Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.4.22.56 (caspase-3)
 35,750 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Prior DNA microarray studies suggested that IL-16 mRNA levels decrease following T cell activation, a property unique among cytokines. We examined pro-IL-16 mRNA and protein expression in resting and anti-CD3 mAb-activated primary murine CD4(+) T cells. Consistent with the microarray reports, pro-IL-16 mRNA levels fell within 4 h of activation, and this response is inhibited by cyclosporin A. Total cellular pro-IL-16 protein also fell, reaching a nadir at 48 h. Pro-IL-16 comprises a C-terminal cytokine domain and an N-terminal prodomain that are cleaved by caspase-3. Pro-IL-16 expressed in transfected tumor cells was previously shown to translocate to the nucleus and to promote G(0)/G(1) arrest by stabilizing the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1). In the present study, we observed increased S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 mRNA expression in IL-16 null mice, but basal expression and activation-dependent regulation of p27(Kip1) were no different from wild-type mice. Stimulation with anti-CD3 mAb induced transiently greater thymidine incorporation in IL-16-deficient CD4(+) T cells than wild-type controls, but there was no difference in cell survival or in the CFSE dilution profiles. Analysis of CD4(+) T cell proliferation in vivo using BrdU labeling similarly failed to identify a hyperproliferative phenotype in T cells lacking IL-16. These data demonstrate that pro-IL-16 mRNA and protein expression are dynamically regulated during CD4(+) T cell activation by a calcineurin-dependent mechanism, and that pro-IL-16 might influence T cell cycle regulation, although not in a dominant manner.
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PMID:Pro-IL-16 regulation in activated murine CD4+ lymphocytes. 1572 82

Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to play a key role in the regulation of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in response to myocardial ischemia in part by antagonizing the action of angiotensin II (Ang II). In this study, we investigated the potential protective role of human endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) by a somatic gene transfer approach. Male Wistar rats underwent coronary artery ligation to induce MI. One week after surgery, adenovirus encoding the human eNOS or luciferase gene under the control of the CMV promoter/enhancer was injected into rats via the tail vein, and animals were sacrificed at 1 and 5 weeks after gene transfer. Successful gene transfer was evaluated based on increased levels of NO and cGMP in the heart, measured at one week after eNOS gene delivery. Six weeks after MI, the LV end-diastolic pressure, heart weight, LV axis length and cardiomyocyte size were markedly increased compared to the Sham group, while eNOS gene delivery significantly reduced these parameters. Rats receiving control virus developed considerably more fibrotic lesions identified by Sirius Red staining and collagen I immunostaining compared to Sham rats, and eNOS gene delivery significantly reduced collagen accumulation. eNOS gene transfer also reduced TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells. The cardioprotective effect of NO was accompanied by reduced NADH and NADPH oxidase activities and superoxide formation, TGF-beta1 and p27 levels, JNK activation, NF-kappa B nuclear translocation, and caspase-3 activity. This study shows that NO may play an important role in attenuating cardiac remodeling and apoptosis after myocardial infarction via suppression of oxidative stress-mediated signaling pathways.
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PMID:Human endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene delivery protects against cardiac remodeling and reduces oxidative stress after myocardial infarction. 1576 77

Beta-elemene is a novel anticancer drug, which was extracted from the ginger plant. However, the mechanism of action of beta-elemene in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unknown. Here we show that beta-elemene had differential inhibitory effects on cell growth between NSCLC cell lines and lung fibroblast and bronchial epithelial cell lines. In addition, beta-elemene was found to arrest NSCLC cells at G2-M phase, the arrest being accompanied by decreases in the levels of cyclin B1 and phospho-Cdc2 (Thr-161) and increases in the levels of p27(kip1) and phospho-Cdc2 (Tyr-15). Moreover, beta-elemene reduced the expression of Cdc25C, which dephosphorylates/activates Cdc2, but enhanced the expression of the checkpoint kinase, Chk2, which phosphorylates/ inactivates Cdc25C. These findings suggest that the effect of beta-elemene on G2-M arrest in NSCLC cells is mediated partly by a Chk2-dependent mechanism. We also demonstrate that beta-elemene triggered apoptosis in NSCLC cells. Our results clearly show that beta-elemene induced caspase-3, -7 and -9 activities, decreased Bcl-2 expression, caused cytochrome c release and increased the levels of cleaved caspase-9 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in NSCLC cells. These data indicate that the effect of beta-elemene on lung cancer cell death may be through a mitochondrial release of the cytochrome c-mediated apoptotic pathway.
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PMID:Antitumor effect of beta-elemene in non-small-cell lung cancer cells is mediated via induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death. 1586 11

1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,5-dodecenedione (I6), a gingerdione derivative, was synthesized in our laboratory, has been demonstrated to be an effective anti-tumor agent in human leukemia cells. Gingerdione is one of the components from ginger. In the present study, we found that I6 could inhibit cell proliferation in the time- and dose-dependent manner in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. To investigate the anti-proliferation mechanism of I6, cell cycle analysis was performed. Results showed that I6 induced significant G1 arrest and apoptosis in HL-60 cells. It was proved by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of regulatory on G1 arrest that the levels of p15 and p27 increased after treatment and mRNA levels of cyclin D2, cyclin E, and cdc25A were decreased. The I6-induced apoptosis was further confirmed by DNA fragmentation assay. The DNA gel electrophoresis showed that I6 induced DNA fragmentation, a biochemical hallmark of apoptosis, in HL-60 cells. I6-induced apoptosis was accompanied by an apparent up-regulation of caspase-3, and down-regulation of Bcl-2. Taken together, these results suggest that markedly down-regulation of G1 associated cyclin D2, cyclin E and cdc25A and up-regulation of CDKI, p15 and p27, and may contribute to I6-mediated cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, the Bcl-2 expression decrease and caspase-3 activation may be the plausible mechanism by which I6 induced apoptosis. These results suggest that I6 is a potent anti-HL-60 drug and possess a significant action on cell cycle before commitment for apoptosis occurrence.
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PMID:1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,5-dodecenedione (I6) induces G1 arrest and apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. 1592 54

The present study examines the effects of ionizing radiation in combination with rituximab (RTX), a chimeric human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, on proliferation, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in B-lymphoma RL and Raji cells. Exposure to ionizing radiation (9 Gy) induced cell growth delay and apoptosis in RL cells, whereas Raji cells showed moderate radio-resistance. The simultaneous exposure of lymphoma cells to ionizing radiation and RTX (10 microg/mL) markedly enhanced apoptosis and cell growth delay in RL and Raji cells. Cooperative antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of RTX and radiation were achieved through the inhibition of c-myc and bcl-XL expression. Furthermore, RTX-modulated expression of cell cycle regulating proteins, such as p53, p21/WAF1, p27/KIP1, contributed to the development of radiation-induced cell killing and growth arrest. Each NHL cell line that underwent apoptosis induced by combination treatment revealed enhanced caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage as compared to only irradiated cells. These findings show that rituximab synergistically enhances radiation-induced apoptosis and cell growth delay through the expression of proteins involved in the programmed cell death and cell cycle regulation pathways.
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PMID:Pretreatment with rituximab enhances radiosensitivity of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cells. 1598 43

The EGF (epidermal growth factor) receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor ZD1839 (Gefitinib, 'Iressa') blocks the cell signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, survival, and angiogenesis in various cancer cells. TNF-related death apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) acts as an anticancer agent. We investigated the antitumor effects of ZD1839 alone or in combination with TRAIL against human esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) lines. Although all ESCC cells expressed EGF receptor at a protein level, the effect of ZD1839 on cell growth did not correlate with the level of EGFR expression and phosphorylation of EGF receptor protein in ESCC lines. ZD1839 caused a dose-dependent growth arrest at G0-G1 phase associated with increased p27 expression. As TE8 cells are resistant to TRAIL, we tested whether ZD1839 combined with TRAIL induced apoptosis of TE8 cells via the inhibition of EGF receptor signaling by ZD1839. ZD1839 inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, and enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis via activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and inactivation of Bcl-xL. Our results indicated that ZD1839 has anti-cancer properties against human esophageal cancer cells. ZD1839 also augmented the anti-cancer activity of TRAIL, even in TRAIL-resistant tumors. These results suggest that treatment with ZD1839 and TRAIL may have potential in the treatment of ESCC patients.
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PMID:ZD1839 (Gefitinib, 'Iressa'), an epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, enhances the anti-cancer effects of TRAIL in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. 1602 8

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is produced by members of the family Cruciferae, and particularly members of the genus Brassica (e.g., cabbage, radishes, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and daikon). Under acidic conditions, 13C is converted to a series of oligomeric products (among which 3,3'-diindolylmethane is a major component) thought to be responsible for its biological effects in vivo. In vitro, 13C has been shown to suppress the proliferation of various tumor cells including breast cancer, prostate cancer, endometrial cancer, colon cancer, and leukemic cells; induce G1/S arrest of the cell cycle, and induce apoptosis. The cell cycle arrest involves downregulation of cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin- dependent kinase (CDK)2, CDK4, and CDK6 and upregulation of p15, p21, and p27. Apoptosis by I3C involves downregulation antiapoptotic gene products, including Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, survivin, inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein (IAP), X chromosome-linked IAP (XIAP), and Fas-associated death domain protein-like interleukin-1-beta-converting enzyme inhibitory protein (FLIP); upregulation of proapoptotic protein Bax; release of micochondrial cytochrome C; and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. This agent inhibits the activation of various transcription factors including nuclear factor-kappaB, SP1, estrogen receptor, androgen receptor and nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). This indole potentiates the effects of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) through induction of death receptors and synergises with chemotherapeutic agents through downregulation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). In vivo, I3C was found to be a potent chemopreventive agent for hormonal-dependent cancers such as breast and cervical cancer. These effects are mediated through its ability to induce apoptosis, inhibit DNA-carcinogen adduct formation, and suppress free-radical production, stimulate 2-hydroxylation of estradiol, inhibit invasion and angiogenesis. Numerous studies have indicated that I3C also has a strong hepatoprotective activity against various carcinogens. Initial clinical trials in women have shown that I3C is a promising agent against breast and cervical cancers.
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PMID:Molecular targets and anticancer potential of indole-3-carbinol and its derivatives. 1608 11

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the protein expression involved in the progression from dysplasia to invasive esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and to analyze the prognostic value of markers. Immunohistochemistry was performed for cell cycle regulators [p53, p21, p27, p16, cyclin D1, Rb], apoptosis-related proteins [Fas, Fas-L, FADD, TRAIL, DR4, DR5, caspase-8, caspase-3, bcl-2, Bax], tumor suppressor proteins [beta-catenin, E-cadherin, FHIT, Smad 4, VHL, PTEN, KAI-1], and oncoproteins [c-myc, COX-2, EGFR]. Caspase-3, TRAIL, Fas-L, Fas, Smad 4, VHL, E-cadherin, and EGFR revealed significant differences between dysplasia and their corresponding invasive cancer portion in 25 cases. In a total of 118 cases of invasive cancer, proteins with frequent (> or = 60% of the cases) alterations were p53 (overexpression in 64% of SCCs), p27 (loss in 91%), p16 (loss in 81%), and FHIT (loss in 75%). Early clinical stage and bcl-2 immunopositivity were related to the survival rate of patients. In conclusion, caspase-3, TRAIL, Fas-L, Fas, Smad 4, VHL, E-cadherin, and EGFR may be involved in the progression from dysplasia to invasive esophageal SCCs. Clinical stage and bcl-2 are independent prognostic factors throughout the multivariate analysis.
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PMID:Differential protein expression between esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and dysplasia, and prognostic significance of protein markers. 1613 47

