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)

Historically, in vivo imaging methods have largely relied on imaging gross anatomy. More recently it has become possible to depict biological processes at the cellular and molecular level. These new research methods use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), near-infrared optical imaging, scintigraphy, and autoradiography in vivo and in vitro. Of primary interest is the development of methods using MRI and PET with which the progress of gene therapy in glioblastoma (herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase) and Parkinson's disease can be monitored and graphically displayed. The distribution of serotonin receptors in the human brain and the duration of serotonin-receptor antagonist binding can be assessed by PET. With PET, it is possible to localize neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and beta-amyloid senile plaques (APs) in the brains of living Alzheimer disease (AD) patients. MR tracking of transplanted oligodendrocyte progenitors is feasible for determining the extent of remyelinization in myelin-deficient rats. Stroke therapy in adult rats with subventricular zone cells can be monitored by MRI. Transgene expression (beta-galactosidase, tyrosinase, engineered transferrin receptor) can also be visualized using MRI. Macrophages can be marked with certain iron-containing contrast agents which, through accumulation at the margins of glioblastomas, ameliorate the visual demarcation in MRI. The use of near-infrared optical imaging techniques to visualize matrix-metalloproteinases and cathepsin B can improve the assessment of tumor aggressiveness and angiogenesis-inhibitory therapy. Apoptosis could be detected using near-infrared optical imaging representation of caspase 3 activity and annexin B. This review demonstrates the need for neurohistological research if further progress is to be made in the emerging but burgeoning field of molecular imaging.
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PMID:Molecular imaging: Bridging the gap between neuroradiology and neurohistology. 1502 22

Depriving cells of iron likely stresses them and can result in cell death. To examine the potential relationship between this form of stress and cell death, Jurkat T-lymphocytes were made iron-deficient by exposing them to the iron chelator, deferoxamine (DFO). Such treatment produced evidence of apoptosis, including cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation and fragmentation, and also formation of apoptotic bodies. Additionally, proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase was detected, suggesting involvement of caspases in initiating apoptosis. Indeed, a selective caspase-3 inhibitor prevented the effects of DFO. During the early induction period of apoptosis, GRP78 and HSP70 mRNA expression was not affected. In contrast, there was mainly increased mRNA expression of Growth Arrest and DNA Damage-inducible gene 153 (GADD153), which seemed to be at the level of transcription rather than mRNA stability. Furthermore, fortifying cells with antioxidants did not prevent the increased GADD153 mRNA expression, and no evidence of single-strand breaks in DNA was found, suggesting that neither reactive oxygen species nor DNA damage was involved in triggering GADD153 gene activation. DFO also caused GADD153 protein to be expressed. Because GADD153 is recognized as a pro-apoptotic gene, these findings generate the notion that GADD153 might help mediate apoptosis in iron-deficient cells.
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PMID:Increased GADD153 gene expression during iron chelation-induced apoptosis in Jurkat T-lymphocytes. 1505 23

Sphingolipid ceramide (N-acetylsphingosine), a bioactive second messenger lipid, was shown to activate reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial oxidative damage, and apoptosis in neuronal and vascular cells. The proapoptotic effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, hypoxia, and chemotherapeutic drugs were attributed to increased ceramide formation. Here we investigated the protective role of nitric oxide (.NO) during hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-mediated transferrin receptor (TfR)-dependent iron signaling and apoptosis in C(2)-ceramide (C(2)-cer)-treated bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). Addition of C(2)-cer (5-20 microm) to BAECs enhanced .NO generation. However, at higher concentrations of C(2)-cer (> or =20 microm), .NO generation did not increase proportionately. C(2)-cer (20-50 microm) also resulted in H(2)O(2)-mediated dichlorodihydrofluorescein oxidation, reduced glutathione depletion, aconitase inactivation, TfR overexpression, TfR-dependent uptake of (55)Fe, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytosol, caspase-3 activation, and DNA fragmentation. N(w)-Nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), a nonspecific inhibitor of nitricoxide synthases, augmented these effects in BAECs at much lower (i.e. nonapoptotic) concentrations of C(2)-cer. The 26 S proteasomal activity in BAECs was slightly elevated at lower concentrations of C(2)-cer (< or =10 microm) but was greatly suppressed at higher concentrations (>10 microm). Intracellular scavengers of H(2)O(2), cell-permeable iron chelators, anti-TfR receptor antibody, or mitochondria-targeted antioxidant greatly abrogated C(2)-cer- and/or l-NAME-induced oxidative damage, iron signaling, and apoptosis. We conclude that C(2)-cer-induced H(2)O(2) and TfR-dependent iron signaling are responsible for its prooxidant and proapoptotic effects and that .NO exerts an antioxidative and cytoprotective role.
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PMID:Ceramide-induced intracellular oxidant formation, iron signaling, and apoptosis in endothelial cells: protective role of endogenous nitric oxide. 1510 32

