Transferrin mediated Iron Uptake

The presence of the DNA uptake stimulating protein (designated earlier as DUSF by Schablik and Szab6 (1981) FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 10, 395-397) was demonstrated on the surface of Neurospora crassa (FGSC 1118, slime) fungal cells as well as on HEp-2 and K562 human and F4N mouse tumor cells by immunofluorescence microscopy. DUSF markedly cnhanccd the uptake of both macromolecular [3H]DNA and of [3H]oligonucleotides by K562, HL-60 and also by DD human leukemia cells. Polyclonal anti-DUSF antibodies inhibited both the basal and stimulated [3H]oligonucleotide uptake by K562 cells. DNA-DNA hybridization has shown that the uptake of linearized pBR322 plasmid DNA into N. crassa and K562 cells was stimulated by DUSF, increasing proportionally with the length of incubation time. Unfragmented plasmid molecules were recovered from the cells. It is assumed that DUSF (or related proteins) may play a role in the physiological uptake of oligonucleotides and DNA not only in N. crassa but also in-at least some-mammalian cells.

Purpose: CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBP) are a family of transcription factors that regulate proliferation and differentiation in a variety of tissues. The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility that C/EBPA is involved in breast cancer. Experimental Design: We quantified C/EBPA mRNA expression levels in 24 primary breast tumors, 16 normal breast samples, and 8 breast cancer cell lines using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR assay. C/EBPA protein levels were further determined by immunohistochemical analysis. To examine the consequence of C/EPBA expression in breast cancer, we stably transfected an inducible C/EPBA expression vector into three breast cancer cell lines. Results: Low expression of C/EBPA mRNA was found in 83% of primary breast cancer samples. Immunohistochemical study further showed either a markedly reduced or undetectable expression of C/EBPA protein in 30% of breast cancer specimens.The other 70% of breast cancers had C/EBPA expression in both the cytoplasm and nucleus; in control, C/EBPA was localized to the nucleus in the normal ductal cells. C/EBPA expression was associated with estrogen-and progesterone receptor^negative status. Induction of C/EBPA expression in these cell lines resulted in growth inhibition accompanied by G 0-G 1 cell cycle arrest and reduced anchorageindependent cell growth. C/EBPA expression was associated with down-regulation of c-myc and up-regulation of p21, PPAR;, and the breast epithelial differentiation marker, maspin. Conclusions: These results suggest that reduced expression of C/EBPA may play a role in the development and/or progression of breast cancer. Breast cancer originates in undifferentiated terminal structures of the mammary gland and is believed to involve the clonal expansion of a transformed cell into an epithelial hyperplasia before invasion of the mammary stroma. The molecular changes that occur during this progression include the amplification and/or overexpression of transcription factors, growth factors, and their receptors, or the silencing of tumor suppressor genes. CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBP) are one such group of transcription factors, which have been implicated in cellular proliferation, terminal differentiation, and apoptosis in a variety of tissues including mammary gland (1-3).

Background/Aims: Bile acids damage the liver, essentially by inducing hepatocyte apoptosis. Clinical studies have shown that several activators of the pregnane X receptor (PXR) may induce the remission of cholestasis. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in this beneficial effect remain unclear. We analysed the effect of an activator of PXR, clotrimazole (CLO), on the apoptosis induced by bile acids in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Methods: Rat hepatocytes were isolated by collagenase perfusion of the liver. Then, cells were pretreated with CLO for 24 h, after which they were exposed to deoxycholic and glycochenodeoxycholic acids (DCA, GCDCA). Apoptosis and necrosis were monitored morphologically and biochemically using cytotoxicity assays, phase-contrast microscopy, Annexin V/propidium iodide staining and evaluations of lactate dehydrogenase release. The activation of caspases and the proteolysis of their substrates were analysed by enzyme assays and Western blot. The signal transductions involved in the protective effect of the PXR activation were analysed by assessing the phosphorylation status of kinases belonging to the ERK, Akt and p38 pathways and by analysing proand anti-apoptotic proteins. Results: CLO protected rat hepatocytes against DCA-and GCDCA-induced apoptosis, preventing morphological aspects of this process (membrane blebbing, nuclear and chromatin condensation and DNA breakdown). This effect was attributable, at least partly, to caspases inhibition, Bcl-xL induction, the activation of ERK and Akt signalling and p38 inhibition. Conclusion: This study provides the description of the cytoprotective effect of PXR activation against bile acid-induced apoptosis and highlights molecular pathways that could be targeted in the treatment of cholestasis.

Aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) share several physicochemical characteristics and they both bind to transferrin (Tf), entering the cell via Tf receptors (TfR). Previously, we found similar values of affinity constant for the binding of TfR to Tf carrying either Al or Fe. The competitive interaction between both metals prevented normal Fe incorporation into K562 cells and triggered the upregulation of Fe transport. In the present work we demonstrated that Al modified Fe uptake without affecting the expression of Tf receptors. Both TfR and TfR2 mRNA levels, evaluated by RT-PCR, and TfR antigenic sites, analyzed by flow cytometry, were found unchanged after Al exposure. In turn, Al did induce upregulation of non-Tf bound Fe (NTBI) uptake. This modulation was not due to intracellular Fe decrease since NTBI transport proved not to be regulated by Fe depletion. Unlike its behavior in the presence of Tf, Al was unable to compete with NTBI uptake, suggesting that both metals do not share the same alternative transport pathway. We propose that Al interference with TfR-mediated Fe incorporation might trigger the upregulation of NTBI uptake, an adaptation aimed at incorporating the essential metal required for cellular metabolism without allowing the simultaneous access of a potentially toxic metal.

