Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0025202 (melanoma)
 69,561 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Polygonatum cyrtonema lectin (PCL), a mannose/sialic acid-binding lectin, has been reported to display remarkable inhibitory and cytotoxic activity toward cancer cells. However, the precise mechanism by which PCL induces tumor cell death is still only rudimentarily understood. In the present study, PCL was shown to markedly inhibit the growth of human melanoma A375 cells with concomitant low toxicity to the normal melanocytes. Subsequently, PCL was found to simultaneously induce A375 cell apoptosis and autophagy. The mechanism of apoptosis following treatment with PCL involved regulation of Bax, Bcl-x(L) and Bcl-2 proteins, which then caused collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential, leading to cytochrome c release and caspase activation. The treatment with PCL also abrogated the glutathione antioxidant system, and induced mitochondria to generate massive ROS accumulation, which subsequently resulted in p38 and p53 activation. Further experimental data confirmed that the ROS-p38-p53 pathway could be involved in the stimulation of autophagy, suggesting that autophagy may play a death-promoting role via the above-mentioned apoptotic pathway. In conclusion, these findings indicate that PCL induces both apoptosis and autophagy in cancer cells through a mitochondria-mediated ROS-p38-p53 pathway.
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PMID:Molecular mechanisms of Polygonatum cyrtonema lectin-induced apoptosis and autophagy in cancer cells. 1913 34

Recent advances in the identification and characterisation of stem cell populations has led to substantial interest in understanding the precise triggers that would operate to induce activation of quiescent stem cells. Melanocyte stem cells (MSCs) reside in the bulge region of the hair follicles and are characterised by reduced expression of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) and its target genes implicated in differentiation. Vitiligo is characterised by progressive destruction of differentiated melanocytes. However, therapies using UV irradiation therapy can induce a degree of repigmentation, suggesting that MSCs may be activated. As Mitf is implicated in control of proliferation, we have explored the possibility that inducing Mitf expression via lipid-mediated activation of the p38 stress-signalling pathway may represent a re-pigmentation strategy. Here we have isolated from placental extract a C18:0 sphingolipid able to induce Mitf and tyrosinase expression via activation of the p38 stress-signalling pathway. Strikingly, in age-onset gray-haired C57BL/6J mice that exhibit decaying Mitf expression, topical application of placental sphingolipid leads to increased Mitf in follicular melanocytes and fresh dense black hair growth. The results raise the possibility that lipid-mediated activation of the p38 pathway may represent a novel approach to an effective vitiligo therapy.
Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2009 Apr
PMID:Sphingolipid-mediated restoration of Mitf expression and repigmentation in vivo in a mouse model of hair graying. 1920 17

Previously we showed apoptotic induction in A375 human melanoma cells using two complexes of the meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphinate (TPPS), (Bu2Sn)2TPPS and (Bu3Sn)4TPPS. To understand how these compounds activate apoptosis in melanoma cells we studied MAPKs and the (Bu2Sn)2TPPS and (Bu3Sn)4TPPS cellular uptake. Western blotting experiments showed activated protein kinases ERK 1/2, JNK and p38 in 10 microM (Bu2Sn)2TPPS- and 1 microM (Bu3Sn)4TPPS-treated melanoma cells, which suggests that the three MAP kinases are involved in the apoptotic death of A375-treated cells. By taking advantage of the porphyrin fluorescence, we found a fast concentration of (Bu2Sn)2TPPS and (Bu3Sn)4TPPS in the nucleus and in the nucleoli compared to TPPS. A significantly reduced growth of A375 human melanoma cells was also observed after only 48 h treatment by using 500 nM of (Bu2Sn)2TPPS or 80 nM of (Bu3Sn)4TPPS. A strong slowdown of cell growth and loss of cell-cell interactions were visible by in vitro wound repair assay.
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PMID:Effects of two organotin(IV)(sulfonatophenyl)porphinates on MAPKs and on the growth of A375 human melanoma cells. 1921 16

The cell ability of tumor cells to tolerate stress conditions is a typical feature of solid tumors. In particular, the resistance to oxidative stress of melanoma cells likely contributes to their intrinsic drug resistance. In an attempt to develop novel strategies for overcoming the mechanisms of cellular protection against oxidative stress, in this study we have explored the efficacy of the combination of two prooxidant agents in two human melanoma cell clones. The selected clones are characterized by a marked difference in expression of gamma-glutamyltransferase, which is known to produce a persistent low level of oxidative stress resulting in the stimulation of protective systems. The gamma-glutamyltransferase-overexpressing clone exhibited a low susceptibility to arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis, associated with low reactive oxygen species induction and increased catalase activity. The combination of arsenic trioxide with subtoxic concentrations of ascorbic acid resulted in a sensitization to apoptotic cell death. The expression of protective mechanisms, in particular catalase activity, accounted for the behavior of the resistant clone. The sensitization achieved by the combination was associated with a cellular response involving the ASK1/p38 axis, which is implicated in the regulation of catalase expression and the activation of apoptotic signals. In conclusion, the results of our study provide evidence that a rational combination of prooxidant agents may be effective in overcoming cellular tolerance to oxidative stress.
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PMID:Gamma-glutamyltransferase-dependent resistance to arsenic trioxide in melanoma cells and cellular sensitization by ascorbic acid. 1929 52

