scholarly journals In vivo requirement of protein prenylation for maintenance of retinal cytoarchitecture and photoreceptor structure.

1995 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
S J Pittler ◽  
S J Fliesler ◽  
P L Fisher ◽  
P K Keller ◽  
L M Rapp
Keyword(s):  
Intravitreal Injection ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Mevalonate Pathway ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
Metabolic Inhibitors ◽  
Squalene Epoxidase ◽  
Protein Prenylation ◽  
Photoreceptor Layer ◽  
Isoprenoid Metabolism

Recent studies have demonstrated that inhibition of mevalonate synthesis in cultured cells leads to altered cell morphology due to inhibition of protein prenylation. To investigate the effects in vivo of mevalonate deprivation in nondividing, terminally differentiated neural cells, we have analyzed the effects on retinal tissue of intravitreal injection of lovastatin, a potent inhibitor of the mevalonate-producing enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase. A single injection of lovastatin (0.25 mumol) produced profound dysplastic-like changes in adult rat retinas primarily involving the photoreceptor layer. Within 2 d after injection, photoreceptor nuclei migrated in a circular pattern resulting in the formation of rosette-like structures by 4 d. Also during this period, photoreceptor inner and outer segment degeneration was evident. By 21 d, intact photoreceptor nuclei with remnants of inner and outer segments were dispersed throughout all retinal layers. To investigate the biochemical specificity of the lovastatin-induced alterations, and to distinguish the relative importance of the various branches of the mevalonate pathway, the incorporation of [3H]acetate into retinal lipids was examined in the presence and absence of metabolic inhibitors. HPLC analysis of lovastatin-treated retinas revealed a dramatic reduction in the incorporation of intravitreally injected [3H]acetate into nonsaponifiable lipids, compared with controls. In contrast, intravitreal injection of NB-598, a specific inhibitor of squalene epoxidase, eliminated the conversion of newly synthesized squalene to sterols without obvious pathology. Hence, involvement to the sterol branch of isoprenoid metabolism in the lovastatin-induced morphologic disruption was obviated. Intravitreal injection of 0.27 mumol of N-acetyl-S-trans,trans-farnesyl-L-cysteine (AFC), an inhibitor of carboxyl methyltransferase activity and prenylated protein function, produced morphologic changes that were virtually indistinguishable from those induced with lovastatin. These results implicate a defect in protein prenylation in the lovastatin-induced retinal degeneration, and suggest the presence of a dynamic pathway in the retina that requires isoprenylated proteins to maintain retinal cytoarchitecture.

scholarly journals Cholesterol Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer and Its Pharmacological Modulation as Therapeutic Strategy

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabella Giacomini ◽  
Federico Gianfanti ◽  
Maria Andrea Desbats ◽  
Genny Orso ◽  
Massimiliano Berretta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Mevalonate Pathway ◽  
Cholesterol Metabolism ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Cholesterol Homeostasis ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Protein Prenylation ◽  
Pharmacological Targets

Cholesterol is a ubiquitous sterol with many biological functions, which are crucial for proper cellular signaling and physiology. Indeed, cholesterol is essential in maintaining membrane physical properties, while its metabolism is involved in bile acid production and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Additionally, isoprenoids metabolites of the mevalonate pathway support protein-prenylation and dolichol, ubiquinone and the heme a biosynthesis. Cancer cells rely on cholesterol to satisfy their increased nutrient demands and to support their uncontrolled growth, thus promoting tumor development and progression. Indeed, transformed cells reprogram cholesterol metabolism either by increasing its uptake and de novo biosynthesis, or deregulating the efflux. Alternatively, tumor can efficiently accumulate cholesterol into lipid droplets and deeply modify the activity of key cholesterol homeostasis regulators. In light of these considerations, altered pathways of cholesterol metabolism might represent intriguing pharmacological targets for the development of exploitable strategies in the context of cancer therapy. Thus, this work aims to discuss the emerging evidence of in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as clinical trials, on the role of cholesterol pathways in the treatment of cancer, starting from already available cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins or fibrates), and moving towards novel potential pharmacological inhibitors or selective target modulators.

scholarly journals Characterization of the small molecule ARC39, a direct and specific inhibitor of acid sphingomyelinase in vitro

