cytochrome-c-t and afimoxifene

Ectopic expression of c-myc sensitises cells to a wide range of apoptotic stimuli by inducing the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondrial intermembrane space into the cytosol. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial permeabilisation in response to c-Myc activation, we carried out a biochemical fractionation analysis of Rat1 fibroblasts expressing an inducible c-Myc protein. We find that cytoplasmic extracts from cells in which c-Myc has been activated contain a soluble factor capable of inducing cytochrome c release from isolated mouse liver mitochondria. This factor is present only under growth factor deprivation conditions and its activity is inhibited by addition of Bcl-X(L). The c-Myc-induced factor copurifies with full-length Bid, a "BH3-only" proapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, and antibodies raised against the BH3 domain of Bid inhibit c-Myc-induced cytochrome c releasing activity. These results are consistent with a model in which the activation of c-Myc regulates factors capable of enhancing the mitochondrial membrane destabilisation function of "BH3-only" proteins.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Apoptosis; bcl-X Protein; BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist Protein; Blotting, Western; Carrier Proteins; Cell Membrane Permeability; Cytochromes c; Fibroblasts; Intracellular Membranes; Mice; Mitochondria, Liver; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; Rats; Tamoxifen; Time Factors

Mifepristone (MIF) is an antiprogestin with potent anti-glucocorticoid and anti-androgen activity. MIF also appears to have anti-tumor activity independent of its ability to bind to nuclear receptors. In this study, we tested the ability of MIF to inhibit the growth of ER and PR negative breast cancer cells. In addition, because high-dose anti-estrogen treatment has been shown to inhibit ER and PR negative breast cancer cells, we compared the anti-proliferative activity of MIF to that of the anti-estrogen 4-hydroxytamoxifen (TAM) or combination hormonal therapy (MIF + TAM). MIF and TAM therapy induced a significant time- and dose-dependent growth inhibition and, ultimately, induced cell death in MDA-231 cells as evidenced by increased DNA fragmentation, cytochrome c release from the mitochondria, and the activation of caspase-3. The anti-proliferative activity of TAM plus MIF combination treatment was at least additive as compared to either monotherapy. The earliest indicator of TAM and MIF cytostatic and cytotoxic action on MDA-231 cells was a significant (p<0.05) induction of TGFbeta1 secretion into the growth medium within 4 h of treatment. Secreted TGFbeta1 levels at 24 and 48 h were significantly higher in the TAM plus MIF treatment group as compared to cells treated with TAM or MIF alone. TGFbeta1 neutralizing antibody or addition of mannose-6-phosphate (M6P), a reagent also used to inhibit TGFbeta1, significantly attenuated the TAM and/or MIF-induced cell growth inhibition and cell death. In summary, our results indicate that MIF used in combination with TAM can effectively kill estrogen-insensitive human breast cancer cells. Our study further implies that agents that effectively increase TGFbeta1 levels in ER negative breast cancer cells may be one treatment approach for hormone-independent breast cancers.

Topics: Apoptosis; Breast Neoplasms; Caspases; Cell Cycle Proteins; Cell Division; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27; Cyclins; Cytochromes c; Drug Synergism; Drug Therapy, Combination; Estrogen Antagonists; Female; Humans; Mifepristone; Receptors, Estrogen; Retinoblastoma Protein; Tamoxifen; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Transforming Growth Factor beta1; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tumor Suppressor Proteins; Up-Regulation

Recent efforts to develop pharmacologic agents that restore function to mutant forms of p53 hold significant promise in cancer therapy. Here, we examine the effects of such pharmacologic activation of p53 function using a small molecule, PRIMA-1, and a model system employing a p53 protein fused to a mutant steroid binding domain of the murine estrogen receptor (p53ERtam) that renders it responsive only in the presence of 4-hydroxytamoxifen. In either case, p53 activation triggered apoptosis that was not inhibited by the presence of macromolecular synthesis inhibitors. This p53-induced, transcription-independent apoptosis is Bax dependent, proceeds in the absence of a nucleus, and involves Bax translocation and cytochrome c release. Hence, pharmacologic p53 modulators can activate a transcription-independent apoptotic program.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Aza Compounds; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Cell Nucleus; Cells, Cultured; Cloning, Molecular; Cytochromes c; Fibroblasts; Humans; Mice; Mitochondria; Mutation; Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; Protein Transport; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Receptors, Estrogen; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Tamoxifen; Transcription, Genetic; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53