BCL-2 in prostate cancer: a minireview.

Prostate cancer progression and the development of androgen-independent prostate cancer have been largely related to a number of genetic abnormality that affect not only the androgen receptor but also crucial molecules involved in the regulation of survival or apoptotic pathways. One of these molecules, the pro-survival protein BCL-2, has been associated with the development of androgen-independent prostate cancer due to its high levels of expression in androgen-independent tumors in advanced stages of the pathology. The upregulation of BCL-2 after androgen ablation in prostate carcinoma cell lines and in a castrated-male rat model further established a connection between BCL-2 expression and prostate cancer progression. This review focuses on the experimental evidence that associates BCL-2 expression with prostate carcinogenesis and cancer progression, and analyzes the evidence that links the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) survival pathway with the upregulation of BCL-2. The way in which hormone ablation influences this survival pathway and the potential application of novel therapeutic strategies to overcome this anti-apoptotic mechanism is examined.

Transcriptional regulation of bcl-2 by nuclear factor kappa B and its significance in prostate cancer.

This work presents direct evidence that the bcl-2 gene is transcriptionally regulated by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) and directly links the TNF-alpha/NF-kappa B signaling pathway with Bcl-2 expression and its pro-survival response in human prostate carcinoma cells. DNase I footprinting, gel retardation and supershift analysis identified a NF-kappa B site in the bcl-2 p2 promoter. In the context of a minimal promoter, this bcl-2 p2 site 1 increased transcription 10-fold in the presence of the p50/p65 expression vectors, comparable to the increment observed with the consensus NF-kappa B site, while for the full p2 promoter region transcriptional activity was increased sixfold by over-expression of NF-kappa B, an effect eliminated by mutating the bcl-2 p2 site 1. The expression of Bcl-2 has been linked to the hormone-resistant phenotype of advanced prostate cancer. Here we show that an increase in the level of expression of Bcl-2 in the human prostate carcinoma cell line LNCaP observed in response to hormone withdrawal is further augmented by TNF-alpha treatment, and this effect is abated by inhibitors of NF-kappa B. Concomitantly, bcl-2 p2 promoter studies in LNCaP cells show a 40-fold increase in promoter activity after stimulation with TNF-alpha in the absence of hormone.

Characterization of the nucleotide-binding capacity and the ATPase activity of the PIP3-binding protein JFC1.

In this work, we demonstrate that the phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate-binding protein JFC1 is an ATP-binding protein with magnesium-dependent ATPase activity. We show that JFC1 specifically binds to the ATP analog 8-azido-[alpha-(32)P]ATP. The affinity of JFC1 for [alpha-(32)P]ATP was 10x greater than its affinity for [alpha-(32)P]ADP; the protein did not appear to bind to [alpha-(32)P]GTP. JFC1 hydrolyzed [alpha-(32)P]ATP in a Mg(2+)-dependent manner. JFC1, which also hydrolyzed dATP, has a relatively high affinity for ATP, with a K(M) value of 58 microM, and a k(cat) value of 2.27 per min. The predicted amino acid sequence of JFC1 denotes a putative nucleotide-binding site similar to those in the GHKL ATPase/kinase superfamily. However, a truncation of JFC1 that contains boxes G2 and G3 but not boxes N and G1 of the Bergerat-binding site showed residual ATPase activity. Secondly, the antitumor ATP-mimetic agent geldanamycin, which inhibits the ATPase activity of Hsp-90, did not affect JFC1 ATPase. Therefore, the characteristics of the ATP-binding site of JFC1 are unique. Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate, a high-affinity ligand of JFC1 did not affect its ATPase kinetics parameters, suggesting that the phosphoinositide have a different role in JFC1 function.

JFC1, a novel tandem C2 domain-containing protein associated with the leukocyte NADPH oxidase.

