| 1. |
- Burek, M., et al.
(author)
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Apoptin-induced cell death is modulated by Bcl-2 family members and is Apaf-1dependent
- 2006
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In: Oncogene. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0950-9232 .- 1476-5594. ; 25:15, s. 2213-2222
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Apoptin, a chicken anemia virus-derived protein, selectively induces apoptosis in transformed but not in normal cells, thus making it a promising candidate as a novel anticancer therapeutic. The mechanism of apoptin-induced apoptosis is largely unknown. Here, we report that contrary to previous assumptions, Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) inhibit apoptin-induced cell death in several tumor cell lines. In contrast, deficiency of Bax conferred resistance, whereas Bax expression sensitized cells to apoptin-induced death. Cell death induction by apoptin was associated with cytochrome c release from mitochondria as well as with caspase-3 and -7 activation. Benzyloxy-carbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone, a broad spectrum caspase inhibitor, was highly protective against apoptin-induced cell death. Apoptosis induced by apoptin required Apaf-1, as immortalized Apaf-1-deficient fibroblasts as well as tumor cells devoid of Apaf-1 were strongly protected. Thus, our data indicate that apoptin-induced apoptosis is not only Bcl-2- and caspase dependent, but also engages an Apaf-1 apoptosome-mediated mitochondrial death pathway.
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| 2. |
- Coustenis, A., et al.
(author)
-
TandEM : Titan and Enceladus mission
- 2009
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In: Experimental astronomy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0922-6435 .- 1572-9508. ; 23:3, s. 893-946
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- TandEM was proposed as an L-class (large) mission in response to ESA's Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 Call, and accepted for further studies, with the goal of exploring Titan and Enceladus. The mission concept is to perform in situ investigations of two worlds tied together by location and properties, whose remarkable natures have been partly revealed by the ongoing Cassini-Huygens mission. These bodies still hold mysteries requiring a complete exploration using a variety of vehicles and instruments. TandEM is an ambitious mission because its targets are two of the most exciting and challenging bodies in the Solar System. It is designed to build on but exceed the scientific and technological accomplishments of the Cassini-Huygens mission, exploring Titan and Enceladus in ways that are not currently possible (full close-up and in situ coverage over long periods of time). In the current mission architecture, TandEM proposes to deliver two medium-sized spacecraft to the Saturnian system. One spacecraft would be an orbiter with a large host of instruments which would perform several Enceladus flybys and deliver penetrators to its surface before going into a dedicated orbit around Titan alone, while the other spacecraft would carry the Titan in situ investigation components, i.e. a hot-air balloon (MontgolfiSre) and possibly several landing probes to be delivered through the atmosphere.
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| 3. |
- Ghavami, Saeid, et al.
(author)
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S100A8/9 induces cell death via a novel, RAGE-independent pathway that involves selective release of Smac/DIABLO and Omi/HtrA2
- 2008
-
In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. Molecular Cell Research. - : Elsevier. - 0167-4889 .- 1879-2596. ; 1783:2, s. 297-311
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A complex of two S100 EF-hand calcium-binding proteins S100A8/A9 induces apoptosis in various cells, especially tumor cells. Using several cell lines, we have shown that S100A8/A9-induced cell death is not mediated by the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE), a receptor previously demonstrated to engage S100 proteins. Investigation of cell lines either deficient in, or over-expressing components of the death signaling machinery provided insight into the S100A8/A9-mediated cell death pathway. Treatment of cells with S100A8/A9 caused a rapid decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and activated Bak, but did not cause release of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), endonuclease G (Endo G) or cytochrome c. However, both Smac/DIABLO and Omi/HtrA2 were selectively released into the cytoplasm concomitantly with a decrease in Drp1 expression, which inhibits mitochondrial fission machinery. S100A8/A9 treatment also resulted in decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl2 and Bcl-XL, whereas expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, Bad and BNIP3 was not altered. Over-expression of Bcl2 partially reversed the cytotoxicity of S100A8/A9. Together, these data indicate that S100A8/A9-induced cell death involves Bak, selective release of Smac/DIABLO and Omi/HtrA2 from mitochondria, and modulation of the balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins.
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| 4. |
- Hombach-Klonisch, Sabine, et al.
(author)
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Adult stem cells and their trans-differentiation potential-perspectives and therapeutic applications
- 2008
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In: Journal of Molecular Medicine. - : Springer. - 0946-2716 .- 1432-1440. ; 86:12, s. 1301-1314
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Stem cells are self-renewing multipotent progenitors with the broadest developmental potential in a given tissue at a given time. Normal stem cells in the adult organism are responsible for renewal and repair of aged or damaged tissue. Adult stem cells are present in virtually all tissues and during most stages of development. In this review, we introduce the reader to the basic information about the field. We describe selected stem cell isolation techniques and stem cell markers for various stem cell populations. These include makers for endothelial progenitor cells (CD146/MCAM/MUC18/S-endo-1, CD34, CD133/prominin, Tie-2, Flk1/KD/VEGFR2), hematopoietic stem cells (CD34, CD117/c-Kit, Sca1), mesenchymal stem cells (CD146/MCAM/MUC18/S-endo-1, STRO-1, Thy-1), neural stem cells (CD133/prominin, nestin, NCAM), mammary stem cells (CD24, CD29, Sca1), and intestinal stem cells (NCAM, CD34, Thy-1, CD117/c-Kit, Flt-3). Separate section provides a concise summary of recent clinical trials involving stem cells directed towards improvement of a damaged myocardium. In the last part of the review, we reflect on the field and on future developments.
