Akt, MAPK (Erk1/2), and p38 act in concert to promote apoptosis in response to ErbB receptor family inhibition

The ErbB receptor family is implicated in the malignant transformation of several tumor types and is overexpressed frequently in breast, ovarian, and other tumors. The mechanism by which CI-1033 and gemcitabine, either singly or in combination, kill tumor cells was examined in two breast lines, MDA-MB-453 and BT474; both overexpress the ErbB-2 receptor. CI-1033, a potent inhibitor of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases, reduced levels of activated Akt in MDA-MB-453 cells. This effect alone, however, did not induce apoptosis in these cells. Gemcitabine treatment resulted in a moderate increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells that was accompanied by activation of p38 and MAPK (ERK1/2). CI-1033 given 24 h after gemcitabine produced a significant increase in the apoptotic fraction over treatment with either drug alone. During the combined treatment p38 remained activated, whereas Akt and activated MAPK were suppressed. Substitution of CI-1033 with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 and the MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitor PD 098059 in combination with gemcitabine produced the same results as the combination of CI-1033 and gemcitabine. p38 suppression by SB203580 prevented the enhanced cell kill by CI-1033. In contrast to MDA-MB-453, BT474 cells exhibited activated p38 under unstressed conditions as well as activated Akt and MAPK. Treatment of BT474 cells with CI-1033 inhibited both the phosphorylation of Akt and MAPK and resulted in a 47% apoptotic fraction. Gemcitabine did not cause apoptosis in the BT474 cells. These data indicate that suppression of Akt and MAPK in the presence of activated p38 results in cell death and a possible mechanism for the enhanced apoptosis produced by the combination of CI-1033 and gemcitabine in MDA-MB-453 cells. Furthermore, tumors that depend on ErbB receptor signaling for survival and exhibit activated p38 in the basal state may be susceptible to apoptosis by CI-1033 as a single agent.     

Irreversible pan-ErbB tyrosine kinase inhibitor CI-1033 induces caspase-independent apoptosis in colorectal cancer DiFi cell line

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in the majority of colorectal carcinomas and represents a target for therapeutic interventions with signal transduction inhibitors. We investigated the ability of CI-1033 to induce apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation in the colorectal cancer cell lines DiFi and Caco-2, which both express high levels of EGFR. While in Caco-2 cells CI-1033 treatment at a concentration 0.1 μ M for 72 hours demonstrated only antiproliferative (53.7 ± 4.3%) but no pro-apoptotic effects, treatment of DiFi cells resulted in a reduced proliferation rate (31.4 ± 3.1%) and in apoptosis (44.2 ± 8.9%). In order to define proteins involved in the regulation of apoptosis, we aimed to determine differences in the proteome profile of both cell lines before and after treatment with CI-1033. Cellular proteins were analyzed by 2-D gel electrophoresis followed by computational image analysis and mass spectrometry. Our data show that DiFi cells differ from Caco-2 cells in nine significantly upregulated proteins, and their potential role in apoptosis is described. We demonstrate that induction of apoptosis was triggered via caspase-independent pathways. Overexpression of leukocyte elastase inhibitor (LEI) and translocation of cathepsin D to the cytosol accompanied by upregulation of other defined proteins resulted in Bax-independent AIF translocation from mitochondria into the nucleus and apoptosis. Definition of these proteins can pave the way for functional studies and contribute to a better understanding of the effects of CI-1033 and the pathways of caspase-independent cell death.     

The novel triterpenoid 2-cyano-3,12-dioxoolean-1,9-dien-28-oic acid induces apoptosis of human myeloid leukemia cells by a caspase-8-dependent mechanism.

