Jyotsana Singhal

Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, USA

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Publications (34)146.3 Total impact

  • Article: 1,3-Bis(3,5-dichlorophenyl) urea compound 'COH-SR4' inhibits proliferation and activates apoptosis in melanoma.
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    ABSTRACT: The current clinical interventions in malignant melanomas are met with poor response to therapy due to dynamic regulation of multiple melanoma signaling pathways consequent to administration of single target agents. In this context of limited response to single target agents, novel candidate molecules capable of effectively inducing tumor inhibition along with targeting multiple critical nodes of melanoma signaling assume translational significance. In this regard, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of a novel dichlorophenyl urea compound called COH-SR4 in melanoma. The SR4 treatment decreased the survival and inhibited the clonogenic potential of melanomas along with inducing apoptosis in vitro cultures. SR4 treatments lead to inhibition of GST activity along with causing G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Oral administration of 4mg/kg SR4 leads to effective inhibition of tumor burdens in both syngeneic and nude mouse models of melanoma. The SR4 treatment was well tolerated and no overt toxicity was observed. The histopathological examination of resected tumor sections revealed decreased blood vessels, decrease in the levels of angiogenesis marker, CD31, and proliferation marker, Ki67, along with an increase in pAMPK levels. Western blot analyses of resected tumor lysates revealed increased PARP cleavage, Bim, pAMPK along with decreased pAkt, vimentin, fibronectin, CDK4 and cyclin B1. Thus, SR4 represents a novel candidate for the further development of mono and combinatorial therapies to effectively target aggressive and therapeutically refractory melanomas.
    Biochemical pharmacology 08/2012; · 4.25 Impact Factor
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    Article: RLIP76 regulates PI3K/Akt signaling and chemo-radiotherapy resistance in pancreatic cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive malignancy with characteristic metastatic course of disease and resistance to conventional chemo-radiotherapy. RLIP76 is a multi-functional cell membrane protein that functions as a major mercapturic acid pathway transporter as well as key regulator of receptor-ligand complexes. In this regard, we investigated the significance of targeting RLIP76 on PI3K/Akt pathway and mechanisms regulating response to chemo-radiotherapy. Cell survival was assessed by MTT and colony forming assays. Cellular levels of proteins and phosphorylation was determined by Western blot analyses. The impact on apoptosis was determined by TUNEL assay. The anti-cancer effects of RLIP76 targeted interventions in vivo were determined using mice xenograft model of the pancreatic cancer. The regulation of doxorubicin transport and radiation sensitivity were determined by transport studies and colony forming assays, respectively. Our current studies reveal an encompassing model for the role of RLIP76 in regulating the levels of fundamental proteins like PI3K, Akt, E-cadherin, CDK4, Bcl2 and PCNA which are of specific importance in the signal transduction from critical upstream signaling cascades that determine the proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of pancreatic cancer cells. RLIP76 depletion also caused marked and sustained regression of established human BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer tumors in nude mouse xenograft model. RLIP76 turned out to be a major regulator of drug transport along with contributing to the radiation resistance in pancreatic cancer. RLIP76 represents a mechanistically significant target for developing effective interventions in aggressive and refractory pancreatic cancers.
    PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(4):e34582. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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    Article: Didymin induces apoptosis by inhibiting N-Myc and upregulating RKIP in neuroblastoma.