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| 5. |
- Hombach-Klonisch, Sabine, et al.
(author)
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Cancer stem cells as targets for cancer therapy : selected cancers as examples
- 2008
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In: Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0004-069X .- 1661-4917. ; 56:3, s. 165-180
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It is becoming increasingly evident that cancer constitutes a group of diseases involving altered stem-cell maturation/differentiation and the disturbance of regenerative processes. The observed malignant transformation is merely a symptom of normal differentiation processes gone astray rather than the primary event. This review focuses on the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in three common but also relatively under-investigated cancers: head and neck, ovarian, and testicular cancer. For didactic purpose, the physiology of stem cells is first introduced using hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells as examples. This is followed by a discussion of the (possible) role of CSCs in head and neck, ovarian, and testicular cancer. Aside from basic information about the pathophysiology of these cancers, current research results focused on the discovery of molecular markers specific to these cancers are also discussed. The last part of the review is largely dedicated to signaling pathways active within various normal and CSC types (e.g. Nanog, Nestin, Notch1, Notch2, Oct3 and 4, Wnt). Different elements of these pathways are also discussed in the context of therapeutic opportunities for the development of targeted therapies aimed at CSCs. Finally, alternative targeted anticancer therapies arising from recently identified molecules with cancer-(semi-)selective capabilities (e.g. apoptin, Brevinin-2R) are considered.
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| 6. |
- Klonisch, Thomas, et al.
(author)
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Cancer stem cell markers in common cancers - therapeutic implications
- 2008
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In: Trends in Molecular Medicine. - : Elsevier. - 1471-4914 .- 1471-499X. ; 14:10, s. 450-460
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rapid advances in the cancer stem cell (CSC) field have provided cause for optimism for the development of more reliable cancer therapies in the future. Strategies aimed at efficient targeting of CSCs are becoming important for monitoring the progress of cancer therapy and for evaluating new therapeutic approaches. Here, we characterize and compare the specific markers that have been found to be present on stem cells, cancer cells and CSCs in selected tissues (colon, breast, liver, pancreas and prostate). We then discuss future directions of this intriguing new research field in the context of new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities.
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| 7. |
- Los, Marek Jan, et al.
(author)
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Apoptin, a tumor-selective killer
- 2009
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In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. Molecular Cell Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-4889 .- 1879-2596. ; 1793:8, s. 1335-1342
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Apoptin, a small protein from chicken anemia virus, has attracted great attention, because it specifically kills tumor cells while leaving normal cells unharmed. The subcellular localization of apoptin appears to be crucial for this tumor-selective activity. In normal cells, apoptin resides in the cytoplasm, whereas in cancerous cells it translocates into the nucleus. The nuclear translocation of apoptin is largely controlled by its phosphorylation. In tumor cells, apoptin causes the nuclear accumulation of survival kinases including Akt and is phosphorylated by CDK2. Thereby, apoptin redirects survival signals into cell death responses. Apoptin also binds as a multimeric complex to DNA and interacts with several nuclear targets, such as the anaphase-promoting complex, resulting in a G2/M phase arrest. The proapoptotic signal of apoptin is then transduced from the nucleus to cytoplasm by Nur77, which triggers a p53-independent mitochondrial death pathway. In this review, we summarize recent discoveries of apoptin's mechanism of action that might provide intriguing insights for the development of novel tumor-selective anticancer drugs.
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| 8. |
- Los, Marek Jan, et al.
(author)
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Catching chromatin relaxation in act by flow cytometry
- 2009
-
In: Cell Cycle. - : Landes Bioscience. - 1538-4101 .- 1551-4005. ; 8:14, s. 2140-2141
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Comment on: Cytometric detection of chromatin relaxation, an early reporter of DNA damage response.
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| 9. |
- Los, Marek Jan, et al.
(author)
-
Switching Akt : from survival signaling to deadly response
- 2009
-
In: Bioessays. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0265-9247 .- 1521-1878. ; 31:5, s. 492-495
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Akt, a protein kinase hyperactivated in many tumors, plays a major role in both cell survival and resistance to tumor therapy. A recent study,1 along with other evidences, shows interestingly, that Akt is not a single-function kinase, but may facilitate rather than inhibit cell death under certain conditions. This hitherto undetected function of Akt is accomplished by its ability to increase reactive oxygen species and to suppress antioxidant enzymes. The ability of Akt to down-regulate antioxidant defenses uncovers a novel Achilles' heel, which could be exploited by oxidant therapies in order to selectively eradicate tumor cells that express high levels of Akt activity.
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| 10. |
- Maddika, Subbareddy, et al.
