乳腺癌转移中的磷脂酰胆碱和溶血磷脂酰胆碱分析

我们以前曾报道花生四烯酸（arachidonic acid,AA)代谢产物可以促进乳腺癌细胞增殖和迁移。为了进一步寻找维持高转移乳腺癌细胞中AA高水平代谢的内源机制,深入探求AA代谢促进乳腺癌细胞转移的分子机理,我们应用HPLC/ESI/MSⁿ技术检测和分析了乳腺癌MCF-7和高转移乳腺癌LM-MCF-7细胞中溶血磷脂酰胆碱（lysophosphatidylcholines,LysoPCs）和磷脂酰胆碱（phosphatidylcholines,PCs）的成分和含量。我们发现了10种LysoPC的含量在LM-MCF-7细胞中显著高于MCF-7细胞,有6种PC可水解产生AA,它们在LM-MCF-7细胞中的含量显著低于MCF-7细胞,提示这些溶血磷脂含量的升高和磷脂含量的降低可能与乳腺癌转移相关。在LM-MCF-7细胞中,COX-2抑制剂吲哚美辛（indomethacin,Indo）和LOX抑制剂（nordihydroguaiaretic acid,NDGA）共同作用可明显下调cPLA2的活性,应用HPLC-ESI-MSⁿ技术比较cPLA2活性下调前后LM-MCF-7细胞中LysoPC和PC含量的变化,发现其中4种PC可被cPLA2水解产生AA。我们还发现,细胞内LysoPC与PC的比值可以反映cPLA2的活性。通过以上研究我们进一步证实了由cPLA2活性调节的AA释放及代谢对乳腺癌转移具有重要作用。     

TPST1表达在CXCR4诱导的乳腺癌细胞侵袭中的作用研究

C-X-C趋化因子受体4(CXCR4)是乳腺癌细胞运动的关键调节因子。CXCR4的功能性表达与乳腺癌的恶性进展密切相关。酪氨酸硫酸化转移酶1(tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase 1,TPST1)是CXCR4蛋白翻译后酪氨酸硫酸化修饰的一个关键酶。本研究将探索TPST1在CXCR4调节乳腺癌细胞侵袭过程中的作用机制。利用定量PCR,免疫组织化学和蛋白质免疫印迹等试验技术检测乳腺癌组织和细胞系中CXCR4和TPST1的mRNA和蛋白表达水平。RNA干扰,趋化试验和侵袭试验用于检测TPST1对于CXCR4诱导的乳腺癌细胞侵袭的影响。研究发现CXCR4蛋白在乳腺癌转移淋巴结组织中呈高表达(P=0. 0016)。CXCR4在乳腺癌转移淋巴结组织中的高表达与肿瘤浸润深度密切相关(P=0. 026)。TPST1与CXCR4蛋白表达在乳腺癌原发组织和配对转移淋巴结组织中均呈显著正相关(P=0. 009; P=0. 006)。TPST1在高度恶性乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞中呈高表达,在低度恶性乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中弱表达,而两者CXCR4表达基本相同。小RNA干扰降低TPST1的表达后,下调了乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞对于CXCR4配体即基质细胞衍生因子1α(stromal cell-derived factor 1 alpha,SDF-1α)的运动反应性,进而降低CXCR4诱导的MDA-MB-231细胞迁移和侵袭能力。综上,在CXCR4诱导的乳腺癌细胞侵袭过程中,TPST1表达对于CXCR4功能性活化至关重要,TPST1可能作为潜在的抗CXCR4药物治疗乳腺癌恶性进展的联合靶点。     

