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[Sulindac induced apoptosis of HT-29 colon adenocarcinoma cell].

This study was intended to examine whether sulindac induces apoptosis in the HT-29 cells. Flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy and DNA electrophoresis were used. Flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy and DNA electrophoresis all demonstrated that sulindac could induce apoptosis of the HT-29 cell line in a time- and dose-dependent manner. After treatment with 0.3 mmol/L, 0.6 mmol/L and 1.2 mmol/L sulindac for 48 hours, apoptotic cells in the treatment groups reached 5.8%, 7.6% and 11.7% versus 2.9% in the control group; after treatment for 72 hours, apoptotic cells in the treatment groups increased to 12.5%, 15.4% and 24.4% versus 5.1% in the control group, respectively, P < 0.05. This study has demonstrated that colon adenocarcinoma HT-29 cell line can be induced by sulindac.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Enhancement of platinum-induced cytotoxicity by O6-benzylguanine.

O(6)-Benzylguanine (O(6)-BG), a potent inactivator of the DNA repair protein O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT), is presently in clinical trials combined with alkylating agents that modify the O(6) position of DNA guanine residues, i.e., 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea and temozolomide. Previous work demonstrated that O(6)-BG also enhances the cytotoxicity of cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and nitrogen mustards in Chinese hamster ovary cells. We have extended this study to include other clinically relevant agents that form interstrand and intrastrand cross-links including cisplatin and carboplatin. Pretreatment of a series of head and neck tumor cell lines (i.e., SQ20b, JSQ3, SCC25, SCC35, and SCC61), Chinese hamster ovary cells, and HT29 human colon tumor cells with O(6)-BG (100 micro M for 2 h before treatment and 2 h during treatment) resulted in a 2-fold decrease in the ED(50) of cisplatin and a concomitant increase in the percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis. The enhancement was independent of AGT activity. Similar enhancement was observed with carboplatin, but no enhancement was seen in AGT-deficient cell lines with radiation or temozolomide, demonstrating the dependence of the effect on bifunctional, cross-linking agents. Furthermore, levels of platinum on DNA after treatment with cisplatin increased 1.4-fold in SQ20b cells and 4.5-fold in JSQ3 cells immediately after treatment with O(6)-BG plus cisplatin and remained elevated for 48 h. Consistent with greater cytotoxicity and apoptosis is the approximately 2-fold higher amount of DNA damage when cells are treated with O(6)-BG plus cisplatin compared with cisplatin alone. Modulation of cisplatin therapy with O(6)-BG might improve the prognosis of patients with head and neck, ovarian, testicular, or lung cancer who are treated with this drug.

Animals↗

[Influence of sodium butyrate on growth of HT-29 colon carcinoma cells and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Sodium butyrate could inhibit several cancer cell lines in vitro. This study was designed to investigate the effects of sodium butyrate on the growth of HT-29 colon carcinoma cells, the expression of iNOS, and the excretion of NO. METHODS: The HT-29 cells were co-incubated with sodium butyrate at various concentration. The cell proliferation was determined by MTT test, and the iNOS protein of HT-29 cells was stained by immunochemical SP method. The absorbance value (A value) of iNOS was measured by automatic image analysis system. Griess's technique was used to examine the excretion of nitric oxide (NO). RESULTS: The survival rates of HT-29 cells treated by sodium butyrate decreased in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. IC(50) value of sodium butyrate was decreased with prolonged incubation time (15.4 mmol/L at 12 hours, 5.7 mmol/L at 24 hours, 2.5 mmol/L at 36 hours, 0.9 mmol/L at 48 hours). Simultaneously sodium butyrate decreased the expression of iNOS in the cytoplasm and the excretion of NO in a similar manner. CONCLUSION: Sodium butyrate could inhibit the expression of iNOS, consequently reduce the excretion of NO. It may play an important role in the mechanism that sodium butyrate inhibits the growth of HT-29 colon carcinoma cells.

