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1.
Cells ; 10(4)2021 04 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33917751

ABSTRACT

Aquaporins are required by cells to enable fast adaptation to volume and osmotic changes, as well as microenvironmental metabolic stimuli. Aquaglyceroporins play a crucial role in supplying cancer cells with glycerol for metabolic needs. Here, we show that AQP3 is differentially expressed in cells of a prostate cancer panel. AQP3 is located at the cell membrane and cytoplasm of LNCaP cell while being exclusively expressed in the cytoplasm of Du145 and PC3 cells. LNCaP cells show enhanced hypoxia growth; Du145 and PC3 cells display stress factors, indicating a crucial role for AQP3 at the plasma membrane in adaptation to hypoxia. Hypoxia, both acute and chronic affected AQP3's cellular localization. These outcomes were validated using a machine learning classification approach of the three cell lines and of the six normoxic or hypoxic conditions. Classifiers trained on morphological features derived from cytoskeletal and nuclear labeling alongside corresponding texture features could uniquely identify each individual cell line and the corresponding hypoxia exposure. Cytoskeletal features were 70-90% accurate, while nuclear features allowed for 55-70% accuracy. Cellular texture features (73.9% accuracy) were a stronger predictor of the hypoxic load than the AQP3 distribution (60.3%).


Subject(s)
Aquaporin 3/genetics , Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics , Aquaporin 3/metabolism , Cell Cycle/genetics , Cell Hypoxia/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Humans , Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics , Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism , Machine Learning , Male , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Protein Transport , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism
2.
Lab Chip ; 20(17): 3278, 2020 08 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32735307

ABSTRACT

Correction for 'Development and characterisation of acoustofluidic devices using detachable electrodes made from PCB' by Roman Mikhaylov et al., Lab Chip, 2020, 20, 1807-1814, DOI: 10.1039/C9LC01192G.

3.
Lab Chip ; 20(10): 1807-1814, 2020 05 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32319460

ABSTRACT

Acoustofluidics has been increasingly applied in biology, medicine and chemistry due to its versatility in manipulating fluids, cells and nano-/micro-particles. In this paper, we develop a novel and simple technology to fabricate a surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based acoustofluidic device by clamping electrodes made using a printed circuit board (PCB) with a piezoelectric substrate. The PCB-based SAW (PCB-SAW) device is systematically characterised and benchmarked with a SAW device made using the conventional photolithography process with the same specifications. Microparticle manipulations such as streaming in droplets and patterning in microchannels were demonstrated in the PCB-SAW device. In addition, the PCB-SAW device was applied as an acoustic tweezer to pattern lung cancer cells to form three or four traces inside the microchannel in a controllable manner. Cell viability of ∼97% was achieved after acoustic manipulation using the PCB-SAW device, which proved its ability as a suitable tool for acoustophoretic applications.


Subject(s)
Acoustics , Sound , Electrodes
4.
Anal Chem ; 91(4): 2813-2821, 2019 02 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30624901

ABSTRACT

Quantifying the chemical composition of unstained intact tissue and cellular samples with high spatio-temporal resolution in three dimensions would provide a step change in cell and tissue analytics critical to progress the field of cell biology. Label-free optical microscopy offers the required resolution and noninvasiveness, yet quantitative imaging with chemical specificity is a challenging endeavor. In this work, we show that hyperspectral coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy can be used to provide quantitative volumetric imaging of human osteosarcoma cells at various stages through cell division, a fundamental component of the cell cycle progress resulting in the segregation of cellular content to produce two progeny. We have developed and applied a quantitative data analysis method to produce volumetric three-dimensional images of the chemical composition of the dividing cell in terms of water, proteins, DNAP (a mixture of proteins and DNA, similar to chromatin), and lipids. We then used these images to determine the dry masses of the corresponding organic components. The attribution of proteins and DNAP components was validated using specific well-characterized fluorescent probes, by comparison with correlative two-photon fluorescence microscopy of DNA and mitochondria. Furthermore, we map the same chemical components under perturbed conditions, employing a drug that interferes directly with cell division (Taxol), showing its influence on cell organization and the masses of proteins, DNAP, and lipids.


