastocysts after equine nuclear transfer. Nuclear transfer was performed by direct injection of donor cells, using a piezo drill, and standard activation was by injection of sperm factor followed by culture with 6-dimethylaminopurine. There was no difference in blastocyst development between embryos produced with roscovitine-treated or confluent donor cells (3.6% for either treatment). Addition of injection of roscovitine or culture with cycloheximide at the time of activation did not affect blastocyst development. Overall, transfer of eight blastocysts produced using roscovitine-treated donor cells and our standard activation protocol yielded three pregnancies, of which two (25% of transferred embryos) resulted in delivery of viable foals. Flow cytometric evaluation showed that roscovitine treatment significantly increased the proportion of cells classified as small, in comparison to growth to confluence or serum deprivation, but did not significantly affect the proportion of cells in G0/G1 (2N DNA content). Transfer of one blastocyst produced using roscovitine-treated donor cells, with addition of roscovitine injection at activation, yielded one pregnancy which was lost before 114 days' gestation. Transfer to recipients of two blastocysts produced using confluent donor cells with addition of cycloheximide at activation gave no resulting pregnancies. We conclude that roscovitine treatment of donor cells yields equivalent blastocyst production after nuclear transfer to that for confluent donor cells, and that direct injection of roscovitine-treated donor cells, followed by activation using sperm extract, is compatible with efficient production of viable cloned foals.

Relief of microRNA-Mediated Translational Repression in Human Cells Subjected to Stress

In metazoans, most microRNAs imperfectly base-pair with the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of target mRNAs and prevent protein accumulation by either repressing translation or inducing mRNA degradation. Examples of specific mRNAs undergoing microRNA-mediated repression are numerous, but whether the repression is a reversible process remains largely unknown. Here we show that cationic amino acid transporter 1 (CAT-1) mRNA and reporters bearing its 3'UTR can be relieved from the microRNA miR-122-induced inhibition in human hepatocarcinoma cells subjected to different stress conditions. The derepression of CAT-1 mRNA is accompanied by its release from cytoplasmic processing bodies and its recruitment to polysomes. The derepression requires binding of HuR, an AU-rich-element binding protein, to the 3'UTR of CAT-1 mRNA. We propose that proteins interacting with the 3'UTR will generally act as modifiers altering the potential of miRNAs to repress gene expression.

Baicalein inhibition of oxidative-stress-induced apoptosis via modulation of ERKs activation and induction of HO-1 gene expression in rat glioma cells C6

In the present study, we examined the protective mechanism of baicalein (BE) and its glycoside, baicalin (BI), on hydrogen-peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced cell death in rat glioma C6 cells. Results of the MTT assay, LDH release assay, and morphological observation showed that H(2)O(2) addition reduced the viability of C6 cells, and this was prevented by the addition of BE but not BI. Incubation of C6 cells with BE significantly decreased the intracellular peroxide level induced by H(2)O(2) according to flow cytometric analysis using DCHF-DA as a fluorescent substrate. Suppression of H(2)O(2)-induced apoptotic events including DNA ladders, hypodiploid cells, and activation of caspases 3, 8, and, 9 by BE but not BI was identified in C6 cells. The cytotoxicity and phosphorylation of ERK proteins induced by H(2)O(2) were blocked by the ERK inhibitor PD98059. Catalase addition prevented H(2)O(2)-induced ROS production, ERKs protein phosphorylation, and cell death, and BE dose-dependently inhibited H(2)O(2)-induced ERK protein phosphorylation in C6 cells. These data suggest that ROS-scavenging activity is involved in BE prevention of H(2)O(2)-induced cell death via blocking ERKs activation. Additionally, BE but not BI induced heat shock protein 32 (HSP32; HO-1) protein expression in both time- and dose-dependent manners, but not heme oxygenase 2 (HO-2), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), or heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) protein expression. In the absence of H(2)O(2), BE induces ERKs protein phosphorylation, and HO-1 protein expression induced by BE was blocked by the addition of cycloheximide, actinomycin D, and the ERK inhibitor PD98059. The addition of the HO inhibitor ZnPP inhibited the protective effect of BE against H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity in C6 cells according to the MTT assay and apoptotic morphology under microscopic observation, accompanied by blocking the ROS-scavenging activity of BE in C6 cells. However, BE treatment was unable to protect C6 cells from C2-ceramide-induced cell death. These data indicate that BE possesses abilities to inhibit ROS-mediated cytotoxic effects through modulation of ERKs activation and induction of HO-1 protein expression. The role of HO-1 in ROS-scavenging activity of BE is proposed.

