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Results for “Small interfering RNA”

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PubMed2006

Implications of tissue transglutaminase expression in malignant melanoma.

Human malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive form of cancer; the 5-year survival rate in patients with stage III or IV disease is <5%. In patients with metastatic melanoma, systemic therapy becomes ineffective because of the high resistance of melanoma cells to various anticancer therapies. We have found previously that development of the drug resistance and metastatic phenotypes in breast cancer cells is associated with increased tissue transglutaminase (TG2) expression. In the study reported here, we investigated TG2 expression and its implications in metastatic melanoma. We found that metastatic melanoma cell lines expressed levels of TG2 up to 24-fold higher than levels in radial growth phase of primary melanoma cell lines. Activation of endogenous TG2 by the calcium ionophore A23187 induced a rapid and strong apoptotic response in A375 cells and A23187-induced apoptosis could be blocked by TG2-specific inhibitors. These findings indicated that activation of endogenous TG2 could serve as a strategy for inducing apoptosis in malignant melanomas. Importantly, tumor samples from patients with malignant melanomas showed strong expression of TG2, suggesting that TG2 expression is selectively up-regulated during advanced developmental stages of melanoma. We observed that 20% to 30% of TG2 protein was present on cell membranes in association with beta1 and beta5 integrins. This association of TG2 with cell surface integrins promoted strong attachment of A375 cells to fibronectin-coated surfaces, resulting in increased cell survival in serum-free medium. Inhibition of TG2 by small interfering RNA inhibited fibronectin-mediated cell attachment and cell survival functions in A375 cells. Overall, our results suggest that TG2 expression contributes to the development of chemoresistance in malignant melanoma cells by exploiting integrin-mediated cell survival signaling pathways.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2004

Differential sensitivity of cancer cells to docosahexaenoic acid-induced cytotoxicity: the potential importance of down-regulation of superoxide dismutase 1 expression.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3), a polyunsaturated fatty acid found in fish oil, exerts cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. Although DHA was toxic toward five human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, SiHa, Raji, and DHL-4), the lines were not uniformly sensitive. DHL-4, a bcl-2 overexpressing lymphoid line, was the most sensitive (IC50, 5.2 micromol/L) and the cervical cancer cell line, SiHa, was the most resistant (IC50, >300 micromol/L). Lipid peroxidation has been cited by others as an important component of DHA toxicity, and we confirmed that vitamin E prevents the cytotoxic effects of DHA. Lipid peroxidation was greater following DHA treatment of the sensitive DHL-4 cells than in the resistant SiHa cells, as assessed by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance generation. DHL-4 cells treated with DHA for 20 hours showed a 3.5-fold increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, whereas SiHa cells showed no increase. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis detected a down-regulation of the expression of the major antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD) 1, in DHL-4 cells but not in SiHa cells after DHA treatment. Knockdown of SOD1 expression in SiHa cells with small interfering RNA significantly enhanced lipid peroxidation and cytotoxicity on exposure to DHA. These results show that DHL-4 cells are highly sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of DHA and that regulation of SOD1 expression may play an important role in determining the sensitivity of different tumor cells to the cytotoxic effects of DHA.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed2007

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor promotes the translocation of protein kinase Ciota in neutrophilic differentiation cells.

Previously, we suggested that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-p70 S6 kinase (p70 S6K) pathway plays an important role in granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-dependent enhancement of the neutrophilic differentiation and proliferation of HL-60 cells. While atypical protein kinase C (PKC) has been reported to be a regulator of p70 S6K, abundant expression of PKCiota was observed in myeloid and lymphoid cells. Therefore, we analyzed the participation of PKCiota in G-CSF-dependent proliferation. The maximum stimulation of PKCiota was observed from 15 to 30 min after the addition of G-CSF. From 5 to 15 min into this lag time, PKCiota was found to translocate from the nucleus to the membrane. At 30 min it re-translocated to the cytosol. This dynamic translocation of PKCiota was also observed in G-CSF-stimulated myeloperoxidase-positive cells differentiated from cord blood cells. Small interfering RNA for PKCiota inhibited G-CSF-induced proliferation and the promotion of neutrophilic differentiation of HL-60 cells. These data indicate that the G-CSF-induced dynamic translocation and activation processes of PKCiota are important to neutrophilic proliferation.

Cell Differentiation↗

PubMed2003

IQGAP1 promotes cell motility and invasion.

