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Sayin AZ, Abali Z, Senyuz S, Cankara F, Gursoy A, Keskin O. Conformational diversity and protein-protein interfaces in drug repurposing in Ras signaling pathway. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1239. [PMID: 38216592 PMCID: PMC10786864 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50913-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
We focus on drug repurposing in the Ras signaling pathway, considering structural similarities of protein-protein interfaces. The interfaces formed by physically interacting proteins are found from PDB if available and via PRISM (PRotein Interaction by Structural Matching) otherwise. The structural coverage of these interactions has been increased from 21 to 92% using PRISM. Multiple conformations of each protein are used to include protein dynamics and diversity. Next, we find FDA-approved drugs bound to structurally similar protein-protein interfaces. The results suggest that HIV protease inhibitors tipranavir, indinavir, and saquinavir may bind to EGFR and ERBB3/HER3 interface. Tipranavir and indinavir may also bind to EGFR and ERBB2/HER2 interface. Additionally, a drug used in Alzheimer's disease can bind to RAF1 and BRAF interface. Hence, we propose a methodology to find drugs to be potentially used for cancer using a dataset of structurally similar protein-protein interface clusters rather than pockets in a systematic way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahenk Zeynep Sayin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Koc University, Rumeli Feneri Yolu Sariyer, 34450, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Abali
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Computational Sciences and Engineering, Koc University, 34450, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Simge Senyuz
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Computational Sciences and Engineering, Koc University, 34450, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fatma Cankara
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Computational Sciences and Engineering, Koc University, 34450, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Attila Gursoy
- Department of Computer Engineering, Koc University, 34450, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Keskin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Koc University, Rumeli Feneri Yolu Sariyer, 34450, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Ni B, Yin Y, Li Z, Wang J, Wang X, Wang K. Crosstalk Between Peripheral Innervation and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1717-1731. [PMID: 37347365 PMCID: PMC10603023 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01082-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive lethal malignancy, characterized by late diagnosis, aggressive growth, and therapy resistance, leading to a poor overall prognosis. Emerging evidence shows that the peripheral nerve is an important non-tumor component in the tumor microenvironment that regulates tumor growth and immune escape. The crosstalk between the neuronal system and PDAC has become a hot research topic that may provide novel mechanisms underlying tumor progression and further uncover promising therapeutic targets. In this review, we highlight the mechanisms of perineural invasion and the role of various types of tumor innervation in the progression of PDAC, summarize the potential signaling pathways modulating the neuronal-cancer interaction, and discuss the current and future therapeutic possibilities for this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Ni
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Yiqing Yin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Zekun Li
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Junjin Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Xiuchao Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China.
| | - Kaiyuan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China.
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Danciu C, Cioanca O, Watz Farcaș C, Hancianu M, Racoviceanu R, Muntean D, Zupko I, Oprean C, Tatu C, Paunescu V, Proks M, Diaconeasa Z, Soica C, Pinzaru I, Dehelean C. Botanical Therapeutics (Part II): Antimicrobial and In Vitro Anticancer Activity against MCF7 Human Breast Cancer Cells of Chamomile, Parsley and Celery Alcoholic Extracts. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 21:187-200. [PMID: 33109067 DOI: 10.2174/1871520620666200807213734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study was designed as a continuation of a complex investigation about the phytochemical composition and biological activity of chamomile, parsley, and celery extracts against A375 human melanoma and dendritic cells. OBJECTIVE The main aim was the evaluation of the antimicrobial potential of selected extracts as well as the in vitro anticancer activity against MCF7 human breast cancer cells. METHODS In order to complete the picture regarding the phytochemical composition, molecular fingerprint was sketched out by the help of FTIR spectroscopy. The activity of two enzymes (acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase) after incubation with the three extracts was spectrophotometrically assessed. The antimicrobial potential was evaluated by disk diffusion method. The in vitro anticancer potential against MCF7 human breast cancer cells was appraised by MTT, LDH, wound healing, cell cycle, DAPI, Annexin-V-PI assays. RESULTS The results showed variations between the investigated extracts in terms of inhibitory activity against enzymes, such as acetyl- and butyrilcholinesterase. Chamomile and parsley extracts were active only against tested Gram-positive cocci, while all tested extracts displayed antifungal effects. Among the screened samples at the highest tested concentration, namely 60μg/mL, parsley was the most active extract in terms of reducing the viability of MCF7 - human breast adenocarcinoma cell line and inducing the release of lactate dehydrogenase. On the other hand, chamomile and celery extracts manifested potent anti-migratory effects. Furthermore, celery extract was the most active in terms of total apoptotic events, while chamomile extract induced the highest necrosis rate. CONCLUSION The screened samples containing phytochemicals belonging in majority to the class of flavonoids and polyphenols can represent candidates for antimicrobial and anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corina Danciu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes," University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Oana Cioanca
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T.Popa" Iasi, 700115, Iasi, Romania
| | - Claudia Watz Farcaș
- Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes," University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Monica Hancianu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T.Popa" Iasi, 700115, Iasi, Romania
| | - Roxana Racoviceanu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes," University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Delia Muntean
- Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes," University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Istvan Zupko
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Camelia Oprean
- Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes," University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Calin Tatu
- OncoGen Centre, County Hospital "Pius Branzeu", 300736, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Virgil Paunescu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes," University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Maria Proks
- Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes," University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Zorita Diaconeasa
- Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine ClujNapoca, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Codruta Soica
- Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes," University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Iulia Pinzaru
- Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes," University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Cristina Dehelean
- Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes," University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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Abstract
The enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is a serine hydrolase whose primary function is to degrade acetylcholine (ACh) and terminate neurotransmission. Apart from its role in synaptic transmission, AChE has several "non-classical" functions in non-neuronal cells. AChE is involved in cellular growth, apoptosis, drug resistance pathways, response to stress signals and inflammation. The observation that the functional activity of AChE is altered in human tumors (relative to adjacent matched normal tissue) has raised several intriguing questions about its role in the pathophysiology of human cancers. Published reports show that AChE is a vital regulator of oncogenic signaling pathways involving proliferation, differentiation, cell-cell adhesion, migration, invasion and metastasis of primary tumors. The objective of this book chapter is to provide a comprehensive overview of the contributions of the AChE-signaling pathway in the growth of progression of human cancers. The AChE isoforms, AChE-T, AChE-R and AChE-S are robustly expressed in human cancer cell lines as well in human tumors (isolated from patients). Traditionally, AChE-modulators have been used in the clinic for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Emerging studies reveal that these drugs could be repurposed for the treatment of human cancers. The discovery of potent, selective AChE ligands will provide new knowledge about AChE-regulatory pathways in human cancers and foster the hope of novel therapies for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen D Richbart
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Toxicology Research Cluster, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Justin C Merritt
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Toxicology Research Cluster, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Nicholas A Nolan
- West Virginia University Medical School, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Piyali Dasgupta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Toxicology Research Cluster, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States.
