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Biomedical subjects

G B Mills

Publications and source records attributed to G B Mills.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter regulation in normal and malignant human ovarian epithelial cells.

The telomerase RNA-protein complex responsible for maintenance of telomeric DNA at chromosome ends, is usually inactive in most primary somatic human cells, but is specifically activated with in vitro immortalization and during tumorigenesis. Although expression of the RNA component of telomerase appears to be constitutive, the expression pattern of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), the catalytic subunit of telomerase, is correlated with measured enzyme activity. In particular, a >80% concordance has been reported between telomerase activity and hTERT mRNA expression in ovarian tumors. Accordingly, to learn more about the mechanism regulating hTERT gene expression in ovarian carcinoma, we have performed a detailed analysis of the 5'-flanking promoter region of the hTERT gene. We have reported previously the isolation and analysis of a 5.8-kb genomic fragment containing the human hTERT gene promoter (M. Tzukerman et al., Mol. Biol. Cell, 11: 4381-4391, 2000). Deletion analysis of this promoter was carried out using transient transfection of promoter-reporter constructs in four different telomerase-expressing, ovarian carcinoma-derived cell lines, the tumorigenic properties of which have been characterized, and was compared with telomerase-negative primary human fibroblasts and nontransformed ovarian epithelial cells. These assays have shown that the hTERT promoter is inactive in telomerase-negative cells and is active in telomerase-positive cell lines. A core promoter of 283 bp upstream of the transcription initiation site (TI) was found to be sufficient for maximum promoter activity, suggesting the presence of inhibitory elements within the larger promoter sequence. Gel shift analysis of the core promoter using nuclear extracts from the ovarian and control cell lines revealed specific transcription factor binding using extracts from telomerase-positive cells. Among the binding elements, we identified two E-boxes (CACGTG) as well as a novel element (MT-box), which we identified recently in a number of differentiation systems. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to introduce mutations into this novel transcription factor binding element. These mutations significantly affect the transcriptional activity of hTERT promoter in a cell type-specific manner and suggest that the transcription factors that bind to the E-box and the novel element cooperatively function as major determinants of hTERT expression and telomerase activity in ovarian cancer. Further comparison of promoter activity, telomerase activity, and telomere length among the different ovarian cancer cells indicated that a threshold level of telomerase activity is apparently sufficient to protect telomere integrity and permit the immortal state of the different ovarian cancer cell lines.

Base Sequence↗

Defective cytochrome c-dependent caspase activation in ovarian cancer cell lines due to diminished or absent apoptotic protease activating factor-1 activity.

Apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway requires release of cytochrome c into the cytosol to initiate formation of an oligomeric apoptotic protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1) apoptosome. The apoptosome recruits and activates caspase-9, which in turn activates caspase-3 and -7, which then kill the cell by proteolysis. Because inactivation of this pathway may promote oncogenesis, we examined 10 ovarian cancer cell lines for resistance to cytochrome c-dependent caspase activation using a cell-free system. Strikingly, we found that cytosolic extracts from all cell lines had diminished cytochrome c-dependent caspase activation compared with normal ovarian epithelium extracts. The resistant cell lines expressed APAF-1 and caspase-9, -3, and -7; however, each demonstrated diminished APAF-1 activity relative to the normal ovarian epithelium cell lines. A competitive APAF-1 inhibitor may account for the diminished APAF-1 activity because we did not detect dominant APAF-1 inhibitors, altered APAF-1 isoform expression, or APAF-1 deletion, degradation, or mutation. Lack of APAF-1 activity correlated in some but not all cell lines with resistance to apoptosis. These data suggest that regulation of APAF-1 activity may be important for apoptosis regulation in some ovarian cancers.

