NAG-1/GDF15 accumulates in the nucleus and modulates transcriptional regulation of the Smad pathway.

Protein dynamics, modifications and trafficking are all processes that can modulate protein activity. Accumulating evidence strongly suggests that many proteins have distinctive roles dependent on cellular location. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene-1 (NAG-1) is a transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) superfamily protein that has a role in cancer, obesity and inflammation. NAG-1 is synthesized and cleaved into a mature peptide, which is ultimately secreted into the extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, we have found that full-length NAG-1 is expressed in not only the cytoplasm and ECM, but also in the nucleus. NAG-1 is dynamically moved to the nucleus, exported into cytoplasm and further transported into the ECM. We have also found that nuclear NAG-1 contributes to inhibition of the Smad pathway by interrupting the Smad complex. Overall, our study indicates that NAG-1 is localized in the nucleus and provides new evidence that NAG-1 controls transcriptional regulation in the Smad pathway.

NAG-1/GDF-15 prevents obesity by increasing thermogenesis, lipolysis and oxidative metabolism.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a major health problem associated with high morbidity and mortality. NSAID-activated gene (NAG-1) is a TGF-ß superfamily member reported to alter adipose tissue levels in mice. We investigated whether hNAG-1 acts as a regulator of adiposity and energy metabolism. DESIGN/SUBJECTS: hNAG-1 mice, ubiquitously expressing hNAG-1, were placed on a control or high-fat diet for 12 weeks. hNAG-1-expressing B16/F10 melanoma cells were used in a xenograft model to deliver hNAG-1 to obese C57BL/6 mice. RESULTS: As compared with wild-type littermates, transgenic hNAG-1 mice have less white fat and brown fat despite equivalent food intake, improved glucose tolerance, lower insulin levels and are resistant to dietary- and genetic-induced obesity. hNAG-1 mice are more metabolically active with higher energy expenditure. Obese C57BL/6 mice treated with hNAG-1-expressing xenografts show decreases in adipose tissue and serum insulin levels. hNAG-1 mice and obese mice treated with hNAG-1-expressing xenografts show increased thermogenic gene expression (UCP1, PGC1α, ECH1, Cox8b, Dio2, Cyc1, PGC1ß, PPARα, Elvol3) in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and increased expression of lipolytic genes (Adrb3, ATGL, HSL) in both white adipose tissue (WAT) and BAT, consistent with higher energy metabolism. CONCLUSION: hNAG-1 modulates metabolic activity by increasing the expression of key thermogenic and lipolytic genes in BAT and WAT. hNAG-1 appears to be a novel therapeutic target in preventing and treating obesity and insulin resistance.

NAG-1/GDF15 transgenic mouse has less white adipose tissue and a reduced inflammatory response.

NAG-1/GDF15 is a TGF- ß superfamily member with poorly characterized biological activity proposed to inhibit inflammatory cytokine production. Transgenic mice expressing human NAG-1/GDF15 (NAG-1 (Tg/Lox) ) are leaner with lower body weight and are resistant to chemically or genetically induced intestinal tumors. Because of the link between obesity, inflammation, and cancer, we examined whether these mice exhibit a reduced response to inflammatory stimuli. The NAG-1 (Tg/Lox) mice had a reduced inflammatory response to LPS based on the serum levels of cytokines KC, IL-6, MCP-1, and TNF α . In contrast to literature reports and our in vivo results, NAG-1 did not inhibit LPS-induced cytokine expression in vitro in RAW264.7 cells, mouse peritoneal macrophages, or mouse liver Kupffer cells, suggesting that NAG-1/GDF15 does not directly inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine production. However, NAG-1 (Tg/Lox) mice have less white adipose tissue, the major source of inflammatory adipokines including leptin. Basal and LPS-treated serum leptin and mRNA levels in the adipose tissue of NAG-1 (Tg/Lox) mice were lower than those in WT mice. We propose that the reduced white adipose tissue and reduced leptin expression may be responsible, in part, for the reduced inflammatory response to LPS and the decrease in intestinal tumors observed in NAG-1 (Tg/Lox) mice.

Elevated dietary linoleic acid increases gastric carcinoma cell invasion and metastasis in mice.