Butyrates↗

Butyrate-induced alteration in lipid composition of human colon cell line HT-29.

The effect of butyrate-induced differentiation on lipid composition of HT-29 cells were studied. It was observed that cell differentiation was associated with increased activity of alkaline phosphatase and changes in the lipid composition. Differentiated cells showed increased level of triacylglycerol, cholesteryl esters and decreased free cholesterol and phospholipids. Changes were also observed in individual phospholipid composition. It appears that butyrate induced differentiation is associated with increased esterification of neutral lipids.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Inhibition of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) phospholipase D by suramin-like compounds.

A number of proteins are found attached to the plasma membrane of mammalian cells by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor that can be cleaved by GPI specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD). There are no known specific inhibitors of GPI-PLD. We examined some inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) for their ability to inhibit human serum and human bone marrow cell GPI-PLD. Azo analogues of suramin were found to be potent inhibitors of GPI-PLD. One compound had an IC50 of 3.7 microM that was 10-fold lower than the IC50 required to inhibit PI-PLC. The azo suramin analogues inhibited cancer cell growth at concentrations similar to those required to inhibit GPI-PLD, and below concentrations required to inhibit growth factor binding. It is possible that inhibition of cell growth might be related to the ability of the compounds to inhibit GPI-PLD.

Cell Division↗

Deficient processing and activity of type I insulin-like growth factor receptor in the furin-deficient LoVo-C5 cells.

To investigate endoproteolytic processing of the type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR), we have examined its structure and activity in the furin-deficient LoVo-C5 cell line. Immunoprecipitation experiments using the monoclonal anti-IGF-IR antibody (alpha-IR3) showed that LoVo-C5 cells expressed a major high molecular mass receptor (200 kDa) corresponding to the unprocessed alpha/beta pro-receptor. A small amount of successfully cleaved alpha/beta heterodimers was also produced, indicating a residual endoproteolytic cleavage activity in these cells. In vitro, a soluble form of recombinant furin was able to cleave the pro-IGF-IR (200 kDa) into alpha-subunit (130 kDa) and beta-subunit (97 kDa). Measurement of IGF binding parameters in LoVo-C5 cells indicated a low number of typical type I IGF-binding sites (binding capacity, 5 x 10(3) sites/cell; Kd, 1.9 nM for IGF-I and 7.0 nM for IGF-II). These findings in LoVo-C5 contrast with those in HT29-D4 cells, which have active furin, and where IGF-IR (2.8 x 10(4) sites/cell) was fully processed. Moreover, the 200-kDa pro-IGF-IR of LoVo-C5 was unable to induce intracellular signaling, such as beta-subunit tyrosine autophosphorylation and insulin-related substrate-1 tyrosine phosphorylation. Flow immunocytometry analysis using alpha-IR3 antibody indicated that LoVo-C5 cells expressed 40% more receptors than HT29-D4 cells, suggesting that in LoVo-C5 cells only the small amount of mature type I IGF-IR binds IGFs with high affinity. To provide evidence for this idea, we showed that mild trypsin treatment of living LoVo-C5 cells partially restored alpha/beta cleavage of IGF-IR, and greatly enhanced (6-fold) the IGF-I binding capacity of LoVo-C5 cells, but did not restore IGF-IR signaling activity. Moreover, LoVo-C5 cells were totally unresponsive to IGF-I in terms of cell migration, in contrast to fully processed IGF-IR-HT29-D4 cells. Our data indicate that furin is involved in the endoproteolytic processing of the IGF-IR and suggest that this posttranslational event might be crucial for its ligand binding and signaling activities. However, our data do not exclude that other proprotein convertases could participate to IGF-IR maturation.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Metabolism and apoptotic properties of elevated ceramide in HT29rev cells.

