Nucleic acid synthesis in cancerous cells under the effect of gnidilatimonoein from Daphne mucronata

Cytotoxicity evaluation of gnidilatimonoein, the most active isolated diterpene ester from Daphne mucronata [Sadeghi H, Mianabadi M, Yazdanparast R, (2002) Journal of Tropical. Medicinal Plant1 3: 169-173], revealed the strong antiproliferative activity among several different human cancer cell lines (K562, CCRF-CEM, HL-60 and MOLT-4 leukemia cell lines, LNCaP-FGC-10 a prostate cancer cell line) and a mouse BALB/C fibrosarcoma cell line (WEHI-164). Using flow cytometry technique, it was found that treatment of the most responsive cells (K562) with gnidilatimonoein inhibited the progression of cells through G1 phase by almost 15% compared to the untreated cells. The population of the treated cells in the S and G2 phases also reduced by 8.3% and 5.4%, respectively. Based on the extent of [3H]-thymidine and [3H]-uridine incorporation into DNA and RNA, respectively, the major metabolic effects of gnidilatimonoein were found to be mainly on DNA and to a less extent on RNA synthesis. Additionally, the activity of inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), under the effects of genidilatimonoein, was reduced in the treated cells by 44%. These data strongly suggest that the purine biosynthetic pathway is significantly affected by gnidilatimonoein.     

3-Hydrogenkwadaphnin targets inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase and triggers post-G1 arrest apoptosis in human leukemia cell lines

3-Hydrogenkwadaphnin (3-HK) is a recently characterized daphnane-type compound isolated from Dendrostellera lessertii with high anti-tumor activity in animal models. Herein, we report on time- and dose-dependent effects of this compound on growth, differentiation, IMPDH inhibition, cell cycle and apoptosis of a panel of human leukemia cell lines (HL-60, K562 and Molt4). The drug decreased the growth of leukemia cells in less than 24 h of treatment. However, longer exposure times and/or higher concentrations were required to promote cell apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis revealed the accumulation of cells in their G1 phase as early as 12 h after drug exposure but sub-G1 population was recorded after 24 h. Occurrence of apoptosis was constantly accompanied by morphological (staining with DNA-binding dyes) and biochemical (DNA fragments) variations among drug-treated cells. Despite these observations, non-activated normal human PBL were insensitive to the drug action. In addition, treatment of PHA-activated PBL, K562, Molt4 and HL-60 cells with a single dose of the drug for 24 h led to the inhibition of IMPDH activity by almost 37, 38, 44 and 50%, respectively. In contrast, no difference in IMPDH activities were seen between normal PBL and the drug treated PBL cells. Restoration of the depleted GTP concentration by exogenous addition of guanosine (25-50 microM) reversed the drug effects on cell growth, DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. Furthermore, the drug effects were potentiated by exogenous addition of hypoxanthine to the drug-treated cells. Reduction of the drug potency on the non-proliferative (retinoic acid treated) HL-60 cells by almost 40%, compared to the proliferative cells, clearly shows type II IMPDH as one of the main targets of the drug. These results suggest that 3-HK may be a powerful candidate for treatment of leukemia.     

神经酰胺诱导药物敏感型和耐药型细胞凋亡机制的探讨

以药物敏感型细胞株Ｋ５６２／Ｓ和耐药型细胞株Ｋ５６２／Ａ０２为对象．观察原癌基因Ｂｃｌ－２的表达量在两种细胞中的差异,以及神经酰胺作为一个新的脂质第二信使诱导细胞凋亡的能力,并利用酪氨酸激酶抑制剂ｇｅｎｉｓｔｅｉｎ,酪氨酸磷酸酯酶抑制剂ｖａｎａｄａｔｅ,观察酪氨酸可逆磷酸化与细胞凋亡间的关系．结果显示：在Ｋ５６２／Ａ０２中Ｂｃｌ－２的表达量明显高于Ｋ５６２／Ｓ;外源性神经酰胺能成功地诱导Ｋ５６２／Ｓ,Ｋ５６２／Ａ０２细胞凋亡,凋亡细胞具有典型的形态学改变和ＤＮＡ“Ｌａｄｄｅｒ”形成,ＦＣＭ检测出现凋亡细胞峰,但在同样的诱导条件下,Ｋ５６２／Ｓ细胞凋亡明显高于Ｋ５６２／Ａ０２细胞．ＦＣＭ检测ｇｅｎｉｓｔｅｉｎ能显著改变这两种细胞生长周期,但细胞阻滞于Ｇ２／Ｍ期,便对神经酰胺诱导的细胞凋亡无明显作用,ｖａｎａｄａｔｅ单独对细胞地明显作用,但与神经酰胺共同作用能明显提高细胞凋亡率．以上结果表明在药物诱导的细胞调亡中Ｂｃｌ－２基因起重要作用,神经酰胺能诱导Ｋ５６２／Ｓ和Ｋ５６２／Ａ０２细胞调亡．     

A Novobiocin Derivative,XN4, Inhibits the Proliferation of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells by Inducing Oxidative DNA Damage

XN4 might induce DNA damage and apoptotic cell death through reactive oxygen species (ROS). The inhibition of proliferation of K562 and K562/G01 cells was measured by MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide). The mRNA levels of NADPH oxidase 1-5 (Nox1-5) genes were evaluated by qRT-PCR. The levels of extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA damage, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression were examined by flow cytometry (FCM). Protein levels were analyzed by immunoblotting. XN4 significantly inhibited the proliferation of K562 and K562/G01 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 3.75±0.07 µM and 2.63±0.43 µM, respectively. XN4 significantly increased the levels of Nox4 and Nox5 mRNA, stimulating the generation of intracellular ROS, inducing DNA damage and activating ATM-γ-H2AX signaling, which increased the number of cells in the S and G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Subsequently, XN4 induced apoptotic cell death by activating caspase-3 and PARP. Moreover, the above effects were all reversed by the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Additionally, XN4 can induce apoptosis in progenitor/stem cells isolated from CML patients’ bone marrow. In conclusion, XN4-induced DNA damage and cell apoptosis in CML cells is mediated by the generation of ROS.     

The cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects of 3-hydrogenkwadaphnin in K562 and jurkat cells is reduced by guanosine

3-hydrogenwadaphnin (3-HK) is a new daphnane-type diterpene ester isolated from Dendrostellera lessertii with strong anti-tumoral activity in animal models and in cultures. Here, prolonged effects of this new agent on proliferation and viability of several different cancerous cell lines were evaluated. Using [(3)H]thymidine incorporation, it was found that the drug inhibited cell proliferation and induced G1/S cell cycle arrest in leukemic cells 24 h after a single dose treatment. The cell viability of Jurkat cells was also decreased by almost 10 %, 31 % and 40 % after a single dose treatment (7.5 nM) at 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. The drug-treated cells were stained with acridine orange/ ethidium bromide to document the chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation. These observations were further confirmed by detection of DNA laddering pattern in the agarose gel electrophoresis of the extracted DNA from the treated cells. Treatment of K562 cells with the drug at 7.5, 15 and 30 nM caused apoptosis in 25 %, 45 % and 65 % of the cells, respectively. Exogenous addition of 25-50 microM guanosine and/or deoxyguanosine to the cell culture of the drug-treated cells restored DNA synthesis, released cell arrest at G1/S checkpoint and decreased the apoptotic cell death caused by the drug. These observations were not made using adenosine. However, the drug effects on K562 cells were potentiated by hypoxanthine. Based on these observations, perturbation of GTP metabolism is considered as one of the main reasons for apoptotic cell death by 3-HK.     

