High Level of Spinosad Production in the Heterologous Host Saccharopolyspora erythraea.

UNLABELLED: Spinosad, a highly effective insecticide, has an excellent environmental and mammalian toxicological profile. Global market demand for spinosad is huge and growing. However, after much effort, there has been almost no improvement in the spinosad yield from the original producer, Saccharopolyspora spinosa Here, we report the heterologous expression of spinosad using Saccharopolyspora erythraea as a host. The native erythromycin polyketide synthase (PKS) genes in S. erythraea were replaced by the assembled spinosad gene cluster through iterative recombination. The production of spinosad could be detected in the recombinant strains containing the whole biosynthesis gene cluster. Both metabolic engineering and UV mutagenesis were applied to further improve the yield of spinosad. The final strain, AT-ES04PS-3007, which could produce spinosad with a titer of 830 mg/liter, has significant potential in industrial applications. IMPORTANCE: This work provides an innovative and promising way to improve the industrial production of spinosad. At the same time, it also describes a successful method of heterologous expression for target metabolites of interest by replacing large gene clusters.

Antitumor Activity of a Novel Sphingosine-1-Phosphate 2 Antagonist, AB1, in Neuroblastoma.

The bioactive lipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and its receptors (S1P1-5) play critical roles in many pathologic processes, including cancer. The S1P axis has become a bona fide therapeutic target in cancer. JTE-013 [N-​(2,​6-​dichloro-​4-​pyridinyl)-​2-​[1,​3-​dimethyl-​4-​(1-​methylethyl)-​1H-​pyrazolo[3,​4-​b]pyridin-​6-​yl]-​hydrazinecarboxamide], a known S1P2 antagonist, suffers from instability in vivo. Structurally modified, more potent, and stable S1P2 inhibitors would be desirable pharmacological tools. One of the JTE-013 derivatives, AB1 [N-(1H-4-isopropyl-1-allyl-3-methylpyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-6-yl)-amino-N'-(2,6-dichloropyridine-4-yl) urea], exhibited improved S1P2 antagonism compared with JTE-013. Intravenous pharmacokinetics indicated enhanced stability or slower clearance of AB1 in vivo. Migration assays in glioblastoma showed that AB1 was slightly more effective than JTE-013 in blocking S1P2-mediated inhibition of cell migration. Functional studies in the neuroblastoma (NB) cell line SK-N-AS showed that AB1 displayed potency at least equivalent to JTE-013 in affecting signaling molecules downstream of S1P2. Similarly, AB1 inhibition of the growth of SK-N-AS tumor xenografts was improved compared with JTE-013. Cell viability assays excluded that this enhanced AB1 effect is caused by inhibition of cancer cell survival. Both JTE-013 and AB1 trended to inhibit (C-C motif) ligand 2 expression and were able to significantly inhibit subsequent tumor-associated macrophage infiltration in NB xenografts. Interestingly, AB1 was more effective than JTE-013 in inhibiting the expression of the profibrotic mediator connective tissue growth factor. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated digoxigenin-deoxyuridine nick-end labeling assay and cleaved caspase-3 detection further demonstrated that apoptosis was increased in AB1-treated NB xenografts compared with JTE-013. Overall, the modification of JTE-013 to produce the AB1 compound improved potency, intravenous pharmacokinetics, cellular activity, and antitumor activity in NB and may have enhanced clinical and experimental applicability.

Gene Replacement for the Generation of Designed Novel Avermectin Derivatives with Enhanced Acaricidal and Nematicidal Activities.

Avermectin (AVM) and ivermectin (IVM) are potent pesticides and acaricides which have been widely used during the past 30 years. As insect resistance to AVM and IVM is greatly increasing, alternatives are urgently needed. Here, we report two novel AVM derivatives, tenvermectin A (TVM A) and TVM B, which are considered a potential new generation of agricultural and veterinary drugs. The molecules of the TVMs were designed based on structure and pharmacological property comparisons among AVM, IVM, and milbemycin (MBM). To produce TVMs, a genetically engineered strain, MHJ1011, was constructed from Streptomyces avermitilis G8-17, an AVM industrial strain. In MHJ1011, the native aveA1 gene was seamlessly replaced with milA1 from Streptomyces hygroscopicus. The total titer of the two TVMs produced by MHJ1011 reached 3,400 mg/liter. Insecticidal tests proved that TVM had enhanced activities against Tetranychus cinnabarinus and Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, as desired. This study provides a typical example of exploration for novel active compounds through a new method of polyketide synthase (PKS) reassembly for gene replacement. The results of the insecticidal tests may be of use in elucidating the structure-activity relationship of AVMs and MBMs.

Both FOXO3a and FOXO1 are involved in the HGF-protective pathway against apoptosis in endothelial cells.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was identified as an endogenous tissue protective agent against apoptosis in many cell types. The mechanism by which HGF protects primary endothelial cells (ECs) has not yet been completely elucidated. FOXO1 and FOXO3a, two members of the FOXO family, are the most abundant FOXO isoforms in mature endothelial cells. In this study, we aimed to explore whether FOXO1 and FOXO3a play similar roles in HGF-mediated protection against apoptosis in mature endothelial cells. Our result showed that HGF prevented ECs from oxidative-stress induced apoptosis in part by inducing the phosphorylation of FOXO proteins. FOXO1 and FOXO3a are equally important in this process by regulating the expression of Bim, PUMA, FasL, and TRAIL.

Metabolites of isocorynoxeine in rats after its oral administration.

This work presents the metabolites of isocorynoxeine (ICOR), which is one of four bioactive tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids isolated from Uncaria hooks used commonly in the traditional Chinese medicines and Kampo medicines. After oral administration of 40 mg kg(-1) ICOR to rats, bile was drained and analyzed by LC-MS. Two phase I metabolites, namely 11-hydroxyisocorynoxeine (M1) and 10-hydroxyisocorynoxeine (M2), and two phase II metabolites, namely 11-hydroxyisocorynoxeine 11-O-ß-D-glucuronide (M3) and 10-hydroxyisocorynoxeine 10-O-ß-D-glucuronide (M4), were isolated from rat excreta and bile, respectively, whose structures were elucidated on the basis of CD, NMR, and MS.

FTY720 inhibits tumor growth and enhances the tumor-suppressive effect of topotecan in neuroblastoma by interfering with the sphingolipid signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extra-cranial solid tumor in childhood. Poor outcomes for children with advanced disease underscore the need for novel therapeutic strategies. FTY720, an immunomodulating drug approved for multiple sclerosis, has been investigated in oncology with promising preclinical activities. To date, its effect in NB has not been explored. Herein we describe our preclinical experience with FTY720, alone or in combination with topotecan, and its putative mechanism of action in NB. PROCEDURE: MTT assay was performed to assess the effect of FTY720 on cell viability. A NB xenograft model was employed to assess the efficacy of FTY720 on tumor growth. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to determine changes of mRNA and protein expression, respectively. Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure sphingolipid levels. RESULTS: FTY720, but not FTY720-P induced NB cell death. FTY720 inhibited the growth of NB xenografts and enhanced the tumor-suppressive effect of topotecan both in vitro and in vivo. FTY720 significantly inhibited sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2) mRNA and protein expression in NB cells. Pro-apoptotic sphingosine levels were increased in NB cells and NB xenografts treated with FTY720. FTY720-induced cell death was caspase-independent and involved the dephosphorylation of Akt and BAD at Ser136. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that FTY720 has potent preclinical anti-cancer activity in NB. Its unique death signaling mechanism, interference with the sphingolipid pathway, acts cooperatively with that of topotecan, suggesting that FTY720 related molecules may be useful in NB treatment.

Radicicol Inhibits iNOS Expression in Cytokine-Stimulated Pancreatic Beta Cells.

Here, we show that radicicol, a fungal antibiotic, resulted in marked inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) transcription by the pancreatic beta cell line MIN6N8a in response to cytokine mixture (CM: TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1ß). Treatment of MIN6N8a cells with radicicol inhibited CM-stimulated activation of NF-κB/Rel, which plays a critical role in iNOS transcription, in a dose-related manner. Nitrite production in the presence of PD98059, a specific inhibitor of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase-1 and 2 (ERK1/2) pathway, was dramatically diminished, suggesting that the ERK1/2 pathway is involved in CM-induced iNOS expression. In contrast, SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38, had no effect on nitrite generation. Collectively, this series of experiments indicates that radicicol inhibits iNOS gene expression by blocking ERK1/2 signaling. Due to the critical role that NO release plays in mediating destruction of pancreatic beta cells, the inhibitory effects of radicicol on iNOS expression suggest that radicicol may represent a useful anti-diabetic activity.

Characterization of a WiT49 cell line derived orthotopic model of Wilms tumor.

Wilms tumor is the most common malignant renal tumor in children. However, to date no Wilms tumor mouse model is available due to the lack of Wilms tumor cell lines. Herein for the first time we report an orthotopic xenograft mouse model utilizing the recently described Wilms tumor cell line WiT49. It has a high tumor occurrence rate (85%) without metastasis. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed it is subcapsular in location and mainly biphasic with stromal and epithelial components while blastemal component is unappreciable. This model provides the prerequisite for the screening and development of new anti-tumor agents for Wilms tumor.

Induction of antiproliferative connective tissue growth factor expression in Wilms' tumor cells by sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2.

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a member of the CCN family of secreted matricellular proteins, regulates fibrosis, angiogenesis, cell proliferation, apoptosis, tumor growth, and metastasis. However, the role of CTGF and its regulation mechanism in Wilms' tumor remains largely unknown. We found that the bioactive lipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) induced CTGF expression in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in a Wilms' tumor cell line (WiT49), whereas FTY720-phosphate, an S1P analogue that binds all S1P receptors except S1P2, did not. Further, the specific S1P2 antagonist JTE-013 completely inhibited S1P-induced CTGF expression, whereas the S1P1 antagonist VPC44116 did not, indicating that this effect was mediated by S1P2. This was confirmed by adenoviral transduction of S1P2 in WiT49 cells, which showed that overexpression of S1P2 increased the expression of CTGF. Induction of CTGF by S1P was sensitive to ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase inhibitor SP600125, suggesting the requirement of RhoA/ROCK and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase pathways for S1P-induced CTGF expression. Interestingly, the expression levels of CTGF were decreased in 8 of 10 Wilms' tumor tissues compared with matched normal tissues by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. In vitro, human recombinant CTGF significantly inhibited the proliferation of WiT49 cells. In addition, overexpression of CTGF resulted in significant inhibition of WiT49 cell growth. Taken together, these data suggest that CTGF protein induced by S1P2 might act as a growth inhibitor in Wilms' tumor.

S1P/S1P2 signaling induces cyclooxygenase-2 expression in Wilms tumor.

PURPOSE: Cyclooxygenase-2 has been reported to be ubiquitously expressed in Wilms tumor, the most common malignant renal tumor in children. However, to our knowledge the regulation mechanism of cyclooxygenase-2 expression remains unexplored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were performed to detect cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and protein expression in WiT49 cells upon stimulation by S1P (Biomol(R)), and S1P(2) and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression in 10 freshly frozen Wilms tumor tissues and matched normal tissues. Over expression, blockade and down-regulation of S1P(2) were determined using adenoviral transduction, the S1P(2) antagonist JTE-013 (Tocris Bioscience, Ellisville, Missouri) and small interfering RNA (Dharmacon, Lafayette, Colorado) transfection, respectively. The prostaglandin E(2) level in WiT49 cells was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. RESULTS: S1P induced cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and protein expression in WiT49 cells in a concentration dependent manner. Over expression of S1P(2) in WiT49 cells led to a significant increase in cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and protein expression as well as subsequent prostaglandin E(2) synthesis. In addition, pretreatment of those cells that over expressed S1P(2) with the S1P(2) selective antagonist JTE-013 completely blocked S1P induced cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression. In accordance with these results silencing S1P(2) in WiT49 cells down-regulated S1P induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression. Further research in 10 Wilms tumor specimens showed that S1P(2) mRNA is greatly increased in Wilms tumor. CONCLUSIONS: S1P induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression in Wilms tumor and this effect was mediated by S1P(2). This finding extends the biological function of S1P(2) and provides the biochemical basis for developing inhibitors targeting the S1P/cyclooxygenase-2 signaling pathway.

Grateloupia longifolia polysaccharide inhibits angiogenesis by downregulating tissue factor expression in HMEC-1 endothelial cells.

1. The antiangiogenic and antitumor properties of Grateloupia longifolia polysaccharide (GLP), a new type of polysaccharide isolated from the marine alga, were investigated with several in vitro and in vivo models. Possible mechanisms underlying its antiangiogenic activity were also assessed. 2. GLP dose-dependently inhibited proliferation of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), with IC50 values of 0.86 and 0.64 mg ml(-1), respectively. In tube formation and cell migration assays using HMEC-1 cells, noncytotoxic doses of GLP significantly inhibited formation of intact tube networks and reduced the number of migratory cells. Inhibition by GLP was VEGF-independent. 3. In the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, GLP (2.5 microg egg(-1)) reduced new vessel formation compared with the vehicle control. GLP (0.1 mg plug(-1)) also reduced the vessel density in Matrigel plugs implanted in mice. 4. The levels of pan and phosphorylated receptors for VEGF, VEGFR-1 (flt-1) and VEGFR-2 (KDR) were not significantly altered by 5 mg ml(-1) GLP treatment of HMEC-1, although tissue factor (TF) showed significant decreases at both mRNA and protein levels following GLP treatment. 5. In mice bearing sarcoma-180 cells, intravenous administration of GLP (200 mg kg(-1)) decreased tumor weight by 52% without obvious toxicity. Vascular density in sections of the tumor was reduced by 64% after GLP treatment. 6. Collectively, these results indicate that GLP has antitumor properties, associated at least, in part, with the antiangiogenesis induced by downregulation of TF.

Antimetastatic effect of salvicine on human breast cancer MDA-MB-435 orthotopic xenograft is closely related to Rho-dependent pathway.

PURPOSE: Salvicine is a novel DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor with potent anticancer activity. In present study, the effect of salvicine against metastasis is evaluated using human breast carcinoma orthotopic metastasis model and its mechanism is further investigated both in animal and cellular levels. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The MDA-MB-435 orthotopic xenograft model was applied to detect the antimetastatic effect of salvicine. Potential target candidates were detected and analyzed by microarray technology. Candidates were verified and explored by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot. Salvicine activities on stress fiber formation, invasion, and membrane translocation were further investigated by immunofluorescence, invasion, and ultracentrifugal assays. RESULTS: Salvicine significantly reduced the lung metastatic foci of MDA-MB-435 orthotopic xenograft, without affecting primary tumor growth obviously. A comparison of gene expression profiles of primary tumors and lung metastatic focus between salvicine-treated and untreated groups using the CLOTECH Atlas human Cancer 1.2 cDNA microarray revealed that genes involved in tumor metastasis, particularly those closely related to cell adhesion and motility, were obviously down-regulated, including fibronectin, integrin alpha3, integrin beta3, integrin beta5, FAK, paxillin, and RhoC. Furthermore, salvicine significantly down-regulated RhoC at both mRNA and protein levels, greatly inhibited stress fiber formation and invasiveness of MDA-MB-435 cells, and markedly blocked translocation of both RhoA and RhoC from cytosol to membrane. CONCLUSION: The unique antimetastatic action of salvicine, particularly its specific modulation of cell motility in vivo and in vitro, is closely related to Rho-dependent signaling pathway.

KIOM-79 inhibits LPS-induced iNOS gene expression by blocking NF-kappaB/Rel and p38 kinase activation in murine macrophages.

We demonstrate that KIOM-79, combined extracts obtained from Magnolia officinalis, Pueraria lobata, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and Euphorbia pekinensis, inhibits LPS-induced expression of iNOS gene in RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with KIOM-79 inhibited LPS-stimulated nitric oxide production in a dose-related manner. Immunohisto-chemical staining of iNOS and RT-PCR analysis showed that the decrease of NO was due to the inhibition of iNOS gene expression. Immunostaining of p65, EMSA, and reporter gene assay showed that KIOM-79 inhibited NF-kappa/Rel nuclear translocation, DNA binding, and transcriptional activation, respectively. Western immunoblot analysis of p38 kinase showed KIOM-79 significantly inhibited the phosphoylation of p38 kinase which is important in the regulation of iNOS gene expression. Collectively, this series of experiments indicates that KIOM inhibits iNOS gene expression by blocking NF-kappa/Rel and p38 kinase signaling. Due to the critical role that NO release plays in mediating inflammatory responses, the inhibitory effects of KIOM-79 on iNOS suggest that KIOM-79 may represent a useful anti-inflammatory agent.

Pseudolaric acid B inhibits angiogenesis and reduces hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha by promoting proteasome-mediated degradation.

PURPOSE: Pseudolaric acid B (PAB), the naturally occurring diterpenoid isolated from the root bark of Pseudolarix kaempferi Gordon tree (Pinaceae), possesses potent antifungal and pregnancy-terminating effects that may be tightly associated with angiogenesis. This study was to examine its angiogenic inhibition, impact on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion from tumor cells and the possible mechanism of action. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Angiogenesis inhibition was assessed by the human umbilical vascular endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube-formation assays, as well as the chorioallantoic membrane assay. ELISA, reverse transcription-PCR, and Western blotting analyses were performed to examine VEGF protein secretion, mRNA expression, and the possible mechanism in hypoxic MDA-MB-468 cells. RESULTS: PAB displayed potent in vitro antiangiogenic activity shown by inhibiting VEGF-stimulated proliferation and migration and fetal bovine serum-stimulated tube formation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, PAB (10 nmol per egg) significantly suppressed in vivo angiogenesis in the chorioallantoic membrane assay. On the other hand, PAB abrogated hypoxia-induced VEGF secretion from MDA-MB-468 cells via reducing HIF-1alpha protein. Additional analyses using LY294002 and U0126 indicated that the increase in hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1)alpha protein level was highly dependent on phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase and p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase activities in hypoxic MDA-MB-468 cells. However, PAB treatment did not affect the active (phosphorylated) forms of Akt and Erk. Interestingly, the selective proteasome inhibitor MG-132 completely reversed the reduction of HIF-1alpha protein in the PAB-treated MDA-MB-468 cells. CONCLUSIONS: PAB displays the dual antiangiogenic activities of directly inhibiting endothelial cells and abrogating paracrine stimulation of VEGF from tumor cells due to reducing HIF-1alpha protein by promoting its proteasome-mediated degradation in MDA-MB-468 cells, which has potential clinical relevance.

Anti-proliferative effects, cell cycle G2/M phase arrest and blocking of chromosome segregation by probimane and MST-16 in human tumor cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Anticancer bisdioxopiperazines, including ICRF-154, razoxane (Raz, ICRF-159) and ICRF-193, are a family of anticancer agents developed in the UK, especially targeting metastases of neoplasms. Two other bisdioxopiperazine derivatives, probimane (Pro) and MST-16, were synthesized at the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China. Cytotoxic activities and mechanisms of Raz (+)-steroisomer (ICRF-187, dexrazoxane), Pro and MST-16 against tumor cells were evaluated by MTT colorimetry, flow cytometry and karyotyping. RESULTS: Pro was cytotoxic to human tumor cell lines in vitro (IC50<50 microM for 48 h). Four human tumor cell lines (SCG-7901, K562, A549 and HL60) were susceptible to Pro at low inhibitory concentrations (IC50 values < 10 microM for 48 h). Although the IC50 against HeLa cell line of vincristine (VCR, 4.56 microM), doxorubicin (Dox, 1.12 microM) and 5-fluoruouracil (5-Fu, 0.232 microM) are lower than Pro (5.12 microM), ICRF-187 (129 microM) and MST-16 (26.4 microM), VCR, Dox and 5-Fu shows a low dose-related - high cytotoxic activity. Time-response studies showed that the cytotoxic effects of Pro are increased for 3 days in human tumor cells, whereas VCR, Dox and 5-Fu showed decreased cytotoxic action after 24 h. Cell cycle G2/M phase arrest and chromosome segregation blocking by Pro and MST-16 were noted. Although there was similar effects of Pro and MST-16 on chromosome segregation blocking action and cell cycle G2/M phase arrest at 1- 4 microM, cytotoxicity of Pro against tumor cells was higher than that of MST-16 in vitro by a factor of 3- 10 folds. Our data show that Pro may be more effective against lung cancer and leukemia while ICRF-187 and MST-16 shows similar IC50 values only against leukemia. CONCLUSION: It suggests that Pro has a wider spectrum of cytotoxic effects against human tumor cells than other bisdioxopiperazines, especially against solid tumors, and with a single cytotoxic pathway of Pro and MST-16 affecting chromosome segregation and leading also to cell G2/ M phase arrests, which finally reduces cell division rates. Pro may be more potent than MST-16 in cytotoxicity. High dose- and time- responses of Pro, when compared with VCR, 5-Fu and Dox, were seen that suggest a selectivity of Pro against tumor growth. Compounds of bisdioxopiperazines family may keep up their cytotoxic effects longer than many other anticancer drugs.

A strategy for seamless cloning of large DNA fragments from Streptomyces.

We report a novel method for the seamless cloning of large DNA fragments (SCLF) of up to 44 kb or larger from Streptomyces chromosomal DNA. SCLF is based on homologous recombination in Streptomyces and is easy to perform. The strategy of SCLF is to flank the target sequence in the chromosomal DNA with two identical restriction sites by the insertion of plasmids containing that site at either end of the fragment, which is then isolated by plasmid rescue through the self-ligation of restriction digested genomic DNA. The method involves three steps: (i) placing a certain restriction site (CRS) at the 3'-end of the target sequence by insertion through homologous recombination of a plasmid containing the CRS; (ii) inserting through homologous recombination at the 5'-end of the target sequence a linearized self-suicide vector with the identical CRS; (iii) digesting the genomic DNA with the certain restriction enzyme followed by self-ligation in order to plasmid rescue the target fragment. SCLF can be applied to other Actinomycetales, and further optimizations may reduce the amount of time required to perform this technique.

Quercetin, a dietary-derived flavonoid, possesses antiangiogenic potential.

Quercetin, a dietary-derived flavonoid, suppresses tumor growth in vitro and in vivo, and inhibits the activity of tyrosine kinase. The effects of quercetin on the angiogenic process were examined in this study. Quercetin was found to inhibit several important steps of angiogenesis including proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human microvascular dermal endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, the effect of quercetin on endothelial cell proliferation was confirmed using human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The activity of quercetin on the proliferation of endothelial cells was stronger than that on A549, BEL-7402, MKN-45 tumor cells and NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells. The chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay revealed that addition of quercetin displayed an antiangiogenic effect in vivo. After exposure to quercetin, a decrease in the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2, which is involved in the angiogenic process of migration, invasion, and tube formation, was observed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and gelatin zymography. These findings suggest that quercetin has antiangiogenic potential and that this effect may be related to an influence on the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2.

Pseudolarix acid B inhibits angiogenesis by antagonizing the vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated anti-apoptotic effect.

Angiogenesis is controlled by a number of growth factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In this study, pseudolarix acid B, isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Pseudolarix kaempferi and originally identified as an early pregnancy-terminating agent, was evaluated for its potential as an angiogenesis inhibitor, using in vitro and in vivo models. After exposure to pseudolarix acid B 0.625-5 microM for 72 h, the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells was significantly inhibited. Pseudolarix acid B 0.313-2.5 microM for 24 h potently blocked the VEGF-induced tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. Matrigel plug assays disclosed that pseudolarix acid B reduced angiogenesis induced by VEGF in vivo. In addition, pseudolarix acid B antagonized VEGF-mediated anti-apoptotic effects on serum-deprived human umbilical vein endothelial cells and increased apoptosis of endothelial cells induced by VEGF in Matrigel plug assays. Moreover, pseudolarix acid B significantly inhibited VEGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of kinase insert domain-containing receptor/fetal liver kinase-1 (KDR/flk-1), in correlation with a marked decrease in the phosphorylation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK). These findings collectively suggest that pseudolarix acid B possesses anti-angiogenic activity. One of the main anti-angiogenesis mechanisms of pseudolarix acid B may involve antagonism of the VEGF-mediated anti-apoptosis effect via inhibition of KDR/flk-1, ERK1/2, and Akt phosphorylation in endothelial cells.

Induction of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 by sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling in neuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood. Preliminary data derived from a human angiogenesis array in NB showed that the bioactive lipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) induced the secretion of several angiogenesis-related proteins including the important inflammatory factor chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2). In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of S1P-induced CCL2 expression in NB. METHODS: Quantitative real-time PCR and CCL2 ELISA were conducted to detect the mRNA expression and protein secretion of CCL2 in NB cells. Gain and loss of function studies were performed by using specific S1PR antagonists, adenoviral transduction and siRNA transfection. Macrophage F4/80 receptor in NB xenografts was detected by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS: S1P induced CCL2 mRNA expression and protein secretion in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in NB cells. Blockade of S1P2 signaling using the selective S1P2 antagonist JTE-013 inhibited S1P-induced CCL2 expression. Overexpression of S1P2 by adenoviral transduction increased CCL2 secretion while knockdown of S1P2 by siRNA transfection decreased S1P-induced CCL2 secretion in NB cells. Macrophage infiltration, as detected by F4/80 staining, was significantly decreased in JTE-013-treated NB xenografts. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data for the first time demonstrate that S1P induced the macrophage-recruiting factor CCL2 expression in NB cells via S1P2, providing new insights into the complicated functions of S1P2 in cancer.

Pseudolaric acid B-driven phosphorylation of c-Jun impairs its role in stabilizing HIF-1alpha: a novel function-converter model.

We have recently discovered that c-Jun executes a non-transcriptional function to stabilize hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and that pseudolaric acid B (PAB) accelerates HIF-1α degradation and phosphorylates c-Jun at Ser63/73. In this study, PAB was used as a probe to investigate whether and how the Ser63/73 phosphorylation of c-Jun regulates its functions. The PAB-induced reduction of HIF-1α protein was rescued through supplying additional non-phosphorylated c-Jun. However, c-Jun siRNA, which reduced both the PAB-driven phosphorylated c-Jun and the total c-Jun protein, did not prevent the PAB-induced decrease in HIF-1α. HIF-1α was revealed to be co-immunoprecipitated only with the non-phosphorylated c-Jun. PAB increased the phosphorylated c-Jun while reducing the non-phosphorylated c-Jun at Ser63/73, which impaired its function in stabilizing HIF-1α. Consequently, PAB led to the degradation of HIF-1α, thus resulting in the decreased HIF-1α-dependent expression of mdr-1 and VEGF. We accordingly propose a function-converter model of c-Jun: the Ser63/73 phosphorylation serves as a function converter to convert c-Jun from its non-transcriptional function to its transcriptional function.