Vitamin C Inhibited DNA Adduct Formation and Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase Activity and Gene Expression in Rat Glial Tumor Cells

Studies have been demonstrated that vitamin C (ascorbic acid) exhibit the protective role of vin in certain types of cancer. Rat glial tumor cells also have been shown have N-acetyltransferase activity. In this study, we reported the effects of vitamin C on arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity and DNA adduct formation in rat glial tumor cell line (C6 glioma). The activity of NAT was measured by high performance liquid chromatography assaying for the amounts of acetylated 2-aminofluorene and p-aminobenzoic acid and nonacetylated 2-aminofluorene and p-amonibenzoic acid. Rat C6 glioma cells were used for examining NAT activity and gene expression and 2-aminofluorene-DNA adduct formation. The results demonstrated that NAT activity and 2-aminofluorene-DNA adduct formation in C6 glioma cells were inhibited and decreased by vitamin C in a dose-dependent manner. But vitamin C did not affect NAT gene expression in examined cells. The apparent kinetic parameters (apparent values of Km and Vmax) from C6 glioma cells were also determined with or without vitamin C cotreatment. The data also indicated that vitamin C decreased the apparent values of Km and Vmax from C6 glioma cells.     

Berberine Inhibited Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase Activity and Gene Expression and DNA Adduct Formation in Human Malignant Astrocytoma (G9T/VGH) and Brain Glioblastoma Multiforms (GBM 8401) Cells

Studies have demonstrated that berberine exhibits the antineoplastic action in rat model. Rat glial tumor cells also have been shown to have N-acetyltransferase activity. In this study, we reported the effects of berberine on arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity, gene expression, and DNA adduct formation in human brain tumor cell lines (G95/VGH and GBM 8401). The activity of NAT (N-acetylation of substrate) was measured and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assaying for the amounts of acetylated 2-aminofluorene (AF) and nonacetylated AF. Human brain tumor cells (G9T/VGH and GBM 8401) were used for examining NAT activity and gene expression and AF-DNA adduct formation. NAT gene expression was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the levels of mRNA NAT in both examined cells lines. The amounts of AF-DNA adducts were also determined and quantities by HPLC. The results demonstrated that NAT activity, levels of mRNA NAT1 and AF-DNA adduct formation in both examined cell were inhibited and decreased by berberine in a dose-dependent manner. The apparent values of Km and Vmax from NAT of both examined cells were also determined with or without berberine cotreatment. The data also indicated that berberine decreased the apparent values of Km and Vmax. These effects also indicate that berberine is a uncompetitive inhibitor.     

Inhibition of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression by Endothelin in Rat Glial Cells Prepared from the Neonatal Rat Brain

Abstract: In primary cultured rat glial cells, a combination of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) stimulates production of nitrite via expression of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In these cells, simultaneous addition of endothelin (ET) decreased iNOS expression and nitrite accumulation induced by TNF-α/IL-1β. The inhibitory effect of ET on TNF-α/IL-1β-stimulated iNOS expression appears to be mediated by ET_B receptors, because (1) both ET-1 and ET-3 inhibited the effects of TNF-α/IL-1β on iNOS expression and nitrite accumulation, (2) a selective ET_B receptor agonist, Suc-[Glu⁹,Ala^11,15]-ET-1 (8–21) (IRL1620), decreased the effects of TNF-α/IL-1β, and (3) a selective ET_B receptor antagonist, N-cis -2,6-dimethylpiperidinocarbonyl- l -γ-methylleucyl- d -1-methoxycarbonyltryptophanyl- d -norleucine, abolished the inhibitory effects of ETs and IRL1620. Incubation of glial cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) caused an increase in iNOS expression. Simultaneous addition of ET-3 decreased the effects of LPS (10 and 100 ng/ml) on iNOS expression. Furthermore, cyclic AMP-elevating agents (dibutyryl cyclic AMP and forskolin) inhibited TNF-α/IL-1β-induced and LPS-induced iNOS expression and nitrite accumulation. These findings suggest that ETs can decrease TNF-α/IL-1β-induced and LPS-induced iNOS expression via ET_B receptors and that cyclic AMP may be involved in this process.     

