Ubiquitin-binding associated protein 2 regulates KRAS activation and macropinocytosis in pancreatic cancer.

Macropinocytosis supports the metabolic requirement of RAS-transformed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells (PDACs). However, regulators of RAS-transformation (activation) that lead to macropinocytosis have not been identified. Herein, we report that UBAP2 (ubiquitin-binding associated protein 2), regulates the activation of KRAS and macropinocytosis in pancreatic cancer.

MICU1 drives glycolysis and chemoresistance in ovarian cancer.

Cancer cells actively promote aerobic glycolysis to sustain their metabolic requirements through mechanisms not always clear. Here, we demonstrate that the gatekeeper of mitochondrial Ca uptake, Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake 1 (MICU1/CBARA1) drives aerobic glycolysis in ovarian cancer. We show that MICU1 is overexpressed in a panel of ovarian cancer cell lines and that MICU1 overexpression correlates with poor overall survival (OS).

Gold Nanoparticle Reprograms Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment and Inhibits Tumor Growth.

Altered tumor microenvironment (TME) arising from a bidirectional crosstalk between the pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs) and the pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) is implicated in the dismal prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), yet effective strategies to disrupt the crosstalk is lacking. Here, we demonstrate that gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) inhibit proliferation and migration of both PCCs and PSCs by disrupting the bidirectional communication via alteration of the cell secretome. Analyzing the key proteins identified from a functional network of AuNP-altered secretome in PCCs and PSCs, we demonstrate that AuNPs impair secretions of major hub node proteins in both cell types and transform activated PSCs toward a lipid-rich quiescent phenotype.

Inhibition of BMI1 induces autophagy-mediated necroptosis.

The clonal self-renewal property conferred by BMI1 is instrumental in maintenance of not only normal stem cells but also cancer-initiating cells from several different malignancies that represent a major challenge to chemotherapy. Realizing the immense pathological significance, PTC-209, a small molecule inhibitor of BMI1 transcription has recently been described. While targeting BMI1 in various systems significantly decreases clonal growth, the mechanisms differ, are context-dependent, and somewhat unclear.

Role of cystathionine beta synthase in lipid metabolism in ovarian cancer.

Elevated lipid metabolism is implicated in poor survival in ovarian cancer (OC) and other cancers; however, current lipogenesis-targeting strategies lack cancer cell specificity. Here, we identify a novel role of cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS), a sulphur amino acid metabolizing enzyme highly expressed in several ovarian cancer cell lines, in driving deregulated lipid metabolism in OC. We examined the role of CBS in regulation of triglycerides, cholesterol and lipogenic enzymes via the lipogenic transcription factors SREBP1 and SREBP2.

Cystathionine β-synthase regulates endothelial function via protein S-sulfhydration.

Deficiencies of the human cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) enzyme are characterized by a plethora of vascular disorders and hyperhomocysteinemia. However, several clinical trials demonstrated that despite reduction in homocysteine levels, disease outcome remained unaffected, thus the mechanism of endothelial dysfunction is poorly defined. Here, we show that the loss of CBS function in endothelial cells (ECs) leads to a significant down-regulation of cellular hydrogen sulfide (H2S) by 50% and of glutathione (GSH) by 40%.

Sensitization of ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin by gold nanoparticles.

Recently we reported that gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) inhibit ovarian tumor growth and metastasis in mice by reversing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Since EMT is known to confer drug resistance to cancer cells, we wanted to investigate whether anti-EMT property of AuNP could be utilized to sensitize ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin. Herein, we report that AuNPs prevent cisplatin-induced acquired chemoresistance and stemness in ovarian cancer cells and sensitize them to cisplatin.

Understanding protein-nanoparticle interaction: a new gateway to disease therapeutics.

Molecular identification of protein molecules surrounding nanoparticles (NPs) may provide useful information that influences NP clearance, biodistribution, and toxicity. Hence, nanoproteomics provides specific information about the environment that NPs interact with and can therefore report on the changes in protein distribution that occurs during tumorigenesis. Therefore, we hypothesized that characterization and identification of protein molecules that interact with 20 nm AuNPs from cancer and noncancer cells may provide mechanistic insights into the biology of tumor growth and metastasis and identify new therapeutic targets in ovarian cancer.

Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) contributes to advanced ovarian cancer progression and drug resistance.

Background: Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer deaths. Most patients respond initially to platinum-based chemotherapy after surgical debulking, however relapse is very common and ultimately platinum resistance emerges. Understanding the mechanism of tumor growth, metastasis and drug resistant relapse will profoundly impact the therapeutic management of ovarian cancer.

Biotin-conjugated tumour-targeting photocytotoxic iron(III) complexes.

Iron(III) complexes [FeL(B)] (1-4) of a tetradentate phenolate-based ligand (H3L) and biotin-conjugated dipyridophenazine bases (B), viz. 7-aminodipyrido [3,2-a:2',3'-c]-phenazine (dppza in 1), (N-dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]-phenazino)amidobiotin (dppzNB in 2), dipyrido [3,2-a:2',3'-c]-phenazine-11-carboxylic acid (dppzc in 3) and 2-((2-biotinamido)ethyl) amido-dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]-phenazine (dppzCB in 4) are prepared, characterized and their interaction with streptavidin and DNA and their photocytotoxicity and cellular uptake in various cells studied. The high-spin iron(III) complexes display Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple near -0.

Probing novel roles of the mitochondrial uniporter in ovarian cancer cells using nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles provide a potent tool for targeting and understanding disease mechanisms. In this regard, cancer cells are surprisingly resistant to the expected toxic effects of positively charged gold nanoparticles ((+)AuNPs). Our investigations led to the identification of MICU1, regulator of mitochondrial calcium uniporter, as a key molecule conferring cancer cells with resistance to (+)AuNPs.

Inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis by a self-therapeutic nanoparticle.

Although biomedical applications of nanotechnology, which typically involve functionalized nanoparticles, have taken significant strides, biological characterization of unmodified nanoparticles remains underinvestigated. Herein we demonstrate that unmodified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells in a size- and concentration-dependent manner by abrogating MAPK-signaling. In addition, these AuNPs reverse epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer cells by reducing secretion of a number of proteins involved in EMT, up-regulating E-Cadherin, and down-regulating Snail, N-Cadherin, and Vimentin.

Nuclear targeting terpyridine iron(II) complexes for cellular imaging and remarkable photocytotoxicity.

Iron(II) complexes [Fe(L)(2)](2+) as perchlorate (1-3) and chloride (1a-3a) salts, where L is 4'-phenyl-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (phtpy in 1, 1a), 4'-(9-anthracenyl)-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (antpy in 2, 2a) and 4'-(1-pyrenyl)-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (pytpy in 3, 3a), were prepared and their photocytotoxicity studied. The diamagnetic complexes 1-3 having an FeN(6) core showed an Fe(III)-Fe(II) redox couple near 1.0 V vs.

Structure-activity relationship of photocytotoxic iron(III) complexes of modified dipyridophenazine ligands.

Iron(III) complexes [FeL(B)] (1-5) of a tetradentate trianionic phenolate-based ligand (L) and modified dipyridophenazine bases (B), namely, dipyrido-6,7,8,9-tetrahydrophenazine (dpqC in 1), dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine-2-carboxylic acid (dppzc in 2), dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine-11-sulfonic acid (dppzs in 3), 7-aminodipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppza in 4) and benzo[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppn in 5), have been synthesized and their photocytotoxic properties studied along with their dipyridophenazine analogue (6). The complexes have a five electron paramagnetic iron(III) center, and the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple appears at about -0.69 V versus SCE in DMF-0.

Cobalt(II) complexes of terpyridine bases as photochemotherapeutic agents showing cellular uptake and photocytotoxicity in visible light.

Cobalt(II) complexes of terpyridine bases [Co(L)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1-3), where L is 4'-phenyl-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (ph-tpy in 1), 4'-(9-anthracenyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (an-tpy in 2) and 4'-(1- pyrenyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (py-tpy in 3), are prepared and their photo-induced DNA and protein cleavage activity and photocytotoxic property in HeLa cells studied. The 1 : 2 electrolytic and three-electron paramagnetic complexes show a visible band near 550 nm in DMF-Tris-HCl buffer. The complexes 1-3 show emission spectral bands at 355, 421 and 454 nm, respectively, when excited at 287, 368 and 335 nm.

Enhanced photodynamic effect of cobalt(III) dipyridophenazine complex on thyrotropin receptor expressing HEK293 cells.

Ternary cobalt(III) complexes [CoL(B)] (1-3) of a trianionic tetradentate phenolate-based ligand (L) and phenanthroline bases (B), viz. 1,10-phenanthroline (phen in 1), dipyridoquinoxaline (dpq in 2) and dipyridophenazine (dppz in 3) are synthesized, characterized from X-ray crystallographic, analytical and spectral techniques, and their utility in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of thyroid diseases caused by TSH receptor dysfunction is probed. The complexes display a visible spectral band within the PDT spectral window at ~690 nm.

Anaerobic DNA cleavage activity in red light and photocytotoxicity of (pyridine-2-thiol)cobalt(III) complexes of phenanthroline bases.

Cobalt(iii) complexes [Co(pnt)(B)(2)](NO(3))(2) (1-3) of pyridine-2-thiol (pnt) and phenanthroline bases (B), viz. 1,10-phenanthroline (phen in 1), dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq in ) and dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz in 3), have been prepared, characterized and their photo-induced anaerobic DNA cleavage activity studied. The crystal structure of 1a as mixed ClO(4)(-) and PF(6)(-) salt of 1 shows a Co(III)N(5)S coordination geometry in which the pnt and phen showed N,S- and N,N-donor binding modes, respectively.

Photocytotoxic lanthanum(III) and gadolinium(III) complexes of phenanthroline bases showing light-induced DNA cleavage activity.

Lanthanide complexes of formulation [La(B)(2)(NO(3))(3)] (1-3) and [Gd(B)(2)(NO(3))(3)] (4-6), where B is a N,N-donor phenanthroline base, namely, 1,10-phenanthroline (phen in 1, 4), dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq in 2, 5) and dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz in 3, 6), have been prepared, characterized from physicochemical data, and their photoinduced DNA and protein cleavage activity studied. The photocytotoxicity of the dppz complexes 3 and 6 has been studied using HeLa cancer cells. The complexes exhibit ligand centered bands in the UV region.

Oxovanadium(IV) complexes of phenanthroline bases: the dipyridophenazine complex as a near-IR photocytotoxic agent.

Oxovanadium(iv) complexes [VOCl(B)(2)]Cl (1-3) of phenanthroline bases (B), viz. 1,10-phenanthroline (phen in ), dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq in ) and dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz in ), have been prepared, characterized and their DNA and protein binding, photo-induced DNA and protein cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity have been studied. Complex , structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography, shows the presence of a vanadyl group in VOClN(4) coordination geometry.

Iron(III) Schiff base complexes of arginine and lysine as netropsin mimics showing AT-selective DNA binding and photonuclease activity.

Iron(III) complexes [Fe(L)(2)]Cl (1-3), where L is monoanionic N-salicylidene-arginine (sal-argH for 1), hydroxynaphthylidene-arginine (nap-argH for 2) and N-salicylidene-lysine (sal-lysH for 3), were prepared and their DNA binding and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity studied. Complex 3 as its hexafluorophosphate salt [Fe(sal-lysH)(2)](PF(6)).6H(2)O (3a) was structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography.

Photocytotoxic oxovanadium(IV) complexes showing light-induced DNA and protein cleavage activity.

Oxovanadium(IV) complexes [VO(L)(B)]Cl(2) (1-3), where L is bis(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amine and B is 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq) or dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz), have been prepared, characterized, and their photo-induced DNA and protein cleavage activity studied. The photocytotoxicity of complex 3 has been studied using adenocarcinoma A549 cells. The phen complex 1, structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, shows the presence of a vanadyl group in six-coordinate VON(5) coordination geometry.

Photocytotoxic 3d-metal scorpionates with a 1,8-naphthalimide chromophore showing photoinduced DNA and protein cleavage activity.

Ternary 3d-metal complexes of formulation [M(Tp(Ph))(py-nap)](ClO(4)) (1-3), where M is Co(II) (1), Cu(II) (2), and Zn(II) (3); Tp(Ph) is anionic tris(3-phenylpyrazolyl)borate; and py-nap is a pyridyl ligand with a conjugated 1,8-naphthalimide moiety, have been prepared from the reaction of metal perchlorate with KTp(Ph) and py-nap in CH(2)Cl(2). The complexes have been characterized from analytical and physicochemical data. The complexes are stable in solution as evidenced from the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry data.

Oxovanadium(IV)-based near-IR PDT agents: design to biological evaluation.

An oxovanadium(IV) complex of dipyridophenazine, as a potent metal-based PDT agent, shows efficient DNA photocleavage activity at near-IR region and high photocytotoxicity in both UV-A and visible light in HeLa cells.