0000000000117719
AUTHOR
Vicente J. Miralles
Vitamin E activates CRABP-II gene expression in cultured human fibroblasts, role of protein kinase C
The treatment of human fibroblasts with different tocopherols in the presence of retinol caused an increase in cytoplasmic retinoic acid binding protein II (CRABP-II) mRNA and protein. The possibility of an involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in the response to tocopherols was supported by the results obtained with the PKC-specific inhibitors, calphostin C and bisindolylmaleimide I. The effect of alpha-tocopherol was prevented by okadaic acid, suggesting that a protein phosphatase is responsible for PKC dephosphorylation produced by the presence of tocopherols. The results shown support the hypothesis that phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of RXRalpha via PKC may be involved in the regula…
Initiator-Directed Transcription: Fission Yeast Nmtl Initiator Directs Preinitiation Complex Formation and Transcriptional Initiation
The initiator element is a core promoter element encompassing the transcription start site, which is found in yeast, Drosophila, and human promoters. This element is observed in TATA-less promoters. Several studies have defined transcription factor requirements and additional cofactors that are needed for transcription initiation of initiator-containing promoters. However, those studies have been performed with additional core promoters in addition to the initiator. In this work, we have defined the pathway of preinitiation complex formation on the fission yeast nmt1 gene promoter, which contains a functional initiator with striking similarity to the initiator of the human dihydrofolate red…
Casein kinase 2 inhibits HomolD-directed transcription by Rrn7 in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, ribosomal protein gene (RPG) promoters contain a TATA analogue element called the HomolD box. The HomolD-binding protein Rrn7 forms a complex with the RNA polymerase II machinery. Despite the importance of ribosome biogenesis to cell survival, the mechanisms involved in the regulation of transcription of eukaryotic RPGs are unknown. In this study, we identified Rrn7 as a new substrate of the pleiotropic casein kinase 2 (CK2), which is a regulator of basal transcription. Recombinant Rrn7 from S. pombe, which is often used as a model organism for studying eukaryotic transcription, interacted with CK2 in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, CK2-mediated phosphorylation…
In vivo studies of altered expression patterns of p53 and proliferative control genes in chronic vitamin A deficiency and hypervitaminosis
Several clinical trials have revealed that individuals who were given beta-carotene and vitamin A did not have a reduced risk of cancer compared to those given placebo; rather, vitamin A could actually have caused an adverse effect in the lungs of smokers [Omenn, G.S., Goodman, G.E., Thornquist, M.D., Balmes, J., Cullen, M.R., Glass, A., Keogh, J.P., Meyskens, F.L., Valanis, B., Williams, J.H., Barnhart, S. & Hammar, S. N. Engl. J. Med (1996) 334, 1150-1155; Hennekens, C.H., Buring, J.E., Manson, J.E., Stampfer, M., Rosner, B., Cook, N.R., Belanger, C., LaMotte, F., Gaziano, J.M., Ridker, P.M., Willet, W. & Peto, R. (1996) N. Engl. J. Med. 334, 1145-1149]. Using differential display techniq…
Termination of transcription in an ‘in vitro’ system is dependent on a polyadenylation sequence
Using HeLa cell nuclear extract as a source of the different transcription and polyadenylation factors and reverse transcription to analyze the levels of RNA 5' and 3' to the cleavage-polyadenylation site, an in vitro assay has been established to study polyadenylation coupled to transcription directed by different adenovirus promoters. The levels of transcription 5' and 3' to the cleavage site in the L3 polyadenylation region are practically the same as described previously, however, the level of transcription 3' to the cleavage site in the SV40 early polyadenylation region decreases immediately after the cleavage site indicating a termination of the transcription.
Inhibition of liver trans-sulphuration pathway by propargylglycine mimics gene expression changes found in the mammary gland of weaned lactating rats: role of glutathione
In the lactatingmammary gland, weaning produces mitochondrial cytochrome c release and nuclear DNA fragmentation, as determined by gel electrophoresis. This is followed by a significant decrease in lactation. Weaning for 2 h produces an early induction of the tumour suppressor/transcription factor p53, whereas the oncoprotein c-Jun and c-Jun N-terminal kinase are elevated after 24 h of weaning when compared with controls. The expression of p21cip1 and p27kip1, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, was significantly higher in weaned rats when compared with control lactating rats. All the changes mentioned above also happen in the lactatingmammary gland when propargylglycine, an inhibitor of th…
The L-glutamate transporters GLAST (EAAT1) and GLT-1 (EAAT2): expression and regulation in rat lactating mammary gland.
The Na(+)-dependent L-glutamate transporters GLAST (EAAT1) and GLT-1 (EAAT2), were expressed in rat lactating mammary gland, but EAAC1 (EAAT3) was not. GLT-1 expression in rat lactating mammary gland was constant in all the physiological situations studied; however, the GLAST expression is under tight regulation. Fasting for 24 h decreased the GLAST expression which returned to control values after refeeding. Weaning for 24 h produced a decrease in GLAST expression through a mechanism independent of prolactin deficiency. Resuckling for 6 h returned the expression of this transporter to control values. There is a correlation between the levels of GLAST (mRNA and protein) and the in vivo upta…
Retinoids induce MMP-9 expression through RARalpha during mammary gland remodeling.
Retinoic acid (RA) is a signaling molecule in the morphogenesis of the mammary gland, modulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The aim of this paper was to study the role of RA during weaning, which consists of three events: apoptosis of the secretory cells, degradation of the extracellular matrix, and adipogenesis. CRABP II and CRBP-1 carrier proteins increased significantly during weaning compared with lactating glands but reverted to control values after the litter resuckled. The effects of RA are mediated by the nuclear receptors RARalpha, RARbeta, RARgamma, and RXRalpha, which underwent an increase in protein levels during weaning. In an attempt to elucidate the R…
NF-ĸB as node for signal amplification during weaning.
Post-lactational involution has been reported to share common features with breast tumor development. A deep characterization of the signaling triggered after weaning would help to unveil the complex relationship between involution and breast cancer. NF-κB, a crucial factor in the involuting gland, might be an important regulatory node for signal amplification after weaning; however there is limited information about the identity of NF-κB-target genes and the molecular mechanisms leading to the selection of genes involved in a particular biological process. We identified 4532 target genes in mammary gland at 48h weaning, by genome-wide analysis of regions bound by RelA(p65)-NF-κB in vivo. I…
Weaning induces NOS-2 expression through NF-κB modulation in the lactating mammary gland: importance of GSH
Zaragozá, R; Miralles, VJ; Rus, AD; García, C; Carmena, R; García-Trevijano, ER; Barber, T; Pallardó, FV; Torres, L; Viña, JR. At the end of lactation the mammary gland undergoes involution, a process characterized by apoptosis of secretory cells and tissue remodelling. To gain insight into this process, we analysed the gene expression profile by oligonucleotide microarrays during lactation and after forced weaning. Up-regulation of inflammatory mediators and acute-phase response genes during weaning was found. Expression of IκBα (inhibitory κBα), a protein known to modulate NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB) nuclear translocation, was significantly up-regulated. On the other hand, there was a time-…
Na+ dependent glutamate transporters (EAAT1, EAAT2, and EAAT3) in primary astrocyte cultures: effect of oxidative stress.
Abstract The Na + -dependent l -glutamate transporters EAAT1(GLAST), EAAT2 (GLT-1) and EAAT3 (EAAC1) are expressed in primary astrocyte cultures, showing that the EAAT3 transporter is not neuron-specific. The presence of these three transporters was evaluated by RT–PCR, immunoblotting, immunocytochemical techniques, and transport activity. When primary astrocyte cultures were incubated with l -buthionine-( S , R )-sulfoximine (BSO), a selective inhibitor of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, the GSH concentration was significantly lower than in control cultures, but the expression and amount of protein of EAAT1, EAAT2 and EAAT3 and transport of l -glutamate was unchanged. Oxidative stress was c…
Retinol, at concentrations greater than the physiological limit, induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in human dermal fibroblasts
We have investigated the dose (in the range of microM) and time-dependent effects of four different retinoids (retinol, retinal, retinoic acid and retinol palmitate) on human dermal fibroblasts cultivated in vitro. Retinol and retinal, at a concentration of 20 microM, caused cell damage as evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase activity released into the culture medium. The oxidised glutathione (GSSG)/reduced glutathione (GSH) ratio and malondialdehyde production indicated that 20 microM of retinol provoked oxidative stress in the cultivated human fibroblasts. In the first 8 h after retinol treatment the levels of p53 and Bax proteins as well as caspase 3 activity increased, suggesting apoptoti…
Role of GSH in the modulation of NOS-2 expression in the weaned mammary gland
GSH delivery to the lactating mammary gland is essential for the maintenance of lactation as its decrease leads to apoptosis and involution of the mammary gland. In fact, it has already been demonstrated that some of the changes in gene expression found in the lactating mammary gland after forced weaning are reproduced in rats treated with buthionine sulphoximine to deplete GSH levels. An oligonucleotide microarray experiment would give us a better knowledge of the mRNA expression patterns during lactation and after weaning and the possible functions of GSH in the modulation of these events.
Calpains mediate epithelial-cell death during mammary gland involution: mitochondria and lysosomal destabilization.
Our aim was to elucidate the physiological role of calpains (CAPN) in mammary gland involution. Both CAPN-1 and -2 were induced after weaning and its activity increased in isolated mitochondria and lysosomes. CAPN activation within the mitochondria could trigger the release of cytochrome c and other pro-apoptotic factors, whereas in lysosomes it might be essential for tissue remodeling by releasing cathepsins into the cytosol. Immunohistochemical analysis localized CAPNs mainly at the luminal side of alveoli. During weaning, CAPNs translocate to the lysosomes processing membrane proteins. To identify these substrates, lysosomal fractions were treated with recombinant CAPN and cleaved produc…
Elevated Expression of Liver γ-Cystathionase Is Required for the Maintenance of Lactation in Rats
Liver gamma-cystathionase activity increases in rats during lactation; its inhibition due to propargylglycine is followed by a significant decrease in lactation. This is reversible by N-acetylcysteine administration. To study the role of liver gamma-cystathionase and the intertissue flux of glutathione during lactation, we used lactating and virgin rats fed liquid diets. Virgin rats were divided into two groups as follows: one group was fed daily a diet containing the same amount of protein that was consumed the previous day by lactating rats (high protein diet-fed rats); the other virgin group was fed the normal liquid diet (control). The expression and activity of liver gamma-cystathionas…