Apoptosis↗

Lysophosphatidic acid induction of vascular endothelial growth factor expression in human ovarian cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) stimulates ovarian tumor growth at concentrations present in ascitic fluid. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulates angiogenesis and plays a pivotal role in the formation of ovarian cancer-associated ascites. We examined whether LPA promotes ovarian tumor growth by increasing angiogenesis via VEGF. METHODS: VEGF expression was examined in a simian virus 40 T-antigen-immortalized ovarian surface epithelial cell line (IOSE-29) and in ovarian cancer cell lines (OVCAR-3, SKOV-3, and CAOV-3) treated with LPA. VEGF promoter activity was measured in OVCAR-3 cells after transfection or cotransfection with c-Fos and c-Jun, components of AP1 transcription factor, potential binding sites for which are present in the VEGF promoter. The expression of the LPA receptors Edg2 and Edg4 was also assessed. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: LPA treatment increased steady-state VEGF messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in OVCAR-3 cells in a time- and dose-dependent fashion and stimulated VEGF promoter activity without prolonging mRNA half-life in these cells, but LPA had little effect on IOSE-29 cells. Forced overexpression of c-Jun and c-Fos in OVCAR-3 cells stimulated VEGF promoter activity fourfold. LPA also elevated VEGF protein levels by 1.5-fold in SKOV-3 cells (P =.0148), 1.9-fold in CAOV-3 cells (P<.001), and threefold in OVCAR-3 cells (P<.0001). Both Edg2 and Edg4 were detected in ovarian cancer cells; however, only Edg2 was present in normal ovarian surface epithelial cells and IOSE-29 cells. CONCLUSIONS: LPA stimulates ovarian tumor growth, at least in part, via induction of VEGF expression through transcriptional activation. However, this LPA response is not evident in normal ovarian surface epithelial cells. Our data suggest that Edg4, but not Edg2, plays a role in LPA stimulation of ovarian tumor growth.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗

Tyrosine phosphorylation of p85 relieves its inhibitory activity on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.

Under resting conditions, the p85 regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) serves to both stabilize and inactivate the p110 catalytic subunit. The inhibitory activity of p85 is relieved by occupancy of the NH(2)-terminal SH2 domain of p85 by phosphorylated tyrosine. Src family kinases phosphorylate tyrosine 688 in p85, a process that we have shown to be reversed by the activity of the p85-associated SH2 domain-containing phosphatase SHP1. We demonstrate that phosphorylation of the downstream PI3K target Akt is increased in cells lacking SHP1, implicating phosphorylation of p85 in the regulation of PI3K activity. Furthermore, the in vitro specific activity of PI3K associated with tyrosine- phosphorylated p85 is higher than that associated with nonphosphorylated p85. Expression of wild-type p85 inhibits PI3K enzyme activity as indicated by PI3K- dependent Akt phosphorylation. The inhibitory activity of p85 is accentuated by mutation of tyrosine 688 to alanine and reversed by mutation of tyrosine 688 to aspartic acid, changes that block and mimic tyrosine phosphorylation, respectively Strikingly, mutation of tyrosine 688 to aspartic acid completely reverses the inhibitory activity of p85 on cell viability and activation of the downstream targets Akt and NFkappaB, indicative of the physiological relevance of p85 phosphorylation. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Tyr(688) or mutation of tyrosine 688 to aspartic acid is sufficient to allow binding to the NH(2)-terminal SH2 domain of p85. Thus an intramolecular interaction between phosphorylated Tyr(688) and the NH(2)-terminal SH2 domain of p85 can relieve the inhibitory activity of p85 on p110. Taken together, the data indicate that phosphorylation of Tyr(688) in p85 leads to a novel mechanism of PI3K regulation.

Animals↗

XIAP regulates Akt activity and caspase-3-dependent cleavage during cisplatin-induced apoptosis in human ovarian epithelial cancer cells.

