Livin/ML-IAP as a new target for cancer treatment

Livin is a member of the inhibitors of apoptosis protein (IAP) gene family, which encodes negative regulatory proteins that prevent cell apoptosis. Livin is selectively expressed in the most common human neoplasms and appears to be involved in tumor cell resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Several studies in vitro and in vivo have demonstrated that down-regulation of Livin expression increases the apoptotic rate, reduces tumor growth potential and sensitized tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. This review will focus on the role of this protein during cancer development and progression and will demonstrate possible targets for cancer therapy.     

Rapid induction of mitochondrial events and caspase-independent apoptosis in Survivin-targeted melanoma cells

The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein Survivin is expressed in most cancers and is a key factor in maintaining apoptosis resistance. Although several IAPs have been shown to act as direct inhibitors of caspases, the precise antiapoptotic function of Survivin remains controversial. To clarify the mechanism by which Survivin protects cells, we investigated the kinetics of apoptosis and apoptotic events following Survivin inhibition utilizing a melanoma cell line harboring a tetracycline-regulated Survivin dominant-negative mutant (Survivin-T34A). Blocking Survivin resulted in both caspase activation and apoptosis; however, the level of apoptosis was only partially reduced by caspase inhibition. Survivin blockade also resulted in mitochondrial events that preceded caspase activation, including depolarization and release of cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO. Levels of other IAPs were not altered in Survivin-targeted cells, although modest cleavage of XIAP and Livin was observed. The earliest proapoptotic event observed in Survivin-targeted cells was nuclear translocation of mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), known to trigger both apoptotic mitochondrial events and caspase-independent DNA fragmentation. These findings suggest that a key antiapoptotic function of Survivin relates to inhibition of mitochondrial and AIF-dependent apoptotic pathways, and its expression in melanoma and other cancers likely protects against both caspase-independent and -dependent apoptosis.     

Livin基因在肿瘤中的研究

 Livin是凋亡抑制蛋白家族的新成员，在多种肿瘤中高表达，与肿瘤的发生、发展、治疗及预后密切相关。多种研究证明，RNA干扰Livin后能抑制肿瘤生长，促进肿瘤细胞凋亡，并能增强肿瘤细胞对放化疗的敏感性。Livin在caspases的作用下发生裂解，产生的缩短片段具有促进肿瘤细胞凋亡的作用，为肿瘤治疗提供了新的方向。     

A novel role for placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP) as a determinant of chemoresistance in endometrial carcinoma cells

In several recent studies, we have shown that P-LAP can be a poor prognostic factor and a factor of chemoresistance in endometrial carcinoma, especially in the advanced patients. In our study, we investigated whether P-LAP alters the expression of apoptosis regulatory proteins as a mechanism of drug resistance. We transfected P-LAP cDNA into A-MEC cells (endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line), and A-MEC-LAP cells displayed a 1.8-fold, 2.0-fold and 1.7-fold increase in IC(50) against paclitaxel, carboplatin and cisplatin respectively. Translational downregulation by siRNA2 to P-LAP on A-MEC-LAP cells demonstrated 60%, 51% and 58% decrease in IC(50). To investigate the mechanism of P-LAP-induced chemoresistance, we also assessed whether P-LAP transfection had an effect on carboplatin-induced apoptotic death of A-MEC cells. A-MEC and A-MEC-pc (transfected with vector alone) cells exhibited a strong apoptotic response to carboplatin, while A-MEC-LAP cells exhibited a weak apoptotic response. In an attempt to identify the mechanism of the inhibitory effect on apoptotic response to carboplatin, we next assessed the expression of cleaved caspases and PARP cleavage. While treatment of A-MEC-pc cells with carboplatin exhibited increased levels of cleaved caspase 3, caspase 7 and caspase 9 compared to that after no treatment, A-MEC-LAP cells did not show any expression of these caspases. These results suggest that P-LAP reduces sensitivity to anticancer drugs via inhibition of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, and may be a molecular target for conquering anticancer drug resistance.     

