Bavachin is a dihydroflavonoid compound isolated from Psoralea corylifolia, and exhibits anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and lipid-lowering activities. Recent attention has gradually drawn on bavachin-induced apoptosis in many human cancer cell lines. However, the anti-cancer effects and related mechanisms in colorectal cancer remain unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of bavachin on colorectal cancer in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that bavachin inhibited the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells and induce apoptosis. These changes were mediated by activating the MAPK signaling pathway, which significantly up-regulated the expression of Gadd45a. Furthermore, Gadd45a silencing obviously attenuated bavachin-mediated cell apoptosis. Inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway by JNK/ERK/p38 inhibitors also weakened the up-regulation of Gadd45a by bavachin. The anticancer effect of bavachin was also validated using a mouse xenograft model of human colorectal cancer. In conclusion, these findings suggest that bavachin induces the apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells through activating the MAPK signaling pathway.
Humans ; Signal Transduction ; Flavonoids/pharmacology* ; Proteins/pharmacology* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Cycle Proteins/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVETo explore the inhibitory effect of norcantharidin (NCTD) on the expression of DNA replication initiation protein Cdc6 in cancer cells.

METHODSMTT assay was performed to detect the inhibitory effect on different cancer cell lines, including HeLa, HepG2, Jurkat and Ramos cells. The effect of NCTD on Cdc6 protein level was detected by Western blotting, and BrdU incorporation assay was used to evaluate the DNA replication of the cells.

RESULTSNCTD significantly inhibited the proliferation of the cells and caused degradation of Cdc6 protein to result in the inhibition of the DNA replication of the cells shown by BrdU incorporation assay.

CONCLUSIONNCTD can induce the degradation of Cdc6 in cancer cells to produce an anti-cancer effect.

Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Replication ; drug effects ; Humans ; Nuclear Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEFunctionally, erythropoietin (EPO) can promote the proliferation and growth of erythroid progenitor cells, and it is widely used in the treatment of anemia in chronic diseases caused by tumor and inflammation. However, it is unclear whether EPO has any effect on tumor cell iron metabolism and tumor cell proliferation. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) on the expression of transferrin receptor (TfR, CD(71) antigen) of leukemic cell K562 and its relation to cell cycle.

METHODSIn vitro culture of K562 cell was performed with additions of various concentrations of rhEPO and Fe. Treatments were terminated at 24 h and 72 h, respectively. Then each group of cells was incubated with FITC-IgG antibody to CD(71) or PI, a kind of DNA dye. And TfR expression and DNA synthesis status were analyzed by flow-cytometry.

RESULTS(1) The expression of TfR by K562 cells increased significantly when incubated for 72 h with different concentrations of rhEPO. The measurement values of 5 U/ml, 10 U/ml and 20 U/ml groups were 12.2 +/- 1.40, 10.7 +/- 0.99 and 11.1 +/- 0.90, respectively. They were markedly increased when compared with that of control group (6.27 +/- 0.11, P < 0.05). (2) When incubated with rhEPO (5 u/ml) alone or combined with FeCl(3) (100 micro mol/L), the percentages of cells in S phase were 51.1% and 59.6%, respectively. They significantly increased when compared with that of control group (42.9%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIron is very important for the proliferation of both normal cells and leukemic cells. It is essential to the activity of ribonucleotide reductase (RR). The authors hypothesized that rhEPO would increase the expression of TfR and intracellular iron content of leukemic cells, which would enhance the DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Therefore, the clinical application of rhEPO to promote erythropoiesis of cancer patients should be cautious.

Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Erythropoietin ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Receptors, Transferrin ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins

The present study is aimed to investigate the toxic effects of andrographolide (Andro) on hepatoma cells and elucidate its preliminary mechanisms. After cells were treated with different concentrations of Andro (0-50 micromol x L(-1)) for 24 h, cell viability was evaluated with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Furthermore, after hepatoma cells (Hep3B and HepG2) were treated with different concentrations of Andro (0-30 micromol x L(-1)) for 14 d, the number of colony formation was accounted under microscope. Cell cycle related proteins such as Cdc-2, phosphorylated-Cdc-2, Cyclin B and Cyclin D1 were detected with Western blotting assay and the cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry using propidium iodide staining. MTT results showed that Andro induced growth inhibition of hepatoma cells in a concentration-dependent manner but had no significant effects on human normal liver L-02 cells. Andro dramatically decreased the colony formation of hepatoma cells in the concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, Andro induced a decrease of Hep3B cells at the G0-G1 phase and a concomitant accumulation of cells at G2-M phase. At the molecular level, Western blotting results showed that Andro decreased the expression of Cdc-2, phosphorylated-Cdc-2, Cyclin D1 and Cyclin B proteins in a time-dependent manner, which are all cell cycle related proteins. Taken together, the results demonstrated that Andro specifically inhibited the growth of hepatoma cells and cellular cell cycle related proteins were possibly involved in this process.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is widely regarded as one of the most promising targets for cancer therapy due to its essential role in cell division and tumor cell survival. At present, most Plk1 inhibitors have been developed based on kinase domain, some of which are in clinical trial. However, inhibitors targeting kinase domain face off-target effect and drug resistance owing to the conserved nature and the frequent mutations in the ATP-binding pocket. In addition to a highly conserved kinase domain, Plk1 also contains a unique Polo-Box domain (PBD), which is essential for Plk1's subcellular localization and mitotic functions. Inhibitors targeting Plk1 PBD show stronger selectivity and less drug resistance for cancer therapy. Therefore, Plk1 PBD is an attractive target for the development of anti-cancer agents. In this review, we will summarize the up-to date drug discovery for targeting Plk1 PBD, including the molecular structure and cellular functions of Plk1 PBD. Small-molecule inhibitors targeting Plk1 PBD not only provide an opportunity to specifically inhibit Plk1 activity for cancer treatment, but also unveil novel biological basis regarding the molecular recognition of Plk1 and its substrates.
Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics* ; Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology* ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of methionine restriction on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of human acute leukemia cells. METHODS: Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the effect of methionine restriction on HL-60 and Jurkat cells proliferation. The effect of methionine restriction on cell cycle of HL-60 and Jurkat cells was examined by PI staining. Annexin V-FITC / PI double staining was applied to detect apoptosis of HL-60 and Jurkat cells following methionine restriction. The expression of cell cycle-related proteins cyclin B1, CDC2 and apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 was evaluated by Western blot assay. RESULTS: Methionine restriction significantly inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 and Jurkat cells in a time-dependent manner (HL-60: r =0.7773, Jurkat: r =0.8725), arrested the cells at G2/M phase (P < 0.001), and significantly induced apoptosis of HL-60 and Jurkat cells (HL-60: P < 0.001; Jurkat: P < 0.05). Furthermore, Western blot analysis demonstrated that methionine restriction significantly reduced the proteins expression of Cyclin B1 (P < 0.05), CDC2 (P < 0.01) and Bcl-2 (P < 0.001) in HL-60 and Jurkat cells. CONCLUSION Acute leukemia cells HL-60 and Jurkat exhibit methionine dependence. Methionine restriction can significantly inhibit the proliferation, promote cell cycle arrest and induce apoptosis of HL-60 and Jurkat cells, which suggests that methionine restriction may be a potential therapeutic strategy for acute leukemia.
Humans ; Cyclin B1/pharmacology* ; Cell Proliferation ; Methionine/pharmacology* ; Cell Cycle ; Apoptosis ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Cell Division ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; Jurkat Cells ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; HL-60 Cells

OBJECTIVETo investigate antitumor activity and molecular mechanism of deguelin to the human U937 leukaemia cells and to explore the mechanisms regulating cell cycle and nucleoporin 98 (Nup98) and nucleoporin 88 (Nup88) in vitro.

METHODSThe effects of deguelin on the growth of U937 cells were studied by MTT assay, and the cell cycle of U937 cells by a propidium iodide method. The localization of the nuclear pore complex protein Nup98 and Nup88 was checked by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. The expressions of Nup98 and Nup88 in U937 cells were checked by flow cytometry (FCM) and Western blot respectively.

RESULTSThe proliferation of U937 cells was significantly inhibited in a time-dose dependent manner in deguelin-treated group with a 24 h IC50 value of 21.61 nmol/L and 36 h IC50 value of 17.07 nmol/L. U937 cells treated with deguelin showed reduction in the percentages of cells in G0/G1, whereas accumulation of cells in S and G2/M phase. The ratio of G1/G0 phase cells were 73.01%, 71.15%, 68.42%, 52.45%, 43.99% and 22.82%, and that of S phase cells were 17.18%, 16.30%, 18.09%, 27.56%, 31.21% and 46.85%, and that of G2/M phase cells were 9.75%, 12.31%, 13.09%, 18.99%, 24.83% and 27.79% at deguelin concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 nmol/L respectively. Nup88 and Nup98 were found on both the nuclear and cytoplasmic side of the U937 cells. The expression of Nup98 was up-regulated and Nup88 down-regulated in deguelin treated U937 cells.

