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Query: UNIPROT:P31749 (
AKT
)
22,954
document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)
Recent investigations have demonstrated that polyphenolic catechins inhibit cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth. However, how the major active component of tea catechins, epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG), mediates anticancerous effects has not been extensively examined. We have investigated the cell growth inhibitory effects of EGCG on cell growth of the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7, and the mechanism of its action with emphasis on the regulation of tumor cell survival. A significant EGCG dose-dependent growth inhibition was observed coordinated with EGCG-induced apoptosis. Analysis of
survivin
expression after addition of EGCG showed that both
survivin
mRNA and protein were decreased. The
survivin
-promoter luciferase activity in EGCG-treated cells was significantly inhibited by 91+/-2.0% (P<0.001), compared with the control. Interestingly, EGCG strongly inhibited the basal activation of phospho-
AKT
and
AKT
kinase activity as early as 30 min after treatment. Furthermore, inhibition of
AKT
kinase activity by EGCG preceded the suppression of
survivin
(1 h post treatment), followed by increased caspase-9 activity (6 h post treatment). A dominant negative
AKT
or the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, LY294002, also strongly inhibited
survivin
promoter activity, providing further evidence to support the hypothesis that the inhibitory effect of EGCG on
survivin
is mediated via the
AKT
pathway. Therefore, EGCG is a potent proapoptotic agent in MCF-7 breast cancer cells that targets
survivin
expression via suppression of the
AKT
pathway.
...
PMID:Epigallocatechin-3 gallate induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in human breast cancer cells through survivin suppression. 1778
The bioactive flavonoid baicalein has been shown to have in vitro growth-inhibitory activity in human cancer cells, although the mechanism of action is poorly understood. Baicalein (40-80 mumol/L for 24 h) more effectively induced cytotoxicity compared with other flavonoids (baicalin, catechin, genistein, quercetin, and rutin) in bladder cancer cells. Baicalein induced cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis. The levels of cyclin B1 and phospho-CDC2 (Thr(161)) were reduced, whereas the G(2)-M phases were elevated by baicalein. Treatment of CDC2 kinase or CDC25 phosphatase inhibitors augments the baicalein-induced cytotoxicity. A variety of human bladder cancer cell lines expressed
survivin
proteins, which were located on the mitotic phases and regulated mitotic progression. Baicalein markedly reduced
survivin
protein expression. Transfection of a
survivin
small interfering RNA diminished the level of
survivin
proteins and increased the baicalein-mediated cell death. Overexpression of
survivin
enhanced cell proliferation and resisted the baicalein-induced cytotoxicity. Interestingly, baicalein induced the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and
AKT
. SB203580, a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor, attenuated proliferation inhibition and restored the protein levels of phospho-CDC2 (Thr(161)) and
survivin
in the baicalein-exposed cells; conversely, blockade of
AKT
activation enhanced cytotoxicity and the reduction of phospho-CDC2 (Thr(161)) and
survivin
proteins. As a whole, these findings provide that the opposite role of p38 MAPK and
AKT
regulates CDC2 kinase and
survivin
and the inhibition of CDC2-
survivin
pathway by baicalein contributes to apoptosis and proliferation retardation in cancer cells.
...
