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Biomedical subjects

Adly Yacoub

Publications and source records attributed to Adly Yacoub.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Human chorionic gonadotropin modulates prostate cancer cell survival after irradiation or HMG CoA reductase inhibitor treatment.

The impact of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on prostate carcinoma viability was investigated. Treatment of LNCaP and PC-3 cells with hCG modestly reduced cell viability within 96 h. Treatment of cells with hCG followed by exposure to ionizing radiation enhanced radiosensitivity. Exposure of LNCaP cells to hCG promoted activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (ERBB1) via a Galpha(i)-, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)1/2-, and metalloprotease-dependent paracrine mechanism, effects that were further enhanced after radiation exposure, and that were causal in prolonged intense activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Inhibition of ERBB1, MEK1, or PARP1 function suppressed the radiosensitizing properties of hCG. Radiosensitization was also, in part, dependent upon c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase 1/2 signaling. PARP1-dependent radiosensitization was suppressed by a pan-caspase inhibitor and by knockdown of apoptosis-inducing factor expression. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, expression of dominant-negative AKT, or treatment with the HMG CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin suppressed AKT phosphorylation and enhanced the cytotoxic effects of hCG. The enhancing effect of lovastatin was reproduced by incubation with a geranylgeranyl transferase inhibitor and blocked by coexposure to geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate. Treatment with hCG and lovastatin decreased expression of BCL-(XL) and XIAP, and increased expression of IkappaB. The cytotoxic effects of hCG were enhanced by expression of dominant-negative IkappaB, and they were abolished by coexpression of activated AKT. Expression of activated AKT maintained BCL-(XL) levels in cells expressing dominant-negative IkappaB. The promotion of hCG lethality by lovastatin was abolished by overexpression of BCL-(XL), and was dependent upon activation of caspase-9. Thus, hCG, in combination with radiation and lovastatin, may represent a novel approach to kill prostate cancer cells.

Cell Line, Tumor↗
PubMed2006

MEK1/2 inhibition promotes Taxotere lethality in mammary tumors in vivo.

Taxol (paclitaxel) and Taxotere (docetaxel) are considered as two of the most important anti-cancer chemotherapy drugs. The cytotoxic action of these drugs has been linked to their ability to inhibit microtubule depolymerization, causing growth arrest and subsequent cell death. Studies by a number of laboratories have also linked suppression of MEK1/2 signaling to enhanced Taxol toxicity in vitro and in vivo. The present study examined the interactions of the semi-synthetic taxane Taxotere with MEK1/2 inhibitors in epithelial tumor cells. In vitro colony formation studies demonstrated that Taxotere and the MEK1/2 inhibitor PD184352 interacted in a sequence dependent fashion to synergistically kill human mammary carcinoma cells (MDA-MB-231, MCF7) as well as in other tumor cell types; e.g. prostate and renal cell carcinoma. Athymic mice were implanted in the rear flank with either MDA-MB-231 or MCF7 cells and tumors permitted to form to a volume of approximately 100 mm3 prior to a two day exposure of either Vehicle, PD184352 (25 mg/kg), Taxotere (15 mg/kg) or the drug combination. Tumor volume was measured every other day and tumor growth determined over the following approximately 30 days. Transient exposure of MDA-MB-231 tumors or MCF7 tumors to PD184352 did not significantly alter tumor growth rate or the mean tumor volume in vivo approximately 15-30 days after drug administration. Transient Taxotere exposure of MDA-MB-231 or to a lesser extent MCF7, tumors modestly reduced the mean tumor volume in vivo approximately 15-30 days after drug administration. In contrast, combined treatment with PD184352 and Taxotere significantly reduced MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 tumor growth. The tumor control values for MDA-MB-231 cells and MCF7 cells were 0.43 and 0.71, respectively. Fractionated irradiation of MDA-MB-231 tumors during drug exposure or single dose irradiation prior to drug administration did not significantly further suppress tumor growth beyond that of cells exposed to Taxotere and MEK1/2 inhibitor. Single dose irradiation of tumors after drug exposure, however, caused a significant further suppression of tumor growth below that caused by drug exposure. These findings were also reflected in ex vivo colony formation analyses of isolated tumor cells. Collectively, these findings argue that Taxotere and MEK1/2 inhibitors have the potential to suppress mammary tumor growth in vivo which is enhanced by sequence-dependent exposure to ionizing radiation. Based on the cell lines used in these studies, our findings argue that the interaction of Taxotere and PD184352 is independent of p53 status, estrogen dependency, caspase 3 levels or oncogenic K-RAS expression.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2006

OSU-03012 promotes caspase-independent but PERK-, cathepsin B-, BID-, and AIF-dependent killing of transformed cells.

We determined one mechanism by which the putative phosphoinositide-dependent kinase (PDK)-1 inhibitor 2-amino-N-{4-[5-(2-phenanthrenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-phenyl}acetamide (OSU-03012) killed primary human glioma and other transformed cells. OSU-03012 caused a dose-dependent induction of cell death that was not altered by p53 mutation, expression of ERBB1 vIII, or loss of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 function. OSU-03012 promoted cell killing to a greater extent in glioma cells than in nontransformed astrocytes. OSU-03012 and ionizing radiation caused an additive, caspase-independent elevation in cell killing in 96-h viability assays and true radiosensitization in colony formation assays. In a cell type-specific manner, combined exposure to OSU-03012 with a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 inhibitor, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT inhibitors, or parallel molecular interventions resulted in a greater than additive induction of cell killing that was independent of AKT activity and caspase function. OSU-03012 lethality as a single agent or when combined with signaling modulators was not modified in cells lacking expression of BIM or of BAX/BAK. OSU-03012 promoted the release of cathepsin B from the lysosomal compartment and release of AIF from mitochondria. Loss of BH3-interacting domain (BID) function, overexpression of BCL(XL), and inhibition of cathepsin B function suppressed cell killing and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) release from mitochondria. In protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase-/- cells, the lethality of OSU-03012 was attenuated which correlated with reduced cleavage of BID and with suppression of cathepsin B and AIF release into the cytosol. Our data demonstrate that OSU-03012 promotes glioma cell killing that is dependent on endoplasmic reticulum stress, lysosomal dysfunction, and BID-dependent release of AIF from mitochondria, and whose lethality is enhanced by irradiation or by inhibition of protective signaling pathways.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗
PubMed2005

Transient exposure of mammary tumors to PD184352 and UCN-01 causes tumor cell death in vivo and prolonged suppression of tumor regrowth.

Previous studies from our group have demonstrated in vitro that UCN-01 (7-hydroxystaurosporine) and inhibitors of MEK1/2 interact to cause tumor cell death in a wide variety of malignant, but not in nontransformed, cell types. The present studies determined whether UCN-01 and MEK1/2 inhibitors interacted to cause tumor cell death in vivo. In vitro colony formation studies demonstrated that UCN-01 and the MEK1/2 inhibitor PD184352 interacted to synergistically kill human mammary carcinoma cells (MDA-MB-231, MCF7) with similar combination index values. Athymic mice were implanted in the rear flank with either MDA-MB-231 or MCF7 cells and tumors permitted to form to a volume of approximately 100 mm3 prior to a two day exposure of either Vehicle, PD184352 (25 mg/kg), UCN-01 (0.1-0.2 mg/kg) or the drug combination. Tumor volume was measured every other day and tumor growth determined over the following approximately 30 days. Transient exposure of MDA-MB-231 tumors or MCF7 tumors to either PD184352 or UCN-01 did not significantly alter tumor growth rate or the mean tumor volume in vivo approximately 15-30 days after drug administration. In contrast, combined treatment with PD184352 and UCN-01 significantly reduced MDA-MB-231, and largely abolished MCF7 tumor growth. Tumor control values for both cell lines were 0.36. Tumor cells isolated approximately 30 days after combined drug exposure exhibited a significantly greater reduction in plating efficiency using ex vivo colony formation assays than tumor cells that were exposed to either drug individually. Reduced tumor growth correlated with profound tumor cell death within five days of combined drug exposure, which was also evident approximately 30 days after exposure. In addition, tumor cell death correlated with a reduction in the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and the immuno-reactivity of Ki67 and of CD31. Collectively, these findings argue that UCN-01 and MEK1/2 inhibitors have the potential to suppress mammary tumor growth in vivo which is independent of p53 status, estrogen dependency, caspase 3 levels or oncogenic K-RAS expression.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2005