Bone morphogenetic protein‐4 enhances vascular endothelial growth factor secretion by human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a cytokine known to promote angiogenesis. Results from RNase protection assays (RPAs) show that RPE from non-diabetic human donors and from adult retinal pigment epithelium-19 (ARPE-19) cells expressed significant bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) message. In addition, ARPE-19 cells cultured in high glucose (25 mM), compared to those in physiological glucose (5.5 mM) released significantly more BMP-4 into the conditioned media (CM). However, the effect of BMP-4 on the release of VEGF by ARPE-19 cells has not been studied. Accordingly, ARPE-19 cells were treated with BMP-4 to determine VEGF secretion. BMP-4 and VEGF levels in the CM and cell lysates were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cells treated with exogenous BMP-4 had higher VEGF in the CM and this treatment effect was dose- and time-dependent, while cell lysates had low levels of VEGF. Addition of cycloheximide (CHX) or actinomycin-D (ACT) significantly reduced VEGF secretion from cells treated with BMP-4, suggesting that the BMP-4-induced secretion of VEGF requires new RNA and protein synthesis. Our results suggest that BMP-4 may play a role in the regulation of ocular angiogenesis associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR) by stimulating VEGF release from RPE cells.

Skin human papillomavirus type 38 alters p53 functions by accumulation of ΔNp73

The E6 and E7 of the cutaneous human papillomavirus (HPV) type 38 immortalize primary human keratinocytes, an event normally associated with the inactivation of pathways controlled by the tumour suppressor p53. Here, we show for the first time that HPV38 alters p53 functions. Expression of HPV38 E6 and E7 in human keratinocytes or in the skin of transgenic mice induces stabilization of wild-type p53. This selectively activates the transcription of deltaNp73, an isoform of the p53-related protein p73, which in turn inhibits the capacity of p53 to induce the transcription of genes involved in growth suppression and apoptosis. DeltaNp73 downregulation by an antisense oligonucleotide leads to transcriptional re-activation of p53-regulated genes and apoptosis. Our findings illustrate a novel mechanism of the alteration of p53 function that is mediated by a cutaneous HPV type and support the role of HPV38 and deltaNp73 in human carcinogenesis.

ラット卵巣か粒膜細胞におけるプロテオグライカンの生合成に与えるｐ‐ｎｉｔｒｏｐｈｃｎｙｌ‐ｘｙｌｏｓｉｄｅの影響―Ｇｏｌｇｉ装置の糖合成機能に関する解析―

Biosynthesis of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans in the presence of p-nitrophenyl-xyloside was studied using a primary rat ovarian granulosa cell culture system. Addition of p-nitrophenyl-xyloside into cell culture medium caused about a 700% increase of [³⁵S]sulfate incorporation (ED50 at 0.03 mM) into macromolecules, which included free chondroitin sulfate chains initiated on xyloside and native proteoglycans. Free chondroitin sulfate chains initiated on xyloside were almost exclusively secreted into the medium. The molecular size of chondroitin sulfate chains decreased from 40,000 to 21,000 as the total [³⁵S]sulfate incorporation was enhanced, suggesting that enhanced synthesis of chondroitin sulfate perturbed the normal mechanism of glycosaminoglycan chain termination. Biosynthesis of heparan sulfate proteoglycans was reduced by approximately 50%, likely due to competition at the level of UDP-sugar precursors. [³⁵S]Sulfate incorporation was shut down by the addition of cycloheximide with an initial half time of approximately 2 hr in the presence of xyloside, while that in the absence of xyloside was about 20 min. The difference likely reflects the turnover rate of glycosaminoglycan synthesizing capacity as a whole. The turnover rate of glycosaminoglycan synthesizing capacity observed in ovarian granulosa cells was much shorter than that observed in chondrocytes, reflecting the relative dominance of proteoglycan biosynthetic activity in the total metabolic activity of the cells.

