bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ARTEMIS Nuclease Facilitates Apoptotic Chromatin Cleavage
Authors: Britton Sébastien , Frit Philippe , Biard Denis , Salles Bernard , Calsou Patrick 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
One hallmark of apoptosis is DNA degradation that first appears as high molecular weight fragments followed by extensive internucleosomal fragmentation. During apoptosis, the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is activated. DNA-PK is involved in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) and its catalytic subunit is associated with the nuclease ARTEMIS. Here, we report that, on initiation of apoptosis in human cells by agents causing DNA DSB or by staurosporine or other agents, ARTEMIS binds to apoptotic chromatin together with DNA-PK and other DSB repair proteins. ARTEMIS recruitment to chromatin showed a time and dose dependency. It required DNA-PK protein kinase activity and was blocked by antagonizing the onset of apoptosis with a pan-caspase inhibitor or on overexpression of the antiapoptotic BCL2 protein. In the absence of ARTEMIS, no defect in caspase-3, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1, and XRCC4 cleavage or in H2AX phosphorylation was observed and DNA-PK catalytic subunit was still phosphorylated on S2056 in response to staurosporine. However, DNA fragmentation including high molecular weight fragmentation was delayed in ARTEMIS-deficient cells compared with cells expressing ARTEMIS. In addition, ARTEMIS enhanced the kinetics of MLL gene cleavage at a breakage cluster breakpoint that is frequently translocated in acute or therapy-related leukemias. These results show a facilitating role for ARTEMIS at least in early, site-specific chromosome breakage during apoptosis. [Cancer Res 2009;69(20):8120–6]
Azacytidine Inhibits RNA Methylation at DNMT2 Target Sites in Human Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Schaefer Matthias , Hagemann Sabine , Hanna Katharina , Lyko Frank 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
The cytosine analogues azacytidine and decitabine are currently being developed as drugs for epigenetic cancer therapy. Although various studies have shown that both drugs are effective in inhibiting DNA methylation, it has also become clear that their mode of action is not limited to DNA demethylation. Because azacytidine is a ribonucleoside, the primary target of this drug may be cellular RNA rather than DNA. We have now analyzed the possibility that azacytidine inhibits the RNA methyltransferase DNMT2. We found that DNMT2 is variably expressed in human cancer cell lines. RNA bisulfite sequencing showed that azacytidine, but not decitabine, inhibits cytosine 38 methylation of tRNAAsp, a major substrate of DNMT2. Azacytidine caused a substantially stronger effect than decitabine on the metabolic rate of all the cancer cell lines tested, consistent with an effect of this drug on RNA metabolism. Of note, drug-induced loss of RNA methylation seemed specific for DNMT2 target sites because we did not observe any significant demethylation at sites known to be methylated by other RNA methyltransferases. Our results uncover a novel and quantifiable drug activity of azacytidine and raise the possibility that tRNA hypomethylation might contribute to patient responses. [Cancer Res 2009;69(20):8127–32]
Phosphorylation and Degradation of MdmX Is Inhibited by Wip1 Phosphatase in the DNA Damage Response
Authors: Zhang Xinna , Lin Lin , Guo Huarong , Yang Jianhua , Jones Stephen N. , Jochemsen Aart , Lu Xiongbin 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
MdmX and Mdm2 regulate p53 tumor suppressor functions by controlling p53 transcriptional activity and/or stability in cells exposed to DNA damage. Accumulating evidence indicates that ATM-mediated phosphorylation and degradation of Mdm2 and MdmX may be the initial driving force that induces p53 activity during the early phase of the DNA damage response. We have recently determined that a novel protein phosphatase, Wip1 (or PPM1D), contributes to p53 regulation by dephosphorylating Mdm2 to close the p53 activation loop initiated by the ATM/ATR kinases. In the present study, we determine that Wip1 directly dephosphorylates MdmX at the ATM-targeted Ser403 and indirectly suppresses phosphorylation of MdmX at Ser342 and Ser367. Wip1 inhibits the DNA damage–induced ubiquitination and degradation of MdmX, leading to the stabilization of MdmX and reduction of p53 activities. Our data suggest that Wip1 is an important component in the ATM-p53-MdmX regulatory loop. [Cancer Res 2009;69(20):7960–8]
Increased Expression of Androgen Receptor Sensitizes Prostate Cancer Cells to Low Levels of Androgens