␣-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) is commonly used as a specific ornithine decarboxylase (ODC, EC4.1.1.17) irreversible inhibitor. ODC is the enzyme responsible for polyamine biosynthesis, which has been shown to be strictly necessary for cell proliferation. In HT-29 Glc Ϫ/ϩ cells, L-arginine is the major precursor of these molecules through the sequential actions of arginase, which leads to L-ornithine generation and ODC. L-ornithine, a substrate for ODC, retroinhibits arginase. Since DFMO is an ornithine analogue, we searched for a direct effect of this agent upon arginase. The flux of L-arginine through arginase in intact cells was inhibited by 51 Ϯ 11% by 10 mM of DFMO whereas 10 mM of L-valine, a known potent arginase inhibitor, inhibited this flux by 73 Ϯ 6%. DFMO equilibrated between extracellular and intercellular spaces and, when used at 10-mM concentration, was without effect on L-arginine net uptake. Measurement of arginase activity in HT-29 cell homogenates with increasing concentrations of DFMO and L-arginine led to an inhibition with a calculated K i (inhibitory constant) equal to 3.9 Ϯ 1.0 mM. L-ornithine was less effective than DFMO in inhibiting arginase activity. Bovine liver arginase, used as another source of the enzyme, was also severely inhibited by DFMO. The inhibitory effect of DFMO upon arginase, one step upstream of the ODC reaction in the metabolic conversion of L-arginine to polyamines, is of potential physiological importance, since it could alter the production of ornithine and thus its metabolism in pathways other than the ODC pathway.

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the first enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis, is highly regulated by many trophic stimuli, and changes in its levels and organization correlate with cytoskeletal changes in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK). NHEK ODC exhibits a filamentous perinuclear/nuclear localization that becomes more diffuse under conditions that alter actin architecture. We have thus asked whether ODC colocalizes with a component of the NHEK cytoskeleton. Confocal immunofluorescence showed that ODC distribution in NHEK was primarily perinuclear; upon disruption of the actin cytoskeleton with cytochalasin D, ODC distribution was diffuse. The ODC distribution in untreated NHEK overlapped with that of keratin in the perinuclear but not cytoplasmic area; after treatment with cytochalasin D, overlap between staining for ODC and for keratin was extensive. No significant overlap with actin and minimal overlap with tubulin filament systems were observed. Subcellular fractionatio...

Aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) share several physicochemical characteristics and they both bind to transferrin (Tf), entering the cell via Tf receptors (TfR). Previously, we found similar values of affinity constant for the binding of TfR to Tf carrying either Al or Fe. The competitive interaction between both metals prevented normal Fe incorporation into K562 cells and triggered the upregulation of Fe transport. In the present work we demonstrated that Al modified Fe uptake without affecting the expression of Tf receptors. Both TfR and TfR2 mRNA levels, evaluated by RT-PCR, and TfR antigenic sites, analyzed by flow cytometry, were found unchanged after Al exposure. In turn, Al did induce upregulation of non-Tf bound Fe (NTBI) uptake. This modulation was not due to intracellular Fe decrease since NTBI transport proved not to be regulated by Fe depletion. Unlike its behavior in the presence of Tf, Al was unable to compete with NTBI uptake, suggesting that both metals do not share the same alternative transport pathway. We propose that Al interference with TfR-mediated Fe incorporation might trigger the upregulation of NTBI uptake, an adaptation aimed at incorporating the essential metal required for cellular metabolism without allowing the simultaneous access of a potentially toxic metal.

We obtained unique cell-death-inducing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) named D18 and D19 against chicken DT40 cells. D18 and D19 caused several signs of apoptosis, such as exposed phosphatidyl serine on the cell surface, a sub G 0 /G 1 peak, and DNA fragmentation, and inhibited the proliferation of DT40 cells. Flow cytometric and immunohistological analyses of various normal chicken tissues revealed the expression of the antigen recognized by these mAbs to be restricted to cells in lymphoid organs including bone marrow and bursa of fabricius, and to cells in some epithelial tissues. The cell death induced by the mAbs progressed through a mitochondrial pathway with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Apoptosis is generally characterized by cell shrinking; however, D18 and D19 elicited swelling, which preceded the cell death. We analyzed the antigen immunoprecipitated by the mAbs, and identified a 90-to 100-kDa cell-surface glycoprotein as the chicken transferrin receptor (TfR). Epitopes recognized by the two mAbs were confirmed to be different by the binding inhibition assay. The reactivity of the mAbs against DT40 cells was not inhibited by excess chicken serum, suggesting that the cell death induced by D18 and D19 was not caused by inhibition of the binding of transferrin (Tf) to chicken TfR. Since D18 and D19 have induced cell death in human embryonic kidney cells transfected with cDNA of the full-length chicken TfR, we expect human TfR to be a promising target in antibody therapy for various human malignancies.

Aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) share several physicochemical characteristics and they both bind to transferrin (Tf), entering the cell via Tf receptors (TfR). Previously, we found similar values of affinity constant for the binding of TfR to Tf carrying either Al or Fe. The competitive interaction between both metals prevented normal Fe incorporation into K562 cells and triggered the upregulation of Fe transport. In the present work we demonstrated that Al modified Fe uptake without affecting the expression of Tf receptors. Both TfR and TfR2 mRNA levels, evaluated by RT-PCR, and TfR antigenic sites, analyzed by flow cytometry, were found unchanged after Al exposure. In turn, Al did induce upregulation of non-Tf bound Fe (NTBI) uptake. This modulation was not due to intracellular Fe decrease since NTBI transport proved not to be regulated by Fe depletion. Unlike its behavior in the presence of Tf, Al was unable to compete with NTBI uptake, suggesting that both metals do not share the same alternative transport pathway. We propose that Al interference with TfR-mediated Fe incorporation might trigger the upregulation of NTBI uptake, an adaptation aimed at incorporating the essential metal required for cellular metabolism without allowing the simultaneous access of a potentially toxic metal.

The diamine putrescine and polyamines, spermidine (triamine) and spermine (tetraamine) are small organic polycations that play an indispensable role in key cellular processes such as the regulation of growth, differentiation, and macromolecular functions. Elevated levels of polyamines (PAs) have been shown to be one of the major factors involved in carcinogenesis. In this study, specific silencing of the expression of three genes of PA biosynthesis pathway, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC), and spermidine synthase (SPDSYN) was achieved using RNA interference in MCF 7 breast cancer cell line. For optimizing the effective small interfering nucleic acid (siNA), three variants of ODC siNA [siRNA, locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified siRNA, and siHybrid (RNA and DNA hybrid)] were used and a dose-and time-dependent study was conducted. The PA biosynthetic genes were targeted individually and in combination. RNAi-mediated reduction in the expression of PA biosynthesis genes resulted in distorted cell morphology, reduced cancer cell viability, and migration characteristic. The most promising results were observed with the combined treatment of siSPDSYN and siODC with 83 % cell growth inhibition. On analyzing the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profile of the cell cycle and apoptosis-related genes, it was observed that RNAi against PA biosynthetic genes downregulated the expression of CDK8, CCNE2, CCNH, CCNT1, CCNT2, CCNF, PCNA, CCND1, and CDK2, and upregulated the expression of E2F4, BAX, FAS, TP53, CDKN1A, BAK1, CDKN1B, ATM, GRANB, and ATR genes when compared with control-transfected cells. These results suggest that the targeting polyamine biosynthesis through RNAi approach could be a promising strategy for breast cancer therapy and might be extended for therapy of other cancers.

