Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Sacchi

Publications and source records attributed to A Sacchi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

The inhibition of cyclin B1 gene transcription in quiescent NIH3T3 cells is mediated by an E-box.

Cyclin Bl plays an important role in cell proliferation. Its expression is tightly regulated at the mRNA and protein levels during the cell cycle and is found to be deregulated in various malignancies. To enlighten the signalling pathways which lead to the cell cycle dependent expression of the cyclin B1 gene, we studied its transcriptional regulation in quiescent and proliferating NIH3T3 cells. We previously showed that the transcriptional activity of the cyclin B1 promoter decreases in quiescent cells. Here, we map a quiescence-responsive element of the human cyclin B1 promoter to an E-box sequence, CACGTG, which spans positions -124/-119. Nuclear proteins protect this sequence in a DNase I digestion assay and bind, in electromobility shift assays, an oligonucleotide spanning positions -133/-110. Max-specific antibodies block the DNA-binding activity of protein complexes to this probe. A mutation in the E-box core sequence abolishes the decrease in transcription that occurs during quiescence. Finally, we find that over-expression of Max protein in proliferating cells specifically inhibits cyclin B1 promoter activity through this E-box. Moreover, Max over-expression in proliferating NIH3T3 cells leads to down-regulation of the endogenous cyclin B1 protein. In conclusion, these data support a model whereby E-box-binding proteins mediate the decrease in the transcriptional activity of the cyclin B1 promoter observed in quiescent cells and suggest that Max contributes to this response.

3T3 Cells↗

The beta 4 integrin subunit is expressed in mouse fibroblasts and modulated by transforming growth factor-beta 1.

Integrin beta 4 subunit is present in association with alpha 6 chain on both normal and transformed epithelial cells. Recently alpha 6 beta 4 heterodimer was found on the endothelium of medium-sized blood vessels and on immature thymocytes. In this report we show, by Northern blotting, indirect immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, and Western blotting, that beta 4 subunit is expressed also on cells of mesenchymal origin such as fibroblasts, myoblasts, and myotubes. Increased expression of alpha 6 beta 4 has been related to the aggressive metastatic phenotype of human and murine carcinomas. The transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) has been found to modulate the expression of several integrins and intracellular matrix proteins, as well as to stimulate cell invasion and metastatic potential. To evaluate whether alpha 6 beta 4 expression is modulated by TGF-beta 1, we transfected 3T3 fibroblasts with an expression vector carrying the human TGF-beta 1 cDNA driven by the SV40 early promoter. We observed by indirect immunofluorescence a modification in the subcellular distribution of beta 4 subunit, which acquires a perinuclear localization. This finding suggests this integrin subunit correlates with the cytoskeletal reorganization induced by TGF-beta 1.

3T3 Cells↗

Lonidamine induces apoptosis in drug-resistant cells independently of the p53 gene.

Lonidamine, a dichlorinated derivative of indazole-3-carboxylic acid, was shown to play a significant role in reversing or overcoming multidrug resistance. Here, we show that exposure to 50 microg/ml of lonidamine induces apoptosis in adriamycin and nitrosourea-resistant cells (MCF-7 ADR(r) human breast cancer cell line, and LB9 glioblastoma multiform cell line), as demonstrated by sub-G1 peaks in DNA content histograms, condensation of nuclear chromatin, and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Moreover, we find that apoptosis is preceded by accumulation of the cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Interestingly, lonidamine fails to activate the apoptotic program in the corresponding sensitive parental cell lines (ADR-sensitive MCF-7 WT, and nitrosourea-sensitive LI cells) even after long exposure times. The evaluation of bcl-2 protein expression suggests that this different effect of lonidamine treatment in drug-resistant and -sensitive cell lines might not simply be due to dissimilar expression levels of bcl-2 protein. To determine whether the lonidamine-induced apoptosis is mediated by p53 protein, we used cells lacking endogenous p53 and overexpressing either wild-type p53 or dominant-negative p53 mutant. We find that apoptosis by lonidamine is independent of the p53 gene.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Interference with p53 protein inhibits hematopoietic and muscle differentiation.