The oleanane triterpenoid 2-cyano-3,12-dioxoolean-1,9-dien-28-oic acid (CDDO) is a multifunctional molecule that induces growth inhibition and differentiation of human myeloid leukemia cells. The present studies demonstrate that CDDO treatment results in apoptosis of U-937 and HL-60 myeloid leukemia cells. Similar to 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C), another agent that inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of these cells, CDDO induced the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3. Overexpression of Bcl-X(L) blocked cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activation, and apoptosis in ara-C-treated cells. By contrast, CDDO-induced release of cytochrome c, and activation of caspase-3 were diminished only in part by Bcl-X(L). In concert with these findings, we demonstrate that CDDO, but not ara-C, activates caspase-8 and thereby caspase-3 by a cytochrome c-independent mechanism. The results also show that CDDO-induced cytochrome c release is mediated by caspase-8-dependent cleavage of Bid. These findings demonstrate that CDDO induces apoptosis of myeloid leukemia cells and that this novel agent activates an apoptotic signaling cascade distinct from that induced by the cytotoxic agent ara-C.     

Calpain-mediated Bid cleavage and calpain-independent Bak modulation: two separate pathways in cisplatin-induced apoptosis

Calpain is a ubiquitous protease with potential involvement in apoptosis. We report that in human melanoma cells, cisplatin-induced calpain activation occurs early in apoptosis. Calpain activation and subsequent apoptosis were inhibited by calpeptin and PD150606, two calpain inhibitors with different modes of action. Furthermore, cisplatin induced cleavage of the BH3-only protein Bid, yielding a 14-kDa fragment similar to proapoptotic, caspase-cleaved Bid. However, Bid cleavage was inhibited by inhibitors of calpain, but not by inhibitors of caspases or of cathepsin L. Recombinant Bid was cleaved in vitro by both recombinant calpain and by lysates of cisplatin-treated cells. Cleavage was calpeptin sensitive, and the cleavage site was mapped between Gly70 and Arg71. Calpain-cleaved Bid induced cytochrome c release from isolated mitochondria. While calpeptin did not affect cisplatin-induced modulation of Bak to its proapoptotic conformation, a dominant-negative mutant of MEKK1 (dnMEKK) inhibited Bak modulation. dnMEKK did not, however, block Bid cleavage. The combination of dnMEKK and calpeptin had an additive inhibitory effect on apoptosis. In summary, calpain-mediated Bid cleavage is important in drug-induced apoptosis, and cisplatin induces at least two separate apoptotic signaling pathways resulting in Bid cleavage and Bak modulation, respectively.     

Ionizing radiation can overcome resistance to TRAIL in TRAIL-resistant cancer cells

Although the majority of cancer cells are killed by TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand treatment), certain types show resistance to it. Ionizing radiation also induces cell death in cancer cells and may share common intracellular pathways with TRAIL leading to apoptosis. In the present study, we examined whether ionizing radiation could overcome TRAIL resistance in the variant Jurkat clones. We first selected TRAIL-resistant or -sensitive Jurkat clones and examined cross-responsiveness of the clones between TRAIL and radiation. Treatment with gamma-radiation induced significant apoptosis in all the clones, indicating that there seemed to be no cross-resistance between TRAIL and radiation. Combined treatment of radiation with TRAIL synergistically enhanced killing of TRAIL-resistant cells, compared to TRAIL or radiation alone. Apoptosis induced by combined treatment of TRAIL and radiation in TRAIL-resistant cells was associated with cleavage of caspase-8 and the proapoptotic Bid protein, resulting in the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. No changes in the expressions of TRAIL receptors (DR4 and DR5) and Bcl-2 or Bax were found after treatment. The caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk completely counteracted the synergistic cell killing induced by combined treatment of TRAIL and gamma-radiation. These results demonstrated that ionizing radiation in combination with TRAIL could overcome resistance to TRAIL in TRAIL-resistant cells through TRAIL receptor-independent synergistic activation of the cascades of the caspase-8 pathway, suggesting a potential clinical application of combination treatment of TRAIL and ionizing radiation to TRAIL-resistant cancer cells.     

