Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0699790 (colon cancer)
 28,837 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Recent evidence identified a genetic and functional link between Chk2 kinase and p53 as a candidate genome integrity checkpoint and a tumour suppressor pathway. Here we report that in human cells, Chk2 and p53 form protein-protein complexes whose abundance increased upon DNA damage, and whose formation was abrogated through cancer associated mutations in the FHA domain of Chk2, or mutations in the tetramerization domain of p53. Whereas among Li-Fraumeni syndrome families mutations of Chk2 or p53 occur in a mutually exclusive manner, we document that the colon cancer cell line HCT-15 concomitantly lacks functions of both Chk2 and p53, the latter demonstrated by a non-invasive reporter assay monitoring p53-dependent transactivation in live cells. Despite the preserved ability of common cancer-derived mutant p53 proteins to bind and potentially 'titrate' activated Chk2, the integrity of the S phase checkpoint response to ionizing radiation remained largely intact and dependent on Chk2 in cells with wild-type, mutant, or no p53. These results provide new mechanistic insights into the Chk2-p53 interplay, suggest how mutations in Chk2 may abrogate its tumour suppressor function, and indicate that compared with individual defects in either Chk2 or p53, concomitant mutations in both of these cell cycle checkpoint regulators may provide some additional selective advantage to tumour cells.
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PMID:Functional impact of concomitant versus alternative defects in the Chk2-p53 tumour suppressor pathway. 1157 48

The CHK2 gene encodes a protein kinase that is important for the regulation of cell cycle arrest after DNA damage. CHK2 acts downstream of ataxia teleangiecstasia mutated (ATM), modulates the function of p53 and may help mediate cell cycle arrest at G2/M by phosphorylation of Cdc25C. Recently, the human homolog of the checkpoint kinase Cds1 (CHK2) has been suggested to be a tumor suppressor gene. Heterozygous germline mutations have been reported in Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), a highly penetrant familial cancer phenotype, and in sporadic colon cancer. LFS is associated with the development of lymphoid malignancies, especially childhood ALL. Therefore, we analyzed the DNA from 143 lymphoid malignancies to determine whether they had mutations of the CHK2 gene. The 14 exons of CHK2 were studied by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing of aberrantly migrating bands. One missense mutation changing serine to phenylalanine (codon 428) in an evolutionarily highly conserved domain was found in a non-Hodgkin's aggressive lymphoma. Another point mutation in the non-coding region was identified in one of adult T-cell leukemias (ATL) samples. This result suggests that mutation of the CHK2 gene may rarely be involved in the development of selected lymphomas.
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PMID:Analysis of the CHK2 gene in lymphoid malignancies. 1169 18

The phytochemical 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin, derived from the fungus Shiraia bambusicola, has been shown to possess potent anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. Here, we investigated the effect of 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin on cell cycle progression, and explored the potential mechanisms for this effect. A concentration- and time-dependent cell cycle blockade at G2/M phase was observed in human colon cancer cells (HCT-116) following 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin treatment and was associated with marked increases in levels of p53, phospho-p53(ser20) and phospho-Chk2(Thr 68). When wild type p53 expression was specifically inhibited by RNA interference, HCT-116 cells treated with 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin failed to arrest in G2/M and did not show increased phospho-Chk2(Thr 68). On the other hand, 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin treatment also elicited p38 MAP kinase activity and expression of phospho-p38 MAPK. Treatment with a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) successfully inhibited p38 MAPK and delayed the onset of G2/M arrest induced by 0.5 microM 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin after approximately 6 h, but did not abolish the induction of G2/M arrest. Additionally, SB203580 did not alter the levels of p53, phospho-p53 (ser20), or phospho-Chk2 (Thr68) proteins in 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin-treated cells. Together, these findings indicate that p53-mediated phosphorylation of Chk2 maybe plays a vital role in 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin-induced G2/M arrest, and that p38 MAPK might accelerate this progression. Our work suggests a new possibility of interactions among p53, Chk2 and p38 MAPK signaling in G2/M arrest.
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PMID:The p53 pathway is synergized by p38 MAPK signaling to mediate 11,11'-dideoxyverticillin-induced G2/M arrest. 1596 7

