Mixed tocopherols prevent mammary tumorigenesis by inhibiting estrogen action and activating PPAR-γ

PubMed Central

Lee, Hong Jin; Ju, Jihyeung; Paul, Shiby; So, Jae-Young; DeCastro, Andrew; Smolarek, Amanda; Lee, Mao-Jung; Yang, Chung S.; Newmark, Harold L.; Suh, Nanjoo

2009-01-01

Purpose Tocopherols are lipophilic antioxidants present in vegetable oils. Although the antioxidant and anticancer activities of α-tocopherol (vitamin E) have been studied for decades, recent intervention studies with α-tocopherol have been negative for protection from cancer in humans. The tocopherols consist of 4 isoforms, α, β, γ, and δ variants, and recent attention is being made to other isoforms. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of a tocopherol mixture rich in γ- and δ-tocopherols against mammary tumorigenesis. Experimental Design Female Sprague Dawley rats were treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU), and then fed diets containing 0.1%, 0.3%, or 0.5% mixed tocopherols rich in γ- and δ-tocopherols for 9 weeks. Tumor burden and multiplicity were determined, and the levels of markers of inflammation, proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated in the serum and in mammary tumors. The regulation of nuclear receptor signaling by tocopherols was studied in mammary tumors and in breast cancer cells. Results Dietary administration of 0.1%, 0.3%, or 0.5% mixed tocopherols suppressed mammary tumor growth by 38%, 50%, or 80%, respectively. Tumor multiplicity was also significantly reduced in all three mixed tocopherol groups. Mixed tocopherols increased the expression of p21, p27, caspase-3 and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), and inhibited AKT and estrogen signaling in mammary tumors. Our mechanistic study found that γ- and δ-tocopherols, but not α-tocopherol, activated PPAR-γ and antagonized estrogen action in breast cancer. Conclusion The results suggest that γ- and δ-tocopherols may be effective agents for the prevention of breast cancer. PMID:19509159

Nardilysin regulates inflammation, metaplasia, and tumors in murine stomach.

PubMed

Kimura, Yuto; Ikuta, Kozo; Kimura, Takeshi; Chiba, Tsutomu; Oshima, Hiroko; Oshima, Masanobu; Nishi, Eiichiro; Seno, Hiroshi

2017-02-23

Chronic inflammation contributes to a wide variety of human disorders. In the stomach, longstanding gastritis often results in structural alterations in the gastric mucosa, including metaplastic changes and gastric cancers. Therefore, it is important to elucidate factors that are involved in gastric inflammation. Nardilysin (N-arginine dibasic convertase; Nrdc) is a metalloendopeptidase of the M16 family that promotes ectodomain shedding of the precursor forms of various growth factors and cytokines by enhancing the protease activities of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) proteins. Here, we have demonstrated that Nrdc crucially regulates gastric inflammation caused by Helicobacter felis infection or forced expression of prostaglandin E 2 in K19-C2mE mice. Metaplastic changes following gastric inflammation were suppressed by the deletion of Nrdc. Furthremore, the deletion of Nrdc significantly suppressed N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced gastric tumorigenesis in the murine stomach. These data may lead to a global therapeutic approach against various gastric disorders by targeting Nrdc.

Topographic Quantification of the Transcorneal Electrical Stimulation (TES)-Induced Protective Effects on N-Methyl-N-Nitrosourea-Treated Retinas.

PubMed

Tao, Ye; Chen, Tao; Liu, Zhong-Yu; Wang, Li-Qiang; Xu, Wei-Wei; Qin, Li-Min; Peng, Guang-Hua; Yi-Fei, Huang

2016-09-01

To quantify the transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES)-induced effects on regional photoreceptors and visual signal pathway of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-treated retinas via topographic measurements. N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-administered mice received TES or sham stimulations and were subsequently subjected to electroretinography (ERG), multielectrode array (MEA), and histologic and immunohistochemistry examinations. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses were also performed to determine the mRNA levels of Bax, Bcl-2, Calpain-2, Caspase-3, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). Amplitudes of ERG b-wave in the TES-treated mice were significantly larger than those in the sham controls (P < 0.01). Microelectrode array examination revealed that the photoreceptors in TES-treated retina were efficiently preserved (P < 0.01). Morphologic measurements showed that the central retina region was more consolidated than the other areas in the TES-treated mice. Together with the disproportionate distribution of immunostaining in retinal flat mounts, these findings indicated that different rescuing kinetics existed among regional photoreceptors. Compared with the sham controls, a significantly increased signal-to-noise ratio was also found in the TES-treated mice (TES100: 2.02 ± 1.12; TES200: 4.42 ± 1.51; sham: 0.25 ± 0.13; P < 0.01). Moreover, qRT-PCR measurements suggested that the altered expression of several apoptotic factors and neurotrophic cytokines was correlated with TES-induced protection. Regional photoreceptors in the MNU-administered retinas exhibit different sensitivities to TES. Transcorneal electrical stimulation is capable of ameliorating MNU-induced photoreceptor degeneration and rectifying abnormalities in the inner visual signal pathways.

Cell Fate of Müller Cells During Photoreceptor Regeneration in an N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea-Induced Retinal Degeneration Model of Zebrafish.

PubMed

Ogai, Kazuhiro; Hisano, Suguru; Sugitani, Kayo; Koriyama, Yoshiki; Kato, Satoru

2016-01-01

Zebrafish can regenerate several organs such as the tail fin, heart, central nervous system, and photoreceptors. Very recently, a study has demonstrated the photoreceptor regeneration in the alkylating agent N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced retinal degeneration (RD) zebrafish model, in which whole photoreceptors are lost within a week after MNU treatment and then regenerated within a month. The research has also shown massive proliferation of Müller cells within a week. To address the question of whether proliferating Müller cells are the source of regenerating photoreceptors, which remains unknown in the MNU-induced zebrafish RD model, we employed a BrdU pulse-chase technique to label the proliferating cells within a week after MNU treatment. As a result of the BrdU pulse-chase technique, a number of BrdU(+) cells were observed in the outer nuclear layer as well as the inner nuclear layer. This implies that regenerating photoreceptors are derived from proliferating Müller cells in the zebrafish MNU-induced RD model.

Methylation of ribonucleic acid by the carcinogens dimethyl sulphate, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Comparisons of chemical analyses at the nucleoside and base levels

PubMed Central

Lawley, P. D.; Shah, S. A.

1972-01-01

1. The following methods for hydrolysis of methyl-14C-labelled RNA, and for chromatographic isolation and determination of the products, were investigated: enzymic digestion to nucleosides at pH6 or 8; alkaline hydrolysis and conversion into nucleosides; hydrolysis by acid to pyrimidine nucleotides and purine bases, or completely to bases; chromatography on Dowex 50 (NH4+ form) at pH6 or 8.9, or on Dowex 50 (H+ form), or on Sephadex G-10. 2. The suitability of the various methods for determination of methylation products was assessed. The principal product, 7-methylguanosine, was unstable under the conditions used for determinations of nucleosides. 3- and 7-Methyladenine and 3- and 7-methylguanine are best determined as bases; 1-methyladenine and 3-methylcytosine can be isolated as either nucleosides or bases; O6-methylguanine is unstable under the acid hydrolysis conditions used and can be determined as the nucleoside; 3-methyluracil was detected, but may be derived from methylation of the ionized form of uracil. 3. Differences between the patterns of methylation of RNA and homopolyribonucleotides by the N-methyl-N-nitroso compounds and dimethyl sulphate were found: the nitroso compounds were able to methylate O-6 of guanine, were relatively more reactive at N-7 of adenine and probably at N-3 of guanine, but less reactive at N-1 of adenine, N-3 of cytosine and probably at N-3 of uridine. They probably reacted more with the ribose–phosphate chain, but no products from this were identified. 4. The possible influences of these differences on biological action of the methylating agents is discussed. Nitroso compounds may differ principally in their ability to induce miscoding in the Watson–Crick sense by reaction at O-6 of guanine. Both types of agent may induce miscoding to a lesser extent through methylation at N-3 of guanine; both can methylate N atoms, presumably preventing Watson–Crick hydrogen-bonding. N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea can degrade RNA, possibly through phosphotriester formation, but this mechanism is not proven. PMID:4673570

Sage Gene Expression Profiles Characterizing Cure

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-10-01

achieved in haematological malignancies. In addition, tumour cell lines showed a log-linear dose re- sponse when exposed to alkylating agents [26,27...direct carcinogen, N-methyl nitrosourea (NMU) and an indirect carcinogen, 7,12- dimethylbenzanthracene each depend upon the estrous cycle phase at the...a single dose of N-methyl-N- nitrosourea . Cancer Res 45: 3042–3047, 1995 8. Nagasawa H, Yanai R, Taniguchi H: Importance of mammary gland DNA synthesis

Formation of O2-methylthymine in poly(dA-dT) on methylation with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and dimethyl sulphate. Evidence that O2-methylthymine does not miscode during DNA synthesis.

PubMed Central

Saffhill, R; Abbott, P J

1978-01-01

The alternating co-polymer has been methylated with either N methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) or dimethyl sulphate (DMS) and the levels of the various methylated thymidines (O2-methylthymidine, 3-methylthymidine and O4-methylthymidine) measured. MNU produced all three compounds whereas DMS only produced 3-methylthymidine and O2-methylthymidine at detectable levels. These results have been combined with our earlier results concerning the misincorporation of dGMP with E. coli DNA polymerase using MNU-methylated poly(dA-dT). These results indicate that O2-methylthymidine does not miscode during DNA synthesis. PMID:353735

Enhancement of NAD+-dependent SIRT1 deacetylase activity by methylselenocysteine resets the circadian clock in carcinogen-treated mammary epithelial cells

PubMed Central

Fang, Mingzhu; Guo, Wei-Ren; Park, Youngil; Kang, Hwan-Goo; Zarbl, Helmut

2015-01-01

We previously reported that dietary methylselenocysteine (MSC) inhibits N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU)-induced mammary tumorigenesis by resetting circadian gene expression disrupted by the carcinogen at the early stage of tumorigenesis. To investigate the underlying mechanism, we developed a circadian reporter system comprised of human mammary epithelial cells with a luciferase reporter driven by the promoter of human PERIOD 2 (PER2), a core circadian gene. In this in vitro model, NMU disrupted cellular circadian rhythm in a pattern similar to that observed with SIRT1-specific inhibitors; in contrast, MSC restored the circadian rhythms disrupted by NMU and protected against SIRT1 inhibitors. Moreover, NMU inhibited intracellular NAD+/NADH ratio and reduced NAD+-dependent SIRT1 activity in a dose-dependent manner, while MSC restored NAD+/NADH and SIRT1 activity in the NMU-treated cells, indicating that the NAD+-SIRT1 pathway was targeted by NMU and MSC. In rat mammary tissue, a carcinogenic dose of NMU also disrupted NAD+/NADH oscillations and decreased SIRT1 activity; dietary MSC restored NAD+/NADH oscillations and increased SIRT1 activity in the mammary glands of NMU-treated rats. MSC-induced SIRT1 activity was correlated with decreased acetylation of BMAL1 and increased acetylation of histone 3 lysine 9 at the Per2 promoter E-Box in mammary tissue. Changes in SIRT1 activity were temporally correlated with loss or restoration of rhythmic Per2 mRNA expression in NMU-treated or MSC-rescued rat mammary glands, respectively. Together with our previous findings, these results suggest that enhancement of NAD+-dependent SIRT1 activity contributes to the chemopreventive efficacy of MSC by restoring epigenetic regulation of circadian gene expression at early stages of mammary tumorigenesis. PMID:26544624

Alkylation of deoxyribonucleic acid by carcinogens dimethyl sulphate, ethyl methanesulphonate, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. Relative reactivity of the phosphodiester site thymidylyl(3'-5')thymidine.

PubMed Central

Swenson, D H; Lawley, P D

1978-01-01

1. The ethyl phosphotriester of thymidylyl(3'-5')thymidine, dTp(Et)dT, was identified as a product from reaction of DNA with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, by procedures parallel to those reported previously for the methyl homologue produced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. 2. Enzymic degradation to yield alkyl phosphotriesters from DNA alkylated by these carcinogens and by dimethyl sulphate and ethyl methanesulphonate was studied quantitatively, and the relative yields of the triesters dTp(Alk)dT were determined. The relative reactivity of the phosphodiester group dTpdT to each of the four carcinogens was thus obtained, and compared with that of DNA overall, or with that of the N-7 atom of guanine in DNA. Relative reactivity of the phosphodiester group was lowest towards dimethyl sulphate, the least electrophilic of the reagents used, and was highest towards N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, the most electrophilic reagent. 3. The nature of the alkyl group transferred also influenced reactivity of the phosphodiester site, since this site was relatively more reactive towards ethylation than would be predicted simply from the known Swain-Scott s values of the alkylating agents. It was therefore suggested that the steric accessibility of the weakly nucleophilic phosphodiester group on the outside of the DNA macromolecule favours its reaction with ethylating, as opposed to methylating, reagents. 4. Taking a value of the Swain-Scott nucleophilicity (n) of 2.5 for an average DNA nucleotide unit [Walles & Ehrenberg (1969) Acta Chem. Scand. 23, 1080-1084], a value of n of about 1 for the phosphodiester group was deduced, and this value was found to be 2-3 units less than that for the N-7 atom of guanine in DNA. 5. The reactivity of DNA overall was markedly high towards the alkylnitrosoureas, despite their relatively low s values. This was ascribed to an electrostatic factor that favoured reaction of the negatively charged polymer with alkyldiazonium cation intermediates. PMID:208508

Comparative Biochemistry and Metabolism. Part 1. Carcinogenesis

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-08-01

1968), Nitrosamine-induced carcino- genesis. The alkylation of nucleic acids of the rat by N-methvl- N- nitrosourea , dimethylnitrosamine...inorganic reducing agent , hydrazine, is toxic and weakly carcinogenic. In earlier studies it was found that oral administration of a toxic dose of...metabolically activated to a methylatinj agent . Liver DNA from mice and hamsters contained considerably more 7-methyl- guanine and 0 6-methylguanine

Effects of Dietary Xanthophylls, Canthaxanthin and Astaxanthin on N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced Rat Mammary Carcinogenesis.

PubMed

Yuri, Takashi; Yoshizawa, Katsuhiko; Emoto, Yuko; Kinoshita, Yuichi; Yuki, Michiko; Tsubura, Airo

Natural xanthophylls, canthaxanthin and astaxanthin are known to exhibit anticancer activity. However, the dietary effects of canthaxanthin and astaxanthin on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced mammary cancer remain controversial, and their mechanisms of action have not been clearly identified. Three-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a xanthophyll-free (basal diet) diet or experimental diets containing canthaxanthin or astaxanthin (0.04% and 0.4%) for 5 weeks (until 8 weeks of age), after which all rats were provided the basal diet (n=15 each). Rats were administered MNU at 6 weeks of age, and the incidence of mammary tumors at 20 weeks of age was compared. The expression of adiponectin in mammary adipose tissues taken at 7 weeks of age was also compared. Compared to the basal diet group, the 0.4% (but not the 0.04%) astaxanthin diet significantly reduced the incidence of palpable mammary carcinoma (92% vs. 42%; p<0.05), while the low and high canthaxanthin diets produced no significant inhibition. Adiponectin immunoblotting showed significantly higher expression in the 0.4% astaxanthin diet group, while the other groups were similar to the basal diet group. High concentrations of astaxanthin suppress MNU-induced mammary carcinoma. Changes in adiponectin may be involved in the mechanism of action. Copyright © 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

Exploiting for Breast Cancer Control a Proposed Unified Mechanism for Reduction of Human Breast Cancer Risk by the Hormones of Pregnancy

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-05-01

methyl-1-nitrosourea- Induced Mammary Cancer. Carcinogenesis. 4 (4): 495-497. 3. Rajkumar L., R.C. Guzman, J. Yang, G. Thordarson , F. Talamantes, and...5. Guzman RC, Yang J, Rajkumar L, Thordarson G, Chen X, Nandi S. Hormonal prevention of breast cancer: mimicking the protective effect of pregnancy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999 Mar 2;96(5):2520-5.

Ex vivo culture of tumor cells from N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced bladder cancer in rats: Development of organoids and an immortalized cell line.

PubMed

Yoshida, Takahiro; Kates, Max; Sopko, Nikolai A; Liu, Xiaopu; Singh, Alok K; Bishai, William R; Joice, Gregory; McConkey, David J; Bivalacqua, Trinity J

2018-04-01

We ex vivo cultured primary tumor cells from N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced bladder tumors in rats and established an immortalized cell line from them. Bladder tumors in rats were induced by instillation of MNU into the murine bladder. Primary tumor cells were prepared by the cancer-tissue originated spheroid method. An immortalized cell line was established by co-culture with fibroblasts. The cultured tumor cells were molecularly and functionally characterized by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, growth assay, and transwell migration assay. Primary tumor cells were successfully prepared as multicellular spheroids from MNU-induced bladder tumors. The differentiation marker expression patterns observed in the original tumors were largely retained in the spheroids. We succeeded in establishing a cell line from the spheroids and named it T-MNU-1. Although basal markers (CK14 and CK5) were enriched in T-MNU-1 compared to the spheroids, T-MNU-1 expressed both luminal and basal markers. T-MNU-1 was able to migrate through a transwell. Tumor cells in MNU-induced bladder tumors were successfully cultured ex vivo as organoids, and an immortalized cell line was also established from them. The ex vivo models offer a platform that enables analysis of intrinsic characteristics of tumor cells excluding influence of microenvironment in MNU-induced bladder tumors. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reduced DNA repair in mouse satellite DNA after treatment with methylmethanesulfonate, and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea.

PubMed Central

Bodell, W J; Banerjee, M R

1976-01-01

We have measured DNA repair in mouse satellite and main band DNA as resolved by Ag+-Cs2SO4 centrifugation in response to treatment with the alkylating agents, methyl methanesulfonate, and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. We find that there is a statistically significant lower incorporation of 3H-Tdr into the satellite DNA as compared to the main band at varying periods after treatment with the alkylating agents. This suggests a reduced repair activity in the satellite DNA. We have measured the extent of binding of 14C-methyl methanesulfonate to the satellite, and main band DNA, and no difference in binding was observed, indicating that the reduced repair activity of satellite DNA is not due to a difference in binding of alkylating agents. We believe that the reduced incorporation of 3H-Tdr into satellite DNA may be due to its location in the condensed chromatin fraction. PMID:184436

The possible mechanism of enhanced carcinogenesis induced by genotoxic carcinogens in rasH2 mice.

PubMed

Okamura, Miwa; Unami, Akira; Moto, Mitsuyoshi; Muguruma, Masako; Ito, Tadashi; Jin, Meilan; Oishi, Yuji; Kashida, Yoko; Mitsumori, Kunitoshi

2007-01-08

Microarray and RT-PCR analyses were performed for the transgene and Ras-related genes in forestomach squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in rasH2 mice; these results were compared with our previous molecular data of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced forestomach SCCs and urethane-induced lung adenomas in rasH2 mice. Overexpression of the transgene was detected in the DMBA-induced SCCs, suggesting that the transgene plays an important role in enhanced carcinogenesis in rasH2 mice. In addition, the mouse endogenous ras genes were up-regulated in the DMBA-induced SCCs, and are probably involved in the tumorigenesis of forestomach SCCs. Genes such as osteopontin, Cks1b, Tpm1, Reck, gelsolin, and amphiregulin that were commonly altered in these three different carcinogen-induced tumors may contribute to the development of tumors in rasH2 mice.

DNA precursor pool: a significant target for N-methyl-N-nitrosourea in C3H/10T1/2 clone 8 cells.

PubMed Central

Topal, M D; Baker, M S

1982-01-01

Synchronized C3H/10T1/2 clone 8 cells were treated in vitro with a nontoxic dose of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea during their S phase. Chromatographic isolation of the deoxyribonucleotide DNA precursor pool and measurement of the precursor content per cell showed that a nucleic acid residue in the precursor pool is 190-13,000 times more susceptible to methylation than a residue in the DNA duplex, depending on the site of methylation. This conclusion comes from measurements indicating that, for example, the N-1 position of adenine in dATP is 6.3 times more methylated than the same position in the DNA, even though the adenine content of the pool is only a fraction (0.0005) of the adenine content of the DNA helix. The comparative susceptibility between pool and DNA was found to vary with the site of methylation in the order the N-1 position of adenine greater than phosphate greater than the N-3 position of adenine greater than the O6 position of guanine greater than the N-7 position of guanine. The significance of these results for chemical mutagenesis and carcinogenesis is discussed. PMID:6954535

Cloning and Characterizing Genes Involved in Monoterpene Induced Mammary Tumor Regression.

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-10-01

causes morphologic differentiation within 4 hours as characterized by neurite outgrowths (12). Monoterpenes inhibit enzymes in the mevalonate-lipid...metabolism pathway, including a selective inhibition of isoprenylation of 21-26 kDa small G proteins (13-15) and inhibition of ubiquinone ( CoQ ) and...Letters 269(2), 305-10 18 FOOTNOTES 1 The abbreviations used are: DMBA, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene; NMU, N-methyl-N- nitrosourea; CoQ , ubiquinone

Streptozotocin Diabetes CORRELATION WITH EXTENT OF DEPRESSION OF PANCREATIC ISLET NICOTINAMIDE ADENINE DINUCLEOTIDE

PubMed Central

Anderson, Tom; Schein, Philip S.; McMenamin, Mary G.; Cooney, David A.

1974-01-01

The diabetogenic activity of streptozotocin has been correlated with a reduction in pyridine nucleotide synthesis in the mouse pancreatic islet. To determine the specificity of this reduction for diabetogenicity, a comparative study of streptozotocin, its cytotoxic moiety, 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea, and alloxan was performed. Streptozotocin administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) producd a dose-related reduction in islet NAD which was proportional to the degree of diabetogenicity. A diabetogenic dose, 200 mg/kg, attained a peak plasma N-nitroso intact streptozotocin concentration of 0.224 μmol/ml and reduced the mean islet NAD from a control of 0.78 to 0.15 pmol. At borderline, 150 mg/kg, and nondiabetogenic, 100 mg/kg, doses, plasma concentrations reached 0.161 and 0.136 μmol/ml, and NAD was 0.36 and 0.86 pmol/islet, respectively. 1-Methyl-1-nitrosourea, 100 mg/kg, attained a maximum N-nitroso intact 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea concentration of 0.162 μmol/ml and reduced the mean NAD to 0.58 pmol/islet, and was nondiabetogenic; 200 mg/kg attained a peak plasma concentration of 0.344 μmol/ml and depressed NAD to 0.38 pmol/islet, and was inconsistently diabetogenic. Islet NAD of 0.4 pmol/islet or greater is required for integrity of the beta cell. A diabetogenic dose of alloxan, 500 mg/kg, did not depress NAD, 0.85 pmol/islet, therefore confirming that its mechanism of diabetogenicity differs from that of streptozotocin. In vivo uptake of [methyl-14C]streptozotocin by islets was 3.8 times that of [methyl-14C]-1-methyl-1-nitrosourea, whereas uptake by the exocrine pancreas favored 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea over streptozotocin 2.4:1. The decreased islet uptake of 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea correlates with the 3.5 times increased molar dosage required to produce islet NAD depression comparable to that of streptozotocin, 150 mg/kg. These studies indicate that the glucose carrier of streptozotocin facilitates uptake of its cytotoxic group, 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea, into islets. PMID:4369217

Nitrosamine-induced carcinogenesis. The alkylation of N-7 of guanine of nucleic acids of the rat by diethylnitrosamine, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea and ethyl methanesulphonate

PubMed Central

Swann, P. F.; Magee, P. N.

1971-01-01

1. The extent of ethylation of N-7 of guanine in the nucleic acids of rat tissue in vivo by diethylnitrosamine, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea and ethyl methanesulphonate was measured. 2. All compounds produced measurable amounts of 7-ethyl-guanine. 3. A single dose of diethylnitrosamine or N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea produced tumours of the kidney in the rat. Three doses of ethyl methanesulphonate produced kidney tumours, but a single dose did not. 4. A single dose of diethylnitrosamine produced twice as much ethylation of N-7 of guanine in DNA of kidney as did N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea. A single dose of both compounds induced kidney tumours, although of a different histological type. 5. A single dose of ethyl methanesulphonate produced ten times as much ethylation of N-7 of guanine in kidney DNA as did N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea without producing tumours. 6. The relevance of these findings to the hypothesis that alkylation of a cellular component is the mechanism of induction of tumours by nitroso compounds is discussed. PMID:5145908

Evaluation of the immunological cellular response of Cebus apella exposed to the carcinogen N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and treated with CANOVA®.

PubMed

Feio, Danielle Cristinne Azevedo; Muniz, José Augusto Pereira Carneiro; Montenegro, Raquel Carvalho; Burbano, Rommel Rodriguez; De Brito Junior, Lacy Cardoso; De Lima, Patrícia Danielle Lima

2014-01-01

The immune response modifier Canova® is a homeopathic remedy indicated for patients with depressed immune system, since this drug appears to increase adaptive immunity and induce an immune response against multiple and severe pathological conditions, including cancer. We evaluated the pattern of immune cellular response in non-human primates of the species Cebus apella exposed to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) with and without Canova®. Twelve animals were divided into four groups, with three animals each: negative control and three experimental groups, MNU-alone (35 days); MNU (35 days)-plus-Canova® (3 days) and Canova®-alone (3 days). The animals received MNU orally and Canova® by three intravenous injections. Evaluation of the cellular immune response was performed by immunophenotyping of T-lymphocytes (CD4(+), CD8(+)), B-lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Analysis was also performed of the cell cycle. Our results suggest an increase of T-lymphocytes (CD4(+)CD3(+)) only in the Canova® group, while in the MNU-plus-Canova® group only B-lymphocytes increased. Copyright © 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

Protective effect of zinc on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and testosterone-induced prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in the dorsolateral prostate of Sprague Dawley rats.

PubMed

Banudevi, Sivanantham; Elumalai, Perumal; Sharmila, Govindaraj; Arunkumar, Ramachandran; Senthilkumar, Kalimuthu; Arunakaran, Jagadeesan

2011-09-01

Previous studies have suggested that zinc exerts anticarcinogenic and antiproliferative effects against prostate cancer both in vitro and in rat ventral prostate. Zinc accumulation diminishes early in the course of prostate malignancy and it inhibits the growth of several carcinoma cells through induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In this study, we have investigated the influence of zinc on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) and testosterone (T)-induced prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in the dorsolateral prostate of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. The results indicate that zinc plays an important role in prostate carcinogenesis. Increased tumor incidence was accompanied by a decrease in prostatic acid phosphatase activity, citrate, zinc, glutathione-S-transferase, reduced glutathione, p53, B-cell lymphoma protein (Bcl-2)-associated X protein and caspase-3 levels in MNU + T-treated rats. On the contrary, significantly increased phase I drug metabolizing enzyme activities, lipid peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L) protein levels were observed in the dorsolateral prostate of MNU + T-treated rats. Simultaneous zinc supplementation significantly reversed these effects in MNU + T-treated rats. Signs of dysplasia, a characteristic of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, were evident in the dorsolateral prostatic tissue sections by MNU + T administration. However, zinc supplementation has reversed these effects in the dorsolateral prostatic histoarchitecture. These results suggest that zinc may act as an essential trace element against MNU and testosterone-induced prostatic preneoplastic progression in SD rats.

Side effects of anastrozole in the experimental pre-menopausal mammary carcinogenesis.

PubMed

Sadlonova, V; Kubatka, P; Kajo, K; Ostatnikova, D; Nosalova, G; Adamicova, K; Sadlonova, J

2009-01-01

The aim of this study was to assess side effects of aromatase inhibitor anastrozole in the prevention of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea - induced pre-menopausal mammary carcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats. This model mimicked situation in healthy, but from the point of view of the development of breast cancer, high-risk pre-menopausal women.

Aromatase inhibitor anastrozole was used as a chemopreventive agent taken by the animals in the food during the whole period of time of the experiment. Group 1 - the control group had taken food without anastrozole, the groups 2 and 3 with anastrozole in various concentrations - 0.05 mg/1 kg of food (ANA 0.05) and 0.5 mg/1 kg of food (ANA 0.5).

In anastrozole-treated animals in comparison with untreated animals, macroscopic changes of uterus and vagina were not found. The values of absolute and relative wet weight of uterus and vagina in the groups ANA 0.05 and ANA 0.5 were comparable with the control. Histological examination did not show atrophic changes in endometrium of uterus and in epithelium of vagina in anastrozole-treated animals. In the group ANA 0.5 myometrium was significantly grosser than in the group ANA 0.05 (P<0.05). Anastrozole neither affects parameters of plasma lipid metabolism (triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, low - density lipoprotein cholesterol and high - density lipoprotein cholesterol) nor serum levels of sex hormones (estradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone). Compact bone thickness in the groups with anastrozole was significantly increased in comparison with untreated animals (P<0.001). A significant increase in body weight was found in the group ANA 0.5 compared with the control group (P<0.01). The significant increase in body weight gain was not attended by the significant increase in food intake.

The side effects of aromatase inhibitor anastrozole in the prevention of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea - induced pre-menopausal mammary carcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats on myometrium, compact bone thickness and body weight gain were observed.

Mutagenic synergism detected between dimethyl sulfate and X-rays but not found between N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and X-rays in the stamen hairs of Tradescantia clone BNL 4430.

PubMed

Shima, N; Ichikawa, S

1995-09-01

Mutagenic interactions with X-rays of two monofunctional alkylating agents, dimethyl sulfate (DMS) and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), were studied in the stamen hairs of Tradescantia clone BNL 4430, a blue/pink heterozygote. The young inflorescence-bearing shoots with roots cultivated in the nutrient solution circulating growth chamber were used as tester plants. Synergism between two different mutagens was judged to have occurred when the mutation frequency observed after applying the two mutagens concurrently was statistically significantly higher than the mutation frequency expected from the additive effects of the two mutagens. Clear synergistic effects in inducing somatic pink mutations were detected with all combinations of doses of DMS and X-rays examined, even in a relatively low X-ray dose range (down to 299 mGy), resembling those confirmed earlier between ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and X-rays, but somewhat differing from the synergisms observed earlier between methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and X-rays. On the other hand, no mutagenic synergism was detected between MNU and X-rays, even in a relatively high X-ray dose range (up to 862 mGy). The presence or absence of mutagenic synergisms of these alkylating agents with X-rays could be related to the action mechanism of each alkylating agent.

Preventive effect of Oenothera rosea on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-(NMU) induced gastric cancer in rats.

PubMed

Almora-Pinedo, Yuan; Arroyo-Acevedo, Jorge; Herrera-Calderon, Oscar; Chumpitaz-Cerrate, Víctor; Hañari-Quispe, Renán; Tinco-Jayo, Aldo; Franco-Quino, Cesar; Figueroa-Salvador, Linder

2017-01-01

Currently, gastric cancer (GC) is considered a public health problem worldwide. Using medicinal plants for the prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer constitutes new alternatives in traditional medicine. Oenothera rosea (OR) could be an option, but it needs to be evaluated. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of OR extract on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU)-induced GC in rats. In total, 80 male Holtzman rats were randomized into five groups. Group A received the saline solution (5mL/kg), group B received NMU 500 μg/kg (cancer inductor) by oral administration for 16 weeks, and groups C, D, and E were treated with OR extract (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg, respectively) and NMU in order to evaluate the preventive effect on cancer induced by NMU for 16 weeks. Blood and histological samples of stomachs were collected to determine histopathological, biochemical, and hematological parameters between different experimental groups. Groups C, D, and E presented less histopathological changes such as anaplastic and hyperplastic cells, compared with group B. Hematological and biochemical parameters were recorded, and superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide levels were statistically less than those of NMU group ( P <0.05, P <0.01, and P <0.01). Considering the histopathological signs and the antioxidant activity in vivo as well as hematological and biochemical parameters of ethanolic extract of OR, we concluded that its administration in rats has a protective effect on GC, which is induced experimentally. This species could be studied in clinical trials for patients with GC in the future.

Multiple programmed cell death pathways are involved in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced photoreceptor degeneration.

PubMed

Reisenhofer, Miriam; Balmer, Jasmin; Zulliger, Rahel; Enzmann, Volker

2015-05-01

To identify programmed cell death (PCD) pathways involved in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced photoreceptor (PR) degeneration. Adult C57BL/6 mice received a single MNU i.p. injection (60 mg/kg bodyweight), and were observed over a period of 7 days. Degeneration was visualized by H&E overview staining and electron microscopy. PR cell death was measured by quantifying TUNEL-positive cells in the outer nuclear layer (ONL). Activity measurements of key PCD enzymes (calpain, caspases) were used to identify the involved cell death pathways. Furthermore, the expression level of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), key players in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis, was analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR. A decrease in ONL thickness and the appearance of apoptotic PR nuclei could be detected beginning 3 days post-injection (PI). This was accompanied by an increase of TUNEL-positive cells. Significant upregulation of activated caspases (3, 9, 12) was found at different time periods after MNU injection. Additionally, several other players of nonconventional PCD pathways were also upregulated. Consequently, calpain activity increased in the ONL, with a maximum on day 7 PI and an upregulation of CHOP and GRP78 expression beginning on day 1 PI was found. The data indicate that regular apoptosis is the major cause of MNU-induced PR cell death. However, alternative PCD pathways, including ER stress and calpain activation, are also involved. Knowledge about the mechanisms involved in this mouse model of PR degeneration could facilitate the design of putative combinatory therapeutic approaches.

Organ differences in the impact of p27(kip1) deficiency on carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea.

PubMed

Ogawa, Kumiko; Murasaki, Toshiya; Sugiura, Satoshi; Nakanishi, Makoto; Shirai, Tomoyuki

2013-06-01

To evaluate the impact of p27 on carcinogenesis in various organs, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), a direct-acting alkylating agent, was given to p27 knock-out mice. Groups of 20-40 male and female mice with null, hetero- or wild-type p27 alleles were given drinking water containing 240 ppm MNU or distilled water every other week for five cycles. The incidence and multiplicity of the induced proliferative lesions were then histologically evaluated at weeks 14 and 20. MNU treatment induced various lesions including squamous hyperplasia and squamous cell carcinoma in the forestomach, atypical hyperplasia and adenocarcinomas in the fundic and pyloric glands, adenomas and adenocarcinomas in the duodenum, malignant lymphomas in the thymus, liver, kidney and spleen and alveolar hyperplasia, adenomas, adenocarcinomas and malignant lymphomas in the lung. Although the incidences of the lesions in the forestomach, fundic and pyloric glands did not differ among the p27 genotypes, those of alveolar hyperplasia of the lung and malignant lymphoma of the thymus were significantly increased in p27-null males as compared with both wild- and hetero-type animals. Moreover, in both p27(+/+) and p27(+/-) cases, the rates for p27-positive cells were obviously increased in proliferative lesions of the pyloric gland and the lung. However, an increased rate of p27-positive cells was not observed in malignant lymphoma of the thymus. These findings suggest that p27 does not control the cell cycle equally in all organs affected by MNU-induced carcinogenesis. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The neurotoxic effects of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea on the electrophysiological property and visual signal transmission of rat's retina.

PubMed

Tao, Ye; Chen, Tao; Liu, Bei; Yang, Guo Qing; Peng, Guanghua; Zhang, Hua; Huang, Yi Fei

2015-07-01

The neurotoxic effects of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) on the inner retinal neurons and related visual signal circuits have not been described in any animal models or human, despite ample morphological evidences about the MNU induced photoreceptor (PR) degeneration. With the helping of MEA (multielectrode array) recording system, we gained the opportunity to systemically explore the neural activities and visual signal pathways of MNU administrated rats. Our MEA research identified remarkable alterations in the electrophysiological properties and firstly provided instructive information about the neurotoxicity of MNU that affects the signal transmission in the inner retina. Moreover, the spatial electrophysiological functions of retina were monitored and found that the focal PRs had different vulnerabilities to the MNU. The MNU-induced PR dysfunction exhibited a distinct spatial- and time-dependent progression. In contrast, the spiking activities of both central and peripheral RGCs altered synchronously in response to the MNU administration. Pharmacological tests suggested that gap junctions played a pivotal role in this homogeneous response of RGCs. SNR analysis of MNU treated retina suggested that the signaling efficiency and fidelity of inner retinal circuits have been ruined by this toxicant, although the microstructure of the inner retina seemed relatively consolidated. The present study provided an appropriate example of MEA investigations on the toxicant induced pathological models and the effects of the pharmacological compounds on neuron activities. The positional MEA information would enrich our knowledge about the pathology of MNU induced RP models, and eventually be instrumental for elucidating the underlying mechanism of human RP. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Thermo-induced modifications and selective accumulation of glucose-conjugated magnetic nanoparticles in vivo in rats - increasing the effectiveness of magnetic-assisted therapy - pilot study.

PubMed

Traikov, L; Antonov, I; Gerou, A; Vesselinova, L; Hadjiolova, R; Raynov, J

2015-09-01

Ferro-Magnetic nanoparticles (Fe-MNP) have gained a lot of attention in biomedical and industrial applications due to their biocompatibility, ease of surface modification and paramagnetic properties. The basic idea of our study is whether it is possible to use glucose-conjugate Fe-MNP (Glc-Fe-MNP) for targeting and more accurate focusing in order to increase the effect of high-frequency electromagnetic fields induced hyperthermia in solid tumors. Tumors demonstrate high metabolic activity for glucose in comparison with other somatic cells.Increasing of accumulation of glucose conjugated (Glc)-Fe-MNP on tumor site and precision of radio frequency electro-magnetic field (RF-EMF) energy absorption in solid tumors, precede RF-EMF induced hyperthermia. Rat model for monitoring the early development of breast cancer. Twenty female Wistar rats (MU-line-6171) were divided into two groups of 10 rats that were either treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea to induce breast cancer and 10 with carrageenan to induce inflammation (control). Glc-Fe-MNP can offer a solution to increase hyperthermia effect to the desired areas in the body by accumulation and increasing local concentration due to high tissue metabolic assimilation. In this condition, it is considered that the magnetization of the nanoparticles is a single-giant magnetic moment, the sum of all the individual magnetic moments and is proportional to the concentration of Glc-Fe-MNP.

Induction of glandular stomach cancers in Helicobacter pylori-sensitive Mongolian gerbils treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in drinking water.

PubMed

Tatematsu, M; Yamamoto, M; Shimizu, N; Yoshikawa, A; Fukami, H; Kaminishi, M; Oohara, T; Sugiyama, A; Ikeno, T

1998-02-01

An animal model of stomach carcinogenesis was established using Mongolian gerbils with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) as the carcinogens. In addition, the sensitivity of these gerbils to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) was confirmed. One hundred and sixty specific pathogen-free male MGS/Sea animals, 7 weeks old, were treated with MNU in the drinking water (30 ppm for alternate weeks to give 10 weeks exposure, or 10 ppm or 3 ppm for 20 weeks continuous exposure), or given MNNG in the drinking water at 400 ppm or 200 ppm for 20 weeks, or orally inoculated with ATCC43504 H. pylori (1.7 x 10(8) CFUs/animal). Adenocarcinomas in the glandular stomach were found in 2 out of 12 effective animals (2/ 12) treated with 30 ppm MNU at week 20, although all were dead or moribund by week 30 due to MNU toxicity. At week 50, the incidences of gastric adenocarcinomas in groups treated with 10 ppm MNU, 3 ppm MNU, 400 ppm MNNG, and 200 ppm MNNG were 2/21 (9.5%), 1/23 (4.3%), 7/ 11 (63.6%), and 1/10 (10.0%). The lesions were generally well differentiated, although poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma was also found in a single gerbil in each of the 10 ppm MNU and 400 ppm MNNG groups. In control animals no tumors were found. In the infection study, the animals were killed at week 20, and H. pylori was detected in all cases, causing multiple erosions with marked inflammatory cell infiltration in the lamina propria and submucosa, and frequent formation of lymphoid follicles. Thus, MNU and MNNG in the drinking water induced neoplastic lesions in the glandular stomach epithelium of H. pylori-sensitive gerbils.

The Role and Regulation of TNF-Alpha in Normal Rat Mammary Gland During Development and in Breast Cancer.

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-07-01

autocrine synthesis of TNFcx by the MEC as well. Normally, there is strict control of the expression of this cytokine; however, it is possible that any...1,2-benz-anthracene (DMBA) (Sigma, St. Louis, MO) (in corn oil) p.o. using standard protocols (30) or via i.p. injection of 1-methyl-l- nitrosourea ...Beutler, B. Dexamethasone and pentoxifylline inhibit endotoxin- induced cachectin/tumor necrosis factor synthesis at separate points in the signalling

Cytostatic action of two nitrosoureas derived from cysteamine.

PubMed Central

Bourut, C.; Chenu, E.; Godenèche, D.; Madelmont, J. C.; Maral, R.; Mathé, G.; Meyniel, G.

1986-01-01

2-Chloroethyl nitrosocarbamoylcystamine or ICIG-1325 (CNCC) is a lipid-soluble isomeric mixture of nitrosoureas. Its dose-effect relationship on L1210 leukaemia is characterized by a large maximally efficient dose-range (MEDR), greater than that of other nitrosoureas. CNCC also demonstrated significant therapeutic activity on intracerebrally (i.c.) transplanted L1210 leukaemia and on six transplanted solid tumours, TM2 mammary carcinoma, M555 ovarian carcinoma, B16 melanoma, glioma 26, 3LL, Lewis lung carcinoma and colon 26 carcinoma. It was inactive on fibrosarcoma ICIG-Ci4. Its antitumour activity spectrum is wider than that of the related compounds 2-[3-(2-chloroethyl) 3-nitrosoureido]D-glucopyranose (CZT), (chloro-2-ethyl)-1(ribofuranosyl-isopropylidene-2'-3' paranitrobenzoate-5')-3 nitrosourea (RFCNU), and (chloro-2-ethyl)-1 (ribopyranosyl triacetate-2'-3'-4')-3 nitrosourea (RPCNU). A study of its metabolic disposition in animals has shown that CNCC undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism leading to the formation of four main plasma metabolites. These metabolites are water-soluble nitrosoureas that arose from the bioreduction of the disulphide bridge followed by the methylation and the oxidation of the thiol groups. Experimental screening was performed with these chemically synthesized metabolites. Both N'-(2-chloroethyl)-N-[2-(methylsulphinyl)ethyl]-N'-nitrosourea (CMSOEN2) and N'-(2-chloroethyl)-N-[2-(methylsulphonyl)ethyl]-N'-nitrosourea (CMSO2EN2) are very active on L1210 leukaemia grafted intraperitoneally (i.p.) and i.c., L40 leukaemia, B16 melanoma, glioma 26 and Lewis lung carcinoma. Their effectiveness is better than that of the parent compound CNCC. In addition,the percentage of mice cured after CMSOEN2 or CMSO2EN2 treatment is increased especially on B16 melanoma and glioma 26.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) PMID:3801787

Synergistic effects of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (an alkylating agent with a low Swain-Scott substrate constant) and X-rays in the stamen hairs of Tradescantia clone BNL 4430.

PubMed

Shima, N; Ichikawa, S

1997-01-01

The mutagenic interaction between N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) and X-rays was tested in the stamen hairs of Tradescantia clone BNL 4430, a blue/pink heterozygote. ENU, a monofunctional alkylating agent with a low Swain-Scott substrate constant (s) of 0.26, exhibited a strong cytotoxicity. ENU-induced somatic pink mutation frequency per 10(4) hair-cell divisions increased with increasing ENU dose, with a slope of 1.243 on a log-log graph, the slope value being similar to that for X-ray-induced mutation frequency. Three out of five combined treatments with ENU and X-rays produced mutation frequencies significantly higher than those expected from the additive effects of the two mutagens. Clear synergistic effects were detected when relatively higher X-ray doses were applied, resembling those confirmed earlier between methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and X-rays, although the s value for ENU is very much smaller than that (0.88) for MMS. It is therefore concluded that mutagenic interactions between alkylating agents and X-rays do not have any clear relationship with the s values.

Preventive effect of Oenothera rosea on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-(NMU) induced gastric cancer in rats

PubMed Central

Almora-Pinedo, Yuan; Arroyo-Acevedo, Jorge; Herrera-Calderon, Oscar; Chumpitaz-Cerrate, Víctor; Hañari-Quispe, Renán; Tinco-Jayo, Aldo; Franco-Quino, Cesar; Figueroa-Salvador, Linder

2017-01-01

Background Currently, gastric cancer (GC) is considered a public health problem worldwide. Using medicinal plants for the prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer constitutes new alternatives in traditional medicine. Oenothera rosea (OR) could be an option, but it needs to be evaluated. Aim The main objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of OR extract on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU)-induced GC in rats. Methods In total, 80 male Holtzman rats were randomized into five groups. Group A received the saline solution (5mL/kg), group B received NMU 500 μg/kg (cancer inductor) by oral administration for 16 weeks, and groups C, D, and E were treated with OR extract (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg, respectively) and NMU in order to evaluate the preventive effect on cancer induced by NMU for 16 weeks. Blood and histological samples of stomachs were collected to determine histopathological, biochemical, and hematological parameters between different experimental groups. Results Groups C, D, and E presented less histopathological changes such as anaplastic and hyperplastic cells, compared with group B. Hematological and biochemical parameters were recorded, and superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide levels were statistically less than those of NMU group (P<0.05, P<0.01, and P<0.01). Conclusion Considering the histopathological signs and the antioxidant activity in vivo as well as hematological and biochemical parameters of ethanolic extract of OR, we concluded that its administration in rats has a protective effect on GC, which is induced experimentally. This species could be studied in clinical trials for patients with GC in the future. PMID:29270029

Nitric oxide donors attenuate clongenic potential in rat C6 glioma cells treated with alkylating chemotherapeutic agents.

PubMed

Yang, Jir-Jei; Yin, Jiu-Haw; Yang, Ding-I

2007-05-11

1,3-Bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) kills tumor cells via multiple actions including alkylation and carbamoylation. Previously, we have reported that formation of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) in glioma cells overexpressing inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) contributed to nitric oxide (NO)-dependent carbamoylating chemoresistance against BCNU. To further characterize the effects of NO on alkylating cytotoxicity, colony formation assay was applied to evaluate the effects of various NO donors on rat C6 glioma cells challenged with alkylating agents. We demonstrate that NO donors including GSNO, diethylamine NONOate (DEA/NO), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) substantially reduced the extent of colony formation in glioma cells treated with alkylating agents, namely methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU). Without alkylating agents these NO-releasing agents alone had no effects on clongenic potential of rat C6 glioma cells. Among these three NO donors used, the effectiveness in potentiating alkylating cytotoxicity is in the order of "GSNO>DEA/NO>SNP" when applied at the same dosages. GSNO also exerted similar synergistic actions reducing the extents of colony formation when co-administrated with 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)-hydrazine (compound #1), another alkylating agent that mimics the chloroethylating action of BCNU. Together with our previous findings, we propose that NO donors may be used as adjunct chemotherapy with alkylating agents for such malignant brain tumors as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In contrast, production of NO as a result of iNOS induction, such as that occurring after surgical resection of brain tumors, may compromise the efficacy of carbamoylating chemotherapy.

[The biochemical mechanisms of the action of N-alkyl-N-nitrosoureas. The possible reasons for drug resistance to these compounds].

PubMed

Syrkin, A B; Gorbacheva, L B

1996-01-01

N-alkyl-N-nitrosoureas exhibit a wide spectrum of antitumor activity. They react as alkylating agents at nucleophilic sites in purine and pyrimidine moieties of DNA. The predominant site of this alkylation is N7 of guanine, which is followed by the site N3 of adenine and 06 of guanine. The formation and persistence of 0(6)-alkylguanine (0(6)-AG) may be of primary importance in cytotoxicity of the nitrosoureas. 0(6)-AG adducts of DNA of the tumor cells are repaired by protein 0(6)-alkylguanine-DNA transferase (0(6)-AGT) which transfers the alkyl group to internal cysteine residue being the acceptor protein for the alkyl group in an irreversible transfer reaction. 0(6)-AGT can protect the tumor cells against 0(6)-AG adducts by the way of inhibiting the formation of the DNA interstrand cross-links 0(6)-AGT plays an important role in the drug resistance because it repairs the DNA alkyl adducts at the 0(6) position of guanine. The 0(6)-AGT activity inversely correlates with the cytotoxic effect of the nitrosoureas. The agents like 0(6)-methylguanosine, 0(6)-methyl-2'-deoxyguanosine, and some 0(6)-benzylated guanine derivatives are effective inactivators of 0(6)-AGT, and thus can be used to enhance the cytotoxicity of N-nitrosoureas. The activation of 0(6)-AGT and other repairing enzymes such as alpha and beta DNA-polymerases as well as an increase in the level of reduced glutathione may be used in developing the resistance to the nitrosoureas.

Antimutagenic components in Glycyrrhiza against N-methyl-N-nitrosourea in the Ames assay.

PubMed

Inami, Keiko; Mine, Yusuke; Kojo, Yukiko; Tanaka, Satomi; Ishikawa, Satoko; Mochizuki, Masataka

2017-03-01

Antimutagenesis against N-nitroso compounds contribute to prevention of human cancer. We have found that Glycyrrhiza aspera ethanolic extract exhibits antimutagenic activity against N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) using the Ames assay with Salmonella typhimurium TA1535. In the present study, eight purified components from Glycyrrhiza, namely glabridin, glycyrrhetinic acid, glycyrrhizin, licochalcone A, licoricesaponin H2, licoricesaponin G2, liquiritigenin and liquiritin were evaluated for their antimutagenicity against MNU in the Ames assay with S. typhimurium TA1535. Glycyrrhetinic acid, glycyrrhizin, licoricesaponin G2, licoricesaponin H2 and liquiritin did not show the antimutagenicity against MNU in S. typhimurium TA1535. Glabridin, licochalcone A and liquiritigenin reduced revertant colonies derived from MNU in S. typhimurium TA1535 without showing cytotoxic effects, indicating that these compounds possess antimutagenic activity against MNU. The inhibitory activity of glabridin and licochalcone A was more effective than that of liquiritigenin. Thus, Glycyrrhiza contains antimutagenic components against DNA alkylating, direct-acting carcinogens.

Investigation of J-shaped dose-responses induced by exposure to the alkylating agent N-methyl-N-nitrosourea.

PubMed

Chapman, Katherine E; Hoffmann, George R; Doak, Shareen H; Jenkins, Gareth J S

2017-07-01

Hormesis is defined as a biphasic dose-response where biological effects of low doses of a stressor demonstrate the opposite effect to high-dose effects of the same stressor. Hormetic, or J-shaped, dose-response relationships are relatively rarely observed in toxicology, resulting in a limited understanding and even some skepticism of the concept. Low dose-response studies for genotoxicity endpoints have been performed at Swansea University for over a decade. However, no statistically significant decreases below control genotoxicity levels have been detected until recently. A hormetic-style dose-response following a 24h exposure to the alkylating agent N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) was observed in a previous study for HPRT mutagenesis in the human lymphoblastoid cell line AHH-1. A second recent study demonstrated a J-shaped dose-response for the induction of micronuclei by MNU in a 24h treatment in a similar test system. Following mechanistic investigations, it was hypothesized that p53 may be responsible for the observed hormetic phenomenon. As genotoxic carcinogens are a major causative factor of many cancers, consideration of hormesis in carcinogenesis could be important in safety assessment. The data examined here offer possible insights into hormesis, including its estimated prevalence, underlying mechanisms and lack of generalizability. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Increased phospho-AKT is associated with loss of the androgen receptor during the progression of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced prostate carcinogenesis in rats.

PubMed

Liao, Zhiming; Wang, Shihua; Boileau, Thomas W-M; Erdman, John W; Clinton, Steven K

2005-07-01

Characterization of molecular events during N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced rat prostate carcinogenesis enhances the utility of this model for the preclinical assessment of preventive strategies. Androgen independence is typical of advanced human prostate cancer and may occur through multiple mechanisms including the loss of androgen receptor (AR) expression and the activation of alternative signaling pathways. We examined the interrelationships between AR and p-AKT expression by immunohistochemical staining during MNU-androgen-induced prostate carcinogenesis in male Wistar-Unilever rats. Histone nuclear staining and image analysis was employed to assess parallel changes in chromatin and nuclear structure. The percentage of AR positive nuclei decreased (P < 0.01) as carcinogenesis progressed: hyperplasia (92%), atypical hyperplasia (92%), well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (57%), moderately-differentiated adenocarcinoma (19%), and poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma (10%). Conversely, p-AKT staining increased significantly during carcinogenesis. Sparse staining was observed in normal tissues (0.2% of epithelial area) and hyperplastic lesions (0.1%), while expression increased significantly (P < 0.001) in atypical hyperplasia (7.6%), well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (16.7%), moderately-differentiated adenocarcinoma (19.6%), and poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma (17.4%). In parallel, nuclear morphometry revealed increased nuclear size, greater irregularity, and lower DNA compactness as cancers became more poorly differentiated. In the MNU model, the progressive evolution of dominant tumor cell populations showing an increase in p-AKT in parallel with a decline in AR staining suggests that activation of AKT signaling may be one of several mechanisms contributing to androgen insensitivity during prostate cancer progression. Our observations mimic findings suggested by human studies and support the relevance of the MNU model in preclinical studies of preventive strategies. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Quantitative Receptor-Based Imaging of Tumor Proliferation with the Sigma-2 Ligand [18F]ISO-1

PubMed Central

Shoghi, Kooresh I.; Xu, Jinbin; Su, Yi; He, June; Rowland, Douglas; Yan, Ying; Garbow, Joel R.; Tu, Zhude; Jones, Lynne A.; Higashikubo, Ryuji; Wheeler, Kenneth T.; Lubet, Ronald A.; Mach, Robert H.; You, Ming

2013-01-01

The sigma-2 receptor is expressed in higher density in proliferating (P) tumor cells versus quiescent (Q) tumor cells, thus providing an attractive target for imaging the proliferative status (i.e., P:Q ratio) of solid tumors. Here we evaluate the utility of the sigma-2 receptor ligand 2-(2-[18F]fluoroethoxy)-N-(4-(3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxyisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)butyl)-5-methyl-benzamide, [18F]ISO-1, in two different rodent models of breast cancer. In the first study, small animal Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging studies were conducted with [18F]ISO-1 and 18FDG in xenografts of mouse mammary tumor 66 and tracer uptake was correlated with the in vivo P:Q ratio determined by flow cytometric measures of BrdU-labeled tumor cells. The second model utilized a chemically-induced (N-methyl-N-nitrosourea [MNU]) model of rat mammary carcinoma to correlate measures of [18F]ISO-1 and FDG uptake with MR-based volumetric measures of tumor growth. In addition, [18F]ISO-1 and FDG were used to assess the response of MNU-induced tumors to bexarotene and Vorozole therapy. In the mouse mammary 66 tumors, a strong linear correlation was observed between the [18F]ISO-1 tumor: background ratio and the proliferative status (P:Q ratio) of the tumor (R = 0.87). Similarly, measures of [18F]ISO-1 uptake in MNU-induced tumors significantly correlated (R = 0.68, P<0.003) with changes in tumor volume between consecutive MR imaging sessions. Our data suggest that PET studies of [18F]ISO-1 provide a measure of both the proliferative status and tumor growth rate, which would be valuable in designing an appropriate treatment strategy. PMID:24073202

Disease Subtype–Independent Biomarkers of Breast Cancer Chemoprevention by the Ayurvedic Medicine Phytochemical Withaferin A

PubMed Central

Samanta, Suman K.; Sehrawat, Anuradha; Kim, Su-Hyeong; Hahm, Eun-Ryeong; Shuai, Yongli; Roy, Ruchi; Pore, Subrata K.; Singh, Krishna B.; Christner, Susan M.; Beumer, Jan H.; Davidson, Nancy E.; Singh, Shivendra V.

2017-01-01

Abstract Background A nontoxic chemopreventive intervention efficacious against different subtypes of breast cancer is still a clinically unmet need. The present study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of an Ayurvedic medicine phytochemical (Withaferin A, [WA]) for chemoprevention of breast cancer and to elucidate its mode of action. Methods Chemopreventive efficacy of WA (4 and 8 mg/kg body weight) was determined using a rat model of breast cancer induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU; n = 14 for control group, n = 15 for 4 mg/kg group, and n = 18 for 8 mg/kg group). The mechanisms underlying breast cancer chemoprevention by WA were elucidated by immunoblotting, biochemical assays, immunohistochemistry, and cytokine profiling using plasma and tumors from the MNU-rat (n = 8–12 for control group, n = 7–11 for 4 mg/kg group, and n = 8–12 for 8 mg/kg group) and/or mouse mammary tumor virus-neu (MMTV-neu) models (n = 4–11 for control group and n = 4–21 for 4 mg/kg group). Inhibitory effect of WA on exit from mitosis and leptin-induced oncogenic signaling was determined using MCF-7 and/or MDA-MB-231 cells. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results Incidence, multiplicity, and burden of breast cancer in rats were decreased by WA administration. For example, the tumor weight in the 8 mg/kg group was lower by about 68% compared with controls (8 mg/kg vs control, mean = 2.76 vs 8.59, difference = –5.83, 95% confidence interval of difference = −9.89 to –1.76, P = .004). Mitotic arrest and apoptosis induction were some common determinants of breast cancer chemoprevention by WA in the MNU-rat and MMTV-neu models. Cytokine profiling showed suppression of plasma leptin levels by WA in rats. WA inhibited leptin-induced oncogenic signaling in cultured breast cancer cells. Conclusion WA is a promising chemopreventative phytochemical with the ability to inhibit at least two different subtypes of breast cancer. PMID:28040797

Cyanidin-3-glucoside extracted from mulberry fruit can reduce N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced retinal degeneration in rats.

PubMed

Lee, Seung Hee; Jeong, Eojin; Paik, Sun-Sook; Jeon, Ji Hyun; Jung, Sung Won; Kim, Hyun-Bok; Kim, Muyan; Chun, Myung-Hoon; Kim, In-Beom

2014-01-01

To investigate the effect of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) on a rat retinal degeneration (RD) model. Experimental RD was induced in rats by the intraperitoneal injection of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) at 50 mg/kg. C3G extracted from mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruit (50 mg/kg) was orally administered, daily for 1, 2 and 4 weeks after MNU injection. The effects of C3G administration on MNU-induced RD retinas were histologically and functionally assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and electroretinography (ERG), respectively. The degree of retinal injury in C3G-administered RD rats was evaluated by immunohistochemistry with an antibody against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The preferential protective effect of C3G on scotopic vision was examined by western blot analysis. Marked loss of photoreceptors in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) was observed in RD rats at 2 and 4 weeks after MNU injection, while the ONL in the MNU-induced RD rats given C3G was relatively well preserved. Immunohistochemistry with anti-GFAP showed that retinal injury was also reduced in the retinas of the rats given C3G. Functional assessment by using ERG recordings showed that scotopic ERG responses were significantly increased in RD rats given C3G for 4 weeks (p < 0.01) compared with that of untreated RD rats. In the RD rats given short-term C3G (for 1 and 2 weeks), the increase in ERG responses was not significant. In addition, western blot analysis showed that rhodopsin level in the C3G-administered RD retinas significantly increased compared to that in the non-administered RD retinas (p < 0.05), whereas red/green opsin level did not show any significant difference. Long-term administration of C3G extracted from mulberry fruit could structurally reduce photoreceptor damage and functionally improve scotopic visual functions in the RD rat model induced by MNU.

Melatonin, environmental light, and breast cancer.

PubMed

Srinivasan, V; Spence, D W; Pandi-Perumal, S R; Trakht, I; Esquifino, A I; Cardinali, D P; Maestroni, G J

2008-04-01

Although many factors have been suggested as causes for breast cancer, the increased incidence of the disease seen in women working in night shifts led to the hypothesis that the suppression of melatonin by light or melatonin deficiency plays a major role in cancer development. Studies on the 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea experimental models of human breast cancer indicate that melatonin is effective in reducing cancer development. In vitro studies in MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line have shown that melatonin exerts its anticarcinogenic actions through a variety of mechanisms, and that it is most effective in estrogen receptor (ER) alpha-positive breast cancer cells. Melatonin suppresses ER gene, modulates several estrogen dependent regulatory proteins and pro-oncogenes, inhibits cell proliferation, and impairs the metastatic capacity of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. The anticarcinogenic action on MCF-7 cells has been demonstrated at the physiological concentrations of melatonin attained at night, suggesting thereby that melatonin acts like an endogenous antiestrogen. Melatonin also decreases the formation of estrogens from androgens via aromatase inhibition. Circulating melatonin levels are abnormally low in ER-positive breast cancer patients thereby supporting the melatonin hypothesis for breast cancer in shift working women. It has been postulated that enhanced endogenous melatonin secretion is responsible for the beneficial effects of meditation as a form of psychosocial intervention that helps breast cancer patients.

CDB-4124, a progesterone receptor modulator, inhibits mammary carcinogenesis by suppressing cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis.

PubMed

Wiehle, Ronald; Lantvit, Daniel; Yamada, Tohru; Christov, Konstantin

2011-03-01

CDB-4124 (Proellex or telapristone acetate) is a modulator of progesterone receptor (PR) signaling, which is currently employed in preclinical studies for prevention and treatment of breast cancer and has been used in clinical studies for treatment of uterine fibroids and endometriosis. Here we provide evidence for its action on steroid hormone-signaling, cell cycle-regulated genes and in vivo on mammary carcinogenesis. When CDB-4124 is given to rats at 200 mg/kg for 24 months, it prevents the development of spontaneous mammary hyperplastic and premalignant lesions. Also, CDB-4124 given as subcutaneous pellets at two different doses suppressed, dose dependently, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced mammary carcinogenesis. The high dose (30 mg, over 84 days) increased tumor latency from 66 ± 24 days to 87 ± 20 days (P < 0.02), decreased incidence from 85% to 35% (P < 0.001), and reduced multiplicity from 3.0 to 1.1 tumors/animal (P < 0.001). Tumor burden decreased from 2.6 g/animal to 0.26 g/animal (P < 0.01). CDB-4124 inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in MNU-induced mammary tumors, which correlated with a decreased proportion of PR(+) tumor cells and with decreased serum progesterone. CDB-4124 did not affect serum estradiol. In a mechanistic study employing T47D cells we found that CDB-4124 suppressed G(1)/G(0)-S transition by inhibiting CDK2 and CDK4 expressions, which correlated with inhibition of estrogen receptor (ER) expression. Taken together, these data indicate that CDB-4124 can suppress the development of precancerous lesions and carcinogen-induced ER(+) mammary tumors in rats, and may have implications for prevention and treatment of human breast cancer.

Cellular Biochemistry and Cytogenetics in a Rat Lung Tumor Model

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-10-01

lung tumor system the specific aims are: 1. To conduct studies of the effect of 3-methylchlanthrene (MCA) on DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in...alkylation of nucleic acids of the rat by N-methyl-N- nitrosourea , dimethylnitrosamine, dimethylsulfate, and methylmethanesulfonate. Biochem. J. 110:39-47

Anti-Tumor Action, Clinical Biochemistry Profile and Phytochemical Constituents of a Pharmacologically Active Fraction of S. crispus in NMU-Induced Rat Mammary Tumour Model

PubMed Central

Yaacob, Nik Soriani; Yankuzo, Hassan Muhammad; Devaraj, Sutha; Wong, Jimmy Ka Ming; Lai, Choon-Sheen

2015-01-01

Cancer patients seek alternative remedies such as traditional medicinal plants for safe and effective treatment and help overcome the side effects of conventional therapy. Current knowledge indicates that extracts of Strobilanthes crispus of the Acanthaceae family exhibit potent anticancer properties in vitro and are non-toxic in vivo. S. crispus was also reported to be protective against chemical hepatocarcinogenesis. We previously showed that a bioactive fraction of S. crispus leaves also synergized with tamoxifen to cause apoptosis of human breast cancer cell lines without damaging non-malignant epithelial cells. The present study aimed to evaluate the antitumor effect of S. crispus dichloromethane fraction (F3) using N-methyl-N-Nitrosourea (NMU)-induced rat mammary tumor model. Tumor regression was observed in 75% of the rats following 8-week oral administration of F3 with no secondary tumour formation and no signs of anemia or infection. However, no improvement in the liver and renal function profiles was observed. Major constituents of F3 were identified as lutein, 131-hydroxy-132-oxo-pheophytin a, campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, pheophytin a and 132-hydroxy-pheophytin a. These compounds however, may not significantly contribute to the antitumor effect of F3. PMID:26000968

Anti-Tumor Action, Clinical Biochemistry Profile and Phytochemical Constituents of a Pharmacologically Active Fraction of S. crispus in NMU-Induced Rat Mammary Tumour Model.

PubMed

Yaacob, Nik Soriani; Yankuzo, Hassan Muhammad; Devaraj, Sutha; Wong, Jimmy Ka Ming; Lai, Choon-Sheen

2015-01-01

Cancer patients seek alternative remedies such as traditional medicinal plants for safe and effective treatment and help overcome the side effects of conventional therapy. Current knowledge indicates that extracts of Strobilanthes crispus of the Acanthaceae family exhibit potent anticancer properties in vitro and are non-toxic in vivo. S. crispus was also reported to be protective against chemical hepatocarcinogenesis. We previously showed that a bioactive fraction of S. crispus leaves also synergized with tamoxifen to cause apoptosis of human breast cancer cell lines without damaging non-malignant epithelial cells. The present study aimed to evaluate the antitumor effect of S. crispus dichloromethane fraction (F3) using N-methyl-N-Nitrosourea (NMU)-induced rat mammary tumor model. Tumor regression was observed in 75% of the rats following 8-week oral administration of F3 with no secondary tumour formation and no signs of anemia or infection. However, no improvement in the liver and renal function profiles was observed. Major constituents of F3 were identified as lutein, 131-hydroxy-132-oxo-pheophytin a, campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, pheophytin a and 132-hydroxy-pheophytin a. These compounds however, may not significantly contribute to the antitumor effect of F3.

Peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase Pin1 regulates withaferin A-mediated cell cycle arrest in human breast cancer cells.

PubMed

Samanta, Suman K; Lee, Joomin; Hahm, Eun-Ryeong; Singh, Shivendra V

2018-07-01

We have reported previously that withaferin A (WA) prevents breast cancer development in mouse mammary tumor virus-neu (MMTV-neu) transgenic mice, but the mechanism is not fully understood. Unbiased proteomics of the mammary tumors from control- and WA-treated MMTV-neu mice revealed downregulation of peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (Pin1) protein by WA administration. The present study extends these findings to elucidate the role of Pin1 in cancer chemopreventive mechanisms of WA. The mammary tumor level of Pin1 protein was lower by about 55% in WA-treated rats exposed to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, compared to control. Exposure of MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 human breast cancer cells to WA resulted in downregulation of Pin1 protein. Ectopic expression of Pin1 attenuated G 2 and/or mitotic arrest resulting from WA treatment in both MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 cells. WA-induced apoptosis was increased by Pin1 overexpression in MCF-7 cells but not in the SK-BR-3 cell line. In addition, molecular docking followed by mass spectrometry indicated covalent interaction of WA with cysteine 113 of Pin1. Overexpression of Pin1 C113A mutant failed to attenuate WA-induced mitotic arrest or apoptosis in the MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, antibody array revealed upregulation of proapoptotic insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs), including IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4, IGFBP-5, and IGFBP-6, in Pin1 overexpressing MCF-7 cells following WA treatment when compared to empty vector transfected control cells. These data support a crucial role of the Pin1 for mitotic arrest and apoptosis signaling by WA at least in the MCF-7 cells. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Inducible transgenics. New lessons on events governing the induction and commitment in mammary tumorigenesis.

PubMed

Hulit, J; Di Vizio, D; Pestell, R G

2001-01-01

Breast cancer arises from multiple genetic events that together contribute to the established, irreversible malignant phenotype. The development of inducible tissue-specific transgenics has allowed a careful dissection of the events required for induction and subsequent maintenance of tumorigenesis. Mammary gland targeted expression of oncogenic Ras or c-Myc is sufficient for the induction of mammary gland tumorigenesis in the rodent, and when overexpressed together the rate of tumor onset is substantially enhanced. In an exciting recent finding, D'Cruz et al discovered tetracycline-regulated c-Myc overexpression in the mammary gland induced invasive mammary tumors that regressed upon withdrawal of c-Myc expression. Almost one-half of the c-Myc-induced tumors harbored K-ras or N-ras gene point mutations, correlating with tumor persistence on withdrawal of c-Myc transgene expression. These findings suggest maintenance of tumorigenesis may involve a second mutation within the Ras pathway.

Induction of Liver Cell Adenomata in the Rat by a Single Treatment with N-Methyl-N-Nitrosourea given at Various Times after Partial Hepatectomy

PubMed Central

Craddock, V. M.; Frei, J. V.

1974-01-01

A single treatment of adult animals with the potent carcinogen NMU was known to induce tumours in a wide variety of organs, with the notable exception of liver. Administration of NMU after partial hepatectomy gave rise to the first liver cell adenomata ever observed in rats due to this carcinogen. The tumours were induced when NMU was given during the period of increased DNA synthesis but not when given early in the pre-replicative period. Although tumours were induced in other organs, the incidence of these did not correlate with the timing of NMU administration. It is suggested that replication of damaged DNA may be a relevant event in carcinogenesis. ImagesFig.p507-a PMID:4614856

The neurotoxic effects of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea on the electrophysiological property and visual signal transmission of rat's retina

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tao, Ye; Chen, Tao; Liu, Bei

The neurotoxic effects of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) on the inner retinal neurons and related visual signal circuits have not been described in any animal models or human, despite ample morphological evidences about the MNU induced photoreceptor (PR) degeneration. With the helping of MEA (multielectrode array) recording system, we gained the opportunity to systemically explore the neural activities and visual signal pathways of MNU administrated rats. Our MEA research identified remarkable alterations in the electrophysiological properties and firstly provided instructive information about the neurotoxicity of MNU that affects the signal transmission in the inner retina. Moreover, the spatial electrophysiological functions of retinamore » were monitored and found that the focal PRs had different vulnerabilities to the MNU. The MNU-induced PR dysfunction exhibited a distinct spatial- and time-dependent progression. In contrast, the spiking activities of both central and peripheral RGCs altered synchronously in response to the MNU administration. Pharmacological tests suggested that gap junctions played a pivotal role in this homogeneous response of RGCs. SNR analysis of MNU treated retina suggested that the signaling efficiency and fidelity of inner retinal circuits have been ruined by this toxicant, although the microstructure of the inner retina seemed relatively consolidated. The present study provided an appropriate example of MEA investigations on the toxicant induced pathological models and the effects of the pharmacological compounds on neuron activities. The positional MEA information would enrich our knowledge about the pathology of MNU induced RP models, and eventually be instrumental for elucidating the underlying mechanism of human RP. - Highlights: • We systemically explored the neural activities and visual signal pathways of MNU administrated retinas. • The focal photoreceptors had different vulnerabilities to the MNU administration. • Pharmacological tests suggested that gap junctions played a pivotal role in this homogeneous response of RGCs. • The present study provided an appropriate example of MEA investigations on the toxicant induced pathological models. • The MEA information would enrich our knowledge about the pathology of MNU induced RP models.« less

Short-term exposure to pregnancy levels of estrogen prevents mammary carcinogenesis

PubMed Central

Rajkumar, Lakshmanaswamy; Guzman, Raphael C.; Yang, Jason; Thordarson, Gudmundur; Talamantes, Frank; Nandi, Satyabrata

2001-01-01

It is well established that pregnancy early in life reduces the risk of breast cancer in women and that this effect is universal. This phenomenon of parity protection against mammary cancer is also observed in rodents. Earlier studies have demonstrated that short-term administration of estradiol (E) in combination with progesterone mimics the protective effect of parity in rats. In this study, the lowest effective E dosage for preventing mammary cancer was determined. Rats were injected with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea at 7 weeks of age; 2 weeks later, the rats were subjected to sustained treatment with 20 μg, 100 μg, 200 μg, or 30 mg of E in silastic capsules for 3 weeks. Treatments with 100 μg, 200 μg, and 30 mg of E resulted in serum levels of E equivalent to those of pregnancy and were highly effective in preventing mammary cancer. E treatment (20 μg) did not result in pregnancy levels of E and was not effective in reducing the mammary cancer incidence. In another set of experiments, we determined the effect of different durations of E with or without progesterone treatments on mammary carcinogenesis. These experiments indicate that a period as short as one-third the period of gestation is sufficient to induce protection against mammary carcinogenesis. The pioneering aspect of our study in contrast to long-term estrogen exposure, which is thought to increase the risk of breast cancer, is that short-term sustained treatments with pregnancy levels of E can induce protection against frank mammary cancer. PMID:11573010

Anticancer and Cancer Prevention Effects of Piperine-Free Piper nigrum Extract on N-nitrosomethylurea-Induced Mammary Tumorigenesis in Rats.

PubMed

Sriwiriyajan, Somchai; Tedasen, Aman; Lailerd, Narissara; Boonyaphiphat, Pleumjit; Nitiruangjarat, Anupong; Deng, Yan; Graidist, Potchanapond

2016-01-01

Piper nigrum (P. nigrum) is commonly used in traditional medicine. This current study aimed to investigate the anticancer and cancer preventive activity of a piperine-free P. nigrum extract (PFPE) against breast cancer cells and N-nitrosomethylurea (NMU)-induced mammary tumorigenesis in rats. The cytotoxic effects and the mechanism of action were investigated in breast cancer cells using the MTT assay and Western blot analysis, respectively. An acute toxicity study was conducted according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development guideline. Female Sprague-Dawley rats with NMU-induced mammary tumors were used in preventive and anticancer studies. The results showed that PFPE inhibited the growth of luminal-like breast cancer cells more so than the basal-like ones by induction of apoptosis. In addition, PFPE exhibited greater selectivity against breast cancer cells than colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and neuroblastoma cells. In an acute toxicity study, a single oral administration of PFPE at a dose of 5,000 mg/kg body weight resulted in no mortality and morbidity during a 14-day observation period. For the cancer preventive study, the incidence of tumor-bearing rats was 10% to 20% in rats treated with PFPE. For the anticancer activity study, the growth rate of tumors in the presence of PFPE-treated groups was much slower when compared with the control and vehicle groups. The extract itself caused no changes to the biochemical and hematologic parameters when compared with the control and vehicle groups. In conclusion, PFPE had a low toxicity and a potent antitumor effect on mammary tumorigenesis in rats. ©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.

[Synthesis of new nitrosoureas].

PubMed

Papadaki-Valiraki, A; Siatra-Papastaikoudi, T; Skaltsounis, A L; Roussakis, C

1989-01-01

Two chemical pathways were used for the synthesis of three new N'-(2-chloroethyl)-N-[2-(4-alkoxyphenylthio)ethyl]-N'-nitrosoureas and two new N'-(2-chloroethyl)-N)[2-(4-alkoxyphenyl-thio)ethyl]-N-nitrosoureas . The study of the cytotoxicity of the three N'-nitrosoureas, was carried out in two experimental models (P 388 and NSCLCN6).

Mammary gland neoplasia in long-term rodent studies.

PubMed Central

Russo, I H; Russo, J

1996-01-01

Breast cancer, the most frequent spontaneous malignancy diagnosed in women in the western world, is continuously increasing in incidence in industrialized nations. Although breast cancer develops in women as the result of a combination of external and endogenous factors such as exposure to ionizing radiation, diet, socioeconomic status, and endocrinologic, familial, or genetic factors, no specific etiologic agent(s) or the mechanisms responsible of the disease has been identified as yet. Thus, experimental models that exhibit the same complex interactions are needed for testing various mechanisms and for assessing the carcinogenic potential of given chemicals. Rodent mammary carcinomas represent such a model to a great extent because, in these species, mammary cancer is a multistep complex process that can be induced by either chemicals, radiation, viruses, or genetic factors. Long-term studies in rodent models have been particularly useful for dissecting the initiation, promotion, and progression steps of carcinogenesis. The susceptibility of the rodent mammary gland to develop neoplasms has made this organ a unique target for testing the carcinogenic potential of specific genotoxic chemicals and environmental agents. Mammary tumors induced by indirect- or direct-acting carcinogens such as 7, 12-dimethlbenz(a)anthracene or N-methyl-N-nitrosourea are, in general, hormone dependent adenocarcinomas whose incidence, number of tumors per animal, tumor latency, and tumor type are influenced by the age, reproductive history, and endocarinologic milieu of the host at the time of carcinogen exposure. Rodent models are informative in the absence of human data. They have provided valuable information on the dose and route of administration to be used and optimal host conditions for eliciting maximal tumorigenic response. Studies of the influence of normal gland development on the pathogenesis of chemically induced mammary carcinomas have clarified the role of differentiation in cancer initiation. Comparative studies with the development of the human breast and the pathogenesis of breast cancer have contributed to validate rodent-to-human extrapolations. However, it has not been definitively established what type of information is necessary for human risk assessment, whether currently toxicity testing methodologies are sufficient for fulfilling those needs, or whether treatment-induced tumorigenic responses in rodents are predictive of potential human risk. An alternative to the traditional bioassays are mechanism-based toxicology and molecular and cellular approaches, combined with comparative in vitro systems. These approaches might allow the rapid screen of chemicals for setting priorities for further studies to determine the dose-response relationship for chemical effects at low doses, to assess effects other than mutagenesis and/or tumorigenesis, or to establish qualitative and quantitative relationships of biomarkers to toxic effects. Until there is enough information on the predictive value of mechanism-based toxicology for risk assessment, this approach should be used in conjunction with and validated by the traditional in vivo long-term bioassays. Images Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4. Figure 5. Figure 6. Figure 7. A Figure 7. B Figure 8. A Figure 8. B Figure 9. Figure 10. Figure 11. Figure 12. Figure 13. Figure 14. Figure 15. Figure 16. Figure 17. Figure 18. Figure 19. Figure 20. Figure 21. Figure 22. Figure 23. Figure 24. Figure 25. Figure 26. PMID:8899375

Experimental induction of ovarian Sertoli cell tumors in rats by N-nitrosoureas.

PubMed Central

Maekawa, A; Onodera, H; Tanigawa, H; Furuta, K; Kanno, J; Ogiu, T; Hayashi, Y

1987-01-01

Spontaneous ovarian tumors are very rare in ACI, Wistar, F344 and Donryu rats; the few neoplasms found are of the granulosa/theca cell type. Ovarian tumors were also rare in these strains of rats when given high doses of N-alkyl-N-nitrosoureas continuously in the drinking water for their life-span; however, relatively high incidences of Sertoli cell tumors or Sertoli cell tumors mixed with granulosa cell tumors were induced in Donryu rats after administration of either a 400 ppm N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea solution in the drinking water for 4 weeks or as a single dose of 200 mg N-propyl-N-nitrosourea per kg body weight by stomach tube. Typical Sertoli cell tumors consisted of solid areas showing tubular formation. The tubules were lined by tall, columnar cells, with abundant, faintly eosinophilic, often vacuolated cytoplasm, and basally oriented, round nuclei, resembling seminiferous tubules in the testes. In some cases, Sertoli cell tumor elements were found mixed with areas of granulosa cells. The induction of ovarian Sertoli cell tumors in Donryu rats by low doses of nitrosoureas may provide a useful model for these tumors in man. Images PLATE 1. PLATE 2. PLATE 3. PLATE 4. PLATE 5. PLATE 6. PLATE 7. PLATE 8. PLATE 9. PLATE 10. PLATE 11. PLATE 12. PLATE 13. PLATE 14. PLATE 15. PLATE 16. PMID:3665856

Interrelationships among angiogenesis, proliferation, and apoptosis in the tumor microenvironment during N-methyl-N-nitrosourea androgen-induced prostate carcinogenesis in rats.

PubMed

Liao, Zhiming; Boileau, Thomas W-M; Erdman, John W; Clinton, Steven K

2002-10-01

Proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis are critical biologic processes altered during carcinogenesis. Surrogate biomarkers of these processes represent potential intermediate endpoints for short-term intervention studies with preventive and therapeutic agents. We examined the interrelationships among these processes during prostate carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) in male Wistar-Unilever rats. Immunohistochemical and digital image analysis techniques were used to evaluate the proliferation index, the apoptotic index and microvessel density (MVD) in tissue representing stages of prostate carcinogenesis. The proliferation index in the normal glandular epithelium of the prostate is lower than that observed in hyperplastic foci and atypical hyperplasia (P < 0.01) and is further increased in carcinoma (P < 0.01). Apoptosis in the normal prostate epithelium or hyperplastic lesions is lower than in adenocarcinoma (P < 0.01). In parallel to proliferation index, MVD increases as prostate cancer progresses. As tumors enlarge, we observed a predictable change in biomarker expression within the tumor microenvironment. We examined prostate tumors vertical line 1 cm in diameter and biomarker expression was quantified within the peripheral (outer 1-2 mm), central (perinecrotic) and intermediate (remaining) areas of each tumor. The proliferation index is higher (P < 0.01) in the intermediate area than either in the peripheral area or central area. Similarly, the vascular density in the intermediate area is higher (P < 0.01) than either in the peripheral or central area. The apoptotic index is higher (P < 0.05) in the central perinecrotic core than that in either the intermediate or the peripheral area. In conclusion, we observe that angiogenesis, proliferation and apoptosis are linked biological processes predictably altered temporally and spatially during prostate carcinogenesis in the MNU model. These biomarker changes are similar to those reported in human prostate carcinogenesis and represent potential biomarkers for the assessment of dietary, chemopreventive and therapeutic agents.

A Riboproteomic Platform to Identify Novel Targets for Prostate Cancer Therapy

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-01

cell lines derived from RWPE1 prostatic epithelial cells after exposure to N-methyl-N- nitrosourea (MNU) (these cell lines are commercially available...is well established that the malignancy of cells is strongly linked to and dependent on aberrant protein synthesis . Current knowledge clearly...highlights deregulation of protein synthesis , in the development of prostate cancer, through aberrant activation of classical signaling pathways. It has

Detection of a deuterium isotope effect in di- and trisubstituted alkylphenylnitrosoureas. An SCE study in Chinese hamster V79-E cells.

PubMed

Thust, R; Mendel, J; Bach, B; Schwarz, H

1985-06-01

The genotoxicity of 1-methyl-3-phenyl-1-nitrosourea (MPNU), 1-methyl-3-(p-chlorophenyl)-1-nitrosourea (C1-MPNU), 1-ethyl-3-phenyl-1-nitrosourea (EPNU), 1,3-dimethyl-3-phenyl-1-nitrosourea (DMPNU) and their derivatives substituted by deuterium in different positions was studied using sister chromatid exchange (SCE) induction in Chinese hamster V79-E cells. Deuterium substitution in the 1-methyl group of MPNU (MPNU-d3) and C1-MPNU (C1-MPNU-d3) diminished the SCE-inducing capacity by 20-30% and by 30-40% in DMPNU (DMPNU-d3B). There was no altered SCE activity detected when the phenyl group of MPNU (MPNU-d5) or the 3-methyl group of DMPNU (DMPNU-d3A) was deuterium labeled. No isotope effect was detected in deuterated EPNU derivatives, presumably due to the instability of these compounds. It is surmised that the easier delocalization of the positive charge in the deuterated alkyl diazonium ion causes a diminished reactivity and therefore influences the type and amount of DNA alkylation. Furthermore, the experiments with DMPNU and its derivatives revealed that, in contrast to mono- and disubstituted nitrosoureas, the biological activities of these very stable trisubstituted nitrosoureas are strongly influenced by a serum factor in the culture fluid.

Sasa health exerts a protective effect on Her2/NeuN mammary tumorigenesis.

PubMed

Ren, Mingqiang; Reilly, R Todd; Sacchi, Nicoletta

2004-01-01

Bamboo grass leaves of different Sasa species have been widely used in food and medicine in Eastern Asia for hundreds of years. Of special interest are Kumazasa (Sasa senanensis rehder) leaves used to prepare an alkaline extract known as Sasa Health. This extract was reported to inhibit both the development and growth of mammary tumors in a mammary tumor strain of virgin SHN mice (1). We found that Sasa Health exerts a significant protective effect on spontaneous mammary tumorigenesis in another mouse model of human breast cancer, the transgenic FVB-Her2/NeuN mouse model. Two cohorts of Her2/NeuN female mice of different age (eleven-week-old and twenty-four-week-old) chronically treated with Sasa Health in drinking water showed both a delay in the development of tumors and reduced tumor multiplicity. Sasa Health also induced inhibition of mammary duct branching and side bud development in association with reduced angiogenesis. Altogether these findings indicate that Sasa Health contains phytochemicals that can effectively retard spontaneous mammary tumorigenesis.

Chemoprevention of Prostate Cancer by Phenethyl Isothiocyanate

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-03-01

AD cells were exposed to PEITC, protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX), or proteasome inhibitor MG-132 alone, or to the combination of...The results indicated that down-regulation of Sp1 may require protein synthesis for a proteasome activity, thereby enhancing Sp1 protein degradation...carcinogen N- methyl-N- nitrosourea (MNU) for the formation of prostate tumors. The experimental group of rats was provided with PEITC, to evaluate the

Toxicity, Mutagenicity, and Mutational Spectra of Vinyl Chloride, 2- Chloroethylene Oxide, and Chloracetaldehyde in a Human Lymphoblastoid Line Expressing Cytochrome P450IIE1.

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-01-01

concluded that CEO was the alkylating agent involved in conversion of adenosine to l,N 6 -ethenoadenosine. 1,N6 - Ethenoadenosine was not produced by CEO...guanines as nearest neighbors upon the alkylation of a guanine residue in DNA. N-methyl-N- nitrosourea (MNU) was reacted with a synthetic polynucleotide...the alkylating agent MNNG or the intercalating agent ICR-191. In the study they determined that mutants comprising at least one percent of the total

Metformin Accumulation Correlates with Organic Cation Transporter 2 Protein Expression and Predicts Mammary Tumor Regression in Vivo

PubMed Central

Checkley, L. Allyson; Rudolph, Michael C.; Wellberg, Elizabeth A.; Giles, Erin D.; Wahdan-Alaswad, Reema S.; Houck, Julie A.; Edgerton, Susan M.; Thor, Ann D.; Schedin, Pepper; Anderson, Steven M.; MacLean, Paul S.

2017-01-01

Several epidemiological studies have associated metformin treatment with a reduction in breast cancer incidence in pre-diabetic and type II diabetic populations. Uncertainty exists regarding which patient populations and/or tumor subtypes will benefit from metformin treatment, and most preclinical in vivo studies have given little attention to the cellular pharmacology of intratumoral metformin uptake. Epidemiological reports consistently link western-style high fat diets, which drive overweight and obesity, with increased risk of breast cancer. We used a rat model of high fat diet (HFD) induced overweight and mammary carcinogenesis to define intratumoral factors that confer metformin sensitivity. Mammary tumors were initiated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), and rats were randomized into metformin-treated (2 mg/ml drinking water) or control groups (water only) for 8 weeks. Two-thirds of existing mammary tumors responded to metformin treatment with decreased tumor volumes (p<0.05), reduced proliferative index (p<0.01), and activated AMPK (p<0.05). Highly responsive tumors accumulated 3-fold greater metformin amounts (p<0.05) that were positively correlated with organic cation transporter-2 (OCT2) protein expression (r=0.57, P=0.038). Importantly, intratumoral metformin concentration negatively associated with tumor volume (P=0.03), and each 10 pmol increase in intratumoral metformin predicted >0.11 cm3 reduction in tumor volume. Metformin treatment also decreased proinflammatory arachidonic acid >1.5 fold in responsive tumors (P=0.023). Collectively, these preclinical data provide evidence for a direct effect of metformin in vivo and suggest that OCT2 expression may predict metformin uptake and tumor response. PMID:28154203

BRCA1-IRIS Overexpression Promotes Formation of Aggressive Breast Cancers

PubMed Central

Shimizu, Yoshiko; Luk, Hugh; Horio, David; Miron, Penelope; Griswold, Michael; Iglehart, Dirk; Hernandez, Brenda; Killeen, Jeffrey; ElShamy, Wael M.

2012-01-01

Introduction Women with HER2+ or triple negative/basal-like (TN/BL) breast cancers succumb to their cancer rapidly due, in part to acquired Herceptin resistance and lack of TN/BL-targeted therapies. BRCA1-IRIS is a recently discovered, 1399 residue, BRCA1 locus alternative product, which while sharing 1365 residues with the full-length product of this tumor suppressor gene, BRCA1/p220, it has oncoprotein-like properties. Here, we examine whether BRCA1-IRIS is a valuable treatment target for HER2+ and/or TN/BL tumors. Methodology/Principal Findings Immunohistochemical staining of large cohort of human breast tumor samples using new monoclonal anti-BRCA1-IRIS antibody, followed by correlation of BRCA1-IRIS expression with that of AKT1, AKT2, p-AKT, survivin and BRCA1/p220, tumor status and age at diagnosis. Generation of subcutaneous tumors in SCID mice using human mammary epithelial (HME) cells overexpressing TERT/LT/BRCA1-IRIS, followed by comparing AKT, survivin, and BRCA1/p220 expression, tumor status and aggressiveness in these tumors to that in tumors developed using TERT/LT/RasV12-overexpressing HME cells. Induction of primary and invasive rat mammary tumors using the carcinogen N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU), followed by analysis of rat BRCA1-IRIS and ERα mRNA levels in these tumors. High BRCA1-IRIS expression was detected in the majority of human breast tumors analyzed, which was positively correlated with that of AKT1-, AKT2-, p-AKT-, survivin, but negatively with BRCA1/p220 expression. BRCA1-IRIS-positivity induced high-grade, early onset and metastatic HER2+ or TN/BL tumors. TERT/LT/BRCA1-IRIS overexpressing HME cells formed invasive subcutaneous tumors that express high AKT1, AKT2, p-AKT and vimentin, but no CK19, p63 or BRCA1/p220. NMU-induced primary and invasive rat breast cancers expressed high levels of rat BRCA1-IRIS mRNA but low levels of rat ERα mRNA. Conclusion/Significance BRCA1-IRIS overexpression triggers aggressive breast tumor formation, especially in patients with HER2+ or TN/BL subtypes. We propose that BRCA1-IRIS inhibition may be pursued as a novel therapeutic option to treat these aggressive breast tumor subtypes. PMID:22511931

Loss of Dickkopf 3 Promotes the Tumorigenesis of Basal Breast Cancer

PubMed Central

Lorsy, Eva; Topuz, Aylin Sophie; Geisler, Cordelia; Stahl, Sarah; Garczyk, Stefan; von Stillfried, Saskia; Hoss, Mareike; Gluz, Oleg; Hartmann, Arndt; Knüchel, Ruth; Dahl, Edgar

2016-01-01

Dickkopf 3 (DKK3) has been associated with tumor suppression of various tumor entities including breast cancer. However, the functional impact of DKK3 on the tumorigenesis of distinct molecular breast cancer subtypes has not been considered so far. Therefore, we initiated a study analyzing the subtype-specific DKK3 expression pattern as well as its prognostic and functional impact with respect to breast cancer subtypes. Based on three independent tissue cohorts including one in silico dataset (n = 30, n = 463 and n = 791) we observed a clear down-regulation of DKK3 expression in breast cancer samples compared to healthy breast tissue controls on mRNA and protein level. Interestingly, most abundant reduction of DKK3 expression was detected in the highly aggressive basal breast cancer subtype. Analyzing a large in silico dataset comprising 3,554 cases showed that low DKK3 mRNA expression was significantly associated with reduced recurrence free survival (RFS) of luminal and basal-like breast cancer cases. Functionally, DKK3 re-expression in human breast cancer cell lines led to suppression of cell growth possibly mediated by up-regulation of apoptosis in basal-like but not in luminal-like breast cancer cell lines. Moreover, ectopic DKK3 expression in mesenchymal basal breast cancer cells resulted in partial restoration of epithelial cell morphology which was molecularly supported by higher expression of epithelial markers like E-Cadherin and down-regulation of mesenchymal markers such as Snail 1. Hence, we provide evidence that down-regulation of DKK3 especially promotes tumorigenesis of the aggressive basal breast cancer subtype. Further studies decoding the underlying molecular mechanisms of DKK3-mediated effects may help to identify novel targeted therapies for this clinically highly relevant breast cancer subtype. PMID:27467270

In vitro assessment of anticytotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of CANOVA(®).

