Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P10415 (Bcl-2)
 33,771 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Evidence from live cell bioassays shows that the flat mucosa from patients with colon cancer exhibits resistance to bile salt-induced apoptosis. Three independent cell lines derived from the colonic epithelial cell line HCT-116 were selected for resistance to bile salt-induced apoptosis. These cell lines were developed as tissue culture models of apoptosis resistance. Selection was carried out for resistance to apoptosis induced by sodium deoxycholate (NaDOC), the bile salt found in highest concentrations in human fecal water. Cultures of HCT-116 cells were serially passaged in the presence of increasing concentrations of NaDOC. The resulting apoptosis resistant cells were able to grow at concentrations of NaDOC (0.5 mM) that cause apoptosis in a few hours in unselected HCT-116 cells. These cells were then analyzed for changes in gene expression. Observations from cDNA microarray, 2-D gel electrophoresis/MALDI-mass spectroscopy, and confocal microscopy of immunofluorescently stained preparations indicated underexpression or overexpression of numerous genes at either the protein or mRNA level. Genes that may play a role in apoptosis and early stage carcinogenesis have been identified as upregulated in these cell lines, including Grp78, Bcl-2, NF-kappaB(p50), NF-kappaB(p65), thioredoxin peroxidase (peroxiredoxin) 2, peroxiredoxin 4, maspin, guanylate cyclase activating protein-1, PKCzeta, EGFR, Ras family members, PKA, PI(4,5)K, TRAF2 and BIRC1 (IAP protein). Under-expressed mRNAs included BNIP3, caspase-6, caspase-3 and serine protease 11. NF-kappaB was constitutively activated in all three resistant cell lines, and was responsible, in part, for the observed apoptosis resistance, determined using antisense oligonucleotide strategies. Molecular and cellular analyses of these resistant cell lines has suggested potential mechanisms by which apoptosis resistance may develop in the colonic epithelium in response to high concentrations of hydrophobic bile acids that are associated with a Western-style diet. These analyses provide the rationale for the development of hypothesis-driven intermediate biomarkers to assess colon cancer risk on an individual basis.
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PMID:Development and molecular characterization of HCT-116 cell lines resistant to the tumor promoter and multiple stress-inducer, deoxycholate. 1250 30

To study the molecular mechanisms by which drug resistance develops, we compared DU145 humanprostate cancer cells with a subline selected for resistance to camptothecin. Differences in gene expression level were assessed by hybridizing the two cell types against each other using quadruplicate "Oncochip" cDNA microarrays that included 1648 cancer-related genes. Expression levels differing by a factor of >1.5 were detected for 181 of the genes. These differences were judged statistically reliable on the basis of a stratum-adjusted Kruskal-Wallis test, after taking into account a dye-dependent variable. The 181 expression-altered genes included a larger than expected number of the "apoptosis-related" genes (P = 0.04). To assess whether this observation reflected a generalized resistance of RCO.1 to apoptosis, we exposed the cells to a range of stresses (cisplatin, staurosporine, UV, ionizing radiation, and serum starvation) and found greatly reduced apoptotic responses for RC0.1 (relative to DU145) using flow cytometric Annexin V and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling assays. We next examined the apoptosis-related genes in the context of a molecular interaction map and found expression differences in the direction "expected" on the basis of the apoptosis-resistance of RC0.1 for BAD, caspase-6, and genes that signal via the Akt pathway. Exposure of the cells to wortmannin, an inhibitor of the Akt effector phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, provided functional support for involvement of the Akt pathway. However, closer examination of the molecular interaction map revealed a paradox: many of the expression differences observed for apoptosis-related genes were in the direction "contrary" to that expected given the resistance of RC0.1. The map indicated that most of these unexpected expression differences were associated with genes involved in the nuclear factor kappa B and transforming growth factor beta pathways. Overall, the patterns that emerged suggested a two-step model for the selection process that led to resistance in RC0.1 cells. The first hypothesized step would involve a decrease in apoptotic susceptibility through changes in the apoptosis-control machinery associated with the Bcl-2 and caspase gene families, and also in antiapoptotic pathways operating through Akt/PKB. The second step would involve changes in multifunctional upstream genes (including some genes in the nuclear factor kappa B and transforming growth factor beta pathways) that can facilitate apoptosis but that would also tend to contribute to cell proliferation in the presence of drug. Thus, we propose that a downstream blockade of apoptosis was "permissive" for the selection of upstream pathway changes that would otherwise have induced apoptosis. This model is analogous to one suggested previously for the relationship between oncogene function and apoptosis in carcinogenesis.
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PMID:Apoptotic susceptibility of cancer cells selected for camptothecin resistance: gene expression profiling, functional analysis, and molecular interaction mapping. 1261 15

