Redox modifications of cysteine-containing proteins, cell cycle arrest and translation inhibition: Involvement in vitamin C-induced breast cancer cell death.

Vitamin C (VitC) possesses pro-oxidant properties at high pharmacologic concentrations which favor repurposing VitC as an anti-cancer therapeutic agent. However, redox-based anticancer properties of VitC are yet partially understood. We examined the difference between the reduced and oxidized forms of VitC, ascorbic acid (AA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), in terms of cytotoxicity and redox mechanisms toward breast cancer cells.

GDF15 secreted by senescent endothelial cells improves vascular progenitor cell functions.

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is part of the first steps in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) is a cytokine belonging to the Transforming Growth Factor β superfamily and its expression is increased both during ED and in CVD. Because high blood levels of GDF15 have been reported during ED, we hypothesized that GDF15 could be produced by endothelial cells in response to a vascular stress, possibly to attenuate endothelial function loss.

Auranofin/Vitamin C: A Novel Drug Combination Targeting Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Background: Cancer cells from different origins exhibit various basal redox statuses and thus respond differently to intrinsic or extrinsic oxidative stress. These intricate characteristics condition the success of redox-based anticancer therapies that capitalize on the ability of reactive oxygen species to achieve selective and efficient cancer cell killing.

Methods: Redox biology methods, stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based proteomics, and bioinformatics pattern comparisons were used to decipher the underlying mechanisms for differential response of lung and breast cancer cell models to redox-modulating molecule auranofin (AUF) and to combinations of AUF and vitamin C (VC).

Auranofin/Vitamin C: A Novel Drug Combination Targeting Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Background: Cancer cells from different origins exhibit various basal redox statuses and thus respond differently to intrinsic or extrinsic oxidative stress. These intricate characteristics condition the success of redox-based anticancer therapies that capitalize on the ability of reactive oxygen species to achieve selective and efficient cancer cell killing.

Methods: Redox biology methods, stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based proteomics, and bioinformatics pattern comparisons were used to decipher the underlying mechanisms for differential response of lung and breast cancer cell models to redox-modulating molecule auranofin (AUF) and to combinations of AUF and vitamin C (VC).

Fe-S Clusters Emerging as Targets of Therapeutic Drugs.

Fe-S centers exhibit strong electronic plasticity, which is of importance for insuring fine redox tuning of protein biological properties. In accordance, Fe-S clusters are also highly sensitive to oxidation and can be very easily altered by different drugs, either directly or indirectly due to catabolic by-products, such as nitric oxide species (NOS) or reactive oxygen species (ROS). In case of metal ions, Fe-S cluster alteration might be the result of metal liganding to the coordinating sulfur atoms, as suggested for copper.

Multifaceted Roles of Glutathione and Glutathione-Based Systems in Carcinogenesis and Anticancer Drug Resistance.

Significance: Glutathione is the most abundant antioxidant molecule in living organisms and has multiple functions. Intracellular glutathione homeostasis, through its synthesis, consumption, and degradation, is an intricately balanced process. Glutathione levels are often high in tumor cells before treatment, and there is a strong correlation between elevated levels of intracellular glutathione/sustained glutathione-mediated redox activity and resistance to pro-oxidant anticancer therapy.

RNA-binding proteins are a major target of silica nanoparticles in cell extracts.

Upon contact with biological fluids, nanoparticles (NPs) are readily coated by cellular compounds, particularly proteins, which are determining factors for the localization and toxicity of NPs in the organism. Here, we improved a methodological approach to identify proteins that adsorb on silica NPs with high affinity. Using large-scale proteomics and mixtures of soluble proteins prepared either from yeast cells or from alveolar human cells, we observed that proteins with large unstructured region(s) are more prone to bind on silica NPs.

PRX1 knockdown potentiates vitamin K3 toxicity in cancer cells: a potential new therapeutic perspective for an old drug.

Background: Many promising anticancer molecules are abandoned during the course from bench to bedside due to lack of clear-cut efficiency and/or severe side effects. Vitamin K3 (vitK3) is a synthetic naphthoquinone exhibiting significant in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity against multiple human cancers, and has therapeutic potential when combined with other anticancer molecules. The major mechanism for the anticancer activity of vitK3 is the generation of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Peroxiredoxin 1 knockdown sensitizes cancer cells to reactive oxygen species-generating drugs - an alternative approach for chemotherapy.

Peroxiredoxins have multiple cellular functions as major antioxidants, signaling regulators and tumor suppressors. Peroxiredoxin 1 (PRX1) is the most abundant among the six isoforms of human peroxiredoxins, catalyzing the reduction of peroxides utilizing thioredoxin 1as an electron donor. PRX1 is frequently over-expressed in various cancer cells, which is thought to be associated with carcinogenesis, metastasis and resistance to radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

A renal angiomyolipoma with extension to the renal vein and asymptomatic fat pulmonary embolus.

Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) is a rare benign tumor that can extend into the renal vein, inferior vena cava and the right atrium. AML is a mesenchymal tumor composed of smooth muscle, fat and vascular elements. In rare instances, the tumor may release a fatty tissue to the pulmonary vasculature, which can lead to cardiopulmonary collapse and death.

Glutathione is essential to preserve nuclear function and cell survival under oxidative stress.

Glutathione (GSH) is considered the most important redox buffer of the cell. To better characterize its essential function during oxidative stress conditions, we studied the physiological response of H2O2-treated yeast cells containing various amounts of GSH. We showed that the transcriptional response of GSH-depleted cells is severely impaired, despite an efficient nuclear accumulation of the transcription factor Yap1.

Genetic variations creating microRNA target sites in the FXN 3'-UTR affect frataxin expression in Friedreich ataxia.

Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a severe neurodegenerative disease caused by GAA repeat expansion within the first intron of the frataxin gene. It has been suggested that the repeat is responsible for the disease severity due to impaired transcription thereby reducing expression of the protein. However, genotype-phenotype correlation is imperfect, and the influence of other gene regions of the frataxin gene is unknown.

Thrombus in Transit through Patent Foramen Ovale.

A thrombus in transit through a patent foramen ovale (PFO) with impending paradoxical embolism is an extremely rare event. Due to its transient nature, it is unable to identify the thrombus, and most of the cases have been reported at autopsy. We are reporting a case of thrombus straddling the foramen ovale which was diagnosed by echocardiography and treated surgically.