Regulation of the interaction of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase with mycophenolic Acid by GTP

Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), a rate-limiting enzyme in the de novo synthesis of guanine nucleotides, is a major therapeutic target. A prototypic uncompetitive inhibitor of IMPDH, mycophenolic acid (MPA), is the active form of mycophenolate mofeteil (CellCept), a widely used immunosuppressive drug. We have found that MPA interacts with intracellular IMPDH in vivo to alter its mobility on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. MPA also induces a striking conformational change in IMPDH protein in intact cells, resulting in the formation of annular aggregates of protein with concomitant inhibition of IMPDH activity. These aggregates are not associated with any known intracellular organelles and are reversible by incubating cells with guanosine, which repletes intracellular GTP, or with GTPgammaS. GTP also restores IMPDH activity. Treatment of highly purified IMPDH with MPA also results in the formation of large aggregates of protein, a process that is both prevented and reversed by the addition of GTP. Finally, GTP binds to IMPDH at physiologic concentrations, induces the formation of linear arrays of tetrameric protein, and prevents the aggregation of protein induced by MPA. We conclude that intracellular GTP acts as an antagonist to MPA by directly binding to IMPDH and reversing the conformational changes in the protein.     

DADS 上调K562 细胞p21WAF1 表达对细胞生长阻抑和凋亡 的实验研究

目的:探讨二烯丙基二硫(DADS)对体外培养的人白血病细胞系K562细胞生长阻抑和凋亡作用及机制。方法:采用MTT分析法检测细胞活性、流式细胞术分析细胞周期及凋亡率、免疫组化检测p21WAF1基因表达。结果:1).DADS在10mg/L～80 mg/L范围内,对K562细胞的抑制作用呈剂量-时间依赖效应;2).不同浓度DADS作用于K562细胞24h后,细胞周期发生了变化:DADS可以将K562细胞阻滞于G2/M期;3).DADS浓度在10mg/L～80mg/L时作用K562细胞24h后,凋亡率逐渐升高,有显著的统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01);4).用浓度分别为0mg/L,20mg/L,40mg/L,80mg/L处理K562细胞24h后,p21WAF1蛋白表达上调,有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01),溶媒组和阴性对照组无差别(P>0.05)。结论:DADS有抑制K562细胞增殖和促进K562细胞凋亡的作用。其作用的可能机制与上调细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶抑制剂p21WAF1表达,从而诱使k562细胞阻滞于G2/M期有关。     

Protective effect of Bosutinib with caspase inhibitors on human K562 cells

IntroductionCancer therapy has become increasingly focused on molecularly targeted medications. Despite the fact that multi-cytotoxic medication regimens have proven to be highly effective, many investigations in targeted treatments have focused on a single agent. The precise molecular mechanism of action of second-generation BCR–ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which includes different targets and pathways, can help rationalize therapy in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and other diseases affected by BCR–ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).AimThe purpose of this study was to analyze if bosutinib (BOS) combined with Boc-D-FMK effectively suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis in K562 cells to a lesser extent, implying that bosutinib is an effective leukemia treatment and that its combination with Boc-D-FMK is a mild chemotherapeutic agent against leukemia.MethodsIn this study, bosutinib was obtained together with other materials to perform a cell culture experiment with human cell lines, as well as additional drug treatment. Furthermore, cell viability (MTT assay) and flow cryometry such as viability and cell cycle assays are performed. The target profile of the dual SRC/ABL inhibitor bosutinib was studied in this study as a first kinase inhibitor to target K562 cells, which has recently been linked to the proliferation of myelogenous leukaemia cells, these results suggest the effectiveness of inhibitory activity on cell viability/proliferation, alone generated a potent value of 250 nM (39.27 ± 1.17) for 48 h as optimal dose.ResultsThe cytotoxic effect of bosutinib on the K562 cell line was assessed in vitro using the MTT assay, and the cytotoxicity was further clarified using cell viability and cell cycle assays. Guava Cell Assay software validated the activation of apoptosis. Sub-G1, G0/G1, S, and G2/M phases are depicted. Cell cycle research revealed that K562 cells treated with bosutinib accumulated much more in the sub-G1 phase, which was later validated by a drop peak at the G2/M phase.ConclusionIn conclusion, the nature of bosutinib's reduction of cancer cell growth may open the door to future research into the development of green synthesis medicines, particularly for cancer treatment.     

