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Biomedical subjects

B Calabretta

Publications and source records attributed to B Calabretta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Expression of CCL9/MIP-1gamma is repressed by BCR/ABL and its restoration suppresses in vivo leukemogenesis of 32D-BCR/ABL cells.

Transformation of hematopoietic cells by the BCR/ABL oncogene is caused by perturbation of signal transduction pathways leading to altered patterns of gene expression and activity. By oligonucleotide microarray hybridization of polysomal RNA of untreated and STI571-treated 32D-BCR/ABL cells, we identified the beta-chemokine CCL9 as a gene regulated by BCR/ABL in a tyrosine kinase-dependent manner. BCR/ABL repressed CCL9 expression at the transcriptional level by mechanisms involving suppression of p38 MAP kinase, and modulation of the activity of CDP/cut and C/EBPalpha, two transcription regulators of myeloid differentiation. However, repression of C/EBP-dependent transcription did not prevent the induction of CCL9 expression by STI571, suggesting that C/EBPalpha is involved in maintaining rather than in inducing CCL9 expression. Restoration of CCL9 expression in 32D-BCR/ABL cells had no effect on the in vitro proliferation of these cells, but reduced their leukemogenic potential in vivo, possibly by recruitment of CD3-positive immune cells. Together, these findings suggest that downregulation of chemokine expression may be involved in BCR/ABL-dependent leukemogenesis by altering the relationship between transformed cells and the microenvironment.

Animals↗

Coding sequence and intron-exon junctions of the c-myb gene are intact in the chronic phase and blast crisis stages of chronic myeloid leukemia patients.

The c-myb gene encodes a transcription factor required for proliferation, differentiation and survival of normal and leukemic hematopoietic cells. c-Myb has a longer half-life in BCR/ABL-expressing than in normal cells, a feature which depends, in part, on PI-3K/Akt-dependent regulation of proteins interacting with the leucine zipper/negative regulatory region of c-Myb. Thus, we asked whether the stability of c-Myb in leukemic cells might be enhanced by mutations interfering with its degradation. We analyzed the c-myb gene in 133 chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in chronic phase and/or blast crisis by denaturing-high performance liquid chromatography (D-HPLC) and sequence analysis of PCR products corresponding to the entire coding sequence and each exon-intron boundary. No mutations were found. We found four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and identified an alternatively spliced transcript lacking exon 5, but SNPs frequency and expression of the alternatively spliced transcript were identical in normal and CML cells. Thus, the enhanced stability of c-Myb in CML blast crisis cells and perhaps in other types of leukemia is not caused by a genetic mechanism.

Base Sequence↗

Silencing of endogenous IGFBP-5 by micro RNA interference affects proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of neuroblastoma cells.

Signal transduction through the IGF axis is implicated in proliferation, differentiation and survival during development and adult life. The IGF axis includes the IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) that bind IGFs with high affinity and modulate their activity. In neuroblastoma (NB), a malignant childhood tumor, we found that IGFBP-5 is frequently expressed. Since NB is an IGF2-sensitive tumor, we investigated the relevance and the function of endogenous IGFBP-5 in LAN-5 and in SY5Y(N) cell lines transfected with micro and small interfering RNAs directed to IGFBP-5 mRNA. Cells in which IGFBP-5 expression was suppressed were growth-inhibited and more prone to apoptosis than the parental cell line and controls. Apoptosis was further enhanced by X-ray irradiation. The ability of these cells to undergo neuronal differentiation was impaired after IGFBP-5 inhibition but the effect was reversed by exposure to recombinant IGFBP-5. Together, these data demonstrate the importance of IGFBP-5 for NB cell functions and suggest that IGFBP-5 might serve as a novel therapeutic target in NB.

Apoptosis↗

hIan5: the human ortholog to the rat Ian4/Iddm1/lyp is a new member of the Ian family that is overexpressed in B-cell lymphoid malignancies.

