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Actinomycin D (actinomycin + d)
Kinds of Actinomycin D Selected AbstractsTitanium particles induce the immediate early stress responsive chemokines IL-8 and MCP-1 in osteoblastsJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 3 2002Elizabeth A. Fritz Abstract Exposure of human osteoblasts to ultrafine titanium (Ti) particles has been shown to alter osteoblast gene expression. We previously reported that Ti particles can increase IL-6 release and suppress the gene expression of procollagens ,1[I] and ,1[III] in human osteoblasts. In this study, we now demonstrate that Ti particles can rapidly induce the chemotactic cytokines interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), two immediate early stress responsive chemokines important for the activation and chemotaxis of neutrophils and macrophages, respectively. In MG-63 osteosarcoma cells and bone marrow derived primary osteoblasts Ti particles selectively increased the steady state levels of IL-8 and MCP-1 mRNA in a time and concentration dependent manner. The increased chemokine mRNA correlated with increased secretion of IL-8 and MCP-1 protein. Actinomycin D, a potent RNA polymerase II inhibitor, blocked the Ti particle induction of IL-8 and MCP-1 mRNA expression, whereas cycloheximide, which inhibits protein synthesis, failed to inhibit chemokine gene expression suggesting Ti particles directly target activation of chemokine gene transcription. Consistent with a transcriptional mechanism not involving new protein synthesis, we demonstrate that Ti particles induce the binding of the p65 and p50 subunits of the latent transcription factor NF-,B to the IL-8 gene promoter. Taken together, these data demonstrate that Ti particles can activate transcription of the stress responsive chemokine genes IL-8 and MCP-1 in human osteoblasts. © 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Protective effect of sulforaphane on indomethacin-induced cytotoxicity via heme oxygenase-1 expression in human intestinal Int 407 cellsMOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH (FORMERLY NAHRUNG/FOOD), Issue 9 2009Chi-Tai Yeh Abstract Sulforaphane is known to be an indirect antioxidant that acts by inducing NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-dependent phase II enzymes. In the present study, we investigated the effect of sulforaphane on the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in human intestinal Int 407 cells. RT-PCR and Western blot data revealed that sulforaphane induced an increase in HO-1 expression at the mRNA and protein levels, respectively. This induction was also marked by an increase in HO-1 activity. Actinomycin D (an RNA synthesis inhibitor) and cycloheximide (a protein synthesis inhibitor) inhibited sulforaphane-responsive HO-1 mRNA expression, indicating that sulforaphane is a requirement for transcription and de novo protein synthesis. Moreover, sulforaphane increased the nuclear levels of Nrf2 and increased the binding activity of nuclear proteins to the antioxidant responsive element consensus sequence. We also found that U0126, an ERK kinase inhibitor, suppressed the sulforaphane-induced HO-1 expression and nuclear translocation of Nrf2. Moreover, the cytoprotective effect of sulforaphane on indomethancin-induced cytotoxicity was partially blocked by ERK and HO-1 inhibitors, further demonstrating that sulforaphane attenuated oxidative stress through a pathway that involved ERK and HO-1. Taken together, this study gives additional support to the possible use of sulforaphane as a dietary preventive agent against oxidative stress-induced intestinal injury. [source] Myosin Va phosphorylated on Ser1650 is found in nuclear speckles and redistributes to nucleoli upon inhibition of transcriptionCYTOSKELETON, Issue 6 2008Maria Cristina S. Pranchevicius Abstract Nuclear actin and nuclear myosins have been implicated in the regulation of gene expression in vertebrate cells. Myosin V is a class of actin-based motor proteins involved in cytoplasmic vesicle transport and anchorage, spindle-pole alignment and mRNA translocation. In this study, myosin-Va, phosphorylated on a conserved serine in the tail domain (phospho-ser1650 MVa), was localized to subnuclear compartments. A monoclonal antibody, 9E6, raised against a peptide corresponding to phosphoserine1650 and flanking regions of the murine myosin Va sequence, was immunoreactive to myosin Va heavy chain in cellular and nuclear extracts of HeLa cells, PC12 cells and B16-F10 melanocytes. Immunofluorescence microscopy with this antibody revealed discrete irregular spots within the nucleoplasm that colocalized with SC35, a splicing factor that earmarks nuclear speckles. Phospho-ser1650 MVa was not detected in other nuclear compartments, such as condensed chromatin, Cajal bodies, gems and perinucleolar caps. Although nucleoli also were not labeled by 9E6 under normal conditions, inhibition of transcription in HeLa cells by actinomycin D caused the redistribution of phospho-ser1650 MVa to nucleoli, as well as separating a fraction of phospho-ser1650 MVa from SC35 into near-neighboring particles. These observations indicate a novel role for myosin Va in nuclear compartmentalization and offer a new lead towards the understanding of actomyosin-based gene regulation. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Mechanosensitive hyaluronan secretion: stimulus,response curves and role of transcription,translation,translocation in rabbit jointsEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009A. K. T. Wann Joint movement was recently shown to stimulate the secretion of the lubricant hyaluronan (HA); also, exercise therapy and intra-articular hyaluronan injections are used to treat moderate osteoarthritis. The present study quantifies the stimulus,response curves for HA secretion in vivo and reports a role of transcription,translation,translocation in the secretory response. After washing out endogenous HA from anaesthetized, cannulated rabbit knees, the joints were cycled passively at various frequencies and durations, with or without intra-articular inhibitors of protein synthesis and Golgi processing. Newly secreted HA was harvested for analysis after 5 h. Joints displayed graded, non-linear stimulus,response curves to both duration and frequency of movement; 1 min duration per 15 min or a frequency of 0.17 Hz raised HA secretion by 42,54%, while rapid (1.5 Hz) or prolonged cycling (9 min per 15 min) raised it by 110,130%. Movement-stimulated secretion and phorbol ester-stimulated secretion were partly inhibited by the translation inhibitor cycloheximide, by the transcription,translation inhibitors actinomycin D and puromycin and by the Golgi translocation inhibitor brefeldin A. There is thus a graded coupling between HA secretion and cyclic joint movement that depends partly on new protein synthesis. This is likely to be important for joint homeostasis, providing protection during repetitive cycling and potentially contributing to exercise therapy for osteoarthritis. [source] [Na+]i -induced c-Fos expression is not mediated by activation of the 5,-promoter containing known transcriptional elementsFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 14 2007Mounsif Haloui In vascular smooth muscle cells and several other cell types, inhibition of Na+/K+ -ATPase leads to the expression of early response genes, including c-Fos. We designed this study to examine whether or not a putative Na+i/K+i -sensitive element is located within the c-Fos 5,-UTR from ,,650 to +,103 containing all known response elements activated by ,classic' stimuli, such as growth factors and Ca2+i -raising compounds. In HeLa cells, the highest increment of c-Fos mRNA content was noted after 6 h of Na+/K+ -ATPase inhibition with ouabain that was abolished by actinomycin D, an inhibitor of RNA synthesis. c-Fos protein accumulation in ouabain-treated cells correlated with a gain of Na+i and loss of K+i. Augmented c-Fos expression was also observed under inhibition of Na+/K+ -ATPase in K+ -free medium and in the presence of the Na+ ionophore monensin. The effect of ouabain on c-Fos expression was sharply attenuated under dissipation of the transmembrane Na+ gradient, but was preserved in the presence of Ca2+ chelators and the extracellular regulated kinase inhibitor PD98059, thus indicating an Na+i -mediated, Ca2+i - and extracellular regulated kinase-independent mechanism of gene expression. In contrast to massive c-Fos expression, we failed to detect any effect of ouabain on accumulation of luciferase driven by the c-Fos 5,-UTR. Negative results were also obtained in ouabain-treated vascular smooth muscle cells and C11 Madin,Darby canine kidney cells possessing augmented c-Fos expression. Our results reveal that Na+i -induced c-Fos expression is not mediated by the 5,-UTR containing transcriptional elements activated by growth factors and other ,classic stimuli'. [source] Nucleocytoplasmic transport of fluorescent mRNA in living mammalian cells: nuclear mRNA export is coupled to ongoing gene transcriptionGENES TO CELLS, Issue 3 2006Kazuaki Tokunaga In eukaryotic cells, export of mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is one of the essential steps in gene expression. To examine mechanisms involved in the nucleocytoplasmic transport of mRNA, we microinjected fluorescently labeled fushi tarazu (ftz) pre-mRNA into the nuclei of HeLa cells. The injected intron-containing ftz pre-mRNA was distributed to the SC35 speckles and exported to the cytoplasm after splicing by an energy-requiring active process. In contrast, the injected intron-less ftz mRNA was diffusely distributed in the nucleus and then presumably degraded. Interestingly, export of the ftz pre-mRNA was inhibited by treatment with transcriptional inhibitors (actinomycin D, ,-amanitin or DRB). Cells treated with transcriptional inhibitor showed foci enriched with the injected mRNA, which localize side by side with SC35 speckles. Those nuclear foci, referred to as TIDRs (transcriptional-inactivation dependent RNA domain), do not overlap with paraspeckles. In addition, in situ hybridization analysis revealed that the export of endogenous poly(A)+ mRNA is also affected by transcriptional inactivation. These results suggest that nuclear mRNA export is coupled to ongoing gene transcription in mammalian cells. [source] Pathophysiological significance of senescence marker protein-30GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2010Naoki Maruyama A novel rat liver protein of 30 kDa, SMP30 decreases with aging. This protein is expressed most prominently in the liver and kidneys among the various organs. Its gene is located on the X chromosome. No functional domain was recognized in the entire amino acid sequence. Recently, we found a homology between rat SMP30 and two species of bacterial gluconolactonase (EC 3.1.1.17). The lactonase reaction with l -gulono-,-lactone is the penultimate step in vitamin C (l -ascorbic acid) biosynthesis. SMP30-knockout (KO) mice fed a vitamin C-deficient diet displayed symptoms of scurvy. In SMP30-KO mice, hepatocytes were more susceptible to apoptosis induced by TNF-, plus actinomycin D than hepatocytes from wild-type mice. Two morphological features considered to be a hallmark of senescence are apparent in SMP30-KO mice. At 12 months of age, SMP30-knockout mice had clearly visible deposits of lipofuscin and senescence-associated ,-galactosidase (SA-,-GAL) in their renal tubular epithelia. These features are compatible with high electron dense deposits in lysosomes. This observation suggests that the SMP30-knockout mouse is a useful model of ordinal senescence. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2010; 10 (Suppl. 1): S88,S98. [source] Bone morphogenetic protein-6 induces the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in macrophagesIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1pt2 2009Seok J. Kwon Summary Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are members of the transforming growth factor-, (TGF-,) superfamily. In the present study, we investigated the effect of BMPs on the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7, and in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Among the BMPs, only BMP-6 induced iNOS expression in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner in both cell types. Induction of iNOS was inhibited by both cycloheximide and actinomycin D, indicating that the induction of iNOS expression by BMP-6 requires new protein synthesis. Mechanistic studies revealed that the BMP-6-induced iNOS expression requires both Smads and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-,B) signalling pathways. Furthermore, induction of interleukin-1, (IL-1,) was necessary for iNOS induction by BMP-6. These observations suggest that BMP-6 stimulates macrophages to produce iNOS through IL-1, via Smad and NF-,B signalling pathways and that BMP-6 may be an important regulator of macrophages. [source] The activation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 induced by protein kinase C alpha in decidualization,JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2009Jen-Hsiang Tsai Abstract This study investigated the protein kinase C (PKC) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in the development of deciduomata in pseudo-pregnant and pregnant rats. The results showed that the expression of MMP-2 was significantly increased from day 2 to day 5 in pseudo-pregnancy and from day 7 to day 9 in pregnancy. To further investigate the correlation between MMP-2 and protein kinase C, (PKC,), the expression of MMP-2 in the 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-treated organotypic culture of decidual tissue was determined. The results showed that the active form of MMP-2 was significantly increased in the TPA-treated cultures. Moreover, this response was inhibited by the PKC inhibitor H7, the PKC, specific inhibitor Gö-6976 and the translation inhibitor cycloheximide, but not by the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D or the replication inhibitor mitomycin C. In addition, TPA also reversed the MMP-2 expression after by progesterone pretreatment in the primary decidual cells. These findings indicate that PKC, may play an important role in the regulation of the MMP-2 expression during decidualization. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 547,554, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Retinoic acid induces expression of the interleukin-1, gene in cultured normal human mammary epithelial cells and in human breast carcinoma linesJOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2002Limin Liu Retinoic acid (RA) and its derivatives inhibit the proliferation of normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) and some breast carcinoma lines by mechanisms which are not fully understood. To identify genes that mediate RA-induced cell growth arrest, an HMEC cDNA library was synthesized and subtractive screening was performed. We identified the interleukin-1, (IL-1,) gene as an RA induced gene in HMEC. Northern blot analyses showed that the IL-1, gene was up-regulated as early as 2 h after RA treatment. Results from the treatment of HMEC with cycloheximide and actinomycin D indicated that the regulation of the IL-1, gene by RA occurred at the transcriptional level and that the IL-1, gene is a direct, downstream target gene of RA. To evaluate the effects of IL-1, on cell proliferation, the proliferation of HMEC was measured in the presence of RA or IL-1,, or both. Either RA or IL-1, could significantly inhibit the proliferation of HMEC. However, the addition of soluble IL-1 receptor antagonist (sIL-1ra) to the cell culture medium did not block RA-induced HMEC growth inhibition, whereas sIL-1ra did block the growth inhibition of HMEC by IL-1,. IL-1, expression was not observed in the three carcinoma cell lines, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-468, as compared to the HMEC. Growth curves of the breast carcinoma cell lines showed strong inhibitory effects of RA and IL-1, on the growth of the estrogen receptor (ER) positive MCF-7 cell line, but only a small effect on the ER negative MDA-MB-231 cells. The expression of the IL-1, gene was also transcriptionally activated by RA in normal epithelial cells of prostate and oral cavity. Our results suggest that: (a) the IL-1, gene is a primary target of RA receptors in HMEC; (b) the enhanced expression of the IL-1, gene does not mediate the RA-induced growth arrest of HMEC; and (c) the expression of the IL-1, gene is low or absent in all three human breast carcinoma cell lines examined, but the defect in the IL-1, signaling pathway may be different in ER positive versus ER negative carcinoma cells. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Translation of striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP) after ,1-adrenergic receptor stimulationJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2007Yaer Hu Abstract The ,-adrenergic system is implicated in long-term synaptic plasticity in the CNS, a process that requires protein synthesis. To identify proteins that are translated in response to ,-adrenergic receptor stimulation and the pathways that regulate this process, we investigated the effects of isoproterenol on the translation of striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP) in both cortico-striatal slices and primary neuronal cultures. Isoproterenol stimulation induced a rapid dose-dependent increase in STEP expression. Anisomycin blocked the increase in STEP expression while actinomycin D had no effect, suggesting a translation-dependent mechanism. Isoproterenol-induced STEP translation required activation of ,1-receptors. Application of the MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor SL327 blocked both isoproterenol-induced activation of pERK and subsequent STEP translation. Inhibitors of PI3K (LY294002) or mTOR (rapamycin) also completely blocked STEP translation. These results suggest that co-activation of both the ERK and PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathways are required for STEP translation. As one of the substrates of STEP includes ERK itself, these results suggest that STEP is translated upon ,-adrenergic activation as part of a negative feedback mechanism. [source] Thyroid hormone stimulates ,-glutamyl transpeptidase in the developing rat cerebra and in astroglial culturesJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 6 2005Asmita Dasgupta Abstract Hypothyroidism in the developing rat brain is associated with enhanced oxidative stress, one of the earliest manifestations of which is a decline in the level of glutathione (GSH). To investigate the role of thyroid hormone (TH) on GSH homeostasis, the effect of TH on ,-glutamyl transpeptidase (,GT), the key enzyme involved in the catalysis of GSH, was studied. Hypothyroidism declined the specific activity of cerebral ,GT at all postnatal ages examined (postnatal day 1,20) with a maximum inhibition of 42% at postnatal day 10. Intraperitoneal injection of TH to 15-day-old rat pups increased the specific activity of ,GT by 25-30% within 4,6 hr. Treatment of primary cultures of astrocytes by TH also enhanced the specific activity of ,GT by 30,40% within 4,6 hr. The induction of ,GT by TH was blocked by actinomycin D or cycloheximide. ,GT is an ectoenzyme that is normally involved in the catabolism of GSH released by astrocytes. In the presence of the ,GT-inhibitor, acivicin, GSH released in the culture medium of astrocytes increased linearly for at least 6 hr and TH had no effect on this accumulation pattern. In the absence of acivicin, GSH content of the medium from TH-treated cells was significantly lower than that of untreated controls due to activation of ,GT by TH and a faster processing of GSH. Because the products of ,GT reaction are putative precursors for neuronal GSH, the activation of ,GT by TH may be conducive to GSH synthesis in neurons and their protection from oxidative stress. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Polyphenolics Increase t-PA and u-PA Gene Transcription in Cultured Human Endothelial CellsALCOHOLISM, Issue 2 2001Laila H. Abou-Agag Background: Moderate red wine consumption has been associated with a reduced risk for coronary heart disease, and this cardioprotection may be mediated, in part, by promoting fibrinolysis. This protection may be attributed to the combined or perhaps synergistic effects of alcohol and other red wine components (i.e., polyphenolics). These studies were carried out to determine whether individual phenolics (i.e., catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, and resveratrol) affect fibrinolytic protein (tissue-type plasminogen activator [t-PA] and urokinase-type PA [u-PA]) e-pression and surface-localized fibrinolytic activity in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: Cultured HUVECs were preincubated (1 hr, 37°C) in the absence or presence of varying concentrations of catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, and resveratrol (0.001,10 ,M) and then were washed and incubated for various times in the absence of phenolics. Secreted t-PA/u-PA antigen (24 hr, enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay) and mRNA [0,16 hr, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)] levels and fibrinolytic activity (direct activation of HUVEC-bound 125I-labeled glutamyl-plasminogen, quantitation of 125I-labeled M r 20 kDa plasmin light-chain) were measured. Transient transfections of cultured HUVECs were carried out with the pt-PA222/luc and pu-PA236/luc promoter constructs, by using lipofectamine. Results: Each of the phenolics similarly increased t-PA and u-PA antigen (2- to 3-fold) and mRNA (3- to 4-fold) levels, concomitant with an increase (2- to 3-fold) in sustained (24 hr), surface-localized fibrinolytic activity. Transcription inhibitor actinomycin D abolished the induction of t-PA and u-PA mRNA e-pression by these phenolics. Transfections with the pt-PA222/luc and pu-PA236/luc promoter constructs showed 2- to 3-fold and 2- to 4-fold increases in luciferase activity for t-PA and u-PA, respectively. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that each of these phenolics up-regulates both t-PA and u-PA gene transcription, which results in the sustained increased e-pression of surface-localized fibrinolytic activity in cultured HUVECs. Wine phenolics increase fibrinolytic activity, independent of ethanol, and it is likely that the overall cardioprotective benefits associated with moderate red wine consumption are attributable to the combined, additive, or perhaps synergistic effects of alcohol and other wine components. [source] Molecular Reproduction & Development: Volume 77, Issue 2MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2010Article first published online: 16 DEC 200 Stratified porcine oocyte treated with actinomycin D to compact the nucleolus. The brown, pigmented organelles are lipid droplets. Kyogoku et al. (in this issue) show this compacted nucleolus supports the development of enucleolated full-grown oocytes. [source] The role of RNA polymerase I transcription and embryonic genome activation in nucleolar development in bovine preimplantation embryosMOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 7 2008O. Svarcova Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of RNA polymerase I (RPI) transcription in nucleolar development during major transcriptional activation (MTA) in cattle. Late eight-cell embryos were cultured in the absence (control group) or presence of actinomycin D (AD) (RPI inhibition, AD 0.2 µg/ml; total transcriptional inhibition, AD 2.0 µg/ml). Late four-cell embryos were cultured to late eight-cell stage in 0.2 µg/ml AD (MTA prevention, ADLT (long-term total transcriptional inhibition group). Embryos were processed for autoradiography, transmission electron microscopy, fluorescent in situ hybridization (ribosomal RNA, rRNA), silver staining (nucleolar proteins), and immunofluorescence (RPI). Control embryos displayed extranucleolar and nucleolar transcription, functional nucleoli, and distinct RPI localization. Nuclei (97%) showed large rRNA clusters, in 94.1% co-localized with nucleolar proteins deposits. In AD 0.2 group, only extranucleolar transcription was detected. Segregated dense-fibrillar and granular components, but no fibrillar centers, were observed. RPI was dispersed. Nuclei (55%) presented rRNA clusters, in 38.8% co-localized with silver-stained deposits. AD 2.0 and ADLT groups displayed no transcription and disintegrating nucleolar precursors. AD 2.0 (34%) and 14% (ADLT) of nuclei presented clusters of maternally inherited rRNA. In AD 2.0 group, RPI was dispersed, but 17.2% of nuclei showed colocalization of rRNA with nucleolar proteins. In ADLT group, RPI was lacking and clustering of nucleolar proteins was hampered. In conclusion, rDNA transcription is not required for targeting of rRNA processing proteins, rRNA is maternally inherited and target to rDNA independent of transcription, and de novo transcription is required for proper nucleologenesis in cattle. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1095,1103, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Trypanosome Alternative Oxidase is Regulated Post-transcriptionally at the Level of RNA StabilityTHE JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2002MINU CHAUDHURI ABSTRACT In the bloodstream form of African trypanosomes, trypanosome alternative oxidase (TAO), the non-cytochrome ubiquinol:oxidoreductase, is the only terminal oxidase of the mitochondrial electron transport system. TAO is developmentally regulated during mitochondrial biogenesis in this parasite. During in vitro differentiation of Trypanosoma bmcei from the bloodstream to the procyclic form, the overall rate of oxygen consumption decreased about 80%. The mode of respiration changed over a 2- to 3-wk period from a cyanide-insensitive, SHAM-sensitive pathway to a predominantly cyanide-sensitive pathway. The TAO protein level gradually decreased to the level present in the procyclic forms during this 3-wk period. However, within the first week of differentiation, the TAO transcript level decreased about 90% and then in the following weeks it reached the level present in the established procyclic form, that is about 20% of that in bloodstream forms. Like other trypanosomatid genes TAO transcript synthesis remains unaltered in fully differentiated bloodstream and procyclic trypanosomes. The half-life of the TAO mRNA was about 3.2 h in the procyclic trypanosomes, whereas the TAO transcript level remained unaltered even after 4 h of incubation with actinomycin D in bloodstream forms. Inhibition of protein synthesis resulted in about a four-fold accumulation of the TAO transcript in the procyclic trypanosomes, comparable to the level present in the bloodstream forms. Thus, TAO is regulated at the level of mRNA stability and de novo protein synthesis is required for the reduction of the TAO mRNA pool in the procyclic form. [source] Induction and maintenance of late-phase long-term potentiation in isolated dendrites of rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuronesTHE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005Catherine A. Vickers Expression of N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus can be divided into an early (1,2 h), protein synthesis-independent phase and a late (>4 h), protein synthesis-dependent phase. In this study we have addressed whether the de novo protein synthesis required for the expression of late-LTP can be sustained solely from the translation of mRNAs located in the dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurones. Our results show that late-LTP, lasting at least 5 h, can be maintained in hippocampal slices where the dendrites located in stratum radiatum have been isolated from their cell bodies by a microsurgical cut. The magnitude of the potentiation of the slope of field EPSPs in these ,isolated' slices was similar to that recorded in ,intact' slices. Incubation of the slices with the mRNA translation inhibitor cycloheximide or the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor rapamycin blocked late-LTP in both ,intact' and ,isolated' slice preparations. In contrast, incubation of slices with the transcription inhibitor, actinomycin D, resulted in a reduction of sustained potentiation, at 4 h, in ,intact' slices while in ,isolated' slices the magnitude of potentiation was similar to that seen in untreated slices. These results indicate that late-LTP can be induced and maintained in ,isolated' dendritic preparations via translation of pre-existing mRNAs. [source] Sequence-selective DNA binding drugs mithramycin A and chromomycin A3 are potent inhibitors of neuronal apoptosis induced by oxidative stress and DNA damage in cortical neuronsANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 3 2001Sukalyan Chatterjee PhD Global inhibitors of RNA or protein synthesis such as actinomycin D or cycloheximide abrogate neuronal apoptosis induced by numerous pathological stimuli in vitro and in vivo. The clinical application of actinomycin D or cycloheximide to human neurological disease has been limited by the toxicities of these agents. To overcome these toxicities, strategies must be developed to inhibit selectively the expression of deleterious proapoptotic proteins, while leaving the expression of antiapoptotic, proregeneration, and other critical homeostatic proteins unperturbed. Mithramycin A (trade name Plicamycin) is an aureolic acid antibiotic that has been used in humans to treat hypercalcemia and several types of cancers. This class of agents is believed to act, in part, by selectively inhibiting gene expression by displacing transcriptional activators that bind to G-C-rich regions of promoters. Here we demonstrate that mithramycin A and its structural analog chromomycin A3 are potent inhibitors of neuronal apoptosis induced by glutathione depletion-induced oxidative stress or the DNA-damaging agent camptothecin. We correlate the protective effects of mithramycin A with its ability to inhibit enhanced DNA binding of the transcription factors Sp1 and Sp3 to their cognate "G-C" box induced by oxidative stress or DNA damage. The protective effects of mithramycin A cannot be attributed to global inhibition of protein synthesis. Together, these results suggest that mithramycin A and its structural analogs may be effective agents for the treatment of neurological diseases associated with aberrant activation of apoptosis and highlight the potential use of sequence-selective DNA-binding drugs as neurological therapeutics. Ann Neurol 