Chemoresistance is a major hurdle for successful cancer therapy. Although multiple mechanisms have been implicated to be involved in cisplatin resistance, recent evidence has suggested that X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) may be a key determinant in chemosensitivity in ovarian cancer. Cell fate is determined by a balance between cell survival and apoptotic signaling. Whereas phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K) and XIAP are believed to be important cell survival factors in human ovarian surface epithelial cancer cells, if and how they interact to confer resistance to chemotherapy is not known. In the present study, we have investigated the role of XIAP in the regulation of the PI 3-K/Akt survival pathway in chemosensitive (A2780-s, OV2008, and OVCAR-3) and resistant (A2780-cp) ovarian cancer cell lines and the nature of this interaction in cell death/survival signaling. Cisplatin decreased XIAP protein levels and induced Akt cleavage and apoptosis in chemosensitive, but not in resistant, ovarian cancer cells. Cisplatin also induced cleavage of caspase-9 and caspase-3, a process blocked by XIAP overexpression. Pretreatment of ovarian cancer cells and their whole cell lysate with tetrapeptide inhibitors of caspases in vitro significantly decreased Akt cleavage induced by cisplatin and exogenous active caspase-3. Adenoviral sense XIAP cDNA expression increased XIAP protein levels and increased Akt phosphorylation, indicative of activation of Akt and, likely, of PI 3-K. This was associated with a decrease in cisplatin-induced apoptosis. In a cell line (OVCAR-3) where basal phosphorylated Akt levels were high, XIAP overexpression failed to increase further the level of this phosphoprotein. XIAP down-regulation induced Akt cleavage and apoptosis, and treatment of whole cell lysate with human recombinant active caspase-3 resulted in a similar pattern of Akt cleavage. In the presence of the PI 3-K inhibitor (LY294002), XIAP overexpression failed to block cisplatin-induced apoptosis and to induce Akt phosphorylation, suggesting that the site of action of XIAP is upstream of Akt in this cell survival pathway. Taken together, the results indicate that XIAP prevents apoptosis through a PI 3-K-dependent inhibition of the caspase cascade. These results demonstrate a novel mechanism by which XIAP regulates apoptosis and the possible involvement of the PI 3-K/Akt survival pathway in XIAP-mediated chemoresistance of ovarian cancer cells.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

The role of genetic abnormalities of PTEN and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway in breast and ovarian tumorigenesis, prognosis, and therapy.

Breast and ovarian cancers exhibit similar epidemiologic, genotypic, and phenotypic characteristics. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and the PTEN tumor suppressor gene product phosphorylate and dephosphorylate the same 3' site in the inositol ring of membrane phosphatidylinositols. Germ-line mutations in the PTEN tumor suppressor gene are causative of Cowden's breast cancer predisposition syndrome, and PTEN is frequently mutated in sporadic breast cancers. In contrast, amplification of multiple components of the PI3K pathway is a hallmark of serous epithelial ovarian cancers. The resultant activation of the PI3K pathway in both breast and ovarian cancers contributes to cell-cycle progression, decreased apoptosis, and increased metastatic capabilities. Strikingly, both ovarian and breast cancer cells are selectively sensitive to pharmacologic and genetic manipulation of the PI3K pathway, making molecular therapeutics targeting this pathway particularly attractive approaches for these cancers.

Animals↗

In vitro and in vivo antitumor effect of the anti-CD26 monoclonal antibody 1F7 on human CD30+ anaplastic large cell T-cell lymphoma Karpas 299.

CD26 is a M(r) 110,000 surface glycoprotein with diverse functional properties, including having a potentially significant role in tumor development, and antibodies to CD26 mediate pleomorphic cellular functions. In this report, we show that binding of soluble anti-CD26 monoclonal Ab 1F7 inhibits the growth of the human CD30+ anaplastic large cell T-cell lymphoma cell line Karpas 299 in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro experiments show that 1F7 induces cell cycle arrest at the G1-S checkpoint, associated with enhanced p21 expression that is dependent on de novo protein synthesis. Furthermore, experiments with a severe combined immunodeficient mouse tumor model demonstrate that 1F7 treatment significantly enhances survival of tumor-bearing mice by inhibiting tumor formation. Our data therefore suggest that anti-CD26 treatment may have potential clinical use for CD26+ hematological malignancies.

Animals↗

Functional evidence for an ovarian cancer tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 22 by microcell-mediated chromosome transfer.

The identity of many tumor suppressor genes important in epithelial ovarian cancer tumorigenesis remains unknown. In an effort to localize a novel tumor suppressor on chromosome 22, a psv2neo tagged human chromosome 22 was transferred into the malignant epithelial ovarian cancer cell line, SKOv-3, by microcell-mediated chromosome transfer. Complete suppression of the transformed phenotype was observed in 16 of 18 individual microcell hybrid clones as evidenced by the complete abrogation of cell growth under anchorage-independent conditions. In vitro doubling times were also dramatically reduced, as was the ability to form subcutaneous tumors in CD1 nu/nu mice. Only one polymorphic marker, D22S429, segregated with decreased transformation and tumorigenic potential, suggesting that an unrecognized tumor suppressor may localize to chromosome 22q11-q12. These data provide functional support for the presence of a novel tumor suppressor locus (or loci) on chromosome 22 that is important in ovarian cancer tumorigenesis.

Animals↗

Inhibition of growth-factor-induced phosphorylation and activation of protein kinase B/Akt by atypical protein kinase C in breast cancer cells.

The protein kinase B/Akt serine/threonine kinase, located downstream of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI-3K), is a major regulator of cellular survival and proliferation. Atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) family members are activated by PI-3K and also contribute to cell proliferation, suggesting that Akt and aPKC might interact to activate signalling through the PI-3K cascade. Here we demonstrate that blocking PKC activity in MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells increased the phosphorylation and activity of Akt. Functional PI-3K was required for the PKC inhibitors to increase Akt phosphorylation and activation, potentially owing to the activation of specific PKC isoforms by PI-3K. The concentration dependence of the action of the PKC inhibitors implicates aPKC in the inhibition of Akt phosphorylation and activity. In support of a role for aPKC in the regulation of Akt, Akt and PKCzeta or PKClambda/iota were readily co-precipitated from the BT-549 breast cancer cell line. Furthermore, the overexpression of PKCzeta inhibited growth-factor-induced increases in Akt phosphorylation and activity. Thus PKCzeta associates physically with Akt and decreases Akt phosphorylation and enzyme activity. The effects of PKC on Akt were transmitted through the PI-3K cascade as indicated by changes in p70 s6 kinase (p70(s6k)) phosphorylation. Thus PKCzeta, and potentially other PKC isoenzymes, regulate growth-factor-mediated Akt phosphorylation and activation, which is consistent with a generalized role for PKCzeta in limiting growth factor signalling through the PI-3K/Akt pathway.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Lysophosphatidic acid prevents apoptosis in fibroblasts via G(i)-protein-mediated activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a naturally occurring phospholipid with multiple biological functions. In the present study, we demonstrate that, besides its mitogenic activity, LPA is a potent survival factor, preventing serum-deprivation-induced apoptosis in fibroblasts and other cell types. Both the proliferative effect and survival activity of LPA are sensitive to the action of pertussis toxin (PTX), indicating that both processes are mediated by G(i) protein(s). We therefore focused on the role of G(i)-protein-mediated signalling events in the promotion of cell survival by LPA. In addition to activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), LPA stimulates a modest PTX-sensitive phosphorylation/activation of the serine/threonine kinase Akt, a survival mediator downstream of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Inhibition of PI3K with LY 294002 or wortmannin resulted in a marked inhibition of LPA-induced DNA synthesis, and yet the survival activity of LPA decreased by only 20-30%, suggesting a limited input of the PI3K-Akt cascade in LPA-induced cell survival. In contrast, inhibition of MAPK activation by the MEK-1 inhibitor, PD 98059, blocked both the proliferative and survival effects of LPA. These results indicate that LPA promotes cell survival largely via G(i)-protein-mediated activation of ERK1/ERK2, or other PD 98059-sensitive member(s) of the MAPK family.

3T3 Cells↗

Phosphorylation and inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 by protein kinase A.

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) is implicated in multiple biological processes including metabolism, gene expression, cell fate determination, proliferation, and survival. GSK-3 activity is inhibited through phosphorylation of serine 21 in GSK-3 alpha and serine 9 in GSK-3 beta. These serine residues of GSK-3 have been previously identified as targets of protein kinase B (PKB/Akt), a serine/threonine kinase located downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Here, we show that serine 21 in GSK-3 alpha and serine 9 in GSK-3 beta are also physiological substrates of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A. Protein kinase A physically associates with, phosphorylates, and inactivates both isoforms of GSK-3. The results indicate that depending on the stimulatory context, the activity of GSK-3 can be modulated either by growth factors that work through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B cascade or by hormonal stimulation of G protein-coupled receptors that link to changes in intracellular cAMP levels.

Animals↗

Differential signaling by an anti-p185(HER2) antibody and heregulin.

To understand the molecular mechanisms by which anti-p185HER2 antibody and the ligand heregulin inhibit tumor growth, we have investigated several signaling proteins and pathways. We report here that anti-p185HER2 monoclonal antibody ID5 induced tyrosine phosphorylation of HER2 in SKBr3 breast cancer cells that overexpress p185HER2. Heregulin beta1 induced phosphorylation of both HER3 and HER2. ID5 produced a greater association of phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma1 with HER2 than did heregulin. Concordantly, ID5, but not heregulin, increased PLC-gamma1 activity. However, the G1 cell cycle arrest and induction of p27Kip1 produced by ID5 were not affected by the inhibition of PLC-gamma. ID5 preferentially induced binding of the Mr 46,000 isoform of SHC to HER2, whereas heregulin preferentially induced binding of the Mr 52,00 isoform of SHC to HER3. Heregulin, but not ID5, induced the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3-K) to interact with HER3. Heregulin induced sustained activation of P13-K signaling, whereas ID5 had only a transient effect. Heregulin, but not ID5, activated the c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase cascade. Pretreatment of SKBr3 cells with ID5 decreased heregulin-induced association of HER2 with HER3 as well as the activation of c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase and PI3-K activities. Inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in SKBr3 cells did not affect heregulin-induced G2-M-phase arrest, apoptosis, and differentiation. Heregulin-induced apoptosis could be blocked by inhibition of p70s6k, but not by inhibition of PI3-K. Heregulin-induced differentiation could be eliminated by inhibition of PI3-K. We conclude that ID5 and heregulin signal via different pathways, although both agents can inhibit the clonogenic growth of cells that overexpress HER2.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Lysophospholipid growth factors in the initiation, progression, metastases, and management of ovarian cancer.

Levels of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) are elevated in the plasma and ascites of ovarian cancer patients, but not in most other tumor types. LPA increases cell proliferation, cell survival, resistance to cisplatin, cell shrinkage, and production of vascular endothelial growth factor, urokinase plasminogen activator, and LPA itself in ovarian cancer cells, but not in normal ovarian surface epithelial cells. PSP24 and members of the endothelial differentiation gene (EDG) family (EDG1, EDG2, EDG4, and EDG7) of G protein-coupled receptors mediate LPA signaling. Ovarian cancer cell lines do not express EDG1 mRNA, have variable EDG2 mRNA and protein levels, and frequently exhibit levels of EDG4 mRNA and protein, suggesting that EDG4 may contribute to the deleterious effects of LPA in ovarian cancer. In contrast, activation of the EDG2 LPA receptor on ovarian cancer cells may lead to apoptosis and counter the effects of other LPA receptors. Thus, the development of agonists and antagonists for the appropriate spectrum of LPA receptors may alter proliferation, apoptosis, or response to therapy of ovarian cancer cells. Indeed, over 60% of all current drugs target the G protein-coupled family of receptors, making the LPA receptor family a "drugable" target. LPC, although not as thoroughly studied, increases cellular proliferation and mediates multiple other functions through unique signaling pathways.