Subject(s)
Cell Division , Spectrum Analysis, Raman/methods , Cell Line, Tumor , DNA/analysis , Humans , Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , Lipids/analysis , Microscopy/methods , Osteosarcoma/chemistry , Osteosarcoma/pathology , Proteins/analysis , Water/analysis
5.
Bioorg Med Chem Lett ; 28(8): 1274-1277, 2018 05 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29576510

ABSTRACT

Structural features from the anticancer prodrug nemorubicin (MMDX) and the DNA-binding molecule DRAQ5™ were used to prepare anthraquinone-based compounds, which were assessed for their potential to interrogate cytochrome P450 (CYP) functional activity and localisation. 1,4-disubstituted anthraquinone 8 was shown to be 5-fold more potent in EJ138 bladder cancer cells after CYP1A2 bioactivation. In contrast, 1,5-bis((2-morpholinoethyl)amino) substituted anthraquinone 10 was not CYP-bioactivated but was shown to be fluorescent and subsequently photo-activated by a light pulse (at a bandwidth 532-587 nm), resulting in punctuated foci accumulation in the cytoplasm. It also showed low toxicity in human osteosarcoma cells. These combined properties provide an interesting prospective approach for opto-tagging single or a sub-population of cells and seeking their location without the need for continuous monitoring.


Subject(s)
Anthraquinones/metabolism , Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/metabolism , Fluorescent Dyes/metabolism , Morpholines/metabolism , Anthraquinones/chemical synthesis , Anthraquinones/chemistry , Anthraquinones/toxicity , Cell Line, Tumor , Fluorescence , Fluorescent Dyes/chemical synthesis , Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry , Fluorescent Dyes/toxicity , Humans , Hydroxylation , Morpholines/chemical synthesis , Morpholines/chemistry , Morpholines/toxicity
6.
Oncotarget ; 8(30): 48711-48724, 2017 Jul 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28415776

ABSTRACT

Uncontrolled cell growth in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex occurs due to inappropriate activation of mechanistic (mammalian) target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). The current therapy, rapamycin, produced promising clinical trial results, but patient tumours regrow if treatment is discontinued, revealing rapamycin has cytostatic properties rather than a cytotoxic effect. Taking advantage of the enhanced levels of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress present in TSC2-null cells, we investigated drug combinations producing a cytotoxic response. We found a nelfinavir and salinomycin combination specifically killed TSC2-deficient, mTORC1 hyperactive cells. Cytotoxicity was rescued by reducing protein synthesis, either through mTORC1 inhibition or cycloheximide treatment. This indicates that the drug combination targets the cells by tipping the protein homeostasis balance of the already metabolically stressed TSC2-deficient cells in favour of cell death. Furthermore, this drug combination also inhibited tumour formation in TSC2-deficient cell models and caused tumour spheroid death in 3D culture. Importantly, the 3D assay could differentiate the cytostatic agent, rapamycin, from the cytotoxic nelfinavir/salinomycin combination. Sporadic cancer cell lines with hyperactive mTORC1 signalling were also susceptible to this nelfinavir/salinomycin drug combination. This work indicates that the protein homeostasis pathway is an attractive therapeutic target in both Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and mTORC1-driven sporadic cancers.


Subject(s)
Homeostasis/drug effects , Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/metabolism , Nelfinavir/pharmacology , Protein Biosynthesis/drug effects , Pyrans/pharmacology , Animals , Cell Death/drug effects , Drug Therapy, Combination , Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/drug effects , Fibroblasts/drug effects , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Gene Knockout Techniques , Humans , Mice , Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/metabolism
7.
Methods Mol Biol ; 1342: 279-85, 2016.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26254931

ABSTRACT

This chapter provides a method for quantitative single cell analysis to track the transition of single cells from G2, indicated by high cyclin B1 levels, to G1 polyploidy phase (G1(p)), indicated by low cyclin B1 levels, in a 4n population. The cell tracking methodology described provides a fluorescence fingerprint suitable for deriving G2/M or G2/G1p transitions. Notably, during late G2 the absolute cyclin B1-eGFP reporter levels obtained were high and the switch-off point identifiable, with destruction rates of a similar order across all cell cycle routing avenues. The three principle parameters extracted were defined as (1) G2-to-G1(p) transition duration (tGFP(off)); (2) rate of sensor destruction (kGFP(off)), and (3) peak sensor expression (GFP(peak)).