Antioxidants have concentration-dependent neuroprotective and proapoptotic activities in models of Parkinson's disease. The aim of our study was to determine gene-protein pathways of the antioxidants, dopamine (DA), R-apomorphine (R-APO), melatonin, and green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), in neuroblastoma cells, using a customized cDNA microarray and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction gene expression techniques. We demonstrate a concentration-dependent correlation between these compounds and modulation of cell survival/cell death-related gene pathways. High toxic concentration of DA (500 microM), R-APO (50 microM), melatonin (50 microM), and EGCG (50 microM) exhibited a similar profile of proapoptotic gene expression, increasing the level of bax, caspase-6, fas ligand, and the cell-cycle inhibitor gadd45 genes, while decreasing antiapoptotic bcl-2 and bcl-xL. Conversely, the low neuroprotective concentrations (1-10 microM) of these compounds induced an antiapoptotic response. Melatonin displayed an extremely low index of mortality, which may be partially explained by the observation that a high concentration did not significantly affect the expression of mitochondrial Bcl-2 family members, bcl-2 and bax. Protein analysis of Bcl-2, Bax, and activated caspase-3 correlated with the gene expression pattern. Our results provide for the first time new insights into the molecular events involved in the dose-dependent neuroprotective and neurotoxic activities of catechols and indole amine compounds.
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PMID:cDNA gene expression profile homology of antioxidants and their antiapoptotic and proapoptotic activities in human neuroblastoma cells. 1262 34

Chlorophyllin (CHL), an antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic water-soluble derivative of chlorophyll, was recently found to be highly effective as a chemopreventive agent in a high-risk population exposed unavoidably to aflatoxin B(1) in the diet (P. A. Egner et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 98: 14601-14606, 2001). The current study examined the response of HCT116 human colon cancer cells to CHL treatment. Cells exposed to concentrations in the range 0.0625-0.5 mM CHL underwent growth arrest and apoptosis after 24 h, with the formation of a sub-G(1) peak in the attached cell population and nuclear condensation in the floating cell population. There was a concentration-dependent attenuation of mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsi(m)) without the release of cytochrome c or activation of the caspase-9/caspase-3/poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase pathway. However, apoptosis-inducing factor was released from mitochondria into the cytosol and translocated to the nucleus, leading to concentration-dependent cleavage of nuclear lamins. The upstream mediators of this CHL-induced apoptosis pathway were identified as caspase-8/caspase-6 and truncated Bid, acting in conjunction with other proapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family, such as Bak. These findings suggest that CHL might trigger apoptosis via interaction with putative "death receptors" in the plasma membrane of cancer cells, leading to initial cleavage of procaspase-8 and activation of subsequent downstream events, resulting in the destruction of nuclear lamins. Importantly, E-cadherin and alkaline phosphatase, which are indicators of cell differentiation, were strongly induced at all concentrations of CHL. Thus, in addition to being an effective blocking agent during the initiation phase, these findings support a role for CHL as a suppressing agent and as a possible novel therapeutic strategy directed toward aberrant cell proliferation in the colon.
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PMID:Caspase-8 and apoptosis-inducing factor mediate a cytochrome c-independent pathway of apoptosis in human colon cancer cells induced by the dietary phytochemical chlorophyllin. 1264 85

LIGHT is a new member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, which binds to lymphotoxin beta receptor, herpes virus entry mediator, or TR6. This work was carried out to elucidate the molecular mechanism of LIGHT-sensitized, interferon gamma (IFNgamma)-mediated apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells. It was revealed that LIGHT treatment resulted in down-regulation of anti-apoptosis Bcl-2 family member: Bcl-2, Bcl-X(L), Bag-1, and Mcl-1; up-regulation of pro-apoptosis Bcl-2 family member: Bak and Ser (112)-phosphor-Bad; down-regulation of pro-apoptosis Bcl-2 member Bax; the other pro-apoptosis member Bid remains unaltered. LIGHT treatment also resulted in activation of caspase-3, caspase-6, caspase-7, caspase-8, caspase-9, DFF45, and PARP. However, caspase activation and caspase activity, especially caspase-3 activity, is not required for LIGHT-induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells, since caspase-3 inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-fluoromethylketone, and a broad range caspase inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyl-val-ala-asp-fluoromethylketone failed to block the apoptosis induced by LIGHT and IFNgamma in MDA-MB-231 cells. In summary, LIGHT-sensitized IFNgamma-mediated apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells is probably through down-regulation of anti-apoptosis Bcl-2 family members; it could be caspase (especially caspase-3)-independent, even though extensive caspase activation was observed.
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PMID:LIGHT sensitizes IFNgamma-mediated apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells leading to down-regulation of anti-apoptosis Bcl-2 family members. 1276 29

