Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells in vitro

Advanced ovarian cancer (OC) is not curable by surgery alone and chemotherapy is essential for its treatment. Isothiocyanates have been shown to inhibit carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis in animal models, yet no efforts have been made to determine their therapeutic potential in OC. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of the anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) in OC. BITC inhibited the proliferation of OC cells and induced apoptosis in OC cells. Apoptosis was induced by a strong activation of caspase-3 and -9, and cleavage of PARP-1. However, caspase-8 was not activated by BITC. Cytotoxic effects of BITC were reversed by the inhibition caspase-3 and -9 specific inhibitors. BITC showed a concentration dependent decrease in the levels of Bcl-2 with a concomitant increase in Bax levels. In addition, BITC activated proapoptotic signaling by phosphorylation JNK1/2 and p38 while simultaneously inhibiting survival signaling mediated by ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. While JNK inhibitor SP600125 and p38 inhibitor SB203580, abolished the cytotoxic effect of BITC, MEK inhibitor, PD98059 and PI3 kinase inhibitor, LY294002 failed to show such reversal indicating a critical role played by JNK1/2 and p38 signaling in apoptosis induced by BITC. In summary, our studies demonstrate that BITC inhibits proliferation of OC cells and induces apoptosis via caspase-9 and -3 pathways. BITC inhibits ERK1/2 and Akt survival signaling while simultaneously activating pro-apoptotic p38 and JNK1/2. Therefore, BITC can be potentially developed as a therapeutic agent to treat OC.     

Bcl-2 overexpression attenuates SP600125-induced apoptosis in human leukemia U937 cells

SP600125 is a specific inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) that is known to strongly induce apoptosis and block cell cycle progression in G₂/M phase. In this study, we demonstrated that treatment of U937 cells with SP600125 resulted in significant G₂/M cell cycle arrest that was due to decreased cyclin B1 and cdc25c protein levels. Moreover, SP600125 promoted LDH release and DNA fragmentation that was associated with caspase-3 activation and degradation of its substrates. In contrast, overexpression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 rendered leukemia cells resistant to SP600125-induced apoptosis, but more sensitive to G₂/M phase arrest and endoreduplication (>4N DNA). Overexpression of Bcl-2 significantly inhibited SP600125-induced caspase-3 activation and degradation of its substrates, and sustained expression levels of the IAP-2 proteins following SP600125 treatment. The inhibitory effect of Bcl-2 on apoptosis was attenuated by treatment with the small molecule Bcl-2 inhibitor, HA14-1. These data provide important mechanistic insights related to Bcl-2-mediated resistance to SP600125-induced apoptosis, and induction of G₂/M phase arrest and endoreduplication.     

Modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and phosphorylation of Bcl-2 by vinblastine represent persistent forms of normal fluctuations at G2-M1

Microtubule inhibitors, widely used in cancer chemotherapy, induce G2-M arrest and apoptosis and have in common the ability to stimulate Raf-1/Bcl-2 phosphorylation and activate c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase (JNK). These signal transduction pathways are thought to be activated in response to microtubule damage to promote apoptosis. However, Bcl-2 phosphorylation has been reported to occur at G2-M in nonapoptotic cells, raising the possibility that this and perhaps other signaling pathways altered by microtubule inhibitors reflect perturbations of normal mitotic events. In this study, we sought to test this hypothesis. We show that Bcl-2 phosphorylation and JNK activation, as well as extracellular response kinase and p38 inactivation, occur not only in response to vinblastine but also as discrete transient events at G2-M phase in untreated synchronized KB-3 cells. Thus, modulation of these pathways is not a response to microtubule damage; rather they occur normally at G2-M, and it is the extent, duration, and/or irreversible nature of the signals that distinguish a preapoptotic cell from one destined to divide. These findings provide novel insight into the relationship between mitotic and apoptotic signaling and the mechanism of action of antimitotic drugs.     

Mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is dispensable for microtubule-active drug-induced Raf-1/Bcl-2 phosphorylation and apoptosis in leukemia cells.

