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

Tea tree oil (TTO) is the essential oil steam-distilled from Melaleuca alternifolia, a species of northern New South Wales, Australia. It exhibits a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and an antifungal activity. Only recently has TTO been shown to inhibit the in vitro growth of multidrug resistant (MDR) human melanoma cells. It has been suggested that the effect of TTO on tumor cells could be mediated by its interaction with the plasma membrane, most likely by inducing a reorganization of lipid architecture. In this paper we report biophysical and structural results obtained using simplified planar model membranes (Langmuir films) mimicking lipid "rafts". We also used flow cytometry analysis (FCA) and freeze-fracturing transmission electron microscopy to investigate the effects of TTO on actual MDR melanoma cell membranes. Thermodynamic (compression isotherms and adsorption kinetics) and structural (Brewster angle microscopy) investigation of the lipid monolayers clearly indicates that TTO interacts preferentially with the less ordered DPPC "sea" and that it does not alter the more ordered lipid "rafts". Structural observations, performed by freeze fracturing, confirm that TTO interacts with the MDR melanoma cell plasma membrane. Moreover, experiments performed by FCA demonstrate that TTO does not interfere with the function of the MDR drug transporter P-gp. We therefore propose that the effect exerted on MDR melanoma cells is mediated by the interaction with the fluid DPPC phase, rather than with the more organized "rafts" and that this interaction preferentially influences the ATP-independent antiapoptotic activity of P-gp likely localized outside "rafts".
 ...
PMID:Interaction of tea tree oil with model and cellular membranes. 1685 63

The molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) has emerged as an exciting molecular target for cancer therapy. It operates as part of a multichaperone complex and is essential for the conformation, stability, and function of several key oncogenic client proteins such as mutant p53, ERBB2, B-RAF, C-RAF, and CDK4. The HSP90-based chaperone machine is driven by the hydrolysis of ATP and ADP/ATP nucleotide exchange. Many of the inhibitors of HSP90 interrupt the intrinsic ATPase activity, causing degradation of the client proteins via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The first-in-class HSP90 inhibitor in clinical trials is the geldanamycin analog, 17-allylamino, 17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG). The results that have emerged from these trials have been encouraging, with stable disease observed in two melanoma patients. Pharmacodynamic endpoints, such as induction of HSP70 and downregulation of C-RAF and CDK4 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and tumor biopsies from treated patients, provided evidence of HSP90 inhibition at well-tolerated doses. The toxicity of 17-AAG has been mild. Several preclinical studies have shown that 17-AAG may enhance the efficacy of a variety of chemotherapeutic agents. Phase II clinical trials in various cancers have been initiated as well as Phase I trials of combined therapy with 17-AAG. However, there are several limitations with 17-AAG such as solubility, stability, and hepatotoxicity. Thus, it is not surprising that new HSP90 agents are under development against this novel target for cancer therapy and several show promise.
 ...
PMID:Inhibitors of the HSP90 molecular chaperone: current status. 1686 Jun 62

