Effects of Isoxazolyl Steroids on Key Genes of Sonic Hedgehog Cascade Expression in Tumor Cells.

Activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is often associated with the progression of various types of cancer. The purpose of study was to search for inhibitors of the Hh signaling pathway among eight compounds belonging to the group of isoxazolyl steroids. The evaluation of the effectiveness of the compounds was based on the analysis of their cytotoxicity, effect on the cell cycle, on the expression of key Hh-signaling-pathway genes (Ptch1, Smo, and Gli1) and putative target genes MMP-2 and MMP-9.

MicroRNAs as promising diagnostic and prognostic markers for the human genitourinary cancer.

Genitourinary cancer (GUC) represents more than one fifth of all human cancers. This makes the development of approaches to its early diagnosis an important task of modern biomedicine. Circulating microRNAs, short (17-25 nucleotides) non-coding RNA molecules found in human biological fluids and performing a regulatory role in the cell, are considered as promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of cancers, including GUC.

[Cysteine cathepsins: structure, physiological functions and their role in carcinogenesis].

Cysteine cathepsins (Cts) also known as thiol proteinases belong to the superfamily of cysteine proteinases (EC 3.4.22).

Interstitial collagenase MMP-1 and EMMPRIN in cell lines and in clinical specimens of cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The aim of this study was to elucidate the features of the expression of matrix metalloproteinases inducer-EMMPRIN (EMN) and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) in cell lines and in clinical samples of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Material And Methods: The study was carried out using RT-PCR, densitometry and immunohistochemical studies (IHC) on commercial cell lines Siha, Caski, transformed with HPV16; HeLa, and C33A transformed with HPV18, line C33A without HPV, and in clinical samples of SCC and morphologically normal tissue adjacent to the tumor.

Results: The data obtained indicate that the expression of mRNA EMN and MMP-1 occurs in all cell lines at different levels.

[The expression of EMMPRIN and the matrix metalloproteinase MMP-1 in the cervix uteri and corpus uteri in cervical squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the features of expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) and the matrix metalloproteinase MMP-1 in the cervix uteri and corpus uteri in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).

Material And Methods: The investigation was conducted using the surgical material obtained after hysterectomy in patients diagnosed as having CSCC. RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and enzymatic assays were used.

[The urokinase-type plasminogen activator system and its role in tumor progression].

In the multistage process of carcinogenesis, the key link in the growth and progression of the tumor is the invasion of malignant cells into normal tissue and their distribution and the degree of destruction of tissues. The most important role in the development of these processes is played by the system of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA system), which consists of several components: serine proteinase - uPA, its receptor - uPAR and its two endogenous inhibitors - PAI-1 and PAI-2. The components of the uPA system are expressed by cancer cells to a greater extent than normal tissue cells.

[Gelatinases A and B and their endogenous regulators in the corpus uteri in squamous cell cervical carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the expression of gelatinases A and B (matrix metalloproteinases (MMP 2 and MMP 9) and endogenous regulators of their activity, such as a tissue inhibitor of MMP - TIMP-2 and a Pro-MMP-9 activator - urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) as factors of corpus uteri invasion in squamous cell cervical carcinoma (SCCC).

Material And Methods: The surgical material obtained after hysterectomy in patients diagnosed with SCCC was examined. RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used.

[Tissue collagenase MMP-14 and endogenous regulators of its activity in the corpus uteri in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix].

Aim: to investigate the expression of the membrane-bound matrix metalloproteinase MT1-MMP (MMP-14), its tissue inhibitor TIMP-2, and the proMMP-14 activator furin in the corpus uteri from the vaginal wall to the bottom of the uterine cavity in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (SCCC).

Material And Methods: Hysterectomy material was examined in patients with SCCC. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and enzyme assays were used.

[Interstitial collagenase and their endogenous regulators in squamous cell cervical carcinoma].

Interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) belongs to the family of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), which play a key role in generalization processes of invasion and metastasis, which determine the degree of tumor malignancy. MMP-1 refers to secreted, inducible MMP, the expression of which in normal tissues is not defined. Induction of expression of MMP in CSS in the tumor occurs under the action of oncogenes of HPV, and in areas adjacent to the tumor normal tissue under the action of the inductor expression of MMP - EMMPRIN (CD147), which expressively on the surface of tumor cells.

[Furin as proprotein convertase and its role in normaland pathological biological processes].

Furin belongs to serine intracellular Ca2+-dependent endopeptidases of the subtilisin family, also known as proprotein convertase (PC). Human furin is synthesized as zymogen with a molecular weight of 104 kDà, which is then activated by autocatalytic in two stages. This process can occur when zymogen migrates from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus, where a large part of furin is accumulated.

[Matrix metalloproteinases and their endogenous regulators in squamous cervical carcinoma (review of the own data)].

Expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their endogenous regulators has been investigated in squamous cervical carcinoma (SCC). The study included (i) immortalized fibroblasts (IF) and three clones of fibroblasts transformed by oncogene E7 HPV-16 (TF); (ii) cell lines associated with HPV-16 and HPV-18; (iii) tumor tissue samples from patients with SCC, associated with gene E7 HPV-16. Transfection of fibroblasts with the E7 HPV16 oncogen was accompanied by induction of collagenase (MMP-1, MMP-14) and gelatinase (MMP-9) gene expression and the increase in catalytic activity of these MMP, while gelatinase MMP-2 expression remained unchanged.

[Membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) and the regulators of its activity as invasive factors in squamous cell cervical carcinomas].

Membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1MMP) is one of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), which play а key role in tumor invasion and metastasis. The aim of this study was to elucidate the peculiarities of expression of MT1MMP and endogenous regulators of its activity: the activator - furin and the inhibitor - TIMP-2, as invasive factors of squamous cell cervical carcinomas (SCC). The study was carried out using 11 specimens of SCC and 11 specimens of morphologically normal tissue adjacent to the tumor.

[Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9, their endogenous regulators, and angiotensin-converting enzyme in cervical squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: to investigate the specific features of the expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2, MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloptoteinase 2 (TIMP-2), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).

Material And Methods: The samples of tumor tissue and morphologically normal tissue adjacent to the tumor were investigated. Enzymatic assays applying specific substrates, as well as zymographic and immunohistochemical studies were used.

[Expression of gelatinases A and B and their endogenous regulators in immortal and transformed fibroblasts].

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) play a critical role in tumor invasion and metastasis. The aim of this study was to elucidate peculiarity of expression of gelatinases A and B (MMP-2 and MMP-9), membrane type MMP (MT1-MMP) and tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP-2) in immortal (IF) and transformed fibroblasts (TF).The study was carried out using embryo rat fibroblasts, sequentially immortalized with the polyomavirus LT gene and transformed with the E7 gene of human papilloma virus (HPV-16).

[Expression of interstitial collagenase and its endogenous regulators in immortalized and transformed by E7 gene HPV16 fibroblasts].

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a critical role in tumor development and invasion. The aim of this study is to elucidate peculiarity of expression of interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) and its endogenous regulators in the process of oncogenic transformation of fibroblasts by E7 gene of HPV16. Papilloma virus type 16 and 18 are aetiological factor of cervical cancer.

[Study of substrate specificity of a new peptide substrate of endothelin converting enzyme].

The new fluorogenic hexapeptide substrate CMC-Ala-Gly-Gly-Trp-Phe-Arg was used as substrate for endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP). The specific inhibitors lisinopril (ACE) and thiorphan (NEP) were used for identification of these enzyme activities,

Computer-aided selection of potential antihypertensive compounds with dual mechanism of action.

The prediction of biological activity spectra for substances as an approach for searching compounds with complex mechanisms of action was studied. New compounds with dual mechanisms of antihypertensive action were found by this approach. Biological activity spectra for substances were predicted on the basis of their structural formulas by the computer program PASS.

[Characterization of cysteine proteinase endogenous inhibitors obtained from transformed fibroblasts].

The thermostable endogenous cysteine proteinase inhibitors (CPI) from the primary (REF), immortal (clone IE5) and transformed (clones trF8 and trF8nmcc) fibroblasts were isolated. All the isolated CPI act as reversible competitive inhibitors of cathepsins B and L and of papain. The study of inhibition of cathepsins B and L, purified from the same cell cultures as the CPI, showed that the Ki values for CPI from the cultures of immortal and transformed cells were by one order higher than the Ki values for CPI of primary fibroblasts.

Expression of cathepsin L and its endogenous inhibitors in immortal and transformed fibroblasts.

Methods: The activities of cathepsin L and its endogenous inhibitors were analyzed in rat embryo fibroblasts, immortalized and transformed by different genes.

Results: Regardless of the transfecting agent used (DNA of adenovirus SA7 or polyomavirus LT gene), the immortal cells showed an increase in the cathepsin L activity (in both lysates and conditioned media) compared to primary fibroblasts. Transformed cells exhibited either an increase (with c-Ha-ras gene) or decrease (with E7 HPV gene) in cathepsin L activity in lysates as opposed to immortal cells.

[Type I and IV collagenases and their endogenous regulators in immortalized and transformed fibroblasts].

To elucidate the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in carcinogenesis, the expression of collagenases of types I (MMP-I) and IV (MMP-2 and MMP-9) as well as the behaviour of urokinase-like plasminogen activator (uPA) and of tissue MMP inhibitors (TIMP) in immortalized (IF) and transformed (TF) fibroblasts were investigated. The study was carried out using embryo rat fibroblasts, sequentially immortalized with the LT gene of human papilloma virus and transformed with the E7 gene of human papilloma virus (HPV-16). As control was used the primary fibroblast (PF) culture of Fisher rats.

[Limited proteolysis of integrin alpha v beta3 from human placenta].

Purification of alpha v beta 3 integrin from human placenta with successive usage of two affinity sorbents--immobilized monoclonal antibodies to alpha v beta 3 integrin and immobilized RGD-containing decapeptide allowed to purify this integrin's partially degraded fraction, that was nevertheless able to interact with its ligand. During the incubation of partially degraded alpha v beta 3 integrin at 37 degrees C its further degradation went on. Addition of serine proteinase inhibitors: (phenylmethilsulfonyl fluoride, leupeptin and aprotinin) completely suppressed integrin further degradation of alpha v beta 3.

[Aminopeptidases in human leukemia cells].

Aminopeptidase activity in lymphoid cells of patients with various lymphoproliferative diseases was studied. The enzyme activity was detected in lysates of all leukemic B- and T-cells. The lymphoid cells contained aminopeptidases of at least two classes: metallo- and SH-dependent enzymes.

Proteolytic enzymes in human leukemic lymphoid cells. III. Aminopeptidases, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and its inhibitor in cells of different immunological phenotype.

Activities of plasma membrane proteinases such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), aminopeptidases, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) were determined in lymphoid cells of various immunological phenotype which were obtained from 30 patients with lymphoproliferative diseases. The enzyme activities significantly varied depending on the immunological phenotype and stage of cell differentiation, but no correlation was found between activities of ACE, DPP-IV, and aminopeptidases in the cells of different type. The cell lysates studied contained at least two classes of aminopeptidases: metal- and sulfhydryl-dependent enzymes.

[A comparative study of aspartyl and cysteine proteinases and their inhibitors in human B- and T-cell leukemias].

A procedure was developed for simultaneous isolation of aspartyl and cysteine proteinases as well as of the cysteine-proteinase inhibitors. Affinity chromatography using pepstatin-Sepharose enabled one to isolate aspartyl proteinases, while inhibitors of cysteine-proteinases were isolated by affinity chromatography on CM-papain-Sepharose; further purification of the enzymes was carried out using ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Partially purified preparations of cathepsin D as well as of cysteine-proteinases and their inhibitors were obtained.

[Proteolytic enzymes in human lymphocytic leukemia cells. II. Comparative characteristics of proteolytic enzymes and their inhibitors in three differing types of lymphoid cells].

A comparative study of proteolytic enzymes and their inhibitors in three human leukemic lymphoid cell populations has been carried out. The lysates of all lymphoid cells contained cathepsins D, B, L and H as well as serine trypsin-like proteinases, several aminopeptidases, dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV and plasminogen activator (urokinase type). The activities of individual proteinases and their ratios in all cell types under study varied essentially, suggesting that lymphoid cells with different functions have different sets of proteolytic enzymes.