Cell growth inhibition by all-trans retinoic acid in SKBR-3 breast cancer cells: involvement of protein kinase Calpha and extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a synthetic derivative of vitamin A, inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells. To elucidate the mechanism by which ATRA causes cell growth inhibition, we examined changes in cell cycle and intracellular signaling pathways, focusing on protein kinase C (PKC) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Using the estrogen receptor-negative, retinoid receptor-positive breast cancer cell line SKRB-3, we found that treatment with ATRA significantly decreased the expression of PKCalpha, as well as reducing ERK MAPK phosphorylation. ATRA treatment leads to dephosphorylation of Rb, and consequently to G(1) arrest. Marked changes in the expression of cyclins (particularly cyclins A and E) were observed in SKBR-3 cells treated with ATRA. Using a series of pharmacological and molecular approaches, we found evidence that ATRA-induced SKBR-3 cell growth inhibition involves the deregulation of the PKCalpha-MAPK pathway. These data suggest that retinoids interfered with signal transduction pathways that are crucial for cell cycle progression, and highlight the complexities of the biological effects of retinoid derivatives.     

Analysis of cell growth inhibitory effects of catechin through MAPK in human breast cancer cell line T47D

We have investigated the cell growth inhibitory effects of crude catechin (catechin) containing approximately 53% of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on the human breast cancer cell line T47D, and the mechanism of its action, with emphasis on the cell cycle and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). A significant dose-dependent growth inhibition was observed after treatment with catechin. At 48 h after the addition of catechin, cells at the G2/M phase were increased by 8.3%, compared with the control. Analysis of the expression of cell cycle-related proteins after the addition of catechin showed that the cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) 2 and the cdk4 proteins were decreased after administration, the expression of cyclin A protein was increased at 24 h after administration, however, the expression of the cyclin D1 and cyclin E proteins was unchanged. At 24 h after the administration of catechin, the phosphorylation of cell division cycle 2 (cdc2) was inhibited, and the expression of cyclin B1 protein was also decreased. Furthermore, the analysis of the MAPK expression showed that the phosphorylated JNK/SAPK protein began to increase at 3 h after catechin administration, and the expression persisted until 24 h after administration, then decreased. The phosphorylation of p38 protein was increased at 12 h, and began to decrease at 36 h after catechin administration. Based on these results, we speculate that, in the breast cancer cell line T47D, catechin phosphorylated JNK/SAPK and p38, and that the phosphorylated JNK/SAPK and p38 inhibited the phosphorylation of cdc2, and regulated the expression of cyclin A, cyclin B1, and cdk proteins, thereby causing G2 arrest. The results suggested that catechin (EGCG) may be an effective adjuvant therapy after breast cancer surgery.     

Protein kinase C alpha trigger Ras and Raf-independent MEK/ERK activation for TPA-induced growth inhibition of human hepatoma cell HepG2

The tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is a well-known activator of both protein kinase C (PKC) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal cascade triggering a lot of effects in many non-tumor and tumor cells. We have reported activation of PKCalpha isozyme was specifically required for TPA-induced ERK (MAPK) signaling that mediated gene expressions of the CDK inhibitors p15(INK4b) and p16 (INK4a) leading to growth inhibition of hepatoma cell HepG2. We further investigated the upstream signal molecule linking PKCalpha to ERK. In the Ras activation assay, HepG2 cell exhibited substantial amount of Ras activity. Treatment of the cell with 50nM TPA for 10min slightly inhibited Ras activity by about 10-20%. Pretreatment of the cell with 10microM manumycin A, which abolish basal Ras activity, did not prevent TPA-triggered ERK phosphorylation. Immunoprecipitation coupled with kinase assay demonstrated that MEK-1 activity was strongly induced by treatment of TPA for 5-30min in HepG2. In contrast, c-Raf activity was not significantly induced by TPA within 5-15min. Consistently, Western blot of Phospho(ser-218/222)-MEK demonstrated that phosphorylation of MEK-1 was greatly induced by 50nM TPA, which can be prevented by the PKC inhibitor Bisindolylmaleimides II. Moreover, pretreatment of the MEK1/2 inhibitor, but not c-Raf inhibitor prevented the TPA-induced ERK phosphorylation, gene expression of p15(INK4b) and p16 (INK4a) and growth inhibition of HepG2. In addition, transient expression of a dominant negative Raf mutant in HepG2 did not prevent these effects of TPA. Constitutive expression of an active PKCalpha mutant in HepG2 enhanced phosphorylation of both MEK and ERK accompanied with induction of gene expression of p16(INK4a) and growth inhibition of HepG2. In contrast, Ras and Raf activity were not increased by expression of active PKCalpha. Taken together, we conclude that PKCalpha may activate MEK, independently of Raf and Ras, to trigger sustained ERK (MAPK) signaling and cell cycle arrest of HepG2 induced by TPA.     

