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Results for “RNA, Small Interfering”

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PubMed2006

Growth factor-independent 1B gene (GFI1B) is overexpressed in erythropoietic and megakaryocytic malignancies and increases their proliferation rate.

Growth factor-independent 1B (GFI1B) is a transcription factor essential for the development and differentiation of erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages. We evaluated the GFI1B expression in erythroleukaemia and megakaryocytic leukaemia, as well as in patients with other subtypes of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), severe aplastic anaemia (SAA), myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM) and in healthy volunteers. GFI1B expression was increased at least threefold in patients with erythroleukaemia (P < 0.01 compared with controls) and megakaryocytic leukaemia (P < 0.05) as well as in their corresponding leukaemic cell lines HEL, K562, CMK and M-07e. Patients with undifferentiated or monocytic AML, ALL, MMM, MDS and CML had no significantly altered GFI1B expression, whereas GFI1B expression was decreased 10-fold in patients with SAA (P < 0.0001 compared with controls). Silencing GFI1B by transfection with small interfering RNA (siRNA) markedly reduced the proliferation rate in the leukaemic cell lines HEL, K562 and NB4 (P < 0.01). Concomitantly, we observed a two- to threefold increase in the apoptosis rate in these cells after transfection with siRNA towards GFI1B. Our data indicate that GFI1B plays a major role in AML-M6 and AML-M7 and qualifies as a target for anti-leukaemic strategies in these malignancies.

Anemia, Aplastic↗

PubMed2006

Novel role of Stat1 in the development of docetaxel resistance in prostate tumor cells.

A major obstacle for clinicians in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer is the inevitable progression to chemoresistance, especially to docetaxel. It is essential to understand the molecular events that lead to docetaxel resistance in order to identify means to prevent or interfere with chemoresistance. In initial attempts to detect these events, we analysed genomic differences between non-resistant and docetaxel-resistant prostate tumor cells and, of the genes modulated by docetaxel treatment, we observed Stat1 and clusterin gene expression heightened in the resistant phenotype. In this study, we provide biochemical and biological evidence that these two gene products are related. Stat1 and clusterin protein expression was induced upon docetaxel treatment of DU145 cells and highly overexpressed in the docetaxel-resistant DU145 cells (DU145-DR). The increase in total Stat1 corresponded to an increase in phosphorylated Stat1. Interestingly, there was no detectable difference between DU145 and DU145-DR cells expression of total Stat3 and phosphorylated Stat3. Treatment of DU145-DR cells with small interfering RNA targeted for Stat1 not only resulted in the knockdown of Stat1 expression, but it also caused the inhibition of clusterin expression. Thus, Stat1 appears to play a key role in the regulation of clusterin. Remarkably, inhibition of Stat1 or clusterin expression resulted in the re-sensitization of DU145-DR cells to docetaxel. These results offer the first evidence that Stat1, and its subsequent regulation of clusterin, are essential for docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer. Targeting this pathway could be a potential therapeutic means for intervention of docetaxel resistance.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed2005

Localized glucose and water influx facilitates Cryptosporidium parvum cellular invasion by means of modulation of host-cell membrane protrusion.

Dynamic membrane protrusions such as lamellipodia and filopodia are driven by actin polymerization and often hijacked by intracellular microbes to enter host cells. The overall rate of membrane protrusion depends on the actin polymerization rate and the increase of localized cell volume. Although the signaling pathways involving actin polymerization are well characterized, the molecular mechanisms regulating local cell volume associated with membrane protrusion are unclear. Cryptosporidium parvum, an intracellular parasite, depends on host-cell membrane protrusion to accomplish cell entry and form the parasitophorous vacuole. Here, we report that C. parvum infection of cholangiocytes recruits host-cell SGLT1, a Na+/glucose cotransporter, and aquaporin 1 (AQP1), a water channel, to the attachment site. SGLT1-dependent glucose uptake occurs at the attachment site. Concordantly, the region of attachment displays localized water influx that is inhibited by either suppression of AQP1 by means of AQP1-small interfering RNA (siRNA) or inhibition of SGLT1 by a specific pharmacologic inhibitor, phlorizin. Inhibition of SGLT1 does not affect actin accumulation but decreases the membrane protrusion at the attachment site. Moreover, functional inhibition of host-cell AQP1 and SGLT1 hampers C. parvum invasion of cholangiocytes. Thus, glucose-driven, AQP-mediated localized water influx is involved in the membrane protrusion during C. parvum cellular invasion, phenomena that may also be relevant to the mechanisms of cell membrane protrusion in general.

