Inhibition of cyclic GMP formation and aggregation in Dictyostelium by the intracellular Ca2+ antagonist TMB-8

Aggregation in Dictyostelium discoideum was shown in previous studies employing EGTA to require Ca2+, but the intra- or extracellular site of action of this ion and its role in chemotaxis were not determined [1]. In this investigation we show that the intracellular Ca2+ immobilising agent TMB-8 does not affect binding of the signalling nucleotide, cAMP, to the cell surface receptors but abolishes the rapid accumulation of intracellular cGMP and subsequent chemotactic aggregation. We infer that movement of Ca2+ from membrane-bound stores is triggered by binding of cAMP to the cell-surface receptor and that this plays a primary role in stimulating cGMP formation and chemotaxis.     

壳寡糖对肝癌细胞SMMC-7721中Bcl-2和Caspase-3表达的影响

目的检测壳寡糖对人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞的抑制效果及对凋亡调控蛋白Bcl-2和Caspase-3的影响。方法采用噻唑蓝（MTT）法检测不同浓度壳寡糖对肝癌细胞SMMC-7721细胞增殖的抑制作用,并利用荧光Hoechst33258染色法检测细胞凋亡状况。最后通过免疫细胞化学方法研究壳寡糖对肝癌细胞SMMC-7721中Bcl-2和Caspase-3表达的影响。结果壳寡糖能够抑制SMMC-7721细胞增殖,并且促进SMMC-7721细胞的凋亡,并且壳寡糖能够上调促凋亡蛋白Caspase-3的表达和降低抑制凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达。结论壳寡糖对人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞的增殖有抑制作用,此作用可能是通过促进Caspase-3的表达和抑制Bcl-2的表达来实现的。     

Cyclic GMP and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase in brown adipose tissue of developing rats

In order to ascertain the possible involvement of cyclic GMP in the physiological regulation of the function and development of brown fat of the rat, we have determined its tissue concentration in vivo under a variety of conditions. The steady-state concentration of cyclic GMP in interscapular brown adipose tissue of late foetus was about 80 pmol per g fresh weight. The concentration gradually declined during the first 2 weeks after birth to reach 40 pmol/g fresh weight and then remained constant into adulthood. The cyclic GMP content of brown fat was decreased by chemical sympathectomy and was increased after complete acclimatization of the animals to the cold. The activity of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase was also highest in tissue from newborn and cold-acclimatized rats.Both acute cold stress and injection of norepinephrine resulted in a significant but temporary increase in the concentration of cyclic GMP in brown fat, which was followed by a depression of the concentration below values in untreated animals. The concentration of cyclic AMP showed similar pattern of changes. Injection of phenylephrine was followed by a pronounced increase in the cyclic GMP content of brown fat, with little effect upon cyclic AMP. Injection of isoproterenol raised the content of cyclic AMP but not that of cyclic GMP. The ability of norepinephrine and phenylephrine to increase the concentration of cyclic GMP was abolished by pre-treatment of the animals with phenoxybenzamine, but not by pre-treatment with propranolol. Conversely, propranolol but not phenoxybenzamine abolished the effects of norepinephrine on the cyclic AMP content of the tissue.Thus we have established the responsiveness of the cyclic GMP content of brown fat to physiological and pharmacological stimuli and have evidence of the possible participation by cyclic GMP in the α-adrenergic stimulation and in the regulation of proliferative processes in the tissue.     

Occurrence of guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (Cyclic GMP) and associated enzyme systems in Phaseolus vulgaris

Cyclic GMP, isolated from Phaseolus vulgaris, has been unequivocally identified by NMR and FAB-mass spectrometry with MIKES-scanning. Radioimmunoas     