Inhibition of insulin/IGF-1 receptor signaling enhances bile acid toxicity in primary hepatocytes.

Modulation of ERBB and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptor function is recognized as a potential mechanism to inhibit tumor growth. We and others have shown that inhibition of ERBB1 can enhance bile acid toxicity. Herein, we extend our analyses to examine the impact of insulin/IGF-1 receptor inhibition on primary hepatocyte survival when exposed to the secondary bile acid deoxycholic acid (DCA) and compare the impact inhibition of this receptor has on bile acid toxicity effects to that of ERBB1/MEK1/2 inhibition. The insulin/IGF-1 receptor inhibitor NVP-ADW742 at concentrations which inhibit both the insulin and IGF-1 receptors had a modest negative impact on hepatocyte viability, and strongly potentiated DCA-induced apoptotic cell death. Identical data were obtained expressing a dominant negative IGF-1 receptor in hepatocytes; a receptor which acts to inhibit both the IGF-1 receptor and the insulin receptor in trans. Inhibition of ERBB1 function using Iressa (gefitinib) or the tyrphostin AG1478 had more modest effects at enhancing DCA lethality than inhibition of the insulin/IGF-1 receptor function. In contrast, over-expression of a dominant negative ERBB1 protein had pleiotropic effects on multiple signaling pathways in an apparently non-specific manner. These findings suggest that novel therapeutic kinase inhibitors, targeted against growth factor receptors, have the potential to promote bile acid toxicity in hepatocyte when bile flow may be impaired.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

RLIP76 is a major determinant of radiation sensitivity.

RLIP76 (RALBP1) is a glutathione-conjugate transporter that is a critical component of clathrin-coated pit-mediated endocytosis, as well as in stress responses. In cultured cells, it provides protection from stressors including heat, oxidant chemicals, chemotherapeutic agents, UV irradiation, and X-irradiation. Here, we show marked reduction in glutathione conjugate transport capacity and stepwise increase in radiation sensitivity associated with heterozygous or homozygous loss of the RLIP76 gene in mice. Survival after radiation in homozygous knockout animals was significantly shorter than either the heterozygous knockouts or the wild type. Delivery of recombinant RLIP76 to mice lacking RLIP76 via a liposomal delivery system rescued radiation sensitivity. Furthermore, treatment of wild-type mice with RLIP76-containing liposomes conferred resistance to radiation. These findings suggest that inhibiting RLIP76 could be used for sensitization to radiation during cancer therapy and that RLIP76 liposomes could be radioprotective agents useful for treatment of iatrogenic or catastrophic radiation poisoning.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed2005

MDA-7/IL-24 regulates proliferation, invasion and tumor cell radiosensitivity: a new cancer therapy?

The novel cytokine MDA-7/IL-24 was identified by subtractive hybridization in the mid-1990s as a cytokine whose expression increased during the induction of terminal differentiation, and that was either not expressed or was present at low levels in tumor cells compared to non-transformed cells. Multiple studies from several laboratories have subsequently demonstrated that expression of IL-24 in tumor cells, but not in non-transformed cells, causes their growth arrest and ultimately cell death. In addition, IL-24 has been noted to be a radiosensitizing cytokine, which in part is due to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and causing endoplasmic reticulum stress. Recent publications of Phase I trial data have shown that a recombinant adenovirus to express MDA-7/IL-24 (Ad.mda-7 (INGN 241)) was safe and had tumoricidal effects in patients, which argues that IL-24 may have therapeutic value. This review describes what is known about the impact of IL-24 on tumor cell biology in addition to approaches that may enhance the toxicity of this novel cytokine.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Radiation-stimulated ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 signaling can promote cell cycle progression in human colon cancer cells.

