Human Cells (human + cell)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Life Sciences

Kinds of Human Cells

  • normal human cell
  • primary human cell

  • Terms modified by Human Cells

  • human cell line
  • human cell system
  • human cell type

  • Selected Abstracts


    Green Tea Phenol Extracts Reduce UVB-induced DNA Damage in Human Cells via Interleukin-12,

    PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
    Agatha Schwarz
    Green tea chemoprevention has been a focus of recent research, as a polyphenolic fraction from green tea (GTP) has been suggested to prevent UV radiation-induced skin cancer. Recently, it was demonstrated that GTP reduced the risk for skin cancer in a murine photocarcinogenesis model. This was accompanied by a reduction in UV-induced DNA damage. These effects appeared to be mediated via interleukin (IL)-12, which was previously shown to induce DNA repair. Therefore, we studied whether GTP induction of IL-12 and DNA repair could also be observed in human cells. KB cells and normal human keratinocytes were exposed to GTP 5 h before and after UVB. UVB-induced apoptosis was reduced in UVB-exposed cells treated with GTP. GTP induced the secretion of IL-12 in keratinocytes. The reduction in UV-induced cell death by GTP was almost completely reversed upon addition of an anti-IL-12-antibody, indicating that the reduction of UV-induced cell death by GTP is mediated via IL-12. The ability of IL-12 to reduce DNA damage and sunburn cells was confirmed in "human living skin equivalent" models. Hence the previously reported UV-protective effects of GTP appear to be mediated in human cells via IL-12, most likely through induction of DNA repair. [source]


    Cultured Autologous Human Cells for Hard Tissue Regeneration: Preparation and Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Bone Marrow

    ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 1 2004
    Noriko Kotobuki
    Abstract:, Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells and can be induced in vitro and in vivo to differentiate not only into the variety of mesodermal cells, but into either ectodermal or endodermal cells. This capability indicates the usefulness of MSCs for tissue engineering. Cell surface antigen analyses using various types of CD antibodies demonstrated that adherent fibroblastic cells derived from fresh human bone marrow are mesenchymal types and the cells showed extensive capability for proliferation and/or differentiation. We labeled the adherent cultured marrow cells as MSCs and, significantly, found the MSCs could even proliferate from aged marrow cells. After about sixteen days of culturing, we were able to harvest 100 million MSCs from only 3 ml of fresh human marrow. Moreover, the MSCs could be cryopreserved at ,80°C without noticeable loss of viability and capability of osteoblastic differentiation. These results indicate that MSCs hold promise for utilization in hard tissue regeneration. [source]


    Casearin X, Its Degradation Product and Other Clerodane Diterpenes from Leaves of Casearia sylvestris: Evaluation of Cytotoxicity against Normal and Tumor Human Cells

    CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY, Issue 1 2010
    André Gonzaga, Santos
    Abstract An EtOH extract of the leaves of Casearia sylvestris afforded new clerodane diterpene, casearin X, together with the known compounds casearins B, D, L, and O, and caseargrewiin F. Casearin X degraded to the corresponding dialdehyde when stored in CDCl3. The diterpenes isolated were cytotoxic to human cancer cell lines, with caseargrewiin F being the most active and the new clerodane, casearin X, the second active compound with IC50 values comparable to the positive control doxorubicin. All isolated diterpenes showed lower activities against normal human cells than against cancer cell lines, which might indicate a possible selective action on cancer cells. Casearin X dialdehyde was not cytotoxic to cancer cells indicating that the occurrence of these CO groups at C(18) and C(19) is incompatible with the cytotoxic activity. [source]


    Annulus cells release ATP in response to vibratory loading in vitro

    JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2003
    Satoru Yamazaki
    Abstract Mechanical forces regulate the developmental path and phenotype of a variety of tissues and cultured cells. Vibratory loading as a mechanical stimulus occurs in connective tissues due to energy returned from ground reaction forces, as well as a mechanical input from use of motorized tools and vehicles. Structures in the spine may be particularly at risk when exposed to destructive vibratory stimuli. Cells from many tissues respond to mechanical stimuli, such as fluid flow, by increasing intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]ic) and releasing adenosine 5,-triphosphate (ATP), extracellularly, as a mediator to activate signaling pathways. Therefore, we examined whether ATP is released from rabbit (rAN) and human (hAN) intervertebral disc annulus cells in response to vibratory loading. ATP release from annulus cells by vibratory stimulation as well as in control cells was quantitated using a firefly luciferin-luciferase assay. Cultured hAN and rAN cells had a basal level of extracellular ATP ([ATP]ec) in the range of 1,1.5 nM. Vibratory loading of hAN cells stimulated ATP release, reaching a net maximum [ATP] within 10 min of continuous vibration, and shortly thereafter, [ATP] declined and returned to below baseline level. [ATP] in the supernatant fluid of hAN cells was significantly reduced compared to the control level when the cells received vibration for longer than 15 min. In rAN cells, [ATP] was increased in response to vibratory loading, attaining a level significantly greater than that of the control after 30 min of continuous vibration. Results of the current study show that resting annulus cells secrete ATP and maintain a basal [ATP]ec. Annulus cells may use this nucleotide as a signaling messenger in an autocrine/paracrine fashion in response to vibratory loading. Rapid degradation of ATP to ADP may alternatively modulate cellular responses. It is hypothesized that exposure to repetitive, complex vibration regimens may activate signaling pathways that regulate matrix destruction in the disc. As in tendon cells, ATP may block subsequent responses to load and modulate the vibration response. Rabbit annulus cells were used as a readily obtainable source of cells in development of an animal model for testing effects of vibration on the disc. Human cells obtained from discarded surgical specimens were used to correlate responses of animal to human cells. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Impact of mutant p53 functional properties on TP53 mutation patterns and tumor phenotype: lessons from recent developments in the IARC TP53 database,,

    HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 6 2007
    Audrey Petitjean
    Abstract The tumor suppressor gene TP53 is frequently mutated in human cancers. More than 75% of all mutations are missense substitutions that have been extensively analyzed in various yeast and human cell assays. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) TP53 database (www-p53.iarc.fr) compiles all genetic variations that have been reported in TP53. Here, we present recent database developments that include new annotations on the functional properties of mutant proteins, and we perform a systematic analysis of the database to determine the functional properties that contribute to the occurrence of mutational "hotspots" in different cancer types and to the phenotype of tumors. This analysis showed that loss of transactivation capacity is a key factor for the selection of missense mutations, and that difference in mutation frequencies is closely related to nucleotide substitution rates along TP53 coding sequence. An interesting new finding is that in patients with an inherited missense mutation, the age at onset of tumors was related to the functional severity of the mutation, mutations with total loss of transactivation activity being associated with earlier cancer onset compared to mutations that retain partial transactivation capacity. Furthermore, 80% of the most common mutants show a capacity to exert dominant-negative effect (DNE) over wild-type p53, compared to only 45% of the less frequent mutants studied, suggesting that DNE may play a role in shaping mutation patterns. These results provide new insights into the factors that shape mutation patterns and influence mutation phenotype, which may have clinical interest. Hum Mutat 28(6), 622,629, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Quantitative profiling of LNCaP prostate cancer cells using isotope-coded affinity tags and mass spectrometry

    PROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 4 2004
    Katie L. Meehan
    Abstract Androgens are involved in the pathogenesis of diseases including adenocarcinoma of the prostate. These hormones are important for growth, maintenance, and integrity of structure and function of the prostate. Androgen-deprivation is currently the only effective systemic therapy for prostate cancer but the effects of androgens on the proteome are still poorly described. Here we quantitatively profile changes in the proteome of LNCaP human prostate cancer cells in response to androgen using the newly developed isotope-coded affinity tag (ICAT) labeling and two-dimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (2-D LC-MS/MS). ICAT enables the concurrent identification and comparative quantitative analysis of proteins present in various biological samples including human cell and tissue extracts. Quantification and identification of 139 proteins in complex protein mixtures obtained from androgen-stimulated and unstimulated LNCaP cells were achieved. Changes in levels of 77 proteins in response to androgens were detected. Some of these proteins have been previously reported to be regulated by androgens and include spermine synthase, fatty acid synthase and calreticulin precursor. A large number of proteins that have not been previously reported to be expressed in prostate cells were also quantitatively identified. Examples of these include members of the dual specificity protein phosphatase subfamily, "similar" to hypothetical protein DKFZp434B0328.1, "similar" to 14-3-3 protein zeta and "similar" to hypothetical protein 458, components of the actin cytoskeleton and a range of unknown/uncharacterized proteins. This catalogue of proteins provides an overview of the proteome of prostate cancer cells and the global changes that occur in response to androgens. [source]


    Vegetable cells in Papanicolaou-stained cervical smears

    DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2006
    Francesco Rivasi M.D.
    Abstract Vegetable cells are unusual findings in Papanicolaou-stained cervical smears; these structures could be wrongly mistaken for abnormal human cells, worm eggs, or spores by a cytologist encountering the possibility of meeting those elements in cytological analysis. Five cervicovaginal smears showing similar vegetable cells have been detected over a 3-yr period (2002,2004) in the course of a population screening program for cancer of the uterine cervix in Modena (Italy) involving 32,500 women. According to the clinical histories of the patients, the vaginal pharmaceutical drugs or appliances used were of different types: vaginal lavages, pessaries, and vaginal creams. Following a careful investigation, the only substance that can lead to vegetal elements has been identified as polysaccharide galactomannan, which is one of the excipient present in the drugs used. The authors have identified the origin of these contaminants and the means of pollution, using cytological and pharmaceutical investigation. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006;34:45,49. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Development of fluridil, a topical suppressor of the androgen receptor in androgenetic alopecia

    DRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, Issue 3 2003
    Allen L Seligson
    Abstract Nonsteroidal antiandrogens (AA) cannot be topically used for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) because of systemic resorption. A new class of androgen receptor (AR) suppressors designed for safe topical treatment of AGA was synthesized from (3-amino-2-hydroxy-2-methyl- N -(4-nitro-3-trifluoromethyl)phenyl) propanamide (BP-34), to contain perfluoroalkyl moieties. The trifluoromethyl derivative (fluridil) at 10 ,M decreased expression of the AR in LNCaP human cells by 95%, its serum half-life was 6 h; it decomposes hydrolytically to BP-34 and trifluoroacetic acid. Acute intraperitoneal maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of fluridil in mice is 270,300 mg/kg/d and the subacute MTD is 450 mg/kg/d. The oral LD50 in mice was 2,872 mg/kg in males, 2,232 mg/kg in females, and >2,500 mg/kg in rats. Fluridil solution in isopropanol was not cutaneously absorbed in rabbits, did not sensitize or show any phototoxic or photoallergic effects on guinea pig skin, and demonstrated no skin irritation potential in rabbits and humans. Fluridil solid induced only slight and reversible eye irritancy in rabbits and displayed no cytotoxicity to rabbit corneal fibroblasts in vitro. Fluridil demonstrated no significant mutagenicity potential by Ames method. In a double-blind study, 43 males with AGA, Norwood grade II to Va, used topical 2% fluridil in isopropanol or the vehicle daily for 12 months. Anagens (growing hairs) increased in the fluridil group from 76% to 89%. All hematological and biochemistry values remained within normal range, including testosterone, which varied but seasonally. No fluridil or its decomposition product (BP-34) was detected in serum. No adverse side effects were reported. Drug Dev. Res. 59:292,306, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Centriole separation in DNA damage-induced centrosome amplification

    ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 8 2009
    Chiara Saladino
    Abstract Altered centrosome numbers are seen in tumor cells in response to DNA damaging treatments and are hypothesised to contribute to cancer development. The mechanism by which the centrosome and chromosome cycles become disconnected after DNA damage is not yet clear. Here, we show that centrosome amplification occurs after ionising radiation (IR) in chicken DT40 cells that lack DNA-PK, Ku70, H2AX, Xpa, and Scc1, demonstrating that these activities are not required for centrosome amplification. We show that inhibition of topoisomerase II induces Chk1-dependent centrosome amplification, a similar response to that seen after IR. In the immortalised, nontransformed hTERT-RPE1 line, we observed centriole splitting, followed by dose-dependent centrosome amplification, after IR. We found that IR results in the formation of single, not multiple, daughter centrioles during centrosome amplification in U2OS osteosarcoma cells. Analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutant tumor cells showed high levels of centriole splitting in the absence of any treatment. IR caused pronounced levels of centrosome amplification in BRCA1 mutant breast cancer cells. These data show that centrosome amplification occurs after different forms of DNA damage in chicken cells, in nontransformed human cells and in human tumor cell lines, indicating that this is a general response to DNA damaging treatments. Together, our data suggest that centriole splitting is a key step in potentiation of the centrosome amplification that is a general response to DNA damage. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Genotoxicity of naturally occurring indole compounds: correlation between covalent DNA binding and other genotoxicity tests

    ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 1 2002
    M. Vijayaraj Reddy
    Abstract 3-Methylindole (3MI), melatonin (Mel), serotonin (Ser), and tryptamine (Tryp) were evaluated in vitro for their potential to induce DNA adducts, DNA strand breaks, chromosomal aberrations (Abs), inhibition of DNA synthesis, and mutations. All compounds produced DNA adducts in calf thymus DNA in the presence of rat liver S9. In cultured rat hepatocytes, all produced DNA adducts but none induced DNA strand breaks. In Chinese hamster ovary cells, 3MI and Mel produced DNA adducts, Abs, and inhibition of DNA synthesis with and without S9, except that Mel without S9 did not form adducts. Ser formed DNA adducts, was an equivocal Abs inducer, and suppressed DNA synthesis. Tryp induced neither adducts nor Abs, but did suppress DNA synthesis with S9. Ser and Tryp were less cytotoxic than 3MI and Mel. Mel, Ser, and Tryp failed to induce mutations in Salmonella and E. coli strains with or without S9. 3MI and Mel produced DNA adducts but not mutations in Salmonella TA100 with S9. 3MI and its metabolite indole 3-carbinol also did not induce mutations in a shuttle vector system in human cells. The lack of correlation between DNA adducts and other genotoxicity endpoints for these indole compounds may be due to the higher sensitivity of the 32P-postlabeling adduct assay or it may indicate that the indole-DNA adducts per se are not mutagenic and are not able to induce strand breaks or alkali-labile lesions. The indole-induced Abs may result from cytotoxicity and suppression of DNA synthesis with minimal if any contribution from DNA adducts. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 40:1,17, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    DiC14-amidine cationic liposomes stimulate myeloid dendritic cells through Toll-like receptor 4

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
    Tetsuya Tanaka
    Abstract DiC14-amidine cationic liposomes were recently shown to promote Th1 responses when mixed with allergen. To further define the mode of action of diC14-amidine as potential vaccine adjuvant, we characterized its effects on mouse and human myeloid dendritic cells (DC). First, we observed that, as compared with two other cationic liposomes, only diC14-amidine liposomes induced the production of IL-12p40 and TNF-, by mouse bone marrow-derived DC. DiC14-amidine liposomes also activated human DC, as shown by synthesis of IL-12p40 and TNF-,, accumulation of IL-6, IFN-, and CXCL10 mRNA, and up-regulation of membrane expression of CD80 and CD86. DC stimulation by diC14-amidine liposomes was associated with activation of NF-,B, ERK1/2, JNK and p38 MAP kinases. Finally, we demonstrated in mouse and human cells that diC14-amidine liposomes use Toll-like receptor 4 to elicit both MyD88-dependent and Toll/IL-1R-containing adaptor inducing interferon IFN-, (TRIF)-dependent responses. Supporting Information for this article is available at www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2040/2008/37998_s.pdf [source]