PMID:Baicalein induces cancer cell death and proliferation retardation by the inhibition of CDC2 kinase and survivin associated with opposite role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and AKT. 1802 87
Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 has emerged as an exciting target for therapeutic intervention in the management of cancer. Immunohistochemistry studies have indicated higher expression of COX-2 in cancerous versus benign prostatic tissue. We have explored the role of COX-2 in prostate cancer in terms of attenuation of apoptosis and sensitivity to pharmacological agents, including COX-2 inhibitors. The human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP was stably transfected with COX-2 (LNCaPCOX-2) and compared with the empty vector control line (LNCaPneo). Chemosensitivity testing indicated no change in sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of COX-2 inhibitors celecoxib or sulindac or VP16. However, LNCaPCOX-2 cells showed 3-fold resistance to carboplatin, which was partially reversed by coincubation with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin. Concomitant with reduced apoptotic response to cytotoxic agents, LNCaPCOX-2 cells expressed increased levels of
survivin
and Bcl-2 with enhanced activation of
AKT
. We also investigated the effects of celecoxib on expression levels of genes relevant to prostate cancer and drug resistance in our model system using quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Celecoxib treatment resulted in highly significant increases in the mRNA expression of the smooth muscle component desmin, the detoxification enzyme glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTpi), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory response gene (NAG-1) in the LNCaPCOX-2 cell line compared with LNCaPneo cells. Significant decreases in
survivin
levels and increases in GSTpi and NAG-1 appeared to be COX-2-dependent effects because they were more pronounced in LNCaPCOX-2 cells. Our findings indicate both COX-2-dependent and -independent mechanisms attributable to celecoxib and support its utility in the management of prostate cancer.
...
PMID:The effects of cyclooxygenase-2 expression in prostate cancer cells: modulation of response to cytotoxic agents. 1808 46
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) patients show poor survival and a significant incidence of epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (ErbB2) overexpression. A distinct mechanism involving increased expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) and
survivin
, key members of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, was observed post-trastuzumab (an ErbB2 monoclonal antibody) treatment in an ErbB2-overexpressing, estrogen receptor negative, IBC cellular model, SUM190PT, isolated from a primary IBC tumor. In contrast, a decrease in the IAP expression was observed in the non-IBC, ErbB2-overexpressing SKBR3 cells in which trastuzumab treatment also decreased p-
AKT
and cell viability. Further, in SUM190PT cells, therapeutic sensitivity to GW583340 (a dual epidermal growth factor receptor/ErbB2 kinase inhibitor) corresponded with XIAP down-regulation and abrogation of XIAP inhibition on active caspase-9 release. Specific small interfering RNA-mediated XIAP inhibition in combination with trastuzumab caused decrease in inactive procaspase-9 and inhibition of p-
AKT
corresponding with 45% to 50% decrease in cell viability in the SUM190PT cells, which have high steady-state p-
AKT
levels. Further, embelin, a small-molecule inhibitor that abrogates binding of XIAP to procaspase-9, caused significant decrease in SUM190PT viability. However, embelin in combination with trastuzumab failed to affect SUM190PT viability because it has no direct effect on XIAP, which is induced by trastuzumab treatment. These data have identified a novel functional link between ErbB2 signaling and antiapoptotic pathway mediated by XIAP. Blockade of the IAP antiapoptotic pathway alone or in combination would be an attractive strategy in IBC therapy.
...
PMID:Trastuzumab signaling in ErbB2-overexpressing inflammatory breast cancer correlates with X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein expression. 1820 8
Melanoma is a highly aggressive tumour characterized by a strong resistance to apoptotic stimuli that give rise to a selective advantage for tumour progression and metastasis formation. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to better understand the mechanisms involved in this resistance to apoptosis. In this report, we focused our attention on FKHRL1, a member of the forkhead family of transcription factors, which controls expression of genes involved in cell cycle progression and apoptosis. In melanoma cells, we show that IGF1, which exerts pro-survival properties, induces the phosphorylation and nuclear exclusion of FKHRL1 in a PI3K/
AKT
-dependent pathway. Moreover, we observe that over-expression of a non-phosphorylable mutant of FKHRL1 (FKHRL1-TM), constitutively localized to the nucleus, promotes apoptotic cell death of melanoma cells. Finally, we find that FKHRL1-TM decreases the expression of
survivin
, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein and that
survivin
re-expression partially rescues the deleterious effects of FKHRL1. Taken together, these findings reveal, in melanoma cells, that endogenous FKHRL1 is a downstream target of the PI3K/
AKT
pathway and suggest that the phosphorylation of this transcription factor may be involved in the pro-survival effects of growth factors such as IGF1. On the other hand, forced nuclear localization of FKHRL1 decreases melanoma cell growth and may serve as a therapeutic strategy against melanoma.
