Search results for "alternative"
showing 10 items of 1466 documents
Expression of WISPs and of their novel alternative variants in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells
2005
WISPs (Wnt-induced secreted proteins) are members of the CCN (CTGF/Cyr61/Nov) family involved in fibrotic disorders and tumorigenesis. They have a typical structure composed of four conserved cysteine-rich modular domains, but variants of CCN members lacking one or more modules, generated by alternative splicing or gene mutations, have been described in various pathological conditions. WISP genes were first described as downstream targets of the Wnt signaling pathway, which is frequently altered in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, WISP mRNA expression was analyzed by RT-PCR in four human HCC cell lines (HepG2, HuH-6, HuH-7, HA22T/VGH). Our results show for the fir…
Cardioprotective effects of phytopigments via multiple signaling pathways.
2021
Abstract Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the deadliest non-communicable diseases, and millions of dollars are spent every year to combat CVDs. Unfortunately, the multifactorial etiology of CVDs complicates the development of efficient therapeutics. Interestingly, phytopigments show significant pleiotropic cardioprotective effects both in vitro and in vivo. Purpose This review gives an overview of the cardioprotective effects of phytopigments based on in vitro and in vivo studies as well as clinical trials. Methods A literature-based survey was performed to collect the available data on cardioprotective activities of phytopigments via electronic search engines such as Pub…
Cloning of a rat-specific long PCP4/PEP19 isoform
2007
We report the identification of a cDNA that encodes a putative protein of 94 amino acids and expected molecular weight of 10.7 kDa, the C-terminal half of which is identical to that of PEP19, a small, brain-specific protein involved in Ca++/calmodulin signaling. The novel rat-specific protein, tentatively named long PEP19 isoform (LPI), is the product of alternative splicing of the rat PCP4 gene encoding PEP19. We found that antibodies raised against the first 13 N-terminal amino acids of LPI, not present in PEP19, recognize a protein enriched in the developing rat brain.
The selection of serum-independent PC12 cells for a more-reliable manganese cytotoxicity test.
2007
A major issue concerning the protocols of heavy metal cytotoxicity tests with PC12 cells was the hypothesis that serum in the culture medium might sequester the metal, thus altering the results obtained. However, serum withdrawal impairs the viability of PC12 cells themselves, thus impeding cytotoxicity testing in the absence of serum. In this study, we repeatedly selected undifferentiated, totally non-adherent PC12 cells in Petri dishes. Surprisingly, we discovered that these cells could survive and proliferate in serum-free medium. Moreover, features such as NGF-responsiveness, resazurin reduction potential, doubling rate, protein content, and basal caspase-3 enzyme activity, were equiva…
Saponins-mediated potentiation of cisplatin accumulation and cytotoxicity in human colon cancer cells.
2002
The triterpene saponins jenisseensosides A, B, C, D were found to increase the accumulation and cytotoxicity of the anticancer agent cisplatin in human colon tumor cells. These compounds are glycosides of quillaic acid whose fucose residue was acylated by a trans- or cis-p methoxycinnamic acid. In contrarst, other saponins derivatives without this acyl moiety were not found to potentiate the accumulation and cytotoxicity of cisplatin. These results suggested the importance of the acyl moiety for activity.
In vitro pro-apoptotic and anti-migratory effects of Treculia africana Decne. (Moraceae) and Entandrophragma angolense Welw (Meliaceae) extracts on p…
2021
Abstract Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men and there is an increasing interest in chemoprevention to fight it. The authors sought a scientific rationale for the traditional use of six Cameroonian medicinal plants for the treatment of prostate inflammation/tumour. The prostate cells viability incubated with each ethanolic plant extract was determined after 24, 48 and 72 h using the MTT assay. The antitumor mechanisms of promising extracts [Treculia africana (TA) and Entandrophragma angolense (EA)] were further assessed by evaluating cell growth, cell proliferation, cell cycle, cell death mechanisms and cell migration. Only TA and EA significantly inhibited L…
Cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis by cajanin stilbene acid from Cajanus cajan in breast cancer cells
2015
Abstract Background: The low abundant cajanin stilbene acid (CSA) from Pigeon Pea ( Cajanus cajan ) has been shown to kill estrogen receptor α positive cancer cells in vitro and in vivo . Downstream effects such as cell cycle and apoptosis-related mechanisms have not been analyzed yet. Material and methods: We analyzed the activity of CSA by means of flow cytometry (cell cycle distribution, mitochondrial membrane potential, MMP), confocal laser scanning microscopy (MMP), DNA fragmentation assay (apoptosis), Western blotting (Bax and Bcl-2 expression, caspase-3 activation) as well as mRNA microarray hybridization and Ingenuity pathway analysis. Results: CSA induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis …
Lanostanoids from fungi: a group of potential anticancer compounds.
2012
Lanostanes are a group of tetracyclic triterpenoids derived from lanosterol. They have relevant biological and pharmacological properties, such as their cytotoxic effects via induction of apoptosis. This review compiles the most relevant lanostanoids studied from 2000 to 2011, principally those isolated from Ganoderma lucidum and other related fungi, such as Poria cocos, Laetiporus sulphureus, Inonotus obliquus, Antrodia camphorata, Daedalea dickinsii, and Elfvingia applanata, which have great potential as anticancer agents because of their cytotoxic or apoptotic effects. The compounds were selected on the basis of their proapoptotic mechanisms, through their ability to modify transcription…
Alternative splicing products of the tenascin gene distinguish rat liver fat storing cells from arterial smooth muscle cells and skin fibroblasts
1992
Abstract Fat storing-(Ito-)cells (FSC) transform into a myofibroblast-like cell type during liver fibrogenesis. A similar development can be observed in cell culture. At the moment, a definite marker to differentiate transformed FSC from smooth muscle cells (SMC) is not available. We recently found that FSC, SMC and skin fibroblasts (SF) synthesize tenascin, a novel matrix protein. As it is reported that various tissues express different tenascin forms by the mechanism of alternative pre-mRNA splicing, we analyzed the tenascin transcripts in these cell types. Total RNA extracted from cultured FSC, SMC and SF, analyzed by Northern blot hybridization, showed a 7.2 kb transcript in FSC, a 8.7 …
Comparison between tumors in plants and human beings: Mechanisms of tumor development and therapy with secondary plant metabolites
2019
Abstract Background Human tumors are still a major threat to human health and plant tumors negatively affect agricultural yields. Both areas of research are developing largely independent of each other. Treatment of both plant and human tumors remains unsatisfactory and novel therapy options are urgently needed. Hypothesis The concept of this paper is to compare cellular and molecular mechanisms of tumor development in plants and human beings and to explore possibilities to develop novel treatment strategies based on bioactive secondary plant metabolites. The interdisciplinary discourse may unravel commonalities and differences in the biology of plant and human tumors as basis for rational …