u-0126 and Burkitt-Lymphoma

MytiLec; a novel lectin isolated from the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis); shows strong binding affinity to globotriose (Gb3: Galα1-4Galβ1-4Glc). MytiLec revealed β-trefoil folding as also found in the ricin B-subunit type (R-type) lectin family, although the amino acid sequences were quite different. Classification of R-type lectin family members therefore needs to be based on conformation as well as on primary structure. MytiLec specifically killed Burkitt's lymphoma Ramos cells, which express Gb3. Fluorescein-labeling assay revealed that MytiLec was incorporated inside the cells. MytiLec treatment of Ramos cells resulted in activation of both classical MAPK/ extracellular signal-regulated kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK-ERK) and stress-activated (p38 kinase and JNK) Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways. In the cells, MytiLec treatment triggered expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (a ligand of death receptor-dependent apoptosis) and activation of mitochondria-controlling caspase-9 (initiator caspase) and caspase-3 (activator caspase). Experiments using the specific MEK inhibitor U0126 showed that MytiLec-induced phosphorylation of the MEK-ERK pathway up-regulated expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, leading to cell cycle arrest and TNF-α production. Activation of caspase-3 by MytiLec appeared to be regulated by multiple different pathways. Our findings, taken together, indicate that the novel R-type lectin MytiLec initiates programmed cell death of Burkitt's lymphoma cells through multiple pathways (MAPK cascade, death receptor signaling; caspase activation) based on interaction of the lectin with Gb3-containing glycosphingolipid-enriched microdomains on the cell surface.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Burkitt Lymphoma; Butadienes; Caspase 3; Caspase 9; Cell Line, Tumor; Humans; K562 Cells; Lectins; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Mytilus; Nitriles; Trisaccharides; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) generally latently infects its target cells with expression of genes conferring resistance to apoptosis. However, the modulation of apoptotic signals during lytic cycle remains poorly understood. We show here that resulting from viral reactivation in the EBV-positive Mutu-I and Akata Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines, a two steps proteasome-dependent downregulation of expression of the proapoptotic protein BimEL occurs. The first drop might be EBV-independent, is ERK 1/2 dependent, and BimEL is phosphorylated on Ser69. A second dramatic drop of the BimEL level observed during the lytic cycle is dependent of EBV-late-gene expression, ERK 1/2 independent, and no further phosphorylation of BimEL on Ser69 occurred. These results demonstrate for the first time, that the lytic cycle contributes to downregulation of BimEL and then could add to protection against apoptosis.

Topics: Apoptosis; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; Bcl-2-Like Protein 11; Boronic Acids; Burkitt Lymphoma; Butadienes; Cell Line, Tumor; Down-Regulation; Enzyme Inhibitors; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Humans; Membrane Proteins; Nitriles; Phosphorylation; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Virus Activation