Resveratrol inhibits cell growth via targeting the Bmi-1 pathway in YD-10B human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

Resveratrol has been reported to exert anticancer activity via modulation of multiple pathways and genes. In this study, we examined the effect of resveratrol on YD-10B human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells and its molecular mechanisms of action. We found that resveratrol inhibited the proliferation of YD-10B cells in a dose- and timedependent manner. The suppressive effect of resveratrol was accompanied by a reduction in Bmi-1 gene expression.We observed that silencing the Bmi-1 gene by small interfering RNA effectively downregulated the levels of GLUT1 mRNA and protein, which were also repressed by resveratrol. Bmi-1 silencing increased the number of YD-10B cells in S-phase arrest by approximately 2.3-fold compared with the control. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrate, for the first time, that resveratrol suppresses Bmi-1-mediated GLUT1 expression in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells and suggest that the specific molecular targeting of Bmi-1 and/or GLUT1 expression can be combined with a chemotherapeutic strategy to improve the response of oral cancer cells to resveratrol.

The Effect of 1-Propanol on the Rotational Mobility of n-(9-Anthroyloxy) stearic acid in Outer Monolayers of Neuronal and Model Membranes

The aim of this study was to provide a basis for the molecular mechanism underlying the pharmacological action of ethanol. We studied the effects of 1-propanol on the location of n-(9-anthroyloxy)palmitic acid or stearic acid (n-AS) within the phospholipids of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMV). The SPMV were isolated from the bovine cerebral cortex and liposomes of total lipids (SPMVTL) and phospholipids (SPMVPL). 1-Propanol increased the rotational mobility of inner hydrocarbons, while decreasing the mobility of membrane interface, in native and model membranes. The degree of rotational mobility varied with the number of carbon atoms at positions 16, 12, 9, 6 and 2 in the aliphatic chain of phospholipids in the neuronal and model membranes. The sensitivity of increasing or decreasing rotational mobility of hydrocarbon interior or surface by 1-propanol varied with the neuronal and model membranes in the following order: SPMV, SPMVPL and SPMVTL.

Melatonin Rescues Human Dental Pulp Cells from Premature Senescence Induced by H₂O₂

Although anti-aging activities of melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, have been reported in senescence-accelerated mouse models and several types of cells, its impact and mechanism on the senescence of human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) remains unknown. In this study, we examined the impact of melatonin on cellular premature senescence of HDPCs. Here, we found that melatonin markedly inhibited senescent characteristics of HDPCs after exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), including the increase in senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal)-positive HDPCs and the upregulation of p21 protein, an indicator for senescence. In addition, as melatonin attenuated H₂O₂-stimulated phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), while selective inhibition of JNK activity with SP600125 significantly attenuated H₂O₂-induced increase in SA-beta-gal activity. Results reveal that melatonin antagonizes premature senescence of HDPCs via JNK pathway. Thus, melatonin may have therapeutic potential to prevent stress-induced premature senescence, possibly correlated with development of dental pulp diseases, and to maintain oral health across the life span.

Decreasing Effect of Lidocaine.HCl on the Thickness of the Neuronal and Model Membrane

This study examined the mechanism of action of a local anesthetic, lidocaine.HCl. Energy transfer between the surface fluorescent probe, 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid, and the hydrophobic fluorescent probe, 1,3-di(1-pyrenyl) propane, was used to determine the effect of lidocaine.HCl on the thickness (D) of the synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMV) isolated from the bovine cerebral cortex, and liposomes of the total lipids (SPMVTL) and phospholipids (SPMVPL) extracted from the SPMV. The thickness (D) of the intact SPMV, SPMVTL and SPMVPL were 1.044+/-0.008, 0.914+/-0.005 and 0.890+/-0.003 (arbitrary units, n=5) at 37degrees C (pH 7.4), respectively. Lidocaine.HCl decreased the thickness of the neuronal and model membrane lipid bilayers in a dose-dependent manner with a significant decrease in the thickness, even at 0.1 mM. The decreasing effect of lidocaine.HCl on the membrane thickness might be responsible for some, but not all of its anesthetic action.

