LIM kinase 1 - dependent cofilin 1 pathway and actin dynamics mediate nuclear retinoid receptor function in T lymphocytes.

Background: It is known that retinoid receptor function is attenuated during T cell activation, a phenomenon that involves actin remodeling, suggesting that actin modification may play a role in such inhibition. Here we have investigated the role of actin dynamics and the effect of actin cytoskeleton modifying agents on retinoid receptor-mediated transactivation.

Results: Agents that disturb the F-actin assembly or disassembly attenuated receptor-mediated transcription indicating that actin cytoskeletal homeostasis is important for retinoid receptor function.

Cytotoxicity and apoptosis of benzoquinones: redox cycling, cytochrome c release, and BAD protein expression.

The metabolic activation of a variety of quinone-based anticancer agents occurs, in part, as a result of the bioreductive activation by the flavoprotein NAD(P)H:quinone-acceptor oxidoreductase (NQO1) (EC 1.6.99.