Project description:Bisbenzimides, or Hoechst 33258 (H258), and its derivative Hoechst 33342 (H342) are archetypal molecules for designing minor groove binders, and widely used as tools for staining DNA and analyzing side population cells. They are supravital DNA minor groove binders with AT selectivity. H342 and H258 share similar biological effects based on the similarity of their chemical structures, but also have their unique biological effects. For example, H342, but not H258, is a potent apoptotic inducer and both H342 and H258 can induce transgene overexpression in in vitro studies. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Hoechst dyes induce apoptosis and enhance transgene overexpression are unclear. The purpose of the present study is to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying different biological effects between H342 and H258. H2373 treated with H258 or H342
Project description:Bisbenzimides, or Hoechst 33258 (H258), and its derivative Hoechst 33342 (H342) are archetypal molecules for designing minor groove binders, and widely used as tools for staining DNA and analyzing side population cells. They are supravital DNA minor groove binders with AT selectivity. H342 and H258 share similar biological effects based on the similarity of their chemical structures, but also have their unique biological effects. For example, H342, but not H258, is a potent apoptotic inducer and both H342 and H258 can induce transgene overexpression in in vitro studies. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Hoechst dyes induce apoptosis and enhance transgene overexpression are unclear. The purpose of the present study is to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying different biological effects between H342 and H258.
Project description:The inhibitor of kB kinase (IKK) is the master regulator of the nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) pathway, involved in inflammatory, immune and apoptotic responses. In the ‘canonical’ NF-kB pathway, IKK phosphorylates inhibitor of kB (IkB) proteins and this triggers ubiquitin-mediated degradation of IkB, leading to release and nuclear translocation of NF-B transcription factors.
The data presented show that the IKK and IKK subunits recognize a YDDX docking site located within the disordered C-terminal region of IkBa. Our results also suggest that IKK contributes to the docking interaction with higher affinity as compared to IKK.
Project description:5-Fuorouracil (5-Fu) remains one of the most effective and most commonly used drugs to treat colorectal cancer. Mucositis is a major complication that occurs in approximately 80% of patients receiving 5-FU and results in abdominal bloating as well as vomiting and diarrhea. oral mucositis (OM) are often very painful and compromise nutrition and oral hygiene as well as increase risk for local and systemic infection.
OM is characterized by an intense inflammatory reaction on the mucosa lamina propria cells, which results in activation of the transcription factor NF-kB. The activation of NF-kB leads to transcription of genes involved in the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Agents known to attenuate the expression of cytokines have demonstrated efficacy in the prevention of experimental mucositis.
The use of atorvastatin were associated with reduced production of TNF-α and IL-1β and decreased neutrophil infiltration evidenced by histopathological analysis and Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. In addition, atorvastatin also reduced oxidative stress and induced an increase in non-protein sulfhydryl groups showing anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory action.
Project description:EZH2 has been studied most extensively in the context of PRC2-dependent gene repression. Paradoxically, accumulating evidence indicates non-canonical functions for EZH2 in cancer contexts including promoting gene expression in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells through interactions with the transcription factor NF-kB. We define a genomic profile of EZH2 and NF-kB factor RelA, RelB, and NFKB2/p52 co-localization and positive regulation of a subset of NF-kB targets and genes associated with oncogenic functions in TNBC, which is enriched in patient datasets. We demonstrate interaction between EZH2 and RelA requiring the recently identified EZH2 transactivation domain (TAD), which mediates EZH2 recruitment to and activation of certain NF-kB-dependent genes, and supports downstream stemness phenotypes in TNBC cells. Interestingly, EZH2-NF-kB positive regulation of genes and stemness does not require PRC2. This study provides new insight into pro-oncogenic regulatory functions for EZH2 in breast cancer through PRC2-independent, and NF-kB-dependent regulatory mechanisms.
Project description:Macrophages play a pivotal role in the immune system through recognition and elimination of microbial pathogens. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on macrophages interact with microbial substances and initiate signal transduction through intracellular adapters. TLR4, which is important for the response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), triggers downstream signaling mediators and eventually activates IkB kinase (IKK) complex and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as p38. Previous reports revealed that, in addition to NF-kB, the induction of some LPS-inducible genes in macrophages required another transcription factor whose activity depends on p38. However, these transcription factors remained to be identified. Among these genes, NF-kB and C/EBPβ, a p38 downstream transcription factor, were predicted to co-regulate genes in LPS-stimulated BMDMs. Based on the subsequent results of a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we demonstrated that Tnfaip3 is regulated by both NF-kB and p38-dependent C/EBPβ. These results elucidate our understanding of the tight regulation of innate immunity. In order to identify p38-activated transcription factors that cooperate with NF-kB in response to LPS stimulation, microarrays were used to identify genes regulated by both NF-kB and p38 using wild-type, IKK-depleted, and p38 inhibitor-treated mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). In silico analysis of transcription factor binding sites was used to predict the potential synergistic transcription factors from the co-expressed genes.