The involvement of p53 protein in cell differentiation has been recently suggested by some observations made with tumor cells and the correlation found between differentiation and increased levels of p53. However, the effect of p53 on differentiation is in apparent contrast with the normal development of p53-null mice. To test directly whether p53 has a function in cell differentiation, we interfered with the endogenous wt-p53 protein of nontransformed cells of two different murine histotypes: 32D myeloid progenitors, and C2C12 myoblasts. A drastic inhibition of terminal differentiation into granulocytes or myotubes, respectively, was observed upon expression of dominant-negative p53 proteins. This inhibition did not alter the cell cycle withdrawal typical of terminal differentiation, nor p21(WAF1/CIP1) upregulation, indicating that interference with endogenous p53 directly affects cell differentiation, independently of the p53 activity on the cell cycle. We also found that the endogenous wt-p53 protein of C2C12 cells becomes transcriptionally active during myogenesis, and this activity is inhibited by p53 dominant-negative expression. Moreover, we found that p53 DNA-binding and transcriptional activities are both required to induce differentiation in p53-negative K562 cells. Taken together, these data strongly indicate that p53 is a regulator of cell differentiation and it exerts this role, at least in part, through its transcriptional activity.

Animals↗

Expression of E1A in terminally differentiated muscle cells reactivates the cell cycle and suppresses tissue-specific genes by separable mechanisms.

Terminally differentiated cells are characterized by permanent withdrawal from the cell cycle; they do not enter S phase even when stimulated by growth factors or retroviral oncogenes. We have shown, however, that the adenovirus E1A oncogene can reactivate the cell cycle in terminally differentiated cells. In this report, we describe the molecular events triggered by E1A in terminally differentiated skeletal muscle cells. We found that in myotubes infected with the adenovirus mutant dl520, 12S E1A bypasses the early G1 phase and activates the expression of late-G1 genes, such as the cyclin E and cyclin A genes, cdk2, PCNA, and B-myb. Of these, the cyclin E gene and cdk2 were significantly overexpressed in comparison with levels in proliferating, undifferentiated myoblasts. p130 and pRb were phosphorylated before the infected myotubes entered S phase, despite the high expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, and E2F was released. Our results suggest that one of the mechanisms that E1A uses to overcome the proliferative block of terminally differentiated cells involves coordinated overexpression of cyclin E and cdk2. Following E1A expression, the myogenic transcription factors MyoD and myogenin and the muscle-specific structural genes encoding muscle creatine kinase and myosin heavy chain were downregulated. The muscle regulatory factors were also silenced in myotubes infected with adenovirus E1A mutants incapable of reactivating the cell cycle in terminally differentiated muscle cells. Thus, the suppression of the differentiation program is not a consequence of cell cycle reactivation in myotubes, and it is induced by an independent mechanism. Our results show that E1A reactivates the cell cycle and suppresses tissue-specific gene expression in terminally differentiated muscle cells, thus causing dedifferentiation.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗

Wild-type p53 induces diverse effects in 32D cells expressing different oncogenes.

Expression of exogenous wild-type (wt) p53 in different leukemia cell lines can induce growth arrest, apoptotic cell death, or cell differentiation. The hematopoietic cell lines that have been used so far to study wt p53 functions have in common the characteristic of not expressing endogenous p53. However, the mechanisms involved in the transformation of these cells are different, and the cells are at different stages of tumor progression. It can be postulated that each type of neoplastic cell offers a particular environment in which p53 might generate different effects. To test this hypothesis, we introduced individual oncogenes into untransformed, interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent myeloid precursor 32D cells to have a single transforming agent at a time. The effects induced by wt p53 overexpression were subsequently evaluated in each oncogene-expressing 32D derivative. We found that in not fully transformed, v-ras-expressing 32D cells, as already shown for the parental 32D cells, overexpression of the wt p53 gene caused no phenotypic changes and no reduction of the proliferative rate as long as the cells were maintained in their normal culture conditions (presence of IL-3 and serum). An accelerated rate of apoptosis was observed after IL-3 withdrawal. In contrast, in transformed, IL-3-independent 32D cells, wt p53 overexpression induced different effects. The v-abl-transformed cells manifested a reduction in growth rate, while the v-src-transformed cells underwent monocytic differentiation. These results show that the phenotype effects of wt p53 action(s) can vary as a function of the cellular environment.

