B Transcriptional Activity (b + transcriptional_activity)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Inositol hexaphosphate inhibits ultraviolet B,induced signal transduction

MOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS, Issue 3 2001
Nanyue Chen
Abstract Inositol hexaphosphate (InsP6) has an effective anticancer action in many experimental models in vivo and in vitro. Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is believed to be responsible for many of the carcinogenic effects related to sun exposure, and alteration in UVB-induced signal transduction is associated with UVB-induced carcinogenesis. Here we report the effects of InsP6 on UVB-induced signal transduction. InsP6 strongly blocked UVB-induced activator protein-1 (AP-1) and NF-,B transcriptional activities in a dose-dependent manner. InsP6 also suppressed UVB-induced AP-1 and nuclear factor ,B (NF-,B) DNA binding activities and inhibited UVB-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (Erks) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNKs). Phosphorylation of p38 kinases was not affected. InsP6 also blocked UVB-induced phosphorylation of I,B-,, which is known to result in the inhibition of NF-,B transcriptional activity. InsP6 does not block UVB-induced phosphotidylinositol-3, (PI-3) kinase activity, suggesting that the inhibition of UVB-induced AP-1 and NF-,B activities by InsP6 is not mediated through PI-3 kinase. Because AP-1 and NF-,B are important nuclear transcription factors that are related to tumor promotion, our work suggests that InsP6 prevents UVB-induced carcinogenesis by inhibiting AP-1 and NF-,B transcription activities. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Lipoxin A4 inhibited hepatocyte growth factor-induced invasion of human hepatoma cells

HEPATOLOGY RESEARCH, Issue 9 2009
Xiao-Yan Zhou
Aim:, Inflammation is a critical component of tumor progression. Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) has been approved for potent anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, it was reported that LXA4 repressed the expression and activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is essential for invasion. However, there are few reports dealing with its effects on cancer. To explore whether LXA4 regulate invasion, the effects of LXA4 and its receptor agonist BML-111 on hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced invasion of hepatoma cells and the possible mechanisms were researched. Methods:, Lipoxin A4 receptor (ALX) expression in HepG2 cells were measured through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Cytotoxicity of LXA4 and BML-111 to HepG2 cells was detected by MTT and (3H)-TdR incorporation assay. Cell migration and invasion assays were performed using a Boyden chemotaxis chamber. COX-2 expression was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot, respectively. Moreover, the expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2, MMP-9, I,B, and nuclear factor-,B (NF-,B) p65 were observed via western blot, and NF-,B transcriptional activity was tested by transfections and luciferase activities assay. Results:, ALX expression was detected in HepG2 cells, and suitable concentrations of LXA4 and BML-111 had no cytotoxicity to cells. LXA4 and BML-111 inhibited HGF-induced migration and invasion; downregulated COX-2, MMP-2 and -9; restrained HGF-induced I,B, degradation, NF-,B translocation and the transcriptional activity of NF-,B in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, exogenous PGE2 could reverse the inhibitory effects of LXA4 also BML-111 on HGF-induced invasion and migration partially. Conclusion:, LXA4 inhibited HGF-induced invasion of HepG2 cells through NF-,B/COX-2 signaling pathway partially. [source]


Plant sterol guggulsterone inhibits nuclear factor-,B signaling in intestinal epithelial cells by blocking I,B kinase and ameliorates acute murine colitis

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 12 2006
Jae Hee Cheon MD
Abstract Background/Aims: The plant sterol guggulsterone has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. It remains unknown, however, whether guggulsterone is effective for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, we investigated anti-inflammatory effects of guggulsterone on intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) and on experimental murine colitis models and elucidated its molecular mechanisms. Methods: Human Caco-2 cells and rat non-transformed IEC-18 cells were stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1, or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with or without guggulsterone. The effects of guggulsterone on nuclear factor (NF)-,B signaling in IEC were examined by intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, NF-,B transcriptional activity assay, Western blotting for I,B phosphorylation/degradation, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and in vitro I,B kinase (IKK) assay. For in vivo study, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-treated mice were fed with or without guggulsterone. Colitis was quantified by disease activity index and evaluation of macroscopic and microscopic findings. Phosphorylation of I,B and IKK in colon mucosa was assessed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results: Guggulsterone significantly inhibited LPS- or IL-1,-induced ICAM-1 gene expression, NF-,B transcriptional activity, I,B phosphorylation/degradation, and NF-,B DNA binding activity in IEC. Moreover, guggulsterone strongly blocked IKK activity. Administration of guggulsterone significantly reduced the severity of DSS-induced murine colitis as assessed by clinical disease activity score, colon length, and histology. Furthermore, tissue upregulation of I,B and IKK phosphorylation induced by DSS was attenuated in guggulsterone-treated mice. Conclusion: Guggulsterone blocks NF-,B signaling pathway by targeting IKK complex in IEC and attenuates DSS-induced acute murine colitis, which suggests that guggulsterone could be an attractive therapeutic option in the treatment of IBD. [source]


The DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX1 interacts with RelA and enhances nuclear factor kappaB-mediated transcription

JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2009
Musarat Ishaq
Abstract DEAD-box RNA helicases constitute the largest family of RNA helicases and are involved in many aspects of RNA metabolism. In this study, we identified RelA (p65), a subunit of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-,B), as a cellular co-factor of DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX1, through mammalian two hybrid system and co-immunoprecipitation assay. Additionally, confocal microscopy and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed this interaction. In NF-,B dependent reporter gene assay, DDX1 acted as a co-activator to enhance NF-,B-mediated transcription activation. The functional domains involved were mapped to the carboxy terminal transactivation domain of RelA and the amino terminal ATPase/helicase domain of DDX1. The DDX1 trans-dominant negative mutant lacking ATP-dependent RNA helicase activity lost it transcriptional inducer activity. Moreover, depletion of endogenous DDX1 by specific small interfering RNAs significantly reduced NF-,B-dependent transcription. Taken together, the results suggest that DDX1 may play an important role in NF-,B-mediated transactivation, and revelation of this regulatory pathway may help to explore the novel mechanisms for regulating NF-,B transcriptional activity. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 296,305, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Antifibrotic effects of tetrandrine on hepatic stellate cells and rats with liver fibrosis

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
Yi-Chao Hsu
Abstract Background:, Anti-inflammation strategies are one of the proposed therapeutic approaches to hepatic fibrosis. Tetrandrine (C38H42O8N2, molecular weight: 622; Tet), an alkaloid isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Stephania tetrandra, has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory activity in pulmonary diseases. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of Tet on hepatic fibrosis. Methods:, A cell line of rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6) was stimulated with transforming growth factor-,1 (TGF-,1) or tumor necrosis factor-, (TNF-,). The inhibitory effects of Tet on the nuclear factor ,B (NF,B) signaling cascade and molecular markers including intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and ,-smooth muscle actin (,-SMA) secretion were assessed. Fibrosis was induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) administration in rats for 4 weeks. Fibrotic rats were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: vehicle (0.7% carboxyl methyl cellulose, CMC), Tet (1 mg/kg), Tet (5 mg/kg), or silymarin (50 mg/kg), each given by gavage twice daily for 3 weeks starting after 1 week of DMN administration. At the end of the study, liver tissues were scored for fibrosis and analyzed for molecular markers of fibrosis. Results:, Tetrandrine (0.5,5.0 µmol/L) concentration-dependently inhibited NF,B transcriptional activity induced by TNF-,, including I,B, phosphorylation and mRNA expressions of ICAM-1 in HSC-T6 cells. In addition, Tet also inhibited TGF-,1-induced ,-SMA secretion and collagen deposition in HSC-T6 cells. Fibrosis scores of livers from DMN-treated rats with high-dose Tet (1.3 ± 0.3) were significantly reduced in comparison with DMN-treated rats receiving saline (2.0 ± 0.2). Hepatic collagen content of DMN rats was significantly reduced by either Tet or silymarin treatment. Double-staining results showed that ,-SMA- and NF,B-positive cells were decreased in the fibrotic livers by Tet and silymarin treatment. In addition, mRNA expression of ICAM-1, ,-SMA, and TGF-,1 was attenuated by Tet treatment. Moreover, levels of plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities were reduced by Tet and silymarin treatment. Conclusion:, Tetrandrine exerts antifibrotic effects in both HSC-T6 cells and in rats with DMN-induced fibrosis. [source]


Minocycline exerts inhibitory effects on multiple mitogen-activated protein kinases and I,B, degradation in a stimulus-specific manner in microglia

JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2006
Maria Nikodemova
Abstract CNS inflammation mediated by microglial activation can result in neuronal and glial cell death in a variety of neurodegenerative and demyelinating diseases. Minocycline, a second-generation tetracycline, has profound anti-inflammatory properties in the CNS mediated, in part, by inhibition of microglia. MAPK and nuclear factor-,B (NF-,B) activation are hallmarks of activated microglia and they are critical for the expression of many inflammatory mediators. In the present study, we investigated minocycline effects on activation of p38, c-Jun-N-terminal activated protein kinase (JNK) 1/2 and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 MAPKs and inhibitor , of NF-,B (I,B,) degradation in BV-2 and primary microglial cells. Our results demonstrate that minocycline has the ability to inhibit all MAPKs but these effects strongly depend on the stimulus used for MAPK activation. Minocycline significantly decreased activation of all lipopolysaccharide-stimulated MAPKs but it was without effect on MAPKs activated by H2O2. Minocycline inhibited JNK1/2 and ERK1/2 but not p38 when stimulated by 2,,3,- O -(4-benzoylbenzoyl)-adenosine 5,-triphosphate, indicating that minocycline affects only certain upstream signaling target(s) that are stimulus-specific. Our data also suggest that protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition may be partially involved in the minocycline mechanism of MAPK inhibition. In addition, minocycline attenuated lipopolysaccharide-stimulated degradation of I,B, implying a possible inhibitory role on NF-,B transcriptional activity. [source]


Apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons is associated with reduced interaction between CREB-binding protein and NF-,B

JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2003
Asligul Yalcin
Abstract Cerebellar granule neurons undergo apoptosis when switched from medium containing depolarizing levels of potassium (high K+ medium, HK) to medium containing low K+ (LK). NF-,B, a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor, is involved in the survival-promoting effects of HK. However, neither the expression nor the intracellular localization of the five NF-,B proteins, or of I,B-, and I,B-,, are altered in neurons primed to undergo apoptosis by LK, suggesting that uncommon mechanisms regulate NF-,B activity in granule neurons. In this study, we show that p65 interacts with the transcriptional co-activator, CREB-binding protein (CBP), in healthy neurons. The decrease in NF-,B transcriptional activity caused by LK treatment is accompanied by a reduction in the interaction between p65 and CBP, an alteration that is accompanied by hyperphosporylation of CBP. LK-induced CBP hyperphosphorylation can be mimicked by inhibitors of protein phosphatase (PP) 2A and PP2A-like phosphatases such as okadaic acid and cantharidin, which also causes a reduction in p65,CBP association. In addition, treatment with these inhibitors induces cell death. Treatment with high concentrations of the broad-spectrum kinase inhibitor staurosporine prevents LK-mediated CBP hyperphosphorylation and inhibits cell death. In vitro kinase assays using glutathione- S -transferase (GST)-CBP fusion proteins map the LK-regulated site of phosphorylation to a region spanning residues 1662,1840 of CBP. Our results are consistent with possibility that LK-induced apoptosis is triggered by CBP hyperphosphorylation, an alteration that causes the dissociation of CBP and NF-,B. [source]


Inositol hexaphosphate inhibits ultraviolet B,induced signal transduction

MOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS, Issue 3 2001
Nanyue Chen
Abstract Inositol hexaphosphate (InsP6) has an effective anticancer action in many experimental models in vivo and in vitro. Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is believed to be responsible for many of the carcinogenic effects related to sun exposure, and alteration in UVB-induced signal transduction is associated with UVB-induced carcinogenesis. Here we report the effects of InsP6 on UVB-induced signal transduction. InsP6 strongly blocked UVB-induced activator protein-1 (AP-1) and NF-,B transcriptional activities in a dose-dependent manner. InsP6 also suppressed UVB-induced AP-1 and nuclear factor ,B (NF-,B) DNA binding activities and inhibited UVB-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (Erks) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNKs). Phosphorylation of p38 kinases was not affected. InsP6 also blocked UVB-induced phosphorylation of I,B-,, which is known to result in the inhibition of NF-,B transcriptional activity. InsP6 does not block UVB-induced phosphotidylinositol-3, (PI-3) kinase activity, suggesting that the inhibition of UVB-induced AP-1 and NF-,B activities by InsP6 is not mediated through PI-3 kinase. Because AP-1 and NF-,B are important nuclear transcription factors that are related to tumor promotion, our work suggests that InsP6 prevents UVB-induced carcinogenesis by inhibiting AP-1 and NF-,B transcription activities. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]