The abilities of mutated active K-RAS and H-RAS proteins, in an isogenic human carcinoma cell system, to modulate the activity of signaling pathways and cell cycle progression following exposure to ionizing radiation is largely unknown. Loss of K-RAS D13 expression in parental HCT116 colorectal carcinoma cells blunted basal ERK1/2, AKT and JNK1/2 activity by -70%. P38 activity was not detected. Deletion of the allele to express activated K-RAS nearly abolished radiation-induced activation of all signaling pathways. Expression of H-RAS V12 in HCT116 cells lacking an activated RAS molecule (H-RAS V12 cells) restored basal ERK1/2 and AKT activity to that observed in parental cells, but did not restore or alter basal JNK1/2 and p38 activity. In parental cells radiation (1 Gy) caused stronger ERK1/2 pathway activation compared to that of the PI3K/AKT pathway. In H-RAS V12 cells radiation caused stronger PI3K/AKT pathway activation compared to that of the ERK1/2 pathway. Radiation (1 Gy) promoted S phase entry in parental HCT116 cells within 24h, but not in either HCT116 cells lacking K-RAS D13 expression or in H-RAS V12 cells. In parental cells radiation-stimulated S phase entry correlated with ERK1/2-, JNK1/2- and PI3K-dependent increased expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin A, and to a lesser extent cyclin E, 6-24 h after exposure. Cyclin A and cyclin D1 expression were not increased by radiation in cells lacking K-RAS D13 expression or in H-RAS V12 cells. Radiation (1 Gy) modestly enhanced expression of p53, hMDM2 and p21 in parental cells 2-6 h after exposure, which was abolished in cells lacking K-RAS D13 expression. Introduction of H-RAS V12 into cells lacking mutant active RAS partially restored radiation-induced expression of p21 and p53, and enhanced the induction of hMDM2 beyond that observed in parental cells. Collectively, our findings argue that the coordinated activation of multiple signaling pathways, in particular ERK1/2 and JNK1/2, by radiation is required to elevate the expression of G1 and S phase cyclin proteins and to promote S phase entry in human colon carcinoma cells expressing wild type p53. In HCT116 cells H-RAS V12 promotes hMDM2 expression after radiation exposure which correlates with reduced p53 expression and increased cell survival.

Alleles↗
PubMed2005

Potential molecular mechanism for rodent tumorigenesis: mutational generation of Progression Elevated Gene-3 (PEG-3).

Progression Elevated Gene-3 (PEG-3) was cloned using subtraction hybridization as an upregulated transcript associated with transformation and tumor progression of rat embryo fibroblast cells. PEG-3 is a unique gene facilitating tumor progression by modulating multiple pathways in transformed cells, including genomic stability, angiogenesis and invasion. PEG-3 originates from mutation in the growth arrest and DNA damage inducible gene GADD34. A one base deletion in rat GADD34 results in a frame-shift and premature appearance of a stop-codon resulting in a C-terminally truncated molecule that is PEG-3. We now document that mutation in the GADD34 gene is a frequent event during transformation and/or immortalization of rodent cells. Sequencing of the GADD34 gene in a number of independent rat tumor cell lines revealed that in a majority of these the GADD34 gene is mutated to either PEG-3 or a PEG-3-like gene with similar C-terminal truncations. An important function of GADD34 is to inhibit cell growth, predominantly by apoptosis, and we demonstrate that PEG-3 or C-terminal truncations of human GADD34 resembling PEG-3 prevent growth inhibition by both human and rat GADD34. Phosphorylation of p53 by GADD34 is one mechanism by which it inhibits growth and PEG-3 could prevent GADD34-induced p53 phosphorylation. In contrast, PEG-3 was unable to block other GADD34-induced changes, including eIF2 alpha dephosphorylation, indicating that its effects on GADD34 may be related more to its effect on cell growth rather than a global inhibitor of all GADD34 functions. We hypothesize that mutational generation of PEG-3 or a similar molecule is a critical event during rodent carcinogenesis. The inherent property of PEG-3 to function as a dominant negative of the growth inhibitory property of GADD34 might rescue cells from DNA damage-induced apoptosis leading to growth independence and tumorigenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Induction of reactive oxygen species renders mutant and wild-type K-ras pancreatic carcinoma cells susceptible to Ad.mda-7-induced apoptosis.