RPS27a promotes proliferation,regulates cell cycle progression and inhibits apoptosis of leukemia cells

Ribosomal protein S27a (RPS27a) could perform extra-ribosomal functions besides imparting a role in ribosome biogenesis and post-translational modifications of proteins. The high expression level of RPS27a was reported in solid tumors, and we found that the expression level of RPS27a was up-regulated in advanced-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute leukemia (AL) patients. In this study, we explored the function of RPS27a in leukemia cells by using CML cell line K562 cells and its imatinib resistant cell line K562/G01 cells. It was observed that the expression level of RPS27a was high in K562 cells and even higher in K562/G01 cells. Further analysis revealed that RPS27a knockdown by shRNA in both K562 and K562G01 cells inhibited the cell viability, induced cell cycle arrest at S and G2/M phases and increased cell apoptosis induced by imatinib. Combination of shRNA with imatinib treatment could lead to more cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3 expression in RPS27a knockdown cells. Further, it was found that phospho-ERK(p-ERK) and BCL-2 were down-regulated and P21 up-regulated in RPS27a knockdown cells. In conclusion, RPS27a promotes proliferation, regulates cell cycle progression and inhibits apoptosis of leukemia cells. It appears that drugs targeting RPS27a combining with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) might represent a novel therapy strategy in TKI resistant CML patients.     

Glutathione depletion restores the susceptibility of cisplatin-resistant chronic myelogenous leukemia cell lines to Natural Killer cell-mediated cell death via necrosis rather than apoptosis

We investigated the effect of intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels on Natural Killer-mediated apoptosis in cisplatin-resistant K562 cells. K562/B6 and K562/C9 are cisplatin-resistant K562 cells less susceptible to lysis by natural killer cells. Cisplatin-resistant K562 cells did not present the apoptotic pattern of DNA fragmentation as it was observed for their maternal counterparts. K562/B6 and K562/C9 cell lines produce 1.6- and 1.9-times more GSH than K562 cells. Treatment of both cell lines with D,L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO, a gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase inhibitor) decreased GSH levels and augmented cell death induced by NK cells via a necrotic rather than an apoptotic process. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression was elevated in cisplatin-resistant K562 subclones, and the reduction of GSH levels after treatment with BSO decreased the expression of PCNA. These results suggest that the GSH level affects the NK cell-mediated cell death of cisplatin-resistant K562 cells by inducing necrosis rather than apoptosis.     

Cytotoxicity of a new IMP dehydrogenase inhibitor, benzamide riboside, to human myelogenous leukemia K562 cells.

COMPARE computer program suggested that benzamide riboside, BR, 3-(1-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)benzamide, should have a similar mechanism of action as that of tiazofurin, an inhibitor of IMP dehydrogenase (IMPDH). This hypothesis was tested in K562 cells in culture. BR was cytotoxic to K562 cells with an IC50 of 2 microM. Incubation of K562 cells with BR resulted in a significant decrease in GMP and GTP levels with a concurrent increase in IMP pools, and with a significant inhibition of IMPDH activity. However, 290-fold higher BR concentration was needed to demonstrate in vitro inhibition of IMPDH activity, suggesting that the agent may require metabolism to exert its action. These results provide evidence that BR is a new inhibitor of IMPDH. This investigation should be helpful to design new analogues having activity against IMPDH.     

