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)

AMAD, an emodin azide methyl anthraquinone derivative, was extracted from the nature giant knotweed rhizome of traditional Chinese herbs. Here, we investigated the anticancer activities and signaling pathways implicated in AMAD-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-453 and human lung adenocarcinoma Calu-3 cells. AMAD was found to have a potent cytotoxic effect on both cell lines. Hoechst 33258 staining and Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining exhibited the typical nuclear features of apoptosis and increased the proportion of apoptotic Annexin V-positive cells in a dose-dependent manner, respectively. Moreover, this apoptotic induction was associated with a collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential and activated caspases (cysteine aspartase) cascade involving in caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-3, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage in a concentration-dependent manner. It was noteworthy that AMAD also effectively cleaved Bid, a BH3 domain-containing proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member, and induced the subsequent release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol. Furthermore, suppression of caspase-8 activity with Z-IETD-FMK partially inhibited release of cytochrome c and Bid cleavage induced by AMAD, whereas exposure to Z-LETD-FMK, a caspase-9 inhibitor, had no effect. Additionally, there was significant change in other mitochondrial membrane proteins triggered by AMAD, such as Bcl-xl and Bad. It was intriguing that AMAD decreased the generation of reactive oxygen species in both cell lines. DNA-binding assay exhibited apoptosis induced by AMAD was not involved in intercalating to DNA. Taken together, these data suggested that AMAD induced apoptosis via a mitochondrial pathway involving caspase-8/Bid activation in both cell lines.
 ...
PMID:Emodin azide methyl anthraquinone derivative triggers mitochondrial-dependent cell apoptosis involving in caspase-8-mediated Bid cleavage. 1856 40

Addition of a 5' cap to RNA polymerase II transcripts, the first step of pre-mRNA processing in eukaryotes from yeasts to mammals, is catalyzed by the sequential action of RNA triphosphatase, guanylyltransferase, and (guanine-N-7)methyltransferase. The effects of knockdown of these capping enzymes in mammalian cells were investigated using T7 RNA polymerase-synthesized small interfering RNA and also a lentivirus-based inducible, short hairpin RNA system. Decreasing either guanylyltransferase or methyltransferase resulted in caspase-3 activation and elevated terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining characteristic of apoptosis. Induction of apoptosis was independent of p53 tumor suppressor but dependent on BAK or BAX. In addition, levels of the BH3 family member Bim increased, while Mcl-1 and Bik levels remained unchanged during apoptosis. In contrast to capping enzyme knockdown, apoptosis induced by cycloheximide inhibition of protein synthesis required BAK but not BAX. Both Bim and Mcl-1 levels decreased in cycloheximide-induced apoptosis while Bik levels were unchanged, suggesting that apoptosis in siRNA-treated cells is not a direct consequence of loss of mRNA translation. siRNA-treated BAK(-/-) BAX(-/-) double-knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts failed to activate capase-3 or increase TUNEL staining but instead exhibited autophagy, as demonstrated by proteolytic processing of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and translocation of transfected green fluorescent protein-LC3 from the nucleus to punctate cytoplasmic structures.
 ...
PMID:Apoptosis and autophagy induction in mammalian cells by small interfering RNA knockdown of mRNA capping enzymes. 1867 51

Human neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are central to innate immunity and are responsible for clearance of pathogens. PMNs undergo a tightly regulated apoptosis program that allows for timely clearance of PMNs without extravasation of toxic intracellular contents. We investigated the rate of spontaneous apoptosis of human peripheral blood PMNs cultured at basal (37 degrees C) and febrile-range (39.5 degrees C) temperatures (FRT). We found that PMN apoptosis is accelerated at FRT, reaching approximately 90% completion by 8 h at 39.5 degrees C vs 18 h at 37 degrees C based on morphologic criteria. Caspase-8 activation peaked within 15 min of PMN exposure to FRT, and subsequent activation of caspase-3 and -9, cleavage of the BH3 (Bcl-2 homology domain 3) only protein Bid, and mitochondrial release of cytochrome c were also greater in FRT-exposed PMNs. Inhibition of caspase-3, -8, and -9 conferred comparable protection from apoptosis in FRT-exposed PMNs. These results demonstrate that exposure to FRT enhances caspase-8 activation and subsequent mitochondrial-dependent and mitochondrial-independent apoptosis pathways. The PMN survival factors G-CSF, GM-CSF, and IL-8 each prolonged PMN survival at 37 degrees C and 39.5 degrees C, but did not reduce the difference in survival at the two temperatures. In a mouse model of intratracheal endotoxin-induced alveolitis, coexposure to FRT (core temperature approximately 39.5 degrees C) doubled the proportion of bronchoalveolar PMNs undergoing apoptosis compared with euthermic mice. This process may play an important role in limiting inflammation and tissue injury during febrile illnesses.
 ...
PMID:Febrile-range hyperthermia accelerates caspase-dependent apoptosis in human neutrophils. 1868 54

