Phragmunis a suppresses glioblastoma through the regulation of MCL1-FBXW7 by blocking ELK1-SRF complex-dependent transcription.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor. During screening work, we found a new compound named phragmunis A (PGA), which is derived from the fruitbody of Trogia venenata, exhibits a potential cytotoxic effect on patient-derived recurrent GBM cells and temozolomide (TMZ)-resistant cell lines. The present study was designed to investigate the potential molecular mechanism of the anti-glioma effects of PGA in vitro and in vivo. Studies investigating the mechanism revealed that PGA diminished the binding efficiency of ETS family of transcription factor (ELK1) and Serum response factor (SRF), and suppressed ELK1-SRF complex-dependent transcription, which decreased the transcriptional levels of downstream genes Early growth response protein 1 (EGR1)-Polycomb ring finger (BMI1), thus inducing the imbalanced regulation between Myeloid cell leukaemia-1 (MCL1) and F-Box and WD repeat domain containing 7 (FBXW7). Finally, orthotopic xenograft models were established to confirm the anti-glioma effect of PGA on tumour growth. We showed, for the first time, that the cytotoxic effects of PGA occurred by inducing MCL1 inhibition and FBXW7 activation by blocking ELK1-SRF complex-dependent transcription. The blockage of ELK1-mediated transcription resulted in the suppression of EGR1-BMI1, which led to the upregulation of FBXW7 expression and downregulation of MCL1. These findings suggested that PGA could be a therapeutic drug candidate for the treatment of recurrent GBM by targeting the ELK1-SRF complex.

[Effects of ELK-1/JNK/c-Fos on apoptosis of rat hippocampal neurons cultured in vitro with Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula in simulated diabetes mellitus complicated with depression].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula (ZGJTJYF, the Chinese Medicine) on hippocampal neuron apoptosis in diabetes mellitus complicated with depression (DD). METHODS: The primary cultured hippocampal neurons were treated with high glucose (150 mmol/L) and corticosterone (200 micromol/L) to establish the cell model of DD in vitro. The cultured hippocampal neurons were randomly divided into five groups: blank serum group, normal group, Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu recipe drug-containing serum group, positive drug (metformin + fluoxetine) drug-containing serum group and model group (three compound holes in each group). The model group and the normal group were given the same amount of culture medium, and the other groups were given the corresponding serum with 10% volume fraction for 18 hours. Hoechst staining, high content cell imaging and RT-PCR were used to detect the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons and the expressions of apoptosis-related ETS-like 1 transcription factor(ELK-1), C-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK) and c-Fos proteins and genes. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the apoptotic number of hippocampal neurons in the model group was increased significantly, and the expression levels of ELK-1, JNK and c-Fos were increased significantly (P＜0.05). Compared with the model group, the local bright spots of hippocampal neurons in the Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu recipe-containing serum group and the positive drug-containing serum group were decreased significantly, and the number of apoptotic cells was decreased significantly. The expressions of JNK, c-fos protein and mRNA were down-regulated significantly (P＜ 0.05), and the neural network and dendritic junction were improved significantly. CONCLUSION: Zuo Gui Jiang Tang Jie Yu Formula can reverse the expressions of ELK-1, JNK and c-Fos signals in hippocampal neurons under DD environment and play an anti-apoptotic effect.

Chrysin, baicalein and galangin are indirect activators of the human constitutive androstane receptor (CAR).

The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) is a crucial transcriptional regulator of key xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes such as cytochrome P450 CYP3A4, CYP2C9 and CYP2B6. The flavonoids chrysin, baicalein and galangin have been reported to activate CAR and interfere with EGFR signaling. Nevertheless, it is not known if these flavonoids are direct CAR ligands or indirect phenobarbital-like CAR activators via the inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. We analyze the interactions of chrysin, galangin and baicalein and its glycoside baicalin with human CAR. We have employed and validated methods that can study direct interaction with the CAR ligand binding pocket. Secondly, we determined if the compounds affect human EGFR signaling and interact with EGFR. Employing a TR-FRET coactivator assay with recombinant CAR or CAR assembly assay, a consistent activation of CAR with flavonoids and phenobarbital was not observed. It was determined, however, that galangin, chrysin, and baicalein may slightly repress EGFR-Tyr1068 autophosphorylation after EGF treatment, phosphorylation of downstream transcription factor ELK1 and stimulate EGFP-CAR nuclear translocation in primary human hepatocytes. These data suggest that flavonoids chrysin, galangin and baicalein are indirect human CAR activators. This study also demonstrates new approach how to test the direct CAR interaction with its ligands.

Upregulation of TRPM7 channels by angiotensin II triggers phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells of ascending aorta.

RATIONALE: Angiotensin II (Ang II) has pleiotropic effects on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). It has been demonstrated to promote the proliferative phenotype of VSMCs in mouse ascending aorta, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to explore whether the Ca(2+)-permeable transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) channel is involved in Ang II-induced phenotype switching of ascending aortic VSMCs and to dissect the molecular mechanisms by which TRPM7 modulates VSMC phenotype. METHODS AND RESULTS: As revealed by current recording, Ang II infusion increased TRPM7 whole-cell currents in ascending aortic VSMCs. The increase in TRPM7 currents was found to result from enhanced expression of TRPM7 protein rather than elevated single-channel activity (open probability and slope conductance) and/or reduced Mg(2+)-mediated channel block. Mechanistically, Ang II elevated TRPM7 expression via Ang II type 1 receptor-mediated ERK1/2 signaling. As indicated by the expression levels of VSMC differentiation marker genes, phenotypic switching of ascending aorta occurred during Ang II infusion. Meanwhile, ERK1/2-Elk-1 signaling pathway known to suppress VSMC differentiation was activated in Ang II-infused ascending aorta. Knockdown of TRPM7 with small interfering RNA established a causative role of TRPM7 in Ang II-induced phenotypic change and promotion of cell proliferation. Moreover, TRPM7 was shown to be required for Pyk2-ERK1/2-Elk-1 pathway activation by Ang II, which potentiated TRPM7 channel function and thus activated the Ca(2+)-sensitive kinase Pyk2. Finally, TRPM7 knockdown attenuated Ang II-induced displacement of myocardin from SM22 promoter, but the effects could be reversed by expression of constitutively active c-Src. CONCLUSIONS: Our data establish that upregulation of TRPM7 channels by Ang II contributes to the development of the proliferative phenotype of ascending aortic VSMCs, and TRPM7 channel suppresses VSMC gene expression via Ca(2+) influx-mediated activation of Pyk2-ERK1/2-Elk-1 pathway.

Dopamine D1 receptor, but not dopamine D2 receptor, is a critical regulator for acute cocaine-enhanced gene expression.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of present study is to investigate the roles of dopamine receptor subfamilies and their subsequent molecular events in cocaine-enhanced gene expression in striatum. METHODS: Acute cocaine-treated mice models were build to address this issue. Specific antagonists for dopamine D1 and D2 receptors (SCH 23390 and raclopride, respectively) and specific inhibitor for extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) kinase were pretreated. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expressions of c-Fos, phosphorylated cAMP response element binding (p-CREB) and phosphorylated Elk-1 (p-Elk-1) in striatum. RESULTS: Acute cocaine injection significantly enhanced expressions of c-Fos, p-CREB and p-Elk-1 in the striatum. Notably, these enhancements were totally blocked to normal level by SCH 23390 pre-treatment, while no changes occurred in the presence of raclopride. Moreover, we found that dopamine D1 receptor was involved in acute cocaine-induced activation of ERK1/2 in the striatum. Blockade of this dopamine D1 receptor-dependent ERK1/2 activation by SL 327 could reduce cocaine-enhanced expressions of c-Fos, p-CREB and p-Elk-1 in the striatum. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that dopamine D1 receptor, but not dopamine D2 receptor, plays a critical role in regulating acute cocaine-enhanced gene expression in the striatum, and ERK1/2 pathway may contribute to this regulation.

Anisomycin abrogates repression of protooncogene c-fos transcription in E1A + cHa-ras-transformed cells through activation of MEK/ERK kinase cascade.

We have previously shown that transcription of immediate-early c-fos protooncogene is becoming strongly repressed in rat embryo fibroblasts transformed by oncogenes E1A and cHa-ras, so that serum only slightly stimulated c-fos transcription in these cells in contrast to high level of c-fos activation in non-transformed REF52 cells. Here we showed that stress-inducing agent anisomycin was able to override the c-fos repression and to induce c-fos transcription in E1A + ras transformants. In vitro kinase assay data demonstrated that anisomycin increased phosphorylation of transactivation domain of Elk-1 transcription factor--a key regulator of inducible c-fos transcription. Importantly, this activation was mediated through up-regulation of MEK/ERK but not stress-kinase cascades JNK or p38. The activating effect of anisomycin on c-fos transcription could be abrogated by a prior treatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine. This indicates that anisomycin potentiates generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which, in turn, can modulate the activity of MAP kinase-specific phosphatases (MKPs). As anisomycin did not cause acetylation of nucleosome core histones, the present work focuses on the molecular mechanisms mediating the HDAC-independent induction of IEG c-fos by anisomycin in E1A + cHa-ras-transformed fibroblasts.

MAPK-ERK activation in kidney of male rats chronically fed ochratoxin A at a dose causing a significant incidence of renal carcinoma.

Kidney samples of male Fischer 344 (F-344) rats fed a carcinogenic dose of OTA over 7 days, 21 days and 12 months were analysed for various cell signalling proteins known to be potentially involved in chemical carcinogenicity. OTA was found to increase the phosphorylation of atypical-PKC. This was correlated with a selective downstream activation of the MAP-kinase extracellular regulated kinases isoforms 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and of their substrates ELK1/2 and p90RSK. Moreover, analysis of effectors acting upstream of PKC indicated a possible mobilisation of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (lGFr) and phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1) system. An increased histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymatic activity associated with enhanced HDAC3 protein expression was also observed. These findings are potentially relevant with respect to the understanding of OTA nephrocarcinogenicity. HDAC-induced gene silencing has previously been shown to play a role in tumour development. Furthermore, PKC and the MEK-ERK MAP-kinase pathways are known to play important roles in cell proliferation, cell survival, anti-apoptotic activity and renal cancer development.

Up-regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase gene transcription by tetradecanoylphorbol acetate is mediated by the transcription factors Ets-like protein-1 (Elk-1) and Egr-1.

Tyrosine hydroxylase is the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamines. Expression of the tyrosine hydroxylase gene is regulated at the transcriptional level by extracellular signalling molecules, including epidermal growth factor (EGF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and glucocorticoids. We have analysed the stimulation of tyrosine hydroxylase gene transcription by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in noradrenergic locus coeruleus-like CATH.a cells and observed a striking enhancement of the transcriptional activation potential of the ternary complex factor Ets-like protein-1 (Elk-1), a key transcriptional regulator of serum response element-driven gene transcription. Likewise, TPA strongly up-regulated the biosynthesis of the transcription factor Egr-1 via distal serum response elements within the Egr-1 5'-flanking region. Subsequently, enhancement of the transcriptional activation potential of Egr-1 was observed. Overexpression of Egr-1 was sufficient to activate transcription of a tyrosine hydroxylase promoter/reporter gene, corroborating the view that the tyrosine hydroxylase gene is a target gene of Egr-1. Expression of dominant-negative mutants of Elk-1 or Egr-1 impaired TPA-induced stimulation of a tyrosine hydroxylase promoter/reporter gene transcription. In contrast, dominant-negative mutants of the transcription factors activating transcription factor (ATF)-2, ATF4, cAMP response element-binding protein, c-Jun and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) did not change TPA-induced tyrosine hydroxylase promoter activity, indicating that these proteins are not part of the TPA-mediated signalling cascade directed towards the tyrosine hydroxylase gene.