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Query: UMLS:C0596263 (carcinogenesis)
 64,820 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a tobacco-derived carcinogen, induces lung tumors in rodents through its carcinogenic metabolite, anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (B[a]PDE). Tumorigenesis is inhibited by dietary myo-inositol in the post-initiation phase. However, little is known about how B[a]PDE and myo-inositol affect normal human lung cells. We addressed this question using untransformed human small airway epithelial (SAE) cells. SAE cell viability decreased <50% in parallel to an increase of apoptotic cells (>20%) 2 days after the cells were treated for 1 h with B[a]PDE (>100 nM). In contrast, the cell number and viability were not altered in A549 human lung cancer cells by B[a]PDE treatment up to 10 microM with <5% apoptotic cells and <10 U/l LDH in the medium. SAE cells retain the features of basal cells in serum-free, low Ca2+ (4 nM) medium up to 4-5 passages, but in serum-supplemented or serum-free, high Ca2+ (1 mM) cultures, they differentiate into non-ciliated epithelial cells expressing Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP). A non-toxic, physiologically relevant dose of B[a]PDE (1 nM) partially inhibited serum and Ca2+-induced SAE cell differentiation. This effect was abolished by wortmannin, a phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3K) inhibitor, and PD98059, a mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase-1 (MEK1) inhibitor, but not by SB202190, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, or melittin, a protein kinase C inhibitor. Myo-inositol (10-100 microM) did not alter growth or differentiation of untreated SAE or A549 cells, but reversed the inhibitory effect of B[a]PDE on serum and Ca2+-induced SAE cell differentiation when supplemented to the culture after B[a]PDE treatment. This myo-inositol action was not altered by PD98059, wortmannin or melittin, but was partially suppressed by SB202190. Collectively, these results indicate that B[a]PDE inhibits serum-induced SAE cell differentiation, possibly involving activating signals through a PI-3K/MEK1 mediated MAPK pathway, whereas myo-inositol protects SAE cells against this inhibitory effect of B[a]PDE perhaps through both PI-3K/MEK1 and p38 MAPK pathways.
Carcinogenesis 1999 Jan
PMID:Effects of anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene on human small airway epithelial cells and the protective effects of myo-inositol. 993 61

The 14-3-3 proteins are associated with proto-oncogene and oncogene products. Here, we generated NIH 3T3 cells overexpressing the beta isoform of the 14-3-3 proteins (14-3-3 beta) to examine the function of this isoform in cellular proliferation and oncogenic transformation. Overexpression of 14-3-3 beta in NIH 3T3 cells stimulated cell growth and supported anchorage-independent growth in soft agar medium and tumor formation in nude mice. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of 14-3-3 beta-mediated NIH 3T3 transformation, we examined the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) after serum stimulation. Overexpression of 14-3-3 beta augmented MAPK activity after serum stimulation, and MAPK activity correlated well with the amount of 14-3-3 beta expression. The colony-forming ability of NIH 3T3 cells overexpressing 14-3-3 beta in soft agar medium was efficiently abolished by exogenous expression of a dominant-negative mutant of MEK1 and 14-3-3 beta physically interacted with Raf-1 in these cells. These findings indicate that 14-3-3 beta has oncogenic potential, mainly through enhancement of Raf-1 activation and resultant augmentation of signaling in the MAPK cascade.
Carcinogenesis 2000 Nov
PMID:Role of the beta isoform of 14-3-3 proteins in cellular proliferation and oncogenic transformation. 1106 70

FGF7/Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) regulates the differentiation and development of the prostate epithelium, while over-expression of FGF8 and FGF1 are implicated in carcinogenesis of the prostate. We tested the hypothesis that different members of the FGF family function through different signalling molecules. In prostate DU145 cells, both FGF1 and FGF2 activated ERK1/2 potently and p38 moderately. KGF was however most efficient in inducing p38 activities but had no effect on ERK1/2 function. JNK and STAT activities were not induced by FGFs in prostate cells. In vitro expression of the transcription factors Elk-1 and MEF2A (substrates for ERK1/2 and p38, respectively) for functional quantification, confirmed the pattern of FGF-induced MAPK activations in COS-7 cells. Furthermore, KGF was more efficient than FGF1 and FGF2 in inducing actin stress fibres, and the specific p38 inhibitor SB202190 completely abolished this in a dose-dependent manner. The MEK1/2 inhibitor, U0126, had no effect on FGF-induced stress fibre formation. This study demonstrates the selective activation of MAPK family members by FGFs resulting in activation of transcription factors and stress fibre formation. As multiple FGFs are over-expressed in human prostate cancer, characterization of the distinct signalling pathway by FGFs may reveal new specific targets for therapy.
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PMID:Keratinocyte growth factor activates p38 MAPK to induce stress fibre formation in human prostate DU145 cells. 1153 48