Animals↗

Terminally differentiated skeletal myotubes are not confined to G0 but can enter G1 upon growth factor stimulation.

Terminally differentiated cells are specialized cells unable to proliferate that constitute most of the mammalian body. Despite their abundance, little information exists on the characteristics of cell cycle control in these cells and the molecular mechanisms that prevent their proliferation. They are generally believed to be irreversibly restricted to the G0 state. In this report, we define some features of a paradigmatic terminally differentiated system, the skeletal muscle, by studying its responses to various mitogenic stimuli. We show that forced expression of a number of cell cycle-regulatory genes, including erbB-2, v-ras, v-myc, B-myb, ld-1, and E2F-1, alone or in combinations, cannot induce terminally differentiated skeletal muscle cells (myotubes) to synthesize DNA. However, serum-stimulated myotubes display a typical immediate-early response, including the up-regulation of c-fos, c-jun, c-myc, and ld-1. They also elevate the expression of cyclin D1 after 4 hours of serum treatment. All these events take place in myotubes in a way that is indistinguishable from that of quiescent, undifferentiated myoblasts reactivated by serum. Moreover, pretreatment with serum shortens the time required by E1A to induce DNA synthesis, confirming that myotubes can partially traverse G1. Serum growth factors do not activate late-G1 genes in myotubes, suggesting that the block that prevents terminally differentiated cells from proliferating acts in mid-G1. Our results show that terminally differentiated cells are not confined to G0 but can partially reenter G1 in response to growth factors; they contribute to a much-needed definition of terminal differentiation. The important differences in the control of the cell cycle between terminally differentiated and senescent cells are discussed.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗

nm23 influences proliferation and differentiation of PC12 cells in response to nerve growth factor.

The nm23 genes codify nucleoside diphosphate kinases, which have been shown to be involved in the regulation of microtubule dynamics. We have demonstrated previously that the association between the Nm23-M1 protein and cytoskeletal beta-tubulin correlates with cell differentiation. It is known that microtubules and microtubule-associated proteins are fundamental elements regulating neuronal differentiation. In the present study, we have investigated the ability of nm23 to influence nerve growth factor-induced PC12 cell differentiation. To this end, we have altered PC12 intracellular levels of nm23-M1 by means of sense and antisense transfections. In the presence of nerve growth factor, overexpression of nm23 delays cell cycle transition, rapidly induces neurite outgrowth, and increases the expression of neurofilament and microtubule proteins. On the contrary, down-regulation of nm23 enhances cell proliferation and inhibits neuronal differentiation. These findings indicate that neuronal cell proliferation and differentiation can be modulated by nm23 expression levels.

Animals↗

Adenovirus infection induces reentry into the cell cycle of terminally differentiated skeletal muscle cells.

Different cell types in the body of higher animals undergo terminal differentiation. In such a process, cells acquire specialized functions and irreversibly lose their ability to divide, therefore entering the postmitotic state. Terminally differentiated cells do not proliferate in response to growth factors or following the expression of activated, retroviral oncogenes. In this paper we demonstrate that adenovirus infection is an efficient and convenient means to induce terminally differentiated cells to reenter the cell cycle. These findings constitute a first step toward defining the molecular determinants of the irreversible withdrawal from the cell cycle of terminally differentiated cells. They may also open the way to therapeutic applications.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Wild-type p53 modulates apoptosis of normal, IL-3 deprived, hematopoietic cells.

