Activation of Ras signaling pathways by pyrroloquinoline quinone in NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) has been implicated in certain physiological activities in mammals such as functioning as a potent growth factor in mice, and promoting DNA synthesis in human fibroblasts. These are clearly important physiological functions, however, the molecular mechanisms involved in PQQ activity are not yet fully understood. In order to address this, in this study we analyzed the effects of PQQ on the proliferation of NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts and on their intracellular signal transduction mechanism. When activated c-Ha-ras-transformed NIH3T3 cells were treated with PQQ in the presence of 0.5% calf serum in DMEM, the cells showed significantly increased viability. After PQQ addition, flow cytometric analysis revealed a decrease in the population of cells in the G0/G1 phase and a concomitant increase in cells in the S and G2/M phases. Although treatment with SNAP, an NO donor, reduced cell viability, this effect was abolished by the addition of PQQ. Activation of ERK and PKC-epsilon was detected immediately after the addition of PQQ, and subsequent increases in the phosphorylation of Rb and c-Jun were observed. On the other hand, protein expression levels of growth-inhibitory molecules such as IkappaB and p27 decreased after PQQ treatment. These results suggest that PQQ stimulates cell proliferation through NO-sensitive Ras-mediated signaling pathways.     

Oxidative stress and overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase in patients with Alzheimer''s disease

Substantial evidence supports the hypothesis that oxygen free radicals are involved in various neurodegenerative disorders. To assess the presence of oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease (AD) we examined the activity of the enzyme copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) in red blood cells, the levels of the mitochondrial inducible enzyme manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) mRNA in lymphocytes, and the total radical-trapping antioxidant capacity (TRAP) in plasma of AD patients and in a group of age-matched non-demented controls. We found that CuZnSOD activity (P<0.01 vs. controls) was significantly increased as well as the MnSOD mRNA levels while the total antioxidant status (P<0.001 vs. controls) was decreased in AD patients. These findings support the role of oxidative alterations in the pathogenetic mechanism underlying AD neurodegeneration.     

In situ reduction of oxidative damage, increased cell turnover, and delay of mitochondrial injury by overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase in a multistage skin carcinogenesis model

To study early subcellular pathologic changes of tumorigenesis in mouse skin and possible modulation by overexpression of the mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), skin keratinocytes from nontransgenic (Ntg) and transgenic (TgH) mice overexpressing MnSOD topically treated with one dose of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) and a subsequent dose of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) were analyzed in situ for levels of MnSOD and the oxidative damage product 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4HNE)-modified proteins using specific antibodies and immunogold electron microscopy. At all selected time points analyzed after TPA treatment, there was more MnSOD immunoreactive protein in mitochondria of keratinocytes of TgH mice than Ntg mice. Compared with untreated groups, there was a large increase in 4HNE-modified proteins at 6-24 h after TPA treatment, and this increase was larger in Ntg than TgH mice. Indices of mitosis and apoptosis of keratinocytes were greater in DMBA/TPA-treated TgH than Ntg mouse skin. Mitochondrial injury detected by transmission electron microscopy was delayed in keratinocytes of TgH compared with Ntg mice. The present study demonstrated that overexpression of MnSOD not only protected cells from oxidative damage, but also affected cell turnover kinetics. Thus, previously identified reduction in papilloma formation observed in TgH mice is correlated with mitochondrial events.     

Potential mechanisms for the inhibition of tumor cell growth by manganese superoxide dismutase

Studies from many laboratories have shown that overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) inhibits the growth of numerous tumor cell types. The inhibition of tumor cell growth can be attributed to the increase in the steady-state levels of H2O2 as a result of the increased dismuting activity of MnSOD. Here we demonstrate that overexpression of MnSOD enhances the activity of the superoxide (O2*-)-sensitive enzyme aconitase, decreases the intracellular GSH/GSSG ratio, and dose-dependently inhibits pyruvate carboxylase activity. Thus, alterations in the steady-state concentrations of mitochondrial O2*- and H2O2 as a result of MnSOD overexpression can alter the metabolic capacity of the cell leading to inhibition of cell growth. Furthermore, we propose that MnSOD overexpression can modulate the activity of nitric oxide (*NO) by preventing its reaction with O2*-. This hypothesis suggests that the redox environment of the mitochondria can be altered to favor the activity of *NO rather than peroxynitrite (ONOO-) and may explain the enhanced toxicity of *NO-generating compounds toward MnSOD-overexpressing cell lines. These findings indicate that therapeutic strategies targeted at overexpressing MnSOD in tumor tissue may be more effective when used in combination with agents that deplete the oxidant-buffering and enhance the *NO-generating capacity of the tumor and host, respectively.     

