藻蓝蛋白亚基细胞渗透性及对肿瘤细胞光敏作用的研究

目的:研究藻蓝蛋白亚基对SP2/0、S180、COS7、C6的最佳渗透条件及由其介导的PDT对肿瘤细胞的抑制作用。方法:采用柱层析方法从藻蓝蛋白样品中分离得到藻蓝蛋白亚基,通过荧光显微镜观察其在细胞内的渗透特性,并以He-Ne激光器为激发光源,MTT法检测藻蓝蛋白亚基光敏作用对肿瘤细胞生长的抑制作用。结果:藻蓝蛋白α、α/β亚基在75μg/mL浓度下可以在4 h时充分地进入细胞,并可以在细胞内稳定2 h以上;藻蓝蛋白中的α,β亚基稳定性和作用不相同,β亚基荧光性强但易于降解,由α亚基介导的PDT作用比α/βPDT作用强;100μg/mLα亚基介导的PDT对SP2/0和S180两种悬浮细胞的抑制率可分别达到78.6%和39.8%,强于贴壁细胞C6和COS7的29.2%和17.8%。结论:藻蓝蛋白α亚基在合适的渗透条件下表现出较强的光动力学抗肿瘤效果,且PDT效果与光敏剂浓度、照射剂量及细胞类型相关。     

优化培养基增加层理鞭枝藻藻胆蛋白产量

藻胆蛋白(phycobiliprotein)是蓝藻和红藻藻胆体的组成部分,是光合作用集光复合体的组成部分,一般由α和β亚基构成,每个亚基含1～4个辅基色素,从而使藻胆蛋白具有特定的光谱吸收性质。根据这些吸收光谱性质,可以将藻胆蛋白分为:别藻蓝蛋白(APC)、藻蓝蛋白(PC)和藻红蛋白(PE)等,在某些缺乏PE而有异形胞的蓝藻中存在充当PE天线捕光功能的藻红蓝蛋白(PEC)〔1〕。藻胆蛋白可用于天然食用色素、化妆品色素和制药行业,还可作为免疫检测、荧光显微技术和流式细胞荧光测定法技术方面的荧光探针。特别是本工作研究的层理鞭枝藻(简称M.laminosu…     

藻蓝蛋白抑制人结肠癌SW480细胞增殖的初步研究

目的研究藻蓝蛋白对人结肠癌SW480细胞的体外抑瘤作用,为进一步探讨藻蓝蛋白抑制肿瘤的机制提供依据。方法用不同浓度的藻蓝蛋白处理结肠癌SW480细胞后,应用MTT实验来检测藻蓝蛋白对细胞增殖的抑制作用并计算出半数抑制率,利用HE染色法和电镜技术观察凋亡细胞形态结构,采用流式细胞术分析其对SW480细胞周期的影响。结果 MTT试验证明藻蓝蛋白能够抑制SW480细胞的增殖,且呈时间和剂量依赖性;HE染色以及电镜的观察结果显示藻蓝蛋白能够诱导SW480细胞的凋亡,流式细胞术显示SW480细胞被阻滞在G2/M期,G0/G1期细胞比例降低。结论藻蓝蛋白在体外能够抑制结肠癌SW480细胞的增殖,具有可开发人结肠癌治疗光敏剂应用前景。     

发菜藻蓝蛋白基因克隆及原核表达

发菜（Nostoc flagelliforme）是一种陆生固氮蓝藻,具有重要的经济和生态价值。运用双向电泳技术、MALDI-TOF-TOF/MS鉴定和数据库检索,获得藻蓝蛋白部分氨基酸序列并设计简并性引物,克隆藻蓝蛋白基因并研究其表达。结果表明,发菜藻蓝蛋白α和β亚基两个基因的编码序列及两者之间的间隔序列全长为1097bp,编码β亚基和α亚基的基因序列全长分别为519bp和489bp,β亚基基因序列位于α亚基基因序列上游,两者之间通过89bp的基因片段连接,GenBank登录号为GU549478,并对推译的α和β亚基三维结构进行了预测。将藻蓝蛋白的α和β亚基基因在大肠杆菌中表达,获得了符合预期的外源重组蛋白。研究结果为进一步研究发菜藻蓝蛋白的分子结构及生物学功能奠定了基础。     