Authors: Waltering Kati K. , Helenius Merja A. , Sahu Biswajyoti , Manni Visa , Linja Marika J. , Jänne Olli A. , Visakorpi Tapio 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) is known to be overexpressed in castration-resistant prostate cancer. To interrogate the functional significance of the AR level, we established two LNCaP cell sublines expressing in a stable fashion two to four times (LNCaP-ARmo) and four to six times (LNCaP-ARhi) higher level of AR than the parental cell line expressing the empty vector (LNCaP-pcDNA3.1). LNCaP-ARhi cell line grew faster than the control line in low concentrations, especially in 1 nmol/L 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Microarray-based transcript profiling and subsequent unsupervised hierarchical clustering showed that LNCaP-ARhi cells clustered together with VCaP cells, containing endogenous AR gene amplification and overexpression, indicating the central role of AR in the overall regulation of gene expression in prostate cancer cells. Two hundred forty genes showed &gt;2-fold changes on DHT treatment in LNCaP-ARhi at 4 h time point, whereas only 164 and 52 showed changes in LNCaP-ARmo and LNCaP-pcDNA3.1, respectively. Many androgen-regulated genes were upregulated in LNCaP-ARhi at 10-fold lower concentration of DHT than in control cells. DHT (1 nmol/L) increased expression of several cell cycle–associated genes in LNCaP-ARhi cells. ChIP-on-chip assay revealed the presence of chromatin binding sites for AR within ±200 kb of most of these genes. The growth of LNCaP-ARhi cells was also highly sensitive to cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, roscovitine, at 1nmol/L DHT. In conclusion, our results show that overexpression of AR sensitizes castration-resistant prostate cancer cells to the low levels of androgens. The activity of AR signaling pathway is regulated by the levels of both ligand and the receptor. [Cancer Res 2009;69(20):8141–9]
Runt-Related Transcription Factor RUNX3 Is a Target of MDM2-Mediated Ubiquitination
Authors: Chi Xin-Zi , Kim Jiyeon , Lee Yong-Hee , Lee Jung-Won , Lee Kyeong-Sook , Wee Heejun , Kim Wun-Jae , Park Woo-Yoon , Oh Byung-Chul , Stein Gary S. , Ito Yoshiaki , van Wijnen Andre J. , Bae Suk-Chul 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
The p14ARF-MDM2-p53 pathway constitutes an effective mechanism for protecting cells from oncogenic stimuli such as activated Ras and Myc. Importantly, Ras activation induces p14ARF and often occurs earlier than p53 inactivation during cancer development. Here, we show that RUNX3, a tumor suppressor in various tumors including stomach, bladder, colon, and lung, is stabilized by Ras activation through the p14ARF-MDM2 signaling pathway. RUNX3 directly binds MDM2 through its Runt-related DNA-binding domain. MDM2 blocks RUNX3 transcriptional activity by interacting with RUNX3 through an acidic domain adjacent to the p53-binding domain of MDM2 and ubiquitinates RUNX3 on key lysine residues to mediate nuclear export and proteasomal degradation. Our data indicate that the lineage-specific tumor suppressor RUNX3 and the ubiquitous p53 protein are both principal responders of the p14ARF-MDM2 cell surveillance pathway that prevents pathologic consequences of abnormal oncogene activation. [Cancer Res 2009;69(20):8111–9]
Enhanced Leukemia Cell Detection Using a Novel Magnetic Needle and Nanoparticles
Authors: Jaetao Jason E. , Butler Kimberly S. , Adolphi Natalie L. , Lovato Debbie M. , Bryant Howard C. , Rabinowitz Ian , Winter Stuart S. , Tessier Trace E. , Hathaway Helen J. , Bergemann Christian , Flynn Edward R. , Larson Richard S. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Acute leukemia is a hematopoietic malignancy for which the accurate measurement of minimal residual disease is critical to determining prognosis and treatment. Although bone marrow aspiration and light microscopy remain the current standard of care for detecting residual disease, these approaches cannot reliably discriminate less than 5% lymphoblast cells. To improve the detection of leukemia cells in the marrow, we developed a novel apparatus that utilizes antibodies conjugated to superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) and directed against the acute leukemia antigen CD34, coupled with a “magnetic needle” biopsy. Leukemia cell lines expressing high or minimal CD34 were incubated with anti-CD34–conjugated SPIONs. Three separate approaches including microscopy, superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry, and in vitro magnetic needle extraction were then used to assess cell sampling. We found that CD34-conjugated nanoparticles preferentially bind high CD34-expressing cell lines. Furthermore, the magnetic needle enabled identification of both cell line and patient leukemia cells diluted into normal blood at concentrations below those normally found in remission marrow samples. Finally, the magnetic needle enhanced the percentage of lymphoblasts detectable by light microscopy by 10-fold in samples of fresh bone marrow aspirate approximating minimal residual disease. These data suggest that bone marrow biopsy using antigen-targeted magnetic nanoparticles and a magnetic needle for the evaluation of minimal residual disease in CD34-positive acute leukemias can significantly enhance sensitivity compared with the current standard of care. [Cancer Res 2009;69(21):8310–6]
