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Cytotoxic effects of cell cycle phase specific agents: result of cell cycle perturbation.

Although agents which act in a cell cycle phase specific manner are commonly used in the clinic and in basic research, it is as yet unclear why these agents are cytotoxic. In this paper, we examine the cellular events associated with the cytotoxicity of aphidicolin and vincristine in CHO strain AA8 cells. Cell killing resulting from aphidicolin treatment was found to require a period of inhibition-free growth following removal of the drug and was associated with characteristic aberrant mitotic processes. The cytotoxic effects of aphidicolin could be antagonized by the concomitant inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide in the period of DNA synthesis inhibition. Cell killing resulting from treatment with vincristine was associated with the aberrant segregation of nuclear material and the formation of multiple partial nuclei. Vincristine cytotoxicity was found to be antagonized by concomitant administration of cycloheximide or cytochalasin D. These data support a hypothesis that the cytotoxic effects of cell cycle phase specific agents do not derive directly from their biochemical actions per se. We propose that cell death results from processes that are evoked by dissociation of normally integrated cell cycle events, and that dissociation involves replicative/mitotic events in the case of aphidicolin and karyokinetic/nuclear reformation events in the case of vincristine.

Animals↗

The relationship between BcI2, Bax and p53: consequences for cell cycle progression and cell death.

Each cell is under constant surveillance to maintain the integrity of its genome. Genomic lesions in a cell must be repaired before the onset of DNA replication and cell division. In the scenario that the genomic lesion is not repairable, the damaged cells are disposed in an orderly manner known as programmed cell death or apoptosis. Apoptosis and cell cycle progression are two intimately linked phenomena. Uncontrollable cell proliferation perturbs the cellular homeostasis and this can lead to malignancies, as well as organ dysfunction and developmental abnormalities. The biological pathway controlling cell fate is sequentially organized at the molecular level. Recent studies have made important contributions in advancing our knowledge of the mechanisms of cell cycle control and apoptosis regulation. A oncogene-derived protein, Bcl2, confers negative control in the pathway of cellular suicide machinery. A Bcl2-homologous protein, Bax, promotes cell death by competing with Bcl2. While Bax-Bax homodimers act as apoptosis inducers, Bcl2-Bax heterodimer formation evokes a survival signal for the cells. Both Bcl2 and Bax are transcriptional targets for the tumour suppressor protein, p53, which induces cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in response to DNA damage. In all, the coordinate performance of these molecules is crucial for controlling life and death of a cell.

Animals↗

Flow cytometric analysis of the expression of PCNA during the cell cycle in HeLa cells and effects of the inhibition of DNA synthesis on it.

Flow cytometric bivariate DNA/PCNA analysis was performed to investigate the expression of PCNA during the cell cycle and the implication in DNA replication in HeLa cells, using a monoclonal antibody (PC10) to PCNA. The expression of PCNA was evident in almost all cells growing exponentially, when cells were fixed in methanol. The total amount of PCNA altered a little during the cell cycle. However, the treatment with Triton X-100 extracted 80-89% of total PCNA from the cells, resulting in the dramatic change of bivariate DNA/PCNA distribution pattern. PCNA was completely removed from nuclei in both G1 and G2 phases by the detergent treatment, whereas a certain amount of PCNA remained in S phase nuclei. After the treatment of cells with Triton X-100, PCNA was detected exclusively in S phase cells. The bivariate DNA/PCNA distribution pattern in cells treated with Triton X-100 was strikingly so similar to the DNA/BrdUrd distribution pattern that it was unable to differentiate one from the other. It is concluded that the detergent treatment of cells allows the rapid analysis of the cell cycle. The inhibition of DNA synthesis with 10 mM hydroxyurea elevated cellular PCNA content mainly due to the increase in the fraction of the detergent extractable PCNA. It was apparent, however, that in cells incubated with Triton X-100, the pattern of the bivariate DNA/PCNA distribution was not basically different from that in cells without HU treatment. The level of PCNA bound to nuclear structures (PCNA not extracted with detergent) increased in cells arrested at the G1/S boundary with the time of hydroxyurea treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

RAS pathways to cell cycle control and cell transformation.