重楼皂苷VII对SW-480 细胞凋亡和周期的影响及机制研究

目的：探讨重楼皂苷VII (Paris saponin VII, PSVII) 对人结肠癌SW480 细胞凋亡和周期的影响及其机制。方法：采用Cell Counting Kit-8（CCk-8）试剂盒方法观察PSVII 对SW-480 细胞增殖的影响;流失细胞术研究PSVII对SW480细胞凋亡和周期的 作用;培养SW-480 细胞并给予1.0 umol/L、2.0 umol/L 和4.0 umol/L PSVII 24 h后,采用Western blot 法检测凋亡相关蛋白 Caspase-3、Caspase-8、Caspase-9、Bax和Bcl-2 及周期相关蛋白Cdk-4、Cdk-6、CyclinD1 和p21 的表达变化。结果：PSVII可明显抑 制SW-480 细胞增殖,并诱导其凋亡,其IC50值为5.25± 0.46 umol/L;PSVII 可促进SW-480 细胞Caspase-3、Caspase-8、Caspase-9、 Bax及p21 的表达,降低Bcl-2、Cdk-4、Cdk-6和CyclinD1 的表达。结论：PSVII可以通过线粒体和死亡受体途径诱导SW-480 细胞 凋亡;将SW-480 细胞周期阻滞于G1 期是通过上调p21,抑制Cdk-4、Cdk-6 与Cyclin D1 周期调控蛋白的表达。     

多管藻中R-藻蓝蛋白能量传递途径及动力学

以蛋白亚基复性技术和皮秒级时间分辨荧光光谱,研究海洋红藻多管藻中R－藻蓝蛋白（R－PC）单体和三聚体内能量传递过程。利用亚基复性技术对分离后的β亚基复性,以R－藻蓝蛋白单体和β亚基之间的差谱获得α亚基的吸收光谱。皮秒级时间分辨三维谱图（时间、波长和强度）直观地显示出藻红胆素发色团向藻蓝胆素发色团的能量传递;根据时间分辨测量结果的组份解析,对R藻蓝蛋白单体和三聚体内能量传递途径和相关传递参数进行了指认和讨论;对观察到的单体与三聚体能量传递组份特性的差别提出了解释。与C－藻蓝蛋白光谱对比,R－藻蓝蛋白独特的色团组成使其更有效地捕获与传递光能。     

重楼皂苷Ⅶ对SW-480细胞凋亡和周期的影响及机制研究

目的:探讨重楼皂苷Ⅶ(Paris saponin Ⅶ,PSⅦ)对人结肠癌SW480细胞凋亡和周期的影响及其机制。方法:采用Cell Counting Kit-8(CCk-8)试剂盒方法观察PSⅦ对SW-480细胞增殖的影响;流失细胞术研究PSⅦ对SW480细胞凋亡和周期的作用;培养SW-480细胞并给予1.0μmol/L、2.0μmol/L和4.0μmol/L PSⅦ 24 h后,采用Western blot法检测凋亡相关蛋白Caspase-3、Caspase-8、Caspase-9、Bax和Bcl-2及周期相关蛋白Cdk-4、Cdk-6、Cyclin D1和p21的表达变化。结果:PSⅦ可明显抑制SW-480细胞增殖,并诱导其凋亡,其IC50值为5.25±0.46μmol/L;PSⅦ可促进SW-480细胞Caspase-3、Caspase-8、Caspase-9、Bax及p21的表达,降低Bcl-2、Cdk-4、Cdk-6和Cyclin D1的表达。结论:PSⅦ可以通过线粒体和死亡受体途径诱导SW-480细胞凋亡;将SW-480细胞周期阻滞于G1期是通过上调p21,抑制Cdk-4、Cdk-6与Cyclin D1周期调控蛋白的表达。     

