PIM2 survival kinase is upregulated in a p53-dependent manner in cells treated with camptothecin or co-treated with actinomycin D and nutlin-3a.

The p53 protein is an inducer of apoptosis, acting as a transcriptional regulator of apoptotic genes. In a previous study, we found that actinomycin D and nutlin-3a (A + N) synergistically activate p53. To better understand the molecular consequences of this synergism, we incubated arrays of antibodies against apoptotic proteins with extracts of A549 cells in which p53 had been activated. We found that strong activation of p53, marked by serine 46 and 392 phosphorylation, was associated with inactivating phosphorylation of proapoptotic BAD protein on serine 136. Investigation of the source of this phosphorylation revealed that activation of p53 was associated with accumulation of PIM2, a survival kinase. The accumulation of PIM2 following treatment with A + N was suppressed in p53-knockdown cells. Others discovered that PIM2 was activated by cooperatively acting p53 molecules. Our results are consistent with this finding. Moreover, we found that in A549 cells, the treatment with A + N stimulated in p53-dependent fashion the expression of other high cooperativity p53 target genes, DRAXIN and H19. Activation of antiapoptotic H19 can mechanistically explain relatively low rate of apoptosis of A549 cells exposed to A + N. We conclude that PIM2, DRAXIN and H19 are efficiently stimulated by strongly activated p53 molecules, probably acting cooperatively.

Long-term Treatment with Olanzapine Increases the Number of Sox2 and Doublecortin Expressing Cells in the Adult Subventricular Zone.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Continuously active neurogenic regions in the adult brain are located in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles and subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Neurogenesis is modulated by many factors such as growth factors, neurotransmitters and hormones. Neuropsychiatric drugs, especially antidepressants, mood stabilizers and antipsychotics may also affect the origin of neuronal cells. METHOD: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of chronic olanzapine treatment on adult rat neurogenesis at the level of the SVZ. The number of neuroblasts was evaluated using immunohistochemical and fluorescent detection of sex determining region Y-box 2 and doublecortin expressing cells. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: The results indicate that olanzapine has proneurogenic effects on the adult rat SVZ, as the mean number of sex determining region Y-box 2 and doublecortin-positive cells increased significantly, while there was a similar tendency in the subgranular zone. Collectively, these results suggest that long-term treatment with olanzapine may stimulate neurogenic stem cell formation in the SVZ which supports adult neurogenesis.

The Alzheimer's disease-associated TREM2 gene is regulated by p53 tumor suppressor protein.

TREM2 mutations evoke neurodegenerative disorders, and recently genetic variants of this gene were correlated to increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The signaling cascade originating from the TREM2 membrane receptor includes its binding partner TYROBP, BLNK adapter protein, and SYK kinase, which can be activated by p53. Moreover, in silico identification of a putative p53 response element (RE) at the TREM2 promoter led us to hypothesize that TREM2 and other pathway elements may be regulated in p53-dependent manner. To stimulate p53 in synergistic fashion, we exposed A549 lung cancer cells to actinomycin D and nutlin-3a (A + N). In these cells, exposure to A + N triggered expression of TREM2, TYROBP, SYK and BLNK in p53-dependent manner. TREM2 was also activated by A + N in U-2 OS osteosarcoma and A375 melanoma cell lines. Interestingly, nutlin-3a, a specific activator of p53, acting alone stimulated TREM2 in U-2 OS cells. Using in vitro mutagenesis, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and luciferase reporter assays, we confirmed the presence of the p53 RE in TREM2 promoter. Furthermore, activation of TREM2 and TYROBP by p53 was strongly inhibited by CHIR-98014, a potent and specific inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3). We conclude that TREM2 is a direct p53-target gene, and that activation of TREM2 by A + N or nutlin-3a may be critically dependent on GSK-3 function.

Methylglyoxal (MGO) inhibits proliferation and induces cell death of human glioblastoma multiforme T98G and U87MG cells.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant and invasive human brain tumor and it is characterized by a poor prognosis and short survival time. Current treatment strategies for GBM using surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy are ineffective. Thus new therapeutic strategies to target GBM are urgently needed. The effect of methylglyoxal (MGO) on the cell cycle, cell death and proliferation of human GBM cells was investigated. The T98G and U87MG cell lines were cultured in modified EMEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and maintained at 37°C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air. Cells were exposed to methylglyoxal (0.025mM) per 72h. The influence of MGO on T98G and U87MG cell cycle, proliferation and apoptosis was evaluated as well. Cell cycle phase distribution, proliferation, apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. MGO causes changes in cell cycle and induces accumulation of G1/G0-phase cells and reduced fraction of cells in S and G2/M phases. We have also observed inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. We have also revealed that MGO induces senescence of U87MG but not T98G cells, but further studies are necessary in order to clarify and check mechanism of action of methylglyoxal and it Is a positive phenomenon for the treatment of GBM.