CONCLUSIONDeguelin is able to inhibit the proliferation of U937 cells by regulating the cell cycle. The antitumor activity of deguelin was related to up-regulating the expression of Nup98 and down-regulating Nup88 protein.

Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins ; metabolism ; Rotenone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; U937 Cells

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Tamoxifen ; pharmacology

Ex vivo maintainance of human stem cells is crucial for many clinical applications. Current culture conditions provide some level support but cytokines induce most quiescent stem cells to proliferate and differentiate. Better control of primitive cells is needed to extend the time and range of manipulation of such cells. A recently identified plant lectin Flt3 receptor-interacting lectin (FRIL) present may a special ability to preserve primitive CB progenitors for extended periods in culture without exogenous cytokines. But the mechanisms of FRIL preserving quiescent primitive cells are still unknown. Recently a novel protein HTm4 and its alternatively spliced variant HTm4S, which serve as hematopoietic cell cycle regulators, have been identified. In this report we studied the effect of FRIL on the in vitro maintenance of quiescent human cord blood stem cells and the expression of the novel hematopoietic cell cycle regulator HTm4 and HTm4S in progenitor cells cultured in FRIL. We analyzed the proliferation and the HPP-CFC proportion of CD34(+) cells treated with FRIL. The human HTm4 and HTm4S mRNA expression was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and the cell cycle status of CB CD34(+) cells was analyzed by FACS. The results showed that incubation of CD34(+) cells in FRIL resulted in a low proliferation of progenitor cells and fewer cycling cells, but FRIL selectively maintained a higher number of primitive cells with proliferative potential in suspension culture. CB CD34(+) cells cultured in FRIL showed significant diversity in the expression of HTm4 and HTm4S during 0~14 d. On d 0, HTm4 was detected at high level, downregulated on d 1, but upregulated during d 3 to d 14, and reaching the highest level on d 7. But the expression levels of HTm4S changed little in the cells cultured in FRIL except the obviously increased expression on d 7. Exogenous expression showed that HTm4 was localized around the karyon while HTm4S scatted in the cytoplasm, respectively, which may be responsible for their difference in function. Thus, FRIL can preserve quiescent primitive CD34(+), and FRIL's ability to preserve quiescent primitive cells in a reversible manner may significantly expand the time and range of ex vivo manipulations of human stem cells for clinical applications. In other words, HTm4 and HTm4S may play a crucial role in the cell cycle modulation of CD34(+) progenitor cells maintained with FRIL in vitro.
Antigens, CD20 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Mannose-Binding Lectins ; pharmacology ; Membrane Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Plant Lectins ; pharmacology

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Celecoxib on the proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle and CD117 expression of K562 cells, and to explore its synergistic effect with IFN-alpha. K562 cells were treated with IFN-alpha, Celecoxib and combination of Celecoxib with IFN-alpha at different concentrations. The inhibitory effect of Celecoxib and IFN-alpha on cell proliferation was detected with MTT assay, the cell apoptosis, cell cycle and CD117 expression were determined by morphology observation and flow cytometry. The results showed that the Celecoxib inhibited proliferation of K562 cells in concentration-dependent manner (r=-0.91). After culture of K562 cells for 72 hours, the rates of K562 cell proliferation in control group, IFN-alpha group, Celecoxib group and IFN-alpha-combined Celecoxib group were (96.1+/-0.5)%, (90.2+/-0.4)%, (57.2+/-0.9)% and (21.9+/-0.3)% respectively. The cell apoptosis rates in 4 groups were (5.5+/-0.8)%, (6.3+/-0.6)%, (26.4+/-3.9)% and (57.3+/-4.5)% respectively. The CD117 expression rates in 4 groups were 54.7%, 10.5%, 36.3% and 7.3% respectively. Combination of Celecoxib with IFN-alpha might block K562 cells in G0/G1 phase. In conclusion, Celecoxib and IFN-alpha both may inhibit K562 cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, reduce CD117 expression and produce G0/G1 phase block to various degree and the two drugs have a synergistic effect.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Celecoxib ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; K562 Cells ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; Pyrazoles ; pharmacology ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology