Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UNIPROT:P06889 (Mol)
 630,302 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The hormone leptin is implicated in the regulation of appetite and body weight in rodents, primates and humans. We reported that the leptin gene (ob) is expressed in the brain, but the factors which control ob expression in the central nervous system are not known. We previously showed that brain-derived rat C6 glioblastoma cells express ob mRNA and protein. In the present study we examined the regulation of ob expression in C6 cells. Leptin and leptin receptor immunoreactivity was detected in C6 cells, suggesting a possible autocrine role for leptin. The identity of the leptin immunoreactivity (OB-ir) in C6 cells was confirmed by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting using two leptin specific polyclonal antibodies. Using RT-PCR analysis a product of the expected size for the short, but not the long, leptin receptor isoform was detected in C6 cells. Cells were maintained in serum-free (SF) media for 0-24 h in the presence of various regulators of leptin expression. Leptin mRNA levels were significantly higher in cells treated with dbcAMP (1 mM), IGF 1 (100 ng/ml) or insulin (5 microg/ml) compared to SF controls. In contrast, corticosterone (10(-7)M) reduced leptin mRNA. In the presence of dbcAMP, C6 cells undergo a dramatic alteration in morphology which is coincident with an apparent increase in the number of leptin-ir nuclei and an increase in leptin immunoreactivity. In contrast to C6 cells, glucocorticoids are reported to increase leptin levels in adipocytes/adipose tissue, while increases in intracellular cAMP levels are reported to reduce leptin levels. Overall, our in vitro data suggest that the regulation of leptin gene expression in C6 glioblastoma cells is different from that in adipocytes.
Mol Cell Endocrinol 2000 Jul 25
PMID:The regulation of leptin gene expression in the C6 glioblastoma cell line. 1094 Apr 88

Experiments were carried out in a nude mouse model of human glioblastoma to determine whether gamma-knife radiosurgery combined with herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (tk) suicide gene therapy and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) gene transfer provided an improved multimodality treatment of this disease. Animals were inoculated intracerebrally with 2 x 10(5) U-87MG human glioblastoma cells to establish brain tumors. At 3 days postinoculation, the tumor region was injected with 2 x 10(6) infectious particles of highly defective herpes simplex viral vectors expressing the viral tk gene with the kinetics of a viral immediate early gene either alone (T.1) or together with TNF alpha (TH:TNF). Subgroups of animals were given daily intraperitoneal injections of ganciclovir (GCV) for 10 days and/or subjected to gamma-knife radiosurgery on the fifth day post tumor-cell implantation. Comparisons of animal survival showed that the TH:TNF vector in combination with radiosurgery and GCV administration provided the most effective therapy; eight of nine animals survived for 75 days compared to four of eight using the next best protocol. These findings suggest that gene therapy in combination with more conventional therapeutic methods may provide an improved strategy for extending the life expectancy of patients afflicted with this ultimately fatal disease.
Mol Ther 2000 Aug
PMID:Effective treatment of experimental glioblastoma by HSV vector-mediated TNF alpha and HSV-tk gene transfer in combination with radiosurgery and ganciclovir administration. 1094 38

The tumor suppressor protein PTEN is mutated in glioblastoma multiform brain tumors, resulting in deregulated signaling through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (PKB) pathway, which is critical for maintaining proliferation and survival. We have examined the relative roles of the two major phospholipid products of PI3K activity, phosphatidylinositol 3,4-biphosphate [PtdIns(3,4)P2] and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3], in the regulation of PKB activity in glioblastoma cells containing high levels of both of these lipids due to defective PTEN expression. Reexpression of PTEN or treatment with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 abolished the levels of both PtdIns(3, 4)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3, reduced phosphorylation of PKB on Thr308 and Ser473, and inhibited PKB activity. Overexpression of SHIP-2 abolished the levels of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3, whereas PtdIns(3,4)P2 levels remained high. However, PKB phosphorylation and activity were reduced to the same extent as they were with PTEN expression. PTEN and SHIP-2 also significantly decreased the amount of PKB associated with cell membranes. Reduction of SHIP-2 levels using antisense oligonucleotides increased PKB activity. SHIP-2 became tyrosine phosphorylated following stimulation by growth factors, but this did not significantly alter its phosphatase activity or ability to antagonize PKB activation. Finally we found that SHIP-2, like PTEN, caused a potent cell cycle arrest in G(1) in glioblastoma cells, which is associated with an increase in the stability of expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p27(KIP1). Our results suggest that SHIP-2 plays a negative role in regulating the PI3K-PKB pathway.
Mol Cell Biol 2000 Sep
PMID:5' phospholipid phosphatase SHIP-2 causes protein kinase B inactivation and cell cycle arrest in glioblastoma cells. 1095 82

