Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.4.22.62 (caspase-9)
 7,507 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

To identify the genes involved in cervical carcinogenesis, we applied the mRNA differential display method and identified a candidate tumor suppressor gene, HCCS-1, which was present in normal cervical tissue but absent in cervical cancer, metastatic lymph node and CUMC-6 cervical cancer cell line. HCCS-1 transcripts were expressed in many normal tissues including leukocyte, lung, spleen, liver, heart and uterine cervix. Its expression was absent in 8 human cancer cell lines. HCCS-1-transfected HeLa cells exhibited growth inhibition by about 50%. This inhibitory effect of HCCS-1 on cervical cancer cells was associated with apoptotic process including DNA fragmentation. HCCS-1-transfected HeLa cells were shown to release cytochrome c from mitochondria, which activates caspase-9 and -3 and finally results in cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Apoptosis formation was detected by propidium-iodide/annexin V. HCCS-1-transfected HeLa cells were more sensitive to adriamycin or UVC ray triggered apoptosis. These results suggest that HCCS-1 is downregulated in multiple human tumor types and may serve as a candidate tumor suppressor gene through apoptotic pathway against human cervical cancer.
 ...
PMID:Candidate tumor suppressor, HCCS-1, is downregulated in human cancers and induces apoptosis in cervical cancer. 1185 54

Accumulation of misfolded proteins and alterations in Ca2+ homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) causes ER stress and leads to cell death. However, the signal-transducing events that connect ER stress to cell death pathways are incompletely understood. To discern the pathway by which ER stress-induced cell death proceeds, we performed studies on Apaf-1(-/-) (null) fibroblasts that are known to be relatively resistant to apoptotic insults that induce the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. While these cells were resistant to cell death initiated by proapoptotic stimuli such as tamoxifen, they were susceptible to apoptosis induced by thapsigargin and brefeldin-A, both of which induce ER stress. This pathway was inhibited by catalytic mutants of caspase-12 and caspase-9 and by a peptide inhibitor of caspase-9 but not by caspase-8 inhibitors. Cleavage of caspases and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase was observed in cell-free extracts lacking cytochrome c that were isolated from thapsigargin or brefeldin-treated cells. To define the molecular requirements for this Apaf-1 and cytochrome c-independent apoptosis pathway further, we developed a cell-free system of ER stress-induced apoptosis; the addition of microsomes prepared from ER stress-induced cells to a normal cell extract lacking mitochondria or cytochrome c resulted in processing of caspases. Immunodepletion experiments suggested that caspase-12 was one of the microsomal components required to activate downstream caspases. Thus, ER stress-induced programmed cell death defines a novel, mitochondrial and Apaf-1-independent, intrinsic apoptotic pathway.
 ...
PMID:Coupling endoplasmic reticulum stress to the cell death program. An Apaf-1-independent intrinsic pathway. 1191 5

Engagement of the B cell Ag receptor (BCR) on immature B cells leads to growth arrest followed by apoptosis. Concomitant signaling through CD40 sustains proliferation and rescues the cells from apoptosis. Previously, we have shown that cross-linking CD40 on B cells stimulates the expression of A1, an antiapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, and that transduction of the murine B lymphoma line WEHI 231, a model for immature B cells, with A1 protected the cells against BCR-induced apoptosis. Here we demonstrate that A1 strongly interferes with activation of caspase-7, the major effector caspase activated after BCR cross-linking on WEHI 231 lymphoma cells. The pathway leading to activation of the effector caspase cascade including caspase-7 is unclear. Using retrovirally transduced WEHI 231 cell populations, we show that a catalytically inactive mutant of caspase-7 is cleaved almost as efficiently as the wild-type form, arguing against autocatalysis as the sole activating process. In contrast, overexpression of catalytically inactive caspase-9 strongly interferes with caspase-7 processing, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, and DNA laddering, suggesting a role for caspase-9 and hence for the mitochondrial pathway. The importance of the mitochondrial/caspase-9 pathway for BCR-triggered apoptosis is highlighted by our finding that both A1 and the mutant caspase-9 attenuate BCR-induced apoptosis. Thus, our data suggest that the BCR-mediated apoptotic signal in immature B cells spreads via a mitochondrial/caspase-9 pathway.
 ...
PMID:Mitochondria-dependent caspase-9 activation is necessary for antigen receptor-mediated effector caspase activation and apoptosis in WEHI 231 lymphoma cells. 1193 45

