Alteration of Actin Organization by Jaspamide Inhibits Ruffling, but not Phagocytosis or Oxidative Burst, in HL-60 Cells and Human Monocytes

Actin polymerization state regulates osteogenic differentiation in human adipose-derived stem cells

BACKGROUND

Actin is an essential cellular protein that assembles into microfilaments and regulates numerous processes such as cell migration, maintenance of cell shape, and material transport.

METHODS

In this study, we explored the effect of actin polymerization state on the osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs). The hASCs were treated for 7 days with different concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 nM) of jasplakinolide (JAS), a reagent that directly polymerizes F-actin. The effects of the actin polymerization state on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and the maturity of focal adhesion-related proteins were assessed. In addition, western blotting and alizarin red staining assays were performed to assess osteogenic differentiation.

RESULTS

Cell proliferation and migration in the JAS (0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 nM) groups were higher than in the control group and the JAS (50 nM) group. The FAK, vinculin, paxillin, and talin protein expression levels were highest in the JAS (20 nM) group, while zyxin expression was highest in the JAS (50 nM) group. Western blotting showed that osteogenic differentiation in the JAS (0, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 nM) group was enhanced compared with that in the control group, and was strongest in the JAS (50 nM) group.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, our data suggest that the actin polymerization state may promote the osteogenic differentiation of hASCs by regulating the protein expression of focal adhesion-associated proteins in a concentration-dependent manner. Our findings provide valuable information for exploring the mechanism of osteogenic differentiation in hASCs.

Actin-Dynamics in Plant Cells: The Function of Actin-Perturbing Substances: Jasplakinolide, Chondramides, Phalloidin, Cytochalasins, and Latrunculins

This chapter gives an overview of the most common F-actin-perturbing substances that are used to study actin dynamics in living plant cells in studies on morphogenesis, motility, organelle movement, or when apoptosis has to be induced. These substances can be divided into two major subclasses: F-actin-stabilizing and -polymerizing substances like jasplakinolide and chondramides and F-actin-severing compounds like chytochalasins and latrunculins. Jasplakinolide was originally isolated form a marine sponge, and can now be synthesized and has become commercially available, which is responsible for its wide distribution as membrane-permeable F-actin-stabilizing and -polymerizing agent, which may even have anticancer activities. Cytochalasins, derived from fungi, show an F-actin-severing function and many derivatives are commercially available (A, B, C, D, E, H, J), also making it a widely used compound for F-actin disruption. The same can be stated for latrunculins (A, B), derived from red sea sponges; however the mode of action is different by binding to G-actin and inhibiting incorporation into the filament. In the case of swinholide a stable complex with actin dimers is formed resulting also in severing of F-actin. For influencing F-actin dynamics in plant cells only membrane permeable drugs are useful in a broad range. We however introduce also the phallotoxins and synthetic derivatives, as they are widely used to visualize F-actin in fixed cells. A particular uptake mechanism has been shown for hepatocytes, but has also been described in siphonal giant algae. In the present chapter the focus is set on F-actin dynamics in plant cells where alterations in cytoplasmic streaming can be particularly well studied; however methods by fluorescence applications including phalloidin and antibody staining as well as immunofluorescence-localization of the inhibitor drugs are given.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new jasplakinolide (jaspamide) analogs

Synthesis and biological evaluation of jasplakinolide analogs are described. The synthesis of analogs utilized a diastereoselective syn-aldol reaction and an orthoester Claisen rearrangement as key steps. All synthetic analogs were evaluated for their ability to disrupt the actin cytoskeleton. Compounds 2, 3, and 4 essentially displayed similar activity to jasplakinolide.

Jasplakinolide: an actin-specific reagent that promotes actin polymerization

Jasplakinolide, a cyclo-depsipeptide is a commonly used actin filament polymerizing and stabilizing drug. The substance has originally been isolated from a marine sponge, and can now be synthesized and has become commercially available. This, together with the benefit that jasplakinolide is membrane permeable has made it a commonly used tool in cell biology, when actin filament stabilization or polymerization has to be achieved. This may either be the case in studies on morphogenesis, motility, organelle movement, or when apoptosis has to be induced. Its use as a potent anticancer drug is discussed. The direct action on actin filaments may have further consequences in golgi body and membrane raft protein organization. In this chapter, the visualization of jasplaklinolide effects by different fluorescent and transmission electron microscopic methods is described. As competitive binding capacities of jasplakinolide and phalloidin make the detection of actin filaments by fluorescently labeled phalloidin problematic, alternatives are given here.