BACKGROUND: Dietary (n-6)-polyunsaturated fatty acids influence cancer development, but the mechanisms have not been well characterised in gastric carcinoma. METHODS: We used two in vivo models to investigate the effects of these common dietary components on tumour metastasis. In a model of experimental metastasis, immunocompromised mice were fed diets containing linoleic acid (LA) at 2% (LLA), 8% (HLA) or 12% (VHLA) by weight and inoculated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with human gastric carcinoma cells (OCUM-2MD3). To model spontaneous metastasis, OCUM-2MD3 tumours were grafted onto the stomach walls of mice fed with the different diets. In in vitro assays, we investigated invasion and ERK phosphorylation of OCUM-2MD3 cells in the presence or absence of LA. Finally, we tested whether a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, indomethacin, could block peritoneal metastasis in vivo. RESULTS: Both the HLA and VHLA groups showed increased incidence of tumour nodules (LA: 53%; HLA: 89%; VHLA: 100%; P<0.03); the VHLA group also displayed increased numbers of tumour nodules and higher total volume relative to LLA group in experimental metastasis model. Both liver invasion (78%) and metastasis to the peritoneal cavity (67%) were more frequent in VHLA group compared with the LLA group (22% and 11%, respectively; P<0.03) in spontaneous metastasis model. We also found that the invasive ability of these cells is greatly enhanced when exposed to LA in vitro. Linoleic acid also increased invasion of other scirrhous gastric carcinoma cells, OCUM-12, NUGC3 and MKN-45. Linoleic acid effect on OCUM-2MD3 cells seems to be dependent on phosphorylation of ERK. The data suggest that invasion and phosphorylation of ERK were dependent on COX. Indomethacin decreased the number of tumours and total tumour volume in both LLA and VHLA groups. Finally, COX-1, which is known to be an important enzyme in the generation of bioactive metabolites from dietary fatty acids, appears to be responsible for the increased metastatic behaviour of OCUM-2MD3 cells in the mouse model. CONCLUSION: Dietary LA stimulates invasion and peritoneal metastasis of gastric carcinoma cells through COX-catalysed metabolism and activation of ERK, steps that compose pathway potentially amenable to therapeutic intervention.

Evaluation of eicosanoids and NSAIDs as PPARgamma ligands in colorectal carcinoma cells.

The activation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) may play a role in the control of colorectal carcinogenesis. The expression of PPARgamma was examined by Western blotting in human colorectal tumors and matched normal adjacent tissues, as well as in various colorectal carcinoma cell lines. In the tissues, the expression of PPARgamma was elevated in tumors relative to the adjacent normal tissues. Each colorectal carcinoma cell line expressed PPARgamma. The ability of various eicosanoids to bind PPARgamma in colorectal carcinoma cells was investigated using luciferase reporter assays. The well-known PPARgamma ligands, troglitazone and 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2) strongly induced PPARgamma binding activity. Products of lipoxygenases displayed moderate binding activity, while other prostaglandins and fatty acids displayed little or no reporter activation. The activation of PPARgamma by 13(S)-HODE, the major metabolite of 15-lipoxygenase-1 from linoleic acid, was concentration dependent reaching maximum at 10 micro M (35-fold activation). The endogenous production of 13(S)-HODE by expression of 15-LO-1 did not activate PPARgamma. The ability of various nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to induce PPARgamma activation was also evaluated. The conventional NSAIDs that inhibit both cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) also induced PPARgamma binding activity. In general, however, neither COX-1- nor COX-2-specific inhibitors induced the activation of PPARgamma. Taken together, the metabolites of 15-lipoxygenase and the conventional NSAIDs were confirmed as exogenous ligands for PPARgamma in colorectal carcinoma cells.

Overexpression of 15-lipoxygenase-1 in PC-3 human prostate cancer cells increases tumorigenesis.