Induction of G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis by a novel enediyne derivative, THDA, in chronic myeloid leukemia (K562) cells

We studied the effect of 2-(6-(2-thieanisyl)-3(Z)-hexen-1,5-diynyl)aniline(THDA), a newly developed anti-cancer agent, on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and induction of apoptosis in K562 cells. THDA was found to inhibit the growth of K562 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis showed G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in K562 cells following 24 h exposure to THDA. During the G2/M arrest, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs), p21 and p27 were increased in a time-dependent manner. Analysis of the cell cycle regulatory proteins demonstrated that THDA did not change the steady-state levels of cyclin B1, cyclin D3 and Cdc25C, but decreased the protein levels of Cdk1, Cdk2 and cyclin A. THDA also caused a marked increase in apoptosis, which was associated with activation of caspase-3 and proteolytic cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. These molecular alterations provide an insight into THDA-caused growth inhibition, G2/M arrest and apoptotic death of K562 cells.     

羟基脲（Hydroxyurea）对细胞周期与珠蛋白基因表达的影响（简报）

Although the hydroxyurea (HU) has been extensively studied, little is known of its molecular mechanism in controlling the expression of human globin gene and in modulating the progression of cell-cycle in K 562 cell. In the present study, the effect of hydroxyurea on proliferative kinetics of K 562 cells was examined by monitoring the number of cells during a period of 8 day's cell culture. Our results showed that there was a dose related decrease in cell growth when K562 cells were incubated with HU. Moreover, cell-cycle analysis demonstrated that HU had profound effect on cell-cycle distribution. In the case of the induced K 562 cells, there was an increased accumulation of cells in S phase and a decreased fraction of cells in G 1 and G 2 + M phase. Furthermore, HU could induce the expression of human beta-globin gene in the induced K 562 cells. Our results indicate that HU has a potential to inhibit the proliferation of K 562 cells and to stimulate the terminal differentiation of this cell.     

Induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate produced by marine Bacillus pumilus MB 40

Marine microorganisms represent a potential source for the production of biomedically useful compounds active against inflammation, cancer, diabetes, etc. Marine Bacillus pumilus MB 40 (GenBank accession no. HQ705771) isolated from deep sea water column (1000m depth) near Andaman and Nicobar islands produced a bioactive lead, Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (BEHP) with a molecular formula of C(6)H(4)(CO(2)C(8)H(17))(2) and a molecular ion at m/z 391 (M(+)). Anti proliferative effect of the isolated compound was examined by MTT assay in human erythroleukemic K562 cells and the IC(50) of BEHP was found to be 21μM. BEHP was able to induce apoptosis involving caspases pathway, besides regulating mitochondrial enzymes. Further, western blot analysis revealed the activation of caspases family proteins viz., caspase 8, caspase-9 and caspase-3. An increase in the expression of Bax mRNA concomitant with a decrease in mRNA of Bcl-2 in BEHP treated K562 cells was also observed. AO/EB staining of BEHP treated K562 cells further confirmed the progression of apoptosis as evidenced by morphological changes including nuclear condensation, cell shrinkage, and formation of apoptotic bodies. Treatment of K562 cells with BEHP induced the progressive accumulation of fragmented DNA in a time dependent manner. This pattern appeared as a typical laddering distribution of DNA fragmentation due to intranucleosomal cleavage associated with apoptosis. Based on flow cytometric analysis it has become evident that the compound was also effective in arresting the cell cycle at a sub G0/G1 phase.     