Ras genes are among the most frequently activated oncogenes in cancer. The corresponding protooncogenes are proteins expressed in the majority of tissues in mammals and have a signal transduction activity. Ras proteins interact with a wide spectrum of regulators and downstream effectors producing different cellular responses, including proliferation, differentiation or apoptosis. This review deals with the most recent advances on the role of Ras in the signal transduction pathway from external signals to the cell cycle and gene expression control. We specially address the new developments on the effect of Ras activation in the regulation of different molecules driving the cell cycle progression. Both positive and negative regulators of the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK), cyclins and CDK inhibitors, are targets of Ras, giving rise to different effects in the cell cycle progression. These Ras-mediated interactions are an extraordinary example of the complexity of the signal transduction networks and the diversity of pathways used by Ras to propagate molecular signals.

Animals↗

Bromodeoxyuridine labeling and flow cytometric identification of replicating Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells: lengths of cell cycle phases and population variability at specific cell cycle positions.

An immunofluorescent staining procedure has been developed to identify, with flow cytometry, replicating cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae after incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) into the DNA. Incorporation of BrdUrd is made possible by using yeast strains with a cloned thymidine kinase gene from the herpes simplex virus. An exposure time of 4 min to BrdUrd results in detectable labeling of the DNA. The BrdUrd/DNA double staining procedure has been optimized and the flow cytometry measurements yield histograms comparable to data typically obtained for mammalian cells. On the basis of the accurate assessment of cell fractions in individual cell cycle phases of the asynchronously growing cell population, the average duration of the cell cycle phases has been evaluated. For a population doubling time of 100 min it was found that cells spend in average 41 min in the replicating phase and 24 min in the G2+M cell cycle period. Assuming that mother cells immediately reenter the S phase after cell division, daughter cells spend 65 min in the G1 cell cycle phase. Together with the single cell fluorescence parameters, the forward-angle light scattering intensity (FALS) has been determined as an indicator of cell size. Comparing different temporal positions within the cell cycle, the determined FALS distributions show the lowest variability at the beginning of the S phase. The developed procedure in combination with multiparameter flow cytometry should be useful for studying the kinetics and regulation of the budding yeast cell cycle.

Bromodeoxyuridine↗

Cell cycling and patterned cell proliferation in the Drosophila wing during metamorphosis.

In metamorphosing wing discs, progression through the cell cycle takes place, as in larval discs, in nonclonally derived clusters of cells synchronized in the same cell cycle stage. Contrary to early discs, there are temporal and spatial heterogeneities in cell proliferation associated with wing margin, vein, intervein, and middle intervein territories. Within these territories, there are no indications of a wave progression of the cell cycle. Mitotic orientations are, as in early discs, at random but there is a preferential allocation of postmitotic cells along the proximodistal axis, thus explaining the elongated shape of the resulting clones along this axis. Shapes of clones in mature discs and in evaginated wings are similar, thus excluding major morphogenetic movements during evagination. After the proliferative period, all the cells are arrested in G1 phase. The final number of cells of the wing is fixed independently of experimental perturbations that alter the cell division schedule. These results are discussed in the context of a model of wing morphogenesis.

Animals↗

Endocytosis and chloroquine accumulation during the cell cycle of hepatoma cells in culture.

Variations of endocytic and of lysosomal functions during the cell cycle have been investigated in synchronized hepatoma cells (derived from Morris hepatoma 7288c) by following the cellular uptake of horseradish peroxidase, dextran (mol wt. 70,000), and chloroquine. Cell fractionation and cytochemistry show that in asynchronously growing cells exposed for 1 h to 5 mg/ml peroxidase, the bulk of the enzyme taken up by the cells is found in phagosomes. By using the same experimental system with synchronized HTC cells, large variations of endocytosis are observed during the cell cycle. Peroxidase uptake is lowest during mitosis, increases 5--10 times during G1 phase, reaches a plateau, and finally decreases at the end of S phase and during G2 phase. A similar evolution is observed for the uptake of dextran (0.5 or 1 mg/ml), but it is likely that a significant part of the polysaccharide is still associated with the pericellular surface after 1 h. Moreover, dextran is transferred more slowly than peroxidase to lysosomes. Cellular accumulation of chloroquine is related to intralysosomal pH or to the buffering capacity of lysosomes. Our results show that this drug is taken up more rapidly during G1 and S phases while the rate of accumulation is lowest in mitotic cells. The results are discussed in relation to the modifications of the physical properties of lysosomes during the cell cycle observed previously by cell fractionation and electron microsocopy, and to the possible role of lysosomes in the initiation of mitosis. Cyclic changes of endocytosis in actively dividing cells are demonstrated by our observations and may induce large differences in the uptake rate of extracellular substances.

Animals↗

Site-specific phosphorylation of MCM4 during the cell cycle in mammalian cells.

MCM4, a subunit of a putative replicative helicase, is phosphorylated during the cell cycle, at least in part by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK), which play a central role in the regulation of DNA replication. However, detailed characterization of the phosphorylation of MCM4 remains to be performed. We examined the phosphorylation of human MCM4 at Ser3, Thr7, Thr19, Ser32, Ser54, Ser88 and Thr110 using anti-phosphoMCM4 sera. Western blot analysis of HeLa cells indicated that phosphorylation of MCM4 at these seven sites can be classified into two groups: (a) phosphorylation that is greatly enhanced in the G2 and M phases (Thr7, Thr19, Ser32, Ser54, Ser88 and Thr110), and (b) phosphorylation that is firmly detected during interphase (Ser3). We present data indicating that phosphorylation at Thr7, Thr19, Ser32, Ser88 and Thr110 in the M phase requires CDK1, using a temperature-sensitive mutant of mouse CDK1, and phosphorylation at sites 3 and 32 during interphase requires CDK2, using a dominant-negative mutant of human CDK2. Based on these results and those from in vitro phosphorylation of MCM4 with CDK2/cyclin A, we discuss the kinases responsible for MCM4 phosphorylation. Phosphorylated MCM4 detected using anti-phospho sera exhibited different affinities for chromatin. Studies on the nuclear localization of chromatin-bound MCM4 phosphorylated at sites 3 and 32 suggested that they are not generally colocalized with replicating DNA. Unexpectedly, MCM4 phosphorylated at site 32 was enriched in the nucleolus through the cell cycle. These results suggest that phosphorylation of MCM4 has several distinct and site-specific roles in the function of MCM during the mammalian cell cycle.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of flavonoids on the growth and cell cycle of cancer cells.

In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicities of flavone (F01), 3-hydroxyflavone (F02), 6- hydroxyflavone (F03), 7-hydroxyflavone (F04), 3,6-dihydroxyflavone (F05), 5,7-dihydroxyflavone (F06) and 5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone (F07) to human cancer cells including P- glycoprotein (Pgp)-expressing HCT15 cells and its multidrug resistant subline, HCT15/CL02 cells. We also examined the effects of those flavonoids on the cell cycle of these cancer cells. HCT15/CL02 cells did not reveal resistance to all the flavonoids tested in comparison with HCT15 cells. In cell cycle analysis, all the flavonoids tested, except F01 and F04, reduced the G0/G1 population of SF295 cells at growth inhibitory concentrations, and increased G2/M (F02, F03 and F06) or S (F05 and F07) populations. In addition, F02 and F03 decreased the G2/M and G0/G1 population, and increased the S and G2/M population in HCT15 cells, respectively. Meanwhile, in HCT15/CL02 cells, F02 and F03 decreased the G0/G1 populations and increased the S population. In conclusion, we deemed that the flavonoids tested had diverse cytotoxic mechanisms, and exerted their cell growth inhibitory or killing activity by distinctive ways in different cells.

Cell Cycle↗

Flow cytometric analysis of the cell cycle in transfected cells without cell fixation.

We describe a simple and rapid protocol for the flow cytometric analysis of the cell cycle in transfected cells using a green fluorescent protein anchored in the intracellular membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER-GFP) as a transfection marker. The transfected cells are analyzed by dual-parameter flow cytometry after a brief incubation with digitonin, followed by staining with propidium iodide. Treatment of cells with digitonin efficiently preserves the ER-GFP fluorescence and allows reproducible and quantitative DNA staining, thus obviating the need for cell fixation before flow cytometry. The digitonin-based protocol is faster and easier to perform than conventional cell fixation and is illustrated herein by cell cycle analyses of U20S and NIH 3T3 cells.

3T3 Cells↗

RNA interference pinpoints regulators of cell size and the cell cycle.

Cell-based genome-wide RNA interference screens are being used to address an increasingly broad spectrum of biological questions. In one recent screen, Drosophila cell cultures treated with double-stranded RNA were analyzed by flow cytometry, providing a wealth of new information and identifying 488 regulators of the cell cycle, cell size, and cell death.

Animals↗

PTEN modulates cell cycle progression and cell survival by regulating phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5,-trisphosphate and Akt/protein kinase B signaling pathway.

To investigate the molecular basis of PTEN-mediated tumor suppression, we introduced a null mutation into the mouse Pten gene by homologous recombination in embryonic stem (ES) cells. Pten-/- ES cells exhibited an increased growth rate and proliferated even in the absence of serum. ES cells lacking PTEN function also displayed advanced entry into S phase. This accelerated G1/S transition was accompanied by down-regulation of p27(KIP1), a major inhibitor for G1 cyclin-dependent kinases. Inactivation of PTEN in ES cells and in embryonic fibroblasts resulted in elevated levels of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5,-trisphosphate, a product of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase. Consequently, PTEN deficiency led to dosage-dependent increases in phosphorylation and activation of Akt/protein kinase B, a well-characterized target of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase signaling pathway. Akt activation increased Bad phosphorylation and promoted Pten-/- cell survival. Our studies suggest that PTEN regulates the phosphatidylinositol 3,4, 5,-trisphosphate and Akt signaling pathway and consequently modulates two critical cellular processes: cell cycle progression and cell survival.

Animals↗

Biphasic activation of two mitogen-activated protein kinases during the cell cycle in mammalian cells.

We studied mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activities during the cell cycle of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells using site-specific antibodies against extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1, a 44-kDa MAPK (Boulton, T.G., Yancopoulos, G.D., Gregory, J.S., Slauer, C., Moomaw, C., Hsu, J., and Cobb, M.H. (1990) Science 249, 64-67). These antibodies detected two distinct MAPKs (44- and 42-kDa MAPKs) in CHO cells. CHO cells were arrested at metaphase in the M phase by treatment with nocodazole, and activities of MAPKs were analyzed at specific time points after release from arrest. Immune complex kinase assay and renaturation and phosphorylation assay in substrate-containing gel revealed that both 44- and 42-kDa MAPKs had activities in the G1 through S and G2/M phases and were activated biphasically, in the G1 phase and around the M phase. MAPKs were inactivated in metaphase-arrested cells. The amount of MAPKs did not change significantly in the cell cycle. In the G1, S, and G2/M phases, MAPKs were phosphorylated on both tyrosine and threonine residues and dephosphorylated in metaphase-arrested cells. Our data suggest that MAPKs may play some role in the cell cycle other than G0/G1 transition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pyrimidine and purine analogues, effects on cell cycle regulation and the role of cell cycle inhibitors to enhance their cytotoxicity.