Mutant p53-Notch1 Signaling Axis Is Involved in Curcumin-Induced Apoptosis of Breast Cancer Cells

Notch1 has been reported to be highly expressed in triple-negative and other subtypes of breast cancer. Mutant p53 (R280K) is overexpressed in MDA-MB-231 triple-negative human breast cancer cells. The present study aimed to determine whether the mutant p53 can be a potent transcriptional activator of the Notch1 in MDA-MB-231 cells, and explore the role of this mutant p53-Notch1 axis in curcumin-induced apoptosis. We found that curcumin treatment resulted in an induction of apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells, together with downregulation of Notch1 and its downstream target, Hes1. This reduction in Notch1 expression was determined to be due to the decreased activity of endogenous mutant p53. We confirmed the suppressive effect of curcumin on Notch1 transcription by performing a Notch1 promoter-driven reporter assay and identified a putative p53-binding site in the Notch1 promoter by EMSA and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis. Overexpression of mutant p53 increased Notch1 promoter activity, whereas knockdown of mutant p53 by small interfering RNA suppressed Notch1 expression, leading to the induction of cellular apoptosis. Moreover, curcumin-induced apoptosis was further enhanced by the knockdown of Notch1 or mutant p53, but it was decreased by the overexpression of active Notch1. Taken together, our results demonstrate, for the first time, that Notch1 is a transcriptional target of mutant p53 in breast cancer cells and suggest that the targeting of mutant p53 and/or Notch1 may be combined with a chemotherapeutic strategy to improve the response of breast cancer cells to curcumin.

The Effect of Methanol on the Structural Parameters of Neuronal Membrane Lipid Bilayers

The structures of the intact synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMVs) isolated from bovine cerebral cortexs, and the outer and the inner monolayer separately, were evaluated with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) and 1,3-di(1-pyrenyl)propane (Py-3-Py) as fluorescent reporters and trinitrophenyl groups as quenching agents. The methanol increased bulk rotational and lateral mobilities of SPMVs lipid bilayers. The methanol increased the rotational and lateral mobilities of the outer monolayers more than of the inner monolayers. n-(9-Anthroyloxy)stearic acid (n-AS) were used to evaluate the effect of the methanol on the rotational mobility at the 16, 12, 9, 6, and 2 position of aliphatic chains present in phospholipids of the SPMVs outer monolayers. The methanol decreased the anisotropy of the 16-(9-anthroyloxy)palmitic acid (16-AP), 12-(9-anthroyloxy)stearic acid (12-AS), 9-(9-anthroyloxy)stearic acid (9-AS), and 6-(9-anthroyloxy)stearic acid (6-AS) in the SPMVs outer monolayer but it increased the anisotropy of 2-(9-anthroyloxy)stearic acid (2-AS) in the monolayers. The magnitude of the increased rotational mobility by the methanol was in the order at the position of 16, 12, 9, and 6 of aliphatic chains in phospholipids of the outer monolayers. Furthermore, the methanol increased annular lipid fluidity and also caused membrane proteins to cluster. The important finding is that was far greater increase by methanol in annular lipid fluidity than increase in lateral and rotational mobilities by the methanol. Methanol alters the stereo or dynamics of the proteins in the lipid bilayers by combining with lipids, especially with the annular lipids. In conclusion, the present data suggest that methanol, in additions to its direct interaction with proteins, concurrently interacts with membrane lipids, fluidizing the membrane, and thus inducing conformational changes of proteins known to be intimately associated with membranes lipids.