Subject(s)
Cyclin B1/metabolism , Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism , Mitosis , Single-Cell Analysis/methods , Cell Line, Tumor , G1 Phase , G2 Phase , Genes, Reporter/genetics , Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics , Humans , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Microscopy, Fluorescence , Polyploidy
8.
Mol Oncol ; 9(3): 675-88, 2015 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25498902

ABSTRACT

Inappropriate activation of mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is common in cancer and has many cellular consequences including elevated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Cells employ autophagy as a critical compensatory survival mechanism during ER stress. This study utilised drug-induced ER stress through nelfinavir in order to examine ER stress tolerance in cell lines with hyper-active mTORC1 signalling. Our initial findings in wild type cells showed nelfinavir inhibited mTORC1 signalling and upregulated autophagy, as determined by decreased rpS6 and S6K1 phosphorylation, and SQTSM1 protein expression, respectively. Contrastingly, cells with hyper-active mTORC1 displayed basally elevated levels of ER stress which was greatly exaggerated following nelfinavir treatment, seen through increased CHOP mRNA and XBP1 splicing. To further enhance the effects of nelfinavir, we introduced chloroquine as an autophagy inhibitor. Combination of nelfinavir and chloroquine significantly increased ER stress and caused selective cell death in multiple cell line models with hyper-active mTORC1, whilst control cells with normalised mTORC1 signalling tolerated treatment. By comparing chloroquine to other autophagy inhibitors, we uncovered that selective toxicity invoked by chloroquine was independent of autophagy inhibition yet entrapment of chloroquine to acidified lysosomal/endosomal compartments was necessary for cytotoxicity. Our research demonstrates that combination of nelfinavir and chloroquine has therapeutic potential for treatment of mTORC1-driven tumours.


Subject(s)
Chloroquine/pharmacology , Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/drug effects , Multiprotein Complexes/metabolism , Nelfinavir/pharmacology , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Adenine/analogs & derivatives , Adenine/pharmacology , Animals , Autophagy/drug effects , Cell Death/drug effects , Cell Line, Tumor , Embryo, Mammalian/cytology , Fibroblasts/drug effects , Fibroblasts/metabolism , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Macrolides/pharmacology , Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 , Mice , Models, Biological , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/deficiency , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/metabolism
9.
Mol Biosyst ; 9(11): 2597-603, 2013 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23942570

ABSTRACT

Dynamic physical interactions between proteins underpin all key cellular processes and are a highly attractive area for the development of research tools and medicines. Protein-protein interactions frequently involve α-helical structures, but peptides matching the sequences of these structures usually do not fold correctly in isolation. Therefore, much research has focused on the creation of small peptides that adopt stable α-helical structures even in the absence of their intended protein targets. We show that short peptides alkylated with azobenzene crosslinkers can be used to photo-stimulate mitochondrial membrane depolarization and cytochrome c release in permeabilised cells, the initial events of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway.


Subject(s)
Cytochromes c/metabolism , Peptide Fragments/pharmacology , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/pharmacology , Alkylation/drug effects , Amino Acid Sequence , Azo Compounds/chemistry , Azo Compounds/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Humans , Mitochondria/drug effects , Mitochondria/metabolism , Peptide Fragments/chemistry , Protein Structure, Secondary , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/chemistry
10.
Cytometry A ; 83(7): 659-71, 2013 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23716295

