Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy.

In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding.

Molecular characterization of the autophagy-related gene Beclin-1 from the olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus).

Autophagy is an important cellular response to starvation and stress, and plays critical roles in embryogenesis, development, cell death, cancer, and immunity. Beclin-1 is one of the central regulators of autophagy in mammals. In the present study, we isolated a PoBeclin-1 cDNA from the olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) by screening a flounder gill cDNA library and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE).

Simvastatin induces caspase-independent apoptosis in LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophage cells.

Macrophages participate in several inflammatory pathologies such as sepsis and arthritis. We examined the effect of simvastatin on the LPS-induced proinflammatory macrophage RAW264.7 cells.

Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 expression by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in human leukemia cells.

Previous studies have demonstrated that N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), a well-known DNA alkylating agent, induces G2/M arrest and apoptotic cell death in several human cancer cell lines. In the present study, we investigated the effects of MNNG on the growth of a U937 human leukemia cell model. The effects of this compound were also tested on cyclooxygenase (COX) activity.

Modulation of the transactivation function of nuclear factor-kappaB by lipopolysaccharide in RAW264.7 macrophages.

In macrophages, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation has important roles for the regulation of an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), several pro-inflammatory cytokines, and anti-apoptotic proteins. In order to analyze the transactivation process of NF-kappaB by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we used the GAL4-NF-kappaB-p65 fusion protein. This chimeric NF-kappaB is activated transcriptionally only if NF-kappaB transactivation domain is active.

Nitric oxide induces BNIP3 expression that causes cell death in macrophages.

Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in many physiological processes and also causes pathological effects by inducing apoptosis. It can enhance or suppress apoptosis depending on its concentration and the cell type involved. In this report, we used cDNA microarray analysis to show that SNAP, an NO donor, strongly induces Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B 19kDa-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) in macrophages.

Cytosolic NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase protects macrophages from LPS-induced nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species.

Macrophages activated by microbial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) produce bursts of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Redox protection systems are essential for the survival of the macrophages since the nitric oxide and ROS can be toxic to them as well as to pathogens. Using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) we found that cytosolic NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDPc) is strongly upregulated by nitric oxide in macrophages.