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)

Cells from major types of gliomas, i.e. oligodendrogliomas and glioblastomas, are able to generate action potentials upon a current injection similar to neurons (Patt et al. (1996) Neuroscience, 71, 601-611; Labrakakis et al. (1997b) J. Neuropath. Exp. Neurol., 56, 243-254. Here, we report that activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors by the selective agonist, kainate, or by glutamate itself, depolarized the tumour cells in culture and living slices from tumour tissue, and can elicit volleys of action potentials, as recorded with the patch-clamp technique. Sixty-six percent of the glioblastoma cells, 44% of the astocytoma and 86% of the oligodendroglioma cells responded to glutamate and the specific agonist of AMPA/kainate receptors, kainate. The involvement of non-NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors is further supported by the observation that both kainate and glutamate currents were blocked by CNQX (6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione). The receptor activation was accompanied by an increase in cytosolic Ca2+, as recorded with a fura-2 microfluorometric system. The Ca2+ elevation was mediated by the activation of Ca2+ channels due to membrane depolarization. The presence of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels was confirmed by patch-clamp experiments. Taken together, these findings imply that the electrophysiological properties of glioma cells are more reminiscent of those of neurons than of glial cells.
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PMID:Glutamate receptor activation can trigger electrical activity in human glioma cells. 975 1

1. In primary cultured human glioblastoma cells extracellular application of ATP triggered elevation in cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) mediated entirely by generation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3)-dependent Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores followed by the activation of store-operated Ca2+ entry into the cells. 2. Sensitivity of P2Y purinoceptors to extracellular ATP was regulated by extracellular Ca2+: in Ca2+-free extracellular solution the threshold concentration of ATP that induced an increase in [Ca2+]i was reduced by one order of magnitude. 3. Activation of Ca2+ release and store-operated Ca2+ entry was dissociated: low concentrations of ATP induced substantial Ca2+ release without activation of Ca2+ entry; activation of the latter required higher ATP concentrations. 4. Mitochondria participated in buffering Ca2+ loads that resulted from store-operated Ca2+ influx; in contrast Ca2+ released from intracellular stores was not accumulated by the mitochondrial depot. 5. We conclude that ATP-induced Ca2+ responses are governed by several pathways with different sensitivities to the agonist. This enables cells to respond either with pure Ca2+ release from intracellular stores (at low ATP concentrations) or (at high ATP concentrations) the response is amplified by plasmalemmal Ca2+ influx. Store-operated Ca2+ entry increases mitochondrial Ca2+ content providing a link between cellular activation and mitochondrial function.
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PMID:Relations between intracellular Ca2+ stores and store-operated Ca2+ entry in primary cultured human glioblastoma cells. 980 92

It has been shown that astrocytes (human glioblastoma U118 cell line) release reactive oxygen species (ROS), including superoxide O2.- and hydrogen peroxide H2O2 following the action of C5a complement component C5a (but not C3a). The effect of C5a (1 nM) is accompanied with hyperpolarization of the astrocyte plasma membrane. Component C3a (100 nM), which is not an inducer of ROS, caused a prolonged depolarization of astrocytes. However, both the agents induced a transient increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The data obtained permit a conclusion that O2.- participates in the intracellular signal transduction, and is involved in the mechanism of hyperpolarization response of astrocytes to the effect of the inducer of ROS, complement component C5a.
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PMID:[Activation of astrocytes of by anaphylatoxins of the complement system]. 982 Dec 47

Forced expression of gap junction proteins, connexins, enables gap junction-deficient cell lines to propagate intercellular calcium waves. Here, we show that ATP secretion from the poorly coupled cell lines, C6 glioma, HeLa, and U373 glioblastoma, is potentiated 5- to 15-fold by connexin expression. ATP release required purinergic receptor-activated intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and was inhibited by Cl- channel blockers. Calcium wave propagation also was reduced by purinergic receptor antagonists and by Cl- channel blockers but insensitive to gap junction inhibitors. These observations suggest that cell-to-cell signaling associated with connexin expression results from enhanced ATP release and not, as previously believed, from an increase in intercellular coupling.
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PMID:Connexins regulate calcium signaling by controlling ATP release. 986 Oct 39