The dynamic processes of cell migration and invasion are largely coordinated by Rho family GTPases. The scaffolding protein IQGAP1 binds to Cdc42, increasing the amount of active Cdc42 both in vitro and in cells. Here we show that overexpression of IQGAP1 in mammalian cells enhances cell migration in a Cdc42- and Rac1-dependent manner. Importantly, cell motility was significantly decreased both by knock down of endogenous IQGAP1 using small interfering RNA and by transfection of a dominant negative IQGAP1 construct, IQGAP1DeltaGRD. Cell invasion was similarly altered by manipulating intracellular IQGAP1 concentrations. Moreover, invasion mediated by constitutively active Cdc42 was attenuated by IQGAP1DeltaGRD. Thus, IQGAP1 has a fundamental role in cell motility and invasion.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Trypanosoma cruzi posttranscriptionally up-regulates and exploits cellular FLIP for inhibition of death-inducing signal.

Intracellular persistence of the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, is an aggravating cause of Chagas' disease, involving that the protozoan infection specifically inhibits death receptor-mediated apoptosis of host cells. Here we demonstrate that the parasite dramatically up-regulates cellular FLICE inhibitory protein (c-FLIP), the only known mammalian inhibitor specific for death receptor signaling, in infected cells by an unusual, posttranscriptional stabilization of the short-lived protein. We also show that c-FLIP is accumulated in T. cruzi-infected mouse heart muscle cells in vivo. Stimulation of death receptor Fas in infected cells induces recruitment of c-FLIP to block the procaspase-8 activation at the most upstream caspase cascade. c-FLIP knock-down with a small interfering RNA significantly restores Fas-mediated apoptosis in infected cells. Taken together, our findings indicate that T. cruzi posttranscriptionally up-regulates and exploits host c-FLIP for the inhibition of death-inducing signal, a mechanism that may allow parasites to persist in host cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Genotoxic stress induces expression of E2F4, leading to its association with p130 in prostate carcinoma cells.

The retinoblastoma (pRb), p107, and p130 pocket proteins bind to the E2F transcription factors to control gene expression. E2F4 protein levels increased and accumulated in the nuclei of prostate carcinoma cells subjected to ionizing radiation (IR). The IR-induced increase of E2F4 levels led to an increase in E2F4 binding to p130 but had no effect on E2F4/p107 or E2F5/p130 complexes. The increase in E2F4/p130 association after IR was observed in prostate carcinoma cells regardless of their sensitivity to androgens, but not in breast carcinoma cells. E2F4/p130 complex formation was dependent on dissociation of p130 from cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and p130 dephosphorylation. Disruption of E2F4 through small interfering RNA prevented p130/E2F4 complex formation and sensitized cells to IR-induced apoptosis, leading to caspase-3 activation, cleavage of its substrate, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and nuclear condensation. The E2F4/p130 pocket protein complex emerges as a new target of radiation in prostate carcinoma cells.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2006

Nitric oxide modulates oxygen sensing by hypoxia-inducible factor 1-dependent induction of prolyl hydroxylase 2.

The transcription factor complex hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) plays a crucial role in cellular adaptation to low oxygen availability. O(2)-dependent HIF prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) modify HIF-1alpha, which is sent to proteasomal degradation under normoxia. Reduced activity of PHDs under hypoxia allows stabilization of HIF-1alpha and induction of HIF-1 target gene expression. Like hypoxia, nitric oxide (NO) was found to inhibit normoxic PHD activity leading to HIF-1alpha accumulation. In contrast under hypoxia, NO reduced HIF-1alpha levels due to enhanced PHD activity. Herein, we studied the role of NO in regulating PHD expression and the consequences thereof for HIF-1alpha degradation. We report a biphasic response of HIF-1alpha and PHDs to NO treatment both under normoxia and hypoxia. In the early phase, NO inhibits PHD activity that leads to HIF-1alpha accumulation, whereas in the late phase, increased PHD levels reduce HIF-1alpha. NO induces expression of PHD2 and -3 mRNA and protein under normoxia and hypoxia in a strictly HIF-1-dependent manner. NO-treated cells with elevated PHD levels displayed delayed HIF-1alpha accumulation and accelerated degradation of HIF-1alpha upon reoxygenation. Subsequent suppression of PHD2 and -3 expression using small interfering RNA revealed that PHD2 was exclusively responsible for regulating HIF-1alpha degradation under NO treatment. In conclusion, we identified the induction of PHD2 as an underlying mechanism of NO-induced degradation of HIF-1alpha.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

PubMed2006

p38 MAPK activation coupled to endocytosis is a determinant of endothelial monolayer integrity.