Cytoskeletal Structures and Oligodendroglial Differentiation in C-6 Glial Cells

Abstract: The relationship of the cytoskeleton to a biochemical expression of oligodendroglial differentiation was studied in cultured C-6 glial cells. Specifically, we investigated the effect of the cytoskeletal perturbants, colchicine and cytochalasin D, on the induction of the oligodendroglial marker enzyme. 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNP), caused by removal of serum from the culture medium. Each drug inhibited CNP induction in a concentration-dependent manner, and essentially complete inhibition of induction was observed with 0.25 μ M colchicine or 2.0μ M cytochalasin D. Detailed study of the effect of colchicine was carried out. This antimicrotubular agent not only totally prevented induction if added at the onset of serum removal, but also prevented further induction when added at various times after serum removal. That the effect of colchicine related to the drug's effect on microtubules was supported by the demonstration that lumicolchicine, a colchicine isomer which has no effect on microtubules, had no effect on the CNP induction. Moreover, colchicine, but not lumicolchicine, prevented the morphological signs of differentiation provoked by serum removal. The effect of colchicine was reversible and relatively specific. Thus, no concomitant effect of colchicine on the activity of another plasma membrane enzyme of C-6 cells, i.e., (Na⁺+ K ⁺)-acti-vated ATPase, or on the rate of incorporation of [³H]leucine into total protein of intact cells could be discerned. The possibility that the site of the effect of colchicine is on intracellular events was suggested by the observation that the drug inhibited the induction of CNP by dibutyryl cyclic AMP. The data suggest that the cytoskeleton is involved in oligodendroglial differentiation.     

间充质干细胞影响肿瘤细胞增殖及其分子机理

间充质干细胞MSCs(mesenchymal stem cells)与肿瘤细胞间的相互作用是近年来肿瘤领域的研究热点之一.MSCs是一种多能干细胞,具有分化为成骨细胞、软骨细胞、脂肪细胞、纤维母细胞或肌肉细胞等多种间充质细胞的能力.MSCs在肿瘤细胞中表现出的归巢和转移能力为其成为潜在的抗肿瘤工具奠定了基础,MSCs转移到肿瘤细胞后参与重塑肿瘤微环境,并对其增殖、侵袭和转移等生物学行为产生重要影响.MSCs重塑肿瘤微环境后对肿瘤细胞的增殖究竟是促进还是抑制,相关文献报道有很大的争议.基于相关研究近况,主要综述骨髓间充质干细胞BMSCs(bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells)参与重塑肿瘤微环境对肿瘤细胞增殖的影响,并就已知的分子机理做一简要介绍.     

Glial cell contacts in insects: Effects of feeding on intercellular junctions

The intercellular junctions associated with the modified glial cells of the perineurium have been examined in the ganglia and main abdominal nerves of the blood-sucking bug Rhodnius prolixus, both before and and after feeding, by means of freeze-fracture and tracer studies. It was found that the pleated septate junctions found in the main abdominal nerve have many fewer septa than those found in the ganglion. These junctions appear to provide the flexibility needed for the movement of cells which occurs to accommodate the tremendous increase in body size that takes place after a bloodmeal. On feeding and during the subsequent period of digestion the nerves stretch to double their length, yet the blood-brain barrier is maintained throughout. In the same manner as loosely interconnected tight junctions, septate junctions with fewer septa seem to form a junction which is able to respond readily to the stress of stretching. With feeding and afterwards the septate junctions become disorganized and disassemble, while the gap junctions and tight junctions remain intact. It is envisaged, therefore, that the primary function of the septate junction is adhesive.     