The family of immune associated nucleotide binding proteins (Ian) is a distinct family of GTP-binding proteins conserved in plants, mice, rats and humans that are associated with immune functions, suggesting involvement in conserved defense mechanisms. Recently, the rat Ian4 (rIan4) was cloned and it appears to be identical to the gene Iddm1/lyp responsible for severe lymphopenia and the development of insulin-dependent diabetes in the BB-DP rat. Here we describe the characterization of a new human member of the Ian family: hIan5. hIan5 is highly homologous to rIan4, has a predicted molecular weight of 35 kDa and contains distinct G motifs of GTP-binding proteins (G-1 to G-4) in the N-terminus. Human Ian5 is anchored to the mitochondria by the hydrophobic COOH-terminal domain. Human Ian5 is highly expressed in lymph node and spleen. Different blood fractions show high hIan5 expression in CD4- and CD8-positive T cells and monocytes, but not in B lymphocytes. In contrast, in B-CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) and mantle cell lymphoma samples, hIan5 mRNA was upregulated. The current data underline the role of hIan5 in T-lymphocyte development and function, and for the first time suggest that upregulation of Ian proteins is associated with B-cell malignancy, possibly by inhibiting apoptosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cyclin D1-dependent regulation of B-myb activity in early stages of neuroblastoma differentiation.

Levels of the transcription factor B-myb must be down-regulated to allow terminal differentiation of neuroectodermal cells and yet its constitutive expression induces early markers of neural differentiation. Thus, we investigated potential mechanisms of enhanced B-myb activity in early stages of neural differentiation. We report here that B-myb expression does not decrease, cyclin A and Sp1 levels remain constant while p21 levels increase continuously upon retinoic acid-induced differentiation of the LAN-5 neuroblastoma cell line. In contrast, cyclin D1 expression is down-regulated at the onset of the differentiative process by protein destabilization. Luciferase assays of promoter activity indicate that B-myb-dependent transactivation is enhanced in LAN-5 cells treated with retinoic acid (RA) for 24 h. The enhancement is independent from cyclin A but is suppressed by a degradation-resistant mutant form of cyclin D1. The importance of cyclin D1 in controlling B-myb activity is further suggested by co-immunoprecipitation experiments, showing that the amount of cyclin D1 co-immunoprecipitated with B-myb decreased after RA treatment. Thus, B-myb may play an active role in the early stages of differentiation when its transactivation activity is enhanced as a consequence of cyclin D1 down-modulation.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

B-Myb overexpression results in activation and increased Fas/Fas ligand-mediated cytotoxicity of T and NK cells.

The human B-myb gene encodes a transcriptional regulator that plays an important role in cell cycle progression, differentiation, and survival. To assess the in vivo role of B-myb, we investigated the phenotype of mouse transgenic lines in which B-Myb expression in lymphoid tissues was driven by the LCK proximal promoter. Overexpression of B-Myb had no measurable effect on the subsets of splenic and thymic lymphocytes, but was associated with increased expression of Fas ligand in NK and T cells. B-Myb-overexpressing splenocytes expressed higher IFN-gamma levels and contained higher percentages of cytokine-producing cells than wild-type (wt) splenocytes, as detected by Western blot analysis and ELISPOT assays, respectively. Ex vivo-cultured transgenic thymocytes and splenocytes had decreased survival compared with the corresponding cells from wt mice, possibly dependent on increased expression of Fas ligand. In addition, Fas ligand-dependent cytotoxicity of transgenic T and NK cells was significantly higher than that mediated by their wt counterparts. Together, these results indicate that B-Myb overexpression results in T and NK cell activation and increased cytotoxicity. Therefore, in addition to its well-established role in proliferation and differentiation, B-myb also appears to be involved in activation of NK and T cells and in their regulation of Fas/Fas ligand-mediated cytotoxicity

Animals↗

Molecular cloning of Ian4: a BCR/ABL-induced gene that encodes an outer membrane mitochondrial protein with GTP-binding activity.

Using the representation difference analysis technique, we have identified a novel gene, Ian4, which is preferentially expressed in hematopoietic precursor 32D cells transfected with wild-type versus mutant forms of the Bcr/Abl oncogene. Ian4 expression was undetectable in 32D cells transfected with v-src, oncogenic Ha-ras or v-Abl. Murine Ian4 maps to chromosome 6, 25 cM from the centromere. The Ian4 mRNA contains two open reading frames (ORFs) separated by 5 nt. The first ORF has the potential to encode for a polypeptide of 67 amino acids without apparent homology to known proteins. The second ORF encodes a protein of 301 amino acids with a GTP/ATP-binding site in the N-terminus and a hydrophobic domain in the extreme C-terminus. The IAN-4 protein resides in the mitochondrial outer membrane and the last 20 amino acids are necessary for this localization. The IAN-4 protein has GTP-binding activity and shares sequence homology with a novel family of putative GTP-binding proteins: the immuno-associated nucleotide (IAN) family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

DR-nm23 expression affects neuroblastoma cell differentiation, integrin expression, and adhesion characteristics.

BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURE: Nm23 gene family has been associated with metastasis suppression and differentiation. We studied DR-nm23 during neuroblastoma cells differentiation. DR-nm23 expression increased after retinoic acid induction of differentiation in human cell lines SK-N-SH and LAN-5. RESULTS: In several cell lines, overexpression of DR-nm23 was associated with more differentiated phenotypes. SK-N-SH cells increased vimentin expression, increased deposition of collagen type IV, modulated integrin expression, and underwent growth arrest; the murine neuroblastoma cell line N1E-115 showed neurite outgrowth and a striking enhancement of beta1 integrin expression. Up-regulation of beta1 integrin was specifically responsible for the increase in the adhesion to collagen type I-coated plates. Finally, cells overexpressing DR-nm23 were unable to growth in soft agar. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, DR-nm23 expression is directly involved in differentiation of neuroblastoma cells, and its ability to affects the adhesion to extracellular substrates and to inhibit growth in soft agar suggests an involvement in the metastatic potential of neuroblastoma.

Agar↗

c-Myb and Bcl-x overexpression predicts poor prognosis in colorectal cancer: clinical and experimental findings.

The aim of this study was twofold: to assess the relationship between c-Myb and Bcl-x expression and to evaluate the prognostic significance of their expression in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patients. Analysis of tumors from 91 CRC patients for expression of c-Myb and Bcl-x revealed a significant relationship between these two proteins. Kaplan-Meier's analysis showed an increased risk of relapse and death in patients whose tumor specimens displayed high c-Myb levels and Bcl-x positivity. Similar results were also observed excluding Dukes' D patients. Molecular analysis using three c-Myb-overexpressing LoVo clones indicated that c-Myb overexpression was accompanied by up-regulation of Bcl-x(L) protein and mRNA. Tumors originating from these clones injected in nude mice were significantly larger than those formed in mice injected with parental or vector-transfected LoVo cells. Moreover, tumors derived from parental and control vector-transfected but not from c-Myb-overexpressing LoVo cells showed high frequency of apoptotic cells. These results provide direct evidence of an association between c-Myb and Bcl-x expression and suggest that expression of both molecules might be a useful prognostic marker in CRC.

Carcinoma↗

Caspase cleavage enhances the apoptosis-inducing effects of BAD.

The function of BAD, a proapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, is regulated primarily by rapid changes in phosphorylation that modulate its protein-protein interactions and subcellular localization. We show here that, during interleukin-3 (IL-3) deprivation-induced apoptosis of 32Dcl3 murine myeloid precursor cells, BAD is cleaved by a caspase(s) at its N terminus to generate a 15-kDa truncated protein. The 15-kDa truncated BAD is a more potent inducer of apoptosis than the wild-type protein, whereas a mutant BAD resistant to caspase 3 cleavage is a weak apoptosis inducer. Truncated BAD is detectable only in the mitochondrial fraction, interacts with BCL-X(L) at least as effectively as the wild-type protein, and is more potent than wild-type BAD in inducing cytochrome c release. Human BAD, which is 43 amino acids shorter than its mouse counterpart, is also cleaved by a caspase(s) upon exposure of Jurkat T cells to anti-FAS antibody, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), or TRAIL. Moreover, a truncated form of human BAD lacking the N-terminal 28 amino acids is more potent than wild-type BAD in inducing apoptosis. The generation of truncated BAD was blocked by Bcl-2 in IL-3-deprived 32Dcl3 cells but not in Jurkat T cells exposed to anti-FAS antibody, TNF-alpha, or TRAIL. Together, these findings point to a novel and important role for BAD in maintaining the apoptotic phenotype in response to various apoptosis inducers.