2001;49:345,354 [source] Resistin induces expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in human articular chondrocytes via transcription and messenger RNA stabilizationARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 7 2010Zhiqi Zhang Objective To elucidate the effects of resistin on human articular chondrocytes and to generate a picture of their regulation at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Methods Human articular chondrocytes were cultured with resistin. Changes in gene expression were analyzed at various doses and times. Cells were also treated with the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D after resistin treatment or with the NF-,B inhibitor IKK-NBD before resistin treatment. Gene expression was tested by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Computational analysis for transcription factor binding motifs was performed on the promoter regions of differentially expressed genes. TC-28 chondrocytes were transfected with CCL3 and CCL4 promoter constructs, pNF-,B reporter, and NF-,B and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein , (C/EBP,) expression vectors with or without resistin. Results Resistin-treated human articular chondrocytes increased the expression of cytokines and chemokines. Levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) for matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), MMP-13, and ADAMTS-4 also increased, while type II collagen ,1 (COL2A1) and aggrecan were down-regulated. The cytokine and chemokine genes could be categorized into 3 groups according to the pattern of mRNA expression over a 24-hour time course. One pattern suggested rapid regulation by mRNA stability. The second and third patterns were consistent with transcriptional regulation. Computational analysis suggested the transcription factors NF-,B and C/EBP, were involved in the resistin-induced up-regulation. This prediction was confirmed by the cotransfection of NF-,B and C/EBP, and the IKK-NBD inhibition. Conclusion Resistin has diverse effects on gene expression in human chondrocytes, affecting chemokines, cytokines, and matrix genes. Messenger RNA stabilization and transcriptional up-regulation are involved in resistin-induced gene expression in human chondrocytes. [source] Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of d(ACGTAGCTACGT)2:[actinomycin D, (echinomycin)2] and d(ACGTAGCTACGT)2:[actinomycin D, (triostin A)2] complexesACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 3 2000Hana L. Takusagawa A DNA,multiple drug complex, d(ACGTAGCTACGT)2:[actinomycin D, (echinomycin)2] has been crystallized. The crystals belong to the monoclinic space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 85.6, b = 72.8, c = 56.6,Å, , = 101.5° at 93,K and Z = 8.,The crystal diffracted to 3.0,Å resolution along the DNA fiber axis and to 3.5,Å resolution in other directions. The Patterson maps indicate that all complexes in the crystal are oriented along their helical axes in the [10] direction. [source] Interleukin-4 increases murine airway response to kinins, via up-regulation of bradykinin B1 -receptors and altered signalling along mitogen-activated protein kinase pathwaysCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 8 2004M. Bryborn Summary Background IL-4 is believed to play a role in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease through promotion of eosinophilic inflammation and mucus hypersecretion. Whether IL-4 can induce a direct effect on airway smooth muscle remains unknown. Objective To investigate the effect of IL-4 on airway smooth muscle, focusing on the contractile response to des-Arg9 -bradykinin and bradykinin. Methods Tracheal segments from murine airways were cultured for 1,8 days in the absence and presence of IL-4. The smooth muscle response induced by des-Arg9 -bradykinin and bradykinin was investigated in myographs. Expression levels for the IL-4-, bradykinin B1 - and B2 -receptors were characterized using RT-PCR. Specific inhibitors were used to study signal changes along the IL-4 receptor- (IL-4R-) coupled mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (MAPK) pathways. Results IL-4 treatment increased the contractile response to des-Arg9 -bradykinin and bradykinin in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Dexamethasone and the transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D blocked this effect. c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor SP600125 also blocked the effect of both des-Arg9 -bradykinin and bradykinin, whereas p38 inhibitor SB203580 blocked only the former and the MAPKK inhibitor PD098059, only the latter agonist responses. IL-4 treatment increased the mRNA levels representing bradykinin B1 - but not B2 -receptors. Levels of IL-4R were not altered during culture. Conclusion Long-term exposure to IL-4 increases the contractile response induced by des-Arg9 -bradykinin and bradykinin in cultured murine airways. This effect appears to be mediated via an up-regulation of B1 -receptors and altered signalling along the MAPK pathways. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||