Ascites↗

A gonadotropin-releasing hormone-responsive phosphatase hydrolyses lysophosphatidic acid within the plasma membrane of ovarian cancer cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) mediates pleomorphic effects on multiple cell lineages, including an increased proliferative response of ovarian cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, at least in part through the novel expression of LPA receptors. Thus, LPA hydrolysis is necessary to limit the duration of LPA's action on multiple cell types, including ovarian cancer cells. We determined the principal mechanism of LPA hydrolysis by ovarian cancer cells and its regulation by GnRH, which is known to have antiproliferative actions on ovarian carcinomas. LPA-hydrolyzing activity in cell membranes of ovarian cancer specimens was assessed by measuring the conversion of exogenous [3H-oleoyl]LPA to [3H]oleic acid or mono[3H-oleoyl]glycerol. Approximately 98% of LPA hydrolysis could be accounted for by the dephosphorylation of LPA to yield monoglyceride, with the deacylation reaction accounting for less than 1% of LPA hydrolysis. The phosphatase activity in the plasma membrane ovarian cancer cells was approximately 2.5- and 8-fold higher than those in microsome and homogenate fractions, respectively. The membrane phosphatase was Mg2+ independent and insensitive to inhibition by N-ethylmaleimide, characteristics suggestive of phosphatidic acid phosphatase activity. Incubation of membranes from GnRH receptor-positive ovarian cancer specimens with the GnRH agonist, buserelin, induced a dose-dependent increase in LPA phosphatase activity, with a half-maximal effect occurring with 30 nmol/L buserelin. The stimulatory action of buserelin could be neutralized by displacement of GnRH from its receptor by the GnRH antagonist, antide. The plasma membranes from GnRH receptor-negative ovarian cancer specimens did not respond to GnRH stimulation. LPA phosphatase activity was also increased when the ovarian cancer cell line Caov-3 was exposed to GnRH agonist in intact cells before assay of cell membranes. These data demonstrate that LPA is hydrolyzed in the plasma membrane of ovarian cancer cells by the action of LPA phosphatase and provide initial evidence for functional coupling of LPA phosphatase to GnRH receptor occupancy.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗

Anti-HER2 antibody and heregulin suppress growth of HER2-overexpressing human breast cancer cells through different mechanisms.

Previous reports have shown that certain anti-HER2 antibodies and heregulin can inhibit clonogenic growth of breast and ovarian cancers that overexpress HER2. Anti-HER2 antibodies bind to HER2 directly, whereas heregulin does not bind to HER2 alone, but rather interacts with HER2 through the formation of heterodimers with HER3 or HER4. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the mechanisms by which anti-HER2 antibody and heregulin inhibit tumor growth. The anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) ID5 was found to block G1-S progression of the cell cycle, whereas heregulin inhibited passage through G2-M. Compatible with the effects on the cell cycle, treatment with mAb ID5 decreased levels of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2, cyclin E, and CDK6 proteins and reduced cyclin E-CDK2-associated kinase activity; mAb HD5-treated cells had increased p27Kip1 expression and an increased association of p27Kip1 with CDK2. In contrast, treatment with heregulin increased protein levels of CDK2, CDK6, CDC2, and cyclin B1. More Retinoblastoma protein was found in the hypophosphorylated state in the cells treated with mAb ID5, whereas more retinoblastoma protein was in the hyperphosphorylated state in heregulin-treated cells. Heregulin was able to induce cell differentiation as assessed by Oil Red O staining and apoptosis as assessed by sub-G1 peak on flow cytometry and the presence of DNA fragmentation in ApopTag histochemistry staining. Neither differentiation nor apoptosis was observed in the cells treated with mAb ID5. We conclude that anti-HER-2 mAb ID5 and heregulin exert growth inhibition through different mechanisms. In mammary cells overexpressing HER2, anti-HER2 mAb ID5 induces G1 arrest, whereas heregulin induces G2-M arrest, cell differentiation, and apoptosis.

Androstadienes↗