Animals↗

Bcl-2 expression restores the leukemogenic potential of a BCR/ABL mutant defective in transformation.

Growth factor-dependent hematopoietic cell lines expressing the BCR/ABL oncoprotein of the Ph chromosome show growth factor-independent proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. Apoptosis resistance of BCR/ABL-expressing cells may depend on enhanced expression of anti-apoptotic proteins as well as reduced expression and/or inactivation of pro-apoptotic proteins. Compared to myeloid precursor 32Dcl3 cells expressing wild type BCR/ABL, cells expressing a BCR/ABL mutant lacking amino acids 176-426 in the BCR domain (p185 delta BCR) are susceptible to apoptosis induced by interleukin-3 (IL-3) deprivation. These cells exhibited the hypophosphorylated apoptotic BAD and markedly reduced levels of Bcl-2. Upon ectopic expression of Bcl-2, these cells showed no changes in BAD phosphorylation, but they became apoptosis-resistant and proliferated in the absence of IL-3, albeit more slowly than cells expressing wild type BCR/ABL. Moreover, the p185 delta BCR/Bcl-2 double transfectants were leukemogenic when injected into immunodeficient mice, but Bcl-2 expression did not restore the leukemia-inducing effects of p185 delta BCR to the levels of wild type BCR/ABL. Leukemic cells recovered from the spleen of mice injected with p185 delta BCR/Bcl-2 cells did not show rearrangements in the Bcl-2 genomic locus, but they exhibited enhanced proliferation in culture and induced a rapidly fatal disease process when inoculated in secondary recipient mice. Together, these data support the importance of anti-apoptotic pathways for BCR/ABL-dependent leukemogenesis and suggest that Bcl-2 expression promotes secondary changes leading to a more aggressive tumor phenotype. (Blood. 2000;96:3915-3921)

Animals↗

Identification and characterization of the gene for a novel C-type lectin (CLECSF7) that maps near the natural killer gene complex on human chromosome 12.

We report the identification and characterization of a novel C-type lectin gene, named HECL (HGMW-approved symbol CLECSF7), that maps close to the natural killer gene complex on human chromosome 12p13. Sequence analysis revealed a complete open reading frame of 549 bp comprising several putative glycosylation and phosphorylation sites as well as a C-terminal C-type carbohydrate-recognition domain. Homology analysis revealed that HECL exhibits a significant degree of divergence from the natural killer cell receptors that comprise the natural killer gene complex. These natural killer cell receptors all belong to group V of the C-type lectin superfamily. HECL, however, is most closely related to the sole group II C-type lectins reported to map near this region of the genome, the murine Nkcl and Mpcl genes. Like Nkcl, HECL is expressed in a variety of hematopoietic cell types and has a complete Ca(2+)-binding site 2. Despite the presence of critical amino acids for sugar binding in Ca(2+)-binding site 2, HECL does not seem to bind carbohydrate. Moreover, HECL is the first non-receptor-like C-type lectin to map near the natural killer gene complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Versatility of BCR/ABL-expressing leukemic cells in circumventing proapoptotic BAD effects.

BAD, the proapoptotic member of the "BH3-only" subfamily of BCL-2 proteins, is inactivated by phosphorylation at serines 112 and 136 and by sequestration in the cytoplasm where it interacts with members of the 14-3-3 family. In BCR/ABL-expressing cells, BAD is constitutively phosphorylated and mainly cytoplasmic, whereas in cells expressing BCR/ABL mutants unable to protect from apoptosis, BAD is nonphosphorylated. We show here that both the wild-type (WT) and the S112A/ S136A double mutant (DM) BAD are more potent inducers of apoptosis in parental than in BCR/ABL-expressing 32D myeloid precursor cells. Stable lines of parental cells expressing DM BAD could not be established and most clones from WT BAD retrovirus-infected parental cells lost BAD expression. On IL-3 withdrawal from parental 32D cells, BAD was rapidly dephosphorylated by the serine-threonine phosphatase 1 alpha, and localized in the mitochondria, whereas it remained phosphorylated and did not localize to the mitochondria in the cohort of BCR/ABL-expressing cells escaping apoptosis induced by WT BAD. Moreover, these cells showed high levels of BCL-2 and BCL-X(L) expression. The cohort of BCR/ABL-expressing cells resistant to apoptosis induced by DM BAD showed only high levels of BCL-2 and BCL-X(L). These findings suggest that BCR/ABL-expressing cells are more versatile than normal hematopoietic progenitors in counteracting the apoptotic potential of BAD, and raise the possibility that tumor cells activate multiple antiapoptotic pathways for survival in the face of death-inducing stimuli. (Blood. 2000;96:676-684)