N-acetylphytosphingosine enhances the radiosensitivity of lung cancer cell line NCI-H460

Ceramides are well-known second messengers that induce apoptosis in various kinds of cancer cells, and their effects are closely related to radiation sensitivity. Phytoceramides, the yeast counterparts of the mammalian ceramides, are also reported to induce apoptosis. We investigated the effect of a novel ceramide derivative, N-acetylphytosphingosine (NAPS), on the radiosensitivity of NCI-H460 human lung carcinoma cells and its differential cytotoxicity in tumor and normal cells. The combination of NAPS with radiation significantly increased clonogenic cell death and caspase-dependent apoptosis. The combined treatment greatly increased Bax expression and Bid cleavage, but not Bcl-2 expression. However, there was no effect on radiosensitivity and apoptosis in BEAS2B cells, which derive from normal human bronchial epithelium. Cell proliferation and DNA synthesis were significantly inhibited by NAPS in both NCI-H460 and BEAS2B cells, but only the BEAS2B cells recovered by 48h after removal of the NAPS. Furthermore, the NCI-H460 cells underwent more DNA fragmentation than the BEAS2B cells in response to NAPS. Our results indicate that NAPS may be a potential radiosensitizing agent with differential effects on tumor vs. normal cells.     

An endogenous prostaglandin enhances environmental phthalate-induced apoptosis in bone marrow B cells: activation of distinct but overlapping pathways

Phthalate esters are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that are produced for a variety of common industrial and commercial purposes. We have shown that mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), the toxic metabolite of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, induces bone marrow B cell apoptosis that is enhanced in the presence of the endogenous prostaglandin 15-deoxy-Delta((12, 14))-PGJ(2) (15d-PGJ(2)). Here, studies were performed to determine whether 15d-PGJ(2)-mediated enhancement of MEHP-induced apoptosis represents activation of an overlapping or complementary apoptosis pathway. MEHP and 15d-PGJ(2) induced significant apoptosis within 8 and 5 h, respectively, in a pro/pre-B cell line and acted cooperatively to induce apoptosis in primary pro-B cells. Apoptosis induced with each chemical was accompanied by activation of a combination of initiator caspases (caspases-2, -8, and -9) and executed by caspase-3. Apoptosis induced with MEHP and 15d-PGJ(2) was reduced in APAF1 null primary pro-B cells and accompanied by alteration of mitochondrial membranes, albeit with different kinetics, indicating an intrinsically activated apoptosis pathway. Significant Bax translocation to the mitochondria supports its role in initiating release of cytochrome c. Both chemicals induced Bid cleavage, a result consistent with a truncated Bid-mediated release of cytochrome c in an apoptosis amplification feedback loop; however, significantly more Bid was cleaved following 15d-PGJ(2) treatment, potentially differentiating the two pathways. Indeed, Bid cleavage and cytochrome c release following 15d-PGJ(2) but not MEHP treatment was profoundly inhibited by Z-VAD-FMK, suggesting that 15d-PGJ(2) activates apoptosis via two pathways, Bax mobilization and protease-dependent Bid cleavage. Thus, endogenous 15d-PGJ(2)-mediated enhancement of environmental chemical-induced apoptosis represents activation of an overlapping but distinct signaling pathway.     

Caspase-2-induced apoptosis requires bid cleavage: a physiological role for bid in heat shock-induced death

The mechanisms through which Caspase-2 leads to cell death are controversial. Here we show, using a combination of cell-free and cell culture-based approaches, that cleavage of the Bcl-2-family protein Bid is required for the induction of apoptosis by Caspase-2. Caspase-2 promoted cytochrome c release from mitochondria in the presence of cytosol from wild-type, but not Bid-deficient, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Recombinant wild-type Bid, but not a noncleavable mutant (D59E), restored cytochrome c release. Similarly, Bid-null MEFs were relatively resistant to apoptosis triggered by active Caspase-2, and apoptosis was restored in Bid-null cells by the expression of wild-type, but not D59E, Bid. Finally, Bid-null MEFs were substantially more resistant to apoptosis induced by heat shock, which has been shown to be dependent on apical activation of Caspase-2. The data are consistent with a model in which Caspase-2 induces apoptosis via cleavage of Bid at D59 and the subsequent engagement of the mitochondrial (intrinsic) pathway.     