苦参碱对肝癌细胞增殖凋亡及stat3、stat5基因的影响

观察苦参碱对SMMC-7721细胞增殖、凋亡及stat3s、tat5基因的影响。用MTT法检测不同浓度苦参碱对SMMC-7721细胞增殖的抑制作用,双荧光染色观察细胞凋亡率,RT-PCR半定量检测stat3s、tat5基因的表达。结果发现苦参碱有抑制细胞增殖促进凋亡的作用,并呈时间剂量依赖性;不同浓度苦参碱作用于SMMC-7721细胞后stat3s、tat5的mRNA水平明显下调(P<0.01),其中高浓度苦参碱的作用更强。苦参碱能显著抑制SMMC-7721细胞增殖、促进其凋亡,其机制可能与下调stat3s、tat5的基因表达有关。     

Modulation by gibberellic acid and adenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate of starch hydrolysing activity of cowpea seedlings

In cowpea seedlings starch hydrolysing activity increases 35–50 fold on germination for 4 days. This increase in enzyme activity was inhibited by the in vivo addition of 1% glucose but this inhibition was completely overcome by the addition of gibberellic acid (GA₃) (10^?5 M) and adenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) (10^?5 M). At 5% glucose, GA₃ and cAMP were only partially effective. Structural analogues of cAMP failed to relieve the inhibitory effect of glucose. The inhibition by glucose is not direct but RNA and protein synthesis may be involved. Glucose appears to reduce the internal pool of cAMP which causes inhibition of RNA synthesis and decrease in starch hydrolysing activity. Exogenous application of cAMP may replenish the endogenous pool of cyclic nucleotide and thus overcome inhibition of RNA synthesis and enzyme activity.     

ACTH-induced refractoriness in cultured adrenal cell line (Y1).

Treatment of cultured mouse adrenal cells Y₁ with ACTH induced cell refractoriness to further hormonal stimulation. When ACTH was added to the cells every 2 hours the first addition increased the levels of 20αOH-progesterone and cAMP secreted into the medium. Upon the second and third additions of ACTH the levels of 20αOH-progesterone and cAMP secreted were greatly diminished and upon the fourth addition of ACTH were absent. Prolonged incubation (14 hours) with different concentrations of ACTH (5 × 10^?11 M to 10^?6 M) induced a dose-related steroidogenic refractoriness to further ACTH stimulation, 10^?8 M ACTH inducing complete refractoriness. The number of ACTH binding sites of cell particles prepared from desensitized cells was similar to that of the control but ACTH failed to stimulate the adenylate cyclase of desensitized cells, whereas the enzyme responded fully to NaF and Gpp(NH)p. The cAMP phosphodiesterase activity was similar in both desensitized and control cells. In addition the steroidogenic response to dibutyryl cAMP of desensitized cells was abolished. Thus, ACTH-induced adrenal cell desensitization seems to be related to at least two phenomena : a defect in the “coupling” between the hormone-receptor sites and the adenylate cyclase and an alteration of certain steps beyond cAMP formation.     

Inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis by genistein in experimental hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in the world, with increasing incidence in many developed countries. Epidemiological data suggest that consumption of soy products may be associated with a decreased risk of cancer. We investigate the effects of genistein on cell proliferation, apoptosis and caspase-3 in DEN induced (200 mg/kg body weight; by single intraperitoneal injection) and Phenobarbital promoted (0.05% through drinking water for 14 successive weeks) cancer-bearing rats. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect cell proliferating markers proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), DNA fragmentation was determined by agarose gel electrophoresis and terminal deoxynucleatide transferase dUTP nick labeling (TUNEL) staining and caspase by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis and activation of caspase-3 in genistein treated animals. From these results, we conclude that genistein inhibit cell proliferation, induced apoptosis. This activation of caspsase-3 in genistein treated liver cancer bearing animals correlated well with its apoptosis inducing effect.     

Studies on the synthesis of CDP-diacylglycerol: Stimulation by GTP and inhibition by ATP and fluoride

The rat liver microsomal enzyme CTP: phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase (EC 2.7.7.41) which catalyzes the formation of CDP-diacylglycerol has been found to be markedly stimulated by GTP. The requirement for GTP is absolute, the novel GTP analogues such as guanosine 5′-[β,γ-methylene]-triphosphate, guanosine 5′-[α,β-methylene]-triphosphate, guanosine 5′-[β,γ-imido]-triphosphate and guanosine 3′-diphosphate 5′-diphosphate are without significant effect. Maximal stimulation occurs at 1 mM GTP. ATP at a concentration of 5 mM totally inhibits the formation of CDP-diacylglycerol even in the presence of optimal GTP concentration. Analogues of ATP such as adenosine 5′-[α,β-methylene]-triphosphate, adenosine 5′-[β,γ-methylene]-triphosphate and adenosine 5′-[β,γ-imido]-triphosphate are without effect on the reaction. The addition of fluoride (8 mM) likewise abolishes the stimulatory effect of GTP.     