Pheromone-regulated Sumoylation of Transcription Factors That Mediate the Invasive to Mating Developmental Switch in Yeast

A fundamental question in biology is how different signaling pathways use common signaling proteins to attain different developmental outcomes. The yeast transcription factor Ste12 is required in at least two distinct signaling processes, each regulated by many of the same protein kinases. Whereas Ste12-Ste12 homodimers promote transcription of genes required for mating, Ste12-Tec1 heterodimers activate genes required for invasive growth. We report that Ste12 and Tec1 undergo covalent modification by the ubiquitin-related modifier SUMO. Stimulation by mating pheromone promotes sumoylation of Ste12 and diminishes the sumoylation of Tec1. In the absence of sumoylation Tec1 is more rapidly degraded. We propose that pheromone-regulated sumoylation of Ste12 and Tec1 promotes a developmental switch from the invasive to the mating differentiation program.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha enhances Haemophilus somnus lipooligosaccharide-induced apoptosis of bovine endothelial cells

Haemophilus somnus lipooligosaccharide (LOS)-induced apoptosis of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells has been shown previously to be dependent on capsase-8 activation. Activation of caspase-8 can occur via a death receptor-dependent mechanism (e.g., TNF-α binding to TNF-α receptor 1 (TNF-R1)). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that TNF-α can enhance LOS-induced apoptosis of bovine endothelial cells. Addition of exogenous recombinant human TNF-α alone failed to cause apoptosis, or enhance LOS-induced apoptosis, of bovine endothelial cells. However, blocking de novo protein synthesis by addition of cycloheximide significantly enhanced apoptosis of bovine endothelial cells by TNF-α, LOS or TNF-α and LOS in combination. Conversely, addition of soluble recombinant human (sTNF-R1) diminished LOS-induced apoptosis. Overall, these data suggest that LOS-mediated apoptosis may be due, in part, to activation of a TNR-R1-dependent death pathway.

Wnt Proteins Prevent Apoptosis of Both Uncommitted Osteoblast Progenitors and Differentiated Osteoblasts by β-Catenin-dependent and -independent Signaling Cascades Involving Src/ERK and Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/AKT

Genetic studies in humans and mice have revealed an important role of the Wnt signaling pathway in the regulation of bone mass, resulting from potent effects on the control of osteoblast progenitor proliferation, commitment, differentiation, and perhaps osteoblast apoptosis. To establish the linkage between Wnts and osteoblast survival and to elucidate the molecular pathways that link the two, we have utilized three cell models: the uncommitted bipotential C2C12 cells, the pre-osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1, and bone marrow-derived OB-6 osteoblasts. Serum withdrawal-induced apoptosis was prevented by the canonical Wnts (Wnt3a and Wnt1) and the noncanonical Wnt5a in all cell types. Wnt3a induced LRP5-independent transient phosphorylation and nuclear accumulation of ERKs and phosphorylation of Src and Akt. The anti-apoptotic effect of Wnt3a was abrogated by inhibitors of canonical Wnt signaling, as well as by inhibitors of MEK, Src, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), or Akt kinases, or by the addition of cycloheximide to the culture medium. Wnt3a-induced phosphorylation of GSK-3beta and downstream activation of beta-catenin-mediated transcription required ERK, PI3K, and Akt signaling. Wnt3a increased the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in an ERK-dependent manner. Beta-catenin-mediated transcription was permissive for the anti-apoptotic actions of Wnt1 and Wnt3a but was dispensable for the anti-apoptotic action of Wnt5a. However, Src, ERKs, PI3K, and Akt kinases were required for the anti-apoptotic effects of Wnt5a. These results demonstrate for the first time that Wnt proteins, irrespective of their ability to stimulate canonical Wnt signaling, prolong the survival of osteoblasts and uncommitted osteoblast progenitors via activation of the Src/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling cascades.