SUCI02 inhibits the erbB-2 tyrosine kinase receptor signaling pathway and arrests the cell cycle in G1 phase in breast cancer cells

The erbB-2 gene encodes tyrosine kinase receptor p185(neu). Overexpression of erbB-2 plays a key role in tumorigenesis and the progression of tumors such as breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Our investigation suggests that the anti-inflammatory agent N-(4-ethoxyphenol)-2-hydroxy-acid amide (SUCI02) reversibly represses tyrosine phosphorylation of erbB-2 in a dose-dependent manner, with half maximal inhibition occurring at a concentration of 21.05 micromol/L without reduced erbB-2 receptor expression. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and protein kinase B, downstream molecules of the erbB-2-mediated signal transduction pathway, was inhibited following exposure to SUCI02. In contrast, tyrosine phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was relatively unaffected by SUCI02. Proliferation of erbB-2-overexpressing BT474 cells was inhibited to a greater extent than proliferation of EGFR-overexpressing A431 cells following exposure to SUCI02. SUCI02 induced cell cycle arrest in G(1) phase with upregulation of p27 and downregulation of pRb phosphorylation. Systemic administration of SUCI02 in nude mice resulted in inhibition of erbB-2 tyrosine kinase phosphorylation of subcutaneous human breast cancer BT474 xenografts. We conclude that SUCI02 inhibits erbB-2 tyrosine kinase phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo, shuts down the erbB-2 downstream pathway and induces cell cycle arrest in G(1) phase. These results suggest that SUCI02 is a potential novel anticancer agent that deserves further investigation. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 84-89).     

Regulation of p27Kip1 protein levels contributes to mitogenic effects of the RET/PTC kinase in thyroid carcinoma cells

We show that treatment of a panel of thyroid carcinoma cell lines naturally harboring the RET/PTC1 oncogene, with the RET kinase inhibitors PP1 and ZD6474, results in reversible G(1) arrest. This is accompanied by interruption of Shc and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, reduced levels of G(1) cyclins, and increased levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 because of a reduced protein turnover. MAP/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 inhibition by U0126 caused G(1) cyclins down-regulation and p27Kip1 up-regulation as well. Forced expression of RET/PTC in normal thyroid follicular cells caused a MAPK- and proteasome-dependent down-regulation of p27Kip1. Reduction of p27Kip1 protein levels by antisense oligonucleotides abrogated the G(1) arrest induced by RET/PTC blockade. Therefore, in thyroid cancer, RET/PTC-mediated MAPK activation contributes to p27Kip1 deregulation. This pathway is implicated in cell cycle progression and in response to small molecule kinase inhibitors.     

Interaction between Polyamines and the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway in the Regulation of Cell Cycle Variables in Breast Cancer Cells

Inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis with alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) has been shown to inhibit proliferation of breast cancer cells although its mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. To address this issue, we tested the effects of DFMO on cell cycle variables of MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells in culture. We also focused on the possible mediatory role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway on the cell cycle effects of DFMO because this compound has been shown to activate MAPK signaling. We found that DFMO caused a p53-independent increase in p21 and its association with cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk)-2 and decreased cdk-2 protein as well as its phosphorylation on Thr160. In addition, DFMO markedly suppressed the expression of the full-length and low molecular weight forms of cyclin E. These effects of DFMO were reversible with exogenous putrescine, thus indicating that they are specifically mediated through polyamine depletion. Cdk-2 activity was drastically reduced in DFMO-treated breast cancer cells which exhibited a reduction in retinoblastoma (Rb) phosphorylation and protein. As a predictable consequence of these effects, DFMO caused a G1-S block. In addition, DFMO inhibited G2-M transition, most likely as a result of its induction of p21 expression. Inhibition of the MAPK pathway with PD98059 or U0126 blocked the DFMO-induced induction of p21 and the reduction of cdk-2 protein. PD98059 reversed the G2-M block induced by DFMO (probably as a result of suppression of p21) but not the G1-S arrest. MDA-MB-435 cells treated with PD98059 or U0126 in the presence and absence of DFMO exhibited a marked increase in the expression of p27 and its association with cdk-2, a decrease in phosphorylation of cdk-2 on Thr160, and a decrease in cyclin E expression. As predicted, PD98059 treatment reduced cdk-2 activity and Rb phosphorylation while reversing the decrease in Rb protein induced by DFMO. Neither DFMO nor PD98059, either alone or in combination, reduced cdk-4 activity despite a marked induction in p15 expression caused by DFMO. Our results indicate that activation of the MAPK pathway accounts for some of the effects of DFMO on cell cycle events of breast cancer cells. Inhibition of the MAPK pathway, however, does not reverse the cell cycle arrest induced by DFMO because of activation of alternative mechanisms leading to suppression of cdk-2 activity.     