Agonist-specific desensitization of PGI2-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation by PGE1 in human foreskin fibroblasts

Agonist-specific desensitization of prostaglandin I₂-stimulated (PGI₂)¹ adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) accumulation can be demonstrated in intact human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) following a single exposure to PGE₁ or a stable PGI₂ analog (nitrilo-PGI₂). A single PGI₂-stimulation of HFF cells does not result in desensitization. Continuous re-addition of PGI₂ over a 4 hr period does induce desensitization to subsequent PGI₂-stimulation. HFF cells that are desensitized to PGI₂ are also desensitized to PGE₁ or nitrilo-PGI₂ stimulation indicating that these agonists share a common adenylate cyclase complex. Desensitization to PGI₂ can be measured after a 60 min, but not after a 30 min, exposure to PGE₁ or nitrilo-PGI₂. Once HFF cells are desensitized, a 12–24 hr period is required for the recovery of PGI₂ sensitivity.The adenylate cyclase in membranes prepared from intact cells that were preincubated with PGE₁ is also desensitized to subsequent PGI₂-stimulation. Preincubation of cells with PGI₂ does not induce desensitization of PGI₂-stimulated adenylate cyclase. These data suggest that HFF cells must be constantly exposed to a biologically active prostaglandin for desensitization to occur. The intrinsic chemical lability of PGI₂ may be a biochemical protection mechanism against desensitization in cells that normally respond to PGI₂.     

Roles of GTP and GDP in the regulation of the thyroid adenylate cyclase system

Effects of guanine nucleotides on the adenylate cyclase activity of thyroid plasma membranes were investigated by monitoring metabolism of the radiolabeled nucleotides by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). When ATP was used as substrate with a nucleotide-regeneratign system, TSH stimulated the adenylate cyclase activity in the absence of exogenous guanine nucleotide. Addition of GTP and GDP equally enhanced the TSH stimulation. Effects of GTP and GDP were indistinguishable in regard to their inhibitory effects on NaF-stimulated activities. The results from TLC suggested that GDP could be converted to GTP by a nucleotide-regenerating system. Even in the absence of nucleotide-regenerating system, addition of GDP to the adenylate cyclase assay mixture int he parallel decrease in ATP levels and formation of GTP indicating that thyroid plasma membrane preparatiosn possessed a transphosphorylating activity. When an ATP analog, App[NH]p, was used as substrate without a nucleotide-regenerating system, no conversion of GDP to GTP was observed. Under such conditions, TSH did not stimulate the adenylate cyclase activity unless exogenous GTP or Gpp[NH]p was added. GDP no longer supported TSH stimulation and caused a slight decrease in the activity. GDP was less inhibitory than Gpp(NH)p to the NaF-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. These results suggest: (1) TSH stimulation of thyroid adenylate cyclase is absolutely dependent on the regulatory nucleotides. (2) In contrst to GTP, GDP cannot support the coupling of the receptor-TSH complex to the catalytic componenet of adenylate cyclase. (3) The nucleotide regulatory site is more inhibitory to the stimulation of the enzyme by NaF when occupied by Gpp[NH]p than GDP.     