B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) plays a key role in promoting activation of autoimmune B cells. This cytokine may be expressed in and secreted by salivary gland epithelial cells (SGEC) after stimulation with type I IFN or viral or synthetic dsRNA. Because this BAFF expression depends only in part on endosomal TLR and type I IFN, we investigated whether other dsRNA sensors could be implicated in BAFF expression. Using human SGEC, we confirmed the partial dependence of BAFF expression on TLR-3 by replicating the partial inhibition of BAFF expression observed upon endosomal inhibition using TLR-3 or Toll/IL-1R domain-containing protein inducing IFN-beta silencing mRNA, but not with TLR-7 silencing mRNA. Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 silencing mRNA had no effect on BAFF expression, but retinoic acid-inducible gene I silencing mRNA had a slight effect observed following infection with dsRNA reovirus-1. Inhibition of RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) by 2-aminopurine completely abolished both BAFF mRNA and protein production after reovirus-1 infection and poly(I:C) stimulation through NF-kappaB and p38 MAPK pathways, with the latter implicated only after poly(I:C) stimulation. Thus, PKR is the dsRNA sensor implicated in BAFF induction in SGEC after dsRNA stimulation. In autoimmune diseases, PKR may be an interesting target for preventing BAFF following the induction of innate immunity.
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PMID:B-cell-activating factor expressions in salivary epithelial cells after dsRNA virus infection depends on RNA-activated protein kinase activation. 1933 98

The Hematopoietic- and neurologic-expressed sequence 1 (Hn1) gene encodes a small protein that is highly conserved among species. Hn1 expression is upregulated in regenerating neural tissues, including the axotomized adult rodent facial motor nerve and dedifferentiating retinal pigment epithelial cells of the Japanese newt. It is also expressed in numerous tissues during embryonic development as well as in regions of the adult brain that exhibit high plasticity. Hn1 has also been reported as a marker for human ovarian carcinoma and it is expressed in high-grade human gliomas. This study was directed toward understanding the function of Hn1 in a murine melanoma cell line. Hn1 mRNA and protein were identified in B16.F10 cells and in tumors formed from these cells. Inhibition of Hn1 protein expression with siRNA increased melanogenesis. Hn1-depleted cells expressed higher levels of the melanogenic proteins tyrosinase and Trp2 and an increased interaction between actin and Rab27a. The in vitro cell growth rate of Hn1-depleted cells was significantly reduced due to G1/S cell cycle arrest. This was consistent with a reduction in the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein as well as lower levels of p27 and increased expression of p21. Decreased expression of c-Met, the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor, was also detected in the Hn1-depleted cells, however HGF-dependent stimulation of phosphorylated-ERK was unaffected. Hn1 depletion also led to increased basal levels of phosphorylated p38 MAPK, while basal ERK phosphorylation was reduced. Moreover, Hn1-depleted cells had reduced expression of transcription factors MITF and USF-1, and increased expression of TFE3. These data, coupled with reports on Hn1 expression in regeneration and development, suggest that Hn1 functions as a suppressor of differentiation in cells undergoing repair or proliferation.
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PMID:Hematopoietic- and neurologic-expressed sequence 1 (Hn1) depletion in B16.F10 melanoma cells promotes a differentiated phenotype that includes increased melanogenesis and cell cycle arrest. 1942 96

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is an activator and chemoattractant of NK cells, which are critical members of the immunological tumor surveillance machinery. Here, we analyzed the influence of LPA on the interaction of human NK cells with tumor cells such as the Burkitt lymphoma cell line Raji and the human melanoma cell line A2058. Thereby we found that LPA inhibits the release of perforin and cytotoxic activity of NK cells. Analysis of signal transduction showed that LPA induces common signaling pathways of chemotaxins such as G(i) protein-dependent actin re-organization, activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 as well as phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-dependent signal molecules [protein kinase B/Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta)]. In contrast to most chemotaxins, LPA is also able to activate G(s)-dependent signaling molecules. This signaling cascade involves the LPA receptor type-2, increase cAMP levels and protein kinase A (PKA) activation, which in turn are responsible for the modulatory effect of LPA on NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Moreover, blocking the regulatory subunits of PKA I abrogates the inhibitory effect of LPA, whereas the catalytic subunits are not involved. Based on our data, one can assume that LPA contributes to the tumor escape from the immunological surveillance machinery.
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PMID:Lysophosphatidic acid inhibits the cytotoxic activity of NK cells: involvement of Gs protein-mediated signaling. 1946 Nov 26

