GSK-3 inhibition: Achieving moderate efficacy with high selectivity

Inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) activity has become an attractive approach for treatment of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Diverse GSK-3 inhibitors have been reported and used in cellular and in vivo models. A major challenge, however, is achieving selectivity. In addition, it is increasingly recognized that a moderate inhibition of a cellular target, particularly for long-term treatment, provides more favorable outcome than complete inhibition. Substrate competitive inhibitors can fulfill the requirement for selectivity and allow fine tuning of the degree of inhibition. Here we describe the therapeutic potential of GSK-3 inhibitors and highlight our progress in the development of substrate competitive inhibitors. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Inhibitors of Protein Kinases (2012).     

Somatostatin receptor subtype 4 modulates L-type calcium channels via Gβγ and PKC signaling in rat retinal ganglion cells

Somatostatin subtype-4 receptors (sst₄) inhibit L-type calcium channel currents (I_Ca) in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Here we identify the signaling pathways involved in sst₄ stimulation leading to suppression of I_Ca in RGCs. Whole cell patch clamp recordings were made on isolated immunopanned RGCs using barium as a charge carrier to isolate I_Ca. Application of the selective sst₄ agonist, L-803 (10 nM), reduced I_Ca by 41.2%. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin (Gi/o inhibitor) did not prevent the action of L-803, which reduced I_Ca by 34.7%. To determine the involvement of Gβγ subunits after sst₄ activation, depolarizing pre-pulse facilitation paradigms were used to remove voltage-dependent inhibition of calcium channels. Pre-pulse facilitation did not reverse the inhibitory effects of L-803 on I_Ca (8.4 vs. 8.8% reductions, ctrl vs. L-803); however, pharmacologic inhibition of Gβγ reduced I_Ca suppression by L-803 (23.0%, P < 0.05). Inhibition of PKC (GF109203X; GFX) showed a concentration-dependent effect in preventing the action of L-803 on I_Ca (1 μM GFX, 34.3%; 5 μM GFX, 14.6%, P < 0.05). When both PKC and Gβγ were inhibited, the effects of L-803 on I_Ca were blocked (1.8%, P < 0.05). These results suggest that sst₄ stimulation modulates RGC calcium channels via Gβγ and PKC activation. Since reducing intracellular Ca²⁺ is known to be neuroprotective in RGCs, modulating these sst₄ signaling pathways may provide insights to the discovery of unique therapeutic targets to reduce intracellular Ca²⁺ levels in RGCs.     

丁酸钠对人胃腺癌MGC-803细胞核仁纤维中心和银染蛋白的影响

用透射电镜观察到MGC-803细胞的核仁是网织型的,在网眼内分布有电子密度低的纤维中心。MGC-803细胞经丁酸钠作用后,其核仁的类型发生了改变,多呈环型的,核仁的中央有一个大的纤维中心;纤维中心和银染颗粒的大小和数目明显减低;用图像分析仪测得核仁银染蛋白所占面积与核总面积的比值也明显降低。结果提示:丁酸钠可能通过抑制rRNA合成和rDNA转录活性调控MGC-803细胞的增殖。     

Somatostatin receptor subtype 4 modulates L-type calcium channels via Gβγ and PKC signaling in rat retinal ganglion cells

Somatostatin subtype-4 receptors (sst₄) inhibit L-type calcium channel currents (I_Ca) in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Here we identify the signaling pathways involved in sst₄ stimulation leading to suppression of I_Ca in RGCs. Whole cell patch clamp recordings were made on isolated immunopanned RGCs using barium as a charge carrier to isolate I_Ca. Application of the selective sst₄ agonist, L-803 (10 nM), reduced I_Ca by 41.2%. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin (Gi/o inhibitor) did not prevent the action of L-803, which reduced I_Ca by 34.7%. To determine the involvement of Gβγ subunits after sst₄ activation, depolarizing pre-pulse facilitation paradigms were used to remove voltage-dependent inhibition of calcium channels. Pre-pulse facilitation did not reverse the inhibitory effects of L-803 on I_Ca (8.4 vs. 8.8% reductions, ctrl vs. L-803); however, pharmacologic inhibition of Gβγ reduced I_Ca suppression by L-803 (23.0%, P < 0.05). Inhibition of PKC (GF109203X; GFX) showed a concentration-dependent effect in preventing the action of L-803 on I_Ca (1 μM GFX, 34.3%; 5 μM GFX, 14.6%, P < 0.05). When both PKC and Gβγ were inhibited, the effects of L-803 on I_Ca were blocked (1.8%, P < 0.05). These results suggest that sst₄ stimulation modulates RGC calcium channels via Gβγ and PKC activation. Since reducing intracellular Ca²⁺ is known to be neuroprotective in RGCs, modulating these sst₄ signaling pathways may provide insights to the discovery of unique therapeutic targets to reduce intracellular Ca²⁺ levels in RGCs.     