The impact of autophagy on cell death modalities in CRL-5876 lung adenocarcinoma cells after their exposure to γ-rays and/or erlotinib

In most patients with lung cancer radiation treatment is used either as single agent or in combination with radiosensitizing drugs. However, the mechanisms underlying combined therapy and its impact on different modes of cell death have not yet been fully elucidated. We aimed to examine effects of single and combined treatments with γ-rays and erlotinib on radioresistant CRL-5876 human lung adenocarcinoma cells with particular emphasis on cell death. CRL-5876 cells were treated with γ-rays and/or erlotinib and changes in cell cycle, DNA repair dynamics, ultrastructure, nuclear morphology and protein expression were monitored at different time points. To reveal the relationship between types of cell death that arise after these treatments, autophagy was blocked with chloroquine. We found that higher dose of γ-rays causes G2/M arrest while adding of erlotinib to this treatment decreases the number of cells in S phase. Impact of erlotinib on kinetics of disappearance of irradiation-induced DNA double strand breaks is reflected in the increase of residual γ-H2AX foci after 24 h. γ-rays provoke cytoprotective autophagy which precedes development of senescence. Erlotinib predominantly induces apoptosis and enlarges the number of apoptotic cells in the irradiated CRL-5876 cells. Chloroquine improved cytotoxicity induced by radiation and erlotinib, increased apoptosis and decreased senescence in the CRL-5876 cells. The results obtained on CRL-5876 cells indicate significant radiosensitizing effect of erlotinib and suggest that chloroquine in the combination with the above treatments may have an additional antitumor effect in lung adenocarcinoma.     

The combination of TRAIL and luteolin enhances apoptosis in human cervical cancer HeLa cells

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is one of the most promising candidates for cancer therapeutics. However, some tumor cells are resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Our previous studies have shown that luteolin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, induces the up-regulation of death receptor 5 (DR5), which is a receptor for TRAIL. Here, we show for the first time that luteolin synergistically acts with exogenous soluble recombinant human TRAIL to induce apoptosis in HeLa cells, but not in normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The combined use of luteolin and TRAIL induced Bid cleavage and the activation of caspase-8. Also, human recombinant DR5/Fc chimera protein, caspase inhibitors, and DR5 siRNA efficiently reduced apoptosis induced by co-treatment with luteolin and TRAIL. These results raise the possibility that this combined treatment with luteolin and TRAIL might be promising as a new therapy against cancer.     

Resveratrol induces mitochondria-mediated AIF and to a lesser extent caspase-9-dependent apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma ASTC-a-1 cells

Resveratrol (RV), a natural plant polyphenol widely present in foods such as grapes, wine, and peanuts, has an ability to inhibit various stages of carcinogenesis in vitro and in vivo. In this report, we explored the roles of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways during RV-induced apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma (ASTC-a-1) cells. After exposure of cells to different concentrations of RV, we found that RV induced concentration-dependent apoptosis. Fluorometric substrates assay and western blotting (WB) analysis showed that caspase-8 was not activated, which was further verified by monitoring the cleavage of Bid to tBid using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy imaging inside single living cells, indicating that extrinsic apoptotic pathway was not involved in RV-induced apoptosis. In addition, inhibition of caspases-3 or -9 but not caspase-8 using the specific inhibitors of caspases modestly but significantly attenuated RV-induced apoptosis. Moreover, flow cytometry (FCM) analysis showed that RV treatment induced time-dependent loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (?ψ(m)), in combination with the activation of caspases-3 and -9; we therefore concluded that RV-induced apoptosis involved the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. It is noteworthy that RV treatment induced translocation of AIF from mitochondria to nucleus in a time dependent manner, and that knockdown of AIF remarkably attenuated RV-induced apoptosis. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that RV induces caspase-8-independent apoptosis via AIF and to a lesser extent caspase-9-dependent mitochondrial pathway in ASTC-a-1 cells.     