Cyclodepsipeptides from marine sponges: natural agents for drug research

A number of natural products from marine sponges, such as cyclodepsipeptides, have been identified. The structural characteristics of this family of cyclic peptides include various unusual amino acid residues and unique N-terminal polyketide-derived moieties. Papuamides are representatives of a class of marine sponge derived cyclic depsipeptides, including callipeltin A, celebesides A and B, homophymine A, mirabamides, microspinosamide, neamphamide A and theopapuamides. They are thought to have cytoprotective activity against HIV-1 in vitro by inhibiting viral entry. Jasplakinolide, a representative member of marine sponge-derived cyclodepsipeptides that include arenastatin A, geodiamolides, homophymines, spongidepsin and theopapuamides, is a potent inducer of actin polymerization in vitro. Although actin dynamics is essential for tumor metasasis, no actin targeting drugs have been used in clinical trials due to their severe cytotoxicity. Nonetheless, the actin cytoskeleton remains a potential target for anti-cancer drug development. These features imply the use of cyclodepsipeptides as molecular models in drug research.

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (+)-Jasplakinolide

An enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-jasplakinolide is described. The synthesis of the polyketide template utilized a diastereoselective syn-aldol, ortho-ester Claisen rearrangement followed by efficient conversion to a cyanide. The beta-amino acid unit was constructed in a highly diastereoselective manner utilizing nucleophilic addition to a chiral sulfinimine. Yamaguchi macrocyclization and removal of the protecting group provided a convenient access to (+)-jasplakinolide.

Identification of leukemia-specific fusion gene transcripts with a novel oligonucleotide array

BACKGROUND

Identification of specific chromosomal translocations is essential for the diagnosis and prognosis of leukemia. In this study, we employ DNA microarray technology to detect chromosomal aberrations in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as well as in leukemic cell lines.

METHODS

Reverse transcription using a random 9-mer primer was performed with total RNA from patients and leukemic cells lines. Multiplex PCR reactions using four groups of primer sets were then performed for amplification of cDNA from reverse-transcribed total RNA samples. Normal and fusion sequences were distinguished by hybridization of the amplified cDNA to a selective oligonucleotide array (SOA) containing 20-30mer synthetic probes. A total of 23 sets of oligomers were fabricated on glass slides for the detection of normal and fusion genes, as follows: BCR/ABL, AML/EAP, AML/ETO, AML/MDS, PML/RARA, NUMA1/RARA, PLZF/RARA, and CBFB/MYH.

RESULTS

Gene translocation in leukemia was effectively identified with the SOA containing various leukemia-specific fusion and normal control sequences. Leukemic fusion sequences from patients and cell lines hybridized specifically to their complementary probes. The probe sets differing by approximately 50% at their 5' or 3' ends could distinguish between normal and fusion sequences. The entire process of detection was completed within 8 hours using the SOA method.

CONCLUSIONS

Probe sets on SOA can effectively discriminate between leukemia-specific fusion and normal sequences with a chip hybridization procedure. The oligonucleotide array presents several advantages in identifying leukemic gene translocations, such as multiplex screening, relatively low cost, and speed.

Marine sponges as pharmacy

Marine sponges have been considered as a gold mine during the past 50 years, with respect to the diversity of their secondary metabolites. The biological effects of new metabolites from sponges have been reported in hundreds of scientific papers, and they are reviewed here. Sponges have the potential to provide future drugs against important diseases, such as cancer, a range of viral diseases, malaria, and inflammations. Although the molecular mode of action of most metabolites is still unclear, for a substantial number of compounds the mechanisms by which they interfere with the pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases have been reported. This knowledge is one of the key factors necessary to transform bioactive compounds into medicines. Sponges produce a plethora of chemical compounds with widely varying carbon skeletons, which have been found to interfere with pathogenesis at many different points. The fact that a particular disease can be fought at different points increases the chance of developing selective drugs for specific targets.

Conformational studies of free and Li+ complexed jasplakinolide, a cyclic depsipeptide from the Fijian marine sponge Jaspis splendens

The complexation of Li+ to jasplakinolide, a marine sponge derived cyclic depsipeptide showed preferential binding to two out of four carbonyl oxygens (C-10, C-14) and the electrons of the aromatic system of the beta-tyrosine amino acid residue. This is in contrast to previous results obtained by others who proposed complexation to three out of four available carbonyl oxygens (C-1, C-10, C-14). The structure of the complex in CD3CN was determined by NOE restrained molecular dynamic calculations. Structures of the uncomplexed jasplakinolide were calculated in CDCl3 and CD3CN for comparison.

Effect of Candida albicans metabolite(s) on cellular actin

The present study describes experiments of the effect of Candida albicans metabolite(s) (arcsf) on cellular actin, and constitutes a continuation of our previous investigations regarding the effect of the fungus on actin. Western blot analysis of HEp2 cells exposed to arcsf or subfraction of arcsf (<100 kDa) revealed that the amount of soluble actin was decreased, and total actin increased, as compared to untreated cells. Transmission electron microscopy observations of HEp2 cells interacted with C. albicans or arcsf, and gold-labeled specifically for actin, revealed more intensive labeling, with labeled particles clustered in groups. Confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis has shown, as well, that exposure of HEp2 cells to the <100-kDa subfraction resulted in actin rearrangement, as did the unfractionated arcsf. Our results point to: (1) C. albicans metabolite(s) affects cellular actin by increasing the transition of soluble actin to the insoluble form; (2) the effect is associated with the subfraction of arcsf which is smaller than <100 kDa.

Chondramides, novel cyclodepsipeptides from myxobacteria, influence cell development and induce actin filament polymerization in the green alga Micrasterias

The effects of chondramides A-D, new actin targeting cyclodepsipeptides from the myxobacterium Chondromyces crocatus, are probed on the unicellular green alga Micrasterias denticulata, a model organism for studies on cytomorphogenesis. All four chondramides readily enter the cells and cause severe shape malformations when applied during growth. However, the four derivatives have different lowest effective concentrations. Chondramide A: 20 microM, chondramide B: 15 microM, chondramide C: 5 microM chondramide D: 10 microM. At the ultrastructural level, chondramide C, the most effective drug, causes the appearance of abnormal, dense F-actin bundles, and a substantial increase in ER, which covers large parts of the developing semicell. Also the secondary cell wall is malformed by the drug. When chondramide C effects are investigated by means of indirect immunofluorescence, alterations of the F-actin system are also visible. Instead of the cortical F-actin network of untreated controls, distinct parts of the cell are covered by abundant F-actin aggregations. Phalloidin staining of chondramide C treated cells results in a decreased fluorescence in a time-dependent manner due to binding competitions between these drugs. F-actin polymerizing and bundling capacities of chondramides A-D are presented in Micrasterias for the first time, and may in future make this substances a useful tool for cell biological research.

Jasplakinolide induces apoptosis in various transformed cell lines by a caspase-3-like protease-dependent pathway

To clarify the mechanisms underlying the antiproliferative effects of jasplakinolide, a cyclic depsipeptide from marine sponges, we examined whether jasplakinolide induces apoptosis in a variety of transformed and nontransformed cells. Jasplakinolide inhibited proliferation of human Jurkat T cells, resulting in cell death. This was accompanied by chromatin condensation and DNA cleavage at the linker regions between the nucleosomes. When caspase-3-like activity in the cytosolic extracts of Jurkat T cells was examined with a fluorescent substrate, DEVD-MAC (N-acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-4-methyl-coumaryl-7-amide), the activity in the cells treated with jasplakinolide was remarkably increased in a time-dependent manner. Pretreatment of Jurkat T cells with the caspase inhibitor zVAD [benzyloxycarbonyl(Cbz)-Val-Ala-beta-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethylketone] or DEVD-CHO (N-acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-1-aldehyde) prevented the induction of apoptosis by jasplakinolide. Moreover, exposure of various murine transformed cell lines to jasplakinolide resulted in cell death, which was inhibited by zVAD. Although it has been well established that murine immature thymocytes are sensitive to apoptosis when exposed to various apoptotic stimuli, these cells as well as mature T lymphocytes were resistant to jasplakinolide-induced apoptosis. The results suggest that jasplakinolide induces apoptotic cell death through a caspase-3-like protease-dependent pathway. Another important outcome is that transformed cell lines were more susceptible to jasplakinolide-induced apoptosis than normal nontransformed cells.

Cellular actin is affected by interaction with Candida albicans

Attachment of Candida albicans, an important opportunistic pathogen, to host tissues is an initial step in the development of the infection. The events occurring in the fungal and in the host cells after interaction are poorly understood. In this study we concentrated on the events occurring in the mammalian cells after the interaction with Candida, with emphasis on the cytoskeleton actin. Human cell line cells (HEp2) were exposed to C. albicans or C. albicans-secreted material (culture filtrate) (actin-rearranging Candida-secreted factor, arcsf). The HEp2 cells were examined for cellular changes using confocal laser microscopy (CLSM), transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM). The CLSM studies, using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled C. albicans and rhodamine phalloidin actin staining, revealed yeasts adhering to the HEp2 cells or internalized into the cells, with actin surrounding the fungi. Furthermore, actin rearrangement from filamentous network to actin aggregates was noticed. Interaction between the HEp2 cells and C. albicans could be demonstrated also by SEM and TEM after a 2-4-h exposure of the cells to the fungus. Yeasts and hyphae were found attaching to the surface and within the cells. CLSM studies revealed that exposure of HEp2 cells to arcsf was also followed by cellular actin rearrangement, reduced membrane ruffling and decreased cellular motility. The effect was dose- and time-dependent. All these data indicate that the interaction of Candida with HEp2 cells involves signaling events and affects the cellular actin.