毛茛有效部位D1对人胃癌细胞MGC803细胞增殖和凋亡的作用及其机制的初步研究

采用AlamarBlue和瑞-姬氏染色方法检测毛茛有效部位D1对人胃癌细胞MGC803增殖的作用;PI染色法观察D1对MGC803细胞周期的影响;半定量RT-PCR法检测D1对MGC803细胞周期相关基因表达的作用;用DAPI染色方法和细胞色素C免疫荧光法观察D1对胃癌细胞MGC803凋亡的影响。结果显示,毛茛有效部位D1对胃癌细胞MGC803表现出较好的增殖抑制作用,且24、48和72 h的半数抑制浓度分别为126.89、74.81、68.72μg/mL;同时D1对细胞周期和周期相关基因的表达无明显影响,且D1能促使细胞色素C释放到细胞胞浆诱导细胞凋亡。     

Silencing of Bcl-XL Expression in Human MGC-803 Gastric Cancer Cells by siRNA

To investigate the inhibitory effect of the Bcl-XL small interfering RNA(siRNA)on BcI-XLgene expression in the human gastric cancer cell line MGC-803,green fluorescent protein(GFP)siRNAwas constructed and transfected into MGC-803 ceils,together with GFP expression vector pTrace SV40.GFP expression levels were observed using fluorescence microscopy.Bcl-XL siRNA and negative siRNAwere then constructed and stably transfected into MGC-803 cells.RT-PCR and immunofluorescence wereused to detect the expression of Bcl-XL.Spontaneous apoptosis was detected by acridine orange(AO)andflow cytometry.Results were as follows:(1)48 h after GFP expression vector and GFP siRNA co-transfection,the expression level of GFP in the GFP siRNA group was much lower than the negative siRNA group,according to fluorescence microscopy results.The mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-XL in Bcl-XL siRNAstable transfectants were reduced to almost background level compared with negative siRNA transfectantsor untreated cells.(2)Changes in nucleus morphology was observed by AO staining nucleic and flowcytometry analysis,which showed that stable Bcl-XL siRNA transfectants have an increased spontaneousapoptosis (21.17%+1.26% vs.1.19%+0.18% and 1.56%+0.15% respectively,P<0.05 vs.negative siRNAor untreated control),siRNA targeting GFP or Bcl-XL genes can specifically suppress GFP or BcI-XLexpression in MGC-803 cells,and Bcl-XL siRNA can increase spontaneous apoptosis.Bcl-XL siRNA maybe a beneficial agent against human gastric adenocarcinoma.     

TRF1和TRF2在砷致MGC803细胞染色体畸变中的作用

为了分析端粒重复序列结合因1和2（TRF1和TRF2）在砷致MGC803细胞染色体畸变中的作用,探讨砷致细胞增殖及癌变的可能机制,以人MGC803细胞为实验对象,采用染色体分析检测畸变率及有丝分裂指数（MI）、Western印迹检测TRF1、TRF2、PCNA表达。结果表明,0．625μmol／L As2O3处理MGC803细胞4周后,PCNA表达及有丝分裂指数均高于对照组,显示细胞分裂增殖增强;染色体分析显示畸变率明显高于对照组,畸变类型以融合染色体（即双或多着丝粒、环形染色体）为主;同时,Western印迹分析结果表明TRF1表达上升,而TRF2表达下降。研究结果提示低浓度砷通过上调TRF1表达和下调TRF2表达,导致染色体畸变率增加以及基因组稳定性下降,从而加快细胞增殖。     

线粒体PT孔参与甘草诱导MGC-803细胞凋亡的调控

不久前我们从中药中首次筛选发现了甘草能显著诱导胃癌MGC-803细胞凋亡,本文进一步研究甘草诱导MGC-803细胞凋亡过程中凋亡百分率、线粒体膜电位、胞内游离钙、DNA电泳和细胞膜通透性以及染色质DNA凝聚的时相变化,并研究了线粒体PT孔专一抑制剂环孢菌素A(CsA)对凋亡过程的影响.我们观察到,细胞膜通透性增强、胞内游离钙升高和线粒体膜电位下降为细胞凋亡的早期事件,先于凋亡峰出现、染色质凝聚和DNA电泳梯状条带出现,CsA明显抑制线粒体膜电位下降,细胞膜通透性增强和胞内游离钙变化,并极大程度地延迟细胞凋亡过程.结果提示,钙和CsA敏感性的线粒体PT孔开放参与甘草提取物诱导MGC-803细胞凋亡的调控.     

The expression level of surface marker Trop2 in gastric cancer stem-like cells

This study aims to prepare gastric cancer stem-like cells(GCSCs) using a serum-free suspension culture, then identify it preliminarily, and observe the expression level of Trop2. Serum-free DMEM/F12 medium and low-adhesion dish were used for suspended culture of gastric cancer (GC) cell lines MGC803. The morphological characteristics of cell spheres were observed by optical microscope; the positive rates of the CD44, CD54, EpCAM and Trop2 in MGC803 and MGC803-spheres were detected by FACS; the changes of the cell cycle in the MGC803-spheres were explored by FACS and compared with that in MGC803; the mRNA level of cancer stem cells(CSCs) regulatory genes and Trop2 in MGC803-spheres and MGC803 were detected by qRT-PCR. MGC803-spheres formed after MGC803 was cultured in serum-free medium for about 14 days; the levels of CD44, CD54, EpCAM and Trop2 in MGC803-spheres group were higher than those in MGC803 group (P<0.05). The G1 phase of cell cycle in the MGC803-spheres group was obviously lower than that in MGC803 group, and the S phase of the cell cycle in MGC803-spheres group was obviously higher than that in the MGC803 group (P<0.05). The mRNA level in the CSCs regulatory genes (Oct4, Snail, Nanog) and Trop2 in MGC803-spheres group were much higher than those in MGC803 group (P<0.05). MGC803-spheres could form in serum-free and suspension culture condition. The type of cells has the characteristic of CSCs, which appears in a higher proliferation state and over expression CSCs regulating genes and Trop2.