Pancreatic cancer is exceptionally aggressive with no long-term effective therapy. Current interventional approaches, including surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy, have done little to quell the mortality associated with this malignancy. Subtraction hybridization identified a cancer-specific apoptosis-inducing cytokine gene, melanoma differentiation associated gene-7/interleukin-24 (mda-7/IL-24), with a broad range of selective antitumor activity in diverse cancers both in vitro and in vivo in nude mice and recently in patients with advanced carcinomas and melanomas. Unlike most neoplasms, pancreatic cancers display innate resistance to mda-7/IL-24-induced apoptosis, which correlates with a diminished capacity to convert mda-7/IL-24 mRNA into protein. We presently demonstrate that this translational block can be reversed by treatment with agents that elevate reactive oxygen species (ROS). Induction of apoptosis in vitro and suppression of tumorigenesis in vivo in nude mice are induced in pancreatic cancers, irrespective of the status of their K-ras gene, only when tumor cells simultaneously express mda-7/IL-24 and are treated with a ROS-inducer, such as arsenic trioxide (ARS), N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (HPR) or dithiophene (NSC656240 (NSC)). In pancreatic cancer cells constitutively expressing mda-7/IL-24 mRNA, a single treatment with arsenic trioxide, HPR or NSC656240 induces apoptosis, which correlates with production of MDA-7/IL-24 protein. The specificity of this action is documented by the ability of ROS inhibitors, including N-acetyl-L-cysteine and Tiron, to block this killing effect. Of potential clinical significance, similar treatment of normal cells does not elicit significant changes in growth nor does it induce apoptosis. Analysis of signal transduction changes in pancreatic carcinoma cells infected with Ad.mda-7 in combination with a ROS-inducer indicate that cell death correlates with modulation of discrete cassettes of multiple signaling pathways in a pancreatic cancer cell-specific manner, supporting global signaling dysregulation as a potential mediator of apoptosis induction. These findings suggest a promising combinatorial approach for safely promoting cell death in pancreatic tumors that provides a rational framework for developing a selective and effective therapy for this invariably fatal cancer.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

mda-7/IL-24: exploiting cancer's Achilles' heel.

The mda-7/IL-24 cDNA was isolated almost a decade ago in a screen for genes differentially upregulated following growth arrest and terminal differentiation of a human melanoma cell line employed as an in vitro cell differentiation model. The underlying rationale for the screen was that oncogenesis arises from a cellular dedifferentiation process culminating in uncontrolled proliferation and acquisition of invasive and metastatic potential. Identification of genes upregulated during the process of reactivation of faulty or inoperational differentiation maintenance programs was postulated to have cancer gene therapeutic potential. In this context, it is heartening to note that mda-7/IL-24 has made a methodical and progressive journey, from an unidentified novel sequence with little homology to known genes at its time of isolation to currently having the status of a molecule belonging to the IL-10-related family of cytokines, with considerable cancer gene therapeutic potential. Extensive in vitro and in vivo human tumor xenograft studies have established its transformed cell apoptosis-inducing capacity in various model systems. It has recently taken an important step for a candidate cancer gene therapeutic molecule, in the ultimate goal of benchtop to clinic, by being currently utilized in human Phase I/II clinical trials. This review provides a current perspective of our understanding of mda-7/IL-24, including established and more recent information about the molecular properties, specificity of anti-tumor-cell apoptosis-inducing activity, and underlying mechanisms of this action relative to its cancer gene therapeutic potential.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

H-RAS V12-induced radioresistance in HCT116 colon carcinoma cells is heregulin dependent.