凋亡抑制蛋白Livin在肿瘤治疗中的新进展

Livin是凋亡抑制蛋白的一个新成员,可以编码抑制凋亡的负性调节蛋白。Livin在大多数肿瘤中高表达,体内外研究发现其表达降低可以增加肿瘤细胞凋亡,降低肿瘤细胞的生长潜能,增加肿瘤细胞对化疗的敏感性。因此,Livin可以作为肿瘤治疗的新的靶点。     

Silencing Livin gene expression to inhibit proliferation and enhance chemosensitivity in tumor cells

Livin, a novel member of the human inhibitors of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, plays an important role in tumor progression and occurrence by inhibiting cell apoptosis. It is selectively expressed in the most common human neoplasms and appears to be involved in tumor cell resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. To investigate its possibility as a therapeutic target for human malignancies, we established two genetically different stable tumor cell lines (LoVo and SPCA-1) and RNA interference (RNAi) technique was employed to downregulate Livin expression in two human tumor cell lines. The specific downregulation of Livin expression in tumor cell lines significantly inhibited in vitro cell proliferation and in vivo tumorigenicity. Furthermore, Livin knockdown led to cell arrest in the G(1)/G(0) phase of cell cycle, eventual apoptosis and chemosensitivity enhancement in tumor cells. All these results indicate that RNAi-mediated downregulation of Livin expression can lead to potent antitumor activity and chemosensitizing effects in human cancers.     

Livin基因在恶性肿瘤诊断和治疗中的研究

Livin是凋亡抑制蛋白家族最新的成员,通过抑制半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶、激活丝裂原激活蛋白激酶等途径参与细胞凋亡的调节.Livin在多种恶性肿瘤中高表达,并且在肿瘤的发生、发展中发挥重要作用,为肿瘤的诊断及治疗提供了新的研究方向.     

Livin在非小细胞肺癌中的表达及临床意义

目的：探讨凋亡抑制蛋白（inhibitor of apoptosis protein,IAP）家族的新成员Livin及其两种异构体Livinα和Livinβ在非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）组织中的表达及其与NSCLC临床病理的关系。方法：采用逆转录多聚酶链式反应（RT—PCR）检测NSCLC组织中LivinαmRNA和LivinβmRNA的表达。结果：58例NSCLC组织中LivinmRNA表达阳性率为74．1％,而在癌旁组织低表达（5．1％,P〈0．01）。LivinmRNA表达与患者年龄,病理分型、肿瘤分化程度、淋巴结转移及TNM分期均无明显相关关系。结论：Livin在非小细胞肺癌组织中特异性地高表达,可能与肿瘤的发生、发展密切相关,可能成为诊断和治疗的新靶点。     

凋亡抑制新基因Livin与宫颈癌的关系

凋亡蛋白抑制因子(IAP)是一类抑制凋亡的调节分子,其成员Livin是新发现的凋亡抑制基因,能够与内源IAP抑制剂SMAC和caspase-3、caspase-7、caspase-9结合,发挥抗细胞凋亡的作用.近年来,研究发现Livin在宫颈癌细胞及组织中高表达,而且通过检测癌细胞凋亡有助于确定宫颈癌的发生机制及其疗效评价,因此研究Livin结构与功能及作用机制对于宫颈癌的发生、发展、诊断与治疗有积极意义.     

凋亡抑制新基因Livin与宫颈癌的关系

凋亡蛋白抑制因子(IAP)是一类抑制凋亡的调节分子,其成员Livin是新发现的凋亡抑制基因,能够与内源IAP抑制剂SMAC和caspase-3、caspase-7、caspase-9结合,发挥抗细胞凋亡的作用.近年来,研究发现Livin在宫颈癌细胞及组织中高表达,而且通过检测癌细胞凋亡有助于确定宫颈癌的发生机制及其疗效评价,因此研究Livin结构与功能及作用机制对于宫颈癌的发生、发展、诊断与治疗有积极意义.     

Rescue of death receptor and mitochondrial apoptosis signaling in resistant human NSCLC in vivo

Non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is a highly lethal malignancy that often becomes resistant to chemotherapy. To determine whether alterations in apoptotic signaling might contribute to such resistance, we established in vitro and in vivo models for sensitive and resistant human NSCLC. We found that resistance is due to multiple defects found in expression of CD95-L, CD95 and members of the Bcl-2 and IAP family, as well as caspase-8, -9 and -3 as examined by immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, gene array analysis and functional assays. Failure to activate death receptor, as well as mitochondrial apoptosis signaling, points to a central role of caspases. To restore apoptosis signaling we transfected NSCLC xenografts on nude mice with caspase-8 and -9. This treatment strongly induced apoptosis per se and sensitized the tumors to cisplatin-induced cell death. Thus, these findings indicate that re-expression of caspases might be an effective strategy to restore sensitivity for chemotherapy in NSCLC in vivo.     