非病毒载体介导Mn-SOD基因在小鼠肝脏的高表达

目的:研究非病毒载体介导Mn-SOD基因在小鼠肝脏的转染效率。方法:构建Mn-SOD真核表达质粒gWiz/Mn-SOD,通过肠系膜上静脉分支注射阳离子脂质体/质粒混合物,采用RT-PCR、Westernblot、SOD活力测定以及免疫组织化学染色等方法,观察小鼠肝脏Mn-SOD基因表达情况。结果:经肠系膜上静脉分支注射质粒/脂质体混合物几乎不对肝脏造成损伤,注射后8h即可检测到小鼠肝脏有明显的外源性Mn-SODmRNA和蛋白表达;转染前及转染后72h肝细胞线粒体SOD活性分别是(29±17)U/g和(272±56)U/g(P<0.01);免疫组化显示小鼠肝细胞转染率达70%。结论:阳离子脂质体可介导非病毒载体gWiz/Mn-SOD在小鼠肝脏高效安全表达。     

长期900MHz射频电磁辐射对NIH/3T3细胞凋亡与周期的影响

目的探讨长期900 MHz电磁辐射对NIH/3T3细胞凋亡与周期的影响,以为进一步深入研究电磁辐射的细胞生物学效应提供一定理论依据。方法将NIH/3T3细胞分为对照组和辐射组,对照组NIH/3T3细胞为正常条件培养,电磁辐射组用SAR值为4.0 W/kg的900 MHz电磁辐射辐照,辐照时间为2 h/d。分别取正常培养和电磁辐射辐照的4 d、7 d、10 d和12 d的对照组和辐射组NIH/3T3细胞,用流式细胞法进行细胞凋亡和细胞周期检测和分析。结果长期900 MHz电磁辐射引起NIH/3T3细胞出现显著的早期和晚期凋亡。细胞辐照12 d时产生S期阻滞。结论在12 d的辐照周期里,900 MHz电磁辐射持续地诱导NIH/3T3细胞凋亡,在辐照超过10 d后开始对细胞周期产生一定影响。     

Transformation by murine sarcoma virus alters the sensitivity of clonal cells derived from NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblasts to interferon

In contrast to normal clonal cells (A5) derived from NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblasts, another clone (A10) derived from the same source was found to be resistant to the anti-lytic-virus activity of IFN and to be deficient in the induction of (2'-5') oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5A synthetase) by IFN. Following infection of either A5 or A10 cells with Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MSV), a few transformed colonies were isolated, expanded, and tested for their sensitivity to IFN. It is clearly demonstrated that IFN exerts a specific anti-proliferative effect on both MSV-transformed A5 (MA5) and A10 (MA10) cells, as evident by a slower growth rate, a decreased rate of DNA synthesis, and a lower cloning efficiency in its presence. Furthermore, unlike the original A10 cells, the IFN-treated transformed counterpart (MA10 cells), as well as MA5 cells, were protected from the lytic effect of either mengovirus or vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). In addition, IFN treatment inhibited the release of retroviral particles from the transformed cells. The level of 2-5A synthetase activity in the various transformed cell lines was then determined. Whereas in A10 cells an induction of less than twofold in the enzymatic activity was detected following IFN treatment, a four- to fivefold increase in this activity could be seen in MA10 cells.     

Differential regulation of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase and manganese superoxide dismutase by progesterone withdrawal in human endometrial stromal cells.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of estrogen and progesterone in the expression of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) and manganese SOD (Mn-SOD) in human endometrial stromal cells (ESC). ESC were incubated with estradiol (10(-8) mol/l), medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA, 10(-6) mol/l), or estradiol + MPA for 18 days. MPA significantly increased Cu,Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD mRNA levels and enzyme activities as well as the mRNA level of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), a marker for decidualization. Estradiol only augmented the effects of MPA on Cu,Zn-SOD activity and IGFBP-1 mRNA level, and estradiol alone had no effect. To study the withdrawal of estrogen and progesterone (EP withdrawal), ESC that had been treated with estradiol + MPA for 12 days were washed and then incubated with or without estradiol + MPA for a further 11 days. Cu,Zn-SOD mRNA levels and activities declined after EP withdrawal, while they were gradually increased by the continuous treatment with estradiol + MPA. In contrast, Mn-SOD mRNA levels and activities were not affected by EP withdrawal. IGFBP-1 mRNA levels were significantly increased 4 days after EP withdrawal and decreased thereafter, whereas they were gradually increased by the continuous treatment with estradiol + MPA. In conclusion, Cu,Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD and IGFBP-1 are differently regulated by estrogen and progesterone in human ESC. The decrease in Cu,Zn-SOD after the ovarian steroid withdrawal may be involved in endometrial breakdown.     

