Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Drug treatments for HCC have been largely unsuccessful. Histone deacetylase inh...

Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that statins, the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl–CoA reductase inhibitors with cholesterol-lowering properties, exhibited anticancer effects. However, the underlying mechanisms remain ill defined. In this study, we showed that atorvastatin could inhibit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells via induction of apoptosis. Atorvastatin also induced autophagy that is a physiologic process involved in the turnover of intracellular organelles. Atorvastatin-induced autophagy was found to be inhibited by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) small interfering RNA. Examination of HCC patients showed the positive correlation between AMPK activity and autophagic marker (beclin-1). Atorvastatin-induced AMPK activation could induce p21 expression, which was also positively correlated with beclin-1 expression in CRC patients. AMPK/p21 signaling caused endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response leading to the induction of autophagy. Inhibition of autophagy by an autophagic inhibitor bafilomycin A1 or genetic knockout of autophagy-related gene 5 enhanced atorvastatin-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. In summary, activation of AMPK by atorvastatin enhances p21 expression and ER stress response, leading to autophagy, which promotes survival of cancer cells. Combinations of atorvastatin with bafilomycin A1 provide a novel and promising strategy to improve the treatment of digestive malignancies. Cancer Res; 70(19); 7699–709. ©2010 AACR.

Cellular senescence is a state of irreversible growth arrest; however, the metabolic processes of senescent cells remain active. Our previous studies have shown that radiation induces senescence of human breast cancer cells that display low expression of securin, a protein involved in control of the metaphase–anaphase transition and anaphase onset. In this study, the protein expression profile of senescent cells was resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to investigate associated metabolic alterations. We found that radiation induced the expression and activation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase that has an important role in glycolysis. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase A, which is involved in the conversion of pyruvate to lactate, the release of lactate and the acidification of the extracellular environment, was also induced. Inhibition of glycolysis by dichloroacetate attenuated radiation-induced senescence. In addition, radiation also induced activation of the 5′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways to promote senescence. We also found that radiation increased the expression of monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) that facilitates the export of lactate into the extracellular environment. Inhibition of glycolysis or the AMPK/NF-κB signalling pathways reduced MCT1 expression and rescued the acidification of the extracellular environment. Interestingly, these metabolic-altering signalling pathways were also involved in radiation-induced invasion of the surrounding, non-irradiated breast cancer and normal endothelial cells. Taken together, radiation can induce the senescence of human breast cancer cells through metabolic alterations.

The skin provides protection against external stimuli; however, solar radiation, including ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB), can result in profound influences on skin structure and function, which eventually impairs its molecular characteristics and normal physiology. In the current study, we performed proteome tools combined with an immunohistological approach on nude mouse skin to evaluate the adverse responses elicited by UVA and UVB irradiation, respectively. Our findings indicated that UVA significantly promotes oxidative damage in DNA, the breakdown of collagen fiber in the dermis, and the apoptosis of fibroblasts, which leads to inflammation. Meanwhile, UVB administration was found to enhance the carbonylation of various proteins and the proliferation of keratinocyte. Particularly, raspberry extract, which has been confirmed to have antioxidative efficacy, could effectively attenuate ultraviolet (UV) radiation-caused cell death. Network analysis also implied that UVA and UVB induce quite different responses, and that UVA results in cell death as well as inflammation mediated by caspase-3 and activator protein 1/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (AP-1/NF-κB), while UVB predominantly increases the risk of skin carcinogenesis involved with oncogenes such as p53 and c-Myc. Taken together, functional proteomics coordinated with histological experiments could allow for a high-throughput study to explore the alterations of crucial proteins and molecules linked to skin impacts subjected to UVA and UVB exposure.

Ionizing radiation induces cellular senescence to suppress cancer cell proliferation. However, it also induces deleterious bystander effects in the unirradiated neighboring cells through the releas...

Background: Over 70% of cancer metastasis from prostate cancer develops bone metastases that are not sensitive to hormonal therapy, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) genetic program is implicated as a significant contributor to prostate cancer progression. As such, targeting the EMT represents an important therapeutic strategy for preventing or treating prostate cancer metastasis. Berberine is a natural alkaloid with significant antitumor activities against many types of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism by which berberine represses the metastatic potential of prostate cancer.