In order to define genetic determinants of primary and metastatic melanoma cell susceptibility to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), we have applied oligonucleotide microarrays to TRAIL-sensitive primary T1 cells and TRAIL-resistant metastatic G1 cells treated or not with TRAIL. T1 and G1 cells are isogenic melanoma cell subclones. We examined 22 000 spots, 4.2% of which displayed differential expression in G1 and T1 cells. Cell susceptibility to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis was found to be correlated with gene expression signatures in this model. Some of the differentially expressed genes were identified as involved in ATP-binding and signaling pathways, based on previously published data. Further analysis provided evidences that c-kit was overexpressed in G1 cells while it was absent in T1 cells. The c-kit inhibitor, imatinib, did not restore TRAIL sensitivity, excluding a role for c-kit in TRAIL resistance in G1 cells. Surprisingly, imatinib inhibited cell proliferation and TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in melanoma cells. We investigated the possible involvement of several molecules, including c-ABL, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), cellular FADD-like interleukin-1 alpha-converting enzyme-like inhibitory protein (c-FLIP)(L/S), Fas-associated DD kinase, p53, p21(WAF1), proteins of B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family and cytochrome c. Imatinib did not modulate the expression or activation of its own targets, such as c-ABL, PDGFRalpha and PDGFRbeta, but it did affect the expression of c-FLIP(L), BCL2-associated X protein (Bax) and Bcl-2. Moreover, c-FLIP(L) knockdown sensitized T1 cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis, with a sensitivity similar to that of cells previously treated with imatinib. More notably, we found that the resistance to TRAIL in G1 cells was correlated with constitutive c-FLIP(L) recruitment to the DISC and the inhibition of caspase 8, 3 and 9 processing. Moreover, c-FLIP(L) knockdown partly restored TRAIL sensitivity in G1 cells, indicating that the expression level of c-FLIP(L) and its interaction with TRAIL receptor2 play a crucial role in determining TRAIL resistance in metastatic melanoma cells. Our results also show that imatinib enhances TRAIL-induced cell death independently of BH3-interacting domain death agonist translocation, in a process involving the Bax:Bcl-X(L) ratio, Bax:Bcl-X(L)/Bcl-2 translocation, cytochrome c release and caspase activation. Our data indicate that imatinib sensitizes T1 cells by directly downregulating c-FLIP(L), with the use of an alternative pathway for antitumor activity, because PDGFRalpha is not activated in T1 cells and these cells do not express c-kit, c-ABL or PDGFRbeta. Caspase cascade activation and mitochondria also play a key role in the imatinib-mediated sensitization of melanoma cells to the proapoptotic action of TRAIL.
 ...
PMID:Imatinib enhances human melanoma cell susceptibility to TRAIL-induced cell death: Relationship to Bcl-2 family and caspase activation. 1698 47

Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), and its downstream effector Akt, or protein kinase Balpha (PKBalpha), play a major regulatory role in control of apoptosis, proliferation, and angiogenesis. PI3K and Akt are amplified or overexpressed in a number of malignancies, including sarcomas, ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma, and melanoma. This pathway regulates production of the potent angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and protects tumor cells against both chemotherapy and reactive oxygen-induced apoptosis through phosphorylation of substrates such as apoptotic peptidase-activating factor-1 (APAF-1), forkhead proteins, and caspase 9. Given its diverse actions, compounds that suppress the PI3K/Akt pathway have potential pharmacologic utility as angiogenesis inhibitors and antineoplastic agents. Using the SVR angiogenesis assay, a screen of natural products, we isolated the alkaloid solenopsin, and found that it is a potent angiogenesis inhibitor. We also found that solenopsin inhibits the PI3K signaling pathway in cells upstream of PI3K, which may underlie its affects on angiogenesis. Consistent with inhibition of the activation of PI3K, solenopsin prevented the phosphorylation of Akt and the phosphorylation of its substrate forkhead box 01a (FOXO1a), a member of the forkhead family of transcription factors. Interestingly, solenopsin also inhibited Akt-1 activity in an ATP-competitive manner in vitro without affecting 27 of 28 other protein kinases tested.
 ...
PMID:Solenopsin, the alkaloidal component of the fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), is a naturally occurring inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase signaling and angiogenesis. 1699 May 98