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether iron, which is involved in the formation of free radicals in vitro, can initiate cellular injury in human intestinal cells. The effects of various concentrations of iron were studied in preconfluent, colonic-cancerogenous cells, and also in postconfluent, differentiating cells. Cellular damage was assessed using cell proliferation (serial cell counting), tetrazolium dye (MTT) uptake, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and apoptosis studies based on caspase-3 activities. Also the activities of the major antioxidative enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured after the cells had been exposed to iron. Our results indicated that preconfluent cells were more susceptible to iron toxicity, as assessed by a significant reduction in cell proliferation and MTT uptake in a concentration-dependent manner compared to the control. However, no evidence for MTT uptake was observed in postconfluent cells. Caspase-3 activity, an indicator of cell apoptosis, considerably increased in preconfluent cells at high iron levels compared to the control (p < 0.05), whereas postconfluent cells were not significantly affected. LDH release was similar for both groups and was significantly higher than the control at 900 microM iron and above. SOD activities were not affected by iron in either group, whereas GPx was considerably higher in iron-treated cells in both groups compared with the control (because of relatively high standard deviations this effect was not significant). In conclusion we suggest that iron exerts its toxic effects intracellularly especially in preconfluent Caco-2 cells, whereas only high iron doses were able to alter the viability of differentiating, enterocyte-like cells.
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PMID:Toxicological effects of iron on intestinal cells. 1512 77

Aroylhydrazone and thiosemicarbazone iron (Fe) chelators have potent antitumor activity. The aim of the current study was to examine the antitumor effects and mechanisms of action of a novel series of Fe chelators, the di-2-pyridyl thiosemicarbazones. Of 7 new chelators synthesized, 4 showed pronounced antiproliferative effects. The most active chelator was Dp44mT, which had marked and selective antitumor activity-for example, an IC(50) of 0.03 microM in neuroepithelioma cells compared with more than 25 microM in mortal fibroblasts. Indeed, this antiproliferative activity was the greatest yet observed for an Fe chelator. Efficacy was greater than it was for the cytotoxic ligand 311 and comparable to that of the antitumor agent doxorubicin. Strikingly, Dp44mT significantly (P <.01) decreased tumor weight in mice to 47% of the weight in the control after only 5 days, whereas there was no marked change in animal weight or hematologic indices. Terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining demonstrated apoptosis in tumors taken from mice treated with Dp44mT. This chelator caused a marked increase of caspase-3 activity in murine Madison-109 (M109) cells. Caspase activation was at least partially mediated by the release of mitochondrial holo-cytochrome c (h-cytc) after incubation with Dp44mT. In conclusion, Dp44mT is a novel, highly effective antitumor agent in vitro and in vivo that induces apoptosis.
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PMID:Novel di-2-pyridyl-derived iron chelators with marked and selective antitumor activity: in vitro and in vivo assessment. 1515 82

