Dis-organizing centrosomal clusters: specific cancer therapy for a generic spread?

Cancer is a leading cause of mortality and the annual incidence of new cancer cases is rising worldwide. Due to the frequent development of resistance and the side effects of established anti-cancer drugs, the quest for new drugs with improved therapeutic features goes on. In contrast to cytotoxic chemotherapy of the past, the concept of targeted chemotherapy attempts to increase specificity of therapy by attacking tumor-related mechanisms. A novel emerging treatment concept represents the inhibition of centrosomal clustering. The centrosome regulates mitotic spindle formation assuring uniform separation of chromosomes to daughter cells. Many tumors contain supernumerary centrosomes, which contribute to aneuploidy induction via multipolar mitotic spindle formation. As spindle multipolarity leads to cell death, tumor cells developed centrosomal clustering mechanism to prevent multipolar spindle formation by coalescence of multiple centrosomes into two functional spindle poles. Inhibition of centrosome clustering represents a novel strategy for drug development and leads to the formation of multipolar spindles and subsequent cell death. In the present review, we report advances in understanding the biology of centrosomal clustering as well as enlist compounds capable of inducing the formation of multipolar spindles such as indolquinolizines, integrin-linked kinase inhibitors (QLT-0267), noscapinoids (EM011), phthalamide derivatives (TC11), griseofulvin, phenanthridines (PJ-34), CCC1-01, CW069 GF-15, colcemid, nocodazole, paclitaxel, and vinblastine. We also present in silico result of compounds that bind to γ-tubulin under the ambit of centrosomal clustering inhibition. We observed maximum binding efficacy in GF-15, CW069, paclitaxel and larotaxel with GF-15 exhibiting least energy of -8.4 Kcal/mol and 0.7 µM Pki value.

Mechanisms of herb-induced nephrotoxicity.

Herbal therapies gained much popularity among the general public, but compared to therapies approved by official authorities, toxicological studies are frequently not available for them. Hence, there may be inherent risks and the kidneys may be especially vulnerable to toxic effects. Herbs may induce nephrotoxicity by induction of apoptosis. High oxalate contents in Star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L.) may induce acute nephropathy. Triptolide from Thunder God Vine (Triperygium wilfordii Hook) is a diterpenoid epoxide with induces reactive oxygen species and nephrotubular apoptosis. Cranberry juice is discussed as promoter of kidney stone formation (nephrolithiasis). Abuse of guaifenesin from Roughbark (Guaicum officinale L.) increases stone formation. Aristolochia acids from Aristolochia fangchi Y.C.Wu ex L.D. Chow & S.M. Hwang causes the well-known aristolochic acid nephropathy and carcinogenesis by DNA adduct formation. Carboxyatractyloside from Impila (Callilepsis laureola DC.) inhibits mitochondrial ATP synthesis. Acute allergic interstitial nephritis was diagnosed after intake of Peruvian Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa Willd. DC.). Whether or not Willow Bark (Salix alba L.) induces analgesic nephropathwy is a matter of discussion. Other herbal therapies are considered to affect the rennin-angiotensisn-aldosterone (RAA) system Ephedra sinica Stapf with its ingredient ephedrine. Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens DC. Ex Meisn.) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) may inhibit major renal transport processes needed for filtration, secretion, and absorption. Strategies to minimize nephrotoxicity include (1) quality control and standardization of herbal products, (2) research on the molecular modes of action to better understand pathophysiological mechanisms of herbal products as well as (3) clinical trials to demonstrate efficacy and safety.

[Chinese medicine as vegetative systems biology. Part I: therapeutic methods]. / Chinesische Medizin als vegetative Systembiologi. Teil I: Therapeutische Verfahren.