The Mus81-Eme1 complex is a structure-specific endonuclease that preferentially cleaves nicked Holliday junctions, 3'-flap structures and aberrant replication fork structures. Mus81-/- mice have been shown to exhibit spontaneous chromosomal aberrations and, in one of two models, a predisposition to cancers. The molecular mechanisms underlying its role in chromosome integrity, however, are largely unknown. To clarify the role of Mus81 in human cells, we deleted the gene in the human colon cancer cell line HCT116 by gene targeting. Here we demonstrate that Mus81 confers resistance to DNA crosslinking agents and slight resistance to other DNA-damaging agents. Mus81 deficiency spontaneously promotes chromosome damage such as breaks and activates the intra-S-phase checkpoint through the ATM-Chk1/Chk2 pathways. Furthermore, Mus81 deficiency activates the G2/M checkpoint through the ATM-Chk2 pathway and promotes DNA rereplication. Increased rereplication is reversed by the ectopic expression of Cdk1. Haploinsufficiency of Mus81 or Eme1 also causes similar phenotypes. These findings suggest that a complex network of the checkpoint pathways that respond to DNA double-strand breaks may participate in some of the phenotypes associated with Mus81 or Eme1 deficiency.
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PMID:Haploinsufficiency of the Mus81-Eme1 endonuclease activates the intra-S-phase and G2/M checkpoints and promotes rereplication in human cells. 1645 34

Lidamycin (LDM), a member of the enediyne antibiotic family, is presently undergoing phase I clinical trials in P.R. China. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of LDM-induced cell cycle arrest in order to support its use in clinical cancer therapy. Using human colon carcinoma HT-29 cells, we observed that LDM induced G2 cell cycle arrest in a time- and dose-dependent manner. LDM-induced G2 arrest was associated with increasing phosphorylation of Chk1, Chk2, Cdc25C, Cdc2 and expression of Cdc2 and cyclin B1. In addition, cytoplasmic localization of cyclin B1 was also involved in LDM-induced G2 arrest. Moreover, we found that p38 MAPK pathway contributed to LDM-induced G2 arrest. Inhibition of p38 MAPK by its inhibitor SB203580 not only attenuated LDM-induced G2 arrest but also potentiated LDM-induced apoptosis, which was accompanied by decreasing phosphorylation of Cdc2 and increasing expression of FasL and phosphorylation of JNK. Finally, we demonstrated that cells at G1 phase were more sensitive to LDM. Together, our findings suggest that p38 MAPK signaling pathway is involved in LDM-induced G2 arrest, at least partly, and a combination of LDM with p38 MAPK inhibitor may represent a new strategy for human colon cancer therapy.
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PMID:Lidamycin induces marked G2 cell cycle arrest in human colon carcinoma HT-29 cells through activation of p38 MAPK pathway. 1727 39

Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) is a potent inhibitor of ionizing radiation (IR)-induced cell death. Exposure of colon cancer cells to IR leads to increased CUGBP2 expression. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that PGE(2) radioprotects colon cancer cells by inhibiting CUGBP2 expression. Exposure of HCT-116 cells to gamma-IR (0-12 Gy) resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in cell growth and an increase in the G(2)-M phase of the cell cycle. Western blot analyses demonstrated increased levels of activated caspase 9 and caspase 3. In addition, whereas Bax expression is increased, that of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) was reduced. Further analyses demonstrated increased activation of Chk1 and Chk2 kinases, coupled with higher levels of nuclear cyclin B1 and Cdc2. Pretreatment with PGE(2) suppressed the activation of caspase 3 and caspase 7 and inhibited Bax expression. In addition, PGE(2) treatment restored growth and colony formation to control levels. IR significantly upregulated the expression of CUGBP2 in the cells, which was suppressed when cells were pretreated with PGE(2). Ectopic overexpression of CUGBP2 also induced apoptosis. Furthermore, it reversed the PGE(2)-mediated protection from IR-induced mitotic catastrophe. Furthermore, there was an increase in nuclear localization of cyclin B1 and Cdc2 coupled with increased phosphorylation of p53, Chk1, Chk2, and Cdc25c proteins. Cell cycle analysis also demonstrated increased G(2)-M transition. In contrast, siRNA-mediated suppression of CUGBP2 expression restored normal cell cycle progression and decreased IR-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these data demonstrate that PGE(2) protects colon cancer cells from IR-induced mitotic catastrophe in part through suppression of CUGBP2 expression.
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PMID:CUGBP2 downregulation by prostaglandin E2 protects colon cancer cells from radiation-induced mitotic catastrophe. 1832 84

RNA-binding proteins play a key role in post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA stability and translation. We have identified that RBM3, a translation regulatory protein, is significantly upregulated in human tumors, including a stage-dependent increase in colorectal tumors. Forced RBM3 overexpression in NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts and SW480 human colon epithelial cells increases cell proliferation and development of compact multicellular spheroids in soft agar suggesting the ability to induce anchorage-independent growth. In contrast, downregulating RBM3 in HCT116 colon cancer cells with specific siRNA decreases cell growth in culture, which was partially overcome when treated with prostaglandin E(2), a product of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 enzyme activity. Knockdown also resulted in the growth arrest of tumor xenografts. We have also identified that RBM3 knockdown increases caspase-mediated apoptosis coupled with nuclear cyclin B1, and phosphorylated Cdc25c, Chk1 and Chk2 kinases, implying that under conditions of RBM3 downregulation, cells undergo mitotic catastrophe. RBM3 enhances COX-2, IL-8 and VEGF mRNA stability and translation. Conversely, RBM3 knockdown results in loss in the translation of these transcripts. These data demonstrate that the RNA stabilizing and translation regulatory protein RBM3 is a novel proto-oncogene that induces transformation when overexpressed and is essential for cells to progress through mitosis.
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PMID:Translation regulatory factor RBM3 is a proto-oncogene that prevents mitotic catastrophe. 1842 44