ABSTRACT

Polysialylation of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is thought to regulate NCAM-mediated cell-surface interactions, imparting antiadhesive properties to cells. However, SCLC cells in culture demonstrate anchorage-independent growth and spontaneously generate adherent forms. Here, the ability of polySia-NCAM to influence cell proliferation and adherence is unclear. We analyzed live SCLC cell polySia-NCAM expression by flow cytometry, using the novel combination of a polySia antibody-mimetic eGFP-tagged endosialidase and the viability dye DRAQ7. Enrichment for adherence (<30 population doublings) in SCLC cell lines resolved populations with increased (SHP-77 and COR-L279) or negligible (NCI-H69) polysialylation compared with nonadherent parent populations. Adherent forms retained NCAM expression as confirmed by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. Initial transition to adherence and loss of polysialylation in NCI-H69 was linked to a reduced proliferation rate with no increase in cell death. This reduced proliferation rate was reiterated in vivo as determined by the growth of noninvasive subcutaneous xenografts in mice. Continued selection for enhanced substrate adherence in NCI-H69 (>150 population doublings) resolved cells with stable re-expression of polySia and increased growth rates both in vitro and in vivo. Endoneuraminidase removal of polySia from re-expressing cells showed that rapid adherence to extracellular matrix components was functionally independent of polySia. PolySia expression was not altered when isolated adherent forms underwent enforced cell-cell contact in three-dimensional culture. Coculture of polySia expression variants modulated overall polySia expression profiles indicating an influence of SCLC microcommunity composition independent of substrate adherence potential. We conclude that an obligatory linkage between substrate adherence potential and polySia expression is rejected for SCLC cells. We suggest that a degree of homeostasis operates to regulate polysialylation within heterogeneous cell populations. The findings suggest a new model for SCLC progression while the application of live cell profiling of polysialylation could be used to assess polySia-NCAM-targeted therapies.


Subject(s)
Lung Neoplasms/metabolism , N-Acetylneuraminic Acid/metabolism , Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules/metabolism , Small Cell Lung Carcinoma/metabolism , Animals , Cell Adhesion , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation , Extracellular Matrix/metabolism , Flow Cytometry , Glycosylation , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Nude , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Neoplasm Transplantation , Protein Processing, Post-Translational , Small Cell Lung Carcinoma/pathology
11.
Curr Protoc Cytom ; Chapter 12: 12.4.1-12.4.13, 2013 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23546776

ABSTRACT

Time-lapse microscopy can be described as the repeated collection of an image (in n-dimensions; x, y, z, λ) or field of view from a microscope at discrete time intervals. The duration of the time interval defines the temporal resolution, which in turn characterizes the type of event detected. This unit describes the implementation of time-lapse microscopy to link initial cell cycle position during acute exposures to anti-cancer agents with anti-proliferative consequences for individual cells. The approach incorporates fundamental concepts arising from the ability to capture simple video sequences of cells from which it is possible to extract kinetic descriptors that reflect the interplay of mitosis and cell death in the growth of an unsynchronized tumor population. Utilizing a multi-well format enables the user to screen different drug derivatives, multiple dose ranges, or cell cultures with unique genetic backgrounds. The objective of this unit is to present the basic methodology for capturing time-lapse sequences and touch upon subsequent mining of the data for deriving event curves and possible cell lineage maps.


Subject(s)
Cell Cycle , Cell Lineage , Microscopy/methods , Single-Cell Analysis/methods , Time-Lapse Imaging/methods , Animals , Cell Adhesion , Cell Death , Data Mining , G2 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints , Humans , S Phase
12.
Cytometry A ; 83(1): 161-9, 2013 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23136081