The last decade has seen the molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) emerge as an exciting target for cancer therapy. This is because HSP90 is involved in maintaining the conformation, stability, activity and cellular localisation of several key oncogenic client proteins. These include, amongst others, ERBB2, C-RAF, CDK4, AKT/PKB, steroid hormone receptors, mutant p53, HIF-1alpha , survivin and telomerase hTERT. Therefore, modulation of this single drug target offers the prospect of simultaneously inhibiting all the multiple signalling pathways and biological processes that have been implicated in the development of the malignant phenotype. The chaperone function of HSP90 requires the formation of a multichaperone complex, which is dependent on the hydrolysis of ATP and ADP/ATP exchange. Most current inhibitors of HSP90 act as nucleotide mimetics, which block the intrinsic ATPase activity of this molecular chaperone. The first-in-class inhibitor to enter and complete phase I clinical trials was the geldanamycin analogue, 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin. The results of these trials have demonstrated that HSP90 is a valid drug target. Evidence of clinical activity has been seen in patients with melanoma, breast and prostate cancer. This article provides a personal perspective of the present efforts to increase our understanding of the molecular and cellular consequences of HSP90 inhibition, with examples from work in our own laboratory. We also review the discovery and development of novel small-molecule inhibitors and discuss alternative approaches to inhibit HSP90 activity, both of which offer exciting prospects for the future.
 ...
PMID:Targeting of multiple signalling pathways by heat shock protein 90 molecular chaperone inhibitors. 1725 53

Ca(2+)-signaling of human melanoma is in the focus of intensive research since the identification of the role of WNT-signaling in melanomagenesis. Genomic and functional studies pointed to the important role of various Ca(2+) channels in melanoma, but these data were contradictory. In the present study we clearly demonstrate, in a number of different ways including microarray analysis, DNA sequencing and immunocytochemistry, that various human melanoma cell lines and melanoma tissues overexpress ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) and express P2X(7) channel proteins as compared to melanocytes. These channels, although retain some of their usual characteristics and pharmacological properties, display unique features in melanoma cells, including a functional interaction between the two molecules. Unlike P2X(7), RyR2 does not function as a calcium channel. On the other hand, the P2X(7) receptor has an antiapoptotic function in melanoma cells, since ATP-activation suppresses induced apoptosis, while knock down of the gene expression significantly enhances that.
 ...
PMID:Functional genomics of calcium channels in human melanoma cells. 1733 Aug 43

The molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) has emerged as an exciting molecular target. Derivatives of the natural product geldanamycin, such as 17-allylamino-17-demethoxy-geldanamycin (17-AAG), were the first HSP90 ATPase inhibitors to enter clinical trial. Synthetic small-molecule HSP90 inhibitors have potential advantages. Here, we describe the biological properties of the lead compound of a new class of 3,4-diaryl pyrazole resorcinol HSP90 inhibitor (CCT018159), which we identified by high-throughput screening. CCT018159 inhibited human HSP90beta with comparable potency to 17-AAG and with similar ATP-competitive kinetics. X-ray crystallographic structures of the NH(2)-terminal domain of yeast Hsp90 complexed with CCT018159 or its analogues showed binding properties similar to radicicol. The mean cellular GI(50) value of CCT018159 across a panel of human cancer cell lines, including melanoma, was 5.3 mumol/L. Unlike 17-AAG, the in vitro antitumor activity of the pyrazole resorcinol analogues is independent of NQO1/DT-diaphorase and P-glycoprotein expression. The molecular signature of HSP90 inhibition, comprising increased expression of HSP72 protein and depletion of ERBB2, CDK4, C-RAF, and mutant B-RAF, was shown by Western blotting and quantified by time-resolved fluorescent-Cellisa in human cancer cell lines treated with CCT018159. CCT018159 caused cell cytostasis associated with a G(1) arrest and induced apoptosis. CCT018159 also inhibited key endothelial and tumor cell functions implicated in invasion and angiogenesis. Overall, we have shown that diaryl pyrazole resorcinols exhibited similar cellular properties to 17-AAG with potential advantages (e.g., aqueous solubility, independence from NQO1 and P-glycoprotein). These compounds form the basis for further structure-based optimization to identify more potent inhibitors suitable for clinical development.
 ...
PMID:In vitro biological characterization of a novel, synthetic diaryl pyrazole resorcinol class of heat shock protein 90 inhibitors. 3060 24