Camptothecins (CPT) activate S or G(2)-M arrest and the homologous recombination (HR) repair pathway in tumor cells. In this process, both checkpoint kinases 1 and 2 (Chk1 and Chk2, respectively) are activated, but their differential roles, especially in the coordination of checkpoint and repair control, and potential clinic relevance remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, the repairable double-strand breaks were induced in human colon cancer HCT116 cells by 1-h exposure to 25 or 100 nmol/L CPT and its novel derivative chimmitecan. The cellular disposal of double-strand breaks was reflected as the progressive dispersal of gamma-H2AX foci, reduction of "comet" tails, dynamic activation of RAD51-mediated HR repair, and reversible G(2)-M arrest. In this model, the differential kinetics of Chk1 and Chk2 activation was characterized by the progressively increased phosphorylation of Chk2 until 72 h, the degradation of Chk1, and the disappearance of phosphorylated Chk1 48 h after drug removal. Using RNA interference, we further showed that Chk2 was essential to G(2)-M arrest, whereas Chk1 was mainly required for HR repair in CPT-treated HCT116 cells. Moreover, Chk2, rather than Chk1, predominated over the control of cell survival in this model. The differential roles of Chk1 and Chk2 in regulating HR repair and G(2)-M phase arrest were also confirmed in HT-29 colon cancer cells. Together, these findings systematically dissect the differential roles of Chk1 and Chk2 in a favorable model pursuing CPT-driven DNA damage responses, providing critical evidence to further explore checkpoint modulation, especially Chk2 inhibition as a therapeutic strategy in combination with CPT.
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PMID:Chk1 and Chk2 are differentially involved in homologous recombination repair and cell cycle arrest in response to DNA double-strand breaks induced by camptothecins. 1856 16

Hypoxia is a common feature of solid tumors and represents a critical factor in their progression and responsiveness to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We now report that hypoxic exposure of colon cancer cells decreased the protein levels of the cell cycle-controlling phosphatase Cdc25A. Hypoxia decreased the mitotic population and caused S-phase arrest in these cells. Suppression of Cdc25A was phosphatase family member-specific, as a similar decrease was not observed with closely related Cdc25B or Cdc25C phosphatases. Pharmacological and genetic blockade of Chk1 and Chk2 failed to inhibit the hypoxia-mediated loss of Cdc25A, indicating this process was not regulated by a traditional ATM/ATR checkpoint response. In addition, hypoxia did not affect ectopically expressed Cdc25A levels suggesting independence from an increase in proteasomal degradation. Cdc25A mRNA levels also decreased in human colon cancer cells 24 hr after hypoxia supporting a mechanistic role for decreased Cdc25A expression or mRNA stability. The reduction in Cdc25A mRNA and protein was dependent on the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 and miR-21, which were upregulated in HCT116 colon cancer cells during hypoxia. These results reveal previously unknown mechanisms for the transient suppression of Cdc25A, providing a coordinated and fundamental adaptive change that may be exploited by cancer cells conferring proliferative and survival advantages.
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PMID:Hypoxia-mediated regulation of Cdc25A phosphatase by p21 and miR-21. 1973 33

Inhibitors of histone deacetylases, including suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and trichostatin A (TSA), are emerging anticancer agents. In the current study, we examined the cytoprotective effects of these agents. Cisplatin induced 40-50% apoptosis in rat kidney proximal tubular cells in 18 h, which was suppressed to 20-30% by 1-5 microM SAHA or 0.1 microM TSA. Consistently, SAHA partially prevented cisplatin-induced caspase activation. The cytoprotective effects of SAHA and TSA were associated with long-term cell survival. During cisplatin treatment, Bax translocated to mitochondria, leading to cytochrome c release. Both Bax translocation and cytochrome c release were ameliorated by SAHA. Mechanistically, SAHA inhibited and TSA delayed p53 phosphorylation, acetylation, and activation during cisplatin incubation. At the upstream signaling level, SAHA blocked cisplatin-induced phosphorylation of Chk2, a key DNA damage response kinase. Interestingly, in HCT116 colon cancer cells, SAHA suppressed cisplatin-induced p53 activation, but enhanced apoptosis. The results suggest that inhibitors of histone deacetylases can protect against cisplatin nephrotoxicity by attenuating DNA damage response and associated p53 activation.
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PMID:Inhibitors of histone deacetylases suppress cisplatin-induced p53 activation and apoptosis in renal tubular cells. 1988 54


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