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:3.4.22.56 (caspase-3)
35,750 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We have previously demonstrated that all-trans retinoic (atRA) induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in mouse embryonic palate mesenchymal cells (MEPM). In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of atRA-induced apoptosis and its putative action pathway. atRA-induced apoptosis is associated with activation of the initiator caspase-9 and the effector caspase-3, but not of the effector caspase-8. A broad caspase inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk), caspase-9 inhibitor z-LEHD-fmk and caspase-3 inhibitor (z-DEVD-fmk) blocked atRA-induced DNA fragmentation and sub-G1 fraction, but not caspase-8 inhibitor z-IETD-fmk. We further showed that atRA dose-dependently promoted mRNA expression of retinoic acid receptor beta (RAR-beta) and gamma. A weaker increase in RAR-alpha mRNA was seen only at the highest concentration of atRA (5 muM). The pan RAR antagonist, BMS493, completely abrogated atRA-induced DNA fragmentation, Sub-G1 fraction, and caspase-3 activation. Taken together, these findings show that caspase-mediated induction of apoptosis by atRA is an RAR-dependent signaling pathway.
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PMID:Apoptosis induced by atRA in MEPM cells is mediated through activation of caspase and RAR. 1629 26

Retinoic acid (RA) has been shown to induce neuronal differentiation and/or apoptosis, and is widely used as a chemotherapeutic agent for treating the patients with neuroblastoma. However, the therapeutic effect of RA is still limited. To unveil the molecular mechanism(s) inducing differentiation and apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells, we compared CHP134 and NB-39-nu cell lines, in which all-trans-RA (ATRA) induces apoptosis, with LA-N-5 and RTBM1 cell lines, in which it induces neuronal differentiation. Here, we found that Bcl-2 was strongly downregulated in CHP134 and NB-39-nu cells, whereas it was abundantly expressed in LA-N-5 and RTBM1 cells. ATRA-mediated apoptosis in CHP134 and NB-39-nu cells was associated with a significant activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 as well as cytoplasmic release of cytochrome c from mitochondria in a p53-independent manner. Enforced expression of Bcl-2 significantly inhibited ATRA-mediated apoptosis in CHP134 cells. In addition, treatment of RTBM1 cells with a Bcl-2 inhibitor, HA14-1, enhanced apoptotic response induced by ATRA. Of note, two out of 10 sporadic neuroblastomas expressed bcl-2 at undetectable levels and underwent cell death in response to ATRA in primary cultures. Thus, our present results suggest that overexpression of Bcl-2 is one of the key mechanisms to give neuroblastoma cells the resistance against ATRA-mediated apoptosis. This may provide a new therapeutic strategy against the ATRA-resistant and aggressive neuroblastomas by combining treatment with ATRA and a Bcl-2 inhibitor.
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PMID:Bcl-2 is a key regulator for the retinoic acid-induced apoptotic cell death in neuroblastoma. 1656 81

N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4-HPR), a synthetic retinoid is under clinical evaluation as a therapeutic agent in a variety of cancers. Its mechanism(s) of action involves multiple overlapping pathways that still remain unclear. In glioma cells its mechanism of action is not well elucidated. Here, we show that 4-HPR and not all-trans retinoic acid and 9-cis retinoic acid effectively induce apoptosis in glioma cells. 4-HPR-induced apoptosis is associated with hydroperoxide production and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi(m)). Ultrastructural changes further indicate 4-HPR-induced mitochondrial swelling, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dilation as well as close proximity of mitochondria and ER. As suggested by dilated ER, 4-HPR treatment increased the free cytosolic Ca(2+) as well as mitochondrial Ca(2+). Chelation of extracellular Ca(2+) by EGTA did not prevent Ca(2+) elevation, thus suggesting involvement of intracellular calcium stores in the release. Buffering of intracellular calcium by BAPTA-AM did not prevent 4-HPR-induced apoptosis; however, blocking the release of Ca(2+) from ER by heparin inhibited apoptosis, indicating the role of depletion of Ca(2+) from ER stores in apoptosis. 4-HPR treatment also resulted in an increase in Bax levels along with its translocation to mitochondria that promote mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. 4-HPR-induced apoptosis was further associated with the release of cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria to cytosol and nucleus, respectively, along with caspase-3 and caspase-7 activation. However, AIF nuclear translocation, peripheral chromatin condensation and apoptosis were not completely prevented by general caspase inhibitors, thus suggesting involvement of a caspase-dependent and caspase-independent pathway in 4-HPR-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these results suggest the role of mitochondrial-mediated pathway and ER stress as a key event in 4-HPR-induced apoptosis in glioma cells.
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PMID:Mechanism of 4-HPR-induced apoptosis in glioma cells: evidences suggesting role of mitochondrial-mediated pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress. 1667 69

