PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Ting-Ting Huang

Publications and source records attributed to Ting-Ting Huang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of the reduction of superoxide dismutase 1 and 2 or treatment with alpha-tocopherol on tumorigenesis in Atm-deficient mice.

Atm-deficient mice, a cancer-prone model of the human disease ataxia-telangiectasia, display increased levels of oxidative stress and damage. Chronic treatment of these mice with the nitroxide antioxidant and superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic Tempol (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl) resulted in an increased latency to tumorigenesis. We initially hypothesized that the chemopreventative effect of Tempol was due to its SOD mimetic activity reducing cellular oxidative stress and damage. However, it is also possible that the chemopreventative effect of Tempol results from mechanisms other than directly reducing superoxide radical-induced oxidative stress and damage. To help distinguish between these possibilities, we attempted to genetically increase oxidative stress in Atm-deficient mice by either removing cytosolic Sod1 or reducing mitochondrial Sod2, or we attempted to decrease oxidative stress by treatment of Atm-deficient mice with alpha-tocopherol. Surprisingly, we found that reducing both Atm and Sod1 or Atm and Sod2 did not shorten latency to tumorigenesis or significantly affect life span. Furthermore, continuous administration of alpha-tocopherol did not affect latency to thymic lymphomas. Thus, genetically reducing Sod in Atm-deficient mice or treatment with alpha-tocopherol had no effect on survival or tumorigenesis, suggesting that the chemopreventative effect of Tempol may be at least partially independent of its effects on reducing oxidative damage and stress.

Animals↗

Genetic modifiers of the phenotype of mice deficient in mitochondrial superoxide dismutase.

Sod2-/- mice, which are deficient in the mitochondrial form of superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), have a short survival time that is strongly affected by genetic background. This suggests the existence of genetic modifiers that are capable of modulating the degree of mitochondrial oxidative damage caused by the MnSOD deficiency, thereby altering longevity. To identify these modifier(s), we generated recombinant congenic mice with quantitative trait loci (QTL) containing the putative genetic modifiers on the short-lived C57BL/6J genetic background. MnSOD deficient C57BL/6J mice with a QTL from the distal region of chromosome 13 from DBA/2J were able to survive for as long as those generated on the long-lived DBA/2J background. Within this region, the gene encoding nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (Nnt) was found to be defective in C57BL/6J mice, and no mature NNT protein could be detected. The forward reaction of NNT, a nuclear-encoded mitochondrial inner membrane protein, couples the generation of NADPH to proton transport and provides NADPH for the regeneration of two important antioxidant compounds, glutathione and thioredoxin, in the mitochondria. This action of NNT could explain its putative protective role in MnSOD-deficient mice.

Alleles↗

Absence of CuZn superoxide dismutase leads to elevated oxidative stress and acceleration of age-dependent skeletal muscle atrophy.

We describe a novel phenotype in mice lacking the major antioxidant enzyme, CuZn-superoxide dismutase (Sod1(-/-) mice), namely a dramatic acceleration of age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass. Sod1(-/-) mice are 17 to 20% smaller and have a significantly lower muscle mass than wild-type mice as early as 3 to 4 months of age. Muscle mass in the Sod1(-/-) mice is further reduced with age and by 20 months, the hind-limb muscle mass in Sod1(-/-) mice is nearly 50% lower than in age-matched wild-type mice. Skeletal muscle tissue from young Sod1(-/-) mice has elevated oxidative damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA compared to muscle from young wild-type mice. The reduction in muscle mass and elevated oxidative damage are accompanied by a 40% decrease in voluntary wheel running by 6 months of age and decreased performance on the Rota-rod test at 13 months of age, but are not associated with a decline in overall spontaneous activity. In some of the old Sod1(-/-) mice, the loss in muscle mass is also associated with the presence of tremors and gait disturbances. Thus, the absence of CuZnSOD imposes elevated oxidative stress, loss of muscle mass, and physiological consequences that resemble an acceleration of normal age-related sarcopenia.

Aging↗

Alterations in mitochondrial function, hydrogen peroxide release and oxidative damage in mouse hind-limb skeletal muscle during aging.