N 2O production by heterotrophic N transformations in a semiarid soil

Emissions of N 2O from soils of the Southwestern US are thought to result from the activity of anaerobic denitrifying bacteria, but the seasonal dryness and sandy texture of these soils are more conducive to the activities of aerobic microbes. Here, we present incubations of semiarid soils with added compounds known to stimulate the N-cycling processes ammonification (proteins, oligopeptides, and amino acids (AAs)), nitrification (NH 4 + and NO 2 −), and denitrification (NO 3 − ± glucose). Non-flooded (−34 kPa) incubations with added organic N determined that oligopeptides (four AA in length) resulted in the highest potential N 2O flux over a 12-d incubation period (66 ng N 2O g −1 soil d −1), three times that of proteins (21 ng N 2O g −1 soil d −1) or AAs (24 ng N 2O g −1 soil d −1). Initial N 2O production in incubations with added organic N decreased by more than 63% with addition of cycloheximide, an inhibitor of fungal activity, but additions of a bacterial inhibitor (streptomycin) increased N 2O flux by 100%. Additions of NH 4 + and NO 2 − resulted in little NO 3 − production during the 12-d incubation, indicating that autotrophic N transformations were limited. Flooded soil (0 kPa) incubations with added NO 3 − and glucose resulted in considerable N 2O production by day 2 (200 ng N 2O g −1 soil d −1), but 0 kPa incubations without glucose produced less than 10 ng N 2O g −1 soil d −1 revealing C, rather than water, limitations on denitrification in semiarid soils. Incubation of soils (−34 kPa) with 15N-labeled substrates known to stimulate N mineralization and nitrification processes showed differences in 15N 2O production after addition of glutamine (3 ng 15N 2O g −1 soil d −1), NH 4 + (16 ng 15N 2O g −1 soil d −1), NO 2 − (26 ng 15N 2O g −1 soil d −1), and NO 3 − (1 ng 15N 2O g −1 soil d −1). All 15N treatments produced similar native N 2O efflux of 12 ng 14N 2O g −1 soil d −1 through the incubation period. The limitations of C and H 2O and minimal autotrophic N activity suggest that heterotrophic N-cycling processes may be responsible for most of the in situ N transformations and N 2O production in this system.

In vitro effect of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on canine neutrophil apoptosis

Apoptosis is essential in eliminating neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes: PMNs) in animals. The suppression of PMN apoptosis is believed to be beneficial in eradicating pathogens and is implicated in the pathogenesis of human inflammatory diseases. In the present study, canine PMNs were stimulated with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) to investigate the in vitro effect on the apoptosis of canine PMNs. Apoptotic cell rates were assessed by flow cytometry in relation to the ability of PMNs to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Canine PMN apoptosis was markedly suppressed by rhG-CSF treatment, in association with the retention of the PMN ability to produce ROS. The addition of cycloheximide abolished this suppression by rhG-CSF. Moreover, canine PMNs, which were stimulated by rhG-CSF, expressed high levels of anti-apoptotic mcl-1 gene mRNA, as quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction method. The results suggest that PMNs, stimulated by G-CSF, could work effectively over a longer period to eliminate pathogens, and that the prolongation of the PMN life-span might occasionally aggravate tissue injuries in dogs. In addition, the suppression of PMN apoptosis seems to be mediated by the induction of anti-apoptotic mcl-1 gene expression.