PubMed

do Nascimento, Henrique Fonseca Sousa; Cardoso, Plínio Cerqueira Dos Santos; Ribeiro, Helem Ferreira; Mota, Tatiane Cristina; Gomes, Lorena Monteiro; Khayat, André Salim; Guimarães, Adriana Costa; Amorim, Marucia Irena Medeiros; Burbano, Rommel Rodriguéz; Bahia, Marcelo de Oliveira

2016-08-01

CANOVA(®) (CA) is a homeopathic immunomodulator. It contains several homeopathic medicines prepares according to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. CA is indicated in clinical conditions in which the immune system is impaired and against tumors. N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU) is an N-nitroso compound, with genotoxic/mutagenic properties. Although several studies have shown promising results in the use of CA, there are no studies reporting possible antigenotoxic effects. This study evaluated the in vitro antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic effects of CA in human lymphocytes exposed to NMU. Samples of human lymphocytes that were subjected to different concentrations of a mixture containing CA and NMU were used. The genotoxicity/antigenotoxicity of CA was evaluated by the comet assay, anticytotoxicity was assessed by quantification of apoptosis and necrosis using acridine orange/ethidium bromide. CA significantly reduced DNA damage induced by NMU and reduced significantly the frequency of NMU-induced apoptosis after 24 h of treatment. CA has an important cytoprotective effect significantly reducing the DNA damage and apoptosis induced by the carcinogen NMU. Copyright © 2016 The Faculty of Homeopathy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Discovery of 4-anilino-N-methylthieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines and 4-anilino-N-methylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines as potent apoptosis inducers.

PubMed

Kemnitzer, William; Sirisoma, Nilantha; May, Chris; Tseng, Ben; Drewe, John; Cai, Sui Xiong

2009-07-01

We report the discovery of N-((benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)methyl)-6-phenylthieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-amine (2a) as an apoptosis inducer using our proprietary cell- and caspase-based ASAP HTS assay, and SAR study of HTS hit 2a which led to the discovery of 4-anilino-N-methylthieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines and 4-anilino-N-methylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines as potent apoptosis inducers. Compounds 5d and 5e were the most potent with EC(50) values of 0.008 and 0.004microM in T47D human breast cancer cells, respectively. Compound 5d was found to be highly active in the MX-1 breast cancer model. Functionally, compounds 5d and 5e both induced apoptosis through inhibition of tubulin polymerization.

Progesterone receptor antagonism inhibits progestogen-related carcinogenesis and suppresses tumor cell proliferation.

PubMed

Lee, Oukseub; Choi, Mi-Ran; Christov, Konstantin; Ivancic, David; Khan, Seema A

2016-07-01

Blockade of the progestogen-progesterone receptor (PR) axis is a novel but untested strategy for breast cancer prevention. We report preclinical data evaluating telapristone acetate (TPA), ulipristal acetate (UPA), and mifepristone. Tumors were induced with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) plus 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in mice, and MPA or progesterone plus N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) in rats. Mammary gland histology, tumor incidence, latency, multiplicity, burden and histology were evaluated, along with immunohistochemical labeling of pHH3 (proliferation), CD34 (angiogenesis), and estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR). A concentration gradient of TPA, UPA, and mifepristone was tested for growth inhibition of T47D spheroids. In mouse mammary glands, no tumors formed, but TPA opposed the pro-hyperplastic effects of MPA (p = 0.002). In rats, TPA decreased tumor incidence (p = 0.037 for MPA + TPA vs. MPA, and p = 0.032 for progesterone + TPA vs. progesterone) and tumor burden (p = 0.042 for progesterone + TPA vs. progesterone), with significant decreases in pHH3 and CD34 positive cells. TPA and UPA were superior to mifepristone in growth inhibition of T47D spheroids. TPA has consistent anti-tumorigenic effects in several models, which are accompanied by decreases in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and hormone receptor expression. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Prevention of mammary carcinogenesis by short-term estrogen and progestin treatments

PubMed Central

Rajkumar, Lakshmanaswamy; Guzman, Raphael C; Yang, Jason; Thordarson, Gudmundur; Talamantes, Frank; Nandi, Satyabrata

2004-01-01

Introduction Women who have undergone a full-term pregnancy before the age of 20 have one-half the risk of developing breast cancer compared with women who have never gone through a full-term pregnancy. This protective effect is observed universally among women of all ethnic groups. Parity in rats and mice also protects them against chemically induced mammary carcinogenesis. Methods Seven-week-old virgin Lewis rats were given N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. Two weeks later the rats were treated with natural or synthetic estrogens and progestins for 7–21 days by subcutaneous implantation of silastic capsules. Results In our current experiment, we demonstrate that short-term sustained exposure to natural or synthetic estrogens along with progestins is effective in preventing mammary carcinogenesis in rats. Treatment with 30 mg estriol plus 30 mg progesterone for 3 weeks significantly reduced the incidence of mammary cancer. Short-term exposure to ethynyl estradiol plus megesterol acetate or norethindrone was effective in decreasing the incidence of mammary cancers. Tamoxifen plus progesterone treatment for 3 weeks was able to confer only a transient protection from mammary carcinogenesis, while 2-methoxy estradiol plus progesterone was effective in conferring protection against mammary cancers. Conclusions The data obtained in the present study demonstrate that, in nulliparous rats, long-term protection against mammary carcinogenesis can be achieved by short-term treatments with natural or synthetic estrogen and progesterone combinations. PMID:14680498

Genome-wide allelotyping of a new in vitro model system reveals early events in breast cancer progression.

PubMed

Li, Zheng; Meng, Zhen Hang; Sayeed, Aejaz; Shalaby, Refaat; Ljung, Britt-Marie; Dairkee, Shanaz H

2002-10-15

Toward the goal of identifying early genetic losses, which mediate the release of human breast epithelium from replicative suppression leading to cellular immortalization, we have used a newly developed in vitro model system. This system consists of epithelial cultures derived from noncancerous breast tissue, treated with the chemical carcinogen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, and continuously passaged to yield cell populations culminating in the immortal phenotype. Genome-wide allelotyping of early passage N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-exposed cell populations revealed aberrations at >10% (18 of 169) loci examined. Allelic losses encompassing chromosomes 6q24-6q27, implicating immortalization-associated candidate genes, hZAC and SEN6, occurred in two independently derived cell lines before the Hayflick limit. Additional LOH sites were present in one cell line at 3p11-3p26, 11p15, and 20p12-13. Allelic losses reported in this cell line preceded detectable levels of telomerase activity and the occurrence of p53-related aberrations. Information gained from the search for early immortalization-associated genetic deletions in cultured cells was applied in a novel approach toward the analysis of morphologically normal terminal ductal lobular units microdissected from 20 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ. Notably, clonal allelic losses at chromosome 3p24 and 6q24 were an early occurrence in adjoining terminal ductal lobular units of a proportion of primary tumors, which displayed loss of heterozygosity (3 of 11 and 3 of 6, respectively). The biological insights provided by the new model system reported here strongly suggest that early allelic losses delineated in immortalized cultures and validated in vivo could serve as surrogate endpoints to assist in the identification and intervention of high-risk benign breast tissue, which sustains the potential for continuous proliferation.

Activated N-nitrosocarbamates for regioselective synthesis of N-nitrosoureas.

PubMed

Martinez, J; Oiry, J; Imbach, J L; Winternitz, F

1982-02-01

A practical and convenient method for synthesizing antitumor compounds, N-alkyl-N-nitrosoureas, regioselectively nitrosated on the nitrogen atom bearing the alkyl group is proposed. N-Alkyl-N-nitrosocarbamates are interesting intermediates in these syntheses and yield, by reaction with amino compounds, the regioselectively nitrosated N-alkyl-N-nitrosoureas. As an interesting example, N,N'-bis[(2-chloroethyl)nitrosocarbamoyl]cystamine, a new attractive oncostatic derivative, has been prepared. The cytotoxic activity of these various compounds were tested on L1210 leukemia.

DNA Alkylating Agent Protects Against Spontaneous Hepatocellular Carcinoma Regardless of O6-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase Status.

PubMed

Herzig, Maryanne C S; Zavadil, Jessica A; Street, Karah; Hildreth, Kim; Drinkwater, Norman R; Reddick, Traci; Herbert, Damon C; Hanes, Martha A; McMahan, C Alex; Reddick, Robert L; Walter, Christi A

2016-03-01

Hepatocellular carcinoma is increasingly important in the United States as the incidence rate rose over the last 30 years. C3HeB/FeJ mice serve as a unique model to study hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis because they mimic human hepatocellular carcinoma with delayed onset, male gender bias, approximately 50% incidence, and susceptibility to tumorigenesis is mediated through multiple genetic loci. Because a human O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (hMGMT) transgene reduces spontaneous tumorigenesis in this model, we hypothesized that hMGMT would also protect from methylation-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. To test this hypothesis, wild-type and hMGMT transgenic C3HeB/FeJ male mice were treated with two monofunctional alkylating agents: diethylnitrosamine (DEN; 0.025 μmol/g body weight) on day 12 of life with evaluation for glucose-6-phosphatase-deficient (G6PD) foci at 16, 24, and 32 weeks or N-methyl-N-nitrosurea (MNU; 25 mg MNU/kg body weight) once monthly for 7 months starting at 3 months of age with evaluation for liver tumors at 12 to 15 months of age. No difference in abundance or size of G6PD foci was measured with DEN treatment. In contrast, it was unexpectedly found that MNU reduces liver tumor prevalence in wild-type and hMGMT transgenic mice despite increased tumor prevalence in other tissues. hMGMT and MNU protections were additive, suggesting that MNU protects through a different mechanism, perhaps through the cytotoxic N7-alkylguanine and N3-alkyladenine lesions which have low mutagenic potential compared with O(6)-alkylguanine lesions. Together, these results suggest that targeting the repair of cytotoxic lesions may be a good preventative for patients at high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. ©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.

Aberrant methylation of miR-34b is associated with long-term shiftwork: a potential mechanism for increased breast cancer susceptibility.

PubMed

Liu, Ran; Jacobs, Daniel I; Hansen, Johnni; Fu, Alan; Stevens, Richard G; Zhu, Yong

2015-02-01

Although the evidence linking exposure to light at night (LAN) and breast cancer risk continues to accumulate, the molecular mechanisms driving this association remain to be fully elucidated. We have previously suggested that long-term exposure to LAN through shiftwork may result in dysregulated patterns of methylation genome-wide. In this study, we investigate the link between miR-34b, a miRNA suggested to be an important tumor suppressor, and shiftwork-related breast cancer. Methylation states in the miR-34b promoter region were previously compared between 10 female long-term shiftworkers and 10 folate intake- and age-matched female dayworkers participating in the Danish "Diet, Cancer and Health" prospective cohort study. In order to further explore the functional role of miR-34b in breast tumorigenesis, a genome-wide expression microarray was carried out in miR-34b-overexpressed MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the identified transcripts were further analyzed for network and functional interrelatedness using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. We observed a 49.1 % increase in miR-34b promoter methylation among shiftworkers at a CpG site in this region (p = 0.016). Transfection of the miR-34b mimic in an MCF-7 breast cancer cell line induced differential expression of 230 transcripts that are involved in the interferon-mediated antiviral response as well as apoptotic and antiproliferative gene networks. Together, our results suggest that long-term shiftwork may increase the risk of breast cancer via methylation-based suppression of miR-34b and a consequent reduction in immunomediated anti-tumor capacity and support our previous findings that LAN may induce epigenetic alteration of cancer-relevant microRNAs.

Sensitization of human carcinoma cells to alkylating agents by small interfering RNA suppression of 3-alkyladenine-DNA glycosylase.

PubMed

Paik, Johanna; Duncan, Tod; Lindahl, Tomas; Sedgwick, Barbara

2005-11-15

One of the major cytotoxic lesions generated by alkylating agents is DNA 3-alkyladenine, which can be excised by 3-alkyladenine DNA glycosylase (AAG). Inhibition of AAG may therefore result in increased cellular sensitivity to chemotherapeutic alkylating agents. To investigate this possibility, we have examined the role of AAG in protecting human tumor cells against such agents. Plasmids that express small interfering RNAs targeted to two different regions of AAG mRNA were transfected into HeLa cervical carcinoma cells and A2780-SCA ovarian carcinoma cells. Stable derivatives of both cell types with low AAG protein levels were sensitized to alkylating agents. Two HeLa cell lines with AAG protein levels reduced by at least 80% to 90% displayed a 5- to 10-fold increase in sensitivity to methyl methanesulfonate, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, and the chemotherapeutic drugs temozolomide and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea. These cells showed no increase in sensitivity to UV light or ionizing radiation. After treatment with methyl methanesulfonate, AAG knockdown HeLa cells were delayed in S phase but accumulated in G2-M. Our data support the hypothesis that ablation of AAG activity in human tumor cells may provide a useful strategy to enhance the efficacy of current chemotherapeutic regimens that include alkylating agents.

Expression in mammalian cells of the Escherichia coli O6 alkylguanine-DNA-alkyltransferase gene ogt reduces the toxicity of alkylnitrosoureas.

PubMed Central

Harris, L. C.; Margison, G. P.

1993-01-01

V79 Chinese hamster cells expressing either the O6-alkylguanine-DNA-alkyltransferase (ATase) encoded by the E. coli ogt gene or a truncated version of the E. coli ada gene have been exposed to various alkylnitrosoureas to investigate the contribution of ATase repairable lesions to the toxicity of these compounds. Both ATases are able to repair O6-alkylguanine (O6-AlkG) and O4-alkylthymine (O4-AlkT) but the ogt ATase is more efficient in the repair of O4-methylthymine (O4-MeT) and higher alkyl derivatives of O6-AlkG than is the ada ATase. Expression of the ogt ATase provided greater protection against the toxic effects of the alkylating agents then the ada ATase particularly with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) and N-butyl-N-nitrosourea (BNU) to which the ada ATase expressing cells were as sensitive as parent vector transfected cells. Although ogt was expressed at slightly higher levels than the truncated ada in the transfected cells, this could not account for the differential protection observed. For-N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) the increased protection in ogt-transfected cells is consistent with O4-MeT acting as a toxic lesion. For the longer chain alkylating agents and chloroethylating agents, the protection afforded by the ogt protein may be a consequence of the more efficient repair of O6-AlkG, O4-AlkT or both of these lesions in comparison with the ada-encoded ATase. Images Figure 2 Figure 3 PMID:8512805

Hypoxia-inducible factors regulate pluripotency factor expression by ZNF217- and ALKBH5-mediated modulation of RNA methylation in breast cancer cells.

PubMed

Zhang, Chuanzhao; Zhi, Wanqing Iris; Lu, Haiquan; Samanta, Debangshu; Chen, Ivan; Gabrielson, Edward; Semenza, Gregg L

2016-10-04

Exposure of breast cancer cells to hypoxia increases the percentage of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), which are required for tumor initiation and metastasis, and this response is dependent on the activity of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). We previously reported that exposure of breast cancer cells to hypoxia induces the ALKBH5-mediated demethylation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in NANOG mRNA leading to increased expression of NANOG, which is a pluripotency factor that promotes BCSC specification. Here we report that exposure of breast cancer cells to hypoxia also induces ZNF217-dependent inhibition of m6A methylation of mRNAs encoding NANOG and KLF4, which is another pluripotency factor that mediates BCSC specification. Although hypoxia induced the BCSC phenotype in all breast-cancer cell lines analyzed, it did so through variable induction of pluripotency factors and ALKBH5 or ZNF217. However, in every breast cancer line, the hypoxic induction of pluripotency factor and ALKBH5 or ZNF217 expression was HIF-dependent. Immunohistochemistry revealed that expression of HIF-1α and ALKBH5 was concordant in all human breast cancer biopsies analyzed. ALKBH5 knockdown in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells significantly decreased metastasis from breast to lungs in immunodeficient mice. Thus, HIFs stimulate pluripotency factor expression and BCSC specification by negative regulation of RNA methylation.

SEQUENCE ANALYSIS OF MUTATIONS INDUCED BY N-ETHYL-N-NITROSOUREA IN THE TK AND HPRT GENES OF MOUSE LYMPHOMA CELLS.

EPA Science Inventory

The mouse lymphoma assay is widely used to identify chemicals that are capable of inducing mutational damages. The Tk+/- gene located on an autosome in mouse lymphoma cells may recover a wider range of mutational events than the X-linked Hprt locus. However, chemical-induced muta...

Intraductal administration of a polymeric nanoparticle formulation of curcumin (NanoCurc) significantly attenuates incidence of mammary tumors in a rodent chemical carcinogenesis model: Implications for breast cancer chemoprevention in at-risk populations

PubMed Central

Chun, Yong Soon; Maitra, Anirban; Sukumar, Saraswati

2012-01-01

Multiple lines of evidence support a role for curcumin in cancer chemoprevention. Nonetheless, despite its reported efficacy and safety profile, clinical translation of curcumin has been hampered by low oral bioavailability, requiring infeasible ‘mega’ doses for achieving detectable tissue levels. We have engineered a polymeric nanoparticle encapsulated formulation of curcumin (NanoCurc) to harness its full therapeutic potential. In the current study, we assessed the chemoprevention efficacy of NanoCurc administered via direct intraductal (i.duc) injection in a chemical carcinogen-induced rodent mammary cancer model. Specifically, Sprague–Dawley rats exposed to systemic N-methyl-N-nitrosourea were randomized to receive either oral free curcumin at a previously reported ‘mega’ dose (200mg/kg) or by direct i.duc injection of free curcumin or NanoCurc, respectively, each delivering 168 µg equivalent of curcumin per rodent teat (a ~20-fold lower dose per animal compared to oral administration). All three chemoprevention modalities resulted in significantly lower mammary tumor incidence compared with control rats; however, there was no significant difference in cancer incidence between the oral dosing and either i.duc arms. On the other hand, mean tumor size, was significantly smaller in the i.duc NanoCurc cohort compared with i.duc free curcumin (P < 0.0001), suggesting the possibility of better resectability for ‘breakthrough’ cancers. Reduction in cancer incidence was associated with significant decrease in nuclear factor -κB activation in the NanoCurc treated mammary epithelium explants, compared to either control or oral curcumin-administered rats. Our studies confirm the potential for i.duc NanoCurc as an alternative to the oral route for breast cancer chemoprevention in high-risk cohorts. PMID:22831956

Structure-based design of nitrosoureas containing tyrosine derivatives as potential antimelanoma agents.

PubMed

Gadjeva, Vesselina

2002-04-01

Two new nitrosoureas (TNUs), containing tyrosine derivatives as carriers of nitrosourea cytotoxic group have been synthesised. The physicochemical properties such as half-life time (tau(0.5)), alkylating and carbamoylating activities were determined. The nitrosoureas showed a higher inhibiting effect on the DOPA-oxidase activity of mushroom tyrosinase than that of the antitumour drug N'-cyclohexyl-N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea (lomustine, CCNU). In vitro cytotoxic effects of newly synthesised tyrosine containing nitrosoureas have been studied and compared to those of CCNU. A higher cytotoxicity to B16 melanoma cells than to YAC-1 and to lymphocytes was demonstrated for the tyrosine containing nitrosoureas in comparison with CCNU. Based on the results presented, we accept that a new trend for synthesis of more selective and less toxic nitrosourea derivatives as potential antimelanomic drugs might be developed.

m6A RNA Methylation Regulates the Self-Renewal and Tumorigenesis of Glioblastoma Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Cui, Qi; Shi, Hailing; Ye, Peng; Li, Li; Qu, Qiuhao; Sun, Guoqiang; Sun, Guihua; Lu, Zhike; Huang, Yue; Yang, Cai-Guang; Riggs, Arthur D.

2017-01-01

Summary RNA modifications play critical roles in important biological processes. However, the functions of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA modification in cancer biology and cancer stem cells remain largely unknown. Here, we show that m6A mRNA modification is critical for glioblastoma stem cell (GSC) self-renewal and tumorigenesis. Knockdown of METTL3 or METTL14, key components of the RNA methyltransferase complex, dramatically promotes human GSC growth, self-renewal, and tumorigenesis. In contrast, overexpression of METTL3 or inhibition of the RNA demethylase FTO suppresses GSC growth and self-renewal. Moreover, inhibition of FTO suppresses tumor progression and prolongs lifespan of GSC-grafted mice substantially. m6A sequencing reveals that knockdown of METTL3 or METTL14 induced changes in mRNA m6A enrichment and altered mRNA expression of genes (e.g., ADAM19) with critical biological functions in GSCs. In summary, this study identifies the m6A mRNA methylation machinery as promising therapeutic targets for glioblastoma. PMID:28297667

miR-100 Induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition but Suppresses Tumorigenesis, Migration and Invasion

PubMed Central

Chen, Dahu; Sun, Yutong; Yuan, Yuan; Han, Zhenbo; Zhang, Peijing; Zhang, Jinsong; You, M. James; Teruya-Feldstein, Julie; Wang, Min; Gupta, Sumeet; Hung, Mien-Chie; Liang, Han; Ma, Li

2014-01-01

Whether epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is always linked to increased tumorigenicity is controversial. Through microRNA (miRNA) expression profiling of mammary epithelial cells overexpressing Twist, Snail or ZEB1, we identified miR-100 as a novel EMT inducer. Surprisingly, miR-100 inhibits the tumorigenicity, motility and invasiveness of mammary tumor cells, and is commonly downregulated in human breast cancer due to hypermethylation of its host gene MIR100HG. The EMT-inducing and tumor-suppressing effects of miR-100 are mediated by distinct targets. While miR-100 downregulates E-cadherin by targeting SMARCA5, a regulator of CDH1 promoter methylation, this miRNA suppresses tumorigenesis, cell movement and invasion in vitro and in vivo through direct targeting of HOXA1, a gene that is both oncogenic and pro-invasive, leading to repression of multiple HOXA1 downstream targets involved in oncogenesis and invasiveness. These findings provide a proof-of-principle that EMT and tumorigenicity are not always associated and that certain EMT inducers can inhibit tumorigenesis, migration and invasion. PMID:24586203

New cysteamine (2-chloroethyl)nitrosoureas. Synthesis and preliminary antitumor results.

PubMed

Madelmont, J C; Godeneche, D; Parry, D; Duprat, J; Chabard, J L; Plagne, R; Mathe, G; Meyniel, G

1985-09-01

Three chemical pathways were used for the synthesis of four new N'-(2-chloroethyl)-N-[2-(methylsulfinyl)ethyl]- and N'-(2-chloroethyl)-N-[2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl]-N- or N'-nitrosoureas. These compounds are plasma metabolites of CNCC, a promising antineoplastic (2-chloroethyl)nitrosourea. Preliminary antitumor evaluation was performed against L1210 leukemia implanted intraperitoneally in mice. Among these compounds, two of them exhibited a greater antitumor activity compared to that of the parent mixture.

Potential of amphiphilic graft copolymer α-tocopherol succinate-g-carboxymethyl chitosan in modulating the permeability and anticancer efficacy of tamoxifen.

PubMed

Jena, Sunil K; Samal, Sanjaya K; Kaur, Shamandeep; Chand, Mahesh; Sangamwar, Abhay T

2017-04-01

Recent studies showed an enhanced oral bioavailability of tamoxifen (TMX) by hydrophobically modified α-tocopherol succinate-g-carboxymethyl chitosan (Cmc-TS) micelles. As a continued effort, here we evaluated TMX-loaded polymeric micelles (TMX-PMs) for its enhanced permeability with increased anticancer efficacy and decreased hepatotoxicity. We employed co-solvent evaporation technique to encapsulate TMX into Cmc-TS. Apparent permeability assay of TMX-PMs was performed on Caco-2 cell line. The absorptive transport of TMX increased significantly about 3.8-fold when incorporated into Cmc-TS PMs. Cytotoxicity of Cmc-TS PMs was studied on MCF-7 cell line by MTT and; confocal microscopy was used for cellular uptake. Confocal microscopy revealed that Cmc-TS PMs could effectively accumulate in the cytosol of MCF-7 cell lines. In vitro data was further validated using N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced mammary carcinogenesis model in Sprague-Dawley rats. Hepatotoxicity profiles of TMX-PMs at three different doses were also evaluated against the free drug TMX. TMX-PMs were more effective in suppressing breast tumor in MNU-induced mammary carcinoma model than free TMX with better safety profile. In addition, histological data shows that tumors are "benign" in TMX-PMs treated group compared with "malignant" tumors in free TMX treated and control groups. Overall, the results implicate that our Cmc-TS PMs may serve as a promising carrier for the intracellular delivery of anticancer drug molecules via oral route. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Amplification of bovine papillomavirus DNA by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, ultraviolet irradiation, or infection with herpes simplex virus

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schmitt, J.; Schlehofer, J.R.; Mergener, K.

1989-09-01

Treatment with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) or irradiation with ultraviolet light (uv254 nm) induces amplification of integrated as well as episomal sequences of bovine papillomavirus (BPV) type 1 DNA in BPV-1-transformed mouse C127 cells (i.e., ID13 cells). This is shown by filter in situ hybridization and Southern blot analysis of cellular DNA. Similarly, infection of ID13 cells with herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 which has been shown to be mutagenic for host cell DNA leads to amplification of BPV DNA sequences. In contrast to this induction of DNA amplification by initiators, treatment of ID13 cells with the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)more » does not result in increased synthesis of BPV DNA nor does TPA treatment modulate the initiator-induced DNA amplification. Similar to other cell systems infection with adeno-associated virus (AAV) type 2 inhibits BPV-1 DNA amplification irrespective of the inducing agent. In contrast to initiator-induced DNA amplification, treatment with carcinogen (MNNG) or tumor promoters or combination of MNNG and promoter of C127 cells prior to transformation by BPV-1 does not lead to an increase in the number of transformed foci. The induction of amplification of papillomavirus DNA by initiating agents possibly represents one of the mechanisms by which the observed synergism between papillomavirus infection and initiators in tumorigenesis might occur.« less

Assessment of induced rat mammary tumour response to chemotherapy using the apparent diffusion coefficient of tissue water as determined by diffusion-weighted 1H-NMR spectroscopy in vivo.

PubMed

Lemaire, L; Howe, F A; Rodrigues, L M; Griffiths, J R

1999-03-01

Chemosensitivity of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced rat mammary tumours treated with 5-fluorouracil at a dose of 100 mg kg(-1) i.p. was assessed by using diffusion-weighted 1H-MRS to measure the average diffusion coefficient (ADC) of water in the tumour tissue. ADC measurements prior to any therapy correlated positively with necrotic fraction. Tumours with low initial ADC (< 0.95 x 10(9) m2 s(-1)) showed an increase in ADC 7 days after treatment, whereas tumours with a high initial ADC (> 1.2 x 10(9) m2 s(-1)) showed a decrease. All tumours decreased significantly in volume (P < 0.05) 2, 5 and 7 days after treatment. At day 7 post-treatment, tumours with a high pre-treatment ADC started to regrow. The initial ADC value, as well as changes after treatment predict tumour chemosensitivity, which could be clinically relevant.

Fruit peel polyphenols demonstrate substantial anti-tumour effects in the model of breast cancer.

PubMed

Kubatka, Peter; Kapinová, Andrea; Kello, Martin; Kruzliak, Peter; Kajo, Karol; Výbohová, Desanka; Mahmood, Silvia; Murin, Radovan; Viera, Tischlerová; Mojžiš, Ján; Zulli, Anthony; Péč, Martin; Adamkov, Marián; Kassayová, Monika; Bojková, Bianka; Stollárová, Nadežda; Dobrota, Dušan

2016-04-01

Fruit and vegetable intake is inversely correlated with cancer; thus, it is proposed that an extract of phytochemicals as present in whole fruits, vegetables, or grains may have anti-carcinogenic properties. Thus, the anti-tumour effects of fruit peel polyphenols (Flavin7) in the chemoprevention of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female rats were evaluated. Lyophilized substance of Flavin7 (F7) was administered at two concentrations of 0.3 and 3 % through diet. The experiment was terminated 14 weeks after carcinogen administration, and mammary tumours were removed and prepared for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. In addition, using an in vitro cytotoxicity assay, apoptosis and proliferation after F7 treatment in human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells were performed. High-dose F7 suppressed tumour frequency by 58 % (P < 0.001), tumour incidence by 24 % (P < 0.05), and lengthened latency by 8 days (P > 0.05) in comparison with the control rats, whereas lower dose of F7 was less effective. Histopathological analysis of tumours showed significant decrease in the ratio of high-/low-grade carcinomas after high-dose F7 treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis of rat carcinoma cells in vivo found a significant increase in caspase-3 expression and significant decrease in Bcl-2, Ki67, and VEGFR-2 expression in the high-dose group. Both doses demonstrated significant positive effects on plasma lipid metabolism in rats. F7 significantly decreased survival of MCF-7 cells in vitro in MTT assay by dose- and time-dependent manner compared to control. F7 prevented cell cycle progression by significant enrichment in G1 cell populations. Incubation with F7 showed significant increase in the percentage of annexin V-/PI-positive MCF-7 cells and DNA fragmentation. Our results reveal a substantial tumour-suppressive effect of F7 in the breast cancer model. We propose that the effects of phytochemicals present in this fruit extract are responsible for observed potent anti-cancer activities.

Spectroscopic investigation (FT-IR, FT-Raman), HOMO-LUMO, NBO, and molecular docking analysis of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, a potential anticancer agent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Priyanka; Islam, S. S.; Ahmad, Hilal; Prabaharan, A.

2018-02-01

Nitrosourea plays an important role in the treatment of cancer. N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, also known as ENU, (chemical formula C3H7N3O2), is a highly potent mutagen. The chemical is an alkylating agent and acts by transferring the ethyl group of ENU to nucleobases (usually thymine) in nucleic acids. The molecular structure of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea has been elucidated using experimental (FT-IR and FT-Raman) and theoretical (DFT) techniques. APT charges, Mulliken atomic charges, Natural bond orbital, Electrostatic potential, HOMO-LUMO and AIM analysis were performed to identify the reactive sites and charge transfer interactions. Furthermore, to evaluate the anticancer activity of ENU molecular docking studies were carried out against 2JIU protein.

Methylation of the PMEPA1 gene, a negative regulator of the androgen receptor in prostate cancer.

PubMed

Sharad, Shashwat; Ravindranath, Lakshmi; Haffner, Michael C; Li, Hua; Yan, Wusheng; Sesterhenn, Isabell A; Chen, Yongmei; Ali, Amina; Srinivasan, Alagarsamy; McLeod, David G; Yegnasubramanian, Srinivasan; Srivastava, Shiv; Dobi, Albert; Petrovics, Gyorgy

2014-06-01

The prostate transmembrane protein androgen induced 1 (PMEPA1) gene is highly expressed in prostate epithelial cells and is a direct transcriptional target for the androgen receptor (AR). AR protein levels are controlled by the AR-PMEPA1 negative feedback loop through NEDD4-E3 ligase. Reduced expression of PMEPA1 observed in prostate tumors, suggests that loss of PMEPA1 may play critical roles in prostate tumorigenesis. This study focuses on epigenetic mechanisms of reduced PMEPA1 expression in the cancer of the prostate (CaP). Benign (n = 77) and matched malignant (n = 77) prostate epithelial cells were laser capture micro-dissected from optimum cutting temperature embedded frozen prostate sections from 42 Caucasian American (CA) and 35 African American (AA) cases. Purified DNA specimens were analyzed for CpG methylation of the PMEPA1 gene. PMEPA1 mRNA expression levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR. Analysis of PMEPA1 methylation and mRNA expression in the same tumor cell populations indicated a significant inverse correlation between mRNA expression and methylation in CaP (P = 0.0115). We noted higher frequency of CpG methylation within the evaluated first intronic region of the PMEPA1 gene in prostate tumors of CA men as compared with AA. In CaP cell lines, PMEPA1 expression was induced and AR protein levels were diminished in response to treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (decitabine). Cell culture-based studies demonstrated that decitabine restores PMEPA1 expression in AR-positive CaP cell lines. This report reveals the potential role of PMEPA1 gene methylation in the regulation of AR stability. Thus, downregulation of PMEPA1 may result in increased AR protein levels and function in CaP cells, contributing to prostate tumorigenesis.

Methylation of the PMEPA1 gene, a negative regulator of the androgen receptor in prostate cancer

PubMed Central

Sharad, Shashwat; Ravindranath, Lakshmi; Haffner, Michael C; Li, Hua; Yan, Wusheng; Sesterhenn, Isabell A; Chen, Yongmei; Ali, Amina; Srinivasan, Alagarsamy; McLeod, David G; Yegnasubramanian, Srinivasan; Srivastava, Shiv; Dobi, Albert; Petrovics, Gyorgy

2014-01-01

The prostate transmembrane protein androgen induced 1 (PMEPA1) gene is highly expressed in prostate epithelial cells and is a direct transcriptional target for the androgen receptor (AR). AR protein levels are controlled by the AR-PMEPA1 negative feedback loop through NEDD4-E3 ligase. Reduced expression of PMEPA1 observed in prostate tumors, suggests that loss of PMEPA1 may play critical roles in prostate tumorigenesis. This study focuses on epigenetic mechanisms of reduced PMEPA1 expression in the cancer of the prostate (CaP). Benign (n = 77) and matched malignant (n = 77) prostate epithelial cells were laser capture micro-dissected from optimum cutting temperature embedded frozen prostate sections from 42 Caucasian American (CA) and 35 African American (AA) cases. Purified DNA specimens were analyzed for CpG methylation of the PMEPA1 gene. PMEPA1 mRNA expression levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR. Analysis of PMEPA1 methylation and mRNA expression in the same tumor cell populations indicated a significant inverse correlation between mRNA expression and methylation in CaP (P = 0.0115). We noted higher frequency of CpG methylation within the evaluated first intronic region of the PMEPA1 gene in prostate tumors of CA men as compared with AA. In CaP cell lines, PMEPA1 expression was induced and AR protein levels were diminished in response to treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (decitabine). Cell culture-based studies demonstrated that decitabine restores PMEPA1 expression in AR-positive CaP cell lines. This report reveals the potential role of PMEPA1 gene methylation in the regulation of AR stability. Thus, downregulation of PMEPA1 may result in increased AR protein levels and function in CaP cells, contributing to prostate tumorigenesis. PMID:24694733

Hormone-induced protection against mammary tumorigenesis is conserved in multiple rat strains and identifies a core gene expression signature induced by pregnancy.

PubMed

Blakely, Collin M; Stoddard, Alexander J; Belka, George K; Dugan, Katherine D; Notarfrancesco, Kathleen L; Moody, Susan E; D'Cruz, Celina M; Chodosh, Lewis A

2006-06-15

Women who have their first child early in life have a substantially lower lifetime risk of breast cancer. The mechanism for this is unknown. Similar to humans, rats exhibit parity-induced protection against mammary tumorigenesis. To explore the basis for this phenomenon, we identified persistent pregnancy-induced changes in mammary gene expression that are tightly associated with protection against tumorigenesis in multiple inbred rat strains. Four inbred rat strains that exhibit marked differences in their intrinsic susceptibilities to carcinogen-induced mammary tumorigenesis were each shown to display significant protection against methylnitrosourea-induced mammary tumorigenesis following treatment with pregnancy levels of estradiol and progesterone. Microarray expression profiling of parous and nulliparous mammary tissue from these four strains yielded a common 70-gene signature. Examination of the genes constituting this signature implicated alterations in transforming growth factor-beta signaling, the extracellular matrix, amphiregulin expression, and the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor I axis in pregnancy-induced alterations in breast cancer risk. Notably, related molecular changes have been associated with decreased mammographic density, which itself is strongly associated with decreased breast cancer risk. Our findings show that hormone-induced protection against mammary tumorigenesis is widely conserved among divergent rat strains and define a gene expression signature that is tightly correlated with reduced mammary tumor susceptibility as a consequence of a normal developmental event. Given the conservation of this signature, these pathways may contribute to pregnancy-induced protection against breast cancer.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-DNA adducts and breast cancer: modification by gene promoter methylation in a population-based study.

PubMed

White, Alexandra J; Chen, Jia; McCullough, Lauren E; Xu, Xinran; Cho, Yoon Hee; Teitelbaum, Susan L; Neugut, Alfred I; Terry, Mary Beth; Hibshoosh, Hanina; Santella, Regina M; Gammon, Marilie D

2015-12-01

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-DNA adducts have been associated with breast cancer incidence. Aberrant changes in DNA methylation may be an early event in carcinogenesis. However, possible relations between PAH-DNA adducts, methylation, and breast cancer are unknown. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess associations between PAH-DNA adducts, and breast cancer, stratified by DNA methylation markers and (2) examine interactions between adducts and DNA methylation in association with breast cancer and tumor subtype. In a population-based case-control study, promoter methylation of 13 breast cancer-related genes was measured in tumor tissue (n = 765-851 cases). Blood DNA from breast cancer cases (n = 873) and controls (n = 941) was used to assess PAH-DNA adducts and global methylation. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI); and the ratio of the OR (ROR) was used to assess heterogeneity. Women with detectable PAH-DNA adducts and methylated RARβ (ROR 2.69, 95% CI 1.02-7.12; p for interaction = 0.03) or APC (ROR 1.76, 95% CI 0.87-3.58; p for interaction = 0.09) genes were more likely to have hormone receptor-positive tumors than other subtypes. Interactions with other methylation markers were not apparent (p ≥ 0.10). The association between adducts and breast cancer did not vary by methylation status of the tumor nor did adducts associate with global methylation in the controls. Gene-specific methylation of RARβ, and perhaps APC, may interact with PAH-DNA adducts to increase risk of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. There was little evidence that adducts were associated with or interacted with other methylation markers of interest.

MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF MUTATIONS INDUCED BY MUTAGENS IN THE TK GENE OF MOUSE LYMPHOMA CELLS

EPA Science Inventory

MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF MUTATIONS INDUCED BY BROMATE AND N- ETHYL-N-NITROSOUREA IN THE TK GENE OF MOUSE L YMPHOMA CELLS

The mouse lymphoma assay is widely used to identify chemical mutagens The Tk +1- gene located on an autosome in mouse lymphoma cells may recover a wide ra...

Notch3 Maintains Luminal Phenotype and Suppresses Tumorigenesis and Metastasis of Breast Cancer via Trans-Activating Estrogen Receptor-α.

PubMed

Dou, Xiao-Wei; Liang, Yuan-Ke; Lin, Hao-Yu; Wei, Xiao-Long; Zhang, Yong-Qu; Bai, Jing-Wen; Chen, Chun-Fa; Chen, Min; Du, Cai-Wen; Li, Yao-Chen; Tian, Jie; Man, Kwan; Zhang, Guo-Jun

2017-01-01

The luminal A phenotype is the most common breast cancer subtype and is characterized by estrogen receptor α expression (ERα). Identification of the key regulator that governs the luminal phenotype of breast cancer will clarify the pathogenic mechanism and provide novel therapeutic strategies for this subtype of cancer. ERα signaling pathway sustains the epithelial phenotype and inhibits the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of breast cancer. In this study, we demonstrate that Notch3 positively associates with ERα in both breast cancer cell lines and human breast cancer tissues. We found that overexpression of Notch3 intra-cellular domain, a Notch3 active form (N3ICD), in ERα negative breast cancer cells re-activated ERα, while knock-down of Notch3 reduced ERα transcript and proteins, with alteration of down-stream genes, suggesting its ability to regulate ERα. Mechanistically, our results show that Notch3 specifically binds to the CSL binding element of the ERα promoter and activates ERα expression. Moreover, Notch3 suppressed EMT, while suppression of Notch3 promoted EMT in cellular assay. Overexpressing N3ICD in triple-negative breast cancer suppressed tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo . Conversely, depletion of Notch3 in luminal breast cancer promoted metastasis in vivo . Furthermore, Notch3 transcripts were significantly associated with prolonged relapse-free survival in breast cancer, in particular in ERα positive breast cancer patients. Our observations demonstrate that Notch3 governs the luminal phenotype via trans-activating ERα expression in breast cancer. These findings delineate the role of a Notch3/ERα axis in maintaining the luminal phenotype and inhibiting tumorigenesis and metastasis in breast cancer, providing a novel strategy to re-sensitize ERα negative or low-expressing breast cancers to hormone therapy.

Notch3 Maintains Luminal Phenotype and Suppresses Tumorigenesis and Metastasis of Breast Cancer via Trans-Activating Estrogen Receptor-α

PubMed Central

Dou, Xiao-Wei; Liang, Yuan-Ke; Lin, Hao-Yu; Wei, Xiao-Long; Zhang, Yong-Qu; Bai, Jing-Wen; Chen, Chun-Fa; Chen, Min; Du, Cai-Wen; Li, Yao-Chen; Tian, Jie; Man, Kwan; Zhang, Guo-Jun

2017-01-01

The luminal A phenotype is the most common breast cancer subtype and is characterized by estrogen receptor α expression (ERα). Identification of the key regulator that governs the luminal phenotype of breast cancer will clarify the pathogenic mechanism and provide novel therapeutic strategies for this subtype of cancer. ERα signaling pathway sustains the epithelial phenotype and inhibits the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of breast cancer. In this study, we demonstrate that Notch3 positively associates with ERα in both breast cancer cell lines and human breast cancer tissues. We found that overexpression of Notch3 intra-cellular domain, a Notch3 active form (N3ICD), in ERα negative breast cancer cells re-activated ERα, while knock-down of Notch3 reduced ERα transcript and proteins, with alteration of down-stream genes, suggesting its ability to regulate ERα. Mechanistically, our results show that Notch3 specifically binds to the CSL binding element of the ERα promoter and activates ERα expression. Moreover, Notch3 suppressed EMT, while suppression of Notch3 promoted EMT in cellular assay. Overexpressing N3ICD in triple-negative breast cancer suppressed tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo. Conversely, depletion of Notch3 in luminal breast cancer promoted metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, Notch3 transcripts were significantly associated with prolonged relapse-free survival in breast cancer, in particular in ERα positive breast cancer patients. Our observations demonstrate that Notch3 governs the luminal phenotype via trans-activating ERα expression in breast cancer. These findings delineate the role of a Notch3/ERα axis in maintaining the luminal phenotype and inhibiting tumorigenesis and metastasis in breast cancer, providing a novel strategy to re-sensitize ERα negative or low-expressing breast cancers to hormone therapy. PMID:29109797

Epigenetic reprogramming governs EcSOD expression during human mammary epithelial cell differentiation, tumorigenesis and metastasis

PubMed Central

Teoh-Fitzgerald, ML; Fitzgerald, MP; Zhong, W; Askeland, RW; Domann, FE

2013-01-01

Expression of the antioxidant enzyme EcSOD in normal human mammary epithelial cells was not recognized until recently. Although expression of EcSOD was not detectable in non-malignant human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) cultured in conventional two-dimensional (2D) culture conditions, EcSOD protein expression was observed in normal human breast tissues, suggesting that the 2D-cultured condition induces a repressive status of EcSOD gene expression in HMEC. With the use of laminin-enriched extracellular matrix (lrECM), we were able to detect expression of EcSOD when HMEC formed polarized acinar structures in a 3D-culture condition. Repression of the EcSOD-gene expression was again seen when the HMEC acini were sub-cultured as a monolayer, implying that lrECM-induced acinar morphogenesis is essential in EcSOD-gene activation. We have further shown the involvement of DNA methylation in regulating EcSOD expression in HMEC under these cell culture conditions. EcSOD mRNA expression was strongly induced in the 2D-cultured HMEC after treatment with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor. In addition, epigenetic analyses showed a decrease in the degree of CpG methylation in the EcSOD promoter in the 3D versus 2D-cultured HMEC. More importantly, >80% of clinical mammary adenocarcinoma samples showed significantly decreased EcSOD mRNA and protein expression levels compared with normal mammary tissues and there is an inverse correlation between the expression levels of EcSOD and the clinical stages of breast cancer. Combined bisulfite restriction analysis analysis of some of the tumors also revealed an association of DNA methylation with the loss of EcSOD expression in vivo. Furthermore, overexpression of EcSOD inhibited breast cancer metastasis in both the experimental lung metastasis model and the syngeneic mouse model. This study suggests that epigenetic silencing of EcSOD may contribute to mammary tumorigenesis and that restoring the extracellular superoxide scavenging activity could be an effective strategy for breast cancer treatment. PMID:23318435

β-Cryptoxanthin Reduced Lung Tumor Multiplicity and Inhibited Lung Cancer Cell Motility by Downregulating Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor α7 Signaling.

PubMed

Iskandar, Anita R; Miao, Benchun; Li, Xinli; Hu, Kang-Quan; Liu, Chun; Wang, Xiang-Dong

2016-11-01

Despite the consistent association between a higher intake of the provitamin A carotenoid β-cryptoxanthin (BCX) and a lower risk of lung cancer among smokers, potential mechanisms supporting BCX as a chemopreventive agent are needed. We first examined the effects of BCX on 4-[methyl nitrosamino]-1-[3-pyridyl]-1-butanone (NNK)-induced lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice. BCX supplementation was given daily to the mice starting 2 weeks prior to the injection of NNK and continued 16 weeks after NNK injection. BCX supplementation resulted in a dose-dependent increase of BCX concentration in both serum and lungs of the mice without a significant alteration of vitamin A (retinol and retinyl palmitate) concentration. BCX significantly reduced the multiplicity of the NNK-induced lung tumor by 52% to 63% compared with the NNK-treated mice without BCX supplementation. The protective effect of BCX in the lungs was associated with reductions of both mRNA and protein of the homopentameric neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α7 (α7-nAChR), which has been implicated in lung tumorigenesis. We then conducted an in vitro cell culture study and found that BCX treatment suppressed α7-nAChR expression and inhibited the migration and invasion of α7-nAChR-positive lung cancer cells but not in cells lacking α7-nAChR. The activities of BCX were significantly attenuated by activators of α7-nAChR/PI3K signaling or by overexpression of constitutively active PI3K. Collectively, the results suggest that BCX inhibits lung tumorigenesis and cancer cell motility through the downregulation of α7-nAChR/PI3K signaling, independent of its provitamin A activity. Therefore, BCX can be used as a chemopreventive agent or a chemotherapeutic compound against lung cancer. Cancer Prev Res; 9(11); 875-86. ©2016 AACR. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

Enhancement by O6-benzyl-N2-acetylguanosine of N'-[2-chloroethyl]-N-[2-(methylsulphonyl)ethyl]-N'-nitrosourea therapeutic index on nude mice bearing resistant human melanoma.

PubMed Central

Debiton, E.; Cussac-Buchdhal, C.; Mounetou, E.; Rapp, M.; Dupuy, J. M.; Maurizis, J. C.; Veyre, A.; Madelmont, J. C.

1997-01-01

The exposure of cells to O6-benzyl-N2-acetylguanosine (BNAG) and several guanine derivatives is known to reduce the activity of O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (MGMT) and to enhance the sensitivity of Mer+ (methyl enzyme repair positive) tumour cells to chloroethylnitrosoureas (CENUs) in vitro and in vivo. High water solubility and the pharmacokinetic properties of BNAG make it a candidate for simultaneous administration with CENUs by the i.v. route in human clinical use. In vivo we have shown previously that BNAG significantly increases the efficiency of N'-[2-chloroethyl]-N-[2-(methylsulphonyl)ethyl]-N'-nitrosourea (cystemustine) against M4Beu melanoma cells (Mer+) through its cytostatic activity by the i.p. route, but also increases its toxicity. To investigate the toxicity of BNAG and cystemustine when administered simultaneously in mice, we compared the maximum tolerated dose and LD50 doses of cystemustine alone or in combination with 40 mg kg(-1) BNAG by the i.p. route. The toxicity of cystemustine was enhanced by a factor of almost 1.44 when combined with BNAG. To compare the therapeutic index of cystemustine alone and the cystemustine/BNAG combination, pharmacological tests were carried out in nude mice bearing Mer+ M4Beu human melanoma cells. Isotoxic doses were calculated using the 1.44 ratio. The treatments were administered three times by the i.v. route on days 1, 5 and 9 after s.c. inoculation of tumour cells. Although the toxicities of the treatments were equal, BNAG strongly enhanced tumour growth inhibition. These results demonstrate the increase of the therapeutic index of cystemustine by BNAG and justify the use of BNAG to enhance nitrosourea efficiency in vivo by i.v. co-injection. PMID:9365163

Antineoplastic effects of Chlorella pyrenoidosa in the breast cancer model.

PubMed

Kubatka, Peter; Kapinová, Andrea; Kružliak, Peter; Kello, Martin; Výbohová, Desanka; Kajo, Karol; Novák, Miroslav; Chripková, Martina; Adamkov, Marián; Péč, Martin; Mojžiš, Ján; Bojková, Bianka; Kassayová, Monika; Stollárová, Nadežda; Dobrota, Dušan

2015-04-01

There has been considerable interest in both clinical and preclinical research about the role of phytochemicals in the reduction of risk for cancer in humans. The aim of this study was to determine the antineoplastic effects of Chlorella pyrenoidosa in experimental breast cancer in vivo and in vitro. In this experiment, the antineoplastic effects of C. pyrenoidosa in the chemoprevention of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female rats were evaluated. Chlorella powder was administered through diet at concentrations of 0.3% and 3%. The experiment was terminated 14 wk after carcinogen administration. At autopsy, mammary tumors were removed and prepared for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. In vitro cytotoxicity assay, parameters of apoptosis, and proliferation after chlorella treatment in human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells were carried out. Basic parameters of experimental carcinogenesis, mechanism of action (biomarkers of apoptosis, proliferation, and angiogenesis), chosen metabolic variables, and side effects after long-term chlorella treatment in animals were assessed. Chlorella at higher concentration suppressed tumor frequency by 61% (P < 0.02) and lengthened tumor latency by 12.5 d (P < 0.02) in comparison with the controls. Immunohistochemical analysis of rat tumor cells showed caspase-7 expression increase by 73.5% (P < 0.001) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 expression decrease by 19% (P = 0.07) after chlorella treatment. In a parallel in vitro study, chlorella significantly decreased survival of MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In chlorella-treated MCF-7 cells, a significant increase in cells having sub-G0/G1 DNA content and significant increase of early apoptotic and late apoptotic/necrotic cells after annexin V/PI staining assay were found. Decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential and increasing reactive oxygen species generation were observed in the chlorella-treated MCF-7 cells. This study is the first report on the antineoplastic effects of C. pyrenoidosa in experimental breast cancer in vivo and in vitro. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Modifying effects of lemongrass essential oil on specific tissue response to the carcinogen N-methyl-N-nitrosurea in female BALB/c mice.

PubMed

Bidinotto, Lucas T; Costa, Celso A R A; Costa, Mirtes; Rodrigues, Maria A M; Barbisan, Luís F

2012-02-01

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf) essential oil has been used worldwide because of its ethnobotanical and medicinal usefulness. Regarding its medicinal usefulness, the present study evaluated the beneficial effects of lemongrass essential oil (LGEO) oral treatment on cell proliferation and apoptosis events and on early development of hyperplastic lesions in the mammary gland, colon, and urinary bladder induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) in female BALB/c mice. The animals were allocated into three groups: G1, treated with LGEO vehicle for 5 weeks (five times per week); G2, treated with LGEO vehicle as for G1 and MNU (two injections each of 30 mg/kg of body weight at weeks 3 and 5); and G3, treated with LGEO (five times each with 500 mg/kg of body weight per week) and MNU as for G2. Twenty-four hours after the last MNU application, all animals were euthanized, and mammary glands, colon, and urinary bladder were collected for histological and immunohistochemical analysis. LGEO oral treatment significantly changed the indexes of apoptosis and/or cellular proliferation for the tissues analyzed. In particular, the treatment reduced the incidence of hyperplastic lesions and increased apoptosis in mammary epithelial cells. This increment in the apoptosis response may be related to a favorable balance in Bcl-2/Bax immunoreactivity in mammary epithelial cells. These findings indicate that LGEO presented a protective role against early MNU-induced mammary gland alterations in BALB/c mice.

Antioxidative and antigenotoxic effects of Japanese horse chestnut (Aesculus turbinata) seeds.

PubMed

Sato, Itaru; Suzuki, Tadahiko; Kobayashi, Haruo; Tsuda, Shuji

2005-07-01

Japanese horse chestnut seed extract (HCSE) dose-dependently inhibited the autooxidation of linoleic acid (IC(50): 0.2 mg/ml), and the inhibition was almost complete at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. The HCSE scavenged DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radicals and superoxide anions with EC(50)s of 0.65 and 0.21 mg/ml, respectively. However, it had no effect on hydrogen peroxide. The HCSE inhibited the genotoxicities of furylfuramide, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, methyl methanesulfonate, mitomycin C, 2-aminoanthracene and aflatoxin B1 at a concentration of 1 mg/ml or more. Total polyphenol content of the HCSE was 21 mg/g (13 mg/g-seeds). These results indicate that the Japanese horse chestnut seed is an antioxidative and antimutagenic botanical resource.

Morphology of 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea induced rat mammary tumours after treatment with precursor of phytanic acid or its combination with vitamin D analogue.

PubMed

Liska, J; Macejova, D; Ondkova, S; Brtko, J

2012-01-01

The proposed therapeutical effect of phytol (PHY), a precursor of the phytanic acid (PHYA), on mammary tumours induced with 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea (MNU), was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats in combination with vitamin D analogue, Seocalcitol (SEO). Female Sprague-Dawley rats were administered intraperitoneally with MNU (50 mg/kg of body weight) at the 46th and 52th days of age. Controls and MNU animals received propyleneglycol appropriate to their body weight. PHY (MNU + PHY) (500 mg/kg) was administered after tumour detection (approximately in 100th day of the life) three times/week. Combination of PHY with SEO (7 μg/kg per week) was administered to rats after tumour detection (approximately in 100th day of the life) until the 181st day of age. Then the animals were sacrificed, the tumours removed, and fixed in 10% formalin. Haematoxylin and eosine stained sections were evaluated under microscope. Tumour invasiveness observed in all groups of animals was ranging from 80 to 90%. Treatment with PHY alone did not inhibit the progression of the MNU induced tumours in the rat breast but it decreased the tumour burden and volume in comparison with MNU treated controls. Decreased tumour burden and volume were induced by combined treatment of PHY with SEO. Malignity and invasivity of carcinomas were not affected. No redifferentiating effect on mammary tumour cells induced by NMU after treatment with PHY alone or in combination with SEO was observed in rats. SEO alone or in combination with PHY inhibited the progression of MNU induced mammary tumours and also inhibited the increase of tumour burden and volume in comparison with MNU treated control group. However, none of the compounds, either alone or in mutual combination, reduced the malignity or the number of invasive tumours in this experimental study.

Interstrand cross-linking of DNA by 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea and other 1-(2-haloethyl)-1-nitrosoureas.

PubMed

Kohn, K W

1977-05-01

Bifunctional alkylating agents are known to cross-link DNA by simultaneously alkylating two guanine residues located on opposite strands. Despite this apparent requirement for bifunctionality, 1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosoureas bearing a single alkylating function were found to cross-link DNA in vitro. Cross-linking was demonstrated by showing inhibition of alkali-induced strand separation. Extensive cross-linking was observed in DNA treated with 1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, and 1-(2-chloroethyl(-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea. The reaction occurs in two steps, an intital binding followed by a second step which can proceed after removal of unbound drug. It is suggested that the first step is chloroethylation of a nucleophilic site on one strand and that the second step involves displacement of Cl- by a nucleophilic site on the opposite strand, resulting in an ethyl bridge between the strands. Consistent with this possibility, 1-(2-fluoroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea produced much less cross-linking, as expected from the known low activity of F-, compared with Cl-, as leaving group. 1-Methyl-1-nitrosourea, which is known to depurinate DNA, produced no detectable cross-linking.

Aberrantly methylated DNA as a biomarker in breast cancer.

PubMed

Kristiansen, Søren; Jørgensen, Lars M; Guldberg, Per; Sölétormos, György

2013-01-01

Aberrant DNA hypermethylation at gene promoters is a frequent event in human breast cancer. Recent genome-wide studies have identified hundreds of genes that exhibit differential methylation between breast cancer cells and normal breast tissue. Due to the tumor-specific nature of DNA hypermethylation events, their use as tumor biomarkers is usually not hampered by analytical signals from normal cells, which is a general problem for existing protein tumor markers used for clinical assessment of breast cancer. There is accumulating evidence that DNA-methylation changes in breast cancer patients occur early during tumorigenesis. This may open up for effective screening, and analysis of blood or nipple aspirate may later help in diagnosing breast cancer. As a more detailed molecular characterization of different types of breast cancer becomes available, the ability to divide patients into subgroups based on DNA biomarkers may improve prognosis. Serial monitoring of DNA-methylation markers in blood during treatment may be useful, particularly when the cancer burden is below the detection level for standard imaging techniques. Overall, aberrant DNA methylation has a great potential as a versatile biomarker tool for screening, diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of breast cancer. Standardization of methods and biomarker panels will be required to fully exploit this clinical potential.

Carcinogenicity of 1-methyl-3(p-chlorophenyl)-1-nitrosourea and its 1-methyl trideuterated derivative in rats.

PubMed

Schreiber, D; Martin, J; Mendel, J

1986-01-01

The carcinogenic activity of 1-methyl-3(p-chlorophenyl)-1-nitrosourea (Cl-MPNU) and its 1-methyl trideuterated analog (Cl-MPNU-d3) was compared by intragastric administration to hooded rats of equimolar doses of both compounds. A 100% frequency of forestomach tumors was observed in both groups. However, the mean latency period of the animals treated with Cl-MPNU-d3 was significantly longer (P less than 0.01). The results suggest the occurrence of a deuterium isotope effect in nitrosoureas but not as distinct as in nitrosamines.

Studies on synthesis and anticancer activity of selected N-(2-fluoroethyl)-N-nitrosoureas.

PubMed

Johnston, T P; Kussner, C L; Carter, R L; Frye, J L; Lomax, N R; Plowman, J; Narayanan, V L

1984-11-01

An activated carbamate, 2-nitrophenyl (2-fluoroethyl)nitrosocarbamate (3), was used to advantage in the synthesis of the water-soluble (2-fluoroethyl)nitrosoureas 6a--d from 2-aminoethanol, (1 alpha, 2 beta, 3 alpha)-2-amino-1,3-cyclohexanediol, cis-2-hydroxycyclohexanol, and 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose. In a variation of this method, 2,4,5-trichlorophenyl (2-fluoroethyl)carbamate (4) was used to prepare the urea from which the essentially water-insoluble N-(2,6-dioxo-3-piperidinyl)-N-(2-fluoroethyl)-N-nitrosourea (6e) was derived. The anticancer activity of these nitrosoureas was determined against the murine tumors B16 melanoma and Lewis lung carcinoma and found to be significant and comparable to their chloroethyl counterparts. On the basis of results from both systems, the dihydroxycyclohexyl derivative 6b may be the most effective.

Aberrant TET1 Methylation Closely Associated with CpG Island Methylator Phenotype in Colorectal Cancer.

PubMed

Ichimura, Norihisa; Shinjo, Keiko; An, Byonggu; Shimizu, Yasuhiro; Yamao, Kenji; Ohka, Fumiharu; Katsushima, Keisuke; Hatanaka, Akira; Tojo, Masayuki; Yamamoto, Eiichiro; Suzuki, Hiromu; Ueda, Minoru; Kondo, Yutaka

2015-08-01

Inactivation of methylcytosine dioxygenase, ten-eleven translocation (TET) is known to be associated with aberrant DNA methylation in cancers. Tumors with a CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP), a distinct subgroup with extensive DNA methylation, show characteristic features in the case of colorectal cancer. The relationship between TET inactivation and CIMP in colorectal cancers is not well understood. The expression level of TET family genes was compared between CIMP-positive (CIMP-P) and CIMP-negative (CIMP-N) colorectal cancers. Furthermore, DNA methylation profiling, including assessment of the TET1 gene, was assessed in colorectal cancers, as well as colon polyps. The TET1 was silenced by DNA methylation in a subset of colorectal cancers as well as cell lines, expression of which was reactivated by demethylating agent. TET1 methylation was more frequent in CIMP-P (23/55, 42%) than CIMP-N (2/113, 2%, P < 0.0001) colorectal cancers. This trend was also observed in colon polyps (CIMP-P, 16/40, 40%; CIMP-N, 2/24, 8%; P = 0.002), suggesting that TET1 methylation is an early event in CIMP tumorigenesis. TET1 methylation was significantly associated with BRAF mutation but not with hMLH1 methylation in the CIMP-P colorectal cancers. Colorectal cancers with TET1 methylation have a significantly greater number of DNA methylated genes and less pathological metastasis compared to those without TET1 methylation (P = 0.007 and 0.045, respectively). Our data suggest that TET1 methylation may contribute to the establishment of a unique pathway in respect to CIMP-mediated tumorigenesis, which may be incidental to hMLH1 methylation. In addition, our findings provide evidence that TET1 methylation may be a good biomarker for the prediction of metastasis in colorectal cancer. ©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.

Anticancer Potential of Nutraceutical Formulations in MNU-induced Mammary Cancer in Sprague Dawley Rats.

PubMed

Pitchaiah, Gummalla; Akula, Annapurna; Chandi, Vishala

2017-01-01

Nutraceuticals help in combating some of the major health problems of the century including cancer, and 'nutraceutical formulations' have led to the new era of medicine and health. To develop different nutraceutical formulations and to assess the anticancer potential of nutraceutical formulations in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced mammary cancer in Sprague Dawley rats. Different nutraceutical formulations were prepared using fine powders of amla, apple, garlic, onion, papaya, turmeric, and wheat grass with and without cow urine distillate. Total phenolic content, acute oral toxicity, and microbial load of nutraceutical formulations were assessed. The anticancer potential of nutraceutical formulations was evaluated against MNU-induced mammary cancer in female Sprague Dawley rats. Improvement in total phenolic content was significant ( P < 0.001) after self-fortification process. Toxicity studies showed that the nutraceutical formulations were safe to use in animals. Microbial load was within the limits. Significant longer tumor-free days ( P < 0.01), lower tumor incidence ( P < 0.01), lower tumor multiplicity ( P < 0.05) and tumor burden ( P < 0.01) were observed for nutraceutical formulation-treated groups. Combination of whole food-based nutraceuticals acted synergistically in the prevention of mammary cancer. Further, the process of fortification is novel and enhanced the anticancer potential of nutraceutical formulations. Nutraceuticals help in combating some of the major health problems of the century including cancer, and 'nutraceutical formulations' have led to the new era of medicine and health. In this study, different nutraceutical formulations using fine powders of amla, apple, garlic, onion, papaya, turmeric, and wheat grass with and without cow urine distillate. Total phenolic content, acute oral toxicity, and microbial load of nutraceutical formulations were assessed. The anticancer potential of nutraceutical formulations was evaluated against MNU-induced mammary cancer in female Sprague Dawley rats. Improvement in total phenolic content was observed after self-fortification process. Toxicity studies showed that the nutraceutical formulations were safe to use in animals. Microbial load was within the limits. Longer tumor-free days, lower tumor incidence, lower tumor multiplicity and tumor burden were observed for nutraceutical formulation-treated groups. This suggests that combination of whole food-based nutraceuticals acted synergistically in the prevention of mammary cancer. Further, the process of fortification enhanced the anticancer potential of nutraceutical formulations. Abbreviations used: HMNU: N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, CAM: Complementary and Alternative Medicine, NF: Nutraceutical Formulation, SFNF: Self-Fortitfied Nutraceutical Formulation, NFCUD: Nutraceutical Formulation fortified with Cow Urine Disstillate, SFNFCUD: Self-Fortified Nutraceutical Formulation fortified with Cow Urine Disstillate, CPCSEA: Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals, OECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, TPC: Total Phenolic Content, ANOVA: Analysis of Variance, GAE: Gallic Acid Equivalent, cfu/g: Colony forming unit per g.

Comparison of telomere length and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 promoter methylation between breast cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues in Turkish women.

PubMed

Kaya, Zehra; Akkiprik, Mustafa; Karabulut, Sevgi; Peker, Irem; Gullu Amuran, Gokce; Ozmen, Tolga; Gulluoglu, Bahadır M; Kaya, Handan; Ozer, Ayse

2017-09-01

Both insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) and telomere length (TL) are associated with proliferation and senescence of human breast cancer. This study assessed the clinical significance of both TL and IGFBP7 methylation status in breast cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. We also investigated whether IGFBP7 methylation status could be affecting TL. Telomere length was measured by quantitative PCR to compare tumors with their adjacent normal tissues. The IGFBP7 promoter methylation status was evaluated by methylation-specific PCR and its expression levels were determined by western blotting. Telomeres were shorter in tumor tissues compared to controls (P<.0001). The mean TL was higher in breast cancer with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC; n=72; P=.014) compared with other histological type (n=29), and TL in IDC with HER2 negative (n=53; P=.017) was higher than TL in IDC with HER2 positive (n=19). However, telomeres were shortened in advanced stages and growing tumors. IGFBP7 methylation was observed in 90% of tumor tissues and 59% of controls (P=.0002). Its frequency was significantly higher in IDC compared with invasive mixed carcinoma (IMC; P=.002) and it was not correlated either with protein expression or the other clinicopathological parameters. These results suggest that IGFBP7 promoter methylation and shorter TL in tumor compared with adjacent tissues may be predictive biomarkers for breast cancer. Telomere maintenance may be indicative of IDC and IDC with HER2 (-) of breast cancer. Further studies with larger number of cases are necessary to verify this association. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Anti-cancer effects of Piper nigrum via inducing multiple molecular signaling in vivo and in vitro.

PubMed

Deng, Yan; Sriwiriyajan, Somchai; Tedasen, Aman; Hiransai, Poonsit; Graidist, Potchanapond

2016-07-21

Piper nigrum is widely used as a folk medicine including usage for pain relief, fevers, as well as an anti-cancer agent. However the crude extract of piperine free P. nigrum (PFPE), which inhibits breast cancer, and its mechanisms are still being kept secret. This research aims to elucidate the anti-cancer effects of PFPE and its mechanisms. Anti-cancer effects of PFPE were investigated in N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU)-induced mammary tumorigenesis rats and breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and ZR-75-1. Furthermore, the cancer prevention effects of PFPE were investigated in rats. Western blotting was employed to study protein levels induced by PFPE. PFPE was found to up-regulate p53, and down-regulate estrogen receptor (ER), E-cadherin (E-cad), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), c-Myc, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in breast cancer rats. Moreover, PFPE decreased protein levels of E-cad, c-Myc, and VEGF in MCF-7 cells. These results suggest that PFPE can enhance breast cancer cell response to phytochemicals, then induce cell cycle arrest, and inhibit cancer cell proliferation resulting in tumor size decrease in the PFPE treated group. It further suggests that PFPE may suppress tumor cell invasion, migration, and angiogenesis. In addition, PFPE possessed cancer prevention effects through generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to higher cancer cell cellular stress. PFPE may possess anti-cancer and cancer prevention effects; hence, it deserves further investigation as a novel candidate for breast cancer treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Foci of aberrant crypts in the colons of mice and rats exposed to carcinogens associated with foods

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tudek, B.; Bird, R.P.; Bruce, W.R.

1989-03-01

Aberrant crypt foci can be identified in the colons of rodents treated 3 wk earlier with azoxymethane, a known colon carcinogen. These crypts can easily be visualized in the unsectioned methylene blue-stained colons under light microscopy, where they are distinguished by their increased size, more prominent epithelial cells, and pericryptal space. They occur as single aberrant crypts or as two, three, or four aberrant crypts in a cluster. We compared the reported ability of carcinogens associated with the human diet to induce colon cancer with the measured rate of induction of aberrant crypts in female CF1 mice and Sprague-Dawley rats.more » The carcinogens used were 1,2-dimethylhydrazine, methyl nitrosourea, N-nitrosodimethylamine, benzo(a)pyrene, aflatoxin B1, 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido(1,2-alpha:3',2'-d)imidazole, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo(4,5-P)quinoline, 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo(4,5-P)quinoline, and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido(4,3-b)indole. Graded doses of these compounds were given to the animals by gavage twice with a 4-day interval, and the animals were terminated 3 wk later. All colon carcinogens induced aberrant crypts in a dose-related fashion. N-Nitrosodimethylamine and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido(4,3-b)indole, carcinogenic compounds that do not induce colon cancer, did not induce them. The ability of the studied compounds to induce aberrant crypts was species specific; e.g., aflatoxin B1 and 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo(4,5-P)quinoline induce about 20 times more in rats than mice. This relationship was consistent with their reported ability to induce colon cancer in these species. Results of the present study support the use of the aberrant crypt assays to screen colon-specific carcinogens and to study the process of colon carcinogenesis.« less

Interleukin-33/ST2 axis promotes epithelial cell transformation and breast tumorigenesis via upregulation of COT activity.

PubMed

Kim, J Y; Lim, S-C; Kim, G; Yun, H J; Ahn, S-G; Choi, H S

2015-09-17

Cytokines of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) family, such as IL-1α/β and IL-18, have pleiotropic activities in innate and adaptive immune responses in host defense and diseases. Insight into their biological functions helped develop novel therapeutic approaches to treat human inflammatory diseases. IL-33 is an important member of the IL-1 family of cytokines and is a ligand of the ST2 receptor, a member of the IL-1 receptor family. However, the role of the IL-33/ST2 axis in tumor growth and metastasis of breast cancer remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that IL-33 is a critical tumor promoter during epithelial cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in the breast. IL-33 dose- and time-dependently increased Cancer Osaka Thyroid (COT) phosphorylation via ST2-COT interaction in normal epithelial and breast cancer cells. The IL-33/ST2/COT cascade induced the activation of the MEK-ERK (MEK-extracellular signal-regulated kinase), JNK-cJun (cJun N-terminal kinase-cJun) and STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) signaling pathways, followed by increased AP-1 and stat3 transcriptional activity. When small interfering RNAs of ST2 and COT were introduced into cells, IL-33-induced AP-1 and stat3 activity were significantly decreased, unlike that in the control cells. The inhibition of COT activity resulted in decreased IL-33-induced epithelial cell transformation, and knockdown of IL-33, ST2 and COT in breast cancer cells attenuated tumorigenicity of breast cancer cells. Consistent with these observations, ST2 levels were positively correlated with COT expression in human breast cancer. These findings provide a novel perspective on the role of the IL-33/ST2/COT signaling pathway in supporting cancer-associated inflammation in the tumor microenvironment. Therapeutic approaches that target this pathway may, therefore, effectively inhibit carcinogenesis in the breast.

Influence of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, testosterone, and N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-all-trans-retinamide on prostate cancer induction in Wistar-Unilever rats.

PubMed

McCormick, D L; Rao, K V; Dooley, L; Steele, V E; Lubet, R A; Kelloff, G J; Bosland, M C

1998-08-01

The influence of chemical carcinogen, hormonal stimulation, and chronic dietary administration of the synthetic retinoid, N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-all-trans-retinamide (4-HPR), on the induction of prostate cancer in male Wistar-Unilever rats was determined. Three different tumor induction regimens were used: (a) a single i.v. dose of 50 mg of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) per kg body weight, followed by chronic androgen stimulation via s.c. implantation of two silastic capsules containing 40 mg testosterone each; (b) a single i.v. dose of 50 mg of MNU per kg body weight (no testosterone treatment); and (c) chronic androgen stimulation with implanted testosterone capsules (no MNU treatment). In a fourth series of animals, the incidence of spontaneous prostate tumors was determined in groups of rats receiving neither carcinogen nor hormone stimulation. Within each series, parallel groups of animals were fed a control (vehicle-supplemented) diet or control diet supplemented with 4-HPR beginning 1 day after carcinogen administration; retinoid administration was continuous until termination of the study at 450 days. The incidence of accessory sex gland cancer in rats treated sequentially with MNU + testosterone was >60%, in comparison with cancer incidences of <20% in rats receiving MNU only and <5% in rats treated with testosterone only. No spontaneous accessory sex gland tumors were observed in rats receiving no carcinogen and no testosterone. Tumor induction in the accessory sex glands by MNU + testosterone was relatively specific for the prostate: the incidence of carcinoma of the dorsolateral/anterior prostate was more than 5-fold greater than the incidence of cancer present only in the seminal vesicle. 4-HPR conferred no protection against cancer induction in the prostate by any regimen of MNU and/or testosterone. These results demonstrate the importance of both carcinogen exposure and hormone stimulation on the induction of neoplasia in the prostate of Wistar-Unilever rats.

The carcinogenicity of 1-methyl-3(p-bromophenyl)-1-nitrosourea (Br-MPNU).

PubMed

Warzok, R; Martin, J; Mendel, J; Thust, R; Schwarz, H

1983-01-01

In long-term experiments with Hooded rats the carcinogenic potential of 1-methyl-3(p-bromophenyl)-1-nitrosourea (Br-MPNU) could be demonstrated for the first time. Br-MPNU is formed also endogenously after combined administration of 1-methyl-3(p-bromophenyl)-urea (Br-MPU) and sodium nitrite. After repeated intragastric administration of 0.33 mmol Br-MPU and 0.73 mmol NaNO2 per kg b.w. papillomas and carcinomas of the forestomach developed in 83%. After repeated administration of 0.28 mmol Br-MPNU per kg b.w. these neoplasms were observed in 88%. The comparison of results obtained in similar experiments with 1-methyl-3-phenyl-1-nitrosourea shows that bromine substitution led to a reduction of the carcinogenic activity. The present paper is part of a complex program studying the interrelationships between structure, physico-chemical properties, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of nitrosoureas.

Chemoprevention of hormone-dependent prostate cancer in the Wistar-Unilever rat.

PubMed

McCormick, D L; Rao, K V

1999-01-01

The high incidence and long latent period of prostate cancer make it an ideal target for chemoprevention. We have evaluated a series of agents for chemopreventive efficacy using a model in which hormone-dependent prostate cancers are induced in the Wistar-Unilever (WU) rat by sequential treatment with antiandrogen (cyproterone acetate), androgen (testosterone propionate), and direct-acting chemical carcinogen (N-methyl-N-nitrosourea), followed by chronic androgen stimulation (testosterone). This regimen reproducibly induces prostate cancers in high incidence, with no gross toxicity and a low incidence of neoplasia in the seminal vesicle and other non-target tissues. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-cis-RA) are the most active agents identified to date. DHEA inhibits prostate cancer induction both when chronic administration is begun prior to carcinogen exposure, and when administration is delayed until preneoplastic prostate lesions are present. 9-cis-RA is the most potent inhibitor of prostate carcinogenesis identified; a study to determine the efficacy of delayed administration of 9-cis-RA is in progress. Liarozole fumarate confers modest protection against prostate carcinogenesis, while N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (fenretinide), alpha-difluoromethylornithine, oltipraz, DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), and L-selenomethionine are inactive. Chemoprevention efficacy evaluations in the WU rat will support the identification of agents that merit study for prostate cancer chemoprevention in humans.

PKM2 methylation by CARM1 activates aerobic glycolysis to promote tumorigenesis

PubMed Central

Liu, Fabao; Ma, Fengfei; Wang, Yuyuan; Hao, Ling; Zeng, Hao; Jia, Chenxi; Wang, Yidan; Liu, Peng; Ong, Irene M; Li, Baobin; Chen, Guojun; Jiang, Jiaoyang; Gong, Shaoqin; Li, Lingjun; Xu, Wei

2017-01-01

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer. Herein we discovered that the key glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase M2 isoform (PKM2), but not the related isoform PKM1, is methylated by co-activator associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1). PKM2 methylation reversibly shifts the balance of metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis in breast cancer cells. Oxidative phosphorylation depends on mitochondria calcium concentration, which becomes critical for cancer cell survival when PKM2 methylation is blocked. By interacting with and suppressing the expression of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs), methylated PKM2 inhibits the influx of calcium from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to mitochondria. Inhibiting PKM2 methylation with a competitive peptide delivered by nanoparticle perturbs metabolic energy balance in cancer cells, leading to decrease of cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis. Collectively, the CARM1-PKM2 axis serves as a metabolic reprogramming mechanism in tumorigenesis, and inhibiting PKM2 methylation generates metabolic vulnerability to IP3R-dependent mitochondrial functions. PMID:29058718

PKM2 methylation by CARM1 activates aerobic glycolysis to promote tumorigenesis.

PubMed

Liu, Fabao; Ma, Fengfei; Wang, Yuyuan; Hao, Ling; Zeng, Hao; Jia, Chenxi; Wang, Yidan; Liu, Peng; Ong, Irene M; Li, Baobin; Chen, Guojun; Jiang, Jiaoyang; Gong, Shaoqin; Li, Lingjun; Xu, Wei

2017-11-01

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer. Herein we discover that the key glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase M2 isoform (PKM2), but not the related isoform PKM1, is methylated by co-activator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1). PKM2 methylation reversibly shifts the balance of metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis in breast cancer cells. Oxidative phosphorylation depends on mitochondrial calcium concentration, which becomes critical for cancer cell survival when PKM2 methylation is blocked. By interacting with and suppressing the expression of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (InsP 3 Rs), methylated PKM2 inhibits the influx of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria. Inhibiting PKM2 methylation with a competitive peptide delivered by nanoparticles perturbs the metabolic energy balance in cancer cells, leading to a decrease in cell proliferation, migration and metastasis. Collectively, the CARM1-PKM2 axis serves as a metabolic reprogramming mechanism in tumorigenesis, and inhibiting PKM2 methylation generates metabolic vulnerability to InsP 3 R-dependent mitochondrial functions.

Lectins and substitution for helper function in anti-hapten responses in Xenopus laevis.

PubMed

Clothier, R H; James, H S; Ruben, L N; Balls, M

1984-08-01

Substitution by lectins for the carrier-priming requirement in thymus-dependent, antigen-binding responses in Xenopus laevis has been examined. Concanavalin A (Con A) was found to substitute for carrier priming in control, early-thymectomized and adult-thymectomized animals, but not in animals given a single, high dose of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, which has a permanent effect on certain thymus-dependent functions in this species. Lipopolysaccharide and other lectins, such as peanut agglutinin and wheat germ agglutinin, were unable to substitute for carrier priming. These effects of Con A are discussed in terms of substitution via amplifier T cells or a helper T cell subset.

Preclinical studies of steroid-linked nitrosoureas in murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma PANO2.

PubMed

Papageorgiou, A; Lialiaris, Th; Stergiou, E; Stergiou, I; Tsigris, C; Kourti, A; Geromichalos, G; Stravoravdi, P; Trafalis, D; Athanassiou, A E; Pitsas, A; Camoutsis, Ch

2008-01-01

In earlier studies, this laboratory carried out research on the synthesis and anticancer evaluation of hybrid compounds, which combine two molecules in one such as homo-aza-steroidal esters (HASE) of carboxylic derivatives of N, N-bis (2-chloroethyl) aniline. In this combination, steroidal hormones are employed as carriers for transporting the alkylating agents to specific targeted tissues. Aiming to continue our research, we used alkylating agents, as nitrosoureas, instead of nitrogen mustards. In this work the N-[N- (2-chloroethyl)-N-nitroso-carbomoyl]-L-alanine (CNC-ala) has been used and was bound to 7 newly synthesized modified steroidal esters (carrier molecule) of nitrosourea and the hybrid molecules were tested for antitumor activity against PANO2 murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma. PANO2 adenocarcinoma was used in this study. C57Bl mice were used for chemotherapy evaluation. The activity was assessed from the inhibition of tumor growth and the oncostatic parameter T/C %. The antitumor activity displayed by 7 hybrid steroidal esters of nitrosourea was quite interesting. It was able to discern 4 of 7 compounds that exhibited considerable antitumor activity, increasing the lifespan of the tumor-bearing mice by inhibiting the tumor growth. The comparative study of 7 newly synthesized hybrid steroidal esters of nitrosourea shows that the antitumor effects of compound 7, which has an enlarged (7 carbon atoms) A-lactamic ring and nitrosourea esterified at the position 17, which seems to be the most appropriate for the connection of a DNA cross-linking amino acid derivative is superior.

Spin labeled amino acid nitrosourea derivatives--synthesis and antitumour activity.

PubMed

Zheleva, A; Raikov, Z; Ilarionova, M; Todorov, D

1995-01-01

The synthesis of three spin labeled derivatives of N-[N'-(chloroethyl)-N'-nitrosocarbamoyl] amino acids is reported. The new nitrosoureas are obtained by condensation of the corresponding N-[N'-(2-chloroethyl)-N'-nitrosocarbamoyl] amino acid with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-oxyl-4-aminopiperidine using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. Their chemical structures are confirmed by elemental analysis, IR, MS, and EPR spectroscopy. All newly synthesized compounds showed high antitumour activity against the lymphoid leukemia L1210 in BDF1 mice.

Association between global DNA hypomethylation in leukocytes and risk of breast cancer.

PubMed

Choi, Ji-Yeob; James, Smitha R; Link, Petra A; McCann, Susan E; Hong, Chi-Chen; Davis, Warren; Nesline, Mary K; Ambrosone, Christine B; Karpf, Adam R

2009-11-01

Global DNA hypomethylation may result in chromosomal instability and oncogene activation, and as a surrogate of systemic methylation activity, may be associated with breast cancer risk. Samples and data were obtained from women with incident early-stage breast cancer (I-IIIa) and women who were cancer free, frequency matched on age and race. In preliminary analyses, genomic methylation of leukocyte DNA was determined by measuring 5-methyldeoxycytosine (5-mdC), as well as methylation analysis of the LINE-1-repetitive DNA element. Further analyses used only 5-mdC levels. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risk of breast cancer in relation to amounts of methylation. In a subset of samples tested (n = 37), 5-mdC level was not correlated with LINE-1 methylation. 5-mdC level in leukocyte DNA was significantly lower in breast cancer cases than healthy controls (P = 0.001), but no significant case-control differences were observed with LINE-1 methylation (P = 0.176). In the entire data set, we noted significant differences in 5-mdC levels in leukocytes between cases (n = 176) and controls (n = 173); P value < 0.001. Compared with women in the highest 5-mdC tertile (T3), women in the second (T2; OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 0.84-2.65) and lowest tertile (T1; OR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.65-4.94) had higher risk of breast cancer (P for trend < or = 0.001). Among controls only and cases and controls combined, only alcohol intake was found to be inversely associated with methylation levels. These findings suggest that leukocyte DNA hypomethylation is independently associated with development of breast cancer.

Methylation Landscape of Human Breast Cancer Cells in Response to Dietary Compound Resveratrol

PubMed Central

Medina-Aguilar, Rubiceli; Pérez-Plasencia, Carlos; Marchat, Laurence A.; Gariglio, Patricio; García Mena, Jaime; Rodríguez Cuevas, Sergio; Ruíz-García, Erika; Astudillo-de la Vega, Horacio; Hernández Juárez, Jennifer; Flores-Pérez, Ali; López-Camarillo, César

2016-01-01

Aberrant DNA methylation is a frequent epigenetic alteration in cancer cells that has emerged as a pivotal mechanism for tumorigenesis. Accordingly, novel therapies targeting the epigenome are being explored with the aim to restore normal DNA methylation patterns on oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. A limited number of studies indicate that dietary compound resveratrol modulates DNA methylation of several cancer-related genes; however a complete view of changes in methylome by resveratrol has not been reported yet. In this study we performed a genome-wide survey of DNA methylation signatures in triple negative breast cancer cells exposed to resveratrol. Our data showed that resveratrol treatment for 24 h and 48 h decreased gene promoter hypermethylation and increased DNA hypomethylation. Of 2476 hypermethylated genes in control cells, 1,459 and 1,547 were differentially hypomethylated after 24 h and 48 h, respectively. Remarkably, resveratrol did not induce widespread non-specific DNA hyper- or hypomethylation as changes in methylation were found in only 12.5% of 27,728 CpG loci. Moreover, resveratrol restores the hypomethylated and hypermethylated status of key tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes, respectively. Importantly, the integrative analysis of methylome and transcriptome profiles in response to resveratrol showed that methylation alterations were concordant with changes in mRNA expression. Our findings reveal for the first time the impact of resveratrol on the methylome of breast cancer cells and identify novel potential targets for epigenetic therapy. We propose that resveratrol may be considered as a dietary epidrug as it may exert its anti-tumor activities by modifying the methylation status of cancer -related genes which deserves further in vivo characterization. PMID:27355345

Genomic phenotyping by barcode sequencing broadly distinguishes between alkylating agents, oxidizing agents, and non-genotoxic agents, and reveals a role for aromatic amino acids in cellular recovery after quinone exposure.

PubMed

Svensson, J Peter; Quirós Pesudo, Laia; McRee, Siobhan K; Adeleye, Yeyejide; Carmichael, Paul; Samson, Leona D

2013-01-01

Toxicity screening of compounds provides a means to identify compounds harmful for human health and the environment. Here, we further develop the technique of genomic phenotyping to improve throughput while maintaining specificity. We exposed cells to eight different compounds that rely on different modes of action: four genotoxic alkylating (methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), N,N'-bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitroso-urea (BCNU), N-ethylnitrosourea (ENU)), two oxidizing (2-methylnaphthalene-1,4-dione (menadione, MEN), benzene-1,4-diol (hydroquinone, HYQ)), and two non-genotoxic (methyl carbamate (MC) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)) compounds. A library of S. cerevisiae 4,852 deletion strains, each identifiable by a unique genetic 'barcode', were grown in competition; at different time points the ratio between the strains was assessed by quantitative high throughput 'barcode' sequencing. The method was validated by comparison to previous genomic phenotyping studies and 90% of the strains identified as MMS-sensitive here were also identified as MMS-sensitive in a much lower throughput solid agar screen. The data provide profiles of proteins and pathways needed for recovery after both genotoxic and non-genotoxic compounds. In addition, a novel role for aromatic amino acids in the recovery after treatment with oxidizing agents was suggested. The role of aromatic acids was further validated; the quinone subgroup of oxidizing agents were extremely toxic in cells where tryptophan biosynthesis was compromised.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I obliterates the pregnancy-associated protection against mammary carcinogenesis in rats: evidence that IGF-I enhances cancer progression through estrogen receptor-α activation via the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

PubMed Central

Thordarson, Gudmundur; Slusher, Nicole; Leong, Harriet; Ochoa, Dafne; Rajkumar, Lakshmanaswamy; Guzman, Raphael; Nandi, Satyabrata; Talamantes, Frank

2004-01-01

Introduction Pregnancy protects against breast cancer development in humans and rats. Parous rats have persistently reduced circulating levels of growth hormone, which may affect the activity of the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I axis. We investigated the effects of IGF-I on parity-associated protection against mammary cancer. Methods Three groups of rats were evaluated in the present study: IGF-I-treated parous rats; parous rats that did not receive IGF-I treatment; and age-matched virgin animals, which also did not receive IGF-I treatment. Approximately 60 days after N-methyl-N-nitrosourea injection, IGF-I treatment was discontinued and all of the animal groups were implanted with a silastic capsule containing 17β-estradiol and progesterone. The 17β-estradiol plus progesterone treatment continued for 135 days, after which the animals were killed. Results IGF-I treatment of parous rats increased mammary tumor incidence to 83%, as compared with 16% in parous rats treated with 17β-estradiol plus progesterone only. Tumor incidence and average number of tumors per animal did not differ between IGF-I-treated parous rats and age-matched virgin rats. At the time of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea exposure, DNA content was lowest but the α-lactalbumin concentration highest in the mammary glands of untreated parous rats in comparison with age-matched virgin and IGF-I-treated parous rats. The protein levels of estrogen receptor-α in the mammary gland was significantly higher in the age-matched virgin animals than in untreated parous and IGF-I-treated parous rats. Phosphorylation (activation) of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2) and expression of the progesterone receptor were both increased in IGF-I-treated parous rats, as compared with those in untreated parous and age-matched virgin rats. Expressions of cyclin D1 and transforming growth factor-β3 in the mammary gland were lower in the age-matched virgin rats than in the untreated parous and IGF-I-treated parous rats. Conclusion We argue that tumor initiation (transformation and fixation of mutations) may be similar in parous and age-matched virgin animals, suggesting that the main differences in tumor formation lie in differences in tumor progression caused by the altered hormonal environment associated with parity. Furthermore, we provide evidence supporting the notion that tumor growth promotion seen in IGF-I-treated parous rats is caused by activation of estrogen receptor-α via the Raf/Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. PMID:15217511

Rpl27a mutation in the sooty foot ataxia mouse phenocopies high p53 mouse models

PubMed Central

Terzian, Tamara; Dumble, Melissa; Arbab, Farinaz; Thaller, Christina; Donehower, Lawrence A; Lozano, Guillermina; Justice, Monica J; Roop, Dennis R; Box, Neil F

2013-01-01

Ribosomal stress is an important, yet poorly understood, mechanism that results in activation of the p53 tumour suppressor. We present a mutation in the ribosomal protein Rpl27a gene (sooty foot ataxia mice), isolated through a sensitized N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis screen for p53 pathway defects, that shares striking phenotypic similarities with high p53 mouse models, including cerebellar ataxia, pancytopenia and epidermal hyperpigmentation. This phenocopy is rescued in a haploinsufficient p53 background. A detailed examination of the bone marrow in these mice identified reduced numbers of haematopoietic stem cells and a p53-dependent c-Kit down-regulation. These studies suggest that reduced Rpl27a increases p53 activity in vivo, further evident with a delay in tumorigenesis in mutant mice. Taken together, these data demonstrate that Rpl27a plays a crucial role in multiple tissues and that disruption of this ribosomal protein affects both development and transformation. PMID:21674502

DNMT1 is essential for mammary and cancer stem cell maintenance and tumorigenesis.

PubMed

Pathania, Rajneesh; Ramachandran, Sabarish; Elangovan, Selvakumar; Padia, Ravi; Yang, Pengyi; Cinghu, Senthilkumar; Veeranan-Karmegam, Rajalakshmi; Arjunan, Pachiappan; Gnana-Prakasam, Jaya P; Sadanand, Fulzele; Pei, Lirong; Chang, Chang-Sheng; Choi, Jeong-Hyeon; Shi, Huidong; Manicassamy, Santhakumar; Prasad, Puttur D; Sharma, Suash; Ganapathy, Vadivel; Jothi, Raja; Thangaraju, Muthusamy

2015-04-24

Mammary stem/progenitor cells (MaSCs) maintain self-renewal of the mammary epithelium during puberty and pregnancy. DNA methylation provides a potential epigenetic mechanism for maintaining cellular memory during self-renewal. Although DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are dispensable for embryonic stem cell maintenance, their role in maintaining MaSCs and cancer stem cells (CSCs) in constantly replenishing mammary epithelium is unclear. Here we show that DNMT1 is indispensable for MaSC maintenance. Furthermore, we find that DNMT1 expression is elevated in mammary tumours, and mammary gland-specific DNMT1 deletion protects mice from mammary tumorigenesis by limiting the CSC pool. Through genome-scale methylation studies, we identify ISL1 as a direct DNMT1 target, hypermethylated and downregulated in mammary tumours and CSCs. DNMT inhibition or ISL1 expression in breast cancer cells limits CSC population. Altogether, our studies uncover an essential role for DNMT1 in MaSC and CSC maintenance and identify DNMT1-ISL1 axis as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.