The effect of overexpression of 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LO-1) was studied in the human prostate cancer cell line, PC-3. Stable PC-3 cell lines were generated by transfection with 15-LO-1-sense (15-LOS), 15-LO-1-antisense (15-LOAS) or vector (Zeo) and selection with Zeocin. After characterization by RT-PCR, western and HPLC, a PC3-15LOS clone was selected that possessed 10-fold 15-LO-1 enzyme activity compared with parental PC-3 cells. The PC3-15LOAS clone displayed little or no 15-LO-1 activity. These PC-3 cell lines were characterized for properties of tumorigenesis. The proliferation rates of the cell lines were as follows: PC3-15LOS > PC-3 = PC3-Zeo > PC3-15LOAS. Addition of a specific 15-LO-1 inhibitor, PD146176, caused a dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation in vitro. Overexpression of 15-LO-1 also caused [(3)H]thymidine incorporation to increase by 4.0-fold (P < 0.01). Compared with parental and PC-3-Zeo cells, PC3-15LOS enhanced whereas PC3-15LOAS reduced the ability of PC-3 cells to grow in an anchorage-independent manner, as assessed by colony formation in soft agar. These data suggested a pro-tumorigenic role for 15-LO-1 in PC-3 cells in vitro. Therefore, to clarify the role of 15-LO-1 in vivo, the effect of 15-LO-1 expression on the growth of tumors in nude mice was investigated. The PC-3 cell lines were inoculated subcutaneously into athymic nude mice. The frequency of tumor formation was increased and the sizes of the tumors formed were much larger in the PC3-15LOS compared with PC3-15LOAS, parental PC-3 and PC-3-Zeo cells. Immunohistochemistry for 15-LO-1 confirmed expression throughout the duration of the experiment. The expression of factor VIII, an angiogenesis marker, in tumor sections was increased in tumors derived from PC3-15LOS cells and decreased in those from PC3-15LOAS cells compared with tumors from parental or Zeo cells. These data further supported the evaluation by ELISA of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion by PC-3 cells in culture. Secretion of this angiogenic factor was elevated in PC3-15LOS cells compared with the other cell lines. These results support a role for 15-LO-1 in a novel growth-promoting pathway in the prostate.

Functional characterization of cyclooxygenase-2 polymorphisms.

Cyclooxygenases (COX)-1 and -2 are the key enzymes in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. COX-2 appears to play an emerging role in inflammation and carcinogenesis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used for the treatment of numerous diseases and reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Polymorphisms in the COX-2 gene could alter enzyme expression, function, and/or the response to NSAIDs. Therefore, they could modify individual risks for developing cancer and other diseases or the occurrence of side effects or sensitivity toward selective or nonselective COX inhibitors. We sequenced the COX-2 gene of 72 individuals and identified rare polymorphisms in the promoter and the coding region. A COX-2 molecular model was used to locate the coding region polymorphisms relative to functional sites in the protein, and the COX-2 V511A polymorphism was very near to the active site. This variant protein was expressed, and function was evaluated, but no difference was detected in metabolism of the COX-2 substrates, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, and 2-arachidonyl glycerol, compared with the wild type. The Km values for arachidonic acid showed no differences between the COX-2 wild type and V511A mutant. Inhibition with selective or nonselective COX inhibitors was essentially the same for the two enzymes. The absence of functionally important polymorphisms in the COX-2 gene may suggest that there has been selective pressure against those single nucleotide polymorphisms because of the critical role of this enzyme in maintenance of homeostasis.

Expression of Gab1 lacking the pleckstrin homology domain is associated with neoplastic progression.

An in vitro transformation system of carcinogen-treated Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cell cultures represents multistep genetic and nongenetic changes that develop during the neoplastic progression of normal cells to tumor cells in vivo. During this neoplastic progression, SHE cells demonstrate an altered response to epidermal growth factor (EGF). In the present report, we examined the role of the adapter protein Gab1 (Grb2-associated binder-1) in the neoplastic progression of SHE cells. We used two asbestos-transformed SHE cell clones in different neoplastic stages: a 10W+8 clone, which is immortal and retains the ability to suppress the tumorigenicity of tumor cells in cell-cell hybrid experiments, and a 10W-1 clone, which has lost this tumor suppressor ability. 10W+8 cells expressed full-length 100-kDa Gab1 and associated 5.2-kb mRNA. Upon repeated cell passaging, 10W-1 cells showed increasing expression of a novel 87-kDa form of Gab1 as well as 4.6-kb mRNA with diminishing expression of the original 100-kDa Gab1. cDNA encoding the 87-kDa Gab1 predicts a form of Gab1 lacking the amino-terminal 103 amino acids (Gab1(Delta1-103)), which corresponds to loss of most of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. Gab1(Delta1-103) retains the ability to be phosphorylated in an EGF-dependent manner and to associate with the EGF receptor and SHP-2 upon EGF stimulation. The endogenous expression of Gab1(Delta1-103) in 10W-1 cells appeared closely related to EGF-dependent colony formation in soft agar. Moreover, transfection and expression of Gab1(Delta1-103), but not Gab1, in 10W+8 cells enhanced their EGF-dependent colony formation in soft agar. These results demonstrate that Gab1 is a target of carcinogen-induced transformation of SHE cells and that the expression of a Gab1 variant lacking most of the PH domain plays a specific role in the neoplastic progression of SHE cells.

15-lipoxygenase-1 metabolites down-regulate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma via the MAPK signaling pathway.

Human colon tumors have elevated levels of 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LO-1), suggesting that 15-LO-1 may play a role in the development of colorectal cancer. Also, 15-LO-1 metabolites can up-regulate epidermal growth factor signaling pathways, which results in an increase in mitogenesis. However, metabolites of 15-LO-1 can serve as ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), and activation of this receptor causes most colon cancer cell lines to undergo a differentiative response and reverse their malignant phenotype. Hence, the role 15-LO-1 plays in colon cancer is not clear. To clarify the role of 15-LO-1 in carcinogenesis, the effect of 15-LO-1 and its metabolites on epidermal growth factor signaling and PPARgamma was investigated. In HCT-116 cells, exogenously added 15-LO-1 metabolites, 13-(S)-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, 13-(R)-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, and 13-(S)-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid, up-regulated the MAPK signaling pathway, and an increase in PPARgamma phosphorylation was observed. Furthermore, in stable overexpressing 15-LO-1 HCT-116 cells, which produce endogenous 15-LO-1 metabolites, an up-regulation in mitogen-activated protein kinase and PPARgamma phosphorylation was observed. Incubation with a MAPK inhibitor ablated MAPK and PPARgamma phosphorylation. The 15-LO-1 up-regulates MAPK activity and increases PPARgamma phosphorylation, resulting in a down-regulation of PPARgamma activity. Thus, 15-LO-1 metabolites may not only serve as ligands for PPARgamma but can down-regulate PPARgamma activity via the MAPK signaling pathway.

Molecular cloning and characterization of human nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene promoter. Basal transcription is mediated by Sp1 and Sp3.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene (NAG-1) is known to be associated with anti-tumorigenic activity and belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. In the present study, we cloned the promoter region (-3500 to +41) and investigated the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of the basal expression of the human NAG-1 gene. Several potential transcription factor-binding sites in this region were identified. Based on the results from clones of nested deletions, the construct between -133 and +41 base pairs contains three Sp1-binding sites (Sp1-A, Sp1-B, and Sp1-C), which confer basal transcription specific activity of NAG-1 expression. When the Sp1-C site was mutated (GG to TT), a 60-80% decrease in promoter activity was observed in HCT-116 cells. Gel shift, co-transfection, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that the Sp transcription factors bind to the Sp1-binding sites and transactivate NAG-1 expression. In addition, chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor 1 can interact with the C-terminal region of Sp1 and Sp3 proteins and induce NAG-1 promoter activity through Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors. These results identify the critical regulatory regions for the human NAG-1 basal promoter. Furthermore, the results suggest that the level of expression of the NAG-1 gene will depend on the availability of Sp proteins and on co-factors such as chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor 1.

Identification of epidermal growth factor receptor- Grb2-associated binder-1-SHP-2 complex formation and its functional loss during neoplastic cell progression.

The adaptor protein Grb2-associated binder-1 (Gab1) is known to bind to the SHP-2 tyrosine phosphatase on epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor stimulation. To clarify the roles of these two proteins in EGF receptor (EGFR) signaling and determine their possible alteration during neoplastic cell progression, we studied these proteins in a Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cell line model of neoplastic progression. Specifically, we used asbestos-transformed SHE fibroblasts: the 10W+8 clone, which is immortal but nontumorigenic; and the 10W2T clone, which is tumorigenic. Gab1 was detected, and the EGF-dependent formation of the EGFR-Gab1-SHP-2 complex was observed in 10W+8 cells. After cloning hamster Gab1 cDNA, exogenous expression of Gab1 significantly enhanced EGF-dependent mitogenic activity in 10W+8 cells. On the other hand, Gab1 was not detected in 10W2T cells, and the EGF-dependent association of SHP-2 with EGFR was also absent. Exogenous Gab1 expression in transfected 10W2T cells restored the EGF-dependent association of SHP-2 with EGFR, although it only showed a marginal effect on EGF-dependent mitogenic activity. Thus, Gab1 plays a pivotal role in the EGFR signaling pathway via the formation of the EGFR-Gab1-SHP-2 complex, and alteration in the expression and function of Gab1 is implicated in the neoplastic progression of SHE cells.