Synechococcus sp. Strain WH8102藻红蛋白裂合酶 CpeY、CpeZ的克隆、表达及功能研究

通过蛋白质序列相似性分析,在Synechococcus sp. strain WH8102里面找到了与Fremyella diplosiphon的藻红蛋白裂合酶编码基因cpeY、cpeZ同源的基因SYNW2013、SYNW2012,分别命名为cpeY-Syn、cpeZ-Syn。通过分子克隆技术,将其构建在不同的表达载体上。通过大肠杆菌体内表达系统,藻红胆素(PEB)在CpeY-Syn和CpeZ-Syn的共同催化下,共价连接到藻红蛋白α亚基脱辅助基蛋白CpeA上,生成色素蛋白PEB-CpeA。实验也表明,在缺少CpeY-Syn的情况下,不能产生色素蛋白,而在缺少CpeZ-Syn的情况下,色素蛋白产率有所降低。与CpcE/F催化藻蓝蛋白α亚基共价连接藻蓝胆素(PCB)一样,CpeY/Z-Syn专一性的催化藻红蛋白α亚基与PEB的连接,它们属于同一类的蛋白家族。     

藻红蓝蛋白β亚基体内重组及其色谱分析

藻胆蛋白是蓝藻中的捕光蛋白,其生物合成的重要一步是藻胆色素与脱辅基蛋白的连接.大多数藻胆色素的正确连接都需要结合位点专一和对色素的构象有选择性的裂合酶来催化完成,但是这方面的报道不是很多.藻红蓝蛋白由两个亚基组成,β亚基(简称β-PEC)含171个氨基酸残基及两个辅基色素藻蓝胆素(简称PCB),分别在Cys-84和Cys-155位以硫醚键共价相连.通过同源性分析获得的由编号为alr0617基因编码的蛋白为藻红蓝蛋白β亚基(β-PEC)中的Cys-84与PCB的连接的催化酶.为了研究层理鞭枝藻藻红蓝蛋白(PEC)β亚基(β-PEC)中藻蓝胆素(PCB)与脱辅基蛋白的连接机制,通过体内重组方式得到色素蛋白PCB-PecB(C155I),分析表明该色素蛋白与β-PEC的吸收光谱和荧光光谱一致.酸性尿素变性实验证明得到的色素蛋白中的藻蓝胆素PCB没有被破坏.使用胃蛋白酶对天然藻红蓝色素蛋白和重组藻红蓝色素蛋白进行相同条件的水解并得到各自的色素肽,高效液相色谱分析表明这两种色素肽相同,由此证明了编号为alr0617基因编码的蛋白质能催化PCB与PecB(C155I)正确共价偶联.     

N端融合不同长度转位肽的重组粒酶B抑制细胞生长作用的比较

采用重组PCR法将粒酶B基因的N端信号肽和酸性二肽编码序列去除,与两种不同长度的绿脓杆菌外毒素（PE）转位肽序列分别连接,将它们插入pIND诱导表达载体,通过脂质体法与pVgRXR辅助质粒共转染HeLa细胞,建立了重组PE II-GrBa基因的诱导表达细胞系。松甾酮A诱导后Western印迹检测到目的基因的表达,间接免疫荧光观察到表达细胞出现多核巨细胞的异常形态。两种表达的PE II-GrBa融合蛋白均能够切割粒酶B的细胞内源性和外源性底物,并且使细胞生长速度减慢。其中,PE II-(aa 280358)-GrBa的底物切割能力和生长抑制作用较强。流式细胞仪分析这种抑制作用可能与细胞周期的G2期受到阻遏有关。上述结果证实了PE II-GrBa融合蛋白仍然具有抑制细胞生长的作用,并且较短的转位肽对GrBa活性的影响较小,有助于进一步优化转位肽/细胞毒性效应蛋白重组分子的结构用于肿瘤细胞杀伤。     