花生四烯酸通过COX-2酶代谢氧化失活PTEN促进结直肠癌生长

摘要 目的：本研究旨在阐明过表达COX-2的结直肠癌中花生四烯酸代谢与PTEN及其下游通路的相互关系。方法：利用过表达COX-2结直肠癌细胞系CT26和Apc ^Min/+小鼠腺瘤模型,联合花生四烯酸、COX-2抑制剂NS-398和COX-2基因敲除的干预,采用流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡、细胞周期及活性氧的产生;Transwell和克隆形成试验观察细胞的迁移和增殖能力;Western blot和免疫组化检测PTEN及其下游相关蛋白的表达。结果：花生四烯酸通过COX-2酶代谢产生活性氧并失活PTEN抑癌基因表达,从而激活PI3K-AKT蛋白促进CT26结直肠癌细胞迁移和增殖,抑制细胞凋亡;而COX-2抑制剂NS-398阻止了花生四烯酸在CT26结直肠癌细胞中的恶性生物学行为。同时,在COX-2基因敲除Apc ^Min/+小鼠腺瘤组织中,减弱了氧化应激水平,增加了PTEN表达,抑制了PI3K-AKT磷酸化,进一步抑制腺瘤生长,提高小鼠生存率。结论：花生四烯酸通过COX-2酶代谢产生活性氧下调PTEN活性,并激活PI3K-AKT促进结直肠癌生长;COX-2抑制剂可间接促进PTEN表达,抑制结直肠癌生长,能够作为CRC的潜在治疗靶点。     

PTEN及COX-2在乳腺癌的表达、意义及相关性

目的:研究PTEN及COX-2在乳腺癌的表达、与临床病理特征的关系及二者表达的相关性.方法:采用免疫组化技术(S-P法)检测48例乳腺癌和12例乳腺纤维腺瘤中PTEN、COX-2的表达情况.结果:PTEN在乳腺癌中的高表达率52.08%(25/48)明显低于乳腺纤维腺瘤91.67%(11/12)(p<0.05);PTEN的表达水平与腋淋巴结转移呈负相关,与ER水平呈正相关.与乳腺纤维腺瘤组织16.67%(2/12)相比,COX-2在乳腺癌组织中的表达明显增强68.75%(33/48)(P<0.05),COX-2与肿瘤大小、临床分期、淋巴结转移及ER、PR水平有关.结论:PTEN和COX-2的异常表达与乳腺癌发生、发展密切相关;PTEN和COX-2在乳腺癌中的表达呈负相关,两者共同参与了乳腺癌发生和发展.     

中心体蛋白70促进乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移

中心体蛋白70（centrosomal protein 70, CEP70）可通过介导内皮细胞的迁移影响血管新生,肿瘤的转移能力与肿瘤细胞的迁移密切相关,CEP70是否影响肿瘤细胞的侵袭转移尚不明确。结合前期淋巴结转移和未发生淋巴结转移原位乳腺癌组织的基因表达芯片的比较结果,本研究通过免疫组化染色,检测CEP70在淋巴结转移和未发生淋巴结转移的原位乳腺癌组织中的表达情况,以及real-time PCR和Western 印迹检测不同乳腺癌细胞系中CEP70的表达,结果提示,淋巴结转移患者的乳腺癌组织中CEP70强阳性的比例明显高于未发生淋巴结转移的乳腺癌组织,同时CEP70在侵袭能力强的乳腺癌细胞中表达较高。利用慢病毒转染构建CEP70稳定下调的MDA-MB-231细胞系,划痕实验以及侵袭转移的结果显示,下调CEP70的表达,可明显抑制MDA-MB-231细胞系的细胞迁移和侵袭能力。上述结果证明,CEP70的表达与乳腺癌的侵袭转移呈正相关,下调CEP70可抑制乳腺癌的侵袭转移,因此CEP70有望成为乳腺癌临床诊断及治疗的新靶点。     