Enhanced activity of receptor tyrosine kinases such as the PDGF beta-receptor and EGF receptor has been implicated as a contributing factor in the development of malignant and nonmalignant proliferative diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis. Several epidemiological studies suggest that green tea may prevent the development of cancer and atherosclerosis. One of the major constituents of green tea is the polyphenol epigallocathechin-3 gallate (EGCG). In an attempt to offer a possible explanation for the anti-cancer and anti-atherosclerotic activity of EGCG, we examined the effect of EGCG on the PDGF-BB-, EGF-, angiotensin II-, and FCS-induced activation of the 44 kDa and 42 kDa mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase isoforms (p44(mapk)/p42(mapk)) in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from rat aorta. VSMCs were treated with EGCG (1-100 microM) for 24 h and stimulated with the above mentioned agonists for different time periods. Stimulation of the p44(mapk)/p42(mapk) was detected by the enhanced Western blotting method using phospho-specific MAP kinase antibodies that recognized the Tyr204-phosphorylated (active) isoforms. Treatment of VSMCs with 10 and 50 microM EGCG resulted in an 80% and a complete inhibition of the PDGF-BB-induced activation of MAP kinase isoforms, respectively. In striking contrast, EGCG (1-100 microM) did not influence MAP kinase activation by EGF, angiotensin II, and FCS. Similarly, the maximal effect of PDGF-BB on the c-fos and egr-1 mRNA expression as well as on intracellular free Ca2+ concentration was completely inhibited in EGCG-treated VSMCs, whereas the effect of EGF was not affected. Quantification of the immunoprecipitated tyrosine-phosphorylated PDGF-Rbeta, phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase, and phospholipase C-gamma1 by the enhanced Western blotting method revealed that EGCG treatment effectively inhibits tyrosine phosphorylation of these kinases in VSMCs. Furthermore, we show that spheroid formation of human glioblastoma cells (A172) and colony formation of sis-transfected NIH 3T3 cells in semisolid agar are completely inhibited by 20-50 microM EGCG. Our findings demonstrate that EGCG is a selective inhibitor of the tyrosine phosphorylation of PDGF-Rbeta and its downstream signaling pathway. The present findings may partly explain the anti-cancer and anti-atherosclerotic activity of green tea.
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PMID:Epigallocathechin-3 gallate selectively inhibits the PDGF-BB-induced intracellular signaling transduction pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells and inhibits transformation of sis-transfected NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and human glioblastoma cells (A172). 1019 59

Thrombin is known to play a role as regulator in tumor spreading and tumor growth. Proteinase-activated receptor 1 (PAR 1)-type thrombin receptors were identified in different cancer cells including human glioblastoma cells. Thus a function of PAR 1 in brain tumors may be suggested. In this study, the presence of PAR 1-type thrombin receptors was investigated in primary cell cultures established from operated human meningiomas from two 59- and 79-year-old women. Characterization of PAR 1 on binding level was performed using immunofluorescence studies with the monoclonal anti-PAR 1 antibody Mab 61-1 directed against a domain in the NH2-terminus of PAR 1. These binding sites constitute functional thrombin receptors that are involved in thrombin-induced signaling in human meningioma cells as demonstrated by investigation of alpha-thrombin- and PAR 1-activating hexapeptide (TRAP-6)-induced [Ca2+]i mobilization. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating thrombin-induced intracellular signaling in human meningioma cells mediated by the PAR 1-type thrombin receptor.
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PMID:PAR 1-type thrombin receptors are involved in thrombin-induced calcium signaling in human meningioma cells. 1042 Oct 70

We investigated the effects of a protein kinase (PK) inhibitor, H-7 (1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride), on the regulation of heat shock protein (hsp)72 gene expression in a human glioblastoma cell line (A-172) using a gel mobility-shift assay and Western blot analysis. Heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) was phosphorylated immediately after heat treatment (44 degrees C, 30 min) and the phosphorylation of HSF1 was suppressed by H-7. The increase in DNA binding ability of HSFI to heat shock element (HSE) by heat shock was significantly suppressed by the addition of H-7 in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, the accumulation of hsp72 by heat shock was suppressed by the addition of H-7 in a dose-dependent manner. Since H-7 is known to be a potent inhibitor of some PKs, especially calcium-dependent PK (PKC), cyclicAMP-dependent PK (PKA) and cyclicGMP-dependent PK (PKG), it is possible that the activation of HSF1 by phosphorylation and subsequent hsp72 gene expression are dependent on some of those PKs. The nature of H-7 as a non-specific inhibitor for PKs is discussed in relation to its availability for regulation of heat sensitivity of cells depending on cellular level of hsp72.
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PMID:The protein kinase inhibitor, H-7, suppresses heat induced activation of heat shock transcription factor 1. 1048 32