The Effect of Lidocaine.HCl on the Fluidity of Native and Model Membrane Lipid Bilayers

The purpose of this study is to investigated the mechanism of pharmacological action of local anesthetic and provide the basic information about the development of new effective local anesthetics. Fluorescent probe techniques were used to evaluate the effect of lidocaine.HCl on the physical properties (transbilayer asymmetric lateral and rotational mobility, annular lipid fluidity and protein distribution) of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMV) isolated from bovine cerebral cortex, and liposomes of total lipids (SPMVTL) and phospholipids (SPMVPL) extracted from the SPMV. An experimental procedure was used based on selective quenching of 1,3-di(1-pyrenyl)propane (Py-3-Py) and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) by trinitrophenyl groups, and radiationless energy transfer from the tryptophans of membrane proteins to Py-3-Py. Lidocaine.HCl increased the bulk lateral and rotational mobility of neuronal and model membrane lipid bilayes, and had a greater fluidizing effect on the inner monolayer than the outer monolayer. Lidocaine.HCl increased annular lipid fluidity in SPMV lipid bilayers. It also caused membrane proteins to cluster. The most important finding of this study is that there is far greater increase in annular lipid fluidity than that in lateral and rotational mobilities by lidocaine.HCl. Lidocaine.HCl alters the stereo or dynamics of the proteins in the lipid bilayers by combining with lipids, especially with the annular lipids. In conclusion, the present data suggest that lidocaine, in addition to its direct interaction with proteins, concurrently interacts with membrane lipids, fluidizing the membrane, and thus inducing conformational changes of proteins known to be intimately associated with membrane lipid.

The Lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis Induces Vascular Permeability

Porphyromonas gingivalis, one of the major periodontal pathogens, is implicated in the initiation and progression of periodontal disease. The initial stages of periodontal inflammation are accompanied by vascular hyperpermeability. In our present study, we report that the P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increases the mRNA expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a major inducer of vascular permeability, in vascular endothelial cells. P. gingivalis LPS also stimulated the induction of IL-8 secretion in endothelial cells. The P. gingivalis LPS-induced expression of IL-8 was primarily modulated by nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). P. gingivalis LPS significantly enhanced the vascular permeability both in vitro and in vivo, and a blockade of the IL-8 receptor decreased the P. gingivalis LPS-induced vascular permeability. Taken together, these results suggest that P. gingivalis LPS increases vascular permeability through the NF-kappaB-dependent production of IL-8 in vascular endothelial cells.

The Effect of Tetracaine.HCl on Rotational Mobility of n-(9-Anthroyloxy) Stearic Acid in Outer Monolayers of Neuronal and Model Membranes

To provide a basis for studying the pharmacological actions of tetracaine.HCl, we analyzed the membrane activities of this local anesthetic. The n-(9-anthroyloxy) stearic and palmitic acid (n-AS) probes (n = 2, 6, 9, 12 and 16) have been used previously to examine fluorescence polarization gradients. These probes can report the environment at a graded series of depths from the surface to the center of the membrane bilayer structure. In a dose-dependent manner, tetracaine.HCl decreased the anisotropies of 6-AS, 9-AS, 12-AS and 16-AP in the hydrocarbon interior of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles isolated from bovine cerebral cortex (SPMV), and liposomes derived from total lipids (SPMVTL) and phospholipids (SPMVPL) extracted from the SPMV. However, this compound increased the anisotropy of 2-AS at the membrane interface. The magnitude of the membrane rotational mobility reflects the carbon atom numbers of the phospholipids comprising SPMV, SPMVTL and SPMVPL and was in the order of the 16, 12, 9, 6, and 2 positions of the aliphatic chains. The sensitivity of the effects of tetracaine.HCl on the rotational mobility of the hydrocarbon interior or surface region was dependent on the carbon atom numbers in the descending order 16-AP, 12-AS, 9-AS, 6-AS and 2-AS and on whether neuronal or model membranes were involved in the descending order SPMV, SPMVPL and SPMVTL.

Effect of Extracts from Safflower Seeds on Osteoblastic Differentiation and Intracellular Free Calcium Concentration in MC3T3-E1 Cells

Very little research has been carried out on safflower seed for the prevention and treatment of the bone deficiency diseases, including osteoporosis, which are supported by scientific evidences. In the present study, 3microliter of 0.1% dried crude extract or 2microliter of 0.1% dried aqueous fraction were shown to significantly accelerate the rate of differentiation of osteoblast. Also, the crude extract and aqueous fraction increased the [Ca2+]i of the cultured osteoblast cells: 3microliter of 0.1% dried crude extract and 2microliter of 0.1% dried aqueous fraction significantly increased the [Ca2+]i of the cultured osteoblast cells (8x104) to the extent that it deserves a considerable attention. Furthermore, the crude extract and aqueous fraction increased the [Ca2+]i of the cultured osteoblast cells, and 300microM Cd2+, specific calcium channel blocker, completely blocked the increase. Therefore, the increased [Ca2+]i of the cultured osteoblast cells by safflower seed component continued to activate calcium channel.