Many apoptotic pathways culminate in the activation of caspase cascades usually triggered by the apical caspases-8 or -9. We describe a paradigm where apoptosis is initiated by the effector caspase-3. Diethylmaleate (DEM)-induced apoptotic damage in Jurkat cells was blocked by the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, whereas, a peptide inhibitor of caspase-3 but not caspase-9 blocked DEM-induced mitochondrial damage. Isogenic Jurkat cell lines deficient for caspase-8 or the adaptor FADD (Fas associated death domain) were not protected from DEM-induced apoptosis. Caspase-3 activation preceded that of caspase-9 and initial processing of caspase-3 was regulated independent of caspase-9 and Bcl-2. However, inhibitors of caspase-9 or caspase-6 regulated caspase-3 later in the pathway. We explored the mechanism by which caspase-3 processing is regulated in this system. DEM triggered a loss of Erk-1/2 phosphorylation and XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein) expression. The phorbol ester PMA activated a MEK-dependent pathway to block caspase-3 processing and cell death. Constitutively active MEK-1 (CA-MEK) upregulated XIAP expression and exogenous XIAP inhibited DEM-induced apoptotic damage. Thus, we describe a pathway where caspase-3 functions to initiate apoptotic damage and caspase-9 and caspase-6 amplify the apoptotic cascade. Further, we show that MEK may regulate caspase-3 activation via the regulation of XIAP expression in these cells.
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PMID:Caspase-3 activation is an early event and initiates apoptotic damage in a human leukemia cell line. 1281 79

We demonstrate here that selective activation of endogenous members of the caspase family and cleavage of substrates responsible for the maintenance of nuclear functional and structural integrity are major effectors of antigen receptor (AgR)- and ionomycin-triggered apoptosis in Ramos-Burkitt lymphoma (Ramos-BL) B cells. Ramos-BL B cells express significant proenzyme levels of caspase-2, -3, -7 and -8, low levels of caspase-6 and are caspase-1-negative. However, while anti-IgM and ionomycin trigger for significant activation of caspase-3, -7 and -8 at 12-16 h and at 4 h post-stimulation respectively, both anti-IgM and ionomycin fail to activate caspase-2 indicating that AgR- and ionomycin-triggered Ramos-BL B cell apoptosis is mediated by the selective activation of, at least, caspase-3, -7 and -8. Anti-IgM triggers for cleavage of the resident nuclear proteins poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) at 8 h, lamins B1 and B2 from 12 to 16 h; likewise, ionomycin triggers for degradation of PARP at 2 h, lamins B1 and B2 at 4 h. Signal transduction through CD40 rescues Ramos-BL B cells from AgR- and ionomycin-triggered apoptosis at a very early stage of the apoptotic process by inhibiting both the early cleavage of PARP as well as the activation of caspase-3, -7 and -8 and cleavage of lamin B1; CD40-mediated rescue occurs upstream of CD40-induced expression of Bcl-2 and increased expression of Bcl-xL. In such cellular populations subject to regulation through apoptosis, dysregulation of the apoptotic mechanisms can have devastating consequences by contributing to the pathogenesis of malignancy as well as to lymphoproliferative and autoantibody disorders. An understanding of the role played by caspases in the execution of apoptosis may provide insight into the pathogenesis of these disease states and thereby provide targets for novel therapeutic strategy.
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PMID:Temporal ordering of caspase activation and substrate cleavage during antigen receptor-triggered apoptosis in Ramos-Burkitt lymphoma B cells. 1285 74