The mitochondria-targeted drugs mitoquinone (Mito-Q) and mitovitamin E (MitoVit-E) are a new class of antioxidants containing the triphenylphosphonium cation moiety that facilitates drug accumulation in mitochondria. In this study, Mito-Q (ubiquinone attached to a triphenylphosphonium cation) and MitoVit-E (vitamin E attached to a triphenylphosphonium cation) were used. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that mitochondria-targeted antioxidants inhibit peroxide-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) through enhanced scavenging of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, thereby blocking reactive oxygen species-induced transferrin receptor (TfR)-mediated iron uptake into mitochondria. Glucose/glucose oxidase-induced oxidative stress in BAECs was monitored by oxidation of dichlorodihydrofluorescein that was catalyzed by both intracellular H(2)O(2) and transferrin iron transported into cells. Pretreatment of BAECs with Mito-Q (1 microM) and MitoVit-E (1 microM) but not untargeted antioxidants (e.g. vitamin E) significantly abrogated H(2)O(2)- and lipid peroxide-induced 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein fluorescence and protein oxidation. Mitochondria-targeted antioxidants inhibit cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activation, and DNA fragmentation. Mito-Q and MitoVit-E inhibited H(2)O(2)- and lipid peroxide-induced inactivation of complex I and aconitase, TfR overexpression, and mitochondrial uptake of (55)Fe, while restoring the mitochondrial membrane potential and proteasomal activity. We conclude that Mito-Q or MitoVit-E supplementation of endothelial cells mitigates peroxide-mediated oxidant stress and maintains proteasomal function, resulting in the overall inhibition of TfR-dependent iron uptake and apoptosis.
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PMID:Supplementation of endothelial cells with mitochondria-targeted antioxidants inhibit peroxide-induced mitochondrial iron uptake, oxidative damage, and apoptosis. 1522 Mar 29

The pathogenesis of diabetes associated with hemochromatosis is not known. We therefore examined glucose homeostasis and beta-cell function in mouse models of hemochromatosis. Mice with targeted deletion of the hemochromatosis gene (Hfe(-/-)) on the 129/Sv genetic background exhibited a 72% increase in iron content in the islets of Langerhans compared with wild-type controls. Insulin content was decreased in Hfe(-/-) mice by 35%/pancreas and 25%/islet. Comparable decreases were seen in the mRNA levels of beta-cell-specific markers, ins1, ins2, and glucose transporter 2. By 6-8 months, islets from Hfe(-/-) mice were 45% smaller, associated with increased staining for activated caspase 3 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxy-UTP nick end labeling. Islets from Hfe(-/-) mice were also desensitized to glucose, with half-maximal stimulation of insulin secretion seen at 16.7 +/- 0.9 mm glucose in perifused islets from Hfe(-/-) mice compared with 13.1 +/- 0.6 mm glucose in wild-type animals. Carbonyl protein modification, a marker for oxidative stress, was increased by 58% in Hfe(-/-) islets. Despite decreased islet size, Hfe(-/-) mice exhibited enhanced glucose tolerance. Fasting serum insulin levels were comparable between Hfe(-/-) and Hfe(+/+) mice, but were 48% lower in the Hfe(-/-) mice 30 min after challenge. Similar results were seen in mice carrying an Hfe mutation analogous to the common human mutation (C282Y) and in mice fed excess dietary iron. Hfe(-/-)mice on the C57BL6 background exhibited decreased glucose tolerance at 10-12 months due to an inability to increase insulin levels as they aged. We conclude that iron excess results in beta-cell oxidant stress and decreased insulin secretory capacity secondary to beta-cell apoptosis and desensitization of glucose-induced insulin secretion. This abnormality alone, however, is insufficient to cause diabetes.
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PMID:Oxidative stress, beta-cell apoptosis, and decreased insulin secretory capacity in mouse models of hemochromatosis. 1530 12