核糖核酸酶抑制因子对H_2O_2损伤的大鼠神经胶质瘤细胞系C6的影响

核糖核酸酶抑制因子 (ribonucleaseinhibitor,RI)是广泛存在于哺乳动物细胞浆中的一种酸性糖蛋白 .为了进一步了解RI的功能 ,根据RI分子结构富含巯基的特点 ,研究了RI对过氧化氢(H2 O2 )损伤的大鼠神经胶质瘤细胞 (C6 )的影响 .用不同浓度的H2 O2 分别作用于转染有RIcDNA并且RI过表达的C6细胞和正常C6细胞 ,对比损伤前后 2者的细胞存活率、LDH漏出量、细胞内GSH和MDA含量差别 ,以及细胞内抗氧化酶类GPX、CAT和GST活性的差别 .结果表明 ,与正常C6细胞相比 ,RI过表达的C6细胞在H2 O2 作用下存活率高 ,LDH漏出量、MDA含量明显减少 ,而细胞内GSH较多 ;RI过表达的C6细胞在损伤前后均表现出更强的CAT和GST活性 .提示RI具有抗氧化功能 ,能够减轻H2 O2 所致的细胞过氧化损伤 .     

Chemical Modification of Hamster Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase 2 with Isozyme-Selective and Nonselective N-Arylbromoacetamido Reagents

Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) catalyze a variety of biotransformation reactions, including N-acetylation of arylamines and O-acetylation of arylhydroxylamines. Chemical modification of hamster recombinant NAT2 with 2-(bromoacetylamino)fluorene (Br-AAF) and bromoacetanilide revealed that Br-AAF is an affinity label for the enzyme whereas bromoacetanilide inactivates NAT2 through a bimolecular alkylation process. Electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis of Br-AAF-treated NAT2 showed that a single molecule of 2-acetylaminofluorene had been adducted. Peptide sequencing with tandem mass spectrometry identified the catalytically essential Cys68 as the alkylated amino acid. Br-AAF exhibits similar affinity for hamster NAT1 and NAT2, but is a more effective inactivator of NAT1 because, subsequent to the formation of a reversible enzyme-Br-AAF complex, the rate of alkylation of NAT1 is greater than the rate of alkylation of NAT2. Bromoacetanilide alkylates Cys68 and, to a lesser extent, Cys237 of NAT2; it does not exhibit significant selectivity for either NAT1 or NAT2.     

Regulation of Glycerol Phosphate Dehydrogenase and Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity by Forskolin and Dibutyryl Cyclic AMP in the C6 Glial Cells

We have compared the effects of norepinephrine, forskolin, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP) on the regulation of the cytosolic enzyme glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) in the C6 rat glioma cell line. Forskolin and Bt2cAMP elicit a dose-dependent increase in the levels of the enzyme that was, however, unaffected by norepinephrine. The half-maximal effect of forskolin was obtained at 7-8 microM, and the effect was maximal at 30 microM. Dexamethasone at a 50 nM concentration produced a two- to sixfold induction of GPDH after 48 h. The combination of dexamethasone with forskolin or Bt2cAMP leads to an elevation in GPDH levels that is higher than that produced by one of the compounds alone. This potentiation is found when both agents are added together with or after the glucocorticoid. The increase in uninduced and dexamethasone-induced GPDH activity was blocked by cycloheximide and actinomycin D, indicating that de novo protein and RNA synthesis are required. The activity of cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase activity did not change after incubation with dexamethasone, but increased with forskolin or Bt2cAMP.     

