Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0596263 (carcinogenesis)
 64,820 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Mitochondria play a central role in cellular energy metabolism. Oxidative phosphorylation occurs in the electron transport system of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Cytochrome aa3, b and c1 are encoded by mitochondrial DNA whereas cytochrome c is encoded by the nuclear gene, and these mitochondrial-DNA dependent cytochromes are decreased and electron transport at complex II, III and IV is disturbed in liver carcinomas and during carcinogenesis. The more the decreased cytochrome and oxidase activity are seen, the more significant is the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. ROS produced in mitochondria may be the main cause of nuclear-gene mutation in carcinogenesis. The mitochondrial dysfunction and overproduction of ROS plays a key role in progression of chronic hepatitis C and ethanol-induced liver injury. Ethanol also causes bacterial translocation in the intestine and the resulting lipopolysaccharides (LPS) activates Kupffer cells to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. We suspect that non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) also is the result of increased ROS production in Kupffer cells and hepatocytes.
 ...
PMID:Central role of mitochondria in metabolic regulation of liver pathophysiology. 1756 55

This study focused on the detection of apoptosis related events in very early phases of choline-deficient (CD)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis (at 2-5 weeks). Flow cytometry of isolated intact primary hepatocytes from CD diet fed rats indicated increased expression of the apoptosis-associated protein Fas. Increased apoptosis in CD-treated livers was confirmed by Western blot analyses of caspases and cytochrome c. This study was also able to detect differences in apoptotic events following phenyl butyl nitrone (PBN) treatment. Fas expression was inhibited by PBN, indicating that PBN is anti-apoptotic. It is speculated that in the early stages of CD-induced hepatotoxicity, PBN is involved in inhibiting pro-inflammatory factor-driven apoptosis of normal hepatocytes, which protects against the initiation of carcinogenesis. The CD diet model is also considered as a model for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in humans and early expression of Fas could also be a good index of the progression of NASH.
 ...
PMID:Modulation of Fas-FasL related apoptosis by PBN in the early phases of choline deficient diet-mediated hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. 1772 14

Various epidemiologic and experimental in vivo and in vitro studies have suggested that polyphenols derived from fruits, vegetables and beverages might decrease the risk of developing lifestyle diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders and cancer. Apples are a major dietary source of polyphenols. Here we investigated the antitumor activity of apple polyphenols (APs) and procyanidins, namely condensed tannins, both in vitro and in vivo studies. APs and procyanidins inhibited the growth of transplanted B16 mouse melanoma cells and BALB-MC.E12 mouse mammary tumor cells, and increased the survival rate of the host mice-transplanted B16 cells. Among the APs, the apple procyanidins specifically, rather than other polyphenols such as chlorogenic acid, (-)-epicatechin, phloridzin and procyanidin B2, had a major effect on cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in vitro. The apple procyanidins increased mitochondrial membrane permeability and cytochrome c release from mitochondria and activated caspase-3 and caspase-9 within the tumor cells. In addition, we separated eight procyanidin fractions according to the degree of polymerization using normal-phase chromatography, and detected strong anti-tumor activity in the procyanidin pentamer and higher degree fractions. Our results indicate that the oral administration of apple procyanidins inhibits the proliferation of tumor cells by inducing apoptosis through the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway.
Carcinogenesis 2008 Mar
PMID:Apple procyanidins induce tumor cell apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway activation of caspase-3. 1782 7

Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, enables organisms to maintain tissue homeostasis through deletion of extraneous cells and also serves as a means to eliminate potentially harmful cells. Numerous stress signals have been shown to engage the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, with the release from mitochondria of proapoptotic factors such as cytochrome c and the subsequent formation of a cytosolic complex between apoptotic protease-activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) and procaspase-9, known as the apoptosome. Recent studies have led to the identification of an array of factors that control the formation and activation of the apoptosome under physiological conditions. Moreover, deregulation of apoptosome function has been documented in various forms of human cancer, and may play a role in both carcinogenesis and chemoresistance. We discuss how the apoptosome is regulated in normal and disease states, and how targeting of apoptosome-dependent, post-mitochondrial stages of apoptosis may serve as a rational approach to cancer treatment.
 ...
PMID:Big wheel keeps on turning: apoptosome regulation and its role in chemoresistance. 1797 49