Apoptotic cell death is an active process which regulates the maintenance of the hematopoietic homeostasis. It has been reported that wild-type p53 (wt-p53) protein induces apoptosis in leukemia cells. To assess whether p53 is involved in the apoptotic process of normal hematopoietic cells, we introduced the temperature-sensitive p53Val135 mutant into the murine myeloid precursor cell line 32Dcl3. These are diploid, non-tumorigenic cells whose survival and proliferation are dependent upon growth factor supply (IL-3 and serum). Overexpression of wt-p53 protein does not affect morphology and proliferation of 32D cells as long as they are maintained in the presence of IL-3. However, after IL-3 withdrawal, wt-p53 overexpression significantly accelerates apoptosis. This phenomenon is IL-3 specific since no differences in death rates induced by serum starvation are found between parental cells and p53-transfectants. When the latter experiments are carried out at 37 degrees C with p53 protein in mutant conformation, an extended survival of 32D cells is observed after IL-3 deprivation, but not after serum withdrawal. Taken together, these results show that wt-p53 actively mediates the apoptosis due to the absence of specific growth factors, such as IL-3, suggesting that p53 might be involved in the response of myeloid precursors to environmental cytokines for the maintenance of the hematopoietic homeostasis.

Animals↗

Structure and growth-dependent regulation of the human cyclin B1 promoter.

As a step toward defining the signals important for the regulation of cyclin B1 expression, we cloned, sequenced, and partially characterized a 1012-bp genomic fragment encompassing the human cyclin B1 promoter. By transient expression experiments, we found that promoter activity resides within a -150/+182-bp DNA fragment. The activity of this promoter fragment was high in asynchronous NIH-3T3 cells, but dramatically decreased in quiescent cells. Time-course experiments, using stable transfectants expressing the CAT gene under the control of this fragment, were performed after releasing the cells from serum starvation. The results showed that the promoter becomes active at the end of the S phase and its activity increases during the cell cycle. Similar experiments performed with a shorter promoter region (-58/+182) showed that this 5' deletion mutant is active throughout the cell cycle. In good agreement with promoter activity, Northern analysis indicated that the endogenous gene is negatively regulated in quiescent murine NIH-3T3 cells. The data presented here demonstrate that in NIH-3T3 cells the cyclin B1 promoter is growth regulated, and important regulatory elements must exist in the region spanning -150 to -58 bp.

3T3 Cells↗

The association of the Nm23-M1 protein and beta-tubulin correlates with cell differentiation.

The Nm23 protein is a nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) and is thought to play a critical role in metastatic behavior. It has been reported that a NDPK activity is present in microtubules assembled in vitro. Since microtubule assembly is determinant in cell growth and differentiation, we investigated whether Nm23-M1 forms molecular complexes with beta-tubulin in murine cells either actively proliferating or differentiating. For this purpose a polyclonal antibody against the GST-Nm23-M1 fusion protein was generated and employed to detect Nm23-M1/beta-tubulin complexes in murine tumor cells derived from the Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) and in undifferentiated and differentiated myogenic cells (C2C12). Immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation experiments performed using the anti-fusion protein antibody demonstrated that the Nm23-M1 protein is detectable in in vitro tumor cell lines and in in vivo primary tumors but not in spontaneous lung metastases. These data are in good agreement with data previously reported. Immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that the Nm23-M1 protein forms complexes with beta-tubulin in in vitro tumor cell lines, but not in primary tumors. Furthermore, the Nm23-M1 protein forms complexes with beta-tubulin in myogenic cells prior to and after differentiation. Interestingly, however, the level of the Nm23-M1/beta-tubulin complexes is remarkably increased in differentiated myotubes. In conclusion, the results indicate that the Nm23-M1 protein forms molecular complexes with beta-tubulin and that the number of complexes increases during the differentiation process of murine cells.

Animals↗

Retinoic acid and cAMP differentially regulate human chromogranin A promoter activity during differentiation of neuroblastoma cells.