...
PMID:Involvement of FKHRL1 in melanoma cell survival and death. 1842 7
There is evidence to suggest that follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) can facilitate the neovascularization of ovarian cancers by increasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in cancer cells, although the underlying molecular mechanism of this process is not well known. Therefore, we investigated the effect of FSH on VEGF expression in the ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV-3 and ES-2. Treatment with FSH significantly increased VEGF expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, FSH treatment enhanced the expression of
survivin
and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1alpha). Knockdown of
survivin
or HIF-1alpha suppressed VEGF expression, but only knockdown of
survivin
inhibited FSH-stimulated VEGF expression. Pretreatment with LY294002, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/
AKT
inhibitor, neutralized the enhanced expression of
survivin
induced by FSH, but treatment with U0126, a mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitor, had no such effect. We further showed that ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma samples had much higher incidence of positive
AKT
and phosphorylated
AKT
(pAKT) protein staining than did benign ovarian cystadenoma samples (p < 0.01). The 5-year survival rate was only about 15% in patients with ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma who had
AKT
and pAKT expression, whereas it was about 80% in those who did not have
AKT
or pAKT expression. Taken together, these results indicate that FSH increases the expression of VEGF by upregulating the expression of
survivin
, which is activated by the PI3K/
AKT
signaling pathway. Understanding the role of the PI3K/
AKT
pathway in FSH-stimulated expression of
survivin
and VEGF will be beneficial for evaluating the prognosis for patients with ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma and for pursuing effective treatment against this disease.
...
PMID:Activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway mediates FSH-stimulated VEGF expression in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma. 1857 2
Recent studies have shown that naturally occurring compounds can enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs. The objectives of this study were to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which diallyl trisulfide (DATS) enhanced the therapeutic potential of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in prostate cancer cells in vitro and on orthotopically transplanted PC-3 prostate carcinoma in nude mice. DATS inhibited cell viability and colony formation and induced apoptosis in PC-3 and LNCaP cells. DATS enhanced the apoptosis-inducing potential of TRAIL in PC-3 cells and sensitized TRAIL-resistant LNCaP cells. Dominant-negative FADD inhibited the synergistic interaction between DATS and TRAIL on apoptosis. DATS induced the expression of DR4, DR5, Bax, Bak, Bim, Noxa, and PUMA and inhibited expression of Mcl-1, Bcl-2, Bcl-X(L),
survivin
, XIAP, cIAP1, and cIAP2. Oral administration of DATS significantly inhibited growth of orthotopically implanted prostate carcinoma in BALB/c nude mice compared with the control group, without causing weight loss. Cotreatment of mice with DATS and TRAIL was more effective in inhibiting prostate tumor growth and inducing DR4 and DR5 expression, caspase-8 activity, and apoptosis than either agent alone. DATS inhibited angiogenesis (as measured by CD31-positive and factor VIII-positive blood vessels and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha, vascular endothelial growth factor, and interleukin-6 expression) and metastasis [matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, and MT-1 MMP expression], which were correlated with inhibition in
AKT
and nuclear factor-kappaB activation. The combination of DATS and TRAIL was more effective in inhibiting markers of angiogenesis and metastasis than either agent alone. These data suggest that DATS can be combined with TRAIL for the prevention and/or treatment of prostate cancer.
...