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Lanni C, Masi M, Racchi M, Govoni S. Cancer and Alzheimer's disease inverse relationship: an age-associated diverging derailment of shared pathways. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:280-295. [PMID: 32382138 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0760-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Several epidemiological studies show an inverse association between cancer and Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is debated whether this association is the consequence of biological mechanisms shared by both these conditions or may be related to the pharmacological treatments carried out on the patients. The latter hypothesis, however, is not sustained by the available evidence. Hence, the focus of this review is to analyze common biological mechanisms for both cancer and AD and to build up a biological theory useful to explain the inverse correlation between AD and cancer. The review proposes a hypothesis, according to which several molecular players, prominently PIN1 and p53, have been investigated and considered involved in complex molecular interactions putatively associated with the inverse correlation. On the other hand, p53 involvement in both diseases seems to be a consequence of the aberrant activation of other proteins. Instead, PIN1 may be identified as a novel key regulator at the crossroad between cancer and AD. PIN1 is a peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase that catalyzes the cis-trans isomerization, thus regulating the conformation of different protein substrates after phosphorylation and modulating protein function. In particular, trans-conformations of Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) and tau are functional and "healthy", while cis-conformations, triggered after phosphorylation, are pathogenic. As an example, PIN1 accelerates APP cis-to-trans isomerization thus favoring the non-amyloidogenic pathway, while, in the absence of PIN1, APP is processed through the amyloidogenic pathway, thus predisposing to neurodegeneration. Furthermore, a link between PIN1 and tau regulation has been found, since when PIN1 function is inhibited, tau is hyperphosphorylated. Data from brain specimens of subjects affected by mild cognitive impairment and AD have revealed a very low PIN1 expression. Moreover, polymorphisms in PIN1 promoter correlated with an increased PIN1 expression are associated with a delay of sporadic AD age of onset, while a polymorphism related to a reduced PIN1 expression is associated with a decreased risk of multiple cancers. In the case of dementias, in particular of Alzheimer's disease, new biological markers and targets based on the discussed players can be developed based on a theoretical approach relying on different grounds compared to the past. An unbiased expansion of the rationale and of the targets may help to achieve in the field of neurodegenerative dementias similar advances to those attained in the case of cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Lanni
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, V.le Taramelli 12/14, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mirco Masi
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, V.le Taramelli 12/14, 27100, Pavia, Italy.,Scuola Universitaria Superiore IUSS Pavia, Piazza della Vittoria 15, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Racchi
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, V.le Taramelli 12/14, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefano Govoni
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, V.le Taramelli 12/14, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
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Chatonnet A, Lenfant N, Marchot P, Selkirk ME. Natural genomic amplification of cholinesterase genes in animals. J Neurochem 2017; 142 Suppl 2:73-81. [PMID: 28382676 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Tight control of the concentration of acetylcholine at cholinergic synapses requires precise regulation of the number and state of the acetylcholine receptors, and of the synthesis and degradation of the neurotransmitter. In particular, the cholinesterase activity has to be controlled exquisitely. In the genome of the first experimental models used (man, mouse, zebrafish and drosophila), there are only one or two genes coding for cholinesterases, whereas there are more genes for their closest relatives the carboxylesterases. Natural amplification of cholinesterase genes was first found to occur in some cancer cells and in insect species subjected to evolutionary pressure by insecticides. Analysis of the complete genome sequences of numerous representatives of the various metazoan phyla show that moderate amplification of cholinesterase genes is not uncommon in molluscs, echinoderms, hemichordates, prochordates or lepidosauria. Amplification of acetylcholinesterase genes is also a feature of parasitic nematodes or ticks. In these parasites, over-production of cholinesterase-like proteins in secreted products and the saliva are presumed to have effector roles related to host infection. These amplification events raise questions about the role of the amplified gene products, and the adaptation processes necessary to preserve efficient cholinergic transmission. This is an article for the special issue XVth International Symposium on Cholinergic Mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Chatonnet
- Dynamique Musculaire et Métabolisme, INRA, Université Montpellier, Place Viala, Montpellier France
| | - Nicolas Lenfant
- Dynamique Musculaire et Métabolisme, INRA, Université Montpellier, Place Viala, Montpellier France.,Aix-Marseille Université / Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques laboratory, Marseille, France
| | - Pascale Marchot
- Aix-Marseille Université / Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques laboratory, Marseille, France
| | - Murray E Selkirk
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Wilson DB, Bettger WJ. Effects of Dietary Zinc on Plasma and Cerebral Cortex Butyrylcholinesterase Activities. Nutr Neurosci 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2000.11747341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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8
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Xi Q, Gao N, Yang Y, Ye W, Zhang B, Wu J, Jiang G, Zhang X. Anticancer drugs induce hypomethylation of the acetylcholinesterase promoter via a phosphorylated-p38-DNMT1-AChE pathway in apoptotic hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2015; 68:21-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2015.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Revised: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Castillo-González AC, Pelegrín-Hernández JP, Nieto-Cerón S, Madrona AP, Noguera JA, López-Moreno MF, Rodríguez-López JN, Vidal CJ, Hellín-Meseguer D, Cabezas-Herrera J. Unbalanced acetylcholinesterase activity in larynx squamous cell carcinoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 29:81-6. [PMID: 26002584 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Previous reports have demonstrated that a non-neuronal cholinergic system is expressed aberrantly in airways. A proliferative effect is exerted directly by cholinergic agonists through the activation of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. In cancer, particularly those related with smoking, the mechanism through which tumour cells respond to aberrantly activated cholinergic signalling is a key question. Fifty paired pieces of larynx squamous cell carcinoma and adjacent non-cancerous tissue were compared in terms of their acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE). The AChE activity in non-cancerous tissues (0.248 ± 0.030 milliunits per milligram of wet tissue; mU/mg) demonstrates that upper respiratory tissues express sufficient AChE activity for controlling the level of acetylcholine (ACh). In larynx carcinomas, the AChE activity decreased to 0.157 ± 0.024 mU/mg (p=0.009). Larynx cancer patients exhibiting low ACh-degrading enzymatic activity had a significantly shorter overall survival (p=0.031). Differences in the mRNA levels of alternatively spliced AChE isoforms and molecular compositions were noted between glottic and supraglottic cancers. Our results suggest that the low AChE activity observed in larynx squamous cell carcinoma may be useful for predicting the outcome of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cristina Castillo-González
- Molecular Therapy and Biomarkers Research Group, Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan Pablo Pelegrín-Hernández
- Otorhinolaryngology Surgical Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Susana Nieto-Cerón
- Molecular Therapy and Biomarkers Research Group, Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio Piñero Madrona
- Surgery Service of University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca IMIB, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - José Antonio Noguera
- Molecular Therapy and Biomarkers Research Group, Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - María Fuensanta López-Moreno
- Molecular Therapy and Biomarkers Research Group, Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - José Neptuno Rodríguez-López
- Surgery Service of University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca IMIB, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Cecilio J Vidal
- Surgery Service of University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca IMIB, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Diego Hellín-Meseguer
- Otorhinolaryngology Surgical Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain.
| | - Juan Cabezas-Herrera
- Molecular Therapy and Biomarkers Research Group, Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain.
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Castillo-González AC, Nieto-Cerón S, Pelegrín-Hernández JP, Montenegro MF, Noguera JA, López-Moreno MF, Rodríguez-López JN, Vidal CJ, Hellín-Meseguer D, Cabezas-Herrera J. Dysregulated cholinergic network as a novel biomarker of poor prognostic in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:385. [PMID: 25956553 PMCID: PMC4435806 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1402-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In airways, a proliferative effect is played directly by cholinergic agonists through nicotinic and muscarinic receptors activation. How tumors respond to aberrantly activated cholinergic signalling is a key question in smoking-related cancer. This research was addressed to explore a possible link of cholinergic signalling changes with cancer biology. METHODS Fifty-seven paired pieces of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and adjacent non-cancerous tissue (ANCT) were compared for their mRNA levels for ACh-related proteins and ACh-hydrolyzing activity. RESULTS The measurement in ANCT of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities (5.416 ± 0.501 mU/mg protein and 6.350 ± 0.599 mU/mg protein, respectively) demonstrated that upper respiratory tract is capable of controlling the availability of ACh. In HNSCC, AChE and BChE activities dropped to 3.584 ± 0.599 mU/mg protein (p = 0.002) and 3.965 ± 0.423 mU/mg protein (p < 0.001). Moreover, tumours with low AChE activity and high BChE activity were associated with shorter patient overall survival. ANCT and HNSCC differed in mRNA levels for AChE-T, α3, α5, α9 and β2 for nAChR subunits. Tobacco exposure had a great impact on the expression of both AChE-H and AChE-T mRNAs. Unaffected and cancerous pieces contained principal AChE dimers and BChE tetramers. The lack of nerve-born PRiMA-linked AChE agreed with pathological findings on nerve terminal remodelling and loss in HNSCC. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the low AChE activity in HNSCC can be used to predict survival in patients with head and neck cancer. So, the ChE activity level can be used as a reliable prognostic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cristina Castillo-González
- Molecular Therapy and Biomarkers Research Group, Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, Murcia, 30120, Spain.
| | - Susana Nieto-Cerón
- Molecular Therapy and Biomarkers Research Group, Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, Murcia, 30120, Spain.
| | - Juan Pablo Pelegrín-Hernández
- Otorhinolaryngology Surgical Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, Murcia, 30120, Spain.
| | - María Fernanda Montenegro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", IMIB-University of Murcia, Murcia, 30100, Spain.
| | - José Antonio Noguera
- Molecular Therapy and Biomarkers Research Group, Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, Murcia, 30120, Spain.
| | - María Fuensanta López-Moreno
- Molecular Therapy and Biomarkers Research Group, Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, Murcia, 30120, Spain.
| | - José Neptuno Rodríguez-López
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", IMIB-University of Murcia, Murcia, 30100, Spain.
| | - Cecilio J Vidal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", IMIB-University of Murcia, Murcia, 30100, Spain.
| | - Diego Hellín-Meseguer
- Otorhinolaryngology Surgical Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, Murcia, 30120, Spain.
| | - Juan Cabezas-Herrera
- Molecular Therapy and Biomarkers Research Group, Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, Murcia, 30120, Spain.