Neural precursor cells (NPCs) critically regulate brain morphogenesis and recent studies have revealed an unexpectedly high frequency of NPC chromosomal abnormalities and apoptosis in the developing brain. We have shown previously that the apoptotic response of NPCs to genotoxic agents is dependent on p53 and caspase-9, but not Bax or caspase-3 expression. In this study, we found that NPCs deficient in Apaf-1, or both the pro-apoptotic multidomain Bcl-2 family members Bax and Bak, were resistant to cytosine arabinoside and gamma-irradiation-induced apoptosis. Inhibitors of gene transcription, protein translation, and caspase activity also blocked genotoxin-induced NPC apoptosis. Although caspase-3 and caspase-6 were both cleaved in response to DNA damage, neither of these effector caspases was critical for apoptosis. Genotoxin-induced NPC death was accompanied by the generation of reactive oxygen species and could be inhibited by several known antioxidants. Conversely, DNA damage-induced reactive oxygen species generation was inhibited significantly by gene disruption of p53, Apaf-1, or caspase-9, and combined deficiency of Bax and Bak, but not by caspase-3 or caspase-6 deficiency. These studies suggest that caspase-9 activation is both necessary and sufficient for genotoxin-induced neural precursor cell reactive oxygen species generation and death.
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PMID:Caspase regulation of genotoxin-induced neural precursor cell death. 1459 20

Aromatase inhibitors have recently been reported to be more effective than the antiestrogen tamoxifen (Tam) in treating breast cancer. Here, we studied the mechanisms and signaling pathways of cell growth, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis induced by three aromatase inhibitors: letrozole (Let), anastrozole, and 4-hydroxyandrostenedione in comparison with estrogen withdrawal (E2W) and antiestrogens Tam and faslodex. Estrogen-dependent human breast cancer cells stably transfected with aromatase (MCF-7Ca) were used. All treatments induced growth suppression and cell cycle arrest at the G(0)-G(1) phase that was associated with up-regulation of p53 and p21 protein and mRNA levels and down-regulation of cyclin D1 and c-myc mRNA. The apoptotic index was increased 4-7 fold, Bcl-2 protein expression decreased, Bax increased, and caspase-9, caspase-6, and caspase-7 were activated but not caspase-3 and caspase-8. Let and E2W caused regression of tumors of MCF-7Ca cells grown in nude mice and increased the number of cells undergoing apoptosis. In contrast, Tam and faslodex did not induce tumor regression and a lower number of apoptotic cells was detected. Cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase was detected. Treatment with Let, Tam, or E2W resulted in a dose- and time-dependent increase in active caspase-7 and up-regulation of p53 and p21 protein. Although the mechanisms involved appeared to be similar for antiestrogens and aromatase inhibitors, the most significant effects occurred with Let, which were significantly greater than with E2W and consistent with marked effects of Let on tumor and cell growth.
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PMID:Signaling pathways of apoptosis activated by aromatase inhibitors and antiestrogens. 1463 37

A clinically relevant model of transient global brain ischemia involving cardiac arrest followed by resuscitation in dogs was utilized to study the expression and proteolytic processing of apoptosis-regulatory proteins. In the hippocampus, an increase in pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins Bcl-XS and Bak was detected, concomitant with proteolysis of Bcl-XL and Bcl-2, following ischemia-reperfusion injury. Also, biphasic cleavage of Bid was found in this region of the brain, with early generation of tBid-p11 within 10 min of cardiac arrest, followed by generation of tBid-p15 within 30-min reperfusion, consistent with activation of this pro-apoptotic protein. In addition, cardiac arrest and resuscitation induced early, reperfusion-dependent proteolytic processing of pro-caspase-6, -8, -10, and -14, which preceded caspase-3 activation. Immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies, which preferentially recognize processed caspase-3, -6, -8, and -10, provided evidence of time-dependent activation of these proteases in both neurons and glia in ischemia-sensitive regions of the brain. In conclusion, extremely rapid, cell-selective processing of apoptosis-regulatory proteins occurs in a clinically relevant model of ischemic brain injury caused by cardiac arrest and resuscitation. The early cleavage of Bid and rapid depletion of 32-kDa pro-caspase-14 from the canine hippocampus after induction of ischemia suggests the involvement of calpains in the processing of these proteins. Demonstration of in vitro cleavage of recombinant mouse caspase-14 by calpain I in the present study lends support to this hypothesis, further implicating cross-talk between different protease families in the pathophysiology of ischemic neural cell death.
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PMID:Early processing of Bid and caspase-6, -8, -10, -14 in the canine brain during cardiac arrest and resuscitation. 1538 Apr 78


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