Livin反义寡核苷酸对人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7增殖和凋亡影响的研究

目的：探讨Livin mRNA反义寡核苷酸（ASODN）对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞抑制增殖及诱导凋亡的影响。方法：设计合成特异性的Livin硫代磷酸ASODN及其对照错义寡核苷酸（MSODN）,脂质体转染至培养的MCF-7细胞。采用MTT法检测Livin ASODN对MCF-7细胞的增殖抑制作用,RT-PCR检测Livin mRNA的表达水平,电镜、流式细胞仪与吖啶橙／溴化乙锭（AO／EB）细胞染色法检测细胞凋亡水平和形态学改变。结果：Livin ASODN在终浓度为600nmol／L作用MCF-7细胞48h时,能明显地抑制其增殖（IC50=604.4）,降低Livin mRNA的表达;电镜、流式细胞仪与A0／EB细胞染色法则表明MCF-7细胞在形态学上出现明显的凋亡改变,细胞凋亡率显著增加,而对照组寡核苷酸未见抑制效应。结论：Livin ASODN能够特异性下调MCF-7细胞中Livin基因表达,在诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡、抑制增殖中发挥重要作用。     

Novel SMAC-mimetics synergistically stimulate melanoma cell death in combination with TRAIL and Bortezomib

Background:

XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein) is an anti-apoptotic protein exerting its activity by binding and suppressing caspases. As XIAP is overexpressed in several tumours, in which it apparently contributes to chemoresistance, and because its activity in vivo is antagonised by second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (SMAC)/direct inhibitor of apoptosis-binding protein with low pI, small molecules mimicking SMAC (so called SMAC-mimetics) can potentially overcome tumour resistance by promoting apoptosis.

Methods:

Three homodimeric compounds were synthesised tethering a monomeric SMAC-mimetic with different linkers and their affinity binding for the baculoviral inhibitor repeats domains of XIAP measured by fluorescent polarisation assay. The apoptotic activity of these molecules, alone or in combination with tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and/or Bortezomib, was tested in melanoma cell lines by MTT viability assays and western blot analysis of activated caspases.

Results:

We show that in melanoma cell lines, which are typically resistant to chemotherapeutic agents, XIAP knock-down sensitises cells to TRAIL treatment in vitro, also favouring the accumulation of cleaved caspase-8. We also describe a new series of 4-substituted azabicyclo[5.3.0]alkane monomeric and dimeric SMAC-mimetics that target various members of the IAP family and powerfully synergise at submicromolar concentrations with TRAIL in inducing cell death. Finally, we show that the simultaneous administration of newly developed SMAC-mimetics with Bortezomib potently triggers apoptosis in a melanoma cell line resistant to the combined effect of SMAC-mimetics and TRAIL.

Conclusion:

Hence, the newly developed SMAC-mimetics effectively synergise with TRAIL and Bortezomib in inducing cell death. These findings warrant further preclinical studies in vivo to verify the anticancer effectiveness of the combination of these agents.     

The inhibitors of apoptosis: there is more to life than Bcl2

The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) genes constitute a highly conserved family found in organisms as diverse as insects and mammals. These genes encode proteins that directly bind and inhibit caspases, and thus play a critical role in deciding cell fate. The IAPs are in turn regulated by endogenous proteins (second mitochondrial activator of caspases and Omi) that are released from the mitochondria during apoptosis. Overexpression of the IAPs, particularly the X-chromosome-linked IAP, has been shown to be protective in a variety of experimental animal models of human neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, overexpression of one or more of the IAPs in cancer cell lines and primary tumor samples appears to be a frequent event. IAP gene amplification and translocation events provide genetic evidence that further strengthens the case for classifying the IAPs as oncogenes. Therapeutic strategies that interfere with IAP expression or function are under investigation as an adjuvant to conventional chemotherapy- and radiation-based cancer therapy. This paper reviews the structure and function of the IAP family members and their inhibitors, and surveys the available evidence for IAP dysregulation in cancer.     