Evaluation of the activity and localization of 15-lipoxygenase-1 after introduction into human colorectal carcinoma Caco-2 cells.

In human colorectal carcinoma Caco-2 cells, sodium butyrate (NaBT) induces the expression of the reticulocyte, 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LO-1) and causes these cells to undergo differentiation and apoptosis. 15-LO-1 is also expressed in human colorectal epithelium with a significant higher expression observed in colorectal tumors. In this study, we have prepared stable Caco-2 cells that expressed 15-LO-1 under control of an inducible promoter. These cells provide a model system to study regulation of 15-LO-1 activity in colorectal cells without the interfering presence of NaBT and are useful to study the biological function of 15-LO-1. The expressed 15-LO-1 was highly active as measured in cell lysates, but we were unable to detect metabolism in intact cells. The addition of calcium to the media for the Caco-2 cells was required for 15-LO-1 to translocate from the cytosol to the membrane which is frequently a requirement for lipoxygenase activity. Despite the addition of calcium and translocation, little lipoxygenase activity was detected with intact cells. However, after removal of phenol red, a common constituent of cell culture media, we were able to detect 15-LO-1 activity in the transfected Caco-2 cultured cells. Thus the presence of calcium and the absence of antioxidants present in commonly used culture media are required for expressed 15-LO-1 to be catalytically active and to permit an examination of its biological effects.

Effect of PPAR activators on cytokine-stimulated cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human colorectal carcinoma cells.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is up-regulated in colorectal cancer tissue. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are expressed in human colorectal tissue and activation of PPARs can alter COX-2 expression. In macrophages, activation of PPARs down-regulates COX-2 expression. We examined the effect of PPARalpha and PPARgamma ligands on untreated and TNF-alpha-induced COX-2 expression in the human colorectal epithelial cell line HT-29. The expression of PPARalpha and PPARgamma was confirmed in these cells. TNF-alpha, an inflammatory cytokine, increased COX-2 expression via the NFkappaB pathway. In the absence of TNF-alpha, WY14643 (PPARalpha activator) caused an increase, while BRL49653 (PPARgamma activator) did not alter COX-2 expression. When HT-29 cells were incubated with TNF-alpha and WY14643, a further increase in COX-2 expression was detected. Incubation with TNF-alpha and BRL49653 caused an additional twofold increase in COX-2 expression. Our results suggest that both PPARalpha signaling and TNF-alpha signaling increase COX-2 expression by independent pathways, while PPARgamma stimulates COX-2 expression by up-regulation of the TNF-alpha pathway.

Cyclooxygenase inhibitors regulate the expression of a TGF-beta superfamily member that has proapoptotic and antitumorigenic activities.

The antitumorigenic activity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, is well established, but responsible molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. NSAIDs stimulate apoptosis by COX dependent and independent mechanisms in colorectal cells in culture. Identification of genes regulated by COX inhibitors could lead to a better understanding of their proapoptotic and anti-neoplastic activities. Using subtractive hybridization, a cDNA which was designated as NSAID activated gene (NAG-1) was identified from NSAID-treated HCT-116, human colorectal cells. NAG-1 has an identical sequence with a novel member of the TGF-beta superfamily that has 5 different names. In the HCT-116 cells, NAG-1 expression is increased and apoptosis is induced by treatment with some NSAIDs in a concentration and time-dependent manner. NAG-1 transfected cells exhibited increased basal apoptosis, increased response to NSAIDs and reduced soft agar cloning efficiency. Furthermore, transplantable tumors derived from NAG-1 transfected HCT-116 cells showed reduced tumorigenicity in athymic nude mice compared with vector-transfected HCT-116 cells. The increased NAG-1 expression by NSAIDs provides a suitable explanation for COX-independent apoptotic effects of NSAIDs in cultured cells. These data demonstrate that NAG-1 is an antitumorigenic and proapoptotic protein, and its regulation by COX inhibitors may provide new clues for explaining their proapoptotic and antitumorigenic activities.

Expression of 15-lipoxygenase-1 is regulated by histone acetylation in human colorectal carcinoma.

15-Lipoxygenase-1 (15-LO-1) is expressed at higher levels in human colorectal tumors compared with normal tissue. 15-LO-1 is expressed in cultured human colorectal cells, but only after treatment with sodium butyrate (NaBT), which also stimulates apoptosis and cell differentiation. We examined the regulation of 15-LO-1 in human tissue and the colorectal carcinoma cell lines Caco-2 and SW-480 by treatment with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors: NaBT, trichostatin A (TSA) and HC toxin. Northern and western analysis showed that expression of 15-LO-1 was up-regulated by these HDAC inhibitors. Furthermore, HDAC inhibitors stimulated promoter activity of the 15-LO-1 gene approximately 12-to 21-fold using the -331/-23 region of the 15-LO-1 promoter, as measured with a luciferase-15-LO-1 promoter-reporter system, suggesting that 15-LO-1 is regulated at the transcriptional level by HDAC inhibitors. Histone proteins in colorectal cells were acetylated after treatment with HDAC inhibitors. Histone acetylation was also measured in human colorectal tissue and a correlation was observed between increased histone acetylation and 15-LO-1 expression. Thus, regulation of 15-LO-1 expression in colorectal tissues appears to occur by a novel and new mechanism associated with histone acetylation. Moreover, these results suggest that 15-LO-1 is a marker that reflects histone acetylation in colorectal carcinoma.

Concordant induction of 15-lipoxygenase-1 and mutant p53 expression in human prostate adenocarcinoma: correlation with Gleason staging.

We recently reported that the mutant form of the tumor-suppressor gene p53 up-regulates 15-LO-1 gene expression in a murine cell line. Here, we examine the expression of 15-lipoxygenase (LO)-1 and mutant p53 (mtp53) in human prostatic tissues and 15-LO-1 in the human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line PC-3. Reverse transcription-PCR and western analyses conclusively demonstrated expression of 15-LO-1 in PC-3 cells. Western blotting for 15-LO-1 in freshly resected 'normal' and prostate adenocarcinoma specimens showed 15-LO-1 expression in normal tissue, but significantly higher levels were detected in prostate adenocarcinomas. Prostate adenocarcinoma tissues generated chirally pure 13-S-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid from exogenous linoleic acid, a preferred substrate of 15-LO-1. To study the correlation of 15-LO-1 expression with mtp53 in prostate cancer, we immunostained 48 prostatectomy specimens obtained by transurethral resection of the prostate and needle biopsy (median age 68 years, range 52-93) of different Gleason grades (n = 48), using antibodies specific for 15-LO-1, mtp53 and MIB-1 (a proliferation marker). We compared staining in cancerous foci with adjacent normal appearing prostate tissues. In only 5 of 48 patients did 'normal' tissue adjacent to cancerous foci display staining for 15-LO-1. However, no staining for mtp53 was observed in any of the normal tissues. In cancer foci, robust staining was observed for both 15-LO-1 (36 of 48, 75%) and mtp53 (19 of 48, 39%). Furthermore, the intensities of expression of 15-LO-1 and mtp53 correlated positively with each other (P < 0.001) and with the degree of malignancy, as assessed by Gleason grading (P < 0.01). By immunohistochemistry, 15-LO-1 was located in secretory cells of peripheral zone glands, prostatic ducts and seminal vesicles, but not in the basal cell layer or stroma. Based on these and other studies, we propose a model describing a possible role for 15-LO-1 expression in influencing the malignant potential and pathobiological behavior of adenocarcinomas.

Lack of cyclooxygenase-2 activity in HT-29 human colorectal carcinoma cells.

Induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an early event in the sequence of polyp formation to colon carcinogenesis. COX-2 is at elevated levels in human colorectal cancers and in tumors and polyps of mouse models of colorectal cancer. Mutation of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene is the initial event leading to colorectal cancer. Colorectal cells in culture which express mutant APC are often used to examine the association of COX-2 expression and apoptosis. The expression of full-length APC in HT-29 cells, a human colorectal carcinoma cell line which normally expresses truncated APC and highly expresses COX-2, inhibits cell growth through increased apoptosis and results in a down-regulation of COX-2 protein. In this report, we examine whether down-regulation of COX-2 is directly linked to the increase in apoptosis observed in these HT-29-APC cells. We present evidence that COX-2 and apoptosis are not linked since COX-2, although expressed, is catalytically inactive. Interestingly, the COX-2 cloned from HT-29 cells is catalytically active when transfected into HCT-116 cells, a colorectal cell line which normally does not express COX-2, but is not active in the HT-29 cell line itself.

A GATA binding site is involved in the regulation of 15-lipoxygenase-1 expression in human colorectal carcinoma cell line, caco-2.