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Xi HJ, Wu RP, Liu JJ, Zhang LJ, Li ZS. Role of acetylcholinesterase in lung cancer. Thorac Cancer 2015; 6:390-8. [PMID: 26273392 PMCID: PMC4511315 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.12249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) plays a key role in catalytic hydrolysis of cholinergic neurotransmitters. Intensive research has proven the involvement of this protein in novel functions, such as cell adhesion, differentiation, and proliferation. In addition, several recent studies have indicated that acetylcholinesterase is potentially a marker and regulator of apoptosis. Importantly, AChE is also a promising tumor suppressor. In this review, we briefly summarize the involvement of AChE in apoptosis and cancer, focusing on the role of AChE in lung cancer, as well as the therapeutic consideration of AChE for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Jun Xi
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University Shanghai, China
| | - Ren-Pei Wu
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University Shanghai, China
| | - Jing-Jing Liu
- School of Nursing, Second Military Medical University Shanghai, China
| | - Ling-Juan Zhang
- Department of Nursing, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University Shanghai, China
| | - Zhao-Shen Li
- Digestive Endoscopy Center, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University Shanghai, China ; Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University Shanghai, China
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12
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A natural antisense transcript regulates acetylcholinesterase gene expression via epigenetic modification in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2014; 55:242-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2014.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Revised: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Hadem KLH, Sharan RN, Kma L. Inhibitory potential of methanolic extracts of Aristolochia tagala and Curcuma caesia on hepatocellular carcinoma induced by diethylnitrosamine in BALB/c mice. J Carcinog 2014; 13:7. [PMID: 25191135 PMCID: PMC4141361 DOI: 10.4103/1477-3163.133520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Aristolochia tagala (AT) and Curcuma caesia (CC) have been used traditionally by local herbal practitioners for cancer treatment and as chief ingredients of many polyherbal formulations for various types of ailments. However, there is void in scientific study to evaluate their anti-cancer property. AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-carcinogenic properties of the crude methanolic extracts of roots of AT and rhizomes of CC in BALB/c mice exposed to a hepatocarcinogen, diethylnitrosamine (DEN). SETTINGS AND DESIGN (I) Toxicity of herbal plant extracts (HPE); (II) Anticancer studies; (III) Histological studies; and (IV) Biochemical studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS To evaluate the effects of these two HPE either alone or following DEN exposure, serum transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT]), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and cancer marker enzyme acetylcholine esterase (AChE) were assayed in mice. In addition, histological study was also carried out under similar conditions. The antioxidant potentials of the HPE were evaluated by monitoring the activity of antioxidant enzymes and metabolites, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GSH). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Statistical analysis was performed by GraphPad Prism 6 Software using one-way analysis of variance followed by the Tukey's multiple comparisons test. Significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS Our findings show that DEN administration elevated AST, ALT, ALP, and AChE activities. CC or AT extracts attenuated the increased activities of these marker enzymes. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, which were decreased following DEN administration, were significantly increased in mice treated with CC or AT. CONCLUSIONS The present study clearly documents anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties of AT and CC in DEN-induced mouse liver cancer in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khetbadei Lysinia Hynniewta Hadem
- Cancer and Radiation Countermeasures Unit, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
- Radiation and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
| | - Rajeshwar Nath Sharan
- Radiation and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
| | - Lakhan Kma
- Cancer and Radiation Countermeasures Unit, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
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Amplification and deletion of the RAPH1 gene in breast cancer patients. Mol Biol Rep 2013; 40:6613-7. [PMID: 24057252 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-013-2774-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/14/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Lamellipodin protein (Lpd), encoded by the RAPH1 gene, modulates the assembly of actin cytoskeleton through its binding to the Ena/VASPs proteins, and acts in cellular motility and lamelipodial protrusion. The region where RAPH1 gene is located (2q33) is deleted in various types of cancer and the gene expression changes in tumors when compared to normal tissues. Amplifications and deletions of the RAPH1 gene were investigated in breast carcinoma samples, in order to determine the possible relationship of the gene with breast cancer tumorigenesis and lymph node metastasis. RAPH1 gene alterations were determined by relative quantification, standard curve method using Real-time PCR technique in samples of tumor and peripheral blood from 52 patients. Regression and correlation analyses were conducted using gene alterations and clinicopathological data. All samples analyzed were altered, with 63.5 % deletion cases and 36.5 % amplification cases. The logistic regression and correlation analysis with clinicopathological data did not show significant results. The results suggest that although the RAPH1 gene was deleted or amplified in all samples, the Lpd does not seem to play a major role in tumorigenesis of mammary carcinomas and probably other proteins, also involved in the process of cellular motility and metastasis, are acting more effectively for or against the migration of breast tumor cells.
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Synaptic acetylcholinesterase targeted by microRNA-212 functions as a tumor suppressor in non-small cell lung cancer. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2013; 45:2530-40. [PMID: 23974008 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2013.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Revised: 08/08/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Acetylcholinesterase expression is modulated in various types of tumor, which suggests it is associated with tumor development; however, the mechanism of acetylcholinesterase gene regulation in tumors remains unclear. Here, we report that acetylcholinesterase is aberrantly expressed in non-small cell lung cancer and is an evolutionarily conserved functional target of miR-212. Acetylcholinesterase expression was negatively regulated by miR-212 in vitro and was inversely correlated with miR-212 expression in vivo. In addition, acetylcholinesterase levels were increased, and miR-212 levels decreased, in non-small cell lung cancer cells during cisplatin-induced apoptosis. We further determined that acetylcholinesterase acted as a pro-apoptotic gene in non-small cell lung cells; and attenuated the growth of xenografts in nude mice when upregulated. In contrast, elevated miR-212 levels preserved the protective effect of acetylcholinesterase silencing by RNA interference against cisplatin-induced apoptosis, whereas restoration of miR-212-resistant synaptic acetylcholinesterase expression inhibited the miR-212 anti-apoptotic function. The results demonstrated that miR-212 exerted an anti-apoptotic effect through direct repression of synaptic acetylcholinesterase expression in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Taken together, our study revealed that synaptic acetylcholinesterase may be a tumor suppressor and is modulated by miR-212 in non-small cell lung cancer.
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Cholinesterase activities and biochemical determinations in patients with prostate cancer: Influence of Gleason score, treatment and bone metastasis. Biomed Pharmacother 2012; 66:249-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2011.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Accepted: 11/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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17
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Creton S, Aardema MJ, Carmichael PL, Harvey JS, Martin FL, Newbold RF, O'Donovan MR, Pant K, Poth A, Sakai A, Sasaki K, Scott AD, Schechtman LM, Shen RR, Tanaka N, Yasaei H. Cell transformation assays for prediction of carcinogenic potential: state of the science and future research needs. Mutagenesis 2011; 27:93-101. [PMID: 21852270 PMCID: PMC3241940 DOI: 10.1093/mutage/ger053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell transformation assays (CTAs) have long been proposed as in vitro methods for the identification of potential chemical carcinogens. Despite showing good correlation with rodent bioassay data, concerns over the subjective nature of using morphological criteria for identifying transformed cells and a lack of understanding of the mechanistic basis of the assays has limited their acceptance for regulatory purposes. However, recent drivers to find alternative carcinogenicity assessment methodologies, such as the Seventh Amendment to the EU Cosmetics Directive, have fuelled renewed interest in CTAs. Research is currently ongoing to improve the objectivity of the assays, reveal the underlying molecular changes leading to transformation and explore the use of novel cell types. The UK NC3Rs held an international workshop in November 2010 to review the current state of the art in this field and provide directions for future research. This paper outlines the key points highlighted at this meeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Creton
- National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK.