Ceramide (Cer) has been implicated in the regulation of apoptosis. In this study, we elevated cellular Cer levels in human colon-carcinoma (HT29(rev)) cells by incubating the cells in the presence of bacterial sphingomyelinase (bSMase) or, alternatively, in the presence of C2-Cer, a short-chain analogue of the sphingolipid. bSMase treatment did not induce apoptosis in these cells, as revealed by a lack of both DNA fragmentation and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase. In contrast, apoptosis did occur upon addition of C2-Cer. These findings led us to study whether differences in the metabolic fate of the excess of Cer, as generated by both treatments, contributed to the observed difference in apoptosis-inducing capacity. C2-Cer was rapidly taken up by HT29(rev) cells and accumulated due to the absence of substantial metabolic conversion. Upon addition of bSMase, hydrolysis of sphingomyelin resulted in a reduction of that pool to 20% compared with control values, accompanied by a multi-fold increase in Cer level. In spite of the continuous presence of active bSMase, the Cer increase turned out to be transient. Cer levels reached their maximum 1-2 h after addition of bSMase, followed by a significant decrease. Excessive Cer was mainly turned over via cerebrosides into complex glycolipids, including gangliosides. In the presence of glucosylceramide synthase- and/or ceramidase inhibitors, this conversion was significantly blocked and bSMase-generated Cer accumulated in the cells. However, even under these conditions apoptosis did not occur. In conclusion, the inability of bSMase to induce apoptosis of HT29(rev) cells does not appear to be due to rapid metabolic conversion of excessive Cer. Since apoptosis is induced upon addition of C2-Cer, we therefore propose that the intracellular target involved in the propagation of the apoptotic signal is reached by C2-Cer, but not by bSMase-generated Cer.

Apoptosis↗

Regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression in human colon cancer by interleukin-1beta.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an important angiogenic factor in colon cancer, is tightly regulated by factors in the microenvironment. However, specific factors indigenous to the organ microenvironment of colon cancer growth that regulate VEGF expression in human colon cancer are not well defined. We investigated interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) induction of VEGF expression in colon cancer cells and the mechanism by which this occurs. HT29 human colon cancer cells were treated with IL-1beta for various periods. Induction of VEGF mRNA by IL-1beta peaked at 24 h (> fivefold) and returned to baseline by 48 h. SW620 human colon cancer cells also reached a peak induction of VEGF mRNA 24 h after treatment with IL-1beta. VEGF was induced at a dose range between 1 and 20 ng ml(-1) of IL-1beta. IL-1beta induction of VEGF was also confirmed at the protein level. To examine the mechanism for VEGF induction by IL-1beta, we transiently transfected VEGF promoter-reporter constructs into HT29 cells. IL-1beta increased the activity of the VEGF promoter-reporter construct. Pretreatment of HT29 cells with dactinomycin abrogated the induction of VEGF mRNA by IL-1beta. The half-life of VEGF mRNA was not prolonged by treatment with IL-1beta. These findings suggest that IL-1beta regulates VEGF expression in human colon cancer cells by increasing transcription of the VEGF gene.

Colonic Neoplasms↗

Regulation of vitamin D receptor expression via estrogen-induced activation of the ERK 1/2 signaling pathway in colon and breast cancer cells.