ABSTRACT

We outline a simple approach involving instrument setup and calibration for the analysis of Hoechst dye 33342-loading in human cell lines for exploring heterogeneity in dye efflux efficiency and the status of side population (SP) A549 lung cancer cells. Dual excitation 488 nm/multiline UV (351-364 nm) flow cytometry was used to confirm ABCG2-specific inhibition of dye efflux using Fumitremorgin C. Transporter gene expression, assayed by qRT-PCR, confirmed higher expression of ABCG2 versus ABCB1, reiterated in a cloned subline. Coexpression of aldehyde dehydrogenase genes ranked as aldehyde dehydrogenase class 1A1 (ALDH1A1) > ALDH3A1 > ALDH3, relative expression of all genes was again reiterated in a cloned subline. Permeabilized cells were used to create red:violet (660:405 nm Em wavelengths) ratiometric references for mapping temporal changes in Hoechst 33342-DNA fluorescence in live cells. A live cell "kinetic SP gate" tracked progressive dye loading of the whole population and coapplication of the far red (>695 nm wavelength) fluorescing dye DRAQ7 enabled viable cell gating. Kinetic gating revealed a continuum for dye accumulation suggesting that SP enumeration is critically dependent upon the nonlinear relationship of the spectral shift with progressive dye-DNA binding and thus requires accurate definition. To this end, permeabilized cell reference samples permit reproducible instrument setup, guide gate boundaries for SP and compromised cells, and offer a simple means of comparing SP enumeration across laboratory sites/platforms. Our approach reports the dynamic range for the spectral shift, revealing noninformative staining conditions and explaining a source of variability for SP enumeration. We suggest that live cell kinetic sorting of all cells with the same dye:DNA load but with differences in efflux capacity can be used to explore drug resistance capability without prejudice. The SP phenotype should be regarded as a kinetic parameter and not a fixed characteristic--critical for functional assay design and the interpretation of heterogeneity.


Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar/pathology , Benzimidazoles/metabolism , DNA, Neoplasm/metabolism , Flow Cytometry/methods , Fluorescent Dyes/metabolism , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2 , ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/metabolism , Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar/metabolism , Aldehyde Dehydrogenase/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Survival , Humans , Kinetics , Lung Neoplasms/metabolism , Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism , Phenotype
13.
Bioconjug Chem ; 22(9): 1763-7, 2011 Sep 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21823633

ABSTRACT

In vivo synthesis of peptides by bacterial expression has developed into a reliable alternative to solid-phase peptide synthesis. A significant drawback of in vivo methods is the difficulty with which gene products can be modified post-translationally. Here, we present a method for the facile modification of peptides generated in bacterial hosts after cyanogen bromide cleavage at C-terminal methionines. Reaction of the resulting homoserine lactones with propargylamine allows efficient and selective modification with a wide variety of chemicals such as fluorescent dyes, biotin derivatives, polyprenyls, lipids, polysaccharides, or peptides. Attachment of the cell penetrating peptide octa-arginine (R(8)) to peptides derived from the proapoptotic tumor suppressor Bak BH3 led to efficient cellular uptake and subsequent cytochrome c release from mitochondria, culminating in induction of apoptosis similar to that observed with peptides linked to R(8) via the peptide backbone. These results highlight the significant potential for use of such tools in live cells.


Subject(s)
Peptides/chemical synthesis , Peptides/pharmacokinetics , Protein Engineering/methods , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/biosynthesis , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/chemistry , 4-Butyrolactone/analogs & derivatives , 4-Butyrolactone/chemistry , Amino Acid Sequence , Apoptosis , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Membrane Permeability , Cyanogen Bromide/chemistry , Cytochromes c/metabolism , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data , Oligopeptides/chemistry , Peptide Fragments/chemistry , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/chemistry , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics , bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein/chemistry
14.
Cytometry A ; 79(3): 214-26, 2011 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21337698

ABSTRACT

The cell cycle, with its highly conserved features, is a fundamental driver for the temporal control of cell proliferation-while abnormal control and modulation of the cell cycle are characteristic of tumor cells. The principal aim in cancer biology is to seek an understanding of the origin and nature of innate and acquired heterogeneity at the cellular level, driven principally by temporal and functional asynchrony. A major bottleneck when mathematically modeling these biological systems is the lack of interlinked structured experimental data. This often results in the in silico models failing to translate the specific hypothesis into parameterized terms that enable robust validation and hence would produce suitable prediction tools rather than just simulation tools. The focus has been on linking data originating from different cytometric platforms and cell-based event analysis to inform and constrain the input parameters of a compartmental cell cycle model, hence partly measuring and deconvolving cell cycle heterogeneity within a tumor population. Our work has addressed the concept that the interoperability of cytometric data, derived from different cytometry platforms, can complement as well as enhance cellular parameters space, thus providing a more broader and in-depth view of the cellular systems. The initial aim was to enable the cell cycle model to deliver an improved integrated simulation of the well-defined and constrained biological system. From a modeling perspective, such a cross platform approach has provided a paradigm shift from conventional cross-validation approaches, and from a bioinformatics perspective, novel computational methodology has been introduced for integrating and mapping continuous data with cross-sectional data. This establishes the foundation for developing predictive models and in silico tracking and prediction of tumor progression