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase–Expressing Colon Stem Cells Contribute to Tumorigenesis in the Transition from Colitis to Cancer
Authors: Carpentino Joseph E. , Hynes Mark J. , Appelman Henry D. , Zheng Tong , Steindler Dennis A. , Scott Edward W. , Huang Emina H. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Patients with chronic ulcerative colitis are at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Although current hypotheses suggest that sporadic colorectal cancer is due to inability to control cancer stem cells, the cancer stem cell hypothesis has not yet been validated in colitis-associated cancer. Furthermore, the identification of the colitis to cancer transition is challenging. We recently showed that epithelial cells with the increased expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase in sporadic colon cancer correlate closely with tumor-initiating ability. We sought to determine whether ALDH can be used as a marker to isolate tumor-initiating populations from patients with chronic ulcerative colitis. We used fluorescence-activated cell sorting to identify precursor colon cancer stem cells from colitis patients and report both their transition to cancerous stem cells in xenografting studies as well as their ability to generate spheres in vitro. Similar to sporadic colon cancer, these colitis-derived tumors were capable of propagation as sphere cultures. However, unlike the origins of sporadic colon cancer, the primary colitic tissues did not express any histologic evidence of dysplasia. To elucidate a potential mechanism for our findings, we compared the stroma of these different environments and determined that at least one paracrine factor is up-regulated in the inflammatory and malignant stroma compared with resting, normal stroma. These data link colitis and cancer identifying potential tumor-initiating cells from colitic patients, suggesting that sphere and/or xenograft formation will be useful to survey colitic patients at risk of developing cancer. [Cancer Res 2009;69(20):8208–15]
A Novel PTEN-Dependent Link to Ubiquitination Controls FLIPS Stability and TRAIL Sensitivity in Glioblastoma Multiforme
Authors: Panner Amith , Crane Courtney A. , Weng Changjiang , Feletti Alberto , Parsa Andrew T. , Pieper Russell O. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) loss and activation of the Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway increases mRNA translation, increases levels of the antiapoptotic protein FLIPS, and confers resistance to tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)–induced apoptosis in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In PTEN-deficient GBM cells, however, the FLIPS protein also exhibited a longer half-life than in PTEN mutant GBM cells, and this longer half-life correlated with decreased FLIPS polyubiquitination. FLIPS half-life in PTEN mutant GBM cells was reduced by exposure to an Akt inhibitor, but not to rapamycin, suggesting the existence of a previously undescribed, mTOR-independent linkage between PTEN and the ubiquitin-dependent control of protein stability. Total levels of the candidate FLIPS E3 ubiquitin ligase atrophin-interacting protein 4 (AIP4) were comparable in PTEN wild-type (WT) and PTEN mutant GBM cells, although in PTEN-deficient cells, AIP4 was maintained in a stable polyubiquitinated state that was less able to associate with FLIPS or with the FLIPS-containing death inducing signal complex. Small interfering RNA–mediated suppression of AIP4 levels in PTEN WT cells decreased FLIPS ubiquitination, prolonged FLIPS half-life, and increased TRAIL resistance. Similarly, the Akt activation that was previously shown to increase TRAIL resistance did not alter AIP4 levels, but increased AIP4 ubiquitination, increased FLIPS steady-state levels, and suppressed FLIPS ubiquitination. These results define the PTEN-Akt-AIP4 pathway as a key regulator of FLIPS ubiquitination, FLIPS stability, and TRAIL sensitivity and also define a novel link between PTEN and the ubiquitin-mediated control of protein stability. [Cancer Res 2009;69(20):7911–6]
Apolipoprotein E/C1 Locus Variants Modify Renal Cell Carcinoma Risk
Authors: Moore Lee E. , Brennan Paul , Karami Sara , Menashe Idan , Berndt Sonja I. , Dong Linda M. , Meisner Allison , Yeager Meredith , Chanock Stephen , Colt Joanne , Schwartz Kendra , Davis Faith , Zaridze David , Mattveev Vsevolod , Janout Vladimir , Kollarova Hellena , Bencko Vladimir , Navratilova Marie , Szeszenia-Dabrowska Neonilia , Mates Dana , Holcatova Ivana , Boffetta Paolo , Chow Wong-Ho , Rosenberg Philip S. , Rothman Nathaniel 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Lipid peroxidation is considered a unifying mechanistic pathway through which known risk factors induce renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We hypothesized that genes selected a priori for their role in lipid peroxidation would modify cancer risk. We genotyped 635 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in 38candidate genes in 777 Caucasian RCC cases and 1,035 controls enrolled in a large European case-control study. Top candidate SNPs were confirmed among 718 Caucasian cases and 615 controls in a second study in the United States. Two of the three SNPs (rs8106822 and rs405509) that replicated in the U.S. study were within a regulatory region of the APOE promoter. The OR for rs8106822 A&gt;G variant was 1.22AG and 1.41GG (Ptrend = 0.01) in the European study, 1.05AG and 1.51GG (Ptrend = 0.03) in the U.S. study, and 1.15AG and 1.44GG (Ptrend = 0.001) among 1,485 cases and 1,639 controls combined. The rs405509 G&gt;T variant was associated with risk in the European (OR, 0.87TG; OR, 0.71TT; Ptrend = 0.02), the U.S. (OR, 0.68TG; OR, 0.71TT; Ptrend = 0.02), and both studies combined (ORTG, 0.79; ORTT, 0.71; Ptrend = 0.001), as was the G-G haplotype (r2 = 0.64; P= 4.7 × 10−4). This association is biologically plausible as SNP rs405509 was shown to modify protein binding and transcriptional activity of the APOE protein in vitro and is in linkage disequilibrium with key known variants defining the e2, e3, and e4 alleles that modify risk of atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease risk, and progression to AIDS. In two large case-control studies, our findings further define a functional region of interest at the APOE locus that increases RCC susceptibility. [Cancer Res 2009;69(20):8001–8]
Tumor Antigen–Specific FOXP3+ CD4 T Cells Identified in Human Metastatic Melanoma: Peptide Vaccination Results in Selective Expansion of Th1-like Counterparts
Authors: Jandus Camilla , Bioley Gilles , Dojcinovic Danijel , Derré Laurent , Baitsch Lukas , Wieckowski Sébastien , Rufer Nathalie , Kwok William W. , Tiercy Jean-Marie , Luescher Immanuel F. , Speiser Daniel E. , Romero Pedro 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe have previously shown that vaccination of HLA-A2 metastatic melanoma patients with the analogue Melan-A26-35(A27L) peptide emulsified in a mineral oil induces ex vivo detectable specific CD8 T cells. These are further enhanced when a TLR9 agonist is codelivered in the same vaccine formulation. Interestingly, the same peptide can be efficiently recognized by HLA-DQ6–restricted CD4 T cells. We used HLA-DQ6 multimers to assess the specific CD4 T-cell response in both healthy individuals and melanoma patients. We report that the majority of melanoma patients carry high frequencies of naturally circulating HLA-DQ6–restricted Melan-A–specific CD4 T cells, a high proportion of which express FOXP3 and proliferate poorly in response to the cognate peptide. Upon vaccination, the relative frequency of multimer+ CD4 T cells did not change significantly. In contrast, we found a marked shift to FOXP3-negative CD4 T cells, accompanied by robust CD4 T-cell proliferation upon in vitro stimulation with cognate peptide. A concomitant reduction in TCR diversity was also observed. This is the first report on direct ex vivo identification of antigen-specific FOXP3+ T cells by multimer labeling in cancer patients and on the direct assessment of the impact of peptide vaccination on immunoregulatory T cells. [Cancer Res 2009;69(20):8085–93]
Tpl2 Is a Key Mediator of Arsenite-Induced Signal Transduction
