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)

Livin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, encodes a protein containing a single baculoviral IAP repeat (BIR) domain and a COOH-terminal RING finger domain. It has been reported that Livin directly interacts with caspase-3 and -7 in vitro and caspase-9 in vivo via its BIR domain and is negatively regulated by Smac/DIABLO. Nonetheless, the detailed mechanism underlying its antiapoptotic function has not yet been fully characterized. In this report, we provide, for the first time, the evidence that Livin can act as an E3 ubiquitin ligase for targeting the degradation of Smac/DIABLO. Both BIR domain and RING finger domain of Livin are required for this degradation in vitro and in vivo. We also demonstrate that Livin is an unstable protein with a half-life of less than 4 h in living cells. The RING domain of Livin promotes its auto-ubiquitination, whereas the BIR domain is likely to display degradation-inhibitory activity. Mutation in the Livin BIR domain greatly enhances its instability and nullifies its binding to Smac/DIABLO, resulting in a reduced antiapoptosis inhibition. Our findings provide a novel function of Livin: it exhibits E3 ubiquitin ligase activity to degrade the pivotal apoptotic regulator Smac/DIABLO through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.
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PMID:Livin promotes Smac/DIABLO degradation by ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. 1672 33

Islet transplantation is a treatment option for type I diabetic patients. Preservation of human pancreata prior to islet isolation using two-layer method with perfluorocarbon (PFC) and University of Wisconsin solution (UW) results in twofold increase in islet yields. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanism by which islets undergo apoptosis and determine PFC's effects on this process. Gene array analysis was used to analyze the expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes in islets isolated from pancreata preserved under varying conditions. A 12-fold increase in the expression of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) and survivin was observed in islets isolated from pancreata preserved in PFC. This was accompanied by decreased expression of BAD (3.7-fold), BAX (2.7-fold) and caspases (5.2-fold). Levels of activated caspase-9 (77.98%), caspase-2 (61.5%), caspase-3 (68.3%) and caspase-8 (37.2%) were also reduced. 'Rescue' of pancreata after storage (12 h) in UW by preservation using PFC also resulted in a down-regulation of pro-apoptotic genes and inhibition of caspase activation. Apoptosis observed in islets from all groups was mainly mitochondria-dependent, mediated by change in redox potential initiated by hypoxia. We demonstrate that reduction in hypoxia of pancreata preserved using PFC leads to significant up-regulation of anti-apoptotic and inhibition of pro-apoptotic genes.
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PMID:Improved islet yields from pancreas preserved in perflurocarbon is via inhibition of apoptosis mediated by mitochondrial pathway. 1682 73

Identification of alternative pathways of caspase activation is an important step to develop new antitumor treatments. We report here the result of a screening with a small chemical library, the Developmental Therapeutics Program-National Cancer Institute "challenge set," on cells expressing mutated caspase-9. We have identified two molecules capable of activating an apoptosome-independent apoptotic pathway. These compounds, named F6 and G5, target the ubiquitin-proteasome system by inhibiting the ubiquitin isopeptidases. We have shown that F6 and G5 induce a rather unique apoptotic pathway, which includes a Bcl-2-dependent but apoptosome-independent mitochondrial pathway with up-regulation of the BH3-only protein Noxa, stabilization of the inhibitor of apoptosis antagonist Smac, but also the involvement of the death receptor pathway. Noxa plays an important role in the induction of mitochondrial fragmentation and caspase activation, whereas the death receptor pathway becomes critical in the absence of a functional apoptosome. This study suggests that screening of chemical libraries on cancer cells with defined mutations in apoptotic key elements can lead to the identification of compounds that are useful to characterize alternative pathways of caspase activation.
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PMID:Identification of new compounds that trigger apoptosome-independent caspase activation and apoptosis. 1698 68

Previous studies have shown that oridonin, a diterpenoid isolated from Rabdosia rubescens, was able to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in several cell types. But the mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the apoptosis-inducing effect and mechanisms of action of oridonin in human osteosarcoma cells. Our results demonstrated that oridonin induced concentration- and time-dependent suppression of proliferation and activation of apoptosis in U2OS, MG63 and SaOS-2 osteosarcoma cell lines. Oridonin induced the release of cytochrome c accompanied by activation of caspase-9, caspase-3 and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). These events were all inhibited by z-VAD-fmk, a universal inhibitor of caspases. Oridonin treatment dephosphorylated constitutively active AKT, FOXO transcription factor, and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3). In addition, oridonin decreased the phosphorylation of ERK and increased the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK. Furthermore, oridonin treatment down-regulated the expression of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein(IAP) in osteosarcoma cells. All together, our results suggested that oridonin is able to inactivate Akt and ERK and activate p38 MAPK and JNK signalling pathways in osteosarcoma cells causing the suppression of proliferation and induction of mitochondria- and caspase-dependent apoptosis.
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PMID:Oridonin induced apoptosis through Akt and MAPKs signaling pathways in human osteosarcoma cells. 1721 75