It has been postulated that the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Rotenone, an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I, provides models of PD both in vivo and in vitro. We investigated the neuroprotective effect of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate (bHB), a ketone body, against rotenone toxicity by using SH-SY5Y dopaminergic neuroblastoma cells. SH-SY5Y cells, differentiated by all-trans-retinoic acid, were exposed to rotenone at concentrations ranging from 0 to 1,000 nM. We evaluated cellular oxidation reduction by the alamarBlue assay, viability by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, and survival/death ratio by live/dead assays. Exposure to rotenone for 48 hr oxidized cells and decreased their viability and survival rate in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment of cells with 8 mM bHB provided significant protection to SH-SY5Y cells. Whereas rotenone caused the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, released cytochrome c into the cytosol, and reduced cytochrome c content in mitochondria, addition of bHB blocked this toxic effect. bHB also attenuated the rotenone-induced activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Administration of 0-10 mM 3-nitropropionic acid, a complex II inhibitor, also decreased the reducing power of SH-SY5Y cells measured by alamarBlue assay. Pretreatment with 8 mM bHB attenuated the decrease of alamarBlue fluorescence. These data demonstrated that bHB had a neuroprotective effect that supported the mitochondrial respiration system by reversing the inhibition of complex I or II. Ketone bodies, the alternative energy source in the mammalian brain, appear to have therapeutic potential in PD.
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PMID:D-beta-hydroxybutyrate protects dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells in a rotenone model of Parkinson's disease. 1691 40

Glioblastoma is the most common and highly malignant brain tumor. It is also one among the most therapy-resistant human neoplasias. Patients die within a year of diagnosis despite the use of available treatment strategies such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Thus, there is a critical need to find a novel therapeutic strategy for treating this disease. Here, we have investigated the molecular mechanisms for induction of apoptosis as well as for activation of immune components in human malignant glioblastoma T98G and U87MG cells following treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) plus interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Treatment of glioblastoma cells with ATRA alone prevented cell proliferation and induced astrocytic differentiation, while IFN-gamma alone induced apoptosis and modulated expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules such as HLA-DRalpha, HLA-DR complex, invariant chain (Ii), HLA-DM (an important catalyst of the class II-peptide loading), and gamma interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol-reductase (GILT). Interestingly, both T98G and U87MG cells showed more increase in apoptosis with expression of the HLA class II components for an effective immune response following treatment with ATRA plus IFN-gamma than with IFN-gamma alone. Apoptotic mode of cell death was confirmed morphologically by Wright staining and biochemically by measuring an increase in caspase-3 activity. While conversion of tumor cells into HLA class II+/Ii- cells by stimulation with the helper CD4+ T cells is thought to be challenging, this study reports for the first time that treatment of glioblastoma cells with ATRA plus IFN-gamma can simultaneously enhance apoptosis and expression of the HLA class II immune components with a marked suppression of Ii expression. Taken together, this study suggests that induction of apoptosis and immune components of the HLA class II pathway by ATRA plus IFN-gamma may be a promising chemoimmunotherapeutic strategy for treatment of human malignant glioblastoma.
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PMID:Induction of apoptosis and immune response by all-trans retinoic acid plus interferon-gamma in human malignant glioblastoma T98G and U87MG cells. 1694 22