PIC-BE诱导K562/ADM细胞凋亡及逆转其MDR的研究

β榄香烯吗素（ＰＩＣ－ＢＥ）是抗癌新药β榄香烯的水溶性衍生物．采用人红白血病的多药耐药性（ＭＤＲ）细胞株Ｋ５６２／ＡＤＭ作为实验模型,观察ＰＩＣ－ＢＥ对Ｋ５６２／ＡＤＭ细胞的生长抑制和凋亡诱导作用,并进而研究其对该细胞ＭＤＲ的可能影响．结果显示：（１）Ｋ５６２／ＡＤＭ细胞对ＡＤＭ具有明显的抗性,与Ｋ５６２细胞相比,抗性倍数约为４０倍,而两者对ＰＩＣ－ＢＥ的ＩＣ５０接近,无显著差异;（２）ＰＩＣ－ＢＥ（１０．０～３０．０μｇ／ｍｌ）对Ｋ５６２／ＡＤＭ细胞具有明显的生长抑制和凋亡诱导作用,两种作用的强度在一定的范围内均具药物浓度和作用时间依赖性;（３）低毒剂量ＰＩＣ－ＢＥ（１０．０μｇ／ｍｌ）与ＡＤＭ（４．０μｇ／ｍｌ）联合应用,可显著增强ＡＤＭ对该细胞的生长抑制和凋亡诱导作用,升高细胞内ＡＤＭ的浓度,降低该细胞对ＡＤＭ的ＩＣ５０,使该细胞对ＡＤＭ的抗性有数倍逆转．上述结果提示,ＰＩＣ－ＢＥ不仅是一种有效的广谱抗肿瘤剂,而且也是一种有效的ＭＤＲ逆转剂     

Induction of apoptosis in K562 cells by dicyclohexylammonium salt of hyperforin through a mitochondrial-related pathway

Hyperforin is an abundant phloroglucinol-type constituent isolated from the extract of the flowering upper portion of the plant Hypericum perforatum L. The dicyclohexylammonium salt of hyperforin (DCHA-HF) has exhibited antitumor and antiangiogenic activities in various cancer cells. Here, the antitumor effects of DCHA-HF on the chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cell line were investigated for the first time. DCHA-HF exhibited dose- and time-dependent inhibitory activities against K562 cells, with IC(50) values of 8.6 and 3.2 μM for 48 h and 72 h of treatment, respectively, which was more effective than that of the hyperforin. In contrast, little cytotoxic activity was observed with DCHA-HF on HUVECs. DCHA-HF treatment resulted in induction of apoptosis as evidenced from DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation and increase of early apoptotic cells by DAPI staining analysis, TUNEL assay and Annexin V-FITC/PI double-labeled staining analysis, respectively. Moreover, DCHA-HF elicited dissipation of mitochondrial transmembrane potential that commenced with the release of cytochrome c through down-regulation of expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and up-regulation of expression of pro-apoptotic proteins. DCHA-HF treatment induced activation of the caspase 3, 8, and 9 cascade and subsequent PARP cleavage, and DCHA-HF-induced apoptosis was significantly inhibited by caspase inhibitors. Treated cells were arrested at the G1 phase of the cell cycle and the expression of p53 and p27(Kip1), two key regulators related to cell cycle and apoptosis, was up-regulated. These results suggest that DCHA-HF inhibits K562 cell growth by inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis mediated by a mitochondrial pathway and arresting the cell cycle at the G1 phase. Therefore, DCHA-HF is a potential chemotherapeutic antitumor drug for chronic myeloid leukemia therapy.     

Cofactor-type inhibitors of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase via modular approach: targeting the pyrophosphate binding sub-domain

Cofactor-type inhibitors of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) that target the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) binding domain of the enzyme are modular in nature. They interact with the three sub-sites of the cofactor binding domain; the nicotinamide monophosphate (NMN) binding sub-site (N sub-site), the adenosine monophosphate (AMP) binding sub-site (A sub-site), and the pyrophosphate binding sub-site (P sub-site or P-groove). Mycophenolic acid (MPA) shows high affinity to the N sub-site of human IMPDH mimicking NMN binding. We found that the attachment of adenosine to the MPA through variety of linkers afforded numerous mycophenolic adenine dinucleotide (MAD) analogues that inhibit the two isoforms of the human enzyme in low nanomolar to low micromolar range. An analogue 4, in which 2-ethyladenosine is attached to the mycophenolic alcohol moiety through the difluoromethylenebis(phosphonate) linker, was found to be a potent inhibitor of hIMPDH1 (K(i)=5 nM), and one of the most potent, sub-micromolar inhibitor of leukemia K562 cells proliferation (IC(50)=0.45 μM). Compound 4 was as potent as Gleevec (IC(50)=0.56 μM) heralded as a 'magic bullet' against chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). MAD analogues 7 and 8 containing an extended ethylenebis(phosphonate) linkage showed low nanomolar inhibition of IMPDH and low micromolar inhibition of K562 cells proliferation. Some novel MAD analogues described herein containing linkers of different length and geometry were found to inhibit IMPDH with K(i)'s lower than 100 nM. Thus, such linkers can be used for connection of other molecular fragments with high affinity to the N- and A-sub-site of IMPDH.     