A new class of nitrosoureas. 4. Synthesis and antitumor activity of disaccharide derivatives of 3,3-disubstituted 1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosoureas.

PubMed

Tsujihara, K; Ozeki, M; Morikawa, T; Kawamori, M; Akaike, Y; Arai, Y

1982-04-01

A series of 33 N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosocarbamoyl derivatives of N-substituted glycosylamines has been prepared and tested for antitumor activities. The compounds were obtained by reaction of glycosylamines with isocyanate, followed by nitrosation with N2O4. Structure-activity relationships of these trisubstituted nitrosoureas were investigated by varying the N-substituents and disaccharide groups and by comparing them with the corresponding disubstituted analogues. A large number of the nitrosoureas bearing a maltosyl group exhibited strong antitumor activities against leukemia L1210 and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, and 60-day survivors against leukemia L1210 were found at the optimal dose for these derivatives. In contrast, the lactosyl and the melibiosyl derivatives were almost inactive. The most interesting compound in this series, the 3-isobutyl-3-maltosyl derivative (37), was tested against leukemia L1210 by single and multiple treatment. Its therapeutic ratio (96.3) obtained by multiple treatment is 3 times larger than that (31.5) obtained by single treatment, suggesting a possible clinical utility of 37 by multiple treatment. The favorable effect of a maltosyl moiety in this class of compounds is discussed.

Rebamipide induces dendritic cell recruitment to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-exposed rat gastric mucosa based on IL-1β upregulation.

PubMed

Yamamichi, Nobutake; Oka, Masashi; Inada, Ken-ichi; Konno-Shimizu, Maki; Kageyama-Yahara, Natsuko; Tamai, Hideyuki; Kato, Jun; Fujishiro, Mitsuhiro; Kodashima, Shinya; Niimi, Keiko; Ono, Satoshi; Tsutsumi, Yutaka; Ichinose, Masao; Koike, Kazuhiko

2012-07-20

Rebamipide is usually used for mucosal protection, healing of gastric ulcers, treatment of gastritis, etc., but its effects on gastric malignancy have not been elucidated. Using Lewis and Buffalo rat strains treated with peroral administration of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), we evaluated the effect of rebamipide on the induction of tumor-suppressive dendritic cells, which are known to be heterogeneous antigen-presenting cells of bone marrow origin and are critical for the initiation of primary T-cell responses. Using CD68 as a marker for dendritic cells, the stomach pyloric mucosae of Lewis and Buffalo rats were immunohistochemically analyzed in the presence or absence of rebamipide and MNNG. After a 14-day treatment of rebamipide alone, no significant change in number of CD68-expressing cells was detected in either rat strain. However, after concurrent exposure to MNNG for 14 days, treatment with rebamipide slightly increased CD68-positive cells in the Lewis strain, and significantly increased them in the Buffalo strain. Analysis of two chemotactic factors of dendritic cells, IL-1β and TNF-α, in the gastric cancer cells showed that expression of IL-1β, but not TNF-α, was induced by rebamipide in a dose-dependent manner. A luciferase promoter assay using gastric SH-10-TC cells demonstrated that an element mediating rebamipide action exists in the IL-1β gene promoter region. In conclusion, rebamipide has potential tumor-suppressive effects on gastric tumorigenesis via the recruitment of dendritic cells, based on the upregulation of the IL-1β gene in gastric epithelial cells. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Optimal dose selection of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea for the rat comet assay to evaluate DNA damage in organs with different susceptibility to cytotoxicity.

PubMed

Kitamoto, Sachiko; Matsuyama, Ryoko; Uematsu, Yasuaki; Ogata, Keiko; Ota, Mika; Yamada, Toru; Miyata, Kaori; Funabashi, Hitoshi; Saito, Koichi

2015-07-01

The in vivo rodent alkaline comet assay (comet assay) is a promising technique to evaluate DNA damage in vivo. However, there is no agreement on a method to evaluate DNA damage in organs where cytotoxicity is observed. As a part of the Japanese Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods (JaCVAM)-initiative international validation study of the comet assay, we examined DNA damage in the liver, stomach, and bone marrow of rats given three oral doses of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) up to the maximum tolerated dose based on systemic toxicity. MNU significantly increased the % tail DNA in all the organs. Histopathological analysis showed no cytotoxic effect on the liver, indicating clearly that MNU has a genotoxic potential in the liver. In the stomach, however, the cytotoxic effects were very severe at systemically non-toxic doses. Low-dose MNU significantly increased the % tail DNA even at a non-cytotoxic dose, indicating that MNU has a genotoxic potential also in the stomach. Part of the DNA damage at cytotoxic doses was considered to be a secondary effect of severe cell damage. In the bone marrow, both the % tail DNA and incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes significantly increased at non-hematotoxic doses, which were different from the non-cytotoxic doses for liver and stomach. These findings indicate that an optimal dose for detecting DNA damage may vary among organs and that careful attention is required to select an optimum dose for the comet assay based on systemic toxicity such as mortality and clinical observations. The present study shows that when serious cytotoxicity is suggested by increased % hedgehogs in the comet assay, histopathological examination should be included for the evaluation of a positive response. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Epigenetic silencing of ADAMTS18 promotes cell migration and invasion of breast cancer through AKT and NF-κB signaling.

PubMed

Xu, Hongying; Xiao, Qian; Fan, Yu; Xiang, Tingxiu; Li, Chen; Li, Chunhong; Li, Shuman; Hui, Tianli; Zhang, Lu; Li, Hongzhong; Li, Lili; Ren, Guosheng

2017-06-01

ADAMTS18 dysregulation plays an important role in many disease processes including cancer. We previously found ADAMTS18 as frequently methylated tumor suppressor gene (TSG) for multiple carcinomas, however, its biological functions and underlying molecular mechanisms in breast carcinogenesis remain unknown. Here, we found that ADAMTS18 was silenced or downregulated in breast cancer cell lines. ADAMTS18 was reduced in primary breast tumor tissues as compared with their adjacent noncancer tissues. ADAMTS18 promoter methylation was detected in 70.8% of tumor tissues by methylation-specific PCR, but none of the normal tissues. Demethylation treatment restored ADAMTS18 expression in silenced breast cell lines. Ectopic expression of ADAMTS18 in breast tumor cells resulted in inhibition of cell migration and invasion. Nude mouse model further confirmed that ADAMTS18 suppressed breast cancer metastasis in vivo. Further mechanistic studies showed that ADAMTS18 suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), further inhibited migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. ADAMT18 deregulated AKT and NF-κB signaling, through inhibiting phosphorylation levels of AKT and p65. Thus, ADAMTS18 as an antimetastatic tumor suppressor antagonizes AKT and NF-κB signaling in breast tumorigenesis. Its methylation could be a potential tumor biomarker for breast cancer. © 2017 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Decomposition reactions of (hydroxyalkyl) nitrosoureas and related compounds: possible relationship to carcinogenicity.

PubMed

Singer, S S

1985-08-01

(Hydroxyalkyl)nitrosoureas and the related cyclic carbamates N-nitrosooxazolidones are potent carcinogens. The decompositions of four such compounds, 1-nitroso-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)urea (I), 3-nitrosooxazolid-2-one (II), 1-nitroso-1-(2-hydroxypropyl)urea (III), and 5-methyl-3-nitrosooxazolid-2-one (IV), in aqueous buffers at physiological pH were studied to determine if any obvious differences in decomposition pathways could account for the variety of tumors obtained from these four compounds. The products predicted by the literature mechanisms for nitrosourea and nitrosooxazolidone decompositions (which were derived from experiments at pH 10-12) were indeed the products formed, including glycols, active carbonyl compounds, epoxides, and, from the oxazolidones, cyclic carbonates. Furthermore, it was shown that in pH 6.4-7.4 buffer epoxides were stable reaction products. However, in the presence of hepatocytes, most of the epoxide was converted to glycol. The analytical methods developed were then applied to the analysis of the decomposition products of some related dialkylnitrosoureas, and similar results were obtained. The formation of chemically reactive secondary products and the possible relevance of these results to carcinogenesis studies are discussed.

G2 accumulation and melanin overproduction in malignant melanocytes treated with a new nitrosourea.

PubMed

Buchdahl, C; Papon, J; Communal, Y; Bourges, M; Madelmont, J C

1998-12-01

Cystemustine (N'-(2-chloroethyl)-N-(2-(methylsulphonyl)ethyl)-N'-nitrosourea), a new anticancer chloroethylnitrosourea (CENU) is being tested in a phase II clinical trial of disseminated melanoma. The antitumour effect of this drug is mainly due to DNA damage in malignant melanocytes. Recently, we have shown that this damage can induce apoptosis in some melanoma cell lines. In others, apoptosis is not clearly observed, although there is a strong cytostatic effect. In this paper, we have characterized the cytological effect of cystemustine on murine malignant melanocytes (B16 cell line) which are resistant to apoptosis induced by this CENU. The results show that 3 days after cystemustine treatment, these melanocytes had accumulated in phase G2 of the cell cycle. There was then a strong morphological modification during a long cytostatic phase up to 30 days after treatment. During this cytostatic phase, there was uncontrolled DNA synthesis and marked swelling. Also, tyrosinase activity, melanin content and the number of mature melanosomes were greatly increased. These results suggest that when malignant melanocytes are not able to undergo apoptosis after treatment with CENU, they accumulate in G2 and this is followed by enhancement of melanogenesis.

Prognostic significance of promoter CpG island methylation of obesity-related genes in patients with nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Mendoza-Pérez, Julia; Gu, Jian; Herrera, Luis A; Tannir, Nizar M; Zhang, Shanyu; Matin, Surena; Karam, Jose A; Wood, Christopher G; Wu, Xifeng

2017-09-15

Greater than 40% of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cases in the United States are attributed to excessive body weight. Moreover, obesity also may be linked to RCC prognosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these associations are unclear. In the current study, the authors evaluated the role of promoter methylation in obesity-related genes in RCC tumorigenesis and disease recurrence. Paired tumors (TU) and normal adjacent (N-Adj) tissues from 240 newly diagnosed and previously untreated white patients with RCC were examined. For the discovery phase, 63 RCC pairs were analyzed. An additional 177 RCC pairs were evaluated for validation. Pyrosequencing was used to determine CpG methylation in 20 candidate obesity-related genes. An independent data set from The Cancer Genome Atlas also was analyzed for functional validation. The association between methylation and disease recurrence was analyzed using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Methylation in neuropeptide Y (NPY), leptin (LEP), and leptin receptor (LEPR) was significantly higher in TU compared with N-Adj tissues (P<.0001) in both the discovery and validation groups. High methylation in LEPR was associated with an increased risk of disease recurrence (hazard ratio, 3.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-8.07 [P = .02]). Patients with high methylation in LEPR had a shorter recurrence-free survival compared with patients in the low-methylation group (log-rank P = 2.25 × 10 -3 ). In addition, high LEPR methylation in TU was associated with more advanced features (P≤.05). Consistent with the findings of the current study, lower LEPR expression in TU compared with N-Adj tissues (P = 1.00 × 10 -3 ) was found in data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Somatic alterations of promoter methylation in the NPY, LEP, and LEPR genes are involved in RCC tumorigenesis. Furthermore, LEPR methylation appears to be associated with RCC recurrence. Future research to elucidate the biology underlying this association is warranted. Cancer 2017;123:3617-27. © 2017 American Cancer Society. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Genomic Phenotyping by Barcode Sequencing Broadly Distinguishes between Alkylating Agents, Oxidizing Agents, and Non-Genotoxic Agents, and Reveals a Role for Aromatic Amino Acids in Cellular Recovery after Quinone Exposure

PubMed Central

Svensson, J. Peter; Quirós Pesudo, Laia; McRee, Siobhan K.; Adeleye, Yeyejide; Carmichael, Paul; Samson, Leona D.

2013-01-01

Toxicity screening of compounds provides a means to identify compounds harmful for human health and the environment. Here, we further develop the technique of genomic phenotyping to improve throughput while maintaining specificity. We exposed cells to eight different compounds that rely on different modes of action: four genotoxic alkylating (methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), N,N′-bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitroso-urea (BCNU), N-ethylnitrosourea (ENU)), two oxidizing (2-methylnaphthalene-1,4-dione (menadione, MEN), benzene-1,4-diol (hydroquinone, HYQ)), and two non-genotoxic (methyl carbamate (MC) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)) compounds. A library of S. cerevisiae 4,852 deletion strains, each identifiable by a unique genetic ‘barcode’, were grown in competition; at different time points the ratio between the strains was assessed by quantitative high throughput ‘barcode’ sequencing. The method was validated by comparison to previous genomic phenotyping studies and 90% of the strains identified as MMS-sensitive here were also identified as MMS-sensitive in a much lower throughput solid agar screen. The data provide profiles of proteins and pathways needed for recovery after both genotoxic and non-genotoxic compounds. In addition, a novel role for aromatic amino acids in the recovery after treatment with oxidizing agents was suggested. The role of aromatic acids was further validated; the quinone subgroup of oxidizing agents were extremely toxic in cells where tryptophan biosynthesis was compromised. PMID:24040048

Epigenetic regulation of multiple tumor-related genes leads to suppression of breast tumorigenesis by dietary genistein.

PubMed

Li, Yuanyuan; Chen, Huaping; Hardy, Tabitha M; Tollefsbol, Trygve O

2013-01-01

Breast cancer is one of the most lethal diseases in women; however, the precise etiological factors are still not clear. Genistein (GE), a natural isoflavone found in soybean products, is believed to be a potent chemopreventive agent for breast cancer. One of the most important mechanisms for GE inhibition of breast cancer may involve its potential in impacting epigenetic processes allowing reversal of aberrant epigenetic events during breast tumorigenesis. To investigate epigenetic regulation for GE impedance of breast tumorigenesis, we monitored epigenetic alterations of several key tumor-related genes in an established breast cancer transformation system. Our results show that GE significantly inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner in precancerous breast cells and breast cancer cells, whereas it exhibited little effect on normal human mammary epithelial cells. Furthermore, GE treatment increased expression of two crucial tumor suppressor genes, p21(WAF1) (p21) and p16(INK4a) (p16), although it decreased expression of two tumor promoting genes, BMI1 and c-MYC. GE treatment led to alterations of histone modifications in the promoters of p21 and p16 as well as the binding ability of the c-MYC-BMI1 complex to the p16 promoter contributing to GE-induced epigenetic activation of these tumor suppressor genes. In addition, an orally-fed GE diet prevented breast tumorigenesis and inhibited breast cancer development in breast cancer mice xenografts. Our results suggest that genistein may repress early breast tumorigenesis by epigenetic regulation of p21 and p16 by impacting histone modifications as well as the BMI1-c-MYC complex recruitment to the regulatory region in the promoters of these genes. These studies will facilitate more effective use of soybean product in breast cancer prevention and also help elucidate the mechanisms during the process of early breast tumorigenesis.

Relative Biological Effectiveness of Energetic Heavy Ions for Intestinal Tumorigenesis Shows Male Preponderance and Radiation Type and Energy Dependence in APC(1638N/+) Mice.

PubMed

Suman, Shubhankar; Kumar, Santosh; Moon, Bo-Hyun; Strawn, Steve J; Thakor, Hemang; Fan, Ziling; Shay, Jerry W; Fornace, Albert J; Datta, Kamal

2016-05-01

There are uncertainties associated with the prediction of colorectal cancer (CRC) risk from highly energetic heavy ion (HZE) radiation. We undertook a comprehensive assessment of intestinal and colonic tumorigenesis induced after exposure to high linear energy transfer (high-LET) HZE radiation spanning a range of doses and LET in a CRC mouse model and compared the results with the effects of low-LET γ radiation. Male and female APC(1638N/+) mice (n=20 mice per group) were whole-body exposed to sham-radiation, γ rays, (12)C, (28)Si, or (56)Fe radiation. For the >1 Gy HZE dose, we used γ-ray equitoxic doses calculated using relative biological effectiveness (RBE) determined previously. The mice were euthanized 150 days after irradiation, and intestinal and colon tumor frequency was scored. The highest number of tumors was observed after (28)Si, followed by (56)Fe and (12)C radiation, and tumorigenesis showed a male preponderance, especially after (28)Si. Analysis showed greater tumorigenesis per unit of radiation (per cGy) at lower doses, suggesting either radiation-induced elimination of target cells or tumorigenesis reaching a saturation point at higher doses. Calculation of RBE for intestinal and colon tumorigenesis showed the highest value with (28)Si, and lower doses showed greater RBE relative to higher doses. We have demonstrated that the RBE of heavy ion radiation-induced intestinal and colon tumorigenesis is related to ion energy, LET, gender, and peak RBE is observed at an LET of 69 keV/μm. Our study has implications for understanding risk to astronauts undertaking long duration space missions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Distinct pathways for repairing mutagenic lesions induced by methylating and ethylating agents

PubMed Central

Negishi, Tomoe

2013-01-01

DNA alkylation damage can be repaired by nucleotide excision repair (NER), base excision repair (BER) or by direct removal of alkyl groups from modified bases by O 6-alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase (AGT; E.C. 2.1.1.63). DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is also likely involved in this repair. We have investigated alkylation-induced mutagenesis in a series of NER- or AGT-deficient Escherichia coli strains, alone or in combination with defects in the MutS, MutL or MutH components of MMR. All strains used contained the Fʹprolac from strain CC102 (FʹCC102) episome capable of detecting specifically lac GC to AT reverse mutations resulting from O 6-alkylguanine. The results showed the repair of O 6-methylguanine to be performed by AGT ≫ MMR > NER in order of importance, whereas the repair of O 6-ethylguanine followed the order NER > AGT > MMR. Studies with double mutants showed that in the absence of AGT or NER repair pathways, the lack of MutS protein generally increased mutant frequencies for both methylating and ethylating agents, suggesting a repair or mutation avoidance role for this protein. However, lack of MutL or MutH protein did not increase alkylation-induced mutagenesis under these conditions and, in fact, reduced mutagenesis by the N-alkyl-N-nitrosoureas MNU and ENU. The combined results suggest that little or no alkylation damage is actually corrected by the mutHLS MMR system; instead, an as yet unspecified interaction of MutS protein with alkylated DNA may promote the involvement of a repair system other than MMR to avoid a mutagenic outcome. Furthermore, both mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of MMR were detected, revealing a dual function of the MMR system in alkylation-exposed cells. PMID:23446177

Sequencing analysis of mutations induced by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea at different sampling times in mouse bone marrow.

PubMed

Wang, Jianyong; Chen, Tao

2010-03-01

In our previous study (Wang et al., 2004, Toxicol. Sci. 82: 124-128), we observed that the cII gene mutant frequency (MF) in the bone marrow of Big Blue mice showed significant increase as early as day 1, reached the maximum at day 3 and then decreased to a plateau by day 15 after a single dose of carcinogen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) treatment, which is different from the longer mutation manifestation time and the constancy of MFs after reaching their maximum in some other tissues. To determine the mechanism underlying the quick increase in MF and the peak formation in the mutant manifestation, we examined the mutation frequencies and spectra of the ENU-induced mutants collected from different sampling times in this study. The cII mutants from days 1, 3 and 120 after ENU treatment were randomly selected from different animals. The mutation frequencies were 33, 217, 305 and 144 x 10(-6) for control, days 1, 3, and 120, respectively. The mutation spectra at days 1 and 3 were significantly different from that at day 120. Considering that stem cells are responsible for the ultimate MF plateau (day 120) and transit cells are accountable for the earlier MF induction (days 1 or 3) in mouse bone marrow, we conclude that transit cells are much more sensitive to mutation induction than stem cells in mouse bone marrow, which resulted in the specific mutation manifestation induced by ENU.

Intragenic DNA methylation and BORIS-mediated cancer-specific splicing contribute to the Warburg effect

PubMed Central

Singh, Smriti; Narayanan, Sathiya Pandi; Biswas, Kajal; Gupta, Amit; Ahuja, Neha; Yadav, Sandhya; Panday, Rajendra Kumar; Samaiya, Atul; Sharan, Shyam K.

2017-01-01

Aberrant alternative splicing and epigenetic changes are both associated with various cancers, but epigenetic regulation of alternative splicing in cancer is largely unknown. Here we report that the intragenic DNA methylation-mediated binding of Brother of Regulator of Imprinted Sites (BORIS) at the alternative exon of Pyruvate Kinase (PKM) is associated with cancer-specific splicing that promotes the Warburg effect and breast cancer progression. Interestingly, the inhibition of DNA methylation, BORIS depletion, or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of the BORIS binding site leads to a splicing switch from cancer-specific PKM2 to normal PKM1 isoform. This results in the reversal of the Warburg effect and the inhibition of breast cancer cell growth, which may serve as a useful approach to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. Importantly, our results show that in addition to PKM splicing, BORIS also regulates the alternative splicing of several genes in a DNA methylation-dependent manner. Our findings highlight the role of intragenic DNA methylation and DNA binding protein BORIS in cancer-specific splicing and its role in tumorigenesis. PMID:29073069

Null effect of dietary restriction on prostate carcinogenesis in the Wistar-Unilever rat.

PubMed

McCormick, David L; Johnson, William D; Haryu, Todd M; Bosland, Maarten C; Lubet, Ronald A; Steele, Vernon E

2007-01-01

Chronic dietary restriction inhibits carcinogenesis in several sites in laboratory animals. To determine the effects of dietary restriction on prostate carcinogenesis, prostate cancers were induced in male Wistar-Unilever rats by a sequential regimen of cyproterone acetate (50 mg/day; 21 days); testosterone propionate (100 mg/kg/day; 3 days); N-methyl-N-nitrosourea [MNU; 30 mg/kg; single dose]; and testosterone (subcutaneous implants of 2 pellets containing 40 mg each). Dietary restriction (0% [ad libitum control], 15%, or 30%) was initiated 2 wk post-MNU, and continued until study termination at 12 mo. Dietary restriction induced a rapid suppression of body weight gain but conferred no protection against prostate carcinogenesis. 74% of carcinogen-treated ad libitum controls developed accessory sex gland cancers, versus cancer incidences of 64% and 72% in groups restricted by 15% and 30%, respectively. Similarly, 44% of dietary controls developed cancers limited to the dorsolateral/prostate, versus incidences of 45% and 53% in groups restricted by 15% and 30%. The results of the present study do not support the hypothesis that prostate carcinogenesis can be prevented by reducing caloric intake. Reducing mean body weight by up to 25% through chronic dietary restriction has no effect on the induction of prostate cancers in the Wistar-Unilever rat model.

Maternal melatonin or N-acetylcysteine therapy regulates hydrogen sulfide-generating pathway and renal transcriptome to prevent prenatal NG-Nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced fetal programming of hypertension in adult male offspring.

PubMed

Tain, You-Lin; Lee, Chien-Te; Chan, Julie Y H; Hsu, Chien-Ning

2016-11-01

Pregnancy is a critical time for fetal programming of hypertension. Nitric oxide deficiency during pregnancy causes hypertension in adult offspring. We examined whether maternal melatonin or N-acetylcysteine therapy can prevent N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester-induced fetal programming of hypertension in adult offspring. Next, we aimed to identify potential gatekeeper pathways that contribute to N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester -induced programmed hypertension using the next generation RNA sequencing technology. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 4 groups: control, N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester, N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester +melatonin, and N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester+N-acetylcysteine. Pregnant rats received N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester administration at 60 mg/kg/d subcutaneously during pregnancy alone, with additional 0.01% melatonin in drinking water, or with additional 1% N-acetylcysteine in drinking water during the entire pregnancy and lactation. Male offspring (n=8/group) were killed at 12 weeks of age. N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester exposure during pregnancy induced programmed hypertension in adult male offspring, which was prevented by maternal melatonin or N-acetylcysteine therapy. Protective effects of melatonin and N-acetylcysteine against N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester-induced programmed hypertension were associated with an increase in hydrogen sulfide-generating enzymes and hydrogen sulfide synthesis in the kidneys. Nitric oxide inhibition by N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester in pregnancy caused >2000 renal transcripts to be modified during nephrogenesis stage in 1-day-old offspring kidney. Among them, genes belong to the renin-angiotensin system, and arachidonic acid metabolism pathways were potentially involved in the N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester-induced programmed hypertension. However, melatonin and N-acetylcysteine reprogrammed the renin-angiotensin system and arachidonic acid pathway differentially. Our results indicated that antioxidant therapy, by melatonin or N-acetylcysteine, in pregnant rats with nitric oxide deficiency can prevent programmed hypertension in male adult offspring. Early intervention with specific antioxidants that target redox imbalance in pregnancy to reprogram hypertension may well allow us to reduce the future burden of hypertension. The roles of transcriptome changes that are induced by N G -nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester in the offspring kidney require further clarification. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Xrcc2 deficiency sensitizes cells to apoptosis by MNNG and the alkylating anticancer drugs temozolomide, fotemustine and mafosfamide.

PubMed

Tsaryk, Roman; Fabian, Kerstin; Thacker, John; Kaina, Bernd

2006-08-08

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are potent killing lesions, and inefficient repair of DSBs does not only lead to cell death but also to genomic instability and tumorigenesis. DSBs are repaired by non-homologous end-joining and homologous recombination (HR). A key player in HR is Xrcc2, a Rad51-like protein. Cells deficient in Xrcc2 are hypersensitive to X-rays and mitomycin C and display increased chromosomal aberration frequencies. In order to elucidate the role of Xrcc2 in resistance to anticancer drugs, we compared Xrcc2 knockout (Xrcc2-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts with the corresponding isogenic wild-type and Xrcc2 complemented knockout cells. We show that Xrcc2-/- cells are hypersensitive to the killing effect of the simple methylating agent N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). They undergo apoptosis after MNNG treatment while necrosis is only marginally enhanced. Complementation of Xrcc2 deficient cells by Xrcc2 cDNA transfection conferred resistance to the cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effect of MNNG. The hypersensitivity of Xrcc2-/- cells to MNNG prompted us to investigate their killing and apoptotic response to various methylating, chloroethylating and crosslinking drugs used in anticancer therapy. Xrcc2 deficient cells were found to be hypersensitive to temozolomide, fotemustine and mafosfamide. They were also hypersensitive to cisplatin but not to taxol. The data reveal that Xrcc2 plays a role in the protection against a wide range of anticancer drugs and, therefore, suggest Xrcc2 to be a determinant of anticancer drug resistance. They also indicate that HR is involved in the processing of DNA damage induced by simple alkylating agents.

A new comprehensive technique of catheterisation, blood sampling, sample preparation and sample analysis by means of high-pressure liquid chromatography for pharmacokinetic studies with estradiol-linked nitrosoureas and their metabolites.

PubMed

Betsch, B; Berger, M R; Spiegelhalder, B

1990-09-01

Estradiol-linked nitrosoureas are offering new perspectives in the antineoplastic chemotherapy of estradiol-receptor positive mammary carcinomas. In such a molecule estradiol has the function of a carrier which brings about a specific accumulation of the anticancer drug in estradiol-receptor containing tumor cells. However, there is only little knowledge about the pharmacokinetic behavior of this new group of anticancer agents. For that reason a new comprehensive technique of catheterisation, blood sampling, sample preparation and sample analysis with high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) for preclinical pharmacokinetic studies with estradiol-linked nitrosoureas and their metabolites has been developed. N-(2-Chloroethyl)-N-nitroso-carbamoyl-L-alanine-estradiol-17-ester (CNC-alanine-estradiol-17-ester) and N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitroso-carbamoyl-L-alanine (CNC-alanine) were used as test compounds. The drugs were tested in female Sprague-Dawley rats with chemically induced mammary carcinomas. The laboratory animals were supplied with two catheters prior to the pharmacokinetic experiments. The blood samples were drawn from the vena cava catheter after the drug had been applied through a vena jugularis catheter. The compounds were extracted from plasma with C18 silicagel reversed phase cartridges. The clean-up technique delivered clear samples only slightly contaminated with the biological matrix. The recovery from plasma was 75 +/- 5% for the hormone-linked CNC-alanine-estradiol-17-ester and 70 +/- 5% for the unlinked CNC-alanine. The analysis was carried out by means of HPLC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of low or high glycemic load diets on experimentally induced mammary carcinogenesis in rats.

PubMed

Thompson, Henry J; Neuhouser, Marian L; Lampe, Johanna W; McGinley, John N; Neil, Elizabeth S; Schwartz, Yvonne; McTiernan, Anne

2016-06-01

High glycemic load diets have been associated with increased breast cancer risk in population-based studies, but the evidence is mixed. This investigation determined whether diets differing in glycemic load affected the carcinogenic process using a preclinical model. Human diets, formulated to differ 2-fold in glycemic load, were evaluated in the 1-methyl-nitrosourea-induced (37.5 mg/kg) mammary carcinogenesis model. Cancer incidence (23.3 versus 50.0%, p = 0.032), multiplicity, (0.40 versus 1.03, p = 0.030) and burden, (0.62 versus 1.19 g/rat, p = 0.037) were reduced in the low versus high glycemic load diets, respectively. However, the low glycemic protective effect was attenuated when two purified diets that differed in resistant starch and simulated the glycemic effects of the human diets were fed. Protection was associated with alterations in markers of cell growth regulation. Our findings show that human low or high glycemic load dietary patterns differentially affect the carcinogenic response in a nondiabetic rodent model for breast cancer. However, factors that are associated with these patterns, in addition to dietary carbohydrate availability, appear to account for the differences observed. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Comparison of influence of carmustine and new proline analog of nitrosourea on antioxidant system in breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7).

PubMed

Stankiewicz-Kranc, Anna; Miltyk, Wojciech; Skrzydlewska, Elzbieta

2010-01-01

The high toxicity and low selectivity of carmustine restrict its application in anticancer therapy. Therefore, proline analogs of nitrosourea have been synthesized to obtain compounds whose action on neoplastic cells is characterized by higher selectivity. The present studies have aimed at examining the influence of carmustine and a new proline analog of nitrosourea on the redox system of fibroblasts and breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Carmustine and the proline analog of nitrosourea caused an increase in hydrogen peroxide concentration both in fibroblasts and MCF-7 cells. Moreover, administration of carmustine and the new analog of nitrosourea caused a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Observed changes in the antioxidant system correlated with an increase in concentration of dityrosine, as well as a decrease in tryptophan concentration. Changes in the antioxidant system were also accompanied by intensification of the lipid peroxidation process. In conclusion, carmustine and proline analog of nitrosourea produce similar changes in the antioxidant system in normal and cancer cells and are responsible for oxidative stress.

Mutagenicity and clastogenicity of extracts of Helicobacter pylori detected by the Ames test and in the micronucleus test using human lymphoblastoid cells.

PubMed

Arimoto-Kobayashi, Sakae; Ohta, Kaori; Yuhara, Yuta; Ayabe, Yuka; Negishi, Tomoe; Okamoto, Keinosuke; Nakajima, Yoshihiro; Ishikawa, Takeshi; Oguma, Keiji; Otsuka, Takanao

2015-07-01

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a close association between infection with Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) and the development of gastric carcinoma. Chronic H.pylori infection increases the frequency of mutation in gastric epithelial cells. However, the mechanism by which infection of H.pylori leads to mutation in gastric epithelial cells is unclear. We suspected that components in H.pylori may be related to the mutagenic response associated with DNA alkylation, and could be detected with the Ames test using a more sensitive strain for alkylating agents. Our investigation revealed that an extract of H.pylori was mutagenic in the Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium YG7108, which is deficient in the DNA repair of O(6)-methylguanine. The extract of H.pylori may contain methylating or alkylating agents, which might induce O (6)-alkylguanine in DNA. Mutagenicity of the alkylating agents N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in the Ames test with S.typhimurium TA1535 was enhanced significantly in the presence of the extract of H.pylori. The tested extracts of H.pylori resulted in a significant induction of micronuclei in human-derived lymphoblastoid cells. Heat instability and dialysis resistance of the extracts of H.pylori suggest that the mutagenic component in the extracts of H.pylori is a heat-unstable large molecule or a heat-labile small molecule strongly attached or adsorbed to a large molecule. Proteins in the extracts of H.pylori were subsequently fractionated using ammonium sulphate precipitation. However, all fractions expressed enhancing effects toward MNU mutagenicity. These results suggest the mutagenic component is a small molecule that is absorbed into proteins in the extract of H.pylori, which resist dialysis. Continuous and chronic exposure of gastric epithelial cells to the alkylative mutagenic component from H.pylori chronically infected in the stomach might be a causal factor in the gastric carcinogenesis associated with H.pylori. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the UK Environmental Mutagen Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

DNMT1 is essential for mammary and cancer stem cell maintenance and tumorigenesis

PubMed Central

Pathania, Rajneesh; Ramachandran, Sabarish; Elangovan, Selvakumar; Padia, Ravi; Yang, Pengyi; Cinghu, Senthilkumar; Veeranan-Karmegam, Rajalakshmi; Arjunan, Pachiappan; Gnana-Prakasam, Jaya P.; Fulzele, Sadanand; Pei, Lirong; Chang, Chang-Sheng; Choi, Hyeon; Shi, Huidong; Manicassamy, Santhakumar; Prasad, Puttur D.; Sharma, Suash; Ganapathy, Vadivel; Jothi, Raja; Thangaraju, Muthusamy

2015-01-01

Mammary stem/progenitor cells (MaSCs) maintain self-renewal of the mammary epithelium during puberty and pregnancy. DNA methylation provides a potential epigenetic mechanism for maintaining cellular memory during self-renewal. Although DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are dispensable for embryonic stem cell maintenance, their role in maintaining MaSCs and cancer stem cells (CSCs) in constantly replenishing mammary epithelium is unclear. Here we show that DNMT1 is indispensable for MaSC maintenance. Furthermore, we find that DNMT1 expression is elevated in mammary tumors, and mammary gland-specific DNMT1 deletion protects mice from mammary tumorigenesis by limiting the CSC pool. Through genome-scale methylation studies, we identify ISL1 as a direct DNMT1 target, hypermethylated and downregulated in mammary tumors and CSCs. DNMT inhibition or ISL1 expression in breast cancer cells limits CSC population. Altogether, our studies uncover an essential role for DNMT1 in MaSC and CSC maintenance and identify DNMT1-ISL1 axis as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment. PMID:25908435

Exercise Effects on Tumorigenesis in a p53-deficient Mouse Model of Breast Cancer

PubMed Central

Colbert, Lisa H.; Westerlind, Kim C.; Perkins, Susan N.; Haines, Diana C.; Berrigan, David; Donehower, Lawrence A.; Fuchs-Young, Robin; Hursting, Stephen D.

2011-01-01

Purpose Physically active women have a reduced risk of breast cancer, but the dose of activity necessary and the role of energy balance and other potential mechanisms have not been fully explored in animal models. We examined treadmill and wheel running effects on mammary tumorigenesis and biomarkers in p53-deficient (p53+/−): MMTV-Wnt-1 transgenic mice. Methods Female mice (9 wks old) were randomly assigned to the following groups in Experiment 1: treadmill exercise 5 d/wk, 45 min/d, 5% grade at 20 m/min, ~0.90 km/d (TREX1, n=20); at 24 m/min, ~1.08 km/d (TREX2, n=21); or a non-exercise control (CON-TREX, n=22). In Experiment 2, mice were randomly assigned to voluntary wheel-running (WHL, n=21, 2.46 ± 1.11 km/d (mean ± SD)) or a non-exercise control (CON-WHL, n=22). Body composition was measured at ~9 weeks and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) at 2–3 monthly time points beginning at ~9 weeks on study. Mice were sacrificed when tumors reached 1.5 cm, mice became moribund, or there was only one mouse per treatment group remaining. Results TREX1 (24 wks) and TREX2 (21 wks) had shorter survival median survival times than CON-TREX (34 wks; p<0.01); WHL and CON-WHL survival was similar (23 vs. 24 wks; p=0.32). TREX2 had increased multiplicity of mammary gland carcinomas compared to CON-TREX; WHL had a higher tumor incidence than CON-WHL. All exercising animals were lighter than their respective controls, and WHL had lower body fat than CON-WHL (p<0.01). There was no difference in IGF-1 between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion Despite beneficial or no effects on body weight, body fat, or IGF-1, exercise had detrimental effects on tumorigenesis in this p53-deficient mouse model of spontaneous mammary cancer. PMID:19568200

Choline intakes exceeding recommendations during human lactation improve breast milk choline content by increasing PEMT pathway metabolites.

PubMed

Davenport, Crystal; Yan, Jian; Taesuwan, Siraphat; Shields, Kelsey; West, Allyson A; Jiang, Xinyin; Perry, Cydne A; Malysheva, Olga V; Stabler, Sally P; Allen, Robert H; Caudill, Marie A

2015-09-01

Demand for the vital nutrient choline is high during lactation; however, few studies have examined choline metabolism and requirements in this reproductive state. The present study sought to discern the effects of lactation and varied choline intake on maternal biomarkers of choline metabolism and breast milk choline content. Lactating (n=28) and control (n=21) women were randomized to 480 or 930 mg choline/day for 10-12 weeks as part of a controlled feeding study. During the last 4-6 weeks, 20% of the total choline intake was provided as an isotopically labeled choline tracer (methyl-d9-choline). Blood, urine and breast milk samples were collected for choline metabolite quantification, enrichment measurements, and gene expression analysis of choline metabolic genes. Lactating (vs. control) women exhibited higher (P < .001) plasma choline concentrations but lower (P ≤ .002) urinary excretion of choline metabolites, decreased use of choline as a methyl donor (e.g., lower enrichment of d6-dimethylglycine, P ≤ .08) and lower (P ≤ .02) leukocyte expression of most choline-metabolizing genes. A higher choline intake during lactation differentially influenced breast milk d9- vs. d3-choline metabolite enrichment. Increases (P ≤ .03) were detected among the d3-metabolites, which are generated endogenously via the hepatic phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT), but not among the d9-metabolites generated from intact exogenous choline. These data suggest that lactation induces metabolic adaptations that increase the supply of intact choline to the mammary epithelium, and that extra maternal choline enhances breast milk choline content by increasing supply of PEMT-derived choline metabolites. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01127022. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Spin labelled nitrosoureas and triazenes and their non-labelled clinically used analogues--a comparative study on their physicochemical properties and antimelanomic effects.

PubMed

Zheleva, A M; Gadjeva, V G

2001-01-16

Physicochemical properties, such as half life time (tau0.5), alkylating and carbamoylating activity and in vivo antimelanomic effects against B16 melanoma of spin labeled (containing nitroxyl free radical moiety) amino acid nitrosoureas, synthesized in our laboratory, have been studied and compared to those of the antitumor drug N'-cyclohexyl-N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea (lomustine, CCNU). We have shown that the introduction of amino acid moieties and the replacement of cyclohexylamine with nitroxyl moiety leads to a faster decomposition, higher alkylating, lower carbamoylating activity, better antimelanomic activity and lower general toxicity, when compared to those of CCNU. It was also established that spin labeled triazenes, previously synthesized by us, were more stable in phosphate saline than their nonlabeled analogue, 5-(3,3-dimethyltriazene-1-yl)-imidazole-4-carboxamide (dacarbazine, DTIC). A higher cytotoxicity to B16 melanoma cells than to YAC-1 and lymphocytes was demonstrated for all spin labeled triazenes, in comparison with DTIC. An assumption has been made to explain the lower general toxicity of the spin labeled nitrosoureas compared to that of CCNU. Based on the results presented, we accept that a new trend for synthesis of more selective and less toxic nitrosourea and triazene derivatives as potential antimelanomic drugs might be developed.

Genome-wide methylation patterns provide insight into differences in breast tumor biology between American women of African and European ancestry

PubMed Central

Ambrosone, Christine B.; Young, Allyson C.; Sucheston, Lara E.; Wang, Dan; Li, Yan; Liu, Song; Tang, Li; Hu, Quang; Freudenheim, Jo L.; Shields, Peter G.; Morrison, Carl D.; Demissie, Kitaw; Higgins, Michael J.

2014-01-01

American women of African ancestry (AA) are more likely than European-Americans (EA) to be diagnosed with aggressive, estrogen receptor (ER) negative breast tumors; mechanisms underlying these disparities are poorly understood. We conducted a genome wide (450K loci) methylation analysis to determine if there were differences in DNA methylation patterns between tumors from AA and EA women and if these differences were similar for both ER positive and ER negative breast cancer. Methylation levels at CpG loci within CpG islands (CGI)s and CGI-shores were significantly higher in tumors (n=138) than in reduction mammoplasty samples (n=124). In hierarchical cluster analysis, there was separation between tumor and normal samples, and in tumors, there was delineation by ER status, but not by ancestry. However, differential methylation analysis identified 157 CpG loci with a mean β value difference of at least 0.17 between races, with almost twice as many differences in ER-negative tumors compared to ER-positive cancers. This first genome-wide methylation study to address disparities indicates that there are likely differing etiologic pathways for the development of ER negative breast cancer between AA and EA women. Further investigation of the genes most differentially methylated by race in ER negative tumors can guide new approaches for cancer prevention and targeted therapies, and elucidate the biologic basis of breast cancer disparities. PMID:24368439

Cancer-promoting effect of capsaicin on DMBA/TPA-induced skin tumorigenesis by modulating inflammation, Erk and p38 in mice.

PubMed

Liu, Zhaoguo; Zhu, Pingting; Tao, Yu; Shen, Cunsi; Wang, Siliang; Zhao, Lingang; Wu, Hongyan; Fan, Fangtian; Lin, Chao; Chen, Chen; Zhu, Zhijie; Wei, Zhonghong; Sun, Lihua; Liu, Yuping; Wang, Aiyun; Lu, Yin

2015-07-01

Epidemiologic and animal studies revealed that capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-noneamide) can act as a carcinogen or cocarcinogen. However, the influence of consumption of capsaicin-containing foods or vegetables on skin cancer patients remains largely unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated that capsaicin has a cocarcinogenic effect on 9, 10-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)/12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced skin tumorigenesis. Our results showed that topical application of capsaicin on the dorsal skin of DMBA-initiated and TPA-promoted mice could significantly accelerate tumor formation and growth and induce more and larger skin tumors than the model group (DMBA + TPA). Moreover, capsaicin could promote TPA-induced skin hyperplasia and tumor proliferation. Mechanistic study found that inflammation-related factors cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were highly elevated by pretreatment with capsaicin, suggesting an inflammation-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, mice that were administered capsaicin exhibited significant up-regulation of phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB), Erk and p38 but had no effect on JNK. Thus, our results indicated that inflammation, Erk and P38 collectively played a crucial role in cancer-promoting effect of capsaicin on carcinogen-induced skin cancer in mice. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemoprevention of Breast Cancer by Mimicking the Protective Effect of Early First Birth

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-06-01

Endocrinol 2002;16:2034–51. 7. Thordarson G, Jin E, Guzman RC, Swanson SM, Nandi S, Talamantes F. Refractoriness to mammary tumori- genesis in parous rats...nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinomas in female Lewis rats. Carcinogenesis 1999;20:623–8. 11. Rajkumar L, Guzman RC, Yang J, Thordarson G...Guzman RC, Yang J, Rajkumar L, Thordarson G, Chen X, Nandi S. Hormonal prevention of breast cancer: mimicking the protective effect of pregnancy. Proc

The caspase-3/p120 RasGAP stress-sensing module reduces liver cancer incidence but does not affect overall survival in gamma-irradiated and carcinogen-treated mice.

PubMed

Vanli, Güliz; Sempoux, Christine; Widmann, Christian

2017-06-01

Activation of oncogenes is the initial step in cellular transformation. Oncogenes favor aberrant proliferation, which, at least initially, induces cellular stress. This oncogenic stress can act as a safeguard mechanism against further transformation by inducing senescence or apoptosis. Yet, the few premalignant cells that tolerate and escape these senescent or apoptotic responses are those that will ultimately generate tumors. The caspase-3/p120 RasGAP module is a stress-sensing device that promotes survival under mild stress conditions. A point mutation in RasGAP that prevents its cleavage by caspase-3 inactivates the pro-survival capacity of the device. When the mice homozygous for this mutation (D455A knock-in mice) are patho-physiologically challenged, they experience much stronger cellular damage than their wild-type counterparts and the affected organs rapidly lose their functionality. We reasoned that the caspase-3/p120 RasGAP module could help premalignant cells to cope with oncogenic stress and hence favor the development of tumors. Using gamma-irradiation and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) as tumor initiators, we assessed the survival advantage that the caspase-3/p120 RasGAP module could provide to premalignant cells. No difference in overall mortality between wild-type and D455A knock-in mice were observed. However, the number of ENU-induced liver tumors in the knock-in mice was higher than in control mice. These results indicate that the caspase-3/p120 RasGAP stress-sensing module impacts on carcinogen-induced liver cancer incidence but not sufficiently so as to affect overall survival. Hence, gamma irradiation and ENU-induced tumorigenesis processes do not critically rely on a survival mechanism that contributes to the maintenance of organ homeostasis in stressed healthy tissues. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Relative Biological Effectiveness of Energetic Heavy Ions for Intestinal Tumorigenesis Shows Male Preponderance and Radiation Type and Energy Dependence in APC{sup 1638N/+} Mice

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Suman, Shubhankar; Kumar, Santosh; Moon, Bo-Hyun

Purpose: There are uncertainties associated with the prediction of colorectal cancer (CRC) risk from highly energetic heavy ion (HZE) radiation. We undertook a comprehensive assessment of intestinal and colonic tumorigenesis induced after exposure to high linear energy transfer (high-LET) HZE radiation spanning a range of doses and LET in a CRC mouse model and compared the results with the effects of low-LET γ radiation. Methods and Materials: Male and female APC{sup 1638N/+} mice (n=20 mice per group) were whole-body exposed to sham-radiation, γ rays, {sup 12}C, {sup 28}Si, or {sup 56}Fe radiation. For the >1 Gy HZE dose, we used γ-ray equitoxicmore » doses calculated using relative biological effectiveness (RBE) determined previously. The mice were euthanized 150 days after irradiation, and intestinal and colon tumor frequency was scored. Results: The highest number of tumors was observed after {sup 28}Si, followed by {sup 56}Fe and {sup 12}C radiation, and tumorigenesis showed a male preponderance, especially after {sup 28}Si. Analysis showed greater tumorigenesis per unit of radiation (per cGy) at lower doses, suggesting either radiation-induced elimination of target cells or tumorigenesis reaching a saturation point at higher doses. Calculation of RBE for intestinal and colon tumorigenesis showed the highest value with {sup 28}Si, and lower doses showed greater RBE relative to higher doses. Conclusions: We have demonstrated that the RBE of heavy ion radiation-induced intestinal and colon tumorigenesis is related to ion energy, LET, gender, and peak RBE is observed at an LET of 69 keV/μm. Our study has implications for understanding risk to astronauts undertaking long duration space missions.« less

Sensitization of melanoma cells to alkylating agent-induced DNA damage and cell death via orchestrating oxidative stress and IKKβ inhibition.

PubMed

Tse, Anfernee Kai-Wing; Chen, Ying-Jie; Fu, Xiu-Qiong; Su, Tao; Li, Ting; Guo, Hui; Zhu, Pei-Li; Kwan, Hiu-Yee; Cheng, Brian Chi-Yan; Cao, Hui-Hui; Lee, Sally Kin-Wah; Fong, Wang-Fun; Yu, Zhi-Ling

2017-04-01

Nitrosourea represents one of the most active classes of chemotherapeutic alkylating agents for metastatic melanoma. Treatment with nitrosoureas caused severe systemic side effects which hamper its clinical use. Here, we provide pharmacological evidence that reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction and IKKβ inhibition cooperatively enhance nitrosourea-induced cytotoxicity in melanoma cells. We identified SC-514 as a ROS-inducing IKKβ inhibitor which enhanced the function of nitrosoureas. Elevated ROS level results in increased DNA crosslink efficiency triggered by nitrosoureas and IKKβ inhibition enhances DNA damage signals and sensitizes nitrosourea-induced cell death. Using xenograft mouse model, we confirm that ROS-inducing IKKβ inhibitor cooperates with nitrosourea to reduce tumor size and malignancy in vivo. Taken together, our results illustrate a new direction in nitrosourea treatment, and reveal that the combination of ROS-inducing IKKβ inhibitors with nitrosoureas can be potentially exploited for melanoma therapy. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Total folate and unmetabolized folic acid in the breast milk of a cross-section of Canadian women.

PubMed

Page, Rachael; Robichaud, André; Arbuckle, Tye E; Fraser, William D; MacFarlane, Amanda J

2017-05-01

Background: Folate requirements increase during pregnancy and lactation. It is recommended that women who could become pregnant, are pregnant, or are lactating consume a folic acid (FA)-containing supplement. Objectives: We sought to determine breast-milk total folate and unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) contents and their relation with FA-supplement use and doses in a cohort of Canadian mothers who were enrolled in the MIREC (Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals) study. Design: Breast-milk tetrahydrofolate (THF), 5-methyl-THF, 5-formyl-THF, 5,10-methenyl-THF, and UMFA were measured with the use of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry ( n = 561). Total daily supplemental FA intake was based on self-reported FA-supplement use. Results: UMFA was detectable in the milk of 96.1% of the women. Total daily FA intake from supplements was associated with breast folate concentration and species. Breast-milk total folate was 18% higher ( P < 0.001) in supplement users ( n = 401) than in nonusers ( n = 160), a difference driven by women consuming >400 μg FA/d ( P ≤ 0.004). 5-Methyl-THF was 19% lower ( P < 0.001) and UMFA was 126% higher ( P < 0.001) in supplement users than in nonusers. Women who consumed >400 μg FA/d had proportionally lower 5-methyl-THF and higher UMFA than did women who consumed ≤400 μg FA/d. Conclusions: FA-supplement use was associated with modestly higher breast-milk total folate. Detectable breast-milk UMFA was nearly ubiquitous, including in women who did not consume an FA supplement. Breast-milk UMFA was proportionally higher than 5-methyl-THF in women who consumed >400 μg FA/d, thereby suggesting that higher doses exceed the physiologic capacity to metabolize FA and result in the preferential uptake of FA in breast milk. Therefore, FA-supplement doses >400 μg may not be warranted, especially in populations for whom FA fortification is mandatory. © 2017 American Society for Nutrition.

Myoepithelial cell-specific expression of stefin A as a suppressor of early breast cancer invasion.

PubMed

Duivenvoorden, Hendrika M; Rautela, Jai; Edgington-Mitchell, Laura E; Spurling, Alex; Greening, David W; Nowell, Cameron J; Molloy, Timothy J; Robbins, Elizabeth; Brockwell, Natasha K; Lee, Cheok Soon; Chen, Maoshan; Holliday, Anne; Selinger, Cristina I; Hu, Min; Britt, Kara L; Stroud, David A; Bogyo, Matthew; Möller, Andreas; Polyak, Kornelia; Sloane, Bonnie F; O'Toole, Sandra A; Parker, Belinda S

2017-12-01

Mammography screening has increased the detection of early pre-invasive breast cancers, termed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), increasing the urgency of identifying molecular regulators of invasion as prognostic markers to predict local relapse. Using the MMTV-PyMT breast cancer model and pharmacological protease inhibitors, we reveal that cysteine cathepsins have important roles in early-stage tumorigenesis. To characterize the cell-specific roles of cathepsins in early invasion, we developed a DCIS-like model, incorporating an immortalized myoepithelial cell line (N1ME) that restrained tumor cell invasion in 3D culture. Using this model, we identified an important myoepithelial-specific function of the cysteine cathepsin inhibitor stefin A in suppressing invasion, whereby targeted stefin A loss in N1ME cells blocked myoepithelial-induced suppression of breast cancer cell invasion. Enhanced invasion observed in 3D cultures with N1ME stefin A-low cells was reliant on cathepsin B activation, as addition of the small molecule inhibitor CA-074 rescued the DCIS-like non-invasive phenotype. Importantly, we confirmed that stefin A was indeed abundant in myoepithelial cells in breast tissue. Use of a 138-patient cohort confirmed that myoepithelial stefin A (cystatin A) is abundant in normal breast ducts and low-grade DCIS but reduced in high-grade DCIS, supporting myoepithelial stefin A as a candidate marker of lower risk of invasive relapse. We have therefore identified myoepithelial cell stefin A as a suppressor of early tumor invasion and a candidate marker to distinguish patients who are at low risk of developing invasive breast cancer, and can therefore be spared further treatment. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The tobacco-specific carcinogen-operated calcium channel promotes lung tumorigenesis via IGF2 exocytosis in lung epithelial cells

PubMed Central

Boo, Hye-Jin; Min, Hye-Young; Jang, Hyun-Ji; Yun, Hye Jeong; Smith, John Kendal; Jin, Quanri; Lee, Hyo-Jong; Liu, Diane; Kweon, Hee-Seok; Behrens, Carmen; Lee, J. Jack; Wistuba, Ignacio I.; Lee, Euni; Hong, Waun Ki; Lee, Ho-Young

2016-01-01

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) binding to the tobacco-specific carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) induces Ca2+ signalling, a mechanism that is implicated in various human cancers. In this study, we investigated the role of NNK-mediated Ca2+ signalling in lung cancer formation. We show significant overexpression of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in association with IGF-1R activation in human preneoplastic lung lesions in smokers. NNK induces voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC)-intervened calcium influx in airway epithelial cells, resulting in a rapid IGF2 secretion via the regulated pathway and thus IGF-1R activation. Silencing nAChR, α1 subunit of L-type VDCC, or various vesicular trafficking curators, including synaptotagmins and Rabs, or blockade of nAChR/VDCC-mediated Ca2+ influx significantly suppresses NNK-induced IGF2 exocytosis, transformation and tumorigenesis of lung epithelial cells. Publicly available database reveals inverse correlation between use of calcium channel blockers and lung cancer diagnosis. Our data indicate that NNK disrupts the regulated pathway of IGF2 exocytosis and promotes lung tumorigenesis. PMID:27666821

The tobacco-specific carcinogen-operated calcium channel promotes lung tumorigenesis via IGF2 exocytosis in lung epithelial cells.

PubMed

Boo, Hye-Jin; Min, Hye-Young; Jang, Hyun-Ji; Yun, Hye Jeong; Smith, John Kendal; Jin, Quanri; Lee, Hyo-Jong; Liu, Diane; Kweon, Hee-Seok; Behrens, Carmen; Lee, J Jack; Wistuba, Ignacio I; Lee, Euni; Hong, Waun Ki; Lee, Ho-Young

2016-09-26

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) binding to the tobacco-specific carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) induces Ca 2+ signalling, a mechanism that is implicated in various human cancers. In this study, we investigated the role of NNK-mediated Ca 2+ signalling in lung cancer formation. We show significant overexpression of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in association with IGF-1R activation in human preneoplastic lung lesions in smokers. NNK induces voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC)-intervened calcium influx in airway epithelial cells, resulting in a rapid IGF2 secretion via the regulated pathway and thus IGF-1R activation. Silencing nAChR, α1 subunit of L-type VDCC, or various vesicular trafficking curators, including synaptotagmins and Rabs, or blockade of nAChR/VDCC-mediated Ca 2+ influx significantly suppresses NNK-induced IGF2 exocytosis, transformation and tumorigenesis of lung epithelial cells. Publicly available database reveals inverse correlation between use of calcium channel blockers and lung cancer diagnosis. Our data indicate that NNK disrupts the regulated pathway of IGF2 exocytosis and promotes lung tumorigenesis.

Strong induction of iodothyronine deiodinases by chemotherapeutic selenocompounds.

PubMed

Stoedter, M; Renko, K; Ibáñez, E; Plano, D; Becker, N-P; Martitz, J; Palop, J A; Calvo, A; Sanmartín, C; Schomburg, L

2015-02-01

The biological activity of thyroid hormones (TH) is regulated by selenoenzymes of the iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO) family catalysing TH activating and inactivating reactions. Besides TH metabolism, several studies indicate an important role of DIO isoenzymes in tumorigenesis and cancer growth. It is therefore of therapeutic importance to identify modulators of DIO expression. We have synthesized and studied a series of selenocompounds containing a methyl- or benzyl-imidoselenocarbamate backbone. One of these novel compounds had chemotherapeutic activities in a murine xenograft tumour model by an unknown mechanism. Therefore, we tested their effects on DIO expression in vitro. In HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells, DIO1 activity was strongly (up to 10-fold) increased by the methyl- but not by the corresponding benzyl-imidoselenocarbamates. Steady-state mRNA levels remained unaltered under these conditions indicating a post-transcriptional mode of action. The effects were further characterized in HEK293 cells stably expressing DIO1, DIO2 or DIO3. Even within the artificial genetic context of the expression vectors, all three DIO isoenzymes were up-regulated by the methyl- and to a lesser extent by the benzyl-imidoselenocarbamates. Consistent stimulating effects were observed with methyl-N,N'-di(quinolin-3-ylcarbonyl)-imidoselenocarbamate (EI201), a selenocompound known for its anti-tumour activity. DIO inducing effects were unrelated to the intracellular accumulation of selenium, yet the precise mode of action remains elusive. Collectively, our data highlight that these selenocompounds may constitute interesting pharmacological compounds for modifying DIO expression potentially affecting the balance between cell differentiation and proliferation.

Proline-linked nitrosoureas as prolidase-convertible prodrugs in human breast cancer cells.

PubMed

Bielawski, Krzysztof; Bielawska, Anna; Słodownik, Tomasz; Bołkun-Skórnicka, Urszula; Muszyńska, Anna

2008-01-01

A number of novel proline-linked nitrosoureas (1-4) were synthesized and examined for cytotoxicity and influence on DNA and collagen biosynthesis in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of these compounds employing a MTT assay and inhibition of [(3)H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells demonstrated that compound 2, the most active of the series, proved to be only slightly less potent than carmustine. It has also been found that carmustine did not inhibit MCF&-7 cells prolidase activity, while compounds 1-4 significantly increased its activity, when used at 50-250 microM concentrations. Proline-linked nitrosoureas (1-4) also had lower ability to inhibit collagen biosynthesis in MCF-7 cells, compared to carmustine. The expression of beta(1)-integrin receptor and phosphorylated MAPK, ERK(1) and ERK(2) was significantly decreased in MCF-7 cells incubated for 24 h with 60 microM of compounds 2 and 4 compared to the control, untreated cells, whereas under the same conditions carmustine did not evoke any changes in expression of all these signaling proteins, as shown by Western immunoblot analysis. These results indicate the proline-linked nitrosoureas (1-4), represent multifunctional inhibitors of breast cancer cell growth and metabolism.

Spin labeled antioxidants protect bacteria against the toxicity of alkylating antitumor drug CCNU.

PubMed

Gadjeva, Vesselina; Lazarova, Grozdanka; Zheleva, Antoaneta

2003-10-15

We have studied the toxic effect of the alkylating antitumor drug N'-cyclohexyl-N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea (lomustine, CCNU) on Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains, alone and in presence of oxygen radical-scavenging substances [Vitamin E, stable nitroxyl radical 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TMPO), and spin labeled (nitroxyl free radical moiety containing) analogues of CCNU] and compared with that of the alkylating antitumor drug 5-(3,3-dimethyltriazene-1-yl)-imidazole-4-carboxamide (dacarbazine, DTIC). All spin labeled compounds tested were almost no toxic at doses of 50-500 microM/ml, whereas the alkylating antitumor drug CCNU showed toxicity in a dose dependent manner. Even low doses of spin labeled nitrosoureas provided protection against the toxicity caused by the antitumor drug CCNU alone. The lowest toxicity against E. coli and S. aureus were achieved when 500 microM/ml of CCNU was combined with 200 microM/ml of spin labeled nitrosourea N-[N'-(2-chloroethyl)-N'-nitrosocarbamoyl]-glycine amid of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-aminopiperidine-1-oxyl (SLCNUgly). A combination of TMPO with vitamin E completely abolished the toxicity of CCNU. Endogenous formation of oxygen radicals and their possible involvement in CCNU toxicity towards the bacteria strains tested have been also discussed.

Structural simulation of adenosine phosphate via plumbagin and zoledronic acid competitively targets JNK/Erk to synergistically attenuate osteoclastogenesis in a breast cancer model

PubMed Central

Qiao, H; Wang, T-y; Yu, Z-f; Han, X-g; Liu, X-q; Wang, Y-g; Fan, Q-m; Qin, A; Tang, T-t

2016-01-01

The treatment of breast cancer-induced osteolysis remains a challenge in clinical settings. Here, we explored the effect and mechanism of combined treatment with zoledronic acid (ZA) and plumbagin (PL), a widely investigated component derived from Plumbago zeylanica, against breast cancer-induced osteoclastogenesis. We found that the combined treatment with PL and ZA suppressed cell viability of precursor osteoclasts and synergistically inhibited MDA-MB-231-induced osteoclast formation (combination index=0.28) with the abrogation of recombinant mouse receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced activation of NF-κB/MAPK (nuclear factor-κB/mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathways. Molecular docking suggested a putative binding area within c-Jun N-terminal kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (JNK/Erk) protease active sites through the structural mimicking of adenosine phosphate (ANP) by the spatial combination of PL with ZA. A homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence assay further illustrated the direct competitiveness of the dual drugs against ANP docking to phosphorylated JNK/Erk, contributing to the inhibited downstream expression of c-Jun/c-Fos/NFATc-1 (nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurin-dependent 1). Then, in vivo testing demonstrated that the combined administration of PL and ZA attenuated breast cancer growth in the bone microenvironment. Additionally, these molecules prevented the destruction of proximal tibia, with significant reduction of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAcP)-positive osteoclast cells and potentiation of apoptotic cancer cells, to a greater extent when combined than when the drugs were applied independently. Altogether, the combination treatment with PL and ZA could significantly and synergistically suppress osteoclastogenesis and inhibit tumorigenesis both in vitro and in vivo by simulating the spatial structure of ANP to inhibit competitively phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (JNK/Erk). PMID:26866274

Immunity against mouse thymus-leukemia antigen (TL) protects against development of lymphomas induced by a chemical carcinogen, N-butyl-N-nitrosourea.

PubMed

Tsujimura, Kunio; Obata, Yuichi; Matsudaira, Yasue; Ozeki, Satoshi; Taguchi, Osamu; Nishida, Keiko; Okanami, Yuko; Akatsuka, Yoshiki; Kuzushima, Kiyotaka; Takahashi, Toshitada

2004-11-01

Mouse thymus-leukemia antigens (TL) are aberrantly expressed on T lymphomas in C57BL/6 (B6) and C3H/He (C3H) mice, while they are not expressed on normal T lymphocytes in these strains. When N-butyl-N-nitrosourea (NBU), a chemical carcinogen, was administered orally to B6 and C3H strains, lymphoma development was slower than in T3(b)-TL gene-transduced counterpart strains expressing TL ubiquitously as self-antigens, suggesting that anti-TL immunity may play a protective role. In addition, the development of lymphomas was slightly slower in C3H than in B6, which seems to be in accordance with the results of skin graft experiments indicating that both cellular and humoral immunities against TL were stronger in C3H than B6 mice. The interesting finding that B lymphomas derived from a T3(b)-TL transgenic strain (C3H background) expressing a very high level of TL were rejected in C3H, but not in H-2K(b) transgenic mice (C3H background), raises the possibility that TL-specific effector T cell populations are eliminated and/or energized to a certain extent by interacting with H-2K(b) molecules.

Global DNA hypomethylation coupled to repressive chromatin domain formation and gene silencing in breast cancer

PubMed Central

Hon, Gary C.; Hawkins, R. David; Caballero, Otavia L.; Lo, Christine; Lister, Ryan; Pelizzola, Mattia; Valsesia, Armand; Ye, Zhen; Kuan, Samantha; Edsall, Lee E.; Camargo, Anamaria Aranha; Stevenson, Brian J.; Ecker, Joseph R.; Bafna, Vineet; Strausberg, Robert L.; Simpson, Andrew J.; Ren, Bing

2012-01-01

While genetic mutation is a hallmark of cancer, many cancers also acquire epigenetic alterations during tumorigenesis including aberrant DNA hypermethylation of tumor suppressors, as well as changes in chromatin modifications as caused by genetic mutations of the chromatin-modifying machinery. However, the extent of epigenetic alterations in cancer cells has not been fully characterized. Here, we describe complete methylome maps at single nucleotide resolution of a low-passage breast cancer cell line and primary human mammary epithelial cells. We find widespread DNA hypomethylation in the cancer cell, primarily at partially methylated domains (PMDs) in normal breast cells. Unexpectedly, genes within these regions are largely silenced in cancer cells. The loss of DNA methylation in these regions is accompanied by formation of repressive chromatin, with a significant fraction displaying allelic DNA methylation where one allele is DNA methylated while the other allele is occupied by histone modifications H3K9me3 or H3K27me3. Our results show a mutually exclusive relationship between DNA methylation and H3K9me3 or H3K27me3. These results suggest that global DNA hypomethylation in breast cancer is tightly linked to the formation of repressive chromatin domains and gene silencing, thus identifying a potential epigenetic pathway for gene regulation in cancer cells. PMID:22156296

Sex-dependent Differences in Intestinal Tumorigenesis Induced in Apc1638N/+ Mice by Exposure to {gamma} Rays

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Trani, Daniela; Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia; Maastricht Radiation Oncology

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of 1 and 5 Gy radiation doses and to investigate the interplay of gender and radiation with regard to intestinal tumorigenesis in an adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mutant mouse model. Methods and Materials: Apc1638N/+ female and male mice were exposed whole body to either 1 Gy or 5 Gy of {gamma} rays and euthanized when most of the treated mice became moribund. Small and large intestines were processed to determine tumor burden, distribution, and grade. Expression of proliferation marker Ki-67 and estrogen receptor (ER)-{alpha} were also assessed bymore » immunohistochemistry. Results: We observed that, with both 1 Gy and 5 Gy of {gamma} rays, females displayed reduced susceptibility to radiation-induced intestinal tumorigenesis compared with males. As for radiation effect on small intestinal tumor progression, although no substantial differences were found in the relative frequency and degree of dysplasia of adenomas in irradiated animals compared with controls, invasive carcinomas were found in 1-Gy- and 5-Gy-irradiated animals. Radiation exposure was also shown to induce an increase in protein levels of proliferation marker Ki-67 and sex-hormone receptor ER-{alpha} in both non tumor mucosa and intestinal tumors from irradiated male mice. Conclusions: We observed important sex-dependent differences in susceptibility to radiation-induced intestinal tumorigenesis in Apc1638N/+ mutants. Furthermore, our data provide evidence that exposure to radiation doses as low as 1 Gy can induce a significant increase in intestinal tumor multiplicity as well as enhance tumor progression in vivo.« less

Histone Methylation and Epigenetic Silencing in Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-02-01

Chen, S., Bohrer, L.R., Nair-Rai, A., Pan , Y., Gan, L., Zhou, X., Bagchi, A., Simon, J.A. and Huang, H. (2010). Cyclin-dependent kinases regulate...EZH2 suppresses methylation of lysine 27 in histone H3. Science 310(5746): 306-310. Chen, S., Bohrer, L.R., Rai, A.N., Pan , Y., Gan, L., Zhou, X...recent study finds that ri-methyl-H3-K27 levels are decreased in breast, ovarian and pan - reatic cancer samples [65], which could reflect a shift in

High local carcinogenic activity of 1,3-dimethyl-3-phenyl-1-nitrosourea and its inactivation by intravenous application in rats: comparison of in vivo findings with the in vitro direct and a combined in vivo/in vitro sister chromatid exchange assay in V79-E cells.

PubMed

Thust, R; Martin, J; Mendel, J; Schreiber, D

1987-02-01

1,3-Dimethyl-3-phenyl-1-nitrosourea (DMPNU) is a very potent local carcinogen in rats and induces a 100% frequency of forestomach carcinomas when applied i.g. in two different dosages (10 applications of 0.3 or 0.03 mmol/kg body wt, respectively, at 14-day intervals), but it is inactive upon i.v. administration (10 applications of 0.03 mmol/kg body wt at 14-day intervals). By means of the direct sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay in V79-E cells in the presence of rat blood, serum or plasma, respectively, as well as by a 'host-mediated' SCE assay (in which the agent was given i.v. to rats, and blood taken from the animal was checked for the recovery of genotoxic activity in cell cultures), we tried to elucidate the unexpected lack of carcinogenic activity of i.v. DMPNU. The direct SCE assay revealed a drastic reduction of DMPNU genotoxicity by rat blood, serum or plasma, respectively, which is abolished by the esterase inhibitor diisopropylfluorophosphate. In the 'host-mediated' SCE assay a genotoxic activity of DMPNU was only recoverable after a very high i.v. dose and when the blood added to the cell cultures had been taken from the rat heart within 1 min after DMPNU administration in vivo. 1-Methyl-1-nitrosourea (MNU) and 1-methyl-3-phenyl-1-nitrosourea (MPNU) were used as positive controls in these experiments and also gave a lower response than theoretically expected, but the relative loss of activity with the latter compounds was much lower than with DMPNU. It is assumed that an esterase in rat blood effectively decomposes this trisubstituted nitrosourea. Problems of the novel 'host-mediated' SCE assay are discussed.

Combined exposure to X-irradiation followed by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea treatment alters the frequency and spectrum of Ikaros point mutations in murine T-cell lymphoma.

PubMed

Kakinuma, Shizuko; Nishimura, Mayumi; Amasaki, Yoshiko; Takada, Mayumi; Yamauchi, Kazumi; Sudo, Satomi; Shang, Yi; Doi, Kazutaka; Yoshinaga, Shinji; Shimada, Yoshiya

2012-09-01

Ionizing radiation is a well-known carcinogen, but its potency may be influenced by other environmental carcinogens, which is of practical importance in the assessment of risk. Data are scarce, however, on the combined effect of radiation with other environmental carcinogens and the underlying mechanisms involved. We studied the mode and mechanism of the carcinogenic effect of radiation in combination with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) using doses approximately equal to the corresponding thresholds. B6C3F1 mice exposed to fractionated X-irradiation (Kaplan's method) followed by ENU developed T-cell lymphomas in a dose-dependent manner. Radiation doses above an apparent threshold acted synergistically with ENU to promote lymphoma development, whereas radiation doses below that threshold antagonized lymphoma development. Ikaros, which regulates the commitment and differentiation of lymphoid lineage cells, is a critical tumor suppressor gene frequently altered in both human and mouse lymphomas and shows distinct mutation spectra between X-ray- and ENU-induced lymphomas. In the synergistically induced lymphomas, we observed a low frequency of LOH and an inordinate increase of Ikaros base substitutions characteristic of ENU-induced point mutations, G:C to A:T at non-CpG, A:T to G:C, G:C to T:A and A:T to T:A. This suggests that radiation doses above an apparent threshold activate the ENU mutagenic pathway. This is the first report on the carcinogenic mechanism elicited by combined exposure to carcinogens below and above threshold doses based on the mutation spectrum of the causative gene. These findings constitute a basis for assessing human cancer risk following exposure to multiple carcinogens. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Interactions between Exosomes from Breast Cancer Cells and Primary Mammary Epithelial Cells Leads to Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species Which Induce DNA Damage Response, Stabilization of p53 and Autophagy in Epithelial Cells

PubMed Central

Dutta, Sujoy; Warshall, Case; Bandyopadhyay, Chirosree; Dutta, Dipanjan; Chandran, Bala

2014-01-01

Exosomes are nanovesicles originating from multivesicular bodies and are released by all cell types. They contain proteins, lipids, microRNAs, mRNAs and DNA fragments, which act as mediators of intercellular communications by inducing phenotypic changes in recipient cells. Tumor-derived exosomes have been shown to play critical roles in different stages of tumor development and metastasis of almost all types of cancer. One of the ways by which exosomes affect tumorigenesis is to manipulate the tumor microenvironments to create tumor permissive “niches”. Whether breast cancer cell secreted exosomes manipulate epithelial cells of the mammary duct to facilitate tumor development is not known. To address whether and how breast cancer cell secreted exosomes manipulate ductal epithelial cells we studied the interactions between exosomes isolated from conditioned media of 3 different breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, T47DA18 and MCF7), representing three different types of breast carcinomas, and normal human primary mammary epithelial cells (HMECs). Our studies show that exosomes released by breast cancer cell lines are taken up by HMECs, resulting in the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and autophagy. Inhibition of ROS by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) led to abrogation of autophagy. HMEC-exosome interactions also induced the phosphorylation of ATM, H2AX and Chk1 indicating the induction of DNA damage repair (DDR) responses. Under these conditions, phosphorylation of p53 at serine 15 was also observed. Both DDR responses and phosphorylation of p53 induced by HMEC-exosome interactions were also inhibited by NAC. Furthermore, exosome induced autophagic HMECs were found to release breast cancer cell growth promoting factors. Taken together, our results suggest novel mechanisms by which breast cancer cell secreted exosomes manipulate HMECs to create a tumor permissive microenvironment. PMID:24831807

STAT signaling in mammary gland differentiation, cell survival and tumorigenesis

PubMed Central

Haricharan, S; Li, Y

2013-01-01

The mammary gland is a unique organ that undergoes extensive and profound changes during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, lactation and involution. The changes that take place during puberty involve large-scale proliferation and invasion of the fat-pad. During pregnancy and lactation, the mammary cells are exposed to signaling pathways that inhibit apoptosis, induce proliferation and invoke terminal differentiation. Finally, during involution the mammary gland is exposed to milk stasis, programed cell death and stromal reorganization to clear the differentiated milk-producing cells. Not surprisingly, the signaling pathways responsible for bringing about these changes in breast cells are often subverted during the process of tumorigenesis. The STAT family of proteins is involved in every stage of mammary gland development, and is also frequently implicated in breast tumorigenesis. While the roles of STAT3 and STAT5 during mammary gland development and tumorigenesis are well studied, others members, e.g. STAT1 and STAT6, have only recently been observed to play a role in mammary gland biology. Continued investigation into the STAT protein network in the mammary gland will likely yield new biomarkers and risk factors for breast cancer, and may also lead to novel prophylactic or therapeutic strategies against breast cancer. PMID:23541951

Nucleotide excision repair modulates the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of N-n-butyl-N-nitrosourea in cultured mammalian cells as well as in mouse splenocytes in vivo.

PubMed

Bol, S A; van Steeg, H; van Oostrom, C T; Tates, A D; Vrieling, H; de Groot, A J; Mullenders, L H; van Zeeland, A A; Jansen, J G

1999-05-01

The butylating agent N-n-butyl-N-nitrosourea (BNU) was employed to study the role of nucleotide excision repair (NER) in protecting mammalian cells against the genotoxic effects of monofunctional alkylating agents. The direct acting agent BNU was found to be mutagenic in normal and XPA mouse splenocytes after a single i.p. treatment in vivo. After 25 and 35 mg/kg BNU, but not after 75 mg/ kg, 2- to 3-fold more hprt mutants were detected in splenocytes from XPA mice than from normal mice. Using O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT)-deficient hamster cells, it was found that NER-deficient CHO UV5 cells carrying a mutation in the ERCC-2 gene were 40% more mutable towards lesions induced by BNU when compared with parental NER-proficient CHO AA8 cells. UV5 cells were 1.4-fold more sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of BNU compared with AA8 cells. To investigate whether this increased sensitivity of NER-deficient cells is modulated by AGT activity, cell survival studies were performed in human and mouse primary fibroblasts as well. BNU was 2.7-fold more toxic for mouse XPA fibroblasts compared with normal mouse fibroblasts. Comparable results were found for human fibroblasts. Taken together these data indicate that the role of NER in protecting rodent cells against the mutagenic and cytotoxic effects of the alkylating agent BNU depends on AGT.

Circular RNA hsa_circ_0001982 Promotes Breast Cancer Cell Carcinogenesis Through Decreasing miR-143.

PubMed

Tang, Yi-Yin; Zhao, Ping; Zou, Tian-Ning; Duan, Jia-Jun; Zhi, Rong; Yang, Si-Yuan; Yang, De-Chun; Wang, Xiao-Li

2017-11-01

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a type of noncoding RNAs generated from back-splicing, which have been verified to mediate multiple tumorigenesis. With the development of high-throughput sequencing, massive circRNAs are discovered in tumorous tissue. However, the potential physiological effect of circRNAs in breast cancer is still unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression profile of circRNA in breast cancer tissue and explore the in-depth regulatory mechanism in breast cancer tumorigenesis. In the present study, we screened the circRNA expression profiles in breast cancer tissue using circRNA microarray analysis. Totally 1705 circRNAs were identified to be significantly aberrant. Among these dysregulated circRNAs, hsa_circ_0001982 was markedly overexpressed in breast cancer tissue and cell lines. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that miR-143 acted as target of hsa_circ_0001982, which was confirmed by Dual-luciferase reporter assay. Loss-of-function and rescue experiments revealed that hsa_circ_0001982 knockdown suppressed breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion and induced apoptosis by targeting miR-143. In summary, our study preliminarily investigates the circRNA expression in breast cancer tissue and explores the role of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism in the progression, providing a novel insight for breast cancer tumorigenesis.

Structural basis for substrate recognition by the human N-terminal methyltransferase 1

DOE PAGES

Dong, Cheng; Mao, Yunfei; Tempel, Wolfram; ...

2015-11-05

α-N-terminal methylation represents a highly conserved and prevalent post-translational modification, yet its biological function has remained largely speculative. The recent discovery of α-N-terminal methyltransferase 1 (NTMT1) and its physiological substrates propels the elucidation of a general role of α-N-terminal methylation in mediating DNA-binding ability of the modified proteins. The phenotypes, observed from both NTMT1 knockdown in breast cancer cell lines and knockout mouse models, suggest the potential involvement of α-N-terminal methylation in DNA damage response and cancer development. In this study, we report the first crystal structures of human NTMT1 in complex with cofactor S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) and six substrate peptides,more » respectively, and reveal that NTMT1 contains two characteristic structural elements (a β hairpin and an N-terminal extension) that contribute to its substrate specificity. Our complex structures, coupled with mutagenesis, binding, and enzymatic studies, also present the key elements involved in locking the consensus substrate motif XPK (X indicates any residue type other than D/E) into the catalytic pocket for α-N-terminal methylation and explain why NTMT1 prefers an XPK sequence motif. We propose a catalytic mechanism for α-N-terminal methylation. Overall, this study gives us the first glimpse of the molecular mechanism of α-N-terminal methylation and potentially contributes to the advent of therapeutic agents for human diseases associated with deregulated α-N-terminal methylation.« less

Mice over-expressing human O6 alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase selectively reduce O6 methylguanine mediated carcinogenic mutations to threshold levels after N-methyl-N-nitrosourea.

PubMed

Allay, E; Veigl, M; Gerson, S L

1999-06-24

While it is well known that MNU induces thymic lymphomas in the mouse, it remains unclear which pre-mutagenic lesions are responsible for lymphomagenic transformation. One lesion thought to play a critical role is O6methylguanine[O6mG]which initiates G: C to A:T transition mutations in K-ras and other oncogenes. O6alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT), encoded by the methylguanine methyltransferase gene [MGMT], removes the methyl group thereby preventing the mutation from occurring. When overexpressed in the thymus, MGMT protects mice from MNU-induced thymic lymphomas. To determine whether MGMT overexpression reduced G: C to A: T mutation frequency after MNU, Big Blue lacI and MGMT+/Big Blue mice were treated with MNU and analysed for mutations in the lacI and K-ras genes. The incidence of MNU-induced lymphomas was 84% in Big Blue lacI mice compared to 14% in MGMT+Big Blue lacI mice. Sixty-two per cent of the lymphomas had a GGT to GAT activating mutation in codon 12 of K-ras consistent with O6mG adduct-mediated point mutagenesis. LacI mutation frequency in thymus of MNU treated Big Blue mice was 45-fold above background whereas it was 11-fold above background in MNU treated MGMT+/Big Blue mice. Most lacI mutations were G:C to A:T transitions, implicating O6mG even in the MGMT+mice. No mutations were attributable to chromosomal aberrations or rearrangements. Thus, O6mG adducts account for the carcinogenic effect of MNU and MGMT overexpression is selectively able to reduce O6methylguanine adducts below a carcinogenic threshold. Other adducts are mutagenic but appear to contribute much less to malignant transformation or oncogene activation.

Proline analogue of nitrosourea as a new cytotoxic prodrug.

PubMed

Stankiewicz-Kranc, Anna; Bielawska, Anna; Bielawski, Krzysztof; Skrzydlewska, Elzbieta

2009-11-01

Carmustine is frequently used as anticancer drug. High toxicity and low selectivity reduces the application of this drug. Though, there is a necessity to find new compounds characterized by similar therapeutic effects but a higher selectivity and safety. As a result, the proline analogue of nitrosourea, N-[N'-(2-bromophenyl)-N'-nitrosocarbamoyl]proline (AC), has been synthesized. The aim of this study was to compare the influence of carmustine and the proline analogue of nitrosourea on the antioxidant abilities of fibroblasts and leukemia cells, MOLT4. It was shown that carmustine as well as AC cause an increase in hydrogen peroxide concentration in normal and neoplastic cells. Incubation with both compounds led to a diminution of the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and reductase. Changes in activity / level of antioxidant parameters were accompanied by augmentation of lipid and oxidative protein modifications. In conclusion, carmustine and AC cause changes in the antioxidative system of normal and MOLT4 cells and are a reason of oxidative stress formation.

Curcumin inhibits urothelial tumor development by suppressing IGF2 and IGF2-mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

PubMed

Tian, Binqiang; Zhao, Yingmei; Liang, Tao; Ye, Xuxiao; Li, Zuowei; Yan, Dongliang; Fu, Qiang; Li, Yonghui

2017-08-01

We have previously reported that curcumin inhibits urothelial tumor development in a rat bladder carcinogenesis model. In this study, we report that curcumin inhibits urothelial tumor development by suppressing IGF2 and IGF2-mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Curcumin inhibits IGF2 expression at the transcriptional level and decreases the phosphorylation levels of IGF1R and IRS-1 in bladder cancer cells and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced urothelial tumor tissue. Ectopic expression of IGF2 and IGF1R, but not IGF1, in bladder cancer cells restored this process, suggesting that IGF2 is a target of curcumin. Moreover, introduction of constitutively active AKT1 abolished the inhibitory effect of curcumin on cell proliferation, migration, and restored the phosphorylation levels of 4E-BP1 and S6K1, suggesting that curcumin functions via suppressing IGF2-mediated AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. In summary, our results reveal that suppressing IGF2 and IGF2-mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is one of the mechanisms of action of curcumin. Our findings suggest a new therapeutic strategy against human bladder cancer caused by aberrant activation of IGF2, which are useful for translational application of curcumin.

Chemoprevention of rat prostate carcinogenesis by soy isoflavones and by Bowman-Birk inhibitor.

PubMed

McCormick, David L; Johnson, William D; Bosland, Maarten C; Lubet, Ronald A; Steele, Vernon E

2007-01-01

Epidemiology studies suggest that soy consumption confers protection against human prostate cancer. To identify the soy component(s) that may be responsible for this chemopreventive activity, studies were conducted to determine the influence of a soy isoflavone mixture (PTI G-2535; 45% genistein, 22% daidzein, 2% glycitein) and a soy-derived protease inhibitor (Bowman-Birk Inhibitor Concentrate; BBIC) on prostate carcinogenesis in rats. Prostate cancers were induced in male Wistar-Unilever rats by a sequential regimen of cyproterone acetate and testosterone propionate, followed by a single intravenous injection of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) and chronic androgen stimulation. In separate studies, PTI G-2535 and BBIC were administered continuously at 0 (control), 200, or 2000 mg/kg diet, beginning 1 wk post-MNU. PTI G-2535 and BBIC both conferred modest, but statistically significant and dose-related protection against carcinogenesis in the dorsolateral+anterior prostate. These data demonstrate that both the isoflavone and protein (protease inhibitor) components of soy can inhibit prostate carcinogenesis in the rat. However, the modest individual activities of soy isoflavones and BBIC suggest that while both components may contribute to the chemopreventive activity of soy, combination administration (or exposure to whole soy) may be more effective in prostate cancer prevention than is administration of either component alone.

Treatment of mycosis fungoides with topical nitrosourea compounds: Further studies.

PubMed

Zackheim, H S; Epstein, E H

1975-12-01

Twenty-six patients with mycosis fungoides were treated topically with three nitrosourea compounds: carmustine (BCNU), lomustine (CCNU), and 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea. A high percentage experienced good to excellent results. Remissions following treatment of individual lesions varied from one month to at least three years. Remissions following total body surface treatment varied from two weeks to at least four months. Two of 13 patients treated over the entire body suffered temporary bone marrow depression, indluding one with severe pancytopenia. This toxic effect was attributed to lomustine and was not seen in patients treated with carmustine alone. Thirteen patients highly allergic to mechlorethamine hydrochloride showed no cross-sensitivity to nitrosourea compounds. A primary irritant dermatitis occurred in about one half of the patients and telangiectasia in two. Two patients developed hypersensitivity to nitrosourea compounds. Carmustine is the preferred nitrosourea compound for topical therapy of mycosis fungoides.

Protective effects of folic acid on DNA damage and DNA methylation levels induced by N-methyl- N'-nitro- N-nitrosoguanidine in Kazakh esophageal epithelial cells.

PubMed

Chen, Y; Feng, H; Chen, D; Abuduwaili, K; Li, X; Zhang, H

2018-01-01

The protective effects of folic acid on DNA damage and DNA methylation induced by N-methyl- N'-nitro- N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in Kazakh esophageal epithelial cells were investigated using a 3 × 3 factorial design trial. The cells were cultured in vitro and exposed to media containing different concentrations of folic acid and MNNG, after which growth indices were detected. DNA damage levels were measured using comet assays, and genome-wide DNA methylation levels (MLs) were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The DNA methylation of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and folate receptor- α (FR α) genes was detected by bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results showed significant increases in tail DNA concentration, tail length, and Olive tail moment ( p < 0.01); a significant reduction of genome-wide DNA MLs ( p < 0.01); and an increase in the methylation frequencies of MTHFR and FR α genes. In particular, significant differences were observed in the promoter regions of both genes ( p < 0.01). Our study indicated that a reduction in folic acid concentration promotes DNA damage and DNA methylation in Kazakh esophageal epithelial cells upon MNNG exposure. Thus, sufficient folic acid levels could play a protective role against the damage induced by this compound.

PKCθ promotes c-Rel–driven mammary tumorigenesis in mice and humans by repressing estrogen receptor α synthesis

PubMed Central

Belguise, Karine; Sonenshein, Gail E.

2007-01-01

The vast majority of primary human breast cancer tissues display aberrant nuclear NF-κB c-Rel expression. A causal role for c-Rel in mammary tumorigenesis has been demonstrated using a c-Rel transgenic mouse model; however, tumors developed with a long latency, suggesting a second event is needed to trigger tumorigenesis. Here we show that c-Rel activity in the mammary gland is repressed by estrogen receptor α (ERα) signaling, and we identify an epigenetic mechanism in breast cancer mediated by activation of what we believe is a novel PKCθ-Akt pathway that leads to downregulation of ERα synthesis and derepression of c-Rel. ERα levels were lower in c-Rel–induced mammary tumors compared with normal mammary gland tissue. PKCθ induced c-Rel activity and target gene expression and promoted growth of c-Rel- and c-RelxCK2α–driven mouse mammary tumor–derived cell lines. RNA expression levels of PKCθ and c-Rel target genes were inversely correlated with ERα levels in human breast cancer specimens. PKCθ activated Akt, thereby inactivating forkhead box O protein 3a (FOXO3a) and leading to decreased synthesis of its target genes, ERα and p27Kip1. Thus we have shown that activation of PKCθ inhibits the FOXO3a/ERα/p27Kip1 axis that normally maintains an epithelial cell phenotype and induces c-Rel target genes, thereby promoting proliferation, survival, and more invasive breast cancer. PMID:18037997

STAT signaling in mammary gland differentiation, cell survival and tumorigenesis.

PubMed

Haricharan, S; Li, Y

2014-01-25

The mammary gland is a unique organ that undergoes extensive and profound changes during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, lactation and involution. The changes that take place during puberty involve large-scale proliferation and invasion of the fat-pad. During pregnancy and lactation, the mammary cells are exposed to signaling pathways that inhibit apoptosis, induce proliferation and invoke terminal differentiation. Finally, during involution the mammary gland is exposed to milk stasis, programmed cell death and stromal reorganization to clear the differentiated milk-producing cells. Not surprisingly, the signaling pathways responsible for bringing about these changes in breast cells are often subverted during the process of tumorigenesis. The STAT family of proteins is involved in every stage of mammary gland development, and is also frequently implicated in breast tumorigenesis. While the roles of STAT3 and STAT5 during mammary gland development and tumorigenesis are well studied, others members, e.g. STAT1 and STAT6, have only recently been observed to play a role in mammary gland biology. Continued investigation into the STAT protein network in the mammary gland will likely yield new biomarkers and risk factors for breast cancer, and may also lead to novel prophylactic or therapeutic strategies against breast cancer. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dependence of the cytotoxicity of DNA-damaging agents on the mismatch repair status of human cells.

PubMed

Papouli, Efterpi; Cejka, Petr; Jiricny, Josef

2004-05-15

Mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency was reported to increase resistance of mammalian cells to killing by several genotoxic substances. However, although MMR-deficient cells are approximately 100-fold more resistant to killing by S(N)1 type methylating agents than MMR-proficient controls, the sensitivity differences reported for the other agents were typically <2-fold. To test whether these differences were linked to factors other than MMR status, we studied the cytotoxicities of mitomycin C, chloroethylcyclohexyl nitrosourea, melphalan, psoralen-UVA, etoposide, camptothecin, ionizing radiation, and cis-dichlorodiaminoplatinum (cisplatin) in a strictly isogenic system. We now report that MMR deficiency reproducibly desensitized cells solely to cisplatin.

Quantitative DNA methylation analysis of paired box gene 1 and LIM homeobox transcription factor 1 α genes in cervical cancer

PubMed Central

Xu, Ling; Xu, Jun; Hu, Zheng; Yang, Baohua; Wang, Lifeng; Lin, Xiao; Xia, Ziyin; Zhang, Zhiling; Zhu, Yunheng

2018-01-01

DNA methylation is associated with tumorigenesis and may act as a potential biomarker for detecting cervical cancer. The aim of the present study was to explore the methylation status of the paired box gene 1 (PAX1) and the LIM homeobox transcription factor 1 α (LMX1A) gene in a spectrum of cervical lesions in an Eastern Chinese population. This single-center study involved 121 patients who were divided into normal cervix (NC; n=28), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL; n=32), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL; n=34) and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC; n=27) groups, according to biopsy results. Following extraction and modification of the DNA, quantitative assessment of the PAX1 and LMX1A genes in exfoliated cells was performed using pyrosequencing analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of each parameter and cut-off values of the percentage of methylation reference (PMR) for differentiation diagnosis. Analysis of variance was used to identify differences among groups. The PMR of the two genes was significantly higher in the HSIL and CSCC groups compared with that in the NC and LSIL groups (P<0.001). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for detection of CSCC were 0.790, 0.837 and 0.809, respectively, using PAX1; and 0.633, 0.357 and 0.893, respectively, using LMX1A. These results indicated that quantitative PAX1 methylation demonstrates potential for cervical cancer screening, while further investigation is required to determine the potential of LMX1A methylation. PMID:29541217

Curcumin modifies Apc(min) apoptosis resistance and inhibits 2-amino 1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) induced tumour formation in Apc(min) mice.