Raf-1 activation and Bcl-2 hyperphosphorylation following treatment with paclitaxel (Taxol) or other microtubule-active drugs is associated with mitotic arrest. Here we show that microtubule-active drugs do not activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in leukemia cells. PD98059, a MEK inhibitor, and SB202190, a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, do not abrogate Bcl-2 phosphorylation nor apoptosis. Simultaneously with PARP cleavage, paclitaxel induces cleavage of Bcl-2 protein yielding a potentially pro-apoptotic 22 kDa product. In comparison, the stimulation of Raf-1 by phorbol ester (TPA) activates the MAPK pathway, causes MAPK-dependent p21WAF1/CIP1 induction, Rb dephosphorylation and growth arrest without Bcl-2 phosphorylation or apoptosis. Like TPA, cAMP induces p21WAF1/CIP1 but does not cause Bcl-2 phosphorylation. MEKK1 and Ras, upstream activators of JNK and ERK MAPK, also fail to induce Bcl-2 hyperphosphorylation. Although Lck tyrosine kinase has been recently implicated in Raf-1 activation during mitotic arrest, microtubule-active drugs induce Raf-1/Bcl-2 hyperphosphorylation and apoptosis in a Lck-deficient Jurkat cells. Therefore, microtubule-active drugs induce apoptosis which is associated with Raf-1 and Bcl-2 phosphorylation and Bcl-2 cleavage but is independent of the MAPK pathway. In contrast, TPA-activated MAPK pathway causes p21WAF1/CIP1-dependent growth arrest without apoptosis.     

Novel synthetic triterpenoid methyl 25-hydroxy-3-oxoolean-12-en-28-oate induces apoptosis through JNK and p38 MAPK pathways in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells

Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm in women and is the leading cause of cancer-related death for women. Therefore, new agents targeting prevention and treatment of breast cancer are urgently needed. The present study first investigates that a novel triterpenoid Methyl 25-Hydroxy-3-oxoolean-12-en-28-oate (AMR-Me) derived from 25-Hydroxy-3-oxoolean-12-en-28-oic acid (AMR) is a potent inhibitor of cell growth by inducing human breast cancer MCF-7 cells to undergo apoptosis. AMR-Me induced DNA fragmentation and PARP degradation which were preceded by changing Bax/Bcl-2 ratios, cytochrome c release, and subsequent induction of pro-caspase-9 and -7 processing in breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells, but it did not act on Fas/Fas ligand pathways and the activation of caspase-8, suggesting AMR-Me triggered the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. The general caspase blocking peptide VAD partially blocked AMR-Me induced apoptosis. AMR-Me stimulated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation during apoptosis. SP600125, a specific inhibitor for JNK and SB203580, a p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor suppressed AMR-Me induced apoptosis indicating that activation of JNK and p38 MAPKs involved in the mitochondrial activation-mediated cell death pathway. Our results suggest that AMR-Me can utilize two different MAPK signaling pathways for amplifying the apoptosis cascade, is critical for both our understanding of cell death events and development of cancer preventive/therapeutic agents.     

Characterization of vinblastine-induced Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 phosphorylation: evidence for a novel protein kinase and a coordinated phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cycle associated with apoptosis induction

Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 are phosphorylated in response to microtubule inhibitors, but the kinase(s) responsible and the functional significance have remained unclear. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 phosphorylation in KB-3 carcinoma cells treated with vinblastine. In both asynchronous and synchronous cell cultures, Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 underwent a well-defined and coordinated cycle of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, with a lengthy period of phosphorylation preceding apoptosis induction, and with dephosphorylation closely correlated with initiation of apoptosis. Internally, validated inhibitors of JNK, ERK, p38(MAPK), or CDK1 failed to inhibit vinblastine-induced phosphorylation of Bcl-xL or Bcl-2. In vitro, Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 were poor substrates relative to c-Jun and ATF2 for active recombinant JNK1. Both Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 were localized primarily to the mitochondrial fraction in both control and vinblastine-treated cells, indicating that phosphorylation did not promote subcellular redistribution. Bcl-xL kinase activity was demonstrated in mitochondrial extracts from vinblastine-treated, but not control, cells. These findings suggest that phosphorylation of these key antiapoptotic proteins may be catalysed by a novel or unsuspected kinase that is activated or induced in response to microtubule damage. Furthermore, the same kinase and phosphatase system may be operating in tandem on both proteins, and phosphorylation appears to maintain their antiapoptotic function, whereas dephosphorylation may trigger apoptosis. These results provide evidence for a novel signaling pathway connecting microtubule damage to apoptosis induction, and help to clarify some of the controversy concerning the role of Bcl-2 phosphorylation in microtubule inhibitor-induced apoptosis.     