Mitochondrial function, hydrogen peroxide generation and oxidative damage were measured in hind-limb skeletal muscle from young (6-8 month) and old (27-29 month) wildtype and heterozygous Mn-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) knockout mice (Sod2(+/-)). The reduction in MnSOD activity in the Sod2(+/-) mice makes these mice a good model to examine the implications of life-long elevated endogenous mitochondrial oxidative stress on mitochondrial function. ATP production was reduced approximately 30% with age in skeletal muscle mitochondria isolated from wildtype mice, and reduced 40-45% in mitochondria from both young and old Sod2(+/-) mice compared to the young wildtype mice. Release of hydrogen peroxide from skeletal muscle mitochondria increased 40-50% with age in both wildtype and Sod2(+/-) but was not higher in mitochondria from Sod2(+/-) mice. Activities of electron transport Complexes I and V were decreased 25-30% in both young and old Sod2(+/-) mice compared to wildtype mice, and were 25-30% lower in mitochondria from old wildtype and old Sod2(+/-) mice. DNA oxidative damage (oxo8dG levels) increased more than 45% with age and over 130% in the young Sod2(+/-) mice compared to the wildtype mice. These data show that mitochondrial oxidative stress in mouse skeletal muscle is increased with age, leading to alterations in mitochondrial function. In addition, increased oxidative stress generated by reduced activity of MnSOD does not exacerbate these alterations during aging.

Aging↗

Organ-specific increase in mutation accumulation and apoptosis rate in CuZn-superoxide dismutase-deficient mice.

Reactive oxygen species have been implicated as a cause of cancer and aging in mammals. Mice deficient for the antioxidant enzyme CuZn-superoxide dismutase (Sod1) have a decreased life span and an elevated incidence of liver cancer. To test the hypothesis that the cancer-prone phenotype in such mice is due to accelerated spontaneous mutation accumulation, we crossed these mutants with mice harboring a neutral lacZ mutation reporter gene. At 2 months of age, the lacZ mutation frequency in the liver of the hybrid animals was already twice as high as in littermate controls of the same age. This difference in mutation frequency increased to >3-fold at 6 months of age, after which it did not increase any further. Characterization of the mutation spectra in liver of the Sod1-null mice indicated mainly GC-to-TA transversions and GC-to-AT transitions, signature mutations of oxidative stress. The accelerated mutation accumulation in liver was accompanied by an increased frequency of apoptotic cells, as indicated by an increase in both terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling- and caspase 3-stained cells at 6 and 12 months of age. In kidney, an elevated mutation frequency above controls of approximately 2.5-fold was found not earlier than at 6 months. No increased mutation accumulation was observed in brain or spleen. These results support the hypothesis, that oxidative stress is an important causal factor of cancer in mammals.

Animals↗

Effect of early nutrition on intestine development of intrauterine growth retardation in rats and its correlation to leptin.

AIM: To investigate the intestine and body development of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) rats under early different protein diet and to analyze the correlation between leptin and intestine and body development. METHODS: An IUGR rat model was established by food restriction of pregnant female rats. Fifty-six neonatal IUGR rats and 24 neonatal normal rats were randomly divided into normal control group (C group), IUGR model group (SC group), low protein diet IUGR group (SL group), and high protein diet IUGR group (SH group). Eight rats were killed per group at wk 0, 4, and 12. Serum leptin, body weight (BW), body length (BL), intestinal weight (IW), intestinal length (IL), and intestinal disaccharidase (including lactase, maltase, and saccharase) were detected. RESULTS: BW (4.50+/-0.41 g), BL (5.96+/-0.40 cm), IW (0.05+/-0.01 g), and IL (15.9+/-2.8 cm) in neonatal IUGR rats were much lower than those in C group (6.01+/-0.55 g, 6.26+/-0.44 cm, 0.10+/-0.02 g, 21.8+/-2.7 cm, P<0.05), while intestinal lactase and maltase activities were higher than those in C group. SH group showed the fastest catch up growth and their BW, BL, IW, and IL reached the C group level at wk 4. SC group showed relatively slower catch up growth than SH group, and their BW, BL, IW did not reach the C group level at wk 4. SL group did not show intestine and body catch up growth. Intestinal maltase (344+/-33 micromol/(min.g)) and saccharase activities (138+/-32 micromol/(min.g)) in SL group were both markedly lower than those in C group (751+/-102, 258+/-27 micromol/(min.g), P<0.05). There were no significant differences in lactase activities at wk 4 and disaccharidase activities at wk 12 among all groups (P>0.05). The leptin level in SL group (0.58+/-0.12 ng/mL) was the highest in all groups, and much lower in SH group (0.21+/-0.03 ng/mL) than that in any other IUGR groups at wk 4 (P<0.05). Leptin was negatively related to BW (r = -0.556, P = 0.001), IW (r = -0.692, P = 0.001) and IL (r = -0.738, P = 0.000) at wk 4, while no correlation was found at wk 12. CONCLUSION: High protein diet is a reasonable early nutritional mode to IUGR rats in promoting intestine and body catch up growth.