Animals↗

Direct transactivation of the anti-apoptotic gene apolipoprotein J (clusterin) by B-MYB.

B-MYB is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor involved in the regulation of cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. In an attempt to isolate B-MYB-regulated genes that may explain the role of B-MYB in cellular processes, representational difference analysis was performed in neuroblastoma cell lines with different levels of B-MYB expression. One of the genes, the mRNA levels of which were enhanced in B-MYB expressing cells, was ApoJ/Clusterin(SGP-2/TRMP-2) (ApoJ/Clusterin), previously implicated in regulation of apoptosis and tumor progression. Here we show that the human ApoJ/Clusterin gene contains a Myb binding site in its 5' flanking region, which interacts with bacterially synthesized B-MYB protein and mediates B-MYB-dependent transactivation of the ApoJ/Clusterin promoter in transient transfection assays. Endogenous ApoJ/Clusterin expression is induced in mammalian cell lines following transient transfection of a B-MYB cDNA. Blockage of secreted clusterin by a monoclonal antibody results in increased apoptosis of neuroblastoma cells exposed to the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin. Thus, activation of ApoJ/Clusterin by B-MYB may be an important step in the regulation of apoptosis in normal and diseased cells.

Animals↗

The nucleoside diphosphate kinase activity of DRnm23 is not required for inhibition of differentiation and induction of apoptosis in 32Dcl3 myeloid precursor cells.

DRnm23 belongs to a multigene family which includes nm23-H1, the first bona fide metastasis suppressor gene, nm23-H2, nm23-H4, and nm23-H5. Like nm23-H1, nm23-H2, and nm23-H4, DRnm23 possesses nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) activity. Upon overexpression in myeloid precursor 32Dcl3 cells, DRnm23 inhibits granulocytic differentiation and promotes apoptosis. Two specific mutants of DRnm23 (H134Q and S136P), at residues required for the NDPK activity, inhibit differentiation and promote apoptosis of 32Dcl3 cells. By contrast, substitution of serine 61 with proline (S61P) or deletion of the RGD domain (DeltaRGD) abrogates the effects of wild-type DRnm23. Like wild-type DRnm23, all four mutants show a predominantly mitochondrial subcellular localization. These studies indicate that the enzymatic activity of DRnm23 is not required for the effects observed in 32Dcl3 cells. Moreover, the inability of the S61P and DeltaRGD DRnm23 mutants to inhibit differentiation and promote apoptosis may be due to defective protein-protein interactions at the mitochondria, the predominant site of DRnm23 subcellular localization.

Animals↗

The interferon regulatory factors 1 and 2 bind to a segment of the human c-myb first intron: possible role in the regulation of c-myb expression.

The preferential expression of the protooncogene c-myb in hematopoietic cells is in part regulated by a mechanism of transcriptional block in the first intron. By electrophoresis mobility shift assays using probes corresponding to different segments of the putative human c-myb intron 1 transcription pause region and nuclear extracts from myeloid leukemia HL 60 and fibroblast WI 38 cells, we detected a HL-60-specific DNA-protein complex with a 123-bp fragment containing binding sites for the interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) nuclear proteins. Formation of the DNA-protein complex was abrogated by competition with an oligomer containing the wild-type, but not the mutated, IRF binding site and the complex was specifically supershifted by the anti-IRF-1 or the anti-IRF-2 antibody. Moreover, in vitro translated IRF-1 or IRF-2 protein did interact with the 123-bp c-myb intron 1 fragment. Upon TPA-induced differentiation, c-myb expression was readily down-modulated in parental HL 60 cells, but not in cells transfected with an antisense IRF-1 plasmid. Moreover, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity driven by a c-myb promoter containing the entire intron 1 was suppressed upon IRF-1, but not IRF-2 expression. Together, these results are consistent with the existence of a functional relationship between IRF-1 and c-myb in which IRF-1 negatively regulates c-myb expression at the transcriptional level by a mechanism that may depend on the interaction of IRF-1 with a segment of the c-myb gene implicated in transcription pausing.