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 896-910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eyad Naser ◽  
Stephanie Kadow ◽  
Fabian Schumacher ◽  
Zainelabdeen H. Mohamed ◽  
Christian Kappe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
Acid Sphingomyelinase ◽  
Intact Cells ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Hydrolysis Of

Inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), a lysosomal enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin into ceramide and phosphorylcholine, may serve as an investigational tool or a therapeutic intervention to control many diseases. Specific ASM inhibitors are currently not sufficiently characterized. Here, we found that 1-aminodecylidene bis-phosphonic acid (ARC39) specifically and efficiently (>90%) inhibits both lysosomal and secretory ASM in vitro. Results from investigating sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1 (SMPD1/Smpd1) mRNA and ASM protein levels suggested that ARC39 directly inhibits ASM’s catalytic activity in cultured cells, a mechanism that differs from that of functional inhibitors of ASM. We further provide evidence that ARC39 dose- and time-dependently inhibits lysosomal ASM in intact cells, and we show that ARC39 also reduces platelet- and ASM-promoted adhesion of tumor cells. The observed toxicity of ARC39 is low at concentrations relevant for ASM inhibition in vitro, and it does not strongly alter the lysosomal compartment or induce phospholipidosis in vitro. When applied intraperitoneally in vivo, even subtoxic high doses administered short-term induced sphingomyelin accumulation only locally in the peritoneal lavage without significant accumulation in plasma, liver, spleen, or brain. These findings require further investigation with other possible chemical modifications. In conclusion, our results indicate that ARC39 potently and selectively inhibits ASM in vitro and highlight the need for developing compounds that can reach tissue concentrations sufficient for ASM inhibition in vivo.

scholarly journals MEK-Specific Inhibitor U0126 Blocks Spread of Borna Disease Virus in Cultured Cells

2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 4871-4877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Planz ◽  
Stephan Pleschka ◽  
Stephan Ludwig
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Virus Spread ◽  
Focus Formation ◽  
Borna Disease Virus ◽  
Borna Disease

ABSTRACT Borna disease virus (BDV) is a highly neurotropic virus that causes Borna disease, a virus-induced immune-mediated encephalomyelitis, in a variety of warm-blooded animals. Recent studies reported that BDV can be detected in patients with psychiatric disorders. BDV is noncytopathic, replicates in the nucleus of infected cells, and spreads intraaxonally in vivo. Upon infection of susceptible cultured cells, virus can be detected in foci. Little is known about the cellular components required for BDV replication. Here, we show that the cellular Raf/MEK/ERK signaling cascade is activated upon infection with BDV. In the presence of the MEK-specific inhibitor U0126, cells get infected with BDV; however, there is a block in virus spread to neighboring cells. The effect of the inhibitor on virus spread was still observed when the compound was added 2 h postinfection but not if treatment was initiated as late as 4 h after infection. Our results provide new insights into the BDV-host cell interaction and show that virus infection can be controlled with drugs interfering with a cellular signaling pathway. Since concentrations of the MEK inhibitor required to block BDV focus formation are not toxic for the host cells, our finding may be important with respect to antiviral drug development.

scholarly journals Combined HMG-COA reductase and prenylation inhibition in treatment of CCM

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (21) ◽  
pp. 5503-5508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayoko Nishimura ◽  
Ketu Mishra-Gorur ◽  
JinSeok Park ◽  
Yulia V. Surovtseva ◽  
Said M. Sebti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mevalonate Pathway ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Protein Prenylation ◽  
Hmg Coa Reductase ◽  
Cavernous Malformations ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Primary Astrocytes ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
Coa Reductase

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are common vascular anomalies that develop in the central nervous system and, more rarely, the retina. The lesions can cause headache, seizures, focal neurological deficits, and hemorrhagic stroke. Symptomatic lesions are treated according to their presentation; however, targeted pharmacological therapies that improve the outcome of CCM disease are currently lacking. We performed a high-throughput screen to identify Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs or other bioactive compounds that could effectively suppress hyperproliferation of mouse brain primary astrocytes deficient for CCM3. We demonstrate that fluvastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase and the N-bisphosphonate zoledronic acid monohydrate, an inhibitor of protein prenylation, act synergistically to reverse outcomes of CCM3 loss in cultured mouse primary astrocytes and in Drosophila glial cells in vivo. Further, the two drugs effectively attenuate neural and vascular deficits in chronic and acute mouse models of CCM3 loss in vivo, significantly reducing lesion burden and extending longevity. Sustained inhibition of the mevalonate pathway represents a potential pharmacological treatment option and suggests advantages of combination therapy for CCM disease.

scholarly journals Bisphosphonate drugs have actions in the lung and inhibit the mevalonate pathway in alveolar macrophages

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcia A Munoz ◽  
Emma K Fletcher ◽  
Oliver P Skinner ◽  
Julie Jurczyluk ◽  
Esther Kristianto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alveolar Macrophages ◽  
Mevalonate Pathway ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Peritoneal Macrophages ◽  
Protein Prenylation ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines ◽  
Bronchoalveolar Fluid ◽  
Mechanistic Basis

Bisphosphonates drugs target the skeleton and are used globally for the treatment of common bone disorders. Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates act by inhibiting the mevalonate pathway in bone-resorbing osteoclasts but, surprisingly, also appear to reduce the risk of death from pneumonia. We overturn the long-held belief that these drugs act only in the skeleton and show that a fluorescently labelled bisphosphonate is internalised by alveolar macrophages and large peritoneal macrophages in vivo. Furthermore, a single dose of a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate (zoledronic acid) in mice was sufficient to inhibit the mevalonate pathway in tissue-resident macrophages, causing the build-up of a mevalonate metabolite and preventing protein prenylation. Importantly, one dose of bisphosphonate enhanced the immune response to bacterial endotoxin in the lung and increased the level of cytokines and chemokines in bronchoalveolar fluid. These studies suggest that bisphosphonates, as well as preventing bone loss, may boost immune responses to infection in the lung and provide a mechanistic basis to fully examine the potential of bisphosphonates to help combat respiratory infections that cause pneumonia.

scholarly journals Bisphosphonate drugs have actions outside the skeleton and inhibit the mevalonate pathway in alveolar macrophages

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J Rogers ◽  
Marcia A Munoz ◽  
Emma K Fletcher ◽  
Oliver P Skinner ◽  
Julie Jurczyluk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alveolar Macrophages ◽  
Mevalonate Pathway ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Peritoneal Macrophages ◽  
Protein Prenylation ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines ◽  
Bronchoalveolar Fluid ◽  
Mechanistic Basis

Bisphosphonates drugs target the skeleton and are used globally for the treatment of common bone disorders. Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates act by inhibiting the mevalonate pathway in bone-resorbing osteoclasts but, surprisingly, also appear to reduce the risk of death from pneumonia. We overturn the long-held belief that these drugs act only in the skeleton and show that a fluorescently-labelled bisphosphonate is internalised by alveolar macrophages and peritoneal macrophages in vivo. Furthermore, a single dose of a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate (zoledronic acid) in mice was sufficient to inhibit the mevalonate pathway in tissue-resident macrophages, causing the build-up of a mevalonate metabolite and preventing protein prenylation. Importantly, one dose of bisphosphonate enhanced the immune response to bacterial endotoxin in the lung and increased the level of cytokines and chemokines in bronchoalveolar fluid. These studies suggest that bisphosphonates, as well as preventing bone loss, may boost immune responses to infection in the lung and provide a mechanistic basis to fully examine the potential of bisphosphonates to help combat respiratory infections that cause pneumonia.

Ultrastructural Correlations between Clonal Human Tumor Colonies and in Vivo Neoplasms

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 210-211
Author(s):  
M.J. Murphy ◽  
R.R. Price ◽  
J.C. Sloman
Keyword(s):  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Human Tumor ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Tumor Mass ◽  
Initial Cell ◽  
Cloning Assay ◽  
Human Tumor Cloning ◽  
The Relationship

The in vitro human tumor cloning assay originally described by Salmon and Hamburger has been applied recently to the investigation of differential anti-tumor drug sensitivities over a broad range of human neoplasms. A major problem in the acceptance of this technique has been the question of the relationship between the cultured cells and the original patient tumor, i.e., whether the colonies that develop derive from the neoplasm or from some other cell type within the initial cell population. A study of the ultrastructural morphology of the cultured cells vs. patient tumor has therefore been undertaken to resolve this question. Direct correlation was assured by division of a common tumor mass at surgical resection, one biopsy being fixed for TEM studies, the second being rapidly transported to the laboratory for culture.

The Infection of Cells by Bullet-Shaped Viruses

1969 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 372-373
Author(s):  
Frederick A. Murphy ◽  
Alyne K. Harrison ◽  
Sylvia G. Whitfield
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Thin Section ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Cell Infection ◽  
Thin Section Electron Microscopy ◽  
Section Electron ◽  
Section Electron Microscopy

The bullet-shaped viruses are currently classified together on the basis of similarities in virion morphology and physical properties. Biologically and ecologically the member viruses are extremely diverse. In searching for further bases for making comparisons of these agents, the nature of host cell infection, both in vivo and in cultured cells, has been explored by thin-section electron microscopy.

Effect of Some Metabolic Inhibitors on Vinblastine-Induced Ribosomal-Granular Material Complexes

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 548-549
Author(s):  
Awtar Krishan ◽  
Dora Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Granular Material ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Culture Medium ◽  
Actinomycin D ◽  
Metabolic Inhibitors ◽  
Protein And Rna Synthesis ◽  
Apparent Reduction ◽  
Plant Alkaloids ◽  
In Cells

Cells exposed to antitumor plant alkaloids, vinblastine and vincristine sulfate have large proteinacious crystals and complexes of ribosomes, helical polyribosomes and electron-dense granular material (ribosomal complexes) in their cytoplasm, Binding of H3-colchicine by the in vivo crystals shows that they contain microtubular proteins. Association of ribosomal complexes with the crystals suggests that these structures may be interrelated.In the present study cultured human leukemic lymphoblasts (CCRF-CEM), were incubated with protein and RNA-synthesis inhibitors, p. fluorophenylalanine, puromycin, cycloheximide or actinomycin-D before the addition of crystal-inducing doses of vinblastine to the culture medium. None of these compounds could completely prevent the formation of the ribosomal complexes or the crystals. However, in cells pre-incubated with puromycin, cycloheximide, or actinomycin-D, a reduction in the number and size of the ribosomal complexes was seen. Large helical polyribosomes were absent in the ribosomal complexes of cells treated with puromycin, while in cells exposed to cycloheximide, there was an apparent reduction in the number of ribosomes associated with the ribosomal complexes (Fig. 2).

Preparation of cultured astrocytes for x-ray microanalysis

1989 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 988-989
Author(s):  
N.K.R. Smith ◽  
K.E. Hunter ◽  
P. Mobley ◽  
L.P. Felpel
Keyword(s):  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Elemental Content ◽  
Elemental Distribution ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Cultured Astrocytes ◽  
Freeze Dried ◽  
Ultimate Objective

Electron probe energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis (XRMA) offers a powerful tool for the determination of intracellular elemental content of biological tissue. However, preparation of the tissue specimen , particularly excitable central nervous system (CNS) tissue , for XRMA is rather difficult, as dissection of a sample from the intact organism frequently results in artefacts in elemental distribution. To circumvent the problems inherent in the in vivo preparation, we turned to an in vitro preparation of astrocytes grown in tissue culture. However, preparations of in vitro samples offer a new and unique set of problems. Generally, cultured cells, growing in monolayer, must be harvested by either mechanical or enzymatic procedures, resulting in variable degrees of damage to the cells and compromised intracel1ular elemental distribution. The ultimate objective is to process and analyze unperturbed cells. With the objective of sparing others from some of the same efforts, we are reporting the considerable difficulties we have encountered in attempting to prepare astrocytes for XRMA.Tissue cultures of astrocytes from newborn C57 mice or Sprague Dawley rats were prepared and cultured by standard techniques, usually in T25 flasks, except as noted differently on Cytodex beads or on gelatin. After different preparative procedures, all samples were frozen on brass pins in liquid propane, stored in liquid nitrogen, cryosectioned (0.1 μm), freeze dried, and microanalyzed as previously reported.

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