Enhancement of antitumor activity of the anti-EGF receptor monoclonal antibody cetuximab/C225 by perifosine in PTEN-deficient cancer cells

Mutational inactivation or deletion of the phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN)/MMAC1/TEP gene in human cancer cells leads to a constitutively active status of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway in the cells and has been linked to the lack of responses of the cells to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor-targeted therapeutics. Akt is strongly inhibited by perifosine, an orally active alkyl-lysophospholipid currently being evaluated as an anti-cancer agent in phase 1 and 2 clinical trials. To determine whether perifosine may enhance the antitumor activity of the anti-EGF receptor monoclonal antibody cetuximab/C225 in PTEN-deficient cancer cells, we exposed MDA468 breast cancer cells (which contain mutated PTEN gene) and PC3 prostate cancer cells (in which the PTEN gene is deleted) to perifosine and cetuximab, alone and in combination. Treatment of the cells with perifosine reduced baseline levels of phosphorylated Akt, phosphorylated p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p38MAPK, and increased baseline levels of phosphorylated stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)/c-jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK). A 72-h exposure of the MDA468 and PC3 cells to perifosine alone resulted in cell death in a dose-dependent manner, which was enhanced by cetuximab. Addition of subtoxic doses of perifosine to cetuximab treatment also enhanced the cetuximab-induced growth inhibition. The combination treatment enhanced the inhibition of phosphorylation of Akt, p44/42MAPK and p38MAPK, but offset the phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK that was activated by perifosine treatment alone. Taken together, the data showed that perifosine enhances the antitumor activity of cetuximab in PTEN-deficient cancer cells. Further evaluation of the combination treatment in preclinical and clinical studies is warranted.     

Combined antitumor activity of 7-Hydroxystaurosporine (UCN-01) and Tamoxifen against human breast carcinoma<Emphasis Type="Italic">in Vitro</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic">in Vivo</Emphasis>

BACKGROUND: 7-Hydroxystaurosporine (UCN-01) was originally isolated as a protein kinase C inhibitor and has shown antitumor activity against several human cancer cell lines. UCN-01 inhibits cell cycle progression from the G1 to the S phase and is associated with inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity and induction of intrinsic CDK inhibitor p21, leading to dephosphorylation of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein. Tamoxifen (TAM) traps cancer cells in the G1 phase, suggesting that the mechanism of action of TAM is similar to that of UCN-01. The present study was conducted to assess the antitumor activity of UCN-01 combined with TAM against human breast carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MCF-7 cells were treated with UCN-01, TAM, or UCN-01 combined with TAM at various concentrations in vitro. The antitumor effect was evaluated as the inhibition rate (I.R.%) by MTT assay. Two human breast carcinoma xenografts in nude mice, MCF-7 and Br-10, were treated with UCN-01, TAM or both agents together. The expression of p21 and the phosphorylation status of Rb protein in MCF-7 cells were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: UCN-01 or TAM alone inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Combined treatment with UCN-01 followed by TAM inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells synergistically and no significant differences in cytotoxicity were observed between the different sequences of UCN-01/TAM and TAM/UCN-01. Combination treatment with UCN-01 and TAM against MCF-7 and Br-10 in vivo exhibited superior antitumor effects compared with either agent treatment alone. Although 0.1 microg UCN-01 per ml (I.R.: 48.1%) or 2 microM TAM (I.R.: 31%) induced p21 expression, phosphorylation of Rb protein was not inhibited. However, combination treatment with UCN-01 and TAM at the same concentrations resulted in an I.R. of 67% and dephosphorylation of Rb protein. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that combining UCN-01 and TAM could result in augmented cytotoxicity because of their similar mechanism of action. This combination may have potential clinical applications for breast cancer treatment, by reducing the toxicity of UCN-01.     