Secreted CREG inhibits cell proliferation mediated by mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor in NIH3T3 fibroblasts

Cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes (CREG) is a recently described glycoprotein that plays a critical role in keeping cells or tissues in mature, homeostatic states. To understand the relationship between CREG and its membrane receptor, mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor (M6P/IGF2R), we first generated stable NIH3T3 fibroblasts by transfection of pDS_shCREGs vectors, which produced an approximately 80% decrease in CREG levels both in the lysate and in the media. We used fluorescence activated cell sorting and a bromide deoxyuridine incorporation assay to identify whether CREG knockdown promoted the cell proliferation associated with the increase of IGF-II in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Proliferation was markedly inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by re-addition of recombinant CREG protein into the media, and this was mediated by the membrane receptor M6P/IGF2R. We subsequently confirmed the direct interaction of CREG and M6P/IGF2R by both immunoprecipitation-Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. We found that expression of CREG correlated with localization of the receptor in NIH3T3 fibroblasts but did not affect its expression. Our findings indicated that CREG might act as a functional regulator of M6P/IGF2R to facilitate binding and trafficking of IGF-II endocytosis, leading to growth inhibition.     

Different mechanisms for the induction of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase and manganese superoxide dismutase by progesterone in human endometrial stromal cells

BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to investigate the cAMP-dependent regulation of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) and manganese SOD (Mn-SOD) by ovarian steroids in human endometrial stromal cells (ESC). METHODS and RESULTS: To examine the effect of cAMP on SOD expression, ESC were incubated with dibutyryl-cAMP (db-cAMP, 0.5 mmol/l), forskolin (25 micromol/l), or estradiol (E(2), 10(-8) mol/l) + medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA, 10(-6) mol/l), for 18 days. E(2) + MPA significantly increased Cu,Zn-SOD activity and mRNA concentrations, whereas db-cAMP and forskolin had no effect. On the other hand, Mn-SOD activity and mRNA concentration were significantly increased by all of these treatments. Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1, a marker of decidualization, was clearly induced by db-cAMP, forskolin or E(2) + MPA, accompanied by morphological changes characteristic of decidualization. To study whether the increase in Mn-SOD by db-cAMP or E(2) + MPA was mediated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), ESC were incubated with protein kinase inhibitor (PKI) (10 microg/ml), an inhibitor of PKA, in the presence of db-cAMP or E(2) + MPA. The increase in Mn-SOD activity following db-cAMP or E(2) + MPA was completely inhibited by PKI. CONCLUSIONS: In the process of decidualization, E(2) + MPA increases Mn-SOD expression via a cAMP-dependent pathway. Cu,Zn-SOD is also up-regulated by E(2) + MPA, but via a different pathway from that involving cAMP.     

Casein kinase 2 regulates the active uptake of the organic osmolyte taurine in NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts

Inhibition of the constitutively active casein kinase 2 (CK2) with 2-dimethyl-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1H-benzimidasole stimulates the Na⁺-dependent taurine influx via the taurine transporter TauT in NIH3T3 cells. CK2 inhibition reduces the TauT mRNA level and increases the localization of TauT to ER but has no detectable effect on TauT protein expression. On the other hand, CK2 inhibition increases the affinity of TauT towards Na⁺ and reduces the Na⁺/taurine stoichiometry for active taurine uptake. It is suggested that CK2 controls the cellular taurine uptake in unperturbated NIH3T3 cells, i.e., inhibition of CK2 increases the affinity of TauT towards Na⁺ and hence Na⁺-dependent taurine uptake.     