Actins↗

PubMed2002

Activation of SAPK/JNK signaling by protein kinase Cdelta in response to DNA damage.

The cellular response to genotoxic stress includes activation of protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta). The functional role of PKCdelta in the DNA damage response is unknown. The present studies demonstrate that PKCdelta is required in part for induction of the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK/JNK) in cells treated with 1-beta-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine (araC) and other genotoxic agents. DNA damage-induced SAPK activation was attenuated by (i) treatment with rottlerin, (ii) expression of a kinase-inactive PKCdelta(K-R) mutant, and (iii) down-regulation of PKCdelta by small interfering RNA (siRNA). Coexpression studies demonstrate that PKCdelta activates SAPK by an MKK7-dependent, SEK1-independent mechanism. Previous work has shown that the nuclear Lyn tyrosine kinase activates the MEKK1 --> MKK7 --> SAPK pathway but not through a direct interaction with MEKK1. The present results extend those observations by demonstrating that Lyn activates PKCdelta, and in turn, MEKK1 is activated by a PKCdelta-dependent mechanism. These findings indicate that PKCdelta functions in the activation of SAPK through a Lyn --> PKCdelta --> MEKK1 --> MKK7 --> SAPK signaling cascade in response to DNA damage.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Regulation of p21-activated kinase-independent Rac1 signal transduction by nischarin.

Nischarin regulates Rac1-dependent cell motility by interaction with and inhibition of the p21-activated kinase (PAK1). In addition to regulating the activation of PAK1, Rac1 controls multiple downstream pathways to regulate cell growth and differentiation, as well as cell motility. Signaling by a constitutively activated Rac1 mutant deficient in PAK binding (Rac1Q61L-40C) was examined to determine whether Nischarin impinges on these other Rac1 effector pathways. Nischarin formed immunoprecipitatable complexes with Rac1Q61L and Rac1Q61L-40C when the proteins were co-expressed. In NIH3T3 cells, Rac1Q61L and Rac1Q61L-40C stimulation of a minimal NF-kappaB response element or the cyclin D1 promoter, a downstream target of NF-kappaB, was inhibited by co-expression of Nischarin. Additionally, suppression of endogenous Nischarin protein with small interfering RNA in PC12 cells enhanced Rac1Q61L and Rac1Q61L-40C activation of NF-kappaB. In further support of Nischarin suppressing PAK independent Rac signaling, foci formation in monolayers of NIH3T3 cells by Rac1Q61L-40C in cooperation with c-Raf/CAAX was inhibited by the presence of Nischarin. Nischarin alters the cellular localization of Rac1Q61L and Rac1Q61L-40C to vesicles and this positively correlates with the repression of the Rac1 signal. Thus, Nischarin, in addition to regulating the PAK strand of Rac1 signaling, can also regulate other links in the web of Rac1 signaling pathways.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Cantharidin-induced mitotic arrest is associated with the formation of aberrant mitotic spindles and lagging chromosomes resulting, in part, from the suppression of PP2Aalpha.

Cantharidin, a natural vesicant, inhibits the activity of several PPP family phosphatases, displays antitumor activity, and induces apoptosis in many types of tumor cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of cantharidin are not clear. Here, dose-response studies confirm a strong correlation between the suppression of phosphatase activity and cell death. Flow cytometry analysis indicates that before apoptosis, cantharidin delays cell cycle progression following DNA replication with no apparent effect on G(1)-S or S-G(2) phase progression. In contrast, studies with double thymidine-synchronized populations of cells indicate that cantharidin can rapidly arrest growth when added during G(2) or early M phase. Immunostaining indicates that cell cycle arrest occurs before the completion of mitosis and is associated with the appearance of aberrant mitotic spindles. Live cell imaging with time-lapse microscopy shows that cantharidin disrupts the metaphase alignment of chromosomes and produces a prolonged mitotic arrest, with the onset of apoptosis occurring before the onset of anaphase. To explore the contribution of individual phosphatases, antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA were developed to suppress the expression of cantharidin-sensitive phosphatases. The suppression of PP2Aalpha, but not PP2Abeta, is sufficient to induce metaphase arrest, during which time lagging chromosomes are observed moving between the spindle poles and the metaphase plate. Immunostaining revealed slightly abnormal, yet predominately bipolar, mitotic spindles. Nonetheless, after a 10- to 15-hour delay, the cells enter anaphase, suggesting that an additional cantharidin-sensitive phosphatase is involved in the progression from metaphase into anaphase or to prevent the onset of apoptosis in cells arrested during mitosis.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed2006

SHP-2 phosphatase is required for hematopoietic cell transformation by Bcr-Abl.