中心体蛋白70促进乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移北大核心CSCD

中心体蛋白70(centrosomal protein 70,CEP70)可通过介导内皮细胞的迁移影响血管新生,肿瘤的转移能力与肿瘤细胞的迁移密切相关,CEP70是否影响肿瘤细胞的侵袭转移尚不明确。结合前期淋巴结转移和未发生淋巴结转移原位乳腺癌组织的基因表达芯片的比较结果,本研究通过免疫组化染色,检测CEP70在淋巴结转移和未发生淋巴结转移的原位乳腺癌组织中的表达情况,以及real-time PCR和Western印迹检测不同乳腺癌细胞系中CEP70的表达,结果提示,淋巴结转移患者的乳腺癌组织中CEP70强阳性的比例明显高于未发生淋巴结转移的乳腺癌组织,同时CEP70在侵袭能力强的乳腺癌细胞中表达较高。利用慢病毒转染构建CEP70稳定下调的MDA-MB-231细胞系,划痕实验以及侵袭转移的结果显示,下调CEP70的表达,可明显抑制MDA-MB-231细胞系的细胞迁移和侵袭能力。上述结果证明,CEP70的表达与乳腺癌的侵袭转移呈正相关,下调CEP70可抑制乳腺癌的侵袭转移,因此CEP70有望成为乳腺癌临床诊断及治疗的新靶点。     

乳腺浸润性导管癌中PTTG与MMP-2和MMP-9 的表达及相关性

垂体瘤转化基因（PTTG）具有促进体外细胞转化和体内致瘤的能力,在乳腺癌组织中高表达,并与乳腺癌的复发和淋巴结转移有关.但PTTG 能否通过调节基质金属蛋白酶(MMP-2、MMP-9) 调控乳腺癌的侵袭与转移尚不清楚.本研究证明,PTTG可能因促进乳腺癌细胞中 MMP-2、MMP-9 分泌而在乳腺癌细胞侵袭、转移中发挥重要作用.免疫组织化学 PV 9000 通用型两步法显示,60例乳腺浸润性导管癌组织中,PTTG、MMP-2 和 MMP-9表达定位于肿瘤细胞胞浆,阳性率与周围正常乳腺组织相比,差异均具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).三者阳性表达均与淋巴结转移及TNM分期有关(P＜0.05);与患者年龄、肿瘤大小等无关(P＞0.05).乳腺浸润性导管癌中PTTG分别与MMP-2、MMP-9的表达呈正相关(P＜0.05).小RNA干扰技术干扰乳腺癌细胞株 MDA-MB-231 中的PTTG,Western印迹结果显示,干扰组与对照组相比,PTTG、MMP-2 和 MMP-9蛋白的表达水平明显下降. Transwell 侵袭实验显示,干扰组肿瘤细胞体外侵袭能力明显降低(P＜0.01).本研究表明,PTTG可能通过促进乳腺癌细胞中 MMP-2、MMP-9分泌,促进乳腺癌细胞的侵袭、转移.     

二氢杨梅素抑制人乳腺癌细胞侵袭和下调MMP-2/-9蛋白表达研究

藤茶活性成分二氢杨梅素(3, 5, 7, 3′, 4′, 5′-六羟基-2, 3-二氢黄酮醇,DMY)体外对几种癌细胞具有抗增殖作用,但机制尚未完全清楚．本文研究DMY对人高转移型乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞侵袭的影响,并探讨可能的机制．用MTT法检测DMY对MDA-MB-231细胞的增殖抑制率;明胶酶谱分析明胶酶活力;基质金属蛋白酶(MMP-2/-9)的基因表达水平和蛋白质表达水平分别利用实时定量PCR和Western blot分析进行检测．Transwell模型检测DMY对肿瘤细胞侵袭的影响．结果显示,DMY以剂量依赖方式抑制MDA-MB-231细胞的增殖,作用48 h的IC50为73.6 mg/L．DMY显著抑制明胶酶活性和MMP-2/-9蛋白表达,并抑制MMP-2/-9 的mRNA表达水平．此外,DMY不依赖细胞毒作用和以剂量依赖方式抑制MDA- MB-231细胞的侵袭．这些结果提示：DMY能显著抑制人乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞的侵袭和增殖, 其侵袭抑制的机制可能与其下调MMP-2/-9蛋白表达水平相关．     