Relation of Cholesterol to Oligodendroglial Differentiation in C-6 Glial Cells

Abstract: The relation of cellular cholesterol content to a biochemical expression of oligodendroglial differentiation was studied in cultured C-6 glial cells. Induction of the oligodendroglial marker enzyme 2′: 3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphohydrolase (CNP) was determined after alteration of the sterol content of cellular membranes by exposure to compactin, a specific inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and cholesterol synthesis. The sterol content and as a consequence, the sterol/phospholipid molar ratio of C-6 glial cells were decreased by treating the cells, in 10% lipoprotein-poor serum, with various concentrations of compactin for 24 h. The degrees of sterol depletion thus produced were maintained for 48 h after removal of the compactin if the cells were maintained in serum-free medium, the culture conditions necessary for induction of CNP in untreated cells. Forty-eight hours after removal of serum, no induction of CNP occurred in cells previously treated with 0.5 μg/ml of compactin, whereas untreated cells exhibited a three- to fourfold increase in CNP activity. Intermediate degrees of sterol depletion resulted in intermediate degrees of inhibition of the CNP induction. Moreover, the morphological expressions of glial differentiation observed in the untreated cells did not occur in the sterol-depleted cells. That the effect of compactin on the induction of CNP relates to depletion of sterol was indicated by the finding that when low-density lipoprotein was added to the compactin-treated cells, the induction of CNP, the morphological expressions of differentiation and the sterol/phospholipid molar ratios were preserved. The degree of sterol depletion that totally prevented the induction of CNP had no effect on (Na⁺+ K⁺)-activated ATPase activity, total protein synthesis and cell viability. The data define a critical role for sterol in oligodendroglial differentiation in this model system.     

甲壳胺对HepG2细胞蛋白酪氨酸激酶和磷酸酶活性的影响

目的:初步探讨甲壳胺诱导人肝癌Hep G2细胞凋亡的信号转导机制。方法:采用酶联免疫法,动态检测甲壳胺作用于Hep G2细胞后,细胞膜相及胞浆内的蛋白酪氨酸激酶(PTK)及蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶(PTP)活性的变化。结果:甲壳胺可以抑制Hep G2细胞内的PTK活性,并呈一定的浓度依赖性;甲壳胺作用Hep G2细胞后,随着PTK活性的减弱,PTP的活性也短暂下降。结论:甲壳胺诱导Hep G2细胞凋亡时,涉及到PTK的活性改变。观察到膜相蛋白中PTK的活性改变早于胞浆蛋白,提示可能存在一个信号的跨膜转运过程;同时伴有PTP的活性变化,可能反映了胞内蛋白酪氨酸残基的磷酸化与去磷酸化即时调节机制。     

LRH-1在肿瘤及干细胞中的功能研究进展

核受体(nuclear receptors,NRs)是转录因子家族中最大的成员,多以配体依赖的方式特异性调节其靶基因的表达,参与机体代谢、发育和生殖功能的调控。LRH-1(liver receptor homolog-1),也称为NR5A2(nuclear receptor subfamily 5,group A,member 2),是核受体家族的成员,作为转录共激活子调控相关基因的表达。LRH-1调控多种重要的生理功能,包括调节脂肪酸和胆固醇的代谢,另外在胚胎发育和分化中也起了重要作用。LRH-1在促进多种癌症的发生过程中扮演重要的角色,如结肠癌、胰腺癌、卵巢癌和乳腺癌。随着对LRH-1研究的深入,其在疾病和胚胎干细胞中的功能作用已备受关注,这也使得LRH-1成为了许多疾病的潜在治疗靶点。     

Relation of Cellular Phospholipid Composition to Oligodendroglial Differentiation in C-6 Glial Cells