The proteasome inhibitor MG132 potentiates TRAIL receptor agonist-induced apoptosis by stabilizing tBid and Bik in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is often resistant to conventional chemotherapy and thus requires novel treatment regimens. Here, we investigated the effects of the proteasome inhibitor MG132 in combination with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) or agonistic TRAIL receptor 1 (DR4)-specific monoclonal antibody, AY4, on sensitization of TRAIL- and AY4-resistant human HNSCC cell lines. Combination treatment of HNSCC cells synergistically induced apoptotic cell death accompanied by caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3 activation and Bid cleavage into truncated Bid (tBid). Generation and accumulation of tBid through the cooperative action of MG132 with TRAIL or AY4 and Bik accumulation through MG132-mediated proteasome inhibition are critical to the synergistic apoptosis. In HNSCC cells, Bak was constrained by Mcl-1 and Bcl-X(L), but not by Bcl-2. Conversely, Bax did not interact with Mcl-1, Bcl-X(L), or Bcl-2. Importantly, tBid plays a major role in Bax activation, and Bik indirectly activates Bak by displacing it from Mcl-1 and Bcl-X(L), pointing to the synergistic mechanism of the combination treatment. In addition, knockdown of both Mcl-1 and Bcl-X(L) significantly sensitized HNSCC cells to TRAIL and AY4 as a single agent, suggesting that Bak constraint by Mcl-1 and Bcl-X(L) is an important resistance mechanism of TRAIL receptor-mediated apoptotic cell death. Our results provide a novel molecular mechanism for the potent synergy between MG132 proteasome inhibitor and TRAIL receptor agonists in HNSCC cells, suggesting that the combination of these agents may offer a new therapeutic strategy for HNSCC treatment.     

Molecular mechanism of diclofenac-induced apoptosis of promyelocytic leukemia: dependency on reactive oxygen species, Akt, Bid, cytochrome and caspase pathway

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) induce apoptosis in a variety of cells, but the mechanism of this effect has not been fully elucidated. We report that diclofenac, a NSAID, induces growth inhibition and apoptosis of HL-60 cells through modulation of mitochondrial functions regulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), Akt, caspase-8, and Bid. ROS generation occurs in an early stage of diclofenac-induced apoptosis preceding cytochrome c release, caspase activation, and DNA fragmentation. N-Acetyl-L-cysteine, an antioxidant, suppresses ROS generation, Akt inactivation, caspase-8 activation, and DNA fragmentation. Cyclic AMP, an inducer of Akt phosphorylation, suppresses Akt inactivation, Bid cleavage, and DNA fragmentation. LY294002, a PI3 kinase inhibitor, enhances Akt inactivation and DNA fragmentation. Ac-IETD-CHO, a caspase-8 inhibitor, suppresses Bid cleavage and DNA fragmentation. z-VAD-fmk, a universal caspase inhibitor, but not cyclosporin A (CsA), an inhibitor of mitochondrial membrane permeability transition, suppresses DNA fragmentation. These results suggest the sequential mechanism of diclofenac-induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells: ROS generation suppresses Akt activity, thereby activating caspase-8, which stimulates Bid cleavage and induces cytochrome c release and the activation of caspase-9 and-3 in a CsA-insensitive mechanism. Furthermore, we found that 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME), a superoxide dismutase inhibitor, significantly enhances diclofenac-induced apoptosis; that is, diclofenac combined with 2-ME may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of human leukemia.     