乳腺癌乙酰肝素酶、bFGF、VEGF的表达及其与肿瘤血管生成的关系

目的探讨乳腺癌中乙酰肝素酶、bFGF、VEGF的表达与乳腺癌血管生成的关系和意义。方法应用免疫组化SP法检测95例乳腺癌组织和20例癌旁正常组织中乙酰肝素酶、bFGF、VEGF和CD34的表达,并联合运用RNAi技术沉默乳腺癌细胞系MDA-MB-231乙酰肝素酶的表达,观察bFGF、VEGF的变化情况,分析乙酰肝素酶、bFGF、VEGF表达的意义以及其与乳腺癌血管形成、预后之间的关系。结果免疫组织化学染色证实乙酰肝素酶（64／95）、bFGF（72／95）和VEGF（65／95）主要表达在癌细胞质和（或）细胞膜中,在癌旁正常组织中则呈阴性表达。统计分析结果显示：乙酰肝素酶和bFGF、VEGF的表达具有明显的一致性,乙酰肝素酶阳性表达病例中bFGF、VEGF表达率明显比乙酰肝素酶阴性表达病例高,向人乳腺癌细胞系中转染乙酰肝素酶特异性siRNA,抑制乙酰肝素酶的表达后发现VEGF、bFGF的mRNA表达水平下调。乙酰肝素酶、bFGF、VEGF的表达与乳腺癌患者的肿瘤直径、临床分期、组织学分级、淋巴结转移及5年生存率密切相关,乙酰肝素酶和（bFGF／VEGF）共表达时与微血管密度的相关性比乙酰肝素酶单独表达更显著。结论乙酰肝素酶阳性表达与乳腺癌侵袭转移密切相关,乙酰肝素酶在乳腺癌中过度表达可能通过释放bFGF、VEGF促进肿瘤血管生成。     

芹菜素对MDA-MB-231细胞增殖及侵袭转移的影响

目的:研究芹菜素对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞增殖及侵袭转移能力的影响,探讨其作用 机制.方法:芹菜素处理MDA-MB-231细胞,MTT法及流式法检测细胞增殖、粘附和周期变化 ;Millicell小室检测新生血管形成、侵袭转移能力的改变;免疫细胞化学检测Bcl-2、Bax 、cyclinB1、VEGF、MMP-9、E-cd蛋白的表达差异.结果:芹菜素明显抑 制MDA-MB-231细胞增殖,诱导细胞凋,G2/M期细胞比例由4.79%增至36.12%(P＜0.05 );细胞的黏附、新生血管形成 能力均显著降低;侵袭转移穿膜细胞数明显低于对照组,分别由88.67、106.33降至45.67、 68(P＜0.05);Bcl-2、cyclinB1、VEGF、MMP-9蛋白表达明显降低;Bax,E-cd的表达则增 加.结论:芹菜素有效抑制MDA-MB-231细胞增殖,阻滞细胞于G2/M期, 诱导细胞凋亡;抑制 细胞粘附、新生血管形成、侵袭与转移的能力,其机制与抑制Bcl-2、cyclinB1、VEGF、MMP 9表达,促进Bax、E-cd表达有关.     

COX-2/12-LOX dual pathway, a novel strategy for treatment of multiple myeloma?

Cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) metabolic enzymes are the two main pathways for arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. Emerging reports now indicate alterations of arachidonic acid metabolism with carcinogenesis and many COX and LOX inhibitors are being investigated as potential anticancer drugs. COX-2 is frequently expressed in many tumors, such as multiple myeloma (MM), a disorder in which malignant plasma cells accumulate, generally derived from one clone in the bone marrow, and is an independent predictor of poor outcome. 12-LOX, an important member of LOX, is proved to be expressed in MM cells. We hypothesize that COX-2 and 12-LOX represent an integrated system, COX-2/12-LOX dual pathway, which much more efficiently enhances the intracellular levels of unesterified arachidonate and regulates cell proliferative, apoptosis and pro-angiogenic potential of MM. The COX-2/12-LOX dual pathway may act as a novel potential strategy for treatment of tumors co-expressing COX-2 and 12-LOX, and the agents that can simultaneously inhibit the two enzymes of COX-2 and 12-LOX may present a novel and promising therapeutic approach to these tumors.     