SHP-2 phosphatase forms a stable protein complex with and is heavily tyrosine-phosphorylated by the oncogenic tyrosine kinase Bcr-Abl. However, the role of SHP-2 in Bcr-Abl-mediated leukemogenesis is unclear. In the present report, we provide evidence that SHP-2 is required for hematopoietic cell transformation by Bcr-Abl. In vitro biological effects of Bcr-Abl transduction were diminished in SHP-2Delta/Delta hematopoietic cells, and the leukemic potential of Bcr-Abl-transduced SHP-2Delta/Delta cells in recipient animals was compromised. Further analyses showed that Bcr-Abl protein (p210) was degraded, and its oncogenic signaling was greatly decreased in SHP-2Delta/Delta cells. Treatment with proteasome inhibitors or reintroduction of SHP-2 restored p210 level in Bcr-Abl-transduced SHP-2Delta/Delta cells. Subsequent investigation revealed that SHP-2 interacted with heat shock protein 90, an important chaperone protein protecting p210 from proteasome-mediated degradation. The role of SHP-2 in the stability of p210 is independent of its catalytic activity. Blockade of SHP-2 expression in p210-expressing cells by antisense or small-interfering RNA approaches decreased p210 level, causing cell death. Inhibition of SHP-2 enzymatic activity by overexpression of catalytically inactive SHP-2 mutant did not destabilize p210 but enhanced serum starvation-induced apoptosis, suggesting that SHP-2 also plays an important role in downstream signaling of p210 kinase. These studies identified a novel function of SHP-2 and suggest that SHP-2 might be a useful target for controlling Bcr-Abl-positive leukemias.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Regulation of p27 by S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 is associated with aggressiveness in non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: The F-box protein S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2) is one of the positive regulators of the cell cycle that promote ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27. In this study, we investigated the significance of Skp2 expression in human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinicopathologic features and immunohistochemical expression of Skp2 and p27 proteins were studied in 138 patients with NSCLC. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox regression model. To analyze the role of Skp2 in vitro, NSCLC cells were transfected with an Skp2-expressing vector or small interfering RNA. RESULTS: Skp2 was overexpressed in males, smokers, patients with squamous cell carcinomas, and patients with poorly differentiated cancers (P = .034, < .0001, < .0001, and .002, respectively). The multivariant analysis revealed that Skp2 expression is an independent prognostic factor for survival in NSCLC. An inverse relationship of Skp2 with p27 expression was observed (P = .012), and patients with both a higher expression of Skp2 and a lower expression of p27 showed a significantly unfavorable prognosis (P = .0002). In vitro ectopic expression of Skp2 in NSCLC cells reduced the protein level of p27. Conversely, induction of Skp2 siRNA increased the protein level of p27, leading to growth inhibition in NSCLC cells. CONCLUSION: Skp2 overexpression is closely associated with the suppression of p27 and the aggressiveness in NSCLC. It also could be a therapeutic target in NSCLC.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

IL-1 and IL-6 induce hepatocyte plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression through independent signaling pathways converging on C/EBPdelta.

To elucidate signaling pathways activated by IL-1 and IL-6 that contribute to increased expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), we studied human hepatoma (HepG2) cells and primary mouse hepatocytes. HepG2 cell PAI-1 mRNA increased in response to IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-1beta plus IL-6 as shown by real-time PCR. Activity of the transiently transfected PAI-1 promoter (-829 to +36 bp) increased as well. Systematic promoter deletion assays showed that the region from -239 to -210 bp containing a putative CCAAT-enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) binding site was critical. Point mutations in this region abolished the IL-1beta and IL-6 responses. Antibody interference electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that C/EBPdelta (but not C/EBPalpha or C/EBPbeta) binding and protein were increased by IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-1beta plus IL-6 in HepG2 cells. IL-1beta and IL-6 increased expression of both PAI-1 mRNA and C/EBPdelta mRNA in mouse primary hepatocytes as well. Downregulation of C/EBPdelta induced with small interfering RNA (siRNA) decreased secretion of PAI-1. As judged from results obtained with inhibitors, signal transduction in all three of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways was involved in IL-1-inducible PAI-1 expression. By contrast, JAK signaling was responsible for the IL-6-induced inducible expression. Thus IL-1 and IL-6 exert directionally similar effects on PAI-1 expression, but the induction involves distinct signaling pathways with a final common mediator, C/EBPdelta.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

The human and African green monkey TRIM5alpha genes encode Ref1 and Lv1 retroviral restriction factor activities.