    Interaction between the CCR5 chemokine receptors and microbial HSP70

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 9 2006
    Trevor Whittall
    Abstract Evidence is presented that the microbial 70-kD heat shock protein (HSP70) binds to CCR5 chemokine receptors in CCR5-transfected cell lines and in primary human cells. Significant CCR5-mediated calcium mobilization was stimulated by HSP70 and inhibited with TAK,779, which is a specific CCR5 antagonist. HSP70-mediated activation of the p38 MAPK phosphorylation signaling pathway was also demonstrated in CCR5-transfected HEK 293 cells. Direct binding of three extracellular peptides of CCR5 to HSP70 was demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance. Functional evidence of an interaction between HSP70, CCR5 and CD40 was shown by enhanced production of CCL5 by HEK 293 cells transfected with both CD40 and CCR5. Primary monocyte-derived immature DC stimulated with HSP70 produced IL-12 p40, which showed dose-dependent inhibition of >90% on treatment with both TAK 779 and anti-CD40 mAb. Stimulation of IL-12 p40 or TNF-, by HSP70 was related to the differential cell surface expression of CCR5 in primary human immature and mature DC, and those with the homozygous ,,32 CCR5 mutation. These findings may be of significance in the interaction between HSP70 and immune responses of CCR5+ T cells in HIV-1 infection, as well as in inflammatory bowel disease. See accompanying commentary: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eji.200636551 [source]


    Functional association of human Ki-1/57 with pre-mRNA splicing events

    FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 14 2009
    Gustavo C. Bressan
    The cytoplasmic and nuclear protein Ki-1/57 was first identified in malignant cells from Hodgkin's lymphoma. Despite studies showing its phosphorylation, arginine methylation, and interaction with several regulatory proteins, the functional role of Ki-1/57 in human cells remains to be determined. Here, we investigated the relationship of Ki-1/57 with RNA functions. Through immunoprecipitation assays, we verified the association of Ki-1/57 with the endogenous splicing proteins hnRNPQ and SFRS9 in HeLa cell extracts. We also found that recombinant Ki-1/57 was able to bind to a poly-U RNA probe in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. In a classic splicing test, we showed that Ki-1/57 can modify the splicing site selection of the adenoviral E1A minigene in a dose-dependent manner. Further confocal and fluorescence microscopy analysis revealed the localization of enhanced green fluorescent protein,Ki-1/57 to nuclear bodies involved in RNA processing and or small nuclear ribonucleoprotein assembly, depending on the cellular methylation status and its N-terminal region. In summary, our findings suggest that Ki-1/57 is probably involved in cellular events related to RNA functions, such as pre-mRNA splicing. Structured digital abstract ,,MINT-7041074: Ki-1/57 (uniprotkb:Q5JVS0) physically interacts (MI:0915) with SF2P32 (uniprotkb:Q07021) by two hybrid (MI:0018) ,,MINT-7041232: Ki-1/57 (uniprotkb:Q5JVS0) physically interacts (MI:0915) with SFRS9 (uniprotkb:Q13242) by pull down (MI:0096) ,,MINT-7041203: P80-Coilin (uniprotkb:P38432) and Ki-1/57 (uniprotkb:Q5JVS0) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416) ,,MINT-7041217: SMN (uniprotkb:Q16637) and Ki-1/57 (uniprotkb:Q5JVS0) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416) ,,MINT-7041189: SC-35 (uniprotkb:Q01130) and Ki-1/57 (uniprotkb:Q5JVS0) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416) ,,MINT-7041169: NPM (uniprotkb:P06748) and Ki-1/57 (uniprotkb:Q5JVS0) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416) ,,MINT-7041249: Ki-1/57 (uniprotkb:Q5JVS0) physically interacts (MI:0915) with SFRS9 (uniprotkb:O60506) by pull down (MI:0096) ,,MINT-7041065: Ki-1/57 (uniprotkb:Q5JVS0) physically interacts (MI:0915) with SFRS9 (uniprotkb:Q13242) by two hybrid (MI:0018) ,,MINT-7041069: Ki-1/57 (uniprotkb:Q5JVS0) physically interacts (MI:0915) with YB1 (uniprotkb:P67809) by two hybrid (MI:0018) ,,MINT-7041079: Ki-1/57 (uniprotkb:Q5JVS0) physically interacts (MI:0915) with HNRPQ (uniprotkb:O60506) by two hybrid (MI:0018) ,,MINT-7041087: Ki-1/57 (uniprotkb:Q5JVS0) physically interacts (MI:0218) with HNRPQ3 (uniprotkb:O60506-1), HNRPQ2 (uniprotkb:O60506-2) and HNRPQ-1 (uniprotkb:O60506-3) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006) [source]


    Caspase-8- and JNK-dependent AP-1 activation is required for Fas ligand-induced IL-8 production

    FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 9 2007
    Norihiko Matsumoto
    Despite a dogma that apoptosis does not induce inflammation, Fas ligand (FasL), a well-known death factor, possesses pro-inflammatory activity. For example, FasL induces nuclear factor ,B (NF-,B) activity and interleukin 8 (IL-8) production by engagement of Fas in human cells. Here, we found that a dominant negative mutant of c-Jun, a component of the activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor, inhibits FasL-induced AP-1 activity and IL-8 production in HEK293 cells. Selective inhibition of AP-1 did not affect NF-,B activation and vice versa, indicating that their activations were not sequential events. The FasL-induced AP-1 activation could be inhibited by deleting or introducing the lymphoproliferation (lpr) -type point mutation into the Fas death domain (DD), knocking down the Fas-associated DD protein (FADD), abrogating caspase-8 expression with small interfering RNAs, or using inhibitors for pan-caspase and caspase-8 but not caspase-1 or caspase-3. Furthermore, wildtype, but not a catalytically inactive mutant, of caspase-8 reconstituted the FasL-induced AP-1 activation in caspase-8-deficient cells. Fas ligand induced the phosphorylation of two of the three major mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs): extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) but not p38 MAPK. Unexpectedly, an inhibitor for JNK but not for MAPK/ERK kinase inhibited the FasL-induced AP-1 activation and IL-8 production. These results demonstrate that FasL-induced AP-1 activation is required for optimal IL-8 production, and this process is mediated by FADD, caspase-8, and JNK. [source]