5-LOX inhibitor modulates the inflammatory responses provoked by Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND: Arachidonic acid metabolites have been considered as pivotal mediators in Helicobacter pylori-induced inflammatory response, which are mainly metabolized by two distinct enzymes: cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX). While COX has become well known to play a key role in either carcinogenesis or inflammation related to H. pylori infection, little is known regarding the implication of LOX in H. pylori infection. In this study, we evaluated the roles of 5-LOX and its metabolites in H. pylori-induced host responses and further a potential beneficial action of specific LOX inhibitors against H. pylori infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expressions of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)), COX-2, and 5-LOX after H. pylori infection were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. Synthesis of LOX metabolites was measured with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. For analyzing the influence of 5-LOX inhibitors, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and geraniin, on H. pylori-induced inflammatory responses, RNase protection assay and RT-PCR were performed. RESULTS: H. pylori stimulated the translocation of cPLA(2) from cytoplasm to nucleus and increased the biosynthesis of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) as a predominant form of 5S-HETE in gastric epithelium. NDGA exerted a strong suppression activity of H. pylori-induced 5-LOX signaling. The administration of LOX inhibitors was related with down-expression of proinflammatory mediators such as interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in both H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells and macrophage cells. CONCLUSION: LOX modulation with its specific inhibitors could impose significant anti-inflammatory responses after H. pylori infection, based on the fact that H. pylori infection provoked gastric inflammation through metabolizing arachidonic acid by the 5-LOX pathway.     

Lipoxygenase inhibitors abolish proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cells.

Epidemiologic and animal studies have linked pancreatic cancer growth with fat intake, especially unsaturated fats. Arachidonic acid release from membrane phospholipids is essential for tumor cell proliferation. Lipoxygenases (LOX) constitute one pathway for arachidonate metabolism, but their role in pancreatic cancer growth is unknown. The expression of 5-LOX and 12-LOX as well as their effects on cell proliferation was investigated in four human pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC-1, MiaPaca2, Capan2, and ASPC-1). Expression of 5-LOX and 12-LOX mRNA was measured by nested RT-PCR. Effects of LOX inhibitors and specific LOX antisense oligonucleotides on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation were measured by (3)H-thymidine incorporation. Our results showed that (1) 5-LOX and 12-LOX were expressed in all pancreatic cancer cell lines tested, while they were not detectable in normal human pancreatic ductal cells; (2) both LOX inhibitors and LOX antisense markedly inhibited cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner; (3) the 5-LOX and 12-LOX metabolites 5-HETE and 12-HETE as well as arachidonic and linoleic acids directly stimulated pancreatic cancer cell proliferation; (4) LOX inhibitor-induced growth inhibition was reversed by 5-HETE and 12-HETE. The current studies indicate that both 5-LOX and 12-LOX expression is upregulated in human pancreatic cancer cells and LOX plays a critical role in pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. LOX inhibitors may be valuable for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.     

Cyclooxygenase (COX) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) selectivity of COX inhibitors

In vitro evaluations of the selectivity of COX inhibitors are based on a great variety of experimental protocols. As a result, data available on cyclooxygenase (COX)-1/COX-2/5- lipoxygenase (LOX) selectivity of COX inhibitors lack consistency. We, therefore, performed a systematic analysis of the COX-1/COX-2/5-LOX selectivity of 14 compounds with selective COX inhibitory activity (Coxibs). The compounds belonged to different structural classes and were analyzed employing the well-recognized whole-blood assay. 5-LOX activity was also tested on isolated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Among COX inhibitors, celecoxib and ML-3000 (licofelone) inhibited 5-LOX in human neutrophils at micromolar ranges. Surprisingly, ML-3000 had no effect on 5-LOX product synthesis in whole-blood assay. In addition, we could show that inhibition of COX pathways did not increase the transformation of arachidonic acid by the 5-LOX pathway.     