In vitro Study of Nucleostemin as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Human Breast Carcinoma SKBR-3 Cells

Although nucleolar protein nucleostemin (NS) is essential for cell proliferation and early embryogenesisand expression has been observed in some types of human cancer and stem cells, the molecular mechanismsinvolved in mediation of cell proliferation and cell cycling remains largely elusive. The aim of the present studywas to evaluate NS as a potential target for gene therapy of human breast carcinoma by investigating NS geneexpression and its effects on SKBR-3 cell proliferation and apoptosis. NS mRNA and protein were both foundto be highly expressed in all detected cancer cell lines. The apoptotic rate of the pcDNA3.1-NS-Silencer group(12.1-15.4±3.8%) was significantly higher than those of pcDNA3.1-NS (7.2-12.0±1.7%) and non-transfectiongroups (4.1-6.5±1.8%, P<0.01). MTT assays showed the knockdown of NS expression reduced the proliferationrate of SKBR-3 cells significantly. Matrigel invasion and wound healing assays indicated that the number ofinvading cells was significantly decreased in the pcDNA3.1-NS-siRNA group (P<0.01), but there were no significantdifference between non-transfected and over-expression groups (P>0.05). Moreover, RNAi-mediated NS downregulationinduced SKBR-3 cell G1 phase arrest, inhibited cell proliferation, and promoted p53 pathway-mediatedcell apoptosis in SKBR-3 cells. NS might thus be an important regulator in the G2/M check point of cell cycle,blocking SKBR-3 cell progression through the G1/S phase. On the whole, these results suggest NS might be atumor suppressor and important therapeutic target in human cancers.     

Herceptin-induced inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase and Akt Is required for antibody-mediated effects on p27, cyclin D1, and antitumor action

We have examined whether inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and its target, the serine/threonine kinase Akt, play a role in the antitumor effect of the HER2 antibody Herceptin. Herceptin inhibited colony formation, down-regulated cyclin D1, and increased p27 protein levels in the HER2 gene-amplified BT-474 and SKBR-3 human breast cancer cells. These effects were temporally associated with the inhibition of PI3K activity in vitro as well as Akt function as measured by steady-state levels of phospho-Ser473 Akt and kinase activity against glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3beta. These responses were not observed in MDA-361 and MDA-453 cells, which do not exhibit HER2 gene amplification and are relatively resistant to Herceptin. Treatment of BT-474 cells with Herceptin inhibited the constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of HER3 and disrupted the basal association of HER3 with HER2 and of HER3 with p85alpha potentially explaining the inhibition of PI3K. Treatment with either Herceptin or the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 increased the levels of p27 in the nucleus>cytosol, thus increasing the ratio of p27:Cdk2 in the nucleus and inhibiting Cdk2 activity and cell proliferation. Antisense p27 oligonucleotides abrogated the increase in p27 induced by Herceptin and prevented the antibody-mediated reduction in S phase. Transduction of BT-474 cells with an adenovirus-encoding active (myristoylated) Akt (Myr-Akt), but not with a beta-galactosidase control adenovirus, prevented the Herceptin- or LY294002-induced down-regulation of cyclin D1 and of phosphorylated GSK-3beta and prevented the accumulation of p27 in the nucleus and cytosol. In addition, Myr-Akt prevented Herceptin-induced inhibition of the cell proliferation of BT-474 cells and Herceptin-induced apoptosis of SKBR-3 cells. These data suggest that (a) changes in cell cycle- and apoptosis-regulatory molecules after HER2 blockade with Herceptin result, at least in part, from the inhibition of Akt; and (b) disabling PI3K and Akt is required for the antitumor effect of HER2 inhibitors.     

UCN-01 (7-hydoxystaurosporine) inhibits in vivo growth of human cancer cells through selective perturbation of G1 phase checkpoint machinery.