Subject(s)
Cell Cycle/physiology , Flow Cytometry/methods , Neoplasms/pathology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation , Computational Biology , Computer Simulation , Humans , Microscopy , Models, Biological , Osteosarcoma
15.
Cytometry A ; 75(11): 924-33, 2009 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19802874

ABSTRACT

Drug resistant tumor "side-populations," enriched in cancer stem cells and identified by reduced accumulation of Hoechst 33342 under ABCG2-mediated efflux, may compromise therapeutic outcome. Side-population cells have predicted resistance to minor groove ligands, including the DNA topoisomerase I poison topotecan. We have used a stable Hoechst 33342-resistant murine L cell system (HoeR415) to study resistance patterns, removing the need for SP isolation before microarray analysis of gene expression and the tracking of cell cycle dynamics and cytotoxicity. The majority of HoeR415 cells displayed a side-population phenotype comparable with that of the side-population resident in the ABCG2 over-expressing A549 lung cancer cell line. Photo-crosslinking showed direct protection against minor groove ligand residence on DNA, driven by ABCG2-mediated efflux and not arising from any binding competition with endogenous polyamines. The covalent minor-groove binding properties of the drug FCE24517 (tallimustine) prevented resistance suggesting a mechanism for overcoming SP-related drug resistance. Hoechst 33342-resistant murine cells showed lower but significant crossresistance to topotecan, again attributable to enhanced ABCG2 expression, enabling cells to evade S-phase arrest. Hoechst 33342/TPT-resistant cells showed limited ancillary gene expression changes that could modify cellular capacity to cope with chronic stress including over-expression of Aldh1a1 and Mgst1, but under-expression of Plk2 and Nnt. There was no evidence to link the putative stem cell marker ALDH1A1 with any augmentation of the TPT resistance phenotype. The study has implications for the patterns of drug resistance arising during tumor repopulation and the basal resistance to minor groove-binding drugs of tumor side-populations.


Subject(s)
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/metabolism , Benzimidazoles/pharmacology , Flow Cytometry/methods , Topotecan/pharmacology , ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2 , Animals , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Separation , Cross-Linking Reagents/pharmacology , Distamycins/pharmacology , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Fluorescent Dyes/pharmacology , Humans , Ligands , Mice , Nitrogen Mustard Compounds/pharmacology , Polyamines/chemistry
16.
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol ; 295(5): C1399-408, 2008 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18815222

ABSTRACT

Metallothioneins (MTs) have an important role in zinc homeostasis and may counteract the impact of oversupply. Both intracellular zinc and MT expression have been implicated in proliferation control and resistance to cellular stress, although the interdependency is unclear. The study addresses the consequences of a steady-state overexpression of MT-1 for intracellular zinc levels, cell cycle progression, and protection from zinc toxicity using a panel of cell lines with differential expression of MT-1. The panel comprised parental Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells with low endogenous expression of MT and transfectants with enhanced expression of mouse MT-1 on an autonomously replicating expression vector with a noninducible promoter. Cell cycle progression, determined by flow cytometry and time-lapse microscopy, revealed that enhanced cytoplasmic expression of MT-1 does not impact on normal cell cycle operation, suggesting that basal levels of MT-1 expression are not limiting for background levels of oxidative stress. MT-1 overexpression correlated with a steady-state increase in cytoplasmic free Zn(2+), assessed using the fluorescent zinc-sensor Zinquin, particularly at high levels of overexpression, further suggesting that zinc availability is normally not limiting for cell cycle progression. Enhanced MT-1 expression, over a 10-fold range, had a clear impact on resistance to Cd(2+) and Zn(2+) toxicity. In the case of Zn(2+), the degree of protection afforded was less, indicating that MT-1 has a limited range and saturable capacity for effecting resistance. The results have implications for the use of cellular stress responses to exogenously supplied zinc and zinc-based systemic therapies.