We show in rat lung microvessel endothelial cells (RLMVEC) that endocytosis is a critical determinant of activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and thereby regulates endothelial monolayer integrity. In RLMVEC grown in serum-free medium, we observed that albumin supplementation induced the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK within 30 min, which persisted for up to 2 h. Engagement of the endocytic machinery regulated the activation of p38 MAPK that contributed to endothelial cell proliferation and reduction of apoptosis. We also observed an interaction between the caveolar protein caveolin-1 and p38 MAPK with reciprocal coimmunoprecipitation assays and colocalization using double-label immunofluorescence staining. Knockdown of caveolin-1 expression with small interfering RNA significantly reduced endocytosis and activation of p38 MAPK and interfered with the ability of endothelial cells to form a confluent monolayer. Thus caveolae-mediated endocytosis and concomitant activation of p38 MAPK may help to maintain endothelial monolayer integrity by signaling proliferation and survival of endothelial cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Crk-associated substrate lymphocyte type regulates transforming growth factor-beta signaling by inhibiting Smad6 and Smad7.

Crk-associated substrate lymphocyte type (Cas-L) is a 105 kDa docking protein with diverse functional properties, including regulation of cell division, proliferation, migration and adhesion. Cas-L is also involved in beta1 integrin- or antigen receptor-mediated signaling in B and T cells. In the present study, we demonstrate that Cas-L potentiates transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway by interacting with Smad6 and Smad7. Immunoprecipitation experiments reveal that single domain deletion of full-length Cas-L completely abolishes its docking function with Smad6 and Smad7, suggesting that the natural structure of Cas-L is necessary for its association with Smad6 and Smad7. On the other hand, both N-terminal and C-terminal deletion mutants of Smad6 and Smad7 still retain their docking ability to Cas-L, suggesting that Smad6 and Smad7 possess several binding motifs to Cas-L. Moreover, Cas-L interaction with Mad-homology (MH)2 domain, but not with MH1 domain of Smad6 or Smad7, ameliorates TGF-beta-induced signaling pathway. Finally, depletion of Cas-L by small-interfering RNA oligo attenuates TGF-beta-induced growth inhibition of Huh-7 cells, with a concomitant reduction in phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3. These results strongly suggest that Cas-L is a potential regulator of TGF-beta signaling pathway.

Activin Receptors, Type I↗

PubMed2004

Protein kinase Cdelta mediates retinoic acid and phorbol myristate acetate-induced phospholipid scramblase 1 gene expression: its role in leukemic cell differentiation.

Although phospholipid scramblase 1 (PLSCR1) was originally identified based on its capacity to promote transbilayer movement of membrane phospholipids, subsequent studies also provided evidence for its role in cell proliferation, maturation, and apoptosis. In this report, we investigate the potential role of PLSCR1 in leukemic cell differentiation. We show that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), an effective differentiation-inducing agent of acute promyelocytic leukemic (APL) cells, can elevate PLSCR1 expression in ATRA-sensitive APL cells NB4 and HL60, but not in maturation-resistant NB4-LR1 cells. ATRA- and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced monocytic differentiation is accompanied by increased PLSCR1 expression, whereas only a slight or no elevation of PLSCR1 expression is observed in U937 cells differentiated with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), sodium butyrate, or vitamin D3. Cell differentiation with ATRA and PMA, but not with vitamin D3 or DMSO, results in phosphorylation of protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta), and the PKCdelta-specific inhibitor rottlerin nearly eliminates the ATRA- and PMA-induced expression of PLSCR1, while ectopic expression of a constitutively active form of PKCdelta directly increases PLSCR1 expression. Finally, decreasing PLSCR1 expression with small interfering RNA inhibits ATRA/PMA-induced differentiation. Taken together, these results suggest that as a protein induced upon PKCdelta activation, PLSCR1 is required for ATRA- and PMA-triggered leukemic cell differentiation.

Cell Differentiation↗

PubMed2005

Lung Krüppel-like factor (LKLF) is a transcriptional activator of the cytosolic phospholipase A2 alpha promoter.

Increased expression of cPLA2 (cytosolic phospholipase A2) has been shown to be the cause of tumorigenesis of NSCLC (non-small-cell lung cancer). Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that oncogenic forms of Ras increase transcription of cPLA2 in normal lung epithelial cells and NSCLC lines through activation of the ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) and JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) family. We have also defined a minimal region of the cPLA2 promoter that is critical for this induction. To identify potential transcription factors that bind to this region and regulate expression, a yeast one-hybrid screen was performed with a rat lung cDNA library. Multiple members of the Krüppel family were identified, with LKLF (lung Krüppel-like factor) being isolated a number of times. Overexpression of LKLF in lung epithelial cells or Drosophila SL-2 cells increased cPLA2 promoter activity. Conversely, expression of a dominant negative form of LKLF inhibited induction of cPLA2 promoter activity by oncogenic Ras in normal lung epithelial cells and NSCLC. By electrophoretic mobility-shift assay analysis, it was found that LKLF bound to a GC-rich region of the cPLA2 promoter located between -37 and -30 upstream from the transcription start site. Expression of siRNA (small interfering RNA) directed against LKLF inhibited basal expression of cPLA2 in lung epithelial cells and blocked induction by H-Ras. In NSCLC, siRNA against LKLF co-operated with siRNA against Sp1 (stimulatory protein 1) to inhibit cPLA2 promoter activity. Finally, recombinant LKLF was a substrate for ERKs. These results indicate that LKLF is an important regulator of cPLA2 expression and participates in the induction of this protein, which is critical for increased eicosanoid production associated with lung tumorigenesis.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Transgenic human fetal fibroblasts as feeder layer for human embryonic stem cell lineage selection.

Successful gene targeting in human embryonic stem (hES) cells requires the use of primary fibroblast feeder layers, which assist in the maintenance of the pluripotent state of hES cells. Such feeder layers must also survive any further selection strategy for hES cells. Here we report the production of a novel transgenic human fetal fibroblast (tHFF) as a feeder layer that is resistant to puromycin and can be used for gene targeting and selection of positive clones in hES cells. tHFFs survive under a wide range of puromycin concentrations (0.5-2 microg/ml) and also supports the undifferentiated growth of hES cells. We have demonstrated here that tHFFs are suitable for selecting Envy-hES cells that were transfected with a green fluorescent protein-small interfering RNA (GFP-siRNA) plasmid construct to induce GFP gene down-regulation. The later studies were designed to isolate and propagate stably knockdown cells. tHFFs thus can be used for targeting other genes that would serve as a model to select and understand the differentiation process in hES cells.

Biomarkers↗

PubMed2005

High-throughput screening using genome-wide siRNA libraries.

Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) technology is a new approach for blocking the production of a protein by specific degradation of the messenger RNA that encodes the protein. The high potency of siRNA and the relative ease of application have led to broad implementation of the method in many aspects of the life science research. The combination of the developments in its application and in siRNA libraries to cover whole genomes has further enabled genome-wide high-throughput functional screening.

Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques↗

PubMed2003

Progress and prospects: naked DNA gene transfer and therapy.

Increases in efficiency have made naked DNA gene transfer a viable method for gene therapy. Intravascular delivery results in effective gene delivery to liver and muscle, and provides in vivo transfection methods for basic and applied gene therapy and antisense strategies with oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA (siRNA). Delivery via the tail vein in rodents provides an especially simple and effective means for in vivo gene transfer. Electroporation methods significantly enhance direct injection of naked DNA for genetic immunization. The availability of plasmid DNA expression vectors that enable sustained high level expression, allows for the development of gene therapies based on the delivery of naked plasmid DNA.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Upregulation of Bfl-1/A1 in leukemia cells undergoing differentiation by all-trans retinoic acid treatment attenuates chemotherapeutic agent-induced apoptosis.

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) induces differentiation of NB4 and HL-60 leukemia cells, but not R4 and HL-60/Res cells. Three agents used in cancer therapy, doxorubicin (Dox), arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) and paclitaxel, induce apoptosis, but not differentiation, in all of these cell lines. The induction of apoptosis by these agents is decreased in ATRA-pretreated NB4 and HL-60 cells, but not in ATRA-pretreated R4 and HL-60/Res cells. The level of Bcl-2 protein is decreased by ATRA treatment in NB4, HL-60 and HL-60/Res cells. The level of Mcl-1 protein is increased by ATRA treatment in NB4 and R4 cells, but not in HL-60 and HL-60/Res cells. Bfl-1/A1 mRNA is not expressed in these cell lines, however, its expression is markedly induced by ATRA treatment in NB4 and HL-60 cells, but not in R4 or HL-60/Res cells, which correlates with inhibition of apoptosis. Inhibiting Bfl-1/A1 mRNA upregulation in ATRA-pretreated NB4 cells using small interfering RNA (siRNA) partly recovers cell sensitivity to Dox-induced apoptosis. These data demonstrate that ATRA induction of Bfl-1/A1 in differentiated NB4 and HL-60 cells contributes to a loss of sensitivity to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed2005

SNAP-29-mediated modulation of synaptic transmission in cultured hippocampal neurons.

Identifying the molecules that regulate both the recycling of synaptic vesicles and the SNARE components required for fusion is critical for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity. SNAP-29 was initially isolated as a syntaxin-binding and ubiquitously expressed protein. Previous studies have suggested that SNAP-29 inhibits SNARE complex disassembly, thereby reducing synaptic transmission in cultured superior cervical ganglion neurons in an activity-dependent manner. However, the role of SNAP-29 in regulating synaptic vesicle recycling and short-term plasticity in the central nervous system remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the effect of SNAP-29 on synaptic transmission in cultured hippocampal neurons by dual patch clamp whole-cell recording, FM dye imaging, and immunocytochemistry. Our results demonstrated that exogenous expression of SNAP-29 in presynaptic neurons significantly decreased the efficiency of synaptic transmission after repetitive firing within a few minutes under low and moderate frequency stimulations (0.1 and 1 Hz). In contrast, SNAP-29 did not affect the density of synapses and basal synaptic transmission. Whereas neurotransmitter release was unaffected during intensive stimulation, recovery after synaptic depression was impaired by SNAP-29. Furthermore, knockdown of SNAP-29 expression in neurons by small interfering RNA increased the efficiency of synaptic transmission during repetitive firing. These findings suggest that SNAP-29 acts as a negative modulator for neurotransmitter release, probably by slowing recycling of the SNARE-based fusion machinery and synaptic vesicle turnover.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2006

Cardiac metallothionein induction plays the major role in the prevention of diabetic cardiomyopathy by zinc supplementation.

BACKGROUND: Our previous studies showed that transgenic mice that overexpress cardiac-specific metallothionein (MT) are highly resistant to diabetes-induced cardiomyopathy. Zinc is the major metal that binds to MT under physiological conditions and is a potent inducer of MT. The present study therefore explored whether zinc supplementation can protect against diabetic cardiomyopathy through cardiac MT induction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Diabetes was induced in mice (C57BL/6J strain) by a single injection of streptozotocin. Half were supplemented intraperitoneally with zinc sulfate (5 mg/kg) every other day for 3 months. After zinc supplementation, mice were maintained for 3 more months and then examined for cardiomyopathy by functional and morphological analysis. Significant increases in cardiac morphological impairment, fibrosis, and dysfunction were observed in diabetic mice but not in diabetic mice supplemented with zinc. Zinc supplementation also induced a significant increase in cardiac MT expression. The role of MT in cardiac protection by zinc supplementation was examined in cultured cardiac cells that were directly exposed to high levels of glucose (HG) and free fatty acid (FFA) (palmitate), treatment that mimics diabetic conditions. Cell survival rate was significantly decreased for cells exposed to HG/FFA but did not change for cells exposed to HG/FFA and pretreated with zinc or low-dose cadmium, each of which induces significant MT synthesis. When MT expression was silenced with the use of MT small-interfering RNA, the preventive effect of pretreatment with zinc or low-dose cadmium was abolished. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the prevention of diabetic cardiomyopathy by zinc supplementation is predominantly mediated by an increase in cardiac MT.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

High expression of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V in favorable neuroblastomas: Involvement of its effect on apoptosis.

Neuroblastoma (NBL), derived from the sympathetic precursor cells, is one of the most common pediatric solid tumors. The expression of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V and IX (GnT-V and GnT-IX) mRNA in 126 primary NBLs were quantitatively analyzed and higher expression levels of GnT-V were found to be associated with favorable stages (1, 2 and 4s). Conversely, the downregulation of GnT-V expression by small interfering RNA resulted in a decrease in the susceptibility to cell apoptosis induced by retinoic acid in NBL cells accompanied by morphological change. These results suggest that GnT-V is associated with prognosis by modulating the sensitivity of NBLs to apoptosis.

Animals↗