The tumour suppressor gene p16/INK4a encodes a specific inhibitor of the cyclin D-dependent kinases CDK4 and CDK6. p16/INK4a prevents the association of CDK4 with cyclin D1, and subsequently inhibits phosphorylation of retinoblastoma tumour suppressor protein (pRb), thus preventing exit from the G1 phase. In human cancers, the estimated frequency of genetic alteration involving the p16/INK4a locus is believed to be second only to alteration of p53. A high frequency (greater than 50%) of homozygous p16/INK4a gene deletion has been demonstrated in glioblastoma tissues and p16/INK4a is altered in 80% of glioma cell lines. Therefore, restoration of p16/INK4a would suppress cell proliferation and induce cell growth arrest. We showed here that restoration of p16/INK4a expression in p16 negative U87MG, U251MG and partially deleted U373MG by Ad-CMV-p16/INK4a induced growth suppression in vitro and in vivo. Expression of p16 transferred by Ad-CMV-p16/INK4a in glioma cells was highly efficient and maintained for more than seven days. In addition, we found that the endogenous status of p16 and Rb might affect the expression of exogenous p16/INK4a gene and inhibitory effect of cell proliferation. Even though, there were several factors affecting the efficiency of Ad-CMV-p16/INK4 gene transfer, our results suggest that Ad-CMV-p16 gene therapy strategy is potentially useful and warrants further clinical investigation for the treatment of gliomas.
Int J Mol Med 2000 Nov
PMID:Growth inhibitory effect on glioma cells of adenovirus-mediated p16/INK4a gene transfer in vitro and in vivo. 1102 24

Glioblastoma cells exhibit several forms of sensitivity to extracellular calcium (Ca(o)) that might be conferred by the Ca(o)-sensing receptor (CaR) that is intimately involved in the maintenance of Ca(o) homeostasis by various cell types. This receptor is expressed in human glioblastoma cell line, U87, and here we show that CaR activators stimulate a Ca(2+)-activated potassium (K(+)) channel (CAKC) with a conductance of 140 pS. The responses to CaR activators, however, were blunted in U87 cells transfected with a CaR bearing an inactivating mutation (R185Q) that has previously been shown to exert a dominant negative (DN) action on the wild type receptor. Raising Ca(o) from 0.75 to 2.0 mM or addition of a polycationic CaR agonist, each activated CAKC in nontransfected wild type and empty vector-transfected U87 cells, while they had little or no effect on channel activity in cells expressing the DN CaR (DN-CaR cells). In nontransfected wild type and empty vector-transfected cells, the specific 'calcimimetic' CaR activator, NPS R-467, stimulated the channel, while its less active stereoisomer, NPS S-467, did not. In DN-CaR cells, in contrast, NPS R-467, had no effect on channel activity, suggesting defective coupling of the CaR to this ion channel. CaR-mediated stimulation of these K(+) channels could lead to membrane repolarization and related changes in cellular function under normal conditions. Since the R185Q mutation in the CaR produces a more severe phenotype in humans than most inactivating mutations of this receptor, some of its clinical consequences could potentially result from abnormal CaR-dependent channel functioning.
Brain Res Mol Brain Res 2000 Sep 15
PMID:Defective extracellular calcium (Ca(o))-sensing receptor (CaR)-mediated stimulation of a Ca(2+)-activated potassium channel in glioblastoma cells transfected with a dominant negative CaR. 1103 50

Despite the considerable progress in modern tumor therapy, the prognosis for patients with glioblastoma, the most frequent malignant brain tumor, has not been substantially improved. Although cytoreductive surgery and radiotherapy are the mainstays of treatment for malignant glioma at present, novel cytotoxic drugs and immunotherapeutic approaches hold great promise as effective weapons against these malignancies. Thus, great efforts are being made to enhance antitumoral efficacy by combining various cytotoxic agents, by novel routes of drug administration, or by combining anticancer drugs and immune modulators. Immunotherapeutic approaches include cytotoxic cytokines, targeted antibodies, and vaccination strategies. However, the success of most of these experimental therapies is prevented by the marked molecular resistance of glioma cells to diverse cytotoxic agents or by glioma-associated immunosuppression. One promising experimental strategy to target glioma is the employment of death ligands such as CD95 (Fas/Apo1) ligand or Apo2 ligand (TRAIL). Specific proapoptotic approaches may overcome many of the obvious obstacles to a satisfactory management of malignant brain tumors.
Cell Mol Life Sci 1999 Oct 30
PMID:Chemotherapy and immunotherapy of malignant glioma: molecular mechanisms and clinical perspectives. 1121