The relation of the polar head group composition of cellular phospholipids to a biochemical expression of oligodendroglial differentiation was studied in cultured C-6 glial cells. Induction of the oligodendroglial enzyme, 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNP), was determined after alteration of the polar head group composition of phospholipids by exposure of the cells to choline analogues, especially N,N'-dimethylethanolamine. To accomplish the phospholipid alteration, cells were grown in the presence of the analogue in medium free of exogenous lipid, i.e., first for 24 h in 10% delipidated serum and then for 48 h in serum-free medium. The 48-h exposure to serum-free medium resulted in untreated C-6 cells in a several fold increase in CNP activity, but in cells treated with 2.5 mM N,N'-dimethylethanolamine, total inhibition of this induction was observed. A graded, concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of the analogue on the induction of CNP was defined. The effect of the analogue was relatively specific, e.g., the activity of another plasma membrane enzyme of C-6 cells, (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase, was not affected. Morever, there was no evidence of a toxic effect of the analogue; thus, total protein synthesis and cell growth were not altered, and the induction of CNP in serum-free medium recurred after removal of the analogue. N,N'-Dimethylethanolamine was shown to be incorporated into cellular phospholipids, primarily at the expense of phosphatidylcholine. The data define an important role for the polar head group composition of membrane phospholipids in oligodendroglial differentiation in this model system.     

Effects of Ellagic Acid by Oral Administration on N-Acetylation and Metabolism of 2-Aminofluorene in Rat Brain Tissues

Numerous studies have demonstrated that the Acetyl Coenzyme A-dependent arylamine NAT enzyme exist in many tissues of experimental animals including humans, and that NAT has been shown to be exist in mouse brain tissue. Increased NAT activity levels are associated with increased sensitivity to the mutagenic effects of arylamine carcinogens. Attenuation of liver NAT activity is related to breast and bladder cancer processes. Therefore, the effects of ellagic acid (EA) on the in vitro and in vivo N-acetylation of 2-aminofluorene (AF) were investigated in cerebrum, cerebellum and pineal gland tissues from male Sprague-Dawley rats. For in vitro examination, cytosols with or without EA (0.5–500 M) co-treatment decreased 7–72%, 15–63% and 10–78% of AF acetylation for cerebrum, cerebellum and pineal gland tissues, respectively. For in vivo examination, EA and AF at the same time treated groups with all 3 examined tissues did show significant differences (the changes of total amounts of AF and AF metabolites based on the Anova analysis) when compared to the ones without EA cotreatment rats. The pretreatment of male rats with EA (10 mg/kg) 24 hr prior to the administration of AF (50 mg/kg) (one day of EA administration suffice to induce large changes in phase II enzyme activity) resulted in a 76% decrease in total AF and metabolites in pineal gland but did not show significant differences in cerebrum and cerebellum tissues. This is the first demonstration to show that EA decreases the N-acetylation of carcinogens in rat brain tissues.     

Differential Regulation of Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase Activity in Chicken Retinal Ganglion Cells by Light and Circadian Clock

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) contain circadian clocks driving melatonin synthesis during the day, a subset of these cells acting as nonvisual photoreceptors sending photic information to the brain. In this work, the authors investigated the temporal and light regulation of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT) activity, a key enzyme in melatonin synthesis. The authors first examined this activity in RGCs of wild-type chickens and compared it to that in photoreceptor cells (PRs) from animals maintained for 48?h in constant dark (DD), light (LL), or regular 12-h:12-h light-dark (LD) cycle. AA-NAT activity in RGCs displayed circadian rhythmicity, with highest levels during the subjective day in both DD and LL as well as in the light phase of the LD cycle. In contrast, AA-NAT activity in PRs exhibited the typical nocturnal peak in DD and LD, but no detectable oscillation was observed under LL, under which conditions the levels were basal at all times examined. A light pulse of 30–60?min significantly decreased AA-NAT activity in PRs during the subjective night, but had no effect on RGCs during the day or night. Intraocular injection of dopamine (50 nmol/eye) during the night to mimic the effect of light presented significant inhibition of AA-NAT activity in PRs compared to controls but had no effect on RGCs. The results clearly demonstrate that the regulation of the diurnal increase in AA-NAT activity in RGCs of chickens undergoes a different control mechanism from that observed in PRs, in which the endogenous clock, light, and dopamine exhibited differential effects. (Author correspondence: mguido@fcq.unc.edu.ar)     

