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)

Cip/Kip family protein p21, a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, is directly transactivated by retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARalpha) upon retinoic acid (RA):RARalpha binding. Yet the role of p21 upregulation by RA in lymphoma cells remains unknown. Here, we show that, in human pre-B lymphoma Nalm6 cells, RA-induced proliferation inhibition results from massive cell death characterized by apoptosis. Upregulated p21 by RA accompanies caspase-3 activation and precedes the occurrence of apoptosis. p21 induction leads to increased p21 complex formation with cyclin E/CDK2, which occurs when cyclin E and CDK2 levels remain constant. CDK2 can alternatively promote apoptosis, but the mechanisms remain unknown. Data presented here suggest a novel RA-signaling, by which RA-induced p21 induction and complex formation with cyclin E/CDK2 diverts CDK2 function from normally driving proliferation to alternatively promoting apoptosis.
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PMID:Increased p21 expression and complex formation with cyclin E/CDK2 in retinoid-induced pre-B lymphoma cell apoptosis. 1676 49

The role of Ca2+ on the effects of capsaicin on human leukemia HL-60 cells in vitro and the molecular mechanisms of capsaicin-induced apoptosis were investigated. The flow cytometric analysis indicated that capsaicin decreased the percentage of viable HL-60 cells, via the induction of G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Capsaicin-induced G0/G1-phase arrest involved the suppression of CDK2 and the cyclin E complex, which are check-point enzymes for cells moving from G0/G1- to S-phase. Capsaicin-induced apoptosis was associated with the elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ production, decreased the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential, promoted cytochrome c release and increased the activation of caspase-3. An intracellular Ca2+ chelator (BAPTA) significantly inhibited capsaicin-induced apoptosis. Capsaicin-induced apoptosis was time-and dose-dependent. These results suggest that the capsaicin-induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells may result from the activation of caspase-3 and the intracellular Ca2+ release pathway.
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PMID:Involvement of Bax, Bcl-2, Ca2+ and caspase-3 in capsaicin-induced apoptosis of human leukemia HL-60 cells. 1682 31

Capsaicin (N-vanillyl-8-methyl-1-nonenamide) is found in pungent fruits, especially in red pepper. Many studies have focused on the anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic or chemopreventive activities of capsaicin. However, the effects of capsaicin on human esophagus epidermoid carcinoma cells have never been investigated. In this study, we investigated the effects of capsaicin on esophagus epidermoid carcinoma cells in vitro and further examined the molecular mechanisms of capsaicin-induced apoptosis in esophagus epidermoid carcinoma cells. Capsaicin decreased the percentage of viable cells of CE 81T/VGH cells, via induction of G0-G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Capsaicin induced G0-G1 phase arrest underwent the promotion of p53 and p21, which is an inhibitor of Cdk2 and cyclin E complex before leading to the inhibitions of both compounds. Capsaicin induced apoptosis in time-dependent manners. Capsaicin-induced apoptosis was in association with the elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ productions and BAPTA, an intracellular Ca2+ chelator, which significantly inhibited capsaicin-induced apoptosis. Collectively, these results suggest that the capsaicin-induced apoptosis in the CE 81T/VGH cells may result from the activation of caspase-3 and intracellular Ca2+ release pathway, and it is further suggested that capsaicin has potential as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of esophagus epidermoid carcinoma cells.
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PMID:Capsaicin induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human esophagus epidermoid carcinoma CE 81T/VGH cells through the elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ productions and caspase-3 activation. 1694 82

In this study, we first report the chemopreventive effect of rugosin E in human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. Treatment with rugosin E decreased the cell proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Rugosin E treatment arrested MDA-MB-231 cells at G0/G1 phase. This effect was strongly associated with concomitant decrease in the level of cyclin D1, cyclin D2, cyclin E, cdk2, cdk4, and cdk6, and increase of p21/WAF1. In addition, rugosin E also induced apoptotic cell death. Rugosin E increased in the expression of Bax, Bak, and Bcl-Xs, but decreased the levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L), and subsequently triggered mitochondria apoptotic pathway (release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-9, and caspase-3). In addition, pre-treatment of cells with caspase-9 inhibitor blocked rugosin E-induced cell proliferation and apoptosis, indicating caspase-9 activation was involved in rugosin E-mediated MDA-MB-231 cells apoptosis. Rugosin E inhibited the constitutively activated and inducible NF-kappaB in both its DNA-binding activity and transcriptional activity. Furthermore, rugosin E also inhibited the TNF-alpha-activated NF-kappaB-dependent reporter gene expression of cyclin D1, c-Myc, XIAP, Bcl-2, and Bcl-X(L) were all downregulated by rugosin E. Our results indicated that rugosin E inhibits the activation of NF-kappaB, and this may provide a molecular basis for drug development in the prevention and treatment of cancer by rugosin E.
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PMID:Rugosin E, an ellagitannin, inhibits MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway. 1696 81