Embryonic stem (ES) cells represent an ideal source for cell engraftment in the damaged central nervous system (CNS). Understanding key signals that control ES cell differentiation may improve cell type-specific differentiation that is suitable for transplantation therapy. We tested the hypothesis that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation is an early signaling event required for the neuronal differentiation of ES cells. Cultured mouse ES cells were treated with an all-trans-retinoic-acid (RA) protocol to generate neurally induced progenitor cells. Western blot analysis showed a dramatic increase in ERK 1/2 phosphorylation (p-ERK 1/2) 1-5 days after RA induction, which was attenuated in the presence of the p-ERK 1/2-specific inhibitor UO126. Phospho-ERK 1/2 inhibition significantly reduced the number of NeuN-positive cells and the expression of associated cytoskeletal proteins. In differentiating ES cells, there was increased nuclear translocation of STAT3 and decreased protein expression levels of GDNF, BDNF and NGF. STAT3 translocation was attenuated by UO126. Finally, caspase-3 activation was observed in the presence of UO126, suggesting that the ERK pathway also contributes to the survival of differentiating ES cells. These data indicate that ERK 1/2 phosphorylation is a key event required for early neuronal differentiation and survival of ES cells.
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PMID:Role of ERK 1/2 signaling in neuronal differentiation of cultured embryonic stem cells. 1702 15

The role of alpha1,3fucosyltransferase-VII (alpha1,3 FucT-VII) in cell apoptosis was studied in human hepatocellular carcinoma H7,721 cells. After the cells were transfected with alpha1,3 FucT-VII cDNA, the expression of apoptotic protease, procaspase-3, was decreased, while the anti-apoptotic proteins, phospho-PKB and phospho-Bad were increased as compared with mock (vector) transfected cells, indicating that alpha1,3FucT-VII is a potential anti-apoptotic factor in H7,721 cells. After "alpha1,3FucT-VII" cells were irradiated by UV to induce apoptosis, the anti-apoptotic potential of alpha1,3FucT-VII became more apparent, as evidenced by the less apoptotic cell % and active cleaved caspase-3, more phospho-p38 MAPK and JNK (two anti-apoptotic signaling molecules in H7,721 cells responsible to UV stress) when compared with the "Mock" cells. In contrast, "alpha1,3FucT-VII" cells facilitated the apoptosis induced by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), which was verified by the greater sub-G1 (apoptotic cells) peak in flow cytometry analysis, more expressions of active caspase-3 and pro-apoptotic protein Bax, as well as less expressions of anti-apoptotic proteins, Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L). The up regulation of alpha1,3FucT-VII mRNA and cell surface SLe(x) (alpha1,3FucT-VII product) by UV and down regulation of them by ATRA was speculated to be one of the mechanisms that alpha1,3FucT-VII decreased and increased the susceptibility of apoptosis induced by UV and ATRA respectively.
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PMID:Alpha1,3 Fucosyltransferase-VII modifies the susceptibility of apoptosis induced by ultraviolet and retinoic acid in human hepatocarcinoma cells. 1743 81

Apoptosis is an essential physiological process in embryonic development. In the developing eye of vertebrates, three periods of developmental apoptosis can be distinguished: early, intermediate and later. Within the apoptosis pathway, caspases play a crucial role. It has also been shown that HSP110 may have a potential role in apoptosis. The aim of this research was to study the expression of HSP110, caspase-3 and -9 in physiological, retinoic- or irradiation-induced apoptosis during early eye development. Seven pregnant C57Bl/6J mice received 80 mg kg(-1) of all-trans retinoic acid mixed with sesame oil. Seven pregnant NMRI mice received 2 Gy irradiation at the same gestational day. Control mice of both strains (seven mice of each) were not submitted to any treatment. Embryos were harvested at 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after exposition, fixed, dehydrated and embedded. Coronal sections (5 microm) were made. Slide staining occurred alternatively using anti-caspase-3, anti-caspase-9 and anti-HSP110 immunohistochemistry. HSP110 and caspase-3 expression presented similar topographic and chronological patterns, whereas expression of HSP110 was more precocious in retinoic acid-treated embryos. After retinoic exposure, caspase-3- and HSP110-positive cells were increased in the region of the optic vesicle. By contrast, after irradiation, caspase-3- and HSP110-positive cells were noticeably increased in the optic vesicle, peri-optical mesoderm but less in lens placode. HSP110 was expressed before caspase-3. By contrast, caspase-9 was expressed by a very small number of cells in the optic vesicle either under physiological or under teratogenic conditions. Thus, it seems that activation of caspase-9 is dispensable in early eye developmental apoptosis.
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PMID:HSP110, caspase-3 and -9 expression in physiological apoptosis and apoptosis induced by in vivo embryonic exposition to all-trans retinoic acid or irradiation during early mouse eye development. 1745 30