Glioblastoma (GB), the relatively frequent and most malignant form of primary brain tumor, is fatal within 1 to 2 years of onset of symptoms, despite conventional therapy. Molecular therapy promises to be an effective and possibly curative treatment. Several molecular strategies have been tested, either in animal models or clinical trials. These include: prodrug activating systems, introduction of tumor suppressor or cell-cycle-related genes, inhibition of growth factors and/or their receptors, inhibition of neovascularization, immunomodulatory maneuvers, oncolytic viruses and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases. Of special interest for the development of optimal molecular therapy of GB, is the choice of the most efficient and least toxic gene vectors (adenovirus, retrovirus, herpes simplex virus), the route of administration of the therapeutic agent (intratumoral with or without debulking and intracarotid), avoidance of collateral damage to the perineoplastic neuropil and adequate preclinical studies. The ultimate molecular therapy will probably involve the application of multiple simultaneous (combinatorial) therapeutic modalities. The safety and efficiency of these in humans can only be judged by properly controlled therapeutic trials.
Curr Opin Mol Ther 1999 Oct
PMID:Molecular therapy for glioblastoma. 1124 60

We amplified various amounts of DNA derived from frozen SF210 and U251NCI human glioblastoma cells, carried out comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) using degenerate oligonucleotide primed-PCR (DOP-PCR) products as test probes, and compared results to analyses performed with probes prepared by standard nick translation. Next we extracted DNA from hematoxylin-eosin (HE)- and methyl green (MG)-stained, microdissected sections of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded U251NCI cells, amplified and labeled it by DOP-PCR, and subjected it to CGH. Finally, we used the same methods in multiple samples from a single human mixed glioma tissue. DOP-PCR products from 50 pg to 250 ng of DNA were equally effective in generating the same CGH profiles as the standard method. DOP-PCR products from microdissected pieces of MG-stained cells were effective probes for CGH, but HE-stained samples were not desirable. As the proportion of HE-stained sample increased, CGH profiles deteriorated. DOP-PCR products from microdissected pieces of MG-stained paraffin sections of glioma tissue produced CGH profiles compatible with their histological features. CGH performed with DOP-PCR products from microdissected paraffin blocks allows for the accurate investigation of the cytogenetic characteristics from invasive tumors and of cytogenetic heterogeneity within neoplastic tissue.
J Mol Diagn 2001 May
PMID:Tissue microdissection and degenerate oligonucleotide primed-polymerase chain reaction (DOP-PCR) is an effective method to analyze genetic aberrations in invasive tumors. 1133 1

PMP22 is a dosage sensitive gene responsible for Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A (CMT1A) neuropathy and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP). PMP22 is expressed in myelinating Schwann cells in the peripheral nerve, but also in a variety of other tissues. PMP22 expression is regulated by alternatively used promoters, the relative expression of the different PMP22 transcripts is tissue-specific. At first we analysed the transcriptional startpoints of the different PMP22 transcripts. Transcript 1A starts from a distinct nucleotide, whereas transcript 1B and the here described transcript 1C revealed multiple transcriptional startpoints in sciatic nerve as well as in the osteosarcoma and glioblastoma cell lines, RH30 and SF763. Using promoter specific primers we identified transcripts from each of the three promoters in sciatic nerve and RH30, whereas transcript 1B is absent in SF763. Leukocytes do not express PMP22 at all. Additionally, we determined the methylation pattern of CpG islands present in the PMP22 promoters 1B and 1C for leukocytes, sciatic nerve, SF763 and RH30, the latter carrying multiple copies of the PMP22 gene. We observed that there was no methylation in promoter 1B and 1C in sciatic nerve and leukocytes. However, hypermethylation of promoter 1B was discovered in SF763 and indicates a silencing effect. In RH30 most copies of promoters 1B and 1C were methylated but the few remaining hypomethylated copies were sufficient for strong expression of PMP22. These results indicate that the transcriptional control in tumor cell lines is probably different from leukocytes and sciatic nerve.
Int J Mol Med 2001 Jun
PMID:Transcriptional startpoints and methylation patterns in the PMP22 promoters of peripheral nerve, leukocytes and tumor cell lines. 1135 Dec 83

Staurosporine, a protein kinase and etoposide, a topoisomerase II inhibitor, are known to enhance apoptosis. The differential effects of these agents on T98G glioblastoma and SK-N-SH neuroblastoma, cell lines both derived from human tumors, have not been determined. We assessed cellular viability, DNA fragmentation and laddering, chromatin condensation, and Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage induced by these agents at a series of concentrations and times. In addition, to gain an understanding of the mechanism by which these agents work, we measured Protein Kinase C (PKC) activity. Staurosporine induced significant alterations in all apoptotic parameters tested in both cell lines. Etoposide induced apoptotic alterations similar to those caused by staurosporine in neuroblastoma but produced no detectable apoptotic changes in glioblastoma cells. Etoposide induced membrane but not cytosolic PKC activity in neuroblastoma but had no effect on PKC activity in glioblastoma. Our results show that the induction of apoptosis is cell type dependent. PKC activity appears to be crucial in the initiation of apoptosis.
Brain Res Mol Brain Res 2001 Jul 13
PMID:Differential responses of human neuroblastoma and glioblastoma to apoptosis. 1145 93


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