In anti-cancer treatment, deoxynucleoside analogues are widely used in combination chemotherapy. Improvement can be achieved by rational design of novel combinations with cell cycle inhibitors. These compounds inhibit protein kinases, preventing the cell cycle from continuing when affected by deoxynucleoside analogs. The efficacy is dependent on the site of cell cycle inhibition, whether multiple cyclin-dependent kinases are inhibited and whether the inhibitors should be given before or after the deoxynucleoside analogs. The action of cell cycle inhibition in vivo may be limited by unfavorable pharmacokinetics. Preclinical and clinical studies will be discussed, aiming to design improved future strategies.

Animals↗

Retinoic acid regulates cell cycle progression and cell differentiation in human monocytic THP-1 cells.

All-trans-retinoic acid (RA), a natural metabolite of retinol, carries out most of the biological activities of vitamin A and is required for normal growth, cell differentiation, and immune functions. In the present studies, THP-1 human monocytes were used to investigate the mechanisms by which RA may regulate progression through the G1/S phase of the cell cycle. Physiological concentrations of all-trans-RA reduced the levels of cyclin E mRNA by 6 h and reduced cyclin E protein in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Similar reductions were observed for the retinoic acid receptor RARalpha and RXRalpha proteins. Concomitantly, RA increased the level of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 (Kip-1). The levels of retinoblastoma mRNA and protein (pRb) were also increased, while the proportion of hyperphosphorylated (phosphoserine 807/811) pRb was markedly reduced. Overall, RA increased the functionality of pRb as an inhibitor of cell cycle progression. Furthermore, RA reduced the binding activity of the transcription factor E2F to its core DNA element. Retinoic acid-induced changes in cell cycle-related proteins occurred in 4-6 h, including reduced cyclin E expression in bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-labeled cells, before the onset of cell differentiation as indicated by an increase in the percentage of G1 phase cells and a reduction in S phase cells at 24 h. The expression of CD11b, a cell surface marker of macrophage-like differentiation was increased by RA, as was phagocytic activity. The multiple effects of RA on cell cycle progression may help to explain its well-documented ability to induce the differentiation of THP-1 cells, and thereby to enhance macrophage-like immune functions.

CD11b Antigen↗

Cell-cycle checkpoint kinases: checking in on the cell cycle.

In response to DNA damage, cell-cycle checkpoints integrate cell-cycle control with DNA repair. The idea that checkpoint controls are an integral component of normal cell-cycle progression has arisen as a result of studies in Drosophila and mice. In addition, an appreciation that DNA damage arises as a natural consequence of cellular metabolism, including DNA replication itself, has influenced thinking regarding the nature of checkpoint pathways.

Animals↗

[Modeling dynamics of gene net, regulating the cell cycle in mammalian cells].

The study of the molecular mechanisms determining cellular programs of proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis is currently attracting much attention. Recent studies have demonstrated that the system of cell-cycle control based on the transcriptional regulation of the expression of specific genes is responsible for the transition between programs. These groups of functionally connected genes from so-called gene networks characterized by numerous feedbacks and a complex behavioral dynamics. Computer simulation methods have been applied to studying the dynamics of gene networks regulating the cell cycle of vertebrates. The data on the regulation of the key genes obtained from the CYCLE-TRRD database have been used as a basis to construct gene networks of different degrees of complexity controlling the G1/S transition, one of the most important stages of the cell cycle. The behavior dynamics of the model constructed has been analyzed. Two qualitatively different functional modes of the system has been obtained. It has also been shown that the transition between these modes depends on the duration of the proliferation signal. It has also been demonstrated that the additional feedback from factor E2F to genes c-fos and c-jun, which was predicted earlier based on the computer analysis of promoters, plays an important role in the transition of the cell to the S phase.

Animals↗