Animals↗

A role for manganese superoxide dismutase in apoptosis after photosensitization.

The oxidative stress triggered by photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves generation of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species, including superoxide radical, accumulation of de novo-generated ceramide, and induction of apoptosis. Since PDT with the photosensitizer phthalocyanine Pc 4 induces mitochondrial damage and the superoxide scavenger manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is localized to mitochondria, here we tested genetically the role of MnSOD in apoptosis and ceramide accumulation after photosensitization with Pc 4. Jurkat cells overexpressing wild-type MnSOD were protected from Pc 4-PDT-initiated apoptosis, but not from increased ceramide response to Pc 4-PDT. In Jurkat cells overexpressing mutant MnSOD, however, DEVDase activation and ceramide formation were promoted post-Pc 4-PDT. Similarly, in MnSOD-null cells, Pc 4-PDT-induced apoptosis, as well as ceramide accumulation, were enhanced compared to their normal counterparts. The data show that MnSOD affects sensitivity of cells to Pc 4-PDT-initiated apoptosis, and partly ceramide accumulation, suggesting that the processes are superoxide-mediated.

Animals↗

Selective neuronal vulnerability and inadequate stress response in superoxide dismutase mutant mice.

To understand the role of oxidative stress and mitochondrial defects in the development of neurodegeneration, we examined the age-related pathological changes and corresponding gene expression profiles in homozygous mutant mice deficient in the mitochondrial form of superoxide dismutase (MnSOD, SOD2). These Sod2-/- mice, generated on a B6D2F1 background, developed ataxia at Postnatal Day (P) 11 and progressively deteriorated with frequent seizures by P14. Histopathological examination revealed neurodegenerative changes consistent with the neurological signs. Vacuolar degeneration was observed in neurons and neuropil throughout the brainstem and rostral cortex. The motor trigeminal nucleus in brainstem and the deeper layers of the motor cortex were the earliest regions to degenerate, with the thalamus and hippocampus affected at later stages. Oligonucleotide microarrays were used to compare gene expression profiles in the brainstem and thalamus of Sod2+/+ and -/- mice from birth to P18. Notably, a large set of heat-shock protein genes was transcriptionally down regulated, and this was most likely due to a reduction in the heat-shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1). Other major classes of differentially expressed genes include lipid biosynthesis and ROS metabolism.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

CuZnSOD deficiency leads to persistent and widespread oxidative damage and hepatocarcinogenesis later in life.

Mice deficient in CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) showed no overt abnormalities during development and early adulthood, but had a reduced lifespan and increased incidence of neoplastic changes in the liver. Greater than 70% of Sod1-/- mice developed liver nodules that were either nodular hyperplasia or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Cross-sectional studies with livers collected from Sod1-/- and age-matched +/+ controls revealed extensive oxidative damage in the cytoplasm and, to a lesser extent, in the nucleus and mitochondria from as early as 3 months of age. A marked reduction in cytosolic aconitase, increased levels of 8-oxo dG and F2-isoprostanes, and a moderate reduction in glutathione peroxidase activities and porin levels were observed in all age groups of Sod1-/- mice examined. There were also age-related reductions in Mn superoxide dismutase activities and carbonic anhydrase III. Parallel to the biochemical changes, there were progressive increases in the DNA repair enzyme APEX1, the cell cycle control proteins cyclin D1 and D3, and the hepatocyte growth factor receptor Met. Increased cell proliferation in the presence of persistent oxidative damage to macromolecules likely contributes to hepatocarcinogenesis later in life.

