OBJECTIVETo re-analyze the data published in order to explore plausible biological pathways that can be used to explain the anti-aging effect of curcumin.

METHODSMicroarray data generated from other study aiming to investigate effect of curcumin on extending lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster were further used for pathway prediction analysis. The differentially expressed genes were identified by using GeneSpring GX with a criterion of 3.0-fold change. Two Cytoscape plugins including BisoGenet and molecular complex detection (MCODE) were used to establish the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network based upon differential genes in order to detect highly connected regions. The function annotation clustering tool of Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) was used for pathway analysis.

RESULTSA total of 87 genes expressed differentially in D. melanogaster melanogaster treated with curcumin were identified, among which 50 were up-regulated significantly and 37 were remarkably down-regulated in D. melanogaster melanogaster treated with curcumin. Based upon these differential genes, PPI network was constructed with 1,082 nodes and 2,412 edges. Five highly connected regions in PPI networks were detected by MCODE algorithm, suggesting anti-aging effect of curcumin may be underlined through five different pathways including Notch signaling pathway, basal transcription factors, cell cycle regulation, ribosome, Wnt signaling pathway, and p53 pathway.

CONCLUSIONGenes and their associated pathways in D. melanogaster melanogaster treated with anti-aging agent curcumin were identified using PPI network and MCODE algorithm, suggesting that curcumin may be developed as an alternative therapeutic medicine for treating aging-associated diseases.

Aging ; drug effects ; genetics ; Animals ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; genetics ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Drosophila Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster ; drug effects ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; drug effects ; Genes, Insect ; Protein Biosynthesis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Protein Interaction Maps ; drug effects ; genetics ; Receptors, Notch ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ribosomes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; genetics ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects ; genetics

Icaritin, a prenylflavonoid derivative from Epimedium Genus, has been shown to exhibit many pharmacological and biological activities. However, the function and the underlying mechanisms of icaritin in human non-small cell lung cancer have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anticancer effects of icaritin on A549 cells and explore the underlying molecular mechanism. The cell viability after icaritin treatment was tested by MTT assay. The cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were analyzed by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expression levels of the genes involved in proliferation and apoptosis were respectively detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The results demonstrated that icaritin induced cell cycle arrest at S phase, and down-regulated the expression levels of S regulatory proteins such as Cyclin A and CDK2. Icaritin also induced cell apoptosis characterized by positive Hoechst 33258 staining, accumulation of the Annexin V-positive cells, increased ROS level and alteration in Bcl-2 family proteins expression. Moreover, icaritin induced sustained phosphorylation of ERK and p38 MAPK. These findings suggested that icaritin might be a new potent inhibitor by inducing S phase arrest and apoptosis in human lung carcinoma A549 cells.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Neoplasm Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; S Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; drug effects

Autophagy dysregulation, mitochondrial dynamic abnormality and cell cycle re-entry are implicated in the vulnerable neurons of patients with Alzheimer's disease. This study was designed to testify the association among autophagy, mitochondrial dynamics and cell cycle in dividing neuroblastoma (N2a) cells. The N2a cells were cultured in vitro and treated with different concentrations of 3-methyladenine (3-MA). The cell viability was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. They were randomly divided into control group (cells cultured in normal culture medium) and 3-MA group (cells treated with 10 mmol/L 3-MA). The cell cycle was analyzed in the two groups 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after treatment by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to evaluate the expression levels of mitofission 1 (Fis1), mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), cell cycle-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and cdc2. The flow cytometry revealed that the proportion of cells in G(2)/M was significantly increased, and that in G0/G1 was significantly reduced in the 3-MA group as compared with the control group. Western blotting showed that the expression levels of Fis1, LC3, and CDK4 were significantly up-regulated in the 3-MA group at the four indicated time points as compared with the control group. Mfn2 was initially decreased in the 3-MA group, and then significantly increased at 6 h or 12 h. Cdc2 was significantly increased in the 3-MA group at 3 h and 6 h, and then dropped significantly at 12 h and 24 h. Our data indicated that 3-MA-induced suppressed autophagy may interfere with the cell cycle progression and mitochondrial dynamics, and cause cell death. There are interactions among cell cycle, mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy in neurons.
Adenine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; genetics ; CDC2 Protein Kinase ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cyclin B ; biosynthesis ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Mitochondrial Dynamics ; drug effects ; genetics ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Neuroblastoma ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to transfect TPT1 into cell lines SMMC-7721 and L-02, seperately, and to observe the changes of biological behaviors of the cell lines.

