Degradation Of Poly ADP-ribose Polymerase Research Articles

DNA damage induced PARP-1 overactivation confers paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain by regulating mitochondrial oxidative metabolism.

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) has been extensively investigated in human cancers. Recent studies verified that current available PARP inhibitors (Olaparib or Veliparib) provided clinical palliation of clinical patients suffering from paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain (PINP). However, the underlying mechanism of PARP overactivation in the development of PINP remains to be investigated. We reported induction of DNA oxidative damage, PARP-1 overactivation, and subsequent nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) depletion as crucial events in the pathogenesis of PINP. Therefore, we developed an Olaparib PROTAC to achieve the efficient degradation of PARP. Continuous intrathecal injection of Olaparib PROTAC protected against PINP by inhibiting the activity of PARP-1 in rats. PARP-1, but not PARP-2, was shown to be a crucial enzyme in the development of PINP. Specific inhibition of PARP-1 enhanced mitochondrial redox metabolism partly by upregulating the expression and deacetylase activity of sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) in the dorsal root ganglions and spinal cord in the PINP rats. Moreover, an increase in the NAD+ level was found to be a crucial mechanism by which PARP-1 inhibition enhanced SIRT3 activity. The findings provide a novel insight into the mechanism of DNA oxidative damage in the development of PINP and implicate PARP-1 as a possible therapeutic target for clinical PINP treatment.

Rational Design and Synthesis of Novel Dual PROTACs for Simultaneous Degradation of EGFR and PARP.

Inspired by the success of dual-targeting drugs, especially bispecific antibodies, we propose to combine the concept of proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) and dual targeting to design and synthesize dual PROTAC molecules with the function of degrading two completely different types of targets simultaneously. A library of novel dual-targeting PROTAC molecules has been rationally designed and prepared. A convergent synthetic strategy has been utilized to achieve high synthetic efficiency. These dual PROTAC structures are characterized using trifunctional natural amino acids as star-type core linkers to connect two independent inhibitors and E3 ligands together. In this study, gefitinib, olaparib, and CRBN or VHL E3 ligands were used as substrates to synthesize novel dual PROTACs. They successfully degraded both the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) simultaneously in cancer cells. Being the first successful example of dual PROTACs, this technique will greatly widen the range of application of the PROTAC method and open up a new field for drug discovery.

Cytochathiazines A-C: Three Merocytochalasans with a 2 H-1,4-Thiazine Functionality from Coculture of Chaetomium globosum and Aspergillus flavipes.

Cytochathiazines A-C (1-3), which represent a new type of merocytochalasan, were isolated from coculture of Chaetomium globosum and Aspergillus flavipes. Compounds 1-3 are the first natural products featuring an unprecedented 2 H-1,4-thiazine functionality. Plausible biosynthetic pathways for 1-3 with a chaetoglobosin and a dipeptide as the main constitutional units were proposed. Compound 2 induced apoptosis in leukemia cells through the activation of caspase-3 and the degradation of poly ADP-ribose polymerase.

Induction of Apoptosis by Citrus unshiu Peel in Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells: Involvement of ROS-Dependent Activation of AMPK.

The fruit of Citrus unshiu MARKOVICH used for various purposes in traditional medicine has various pharmacological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. Recently, the possibility of anti-cancer activity of the extracts or components of this fruit has been reported; however, the exact mechanism has not yet been fully understood. In this study, we evaluated the anti-proliferative effect of water extract of C. unshiu peel (WECU) on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells and investigated the underlying mechanism. Our results showed that reduction of MCF-7 cell survival by WECU was associated with the induction of apoptosis. WECU-induced apoptotic cell death was related to the activation of caspase-8 and -9, representative initiate caspases of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways, respectively, and increase in the Bax : Bcl-2 ratio accompanied by cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). WECU also increased the mitochondrial dysfunction and cytosolic release of cytochrome c. In addition, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its downstream target molecule, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, were activated in a concentration-dependent manner in WECU-treated cells. In contrast, compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, significantly inhibited WECU-induced apoptosis, while inhibiting increased expression of Bax and decreased expression of Bcl-2 by WECU and inhibition of WECU-induced PARP degradation. Furthermore, WECU provoked the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS); however, the activation of AMKP and apoptosis by WECU were prevented, when the ROS production was blocked by antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine. Therefore, our data indicate that WECU suppresses MCF-7 cell proliferation by activating the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways through ROS-dependent AMPK pathway activation.

The CHAC1-inhibited Notch3 pathway is involved in temozolomide-induced glioma cytotoxicity

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the high-grade primary glioma in adults. Temozolomide (TMZ), an alkylating agent of the imidazotetrazine series, is a first-line chemotherapeutic drug for clinical therapy. However, the expense of TMZ therapy and increasing drug resistance to TMZ decreases its therapeutic effects. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the detailed molecular mechanisms of TMZ-mediated cytotoxicity to enhance the efficacy of TMZ in clinical GBM therapy. First, TMZ-mediated gene expression profiles and networks in U87-MG cells were identified by transcriptome microarray and bioinformatic analyses. Cation transport regulator-like protein 1 (CHAC1) was the most highly TMZ-upregulated gene. Overexpression and knockdown of CHAC1 expression significantly influenced TMZ-mediated cell viability, apoptosis, caspase-3 activation, and poly(ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) degradation. The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)1/c-JUN pathway was identified to participate in TMZ-upregulated CHAC1 expression via transcriptional control. Furthermore, CHAC1 levels were significantly decreased in GBM cell lines, TCGA array data, and tumor tissues. Overexpression of CHAC1 enhanced glioma apoptotic death via caspase-3/9 activation, PARP degradation, autophagy formation, reactive oxygen species generation, increased intracellular calcium, and loss of the mitochondria membrane potential. Finally, we also identified that TMZ significantly reduced Notch3 levels, which are upregulated in gliomas. TMZ also induced CHAC1 to bind to the Notch3 protein and inhibit Notch3 activation, resulting in attenuation of Notch3-mediated downstream signaling pathways. These results emphasize that CHAC1-inhibited Notch3 signaling can influence TMZ-mediated cytotoxicity. Our findings may provide novel therapeutic strategies for future glioblastoma therapy.

Djulis (Chenopodiun formosaneum) and its bioactive compounds protect against oxidative stress in human HepG2 cells

The effect of water extracts of Djulis (Chenopodiun formosaneum) (WECF) and its bioactive compounds on the oxidative stress of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced HepG2 cells is investigated. WECF (at 10–250 µg/ml) demonstrates a cytoprotection in 0.2 mM t-BHP-induced HepG2 cells. The oxidative damage was accompanied by depletion of glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) formation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation which was significantly reduced by WECF. There was a down-regulated degradation of IκB-α and anti-apoptosis in t-BHP-induced cells by WECF. The increase in the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and the mitochondrial membrane potential and a decrease in caspase-3 activity and the down-modulated degradation of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) by WECF in t-BHP-induced cells parallels the effect on cell viability. The anti-apoptosis in t-BHP-induced cells by WECF was verified by observation using DAPI staining assay. According to HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS/MS analysis, betanin, rutin, kaempferol and another twenty compounds were present in WECF, which may partially be responsible for its protective effect against oxidative damage. Collectively, WECF consisting of bioactive compounds can prevent oxidative stress by enhancing the antioxidant indices and reducing apoptosis of cells.

U0126, an Inhibitor of MEK1/2, Increases Tumor Necrosis Factor-?-Induced Apoptosis, but not Interleukin-6 Induced Apoptosis in C-28/I2 Human Chondrocytes

Activation of the SAPK/MAPK signaling pathway by pro-inflammatory cytokines is known to induce apoptosis in cultured articular chondrocytes. C-28/I2, an immortalized human juvenile chondrocyte cell line was employed to determine the extent to which recombinant human (rh) forms of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (rhTNF-α,), interleukin-6 (rhIL-6) and oncostatin M (rhOSM) induced apoptosis. The induction of apoptosis in the presence or absence of these cytokines was measured by the DAPI/TUNEL assay, by whether or not pro-caspase-3 was activated and by the extent to which poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) was degraded. Only rhTNF-α, and rhIL-6 significantly increased apoptosis in C-28/I2 chondrocytes, although rhOSM exhibited a strong trend (p=0.067) towards increasing the frequency of apoptotic chondrocytes. The number of apoptotic C28/I2 chondrocytes was significantly increased (p=1.3 × 10-5) by the combination of rhTNF-α and U0126 (10 μM) compared to rhTNF-α alone. However apoptosis was not further increased by combining rhIL-6 with U0126. The LI-COR® western blot system showed that U0126 (10 μM) inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2 (p-ERK2) by phorbol myristate acetate-treated immortalized myometrial cells, U0126 (10 μM) did not alter total U-ERK2. Western blot analysis also revealed that the increased frequency of apoptotic C-28/I2 chondrocytes induced by rhTNF-α and rhOSM, but not rhIL-6, was associated with PARP degradation. However, none of the cytokines resulted in pro-caspase-3 activation. These results showed that rhTNF-α and rhIL-6 were strong inducers of apoptosis in the immortalized C-28/I2 human chondrocyte cell line. They also suggested that inhibiting ERK2 phosphorylation via U0126-mediated inhibition of MEK1/2 activity, increased rhTNF-α-induced C-28/I2 chondrocyte apoptosis.

PARP inhibitor reduces proliferation and increases apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

Apoptosis is a reliable marker of chemotherapeutic efficacy. Olaparib and paclitaxel inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in a variety of cancers. We investigated the effects of paclitaxel combined with olaparib on apoptosis in breast cancer Bcap37 cells. Proliferation and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay and PI staining. Degradation of pro-caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was analyzed by Western blotting. Compared with paclitaxel alone, paclitaxel combined with 100 mg olaparib significantly reduced survival in Bcap37 cells at all tested treatment durations (P<0.05); inhibition increased with increasing olaparib dose and treatment time (P<0.01). Combined treatment yielded significantly higher rates of apoptosis (P<0.05), which also increased with time (P<0.01). Fluorescence micrographs showed that early and late apoptotic cells increased with treatment time. Pro-caspase-3 and PARP degradation was induced by paclitaxel and enhanced by olaparib in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, combined treatment was substantially more effective than treatment with paclitaxel alone. Our findings suggest that paclitaxel and olaparib inhibit breast cancer Bcap37 cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. Combined treatment further reduced cell growth and enhanced apoptosis, suggesting that this combination therapy may be a promising treatment for breast cancer.

Protective effect of whey protein hydrolysates on H2O2-induced PC12 cells oxidative stress via a mitochondria-mediated pathway

Whey protein hydrolysates (WPHs) were prepared with pepsin and trypsin. A PC12 cell model was built to observe the protective effect of WPHs against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. The results indicated that WPHs reduced apoptosis by 14% and increased antioxidant enzyme activities. Flow cytometry was used to assess the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), Ca2+ levels and the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The results showed that WPHs suppressed ROS elevation and Ca2+ levels and stabilised MMP by 16%. The anti-apoptosis/pro-apoptosis proteins Bcl-2/Bax and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) were investigated by Western-blot analysis, which indicated that WPHs increased the expression of Bcl-2 while inhibiting the expression of Bax and the degradation of PARP. WPHs also blocked Caspase-3 activation by 62%. The results demonstrate that WPHs can significantly protect PC12 cells against oxidative stress via a mitochondria-mediated pathway. These findings indicate the potential benefits of WPHs as valuable food antioxidative additives.

Isoliquiritigenin treatment induces apoptosis by increasing intracellular ROS levels in HeLa cells

This study focuses on the relationship between the apoptosis induced by isoliquiritigenin (ISL) and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cell viability was evaluated using sulforhodamine B assay. The apoptotic rate was determined via flow cytometry. Intracellular ROS level was assessed using the 2,7-dichlorofluorescein probe assay. Poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) protein expression was examined using Western blot analysis. The results showed that ISL treatment inhibited cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis. The increased apoptotic rate and ROS production induced by ISL were inhibited by the co-treatment of ISL and free radical scavenger N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), catalase (CAT), and 4,5-dihydroxyl-1,3-benzededisulfonic acid (Tiron). On the contrary, the increased apoptotic rate and the ROS production were compensated by the co-treatment of ISL and l-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO). ISL treatment increased the degradation of PARP, which was counteracted by antioxidants (NAC or CAT), whereas the combination treatment of ISL and pro-oxidant (BSO) enhanced the PARP degradation induced by ISL. Our findings suggested that ISL treatment induced apoptosis by increasing intracellular ROS levels in HeLa cells.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) peel extracts inhibit proliferation of HeLa human cervical carcinoma cell via induction of apoptosis

Flesh and peel extracts of five mango varieties were compared for their antioxidant and antiproliferative activities. Fozli peel (FP) extract was found to have the highest antioxidant activity and to significantly inhibit the proliferation of HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. Hoechst 33342 staining revealed apoptotic nuclei with condensed chromatin, and cell growth arrest was confirmed by flow cytometry. Apoptotic signaling induced by FP extract was characterized by an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and down-regulation of Bcl-2. Moreover, FP extract treatment triggered the proteolytic activation of caspases-3, -8, and -9 and the degradation of poly ADP-ribose polymerase in HeLa cells. These results indicate that FP is an excellent source of phenolic and/or flavonoid compounds, and may have applications in the treatment of human cervical carcinoma and as an antioxidant in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of FP extract revealed that 2,5-dihydroxyphenol was detected with highest amount and other compounds such as 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde, pentadecanoic acid, (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid, and 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one were also found in high amounts.

Induction of Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cells by β-1,3-Xylooligosaccharides Prepared fromCaulerpa lentillifera

β-1,3-Xylan was prepared from the green alga, Caulerpa lentillifera, and hydrolyzed to oligosaccharides by a mild acid treatment. The average degree of polymerization was about 5. The oligosaccharides reduced the number of viable human breast cancer MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and induced chromatin condensation and degradation of poly ADP-ribose polymerase, indicating that they induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.

Apoptosis in Endothelial Cells by Cyclosporine

ObjectivesThe immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine (CsA) is a potent agent widely used after organ transplantations and to treat various autoimmune disorders. After using CsA, some patients suffer severe complications including renal and vascular toxicity, which are influenced by the degree of the endothelial damage. Several studies have demonstrated CsA treatment to directly induce apoptosis in several cell types. Thus, CsA may induce endothelial damage via activation of proapoptotic proteins. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of CsA on apoptosis of endothelial cells using human umbilical vein endothelial cells. MethodsProliferation was measured by using the Cell Counting Assay Kit after cells were exposed to CsA (0 L, 10 L, 30 L, 50 L or 100 μg/mL). Apoptotic cells were identified by fluorescence microscopy of 4′, 6-diamidino-2-phenylidole-stained nuclei. Western blot analysis was done for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), p27, p53 and caspase. ResultsCell viability decreased dependent on the CsA concentration. CsA treatment group showed chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation. CsA produced a dose-dependent induction of p27 and reduction of procasapase-3. CsA treatment induced the degradation of 116-kDa PARP into an 89-kDa fragment. ConclusionsCsA induced apoptosis of endothelial cells.

인체 급성백혈병 Jurkat T 세포에 있어서 L-canavanine에 의해 유도되는 세포자살기전에 미치는 단백질 티로신 키나아제 p56lck의 저해 효과