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18
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Prabhu K, Naik D, Ray S, Vadiraj, Rao A, Kamath A. Significance of serum butyrylcholinesterase levels in oral cancer. Australas Med J 2011; 4:374-8. [PMID: 23393522 DOI: 10.4066/amj.2011.569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a relatively common epithelial malignancy, and thus represents a significant public health problem. Early detection improves quality of life for affected patients. Identification of molecular markers (or biomarkers) which can predict disease progression is necessary for better management of these disorders. A correlation of cholinesterase with tumourigenesis, cell proliferation and cell differentiation has been observed. Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE; pseudocholinesterase) has been shown to be a biochemical marker for cervical cancer which is also an epithelial malignancy. In this study, we sought to estimate and compare serum BChE levels in healthy controls and patients with biopsy-proven oral squamous cell cancer (also an epithelial malignancy) before definitive therapy as radiotherapy or chemotherapy may alter the levels of BChE and may act as a confounding variable. METHOD After obtaining consent from biopsy proven oral cancer patients (n= 39) (before onset of any definitive treatment), and from age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 20), 2ml of blood was collected. After clot formation samples were centrifuged, serum was collected for estimation of BChE. RESULTS Pre-treatment serum BChE levels were significantly elevated (p < 0.0001) in oral cancer patients compared to that of controls. BChE levels showed a significant increase (p = 0.005) with advancing stage in oral cancer patients. CONCLUSION Our results show there could be a role for serum BChE in determining the prognosis of oral cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Prabhu
- Department of Biochemistry Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal University, India
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Nandasena T, Jayawardena C, Tilakaratne W, Nanayakkara C. Distribution pattern of cholinesterase enzymes in human tooth germs. Arch Oral Biol 2010; 55:561-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2010.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2010] [Revised: 05/03/2010] [Accepted: 05/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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20
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Bernardi CC, Ribeiro EDSF, Cavalli IJ, Chautard-Freire-Maia EA, Souza RLR. Amplification and deletion of the ACHE and BCHE cholinesterase genes in sporadic breast cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 197:158-65. [PMID: 20193849 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergencyto.2009.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2009] [Revised: 09/22/2009] [Accepted: 10/17/2009] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence supports the involvement of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase in cell proliferation control and differentiation, reinforcing the hypothesis that these enzymes might have an influence in tumorigenesis. It has already been shown that the cholinesterase genes are structurally altered or aberrantly expressed in a variety of tumor types. In this study, amplifications and deletions in the ACHE and BCHE genes were investigated in sporadic breast tumors using real-time polymerase chain reaction and the relative quantification method. The majority of the tumor tissues showed a notable number of both deletions and amplifications: 65.7% and 22.9%, respectively, in BCHE and 45.7% and 31.4%, respectively, in ACHE. Deletion of the ACHE gene was significantly correlated with amplification of the protooncogene ERBB2. Tumor size was significantly higher when the ACHE gene was amplified, and the total number of alterations (amplifications plus deletions) of the BCHE gene was positively correlated with tumor malignancy grade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline C Bernardi
- Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná, P.O. Box 19071, CEP 81531-990, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
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21
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Nieto-Cerón S, Vargas-López H, Pérez-Albacete M, Tovar-Zapata I, Martínez-Hernández P, Rodríguez-López JN, Cabezas-Herrera J. Analysis of cholinesterases in human prostate and sperm: implications in cancer and fertility. Chem Biol Interact 2010; 187:432-5. [PMID: 20356562 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2010.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2009] [Revised: 03/08/2010] [Accepted: 03/19/2010] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) are postulated to play non-cholinergic roles in cellular physiology. The probable implication of cholinesterases (ChEs) in several human pathologies prompted us to study the cholinergic components in the male reproductive system. Surgical pieces of prostatic cancer (PC) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were analyzed for AChE and BChE activity. Loosely (S1) and tightly (S2) bound AChE and BChE forms were characterized by sedimentation analysis. The mean AChE activity in BHP samples was 2.38+/-0.56 mU/mg (nmol of the substrate hydrolysed per minute and per milligram protein) and 2.57+/-0.61 mU/mg in S1 and S2, respectively. The AChE activity did not vary with cancer, showing 2.46+/-0.45 mU/mg in S1 and 2.70+/-0.53 mU/mg in S2 from PC samples. Amphiphilic dimers and monomers and hydrophilic dimers of AChE were identified in BHP and PC tissues. Their contribution was affected by cancer with a great increase in hydrophilic dimers in the cancerous samples. Significant levels of both AChE and BChE activities were found in seminal fluid and homogenates from spermatozoids. Enzymatic activity dropped in samples with abnormal seminal parameters as sperm count and mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Nieto-Cerón
- Research Unit of Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, El Palmar, Murcia 30120, Spain
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22
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Downregulation of PEBP1 in Rat Brain Cortex in Hypoxia. J Mol Neurosci 2009; 41:36-47. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-009-9275-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2009] [Accepted: 07/22/2009] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Cancer-associated differences in acetylcholinesterase activity in bronchial aspirates from patients with lung cancer. Clin Sci (Lond) 2008; 115:245-53. [PMID: 18211261 DOI: 10.1042/cs20070393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In non-neuronal contexts, ACh (acetylcholine) is thought to be involved in the regulation of vital cell functions, such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and cell-cell interaction. In airways, most cells express the non-neuronal cholinergic system, each containing a specific set of components required for synthesis, signal transduction and ACh hydrolysis. The aim of the present study was determine the expression of cholinergic system components in bronchial aspirates from control subjects and patients with lung cancer. We conducted an analysis of cholinergic components in the stored soluble and cellular fraction of bronchial aspirates from non-cancerous patients and patients diagnosed with lung cancer. The results show that the fluid secreted by human lung cells contains enough AChE (acetylcholinesterase) activity to control ACh levels. Thus these findings demonstrate that: (i) AChE activity is significantly lower in aspirates from squamous cell carcinomas; (ii) the molecular distribution of AChE in both bronchial cells and fluids consisted of amphiphilic monomers and dimers; and (iii) choline acetyltransferase, nicotinic receptors and cholinesterases are expressed in cultured human lung cells, as demonstrated by RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-PCR). It appears that the non-neuronal cholinergic system is involved in lung physiology and lung cancer. The physiological consequences of the presence of non-neuronal ACh will depend on the particular cholinergic signalling network in each cell type. Clarifying the pathophysiological actions of ACh remains an essential task and warrants further investigation.
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24
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Motamed-Khorasani A, Jurisica I, Letarte M, Shaw PA, Parkes RK, Zhang X, Evangelou A, Rosen B, Murphy KJ, Brown TJ. Differentially androgen-modulated genes in ovarian epithelial cells from BRCA mutation carriers and control patients predict ovarian cancer survival and disease progression. Oncogene 2006; 26:198-214. [PMID: 16832351 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1209773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have implicated androgens in the etiology and progression of epithelial ovarian cancer. We previously reported that some androgen responses were dysregulated in malignant ovarian epithelial cells relative to control, non-malignant ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) cells. Moreover, dysregulated androgen responses were observed in OSE cells derived from patients with germline BRCA-1 or -2 mutations (OSEb), which account for the majority of familial ovarian cancer predisposition, and such altered responses may be involved in ovarian carcinogenesis or progression. In the present study, gene expression profiling using cDNA microarrays identified 17 genes differentially expressed in response to continuous androgen exposure in OSEb cells and ovarian cancer cells as compared to OSE cells derived from control patients. A subset of these differentially affected genes was selected and verified by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Six of the gene products mapped to the OPHID protein-protein interaction database, and five were networked within two interacting partners. Basic leucine zipper transcription factor 2 (BACH2) and acetylcholinesterase (ACHE), which were upregulated by androgen in OSEb cells relative to OSE cells, were further investigated using an ovarian cancer tissue microarray from a separate set of 149 clinical samples. Both cytoplasmic ACHE and BACH2 immunostaining were significantly increased in ovarian cancer relative to benign cases. High levels of cytoplasmic ACHE staining correlated with decreased survival, whereas nuclear BACH2 staining correlated with decreased time to disease recurrence. The finding that products of genes differentially responsive to androgen in OSEb cells may predict survival and disease progression supports a role for altered androgen effects in ovarian cancer. In addition to BACH2 and ACHE, this study highlights a set of potentially functionally related genes for further investigation in ovarian cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Acetylcholinesterase/genetics
- Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Androgens/pharmacology
- BRCA1 Protein/genetics
- Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors/genetics
- Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Endometrioid/genetics
- Carcinoma, Endometrioid/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Papillary/genetics
- Carcinoma, Papillary/metabolism
- Cells, Cultured
- Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous/genetics
- Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous/metabolism
- Disease Progression
- Epithelial Cells/metabolism
- Female
- Flow Cytometry
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Immunoenzyme Techniques
- Leucine Zippers
- Middle Aged
- Mutation
- Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
- Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics
- Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism
- Ovarian Neoplasms/mortality
- Ovary/metabolism
- Ovary/pathology
- RNA, Messenger/analysis
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Neoplasm/analysis
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Survival Rate
- Tissue Array Analysis
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Affiliation(s)
- A Motamed-Khorasani
- The Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mt Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Martínez-Moreno P, Nieto-Cerón S, Torres-Lanzas J, Ruiz-Espejo F, Tovar-Zapata I, Martínez-Hernández P, Rodríguez-López JN, Vidal CJ, Cabezas-Herrera J. Cholinesterase activity of human lung tumours varies according to their histological classification. Carcinogenesis 2005; 27:429-36. [PMID: 16272577 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgi250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The probable involvement of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in cancer and the relevance of cholinergic responses for lung cancer growth prompted us to study whether cholinesterase activity of human lung is altered by malignancy. Surgical pieces of non-small lung carcinomas (NSLC) and their adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCT) were analysed for AChE and BChE activities. AChE activity in adenocarcinoma (AC) was 7.80 +/- 5.59 nmol of substrate hydrolysed per min and per mg of protein (mU/mg), the same as in their ANCT (8.83 +/- 4.72 mU/mg; P = 0.823); in large cell carcinoma (LCC), 7.52 +/- 3.32 mU/mg, approximately 50% less than in their ANCT (15.39 +/- 5.66 mU/mg; P = 0.043); and in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 1.39 +/- 0.58 mU/mg, 80% less than in ANCT (6.08 +/- 2.88 mU/mg; P = 0.003). BChE activity was 5.85 +/- 3.20 mU/mg in AC and 9.56 +/- 3.38 mU/mg in ANCT (P = 0.022); 2.94 +/- 2.01 mU/mg in LCC and 6.50 +/- 6.63 mU/mg in ANCT (P = 0.068); and 4.49 +/- 2.30 mU/mg in SCC and ANCT 6.56 +/- 4.09 mU/mg (P = 0.026). Abundant AChE dimers and fewer monomers were identified in lung and, although their distribution was unaffected by cancer, the binding with concanavalin A revealed changes in AChE glycosylation between SCC and their ANCT. The fall in BChE activity affected all molecules, with a strong decrease of the amphiphilic tetramers. Western blotting revealed protein bands with the expected mass of the principal AChE subunits, and the deeper intensity of the protein signal in SCC than in healthy lung, in lanes loaded with the same units of AChE activity, supported an augment in the amount of AChE protein/unit of AChE activity in SCC. The increased availability of acetylcholine in neoplastic lung, resulting from the fall of cholinesterase activity, may enhance cholinergic signalling and contribute to tumour progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Martínez-Moreno
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos and Cirugía Torácica, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Ctra. Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, E-30120, Murcia, Spain
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Abstract
Although the involvement of cholinesterases (ChEs) in the removal of acetylcholine (ACh) at cholinergic synapses is firmly established, there is evidence to suggest that acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) take part in several cellular processes. The early expression of ChE genes during embryonic development and their role in morphogenesis and apoptosis have been explained on the basis of the non-cholinergic actions of ChEs. In addition, the effects of AChE and BuChE, their inhibitors and antisense oligonucleotides in proliferating cellular systems, together with the mitogenic actions of ACh, support a role for ChEs in cell cycle control. The anomalous expression of ChEs may increase cell proliferation and contribute to cancer growth or development. The aim of this report is to compile the available information on ChEs in cancerous tissues in order to stimulating the research to clarify the molecular mechanisms by which ChEs may participate in cancer. Future investigations may throw light into this intriguing issue which will be of benefit to humankind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilio J Vidal
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular-A, Edificio de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Apdo. 4021, E-30071 Murcia, Spain.