Mechanisms underlying tumor sensitivity to the antitumor agent UCN-01 (7-hydroxystaurosporine) were examined in the nude mouse model using three human tumor xenografts, two pancreatic cancers (PAN-3-JCK and CRL 1420) and a breast cancer (MX-1). UCN-01 antitumor activity was evaluated in terms of relative tumor weights in treated and untreated mice bearing the tumor xenografts. The activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), levels of p21 and p27 proteins, pRb status and cell cycle were evaluated. Induction of p21 and apoptosis were also assessed immunohistochemically in CRL 1420. UCN-01 was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of either 5 or 10 mg / kg daily for 5 days followed by a further 5 injections after an interval of 2 days. UCN-01 significantly suppressed the growth of both pancreatic cancers, but was ineffective against MX-1. p21 protein expression was markedly induced in the UCN-01-sensitive pancreatic carcinoma xenografts at both doses, but p21 induction was only evident in the UCN-01-resistant MX-1 at 10 mg / kg. MX-1 exhibited CDK2 activity that was 6-fold higher than that of pancreatic cancer strains, which may explain the resistance of MX-1 to UCN-01 despite the induction of p21 at the dose of 10 mg / kg. The UCN-01-sensitive tumors exhibited G1 arrest and increased levels of apoptosis, changes not observed in resistant MX-1. In conclusion, it appears that a determining factor of in vivo UCN-01 sensitivity involves the balance of CDK2 kinase activity and p21 protein induction, resulting in augmented pRb phosphorylation, G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.     

Inhibition of p38 MAPK increases the sensitivity of 5-fluorouracil-resistant SW480 human colon cancer cells to noscapine

A major cause of treatment failure in advanced colon cancer is resistance to chemotherapy. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) has been associated with cellular apoptosis and plays an important role in multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells. In the present study the effect of p38 MAPK on the sensitivity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-resistant SW480 (SW480/5-FU) human colon cancer cells to noscapine was investigated. Following p38 MAPK interference, the inhibitory effect of noscapine on cell viability and proliferation was increased in the SW480/5-FU cells and there was also a decrease in the expression level of minichromosome maintenance proteins, recombinant Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Inhibition of p38 MAPK also enhanced noscapine-induced G₁-phase cell cycle arrest in the SW480/5-FU cells and there was also a decrease in the protein and mRNA expression level of cyclin D, cyclin E and cyclin-dependent kinase 2, and an increase in the expression level of P57. Furthermore, p38 MAPK interference increased noscapine-induced apoptosis of the SW480/5-FU cells and there was an increase in the protein and mRNA expression level of caspases-3 and 8 and Bax, and decreased Bcl-2 expression level. The sensitivity of the SW480/5-FU cells to noscapine was also increased following p38 MAPK interference, as demonstrated by MDR inhibition via decreased Akt activity and reduced protein expression level of the MDR proteins P-glycoprotein, multidrug resistance protein 1 and ATP-binding cassette G2. These observations indicated that inhibition of p38 MAPK increased the sensitivity of the SW480/5-FU cells to noscapine by suppressing proliferation, induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and reversal of MDR in the SW480/5-FU cells.     

Cell cycle kinase inhibitor expression and hypoxia-induced cell cycle arrest in human cancer cell lines

Flow cytometric analysis of fibroblasts, normal breast epithelial cells and breast or other cancer cell lines identified variation in the abilities of cell lines to undergo cell cycle arrest as a response to hypoxia. Human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC), normal fibroblasts (Hs68 and WI38), HeLa cervical carcinoma and HTB-30 breast carcinoma cells arrest in G(1)/S in response to severe hypoxia. Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma cells did not exhibit orderly G(1)/S arrest in response to severe hypoxia. We found a general decrease in p16(INK4a) (p16) mRNA levels, with an associated decrease in p16 protein levels in both normal cells and in cancer cells, regardless of their cell cycle response to hypoxia. p27 protein levels did not correlate with the cell line's ability to enter a hypoxic G(1)/S arrest. Furthermore, cell lines that underwent G(1)/S arrest showed decreased expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1alpha) and at least one member of INK4 or Sdi cell cycle kinase inhibitors families after 12-24 h of hypoxia. Conversely, Hep3B, which did not exhibit orderly hypoxia-associated G(1)/S arrest, also did not show decreased HIF-1alpha, INK4 or Sdi protein levels in hypoxia. Furthermore, Hep3B showed constitutive activating phosphorylation of Akt and inhibitory phosphorylation of GSK3beta, which was the opposite pattern to that exhibited by the cell lines showing the G(1)/S arrest phenotype. Inhibition of GSK3beta by lithium chloride treatment of HeLa cells converted the HIF-1alpha, p16 and p27 loss to levels unchanged by hypoxic exposure. Our results suggest that regulation of the cell cycle during hypoxia in either normal or cancer cells is not simply due to up-regulation of cell cycle kinase inhibitors. Furthermore, decreased protein expression of HIF-1alpha, p16 and p27 was associated with both a hypoxia-induced G(1)/S arrest phenotype and increased GSK3beta activity.     