三氧化二砷对肝癌细胞系SMMC-7721凋亡及 Smac caspase-9、caspase-3 蛋白表达的影响

目的：研究三氧化二砷（As203）对人肝癌细胞SMMC-7721的促凋亡作用及对Smac、caspase-9、caspase-3表达的影响。方法：人肝癌细胞SMMC-7721经As20,处理,共分为四组,分别为空白对照组、低剂量组、中等剂量组、高剂量组。分别采用MTT、Hoechst33258染色法、Annexin V-FITC／PI双染法观察其对SMMC．7721细胞增殖的抑制,凋亡细胞核的形态学变化,以及诱导凋亡作用;采用Westemblot法检测凋亡相关蛋白Smac、caspase-9、caspase-3表达的变化。结果：MTT显示：As203在体外能明显抑制SMMC-7721的生长,具有时间剂量依赖关系,与空白对照组相比,其余三组细胞生存率明显下降,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;Hoechst33258显示细胞呈明显的凋亡细胞形态学特征,具有剂量依赖性;AnnexinV-FITC／PI双染法显示：As203作用24小时可诱导SMMC-7721细胞凋亡,且呈剂量依赖性,与空白对照组相比（2．69±0．58）,其余三组（4．01±0．58）、（5．99±1．69）、（9．26±2．34）差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;Westernblot显示：As2O3作用SMMC-7721细胞24小时,Smac、caspase-9、caspase-3表达上升,呈剂量依赖性,与空白对照组相比,其余三组蛋白表达量明显增加,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：-定量的As203能抑制SMMC-7721细胞增殖,促进其凋亡,其机制可能与调控Smac、caspase-9、caspase-3表达有关。     

In vitro and in vivo conditional sensitization of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to TNF-induced apoptosis by Taxol

High mortality among hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients reflects both late diagnosis and low curability, due to pharmacoresistance. Taxol (TAX) is toxic for many human HCC-derived cell lines, yet its clinical efficacy on HCCs is poor. Combining TAX with other drugs appears a promising possibility to overcome such refractoriness. We analyzed whether combining tumor necrosis factor (TNF) with TAX would improve their toxicity. Human HCC-derived cell lines were treated with TAX or TNF, alone or combined. Apoptosis was assessed by morphology and flow-cytometry. Several pro- and anti-apoptotic molecules were evaluated by western blotting and/or enzymatic assay. After a 24 hour treatment, TNF was ineffective and TAX modestly cytotoxic, whereas HCC cells were conditionally sensitized to TNF by TAX. Indeed some relevant parameters were shifted to a prodeath setting: TNF-receptor 1 was increased, SOCS3, c-FLIP and pSTAT3 were markedly downregulated. These observations provide a significant clue to critically improve the drug susceptibility of HCC cells by combining 2 agents, TAX and TNF. The sequential application of TAX at a low dosage followed by TNF for only a short time triggered a strong apoptotic response. Of interest, prior TAX administration could also sensitize to TNF-induced apoptosis in the Yoshida AH-130 hepatoma transplanted in mice. Therefore, scrutinizing the possibility to develop similar combination drug regimens in suitable preclinical models seems highly advisable.     

Differential regulation of CC chemokine receptors by 9-cis retinoic acid in the human mast cell line, HMC-1

Mast cells are well known as effector cells in a variety of inflammatory diseases, including asthma as well as other allergic disorders. The precise role of 9-cis retinoic acid (9CRA) in mast cells is not understood despite the accepted fact that 9CRA regulates inflammatory responses and neutrophil differentiation. In this study, we investigated the effects of 9CRA on the expression of CC chemokine receptors in the human mast cell line, HMC-1. 9CRA selectively inhibits the CCR2 mRNA level and increases the CCR3 mRNA level in both a time and dose dependent manner. Other CC chemokine receptors, including CCR1, CCR4 and CCR5 are not altered by treatment with 9CRA. Both TNF-alpha and LPS, known pro-inflammatory molecules, have no effect on mRNA levels of CC chemokine receptors. For surface expression, 9CRA decreased the CCR2 level but had no effect on the CCR3 level. 9CRA inhibited the chemotactic activity in response to the CCR2-dependent chemokine, MCP-1/CCL2 but not in response to CCR3-specific chemokine, eotaxin/CCL11. 9CRA decreased spontaneous homotype clustering. Therefore, our results demonstrate that 9CRA differentially decreases both CCR2 expression and chemotactic ability of HMC-1 cells, and may regulate the inflammatory effects of mast cells.