The developing brain is highly sensitive to methylmercury (MeHg). Still, the initial changes in cell proliferation that may contribute to long-term MeHg effects are largely undefined. Our previous studies with growth factors indicate that acute alterations of the G1/S-phase transition can permanently affect cell numbers and organ size. Therefore, we determined whether an environmental toxicant could also impact brain development with rapid (6-7h) effects on DNA synthesis and cell cycle machinery in neuronal precursors. In vivo studies in newborn rat hippocampus and cerebellum, two regions of postnatal neurogenesis, were followed by in vitro analysis of two precursor models, cortical and cerebellar cells, focusing on the proteins that regulate the G1/S transition. In postnatal day 7 (P7) pups, a single subcutaneous injection of MeHg (3microg/g) acutely (7h) decreased DNA synthesis in the hippocampus by 40% and produced long-term (2 weeks) reductions in total cell number, estimated by DNA quantification. Surprisingly, cerebellar granule cells were resistant to MeHg effects in vivo at comparable tissue concentrations, suggesting region-specific differences in precursor populations. In vitro, MeHg altered proliferation and cell viability, with DNA synthesis selectively inhibited at an early timepoint (6h) corresponding to our in vivo observations. Considering that G1/S regulators are targets of exogenous signals, we used a well-defined cortical cell model to examine MeHg effects on relevant cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) and CDK inhibitors. At 6h, MeHg decreased by 75% levels of cyclin E, a cell cycle regulator with roles in proliferation and apoptosis, without altering p57, p27, or CDK2 nor levels of activated caspase 3. In aggregate, our observations identify the G1/S transition as an early target of MeHg toxicity and raise the possibility that cyclin E degradation contributes to both decreased proliferation and eventual cell death.
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PMID:Methylmercury elicits rapid inhibition of cell proliferation in the developing brain and decreases cell cycle regulator, cyclin E. 1705 19

(Z)-2-(6-(Thieanisyl-2-yl)hexa-3-en-1,5-diynyl)benzenamine (THDB), an enediyne compound, was identified in our laboratory as a novel antineoplastic agent with broad spectrum of antitumor activities against many human cancer cells. THDB was found to inhibit the growth of HL-60 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis showed G2/M phase arrest in HL-60 cells following 48 h exposure to THDB. Analysis of the cell cycle regulatory proteins demonstrated that THDB did not change the steady-state levels of cyclin B1, cyclin E, Cdk1 and Cdc25C, but decreased the protein levels of Cdk2 and cyclin A. THDB also caused a marked increase in apoptosis, as characterized by DNA fragmentation (DNA ladder and sub G1 formation), and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, which was associated with activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9. Moreover, the THDB-induced apoptosis was significantly attenuated in the presence of specific inhibitors of caspase-3, -8 and -9. These molecular alterations provide an insight into THDB-caused growth inhibition, G2/M arrest and apoptotic death of HL-60 cells.
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PMID:Induction of G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis by a novel enediyne derivative, THDB, in chronic myeloid leukemia (HL-60) cells. 1706 74

Vitamin C has been reported to be useful in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Inconsistent effects from growth stimulation to induction of apoptosis of malignant tumor cells, however, have been reported. Melanoma is an increasingly common and potentially lethal malignancy. It was reported that melanoma cells were more susceptible to ascorbate toxicity than any other tumor cells. The mechanisms accounting for ascorbate-induced apoptosis in human melanoma cells, however, have remained unclear. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of sodium ascorbate on cytotoxicity and apoptosis in human malignant melanoma A375.S2 cells. A375.S2 cells were incubated with a certain range of concentrations of sodium ascorbate for various time periods. In order to examine the effects of sodium ascorbate on cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and necrosis, we performed 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride assays and flow cytometry analysis. Polymerase chain reaction was used to examine the mRNA levels of p53, p21, p27, cyclin A, cyclin E, CDK2 and CDK4, which are associated with cell cycle S-phase arrest and apoptosis. Flow cytometric analysis showed that sodium ascorbate significantly induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the A375.S2 cell line in a dose-dependent manner. The increased expressions of p53 and p21, and the decreased expressions of cyclin A, cyclin E, CDK2 and CDK4, indicated the cell cycle arrest at G1/S phase after the cells had been treated with sodium ascorbate. Induction of apoptosis involved an increase in the levels of p53, p21 and cellular Ca, and a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of caspase 3 before culminating in apoptosis in sodium ascorbate-treated A375.S2 cells.
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PMID:Sodium ascorbate inhibits growth via the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human malignant melanoma A375.S2 cells. 1711 52

