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)

Prostaglandins (PGs), bioactive lipid molecules produced by cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2), have diverse biological activities, including growth-promoting actions on gastrointestinal mucosa. They are also implicated in the growth of colonic polyps and cancers. However, the precise mechanisms of these trophic actions of PGs remain unclear. As activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) triggers mitogenic signaling in gastrointestinal mucosa, and its expression is also upregulated in colonic cancers and most neoplasms, we investigated whether PGs transactivate EGFR. Here we provide evidence that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) rapidly phosphorylates EGFR and triggers the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2)--mitogenic signaling pathway in normal gastric epithelial (RGM1) and colon cancer (Caco-2, LoVo and HT-29) cell lines. Inactivation of EGFR kinase with selective inhibitors significantly reduces PGE2-induced ERK2 activation, c-fos mRNA expression and cell proliferation. Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) or c-Src blocked PGE2-mediated EGFR transactivation and downstream signaling indicating that PGE2-induced EGFR transactivation involves signaling transduced via TGF-alpha, an EGFR ligand, likely released by c-Src-activated MMP(s). Our findings that PGE2 transactivates EGFR reveal a previously unknown mechanism by which PGE2 mediates trophic actions resulting in gastric and intestinal hypertrophy as well as growth of colonic polyps and cancers.
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PMID:Prostaglandin E2 transactivates EGF receptor: a novel mechanism for promoting colon cancer growth and gastrointestinal hypertrophy. 1187 1

Elevated expression and/or activity of c-Src, the prototype of the Src family of protein tyrosine kinases, is associated with the development of human colon cancer. However, despite the known pleiotropic effects of these kinases in promoting (a) cell growth downstream of growth factor receptors, and (b) the dynamic regulation of integrin adhesions in fibroblast model systems, their precise role in epithelial cancer cells is unknown. Here we addressed whether elevated expression and activity of cellular Src alters cell proliferation and/or cell-matrix adhesion in cancer cells from the Fidler model of colorectal metastasis. Although elevated Src correlates with ability to metastasise to the liver after intrasplenic injection, we found that this was not linked to enhanced growth, either in vitro or in vivo as sub-cutaneous tumours. However, elevated Src was associated with enhanced attachment to extracellular matrix. In addition, adhesion to fibronectin, was suppressed by agents that inhibited Src activity, while enforced elevation of Src in non-metastatic cells was sufficient to stimulate adhesion to fibronectin and enhanced assembly of adhesion complexes, without influencing cell growth. Thus, we conclude that one role of elevated Src in human colon cancer cells is to modulate integrin-dependent cell-matrix attachment and formation of adhesion structures, which may, in turn, influence cell motility and integrin-dependent cellular responses.
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PMID:Elevated c-Src is linked to altered cell-matrix adhesion rather than proliferation in KM12C human colorectal cancer cells. 1240 52

The human SRC gene encodes pp60(c-src), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase involved in numerous signaling pathways. Activation or overexpression of c-Src has also been linked to a number of important human cancers. Transcription of the SRC gene is complex and regulated by two closely linked but highly dissimilar promoters, each associated with its own distinct non-coding exon. In many tissues SRC expression is regulated by the housekeeping-like SRC1A promoter. In addition to other regulatory elements, three substantial polypurine:polypyrimidine (TC) tracts within this promoter are required for full transcriptional activity. Previously, we described an unusual factor called SRC pyrimidine-binding protein (SPy) that could bind to two of these TC tracts in their double-stranded form, but was also capable of interacting with higher affinity to all three pyrimidine tracts in their single-stranded form. Mutations in the TC tracts, which abolished the ability of SPy to interact with its double-stranded DNA target, significantly reduced SRC1A promoter activity, especially in concert with mutations in critical Sp1 binding sites. Here we expand upon our characterization of this interesting factor and describe the purification of SPy from human SW620 colon cancer cells using a DNA affinity-based approach. Subsequent in-gel tryptic digestion of purified SPy followed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis identified SPy as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K), a known nucleic-acid binding protein implicated in various aspects of gene expression including transcription. These data provide new insights into the double- and single-stranded DNA-binding specificity, as well as functional properties of hnRNP K, and suggest that hnRNP K is a critical component of SRC1A transcriptional processes.
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PMID:Identification of the SRC pyrimidine-binding protein (SPy) as hnRNP K: implications in the regulation of SRC1A transcription. 1259 59

