Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P42574 (caspase-3)
 45,978 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We have examined the role of a salt bridge between Lys242 and Glu246 in loop L4 of procaspase 3 and of mature caspase 3, and we show that the interactions are required for stabilizing the active site. Replacing either of the residues with an alanine residue results in a complete loss of procaspase 3 activity. Although both mutants are active in the context of the mature caspase 3, the mutations result in an increase in K(m) and a decrease in kcat when compared with the wild-type caspase 3. In addition, the mutations result in an increase in the pK(a) value associated with a change in kcat with pH, but does not affect the transition observed for Km versus pH. The mutations also affect the accessibility of the active-site solvent as measured by tryptophan fluorescence emission in the presence of quenching agents and as a function of pH. We show that, as the pH is lowered, the (pro)caspase dissociates, and the mutations increase the pH-dependent instability of the dimer. Overall, the results suggest that the contacts lost in the procaspase as a result of replacing Lys242 and Glu246 are compensated partially in the mature caspase as a result of new contacts that are known to form on zymogen processing
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PMID:Ionic interactions near the loop L4 are important for maintaining the active-site environment and the dimer stability of (pro)caspase 3. 1531 47

Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an intracellular enzyme present in dendritic cells and macrophages. It is a known modulator of T-cell response and contributes to the UV protection of the lens. There yet is no information on IDO activity in the corneal endothelium, protecting the endothelial cells from light mediated damage. We exposed murine corneal endothelial cells (MCEC) with different doses of UV-B light 280-320 nm, probed for IDO mRNA (real-time PCR) and assessed apoptosis rate (flow cytometry) and caspase-3-activity in the cells. The metabolites of the IDO catalysed reaction, l-kynurenine, was also measured. Malondialdehyde was detected for quantification of UV-B-induced oxidative stress. To investigate specificity, IDO effects were blocked by 1-methyl-tryptophan. The effects of IDO overexpression in the MCEC were assessed by transfection of an expression vector. MCEC consistently express IDO at low levels. Exposure to UV-B light led to a dose-responding upregulation of IDO; IDO was found competent converting l-tryptophan into l-kynurenine. Irradiation led to increased apoptosis and caspase-3-activity of MCEC. Supplementation of l-kynurenine or overexpression of IDO in the MCEC could reduce apoptosis significantly following UV-B irradiation. Inhibition of IDO by 1-MT was potent to reverse this effect. IDO and its metabolite l-kynurenine can protect corneal endothelial cells from UV-B-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. It may be an active protection mechanism against corneal endothelial damage.
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PMID:Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase protects corneal endothelial cells from UV mediated damage. 1631 52

During pregnancy, trophoblasts are shed into maternal blood from the placenta as they die. Trophoblasts are fetal cells and are therefore immunologically foreign to the maternal immune system, but the effects of shed trophoblasts on the maternal immune system are poorly characterized. We have used an in vitro villous explant model to harvest shed trophoblasts. These shed trophoblasts consist of multinucleated syncytial knots as well as mononuclear cells, and approximately 90% are apoptotic as determined by immunostaining with antibodies recognizing activated caspase-3 and the M30 cytokeratin neoepitope. U937 cells phagocytosed the shed apoptotic trophoblasts and, subsequently, secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was increased. In contrast, secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine Il-1beta by U937 cells was decreased after phagocytosis of apoptotic trophoblasts and the changes in both IL-10 and IL-1beta secretion were blocked by co-incubation with the phagocytosis inhibitor cytochalasin B. Shed trophoblasts caused a significant increase also in expression of the, immunosuppressive, tryptophan-metabolizing enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase. We speculate that the shedding of trophoblasts may not be simply a mechanism the fetus uses to dispose of aged trophoblasts but rather shed apoptotic trophoblasts may provide a chronic source of tolerizing paternally derived antigens to regulate maternal immune responses to the fetus.
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PMID:The effects of apoptotic, deported human placental trophoblast on macrophages: possible consequences for pregnancy. 1684 34

Despite the causative role of oxidative stress in renal ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury effects of preservation solutions on reactive oxygen species (ROS) release have not been sufficiently evaluated. We compared the effects of most common solutions in kidney transplantation, University of Wisconsin (UW) and Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate (HTK). ROS formation in isolated perfused rat kidney was detected by electron spin resonance spectroscopy using spin label 1-hydroxy-3-methoxycarbonyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-pyrrolidine. Donor kidneys from Lewis rats were pretreated with saline (controls), in therapeutic groups, kidneys underwent 18 h of cold storage (CS) preserved by HTK or UW solution. Experimental protocol included a stabilization period followed by additional I-R. Kidneys preserved by HTK produced highest ROS values in the control period after CS, whereas levels in UW and control group did not vary significantly. A peak release induced by additional I-R was also significantly highest in HTK kidneys, and UW did not differ from controls. During reperfusion, levels in HTK exceeded control and UW values. Renal vascular resistance, caspase-3-activity, and tissue hydration were enhanced in HTK compared with UW group, whereas ATP concentration was less reduced in UW-preserved tissue. These data show the greater antioxidative potential of UW solution, which also attenuated organ impairment after CS in the early reperfusion period.
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PMID:Evaluation of preservation solutions by ESR-spectroscopy: superior effects of University of Wisconsin over Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate in reducing renal reactive oxygen species. 1731 Oct 72