Subject(s)
Cadmium Compounds/toxicity , Cell Cycle/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Metallothionein/metabolism , Stress, Physiological/drug effects , Sulfates/toxicity , Zinc Sulfate/toxicity , Animals , CHO Cells , Cadmium Compounds/metabolism , Cell Survival/drug effects , Cricetinae , Cricetulus , Cytoplasm/metabolism , Cytoprotection , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Metallothionein/genetics , Mice , Sulfates/metabolism , Time Factors , Transfection , Up-Regulation , Zinc Sulfate/metabolism
17.
Cell Cycle ; 6(16): 2071-81, 2007 Aug 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17721081

ABSTRACT

Cells cycle checkpoints guard against the inapproriate commitment to critical cell events such as mitosis. The bisdioxxopiperazzine ICRF-193, a catalytic inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase II causes a reversible stalling of the exit of cells from G(2) at the decatenation checkpoint (DC) and can generate tetraploidy via the compromising of chromosome segregation and mitotic failure. We have addressed an alternative origin-endocycle entry-for the tetraploidisation step in ICRF-193 exposed cells. Here we show that DC-proficient p53-functional tumor cells can undergo a transition to tetraploidy and subbsequent aneuploidy via an initial bypass of mitosis and the mitotic spindle checkpoint. DC-deficient SV4-tranformed cells move exclusively through mitosis to tetraploidy. In p53-functional tumor cells, escape through mitosis is enhanced by dominant negative p53 co-expression. The mitotic bypass transition phase (termed G(2)(endo)) disconnects cyclin B1 degradation from nuclear envelope breakdown and allows cells to evade the action of Taxol. G(2)(endo) constitutes a novel and alternative cell cycle phase-lasting some 8 h-with distinct molecular motifs at its boundaries for G(2) exit and subsequent entry into a delayed G(1) tetraploid state. The result challenge the paradigm that checkpoint breaching leads directly to abnormal ploidy states via mitosis alone. We further propose that the induction of bypass could: facilitate the covert development of tetraploidy in p53 functional cancers, lead to a misinterpretation of phase allocation during cell cycle arrest and contribbute to tumor cell drug resistance.


Subject(s)
Cell Cycle/drug effects , Piperazines/pharmacology , Topoisomerase II Inhibitors , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism , Cell Cycle/genetics , Cell Cycle/physiology , Cell Line, Tumor , Chromosomal Instability/drug effects , Cyclin B/genetics , Cyclin B/metabolism , Cyclin B1 , Cytoplasm/metabolism , DNA Topoisomerases, Type II/metabolism , Diketopiperazines , Flow Cytometry , Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics , Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism , Humans , Microscopy, Fluorescence , Mitosis/drug effects , Mitosis/genetics , Mitosis/physiology , Transfection , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
18.
Int J Cancer ; 121(7): 1445-54, 2007 Oct 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17582609

ABSTRACT

We previously showed that phorbol esters are cytotoxic to human thyroid epithelial cells expressing a mutant RAS oncogene. Here we explore the generality of this finding using cells derived from pancreatic cancer, which, like thyroid, shows a high frequency of RAS mutation, but is a much greater cause of cancer mortality. The response to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and related agents was assessed on a panel of 9 pancreatic cancer cell lines, using a range of assays for cell growth and death in vitro and in vivo. In most lines, PMA induced non-apoptotic cell death which was, surprisingly, independent of its "classic" target, protein kinase C. With 24 hr exposure, the IC(50) in the most sensitive line (Aspc-1) was <1 ng/ml (1.6 nM), with survival undetectable at concentrations >/=>/=16 nM, and after only 1 hr exposure the IC(50) was still