Colorectal carcinomas have been found to express increased levels of IGF1 and IGF1-R, as compared to normal or adenomatous colonic mucosa, and it has been postulated that a subset of colorectal cancers are under the autocrine regulation of the IGF1/IGF1-R system. In this study, we selected human colorectal carcinoma cell lines with high (SW620, HT29, L4A) and low (CaCo2, and HCT 116) expression of IGF1-R by flow cytometry. Compared to the IGF1-R(-) cells, the IGF1-R(+) cells revealed a more aggressive phenotype as demonstrated by a higher proliferation rate (approximately 2-fold increase) in response to IGF1, higher degree of transformation (approximately 5-to-15-fold increase in colony formation in soft agar), increased resistance to serum deprivation-induced apoptosis [1-7 apoptotic cells/5 microscopic fields, as compared to 37 to 101 apoptotic cells/5 microscopic fields of the IGF1-R(-) cells], and higher migratory capability measured by a wounding assay [IGF1-R(+) cells migrated a distance of up to 15 millimeters from the cut edge of the monolayer, while the IGF1-R(-) cells were able to migrate only 2-3 millimeters away from the same reference point]. While the cell lines overexpressing the IGF1-R had higher levels of Src activation, the use of a Src inhibitor reduced the IGF1-R protein expression, slowed down the proliferation of IGF1-R(+) cells, and reduced their colony formation in soft agar. Based on the above observations, we conclude that an overexpressed and activated IGF1-R may increase the degree of transformation and motility of colon cancer cells by activating c-Src.
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PMID:Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor activates c-SRC and modifies transformation and motility of colon cancer in vitro. 1282 Apr 18

Nicotine [3-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)-pyridine], a major alkaloid in tobacco, has been implicated as playing a role in carcinogenesis. Our previous study showed that passive cigarette smoking promoted inflammation-associated colonic adenoma formation in mice, and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) plays an important role in this process. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether nicotine could stimulate colon cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth in nude mice xenograft model and the possible mechanisms involved. Results showed that nicotine stimulated SW1116 colon cancer cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and c-Src phosphorylation levels together with protein expression of 5-LOX were also significantly enhanced in this proliferation process. Inhibitors of EGFR and c-Src alleviated the actions of nicotine on cell proliferation and 5-LOX protein expression. Combination of both agents produced additive effect. In contrast, 5-LOX inhibitor had no direct effect on the phosphorylation levels of EGFR and c-Src and yet inhibited cell proliferation. In the colon cancer xenograft model, nicotine also significantly enhanced tumor growth. This acceleration of tumor growth corresponded well with increased vascularization and its proangiogenic factors. Inhibitors of EGFR, c-Src, and 5-LOX all significantly impeded the tumor growth induced by nicotine. Together, nicotine can promote colonic tumorigenesis both in vitro and in vivo. Activation of the phosphorylated form of EGFR and c-Src followed by an increased 5-LOX expression are the prime pathogenic mechanisms in the tumorigenic process in the colon.
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PMID:Nicotine promoted colon cancer growth via epidermal growth factor receptor, c-Src, and 5-lipoxygenase-mediated signal pathway. 1456 62

Human pp60c-Src (or c-Src) is a 60 kDa nonreceptor tyrosine kinase encoded by the SRC gene and is the cellular homologue to the potent transforming v-Src viral oncogene. c-Src functions at the hub of a vast array of signal transduction cascades that influence cellular proliferation, differentiation, motility, and survival. c-Src activation has been documented in upwards of 50% of tumors derived from the colon, liver, lung, breast, and pancreas. Therefore, a major focus has been to understand the mechanisms of c-Src activation in human cancer. Early studies concentrated on post-translational mechanisms that lead to increased c-Src kinase activity, which often correlated with overexpression of c-Src protein. More recently, the discovery of an activating SRC mutation in a small subset of advanced colon tumors has been reported. In addition, elevated SRC transcription has been identified as yet another mechanism contributing significantly to c-Src activation in a subset of human colon cancer cell lines. Interestingly, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, agents with well-documented anti-cancer activity, repress SRC transcription in a wide variety of human cancer cell lines. Analysis of the mechanisms behind HDAC inhibitor mediated repression could be utilized in the future to specifically inhibit SRC gene expression in human cancer.
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PMID:SRC gene expression in human cancer: the role of transcriptional activation. 1506 Jun 21

Alternative promoters allow for increased spatial and temporal diversity in expression patterns for a single gene. The human SRC gene, encoding the non-receptor c-Src tyrosine kinase, is regulated by two alternative promoters separated by approximately 1 kb. The distal SRC1alpha promoter is tissue-restricted, while expression of the proximal SRC1A promoter appears to be ubiquitous. A barrier to elucidating the mechanisms of SRC transcriptional regulation has been the finding that the individual strengths of the SRC promoters in isolation do not match their relative strength of use seen in vivo. For example, in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells, SRC1A is significantly stronger in isolation than SRC1alpha, despite SRC1alpha being the predominant promoter used in this cell line. Previously, we have shown that HepG2 cells, as well as various colon cancer cell lines, display activated SRC transcription, which is linked to the elevated c-Src expression and activity necessary for growth and survival of these cells. These findings thus highlight the importance of understanding the mechanisms of SRC transcriptional regulation in human cancer. We hypothesize the discrepancy between individual SRC promoter strength and relative usage in vivo stems from a lack of linked promoter context. Therefore, we have developed and validated a novel dual SRC promoter reporter strategy to allow the simultaneous mechanistic study of both SRC promoters in their natural linked context. This approach has yielded evidence that SRC activation proceeds through genomic element(s) outside the promoter region in HepG2 cells. Therefore, we performed a preliminary study of DNaseI hypersensitive (DH) site composition within the SRC locus. This approach identified a HepG2-specific DH site that displayed activating potential towards the SRC1alpha promoter. These results thus provide important insight to the mechanism of SRC transcriptional activation in liver cancer cells.
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PMID:Regulation of alternative SRC promoter usage in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. 1527 10

