Krüppel-like factor 4 mediates lysophosphatidic acid-stimulated migration and proliferation of PC3M prostate cancer cells

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer mortality among men in the United States. Accumulating evidence suggests that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) serves as an autocrine/paracrine mediator to affect initiation, progression and metastasis of prostate cancer. In the current study, we demonstrate that LPA stimulates migration and proliferation of highly metastatic human prostate cancer, PC-3M-luc-C6 cells. LPA-induced migration of PC-3M-luc-C6 cells was abrogated by pretreatment of PC-3M-luc-C6 cells with the LPA receptor 1/3 inhibitor Ki16425 or small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of endogenous LPA receptor 1, implicating a key role of the LPA-LPA receptor 1 signaling axis in migration of PC-3M-luc-C6 cells. In addition, LPA treatment resulted in augmented expression levels of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), and siRNA or short-hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated silencing of KLF4 expression resulted in the abolishment of LPA-stimulated migration and proliferation of PC-3M-luc-C6 cells. shRNA-mediated silencing of KLF4 expression resulted in the inhibition of in vivo growth of PC-3M-luc-C6 cells in a xenograft transplantation animal model. Taken together, these results suggest a key role of LPA-induced KLF4 expression in cell migration and proliferation of prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.     

Pyruvate cellular uptake and enzymatic conversion probed by dissolution DNP‐NMR: the impact of overexpressed membrane transporters

Pyruvate membrane crossing and its lactate dehydrogenase‐mediated conversion to lactate in cells featuring different levels of expression of membrane monocarboxylate transporters (MCT4) were probed by dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization‐enhanced NMR. Hyperpolarized ¹³C‐1‐labeled pyruvate was transferred to suspensions of rodent tumor cell carcinoma, cell line 39. The pyruvate‐to‐lactate conversion rate monitored by dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization‐NMR in carcinoma cells featuring native MCT4 expression level was lower than the rate observed for cells in which the human MCT4 gene was overexpressed. The enzymatic activity of lactate dehydrogenase was also assessed in buffer solutions, following the real‐time pyruvate‐to‐lactate conversion speeds at different enzyme concentrations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and pharmacological analysis of high affinity melatonin receptor ligands

We report the synthesis and radioligand binding analysis of a series of naphthalenic melatonin receptor ligands, N-[2-(7-alkoxy-2-methoxy-1-naphthyl)ethyl]propionamide. This series of ligands exhibits subpicomolar binding affinity to both MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors expressed in chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells.     

An In Vitro Anticancer,Antioxidant, and Phytochemical Study on Water Extract of Kalanchoe daigremontiana Raym.-Hamet and H. Perrier

Kalanchoe species are succulents with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties, as well as cytotoxic activity. One of the most popular species cultivated in Europe is Kalanchoe daigremontiana Raym.-Hamet and H. Perrier. In our study, we analyzed the phytochemical composition of K. daigremontiana water extract using UHPLC-QTOF-MS and estimated the cytotoxic activity of the extract on human ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, flow cytometry, luminometric, and fluorescent microscopy techniques. The expression levels of 92 genes associated with cell death were estimated via real-time PCR. The antioxidant activity was assessed via flow cytometry on human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line. The DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical and FRAP (ferric-reducing antioxidant power) assays were also applied. We identified twenty bufadienolide compounds in the water extract and quantified eleven. Bersaldegenin-1,3,5-orthoacetate and bryophyllin A were present in the highest amounts (757.4 ± 18.7 and 573.5 ± 27.2 ng/mg dry weight, respectively). The extract showed significant antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity, induced depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, and significantly arrested cell cycle in the S and G2/M phases of SKOV-3 cells. Caspases-3, 7, 8, and 9 were not activated during the treatment, which indicated non-apoptotic cell death triggered by the extract. Additionally, the extract increased the level of oxidative stress in the cancer cell line. In keratinocytes treated with menadione, the extract moderately reduced the level of oxidative stress. This antioxidant activity was confirmed by the DPPH and FRAP assays, where the obtained IC₅₀ values were 1750 ± 140 and 1271.82 ± 53.25 μg/mL, respectively. The real-time PCR analysis revealed that the extract may induce cell death via TNF receptor (tumor necrosis factor receptor) superfamily members 6 and 10.     