Cell shrinkage stimulates bradykinin-induced cell membrane potential oscillations in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts expressing the ras-oncogene

In NIH 3T3 fibroblasts expressing the Ha-ras oncogene (+ras) bradykinin leads to sustained oscillations of cell membrane potential due to oscillations of intracellular Ca²⁺ with subsequent activation of Ca²⁺-sensitive K⁺ channels. In cells not expressing the oncogene (-ras), bradykinin leads only to a single transient hyperpolarization of the cell membrane. The present study has been performed to elucidate the possible interaction of cell volume, intracellular pH and bradykinin-induced oscillations of the cell membrane potential. Bradykinin leads to cell shrinkage and intracellular alkalinization of both +ras cells and –ras cells. Inhibition of Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger by HOE 694 abolishes the bradykinin-induced alkalinization but does not significantly interfere with the bradykinin-induced oscillations of cell membrane potential. In contrast, prevention of bradykinin-induced cell shrinkage by simultaneous reduction of extracellular osmolarity blunts the oscillations. Thus, cell shrinkage stimulates bradykinin-induced oscillations of cell membrane potential. On the other hand, cell shrinkage alone does not elicit oscillations unless, in addition, Ca²⁺ entry is stimulated by ionomycin.     

Overexpression of autocrine motility factor receptor (AMFR) in NIH3T3 fibroblasts induces cell transformation

Autocrine motility factor receptor (AMFR) is a cell surface glycoprotein of 78000 molecular weight (gp78), regulating cell motility signaling in vitro and metastasis in vivo. To test whether AMFR could be a common mediator of transformation and oncogenic itself, we transfected NIH3T3 fibroblast cells with expression vectors carrying the full-length cDNA for mouse AMFR and evaluated the effects of increased AMFR on transforming potential. The cells stably expressing high levels of AMFR as a result of transfection displayed a complete morphological change and acquired the ability to grow even in low serum. Furthermore, they were anchorage-independent for growth in soft agar and more motile in phagokinetic track assay. Interestingly, the enhanced expression of AMFR produced tumors in nude mice. Our findings provide a direct evidence that overexpression of the AMFR is associated with the acquisition of a transformation phenotype.     

Age-related changes in manganese superoxide dismutase activity in the cerebral cortex of senescence-accelerated prone and resistant mouse

In this paper, we showed that the oxidative stress in brain of senescence-accelerated prone mouse 8 (SAMP8) at earlier stages was increased compared with that of senescence-accelerated resistant mouse 1 (SAMR1) irrespective of the breeding conditions. Furthermore, we found that manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) activity in the cerebral cortex of 10-week-old SAMP8 was decreased by about 50% compared with that in age-matched SAMR1. These results indicate that the decrease of Mn-SOD activity may be involved in the increased oxidative stress in the brain of SAMP8 at younger stages. However, there was no difference in the expression of this protein between the two strains at 10 weeks of age, suggesting that Mn-SOD protein in SAMP8 was post-translationally modified to reduce its enzymatic activity.     

Correlation of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase and DNA polymerase beta in mammalian dermal fibroblasts with species maximal lifespan

Eukaryotic cells have evolved elaborate mechanisms to preserve the fidelity of their genomic material in the face of chronic attack by reactive byproducts of aerobic metabolism. These mechanisms include antioxidant and DNA repair enzymes. Skin fibroblasts of long-lived mammalian species are more resistant to oxidative stress than those of shorter-lived species [Kapahi, P., Boulton, M.E., Kirkwood, T.B., 1999. Positive correlation between mammalian life span and cellular resistance to stress. Free Radic. Biol. Med. 26, 495-500], and we speculated that this is due to greater antioxidant and/or DNA repair capacities in longer-lived species. We tested this hypothesis using dermal fibroblasts from mammalian species with maximum lifespans between 5 and 122 years. The fibroblasts were cultured at either 18 or 3% O(2). Of the antioxidant enzymes only manganese superoxide dismutase was found to positively correlate with maximum lifespan (p<0.01). Oxidative damage to DNA is primary repaired by the base excision repair (BER) pathway. BER enzyme activities showed either no correlation (apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease), or correlated negatively (p<0.01) with donor species MLS (polymerase beta). Standard culture conditions (18% O(2)) induced both antioxidant and BER enzymes activities, suggesting that the 'normal' cell culture conditions widely employed are inappropriately hyperoxic, which likely confounds the interpretation of studies of cellular oxidative stress responses in culture.