Isolated perfusion of rat livers (IPRL) represents an attractive set-up to be used as a an evaluative tool in the easy and reproducible assessment of liver injury, allowing for screening of new approaches to organ preservation without the expenditure of actual transplantation experiments. Depending on the pathology under investigation, controversy exists concerning the inclusion of albumin in the IPRL. The present study evaluates the use of bovine serum albumin (BSA), simultaneously comparing its effect on healthy and ischemically challenged livers in the same model. Rat livers were excised, flushed via portal vein with Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate (HTK) solution and preserved for up to 18 h in HTK at 4 degrees C. Perfusion was performed with Krebs-Henseleit buffer with or without addition of 3% BSA. Control preparations were perfused without prior ischemic storage. In the described model, stability of the preparations was documented for up to 120 min of isolated perfusion and addition of 3% BSA had no adverse effects on the viability of nonischemic livers. While liver perfusion without albumin was inappropriate to reveal alterations in parenchymal or vascular integrity after 18 h of cold preservation, albumin in the perfusate significantly and gradually unmasked differences between nonischemic liver preparations and livers stored ischemically for 8 or 18 h. It could be shown that BSA did have a significant modulatory effect on hepatic induction of apoptosis after ischemia in reducing cleavage of caspase 3. The implementation of albumin is advocated since experimental results are pivotally influenced by the presence or absence of this physiologically constitutive compound in the perfusate.
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PMID:Assessment of hepatic integrity after ischemic preservation by isolated perfusion in vitro: the role of albumin. 1732 95

Novel trinuclear complexes C23H31N6O6CuSn2Cl5 [1], C23H31N6O6CuZr2Cl5 [2], C23H31N6O6ZnSn2Cl5 [3], and C23H31N6O6ZnZr2Cl5 [4] were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic (IR, 1H, 13C, 2D COSY, and 119Sn NMR, EPR, UV-vis, ESI-MS) and analytical methods. In complexes 1-4, the geometry of copper and zinc metal ions were described as square-based pyramidal with l-tryptophan coordinated to copper/zinc via carboxylate group while Sn/Zr was present in the hexacoordinate environment. The interaction of 1 and 2 with calf thymus DNA in Tris buffer was studied by electronic absorption titration, luminescence titration, cyclic voltammetry, circular dichroism, and viscometric measurements. The emission quenching of these complexes by [Fe(CN)6]4- depressed greatly when bound to DNA. Observed changes in the circular dichoric spectra of DNA in presence of 1 and 2 support the strong binding of complexes with DNA. The relative specific viscosity of DNA bound to 1 and 2 decreased, indicating that the complexes bind to DNA via covalent binding. The results reveal that the extent of DNA binding of 1 was greater than that of 2. To evaluate the mechanistic pathway of DNA inhibition, counting experiments and MTT assay were employed to assess the induction of apoptosis by 1. Western blot analysis of whole cell lysates and mitochondrial fractions with Bcl-2 and p-53 family proteins and caspase-3 colorimetry assay were also carried out on a human neuroblastoma cell line SY5Y.
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PMID:DNA binding studies of novel Copper(II) complexes containing L-tryptophan as chiral auxiliary: in vitro antitumor activity of Cu-Sn2 complex in human neuroblastoma cells. 1737 49

3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid (3HAA) is one of the tryptophan metabolites along the kynurenine pathway and induces apoptosis in T cells. We investigated the mechanism of 3HAA-induced apoptosis in mouse thymocytes. The optimal concentration of 3HAA for apoptosis induction was 300-500 microM. The induction of apoptosis by a suboptimal concentration (100 microM) of 3HAA was enhanced by superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as MnCl2 and further promoted in the presence of catalase. The 3HAA-mediated generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was enhanced by SOD or MnCl2 and inhibited by catalase. Corresponding to apoptosis induction, the generation of cinnabarinic acid (CA) through the oxidation of 3HAA was enhanced by SOD or MnCl2 in the presence of catalase. The synthesized CA possessed more than 10 times higher apoptosis-inducing activity than 3HAA. The intracellular ROS generation was induced by CA within 15 min and decreased to the control levels within 4 h, whereas the 3HAA-induced ROS generation increased gradually up to 4 h. Corresponding to ROS generation, the mitochondrial membrane potential was downregulated within 15 min and retained by the CA treatment. Apoptosis induction by 3HAA or CA was dependent on caspases, and caspase-3 was much more strongly activated by CA than 3HAA. In conclusion, the CA generated from 3HAA possesses a strong apoptosis-inducing activity in thymocytes through ROS generation, the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and caspase activation.
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PMID:Cinnabarinic acid generated from 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid strongly induces apoptosis in thymocytes through the generation of reactive oxygen species and the induction of caspase. 1747 92