Previous reports have shown that cellular functions could be influenced by visual light (400-700 nm). Recent evidence indicates that cellular proliferation could be triggered by the interaction of a helium-neon laser (He-Ne laser, 632.8 nm) with the mitochondrial photoacceptor-cytochrome c oxidase. Our previous studies demonstrated that He-Ne irradiation induced an increase in cell proliferation, but not migration, in the melanoma cell line A2058 cell. The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms involved in photostimulatory effects induced by an He-Ne laser. Using the A2058 cell as a model for cell proliferation, the photobiologic effects induced by an He-Ne laser were studied. He-Ne irradiation immediately induced an increase in mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi(mt)), ATP, and cAMP via enhanced cytochrome c oxidase activity and promoted phosphorylation of Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/activator protein-1 (AP-1) expressions. He-Ne irradiation-induced A2058 cell proliferation was significantly abrogated by the addition of delta psi(mt) and JNK inhibitors. Moreover, treatment with an He-Ne laser resulted in delayed effects on IL-8 and transforming growth factor-beta1 release from A2058 cells. These results suggest that He-Ne irradiation elicits photostimulatory effects in mitochondria processes, which involve JNK/AP-1 activation and enhanced growth factor release, and ultimately lead to A2058 cell proliferation.
 ...
PMID:Helium-neon laser irradiation stimulates cell proliferation through photostimulatory effects in mitochondria. 1744

Topoisomerase II is ATP dependent enzyme that catalyzes DNA strand passage, the pivotal process in replication, transcription, recombination etc. As part of this breakage and religation process the intermediate generated is a cleavable complex between DNA and topoisomerase II. This complex is the target for topoisomerase II inhibitors like epipodophyllotoxins, actinomycin D or anthracyclines. Stabilization of cleavable complexes by the topoisomerase II inhibitors leading to DNA lesions and next to apoptosis is the most common mechanism of drug resistance reflected in reduced formation of the complexes due to decreased amounts and/or activity of topoisomerase II. The aim of this study was to characterize human melanoma and human cervix carcinoma cells differing in sensitivity to doxorubicin and anthracycline analogs, annamycin and WP903 for topoisomerase IIalpha protein and gene expression with use of Western blot and RT- PCR. As shown, no significant differences in topoisomerase IIalpha protein level were noted between the cell lines tested. These results were confirmed at the gene expression level. The current study points to the fact that topoisomerase IIalpha protein or gene expression are not the reliable marker of cell sensitivity to anthracyclines but these observations do not exclude the potential mutations in topoisomerase IIalpha gene or some postranslational changes in that protein which requires further studies.
 ...
PMID:Topoisomerase II alpha expression and cytotoxicity of anthracyclines in human neoplastic cells. 1751 24

DC-81, an antitumor antibiotic produced by the Streptomyces species, belongs to pyrrolo[2,1-c] [1,4]benzodiazepine (PBD), which are potent inhibitors of nucleic acid synthesis. We previously reported an efficient synthesis of PBD hybrids linked with indole carboxylates. This is the first demonstration on the mechanism of the anticancer effect of PBD hybrid (IN6CPBD) agent on human melanoma A375 cells. IN6CPBD-treated cells exhibited higher cytotoxicity than DC-81 and displayed several features of apoptosis, including an increase in the sub-G1 population, a significantly increased annexin V binding, a degradation of caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Because degradative changes associated with apoptosis are often preceded by the disruption of mitochondrial function, the assessment of mitochondrial function in IN6CPBD-treated cells is worthy of investigation. Our data revealed that treatment of A375 cells with IN6CPBD resulted in the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsimt), a decrease in intracellular pH (pHi), a reduction of ATP synthesis, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and cytochrome c release. Collectively, our studies indicate that IN6CPBD induces apoptosis in A375 cells through a mitochondrial dysfunction pathway, leading to caspase-3 substrate PARP cleavage and subsequent apoptotic cell death.
 ...
PMID:DC-81-Indole conjugate agent induces mitochondria mediated apoptosis in human melanoma A375 cells. 1753 Jul 84


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