We previously demonstrated that 17beta-estradiol (E2) regulates the transcription and expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in rat colonocytes and duodenocytes in vivo. The aim of the present study was to assess whether the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) induced by E2 is involved in regulating VDR expression. We compared E2-associated signaling activity in HT29 colon cancer cells, a non-classical E2-target, with that in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, the natural targets of the hormone. E2 did not affect proliferation of HT29 cells, but enhanced proliferation of MCF-7 cells. Vitamin D inhibited proliferation of both cell lines and the combined treatment induced potentiation of vitamin D activity. E2 upregulated VDR transcription and protein expression concomitantly with ERK 1/2 phosphorylation in both cell lines. PD98059, a specific mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, prevented E2-mediated activation of ERK 1/2, with concomitant inhibition of VDR expression. ICI182780 inhibited VDR expression in HT29 and MCF-7 cell lines. A conjugate of E2 and bovine serum albumin upregulated phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 and concomitantly enhanced VDR expression in a similar fashion as the nonconjugated hormone. Expression of ERalpha and ERbeta was detected in MCF-7 and HT29 cell lines respectively, which localized to the nuclei, cytosol and caveolar membrane rather than non-caveolar membrane. Disruption of lipid rafts/caveolae by depleting cellular cholesterol with the cholesterol-binding reagent beta-methylcyclodextrin blocked ERK 1/2 phosphorylation concomitantly with VDR upregulation. The tyrosine phosphorylation inhibitor suramin and src kinase inhibitor PP2 inhibited both ERK 1/2 phosphorylation and VDR expression. E2 induced phosphorylation of Raf and Jun in a time-dependent manner. The Ras/Raf dependent inhibitor of transactivation sulindac sulfide also blocked E2 effects. The specific c-Jun phosphorylation inhibitor SP600125 dose dependently inhibited c-Jun phosphorylation and VDR expression. The MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitor PD 98059 downregulated both c-Jun phosphorylation and VDR expression indicating that upstream and downstream events in the signaling cascade are all related to the control of VDR expression. Taken together, our data suggest that E2 binds to receptors compartmentalized to membranal caveolar domains in HT29 and MCF-7 cells, inducing ERK 1/2 activation and transcriptional activity, which finally results in upregulation of expression of the VDR gene.

Blotting, Western↗

Listeria monocytogenes stimulates mucus exocytosis in cultured human polarized mucosecreting intestinal cells through action of listeriolysin O.

When the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes infects cultured human mucosecreting polarized HT29-MTX cells apically, it induces the stimulation of mucus exocytosis without cell entry. Using a set of isogenic mutants and purified listeriolysin O (LLO), we identified the L. monocytogenes thiol-activated exotoxin LLO as the agonist of mucus secretion. We demonstrated that the LLO-induced mucus exocytosis did not result from the LLO membrane-damaging activity. We found that LLO-induced mucus exocytosis is an event requiring the binding of LLO to a brush border-associated receptor and membrane oligomerization of the exotoxin. By a pharmacological approach, we demonstrated that no regulatory system or intracellular transducing signal known to be involved in control of mucin exocytosis was activated by LLO. Based on the present data, the stimulatory action of LLO on mucin exocytosis could be accounted for either by an unknown signaling system which remains to be determined or by direct action of LLO with the membrane vesicle components involved in the intracellular vesicular transport of mucins.

Bacterial Toxins↗

Sulphide-induced energy deficiency in colonic cells is prevented by glucose but not by butyrate.

BACKGROUND: In ulcerative colitis, hydrogen sulphide is postulated to impair colonocyte butyrate metabolism, leading to cellular energy deficiency and dysfunction. AIMS: To determine the effects of sulphide exposure on butyrate metabolism and adenosine triphosphate levels of HT29 colonic epithelial cancer cells, and to establish whether energy deficiency can be prevented by increased butyrate concentrations or the presence of glucose. METHODS: HT29 cells were maintained in medium containing 3 mM butyrate, 5 mM glucose, or both substrates. Oxidation rates were measured by 14CO2 release from 14C-labelled substrates. Cellular adenosine triphosphate was assayed using the luciferin/luciferase chemiluminescent method. The effects of sulphide (0-5 mM) on substrate oxidation and adenosine triphosphate levels and of increasing butyrate concentration (0-30 mM) with sulphide were observed. RESULTS: HT29 cells showed similar energy substrate usage to primary colonocyte cultures. Sulphide exposure inhibited butyrate oxidation and led to a reduction in cellular adenosine triphosphate. This fall was prevented by co-incubation with glucose, but not by increasing concentrations of butyrate. CONCLUSIONS: HT29 cells utilize butyrate as an energy substrate and represent a useful in vitro model of the effects of sulphide on colonocytes. Sulphide inhibits butyrate oxidation and leads to demonstrable energy deficiency, prevented by the presence of glucose but not by increased butyrate concentrations.