Animals↗

Delivery of c-myb antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to human neuroblastoma cells via disialoganglioside GD(2)-targeted immunoliposomes: antitumor effects.

BACKGROUND: Advanced-stage neuroblastoma resists conventional treatment; hence, novel therapeutic approaches are required. We evaluated the use of c-myb antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (asODNs) delivered to cells via targeted immunoliposomes to inhibit c-Myb protein expression and neuroblastoma cell proliferation in vitro. METHODS: Phosphorothioate asODNs and control sequences were encapsulated in cationic lipid, and the resulting particles were coated with neutral lipids to produce coated cationic liposomes (CCLs). Monoclonal antibodies directed against the disialoganglioside GD(2) were covalently coupled to the CCLs. (3)H-labeled liposomes were used to measure cellular binding, and cellular uptake of asODNs was evaluated by dot-blot analysis. Growth inhibition was quantified by counting trypan blue dye-stained cells. Expression of c-Myb protein was examined by western blot analysis. RESULTS: Our methods produced GD(2)-targeted liposomes that stably entrapped 80%-90% of added c-myb asODNs. These liposomes showed concentration-dependent binding to GD(2)-positive neuroblastoma cells that could be blocked by soluble anti-GD(2) monoclonal antibodies. GD(2)-targeted liposomes increased the uptake of asODNs by neuroblastoma cells by a factor of fourfold to 10-fold over that obtained with free asODNs. Neuroblastoma cell proliferation was inhibited to a greater extent by GD(2)-targeted liposomes containing c-myb asODNs than by nontargeted liposomes or free asODNs. GD(2)-targeted liposomes containing c-myb asODNs specifically reduced expression of c-Myb protein by neuroblastoma cells. Enhanced liposome binding and asODN uptake, as well as the antiproliferative effect, were not evident in GD(2)-negative cells. CONCLUSIONS: Encapsulation of asODNs into immunoliposomes appears to enhance their toxicity toward targeted cells while shielding nontargeted cells from antisense effects and may be efficacious for the delivery of drugs with broad therapeutic applications to tumor cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Physical interaction between CDK9 and B-Myb results in suppression of B-Myb gene autoregulation.

B-Myb is a transcription factor belonging to the myb family, whose activity has been associated with augmented DNA synthesis and cell cycle progression. We showed recently that B-Myb autoregulates its own expression through promoter transactivation. We report in this study that CDK9, the cyclin T associated kinase, which phosphorylates and activates RNA-Polymerase II, suppresses B-Myb autoregulation through direct interaction with the carboxyl-terminus of the B-Myb protein. Down-regulation of the transactivating ability of B-Myb is independent of the kinase activity of CDK9, because a kinase deficient mutant (dn-CDK9) also represses B-myb gene autoregulation. Overexpression of CDK9 did not result in suppression of p53-dependent transactivation or inhibition of the basal activity of the promoters tested so far, demonstrating that CDK9 is a B-Myb-specific repressor. Rather, transfection of the dominant negative dn-CDK9 construct inhibited the basal activity of the reporter genes, confirming an essential role for CDK9 in gene transcription. In addition, Cyclin T1 restores B-Myb transactivating activity when co-transfected along with CDK9, suggesting that the down-regulatory effect observed on B-Myb is specifically due to CDK9 alone. Thus, our data suggest that CDK9 is involved in the negative regulation of activated transcription mediated by certain transcription factors, such as B-Myb. This may indicate the existence of a feedback loop, mediated by the different activities of CDK9, which links basal with activated transcription.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