Investigating Migration Inhibition and Apoptotic Effects of Fomitopsis pinicola Chloroform Extract on Human Colorectal Cancer SW-480 Cells

Background

Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw. Ex Fr.m) Karst (FPK) which belongs to the Basidiomycota fungal class is one of the most popular medical fungi in China. It has been used for many diseases: cancer, heart diseases, diabetes and so on. However, little study on the pro-apoptotic effect and migration inhibition of FPK chloroform extract (FPKc) has been reported and the possible involved mechanism has not been illuminated.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Chemical analysis was performed by HPLC which showed ergosterol (ES) concentration was 105 µg/mg. MTT assay revealed that FPKc could selectively inhibit SW-480 cells viability with the IC₅₀ of 190.28 µg/ml. Wound healing and transwell assay indicated that FPKc could inhibit the migration of SW-480 cells obviously, FPKc could also dramatically decreased the matrix metalloproteinases-2, 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) expression. Annexin V–FITC/PI staining, nuclear Hoechst 33342 staining and DNA fragmentation analysis revealed that FPKc and ES could induce SW-480 cells apoptosis. The apoptosis process closely involved in ROS accumulation and depletion of GSH, activation of caspase 3, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) degradation. FPKc could also up-regulate P53 expression and thus lead to G1 phase arrest. When SW-480 cells were pretreated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), the ROS generation, cell viability and apoptotic ratio were partially declined, which indicated that ROS was vertical in the pro-apoptosis process induced by FPKc. Moreover, in the whole process, ES which has been previously found in FPKc had the similar effect to FPKc. Thus we could conclude that ES, as one of the highest abundant components in FPKc, might also be one of the active constituents.

Conclusion/Significance

FPKc could inhibit the migration of SW-480 cells, induce SW-480 cells G1 phase arrest and cause ROS-mediated apoptosis effect. And ES might be one of the effective constituents in the whole process.     

Quantitative imaging of apoptosis commitment in colorectal tumor cells

We have studied caspase-3 activation by combined DNA damage induction and EGFR kinase inhibition in order to identify potential EGFR-mediated survival signals conferring resistance to apoptosis in human colorectal tumor cells. The onset of apoptosis was microscopically imaged with a newly developed caspase-3 substrate sensor based on EGFP and tHcred1, enabling us to monitor caspase-3 activation in cells by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy or fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Both optical approaches provide parameters quantitatively reporting the ratio between cleaved and uncleaved sensor, thereby facilitating the comparison of caspase-3 activation between different cells. Using these methods, we show that EGFR kinase inhibitors sensitize colorectal SW-480 tumor cells for 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis, indicating that EGFR-mediated survival signaling contributes to apoptosis resistance via its intrinsic kinase activity.     

Anti-Cancer Effect and the Underlying Mechanisms of Gypenosides on Human Colorectal Cancer SW-480 Cells

Background

Gypenosides (Gyp), the main components from Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino, are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-cancer effect and the underlying mechanisms of Gyp on human colorectal cancer cells SW-480.

Materials and Methods

The inhibitory effect of Gyp on SW-480 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Apoptotic cell death was detected by nuclear Hoechst 33342 staining and DNA fragmentation analysis. Apoptosis was analyzed using Annexin V-PE/7-amino-actinomycin D staining. Cell membrane integrity was evaluated with flow cytometry following PI staining. Changes of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ _m) were detected through flow cytometry analysis of rhodamine 123 (Rh123). The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Gyp induced cell death was investigated by intracellular ROS generation and general ROS scavenger. Wound-healing assay was carried out to investigate Gyp-inhibited migration of SW-480 cells in vitro. Additionally, the alterations in F-actin microfilaments were analyzed by FITC-labeled phalloidin toxin staining and the morphological changes were evaluated under scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Results

After the Gyp treatment, the plasma membrane permeability of SW-480 cell was increased, Δψ _m was decreased significantly, the level of intracellular ROS level was increased, DNA fragmentation and apoptotic morphology were observed. Cells treated with Gyp exert serious microfilament network collapse as well as the significant decrease in the number of microvilli. Gyp induced the changes of cell viability, cell migration, intracellular ROS generation and nuclear morphology were alleviated obviously by NAC.