Butyrates↗

Effect of surface modified liposomes on the aggregation of platelets and tumor cells.

Metastasis is still the most serious reason for the high mortality of cancer patients. It is a complex process in which platelets play a crucial role. Several attempts have been performed to inhibit the metastatic process, some of these using modified liposomes. The aggregation behaviour of human platelets and HT29 colon carcinoma cells in the presence of liposomes with a modified surface has been investigated in the present study. Liposomes (PC/CH/DMPE) were unmodified, sterically stabilized by polyethylene glycol (PEG-DSPE), or equipped with the carbohydrate ligand sialyl Lewis(X) (conjugated to PEG-DMPE or DMPE as anchor) intended to specifically compete with ligands expressed by HT29 cells. We found in vitro that an addition of surface modified liposomes to human platelets in plasma caused an up to 2.9-fold increase in platelet aggregation. In addition, when HT29 tumor cells were mixed with platelets and surface modified liposomes, the number of tumor cells found in aggregates increased significantly from 8.3 % (only tumor cells) to 30.2 %. This result was supported by fluorescence micrographs demonstrating a strong association of platelets and liposomes around the tumor cells. In addition, a clear decrease in number and a change in the distribution of metastases after intravenous injection of HT29 cells in combination with liposomes was observed in vivo. While in control mice metastases in lung, liver and in intestine were prevailing, liposomal treatment resulted in a new localization of metastases in muscles. Taking together, the ability of surface modified liposomes to enhance aggregate formation of platelets and tumor cells has been demonstrated for the first time. The capability of these vesicles to interfere with the metastatic process might have implications for the use of such liposomes for therapeutic applications.

Blood Platelets↗

Alpha 2-adrenoceptor in HT29 human colon adenocarcinoma cell-line: study of [3H](-)-adrenaline binding.

The HT29 human adenocarcinoma cell-line was used to investigate the binding of [3H](-)-adrenaline at alpha 2-adrenoceptors. All aspects of the study indicated that alpha 2-adrenoceptors were specifically labeled. [3H](-)-adrenaline bound with high affinity (KD = 2.28 +/- 0.41 nM) to a single population of non-interacting sites. The rank order of adrenoceptor antagonists (yohimbine greater than phentolamine much greater than prazosin) and agonists (UK-14,304 greater than clonidine greater than (-)-adrenaline greater than (-)-noradrenaline greater than (+)-adrenaline greater than (+)-noradrenaline greater than amidephrine) to compete with [3H](-)-adrenaline binding showed that the labeled sites were alpha 2-selective and stereospecific. Comparison of the binding parameters of [3H](-)-adrenaline with those of [3H]clonidine (partial-agonist) and [3H]yohimbine (antagonist) indicated that [3H](-)-adrenaline and [3H]clonidine labeled a similar number of sites (156 +/- 13 versus 175 +/- 21 fmol/mg protein) and that [3H]yohimbine (Bmax = 246 +/- 22 fmol/mg protein) labeled more sites than the 3H-agonists. Data on the inhibition of [3H]yohimbine binding by (-)-adrenaline was better fitted to a two-site model and revealed (1) that the KiL/KiH ratio was higher for (-)-adrenaline than for clonidine (2) that both agonists recognized the same percentage of high-affinity receptors. The results from a kinetic study of [3H](-)-adrenaline binding were apparently inconsistent with the equilibrium data. Both the association and dissociation were bi-exponential, suggesting a relative heterogeneity of the labeled sites. The tritiated physiological full-agonist was moreover able to induce tight-binding. The practical consequences of this property are discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Cytostatic effect of polyethylene glycol on human colonic adenocarcinoma cells.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG 8000) is a potent cancer chemopreventive agent. This osmotic laxative polymer markedly suppresses colon cancer in rats. To explain the mechanism, we have tested the in vitro effect of PEG on four human cell lines. Two poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma lines (HT29 and COLO205), a fetal mucosa line (FHC) and a differentiated line (post-confluent Caco-2) were incubated with various PEG concentrations for 2-5 days. Results show that PEG markedly and dose-dependently inhibited HT29 and COLO205 cell growth. This cytostatic effect was associated with a blocking of the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase. In addition, PEG decreased the viability of HT29 and COLO205 adenocarcinoma cells. In contrast, post-confluent intestinal-like Caco-2 cells and normal FHC cells were, respectively, not or little affected by PEG. Moreover, the lactate concentration increased twofold in the medium of PEG-treated HT29 cells compared with untreated cells. Microscopic observations showed that PEG induced cell shrinking, membrane blebbing and the condensation of nuclear chromatin. However, because no DNA ladder and no annexin staining were detected, we presume that PEG did not induce apoptosis. PEG increased the osmotic pressure of the culture medium. Hyperosmotic media with added NaCl or sorbitol also inhibited HT29 cell growth, and increased lactate release. These results suggest that PEG may be selectively cytostatic for proliferating cancer cells. This growth inhibition may be due to the high osmotic pressure induced by PEG in vitro. Because the osmotic pressure is high in feces of PEG-fed rats, it may explain the suppression of colon carcinogenesis by PEG.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Mechanism of cyclin D1 (CCND1, PRAD1) overexpression in human cancer cells: analysis of allele-specific expression.