Aging↗

[Expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNA in adipose cell of intrauterine growth retarded rats and its relation to insulin resistance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the expression of turnor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA in fat tissue of intrauterine growth retarded (IUGR) rats and insulin resistance, and the long-term effects of early different nutritional diet. METHODS: The IUGR rat model was established by food restriction of pregnant rats. A total of 32 newborn IUGR rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: IUGR model (S/N) group, IUGR high caloric diet (A) group, IUGR high caloric and high protein diet (B) group, IUGR high protein diet (C) group. Only the mother rats were given those different diets individually, and all IUGR newborn pups were lactated for 3 weeks. From the beginning of the 4(th) week, all IUGR pups were weaned and fed with normal diet till the end of the experiment. Eight normal birth weight newborn rats were used as the control group fed with the normal diet. Weight, perirenal fat weight, fasting glucose and insulin concentration and quantified TNF-alpha mRNA expression in adipose cell were measured at the 48(th) week. The insulin sensitive index (ISI) and the relation index between TNF-alpha mRNA and fat weight, fat weight/body weight (fw/bw) ratio and ISI were calculated. RESULTS: ISI of IUGR model group, IUGR A and B groups was lower than normal control group, while perirenal fat weight, fw/bw and the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA in adipose cells were all significantly higher (P < 0.05 or 0.01). There were no significant differences in these indexes between IUGR C group and normal control groups (P > 0.05). A positive correlation was found between TNF-alpha mRNA and fat weight and fw/bw (r(1) = 0.755, r(2) = 0.782, P = 0.000). Significant inverse associations between ISI and TNF-alpha mRNA (r = -0.556, P = 0.000) and fw/bw (r = -0.513, P = 0.02) were also found. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of insulin resistance in IUGR rats is possibly associated with central obesity and accumulation of the abdominal fat and adipose cell over-expression of TNF-alpha. The adipose TNF-alpha may be an important pathogenic factor of insulin resistance of IUGR. High protein diet is a reasonable nutritional intervention. Because it promotes the skeleton muscle catch-up growth but not fat catch-up growth, it can avoid the occurrence of central obesity and insulin resistance in IUGR rats.

Adipose Tissue↗

[Statistical analysis of fund sponsored articles in National Journal of Andrology].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the academic level and influence of National Journal of Andrology through statistical analysis for the fund sponsored articles. METHODS: Utilizing the information from China Hospital Knowledge Database (CHKD), and adopting bibliometrics methods, we carried on statistical analysis for the fund sponsored articles published on National Journal of Andrology dated from Mar. 2000 to Jun. 2005. RESULTS: Nine hundred and fourty-two articles were screened, of which 204 (21.7%) were fund sponsored, and the proportion of the articles supported by various funds, including the funds from national key projects, presented an increasing tendency every year. The authors were distributed among 30 provinces and 6 oversea countries with an average age 37.4 years old, of whom 37.7% got doctor's degree and 38.7% masters degree. The articles involved clinical research were at 28.9%, and basic study and applied study were at 71.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The articles supported by various funds in National Journal of Andrology have taken a high percentage, so the journal achieves a fine academic level and social influence.

Andrology↗

Cell-density-dependent regulation of neural precursor cell function.

Stress-induced reductions of neural precursor cells from the subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus have been linked to impaired neurogenesis and cognitive dysfunction. Given the importance of redox state in regulating multiple damage-responsive pathways in the CNS, we hypothesize that oxidative stress plays a major role in affecting neurogenesis and subsequent cognitive function after cell injury/depletion. Using an in vitro system, we showed that the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which depend critically on changes in cell density, were significantly higher in neural precursor cells when compared with other primary and transformed cell lines. ROS were significantly elevated ( approximately 4-fold) under low- (<1 x 10(4) cells per cm(2)) versus high-density (>1 x 10(5) cells per cm(2)) conditions. Higher ROS levels found at lower cell densities were associated with elevated proliferation and increased metabolic activity. These ROS were likely a result of altered mitochondrial function that ultimately compromised the growth rate of cells. At high cell densities, intracellular ROS and oxidative damage were reduced in concert with an increased expression of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase 2. Our finding that DNA-damage-induced depletion of neural precursor cells in the subgranular zone of mice also led to increased ROS and altered proliferation validated our in vitro system. Increased ROS and proliferation associated with the reduction of precursor cell numbers both in vitro and in vivo could be reversed with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid. These data showed that neural precursor cells were predisposed to microenvironmental cues that regulate redox-sensitive pathways to control cellular proliferation after CNS damage.

Animals↗

A biologically effective fullerene (C60) derivative with superoxide dismutase mimetic properties.