Project description:NF-kB has been linked to doxorubicin-based chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer patients. NF-kB nuclear translocation and DNA binding in doxorubicin treated-breast cancer cells have been extensively examined, however its functional consequences in terms the spectrum of NF-kB -dependent genes expressed and, thus, the impact on tumour cell behaviour are unclear. We hypothesized that NF-kB gene expression profile induced by doxorubicin might be different among breast cancer cells and tumors. Doxorubicin treatment in the p53-mutated MDA-MB-231 cells resulted in NF-kB driven-gene transcription demonstrated by gene expression microarrays. Selected genes (ICAM-1, CXCL1, IL8) related with invasion, metastasis and chemoresistance expression were confirmed by RT-PCR in a subset of additional doxorubicin-treated cells and fresh primary human breast tumors. In both systems, p53-deficient background correlated with the activation of these NF-kB targeted genes. Overexpression of p53WT in the mutant p53 MDA-MB-231 cells impaired NF-kB driven transcription induced by doxorubicin. Moreover, tumors with a p53 deficient background and nuclear NF-kB /p65 expression correlated with reduced disease free-survival. This study supports that tumor molecular profiles for doxorubicin driven NF-kB-response are likely to exist. A link between p53 deficiency and the presence of active transcriptionally NF-kB could favour an aggressive behaviour and might have implications for doxorubicin-based chemotherapy in breast tumors exhibiting aberrant p53 activity 12 samples were analyzed: controls (n=3); Doxorubicin treated (n=3); MLN120B treated (n=3); MLN120B + Doxorubicin treated (n=3)
Project description:NPM1 was reported to regulate the SOD2 gene expression through regulation of NF-kB. However, the effect of NPM1 on the NF-kB-dependent transcriptome has not been exmained. To examine the effect of NPM1 on NF-kB-dependent transcriptome. We used microarray to examine the effect of knockdown of NPM1 on the gene expression induced by TNF-a treatment which activates NF-kB pathway.
Project description:Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive cancer with two major biological subtypes, activated B-cell like (ABC) and germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) DLCBL. Self-antigen engagement of B-cell receptors (BCRs) in ABC tumors promotes their clustering in the plasma membrane, thereby initiating chronic active signaling and downstream activation of the pro-survival NF-kB and PI3 kinase pathways. The potential of therapeutics targeting chronic active BCR signaling in ABC DLBCL is highlighted by the frequent response of these tumors to inhibitors of BTK, a kinase that links BCR signaling to NF-kB activation. Here we used genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screens to identify regulators of the IRF4, a direct NF-kB target and essential transcription factor in ABC cells. Unexpectedly, inactivation of the oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) complex, which mediates N-linked protein glycosylation, reduced IRF4 expression and NF-kB activity in ABC cells, resulting in cell death. Using functional glycoproteogenomics we linked this phenomenon to defective BCR glycosylation. Pharmacologic inhibition of OST reduced the size and abundance of BCR microclusters in the plasma membrane and blocked their internalization. These reorganized BCRs associated with the inhibitory coreceptor CD22, which attenuated proximal BCR signaling, thereby reducing NF-kB and PI3 kinase activation. OST inhibition also blocked the trafficking of TLR9 to the endolysosomal compartment, preventing its association with the BCR in the My-T-BCR signaling complex that activates NF-kB in ABC cells. In GCB DLBCL, OST inhibition also attenuated constitutive BCR signaling, reducing PI3 kinase signaling and triggering cell death. Our data highlight the therapeutic potential of OST inhibitors for the treatment of diverse B cell malignancies in which constitutive BCR signaling is essential.
Project description:Animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) is a significant socioeconomic burden for sub-Saharan Africa because of its huge impact on livestock health. Existing therapies including those based on minor groove binders (MGBs), such as the diamidines, which have been used for decades, have now lost efficacy in some places because of the emergence of resistant parasites. Consequently, the need for new chemotherapies is urgent. Here, we describe a structurally distinct class of MGBs, Strathclyde MGBs (S-MGBs), which display excellent in vitro activities against the principal causative organisms of AAT: Trypanosoma congolense, and Trypanosoma vivax. We also show the cure of T. congolense-infected mice by a number of these compounds. In particular, we identify S-MGB-234, compound 7, as curative by using two applications of 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally. Crucially, we demonstrate that S-MGBs do not show cross-resistance with the current diamidine drugs and are not internalized via the transporters used by diamidines. This study demonstrates that S-MGBs have significant potential as novel therapeutic agents for AAT.