Role of mitogen-activated protein kinases in phenethyl isothiocyanate-induced apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells

The present study was undertaken to examine the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in apoptosis induction by phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a cruciferous vegetable-derived cancer chemopreventive agent, with DU145 and LNCaP human prostate cancer cells as a model. The MAPK family of serine/threonine kinases, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), c-jun N-terminal kinase1/2/3 (JNK1/2/3), and p38 MAPK play an important role in cell proliferation and apoptosis in response to different stimuli. Exposure of DU145 and LNCaP cells to growth suppressive concentrations of PEITC resulted in activation of ERK1/2 and JNKs, but not p38 MAPK, in both cell lines. In DU145 cells, the apoptosis induction by PEITC was statistically significantly attenuated by pharmacological inhibition of JNKs with SP600125. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of Flag-tagged JNK binding domain (JBD) of JNK-interacting protein-1 (JIP-1), an inhibitor of JNK, also inhibited PEITC-induced apoptosis in DU145 cells. On the other hand, inhibition of ERK1/2 activation with MEK1 inhibitor PD98059 failed to offer protection against PEITC-induced apoptosis in DU145 cells. In LNCaP cells, the PEITC-induced cell death was not affected by either pretreatment with PD98059 or SP600125 or overexpression of JBD of JIP-1. These results indicate that involvement of MAPKs in apoptosis induction by PEITC in human prostate cancer cells is cell line-specific.     

Cryptotanshinone activates p38/JNK and inhibits Erk1/2 leading to caspase-independent cell death in tumor cells

Cryptotanshinone (CPT), a natural compound isolated from the plant Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, is a potential anticancer agent. However, the underlying mechanism is not well understood. Here, we show that CPT induced caspase-independent cell death in human tumor cells (Rh30, DU145, and MCF-7). Besides downregulating antiapoptotic protein expression of survivin and Mcl-1, CPT increased phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and inhibited phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (Erk1/2). Inhibition of p38 with SB202190 or JNK with SP600125 attenuated CPT-induced cell death. Similarly, silencing p38 or c-Jun also in part prevented CPT-induced cell death. In contrast, expression of constitutively active mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MKK1) conferred resistance to CPT inhibition of Erk1/2 phosphorylation and induction of cell death. Furthermore, we found that all of these were attributed to CPT induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This is evidenced by the findings that CPT induced ROS in a concentration- and time-dependent manner; CPT induction of ROS was inhibited by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger; and NAC attenuated CPT activation of p38/JNK, inhibition of Erk1/2, and induction of cell death. The results suggested that CPT induction of ROS activates p38/JNK and inhibits Erk1/2, leading to caspase-independent cell death in tumor cells.     

Biologic sequelae of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) activation in multiple myeloma cell lines

Although c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) is activated by treatment with therapeutic agents, the biologic sequelae of inhibiting constitutive activation of JNK has not yet been clarified. In this study, we examine the biologic effect of JNK inhibition in multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines. JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 induces growth inhibition via induction of G1 or G2/M arrest in U266 and MM.1S multiple myeloma cell lines, respectively. Neither exogenous IL-6 nor insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) overcome SP600125-induced growth inhibition, and IL-6 enhances SP600125-induced G2/M phase in MM.1S cells. Induction of growth arrest is mediated by upregulation of p27(Kip1), without alteration of p53 and JNK protein expression. Importantly, SP600125 inhibits growth of MM cells adherent to bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). SP600125 induces NF-kappaB activation in a dose-dependent fashion, associated with phosphorylation of IkappaB kinase alpha (IKKalpha) and degradation of IkappaBalpha. In contrast, SP600125 does not affect phosphorylation of STAT3, Akt, and/or ERK. IKK-specific inhibitor PS-1145 inhibits SP600125-induced NF-kappaB activation and blocks the protective effect of SP600125 against apoptosis. Our data therefore demonstrate for the first time that inhibiting JNK activity induces growth arrest and activates NF-kappaB in MM cells.     

Signal pathway of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha phosphorylation and its interaction with von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein during ischemia in MiaPaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells.