METHODSThrough lipofectamine, the eukaryotic report expression vector containing TPT1 ORF (open reading frame), pEGFP-N3TPT1, were transducted into hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 cells and normal liver cell line L-02 cells, seperately. The transduction was repeated three times in 24 hrs. The differences of biological behaviors between the pEGFP-N3TPT1 and pEGFP-N3 groups were studied by RT-PCR, MTT assay, soft agar colony formation assay and cell cycle analysis.

RESULTSThe pEGFP-N3TPT1 transfected cells had a high mRNA level in the two cell lines (P < 0.05) compared with the pEGFP-N3 controls. The ability of proliferation and the soft agar colony formation were enhanced in the SMMC-7721 transducted cells with pEGFP-N3TPT1 compared with that transducted with pEGFP-N3 (P < 0.05), and the cell cycle analysis showed that the cells in the phase G(2)+S/M increased after pEGFP-N3TPT1 transduction. In the L-02 cell line, we obtained similar results, pEGFP-N3TPT1 enhanced the colony formation in plate (P < 0.05), but not make it form colony in soft agar.

CONCLUSIONSTPT1 can enhance malignant phenotype of SMMC-7721 cells and promote the growth of L-02 cells, but not transform L-02 into malignant phenotype.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; physiology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Open Reading Frames ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Transfection

In the light of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line 11G-S expressing human recombinant pro-urokinase, the differences of gene expression levels of the cells in different growth phases in both batch and fed-batch cultures were revealed by using gene chip technology. Then, based on the known cell cycle regulatory networks, the transcriptional profiling of the cell cycle regulatory networks of the cells in batch and fed-batch cultures was analyzed by using Genmapp software. Among the approximate 19 191 target genes in gene chip, the number of down-regulated genes was more than those of up-regulated genes of the cells in both batch and fed-batch cultures. The number of down-regulated genes of the cells in the recession phase in fed-batch culture was much more than that of the cells in batch culture. Comparative transcriptional analysis of the key cell cycle regulatory genes of the cells in both culture modes indicated that the cell proliferation and cell viability of the cells in both batch and fed-batch cultures were mainly regulated through down-regulating Cdk6, Cdk2, Cdc2a, Ccne1, Ccne2 genes of CDKs, Cyclin and CKI family and up-regulating Smad4 gene.
Animals ; Batch Cell Culture Techniques ; CHO Cells ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Cricetinae ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 ; genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Smad4 Protein ; genetics ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Natural isoflavones and flavones are important dietary factors for prostate cancer prevention. We investigated the molecular mechanism of these compounds (genistein, biochanin-A and apigenin) in PC-3 (hormone-independent/p53 mutant type) and LNCaP (hormone-dependent/p53 wild type) prostate cancer cells. A cell growth rate and apoptotic activities were analyzed in different concentrations and exposure time to evaluate the antitumor activities of genistein, biochanin-A and apigenin. The real time PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to investigate whether the molecular mechanism of these compounds are involving the p21 and PLK-1 pathway. Apoptosis of prostate cancer cells was associated with p21 up-regulation and PLK-1 suppression. Exposure of genistein, biochanin-A and apigenin on LNCaP and PC-3 prostate cancer cells resulted in same pattern of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The inhibition effect for cell proliferation was slightly greater in LNCaP than PC-3 cells. In conclusion, flavonoids treatment induces up-regulation of p21 expression, and p21 inhibits transcription of PLK-1, which promotes apoptosis of cancer cells.
Antineoplastic Agents/*pharmacology ; Apigenin/pharmacology ; *Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle/drug effects ; Cell Cycle Proteins/biosynthesis/*genetics/metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21/biosynthesis/*metabolism ; Flavonoids/*pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects ; Genistein/pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics/metabolism/*pathology ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases/biosynthesis/*genetics/metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins/biosynthesis/*genetics/metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic/drug effects

OBJECTIVETo construct the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.0-RGC32 and evaluate the effect of the response gene to complement-32 (RGC32) on cell cytoskeleton in vitro.

METHODSThe full-length cDNA of RGC32 was obtained by RT-PCR and inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.0 to generate the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.0-RGC32. After transfection of the recombinant plasmid into SW480 cells, the expression of RGC32 in the cells was detected by Western blotting. The cytoskeleton of SW480 cells was visualized before and after the transfection, and the changes in the cell migration ability was assessed by wound-healing assay.

RESULTSThe recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.0-RGC32 was successfully constructed. The expression of RGC32 was significantly increased in SW480 cells after transfection with pcDNA3.0-RGC32. Before the transfection, the microfilaments of SW480 cells were few and short without obvious polarity, but after the transfection, the microfilaments were increased and elongated with also an obvious polarity, and the invasive structures of lamellae and lamellipodia occurred. The migration ability of the cells was enhanced after transfection with pcDNA3.0-RGC32.