Molecular Mechanisms of Apoptosis and Roles in Cancer Development and Treatment

Programmed cell death (PCD) or apoptosis is a mechanism which is crucial for all multicellular organisms tocontrol cell proliferation and maintain tissue homeostasis as well as eliminate harmful or unnecessary cells froman organism. Defects in the physiological mechanisms of apoptosis may contribute to different human diseases likecancer. Identification of the mechanisms of apoptosis and its effector proteins as well as the genes responsible forapoptosis has provided a new opportunity to discover and develop novel agents that can increase the sensitivity ofcancer cells to undergo apoptosis or reset their apoptotic threshold. These novel targeted therapies include thosetargeting anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members, p53, the extrinsic pathway, FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP),inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins, and the caspases. In recent years a number of these novel agents havebeen assessed in preclinical and clinical trials. In this review, we introduce some of the key regulatory moleculesthat control the apoptotic pathways, extrinsic and intrinsic death receptors, discuss how defects in apoptoticpathways contribute to cancer, and list several agents being developed to target apoptosis.     

Survivin expression by metastatic melanoma predicts poor disease outcome in patients receiving adjuvant polyvalent vaccine

Survivin and livin are members of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family. We hypothesized that elevated expression levels of these 2 IAP genes in resected advanced-stage metastatic melanoma lesions would be associated with poor disease outcome in patients receiving a polyvalent therapeutic cancer vaccine (Canvaxintrade mark). A quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT) assay for survivin and livin genes was used to assess mRNA expression in 63 metastatic melanomas obtained during cytoreductive surgery of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage IV melanoma. Nineteen of 63 metastatic melanoma patients received Canvaxin pre- and postoperatively, and 37 patients received only postoperative Canvaxin. Expression of survivin and livin protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and then correlated with mRNA. Survivin mRNA was detected in 62 of 63 (98%) melanoma specimens ranging from 0-5.96 x 10(4) mRNA copies of total RNA. Lower mRNA copy levels of survivin significantly correlated with improved overall survival among the 37 patients who received Canvaxin postoperatively but not preoperatively (log-rank test, p = 0.023). Among patients with low survivin mRNA copies, those who received postoperative Canvaxin did significantly better than patients who received pre- and postoperative Canvaxin (p = 0.003). Livin mRNA was detectable in 60 of 63 (95%) metastatic melanoma specimens but had no significant prognostic utility. These studies demonstrate that lower levels of survivin in recurrent metastatic melanomas are associated with significantly improved survival in patients receiving postoperative adjuvant immunotherapy. Overall, the study indicates survivin expression in metastatic melanomas can significantly influence disease outcome and patient responses to immunotherapy.     

siRNA directed against Livin inhibits tumor growth and induces apoptosis in human glioma cells

Livin, a novel member of the human inhibitors of apoptosis protein family, plays an important role in tumor progression and occurrence by inhibiting cell apoptosis. It is selectively expressed in the most common human neoplasms and appears to be involved in tumor cell resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. The present study was designed to investigate the potential of using RNA interference (RNAi) technique to downregulate Livin expression, and the subsequent effect on human glioma cells. The results showed that knockdown of Livin expression by short interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly inhibited glioma cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis through cell arrest in the G₁/G₀ phase of cell cycle in vitro. Furthermore, Livin siRNA significantly suppressed tumor growth in nude mice. Together, these findings suggest that RNAi-mediated downregulation of Livin expression could lead to potent antitumor activity in glioma cells and might serve as a novel therapeutic strategy in clinic.     

Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins: new therapeutic targets in hematological cancer?

Apoptosis is an essential process for the selection and survival of lymphocytes. Resistance to apoptosis can promote malignant transformation of hematopoietic cells. Proteins that regulate apoptosis may therefore be critically involved in the development of hematological cancer. A delicate balance between pro- and antiapoptotic mechanisms determines whether a cell death signal can activate the execution of the apoptotic cell death program. The family of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins is a recently identified, novel category of apoptosis-regulatory proteins. IAPs can inhibit the activation of caspases that are the executioners of apoptosis, activated by both the extrinsic and intrinsic pathway. IAPs may thereby set the threshold for apoptosis-activation and play a key role in the regulation of apoptotic cell death. IAPs themselves are also subject to strict regulation through feedback mechanisms. This paper focuses on the role of IAP family proteins in the regulation of apoptosis and discusses implications for their involvement in cancer and possible use for cancer therapy, especially in leukemias and lymphomas.