The cyclin D1/CCND1 oncogene (PRAD1) is amplified in 15% of primary human breast cancers and overexpressed in 30-50% of breast cancers, suggesting that mechanisms in addition to DNA amplification may lead to deregulated expression of this gene in breast cancer. Cyclin D1 overexpression at a higher frequency than gene amplification is also seen in a variety of other tumors. Cyclin D1 overexpression without amplification could result from a trans-acting regulatory disturbance or could be a consequence of a clonal regulatory mutation in one allele of the gene. We have, therefore, examined whether the overexpression of cyclin D1 mRNA is derived from one parental allele or both alleles in tumor cell lines with or without amplification of the cyclin D1 gene. Eight tumor cell lines, MCF-7, SK-BR-3, ZR-75-1, U-2-OS, SK-LMS-1, DLD1, HCT15, and HT29, out of 20 tumor cells initially examined were found to be heterozygous at the polymorphic NciI site within exon 4 of the cyclin D1 gene. Polymerase chain reaction and NciI digestion (PCR-RFLP) analysis of genomic DNA demonstrated DNA amplification of one allele in the ZR-75-1 cells and HT29 cells and no such imbalance in cyclin D1 gene copy number in the other cells, consistent with Southern blot analyses. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis and NciI digestion (RT-PCR-RFLP) of total cDNA revealed that the overexpressed cyclin D1 mRNA is preferentially derived from the amplified allele in the ZR-75-1 and HT29 cells. In contrast, the other tumor cells overexpressed cyclin D1 mRNA equally from both alleles. This finding strongly suggests that, in breast, sarcoma, and in colon cancer cells with cyclin D1 overexpression and normal gene copy number, elevated levels of cyclin D1 mRNA result from a trans-acting influence on both alleles rather than a clonal somatic mutation or rearrangement in or near a single cyclin D1 gene.

Alleles↗

The MEK/ERK pathway mediates COX-2-selective NSAID-induced apoptosis and induced COX-2 protein expression in colorectal carcinoma cells.