Involvement of arachidonic acid metabolism and EGF receptor in neurotensin-induced prostate cancer PC3 cell growth

Dietary fats, which increase the risk of prostate cancer, stimulate release of intestinal neurotensin (NT), a growth-promoting peptide that enhances the formation of arachidonic acid metabolites in animal blood. This led us to use PC3 cells to examine the involvement of lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX) in the growth effects of NT, including activation of EGF receptor (EGFR) and downstream kinases (ERK, AKT), and stimulation of DNA synthesis. NT and EGF enhanced [3H]-AA release, which was diminished by inhibitors of PLA2 (quinacrine), EGFR (AG1478) and MEK (U0126). NT and EGF phosphorylated EGFR, ERK and AKT, and stimulated DNA synthesis. These effects were diminished by PLA2 inhibitor (quinacrine), general LOX inhibitors (NDGA, ETYA), 5-LOX inhibitors (Rev 5901, AA861), 12-LOX inhibitor (baicalein) and FLAP inhibitor (MK886), while COX inhibitor (indomethacin) was without effect. Cells treated with NT and EGF showed an increase in 5-HETE levels by HPLC. PKC inhibitor (bisindolylmaleimide) blocked the stimulatory effects of NT, EGF and 5-HETE on DNA synthesis. We propose that 5-LOX activity is required for NT to stimulate growth via EGFR and its downstream kinases. The mechanism may involve an effect of 5-HETE on PKC, which is known to facilitate MEK-ERK activation. NT may enhance 5-HETE formation by Ca2+-mediated and ERK-mediated activation of DAG lipase and cPLA2. NT also upregulates cPLA2 and 5-LOX protein expression. Thus, the growth effects of NT and EGF involve a feed-forward system that requires cooperative interactions of the 5-LOX, ERK and AKT pathways.     

Cyclooxygenases-1 and 2 couple to cytosolic but not group IIA phospholipase A2 in COS-1 cells

Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) and cyclooxygenases (COX) are important enzymes responsible for production of potent lipid mediators, including prostaglandins (PG) and thromboxane A2. We investigated coupling between PLA2 and COX isoforms by using transient transfection in COS-1 cells. Untransfected cells, incubated with or without phorbol ester + the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin, generated trivial amounts of PGE2. In cells co-transfected with cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) and COX-1 or COX-2, phorbol ester + ionomycin markedly stimulated PGE2 production. There was no preferential coupling of cPLA2 to either of the COX isoforms. In contrast, group IIA secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) co-transfected with COX-1 or COX-2 did not lead to an increase in PGE2 production, despite high levels of sPLA2 enzymatic activity. Transfection of cPLA2 did not affect basal free arachidonic acid (AA) levels. Phorbol ester + ionomycin stimulated release of AA in cPLA2-transfected COS-1 cells, but not in untransfected cells, whereas sPLA2 transfection (without stimulation) led to high basal free AA. Thus, AA released by cPLA2 is accessible to both COX isoforms for metabolism to PG, whereas AA released by sPLA2 is not metabolized by COX.     

Roles of the Cyclooxygenase 2 Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 Pathway in Brain Metastasis of Breast Cancer

Brain is one of the major sites of metastasis in breast cancer; however, the pathological mechanism of brain metastasis is poorly understood. One of the critical rate-limiting steps of brain metastasis is the breaching of blood-brain barrier, which acts as a selective interface between the circulation and the central nervous system, and this process is considered to involve tumor-secreted proteinases. We analyzed clinical significance of 21 matrix metalloproteinases on brain metastasis-free survival of breast cancer followed by verification in brain metastatic cell lines and found that only matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) is significantly correlated with brain metastasis. We have shown that MMP1 is highly expressed in brain metastatic cells and is capable of degrading Claudin and Occludin but not Zo-1, which are key components of blood-brain barrier. Knockdown of MMP1 in brain metastatic cells significantly suppressed their ability of brain metastasis in vivo, whereas ectopic expression of MMP1 significantly increased the brain metastatic ability of the cells that are not brain metastatic. We also found that COX2 was highly up-regulated in brain metastatic cells and that COX2-induced prostaglandins were directly able to promote the expression of MMP1 followed by augmenting brain metastasis. Furthermore, we found that COX2 and prostaglandin were able to activate astrocytes to release chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 7 (CCL7), which in turn promoted self-renewal of tumor-initiating cells in the brain and that knockdown of COX2 significantly reduced the brain metastatic ability of tumor cells. Our results suggest the COX2-MMP1/CCL7 axis as a novel therapeutic target for brain metastasis.     

Novel di-tertiary-butyl phenylhydrazones as dual cyclooxygenase-2/5-lipoxygenase inhibitors: Synthesis,COX/LOX inhibition,molecular modeling,and insights into their cytotoxicities

Although dual inhibition of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) enzymes is highly effective than targeting COX or LOX alone, there are only a few reports of examining such compounds in case of colorectal cancers (CRC). In the present work we report that the novel di-tert-butyl phenol-based dual inhibitors DTPSAL, DTPBHZ, DTPINH, and DTPNHZ exhibit significant cytotoxicity against human CRC cell lines. Molecular docking studies revealed a good fit of these compounds in the COX-2 and 5-LOX protein cavities. The inhibitors show significant inhibition of COX-2 and 5-LOX activities and are effective against a panel of human colon cancer cell lines including HCA-7, HT-29, SW480 and intestinal Apc10.1 cells as well as the hyaluronan synthase-2 (Has2) enzyme over-expressing colon cancer cells, through inhibition of the Hyaluronan/CD44v6 cell survival pathway. Western blot analysis and qRT-PCR analyses indicated that the di-tert-butyl phenol-based dual inhibitors reduce the expression of COX-2, 5-LOX, and CD44v6 in human colon cancer HCA-7 cells, while the combination of CD44v6shRNA and DTPSAL has an additional inhibitory effect on CD44v6 mRNA expression. The synergistic inhibitory effect of Celecoxib and Licofelone on CD44v6 mRNA expression suggests that the present dual inhibitors down-regulate cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes through CD44v6. The compounds also exhibited enhanced antiproliferative potency compared to standard dual COX/LOX inhibitor, viz. Licofelone. Importantly, the HA/CD44v6 antagonist CD44v6shRNA in combination with synthetic compounds had a sensitizing effect on the cancer cells which enhanced their antiproliferative potency, a finding which is crucial for the anti-proliferative potency of the novel synthetic di-tert-butyl phenol based dual COX–LOX inhibitors in colon cancer cells.     

Stereocontrol of arachidonic acid oxygenation by vertebrate lipoxygenases: newly cloned zebrafish lipoxygenase 1 does not follow the Ala-versus-Gly concept

Animal lipoxygenases (LOXs) are classified according to their specificity of arachidonic acid oxygenation, and previous sequence alignments suggested that S-LOXs contain a conserved Ala at a critical position at the active site but R-LOXs carry a Gly instead. Here we cloned, expressed, and characterized a novel LOX isoform from the model vertebrate Danio rerio (zebrafish) that carries a Gly at this critical position, classifying this enzyme as putative arachidonic acid R-LOX. Surprisingly, the almost exclusive arachidonic acid oxygenation product was 12S-H(p)ETE (hydro(pero)xyeicosatetraenoic acid), and extensive mutation around Gly-410 failed to induce R-lipoxygenation. This finding prompted us to explore the importance of the corresponding amino acids in other vertebrate S-LOXs. We found that Ala-to-Gly exchange in human 15-LOX2 and human platelet 12-LOX induced major alterations in the reaction specificity with an increase of specific R-oxygenation products. For mouse 5-LOX and 12/15-LOX from rabbits, men, rhesus monkeys, orangutans, and mice, only minor alterations in the reaction specificity were observed. For these enzymes, S-HETE (hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid) isomers remained the major oxygenation products, whereas chiral R-HETEs contributed only 10-30% to the total product mixture. Taken together these data indicate that the Ala-versus-Gly concept may not always predict the reaction specificity of vertebrate LOX isoforms.