    Down-regulation of heme oxygenase-2 is associated with the increased expression of heme oxygenase-1 in human cell lines

    FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 23 2006
    Yuanying Ding
    Intracellular heme concentrations are maintained in part by heme degradation, which is catalyzed by heme oxygenase. Heme oxygenase consists of two structurally related isozymes, HO-1 and HO-2. Recent studies have identified HO-2 as a potential oxygen sensor. To gain further insights into the regulatory role of HO-2 in heme homeostasis, we analyzed the expression profiles of HO-2 and the biochemical consequences of HO-2 knockdown with specific short interfering RNA (siRNA) in human cells. Both HO-2 mRNA and protein are expressed in the eight human cancer cell lines examined, and HO-1 expression is detectable in five of the cell lines, including HeLa cervical cancer and HepG2 hepatoma. Down-regulation of HO-2 expression with siRNA against HO-2 (siHO-2) caused induction of HO-1 expression at both mRNA and protein levels in HeLa and HepG2 cells. In contrast, knockdown of HO-1 expression did not noticeably influence HO-2 expression. HO-2 knockdown prolonged the half-life of HO-1 mRNA twofold in HeLa cells. Transient transfection assays in HeLa cells revealed that the 4.5-kb human HO-1 gene promoter was activated with selective knockdown of HO-2 in a sequence-dependent manner. Moreover, HO-2 knockdown caused heme accumulation in HeLa and HepG2 cells only when exposed to exogenous hemin. HO-2 knockdown may mimic a certain physiological change that is important in the maintenance of cellular heme homeostasis. These results suggest that HO-2 may down-regulate the expression of HO-1, thereby directing the co-ordinated expression of HO-1 and HO-2. [source]


    Proteome analysis of human nuclear insoluble fractions

    GENES TO CELLS, Issue 8 2009
    Hideaki Takata
    The interphase nucleus is a highly ordered and compartmentalized organelle. Little is known regarding what elaborate mechanisms might exist to explain these properties of the nucleus. Also unresolved is whether some architectural components might facilitate the formation of functional intranuclear compartments or higher order chromatin structure. As the first step to address these questions, we performed an in-depth proteome analysis of nuclear insoluble fractions of human HeLa-S3 cells prepared by two different approaches: a high-salt/detergent/nuclease-resistant fraction and a lithium 3,5-diiodosalicylate/nuclease-resistant fraction. Proteins of the fractions were analyzed by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, identifying 333 and 330 proteins from each fraction respectively. Among the insoluble nuclear proteins, we identified 37 hitherto unknown or functionally uncharacterized proteins. The RNA recognition motif, WD40 repeats, HEAT repeats and the SAP domain were often found in these identified proteins. The subcellular distribution of selected proteins, including DEK protein and SON protein, demonstrated their novel associations with nuclear insoluble materials, corroborating our MS-based analysis. This study establishes a comprehensive catalog of the nuclear insoluble proteins in human cells. Further functional analysis of the proteins identified in our study will significantly improve our understanding of the dynamic organization of the interphase nucleus. [source]


    Human Mus81 and FANCB independently contribute to repair of DNA damage during replication

    GENES TO CELLS, Issue 10 2007
    Yuji Nomura
    Recent studies suggest a crucial role for homologous recombination (HR) in repairing replication-associated DNA lesions. In mammals, the Mus81 endonuclease and the Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway have been implicated in HR repair; however, their functional relationship has remained unexplored. Here, we knockout the genes for Mus81 and FANCB, a component of the FA core complex, in the human Nalm-6 cell line. We show that Mus81 plays an important role in cell proliferation to suppress cell death when FANCB is missing, indicating a functional linkage between Mus81 and the FA pathway. In DNA cross-link repair, roles for Mus81 and the FA pathway appear to have an overlapping function. Intriguingly, Mus81 and FANCB act independently in surviving exposure to camptothecin (CPT). Although CPT-induced FANCD2 and Mus81 foci co-localize with Rad51, loss of Mus81, but not FANCB, results in significantly decreased levels of spontaneous and CPT-induced sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs). In addition, Mus81, unlike FANCB, has no significant role in gene targeting as well as in repairing hydroxyurea (HU)-induced stalls of replication forks. Collectively, our results provide the first evidence for differential functions of Mus81 and the FA pathway in repair of DNA damage during replication in human cells. [source]


    RBP2 is an MRG15 complex component and down-regulates intragenic histone H3 lysine 4 methylation

    GENES TO CELLS, Issue 6 2007
    Tomohiro Hayakawa
    MRG15 is a conserved chromodomain protein that associates with histone deacetylases (HDACs) and Tip60-containing histone acetyltransferase (HAT) complexes. Here we further characterize MRG15-containing complexes and show a functional link between MRG15 and histone H3K4 demethylase activity in mammalian cells. MRG15 was predominantly localized to discrete nuclear subdomains enriched for Ser2 -phosphorylated RNA polymerase II, suggesting it is involved specifically with active transcription. Protein analysis of the MRG15-containing complexes led to the identification of RBP2, a JmjC domain-containing protein. Remarkably, over-expression of RBP2 greatly reduced the H3K4 methylation in culture human cells in vivo, and recombinant RBP2 efficiently removed H3K4 methylation of histone tails in vitro. Knockdown of RBP2 resulted in increased H3K4 methylation levels within transcribed regions of active genes. Our findings demonstrate that RBP2 associated with MRG15 complex to maintain reduced H3K4 methylation at transcribed regions, which may ensure the transcriptional elongation state. [source]


    Accumulation of multiple forms of lamin A with down-regulation of FACE-1 suppresses growth in senescent human cells

    GENES TO CELLS, Issue 3 2007
    Ryo Ukekawa
    5-Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) clearly induces a senescence-like phenomenon in every cell type. Proteome analysis revealed that lamin A and C were most highly increased in the nuclei of HeLa cells upon addition of BrdU. Immunoblot analysis also revealed marked accumulation of nuclear prelamin A. Consistently, farnesylated-proteins converting enzyme 1 (FACE-1) was markedly down-regulated in the same cells. Similar phenomena were also observed in normal human fibroblasts undergoing replicative senescence. Immunochemical analysis confirmed the above results. Lamin A is a major component of lamina and responsible for several genetic diseases. Thus, we ectopically expressed a wild-type, a mature type and a premature type of lamin in HeLa cells. All of these forms similarly inhibited colony formation and delayed cell cycle progression mainly through G2 phase. These results suggest that a change in the amount of lamin A, rather than appearance of its truncated form, is responsible for growth retardation in affected cells. [source]


    Comprehensive analysis of the ICEN (Interphase Centromere Complex) components enriched in the CENP-A chromatin of human cells

    GENES TO CELLS, Issue 6 2006
    Hiroshi Izuta
    The centromere is a chromatin structure essential for correct segregation of sister chromatids, and defects in this region often lead to aneuploidy and cancer. We have previously reported purification of the interphase centromere complex (ICEN) from HeLa cells, and have demonstrated the presence of 40 proteins (ICEN1,40), along with CENP-A, -B, -C, -H and hMis6, by proteomic analysis. Here we report analysis of seven ICEN components with unknown function. Centromere localization of EGFP-tagged ICEN22, 24, 32, 33, 36, 37 and 39 was observed in transformant cells. Depletion of each of these proteins by short RNA interference produced abnormal metaphase cells carrying misaligned chromosomes and also produced cells containing aneuploid chromosomes, implying that these ICEN proteins take part in kinetochore functions. Interestingly, in the ICEN22, 32, 33, 37 or 39 siRNA-transfected cells, CENP-H and hMis6 signals disappeared from all the centromeres in abnormal mitotic cells containing misaligned chromosomes. These results suggest that the seven components of the ICEN complex are predominantly localized at the centromeres and are required for kinetochore function perhaps through or not through loading of CENP-H and hMis6 onto the centromere. [source]


    Different roles of proteolipids and 70-kDa subunits of V-ATPase in growth and death of cultured human cells

    GENES TO CELLS, Issue 6 2003
    Hong Zhan
    Background: The vacuolar-type proton-translocating adenosine triphosphatase (V-ATPase) plays important roles in cell growth and tumour progression. V-ATPase is composed of two distinct structures, a hydrophilic catalytic cytosolic sector (V1) and a hydrophobic transmembrane sector (V0). The V1 sector is composed of 5,8 different subunits with the structure A3B3C1D1E1F1G1H1. The V0 sector is composed of 5 different subunits with the structure 1161381191166. The over-expression of 16-kDa proteolipid subunit of V-ATPase in the perinuclear region of the human adventitial fibroblasts promotes phenotypic modulation that contributes to neointimal formation and medial thickening. A relationship between oncogenicity and the expression of the 16-kDa proteolipid has also been suggested in human pancreatic carcinoma tissue. Results: We found that the mRNA levels of the 16-kDa proteolipid but not of the 70-kDa subunit of V-ATPase in human myofibroblasts were more abundant in serum-containing medium (MF(+) cells) than serum-free medium (MF(,) cells). In HeLa cells, the levels of mRNA and protein of the 16-kDa, 21-kDa or 70-kDa were clearly suppressed when the corresponding anti-sense oligonucleotides were administered to the culture medium. The growth rate and viability (mostly due to necrosis) of HeLa cells were reduced markedly by the 16-kDa and 21-kDa anti-sense, but little by the 70-kDa anti-sense, and not at all by any sense oligonucleotides. The localization of 16-kDa/21-kDa proteolipid subunits was different from that of the 70-kDa subunit in HeLa cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that the 16-kDa and 21-kDa proteolipid subunits of the V0 sector play crucial roles in growth and death of cultured human cells. Our results may provide new insights into the mechanism and therapeutic implications for vessel wall hyperplasia and tumorigenesis. [source]


    A single nucleotide polymorphism at the splice donor site of the human MYH base excision repair gene results in reduced translation efficiency of its transcripts

    GENES TO CELLS, Issue 5 2002
    Satoru Yamaguchi
    Background: Adenine paired with 8-hydroxyguanine, a major oxidatively damaged DNA lesion, is excised by mutY homologue (MYH) base excision repair protein in human cells. Since genetic polymorphisms of DNA repair genes associated with the activities and the expression levels of their products may modulate cancer susceptibility of individuals, we investigated the effect of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the MYH gene on the difference in the expression levels of its products. Results: An aberrant size of the , type nuclear form transcript was detected in a lung cancer cell line, VMRC-LCD, by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. The transcript contained the intron 1 sequence, and it was due to alternative splicing resulting from IVS1+5G/C SNP. The presence of the upstream open reading frame (ORF) on the 5,-side of the native ORF in the , type transcript from the IVS1+5C allele could reduce the translation efficiency of the transcript into the nuclear form protein. Thus, expression vectors bearing the 5,-untranslated region sequence of either the IVS1+5G or 5C allele were constructed. In vitro translation analysis, as well as Western blot and quantitative RT-PCR analyses of the H1299 lung cancer cell line transfected with these vectors, revealed that the translation efficiency of the IVS1+5C transcript into MYH protein was much lower (, 30%) than that of the IVS1+5G transcript. Conclusions: The SNP at the splice donor site of the MYH gene resulted in reduced translation efficiency of its transcripts. This is the fourth case of single nucleotide variations that cause alterations in translation initiation sites and translation efficiencies in human cells. [source]


    Cell cycle mechanisms of sister chromatid separation; Roles of Cut1/separin and Cut2/securin

    GENES TO CELLS, Issue 1 2000
    Mitsuhiro Yanagida
    The correct transmission of chromosomes from mother to daughter cells is fundamental for genetic inheritance. Separation and segregation of sister chromatids in growing cells occurs in the cell cycle stage called ,anaphase'. The basic process of sister chromatid separation is similar in all eukaryotes: many gene products required are conserved. In this review, the roles of two proteins essential for the onset of anaphase in fission yeast, Cut2/securin and Cut1/separin, are discussed with regard to cell cycle regulation, and compared with the postulated roles of homologous proteins in other organisms. Securin, like mitotic cyclins, is the target of the anaphase promoting complex (APC)/cyclosome and is polyubiquitinated before destruction in a manner dependent upon the destruction sequence. The anaphase never occurs properly in the absence of securin destruction. In human cells, securin is an oncogene. Separin is a large protein (MW ,180 kDa), the C-terminus of which is conserved, and is thought to be inhibited by association with securin at the nonconserved N-terminus. In the budding yeast, Esp1/separin is thought to be a component of proteolysis against Scc1, an essential subunit of cohesin which is thought to link duplicated sister chromatids up to the anaphase. Whether fission yeast Cut1/separin is also implicated in proteolysis of cohesin is discussed. [source]


    Amplification of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene in cervical carcinomas

    GENES, CHROMOSOMES AND CANCER, Issue 3 2002
    Anju Zhang
    The expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), the catalytic component of the telomerase complex, is required for activation of telomerase during immortalization and transformation of human cells. However, the biochemical and genetic mechanisms governing hTERT expression remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we examined hTERT amplification as a potential genetic event contributing to telomerase activation in cervical carcinomas. An amplification of the hTERT gene was found in 1/4 cervical cancer cell lines and 21/88 primary tumor samples derived from the patients with cervical carcinomas. An increase in the hTERT copy number was significantly correlated with higher levels of hTERT protein expression. Moreover, the hTERT alterations with the enhanced hTERT expression were exclusively observed in those tumors with high-risk human papillomavirus infection. Taken together, the hTERT gene amplification, directly or indirectly targeted by human papillomavirus, may be one of the driving forces responsible for upregulation of hTERT expression and activation of telomerase in cervical cancers. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Characterization of CC-chemokine receptor 7 expression on murine T cells in lymphoid tissues

    IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2003
    Olle Bjorkdahl
    Summary Expression of the lymph node homing and CC-chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7), with L-selectin (CD62L), has been shown to divide human memory T cells into two functionally distinct subsets. We generated a polyclonal antibody against murine CCR7 and used this antibody to study CCR7 expression on murine T-cell subsets. Using flow cytometric staining of T cells for visualisation expression of CCR7 in association with CD62L and CD44, a major population of CD4 or CD8 T cells expressing CCR7 were found to be CD62Lhigh CD44low, which would suggest a naïve cell phenotype. By analogy with human studies, memory cells could be subdivided into CCR7high CD62Lhigh CD44high (central memory) and CCR7low CD62Llow CD44high (effector memory). The proportions of these populations were different in lymph node, blood and spleen. Functional, short-term in vitro polyclonal stimulation of blood, spleen and lymph node cells from naive mice demonstrated that CCR7high CD4 T cells produced predominantly interleukin (IL)-2, whereas CCR7low CD4 T cells produced both IL-2 and interferon-, (IFN-,). However, in contrast to previously published reports, the CCR7high CD8 T-cell subpopulation produced both IFN-, and IL-2. Analysis of effector T cells, induced by immunization in vivo, showed that a proportion of activated naïve CD4 T cells down-regulated CCR7 only after multiple cell divisions, and this coincided with the down-regulation of CD62L and production of IL-4 and IFN-,. Finally, analysis of effector T cells during the phase of maximal clonal expansion of secondary immune responses in vivo indicated that the vast majority of both IL-2- and IFN-,-producing cells are CCR7low, while few cytokine-expressing CCR7high T cells were detected. Our results support the hypothesis, developed from studies with human cells, that CCR7 may separate functionally different murine memory T-cell subpopulations, but indicate additional complexity in that CCR7high CD8 T cells also may produce IFN-,. [source]


    Accelerated repair and reduced mutagenicity of oxidative DNA damage in human bladder cells expressing the E. coli FPG protein