Theaflavins (TF) and thearubigins (TR) are the most exclusive polyphenols of black tea. Even though few previous reports showed the anticancer effects of TF through apoptosis, the potential effect of TR has not been appraised. This study investigated the induction of apoptosis in human skin cancer cells after treatment of TF and TR. We report that both TF and TR could exert inhibition of A431 (human epidermoid carcinoma) and A375 (human malignant melanoma) cell proliferation without adversely affecting normal human epidermal keratinocyte cells. Growth inhibition of A375 cells occurred through apoptosis, as evident from cell cycle arrest at G(0)/G(1) phase, increase in early apoptotic cells, externalization of phosphatidylserine and DNA fragmentation. In our pursuit to dissect the molecular mechanism of TF- and TR-induced apoptosis in A375 cells, we investigated whether cell death is being mediated by mitochondria. In our system, Bax translocation to mitochondria persuaded depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release in cytosol and induced activation of caspase-9, caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Our intricate investigations on apoptosis also explained that TF and TR augmented Bax:Bcl2 ratio, up-regulated the expression of p53 as well as p21 and inhibited phosphorylation of the cell survival protein Akt. Furthermore, TF and TR elicited intracellular reactive oxygen species generation in A375 cells. These observations raise speculations that TF as well as TR might exert chemopreventive effect through cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptogenic signals via mitochondrial death cascade in human skin cancer cells.
Carcinogenesis 2008 Jan
PMID:Molecular mechanism of black tea polyphenols induced apoptosis in human skin cancer cells: involvement of Bax translocation and mitochondria mediated death cascade. 1798 16

Alterations in histone acetylation status have been implicated in carcinogenesis. Histone deacetylase inhibitors, such as suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), can potentially reactivate aberrantly silenced genes by restoring histone acetylation and allowing gene transcription. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of SAHA on cell growth, differentiation, and death remain unclear. In this study, we assessed the activity of SAHA in modulating cell growth and apoptosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells compared with premalignant leukoplakia and normal oral cells. SAHA induced growth inhibition, cell cycle changes, and apoptosis in HNSCC cell lines but had limited effects on premalignant and normal cells. Although SAHA triggered the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, including cytochrome c release, caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage in HNSCC cells, specific inhibition of caspase-9 only partially blocked the induction of apoptosis induction. SAHA also activated the extrinsic apoptosis pathway, including increased Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) expression, activation of caspase-8, and cleavage of Bid. Interfering with Fas signaling blocked apoptosis induction and blunted growth inhibition by SAHA. Our results show for the first time that SAHA induces apoptosis in HNSCC cells through activation of the Fas/FasL death pathway in addition to the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway although having comparatively little activity against precancerous and normal oral cells with intrinsic Fas and FasL expression.
 ...
PMID:Histone deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid induces apoptosis through both mitochondrial and Fas (Cd95) signaling in head and neck squamous carcinoma cells. 1802 81

Nowadays, no data are available concerning the potential use of dual cyclooxygenase (COX)/5-lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitors as anticancer agents in colon cancer treatment. Here, we report, for the first time, that the dual COX/5-LOX inhibitor licofelone triggers apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner in HCA-7 colon cancer cells. Induction of apoptosis was related to the recruitment of the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, as shown by loss in mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, caspase-9 and 3 activation and poly-(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 cleavage. Moreover, licofelone induced the cleavage of the full-length p21(Bax) into p18(Bax), a more potent inducer of the apoptotic process than the uncleaved form. Pre-treatment of HCA-7 cells with the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk significantly blocked licofelone-induced apoptosis, confirming that this process occurred primarily in a caspase-dependent pathway. We also present evidences that licofelone was able to affect the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade, as it blocked the activity of 5-LOX and COX enzymes, and it induced, through the phosphorylation of cytoplasmic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)), the release of unesterified AA from HCA-7 membrane phospholipids. However, apoptosis induction was not related to the ability of licofelone to affect the AA cascade, since neither exogenous prostaglandin E(2) and leukotriene B(4) addition, nor pharmacological inhibition of cPLA(2), was able to rescue HCA-7 cells from apoptosis. Even if further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of licofelone-induced apoptosis, this study suggests that this drug, as well as similar dual COX/5-LOX inhibitors, may represent a novel and promising approach in colon cancer treatment.
Carcinogenesis 2008 Feb
PMID:Licofelone, a dual COX/5-LOX inhibitor, induces apoptosis in HCA-7 colon cancer cells through the mitochondrial pathway independently from its ability to affect the arachidonic acid cascade. 1803 73

Mutations in the tumor suppressor p53 are detectable in over 50% of all human malignancies. Mutant p53 protein is incapable of transactivating its downstream target genes that are required for DNA repair and apoptosis. Chronic exposure to UVB induces p53 mutations and is carcinogenic in both murine and human skin. CP-31398, a styrylquinazoline compound, restores the tumor suppressor functions of mutant forms of p53 in tumor cells. However, its effectiveness in vivo remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that CP-31398 blocked UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis and was associated with increases in p53, p21, and BclXs. CP-31398 downregulated Bcl2, proliferating nuclear cell antigen, and cyclin D1. Activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase also occurred in both tumor and perilesional skin following treatment. CP-31398 induced the expression of p53-dependent target proteins, and this was followed by apoptosis in UVB-irradiated wild-type mice but not in their p53-deficient littermates. Similar effects were observed in human skin carcinoma A431 cells expressing mutant p53. In addition, CP-31398 induced mitochondrial translocation of p53, leading to changes in mitochondrial membrane permeability pore transition (MPT) and consequent cytochrome c release in these cells. Blocking MPT diminished p53 translocation and apoptosis. These studies indicate that reconstituting p53 tumor suppressor functions in vivo by small molecular weight compounds may block the pathogenesis and progression of skin cancer.
 ...
PMID:CP-31398 restores mutant p53 tumor suppressor function and inhibits UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis in mice. 1806 27

Programmed cell death is a fundamental requirement for embryogenesis, organ metamorphosis, and tissue homeostasis. Since the vast majority of cytotoxic modalities exert their anti-tumor effects by induction of apoptosis, programmed cell death has emerged as a potential target for cancer treatment at various stages of tumor progression. Immuno-regulation and chemoradiosensitization are potential pathways where insight in apoptotic mechanisms may lead to improvement of chemoradiotherapeutic modalities. The central mediator of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis is the mitochondrion, in which changes of the outer membrane's permeability cause an outflow of cytochrome c and more than 40 molecules involved in apoptosis. These include Smac/DIABLO, Omi/HTR A2, endonuclease G, and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF). AIF, a 57 kDa mitochondrial oxidoreductase, is released into the cytoplasm and translocates to the nucleus to induce cell death in response to poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 activation, resulting is DNA fragmentation independent of caspase activation. As a caspase-independent mechanism of apoptosis, AIF may be a potential target for chemoradiotherapeutic intervention in a number of malignancies. The aim of this review is to provide the available evidence of the role AIF in several malignancies with a particular emphasis in colon carcinogenesis.
 ...
PMID:Apoptosis-inducing factor and colon cancer. 1806 16

t-Darpp is a cancer-related truncated isoform of Darpp-32 (dopamine and cyclic-AMP-regulated phosphoprotein of M(r) 32,000). We detected overexpression of t-Darpp mRNA in two thirds of gastric cancers compared with normal samples (P = 0.004). Using 20 micromol/L ceramide treatment as a model for induction of apoptosis in AGS cancer cells, we found that expression of t-Darpp led to an increase in Bcl2 protein levels and blocked the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9. The MitoCapture mitochondrial apoptosis and cytochrome c release assays indicated that t-Darpp expression enforces the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and protects against ceramide-induced apoptosis. Interestingly, the expression of t-Darpp in AGS cells led to >or=2-fold increase in Akt kinase activity with an increase in protein levels of p-Ser(473) Akt and p-Ser(9) GSK3 beta. These findings were further confirmed using tetracycline-inducible AGS cells stably expressing t-Darpp. We also showed transcriptional up-regulation of Bcl2 using the luciferase assay with Bcl2 reporter containing P1 full promoter, quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, and t-Darpp small interfering RNA. The Bcl2 promoter contains binding sites for cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein CREB/ATF1 transcription factors and using the electrophoretic mobility shift assay with a CREB response element, we detected a stronger binding in t-Darpp-expressing cells. The t-Darpp expression led to an increase in expression and phosphorylation of CREB and ATF-1 transcription factors that were required for up-regulating Bcl2 levels. Indeed, knockdown of Akt, CREB, or ATF1 in t-Darpp-expressing cells reduced Bcl2 protein levels. In conclusion, the t-Darpp/Akt axis underscores a novel oncogenic potential of t-Darpp in gastric carcinogenesis and resistance to drug-induced apoptosis.
 ...
PMID:t-Darpp promotes cancer cell survival by up-regulation of Bcl2 through Akt-dependent mechanism. 1819 33


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