Essential roles of the Bcl-2 family of proteins in caspase-2-induced apoptosis

Caspase-2 is an initiating caspase required for stress-induced apoptosis in various human cancer cells. Recent studies suggest that it can mediate the death function of tumor suppressor p53 and is activated by a multimeric protein complex, PIDDosome. However, it is not clear how caspase-2 exerts its apoptotic function in cells and whether its enzymatic activity is required for the apoptotic function. In this study, we used both in vitro mitochondrial cytochrome c release assays and cell culture apoptosis analyses to investigate the mechanism by which caspase-2 induces apoptosis. We show that active caspase-2, but neither a catalytically mutated caspase-2 nor active caspase-2 with its inhibitor, can cause cytochrome c release. Caspase-2 failed to induce cytochrome c release from mitochondria with Bid(-/-) background, and the release could be restored by addition of the wild-type Bid protein, but not by Bid with the caspase-2 cleavage site mutated. Caspase-2 was not able to induce cytochrome c release from Bax(-/-)Bak(-/-) mitochondria either. In cultured cells, gene deletion of Bax/Bak or Bid abrogated apoptosis induced by overexpression of caspase-2. Collectively, these results indicate that proteolytic activation of Bid and the subsequent induction of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway through Bax/Bak is essential for apoptosis triggered by caspase-2.     

PEG-liposomal oxaliplatin induces apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells via Fas/FasL and caspase-8

Since cellular uptake of PEG [poly(ethylene glycol)]-liposomal L-OHP (oxaliplatin) induces bioactive changes in CRC (colorectal cancer), we have investigated its apoptotic effect and anticancer mechanism. Human CRC SW480 cells were treated with PEG-liposomal L-OHP and a caspase-8 inhibitor [Z-IETD-FMK (benzyloxycarbonyl-Ile-Glu-Thr-dl-Asp-fluoromethylketone)]. Apoptosis was measured by FCM (flow cytometry) and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling) assay. Expression of Fas/FasL and cytochrome c was detected using FCM and an immunofluorescence assay. Expression of caspase-8, Bid, caspase-9, caspase-7 and activated caspase-3 (P17) was examined by Western blot analyses. The results indicated that PEG-liposomal L-OHP (28 μg/ml L-OHP) induced marked apoptosis in SW480 cells compared with 28 μg/ml free L-OHP. The expression levels of Fas, FasL, cytochrome c, caspase-9, caspase-7 and activated caspase-3 proteins were up-regulated, with a corresponding increase in apoptosis; however, expression of caspase-8 and Bid were down-regulated as apoptosis increased. When cells were treated with Z-IETD-FMK, apoptosis was inhibited, but there was little impact on the expression of Fas, FasL, cytochrome c, Bid, caspase-9, caspase-7 and activated caspase-3. These findings indicate that PEG-liposomal L-OHP enhances the anticancer potency of the chemotherapeutic agent; moreover, Fas/FasL and caspase-8 signalling pathways play a key role in mediating PEG-liposomal L-OHP-induced apoptosis.     

Arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis and its enhancement by buthionine sulfoximine in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines

We treated four hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, HLE, HLF, HuH7, and HepG2 with ATO and demonstrated that arsenic trioxide (ATO) at low doses (1--3 muM) induced a concentration-dependent suppression of cell growth in HLE, HLF, and HuH7. HLE cells underwent apoptosis at 2 microM ATO, which was executed by the activation of caspase-3 through the mitochondrial pathway mediated by caspase-8 activation and Bid truncation. When these cell lines were exposed to ATO in combination with l-S,R-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) which inhibits GSH synthesis, a synergistic growth suppression was induced, even in HepG2 showing a lower sensitivity to ATO than other cell lines tested. The intracellular GSH levels after the treatment with ATO plus BSO were considerably decreased in HLE cells compared with those after the treatment with ATO or BSO alone. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which was examined by 2' ,7' -dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, increased significantly after the treatment with ATO plus BSO in HLE cells. These findings indicate that ATO at low concentrations induces growth inhibition and apoptosis, and furthermore that the ATO-BSO combination treatment enhances apoptosis through increased production of ROS in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.     