CONCLUSIONOverexpression of RGC32 can cause the reorganization of cytoskeleton and promotes the cell migration, which can be an important mechanism of RGC32 in promoting cancer metastasis.

Cell Cycle Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cytoskeleton ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Muscle Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; genetics ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

To study the chemosensitivity and the mechanisms of recombinant adenovirus vector expressing ING4 and IL-24 (Ad-ING4-IL-24) on lung adenocarcinoma in vitro and in vivo, the expression of ING4 and IL-24 in A549 cells was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The growth inhibition, apoptosis rate and apoptosis body were measured by MTT, flow cytometry and Hoechst staining respectively. For in vivo study, we first established the A549 tumor model by grafting A549 cells in athymic nude mice; and then injected Ad-ING4-IL-24 into the tumors. Two weeks after injection, we killed the mice, removed the tumors, weighted and calculated the ratios of tumor-suppression. We also detected the expressions of ING4, IL-24, bax, bcl-2, VEGF with immunohistochemistry. The results indicated that ING4 and IL-24 were proved successfully transcription and expression in A549 cells. More interestingly, the joint group inhibited the growth of A549 cells and induced apoptosis. The in vivo data showed that the joint group suppressed the tumor growth conspicuously through up-regulating the expression of bax, and down-regulating the expression of bcl-2, VEGF. The study proved that Ad-ING4-IL-24 significantly enhanced the chemosensitivity to anticancer drug DDP in lung adenocarcinoma, which may related with cell apoptosis and antiangiogenesis.
Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genetic Vectors ; Homeodomain Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Interleukins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory effect of knocking down microRNA(miR)-221 and miR-222 on human glioma cell growth and its possible mechanism.

METHODSmiRNA-221/222 antisense oligonucleotides (antisense miR221/222) were transfected into human glioma U251 cells by lipofectamine. Northern blot analysis was conducted to detect the mRNA expression of miR-221/222 in the control and transfected cell groups. The proliferation activity of cells was determined by MTT assay. Cell invasion ability was examined by transwell assay, and cell cycle kinetics and apoptosis were detected with flow cytometry. The expression of relevant proteins was analyzed by Western blotting. The therapeutic efficacy of antisense miR221/222 on the growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice were also observed.

RESULTSIn the antisense miR-221/222-transfected cells, the expression of miR-221/222 was significantly reduced; the cell invasion ability was suppressed, cell cycle was blocked at G(0)/G(1) phase, and apoptotic cells were increased. The growth of xenograft tumors treated with antisense miR-221/222 was also inhibited. In antisense miR-221/222 treated tumor cells, the expression of bcl-2 was down-regulated while connexin43, p27, PUMA, caspase-3, PTEN, TIMP3 and Bax up-regulated, and p53 expression not changed.

CONCLUSIONThere is a significant inhibitory effect of antisense miR-221/222 on the growth of human glioma U251 cells. miR-221/222 may be considered as a candidate target for gene therapy of human gliomas.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Base Sequence ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Glioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; MicroRNAs ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3 ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of antisense Bmi-1 (B cell-specific moloney murine leukemia virus insertion site 1) RNA on the growth, cell cycle and apoptosis of lung cancer cell line A549.

METHODSRecombinant plasmids carrying antisense Bmi-1 RNA were transfected into A549 cells, which expressed a high level of endogenous Bmi-1. The mRNA level of A549 cell was analyzed by real time quantitative RT-PCR and the protein level was determined using Western blot. MTT growth curve and plate colony forming assay were used to measure the effect of antisense Bmi-1 RNA expression on the growth of A549. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle and apoptosis.

RESULTSAntisense Bmi-1 RNA reduced the Bmi-1 expression at the protein level, but did not alter the mRNA level in A549 cells. Compared with the control cells, A549 cells transfected with antisense Bmi-1 RNA showed a strong inhibition of the cell growth. The number of plate colony formation of the antisense Bmi-1 transfected cells (0.67 +/- 0.50) was less than those of the control (73.0 +/- 4.1) and cells transfected with empty vector (67.0 +/- 4.0, P < 0.01). Transfection of antisense Bmi-1 RNA arrested the A549 cells at G₀/G₁ phase of the cell cycle and did not increase the apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONAntisense Bmi-1 RNA expression inhibits A549 cells proliferation, likely through the interference of Bmi-1 leading to an arrest of the proliferating cells at the G₀/G₁ phase.

Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nuclear Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Antisense ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Repressor Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection