Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P04637 (p53)
 77,613 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

PCR assays for the presence of mutant K-ras or p53 sequences are potentially useful as sensitive tests for tumor diagnosis. The technical challenge is to design assays sensitive enough to detect a few molecules of mutant DNA yet sufficiently specific that a false positive signal is not produced by a 10(5)- or 10(6)-fold excess of normal DNA. We determined the detection limit of allele-specific PCR (ASA) as a function of the particular mismatch involved using all 12 possible mismatches in two different DNA sequence contexts (K-ras codon 12 and p53 codon 273). Depending on the identity of the mismatch, mismatched template was amplified 10(2)-10(4)-fold less than perfectly matched template. In other words, a mutant allele could be detected by ASA if it represented > 1-0.01% of the total DNA from that locus. Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) clamping was used to improve the K-ras ASA assay. Selective amplification of mutant sequences was achieved using a PNA complementary to the normal sequence to inhibit the amplification of wild-type DNA. PNA clamping followed by ASA resulted in significant improvement in sensitivity and specificity, permitting the detection of tumor DNA diluted with a 300,000-fold excess of normal human DNA.
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PMID:Analysis of the allele-specific PCR method for the detection of neoplastic disease. 902 37

We have established immortalized human granulosa cells by triple transfection of primary cells obtained from in vitro fertilization patients with SV40 DNA, Ha-ras oncogene, and a temperature sensitive (ts) mutant of the tumor suppressor gene p53 (p53val135). Forty-one clones were isolated, and their steroidogenic responses were analyzed. While all the cell lines proliferate rapidly and show only traces of progesterone production, upon stimulation with 50 microM of forskolin (FK), which elevates intracellular cAMP, they become steroidogenic as evidenced by progesterone production. The steroidogenic response of the cell lines was stable even after 20 generations and several cycles of freezing and thawing. A highly responsive cell line (HO-23) was further examined for characteristics of the steroidogenic response. Cells stimulated with FK and 8-Br-cAMP produced high levels of pregnenolone, progesterone, and 20alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20alpha-OH-progesterone) comparable with amounts produced by highly differentiated primary human granulosa-luteal cells. Hydrocortisone and dexamethasone highly augment the cAMP-stimulated progesterone production, whereas testosterone and PRL enhanced cAMP-induced progesterone synthesis only moderately. Estradiol, insulin-like growth factor I, and insulin showed no significant effect on cAMP-induced steroidogenesis. The phorbol ester TPA, and basic fibroblast growth factor, dramatically suppress cAMP-induced production of progesterone, whereas bovine corneal endothelial cell ECM (BCE/ECM) enhanced cAMP-induced progesterone and antagonized basic fibroblast growth factor suppression of cAMP-induced steroidogenesis. Steroidogenic factor 1 (Ad4BP/SF-1) was expressed in control cells, and its expression was augmented by FK, whereas the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein showed low expression in the nonstimulated cells but was clearly elevated upon cAMP stimulation and was slightly decreased by TPA in cAMP-stimulated cells. Expression of the electron carrier adrenodoxin (ADX), which is a part of the cytochrome P450scc enzyme system, was very low in nonstimulated cells but was dramatically elevated in FK- and 8-Br-cAMP-stimulated cells, whereas no reduction of ADX was evident in cells costimulated with FK and TPA. Immunocytochemical studies revealed a weak staining of ADX in mitochondria of nonstimulated cells and intensive staining in highly clustered mitochondria of FK- or 8-Br-cAMP-stimulated cells. Only moderate reduction in ADX staining was evident in cells costimulated with FK and TPA. These unique cell lines can provide a useful model for the investigation of induced steroidogenesis in human granulosa cells.
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PMID:Induction of Ad4BP/SF-1, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, and cytochrome P450scc enzyme system expression in newly established human granulosa cell lines. 979 80

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 levels are elevated in several types of human cancer tissues. Nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit both the COX-1 and COX-2 protein, the two enzymes that convert arachidonic acids to prostaglandins. Regular use of such NSAIDs significantly reduces the risk and spread of some cancers. The objective of this study was to elucidate the molecular pathology of neoplasms that overexpress COX-2. Epidemiological data and clinical studies were analyzed and compared with results of studies of human tumor tissues, animal models, and cultured tumor cells. COX-2, but not COX-1, is highly expressed in human colon carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, and skin cancer. COX-2 is inducible by oncogenes ras and scr, interleukin-1, hypoxia, benzo[a]pyrene, ultraviolet light, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor beta, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Dexamethasone, antioxidants, and tumor-suppressor protein p53 suppress COX-2 expression. COX-2 synthesizes prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) which stimulates bcl-2 and inhibits apoptosis, and induces interleukin-6 (IL-6) which enhances haptoglobin synthesis. PGE2 is associated with tumor metastases, IL-6 with cancer cell invasion, and haptoglobin with implantation and angiogenesis. Drastic reduction in polyp number results from COX-2 gene knockout as well as from selective COX-2 inhibition in a mouse model of human familial adenomatous polyposis. Nonselective NSAIDs, for instance aspirin, and selective COX-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib (SC-58635) and NS-398 suppress azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats. Aspirin, indomethacin, and ibuprofen decrease cultured lung cancer cell proliferation. Selective inhibition of COX-2 is preferable to nonselective inhibition. It reduces cancer cell proliferation, induces cancer cell apoptosis, and spares COX-1-induced cytoprotection of the gastrointestinal tract.
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PMID:Molecular pathology of cyclooxygenase-2 in neoplasia. 1067 79

Fifteen minute exposure of primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells to micromolar concentrations of glutamate results in apoptotic cell death. Among the intracellular events triggered by glutamate, we identified two transcriptional factors, i.e. the p50 member of the NF-kappaB family and the tumor suppressor phosphoprotein p53, that are apparently linked by a sequential trascriptional program. We found that pretreatment of the cultures with aspirin (ASA), which inhibits NF-kappaB activation, resulted in a complete prevention of glutamate-induced p53 immunoreactivity. The same results were obtained pretreating the cells with a specific p53 antisense oligonucleotide. Both ASA and p53 antisense abolished glutamate-induced apoptosis. We also found that two other proteins, the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor p21 and DNA mismatches repair MSH2, whose encoding genes are well known target of p53, were upregulated by glutamate. On these bases, we propose NF-kappaB, p53, p21 and MSH2 as relevant contributors of the glutamate-induced pro-apoptotic pathway.
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PMID:Induction of p53 in the glutamate-induced cell death program. 1102 96

Aspirin- and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced apoptosis is one of the important mechanisms for their anti-tumour effect in gastric cancer. We aimed at determining the role of bcl-2 family proteins and caspases in the apoptotic process. Gastric cancer cell lines AGS (wild-type p53) and MKN-28 (mutant p53) were used. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis was determined by acridine orange staining. Protein expressions were determined by western blotting. Aspirin and indomethacin inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in both cells. AGS cells were more sensitive compared with MKN-28 cells. The pro-apoptotic proteins bax and bak were overexpressed after treatment, while the protein level of bcl-2 remained unchanged. Apoptosis was accompanied by an increase in caspase-3 activity and cleavage of caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Inhibition of caspase-3 rescued aspirin-induced apoptosis. Our results suggest that one of the major pathways which mediates the anti-tumour response of aspirin and indomethacin in gastric cancer cells is through up-regulation of bax and bak and activation of caspase-3. Bax and bak are important in the chemoprevention of gastric cancer.
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PMID:Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs induce apoptosis in gastric cancer cells through up-regulation of bax and bak. 1153 60

Laboratory and epidemiological studies suggest that butyrate, a metabolic product of microbial fermentation of dietary fibre, and aspirin, a non-steroidal antiphlogistic drug, both reduce the risk of developing colon cancer. Notably, few data exist on potential interactions of these two substances. In this study, the effects of a butyrate-aspirin combination on human colon cancer cells were compared with treatment with aspirin or butyrate alone. Both substances decreased proliferation and induced differentiation and apoptosis. Butyrate reduced mutant p53 expression, whereas aspirin did not affect p53 expression. Butyrate-induced apoptosis correlated with an increase in Bak expression and a decrease in the expression of Bcl-XL. Aspirin had no effect on the investigated apoptosis-controlling factors. The antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of the butyrate-aspirin combination were markedly enhanced. The combination resulted in a stronger decrease in the expression of PCNA and cdk2. Our data suggest that the anticarcinogenic effect of aspirin might effectively be augmented by combination with the short-chain fatty acid butyrate.
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PMID:Butyrate and aspirin in combination have an enhanced effect on apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells. 1213 61

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) is effective in the primary and secondary prevention of vascular events. This effect is mediated in large part by platelet inhibition; however, non-platelet-mediated effects may also be relevant in the overall efficacy of ASA. We determined the effect of ASA on the synthesis of DNA and total proteins in cultured human coronary endothelial cells (HCAECs). Fourth generation HCAECs were cultured and treated with ASA and rate of synthesis of DNA and total proteins was determined by incorporation of [3H]thymidine and [3H]proline, respectively. ASA inhibited DNA synthesis by 50% at a concentration of 1mM and protein synthesis by 50% at a concentration of 2mM. The inhibitory effect of ASA was observed as early as 2h after treatment of HCAECs. The inhibition of DNA and protein synthesis could be reversed within 24h after removal of the drug from the culture medium. Indomethacin also inhibited DNA and protein synthesis. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of p53 protein was increased after treatment of the cells with ASA. These observations indicate that ASA decreases endothelial cell proliferation through cell cycle arrest mediated by enhanced p53 expression. Arrest of endothelial proliferation and activation may be an important mechanism of the beneficial effect of ASA in acute coronary syndromes.
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PMID:Aspirin inhibits human coronary artery endothelial cell proliferation by upregulation of p53. 1253 53

To gain insight into the transformation of epidermal cells into squamous carcinoma cells (SCC), we compared the response to ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) versus their transformed counterpart, SCC, using biological and molecular profiling. DNA microarray analyses (Affymetrix), approximately 12000 genes) indicated that the major group of upregulated genes in keratinocytes fall into three categories: (i). antiapoptotic and cell survival factors, including chemokines of the CXC/CC subfamilies (e.g. IL-8, GRO-1, -2, -3, SCYA20), growth factors (e.g. HB-EGF, CTGF, INSL-4), and proinflammatory mediators (e.g. COX-2, S100A9), (ii). DNA repair-related genes (e.g. GADD45, ERCC, BTG-1, Histones), and (iii). ECM proteases (MMP-1, -10). The major downregulated genes are DeltaNp63 and PUMILIO, two potential markers for the maintenance of keratinocyte stem cells. NHEK were found to be more resistant than SCC to UVB-induced apoptosis and this resistance was mainly because of the protection from cell death by secreted survival factors, since it can be transferred from NHEK to SCC cultures by the conditioned medium. Whereas the response of keratinocytes to UVB involved regulation of key checkpoint genes (p53, MDM2, p21(Cip1), DeltaNp63), as well as antiapoptotic and DNA repair-related genes - no or little regulation of these genes was observed in SCC. The effect of UVB on NHEK and SCC resulted in upregulation of 251 and 127 genes, respectively, and downregulation of 322 genes in NHEK and 117 genes in SCC. To further analyse these changes, we used a novel unsupervised coupled two-way clustering method that allowed the identification of groups of genes that clearly partitioned keratinocytes from SCC, including a group of genes whose constitutive expression levels were similar before UVB. This allowed the identification of discriminating genes not otherwise revealed by simple static comparison in the absence of UVB irradiation. The implication of the changes in gene profile in keratinocytes for epithelial cancer is discussed.
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PMID:Genome-wide comparison of human keratinocyte and squamous cell carcinoma responses to UVB irradiation: implications for skin and epithelial cancer. 1277 51

We performed expressional profiling of isogenic glioblastoma cell lines U87-Lux8 and U87-175.4. These cell lines differ in that U87-Lux8 expresses wild-type p53 and U87-175.4 expresses a dominant-negative p53 (175(His) mutation). DNA array analysis and real-time PCR measurements demonstrated that basal expression and response to irradiation were different in these isogenic glioblastoma cell lines. These differences included genes involved in growth regulation and genes associated with cell-to-cell and cell/ECM communications. Co-cultivation of U87-175.4 and U87-Lux8 with HUVE cells demonstrated that U87-175.4 cells suppress the angiogenic phenotype of HUVEC and increase their sensitivity to radiation-induced apoptosis compared to co-culture of U87-Lux8/HUVEC. These data suggest that blockade of p53 function may alter the communication between tumor cells and endothelial cells such that endothelial cells exhibit an increase in radiosensitivity. These findings may have important implications for the treatment of glioblastoma tumors and other human cancers.
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PMID:Endothelial cells co-cultured with wild-type and dominant/negative p53-transfected glioblastoma cells exhibit differential sensitivity to radiation-induced apoptosis. 1475 Jan 72

Although the overview above provides a partial molecular picture of the early stages of stepwise hepatocarcinogenesis. it should be emphasized that tumor and nontumor liver contain multiple changes, and that there is variability in their profile among different patients even within single studies. Variability in the number and types of genetic changes has also been observed geographically, and may be dependent upon the etiology of the tumor (viral, chemical or both). Interestingly, HBxAg inactivates tumor suppressors (such as p53 [by direct binding] and Rb [by stimulating its phosphorylation]) early in carcinogenesis that are mutated later during tumor progression. HBxAg also constitutively activates signal transduction pathways, such as those involving c-jun and ras, and activates oncogenes,such as c-nloc, that are otherwise activated by 3-catenin mutations. These findings suggest common molecular targets in hepatocarcinogenesis, despite different mechanisms of activation or inactivation. These observations need to be exploited in future drug discovery and in the development of new therapeutics. Heterogeneity in the mechanisms of tumor development, evidenced by the differences in the up- and down regulated genes reported in micro array analyses, as well as in the genetic loci that undergo mutation or LOH indifferent reports, has now been well documented. This suggests that there are multiple pathways to HCC, and that there is redundancy in the pathways that regulate cell growth and survival. These findings also reflect that,although hepatocarcinogenesis is multistep, the molecular changes that underpin histopathological changes in tumor development are likely to be different or only partially overlapping in individual tumors. Overall, the consequences of these changes suggest that the pathogenesis of HCC is accompanied by a progressive loss of differentiation, loss of normal cell adhesion, loss of the ECM, and constitutive activation of selected signal transduction pathways that promote cell growth and survival. Although mechanisms are important, attention also has to be paid to the target genes whose altered expression actually mediate the neoplastic phenotype. Other key avenues of work need to be explored. For example, it will be important to try to identify germline mutations in HBV-infected patients that are passed on to their children, resulting in the development of HCC in childhood. Clinical materials will also be important for the validation of new markers with diagnostic or prognostic potential. In this context, there is an urgent need to establish simple and low-cost tests based upon molecular changes that are hallmarks of HCC development. Identification of patients with early HCC will also significantly increase survival through its impact upon treatment. The discovery and validation of HCC markers may permit accurate staging of lesions, determine the proximity of such lesions to malignancy, and determine whether lesions with a particular genetic profile are still capable of remodeling through appropriate therapeutic intervention. The efficient reintroduction of the relevant tumor suppressors, or the inhibition of oncogene expression by siRNA, provide just some of the additional opportunities that will ultimately be useful in patient treatment. Together, these approaches will go far in reducing the very high morbidity and mortality associated with HCC.
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PMID:Early molecular and genetic determinants of primary liver malignancy. 1506 49


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