(author)
-
Interaction with PI3-kinase contributes to the cytotoxic activity of Apoptin
- 2008
-
In: Oncogene. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 0950-9232 .- 1476-5594. ; 27, s. 3060-3065
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Apoptin, a small protein from the chicken anemia virus, has attracted attention because of its specificity in killing tumor cells. Localization of apoptin in the nucleus of tumor cells has been shown to be vital for proapoptotic activity, however, targeted expression of apoptin in the nucleus of normal cells does not harm the cells, indicating that nuclear localization of apoptin is insufficient for its cytotoxicity. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that apoptin interacts with the SH3 domain of p85, the regulatory subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K), through its proline-rich region. Apoptin derivatives devoid of this proline-rich region do not interact with p85, are unable to activate PI3-K, and show impaired apoptosis induction. Moreover, apoptin mutants containing the proline-rich domain are sufficient to elevate PI3-K activity and to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Downregulation of p85 leads to nuclear exclusion of apoptin and impairs cell death induction, indicating that interaction with the p85 PI3-K subunit essentially contributes to the cytotoxic activity of apoptin.
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| 11. |
- Maddika, Subbareddy, et al.
(author)
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Unscheduled Akt-Triggered Activation of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 as a Key Effector Mechanism of Apoptin's Anticancer Toxicity
- 2009
-
In: Molecular and Cellular Biology. - : American Society for Microbiology. - 0270-7306 .- 1098-5549. ; 29:5, s. 1235-1248
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Apoptin, a protein from the chicken anemia virus, has attracted attention because it specifically kills tumor cells while leaving normal cells unharmed. The reason for this tumor selectivity is unclear and depends on subcellular localization, as apoptin resides in the cytoplasm of normal cells but in the nuclei of transformed cells. It was shown that nuclear localization and tumor-specific killing crucially require apoptin's phosphorylation by an as yet unknown kinase. Here we elucidate the pathway of apoptin-induced apoptosis and show that it essentially depends on abnormal phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase)/Akt activation, resulting in the activation of the cyclin-dependent kinase CDK2. Inhibitors as well as dominant-negative mutants of PI3-kinase and Akt not only inhibited CDK2 activation but also protected cells from apoptin-induced cell death. Akt activated CDK2 by direct phosphorylation as well as by the phosphorylation-induced degradation of the inhibitor p27Kip1. Importantly, we also identified CDK2 as the principal kinase that phosphorylates apoptin and is crucially required for apoptin-induced cell death. Immortalized CDK2-deficient fibroblasts and CDK2 knockdown cells were markedly protected against apoptin. Thus, our results not only decipher the pathway of apoptin-induced cell death but also provide mechanistic insights for the selective killing of tumor cells.
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| 12. |
- Tsuchiya, Takafumi, et al.
(author)
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Association of the calpain-10 gene with type 2 diabetes in Europeans: Results of pooled and meta-analyses
- 2006
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In: Molecular Genetics and Metabolism. - : Elsevier BV. - 1096-7192. ; 89:1-2, s. 174-184
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We conducted pooled and meta-analyses of the association of the calpain-10 gene (CAPN10) polymorphisms SNP-43, Indel-19 and SNP-63 individually and as haplotypes with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in 3237 patients and 2935 controls of European ancestry. In the pooled analyses, the common SNP-43*G allele was associated with modest but statistically significant increased risk of T2D (odds ratio (OR) = 1.11 (95% confidence interval (0), 1.02-1.20), P = 0.01). Two haplotype combinations were associated with increased risk of T2D) (1-2-1/1-2-1, OR = 1.20 (1.03-1.41), P = 0.02; and 1-1-2/1-2-1, OR = 1.26 (1.01-1.59), P = 0.04) and one with decreased risk (1-1-1/2-2-1, OR = 0.86 (0.75-0.99), P = 0.03). The meta-analysis also showed a significant effect of the 1-2-1/1-2-1 haplogenotype on risk (OR = 1.25 (1.05-1.50), P = 0.01). However, there was evidence for heterogeneity with respect to this effect (P = 0.06). The heterogeneity appeared to be due to data sets in which the cases were selected from samples used in linkage studies of T2D. Using only the population-based case-control samples removed the heterogeneity (P = 0.89) and strengthened the evidence for association with T2D) in both the pooled (SNP-43*G, OR = 1.19 (1.07-1.32), P = 0.001; 1-2-1/1-2-1 haplogenotype, OR = 1.46 (1.19-1.78), P = 0.0003; 1-1-2/1-2-1 haplogenotype, OR = 1.52 (1.12-2.06), P = 0.007; and 1-1-1/2-2-1 haplogenotype, OR = 0.83 (0.70-0.99), P = 0.03) and the meta-analysis (SNP-43*G, OR = 1.18 (1.05-1.32), P = 0.005; 1-2-1/1-2-1 haplogenotype, OR = 1.68 (1.33-2.11), P = 0.00001). The pooled and meta-analyses as well as the linkage disequilibrium and haplotype diversity studies suggest a role for genetic variation in CAPN10 affecting risk of T2D in Europeans. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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