We report the first evidence that differential transcriptional regulation of human chromogranin A (CHGA) gene expression occurs during in vitro treatment of tumorigenic neuroblastoma (NB) cells with retinoic acid (5 microM) and/or dibutyryl-cAMP (1 mM). The CHGA gene encodes a tissue specific protein restricted to cells of the diffuse neuroendocrine system, but also widely expressed among NB tumours. We previously reported that CHGA as well as other neuroendocrine markers are modulated during NB differentiation in vitro. To investigate, at the molecular level, the mechanisms leading to NB tumour cell differentiation during the treatment with biologically active compounds, we sequenced and functionally characterised 2169 bp of a genomic DNA clone encompassing the 5' flanking region of the human CHGA gene. Computer-assisted analysis of the sequence revealed the presence of a cAMP responsive element at positions -56 to -49, and Sp1 binding sites at positions -181 to -176 and -216 to -210. Two novel 9 bp motifs, located at position -462 to -454 and -91 to -83 of the CHGA promoter were identified in the regulatory regions of two other neuroendocrine genes encoding for tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y. In addition, in the first 1000 bp of the untranslated 5' region, we found the presence of several putative DNA binding sites of bHLH molecules, a protein family regulating tissue specific differentiation. Transient transfection experiments of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) deletion constructs, showed the presence of an active promoter within the first 455 bp upstream from the start site. This region conferred tissue specific expression to a CAT reporter gene. In addition, the transcriptional activity of this fragment was modulated during the induction of differentiation of NB cells treated by retinoic acid and/or dibutyryl-cAMP. These observations provide preliminary data regarding CHGA transcriptional regulation in NB cells, and indicate that retinoic acid and cAMP activate distinct, apparently competitive, transcriptional pathways during NB cell differentiation. The molecular characterisation of the mechanisms regulating CHGA expression in tumour and normal neuroendocrine tissue could lead to the identification of novel molecules potentially relevant for future gene therapy of NB tumours.

Base Sequence↗

Molecular basis of estrogen regulation of Hageman factor XII gene expression.

Estrogen therapy has been reported to cause multiple alterations in hemostasis and to increase blood levels of several procoagulants, including Hageman factor [factor XII (FXII)]. Liver FXII gene expression has been investigated in ovariectomized rats, treated or not with 17 beta-estradiol. A 6-fold stimulation of FXII gene transcription was observed in treated compared to untreated animals, indicating that 17 beta-estradiol is able to induce FXII gene expression in vivo. We have recently shown that human FXII promoter contains an imperfect palindrome, 5'-GGGCAnnnTGACC-3', at position -43/-31 resembling the consensus estrogen-responsive element (ERE). Portions of different length of the FXII promoter were fused to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) coding sequence and transiently cotransfected with human estrogen receptor (ER) into NIH3T3 and HepG2 cells in the presence or absence of 17 beta-estradiol. A 230-base pair fragment of FXII promoter, spanning nucleotides - 181/49, conferred a strong estrogen responsiveness to the CAT reporter gene, suggesting that a functional ERE resides in this region. Cognate receptors, such as those for thyroid hormone or retinoic acid, did not stimulate CAT activity. Gel mobility assays demonstrated a specific interaction between ER and the 230-bp FXII promoter fragment containing the putative ERE palindrome. Similar results were obtained when an oligonucleotide spanning the consensus ERE was used; the complex between ER and FXII promoter sequences was supershifted after the addition of an anti-ER monoclonal antibody. Insertion of FXII-ERE into the heterologous thymidine kinase promoter conferred a strong estrogen responsiveness that was abolished by mutations of the 5'-half of the palindrome. These results represent the first demonstration at the molecular level of the regulation of a blood coagulation factor gene by 17 beta-estradiol as well as the first identification of a functional ERE within this class of genes.

Animals↗

Research on heterocyclic compounds. XXXIII--Synthesis and analgesic activity of imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine-2-acetic acid derivatives.

A series of imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine-2-acetic esters, acids and amides was synthesized and tested for antiinflammatory, analgesic and ulcerogenic activities. The ethyl esters were prepared by cyclocondensation of some 3-aminopyridazines with ethyl 4-chloroacetoacetate, followed by hydrolysis or ammonolysis in order to obtain the corresponding acids and amides. The capacity of inhibiting the carrageenan-induced edema in the rat paw and the writhes induced by acetic acid in mice were evaluated, as well as the ulcerogenic action in rats. The acidic derivatives showed significant analgesic activity which is comparable to that found in other series of imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine analogs previously examined.

Analgesics↗

Wild-type p53 gene expression induces granulocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells.