L-arginine 구조유사체인 L-canavanine의 인체 급성백혈병 Jurkat T 세포에 대한 apoptosis 유도활성이 단백질 티로신키나아제 <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX>에 어떻게 조절되는지를 규명하기 위해 <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX>를 발현하는 Jurkat T 세포주 E6.1과 <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX>-결손 Jurkat T 세포주 JCaM1.6에 있어서 L-canavanine의 세포독성, L-canavanine에 의해 유도되는 apoptotic DNA fragmentation 및 apoptotic sub-<TEX>$G_1$</TEX> peak를 비교하여 본 바, <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX>-negative JCaM1.6 세포가 <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX>-positive E6.1 세포에 비해 L-canavanine의 apoptotis 유도활성에 훨씬 더 민감한 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX>-negative JCaM1.6 세포의 민감성은 JCaM1.6 세포에 <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX> 유전자를 transfection시켜 발현시키면 현저히 감소되었다. L-Canavanine에 의해 유도되는 apoptosis관련 현상들을 <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX>-stable transfectant인 JCaM1.6/lck 세포와 empty vector-transfectant 인 <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX>-negaive JCaM1.6/vector 세포에서 Western blot analysis로 비교한 결과, L-canavanine에 의해 유도되는 mitochondrial membrane potential (<TEX>${\Delta\Psi}m$</TEX>)의 감소, caspase-9, -8, -7 및 -3의 활성화, 그리고 PARP 및 <TEX>$PLC{\gamma}$</TEX>-1의 분해가 JCaM1.6/vector 세포에 비해 JCaM1.6/lck 세포에서 더 약하게 나타났다. JCaM1.6/lck 세포를 2.5 mM L-canavanine으로 처리한 다음 세포 내 <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX> kinase 활성의 변화를 <TEX>$\alpha$</TEX>-casein을 기질로 하여 시간 별로 측정한 결과, L-canavanine의 처리 후 15분만에 <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX> kinase의 활성이 약 1.6배 증가되었으며 이후 6시간 동안은 약 1.3~1.4 배정도 증가된 수준으로 kinase 활성이 유지되는 것으로 확인되었다. L-Canavanine에 의한 apoptosis의 개시에 Fas/FasL 상호작용이 관련되는지를 규명하기 위해 FADD-negative Jurkat T 세포주 I2.1, caspase-8-negative Jurkat T 세포주 I9.2 및 wild-type Jurkat T 세포주 A3에 대한 L-canavanine의 세포독성을 비교한 결과, A3와 I2.1 세포의 경우는 L-canavanine의 세포독성이 동일하게 나타났고, 특히 caspase-8가 결손된 I9.2 세포의 경우는 L-canavanine의 세포독성에 대한 민감성이 A3와 I2.1 세포에 비해 단지 미약하게만 완화되는 것으로 나타나, L-canavanine의한 apoptosis에는 Fas/FasL 상호작용이 관련되어 있지 않으며, 또한 caspase-8의 역할이 필수적이지 않음을 시사하였다. Jurkat T 세포에 있어서 L-canavanie에 의해 유도되는 sub-<TEX>$G_1$</TEX> peak 및 caspases 활성화에 미치는 pan-caspase inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk), caspase-9 inhibitor (z-LEHD-fmk), caspase-3 inhibitor (z-DEVD-fmk), caspase-4 inhibitor (z-LEVD-fmk) 및 caspase-12 inhibitor (z-ATAD-fmk)의 영향을 조사한 결과, L-canavanie에 의한 apoptosis는 <TEX>${\Delta\Psi}m$</TEX>의 감소, caspase-9 및 caspase -3의 활성화에 뒤따른 caspase-8 및 caspase-7의 활성화, 그리고 PARP의 분해의 순서로 유도되는 것으로 나타났으며, 아울러 caspase-9의 활성화와 함께 caspase-12의 활성화가 L-canavanine 처리에 따른 caspase-3의 활성화에 요구되는 것으로 확인되었다. 결론적으로, L-canavanine 처리에 의한 Jurkat T 세포의 apoptosis는 <TEX>${\Delta\Psi}m$</TEX> 감소, caspase-9, caspase-3 및 caspase-7의 활성화에 의해 유도되며, 이들 apoptosis 현상들은 <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX>에 의해 negative regulation되었다. To elucidate further the antitumor effects of a natural L-arginine analogue, L-canavanine, the mechanism underlying apoptogenic activity of L-canavanine and its modulation by protein tyrosine kinase <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX> was investigated in human Jurkat T cells. When the cells were treated with 1.25 to 2.5 mM L-canavanine for 36 h, several apoptotic events including mitochondrial membrane potential (<TEX>${\Delta\Psi}m$</TEX>) loss, activation of caspase-9, -3, -8, and -7, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) degradation, and DNA fragmentation were induced without alteration in the levels of Fas or FasL. These apoptotic changes were more significant in <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX>-deficient Jurkat clone JCaM1.6 than in <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX>-positive Jurkat clone E6.1. The L-canavanine-induced apoptosis observed in <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX>-deficient JCaM1.6 cells was significantly reduced by introducing <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX> gene into JCaM1.6 cells by stable transfection. Treatment of JCaM1.6/lck cells with L-canavanine caused a transient 1.6-fold increase in the kinase activity of <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX>. Both FADD-positive wild-type Jurkat T cell clone A3 and FADD-deficient Jurkat T cell clone I2.1 exhibited a similar susceptibility to the cytotoxicity of L-canavanine, excluding involvement of Fas/FasL system in triggering L-canavanine-induced apoptosis. The L-canavanine-induced apoptotic sub-<TEX>$G_1$</TEX> peak and activation of caspase-3, -8, and -7 were abrogated by pan-caspase inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk), whereas L-canavanine-induced activation of caspase-9 was not affected. These results demonstrated that L-canavanine caused apoptosis of Jurkat T cells via the loss of <TEX>${\Delta\Psi}m$</TEX>, and the activation of caspase-9, -3, -8, and -7, leading to PARP degradation, and that the <TEX>$p56^{lck}$</TEX> kinase attenuated the <TEX>${\Delta\Psi}m$</TEX> loss and activation of caspases, and thus contributed as a negative regulator to L-canavanine-induced apoptosis.