The rhesus macaque tripartite motif containing protein TRIM5alpha specifically restricts HIV-1 infection at an early post-entry step before reverse transcription [Stremlau, M., Owens, C. M., Perron, M. J., Kiessling, M., Autissier, P. & Sodroski, J. (2004) Nature 427, 848-853]. Here, we show that the human and African green monkey (AGM) TRIM5alpha genes encode Ref1 and Lv1 antiretroviral activities, respectively. Expression of TRIM5alpha in permissive cat cells renders them resistant to restriction-sensitive murine leukemia virus but not closely related insensitive virus. Disruption of TRIM5alpha expression in human and AGM cells with small interfering RNA rescues infectivity of restricted virus without affecting unrestricted virus. We also demonstrate that the activity of the murine restriction factor Fv1 depends on TRIM5alpha expression when Fv1 is expressed in human cells. Furthermore, a drug that modifies the behavior of the related promyelocytic leukemia protein PML specifically rescues infection by viruses restricted by human TRIM5alpha. Alignment of the TRIM5alpha proteins from rhesus macaque and AGM indicates an 18-aa insertion. We speculate that this insertion may contribute to the broader specificity of the AGM TRIM5alpha restriction as compared with the human and rhesus macaque proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 activity controls cell motility and metastatic potential of prostate cancer cells.

We show here that cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), a known regulator of migration in neuronal development, plays an important role in prostate cancer motility and metastasis. P35, an activator of CDK5 that is indicative of its activity, is expressed in a panel of human and rat prostate cancer cell lines, and is also expressed in 87.5% of the human metastatic prostate cancers we examined. Blocking of CDK5 activity with a dominant-negative CDK5 construct, small interfering RNA, or roscovitine resulted in changes in the microtubule cytoskeleton, loss of cellular polarity, and loss of motility. Expression of a dominant-negative CDK5 in the highly metastatic Dunning AT6.3 prostate cancer cell line also greatly impaired invasive capacity. CDK5 activity was important for spontaneous metastasis in vivo; xenografts of AT6.3 cells expressing dominant-negative CDK5 had less than one-fourth the number of lung metastases exhibited by AT6.3 cells expressing the empty vector. These results show that CDK5 activity controls cell motility and metastatic potential in prostate cancer.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2006

Adipocyte differentiation-related protein promotes fatty acid storage in cytosolic triglycerides and inhibits secretion of very low-density lipoproteins.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the role of adipocyte differentiation-related protein (ADRP) in triglyceride turnover and in the secretion of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) from McA-RH7777 cells and primary rat hepatocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS: An increase in the expression of ADRP increased triglyceride accumulation in cytosolic lipid droplets and prevented the incorporation of fatty acids into secretable triglycerides, thereby reducing the secretion of triglycerides as well as of apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) and apoB-48 VLDL. The ability of ADRP to block the secretion of apoB-100 VLDL1 decreased with increasing quantities of fatty acids in the medium, indicating a saturable process and emphasizing the importance of sequestering of fatty acids for the effect of ADRP on VLDL secretion. Knockdown (small interfering RNA) of ADRP decreased the pool of cytosolic lipid droplets but increased only the secretion of apoB-48 VLDL1. Additionally, there was an increased flow of fatty acids into beta-oxidation. CONCLUSIONS: ADRP is essential for the accumulation of triglycerides in cytosolic lipid droplets. An increase in ADRP prevents the formation of VLDL by diverting fatty acids from the VLDL assembly pathway into cytosolic triglycerides, whereas a decrease of the protein increases the sorting of fatty acids to beta-oxidation and promotes the secretion of apoB-48 VLDL1.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha in hypoxia-induced apoptosis of primary alveolar epithelial type II cells.