福莫特罗对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞向成骨细胞分化基因表达的影响

目的：研究β2肾上腺素能激动剂福莫特罗（Formoterol）对大鼠的体外骨髓间充质干细胞（MMSC）向成骨细胞分化的影响,进而探讨其作用机制。方法：取SD大鼠的骨髓间充质干细胞,用条件培养液诱导分化后分别加入不同浓度药物,在不同时间点采用RT-PCR法检测细胞分化中Runx2和Osterix的mRNA的表达,采用westernblot法检测细胞中MEK和ERK1/2的磷酸化。结果：在细胞分化早期,加入已知浓度10-7mol/L的Formoterol可抑制成骨样细胞细胞特异性转录因子Runx2mRNA表达;在细胞分化晚期,浓度10-7mol/L的Formoterol也可抑制成骨样细胞OsterixmRNA表达。在加入浓度10-7mol/的Formoterol作用30min后,MEK和ERK1/2的蛋白磷酸化表达均下降。结论：β2受体激动剂可抑制MMSC细胞体外向成骨样细胞的分化,并且可抑制MEK和ERK1/2磷酸化的表达。     

Effect of Serum Lipoproteins on Growth and Sterol Synthesis in Cultured Rat Brain Glial Cells

Cells dissociated from brains of 1-day-old rats were cultured in medium containing either lipoprotein-deficient serum (LPDS) or LPDS plus various lipoprotein fractions. Increases in number of cells and in DNA content served as a measure of cell growth. Cholesterol synthesis was measured from the incorporation of [14C]acetate into total nonsaponifiable lipids and digitonin-precipitable sterols, and from the activity of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase. The data indicated that cholesterol biosynthesis from acetate was reduced in cells cultured in medium containing either LPDS plus low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), or total lipoproteins (LP) and that this reduction was accompanied by a reduction in the activity of the HMG CoA reductase and an increase in the esterified sterol content. The reduction in cholesterol synthesis from acetate was maximal in cells cultured in the presence of HDL, whereas the maximal reduction in the activity of HMG CoA reductase occurred in cells cultured in the presence of LP. The presence of LDL or LP in the culture medium enhanced the cell growth but the presence of HDL did not. Esterified sterol content was highest in cells cultured in the medium containing LPDS plus LP and was not detected in cells cultured in LPDS medium. It is inferred from these data that rat brain glial cells in culture are able to utilize cholesterol in lipoproteins, that the presence of LDL in the medium enhances cell growth, and that reduced cholesterol synthesis in the presence of lipoproteins may occur at the HMG CoA reductase step as well as at some other step(s).     

Effects of Ionizing Radiation and Aluminum Chloride on Protein of Glial Intermediate Filaments in the Rat Brain

We studied the effects of irradiation with X-rays (the total dose of 0.0129 C/kg was attained over 7, 14, or 21 days), increased entry of Al³⁺ into the organism (0.2% AlCl₃ in drinking water), and the combined influence of these factors for 21 days on the contents of the soluble and filamentous forms of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the tissues of the hippocampus, cerebellum, and neocortex of albino rats. After irradiation for 7 days, a clear trend toward drops in the GFAP contents in the structures under study was observed, while irradiation in the same dose, but for 14 or 21 days, resulted in increases in the contents of both GFAP forms (within a range of 13-29%, as compared with the control). Entry of aluminum chloride with water also resulted in an increase in the GFAP contents in all studied structures; changes in the filamentous form were more intensive. The combined influence of irradiation and Al³⁺ resulted in more intensive shifts in the GFAP levels; the content of its filamentous form increased in all structures by about 50%, while shifts of the soluble form were somewhat smaller.     

肿瘤干细胞研究面临的挑战与对策

肿瘤干细胞（TSC）学说已吸引更多学者对其予以关注与研究。在TSC研究取得较快进展的同时，也遇到了许多困难与挑战。从全面认识TSC生物学特性、建立特异性鉴定TSC的方法和靶向治疗TSC等3个方面提出应对策略，旨在为TSC研究领域有重大突破而抛砖引玉。