Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound   Target Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound

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Query: EC:3.4.22.36 (caspase-1)
6,285 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Protein tyrosine kinases activate the STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) signaling pathway, which can play essential roles in cell differentiation, cell cycle control, and development. However, the potential role of the STAT signaling pathway in the induction of apoptosis remains unexplored. Here we show that gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) activated STAT1 and induced apoptosis in both A431 and HeLa cells, whereas epidermal growth factor (EGF) activated STAT proteins and induced apoptosis in A431 but not in HeLa cells. EGF receptor autophosphorylation and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in response to EGF were similar in both cell lines. The breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468 exhibited a similar response to A431 cells, i.e., STAT activation and apoptosis correlatively resulted from EGF or IFN-gamma treatment. In addition, in a mutant A431 cell line in which STAT activation was abolished, no apoptosis was induced by either EGF or IFN-gamma. We further demonstrated that both EGF and IFN-gamma induced caspase 1 (interleukin-1beta converting enzyme [ICE]) gene expression in a STAT-dependent manner. IFN-gamma was unable to induce ICE gene expression and apoptosis in either JAK1-deficient HeLa cells (E2A4) or STAT1-deficient cells (U3A). However, ICE gene expression and apoptosis were induced by IFN-gamma in U3A cells into which STAT1 had been reintroduced. Moreover, both EGF-induced apoptosis and IFN-gamma-induced apoptosis were effectively blocked by Z-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (ZVAD) in all the cells tested, and studies from ICE-deficient cells indicated that ICE gene expression was necessary for IFN-gamma-induced apoptosis. We conclude that activation of the STAT signaling pathway can induce apoptosis through the induction of ICE gene expression.
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PMID:Activation of the STAT signaling pathway can cause expression of caspase 1 and apoptosis. 927 10

Anticancer agents have been shown to trigger apoptosis in chemosensitive tumors such as neuroblastomas. We previously identified activation of the CD95 system as one of the key mechanisms for doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in leukemic T cells. Here, we report that therapeutic concentrations of doxorubicin, cisplatinum, and VP-16 led to induction of CD95 receptor and CD95 ligand (CD95-L) that mediated cell death in chemosensitive neuroblastoma cells. Using F(ab')2 anti-CD95 antibody fragments to interfere with CD95-L-receptor interaction markedly reduced apoptosis induced by those drugs in vitro. Cyclosporin A inhibited induction of CD95 mRNA and CD95-L mRNA and blocked drug-mediated apoptosis. Drug-induced apoptosis involved activation of caspases (interleukin 1beta-converting enzyme/Ced-3-like proteases) and processing of the prototype caspase substrate PARP and was completely blocked by benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone, a peptide inhibitor of caspases. In addition, neuroblastoma cells that were resistant to CD95-triggered apoptosis also displayed cross-resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. These data provide new clues for understanding the molecular requirements for drug-induced apoptosis in chemosensitive neuroblastoma cells by demonstrating that cell death was mediated via the CD95-L-receptor system and may open new avenues for targeting drug resistance of neuroblastoma.
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PMID:The CD95 (APO-1/Fas) system mediates drug-induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells. 928 94

Apoptotic signaling cascades converge in the activation of caspases (interleukin-1beta converting enzyme like proteases). Treatment of the human promyelocytic leukaemia cell line U937 with actinomycin D resulted in the activation of caspase-3 also known as CPP32. Protease activity was measured in cytosolic extracts by fluorometric analysis of the time-dependent cleavage of acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-aminomethylcoumarin (DEVD-AMC), a caspase-3 substrate. Caspase activity was inhibited by thiol modifying agents such as N-ethylmaleimide or iodoacetamide and NO donors such as S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), BF4NO, and spermine-NO. NO-mediated enzyme inhibition was fully reversible upon the addition of DTT (dithiothreitol). NO. itself was not primarily responsible for downregulation of caspase-3, as we found no correlation between rates of NO* release and the magnitude of enzyme inhibition. It is likely that S-nitrosation accounts for enzyme inhibition by various NO donors. SIN-1 and peroxynitrite were inhibitory as well. In this case, however, enzyme activity was not restored upon DTT addition, suggesting oxidation as an additional thiol modification mechanism. Our studies provide evidence that caspases are targeted by NO via S-nitrosation and oxidation of critical thiol groups.
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PMID:Inhibition of caspase-3 by S-nitrosation and oxidation caused by nitric oxide. 929 18