PubMed

Collett, G P; Robson, C N; Mathers, J C; Campbell, F C

2001-05-01

Curcumin, the active ingredient of the rhizome of Curcuma longa, promotes apoptosis and may have chemopreventive properties. This study investigates the effects of curcumin on apoptosis and tumorigenesis in male Apc(min) mice treated with the human dietary carcinogen, 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP). Intestinal epithelial apoptotic index in response to PhIP treatment was approximately twice as great in the wild-type C57BL/6 APC(+/+) strain than in Apc(min) mice (3.7% Apc(+/+) versus 1.9% Apc(min); P < 0.001). PhIP promoted tumour formation in Apc(min) proximal small intestine (4.6 tumours per mouse, PhIP treated versus 2.1 tumours per mouse, control untreated; P < 0.05). Curcumin enhanced PhIP-induced apoptosis (4.0% curcumin + PhIP versus 2.1% PhIP alone; P < 0.01) and inhibited PhIP-induced tumorigenesis in the proximal small intestine of Apc(min) mice (2.2 tumours per mouse, curcumin + PhIP versus 4.6 tumours per mouse PhIP alone; P < 0.05). This study shows that the Apc(min) genotype is associated with resistance to PhIP-induced apoptosis in intestinal epithelium. Curcumin attenuates Apc(min) resistance to PhIP-induced apoptosis and inhibits PhIP-induced tumorigenesis in proximal Apc(min) mouse small intestine.

Propofol effectively inhibits lithium-pilocarpine- induced status epilepticus in rats via downregulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit expression

PubMed Central

Wang, Henglin; Wang, Zhuoqiang; Mi, Weidong; Zhao, Cong; Liu, Yanqin; Wang, Yongan; Sun, Haipeng

2012-01-01

Status epilepticus was induced via intraperitoneal injection of lithium-pilocarpine. The inhibitory effects of propofol on status epilepticus in rats were judged based on observation of behavior, electroencephalography and 24-hour survival rate. Propofol (12.5–100 mg/kg) improved status epilepticus in a dose-dependent manner, and significantly reduced the number of deaths within 24 hours of lithium-pilocarpine injection. Western blot results showed that, 24 hours after induction of status epilepticus, the levels of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2A and 2B subunits were significantly increased in rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Propofol at 50 mg/kg significantly suppressed the increase in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit levels, but not the increase in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2A subunit levels. The results suggest that propofol can effectively inhibit status epilepticus induced by lithium-pilocarpine. This effect may be associated with downregulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit expression after seizures. PMID:25737709

Methylation status and protein expression of RASSF1A in breast cancer patients.

PubMed

Hagrass, Hoda A; Pasha, Heba F; Shaheen, Mohamed A; Abdel Bary, Eman H; Kassem, Rasha

2014-01-01

Recently genetics and epigenetics alterations have been found to be characteristic of malignancy and hence can be used as targets for detection of neoplasia. RAS association domain family protein 1A (RASSF1A) gene hypermethylation has been a subject of interest in recent researches on cancer breast patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether RASSF1A methylation status and RASSF1A protein expression are associated with the major clinico-pathological parameters. One hundred and twenty breast cancer Egyptian patients and 100-control subjects diagnosed with benign lesions of the breast were enrolled in this study. We evaluated RASSF1A methylation status in tissue and serum samples using Methyl specific PCR together with RASSF1A protein expression in tissues by immunohistochemistry. Results were studied in relation to known prognostic clinicopathological features in breast cancer. Frequency of RASSF1A methylation in tissues and serum were 70 and 63.3 % respectively and RASSF1A protein expression showed frequency of 46.7 %. There was an association between RASSF1A methylation in tissues, serum and loss of protein expression in tissues with invasive carcinoma, advanced stage breast cancer, L.N. metastasis, ER/PR and HER2 negativity. RASSF1A methylation in serum showed high degree of concordance with methylation in tissues (Kappa = 0.851, P < 0.001). RASSF1A hypermethylation in tissues and serum and its protein expression may be a valid, reliable and sensitive tool for detection and follow up of breast cancer patients.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Toki, Hideaki; Minowa, Osamu; Inoue, Maki

Dominant mutations in the Serca2 gene, which encodes sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase, predispose mice to gastrointestinal epithelial carcinoma [1–4] and humans to Darier disease (DD) [14–17]. In this study, we generated mice harboring N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced allelic mutations in Serca2: three missense mutations and one nonsense mutation. Mice harboring these Serca2 mutations developed tumors that were categorized as either early onset squamous cell tumors (SCT), with development similar to null-type knockout mice [2,4] (aggressive form; M682, M814), or late onset tumors (mild form; M1049, M1162). Molecular analysis showed no aberration in Serca2 mRNA or protein expression levels in normal esophageal cells ofmore » any of the four mutant heterozygotes. There was no loss of heterozygosity at the Serca2 locus in the squamous cell carcinomas in any of the four lines. The effect of each mutation on Ca{sup 2+}-ATPase activity was predicted using atomic-structure models and accumulated mutated protein studies, suggesting that putative complete loss of Serca2 enzymatic activity may lead to early tumor onset, whereas mutations in which Serca2 retains residual enzymatic activity result in late onset. We propose that impaired Serca2 gene product activity has a long-term effect on squamous cell carcinogenesis from onset to the final carcinoma stage through an as-yet unrecognized but common regulatory pathway. -- Highlights: •Novel mutations in murine Serca2 caused early onset or late onset of tumorigenesis. •They also caused higher or lower incidence of Darier Disease phenotype. •3D structure model suggested the former mutations led to severer defect on ATPase. •Driver gene mutations via long-range effect on Ca2+ distributions are suggested.« less

Stimulation of cannabinoid receptors by using Rubus coreanus extracts to control osteoporosis in aged male rats.

PubMed

Lim, Hae-Kyoung; Lee, Hye-Rim; Do, Sun Hee

2015-06-01

A substantial proportion of men with prostatic disease have an increased risk of bone loss. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCM) extracts on osteoporosis that occurs with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced prostatic hyperplasia. The rats used in this study were categorized into groups of healthy controls, rats treated with MNU, and rats treated with MNU and RCM. The rats were sacrificed after 10 weeks of RCM treatment, after which ultrasonography, serum biochemical tests, histopathological examinations, immunohistochemical analysis, and semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis were performed. There were no marked differences in body weight gain and the size and weight of the prostate gland between the MNU group and the MNU and RCM group. However, treatment with RCM inhibited osteoclastic osteolysis and reduced dysplastic progress in the prostate gland, as observed by histopathological evaluation and by analyzing changes in the levels of bone regulatory factors. In addition, the group treated with MNU and RCM had higher expression levels of cannabinoid receptors-1, -2, and osteoprotegerin. These results indicate that the anti-osteoporotic effect of RCM in prostatic hyperplasia is attributable to the cannabinoid receptor-related upregulation of osteoblastogenesis and inhibition of prostatic hyperplasia. The results of the present study suggest that treatment with RCM may benefit osteoporotic patients with prostatic disease by simultaneously altering the activation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

Enhanced mammary progesterone receptor-A isoform activity in the promotion of mammary tumor progression by dietary soy in rats

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Dietary contribution to breast cancer risk, recurrence, and progression remains incompletely understood. Increased consumption of soy and soy isoflavones is associated with reduced mammary cancer susceptibility in women and in rodent models of carcinogenesis. In rats treated with N-Methyl-N-Nitrosou...

Centrosomal Nlp is an oncogenic protein that is gene-amplified in human tumors and causes spontaneous tumorigenesis in transgenic mice.

PubMed

Shao, Shujuan; Liu, Rong; Wang, Yang; Song, Yongmei; Zuo, Lihui; Xue, Liyan; Lu, Ning; Hou, Ning; Wang, Mingrong; Yang, Xiao; Zhan, Qimin

2010-02-01

Disruption of mitotic events contributes greatly to genomic instability and results in mutator phenotypes. Indeed, abnormalities of mitotic components are closely associated with malignant transformation and tumorigenesis. Here we show that ninein-like protein (Nlp), a recently identified BRCA1-associated centrosomal protein involved in microtubule nucleation and spindle formation, is an oncogenic protein. Nlp was found to be overexpressed in approximately 80% of human breast and lung carcinomas analyzed. In human lung cancers, this deregulated expression was associated with NLP gene amplification. Further analysis revealed that Nlp exhibited strong oncogenic properties; for example, it conferred to NIH3T3 rodent fibroblasts the capacity for anchorage-independent growth in vitro and tumor formation in nude mice. Consistent with these data, transgenic mice overexpressing Nlp displayed spontaneous tumorigenesis in the breast, ovary, and testicle within 60 weeks. In addition, Nlp overexpression induced more rapid onset of radiation-induced lymphoma. Furthermore, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from Nlp transgenic mice showed centrosome amplification, suggesting that Nlp overexpression mimics BRCA1 loss. These findings demonstrate that Nlp abnormalities may contribute to genomic instability and tumorigenesis and suggest that Nlp might serve as a potential biomarker for clinical diagnosis and therapeutic target.

Centrosomal Nlp is an oncogenic protein that is gene-amplified in human tumors and causes spontaneous tumorigenesis in transgenic mice

PubMed Central

Shao, Shujuan; Liu, Rong; Wang, Yang; Song, Yongmei; Zuo, Lihui; Xue, Liyan; Lu, Ning; Hou, Ning; Wang, Mingrong; Yang, Xiao; Zhan, Qimin

2010-01-01

Disruption of mitotic events contributes greatly to genomic instability and results in mutator phenotypes. Indeed, abnormalities of mitotic components are closely associated with malignant transformation and tumorigenesis. Here we show that ninein-like protein (Nlp), a recently identified BRCA1-associated centrosomal protein involved in microtubule nucleation and spindle formation, is an oncogenic protein. Nlp was found to be overexpressed in approximately 80% of human breast and lung carcinomas analyzed. In human lung cancers, this deregulated expression was associated with NLP gene amplification. Further analysis revealed that Nlp exhibited strong oncogenic properties; for example, it conferred to NIH3T3 rodent fibroblasts the capacity for anchorage-independent growth in vitro and tumor formation in nude mice. Consistent with these data, transgenic mice overexpressing Nlp displayed spontaneous tumorigenesis in the breast, ovary, and testicle within 60 weeks. In addition, Nlp overexpression induced more rapid onset of radiation-induced lymphoma. Furthermore, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from Nlp transgenic mice showed centrosome amplification, suggesting that Nlp overexpression mimics BRCA1 loss. These findings demonstrate that Nlp abnormalities may contribute to genomic instability and tumorigenesis and suggest that Nlp might serve as a potential biomarker for clinical diagnosis and therapeutic target. PMID:20093778

2-chloroethanol formation as evidence for a 2-chloroethyl alkylating intermediate during chemical degradation of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(trans-4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea.

PubMed

Reed, D J; May, H E; Boose, R B; Gregory, K M; Beilstein, M A

1975-03-01

Chemical degradation of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea or 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(trans-4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea in buffer under physiological conditions resulted in the formation of a significant quantity of 2-chlorethanol (18 to 25% of the initial nitrosourea concentration). Other degradation products observed included acetaldehyde (5 to 10%), vinyl chloride (1 to 2%), ethylene (1 to 2%), and cyclohexylamine (32%), but not 1,3-dicyclohexylurea. The 2-chlorethyl moiety of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea was trapped with halide ions, CI-, BR-, and I-, to form the corresponding dihaloethanes which were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques. High-pressure liquid chromatographic procedures were developed for the separation and quantiation of the nitrosoureas and many of their degradation products. It is postulated that a new mode of 1(2-chloreoethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(trans-4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea degradation can occur that is not the loss of the chloro group as chloride ion, but the loss of the N-3 hydrogen as a proton. Then the corresponding isocyanate and 2-chloroethyidiazene hydroxide are formed, with the latter intermidiate becoming an alkylating species, possibly in part as a 2-chloroethyl carbonium ion.

DFT investigations of phosphotriesters hydrolysis in aqueous solution: a model for DNA single strand scission induced by N-nitrosoureas.

PubMed

Liu, Tingting; Zhao, Lijiao; Zhong, Rugang

2013-02-01

DNA phosphotriester adducts are common alkylation products of DNA phosphodiester moiety induced by N-nitrosoureas. The 2-hydroxyethyl phosphotriester was reported to hydrolyze more rapidly than other alkyl phosphotriesters both in neutral and in alkaline conditions, which can cause DNA single strand scission. In this work, DFT calculations have been employed to map out the four lowest activation free-energy profiles for neutral and alkaline hydrolysis of triethyl phosphate (TEP) and diethyl 2-hydroxyethyl phosphate (DEHEP). All the hydrolysis pathways were illuminated to be stepwise involving an acyclic or cyclic phosphorane intermediate for TEP or DEHEP, respectively. The rate-limiting step for all the hydrolysis reactions was found to be the formation of phosphorane intermediate, with the exception of DEHEP hydrolysis in alkaline conditions that the decomposition process turned out to be the rate-limiting step, owing to the extraordinary low formation barrier of cyclic phosphorane intermediate catalyzed by hydroxide. The rate-limiting barriers obtained for the four reactions are all consistent with the available experimental information concerning the corresponding hydrolysis reactions of phosphotriesters. Our calculations performed on the phosphate triesters hydrolysis predict that the lower formation barriers of cyclic phosphorane intermediates compared to its acyclic counter-part should be the dominant factor governing the hydrolysis rate enhancement of DEHEP relative to TEP both in neutral and in alkaline conditions.

A moderate elevation of circulating levels of IGF-I does not alter ErbB2 induced mammary tumorigenesis

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Epidemiological evidence suggests that moderately elevated levels of circulating insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) are associated with increased risk of breast cancer in women. How circulating IGF-I may promote breast cancer incidence is unknown, however, increased IGF-I signaling is linked to trastuzumab resistance in ErbB2 positive breast cancer. Few models have directly examined the effect of moderately high levels of circulating IGF-I on breast cancer initiation and progression. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of circulating IGF-I to independently initiate mammary tumorigenesis and/or accelerate the progression of ErbB2 mediated mammary tumor growth. Methods We crossed heterozygous TTR-IGF-I mice with heterozygous MMTV-ErbB2 mice to generate 4 different genotypes: TTR-IGF-I/MMTV-ErbB2 (bigenic), TTR-IGF-I only, MMTV-ErbB2 only, and wild type (wt). Virgin females were palpated twice a week and harvested when tumors reached 1000 mm3. For study of normal development, blood and tissue were harvested at 4, 6 and 9 weeks of age in TTR-IGF-I and wt mice. Results TTR-IGF-I and TTR-IGF-I/ErbB2 bigenic mice showed a moderate 35% increase in circulating total IGF-I compared to ErbB2 and wt control mice. Elevation of circulating IGF-I had no effect upon pubertal mammary gland development. The transgenic increase in IGF-I alone wasn't sufficient to initiate mammary tumorigenesis. Elevated circulating IGF-I had no effect upon ErbB2-induced mammary tumorigenesis or metastasis, with median time to tumor formation being 30 wks and 33 wks in TTR-IGF-I/ErbB2 bigenic and ErbB2 mice respectively (p = 0.65). Levels of IGF-I in lysates from ErbB2/TTR-IGF-I tumors compared to ErbB2 was elevated in a similar manner to the circulating IGF-I, however, there was no effect on the rate of tumor growth (p = 0.23). There were no morphological differences in tumor type (solid adenocarcinomas) between bigenic and ErbB2 mammary glands. Conclusion Using the first transgenic animal model to elevate circulating levels of IGF-I to those comparable to women at increased risk of breast cancer, we showed that moderately high levels of systemic IGF-I have no effect on pubertal mammary gland development, initiating mammary tumorigenesis or promoting ErbB2 driven mammary carcinogenesis. Our work suggests that ErbB2-induced mammary tumorigenesis is independent of the normal variation in circulating levels of IGF-I. PMID:21867536

The p27Kip1 Tumor Suppressor and Multi-Step Tumorigenesis

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-08-01

Breast Cancer , Cell cycle, tumor suppressor 33 16. PRICE CODE 17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 18. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 20...in many cancers , including carcinomas of the breast , colon, lung and prostate, and lymphoma. Although these studies of p27 expression in primary...of DMBA-induced pituitary tumors in p27-/- mice precluded determination of breast cancer risk in these mice. Nevertheless, the extensive mammary tissue

PRKCZ methylation is associated with sunlight exposure in a North American but not a Mediterranean population

PubMed Central

Aslibekyan, Stella; Dashti, Hassan S.; Tanaka, Toshiko; Sha, Jin; Ferrucci, Luigi; Zhi, Degui; Bandinelli, Stefania; Borecki, Ingrid B.; Absher, Devin M.; Arnett, Donna K.; Ordovas, Jose M.

2015-01-01

Sunlight exposure has been shown to alter DNA methylation patterns across several human cell-types, including T-lymphocytes. Since epigenetic changes establish gene expression profiles, changes in DNA methylation induced by sunlight exposure warrant investigation. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of sunlight exposure on CD4+ T-cell methylation patterns on an epigenome-wide scale in a North American population of European origin (n = 991). In addition, we investigated the genetic contribution to epigenetic variation (methylQTL). We used linear regression to test the associations between methylation scores at 461 281 cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites and sunlight exposure, followed by a genome-wide association analysis (methylQTL) to test for associations between methylation at the top CpG locus and common genetic variants, assuming an additive genetic model. We observed an epigenome-wide significant association between sunlight exposure and methylation status at cg26930596 (p = 9.2 × 10−8), a CpG site located in protein kinase C zeta (PRKCZ), a gene previously shown to be entrained by light. MethylQTL analysis resulted in significant associations between cg26930596 and two intergenic single nucleotide polymorphisms on chromosome 3, rs4574216 (p = 1.5 × 10−10) and rs4405858 (p = 1.9 × 10−9). These common genetic variants reside downstream of WWTR1, a transcriptional co-activator of PRKCZ. Associations observed in the North American population, however, did not replicate in an independent Mediterranean cohort. Our preliminary results support the role of sunlight exposure in epigenetic processes, and lay the groundwork for future studies of the molecular link between sunlight and physiologic processes such as tumorigenesis and metabolism. PMID:25075435

PRKCZ methylation is associated with sunlight exposure in a North American but not a Mediterranean population.

PubMed

Aslibekyan, Stella; Dashti, Hassan S; Tanaka, Toshiko; Sha, Jin; Ferrucci, Luigi; Zhi, Degui; Bandinelli, Stefania; Borecki, Ingrid B; Absher, Devin M; Arnett, Donna K; Ordovas, Jose M

2014-11-01

Sunlight exposure has been shown to alter DNA methylation patterns across several human cell-types, including T-lymphocytes. Since epigenetic changes establish gene expression profiles, changes in DNA methylation induced by sunlight exposure warrant investigation. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of sunlight exposure on CD4+ T-cell methylation patterns on an epigenome-wide scale in a North American population of European origin (n=991). In addition, we investigated the genetic contribution to epigenetic variation (methylQTL). We used linear regression to test the associations between methylation scores at 461,281 cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites and sunlight exposure, followed by a genome-wide association analysis (methylQTL) to test for associations between methylation at the top CpG locus and common genetic variants, assuming an additive genetic model. We observed an epigenome-wide significant association between sunlight exposure and methylation status at cg26930596 (p=9.2×10(-8)), a CpG site located in protein kinase C zeta (PRKCZ), a gene previously shown to be entrained by light. MethylQTL analysis resulted in significant associations between cg26930596 and two intergenic single nucleotide polymorphisms on chromosome 3, rs4574216 (p=1.5×10(-10)) and rs4405858 (p=1.9×10(-9)). These common genetic variants reside downstream of WWTR1, a transcriptional co-activator of PRKCZ. Associations observed in the North American population, however, did not replicate in an independent Mediterranean cohort. Our preliminary results support the role of sunlight exposure in epigenetic processes, and lay the groundwork for future studies of the molecular link between sunlight and physiologic processes such as tumorigenesis and metabolism.

Chemoprevention of rat prostate carcinogenesis by dietary 16alpha-fluoro-5-androsten-17-one (fluasterone), a minimally androgenic analog of dehydroepiandrosterone.

PubMed

McCormick, David L; Johnson, William D; Kozub, Nicole M; Rao, K V N; Lubet, Ronald A; Steele, Vernon E; Bosland, Maarten C

2007-02-01

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a potent inhibitor of prostate carcinogenesis in rats. However, concerns related to the possible androgenicity of DHEA may preclude its use for chemoprevention of human prostate cancer. Studies were performed to compare the androgenicity of DHEA and a fluorinated DHEA analog, 16alpha-fluoro-5-androsten-17-one (fluasterone), and to determine the chemopreventive activity of fluasterone in the rat prostate. Comparisons of accessory sex gland weight and histology in gonadectomized male rats demonstrated that fluasterone is less androgenic than is DHEA. Fluasterone conferred significant protection against prostate carcinogenesis induced in Wistar-Unilever rats by a sequential regimen of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea+testosterone. Chronic administration of fluasterone at levels of 2000 and 1000 mg/kg diet reduced the incidence of adenocarcinoma in the dorsolateral/anterior prostate from 64% in dietary controls to 28 and 31%, respectively. Other than a dose-related suppression of body weight gain, chronic exposure to fluasterone induced no clinical evidence of toxicity; suppression of body weight gain may be either a pharmacological effect or a minimally toxic effect of the compound. These data demonstrate that a minimally androgenic analog of DHEA protects against prostate carcinogenesis induced in rats by a chemical carcinogen + androgen. The reduced androgenicity of fluasterone may obviate toxicities associated with the androgenicity of the parent compound. On this basis, fluasterone merits consideration for evaluation in clinical trials for prostate cancer prevention. The chemopreventive activity of a non-androgenic DHEA analog suggests that at least a portion of the chemopreventive activity of DHEA in the rat prostate is unrelated to hormonal effects.

Regulation of miRNA-29c and its downstream pathways in preneoplastic progression of triple-negative breast cancer

PubMed Central

Bhardwaj, Anjana; Singh, Harpreet; Rajapakshe, Kimal; Tachibana, Kazunoshin; Ganesan, Nivetha; Pan, Yinghong; Gunaratne, Preethi H.; Coarfa, Cristian; Bedrosian, Isabelle

2017-01-01

Little is understood about the early molecular drivers of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), making the identification of women at risk and development of targeted therapy for prevention significant challenges. By sequencing a TNBC cell line-based breast cancer progression model we have found that miRNA-29c is progressively lost during TNBC tumorigenesis. In support of the tumor suppressive role of miRNA 29c, we found that low levels predict poor overall patient survival and, conversely, that ectopic expression of miRNA-29c in preneoplastic cell models inhibits growth. miRNA-29c exerts its growth inhibitory effects through direct binding and regulation of TGFB-induced factor homeobox 2 (TGIF2), CAMP-responsive element binding protein 5 (CREB5), and V-Akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 3 (AKT3). miRNA-29c regulation of these gene targets seems to be functionally relevant, as TGIF2, CREB5, and AKT3 were able to rescue the inhibition of cell proliferation and colony formation caused by ectopic expression of miRNA-29c in preneoplastic cells. AKT3 is an oncogene of known relevance in breast cancer, and as a proof of principle we show that inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity, a protein upstream of AKT3, suppressed proliferation in TNBC preneoplastic cells. We explored additional opportunities for prevention of TNBC by studying the regulation of miRNA-29c and identified DNA methylation to have a role in the inhibition of miRNA-29c during TNBC tumorigenesis. Consistent with these observations, we found 5 aza-cytadine to relieve the suppression of miRNA-29c. Together, these results demonstrate that miRNA-29c loss plays a key role in the early development of TNBC. PMID:28160548

Inhibitory effect of etodolac, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, on stomach carcinogenesis in Helicobacter pylori-infected Mongolian gerbils

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Magari, Hirohito; Shimizu, Yasuhito; Inada, Ken-ichi

2005-08-26

The effect of the selective COX-2 inhibitor, etodolac, on Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-associated stomach carcinogenesis was investigated in Mongolian gerbils (MGs). Hp-infected MGs were fed for 23 weeks with drinking water containing 10 ppm N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. They were then switched to distilled water and placed on a diet containing 5-30 mg/kg/day etodolac for 30 weeks. We found that etodolac dose-dependently inhibited the development of gastric cancer, and no cancer was detected at a dose of 30 mg/kg/day. Etodolac did not affect the extent of inflammatory cell infiltration or oxidative DNA damage, but it significantly inhibited mucosal cell proliferation and dose-dependently repressed themore » development of intestinal metaplasia in the stomachs of Hp-infected MGs. These results suggest that COX-2 is a key molecule in inflammation-mediated stomach carcinogenesis and that chemoprevention of stomach cancer should be possible by controlling COX-2 expression or activity.« less

Elevated NIBP/TRAPPC9 mediates tumorigenesis of cancer cells through NFκB signaling

PubMed Central

Wang, Hong; Yang, Wensheng; Li, Fang; Yang, Fan; Yu, Daohai; Ramsey, Frederick V.; Tuszyski, George P.; Hu, Wenhui

2015-01-01

Regulatory mechanisms underlying constitutive and inducible NFκB activation in cancer remain largely unknown. Here we investigated whether a novel NIK- and IKK2-binding protein (NIBP) is required for maintaining malignancy of cancer cells in an NFκB-dependent manner. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of a human cancer survey tissue-scan cDNA array, immunostaining of a human frozen tumor tissue array and immunoblotting of a high-density reverse-phase cancer protein lysate array showed that NIBP is extensively expressed in most tumor tissues, particularly in breast and colon cancer. Lentivirus-mediated NIBP shRNA knockdown significantly inhibited the growth/proliferation, invasion/migration, colony formation and xenograft tumorigenesis of breast (MDA-MB-231) or colon (HCT116) cancer cells. NIBP overexpression in HCT116 cells promoted cell proliferation, migration and colony formation. Mechanistically, NIBP knockdown in cancer cells inhibited cytokine-induced activation of NFκB luciferase reporter, thus sensitizing the cells to TNFα-induced apoptosis. Endogenous NIBP bound specifically to the phosphorylated IKK2 in a TNFα-dependent manner. NIBP knockdown transiently attenuated TNFα-stimulated phosphorylation of IKK2/p65 and degradation of IκBα. In contrast, NIBP overexpression enhanced TNFα-induced NFκB activation, thus inhibiting constitutive and TNFα-induced apoptosis. Collectively, our data identified important roles of NIBP in promoting tumorigenesis via NFκΒ signaling, spotlighting NIBP as a promising target in cancer therapeutic intervention. PMID:25704885

Tumor promoter-induced sulfiredoxin is required for mouse skin tumorigenesis.

PubMed

Wu, Lisha; Jiang, Hong; Chawsheen, Hedy A; Mishra, Murli; Young, Matthew R; Gerard, Matthieu; Toledano, Michel B; Colburn, Nancy H; Wei, Qiou

2014-05-01

Sulfiredoxin (Srx), the exclusive enzyme that reduces the hyperoxidized inactive form of peroxiredoxins (Prxs), has been found highly expressed in several types of human skin cancer. To determine whether Srx contributed to skin tumorigenesis in vivo, Srx null mice were generated on an FVB background. Mouse skin tumorigenesis was induced by a 7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene/12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (DMBA/TPA) protocol. We found that the number, volume and size of papillomas in Srx(-/-) mice were significantly fewer compared with either wild-type (Wt) or heterozygous (Het) siblings. Histopathological analysis revealed more apoptotic cells in tumors from Srx(-/-) mice. Mechanistic studies in cell culture revealed that Srx was stimulated by TPA in a redox-independent manner. This effect was mediated transcriptionally through the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and Jun-N-terminal kinase. We also demonstrated that Srx was capable of reducing hyperoxidized Prxs to facilitate cell survival under oxidative stress conditions. These findings suggested that loss of Srx protected mice, at least partially, from DMBA/TPA-induced skin tumorigenesis. Therefore, Srx has an oncogenic role in skin tumorigenesis and targeting Srx may provide novel strategies for skin cancer prevention or treatment.

LGR4 modulates breast cancer initiation, metastasis, and cancer stem cells.

PubMed

Yue, Zhiying; Yuan, Zengjin; Zeng, Li; Wang, Ying; Lai, Li; Li, Jing; Sun, Peng; Xue, Xiwen; Qi, Junyi; Yang, Zhengfeng; Zheng, Yansen; Fang, Yuanzhang; Li, Dali; Siwko, Stefan; Li, Yi; Luo, Jian; Liu, Mingyao

2018-05-01

The fourth member of the leucine-rich repeat-containing GPCR family (LGR4, frequently referred to as GPR48) and its cognate ligands, R-spondins (RSPOs) play crucial roles in the development of multiple organs as well as the survival of adult stem cells by activation of canonical Wnt signaling. Wnt/β-catenin signaling acts to regulate breast cancer; however, the molecular mechanisms determining its spatiotemporal regulation are largely unknown. In this study, we identified LGR4 as a master controller of Wnt/β-catenin signaling-mediated breast cancer tumorigenesis, metastasis, and cancer stem cell (CSC) maintenance. LGR4 expression in breast tumors correlated with poor prognosis. Either Lgr4 haploinsufficiency or mammary-specific deletion inhibited mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)- PyMT- and MMTV- Wnt1-driven mammary tumorigenesis and metastasis. Moreover, LGR4 down-regulation decreased in vitro migration and in vivo xenograft tumor growth and lung metastasis. Furthermore, Lgr4 deletion in MMTV- Wnt1 tumor cells or knockdown in human breast cancer cells decreased the number of functional CSCs by ∼90%. Canonical Wnt signaling was impaired in LGR4-deficient breast cancer cells, and LGR4 knockdown resulted in increased E-cadherin and decreased expression of N-cadherin and snail transcription factor -2 ( SNAI2) (also called SLUG), implicating LGR4 in regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Our findings support a crucial role of the Wnt signaling component LGR4 in breast cancer initiation, metastasis, and breast CSCs.-Yue, Z., Yuan, Z., Zeng, L., Wang, Y., Lai, L., Li, J., Sun, P., Xue, X., Qi, J., Yang, Z., Zheng, Y., Fang, Y., Li, D., Siwko, S., Li, Y., Luo, J., Liu, M. LGR4 modulates breast cancer initiation, metastasis, and cancer stem cells.

Animal Models of Brain Maldevelopment Induced by Cycad Plant Genotoxins

PubMed Central

Kisby, Glen E.; Moore, Holly; Spencer, Peter S.

2014-01-01

Cycads are long-lived tropical and subtropical plants that contain azoxyglycosides (e.g., cycasin, macrozamin) and neurotoxic amino acids (notably β-N-methylamino-L-alanine L-BMAA), toxins that have been implicated in the etiology of a disappearing neurodegenerative disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinsonism-dementia complex that has been present in high incidence among three genetically distinct populations in the western Pacific. The neuropathology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/parkinsonism-dementia complex includes features suggestive of brain maldevelopment, an experimentally proven property of cycasin attributable to the genotoxic action of its aglycone methylazoxymethanol (MAM). This property of MAM has been exploited by neurobiologists as a tool to study perturbations of brain development. Depending on the neurodevelopmental stage, MAM can induce features in laboratory animals that model certain characteristics of epilepsy, schizophrenia, or ataxia. Studies in DNA repair-deficient mice show that MAM perturbs brain development through a DNA damage-mediated mechanism. The brain DNA lesions produced by systemic MAM appear to modulate the expression of genes that regulate neurodevelopment and contribute to neurodegeneration. Epigenetic changes (histone lysine methylation) have also been detected in the underdeveloped brain after MAM administration. The DNA damage and epigenetic changes produced by MAM and, perhaps by chemically related substances (e.g., nitrosamines, nitrosoureas, hydrazines), might be an important mechanism by which early-life exposure to genotoxicants can induce long-term brain dysfunction. PMID:24339036

DNA methylation array analysis identifies breast cancer associated RPTOR, MGRN1 and RAPSN hypomethylation in peripheral blood DNA.

PubMed

Tang, Qiuqiong; Holland-Letz, Tim; Slynko, Alla; Cuk, Katarina; Marme, Frederik; Schott, Sarah; Heil, Jörg; Qu, Bin; Golatta, Michael; Bewerunge-Hudler, Melanie; Sutter, Christian; Surowy, Harald; Wappenschmidt, Barbara; Schmutzler, Rita; Hoth, Markus; Bugert, Peter; Bartram, Claus R; Sohn, Christof; Schneeweiss, Andreas; Yang, Rongxi; Burwinkel, Barbara

2016-09-27

DNA methylation changes in peripheral blood DNA have been shown to be associated with solid tumors. We sought to identify methylation alterations in whole blood DNA that are associated with breast cancer (BC). Epigenome-wide DNA methylation profiling on blood DNA from BC cases and healthy controls was performed by applying Infinium HumanMethylation450K BeadChips. Promising CpG sites were selected and validated in three independent larger sample cohorts via MassARRAY EpiTyper assays. CpG sites located in three genes (cg06418238 in RPTOR, cg00736299 in MGRN1 and cg27466532 in RAPSN), which showed significant hypomethylation in BC patients compared to healthy controls in the discovery cohort (p < 1.00 x 10-6) were selected and successfully validated in three independent cohorts (validation I, n =211; validation II, n=378; validation III, n=520). The observed methylation differences are likely not cell-type specific, as the differences were only seen in whole blood, but not in specific sub cell-types of leucocytes. Moreover, we observed in quartile analysis that women in the lower methylation quartiles of these three loci had higher ORs than women in the higher quartiles. The combined AUC of three loci was 0.79 (95%CI 0.73-0.85) in validation cohort I, and was 0.60 (95%CI 0.54-0.66) and 0.62 (95%CI 0.57-0.67) in validation cohort II and III, respectively. Our study suggests that hypomethylation of CpG sites in RPTOR, MGRN1 and RAPSN in blood is associated with BC and might serve as blood-based marker supplements for BC if these could be verified in prospective studies.

4-Aminobiphenyl Downregulation of NAT2 Acetylator Genotype–Dependent N- and O-acetylation of Aromatic and Heterocyclic Amine Carcinogens in Primary Mammary Epithelial Cell Cultures from Rapid and Slow Acetylator Rats

PubMed Central

Jefferson, Felicia A.; Xiao, Gong H.; Hein, David W.

2009-01-01

Aromatic and heterocyclic amine carcinogens present in the diet and in cigarette smoke induce breast tumors in rats. N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) and N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) enzymes have important roles in their metabolic activation and deactivation. Human epidemiological studies suggest that genetic polymorphisms in NAT1 and/or NAT2 modify breast cancer risk in women exposed to these carcinogens. p-Aminobenzoic acid (selective for rat NAT2) and sulfamethazine (SMZ; selective for rat NAT1) N-acetyltransferase catalytic activities were both expressed in primary cultures of rat mammary epithelial cells. PABA, 2-aminofluorene, and 4-aminobiphenyl N-acetyltransferase and N-hydroxy-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine and N-hydroxy-2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline O-acetyltransferase activities were two- to threefold higher in mammary epithelial cell cultures from rapid than slow acetylator rats. In contrast, SMZ (a rat NAT1-selective substrate) N-acetyltransferase activity did not differ between rapid and slow acetylators. Rat mammary cells cultured in the medium supplemented 24 h with 10μM ABP showed downregulation in the N-and O-acetylation of all substrates tested except for the NAT1-selective substrate SMZ. This downregulation was comparable in rapid and slow NAT2 acetylators. These studies clearly show NAT2 acetylator genotype–dependent N- and O-acetylation of aromatic and heterocyclic amine carcinogens in rat mammary epithelial cell cultures to be subject to downregulation by the arylamine carcinogen ABP. PMID:18842621

Endogenous 5-methylcytosine protects neighboring guanines from N7 and O6-methylation and O6-pyridyloxobutylation by the tobacco carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone.

PubMed

Ziegel, Rebecca; Shallop, Anthony; Upadhyaya, Pramod; Jones, Roger; Tretyakova, Natalia

2004-01-20

All CG dinucleotides along exons 5-8 of the p53 tumor suppressor gene contain endogenous 5-methylcytosine (MeC). These same sites (e.g., codons 157, 158, 245, 248, and 273) are mutational hot spots in smoking-induced lung cancer. Several groups used the UvrABC endonuclease incision assay to demonstrate that methylated CG dinucleotides of the p53 gene are the preferred binding sites for the diol epoxides of bay region polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). In contrast, effects of endogenous cytosine methylation on the distribution of DNA lesions induced by tobacco-specific nitrosamines, e.g., 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), have not been elucidated. In the work presented here, a stable isotope labeling HPLC-ESI-MS/MS approach was employed to analyze the reactivity of the N7 and O6 positions of guanines within hemimethylated and fully methylated CG dinucleotides toward NNK-derived methylating and pyridyloxobutylating species. 15N3-labeled guanine bases were placed within synthetic DNA sequences representing endogenously methylated p53 codons 154, 157, and 248, followed by treatment with acetylated precursors to NNK diazohydroxides. HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis was used to determine the relative yields of N7- and O6-guanine adducts at the 15N3-labeled position. In all cases, the presence of MeC inhibited the formation of N7-methylguanine, O6-methylguanine, and O6-pyridyloxobutylguanine at a neighboring G, with the greatest decrease observed in fully methylated dinucleotides and at guanines preceded by MeC. Furthermore, the O6-Me-dG/N7-Me-G molar ratios were decreased in the presence of the 5'-neighboring MeC, suggesting that the observed decline in O6-alkylguanine adduct yields is, at least partially, a result of an altered reactivity pattern in methylated CG dinucleotides. These results indicate that, unlike N2-guanine adducts of PAH diol epoxides, NNK-induced N7- and O6-alkylguanine adducts are not preferentially formed at the endogenously methylated CG sites within the p53 tumor suppressor gene.

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and large conductance calcium-sensitive potassium channels inhibit the release of opioid peptides that induce mu-opioid receptor internalization in the rat spinal cord.

PubMed

Song, B; Marvizón, J C G

2005-01-01

Endogenous opioids in the spinal cord play an important role in nociception, but the mechanisms that control their release are poorly understood. To simultaneously detect all opioids able to activate the mu-opioid receptor, we measured mu-opioid receptor internalization in rat spinal cord slices stimulated electrically or chemically to evoke opioid release. Electrical stimulation of the dorsal horn in the presence of peptidase inhibitors produced mu-opioid receptor internalization in half of the mu-opioid receptor neurons. This internalization was rapidly abolished by N-methyl-D-aspartate (IC50=2 microM), and N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists prevented this effect. mu-Opioid receptor internalization evoked by high K+ or veratridine was also inhibited by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation. N-methyl-D-aspartate did not affect mu-opioid receptor internalization induced by exogenous endomorphins, confirming that the effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate was on opioid release. We hypothesized that this inhibition was mediated by large conductance Ca2+-sensitive K+ channels BK(Ca2+). Indeed, inhibition by N-methyl-D-aspartate was prevented by tetraethylammonium and by the selective BK(Ca2+) blockers paxilline, penitrem A and verruculogen. Paxilline did not increase mu-opioid receptor internalization in the absence of N-methyl-D-aspartate, indicating that it does not produce an increase in opioid release unrelated to the inhibition by N-methyl-d-aspartate. The BK(Ca2+) involved appears to be a subtype with slow association kinetics for iberiotoxin, which was effective only with long incubations. The BK(Ca2+) opener NS-1619 also inhibited the evoked mu-opioid receptor internalization, and iberiotoxin prevented this effect. We concluded that Ca2+ influx through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors causes the opening of BK(Ca2+) and hyperpolarization in opioid-containing dorsal horn neurons, resulting in the inhibition of opioid release. Since mu-opioid receptors in the dorsal horn mediate analgesia, inhibition of spinal opioid release could contribute to the hyperalgesic actions of spinal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.

N-METHYL-d-ASPARTATE RECEPTORS AND LARGE CONDUCTANCE CALCIUM-SENSITIVE POTASSIUM CHANNELS INHIBIT THE RELEASE OF OPIOID PEPTIDES THAT INDUCE μ-OPIOID RECEPTOR INTERNALIZATION IN THE RAT SPINAL CORD

PubMed Central

SONG, B.; MARVIZÓN, J. C. G.

2006-01-01

Endogenous opioids in the spinal cord play an important role in nociception, but the mechanisms that control their release are poorly understood. To simultaneously detect all opioids able to activate the μ-opioid receptor, we measured μ-opioid receptor internalization in rat spinal cord slices stimulated electrically or chemically to evoke opioid release. Electrical stimulation of the dorsal horn in the presence of peptidase inhibitors produced μ-opioid receptor internalization in half of the μ-opioid receptor neurons. This internalization was rapidly abolished by N-methyl-d-aspartate (IC50=2 μM), and N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonists prevented this effect. μ-Opioid receptor internalization evoked by high K+ or veratridine was also inhibited by N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor activation. N-methyl-d-aspartate did not affect μ-opioid receptor internalization induced by exogenous endomorphins, confirming that the effect of N-methyl-d-aspartate was on opioid release. We hypothesized that this inhibition was mediated by large conductance Ca2+-sensitive K+ channels BK(Ca2+). Indeed, inhibition by N-methyl-d-aspartate was prevented by tetraethylammonium and by the selective BK(Ca2+) blockers paxilline, penitrem A and verruculogen. Paxilline did not increase μ-opioid receptor internalization in the absence of N-methyl-d-aspartate, indicating that it does not produce an increase in opioid release unrelated to the inhibition by N-methyl-d-aspartate. The BK(Ca2+) involved appears to be a subtype with slow association kinetics for iberiotoxin, which was effective only with long incubations. The BK(Ca2+) opener NS-1619 also inhibited the evoked μ-opioid receptor internalization, and iberiotoxin prevented this effect. We concluded that Ca2+ influx through N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors causes the opening of BK(Ca2+) and hyperpolarization in opioid-containing dorsal horn neurons, resulting in the inhibition of opioid release. Since μ-opioid receptors in the dorsal horn mediate analgesia, inhibition of spinal opioid release could contribute to the hyperalgesic actions of spinal N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. PMID:16203108

Long non-coding RNA Loc554202 regulates proliferation and migration in breast cancer cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shi, Yongguo, E-mail: 1138303166@qq.com; Lu, Jianwei, E-mail: jianwei2010077@163.com; Zhou, Jing, E-mail: 2310848@163.com

2014-04-04

Highlights: • First, we have shown that upregulated of the Loc554202 in breast cancer tissues. • Second, we demonstrated the function of Loc554202 in breast cancer cell. • Finally, we demonstrated that LOC554202 knockdown could inhibit tumor growth in vivo. - Abstract: Data derived from massive cloning and traditional sequencing methods have revealed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) play important roles in the development and progression of cancer. Although many studies suggest that the lncRNAs have different cellular functions, many of them are not yet to be identified and characterized for the mechanism of their functions. To address this question,more » we assay the expression level of lncRNAs–Loc554202 in breast cancer tissues and find that Loc554202 is significantly increased compared with normal control, and associated with advanced pathologic stage and tumor size. Moreover, knockdown of Loc554202 decreased breast cancer cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and inhibits migration/invasion in vitro and impeded tumorigenesis in vivo. These data suggest an important role of Loc554202 in breast tumorigenesis.« less

Combined inadequacies of multiple B vitamins amplify colonic Wnt signaling and promote intestinal tumorigenesis in BAT-LacZ×Apc1638N mice

PubMed Central

Liu, Zhenhua; Ciappio, Eric D.; Crott, Jimmy W.; Brooks, Ryan S.; Nesvet, Jared; Smith, Donald E.; Choi, Sang-Woon; Mason, Joel B.

2011-01-01

The Wnt pathway is a pivotal signaling cascade in colorectal carcinogenesis. The purpose of this work is to determine whether depletion of folate and other metabolically related B vitamins induces in vivo activation of intestinal Wnt signaling and whether this occurs in parallel with increased tumorigenesis. A hybrid mouse was created by crossing a Wnt-reporter animal (BAT-LacZ) with a model of colorectal cancer (Apc1638N). A mild depletion of folate and vitamins B2, B6, and B12 was induced over 16 wk, and the control animals in each instance were pair fed a diet containing the basal requirement of these nutrients. The multiplicity of macroscopic tumors and aberrant crypt foci both increased by ∼50% in the hybrid mice fed the depletion diet (P<0.05). A 4-fold elevation in Wnt signaling was produced by the depletion diet (P<0.05) and was accompanied by significant changes in the expression of a number of Wnt-related genes in a pattern consistent with its activation. Proliferation and apoptosis of the colonic mucosa both changed in a protransformational direction (P<0.05). In summary, mild depletion of multiple B vitamins produces in vivo activation of colonic Wnt signaling, implicating it as a key pathway by which B-vitamin inadequacies enhance intestinal tumorigenesis.—Liu, Z., Ciappio, E. D., Crott, J. W., Brooks, R. S., Nesvet, J., Smith, D. E., Choi, S.-W., Mason, J. B. Combined inadequacies of multiple B vitamins amplify colonic Wnt signaling and promote intestinal tumorigenesis in BAT-LacZ×Apc1638N mice. PMID:21646397

Reductive amination-assisted quantitation of tamoxifen and its metabolites by liquid phase chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Liang, Shih-Shin; Wang, Tsu-Nai; Chiu, Chien-Chih; Kuo, Po-Lin; Huang, Mei-Fang; Liu, Meng-Chieh; Tsai, Eing-Mei

2016-02-19

Tamoxifen, a hormonal therapy drug against estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, can be metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes such as CYP3A4 and CYP3A5, and converted to N-desmethyltamoxifen, which is subsequently, metabolized by CYP2D6 and inverted to form 4-hydroxy-N-desmethyltamoxifen (endoxifen). Conventional mass spectrometry (MS) analyses of tamoxifen and its metabolites require isotopic internal standards (ISs). In this study, endoxifen and N-desmethyltamoxifen amine groups were modified by reductive amination with formaldehyde-D2 to produce new metabolite molecules. Both endoxifen and N-desmethyltamoxifen generated their corresponding D2-methyl modified analogs. This method is expected to simplify MS detection and overcome the difficulty in selecting adequate ISs when tamoxifen metabolites are analyzed by absolute quantification. It identified tamoxifen, D2-methyl modified endoxifen, and D2-methyl modified N-desmethyltamoxifen with a linearity ranging from 2 to 5000 ng/mL with correlation coefficient (R(2)) values of 0.9868, 0.9849, and 0.9880, respectively. Furthermore, this reductive amination-based method may enhance the signal intensities of D2-methyl modified N-desmethyltamoxifen and endoxifen, thus facilitating the MS detection. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid and long-chain n-3 fatty acids in mammary and prostate cancer protection: a review.

PubMed

Heinze, Verónica M; Actis, Adriana B

2012-02-01

The role of dietary fatty acids on cancer is still controversial. To examine the current literature on the protective role of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and marine long-chain fatty acids [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] and the risk of breast and prostate cancer, data from 41 case-control and cohort studies and relevant in vitro and animal experiments were included in this 2000-2010 revision. Epidemiological studies on CLA intake or its tissue concentration related to breast and prostate tumorigenesis are not conclusive; EPA and DHA intake have shown important inverse associations just in some studies. Additional research on the analysed association is required.

Methylation in promoter regions of PITX2 and RASSF1A genes in association with clinicopathological features in breast cancer patients.

PubMed

Jezkova, Eva; Kajo, Karol; Zubor, Pavol; Grendar, Marian; Malicherova, Bibiana; Mendelova, Andrea; Dokus, Karol; Lasabova, Zora; Plank, Lukas; Danko, Jan

2016-10-15

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with very different responses to therapy and different length of survival. In many cases, however, the determination of the stage and histopathological characteristics of breast cancer is insufficient to predict prognosis and response to treatment for the vast heterogeneity of the disease. To understand the molecular signature of subtypes of breast cancer, we attempted to identify the methylation status of key tumour suppressor gene Ras association (RalGDS/AF-6) domain family member 1 isoform a (RASSF1A) and a member of the paired-like homeodomain transcription factor family which functions in left-right asymmetry development (PITX2) and to correlate results with known clinicopathological features of breast cancer. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues of breast carcinomas (n = 149) were used for DNA extraction. DNA was modified by bisulphite conversion. Detection of the methylation level of the genes mentioned above was performed by methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting assay (MS-HRM). Based on MS-HRM results for RASSF1A and PITX2, we subdivided the samples into four groups according to methylation level (≤50 % methylated, >50 % methylated, 100 % methylated and completely unmethylated alleles). All degrees of methylation status for both genes underwent analysis of dependence with known clinicopathological features, and we found significant associations. In 134 of 149 (89.9 %) primary breast carcinomas, the RASSF1A promoter was methylated. Total hypermethylation of PITX2 was observed in 60 of 135 (44.4 %) breast cancer cases. RASSF1A hypermethylation had significant association with increased age (p < 0.05), tumour grade (p < 0.0001) and stage (p < 0.0001) in the 100 % methylated group. There was significant association of PITX2 hypermethylation with tumour grade (p < 0.0001) and stage (p < 0.0001). Association between the methylation level of both investigated genes and tumour type was significant for ductal invasive carcinoma cases only (p < 0.0001). This study shows different levels of heterogeneous methylation acquired by MS-HRM assay of the promoter region of RASSF1A and PITX2 and its relationship with clinicopathological features of 149 breast cancer patients. We noticed that immunohistopathological subtypes of breast cancer contain distinct promoter methylation patterns. All these data suggest that hypermethylation of the CpG island promoters of RASSF1A and PITX2 might play an essential role in the very early stages of breast cancer pathogenesis.

Rationale and design of a randomized double-blind clinical trial in breast cancer: dextromethorphan in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

PubMed

Martin, Elodie; Morel, Véronique; Joly, Dominique; Villatte, Christine; Delage, Noémie; Dubray, Claude; Pereira, Bruno; Pickering, Gisèle

2015-03-01

Anti-cancer chemotherapy often induces peripheral neuropathy and consequent cognitive and quality of life impairment. Guidelines recommend antiepileptics or antidepressants but their efficacy is limited.Dextromethorphan, a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, has shown its efficacy in painful diabetic neuropathy and in post-operative pain but has not been studied in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. This clinical trial evaluates the effect of dextromethorphan on pain, cognition and quality of life in patients who suffer from neuropathic pain induced by chemotherapy for breast cancer. It also assesses the impact of dextromethorphan genetic polymorphism on analgesia. This trial is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study in two parallel groups (NCT02271893). It includes 40 breast cancer patients suffering from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. They are randomly allocated to dextromethorphan (maximal dose 90 mg/day) or placebo for 4 weeks. The primary endpoint is pain intensity measured after 4 weeks of treatment on a (0-10) Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes include assessment of neuropathic pain, cognitive function, anxiety/depression, sleep and quality of life. Data analysis is performed using mixed models and the tests are two-sided, with a type I error set at α=0.05. Considering the poor efficacy of available drugs in chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain, dextromethorphan may be a valuable therapeutic option. Pharmacogenetics may provide predictive factors of dextromethorphan response in patients suffering from breast cancer. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Baicalein inhibits breast cancer growth via activating a novel isoform of the long noncoding RNA PAX8-AS1-N.

PubMed

Yu, Xiaolan; Cao, Yong; Tang, Li; Yang, Yingcheng; Chen, Feng; Xia, Jiyi

2018-04-25

Baicalein, a natural flavonoid, has fascinating anti-cancer properties in breast cancer. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of transcripts with no protein-coding potential, also exhibit critical roles in breast cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating the anti-cancer properties of baicalein and whether lncRNAs are involved in the anti-cancer effects are still unclear. In this study, we identified a novel isoform of lncRNA PAX8-AS1 (PAX8-AS1-N), which is activated by baicalein in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Functional assays showed that PAX8-AS1-N reduced cell viability, inhibited cell-cycle progression, and induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells in vitro. Depletion of PAX8-AS1-N promoted breast xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, depletion of PAX8-AS1-N attenuated the suppressive roles of baicalein on cell viability, the apoptosis induced by baicalein, and also the suppressive roles of baicalein on tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, PAX8-AS1-N bound to miR-17-5p, and up-regulated miR-17-5p targets, such as PTEN, CDKN1A, and ZBTB4. In addition, PAX8-AS1-N was down-regulated in breast cancer and reduced expression of PAX8-AS1-N indicated poor survival of breast cancer patients. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that PAX8-AS1-N activation mediated the anti-cancer effects of baicalein via regulating miR-17-5p, and suggested that baicalein and enhancing PAX8-AS1-N would be potential therapeutic strategies against breast cancer. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Novel Methylated Biomarkers and a Robust Assay to Detect Circulating Tumor DNA in Metastatic Breast Cancer

PubMed Central

Fackler, Mary Jo; Bujanda, Zoila Lopez; Umbricht, Christopher; Teo, Wei Wen; Cho, Soonweng; Zhang, Zhe; Visvanathan, Kala; Jeter, Stacie; Argani, Pedram; Wang, Chenguang; Lyman, Jaclyn P.; de Brot, Marina; Ingle, James N.; Boughey, Judy; McGuire, Kandace; King, Tari A.; Carey, Lisa A.; Cope, Leslie; Wolff, Antonio C.; Sukumar, Saraswati

2015-01-01

The ability to consistently detect cell-free tumor-specific DNA in peripheral blood of patients with metastatic breast cancer provides the opportunity to detect changes in tumor burden and to monitor response to treatment. We developed cMethDNA, a quantitative multiplexed methylation-specific PCR assay for a panel of ten genes, consisting of novel and known breast cancer hypermethylated markers identified by mining our previously reported study of DNA methylation patterns in breast tissue (103 cancer, 21 normal on the Illumina HumanMethylation27 Beadchip) and then validating the 10-gene panel in a TCGA breast cancer methylome database. For cMethDNA, a fixed physiological level (50 copies) of artificially constructed, standard non-human reference DNA specific for each gene is introduced into in a constant volume of serum (300 μl) prior to purification of the DNA, facilitating a sensitive, specific, robust and quantitative assay of tumor DNA, with broad dynamic range. Cancer-specific methylated DNA was detected in Training (28 normal, 24 cancer) and Test (27 normal, 33 cancer) sets of recurrent Stage 4 patient sera with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 96% in the test set. In a pilot study, cMethDNA assay faithfully reflected patient response to chemotherapy (N = 29). A core methylation signature present in the primary breast cancer was retained in serum and metastatic tissues collected at autopsy 2–11 years after diagnosis of the disease. Together, our data suggest that the cMethDNA assay can detect advanced breast cancer, and monitor tumor burden and treatment response in women with metastatic breast cancer. PMID:24737128

Investigation of TRPV1 loss-of-function phenotypes in TRPV1 Leu206Stop mice generated by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis.

PubMed

Christoph, Thomas; Kögel, Babette; Schiene, Klaus; Peters, Thomas; Schröder, Wolfgang

2018-06-02

N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) random mutagenesis was used to generate a mouse model for the analysis of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) cation channel. A transversion from T→A in exon 4 led to a Leu206Stop mutation generating a loss-of-function mutant. The TRPV1 agonist capsaicin was used to analyze functional and nociceptive parameters in vitro and in vivo in TRPV1 Leu206Stop mice and congenic C3HeB/FeJ controls. Capsaicin-induced [Ca 2+ ] i changes in small diameter DRG neurons were significantly diminished in TRPV1 Leu206Stop mice and administration of capsaicin induced neither hypothermia nor nocifensive behaviour in vivo. TRPV1 Leu206Stop mice were tested in the spinal nerve ligation of mononeuropathic pain and developed mechanical hypersensitivity two weeks after nerve injury. In the open field test, a significant increase in spontaneous locomotion was detected in TRPV1 Leu206Stop mice as compared to wildtype controls. TRPV1 knockout mice have been reported to carry a similar phenotype regarding capsaicin-evoked responses in vitro and in vivo. However, in contrast to TRPV1 Leu206Stop mice, TRPV1 knockout mice did not differ in spontaneous locomotion as compared to congenic C57BL/6 mice, suggesting subtle ENU-dependent or independent strain differences between TRPV1 Leu206Stop mice and their wildtype controls. In summary, these data revealed a target-related (i.e. capsaicin-evoked) phenotype of TRPV1 Leu206Stop mice closely resembling that of published TRPV1 knockout mice. However, since ENU-mutant mice are congenic with the mouse strain initially used in random mutagenesis, direct phenotypic comparison with the respective wildtype controls is possible, and the time-consuming backcrossing in lines with targeted mutations is avoided. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

New method to measure the carbamoylating activity of nitrosoureas by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

PubMed

Gadzheva, V; Ichimori, K; Raikov, Z; Nakazawa, H

1997-08-01

A new method for measuring the carbamoylating activity of nitrosoureas and isocyanates using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is described. The extent and time course of carbamoylation reaction of chloroethyl isocyanate and a series of 9 nitrosoureas toward amino group of 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-oxyl were examined with both the EPR method and the HPLC method which has been proposed by Brubaker et al. [Biochem. Pharmacol. 35:2359 (1986)]. Spin-labeled nitrosoureas we synthesized are included in this study since they have less toxicity or more efficiency than commercially available drug in some cases. The concentration of carbamoylated product was easily determined with the EPR spectra. There is a very high correlation (r = 0.982, t = 2.58, N = 10, p < 0.001) between the EPR and HPLC methods. Spin-labeled nitrosoureas showed lower carbamoylating activity than non-labeled analogues. The carbamoylating activity for these nitrosourea depended on the reactivity of isocyanate intermediate and almost independent of their half life. This rapid and simple EPR method is suitable for the detailed investigation of the rate and extent of carbamoylation reaction.

Inhibition of Estrogen-Induced Growth of Breast Cancer by Targeting Mitochondria Oxidants

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-01

acetylcysteine (NAC) and ebselen], inhibits estrogen induced expression of cell cycle genes as well as prevention of estrogen-induced growth of malignant breast...have completed proposed research in the original First Task (i) both antioxidants, N- acetylcysteine and ebselen, overexpression of ROS lowering genes...bioassay to test whether estrogen-induced conversion of normal cells to transformed cells is inhibited by treatment with N- acetylcysteine and

Genetic variation in mitotic regulatory pathway genes is associated with breast tumor grade

PubMed Central

Purrington, Kristen S.; Slettedahl, Seth; Bolla, Manjeet K.; Michailidou, Kyriaki; Czene, Kamila; Nevanlinna, Heli; Bojesen, Stig E.; Andrulis, Irene L.; Cox, Angela; Hall, Per; Carpenter, Jane; Yannoukakos, Drakoulis; Haiman, Christopher A.; Fasching, Peter A.; Mannermaa, Arto; Winqvist, Robert; Brenner, Hermann; Lindblom, Annika; Chenevix-Trench, Georgia; Benitez, Javier; Swerdlow, Anthony; Kristensen, Vessela; Guénel, Pascal; Meindl, Alfons; Darabi, Hatef; Eriksson, Mikael; Fagerholm, Rainer; Aittomäki, Kristiina; Blomqvist, Carl; Nordestgaard, Børge G.; Nielsen, Sune F.; Flyger, Henrik; Wang, Xianshu; Olswold, Curtis; Olson, Janet E.; Mulligan, Anna Marie; Knight, Julia A.; Tchatchou, Sandrine; Reed, Malcolm W.R.; Cross, Simon S.; Liu, Jianjun; Li, Jingmei; Humphreys, Keith; Clarke, Christine; Scott, Rodney; Fostira, Florentia; Fountzilas, George; Konstantopoulou, Irene; Henderson, Brian E.; Schumacher, Fredrick; Le Marchand, Loic; Ekici, Arif B.; Hartmann, Arndt; Beckmann, Matthias W.; Hartikainen, Jaana M.; Kosma, Veli-Matti; Kataja, Vesa; Jukkola-Vuorinen, Arja; Pylkäs, Katri; Kauppila, Saila; Dieffenbach, Aida Karina; Stegmaier, Christa; Arndt, Volker; Margolin, Sara; Balleine, Rosemary; Arias Perez, Jose Ignacio; Pilar Zamora, M.; Menéndez, Primitiva; Ashworth, Alan; Jones, Michael; Orr, Nick; Arveux, Patrick; Kerbrat, Pierre; Truong, Thérèse; Bugert, Peter; Toland, Amanda E.; Ambrosone, Christine B.; Labrèche, France; Goldberg, Mark S.; Dumont, Martine; Ziogas, Argyrios; Lee, Eunjung; Dite, Gillian S.; Apicella, Carmel; Southey, Melissa C.; Long, Jirong; Shrubsole, Martha; Deming-Halverson, Sandra; Ficarazzi, Filomena; Barile, Monica; Peterlongo, Paolo; Durda, Katarzyna; Jaworska-Bieniek, Katarzyna; Tollenaar, Robert A.E.M.; Seynaeve, Caroline; Brüning, Thomas; Ko, Yon-Dschun; Van Deurzen, Carolien H.M.; Martens, John W.M.; Kriege, Mieke; Figueroa, Jonine D.; Chanock, Stephen J.; Lissowska, Jolanta; Tomlinson, Ian; Kerin, Michael J.; Miller, Nicola; Schneeweiss, Andreas; Tapper, William J.; Gerty, Susan M.; Durcan, Lorraine; Mclean, Catriona; Milne, Roger L.; Baglietto, Laura; dos Santos Silva, Isabel; Fletcher, Olivia; Johnson, Nichola; Van'T Veer, Laura J.; Cornelissen, Sten; Försti, Asta; Torres, Diana; Rüdiger, Thomas; Rudolph, Anja; Flesch-Janys, Dieter; Nickels, Stefan; Weltens, Caroline; Floris, Giuseppe; Moisse, Matthieu; Dennis, Joe; Wang, Qin; Dunning, Alison M.; Shah, Mitul; Brown, Judith; Simard, Jacques; Anton-Culver, Hoda; Neuhausen, Susan L.; Hopper, John L.; Bogdanova, Natalia; Dörk, Thilo; Zheng, Wei; Radice, Paolo; Jakubowska, Anna; Lubinski, Jan; Devillee, Peter; Brauch, Hiltrud; Hooning, Maartje; García-Closas, Montserrat; Sawyer, Elinor; Burwinkel, Barbara; Marmee, Frederick; Eccles, Diana M.; Giles, Graham G.; Peto, Julian; Schmidt, Marjanka; Broeks, Annegien; Hamann, Ute; Chang-Claude, Jenny; Lambrechts, Diether; Pharoah, Paul D.P.; Easton, Douglas; Pankratz, V. Shane; Slager, Susan; Vachon, Celine M.; Couch, Fergus J.

2014-01-01

Mitotic index is an important component of histologic grade and has an etiologic role in breast tumorigenesis. Several small candidate gene studies have reported associations between variation in mitotic genes and breast cancer risk. We measured associations between 2156 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 194 mitotic genes and breast cancer risk, overall and by histologic grade, in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC) iCOGS study (n = 39 067 cases; n = 42 106 controls). SNPs in TACC2 [rs17550038: odds ratio (OR) = 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16–1.33, P = 4.2 × 10−10) and EIF3H (rs799890: OR = 1.07, 95% CI 1.04–1.11, P = 8.7 × 10−6) were significantly associated with risk of low-grade breast cancer. The TACC2 signal was retained (rs17550038: OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.07–1.23, P = 7.9 × 10−5) after adjustment for breast cancer risk SNPs in the nearby FGFR2 gene, suggesting that TACC2 is a novel, independent genome-wide significant genetic risk locus for low-grade breast cancer. While no SNPs were individually associated with high-grade disease, a pathway-level gene set analysis showed that variation across the 194 mitotic genes was associated with high-grade breast cancer risk (P = 2.1 × 10−3). These observations will provide insight into the contribution of mitotic defects to histological grade and the etiology of breast cancer. PMID:24927736

Rat medium-term multi-organ carcinogenesis bioassay of Agaricus blazei Murrill fruit-body extract.

PubMed

Doi, Yuko; Furukawa, Fumio; Suguro, Mayuko; Ito, Hikaru; Imai, Norio; Nabae, Kyoko; Toda, Yosuke; Inatomi, Satoshi; Kinugasa, Satomi; Kobayashi, Hitoshi

2010-01-01

The modifying potential of Agaricus blazei Murrill fruit-body extract (ABFE) on tumor development was investigated in a medium-term multi-organ carcinogenesis bioassay. Male 6-week-old F344 rats were treated with N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN), N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH), N-butyl-N-(hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine (BBN), and diisopropanolnitrosamine (DHPN) for initiation (DMBDD treatment). After a 1-week withdrawal period, the animals received distilled water (vehicle control) or ABFE A, gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) at 0.8 mg/kg, ABFE B (GABA level of 3.0mg/kg) or ABFE C (GABA level of 12.0mg/kg) by gavage for 24 weeks. There were no effects of ABFE on survival rate, general condition, body weight, food and water consumption, and organ weights. The multiplicity of large intestinal nodules, smaller than 2mm was significantly increased in the ABFE C group with DMBDD treatment. However, there were no significantly inter-group differences in incidences of hyperplastic or neoplastic lesions in colon or other organs, or in immunohistochemically identified preneoplastic lesions in the liver. In conclusion, A. blazei Murrill fruit-body extract, even at a GABA level up to 12 mg/kg, did not exert modifying potential in the present medium-term multi-organ carcinogenesis bioassay in male F344 rats (DMBDD method). Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Clinical symptoms and DNA repair characteristics of xeroderma pigmentosum patients from Germany

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thielmann, H.W.; Popanda, O.; Edler, L.

1991-07-01

Sixty-one xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) patients living in the Federal Republic of Germany were investigated. Clinical symptoms were correlated with DNA repair parameters measured in fibroblasts grown from skin biopsies. Classification according to the international complementation groups revealed that of the 61 patients 3 belonged to group A, 26 to group C, 16 to group D, 3 to group E, and 2 to group F; 11 were of the XP variant type. A striking clinical aspect was the frequency of histogenetically different skin tumors varying from one XP complementation group to the other: squamous and basal cell carcinomas predominated in XPmore » group C; lentigo maligna melanomas were most frequent in group D; basal cell carcinomas occurred preferentially in group E and XP variants. Three DNA repair parameters were determined for 46 fibroblast strains: colony-forming ability (D0); DNA repair synthesis (G0); and DNA-incising capacity (E0). Dose-response experiments with up to 13 dose levels were performed throughout to achieve sufficient experimental accuracy. DNA-damaging treatments included UV light, the 'UV-like' carcinogen N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene, and the alkylating carcinogens methyl methanesulfonate and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. Comparison of clinical signs and repair data was made on the basis of D0, G0, and E0 values of both individual cell strains and weighted means of XP complementation groups. Despite considerable clinical and biochemical heterogeneity within complementation groups distinctive features emerged. In general, D0, G0, and E0 values of all XP strains investigated, including XP variants, were found to be reduced upon treatment with UV light or N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene.« less

The angiotensin receptor blocker, Losartan, inhibits mammary tumor development and progression to invasive carcinoma

PubMed Central

Coulson, Rhiannon; Liew, Seng H.; Connelly, Angela A.; Yee, Nicholas S.; Deb, Siddhartha; Kumar, Beena; Vargas, Ana C.; O’Toole, Sandra A.; Parslow, Adam C.; Poh, Ashleigh; Putoczki, Tracy; Morrow, Riley J.; Alorro, Mariah; Lazarus, Kyren A.; Yeap, Evie F.W.; Walton, Kelly L.; Harrison, Craig A.; Hannan, Natalie J.; George, Amee J.; Clyne, Colin D.; Ernst, Matthias; Allen, Andrew M.; Chand, Ashwini L.

2017-01-01

Drugs that target the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) have recently come into focus for their potential utility as cancer treatments. The use of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors (ACEIs) to manage hypertension in cancer patients is correlated with improved survival outcomes for renal, prostate, breast and small cell lung cancer. Previous studies demonstrate that the Angiotensin Receptor Type I (AT1R) is linked to breast cancer pathogenesis, with unbiased analysis of gene-expression studies identifying significant up-regulation of AGTR1, the gene encoding AT1R in ER+ve/HER2−ve tumors correlating with poor prognosis. However, there is no evidence, so far, of the functional contribution of AT1R to breast tumorigenesis. We explored the potential therapeutic benefit of ARB in a carcinogen-induced mouse model of breast cancer and clarified the mechanisms associated with its success. Mammary tumors were induced with 7,12-dimethylbenz[α]antracene (DMBA) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in female wild type mice and the effects of the ARB, Losartan treatment assessed in a preventative setting (n = 15 per group). Tumor histopathology was characterised by immunohistochemistry, real-time qPCR to detect gene expression signatures, and tumor cytokine levels measured with quantitative bioplex assays. AT1R was detected with radiolabelled ligand binding assays in fresh frozen tumor samples. We showed that therapeutic inhibition of AT1R, with Losartan, resulted in a significant reduction in tumor burden; and no mammary tumor incidence in 20% of animals. We observed a significant reduction in tumor progression from DCIS to invasive cancer with Losartan treatment. This was associated with reduced tumor cell proliferation and a significant reduction in IL-6, pSTAT3 and TNFα levels. Analysis of tumor immune cell infiltrates, however, demonstrated no significant differences in the recruitment of lymphocytes or tumour-associated macrophages in Losartan or vehicle-treated mammary tumors. Analysis of AT1R expression with radiolabelled ligand binding assays in human breast cancer biopsies showed high AT1R levels in 30% of invasive ductal carcinomas analysed. Furthermore, analysis of the TCGA database identified that high AT1R expression to be associated with luminal breast cancer subtype. Our in vivo data and analysis of human invasive ductal carcinoma samples identify the AT1R is a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer, with the availability of a range of well-tolerated inhibitors currently used in clinics. We describe a novel signalling pathway critical in breast tumorigenesis, that may provide new therapeutic avenues to complement current treatments. PMID:28416734

Inhibition of mammary tumor promotion by dietary D,L-2-difluoromethylornithine in combination with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bunce, O.R.; Abou-El-Ela, S.H.

1990-02-26

The authors laboratory has shown an inhibitor effect on mammary tumor promotion by a 20% corn oil diet when D,L-2-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), was fed to female rats with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumors. Analyses of mammary adenocarcinomas from these rats showed that DFMO not only inhibited ODC but also eicosanoid synthesis. Inhibition of tumor promotion, ODC activity and eicosanoid synthesis was additive when dietary combinations of DFMO and menhaden oil were fed. However, when 0.5% DFMO was fed along with 20% dietary fat, signs of toxicity were seen. The overall objective of this study was tomore » establish the minimal and non-toxic dose of DFMO which can give an additive or synergistic antipromoter effect when fed along with dietary n-3 and/or n-6 fatty acids to female Sprague-Dawley rats with DMBA-induced mammary tumors. Four dietary levels of DFMO (0, 0.125, 0.250, and 0.500%) were fed in diets containing 20% fat as either corn, black currant seed or menhaden oil. Dose response effects on tumorigenicity as well as toxicity were noted. Long chain n-3 fatty acids gave greater inhibition of tumorigenesis than shorter chain fatty acids when combined with DFMO. DFMO (0.25%) inhibited tumorigenesis without toxic effects on weight gain, whereas, 0.125% DFMO did not alter tumorigenesis. Supporting biochemical data are presented.« less

[Effects of azadirachtin on rice plant volatiles induced by Nilaparvata lugens].

PubMed

Lu, Hai-Yan; Liu, Fang; Zhu, Shu-De; Zhang, Qing

2010-01-01

With the method of solid phase microextraction (SPME), a total of twenty-five volatiles were collected from rice plants induced by Nilaparvata lugens, and after applying azadirachtin fourteen of them were qualitatively identified by gas chromatography coupled by mass spectrometry (GC-MS), mainly of nine kinds of sesquiterpenes. Comparing with healthy rice plants, the plants attacked by N. lugens had more kinds of volatiles, including limonene, linalool, methyl salicylate, unknown 6, unknown 7, zingiberene, nerolidol, and hexadecane. Applying azadirachtin did not result in the production of new kind volatiles, but affected the relative concentrations of the volatiles induced by N. lugens. The proportions of limonene, linalool, methyl salicylate, unknown 6, zingiberene, and hexadecane changed obviously with the concentration of applied azadirachtin, while those of methyl salicylate, unknown 6, unknown 7, zingiberene, and nerolidol changed significantly with the days after azadirachtin application. Azadirachtin concentration, rice variety, and N. lugens density had significant interactions on the relative concentrations of all test N. lugens-induced volatiles.

Succinate Dehydrogenase Mutation Underlies Global Epigenomic Divergence in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

PubMed Central

Killian, J. Keith; Kim, Su Young; Miettinen, Markku; Smith, Carly; Merino, Maria; Tsokos, Maria; Quezado, Martha; Smith, William I.; Jahromi, Mona S.; Xekouki, Paraskevi; Szarek, Eva; Walker, Robert L.; Lasota, Jerzy; Raffeld, Mark; Klotzle, Brandy; Wang, Zengfeng; Jones, Laura; Zhu, Yuelin; Wang, Yonghong; Waterfall, Joshua J.; O’Sullivan, Maureen J.; Bibikova, Marina; Pacak, Karel; Stratakis, Constantine; Janeway, Katherine A.; Schiffman, Joshua D.; Fan, Jian-Bing; Helman, Lee; Meltzer, Paul S.

2014-01-01

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) harbor driver mutations of signal transduction kinases such as KIT, or, alternatively, manifest loss-of-function defects in the mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex, a component of the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain. We have uncovered a striking divergence between the DNA methylation profiles of SDH-deficient GIST (n = 24) versus KIT tyrosine kinase pathway–mutated GIST (n = 39). Infinium 450K methylation array analysis of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues disclosed an order of magnitude greater genomic hypermethylation relative to SDH-deficient GIST versus the KIT-mutant group (84.9 K vs. 8.4 K targets). Epigenomic divergence was further found among SDH-mutant paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma (n = 29), a developmentally distinct SDH-deficient tumor system. Comparison of SDH -mutant GIST with isocitrate dehydrogenase -mutant glioma, another Krebs cycle–defective tumor type, revealed comparable measures of global hypo- and hypermethylation. These data expose a vital connection between succinate metabolism and genomic DNA methylation during tumorigenesis, and generally implicate the mitochondrial Krebs cycle in nuclear epigenomic maintenance. SIGNIFICANCE This study shows that SDH deficiency underlies pervasive DNA hypermethylation in multiple tumor lineages, generally defining the Krebs cycle as mitochondrial custodian of the methylome. We propose that this phenomenon may result from a failure of maintenance CpG demethylation, secondary to inhibition of the TET 5-methylcytosine dioxgenase demethylation pathway, by inhibitory metabolites that accumulate in tumors with Krebs cycle dysfunction. PMID:23550148

Effectiveness of sodium azide alone compared to sodium azide in combination with methyl nitrosurea for rice mutagenesis

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Rice seeds of the temperate japonica cultivar Kitaake were mutagenized with sodium azide alone and in combination with methyl nitrosourea. Using the reduced representation sequencing method Restriction Enzyme Sequence Comparative Analysis (RESCAN), the mutation densities, types and local sequence co...

Genetic and epigenetic regulation of AHR gene expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells: role of the proximal promoter GC-rich region

PubMed Central

Englert, Neal A.; Turesky, Robert J.; Han, Weiguo; Bessette, Erin E.; Spivack, Simon D.; Caggana, Michele; Spink, David C.; Spink, Barbara C.

2014-01-01

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, contributes to carcinogenesis through its role in the regulation of cytochrome P450 1 (CYP1)-catalyzed metabolism of carcinogens. Here, we investigated genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that affect AhR expression. Analyses of the human AHR proximal promoter in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells using luciferase assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed multiple specificity protein (Sp) 1 binding sequences that are transcriptional activators in vitro. The regulation of AhR expression was evaluated in long-term estrogen exposed (LTEE) MCF-7 cells, which showed increased AhR expression, enhanced CYP1 inducibility, and increased capacity to form DNA adducts when exposed to the dietary carcinogen, 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine. The increased AhR expression in LTEE cells was found not to result from increased mRNA stability, differential RNA processing, or decreased DNA methylation. Analysis of the AHR proximal promoter region using chromatin immunoprecipitation confirmed that enhanced expression of AhR in LTEE cells involves changes in histone modifications, notably decreased trimethylation of histone 3, lysine 27. Upon further examination of the GC-rich Sp1-binding region, we confirmed that it contains a polymorphic (GGGGC)n repeat. In a population of newborns from New York State, the allele frequency of (GGGGC)n was n = 4>5≫6, 2. Circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed the ability of sequences of this GC-rich region to form guanine-quadruplex structures in vitro. These studies revealed multiple levels at which AhR expression may be controlled, and offer additional insights into mechanisms regulating AhR expression that can ultimately impact carcinogenesis. PMID:22728919

Rosa26-GFP Direct Repeat (RaDR-GFP) Mice Reveal Tissue- and Age-Dependence of Homologous Recombination in Mammals In Vivo

PubMed Central

Kay, Jennifer E.; Na, Li; Rowland, Elizabeth A.; Winther, Kelly E.; Chow, Danielle N.; Kimoto, Takafumi; Matsuguchi, Tetsuya; Jonnalagadda, Vidya S.; Maklakova, Vilena I.; Singh, Vijay R.; Wadduwage, Dushan N.; Rajapakse, Jagath; So, Peter T. C.; Collier, Lara S.; Engelward, Bevin P.

2014-01-01

Homologous recombination (HR) is critical for the repair of double strand breaks and broken replication forks. Although HR is mostly error free, inherent or environmental conditions that either suppress or induce HR cause genomic instability. Despite its importance in carcinogenesis, due to limitations in our ability to detect HR in vivo, little is known about HR in mammalian tissues. Here, we describe a mouse model in which a direct repeat HR substrate is targeted to the ubiquitously expressed Rosa26 locus. In the Rosa26 Direct Repeat-GFP (RaDR-GFP) mice, HR between two truncated EGFP expression cassettes can yield a fluorescent signal. In-house image analysis software provides a rapid method for quantifying recombination events within intact tissues, and the frequency of recombinant cells can be evaluated by flow cytometry. A comparison among 11 tissues shows that the frequency of recombinant cells varies by more than two orders of magnitude among tissues, wherein HR in the brain is the lowest. Additionally, de novo recombination events accumulate with age in the colon, showing that this mouse model can be used to study the impact of chronic exposures on genomic stability. Exposure to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, an alkylating agent similar to the cancer chemotherapeutic temozolomide, shows that the colon, liver and pancreas are susceptible to DNA damage-induced HR. Finally, histological analysis of the underlying cell types reveals that pancreatic acinar cells and liver hepatocytes undergo HR and also that HR can be specifically detected in colonic somatic stem cells. Taken together, the RaDR-GFP mouse model provides new understanding of how tissue and age impact susceptibility to HR, and enables future studies of genetic, environmental and physiological factors that modulate HR in mammals. PMID:24901438

Tumor-associated macrophages recruit CCR6+ regulatory T cells and promote the development of colorectal cancer via enhancing CCL20 production in mice.

PubMed

Liu, Jinlin; Zhang, Ning; Li, Qun; Zhang, Weiwei; Ke, Fang; Leng, Qibin; Wang, Hong; Chen, Jinfei; Wang, Honglin

2011-04-29

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) remodel the colorectal cancer (CRC) microenvironment. Yet, findings on the role of TAMs in CRC seem to be contradictory compared with other cancers. FoxP3(+) regulatory T (Treg)-cells dominantly infiltrate CRC. However, the underlying molecular mechanism in which TAMs may contribute to the trafficking of Treg-cells to the tumor mass remains unknown. CRC was either induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) and H. pylori or established by subcutaneous injection of mouse colorectal tumor cell line (CMT93) in mice. CMT93 cells were co-cultured with primary macrophages in a transwell apparatus. Recruitment of FoxP3 green fluorescence protein positive (FoxP3(GFP+)) Treg-cells was assessed using the IVIS Imaging System or immunofluorescence staining. A role for macrophages in trafficking of Treg-cells and in the development of CRC was investigated in CD11b diphtheria toxin receptor (CD11b-DTR) transgenic C57BL/6J mice in which macrophages can be selectively depleted. Treg-cells remarkably infiltrated solid tumor, and predominantly expressed the homing chemokine receptor (CCR) 6 in the induced CRC model. Both CMT93 cancer cells and macrophages produced a large amount of CCL20, the sole ligand of CCR6 in vitro and in vivo. Injection of recombinant mouse CCL20 into tumor sites promoted its development with a marked recruitment of Treg-cells in the graft CRC model. Conditional macrophage ablation decreased CCL20 levels, blocked Treg-cell recruitment and inhibited tumor growth in CD11b-DTR mice grafted with CMT93. TAMs recruit CCR6(+) Treg-cells to tumor mass and promote its development via enhancing the production of CCL20 in a CRC mouse model.

Automethylation of protein arginine methyltransferase 7 and its impact on breast cancer progression.

PubMed

Geng, Pengyu; Zhang, Yu; Liu, Xiaoqing; Zhang, Na; Liu, Yingqi; Liu, Xin; Lin, Cong; Yan, Xu; Li, Zhongwei; Wang, Guannan; Li, Yuxin; Tan, Jiang; Liu, Dong-Xu; Huang, Baiqu; Lu, Jun

2017-06-01

Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) catalyze protein arginine methylation and are linked to carcinogenesis and metastasis. Some members of PRMTs have been found to undergo automethylation; however, the biologic significance of this self-modification is not entirely clear. In this report, we demonstrate that R531 of PRMT7 is self-methylated, both in vitro and in vivo Automethylation of PRMT7 plays a key role in inducing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program and in promoting the migratory and invasive behavior of breast cancer cells. We also prove in a nude mouse model that expression of wild-type PRMT7 in MCF7 breast cancer cells promotes metastasis in vivo , in contrast to the PRMT7 R531K mutant (a mimic of the unmethylated status). Moreover, our immunohistochemical data unravel a close link between PRMT7 automethylation and the clinical outcome of breast carcinomas. Mechanistically, we determine that loss of PRMT7 automethylation leads to the reduction of its recruitment to the E-cadherin promoter by YY1, which consequently derepresses the E-cadherin expression through decreasing the H4R3me2s level. The findings in this work define a novel post-translational modification of PRMT7 that has a promoting impact on breast cancer metastasis.-Geng, P., Zhang, Y., Liu, X., Zhang, N., Liu, Y., Liu, X., Lin, C., Yan, X., Li, Z., Wang, G., Li, Y., Tan, J., Liu, D.-X., Huang, B., Lu, J. Automethylation of protein arginine methyltransferase 7 and its impact on breast cancer progression. © FASEB.

Influence of live tularemia vaccine on chemical mutagenesis in white rats

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zil'fyan, V.N.; Nersesyan, A.K.; Kumkumadzhyan, V.A.

1986-03-01

The influence of a single cutaneous immunization of live dry tularemia vaccine (TV) on mutagenesis induced by cyclophosphamide (CP), methyl nitrosourea (MNU), benzopyrene(BP), chloroprene (ChP), and 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobutane (TCB) is studied for the first time on rats of the Wistar line. It is established that in rats immunized with TV, significant reduction in number of aberrant myelokaryocytes is noted on the 15th day after vaccination as compared to unimmunized animals which received the mutagens indicated. Possible mechanisms of the effect obtained are discussed.

Supplementation with N-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids or Olive Oil in Men and Women with Renal Disease Induces Differential Changes in the DNA Methylation of FADS2 and ELOVL5 in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

PubMed Central

Hoile, Samuel P.; Clarke-Harris, Rebecca; Huang, Rae-Chi; Calder, Philip C.; Mori, Trevor A.; Beilin, Lawrence J.; Lillycrop, Karen A.; Burdge, Graham C.

2014-01-01

Background Studies in animal models and in cultured cells have shown that fatty acids can induce alterations in the DNA methylation of specific genes. There have been no studies of the effects of fatty acid supplementation on the epigenetic regulation of genes in adult humans. Methods and Results We investigated the effect of supplementing renal patients with 4 g daily of either n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) or olive oil (OO) for 8 weeks on the methylation status of individual CpG loci in the 5′ regulatory region of genes involved in PUFA biosynthesis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from men and women (aged 53 to 63 years). OO and n-3 LCPUFA each altered (>10% difference in methylation) 2/22 fatty acid desaturase (FADS)-2 CpGs, while n-3 LCPUFA, but not OO, altered (>10%) 1/12 ELOVL5 CpGs in men. OO altered (>6%) 8/22 FADS2 CpGs and (>3%) 3/12 elongase (ELOVL)-5 CpGs, while n-3 LCPUFA altered (>5%) 3/22 FADS2 CpGs and 2/12 (>3%) ELOVL5 CpGs in women. FADS1 or ELOVL2 methylation was unchanged. The n-3 PUFA supplementation findings were replicated in blood DNA from healthy adults (aged 23 to 30 years). The methylation status of the altered CpGs in FADS2 and ELOVL5 was associated negatively with the level of their transcripts. Conclusions These findings show that modest fatty acid supplementation can induce altered methylation of specific CpG loci in adult humans, contingent on the nature of the supplement and on sex. This has implications for understanding the effect of fatty acids on PUFA metabolism and cell function. PMID:25329159

The in vivo Therapeutic Effect of Free Wanderer Powder (逍 遙 散 xiāo yáo sǎn, Xiaoyaosan) on Mice with 4T1 Cell Induced Breast Cancer Model

PubMed Central

Chen, Wen-Fang; Xu, Li; Yu, Chung-Him; Ho, Chui-Kwan; Wu, Ka; Leung, Gina CW; Wong, Man-Sau

2012-01-01

In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of a classical TCM formula, Free Wanderer Powder (逍遙散 xiāo yáo sǎn), in a breast cancer mouse model induced with estrogen-insensitive breast cancer 4T1 cells. Ovariectomized Balb/c mice (6-8 weeks) or sham mice were injected into the fourth mammary fat pad with 4T1 cells in which tumors were palpable 7 days after injection. On the eighth day, the mice were divided into 4 groups and tubefed daily with vehicle, Free Wanderer Powder (逍遙散 xiāo yáo sǎn) formula or tamoxifen for 28 days. Tumor growth inhibition and the decrease of the average tumor mass were most evident in mice treated with Free Wanderer Powder (逍遙散 xiāo yáo sǎn). Free Wanderer Powder (逍遙散 xiāo yáo sǎn) treatment significantly reduced Bcl-2 and elevated Bax and p53 protein expressions in breast cancer tumor. These results were further confirmed by immunohistochemisty. Tamoxifen could decrease spleen mass and Bcl-2 protein expression, increase the Bax protein expression as well as exert uterotrophic effects by increasing uterus index and inducing the gene expressions in the uterus. Taken together, these results show that Free Wanderer Powder (逍遙散 xiāo yáo sǎn) treatment induced apoptosis at protein level and inhibited the tumor growth in 4T1-induced ovariectomized Balb/c female mice, indicating the possibility of its future use for treatment of estrogen-insensitive breast caner. PMID:24716117

Aberrant methylation accounts for cell adhesion-related gene silencing during 3-methylcholanthrene and diethylnitrosamine induced multistep rat lung carcinogenesis associated with overexpression of DNA methyltransferases 1 and 3a

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu Wenbin; Cui Zhihong; Ao Lin

To evaluate the significance of alterations in cell adhesion-related genes methylation during lung multistep carcinogenesis induced by the genotoxic carcinogens 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) and diethylnitrosamine (DEN), tissue samples microdissected from MCA/DEN-induced rat lung carcinogenesis model were subjected to methylation-specific PCR to evaluate the DNA methylation status of CADM1, TIMP3, E-cadherin and N-cadherin. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine protein expression of CADM1, TIMP3, N-cadherin and the DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) 1, 3a and 3b. E-cadherin hypermethylation was not detected in any tissue. CADM1, TIMP3 and N-cadherin hypermethylation was correlated with the loss of their protein expression during the progression of pathologic lesions. Themore » prevalence of DNA methylation of at least one gene and the average number of methylated genes increased with the histological progression. DNMT1 and DNMT3a protein expression increased progressively during the stages of lung carcinogenesis, whereas DNMT3b overexpression was only found in several samples. Furthermore, DNMT1 protein expression levels were correlated with CADM1 methylation, and DNMT3a protein expression levels were correlated with CADM1, TIMP3 and N-cadherin methylation. The average number of methylated genes during carcinogenesis was significantly correlated with DNMT1 and DNMT3a protein expression levels. Moreover, mRNA expression of CADM1 significantly increased after treatment with DNMT inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine in CADM1-methylated primary tumor cell lines. Our findings suggest that an accumulation of hypermethylation accounts for cell adhesion-related gene silencing is associated with dynamic changes in the progression of MCA/DEN-induced rat lung carcinogenesis. We suggest that DNMT1 and DNMT3a protein overexpression may be responsible for this aberrant DNA methylation.« less

A methionine-free diet associated with nitrosourea treatment down-regulates methylguanine-DNA methyl transferase activity in patients with metastatic cancer.

PubMed

Thivat, Emilie; Durando, Xavier; Demidem, Aïcha; Farges, Marie-Chantal; Rapp, Maryse; Cellarier, Eric; Guenin, Samuel; D'Incan, Michel; Vasson, Marie-Paule; Chollet, Philippe

2007-01-01

Methionine (MET) depletion used in association with chemotherapy improves the therapeutic index in animal models. This potentiating effect may be due to tumor cell sensitization to chloroethylnitrosoureas through their MET dependency and the down-regulation of O6- methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). Our purpose was to evaluate the impact of the association of a dietary MET restriction with nitrosourea treatment on MGMT activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Six patients with metastatic cancer (melanoma and glioma) received 4 cycles of a MET-free diet with cystemustine (60 mg/m2). MGMT activity in PBMCs decreased by an average of 13% from 553+/-90 fnol/mg before the diet to 413+/-59 fmol/mg after the diet + chemotherapy period (p=0.029). The decrease of MGMT activity was not affected by the duration of the MET-free diet period but seems to be correlated to the plasma MET depletion induced by the MET-free diet.

Altered IFN-γ-mediated immunity and transcriptional expression patterns in N-Ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced STAT4 mutants confer susceptibility to acute typhoid-like disease.

PubMed

Eva, Megan M; Yuki, Kyoko E; Dauphinee, Shauna M; Schwartzentruber, Jeremy A; Pyzik, Michal; Paquet, Marilène; Lathrop, Mark; Majewski, Jacek; Vidal, Silvia M; Malo, Danielle

2014-01-01

Salmonella enterica is a ubiquitous Gram-negative intracellular bacterium that continues to pose a global challenge to human health. The etiology of Salmonella pathogenesis is complex and controlled by pathogen, environmental, and host genetic factors. In fact, patients immunodeficient in genes in the IL-12, IL-23/IFN-γ pathway are predisposed to invasive nontyphoidal Salmonella infection. Using a forward genomics approach by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) germline mutagenesis in mice, we identified the Ity14 (Immunity to Typhimurium locus 14) pedigree exhibiting increased susceptibility following in vivo Salmonella challenge. A DNA-binding domain mutation (p.G418_E445) in Stat4 (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription Factor 4) was the causative mutation. STAT4 signals downstream of IL-12 to mediate transcriptional regulation of inflammatory immune responses. In mutant Ity14 mice, the increased splenic and hepatic bacterial load resulted from an intrinsic defect in innate cell function, IFN-γ-mediated immunity, and disorganized granuloma formation. We further show that NK and NKT cells play an important role in mediating control of Salmonella in Stat4(Ity14/Ity14) mice. Stat4(Ity14/Ity14) mice had increased expression of genes involved in cell-cell interactions and communication, as well as increased CD11b expression on a subset of splenic myeloid dendritic cells, resulting in compromised recruitment of inflammatory cells to the spleen during Salmonella infection. Stat4(Ity14/Ity14) presented upregulated compensatory mechanisms, although inefficient and ultimately Stat4(Ity14/Ity14) mice develop fatal bacteremia. The following study further elucidates the pathophysiological impact of STAT4 during Salmonella infection.

Generation of N-Ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) Diabetes Models in Mice Demonstrates Genotype-specific Action of Glucokinase Activators*

PubMed Central

Fenner, Deborah; Odili, Stella; Hong, Hee-Kyung; Kobayashi, Yumiko; Kohsaka, Akira; Siepka, Sandra M.; Vitaterna, Martha H.; Chen, Pan; Zelent, Bogumil; Grimsby, Joseph; Takahashi, Joseph S.; Matschinsky, Franz M.; Bass, Joseph

2011-01-01

We performed genome-wide mutagenesis in C57BL/6J mice using N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea to identify mutations causing high blood glucose early in life and to produce new animal models of diabetes. Of a total of 13 new lines confirmed by heritability testing, we identified two semi-dominant pedigrees with novel missense mutations (GckK140E and GckP417R) in the gene encoding glucokinase (Gck), the mammalian glucose sensor that is mutated in human maturity onset diabetes of the young type 2 and the target of emerging anti-hyperglycemic agents that function as glucokinase activators (GKAs). Diabetes phenotype corresponded with genotype (mild-to-severe: Gck+/+ < GckP417R/+, GckK140E/+ < GckP417R/P417R, GckP417R/K140E, and GckK140E/K140E) and with the level of expression of GCK in liver. Each mutant was produced as the recombinant enzyme in Escherichia coli, and analysis of kcat and tryptophan fluorescence (I320/360) during thermal shift unfolding revealed a correlation between thermostability and the severity of hyperglycemia in the whole animal. Disruption of the glucokinase regulatory protein-binding site (GCKK140E), but not the ATP binding cassette (GCKP417R), prevented inhibition of enzyme activity by glucokinase regulatory protein and corresponded with reduced responsiveness to the GKA drug. Surprisingly, extracts from liver of diabetic GCK mutants inhibited activity of the recombinant enzyme, a property that was also observed in liver extracts from mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. These results indicate a relationship between genotype, phenotype, and GKA efficacy. The integration of forward genetic screening and biochemical profiling opens a pathway for preclinical development of mechanism-based diabetes therapies. PMID:21921030

Differences in temporal aspects of mutagenesis and cytotoxicity in Chinese hamster cells treated with methylating agents and thymidine.

PubMed Central

Peterson, A R; Peterson, H

1982-01-01

Equitoxic concentrations of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and methyl methanesulfonate (MeMes) produced different frequencies of 8-azaguanine-resistant mutants and different amounts of N7-methylguanine, O6-methylguanine (m6G), and N3-methyladenine in the DNA of V79 Chinese hamster cells. Thus, neither the cytotoxicities nor the mutagenicities of these methylating agents could be attributed solely to nitrogen or to oxygen methylations in the DNA. However, MNNG produced 12-fold more m6G and 5-fold more mutants than did MeMes, indicating that a substantial part of the MNNG-induced mutations resulted from m6G--thymine mispairing during DNA replication. The expression as mutants of mutagenic oxygen methylations in the DNA of cells treated with MNNG was enhanced by thymidine (dThd) and deoxycytidine (dCyd), but these nucleosides did not significantly enhance MeMes-induced mutagenesis. The cytotoxicities of MNNG and MeMes were also increased by 10 microM dThd in proportion to the amount of m6G in the DNA. These increases in cytotoxicity were abolished by dCyd, which did not greatly reduce the dThd-induced enhancements of mutagenesis. Moreover, when dThd was present only during the 2-hr treatment with MNNG, maximal cytotoxicity occurred, but MNNG-induced mutagenesis was not increased. Maximal mutagenesis occurred when the dThd was present throughout the first doubling time of the MNNG-treated cells. Thus, the expression of the cytotoxicity and the mutagenicity associated with m6G in the DNA of V79 cells occurred by quite different mechanisms. PMID:6951203

Differences in temporal aspects of mutagenesis and cytotoxicity in Chinese hamster cells treated with methylating agents and thymidine.

PubMed

Peterson, A R; Peterson, H

1982-03-01

Equitoxic concentrations of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and methyl methanesulfonate (MeMes) produced different frequencies of 8-azaguanine-resistant mutants and different amounts of N7-methylguanine, O6-methylguanine (m6G), and N3-methyladenine in the DNA of V79 Chinese hamster cells. Thus, neither the cytotoxicities nor the mutagenicities of these methylating agents could be attributed solely to nitrogen or to oxygen methylations in the DNA. However, MNNG produced 12-fold more m6G and 5-fold more mutants than did MeMes, indicating that a substantial part of the MNNG-induced mutations resulted from m6G--thymine mispairing during DNA replication. The expression as mutants of mutagenic oxygen methylations in the DNA of cells treated with MNNG was enhanced by thymidine (dThd) and deoxycytidine (dCyd), but these nucleosides did not significantly enhance MeMes-induced mutagenesis. The cytotoxicities of MNNG and MeMes were also increased by 10 microM dThd in proportion to the amount of m6G in the DNA. These increases in cytotoxicity were abolished by dCyd, which did not greatly reduce the dThd-induced enhancements of mutagenesis. Moreover, when dThd was present only during the 2-hr treatment with MNNG, maximal cytotoxicity occurred, but MNNG-induced mutagenesis was not increased. Maximal mutagenesis occurred when the dThd was present throughout the first doubling time of the MNNG-treated cells. Thus, the expression of the cytotoxicity and the mutagenicity associated with m6G in the DNA of V79 cells occurred by quite different mechanisms.

Differential Ratios of Omega Fatty Acids (AA/EPA+DHA) Modulate Growth, Lipid Peroxidation and Expression of Tumor Regulatory MARBPs in Breast Cancer Cell Lines MCF7 and MDA-MB-231

PubMed Central

Mansara, Prakash P.; Deshpande, Rashmi A.; Vaidya, Milind M.; Kaul-Ghanekar, Ruchika

2015-01-01

Omega 3 (n3) and Omega 6 (n6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been reported to exhibit opposing roles in cancer progression. Our objective was to determine whether different ratios of n6/n3 (AA/EPA+DHA) FAs could modulate the cell viability, lipid peroxidation, total cellular fatty acid composition and expression of tumor regulatory Matrix Attachment Region binding proteins (MARBPs) in breast cancer cell lines and in non-cancerous, MCF10A cells. Low ratios of n6/n3 (1:2.5, 1:4, 1:5, 1:10) FA decreased the viability and growth of MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 significantly compared to the non-cancerous cells (MCF10A). Contrarily, higher n6/n3 FA (2.5:1, 4:1, 5:1, 10:1) decreased the survival of both the cancerous and non-cancerous cell types. Lower ratios of n6/n3 selectively induced LPO in the breast cancer cells whereas the higher ratios induced in both cancerous and non-cancerous cell types. Interestingly, compared to higher n6/n3 FA ratios, lower ratios increased the expression of tumor suppressor MARBP, SMAR1 and decreased the expression of tumor activator Cux/CDP in both breast cancer and non-cancerous, MCF10A cells. Low n6/n3 FAs significantly increased SMAR1 expression which resulted into activation of p21WAF1/CIP1 in MDA-MB-231 and MCF7, the increase being ratio dependent in MDA-MB-231. These results suggest that increased intake of n3 fatty acids in our diet could help both in the prevention as well as management of breast cancer. PMID:26325577

Augmentation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-dependent neuronal cell death by acidosis.

PubMed

Zhang, Jian; Li, Xiaoling; Kwansa, Herman; Kim, Yun Tai; Yi, Liye; Hong, Gina; Andrabi, Shaida A; Dawson, Valina L; Dawson, Ted M; Koehler, Raymond C; Yang, Zeng-Jin

2017-06-01

Tissue acidosis is a key component of cerebral ischemic injury, but its influence on cell death signaling pathways is not well defined. One such pathway is parthanatos, in which oxidative damage to DNA results in activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and generation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymers that trigger release of mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor. In primary neuronal cultures, we first investigated whether acidosis per sé is capable of augmenting parthanatos signaling initiated pharmacologically with the DNA alkylating agent, N-methyl- N'-nitro- N-nitrosoguanidine. Exposure of neurons to medium at pH 6.2 for 4 h after N-methyl- N'-nitro- N-nitrosoguanidine washout increased intracellular calcium and augmented the N-methyl- N'-nitro- N-nitrosoguanidine-evoked increase in poly(ADP-ribose) polymers, nuclear apoptosis-inducing factor , and cell death. The augmented nuclear apoptosis-inducing factor and cell death were blocked by the acid-sensitive ion channel-1a inhibitor, psalmotoxin. In vivo, acute hyperglycemia during transient focal cerebral ischemia augmented tissue acidosis, poly(ADP-ribose) polymers formation, and nuclear apoptosis-inducing factor , which was attenuated by a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor. Infarct volume from hyperglycemic ischemia was decreased in poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1-null mice. Collectively, these results demonstrate that acidosis can directly amplify neuronal parthanatos in the absence of ischemia through acid-sensitive ion channel-1a . The results further support parthanatos as one of the mechanisms by which ischemia-associated tissue acidosis augments cell death.

Effects of Metformin, Buformin, and Phenformin on the Post Initiation Stage of Chemically-Induced Mammary Carcinogenesis in the Rat

PubMed Central

Zhu, Zongjian; Jiang, Weiqin; Thompson, Matthew D.; Echeverria, Dimas; McGinley, John N.; Thompson, Henry J.

2015-01-01

Metformin is a widely prescribed drug for the treatment of type-2 diabetes. Although epidemiological data have provided a strong rationale for investigating the potential of this biguanide for use in cancer prevention and control, uncertainty exists whether metformin should be expected to have an impact in non-diabetic patients. Furthermore, little attention has been given to the possibility that other biguanides may have anticancer activity. In this study, the effects of clinically relevant doses of metformin (9.3mmol/kg diet), buformin (7.6 mmol/kg diet), and phenformin (5.0 mmol/kg diet) were compared to rats fed control diet (AIN93-G) during the post initiation stage of 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea-induced (50 mg/kg body weight) mammary carcinogenesis (n = 30/group). Plasma, liver, skeletal muscle, visceral fat, mammary gland, and mammary carcinoma concentrations of the biguanides were determined. In comparison to the control group, buformin decreased cancer incidence, multiplicity, and burden; whereas, metformin and phenformin had no statistically significant effect on the carcinogenic process relative to the control group. Buformin did not alter fasting plasma glucose or insulin. Within mammary carcinomas, evidence was obtained that buformin treatment perturbed signaling pathways related to energy sensing. However, further investigation is needed to determine the relative contributions of host systemic and cell autonomous mechanisms to the anticancer activity of biguanides such as buformin. PMID:25804611

Preliminary individualized chemotherapy for malignant astrocytomas based on O6-methylguanine-deoxyribonucleic acid methyltransferase methylation analysis.

PubMed

Watanabe, Takao; Katayama, Yoichi; Ogino, Akiyoshi; Ohta, Takashi; Yoshino, Atsuo; Fukushima, Takao

2006-08-01

O(6)-methylguanine-deoxyribonucleic acid methyltransferase gene (MGMT) methylation is apparently correlated with responsiveness to nitrosourea chemotherapy, suggesting this alkylating agent should be effective against MGMT-methylated tumors. MGMT appears not to be linked to platinum resistance, so platinum chemotherapy should be used for MGMT-unmethylated tumors. This study was a preliminary trial of individualized chemotherapy based on MGMT methylation status in a total of 20 patients with newly diagnosed malignant astrocytomas (9 anaplastic astrocytomas and 11 glioblastomas multiforme). The procarbazine, 1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)methyl-3-2(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea, and vincristine (PAV) regimen was administered to seven patients with MGMT-methylated tumors, and the carboplatin and etoposide (CE) regimen was administered to 13 patients with MGMT-unmethylated tumors. Objective response to the PAV therapy was noted in all three patients with measurable residual tumor (2 complete responses and 1 partial response). Five of the seven patients continued to be disease-free after initiation of the PAV therapy. Objective response to the CE therapy was seen in only one of seven patients with measurable residual tumor (1 partial response). Three of the 13 patients were free from progression, whereas the remaining 10 patients showed early progression. The PAV regimen is effective against MGMT-methylated malignant astrocytomas, but the CE regimen is not useful at the given dose and schedule in MGMT-unmethylated tumors.

Chloroethylating nitrosoureas in cancer therapy: DNA damage, repair and cell death signaling.

PubMed

Nikolova, Teodora; Roos, Wynand P; Krämer, Oliver H; Strik, Herwig M; Kaina, Bernd

2017-08-01

Chloroethylating nitrosoureas (CNU), such as lomustine, nimustine, semustine, carmustine and fotemustine are used for the treatment of malignant gliomas, brain metastases of different origin, melanomas and Hodgkin disease. They alkylate the DNA bases and give rise to the formation of monoadducts and subsequently interstrand crosslinks (ICL). ICL are critical cytotoxic DNA lesions that link the DNA strands covalently and block DNA replication and transcription. As a result, S phase progression is inhibited and cells are triggered to undergo apoptosis and necrosis, which both contribute to the effectiveness of CNU-based cancer therapy. However, tumor cells resist chemotherapy through the repair of CNU-induced DNA damage. The suicide enzyme O 6 -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) removes the precursor DNA lesion O 6 -chloroethylguanine prior to its conversion into ICL. In cells lacking MGMT, the formed ICL evoke complex enzymatic networks to accomplish their removal. Here we discuss the mechanism of ICL repair as a survival strategy of healthy and cancer cells and DNA damage signaling as a mechanism contributing to CNU-induced cell death. We also discuss therapeutic implications and strategies based on sequential and simultaneous treatment with CNU and the methylating drug temozolomide. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The enhancing effect of ethanol on the mutagenic activation of N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine by cytochrome P450 2A in the rat oesophagus.

PubMed

Tatematsu, Kenjiro; Koide, Akihiro; Morimura, Keiichirou; Fukushima, Shoji; Mori, Yukio

2013-03-01

Alcohol consumption is frequently associated with various cancers and the enhancement of the metabolic activation of carcinogens has been proposed as a mechanism underlying this relationship. The ethanol-induced enhancement of N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN)-mediated carcinogenesis can be attributed to an increase in hepatic activity. However, the mechanism of elevation of N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA)-induced tumorigenesis remains unclear. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the role of ethanol in the enhancement of NMBA-induced oesophageal carcinogenesis, we evaluated the hepatic and extrahepatic levels of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) and mutagenic activation of environmental carcinogens by immunoblot analyses and Ames preincubation test, respectively, in F344 rats treated with ethanol. Five weeks of treatment with 10% ethanol added to the drinking water or two intragastric treatments with 50% ethanol, both resulted in elevated levels of CYP2E1 (1.5- to 2.3-fold) and mutagenic activities of DEN, N-nitrosodimethylamine and N-nitrosopyrrolidine in the presence of rat liver S9 (1.5- to 2.4-fold). This was not the case with CYP1A1/2, CYP2A1/2, CYP2B1/2 or CYP3A2, nor with the activities of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole, aflatoxin B(1) or other N-nitroso compounds (NOCs), including NMBA. Ethanol-induced elevations of CYP2A and CYP2E1 were observed in the oesophagus (up to 1.7- and 2.3-fold) and kidney (up to 1.5- and 1.8-fold), but not in the lung or colon. In oesophagus and kidney, the mutagenic activities of NMBA and four NOCs were markedly increased (1.3- to 2.4-fold) in treated rats. The application of several CYP inhibitors revealed that CYP2A were likely to contribute to the enhancing effect of ethanol on NMBA activation in the rat oesophagus and kidney, but that CYP2E1 failed to do so. These results showed that the enhancing effect of ethanol on NMBA-induced oesophageal carcinogenesis could be attributed to an increase in the metabolic activation of NMBA by oesophageal CYP2A during the initiation phase, and that this occurred independently of CYP2E1.

Direct binding of Toll-like receptor 4 to ionotropic glutamate receptor N-methyl-D-aspartate subunit 1 induced by lipopolysaccharide in microglial cells N9 and EOC 20.

PubMed

Cui, Jie; Yu, Siyuan; Li, Yihui; Li, Pan; Liu, Feng

2018-03-01

Microglia, the primary immune cells in the brain, are the predominant cells regulating inflammation-mediated neuronal damage. In response to immunological challenges, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), microglia are activated and the inflammatory process is subsequently initiated. The aim of the present study was to determine whether LPS induces interactions between the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the ionotropic glutamate receptor N-methyl-D‑aspartate subunit 1 (GluN1) in N9 and EOC 20 microglial cells. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated co-localization of TLR4 and GluN1 in response to LPS, and the direct binding of TLR4 and GluN1 was further validated by antibody-based Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer technology. Inhibition of the group I metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 with its selective antagonist, MTEP, abolished LPS-induced direct binding of TLR4 to GluN1. Therefore, these data demonstrated that GluN1 and TLR4 act reciprocally in response to LPS in N9 and EOC 20 microglial cells.

Small molecule inhibition of group I p21-activated kinases in breast cancer induces apoptosis and potentiates the activity of microtubule stabilizing agents.

PubMed

Ong, Christy C; Gierke, Sarah; Pitt, Cameron; Sagolla, Meredith; Cheng, Christine K; Zhou, Wei; Jubb, Adrian M; Strickland, Laura; Schmidt, Maike; Duron, Sergio G; Campbell, David A; Zheng, Wei; Dehdashti, Seameen; Shen, Min; Yang, Nora; Behnke, Mark L; Huang, Wenwei; McKew, John C; Chernoff, Jonathan; Forrest, William F; Haverty, Peter M; Chin, Suet-Feung; Rakha, Emad A; Green, Andrew R; Ellis, Ian O; Caldas, Carlos; O'Brien, Thomas; Friedman, Lori S; Koeppen, Hartmut; Rudolph, Joachim; Hoeflich, Klaus P

2015-04-23

Breast cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide among women, is a molecularly and clinically heterogeneous disease. Extensive genetic and epigenetic profiling of breast tumors has recently revealed novel putative driver genes, including p21-activated kinase (PAK)1. PAK1 is a serine/threonine kinase downstream of small GTP-binding proteins, Rac1 and Cdc42, and is an integral component of growth factor signaling networks and cellular functions fundamental to tumorigenesis. PAK1 dysregulation (copy number gain, mRNA and protein expression) was evaluated in two cohorts of breast cancer tissues (n=980 and 1,108). A novel small molecule inhibitor, FRAX1036, and RNA interference were used to examine PAK1 loss of function and combination with docetaxel in vitro. Mechanism of action for the therapeutic combination, both cellular and molecular, was assessed via time-lapse microscopy and immunoblotting. We demonstrate that focal genomic amplification and overexpression of PAK1 are associated with poor clinical outcome in the luminal subtype of breast cancer (P=1.29×10(-4) and P=0.015, respectively). Given the role for PAK1 in regulating cytoskeletal organization, we hypothesized that combination of PAK1 inhibition with taxane treatment could be combined to further interfere with microtubule dynamics and cell survival. Consistent with this, administration of docetaxel with either a novel small molecule inhibitor of group I PAKs, FRAX1036, or PAK1 small interfering RNA oligonucleotides dramatically altered signaling to cytoskeletal-associated proteins, such as stathmin, and induced microtubule disorganization and cellular apoptosis. Live-cell imaging revealed that the duration of mitotic arrest mediated by docetaxel was significantly reduced in the presence of FRAX1036, and this was associated with increased kinetics of apoptosis. Taken together, these findings further support PAK1 as a potential target in breast cancer and suggest combination with taxanes as a viable strategy to increase anti-tumor efficacy.

Association between global DNA hypomethylation in leukocytes and risk of breast cancer

PubMed Central

Choi, Ji-Yeob; James, Smitha R.; Link, Petra A.; McCann, Susan E.; Hong, Chi-Chen; Davis, Warren; Nesline, Mary K.; Ambrosone, Christine B.; Karpf, Adam R.

2009-01-01

Background: Global DNA hypomethylation may result in chromosomal instability and oncogene activation, and as a surrogate of systemic methylation activity, may be associated with breast cancer risk. Methods: Samples and data were obtained from women with incident early-stage breast cancer (I–IIIa) and women who were cancer free, frequency matched on age and race. In preliminary analyses, genomic methylation of leukocyte DNA was determined by measuring 5-methyldeoxycytosine (5-mdC), as well as methylation analysis of the LINE-1-repetitive DNA element. Further analyses used only 5-mdC levels. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risk of breast cancer in relation to amounts of methylation. Results: In a subset of samples tested (n = 37), 5-mdC level was not correlated with LINE-1 methylation. 5-mdC level in leukocyte DNA was significantly lower in breast cancer cases than healthy controls (P = 0.001), but no significant case–control differences were observed with LINE-1 methylation (P = 0.176). In the entire data set, we noted significant differences in 5-mdC levels in leukocytes between cases (n = 176) and controls (n = 173); P value < 0.001. Compared with women in the highest 5-mdC tertile (T3), women in the second (T2; OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 0.84–2.65) and lowest tertile (T1; OR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.65–4.94) had higher risk of breast cancer (P for trend ≤0.001). Among controls only and cases and controls combined, only alcohol intake was found to be inversely associated with methylation levels. Conclusion: These findings suggest that leukocyte DNA hypomethylation is independently associated with development of breast cancer. PMID:19584139

Promoter methylation in head and neck tumorigenesis.

PubMed

Stephen, Josena K; Chen, Kang Mei; Havard, Shaleta; Harris, Glynis; Worsham, Maria J

2012-01-01

In addition to genetic alterations of gains and losses, epigenetic events of promoter methylation appear to further undermine a destabilized genomic repertoire in squamous head and neck carcinoma (HNSCC). This chapter provides an overview of frequently methylated tumor suppressor genes in benign head and neck papillomas, primary HNSCC tumors, and HNSCC cell lines and their relevance as epigenetic markers in head and neck tumorigenesis.

Oncogene-Induced Changes in Mammary Cell Fate and EMT in Breast Tumorigenesis

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-01

have worked on the project? Name: Lauren Walheim Project Role: Chemistry pre-medicine undergraduate student Researcher Identifier (e.g. ORCID ID...Distribution Unlimited The views, opinions and/or findings contained in this report are those of the author( s ) and should not be construed as an...Examine if IGF1R alters mammary cell fate in vivo and the effect this has on mammary tumorigenesis (months 13-30) ...…………………………………………….......11 2a

TRIM24 links glucose metabolism with transformation of human mammary epithelial cells.

PubMed

Pathiraja, T N; Thakkar, K N; Jiang, S; Stratton, S; Liu, Z; Gagea, M; Shi, X; Shah, P K; Phan, L; Lee, M-H; Andersen, J; Stampfer, M; Barton, M C

2015-05-28

Tripartite motif 24 protein (TRIM24) is a plant homeodomain/bromodomain histone reader, recently associated with poor overall survival of breast-cancer patients. At a molecular level, TRIM24 is a negative regulator of p53 levels and a co-activator of estrogen receptor. However, the role of TRIM24 in breast tumorigenesis remains largely unknown. We used an isogenic human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) culture model, derived from reduction mammoplasty tissue, and found that ectopic expression of TRIM24 in immortalized HMECs (TRIM24 iHMECs) greatly increased cellular proliferation and induced malignant transformation. Subcutaneous injection of TRIM24 iHMECs in nude mice led to growth of intermediate to high-grade tumors in 60-70% of mice. Molecular analysis of TRIM24 iHMECs revealed a glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid cycle gene signature, alongside increased glucose uptake and activated aerobic glycolysis. Collectively, these results identify a role for TRIM24 in breast tumorigenesis through reprogramming of glucose metabolism in HMECs, further supporting TRIM24 as a viable therapeutic target in breast cancer.

Analysis of genes involved in the PI3K/Akt pathway in radiation- and MNU-induced rat mammary carcinomas

PubMed Central

Showler, Kaye; Nishimura, Mayumi; Imaoka, Tatsuhiko; Nishimura, Yukiko; Morioka, Takamitsu; Blyth, Benjamin J.; Kokubo, Toshiaki; Takabatake, Masaru; Fukuda, Maki; Moriyama, Hitomi; Kakinuma, Shizuko; Fukushi, Masahiro

2017-01-01

Abstract The PI3K/AKT pathway is one of the most important signaling networks in human breast cancer, and since it was potentially implicated in our preliminary investigations of radiation-induced rat mammary carcinomas, our aim here was to verify its role. We included mammary carcinomas induced by the chemical carcinogen 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea to determine whether any changes were radiation-specific. Most carcinomas from both groups showed activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, but phosphorylation of AKT1 was often heterogeneous and only present in a minority of carcinoma cells. The negative pathway regulator Inpp4b was significantly downregulated in both groups, compared with in normal mammary tissue, and radiation-induced carcinomas also showed a significant decrease in Pten expression, while the chemically induced carcinomas showed a decrease in Pik3r1 and Pdk1. Significant upregulation of the positive regulators Erbb2 and Pik3ca was observed only in chemically induced carcinomas. However, no genes showed clear correlations with AKT phosphorylation levels, except in individual carcinomas. Only rare carcinomas showed mutations in PI3K/AKT pathway genes, yet these carcinomas did not exhibit stronger AKT phosphorylation. Thus, while AKT phosphorylation is a common feature of rat mammary carcinomas induced by radiation or a canonical chemical carcinogen, the mutation of key genes in the pathways or permanent changes to gene expression of particular signaling proteins do not explain the pathway activation in the advanced cancers. Although AKT signaling likely facilitates cancer development and growth in rat mammary carcinomas, it is unlikely that permanent disruption of the PI3K/AKT pathway genes is a major causal event in radiation carcinogenesis. PMID:27738081

Distinct molecular profile of diffuse cerebellar gliomas.

PubMed

Nomura, Masashi; Mukasa, Akitake; Nagae, Genta; Yamamoto, Shogo; Tatsuno, Kenji; Ueda, Hiroki; Fukuda, Shiro; Umeda, Takayoshi; Suzuki, Tomonari; Otani, Ryohei; Kobayashi, Keiichi; Maruyama, Takashi; Tanaka, Shota; Takayanagi, Shunsaku; Nejo, Takahide; Takahashi, Satoshi; Ichimura, Koichi; Nakamura, Taishi; Muragaki, Yoshihiro; Narita, Yoshitaka; Nagane, Motoo; Ueki, Keisuke; Nishikawa, Ryo; Shibahara, Junji; Aburatani, Hiroyuki; Saito, Nobuhito

2017-12-01

Recent studies have demonstrated that tumor-driving alterations are often different among gliomas that originated from different brain regions and have underscored the importance of analyzing molecular characteristics of gliomas stratified by brain region. Therefore, to elucidate molecular characteristics of diffuse cerebellar gliomas (DCGs), 27 adult, mostly glioblastoma cases were analyzed. Comprehensive analysis using whole-exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and Infinium methylation array (n = 17) demonstrated their distinct molecular profile compared to gliomas in other brain regions. Frequent mutations in chromatin-modifier genes were identified including, noticeably, a truncating mutation in SETD2 (n = 4), which resulted in loss of H3K36 trimethylation and was mutually exclusive with H3F3A K27M mutation (n = 3), suggesting that epigenetic dysregulation may lead to DCG tumorigenesis. Alterations that cause loss of p53 function including TP53 mutation (n = 9), PPM1D mutation (n = 2), and a novel type of PPM1D fusion (n = 1), were also frequent. On the other hand, mutations and copy number changes commonly observed in cerebral gliomas were infrequent. DNA methylation profile analysis demonstrated that all DCGs except for those with H3F3A mutations were categorized in the "RTK I (PDGFRA)" group, and those DCGs had a gene expression signature that was highly associated with PDGFRA. Furthermore, compared with the data of 315 gliomas derived from different brain regions, promoter methylation of transcription factors genes associated with glial development showed a characteristic pattern presumably reflecting their tumor origin. Notably, SOX10, a key transcription factor associated with oligodendroglial differentiation and PDGFRA regulation, was up-regulated in both DCG and H3 K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma, suggesting their developmental and biological commonality. In contrast, SOX10 was silenced by promoter methylation in most cerebral gliomas. These findings may suggest potential tailored targeted therapy for gliomas according to their brain region, in addition to providing molecular clues to identify the region-related cellular origin of DCGs.

Control of box C/D snoRNP assembly by N6-methylation of adenine.

PubMed

Huang, Lin; Ashraf, Saira; Wang, Jia; Lilley, David Mj

2017-09-01

N 6 -methyladenine is the most widespread mRNA modification. A subset of human box C/D snoRNA species have target GAC sequences that lead to formation of N 6 -methyladenine at a key trans Hoogsteen-sugar A·G base pair, of which half are methylated in vivo The GAC target is conserved only in those that are methylated. Methylation prevents binding of the 15.5-kDa protein and the induced folding of the RNA Thus, the assembly of the box C/D snoRNP could in principle be regulated by RNA methylation at its critical first stage. Crystallography reveals that N 6 -methylation of adenine prevents the formation of trans Hoogsteen-sugar A·G base pairs, explaining why the box C/D RNA cannot adopt its kinked conformation. More generally, our data indicate that sheared A·G base pairs (but not Watson-Crick base pairs) are more susceptible to disruption by N 6 mA methylation and are therefore possible regulatory sites. The human signal recognition particle RNA and many related Alu retrotransposon RNA species are also methylated at N6 of an adenine that forms a sheared base pair with guanine and mediates a key tertiary interaction. © 2017 The Authors. Published under the terms of the CC BY 4.0 license.

Early Detection of Breast Cancer Using Posttranslationally Modified Biomarkers

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-01

1 and 2 in Globo H synthesis , Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105, 11667-11672. 18. Gilewski, T., Ragupathi, G., Bhuta, S., Williams, L. J., Musselli, C...carmustine and new proline analog of nitrosourea on antioxidant system in breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7), Drug Chem Toxicol 33, 55-63. 34. Galijasevic, S

Dopamine-derived salsolinol derivatives as endogenous monoamine oxidase inhibitors: occurrence, metabolism and function in human brains.

PubMed

Naoi, Makoto; Maruyama, Wakako; Nagy, Georgy M

2004-01-01

Salsolinol, 1-methyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, is an endogenous catechol isoquinoline detected in humans by M. Sandler. In human brain, a series of catechol isoquinolines were identified as the condensation products of dopamine or other monoamines with aldehydes or keto-acids. Recently selective occurrence of the (R)enantiomers of salsolinol derivatives was confirmed in human brain, and they are synthesized by enzymes in situ, but not by the non-enzymatic Pictet-Spengler reaction. A (R)salsolinol synthase catalyzes the enantio-specific synthesis of (R)salsolinol from dopamine and acetaldehyde, and (R)salsolinol N-methyltransferase synthesizes N-methyl(R)salsolinol, which is further oxidized into 1,2-dimethyl-6,7-dihydroxyisoquinolinium ion by non-enzymatic and enzymatic oxidation. The step-wise reactions, N-methylation and oxidation, induce the specified distribution of the N-methylated and oxidized derivatives in the human nigro-striatum, suggesting that these derivatives may be involved in the function of dopamine neurons under physiological and pathological conditions. As shown by in vivo and in vitro experiments, salsolinol derivatives affect the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters though the inhibition of enzymes related in the metabolism of catechol- and indoleamines. In addition, the selective neurotoxicity of N-methyl(R)salsolinol to dopamine neurons was confirmed by preparation of an animal model of Parkinson's disease in rats. The involvement of N-methyl(R)salsolinol in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease was further indicated by the increase in the N-methyl(R)salsolinol levels in the cerebrospinal fluid and that in the activity of its synthesizing enzyme, a neural (R)salsolinol N-methyltransferase, in the lymphocytes prepared from parkinsonian patients. N-methyl(R)salsolinol induces apoptosis in dopamine neurons, which is mediated by death signal transduction in mitochondria. In addition, salsolinol was found to function as a signal transmitter for the prolactin release in the neuro-intermediate lobe of the brain. These results are discussed in relation to role of dopamine-derived endogenous salsolinol derivatives as the regulators of neurotransmission, dopaminergic neurotoxins and neuro-hormonal transmitters in the human brain.

Development of Tyrosine-Based Radiotracer 99mTc-N4-Tyrosine for Breast Cancer Imaging

PubMed Central

Kong, Fan-Lin; Ali, Mohammad S.; Rollo, Alex; Smith, Daniel L.; Zhang, Yinhan; Yu, Dong-Fang; Yang, David J.

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to develop an efficient way to synthesize 99mTc-O-[3-(1,4,8,11-tetraazabicyclohexadecane)-propyl]-tyrosine (99mTc-N4-Tyrosine), a novel amino acid-based radiotracer, and evaluate its potential in breast cancer gamma imaging. Precursor N4-Tyrosine was synthesized using a 5-step procedure, and its total synthesis yield was 38%. It was successfully labeled with 99mTc with high radiochemical purity (>95%). Cellular uptake of 99mTc-N4-Tyrosine was much higher than that of 99mTc-N4 and the clinical gold standard 18F-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-glucose (18F-FDG) in rat breast tumor cells in vitro. Tissue uptake and dosimetry estimation in normal rats revealed that 99mTc-N4-Tyrosine could be safely administered to humans. Evaluation in breast tumor-bearing rats showed that although 99mTc-N4-Tyrosine appeared to be inferior to 18F-FDG in distinguishing breast tumor tissue from chemical-induced inflammatory tissue, it had high tumor-to-muscle uptake ratios and could detect breast tumors clearly by planar scintigraphic imaging. 99mTc-N4-Tyrosine could thus be a useful radiotracer for use in breast tumor diagnostic imaging. PMID:22496612

MUTANT FREQUENCY AND MUTATIONAL SPECTRA IN THETK AND HPRT GENES OF N-ETHYL-N-NITROSOUREA TREATED MOUSE LYMPHOMA CELLS

EPA Science Inventory

Abstract

The mouse lymphoma assay (MLA) utilizing the Tk locus is widely used to identify chemical mutagens. The autosomal location of the Tk locus allows for the detection of a wide range of mutational events, from point mutations to chromosome alterations. However, the ...

A maternal high n-6 fat diet with fish oil supplementation during pregnancy and lactation in rats decreases breast cancer risk in the female offspring.

PubMed

Su, Hui-Min; Hsieh, Pei-Hsuan; Chen, Hui-Feng

2010-11-01

The timing of dietary fat intake may modify breast cancer risk. In addition, n-3 fatty acids reduce, and n-6 fatty acids increase, the risk of breast cancer and a maternal high n-6 fat diet results in a greater risk of breast cancer in the female offspring. We hypothesized that the timing of n-3 fatty acid-enriched fish oil supplementation would be important for reducing the risk of breast cancer. Female rats were fed to a high n-6 fat diet containing 20% of the sunflower oil by weight during pregnancy and lactation, and the female offspring were exposed to fish oil by oral gavage either during the perinatal period via maternal intake or during puberty or adulthood. Exposure during the perinatal period to a maternal high n-6 fat diet with fish oil supplementation significantly reduced the incidence of carcinogen-induced mammary tumors in the female offspring compared to a maternal high n-6 fat diet with no fish oil supplementation or fish oil supplementation later in life (P=.0228 by Cox proportional hazards model). We found that a maternal high n-6 fat diet during pregnancy is more important in increasing the risk of mammary tumors in the female offspring than a maternal high n-6 fat diet during lactation. This study suggests that fish oil supplementation during the perinatal period decreases the effect of a maternal high n-6 fat diet on subsequent carcinogen-induced mammary tumor risk, whereas fish oil supplementation during puberty or adulthood does not. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sleep-inducing N-alkyl-5-[m-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-5-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinones and N-alkyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)cinnamamides.

PubMed

Houlihan, W J; Gogerty, J H; Ryan, E A; Schmitt, G

1985-01-01

A series of N-alkyl-3-[m-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-5-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinones and N-alkyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-cinnamamides were prepared and screened in a series of tests designed to detect potential sleep inducers. The more active members of the series were evaluated for their ability to induce sleep in Cebus monkeys. The most active compound, N-methyl-5-[m-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-5-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinone, was equal to methaqualone.

Studies on the Mechanism of Action of Hydrazine-Induced Methylation of DNA Guanne

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-10-03

potent methylating agent , diazomethane (-CH -N+-N). Several in vivo studies were carried out to determine the role of aldehydes in the alkylation of DNA...methylating agent available to interact with DNA. If such a mechanism occurs, it may explain why disulfiram appears to inhibit the alkylation of DNA...a much slower/poorer alkylating agent for DNA. Effect of the 1-Carbon Pool on DNA Methylation in Hydrazine Toxicity: In Vitro In vitro studies were

Lactate dehydrogenase downregulation mediates the inhibitory effect of diallyl trisulfide on proliferation, metastasis, and invasion in triple-negative breast cancer.

PubMed

Cheng, Shi-Yann; Yang, Yao-Chih; Ting, Kuan-Lun; Wen, Su-Ying; Viswanadha, Vijaya Padma; Huang, Chih-Yang; Kuo, Wei-Wen

2017-04-01

The Warburg effect plays a critical role in tumorigenesis, suggesting that specific agents targeting Warburg effect key proteins may be a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Previous studies have shown that diallyl trisulfide (DATS) inhibits proliferation of breast cancer cells by inducing apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. However, whether the Warburg effect is involved with the apoptosis-promoting action of DATS is unclear. Here, we show that the action of DATS is associated with downregulation of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), an essential protein of the Warburg effect whose upregulation is closely related to tumorigenesis. Interestingly, inhibition of the Warburg effect by DATS in breast cancer cells did not greatly affect normal cells. Furthermore, DATS inhibited growth of breast cancer cells, particularly in MDA-MB-231, a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell, and reduced proliferation and migration; invasion was reversed by over-expression of LDHA. These data suggest that DATS inhibits breast cancer growth and aggressiveness through a novel pathway targeting the key enzyme of the Warburg effect. Our study shows that LDHA downregulation is involved in the apoptotic effect of DATS on TNBC. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1390-1398, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Regulation of tumour related genes by dynamic epigenetic alteration at enhancer regions in gastric epithelial cells infected by Epstein-Barr virus.

PubMed

Okabe, Atsushi; Funata, Sayaka; Matsusaka, Keisuke; Namba, Hiroe; Fukuyo, Masaki; Rahmutulla, Bahityar; Oshima, Motohiko; Iwama, Atsushi; Fukayama, Masashi; Kaneda, Atsushi

2017-08-11

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with tumours such as Burkitt lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and gastric cancer. We previously showed that EBV(+) gastric cancer presents an extremely high-methylation epigenotype and this aberrant DNA methylation causes silencing of multiple tumour suppressor genes. However, the mechanisms that drive EBV infection-mediated tumorigenesis, including other epigenomic alteration, remain unclear. We analysed epigenetic alterations induced by EBV infection especially at enhancer regions, to elucidate their contribution to tumorigenesis. We performed ChIP sequencing on H3K4me3, H3K4me1, H3K27ac, H3K27me3, and H3K9me3 in gastric epithelial cells infected or not with EBV. We showed that repressive marks were redistributed after EBV infection, resulting in aberrant enhancer activation and repression. Enhancer dysfunction led to the activation of pathways related to cancer hallmarks (e.g., resisting cell death, disrupting cellular energetics, inducing invasion, evading growth suppressors, sustaining proliferative signalling, angiogenesis, and tumour-promoting inflammation) and inactivation of tumour suppressive pathways. Deregulation of cancer-related genes in EBV-infected gastric epithelial cells was also observed in clinical EBV(+) gastric cancer specimens. Our analysis showed that epigenetic alteration associated with EBV-infection may contribute to tumorigenesis through enhancer activation and repression.

Downregulation of ATM Gene and Protein Expression in Canine Mammary Tumors.

PubMed

Raposo-Ferreira, T M M; Bueno, R C; Terra, E M; Avante, M L; Tinucci-Costa, M; Carvalho, M; Cassali, G D; Linde, S D; Rogatto, S R; Laufer-Amorim, R

2016-11-01

The ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene encodes a protein associated with DNA damage repair and maintenance of genomic integrity. In women, ATM transcript and protein downregulation have been reported in sporadic breast carcinomas, and the absence of ATM protein expression has been associated with poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate ATM gene and protein expression in canine mammary tumors and their association with clinical outcome. ATM gene and protein expression was evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively, in normal mammary gland samples (n = 10), benign mammary tumors (n = 11), nonmetastatic mammary carcinomas (n = 19), and metastatic mammary carcinomas (n = 11). Lower ATM transcript levels were detected in benign mammary tumors and carcinomas compared with normal mammary glands (P = .011). Similarly, lower ATM protein expression was observed in benign tumors (P = .0003), nonmetastatic mammary carcinomas (P < .0001), and the primary sites of metastatic carcinomas (P < .0001) compared with normal mammary glands. No significant differences in ATM gene or protein levels were detected among benign tumors and nonmetastatic and metastatic mammary carcinomas (P > .05). The levels of ATM gene or protein expression were not significantly associated with clinical and pathological features or with survival. Similar to human breast cancer, the data in this study suggest that ATM gene and protein downregulation is involved in canine mammary gland tumorigenesis. © The Author(s) 2016.

Detection of Methylated Circulating DNA as Noninvasive Biomarkers for Breast Cancer Diagnosis

PubMed Central

Cheuk, Isabella Wai Yin; Shin, Vivian Yvonne

2017-01-01

Internationally, breast cancer is the most common female cancer, and is induced by a combination of environmental, genetic, and epigenetic risk factors. Despite the advancement of imaging techniques, invasive sampling of breast epithelial cells is the only definitive diagnostic procedure for patients with breast cancer. To date, molecular biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity for the screening and early detection of breast cancer are lacking. Recent evidence suggests that the detection of methylated circulating cell-free DNA in the peripheral blood of patients with cancer may be a promising quantitative and noninvasive method for cancer diagnosis. Methylation detection based on a multi-gene panel, rather than on the methylation status of a single gene, may be used to increase the sensitivity and specificity of breast cancer screening. In this review, the results of 14 relevant studies, investigating the efficacy of cell-free DNA methylation screening for breast cancer diagnosis, have been summarized. The genetic risk factors for breast cancer, the methods used for breast cancer detection, and the techniques and limitations related to the detection of cell-free DNA methylation status, have also been reviewed and discussed. From this review, we conclude that the analysis of peripheral blood or other samples to detect differentially methylated cell-free DNA is a promising technique for use in clinical settings, and may improve the sensitivity of screening for both, early detection and disease relapse, and thus improve the future prognosis of patients with breast cancer. PMID:28382090

Effect of pressure on bilayer phase behavior of N-methylated di-O-hexadecylphosphatidylethanolamines: relevance of head-group modification on the bilayer interdigitation.

PubMed

Goto, Masaki; Aoki, Yuya; Tamai, Nobutake; Matsuki, Hitoshi

2017-12-01

The phase transitions of N-methylated di-O-hexadecylphosphatidylethanolamines (DHPE, DH-N-methyl-PE (DHMePE) and DH-N,N-dimethyl-PE (DHMe 2 PE)) were observed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fluorometry under atmospheric pressure and by light-transmittance measurements under high pressure. The DSC thermograms showed that the N-methylated DHPE bilayers underwent the phase transition from the gel phase to the liquid crystalline (L α ) phase under atmospheric pressure. The gel phase was identified by fluorometry as the lamellar gel (L β ) phase, and not interdigitated gel (L β I) phase. The gel/L α transition temperature increased with pressure while decreased stepwise with increasing polar head-group size. This stepwise depression of the transition temperature may be caused by the inverse-proportional hydrogen-bonding capabilities of the head-group to the head-group size. The thermodynamic quantities of the gel/L α transition were comparable for the N-methylated DHPE bilayers. The pressure-induced L β I phase was not found in these bilayers although the bilayer of di-O-hexadecylphosphatidylcholine (DHPC), which is a kind of N-methylated DHPEs, forms the L β I phase only by hydration under atmospheric pressure. Taking into account that the bilayers of diacyl-homologs of N-methylated DHPEs, N-methylated dipalmitoyl-PEs except for dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), do not form the L β I phase in the whole pressure range investigated but the DPPC bilayer forms the L β I phase under high pressure, we can say that the interdigitation requires weaker interaction between large-sized head groups like the bulky choline group. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Endothelial induced EMT in breast epithelial cells with stem cell properties.

PubMed

Sigurdsson, Valgardur; Hilmarsdottir, Bylgja; Sigmundsdottir, Hekla; Fridriksdottir, Agla J R; Ringnér, Markus; Villadsen, Rene; Borg, Ake; Agnarsson, Bjarni A; Petersen, Ole William; Magnusson, Magnus K; Gudjonsson, Thorarinn

2011-01-01

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical event in cancer progression and is closely linked to the breast epithelial cancer stem cell phenotype. Given the close interaction between the vascular endothelium and cancer cells, especially at the invasive front, we asked whether endothelial cells might play a role in EMT. Using a 3D culture model we demonstrate that endothelial cells are potent inducers of EMT in D492 an immortalized breast epithelial cell line with stem cell properties. Endothelial induced mesenchymal-like cells (D492M) derived from D492, show reduced expression of keratins, a switch from E-Cadherin (E-Cad) to N-Cadherin (N-Cad) and enhanced migration. Acquisition of cancer stem cell associated characteristics like increased CD44(high)/CD24(low) ratio, resistance to apoptosis and anchorage independent growth was also seen in D492M cells. Endothelial induced EMT in D492 was partially blocked by inhibition of HGF signaling. Basal-like breast cancer, a vascular rich cancer with stem cell properties and adverse prognosis has been linked with EMT. We immunostained several basal-like breast cancer samples for endothelial and EMT markers. Cancer cells close to the vascular rich areas show no or decreased expression of E-Cad and increased N-Cad expression suggesting EMT. Collectively, we have shown in a 3D culture model that endothelial cells are potent inducers of EMT in breast epithelial cells with stem cell properties. Furthermore, we demonstrate that basal-like breast cancer contains cells with an EMT phenotype, most prominently close to vascular rich areas of these tumors. We conclude that endothelial cells are potent inducers of EMT and may play a role in progression of basal-like breast cancer.

Endothelial Induced EMT in Breast Epithelial Cells with Stem Cell Properties

PubMed Central

Sigurdsson, Valgardur; Hilmarsdottir, Bylgja; Sigmundsdottir, Hekla; Fridriksdottir, Agla J. R.; Ringnér, Markus; Villadsen, Rene; Borg, Ake; Agnarsson, Bjarni A.; Petersen, Ole William; Magnusson, Magnus K.; Gudjonsson, Thorarinn

2011-01-01

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical event in cancer progression and is closely linked to the breast epithelial cancer stem cell phenotype. Given the close interaction between the vascular endothelium and cancer cells, especially at the invasive front, we asked whether endothelial cells might play a role in EMT. Using a 3D culture model we demonstrate that endothelial cells are potent inducers of EMT in D492 an immortalized breast epithelial cell line with stem cell properties. Endothelial induced mesenchymal-like cells (D492M) derived from D492, show reduced expression of keratins, a switch from E-Cadherin (E-Cad) to N-Cadherin (N-Cad) and enhanced migration. Acquisition of cancer stem cell associated characteristics like increased CD44high/CD24low ratio, resistance to apoptosis and anchorage independent growth was also seen in D492M cells. Endothelial induced EMT in D492 was partially blocked by inhibition of HGF signaling. Basal-like breast cancer, a vascular rich cancer with stem cell properties and adverse prognosis has been linked with EMT. We immunostained several basal-like breast cancer samples for endothelial and EMT markers. Cancer cells close to the vascular rich areas show no or decreased expression of E-Cad and increased N-Cad expression suggesting EMT. Collectively, we have shown in a 3D culture model that endothelial cells are potent inducers of EMT in breast epithelial cells with stem cell properties. Furthermore, we demonstrate that basal-like breast cancer contains cells with an EMT phenotype, most prominently close to vascular rich areas of these tumors. We conclude that endothelial cells are potent inducers of EMT and may play a role in progression of basal-like breast cancer. PMID:21915264

High mobility group box-1 and its clinical value in breast cancer

PubMed Central

Sun, Shanping; Zhang, Wei; Cui, Zhaoqing; Chen, Qi; Xie, Panpan; Zhou, Changxin; Liu, Baoguo; Peng, Xiangeng; Zhang, Yang

2015-01-01

Background High mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is a factor regulating malignant tumorigenesis, proliferation, and metastasis, and is associated with poor clinical pathology in various human cancers. We investigated the differential concentrations of HMGB1 in tissues and sera, and their clinical value for diagnosis in patients with breast cancer, benign breast disease, and healthy individuals. Methods HMGB1 levels in tumor tissues, adjacent normal tissues, and benign breast disease tissues was detected via immunohistochemistry. Serum HMGB1 was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 56 patients with breast cancer, 25 patients with benign breast disease, and 30 healthy control subjects. The clinicopathological features of the patients were compared. Tissues were evaluated histopathologically by pathologists. Results HMGB1 levels in the tissues and sera of patients with breast cancer were significantly higher than those in patients with benign breast disease or normal individuals. The 56 cancer patients were classified as having high tissue HMGB1 levels (n=41) or low tissue HMGB1 levels (n=15), but the corresponsive serum HMGB1 in these two groups was not significantly different. HMGB1 levels in breast cancer tissues significantly correlated with differentiation grade, lymphatic metastasis, and tumor-node-metastasis stage, but not patient age, tumor size, or HER-2/neu expression; no association between serum HMGB1 levels and these clinicopathological parameters was found. The sensitivity and specificity of tissue HMGB1 levels for the diagnosis of breast cancer were 73.21% and 84.00%, respectively, while positive and negative predictive values were 91.11% and 58.33%. Conclusion HMGB1 might be involved in the development and progression of breast cancer and could be a supportive diagnostic marker for breast cancer. Serum HMGB1 could be a useful serological biomarker for diagnosis and screening of breast cancer. PMID:25709474

Design and in vitro activities of N-alkyl-N-[(8-R-2,2-dimethyl-2H-chromen-6-yl)methyl]heteroarylsulfonamides, novel small molecule Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 (HIF-1) pathway inhibitors and anti-cancer agents

PubMed Central

Mun, Jiyoung; Jabbar, Adnan Abdul; Devi, Narra Sarojini; Yin, Shaoman; Wang, Yingzhe; Tan, Chalet; Culver, Deborah; Snyder, James P.; Van Meir, Erwin G.; Goodman, Mark M.

2013-01-01

The Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) pathway is an attractive target for cancer as it controls tumor adaptation to growth under hypoxia and mediates chemo- and radiation resistance. We previously discovered 3,4-dimethoxy-N-[(2,2-dimethyl-2H-chromen-6-yl)methyl]-N-phenylbenzenesulfonamide, as a novel small molecule HIF-1 pathway inhibitor in a high-throughput cell-based assay, but its in vivo delivery is hampered by poor aqueous solubility (0.009 μM in water; logP7.4: 3.7). Here we describe the synthesis of twelve N-alkyl-N-[(8-R-2,2-dimethyl-2H-chromen-6-yl)methyl]heteroarylsulfonamides, which were designed to possess optimal lipophilicities and aqueous solubilities by in silico calculations. Experimental logP7.4 values of 8 of the 12 new analogs ranged from 1.2 ∼ 3.1. Aqueous solubilities of 3 analogs were measured, among which the most soluble N-[(8-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-chromen-6-yl)methyl]-N-(propan-2-yl)pyridine-2-sulfonamide had an aqueous solubility of 80 μM, e.g. a solubility improvement of ∼9,000-fold. The pharmacological optimization had minimal impact on drug efficacy as the compounds retained IC50 values at or below 5 μM in our HIF-dependent reporter assay. PMID:22746274

Diverse spectrum of tumors in male Sprague-Dawley rats following single high doses of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU).

PubMed Central

Stoica, G.; Koestner, A.

1984-01-01

In this study, 30-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, were inoculated intraperitoneally with a single dose of 45, 90, and 180 mg/kg of N-ethyl-N-Nitrosourea (ENU). A wide spectrum of neoplasms occurred. The most common tumors were those of the mammary gland and of the nervous system. Although the incidence of mammary tumors was highest in the two high-dose groups (90 and 180 mg/kg ENU), the incidence of neurogenic tumors was highest in the 45 mg/kg dose group. Mammary tumor development led to early death and precluded development of tumors of the nervous system, which require a longer latency period. A variety of neoplasms of other organs have been associated particularly with high doses of ENU, including ameloblastic tumors, carcinomas of the thyroid, prostate, kidney, pancreas, intestine, and lung, hemilymphatic tumors, and sarcomas. It is concluded that large doses of ENU are capable of expanding the tumor spectrum in young male rats beyond the target organs generally affected with lower doses, as described in earlier reports. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 PMID:6465287

Environmental Estrogens Differentially Engage the Histone Methyltransferase EZH2 to Increase Risk of Uterine Tumorigenesis

PubMed Central

Greathouse, K. Leigh; Bredfeldt, Tiffany; Everitt, Jeffrey I.; Lin, Kevin; Berry, Tia; Kannan, Kurunthachalam; Mittelstadt, Megan L.; Ho, Shuk-mei; Walker, Cheryl L.

2013-01-01

Environmental exposures during sensitive windows of development can reprogram normal physiological responses and alter disease susceptibility later in life in a process known as developmental reprogramming. For example, exposure to the xenoestrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) during reproductive tract development can reprogram estrogen-responsive gene expression in the myometrium, resulting in hyper-responsiveness to hormone in the adult uterus and promotion of hormone-dependent uterine leiomyoma. We show here that the environmental estrogens genistein (GEN), a soy phytoestrogen, and the plasticizer bisphenol A (BPA), differ in their pattern of developmental reprogramming and promotion of tumorigenesis (leiomyomas) in the uterus. While both GEN and BPA induce genomic estrogen receptor (ER) signaling in the developing uterus, only GEN induced PI3K/AKT non-genomic ER signaling to the histone methyltransferase Enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). As a result, this “pre-genomic” signaling phosphorylates and represses EZH2, and reduces levels of H3K27 repressive mark in chromatin. Furthermore, only GEN caused estrogen-responsive genes in the adult myometrium to become hyper-responsive to hormone; estrogen-responsive genes were repressed in BPA exposed uteri. Importantly, this pattern of EZH2 engagement to decrease versus increase H3K27 methylation correlated with the effect of these xenoestrogens on tumorigenesis. Developmental reprogramming by GEN promoted development of uterine leiomyomas, increasing tumor incidence and multiplicity, while BPA did not. These data demonstrate that environmental estrogens have distinct non-genomic effects in the developing uterus that determines their ability to engage the epigenetic regulator EZH2, decrease levels of the repressive epigenetic histone H3K27 methyl mark in chromatin during developmental reprogramming, and promote uterine tumorigenesis. PMID:22504913

The interaction of tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives with antinociceptive action of morphine and oxotremorine in mice.

PubMed

Vetulani, J; Pavone, F; Przewłocka, B; Borghi, V; Nalepa, I

2003-11-01

To extend our earlier data on synergistic action of tetrahydroisoquinolines and morphine, we have investigated the analgesic effects of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) and its 1-methyl-(1-MeTIQ) and N-methyl (N-MeTIQ) analogs on analgesia induced by morphine and oxotremorine. 1-MeTIQ and N-MeTIQ induced a moderate, delayed and prolonged analgesic action measured in the tail-flick test in CD-1 mice; 1-MeTIQ and TIQ prolonged the opiate (morphine, 2.5 mg/kg i.p.) analgesia while TIQ and N-TIQ potentiated cholinergic (oxotremorine, 0.02 mg/kg i.p.) analgesia. The involvement of the opioid and noradrenergic systems in this effect is discussed.

TGF-Alpha Expression During Breast Tumorigenesis

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-07-01

contributors to breast tumorigenesis. Therefore, we examined TGFa expression in normal and transformed epithelium. We also examined TOFa and EGFR protein in...patient samples it is difficult to determine what effect tissue culture has on normal T(3Fa protein synthesis and processing. TOFa protein expression

Towards optimizing the sequence of bevacizumab and nitrosoureas in recurrent malignant glioma.

PubMed

Wiestler, Benedikt; Radbruch, Alexander; Osswald, Matthias; Combs, Stephanie E; Jungk, Christine; Winkler, Frank; Bendszus, Martin; Unterberg, Andreas; Platten, Michael; Wick, Wolfgang; Wick, Antje

2014-03-01

Studies on the monoclonal VEGF-A antibody bevacizumab gave raise to questions regarding the lack of an overall survival benefit, the optimal timing in the disease course and potential combination and salvage therapies. We retrospectively assessed survival, radiological progression type on bevacizumab and efficacy of salvage therapies in 42 patients with recurrent malignant gliomas who received bevacizumab and nitrosourea sequentially. 15 patients received bevacizumab followed by nitrosourea at progression and 27 patients vice versa. Time to treatment failure, defined as time from initiation of one to failure of the other treatment, was similar in both groups (9.6 vs. 9.2 months, log rank p = 0.19). Progression-free survival on nitrosoureas was comparable in both groups, while progression-free survival on bevacizumab was longer in the group receiving bevacizumab first (5.3 vs. 4.1 months, log rank p = 0.03). Survival times were similar for patients with grade III (n = 9) and grade IV (n = 33) tumors. Progression-free survival on bevacizumab for patients developing contrast-enhancing T1 progression was longer than for patients who displayed a non-enhancing T2 progression. However, post-progression survival times after bevacizumab failure were not different. Earlier treatment with bevacizumab was not associated with better outcome in this series. The fact that earlier as compared to later bevacizumab treatment does not result in a different time to treatment failure highlights the challenge for first-line or recurrence trials with bevacizumab to demonstrate an overall survival benefit if crossover of bevacizumab-naïve patients after progression occurs.

Mice with an N-Ethyl-N-Nitrosourea (ENU) Induced Tyr209Asn Mutation in Natriuretic Peptide Receptor 3 (NPR3) Provide a Model for Kyphosis Associated with Activation of the MAPK Signaling Pathway.

PubMed

Esapa, Christopher T; Piret, Sian E; Nesbit, M Andrew; Loh, Nellie Y; Thomas, Gethin; Croucher, Peter I; Brown, Matthew A; Brown, Steve D M; Cox, Roger D; Thakker, Rajesh V

2016-01-01

Non-syndromic kyphosis is a common disorder that is associated with significant morbidity and has a strong genetic involvement; however, the causative genes remain to be identified, as such studies are hampered by genetic heterogeneity, small families and various modes of inheritance. To overcome these limitations, we investigated 12 week old progeny of mice treated with the chemical mutagen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) using phenotypic assessments including dysmorphology, radiography, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. This identified a mouse with autosomal recessive kyphosis (KYLB). KYLB mice, when compared to unaffected littermates, had: thoraco-lumbar kyphosis, larger vertebrae, and increased body length and increased bone area. In addition, female KYLB mice had increases in bone mineral content and plasma alkaline phosphatase activity. Recombination mapping localized the Kylb locus to a 5.5Mb region on chromosome 15A1, which contained 51 genes, including the natriuretic peptide receptor 3 (Npr3) gene. DNA sequence analysis of Npr3 identified a missense mutation, Tyr209Asn, which introduced an N-linked glycosylation consensus sequence. Expression of wild-type NPR3 and the KYLB-associated Tyr209Asn NPR3 mutant in COS-7 cells demonstrated the mutant to be associated with abnormal N-linked glycosylation and retention in the endoplasmic reticulum that resulted in its absence from the plasma membrane. NPR3 is a decoy receptor for C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), which also binds to NPR2 and stimulates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, thereby increasing the number and size of hypertrophic chondrocytes. Histomorphometric analysis of KYLB vertebrae and tibiae showed delayed endochondral ossification and expansion of the hypertrophic zones of the growth plates, and immunohistochemistry revealed increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation throughout the growth plates of KYLB vertebrae. Thus, we established a model of kyphosis due to a novel NPR3 mutation, in which loss of plasma membrane NPR3 expression results in increased MAPK pathway activation, causing elongation of the vertebrae and resulting in kyphosis.

Mice with an N-Ethyl-N-Nitrosourea (ENU) Induced Tyr209Asn Mutation in Natriuretic Peptide Receptor 3 (NPR3) Provide a Model for Kyphosis Associated with Activation of the MAPK Signaling Pathway

PubMed Central

Nesbit, M. Andrew; Loh, Nellie Y.; Thomas, Gethin; Croucher, Peter I.; Brown, Matthew A.; Brown, Steve D. M.; Cox, Roger D.; Thakker, Rajesh V.

2016-01-01

Non-syndromic kyphosis is a common disorder that is associated with significant morbidity and has a strong genetic involvement; however, the causative genes remain to be identified, as such studies are hampered by genetic heterogeneity, small families and various modes of inheritance. To overcome these limitations, we investigated 12 week old progeny of mice treated with the chemical mutagen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) using phenotypic assessments including dysmorphology, radiography, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. This identified a mouse with autosomal recessive kyphosis (KYLB). KYLB mice, when compared to unaffected littermates, had: thoraco-lumbar kyphosis, larger vertebrae, and increased body length and increased bone area. In addition, female KYLB mice had increases in bone mineral content and plasma alkaline phosphatase activity. Recombination mapping localized the Kylb locus to a 5.5Mb region on chromosome 15A1, which contained 51 genes, including the natriuretic peptide receptor 3 (Npr3) gene. DNA sequence analysis of Npr3 identified a missense mutation, Tyr209Asn, which introduced an N-linked glycosylation consensus sequence. Expression of wild-type NPR3 and the KYLB-associated Tyr209Asn NPR3 mutant in COS-7 cells demonstrated the mutant to be associated with abnormal N-linked glycosylation and retention in the endoplasmic reticulum that resulted in its absence from the plasma membrane. NPR3 is a decoy receptor for C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), which also binds to NPR2 and stimulates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, thereby increasing the number and size of hypertrophic chondrocytes. Histomorphometric analysis of KYLB vertebrae and tibiae showed delayed endochondral ossification and expansion of the hypertrophic zones of the growth plates, and immunohistochemistry revealed increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation throughout the growth plates of KYLB vertebrae. Thus, we established a model of kyphosis due to a novel NPR3 mutation, in which loss of plasma membrane NPR3 expression results in increased MAPK pathway activation, causing elongation of the vertebrae and resulting in kyphosis. PMID:27959934

Effects of metformin, buformin, and phenformin on the post-initiation stage of chemically induced mammary carcinogenesis in the rat.

PubMed

Zhu, Zongjian; Jiang, Weiqin; Thompson, Matthew D; Echeverria, Dimas; McGinley, John N; Thompson, Henry J

2015-06-01

Metformin is a widely prescribed drug for the treatment of type II diabetes. Although epidemiologic data have provided a strong rationale for investigating the potential of this biguanide for use in cancer prevention and control, uncertainty exists whether metformin should be expected to have an impact in nondiabetic patients. Furthermore, little attention has been given to the possibility that other biguanides may have anticancer activity. In this study, the effects of clinically relevant doses of metformin (9.3 mmol/kg diet), buformin (7.6 mmol/kg diet), and phenformin (5.0 mmol/kg diet) were compared with rats fed control diet (AIN93-G) during the post-initiation stage of 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea-induced (50 mg/kg body weight) mammary carcinogenesis (n = 30/group). Plasma, liver, skeletal muscle, visceral fat, mammary gland, and mammary carcinoma concentrations of the biguanides were determined. In comparison with the control group, buformin decreased cancer incidence, multiplicity, and burden, whereas metformin and phenformin had no statistically significant effect on the carcinogenic process relative to the control group. Buformin did not alter fasting plasma glucose or insulin. Within mammary carcinomas, evidence was obtained that buformin treatment perturbed signaling pathways related to energy sensing. However, further investigation is needed to determine the relative contributions of host systemic and cell autonomous mechanisms to the anticancer activity of biguanides such as buformin. ©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.

Effect of progesterone receptor status on maspin synthesis via nitric oxide production in neutrophils in human breast cancer.

PubMed

Ganguly Bhattacharjee, Karabi; Bhattacharyya, Mau; Halder, Umesh Chandra; Jana, Pradipta; Sinha, Asru K

2014-09-01

Although progesterone receptor (PR) status, similarly to estrogen receptor status, is of prognostic importance in breast cancer, the involvement of the PR in breast cancer remains obscure. Studies were conducted to determine the function of the PR in neutrophils in the nitric oxide-induced synthesis of maspin, an anti-breast-cancer protein produced in nonmalignant mammary cells and in neutrophils in the circulation. PR status was determined by immunohistochemistry. Maspin synthesis was determined by in-vitro translation of messenger RNA and quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Nitric oxide was determined by the methemoglobin method. It was found that PR status in neutrophils was identical with that in malignant breast tissues. A Scatchard plot for progesterone binding to normal and PR-positive (PR+) neutrophils revealed that whereas normal neutrophils had 11.5 × 10(10) PR sites/cell with K d = 47.619 nM, PR+ neutrophils had 6.6 × 10(10) PR sites/cell with K d = 47.619 nM. The progesterone negative (PR-) neutrophils failed to bind to progesterone. Incubation of normal and PR+ neutrophils with 25 nM progesterone produced 1.317 μM NO and 2.329 nM maspin; the PR+ neutrophils produced 0.72 μM NO and 1.138 nM maspin. The PR- neutrophils failed to produce any NO or maspin in the presence of progesterone. Inhibition of progesterone-induced NO synthesis led to complete inhibition of maspin synthesis in all neutrophils. These results suggest that estrogen and progesterone complement each other in NO-induced maspin synthesis, and do not necessarily antagonize in the synthesis of the anti-breast-cancer protein.

Role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase as a trigger and mediator of isoflurane-induced delayed preconditioning in rabbit myocardium.

PubMed

Chiari, Pascal C; Bienengraeber, Martin W; Weihrauch, Dorothee; Krolikowski, John G; Kersten, Judy R; Warltier, David C; Pagel, Paul S

2005-07-01

Isoflurane produces delayed preconditioning in vivo. The authors tested the hypothesis that endothelial, inducible, or neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is a trigger or mediator of this protective effect. In the absence or presence of exposure to isoflurane (1.0 minimum alveolar concentration) 24 h before experimentation, pentobarbital-anesthetized rabbits (n = 128) instrumented for hemodynamic measurement received 0.9% saline (control), the nonselective NOS inhibitor N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (10 mg/kg), one of two of the selective inducible NOS antagonists aminoguanidine (300 mg/kg) or 1400W (0.5 mg/kg), or the selective neuronal NOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (50 mg/kg) administered before exposure to isoflurane (trigger; day 1) or left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion (mediator; day 2). All rabbits underwent 30 min of coronary occlusion followed by 3 h of reperfusion. Tissue samples for reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were also obtained in the presence or absence of N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester with or without isoflurane pretreatment. Isoflurane significantly (P < 0.05) reduced infarct size (23 +/- 5% [mean +/- SD] of the left ventricular area at risk; triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining) as compared with control (42 +/- 7%). N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester administered before isoflurane or coronary occlusion abolished protection (49 +/- 7 and 43 +/- 10%, respectively). Aminoguanidine, 1400W, and 7-nitroindazole did not alter infarct size or affect isoflurane-induced delayed preconditioning. Isoflurane increased endothelial but not inducible NOS messenger RNA transcription and protein translation immediately and 24 h after administration of the volatile agent. Pretreatment with N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester attenuated isoflurane-induced increases in endothelial NOS expression. The results suggest that endothelial NOS but not inducible or neuronal NOS is a trigger and mediator of delayed preconditioning by isoflurane in vivo.

Roles of Distal and Genic Methylation in the Development of Prostate Tumorigenesis Revealed by Genome-wide DNA Methylation Analysis.

PubMed

Wang, Yao; Jadhav, Rohit Ramakant; Liu, Joseph; Wilson, Desiree; Chen, Yidong; Thompson, Ian M; Troyer, Dean A; Hernandez, Javier; Shi, Huidong; Leach, Robin J; Huang, Tim H-M; Jin, Victor X

2016-02-29

Aberrant DNA methylation at promoters is often linked to tumorigenesis. But many aspects of DNA methylation remain unexplored, including the individual roles of distal and gene body methylation, as well as their collaborative roles with promoter methylation. Here we performed a MBD-seq analysis on prostate specimens classified into low, high, and very high risk group based on Gleason score and TNM stages. We identified gene sets with differential methylation regions (DMRs) in Distal, TSS, gene body and TES. To understand the collaborative roles, TSS was compared with the other three DMRs, resulted in 12 groups of genes with collaborative differential methylation patterns (CDMPs). We found several groups of genes that show opposite methylation patterns in Distal and Genic regions compared to TSS region, and in general they are differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in tumors in TCGA RNA-seq data. IPA (Ingenuity Pathway Analysis) reveals AR/TP53 signaling network to be a major signaling pathway, and survival analysis indicates genes subsets significantly associated with prostate cancer recurrence. Our results suggest that DNA methylation in Distal and Genic regions also plays critical roles in contributing to prostate tumorigenesis, and may act either positively or negatively with TSSs to alter gene regulation in tumors.

Synthesis and antitumor activity evaluation of a novel combi-nitrosourea prodrug: Designed to release a DNA cross-linking agent and an inhibitor of O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase.

PubMed

Sun, Guohui; Zhang, Na; Zhao, Lijiao; Fan, Tengjiao; Zhang, Shufen; Zhong, Rugang

2016-05-01

The drug resistance of CENUs induced by O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT), which repairs the O(6)-alkylated guanine and subsequently inhibits the formation of dG-dC cross-links, hinders the application of CENU chemotherapies. Therefore, the discovery of CENU analogs with AGT inhibiting activity is a promising approach leading to novel CENU chemotherapies with high therapeutic index. In this study, a new combi-nitrosourea prodrug 3-(3-(((2-amino-9H-purin-6-yl)oxy)methyl)benzyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (6), designed to release a DNA cross-linking agent and an inhibitor of AGT, was synthesized and evaluated for its antitumor activity and ability to induce DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs). The results indicated that 6 exhibited higher cytotoxicity against mer(+) glioma cells compared with ACNU, BCNU, and their respective combinations with O(6)-benzylguanine (O(6)-BG). Quantifications of dG-dC cross-links induced by 6 were performed using HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Higher levels of dG-dC cross-link were observed in 6-treated human glioma SF763 cells (mer(+)), whereas lower levels of dG-dC cross-link were observed in 6-treated calf thymus DNA, when compared with the groups treated with BCNU and ACNU. The results suggested that the superiority of 6 might result from the AGT inhibitory moiety, which specifically functions in cells with AGT activity. Molecular docking studies indicated that five hydrogen bonds were formed between the O(6)-BG analogs released from 6 and the five residues in the active pocket of AGT, which provided a reasonable explanation for the higher AGT-inhibitory activity of 6 than O(6)-BG. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Search for Gene Fusions/Translocations in Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-11-01

Ramnarayanan K, Brenner JC, Yu J , Kim JH, Han B, Tan P, Kumar-Sinha C, Lonigro RJ, Palanisamy N, Maher CA, Chinnaiyan AM. Science. 2008 Dec 12;322...Barrette TR, Grasso C, Yu J , Lonigro RJ, Schroth G, Kumar-Sinha C, Chinnaiyan AM. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Jul 10. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID...CA, Palanisamy N, Mehra R, Kominsky HD, Siddiqui J , Yu J , Qin ZS, Chinnaiyan AM. Deep sequencing reveals distinct patterns of DNA methylation in

[Ski and SnoN: antagonistic proteins of TGFbeta signaling].

PubMed

Vignais, M L

2000-02-01

Ski and SnoN are two proto-oncogenes that, at high cellular concentrations, are associated with tumors. Up to now, apart the fact that SnoN and Ski were known to bind to DNA indirectly, very little was known about the mechanism which enables these factors to induce tumorigenesis. We know now that SnoN and Ski interact with the SMAD proteins which are mediators of TGFbeta signaling. These SMADs enable recruitment to target gene promoters of SnoN and Ski as well as the histone deacetylase activity which is associated with them. Whereas physiologic concentrations of SnoN and Ski allow a feedback regulation of TGFbeta signaling, deregulation of SnoN or Ski expression leads to total inhibition of TGFbeta signaling and of the tumor suppressors Smad2 and Smad4, which can explain the role of SnoN and Ski as oncogenes.

Checkpoint suppressor 1 suppresses transcriptional activity of ERα and breast cancer cell proliferation via deacetylase SIRT1.

PubMed

Xu, Zhaowei; Yang, Yangyang; Li, Bowen; Li, Yanan; Xia, Kangkai; Yang, Yuxi; Li, Xiahui; Wang, Miao; Li, Shujing; Wu, Huijian

2018-05-11

Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous carcinoma in women worldwide, but the underlying mechanisms that account for breast cancer initiation and development have not been fully established. Mounting evidence indicates that Checkpoint suppressor 1 (CHES1) is tightly associated with tumorigenesis and prognosis in many types of cancer. However, the definitive function of CHES1 in breast cancer remains to be explored. Here we showed that CHES1 had a physical interaction with estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and repressed the transactivation of ERα in breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, the interaction between CHES1 and ERα enhanced the recruitment of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) deacetylase Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and it further induced SIRT1-mediated ERα deacetylation and repression on the promoter-binding enrichment of ERα. In addition, we also found that the expression of CHES1 was repressed by estrogen-ERα signaling and the expression level of CHES1 was significantly downregulated in ERα-positive breast cancer. The detailed mechanism was that ERα may directly bind to CHES1 potential promoter via recognizing the conserved estrogen response element (ERE) motif in response to estrogen stimulation. Functionally, CHES1 inhibited ERα-mediated proliferation and tumorigenesis of breast cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. Totally, these results identified a negative cross-regulatory loop between ERα and CHES1 that was required for growth of breast cancer cells, it might uncover novel insight into molecular mechanism of CHES1 involved in breast cancer and provide new avenues for molecular-targeted therapy in hormone-regulated breast cancer.

A Mutant Mouse with a Highly Specific Contextual Fear-Conditioning Deficit Found in an N-Ethyl-N-Nitrosourea (ENU) Mutagenesis Screen

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pletcher, Mathew T.; Wiltshire, Tim; Tarantino, Lisa M.; Mayford, Mark; Reijmers, Leon G.; Coats, Jennifer K.

2006-01-01

Targeted mutagenesis in mice has shown that genes from a wide variety of gene families are involved in memory formation. The efficient identification of genes involved in learning and memory could be achieved by random mutagenesis combined with high-throughput phenotyping. Here, we provide the first report of a mutagenesis screen that has…

Low and high dose rate heavy ion radiation-induced intestinal and colonic tumorigenesis in APC1638N/+ mice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suman, Shubhankar; Kumar, Santosh; Moon, Bo-Hyun; Fornace, Albert J.; Datta, Kamal

2017-05-01

Ionizing radiation (IR) is a recognized risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) and astronauts undertaking long duration space missions are expected to receive IR doses in excess of permissible limits with implications for colorectal carcinogenesis. Exposure to IR in outer space occurs at low doses and dose rates, and energetic heavy ions due to their high linear energy transfer (high-LET) characteristics remain a major concern for CRC risk in astronauts. Previously, we have demonstrated that intestinal tumorigenesis in a mouse model (APC1638N/+) of human colorectal cancer was significantly higher after exposure to high dose rate energetic heavy ions relative to low-LET γ radiation. The purpose of the current study was to compare intestinal tumorigenesis in APC1638N/+ mice after exposure to energetic heavy ions at high (50 cGy/min) and relatively low (0.33 cGy/min) dose rate. Male and female mice (6-8 weeks old) were exposed to either 10 or 50 cGy of 28Si (energy: 300 MeV/n; LET: 70 keV/μm) or 56Fe (energy: 1000 MeV/n; LET: 148 keV/μm) ions at NASA Space Radiation Laboratory in Brookhaven National Laboratory. Mice (n = 20 mice/group) were euthanized and intestinal and colon tumor frequency and size were counted 150 days after radiation exposure. Intestinal tumorigenesis in male mice exposed to 56Fe was similar for high and low dose rate exposures. Although male mice showed a decreasing trend at low dose rate relative to high dose rate exposures, the differences in tumor frequency between the two types of exposures were not statistically significant after 28Si radiation. In female mice, intestinal tumor frequency was similar for both radiation type and dose rates tested. In both male and female mice intestinal tumor size was not different after high and low dose rate radiation exposures. Colon tumor frequency in male and female mice after high and low dose rate energetic heavy ions was also not significantly different. In conclusion, intestinal and colonic tumor frequency and size was similar irrespective of energetic heavy ion radiation dose rate suggesting that carcinogenic potential of energetic heavy ions is independent of dose rate.

Association between promoter hypermethylation of the DACT2 gene and tumor stages in breast cancer.

PubMed

Marusa Borgonio-Cuadra, Veronica; Miranda-Duarte, Antonio; Rojas-Toledo, Xochitl; Garcia-Hernandez, Normand; Alfredo Sierra-Ramirez, Jose; Cardenas-Garcia, Maura; Elena Hernandez-Caballero, Marta

2018-01-01

Aberrant methylation of CpG islands in the promoter is a hallmark of cancer, leading to transcriptional silencing of tumor suppressor genes. The aim of this work was to evaluate the promoter methylation status of the DACT2 gene in breast cancer (BC) tissue and to analyze its possible effect on tumor type or grade. CpG island from the DACT2 promoter in region -240 to -14 from transcriptional start site (TSS) were obtained. Through the use of sodium bisulfite DNA conversion analysis, followed by detection with MSP (methylation specific PCR), we analyzed 79 BC and 15 adjacent healthy samples. T he c ases a nalyzed w ere i n s tage I ( 2.5%), I I (38%), or III (59.5%). The most frequent tumor type was invasive ductal carcinoma (71.4%). Methylation analysis comparing tumor tissues with adjacent non-cancerous tissues showed statistical significance. Methylation was observed in 32.9% (26/79) of the samples; no methylation was found in adjacent healthy tissue. DACT2 methylation was associated with tumor stage I-II (p=0.03) and stage III (p=0.004). An association was found of DACT2 promoter methylation with advanced tumor stages. This gene has been suggested as a potential biomarker, however, more investigation is required to validate this function.

Dietary compound isoliquiritigenin prevents mammary carcinogenesis by inhibiting breast cancer stem cells through WIF1 demethylation.

PubMed

Wang, Neng; Wang, Zhiyu; Wang, Yu; Xie, Xiaoming; Shen, Jiangang; Peng, Cheng; You, Jieshu; Peng, Fu; Tang, Hailin; Guan, Xinyuan; Chen, Jianping

2015-01-01

Breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered as the root of mammary tumorigenesis. Previous studies have demonstrated that ISL efficiently limited the activities of breast CSCs. However, the cancer prevention activities of ISL and its precise molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we report a novel function of ISL as a natural demethylation agent targeting WIF1 to prevent breast cancer. ISL administration suppressed in vivo breast cancer initiation and progression, accompanied by reduced CSC-like populations. A global gene expression profile assay further identified WIF1 as the main response gene of ISL treatment, accompanied by the simultaneous downregulation of β-catenin signaling and G0/G1 phase arrest in breast CSCs. In addition, WIF1 inhibition significantly relieved the CSC-limiting effects of ISL and methylation analysis further revealed that ISL enhanced WIF1 gene expression via promoting the demethylation of its promoter, which was closely correlated with the inhibition of DNMT1 methyltransferase. Molecular docking analysis finally revealed that ISL could stably dock into the catalytic domain of DNMT1. Taken together, our findings not only provide preclinical evidence to demonstrate the use of ISL as a dietary supplement to inhibit mammary carcinogenesis but also shed novel light on WIF1 as an epigenetic target for breast cancer prevention.

Nanoparticles, [Gd@C82(OH)22]n, induces dendritic cell maturation and activates Th1 immune responses

PubMed Central

Yang, De; Zhao, Yuliang; Guo, Hua; Li, Yana; Tewary, Poonam; Xing, Gengmei; Hou, Wei; Oppenheim, Joost J.; Zhang, Ning

2010-01-01

Dendritic cells play a pivotal role in host immune defense, such as elimination of foreign pathogen and inhibition of tumorigenesis. In this paper, we report that [Gd@C82(OH)22]n could induce phenotypic maturation of dendritic cells by stimulating DC production of cytokines including IL-12p70, upregulating DC costimulatory (CD80, CD83, and CD86) and MHC (HLA-A,B,C and HLA-DR) molecules, and switching DCs from a CCL5-responsive to a CCL19-responsive phenotype. We found that [Gd@C82(OH)22]n can induce dendritic cells to become functionally mature as illustrated by their capacity to activate allogeneic T cells. Mice immunized with ovalbumin in the presence of [Gd@C82(OH)22]n exhibit enhanced ovalbumin-specific Th1-polarized immune response as evidenced by the predominantly increased production of IFNγ, IL-1β, and IL-2. The [Gd@C82(OH)22]n nanoparticle is a potent activator of dendritic cells and Th1 immune responses. These new findings also provide a rational understanding of the potent anticancer activities of [Gd@C82(OH)22]n nanoparticles reported previously. PMID:20121217

Effect of pharmacologically induced retinal degeneration on retinal autofluorescence lifetimes in mice.

PubMed

Dysli, Chantal; Dysli, Muriel; Zinkernagel, Martin S; Enzmann, Volker

2016-12-01

Fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy (FLIO) was used to investigate retinal autofluorescence lifetimes in mouse models of pharmacologically induced retinal degeneration over time. Sodium iodate (NaIO 3 , 35 mg/kg intravenously) was used to induce retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration with subsequent loss of photoreceptors (PR) whereas N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU, 45 mg/kg intraperitoneally) was employed for degeneration of the photoreceptor cell layer alone. All mice were measured at day 3, 7, 14, and 28 after the respective injection of NaIO 3 , MNU or NaCl (control). Fluorescence lifetime imaging was performed using a fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscope (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). Fluorescence was excited at 473 nm and fluorescence lifetimes were measured in a short and a long spectral channel (498-560 nm and 560-720 nm). Corresponding optical coherence tomography (OCT) images were consecutively acquired and histology was performed at the end of the experiments. Segmentation of OCT images and histology verified the cell type-specific degeneration process over time. Retinal autofluorescence lifetimes increased from day 3 to day 28 in mice after NaIO 3 treatment. Finally, at day 28, fluorescence lifetimes were prolonged by 8% in the short and 61% in the long spectral channel compared to control animals (p = 0.21 and p = 0.004, respectively). In mice after MNU treatment, the mean retinal autofluorescence lifetimes were already decreased at day 3 and retinal lifetimes were finally shortened by 27% in the short and 51% in the long spectral channel at day 28 (p = 0.0028). In conclusion, degeneration of the RPE with subsequent photoreceptor degeneration by NaIO 3 lead to longer mean fluorescence lifetimes of the retina compared to control mice, whereas during specific degeneration of the photoreceptor layer induced by MNU shorter lifetimes were measured. Therefore, short retinal fluorescence lifetimes may originate from the RPE and may be modified by the overlaying retinal layers. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Carcinogens induce reversion of the mouse pink-eyed unstable mutation

PubMed Central

Schiestl, Robert H.; Aubrecht, Jiri; Khogali, Fathia; Carls, Nicholas

1997-01-01

Deletions and other genome rearrangements are associated with carcinogenesis and inheritable diseases. The pink-eyed unstable (pun) mutation in the mouse is caused by duplication of a 70-kb internal fragment of the p gene. Spontaneous reversion events in homozygous pun/pun mice occur through deletion of a duplicated sequence. Reversion events in premelanocytes in the mouse embryo detected as black spots on the gray fur of the offspring were inducible by the carcinogen x-rays, ethyl methanesulfonate, methyl methanesulfonate, ethyl nitrosourea, benzo[a]pyrene, trichloroethylene, benzene, and sodium arsenate. The latter three carcinogens are not detectable with several in vitro or in vivo mutagenesis assays. We studied the molecular mechanism of the carcinogen-induced reversion events by cDNA analysis using reverse transcriptase–PCR method and identified the induced reversion events as deletions. DNA deletion assays may be sensitive indicators for carcinogen exposure. PMID:9114032

Breast feeding increases vasoconstriction induced by electrical field stimulation in rat mesenteric artery. Role of neuronal nitric oxide and ATP.

PubMed

Blanco-Rivero, Javier; Sastre, Esther; Caracuel, Laura; Granado, Miriam; Balfagón, Gloria

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate in rat mesenteric artery whether breast feeding (BF) affects the vasomotor response induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS), participation by different innervations in the EFS-induced response and the mechanism/s underlying these possible modifications. Experiments were performed in female Sprague-Dawley rats (3 months old), divided into three groups: Control (in oestrous phase), mothers after 21 days of BF, and mothers that had recovered their oestral cycle (After BF, in oestrous phase). Vasomotor response to EFS, noradrenaline (NA) and nitric oxide (NO) donor DEA-NO were studied. Neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) and phosphorylated nNOS (P-nNOS) protein expression were analysed and NO, superoxide anion (O(2)(.-)), NA and ATP releases were also determined. EFS-induced contraction was higher in the BF group, and was recovered after BF. 1 µmol/L phentolamine decreased the response to EFS similarly in control and BF rats. NA vasoconstriction and release were similar in both experimental groups. ATP release was higher in segments from BF rats. 0.1 mmol/L L-NAME increased the response to EFS in both control and BF rats, but more so in control animals. BF decreased NO release and did not modify O(2)(.-) production. Vasodilator response to DEA-NO was similar in both groups, while nNOS and P-nNOS expressions were decreased in segments from BF animals. Breast feeding increases EFS-induced contraction in mesenteric arteries, mainly through the decrease of neuronal NO release mediated by decreased nNOS and P-nNOS expression. Sympathetic function is increased through the increased ATP release in BF rats.

Breast Feeding Increases Vasoconstriction Induced by Electrical Field Stimulation in Rat Mesenteric Artery. Role of Neuronal Nitric Oxide and ATP

PubMed Central

Caracuel, Laura; Granado, Miriam; Balfagón, Gloria

2013-01-01

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate in rat mesenteric artery whether breast feeding (BF) affects the vasomotor response induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS), participation by different innervations in the EFS-induced response and the mechanism/s underlying these possible modifications. Methods Experiments were performed in female Sprague-Dawley rats (3 months old), divided into three groups: Control (in oestrous phase), mothers after 21 days of BF, and mothers that had recovered their oestral cycle (After BF, in oestrous phase). Vasomotor response to EFS, noradrenaline (NA) and nitric oxide (NO) donor DEA-NO were studied. Neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) and phosphorylated nNOS (P-nNOS) protein expression were analysed and NO, superoxide anion (O2 .–), NA and ATP releases were also determined. Results EFS-induced contraction was higher in the BF group, and was recovered after BF. 1 µmol/L phentolamine decreased the response to EFS similarly in control and BF rats. NA vasoconstriction and release were similar in both experimental groups. ATP release was higher in segments from BF rats. 0.1 mmol/L L-NAME increased the response to EFS in both control and BF rats, but more so in control animals. BF decreased NO release and did not modify O2 .– production. Vasodilator response to DEA-NO was similar in both groups, while nNOS and P-nNOS expressions were decreased in segments from BF animals. Conclusion Breast feeding increases EFS-induced contraction in mesenteric arteries, mainly through the decrease of neuronal NO release mediated by decreased nNOS and P-nNOS expression. Sympathetic function is increased through the increased ATP release in BF rats. PMID:23342008

The role of NMDA receptor and nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway in the antidepressant-like effect of dextromethorphan in mice forced swimming test and tail suspension test.

PubMed

Sakhaee, Ehsan; Ostadhadi, Sattar; Khan, Muhammad Imran; Yousefi, Farbod; Norouzi-Javidan, Abbas; Akbarian, Reyhaneh; Chamanara, Mohsen; Zolfaghari, Samira; Dehpour, Ahmad-Reza

2017-01-01

Depression is a devastating disorder which has a high impact on the wellbeing of overall society. As such, need for innovative therapeutic agents are always there. Most of the researchers focused on N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor to explore the antidepressant like activity of new therapeutic agents. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant agent with potential antidepressant activity reported in mouse force swimming test. Considering N-methyl-d-aspartate as a forefront in exploring antidepressant agents, here we focused to unpin the antidepressant mechanism of dextromethorphan targeting N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor induced nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate signaling. Dextromethorphan administered at a dose of 10 and 30mg/kg i.p significantly reduced the immobility time. Interestingly, this effect of drug (30mg/kg) was inhibited when the animals were pretreated either with N-methyl-d-aspartate (75mg/kg), or l-arginine (750mg/kg) as a nitric oxide precursor and/or sildenafil (5mg/kg) as a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor. However, the antidepressant effect of Dextromethorphan subeffective dose (3mg/kg) was augmented when the animals were administered with either L-NG-Nitroarginine methyl ester (10mg/kg) non-specific nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, 7-Nitroindazole (30mg/kg) specific neural nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, MK-801 (0.05mg/kg) an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist but not aminoguanidine (50mg/kg) which is specific inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor as compared to the drugs when administered alone. No remarkable effect on locomotor activity was observed during open field test when the drugs were administered at the above mentioned doses. Therefore, it is evident that the antidepressant like effect of Dextromethorphan is owed due to its inhibitory effect on N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor and NO- Cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Promoter hypermethylation of mismatch repair gene hMLH1 predicts the clinical response of malignant astrocytomas to nitrosourea.

PubMed

Fukushima, Takao; Katayama, Yoichi; Watanabe, Takao; Yoshino, Atsuo; Ogino, Akiyoshi; Ohta, Takashi; Komine, Chiaki

2005-02-15

In certain types of human cancers, transcriptional inactivation of hMLH1 by promoter hypermethylation plays a causal role in the loss of mismatch repair functions that modulate cytotoxic pathways in response to DNA-damaging agents. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of promoter methylation of the hMLH1 gene in malignant astrocytomas. We examined the hMLH1 promoter methylation in a homogeneous cohort of patients with 41 malignant astrocytomas treated by 1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)methyl-3-2(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea chemotherapy in combination with radiation and interferon therapy, and assessed the correlation of such methylation with clinical outcome. hMLH1 promoter methylation was found in 6 (15%) of the 41 newly diagnosed malignant astrocytomas. Hypermethylation of the hMLH1 promoter corresponded closely with a loss of immunohistochemical staining for hMLH1 protein (P = 0.0013). Patients with hMLH1-methylated tumors displayed a greater chance of responding to adjuvant therapy as compared with those with hMLH1-unmethylated tumors (P = 0.0150). The presence of hMLH1 hypermethylation was significantly associated with a longer progression-free survival on both univariate analysis (P = 0.0340) and multivariate analysis (P = 0.0161). The present study identified hMLH1 methylation status as a predictor of the clinical response of malignant astrocytomas to chloroethylnitrosourea-based adjuvant therapy. The findings obtained suggest that determination of the methylation status of hMLH1 could provide a potential basis for designing rational chemotherapeutic strategies, as well as for predicting prognosis.

Quercetin-3-methyl ether inhibits lapatinib-sensitive and -resistant breast cancer cell growth by inducing G2/M arrest and apoptosis

PubMed Central

Li, Jixia; Zhu, Feng; Lubet, Ronald A.; De Luca, Antonella; Grubbs, Clinton; Ericson, Marna E.; D’Alessio, Amelia; Normano, Nicola; Dong, Zigang; Bode, Ann M.

2012-01-01

Lapatinib, an oral, small-molecule, reversible inhibitor of both EGFR and HER2, is highly active in HER2 positive breast cancer as a single agent and in combination with other therapeutics. However, resistance against lapatinib is an unresolved problem in clinical oncology. Recently, interest in the use of natural compounds to prevent or treat cancers has gained increasing interest because of presumed low toxicity. Quercetin-3-methyl ether, a naturally occurring compound present in various plants, has potent anticancer activity. Here, we found that quercetin-3-methyl ether caused in a significant growth inhibition of lapatinib-sensitive and -resistant breast cancer cells. Western blot data showed that quercetin-3-methyl ether had no effect on Akt or ERKs signaling in resistant cells. However, quercetin-3-methyl ether caused a pronounced G2/M block mainly through the Chk1-Cdc25c-cyclin B1/Cdk1 pathway in lapatinib-sensitive and -resistant cells. In contrast, lapatinib produced an accumulation of cells in the G1 phase mediated through cyclin D1, but only in lapatinib-sensitive cells. Moreover, quercetin-3-methyl ether induced significant apoptosis, accompanied with increased levels of cleaved caspase 3, caspase 7 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in both cell lines. Overall, these results suggested that quercetin-3-methyl ether might be a novel and promising therapeutic agent in lapatinib-sensitive or -resistant breast cancer patients. PMID:22086611

Blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptors May Protect against Ischemic Damage in the Brain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simon, R. P.; Swan, J. H.; Griffiths, T.; Meldrum, B. S.

1984-11-01

In rats ischemia of the forebrain induced by a 30-minute occlusion of the carotid artery, followed by 120 minutes of arterial reperfusion, produced ischemic lesions of selectively vulnerable pyramidal cells in both hippocampi. Focal microinfusion into the dorsal hippocampus of 2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid, an antagonist of excitation at the N-methyl-d-asparate-preferring receptor, before ischemia was induced protected against the development of ischemic damage. It is proposed that excitatory neurotransmission plays an important role in selective neuronal loss due to cerebral ischemia.

Highly sensitive sites for guanine-O6 ethylation in rat brain DNA exposed to N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea in vivo.

PubMed Central

Nehls, P; Rajewsky, M F; Spiess, E; Werner, D

1984-01-01

Brain chromosomal DNA isolated from fetal BDIX-rats 1 h after i.v. administration of the ethylating N-nitroso carcinogen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (75 micrograms/g body weight), statistically contained one molecule of O6-ethyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (O6-EtdGuo) per 81 micron of DNA, as determined in enzymatic DNA hydrolysates by competitive radio-immunoassay using a high-affinity anti-(O6-EtdGuo) monoclonal antibody (ER-6). After fragmentation of the DNA by the restriction enzyme AluI (average fragment length, Lav = 0.28 micron = 970 bp; length range, Lr = 1.87-0.02 micron = 6540 - 60 bp), a small (approximately 2%) fraction of DNA enriched in specific polypeptides tightly associated with DNA was separated from the bulk DNA by a glass fiber binding technique. As analyzed by immune electron microscopy, approximately 1% of the DNA molecules in this fraction contained clusters of 2-10 (O6-EtdGuo)-antibody binding sites (ABS). On the cluster-bearing fragments (Lav, 0.85 micron +/- 0.50 micron S.D.; corresponding to 2970 +/- 1760 bp) the average ABS-ABS interspace distance was 110 nm (= 390 bp; range approximately 9-600 nm), indicating a highly non-random distribution of O6-EtdGuo in target cell DNA. Images Fig. 2. PMID:6370677

Epigenetic activation of MGAT3 and corresponding bisecting GlcNAc shortens the survival of cancer patients.

PubMed

Kohler, Reto S; Anugraham, Merrina; López, Mónica Núñez; Xiao, Christina; Schoetzau, Andreas; Hettich, Timm; Schlotterbeck, Goetz; Fedier, André; Jacob, Francis; Heinzelmann-Schwarz, Viola

2016-08-09

Bisecting GlcNAc on N-glycoproteins is described in E-cadherin-, EGF-, Wnt- and integrin- cancer-associated signaling pathways. However, the mechanisms regulating bisecting GlcNAc expression are not clear. Bisecting GlcNAc is attached to N-glycans through beta 1-4 N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase III (MGAT3), which is encoded by two exons flanked by high-density CpG islands. Despite a recently described correlation of MGAT3 and bisecting GlcNAc in ovarian cancer cells, it remains unknown whether DNA methylation is causative for the presence of bisecting GlcNAc. Here, we narrow down the regulatory genomic region and show that reconstitution of MGAT3 expression with 5-Aza coincides with reduced DNA methylation at the MGAT3 transcription start site. The presence of bisecting GlcNAc on released N-glycans was detected by mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-qTOF-MS/MS) in serous ovarian cancer cells upon DNA methyltransferase inhibition. The regulatory impact of DNA methylation on MGAT3 was further evaluated in 18 TCGA cancer types (n = 6118 samples) and the results indicate an improved overall survival in patients with reduced MGAT3 expression, thereby identifying long-term survivors of high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOC). Epigenetic activation of MGAT3 was also confirmed in basal-like breast cancers sharing similar molecular and genetic features with HGSOC. These results provide novel insights into the epigenetic regulation of MGAT3/bisecting GlcNAc and demonstrate the importance of N-glycosylation in cancer progression.

Tumor-Associated Macrophages Recruit CCR6+ Regulatory T Cells and Promote the Development of Colorectal Cancer via Enhancing CCL20 Production in Mice

PubMed Central

Li, Qun; Zhang, Weiwei; Ke, Fang; Leng, Qibin; Wang, Hong; Chen, Jinfei; Wang, Honglin

2011-01-01

Background Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) remodel the colorectal cancer (CRC) microenvironment. Yet, findings on the role of TAMs in CRC seem to be contradictory compared with other cancers. FoxP3+ regulatory T (Treg)-cells dominantly infiltrate CRC. However, the underlying molecular mechanism in which TAMs may contribute to the trafficking of Treg-cells to the tumor mass remains unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings CRC was either induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) and H. pylori or established by subcutaneous injection of mouse colorectal tumor cell line (CMT93) in mice. CMT93 cells were co-cultured with primary macrophages in a transwell apparatus. Recruitment of FoxP3 green fluorescence protein positive (FoxP3GFP+) Treg-cells was assessed using the IVIS Imaging System or immunofluorescence staining. A role for macrophages in trafficking of Treg-cells and in the development of CRC was investigated in CD11b diphtheria toxin receptor (CD11b-DTR) transgenic C57BL/6J mice in which macrophages can be selectively depleted. Treg-cells remarkably infiltrated solid tumor, and predominantly expressed the homing chemokine receptor (CCR) 6 in the induced CRC model. Both CMT93 cancer cells and macrophages produced a large amount of CCL20, the sole ligand of CCR6 in vitro and in vivo. Injection of recombinant mouse CCL20 into tumor sites promoted its development with a marked recruitment of Treg-cells in the graft CRC model. Conditional macrophage ablation decreased CCL20 levels, blocked Treg-cell recruitment and inhibited tumor growth in CD11b-DTR mice grafted with CMT93. Conclusions/Significance TAMs recruit CCR6+ Treg-cells to tumor mass and promote its development via enhancing the production of CCL20 in a CRC mouse model. PMID:21559338

Epigenetics of breast cancer: modifying role of environmental and bioactive food compounds

PubMed Central

Romagnolo, Donato F.; Daniels, Kevin D.; Grunwald, Jonathan T.; Ramos, Stephan A.; Propper, Catherine R.; Selmin, Ornella I.

2017-01-01

Scope Reduced expression of tumor suppressor genes (TSG) increases the susceptibility to breast cancer. However, only a small percentage of breast tumors is related to family history and mutational inactivation of TSG. Epigenetics refers to non-mutational events that alter gene expression. Endocrine disruptors found in foods and drinking water may disrupt epigenetically hormonal regulation and increase breast cancer risk. This review centers on the working hypothesis that agonists of the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AHR); bisphenol A (BPA); and arsenic compounds, induce in TSG epigenetic signatures that mirror those often seen in sporadic breast tumors. Conversely, it is hypothesized that bioactive food components that target epigenetic mechanisms protect against sporadic breast cancer induced by these disruptors. Methods and results This review highlights 1) overlaps between epigenetic signatures placed in TSG by AHR-ligands, BPA, and arsenic with epigenetic alterations associated with sporadic breast tumorigenesis; and 2) potential opportunities for prevention of sporadic breast cancer with food components that target the epigenetic machinery. Conclusions Characterizing the overlap between epigenetic signatures elicited in TSG by endocrine disruptors with those observed in sporadic breast tumors may afford new strategies for breast cancer prevention with specific bioactive food components or diet. PMID:27144894

N-methyl-D-aspartate neurotoxicity in hippocampal slices: protection by aniracetam.

PubMed

Pizzi, M; Consolandi, O; Memo, M; Spano, P

1995-03-14

Aniracetam, a drug known to elicit cognition enhancing properties in both animals and humans, was found to counteract the neurotoxicity induced by excitatory amino acids in primary cultures of cerebellar neurons. We report here that aniracetam prevents the neurotoxic effect induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) in rat hippocampal slices. Time-course experiments showed that the aniracetam-induced neuroprotection does not require preincubation of the slices with the drug. Maximal effective concentration of aniracetam was 10 microM. Since the NMDA-mediated cell death in hippocampal slices is considered a valuable experimental model of ischemia, these results suggest a possible novel therapeutic application for aniracetam.

Mutations in α-Tubulin Cause Abnormal Neuronal Migration in Mice and Lissencephaly in Humans

PubMed Central

Keays, David A.; Tian, Guoling; Poirier, Karine; Huang, Guo-Jen; Siebold, Christian; Cleak, James; Oliver, Peter L.; Fray, Martin; Harvey, Robert J.; Molnár, Zoltán; Piñon, Maria C.; Dear, Neil; Valdar, William; Brown, Steve D.M.; Davies, Kay E.; Rawlins, J. Nicholas P.; Cowan, Nicholas J.; Nolan, Patrick; Chelly, Jamel; Flint, Jonathan

2007-01-01

Summary The development of the mammalian brain is dependent on extensive neuronal migration. Mutations in mice and humans that affect neuronal migration result in abnormal lamination of brain structures with associated behavioral deficits. Here, we report the identification of a hyperactive N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced mouse mutant with abnormalities in the laminar architecture of the hippocampus and cortex, accompanied by impaired neuronal migration. We show that the causative mutation lies in the guanosine triphosphate (GTP) binding pocket of α-1 tubulin (Tuba1) and affects tubulin heterodimer formation. Phenotypic similarity with existing mouse models of lissencephaly led us to screen a cohort of patients with developmental brain anomalies. We identified two patients with de novo mutations in TUBA3, the human homolog of Tuba1. This study demonstrates the utility of ENU mutagenesis in the mouse as a means to discover the basis of human neurodevelopmental disorders. PMID:17218254

Antigenotoxic effects of Citrus aurentium L. fruit peel oil on mutagenicity of two alkylating agents and two metals in the Drosophila wing spot test.

PubMed

Demir, Eşref; Kocaoğlu, Serap; Cetin, Huseyin; Kaya, Bülent

2009-07-01

Antigenotoxic effects of Citrus aurentium L. (Rutaceae) fruit peel oil (CPO) in combination with mutagenic metals and alkylating agents were studied using the wing spot test of D. melanogaster. The four reference mutagens, potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7), cobalt chloride (CoCl2), ethylmethanesulfonate (EMS), and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) were clearly genotoxic. CPO alone at doses from 0.1 to 0.5% in Tween 80 was not mutagenic and did not enhance the mutagenic effect of the reference mutagens. However, antigenotoxic effects of CPO were clearly demonstrated in chronic cotreatments with mutagens and oil, by a significant decrease in wing spots induced by all four mutagens. The D. melanogaster wing spot test was found to be a suitable assay for detecting antigenotoxic effects in vivo. Copyright 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Mechanism of action of (2-haloethyl)nitrosoureas on DNA. Isolation and reactions of postulated 2-(alkylimino)-3-nitrosooxazolidine intermediates in the decomposition of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-, 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-, and 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4'-trans-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea.

PubMed

Lown, J W; Chauhan, S M

1981-03-01

Three examples of the postulated but hitherto unisolated 2-(alkylimino)-3-nitrosooxazolidines (2) have been prepared containing cyclohexyl, trans-4-methylcyclohexyl, and 2-chloroethyl groups at the 2 position, respectively. These compounds correspond to intermediates previously postulated to be formed in the aqueous decomposition of the antitumor agents 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl- (CCNU), 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4'-trans-methylcyclohexyl)- (MeCCNU), and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), respectively, Compounds 2 decompose under physiological conditions to give a range of products similar to those formed from the corresponding (2-chloroethyl)nitrosoureas, including the hitherto unrecognized 2-hydroxyethl N-alkylcarbamates (9). Compounds 2a and 2b are converted with hydrochloric acid into CCNU and MeCCNU, respectively, suggesting that 2a and 2b may be reaction intermediates of decomposition. The corresponding 3-alkyl-1-nitroso-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)ureas (4) were characterized and, since they also decompose to give the same products as 2, may arise from the ring opening of 2. The intermediacy of compounds 4 can explain the formation of hydroxyethylated nucleosides isolated by other workers from the reaction of (2-chloroethyl)nitrosoureas on polynucleotides.

Exisulind in combination with celecoxib modulates epidermal growth factor receptor, cyclooxygenase-2, and cyclin D1 against prostate carcinogenesis: in vivo evidence.

PubMed

Narayanan, Bhagavathi A; Reddy, Bandaru S; Bosland, Maarten C; Nargi, Dominick; Horton, Lori; Randolph, Carla; Narayanan, Narayanan K

2007-10-01

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs mediate anticancer effects by modulating cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-dependent and/or COX-2-independent mechanism(s); however, the toxicity issue is a concern with single agents at higher doses. In this study, we determined the combined effect of celecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, along with exisulind (sulindac sulfone/Aptosyn) at low doses in prostate cancer. We used a sequential regimen of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea + testosterone to induce prostate cancer in Wistar-Unilever rats. Following carcinogen treatment, celecoxib and exisulind individually and their combination at low doses were given in NIH-07 diet for 52 weeks. We determined the incidence of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, adenocarcinomas, rate of tumor cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis were done to determine COX-2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Akt, androgen receptor, and cyclin D1 expression. Serum prostaglandin E2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were determined using enzyme immunoassay/ELISA assays. The rats that received celecoxib in combination with exisulind at low doses showed a significant decrease in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and adenocarcinomas as well as an enhanced rate of apoptosis. An overall decrease in COX-2, EGFR, Akt, androgen receptor, and cyclin D1 expression was found associated with tumor growth inhibition. Reduced serum levels of COX-2 protein, prostaglandin E2, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha indicated anti-inflammatory effects. A strong inhibition of total and phosphorylated form of EGFR (Tyr(992) and Tyr(845)) and Akt (Ser(473)) was significant in rats given with these agents in combination. In this study, we show for the first time that the combination of celecoxib with exisulind at low doses could prevent prostate carcinogenesis by altering key molecular events.

Effects of Stinging Nettle (Urtica Dioica L.,) on Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Rat Model of Mammary Gland Cancer

PubMed Central

Telo, Selda; Halifeoglu, Ihsan; Ozercan, Ibrahim Hanifi

2017-01-01

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.,) is a medicinal herb commonly used by humans. The role of reactive oxygen metabolites on cancer etiology is known. There are some studies about the antioxidant effects of Urtica Dioica (UD) on therapy of some cancer types. This study aimed to investigate the effects of UD on antioxidant enzyme activities and mammary gland cancer induced by in rats-N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU) carcinogenesis. Rats were divided into four groups: a untreated group (Group 1), a NMU group (Group 2) given 50 mg/kg NMU by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, a NMU group (Group 3) treated with UD, a control group (Group 4) fed with 50g/kg UD. After 5.5 months, rats were decapitated, and mammary tissue and blood samples were obtained. There was a significant (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively) increase in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of group 2 compared with group 1 and 4. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of the erythrocytes was decreased in group 3 than the other groups (p<0.0001). The erythrocyte catalase (CAT) activity was significantly increased in group 4 compared with group 2 and 3 (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). The number of animals with palpable tumors was 6 (46.15%) in group 2, and 2 (13.3%) in group 3 at the end of the 22nd week. Although group 3 had lower palpable tumor number than group 2, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.096). The results showed that UD constituents may have effects on lipid peroxidation and some antioxidant enzyme activities, and may slow the formation of mammary tumor. PMID:29844787

Twenty-six-week oral carcinogenicity study of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol in CB6F1-rasH2 transgenic mice.

PubMed

Lee, Byoung-Seok; Park, Sang-Jin; Kim, Yong-Bum; Han, Ji-Seok; Jeong, Eun Ju; Son, Hwa-Young; Moon, Kyoung-Sik

2017-01-01

The carcinogenic potential of 3-monochloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) was evaluated in a short-term carcinogenicity testing study using CB6F1 rasH2-Tg (rasH2-Tg) mice. 3-MCPD is found in many foods and food ingredients as a result of storage or processing and is regarded as a carcinogen since it is known to induce Leydig cell and kidney tumors in rats. Male and female rasH2-Tg mice were administered 3-MCPD once daily by oral gavage at doses of 0, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day for 26 weeks. As a positive control, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) was administered as a single intraperitoneal injection (75 mg/kg). In 3-MCPD-treated mice, there was no increase in the incidence of neoplastic lesions compared to the incidence in vehicle control mice. However, 3-MCPD treatment resulted in an increased incidence of tubular basophilia in the kidneys and germ cell degeneration in the testes, with degenerative germ cell debris in the epididymides of males at 20 and 40 mg/kg bw per day. In 3-MCPD-treated females, vacuolation of the brain and spinal cord was observed at 40 mg/kg bw per day; however, only one incidence of vacuolation was observed in males. Forestomach and cutaneous papilloma and/or carcinoma and lymphoma were observed in most rasH2 mice receiving MNU treatment. We concluded that 3-MCPD did not show carcinogenic potential in the present study using rasH2-Tg mice. The findings of this study suggest that the carcinogenic potential of 3-MCPD is species specific.

Combined inadequacies of multiple B-vitamins amplify colonic Wnt-signaling and promote intestinal tumorigenesis in BAT-LacZ X Apc1638N mice

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Wnt pathway is a pivotal signaling cascade in colorectal carcinogenesis. The purpose of this work is to determine whether depletion of folate and other metabolically-related one-carbon vitamins induces in vivo activation of intestinal Wnt signaling, and whether this occurs in parallel with incre...

Combined inadequacies of multiple B-vitamins amplify colonic Wnt-signaling and promote intestinal tumorigenesis in BAT-LacZxApc1368N mice

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Wnt pathway is a pivotal signaling cascade in colorectal carcinogenesis. The purpose of this work is to determine whether depletion of folate and other metabolically-related one-carbon vitamins induces in vivo activation of intestinal Wnt signaling, and whether this occurs in parallel with incre...

Alteration in Methylation Pattern of Retinoblastoma 1 Gene Promotor Region in Intestinal Metaplasia with or without Helicobacter pylori and Gastric Cancer Patients.

PubMed

Boyacioglu, Seda Orenay; Kasap, Elmas; Yuceyar, Hakan; Korkmaz, Mehmet

2016-01-01

Helicobacter pylori, intestinal metaplasia (IM), and gene methylation play important roles in gastric carcinogenesis. However, the association among H. pylori infection, IM, gastric cancer (GC), and gene methylation is not fully understood. Cell cycle control involving retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) gene is one of the main regulatory pathways reported to be altered in gastric carcinogenesis. The purpose of this research is to assess the methylation status of RB1 gene in GC and IM with or without H. pylori infection, and to discuss the possible role of H. pylori-induced RB1 gene methylation in the mechanism of gastric carcinogenesis. The methylation profile of RB1 gene was analyzed by sodium bisulfite modification and methylation-specific PCR in GC (n = 24), IM patients with H. pylori positive (n = 20) and negative (n = 20), and control subjects (n = 20). According to methylation levels in RB1 gene; the high correlation values were detected between H. pylori positive-IM group and GC group, and between H. pylori positive-IM and H. pylori negative-IM groups (p < 0.05). No correlations between H. pylori negative-IM and GC groups and between GC and control groups were detected in methylation status of RB1 gene. High methylation levels in RB1 gene in H. pylori positive individuals may suggest an elevated risk of gastric cancer occurrence.

Synthesis and characterization of DNA minor groove binding alkylating agents.

PubMed

Iyer, Prema; Srinivasan, Ajay; Singh, Sreelekha K; Mascara, Gerard P; Zayitova, Sevara; Sidone, Brian; Fouquerel, Elise; Svilar, David; Sobol, Robert W; Bobola, Michael S; Silber, John R; Gold, Barry

2013-01-18

Derivatives of methyl 3-(1-methyl-5-(1-methyl-5-(propylcarbamoyl)-1H-pyrrol-3-ylcarbamoyl)-1H-pyrrol-3-ylamino)-3-oxopropane-1-sulfonate (1), a peptide-based DNA minor groove binding methylating agent, were synthesized and characterized. In all cases, the N-terminus was appended with an O-methyl sulfonate ester, while the C-terminus group was varied with nonpolar and polar side chains. In addition, the number of pyrrole rings was varied from 2 (dipeptide) to 3 (tripeptide). The ability of the different analogues to efficiently generate N3-methyladenine was demonstrated as was their selectivity for minor groove (N3-methyladenine) versus major groove (N7-methylguanine) methylation. Induced circular dichroism studies were used to measure the DNA equilibrium binding properties of the stable sulfone analogues; the tripeptide binds with affinity that is >10-fold higher than that of the dipeptide. The toxicities of the compounds were evaluated in alkA/tag glycosylase mutant E. coli and in human WT glioma cells and in cells overexpressing and under-expressing N-methylpurine-DNA glycosylase, which excises N3-methyladenine from DNA. The results show that equilibrium binding correlates with the levels of N3-methyladenine produced and cellular toxicity. The toxicity of 1 was inversely related to the expression of MPG in both the bacterial and mammalian cell lines. The enhanced toxicity parallels the reduced activation of PARP and the diminished rate of formation of aldehyde reactive sites observed in the MPG knockdown cells. It is proposed that unrepaired N3-methyladenine is toxic due to its ability to directly block DNA polymerization.

Dietary supplementation with methylseleninic acid inhibits mammary tumorigenesis and metastasis in male MMTV-PyMT mice

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Male breast cancer, which makes up approximately 1% of all breast cancer, is an aggressive disease with poor prognosis. We investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with selenium in the form of methylseleninic acid (MSeA, 4.0 mg MSeA/kg) on mammary tumorigenesis in male MMTV-PyMT mice. ...

Alkaloid fraction of Uncaria rhynchophylla protects against N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced apoptosis in rat hippocampal slices.

PubMed

Lee, Jongseok; Son, Dongwook; Lee, Pyeongjae; Kim, Sun-Yeou; Kim, Hocheol; Kim, Chang-Ju; Lim, Eunhee

2003-09-04

Uncaria rhynchophylla is a medicinal herb which has sedative and anticonvulsive effects and has been applied in the treatment of epilepsy in Oriental medicine. In this study, the effect of alkaloid fraction of U. rhynchophylla against N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced neuronal cell death was investigated. Pretreatment with an alkaloid fraction of U. rhynchophylla for 1 h decreased the degree of neuronal damage induced by NMDA exposure in cultured hippocampal slices and also inhibited NMDA-induced enhanced expressions of apoptosis-related genes such as c-jun, p53, and bax. In the present study, the alkaloid fraction of U. rhynchophylla was shown to have a protective property against NMDA-induced cytotoxicity by suppressing the NMDA-induced apoptosis in rat hippocampal slices.

Fibroblast TGF-beta Signaling in Breast Development and Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-01

hypermetylation. Among the genes implicated are GSTP1 , APC, RASSF1A, H1N-1 and RAR2 [18,19]. More research is needed to clarify the contribution of any...KG, Wallis BS, Hanson JC, Chuaqui RF, et al. Tumor-associated endothelial cells display GSTP1 and RARbeta2 promoter methylation in human prostate

VHL deletion impairs mammary alveologenesis but is not sufficient for mammary tumorigenesis.

PubMed

Seagroves, Tiffany N; Peacock, Danielle L; Liao, Debbie; Schwab, Luciana P; Krueger, Robin; Handorf, Charles R; Haase, Volker H; Johnson, Randall S

2010-05-01

Overexpression of hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1)alpha, which is common in most solid tumors, correlates with poor prognosis and high metastatic risk in breast cancer patients. Because HIF-1alpha protein stability is tightly controlled by the tumor suppressor von Hippel-Lindau (VHL), deletion of VHL results in constitutive HIF-1alpha expression. To determine whether VHL plays a role in normal mammary gland development, and if HIF-1alpha overexpression is sufficient to initiate breast cancer, Vhl was conditionally deleted in the mammary epithelium using the Cre/loxP system. During first pregnancy, loss of Vhl resulted in decreased mammary epithelial cell proliferation and impaired alveolar differentiation; despite these phenotypes, lactation was sufficient to support pup growth. In contrast, in multiparous dams, Vhl(-/-) mammary glands exhibited a progressive loss of alveolar epithelium, culminating in lactation failure. Deletion of Vhl in the epithelium also impacted the mammary stroma, as there was increased microvessel density accompanied by hemorrhage and increased immune cell infiltration. However, deletion of Vhl was not sufficient to induce mammary tumorigenesis in dams bred continuously for up to 24 months of age. Moreover, co-deletion of Hif1a could not rescue the Vhl(-/-)-dependent phenotype as dams were unable to successfully lactate during the first lactation. These results suggest that additional VHL-regulated genes besides HIF1A function to maintain the proliferative and regenerative potential of the breast epithelium.

[Mammary gland tumor induction in rats by N-nitroso-N-methylurea and N-methyl-N1-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine].

PubMed

Eliseev, V V; Vlasov, N N

1980-01-01

Cancer of the mammary gland was induced in female non-inbred rats under the local effect of N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) and N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). During 10 weeks 2.5 mg of the substance in 0.2 ml of saline was injected in the region of the third mammary gland once a week. Under NMU exposure a primary tumor arose 3 months following the initiation of the experiment, the average latent period being 5.8 months, the incidence rate--76.7%. All tumors of this series were adenocarcinomas, in 5 cases there were noted sites of fibroadenomatosis with malignification along the tumor node margins. MNNG produced a primary tumor at the 7th month of the experiment, an average latent period--8.3 months, the incidence rate--56.7%. Tumors were mostly adenocarcinomas.

Elevated expression of activated forms of Neu/ErbB-2 and ErbB-3 are involved in the induction of mammary tumors in transgenic mice: implications for human breast cancer.

PubMed Central

Siegel, P M; Ryan, E D; Cardiff, R D; Muller, W J

1999-01-01

To assess the importance of Neu activation during mammary tumorigenesis, altered receptors harboring in-frame deletions within the extracellular domain were expressed in transgenic mice. Females from several independent lines develop multiple mammary tumors that frequently metastasize to the lung. Tumor progression in these strains was associated with elevated levels of tyrosine-phosphorylated Neu and ErbB-3. Consistent with these observations, a survey of primary human breast tumors revealed frequent co-expression of both erbB-2 and erbB-3 transcripts. The ability of altered Neu receptors to induce mammary tumorigenesis in transgenic mice prompted us to examine whether similar mutations occurred in ErbB-2 during human breast cancer progression. Interestingly, an alternatively spliced form of erbB-2, closely resembling spontaneous activated forms of neu, was detected in human breast tumors. The ErbB-2 receptor encoded by this novel transcript harbors an in-frame deletion of 16 amino acids in the extracellular domain and can transform Rat-1 fibroblasts. Together, these observations argue that co-expression of ErbB-2 and ErbB-3 may play a critical role in the induction of human breast tumors, and raise the possibility that activating mutations in the ErbB-2 receptor may also contribute to this process. PMID:10205169

Enzyme-Catalyzed Mutation in Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-08-01

from  ATCC)  and  hTERT-­‐HMEC  (a  gift   from  the  lab  of  Dr.   Vitaly  Polunovsky)  to  over-­‐express  A3B...methylation in mouse primordial germ cells is affected by AID deficiency. Nature. 2010;463:1101-5. [10] Bhutani N , Brady JJ, Damian M, Sacco A...Drier Y, Zou L, Ramos AH, Pugh TJ, Stransky N , Helman E, Kim J, Sougnez C, Ambrogio L, Nickerson E, Shefler E, Cortés ML, Auclair D, Saksena G, Voet D

Endoplasmic reticulum factor ERLIN2 regulates cytosolic lipid content in cancer cells

PubMed Central

Wang, Guohui; Zhang, Xuebao; Lee, Jin-Sook; Wang, Xiaogang; Yang, Zeng-Quan; Zhang, Kezhong

2013-01-01

Increased de novo lipogenesis is a hallmark of aggressive cancers. Lipid droplets, the major form of cytosolic lipid storage, have been implicated in cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Recently, we identified the ERLIN2 [ER (endoplasmic reticulum) lipid raft-associated 2) gene that is amplified and overexpressed in aggressive human breast cancer. Previous studies demonstrated that ERLIN2 plays a supporting oncogenic role by facilitating the transformation of human breast cancer cells. In the present study, we found that ERLIN2 supports cancer cell growth by regulating cytosolic lipid droplet production. ERLIN2 is preferably expressed in human breast cancer cells or hepatoma cells and is inducible by insulin signalling or when cells are cultured in lipoprotein-deficient medium. Increased expression of ERLIN2 promotes the accumulation of cytosolic lipid droplets in breast cancer cells or hepatoma cells in response to insulin or overload of unsaturated fatty acids. ERLIN2 regulates activation of SREBP (sterol regulatory element-binding protein) 1c, the key regulator of de novo lipogenesis, in cancer cells. ERLIN2 was found to bind to INSIG1 (insulin-induced gene 1), a key ER membrane protein that blocks SREBP activation. Consistent with the role of ERLIN2 in regulating cytosolic lipid content, down-regulation of ERLIN2 in breast cancer or hepatoma cells led to lower cell proliferation rates. The present study revealed a novel role for ERLIN2 in supporting cancer cell growth by promoting the activation of the key lipogenic regulator SREBP1c and the production of cytosolic lipid droplets. The identification of ERLIN2 as a regulator of cytosolic lipid content in cancer cells has important implications for understanding the molecular basis of tumorigenesis and the treatment of cancer. PMID:22690709

A combined gene expression and functional study reveals the crosstalk between N-Myc and differentiation-inducing microRNAs in neuroblastoma cells

PubMed Central

Zhao, Zhenze; Ma, Xiuye; Shelton, Spencer D.; Sung, Derek C.; Li, Monica; Hernandez, Daniel; Zhang, Maggie; Losiewicz, Michael D.; Chen, Yidong; Pertsemlidis, Alexander; Yu, Xiaojie; Liu, Yuanhang; Du, Liqin

2016-01-01

MYCN amplification is the most common genetic alteration in neuroblastoma and plays a critical role in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. MYCN regulates neuroblastoma cell differentiation, which is one of the mechanisms underlying its oncogenic function. We recently identified a group of differentiation-inducing microRNAs. Given the demonstrated inter-regulation between MYCN and microRNAs, we speculated that MYCN and the differentiation-inducing microRNAs might form an interaction network to control the differentiation of neuroblastoma cells. In this study, we found that eight of the thirteen differentiation-inducing microRNAs, miR-506-3p, miR-124-3p, miR-449a, miR-34a-5p, miR-449b-5p, miR-103a-3p, miR-2110 and miR-34b-5p, inhibit N-Myc expression by either directly targeting the MYCN 3′UTR or through indirect regulations. Further investigation showed that both MYCN-dependent and MYCN-independent pathways play roles in mediating the differentiation-inducing function of miR-506-3p and miR-449a, two microRNAs that dramatically down-regulate MYCN expression. On the other hand, we found that N-Myc inhibits the expression of multiple differentiation-inducing microRNAs, suggesting that these miRNAs play a role in mediating the function of MYCN. In examining the published dataset collected from clinical neuroblastoma specimens, we found that expressions of two miRNAs, miR-137 and miR-2110, were significantly anti-correlated with MYCN mRNA levels, suggesting their interactions with MYCN play a clinically-relevant role in maintaining the MYCN and miRNA expression levels in neuroblastoma. Our findings altogether suggest that MYCN and differentiation-inducing miRNAs form an interaction network that play an important role in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis through regulating cell differentiation. PMID:27764804

A combined gene expression and functional study reveals the crosstalk between N-Myc and differentiation-inducing microRNAs in neuroblastoma cells.

PubMed

Zhao, Zhenze; Ma, Xiuye; Shelton, Spencer D; Sung, Derek C; Li, Monica; Hernandez, Daniel; Zhang, Maggie; Losiewicz, Michael D; Chen, Yidong; Pertsemlidis, Alexander; Yu, Xiaojie; Liu, Yuanhang; Du, Liqin

2016-11-29

MYCN amplification is the most common genetic alteration in neuroblastoma and plays a critical role in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. MYCN regulates neuroblastoma cell differentiation, which is one of the mechanisms underlying its oncogenic function. We recently identified a group of differentiation-inducing microRNAs. Given the demonstrated inter-regulation between MYCN and microRNAs, we speculated that MYCN and the differentiation-inducing microRNAs might form an interaction network to control the differentiation of neuroblastoma cells. In this study, we found that eight of the thirteen differentiation-inducing microRNAs, miR-506-3p, miR-124-3p, miR-449a, miR-34a-5p, miR-449b-5p, miR-103a-3p, miR-2110 and miR-34b-5p, inhibit N-Myc expression by either directly targeting the MYCN 3'UTR or through indirect regulations. Further investigation showed that both MYCN-dependent and MYCN-independent pathways play roles in mediating the differentiation-inducing function of miR-506-3p and miR-449a, two microRNAs that dramatically down-regulate MYCN expression. On the other hand, we found that N-Myc inhibits the expression of multiple differentiation-inducing microRNAs, suggesting that these miRNAs play a role in mediating the function of MYCN. In examining the published dataset collected from clinical neuroblastoma specimens, we found that expressions of two miRNAs, miR-137 and miR-2110, were significantly anti-correlated with MYCN mRNA levels, suggesting their interactions with MYCN play a clinically-relevant role in maintaining the MYCN and miRNA expression levels in neuroblastoma. Our findings altogether suggest that MYCN and differentiation-inducing miRNAs form an interaction network that play an important role in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis through regulating cell differentiation.

A short synthetic peptide fragment of human C2ORF40 has therapeutic potential in breast cancer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lin, Chaoyang; Zhang, Pengju; Jiang, Anli

C2ORF40 encodes a secreted protein which is cleaved to generate soluble peptides by proteolytic processing and this process is believed to be necessary for C2ORF40 to exert cell type specific biological activity. Here, we reported a short mimic peptide of human C2ORF40 acts potential therapeutic efficacy in human cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. We synthesized a short peptide of human C2ORF40, named C2ORF40 mimic peptide fragment and assessed its biological function on cancer cell growth, migration and tumorigenesis. Cell growth assay showed that C2ORF40 mimic peptide fragment significantly suppressed cell proliferation of breast and lung cancer cells. Moreover,more » C2ORF40 mimic peptide fragment significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, we showed that this peptide suppressed tumorigenesis in breast tumor xenograft model. Cell cycle assay indicated that the C2ORF40 mimic peptide fragment suppressed the growth of tumor cells through inducing mitotic phase arrest. In conclusion, our results firstly suggested that this short synthetic peptide of human C2ORF40 may be a candidate tumor therapeutic agent.« less

Factors affecting the persistence of drug-induced reprogramming of the cancer methylome

PubMed Central

Bell, Joshua S. K.; Kagey, Jacob D.; Barwick, Benjamin G.; Dwivedi, Bhakti; McCabe, Michael T.; Kowalski, Jeanne; Vertino, Paula M.

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Aberrant DNA methylation is a critical feature of cancer. Epigenetic therapy seeks to reverse these changes to restore normal gene expression. DNA demethylating agents, including 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (DAC), are currently used to treat certain leukemias, and can sensitize solid tumors to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. However, it has been difficult to pin the clinical efficacy of these agents to specific demethylation events, and the factors that contribute to the durability of response remain largely unknown. Here we examined the genome-wide kinetics of DAC-induced DNA demethylation and subsequent remethylation after drug withdrawal in breast cancer cells. We find that CpGs differ in both their susceptibility to demethylation and propensity for remethylation after drug removal. DAC-induced demethylation was most apparent at CpGs with higher initial methylation levels and further from CpG islands. Once demethylated, such sites exhibited varied remethylation potentials. The most rapidly remethylating CpGs regained >75% of their starting methylation within a month of drug withdrawal. These sites had higher pretreatment methylation levels, were enriched in gene bodies, marked by H3K36me3, and tended to be methylated in normal breast cells. In contrast, a more resistant class of CpG sites failed to regain even 20% of their initial methylation after 3 months. These sites had lower pretreatment methylation levels, were within or near CpG islands, marked by H3K79me2 or H3K4me2/3, and were overrepresented in sites that become aberrantly hypermethylated in breast cancers. Thus, whereas DAC-induced demethylation affects both endogenous and aberrantly methylated sites, tumor-specific hypermethylation is more slowly regained, even as normal methylation promptly recovers. Taken together, these data suggest that the durability of DAC response is linked to its selective ability to stably reset at least a portion of the cancer methylome. PMID:27082926

Quantitation of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase gene messenger RNA in gliomas by means of real-time RT-PCR and clinical response to nitrosoureas.

PubMed

Tanaka, Satoshi; Oka, Hidehiro; Fujii, Kiyotaka; Watanabe, Kaoru; Nagao, Kumi; Kakimoto, Atsushi

2005-09-01

1. O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) mRNA was measured in 50 malignant gliomas that had received 1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidynyl) methyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea hydrochloride (ACNU) after the resection of the tumor by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using TaqMan probe. 2. The mean absolute value of MGMTmRNA normalized to the level of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) for 50 tumors was 1.29 x 10(4)+/- 1.28 x 10(4) copy/microg RNA (mean +/- SD). The amount of MGMTmRNA less than 6 x 10(3) copy/microg RNA was the most significant factor in predicting the initial effect of treatment with ACNU by multi-variant regression analysis (p = 0.0157). 3. These results suggest that quantitation of MGMTmRNA is the excellent method for predicting for the effect of ACNU in glioma therapy.

MicroRNA-34a targets epithelial to mesenchymal transition-inducing transcription factors (EMT-TFs) and inhibits breast cancer cell migration and invasion

PubMed Central

Fu, Shangyi; Yang, Luquan; Tania, Mousumi; Zhang, Xianqin; Xiao, Xiuli; Zhang, Xianning; Fu, Junjiang

2017-01-01

MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) plays an essential role against tumorigenesis and progression of cancer metastasis. Here, we analyzed the expression, targets and functional effects of miR-34a on epithelial to mesenchymal transition-inducing transcription factors (EMT-TFs), such as TWIST1, SLUG and ZEB1/2, and an EMT-inducing protein NOTCH1 in breast cancer (BC) cell migration and invasion and its correlation with tumorigenesis and clinical outcomes. Expression of miR-34a is downregulated in human metastatic breast cancers (MBC) compared to normal breast tissues and is negatively correlated with clinicopathological features of MBC patients. Ectopic expression of miR-34a in MBC cell-line BT-549 significantly inhibits cell migration and invasion, but exhibits no clear effect on BC cell growth. We found that miR-34a is able to inactivate EMT signaling pathway with mediatory of NOTCH1, TWIST1, and ZEB1 upon 3′-UTR activity in MBC cell lines, but has no inhibitory effects on SLUG and ZEB2. Furthermore, we investigated the synergistic effects of Thymoquinone (TQ) and miR-34a together on the expression of EMT-associated proteins. Results showed that co-delivery of miR-34a and TQ is able to inactivate EMT signaling pathway by directly targeting TWIST1 and ZEB1 in BT-549 cell line, indicating that they might be a promising therapeutic combination against breast cancer metastasis. Epigenetic inactivation of the EMT-TFs/miR-34a pathway can potentially alter the equilibrium of these regulations, facilitating EMT and metastasis in BC. Altogether, our findings suggest that miR-34a alone could serve as a potential therapeutic agent for MBC, and together with TQ, their therapeutic potential is synergistically enhanced. PMID:28423483

MicroRNA-34a targets epithelial to mesenchymal transition-inducing transcription factors (EMT-TFs) and inhibits breast cancer cell migration and invasion.

PubMed

Imani, Saber; Wei, Chunli; Cheng, Jingliang; Khan, Md Asaduzzaman; Fu, Shangyi; Yang, Luquan; Tania, Mousumi; Zhang, Xianqin; Xiao, Xiuli; Zhang, Xianning; Fu, Junjiang

2017-03-28

MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) plays an essential role against tumorigenesis and progression of cancer metastasis. Here, we analyzed the expression, targets and functional effects of miR-34a on epithelial to mesenchymal transition-inducing transcription factors (EMT-TFs), such as TWIST1, SLUG and ZEB1/2, and an EMT-inducing protein NOTCH1 in breast cancer (BC) cell migration and invasion and its correlation with tumorigenesis and clinical outcomes. Expression of miR-34a is downregulated in human metastatic breast cancers (MBC) compared to normal breast tissues and is negatively correlated with clinicopathological features of MBC patients. Ectopic expression of miR-34a in MBC cell-line BT-549 significantly inhibits cell migration and invasion, but exhibits no clear effect on BC cell growth. We found that miR-34a is able to inactivate EMT signaling pathway with mediatory of NOTCH1, TWIST1, and ZEB1 upon 3'-UTR activity in MBC cell lines, but has no inhibitory effects on SLUG and ZEB2. Furthermore, we investigated the synergistic effects of Thymoquinone (TQ) and miR-34a together on the expression of EMT-associated proteins. Results showed that co-delivery of miR-34a and TQ is able to inactivate EMT signaling pathway by directly targeting TWIST1 and ZEB1 in BT-549 cell line, indicating that they might be a promising therapeutic combination against breast cancer metastasis. Epigenetic inactivation of the EMT-TFs/miR-34a pathway can potentially alter the equilibrium of these regulations, facilitating EMT and metastasis in BC. Altogether, our findings suggest that miR-34a alone could serve as a potential therapeutic agent for MBC, and together with TQ, their therapeutic potential is synergistically enhanced.

Resistance of Salmonella typhimurium TA 1535 to O6-guanine methylation and mutagenesis induced by low doses of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine: an apparent constitutive repair activity.

PubMed

Guttenplan, J B; Milstein, S

1982-01-01

Salmonella tester strains which are reverted by base-pair substitution mutagens are relatively insensitive to the mutagenic effects of N-methyl-N-nitroso compounds. One reason for this insensitivity is the ability of these strains to withstand low doses of these compounds before they become sensitive to their mutagenic effects. In this report it is shown that mutagenesis induced by treatment of Salmonella typhimurium TA 1535 with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso-guanidine (MNNG) in buffer is biphasic with a low sensitivity range at low doses where little mutagenesis occurs, followed by a high sensitivity range whose onset begins after an apparent threshold dose has been exceeded. levels of O6-methylguanine (O6-MeG) in the DNA extracted from the bacteria follow a similar dose-response curve suggesting a dependency of mutagenesis on O6-MeG. In contrast, levels of 7-methylguanine (7-MeG) in the DNA increase linearly with dose. O6-MeG was undetectable at the lowest dose of MNNG whereas 7-MeG was readily detectable. Although such resistance to O6-alkylation has been demonstrated in MNNG- pretreated (adapted) E. coli, it has not been reported in unpretreated cells. Then isolated DNA was treated with MNNG a linear dose-response in the generation of O6-MeG was observed. The lack of O6-MeG in DNA isolated from MNNG treated cells after low doses is attributed to a saturable, constitutive repair activity in the bacteria. An attempt to observe the removal of O6-MeG from the bacteria after exposure to a short challenge dose of N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) followed by a subsequent incubation in buffer was unsuccessful, probably because all the repair occurred within the time necessary to treat and lyse the cells.

Protective effect of methanol extract of Uncaria rhynchophylla against excitotoxicity induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate in rat hippocampus.

PubMed

Lee, Jongseok; Son, Dongwook; Lee, Pyeongjae; Kim, Dae-Keun; Shin, Min-Chul; Jang, Mi-Hyeon; Kim, Chang-Ju; Kim, Yong-Sik; Kim, Sun-Yeou; Kim, Hocheol

2003-05-01

Uncaria rhynchophylla is a medicinal herb used for convulsive disorders in Oriental medicine. In this study, the effect of the methanol extract of Uncaria rhynchophylla against N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced excitotoxicity was investigated. Pretreatment with the extract of Uncaria rhynchopylla reduced the degree of neuronal damage induced by NMDA exposure in cultured hippocampal slices. In the patch clamp study, Uncaria rhynchophylla significantly inhibited NMDA receptor-activated ion current in acutely dissociated hippocampal CA1 neurons. These results indicate that Uncaria rhynchophylla offers protection against NMDA-induced neuronal injury and inhibitory action on NMDA receptor-mediated ion current may be a mechanism behind the neuroprotective effect of Uncaria rhynchophylla.

Comparison of new nitrosoureas esters with modified steroidal nucleus for cytogenetic and antineoplastic activity.

PubMed

Hussein, A; Mioglou-Kalouptsi, E; Papageorgiou, A; Karapidaki, I; Iakovidou-Kritsi, Z; Lialiaris, T; Xrysogelou, E; Camoutsis, C; Mourelatos, D

2007-01-01

Nitrosourea is decomposed under physiological conditions to react with biological macromolecules by two mechanisms: alkylation (with proteins and nucleic acids) and carbamoylation (with proteins but not nucleic acids). It has been suggested that the alkylating action is responsible for the therapeutic effects of nitrosoureas, and that the carbamoylation activity leads to toxicity effects. In order to reduce systemic toxicity and improve specificity and distribution for cancer therapy, 2-haloethyl nitrosourea has been esterified with modified steroids, which are used as biological platforms for transporting the alkylating agent to the tumor site in a specific manner. The cytogenetic and antineoplastic effect were studied of seven newly synthesized esters of N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)alanyl carboxyl derivatives with a modified steroidal nucleus (compounds 1-7). As a very sensitive indicator of genotoxicity the Sister Chromatid Exchange (SCE) assay was used and as a valuable marker of cytostatic activity the cell Proliferation Rate Index (PRI) in cultures of normal human lymphocytes was used. The order of magnitude of the cytogenetic activity on a molar basis (15, 30, 120 microM) of the compounds was 7>6>3>5>2>4>1. The most active compound 7 has an enlarged (seven carbon atoms) A ring modified with a lactam group (-NHCO-) with the nitrosourea moiety esterified at position 17 In the group of seven substances a correlation was observed between the magnitude of SCE response and the depression in PRI (r=-O, 65, p<0.001). According to the criterion of activity of National Cancer Institute (NCI), the order of antineoplastic activity of compounds on lymphoid L1210 leukemia is 7>6>2>5>4>3>1 and on lympocytic P388 leukemia cells is 7>2>6>5>4>3>1. The present results are in agreement with previous suggestions that the effectiveness in cytogenetic activity may well be correlated with antitumor effects [T/C: 248% for the compound 7 in 250 mg/kg b.w.; T/C: mean survival time of drug-treated animals (T) (excluding long term survivals) vs. corn-oil-treated controls (C)].

N-hexane inhalation during pregnancy alters DNA promoter methylation in the ovarian granulosa cells of rat offspring.

PubMed

Li, Hong; Liu, Jin; Sun, Yan; Wang, Wenxiang; Weng, Shaozheng; Xiao, Shihua; Huang, Huiling; Zhang, Wenchang

2014-08-01

The N-hexane-induced impact on the reproductive system of the offspring of animals exposed to n-hexane has caused great concern. Pregnant Wistar rats inhaled 500, 2 500 or 12 500 ppm n-hexane during gestational days 1-20. Clinical characteristics and developmental indices were observed. Ovarian granulosa cells were extracted from F1 rats, the number of follicles was determined in ovarian slices and promoter methylation was assessed using MeDIP-Chip. Several methods were used to analyze the scanned genes, including the Gene Ontology Consortium tools, the DAVID Functional Annotation Clustering Tool, hierarchical clustering and KEGG pathway analysis. The results indicated that the live pups/litter ratio was significantly lowest in the 12 500 ppm group. A significant decrease in secondary follicles and an increase in atresic follicles were observed in the 12 500 ppm group. The number of shared demethylated genes was higher than that of the methylated genes, and the differentially methylated genes were enriched in cell death and apoptosis, cell growth and hormone regulation. The methylation profiles of the offspring from the 500 ppm and control groups were different from those of the 2500 and 12 500 ppm groups. Furthermore, the methylation status of genes in the PI3K-Akt and NF-kappa B signaling pathways was changed after n-hexane exposure. The Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1, Hsd3b1, Cyp1a1 and Srd5a1 promoters were hypermethylated in the n-hexane-exposed groups. These results indicate that the developmental toxicity of n-hexane in F1 ovaries is accompanied by the altered methylation of promoters of genes associated with apoptotic processes and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Analysis of genes involved in the PI3K/Akt pathway in radiation- and MNU-induced rat mammary carcinomas.

PubMed

Showler, Kaye; Nishimura, Mayumi; Daino, Kazuhiro; Imaoka, Tatsuhiko; Nishimura, Yukiko; Morioka, Takamitsu; Blyth, Benjamin J; Kokubo, Toshiaki; Takabatake, Masaru; Fukuda, Maki; Moriyama, Hitomi; Kakinuma, Shizuko; Fukushi, Masahiro; Shimada, Yoshiya

2017-03-01

The PI3K/AKT pathway is one of the most important signaling networks in human breast cancer, and since it was potentially implicated in our preliminary investigations of radiation-induced rat mammary carcinomas, our aim here was to verify its role. We included mammary carcinomas induced by the chemical carcinogen 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea to determine whether any changes were radiation-specific. Most carcinomas from both groups showed activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, but phosphorylation of AKT1 was often heterogeneous and only present in a minority of carcinoma cells. The negative pathway regulator Inpp4b was significantly downregulated in both groups, compared with in normal mammary tissue, and radiation-induced carcinomas also showed a significant decrease in Pten expression, while the chemically induced carcinomas showed a decrease in Pik3r1 and Pdk1. Significant upregulation of the positive regulators Erbb2 and Pik3ca was observed only in chemically induced carcinomas. However, no genes showed clear correlations with AKT phosphorylation levels, except in individual carcinomas. Only rare carcinomas showed mutations in PI3K/AKT pathway genes, yet these carcinomas did not exhibit stronger AKT phosphorylation. Thus, while AKT phosphorylation is a common feature of rat mammary carcinomas induced by radiation or a canonical chemical carcinogen, the mutation of key genes in the pathways or permanent changes to gene expression of particular signaling proteins do not explain the pathway activation in the advanced cancers. Although AKT signaling likely facilitates cancer development and growth in rat mammary carcinomas, it is unlikely that permanent disruption of the PI3K/AKT pathway genes is a major causal event in radiation carcinogenesis. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japan Radiation Research Society and Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology.

[Chemotherapeutic characterization of new nitrosourea compounds].

PubMed

Zeller, W J; Berger, M R; Eisenbrand, G; Petru, E

1988-01-01

The development of new nitrosoureas is described using selected examples. Results obtained with water-soluble analogs and with compounds linked to biomolecules as for instance amino acids, oligopeptides and steroids, are presented. The pronounced antineoplastic effect of some water-soluble analogs is paralleled by an increased rate of DNA-interstrand cross-links and by an increased suppression of hematopoietic stem cells. The suppression of bone marrow stem cells is followed by their rapid regeneration. Water-soluble nitrosoureas induce significant less inhibition of glutathione reductase as compared with established compounds. With regard to long-term toxicity and carcinogenicity water-soluble are superior to established compounds as for instance BCNU. Linking of the nitrosourea moiety to amino acids and oligopeptides led to some analogs with outstanding therapeutic ratio. Out of a group of steroid-linked nitrosoureas, CNC-L-alanine-estradiol-17-ester (CNC-ala-17-E2) is chosen to demonstrate the possibility of reducing bone marrow toxicity despite unchanged or increased therapeutic activity by attachment of the nitrosourea moiety to a steroid. Results of a comparative interspecies in vitro evaluation of CNC-ala-17-E2 in transplanted MXT mammary carcinoma of the mouse, MNU-induced autochthonous rat mammary carcinoma and primary human mammary carcinomas are presented and the question is discussed to what extent in vitro activity of such receptor agents using the tumor stem cell assay reflects their in vivo activity.

Neurosteroid-like Inhibitors of N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptor: Substituted 2-Sulfates and 2-Hemisuccinates of Perhydrophenanthrene.

PubMed

Slavikova, Barbora; Chodounska, Hana; Nekardova, Michaela; Vyklicky, Vojtech; Ladislav, Marek; Hubalkova, Pavla; Krausova, Barbora; Vyklicky, Ladislav; Kudova, Eva

2016-05-26

N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) display a critical role in various diseases of the central nervous system. The activity of NMDARs can be modulated by neurosteroids. Herein, we report a structure-activity relationship study for perhydrophenanthrene analogues possessing a framework that mimics the steroidal ring system. This study comprises the design, synthesis, and assessment of the biological activity of a library of perhydrophenanthrene 2-sulfates and 2-hemisuccinates (1-10). Their ability to modulate NMDAR-induced currents was tested on recombinant GluN1/GluN2B receptors. Our results demonstrate that such structural optimization leads to compounds that are inhibitors of NMDARs. Notably, compound 9 (IC50 = 15.6 μM) was assessed as a more potent inhibitor of NMDAR-induced currents than the known endogenous neurosteroid, pregnanolone sulfate (IC50 = 24.6 μM).

Overlapping DNA Methylation Dynamics in Mouse Intestinal Cell Differentiation and Early Stages of Malignant Progression

PubMed Central

Forn, Marta; Díez-Villanueva, Anna; Merlos-Suárez, Anna; Muñoz, Mar; Lois, Sergi; Carriò, Elvira; Jordà, Mireia; Bigas, Anna; Batlle, Eduard; Peinado, Miguel A.

2015-01-01

Mouse models of intestinal crypt cell differentiation and tumorigenesis have been used to characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying both processes. DNA methylation is a key epigenetic mark and plays an important role in cell identity and differentiation programs and cancer. To get insights into the dynamics of cell differentiation and malignant transformation we have compared the DNA methylation profiles along the mouse small intestine crypt and early stages of tumorigenesis. Genome-scale analysis of DNA methylation together with microarray gene expression have been applied to compare intestinal crypt stem cells (EphB2high), differentiated cells (EphB2negative), ApcMin/+ adenomas and the corresponding non-tumor adjacent tissue, together with small and large intestine samples and the colon cancer cell line CT26. Compared with late stages, small intestine crypt differentiation and early stages of tumorigenesis display few and relatively small changes in DNA methylation. Hypermethylated loci are largely shared by the two processes and affect the proximities of promoter and enhancer regions, with enrichment in genes associated with the intestinal stem cell signature and the PRC2 complex. The hypermethylation is progressive, with minute levels in differentiated cells, as compared with intestinal stem cells, and reaching full methylation in advanced stages. Hypomethylation shows different signatures in differentiation and cancer and is already present in the non-tumor tissue adjacent to the adenomas in ApcMin/+ mice, but at lower levels than advanced cancers. This study provides a reference framework to decipher the mechanisms driving mouse intestinal tumorigenesis and also the human counterpart. PMID:25933092

DNA methylation in an enhancer region of the FADS cluster is associated with FADS activity in human liver.

PubMed

Howard, Timothy D; Mathias, Rasika A; Seeds, Michael C; Herrington, David M; Hixson, James E; Shimmin, Lawrence C; Hawkins, Greg A; Sellers, Matthew; Ainsworth, Hannah C; Sergeant, Susan; Miller, Leslie R; Chilton, Floyd H

2014-01-01

Levels of omega-6 (n-6) and omega-3 (n-3), long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LcPUFAs) such as arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4, n-6), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5, n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6, n-3) impact a wide range of biological activities, including immune signaling, inflammation, and brain development and function. Two desaturase steps (Δ6, encoded by FADS2 and Δ5, encoded by FADS1) are rate limiting in the conversion of dietary essential 18 carbon PUFAs (18C-PUFAs) such as LA (18:2, n-6) to AA and α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3, n-3) to EPA and DHA. GWAS and candidate gene studies have consistently identified genetic variants within FADS1 and FADS2 as determinants of desaturase efficiencies and levels of LcPUFAs in circulating, cellular and breast milk lipids. Importantly, these same variants are documented determinants of important cardiovascular disease risk factors (total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, CRP and proinflammatory eicosanoids). FADS1 and FADS2 lie head-to-head (5' to 5') in a cluster configuration on chromosome 11 (11q12.2). There is considerable linkage disequilibrium (LD) in this region, where multiple SNPs display association with LcPUFA levels. For instance, rs174537, located ∼ 15 kb downstream of FADS1, is associated with both FADS1 desaturase activity and with circulating AA levels (p-value for AA levels = 5.95 × 10(-46)) in humans. To determine if DNA methylation variation impacts FADS activities, we performed genome-wide allele-specific methylation (ASM) with rs174537 in 144 human liver samples. This approach identified highly significant ASM with CpG sites between FADS1 and FADS2 in a putative enhancer signature region, leading to the hypothesis that the phenotypic associations of rs174537 are likely due to methylation differences. In support of this hypothesis, methylation levels of the most significant probe were strongly associated with FADS1 and, to a lesser degree, FADS2 activities.

Long non-coding RNA MIAT is estrogen-responsive and promotes estrogen-induced proliferation in ER-positive breast cancer cells.

PubMed

Li, Yuehua; Jiang, Baohong; Wu, Xiaoping; Huang, Qin; Chen, Wenqi; Zhu, Hongbo; Qu, Xiaofei; Xie, Liming; Ma, Xin; Huang, Guo

2018-05-21

Estrogen drives the development and progression of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. However, the detailed mechanism underlying ER-driven carcinogenesis remains unclear despite extensive studies. Previously reports indicated higher expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) myocardial infarction associated transcript (MIAT) in ER-positive breast cancer tissues than in ER-negative tissues. However, the functional relevance of MIAT in ER-positive breast cancer tumorigenesis was poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of lncRNA MIAT in ER-positive breast cancer cells. MIAT was over-expressed in ER-positive breast cancer tissues and ER-positive breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Activating estrogen signaling by diethylstilbestrol (DES) led to a dose- and time-dependent up-regulation of MIAT in MCF-7 cells that was dependent on ERα, as evidenced by ERα silencing and pharmacological inhibition using ER antagonist ICI 182780. Silencing MIAT decreased DES-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation while overexpressing MIAT increased MCF-7 cell proliferation. Further mechanistic study identified that MIAT was critical for G1 to S phase cell cycle transition. Taken together, these results suggest that lncRNA MIAT is an estrogen-inducible lncRNA and a key regulator in ER-positive breast cancer cell growth. MIAT could serve as a potential biomarker and promising therapeutic target for ER-positive breast cancer. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Alkaloids from the hook-bearing branch of Uncaria rhynchophylla and their neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced HT22 cell death

PubMed Central

Qi, Wen; Yue, Si-Jia; Sun, Jia-Hong; Simpkins, James W.; Zhang, Lin; Yuan, Dan

2015-01-01

One new alkaloid, 4-geissoschizine N-oxide methyl ether (1), was isolated from the EtOH extract of the hook-bearing branch of Uncaria rhynchophylla, together with 10 known alkaloids, 3-epi-geissoschizine methyl ether (2) isolated from U. rhynchophylla for the first time, geissoschizine methyl ether (3), 4-hirsuteine N-oxide (4), hirsuteine (5), hirsutine (6), 3α-dihydro-cadambine (7), 3β-isodihydro-cadambine (8), cadambine (9), strictosamide (10), and akuammigine (11). The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including UV, ESI-QTOF MS, NMR, and circular dichroism experiments. Neuroprotective effects of 1–9 were investigated against 3 mM glutamate-induced HT22 cell death. The activity assay showed that 2, 3, 5, and 6 exhibited potent neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced HT22 cell death. However, only weak neuroprotective activities were observed for 1, 4, 7, 8, and 9. PMID:24899363

Alkaloids from the hook-bearing branch of Uncariarhynchophylla and their neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced HT22 cell death.

PubMed

Qi, Wen; Yue, Si-Jia; Sun, Jia-Hong; Simpkins, James W; Zhang, Lin; Yuan, Dan

2014-01-01

One new alkaloid, 4-geissoschizine N-oxide methyl ether (1), was isolated from the EtOH extract of the hook-bearing branch of Uncariarhynchophylla, together with 10 known alkaloids, 3-epi-geissoschizine methyl ether (2) isolated from U.rhynchophylla for the first time, geissoschizine methyl ether (3), 4-hirsuteine N-oxide (4), hirsuteine (5), hirsutine (6), 3α-dihydro-cadambine (7), 3β-isodihydro-cadambine (8), cadambine (9), strictosamide (10), and akuammigine (11). The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including UV, ESI-QTOF MS, NMR, and circular dichroism experiments. Neuroprotective effects of 1-9 were investigated against 3 mM glutamate-induced HT22 cell death. The activity assay showed that 2, 3, 5, and 6 exhibited potent neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced HT22 cell death. However, only weak neuroprotective activities were observed for 1, 4, 7, 8, and 9.

Anti-leucine rich glioma inactivated 1 protein and anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis show distinct patterns of brain glucose metabolism in 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Pathogenic autoantibodies targeting the recently identified leucine rich glioma inactivated 1 protein and the subunit 1 of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor induce autoimmune encephalitis. A comparison of brain metabolic patterns in 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography of anti-leucine rich glioma inactivated 1 protein and anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis patients has not been performed yet and shall be helpful in differentiating these two most common forms of autoimmune encephalitis. Methods The brain 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose uptake from whole-body positron emission tomography of six anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis patients and four patients with anti-leucine rich glioma inactivated 1 protein encephalitis admitted to Hannover Medical School between 2008 and 2012 was retrospectively analyzed and compared to matched controls. Results Group analysis of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate encephalitis patients demonstrated regionally limited hypermetabolism in frontotemporal areas contrasting an extensive hypometabolism in parietal lobes, whereas the anti-leucine rich glioma inactivated 1 protein syndrome was characterized by hypermetabolism in cerebellar, basal ganglia, occipital and precentral areas and minor frontomesial hypometabolism. Conclusions This retrospective 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography study provides novel evidence for distinct brain metabolic patterns in patients with anti-leucine rich glioma inactivated 1 protein and anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis. PMID:24950993

DNA Methylation Status of the Estrogen Receptor α Gene in Canine Mammary Tumors.

PubMed

Brandão, Yara de Oliveira; Toledo, Mariana Busato; Chequin, Andressa; Cristo, Thierry Grima; Sousa, Renato Silva; Ramos, Edneia Amancio Souza; Klassen, Giseli

2018-01-01

Estrogen receptor α (ERα) has an important role in mammary carcinogenesis, prognosis, and treatment. In human and canine mammary cancer, the most aggressive tumors show loss of ERα expression, which in human breast cancer has been attributed to methylation of the cytosine followed by guanine (CpG) island within the estrogen receptor α gene ( ESR1) promoter. This study aimed to investigate the role of ESR1 CpG island (CGI) methylation in ERα expression in canine mammary tumors. Twenty-one canine mammary samples were sorted into three groups: malignant tumor (n = 9), benign tumor (n = 8), and normal gland (n = 4). Immunohistochemical analysis and reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR were performed to assess ERα expression and ESR1 mRNA levels. The methylation status was determined using sodium-bisulfite-treated DNA sequencing. All normal mammary glands and benign tumors showed high ERα expression (score range, 5-8). Six of the nine malignant tumors did not show ERα expression (score 0), two had score 2, and one had score 4. Lower ERα ( P < .005) and ESR1 mRNA levels ( P < .005) were found in malignant mammary tumors than in the other two groups. Canine ESR1 has an intragenic and non-promoter-associated CGI, different from humans. No significant variation in methylation percentage was observed among the groups, suggesting that ESR1 is not regulated by DNA methylation, unlike that in humans. This difference should be considered in further research using ERα as a biomarker for mammary tumors in canine studies on ERα-targeting therapy.

OPCML is a broad tumor suppressor for multiple carcinomas and lymphomas with frequently epigenetic inactivation.

PubMed

Cui, Yan; Ying, Ying; van Hasselt, Andrew; Ng, Ka Man; Yu, Jun; Zhang, Qian; Jin, Jie; Liu, Dingxie; Rhim, Johng S; Rha, Sun Young; Loyo, Myriam; Chan, Anthony T C; Srivastava, Gopesh; Tsao, George S W; Sellar, Grant C; Sung, Joseph J Y; Sidransky, David; Tao, Qian

2008-08-20

Identification of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) silenced by CpG methylation uncovers the molecular mechanism of tumorigenesis and potential tumor biomarkers. Loss of heterozygosity at 11q25 is common in multiple tumors including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). OPCML, located at 11q25, is one of the downregulated genes we identified through digital expression subtraction. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed frequent OPCML silencing in NPC and other common tumors, with no homozygous deletion detected by multiplex differential DNA-PCR. Instead, promoter methylation of OPCML was frequently detected in multiple carcinoma cell lines (nasopharyngeal, esophageal, lung, gastric, colon, liver, breast, cervix, prostate), lymphoma cell lines (non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma, nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma) and primary tumors, but not in any non-tumor cell line and seldom weakly methylated in normal epithelial tissues. Pharmacological and genetic demethylation restored OPCML expression, indicating a direct epigenetic silencing. We further found that OPCML is stress-responsive, but this response is epigenetically impaired when its promoter becomes methylated. Ecotopic expression of OPCML led to significant inhibition of both anchorage-dependent and -independent growth of carcinoma cells with endogenous silencing. Thus, through functional epigenetics, we identified OPCML as a broad tumor suppressor, which is frequently inactivated by methylation in multiple malignancies.

Defining the ATM-mediated barrier to tumorigenesis in somatic mammary cells following ErbB2 activation.

PubMed

Reddy, Jay P; Peddibhotla, Sirisha; Bu, Wen; Zhao, Jing; Haricharan, Svasti; Du, Yi-Chieh Nancy; Podsypanina, Katrina; Rosen, Jeffrey M; Donehower, Larry A; Li, Yi

2010-02-23

p53, apoptosis, and senescence are frequently activated in preneoplastic lesions and are barriers to progression to malignancy. These barriers have been suggested to result from an ATM-mediated DNA damage response (DDR), which may follow oncogene-induced hyperproliferation and ensuing DNA replication stress. To elucidate the currently untested role of DDR in breast cancer initiation, we examined the effect of oncogene expression in several murine models of breast cancer. We did not observe a detectable DDR in early hyperplastic lesions arising in transgenic mice expressing several different oncogenes. However, DDR signaling was strongly induced in preneoplastic lesions arising from individual mammary cells transduced in vivo by retroviruses expressing either PyMT or ErbB2. Thus, activation of an oncogene after normal tissue development causes a DDR. Furthermore, in this somatic ErbB2 tumor model, ATM, and thus DDR, is required for p53 stabilization, apoptosis, and senescence. In palpable tumors in this model, p53 stabilization and apoptosis are lost, but unexpectedly senescence remains in many tumor cells. Thus, this murine model fully recapitulates early DDR signaling; the eventual suppression of its endpoints in tumorigenesis provides compelling evidence that ErbB2-induced aberrant mammary cell proliferation leads to an ATM-mediated DDR that activates apoptosis and senescence, and at least the former must be overcome to progress to malignancy. This in vivo study also uncovers an unexpected effect of ErbB2 activation previously known for its prosurvival roles, and suggests that protection of the ATM-mediated DDR-p53 signaling pathway may be important in breast cancer prevention.

Mismatch repair deficiency does not enhance ENU mutagenesis in the zebrafish germ line.

PubMed

Feitsma, Harma; de Bruijn, Ewart; van de Belt, Jose; Nijman, Isaac J; Cuppen, Edwin

2008-07-01

S(N)1-type alkylating agents such as N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) are very potent mutagens. They act by transferring their alkyl group to DNA bases, which, upon mispairing during replication, can cause single base pair mutations in the next replication cycle. As DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins are involved in the recognition of alkylation damage, we hypothesized that ENU-induced mutation rates could be increased in a MMR-deficient background, which would be beneficial for mutagenesis approaches. We applied a standard ENU mutagenesis protocol to adult zebrafish deficient in the MMR gene msh6 and heterozygous controls to study the effect of MMR on ENU-induced DNA damage. Dose-dependent lethality was found to be similar for homozygous and heterozygous mutants, indicating that there is no difference in ENU resistance. Mutation discovery by high-throughput dideoxy resequencing of genomic targets in outcrossed progeny of the mutagenized fish did also not reveal any differences in germ line mutation frequency. These results may indicate that the maximum mutation load for zebrafish has been reached with the currently used, highly optimized ENU mutagenesis protocol. Alternatively, the MMR system in the zebrafish germ line may be saturated very rapidly, thereby having a limited effect on high-dose ENU mutagenesis.

Progesterone up-regulates vasodilator effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide in N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-induced hypertension.

PubMed

Gangula, P R; Wimalawansa, S J; Yallampalli, C

1997-04-01

We recently reported that calcitonin gene-related peptide can reverse the hypertension produced by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester in pregnant rats. In the current study we investigated whether these vasodilator effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide were progesterone dependent. Calcitonin gene-related peptide or N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester was infused through osmotic minipumps, either separately or in combination, to groups of five pregnant rats from day 17 of gestation until day 8 post partum or to nonpregnant ovariectomized rats for 8 days. Progesterone was injected during days 1 to 6 post partum and for 6 days after ovariectomy. Systolic blood pressure was measured daily. Animals receiving N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester exhibited significant elevations of blood pressure during pregnancy and post partum. Coadministration of calcitonin gene-related peptide to these rats reversed the hypertension during pregnancy but not during the postpartum period. At the dose used in this study calcitonin gene-related peptide administered alone was without significant effects on blood pressure. However, it reduced both the mortality and growth restriction of the fetus associated with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester in these animals. Calcitonin gene-related peptide reversed the hypertension in N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-infused postpartum rats during the periods of progesterone treatment only, and these effects were lost when progesterone treatment was stopped. Neither progesterone nor calcitonin gene-related peptide alone were effective. To further confirm these observations, progesterone effects were tested in ovariectomized adult rats. Similar to the findings in postpartum rats, calcitonin gene-related peptide completely reversed the elevation in blood pressure in N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-treated rats receiving progesterone injections. The effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide were apparent only during the progesterone treatment period, and these effects were lost when progesterone treatment was stopped. Again, at these doses calcitonin gene-related peptide and progesterone were each ineffective alone. Calcitonin gene-related peptide reverses the N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-induced hypertension during pregnancy, when progesterone levels are elevated, but not post partum or in ovariectomized nonpregnant rats. The blood pressure-lowering effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide were restored in both postpartum and ovariectomized rats with progesterone treatment. Therefore we conclude that progesterone modulates vasodilator effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide in hypertensive rats.

MELK as a potential target to control cell proliferation in triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells

PubMed Central

Li, Gang; Yang, Mei; Zuo, Li; Wang, Mei-Xing

2018-01-01

Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is an important regulator in tumorigenesis of human breast cancer, and if silenced leads to programmed cell death in specific breast cancer cell lines, including MDA-MB-231 cells. In the present study, RNA interference, proliferation assay and semi-quantification of cell cycle relative proteins were performed to determine the effects of MELK in human breast cancer cells. Data demonstrated that the highest level of MELK protein in the MDA-MB-231 cell line among eight breast cancer cell lines. The sensitivity of MELK small interfering-RNA varied in different breast cancer cell lines, but MELK silencing resulted in marked suppression of proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and non-TNBC cells. Specific silencing of MELK caused G2 arrest in TNBC MDA-MB-231 and HCC1143 cells, and G1 arrest in non-TNBC T47D and MCF7 cells. Notably, the knockdown of MELK did not induce apoptosis in HCC1143 cells, indicated by the lack of caspase-3 expression. In addition, in response to MELK silencing, cyclin B and cyclin D1 were downregulated in four breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the silencing of MELK resulted in the upregulation of p21, p27 and phosphorylated (p)-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in HCC1143 TNBC cells, and downregulation of p21 and p-JNK in T47D non-TNBC cells. Additionally, MELK protein was markedly suppressed in non-TNBC cells in response to estrogen deprivation. The findings from the present study suggested that MELK may be a potential target in MDA-MB-231 cells, although genetic knockdown of MELK resulted in inhibitory effects on proliferation of TNBC and non-TNBC cells. MELK exert its effect on different breast cancer cells via arrest of different cell cycle phases and therefore mediated by different mediators, which may be involved in the crosstalk with MELK signaling and with the estrogen receptor signaling pathway. PMID:29805690

GluN2B N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and excitatory amino acid transporter 3 are upregulated in primary sensory neurons after 7 days of morphine administration in rats: implication for opiate-induced hyperalgesia.

PubMed

Gong, Kerui; Bhargava, Aditi; Jasmin, Luc

2016-01-01

The contribution of the peripheral nervous system to opiate-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) is not well understood. In this study, we determined the changes in excitability of primary sensory neurons after sustained morphine administration for 7 days. Changes in the expression of glutamate receptors and glutamate transporters after morphine administration were ascertained in dorsal root ganglions. Patch clamp recordings from intact dorsal root ganglions (ex vivo preparation) of morphine-treated rats showed increased excitability of small diameter (≤30 μm) neurons with respect to rheobase and membrane threshold, whereas the excitability of large diameter (>30 μm) neurons remained unchanged. Small diameter neurons also displayed increased responses to glutamate, which were mediated mainly by GluN2B containing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, and to a lesser degree by the neuronal excitatory amino acid transporter 3/excitatory amino acid carrier 1. Coadministration in vivo of the GluN2B selective antagonist Ro 25-6981 with morphine for 7 days prevented the appearance of OIH and increased morphine-induced analgesia. Administration of morphine for 7 days led to an increased expression of GluN2B and excitatory amino acid transporter 3/excitatory amino acid carrier 1, but not of the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate, kainate, or group I metabotropic glutamate receptors, or of the vesicular glutamate transporter 2. These results suggest that peripheral glutamatergic neurotransmission contributes to OIH and that GluN2B subunit of NMDA receptors in the periphery may be a target for therapy.

Genome-wide DNA methylation in 1-year-old infants of mothers with major depressive disorder.

PubMed

Cicchetti, Dante; Hetzel, Susan; Rogosch, Fred A; Handley, Elizabeth D; Toth, Sheree L

2016-11-01

A genome-wide methylation study was conducted among a sample of 114 infants (M age = 13.2 months, SD = 1.08) of low-income urban women with (n = 73) and without (n = 41) major depressive disorder. The Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array with a GenomeStudio Methylation Module and Illumina Custom model were used to conduct differential methylation analyses. Using the 5.0 × 10-7 p value, 2,119 loci were found to be significantly different between infants of depressed and nondepressed mothers. Infants of depressed mothers had greater methylation at low methylation sites (0%-29%) compared to infants of nondepressed mothers. At high levels of methylation (70%-100%), the infants of depressed mothers were predominantly hypomethylated. The mean difference in methylation between the infants of depressed and infants of nondepressed mothers was 5.23%. Disease by biomarker analyses were also conducted using GeneGo MetaCore Software. The results indicated significant cancer-related differences in biomarker networks such as prostatic neoplasms, ovarian and breast neoplasms, and colonic neoplasms. The results of a process networks analysis indicated significant differences in process networks associated with neuronal development and central nervous system functioning, as well as cardiac development between infants of depressed and nondepressed mothers. These findings indicate that early in development, infants of mothers with major depressive disorder evince epigenetic differences relative to infants of well mothers that suggest risk for later adverse health outcomes.

Epigenetic silencing of miR-124 prevents spermine oxidase regulation: implications for Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric cancer.

PubMed

Murray-Stewart, T; Sierra, J C; Piazuelo, M B; Mera, R M; Chaturvedi, R; Bravo, L E; Correa, P; Schneider, B G; Wilson, K T; Casero, R A

2016-10-20

Chronic inflammation contributes to the development of various forms of cancer. The polyamine catabolic enzyme spermine oxidase (SMOX) is induced in chronic inflammatory conditions, including Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis, where its production of hydrogen peroxide contributes to DNA damage and subsequent tumorigenesis. MicroRNA expression levels are also altered in inflammatory conditions; specifically, the tumor suppressor miR-124 becomes silenced by DNA methylation. We sought to determine if this repression of miR-124 is associated with elevated SMOX activity and concluded that miR-124 is indeed a negative regulator of SMOX. In gastric adenocarcinoma cells harboring highly methylated and silenced mir-124 gene loci, 5-azacytidine treatment allowed miR-124 re-expression and decreased SMOX expression. Overexpression of an exogenous miR-124-3p mimic repressed SMOX mRNA and protein expression as well as H 2 O 2 production by >50% within 24 h. Reporter assays indicated that direct interaction of miR-124 with the 3'-untranslated region of SMOX mRNA contributes to this negative regulation. Importantly, overexpression of miR-124 before infection with H. pylori prevented the induction of SMOX believed to contribute to inflammation-associated tumorigenesis. Compelling human in vivo data from H. pylori-positive gastritis tissues indicated that the mir-124 gene loci are more heavily methylated in a Colombian population characterized by elevated SMOX expression and a high risk for gastric cancer. Furthermore, the degree of mir-124 methylation significantly correlated with SMOX expression throughout the population. These results indicate a protective role for miR-124 through the inhibition of SMOX-mediated DNA damage in the etiology of H. pylori-associated gastric cancer.

Epigenetic silencing of miR-124 prevents spermine oxidase regulation: Implications for Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric cancer

PubMed Central

Murray-Stewart, Tracy; Sierra, Johanna C.; Piazuelo, M. Blanca; Mera, Robertino M.; Chaturvedi, Rupesh; Bravo, Luis E.; Correa, Pelayo; Schneider, Barbara G.; Wilson, Keith T.; Casero, Robert A.

2016-01-01

Chronic inflammation contributes to the development of various forms of cancer. The polyamine catabolic enzyme spermine oxidase (SMOX) is induced in chronic inflammatory conditions, including Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis, where its production of hydrogen peroxide contributes to DNA damage and subsequent tumorigenesis. MicroRNA expression levels are also altered in inflammatory conditions; specifically, the tumor suppressor miR-124 becomes silenced by DNA methylation. We sought to determine if this repression of miR-124 is associated with elevated SMOX activity and concluded that miR-124 is indeed a negative regulator of SMOX. In gastric adenocarcinoma cells harboring highly methylated and silenced mir-124 gene loci, 5-azacytidine treatment allowed miR-124 re-expression and decreased SMOX expression. Overexpression of an exogenous miR-124-3p mimic repressed SMOX mRNA and protein expression as well as H2O2 production by >50% within 24 hours. Reporter assays indicated that direct interaction of miR-124 with the 3′-untranslated region of SMOX mRNA contributes to this negative regulation. Importantly, overexpression of miR-124 prior to infection with H. pylori prevented the induction of SMOX believed to contribute to inflammation-associated tumorigenesis. Compelling human in vivo data from H. pylori-positive gastritis tissues indicated that the mir-124 gene loci are more heavily methylated in a Colombian population characterized by elevated SMOX expression and a high risk for gastric cancer. Furthermore, the degree of mir-124 methylation significantly correlated with SMOX expression throughout the population. These results indicate a protective role for miR-124 through the inhibition of SMOX-mediated DNA damage in the etiology of H. pylori-associated gastric cancer. PMID:27041578

The rodent liver undergoes weaning-induced involution and supports breast cancer metastasis

PubMed Central

Goddard, Erica T.; Hill, Ryan C.; Nemkov, Travis; D’Alessandro, Angelo; Hansen, Kirk C.; Maller, Ori; Mongoue-Tchokote, Solange; Mori, Motomi; Partridge, Ann H.; Borges, Virginia F.; Schedin, Pepper

2017-01-01

Postpartum breast cancer patients are at increased risk for metastasis compared to age-matched nulliparous or pregnant patients. Here, we address whether circulating tumor cells have a metastatic advantage in the postpartum host and find the post-lactation rodent liver preferentially supports metastasis. Upon weaning, we observed liver weight loss, hepatocyte apoptosis, ECM remodeling including deposition of collagen and tenascin-C, and myeloid cell influx, data consistent with weaning-induced liver involution and establishment of a pro-metastatic microenvironment. Using intracardiac and intraportal metastasis models, we observed increased liver metastasis in post-weaning Balb/c mice compared to nulliparous controls. Human relevance is suggested by a ~3-fold increase in liver metastasis in postpartum breast cancer patients (n=564) and by liver-specific tropism (n=117). In sum, our data reveal a previously unknown biology of the rodent liver, weaning-induced liver involution, which may provide insight into the increased liver metastasis and poor prognosis of women diagnosed with postpartum breast cancer. PMID:27974414

Progesterone regulation of stem and progenitor cells in normal and malignant breast

PubMed Central

Axlund, Sunshine Daddario; Sartorius, Carol A.

2011-01-01

Progesterone plays an important, if not controversial, role in mammary epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation. Evidence supports that progesterone promotes rodent mammary carcinogenesis under some conditions, progesterone receptors (PR) are necessary for murine mammary gland tumorigenesis, and exogenous progestin use in post-menopausal women increases breast cancer risk. Thus, the progesterone/PR signaling axis can promote mammary tumorigenesis, albeit in a context dependent manner. A mechanistic basis for the tumor promoting actions of progesterone has thus far remained unknown. Recent studies, however, have identified a novel role for progesterone in controlling the number and function of stem and progenitor cell populations in the normal human and mouse mammary glands, and in human breast cancers. These discoveries promise to reshape our perception of progesterone function in the mammary gland, and have spawned new hypotheses for how progestins may increase the risk of breast cancer. Here we review studies on progesterone regulation of mammary stem cells in normal and malignant tissue, and their implications for breast cancer risk, tumorigenesis, and tumor behavior. PMID:21945473

Expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) in breast cancer cells is associated with increased migration and angiogenesis.

PubMed

Chien, Wenwen; O'Kelly, James; Lu, Daning; Leiter, Amanda; Sohn, Julia; Yin, Dong; Karlan, Beth; Vadgama, Jay; Lyons, Karen M; Koeffler, H Phillip

2011-06-01

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) belongs to the CCN family of matricellular proteins, comprising Cyr61, CTGF, NovH and WISP1-3. The CCN proteins contain an N-terminal signal peptide followed by four conserved domains sharing sequence similarities with the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins, von Willebrand factor type C repeat, thrombospondin type 1 repeat, and a C-terminal growth factor cysteine knot domain. To investigate the role of CCN2 in breast cancer, we transfected MCF-7 cells with full-length CCN2, and with four mutant constructs in which one of the domains had been deleted. MCF-7 cells stably expressing full-length CCN2 demonstrated reduced cell proliferation, increased migration in Boyden chamber assays and promoted angiogenesis in chorioallantoic membrane assays compared to control cells. Deletion of the C-terminal cysteine knot domain, but not of any other domain-deleted mutants, abolished activities mediated by full-length CCN2. We have dissected the role of CCN2 in breast tumorigenesis on a structural basis.

β4-Integrin/PI3K Signaling Promotes Tumor Progression through the Galectin-3-N-Glycan Complex.

PubMed

Kariya, Yukiko; Oyama, Midori; Hashimoto, Yasuhiro; Gu, Jianguo; Kariya, Yoshinobu

2018-06-01

Malignant transformation is associated with aberrant N -glycosylation, but the role of protein N -glycosylation in cancer progression remains poorly defined. β4-integrin is a major carrier of N -glycans and is associated with poor prognosis, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. Here, N -glycosylation of β4-integrin contributes to the activation of signaling pathways that promote β4-dependent tumor development and progression. Increased expression of β1,6GlcNAc-branched N -glycans was found to be colocalized with β4-integrin in human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma tissues, and that the β1,6GlcNAc residue was abundant on β4-integrin in transformed keratinocytes. Interruption of β1,6GlcNAc-branching formation on β4-integrin with the introduction of bisecting GlcNAc by N -acetylglucosaminyltransferase III overexpression was correlated with suppression of cancer cell migration and tumorigenesis. N -Glycan deletion on β4-integrin impaired β4-dependent cancer cell migration, invasion, and growth in vitro and diminished tumorigenesis and proliferation in vivo The reduced abilities of β4-integrin were accompanied with decreased phosphoinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt signals and were restored by the overexpression of the constitutively active p110 PI3K subunit. Binding of galectin-3 to β4-integrin via β1,6GlcNAc-branched N -glycans promoted β4-integrin-mediated cancer cell adhesion and migration. In contrast, a neutralizing antibody against galectin-3 attenuated β4-integrin N -glycan-mediated PI3K activation and inhibited the ability of β4-integrin to promote cell motility. Furthermore, galectin-3 knockdown by shRNA suppressed β4-integrin N -glycan-mediated tumorigenesis. These findings provide a novel role for N -glycosylation of β4-integrin in tumor development and progression, and the regulatory mechanism for β4-integrin/PI3K signaling via the galectin-3- N -glycan complex. Implications: N -Glycosylation of β4-integrin plays a functional role in promoting tumor development and progression through PI3K activation via the galectin-3- N -glycan complex. Mol Cancer Res; 16(6); 1024-34. ©2018 AACR . ©2018 American Association for Cancer Research.

HIF2α/EFEMP1 cascade mediates hypoxic effects on breast cancer stem cell hierarchy.

PubMed

Kwak, Ji-Hye; Lee, Na-Hee; Lee, Hwa-Yong; Hong, In-Sun; Nam, Jeong-Seok

2016-07-12

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) have been shown to contribute to tumor growth, metastasis, and recurrence. They are also markedly resistant to conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. Recent studies have suggested that hypoxia is one of the prominent micro-environmental factors that increase the self-renewal ability of BCSCs, partially by enhancing CSC phenotypes. Thus, the identification and development of new therapeutic approaches based on targeting the hypoxia-dependent responses in BCSCs is urgent. Through various in vitro studies, we found that hypoxia specifically up-regulates BCSC sphere formation and a subset of CD44+/CD24-/low CSCs. Hypoxia inducible factors 2α (HIF2α) depletion suppressed CSC-like phenotypes and CSC-mediated drug resistance in breast cancer. Furthermore, the stimulatory effects of hypoxia-induced HIF2α on BCSC sphere formation were successfully attenuated by epidermal growth factor-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1) knockdown. Taken together, these data suggest that HIF2α mediates hypoxia-induced cancer growth/metastasis and that EFEMP1 is a downstream effector of hypoxia-induced HIF2α during breast tumorigenesis.

The Effects of IGFBP3 Induction by TFG-B in Breast Tumorigenesis

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-09-01

of differentiation inducing media. This media contains P3-glycerolphosphate to facilitate mineral deposistion and ascorbic acid to facilitate collagen...collagenase to isolate osteoblasts. These isolated primary osteoblasts express differentiation markers such as osteocalcin and will form calcium nodules in...a synthetic peptide of a parathyroid hormone-related protein on calcium homeostasis, renal tubular calcium reabsorption, and bone metabolism in vivo

Structure of human IFIT1 with capped RNA reveals adaptable mRNA binding and mechanisms for sensing N1 and N2 ribose 2′-O methylations

PubMed Central

Laudenbach, Beatrice Theres; Martínez-Montero, Saúl; Cencic, Regina; Habjan, Matthias; Pichlmair, Andreas; Damha, Masad J.; Pelletier, Jerry; Nagar, Bhushan

2017-01-01

IFIT1 (IFN-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats-1) is an effector of the host innate immune antiviral response that prevents propagation of virus infection by selectively inhibiting translation of viral mRNA. It relies on its ability to compete with the translation initiation factor eIF4F to specifically recognize foreign capped mRNAs, while remaining inactive against host mRNAs marked by ribose 2′-O methylation at the first cap-proximal nucleotide (N1). We report here several crystal structures of RNA-bound human IFIT1, including a 1.6-Å complex with capped RNA. IFIT1 forms a water-filled, positively charged RNA-binding tunnel with a separate hydrophobic extension that unexpectedly engages the cap in multiple conformations (syn and anti) giving rise to a relatively plastic and nonspecific mode of binding, in stark contrast to eIF4E. Cap-proximal nucleotides encircled by the tunnel provide affinity to compete with eIF4F while allowing IFIT1 to select against N1 methylated mRNA. Gel-shift binding assays confirm that N1 methylation interferes with IFIT1 binding, but in an RNA-dependent manner, whereas translation assays reveal that N1 methylation alone is not sufficient to prevent mRNA recognition at high IFIT1 concentrations. Structural and functional analysis show that 2′-O methylation at N2, another abundant mRNA modification, is also detrimental for RNA binding, thus revealing a potentially synergistic role for it in self- versus nonself-mRNA discernment. Finally, structure-guided mutational analysis confirms the importance of RNA binding for IFIT1 restriction of a human coronavirus mutant lacking viral N1 methylation. Our structural and biochemical analysis sheds new light on the molecular basis for IFIT1 translational inhibition of capped viral RNA. PMID:28251928

Epithelial transformation by KLF4 requires Notch1 but not canonical Notch1 signaling

PubMed Central

Liu, Zhaoli; Teng, Lihong; Bailey, Sarah K.; Frost, Andra R.; Bland, Kirby I.; LoBuglio, Albert F.; Ruppert, J. Michael; Lobo-Ruppert, Susan M.

2009-01-01

The transcription factors Notch1 and KLF4 specify epithelial cell fates and confer stem cell properties. suggesting a functional relationship, each gene can act to promote or suppress tumorigenesis in a context-dependent manner, and alteration of KLF4 or Notch pathway genes in mice gives rise to similar phenotypes. Activation of a conditional allele of KLF4 in RK3E epithelial cells rapidly induces expression of Notch1 mRNA and the active, intracellular form of Notch1. KLF4-induced transformation was suppressed by knockdown of endogenous Notch1 using siRNA or an inhibitor of γ-secretase. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay shows that KLF4 binds to the proximal Notch1 promoter in human mammary epithelial cells, and siRNA-mediated suppression of KLF4 in human mammary cancer cells results in reduced expression of Notch1. Furthermore, KLF4 and Notch1 expression are correlated in primary human breast tumors (N = 89; pearson analysis, r > 0.5, p < 0.0001). Like KLF4, Notch1 was previously shown to induce transformation of rat cells immortalized with adenovirus E1A, similar to RK3E cells. We therefore compared the signaling requirements for Notch1- or KLF4-induced malignant transformation of RK3E. As expected, transformation by Notch1 was suppressed by dominant-negative CSL or MaML1, inhibitors of canonical Notch1 signaling. However, these inhibitors did not suppress transformation by KLF4. Therefore, while KLF4-induced transformation requires Notch1, canonical Notch1 signaling is not required, and Notch1 may signal through a distinct pathway in cells with increased KLF4 activity. These results suggest that KLF4 could contribute to breast tumor progression by activating synthesis of Notch1 and by promoting signaling through a non-canonical Notch1 pathway. PMID:19717984

Serotonergic neurotoxic metabolites of ecstasy identified in rat brain.

PubMed

Jones, Douglas C; Duvauchelle, Christine; Ikegami, Aiko; Olsen, Christopher M; Lau, Serrine S; de la Torre, Rafael; Monks, Terrence J

2005-04-01

The selective serotonergic neurotoxicity of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) depends on their systemic metabolism. We have recently shown that inhibition of brain endothelial cell gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) potentiates the neurotoxicity of both MDMA and MDA, indicating that metabolites that are substrates for this enzyme contribute to the neurotoxicity. Consistent with this view, glutathione (GSH) and N-acetylcysteine conjugates of alpha-methyl dopamine (alpha-MeDA) are selective neurotoxicants. However, neurotoxic metabolites of MDMA or MDA have yet to be identified in brain. Using in vivo microdialysis coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy and a high-performance liquid chromatography-coulometric electrode array system, we now show that GSH and N-acetylcysteine conjugates of N-methyl-alpha-MeDA are present in the striatum of rats administered MDMA by subcutaneous injection. Moreover, inhibition of gamma-GT with acivicin increases the concentration of GSH and N-acetylcysteine conjugates of N-methyl-alpha-MeDA in brain dialysate, and there is a direct correlation between the concentrations of metabolites in dialysate and the extent of neurotoxicity, measured by decreases in serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic (5-HIAA) levels. Importantly, the effects of acivicin are independent of MDMA-induced hyperthermia, since acivicin-mediated potentiation of MDMA neurotoxicity occurs in the context of acivicin-mediated decreases in body temperature. Finally, we have synthesized 5-(N-acetylcystein-S-yl)-N-methyl-alpha-MeDA and established that it is a relatively potent serotonergic neurotoxicant. Together, the data support the contention that MDMA-mediated serotonergic neurotoxicity is mediated by the systemic formation of GSH and N-acetylcysteine conjugates of N-methyl-alpha-MeDA (and alpha-MeDA). The mechanisms by which such metabolites access the brain and produce selective serotonergic neurotoxicity remain to be determined.

Dysregulation of metabolic-associated pathways in muscle of breast cancer patients: preclinical evaluation of interleukin-15 targeting fatigue.

PubMed

Bohlen, Joseph; McLaughlin, Sarah L; Hazard-Jenkins, Hannah; Infante, Aniello M; Montgomery, Cortney; Davis, Mary; Pistilli, Emidio E

2018-03-26

Breast cancer patients report a perception of increased muscle fatigue, which can persist following surgery and standardized therapies. In a clinical experiment, we tested the hypothesis that pathways regulating skeletal muscle fatigue are down-regulated in skeletal muscle of breast cancer patients and that different muscle gene expression patterns exist between breast tumour subtypes. In a preclinical study, we tested the hypothesis that mammary tumour growth in mice induces skeletal muscle fatigue and that overexpression of the cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) can attenuate mammary tumour-induced muscle fatigue. Early stage non-metastatic female breast cancer patients (n = 14) and female non-cancer patients (n = 6) provided a muscle biopsy of the pectoralis major muscle during mastectomy, lumpectomy, or breast reconstruction surgeries. The breast cancer patients were diagnosed with either luminal (ER + /PR + , n = 6), triple positive (ER + /PR + /Her2/neu + , n = 5), or triple negative (ER - /PR - /Her2/neu - , n = 3) breast tumours and were being treated with curative intent either with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery or surgery followed by standard post-operative therapy. Biopsies were used for RNA-sequencing to compare the skeletal muscle gene expression patterns between breast cancer patients and non-cancer patients. The C57BL/6 mouse syngeneic mammary tumour cell line, E0771, was used to induce mammary tumours in immunocompetent mice, and isometric muscle contractile properties and fatigue properties were analysed following 4 weeks of tumour growth. RNA-sequencing and subsequent bioinformatics analyses revealed a dysregulation of canonical pathways involved in oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial dysfunction, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signalling and activation, and IL-15 signalling and production. In a preclinical mouse model of breast cancer, the rate of muscle fatigue was greater in mice exposed to mammary tumour growth for 4 weeks, and this greater muscle fatigue was attenuated in transgenic mice that overexpressed the cytokine IL-15. Our data identify novel genes and pathways dysregulated in the muscles of breast cancer patients with early stage non-metastatic disease, with particularly aberrant expression among genes that would predispose these patients to greater muscle fatigue. Furthermore, we demonstrate that IL-15 overexpression can attenuate muscle fatigue associated with mammary tumour growth in a preclinical mouse model of breast cancer. Therefore, we propose that skeletal muscle fatigue is an inherent consequence of breast tumour growth, and this greater fatigue can be targeted therapeutically. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the Society on Sarcopenia, Cachexia and Wasting Disorders.

Synthetic progestins induce growth and metastasis of BT-474 human breast cancer xenografts in nude mice.

PubMed

Liang, Yayun; Benakanakere, Indira; Besch-Williford, Cynthia; Hyder, Ryyan S; Ellersieck, Mark R; Hyder, Salman M

2010-01-01

Previous studies have shown that sequential exposure to estrogen and progesterone or medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) stimulates vascularization and promotes the progression of BT-474 and T47-D human breast cancer cell xenografts in nude mice (Liang et al, Cancer Res 2007, 67:9929). In this follow-up study, the effects of progesterone, MPA, norgestrel (N-EL), and norethindrone (N-ONE) on BT-474 xenograft tumors were compared in the context of several different hormonal environments. N-EL and N-ONE were included in the study because synthetic progestins vary considerably in their biological effects and the effects of these two progestins on the growth of human tumor xenografts are not known. Estradiol-supplemented intact and ovariectomized immunodeficient mice were implanted with BT-474 cells. Progestin pellets were implanted simultaneously with estradiol pellets either 2 days before tumor cell injection (ie, combined) or 5 days after tumor cell injections (ie, sequentially). Progestins stimulated the growth of BT-474 xenograft tumors independent of exposure timing and protocol, MPA stimulated the growth of BT-474 xenograft tumors in ovariectomized mice, and progestins stimulated vascular endothelial growth factor elaboration and increased tumor vascularity. Progestins also increased lymph node metastasis of BT-474 cells. Therefore, progestins, including N-EL and N-ONE, induce the progression of breast cancer xenografts in nude mice and promote tumor metastasis. These observations suggest that women who ingest progestins for hormone therapy or oral contraception could be more at risk for developing breast cancer because of proliferation of existing latent tumor cells. Such risks should be considered in the clinical setting.

DNA methylation age is elevated in breast tissue of healthy women.

PubMed

Sehl, Mary E; Henry, Jill E; Storniolo, Anna Maria; Ganz, Patricia A; Horvath, Steve

2017-07-01

Limited evidence suggests that female breast tissue ages faster than other parts of the body according to an epigenetic biomarker of aging known as the "epigenetic clock." However, it is unknown whether breast tissue samples from healthy women show a similar accelerated aging effect relative to other tissues, and what could drive this acceleration. The goal of this study is to validate our initial finding of advanced DNA methylation (DNAm) age in breast tissue, by directly comparing it to that of peripheral blood tissue from the same individuals, and to do a preliminary assessment of hormonal factors that could explain the difference. We utilized n = 80 breast and 80 matching blood tissue samples collected from 40 healthy female participants of the Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank at the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center who donated these samples at two time points spaced at least a year apart. DNA methylation levels (Illumina 450K platform) were used to estimate the DNAm age. DNAm age was highly correlated with chronological age in both peripheral blood (r = 0.94, p < 0.0001) and breast tissues (r = 0.86, p < 0.0001). A measure of epigenetic age acceleration (age-adjusted DNAm Age) was substantially increased in breast relative to peripheral blood tissue (p = 1.6 × 10 -11 ). The difference between DNAm age of breast and blood decreased with advancing chronologic age (r = -0.53, p = 4.4 × 10 -4 ). Our data clearly demonstrate that female breast tissue has a higher epigenetic age than blood collected from the same subject. We also observe that the degree of elevation in breast diminishes with advancing age. Future larger studies will be needed to examine associations between epigenetic age acceleration and cumulative hormone exposure.

Differential transmission of the molecular signature of RBSP3, LIMD1 and CDC25A in basal/ parabasal versus spinous of normal epithelium during head and neck tumorigenesis: A mechanistic study.

PubMed

Sarkar, Shreya; Alam, Neyaz; Mandal, Syam Sundar; Chatterjee, Kabita; Ghosh, Supratim; Roychoudhury, Susanta; Panda, Chinmay Kumar

2018-01-01

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a global disease and mortality burden, necessitating the elucidation of its molecular progression for effective disease management. The study aims to understand the molecular profile of three candidate cell cycle regulatory genes, RBSP3, LIMD1 and CDC25A in the basal/ parabasal versus spinous layer of normal oral epithelium and during head and neck tumorigenesis. Immunohistochemical expression and promoter methylation was used to determine the molecular signature in normal oral epithelium. The mechanism of alteration transmission of this profile during tumorigenesis was then explored through additional deletion and mutation in HPV/ tobacco etiological groups, followed byclinico-pathological correlation. In basal/parabasal layer, the molecular signature of the genes was low protein expression/ high promoter methylation of RBSP3, high expression/ low methylation of LIMD1 and high expression of CDC25A. Dysplastic epithelium maintained the signature of RBSP3 through high methylation/ additional deletion with loss of the signatures of LIMD1 and CDC25A via deletion/ additional methylation. Similarly, maintenance and / or loss of signature in invasive tumors was by recurrent deletion/ methylation. Thus, differential patterns of alteration of the genes might be pre-requisite for the development of dysplastic and invasive lesions. Etiological factors played a key role in promoting genetic alterations and determining prognosis. Tobacco negative HNSCC patients had significantly lower alterations of LIMD1 and CDC25A, along with better survival among tobacco negative/ HPV positive patients. Our data suggests the necessity for perturbation of normal molecular profile of RBSP3, LIMD1 and CDC25A in conjunction with etiological factors for head and neck tumorigenesis, implying their diagnostic and prognostic significance.

[Antimutagenic action of superoxide dismutase on sodium azide- and nitrosoguanidine-induced mutagenesis in Salmonella typhimurium TA 1535].

PubMed

Vorob'eva, L I; Cherdyntseva, T A; Aver'ianov, A A; Abilev, S K

1993-05-01

It was shown that superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased the mutagenic action of sodium azide (NaN3) and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535. Catalase and quenchers of hydroxyl radicals showed, unlike SOD no effect on the mutagenicity of NaN3. Cell extract from propionic acid bacteria also possessed the antimutagenic activity, only partially depending on the SOD activity.

Exercise-Induced Dose-Response Alterations in Adiponectin and Leptin Levels Are Dependent on Body Fat Changes in Women at Risk for Breast Cancer.

PubMed

Sturgeon, Kathleen; Digiovanni, Laura; Good, Jerene; Salvatore, Domenick; Fenderson, Desiré; Domchek, Susan; Stopfer, Jill; Galantino, Mary Lou; Bryan, Cathy; Hwang, Wei-Ting; Schmitz, Kathryn

2016-08-01

Dysregulation of adipokines, such as adiponectin and leptin, is associated with a variety of chronic diseases, including cancer. Physical activity protects against breast cancer and one of the mechanisms which may underlie this association is exercise-induced changes in adipokine levels. The WISER Sister Trial was a three-armed randomized controlled trial in premenopausal women (n = 137) with an elevated risk for breast cancer. A 5-menstrual-cycle-long dosed aerobic exercise intervention compared low-dose exercise (150 min/wk; n = 44) or high-dose exercise (300 min/wk; n = 48) with a control group asked to maintain usual activity levels (n = 45). Exercise intensity progressed to and was maintained at 70% to 80% of age predicted heart rate max. Body composition and adipokine levels were measured at baseline and follow-up. We observed significant linear trends for increased fitness capacity (Δ%: -2.0% control, 10.1% low dose, 13.1% high dose), decreased fat tissue-to-total tissue mass (Δ%: 0.7% control, -2.9% low dose, -3.7% high dose), increased body fat adjusted adiponectin (Δ%: -0.6% control, 0.6% low dose, 0.9% high dose), and decreased body fat adjusted leptin (Δ%: 0.7% control, -8.2% low dose, -10.2% high dose). In this randomized clinical trial of premenopausal women at risk for breast cancer, we demonstrate a dose-response effect of exercise on adiponectin and leptin and that dose response is dependent on changes in body fat. Improved adipokine levels, achieved by aerobic exercise training-induced decreases in body fat, may decrease breast cancer risk for high-risk premenopausal women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(8); 1195-200. ©2016 AACR. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase gene methylation and parkinsonism in manganese-exposed welders

PubMed Central

Nielsen, Susan Searles; Checkoway, Harvey; Criswell, Susan R.; Farin, Federico M.; Stapleton, Patricia L.; Sheppard, Lianne; Racette, Brad A.

2015-01-01

Introduction Neurologist-assessed parkinsonism signs are prevalent among workers exposed to manganese (Mn)-containing welding fume. Neuroinflammation may possibly play a role. Inducible nitric oxide synthase, coded by NOS2, is involved in inflammation, and particulate exposure increases the gene’s expression through methylation of CpG sites in the 5′ region. Methods We assessed DNA methylation at three CpG sites in the NOS2 exon 1 from blood from 201 welders. All were non-Hispanic Caucasian men 25–65 years old who were examined by a neurologist specializing in movement disorders. We categorized the workers according to their Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale motor subsection 3 (UPDRS3) scores as parkinsonism cases (UPDRS3 ≥ 15; n = 49), controls (UPDRS3 < 6; n = 103), or intermediate (UPDRS3 ≥6 to <15; n = 49). Results While accounting for age, examiner and experimental plate, parkinsonism cases had lower mean NOS2 methylation than controls (p-value for trend = 0.04), specifically at CpG site 8329 located in an exonic splicing enhancer of NOS2 (p-value for trend = 0.07). These associations were not observed for the intermediate UPDRS3 group (both p-value for trend ≥ 0.59). Conclusions Inflammation mediated by inducible nitric oxide synthase may possibly contribute to the association between welding fume and parkinsonism, but requires verification in a longitudinal study. PMID:25634431

Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Chemotherapy-Induced Myelosuppression and Febrile Neutropenia in Breast Cancer Patients

PubMed Central

Tian, Huan; Qin, Wei; Wu, Wenjing; Guo, Pi; Lu, Yong; Liu, Pengxi; Liu, Qiang; Su, Fengxi

2015-01-01

Title. Chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression lowers the quality of life in breast cancer patients and causes many complications. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a widely used complementary and alternative medicine therapies. Objective. To study whether TCM can reduce the incidence of chemotherapy-induced leukopenia, neutropenia, and febrile neutropenia (FN) in breast cancer patients. Methods. The data were analyzed retrospectively between patients who received TCM treatment (group 1, n = 453) and patients who did not receive TCM treatment (group 2, n = 359). Significant risk factors associated with the occurrence of chemotherapy-induced leukopenia, neutropenia, and FN were identified using multivariate analysis. Propensity score-matched patients were analyzed to adjust for any baseline differences. Results. Group 1 patients had a significantly lower rate of chemotherapy-induced severe leukopenia, neutropenia, and FN, compared with group 2 (43% versus 71%, P < 0.0001, 72% versus 78%, P = 0.005, 6% versus 24%, P < 0.0001, resp.). Multivariate analysis revealed that chemotherapy regimens containing anthracyclines combined with paclitaxel or docetaxel were the most significant predictor. Subgroup analysis indicated that TCM treatment showed benefit in relieving chemotherapy-induced leukopenia and FN in most chemotherapy regimens. Conclusions. TCM treatment could lower the risk of severe chemotherapy-induced leukopenia, neutropenia, and FN in breast cancer patients. PMID:26347793

MeDIP-seq and nCpG analyses illuminate sexually dimorphic methylation of gonadal development genes with high historic methylation in turtle hatchlings with temperature-dependent sex determination.

PubMed

Radhakrishnan, Srihari; Literman, Robert; Mizoguchi, Beatriz; Valenzuela, Nicole

2017-01-01

DNA methylation alters gene expression but not DNA sequence and mediates some cases of phenotypic plasticity. Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) epitomizes phenotypic plasticity where environmental temperature drives embryonic sexual fate, as occurs commonly in turtles. Importantly, the temperature-specific transcription of two genes underlying gonadal differentiation is known to be induced by differential methylation in TSD fish, turtle and alligator. Yet, how extensive is the link between DNA methylation and TSD remains unclear. Here we test for broad differences in genome-wide DNA methylation between male and female hatchling gonads of the TSD painted turtle Chrysemys picta using methyl DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing, to identify differentially methylated candidates for future study. We also examine the genome-wide nCpG distribution (which affects DNA methylation) in painted turtles and test for historic methylation in genes regulating vertebrate gonadogenesis. Turtle global methylation was consistent with other vertebrates (57% of the genome, 78% of all CpG dinucleotides). Numerous genes predicted to regulate turtle gonadogenesis exhibited sex-specific methylation and were proximal to methylated repeats. nCpG distribution predicted actual turtle DNA methylation and was bimodal in gene promoters (as other vertebrates) and introns (unlike other vertebrates). Differentially methylated genes, including regulators of sexual development, had lower nCpG content indicative of higher historic methylation. Ours is the first evidence suggesting that sexually dimorphic DNA methylation is pervasive in turtle gonads (perhaps mediated by repeat methylation) and that it targets numerous regulators of gonadal development, consistent with the hypothesis that it may regulate thermosensitive transcription in TSD vertebrates. However, further research during embryogenesis will help test this hypothesis and the alternative that instead, most differential methylation observed in hatchlings is the by-product of sexual differentiation and not its cause.

Comprehensive analysis of the MLH1 promoter region in 480 patients with colorectal cancer and 1150 controls reveals new variants including one with a heritable constitutional MLH1 epimutation.

PubMed

Morak, Monika; Ibisler, Ayseguel; Keller, Gisela; Jessen, Ellen; Laner, Andreas; Gonzales-Fassrainer, Daniela; Locher, Melanie; Massdorf, Trisari; Nissen, Anke M; Benet-Pagès, Anna; Holinski-Feder, Elke

2018-04-01

Germline defects in MLH1 , MSH2 , MSH6 and PMS2 predisposing for Lynch syndrome (LS) are mainly based on sequence changes, whereas a constitutional epimutation of MLH1 (CEM) is exceptionally rare. This abnormal MLH1 promoter methylation is not hereditary when arising de novo, whereas a stably heritable and variant-induced CEM was described for one single allele. We searched for MLH1 promoter variants causing a germline or somatic methylation induction or transcriptional repression. We analysed the MLH1 promoter sequence in five different patient groups with colorectal cancer (CRC) (n=480) composed of patients with i) CEM (n=16), ii) unsolved loss of MLH1 expression in CRC (n=37), iii) CpG-island methylator-phenotype CRC (n=102), iv) patients with LS (n=83) and v) MLH1-proficient CRC (n=242) as controls. 1150 patients with non-LS tumours also served as controls to correctly judge the results. We detected 10 rare MLH1 promoter variants. One novel, complex MLH1 variant c.-63_-58delins18 is present in a patient with CRC with CEM and his sister, both showing a complete allele-specific promoter methylation and transcriptional silencing. The other nine promoter variants detected in 17 individuals were not associated with methylation. For four of these, a normal, biallelic MLH1 expression was found in the patients' cDNA. We report the second promoter variant stably inducing a hereditary CEM. Concerning the classification of promoter variants, we discuss contradictory results from the literature for two variants, describe classification discrepancies between existing rules for five variants, suggest the (re-)classification of five promoter variants to (likely) benign and regard four variants as functionally unclear. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Arsenic induces functional re-expression of estrogen receptor α by demethylation of DNA in estrogen receptor-negative human breast cancer.

PubMed

Du, Juan; Zhou, Nannan; Liu, Hongxia; Jiang, Fei; Wang, Yubang; Hu, Chunyan; Qi, Hong; Zhong, Caiyun; Wang, Xinru; Li, Zhong

2012-01-01

Estrogen receptor α (ERα) is a marker predictive for response of breast cancers to endocrine therapy. About 30% of breast cancers, however, are hormone- independent because of lack of ERα expression. New strategies are needed for re-expression of ERα and sensitization of ER-negative breast cancer cells to selective ER modulators. The present report shows that arsenic trioxide induces reactivated ERα, providing a target for therapy with ER antagonists. Exposure of ER-negative breast cancer cells to arsenic trioxide leads to re-expression of ERα mRNA and functional ERα protein in in vitro and in vivo. Luciferase reporter gene assays and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assays show that, upon exposure to arsenic trioxide, formerly unresponsive, ER-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells become responsive to ER antagonists, 4-hydroxytamoxifen and ICI 182,780. Furthermore, methylation- specific PCR and bisulfite-sequencing PCR assays show that arsenic trioxide induces partial demethylation of the ERα promoter. A methyl donor, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), reduces the degree of arsenic trioxide-induced re-expression of ERα and demethylation. Moreover, Western blot and ChIP assays show that arsenic trioxide represses expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3a along with partial dissociation of DNMT1 from the ERα promoter. Thus, arsenic trioxide exhibits a previously undefined function which induces re-expression ERα in ER-negative breast cancer cells through demethylation of the ERα promoter. These findings could provide important information regarding the application of therapeutic agents targeting epigenetic changes in breast cancers and potential implication of arsenic trioxide as a new drug for the treatment of ER-negative human breast cancer.

One-Carbon Metabolism and Methylation in Breast Tumors

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-06-01

cancer. Histopathological criteria were used to stratify the controls (N= 247) into two groups of women with high or low risk of developing future...and lifestyle factors may offer an explanation for this difference. Migrant studies, used to determine whether genetic or lifestyle and environment...consumption can improve or reverse cervical dysplasia in women taking oral contraceptives (36). It has also been hypothesized that oral

Evidence for a link between TNFRSF11A and risk of breast cancer.

PubMed

Bonifaci, Núria; Palafox, Marta; Pellegrini, Pasquale; Osorio, Ana; Benítez, Javier; Peterlongo, Paolo; Manoukian, Siranoush; Peissel, Bernard; Zaffaroni, Daniela; Roversi, Gaia; Barile, Monica; Viel, Alessandra; Mariette, Frederique; Bernard, Loris; Radice, Paolo; Kaufman, Bella; Laitman, Yael; Milgrom, Roni; Friedman, Eitan; Sáez, María E; Climent, Fina; Soler, María Teresa; Diez, Orland; Balmaña, Judith; Lasa, Adriana; Ramón y Cajal, Teresa; Miramar, María-Dolores; de la Hoya, Miguel; Pérez-Segura, Pedro; Caldés, Trinidad; Moreno, Víctor; Urruticoechea, Ander; Brunet, Joan; Lázaro, Conxi; Blanco, Ignacio; Pujana, Miguel Angel; González-Suárez, Eva

2011-10-01

Intracellular signaling mediated by the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB [Rank, encoded by the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 11a (Tnfrsf11a) gene] is fundamental for mammary gland development in mice, regulating the expansion of stem and progenitor cell compartments. Conversely, Rank overexpression in mice promotes abnormal proliferation and impairs differentiation, leading to an increased incidence of tumorigenesis. Here, we show that a common genetic variant near the 5'-end of TNFRSF11A, rs7226991, is associated with breast cancer risk in the general population and among carriers of mutations in the breast cancer 2, early onset (BRCA2) gene. Akin to the results of the Cancer and Genetics Markers of Susceptibility initiative, combined analysis of rs7226991 in two Spanish case-control studies (1,365 controls and 1,323 cases in total) revealed a significant association with risk: odds ratio (OR) = 0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78-0.98, P (trend) = 0.025. Subsequent examination of BRCA1 (n = 1,017) and BRCA2 (n = 885) mutation carriers revealed a consistent association in the latter group: weighted hazard ratio ((w)HR) = 0.70; 95% CI 0.55-0.88; and P (trend) = 0.003; compared to BRCA1 mutation carriers, (w)HR = 0.91; 95% CI 0.76-1.10; and P (trend) = 0.33. The results of this study need to be replicated in other populations and with larger numbers of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers.

O(6)-methylguanine DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) overexpression in melanoma cells induces resistance to nitrosoureas and temozolomide but sensitizes to mitomycin C.

PubMed

Passagne, Isabelle; Evrard, Alexandre; Depeille, Philippe; Cuq, Pierre; Cupissol, Didier; Vian, Laurence

2006-03-01

Alkylating agents play an important role in the chemotherapy of malignant melanomas. The activity of alkylating agents depends on their capacity to form alkyl adducts with DNA, in some cases causing cross-linking of DNA strands. However, the use of these agents is limited by cellular resistance induced by the DNA repair enzyme O(6)-methylguanine DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) which removes alkyl groups from alkylated DNA strands. To determine to what extent the expression of MGMT in melanoma cells induces resistance to alkylating agents, the human cell line CAL77 Mer- (i.e., MGMT deficient) were transfected with pcMGMT vector containing human MGMT cDNA. Several clones expressing MGMT at a high level were selected to determine their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. Melanoma-transfected cells were found to be significantly less sensitive to nitrosoureas (carmustine, fotemustine, streptozotocin) and temozolomide with an increase of IC(50) values between 3 and 14 when compared to parent cells. No difference in cell survival rates between MGMT-proficient and -deficient cells was observed for melphalan, chlorambucil, busulphan, thiotepa and cisplatin which preferentially induce N(7) guanine lesions. Surprisingly, MGMT overexpression increased the sensitivity of CAL77 cells to mitomycin C by approximately 10-fold. Treatment of clonal cell lines with buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase which depletes cellular glutathione, completely reversed this unexpected increase in sensitivity to mitomycin C. This observation suggests that glutathione is involved in the sensitivity of MGMT-transfected cells to mitomycin C and may act synergistically with MGMT via an unknown mechanism.

ENU mutagenesis to generate genetically modified rat models.

PubMed

van Boxtel, Ruben; Gould, Michael N; Cuppen, Edwin; Smits, Bart M G

2010-01-01

The rat is one of the most preferred model organisms in biomedical research and has been extremely useful for linking physiology and pathology to the genome. However, approaches to genetically modify specific genes in the rat germ line remain relatively scarce. To date, the most efficient approach for generating genetically modified rats has been the target-selected N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis-based technology. Here, we describe the detailed protocols for ENU mutagenesis and mutant retrieval in the rat model organism.

Estrogen regulates Hippo signaling via GPER in breast cancer.

PubMed

Zhou, Xin; Wang, Shuyang; Wang, Zhen; Feng, Xu; Liu, Peng; Lv, Xian-Bo; Li, Fulong; Yu, Fa-Xing; Sun, Yiping; Yuan, Haixin; Zhu, Hongguang; Xiong, Yue; Lei, Qun-Ying; Guan, Kun-Liang

2015-05-01

The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) mediates both the genomic and nongenomic effects of estrogen and has been implicated in breast cancer development. Here, we compared GPER expression in cancerous tissue and adjacent normal tissue in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast and determined that GPER is highly upregulated in cancerous cells. Additionally, our studies revealed that GPER stimulation activates yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with a PDZ-binding domain (TAZ), 2 homologous transcription coactivators and key effectors of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway, via the Gαq-11, PLCβ/PKC, and Rho/ROCK signaling pathways. TAZ was required for GPER-induced gene transcription, breast cancer cell proliferation and migration, and tumor growth. Moreover, TAZ expression positively correlated with GPER expression in human IDC specimens. Together, our results suggest that the Hippo/YAP/TAZ pathway is a key downstream signaling branch of GPER and plays a critical role in breast tumorigenesis.

Suppression of triple-negative breast cancer metastasis by pan-DAC inhibitor panobinostat via inhibition of ZEB family of EMT master regulators.

PubMed

Rhodes, Lyndsay V; Tate, Chandra R; Segar, H Chris; Burks, Hope E; Phamduy, Theresa B; Hoang, Van; Elliott, Steven; Gilliam, Diari; Pounder, F Nell; Anbalagan, Muralidharan; Chrisey, Douglas B; Rowan, Brian G; Burow, Matthew E; Collins-Burow, Bridgette M

2014-06-01

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive breast cancer subtype that lacks effective targeted therapies. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key contributor in the metastatic process. We previously showed the pan-deacetylase inhibitor LBH589 induces CDH1 expression in TNBC cells, suggesting regulation of EMT. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of LBH589 on the metastatic qualities of TNBC cells and the role of EMT in this process. A panel of breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and BT-549), drugged with LBH589, was examined for changes in cell morphology, migration, and invasion in vitro. The effect on in vivo metastasis was examined using immunofluorescent staining of lung sections. EMT gene expression profiling was used to determine LBH589-induced changes in TNBC cells. ZEB overexpression studies were conducted to validate requirement of ZEB in LBH589-mediated proliferation and tumorigenesis. Our results indicate a reversal of EMT by LBH589 as demonstrated by altered morphology and altered gene expression in TNBC. LBH589 was shown to be a more potent inhibitor of EMT than other HDAC inhibitors, SAHA and TMP269. Additionally, we found that LBH589 inhibits metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells in vivo. These effects of LBH589 were mediated in part by inhibition of ZEB, as overexpression of ZEB1 or ZEB2 mitigated the effects of LBH589 on MDA-MB-231 EMT-associated gene expression, migration, invasion, CDH1 expression, and tumorigenesis. These data indicate therapeutic potential of LBH589 in targeting EMT and metastasis of TNBC.

Pain and uterine contractions during breast feeding in the immediate post-partum period increase with parity.

PubMed

Holdcroft, Anita; Snidvongs, Saowarat; Cason, Angie; Doré, Caroline J; Berkley, Karen J

2003-08-01

Previous research has shown that post-partum abdominal pain is greater in multiparous than primiparous women (Murray and Holdcroft, 1989). Although breast feeding in the immediate post-partum period induces uterine contractions and abdominal pain, it is unknown how parity influences the contractions. Here, a structured questionnaire that included the McGill Pain Questionnaire (total pain intensity index, TPI) and visual analog scales (VAS) was used to evaluate the intensity, location, referred tenderness (hyperalgesia), descriptor, and temporal characteristics of pain during breast feeding up to three days after uncomplicated vaginal delivery. Three groups of women were studied: primiparous (n=25); low parity (1-2 prior births; n=14); high parity (3-5 prior births; n=11). Uterine contractions during breast feeding were recorded using tocodynamometry in some women from each group (n=17, 6, 7, respectively). For comparison, an identical questionnaire was used to evaluate pains the women remembered experiencing during menstruation in the year immediately preceding the current pregnancy. During breast feeding, nearly all women (96%) reported deep pain primarily at three sites: lower abdomen, low back, and breast, with associated referred hyperalgesia in 62% of them. The intensity of these pains increased significantly with parity (P<0.001), along with an increase in the number of pain sites (P=0.03), mainly in lower abdomen and back, but not breast. Similarly, both the mean duration and number of uterine contractions increased significantly with parity (P<0.001). Furthermore, the mean duration of contractions correlated significantly with the pain scores (P=0.03 [VAS] and P=0.006 [TPI]). In contrast with pain during breast feeding, the intensity of pain during menstruation did not change with parity. These results demonstrate that pain, referred pain, and uterine contractions during breast feeding in the immediate post-partum period increase with parity, suggesting that childbirth can induce central neural changes that increase predisposition for pain during the post-partum period.

Expression profiles of SnoN in normal and cancerous human tissues support its tumor suppressor role in human cancer.

PubMed

Jahchan, Nadine S; Ouyang, Gaoliang; Luo, Kunxin

2013-01-01

SnoN is a negative regulator of TGF-β signaling and also an activator of the tumor suppressor p53 in response to cellular stress. Its role in human cancer is complex and controversial with both pro-oncogenic and anti-oncogenic activities reported. To clarify its role in human cancer and provide clinical relevance to its signaling activities, we examined SnoN expression in normal and cancerous human esophageal, ovarian, pancreatic and breast tissues. In normal tissues, SnoN is expressed in both the epithelium and the surrounding stroma at a moderate level and is predominantly cytoplasmic. SnoN levels in all tumor epithelia examined are lower than or similar to that in the matched normal samples, consistent with its anti-tumorigenic activity in epithelial cells. In contrast, SnoN expression in the stroma is highly upregulated in the infiltrating inflammatory cells in high-grade esophageal and ovarian tumor samples, suggesting that SnoN may potentially promote malignant progression through modulating the tumor microenvironment in these tumor types. The overall levels of SnoN expression in these cancer tissues do not correlate with the p53 status. However, in human cancer cell lines with amplification of the snoN gene, a strong correlation between increased SnoN copy number and inactivation of p53 was detected, suggesting that the tumor suppressor SnoN-p53 pathway must be inactivated, either through downregulation of SnoN or inactivation of p53, in order to allow cancer cell to proliferate and survive. These data strongly suggest that SnoN can function as a tumor suppressor at early stages of tumorigenesis in human cancer tissues.

RANK ligand as a potential target for breast cancer prevention in BRCA1-mutation carriers.

PubMed

Nolan, Emma; Vaillant, François; Branstetter, Daniel; Pal, Bhupinder; Giner, Göknur; Whitehead, Lachlan; Lok, Sheau W; Mann, Gregory B; Rohrbach, Kathy; Huang, Li-Ya; Soriano, Rosalia; Smyth, Gordon K; Dougall, William C; Visvader, Jane E; Lindeman, Geoffrey J

2016-08-01

Individuals who have mutations in the breast-cancer-susceptibility gene BRCA1 (hereafter referred to as BRCA1-mutation carriers) frequently undergo prophylactic mastectomy to minimize their risk of breast cancer. The identification of an effective prevention therapy therefore remains a 'holy grail' for the field. Precancerous BRCA1(mut/+) tissue harbors an aberrant population of luminal progenitor cells, and deregulated progesterone signaling has been implicated in BRCA1-associated oncogenesis. Coupled with the findings that tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 11 (TNFSF11; also known as RANKL) is a key paracrine effector of progesterone signaling and that RANKL and its receptor TNFRSF11A (also known as RANK) contribute to mammary tumorigenesis, we investigated a role for this pathway in the pre-neoplastic phase of BRCA1-mutation carriers. We identified two subsets of luminal progenitors (RANK(+) and RANK(-)) in histologically normal tissue of BRCA1-mutation carriers and showed that RANK(+) cells are highly proliferative, have grossly aberrant DNA repair and bear a molecular signature similar to that of basal-like breast cancer. These data suggest that RANK(+) and not RANK(-) progenitors are a key target population in these women. Inhibition of RANKL signaling by treatment with denosumab in three-dimensional breast organoids derived from pre-neoplastic BRCA1(mut/+) tissue attenuated progesterone-induced proliferation. Notably, proliferation was markedly reduced in breast biopsies from BRCA1-mutation carriers who were treated with denosumab. Furthermore, inhibition of RANKL in a Brca1-deficient mouse model substantially curtailed mammary tumorigenesis. Taken together, these findings identify a targetable pathway in a putative cell-of-origin population in BRCA1-mutation carriers and implicate RANKL blockade as a promising strategy in the prevention of breast cancer.

Characterization of a Novel Dithiocarbamate Glutathione Reductase Inhibitor and Its Use as a Tool to Modulate Intracellular Glutathione*

PubMed Central

Seefeldt, Teresa; Zhao, Yong; Chen, Wei; Raza, Ashraf S.; Carlson, Laura; Herman, Jocqueline; Stoebner, Adam; Hanson, Sarah; Foll, Ryan; Guan, Xiangming

2009-01-01

Thiol redox state (TRS) is an important parameter to reflect intracellular oxidative stress and is associated with various normal and abnormal biochemical processes. Agents that can be used to increase intracellular TRS will be valuable tools in TRS-related research. Glutathione reductase (GR) is a critical enzyme in the homeostasis of TRS. The enzyme catalyzes the reduction of GSSG to GSH to maintain a high GSH:GSSG ratio. Inhibition of the enzyme can be used to increase TRS. Despite the reports of various GR inhibitors, N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea, an anticancer drug with IC50 = 647 μm against yeast GR, remains the most commonly used GR inhibitor in the literature. However, the toxicity caused by nonspecific interactions, as well as inhibition of DNA synthesis, complicates the use of N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea as a GR inhibitor. We report 2-acetylamino-3-[4-(2-acetylamino-2-carboxyethylsulfanylthiocarbonylamino)phenylthiocarbamoylsulfanyl]propionic acid (2-AAPA) as a novel irreversible GR inhibitor. 2-AAPA was prepared by one-step synthesis from commercially available reagents. The Ki and kinact of 2-AAPA against yeast GR were determined to be 56 μm and 0.1 min–1, respectively. At the concentration that produced >80% yeast GR inhibition, 2-AAPA showed no inhibition against glutamylcysteine synthetase, glutathione synthetase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, but minimal inhibition against glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase. In CV-1 cells, 2-AAPA (0.1 mm) produced 97% GR inhibition, 25% GSH reduction, and a 5-fold increase in GSSG in 20 min. The compound can be a useful tool in TRS-related research. PMID:19049979

Long non-coding RNA FEZF1-AS1 promotes breast cancer stemness and tumorigenesis via targeting miR-30a/Nanog axis.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhi; Sun, Liwei; Zhang, Yixuan; Lu, Guanming; Li, Yongqiang; Wei, Zhongheng

2018-05-24

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been verified to modulate the tumorigenesis of breast cancer at multiple levels. In present study, we aim to investigate the role of lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 on breast cancer-stem like cells (BCSC) and the potential regulatory mechanism. In breast cancer tissue, lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 was up-regulated compared with controls and indicated poor prognosis of breast cancer patients. In vitro experiments, FEZF1-AS1 was significantly over-expressed in breast cancer cells, especially in sphere subpopulation compared with parental subpopulation. Loss-of-functional indicated that, in BCSC cells (MDA-MB-231 CSC, MCF-7 CSC), FEZF1-AS1 knockdown reduced the CD44 + /CD24 - rate, the mammosphere-forming ability, stem factors (Nanog, Oct4, SOX2), and inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion. In vivo, FEZF1-AS1 knockdown inhibited the breast cancer cells growth. Bioinformatics analysis tools and series of validation experiments confirmed that FEZF1-AS1 modulated BCSC and Nanog expression through sponging miR-30a, suggesting the regulation of FEZF1-AS1/miR-30a/Nanog. In summary, our study validate the important role of FEZF1-AS1/miR-30a/Nanog in breast cancer stemness and tumorigenesis, providing a novel insight and treatment strategy for breast cancer. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Cellular Physiology Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc.

Alpha-Synuclein Produces Early Behavioral Alterations via Striatal Cholinergic Synaptic Dysfunction by Interacting With GluN2D N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Subunit.

PubMed

Tozzi, Alessandro; de Iure, Antonio; Bagetta, Vincenza; Tantucci, Michela; Durante, Valentina; Quiroga-Varela, Ana; Costa, Cinzia; Di Filippo, Massimiliano; Ghiglieri, Veronica; Latagliata, Emanuele Claudio; Wegrzynowicz, Michal; Decressac, Mickael; Giampà, Carmela; Dalley, Jeffrey W; Xia, Jing; Gardoni, Fabrizio; Mellone, Manuela; El-Agnaf, Omar Mukhtar; Ardah, Mustafa Taleb; Puglisi-Allegra, Stefano; Björklund, Anders; Spillantini, Maria Grazia; Picconi, Barbara; Calabresi, Paolo

2016-03-01

Advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by massive degeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons, dramatic motor and cognitive alterations, and presence of nigral Lewy bodies, whose main constituent is α-synuclein (α-syn). However, the synaptic mechanisms underlying behavioral and motor effects induced by early selective overexpression of nigral α-syn are still a matter of debate. We performed behavioral, molecular, and immunohistochemical analyses in two transgenic models of PD, mice transgenic for truncated human α-synuclein 1-120 and rats injected with the adeno-associated viral vector carrying wild-type human α-synuclein. We also investigated striatal synaptic plasticity by electrophysiological recordings from spiny projection neurons and cholinergic interneurons. We found that overexpression of truncated or wild-type human α-syn causes partial reduction of striatal dopamine levels and selectively blocks the induction of long-term potentiation in striatal cholinergic interneurons, producing early memory and motor alterations. These effects were dependent on α-syn modulation of the GluN2D-expressing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in cholinergic interneurons. Acute in vitro application of human α-syn oligomers mimicked the synaptic effects observed ex vivo in PD models. We suggest that striatal cholinergic dysfunction, induced by a direct interaction between α-syn and GluN2D-expressing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, represents a precocious biological marker of the disease. Copyright © 2016 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Adenosine monophosphate deaminase 3 activation shortens erythrocyte half-life and provides malaria resistance in mice.

PubMed

Hortle, Elinor; Nijagal, Brunda; Bauer, Denis C; Jensen, Lora M; Ahn, Seong Beom; Cockburn, Ian A; Lampkin, Shelley; Tull, Dedreia; McConville, Malcolm J; McMorran, Brendan J; Foote, Simon J; Burgio, Gaetan

2016-09-01

The factors that determine red blood cell (RBC) lifespan and the rate of RBC aging have not been fully elucidated. In several genetic conditions, including sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and G6PD deficiency, erythrocyte lifespan is significantly shortened. Many of these diseases are also associated with protection from severe malaria, suggesting a role for accelerated RBC senescence and clearance in malaria resistance. Here, we report a novel, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mutation that causes a gain of function in adenosine 5'-monophosphate deaminase (AMPD3). Mice carrying the mutation exhibit rapid RBC turnover, with increased erythropoiesis, dramatically shortened RBC lifespan, and signs of increased RBC senescence/eryptosis, suggesting a key role for AMPD3 in determining RBC half-life. Mice were also found to be resistant to infection with the rodent malaria Plasmodium chabaudi. We propose that resistance to P. chabaudi is mediated by increased RBC turnover and higher rates of erythropoiesis during infection. © 2016 by The American Society of Hematology.

Defining the ATM-mediated barrier to tumorigenesis in somatic mammary cells following ErbB2 activation

PubMed Central

Reddy, Jay P.; Peddibhotla, Sirisha; Bu, Wen; Zhao, Jing; Haricharan, Svasti; Du, Yi-Chieh Nancy; Podsypanina, Katrina; Rosen, Jeffrey M.; Donehower, Larry A.; Li, Yi

2010-01-01

p53, apoptosis, and senescence are frequently activated in preneoplastic lesions and are barriers to progression to malignancy. These barriers have been suggested to result from an ATM-mediated DNA damage response (DDR), which may follow oncogene-induced hyperproliferation and ensuing DNA replication stress. To elucidate the currently untested role of DDR in breast cancer initiation, we examined the effect of oncogene expression in several murine models of breast cancer. We did not observe a detectable DDR in early hyperplastic lesions arising in transgenic mice expressing several different oncogenes. However, DDR signaling was strongly induced in preneoplastic lesions arising from individual mammary cells transduced in vivo by retroviruses expressing either PyMT or ErbB2. Thus, activation of an oncogene after normal tissue development causes a DDR. Furthermore, in this somatic ErbB2 tumor model, ATM, and thus DDR, is required for p53 stabilization, apoptosis, and senescence. In palpable tumors in this model, p53 stabilization and apoptosis are lost, but unexpectedly senescence remains in many tumor cells. Thus, this murine model fully recapitulates early DDR signaling; the eventual suppression of its endpoints in tumorigenesis provides compelling evidence that ErbB2-induced aberrant mammary cell proliferation leads to an ATM-mediated DDR that activates apoptosis and senescence, and at least the former must be overcome to progress to malignancy. This in vivo study also uncovers an unexpected effect of ErbB2 activation previously known for its prosurvival roles, and suggests that protection of the ATM-mediated DDR-p53 signaling pathway may be important in breast cancer prevention. PMID:20133707

Use of LC-MS/MS and Stable Isotopes to Differentiate Hydroxymethyl and Methyl DNA Adducts from Formaldehyde and Nitrosodimethylamine

PubMed Central

Lu, Kun; Craft, Sessaly; Nakamura, Jun; Moeller, Benjamin C.; Swenberg, James A.

2012-01-01

Formaldehyde is a known human and animal carcinogen that forms DNA adducts, and causes mutations. While there is widespread exposure to formaldehyde in the environment, formaldehyde is also an essential biochemical in all living cells. The presence of both endogenous and exogenous sources of formaldehyde makes it difficult to develop exposure-specific DNA biomarkers. Furthermore, chemicals such as nitrosodimethylamine form one mole of formaldehyde for every mole of methylating agent, raising questions about potential co-carcinogenesis. Formaldehyde-induced hydroxymethyl DNA adducts are not stable and need to be reduced to stable methyl adducts for detection, which adds another layer of complexity to identifying the origins of these adducts. In this study, highly sensitive mass spectrometry methods and isotope labeled compounds were used to differentiate between endogenous and exogenous hydroxymethyl and methyl DNA adducts. We demonstrate that N2-hydroxymethyl-dG is the primary DNA adduct formed in cells following formaldehyde exposure. In addition, we show that alkylating agents induce methyl adducts at N2-dG and N6-dA positions, which are identical to the reduced forms of hydroxymethyl adducts arising from formaldehyde. The use of highly sensitive LC-MS/MS and isotope labeled compounds for exposure solves these challenges and provides mechanistic insights on the formation and role of these DNA adducts. PMID:22148432

Minor drug-resistant HIV type-1 variants in breast milk and plasma of HIV type-1-infected Ugandan women after nevirapine single-dose prophylaxis.

PubMed

Pilger, Daniel; Hauser, Andrea; Kuecherer, Claudia; Mugenyi, Kizito; Kabasinguzi, Rose; Somogyi, Sybille; Harms, Gundel; Kunz, Andrea

2011-01-01

Nevirapine single-dose (NVP-SD) reduces mother-to-child transmission of HIV type-1 (HIV-1), but frequently induces resistance mutations in the HIV-1 genome. Little is known about drug-resistant HIV-1 variants in the breast milk of women who have taken NVP-SD. Blood and breast milk samples of 39 HIV-1-infected Ugandan women were taken 6-12 weeks after NVP-SD intake. Samples were analysed by population sequencing and allele-specific real-time PCR (AS-PCR) with detection limits for NVP-resistant HIV-1 variants (K103N and Y181C) of < 1% of the total viral population. AS-PCR results for both plasma and breast milk were obtained for 19 women who constituted the final study group (HIV-1 subtype frequencies were A1 n = 11, D n = 5, G n = 2 and C n = 1). A total of 7 (37%) and 10 (53%) women carried NVP-resistant virus in breast milk and plasma, respectively. Overall, 71% (5/7) women with NVP-resistant HIV-1 in breast milk displayed >1 drug-resistant variant. Resistance in breast milk was higher at week 6 (6/13 samples [46%]) compared with week 12 (1/6 samples [17%]). In total, 10 drug-resistant populations harbouring the K103N and/or Y181C mutation were detected in the 19 breast milk samples; 7 (70%) were caused by resistant minorities (< 5% of the total HIV-1 population). In the four women with drug-resistant virus in both plasma and breast milk, the mutation patterns differed between the two compartments. Minor populations of drug-resistant HIV-1 were frequently found in breast milk of Ugandan women after exposure to NVP-SD. Further studies need to explore the role of minor drug-resistant variants in the postnatal transmission of (resistant) HIV-1.

40 CFR 721.4080 - MNNG (N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false MNNG (N-methyl-Nâ²-nitro-N... Specific Chemical Substances § 721.4080 MNNG (N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine). (a) Chemical substance and significant new use subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance MNNG (N-methyl-N′-nitro-N...

40 CFR 721.4080 - MNNG (N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false MNNG (N-methyl-Nâ²-nitro-N... Specific Chemical Substances § 721.4080 MNNG (N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine). (a) Chemical substance and significant new use subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance MNNG (N-methyl-N′-nitro-N...

Temporal alteration of spreading depression by the glycine transporter type-1 inhibitors NFPS and Org-24461 in chicken retina.

PubMed

Kertesz, Szabolcs; Szabo, Geza; Udvari, Szabolcs; Levay, Gyorgy; Matyus, Peter; Harsing, Laszlo G

2013-01-25

We used isolated chicken retina to induce spreading depression by the glutamate receptor agonist N-methyl-d-aspartate. The N-methyl-d-aspartate-induced latency time of spreading depression was extended by the glycine(B) binding site competitive antagonist 7-chlorokynurenic acid. Addition of the glycine transporter type-1 inhibitors NFPS and Org-24461 reversed the inhibitory effect of 7-chlorokynurenic acid on N-methyl-d-aspartate-evoked spreading depression. The glycine uptake inhibitory activity of Org-24461, NFPS, and some newly synthesized analogs of NFPS was determined in CHO cells stably expressing human glycine transporter type-1b isoform. Compounds, which failed to inhibit glycine transporter type-1, also did not have effect on retinal spreading depression. These experiments indicate that the spreading depression model in chicken retina is a useful in vitro test to determine activity of glycine transporter type-1 inhibitors. In addition, our data serve further evidence for the role of glycine transporter type-1 in retinal neurotransmission and light processing. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Induces Methylation Changes in Blood DNA Associated with Overall Survival in Patients with Ovarian Cancer.

PubMed

Flanagan, James M; Wilson, Angela; Koo, Chail; Masrour, Nahal; Gallon, John; Loomis, Erick; Flower, Kirsty; Wilhelm-Benartzi, Charlotte; Hergovich, Alexander; Cunnea, Paula; Gabra, Hani; Braicu, Elena Ioana; Sehouli, Jalid; Darb-Esfahani, Silvia; Vanderstichele, Adriaan; Vergote, Ignace; Kreuzinger, Caroline; Castillo-Tong, Dan Cacsire; Wisman, G Bea A; Berns, Els Mjj; Siddiqui, Nadeem; Paul, James; Brown, Robert

2017-05-01

Purpose: DNA damage repair can lead to epigenetic changes. DNA mismatch repair proteins bind to platinum DNA adducts and at sites of DNA damage can recruit the DNA methylating enzyme DNMT1, resulting in aberrant methylation. We hypothesised that DNA damage repair during platinum-based chemotherapy may cause aberrant DNA methylation in normal tissues of patients such as blood. Experimental Design: We used Illumina 450k methylation arrays and bisulphite pyrosequencing to investigate methylation at presentation and relapse in blood DNA from patients with ovarian cancer enrolled in the SCOTROC1 trial ( n = 247) and in a cohort of ovarian tumor DNA samples collected at first relapse ( n = 46). We used an ovarian cancer cell line model to investigate the role of the DNA mismatch repair gene MLH1 in platinum-induced methylation changes. Results: Specific CpG methylation changes in blood at relapse are observed following platinum-based chemotherapy and are associated with patient survival, independent of other clinical factors [hazard ratio, 3.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-7.6, P = 2.8 × 10 -4 ]. Similar changes occur in ovarian tumors at relapse, also associated with patient survival (hazard ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-6.8, P = 0.048). Using an ovarian cancer cell line model, we demonstrate that functional mismatch repair increases the frequency of platinum-induced methylation. Conclusions: DNA methylation in blood at relapse following chemotherapy, and not at presentation, is informative regarding survival of patients with ovarian cancer. Functional DNA mismatch repair increases the frequency of DNA methylation changes induced by platinum. DNA methylation in blood following chemotherapy could provide a noninvasive means of monitoring patients' epigenetic responses to treatment without requiring a tumor biopsy. Clin Cancer Res; 23(9); 2213-22. ©2016 AACR . ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

Bmi-1 promotes invasion and metastasis, and its elevated expression is correlated with an advanced stage of breast cancer

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background B-lymphoma Moloney murine leukemia virus insertion region-1 (Bmi-1) acts as an oncogene in various tumors, and its overexpression correlates with a poor outcome in several human cancers. Ectopic expression of Bmi-1 can induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and enhance the motility and invasiveness of human nasopharyngeal epithelial cells (NPECs), whereas silencing endogenous Bmi-1 expression can reverse EMT and reduce the metastatic potential of nasopharyngeal cancer cells (NPCs). Mouse xenograft studies indicate that coexpression of Bmi-1 and H-Ras in breast cancer cells can induce an aggressive and metastatic phenotype with an unusual occurrence of brain metastasis; although, Bmi-1 overexpression did not result in oncogenic transformation of MCF-10A cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of Bmi-1-mediated progression and the metastasis of breast cancer are not fully elucidated at this time. Results Bmi-1 expression is more pronouncedly increased in primary cancer tissues compared to matched adjacent non-cancerous tissues. High Bmi-1 expression is correlated with advanced clinicopathologic classifications (T, N, and M) and clinical stages. Furthermore, a high level of Bmi-1 indicates an unfavorable overall survival and serves as a high risk marker for breast cancer. In addition, inverse transcriptional expression levels of Bmi-1 and E-cadherin are detected between the primary cancer tissues and the matched adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Higher Bmi-1 levels are found in the cancer tissue, whereas the paired adjacent non-cancer tissue shows higher E-cadherin levels. Overexpression of Bmi-1 increases the motility and invasive properties of immortalized human mammary epithelial cells, which is concurrent with the increased expression of mesenchymal markers, the decreased expression of epithelial markers, the stabilization of Snail and the dysregulation of the Akt/GSK3β pathway. Consistent with these observations, the repression of Bmi-1 in highly metastatic breast cancer cells remarkably reduces cellular motility, invasion and transformation, as well as tumorigenesis and lung metastases in nude mice. In addition, the repression of Bmi-1 reverses the expression of EMT markers and inhibits the Akt/GSK3β/Snail pathway. Conclusions This study demonstrates that Bmi-1 promotes the invasion and metastasis of human breast cancer and predicts poor survival. PMID:21276221

FBXO32 suppresses breast cancer tumorigenesis through targeting KLF4 to proteasomal degradation.

PubMed

Zhou, H; Liu, Y; Zhu, R; Ding, F; Wan, Y; Li, Y; Liu, Z

2017-06-08

Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4, GKLF) is a zinc-finger transcription factor involved in a large variety of cellular processes, including apoptosis, cell cycle progression, as well as stem cell renewal. KLF4 is critical for cell fate decision and has an ambivalent role in tumorigenesis. Emerging data keep reminding us that KLF4 dysregulation either facilitates or impedes tumor progression, making it important to clarify the regulating network of KLF4. Like most transcription factors, KLF4 has a rather short half-life within the cell and its turnover must be carefully orchestrated by ubiquitination and ubiquitin-proteasome system. To better understand the mechanism of KLF4 ubiquitination, we performed a genome-wide screen of E3 ligase small interfering RNA library based on western blot and identified SCF-FBXO32 to be a new E3 ligase, which is responsible for KLF4 ubiquitination and degradation. The F-box domain is critical for FBXO32-dependent KLF4 ubiquitination and degradation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that FBXO32 physically interacts with the N-terminus (1-60 aa) of KLF4 via its C-terminus (228-355 aa) and directly targets KLF4 for ubiquitination and degradation. We also found out that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway may be implicated in FBXO32-mediated ubiquitination of KLF4, as p38 kinase inhibitor coincidently abrogates endogenous KLF4 ubiquitination and degradation, as well as FBXO32-dependent exogenous KLF4 ubiquitination and degradation. Finally, FBXO32 inhibits colony formation in vitro and primary tumor initiation and growth in vivo through targeting KLF4 into degradation. Our findings thus further elucidate the tumor-suppressive function of FBXO32 in breast cancer. These results expand our understanding of the posttranslational modification of KLF4 and of its role in breast cancer development and provide a potential target for diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of breast cancer.

Drug repurposing of novel quinoline acetohydrazide derivatives as potent COX-2 inhibitors and anti-cancer agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manohar, Chelli Sai; Manikandan, A.; Sridhar, P.; Sivakumar, A.; Siva Kumar, B.; Reddy, Sabbasani Rajasekhara

2018-02-01

Novel QuinolineAcetohydrazide (QAh) derivatives (9a-n) were firstly evaluated in silico to determine their anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer efficacy via the mechanisms of COX1 and COX2 inhibition, and NF-ĸB, HDAC and Human Topoisomerase I pathways respectively. In the studied set, the trifluoro substituted QAh derivatives: (E)-N'-(4-(trifluoro methyl) benzylidene)-2-(7-fluoro-2-methoxy quinolin-8-yl) acetohydrazid and (E)-N'-(3-(trifluoro methyl) benzylidene)-2-(7-fluoro-2-methoxy quinolin-8-yl) acetohydrazide are determined to be potential leads, indicated from their best docked scores, relative ligand efficiency, and significant structural attributes evaluated by ab initio simulations. The only setback being their partition co-efficient that retrieved a red flag in the evaluation of their Lipinski parameters. The experimental in vitro studies confirmed the significant enhancement as COX-2 inhibitors and appreciable enhancement in MTT assay of breast and skin cancer cell lines. Significantly, trifluoro substituent in the quinoline scaffold can be reasoned to note the excellent binding affinity to all the evaluated drug targets.

Polymethylated [Fe(η6-arene)2]2+ dications: methyl-group rearrangements and application of the EINS mechanism.

PubMed

Štíbr, Bohumil; Bakardjiev, Mario; Hájková, Zuzana; Holub, Josef; Padělková, Zdenka; Růžička, Aleš; Kennedy, John D

2011-06-14

Reactions between the methylated arenes ArMe(n) [where ArMe(n) = C(6)Me(n)H((6-n)), and n = 1-6] and FeCl(2) in heptane at 90 °C in the presence of anhydrous AlCl(3) give, for the arenes with n = 1-5, extensive isomerisations and disproportionations involving the methyl groups on the arene rings, and the formation of mixtures of [Fe(ArMe(n))(2)](2+) dications that defy separation into pure species. GC-MS studies of AlCl(3)/mesitylene and AlCl(3)/durene reactions in the absence of FeCl(2) (90 °C, 2 h) allow quantitative assessments of the rearrangements, and the EINS mechanism (electrophile-induced nucleophilic substitution) is applied to rationalise the phenomena. By contrast, ArMe(n) / FeCl(2) /AlCl(3) reactions in heptane for 24-36 h at room-temperature proceed with no rearrangements, allowing the synthesis of the complete series of pure [Fe(ArMen)](2+) cations in yields of 48-71%. The pure compounds are characterised by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and electrospray-ionization mass-spectrometry (ESI-MS), and the structures of [Fe(m-xylene)(2)][PF(6)](2) and [Fe(durene)(2)][PF(6)](2) are established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.

SPONTANEOUS AND MNNG-INDUCED REVERSION OF AN EGFP CONSTRUCT IN HELA CELLS: AN ASSAY FOR OBSERVING MUTATIONS IN LIVING CELLS BY FLUORESCENT MICROSCOPY

EPA Science Inventory

A HeLa cell line stably expressing the Enhanced Green Fluorescence Protein (EGFP) gene, interrupted by the IVS2-654 intron, was studied without treatment and after treatment with a single standard dose of 15 ?M of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). This assay was done ...

Changes in DNA methylation induced by multi-walled carbon nanotube exposure in the workplace.

PubMed

Ghosh, Manosij; Öner, Deniz; Poels, Katrien; Tabish, Ali M; Vlaanderen, Jelle; Pronk, Anjoeka; Kuijpers, Eelco; Lan, Qing; Vermeulen, Roel; Bekaert, Bram; Hoet, Peter Hm; Godderis, Lode

This study was designed to assess the epigenetic alterations in blood cells, induced by occupational exposure to multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The study population comprised of MWCNT-exposed workers (n=24) and unexposed controls (n=43) from the same workplace. We measured global DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation levels on the 5th cytosine residues using a validated liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Sequence-specific methylation of LINE1 retrotransposable element 1 (L1RE1) elements, and promoter regions of functionally important genes associated with epigenetic regulation [DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1) and histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4)], DNA damage/repair and cell cycle pathways [nuclear protein, coactivator of histone transcription/ATM serine/threonine kinase (NPAT/ATM)], and a potential transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) repressor [SKI proto-oncogene (SKI)] were studied using bisulfite pyrosequencing. Analysis of global DNA methylation levels and hydroxymethylation did not reveal significant difference between the MWCNT-exposed and control groups. No significant changes in Cytosine-phosphate-Guanine (CpG) site methylation were observed for the LINE1 (L1RE1) elements. Further analysis of gene-specific DNA methylation showed a significant change in methylation for DNMT1, ATM, SKI, and HDAC4 promoter CpGs in MWCNT-exposed workers. Since DNA methylation plays an important role in silencing/regulation of the genes, and many of these genes have been associated with occupational and smoking-induced diseases and cancer (risk), aberrant methylation of these genes might have a potential effect in MWCNT-exposed workers.

Ultra-small nanocluster mediated synthesis of Nd3+-doped core-shell nanocrystals with emission in the second near-infrared window for multimodal imaging of tumor vasculature.

PubMed

Ren, Feng; Ding, Lihua; Liu, Hanghang; Huang, Qian; Zhang, Hao; Zhang, Lijuan; Zeng, Jianfeng; Sun, Qiao; Li, Zhen; Gao, Mingyuan

2018-08-01

In-vivo intravital short wavelength infrared (SWIR, 1000-2300 nm) fluorescence imaging has attracted considerable attention in the imaging of tumor vasculature due to its low background, high sensitivity, and deep penetration. It can noninvasively provide dynamic feedback on the tumorigenesis, growth, necrosis and metastasis. Herein, monodisperse Nd 3+ -doped core-shell downconversion luminescent nanocrystals with strong emission in the second near-infrared (NIR II) window, strong temperature-dependent paramagnetism and fast attenuation to X-rays were prepared from ultra-small nanoclusters. The use of nanoclusters resulted in very uniform bright nanocrystals with a relative quantum yield comparable to the standard dye IR-26. These bright NIR nanocrystals were modified with 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000] to endow with excellent water-solubility, biocompatibility and a blood circulation half-life of 5.9 h. They were then successfully used to demonstrate the variation of tumor vasculature with tumor progression from tumorigenesis, growth, to necrosis in the subcutaneous breast tumor through the NIR II fluorescence imaging. They were also used as contrast agent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging of tumor to provide complementary anatomic structure. Their great potential in NIR II imaging of tumor was further demonstrated with an orthotopic breast tumor. Their in-vivo biosafety was also investigated by hemanalysis and histological analyses. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tension cost correlates with mechanical and biochemical parameters in different myocardial contractility conditions

PubMed Central

Moreira, Cleci M.; Meira, Eduardo F.; Vestena, Luis; Stefanon, Ivanita; Vassallo, Dalton V.; Padilha, Alessandra S.

2012-01-01

OBJECTIVES: Tension cost, the ratio of myosin ATPase activity to tension, reflects the economy of tension development in the myocardium. To evaluate the mechanical advantage represented by the tension cost, we studied papillary muscle contractility and the activity of myosin ATPase in the left ventricles in normal and pathophysiological conditions. METHODS: Experimental protocols were performed using rat left ventricles from: (1) streptozotocin-induced diabetic and control Wistar rats; (2) N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) hypertensive and untreated Wistar rats; (3) deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salt-treated, nephrectomized and salt- and DOCA-treated rats; (4) spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats; (5) rats with myocardial infarction and sham-operated rats. The isometric force, tetanic tension, and the activity of myosin ATPase were measured. RESULTS: The results obtained from infarcted, diabetic, and deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt-treated rats showed reductions in twitch and tetanic tension compared to the control and sham-operated groups. Twitch and tetanic tension increased in the N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-treated rats compared with the Wistar rats. Myosin ATPase activity was depressed in the infarcted, diabetic, and deoxycorticosterone acetate salt-treated rats compared with control and sham-operated rats and was increased in N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-treated rats. These parameters did not differ between SHR and WKY rats. In the studied conditions (e.g., post-myocardial infarction, deoxycorticosterone acetate salt-induced hypertension, chronic N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester treatment, and streptozotocin-induced diabetes), a positive correlation between force or plateau tetanic tension and myosin ATPase activity was observed. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the myocardium adapts to force generation by increasing or reducing the tension cost to maintain myocardial contractility with a better mechanical advantage. PMID:22666794

Specific Roles of NMDA Receptor Subunits in Mental Disorders.

PubMed

Yamamoto, H; Hagino, Y; Kasai, S; Ikeda, K

2015-01-01

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor plays important roles in learning and memory. NMDA receptors are a tetramer that consists of two glycine-binding subunits GluN1, two glutamate-binding subunits (i.e., GluN2A, GluN2B, GluN2C, and GluN2D), a combination of a GluN2 subunit and glycine-binding GluN3 subunit (i.e., GluN3A or GluN3B), or two GluN3 subunits. Recent studies revealed that the specific expression and distribution of each subunit are deeply involved in neural excitability, plasticity, and synaptic deficits. The present article summarizes reports on the dysfunction of NMDA receptors and responsible subunits in various neurological and psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, autoimmune-induced glutamatergic receptor dysfunction, mood disorders, and autism. A key role for the GluN2D subunit in NMDA receptor antagonist-induced psychosis has been recently revealed.

Addiction to the IGF2-ID1-IGF2 circuit for maintenance of the breast cancer stem-like cells

PubMed Central

Tominaga, K; Shimamura, T; Kimura, N; Murayama, T; Matsubara, D; Kanauchi, H; Niida, A; Shimizu, S; Nishioka, K; Tsuji, E-i; Yano, M; Sugano, S; Shimono, Y; Ishii, H; Saya, H; Mori, M; Akashi, K; Tada, K-i; Ogawa, T; Tojo, A; Miyano, S; Gotoh, N

2017-01-01

The transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) has important roles for tumorigenesis, but how it regulates cancer stem cells (CSCs) remains largely unclear. We identified insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is a key target of NF-κB activated by HER2/HER3 signaling to form tumor spheres in breast cancer cells. The IGF2 receptor, IGF1 R, was expressed at high levels in CSC-enriched populations in primary breast cancer cells. Moreover, IGF2-PI3K (IGF2-phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase) signaling induced expression of a stemness transcription factor, inhibitor of DNA-binding 1 (ID1), and IGF2 itself. ID1 knockdown greatly reduced IGF2 expression, and tumor sphere formation. Finally, treatment with anti-IGF1/2 antibodies blocked tumorigenesis derived from the IGF1Rhigh CSC-enriched population in a patient-derived xenograft model. Thus, NF-κB may trigger IGF2-ID1-IGF2-positive feedback circuits that allow cancer stem-like cells to appear. Then, they may become addicted to the circuits. As the circuits are the Achilles' heels of CSCs, it will be critical to break them for eradication of CSCs. PMID:27546618

Bardoxolone-methyl inhibits migration and metabolism in MCF7 cells.

PubMed

Refaat, Alaa; Pararasa, Chathyan; Arif, Muhammed; Brown, James E P; Carmichael, Amtul; Ali, Sameh S; Sakurai, Hiroaki; Griffiths, Helen R

2017-02-01

Bardoxolone-methyl (BAR) is reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and anti-fibrotic effects. BAR activates Nrf2 and may ameliorate oxidative stress through induction of antioxidant genes. However, off-target effects, probably concentration and NFkB-dependent, have limited the clinical use of BAR. Nrf2 regulates expression of antioxidant and mitochondrial genes and has been proposed as a target for both obesity and breast cancer. Therefore, we explored whether BAR can alter migration and proliferation in the MCF7 cell line and whether metabolic function is affected by BAR. Incubation with BAR caused a time-dependent migratory inhibition and an associated decrease in mitochondrial respiration. Both migratory and mitochondrial inhibition by BAR were further enhanced in the presence of fatty acids. In addition to the activation of Nrf2, BAR altered the expression of target mRNA GCLC and UCP1. After 24 h, BAR inhibited both glycolytic capacity, reserve (p < 0.05) and oxidative phosphorylation (p < 0.001) with an associated increase in mitochondrial ROS and loss of intracellular glutathione in MCF7 cells; however, impairment of mitochondrial activity was prevented by N-acetyl cysteine. The fatty acid, palmitate, increased mitochondrial ROS, impaired migration and oxidative phosphorylation but palmitate toxicity towards MCF7 could not be inhibited by N-acetyl cysteine suggesting that they exert effects through different pathways. BAR-activated AKT, induced DNA damage and inhibited cell proliferation. When the proteasome was inhibited, there was loss of BAR-mediated changes in p65 phosphorylation and SOD2 expression suggesting non-canonical NFkB signaling effects. These data suggest that BAR-induced ROS are important in inhibiting MCF7 migration and metabolism by negatively affecting glycolytic capacity and mitochondrial function.

N-(3-azidophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-([4-1H]- and [4-3H]-1-naphthyl)guanidine. A potent and selective ligand designed as a photoaffinity label for the phencyclidine site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor.

PubMed

Gee, K R; Durant, G J; Holmes, D L; Magar, S S; Weber, E; Wong, S T; Keana, J F

1993-01-01

A novel radiolabeled photoaffinity ligand has been synthesized for the phencyclidine (PCP) site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. N-(3-Azidophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-([4-3H]-1-naphthyl)guanidine (13) was prepared with a specific activity of 25 Ci/mmol by diazotization of N-(3-aminophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-([4-3H]-1-naphthyl)guanidine (12) followed by treatment with sodium azide. Guanidine 12 was obtained by catalytic tritiation of N-(4-bromo-1-naphthyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(3-nitrophenyl)guanidine (11). The nontritiated analog 5 of 13 was prepared beginning with N-methyl-N'-1-naphthyl-N-(3-nitrophenyl)guanidine (9). The guanidines 9 and 11 were prepared in moderate yield by the aluminum chloride-catalyzed reaction of N-methyl-3-nitroaniline hydrochloride with 1-naphthylcyanamide and 4-bromo-1-naphthylcyanamide, respectively. Azide 5 showed high selectivity and affinity (IC50 = 100 nM vs [3H]MK801; 3000 nM vs [3H]ditolylguanidine) for the PCP site of the NMDA receptor in guinea pig brain homogenate. Photolabeling experiments with 13, however, failed to radiolabel a significant amount of receptor polypeptide.

Synthetic progestins induce growth and metastasis of BT-474 human breast cancer xenografts in nude mice

PubMed Central

Liang, Yayun; Benakanakere, Indira; Besch-Williford, Cynthia; Hyder, Ryyan S; Ellersieck, Mark R.; Hyder, Salman M

2010-01-01

Objective Previous studies showed that sequential exposure to estrogen and progesterone or medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) stimulates vascularization and promotes the progression of BT-474 and T47-D human breast cancer cell xenografts in nude mice (Liang et al, Cancer Res 2007, 67:9929). In this follow-up study, the effects of progesterone, MPA, norgestrel (N-EL) and norethindrone (N-ONE) on BT-474 xenograft tumors were compared in the context of several different hormonal environments. N-EL and N-ONE were included in the study since synthetic progestins vary considerably in their biological effects and the effects of these two progestins on the growth of human tumor xenografts are not known. Methods Estradiol-supplemented intact and ovariectomized Immunodeficient mice were implanted with BT-474 cells. Progestin pellets were implanted either simultaneously with estradiol pellets 2-days prior to tumor cell injection (i.e. combined), or 5-days following tumor cell injections (i.e. sequentially). Results Progestins stimulated the growth of BT-474 xenograft tumors independent of exposure timing and protocol, MPA stimulated the growth of BT-474 xenograft tumors in ovariectomized mice and progestins stimulated VEGF elaboration and increased tumor vascularity. Progestins also increased lymph node metastasis of BT-474 cells. Therefore, progestins, including N-EL and N-ONE, induce the progression of breast cancer xenografts in nude mice and promote tumor metastasis. Conclusions These observations suggests that women who ingest progestins for HT or oral contraception could be more at risk for developing breast cancer as a result of proliferation of existing latent tumor cells. Such risks should be considered in the clinical setting. PMID:20461021

FoxD3 deficiency promotes breast cancer progression by induction of epithelial–mesenchymal transition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chu, Tian-Li; Zhao, Hong-Meng; Breast Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin

2014-04-04

Highlights: • FOXD3 is down-regulated in breast cancer tissues. • FOXD3 inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion. • FoxD3 deficiency induces epithelial–mesenchymal transition. - Abstract: The transcription factor forkhead box D3 (FOXD3) plays an important role in the development of neural crest and gastric cancer cells. However, the function and mechanisms of FOXD3 in the breast tumorigenesis and progression is still limited. Here, we report that FOXD3 is a tumor suppressor of breast cancer tumorigenicity and aggressiveness. We found that FOXD3 is down-regulated in breast cancer tissues. Patients with low FOXD3 expression have a poor outcome. Depletion of FOXD3more » expression promotes breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion in vitro, whereas overexpression of FOXD3 inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, depletion of FOXD3 is linked to epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like phenotype. Our results indicate FOXD3 exhibits tumor suppressive activity and may be useful for breast therapy.« less

d-Aspartate oxidase influences glutamatergic system homeostasis in mammalian brain.

PubMed

Cristino, Luigia; Luongo, Livio; Squillace, Marta; Paolone, Giovanna; Mango, Dalila; Piccinin, Sonia; Zianni, Elisa; Imperatore, Roberta; Iannotta, Monica; Longo, Francesco; Errico, Francesco; Vescovi, Angelo Luigi; Morari, Michele; Maione, Sabatino; Gardoni, Fabrizio; Nisticò, Robert; Usiello, Alessandro

2015-05-01

We have investigated the relevance of d-aspartate oxidase, the only enzyme known to selectively degrade d-aspartate (d-Asp), in modulating glutamatergic system homeostasis. Interestingly, the lack of the Ddo gene, by raising d-Asp content, induces a substantial increase in extracellular glutamate (Glu) levels in Ddo-mutant brains. Consistent with an exaggerated and persistent N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) stimulation, we documented in Ddo knockouts severe age-dependent structural and functional alterations mirrored by expression of active caspases 3 and 7 along with appearance of dystrophic microglia and reactive astrocytes. In addition, prolonged elevation of d-Asp triggered in mutants alterations of NMDAR-dependent synaptic plasticity associated to reduction of hippocampal GluN1 and GluN2B subunits selectively located at synaptic sites and to increase in the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid-to-N-methyl-d-aspartate ratio. These effects, all of which converged on a progressive hyporesponsiveness at NMDAR sites, functionally resulted in a greater vulnerability to phencyclidine-induced prepulse inhibition deficits in mutants. In conclusion, our results indicate that d-aspartate oxidase, by strictly regulating d-Asp levels, impacts on the homeostasis of glutamatergic system, thus preventing accelerated neurodegenerative processes. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Catalytic mechanism of human N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase: a theoretical investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Li; Zhang, Ting; Li, Jieqiong; He, Chaozheng; He, Hongqing; Zhang, Jinglai

2015-11-01

The methyl-transfer mechanism of human N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase and the roles of several residues around the active sites are investigated by density function theory method. This enzyme will catalyse the conversion of N-acetylserotonin and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) into melatonin and S-asenosylhomocysteine, which is the terminal step in the melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) biosynthesis. The calculated results confirm that the methyl transfer and proton transfer will take place via a SN2 step with a concerted mechanism, which is different from the experimental estimation via a water bridge. The residues H255, D256, E311, and R252 play an important role in reducing the barrier height and inducing methyl transfer. In addition, a full SAM molecule is considered in this work, which is never explored in previous reports. We find that some residues around the SAM in the centre of active site are essential factors to influence the mechanism and barrier height. So a truncated SAM model may not be suitable for all reactions.

TPEN, a Specific Zn2+ Chelator, Inhibits Sodium Dithionite and Glucose Deprivation (SDGD)-Induced Neuronal Death by Modulating Apoptosis, Glutamate Signaling, and Voltage-Gated K+ and Na+ Channels.

PubMed

Zhang, Feng; Ma, Xue-Ling; Wang, Yu-Xiang; He, Cong-Cong; Tian, Kun; Wang, Hong-Gang; An, Di; Heng, Bin; Xie, Lai-Hua; Liu, Yan-Qiang

2017-03-01

Hypoxia-ischemia-induced neuronal death is an important pathophysiological process that accompanies ischemic stroke and represents a major challenge in preventing ischemic stroke. To elucidate factors related to and a potential preventative mechanism of hypoxia-ischemia-induced neuronal death, primary neurons were exposed to sodium dithionite and glucose deprivation (SDGD) to mimic hypoxic-ischemic conditions. The effects of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine (TPEN), a specific Zn 2+ -chelating agent, on SDGD-induced neuronal death, glutamate signaling (including the free glutamate concentration and expression of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) receptor (GluR2) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits (NR2B), and voltage-dependent K + and Na + channel currents were also investigated. Our results demonstrated that TPEN significantly suppressed increases in cell death, apoptosis, neuronal glutamate release into the culture medium, NR2B protein expression, and I K as well as decreased GluR2 protein expression and Na + channel activity in primary cultured neurons exposed to SDGD. These results suggest that TPEN could inhibit SDGD-induced neuronal death by modulating apoptosis, glutamate signaling (via ligand-gated channels such as AMPA and NMDA receptors), and voltage-gated K + and Na + channels in neurons. Hence, Zn 2+ chelation might be a promising approach for counteracting the neuronal loss caused by transient global ischemia. Moreover, TPEN could represent a potential cell-targeted therapy.

Attenuation by genistein of sodium-chloride-enhanced gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats.

PubMed

Tatsuta, M; Iishi, H; Baba, M; Yano, H; Uehara, H; Nakaizumi, A

1999-01-29

The effects of prolonged administration of genistein, a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, on sodium-chloride-enhanced induction of gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, and the labeling and apoptotic indices and vessel counts in the gastric mucosa and gastric cancers, were investigated in Wistar rats. After 25 weeks of the carcinogen treatment, rats were fed chow pellets containing 10% sodium chloride and were given s.c. injections of genistein at dosages of 15 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg body weight every other day. In week 52, the incidence of gastric cancers was significantly greater in rats fed sodium chloride than in untreated control rats. Prolonged administration of genistein at a dosage of 30 mg/kg, but not 15 mg/kg, body weight significantly reduced the incidence of gastric cancers, which was increased by oral treatment with sodium chloride. Genistein at the higher dose significantly decreased the labeling index and vessel counts of the antral mucosa and the gastric cancers (which were increased by treatment with sodium chloride) and significantly increased the apoptotic index of the antral mucosa and the cancers (which was lowered by the treatment with sodium chloride). These findings suggest that genistein attenuates gastric carcinogenesis promoted by sodium chloride, by inducing increased apoptosis and lower cell proliferation and angiogenesis of antral mucosa and gastric cancers.

Mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of extracts of three spices and a medicinal plant in Thailand.

PubMed

Higashimoto, M; Purintrapiban, J; Kataoka, K; Kinouchi, T; Vinitketkumnuen, U; Akimoto, S; Matsumoto, H; Ohnishi, Y

1993-11-01

Three kinds of spices (caraway, coriander and black pepper seeds) and a medicinal plant called 'tong tak' in Thai (Baliospermum axillar, a species of the spurge family) were fractionated into hot water, methanol and hexane extracts. These extracts were not mutagenic for Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 by the Ames assay. However, when the extracts were treated with nitrite, samples of the water and methanol extracts were mutagenic for strain TA100 without metabolic activation. The mutagenicity of the nitrite-treated methanol and hot water extracts of black pepper was highest (8380 and 22,200 His+ per 0.1 g of spice powder, respectively), and that of the nitrite-treated hot water extracts of caraway and tong tak was moderate. The hot water extracts were examined for their antimutagenic activity against mutagenicity induced by various carcinogens by the Ames assay, using the preincubation technique. The tested samples (equivalent to 1-2 mg of spice powder) reduced the mutagenicity induced by 2.7 nmole (397 ng) of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine by more than 84%, and that induced by dimethylnitrosamine (1.48 mg) or ICR-170 (10 ng) by 30-60%. However, they did not inhibit the mutagenic activity of 1-nitropyrene, 3-nitrofluoranthene, AF-2, methyl methanesulfonate, N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, 2-aminoanthracene, 2-acetylaminofluorene, benzo[a]pyrene or IQ.

Are Ski and SnoN Involved in the Tumorigenesis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Through Smad4?

PubMed

Alaeddini, Mojgan; Etemad-Moghadam, Shahroo

2018-05-04

Transforming growth factor-β has been implicated in the tumorigenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Ski and SnoN are negative regulators of transforming growth factor-β/Smad pathway with both prooncogenic and antioncogenic functions in different cancers. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of Ski and SnoN in OSCC for the first time. Smad4 was also evaluated in these tumors. Clinical data on 61 primary OSCCs were gathered, and the specimens were subjected to immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies against SKI, SnoN, and Smad4 and scored semiquantitatively. Spearman rank, Fisher exact, and χ tests were used for statistical analysis, and P-value <0.05 was considered significant. Ski positivity and SnoN positivity were mostly cytoplasmic and found in 96.7% and 100% of the cases, respectively. Smad4 staining was low to negative in 65% of the specimens. No significant relationship was found either among the markers or between each of the proteins and the clinicopathologic data (P>0.05). According to our findings, Ski, SnoN, and Smad4 seem to play a role in OSCC oncogenesis, and we suggest that Ski and SnoN functions may take place independent of Smad4. Considering the dual and complex role of these proteins in tumorigenesis, further investigation to clarify the molecular pathways involved in their mode of action is suggested.

Inhibition of cell signaling by the combi-nitrosourea FD137 in the androgen independent DU145 prostate cancer cell line.

PubMed

Qiu, Qiyu; Dudouit, Fabienne; Banerjee, Ranjita; McNamee, James P; Jean-Claude, Bertrand J

2004-04-01

FD137, a nitrosourea appended to a quinazoline ring, was designed to simultaneously block epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated signaling and damage genomic DNA in refractory EGF-dependent prostate tumors. The mixed inhibition of cell signaling and DNA damage by FD137 were determined by Western blotting, RT-PCR, flow cytometry, sulforhodamine B (SRB), and comet assay. FD137 and its metabolite FD110 induced a dose-dependent increase in inhibition of EGF-stimulated EGFR autophosphorylation and this translated into blockade of c-fos gene expression in DU145 cells. FD137 induced significant levels of DNA damage and showed 150-fold greater anti-proliferative activity than BCNU, a classical nitrosourea. In contrast to BCNU, complete inhibition of EGF-induced cell transition to S-phase was observed at concentrations of FD137 as low as 3 microM. FD137 could not only damage DNA, but also significantly block downstream EGFR-mediated signaling. The superior activity of FD137 may be imputable to the combined effect of its mixed EGFR/DNA targeting properties. This novel strategy may well represent a new approach to target nitrosoureas to EGFR-overexpressing carcinomas of the prostate. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Efficacy of melatonin, IL-25 and siIL-17B in tumorigenesis-associated properties of breast cancer cell lines.

PubMed

Gelaleti, Gabriela Bottaro; Borin, Thaiz Ferraz; Maschio-Signorini, Larissa Bazela; Moschetta, Marina Gobbe; Jardim-Perassi, Bruna Victorasso; Calvinho, Guilherme Berto; Facchini, Mariana Castilho; Viloria-Petit, Alicia M; de Campos Zuccari, Debora Aparecida Pires

2017-08-15

Mammary tumorigenesis can be modulated by melatonin, which has oncostatic action mediated by multiple mechanisms, including the inhibition of the activity of transcription factors such as NF-κB and modulation of interleukins (ILs) expression. IL-25 is an active cytokine that induces apoptosis in tumor cells due to differential expression of its receptor (IL-17RB). IL-17B competes with IL-25 for binding to IL-17RB in tumor cells, promoting tumorigenesis. This study purpose is to address the possibility of engaging IL-25/IL-17RB signaling to enhance the effect of melatonin on breast cancer cells. Breast cancer cell lines were cultured monolayers and 3D structures and treated with melatonin, IL-25, siIL-17B, each alone or in combination. Cell viability, gene and protein expression of caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3 and VEGF-A were performed by qPCR and immunofluorescence. In addition, an apoptosis membrane array was performed in metastatic cells. Treatments with melatonin and IL-25 significantly reduced tumor cells viability at 1mM and 1ng/mL, respectively, but did not alter cell viability of a non-tumorigenic epithelial cell line (MCF-10A). All treatments, alone and combined, significantly increased cleaved caspase-3 in tumor cells grown as monolayers and 3D structures (p<0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis of apoptosis pathway proteins showed an increase of CYTO-C, DR6, IGFBP-3, IGFBP-5, IGFPB-6, IGF-1, IGF-1R, Livin, P21, P53, TNFRII, XIAP and hTRA proteins and reduction of caspase-3 (p<0.05) after melatonin treatment. All treatments reduced VEGF-A protein expression in tumor cells (p<0.05). Our results suggest therapeutic potential, with oncostatic effectiveness, pro-apoptotic and anti-angiogenic properties for melatonin and IL-25-driven signaling in breast cancer cells. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sexual health after breast cancer: Recommendations from the Spanish Menopause Society, Federación Española de Sociedades de Sexología, Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria and Sociedad Española de Oncología Médica.

PubMed

Mendoza, Nicolás; Molero, Francisca; Criado, Fermín; Cornellana, Mª Jesús; González, Encarna

2017-11-01

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. As survival rates are increasing, the long-term health problems of survivors now need attention. Many survivors develop sexual disorders as a consequence of either the side-effects of treatment or induced menopause. A panel of experts from various Spanish scientific societies (Spanish Menopause Society, SMS; Federación Española de Sociedades de Sexología, FESS; Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria, SEMERGEN; and Sociedad Española de Oncología Médica) met to develop recommendations for the management of sexual health in breast cancer survivors based on the best evidence available. The main recommendation is that sexuality must be considered by a multidisciplinary team as an integral part of treatment, to improve the quality of life of breast cancer survivors. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Engagement of I-Branching β-1, 6-N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase 2 in Breast Cancer Metastasis and TGF-β Signaling

PubMed Central

Zhang, Haijun; Meng, Fanyan; Wu, Sherwin; Kreike, Bas; Sethi, Seema; Chen, Wei; Miller, Fred R.; Wu, Guojun

2014-01-01

In this study, we have showed that GCNT2, a gene-encoding glucosaminyl (N-acetyl) transferase 2, I-branching enzyme, is overexpressed in highly metastatic breast cancer cell lines of human and mouse origin and basal-like breast tumor samples. GCNT2 expression is also significantly correlated to the metastatic phenotype in breast tumor samples. Functional studies showed that ectopic expression of GCNT2 enhances cell detachment, adhesion to endothelial cells, cell migration and invasion in vitro, and lung metastasis of breast cancer cells in vivo. Knockdown of GCNT2 expression decreases cell migration and invasion in vitro and lung metastasis in vivo. We have further shown the involvement of GCNT2 in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Specifically, the expression of E-cadherin is significantly changed upon GCNT2 expression at the protein level but not at the RNA level. Moreover, we have shown that GCNT2 is a direct target of the TGF-β–smad pathway and that change in GCNT2 expression modulates EMT induced by TGF-β1 treatment. Finally, we have shown that diminution of the glycosyltransferase activity of I-branching β-1, 6-N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase 2 (GCNT2) abrogates its cell migration and invasion-promoting function and synergistic effect with TGF-β to induce EMT. Our study for the first time showed that GCNT2 is a novel gene contributing to breast cancer metastasis with preferential expression in basal-like breast cancer. Moreover, we discovered that involvement of GCNT2 in EMT and TGF-β signaling, and further glycosylation modification of E-cadherin by GCNT2, are the underlying integrative mechanisms for breast cancer metastasis, implying that blocking TGF-β/GCNT2 signaling is a promising approach for targeting metastatic breast cancer. PMID:21750175

ONC201 Demonstrates Antitumor Effects in Both Triple-Negative and Non-Triple-Negative Breast Cancers through TRAIL-Dependent and TRAIL-Independent Mechanisms.

PubMed

Ralff, Marie D; Kline, Christina L B; Küçükkase, Ozan C; Wagner, Jessica; Lim, Bora; Dicker, David T; Prabhu, Varun V; Oster, Wolfgang; El-Deiry, Wafik S

2017-07-01

Breast cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been of interest as a cancer therapeutic, but only a subset of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) is sensitive to TRAIL. The small-molecule ONC201 induces expression of TRAIL and its receptor DR5. ONC201 has entered clinical trials in advanced cancers. Here, we show that ONC201 is efficacious against both TNBC and non-TNBC cells ( n = 13). A subset of TNBC and non-TNBC cells succumbs to ONC201-induced cell death. In 2 of 8 TNBC cell lines, ONC201 treatment induces caspase-8 cleavage and cell death that is blocked by TRAIL-neutralizing antibody RIK2. The proapoptotic effect of ONC201 translates to in vivo efficacy in the MDA-MB-468 xenograft model. In most TNBC lines tested (6/8), ONC201 has an antiproliferative effect but does not induce apoptosis. ONC201 decreases cyclin D1 expression and causes an accumulation of cells in the G 1 phase of the cell cycle. pRb expression is associated with sensitivity to the antiproliferative effects of ONC201, and the compound synergizes with taxanes in less sensitive cells. All non-TNBC cells ( n = 5) are growth inhibited following ONC201 treatment, and unlike what has been observed with TRAIL, a subset ( n = 2) shows PARP cleavage. In these cells, cell death induced by ONC201 is TRAIL independent. Our data demonstrate that ONC201 has potent antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in a broad range of breast cancer subtypes, through TRAIL-dependent and TRAIL-independent mechanisms. These findings develop a preclinical rationale for developing ONC201 as a single agent and/or in combination with approved therapies in breast cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(7); 1290-8. ©2017 AACR . ©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.

Certain Aliphatic Nitramines and Related Compounds

DTIC Science & Technology

1944-11-29

I N02 This reaction served in positively establishing the nature . the alkyl group attachment as N- methyl and not 0- methyl . Also N...dinitroplperazine» • • 76 Reaction of N- methyl - ethylenedinitramine and Ethylcne •Dibromide. ; 73 Structure of High-Melting Compound Formed in...Alkylatiori of N- methyl - ethyl enedinitramine 80 Structure of Low-Melting Compound Formed in Alkylation • of N- methyl -ethylcnedinitramine. . 0

Extrasynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor stimulation induces cytoplasmic translocation of the CDKL5 kinase and its proteasomal degradation.

PubMed

Rusconi, Laura; Kilstrup-Nielsen, Charlotte; Landsberger, Nicoletta

2011-10-21

Mutations in the X-linked gene cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) have been found in patients with epileptic encephalopathy characterized by early onset intractable epilepsy, including infantile spasms and other types of seizures, severe developmental delay, and often the development of Rett syndrome-like features. Despite its clear involvement in proper brain development, CDKL5 functions are still far from being understood. In this study, we analyzed the subcellular localization of the endogenous kinase in primary murine hippocampal neurons. CDKL5 was localized both in nucleus and cytoplasm and, conversely to proliferating cells, did not undergo constitutive shuttling between these compartments. Nevertheless, glutamate stimulation was able to induce the exit of the kinase from the nucleus and its subsequent accumulation in the perinuclear cytoplasm. Moreover, we found that sustained glutamate stimulation promoted CDKL5 proteasomal degradation. Both events were mediated by the specific activation of extrasynaptic pool of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. Proteasomal degradation was also induced by withdrawal of neurotrophic factors and hydrogen peroxide treatment, two different paradigms of cell death. Altogether, our results indicate that both subcellular localization and expression of CDKL5 are modulated by the activation of extrasynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and suggest regulation of CDKL5 by cell death pathways.

Prospective, randomized, and controlled trial on ketamine infusion during bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy: Effects on postoperative pain and recovery profiles

PubMed Central

Kim, Dong-Ho; Choi, June Young; Kim, Byoung-Gook; Hwang, Jin-Young; Park, Seong-Joo; Oh, Ah-Young; Jeon, Young-Tae; Ryu, Jung-Hee

2016-01-01

Abstract Background: Robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy using bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) is frequently performed for excellent cosmesis. However, postoperative pain is remained as concerns due to the extent tissue dissection and tension during the operation. Ketamine is a noncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that reduces acute postoperative pain. We evaluated the effects of intraoperative ketamine infusion on postoperative pain control and recovery profiles following BABA robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy. Methods: Fifty-eight adult patients scheduled for BABA robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy were randomized into a control group (n = 29) and ketamine group (n = 29). Following induction of anesthesia, patients in each group were infused with the same volume of saline or ketamine solution (1 mg/kg bolus, 60 μg/kg/h continuous infusion). Total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil was used to induce and maintain anesthesia. Pain scores (101-point numerical rating scale, 0 = no pain, 100 = the worst imaginable pain), the consumption of rescue analgesics, and other postoperative adverse effects were assessed at 1, 6, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively. Results: Patients in the ketamine group reported lower pain scores than those in the control group at 6 hours (30 [30] vs 50 [30]; P = 0.017), 24 hours (20 [10] vs 30 [20]; P < 0.001), and 48 hours (10 [10] vs 20 [15]; P < 0.001) in neck area. No statistically significant differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of the requirements for rescue analgesics or the occurrence of adverse events. Conclusion: Intravenous ketamine infusion during anesthesia resulted in lower postoperative pain scores following BABA robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy, with no increase in adverse events. PMID:27930531

Prospective, randomized, and controlled trial on ketamine infusion during bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy: Effects on postoperative pain and recovery profiles: A consort compliant article.

PubMed

Kim, Dong-Ho; Choi, June Young; Kim, Byoung-Gook; Hwang, Jin-Young; Park, Seong-Joo; Oh, Ah-Young; Jeon, Young-Tae; Ryu, Jung-Hee

2016-12-01

Robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy using bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) is frequently performed for excellent cosmesis. However, postoperative pain is remained as concerns due to the extent tissue dissection and tension during the operation. Ketamine is a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that reduces acute postoperative pain. We evaluated the effects of intraoperative ketamine infusion on postoperative pain control and recovery profiles following BABA robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy. Fifty-eight adult patients scheduled for BABA robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy were randomized into a control group (n = 29) and ketamine group (n = 29). Following induction of anesthesia, patients in each group were infused with the same volume of saline or ketamine solution (1 mg/kg bolus, 60 μg/kg/h continuous infusion). Total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil was used to induce and maintain anesthesia. Pain scores (101-point numerical rating scale, 0 = no pain, 100 = the worst imaginable pain), the consumption of rescue analgesics, and other postoperative adverse effects were assessed at 1, 6, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively. Patients in the ketamine group reported lower pain scores than those in the control group at 6 hours (30 [30] vs 50 [30]; P = 0.017), 24 hours (20 [10] vs 30 [20]; P < 0.001), and 48 hours (10 [10] vs 20 [15]; P < 0.001) in neck area. No statistically significant differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of the requirements for rescue analgesics or the occurrence of adverse events. Intravenous ketamine infusion during anesthesia resulted in lower postoperative pain scores following BABA robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy, with no increase in adverse events.

Characterisation of a proposed internet synthesis of N,N-dimethyltryptamine using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Martins, Cláudia P B; Freeman, Sally; Alder, John F; Brandt, Simon D

2009-08-14

The psychoactive properties of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) are known to induce altered states of consciousness in humans. These properties attract great interest from clinical, neuroscientific, clandestine and forensic communities. The Breath of Hope Synthesis was reported on an internet website as a convenient two-step methodology for the preparation of DMT. The analytical characterisation of the first stage was the subject of previous publications by the authors and involved the thermal decarboxylation of tryptophan and the formation of tryptamine. The present study reports on the characterisation of the second step of this procedure which was based on the methylation of tryptamine. This employed methyl iodide and benzyltriethylammonium chloride/sodium hydroxide as a phase transfer catalyst. The reaction product was characterised by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry and orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Quantitative evaluation was carried out in positive multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM), which included synthesis of the identified reaction products. MRM screening of the product did not lead to the detection of DMT. Instead, 11.1% tryptamine starting material, 21.0% N,N,N-trimethyltryptammonium iodide (TMT) and 47.4% 1-N-methyl-TMT were detected. A 0.5% trace of the monomethylated N-methyltryptamine was also detected. This study demonstrated the impact on product purity of doubtful synthetic methodologies discussed on the internet.

Inflammatory pain-induced signaling events following a conditional deletion of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor in spinal cord dorsal horn.

PubMed

Cheng, H T; Suzuki, M; Hegarty, D M; Xu, Q; Weyerbacher, A R; South, S M; Ohata, M; Inturrisi, C E

2008-08-26

The N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the spinal cord dorsal horn (SCDH) is one of the mechanisms involved in central sensitization during chronic pain. Previously, this laboratory created a spatio-temporal knockout (KO) of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor I (NR1) subunit in the mouse SCDH. The NR1 KO completely blocks NR1 gene and subsequent NMDA receptor expression and function in SCDH neurons. In the NR1 KO mice, the mechanical and cold allodynia induced at 24 h after complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) was reduced. However, the protective effects of KO were transient and were not seen at 48 h after CFA. These observations suggest the presence of NMDA-independent pathways that contribute to CFA-induced pain. CFA induces the activation of several signaling cascades in the SCDH, including protein kinase C (PKC)gamma and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2). The phosphorylation of PKCgamma and ERK1/2 was inhibited in the SCDH of NR1 KO mice up to 48 h after CFA treatment, suggesting that these pathways are NMDA receptor-dependent. Interestingly, neuronal cyclooxygenase (COX) -2 expression and microglial p38 phosphorylation were induced in the SCDH of the NR1 KO at 48 h after CFA. Our findings provide evidence that inflammatory reactions are responsible for the recurrence of pain after NR1 KO in the SCDH.

Role of Polyamine Oxidase (PAOh1/SMO) in Human Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-04-01

polyamine spermidine , 3-aminopropanal, and the reactive oxygen species, H2O2. Previous work by our research group has shown that SMO can be induced by...spermine/ spermidine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT). Treatment of MCF-10a cells with CSE resulted in a rapid 3-fold induction of SSAT mRNA at the one hour time...and spermine/ spermidine N1 acetyl- transferase (SSAT, open bars) in MCF- 10a human breast cancer cells by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) at the

Metabolic signature of breast cancer cell line MCF-7: profiling of modified nucleosides via LC-IT MS coupling.

PubMed

Bullinger, Dino; Neubauer, Hans; Fehm, Tanja; Laufer, Stefan; Gleiter, Christoph H; Kammerer, Bernd

2007-11-29

Cancer, like other diseases accompanied by strong metabolic disorders, shows characteristic effects on cell turnover rate, activity of modifying enzymes and DNA/RNA modifications, resulting also in elevated amounts of excreted modified nucleosides. For a better understanding of the impaired RNA metabolism in breast cancer cells, we screened these metabolites in the cell culture supernatants of the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and compared it to the human mammary epithelial cells MCF-10A. The nucleosides were isolated and analyzed via 2D-chromatographic techniques: In the first dimension by cis-diol specific boronate affinity extraction and subsequently by reversed phase chromatography coupled to an ion trap mass spectrometer. Besides the determination of ribonucleosides, additional compounds with cis-diol structure, deriving from cross-linked biochemical pathways, like purine-, histidine- and polyamine metabolism were detected. In total, 36 metabolites were identified by comparison of fragmentation patterns and retention time. Relation to the internal standard isoguanosine yielded normalized area ratios for each identified compound and enabled a semi-quantitative metabolic signature of both analyzed cell lines.13 of the identified 26 modified ribonucleosides were elevated in the cell culture supernatants of MCF-7 cells, with 5-methyluridine, N2,N2,7-trimethylguanosine, N6-methyl-N6-threonylcarbamoyladenosine and 3-(3-aminocarboxypropyl)-uridine showing the most significant differences. 1-ribosylimidazole-4-acetic acid, a histamine metabolite, was solely found in the supernatants of MCF-10A cells, whereas 1-ribosyl-4-carboxamido-5-aminoimidazole and S-adenosylmethionine occurred only in supernatants of MCF-7 cells. The obtained results are discussed against the background of pathological changes in cell metabolism, resulting in new perspectives for modified nucleosides and related metabolites as possible biomedical markers for breast carcinoma in vivo.

Proline N-oxides: modulators of the 3D conformation of linear peptides through "NO-turns".

PubMed

Farahani, Majid D; Honarparvar, Bahareh; Albericio, Fernando; Maguire, Glenn E M; Govender, Thavendran; Arvidsson, Per I; Kruger, Hendrik G

2014-07-07

Small peptides are essential mediators of numerous physiological processes. Consequently, there is huge interest in the de novo design of peptides with a predictable folding and related biological activity. In this study, we investigate the possibility of modulating the secondary structure of tetrapeptides through proline N-oxide moieties and N-methylation of the peptide backbone. A series of tetrapeptides were synthesised to investigate the combined effect of Pro N-oxide and N-methylation of the amide bond on the (n + 1) residue in terms of cis- and trans-isomerization, as well as how these modifications direct potential intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. The right combination of both these parameters led to a trans to cis-conformational interconversion and a change in the nature of the hydrogen bonding interactions, as demonstrated by NMR spectroscopic, molecular modeling analysis and thermal coefficient studies. Proline N-oxide residues were proposed to induce turns we named as NO-γ-turns and NO-β-turns based on their similarity to traditional γ- and β-turns.

Methylation of PLCD1 and adenovirus-mediated PLCD1 overexpression elicits a gene therapy effect on human breast cancer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mu, Haixi; Department of Endocrine and breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016; Wang, Na

Our previous study showed that PLCD1 significantly decreases cell proliferation and affects cell cycle progression in breast cancer cells. In the present study, we aimed to investigate its functional and molecular mechanisms, and whether or not can become a new target for gene therapies. We found reduced PLCD1 protein expression in breast tumor tissues compared with paired surgical margin tissues. PLCD1 promoter CpG methylation was detected in 55 of 96 (57%) primary breast tumors, but not in surgical-margin tissues and normal breast tissues. Ectopic expression of PLCD1 inhibited breast tumor cell proliferation in vivo by inducing apoptosis and suppressed tumormore » cell migration by regulating cytoskeletal reorganization proteins including RhoA and phospho-cofilin. Furthermore, we found that PLCD1 induced p53 accumulation, increased p27 and p21 protein levels, and cleaved PARP. Finally, we constructed an adenoviral vector expressing PLCD1 (AdH5-PLCD1), which exhibited strong cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells. Our findings provide insights into the development of PLCD1 gene therapies for breast cancer and perhaps, other human cancers. - Highlights: • PLCD1 is downregulated via hypermethylation in breast cancer. • PLCD1 suppressed cell migration by regulating cytoskeletal reorganization proteins. • Adenovirus AdHu5-PLCD1 may be a novel therapeutic option for breast cancer.« less

Knockdown of antiapoptotic genes in breast cancer cells by siRNA loaded into hybrid nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

João de Mello, Leônidas, Jr.; Rosa Souza, Gabriela Regina; Winter, Evelyn; Silva, Adny Henrique; Pittella, Frederico; Creczynski-Pasa, Tânia Beatriz

2017-04-01

Tumorigenesis is related to an imbalance in controlling mechanisms of apoptosis. Expression of the genes BCL-2 and BCL-xL results in the promotion of cell survival by inhibiting apoptosis. Thus, a novel approach to suppress antiapoptotic genes is the use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) in cancer cells. However, there are some limitations for the application of siRNA such as the need for vectors to pass the cell membrane and deliver the nucleic acid. In this study CaP-siRNA-PEG-polyanion hybrid nanoparticles were developed to promote siRNA delivery to cultured human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in order to evaluate whether the silencing of antiapoptotic genes BCL-2 and BCL-xL by siRNA would increase cancer cell death. After 48 h of incubation the expression of BCL-2 and BCL-xL genes decreased to 49% and 23%, respectively. The siRNA sequence used induced cancer cell death at a concentration of 200 nM siRNA after 72 h of incubation. As the targeted proteins are related to the resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs, the nanocarriers systems were also tested in the presence of doxorubicin (DOX). The results showed a significant reduction in the CC50 of the DOX, after silencing the antiapoptotic genes. In addition, an increase in apoptotic cell counts for both incubations conditions was observed as well. In conclusion, silencing antiapoptotic genes such as BCL-2 and BCL-xL through the use of siRNA carried by hybrid nanoparticles showed to be effective in vitro, and presents a promising strategy for pre-clinical analysis, especially when combined with DOX against breast cancer.

Oral Application of Magnesium-L-Threonate Attenuates Vincristine-induced Allodynia and Hyperalgesia by Normalization of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α/Nuclear Factor-κB Signaling.

PubMed

Xu, Ting; Li, Dai; Zhou, Xin; Ouyang, Han-Dong; Zhou, Li-Jun; Zhou, Hang; Zhang, Hong-Mei; Wei, Xu-Hong; Liu, Guosong; Liu, Xian-Guo

2017-06-01

Antineoplastic agents, including vincristine, often induce neuropathic pain and magnesium deficiency clinically, but the causal link between them has not been determined. No drug is available for treating this form of neuropathic pain. Injection of vincristine (0.1 mg · kg · day, intraperitoneally, for 10 days) was used to induce nociceptive sensitization, which was accessed with von Frey hairs and the plantar tester in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Magnesium-L- threonate was administered through drinking water (604 mg · kg · day). Extracellular and intracellular free Mg were measured by Calmagite chromometry and flow cytometry. Molecular biologic and electrophysiologic experiments were performed to expose the underlying mechanisms. Vincristine injection induced allodynia and hyperalgesia (n = 12), activated tumor necrosis factor-α/nuclear factor-κB signaling, and reduced free Mg in cerebrospinal fluid by 21.7 ± 6.3% (mean ± SD; n = 13) and in dorsal root ganglion neurons by 27 ± 6% (n = 11). Reducing Mg activated tumor necrosis factor-α/nuclear factor-κB signaling in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons. Oral application of magnesium-L-threonate prevented magnesium deficiency and attenuated both activation of tumor necrosis factor-α/nuclear factor-κB signaling and nociceptive sensitization (n = 12). Mechanistically, vincristine induced long-term potentiation at C-fiber synapses, up-regulated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor type 2B subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, and led to peptidergic C-fiber sprouting in spinal dorsal horn (n = 6 each). The vincristine-induced pathologic plasticity was blocked by intrathecal injection of nuclear factor-κB inhibitor (n = 6), mimicked by tumor necrosis factor-α, and substantially prevented by oral magnesium-L-threonate (n = 5). Vincristine may activate tumor necrosis factor-α/nuclear factor-κB pathway by reduction of intracellular magnesium, leading to spinal pathologic plasticity and nociceptive sensitization. Oral magnesium-L-threonate that prevents the magnesium deficiency is a novel approach to prevent neuropathic pain induced by chemotherapy.

IKKε-mediated tumorigenesis requires K63-linked polyubiquitination by a cIAP1/cIAP2/TRAF2 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex

PubMed Central

Zhou, Alicia Y.; Shen, Rhine R.; Kim, Eejung; Lock, Ying J.; Xu, Ming; Chen, Zhijian J.; Hahn, William C.

2014-01-01

SUMMARY IκB kinase ε (IKKε, IKBKE) is a key regulator of innate immunity and a breast cancer oncogene, amplified in ~30% of breast cancers, that promotes malignant transformation through NF-κB activation. Here we show that IKKε is modified and regulated by K63-linked polyubiquitination at Lysine 30 and Lysine 401. TNFα and IL-1β stimulation induces IKKε K63-linked polyubiquitination over baseline levels in both macrophages and breast cancer cell lines, and this modification is essential for IKKε kinase activity, IKKε-mediated NF-κB activation and IKKε-induced malignant transformation. Disruption of K63-linked ubiquitination of IKKε does not affect its overall structure but impairs the recruitment of canonical NF-κB proteins. A cIAP1/cIAP2/TRAF2 E3 ligase complex binds to and ubiquitinates IKKε. Together, these observations demonstrate that K63-linked polyubiquitination regulates IKKε activity in both inflammatory and oncogenic contexts and suggests an alterative approach to target this breast cancer oncogene. PMID:23453969

Effects of metabotropic glutamate receptor block on the synaptic transmission and plasticity in the rat medial vestibular nuclei.

PubMed

Grassi, S; Malfagia, C; Pettorossi, V E

1998-11-01

In rat brainstem slices, we investigated the possible role of metabotropic glutamate receptors in modulating the synaptic transmission within the medial vestibular nuclei, under basal and plasticity inducing conditions. We analysed the effect of the metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist (R,S)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine on the amplitude of the field potentials and latency of unitary potentials evoked in the ventral portion of the medial vestibular nuclei by primary vestibular afferent stimulation, and on the induction and maintenance of long-term potentiation, after high-frequency stimulation. Two effects were observed, consisting of a slight increase of the field potentials and reduction of unit latency during the drug infusion, and a further long-lasting development of these modifications after the drug wash-out. The long-term effect depended on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation, as D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid prevented its development. We suggest that (R,S)-alpha-methyl-4carboxyphenylglycine enhances the vestibular responses and induces N-methyl-D-aspartate-dependent long-term potentiation by increasing glutamate release, through the block of presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors which actively inhibit it. The block of these receptors was indirectly supported by the fact that the agonist (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid reduced the vestibular responses and blocked the induction of long-term potentiation by high-frequency stimulation. The simultaneous block of metabotropic glutamate receptors facilitating synaptic plasticity, impedes the full expression of the long-term effect throughout the (R,S)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine infusion. The involvement of such a facilitatory mechanism in the potentiation is supported by its reversible reduction following a second (R,S)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine infusion. The drug also reduced the expression of potentiation induced by high-frequency stimulation. Conversely the electrical long-term potentiation was still induced, but it was occluded by the previous drug potentiation. We conclude that metabotropic glutamate receptors play a dual functional role in the medial vestibular nuclei, consisting in the inhibition of glutamate release under basal conditions, and the facilitation of N-methyl-D-aspartate-dependent plasticity phenomena.

The synergistic effect of chemical carcinogens enhances Epstein-Barr virus reactivation and tumor progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

PubMed

Fang, Chih-Yeu; Huang, Sheng-Yen; Wu, Chung-Chun; Hsu, Hui-Yu; Chou, Sheng-Ping; Tsai, Ching-Hwa; Chang, Yao; Takada, Kenzo; Chen, Jen-Yang

2012-01-01

Seroepidemiological studies imply a correlation between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation and the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). N-nitroso compounds, phorbols, and butyrates are chemicals found in food and herb samples collected from NPC high-risk areas. These chemicals have been reported to be risk factors contributing to the development of NPC, however, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. We have demonstrated previously that low dose N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG, 0.1 µg/ml) had a synergistic effect with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and sodium butyrate (SB) in enhancing EBV reactivation and genome instability in NPC cells harboring EBV. Considering that residents in NPC high-risk areas may contact regularly with these chemical carcinogens, it is vital to elucidate the relation between chemicals and EBV and their contributions to the carcinogenesis of NPC. In this study, we constructed a cell culture model to show that genome instability, alterations of cancer hallmark gene expression, and tumorigenicity were increased after recurrent EBV reactivation in NPC cells following combined treatment of TPA/SB and MNNG. NPC cells latently infected with EBV, NA, and the corresponding EBV-negative cell, NPC-TW01, were periodically treated with MNNG, TPA/SB, or TPA/SB combined with MNNG. With chemically-induced recurrent reactivation of EBV, the degree of genome instability was significantly enhanced in NA cells treated with a combination of TPA/SB and MNNG than those treated individually. The Matrigel invasiveness, as well as the tumorigenicity in mouse, was also enhanced in NA cells after recurrent EBV reactivation. Expression profile analysis by microarray indicates that many carcinogenesis-related genes were altered after recurrent EBV reactivation, and several aberrations observed in cell lines correspond to alterations in NPC lesions. These results indicate that cooperation between chemical carcinogens can enhance the reactivation of EBV and, over recurrent reactivations, lead to alteration of cancer hallmark gene expression with resultant enhancement of tumorigenesis in NPC.

IGF-I enhances cellular senescence via the reactive oxygen species-p53 pathway

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Handayaningsih, Anastasia-Evi; Takahashi, Michiko; Fukuoka, Hidenori

2012-08-24

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Cellular senescence plays an important role in tumorigenesis and aging process. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We demonstrated IGF-I enhanced cellular senescence in primary confluent cells. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer IGF-I enhanced cellular senescence in the ROS and p53-dependent manner. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer These results may explain the underlying mechanisms of IGF-I involvement in tumorigenesis and in regulation of aging. -- Abstract: Cellular senescence is characterized by growth arrest, enlarged and flattened cell morphology, the expression of senescence-associated {beta}-galactosidase (SA-{beta}-gal), and by activation of tumor suppressor networks. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) plays a critical role in cellular growth, proliferation, tumorigenesis, and regulation of aging. In the presentmore » study, we show that IGF-I enhances cellular senescence in mouse, rat, and human primary cells in the confluent state. IGF-I induced expression of a DNA damage marker, {gamma}H2AX, the increased levels of p53 and p21 proteins, and activated SA-{beta}-gal. In the confluent state, an altered downstream signaling of IGF-I receptor was observed. Treatment with a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, N-acetylcystein (NAC) significantly suppressed induction of these markers, indicating that ROS are involved in the induction of cellular senescence by IGF-I. In p53-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts, the IGF-I-induced augmentation of SA-{beta}-gal and p21 was inhibited, demonstrating that p53 is required for cellular senescence induced by IGF-I. Thus, these data reveal a novel pathway whereby IGF-I enhances cellular senescence in the ROS and p53-dependent manner and may explain the underlying mechanisms of IGF-I involvement in tumorigenesis and in regulation of aging.« less

Prevention of dopaminergic toxicity of MPTP in mice by phenylethylamine, a specific substrate of type B monoamine oxidase.

PubMed Central

Melamed, E.; Youdim, M. B.

1985-01-01

N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is toxic to dopaminergic neurones in several mammalian species including mice. Combined treatment with phenylethylamine prevented in mice the long-term (30 days post-treatment) dopamine depletions in striatum induced by MPTP. Phenylethylamine, a naturally-occurring specific substrate of monoamine oxidase (MAO) type B, probably protects against effects of MPTP by competitively inhibiting the oxidative conversion of MPTP to its toxic metabolite N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion catalysed by MAO-B. PMID:3877535

hNaa10p contributes to tumorigenesis by facilitating DNMT1-mediated tumor suppressor gene silencing

PubMed Central

Lee, Chung-Fan; Ou, Derick S.-C.; Lee, Sung-Bau; Chang, Liang-Hao; Lin, Ruo-Kai; Li, Ying-Shiuan; Upadhyay, Anup K.; Cheng, Xiaodong; Wang, Yi-Ching; Hsu, Han-Shui; Hsiao, Michael; Wu, Cheng-Wen; Juan, Li-Jung

2010-01-01

Hypermethylation-mediated tumor suppressor gene silencing plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis. Understanding its underlying mechanism is essential for cancer treatment. Previous studies on human N-α-acetyltransferase 10, NatA catalytic subunit (hNaa10p; also known as human arrest-defective 1 [hARD1]), have generated conflicting results with regard to its role in tumorigenesis. Here we provide multiple lines of evidence indicating that it is oncogenic. We have shown that hNaa10p overexpression correlated with poor survival of human lung cancer patients. In vitro, enforced expression of hNaa10p was sufficient to cause cellular transformation, and siRNA-mediated depletion of hNaa10p impaired cancer cell proliferation in colony assays and xenograft studies. The oncogenic potential of hNaa10p depended on its interaction with DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). Mechanistically, hNaa10p positively regulated DNMT1 enzymatic activity by facilitating its binding to DNA in vitro and its recruitment to promoters of tumor suppressor genes, such as E-cadherin, in vivo. Consistent with this, interaction between hNaa10p and DNMT1 was required for E-cadherin silencing through promoter CpG methylation, and E-cadherin repression contributed to the oncogenic effects of hNaa10p. Together, our data not only establish hNaa10p as an oncoprotein, but also reveal that it contributes to oncogenesis through modulation of DNMT1 function. PMID:20592467

Low-dose radiation attenuates chemical mutagenesis in vivo.

PubMed

Kakinuma, Shizuko; Yamauchi, Kazumi; Amasaki, Yoshiko; Nishimura, Mayumi; Shimada, Yoshiya

2009-09-01

The biological effects of low-dose radiation are not only of social concern but also of scientific interest. The radioadaptive response, which is defined as an increased radioresistance by prior exposure to low-dose radiation, has been extensively studied both in vitro and in vivo. Here we briefly review the radioadaptive response with respect to mutagenesis, survival rate, and carcinogenesis in vivo, and introduce our recent findings of cross adaptation in mouse thymic cells, that is, the suppressive effect of repeated low-dose radiation on mutation induction by the alkylating agent N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea.

Down-regulation of TCF21 by hypermethylation induces cell proliferation, migration and invasion in colorectal cancer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dai, Youyi; Duan, Huaxin; The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University

Epigenetic alteration induced loss function of the transcription factor 21 (TCF21) has been associated with different types of human cancers. However, the epigenetic regulation and molecular functions of TCF21 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unknown. In this study, TCF21 expression levels and methylation status of its promoter region in CRC cell lines (n = 5) and CRC tissues (n = 151) as well as normal colorectal mucosa (n = 30) were assessed by RTq-PCR and methylation analysis (methylation specific PCR, MSP and bisulfite sequencing PCR, BSP), respectively. The cellular functions of TCF21 on CRC cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration were investigated in vitro. Our data revealedmore » that TCF21 was frequently silenced by promoter hypermethylation in both tested CRC cell lines and primary CRC, and correlation analysis between methylation status and clinicopathologic parameters found that TCF21 methylation was significantly correlated with lymph node invasion (P = 0.013), while no significant correlation was found in other parameters. In addition, demethylation treatment resulted in re-expression of TCF21 in CRC cell lines, and cellular function experiments revealed that restoration of TCF21 inhibited CRC cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis and suppressed cell invasion and migration, suggesting that TCF21 may function as a tumor suppressor gene, which is downregulated through promoter hypermethylation in CRC development. - Highlights: • TCF21 was frequently silenced by promoter DNA methylation in CRC cells. • TCF21 was frequently methylated in primary CRC and significantly correlated with metastasis. • Restoration of TCF21 promotes cell apoptosis of CRC cells. • Restoration of TCF21 inhibits cell invasion and migration of CRC cells.« less

FGF-1-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in breast cancer cells is mediated by increased activities of NF-kappaB and activating protein-1.

PubMed

Lungu, Gina; Covaleda, Lina; Mendes, Odete; Martini-Stoica, Heidi; Stoica, George

2008-06-01

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) plays a critical role in tumor invasion and metastasis. Here, we investigate the effect of fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) on the expression of MMP-9 in ENU1564, an ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced rat mammary adenocarcinoma cell line. We observed that FGF-1 induces a dose-dependent increase in MMP-9 mRNA, protein, and activity in ENU1564 cells. To gain insight into the molecular mechanism of MMP-9 regulation by FGF-1, we investigated the role of components of PI3K-Akt and MEK1/2-ERK signaling pathways in our system since NF-kappaB and AP-1 transcription factor binding sites have been characterized in the upstream region of the MMP-9 gene. We demonstrated that FGF-1 increases Akt phosphorylation, triggers nuclear translocation of NF-kappaBp65, and enhances degradation of cytoplasmic IkappaBalpha. Pretreatment of cells with LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, significantly inhibited MMP-9 protein expression in FGF-1-treated cells. Conversely, our data show that FGF-1 increases ERK phosphorylation in ENU1564 cells, increases c-jun and c-fos mRNA expression in a time-dependent manner, and triggers nuclear translocation of c-jun. Pretreatment of cells with PD98059, a MEK1/2 inhibitor significantly inhibited MMP-9 protein expression in FGF-1 treated cells. Finally, we observed increased DNA binding of NF-kappaB and AP-1 in FGF-1-treated cells and that mutation of either NF-kappaB or AP-1 response elements prevented MMP-9 promoter activation by FGF-1. Taken together, these results demonstrated that FGF-1-induced MMP-9 expression in ENU1564 cells is associated with increasing DNA binding activities of NF-kappaB and AP-1 and involve activation of a dual signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt and MEK1/2-ERK. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Holocaust Exposure Induced Intergenerational Effects on FKBP5 Methylation.

PubMed

Yehuda, Rachel; Daskalakis, Nikolaos P; Bierer, Linda M; Bader, Heather N; Klengel, Torsten; Holsboer, Florian; Binder, Elisabeth B

2016-09-01

The involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in intergenerational transmission of stress effects has been demonstrated in animals but not in humans. Cytosine methylation within the gene encoding for FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP5) was measured in Holocaust survivors (n = 32), their adult offspring (n = 22), and demographically comparable parent (n = 8) and offspring (n = 9) control subjects, respectively. Cytosine-phosphate-guanine sites for analysis were chosen based on their spatial proximity to the intron 7 glucocorticoid response elements. Holocaust exposure had an effect on FKBP5 methylation that was observed in exposed parents as well in their offspring. These effects were observed at bin 3/site 6. Interestingly, in Holocaust survivors, methylation at this site was higher in comparison with control subjects, whereas in Holocaust offspring, methylation was lower. Methylation levels for exposed parents and their offspring were significantly correlated. In contrast to the findings at bin 3/site 6, offspring methylation at bin 2/sites 3 to 5 was associated with childhood physical and sexual abuse in interaction with an FKBP5 risk allele previously associated with vulnerability to psychological consequences of childhood adversity. The findings suggest the possibility of site specificity to environmental influences, as sites in bins 3 and 2 were differentially associated with parental trauma and the offspring's own childhood trauma, respectively. FKBP5 methylation averaged across the three bins examined was associated with wake-up cortisol levels, indicating functional relevance of the methylation measures. This is the first demonstration of an association of preconception parental trauma with epigenetic alterations that is evident in both exposed parent and offspring, providing potential insight into how severe psychophysiological trauma can have intergenerational effects. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Novel bifunctional anthracycline and nitrosourea chemotherapy for human bladder cancer: analysis in a preclinical survival model.

PubMed

Glaves, D; Murray, M K; Raghavan, D

1996-08-01

A hybrid drug [N-2-chloroethylnitrosoureidodaunorubicin (AD312)] that combines structural and functional features of both anthracyclines and nitrosoureas was evaluated in a preclinical survival model of human bladder cancer. To measure the therapeutic activity of AD312, UCRU-BL13 transitional cell carcinoma cells were grown as xenografts in nude mice, and tumor growth rates were compared after i.v. administration of the drug at three dose levels. AD312 treatment at 45 and 60 mg/kg achieved 7-10-fold inhibition of tumor growth and increased host survival by 156 and 249%, respectively. Doses of 60 mg/kg showed optimal therapeutic efficacy, with sustained tumor growth inhibition, an over 2-fold increase in life span, and 40% of mice tumor free ("cured") at 120 days. Tumors were unresponsive to maximum tolerated doses of doxorubicin, a standard anthracycline used as a single agent and in combination therapies for bladder cancer. 1,3-Bis-[2-chloroethyl]-1-nitrosourea was used as a control for the apparently enhanced response of human tumors in murine hosts to nitrosoureas. 1, 3-Bis-[2-chloroethyl]-1-nitrosourea administered in three injections of 20 mg/kg did not cure mice but temporarily inhibited tumor growth by 70% and prolonged survival by 55%; its activity in this model suggests that it may be included in the repertoire of alkylating agents currently used for treatment of bladder cancers. AD312 showed increased antitumor activity with less toxicity than doxorubicin, and its bifunctional properties provide the opportunity for simultaneous treatment of individual cancer cells with two cytotoxic modalities as well as treatment of heterogeneous populations typical of bladder cancers. This novel cytotoxic drug cured doxorubicin-refractory disease and should be investigated for the clinical management of bladder cancer.

Insulin and adenosine regulate the phosphatidylcholine concentration in isolated rat adipocyte plasma membranes.

PubMed

Kiechle, F L; Sykes, E; Artiss, J D

1995-01-01

Blockade of adenosine receptors by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine or degradation of endogenous adenosine with adenosine deaminase increased the phosphatidylcholine concentration in isolated rat adipocyte plasma membranes, an effect which was suppressed by the phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase inhibitor, S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine, and reversed by the adenosine analogue, N6-(L-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine. For example, the addition of N6-(L-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine to adenosine deaminase pretreated plasma membranes rapidly lowered the concentration of phosphatidylcholine by 171 nmol/mg at 30 seconds compared to control. Insulin-induced stimulation of phospholipid methylation in membranes treated with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine or adenosine deaminase was achieved only after the addition of N6-(L-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine. These results suggest that adenosine receptor occupancy inhibits phospholipid methylation, is required for insulin stimulation of phospholipid methylation, and may perhaps activate a phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C or phospholipase D.

Ipomoelin, a Jacalin-Related Lectin with a Compact Tetrameric Association and Versatile Carbohydrate Binding Properties Regulated by Its N Terminus

PubMed Central

Chang, Wei-Chieh; Liu, Kai-Lun; Hsu, Fang-Ciao; Jeng, Shih-Tong; Cheng, Yi-Sheng

2012-01-01

Many proteins are induced in the plant defense response to biotic stress or mechanical wounding. One group is lectins. Ipomoelin (IPO) is one of the wound-inducible proteins of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas cv. Tainung 57) and is a Jacalin-related lectin (JRL). In this study, we resolved the crystal structures of IPO in its apo form and in complex with carbohydrates such as methyl α-D-mannopyranoside (Me-Man), methyl α-D-glucopyranoside (Me-Glc), and methyl α-D-galactopyranoside (Me-Gal) in different space groups. The packing diagrams indicated that IPO might represent a compact tetrameric association in the JRL family. The protomer of IPO showed a canonical β-prism fold with 12 strands of β-sheets but with 2 additional short β-strands at the N terminus. A truncated IPO (ΔN10IPO) by removing the 2 short β-strands of the N terminus was used to reveal its role in a tetrameric association. Gel filtration chromatography confirmed IPO as a tetrameric form in solution. Isothermal titration calorimetry determined the binding constants (KA) of IPO and ΔN10IPO against various carbohydrates. IPO could bind to Me-Man, Me-Glc, and Me-Gal with similar binding constants. In contrast, ΔN10IPO showed high binding ability to Me-Man and Me-Glc but could not bind to Me-Gal. Our structural and functional analysis of IPO revealed that its compact tetrameric association and carbohydrate binding polyspecificity could be regulated by the 2 additional N-terminal β-strands. The versatile carbohydrate binding properties of IPO might play a role in plant defense. PMID:22808208

Synthesis and evaluation of aminoborates derived from boric acid and diols for protecting wood against fungal and thermal degradation

Treesearch

George C. Chen

2008-01-01

N-methyl amino catechol borate (1), N-methyl amino-4-methyl catechol borate (2), N-methyl amino-4-t-butyl catechol borate (3), and N-methyl amino-2, 3-naphthyl borate (4) were synthesized by reflux of boric acid with a diol in solvent N,N-dimethyl formamide. The aminoborates were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy and...

In vivo detection of inducible nitric oxide synthase in rodent gliomas.

PubMed

Towner, Rheal A; Smith, Nataliya; Doblas, Sabrina; Garteiser, Philippe; Watanabe, Yasuko; He, Ting; Saunders, Debra; Herlea, Oana; Silasi-Mansat, Robert; Lupu, Florea

2010-03-01

Increased iNOS expression is often found in brain tumors, such as gliomas. The goal of this study was to develop and assess a novel molecular MRI (mMRI) probe for in vivo detection of iNOS in rodent models for gliomas (intracerebral implantation of rat C6 or RG2 cells or ethyl nitrosourea-induced glioma). The probe we used incorporated a Gd-DTPA (gadolinium(III) complex of diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N'',N''-pentaacetate) backbone with albumin and biotin moieties and covalent binding of an anti-iNOS antibody (Ab) to albumin (anti-iNOS probe). We used mMRI with the anti-iNOS probe to detect in vivo iNOS levels in gliomas. Nonimmune normal rat IgG coupled to albumin-Gd-DTPA-biotin was used as a control nonspecific contrast agent. By targeting the biotin component of the anti-iNOS probe with streptavidin Cy3, fluorescence imaging confirmed the specificity of the probe for iNOS in glioma tissue. iNOS levels in glioma tumors were also confirmed via Western blots and immunohistochemistry. The presence of plasma membrane-associated iNOS in glioma cells was established by transmission electron microscopy and gold-labeled anti-iNOS Ab. The more aggressive RG2 glioma was not found to have higher levels of iNOS compared to C6. Differences in glioma vascularization and blood-brain barrier permeability between the C6 and the RG2 gliomas are discussed. In vivo assessment of iNOS levels associated with tumor development is quite feasible in heterogeneous tissues with mMRI. (c) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Regulation of c- and N-myc expression during induced differentiation of murine neuroblastoma cells.

PubMed

Larcher, J C; Vayssière, J L; Lossouarn, L; Gros, F; Croizat, B

1991-04-01

Using clones N1E-115 and N1A-103 from mouse neuroblastoma C1300, a comparative analysis of c- and N-myc gene expression was undertaken both in proliferating cells and in cultures exposed to conditions which induce differentiation. Under the latter conditions, while N1E-115 cells extend abundant neurites and express many biochemical features of mature neurons, clone N1A-103 stops dividing and expresses certain neurospecific markers but is unable to differentiate morphologically. In both clones, chemical agents, i.e. 1-methyl cyclohexane carboxylic acid (CCA) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), induce a decrease in c-myc expression. Similar results were found for N-myc gene in N1E-115 cells, but in contrast, in clone N1A-103, N-myc expression is increased with CCA and not modified with DMSO. Globally, this study favours the hypothesis that changes in c-myc expression would correspond to cell division blockade and differentiation, while modulations in N-myc are more closely related to an early phase of terminal differentiation.

Resveratrol induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in metastatic breast cancer cells via de novo ceramide signaling.

PubMed

Scarlatti, Francesca; Sala, Giusy; Somenzi, Giulia; Signorelli, Paola; Sacchi, Nicoletta; Ghidoni, Riccardo

2003-12-01

Resveratrol (3,4',5-trans-trihydroxystilbene), a phytoalexin present in grapes and red wine, is emerging as a natural compound with potential anticancer properties. Here we show that resveratrol can induce growth inhibition and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231, a highly invasive and metastatic breast cancer cell line, in concomitance with a dramatic endogenous increase of growth inhibitory/proapoptotic ceramide. We found that accumulation of ceramide derives from both de novo ceramide synthesis and sphingomyelin hydrolysis. More specifically we demonstrated that ceramide accumulation induced by resveratrol can be traced to the activation of serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT), the key enzyme of de novo ceramide biosynthetic pathway, and neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase), a main enzyme involved in the sphingomyelin/ceramide pathway. However, by using specific inhibitors of SPT, myriocin and L-cycloserine, and nSMase, gluthatione and manumycin, we found that only the SPT inhibitors could counteract the biological effects induced by resveratrol. Thus, resveratrol seems to exert its growth inhibitory/apoptotic effect on the metastatic breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 by activating the de novo ceramide synthesis pathway.

Cytosine Methylation Alteration in Natural Populations of Leymus chinensis Induced by Multiple Abiotic Stresses

PubMed Central

Yu, Yingjie; Yang, Xuejiao; Wang, Huaying; Shi, Fengxue; Liu, Ying; Liu, Jushan; Li, Linfeng; Wang, Deli; Liu, Bao

2013-01-01

Background Human activity has a profound effect on the global environment and caused frequent occurrence of climatic fluctuations. To survive, plants need to adapt to the changing environmental conditions through altering their morphological and physiological traits. One known mechanism for phenotypic innovation to be achieved is environment-induced rapid yet inheritable epigenetic changes. Therefore, the use of molecular techniques to address the epigenetic mechanisms underpinning stress adaptation in plants is an important and challenging topic in biological research. In this study, we investigated the impact of warming, nitrogen (N) addition, and warming+nitrogen (N) addition stresses on the cytosine methylation status of Leymus chinensis Tzvel. at the population level by using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) and retrotransposon based sequence-specific amplification polymorphism (SSAP) techniques. Methodology/Principal Findings Our results showed that, although the percentages of cytosine methylation changes in SSAP are significantly higher than those in MSAP, all the treatment groups showed similar alteration patterns of hypermethylation and hypomethylation. It meant that the abiotic stresses have induced the alterations in cytosine methylation patterns, and the levels of cytosine methylation changes around the transposable element are higher than the other genomic regions. In addition, the identification and analysis of differentially methylated loci (DML) indicated that the abiotic stresses have also caused targeted methylation changes at specific loci and these DML might have contributed to the capability of plants in adaptation to the abiotic stresses. Conclusions/Significance Our results demonstrated that abiotic stresses related to global warming and nitrogen deposition readily evoke alterations of cytosine methylation, and which may provide a molecular basis for rapid adaptation by the affected plant populations to the changed environments. PMID:23418457

Novel histone deacetylase 8-selective inhibitor 1,3,4-oxadiazole-alanine hybrid induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

PubMed

Pidugu, Vijaya Rao; Yarla, Nagendra Sastry; Bishayee, Anupam; Kalle, Arunasree M; Satya, Alapati Krishna

2017-11-01

Identification of isoform-specific histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) is a significant advantage to overcome the adverse side effects of pan-HDACi for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer. We have designed, and synthesized novel 1,3,4 oxadiazole with glycine/alanine hybrids as HDAC8-specific inhibitors and preliminary evaluation has indicated that 1,3,4 oxadiazole with alanine hybrid [(R)-2-amino-N-((5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)methyl)propanamide (10b)] to be a potent HDAC8 inhibitor. In the present study, the in vitro efficacy of the molecule in inhibiting the cancer cell proliferation and the underlying molecular mechanism was studied. 10b inhibited the growth of MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 breast cancer cells, with a lower IC 50 of 230 and 1000 nM, respectively, compared to K562, COLO-205 and HepG2 cells and was not cytotoxic to normal breast epithelial cells, MCF10A. 10b was specific to HDAC8 and did not affect the expression of other class I HDACs. Further, a dose-dependent increase in H3K9 acetylation levels demonstrated the HDAC-inhibitory activity of 10b in MDA-MB-231 cells. Flow cytometric analysis indicated a dose-dependent increase and decrease in the percent apoptotic cells and mitochondrial membrane potential, respectively, when treated with 10b. Immunoblot analysis showed a modulation of Bax/Bcl2 ratio with a decrease in Bcl2 expression and no change in Bax expression. 10b treatment resulted in induction of p21 and inhibition of CDK1 proteins along with cytochrome c release from mitochondria, activation of caspases-3 and -9 and cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase leading to apoptotic death of MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 cells. In conclusion, our results clearly demonstrated the efficacy of 10b as an anticancer agent against breast cancer.

Carbachol induces Ca(2+)-dependent contraction via muscarinic M2 and M3 receptors in rat intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts.

PubMed

Iwanaga, Koichi; Murata, Takahisa; Okada, Muneyoshi; Hori, Masatoshi; Ozaki, Hiroshi

2009-07-01

Intestinal myofibroblasts (IMFs) that exist adjacent to the basement membrane of intestines have contractility and contribute to physical barriers of the intestine. Nerve endings distribute adjacent to IMFs, suggesting neurotransmitters may influence IMFs motility; however, there is no direct evidence showing the interaction. Here, we isolated IMFs from rat colon and investigated the effect of acetylcholine on IMFs contractility. In the collagen gel contraction assay, carbachol (1 - 10 microM) and the muscarinic receptor agonist bethanechol (30 - 300 microM) dose-dependently induced IMFs contraction. Pretreatment with the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine (1 - 10 nM) inhibited carbachol-induced contraction. In RT-PCR, mRNA expression of all muscarinic receptor subtypes (M(1) - M(5)) was detected in IMFs. Subsequently we found pretreatment with the muscarinic M(2) receptor antagonist 11-([2-[(diethylamino)methyl]-1-piperdinyl]acetyl)-5,11-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,4]benzodiazepine-6-one (AF-DX116) (10 and 30 nM) or the muscarinic M(3) receptor antagonist 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methyl-piperidine (4-DAMP) (3 and 10 nM) dose-dependently inhibited carbachol-induced contraction. In Ca(2+) measurement, 1 - 10 microM carbachol and 30 - 300 microM bethanechol elevated the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in IMFs. Atropine (10 nM) eliminated carbachol-induced [Ca(2+)](i) elevation. The Ca(2+)-channel blocker LaCl(3) (3 microM) abolished carbachol-induced [Ca(2+)](i) elevation and contraction. Furthermore, AF-DX116 and 4-DAMP dose-dependently inhibited the carbachol-induced [Ca(2+)](i) elevation. These observations suggest that acetylcholine elicits Ca(2+)-dependent IMF contraction through muscarinic M(2) and M(3) receptors.

The contribution of cholesterol and epigenetic changes to the pathophysiology of breast cancer.

PubMed

Munir, Maliha T; Ponce, Christopher; Powell, Catherine A; Tarafdar, Kaiser; Yanagita, Teru; Choudhury, Mahua; Gollahon, Lauren S; Rahman, Shaikh M

2018-05-04

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women. Accumulating evidence suggests that cholesterol plays an important role in the development of breast cancer. Even though the mechanistic link between these two factors is not well understood, one possibility is that dysregulated cholesterol metabolism may affect lipid raft and membrane fluidity and can promote tumor development. Current studies have shown oxysterol 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-HC) as a critical regulator of cholesterol and breast cancer pathogenesis. This is supported by the significantly higher expression of CYP27A1 (cytochrome P450, family 27, subfamily A, polypeptide 1) in breast cancers. This enzyme is responsible for 27-HC synthesis from cholesterol. It has been shown that 27-HC can not only increase the proliferation of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells but also stimulate tumor growth and metastasis in several breast cancer models. This phenomenon is surprising since 27-HC and other oxysterols generally reduce intracellular cholesterol levels by activating the liver X receptors (LXRs). Resolving this paradox will elucidate molecular pathways by which cholesterol, ER, and LXR are connected to breast cancer. These findings will also provide the rationale for evaluating pharmaceutical approaches that manipulate cholesterol or 27-HC synthesis in order to mitigate the impact of cholesterol on breast cancer pathophysiology. In addition to cholesterol, epigenetic changes including non-coding RNAs, and microRNAs, DNA methylation, and histone modifications, have all been shown to control tumorigenesis. The purpose of this review is to discuss the link between altered cholesterol metabolism and epigenetic modification during breast cancer progression. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

SASH1: a candidate tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 6q24.3 is downregulated in breast cancer.

PubMed

Zeller, Constanze; Hinzmann, Bernd; Seitz, Susanne; Prokoph, Helmuth; Burkhard-Goettges, Elke; Fischer, Jörg; Jandrig, Burkhard; Schwarz, Lope-Estevez; Rosenthal, André; Scherneck, Siegfried

2003-05-15

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and in silico expression analysis were applied to identify genes significantly downregulated in breast cancer within the genomic interval 6q23-25. Systematic comparison of candidate EST sequences with genomic sequences from this interval revealed the genomic structure of a potential target gene on 6q24.3, which we called SAM and SH3 domain containing 1 (SASH1). Loss of the gene-internal marker D6S311, found in 30% of primary breast cancer, was significantly correlated with poor survival and increase in tumor size. Two SASH1 transcripts of approximately 4.4 and 7.5 kb exist and are predominantly transcribed in the human breast, lung, thyroid, spleen, placenta and thymus. In breast cancer cell lines, SASH1 is only expressed at low levels. SASH1 is downregulated in the majority (74%) of breast tumors in comparison with corresponding normal breast epithelial tissues. In addition, SASH1 is also downregulated in tumors of the lung and thyroid. Analysis of the protein domain structure revealed that SASH1 is a member of a recently described family of SH3/SAM adapter molecules and thus suggests a role in signaling pathways. We assume that SASH1 is a new tumor suppressor gene possibly involved in tumorigenesis of breast and other solid cancers. We were unable to find mutations in the coding region of the gene in primary breast cancers showing LOH within the critical region. We therefore hypothesize that other mechanisms as for instance methylation of the promoter region of SASH1 are responsible for the loss of expression of SASH1 in primary and metastatic breast cancer.

Prolonged ketamine exposure induces increased activity of the GluN2B-containing N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor in the anterior cingulate cortex of neonatal rats.

PubMed

Kokane, Saurabh S; Gong, Kerui; Jin, Jianhui; Lin, Qing

2017-09-01

Ketamine is a commonly used anesthetic among pediatric patients due to its high efficacy. However, it has been demonstrated by several preclinical studies that, widespread accelerated programmed death of neurons (neuroapoptosis) occurs due to prolonged or repeated exposure to ketamine specifically in the neonatal brain. Therefore, an emphasis on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying this selective vulnerability of the neonatal brain to ketamine-induced neuroapoptosis becomes important in order to identify potential therapeutic targets, which would help prevent or at least ameliorate this neuroapoptosis. In this study, we demonstrated that repeated ketamine administration (6 injections of 20mg/kg dose given over 12h time period) in neonatal (postnatal day 7; PND 7) Sprague-Dawley rats induced a progressive increase in N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in the neurons of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) for up to 6h after the last ketamine dose. Specifically, we observed that the increased EPSCs were largely mediated by GluN2B-containing NMDARs in the neurons of the ACC. Along with increased synaptic transmission, there was also a significant increase in the expression of the GluN2B-containing NMDARs as well. Taken together, these results showed that after repeated exposure to ketamine, the synaptic transmission mediated by GluN2B-containing NMDARs was significantly increased in the neonatal brain. This was significant as it showed for the first time that ketamine had subunit-specific effects on GluN2B-containing NMDARs, potentially implicating the involvement of these subunits in the increased vulnerability of immature neurons of the neonatal brain to ketamine-induced neuroapoptosis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Social isolation induces autophagy in the mouse mammary gland: link to increased mammary cancer risk

PubMed Central

Sumis, Allison; Cook, Katherine L; Andrade, Fabia O; Hu, Rong; Kidney, Emma; Zhang, Xiyuan; Kim, Dominic; Carney, Elissa; Nguyen, Nguyen; Yu, Wei; Bouker, Kerrie B; Cruz, Idalia; Clarke, Robert; Hilakivi-Clarke, Leena

2018-01-01

Social isolation is a strong predictor of early all-cause mortality and consistently increases breast cancer risk in both women and animal models. Because social isolation increases body weight, we compared its effects to those caused by a consumption of obesity-inducing diet (OID) in C57BL/6 mice. Social isolation and OID impaired insulin and glucose sensitivity. In socially isolated, OID-fed mice (I-OID), insulin resistance was linked to reduced Pparg expression and increased neuropeptide Y levels, but in group-housed OID fed mice (G-OID), it was linked to increased leptin and reduced adiponectin levels, indicating that the pathways leading to insulin resistance are different. Carcinogen-induced mammary tumorigenesis was significantly higher in I-OID mice than in the other groups, but cancer risk was also increased in socially isolated, control diet-fed mice (I-C) and G-OID mice compared with that in controls. Unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling (GRP78; IRE1) was upregulated in the mammary glands of OID-fed mice, but not in control diet-fed, socially isolated I-C mice. In contrast, expression of BECLIN1, ATG7 and LC3II were increased, and p62 was downregulated by social isolation, indicating increased autophagy. In the mammary glands of socially isolated mice, but not in G-OID mice, mRNA expressions of p53 and the p53-regulated autophagy inducer Dram1 were upregulated, and nuclear p53 staining was strong. Our findings further indicated that autophagy and tumorigenesis were not increased in Atg7+/− mice kept in social isolation and fed OID. Thus, social isolation may increase breast cancer risk by inducing autophagy, independent of changes in body weight. PMID:27550962

Social isolation induces autophagy in the mouse mammary gland: link to increased mammary cancer risk.

PubMed

Sumis, Allison; Cook, Katherine L; Andrade, Fabia O; Hu, Rong; Kidney, Emma; Zhang, Xiyuan; Kim, Dominic; Carney, Elissa; Nguyen, Nguyen; Yu, Wei; Bouker, Kerrie B; Cruz, Idalia; Clarke, Robert; Hilakivi-Clarke, Leena

2016-10-01

Social isolation is a strong predictor of early all-cause mortality and consistently increases breast cancer risk in both women and animal models. Because social isolation increases body weight, we compared its effects to those caused by a consumption of obesity-inducing diet (OID) in C57BL/6 mice. Social isolation and OID impaired insulin and glucose sensitivity. In socially isolated, OID-fed mice (I-OID), insulin resistance was linked to reduced Pparg expression and increased neuropeptide Y levels, but in group-housed OID fed mice (G-OID), it was linked to increased leptin and reduced adiponectin levels, indicating that the pathways leading to insulin resistance are different. Carcinogen-induced mammary tumorigenesis was significantly higher in I-OID mice than in the other groups, but cancer risk was also increased in socially isolated, control diet-fed mice (I-C) and G-OID mice compared with that in controls. Unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling (GRP78; IRE1) was upregulated in the mammary glands of OID-fed mice, but not in control diet-fed, socially isolated I-C mice. In contrast, expression of BECLIN1, ATG7 and LC3II were increased, and p62 was downregulated by social isolation, indicating increased autophagy. In the mammary glands of socially isolated mice, but not in G-OID mice, mRNA expressions of p53 and the p53-regulated autophagy inducer Dram1 were upregulated, and nuclear p53 staining was strong. Our findings further indicated that autophagy and tumorigenesis were not increased in Atg7(+/-) mice kept in social isolation and fed OID. Thus, social isolation may increase breast cancer risk by inducing autophagy, independent of changes in body weight. © 2016 Society for Endocrinology.

The potential role of Brachyury in inducing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and HIF-1α expression in breast cancer cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shao, Chao; Zhang, Jingjing, E-mail: jingjingzhangzs@163.com; Fu, Jianhua

One of transcription factors of the T-box family, Brachyury has been implicated in tumorigenesis of many types of cancers, regulating cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the role of Brachyury in breast cancer cells has been scarcely reported. The present study aimed to investigate the expression and role of Brachyury in breast cancer. Brachyury expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The correlations between Brachyury expression and clinicopathological factors of breast cancer were determined. Involvement of EMT stimulation and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression induction by Brachyury was also evaluated. Moreover, the effect of Brachyury onmore » tumor growth and metastasis in vivo was examined in a breast tumor xenograft model. Brachyury expression was enhanced in primary breast cancer tissues and Brachyury expression was correlated with tumor stage and lymph node metastasis. Hypoxia enhanced Brachyury expression, the silencing of which blocked the modulation effect of hypoxia on E-cadherin and vimentin expression. Brachyury significantly augmented HIF-1alpha expression via PTEN/Akt signaling as well as accelerated cell proliferation and migration in vitro. Additionally, Brachyury accelerated breast tumor xenograft growth and increased lung metastasis in nude mice. In summary, our data confirmed that Brachyury might contribute to hypoxia-induced EMT of breast cancer and trigger HIF-1alpha expression via PTEN/Akt signaling. - Highlights: • Brachyury expression was correlated with tumor stage and lymph node metastasis. • Hypoxia enhanced Brachyury expression, which contributes to hypoxia-induced EMT. • Brachyury significantly augmented HIF-1alpha expression via PTEN/Akt signaling. • Brachyury accelerated tumor xenograft growth and increased lung metastasis.« less

ONC201 demonstrates anti-tumor effects in both triple negative and non-triple negative breast cancers through TRAIL-dependent and TRAIL-independent mechanisms

PubMed Central

Ralff, Marie D.; Kline, Christina L.B.; Küçükkase, Ozan C; Wagner, Jessica; Lim, Bora; Dicker, David T.; Prabhu, Varun V.; Oster, Wolfgang; El-Deiry, Wafik S.

2017-01-01

Breast cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death. TRAIL has been of interest as a cancer therapeutic, but only a subset of triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) is sensitive to TRAIL. The small molecule ONC201 induces expression of TRAIL and its receptor DR5. ONC201 has entered clinical trials in advanced cancers. Here we show that ONC201 is efficacious against both TNBC and non-TNBC cells (n=13). A subset of TNBC and non-TNBC cells succumb to ONC201-induced cell death. In 2/8 TNBC cell lines, ONC201 treatment induces caspase-8 cleavage and cell death that is blocked by TRAIL-neutralizing antibody RIK2. The pro-apoptotic effect of ONC201 translates to in vivo efficacy in the MDA-MB-468 xenograft model. In most TNBC lines tested (6/8) ONC201 has an anti-proliferative effect but does not induce apoptosis. ONC201 decreases cyclin D1 expression and causes an accumulation of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. pRb expression is associated with sensitivity to the anti-proliferative effects of ONC201, and the compound synergizes with taxanes in less sensitive cells. All non-TNBC cells (n=5) are growth inhibited following ONC201 treatment, and unlike what has been observed with TRAIL, a subset (n=2) show PARP cleavage. In these cells, cell death induced by ONC201 is TRAIL-independent. Our data demonstrate that ONC201 has potent anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in a broad range of breast cancer subtypes, through TRAIL-dependent and TRAIL-independent mechanisms. These findings develop a pre-clinical rationale for developing ONC201 as a single agent and/or in combination with approved therapies in breast cancer. PMID:28424227

Small-molecule inhibitors at the PSD-95/nNOS interface protect against glutamate-induced neuronal atrophy in primary cortical neurons.

PubMed

Doucet, M V; O'Toole, E; Connor, T; Harkin, A

2015-08-20

Glutamate and nitric oxide (NO) are important regulators of dendrite and axon development in the central nervous system. Excess glutamatergic stimulation is a feature of many pathological conditions and manifests in neuronal atrophy and shrinkage with eventual neurodegeneration and cell death. Here we demonstrate that treatment of cultured primary cortical rat neurons for 24h with glutamate (500μM) or N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) (100-500μM) combined with glycine suppresses neurite outgrowth. A similar reduction of neurite outgrowth was observed with the NO precursor l-arginine and NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (100 and 300μM). The NMDA-receptor (NMDA-R) antagonists ketamine and MK-801 (10nM) counteracted the NMDA/glycine-induced reduction in neurite outgrowth and the neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) inhibitor 1-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] imidazole (TRIM) (100nM) counteracted both the NMDA/glycine and l-arginine-induced decreases in neurite outgrowth. Furthermore, targeting soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), a downstream target of NO, with the sGC inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) (10μM) also protected against l-arginine-induced decreases in neurite outgrowth. Since the NMDA-R is functionally coupled to nNOS via the postsynaptic protein 95kDa (PSD-95), inhibitors of the PSD-95/nNOS interaction were tested for their ability to protect against glutamate-induced suppression in neurite outgrowth. Treatment with the small-molecule inhibitors of the PSD-95/nNOS interface 2-((1H-benzo[d] [1,2,3]triazol-5-ylamino) methyl)-4,6-dichlorophenol (IC87201) (10 and 100nM) and 4-(3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxy-benzylamino)-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (ZL-006) (10 and 100nM) attenuated NMDA/glycine-induced decreases in neurite outgrowth. These data support the hypothesis that targeting the NMDA-R/PSD-95/nNOS interaction downstream of NMDA-R promotes neurotrophic effects by preventing neurite shrinkage in response to excess glutamatergic stimulation. The PSD-95/nNOS interface may be an attractive target for treating deficits in neuronal outgrowth and atrophy associated with excessive glutamatergic neurotransmission in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions. Copyright © 2015 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Induced amphotropic and thermotropic ionic liquid crystallinity in phosphonium halides: "lubrication" by hydroxyl groups.

PubMed

Ma, Kefeng; Somashekhar, B S; Gowda, G A Nagana; Khetrapal, C L; Weiss, Richard G

2008-03-18

The influence of covalently attaching hydroxymethylene to the methyl groups of methyl-tri-n-alkylphosphonium halides (where the alkyl chains are decyl, tetradecyl, or octadecyl and the halide is chloride or bromide) or adding methanol as a solute to the salts on their solid, liquid-crystalline (smectic A2), and isotropic phases has been investigated using a variety of experimental techniques. These structural and compositional changes are found to induce liquid crystallinity in some cases and to enhance the temperature range and lower the onset temperature of the liquid-crystalline phases in some others. The results are interpreted in terms of the lengths of the three n-alkyl chains attached to the phosphorus cation, the nature of the halide anion, the influence of H-bonding interactions at the head group regions of the layered phases, and other solvent-solute interactions. The fact that at least 1 molar equiv of methanol must be added to effect complete (isothermal) conversion of a solid methyl-tri-n-alkylphosphonium salt to a liquid crystal demonstrates a direct and strong association between individual methanol molecules and the phosphonium salts. Possible applications of such systems are suggested.

Inhibition of Estrogen-induced Growth of Breast Cancer by Targeting Mitochondrial Oxidants

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-04-01

chemical antioxidants, [N- acetylcysteine (NAC) and ebselen], inhibits estrogen induced expression of cell cycle genes as well as prevention of...the original First Task (i) both antioxidants, N- acetylcysteine and ebselen, overexpression of ROS lowering genes, such as, catalase or PrxIII; and... acetylcysteine and ebselen; overexpression of MnSOD, catalase, PrxIII, Trx2, or mtTFA silencing. Major findings are described in detail below: 1

Estrogen and progesterone promote breast cancer cell proliferation by inducing cyclin G1 expression.

PubMed

Tian, J-M; Ran, B; Zhang, C-L; Yan, D-M; Li, X-H

2018-01-23

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer among women in most countries (WHO). Ovarian hormone disorder is thought to be associated with breast tumorigenesis. The present study investigated the effects of estrogen and progesterone administration on cell proliferation and underlying mechanisms in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. It was found that a single administration of estradiol (E2) or progesterone increased MCF-7 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner and promoted cell cycle progression by increasing the percentage of cells in the G2/M phase. A combination of E2 and progesterone led to a stronger effect than single treatment. Moreover, cyclin G1 was up-regulated by E2 and/or progesterone in MCF-7 cells. After knockdown of cyclin G1 in MCF-7 cells using a specific shRNA, estradiol- and progesterone-mediated cell viability and clonogenic ability were significantly limited. Additionally, estradiol- and progesterone-promoted cell accumulation in the G2/M phase was reversed after knockdown of cyclin G1. These data indicated that estrogen and progesterone promoted breast cancer cell proliferation by inducing the expression of cyclin G1. Our data indicated that novel therapeutics against cyclin G1 are promising for the treatment of estrogen- and progesterone-mediated breast cancer progression.

Attenuation by all-trans-retinoic acid of sodium chloride-enhanced gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in Wistar rats.

PubMed

Tatsuta, M; Iishi, H; Baba, M; Hirasawa, R; Yano, H; Sakai, N; Nakaizumi, A

1999-02-01

The effect of prolonged administration of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) on sodium chloride-enhanced gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, and the labelling and apoptotic indices and immunoreactivity of transforming growth factor (TGF) alpha in the gastric cancers was investigated in Wistar rats. After 25 weeks of carcinogen treatment, the rats were given chow pellets containing 10% sodium chloride and subcutaneous injections of RA at doses of 0.75 or 1.5 mg kg(-1) body weight every other day. In week 52, oral supplementation with sodium chloride significantly increased the incidence of gastric cancers compared with the untreated controls. Long-term administration of RA at both doses significantly reduced the incidence of gastric cancers, which was enhanced by oral administration of sodium chloride. RA at both doses significantly decreased the labelling index and TGF-alpha immunoreactivity of gastric cancers, which were enhanced by administration of sodium chloride, and significantly increased the apoptotic index of cancers, which was lowered by administration of sodium chloride. These findings suggest that RA attenuates gastric carcinogenesis, enhanced by sodium chloride, by increasing apoptosis, decreasing DNA synthesis, and reducing TGF-alpha expression in gastric cancers.

The rice endosperm ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase large subunit is essential for optimal catalysis and allosteric regulation of the heterotetrameric enzyme.

PubMed

Tuncel, Aytug; Kawaguchi, Joe; Ihara, Yasuharu; Matsusaka, Hiroaki; Nishi, Aiko; Nakamura, Tetsuhiro; Kuhara, Satoru; Hirakawa, Hideki; Nakamura, Yasunori; Cakir, Bilal; Nagamine, Ai; Okita, Thomas W; Hwang, Seon-Kap; Satoh, Hikaru

2014-06-01

Although an alternative pathway has been suggested, the prevailing view is that starch synthesis in cereal endosperm is controlled by the activity of the cytosolic isoform of ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase). In rice, the cytosolic AGPase isoform is encoded by the OsAGPS2b and OsAGPL2 genes, which code for the small (S2b) and large (L2) subunits of the heterotetrameric enzyme, respectively. In this study, we isolated several allelic missense and nonsense OsAGPL2 mutants by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) treatment of fertilized egg cells and by TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes). Interestingly, seeds from three of the missense mutants (two containing T139I and A171V) were severely shriveled and had seed weight and starch content comparable with the shriveled seeds from OsAGPL2 null mutants. Results from kinetic analysis of the purified recombinant enzymes revealed that the catalytic and allosteric regulatory properties of these mutant enzymes were significantly impaired. The missense heterotetramer enzymes and the S2b homotetramer had lower specific (catalytic) activities and affinities for the activator 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA). The missense heterotetramer enzymes showed more sensitivity to inhibition by the inhibitor inorganic phosphate (Pi) than the wild-type AGPase, while the S2b homotetramer was profoundly tolerant to Pi inhibition. Thus, our results provide definitive evidence that starch biosynthesis during rice endosperm development is controlled predominantly by the catalytic activity of the cytoplasmic AGPase and its allosteric regulation by the effectors. Moreover, our results show that the L2 subunit is essential for both catalysis and allosteric regulatory properties of the heterotetramer enzyme. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

ABERRANT PROMOTER METHYLATION OF MULTIPLE GENES IN SPUTUM FROM INDIVIDUALS EXPOSED TO SMOKY COAL EMISSIONS

EPA Science Inventory

Aberrant methylation in the promoter region of cancer-related genes leads to gene transcriptional inactivation and plays an integral role in lung tumorigenesis. Recent studies demonstrated that promoter methylation was detected not only in lung tumors from patients with lung canc...

Urinary metabolomic profiling in mice with diet-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus after treatment with metformin, vildagliptin and their combination.

PubMed

Pelantová, Helena; Bugáňová, Martina; Holubová, Martina; Šedivá, Blanka; Zemenová, Jana; Sýkora, David; Kaválková, Petra; Haluzík, Martin; Železná, Blanka; Maletínská, Lenka; Kuneš, Jaroslav; Kuzma, Marek

2016-08-15

Metformin, vildagliptin and their combination are widely used for the treatment of diabetes, but little is known about the metabolic responses to these treatments. In the present study, NMR-based metabolomics was applied to detect changes in the urinary metabolomic profile of a mouse model of diet-induced obesity in response to these treatments. Additionally, standard biochemical parameters and the expression of enzymes involved in glucose and fat metabolism were monitored. Significant correlations were observed between several metabolites (e.g., N-carbamoyl-β-alanine, N1-methyl-4-pyridone-3-carboxamide, N1-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide, glucose, 3-indoxyl sulfate, dimethylglycine and several acylglycines) and the area under the curve of glucose concentrations during the oral glucose tolerance test. The present study is the first to present N-carbamoyl-β-alanine as a potential marker of type 2 diabetes mellitus and consequently to demonstrate the efficacies of the applied antidiabetic interventions. Moreover, the elevated acetate level observed after vildagliptin administration might reflect increased fatty acid oxidation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Acidosis promotes invasiveness of breast cancer cells through ROS-AKT-NF-κB pathway

PubMed Central

Gupta, Subash C.; Singh, Ramesh; Pochampally, Radhika; Watabe, Kounosuke; Mo, Yin-Yuan

2014-01-01

It is well known that acidic microenvironment promotes tumorigenesis, however, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. In the present study, we show that acidosis promotes invasiveness of breast cancer cells through a series of signaling events. First, our study indicates that NF-κB is a key factor for acidosis-induced cell invasion. Acidosis activates NF-κB without affecting STAT3 activity; knockdown of NF-κB p65 abrogates the acidosis-induced invasion activity. Next, we show that the activation of NF-κB is mediated through phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα; and phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65. Upstream to NF-κB signaling, AKT is activated under acidic conditions. Moreover, acidosis induces generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which can be suppressed by ROS scavengers, reversing the acidosis-induced activation of AKT and NF-κB, and invasiveness. As a negative regulator of AKT, PTEN is oxidized and inactivated by the acidosis-induced ROS. Finally, inhibition of NADPH oxidase (NOX) suppresses acidosis-induced ROS production, suggesting involvement of NOX in acidosis-induced signaling cascade. Of considerable interest, acidosis-induced ROS production and activation of AKT and NF-κB can be only detected in cancer cells, but not in non-malignant cells. Together, these results demonstrate a cancer specific acidosis-induced signaling cascade in breast cancer cells, leading to cell invasion. PMID:25504433

Long-term Diet and Biomarker Changes after a Short-term Intervention among Hispanic Breast Cancer Survivors: The ¡Cocinar Para Su Salud! Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Greenlee, Heather; Ogden Gaffney, Ann; Aycinena, A Corina; Koch, Pam; Contento, Isobel; Karmally, Wahida; Richardson, John M; Shi, Zaixing; Lim, Emerson; Tsai, Wei-Yann; Santella, Regina M; Blaner, William S; Clugston, Robin D; Cremers, Serge; Pollak, Susan; Sirosh, Iryna; Crew, Katherine D; Maurer, Matthew; Kalinsky, Kevin; Hershman, Dawn L

2016-11-01

Among Hispanic breast cancer survivors, we examined the long-term effects of a short-term culturally based dietary intervention on increasing fruits/vegetables (F/V), decreasing fat, and changing biomarkers associated with breast cancer recurrence risk. Spanish-speaking women (n = 70) with a history of stage 0-III breast cancer who completed treatment were randomized to ¡Cocinar Para Su Salud! (n = 34), a culturally based 9-session program (24 hours over 12 weeks, including nutrition education, cooking classes, and food-shopping field trips), or a control group (n = 36, written dietary recommendations for breast cancer survivors). Diet recalls, fasting blood, and anthropometric measures were collected at baseline, 6, and 12 months. We report changes between groups at 12 months in dietary intake and biomarkers using 2-sample Wilcoxon t tests and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models. At 12 months, the intervention group compared with the control group reported higher increases in mean daily F/V servings (total: +2.0 vs. -0.4; P < 0.01), and nonsignificant decreases in the percentage of calories from fat (-2.2% vs. -1.1%; P = 0.69) and weight (-2.6 kg vs. -1.5 kg; P = 0.56). Compared with controls, participants in the intervention group had higher increases in plasma lutein (+20.4% vs. -11.5%; P < 0.01), and borderline significant increases in global DNA methylation (+0.8% vs. -0.5%; P = 0.06). The short-term ¡Cocinar Para Su Salud! program was effective at increasing long-term F/V intake in Hispanic breast cancer survivors and changed biomarkers associated with breast cancer recurrence risk. It is possible for short-term behavioral interventions to have long-term effects on behaviors and biomarkers in minority cancer patient populations. Results can inform future study designs. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(11); 1491-502. ©2016 AACR. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

Analysis of the association between CIMP and BRAF in colorectal cancer by DNA methylation profiling.

PubMed

Hinoue, Toshinori; Weisenberger, Daniel J; Pan, Fei; Campan, Mihaela; Kim, Myungjin; Young, Joanne; Whitehall, Vicki L; Leggett, Barbara A; Laird, Peter W

2009-12-21

A CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) is displayed by a distinct subset of colorectal cancers with a high frequency of DNA hypermethylation in a specific group of CpG islands. Recent studies have shown that an activating mutation of BRAF (BRAF(V600E)) is tightly associated with CIMP, raising the question of whether BRAF(V600E) plays a causal role in the development of CIMP or whether CIMP provides a favorable environment for the acquisition of BRAF(V600E). We employed Illumina GoldenGate DNA methylation technology, which interrogates 1,505 CpG sites in 807 different genes, to further study this association. We first examined whether expression of BRAF(V600E) causes DNA hypermethylation by stably expressing BRAF(V600E) in the CIMP-negative, BRAF wild-type COLO 320DM colorectal cancer cell line. We determined 100 CIMP-associated CpG sites and examined changes in DNA methylation in eight stably transfected clones over multiple passages. We found that BRAF(V600E) is not sufficient to induce CIMP in our system. Secondly, considering the alternative possibility, we identified genes whose DNA hypermethylation was closely linked to BRAF(V600E) and CIMP in 235 primary colorectal tumors. Interestingly, genes that showed the most significant link include those that mediate various signaling pathways implicated in colorectal tumorigenesis, such as BMP3 and BMP6 (BMP signaling), EPHA3, KIT, and FLT1 (receptor tyrosine kinases) and SMO (Hedgehog signaling). Furthermore, we identified CIMP-dependent DNA hypermethylation of IGFBP7, which has been shown to mediate BRAF(V600E)-induced cellular senescence and apoptosis. Promoter DNA hypermethylation of IGFBP7 was associated with silencing of the gene. CIMP-specific inactivation of BRAF(V600E)-induced senescence and apoptosis pathways by IGFBP7 DNA hypermethylation might create a favorable context for the acquisition of BRAF(V600E) in CIMP+ colorectal cancer. Our data will be useful for future investigations toward understanding CIMP in colorectal cancer and gaining insights into the role of aberrant DNA hypermethylation in colorectal tumorigenesis.

N-Methyl, N-propynyl-2-phenylethylamine (MPPE), a Selegiline Analog, Attenuates MPTP-induced Dopaminergic Toxicity with Guaranteed Behavioral Safety: Involvement of Inhibitions of Mitochondrial Oxidative Burdens and p53 Gene-elicited Pro-apoptotic Change.

PubMed

Shin, Eun-Joo; Nam, Yunsung; Lee, Ji Won; Nguyen, Phuong-Khue Thi; Yoo, Ji Eun; Tran, The-Vinh; Jeong, Ji Hoon; Jang, Choon-Gon; Oh, Young J; Youdim, Moussa B H; Lee, Phil Ho; Nabeshima, Toshitaka; Kim, Hyoung-Chun

2016-11-01

Selegiline is a monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitor with anti-Parkinsonian effects, but it is metabolized to amphetamines. Since another MAO-B inhibitor N-Methyl, N-propynyl-2-phenylethylamine (MPPE) is not metabolized to amphetamines, we examined whether MPPE induces behavioral side effects and whether MPPE affects dopaminergic toxicity induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Multiple doses of MPPE (2.5 and 5 mg/kg/day) did not show any significant locomotor activity and conditioned place preference, whereas selegiline (2.5 and 5 mg/kg/day) significantly increased these behavioral side effects. Treatment with MPPE resulted in significant attenuations against decreases in mitochondrial complex I activity, mitochondrial Mn-SOD activity, and expression induced by MPTP in the striatum of mice. Consistently, MPPE significantly attenuated MPTP-induced oxidative stress and MPPE-mediated antioxidant activity appeared to be more pronounced in mitochondrial-fraction than in cytosolic-fraction. Because MPTP promoted mitochondrial p53 translocation and p53/Bcl-xL interaction, it was also examined whether mitochondrial p53 inhibitor pifithrin-μ attenuates MPTP neurotoxicity. MPPE, selegiline, or pifithrin-μ significantly attenuated mitochondrial p53/Bcl-xL interaction, impaired mitochondrial transmembrane potential, cytosolic cytochrome c release, and cleaved caspase-3 in wild-type mice. Subsequently, these compounds significantly ameliorated MPTP-induced motor impairments. Neuroprotective effects of MPPE appeared to be more prominent than those of selegiline. MPPE or selegiline did not show any additional protective effects against the attenuation by p53 gene knockout, suggesting that p53 gene is a critical target for these compounds. Our results suggest that MPPE possesses anti-Parkinsonian potentials with guaranteed behavioral safety and that the underlying mechanism of MPPE requires inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative stress, mitochondrial translocation of p53, and pro-apoptotic process.

In vitro antitumour activity of orsellinates.

PubMed

Bogo, Danielle; de Matos, Maria Fatima Cepa; Honda, Neli Kika; Pontes, Elenir Curi; Oguma, Patricia Midori; da Santos, Evelyn Cristina Silva; de Carvalho, João Ernesto; Nomizo, Auro

2010-01-01

Lichen phenolic compounds exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anticancer activity of lecanoric acid, a secondary metabolite of the lichen Parmotrema tinctorum, and its derivatives, orsellinates, obtained by structural modification. A cytotoxicity assay was carried out in vitro with sulforhodamine B (SRB) using HEp-2 larynx carcinoma, MCF7 breast carcinoma, 786-0 kidney carcinoma, and B16-F10 murine melanoma cell lines, in addition to a normal (Vero) cell line in order to calculate the selectivity index of the compounds. n-Butyl orsellinate was the most active compound, with IC50 values (the concentration that inhibits 50% of growth) ranging from 7.2 to 14.0 microg/mL, against all the cell lines tested. The compound was more active (IC50 = 11.4 microg/mL) against B16-F10 cells than was cisplatin (12.5 microg/mL). Conversely, lecanoric acid and methyl orsellinate were less active against all cell lines, having an IC50 value higher than 50 microg/mL. Ethyl orsellinate was more active against HEp-2 than against MCF7, 786-0, or B16-F10 cells. The same pattern was observed for n-propyl and n-butyl orsellinates. n-Pentyl orsellinate was less active than n-propyl or n-butyl orsellinates against HEp-2 cells. The orsellinate activity increased with chain elongation (from methyl to n-butyl), a likely consequence of an increase in lipophilicity. The results revealed that the structural modification of lecanoric acid increases the cytotoxic activity of the derivatives tested.

Neural cell adhesion molecule-deficient beta-cell tumorigenesis results in diminished extracellular matrix molecule expression and tumour cell-matrix adhesion.

PubMed

Håkansson, Joakim; Xian, Xiaojie; He, Liqun; Ståhlberg, Anders; Nelander, Sven; Samuelsson, Tore; Kubista, Mikael; Semb, Henrik

2005-01-01

To understand by which mechanism neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) limits beta tumour cell disaggregation and dissemination, we searched for potential downstream genes of N-CAM during beta tumour cell progression by gene expression profiling. Here, we show that N-CAM-deficient beta-cell tumorigenesis is associated with changes in the expression of genes involved in cell-matrix adhesion and cytoskeletal dynamics, biological processes known to affect the invasive and metastatic behaviour of tumour cells. The extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules emerged as the primary target, i.e. N-CAM deficiency resulted in down-regulated mRNA expression of a broad range of ECM molecules. Consistent with this result, deficient deposition of major ECM stromal components, such as fibronectin, laminin 1 and collagen IV, was observed. Moreover, N-CAM-deficient tumour cells displayed defective matrix adhesion. These results offer a potential mechanism for tumour cell disaggregation during N-CAM-deficient beta tumour cell progression. Prospective consequences of these findings for the role of N-CAM in beta tumour cell dissemination are discussed.

Estrogen regulates Hippo signaling via GPER in breast cancer

PubMed Central

Zhou, Xin; Wang, Shuyang; Wang, Zhen; Feng, Xu; Liu, Peng; Lv, Xian-Bo; Li, Fulong; Yu, Fa-Xing; Sun, Yiping; Yuan, Haixin; Zhu, Hongguang; Xiong, Yue; Lei, Qun-Ying; Guan, Kun-Liang

2015-01-01

The G protein–coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) mediates both the genomic and nongenomic effects of estrogen and has been implicated in breast cancer development. Here, we compared GPER expression in cancerous tissue and adjacent normal tissue in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast and determined that GPER is highly upregulated in cancerous cells. Additionally, our studies revealed that GPER stimulation activates yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with a PDZ-binding domain (TAZ), 2 homologous transcription coactivators and key effectors of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway, via the Gαq-11, PLCβ/PKC, and Rho/ROCK signaling pathways. TAZ was required for GPER-induced gene transcription, breast cancer cell proliferation and migration, and tumor growth. Moreover, TAZ expression positively correlated with GPER expression in human IDC specimens. Together, our results suggest that the Hippo/YAP/TAZ pathway is a key downstream signaling branch of GPER and plays a critical role in breast tumorigenesis. PMID:25893606

Preventive effect of rebamipide on N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced gastric carcinogenesis in rats.

PubMed

Tsukamoto, Hironobu; Mizoshita, Tsutomu; Katano, Takahito; Hayashi, Noriyuki; Ozeki, Keiji; Ebi, Masahide; Shimura, Takaya; Mori, Yoshinori; Tanida, Satoshi; Kataoka, Hiromi; Tsukamoto, Tetsuya; Tatematsu, Masae; Joh, Takashi

2015-03-01

Chemoprevention strategies against gastric cancer (GC) need to be explored in light of the fact that stomach cancer still occurs in the absence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and following HP eradication. We evaluated the effect of rebamipide on N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced carcinogenesis in SD rats. Thirty-nine male rats were divided into four groups based on whether or not they were treated with rebamipide and/or MNNG: Control, Rebamipide, Control-M, and Rebamipide-M groups. From 8 weeks of age, rats in the Control-M and Rebamipide-M groups received MNNG in drinking water for 30 weeks. The Rebamipide and Rebamipide-M groups were administered 5mg/kg/day of rebamipide. At 50 weeks, cancerous lesions were not observed in either the Control or Rebamipide groups. Nine rats in the Control-M group had developed GC, while four rats in the Rebamipide-M group had developed GC. The incidence of cancer in the Rebamipide-M group was significantly less than in the Control-M group (p<0.05), with a trend toward a lower incidence of invasive carcinoma in the Rebamipide-M group. Carcinomatous invasion into the muscularis propria was not observed in the Rebamipide-M group. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that rebamipide suppresses. MNNG-induced carcinogenesis and may also inhibit progression of cancer in rats. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Cancer morbidity among methyl isocyanate exposed long- term survivors and their offspring: a hospital-based five year descriptive study (2006 - 2011) and future directions to predict cancer risk in the affected population.

PubMed

Senthilkumar, Chinnu Sugavanam; Malla, Tahir Mohi-ud-Din; Sah, Nand Kishore; Ganesh, Narayanan

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to update both researchers and clinicians about the cancer incidence in methyl isocyanate (MIC) exposed long-term survivors and in their offspring, focusing on the etiological plausibility. In the time period 2006-2011, cancer morbidity was evaluated in the population surviving after exposure to (MIC) on December 3rd, 1984, in Bhopal. This descriptive study is based on hospital registration of 1261 cancer patients those are MIC gas victims and their subsequently born offspring. Morbidity status was studied on the basis of gender, age, organ and site with relative percentages. Cancers on specific sites, with special reference to breast (n=231) (18.31%), lung (n=103) (8.16%), tongue (n=103) (8.16%), buccal mucosa (n=94) (7.45%), cervix (n=72) (5.70%), and esophagus (n=68) (5.39%) were found in high proportions. Ovary (n=43) (3.40%), brain (n=42) (3.33%), larynx (n=40) (3.17%), non-Hodgkin's (n=31) (2.45%), gallbladder (n=29) (2.29%), stomach (n=28) (2.22%), head and neck (n=28) (2.22%), liver (n=27) (2.14%), acute lymphoid leukemia (n=24) (1.90%), rectum (n=20) (1.58%), colon (n=20) (1.58%), chronic myeloid leukemia (n=17) (1.34%), alveolus (n=17) (1.34%), Hodgkin's (n=14) (1.11%), uterus (n=14) (1.11%), multiple myeloma (n=14) (1.11%), and prostate (n=11) (0.87%) lesions were observed less frequently. Remarkably, gradual increase of cancers on different organs and sites were observed in the long- term survivors and their offspring. The present study observed some cancers which were not previously reported in this population. In addition, we also present the future research directions with systematic approaches to predict cancer risk in long-term survivors and their future generations. On the basis of this morbidity report, we suggest the need of biological surveillance through immune system biomonitoring and cytogenetic screening to predict the cancer risk in the MIC exposed population and their offspring.

Peripheral NMDA Receptor/NO System Blockage Inhibits Itch Responses Induced by Chloroquine in Mice

PubMed Central

Haddadi, Nazgol-Sadat; Foroutan, Arash; Ostadhadi, Sattar; Azimi, Ehsan; Rahimi, Nastaran; Nateghpour, Mehdi; Lerner, Ethan A.; Dehpour, Ahmad Reza

2017-01-01

Intradermal administration of chloroquine (CQ) provokes scratching behavior in mice. Chloroquine-induced itch is histamine-independent and we have reported that the nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway is involved in CQ-induced scratching behavior in mice. Previous studies have demonstrated that activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) induces NO production. Here we show that NMDAR antagonists significantly decrease CQ-induced scratching in mice while a non-effective dose of an NMDAR agonist potentiates the scratching behavior provoked by sub-effective doses of CQ. In contrast, combined pre-treatment with sub-effective doses of an NMDAR antagonist, MK-801, and the NO synthase inhibitor, L-N-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), decreases CQ-induced scratching behavior. While intradermal administration of CQ significantly increases the concentration of intradermal nitrite, the end product of NO metabolism, effective doses of intraperitoneal and intradermal MK-801 significantly decrease intradermal nitrite levels. Likewise, administration of an effective dose of L-NAME significantly decreases CQ-induced nitrite production. We conclude that the NMDA/NO pathway in the skin modulates CQ-induced scratching behavior. PMID:28119997

Targeting Breast Cancer Recurrence via Hedgehog-Mediated Sensitization of Breast Cancer Stem Cells

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-07-01

identification of Notch3 as a transcriptional target of ΔNp63α and a mediator of cellular quiescence in mammary stem cells. 2. Presentation of a poster...enhanced expression of Notch3 in HC11s and breast cancer cell lines, and ectopic expression of the Notch3 intracellular domain (N3ICD) was sufficient to...signaling or shRNA-mediated suppression of Notch3 were sufficient to bypass quiescence induced by ΔNp63α and other quiescence-inducing stimuli. these

DNA Methylation and Hydroxymethylation Levels in Relation to Two Weight Loss Strategies: Energy-Restricted Diet or Bariatric Surgery.

PubMed

Nicoletti, Carolina Ferreira; Nonino, Carla Barbosa; de Oliveira, Bruno Affonso Parenti; Pinhel, Marcela Augusta de Souza; Mansego, Maria Luisa; Milagro, Fermin Ignacio; Zulet, Maria Angeles; Martinez, José Alfredo

2016-03-01

Weight loss can be influenced by genetic factors and epigenetic mechanisms that participate in the regulation of body weight. This study aimed to investigate whether the weight loss induced by two different obesity treatments (energy restriction or bariatric surgery) may affect global DNA methylation (LINE-1) and hydroxymethylation profile, as well as the methylation patterns in inflammatory genes. This study encompassed women from three differents groups: 1. control group (n = 9), normal weight individuals; 2. energy restriction group (n = 22), obese patients following an energy-restricted Mediterranean-based dietary treatment (RESMENA); and 3. bariatric surgery group (n = 14), obese patients underwent a hypocaloric diet followed by bariatric surgery. Anthropometric measurements and 12-h fasting blood samples were collected before the interventions and after 6 months. Lipid and glucose biomarkers, global hydroxymethylation (by ELISA), LINE-1, SERPINE-1, and IL-6 (by MS-HRM) methylation levels were assessed in all participants. Baseline LINE-1 methylation was associated with serum glucose levels whereas baseline hydroxymethylation was associated with BMI, waist circumference, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. LINE-1 and SERPINE-1 methylation levels did not change after weight loss, whereas IL-6 methylation increased after energy restriction and decreased in the bariatric surgery group. An association between SERPINE-1 methylation and weight loss responses was found. Global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation might be biomarkers for obesity and associated comorbidities. Depending on the obesity treatment (diet or surgery), the DNA methylation patterns behave differently. Baseline SERPINE-1 methylation may be a predictor of weight loss values after bariatric surgery.

Multiscale alterations in bone matrix quality increased fragility in steroid induced osteoporosis

PubMed Central

Karunaratne, A.; Xi, L.; Bentley, L.; Sykes, D.; Boyde, A.; Esapa, C.T.; Terrill, N.J.; Brown, S.D.M.; Cox, R.D.; Thakker, R.V.; Gupta, H.S.

2016-01-01

A serious adverse clinical effect of glucocorticoid steroid treatment is secondary osteoporosis, enhancing fracture risk in bone. This rapid increase in bone fracture risk is largely independent of bone loss (quantity), and must therefore arise from degradation of the quality of the bone matrix at the micro- and nanoscale. However, we lack an understanding of both the specific alterations in bone quality n steroid-induced osteoporosis as well as the mechanistic effects of these changes. Here we demonstrate alterations in the nanostructural parameters of the mineralized fibrillar collagen matrix, which affect bone quality, and develop a model linking these to increased fracture risk in glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis. Using a mouse model with an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced corticotrophin releasing hormone promoter mutation (Crh− 120/+) that developed hypercorticosteronaemia and osteoporosis, we utilized in situ mechanical testing with small angle X-ray diffraction, synchrotron micro-computed tomography and quantitative backscattered electron imaging to link altered nano- and microscale deformation mechanisms in the bone matrix to abnormal macroscopic mechanics. We measure the deformation of the mineralized collagen fibrils, and the nano-mechanical parameters including effective fibril modulus and fibril to tissue strain ratio. A significant reduction (51%) of fibril modulus was found in Crh− 120/+ mice. We also find a much larger fibril strain/tissue strain ratio in Crh− 120/+ mice (~ 1.5) compared to the wild-type mice (~ 0.5), indicative of a lowered mechanical competence at the nanoscale. Synchrotron microCT show a disruption of intracortical architecture, possibly linked to osteocytic osteolysis. These findings provide a clear quantitative demonstration of how bone quality changes increase macroscopic fragility in secondary osteoporosis. PMID:26657825

A system for the detection of chromosomal rearrangements using Sordaria macrospora.

PubMed

Arnaise, S; Leblon, G; Lares, L

1984-01-01

A system is described for the detection and diagnosis of induced chromosomal rearrangement using Sordaria macrospora. The system uses the property of the rearrangement to produce defective white ascospores as meiotic progeny from heterozygous crosses. Two reconstruction experiments have shown that this system is able to give reliable quantitative measures of rearrangement frequencies. Evidence for a photoreactivation process was obtained, suggesting that pyrimidine dimers may well be an important lesion in UV-induced chromosomal rearrangement. No evidence of induction of chromosomal rearrangement was obtained in experiments with the powerful chemical mutagen N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.

Targeting Sirna Missiles to Her2+ Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-06-01

intact and appears to be protected from serum nucleases (Fig. 1) . T7 -transcribed siRNA induces higher breast cancer cell cytotoxicity than synthetic...cytotoxicity of T7 transcribed vs s y n t h e t i c anti-HER2 siRNA on HER2+ cells. We acquired a 21 nucleotide (nt) s y n t h e t i c anti-HER2...ErbB2) siRNA and also produced a T7 -transcribed molecule (Silencer Principal Investigator: Medina-Kauwe, Lali K. 2 siRNA construction kit; Ambion) using