Induction of apoptosis in human lung carcinoma cells by the water extract of Panax notoginseng is associated with the activation of caspase-3 through downregulation of Akt

The root of Panax notoginseng is highly valued and commonly used in Oriental medicine. Although recent experimental data have revealed the proapoptotic potency of P. notoginseng extracts, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this apoptotic activity have not yet been studied in detail. In the present study, the effects of the water extract of P. notoginseng (WEPN) on the growth of human lung carcinoma cells were investigated. It was found that the exposure of A549 and NIC-H460 cells to WEPN resulted in growth inhibition and the induction of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The WEPN treatment induced the upregulation of pro-apoptotic Bax, downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), which was associated with the proteolytic activation of caspases and the concomitant degradation of poly(ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein. However, the caspase-3-specific inhibitor z-DEVD-fmk blocked PARP degradation and increased the survival rate of WEPN-treated cells. Moreover, the activity of Akt was downregulated in WEPN-treated cells and the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt inhibitor LY294002 sensitized the cells to WEPN-induced apoptosis through enhancing the activation of caspase-3 and loss of MMP. The results indicated that the major regulators of WEPN-induced apoptosis in human lung carcinoma cells are the Bcl-2 family and caspase-3, which are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and dephosphorylation of the Akt signaling pathway.

Macranthoside B, a hederagenin saponin extracted from Lonicera macranthoides and its anti-tumor activities in vitro and in vivo

Macranthoside B (MB) is a hederagenin saponin extracted from the flower bud of Lonicera macranthoides. In this study, we defined the anticancer effect of MB both in vitro and in vivo using cell proliferation assays and xenograft tumor growth assays. Our data indicate that MB inhibits the proliferation of various kinds of cancer cells with IC 50 values in the range of 10–20 μM. Moreover, the volume and weight of xenograft tumors in nude mice treated with 5 mg/kg MB were decreased remarkably compared to those of the vehicle control group. Furthermore, DAPI staining and flow cytometry analysis with Annexin V/PI double staining revealed that more apoptotic cells were observed following MB treatment. In addition, degradation of PARP (poly-ADP-ribose polymerase), and activation of the caspase cascade for intrinsic pathways were observed. We also found that the expression of Bcl-2 protein decreased and the protein level of Bax increased which leading to an increase of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Our results showed that MB exhibited strong anti-tumor effect and mitochondrion-mediated apoptosis induction involved in it.

Apoptosis induction of oroxylin A in human cervical cancer HeLa cell line in vitro and in vivo

Oroxylin A is a flavonoid that is found in the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Here, we investigated the antitumor effect of oroxylin A in human cervical cancer HeLa cell line in vitro and in vivo. We found that after inoculated with the HeLa cells the mice treated with oroxylin A showed a significant decrease of tumor volumes and tumor weight compared with the control. Meanwhile, the growth inhibition of oroxylin A on HeLa cells were observed by MTT assay and the value of IC 50 was 19.4 ± 0.7 μM after treatment for 48 h. Upon our previous research, the inhibition by oroxylin A might be through apoptosis. Then apoptosis induced by oroxylin A in HeLa cells was characterized by DAPI staining and Annexin V/PI double staining, and degradation of PARP (poly-ADP–ribose polymerase) was both found in HeLa cells and tumor tissue. Next, activation of the caspase cascade for both the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways were demonstrated in vivo and in vitro, including caspase-8, -9 and -3. We also found that the expression of Bcl-2 protein decreased, which leading to an increase of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Our results showed that oroxylin A exhibited strong antitumor effect in HeLa cell line and apoptosis induction involved in it.

