cholecystokinin and Neuroblastoma

Drug-loaded nanoparticles from 'Ershiwuwei Shanhu' Pill (ESP) inducing cellular swelling of the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were investigated. Electron microscope was used to observe nanoparticles existing in the freeze-dried supernatant of 'Ershiwuwei Shanhu' Pill. Drug-free nanoparticles were obtained from the solution of drug-loaded nanoparticles via dialysis. The size and zeta potential of two kinds of nanoparticles were tested by granularmetric analysis and surface charge analysis. Results showed that nanoparticles could penetrate into cellular nucleus and caused cell swelling. CCK8 analysis implied that low concentration of drug-free nanoparticles from 'Ershiwuwei Shanhu' Pill can induce cell proliferation of the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, while drug-loaded nanoparticles can reduce cell viability through NF-κB pathway. Drug-loaded nanoparticles existed in 'Ershiwuwei Shanhu' pill might play a vital role during pharmacotherapy, which served as nanocarriers in delivering drugs into cells.

Topics: Cell Line, Tumor; Cholecystokinin; Drug Carriers; Humans; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Nanoparticles; Neuroblastoma; Peptide Fragments; Plant Extracts

The cAMP signaling pathway stimulates cholecystokinin (CCK) gene transcription via CREB binding to a cAMP response element (CRE). In the present study we examined the function of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) on cAMP-induced CCK gene transcription. Co-transfection of GSK-3beta reduced the cAMP-induced CCK promoter activity with approximately 80% and approximately 60% in SK-N-MC and PC12 cells, respectively. Binding of in vitro translated CREB to the CCK CRE(-80) promoter element was reduced following incubation with recombinant GSK-3beta. Finally, mutation of serine-129, which is a phosphorylation site for GSK-3beta, did not abolish cAMP-induced CREB-dependent transcription, and cAMP-mediated GAL4-CREB transcription was unaffected by co-transfection with GSK-3beta. We conclude that GSK-3beta regulates cAMP-induced CCK transcription by reducing CREB binding to the CRE(-80) element in the CCK promoter.

Topics: Animals; Blotting, Western; Cell Line, Tumor; Cholecystokinin; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; Drug Interactions; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; Gene Expression Regulation; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; Humans; Neuroblastoma; Protein Binding; Rats; Transfection

Gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK) are two major regulatory peptides synthesized by human gut and brain tissues as well as by selected tumors, in particular gastrin-producing neuroendocrine tumors. In the present study we have evaluated gastrin and CCK gene expression in a group of primary human tumors, including neuronal, renal, and myogenic stem cell tumors, using in situ hybridization techniques. In addition, CCK-A and CCK-B receptors were evaluated in the same group of tumors with receptor autoradiography. Most tumors had gastrin messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA): 10 of 11 medulloblastomas, 5 of 5 central primitive neuroectodermal tumors, 11 of 11 Ewing sarcomas, 8 of 10 neuroblastomas, 4 of 4 Wilms' tumors, 5 of 5 rhabdomyosarcomas, and 10 of 10 leiomyosarcomas. CCK mRNA was restricted predominantly to Ewing sarcomas (9 of 11) and leiomyosarcomas (5 of 10). CCK-A and CCK-B receptors were not frequently found in these tumors, except for leiomyosarcomas. These data suggest that gastrin and CCK may play a previously unrecognized role in this group of human stem cell tumors. If the increased gastrin mRNA indeed translates into increased gastrin production, measurement of gastrinemia may have a diagnostic significance in the early detection of these tumors. As these two hormones have been reported to act as potent growth factors, they may be of pathophysiological relevance for patients with such stem cell tumors.

Topics: Blotting, Northern; Brain Neoplasms; Cholecystokinin; Gastrins; Humans; In Situ Hybridization; Kidney Neoplasms; Leiomyosarcoma; Medulloblastoma; Neuroblastoma; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive; Receptor, Cholecystokinin A; Receptor, Cholecystokinin B; Receptors, Cholecystokinin; Rhabdomyosarcoma; RNA, Messenger

The effect of the cholecystokininB (CCKB) receptor-selective cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) analog SNF 9007 on forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in NG108-15 hybrid cells was measured. The activity of SNF 9007 was compared to the delta opioid agonists D-Pen2-D-Pen5-enkephalin (DPDPE, delta 1 receptor-selective) and Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Glu-Val-Val-Gly-NH2, (D-Ala2-deltorphin II, delta 2-receptor-selective) because SNF 9007 binds with moderate affinity to delta opioid receptors. SNF 9007 inhibited forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity with efficacy similar to DPDPE. IC50 determinations showed that D-Ala2-deltorphin II was the most potent, followed by DPDPE, then SNF 9007 (IC50 values = 0.013, 0.21 and 4.8 microM, respectively). CCK-8 had no effect on adenylyl cyclase activity. The delta 1 receptor-selective antagonist 7-benzylidenenaltrexone hydrochloride (BNTX, 10 nM) had no effect on the activity of any of these agonists, but the delta 2 receptor-selective antagonist naltriben methanesulfonate (NTB, 10 nM) increased IC50 values of all the agonists. Combinations of BNTX and NTB (10 nM each) increased the D-Ala2-deltorphin II IC50 value 12-fold, the DPDPE IC50 value 18-fold and the SNF 9007 IC50 value 26-fold. The effect of the combined delta antagonists on SNF 9007 activity was different from the effect on DPDPE or D-Ala2-deltorphin II activity. These data suggest that the interaction of the CCK-8 analog SNF 9007 with opioid receptors in NG108-15 hybrid cells is different from the interaction of opioid peptides with these receptors.

Topics: Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors; Amino Acid Sequence; Analgesics; Cholecystokinin; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Enkephalins; Enzyme Inhibitors; Glioma; Hybrid Cells; Molecular Sequence Data; Neuroblastoma; Oligopeptides; Pain; Peptide Fragments; Receptors, Opioid, delta

Both the sulphated and non-sulphated forms of cholecystokinin (CCK) octapeptide are susceptible to hydrolysis by the cell-surface peptidases endopeptidase-24.11 (NEP), angiotensin converting enzyme and aminopeptidase N (AP-N). Indirect studies have previously implicated an elastase-like serine endopeptidase in CCK metabolism in brain. We have therefore compared the hydrolysis of CCK, in both sulphated and non-sulphated forms by solubilized membrane preparations from the human astrocytoma clone D384 and the neuroblastoma line SH-SY5Y. Selective peptidase inhibitors were used to elucidate the principal activities involved in CCK metabolism. In the glial cell line the hydrolysis of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8), sulphated or non-sulphated, was inhibited predominantly by the NEP inhibitor, phosphoramidon (PR). In contrast, in the neuroblastoma line, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was seen to play a major role in metabolism of CCK-8 with a lesser effect attributable to NEP but with some differences between sulphated and non-sulphated forms reflecting the preference of ACE for CCK-8ns. In neither cell line was a significant effect of the serine peptidase inhibitor Dip-F seen on CCK metabolism arguing against the presence of a putative CCK-degrading serine peptidase in these cell lines. Both NEP and ACE remain as candidates for inactivation of CCK at the cell surface.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Aminopeptidases; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; CD13 Antigens; Cell Membrane; Cholecystokinin; Clone Cells; Endopeptidases; Humans; Hydrolysis; Molecular Sequence Data; Neprilysin; Neuroblastoma; Neuroglia; Neurons; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Topics: Benzodiazepines; Binding Sites; Cell Line; Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase; Cholecystokinin; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Neuroblastoma; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Tetrazoles; Transcription Factors; Transfection; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC expresses cholecystokinin (CCK) and c-fos mRNA. Levels of CCK and c-fos mRNA expression were studied by nuclear run-off transcription and Northern blot analysis. Addition of foetal calf serum or forskolin to the medium stimulated basal CCK and c-fos mRNA expression. Addition of cycloheximide suppressed the stimulation of CCK mRNA expression, whereas expression of c-fos mRNA was super-induced by the simultaneous addition of cycloheximide and forskolin or foetal calf serum. Western blot analysis revealed that c-fos mRNA is translated into Fos. Expression of c-fos in SK-N-MC cells suggests that Fos may be part of a functional transcription complex and that it may be involved in the regulation of basal and stimulated CCK mRNA expression in SK-N-MC cells.

Topics: Base Sequence; Blotting, Northern; Cholecystokinin; Colforsin; Culture Media; Cycloheximide; Humans; Molecular Sequence Data; Neuroblastoma; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Protein Biosynthesis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; RNA; RNA Probes; RNA, Antisense; RNA, Messenger; Transcription, Genetic; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Topics: Astrocytoma; Cell Line; Cell Membrane; Cholecystokinin; Glycopeptides; Humans; Hydrolysis; Kinetics; Neprilysin; Neuroblastoma; Sincalide; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Neuropeptide gene expression, i.e. proenkephalin A, may be modulated by activating protein (AP-1) transcription factor complexes which associate with specific DNA sequence motifs, known as the AP-1 binding sites. Gel mobility shift assays revealed that nuclear extracts prepared from a human neuroblastoma cell-line, SK-N-MC, bind to the 5'-CTGCGTCAGCG-3' motif, present within the human cholecystokinin (CCK) promoter. In contrast, the mutated 5'-CTGCAACAGCG-3' motif did not bind any specific protein complex. In vitro run-off transcription and Western blot analysis revealed the expression of the protooncogenes Fos and Jun. This suggests that Fos/Jun homo- or heterodimeric complexes may interact with the 5'-CTGCGTCAGCG-3' motif, present within the human CCK promoter.

Topics: Actins; Animals; Base Sequence; Binding Sites; Cholecystokinin; Enkephalins; Gene Expression; Genes, fos; Genes, jun; Humans; Molecular Sequence Data; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; Neuroblastoma; Oligonucleotide Probes; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Protein Precursors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; Rats; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The effect of fetal-calf serum (FCS) and Forskolin (FKN) on cholecystokinin (CCK) and proto-oncogene c-fos mRNA expression in the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC, cultured in serum free medium was studied by Northern blot analysis and nuclear run-off transcription analysis. Addition of FCS or FKN gradually increased the basal CCK mRNA level approximately four to six-fold after 2-4 h. In contrast, a strong and transient increase of the c-fos mRNA-level was observed, approximately forty to fifty-fold after 50-60 min over unstimulated cells. Nuclear run-off transcription analysis indicates that c-fos mRNA is constitutively expressed and transcription may be further stimulated by FCS and FKN. Moreover, in SK-N-MC nuclei, transcription of the c-fos gene clearly precedes stimulated CCK-mRNA expression. This suggests that FOS, which is known to form a AP-1 heterodimer transcription complex with the proto-oncogen product, Jun, may bind to the tentative AP-1 binding site, found within the human CCK promoter and thereby modulates basal and enhanced CCK-mRNA expression in SK-N-MC cells.

Topics: Base Sequence; Blotting, Northern; Cholecystokinin; Cloning, Molecular; Colforsin; DNA Probes; Gene Expression Regulation; Genes, fos; Genes, Homeobox; Humans; Molecular Sequence Data; Nervous System Neoplasms; Neuroblastoma; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Proto-Oncogene Mas; RNA Probes; RNA, Antisense; RNA, Messenger; Transcription, Genetic; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Regulation of cholecystokinin (CCK) and the proto-oncogene c-fos mRNA expression was studied in the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC. Cells were treated either with the tumor promoting phorbol-ester phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutyl-methylxanthine (IBMX), which results in an elevated intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) level, or with a combination of PMA and IBMX. The level of CCK and c-fos mRNA was determined by Northern-blot analysis with CCK and c-fos specific antisense RNA probes after 4-24 h of drug treatment. Treatment with PMA and IBMX for 4-24 hours transiently raised the CCK mRNA level approximately 1.5-3.5 times compared to the controls, and the combination PMA and IBMX had an additive effect and elevated CCK mRNA abundance 1.5-6.5 times. Under the same experimental conditions, both PMA and IBMX elevated the c-fos mRNA level approximately 3-5.5 times. The drug combination showed a pronounced synergistic effect and raised the c-fos mRNA level approximately 3-20 times as compared to controls. Apparently, CCK and c-fos mRNA expression appears to be regulated by similar protein kinase C (PKC) and cAMP-dependent mechanisms in SK-N-MC cells.

Topics: 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine; Base Sequence; Cell Line; Cholecystokinin; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Molecular Sequence Data; Neuroblastoma; Protein Kinase C; Proto-Oncogene Mas; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; RNA, Messenger; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

Regulation of the expression of procholecystokinin (proCCK) and proenkephalin A mRNA was studied in the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC. Cells were treated with dibutyryl-3',5'-cyclic AMP (dbcAMP), noradrenaline or isoproterenol, a beta-adrenoceptor agonist. Levels of proCCK and proenkephalin A mRNA were determined by Northern blot analysis with proCCK- and proenkephalin A-specific cRNA hybridization probes 9 h after drug treatments. ProCCK and proenkephalin A mRNA were co-expressed in SK-N-MC cells. ProCCK mRNA levels were increased 1.5-2.5 times by dbcAMP, noradrenaline and isoproterenol when compared with controls. The level of proenkephalin A mRNA increased approximately two to three times under the same drug conditions, whereas the level of N-myc mRNA did not change significantly. These results suggest that expression of proCCK and proenkephalin A mRNA may be regulated by a similar cAMP-dependent mechanism in the SK-N-MC cell line.

Topics: Bucladesine; Cholecystokinin; Cyclic AMP; Enkephalins; Gene Expression; Humans; Isoproterenol; Neuroblastoma; Norepinephrine; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Protein Precursors; RNA Probes; RNA, Messenger; Tumor Cells, Cultured

125I-Bolton Hunter-cholecystokinin octapeptide (BH-CCK8) and (-)-[3H]L-364718 membrane binding assays were used to identify and characterize cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors in CHP212 human neuroblastoma cells. The ligand binding properties of CCK receptors in these cells are similar to those found in pancreas (CCK-A sites) and differ from the predominant type of CCK binding site found in brain (CCK-B sites). The specific binding of 125I-BH-CCK8 but not (-)-[3H]L-364718 was reduced by the metabolically stable GTP analog guanosine 5'-(beta-delta-imido)trisphosphate. A substantial difference in the Bmax for the radiolabeled agonist (125I-BH-CCK8) and antagonist [(-)-[3H]L-364718] was noted. These observations are consistent with CCK receptors existing in guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled and -uncoupled states. Similar to its action in pancreatic acinar cells, CCK8(S) stimulated the accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates in cells prelabeled with [3H]myo-inositol (EC50 = 3.2 +/- 0.4 nM; maximum response = 4.5 +/- 0.4 x basal). The intrinsic activity of CCK analogues in stimulating phosphoinositide hydrolysis was substantially less than their reported intrinsic activity in stimulating phosphoinositide hydrolysis in pancreatic acinar cells. The CHP212 neuroblastoma cell may serve as a useful model for the recently reported CCK-A binding site found in the central nervous system.

Topics: Cholecystokinin; GTP-Binding Proteins; Guanylyl Imidodiphosphate; Humans; Hydrolysis; In Vitro Techniques; Kinetics; Neuroblastoma; Phosphatidylinositols; Radioligand Assay; Receptors, Cholecystokinin; Tumor Cells, Cultured

In this report we identify two cultured human primitive neuroepithelioma cell lines that express cholecystokinin (CCK) RNA and synthesize substantial amounts of pro-CCK, but differ in their ability to process the prohormone. Seven cultured human neural tumor lines, including two primitive neuroepitheliomas and five neuroblastomas, were screened for CCK gene expression using a CCK C-terminal RIA system, a RIA specific for the carboxy-terminal extension of prepro-CCK, and RNAse protection assays specific for CCK mRNA. RNA derived from the two primitive neuroepitheliomas yielded strong hybridization signals with CCK-specific probes. The five other neuronal tumors were negative for CCK mRNA. The two primitive neuroepitheliomas also synthesized substantial quantities of material reactive in the CCK carboxy-terminal extension RIA system. One of the tumors, Sk-N-Mc, postranslationally processed the CCK prohormonal material poorly, yielding only high mol wt CCK precursors and no immunoreactive CCK. The other, SK-PN-Dw, was able to process the prohormone, producing immunoreactive CCK-like material plus a peptide that immunochemically and chromatographically resembled the intact CCK C-terminal extension peptide. These cultured tumor lines should prove useful in furthering our understanding of the regulation of the CCK gene in human neuronal cells and will also provide an in vitro system for investigation of the posttranslational processing of the CCK preprohormone. In addition, the data demonstrate that screening procedures for examining peptide hormone expression by tumors are most comprehensive when specific molecular genetic probes are employed in addition to standard peptide assay methodology. Finally, these data suggest that CCK production may be a feature of some primitive neuroepitheliomas.

Topics: Animals; Cholecystokinin; Chromatography, Gel; Humans; Mice; Neuroblastoma; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral; Protein Biosynthesis; Protein Precursors; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Radioimmunoassay; RNA, Messenger; Tumor Cells, Cultured