Cullin-3/KCTD10 complex is essential for K27-polyubiquitination of EIF3D in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit D (EIF3D) binds to the 5'-cap of specific mRNAs, initiating their translation into polypeptides. From a pathological standpoint, EIF3D has been observed to be essential for cell growth in various cancer types, and cancer patients with high EIF3D mRNA levels exhibit poor prognosis, indicating involvement of EIF3D in oncogenesis. In this study, we found, by mass spectrometry, that Cullin-3 (CUL3)/KCTD10 ubiquitin (Ub) ligase forms a complex with EIF3D.

Cullin-3 and its adaptor protein ANKFY1 determine the surface level of integrin β1 in endothelial cells.

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from the pre-existing vasculature, is related to numerous pathophysiological events. We previously reported that a RING ubiquitin ligase complex scaffold protein, cullin-3 (CUL3), and one of its adaptor proteins, BAZF, regulated angiogenesis in the mouse retina by suppressing Notch signaling. However, the degree of inhibition of angiogenesis was made greater by CUL3 depletion than by BAZF depletion, suggesting other roles of CUL3 in angiogenesis besides the regulation of Notch signaling.

Neddylated Cullin 3 is required for vascular endothelial-cadherin-mediated endothelial barrier function.

Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, a major endothelial adhesion molecule, regulates vascular permeability, and increased vascular permeability has been observed in several cancers. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of the NEDD8-Cullin E3 ligase, in maintaining barrier permeability. To this end, we investigated the effects of the inhibition of Cullin E3 ligases, by using inhibitors and knockdown techniques in HUVECs.

Prognostic value of the ubiquitin ligase carboxyl terminus of the Hsc70-interacting protein in postmenopausal breast cancer.

The carboxyl terminus of the Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP) is considered to induce the ubiquitination and degradation of several oncogenic proteins, and play a role in the inhibition of tumor progression and invasion under experimental conditions. However, the impact of CHIP expression on the prognosis of breast cancer patients has not yet been established. In this study, using an immunohistochemical method, 272 patients with invasive breast cancer were assessed for the expression of CHIP (graded scores 0-3) and the statuses of biomarkers, such as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and HER2.

2-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-benzothiazole suppresses tumor progression and metastatic potential of breast cancer cells by inducing ubiquitin ligase CHIP.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women and has poor survival and high recurrence rates for aggressive metastatic disease. Notably, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive cancer and there is no preferred agent for TNBC therapy. In this study, we show that a novel agent, 2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-benzothiazole (YL-109), has ability to inhibit breast cancer cell growth and invasiveness in vitro and in vivo.

Hepatic rRNA transcription regulates high-fat-diet-induced obesity.

Ribosome biosynthesis is a major intracellular energy-consuming process. We previously identified a nucleolar factor, nucleomethylin (NML), which regulates intracellular energy consumption by limiting rRNA transcription. Here, we show that, in livers of obese mice, the recruitment of NML to rRNA gene loci is increased to repress rRNA transcription.

Identification of a Novel Compound That Suppresses Breast Cancer Invasiveness by Inhibiting Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling via Estrogen Receptor α.

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of death by cancer among females worldwide. An overwhelming majority of these deaths is because of metastasis. Estrogen stimulates and promotes growth of breast tumors, whereas transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling promotes invasion and metastasis.

Estrogen and antiestrogens alter breast cancer invasiveness by modulating the transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway.

In the later stages of breast cancer, estrogen receptor (ER)α-negative cancers typically have higher histological grades than ERα-positive cancers, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β promotes invasion and metastasis. Our previous study indicated that ERα inhibited TGF-β signaling by inducing the degradation of Smad in an estrogen-dependent manner. In the present study, we report that the suppressive effects of ERα and estrogen on tumor progression are mediated by inhibiting TGF-β signaling.

Na,K-ATPase signal transduction triggers CREB activation and dendritic growth.

Dendritic growth is pivotal in the neurogenesis of cortical neurons. The sodium pump, or Na,K-ATPase, is an evolutionarily conserved protein that, in addition to its central role in establishing the electrochemical gradient, has recently been reported to function as a receptor and signaling mediator. Although a large body of evidence points toward a dual function for the Na,K-ATPase, few biological implications of this signaling pathway have been described.

Angiotensin II stimulates endothelial NO synthase phosphorylation in thoracic aorta of mice with abdominal aortic banding via type 2 receptor.

Abdominal aortic banding in mice induces upregulation of angiotensin II (Ang II) type 2 (AT2) receptors in the pressure-overloaded thoracic aorta. To clarify mechanisms underlying the vascular AT2 receptor-dependent NO production, we measured aortic levels of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), eNOS phosphorylated at Ser633 and Ser1177, protein kinase B (Akt), and Akt phosphorylated at Ser473 in thoracic aortas of mice after banding. Total eNOS, both forms of phosphorylated eNOS, Akt, and phosphorylated Akt levels, as well as cGMP contents, were significantly increased 4 days after banding.

The lipopolysaccharide-induced up-regulation of bradykinin B2-receptor in the mouse heart is mediated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and angiotensin II.

Our present study aimed to characterize the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the expression of the bradykinin B2-receptor in the mouse heart, which may have a role in cardiac depression during sepsis. We found that LPS induced the up-regulation of B2-receptor mRNA in the heart in vivo and in cultured cardiac myocytes in vitro. Like LPS, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) but not interleukin (IL)-1-beta, IL-6 or endothelin-1 stimulated B2-receptor expression in cultured myocytes.

Angiotensin type 2 receptor-mediated phosphorylation of eNOS in the aortas of mice with 2-kidney, 1-clip hypertension.

To evaluate the role of vascular angiotensin II (Ang II) type 2 (AT2) receptor in renovascular hypertension, we investigated expressions of AT2 receptor and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in thoracic aortas of mice with 2-kidney, 1-clip (2K1C) hypertension. The mRNA levels of AT2 receptor in aortas, but not those of AT1 and bradykinin B2 receptors, increased 14 days but not 42 days after clipping. The contractile response to Ang II (>0.

Stimulation of cyclic GMP production via AT2 and B2 receptors in the pressure-overloaded aorta after banding.

Abdominal aortic banding induces upregulation of the angiotensin II (Ang II) type-2 (AT2) receptor, thereby decreasing the contractile response to Ang II in the thoracic aorta of the rat. The aim of this study was to use a mouse model to clarify the mechanisms by which the banding elicits upregulation of the aortic AT2 receptor and the subsequent attenuation of Ang II responsiveness. Concomitantly with the elevation in blood pressure and plasma renin concentration after banding, AT2-receptor mRNA levels in the thoracic aorta rapidly increased in mice within 4 days.

Up-regulation of angiotensin II type 2 receptor in rat thoracic aorta by pressure-overload.

We have examined whether expression of angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 (AT(1)) and/or type 2 (AT(2)) receptors are changed in thoracic aorta under pressure-overload by abdominal aortic banding in rats and determined whether their changes are accompanied by alteration in contractile response of thoracic aorta to Ang II. AT(2) receptor mRNA levels determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were increased by about 300% in aortas 4, 7, 14, and 28 days after banding without changes in AT(1) receptor mRNA levels. Contractile response of aortic rings to Ang II was decreased in thoracic aortas 7 days after banding, and AT(2) receptor antagonist PD123319 (1-[[4-(dimethulamino)-3-methylphenyl]methyl]-5-(diphenylacetyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid ditrifluoroacetate) (10(-6) M) increased the Ang II responsiveness in pressure-loaded but not in sham rings.