MicroRNA-221/222 Confers Tamoxifen Resistance in Breast Cancer by Targeting p27Kip1

We explored the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in acquiring resistance to tamoxifen, a drug successfully used to treat women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. miRNA microarray analysis of MCF-7 cell lines that are either sensitive (parental) or resistant (4-hydroxytamoxifen-resistant (OHT(R))) to tamoxifen showed significant (>1.8-fold) up-regulation of eight miRNAs and marked down-regulation (>50%) of seven miRNAs in OHT(R) cells compared with parental MCF-7 cells. Increased expression of three of the most promising up-regulated (miR-221, miR-222, and miR-181) and down-regulated (miR-21, miR-342, and miR-489) miRNAs was validated by real-time reverse transcription-PCR. The expression of miR-221 and miR-222 was also significantly (2-fold) elevated in HER2/neu-positive primary human breast cancer tissues that are known to be resistant to endocrine therapy compared with HER2/neu-negative tissue samples. Ectopic expression of miR-221/222 rendered the parental MCF-7 cells resistant to tamoxifen. The protein level of the cell cycle inhibitor p27(Kip1), a known target of miR-221/222, was reduced by 50% in OHT(R) cells and by 28-50% in miR-221/222-overexpressing MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, overexpression of p27(Kip1) in the resistant OHT(R) cells caused enhanced cell death when exposed to tamoxifen. This is the first study demonstrating a relationship between miR-221/222 expression and HER2/neu overexpression in primary breast tumors that are generally resistant to tamoxifen therapy. This finding also provides the rationale for the application of altered expression of specific miRNAs as a predictive tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer marker.

Sanguinarine-Induced Apoptosis in Human Leukemia U937 Cells via Bcl-2 Downregulation and Caspase-3 Activation

Background: Sanguinarine is a benzophenanthridine alkaloid derived from the root of Sanguinaria canadensis, which induces apoptosis in human cancer cells, but the underlying action mechanisms are not completely understood. We investigated the mechanisms of sanguinarine on the induction of apoptosis using U937 leukemia cells. Methods: Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected using DAPI staining, agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry. The protein levels were determined by Western blot analysis. Casapse-3 activity was measured using a colorimetric assay. Results: Exposure of U937 cells to sanguinarine resulted in growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis. Apoptosis by sanguinarine treatment was associated with the activation of caspase-3 and degradation of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and phospholipase C-γ1 protein. Induction of apoptosis by sanguinarine was also accompanied by upregulation of pro-apoptotic Bax and downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression. Sanguinarine-induced caspase-3 activation and apoptosis were significantly attenuated in Bcl-2-overexpressing U937/Bcl-2 cells. Furthermore, a caspase-3-specific inhibitor blocked caspase-3 activation as well as PARP degradation, and increased the survival rate of sanguinarine-treated U937 cells. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that the induction of apoptosis by sanguinarine in U937 cells was associated with altering the balance of Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression and activation of the caspase-3 pathway.

Heteromeric complex formation of ASK2 and ASK1 regulates stress-induced signaling

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 2 (ASK2) is an interaction partner of the highly related ASK1. Here, we describe a regulatory function of ASK2 in stress signaling-induced cleavage of caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Increased cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP was demonstrated by overexpression as well as knockdown of ASK2 after stress-induction by serum-starvation. We show that ectopically expressed ASK2 homo-oligomerized while endogenous ASK2 and ASK1 formed hetero-oligomers, which decreased upon serum-starvation. Co-expression of ASK2 and ASK1 stabilized these two proteins and reduced starvation-induced caspase-3 activation and degradation of PARP. Analysis of the intracellular localization of ASK2 exhibited a similar localization compared with ASK1 in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and in mitochondria. We propose that ASK2 regulates stress-induced caspase-3 and PARP cleavage in a dose-dependent manner by heteromeric complex formation with ASK1.