Shallot and licorice constituent isoliquiritigenin arrests cell cycle progression and induces apoptosis through the induction of ATM/p53 and initiation of the mitochondrial system in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells

This study is the first to investigate the anticancer effect of isoliquiritigenin (ISL) in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. The results reveal that ISL inhibits HeLa cells by blocking cell cycle progression in the G2/M phase and inducing apoptosis. Blockade of cell cycle is associated with increased activation of ataxia telangiectasia‐mutated (ATM). Activation of ATM by ISL phosphorylated p53 at Serine15, resulting in increased stability of p53 by decreasing p53 and murine double minute‐2 (MDM2) interaction. In addition, ISL‐mediated G2/M phase arrest was also associated with decreases in the amounts of cyclin B, cyclin A, cdc2, and cdc25C, and increases in the phosphorylation of Chk2, cdc25C, and cdc2. The specific ATM inhibitor caffeine significantly decreased ISL‐mediated G2/M arrest by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p53 (Serine15) and Chk2. ISL induced apoptotic cell death is associated with changes in the expression of Bax and Bak, decreasing levels of Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐X_L, and subsequently triggering mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. In addition, pretreatment of cells with caspase‐9 inhibitor blocked ISL‐induced apoptosis, indicating that caspase‐9 activation is involved in ISL‐mediated HeLa cell apoptosis. These findings suggest that ISL may be a promising chemopreventive agent against human uterine cervical cancer.     

Apoptotic Activity of Lactobacillus plantarum DGK‐17‐Fermented Soybean Seed Extract in Human Colon Cancer Cells via ROS–JNK Signaling Pathway

Fermented food has been always possesses upper hand compared to normal food due to its antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Soybeans, which have high nutritional value, are widely consumed in Korea. In this study, soybean seed powder fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum DGK‐17, which was previously isolated from kimchi, showed anticancer potential. Fermented soybean extract (FSE) resulted in morphological changes, reduction of cancer cell colony formation and apoptotic cell death of HCT‐116 colon cancer cells in a dose‐dependent manner, and IC₅₀ value of 111 μg. FSE treatment caused reduction of cell growth in a dose‐dependent manner via release of lactate dehydrogenase. FSE treatment induced HCT‐116 apoptotic cell death as confirmed by the presence of fragmented nuclei, oxidative burst, and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m). Further, FSE treatment sensitized cells to ER stress via IRE1‐α induction. FSE treatment also resulted in JNK activation, subsequently causing activation of Bax and downregulation of BCl2. Weakened mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m) also caused release of Cyto C, further activating caspase‐mediated cell death. Therefore, this study reveals the apoptotic role of DGK‐17‐fermented soybean seed extract in human colon cancer HCT‐116 cells.     

Cover Picture: Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 9'2010

Regular issues provide a wide range of research and review articles covering all aspects of Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. Selected topics of issue 09 are: Diet‐induced obesity regulates the galanin‐mediated signaling cascade in the adipose tissue of mice 6‐Dehydrogingerdione, an active constituent of dietary ginger, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through reactive oxygen species/c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase pathways in human breast cancer cells Ursolic acid, a naturally occurring triterpenoid, suppresses migration and invasion of human breast cancer cells by modulating c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase, Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin signaling Eupafolin, a flavonoid isolated from Artemisia princeps, induced apoptosis in human cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa cells Isolation, cloning, and characterization of the 2S albumin: A new allergen from hazelnut     

Gallic acid induces G2/M phase cell cycle arrest via regulating 14‐3‐3β release from Cdc25C and Chk2 activation in human bladder transitional carcinoma cells

Scope: Cell cycle regulation is a critical issue in cancer treatment. Previously, gallic acid (GA) has been reported to possess anticancer ability. Here, we have evaluated the molecular mechanism of GA on cell cycle modulation in a human bladder transitional carcinoma cell line (TSGH‐8301 cell). Methods and results: Using flow cytometer analysis, exposure of the cells to 40 μM GA resulted in a statistically significant increase in G2/M phase cells, which was accompanied by a decrease in G0/G1 phase cells. GA‐treated cells resulted in significant growth inhibition in a dose‐dependent manner accompanied by a decrease in cyclin‐dependent kinases (Cdk1), Cyclin B1, and Cdc25C, but significant increases in p‐cdc2 (Tyr‐15) and Cip1/p21 by western blotting. Additional mechanistic studies showed that GA induces phosphorylation of Cdc25C at Ser‐216. This mechanism leads to its translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm resulting in an increased binding with 14‐3‐3β. When treated with GA, phosphorylated Cdc25C can be activated by ataxia telangiectasia‐mutated checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2). This might be a DNA damage response as indicated by Ser‐139 phosphorylation of histine H2A.X. Furthermore, treatment of the cells with a Chk2 inhibitor significantly attenuated GA‐induced G2/M phase arrest. Conclusion: These results indicate that GA can induce cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase via Chk2‐mediated phosphorylation of Cdc25C in a bladder transitional carcinoma cell line.     

Red mold dioscorea‐induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis in human oral cancer cells

BACKGROUND: Monascus‐fermented products are among the most commonly used traditional food supplements. Dioscorea is known to exhibit anticancer properties. In this study the effects of the ethanol extract of red mold dioscorea (RMDE) on cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis in human oral cancer cells were investigated. RESULTS: RMDE exercised growth inhibition on squamous cell carcinoma‐25 (SCC‐25) cells. RMDE‐mediated G2/M phase arrest was associated with the down‐regulation of NF‐κB, resulting in the inhibition of cyclin B1 and CDK1 expression; this may be the mechanism by which RMDE inhibits cancer cells. Furthermore, the proapoptotic activity of RMDE was revealed by the Annexin V‐FITC/PI double‐staining assay. In addition, the proapoptotic effect of RMDE was evident by the inhibition of Bax expression in the mitochondria, resulting in the activation of caspase‐9 and caspase‐3 and subsequent triggering of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. RMDE also enhanced caspase‐8 activity, indicating the involvement of the death receptor pathway in RMDE‐mediated SCC‐25 cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: RMDE treatment inhibited the growth of SCC‐25 cells by arresting cell cycle at the G2/M phase and induced apoptosis in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Therefore RMDE may be a good candidate for development as a dietary supplement against oral cancer. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Resveratrol inhibits migration and invasion of human breast‐cancer cells

Metastasis is the primary cause of death from breast cancer. Cell migration and invasion play important roles in neoplastic metastasis. The insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐1) stimulates cell migration through activation of PI‐3K/Akt signaling pathway. IGF‐1 induces the tumorigenicity of many types of cancer cells and is critical for metastatic cell spread in estrogen receptor (ER)‐negative breast‐cancer cells. Matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) is a key enzyme in the degradation of extracellular matrices and its expression has been dysregulated in breast cancer invasion and metastasis. Resveratrol exhibited potential anticarcinogenic activities in several studies. However, the inhibitory effects of resveratrol on the expression of MMP‐2, migration and invasion of breast‐cancer cell have not been demonstrated yet. In the present study, we investigated the anti‐invasive mechanism of resveratrol in human breast cancer MDA‐MB 435cells. Here, we showed that IGF‐1 is a potent stimulant of the migration of ER‐negative human breast‐cancer cells. Resveratrol could inhibit IGF‐1‐mediated cell migration of MDA‐MB 435 in vitro. The inhibitory effect of resveratrol was mediated in part through the suppression of the activation of PI‐3K/Akt signaling pathway. Furthermore, IGF‐1‐mediated expression of MMP‐2 was significantly inhibited by resveratrol in concomitance with alteration of cell invasion.     

阿魏菇乙酸乙酯相三萜类化合物对食管癌Eca109细胞的增殖抑制及机制

目的：探讨阿魏菇乙酸乙酯相三萜类化合物（ethyl acetate fraction of Pleurotus ferulatus triterpenoid,PFTP-E）对食管癌Eca109细胞的生长抑制作用及可能机制。方法：采用3-(4,5-二甲基噻-2)-2,5-二苯基四氮唑溴盐法检测PFTP-E体外抑制Eca109细胞的增殖活性;Hoechst 33258染色观察细胞凋亡;流式细胞术检测PFTP-E对Eca109细胞的增殖、周期、凋亡、线粒体膜电位以及胞内活性氧水平变化的影响;免疫印迹法检测PFTP-E对细胞凋亡相关蛋白Bcl2、Bax、聚腺苷二磷酸-核糖聚合酶（poly ADP-ribose polymerase,PARP）、含半胱氨酸的天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶（cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase,Caspase）3、Caspase9、细胞周期相关蛋白Cyclin B1、内质网应激相关蛋白真核起始因子2α（eukaryotic initiation factor 2α,eIF2α）、CHOP以及丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK）信号通路相关蛋白表达的影响。结果：PFTP-E以时间和剂量依赖性抑制Eca109细胞的增殖,并将细胞周期阻滞在G2/M期,进而诱导Eca109细胞凋亡。PFTP-E可引起Eca109细胞线粒体膜电位崩溃并导致胞内活性氧水平升高。PFTP-E可上调细胞色素c、Bax、p-eIF2α、CHOP表达,下调Bcl2、Cyclin B1表达,显著增强剪切型PARP、Caspase3及Caspase9表达,同时诱导内质网应激,激活MAPK/JNK信号通路。结论：PFTP-E能有效诱导Eca109细胞凋亡,其抗肿瘤机制与线粒体损伤途径、周期阻滞、内质网应激等有关。     