The data presented implicate a GATA binding site in the transcriptional regulation of 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LO-1) gene expression in human colorectal carcinoma Caco-2 cells. High expression of GATA-6 mRNA and protein was observed, while GATA-4 mRNA was expressed at a very low level in Caco-2 cells. The expression of GATA-6 was down-regulated, while 15-LO-1 expression was dramatically up-regulated after treatment with sodium butyrate (NaBT). A study using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay indicated that a GATA binding site of the 15-LO-1 promoter region binds to GATA proteins present in both undifferentiated and, to a lesser extent, NaBT-treated (differentiated) Caco-2 cells. Moreover, that DNA binding shift band was disrupted after the addition of GATA-6 antibody in a supershift assay in the absence of NaBT, suggesting that GATA-6 is bound to the GATA binding site of the 15-LO-1 promoter in undifferentiated cells. In contrast, the addition of GATA-6 antibody did not affect the DNA binding ability in NaBT-induced differentiated cells. On the other hand, mutation of the GATA site of the 15-LO-1 promoter decreased the transactivation of the 15-LO-1 promoter as measured by luciferase activity in both FBS and NaBT cultured cells, indicating an unknown GATA binding protein to up-regulate 15-LO-1 expression. These implicate the GATA site at -240 of the proximal region of the 15-LO-1 promoter in the basic transcription of 15-LO-1 gene expression in Caco-2 cells, with GATA-6 acting to repress 15-LO-1 expression.

Introduction of full-length APC modulates cyclooxygenase-2 expression in HT-29 human colorectal carcinoma cells at the translational level.

Mutation of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene is associated with the earliest stages of colorectal tumorigenesis and appears to be responsible for the hereditary condition familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Evidence indicates that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is induced and at elevated levels in human colorectal cancers and in the polyps of mouse FAP models. We have used HT-29 cells, a human colorectal carcinoma cell line with a mutant carboxy-truncated APC gene, in which intact APC gene has been introduced under the control of an inducible promoter. These HT-29-APC cells provide a suitable model system to examine how COX-2 expression becomes dysregulated after loss of APC function. Induction of full-length APC causes the HT-29-APC cells to undergo apoptosis. However, differentiation, as measured by alkaline phosphatase activity, is not induced upon expression of full-length APC. Full-length APC protein has been shown to bind the intracellular protein beta-catenin and, as a result, the Lef/Tcf transcription factors are down-regulated. Analysis of APC immunoprecipitates demonstrate a time-dependent increase of beta-catenin interacting with full-length APC. Thus, the Lef/Tcf signaling pathway is intact at this point in these cells. Furthermore, upon expression of full-length APC, COX-2 protein expression is down-regulated while COX-2 mRNA levels remain the same. These data indicate that APC plays a role, either directly or indirectly, in the translational regulation of COX-2. Treatment of the HT-29-APC cells with sodium butyrate, an inducer of apoptosis, does not alter COX-2 protein expression. Thus, COX-2 down-regulation appears to be APC specific and not just due to apoptotic induction. APC appears to uniquely regulate COX-2 expression. The mechanism by which COX-2 protein expression is down-regulated in the HT-29-APC cells is under investigation.

Regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 by interferon gamma and transforming growth factor alpha in normal human epidermal keratinocytes and squamous carcinoma cells. Role of mitogen-activated protein kinases.

Treatment of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) causes a 9-fold increase in the level of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA expression. Nuclear run-off assays indicate that this induction is at least partly due to increased transcription. Activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway due to the enhanced transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) expression plays an important role in the induction of COX-2 by IFN-gamma. This is supported by the ability of TGFalpha to rapidly induce COX-2 and the inhibition of the IFN-gamma-mediated COX-2 mRNA induction by an EGFR antibody and EGFR-selective kinase inhibitors. Deletion and mutation analysis indicates the importance of the proximal cAMP-response element/ATF site in the transcriptional control of this gene by TGFalpha. The increase in COX-2 mRNA by TGFalpha requires activation of both the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Inhibition of p38 MAPK decreases the stability of COX-2 mRNA, while inhibition of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) does not. These results suggest that the p38 MAPK signaling pathway controls COX-2 at the level of mRNA stability, while the ERK signaling pathway regulates COX-2 at the level of transcription. In contrast to NHEK, IFN-gamma and TGFalpha are not very effective in inducing TGFalpha or COX-2 expression in several squamous carcinoma cell lines, indicating alterations in both IFN-gamma and TGFalpha response pathways.