Subject(s)
Pancreatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Phorbol Esters/pharmacology , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays , Animals , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cell Survival/drug effects , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Humans , Indoles/pharmacology , Inhibitory Concentration 50 , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Maleimides/pharmacology , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Mice , Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C Kinase Substrate , Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism , Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology , Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate/pharmacology , Phosphorylation/drug effects , Protein Kinase C/antagonists & inhibitors , Protein Kinase C/metabolism , Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate/pharmacology
19.
Cytometry A ; 69(8): 805-14, 2006 Aug 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16969814

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We report on the potential DNA binding modes and spectral characteristics of the cell-permeant far red fluorescent DNA dye, DRAQ5, in solution and bound within intact cells. Our aim was to determine the constraints for its use in flow cytometry and bioimaging. METHODS: Solution characteristics and quantum yields were determined by spectroscopy. DRAQ5 binding to nuclear DNA was analyzed using fluorescence quenching of Hoechst 33342 dye, emission profiling by flow cytometry, and spectral confocal laser scanning microscopy of the complex DRAQ5 emission spectrum. Cell cycle profiling utilized an EGFP-cyclin B1 reporter as an independent marker of cell age. Molecular modeling was used to explore the modes of DNA binding. RESULTS: DRAQ5 showed a low quantum yield in solution and a spectral shift upon DNA binding, but no significant fluorescence enhancement. DRAQ5 caused a reduction in the fluorescence intensity of Hoechst 33342 in live cells prelabeled with the UV excitable dye, consistent with molecular modeling that suggests AT preference and an engagement of the minor groove. In vivo spectral analysis of DRAQ5 demonstrated shifts to longer wavelengths upon binding with DNA. Analysis of spectral windows of the dual emission peaks at 681 and 707 nm in cells showed that cell cycle compartment recognition was independent of the far red-near IR emission wavelengths monitored. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides new clues to modes of DNA binding of the modified anthraquinone molecule in vivo, and its AT base-pair selectivity. The combination of low quantum yield but high DNA affinity explains the favorable signal-to-noise profile of DRAQ5-nuclear fluorescence. The robust nature of cell cycle reporting using DRAQ5, even when restricted spectral windows are selected, facilitates the analysis of encroaching spectral emissions from other fluorescent reporters, including GFP-tagged proteins.


Subject(s)
DNA, Neoplasm/analysis , Fluorescent Dyes/analysis , Spectrometry, Fluorescence/methods , Spectrum Analysis/methods , Anthraquinones , Benzimidazoles/analysis , Benzimidazoles/metabolism , Bone Neoplasms/chemistry , Cell Cycle , Cell Line, Tumor , Cyclin B/analysis , Cyclin B/metabolism , Cyclin B1 , DNA, Neoplasm/metabolism , DNA-Binding Proteins/analysis , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Flow Cytometry/methods , Humans , Image Cytometry/methods , Ligands , Microscopy, Confocal/methods , Nitrogen Oxides/metabolism , Osteosarcoma/chemistry
20.
Curr Protoc Cytom ; Chapter 12: Unit 12.4, 2005 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18770815

ABSTRACT

Time-lapse microscopy can be described as the repeated collection of a field of view from a microscope at discrete time intervals. The duration of the time interval defines the temporal resolution, which in turn characterizes the type of event detected. This unit describes the implementation of time-lapse microscopy to link initial cell cycle position during acute exposures to anti-cancer agents with anti-proliferative consequences for individual cells. The approach incorporates fundamental concepts arising from the ability to capture simple video sequences of cells from which it is possible to extract kinetic descriptors that reflect the interplay of mitosis and cell death in the growth of an unsynchronized tumor population. Utilizing a multi-well format enables the user to test different drug derivatives, multiple dose ranges, or cell cultures with unique genetic backgrounds. The objective of this unit is to present a generic methodology for capturing time-lapse sequences and subsequently mining the data for comprehensive event analysis.


Subject(s)
Cell Cycle/physiology , Animals , Cell Cycle/drug effects , Cell Cycle/genetics , Cell Death , Cell Division , Microscopy, Video/methods , Time Factors
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