Hypoxia affects alveolar homeostasis and may induce epithelial injury, which has been implicated in lung diseases such as fibrosis. The underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are, however, largely unknown. Primary rat alveolar epithelial type II cells (ATII) exposed to graded hypoxia for 24 and 48 h caused a dose-dependent induction of cell cycle arrest and suppression of proliferation, which were comparable to the effects of angiotensin II, a potent inducer of ATII cell death. Hypoxia-induced changes in ATII homeostasis are thought to proceed primarily via activation of hypoxia inducible-factor (HIF)-1alpha, because hypoxia increased HIF-1alpha protein expression, nuclear translocation, and transactivation of its specific DNA binding domain, the hypoxia responsive element (HRE). Under hypoxic conditions, expression of the proapoptotic protein Bnip3L, which belongs to the Bcl 2 family and is known to be one of the HIF-1-dependent target genes, was upregulated. Suppression of HIF-1alpha or Bnip-3L with small interfering RNA (siRNA) fully blocked the hypoxia-induced apoptosis and Bnip3L expression. In line with these data, overexpression of HIF-1alpha by transient transfection enhanced the hypoxia-induced apoptosis. Thus, we conclude that hypoxia suppresses alveolar epithelial cell proliferation and enhances ATII apoptosis through activation of the HIF-1alpha/HRE axis and a mechanism that involves Bnip3L. Targeting HIF-1alpha may represent a new strategy that could impede the alveolar denudation that is observed in several lung diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

SRC-3 is required for prostate cancer cell proliferation and survival.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in America. Currently, steroid receptor coactivators have been proposed to mediate the development and progression of prostate cancer, at times in a steroid-independent manner. Steroid receptor coactivator-3 (SRC-3, p/CIP, AIB1, ACTR, RAC3, and TRAM-1) is a member of the p160 family of coactivators for nuclear hormone receptors including the androgen receptor. SRC-3 is frequently amplified or overexpressed in a number of cancers. However, the role of SRC-3 in cancer cell proliferation and survival is still poorly understood. In this study, we show that SRC-3 is overexpressed in prostate cancer patients and its overexpression correlates with prostate cancer proliferation and is inversely correlated with apoptosis. Consistent with patient data, we have observed that reduction of SRC-3 expression by small interfering RNA decreases proliferation, delays the G1-S transition, and increases cell apoptosis of different prostate cancer cell lines. Furthermore, with decreased SRC-3 expression, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Bcl-2 expression, as well as bromodeoxyuridine incorporation in prostate cancer cells are reduced. Finally, knockdown of SRC-3 with inducible short hairpin RNA expression in prostate cancer cells decreased tumor growth in nude mice. Taken together, these findings indicate that SRC-3 is an important regulator of prostate cancer proliferation and survival.

Acetyltransferases↗

PubMed2006

Bacteroides fragilis enterotoxin induces cyclooxygenase-2 and fluid secretion in intestinal epithelial cells through NF-kappaB activation.

Bacteroides fragilis produces an approximately 20-kDa heat-labile toxin (B. fragilis enterotoxin, BFT) which is known to be associated with diarrhea. To determine whether cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, via NF-kappaB activation, can contribute to BFT-induced diarrhea, the relationship between COX-2 expression and fluid secretion in BFT-stimulated human intestinal epithelial cells was examined. BFT stimulation increased the expression of COX-2, but not COX-1, in human intestinal epithelial cells. Suppression of the NF-kappaB signal significantly decreased COX-2 expression in response to BFT stimulation. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels were increased in parallel with COX-2 expression, and, conversely, PGE2 production was significantly inhibited when COX-2 or NF-kappaB activities were suppressed using COX-2 small interfering RNA (siRNA), p65 NF-kappaB subunit siRNA, or a retrovirus encoding the IkappaBalpha superrepressor. In addition, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398, significantly inhibited the increased cAMP level induced by BFT stimulation. Furthermore, a selective COX-2 inhibitor prevented BFT-induced PGE2 production and ileal fluid secretion in a mouse ileal loop model. These results suggest that the secretory response to BFT stimulation may be mediated by the production of PGE2, through NF-kappaB activation and the up-regulation of COX-2 in intestinal epithelial cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Upregulation of TRPC1 in the development of cardiac hypertrophy.