Effects of Chlorhexidine digluconate on Rotational Rate of n- (9-Anthroyloxy)stearic acid in Model Membranes of Total Lipids Extracted from Porphyromonas gingivalis Outer Membranes

The purpose of this study was to provide a basis for studying the molecular mechanism of pharmacological action of chlorhexidine digluconate. Large unilamellar vesicles (OPGTL) were prepared with total lipids extracted from cultured Porphyromonas gingivalis outer membranes (OPG). The anthroyloxy probes were located at a graded series of depths inside a membrane, depending on its substitution position (n) in the aliphatic chain. Fluorescence polarization of n- (9-anthroyloxy)stearic acid was used to examine effects of chlorhexidine digluconate on differential rotational mobility, while changing the probes' substitution position (n) in the membrane phospholipids aliphatic chain. Magnitude of the rotational mobility of the intact six membrane components differed depending on the substitution position in the descending order of 16- (9-anthroyloxy)palmitic acid (16-AP), 12, 9, 6, 3 and 2- (9-anthroyloxy)stearic acid (12-AS, 9-AS, 6-AS, 3-AS and 2-AS). Chlorhexidine digluconate increased in a dose-dependent manner the rate of rotational mobility of hydrocarbon interior of the OPGTL prepared with total lipids extracted from cultured OPG, but decreased the mobility of membrane interface of the OPGTL. Disordering or ordering effects of chlorhexidine digluconate on membrane lipids may be responsible for some, but not all of its bacteriostatic and bactericidal actions.

Effects of Local Anesthetics on Rotational Mobility of n- (9-Anthroyloxy) stearic Acid in Neuronal Membranes

To elucidate the molecular mechanism of pharmacological action of local anesthetics, we studied membrane actions of tetracaine, bupivacaine, lidocaine, prilocaine and procaine. Fluorescence polarization of n- (9-anthroyloxy) stearic acid (n-AS) was used to examine the effects of these local anesthetics on differential rotational mobility of different positions of the number of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicle (SPMV) phospholipid carbon atoms. The four membrane components differed with respect to 3, 6, 9 and 16- (9-anthroyloxy) stearic acid (3-AS, 6-AS, 9-AS and 16-AP) probes, indicating that differences in the membrane fluidity might be present. Degrees of the rotational mobility of 3-AS, 6-AS, 9-AS and 16-AP were different depending on depth of hydrocarbon interior. In a dose-dependent manner, tetracaine, bupivacaine, lidocaine, prilocaine and procaine decreased anisotropy of 3-AS, 6-AS, 9-AS and 16-AP in the hydrocarbon interior of the SPMV. These results indicate that local anesthetics have significant disordering effects on hydrocarbon interior of the SPMV, thus affecting the transport of Na+ and K+ in nerve membranes and leading to anesthetic action.

Effects of Chlorhexidine Digluconate on Rotational Rate of n- (9-Anthroyloxy) stearic Acid in Porphyromonas ginginvalis Outer Membranes

The aim of this study was to provide a basis for studying the molecular mechanism of pharmacological action of chlorhexidine digluconate. Fluorescence polarization of n- (9-anthroyloxy) stearic acid was used to examine the effect of chlorhexidine digluconate on differential rotational mobility of different positions of the number of membrane bilayer phospholipid carbon atoms. The six membrane components differed with respect to 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 16- (9-anthroyloxy) stearic acid (2-AS, 3-AS, 6-AS, 9-AS, 12-AS and 16-AP) probes, indicating different membrane fluidity. Chlorhexidine digluconate increased the rate of rotational mobility of hydrocarbon interior of the cultured Porphyromonas gingivalis outer membranes (OPG) in a dose-dependent manner, but decreased the mobility of surface region (membrane interface) of the OPG. Disordering or ordering effects of chlorhexidine digluconate on membrane lipids may be responsible for some, but not all of its bacteriostatic and bactericidal actions.

