Inhibin beta E is upregulated by drug-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress as a transcriptional target gene of ATF4.

Inhibins and activins are gonadal peptide hormones of the transforming growth factor-β super family with important functions in the reproductive system. By contrast, the recently identified inhibin βE subunit, primarily expressed in liver cells, appears to exert functions unrelated to the reproductive system. Previously shown downregulation of inhibin βE in hepatoma cells and anti-proliferative effects of ectopic inhibin βE overexpression indicated growth-regulatory effects of inhibin βE.

Inhibin/activin betaE-subunit in uterine endometrioid adenocarcinoma and endometrial cancer cell lines: from immunohistochemistry to clinical testing?

Objective: Inhibins and activins are important regulators of the female reproductive system and have also been described to be involved in gynecologic cancer development. A new inhibin/activin subunit betaE has been identified, but only limited data on its expression in human uterine adenocarcinomas and endometrial cancer cell lines exist.

Methods: A series of 223 uterine endometrial adenocarcinomas were immunohistochemically analyzed with a specific antibody against the inhibin betaE-subunit.

Effect of the nature of the 3beta-substitution in manoyl oxides on the thermotropic behavior of DPPC lipid bilayer and on DPPC liposomes.

Functionalized manoyl oxide derivatives have been proved over the years to evoke several biological responses. Among them, 3beta-hydroxy-manoyl oxide (1) and 3beta-acetoxy-manoyl oxide (2) have been shown to exhibit in vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity, while N-imidazole-3 beta-thiocarbonyl ester of manoyl oxide (3) was found to exhibit potent cytotoxic effect. Their partitioning into phospholipid bilayers may lead to membrane structure modifications that are crucial in liposome development as they may influence their maintenance and integrity.

Calorimetric study on the induction of interdigitated phase in hydrated DPPC bilayers by bioactive labdanes and correlation to their liposome stability: The role of chemical structure.

Labd-7,13-dien-15-ol (1), labd-13-ene-8alpha,15-diol (2), and labd-14-ene-8,13-diol (sclareol) have been found to exhibit cytotoxic and cytostatic effects. Their partitioning into phospholipid bilayers may induce membrane structure modifications, crucial in the development of liposomes. DSC was used to elucidate the profile of modifications induced in DPPC bilayers by incorporating increasing concentrations of the labdanes.

Design and development of liposomes incorporating a bioactive labdane-type diterpene. In vitro growth inhibiting and cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines.

The isolation and identification of bioactive compounds from natural sources has given insights in the discovery of new drugs against several diseases. Labdane-type diterpenes isolated from nature, have been investigated in the past for their pharmaceutical activities. Labd-7,13-dien-15-ol (1), a major lipophilic constituent of the resin 'ladano' was found to exhibit cytotoxic and cytostatic activity against cell lines derived from solid tumors with a profound activity on small lung cancer cells, DMS114.

Labdane-type diterpenes: thermal effects on phospholipid bilayers, incorporation into liposomes and biological activity.

Labd-13(E)-ene-8alpha,15-diol (1) and its derivative labd-13(E)-ene-8alpha-ol-15-yl-acetate (2) are water insoluble biological active molecules and their structures were elucidated using NMR and X-ray techniques. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was applied to study the thermal effects of 1 and 2 on DPPC bilayers. Liposomes composed of egg phosphatidylcholine/dipalmytoylphosphatidylglycerol (9:0.