Low Amount of Salinomycin Greatly Increases Akt Activation,but Reduces Activated p70S6K Levels

The present study identified a novel salinomycin (Sal)-sensitization mechanism in cancer cells. We analyzed the signal proteins Akt, Jnk, p38, Jak, and Erk1/2 in cancer cell lines that had arrested growth following low amounts of Sal treatment. We also tested the signal molecules PI3K, PDK1, GSK3β, p70S6K, mTOR, and PTEN to analyze the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. The results showed that Sal sensitization positively correlates with large reductions in p70S6K activation. Interestingly, Akt was the only signal protein to be significantly activated by Sal treatment. The Akt activation appeared to require the PI3K pathway as its activation was abolished by the PI3K inhibitors {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002 and wortmannin. The Akt activation by Sal was conserved in the other cell lines analyzed, which originated from other organs. Both Akt activation and C-PARP production were proportionally increased with increased doses of Sal. In addition, the increased levels of pAkt were not reduced over the time course of the experiment. Co-treatment with Akt inhibitors sensitized the Sal-treated cancer cells. The results thereby suggest that Akt activation is increased in cells that survive Sal treatment and resist the cytotoxic effect of Sal. Taken together; these results indicate that Akt activation may promote the resistance of cancer cells to Sal.     

Chemical Inhibitors and microRNAs (miRNA) Targeting the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Pathway: Potential for Novel Anticancer Therapeutics

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a critical regulator of many fundamental features in response to upstream cellular signals, such as growth factors, energy, stress and nutrients, controlling cell growth, proliferation and metabolism through two complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. Dysregulation of mTOR signalling often occurs in a variety of human malignant diseases making it a crucial and validated target in the treatment of cancer. Tumour cells have shown high susceptibility to mTOR inhibitors. Rapamycin and its derivatives (rapalogs) have been tested in clinical trials in several tumour types and found to be effective as anticancer agents in patients with advanced cancers. To block mTOR function, they form a complex with FKBP12 and then bind the FRB domain of mTOR. Furthermore, a new generation of mTOR inhibitors targeting ATP-binding in the catalytic site of mTOR showed potent and more selective inhibition. More recently, microRNAs (miRNA) have emerged as modulators of biological pathways that are essential in cancer initiation, development and progression. Evidence collected to date shows that miRNAs may function as tumour suppressors or oncogenes in several human neoplasms. The mTOR pathway is a promising target by miRNAs for anticancer therapy. Extensive studies have indicated that regulation of the mTOR pathway by miRNAs plays a major role in cancer progression, indicating a novel way to investigate the tumorigenesis and therapy of cancer. Here, we summarize current findings of the role of mTOR inhibitors and miRNAs in carcinogenesis through targeting mTOR signalling pathways and determine their potential as novel anti-cancer therapeutics.     

In Vitro Treatment of Melanoma Brain Metastasis by Simultaneously Targeting the MAPK and PI3K Signaling Pathways

Malignant melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer, with a high propensity to metastasize to the brain. More than 60% of melanomas have the BRAF^V600E mutation, which activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway [1]. In addition, increased PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) pathway activity has been demonstrated, through the loss of activity of the tumor suppressor gene, PTEN [2]. Here, we treated two melanoma brain metastasis cell lines, H1_DL2, harboring a BRAF^V600E mutation and PTEN loss, and H3, harboring WT (wild-type) BRAF and PTEN loss, with the MAPK (BRAF) inhibitor vemurafenib and the PI3K pathway associated mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus. Combined use of the drugs inhibited tumor cell growth and proliferation in vitro in H1_DL2 cells, compared to single drug treatment. Treatment was less effective in the H3 cells. Furthermore, a strong inhibitory effect on the viability of H1_DL2 cells, when grown as 3D multicellular spheroids, was seen. The treatment inhibited the expression of pERK1/2 and reduced the expression of pAKT and p-mTOR in H1_DL2 cells, confirming that the MAPK and PI3K pathways were inhibited after drug treatment. Microarray experiments followed by principal component analysis (PCA) mapping showed distinct gene clustering after treatment, and cell cycle checkpoint regulators were affected. Global gene analysis indicated that functions related to cell survival and invasion were influenced by combined treatment. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time that combined therapy with vemurafenib and temsirolimus is effective on melanoma brain metastasis cells in vitro. The presented results highlight the potential of combined treatment to overcome treatment resistance that may develop after vemurafenib treatment of melanomas.     

Glucocorticoid reduces the efficacy of afatinib on the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Glucocorticoids (GC) are widely used to counter the adverse events during cancer therapy; nonetheless, previous studies pointed out that GC may reduce the efficacy of chemotherapy on cancer cells, especially in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remaining to be elucidated. The primary aim of the present study was to probe into the GC-induced resistance of EGFR-targeted drug afatinib and the underlying mechanism. HNSCC cell lines (HSC-3, SCC-25, SCC-9, and H-400) and the human oral keratinocyte (HOK) cell lines were assessed for GC receptor (GR) expression. The promoting tumor growth effect of GC was evaluated by the CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. Levels of signaling pathways participants GR, mTOR, and EGFR were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. GC increased the proliferation of HNSCC cells in a GR-dependent manner and promoted AKT/mTOR signaling. But GC failed in counteracting the inhibition of rapamycin in the mTOR signaling pathway. Besides, GC also induced resistance to EGFR-targeted drug afatinib through AKT/mTOR instead of the EGFR/ERK signaling pathway. Thus, GCs reduce the efficacy of afatinib on HNSCC, implicating a cautious use of glucocorticoids in clinical practice.     

How is the AKT/mTOR pathway involved in cell migration and invasion?

As a pathway that plays a role in nutrient absorption, anabolic response, cell growth and survival, the important role of AKT/mTOR in tumorigenesis has also come to light. For cancer patients, most deaths are caused by the growth of metastatic tumors outside the primary focus. Therefore, migration and invasion in the late stage of tumor progression are the main unresolved issues in the study of tumor pathogenesis, and AKT/mTOR has been found to participate in the migration and invasion of cancer cells, which means that the study of this pathway may contribute to a solution for the problem. Because of its extensive and complex functions in the organism, this pathway can be regulated by a variety of different signals in the body, and then realize its function through different downstream signal molecules. This article reviews the proteins that can indirectly affect this pathway by regulating the common upstream signaling molecules of this pathway, and the proteins that can directly affect the level of phosphorylation of AKT/mTOR in cancer cells. We also review the proteins that can co-regulate this pathway and its downstream pathways. Through this study, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanism of the AKT/mTOR pathway in cancer cells, in hopes of finding effective and harmless cancer treatment targets in the future.     

Predominant Role of mTOR Signaling in Skin Diseases with Therapeutic Potential

The serine/threonine kinase mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cell proliferation, survival, and motility in response to availability of energy and nutrients as well as mitogens. The mTOR signaling axis regulates important biological processes, including cellular growth, metabolism, and survival in many tissues. In the skin, dysregulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway may lead to severe pathological conditions characterized by uncontrolled proliferation and inflammation, including skin hyperproliferative as well as malignant diseases. Herein, we provide an update on the current knowledge regarding the pathogenic implication of the mTOR pathway in skin diseases with inflammatory features (such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, pemphigus, and acne) and malignant characteristics (such as cutaneous T cell lymphoma and melanoma) while we critically discuss current and future perspectives for therapeutic targeting of mTOR axis in clinical practice.     

Overexpression of X-Box Binding Protein 1 (XBP1) Correlates to Poor Prognosis and Up-Regulation of PI3K/mTOR in Human Osteosarcoma

Increasing evidence demonstrates that dysregulation of XBP1 function contributes to tumorigenesis in some cancers. However, little is known about the role of XBP1 in the progression of osteosarcoma (OS). The expression of XBP1 in OS samples was measured by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting assays. Cell cycle analysis and cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) assays were performed to determine the effects of XBP1 expression on cells growth capacity. Cell apoptosis coassay was applied to determine cell survival. The expression of genes affected by XBP1 was examined by quantitative RT-RCR and validated by Western blotting assays. XBP1 was overexpressed in OS clinical samples compared with corresponding non-cancerous tissues. Overexpression of XBP1 was significantly associated with advanced clinical stages, high degree of malignancy and low tumor necrosis rate. Furthermore, hypoxia activated XBP1, and silencing XBP1 significantly enhanced OS cell apoptosis. Knock-down of XBP1 resulted in inhibition of OS growth. Most importantly, knockdown of XBP1 led to down-regulation of PIK3R3 and mTOR. Taken together, XBP1 is up-regulated and has a pro-tumor effect in OS with activation of PI3K/mTOR signaling. Thus, targeting XBP1 may provide a new potential therapeutic method for OS.     

新型砜基喹喔啉衍生物的合成和体外抗肿瘤活性研究

合成了新型的砜基喹喔啉衍生物并对其体外抗肿瘤活性进行初步评价.采用Kinase-Glo Lumi-nescent Assay,Lance Ultra Assay,SRB法测试砜基喹喔啉类衍生物的体外抗肿瘤活性.9个砜基喹喔啉衍生物经NMR,MS表征;砜基喹喔啉衍生物对PI3Ka、哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)均无明...     

丹酚酸对大鼠骨骼肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护

目的：分析丹酚酸通过AKT/mTOR/p70S6K信号通路对骨骼肌缺血再灌注损伤小鼠细胞自噬及凋亡的影响。方法：选取SPF级雄性大鼠45只,随机数字表法分为假手术组、模型组、丹酚酸组,模型组、丹酚酸组制备骨骼肌缺血再灌注损伤模型,丹酚酸组分别在开始实验前72 h、48 h、24 h及再灌注前15 min,腹腔注射剂量为30 mg/kg的丹酚酸溶液1 mL,假手术组和模型组大鼠腹腔注射生理盐水1 mL。观察各组大鼠腓肠肌组织病理形态,血清肌酸激酶（CK）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）含量,腓肠肌组织Akt、p-Akt、p70S6K、p-p70S6K、mTOR及p-mTOR蛋白表达及腓肠肌组织内Bcl-2、Bax表达。结果： 再灌注0 h、4 h及24 h时模型组大鼠腓肠肌湿/干重（W/D）比值较假手术组升高,丹酚酸组腓肠肌W/D比值较模型组降低,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;再灌注0 h、4 h及24 h时模型组大鼠血清LDH、CK含量较假手术组升高,丹酚酸组大鼠血清LDH、CK含量较模型组降低,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;模型组大鼠腓肠肌Akt蛋白表达较假手术组降低,p-Akt蛋白表达较假手术组升高;丹酚酸组大鼠Akt、p-Akt、p70S6K、p-p70S6K、mTOR及p-mTOR蛋白表达较模型组升高,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;光密度值（IOD）量化腓肠肌细胞内Bax、Bcl-2蛋白表达,模型组Bcl-2 IOD数值、Bcl-2/Bax比值较假手术组降低,Bax IOD数值较假手术组增加;丹酚酸组Bcl-2 IOD数值、Bcl-2/Bax比值较模型组升高,Bax IOD数值较模型组降低,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论：丹酚酸可维持骨骼肌缺血再灌注损伤大鼠骨骼细胞Bax与Bcl-2动态平衡,抑制细胞凋亡,其作用机制可能和激活AKT/mTOR/p70S6K信号通路有关。