We have employed a yeast two-hybrid system to screen a B lymphoblast-derived cDNA library, searching for regulatory components of the NADPH oxidase. Using as bait the C-terminal half of p67(phox), which contains both Src homology 3 domains, we have cloned JFC1, a novel human 62-kDa protein. JFC1 possesses two C2 domains in tandem. The C2A domain shows homology with the C2B domain of synaptotagmins. JFC1 mRNA was abundantly expressed in bone marrow and leukocytes. The expression of JFC1 in neutrophils was restricted to the plasma membrane/secretory vesicle fraction. We confirmed JFC1-p67(phox) association by affinity chromatography. JFC1-containing beads pulled down both p67(phox) and p47(phox) subunits from neutrophil cytosol, but when the recombinant proteins were used, only p67(phox) bound to JFC1, indicating that JFC1 binds to the cytosolic complex via p67(phox) without affecting the interaction between p67(phox) and p47(phox). In contrast to synaptotagmins, JFC1 was unable to bind to inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate but did bind to phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate and to a lesser extent to phosphatidylinositol 3,4-diphosphate. From the data presented here, it is proposed that JFC1 is acting as an adaptor protein between phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase products and the oxidase cytosolic complex.

Polyphosphoinositide synthesis in human neutrophils. Effects of a low metabolic energy state.

Phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) synthesis and polyphosphoinositide (PPI) formation were measured as the incorporation of [32P]orthophosphate ([32P]Pi) or [3H]inositol into non-stimulated intact human neutrophil membrane phospholipids. The rate of PtdIns "de novo" synthesis appeared to be a slow mechanism when compared to the rapid incorporation of [32P]Pi into PPIs. Of the "de novo" synthesized [3H]PtdIns, 70% was further phosphorylated to PPI. Nevertheless, this PPI pool represented less than 0.01% of the total nmols of PPIs formed evaluated as [32P]Pi labeling, indicating that PPI formation mainly involves a no "de novo" synthesized phosphatidylinositol pool. When evaluated at short incubation times, oscillations in the formation of PPIs were detected. A rapid phase was characterized after 30 s of incubation with [32P]Pi Phosphorylation levels returned to an equilibrium state within a minute, and the second phase peaked at 5 min., returning to equilibrium at 15 min. The fluctuant kinetics though not the equilibrium level of PPI formation, could be abolished by neomycin. On the other hand, a selective inhibition of the rapid phase of PPI synthesis occurred in the presence of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. When the incorporations of [gamma-32P]-adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or [32P]Pi into human neutrophil particulate fraction membranes were evaluated, PPIs synthesis showed fluctuations independently of the precursor used. Noticeably, [32P]from [32P]Pi was incorporated more efficiently into PPIs than that from [gamma-32P]ATP, when evaluated in parallel using equal specific activities for both radiolabeled precursors and under non-ATP synthesizing conditions. Moreover, the incorporation of [32P]Pi into particulate fraction PPIs was not abolished by high concentrations of non-radiolabeled ATP, and metabolically inhibited PMNs showed high rates of PPI synthesis. These data suggest that PPI formation is not necessarily a futile cycle in PMNs.

Bradykinin stimulates phosphoinositide turnover and phospholipase C but not phospholipase D and NADPH oxidase in human neutrophils.