Tumor resistance to current drugs prevents curative treatment of human colon cancer. A pressing need for effective, tumor-specific chemotherapies exists. The non-receptor-tyrosine kinase c-Src is overexpressed in >70% of human colon cancers and represents a tractable drug target. KM12L4A human metastatic colon cancer cells were stably transfected with two distinct kinase-defective mutants of c-src. Their response to oxaliplatin, to SN38, the active metabolite of irinotecan (drugs active in colon cancer), and to activation of the death receptor Fas was compared with vector control cells in terms of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Both kinase-defective forms of c-Src co-sensitized cells to apoptosis induced by oxaliplatin and Fas activation but not by SN38. Cells harboring kinase-defective forms of c-Src carrying function blocking point mutations in SH3 or SH2 domains were similarly sensitive to oxaliplatin, suggesting that reduction in kinase activity and not a Src SH2-SH3 scaffold function was responsible for the observed altered sensitivity. Oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis, potentiated by kinase-defective c-Src mutants, was dependent on activation of caspase 8 and associated with Bid cleavage. Each of the stable cell lines in which kinase-defective mutants of c-Src were expressed had reduced levels of Bcl-x(L.) However, inhibition of c-Src kinase activity by PP2 in vector control cells did not alter the oxaliplatin response over 72 h nor did it reduce Bcl-x(L) levels. The data suggest that longer term suppression of Src kinase activity may be required to lower Bcl-x(L) levels and sensitize colon cancer cells to oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis.
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PMID:Expression of kinase-defective mutants of c-Src in human metastatic colon cancer cells decreases Bcl-xL and increases oxaliplatin- and Fas-induced apoptosis. 1532 64

Validation of targets for cancer drug discovery requires robust experimental models. Systems based on inducible gene expression are well suited to this purpose but are difficult to establish in several epithelial cell types. Using the recently discovered transcriptional transactivator (rtTA2S-M2), we developed a strategy for fast and efficient generation of Tet On cells. Multiple clones of HCT116, SW480, and HT29 human colon cancer cells for doxycycline-regulated gene expression were constructed that constitutively express green fluorescent protein (GFP) for selection/maintenance purposes. The cell lines displayed good fold inducibility (49-124xHCT116; 178-621xSW480; 261-787xHT29) and minimal leakiness after transient transfection with a luciferase reporter or with vectors driving inducible expression of red fluorescent protein (dsRed2), constitutively active c-Src or dominant negative K-Ras4B. The clones preserved their transformed phenotype as demonstrated by comparing their properties to respective wild type cells, in terms of growth in vitro and in vivo (as tumor xenografts), cell cycle traverse, and sensitivity to drugs used in chemotherapy. These engineered cell lines enabled tightly controlled inducible gene expression both in vitro and in vivo, and proved well suited for construction of double-stable cell lines inducibly expressing a protein of interest. As such they represent a useful research tool for example, to dissect oncogene function(s) in colon cancer. Supplementary material for this article be found at http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/suppmat/0730-2312/suppmat/94/suppmat_welman.doc.
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PMID:Construction and characterization of multiple human colon cancer cell lines for inducibly regulated gene expression. 1566 25

Epidemiological studies indicate that dietary fiber-derived fermentation products such as butyrate can prevent colon cancer development. To further dissect the role of butyrate in anticarcinogenesis, its effect on cellular growth and invasion as well as the expression of c-Src and FAK, two mutually interactive nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, in three different human colon cancer cell lines (Caco-2, SW480, and SW620) were investigated. In addition to growth inhibition, butyrate treatment results in a significant downregulation of c-Src and FAK in human colon cancer cells, which can be attributable to their reduced transcripts and implicates the participation of a butyrate-sensitive pathway in modulating their expression. Concurrent to butyrate-reduced c-Src and FAK expression is the decrease of FAK Tyr-decrease 397 phosphorylation. Besides, butyrate also abolished the secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9. And these butyrate-mediated effects severely impaired invasion of SW620 cells through Matrigel in vitro. Interestingly, in situ parallel enhancement of c-Src and FAK was also observed in human colorectal tumor specimens. These results imply that by virtue of suppression of c-Src and FAK along with other butyrate targets in colonocytes, butyrate could effectively inhibit tumor growth and invasion.
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PMID:Butyrate regulates the expression of c-Src and focal adhesion kinase and inhibits cell invasion of human colon cancer cells. 1600 24


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