The destabilization of lipid membranes induced by the C-terminal fragment of caspase 8-cleaved bid is inhibited by the N-terminal fragment

Bid is a proapoptotic, BH3-domain-only member of the Bcl-2 family. In Fas-induced apoptosis, Bid is activated through cleavage by caspase 8 into a 15.5-kDa C-terminal fragment (t(c)Bid) and a 6.5 kDa N-terminal fragment (t(n)Bid). Following the cleavage, t(c)Bid translocates to the mitochondria and promotes the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol by a mechanism that is not understood. Here we report that recombinant t(c)Bid can act as a membrane destabilizing agent. t(c)Bid induces destabilization and breaking of planar lipid bilayers without appearance of ionic channels; its destabilizing activity is comparable with that of Bax and at least 30-fold higher than that of full-length Bid. Consistently, t(c)Bid, but not full-length Bid, permeabilizes liposomes at physiological pH. The destabilizing effect of t(c)Bid on liposomes and planar bilayers is independent of the BH3 domain. In contrast, mutations in the BH3 domain impair t(c)Bid ability to induce cytochrome c release from mitochondria. The permeabilizing effect of t(c)Bid on planar bilayers, liposomes, and mitochondria can be inhibited by t(n)Bid. In conclusion, our results suggest a dual role for Bid: BH3-independent membrane destabilization and BH3-dependent interaction with other proteins. Moreover, the dissociation of Bid after cleavage by caspase 8 represents an additional step at which apoptosis may be regulated.     

Trichostatin A sensitizes HBx-expressing liver cancer cells to etoposide treatment

Agents commonly used in cancer chemotherapy rely on the induction of cell death via apoptosis, mitotic catastrophe, premature senescence and autophagy. Chemoresistance is the major factor limiting long-term treatment success in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent studies have revealed that the hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) exerts anti-apoptotic effects, resulting in an increased drug resistance in HCC cells. In this study, we showed that etoposide treatment activated caspase-8 and caspase-3, leading to cleavages of p53, Bid and PARP, which subsequently induced apoptosis. Furthermore, p53 and Bid were accumulated in cytoplasm following etoposide treatment. However, HBx significantly attenuated etoposide-induced cell death. In HBx-expressing cells, despite the translocation of p53 and Bid to cytoplasm, the activation of caspases was inhibited. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was markedly increased in HBx-expressing cells. Moreover, the pretreatment with trichostatin A (TSA, a histone deacetylase inhibitor) or TSA in combination with etoposide significantly sensitized HCC cells to apoptosis by inhibiting ERK phosphorylation, reactivating caspases and PARP, and inducing translocation of p53 and Bid to cytoplasm. Collectively, HBx reduces the sensitivity of HCC cells to chemotherapy. TSA in combination with etoposide can significantly overcome the increased resistance of HBx-expressing HCC cells to chemotherapy.     

The novel triterpenoid 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-oic acid (CDDO) potently enhances apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor in human leukemia cells

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a potent activator of the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway that leads to up-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins. Hence, TNF induces apoptosis in the presence of inhibitors of protein or RNA synthesis. We report that a novel triterpenoid, 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9,-dien-28-oic acid (CDDO) inhibits NF-kappaB-mediated gene expression at a step after translocation of activated NF-kappaB to the nucleus. This effect appears specific for the NF-kappaB pathway as CDDO does not inhibit gene expression induced by the phorbol ester 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). CDDO in combination with TNF caused a dramatic increase in apoptosis in ML-1 leukemia cells that was associated with activation of caspase-8, cleavage of Bid, translocation of Bax, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 activation. Experiments with caspase inhibitors demonstrated that caspase-8 was an initiator of this pathway. TNF also induced a transient activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which upon addition of CDDO was converted to a sustained activation. The activation of JNK was also dependent on caspase-8. Sustained activation of JNK is frequently pro-apoptotic, yet inhibition of JNK did not prevent Bax translocation or cytochrome c release, demonstrating its lack of involvement in CDDO/TNF-induced apoptosis. Apoptosis was acutely induced by CDDO/TNF in every leukemia cell line tested including those that overexpress Bcl-x(L), suggesting that the mitochondrial pathway is not required for apoptosis by this combination. These results suggest that the apoptotic potency of the CDDO/TNF combination occurs through selective inhibition of NF-kappaB-dependent anti-apoptotic proteins, bypassing potential mitochondrial resistance mechanisms, and thus may provide a basis for the development of novel approaches to the treatment of leukemia.