In response to formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP), human neutrophils (PMN) generate superoxide anion (O2-) by the enzyme complex NADPH oxidase. The modulation of phosphoinositide (PPI) turnover and the activation of phospholipases C (PLC) and D (PLD) have been shown to be early steps in the oxidative response of fMLP-stimulated PMN. Although the physiological nonapeptide bradykinin (BK) is involved in inflammation, its participation in PMN activation has not been properly studied. In this work, activation of signal transduction pathways that mediate the oxidative response, and the modulation of the NADPH oxidase activity by BK, are analyzed. A direct comparison between the signal transduction pathway induced by BK and fMLP is also made. BK was not able to elicit O2- production by PMN. Nevertheless, several signal transduction pathways associated with PMN activation were triggered by BK. The nonapeptide induced the phosphorylation of prelabeled membrane PPI. This phenomenon was imitated by PMA and inhibited by H7 and staurosporine, thus suggesting the participation of protein kinase c (PKC). A loss of labeled [32P]PPI was triggered by fMLP. The fact that both PMA and fMLP stimulated O2- production but modulated PPI turnover in different ways, indicates that PPI labeling does not correlate with the oxidative response. Because PKC activation seemed to be a prerequisite for BK-induced modulation of PPI turnover, PLC activation could act as an intermediate step in this mechanism. Our results show that BK activated a PIP2-PLC measured as the release of [3H]IP3. On the contrary, a PC-PLD was highly stimulated by fMLP but not by BK. The fact that BK induced PLC activity but neither that of PLD nor NADPH oxidase, whereas fMLP triggered the activation of both phospholipases and evoked the PMN respiratory burst, suggests that diacylglycerol (DAG) from PIP2 as well as PA or PA-derived DAG, synergize to trigger the PMN oxidative response. Finally, BK inhibited O2- production by fMLP-activated PMN in a time-dependent manner. Since BK did not induce NO production by PMN, the inhibitory effect on the oxidative function was not due to ONOO- formation. These data show that BK plays an important role in inflammation by modulating the PMN function.

Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors decrease human polymorphonuclear leukocyte luminol-dependent chemiluminescence.

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors have been reported to modulate luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) in rat macrophages, whereas the potent oxidant peroxynitrite (ONOO-) was shown to react with luminol to yield CL in a cell-free system. We evaluated the role of the L-arginine/NOS pathway in luminol CL by phorbol ester-activated human polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes using the NOS inhibitors NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) and N-iminoethyl-L-ornithine (L-NIO). Nitric oxide (.NO) release was determined by oxidation of oxymyoglobin. In addition, the effect of NOS inhibitors on superoxide anion O2.-) production was measured. Luminol CL was notably diminished by L-NMMA in a dose-dependent manner. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) also decreased luminol CL and L-NMMA potentiated light emission decrease produced by SOD. Nitric oxide and O2.- production was significantly decreased by L-NMMA; moreover, luminol-dependent CL but not O2.- production was attenuated by L-NIO. These data suggest that products of catalytic activity of both .NO synthase and NADPH oxidase are required to elicit maximal luminol CL in this system. These studies demonstrate that the NOS synthase pathway is involved in luminol CL by human PMN, and they suggest that ONOO- would be an unrecognized mediator in this phenomenon.

Biochemical and morphological changes in the developing kidney.

We have studied microsomal phospholipid, cholesterol and protein concentration in rat renal papilla, medulla and cortex during postnatal development, and the relationship between these membranes biochemical parameters and morphological changes. We also determined DNA concentration in each kidney zone. No changes were observed either in papillary microsomal phospholipids, proteins and cholesterol or in DNA concentration from 10-to 70-day-old rats. Medullary microsomal proteins and cholesterol did not change but a significant increase was observed in the microsomal phospholipid concentration during development; in this case, medullary DNA was significantly lower at 70 than at 10 days. In contrast, all biochemical parameters in renal cortex were significantly higher during development except for DNA concentration which suffered a great decrease. These biochemical findings demonstrate that the developmental pattern is different in each zone of the kidney and confirm the fact that the papilla, in newborn rats, is almost fully developed whereas the renal cortex and medulla are immature.

Decreased production of nitric oxide by human neutrophils during septic multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Comparison with endotoxin and cytokine effects on normal cells.

The objective of this study was to determine nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion release (O-2) by neutrophils (PMNs) in the septic multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and to compare them with the response of normal cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytokines. NO production was measured by the release of nitrites in the medium, its maximal production rate by a modified oxyhemoglobin assay and O-2 by standard methods. Normal cells were incubated with LPS, gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), or tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) alone or in combination. Results showed that PMN release of both NO and O-2 was reduced in septic samples; in contrast, an association of LPS, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha promoted maximal NO release by normal cells (40-50%). We conclude that while interaction of normal PMNs with cytokines increases NO and O-2 release, progression of sepsis to a multiple organ dysfunction impairs these responses in both functions.