Phenethyl isothiocyanate sensitizes human cervical cancer cells to apoptosis induced by cisplatin

Scope: Naturally‐occurring chemopreventive agent phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), derived primarily from watercress, has been shown to inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. In this study, we examined the potential of PEITC in enhancing cisplatin‐induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cells and its mechanisms. Methods and results: HeLa cells were exposed to PEITC, cisplatin or both. Pretreatment of cells with PEITC strongly enhanced cisplatin‐induced cytotoxicity. PEITC activated the mitogen‐activated protein kinases, including c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal‐related kinase (ERK), and p38. Caspase‐3 activity assay demonstrated that the synergistic induction of apoptosis was significantly attenuated by MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126, but not by JNK or p38 inhibitor, suggesting that ERK activation is responsible for the synergistic effect. We found that NF‐κB signaling pathway is not involved in the synergistic effect. Sulforaphane and benzyl isothiocyanate, two other members of the isothiocyanate family, also sensitize HeLa cells to apoptosis induced by cisplatin. Furthermore, we found that the synergistic effect was also observed in cervical cancer C33A and breast cancer MCF‐7 cells but not in normal mammary epithelial MCF‐10A cells. Finally, we demonstrated that Noxa induction was associated with apoptosis induced by PEITC plus cisplatin. Conclusion: Taken together, this study shows that PEITC can sensitize cancer cells to apoptosis induced by cisplatin and this effect is mediated through ERK activation, suggesting the potential of PEITC to be used as an adjuvant with cisplatin in combination therapeutic treatments.     

Phytate hydrolysate induces circumferential F‐actin ring formation at cell–cell contacts by a Rho‐associated kinase‐dependent mechanism in colorectal cancer HT‐29 cells

Phytate (inositol hexa‐phosphate or IP6) possessing anticancer activity is hydrolyzed by phytase in intestinal microbes and the metabolites are distributed throughout the colon. Cellular circumferential F‐actin rings, which are involved in cell polarity and structure, are lost early during tumorigenesis. We investigated F‐actin ring formation by the phytate hydrolysate in colorectal cancer HT‐29 cells to explore the novel mechanisms underlying the phytate‐mediated anticancer function. The phytate hydrolysate, but not inositol or phytate, induced F‐actin ring formation with a peak at 10 min in the cells and was associated with phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chain. F‐actin ring formation and myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation by the phytate hydrolysate were suppressed by inhibitors of Rho‐associated kinase (ROCK), Janus kinase (JAK), c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), and protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ). Activation of ROCK and JAK, but not JNK or PKCδ, was observed at 10 min and/or earlier after stimulation with the phytate hydrolysate. Altogether, the phytate hydrolysate induces circumferential F‐actin ring formation through a ROCK‐dependent myosin II activation in the HT‐29 cells, which requires JAK activation and basal activities of JNK and PKC. Hydrolysis products of phytate in the intestine may contribute to anticancer function of phytate.     

Dietary flaxseed lignan or oil combined with tamoxifen treatment affects MCF‐7 tumor growth through estrogen receptor‐ and growth factor‐signaling pathways

This study aimed to elucidate which component of flaxseed, i.e. secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) lignan or flaxseed oil (FO), makes tamoxifen (TAM) more effective in reducing growth of established estrogen receptor positive breast tumors (MCF‐7) at low circulating estrogen levels, and potential mechanisms of action. In a 2×2 factorial design, ovariectomized athymic mice with established tumors were treated for 8 wk with TAM together with basal diet (control), or basal diet supplemented with SDG (1 g/kg diet), FO (38.5 g/kg diet), or combined SDG and FO. SDG and FO were at levels in 10% flaxseed diet. Palpable tumors were monitored and after animal sacrifice, analyzed for cell proliferation, apoptosis, ER‐mediated (ER‐α, ER‐β, trefoil factor 1, cyclin D1, progesterone receptor, AIBI), growth factor‐mediated (epidermal growth factor receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2, insulin‐like growth factor receptor‐1, phosphorylated mitogen activated protein kinase, PAKT, BCL2) signaling pathways and angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor). All treatments reduced the growth of TAM‐treated tumors by reducing cell proliferation, expression of genes, and proteins involved in the ER‐ and growth factor‐mediated signaling pathways with FO having the greatest effect in increasing apoptosis compared with TAM treatment alone. SDG and FO reduced the growth of TAM‐treated tumors but FO was more effective. The mechanisms involve both the ER‐ and growth factor‐signaling pathways.     

Quercetin‐induced apoptotic cascade in cancer cells: Antioxidant versus estrogen receptor α‐dependent mechanisms

The flavonol quercetin, especially abundant in apple, wine, and onions, is reported to have anti‐proliferative effects in many cancer cell lines. Antioxidant or pro‐oxidant activities and kinase inhibition have been proposed as molecular mechanisms for these effects. In addition, an estrogenic activity has been observed but, at the present, it is poorly understood whether this latter activity plays a role in the quercetin‐induced anti‐proliferative effects. Here, we studied the molecular mechanisms of quercetin committed to the generation of an apoptotic cascade in cancer cells devoid or containing transfected estrogen receptor α (ERα; i.e., human cervix epitheloid carcinoma HeLa cells). Although none of tested quercetin concentrations increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in HeLa cells, quercetin stimulation prevents the H₂O₂‐induced ROS production both in the presence and in the absence of ERα. However, this flavonoid induces the activation of p38/MAPK, leading to the pro‐apoptotic caspase‐3 activation and to the poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase cleavage only in the presence of ERα. Notably, no down‐regulation of survival kinases (i.e., AKT and ERK) was reported. Taken together, these findings suggest that quercetin results in HeLa cell death through an ERα‐dependent mechanism involving caspase‐ and p38 kinase activation. These findings indicate new potential chemopreventive actions of flavonoids on cancer growth.     

Involvement of MAPK, Bcl-2 family, cytochrome c, and caspases in induction of apoptosis by 1,6-O,O-diacetylbritannilactone in human leukemia cells

1,6-O,O-diacetylbritannilactone (OODBL) isolated from Inula britannica, exhibits potent antitumor activity against several human cancer cell lines. However, the molecular mechanism of OODBL in the induction of anticancer activity is still unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that OODBL induced the occurrence of apoptosis in human leukemic (HL-60) cells and cell arrest at the S phase. On the other hand, activation of caspase-8, -9, and -3, phosphorylation of Bcl-2 and Bid, and increased release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytosolic fraction were detected in OODBL-treated HL-60 cells. We further demonstrated that production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways may play an important role in OODBL-induced apoptosis. The results from the present study highlight the molecular mechanisms underlying OODBL-induced anticancer activity.     

Inhibition of neointimal formation by trans‐resveratrol: Role of phosphatidyl inositol 3‐kinase‐dependent Nrf2 activation in heme oxygenase‐1 induction

Neointima, defined as abnormal growth of the intimal layer of blood vessels, is believed to be a critical event in the development of vascular occlusive disease. Although resveratrol's inhibitory effects on proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells has been reported, its activity on neointimal formation is still unclear. Oral administration of trans‐resveratrol significantly suppressed intimal hyperplasia in a wire‐injured femoral artery mouse model. In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, trans‐resveratrol inhibited platelet‐derived growth factor‐stimulated DNA synthesis and cell proliferation with down‐regulation of cyclin D and pRB. Moreover, platelet‐derived growth factor‐induced production of reactive oxygen species was inhibited by trans‐resveratrol and the compound induced heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1). The anti‐proliferative activity of trans‐resveratrol was reversed by an HO‐1 inhibitor, ZnPPIX. Subcellular fractionation and reporter gene analyses revealed that trans‐resveratrol increased the level of nuclear Nrf2 and antioxidant response element reporter activity, and that these were essential for the induction of HO‐1. Trans‐resveratrol also enhanced the activities of phosphatidyl inositol 3‐kinase and extracellular signal regulated kinase, and phosphatidyl inositol 3‐kinase was required for Nrf2/antioxidant response element‐dependent HO‐1 induction. These data have significant implications for the elucidation of the pharmacological mechanism by which trans‐resveratrol prevents vascular occlusive diseases.     

Oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol inhibit MCF‐7 breast cancer cell proliferation interfering with ERK1/2 activation

The growth of many breast tumors is stimulated by estradiol (E2), which activates a classic mechanism of regulation of gene expression and signal transduction pathways inducing cell proliferation. Polyphenols of natural origin with chemical similarity to estrogen have been shown to interfere with tumor cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether hydroxytyrosol (HT) and oleuropein (OL), two polyphenols contained in extra‐virgin olive oil, can affect breast cancer cell proliferation interfering with E2‐induced molecular mechanisms. Both HT and OL inhibited proliferation of MCF‐7 breast cancer cells. Luciferase gene reporter experiments, using a construct containing estrogen responsive elements able to bind estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and the study of the effects of HT or OL on ERα expression, demonstrated that HT and OL are not involved in ERα‐mediated regulation of gene expression. However, further experiments pointed out that both OL and HT determined a clear inhibition of E2‐dependent activation of extracellular regulated kinase1/2 belonging to the mitogen activating protein kinase family. Our study demonstrated that HT and OL can have a chemo‐preventive role in breast cancer cell proliferation through the inhibition of estrogen‐dependent rapid signals involved in uncontrolled tumor cell growth.     

Resveratrol Preserves Mitochondrial Function,Stimulates Mitochondrial Biogenesis,and Attenuates Oxidative Stress in Regulatory T Cells of Mice Fed a High‐Fat Diet

Consumption of high‐fat diet (HFD) is related with increased oxidative stress and dysfunctional mitochondria in many organs. The effects of resveratrol (trans‐3,5,4′‐trihydroxystilbene) that can protect T lymphocytes in various disease conditions on the HFD‐induced apoptosis of CD4⁺CD25⁺CD127^low/? regulatory T cells (Tregs) were studied, and the possible mechanism was postulated. Resveratrol significantly decreased Tregs death induced by 20‐wk HFD, being associated with the reduction of reactive oxygen species production and the alleviation of HFD‐induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) in Tregs. Furthermore, resveratrol increased the expression of factors that regulated mitochondrial biogenesis in Tregs. Finally, resveratrol recovered the HFD‐induced activation of apoptotic markers in Tregs. Resveratrol protected Tregs against HFD‐induced apoptosis by reducing oxidative stress, restoring mitochondrial functional activities, and stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis.     

原花青素B2诱导乳腺癌MCF-7细胞凋亡及其作用机制

本研究旨在探讨原花青素B2（procyanidin B2,PCB2）对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的抗肿瘤作用及其机制。采用噻唑蓝法分析PCB2在不同浓度和不同处理时间下对MCF-7细胞存活率的影响;通过激光共聚焦显微镜检测细胞内Ca2＋浓度变化并观察Hoechst 33342染色后的细胞凋亡形态;采用流式细胞分析仪检测PCB2对MCF-7细胞凋亡率、周期、胞内活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）水平及线粒体膜电位变化的影响;通过Western blot检测PCB2对MCF-7细胞凋亡相关蛋白表达量的影响。结果表明,当浓度在10～80 μmol/L范围内时,PCB2能显著降低MCF-7细胞的存活率（P＜0.05）,且呈浓度依赖性,处理24、48、72 h时对MCF-7细胞存活率的半抑制浓度分别为114.82、57.15 μmol/L和55.64 μmol/L。PCB2能显著增加MCF-7细胞凋亡率、胞内ROS水平（P＜0.05）、细胞核荧光强度,并破坏Ca2＋平衡,同时显著降低线粒体膜电位（P＜0.05）,并将细胞周期阻滞在G0/G1期进而诱导细胞凋亡。PCB2可上调Bax、细胞色素c、Caspase-12和Caspase-3蛋白的相对表达水平,下调Bcl-2蛋白相对表达水平。综上可知,PCB2具有抗肿瘤作用,其机制与激活线粒体和内质网介导的凋亡通路、周期阻滞和细胞内ROS水平增加有关。