MicroRNAs trigger dissociation of eIF4AI and eIF4AII from target mRNAs in humans.

In animals, key functions of microRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC) are translational repression and deadenylation followed by mRNA decay. While miRISC represses translation initiation, it is poorly understood how miRISC exerts this function. Here we assessed the effect of miRISC on synergistic recruitment of translation initiation factors to target mRNAs by using direct biochemical assays. We show that miRISC promotes eIF4AI and eIF4AII release from target mRNAs prior to dissociation of eIF4E and eIF4G in a deadenylation-independent manner. Strikingly, miRISC-induced release of eIF4AI and eIF4AII from target mRNAs and miRISC-induced inhibition of cap-dependent translation can both be counteracted by the RNA-binding protein HuD via a direct interaction of HuD with eIF4A. Furthermore, the pharmacological eIF4A inhibitor silvestrol, which locks eIF4A on mRNAs, conferred resistance to miRNA-mediated translational repression. In summary, we propose that both eIF4AI and eIF4AII are functionally important targets in miRISC-mediated translation control.

A small nucleolar RNA functions in rRNA processing in Caenorhabditis elegans.

CeR-2 RNA is one of the newly identified Caenorhabditis elegans noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). The characterization of CeR-2 by RNomic studies has failed to classify it into any known ncRNA family. In this study, we examined the spatiotemporal expression patterns of CeR-2 to gain insight into its function. CeR-2 is expressed in most cells from the early embryo to adult stages. The subcellular localization of this RNA is analogous to that of fibrillarin, a major protein of the nucleolus. It was observed that knockdown of C/D small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins (snoRNPs), but not of H/ACA snoRNPs, resulted in the aberrant nucleolar localization of CeR-2 RNA. A mutant worm with a reduced amount of cellular CeR-2 RNA showed changes in its pre-rRNA processing pattern compared with that of the wild-type strain N2. These results suggest that CeR-2 RNA is a C/D snoRNA involved in the processing of rRNAs.

Visualization of aberrant perinuclear microtubule aster organization by microtubule-destabilizing agents.

To analyze aberrant spindle formation by microtubule-targeting drugs, live cell imaging was performed using multi-fluorescent human MDA-MB-435 cells in which several spindle components were visualized. Time-lapse images revealed that nocodazole and vinblastine induced additional perinuclear asters at the onset of mitosis. These results imply that these drugs stimulate the microtubule-organizing activity, despite their microtubule-destabilizing properties.

CARF Is a vital dual regulator of cellular senescence and apoptosis.

The tumor suppressor protein, p53, is central to the pathways that monitor the stress, DNA damage repair, cell cycle, aging, and cancer. Highly complex p53 networks involving its upstream sensors and regulators, downstream effectors and regulatory feedback loops have been identified. CARF (Collaborator of ARF) was shown to enhance ARF-dependent and -independent wild-type p53 function. Here we report that (i) CARF overexpression causes premature senescence of human fibroblasts, (ii) it is vital for replicative and stress-induced senescence, and (iii) the lack of CARF function causes aneuploidy and apoptosis. We provide evidence that CARF plays a dual role in regulating p53-mediated senescence and apoptosis, the two major tumor suppressor mechanisms.

Construction of three quadruple-fluorescent MDA435 cell lines that enable monitoring of the whole chromosome segregation process in the living state.

Mitotic events from prophase to telophase are defined by morphology or movement of chromatin, nuclear envelope, centrosomes and spindles. Live-cell imaging is useful for characterizing the whole chromosome segregation process in the living state. In this study, we constructed three quadruple-fluorescent MDA435 cell lines in which chromatin, kinetochores, nuclear envelope and either inner centromere, microtubules or centrosomes/spindles were differentially visualized with cyan, green, orange and red fluorescent proteins (ECFP, EGFP, mKO and DsRed). Each mitotic stage of the individual cells could be identified by capturing live-cell images without the requirement of fixing or staining steps. In addition, we obtained four-color time-lapse images of one cell line, MDA-Auro/imp/H3/AF, from prophase to metaphase and from early anaphase to telophase. These quadruple-fluorescent cell lines will be useful for precisely analyzing the mitotic events from prophase through to telophase in single cells in the future.

Differential responses of mitotic spindle pole formation to microtubule-stabilizing agents epothilones A and B at low concentrations.

We previously reported that the microtubule-stabilizing agent docetaxel induced formation of fragile acentrosomal spindle poles but that structurally related paclitaxel did not. In the present study, we examined whether the microtubule-stabilizing agents epothilones A and B, which are structurally similar, affect the centrosome/spindle pole architecture.We investigated mitotic processes in epothilone A or B-treated human MDA-MB-435 cells, in which the centrosomes, spindle poles and mitotic micro-tubules were simultaneously visualized by GFP-Aurora A kinase. Fluorescence microscopy of metaphase cells indicated that several chromosomes were misaligned away from the metaphase plate when treated with IC(50) concentrations of epothilone A or B (4.5 or 2 nM, respectively), suggesting that microtubule dynamics was impaired. Interestingly, epothilone B induced formation of acentro-somal spindle poles, but this effect was not observed for epothilone A. Live-cell imaging showed that aster-like structures ectopically arose around the nuclear envelope at the onset of mitosis in epothilone B-treated cells and that one of these asters became an acentrosomal spindle pole. Aster-like structures also arose in the presence of epothilone A, but they were merged into centro-some-derived spindle poles during prometaphase and completely disappeared until metaphase. These results indicate that the centro-some/spindle pole integrity is strongly affected by epothilone B but is not greatly affected by epothilone A. Our findings show that the two epothilones cause different cellular responses at equipotent concentrations and suggest that they have different mechanisms of activity in cells.

A multi-fluorescent MDA435 cell line for mitosis inhibitor studies: simultaneous visualization of chromatin, microtubules, and nuclear envelope in living cells.

As a part of our efforts to create a pre-made multi-fluorescent cell library for various cytological assays, we made a triple-fluorescent cell line in which microtubules, chromosomes, and nuclear envelopes were visualized for simultaneous observation of spindle structure and chromosome distribution in living cells. Pilot experiments with microtubule-disturbing drugs showed the advantages of this cell line in mitosis inhibitor studies.

Dynamic behavior of FCHO1 revealed by live-cell imaging microscopy: its possible involvement in clathrin-coated vesicle formation.

The intracellular behavior of human FCHO1 protein was investigated by live-cell imaging microscopy. The fluorescence intensity of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-FCHO1 fluctuated periodically in a perinuclear region approximately every 100 s, reminding us of the periodic fluctuations of clathrin reported in our recent work. The periodicity of FCHO1 was temporally correlated with that of clathrin, suggesting that FCHO1 is involved in clathrin-coated vesicle formation.

Live imaging of spindle pole disorganization in docetaxel-treated multicolor cells.

Treatment of cells with docetaxel at low concentrations induces aberrant bipolar spindles of which two centrosomes stay at only one pole, and also induces multipolar spindles. To gain insight into the relations between centrosome impairment and structural defects of the spindle, live-cell imaging was performed on a human MDA Auro/imp/H3 cell line in which centrosomes/mitotic spindles, nuclear membrane and chromatin were simultaneously visualized by fluorescent proteins. In the presence of docetaxel at IC(50) concentration, the centrosomes did not segregate, and multiple aster-like structures ectopically arose around the disappearing nuclear membrane. Those ectopic structures formed an acentrosomal pole opposing to the two-centrosomes-containing pole. In late metaphase, one pole often fragmented into multiple spindle poles, leading multipolar division. These results suggest that spindle pole fragility may be induced by centrosome impairment, and collapse of the pole may contribute to induction of aneuploid daughter cells.

Rhythmic cycle of clathrin-coated pit formation at the trans-golgi network in human MDA-MB-435 cells.

We studied the in vivo dynamics of enhanced green fluorescent protein-tagged clathrin light chain a (GFP-CLCa) at the trans-Golgi network (TGN) in MDA-MB-435 cells. The intensity of fluorescence signals of GFP-CLCa periodically increased and decreased at the TGN approximately every 100 s. This suggests that the formation of clathrin-coated pits occurs synchronously and periodically at the TGN.

4-Nitroquinoline 1-oxide forms 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in human fibroblasts through reactive oxygen species.

4-Nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) is thought to elicit its carcinogenicity by producing DNA adducts after being metabolized to 4-hydroxyaminoquinoline 1-oxide, which forms 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8OHdG), oxidative damage. To determine whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the generation of 8OHdG by 4NQO, we used high-performance liquid chromatography and immunohistochemistry to measure the levels of 8OHdG in normal human fibroblasts treated with 4NQO. The extent of ROS induced by 4NQO was determined by using fluorescent probes to detect ROS, electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry using a cell-free system, and measurement of intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels. In fibroblasts, 4NQO dose dependently increased 8OHdG levels. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide were detected in cells treated with 4NQO by using dichlorofluorescin diacetate and hydroethidine, respectively. The addition of catalase to culture medium reduced 8OHdG levels and the intensity of dichlorofluorescin fluorescence, while 4NQO generated hydroxyl radicals in the cell-free system. These findings suggest that 4NQO treatment leads to formation of superoxide, H2O2, and hydroxyl radicals, resulting in the production of a substantial amount of 8OHdG in DNA. Neither the level of 8OHdG nor that of GSH had returned to the basal level 24 h after removal of 4NQO even at a concentration as low as 1 microM. Our results suggest that generation of ROS and depletion of GSH in cells are also important factors for the generation of 8OHdG by 4NQO. This paper describes practical and sensitive ways to detect ROS and 8OHdG and discusses a new functional pathway to elicit genotoxicity.