beta-Carbolines (BCs) derive from tryptophan and its derivatives. They are formed endogenously in humans and mammals and occur inter alia in cooked meat and tobacco smoke. They have been detected in human brain, cerebrospinal fluid, and plasma. Up to now they were predominantly identified as compounds exhibiting neurotoxic actions. Since significantly higher amounts are present in parkinsonian patients, they are regarded as potential pathogenetic factors in Parkinson's disease. We identified for the first time a BC (9-methyl-BC; 9-me-BC) exerting neuroprotective and neuron-differentiating effects. Treatment of primary mesencephalic dopaminergic cultures with 9-me-BC inhibited the basal release of lactate dehydrogenase and reduced the number of cells stained with propidium iodide. Caspase-3 activity was decreased, the total protein content was unchanged and ATP content was increased. Furthermore, the expression of inflammation-related genes was reduced. The number of differentiated dopaminergic neurones was significantly increased and a wide array of neurotrophic/transcription factors (Shh, Wnt1, Wnt5a, En1, En2, Nurr1, Pitx3) and marker genes (Th, Dat, Aldh1a1) decisive for dopaminergic differentiation was stimulated. Consistently, the dopamine content was slightly, although non-significantly, increased and the dopamine uptake capacity was elevated. An anti-proliferative effect was observed in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells which is consistent with a reduced incorporation of bromodesoxyuridine into the DNA of primary mesencephalic cells. Whether the additional dopaminergic neurones in primary culture derive from dopaminergic precursor cells, previously tyrosine hydroxylase negative dopaminergic neurones or are the result of a transdifferentiation process remains to be established.
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PMID:9-Methyl-beta-carboline up-regulates the appearance of differentiated dopaminergic neurones in primary mesencephalic culture. 1791 2

Recently, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has been disclosed as subcellular target reactive to ischaemia/reperfusion and possibly influenced by hypothermic machine preservation. Here, the respective role of perfusate, perfusion itself, and the effect of continuous oxygenation to trigger ER-stress in the graft should be investigated. Livers were retrieved 30 min after cardiac arrest of male Wistar rats and preserved by cold storage (CS) in histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) for 18 h at 4 degrees C. Other organs were subjected to aerobic conditions either by oxygenated machine perfusion with HTK (MP-HTK) or Belzer solution (MP-Belzer) at 4 degrees C or by venous insufflation of gaseous oxygen during cold storage (VSOP). Viability of livers was evaluated upon reperfusion in vitro according to previously validated techniques for 120 min at 37 degrees C. Oxygenation during preservation (MP-HTK, MP-Belzer or VSOP) concordantly improved functional recovery (bile flow, ammonia clearance), reduced parenchymal enzyme leakage and histological signs of necrosis and significantly attenuated mitochondrial induction of apoptosis (cleavage of caspase 9) compared to CS. However, MP with either medium produced about 500% elevated protein expression of CHOP/GADD153, suggesting pro-apoptotic ER-stress responses, paralleled by a significant elevation of caspase-12 enzyme activity compared to CS or VSOP. Although MP also promoted a slight (20%) induction of the cytoprotective ER-protein Bax inhibitor protein (BI-1), prevailing of proapoptotic reactions was seen by increased cleavage of caspase-3 and poly (ADP-Ribase)-polymerase (PARP) in both MP-groups. Endoplasmic stress activation is conjectured a specific side effect of long-term machine preservation irrespective of the medium, actually promoting cellular apoptosis via activation of caspase-12. The simple insufflation of gaseous O2 may be considered a feasible alternative, apparently indifferent to the endoplasmic reticulum.
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PMID:Role of perfusion medium, oxygen and rheology for endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced cell death after hypothermic machine preservation of the liver. 1800 84

We have previously demonstrated that indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) expressed by dermal fibroblasts generated a tryptophan deficient environment in which immune cells, but not skin cells, undergo apoptosis. However, the mechanism by which primary skin cells such as fibroblasts and keratinocytes are resistant to this culture environment is not elucidated. Here, we asked the question of whether the activity of the general control nondepressing-2 (GCN2) kinase pathway in primary immune and skin cells is differently regulated in response to IDO-induced tryptophan deficient environment. Before addressing this question, the expression of IDO in IDO-adenoviral infected fibroblasts, as a source of IDO expression, was validated. We then demonstrated a significant immunosuppressive effect of IDO expression in primary human T cells co-cultured with IDO expressing fibroblasts in the presence of allogeneic pieces of either epidermis or full thickness skin. Evaluating the mechanism by which skin cells, but not T cells, are resistant to IDO induced low tryptophan environment, we then co-cultured IDO-expressing fibroblasts with bystander human T cells, the fibroblasts, or keratinocytes for 3 days. The results showed a significant activation of apoptotic pathway as analyzed by caspase-3 induction as well as the expression of CHOP, a downstream effector of GCN2 kinase pathway in T cells, but not in skin cells.
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PMID:Skin cells, but not T cells, are resistant to indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) expressed by allogeneic fibroblasts. 1847 Dec 56


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