The importance of Ca(2+) entry in the cardiac hypertrophic response is well documented, but the actual Ca(2+) entry channels remain unknown. Transient receptor potential (TRP) proteins are thought to form either homo- or heteromeric Ca(2+) entry channels that are involved in the proliferation and differentiation of various cells. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential involvement of TRP channels in the development of cardiac hypertrophy. The mRNA and protein expression of several TRP channel subunits were evaluated using hearts from abdominal aortic-banded (AAB) rats. Although TRPs C1, C3, C5, and C6 were constitutively expressed, only TRPC1 expression was significantly increased in the hearts of AAB rats compared to sham-operated rats. Using primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, we detected increases in the expression of TRPC1, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), as well as increases in store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) and cell surface area, following endothelin-1 (ET-1) treatment. Silencing of the TRPC1 gene via small interfering RNA (siRNA) attenuated SOCE and prevented ET-1-, angiotensin-II (AT II)-, and phenylephrine (PE)-induced cardiac hypertrophy. In HEK 293T cells, overexpression of TRPC1 augmented SOCE, leading to an increase in nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) promoter activity, while co-transfection with dominant-negative forms of TRPC1 suppressed it. In conclusion, TRPC1 functions in Ca(2+) influx, and its upregulation is involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy; moreover, it plays an important role in the regulation of the signaling pathways that govern cardiac hypertrophy. These findings establish TRPC1 as a functionally important regulator of cardiac hypertrophy.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Interferon gamma induces neurite outgrowth by up-regulation of p35 neuron-specific cyclin-dependent kinase 5 activator via activation of ERK1/2 pathway.

Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) is a cytokine predominantly involved in antiproliferative and antiviral responses, immune surveillance, and tumor suppression. However, it has been shown that IFN-gamma is also involved in central nervous system development. Here we studied the underlying mechanism for IFN-gamma-induced neuronal differentiation using the human neuroblastoma Paju cell line. Our results indicate that IFN-gamma treatment led to neurite outgrowth followed by growth arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. IFN-gamma induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and subsequently the transcription factor early gene response 1, which in turn up-regulated p35 expression and increased cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) activity. IFN-gamma-induced neurite outgrowth was abolished by the treatment of MEK1/2 kinase inhibitors, such as U0126 and PD98059, which inhibit the ERK1/2 activation and subsequently prevent the up-regulation of p35 expression and Cdk5 activity. In agreement with the role of p35-Cdk5 in neuronal differentiation, small interfering RNA targeting Cdk5 abrogate the IFN-gamma-induced neurite outgrowth. Together, these results demonstrate for the first time that IFN-gamma-triggered neuronal differentiation mediated through the up-regulation of p35-associated Cdk5 depends on the activation of the ERK1/2 pathway. Therefore, the present study suggests that IFN-gamma is not only involved in tumorigenicity but also involved in neurogenesis by regulating cell proliferation and differentiation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed2006

BRCC36 is essential for ionizing radiation-induced BRCA1 phosphorylation and nuclear foci formation.

We have previously reported the identification and characterization of a novel BRCA1/2 interacting protein complex, BRCC (BRCA1/2-containing complex). BRCC36, one of the proteins in BRCC, directly interacts with BRCA1, and regulates the ubiquitin E3 ligase activity of BRCC. Importantly, BRCC36 is aberrantly expressed in the vast majority of breast tumors, indicating a potential role in the pathogenesis of this disease. To further elucidate the functional consequence of abnormal BRCC36 expression in breast cancer, we have done in vivo silencing studies using small interfering RNAs targeting BRCC36 in breast cancer cell lines, i.e., MCF-7, ZR-75-1, and T47D. Knock-down of BRCC36 alone does not affect cell growth, but when combined with ionizing radiation (IR) exposure, it leads to an increase in the percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis when compared with the small interfering RNA control group in breast cancer cells. Immunoblot analysis shows that inhibition of BRCC36 has no effect on the activation of ATM, expression of p21 and p53, or BRCA1-BARD1 interaction following IR exposure. Importantly, BRCC36 depletion disrupts IR-induced phosphorylation of BRCA1. Immunofluorescent staining of BRCA1 and gamma-H2AX indicates that BRCC36 depletion prevents the formation of BRCA1 nuclear foci in response to DNA damage in breast cancer cells. These results show that down-regulation of BRCC36 expression impairs the DNA repair pathway activated in response to IR by inhibiting BRCA1 activation, thereby sensitizing breast cancer cells to IR-induced apoptosis.

Apoptosis↗