Superoxide, a potentially toxic by-product of cellular metabolism, may contribute to tissue injury in many types of human disease. Here we show that a tris-malonic acid derivative of the fullerene C60 molecule (C3) is capable of removing the biologically important superoxide radical with a rate constant (k(C3)) of 2 x 10(6) mol(-1) s(-1), approximately 100-fold slower than the superoxide dismutases (SOD), a family of enzymes responsible for endogenous dismutation of superoxide. This rate constant is within the range of values reported for several manganese-containing SOD mimetic compounds. The reaction between C3 and superoxide was not via stoichiometric "scavenging," as expected, but through catalytic dismutation of superoxide, indicated by lack of structural modifications to C3, regeneration of oxygen, production of hydrogen peroxide, and absence of EPR-active (paramagnetic) products, all consistent with a catalytic mechanism. A model is proposed in which electron-deficient regions on the C60 sphere work in concert with malonyl groups attached to C3 to electrostatically guide and stabilize superoxide, promoting dismutation. We also found that C3 treatment of Sod2(-/-) mice, which lack expression of mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), increased their life span by 300%. These data, coupled with evidence that C3 localizes to mitochondria, suggest that C3 functionally replaces MnSOD, acting as a biologically effective SOD mimetic.

Animals↗

Multiple deficiencies in antioxidant enzymes in mice result in a compound increase in sensitivity to oxidative stress.

To examine the effect of compound deficiencies in antioxidant defense, we have generated mice (Sod2(+/-)/Gpx1(-/-)) that are deficient in Mn superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1) by breeding Sod2(+/-) and Gpx1(-/-) mice together. Although Sod2(+/-)/Gpx1(-/-) mice showed a 50% reduction in MnSOD and no detectable Gpx1 activity in either mitochondria or cytosol in all tissues, they were viable and appeared normal. Fibroblasts isolated from Sod2(+/-)/Gpx1(-/-) mice were more sensitive (4- to 6-fold) to oxidative stress (t-butyl hydroperoxide or gamma irradiation) than fibroblasts from wild-type mice, and were twice as sensitive as cells from Sod2(+/-) or Gpx1(-/-) mice. Whole-animal studies demonstrated that survival of the Sod2(+/-)/Gpx1(-/-) mice in response to whole body gamma irradiation or paraquat administration was also reduced compared with that of wild-type, Sod2(+/-), or Gpx1(-/-) mice. Similarly, endogenous oxidative stress induced by cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury led to greater apoptosis in heart tissue from the Sod2(+/-)/Gpx1(-/-) mice than in that from mice deficient in either MnSOD or Gpx1 alone. These data show that Sod2(+/-)/Gpx1(-/-) mice, deficient in two mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes, have significantly enhanced sensitivity to oxidative stress induced by exogenous insults and to endogenous oxidative stress compared with either wild-type mice or mice deficient in either MnSOD or Gpx1 alone.

Animals↗

Life-long reduction in MnSOD activity results in increased DNA damage and higher incidence of cancer but does not accelerate aging.

Mice heterozygous for the Sod2 gene (Sod2+/- mice) have been used to study the phenotype of life-long reduced Mn-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity. The Sod2+/- mice have reduced MnSOD activity (50%) in all tissues throughout life. The Sod2+/- mice have increased oxidative damage as demonstrated by significantly elevated levels of 8-oxo-2-deoxyguanosine (8oxodG) in nuclear DNA in all tissues of Sod2+/- mice studied. The levels of 8oxodG in nuclear DNA increased with age in all tissues of Sod2+/- and wild-type (WT) mice, and at 26 mo of age, the levels of 8oxodG in nuclear DNA were significantly higher (from 15% in heart to over 60% in liver) in the Sod2+/- mice compared with WT mice. The level of 8oxodG was also higher in mitochondrial DNA isolated from liver and brain in Sod2+/- mice compared with WT mice. The increased oxidative damage to DNA in the Sod2+/- mice is associated with a 100% increase in tumor incidence (the number of mice with tumors) in old Sod2+/- mice compared with the old WT mice. However, the life spans (mean and maximum survival) of the Sod2+/- and WT mice were identical. In addition, biomarkers of aging, such as cataract formation, immune response, and formation of glycoxidation products carboxymethyl lysine and pentosidine in skin collagen changed with age to the same extent in both WT and Sod2+/- mice. Thus life-long reduction of MnSOD activity leads to increased levels of oxidative damage to DNA and increased cancer incidence but does not appear to affect aging.

Aging↗

Effect of SOD1 overexpression on age- and noise-related hearing loss.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in hearing loss associated with aging and noise exposure. Superoxide dismutases (SODs) form a first line of defense against damage mediated by the superoxide anion, the most common ROS. Absence of Cu/Zn SOD (SOD1) has been shown to potentiate hearing loss related to noise exposure and age. Conversely, overexpression of SOD1 may be hypothesized to afford a protection from age- and noise-related hearing loss. This hypothesis may be tested using a transgenic mouse model carrying the human SOD1 gene. Contrary to expectations, here, we report that no protection against age-related hearing loss was observed in mice up to 7 months of age or from noise-induced hearing loss when 8 week old mice were exposed to broadband noise (4-45 kHz, 110 dB for 1 h). Mitochondrial DNA deletion, an index of aging, was elevated in the acoustic nerve of transgenic mice compared to nontransgenic littermates. The results indicate the complexity of oxidative metabolism in the cochlea is greater than previously hypothesized.