Cardiotoxin III (CTX III) is a basic polypeptide of 60-amino acid residues isolated from Naja naja atra venom, exerts its anti-proliferative activity in human leukemia K562 cells. In the present study, the expression of mRNAs and proteins related to cell cycle and apoptosis in human leukemia K562 cells induced by CTX III was investigated by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that CTX III resulted in G2/M phase arrest in the cell cycle progression, which was associated with a marked decrease in the mRNA and protein expressions of cyclin A, cyclin B1, and Cdk 2, with no detectable changes in the levels of Cdk 1, cyclin D1, and cyclin E. Moreover, the increase in apoptosis was associated with the Bax gene and protein levels significantly increased as treatment durations of CTX III increased, while the Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels exhibited no changes. We also observed that caspase-9 and caspase-3 genes remained unchanged up to 12 h with 2 microg/ml CTX III. These molecular alterations provide an insight into CTX III-caused growth inhibition, G2/M arrest, and apoptotic death of K562 cells.
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PMID:Effects of cardiotoxin III on expression of genes and proteins related to G2/M arrest and apoptosis in K562 cells. 1714 43

MEK/ERK pathways are frequently activated in acute myelogenous leukemia, and this signal pathway's inhibitor has made it an interesting candidate for cancer chemotherapy. Little is known, however, about the effects of cellular and molecular mechanisms on human leukemic U937 cells. In the present study, we found that treatment with PD98059 significantly arrests the G1 phase through up-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor, and produces morphological features of apoptosis in U937 cells, which were associated with poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) cleavage and PLC-gamma1 degradation. PD98059 also decreased the Cdk-2, Cdk-4, cyclin D1, and cyclin E expression, and increased high levels of the mitotic inhibitors p16(INIa), p21(Waf1), and p27(Kip1). Also, Bcl-2's overexpression and a caspase-3 inhibitor z-DEVD-fmk significantly attenuated PD98059-induced apoptosis through the down-regulation of caspase-3 activity, but did not attenuate G1 phase arrest. Moreover, PD98059 down-regulated Akt phosphorylation and produced a synergy effect of apoptosis with LY294002 co-treatment. Thus, our results imply that PD98059-induced apoptosis is significantly involved in down-regulation of Bcl-2, caspase-3 activity, the Akt pathway, and some of the biological functions in U937 cells.
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PMID:PD98059 triggers G1 arrest and apoptosis in human leukemic U937 cells through downregulation of Akt signal pathway. 1716 15

Biomarkers are being developed that can aid in the evaluation of cancer therapeutic and chemopreventive drugs. Two suggested biomarkers found in mouse lung tumors are DNA hypomethylation and alterations in mRNA expression of genes, such as 18S RNA, caspase 3, cyclin B2, cyclin E1, iNOS and survivin. Budesonide is very efficacious in preventing lung tumors in mice, so that its ability to modulate biomarkers in lung tumors was determined. Lung tumors were induced by vinyl carbamate in female strain A/J mice. Budesonide (2.0 mg/kg diet) was administered for 2, 7 and 21 days or for 14 days followed by a 7-days' holding period prior to the killing of the mice at week 27. After 2 days of budesonide treatment, the size of the lung tumors was reduced. Tumor size continued to decrease during the 21 days of treatment. In the tumors, 2 days of treatment resulted in (i) increased methylation of DNA, reversing DNA hypomethylation, (ii) increased expression of 18S RNA and (iii) decreased mRNA expression of caspase 3, cyclin B2, cyclin E1, iNOS and survivin. Termination of budesonide treatment at 7 days prior to killing did not affect the size of the tumors, but did result in increased mRNA expression of the 5 genes, approaching the expression level in tumors from control mice. Hence, budesonide rapidly decreased the size of lung tumors, reversed DNA hypomethylation and modulated mRNA expression of genes; with the molecular alterations requiring continued treatment with the drug for maintenance.
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PMID:Modulation by budesonide of DNA methylation and mRNA expression in mouse lung tumors. 1716 12


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