Rho GTPases are critical components of cellular signal transduction pathways. Both hyperactivity and overexpression of these proteins have been observed in human cancers and have been implicated as important factors in metastasis. We previously showed that dietary n-6 fatty acids increase cancer cell adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins, such as type IV collagen. Here we report that in MDA-MB-435 human melanoma cells, arachidonic acid activates RhoA, and inhibition of RhoA signaling with either C3 exoenzyme or dominant negative Rho blocked arachidonic acid-induced cell adhesion. Inhibition of the Rho kinase (ROCK) with either small molecule inhibitors or ROCK II-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) blocked the fatty acid-induced adhesion. However, unlike other systems, inhibition of ROCK did not block the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK); instead, Rho activation depended on p38 MAPK activity and the presence of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), which is phosphorylated downstream of p38 after arachidonic acid treatment. HSP27 associated with p115RhoGEF in fatty acid-treated cells, and this association was blocked when p38 was inhibited. Furthermore, siRNA knockdown of HSP27 blocked the fatty acid-stimulated Rho activity. Expression of dominant negative p115-RhoGEF or p115RhoGEF-specific siRNA inhibited both RhoA activation and adhesion on type IV collagen, whereas a constitutively active p115RhoGEF restored the arachidonic acid stimulation in cells in which the p38 MAPK had been inhibited. These data suggest that n-6 dietary fatty acids stimulate a set of interactions that regulates cell adhesion through RhoA and ROCK II via a p38 MAPK-dependent association of HSP27 and p115RhoGEF.
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PMID:Arachidonic acid stimulates cell adhesion through a novel p38 MAPK-RhoA signaling pathway that involves heat shock protein 27. 1950 78

Theaflavins (TF) and thearubigins (TR) are the major polyphenols of black tea. Our previous study revealed that TF- and TR-induced apoptosis of human malignant melanoma cells (A375) is executed via a mitochondria-mediated pathway. In our present study we observed the role of the three most important MAPK (ERK, JNK, and p38) in TF- and TR-induced apoptosis. TF and TR treatment of A375 cells led to sustained activation of JNK and p38 MAPK but not ERK, suggesting that JNK and p38 are the effector molecules in this polyphenol-induced cell death. This idea was further supported by subsequent studies in which JNK and p38 activation was inhibited by specific inhibitors. Significant inhibition was found in TF- and TR-treated A375 cell death pretreated with JNK- or p38-specific inhibitors only. Further, we have found that TF and TR treatment induces a time-dependent increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species generation in A375 cells. Interestingly, treatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl cystein inhibits TF- and TR-induced JNK and p38 activation as well as induction of cell death in A375 cells. We also provide evidence demonstrating the critical role of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 in TF- and TR-induced apoptosis in A375 cells. Taken together our results strongly suggest that TF and TR induce apoptotic death of A375 cells through apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1, MAPK kinase, and the JNK-p38 cascade, which is triggered by N-acetyl cystein intracellular oxidative stress.
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PMID:Role of oxidation-triggered activation of JNK and p38 MAPK in black tea polyphenols induced apoptotic death of A375 cells. 1959 45

The E3 ubiquitin ligase Siah2 has been implicated in the regulation of the hypoxia response, as well as in the control of Ras, JNK/p38/NF-kappaB signaling pathways. Both Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and hypoxia pathways are important for melanoma development and progression, pointing to the possible use of Siah2 as target for treatment of this tumor type. In the present study, we have established a high-throughput electro-chemiluninescent-based assay in order to screen and identify inhibitors of Siah2 ubiquitin ligase activity. Of 1840 compounds screened, we identified and characterized menadione (MEN) as a specific inhibitor of Siah2 ligase activity. MEN attenuated Siah2 self-ubiquitination, and increased expression of its substrates PHD3 and Sprouty2, with concomitant decrease in levels of HIF-1alpha and pERK, the respective downstream effectors. MEN treatment no longer affected PHD3 or Sprouty2 in Siah-KO cells, pointing to its Siah-dependent effects. Further, MEN inhibition of Siah2 was not attenuated by free radical scavenger, suggesting it is ROS-independent. Significantly, growth of xenograft melanoma tumors was inhibited following the administration of MEN or its derivative. These findings reveal an efficient platform for the identification of Siah inhibitors while identifying and characterizing MEN as Siah inhibitor that attenuates hypoxia and MAPK signaling, and inhibits melanoma tumorigenesis.
Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2009 Dec
PMID:Inhibition of Siah2 ubiquitin ligase by vitamin K3 (menadione) attenuates hypoxia and MAPK signaling and blocks melanoma tumorigenesis. 1971 6


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