Age Factors↗

Manganese superoxide dismutase-mediated gene expression in radiation-induced adaptive responses.

Antioxidant enzymes are critical in oxidative stress responses. Radioresistant variants isolated from MCF-7 human carcinoma cells following fractionated ionizing radiation (MCF+FIR cells) or overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MCF+SOD cells) demonstrated dose-modifying factors at 10% isosurvival of 1.8 and 2.3, respectively. MCF+FIR and MCF-7 cells (exposed to single-dose radiation) demonstrated 5- to 10-fold increases in MnSOD activity, mRNA, and immunoreactive protein. Radioresistance in MCF+FIR and MCF+SOD cells was reduced following expression of antisense MnSOD. DNA microarray analysis and immunoblotting identified p21, Myc, 14-3-3 zeta, cyclin A, cyclin B1, and GADD153 as genes constitutively overexpressed (2- to 10-fold) in both MCF+FIR and MCF+SOD cells. Radiation-induced expression of these six genes was suppressed in fibroblasts from Sod2 knockout mice (-/-) as well as in MCF+FIR and MCF+SOD cells expressing antisense MnSOD. Inhibiting NF-kappa B transcriptional activity in MCF+FIR cells, by using mutant I kappa B alpha, inhibited radioresistance as well as reducing steady-state levels of MnSOD, 14-3-3 zeta, GADD153, cyclin A, and cyclin B1 mRNA. In contrast, mutant I kappa B alpha was unable to inhibit radioresistance or reduce 14-3-3 zeta, GADD153, cyclin A, and cyclin B1 mRNAs in MCF+SOD cells, where MnSOD overexpression was independent of NF-kappa B. These results support the hypothesis that NF-kappa B is capable of regulating the expression of MnSOD, which in turn is capable of increasing the expression of genes that participate in radiation-induced adaptive responses.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

Manganese superoxide dismutase deficiency enhances cell turnover via tumor promoter-induced alterations in AP-1 and p53-mediated pathways in a skin cancer model.

Previous studies in our laboratories demonstrated that overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) suppressed both the incidence and multiplicity of papillomas in a DMBA/TPA multi-stage skin carcinogenesis model. The activity of activator protein-1 (AP-1), which is associated with tumor promotion, was reduced in MnSOD transgenic mice overexpressing MnSOD in the skin, suggesting that MnSOD may reduce tumor incidence by suppressing AP-1 activation. In the present study, we report that reduction of MnSOD by heterozygous knockout of the MnSOD gene (Sod2 -/+, MnSOD KO) increased the levels of oxidative damage proteins and the activity of AP-1 following TPA treatment. RNA levels of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) were also increased, suggesting an increase in cell proliferation in the KO mice. Histological examination confirmed that the number of proliferating cells in DMBA/TPA-treated mouse skin were higher in the KO mice. Interestingly, histological examination also demonstrated greater numbers of apoptotic cells in the KO mice after DMBA/TPA treatment. Evidence of apoptosis, including DNA fragmentation, cytochrome c release from mitochondria, and caspase 3 activation were also observed by biochemical assays of the skin tissues. Apoptosis was associated with an increase in nuclear levels of p53 as determined by Western analysis. Quantitative immunogold ultrastructural analysis confirmed that p53 immunoreactive protein levels were increased to a greater level in the nuclei of epidermal cells from MnSOD KO mice compared to epidermal nuclei from wild type mice similarly treated. Moreover, p53 levels further increased in the mitochondria of DMBA/TPA treated mice, and this increase was much greater in the MnSOD KO than in the wild type mice, suggesting a link between MnSOD deficiency and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. Pathological examination reveals no difference in the incidence and frequency of papillomas comparing the KO mice and their wild type littermates. Taken together, these results suggest that: (1) MnSOD deficiency enhanced TPA-induced oxidative stress and AP-1 and p53 levels, consistent with the increase in both proliferation and apoptosis events in the MnSOD KO mice, and (2) increased apoptosis may negate increased proliferation in the MnSOD deficient mice during an early stage of tumor development.

Animals↗