Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0017636 (glioblastoma)
 18,345 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

C6 rat glioblastoma cells are able to attach to and to spread on culture dishes which are coated with purified central nervous system myelin, in contrast to normal astrocytes, fibroblasts or neurons which adhere poorly and are unable to spread on this substrate. The metalloprotease blockers o-phenanthroline and a newly developed oligopeptide could specifically inhibit C6 cell spreading on central nervous system myelin, suggesting a crucial role for a metalloprotease. Here we characterize this metalloproteolytic activity of C6 cells using a peptide degradation assay with the iodinated tetrapeptide carbobenzoxy-Phe-Ala-Phe-125I-Tyr-amide as a substrate. Purified, salt-washed C6 plasma membranes cleaved the peptide between alanine and phenylalanine, an effect which is strongly inhibited by o-phenanthroline, but not by thiol-blocking agents or aspartic and serine protease inhibitors. The metalloendoprotease is highly sensitive to phosphoramidon but insensitive to thiorphan. The enzyme is tightly bound to the plasma membrane but not G protein-phosphatidylinositol linked. It can be solubilized in part by the detergents 3-(3-cholamidopropyldimethylamino)-1-propanesulfonate or Triton X-114. Gel filtration chromatography using the Triton X-114-solubilized proteins or the proteins removed by a short trypsin treatment revealed a molecular weight range for the C6 enzyme of 60,000-100,000. Polymerase chain reaction with primers corresponding to endopeptidase 24.11 or to the highly conserved motif of the "astacin family" showed that both enzymes were not detectable in the C6 glioblastoma cells.
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PMID:Characterization of a membrane-bound metalloendoprotease of rat C6 glioblastoma cells. 803 33

Induction of WAF1 expression was investigated after heat treatment (44 degrees C, 30 min) in two human glioblastoma cell lines with the wild-type or a mutant p53 gene. WAF1 accumulation was induced by heat treatment in A-172 cells carrying the wild-type p53 gene but not in T98G cells carrying the mutant p53 gene. We examined whether this phenomenon was due to the induction of WAF1 expression. Northern blot analysis showed that heat treatment not only activated WAF1 but also up-regulated p53 expression only in A-172 cells carrying the wild-type p53 gene. Gel mobility shift assay indicated an increase in p53 DNA binding activity after heat treatment. These findings suggest that the WAF1 expression is heat-inducible in human glioblastoma cells and that this induction may be due to signal transduction mediated by p53 in response to heat stress.
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PMID:p53-dependent induction of WAF1 by heat treatment in human glioblastoma cells. 866 96

It has been shown that the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Tat protein can specifically enhance expression and release of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) from human astrocytes. In this study, we show evidence that Tat-induced MCP-1 expression is mediated at the transcriptional level. Transient transfection of an expression construct encoding the full-length Tat into the human glioblastoma-astrocytoma cell line U-87 MG enhances reporter gene activity from cotransfected deletion constructs of the MCP-1 promoter. HIV-1 Tat exerts its effect through a minimal construct containing 213 nucleotides upstream of the translational start site. Site-directed mutagenesis studies indicate that an SP1 site (located between nucleotides -123 and -115) is critical for both constitutive and Tat-enhanced expression of the human MCP-1 promoter, as mutation of this SP1 site significantly diminished reporter gene expression in both instances. Gel retardation experiments further demonstrate that Tat strongly enhances the binding of SP1 protein to its DNA element on the MCP-1 promoter. Moreover, we also observe an increase in the binding activities of transcriptional factors AP1 and NF-kappaB to the MCP-1 promoter following Tat treatment. Mutagenesis studies show that an upstream AP1 site and an adjacent NF-kappaB site (located at -128 to -122 and -150 to -137, respectively) play a role in Tat-mediated transactivation. In contrast, a further upstream AP1 site (-156 to -150) does not appear to be crucial for promoter activity. We postulate that a Tat-mediated increase in SP1 binding activities augments the binding of AP1 and NF-kappaB, leading to synergistic activation of the MCP-1 promoter.
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PMID:The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Tat protein up-regulates the promoter activity of the beta-chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in the human astrocytoma cell line U-87 MG: role of SP-1, AP-1, and NF-kappaB consensus sites. 1064 32

Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is associated with disease progression in human glioblastomas. We recently showed that VEGF promoter activity is inversely correlated with tumor extracellular pH (pH(o)) in vivo in the human glioma (U87 MG) xenografts. Here we show that substitution of the neutral culture medium (pH 7.3) with acidic pH medium (pH 6.6) up-regulates VEGF mRNA and protein production in human glioblastoma cells as reflected by Northern blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Functional analysis of the VEGF promoter reveals that the sequence between -961 bp and -683 bp upstream of the transcription start site is responsible for the transcriptional activation of the VEGF gene by acidic pH. This region contains the binding site for AP-1. Consequently, AP-1 luciferase reporter gene was activated by acidic pH. Gel-shift analysis confirmed that AP-1 DNA binding activity is induced under acidic pH. While investigating the upstream signaling pathways, we found that ERK1/2 MAPK is activated and translocates to the nucleus to activate Elk-1, and inhibition of the activation of ERK by specific inhibitors of MEK1 blocks the up-regulation of VEGF by low pH. Dominant negative forms of Ras and Raf abolished the activation of VEGF promoter by acidic pH. These results show that acidic pH activates Ras and the ERK1/2 MAPK pathway to enhance VEGF transcription via AP-1, leading to increased VEGF production.
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PMID:Acidic extracellular pH induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human glioblastoma cells via ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathway: mechanism of low pH-induced VEGF. 1174 77