Authors: Lee Kyung Mi , Lee Ki Won , Bode Ann M. , Lee Hyong Joo , Dong Zigang 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Arsenite is a well-known human carcinogen that especially targets skin. The tumor progression locus 2 (Tpl2) gene encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase that is overexpressed in various cancer cells. However, the relevance of Tpl2 in arsenite-induced carcinogenesis and the underlying mechanisms remain to be explored. We show that arsenite increased Tpl2 kinase activity and its phosphorylation in mouse epidermal JB6 P+ cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Exposure to arsenite resulted in a marked induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), important mediators of inflammation and tumor promotion. Treatment with a Tpl2 kinase inhibitor or Tpl2 short hairpin RNA suppressed COX-2 expression and PGE2 production induced by arsenite treatment, suggesting that Tpl2 is critical in arsenite-induced carcinogenesis. We also found that arsenite-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) or c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNK) was markedly suppressed by Tpl2 kinase inhibitor or Tpl2 short hairpin RNA. Inhibition of arsenite-induced ERK or JNK signaling using a pharmacologic inhibitor of ERK or JNK substantially blocked COX-2 expression. Furthermore, inhibition of Tpl2 reduced the arsenite-induced promoter activity of NF-κB and activator protein-1 (AP-1), indicating that NF-κB and AP-1 are downstream transducers of arsenite-triggered Tpl2. Our results show that Tpl2 plays a key role in arsenite-induced COX-2 expression and PGE2 production and further elucidate the role of Tpl2 in arsenite signals that activate ERK/JNK and NF-κB/AP-1 in JB6 P+ cells. [Cancer Res 2009;69(20):8043–9]
Recent Advances in Cancer Therapy Targeting Proteins Involved in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair
Authors: Bolderson Emma , Richard Derek J. , Zhou Bin-Bing S. , Khanna Kum Kum 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Damage to genetic material represents a persistent and ubiquitous threat to genomic stability. Once DNA damage is detected, a multifaceted signaling network is activated that halts the cell cycle, initiates repair, and in some instances induces apoptotic cell death. In this article, we will review DNA damage surveillance networks, which maintain the stability of our genome, and discuss the efforts underway to identify chemotherapeutic compounds targeting the core components of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) response pathway. The majority of tumor cells have defects in maintaining genomic stability owing to the loss of an appropriate response to DNA damage. New anticancer agents are exploiting this vulnerability of cancer cells to enhance therapeutic indexes, with limited normal tissue toxicity. Recently inhibitors of the checkpoint kinases Chk1 and Chk2 have been shown to sensitize tumor cells to DNA damaging agents. In addition, the treatment of BRCA1- or BRCA2-deficient tumor cells with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors also leads to specific tumor killing. Due to the numerous roles of p53 in genomic stability and its defects in many human cancers, therapeutic agents that restore p53 activity in tumors are the subject of multiple clinical trials. In this article we highlight the proteins mentioned above and catalog several additional players in the DNA damage response pathway, including ATM, DNA-PK, and the MRN complex, which might be amenable to pharmacological interventions and lead to new approaches to sensitize cancer cells to radio- and chemotherapy. The challenge is how to identify those patients most receptive to these treatments. (Clin Cancer Res 2009;15(20):6314–20)
Therapy-induced PML/RARA Proteolysis and Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Cure
Authors: Nasr Rihab , Lallemand-Breitenbach Valérie , Zhu Jun , Guillemin Marie-Claude , de Thé Hugues 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by a specific t(15;17) chromosomal translocation that yields the PML/RARA fusion gene. Clinically, besides chemotherapy, two drugs induce clinical remissions: retinoic acid (RA) and arsenic trioxide (As). Both agents directly target PML/RARA-mediated transcriptional repression and protein stability, inducing to various extent promyelocyte differentiation and clinical remission of APL patients. RA targets the RARA moiety of the fusion, whereas arsenic targets its PML part. PML/RARA expression in the mouse is sufficient to initiate APL. The RA-As association, which synergizes for PML/RARA degradation but not for differentiation, rapidly clears leukemia initiating cells (LIC), resulting in APL eradication in murine APL models, but also in several APL clinical trials. Cyclic AMP triggered PML/RARA phosphorylation also enhances RA-induced APL regression, PML/RARA degradation, and LIC clearance, raising new options for therapy-resistant patients. Although differentiation has a major role in debulking of the tumor, PML/RARA degradation seems to be the primary basis for APL eradication by the RA-As association. Oncoprotein degradation could be a general therapeutic strategy that may be extended beyond APL. (Clin Cancer Res 2009;15(20):6321–6)