This study reports in vivo therapeutic efficacy of silymarin against skin tumors with mechanistic rationale. 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (DMBA-TPA)-induced established skin papilloma (tumor)-bearing SENCAR mice were fed with 0.5% silymarin in AIN-93M-purified diet (w/w), and both tumor growth and regression were monitored during 5 weeks of feeding regimen. Silymarin feeding significantly inhibited (74%, P < 0.01) tumor growth and also caused regression (43%, P < 0.01) of established tumors. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling immunohistochemical staining of tumors showed that silymarin decreases proliferation index by 48% (P < 0.001) and increases apoptotic index by 2.5-fold (P < 0.001), respectively. Skin tumor growth inhibition and regression by silymarin were also accompanied by a strong decrease (P < 0.001) in phospho-ERK1/2 levels in tumors from silymarin-fed mice compared with controls. In the studies evaluating bioavailability and physiologically achievable level of silymarin (as silibinin) in plasma, skin tumor, skin, liver, lung, mammary gland and spleen, we found 10, 6.5, 3.1, 13.7, 7.7, 5.9 and 4.4 microg silibinin/ml plasma or per gram tissue, respectively. In an attempt to translate these findings to human skin cancer and to establish biological significance of physiologically achievable level, effect of plasma concentration of silibinin was next examined in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. Silibinin treatment of cells in culture at 12.5, 25 (plasma level) and 50 microM doses resulted in 30-74% (P < 0.01-0.001) growth inhibition and 7-42% death of A431 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner; apoptosis was identified as a cell death response by silibinin. Similar silibinin treatments also resulted in a significant decrease in phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (MAPK/ERK1/2) levels, but an up-regulation of stress-activated protein kinase/jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activation in A431 cells. The use of MEK1 inhibitor, PD98059, showed that inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling, in part, contributes to silibinin-caused cell growth inhibition. Together, the data suggest that an inhibition of ERK1/2 activation and an increased activation of JNK1/2 and p38 by silibinin could be possible underlying molecular events involved in inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in A431 cells. These data suggest that silymarin and/or its major active constituent silibinin could be an effective agent for both prevention and intervention of human skin cancer.
Carcinogenesis 2002 Mar
PMID:Silymarin inhibits growth and causes regression of established skin tumors in SENCAR mice via modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and induction of apoptosis. 1189 66

The present study addresses the capacity of heregulin (HRG), a ligand of type I receptor tyrosine kinases, to transactivate the progesterone receptor (PR). For this purpose, we studied, on the one hand, an experimental model of hormonal carcinogenesis in which the synthetic progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) induced mammary adenocarcinomas in female BALB/c mice and, on the other hand, the human breast cancer cell line T47D. HRG was able to exquisitely regulate biochemical attributes of PR in a way that mimicked PR activation by progestins. Thus, HRG treatment of primary cultures of epithelial cells of the progestin-dependent C4HD murine mammary tumor line and of T47D cells induced a decrease of protein levels of PRA and -B isoforms and the downregulation of progesterone-binding sites. HRG also promoted a significant increase in the percentage of PR localized in the nucleus in both cell types. DNA mobility shift assay revealed that HRG was able to induce PR binding to a progesterone response element (PRE) in C4HD and T47D cells. Transient transfections of C4HD and T47D cells with a plasmid containing a PRE upstream of a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene demonstrated that HRG promoted a significant increase in CAT activity. In order to assess the molecular mechanisms underlying PR transactivation by HRG, we blocked ErbB-2 expression in C4HD and T47D cells by using antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to ErbB-2 mRNA, which resulted in the abolishment of HRG's capacity to induce PR binding to a PRE, as well as CAT activity in the transient-transfection assays. Although the inhibition of HRG binding to ErbB-3 by an anti-ErbB-3 monoclonal antibody suppressed HRG-induced PR activation, the abolishment of HRG binding to ErbB-4 had no effect on HRG activation of PR. To investigate the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), we used the selective MEK1/MAPK inhibitor PD98059. Blockage of MAPK activation resulted in complete abrogation of HRG's capacity to induce PR binding to a PRE, as well as CAT activity. Finally, we demonstrate here for the first time that HRG-activated MAPK can phosphorylate both human and mouse PR in vitro.
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PMID:Heregulin induces transcriptional activation of the progesterone receptor by a mechanism that requires functional ErbB-2 and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in breast cancer cells. 1252 13