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 7 2006
    Monica Ropolo
    Abstract Repair of some oxidized purines such as 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) is inefficient in human cells in comparison to repair of other major endogenous lesions (e.g. uracil, abasic sites or oxidized pyrimidines). This is due to the poor catalytic properties of hOGG1, the major DNA glycosylase involved in 8-oxoG removal. The formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (FPG) protein from E. coli is endowed with a potent 8-oxoG glycolytic activity coupled with a ,,,-AP lyase. In this study, we have expressed FPG fused to the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in human bladder cells to accelerate the repair of oxidative DNA damage. Cells expressing the fusion protein EGFP,FPG repaired 8-oxoG and AP sites at accelerated rates, in particular via the single-nucleotide insertion base excision repair (BER) pathway and were resistant to mutagenicity of the oxidizing carcinogen potassium bromate. FPG may stably protect human cells from some harmful effects of oxidative DNA damage. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Combinatorial Modification of Degradable Polymers Enables Transfection of Human Cells Comparable to Adenovirus,

    ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 19 2007
    J. Green
    End-modified poly(,-amino ester)s, easy-to-synthesize degradable polymers, are able to deliver DNA to primary human cells at levels comparable to adenovirus and two orders of magnitude better than the commonly used non-viral vector, polyethylenimine. Small structural changes are found to affect multiple steps of gene delivery including the DNA binding affinity, nanoparticle size, intracellular DNA uptake, and final protein expression. In vivo, these polymer modifications enhance DNA delivery to ovarian tumors. [source]


    Oncoapoptosis: A novel molecular therapeutic for cancer treatment

    IUBMB LIFE, Issue 2 2010
    John A. Blaho
    Abstract Many cancer cells refractory to radiation treatment and chemotherapy proliferate due to loss of intrinsic programmed cell death (apoptosis) regulation. Consequently, the resolution of these cancers are many times outside the management capabilities of conventional therapeutics. We have developed a replication defective herpes simplex virus system which triggers apoptosis specifically in transformed human cells, termed oncoapoptosis. Susceptibility to virus induced cell death is dependent on the p53 protein status in the tumor cells, indicating specific targeting of the treatment. Primary cells which produce functional p53 are resistant to oncoapoptotic killing but not to apoptosis induced by nonviral environmental factors. Thus, induction of apoptosis by nonreplicating virus is a feasible molecular therapeutic approach for killing human cancer cells. Our findings have important implications in designing novel virus-based anticancer strategies. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(2): 87,91, 2010 [source]


    Extra-nuclear signaling of estrogen receptors

    IUBMB LIFE, Issue 8 2008
    Xiao-Dong Fu
    Abstract Estrogen controls multiple biological functions through binding to estrogen receptors (ERs). Traditionally, ERs have been regarded as transcription factors regulating the expression of target genes. However, growing evidence of rapid estrogen's actions in a number of tissues has been accumulating and alternative mechanisms of signal transduction have been proposed. These so called "extra-nuclear actions" do not require gene expression or protein synthesis and are independent of the nuclear localization of ERs. Indeed, some of these actions are elicited by ERs residing at or near the plasma membrane. Membrane-associated molecules such as ion channels, G proteins, the tyrosine kinase c-Src as well as growth factor receptors are modulated by liganded ERs within the membrane, leading to the activation of downstream cascades such as mitogen-activated protein kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase, protein kinase A, and protein kinase C. These cascades mediate some important rapid actions of estrogen, such as the activation of nitric oxide synthesis or the remodeling of actin cytoskeleton. In addition, these pathways are critical for the regulation of the expression of a number of target proteins implicated in cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, movement, and homeostasis. In this manner, the extra-nuclear pathways are tightly integrated with the genomic pathways to orchestrate the full spectrum of estrogen's biological functions. The recent advancements in the characterization of the molecular basis of the extra-nuclear signaling of estrogen helps to understand the role of estrogen on human cells, and may in future turn out to be of relevance for clinical purposes. © 2008 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 60(8): 502,510, 2008 [source]


    Influence of the metabolic properties of human cells on the kinetic of formation of the major benzo[a]pyrene DNA adducts

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
    Caroline Marie
    Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants. Some of them, including benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), are tumorigenic due to their ability to generate DNA adducts. In order to define potential biomarkers of B[a]P exposure, the aim of the study was to identify the major stable DNA adducts in B[a]P-treated human cells. The role played by cellular metabolism on the nature and frequency of the DNA lesions was investigated using keratinocytes (HaCat) and actively metabolizing hepatocytes (HepG2) cell lines. Quantification of DNA damage was carried out by HPLC coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, a sensitive method making possible the selective detection of the different potential stable DNA adducts of B[a]P. These include two adducts of the 7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BPDE) pathway and three adducts of the radical cation pathway. The results indicate that incubation of cells with B[a]P induces almost exclusively the formation of BPDE DNA adducts on purine bases. The amount of DNA adducts generated in hepatocytes was found to be two orders of magnitude higher than that measured in keratinocytes. Interestingly, the level of the DNA adducts produced in the cells incubated with (±)- anti -BPDE was similar in the two cell lines, indicating that the difference observed upon incubation with B[a]P could be attributed to different kinetics of B[a]P metabolism. The repair rate of BPDE DNA adducts was identical in the two cell lines with a half-life estimated to be around 20 h. These data support the use of the stable BPDE DNA adducts, as relevant biomarkers of exposure to B[a]P. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]