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can prevent colorectal tumorigenesis in humans and in rodents. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that one of their principal antineoplastic avenues is the induction of apoptosis. We have shown previously that NS-398, which selectively inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) over cyclooxygenase-1, induces apoptosis of colorectal tumour cells and elevates COX-2 protein expression. Here, we have determined that the extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway mediates these effects of NS-398. Treatment of HT29 colorectal carcinoma cells with 75 microM NS-398 caused activation of ERK-1/-2 but not of the p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen-activated protein kinases. This was apparent at 24 hr and maintained at 72 hr. U0126, a specific inhibitor of the ERK-activating kinases MEK-1/-2, prevented the activation of ERK induced by NS-398 and blocked the increase in COX-2 protein expression seen when HT29 cells were treated with NS-398 alone. The activation of ERK by NS-398 preceded and accompanied a decrease in attached cell yield and an increase in apoptosis. U0126 dose-dependently protected HT29 cells from these antiproliferative effects of NS-398, indicating an antiproliferative role for sustained ERK-1/-2 activation in response to this NSAID. These results point to a key role for the MEK/ERK signalling pathway in mediating the effects of a COX-2-selective NSAID on colorectal carcinoma cells.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Comparison of two promoters controlling expression of secreted or intracellular IL-1 receptor antagonist.

IL-1R antagonist can be expressed as a secreted glycoprotein (sIL-1Ra) or as an intracellular nonglycosylated form (icIL-1Ra). The two isoforms only differ in their N-terminal sequences and are thought to originate, by selection of alternative first exons, from a single gene (IL-1RN). We have previously described a clone that encodes the exons and promoter for sIL-1Ra. In this work, we describe and characterize a clone that contains the further upstream, alternative first exon used to generate icIL-1Ra. Sequences upstream to this alternative exon are demonstrated to have promoter activity in the human colon epithelial cell line HT29, whereas the sIL-1Ra promoter has undetectable activity. Both the icIL-1Ra and sIL-1Ra promoters were active when transfected into THP-1 cells. Neither promoter was responsive to PMA or LPS when introduced into HT29 or THP-1 cells. Activity of the endogenous icIL-1Ra and sIL-1Ra promoters was also investigated. In agreement with the transfected icIL-1Ra promoter, the endogenous icIL-1Ra gene is active in HT29 cells, though induced by PMA. In contrast to the transfected icIL-1Ra promoter, the endogenous icIL-1Ra gene is inactive in THP-1 cells and induced by PMA. Our data complete the structure of the human IL-1RN gene, demonstrating that the two forms of IL-1Ra are produced from the same gene by use of alternative first exons. We also show that there are two distinct promoters that control IL-1Ra expression, that lie upstream to each alternative first exon.

Base Sequence↗

The effect of activation of wild-type p53 function on fluoropyrimidine-mediated radiosensitization.

PURPOSE: We have hypothesized that fluoropyrimidine-mediated (FdUrd) radiosensitization occurs in cells that inappropriately enter S phase in the presence of drug, resulting in defective repair of radiation-induced DNA damage (14). This model would predict that prevention of entry into S phase would abrogate sensitization produced by FdUrd. We wished to test this prediction by blocking S phase entry of HT29 human colon cancer cells. METHODS: We used HT29 cells that had been transduced with a murine temperature-sensitive p53 (ts29G) and, as a control, HT29 cells transduced with a neomycin plasmid (HT29neo). The murine temperature-sensitive p53 demonstrates wild-type p53 function when cells are incubated at the permissive temperature (32 degrees C) and mutant p53 function at the nonpermissive temperature (38 degrees C). We determined the effect of wt p53 function on FdUrd-mediated radiosensitization and cell cycle progression. RESULTS: Incubation of ts29G cells at the permissive temperature (32 degrees C) activated p21 and blocked entry of cells into S phase. Whereas FdUrd greatly increased the radiosensitivity of HT29neo cells and ts29G cells incubated at 38 degrees C, FdUrd had no effect on the radiation sensitivity of ts29G cells incubated at the permissive temperature (32 degrees C). CONCLUSIONS: These findings are consistent with our hypothesis that FdUrd-mediated radiosensitization requires progression into S phase. It is possible that the heterogeneity of clinical responses seen after combined therapy with fluoropyrimidines and radiation is explained, in part, by differences among tumor cells in the control of S phase progression.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