An AT1-receptor antagonist and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor protect against hypoxia-induced apoptosis in human aortic endothelial cells through upregulation of endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase activity.

The protective effects and roles of AT1-receptor antagonists (AT1-RA) or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) on vascular endothelial cell (EC) injury during hypoxia are not entirely known. Therefore, we investigated these effects and mechanisms in human aortic (HA) EC. DNA fragmentation, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and caspase-3 activity were measured in cultured HAEC after exposure to hypoxia in the presence or absence of an AT1-RA (candesartan, CS) and/or an ACEI (temocaprilat, TC). Next, we investigated endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) and inducible (i) NOS to determine the role of the bradykinin(BK)-NO pathway in the protective effect on ACEI and AT1-RA in the setting of hypoxia-induced apoptosis. Exposure to hypoxia increased DNA fragmentation in HAEC associated with the activation of caspase-3, but did not affect LDH release. In addition, hypoxia induced ecNOS mRNA but not mRNA iNOS. CS and/or TC reduced apoptosis induced by hypoxia in a dose-dependent manner, and significantly increased BK and ecNOS expression. This effect was attenuated by the kinin B2 receptor antagonist, HOE 140, and the NOS inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NMMA). Hypoxia activates the pathway leading to apoptosis by enhancing caspase-3 activity. Both CS and TC can ameliorate hypoxia-induced apoptosis in HAEC through inhibiting caspase-3 activation by enhancing ecNOS activity, via the accumulation of BK.

Astaxanthin limits exercise-induced skeletal and cardiac muscle damage in mice.

Dietary antioxidants may attenuate oxidative damage from strenuous exercise in various tissues. Beneficial effects of the antioxidant astaxanthin have been demonstrated in vitro, but not yet in vivo. We investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with astaxanthin on oxidative damage induced by strenuous exercise in mouse gastrocnemius and heart. C57BL/6 mice (7 weeks old) were divided into groups: rested control, intense exercise, and exercise with astaxanthin supplementation. After 3 weeks of exercise acclimation, both exercise groups ran on a treadmill at 28 m/min until exhaustion. Exercise-increased 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-modified protein and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in gastrocnemius and heart were blunted in the astaxanthin group. Increases in plasma creatine kinase activity, and in myeloperoxidase activity in gastrocnemius and heart, also were lessened by astaxanthin. Astaxanthin showed accumulation in gastrocnemius and heart from the 3 week supplementation. Astaxanthin can attenuate exercise-induced damage in mouse skeletal muscle and heart, including an associated neutrophil infiltration that induces further damage.

Design, synthesis and biological activities of antiangiogenic hypoxic cytotoxin, triazine-N-oxide derivatives.

For cancer therapy, hypoxia represents an important tumor specific target. Therefore we designed and synthesized antiangiogenic hypoxic cytotoxins as 'hypoxia modifiers'. They can be activated bioreductively in hypoxic cells to kill the oxygen-deficient tumor cells selectively and prevent their re-growth. The aromatic heterocycle di-N-oxides, tirapazamine (TPZ), TX-1102, and TX-402 inhibited growth of EMT6/KU cells, SAS/neo cells, and SAS/Trp248 cells (mutant p53 gene transformant) under hypoxic condition. They also induced apoptosis selectively at a dose of 10 microM each under hypoxic condition for 5 h. Their hypoxic cytotoxicities and apoptosis inducing activities were p53-independent because the activities in SAS/neo cells were almost similar to that in SAS/Trp248 cells. In angiogenesis inhibition assay using chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), TPZ, TX-1102, TX-402 and TX-1033 showed 40, 25, 60 and 60% inhibition of angiogenesis each at a dose of 10 microg/CAM. On the other hand, the nitrosopyrimidine, TX-1041 had neither antiangiogenic activity nor cytotoxicity. Therefore the di-N-oxide group is thought to be required for the biological activities. TX-1102 was a potent antiangiogenic hypoxic cytotoxin inducing apoptosis p53-independently.