PMID:Diallyl trisulfide increases the effectiveness of TRAIL and inhibits prostate cancer growth in an orthotopic model: molecular mechanisms. 1872 80
It has recently been shown that cannabinoids induce growth inhibition and apoptosis in different tumour cell lines. In the current study, the effects of WIN 55,212-2 (WIN), a synthetic and potent cannabinoid receptor agonist, are investigated in hepatoma HepG2 cells and a possible signal transduction pathway is proposed. In these cells, WIN induces a clear apoptotic effect which was accompanied by up-regulation of the death-signalling factors Bax, Bcl-X(S), t-Bid and down-regulation of the survival factors
survivin
, phospho-
AKT
, Hsp72 and Bcl-2. Moreover, WIN-induced apoptosis is associated with JNK/p38 MAPK pathway activation and mitochondrial depolarisation demonstrated by a cytofluorimetric assay. The results also show that in HepG2 cells WIN markedly increases the level of the transcription factor PPARgamma in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The addition of the PPARgamma antagonists GW9662 and T0070907 significantly reduces the effects of the drug on both cell viability and the levels of
survivin
, phospho-
AKT
and phospho-BAD, suggesting that PPARgamma plays a key role in WIN-induced apoptosis. Altogether, the results seem to indicate a potential therapeutic role of WIN in hepatic cancer treatment.
...
PMID:Apoptosis induced in HepG2 cells by the synthetic cannabinoid WIN: involvement of the transcription factor PPARgamma. 1905 57
Resveratrol, a polyphenol derived from red grapes, berries, and peanuts, has been shown to mediate death of a wide variety of cells. The mechanisms by which resveratrol mediates cell death include necrosis, apoptosis, autophagy, and others. While most studies suggest that resveratrol kills tumor cells selectively, evidence is emerging that certain normal cells such as endothelial cells, lymphocytes, and chondrocytes are vulnerable to resveratrol. Cell killing by this stilbene may be mediated through any of numerous mechanisms that involve activation of mitochondria and of death caspases; upregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, tumor suppressor gene products, or death-inducing cytokines and cytokine receptors; or downregulation of cell survival proteins (
survivin
, cFLIP, cIAPs, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), bcl-2, bcl-XL) or inhibition of cell survival kinases (e.g., mitogen-activiated protein kinases (MAPKs),
AKT
/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), PKC, EGFR kinase) and survival transcription factors (nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), activating protein 1 (AP-1), HIF-1alpha, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3)). Induction of any of these pathways by resveratrol leads to cell death. While cell death is a hallmark of resveratrol, this polyphenol also has been linked with suppression of inflammation, arthritis, and cardiovascular diseases and delaying of aging. These attributes of resveratrol are discussed in detail in this review.
...
PMID:Resveratrol addiction: to die or not to die. 1907 42
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health problem, being the sixth most common cancer world-wide. Dysregulation of the balance between proliferation and cell death represents a pro-tumorigenic principle in human hepatocarcinogenesis. This review updates the recent relevant contributions reporting molecular alterations for HCC that induce an imbalance in the regulation of apoptosis. Alterations in the expression and/or activation of p53 are frequent in HCC cells, which confer on them resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. Many HCCs are also insensitive to apoptosis induced either by death receptor ligands, such as FasL or TRAIL, or by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Although the expression of some pro-apoptotic genes is decreased, the balance between death and survival is dysregulated in HCC mainly due to overactivation of anti-apoptotic pathways. Indeed, some molecules involved in counteracting apoptosis, such as Bcl-X(L), Mcl-1, c-IAP1, XIAP or
survivin
are over-expressed in HCC cells. Furthermore, some growth factors that mediate cell survival are up-regulated in HCC, as well as the molecules involved in the machinery responsible for cleavage of their pro-forms to an active peptide. The expression and/or activation of the JAK/STAT, PI3K/
AKT
and RAS/ERKs pathways are enhanced in many HCC cells, conferring on them resistance to apoptotic stimuli. Finally, recent evidence indicates that inflammatory processes, as well as the epithelial-mesenchymal transitions that occur in HCC cells to facilitate their dissemination, are related to cell survival. Therefore, therapeutic strategies to selectively inhibit anti-apoptotic signals in liver tumor cells have the potential to provide powerful tools to treat HCC.
...
PMID:Dysregulation of apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. 1919 51
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