PURPOSE AND EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Previously, we observed that the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK1) is mediated through the activation of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) as a result of the reactive oxygen species-mediated dissociation of glutaredoxin and thioredoxin from ASK1. In this study, we examined whether p38 MAPK and JNK1 are involved in the accumulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) during ischemia. Human pancreatic cancer MiaPaCa-2 cells were exposed to low glucose (0.1 mmol/L) with hypoxia (0.1% O(2)). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: During ischemia, p38 MAPK and JNK1 were activated in MiaPaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells. The activated p38 MAPK, but not JNK1, phosphorylated HIF-1alpha. Data from in vivo binding assay of von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein with HIF-1alpha suggests that the p38-mediated phosphorylation of HIF-1alpha contributed to the inhibition of HIF-1alpha and von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein interaction during ischemia. SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, inhibited HIF-1alpha accumulation during ischemia, probably resulting from the ubiquitination and degradation of HIF-1alpha.     

Overcoming the radioresistance of prostate cancer cells with a novel Bcl-2 inhibitor

Bcl-2 overexpression is an important mechanism underlying the aggressive behavior of prostate cancer cells and their resistance to radio- or chemotherapy. HA14-1, a recently discovered organic Bcl-2 inhibitor, potently induces apoptosis in various human cancer cells. Sequential exposure of radioresistant LNCaP (wild-type (wt) p53), LNCaP/Bcl-2 (wt p53) and PC3 (mutant p53) prostate cancer cells to a minimally cytotoxic concentration of 10 microM HA14-1 for 1 h followed by 1-6 Gy gamma radiation, resulted in a highly synergistic (combination index <1.0) induction of cell death as determined by an apoptosis assay at 72 h, and a clonogenicity assay at 12 days, after the initial treatment. The reverse treatment sequence did not cause a synergistic induction of cell death. When compared to individual treatments, cell death induced by the combined treatment was associated with dramatically increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, Bcl-2 phosphorylation, cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation. Exposure to either 200 microg/ml of the antioxidant alpha-tocopherol or 10 microM JNK inhibitor SP600125 before the combined treatment resulted in decreased activation of JNK and caspase-3 as well as decreased DNA fragmentation. However, treatment with the pancaspase inhibitor carbobenzoxyl-valyl-alanyl-aspartyl-[O-methyl]-fluoromethylketone before the combined treatment inhibited apoptosis without affecting JNK activation, and this inhibitory effect was enhanced in the presence of alpha-tocopherol or SP600125. Taken together, our results indicate that HA14-1 potently sensitizes radioresistant LNCaP and PC3 cells to gamma radiation, regardless of the status of p53. ROS and JNK are important early signals that trigger both caspase-dependent and -independent cell death pathways and contribute to the apoptotic synergy induced by the combined treatments.     

Role of p38 MAPK and JNK in enhanced cervical cancer cell killing by the combination of arsenic trioxide and ionizing radiation

Enhancement of radiation response is possible to be achieved by combination treatment with therapeutic drugs. Previously we have shown that As2O3 in combination with ionizing radiation enhanced radiation response in cervical cancer cells. In this study, we further investigated molecular mechanism of synergistic enhancement of radiation response in combination with As2O3. The combination treatment of HeLa cells induced translocation of Bax to the mitochondria and a marked phosphorylation of Bcl-2. p38 MAPK and JNK were also found to be activated in response to the combination treatment. Pretreatment of PD169316, a p38 MAPK specific inhibitor, completely attenuated the combination treatment-induced mitochondrial relocalization of Bax, and altered Bcl-2 phosphorylation. Moreover, pretreatment of SP600125, JNK specific inhibitor, clearly attenuated Bcl-2 phosphorylation, but did not affect Bax translocation to the mitochondria. In addition, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a thiol-containing anti-oxidant, completely blocked p38 MAPK and JNK activations, Bax relocalization and Bcl-2 phosphorylation. These results indicate that activation of p38 MAPK is specifically required for translocation of Bax to the mitochondria, and both JNK and p38 MAPK are involved in phosphorylation of Bcl-2 in response to combination treatment with gamma-radiation and As2O3, and that ROS is a critical regulator of p38 MAPK and JNK activations. The molecular mechanism elucidated in this study may provide insight into the design of future combination cancer therapies to cells intrinsically less sensitive to radiation treatment.     

p38 MAPK plays an essential role in apoptosis induced by photoactivation of a novel ethylene glycol porphyrin derivative

In this study, we provide evidence that photostimulation of various cancer cells preloaded with a new photosensitizing compound, tetrakis-meso-(4-ethyleneglycol-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl) porphyrin (PORF-TEG), results in rapid activation of the cell death machinery. PORF-TEG, although primarily localized in lysosomes, induces mitochondria-driven apoptosis. The induction of apoptosis is accompanied by immediate and sustained activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and transient activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Conversely, the inhibition of p38 by PD 169316 or SB202190 and by the p38alpha dominant-negative mutant as well as the deletion of the p38alpha gene (MEFs-KO) protected cells from apoptosis, whereas inhibition of JNK did not. Activation of the p38 signaling pathway occurs upstream of caspase activation. In addition, preincubation of cells with scavengers of reactive oxygen species attenuated p38 and caspase activation and increased cell survival, thus connecting reactive oxygen species formation with the activation of the p38 pathway. Later events included degradation of Bcl-2, activation of tBid, and cleavage of Bad and Mcl-1. The data suggest a key role for p38 MAPK in PORF-TEG-photoinduced apoptosis.     

阿糖胞苷诱导HL-60细胞凋亡的分子机制探讨

目的：探讨阿糖胞苷（Ara-C）诱导HL-60细胞凋亡的分子机制。方法：采用苔盼蓝拒染法检测细胞活力，MTF法测定细胞生长抑制率；形态学观察和流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡；Western blot方法检测Bcl-2和caspase-3及其裂解片段的蛋白表达。结果：1～100斗M Ara-C以时间和剂量依赖方式抑制HL-60细胞增殖，诱导细胞凋亡，并下调Bcl-2蛋白表达，激活caspase-3。同时加入MEK抑制剂PD98059明显增加Ara-C的细胞毒作用和对caspase-3的激活作用，且这种作用可被P38MAPK抑制剂SB203580拮抗；PD98059和SB203580二者均未影响Ara-C对Bcl-2蛋白的下调作用。JNK抑制剂SP600125对Ara-C的上述作用无明显影响。结论：Ara-C以时间和剂量依赖方式抑制HL—60细胞增殖，并诱导细胞凋亡，同时下调Bcl-2蛋白表达，激活caspase-3；MEK抑制剂正性调节Ara-C的细胞毒作用，P38MAPK抑制剂负性调节Ara-c的细胞毒作用，二者可能是在caspase-3水平而未改变Bcl-2水平来发挥作用的。     

The role of JNK and p38 MAPK activities in UVA-induced signaling pathways leading to AP-1 activation and c-Fos expression

To further delineate ultraviolet A (UVA) signaling pathways in the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT, we examined the potential role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in UVA-induced activator protein-1 (AP-1) transactivation and c-Fos expression. UVA-induced phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) proteins was detected immediately after irradiation and disappeared after approximately 2 hours. Conversely, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase was significantly inhibited for up to 1 hour post-UVA irradiation. To examine the role of p38 and JNK MAPKs in UVA-induced AP-1 and c-fos transactivations, the selective pharmacologic MAPK inhibitors, SB202190 (p38 inhibitor) and SP600125 (JNK inhibitor), were used to independently treat stably transfected HaCaT cells in luciferase reporter assays. Both SB202190 and SP600125 dose-dependently inhibited UVA-induced AP-1 and c-fos transactivations. SB202190 (0.25-0.5 microM) and SP600125 (62-125 nM) treatments also primarily inhibited UVA-induced c-Fos expression. These results demonstrated that activation of both JNK and p38 play critical role in UVA-mediated AP-1 transactivation and c-Fos expression in these human keratinocyte cells. Targeted inhibition of these MAPKs with their selective pharmacologic inhibitors may be effective chemopreventive strategies for UVA-induced nonmelanoma skin cancer.     