Diallyl trisulfide-induced G(2)-M phase cell cycle arrest in human prostate cancer cells is caused by reactive oxygen species-dependent destruction and hyperphosphorylation of Cdc 25 C

Molecular mechanism of cell cycle arrest caused by diallyl trisulfide (DATS), a garlic-derived cancer chemopreventive agent, has been investigated using PC-3 and DU 145 human prostate cancer cells as a model. Treatment of PC-3 and DU 145 cells, but not a normal prostate epithelial cell line (PrEC), with growth suppressive concentrations of DATS caused enrichment of the G(2)-M fraction. The DATS-induced cell cycle arrest in PC-3 cells was associated with increased Tyr(15) phosphorylation of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk 1) and inhibition of Cdk 1/cyclinB 1 kinase activity. The DATS-treated PC-3 and DU 145 cells also exhibited a decrease in the protein level of Cdc 25 C and an increase in its Ser(216) phosphorylation. The DATS-mediated decrease in protein level and Ser(216) phosphorylation of Cdc 25 C as well as G(2)-M phase cell cycle arrest were significantly attenuated in the presence of N-acetylcysteine implicating reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cell cycle arrest caused by DATS. ROS generation was observed in DATS-treated PC-3 and DU 145 cells. DATS treatment also caused an increase in the protein level of Cdk inhibitor p21, but DATS-induced G(2)-M phase arrest was not affected by antisense-mediated suppression of p21 protein level. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that DATS-induced G(2)-M phase cell cycle arrest in human prostate cancer cells is caused by ROS-mediated destruction and hyperphosphorylation of Cdc 25 C.     

Pyrotinib Sensitizes 5-Fluorouracil-Resistant HER2⁺ Breast Cancer Cells to 5-Fluorouracil

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer. However, acquired chemoresistance leads to a loss of its efficacy; methods to reverse are urgently needed. Some studies have shown that pyrotinib, an ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is effective against HER2+ breast cancer. However, whether pyrotinib sensitizes 5-FU-resistant breast cancer cells to 5-FU is unknown. We hypothesized that the combination of pyrotinib and 5-FU would show synergistic antitumor activity, and pyrotinib could reverse 5-FU resistance in HER2+ breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Our data showed that pyrotinib inhibited the growth of 5-FU-resistant SKBR-3/FU and MDA-MB-453/FU cell lines and the parental cell lines. 5-FU remarkably suppressed the growth of SKBR-3 and MAD-MB-453 cells. However, SKBR-3/FU and MADMB-453/FU cells showed resistance to 5-FU. A combination of pyrotinib and 5-FU resulted in the synergistic inhibition of the growth of the 5-FU-resistant SKBR-3/FU and MDA-MB-453/FU cell lines and the parental cell lines. Pyrotinib decreased significantly the IC50 values of 5-FU and the thymidylate synthase (TS) mRNA expression levels in the 5-FU-resistant SKBR-3/FU and MDA-MB-453/FU cell lines and the parental cell lines and increased significantly the intracellular concentration of 5-FU in SKBR-3/FU and MDA-MB-453/FU cells. In addition, pyrotinib reduced the ABCG2 mRNA and protein expression levels in SKBR-3/FU and MDA-MB- 453/FU cells and downregulated the protein expression levels of pAKT, pHER2, and pHER4 in all four cell lines. After TS or ABCG2 in 5-FU-resistant breast cancer cells was knocked down, the sensitivity of SKBR-3/ FU and MDA-MB-453/FU cells to 5-FU was restored. Moreover, in vivo experiments demonstrated that pyrotinib in combination with 5-FU more effectively inhibited SKBR-3/FU tumor growth than either pyrotinib or 5-FU alone. In conclusion, our findings suggest that pyrotinib could restore sensitivity of 5-FU-resistant HER2+ breast cancer cells to 5-FU through downregulating the expression levels of TS and ABCG2.     