Livin, also called melanoma inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) or kidney IAP, is a member of the IAP family of caspase inhibitors that selectively binds the endogenous IAP antagonist SMAC and caspase-3, caspase-7, and caspase-9. As such, Livin inhibits apoptosis, and its overexpression renders malignant cells resistant to chemotherapy. Therefore, inhibitors of Livin could be useful adjuncts to chemotherapy in the treatment of malignancies. This review will discuss Livin as a potential therapeutic target and strategies for its inhibition, including antisense oligonucleotides, small-molecule inhibitors, and immune-mediated approaches.
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PMID:Livin/melanoma inhibitor of apoptosis protein as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of malignancy. 1723 63

We sequenced and characterized the inhibitor of apoptosis (iap) 1 gene from Aedes albopictus, designated as Aaiap1. The Aaiap1 gene rescued Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells from apoptosis when cotransfected with the Drosophila pro-apoptotic hid gene. The antiapoptotic function of the Aaiap1 gene was evaluated in the bluetongue virus (BTV)-induced apoptosis system. BTV infection induced apoptosis in vertebrate cells via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. This was shown by the translocation of cytochrome C and the second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (Smac, also known as DIABLO) from the mitochondria and the subsequent activation of caspase-9 and -3. Stable expression of the Aaiap1 gene in derivative baby hamster kidney cells delayed BTV-induced apoptosis by 24 h and reduced the BTV progeny yield by 10-fold. This study provides the first evidence that the mosquito AaIAP1 protein possesses antiapoptotic activity.
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PMID:The Aedes albopictus inhibitor of apoptosis 1 gene protects vertebrate cells from bluetongue virus-induced apoptosis. 1725 12

Curcumin, an active ingredient of turmeric (Curcuma longa), inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in cancer cells, but the sequence of events leading to cell death is poorly defined. The objective of this study was to examine the molecular mechanisms by which multidomain pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members Bax and Bak regulate curcumin-induced apoptosis using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) deficient in Bax, Bak or both genes. Curcumin treatment resulted an increase in the protein levels of both Bax and Bak, and mitochondrial translocation and activation of Bax in MEFs to trigger drop in mitochondrial membrane potential, cytosolic release of apoptogenic molecules [cytochrome c and second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (Smac)/direct inhibitor of apoptosis protein-binding protein with low isoelectric point], activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 and ultimately apoptosis. Furthermore, MEFs derived from Bax and Bak double-knockout (DKO) mice exhibited even greater protection against curcumin-induced release of cytochrome c and Smac, activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and induction of apoptosis compared with wild-type MEFs or single-knockout Bax(-/-) or Bak(-/-) MEFs. Interestingly, curcumin treatment also caused an increase in the protein level of apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 in wild-type MEFs. Smac N7 peptide enhanced curcumin-induced apoptosis, whereas Smac siRNA inhibited the effects of curcumin on apoptosis. Mature form of Smac sensitized Bax and Bak DKO MEFs to undergo apoptosis by acting downstream of mitochondria. The present study demonstrates the role of Bax and Bak as a critical regulator of curcumin-induced apoptosis and over-expression of Smac as interventional approaches to deal with Bax- and/or Bak-deficient chemoresistant cancers for curcumin-based therapy.
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PMID:Bax and Bak genes are essential for maximum apoptotic response by curcumin, a polyphenolic compound and cancer chemopreventive agent derived from turmeric, Curcuma longa. 1727 31

Grifolin, a natural biologically active substance isolated from the edible bodies of the mushroom Albatrellus confluens, has been shown to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in several cancer cell lines. But the mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the apoptosis-inducing effects and the mechanisms of grifolin on human osteosarcoma cells. Our results demonstrated that grifolin induced concentration- and time-dependent suppression of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in U2OS and MG63 osteosarcoma cell lines. Grifolin induced the release of cytochrome c accompanied by activation of caspase-9, caspase-3 and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). In addition, z-VAD-fmk, a universal inhibitor of caspases, prevented caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage and inhibted grifolin-induced cell growth inhibition. Furthermore, grifolin treatment resulted in a reduction in level of phosphorylated AKT, FOXO transcription factor, and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3). Knockdown of GSK3 with siRNA inhibited the apoptotic effects of grifolin. On the other hand, grifolin treatment down-regulated the expression of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein(IAP) in both osteosarcoma cells. Taken together, our results suggested that grifolin is able to suppress the phosphorylation of Akt and its substrates FOXO transcription factor and GSK3 in osteosarcoma cells causing the suppression of proliferation and induction of mitochondria- and caspase-dependent apoptosis.
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PMID:Grifolin induces apoptosis via inhibition of PI3K/AKT signalling pathway in human osteosarcoma cells. 1733 16