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a cytoprotective protein that catalyzes the degradation of heme to biliverdin, iron, and carbon monoxide (CO). In the present study, we found that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced by a variety of experimental agents stimulated a time- and concentration-dependent increase in HO-1 mRNA and protein in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC). The induction of HO-1 by ER stress was blocked by actinomycin D or cycloheximide and was independent of any changes in HO-1 mRNA stability. Luciferase reporter assays indicated that ER stress stimulated HO-1 promoter activity via the antioxidant response element. Moreover, ER stress induced the nuclear import of Nrf2 and the binding of Nrf2 to the HO-1 antioxidant response element. Interestingly, ER stress stimulated SMC apoptosis, as demonstrated by annexin V binding, caspase-3 activation, and DNA laddering. The induction of apoptosis by ER stress was potentiated by HO inhibition, whereas it was prevented by addition of HO substrate. In addition, exposure of SMC to exogenously administered CO inhibited ER stress-mediated apoptosis, and this was associated with a decrease in the expression of the proapoptotic protein, GADD153. In contrast, the other HO-1 products failed to block apoptosis or GADD153 expression during ER stress. These results demonstrated that ER stress is an inducer of HO-1 gene expression in vascular SMC and that HO-1-derived CO acts in an autocrine fashion to inhibit SMC apoptosis. The capacity of ER stress to stimulate the HO-1/CO system provides a novel mechanism by which this organelle regulates cell survival.
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PMID:Endoplasmic reticulum stress stimulates heme oxygenase-1 gene expression in vascular smooth muscle. Role in cell survival. 1554 73

The release of cardioactive substances during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury generates toxic free radicals that inflict hepatic and remote cardiac damage. The aim of the study was to determine whether TPEN, a potent iron chelator, ameliorates the apoptotic hepatic and cardiac function injuries. Three groups of isolated rat livers were studied: (1) continuously perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution; (2) subjected to 120 min of ischemia and 15 min of reperfusion; (3) as in group 2, with TPEN administered prior to ischemia. Isolated hearts were perfused for 65 min with the effluent of the reperfused livers. Results showed that TPEN administration reduced the release of norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, prostaglandin E2 and angiotensin II, decreased intrahepatic caspase-3 activity, and decreased the mean hepatocyte apoptotic index (TUNEL assay) (p = 0.001). Perfusion with post-ischemic hepatic effluent caused a transient 15-min increase in left ventricular contraction and coronary flow (p < 0.05), followed by a decrease in cardiac function at one hour. TPEN reduced the transient elevation in left ventricular contraction p < 0.05), but did not prevent the subsequent decrease in cardiac function. In conclusion, TPEN attenuates post-ischemic apoptotic hepatic injury by modulating caspase-3-like activity and reduces the cardioactive substances released from the liver.
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PMID:TPEN attenuates hepatic apoptotic ischemia/ reperfusion injury and remote early cardiac dysfunction. 1571 22

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), a dopaminergic neurotoxin, is detected in human brains and the urine of PD patients. Using SH-SY5Y, a human neuroblastoma cell line, we demonstrated that 6-OHDA toxicity was determined by the amount of p-quinone produced in 6-OHDA auto-oxidation rather than by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Glutathione (GSH), which conjugated with p-quinone, provided significant protection whereas catalase, which detoxified hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anions, failed to block cell death caused by 6-OHDA. Although iron accumulated in the SN of patients with PD can cause dopaminergic neuronal degeneration by enhancing oxidative stress, we found that extracellular ferrous iron promoted the formation of melanin and reduced the amount of p-quinone. The addition of ferrous iron to the culture medium inhibited caspase-3 activation and apoptotic nuclear morphologic changes and blocked 6-OHDA-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells and primary cultured mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. These data suggested that generation of p-quinone played a pivotal role in 6-OHDA-induced toxicity and extracellular iron in contrast to intracellular iron was protective rather than harmful because it accelerated the conversion of p-quinone into melanin.
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PMID:p-Quinone mediates 6-hydroxydopamine-induced dopaminergic neuronal death and ferrous iron accelerates the conversion of p-quinone into melanin extracellularly. 1571 15


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