The mechanism by which a novel major histocompatibility complex class I protein, HFE, regulates iron uptake into the body is not known. HFE is the product of the gene that is mutated in >80% of hereditary hemochromatosis patients. It was recently found to coprecipitate with the transferrin receptor (Feder, J. N.

We recently cloned a rat brain agmatinase-like protein (ALP) whose amino acid sequence greatly differs from other agmatinases and exhibits a LIM-like domain close to its carboxyl terminus. The protein was immunohistochemically detected in the hypothalamic region and hippocampal astrocytes and neurons. We now show that truncated species, lacking the LIM-type domain, retains the dimeric structure of the wild-type protein but exhibits a 10-fold increased k cat , a 3-fold decreased K m value for agmatine and altered intrinsic tryptophan fluorescent properties. As expected for a LIM protein, zinc was detected only in the wild-type ALP ($2 Zn 2+ /monomer). Our proposal is that the LIM domain functions as an autoinhibitory entity and that inhibition is reversed by interaction of the domain with some yet undefined brain protein.

From the Institut f 6 r ~~o c h e m~e , Rheinisch-W e s~f~~s c h Technische Hochschule Aachen, ~~i n~~u~~ P a u w e~s~~s e 30, and Slnstitut fur ~n a~o m~e f z e~l b i o~~~e~, Rheinisch-Wes~f~isch T e c h n~c~ ~ochschu& Aachen, ~e~i 2 i n~c h-~e c~n i s c h e ~~t~ W e~l i~~e~ 2, W-~~~~ Aachen, ~e d e r a l ~e p u b~~ of ~e r r n a n~ and the Vnstitute for ~~~c u~r and C e~~u~r ~~o~~ Osaka ~n i u e r s i~, 565 Osaka, ~~n A cDNA coding for the human interle~k~n-6 receptor (IL-6-R) has been expressed stably in murine NIH/3T3 fibroblasts. Transfected cells exhibited a single class of binding sites for lz6I-la~1ed recombinant human interleukin-6 (l2"1-rhIL-6) (& = 440 p~, 20,000 receptors per celf). Affinity cross-linking of '"'I-rhIL-6 to the IL-6-R-expressing NIH/3T3 cells led to the deteetion of three lz61-rhIL-6-cont~ning protein complexes with molecular masses of 100, 120, and 200 kDa suggesting a complex o r~~i z a t i o n of the IL-6-R in the plasma membrane. IL-6 added to the transfected NIHf3T3 cells exerted growth inhibition. This antigrowth effect was observed by the measurement of cell numbers and ornithine decarboxyla~ mRNA expression. IL-6-R overexpressing fibroblasts internalized '261-rhIL-6. Intracellular limited proteolysis of IL-6 could be demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel e l~t~p h o r~~s. A possible implicat~on of skin fibrobl~ts in the catabolism of IL-6 is discussed. Many d~fferent cells s~t h e s~z e inter~eukin.6 (It-6)' after appropriate st~mulation (for recent reviews, see Refs. 1-3). Monoc~es/macroph~es, endothetial cells, and fibroblasts are believed to be the major IL-6-pr~ucing cells in mammals. IL-6 is a d~fferent~ation and growth factor involved in the immune response, in hematopo~esis, and in the acute-phase reaction (1-3). The main activities exerted by IL-6 are induc-" .~ ~ *This work was supported by grants from the Deutsche For-schun~gemeinschaft and the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie. The costs of publ~cation of this articIe were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked "~d~e r~~e m e n~~' in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.

We recently cloned a rat brain agmatinase-like protein (ALP) whose amino acid sequence greatly differs from other agmatinases and exhibits a LIM-like domain close to its carboxyl terminus. The protein was immunohistochemically detected in the hypothalamic region and hippocampal astrocytes and neurons. We now show that truncated species, lacking the LIM-type domain, retains the dimeric structure of the wild-type protein but exhibits a 10-fold increased k cat , a 3-fold decreased K m value for agmatine and altered intrinsic tryptophan fluorescent properties. As expected for a LIM protein, zinc was detected only in the wild-type ALP ($2 Zn 2+ /monomer). Our proposal is that the LIM domain functions as an autoinhibitory entity and that inhibition is reversed by interaction of the domain with some yet undefined brain protein.

Aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) share several physicochemical characteristics and they both bind to transferrin (Tf), entering the cell via Tf receptors (TfR). Previously, we found similar values of affinity constant for the binding of TfR to Tf carrying either Al or Fe. The competitive interaction between both metals prevented normal Fe incorporation into K562 cells and triggered the upregulation of Fe transport. In the present work we demonstrated that Al modified Fe uptake without affecting the expression of Tf receptors. Both TfR and TfR2 mRNA levels, evaluated by RT-PCR, and TfR antigenic sites, analyzed by flow cytometry, were found unchanged after Al exposure. In turn, Al did induce upregulation of non-Tf bound Fe (NTBI) uptake. This modulation was not due to intracellular Fe decrease since NTBI transport proved not to be regulated by Fe depletion. Unlike its behavior in the presence of Tf, Al was unable to compete with NTBI uptake, suggesting that both metals do not share the same alternative transport pathway. We propose that Al interference with TfR-mediated Fe incorporation might trigger the upregulation of NTBI uptake, an adaptation aimed at incorporating the essential metal required for cellular metabolism without allowing the simultaneous access of a potentially toxic metal.

The expression of MDM2 was monitored in tissues taken from rats at different stages of development, Two major protein species of 90K and 130K were identified, although expression was not the same in all tissues. In most the level of the larger protein tended to decrease as the foetus developed, being relatively scarce after birth. The expression of the 90K product (usually considered to be the major MDM2 protein), however, increased as the animals developed, being most abundant in adult tissues, suggesting that the two proteins play quite different roles during development, p53 expression mirrored that of the smaller MDM2 protein in most, but not all, tissues. This is consistent with previous suggestions made on the basis of in vitro studies that expression of the latter protein is regulated by p53. In addition, the level of two other p53-regulated proteins, Bcl-2 and Bax, were examined. In most tissues expression of both proteins decreased as the foetus developed, being virtually undetectable in adults. These data strongly suggest that factors other than p53 exert the major influence over Bcl-2 and Bax expression, although levels of the 90K MDM2 protein are more likely to be regulated by p53. However, it was noted that the levels of MDM2 in the tissues of p53-null mice were comparable to those seen in the normal rat.

After our initial report of a mammalian gene for arginine decarboxylase, an enzyme for the synthesis of agmatine from arginine, we have determined the regional expression of ADC in rat. We have analyzed the expression of ADC in rat brain regions by activity, protein and mRNA levels, and the regulation of expression in neuronal cells by RNA interference. In rat brain, ADC was widely expressed in major brain regions, with a substantial amount in hypothalamus, followed by cortex, and with least amounts in locus coeruleus and medulla. ADC mRNA was detected in primary astrocytes and C6 glioma cells. While no ADC message was detected in fresh neurons (3 days old), significant message appeared in differentiated neurons (3 weeks old). PC12 cells, treated with nerve growth factor, had higher ADC mRNA compared with naive cells. The siRNA mixture directed towards the N-terminal regions of ADC cDNA down-regulated the levels of mRNA and protein in cultured neurons/C6 glioma cells and these cells produced lower agmatine. Thus, this study demonstrates that ADC message is expressed in rat brain regions, that it is regulated in neuronal cells and that the down-regulation of ADC activity by specific siRNA leads to lower agmatine production.

Calreticulin (CRT), a 46 kDa endoplasmic reticulum chaperone, is critical in the folding and quality control of proteins. However, the mechanisms of its regulation are not fully understood. Our previous study had demonstrated that elevated TNF␣ levels that are hallmarks of diverse metabolic diseases negatively regulate cellular CRT levels. Here, we attempted to study the mode of this regulation of CRT by TNF␣. Using luciferase reporter deletion constructs of the CRT promoter, we demonstrate that while the −2 kb and −1 kb promoter constructs depict comparable activities, the activity of the −0.5 kb region was greatly reduced suggesting the significance of the region between −1.0 kb and −0.5 kb during CRT promoter activity. Of the transcription factors that possess binding elements within this region, C/EBP␣ was prioritized since it was shown to be inhibited by TNF␣ in an earlier report from our laboratory. TNF␣ significantly inhibited the wild-type CRT promoter activity that was attenuated in a C/EBP␣-deleted construct. C/EBP␣ mRNA levels and its nuclear content was also reduced in the presence of TNF␣. This led to reduced C/EBP␣ occupancy on the CRT promoter and a decreased binding of the nuclear protein to the C/EBP␣-consensus sequence. TNF␣ also reduced the nuclear content of C/EBP␤ but it did not bind to the CRT promoter suggesting that it does not contribute to the inhibitory effect of TNF␣. To conclude, our results suggest that C/EBP␣ is critical in mediating the inhibitory effect of TNF␣ on CRT expression that might be crucial in determining the deleterious cellular effects of TNF␣.

Calreticulin (CRT), a 46 kDa endoplasmic reticulum chaperone, is critical in the folding and quality control of proteins. However, the mechanisms of its regulation are not fully understood. Our previous study had demonstrated that elevated TNF␣ levels that are hallmarks of diverse metabolic diseases negatively regulate cellular CRT levels. Here, we attempted to study the mode of this regulation of CRT by TNF␣. Using luciferase reporter deletion constructs of the CRT promoter, we demonstrate that while the -2 kb and -1 kb promoter constructs depict comparable activities, the activity of the -0.5 kb region was greatly reduced suggesting the significance of the region between -1.0 kb and -0.5 kb during CRT promoter activity. Of the transcription factors that possess binding elements within this region, C/EBP␣ was prioritized since it was shown to be inhibited by TNF␣ in an earlier report from our laboratory. TNF␣ significantly inhibited the wild-type CRT promoter activity that was attenuated in a C/EBP␣-deleted construct. C/EBP␣ mRNA levels and its nuclear content was also reduced in the presence of TNF␣. This led to reduced C/EBP␣ occupancy on the CRT promoter and a decreased binding of the nuclear protein to the C/EBP␣-consensus sequence. TNF␣ also reduced the nuclear content of C/EBP␤ but it did not bind to the CRT promoter suggesting that it does not contribute to the inhibitory effect of TNF␣. To conclude, our results suggest that C/EBP␣ is critical in mediating the inhibitory effect of TNF␣ on CRT expression that might be crucial in determining the deleterious cellular effects of TNF␣.

The mechanism by which a novel major histocompatibility complex class I protein, HFE, regulates iron uptake into the body is not known. HFE is the product of the gene that is mutated in >80% of hereditary hemochromatosis patients. It was recently found to coprecipitate with the transferrin receptor (Feder, J. N.

agmatine} on intracellular cathepsin B and hemoglobin (Hb)-hydrolase from cultured BI6 melanoma cells were studied. 2. E-64 induced cultured B16 melanoma cells to decrease the activities of intracellular cathepsin B (EC 3.4.22.1.) but did not have this effect with Hb-hydrolase or acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2). 3. Leupeptin, antipain and chymostatin induced B16 melanoma cells to increase the activities of intracellular cathepsin B and Hb-hydrolase but not that of acid phosphatase. 4. These results indicate that there are two kinds of thiol protease inhibitors, each with a varying reaction to cultured B16 melanoma-inhibition of intracellular cathepsin B, and conversely, inducement of both cathepsin B and Hb-hydrolase.

