Extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling-mediated induction and interaction of FOXO3a and p53 contribute to the inhibition of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell growth by curcumin.

Curcumin, one of the main bioactive components extracted from a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, exhibits potent anticancer activity against many types of cancer cells including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the detailed molecular mechanism underlying this is not clearly understood. In this study, we showed that curcumin significantly inhibited the growth of NPC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner as determined by MTT assays, while increasing apoptosis was also observed as measured by flow cytometry for the FITC-Annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) label and Hoechst 33258 staining. To further explore the potential mechanism, we showed that curcumin increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 but not p38 MAPK in a time-dependent manner, and induced protein expression of the tumor suppressors FOXO3a and p53 in a dose­dependent manner, which were not observed in the presence of PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK1/2. Furthermore, silencing of FOXO3a and p53 genes by siRNAs overcame the inhibitory effect of curcumin on cell proliferation. Silencing or blockade of p53 using siRNA or chemical inhibitor abrogated the effect of curcumin on expression of FOXO3a protein; silencing or overexpression of FOXO3a had no further effect on curcumin-induced p53 protein expression. Furthermore, blockade of ERK1/2 and exogenous expression of FOXO3a restored the effect of curcumin on growth of cells. Together, our studies show that curcumin inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of NPC cells through ERK1/2-mediated increase in the protein expression and interaction of p53 and FOXO3a. p53 is upstream of FOXO3a, which form a regulatory loop that mediates the effect of curcumin. This study unveils a new mechanism by which curcumin inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis of human NPC cells.

GW1929 inhibits α7 nAChR expression through PPARγ-independent activation of p38 MAPK and inactivation of PI3-K/mTOR: The role of Egr-1.

Studies demonstrated that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) ligands reduce nicotine-induced non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cell growth through inhibition of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) mediated signaling pathways. However, the mechanisms by which PPARγ ligands inhibited nAChR expression remain elucidated. Here, we show that GW1929, a synthetic PPARγ ligand, not only inhibited but also antagonized the stimulatory effect of acetylcholine on NSCLC cell proliferation. Interestingly, GW1929 inhibited α7 nAChR expression, which was not blocked by GW9662, an antagonist of PPARγ, or by PPARγ siRNA, but was abrogated by the p38 MPAK inhibitor SB239063. GW1929 reduced the promoter activity of α7 nAChR and induced early growth response-1 (Egr-1) protein expression, which was overcame by SB239063, but enhanced by inhibitors of PI3-K and mTOR. Silencing of Egr-1 blocked, while overexpression of Egr-1 enhanced, the effect of GW1929 on α7 nAChR expression and promoter activity. Finally, GW1929 induced Egr-1 bound to specific DNA areas in the α7 nAChR gene promoter. Collectively, these results demonstrate that GW1929 not only inhibits but also antagonizes Ach-induced NSCLC cell growth by inhibition of α7 nAChR expression through PPARγ-independent signals that are associated with activation of p38 MPAK and inactivation of PI3-K/mTOR, followed by inducing Egr-1 protein and Egr-1 binding activity in the α7 nAChR gene promoter. By downregulation of the α7 nAchR, GW1929 blocks cholinergic signaling and inhibits NSCLC cell growth.

Repression of integrin-linked kinase by antidiabetes drugs through cross-talk of PPARγ- and AMPKα-dependent signaling: role of AP-2α and Sp1.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most common cancers of the head and neck, particularly in Southern China and Southeast Asia with high treatment failure due to the development of local recurrence and distant metastasis. The molecular mechanisms related to the progression of NPC have not been fully understood. In this study, we showed that antidiabetes drugs rosiglitazone and metformin inhibit NPC cell growth through reducing the expression of integrin-linked kinase (ILK). Blockade of PPARγ and AMPKα overcame the effects of rosiglitazone and metformin on ILK protein. Importantly, overexpression of ILK abrogated the effect of rosiglitazone and metformin on NPC cell growth. Furthermore, these agents reduced ILK promoter activity, which was not observed in AP-2α, but not Sp1 site mutation in ILK gene promoter. In addition, silencing of AP-2α or overexpression of Sp1 reversed the effect of these agents on ILK protein expression and cell growth. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed that rosiglitazone induced AP-2α, while metformin reduced Sp1 protein binding to the DNA sequences in the ILK gene promoter. Intriguingly, overexpression of Sp1 abolished the effect of rosiglitazone on AP-2α protein expression. Collectively, we show that rosiglitazone and metformin inhibit ILK gene expression through PPARγ- and AMPKα-dependent signaling pathways that are involved in the regulation of AP-2α and Sp1 protein expressions. The effect of combination of rosiglitazone and metformin demonstrates greater extent than single agent alone. The cross-talk of PPARγ and AMPKα signaling enhances the synergistic effects of rosiglitazone and metformin. This study unveils novel mechanisms by which oral antidiabetes drugs inhibit the growth of human NPC cells.