This study investigated the anticancer activity and related mechanisms of neolignans, especially threo, erythro-manassantin A (compound 2), which are isolated from Saururus chinensis, in PC-3 cells. Compound 2 strongly inhibited the proliferation of PC-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Different cell morphologies were observed depending on the concentration of compound 2, which suggested different growth inhibitory mechanisms. DNA flow cytometry indicated that both low and high concentrations of compound 2 induced the arrest of PC-3 cells in G1 phase. Western blot analyses showed that hyperphosphorylated Rb and E2F-1 were decreased, whereas hypophosphorylated Rb was increased. The cells treated with compound 2 at 200 ng/ml showed shrinkage morphologically, and the staining of annexin V-FITC revealed apoptotic cell death of these cells. The induction of apoptosis was accompanied by the cleavage of caspase-3, -8, and -9, as well as the downregulation of the Bcl-2 and the upregulation of Bax. By contrast, at low compound 2 concentration (1 ng/ml), the cells arrested in G1 showed characteristic changes in morphology, such as an enlarged, flattened cell shape; the majority strongly expressed SA-beta-galactosidase activity. The number of cells undergoing apoptosis was negligible, and no poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage was observed. The increase of p21 was noticed. However, it appeared to be transient rather than sustained. The protein p27 may be important for maintaining the senescence machinery induced by compound 2 because p27 expression was increased at low concentration compared with that at high concentration. In conclusion, compound 2 showed a significant growth inhibitory effect in PC-3 cells via two different mechanisms, i.e., apoptosis at high concentration and senescence at low concentration.
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PMID:Neolignans from Saururus chinensis inhibit PC-3 prostate cancer cell growth via apoptosis and senescence-like mechanisms. 1614 81

During the early development of the cerebellum, a burst of granule cell progenitor (GCP) proliferation occurs in the outer external granule layer (EGL), which is sustained mainly by Purkinje cell-derived Sonic Hedgehog (Shh). Shh response is interrupted once GCPs move into the inner EGL, where granule progenitors withdraw proliferation and start differentiating and migrating toward the internal granule layer (IGL). Failure to interrupt Shh signals results in uncoordinated proliferation and differentiation of GCPs and eventually leads to malignancy (i.e., medulloblastoma). The Shh inhibitory mechanisms that are responsible for GCP growth arrest and differentiation remain unclear. Here we report that REN, a putative tumor suppressor frequently deleted in human medulloblastoma, is expressed to a higher extent in nonproliferating inner EGL and IGL granule cells than in highly proliferating outer EGL cells. Accordingly, upregulated REN expression occurs along GCP differentiation in vitro, and, in turn, REN overexpression promotes growth arrest and increases the proportion of p27/Kip1+ GCPs. REN also impairs both Gli2-dependent gene transcription and Shh-enhanced expression of the target Gli1 mRNA, thus antagonizing the Shh-induced effects on the proliferation and differentiation of cultured GCPs. Conversely, REN functional knock-down impairs Hedgehog antagonism and differentiation and sustains the proliferation of GCPs. Finally, REN enhances caspase-3 activation and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated UTP nick end labeling apoptotic GCP numbers; therefore, the pattern of REN expression, its activity, and its antagonism on the Hedgehog pathway suggest that this gene may represent a restraint of Shh signaling at the outer to inner EGL GCP transitions. Medulloblastoma-associated REN loss of function might withdraw such a limiting signal for immature cell expansion, thus favoring tumorigenesis.
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PMID:Hedgehog antagonist REN(KCTD11) regulates proliferation and apoptosis of developing granule cell progenitors. 1614 42


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