Activins and transforming growth factor (TGF)-betas, members of the TGF-beta superfamily, affect numerous physiological processes, including apoptosis, in a variety of organs and tissues. Apoptotic functions of TGF-betas, in contrast to those of the activins, are well documented in the developing and adult nervous system. TGF-betas operate in a context-dependent manner and cooperate with other cytokines in the regulation of apoptosis. In this study, we show, for the first time, an apoptotic function of ActivinA in the nervous system, i.e. in oligodendroglial progenitor cells. Using the oligodendroglial cell line OLI-neu, we show that ActivinA acts autonomously, without cooperating with TGF-beta. In contrast to the mechanism of TGF-beta-mediated apoptosis involving Bcl-xl down-regulation, Bcl-xl in ActivinA-induced apoptosis is classically sequestered by the BH3-only protein Puma. Puma expression is controlled by the transcription factor p53 as demonstrated by experiments with the p53 inhibitor Pifithrin-alpha. Furthermore, in the apoptotic TGF-beta pathway, caspase-3 is activated, whereas in the apoptotic ActivinA pathway, apoptosis-inducing factor is released to trigger DNA fragmentation. These data suggest that TGF-beta and ActivinA induce apoptosis in oligodendrocytes by different apoptotic pathways.
 ...
PMID:TGF-beta superfamily members, ActivinA and TGF-beta1, induce apoptosis in oligodendrocytes by different pathways. 1900 1

ErbB-2 gene encodes tyrosine kinase receptor p185(neu). Overexpression of erbB-2 plays a key role in tumorigenesis or progression such as breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Our previous study showed that ON-III (2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone) extracted from Traditional Chinese Medicine Cleistocaly xoperculatus dry flower could inhibit KDR tyrosine kinase phosphorylation and tumor growth in vivo. In this study, we reported that ON-III repressed tyrosine phosphorylation of erbB-2 without reduced erbB-2 receptor expression in MDA-MB-453 cells. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and AKT, downstream molecules of erbB-2-mediated signal transduction pathway, was inhibited following exposure to ON-III. ON-III induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells as determined by caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. Also, ON-III upregulated the expression of proapoptotic BH3-only Bcl-2 family member Bim. Bim siRNA could inhibit ON-III-mediated apoptosis in MDA-MB-453 cells. It concludes that ON-III inhibits erbB-2 tyrosine kinase phosphorylation, shuts down its downstream pathway and triggered apoptosis via induction of Bim. These results suggest that ON-III is a potential novel anti-cancer agent for erbB-2-overexpressing cancer.
 ...
PMID:ON-III inhibits erbB-2 tyrosine kinase receptor signal pathway and triggers apoptosis through induction of Bim in breast cancer cells. 1924 12

Overexpression of Bcl-X(L), an antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family member, occurs in a majority of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) and correlates with chemotherapy resistance in this disease. Overexpression of Bcl-2 is also observed in HNSCC, albeit less frequently. We have previously shown that peptides derived from the BH3 domains of proapoptotic proteins can be used to target Bcl-X(L) and Bcl-2 in HNSCC cells, promoting apoptosis. In this report, we examined the impact of ABT-737 (for structure, see Nature 435: 677-681, 2005 ), a potent small-molecule inhibitor of Bcl-X(L) and Bcl-2, on HNSCC cells. As a single agent, ABT-737 was largely ineffective at promoting HNSCC cell death. By contrast, ABT-737 strongly synergized with the chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and etoposide to promote HNSCC cell death and loss of clonogenic survival. Synergism between ABT-737 and chemotherapy was associated with synergistic activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Treatment with ABT-737 plus chemotherapy resulted in dramatic up-regulation of proapoptotic Noxa protein, and small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated inhibition of Noxa up-regulation partially attenuated cell death by the synergistic combination. Treatment with cisplatin or etoposide, alone or in combination with ABT-737, resulted in substantial down-regulation of Mcl-1L, a known inhibitor of ABT-737 action. Further down-regulation of Mcl-1L using siRNA failed to enhance killing by the cisplatin/ABT-737 synergistic combination, indicating that chemotherapy treatment of HNSCC cells is sufficient to remove this impediment to ABT-737. Together, our results demonstrate potent synergy between ABT-737 and chemotherapy drugs in the killing of HNSCC cells and reveal an important role for Noxa in mediating synergism by these agents.
 ...
PMID:ABT-737 synergizes with chemotherapy to kill head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells via a Noxa-mediated pathway. 1924 37

The binding of Bcl-2 to Beclin-1 reduces Beclin-1's capacity to induce autophagy. Here, we have tested whether the interaction is reciprocated by loss of Bcl-2's anti-apoptotic function. We targeted Bcl-2 to mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and induced apoptosis using several apoptotic stimuli that initiate ER and/or mitochondrial signaling pathways (UV radiation, TNF and cycloheximide, staurosporine, thapsigargin and tunicamycin). When Beclin-1 and Bcl-2 were expressed together in HeLa cells, Beclin-1 (but not Beclin-1 lacking the Bcl-2-binding domain) followed Bcl-2 to the appropriate organelle with complete or near-complete overlap (comprising 60 and 30% of cells, respectively). The interaction between Beclin-1 and Bcl-2 was verified by immunoprecipitation, and a membrane-proximate localization of Beclin-1 was shown by immunoelectron microscopy. Apoptosis was followed by measuring changes in nuclear morphology, caspase-3 activity, poly-ADP-ribose polymerase cleavage or punctation of mRFP-Bax on mitochondria. Binding of Beclin-1 to Bcl-2 did not modify apoptosis irrespective of Bcl-2 concentration, location or apoptotic stimulus. A similar result was obtained in Atg5-/- cells that are autophagy-deficient, arguing against compensation for the loss of protection by Bcl-2 by autophagy-mediated survival induced by Beclin-1. Hence, although Beclin-1 contains a BH3-only motif typical of pro-apoptotic proteins, it is a negligible modulator of Bcl-2's anti-apoptotic function.
 ...
PMID:Bcl-2 complexed with Beclin-1 maintains full anti-apoptotic function. 1939 51

Synaptogenesis in humans occurs in the last trimester of gestation and in the first few years of life, whereas it occurs in the postnatal period in rodents. A single exposure of neonatal rodents to ethanol during this period evokes extensive neuronal apoptosis. Previous studies indicate that ethanol triggers the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in neurons, and that this requires the multi-BH domain, proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bax. To define the upstream regulators of this apoptotic pathway, we examined the possible roles of p53 and a subclass of proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members (i.e. the BH3 domain-only proteins) in neonatal wild-type and gene-targeted mice that lack these cell death inducers. Acute ethanol exposure produced greater caspase-3 activation and neuronal apoptosis in wild-type mice than in saline-treated littermate controls. Loss of p53-upregulated mediator of apoptosis (Puma) resulted in marked protection from ethanol-induced caspase-3 activation and apoptosis. Although Puma expression has been reported to be regulated by p53, p53-deficient mice exhibited a similar extent of ethanol-induced caspase-3 activation and neuronal apoptosis as wild-type mice. Mice deficient in other proapoptotic BH3-only proteins, including Noxa, Bim, or Hrk, showed no significant protection from ethanol-induced neuronal apoptosis. Collectively, these studies indicate a p53-independent, Bax- and Puma-dependent mechanism of neuronal apoptosis and identify Puma as a possible molecular target for inhibiting the effects of intrauterine ethanol exposure in humans.
 ...
PMID:The proapoptotic BH3-only, Bcl-2 family member, Puma is critical for acute ethanol-induced neuronal apoptosis. 1953 97

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, and it has been shown that many human cancer cell lines are refractory to TRAIL-induced cell death. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance are unclear. In this study, we show that TRAIL resistance is reversed in human hepatoma cells by genistein, an isoflavone found in soy products. Synergistic induction of apoptosis in cells treated with genistein plus TRAIL was associated with cleavage of Bid, a proapoptotic BH3-only protein. Silencing of Bid expression reduced decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced apoptosis in cells treated with genistein and TRAIL, confirming that Bid cleavage is required for the response. Pretreatment with caspase-3 and caspase-8 inhibitors reduced cotreatment-induced apoptosis. However, treatment with TRAIL alone induced caspase-8 activity that was not different than TRAIL plus genistein; both effectively induced Bid cleavage. These data suggest that genistein abolishes resistance to the Bid cleavage of TRAIL, and that genistein does not interfere with signals upstream of Bid in hepatoma cells.
 ...
PMID:Genistein sensitizes human hepatocellular carcinoma cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by enhancing Bid cleavage. 1961 19

The Atg4 family of endopeptidases regulates autophagosome biogenesis by priming newly synthesized Atg8 to enable covalent attachment of phosphatidylethanolamine, and by delipidating Atg8 at the lysosomal fusion step. Control of Atg4 activity is therefore crucial, although little is known about how these molecules are regulated in living cells. We have found that one human Atg4 family member (Atg4D) is cleaved at DEVD(63)K by caspase-3 during apoptosis. Importantly, our studies suggest that native Atg4D is enzymatically inactive, but gains GABARAP-L1 priming/delipidation activity following caspase cleavage. Caspase-cleaved Atg4D is also highly cytotoxic; however, toxicity is not due to enhanced autophagy, but is mediated by a putative C-terminal BH3 domain, and is associated with transient recruitment of Atg4D to mitochondria.
 ...
PMID:Atg4D at the interface between autophagy and apoptosis. 1971 37


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>