The presence of the cellular multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene and its product, P-glycoprotein (Pgp), is thought to be a mechanism for the failure of chemotherapy in cancer patients. Calcium channel blockers have been shown to sensitise cancer cells to anticancer drugs by reversing Pgp expression in cell lines. The interactions between anticancer drugs such as carmustine (BCNU), vincristine (VCR) and procarbazine (PCB) and calcium channel blockers such as nimodipine and verapamil on cultured cells of glioblastoma from eight patients were therefore tested. Pgp expression was examined immunohistochemically using C219 monoclonal antibody in cytospin preparation. The cytotoxicity of the drugs was screened using microculture tetrazolium assay. The cells from five patients showed positive immunoreaction for Pgp. Nimodipine showed growth-inhibitory activity against glioblastoma cells at a rate of 16.55-26.88% (P < 0.05), but a similar effect was not observed with verapamil. While antiproliferative effects of BCNU were around 20.91-45.09% (P < 0.05) on the cells from seven patients, VCR was the most effective agent in inhibition of cell growth at a rate of 26.43-48.47% (P < 0.05). The response of the cells from five patients to PCB was from 11.98 to 16.32% (P < 0.05). When used together, nimodipine further enriched cytotoxicity of the anticancer drugs up to 11.14-40.85% (P < 0.05) without relation to Pgp expression. In conclusion, the enhancement of cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs by nimodipine suggests that there might be a synergy between anticancer drugs and nimodipine in the inhibition of glioma cell growth.
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PMID:The effects of anticancer drugs in combination with nimodipine and verapamil on cultured cells of glioblastoma multiforme. 1062 52

Sodium-L-ascorbate, L-ascorbic acid, D-isoascorbic acid, sodium 5,6-benzylidene-L-ascorbate and sodium-6-beta-O-galactosyl-L-ascorbate, which produce ascorbyl radicals during the oxidative degradation, also induced cytotoxicity against cultured human renal carcinoma (TC-1) and glioblastoma multiform tumor (T98G) cell lines. On the other hand, L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate magnesium and L-ascorbic acid 2-sulfate dipotassium salt, which do not produce the ascorbyl radical, were inactive. This suggests the possible role of the ascorbyl radical for cell death induction. T98G cells were more resistant to ascorbate analogs than TC-1 and HL-60 cells, possibly due to higher intracellular glutathione concentrations. Ascorbate treatment induced rapid elevation of both intracellular concentration of cAMP and Ca2+ in HL-60 cells, but not in TC-1 and T98G cells. However, the elevation of cAMP by theophyline and N,2-dibutyryl adenosine 3,5 cyclic monophosphate (dibutyryl cAMP) resulted in a decrease in the viable cell number. This suggests the possible role of cAMP for ascorbate-induced cell death.
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PMID:Induction of cell death by ascorbic acid derivatives in human renal carcinoma and glioblastoma cell lines. 1065 1

Thrombin induces well-characterized effects on normal and neoplastic brain cells by interaction with protease-activated receptor (PAR)-type thrombin receptors. However, nothing is known about the function of intermediate enzymes of prothrombin activation recently shown to evoke PAR-1-mediated signaling in smooth muscle cells. Therefore, we investigated the effect of recombinant human meizothrombin (rMT), one of thrombin's catalytically active precursor enzymes in the prothrombin cleavage cascade, on calcium mobilization in human SNB-19 glioblastoma cells. By using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence studies with a monoclonal anti-PAR-1 antibody and calcium measurements, SNB-19 cells were shown to express functional PAR-1-type thrombin receptors. PAR-1 is not only a receptor for thrombin in SNB-19 cells but was also activated by rMT very effectively. Under the conditions used in our experiments, SNB-19 cells stimulated with thrombin after rMT challenge were unable to elicit a new calcium response and vice versa. In addition, both rMT and thrombin induced no further calcium signal after that observed with the PAR-1-activating peptide SFLLRN. Therefore, rMT and thrombin seem to activate calcium signaling by similar mechanisms including PAR-1. Our results demonstrate rMT as a potent activator of PAR-1-type thrombin receptors in SNB-19 glioblastoma cells, suggesting a function of catalytically active thrombin precursor enzymes in cells of glial origin.
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PMID:Meizothrombin, an intermediate of prothrombin activation, stimulates human glioblastoma cells by interaction with PAR-1-type thrombin receptors. 1068 92


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