Impact of cycloheximide addition on adenylates in soil

Cycloheximide inhibits specifically the ribosomal protein synthesis of eukaryotic cells, i.e. the metabolism of soil fungi. We measured cycloheximide effects on adenylates in 20 different soils (0–10 cm depth) from arable, grass and forest land with a large variety of soil properties. The aims were (1) to assess the interactions between cycloheximide effects and soil properties and (2) to prove the relationship between cycloheximide effects on ATP and the ergosterol-to-microbial biomass C ratio, which is an indicator for the fungal proportion of the total microbial biomass. The adenylates ATP, ADP and AMP were measured 6 h after adding either 10 mg cycloheximide per gram soil in combination with 24 mg talcum per gram soil or 24 mg talcum per gram soil solely. The medians of the relative increases in AMP and ADP were 45 and 25% and the medians of the relative decreases in ATP and adenylates were −36 and −12%. These changes in adenylate composition lead to a cycloheximide-induced relative decrease in the adenylate energy charge level of 15%. The relative decrease in ATP content after cycloheximide addition was significantly correlated with the ATP-to-microbial biomass C ratio, but not with the ergosterol-to-microbial biomass C ratio. The absolute increase in ADP and the absolute decrease in ATP were affected by the clay content according to principal component analysis. The reduction of the ATP-to-microbial biomass C ratio indicates that this ratio had the potential of being an important ecotoxicological indicator of direct toxic effects of organic pollutants on soil microorganisms.

Genomic organization, expression, and function of bitter taste receptors (T2R) in mouse and rat

Mammalian type 2 taste receptors (T2R) are a family of G protein-coupled receptors that mediate bitter signals in taste cells. In the present study, we compared the genomic organization of rodent T2R genes based on the recently completed mouse and rat genomes and examined tissue- and cell-specific expression of T2Rs. Both mouse and rat T2R families consist of 36 intact genes and at least 7 pseudogenes that are mapped to mouse chromosomes 15, 2, and 6 and to rat chromosomes 2, 3, and 4, respectively. All but two T2R genes are clustered on mouse chromosome 6 and rat chromosome 4 with virtually identical genomic organization. The orthologs of the first human T2R gene identified, mT2R119 and rT2R1, are located on mouse chromosome 15 and rat chromosome 2, whereas the novel rodent-specific T2R genes, mT2R134 and rT2R34, are located on mouse chromosome 2 and rat chromosome 3, respectively. Our results, using RT-PCR, demonstrate the presence of transcripts corresponding to the putative denatonium benzoate (DB) and phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) receptors in the antrum, fundus, and duodenum as well as in STC-1 and AR42J cells. The novel rodent-specific T2R gene (mT2R134 and rT2R34) was also expressed in these tissues and cell lines. The addition of DB, PTC, or cycloheximide to AR42J cells induced a rapid increase in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. The specificity of these effects is shown by the fact that these bitter stimuli did not induce any detectable Ca(2+) signaling in many other rodent or human cells that do not express receptors or G proteins implicated in bitter taste signaling. These results demonstrate that mouse and rat T2R genes are highly conserved in terms of genomic organization and tissue expression, suggesting that rodent T2Rs are evolved under similar dietary pressure and share bitter sensing functions in the lingual and gastrointestinal systems.

Quercetin, but not rutin and quercitrin, prevention of H 2O 2-induced apoptosis via anti-oxidant activity and heme oxygenase 1 gene expression in macrophages