Anti-estrogens such as tamoxifen are important therapeutics for treatment and chemoprevention of breast cancers. Other compounds such as phytoestrogens and fatty acid amides are also effective against breast cancer proliferation. These compounds share the ability to activate the steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR). Our hypothesis is that SXR serves as a common molecular target for the anti-proliferative effects of these compounds and activation of SXR is itself anti-proliferative. We have detected SXR protein in breast cancer cell lines, and have shown that either SXR activators or a constitutively active form of SXR are able to slow the proliferation of breast cancer cells. We found that SXR activators share the ability to increase the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in MCF-7 cells leading to an increased production of reactive nitrogen species. In SXR activator treated cells, we found that p53 expression as well as the p53 target genes p21 and BAX were increased. Apoptosis occurred in cells treated with SXR activators and is likely the reason for the observed decrease in cell proliferation. Activated/stabilized p53 due to cellular stress from increased reactive nitrogen species provides a mechanism explaining the apoptotic response and decreased proliferation in the presence of SXR activators. 14. SUBJECT TERMS 15. NUMBER OF PAGES No subject terms provided.

Background: Arginine metabolism is an important factor involved in tumorigenesis, progression, and survival of tumor cells. Besides, other metabolites produced in the arginine metabolism process, such as polyamines, nitric oxide, argininosuccinate, and agmatine, play key roles in different stages of tumor development. On the other hand, herbal metabolites are widely used to treat cancer. One of these herbal flavonoids is quercetin. Methods: In this study, according to MTT assay data, two concentrations of quercetin flavonoid were selected (57.5 and 115 µM) to treat human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. Then RNA was extracted from the cells and used as a template for cDNA synthesis. Using real-time PCR, the expression of key enzymes involved in arginine metabolism was evaluated, including arginase 2 (Arg2), ornithine carbamoyl transferase (OTC), agmatinase (AGMAT), arginase 1 (Arg1), nitric oxide synthase 1 (nNOS), arginine decarboxylase (ADC), ornithine decarboxylase 1 (ODC), o...

The GLUT4 facilitative glucose transporter is recruited to the plasma membrane by insulin. This process depends primarily on the exocytosis of a specialized pool of vesicles containing GLUT4 in their membranes. The mechanism of GLUT4 vesicle exocytosis in response to insulin is not understood. To determine whether GLUT4 exocytosis is dependent on intact microtubule network, we measured insulin-mediated GLUT4 exocytosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in which the microtubule network was depolymerized by pretreatment with nocodazole. Insulin-mediated GLUT4 translocation was inhibited by more than 80% in nocodazole-treated cells. Phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), activation of IRS-1 associated phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase, and phosphorylation of protein kinase B/Akt-1 were not inhibited by nocodazole treatment indicating that the microtubule network was not required for proximal insulin signaling. An intact microtubule network is specifically required for insulin-mediated GLUT4 translocation since nocodazole treatment did not affect insulin-mediated GLUT1 translocation or adipsin secretion. By using in vitro microtubule binding, we demonstrated that both GLUT4 vesicles and IRS-1 bind specifically to microtubules, implicating microtubules in both insulin signaling and GLUT4 translocation. Vesicle binding to microtubules was not mediated through direct binding of GLUT4 or insulin-responsive aminopeptidase to microtubules. A model microtubule-dependent translocation of GLUT4 is proposed.

Supplementary Figure S1. UV-VIS extinction spectra of the planar SERS substrates coated with different amounts of the gold nanoparitlces. The density of the attached nanoparticles is proportional to the time the glass substrates were immersed in the gold colloid. UV-VIS spectra (a)-(d) correspond to 30 min, 2 hours, 4 hours, and 5 hours of immersion, respectively.Spectrum (a) corresponds to the glass substrate with the lowest nanoparticle surface density. Scanning electron micrograph of all 4 samples are shown in the main manuscript, Figure 2 (A). A proof-of-concept experiment was conducted with the planar substrates to check their capability of providing distinct SERS fingerprints of cells and cell organelles. This crucial characterization of the substrate is required for creating a SERS-active nanoprobe for intacellular analysis. SERS spectra of intact HeLa cells, isolated nuclei, and mitochondria are shown in Figure S2. The results clearly show that the characteristic SERS spectra of the cell organelles can be measured with the given SERS-active system.

ALS2, the causative gene product for a number of recessive motor neuron diseases, is a guanine-nucleotide exchange factor for Rab5, and acts as a modulator for endosome dynamics. Recently, we have identified a novel ALS2 homolog, ALS2CL, which is highly homologous to the C-terminal half of ALS2. In this study, we investigate the molecular features of ALS2CL and its functional relationship with ALS2. A majority of ALS2CL is present as a homo-dimeric form, which can interact with the ALS2-oligomer, resulting in the formation of the large ALS2/ALS2CL heteromeric complex. In cultured cells, overexpressed ALS2CL is colocalized with ALS2 onto membranous compartments. Further, ALS2CL dominantly suppresses the endosome enlargement induced by a constitutively active form of ALS2, and results in an extensive perinuclear tubulo-membranous phenotype, which are dependent upon the ALS2CL-ALS2 interaction. Collectively, ALS2CL is a novel ALS2-interacting protein and is implicated in ALS2-mediated endosome dynamics.

The present studies were undertaken to determine whether the interaction between cAMP-dependent and insulin-dependent pathways in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes affects biological functions and tyrosine phosphorylation. Quiescent hepatocytes were pretreated with dibutyryl cAMP or cAMP-generating agents such as glucagon, and then treated or not with insulin. Preincubation for 6 h with dibutyryl cAMP or glucagon enhanced the effect of insulin on DNA synthesis, but not the effect of insulin on amino acid transport or glycogen and protein synthesis. Tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins was determined by immunoblot analysis using an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. Maximum tyrosine phosphorylation of a 195 kDa protein, which may be a substrate of insulin receptor kinase, of 175–180 kDa proteins, including insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, and of 90–95 kDa proteins, including the insulin receptor β-subunit, was reached within 30 s of incubation with insulin. Pretreatmen...

Impaired glycemic control and excessive adiposity are major risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. In rodent models, Ad36, a human adenovirus, improves glycemic control, independent of dietary fat intake or adiposity. It is impractical to use Ad36 for therapeutic action. Instead, we identified that E4orf1 protein of Ad36, mediates its anti-hyperglycemic action independent of insulin signaling. To further evaluate the therapeutic potential of E4orf1 to improve glycemic control, we established a stable 3T3-L1 cell system in which E4orf1 expression can be regulated. The development and characterization of this cell line is described here. Full-length adenoviral-36 E4orf1 cDNA obtained by PCR was cloned into a tetracycline responsive element containing vector (pTRE-Tight-E4orf1). Upon screening dozens of pTRE-Tight-E4orf1 clones, we identified the one with the highest expression of E4orf1 in response to doxycycline treatment. Furthermore, using this inducible system we characterized the ability of E4orf1 to improve glucose disposal in a time dependent manner. This stable cell line offers a valuable resource to carefully study the novel signaling pathways E4orf1 uses to enhance cellular glucose disposal independent of insulin.

Regulation of agmatine homeostasis has so far only been poorly defined. In the present study, three mechanisms regulating human agmatine homeostasis were investigated. 1) Enzymatic regulation: expression of arginine decarboxylase, diamine oxidase, and ornithine decarboxylase in human colon neoplastic tissue was, at the mRNA level, about 75% and 50% lower and 150% higher, respectively, than in the adjacent normal tissue; expression of agmatinase was unchanged. 2) Bacteria-derived agmatine: ten representative bacteria strains of the human intestinal microbiota considerably differed in agmatine production and its efflux into their surrounding fluid, suggesting that the composition of the intestinal microbiota influences the agmatine availability in the gut lumen for absorption. 3) Regulation of blood plasma agmatine concentration by the human liver: at low concentrations in portal venous blood plasma, agmatine either slightly increased or further decreased in blood plasma through liver...

In this paper, we examine the response of a translational regulatory mechanism when changes in mRNA levels are induced. The gene that encodes the human ferritin heavy chain has been transfected into mouse fibroblasts. Stable transformants that express the human ferritin heavy chain have been isolated. This protein assembles into ferritin polymers and can co-assemble with host mouse ferritin. Biosynthetic rates of the expressed human ferritin varied over a wide range in response to perturbations in iron supply, but total and cytoplasmic messenger RNA levels remained unchanged. When changes in ferritin mRNA levels were induced by treatment with sodium butyrate, proportional changes in the biosynthetic rates offerritin were observed, but the capacity for modulating biosynthesis in response to alterations in iron availability was preserved. These findings suggest that the final protein biosynthetic rate of a translationally regulated gene depends on both translational regulatory signals and underlying transcription rates. Ferritin is the major intracellular repository of iron. It is a highly conserved heteropolymer composed of 24 assembled subunits that are the products of the ferritin heavy (H)-chain

In this paper, we examine the response of a translational regulatory mechanism when changes in mRNA levels are induced. The gene that encodes the human ferritin heavy chain has been transfected into mouse fibroblasts. Stable transformants that express the ...

PDZ (PSD-95/Disc large/Zonula occludens-1) protein interaction domains bind to cytoplasmic protein C-termini of transmembrane proteins. In order to identify new interaction partners of the voltage-gated L-type Ca2+channel 1.2 and the plasma membrane Ca2+ATPase 4b (PMCA4b), we used PDZ domain arrays probing for 124 PDZ domains. We confirmed this by GST pull-downs and immunoprecipitations. In PDZ arrays, strongest interactions with 1.2 and PMCA4b were found for the PDZ domains of SAP-102, MAST-205, MAGI-1, MAGI-2, MAGI-3, and ZO-1. We observed binding of the 1.2 C-terminus to PDZ domains of NHERF1/2, Mint-2, and CASK. PMCA4b was observed to interact with Mint-2 and its known interactions with Chapsyn-110 and CASK were confirmed. Furthermore, we validated interaction of 1.2 and PMCA4b with NHERF1/2, CASK, MAST-205 and MAGI-3 via immunoprecipitation. We also verified the interaction of 1.2 and nNOS and hypothesized that nNOS overexpression might reduce Ca2+influx through 1.2. To address...

Insulin and phorbol esters rapidly induce the transcription and cytoplasmic accumulation of a specific mRNA (~33) in rat hepatoma cells. We have studied the effects of insulin desensitization on the regulation of p33 gene expression by insulin and phorbol esters. Insulin desensitization is associated with down-regulation of the insulin receptor and post-receptor defects. When cells were treated with insulin (5 x lo-' M) for 24 h, a > 50% reduction in insulin binding was observed and insulin's stimulation of p33 transcription and cytoplasmic mRNA levels was prevented. The induction of p33 gene transcription and mRNA levels by phorbol esters was also decreased. Beta-tubulin gene expression was unaffected by insulin or phorbol esters and the stimulatory effect of dexamethasone on p33 gene expression was not impaired. Since insulin desensitization impaired phorbol esters' induction of p33 gene expression, one intracellular defect in insulin-desensitized cells may include an alteration in protein kinase C-dependent events.

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are crucial to multiple biological processes involved in the pathophysiology of inflammation, and are also involved in redox signaling responses. Although previous reports have described an association between oxidative events and the modulation of innate immunity, a role for redox signaling in T cell mediated adaptive immunity has not been described yet. This work aims at assessing if T cells can sense redox stress through protein sulfhydryl oxidation and respond with tyrosine phosphorylation changes. Our data show that Jurkat T cells respond to-SH group oxidation with specific tyrosine phosphorylation events. The release of T cell cytokines TNF, IFNγ and IL2 as well as the expression of a number of receptors are affected by those changes. Additionally, experiments with spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) inhibitors showed a major involvement of Syk in these responses. The experiments described herein show a link between cysteine oxidation and tyrosine phosphorylation changes in T cells, as well as a novel mechanism by which Syk inhibitors exert their anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of a response initiated by ROS.

Purpose: Nitric oxide, a messenger molecule has been reported as having various antineoplastic properties. The activation of insulin-activated nitric oxide synthase (IANOS) was found to be related to the production of NO as a result of the binding of insulin to its receptor through the activation of tyrosine kinase in erythrocyte membrane. As nitric oxide is reported to be a systemic anticancer agent, studies were carried out to determine the role of insulin receptor binding that lead to the activation of tyrosine kinase and IANOS in erythrocytes in breast cancer. Methods: Blood samples were collected from female breast cancer patients who, at the time of participation in the study, had not undergone any therapeutic intervention but had opted for surgery. The binding of insulin to its receptor in erythrocyte membrane and the activation of both receptor tyrosine kinase and IANOS due to the hormone binding were determined and compared with the appropriate control. Results: It was found that the impaired NO synthesis in erythrocyte membrane in breast cancer was related to the marked decrease of insulin binding sites of the high-affinity hormone receptor population. This impaired insulin binding to high-affinity receptors resulted in the impairment of both reaction velocity (Vmax) of the IANOS and receptor tyrosine kinase activation. Conclusion: These results indicated that the impairment of interaction between insulin and its high-affinity receptors in erythrocyte membrane might be a critical pathophysiological event in the development of breast cancer.

Agmatine is a biogenic amine with the capacity to regulate a number of nonreceptor-mediated functions in mammalian cells, including intracellular polyamine content and nitric oxide generation. We observed avid incorporation of agmatine into several mammalian cell lines and herein characterize agmatine transport in mammalian cells. In transformed NIH/3T3 cells, agmatine uptake is energy dependent with a saturable component indicative of carrier-mediated transport. Transport displays an apparent Michaelis-Menten constant of 2.5 microM and a maximal velocity of 280 pmol x min(-1) x mg(-1) protein and requires a membrane potential across the plasma membrane for uptake. Competition with polyamines, but not cationic molecules that utilize the y+ system transporter, suppresses agmatine uptake. Altering polyamine transporter activity results in parallel changes in polyamine and agmatine uptake. Furthermore, agmatine uptake is abrogated in a polyamine transport-deficient human carcinoma cell...

Phospholipase D (PLD) has been associated with necrosis. However, it is not clear whether PLD plays a causative role in this cellular process. We investigated the role of PLD in oxidative stress-induced necrosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Pervanadate (hydrogen peroxide plus orthovanadate) but not hydrogen peroxide alone activated PLD in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Exposure of VSMCs to pervanadate resulted in necrosis. Pretreatment with butan-1-ol, a PLD inhibitor, attenuated both pervanadate-induced necrosis and increase of intracellular Ca 2+. Removal of extracellular Ca 2+ inhibited pervanadate-induced necrosis by 50%. These results suggest that PLD activation mediates pervanadate-induced necrosis of VSMCs, which is at least partly due to Ca 2+ toxicity.

The ectodomain shedding of syndecan-1, a major cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan, modulates molecular and cellular processes central to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Syndecan-1 shedding is a highly regulated process in which outside-in signaling accelerates the proteolytic cleavage of syndecan-1 ectodomains at the cell surface. Several extracellular agonists that induce syndecan-1 shedding and metalloproteinases that cleave syndecan-1 ectodomains have been identified, but the intracellular mechanisms that regulate syndecan-1 shedding are largely unknown. Here we examined the role of the syndecan-1 cytoplasmic domain in the regulation of agonist-induced syndecan-1 shedding. Our results showed that the syndecan-1 cytoplasmic domain is essential because mutation of invariant cytoplasmic Tyr residues abrogates ectodomain shedding, but not because it is Tyr phosphorylated upon shedding stimulation. Instead, our data showed that the syndecan-1 cytoplasmic domain binds to Rab5, a small GTPase that regulates intracellular trafficking and signaling events, and this interaction controls the onset of syndecan-1 shedding. Syndecan-1 cytoplasmic domain bound specifically to Rab5 and preferentially to inactive GDP-Rab5 over active GTP-Rab5, and shedding stimulation induced the dissociation of Rab5 from the syndecan-1 cytoplasmic domain. Moreover, the expression of dominantnegative Rab5, unable to exchange GDP for GTP, interfered with the agonist-induced dissociation of Rab5 from the syndecan-1 cytoplasmic domain and significantly inhibited syndecan-1 shedding induced by several distinct agonists. Based on these data, we propose that Rab5 is a critical regulator of syndecan-1 shedding that serves as an on-off molecular switch through its alternation between the GDP-bound and GTP-bound forms.

CD44 is a widely expressed integral membrane protein that acts as a receptor for hyaluronan (HA) and is proposed to be important to cell-extracellular matrix interaction. The Indian (In) blood group antigens reside on CD44, and most individuals express the In b antigen. Homozygosity for the In a allele occurs as a rare event and is associated with production of alloantibody to the common In b antigen after transfusion or pregnancy. The present study demonstrates that a single point mutation (G 252 3 C) causes an Arg 46 3 Pro substitution, which is responsible for the In b /In a polymorphism. Additional mutations were found in In(a؉b؊) cDNA but were not necessary to the antigenic phenotype as determined in site-directed mutagenesis studies. In studies using CD44 chimeric constructs, Arg 46 has previously been shown to be crucial for maintenance of HA-binding ability to a CD44 peptide. However, the present study demonstrates that the Arg 46 3 Pro substitution does not reduce HA binding to the intact CD44 protein, which contains two proposed extracellular HA-binding motifs. Down-regulation of HA binding to In(a؉b؊) CD44 by anti-CD44 monoclonal antibody (mAb) ligands, however, was weakened, although all mAbs tested bound In(a؉b؊) and In(a؊b؉) CD44 equally well. Competitive inhibition studies using human anti-In b also showed that some mAbs that inhibit HA binding to CD44 may do so by interacting with a domain separate from, but affecting the structure of, the In b epitope.

Polyamines are important regulators of basal cellular functions but also subserve highly specific tasks in the mammalian brain. With this respect, polyamines and the synthesizing and degrading enzymes are clearly differentially distributed in neurons versus glial cells and also in different brain areas. The synthesis of the diamine putrescine may be driven via two different pathways. In the ''classical'' pathway urea and carbon dioxide are removed from arginine by arginase and ornithine decarboxylase. The alternative pathway, first removing carbon dioxide by arginine decarboxlyase and then urea by agmatinase, may serve the same purpose. Furthermore, the intermediate product of the alternative pathway, agmatine, is an endogenous ligand for imidazoline receptors and may serve as a neurotransmitter. In order to evaluate and compare the expression patterns of the two gate keeper enzymes arginase and arginine decarboxylase, we generated polyclonal, monospecific antibodies against arginase-1 and arginine decarboxylase. Using these tools, we immunocytochemically screened the rat brain and compared the expression patterns of both enzymes in several brain areas on the regional, cellular and subcellular level. In contrast to other enzymes of the polyamine pathway, arginine decarboxylase and arginase are both constitutively and widely expressed in rat brain neurons. In cerebral cortex and hippocampus, principal neurons and putative interneurons were clearly labeled for both enzymes. Labeling, however, was strikingly different in these neurons with respect to the subcellular localization of the enzymes. While with antibodies against arginine decarboxylase the immunosignal was distributed throughout the cytoplasm, arginase-like immunoreactivity was preferentially localized to Golgi stacks. Given the apparent congruence of arginase and arginine decarboxylase distribution with respect to certain cell populations, it seems likely that the synthesis of agmatine rather than putrescine may be the main purpose of the alternative pathway of polyamine synthesis, while the classical pathway supplies putrescine and spermidine/spermine in these neurons.

Ž. Ž. NaCl-dependent taurine transporter pNCT activity of MDCK cells Madin-Darby canine kidney is up-or down-regulated by medium taurine manipulation. In this study we found that the abundance of pNCT mRNA was up-or down-regulated after cells were incubated in media containing 0 mM taurine or 500 mM taurine for 24 h. Down-regulation Ž. was observed after 12 h exposure to high taurine 500 mM and mRNA abundance was appreciably reduced after 72 h exposure. Nuclear runoff assays show that the gene for pNCT is induced at the transcriptional level by taurine. Addition of cycloheximide blocked the adaptive response and reduced transcription of pNCT mRNA in MDCK cells. Cycloheximide had virtually no effect on pNCT mRNA stability, suggesting that ongoing protein synthesis is required for adaptive regulation of pNCT gene transcription.

Hepatocytes release extracellular vesicles (EVs) loaded with signaling molecules and enzymes into the bloodstream. Although the importance of EVs in the intercellular communication is already recognized, the metabolic impact of the enzymes carried by these vesicles is still unclear. We evaluated the global effect of the enzymatic activities of EVs by performing untargeted metabolomic profiling of serum samples after their exposure to EVs. This approach revealed a significant change in the abundance of 94 serum metabolic signals. Our study shows that these vesicles modify the concentration of metabolites of different chemical nature including metabolites related to arginine metabolism, which regulates vascular function. To assess the functional relevance of this finding, we examined the levels of arginase-1 protein and its activity in the hepatic EVs carrying the exosomal markers CD81 and CD63. Remarkably, the arginase activity was also detected in EVs isolated from the serum in vivo, and this vesicular activity significantly increased under liver-damaging conditions. Finally, we demonstrated that EVs secreted by hepatocytes inhibited the acetylcholine-induced relaxation in isolated pulmonary arteries, via an arginase-dependent mechanism. In summary, our study demonstrates that the hepatocyte-released EVs are metabolically active, affecting a number of serum metabolites involved in oxidative stress metabolism and the endothelial function.

Hypoxia and other adverse conditions are commonly encountered by rapidly growing cells. The RNA-binding protein RBM3 (RNA-binding motif protein 3), which is transcriptionally induced by low temperature and hypoxia, has recently been implicated in survival of colon cancer cells by mechanisms involving cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) signaling. Immunohistochemically, we found strong RBM3 expression in a variety of malignant and proliferating tissues but low expression in resting and terminally differentiated cells. RBM3 expression in fibroblasts and human embryonal kidney (HEK293) cells subjected to serum deprivation or contact inhibition closely paralleled proliferation rates, assessed by real-time RT-PCR and immunoblotting. siRNA-mediated RBM3 knockdown reduced cell viability and finally led to cell death, which did not involve caspase-3-mediated apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, or COX-2 regulation. In contrast, RBM3 over-expression rescued cells from death under serum starvation. This was associated with increased translation rates, as measured by 14 C serine and 3 H phenylalanine incorporation. Together, RBM3 is a critical factor providing cellular survival advantages in an adverse microenvironment presumably by restoring translation efficacy.

Human oncoprotein MDM2 reveals a MHC class I binding motif HMDM441 characterizing MDM2 as a potential tumor antigen. To analyze the distribution of MDM2 proteins containing this motif in liver cancer cells we produced rabbit anti-HMDM441 serum. The novel antibodies bound to an MDM2 fragment of approximately 55 kDa which lacked the N-terminal region and was present in lysate and supernatant of a human hepatoma cell line overexpressing normal 90-kDa MDM2. The 55-kDa fragment was detected in the cytoplasm and nucleoli and at the nuclear envelope of hepatoma cells, whereas normal hepatocytes were negative. Double-fluorescence labeling indicated that the MDM2 fragments and MHC class I molecules were coexpressed on the surface of the hepatoma cells. Further studies must clarify whether MDM2 fragments containing motif HMDM441 are novel targets of immunotherapy and immunochemical tumor diagnosis.

Cellular ornithine biosynthesis could be expected to play a significant role in putrescine formation and hence in growth. Two enzymes are involved in ornithine biosynthesis: arginase and transamidinase. These enzyme activities were studied in two human melanoma cell lines differing in their K, of diamine oxidase for putrescine and in their tumorigenicity in nude mice. Arginase activity accounts for the majority of ornithine formed in the highly tumorigenic cell line, while the majority of ornithine is derived from transamidinase action in the poorly tumorigenic cell line, with concomitant formation of methyl guanidine, a potent inhibitor of diamine oxidase. Arginase activity Transamidinase activity Ornithine biosynthesis Guanidinoacetate Methyl guanidine Human melanoma cell line 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS L-[guanido-'4C]Arginine-HC1 (56 mCi/mmol) was obtained from the Amersham International

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) is an essential protein that regulates cellular processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. It is known to bind with several proteins to carry out various cellular functions. In this study, we report for the first time that IGFBP-3 is a histone 3 (H3) binding protein. Sub-cellular fractionation was performed to separate into cytosolic fraction, nucleic acid binding protein fraction and insoluble nuclear fraction. Using ligand blot analysis, we identified a ~15 kDa protein that can interact with IGFBP-3 in the insoluble nuclear fraction. The 15 kDa protein was confirmed as histone 3 by far-Western blot analysis and co-immunoprecipitation experiments. A dot-blot experiment further validated the binding of IGFBP-3 with H3. The intensity of IGFBP-3 on dot-blot showed a proportional increase with H3 concentrations between 2.33 pmol–37.42 pmol. Our results support the presence of protein-protein interac...