Differential effects of local anesthetics on rate of rotational mobility between hydrocarbon interior and surface region of model membrane outer monolayer

Using fluorescence polarization of 12-(9-anthroyloxy)stearic acid (12-AS) and 2-(9-anthroyloxy)stearic acid (2-AS), we evaluated the differential effects of local anesthetics on differential rotational rate between the surface (in carbon number 2 and its surroundings including the head group) and the hydrocarbon interior (in carbon number 12 and its surroundings) of the outer monolayer of the total lipid fraction liposome extracted from synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles. The anisotropy (r) values for the hydrocarbon interior and the surface region of the liposome outer monolayer were 0.078+/-0.001 and 0.114+/-0.001, respectively. This means that the rate of rotational mobility in the hydrocarbon interior is faster than that of the surface region. In a dose-dependent manner, the local anesthetics decreased the anisotropy of 12-AS in the hydrocarbon interior of the liposome outer monolayer but increased the anisotropy of 2-AS in the surface region of the monolayer. These results indicate that local anesthetics have significant disordering effects on the hydrocarbon interior but have significant ordering effects on the surface region of the liposome outer monolayer.

Different effects of dopamine on differential rotational mobility between inner and outer monolayer of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles isolated from bovine brain

Fluorescence polarization of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) was used to evaluate the effects of dopamine cntdot HCl on the range of the rotatioanl mobility of bulk bilayer structure of the synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMV) isolated from whole bovine brain. In a dose-dependent manner, dopamine decreased the anisotropy (gamma), limiting anisotropy (gammainfin) and order parameter (S) of DPH in the membranes. These indicate that dopamine increased the rotational mobility of the probe in the neuronal membranes. Cationic 1-(4-(trimethylammonio)-phenyl)-6-phenylhexa-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH) and anionic 3-(p-(6-phenyl)-1,3,5-hexatrienyl)-phenylpropionic acid (PRO-DPH) were utilized to examine the range of transbilayer asymmetric rotational mobility of the neuronal membranes. Dopamine had a greater increasing effect on the mobility of the inner monolayer as compared to the outer monolayer of the neuronal membranes. It has been proven that dopamine exhibits a selective rather than nonselective fluidizing effect within the transbilayer domains of the SPMV.

Effect of lidocaine cntdot HCl on microviscosity of phosphatidylcholine model membrane

In order to provide a basis for studying the molecular mechanism of pharmacological action of local anesthetics and to develop a fluorescence spectroscopic method which can detect the microviscosity of native and model membranes using intramolecular excimerization of 1,3-di(l-pyrenyl)propane (Py-3-Py), we examined the effect of lidocaine cntdot HCl on the microviscosity of model membranes of phosphatidylcholine fraction extracted from synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMVPC). The excimer to monomer fluorescence intensity ratio (I'/I) of Py-3-Py in liquid paraffin was a simple linear function of T/eta. Based on this calibration curve, the microviscosity values of the direct probe environment in SPMVPC model membranes ranged from 234.97 +/- 48.85 cP at 4degreeC to 19.21 +/- 1.11 cP at 45degreeC. At 37degreeC, a value of 27.25 +/- 0.44 cP was obtained. The lidocaine cntdot HCl decreased the microviscosity of SPMVPC model membranes in a concentration-dependent manner, with a significant decrease in microviscosity value by injecting the local anesthetic even at the concentration of 0.5 mM. These results indicate that the direct environment by Py-3-Py in the SPMVPC model membranes is significantly fluidized by the lidocaine cntdot HCl. Also, the present study explicitly shows that an interaction between local anesthetics and membrane lipids is of importance in the molecular mechanism of pharmacological action of lidocaine cntdot HCl.