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- Klionsky, Daniel J., et al.
(author)
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Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy
- 2012
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In: Autophagy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1554-8635 .- 1554-8627. ; 8:4, s. 445-544
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.
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- Thalén, B. E., et al.
(author)
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Release of corticotropin after administration of corticotropin-releasing hormone in depressed patients in relation to the dexamethasone suppression test
- 1993
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In: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-690X .- 1600-0447. ; 87:2, s. 133-140
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The possible hypersecretion involvement of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the pathophysiology of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis disturbances in patients with major depressive episode and with an abnormal dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was investigated. The corticotropin (ACTH) and cortisol response to the injection of 45 micrograms of synthetic human CRH at 1630 were analyzed in 24 inpatients with normal (suppressors) or abnormal (nonsuppressors) DST. The outcome of the DST was analyzed using 3 cut-off points for the cortisol levels. The clinical assessments included two rating scales. The results showed that nonsuppressors had a significantly lower ACTH response to CRH stimulation than suppressors at all cut-off points (calculated as net area under the curve and as the difference between the peak and the baseline level) despite no significant differences in the severity of depression.
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- Johnsen, J I, et al.
(author)
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Inhibitors of mammalian target of rapamycin downregulate MYCN protein expression and inhibit neuroblastoma growth in vitro and in vivo
- 2008
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In: Oncogene. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0950-9232 .- 1476-5594. ; 27:20, s. 2910-2922
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has been shown to play an important function in cell proliferation, metabolism and tumorigenesis, and proteins that regulate signaling through mTOR are frequently altered in human cancers. In this study we investigated the phosphorylation status of key proteins in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and the effects of the mTOR inhibitors rapamycin and CCI-779 on neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. Significant expression of activated AKT and mTOR were detected in all primary neuroblastoma tissue samples investigated, but not in non-malignant adrenal medullas. mTOR inhibitors showed antiproliferative effects on neuroblastoma cells in vitro. Neuroblastoma cell lines expressing high levels of MYCN were significantly more sensitive to mTOR inhibitors compared to cell lines expressing low MYCN levels. Established neuroblastoma tumors treated with mTOR inhibitors in vivo showed increased apoptosis, decreased proliferation and inhibition of angiogenesis. Importantly, mTOR inhibitors induced downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) secretion, cyclin D1 and MYCN protein expression in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest that mTOR inhibitors have therapeutic efficacy on aggressive MYCN amplified neuroblastomas. © 2008 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved.
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- Kågedal, B, et al.
(author)
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The stability of 5-S-cysteinyldopa and 6-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid in human urine
- 1992
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In: Pigment Cell Research. - 0893-5785. ; :Suppl 2, s. 304-307
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 5-S-cysteinyldopa and 6-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid are important intermediate metabolites in the formation of cutaneous melanin pigment. Since they both are serious candidates as markers of melanoma progression, their stability in urine has been investigated during storage at various conditions. The results show that storage at -20 degrees C is necessary. Both compounds are nonstable at room temperature, particularly if the urine was not acidified to pH 4-5. Reference levels were obtained from analysis of urine from 31 men and 40 women. The mean (SD) excretion of 5-S-cysteinyldopa was 32 (12.5) mumol/mol creatinine (women). Corresponding figures for 6H5MI2C were 23 (10.3) and 24 (8.1) mumol/mol creatinine for men and women respectively.
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- Kärnell, R, et al.
(author)
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The value of cysteinyldopa in the follow-up of disseminated malignant melanoma
- 2000
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In: Melanoma research. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0960-8931 .- 1473-5636. ; 10:4, s. 363-369
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In a series of 92 patients with malignant melanoma, clinical stage III or IV, both 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5SCD) and 6-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (6H5MI2C) were measured in urine during chemotherapy. A total of 434 urine specimens were analysed. The sensitivity of 5SCD for the detection of stage III-IV melanoma was 83%, while the corresponding sensitivity of 6H5MI2C was 52%. Fifty per cent of patients with one metastatic site had increased 5SCD excretion, while all patients with four or more metastatic sites had increased excretion. A significant correlation was found between 5SCD decrease and clinical regression (P < 0.001) and between 5SCD increase and clinical progression (P < 0.001). Corresponding correlations were not found for 6H5MI2C. Increments in 5SCD excretion (median 269 ╡mol/mol creatinine) were seen for 83% of the occasions when clinical progression was recorded, and decrements in 5SCD excretion (median 145 ╡mol/mol creatinine) were seen for 85% of the occasions when clinical regression was seen. During clinical 'stable disease' increases in 5SCD excretion were seen in 59% and decreases in 41%. The median value of 5SCD changes for stable disease was 7.0 ╡mol/mol creatinine, indicating a chemical marker stability in many cases. We recommend the use of 5SCD in urine as a valuable, reliable and simple biochemical marker to use in the clinical follow-up of melanoma patients with advanced disease.
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- Quinn, Carmel M., et al.
(author)
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Induction of fibroblast apolipoprotein E expression during apoptosis, starvation-induced growth arrest and mitosis
- 2004
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In: Biochemical Journal. - 0264-6021 .- 1470-8728. ; 378:3, s. 753-761
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Apolipoprotein E (apoE) mediates the hepatic clearance of plasma lipoproteins, facilitates cholesterol efflux from macrophages and aids neuronal lipid transport. ApoE is expressed at high levels in hepatocytes, macrophages and astrocytes. In the present study, we identify nuclear and cytosolic pools of apoE in human fibroblasts. Fibroblast apoE mRNA and protein levels were up-regulated during staurosporine-induced apoptosis and this was correlated with increased caspase-3 activity and apoptotic morphological alterations. Because the transcription of apoE and specific pro-apoptotic genes is regulated by the nuclear receptor LXR (liver X receptor) α, we analysed LXRα mRNA expression by quantitative real-time PCR and found it to be increased before apoE mRNA induction. The expression of ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter A1) mRNA, which is also regulated by LXRα, was increased in parallel with apoE mRNA, indicating that LXRα probably promotes apoE and ABCA1 transcription during apoptosis. Fibroblast apoE levels were increased under conditions of serum-starvation-induced growth arrest and hyperoxia-induced senescence. In both cases, an increased nuclear apoE level was observed, particularly in cells that accumulated lipofuscin. Nuclear apoE was translocated to the cytosol when mitotic nuclear disassembly occurred and this was associated with an increase in total cellular apoE levels. ApoE amino acid sequence analysis indicated several potential sites for phosphorylation. In vivo studies, using 32P-labelling and immunoprecipitation, revealed that fibroblast apoE can be phosphorylated. These studies reveal novel associations and potential roles for apoE in fundamental cellular processes.
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- Stierner, Ulrika, 1952, et al.
(author)
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Urinary excretion of 5-S-cysteinyldopa in relation to skin type, UVB-induced erythema, and melanocyte proliferation in human skin.
- 1988
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In: The Journal of investigative dermatology. - 0022-202X. ; 91:5, s. 506-10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 5-S-Cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD) is found in all pigment-producing cells and is the major precursor of phaeomelanin. However, the melanocyte specificity of the compound has been questioned. In order to elucidate the origin of 5-S-CD, we have now systematically studied the relationship between the 5-S-CD excretion in urine and the size of the melanocyte organ, UV-induced melanocyte proliferation, skin type, and the erythemal reaction. The skin type had no influence on the basal excretion of 5-S-CD. There was no significant correlation between the basal 5-S-CD excretion and the size of the melanocyte organ; that is, the number of skin melanocytes and nevi. During the irradiation, subjects with skin type II developed a more pronounced erythema (p less than 0.01) and had a significantly higher 5-S-CD excretion than those with skin type III-IV (p less than 0.01). No correlation was found between 5-S-CD excretion and UV-induced melanocyte proliferation. The lack of correlation between the basal 5-S-CD excretion and skin type or number of melanocytes suggests that the basal 5-S-CD in urine is mainly of extra-melanocytic origin. Our findings favor the view that the increase in 5-S-CD excretion during UV irradiation is due to UV damage.
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