Conclusion

The results in this study implied that ROS play an important role in Gyp induced cell toxicity and apoptosis, and the mitochondria damage may be upstream of ROS generation post Gyp treatment. The findings of the present study provide new evidences for anti-tumor mechanisms by which Gyp induces apoptosis in vitro.     

Effects of cisplatin and gamma-irradiation on cell survival, the induction of chromosomal aberrations and apoptosis in SW-1573 cells

PURPOSE: Cisplatin was found to radiosensitize SW-1573 cells by inhibition of PLDR. Therefore, it was investigated whether cisplatin combined with gamma-radiation leads to an increase in the number of chromosomal aberrations or apoptotic cells compared with radiation alone. METHODS: Confluent cultures of the human lung carcinoma cell line SW-1573 were treated with 1 microM cisplatin for 1 h, 4 Gy gamma-radiation, or a combination of both. Cell survival was studied by the clonogenic assay. Aberrations were analysed by FISH in prematurely condensed chromosomes (PCC) and the induction of apoptosis by counting fragmented nuclei. RESULTS: A radiosensitizing effect of cisplatin on cell survival was observed if time for PLDR was allowed. An increased number of chromosomal fragments were observed immediately after irradiation compared with 24 h after irradiation whereas color junctions are only formed 24 h after irradiation. No increase in chromosomal aberrations was found after combined treatment, but a significantly enhanced number of fragmented nuclei were observed when confluent cultures were replated after allowing PLDR. CONCLUSION: The inhibition of PLDR by cisplatin in delayed plated SW-1573 cells did not increase chromosomal aberrations, but increased the induction of apoptosis.     

Gene modulation by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor,sulindac sulfide,in human colorectal carcinoma cells: possible link to apoptosis

The mechanisms underlying the anti-tumorigenic properties of cyclooxygenase inhibitors are not well understood. One novel hypothesis is alterations in gene expression. To test this hypothesis sulindac sulfide, which is used to treat familial adenomatous polyposis, was selected to detect gene modulation in human colorectal cells at physiological concentrations with microarray analysis. At micromolar concentrations, sulindac sulfide stimulated apoptosis and inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer cells on soft agar. Sulindac sulfide (10 microm) altered the expression of 65 genes in SW-480 colorectal cancer cells, which express cyclooxygenase-1 but little cyclooxygenase-2. A more detailed study of 11 genes revealed that their expression was altered in a time- and dose-dependent manner as measured by real-time RT-PCR. Northern analysis confirmed the expression of 9 of these genes, and Western analysis supported the conclusion that sulindac sulfide altered the expression of these proteins. Cyclooxygenase-deficient HCT-116 cells were more responsive to sulindac sulfide-induced gene expression than SW-480 cells. However, this response was diminished in HCT-116 cells overexpressing cyclooxygenase-1 compared with normal HCT-116 cells suggesting the presence of cyclooxygenase attenuates this response. However, prostaglandin E2, the main product of cyclooxygenase, only suppressed the sulindac sulfide-induced expression of two genes, with little known biological function while it modulated the expression of two more. The most likely explanation for this finding is the metabolism of sulindac sulfide to inactive metabolites by the peroxidase activity of cyclooxygenase. In conclusion, this is the first report showing sulindac sulfide, independent of cyclooxygenase, altered the expression of several genes possibly linked to its anti-tumorigenic and pro-apoptotic activity.     

A novel nitro-oxy substituted analogue of rofecoxib reduces human colon cancer cell growth

Rofecoxib is a specific COX-2 inhibitor able to exert antiproliferative activity against colorectal cancer cells. It was withdrawn from the market after the demonstration of an increased risk of cardiovascular complications after prolonged use. Nevertheless, it remains an interesting compound for laboratory research as an experimental COX-2 inhibitor. In this study, the antiproliferative activity of a novel dinitro-oxy-substituted analogue of rofecoxib (NO-rofe), potentially less cardiotoxic, has been investigated in vitro on human colon cancer cells and compared with the action of the parent drug. Due to the fact that COX-2 inhibition is the main characteristic of coxibs, we performed all experiments in COX-2-overexpressing (HT-29) and COX-2-negative (SW-480) human colon cancer cells, to elucidate whether the observed effects were dependent on COX-2 inhibition. Moreover, experiments were performed in order to evaluate whether COX-2 pharmacological inhibition may affect beta-catenin/E-cadherin signaling pathway. NO-rofe exerted a significant antiproliferative activity on COX-2 positive HT-29 human colon cancer cells, being less effective on the COX-2 negative SW-480 human colon cancer cell line. In particular, the rofecoxib analogue retained similar potencies with respect to COX-2 inhibition but was much more active than rofecoxib in inhibiting the growth of human colon cancer cells in vitro. In addition, this novel compound resulted in the induction of membrane β-catenin/E-cadherin expression, a feature that may significantly contribute to its antiproliferative activity.     

CK2 inhibition induces apoptosis via the ER stress response

Protein kinase CK2 is a ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine kinase consisting of two catalytic α/α′ and two regulatory β subunits. Expression of CK2 is highly elevated in tumor cells where it protects cells from apoptosis. Accordingly inhibition of CK2 is known to induce programmed cell death, making it a promising target for cancer therapy. In the present study we investigated apoptosis induction by the CK2 inhibitor 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBB) in prostate tumor cells. In contrast to PC-3 cells LNCaP cells respond to CK2 inhibition with apoptosis. Most interestingly we found the mitochondrial pathway induced in LNCaP as well as in PC-3 cells as monitored by down-regulation of bcl-2 and subsequent cytochrome c release. In both cell lines activation of caspase 9 was not detected. Instead, an activation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response in LNCaP cells after treatment with the CK2 inhibitor TBB was found. We show that this ER stress response led to an up-regulation of the death receptor DR5 and subsequent apoptosis in LNCaP cells.     

胰岛素样生长因子1（IGF-I）通过PI-3K/Akt途径对结肠癌细胞凋亡的影响

目的：探讨胰岛素样生长因子-1（IGF-I）通过磷酯酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B（PI-3K/Akt）信号通路对结肠癌细胞株SW480凋亡率的影响及其凋亡抑制蛋白survivin表达水平的变化。方法：培养结肠癌SW480细胞株,实验分成三组：未加IGF-I空白组、IGF-I刺激组、IGF-I＋LY294002阻断组,检测阻断剂LY294002是否阻断PI-3K/Akt通路（Western Blot检测三组P-Akt表达情况）;Western Blot及免疫荧光观察三组survivin蛋白表达变化;MTT法检测细胞增殖活性,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况。结果：Western blot结果显示LY294002可抑制IGF-I诱导的p-Akt的表达（P〈0.05）;阻断IGF-I诱导的PI-3K/Akt通路后MTT显示结肠癌细胞SW480增殖抑制率升高（P〈0.05）,流式细胞术分析显示凋亡率明显上升（P〈0.05）;Western blot及免疫荧光结果显示LY294002可抑制IGF-I诱导的survivin的表达（P〈0.05）。结论：IGF-I可通过PI-3K/Akt通路诱导survivin表达,从而抑制结肠癌细胞SW480的凋亡。