Resistance to apoptosis is a hallmark of many solid tumors, including pancreatic cancers, and may be the underlying basis for the suboptimal response to chemoradiation therapies. Overexpression of a family of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAP) is commonly observed in pancreatic malignancies. We determined the therapeutic efficacy of recently described small-molecule antagonists of the X-linked IAP (XIAP) in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer. Primary pancreatic cancers were assessed for XIAP expression by immunohistochemistry, using a pancreatic cancer tissue microarray. XIAP small-molecule antagonists ("XAntag"; compounds 1396-11 and 1396-12) and the related compound 1396-28 were tested in vitro in a panel of human pancreatic cancer cell lines (Panc1, Capan1, and BxPC3) and in vivo in s.c. xenograft models for their ability to induce apoptosis and impede neoplastic growth. In addition, pancreatic cancer cell lines were treated with XAntags in conjunction with either tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) or with radiation to determine potential synergy for such dual targeting of the apoptotic machinery. XIAP was overexpressed in 14 of 18 (77%) of primary pancreatic cancers. The XAntags1396-11 and 1396-12, but not the inactive isomer 1396-28, induced profound apoptosis in multiple pancreatic cancer cell lines tested in vitro, with a IC(50) in the range of 2 to 5 mumol/L. Mechanistic specificity of the XAntags for the baculoviral IAP repeat-2 domain of XIAP was shown by preferential activation of downstream "effector" caspases (caspase-3 and caspase-7) versus the upstream "initiator" caspase-9. S.c. BxPC3 xenograft growth in athymic mice was significantly inhibited by monotherapy with XAntags; treated xenografts showed marked apoptosis and increased cleavage of caspase-3. Notably, striking synergy was demonstrable when XAntags were combined with either TRAIL or radiation therapy, as measured by growth inhibition in vitro and reduced colony formation in soft agar of pancreatic cancer cell lines, at dosages where these therapeutic modalities had minimal to modest effects when used alone. Finally, XAntags in combination with the standard-of-care agent for advanced pancreatic cancer, gemcitabine, resulted in significantly greater inhibition of in vitro growth than gemcitabine alone. Our results confirm that pharmacologic inhibition of XIAP is a potent therapeutic modality in pancreatic cancers. These antagonists are independently capable of inducing pancreatic cancer cell death and also show synergy when combined with proapoptotic ligands (TRAIL), with radiation, and with a conventional antimetabolite, gemcitabine. These preclinical results suggest that targeting of the apoptotic machinery in pancreatic cancers with XAntags is a promising therapeutic option that warrants further evaluation.
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PMID:Targeting the apoptotic machinery in pancreatic cancers using small-molecule antagonists of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein. 1733 66

Caspases are crucial activators of apoptosis and NF-kappaB signaling in vertebrates and invertebrates. In Drosophila, the caspase-9 counterpart Dronc is essential for most apoptotic death, whereas the caspase-8 homolog Dredd activates NF-kappaB signaling in response to gram-negative bacterial infection. The mechanics of caspase regulation are conserved and include the activities of a family of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins. The RING-domain-bearing protein Defense repressor 1 (Dnr1), blocks ectopic Dredd-mediated induction of an NF-kappaB reporter in the Drosophila S2 cell line. In this study, we present novel data indicating that Dnr1 impacts on Dronc-dependent regulation of the apoptotic program. We show that depletion of Dnr1 results in elevated Dronc protein levels, which translates to increased caspase activation and activity upon induction of apoptosis. Conversely, we demonstrate that overexpression of Dnr1 blocks apoptotic caspase activity and prevents induction of apoptosis in tissue culture assays. Furthermore, we show that Dnr1 overexpression significantly reduces Dronc protein levels and identify the domains of Dnr1 necessary for these effects. From these data, we propose that Dnr1 inhibits initiator caspases in S2 cells.
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PMID:Interactions of DNR1 with the apoptotic machinery of Drosophila melanogaster. 1734 81


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