The expression of transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-beta2) appears to play a strong role in the establishment and progression of glial tumors. In particular, elevated expression of TGF-beta2 appears to be responsible for the impaired cell-mediated immunity often observed in patients with a glioblastoma. This study examined the regulation of the TGF-beta2 at the transcriptional level in the U87MG glioblastoma cell line. We demonstrate that a cAMP response element/activating transcription factor (CRE/ATF) site and an E-box motif located just upstream of the transcription start site are essential for the transcription of the TGF-beta2 gene in U87MG cells. Gel mobility analysis determined that activating transcription factor-1, and possibly cAMP-responsive element binding protein, binds to the CRE/ATF site, and upsteam stimulatory factor (USF) 1 and USF2 bind to the E-box motif. Interestingly, expression of a dominant negative USF protein down-regulates TGF-beta2 activity by 80-95% in glioblastoma cells. We conclude that the binding of transcription factors, in particular the USF proteins, to the TGF-beta2 promoter is essential for its expression and possibly its up-regulation in glioblastomas.
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PMID:Transcriptional regulation of the transforming growth factor-beta2 gene in glioblastoma cells. 1177 74

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) A is a key enzyme for the degradation of neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. There are three consensus glucocorticoid/androgen response elements and four Sp1-binding sites in the human monoamine oxidase A 2-kb promoter. A novel transcription factor R1 (RAM2/CDCA7L) interacts with Sp1-binding sites and represses MAO A gene expression. Luciferase assays show that glucocorticoid (dexamethasone) and androgen (R1881) increase MAO A promoter and catalytic activities in human neuroblastoma and glioblastoma cells. Gel-shift analysis demonstrates that glucocorticoid/androgen receptors interact directly with the third glucocorticoid/androgen response element. Glucocorticoid/androgen receptors also interact with Sp1-binding sites indirectly via transcription factor Sp1. In addition, dexamethasone induces R1 translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus in a time-dependent manner in both the neuroblastoma and wild-type UW228 cell lines but not in R1 knock-down UW228 cells. In summary, this study shows that glucocorticoid enhances monoamine oxidase A gene expression by 1) regulation of R1 translocation; 2) direct interaction of the glucocorticoid receptor with the third glucocorticoid/androgen response element; and 3) indirect interaction of glucocorticoid receptor with the Sp1 or R1 transcription factor on Sp1-binding sites of the MAO A promoter. Androgen also up-regulates MAO A gene expression by direct interaction of androgen receptor with the third glucocorticoid/androgen response element. Androgen receptor indirectly interacts with the Sp1, but not R1 transcription factor, on Sp1-binding sites. This study provides new insights on the differential regulation of MAO A by glucocorticoid and androgen.
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PMID:Glucocorticoid and androgen activation of monoamine oxidase A is regulated differently by R1 and Sp1. 1672 2

Although static magnetic fields (SMFs) are used extensively in the occupational and medical fields, few comprehensive studies have investigated their possible genotoxic effect and the findings are controversial. With the advent of magnetic resonance imaging-guided radiation therapy, the potential effects of SMFs on ionizing radiation (IR) have become increasingly important. In this study we focused on the genotoxic effect of 80 mT SMFs, both alone and in combination with (i.e. preceding or following) X-ray (XR) irradiation, on primary glioblastoma cells in culture. The cells were exposed to: (i) SMFs alone; (ii) XRs alone; (iii) XR, with SMFs applied during recovery; (iv) SMFs both before and after XR irradiation. XR-induced DNA damage was analyzed by Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis assay (comet assay) using statistical tools designed to assess the tail DNA (TD) and tail length (TL) as indicators of DNA fragmentation. Mitochondrial membrane potential, known to be affected by IR, was assessed using the JC-1 mitochondrial probe. Our results showed that exposure of cells to 5 Gy of XR irradiation alone led to extensive DNA damage, which was significantly reduced by post-irradiation exposure to SMFs. The XR-induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential was to a large extent averted by exposure to SMFs. These data suggest that SMFs modulate DNA damage and/or damage repair, possibly through a mechanism that affects mitochondria.
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PMID:Static magnetic fields modulate X-ray-induced DNA damage in human glioblastoma primary cells. 2434 58

Bevacizumab (Avastin) is an angiogenesis inhibitor used as a treatment for various cancers. In this study, the combination therapy of Avastin and glioblastoma-specific thymidine kinase gene [pEpo-NI2-SV-herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase(HSVtk)] was evaluated in a glioblastoma animal model. The R7L10 peptide was used as a gene carrier of pEpo-NI2-SV-HSVtk. Gel retardation assays confirmed that R7L10 formed stable complexes with pEpo-NI2-SV-HSVtk. R7L10 protected DNA from nuclease digestion. R7L10 had lower transfection efficiency than polyethylenimine (PEI; 25 kDa). However, the in vitro and in vivo toxicity assays showed that R7L10 had lower cytotoxicity than PEI, suggesting that R7L10 is safer than PEI. For the combination therapy, Avastin was injected intravenously and the pEpo-NI2-SV-HSVtk/R7L10 complexes were injected intratumorally in the glioblastoma animal model. Tumor growth was most effectively inhibited by the combination therapy of Avastin and the gene. The immunostaining results confirmed that the HSVtk genes were expressed in the groups with the pEpo-NI2-SV-HSVtk/R7L10 complex. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay showed a higher level of apoptotic cells in the combination group than the pEpo-NI2-SV-HSVtk/R7L10 complex or Avastin group. In conclusion, the combination of Avastin and the glioblastoma-specific HSVtk gene has a higher antitumor effect than single therapy of Avastin or HSVtk after intratumoral administration in glioblastoma animal model.
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PMID:Peptide micelle-mediated delivery of tissue-specific suicide gene and combined therapy with avastin in a glioblastoma model. 2563 73

Nanodisks (ND) are ternary complexes of phospholipid, one or more hydrophobic bioactive agents and an apolipoprotein scaffold. These nanoscale assemblies are organized as a disk-shaped lipid bilayer whose perimeter is stabilized by an apolipoprotein scaffold. Solubilization of hydrophobic bioactive agents is achieved by their integration into the ND lipid milieu. When the cis-imidazoline, nutlin-3a, was incubated with phosphatidylcholine and apolipoprotein A-I, it was conferred with aqueous solubility as judged by spectroscopic analysis. Nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis yielded evidence of a homogeneous population of ND particles ~9 nm in diameter. Gel filtration chromatography experiments revealed the association of nutlin-3a with ND is reversible. Biological activity of nutlin-3a ND was examined in three distinct glioblastoma cell lines, U87MG, SF763 and SF767. Incubation of U87MG cells with nutlin-3a ND induced concentration-dependent cell growth arrest and apoptosis. SF763 cells demonstrated modest cell growth arrest only at high concentrations of nutlin-3a ND and no apoptosis. SF767 cells were unaffected by nutlin-3a ND. Immunoblot analysis revealed nutlin-3a ND induced time-dependent stabilization of the master tumor suppressor, p53, and up regulation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase, murine double minute 2 in U87MG cells, but not the other glioma cell lines. The nanoscale size of the formulation particles, their facile assembly and nutlin-3a solubilization capability suggest ND represent a potentially useful vehicle for in vivo administration of this anti-tumor agent.
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PMID:Nutlin-3a Nanodisks Induce p53 Stabilization and Apoptosis in a Subset of Cultured Glioblastoma Cells. 2896 69

A glioblastoma is a common primary brain tumor that expresses microRNA-21 (miR-21), which inhibits the expression of pro-apoptotic genes such as phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) and programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4). Therefore, an antisense-oligonucleotide against miR-21 (miR21ASO) could have therapeutic effects for glioblastomas. In this study, curcumin was loaded into deoxycholic acid-conjugated polyethylenimine (DP) micelles. The curcumin-loaded DP micelle (DP-Cur) was evaluated as a carrier for the combined delivery of curcumin and miR21ASO. Gel retardation and heparin competition assays showed that DP-Cur formed stable complexes with miR21ASO. The anti-tumor effects of the combined delivery of curcumin and miR21ASO were evaluated in C6 glioblastoma cells. In vitro transfection showed that DP-Cur had an miR21ASO delivery efficiency similar to that of polyethylenimine (25 kDa, PEI25k) and DP. In the C6 cells, the delivery of miR21ASO using DP-Cur effectively reduced the miR21 level. The miR21ASO/DP-Cur complex induced apoptosis more effectively than the single delivery of curcumin or miR21ASO. The therapeutic effect of the miR21ASO/DP-Cur complex was also evaluated in an intracranial glioblastoma animal model. The miR21ASO/DP-Cur complex reduced the tumor volume more effectively than single therapy of curcumin or miR21ASO. Immunohistochemistry showed that PDCD4 and PTEN were induced in the miR21ASO/DP and miR21ASO/DP-Cur complex groups. Therefore, DP-Cur is an efficient carrier of miR21ASO and the combined delivery of miR21ASO and curcumin may be useful in the development of combination therapy for glioblastoma.
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PMID:A curcumin-loaded polymeric micelle as a carrier of a microRNA-21 antisense-oligonucleotide for enhanced anti-tumor effects in a glioblastoma animal model. 2934 Mar 61


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