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Nekrutenko A, Wadhawan S, Goetting-Minesky P, Makova KD. Oscillating evolution of a mammalian locus with overlapping reading frames: an XLalphas/ALEX relay. PLoS Genet 2005; 1:e18. [PMID: 16110341 PMCID: PMC1186735 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.0010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2005] [Accepted: 06/23/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
XLαs and ALEX are structurally unrelated mammalian proteins translated from alternative overlapping reading frames of a single transcript. Not only are they encoded by the same locus, but a specific XLαs/ALEX interaction is essential for G-protein signaling in neuroendocrine cells. A disruption of this interaction leads to abnormal human phenotypes, including mental retardation and growth deficiency. The region of overlap between the two reading frames evolves at a remarkable speed: the divergence between human and mouse ALEX polypeptides makes them virtually unalignable. To trace the evolution of this puzzling locus, we sequenced it in apes, Old World monkeys, and a New World monkey. We show that the overlap between the two reading frames and the physical interaction between the two proteins force the locus to evolve in an unprecedented way. Namely, to maintain two overlapping protein-coding regions the locus is forced to have high GC content, which significantly elevates its intrinsic evolutionary rate. However, the two encoded proteins cannot afford to change too quickly relative to each other as this may impair their interaction and lead to severe physiological consequences. As a result XLαs and ALEX evolve in an oscillating fashion constantly balancing the rates of amino acid replacements. This is the first example of a rapidly evolving locus encoding interacting proteins via overlapping reading frames, with a possible link to the origin of species-specific neurological differences. One of the possible ways to achieve tight co-expression of two proteins is to encode them within a single mRNA. The GNAS1 gene in mammals does just that: it encodes two interacting signaling polypeptides within a single transcript using nested reading frames shifted one nucleotide relative to each other. The exceptionally high GC content of the region where the two reading frames overlap diminishes the probability of encountering stop codons but makes the locus highly mutable. To preserve their ability to interact functionally with each other despite the high mutation rate, the two polypeptides appear to evolve in an oscillating fashion, trying to maintain approximately equal rates of amino acid substitutions. This unexpected observation provides new insights into the evolution of mostly overlooked overlapping coding regions in eukaryotic genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Nekrutenko
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Ruiz-Espejo F, Cabezas-Herrera J, Illana J, Campoy FJ, Muñoz-Delgado E, Vidal CJ. Breast cancer metastasis alters acetylcholinesterase activity and the composition of enzyme forms in axillary lymph nodes. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2003; 80:105-14. [PMID: 12889604 DOI: 10.1023/a:1024461108704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Because of the probable involvement of cholinesterases (ChEs) in tumorigenesis, this research was addressed to ascertaining whether breast cancer metastasis alters the content of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and/or butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in axillary lymph nodes (LN). ChE activity was assayed in nine normal (NLN) and seven metastasis-bearing nodes (MLN) from women. AChE and BuChE forms were characterised by sedimentation analyses, hydrophobic chromatography and western blotting. The origin of ChEs in LN was studied by lectin interaction. AChE activity dropped from 21.6 mU/mg (nmol of the substrate hydrolysed per minute and per milligram protein) in NLN to 3.8 mU/mg in MLN (p < 0.001), while BuChE activity (3.6 mU/mg) was little affected. NLN contained globular amphiphilic AChE dimers (G2A, 35%), monomers (G1A, 30%), hydrophilic tetramers (G4H, 8%), and asymmetric species (A4, 23%, and A8, 4%); MLN displayed only G2A (65%) and G1A (35%) AChE forms. NLN and MLN contained G4H (79%), G4A (7%), and G1H (14%) BuChE components. Neither the binding of ChE forms with lectins and antibodies nor the subunit size were altered by metastasis. The higher level of AChE in NLN than in brain and the specific pattern of AChE forms in NLN support its role in immunity. The different profile of AChE forms in NLN and MLN may be useful for diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Ruiz-Espejo
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular-A, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Ruiz-Espejo F, Cabezas-Herrera J, Illana J, Campoy FJ, Vidal CJ. Cholinesterase activity and acetylcholinesterase glycosylation are altered in human breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2002; 72:11-22. [PMID: 12000217 DOI: 10.1023/a:1014904701723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence supports the involvement of cholinesterases in tumorigenesis. Several tumour cells show ChE activity, while the acetyl- (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) genes are amplified in leukemias, ovarian carcinoma and other cancers. ChE activity was measured in 31 samples of tumoral breast (TB) and 20 of normal breast (NB). Despite the wide variations observed, BuChE predominated over AChE both in TB and NB. The mean AChE activity in NB was 1.61 nmol of the substrate hydrolysed per minute and per miligram protein (mU/mg), which rose to 3.09 mU/mg in TB (p = 0.041). The BuChE activity dropped from 5.24 mU/mg in NB to 3.39 mU/mg in TB (p = 0.002). Glycolipid-linked AChE dimers and monomers and hydrophilic BuChE tetramers and monomers were identified in NB and TB, and their proportions were unmodified by the neoplasia. The amount of AChE forms reacting with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) decreased in TB while that of BuChE species was unaffected, demonstrating that the glycosylation of AChE was altered in TB. The binding of AChE and BuChE with antibodies was unaffected by the neoplasia. The difference in lectin reactivity between erythrocyte and breast AChE, the lack of AChE in blood plasma, and the finding of monomeric BuChE in breast but not in plasma suggest that breast epithelial cells produce AChE for membrane attachment and hydrophilic BuChE for secretion. Several reasons are provided to explain the altered expression of ChEs in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Ruiz-Espejo
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular-A, Edificio de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Spain
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García-Ayllón MS, Sáez-Valero J, Muñoz-Delgado E, Vidal CJ. Identification of hybrid cholinesterase forms consisting of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase subunits in human glioma. Neuroscience 2002; 107:199-208. [PMID: 11731094 DOI: 10.1016/s0306-4522(01)00355-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Brain and non-brain tumors contain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) transcripts and enzyme activity. AChE and BuChE occur in tissues as a set of molecular components, whose distribution in a cyst fluid from a human astrocytoma we investigated. The fluid displayed high BuChE and low AChE activities. Three types of cholinesterase (ChE) tetramers were identified in the fluid by means of sedimentation analyses and assays with specific inhibitors, and their sedimentation coefficients were 11.7S (ChE-I), 11.1S (ChE-II), and 10.5S (ChE-III). ChE-I was unretained, ChE-II was weakly retained and ChE-III was adsorbed to edrophonium-agarose, confirming the AChE nature of the latter. ChE-I and ChE-II tetramers contained BuChE subunits as shown by their binding with an antiserum against BuChE. The ChE activity of the immunocomplexes made with ChE-II and anti-BuChE antibodies decreased with the AChE inhibitor BW284c51, revealing that ChE-II was made of AChE and BuChE subunits, in contrast to ChE-I, which only contained BuChE subunits. The binding of an anti-AChE antibody (AE1) to ChE-II and ChE-III, but not to ChE-I, demonstrated the hybrid composition of ChE-II. A substantial fraction of the AChE tetramers and dimers of astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas bound both to anti-AChE and anti-BuChE antibodies, which revealed a mixed composition of AChE and BuChE subunits in them. The AChE components of brain, meningiomas and neurinomas were only recognized by AE1. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that aberrant ChE oligomers consisting of AChE and BuChE subunits are generated in astrocytomatous cyst and gliomas but not in brain, meningiomas or neurinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S García-Ayllón
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular-A, Edificio de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Apdo. 4021, E-30071 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
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31
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Grant AD, Shapira M, Soreq H. Genomic dissection reveals locus response to stress for mammalian acetylcholinesterase. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2001; 21:783-97. [PMID: 12043848 DOI: 10.1023/a:1015112407079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) locus was investigated using computational predictive methods and experiments of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Computational analysis identified two genes downstream to ACHE, an inversely oriented arsenite resistance gene homologue (ARS), and a novel previously unidentified gene (PIX), co-oriented with ACHE. Experimental evidence shows coregulation of murine ACHE and ARS following confined swim, indicating coordinated locus response to stress, that is possibly mediated by altered cholinergic neurotransmission.