The caspase (ICE/CED-3) family of proteases has been implicated to play a crucial role in apoptosis. However, the mechanisms by which caspase activity mediates apoptosis are not fully understood. Progress in this area has been limited due to the lack of a convenient and reliable system to quantify these protease activities. In this report, we describe a quantitative assay for the activity of caspase-3, a member of the caspase family thought to mediate apoptosis in most mammalian cell types. This assay utilizes a synthetic tetrapeptide, Asp-Glu-Val-Asp (DEVD), labeled with either a fluorescent molecule, 7-amino-4-trifluoromethyl coumarin (AFC), or a colorimetric molecule, p-nitroanilide (pNA) as substrates. DEVD-dependent protease activity is assessed by detection of the free AFC or pNA cleaved from the substrates. We demonstrate the utility of the assay for rapid quantification of caspase-3 activity in the onset of apoptosis. Using the assay, we show that apoptosis induced in 32D cells under various conditions is associated with an increase in the DEVD-dependent protease activity. These studies suggest that induction of the DEVD-dependent protease activity is an indicator of apoptosis and demonstrate the utility of the assays for assessment of the role of caspase-family proteases in apoptotic cell progression.
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PMID:Fluorometric and colorimetric detection of caspase activity associated with apoptosis. 930 88

Six hours after ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation (11.6 mJ/cm2), the viability of A431 cells decreased, and, at the same time, fragmentation of genomic DNA into nucleosomal units was observed. Z-Asp-CH2-DCB (100 microM), an inhibitor of interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme (caspase-1) and caspase-1-like proteases, markedly inhibited UVB-induced cell death and DNA fragmentation. Both YVAD-CMK, an inhibitor of caspase-1, and DEVD-CHO, an inhibitor of caspase-3, moderately inhibited the UVB-induced cell death. A combination of YVAD-CMK and DEVD-CHO acted additionally in inhibiting cell death. These observations suggest strongly the cooperative involvement of caspases in the apoptosis induced in A431 cells by UVB.
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PMID:Involvement of caspases in apoptosis induced by ultraviolet B irradiation in A431 human epithelioid tumor cells. 930 45

Apoptosis is a major form of cell death, characterized initially by a series of stereotypic morphological changes. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the gene ced-3 encodes a protein required for developmental cell death. Since the recognition that CED-3 has sequence identity with the mammalian cysteine protease interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE), a family of at least 10 related cysteine proteases has been identified. These proteins are characterized by almost absolute specificity for aspartic acid in the P1 position. All the caspases (ICE-like proteases) contain a conserved QACXG (where X is R, Q or G) pentapeptide active-site motif. Capases are synthesized as inactive proenzymes comprising an N-terminal peptide (prodomain) together with one large and one small subunit. The crystal structures of both caspase-1 and caspase-3 show that the active enzyme is a heterotetramer, containing two small and two large subunits. Activation of caspases during apoptosis results in the cleavage of critical cellular substrates, including poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and lamins, so precipitating the dramatic morphological changes of apoptosis. Apoptosis induced by CD95 (Fas/APO-1) and tumour necrosis factor activates caspase-8 (MACH/FLICE/Mch5), which contains an N-terminus with FADD (Fas-associating protein with death domain)-like death effector domains, so providing a direct link between cell death receptors and the caspases. The importance of caspase prodomains in the regulation of apoptosis is further highlighted by the recognition of adapter molecules, such as RAIDD [receptor-interacting protein (RIP)-associated ICH-1/CED-3-homologous protein with a death domain]/CRADD (caspase and RIP adapter with death domain), which binds to the prodomain of caspase-2 and recruits it to the signalling complex. Cells undergoing apoptosis following triggering of death receptors execute the death programme by activating a hierarchy of caspases, with caspase-8 and possibly caspase-10 being at or near the apex of this apoptotic cascade.
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PMID:Caspases: the executioners of apoptosis. 933 44

Neuronally differentiated PC12 cells undergo synchronous apoptosis when deprived of nerve growth factor (NGF). Here we show that NGF withdrawal induces actinomycin D- and cycloheximide-sensitive caspase (ICE-like) activity. The peptide inhibitor of caspase activity, N-acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-aldehyde, was more potent than acetyl-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-chloromethyl ketone in preventing NGF withdrawal-induced apoptosis, suggesting an important role for caspase-3 (CPP32)-like proteases. We observed a peak of reactive oxygen species (ROS) 6 h after NGF withdrawal. ROS appear to be required for apoptosis, because cell death is prevented by the free radical spin trap, N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone, and the antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine. ROS production was blocked by actinomycin D, cycloheximide, and caspase protease inhibitors, suggesting that ROS generation is downstream of new mRNA and protein synthesis and activation of caspases. Forced expression of either BCL-2 or the BCL-2-binding protein BAG-1 blocked NGF withdrawal-induced apoptosis, activation of caspases, and ROS generation, showing that they function upstream of caspases. Coexpression of BCL-2 and BAG-1 was more protective than expression of either protein alone.
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PMID:Cooperative interception of neuronal apoptosis by BCL-2 and BAG-1 expression: prevention of caspase activation and reduced production of reactive oxygen species. 934 53

Betulinic acid (BA), a melanoma-specific cytotoxic agent, induced apoptosis in neuroectodermal tumors, such as neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, and Ewing's sarcoma, representing the most common solid tumors of childhood. BA triggered an apoptosis pathway different from the one previously identified for standard chemotherapeutic drugs. BA-induced apoptosis was independent of CD95-ligand/receptor interaction and accumulation of wild-type p53 protein, but it critically depended on activation of caspases (interleukin 1beta-converting enzyme/Ced-3-like proteases). FLICE/MACH (caspase-8), considered to be an upstream protease in the caspase cascade, and the downstream caspase CPP32/YAMA/Apopain (caspase-3) were activated, resulting in cleavage of the prototype substrate of caspases PARP. The broad-spectrum peptide inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone, which blocked cleavage of FLICE and PARP, also completely abrogated BA-triggered apoptosis. Cleavage of caspases was preceded by disturbance of mitochondrial membrane potential and by generation of reactive oxygen species. Overexpression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL conferred resistance to BA at the level of mitochondrial dysfunction, protease activation, and nuclear fragmentation. This suggested that mitochondrial alterations were involved in BA-induced activation of caspases. Furthermore, Bax and Bcl-xs, two death-promoting proteins of the Bcl-2 family, were up-regulated following BA treatment. Most importantly, neuroblastoma cells resistant to CD95- and doxorubicin-mediated apoptosis were sensitive to treatment with BA, suggesting that BA may bypass some forms of drug resistance. Because BA exhibited significant antitumor activity on patients' derived neuroblastoma cells ex vivo, BA may be a promising new agent for the treatment of neuroectodermal tumors in vivo.
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PMID:Betulinic acid triggers CD95 (APO-1/Fas)- and p53-independent apoptosis via activation of caspases in neuroectodermal tumors. 986 49

Bcl-2 family proteins and ICE/CED-3 family proteases (caspases) are regarded as the basic regulators of apoptotic cell death. They are evolutionarily conserved and implicated in a variety of apoptosis. However, the precise mechanism by which these two families interact to regulate cell death is not yet known. In this study, we found that the overexpression of the Bcl-2 family member Bax induced apoptotic cell death in COS-7 cells through the activation of CPP32 (caspase-3)-like proteases that cleaved the DEVD tetrapeptide. This apoptotic cell death was suppressed by the viral proteins CrmA and p35, as well as by the chemically synthesized caspase inhibitors Z-Asp-CH2-DCB and zVAD-fmk. We also found that the Bax-induced apoptosis of COS-7 cells was suppressed by Bcl-xL and Bcl-2, though both Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 similarly prevented etoposide-induced apoptosis in COS-7 cells. In addition, Bcl-xL inhibited the activation of caspase-3-like proteases accompanying Bax-induced COS-7 cell death but Bcl-2 did not. These results indicate that the caspase activation is essential for Bax-induced apoptosis, and that the ability of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL to prevent the Bax-induced caspase activation and apoptosis in COS-7 cells could be differentially regulated. Our results also suggest that Bcl-2 family proteins function upstream of caspase activation and control apoptosis through the regulation of caspase activity.
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PMID:Caspase-dependent apoptosis of COS-7 cells induced by Bax overexpression: differential effects of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL on Bax-induced caspase activation and apoptosis. 936 42

PC12 cells are a useful model system for studying neuronal apoptosis. Like neurons, they undergo apoptosis when deprived of trophic support. Involvement of caspases [interleukin 1beta-converting enzyme (ICE)-related proteases] has been implicated in apoptosis induced by various stimuli in many cell types, including neurons. In the present study we investigated the need for caspases participation in apoptosis induced by growth factor deprivation in naive and neuronal PC12 cells. For this purpose we generated PC12 cell lines that consistently express the viral caspases inhibitor genes p35 or crmA, and analyzed their susceptibility to trophic factor deprivation. We also examined the effects of cell-permeable peptide inhibitors of caspases. Our results showed that broad-spectrum inhibitors of the caspases, namely the baculovirus p35 gene and the peptide benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone, effectively inhibit the death of both naive and neuronal PC12 cells. However, caspase-1 (ICE)-specific inhibitors, namely the peptides Ac-Try-Val-Ala-Asp-chloromethylketone and Ac-Try-Val-Ala-Asp-aldehyde, as well as crmA, were much less effective. These findings demonstrate that caspases, but not caspase-1, are needed for apoptosis induced by trophic factor deprivation in both naive and neuronal PC12 cells. Northern and Western blot analyses showed that PC12 cells express caspase-3. We therefore examined the involvement of caspase-3 in the death process of trophic factor-deprived PC12 cells. Our results showed that the pro-caspase-3 and its substrate poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase are cleaved at similar rates in serum-deprived PC12 cells. Moreover, cell lysates prepared from these cells possess caspase-3-like activity, as determined by their ability to cleave the fluorogenic peptide substrate Ac-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-7-amino-4-methylcoumarin. These findings strongly suggest that caspase-3 or caspase-3-like proteases are activated in trophic factor-deprived PC12 cells.
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PMID:Need for caspases in apoptosis of trophic factor-deprived PC12 cells. 937 95


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