UVB from solar radiation is both an initiating and promoting agent for skin cancer. We have found that primary human keratinocytes undergo an apoptotic response to UVB. To determine whether these responses are altered during the course of immortalization, we examined markers of apoptosis in primary human foreskin keratinocytes (HFK) transduced with either a retroviral vector expressing the E6 and E7 genes of HPV-16 or with empty vector alone (LXSN-HFK). Whereas LXSN-HFK as well as early passage keratinocytes expressing HPV-16 E6 and E7 (p7 E6/7-HFK) were both moderately responsive to UVB irradiation, late passage-immortalized keratinocytes (p27 E6/7-HFK) were exquisitely sensitive to UVB-induced apoptosis. After exposure to UVB, enhanced annexin V-positivity and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation were observed in p27 E6/7-HFK compared with either LXSN- or p7 E6/7-HFK. Caspase-3 fluorometric activity assays as well as immunoblot analysis with antibodies to caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase revealed elevated caspase-3 activity and processing at lower UVB doses in p27 E6/7-HFK compared with LXSN- or p7 E6/7-HFK. In addition, the caspase inhibitor DEVD-CHO reduced the apoptotic response and increased survival of all three HFK types. Immunoblot analysis revealed that caspase-8 was activated in all three cell types, but caspase-9 was only activated in p27 E6/7-HFK. Cell cycle analysis further showed that only p27 E6/7-HFK exhibit G(2)/M accumulation that is enhanced by UVB treatment. This accumulation was associated with a rapid down-regulation of Bcl-2 in these cells. The immortalization process subsequent to the expression of HPV E6 and E7 may therefore determine UVB sensitivity by switching the mode of apoptosis from a caspase-8 to a Bcl-2-caspase-9-mediated pathway of apoptosis.
 ...
PMID:HPV-16 E6/7 immortalization sensitizes human keratinocytes to ultraviolet B by altering the pathway from caspase-8 to caspase-9-dependent apoptosis. 1197 23

During the early stages of heart development, there are two main foci of cell death: outflow tract (OT) and atrioventricular (AV) endocardial cushions. These tissues contribute to the septa and valves of the mature heart and receive cell populations from neural crest (NC) cell migration and epicardial cell invasion. We examined embryonic chick hearts for expression, in the cushions, of bcl-2 family members, caspase-9, and the caspase substrate poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Antiapoptotic bcl-2 is expressed heavily in the OT and AV regions throughout embryonic days (ED) 4-7, with a decrease in levels at ED 4 and 5 in OT and AV cushions, respectively. Proapoptotic bax predominantly associated with the prongs of the NC-derived aorticopulmonary (AP) septum but was expressed throughout the AV cushions. Proapoptotic bak also associated with the prongs of the AP septum in the OT, while protein levels were upregulated at ED 4-5 and 4-6 in OT and AV cushions, respectively. Bid expression showed a similar time course. We found the 10-kDa cleavage fragment of active caspase-9 at ED 4-8 and 5-8 in OT and AV cushions, respectively, and the 24-kDa cleavage fragment of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase throughout ED 3-8 and 7-8 in OT and AV cushions, respectively. Caspase-3 cleavage occurred throughout the time period examined. Using cushion cell cultures, we found that inhibitors of caspases-3 and -9 and a universal caspase inhibitor significantly reduced apoptosis, as did retroviral overexpression of bcl-2 using an RCAS expression vector. Premigratory NC cells were fluorescently labeled in vivo with 1,1-didodecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine. Subsequent nuclear staining of cushion cells with 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole revealed the presence of apoptotic nuclei in the NC cells in the OT cushions and in the prongs of the AP septum. These results demonstrate a developmentally regulated role for the bcl-2 and the caspase families of molecules in the endocardial cushions of the developing heart and lend support to the possibility that some of the dying cells in the cushions are derived from the NC.
 ...
PMID:Regulation of apoptosis in the endocardial cushions of the developing chick heart. 1199 50

Neurotrophins support neuronal survival and differentiation via Trk receptors, yet can also induce cell death via the p75 receptor. In these studies, we investigated signaling mechanisms governing p75-mediated death of hippocampal neurons, specifically the role of caspases. Although p75 is structurally a member of the Fas/TNFR1 receptor family, caspase-8 was not required for p75-mediated death, unlike other members of this receptor family. In contrast, p75-mediated neuronal death was associated with mitochondrial loss of cytochrome c and required Apaf-1 and caspase-9, -6, and -3. In particular, caspase-6 plays a central role in mediating neurotrophin-induced death, illuminating a novel role for this caspase. Inhibition of DIABLO/Smac, which blocks inhibitor of apoptosis proteins, protected cells from death, whereas simultaneous inhibition of both DIABLO/Smac and MIAP3 allowed trophin-induced death to proceed. In vivo, pilocarpine-induced seizures, previously shown to up-regulate p75 expression and increase neurotrophin production, caused activation of caspase-6 and -3 and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in p75-expressing hippocampal neurons. In p75(-/-) mice, no activated caspase-3 was detected, and there was a marked reduction in the number of dying neurons after pilocarpine treatment compared with wild type mice. Neurotrophin-induced p75-mediated death is likely to play an important role in mediating neuronal loss consequent to brain injury.
 ...
PMID:Mechanisms of p75-mediated death of hippocampal neurons. Role of caspases. 1209 34

All human melanoma cell lines (assessed by annexin V and TUNEL assays) were resistant to apoptosis induction by TRAIL/Apo2L protein. TRAIL/Apo2L activated caspase-8 and caspase-3, but subsequent apoptotic events such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and DNA fragmentation were not observed. To probe the molecular mechanisms of cellular resistance to apoptosis, melanoma cell lines were analyzed for expression of apoptosis regulators (apoptotic protease-associated factor-1, FLIP, caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-3, cellular inhibitor of apoptosis, Bcl-2, or Bax); no correlation was observed. TRAIL/Apo2L was induced in melanoma cell lines by IFN-beta and had been correlated with apoptosis induction. Because IFN-beta induced other gene products that have been associated with apoptosis, it was postulated that one or more IFN-stimulated genes might sensitize cells to TRAIL/Apo2L. Melanoma cell lines were treated with IFN-beta for 16-24 h before treatment with TRAIL/Apo2L. Regardless of their sensitivity to either cytokine alone, >30% of cells underwent apoptosis in response to the combined treatment. Induction of apoptosis by IFN-beta and TRAIL/Apo2L in combination correlated with synergistic activation of caspase-9, a decrease in mitochondrial potential, and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Cleavage of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis following IFN-beta and TRAIL/Apo2L treatment was observed in sensitive WM9, A375, or WM3211 cells but not in resistant WM35 or WM164 cells. Thus, in vitro IFN-beta and TRAIL/Apo2L combination treatment had more potent apoptotic and anti-growth effects when compared with either cytokine alone in melanoma cells lines.
 ...
PMID:IFN-beta pretreatment sensitizes human melanoma cells to TRAIL/Apo2 ligand-induced apoptosis. 1209 88

Cell death in the core of human brain tumors is triggered by hypoxia and lack of nutrients, but the mode of cell death whether necrosis or apoptosis is not clearly defined. To identify the role of apoptosis in brain tumor cell death, we investigated macromolecular (RNA and protein) synthesis and activity in the central to peripheral region of benign [desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma (DIG) and transitional meningioma (TMG)] and malignant [ependymoma (END), anaplastic astrocytoma (APA), and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)] brain tumors derived from five patients who had not received previously radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Normal brain tissue (NBT) served as control. RT-PCR analysis of tumor tissues covering central to peripheral regions detected mRNA overexpression of pro-apoptotic gene bax in malignant tumors, indicating a commitment to apoptosis. The mRNA expression of calpain (a Ca(2+)-dependent cysteine protease) and calpastatin (endogenous calpain inhibitor) was altered resulting in an elevated calpain/calpastatin ratio. Calpain content and activity were increased, suggesting a role for calpain in cell death. In the mitochondria-dependent death pathway, caspase-9 and caspase-3 were also overexpressed in tumors. The increased caspase-3 activity cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Agarose gel electrophoresis detected a mixture of random and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in malignant brain tumors. Overexpression of pro-apoptotic bax, upregulation of calpain and caspase-3, and occurrence of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation are now presented indicating that one mechanism of cell death in malignant brain tumors is apoptosis, and that enhancement of this process therapeutically may promote decreased tumor growth.
 ...
PMID:Molecular evidence of apoptotic death in malignant brain tumors including glioblastoma multiforme: upregulation of calpain and caspase-3. 1211 1

Shiga-like toxin-producing Escherichia coli causes hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic-uremic syndrome in association with the production of Shiga-like toxins, which induce cell death via either necrosis or apoptosis. However, the abilities of different Shiga-like toxins to trigger apoptosis and the sequence of intracellular signaling events mediating the death of epithelial cells have not been completely defined. Fluorescent dye staining with acridine orange and ethidium bromide showed that Shiga-like toxin 1 (Stx1) induced apoptosis of HEp-2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Stx2 also induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Apoptosis induced by Stx1 (200 ng/ml) and apoptosis induced by Stx2 (200 ng/ml) were maximal following incubation with cells for 24 h (94.3% +/- 1.8% and 81.7% +/- 5.2% of the cells, respectively). Toxin-treated cells showed characteristic features of apoptosis, including membrane blebbing, DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation, cell shrinkage, and the formation of apoptotic bodies, as assessed by transmission electron microscopy. Stx2c induced apoptosis weakly even at a high dose (1,000 ng/ml for 24 h; 26.7% +/- 1.3% of the cells), whereas Stx2e did not induce apoptosis of HEp-2 cells. Thin-layer chromatography confirmed that HEp-2 cells express the Stx1-Stx2-Stx2c receptor, globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), but not the Stx2e receptor, globotetraosylceramide (Gb4). Western blot analysis of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), a DNA repair enzyme, demonstrated that incubation with Stx1 and Stx2 induced cleavage, whereas incubation with Stx2e did not result in cleavage of PARP. A pan-caspase inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK) and a caspase-8-specific inhibitor (Z-IETD-FMK) eliminated, in a dose-dependent fashion, the cleavage of PARP induced by Shiga-like toxins. Caspase-8 activation was confirmed by detection of cleavage of this enzyme by immunoblotting. Cleavage of caspase-9 and the proapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family BID was also induced by Stx1, as determined by immunoblot analyses. We conclude that different Shiga-like toxins induce different degrees of apoptosis that correlates with toxin binding to the glycolipid receptor Gb3 and that caspases play an integral role in the signal transduction cascade leading to toxin-mediated programmed cell death.
 ...
PMID:Escherichia coli shiga-like toxins induce apoptosis and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase via in vitro activation of caspases. 1211 81

The serine/threonine protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in the regulation of drug resistance and cell survival in many types of cancer cells. However, the one or more precise mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we have identified and determined the mechanism by which PKC-epsilon, a novel PKC isoform, modulates drug resistance in lung cancer cells. Western blot analysis demonstrates that expression of PKC-epsilon, but not other PKC isoforms, is associated with the chemo-resistant phenotype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. Northern blotting and nuclear run-on transcription analysis further reveals that the failure of expression of PKC-epsilon in the chemo-sensitive phenotype of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells results from transcriptional inactivation of the gene. Importantly, forced expression of PKC-epsilon in NCI-H82 human SCLC cells confers a significant resistance to the chemotherapeutic drugs, etoposide and doxorubicin. Resistance is characterized by a significant reduction in apoptosis in PKC-epsilon-expressing cells. Treatment of NCI-H82 cells with etoposide induces a series of time-dependent events, including the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytosol, activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). All of these events are blocked by PKC-epsilon expression. Furthermore, caspase-specific inhibitors, z-VAD-fmk and z-DEVD-fmk, significantly attenuate the accumulation of sub-G(1) population and block the PARP cleavage in response to etoposide. These results suggest that PKC-epsilon prevents cells from undergoing apoptosis through inhibition of the mitochondrial-dependent caspase activation, thereby leading to cell survival. Finally, down-regulation of PKC-epsilon expression by the antisense cDNA in NSCLC cells results in increased sensitivity to etoposide. Taken together, our findings suggest an important role for PKC-epsilon in regulating survival of lung cancer cells.
 ...
PMID:Protein kinase C-epsilon promotes survival of lung cancer cells by suppressing apoptosis through dysregulation of the mitochondrial caspase pathway. 1212 73


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