N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide-induced apoptosis triggered by reactive oxygen species is mediated by activation of MAPKs in head and neck squamous carcinoma cells

N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4HPR), a synthetic retinoid effective in cancer chemoprevention and therapy, is thought to act via apoptosis induction resulting from increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. As ROS can activate MAP kinases and protein kinase C (PKC), we examined the role of such enzymes in 4HPR-induced apoptosis in HNSCC UMSCC22B cells. 4HPR increased ROS level within 1 h and induced activation of caspase 3 and PARP cleavage within 24 h. Activation of MKK3/6 and MKK4, JNK, p38 and ERK was detected between 6 and 12 h, increased up to 24 h and preceded apoptosis. 4HPR-induced activation of these kinases was abrogated by the antioxidants BHA and vitamin C. SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, suppressed 4HPR-induced c-Jun phosphorylation, cytochrome c release from mitochondria and apoptosis. Suppression of JNK1 and JNK2 using siRNA decreased, whereas overexpression of wild type-JNK1 enhanced 4HPR-induced apoptosis. PD169316, a p38, inhibitor suppressed phosphorylation of Hsp27 and apoptosis. PD98059, an MEK1/2 inhibitor, also suppressed ERK1/2 activation and apoptosis induced by 4HPR. Likewise, PKC inhibitor GF109203X suppressed ERK and p38 phosphorylation and PARP cleavage. These data indicate that 4HPR-induced apoptosis is triggered by ROS increase, leading to the activation of the mitogen-activated protein serine/threonine kinases JNK, p38, PKC and ERK, and subsequent apoptosis.     

Alkyl-lysophospholipids activate the SAPK/JNK pathway and enhance radiation-induced apoptosis.

Alkyl-lysophospholipids (ALPs) represent a new class of antitumor drugs that induce apoptotic cell death in a variety of tumor cell lines. Although their precise mechanism of action is unknown, ALPs primarily act on the cell membrane, where they inhibit signaling through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Because stimulation of the stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) pathway is essential for radiation-induced apoptosis in certain cell types, we tested the effect of ALPs in combination with ionizing radiation on MAPK/SAPK signaling and apoptosis induction. Here, we present data showing that three ALPs, 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine, hexadecylphosphocholine, and the novel compound octadecyl-(1,1-dimethyl-piperidinio-4-yl)-phosphate (D-21266) induce time- and dose-dependent apoptosis in the human leukemia cell lines U937 and Jurkat T but not in normal vascular endothelial cells. Moreover, in combination with radiation, ALPs strongly enhance the induction of apoptosis in both leukemic cell lines. All tested ALPs not only prevented MAPK activation, but, like radiation, stimulated the SAPK/JNK cascade within minutes. A dominant-negative mutant of c-Jun inhibited radiation- and ALP-induced apoptosis, indicating a requirement for the SAPK/JNK pathway. Our data support the view that ALPs and ionizing radiation cause an enhanced apoptotic effect by modulating the balance between the mitogenic, antiapoptotic MAPK, and the apoptotic SAPK/JNK pathways. This type of modulation of specific signal transduction pathways in tumor cells may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies.     

Induction of apoptosis in U937 human leukemia cells by suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) proceeds through pathways that are regulated by Bcl-2/Bcl-XL, c-Jun, and p21CIP1, but independent of p53

Determinants of differentiation and apoptosis in myelomonocytic leukemia cells (U937) exposed to the novel hybrid polar compound SAHA (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid) have been examined. In contrast to hexamethylenbisacetamide (HMBA), SAHA-related maturation was limited and accompanied by marked cytoxicity. SAHA-mediated apoptosis occurred within the G0G1 and S phase populations, and was associated with decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase-3 activation, PARP degradation, hypophosphorylation/cleavage of pRB, and down-regulation of c-Myc, c-Myb, and B-Myb. Enforced expression of Bcl-2 or Bcl-XL inhibited SAHA-induced apoptosis, but only modestly potentiated differentiation. While SAHA induced the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21CIP1, antisense ablation of this CDKI increased, rather than decreased, SAHA-related lethality. In contrast, conditional expression of wild-type p53 failed to modify SAHA actions, but markedly potentiated HMBA-induced apoptosis. Finally, SAHA modestly increased expression/activation of the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK/JNK); moreover, SAHA-related lethality was partially attenuated by a dominant-negative c-Jun mutant protein (TAM67). SAHA did not stimulate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nor was lethality diminished by the specific MEK/MAPK inhibitor PD98059. These findings indicate that SAHA potently induces apoptosis in human leukemia cells via a pathway that is p53-independent but at least partially regulated by Bcl-2/Bcl-XL, p21CIP1, and the c-Jun/AP-1 signaling cascade.