Although worldwide concerns have emerged about environmental factors that display carcinogenic and reprotoxic effects, little is known about the mechanism(s) by which these chemicals alter testicular function. Using the 42GPA9 Sertoli cell line, we recently reported that one widely used lipid-soluble pesticide, Lindane impairs gap junctional intercellular communication by promoting the intracellular localization of Connexin 43 (Cx43), a tumor suppressor. We showed here that this chemical triggered the accumulation of Cx43 within Rab5 positive endosomes. Interestingly, evidence is provided that Lindane-induced Cx43 endocytosis did not stem on alteration of Cx43 partition in lipid rafts. Lindane induced concomitantly Cx43 phosphorylation and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) but not of JNK and p38 mitogen- activated protein kinases. Inhibition of ERK pathway by PD98059, a MEK1-specific inhibitor, prevented Lindane-induced Cx43 phosphorylation, restored Cx43 membranous localization and gap junction coupling. Altogether, these findings provide the first evidence that Lindane-altered Cx43 endocytosis requires ERK activation. Such inappropriate activation of the mitogenic MAPK pathway and inactivation of the tumor suppressor Cx43 by Lindane may participate in the promotion of neoplastic cell growth.
Carcinogenesis 2003 Aug
PMID:Aberrant Connexin 43 endocytosis by the carcinogen lindane involves activation of the ERK/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. 1280 35

Recently, there have been considerable efforts to search for naturally occurring substances for the intervention of carcinogenesis. Many components derived from dietary or medicinal plants have been found to possess substantial chemopreventive properties. Curcumin, a yellow coloring ingredient of turmeric (Curcuma longa L., Zingiberaceae), has been shown to inhibit experimental carcinogenesis and mutagenesis, but molecular mechanisms underlying its chemopreventive activities remain unclear. In the present work, we assessed the effects of curcumin on 12-O- tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in female ICR mouse skin. Topical application of the dorsal skin of female ICR mice with 10 nmol TPA led to maximal induction of cox-2 mRNA and protein expression at approximately 1 and 4 h, respectively. When applied topically onto shaven backs of mice 30 min prior to TPA, curcumin inhibited the expression of COX-2 protein in a dose-related manner. Immunohistochemical analysis of TPA-treated mouse skin revealed enhanced expression of COX-2 localized primarily in epidermal layer, which was markedly suppressed by curcumin pre-treatment. Curcumin treatment attenuated TPA- stimulated NF-kappaB activation in mouse skin, which was associated with its blockade of degradation of the inhibitory protein IkappaBalpha and also of subsequent translocation of the p65 subunit to nucleus. TPA treatment resulted in rapid activation via phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, which are upstream of NF-kappaB. The MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 strongly inhibited NF-kappaB activation, while p38 inhibitor SB203580 failed to block TPA-induced NF-kappaB activation in mouse skin. Furthermore, U0126 blocked the IkappaBalpha phosphorylation by TPA, thereby blocking the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB. Curcumin inhibited the catalytic activity of ERK1/2 in mouse skin. Taken together, suppression of COX-2 expression by inhibiting ERK activity and NF-kappaB activation may represent molecular mechanisms underlying previously reported antitumor promoting effects of this phytochemical in mouse skin tumorigenesis.
Carcinogenesis 2003 Sep
PMID:Curcumin inhibits phorbol ester-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in mouse skin through suppression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity and NF-kappaB activation. 1284 82

A vast variety of naturally occurring substances have been shown to protect against experimental carcinogenesis and an increasing amount of evidence suggests that kaempferol may have cancer chemopreventative properties. However, the precise underlying protective mechanisms are poorly understood. To elucidate these mechanisms, we challenged human lung cancer cell line A549 with kaempferol and investigated its effects upon cellular growth and signal transduction pathways. Treatment of A549 cells with kaempferol resulted in a dose- and time-dependent reduction in cell viability and DNA synthesis with the rate of apoptosis equivalent to 0.9+/-0.5, 5.2+/-1.5, 16.8+/-2.0, 25.4+/-2.6, and 37.8+/-4.5% on treatment with 0, 17.5, 35.0, 52.5, and 70.0 microM kaempferol, respectively. Concomitantly, kaempferol treatments led to a 1.2-, 2.7-, 3.3-, and 3.4-fold increase in Bax. Similar elevations were also observed in Bad which increased 1.2-, 3.3-, 3.7-, and 4.7-fold, respectively, as compared to control. Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression were inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion. While the Akt-1 and phosphorylated Akt-1 were inhibited, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was activated upon kaempferol treatment. Kaempferol induced apoptosis was associated with the cleavage of caspase-7 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). Inhibition of MEK1/2 but not PI-3 kinase blocked kaempferol-induced cleavage of caspase-7, PARP cleavage, and apoptosis. The results suggest that inactivation of Akt-1 and alteration of Bcl-2 family of proteins are not sufficient for kaempferol to induce apoptosis and activation of MEK-MAPK is a requirement for kaempferol-induced cell death machinery in A549 cells.
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PMID:Kaempferol-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in A549 lung cancer cells is mediated by activation of MEK-MAPK. 1294 47