Principles of multienzyme purifications by affinity chromatography

Recently in our laboratory, up to 20 different enzymes and their genetic variants have been purified from mouse andDrosophila by affinity chromatography. By virtue of the specific coenzyme requirements, up to ten different enzymes could be copurified from a single tissue extract either by biospecific elutions with different coenzymes or inhibitors, or by sequential passages of the extract through several cofactor-related affinity columns. Important principles were developed to purify enzymes exhibiting low affinity to the affinity columns. By “affinity filtration” of the extract through the affinity column, enzymes of low affinity can be retarded and separated effectively from strongly bound and nonadsorbed proteins. By the “saturation readsorption” procedure, enzymes of low affinity could be effectively separated from those of high affinity by overloading of the extracts on the affinity columns. Readsorption of the leaked low affinity enzymes to a second affinity column often results in better enzyme purification because of the elimination of competitive high affinity enzymes. With the application of these principles, the following enzymes and their genetic variants were highly purified via a single- or two-step affinity column procedure: lactate dehydrogenase-A, lactate dehydrogenase-B, lactate dehydrogenase-X, phosphoglycerate kinase-A, phosphoglycerate kinase-B, cytoplasmic and mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione reductase, phosphoglucose isomerase and pyruvate kinase from mouse tissues; alcohol dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, α-glycerol-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase fromDrosophila.     

Manipulating Pyruvate Decarboxylase by Addition of Enzyme Regulators during Fermentation of Rhizopus oryzae to Enhance Lactic Acid Production

Ethanol was found as the major by-product in lactate fermentation by Rhizopus oryzae. Several methods have been conducted in order to limit ethanol formation, thus increasing the lactate yield. The direct way to suppress ethanol production can be done by inhibition of the responsible enzymes in the related pathway. Pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) are responsible for ethanol production in R. oryzae. Shunting the ethanol production pathway by targeting at PDC was attempted in this study. Three compounds including 4-methylpyrazole, glyoxylic acid, and 3-hydroxypyruvate with the in vitro reversible inhibitory effect on PDC were selected from the literature and were used to regulate the living cell of R. oryzae during the fermentation. The results show that 0.1 mM 4-methylpyrazole of which the structure resembled a thiazolium ring in thiamine diphosphate, PDC cofactor, and 1.0 μm 3-hydroxypyruvate, pyruvate analog, effectively hampered ethanol production. Further observation on the enzyme expression indicated that these two regulators not only targeted PDC but also caused changes in ADH and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities. This was perhaps due to the living cell of R. oryzae that responded to the presence of the regulators to balance the pyruvate flux and subsequently maintain its metabolic activities.     

Lactate and pyruvate levels correlation with lactate dehydrogenase gene expression and glucose consumption in Tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 cells using capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection (CE-C4D)

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer. The first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer in premenopausal women relies on tamoxifen. The development of tamoxifen resistance is not fully understood. In this study, capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector was developed to monitor the changes in lactate and pyruvate levels in supernatant media of three models of developed MCF-7 tamoxifen-resistant cells and correlate these metabolites changes with lactate dehydrogenase genes expression and glucose consumption. The electrophoretic separation was achieved under reversed electroosmotic flow conditions. The linear ranges were 0.15–5 and 0.01–1 mM with a correlation coefficient of 0.9966 and 0.9971 and the limits of detection were 0.01 and 0.02 μM for lactate and pyruvate, respectively. Inter- and intrarun accuracy were in the range of 96.88–105.94% with precision (CV, %) of ≤7.35%. The method was completely validated and the results were in agreement with those obtained using the lactate and glucose assay kits. The results revealed a significant increase in both lactate and pyruvate production in the three tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 cells models compared to control cells. This increase was correlated with the increase of lactate dehydrogenase genes expression and the increase of glucose consumption.     

Enzyme electrodes with substrate and co-enzyme amplification

The enzyme couples horseradish peroxidase/glucose dehydrogenase, glucose oxidase/glucose dehydrogenase, and cytochrome b₂/lactate dehydrogenase are applied in enzyme electrodes. Based on amplification by the recyclization reactions catalyzed by these two-enzyme systems, NADH, NAD⁺, glucose, lactate and pyruvate, are determined with 8–40-fold increased sensitivity compared to the unamplified reactions. Detection limits are 1.0 × 10^?6 M NADH, 1.2 × 10^?6 M NAD⁺, 8 × 10^?7 M glucose, and 3 × 10^?7 M lactate or pyruvate.     

姜黄素对食管癌KYSE410细胞的生长抑制与氧化调节

通过四氮唑蓝盐化合物(MTS)和重要氧化还原酶及其代谢物的试剂盒检测等方法, 考察了姜黄素对食管癌KYSE410细胞生长以及对细胞氧化还原状态和代谢的影响. 结果表明, 姜黄素对KYSE410细胞具有较强的抑制作用, 其IC₅₀=17.9 μmol/L. 进一步研究发现, 姜黄素可引起细胞培养上层清液中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)水平发生变化. 当姜黄素浓度为40 μmol/L时, MDA水平比对照组提高了125.1%, 而SOD水平则降低了43.2%; 同时, 乳酸水平降低了44.4%, 乳酸脱氢酶的活性下降了58.2%, 丙酮酸激酶的活性升高了216.7%. 姜黄素可能通过干扰氧化还原途径, 致使发生脂质过氧化反应, 并抑制肿瘤细胞糖酵解作用, 进而抑制食管癌KYSE410细胞增殖.     

A Biosensor for ADP with Internal Substrate Amplification

Abstract

An enzyme electrode was constructed from an oxygen electrode and a layer incorporating four enzyme systems for the sensitive determination of ADP and ATP. The cofactor is cycled between pyruvate kinase and hexokinase under formation of pyruvate which is detected by the coimmobilized, sequentially acting enzymes lactate dehydrogenase and lactate monooxygenase. The enzymatic recycling results in a 220-fold increased sensitivity to ADP compared to the unamplified reaction.     

Mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase 1 regulates the early differentiation of cardiomyocytes from mouse embryonic stem cells

Mitochondria are crucial for maintaining the properties of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and for regulating their subsequent differentiation into diverse cell lineages, including cardiomyocytes. However, mitochondrial regulators that manage the rate of differentiation or cell fate have been rarely identified. This study aimed to determine the potential mitochondrial factor that controls the differentiation of ESCs into cardiac myocytes. We induced cardiomyocyte differentiation from mouse ESCs (mESCs) and performed microarray assays to assess messenger RNA (mRNA) expression changes at differentiation day 8 (D8) compared with undifferentiated mESCs (D0). Among the differentially expressed genes, Pdp1 expression was significantly decreased (27-fold) on D8 compared to D0, which was accompanied by suppressed mitochondrial indices, including ATP levels, membrane potential, ROS and mitochondrial Ca²⁺. Notably, Pdp1 overexpression significantly enhanced the mitochondrial indices and pyruvate dehydrogenase activity and reduced the expression of cardiac differentiation marker mRNA and the cardiac differentiation rate compared to a mock control. In confirmation of this, a knockdown of the Pdp1 gene promoted the expression of cardiac differentiation marker mRNA and the cardiac differentiation rate. In conclusion, our results suggest that mitochondrial PDP1 is a potential regulator that controls cardiac differentiation at an early differentiation stage in ESCs.     

The In Vitro Anti-Cancer Activities and Mechanisms of Action of 9-Methoxycanthin-6-one from Eurycoma longifolia in Selected Cancer Cell Lines

An alkaloid compound from the hairy root culture of Eurycoma longifolia has been isolated and characterised as 9-methoxycanthin-6-one. The aims of these studies were to investigate the in vitro anti-cancer activities of 9-methoxycanthin-6-one against ovarian cancer (A2780, SKOV-3), breast cancer (MCF-7), colorectal cancer (HT29), skin cancer (A375) and cervical cancer (HeLa) cell lines by using a Sulphorhodamine B assay, and to evaluate the mechanisms of action of 9-methoxycanthin-6-one via the Hoechst 33342 assay and proteomics approach. The results had shown that 9-methoxycanthin-6-one gave IC₅₀ values of 4.04 ± 0.36 µM, 5.80 ± 0.40 µM, 15.09 ± 0.99 µM, 3.79 ± 0.069 µM, 5.71 ± 0.20 µM and 4.30 ± 0.27 µM when tested in A2780, SKOV-3, MCF-7, HT-29, A375 and HeLa cell lines, respectively. It was found that 9-methoxycanthin-6-one induced apoptosis in a concentration dependent manner when analysed via the Hoechst 33342 assay. 9-methoxycanthine-6-one were found to affect the expressions of apoptotic-related proteins, that were proteins pyruvate kinase (PKM), annexin A2 (ANXA2), galectin 3 (LGAL3), heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (HNRNP1A1), peroxiredoxin 3 (PRDX3), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) from the differential analysis of 2-DE profiles between treated and non-treated 9-methoxycanthine-6-one. Proteins such as acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2 (ACAA2), aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1A1), capping protein (CAPG), eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 (EEF1A1), malate dehydrogenase 2 (MDH2), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), and triosephosphate isomerase 1 (TPI1) were also identified to be associated with A2780 cell death induced by 9-methoxycanthine-6-one. These findings may provide a new insight on the mechanisms of action of 9-methoxycanthin-6-one in exerting its anti-cancer effects in vitro.     

Exogenous Melatonin Activating Nuclear Factor E2-Related Factor 2 (Nrf2) Pathway via Melatonin Receptor to Reduce Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Antler Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Antler growth depends on the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and this process may be adversely affected by oxidative stress. Melatonin (MLT) has antioxidant functions, but its role in Cervidae remains largely unknown. In this article, flow cytometry, reactive oxygen species (ROS) identification, qPCR, and other methods were used to investigate the protective mechanism of MLT in H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress of antler MSCs. The results showed that MLT significantly increases cell viability by relieving the oxidative stress of antler MSCs. MLT inhibits cell apoptosis by protecting mitochondrial function. We blocked the melatonin receptor with luzindole (Luz) and found that the receptor blockade significantly increases H₂O₂-induced hyperoxide levels and causes significant inhibition of mitochondrial function. MLT treatment activates the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) antioxidant signaling pathway, up-regulates the expression of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and other genes and it could inhibit apoptosis. In contrast, the melatonin receptor blockade down-regulates the expression of Nrf2 pathway-related genes, but significantly up-regulates the expression of apoptotic genes. It was indicated that MLT activates the Nrf2 pathway through the melatonin receptor and alleviates H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in antler MSCs. This study provides a theoretical basis for further studying the oxidative stress and antioxidant process of antler MSCs and, thereby, increasing antler yields.     

Click-Modified Anandamide siRNA Enables Delivery and Gene Silencing in Neuronal and Immune Cells

Click chemistry of alkyne-modified RNA with different receptor ligand azides was used to prepare 3'-folate, 3'-cholesterol, and, as a new entity, 3'-anandamide-modified RNA in high yields and excellent purity. The anandamide-modified RNA shows surprisingly high transfection properties and enables the delivery of siRNA even into difficult-to-transfect RBL-2H3 cells which model neuronal uptake. Furthermore, the system was employed in human immune cells (BJAB), demonstrating silencing effects similar to those of a cationic, benchmark transfection reagent. In addition, the anandamide conjugates were found to be nontoxic. The reported chemistry and the described properties of the anandamide siRNA extend the possibilities of using siRNA-based gene silencing in neuronal and immune cells.     

Construction and characterization of fermentative lactate dehydrogenase Escherichia coli mutant and its potential for bacterial hydrogen production

In Escherichia coli, classified as a mixed-acid producer in fermentation, D-lactate is one of the final metabolites from pyruvate. In order to achieve a high efficiency of bacterial hydrogen production from glucose, we have constructed an E. coli strain deficient in fermentative lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-A) by P1 transduction. The mutant, designated as MC13-4, entirely lost LDH-A activity while retaining whole formate hydrogenlyase activity. This mutation resulted in an increase in hydrogen production based on glucose consumed. The effect of uptake hydrogenases on the hydrogen production was also discussed.     

Molecular recognition and signal processing in biosensors

The specificity of molecular recognition is reflected to a high degree by the selectivity of the respective biosensor response. Therefore, the application of highly specific enzymes offers advantages for analytical purposes. Using lactate monooxygenase in combination with lactate dehydrogenase and pyruvate kinase, sequentially acting enzyme electrodes for lactate, pyruvate, ADP and enzyme activities, e.g. lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and aminotransferases were developed. A high sensitivity was achieved based on the cycling enzyme pairs hexokinase/pyruvate kinase for ATP and ADP, and lactate monooxygenase/malate dehydrogenase for malate and oxaloacetate, respectively. On the other hand, in a sensor for a large group of substances, the unspecific microsomal cytochrome P-450 system was applied.     

Thermochemistry of the reaction catalyzed by lactate dehydrogenase

The thermochemistry of the reduction of pyruvate to lactate, in the presence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced form); catalyzed by the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase, has been studied. After approximately 120 experiments, a best value for the enthalpy of reaction has been determined to be ?14.80±0.30 kcal mol^?1. This reveals that the driving force for the reaction is almost completely enthalpic in nature. In addition, using the current methodology, it is possible to determine lactate dehydrogenase activity as low as 0.15 international units (325 Wroblewski units) per sample.     

Exploring the Bile Stress Response of Lactobacillus mucosae LM1 through Exoproteome Analysis

Lactobacillus sp. have long been studied for their great potential in probiotic applications. Recently, proteomics analysis has become a useful tool for studies on potential lactobacilli probiotics. Specifically, proteomics has helped determine and describe the physiological changes that lactic acid bacteria undergo in specific conditions, especially in the host gut. In particular, the extracellular proteome, or exoproteome, of lactobacilli contains proteins specific to host– or environment–microbe interactions. Using gel-free, label-free ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, we explored the exoproteome of the probiotic candidate Lactobacillus mucosae LM1 subjected to bile treatment, to determine the proteins it may use against bile stress in the gut. Bile stress increased the size of the LM1 exoproteome, secreting ribosomal proteins (50S ribosomal protein L27 and L16) and metabolic proteins (lactate dehydrogenase, phosphoglycerate kinase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and pyruvate dehydrogenases, among others) that might have moonlighting functions in the LM1 bile stress response. Interestingly, membrane-associated proteins (transporters, peptidase, ligase and cell division protein ftsH) were among the key proteins whose secretion were induced by the LM1 bile stress response. These specific proteins from LM1 exoproteome will be useful in observing the proposed bile response mechanisms via in vitro experiments. Our data also reveal the possible beneficial effects of LM1 to the host gut.     

Metabolic Studies of Tumor Cells Using [1-13C] Pyruvate Hyperpolarized by Means of PHIP-Side Arm Hydrogenation

The kinetics of metabolic processes can be assessed, in real time by means of MR hyperpolarized (HP) metabolites. [1-¹³C]pyruvate, hyperpolarized by means of d-DNP, is, by far, the substrate most widely applied to the investigation of several pathologies characterized by deregulated glycolytic metabolic networks, including cancer. Hyperpolarization of [1-¹³C]pyruvate by means of the cost effective, fast and easy to handle PHIP-SAH (para-hydrogen induced polarization-side arm hydrogenation) method opens-up a pathway for the application of HP metabolites to a wide range of cancer-related studies. Herein, we report the first application of PHIP-SAH hyperpolarized [1-¹³C]pyruvate in the investigation of upregulated glycolysis in two murine breast cancer cell lines (168FARN and 4T1). The results obtained using HP pyruvate have been validated with a conventional biochemical assay and are coherent with previously-reported lactate dehydrogenase activity measured in those cells.     

Preeclampsia serum-induced collagen I expression and intracellular calcium levels in arterial smooth muscle cells are mediated by the PLC-γ1 pathway

In women with preeclampsia (PE), endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction can lead to altered secretion of paracrine factors that induce peripheral vasoconstriction and proteinuria. This study examined the hypothesis that PE sera may directly or indirectly, through human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs), stimulate phospholipase C-γ1-1,4,5-trisphosphate (PLC-γ1-IP₃) signaling, thereby increasing protein kinase C-α (PKC-α) activity, collagen I expression and intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations ([Ca²⁺]_i) in human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (HUASMCs). HUASMCs and HUVECs were cocultured with normal or PE sera before PLC-γ1 silencing. Increased PLC-γ1 and IP₃ receptor (IP₃R) phosphorylation was observed in cocultured HUASMCs stimulated with PE sera (P<0.05). In addition, PE serum significantly increased HUASMC viability and reduced their apoptosis (P<0.05); these effects were abrogated with PLC-γ1 silencing. Compared with normal sera, PE sera increased [Ca²⁺]_i in cocultured HUASMCs (P<0.05), which was inhibited by PLC-γ1 and IP₃R silencing. Finally, PE sera-induced PKC-α activity and collagen I expression was inhibited by PLC-γ1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) (P<0.05). These results suggest that vasoactive substances in the PE serum may induce deposition in the extracellular matrix through the activation of PLC-γ1, which may in turn result in thickening and hardening of the placental vascular wall, placental blood supply shortage, fetal hypoxia–ischemia and intrauterine growth retardation or intrauterine fetal death. PE sera increased [Ca²⁺]_i and induced PKC-α activation and collagen I expression in cocultured HUASMCs via the PLC-γ1 pathway.