Phosphatase and tension homolog located on chromosome ten (PTEN) is a tumor suppressor as it negatively regulates activation of Akt. Mutation or deletion of PTEN has been found in as high as 80% of glioblastomas, which harbor aberrant cell signaling passing through the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt (PI3K/Akt) survival pathway. Glioblastoma cells without functional PTEN are not easily amenable to apoptosis. We investigated the possibility of modulation of signal transduction pathways for induction of apoptosis in human glioblastoma T98G (PTEN-harboring) and U87MG (PTEN-deficient) cell lines after treatment with the combination of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Treatment with ATRA plus IFN-gamma stimulated PTEN expression and suppressed Akt activation in T98G cells, whereas no PTEN expression but Akt activation in U87MG cells under the same conditions. Pretreatment of U87MG cells with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 could prevent Akt activation. Interestingly, ATRA plus IFN-gamma could significantly decrease cell viability and increase morphological features of apoptosis in both cell lines. Combination of ATRA and IFN-gamma showed more efficacy than IFN-gamma alone in causing apoptosis that occurred due to increases in Bax:Bcl-2 ratio, mitochondrial release of cytochrome c, and caspase-3 activity. Luciferase reporter gene assay showed that combination of ATRA and IFN-gamma significantly down regulated transcriptional activity of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), a survival signaling factor, in U87MG cells. Thus, combination of ATRA and IFN-gamma caused significant amounts of apoptosis in T98G cells due to suppression of the PI3K/Akt survival pathway while the same treatment caused apoptosis in U87MG cells due to down regulation of the NF-kappaB activity. Therefore, the combination of ATRA and IFN-gamma could modulate different survival signal transduction pathways for induction of apoptosis and should be considered as an effective therapeutic strategy for controlling the growth of both PTEN-harboring and PTEN-deficient glioblastomas.
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PMID:Combination of all-trans retinoic acid and interferon-gamma suppressed PI3K/Akt survival pathway in glioblastoma T98G cells whereas NF-kappaB survival signaling in glioblastoma U87MG cells for induction of apoptosis. 1761 12

Glioblastoma is the deadliest and most prevalent brain tumor, which is not yet amenable to any treatments. Therefore, new and innovative therapeutic strategies need to be developed for treating this deadly disease. We found that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) or 13-cis retinoic acid (13-CRA) induced astrocytic differentiation with down regulation of telomerase activity in rat glioblastoma C6 cells and enhanced sensitivity of the cells to interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or taxol (TXL) for apoptosis. Sensitivity of differentiated cells to IFN-gamma or TXL was greatly increased for apoptosis with increases in calcineurin expression, Bax:Bcl-2 ratio, mitochondrial release of cytochrome c, and expression and activity of calpain and caspases. Treatment with IFN-gamma activated caspase-8 indicating induction of apoptosis via the receptor-mediated pathway. Notably, IFN-gamma activated the signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT-1) for signaling via binding to gamma activator sequence (GAS), whereas TXL activated Raf-1 kinase for inactivation of Bcl-2 by its phosphorylation. We confirmed involvement of different proteolytic mechanisms in cell death by pretreating the cells with caspase-8 inhibitor II, calpeptin (calpain inhibitor), and caspase-9 inhibitor I, and caspase-3 inhibitor IV. Results demonstrated that retinoids induced astrocytic differentiation with down regulation of telomerase activity and worked synergistically to enhance sensitivity of cells to the cytotoxic agent IFN-gamma and the cytostatic agent TXL for apoptosis. This combination therapy for differentiation and apoptosis could be highly effective for controlling the malignant growth of glioblastoma.
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PMID:Differentiation decreased telomerase activity in rat glioblastoma C6 cells and increased sensitivity to IFN-gamma and taxol for apoptosis. 1769 33


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