XJW20, a novel oxoindole derivative,induces G2/M arrest and apoptosis selectively in K562 leukemia cell line

In comparison with four tumor cell lines and three non transformed cell types, chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells were selectively sensitive to proliferation inhibition by the oxoindole derivative XJW20, as determined by the MTT assay. Further investigation revealed that XJW20 selectively induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis in K562 cells. At the molecular level, XJW20-induced G2/M arrest was accompanied by up-regulation of cyclin B1 and phospho (p)-Cdc25C (Ser216) and down-regulation of CDK1. There is no change in the expression of CDK2. The increased apoptotic activity by XJW20 was characterized by an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨ_m) dissipation, cytochrome C releasing, apoptotic nuclei (AO/EB double staining) and nuclei condensation (DAPI-staining). The down-regulation of phosphorylated ERK was also found in XJW20-treated K562 cells. These molecular events induced by XJW20 may provide insight into the mechanism of action that led to growth arrest and apoptosis.     

Expression of cyclin A,B1 and D1 after induction of cell cycle arrest in the Jurkat cell line exposed to doxorubicin

Jurkat human lymphoblastoid cells were incubated in increasing concentrations of doxorubicin (0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 μM) to induce cell death, and their expression of cyclin A, B1 and D1 was evaluated by flow cytometry (cell cycle progression, Annexin V assay, percentages and levels of each of the cyclins), transmission electron microscopy (ultrastructure) and confocal fluorescence microscopy (expression and intracellular localization of cyclins). After low‐dose doxorubicin treatment, Jurkat cells responded mainly by G2/M arrest, which was related to increased cyclin B1, A and D1 levels, a low level of apoptosis and/or mitotic catastrophe. The influence of doxorubicin on levels and/or localization of selected cyclins was confirmed, which may in turn contribute to the G2/M arrest induced by the drug.     

A novel andrographolide derivative AL‐1 exerts its cytotoxicity on K562 cells through a ROS‐dependent mechanism

Andrographolide‐lipoic acid conjugate (AL‐1) is a new in‐house synthesized chemical entity, which was derived by covalently linking andrographolide with lipoic acid. However, its anti‐cancer effect and cytotoxic mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we found that AL‐1 could significantly inhibit cell viability of human leukemia K562 cells by inducing G2/M arrest and apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner. Thirty‐one AL‐1‐regulated protein alterations were identified by proteomics analysis. Gene ontology and ingenuity pathway analysis revealed that a cluster of proteins of oxidative redox state and apoptotic cell death‐related proteins, such as PRDX2, PRDX3, PRDX6, TXNRD1, and GLRX3, were regulated by AL‐1. Functional studies confirmed that AL‐1 induced apoptosis of K562 cells through a ROS‐dependent mechanism, and anti‐oxidant, N‐acetyl‐l ‐cysteine, could completely block AL‐1‐induced cytotoxicity, implicating that ROS generation played a vital role in AL‐1 cytotoxicity. Accumulated ROS resulted in oxidative DNA damage and subsequent G2/M arrest and mitochondrial‐mediated apoptosis. The current work reveals that a novel andrographolide derivative AL‐1 exerts its anticancer cytotoxicity through a ROS‐dependent DNA damage and mitochondrial‐mediated apoptosis mechanism.