Selenomethionine induces sustained ERK phosphorylation leading to cell-cycle arrest in human colon cancer cells

Selenomethionine (SeMet) is being tested alone and in combination with other agents in cancer chemoprevention trials. However, the molecular targets and the signaling mechanism underlying the anticancer effect of this compound are not completely clear. Here, we provide evidence that SeMet can induce cell-growth arrest and that the growth inhibition is associated with S-G2/M cell-cycle arrest. Coincidentally with the cell-cycle arrest, we observed a striking increase in cyclin B as well as phosphorylation of the cyclin-dependent kinase Cdc2. Since activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade has been associated with cell-cycle arrest and growth inhibition, we evaluated the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). We found that SeMet induced phosphorylation of the MAPK ERK in a dose-dependent manner. We also demonstrate phosphorylation of ribosomal S6 kinase (p90RSK) by SeMet. Additionally, we show phosphorylation of histone H3 in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of p90RSK and histone H3 were both antagonized by the MEK inhibitor U0126, implying that SeMet-induced phosphorylation of p90RSK and histone H3 are at least in part ERK pathway dependent. Based on these results, we propose that SeMet induced growth arrest and phosphorylation of histone H3 are mediated by persistent ERK and p90RSK activation. These new data provide valuable insights into the biological effects of SeMet at clinically relevant concentrations.     

Lidamycin induces marked G2 cell cycle arrest in human colon carcinoma HT-29 cells through activation of p38 MAPK pathway

Lidamycin (LDM), a member of the enediyne antibiotic family, is presently undergoing phase I clinical trials in P.R. China. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of LDM-induced cell cycle arrest in order to support its use in clinical cancer therapy. Using human colon carcinoma HT-29 cells, we observed that LDM induced G2 cell cycle arrest in a time- and dose-dependent manner. LDM-induced G2 arrest was associated with increasing phosphorylation of Chk1, Chk2, Cdc25C, Cdc2 and expression of Cdc2 and cyclin B1. In addition, cytoplasmic localization of cyclin B1 was also involved in LDM-induced G2 arrest. Moreover, we found that p38 MAPK pathway contributed to LDM-induced G2 arrest. Inhibition of p38 MAPK by its inhibitor SB203580 not only attenuated LDM-induced G2 arrest but also potentiated LDM-induced apoptosis, which was accompanied by decreasing phosphorylation of Cdc2 and increasing expression of FasL and phosphorylation of JNK. Finally, we demonstrated that cells at G1 phase were more sensitive to LDM. Together, our findings suggest that p38 MAPK signaling pathway is involved in LDM-induced G2 arrest, at least partly, and a combination of LDM with p38 MAPK inhibitor may represent a new strategy for human colon cancer therapy.     

A link between benzyl isothiocyanate-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis: involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases in the Bcl-2 phosphorylation

In the present study, we clarified the molecular mechanism underlying the relationship between benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC)-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). The exposure of Jurkat human T-cell leukemia cells to BITC resulted in the inhibition of the G(2)-M progression that coincided with the apoptosis induction. The experiment using the phase-specific synchronized cells demonstrated that the G(2)-M phase-arrested cells are more sensitive to undergoing apoptotic stimulation by BITC than the cells in other phases. We also confirmed that BITC activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK, but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase, at the concentration required for apoptosis induction. An experiment using a JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 or a p38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190 indicated that BITC-induced apoptosis might be regulated by the activation of these two kinases. Conversely, BITC is likely to confine the Jurkat cells in the G(2)-M phase mainly through the p38 MAPK pathway because only the p38 MAPK inhibitor significantly attenuated the accumulation of inactive phosphorylated Cdc2 protein and the G(2)-M-arrested cell numbers. We reported here for the first time that the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein was phosphorylated by the BITC treatment without significant alteration of the Bcl-2 total protein amount. This was abrogated by a JNK specific inhibitor SP600125 at the concentration required for specific inhibition of the c-Jun phosphorylation. Moreover, the spontaneous phosphorylation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 in the G(2)-M synchronized cells was enhanced synergistically by the BITC treatment. Involvement of the MAPK activation in the Bcl-2 phosphorylation and apoptosis induction also was observed in HL-60 and HeLa cells. Thus, we identified the phosphorylated Bcl-2 as a key molecule linking the p38 MAPK-dependent cell cycle arrest with the JNK activation by BITC.