Kinetics of nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide production and formation of peroxynitrite during the respiratory burst of human neutrophils.

Nitric oxide (.NO) release, oxygen uptake and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production elicited by increasing phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) concentrations were measured in human neutrophils. Half-maximal activities were sequentially elicited at about 0.0001-0.001 micrograms PMA/ml (.NO) and 0.001-0.01 micrograms PMA/ml (H2O2). At saturated PMA concentrations, .NO production, oxygen uptake and H2O2 release were 0.56 +/- 0.04, 3.32 +/- 0.52 and 1.19 +/- 0.17 nmol.min-1.10(6) cells-1. .NO production accounts for about 30% of the total oxygen uptake. Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence, reported to detect NO reactions in other inflammatory cells, was also half-maximally activated at about 0.001-0.01 micrograms PMA/ml. Preincubation with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) decreased O2 uptake and .NO release but increased H2O2 production, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased .NO detection by 30%. Chemiluminescence was also reduced by preincubation with L-NMMA and/or SOD. The results indicate that .NO release is part of the integrated response of stimulated human neutrophils and that, in these cells, kinetics of .NO and O2.- release favour the formation of other oxidants like peroxynitrite.

Evaluation of blood components considered as risk predictors in coronary heart disease

Con el objeto de establecer la eficacia predictiva de enfermedad cardíaca coronaria (ECC) que poseen determinados componentes sanguíneos, se investigó su concentración en 249 pacientes 2 días antes de ser sometidos a cirugía cardiovascular. Los analitos evaliados fueron: Glucosa (glucosa-oxidasa), hemoglobina-glucosada (resina de intercambio catiónico), Calcio iónico (electrodo específico), Acido úrico (uricasa), Colesterol (enzimático), HDL-Colesterol (Gordon) y Triglicéridos (enzimático), empleándose técnicas automatizadas. El LDLColesterol fue calculado por la fórmula de Friedewald. Los resultados obtenidos fueron analizados agrupando a los enfermos por sexo y edad y comparados con una población control. En los varones con ECC el colesterol total se encontró significativamente aumentado al compararse con los controles (241,9 ñ 44,7 vs 223,6 ñ 43,0 mg/dl (p < 0,01) entre los 25 y 49 años, perdiendo luego carácter predictivo a medida que la edad avanza. Los triglicéridos fueron más altos (197 ñ 107,3 vs 161,6 ñ 97,7, p < 0,05), en la población de varones enferma entre los 25 y 69 años. Las mujeres con ECC no mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en su colesterol total y sus triblicéricos fueron mayores sólo en la población enferma entre los 30 y 49 años. El ácido úrico fue mayor en los varones con ECC con edades entre los 25 y 49 años (p < 0,05). El HDL-Colesterol mostró valores francamente inferiores en ambos sexos y a todas las edades estudiadas (p < 0,001). Los valores de hemoglobina-glucosada, glucosa y calcio iónico no se diferenciaron de los controles, en los diferentes grupos estudiados. El análisis de los datos aquí presentados revela que sólo el HDL-Colesterol y la relación Colesterol/HDL-Colesterol alertan sobre el riesgo de enfermedad coronaria en ambos sexos y a cualquier edad. Es posible que los otros analitos estudiados se comporten como mejores indicadores de ECC al asociarlos con la presencia de otros factores de riesgo (AU)

Evaluation of blood components considered as risk predictors in coronary heart disease

Con el objeto de establecer la eficacia predictiva de enfermedad cardíaca coronaria (ECC) que poseen determinados componentes sanguíneos, se investigó su concentración en 249 pacientes 2 días antes de ser sometidos a cirugía cardiovascular. Los analitos evaliados fueron: Glucosa (glucosa-oxidasa), hemoglobina-glucosada (resina de intercambio catiónico), Calcio iónico (electrodo específico), Acido úrico (uricasa), Colesterol (enzimático), HDL-Colesterol (Gordon) y Triglicéridos (enzimático), empleándose técnicas automatizadas. El LDLColesterol fue calculado por la fórmula de Friedewald. Los resultados obtenidos fueron analizados agrupando a los enfermos por sexo y edad y comparados con una población control. En los varones con ECC el colesterol total se encontró significativamente aumentado al compararse con los controles (241,9 ñ 44,7 vs 223,6 ñ 43,0 mg/dl (p < 0,01) entre los 25 y 49 años, perdiendo luego carácter predictivo a medida que la edad avanza. Los triglicéridos fueron más altos (197 ñ 107,3 vs 161,6 ñ 97,7, p < 0,05), en la población de varones enferma entre los 25 y 69 años. Las mujeres con ECC no mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en su colesterol total y sus triblicéricos fueron mayores sólo en la población enferma entre los 30 y 49 años. El ácido úrico fue mayor en los varones con ECC con edades entre los 25 y 49 años (p < 0,05). El HDL-Colesterol mostró valores francamente inferiores en ambos sexos y a todas las edades estudiadas (p < 0,001). Los valores de hemoglobina-glucosada, glucosa y calcio iónico no se diferenciaron de los controles, en los diferentes grupos estudiados. El análisis de los datos aquí presentados revela que sólo el HDL-Colesterol y la relación Colesterol/HDL-Colesterol alertan sobre el riesgo de enfermedad coronaria en ambos sexos y a cualquier edad. Es posible que los otros analitos estudiados se comporten como mejores indicadores de ECC al asociarlos con la presencia de otros factores de riesgo

Evaluation of the blood components considered as risk predictors in coronary heart disease.

The study included 249 patients two days before cardiovascular surgery and 73,915 control subjects. Results obtained were analyzed by grouping the individuals according to sex and age. In coronary heart disease (CHD) in males, total cholesterol was found higher than in controls (mean +/- D.S.: 241.9 +/- 44.7 vs 223.6 +/- 43.0 mg/dl, p < 0.01) between 25 and 49 years of age, this significance being lost with age. Triglycerides were also higher (197 +/- 107.3 vs 161.6 +/- 97.7 mg/dl, p < 0.01) in the CHD male population between ages 25 and 69. In CHD females, triglycerides were higher (116.9 +/- 56.2 vs 91.5 +/- 43.3 mg/dl, p < 0.05) between ages 25 and 49; cholesterol showed no difference at any of the ages studied. HDL-C was much lower in both sexes of CHD patients at all ages studied (p < 0.001). Uric acid was higher in CHD males between ages 25 and 49 (p < 0.05), this significance being lost in the older age CHD group. Other components such as glycated hemoglobin, glucose and ionized calcium, were not different from those of the control group.

Evaluation of the blood components considered as risk predictors in coronary heart disease.

The study included 249 patients two days before cardiovascular surgery and 73,915 control subjects. Results obtained were analyzed by grouping the individuals according to sex and age. In coronary heart disease (CHD) in males, total cholesterol was found higher than in controls (mean +/- D.S.: 241.9 +/- 44.7 vs 223.6 +/- 43.0 mg/dl, p < 0.01) between 25 and 49 years of age, this significance being lost with age. Triglycerides were also higher (197 +/- 107.3 vs 161.6 +/- 97.7 mg/dl, p < 0.01) in the CHD male population between ages 25 and 69. In CHD females, triglycerides were higher (116.9 +/- 56.2 vs 91.5 +/- 43.3 mg/dl, p < 0.05) between ages 25 and 49; cholesterol showed no difference at any of the ages studied. HDL-C was much lower in both sexes of CHD patients at all ages studied (p < 0.001). Uric acid was higher in CHD males between ages 25 and 49 (p < 0.05), this significance being lost in the older age CHD group. Other components such as glycated hemoglobin, glucose and ionized calcium, were not different from those of the control group.