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MESH Headings
- Acetylcholine/biosynthesis
- Acetylcholinesterase/genetics
- Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism
- Alternative Splicing/genetics
- Animals
- Arsenite Transporting ATPases
- Brain/enzymology
- Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics
- Chromosome Mapping
- DNA, Complementary/genetics
- DNA, Complementary/isolation & purification
- Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic/genetics
- Genes/genetics
- Genome
- Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors/genetics
- Ion Pumps/genetics
- Mice
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Multienzyme Complexes/genetics
- Neurons/enzymology
- Protein Isoforms/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/isolation & purification
- Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
- Stress, Physiological/genetics
- Stress, Physiological/metabolism
- Stress, Physiological/physiopathology
- Synaptic Transmission/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Grant
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
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Barbosa M, Rios O, Velásquez M, Villalobos J, Ehrmanns J. Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase histochemical activities and tumor cell growth in several brain tumors. SURGICAL NEUROLOGY 2001; 55:106-12. [PMID: 11301094 DOI: 10.1016/s0090-3019(01)00351-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The hydrolysis enzymes of the acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase are involved in non-cholinergic functions such as proliferation processes and cellular adhesion. These enzymes have been found in several tumors other from brain tumors. METHODS Thirty fresh brain tumor specimens were obtained from biopsies taken during neurosurgical procedures. The specimens were cut in two parts, one designated for routine histopathological control and the other for histochemical and growth studies. The formalin fixed specimens were serially cut at 10 microm in a freezing cryostat, mounted in gelatin-coated slides, and processed for sensitive histochemical detection of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. The other specimens were processed for a HMEM cell growth culture. RESULTS The results show the coexistence of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase in all tumors studied. Type II and III gliomas and oligodendrogliomas show moderate activity of both cholinesterases, whereas in type IV glioma and meningiomas the labeling of both cholinesterases was high. In the craniopharyngiomas a high acetylcholinesterase activity was observed and low level of butyrylcholinesterase labeling. The cell growth was high only in the cases in which butyrylcholinesterase activity was high, such as type IV glioma. In type II and III gliomas, oligodendroglioma, and craniopharyngioma the growth rate was slow. CONCLUSIONS These results could indicate a possible relationship between the presence of butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase in brain tumor tissue and cellular proliferation in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Barbosa
- Centro de Neurociencias, Facultad de Salud, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
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33
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Johnson G, Moore SW. Cholinesterases modulate cell adhesion in human neuroblastoma cells in vitro. Int J Dev Neurosci 2000; 18:781-90. [PMID: 11154847 DOI: 10.1016/s0736-5748(00)00049-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholinesterases are expressed non-synaptically during embryonic development, neoplasia and neurodegeneration. We have investigated the effects of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and, conversely, anti-AChE and -BChE antibodies and inhibitors on cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth in human neuroblastoma cells. Analysis of cholinesterase levels and isoforms in undifferentiated and differentiated cells indicated a significant rise in AChE levels on differentiation. This increase was related to both cell-associated and secreted enzyme, and was predominantly the G4 isoform. BChE levels and isoforms, on the other hand, showed no significant variation. Coating the tissue culture plate with AChE stimulated neurite outgrowth, while BChE had an anti-adhesive effect. Cell adhesion was affected by the BChE inhibitor, ethopropazine, and the AChE peripheral site inhibitor, BW284c51, but not by eserine which binds to the active site. This indicates that the adhesion function is non-cholinergic, a finding supported by the lack of effect of AE-2, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits AChE, on cell adhesion. Four out of a panel of nine anti-AChE antibodies inhibited adhesion to varying degrees. Of these antibodies, two are catalytic, with epitopes associated with the peripheral anionic site of AChE, and the remaining two have epitopes overlapping this site. Neither of the two anti-BChE antibodies used had any effect on adhesion. These results indicate the importance of AChE in neuroblastoma cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth, and suggest that the peripheral anionic site may be involved in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Johnson
- Department of Paediatric Surgery and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa.
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Mack A, Robitzki A. The key role of butyrylcholinesterase during neurogenesis and neural disorders: an antisense-5'butyrylcholinesterase-DNA study. Prog Neurobiol 2000; 60:607-28. [PMID: 10739090 DOI: 10.1016/s0301-0082(99)00047-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The wide tissue distribution of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in organisms makes specific roles possible, although no clear physiologic function has yet been assigned to this enzyme. In vertebrates, it appears e.g. in serum, hemopoietic cells, liver, lung, heart, at cholinergic synapses, in the central nervous system. in tumors and not at least (besides acetylcholinesterase, AChE) in developing embryonic tissues. Here, a functional role of BChE can be found in regulation of cell proliferation and the onset of differentiation during early neuronal development--independent of its enzymatic activity. For studies concerning this point, we have established a strategy for a specific and efficient inhibition of BChE to investigate how the expected decrease of enzyme and, therefore, the manipulation of cellular cholinesterase-equilibrium influences embryonic neurogenesis--among others to gain information about the significance of noncholinergic, activity-independent and cell growth functions of BChE. The antisense-5'BChE-DNA strategy is based on inhibition of BChE mRNA transcription and protein synthesis. For this, the BChE gene is cloned into a suitable vector system; this is done in antisense-orientation, so that a transfected cell will produce their own antisense mRNA to inhibit gene expression. For such investigations in neurogenesis, the developing retina is a good model and we are able to create organotypic, three-dimensional retinal aggregates in vitro (retinospheroids) using isolated retinal cells of 6-day-old chicken embryos. Using this in vitro retina and "knock out" of BChE gene expression, we could show a key role of BChE during neurogenesis. The results are of great interest because in tumorigenesis and some neuronal disorders, the BChE gene is amplified or abnormally expressed. It has to be discussed how the antisense-5'BChE strategy can play a role in the development of new and efficient therapy forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mack
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (FhG-IBMT), Section Biohybrid Systems, St. Ingbert/Saar, Germany.
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35
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Shao H, Huang YZ, Wang D, Zhang H, Sun MJ. Grafting of genetically modified human fetal fibroblasts to produce human butyrylcholinesterase in mice. Chem Biol Interact 1999; 119-120:361-9. [PMID: 10421472 DOI: 10.1016/s0009-2797(99)00047-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Human diploid fibroblast cultures were established from fetal skin tissue. Enzymic dissociation yielded cultures of higher growth capacity of fibroblasts than those prepared by mechanical dissociation followed by spontaneous outgrowth of cells. Transfer of recombinant human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, EC 3.1.1.8) gene into primary human fibroblasts was achieved successfully using lipofection and retrovirus-mediated transfection. The analysis of drug-resistant colonies suggested the presence of the transcripted BChE mRNA in the cytoplasm of transfected cells. The secreted BChE protein in culture medium was assayed for enzyme activity using butyrylthiocholine as substrate. The genetically modified fibroblasts were mixed with rat tail collagen and transplanted subcutaneously and intraperitoneally to mice. Immunoreactive human BChE appeared in the plasma from the transplanted mice. reaching the top level at day 13. It was not present any longer in most of the mice 20 days later.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Shao
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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36
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Noda S, Lammerding-Köppel M, Oettling G, Drews U. Characterization of muscarinic receptors in the human melanoma cell line SK-Mel-28 via calcium mobilization. Cancer Lett 1998; 133:107-14. [PMID: 9929168 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3835(98)00215-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In melanoma cells of primary and metastatic human melanomas muscarinic cholinergic receptors are present. Muscarinic receptors were shown to be expressed in morphogenetically active embryonic cells. Therefore, the possibility exists that in melanomas an embryonic trait is re-expressed after transformation. In the present study, we demonstrated the presence of muscarinic receptors in the human melanoma cell line SK-Mel-28 by immunofluorescence with the monoclonal antibody M 35 and characterized the receptors further by measuring calcium mobilization after muscarinic stimulation. Cell suspensions were stained with fura-2 and fluorescence was followed at 380 nm excitation in a fluorimeter cuvette. After the addition of acetylcholine or carbachol a steep decrease in fluorescence intensity indicated calcium mobilization from intracellular stores (peak reaction), which was followed by a constantly lowered fluorescence level indicating a steady influx of extracellular calcium in the presence of agonist. By quantitative evaluation, dose-response curves were obtained from which an ED of 4.3 x 10(-6) M was calculated for acetylcholine and an ED of 2.2 x 10(-5) M was calculated for carbachol. After preincubation with antagonists the dose-response curve of acetylcholine was shifted to the right. The inhibition constant of pirenzepine was calculated as 3.9 x 10(-7) M, of methoctramine as 6.8 x 10(-7) M and of 4-DAMP-mustard as 1.9 X 10(-8) M. Comparison with the data from the literature and those obtained in the chick embryo indicates that the muscarinic receptor in SK-Mel-28 melanoma cells pharmacologically behaves as the M3 type and corresponds to the embryonic muscarinic receptor characterized by us in earlier studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Noda
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Tübingen, Germany
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37
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Krasowski MD, McGehee DS, Moss J. Natural inhibitors of cholinesterases: implications for adverse drug reactions. Can J Anaesth 1997; 44:525-34. [PMID: 9161749 PMCID: PMC2877586 DOI: 10.1007/bf03011943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase are two closely related enzymes important in the metabolism of acetylcholine and anaesthetic drugs, including succinylcholine, mivacurium, and cocaine. The solanaceous glycoalkaloids (SGAs) are naturally occurring steroids in potatoes and related plants that inhibit both acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. There are many clinical examples of direct SGA toxicity due to cholinesterase inhibition. The aim of this study was to review the hypotheses that (1) SGAs may be the evolutionary driving force for atypical butyrylcholinesterase alleles and that (2) SGAs may adversely influence the actions of anaesthetic drugs that are metabolized by acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. SOURCE The information was obtained by Medline search and consultation with experts in the study of SGAs and cholinesterases. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The SGAs inhibit both acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase in numerous in vitro and in vivo experiments. Although accurate assays of SGA levels are difficult, published data indicate human serum SGA concentrations at least ten-fold lower than required to inhibit acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase in vitro. However, we review evidence that suggests the dietary ingestion of SGAs can initiate a cholinergic syndrome in humans. This syndrome appears to occur at SGA levels lower than those which interfere with anaesthetic drug catabolism. The world distribution of solanaceous plants parallels the distribution of atypical alleles of butyrylcholinesterase and may explain the genetic diversity of the butyrylcholinesterase gene. CONCLUSION Correlative evidence suggests that dietary SGAs may be the driving force for atypical butyrylcholinesterase alleles. In addition, SGAs may influence the metabolism of anaesthetic drugs and this hypothesis warrants experimental investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Krasowski
- Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
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Lammerding-Köppel M, Noda S, Blum A, Schaumburg-Lever G, Rassner G, Drews U. Immunohistochemical localization of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in primary and metastatic malignant melanomas. J Cutan Pathol 1997; 24:137-44. [PMID: 9085148 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0560.1997.tb01567.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In embryos morphogenetically active cells transiently express the cholinergic system comprising cholinesterase activity and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Malignant melanomas develop from melanocytes, which are derived from the neural crest. Neural crest cells express the embryonic muscarinic system during migration. Using the monoclonal antibody M35, we now show that normal melanocytes carry no muscarinic receptors, whereas malignant melanoma cells express them again. In primary melanomas and metastatic melanomas, we identified muscarinic receptors in solid strands or groups of atypical cells. In all primary malignant melanomas studied we found inhomogeneous distributions of M35-immunoreactivity subdividing the tumors into three different zones. In the tumor center, groups or single cells often showed only little or even no immunofluorescence. In contrast, pericentrally we detected strong immunostaining in the conglomerations of atypical melanocytes. In the peripheral infiltration zone, intensely fluorescent cells in clusters or single, were spreading into the normal tissue, leading to a more patchy staining pattern. Melanocytes of nevi also possess muscarinic receptors, showing similar distribution patterns as in the melanoma. We suggest that in malignant melanomas muscarinic receptors might play a regulative role in infiltrative growth and metastasis.
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Sáez-Valero J, Vidal CJ. Biochemical properties of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase in human meningioma. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 1996; 1317:210-8. [PMID: 8988237 DOI: 10.1016/s0925-4439(96)00061-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The structural properties of acetyl-(AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in meningioma and the possible relationship with brain and plasma were investigated. Meningioma ChEs were extracted with saline and saline-Triton X-100 buffers. The tumor ChE forms were identified by sedimentation analysis, and their amphiphilic/hydrophilic behaviour was assessed by Triton X-114 phase-partitioning and hydrophobic chromatography. Meningioma contained amphiphilic globular AChE dimers (G2A) and monomers (G1A), and hydrophilic BuChE tetramers (G4H). The conversion of G2A into G1A AChE by reduction confirmed their structures. In contrast to the meningioma species, brain G1A AChE forms remained amphiphilic after incubation with alkaline hydroxylamine and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PIPLC). Meningioma G1A and PIPLC-converted G1H, and brain G1A AChE showed similar rate constants for thermal inactivation, and this suggested that the thermal stability of AChE subunits was unaffected by the presence or not of phosphatidylinositol residues. AChE in meningioma and brain did not differ in the interaction with the lectins Con A, LCA, WGA and RCA. BuChE in meningioma and brain bound to a similar extent to Con A, LCA and WGA-Agarose, whereas one-half of BuChE in the tumor, all in plasma and little in brain was fixed by RCA. Therefore, meningioma possesses RCA(+)- and RCA(-)-BuChE, the former predominating in brain and the latter in plasma. It remains to be clarified whether the tumor RCA(+)-BuChE is intrinsic or derived from plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Sáez-Valero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular A, Universidad de Murcia, Spain
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Small DH, Michaelson S, Sberna G. Non-classical actions of cholinesterases: role in cellular differentiation, tumorigenesis and Alzheimer's disease. Neurochem Int 1996; 28:453-83. [PMID: 8792327 DOI: 10.1016/0197-0186(95)00099-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The cholinesterases are members of the serine hydrolase family, which utilize a serine residue at the active site. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is distinguished from butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) by its greater specificity for hydrolysing acetylcholine. The function of AChE at cholinergic synapses is to terminate cholinergic neurotransmission. However, AChE is expressed in tissues that are not directly innervated by cholinergic nerves. AChE and BChE are found in several types of haematopoietic cells. Transient expression of AChE in the brain during embryogenesis suggests that AChE may function in the regulation of neurite outgrowth. Overexpression of cholinesterases has also been correlated with tumorigenesis and abnormal megakaryocytopoiesis. Acetylcholine has been shown to influence cell proliferation and neurite outgrowth through nicotinic and muscarinic receptor-mediated mechanisms and thus, that the expression of AChE and BChE at non-synaptic sites may be associated with a cholinergic function. However, structural homologies between cholinesterases and adhesion proteins indicate that cholinesterases could also function as cell-cell or cell-substrate adhesion molecules. Abnormal expression of AChE and BChE has been detected around the amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The function of the cholinesterases in these regions of the Alzheimer brain is unknown, but this function is probably unrelated to cholinergic neurotransmission. The presence of abnormal cholinesterase expression in the Alzheimer brain has implications for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and for therapeutic strategies using cholinesterase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- D H Small
- Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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41
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Sáez-Valero J, Poza-Cisneros G, Vidal CJ. Molecular forms of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase in human glioma. Neurosci Lett 1996; 206:173-6. [PMID: 8710179 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(96)12452-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Specimens of astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma and medulloblastoma were sequentially extracted with saline and saline-Triton X-100 buffers. Acetyl- (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities were assayed in the soluble fractions, these being further analyzed to establish the distribution of molecular forms. All the tumors tested showed AChE and BuChE activities, the measured AChE/BuChE ratios being unrelated to the malignant grading. Hydrophilic and amphiphilic AChE and BuChE tetramers, amphiphilic AChE dimers and monomers, and hydrophilic BuChE monomers were identified in all the tumors analyzed. The amphiphilic behavior of the enzyme forms was assessed by sedimentation analysis and hydrophobic chromatography on phenyl-Agarose. A small fraction of glioma AChE monomers was released as, or transformed into, hydrophilic forms by incubation with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PIPLC). These data suggest that AChE monomers bearing distinct hydrophobic domains coexist in human glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Sáez-Valero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular A, Edificio de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Sánchez-Chávez G, Vidal CJ, Salceda R. Acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase activities in the rat retina and retinal pigment epithelium. J Neurosci Res 1995; 41:655-62. [PMID: 7563246 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.490410512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities in the neural retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of adult rats were determined. The tissues were extracted with a saline buffer to release the soluble enzymes (S1) and the pellet re-extracted with Triton X-100 to detach the membrane-bound enzymes (S2). Less than 5% of the cholinesterase activity measured in retina and almost 30% of that assayed in RPE was due to BChE. About 20% and 10% of the AChE in retina and RPE was brought into solution with a saline buffer and the rest with a detergent-containing buffer. Main AChE molecular forms of 10.5S (hydrophilic G4H), 9.5S (amphiphilic G4A) and 3.0S (amphiphilic G1A) were identified in retina by subjecting the supernatant S1 to sedimentation analysis in sucrose gradients made with Brij 96. Amphiphilic G4 and G1 AChE were found in S2. Analysis of the soluble fractions obtained from RPE in the gradients made with Brij 96 revealed 16.0S (asymmetric A12), 10.5-10.0S (globular G4H + G4A), 4.5S (G2A), and 3.0S (G1A) AChE forms in S1, whereas G4A, G2A, and G1A enzyme molecules predominated in S2. Our results show that amphiphilic tetramers and monomers of AChE are abundant in neural retina, and enzyme tetramers, dimers, and monomers in RPE. The AChE in the neural retina might be involved in cholinergic actions. The enzyme function in the retinal pigment epithelium remains to be established.
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Schwarz M, Glick D, Loewenstein Y, Soreq H. Engineering of human cholinesterases explains and predicts diverse consequences of administration of various drugs and poisons. Pharmacol Ther 1995; 67:283-322. [PMID: 7494866 DOI: 10.1016/0163-7258(95)00019-d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The acetylcholine hydrolyzing enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, primarily functions in nerve conduction, yet it appears in several guises, due to tissue-specific expression, alternative mRNA splicing and variable aggregation modes. The closely related enzyme, butyrylcholinesterase, most likely serves as a scavenger of toxins to protect acetylcholine binding proteins. One or both of the cholinesterases probably also plays a non-catalytic role(s) as a surface element on cells to direct intercellular interactions. The two enzymes are subject to inhibition by a wide variety of synthetic (e.g., organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides) and natural (e.g., glycoalkaloids) anticholinesterases that can compromise these functions. Butyrylcholinesterase may function, as well, to degrade several drugs of interest, notably aspirin, cocaine and cocaine-like local anesthetics. The widespread occurrence of butyrylcholinesterase mutants with modified activity further complicates this picture, in ways that are only now being dissected through the use of site-directed mutagenesis and heterologous expression of recombinant cholinesterases.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Schwarz
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
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Kris M, Jbilo O, Bartels CF, Masson P, Rhode S, Lockridge O. Endogenous butyrylcholinesterase in SV40 transformed cell lines: COS-1, COS-7, MRC-5 SV40, and WI-38 VA13. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 1994; 30A:680-9. [PMID: 7842168 DOI: 10.1007/bf02631271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Comparison of proteins expressed by SV40 transformed cell lines and untransformed cell lines is of interest because SV40 transformed cells are immortal, whereas untransformed cells senesce after about 50 doublings. In MRC-5 SV40 cells, only seven proteins have previously been reported to shift from undetectable to detectable after transformation by SV40 virus. We report that butyrylcholinesterase is an 8th protein in this category. Butyrylcholinesterase activity in transformed MRC-5 SV40 cells increased at least 150-fold over its undetectable level in MRC-5 parental cells. Other SV40 transformed cell lines, including COS-1, COS-7, and WI-38 VA13, also expressed endogenous butyrylcholinesterase, whereas the parental, untransformed cell lines, CV-1 and WI-38, had no detectable butyrylcholinesterase activity or mRNA. Infection of CV-1 cells by SV40 virus did not result in expression of butyrylcholinesterase, showing that the butyrylcholinesterase promoter was not activated by the large T antigen of SV40. We conclude that butyrylcholinesterase expression resulted from events related to cell immortalization and did not result from activation by the large T antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kris
- Eppley Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198
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Soreq H, Patinkin D, Lev-Lehman E, Grifman M, Ginzberg D, Eckstein F, Zakut H. Antisense oligonucleotide inhibition of acetylcholinesterase gene expression induces progenitor cell expansion and suppresses hematopoietic apoptosis ex vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1994; 91:7907-11. [PMID: 8058733 PMCID: PMC44513 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.91.17.7907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
To examine the role of acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) in hematopoietic cell proliferation and differentiation, we administered a 15-mer phosphorothioate oligonucleotide, antisense to the corresponding ACHE gene (AS-ACHE), to primary mouse bone marrow cultures. Within 2 hr of AS-ACHE addition to the culture, ACHE mRNA levels dropped by approximately 90%, as compared with those in cells treated with the "sense" oligomer, S-ACHE. Four days after AS-ACHE treatment, ACHE mRNA increased to levels 10-fold higher than in S-ACHE cultures or in fresh bone marrow. At this later time point, differential PCR display revealed significant differences between cellular mRNA transcripts in bone marrow and those in AS-ACHE- or S-ACHE-treated cultures. These oligonucleotide-triggered effects underlay considerable alterations at the cellular level: AS-ACHE but not S-ACHE increased cell counts, reflecting enhanced proliferation. In the presence of erythropoietin it also enhanced colony counts, reflecting expansion of progenitors. AS-ACHE further suppressed apoptosis-related fragmentation of cellular DNA in the progeny cells, and it diverted hematopoiesis toward production of primitive blasts and macrophages in a dose-dependent manner promoted by erythropoietin. These findings suggest that the hematopoietic role of acetylcholinesterase, anticipated to be inverse to the observed antisense effects, is to reduce proliferation of the multipotent stem cells committed to erythropoiesis and megakaryocytopoiesis and macrophage production and to promote apoptosis in their progeny. Moreover, these findings may explain the tumorigenic association of perturbations in ACHE gene expression with leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Soreq
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
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Ozisik YY, Meloni AM, Surti U, Sandberg AA. Deletion 7q22 in uterine leiomyoma. A cytogenetic review. CANCER GENETICS AND CYTOGENETICS 1993; 71:1-6. [PMID: 8275445 DOI: 10.1016/0165-4608(93)90195-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The cytogenetic patterns of uterine leiomyomas have been extensively investigated, and cases characterized by specific clonal changes have been documented in detail. In these tumors one of the cytogenetic changes frequently observed has been a del(7), particularly del(7)(q22), usually as a sole anomaly. This is confirmed by our experience and by reports in the literature. The fact that del(7) is one of the most common abnormalities in leiomyoma raises the question of its role in tumor development. The main purpose of this review is to analyze the above aspect and to interpret its possible meaning. Our findings on cytogenetic abnormalities of chromosome 7 in leiomyoma, together with those reported in the literature, are reviewed and discussed. A listing of the genes located at 7q22 is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Y Ozisik
- Cancer Center of Southwest Biomedical Research Institute, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
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Abstract
Recently it has been suggested that high levels of cancer drug resistance and poor prognosis are strongly associated with gene or oncogene amplification (GA). It has been further suggested that the molecular mechanisms underlying GA may be different for different genes, and that different amplification mechanisms may function concurrently or sequentially in the same gene. The aim of this review is to demonstrate the use of mathematical models in studying these intricate dynamics. We have provided mathematical models for the generation of extrachromosomal elements, their autonomous replication and equal or unequal mitotic segregation, the integration of the extrachromosomal elements within the chromosomes, and chromosomal GA in one or many unlinked genes. Using this formal description one can examine the potential role of each GA mechanism in the generation of specific distributions of gene-copy number in a cell population, under various levels of selection stringency. Thus one can specify the conditions for the emergence of drug-resistant mutants prior to selection, as well as the relationships between the stringency of the selecting environment and the characteristics of the resultant cellular phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- L E Harnevo
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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Massoulié J, Pezzementi L, Bon S, Krejci E, Vallette FM. Molecular and cellular biology of cholinesterases. Prog Neurobiol 1993; 41:31-91. [PMID: 8321908 DOI: 10.1016/0301-0082(93)90040-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 829] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J Massoulié
- Laboratoire de Neurobiologie, CNRS URA 295, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France
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Ben Aziz-Aloya R, Seidman S, Timberg R, Sternfeld M, Zakut H, Soreq H. Expression of a human acetylcholinesterase promoter-reporter construct in developing neuromuscular junctions of Xenopus embryos. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1993; 90:2471-5. [PMID: 8460160 PMCID: PMC46109 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.90.6.2471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
We have employed Xenopus embryos to express human acetylcholinesterase (AcChoEase; EC 3.1.1.7) in developing synapses. Transcription of AcChoEase mRNA was driven by a 2.2-kb sequence upstream from the initiator AUG in the ACHE gene encoding AcChoEase, with multiple potential sites for binding universal and tissue-specific transcription factors. These included clustered MyoD elements, E-box, SP1, EGR1, AP-2, and the development-related GAGA motif. A DNA construct composed of this sequence linked to a 2.1-kb sequence encoding human AcChoEase was designated human AcChoEase promoter-reporter (HpACHE). HpACHE but none of its several 5'-truncated derivatives was transcriptionally active in developing Xenopus embryos. Furthermore, PCR analysis using chimeric PCR primers revealed usage of the same 1.5-kb intron and 74-bp exon within the HpACHE sequence in microinjected embryos and various human tissues. Cytochemical staining revealed conspicuous accumulation of overexpressed AcChoEase in neuromuscular junctions and within muscle fibers of apparently normal 2-day Xenopus embryos injected with HpACHE. The same reporter driven by the cytomegalovirus promoter was similarly efficient in directing the heterologous human enzyme toward neuromuscular junctions, attributing the evolutionary conservation of AcChoEase targeting to the coding sequence. Our findings demonstrate that a short DNA sequence is sufficient to promote the exogenous transcription and faithful splicing of human AcChoEase mRNA in developing Xenopus embryos and foreshadow their use for integrative studies of cholinergic signaling and synapse formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Ben Aziz-Aloya
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
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Ben Aziz-Aloya R, Sternfeld M, Soreq H. Promoter elements and alternative splicing in the human ACHE gene. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 1993; 98:147-53. [PMID: 8248502 DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6123(08)62392-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R Ben Aziz-Aloya
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
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