Characterization of intracellular signaling pathways should lead to a better understanding of ovarian epithelial carcinogenesis and provide an opportunity to interfere with signal transduction targets involved in ovarian tumor cell growth, survival, and progression. Challenges toward such an effort are significant because many of these signals are part of cascades within an intricate and likely redundant intracellular signaling network (Fig.1). For instance, a given signal may activate a dual intracellular pathway (ie, MEK1-MAPK and PI3K/Akt required for fibronectin-dependent activation of matrix metalloproteinase 9). A single pathway also may transduce more than one biologic or oncogenic signal (ie, PI3K signaling in epithelial and endothelial cell growth and sprouting of neovessels). Despite these challenges, evidence for therapeutic targeting of signal transduction pathways is accumulating in human cancer. For instance, the EGF-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor ZD 1839 (Iressa) may have a beneficial therapeutic effect on ovarian epithelial cancer. Therapy of this cancer may include inhibitors of PI kinase (quercetin), ezrin and PIP kinase (genistein). The G protein-coupled family of receptors, including LPA, also is an attractive target to drugs, although their frequent pleiotropic functions may be at times toxic and lack specificity. Because of the lack of notable toxicity, PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitors such as FTIs are a promising targeted therapy of ovarian epithelial cancer. Increasing insight into the oncogenic pathways involved in ovarian epithelial cancer also is helping clinicians to understand better the phenomenon of chemoresistance in this malignancy. Oncogenic activation of gamma-synuclein promotes cell survival and provides resistance to paclitaxel, but such a resistance is partially overcome by an MEK inhibitor that suppresses ERK activity. Ovarian epithelial cancer is a complex group of neoplasms with an overall poor prognosis. Comprehension of this cancer pathobiology suffers because of an incomplete understanding of precursor lesions and the absence of an orthotopic animal model until very recently. It can be predicted with confidence, however, that the discovery of potent inhibitors of signal transduction and the development of discovery tools, such as proteomics and metabolomics, may change the way by which clinicians may now address basic biomedical questions in this insidious and lethal disease.
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PMID:Oncogenic pathways implicated in ovarian epithelial cancer. 1295 83

Dietary phytochemicals have been shown to be protective against various types of cancers. However, the precise underlying protective mechanisms are poorly understood. In the present study, we report that treatment of A549 cells with quercetin resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability and DNA synthesis with the rate of apoptosis equivalent to 1.2 +/- 0.8, 6.3 +/- 0.9, 16.5 +/- 1.5, 36.4 +/- 2.6 and 42.5 +/- 5.8% on treatment with 0.1% dimethylsulfoxide, 14.5, 29.0, 43.5 and 58.0 micro M quercetin, respectively. Concomitantly, quercetin treatments led to a 1.1-, 1.1-, 2.5- and 3.5-fold increase in Bax. Similar elevations were also observed in Bad, which increased 1.1-, 2.1-, 2.2- and 2.3-fold, respectively, as compared with control. While Bcl-2 was decreased by 30%, Bcl-x(L) was elevated in a dose-dependent fashion. Quercetin also induced the cleavage of caspase-3, caspase-7 and PARP (poly ADP-ribose polymerase). While Akt-1 and phosphorylated Akt-1 were inhibited, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was phosphorylated following quercetin treatment in a dose-dependent fashion. Phosphorylation of ERK and c-Jun occurred at 3 h and was sustained over 14 h. Phosphorylation of MEK1/2 was increased in concordance with ERK activation. Quercetin-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and cleavage of caspase-3 occurred 6 h after quercetin exposure and before cleavage of caspase-7 and PARP was detected. Inhibition of MEK1/2 but not PI-3 kinase, p38 kinase or JNK abolished quercetin-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun, cleavage of caspase-3 and -7, cleavage of PARP and apoptosis. Inhibition of caspase activation completely blocked quercetin-induced apoptosis. Expression of constitutively activated MEK1 in A549 cells led to activation of caspase-3 and apoptosis. The results suggest that in addition to inactivation of Akt-1 and alteration in the expression of the Bcl-2 family of proteins, activation of MEK-ERK is required for quercetin-induced apoptosis in A549 lung carcinoma cells.
Carcinogenesis 2004 May
PMID:The role of activated MEK-ERK pathway in quercetin-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in A549 lung cancer cells. 1468 22


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