The abilities of mutated active K-RAS and H-RAS proteins, in an isogenic human carcinoma cell system, to modulate the activity of signaling pathways following exposure to ionizing radiation is unknown. Loss of K-RAS D13 expression in HCT116 colorectal carcinoma cells blunted basal extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), AKT, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase 1/2 activity. Deletion of the allele to express K-RAS D13 also enhanced expression of ERBB1, ERBB3, and heregulin but nearly abolished radiation-induced activation of all signaling pathways. Expression of H-RAS V12 in HCT116 cells lacking an activated RAS molecule (H-RAS V12 cells) restored basal ERK1/2 and AKT activity to that observed in parental cells but did not restore or alter basal c-jun NH2-terminal kinase 1/2 activity. In parental cells, radiation caused stronger ERK1/2 pathway activation compared with that of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway, which correlated with constitutive translocation of Raf-1 into the plasma membrane of parental cells. Inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK1/2, but not PI3K, radiosensitized parental cells. In H-RAS V12 cells, radiation caused stronger PI3K/AKT pathway activation compared with that of the ERK1/2 pathway, which correlated with H-RAS V12-dependent translocation of PI3K into the plasma membrane. Inhibition of PI3K, but not mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK1/2, radiosensitized H-RAS V12 cells. Radiation-induced activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway in H-RAS V12 cells 2 to 24 hours after exposure was dependent on heregulin-stimulated ERBB3 association with membrane-localized PI3K. Neutralization of heregulin function abolished radiation-induced AKT activation and reverted the radiosensitivity of H-RAS V12 cells to those levels found in cells lacking expression of any active RAS protein. These findings show that H-RAS V12 and K-RAS D13 differentially regulate radiation-induced signaling pathway function. In HCT116 cells expressing H-RAS V12, PI3K-dependent radioresistance is mediated by both H-RAS-dependent translocation of PI3K into the plasma membrane and heregulin-induced activation of membrane-localized PI3K via ERBB3.

Antibodies↗
PubMed2005

Activated forms of H-RAS and K-RAS differentially regulate membrane association of PI3K, PDK-1, and AKT and the effect of therapeutic kinase inhibitors on cell survival.

The abilities of mutated active RAS proteins to modulate cell survival following exposure to ionizing radiation and small molecule kinase inhibitors were examined. Homologous recombination in HCT116 cells to delete the single allele of K-RAS D13 resulted in a cell line that exhibited an approximately 75% reduction in basal extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, AKT, and c-jun-NH2-kinase 1/2 activity. Transfection of cells lacking K-RAS D13 with H-RAS V12 restored extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and AKT activity to basal levels but did not restore c-jun-NH2-kinase 1/2 phosphorylation. In cells expressing H-RAS V12, radiation caused prolonged intense activation of AKT. Inhibition of H-RAS V12 function, blockade of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) function using small interfering RNA/small-molecule inhibitors, or expression of dominant-negative AKT abolished radiation-induced AKT activation, and radiosensitized these cells. Inhibition of PI3K function did not significantly radiosensitize parental HCT116 cells. Inhibitors of the AKT PH domain including perifosine, SH-(5, 23-25) and ml-(14-16) reduced the plating efficiency of H-RAS V12 cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Inhibition of AKT function using perifosine enhanced radiosensitivity in H-RAS V12 cells, whereas the SH and ml series of AKT PH domain inhibitors failed to promote radiation toxicity. In HCT116 H-RAS V12 cells, PI3K, PDK-1, and AKT were membrane associated, whereas in parental cells expressing K-RAS D13, only PDK-1 was membrane bound. In H-RAS V12 cells, membrane associated PDK-1 was phosphorylated at Y373/376, which was abolished by the Src family kinase inhibitor PP2. Inhibition of PDK-1 function using the PH domain inhibitor OSU-03012 or using PP2 reduced the plating efficiency of H-RAS V12 cells and profoundly increased radiosensitivity. OSU-03012 and PP2 did not radiosensitize and had modest inhibitory effects on plating efficiency in parental cells. A small interfering RNA generated against PDK1 also radiosensitized HCT116 cells expressing H-RAS V12. Collectively, our data argue that molecular inhibition of AKT and PDK-1 signaling enhances the radiosensitivity of HCT116 cells expressing H-RAS V12 but not K-RAS D13. Small-molecule inhibitory agents that blocked stimulated and/or basal PDK-1 and AKT function profoundly reduced HCT116 cell survival but had variable effects at enhancing tumor cell radiosensitivity.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗
PubMed2004

Mechanistic aspects of mda-7/IL-24 cancer cell selectivity analysed via a bacterial fusion protein.

The human mda-7/IL-24 gene product is normally expressed in melanocytes and certain lymphocyte populations. Loss of expression, a distinctive feature of many tumor suppressor genes, has been documented at RNA and protein levels in association with melanoma progression both in vitro as well as in human tumor-derived material. The MDA-7/IL-24 protein undergoes post-translational processing, including removal of an amino-terminal 48-residue signal peptide and extensive glycosylation prior to its secretion by producing cells. Its inherent cytokine properties have been documented in multiple reports, which have identified and characterized its cognate receptors and activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway following ligand/receptor docking. A notable and incompletely understood property of MDA-7/IL-24 is its ability to induce apoptosis in transformed cells, while having marginal growth suppressive effects on normal primary or immortalized cell lines. MDA-7/IL-24 has been delivered to cells, tumor xenografts and patients in clinical trials via a nonreplicating adenovirus (Ad.mda-7). Studies utilizing eukaryotically expressed and purified MDA-7/IL-24 protein from several sources have recapitulated some of the molecule's reported properties including receptor binding and JAK/STAT activation. Here, we report the properties and characteristics of a bacterially expressed and purified GST-MDA-7 fusion protein. These studies reveal that GST-MDA-7 retains its cancer-selective apoptosis-inducing properties, thereby providing a new reagent that will assist in defining the mechanism of action of this novel cytokine. In addition, retention of tumor-specific activity of GST-MDA-7 suggests that this protein may also have therapeutic applications.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Ionizing radiation causes a dose-dependent release of transforming growth factor alpha in vitro from irradiated xenografts and during palliative treatment of hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Characterize the radiation response for transforming growth factor (TGF) alpha shedding in vitro and in vivo. We also report the shedding of TGF alpha by patients undergoing irradiation for hormone-refractory prostate cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: TGF alpha levels were determined by ELISA. DU145 xenografts were established on the flanks of athymic nu/nu mice. Expression of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and phospho-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the DNA repair proteins XRCC1 and ERCC1 were determined by Western analyses. RESULTS: Exposure to ionizing radiation results in a dose-dependent release of TGF alpha. Once released, TGF alpha stimulates EGFR-ERK1/2 signaling in unirradiated cells. Blockade of the EGFR with the tyrphostin AG1478 eliminates the up-regulation XRCC1 and ERCC1 by TGF alpha or irradiation. After irradiation, cells are refractory to additional transactivation of EGFR by additional irradiation for 8 to 12 hours. Irradiation during this refractory period does not increase the expression of XRCC1 or ERCC1. Ligand activation of EGFR is maintained during the refractory period. Irradiation of DU145 xenografts also results in the activation of ERK1/2, release of TGF alpha, and a similar refractory period. Ionizing irradiation also results in the release of TGF alpha for patients undergoing radiation therapy for hormone-refractory prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Irradiation results in a dose-dependent increase in TGF alpha capable of enhancing the growth of DU145 xenografts. TGF alpha is also shed following radiation therapy of patients treated for hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Radiation transactivation of the EGFR produces a radio-refractory period, which lasts for several hours. During this period, additional irradiation fails to induce XRCC1, ERCC1, or additional TGF alpha release.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2004

MDA-7 regulates cell growth and radiosensitivity in vitro of primary (non-established) human glioma cells.