Chinese medicine (CM) enjoys increasing popularity in Germany despite doubts about whether the measures taken make sense and whether they are safe and effective. In quantitative terms, CM de facto has already established itself, but very often it is reduced to the level of Asian philosophy in the form of mystical philosophical remnants. In this bipartite article we present a short overview of CM as a traditional approach to stringent and complex systems biology. Only if the internal logic of CM can clearly be appreciated by the Western doctor will its increasing integration be successful.

[Chinese medicine as vegetative systems biology. Part II: the structure of TCM diagnosis]. / Chinesische Medizin als vegetative Systembiologie. Teil II: Die Struktur der TCM-Diagnose.

This section describes the main features of functional vegetative diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). A complete diagnosis comprises four components: constitution, agent, orb, and guiding criterion. These are based on a stringent, almost mathematically precise theoretical matrix as shown by the Heidelberg Model of Chinese Medicine. Accordingly, the core concepts of Chinese medicine, yin, yang and the phases, can be made rationally accessible to Western doctors as technical terms of vegetative regulation.

Met326Ile aminoacid polymorphism in the human p85 alpha gene has no major impact on early insulin signaling in type 2 diabetes.

Class I alpha phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase is an important enzyme in the early insulin signaling cascade, and plays a key role in insulin-mediated glucose transport. Despite extensive investigation, the genes responsible for the development of the common forms of type 2 diabetes remain unknown. This study was performed to identify variants in the coding region of p85 alpha, the regulatory subunit of PI 3-kinase. Fibroblasts from skin biopsies from type 2 diabetics and controls were established to address this issue. P85 alpha cDNA was sequenced, and a single point mutation at codon 326 was found. This mutation resulted in a homozygous missense amino acid change Met --> Ile in one subject with type 2 diabetes and heterozygous variant in two other diabetic patients and one with severe insulin resistance. Interestingly, those patients revealed an impaired insulin-mediated insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 binding to p85 alpha without any alteration in IRS-2/p85 alpha association. Furthermore, IRS-1, IRS-2, p85 alpha and MAPK protein contents were not significantly changed, and neither were MAPK or Akt phosphorylation. We conclude from our data that this variant may have only minor impact on signaling events; however, in combination with variants in other genes encoding signaling proteins, this may have a functional impact on early insulin signaling.

A new model of primary human adipocytes reveals reduced early insulin signalling in type 2 diabetes.

The aim of this study was to establish a diabetic model of primary human adipocytes for investigating potential defects in early insulin signalling. Specimens of human subcutaneous adipose tissue were obtained during orthopaedic surgical procedures. Preadipocytes were isolated and differentiated to adipocytes. Western blot analysis and immunoprecipitation were performed to determine protein content of IRS-1, IRS-2, p85, phosphorylation of IRS-1, IRS-2, Akt and MAPK as well as association between p85 and IRS-1/IRS-2. In addition to short-term insulin stimulation, the effect of hyperinsulinaemia was investigated by treating cells with insulin over a period of 36 hours. We found a significantly reduced basal expression of IRS-1 (54 +/- 15%) in adipocytes from type 2 diabetic subjects compared to controls with a further significant reduction in expression after long-term treatment (30 +/- 12%) compared to short-term treatment. IRS-2 expression also showed a significant reduction under hyperinsulinaemic conditions (20 +/- 2%) in diabetics vs. controls. Furthermore, long-term treatment with insulin in diabetic adipocytes led to a significant reduction in the phosphorylation of IRS-1(68 +/- 11%), IRS-2 (82 +/- 11%), Akt (42 +/- 2%), and MAPK (92 +/- 12%) and in the subsequent association between p85 to IRS-1 and IRS-2 (100 +/- 16% and 96 +/- 12%) in comparison to controls. Investigating glucose uptake diabetic adipocytes revealed a significant reduction of 90 +/- 2%. In this study, we were able to establish a new diabetic model of primary human adipocytes. A defect in early insulin signalling in type 2 diabetic patients under hyperinsulinaemic conditions was determined. These results might help to give further insights in early insulin action; additionally, this human model represents a useful target for the study of new therapeutic approaches.

[Primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Stepchild of internal medicine]. / Primärprävention von Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen. Ein Stiefkind der Inneren Medizin.

Preventive medicine has not been adequately established in our health care system. Despite growing in-sight into the causes underlying arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, half of the population dies and even more suffer from it. Generally the correction of risk factors is regarded as causal therapy. Modification of the lipid and carbohydrate metabolism or the blood pressure are certainly effective, however, intervention trials have also demonstrated the limitations. Mostly an unhealthy lifestyle underlies these risk factors so that correction of the lifestyle is the causal therapy in the true sense. That is the principle basis for primary prevention, while pharmacotherapy can only be an adjunct. Inadequate nutrition, physical inactivity and smoking are considered the true major risk factors in our society. Changes in nutrition in favor of plant products, some physical activity and refraining from smoking can serve an effective contribution to health. In the future not only medical, but also economic requirements will increasingly force us to establish prevention on the basis of lifestyle changes as a mainstay of medicine.

Lipoprotein lipase mediates an increase in selective uptake of HDL-associated cholesteryl esters by cells in culture independent of scavenger receptor BI.

Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) mediates the selective uptake of HDL cholesteryl esters (CEs) by the liver. LPL promotes this selective lipid uptake independent of lipolysis. In this study, the role of SR-BI in the mechanism of this LPL-mediated increase in selective CE uptake was explored. Baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells were transfected with the SR-BI cDNA, and significant SR-BI expression could be detected in immunoblots, whereas no SR-BI was visualized in control cells. Y1-BS1 murine adrenocortical cells were cultured without or with adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cells with no detectable or with SR-BI were obtained. These cells incubated without or with LPL in medium containing 125I/[3H]cholesteryl oleyl ether- labeled HDL3; tetrahydrolipstatin inhibited the catalytic activity of LPL. In BHK and in Y1-BS1 cells without or with SR-BI expression, apparent HDL3 selective CE uptake ([3H]CEt - 125I) was detectable. Cellular SR-BI expression promoted HDL3 selective CE uptake by approximately 250-1,900%. In BHK or Y1-BS1 cells, LPL mediated an increase in apparent selective CE uptake. Quantitatively, this stimulating LPL effect was very similar in control cells and in cells with SR-BI expression. The uptake of radiolabeled HDL3 was also investigated in human embryonal kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells that are an established SR-BI-deficient cell model. LPL stimulated [3H]cholesteryl oleyl ether uptake from labeled HDL3 by HEK 293 cells substantially, showing that LPL can induce selective CE uptake from HDL3 independent of SR-BI. To explore the role of cell surface proteoglycans on lipoprotein uptake, we induced proteoglycan deficiency by heparinase treatment. Proteoglycan deficiency decreased the LPL-mediated promotion of HDL3 selective CE uptake. In summary, evidence is presented that the stimulating effect of LPL on HDL3 selective CE uptake is independent of SR-BI and lipolysis. However, cell surface proteoglycans are required for the LPL action on selective CE uptake. It is suggested that pathways distinct from SR-BI mediate selective CE uptake from HDL.

Repopulation of mouse liver with human hepatocytes and in vivo infection with hepatitis B virus.

Mice containing livers repopulated with human hepatocytes would provide excellent in vivo models for studies on human liver diseases and hepatotropic viruses, for which no permissive cell lines exist. Here, we report partial repopulation of the liver of immunodeficient urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA)/recombinant activation gene-2 (RAG-2) mice with normal human hepatocytes isolated from the adult liver. In the transplanted mice, the production of human albumin was demonstrated, indicating that human hepatocytes remained functional in the mouse liver for at least 2 months after transplantation. Inoculation of transplanted mice with human hepatitis B virus (HBV) led to the establishment of productive HBV infection. According to human-specific genomic DNA analysis and immunostaining of cryostat liver sections, human hepatocytes were estimated to constitute up to 15% of the uPA/RAG-2 mouse liver. This is proof that normal human hepatocytes can integrate into the mouse hepatic parenchyma, undergo multiple cell divisions, and remain permissive for a human hepatotropic virus in a xenogenic liver. This system will provide new opportunities for studies on etiology and therapy of viral and nonviral human liver diseases, as well as on hepatocyte biology and hepatocellular transplantation.

Identification of a deletion variant in the gene encoding the human alpha(2A)-adrenergic receptor.

OBJECTIVE: The alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors are involved in the effects of catecholamines on energy metabolism. Of three known subtypes with differential expression, alpha(2A)-adrenergic receptors are also localized in adipose tissue where they counteract the lipolytic activity of beta-adrenergic receptors. This study was undertaken to assess whether variants in the alpha(2A)-adrenergic receptor gene are associated with body weight. DESIGN AND METHODS: Single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) screening and subsequent sequencing were applied to determine genetic variants in DNA samples from individuals with obesity, those of normal weight and those underweight. RESULTS: Analysis of the coding region resulted in the identification of an 18 bp deletion, with no other mutation found. Of 429 genotyped subjects, 7 carried the deletion, with no significant differences between lean and obese subjects. A previously identified polymorphism in the promoter of the alpha(2A)-adrenergic receptor gene also did not show an association with any of the tested body weight categories. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that variants in the alpha(2A)-adrenergic receptor gene are unlikely to contribute to the predisposition for the lean or obese state.

Absence of APOBEC-1 mediated mRNA editing in human carcinomas.

The transgene expression of the catalytic subunit APOBEC-1 of the apo B mRNA editing enzyme-complex can cause hepatocellular carcinoma in mice and rabbits. It has been proposed that aberrant editing of mRNA may represent a novel oncogenic principle. This investigation aimed to define whether such aberrant hyperediting mediated by APOBEC-1 occurs in human carcinomas. Editing and hyperediting of apo B, NAT1 or NF1 mRNA was not identified in any of 28 resected tumor specimens, including hepatocellular, bile duct, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic adeno- and neuroendocrine, lung adeno-, medullary thyroid and breast carcinoma, soft tissue sarcoma and neuroblastoma. In most types of carcinoma, significant levels for full-length APOBEC-1 mRNA could not be detected. Low level expression of APOBEC-1 was found in colorectal and gastric carcinoma where most of the APOBEC-1 mRNA is inactivated by alternate splicing. The 'auxiliary' components of the apo B mRNA editing enzyme-complex are missing in many tumors including colorectal and gastric carcinoma, but are highly expressed in hepatocellular, lung adeno- and breast carcinoma all of which lack APOBEC-1. Taken together, either APOBEC-1 or the 'auxiliary' components of the apo B mRNA editing enzyme-complex or both are missing in human carcinomas resulting in the absence of mRNA editing. Currently, there is no evidence that aberrant editing mediated by APOBEC-1 contributes to the tumorigenesis of natural human carcinomas.

Lipoprotein lipase compensates for the defective function of apo E variants in vitro by interacting with proteoglycans and lipoprotein receptors.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and apolipoprotein E (apo E) independently enhance binding and uptake of lipoproteins to cells. A coordinate effect of LPL and apo E has been previously described in human hepatozytes where simultaneous addition of both proteins resulted in an additive increase of chylomicron binding and uptake. The role of lipoprotein receptors and proteoglycans in this coordinate effect was now analysed using various cell types and heparinase treatment. To investigate a pathophysiological relevance, the effect of LPL and normal apo E-3 was compared to LPL and four apo E variants, associated with type III hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP). Apo E-3 and LPL increased the binding and uptake of chylomicrons and beta-very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) in an additive way in all cell types analysed, except proteoglycan deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-cells. Heparinase treatment almost completely abolished the effect of apo E and LPL. Addition of LPL to the apo E variants resulted in significant compensation of their defective function in mediating beta-VLDL binding to low density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor defective fibroblasts. These findings indicate that the coordinate effect of apo E and LPL is mediated by proteoglycans and lipoprotein receptors, independent of the LDL receptor. LPL may compensate for the defective function of apo E variants by enhancing lipoprotein binding to these receptors. Defects in this mechanism may explain how mutations in the LPL molecule contribute to the manifestation of type III HLP in addition to the presence of a defective apo E.

Quantification of lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein(a) in plasma and lipoprotein fractions in the hypertriglyceridemic state.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) in particular in association with high low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations. Hypertriglyceridemia on the other hand has been found to be associated with low Lp(a) values. This observation could be confirmed in 851 patients of the outpatient lipid clinic. Lp(a) median levels were 2.7-fold higher in patients with triglycerides below 200 mg/dl as compared with patients expressing triglyceride levels above 200 mg/dl (19 vs 7 mg/dl, P < 0.0001). In contrast to these data apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] has been detected in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL). To find out whether the presence of apo(a) in TRL is determined by the concentration of these particles, apo(a) concentrations were measured in TRL in fasting plasma of ten hypertriglyceridemic patients and ten normal controls with Lp(a) serum levels above 25 mg/dl. The apo(a) concentration in TRL did not show statistically significant differences between controls and patients (2.0+/-0.9 vs 1.8+/-1.6 mg/dl). In the second part of the study apo(a) levels in TRL were measured before and after fat feeding in eight healthy volunteers. Again no significant differences were observed in the apo(a) concentrations of the d < 1.006 a ml fraction before and after fat feeding (1.03+/-1.06 vs 0.81+/-0.63 mg/dl). In summary, this study fails to show an association of apo(a) with TRL for different states of hypertriglyceridemia. This negative finding is shown for constant particle numbers but might not be true if the particle number in TRL increases.

Missense variants in the human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 gene in lean and obese subjects.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 (PPARgamma2) is almost uniquely expressed in adipose tissue and is of major importance for fat cell differentiation and lipid metabolism. This study was undertaken to assess whether two missense variants in the PPARgamma2 gene are associated with early-onset obesity. A previously described polymorphism encoding for an amino acid exchange in codon 12 (Pro12Ala) was detected with allele frequencies of 0.13 in 296 markedly obese children and adolescents and 0.14 in 130 lean individuals. A Pro115Gln variant, which had been linked to obesity in Germans in a previous association study, was not detected in any of our obese or lean subjects, who are also of German origin. We conclude from our data that these two variants in the PPARgamma2 gene are unlikely to contribute to the high prevalence of early-onset obesity.

Human pancreatic cancer cell lines express the CCKB receptor.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The gastrointestinal peptide gastrin might be a stimulatory effector of the growth of human pancreatic cancer cell lines. Several authors suggest that this effect is mediated by CCKB receptors. However, no studies have examined human pancreatic cells for CCKB receptor expression. The study was designed to evaluate cell lines from human pancreatic cancer (n = 6), or normal pancreatic ducts (n = 2), pancreatic tumor and control tissues (n = 9) for CCKB receptor expression. METHODOLOGY: RNA from cell lines and tissues was subject to DNAse digestion, reverse transcription and amplification using CCKB receptor cDNA sequence specific oligonucleotides via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). After confirmation of CCKB receptor sequence, the products were examined using southern blot analysis. The relative expression was determined by photodensitometrical quantification and normalization to the housekeeping gene beta-actin. RESULTS: Six pancreatic tumor cell lines expressed the CCKB receptor. Amplification of CCKB receptor cDNA from 2 cell lines derived from non-malignant human pancreatic duct cell lines resulted in products with a significantly lower copy number. Tissues like stomach and brain served as positive controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that most human pancreatic cancer cell lines of ductal origin express CCKB receptor mRNA. Malignant pancreatic tissue may overexpress these receptors in comparison with normal tissue.