Biomedical subjects

Andrea Levi

Publications and source records attributed to Andrea Levi.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Telomerase inhibition by stable RNA interference impairs tumor growth and angiogenesis in glioblastoma xenografts.

Telomerase is highly expressed in advanced stages of most cancers where it allows the clonal expansion of transformed cells by counteracting telomere erosion. Telomerase may also contribute to tumor progression through still undefined cell growth-promoting functions. Here, we inhibited telomerase activity in 2 human glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines, TB10 and U87MG, by targeting the catalytic subunit, hTERT, via stable RNA interference (RNAi). Although the reduction in telomerase activity had no effect on GBM cell growth in vitro, the development of tumors in subcutaneously and intracranially grafted nude mice was significantly inhibited by antitelomerase RNAi. The in vivo effect was observed within a relatively small number of population doublings, suggesting that telomerase inhibition may hinder cancer cell growth in vivo prior to a substantial shortening of telomere length. Tumor xenografts that arose from telomerase-inhibited GBM cells also showed a less-malignant phenotype due both to the absence of massive necrosis and to reduced angiogenesis.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Telomerase inhibition impairs tumor growth in glioblastoma xenografts.

Telomerase is a specialized DNA polymerase that is required to replicate the ends of linear chromosomes, the telomeres. The majority of human cancers express high levels of telomerase activity that is permissive for tumor growth because it provides cells with an extended proliferative potential. Additionally, telomerase exerts cell growth promoting functions and favors cell survival. Human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells express high level of telomerase activity owing to the overexpression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), the limiting subunit of the enzyme. Here we used retroviral mediated RNA interference to dampen down telomerase activity in two distinct human GBM cell lines, U87MG and TB10. Substantial decrease of hTERT mRNA and telomerase activity had only minimal effects on telomere length maintenance, cell growth and survival in vitro. On the contrary, development of tumors upon subcutaneously grafting of U87MG and TB10 cells and intracranial implantation of U87MG cells in nude athymic mice was strongly reduced by telomerase inhibition.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

The neuroendocrine protein VGF is sorted into dense-core granules and is secreted apically by polarized rat thyroid epithelial cells.

We have expressed the neuroendocrine VGF protein in FRT rat thyroid cells to study the molecular mechanisms of its sorting to the regulated and polarized pathways of secretion. By immunoelectron microscopy, we have demonstrated that VGF localizes in dense-core granules. Rapid secretion of VGF is induced by PMA stimulation. Moreover, human chromogranin B, a protein of the regulated pathway, co-localizes in the same granules with VGF. In confluent, FRT monolayers on filters protein secretion occur from the apical cell domain. VGF deletion mutants have been generated. By confocal microscopy, we have found that in transient transfection, all mutant proteins are sorted into granules and co-localize with the full-length VGF. They all retain the apical polarity of secretion. We also found that intracellular VGF and its deletion mutants are largely in an aggregated form. We conclude that FRT thyroid cells correctly decode the sorting information of VGF. The signals present on the protein to enter the granules and to be secreted apically cannot be separated from each other and are not in just one discrete portion of the protein. We propose that selective aggregation might represent the signal for sorting VGF to the regulated, apical route.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

PubMed2004

Processing, distribution, and function of VGF, a neuronal and endocrine peptide precursor.

1. The vgf gene encodes a neuropeptide precursor with a restricted pattern of expression that is limited to a subset of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems and to specific populations of endocrine cells in the adenohypophysis, adrenal medulla, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas. In responsive neurons, vgf transcription is upregulated by neurotrophins. the basis for the original identification of VGF as nerve growth factor- (NGF) inducible in PC12 cells (A. Levi, J. D. Eldridge, and B. M. Paterson, Science 229:393-395, 1985). 2. In this review, we shall summarize data concerning the transcriptional regulation of vgf in vitro, the structural organization of the vgf promoter as well as the transcription factors which regulate its activity. 3. On the basis of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical studies, the in vivo tissue-specific expression of VGF during differentiation and in the adult will be summarized. 4. Parallel biochemical data will be reviewed, addressing the proteolytical processing of the pro-VGF precursor within the secretory compartment of neuroendocrine cells. 5. Finally, analysis of the phenotype of VGF knockout mice will be discussed, implying a nonredundant role of VGF products in the regulation of energy storage and expenditure.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Pro-VGF-derived peptides induce penile erection in male rats: possible involvement of oxytocin.

The effect of five peptides derived from the C-terminal portion of rat pro-VGF (VGF(577-617), VGF(588-617), VGF(599-617), VGF(556-576) and VGF(588-597)) on penile erection was studied after injection into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of male rats. VGF(577-617), VGF(588-617), VGF(599-617) and, to a lower extent, VGF(588-597) (0.1-2 microg) induced penile erection episodes in a dose-dependent manner when injected into the paraventricular nucleus, while VGF(556-576) was ineffective. VGF(588-617)-induced penile erection was reduced by nitro(omega)-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME; 20 microg), by morphine (5 microg) and by muscimol (1 microg), but not by dizocilpine [(+)MK-801; 1 microg], nor by cis-flupenthixol (10 microg) given into the paraventricular nucleus 10 min before the VGF peptide. d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)-Orn8-vasotocin (1 microg) effectively reduced VGF(588-617)-induced penile erection when given into the lateral ventricles but not when injected into the paraventricular nucleus. Immunocytochemistry with antibodies specific for the C-terminal nonapeptide sequence of pro-VGF (VGF(609-617)) revealed numerous neuronal fibres and terminals within the paraventricular nucleus, including its parvocellular components. Here, many immunostained neuronal terminals impinged on parvocellular oxytocinergic neurons. The present results show for the first time that certain pro-VGF C-terminus-derived peptides promote penile erection when injected into the paraventricular nucleus and suggest that, within this nucleus, these or closely related pro-VGF-derived peptides may be released to influence sexual function by activating paraventricular oxytocinergic neurons mediating penile erection.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Glioblastoma induces vascular endothelial cells to express telomerase in vitro.

Angiogenesis is essential for the growth of solid tumors. We have observed previously that the vascular endothelial cells of astrocytic brain tumors express human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA, suggesting a role for telomerase in the angiogenesis of these neoplasms. Here, we used an in vitro model to demonstrate that the telomerase machinery might be trans-activated in primary endothelial cells by glioblastoma tumor cells. We found that glioblastoma cells in vitro do induce hTERT mRNA and hTERT protein expression, as well as telomerase enzyme activity in the endothelial cells, and that this phenomenon is mediated by diffusible factor(s). These results provide strong evidence of the involvement of telomerase in tumor angiogenesis and will stimulate research on antitelomerase drugs for treatment of malignant brain gliomas.

Brain Neoplasms↗

PubMed2002

NGF-dependent and tissue-specific transcription of vgf is regulated by a CREB-p300 and bHLH factor interaction.

Neurotrophins support neuronal survival, development, and plasticity through processes requiring gene expression. We studied how vgf target gene transcription is mediated by a critical promoter region containing E-box, CCAAT and cAMP response element (CRE) sites. The p300 acetylase was present in two distinct protein complexes bound to this region. One complex, containing HEB (ubiquitous basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)), bound the promoter in non-neuronal cells and was involved in repressing vgf expression. Neurotrophin-dependent transcription was mediated by the second complex, specific for neuronal cells, which included CRE binding protein and MASH1 (neuro-specific bHLH), bound the CCAAT motif, and was target of neurotrophin signalling. The interaction, mediated by p300, of different transcription factors may add specificity to the neurotrophin response.

3T3 Cells↗