In the present study, we examine the protective mechanism of quercetin (QE) on oxidative stress-induced cytotoxic effect in RAW264.7 macrophages. Results of Western blotting show that QE but not its glycoside rutin (RUT) and quicitrin-induced HO-1 protein expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and HO-1 protein induced by QE was blocked by an addition of cycloheximide or actinomycin D. Induction of HO-1 gene expression by QE was accompanied by inducing ERKs, but not JNKs or p38, proteins phosphorylation. Addition of PD98059, but not SB203580 or SP600125, significantly attenuates QE-induced HO-1 protein and mRNA expression associated with blocking the expression of phosphorylated ERKs proteins. H 2O 2 addition reduces the viability of cells by MTT assay, and appearance of DNA ladders, hypodiploid cells, and an increase in intracellular peroxide level was detected. Addition of QE, but not QI or RUT, significantly reduced the cytotoxic effect induced by H 2O 2 associated with blocking the production of intracellular peroxide, DNA ladders, and hypodiploid cells. QE protection of cells from H 2O 2-induced apoptosis was significantly suppressed by adding HO inhibitor SnPP or ERKs inhibitor PD98059. Additionally, QE protects cells from H 2O 2-induced a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential and a release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol by DiOC6 and Western blotting assay, respectively. Activation of apoptotic proteins including the caspase 3, caspase 9, PARP, D4-GDI proteins was identified in H 2O 2-treated cells by Western blotting and enzyme activity assay, and that was significantly blocked by an addition of QE, but not RUT and QI. Furthermore, HO-1 catalytic metabolites carbon monoxide (CO), but not Fe 2+, Fe 3+, biliverdin or bilirubin, performed protective effect on cells from H 2O 2-induced cell death with an increase in HO-1 protein expression and ERKs protein phosphorylation. These data suggest that induction of HO-1 protein may participate in the protective mechanism of QE on oxidative stress (H 2O 2)-induced apoptosis, and reduction of intracellular ROS production and mitochondria dysfunction with blocking apoptotic events were involved. Differential anti-apoptotic effect between QE and its glycosides RUT and QI via distinct HO-1 protein induction was also delineated.

Regulation of elastin gene transcription by proteasome dysfunction

Elastin, a major extracellular matrix protein and the core component of elastic fiber, is essential to maintain lung structural integrity and normal physiological function. We previously found that the downregulation of elastin gene transcription by IL-1beta is mediated via activation of NF-kappaB and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)beta, both targets of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. To further investigate the molecular mechanisms that underlie the control of elastin gene expression, we disrupted the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway with specific proteasome inhibitors. We found that specific proteasome inhibitors decreased the steady-state level of elastin mRNA in a dose-responsive manner. Run-on assay and promoter reporter study indicated that the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 repressed the rate of elastin transcription. MG-132 did not affect mRNA levels of NF-kappaB and C/EBPbeta, or the nuclear presence of NF-kappaB, but markedly increased C/EBPbeta isoforms, including liver-enriched transcriptional activating protein and liver-enriched transcriptional inhibitory protein. Addition of cycloheximide blocked these increases and the downregulation of elastin mRNA by MG-132. The MG-132-induced downregulation of elastin transcription was dependent on C/EBPbeta expression as assessed with small interfering RNA. These results indicate that the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway plays an essential role in maintaining elastin gene expression in lung fibroblasts. Disruption of this pathway results in the downregulation of tropoelastin transcription via posttranscriptionally induced C/EBPbeta isoforms.

Interferon-γ Inhibits in vitro Mobilization of Eosinophils by Interleukin-5

Background: Th2 cytokines play pivotal roles in allergic inflammation, including eosinophilia, and their actions are antagonized by Th1 cytokines, conferring them therapeutic potential. Methods: In this study, we examined the ability of a number of cytokines to suppress the activation of eosinophils that function as effector cells for allergic airway diseases. Results: Interleukin (IL)-5, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induced an eosinophil shape change, whereas interferon (IFN)-γ significantly inhibited the shape change. Other cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13, had little or only slightly enhancing or reducing effects on the shape change. We further analyzed the IFN-γ effect, showing that pretreatment with IFN-γ strongly suppressed IL-5-induced eosinophil shape change, and cycloheximide (CHX) abrogated the suppression by IFN-γ, suggesting that new protein synthesis is required for the inhibitory effect by this cytokine. In agreement with these results, IFN-γ blocked the eosinophil migration and ERK phophorylation induced by IL-5, and the addition of CHX restored eosinophil chemotaxis. Conclusions: Collectively, IFN-γ may attenuate eosinophilic inflammation by directly negating eosinophil mobilization.