We examined the impact of purified bacterially synthesized GST-MDA-7 (IL-24) and ionizing radiation on the proliferation and survival of nonestablished human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells. Glioma cell types expressing mutated PTEN and p53 molecules, activated ERBB1VIII, overexpressing wild type ERBB1 or without receptor overexpression were selected. In MTT assays, GST-MDA-7 caused a dose-dependent reduction in the proliferation of nonestablished glioma cells; however only at higher concentrations did GST-MDA-7 reduce cell viability. The anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects of GST-MDA-7 were enhanced by radiation in a greater than additive fashion that correlated with JNK1/2/3 activation. The reduction in cell growth and enhancement in cell killing by the combination of GST-MDA-7 and radiation were blocked by an ROS scavenger, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a JNK1/2/3 inhibitor SP600125, a pan-caspase inhibitor (zVAD) and by an inhibitor of caspase 9 (LEHD), but not by an inhibitor of caspase 8 (IETD). Low concentrations of either GST-MDA-7 or radiation reduced clonogenic survival, however colony formation ability was significantly further decreased when the two treatments were combined, which was also blocked by inhibition of caspase 9 function. In general agreement with activation of the intrinsic caspase pathway, cell death correlated with reduced BCL-XL expression and with increased levels of the pro-apoptotic proteins BAD and BAX. Inhibition of caspase 9 after combination treatment blunted neither JNK1/2/3 activation nor the enhanced expression of BAD and BAX, but did block caspase 3 cleavage, reduced expression of BCL-XL and inhibition of ERK1/2 activity. In contrast, incubation with NAC blocked JNK1/2/3 activation and cell killing, but not the increases in BAD and BAX expression. These findings argue that after combination treatment JNK1/2/3 activation is a primary pro-apoptotic event and loss of BCL-XL expression and ERK1/2 activity are secondary caspase-dependent processes. This data also argues that GST- MDA-7 induces two parallel pro-apoptotic pathways via ROS-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Infection of primary human astrocytes with a recombinant adenovirus to express MDA-7, Ad.mda-7, but not infection with either Ad.cmv or Ad.mda-7SP- lacking MDA-7 secretion, resulted in the suppression of GBM cell colony formation in soft agar overlay assays, an effect that was enhanced in a greater than additive fashion by radiation. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that MDA-7 reduces proliferation and enhances the radiosensitivity of nonestablished human GBM cells in vitro, and when grown in 3 dimensions, and that sensitization occurs independently of basal EGFR/ERK1/2/AKT activity or the functions of PTEN and p53.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed2003

MAPK pathways in radiation responses.

Within the last 15 years, multiple new signal transduction pathways within cells have been discovered. Many of these pathways belong to what is now termed 'the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) superfamily.' These pathways have been linked to the growth factor-mediated regulation of diverse cellular events such as proliferation, senescence, differentiation and apoptosis. Based on currently available data, exposure of cells to ionizing radiation and a variety of other toxic stresses induces simultaneous compensatory activation of multiple MAPK pathways. These signals play critical roles in controlling cell survival and repopulation effects following irradiation, in a cell-type-dependent manner. Some of the signaling pathways activated following radiation exposure are those normally activated by mitogens, such as the 'classical' MAPK (also known as the ERK) pathway. Other MAPK pathways activated by radiation include those downstream of death receptors and procaspases, and DNA-damage signals, including the JNK and P38 MAPK pathways. The expression and release of autocrine growth factor ligands, such as (transforming growth factor alpha) and TNF-alpha, following irradiation can also enhance the responses of MAPK pathways in cells and, consequently, of bystander cells. Thus, the ability of radiation to activate MAPK signaling pathways may depend on the expression of multiple growth factor receptors, autocrine factors and Ras mutation. Enhanced basal signaling by proto-oncogenes such as K-/H-/N-RAS may provide a radioprotective and growth-promoting signal. In many cell types, this may be via the PI3K pathway; in others, this may occur through nuclear factor-kappa B or multiple MAPK pathways. This review will describe the enzymes within the known MAPK signaling pathways and discuss their activation and roles in cellular radiation responses.

Animals↗