Overexpression of wild-type p53 gene in malignant cell lines has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation in a number of cases. However, endogenous p53 protein seems to play little role in normal cell-cycle control as suggested by the normal development of p53 null mice, and by the low p53 protein levels expressed in most cell types. Recently, increased expression of endogenous p53 protein has been observed during the cellular response to DNA damage, as well as during differentiation of human hematopoietic cells. To study the role of the p53 gene in hematopoietic differentiation, we introduced the wild-type p53 gene or the temperature-sensitive p53(Val135) mutant into p53-deficient HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells. Morphological analysis, flow-cytometric determination of granulocytic or monocytic surface markers, and ability to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) demonstrated that expression of exogenous wild-type p53 gene in HL-60 cells induces differentiation through the granulocytic pathway. Proliferation and cell-cycle analysis performed early after expression of wild-type p53 showed that induction of differentiation is not coupled with growth arrest, which suggests that p53 is involved in differentiation independently of its activity on the cell cycle.

Base Sequence↗

Expression of beta 1, beta 3, beta 4, and beta 5 integrins by human lung carcinoma cells of different histotypes.

Structural and functional analyses of several integrin heterodimers were performed in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines. The expression of beta 1, beta 3, beta 4, and beta 5 heterodimers was evaluated at protein and mRNA levels. By flow cytometry and immunoprecipitation experiments we demonstrate that NSCLC cells (A549 adenocarcinoma and DG 3 large cell carcinoma) coexpress integrin heterodimers composed of beta 1, beta 3, beta 4, and beta 5 subunits, whereas SCLC cells (AE2 and H69) express only beta 1 integrin heterodimers. Northern blot experiments confirmed immunochemical analysis: SCLC cells in contrast to NSCLC cells express only the mRNA coding for the beta 1 subunit. These data indicate that in lung carcinoma cells the diversity in the integrin repertoire depends upon differential gene expression. The functionality of integrin receptors has been studied using antibody blocking experiments. Data reported demonstrate that the alpha 6 beta 1 integrin is a laminin receptor in either SCLC or NSCLC cells. An antibody to the beta 4 subunit partially inhibits the adhesion of adenocarcinoma cells to lamin but does not block lamin adhesion of large cell carcinoma cells, even though alpha 6 beta 4 complexes are expressed on both cell types. Two antisera to vitronectin receptors inhibit the adhesion of NSCLC cels to both vitronectin and fibronectin. The same antisera inhibit the adhesion of SCLC cells only to laminin, indicating that the alpha v beta 1 integrin might function in these cells as laminin receptor.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗

Retinoic acid negatively regulates beta 4 integrin expression and suppresses the malignant phenotype in a Lewis lung carcinoma cell line.

Retinoic acid (RA) is a potent inhibitor of the malignant phenotype and of tumour cell growth. We observed that in vitro RA treatment of a highly metastatic lung carcinoma cell line (C87) induced a marked reduction in the amount of the beta 4 integrin subunit. The downregulation of this adhesion molecule was assessed by immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, and northern analysis. In order to investigate the effects of RA on the malignant phenotype in C87 cells we performed morphological and functional analysis after RA treatment. We found that RA was able to produce marked changes in C87 cell shape, increasing the number of flat cells (90% of the total cell population), and significantly inhibiting the malignant and invasive phenotype of C87 cells. RA treatment suppressed their clonogenic potential in soft agar (control, 20 +/- 5; RA, 0), and strongly reduced their chemotactic and chemoinvasive capacity (chemotaxis: control, 231 +/- 5; RA, 28 +/- 0; chemoinvasion: control, 132 +/- 11; RA = 2 +/- 1). FACS analysis and cell count, however, indicated that RA reduced the growth of C87 cells only partially. After 72 h of treatment we observed only a 10% reduction in the S phase fraction of the cell population. Finally, the reduced lung colony-forming ability, observed after i.v. injection of RA-treated cells (lung foci/animal: RA-treated cells, 1 +/- 0.1; untreated, 8.5 +/- 0.8), further supports the conclusion that in this murine lung carcinoma cell line a marked reduction in the expression of the beta 4 integrin subunit is associated with a marked inhibition of the malignant phenotype.

Animals↗