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    ABSTRACT: Neuroblastomas arise from the neural crest cells and represent the most common solid tumors outside the nervous system in children. The amplification of N-Myc plays a primary role in the pathogenesis of neuroblastomas, whereas acquired mutations of p53 lead to refractory and relapsed cases of neuroblastomas. In this regard, dietary compounds which can target N-Myc and exert anticancer effects independent of p53 status acquire significance in the management of neuroblastomas. Hence, we investigated the anticancer properties of the flavonoid didymin in neuroblastomas. Didymin effectively inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis irrespective of p53 status in neuroblastomas. Didymin downregulated phosphoinositide 3-kinase, pAkt, Akt, vimentin, and upregulated RKIP levels. Didymin induced G(2)/M arrest along with decreasing the levels of cyclin D1, CDK4, and cyclin B1. Importantly, didymin inhibited N-Myc as confirmed at protein, mRNA, and transcriptional level by promoter-reporter assays. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of didymin-treated (2 mg/kg b.w.) mice serum revealed effective oral absorption with free didymin concentration of 2.1 μmol/L. Further in vivo mice xenograft studies revealed that didymin-treated (2 mg/kg b.w.) animals had significant reductions in tumors size compared with controls. Didymin strongly inhibited the proliferation (Ki67) and angiogenesis (CD31) markers, as well as N-Myc expression, as revealed by the histopathologic examination of paraffin-embedded section of resected tumors. Collectively, our in vitro and in vivo studies elucidated the anticancer properties and mechanisms of action of a novel, orally active, and palatable flavonoid didymin, which makes it a potential new approach for neuroblastoma therapy (NANT) to target pediatric neuroblastomas.
    Cancer Prevention Research 12/2011; 5(3):473-83. · 4.91 Impact Factor
  • Article: Nutlin-3 enhances sorafenib efficacy in renal cell carcinoma.
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    ABSTRACT: The renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the top 10 cancers in USA. The renal tumors are highly angiogenic and are resistant to conventional interventions, particularly radiotherapy. The advent of multi-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib has improved the progression-free survival in RCC, but overall survival in recurrent and metastatic RCC is still a concern that has lead to characterization of combinatorial regimens. Hence, we studied the effect of combination of nutlin-3, an MDM2 inhibitor, which increases p53 levels, and sorafenib in RCC. Sorafenib along with nutlin-3 synergistically inhibited the cell survival and enhanced caspase-3 cleavage leading to apoptosis in RCC. Nutlin-3 and sorafenib were more effective in reducing the migration of RCC, in combination than as single agents. Sorafenib and nutlin-3 decreased the phosphorylation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and ERK along with inducing p53 activity. The sorafenib and nutlin-3 co-treatment lead to enhanced levels of p53, p-p53, and increase in the levels of p53 pro-apoptotic effector PUMA, Bax, and decrease in the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 levels. Importantly, our studies revealed that sorafenib alone can activate p53 in a concentration dependent manner. Thus, co-treatment of nutlin-3 with sorafenib leads to increased half-life of p53, which in turn can be activated by sorafenib, to induce downstream pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects. This is the first report showing the synergistic effect of sorafenib and nutlin-3 while providing a strong clinical-translational rationale for further testing of sorafenib and nutlin-3 combinatorial regimen in human RCC. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
    Molecular Carcinogenesis 10/2011; · 3.16 Impact Factor
  • Article: Anti-cancer effects of novel flavonoid vicenin-2 as a single agent and in synergistic combination with docetaxel in prostate cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: The present study was conducted to determine the efficacy of novel flavonoid vicenin-2 (VCN-2), an active constituent of the medicinal herb Ocimum Sanctum Linn or Tulsi, as a single agent and in combination with docetaxel (DTL) in carcinoma of prostate (CaP). VCN-2 effectively induced anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic effect in CaP cells (PC-3, DU-145 and LNCaP) irrespective of their androgen responsiveness or p53 status. VCN-2 inhibited EGFR/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway along with decreasing c-Myc, cyclin D1, cyclin B1, CDK4, PCNA and hTERT in vitro. VCN-2 reached a level of 2.6±0.3μmol/l in serum after oral administration in mice which reflected that VCN-2 is orally absorbed. The i.v. administration of docetaxel (DTL), current drug of choice in androgen-independent CaP, is associated with dose-limiting toxicities like febrile neutropenia which has lead to characterization of alternate routes of administration and potential combinatorial regimens. In this regard, VCN-2 in combination with DTL synergistically inhibited the growth of prostate tumors in vivo with a greater decrease in the levels of AR, pIGF1R, pAkt, PCNA, cyclin D1, Ki67, CD31, and increase in E-cadherin. VCN-2 has been investigated for radioprotection and anti-inflammatory properties. This is the first study on the anti-cancer effects of VCN-2. In conclusion, our investigations collectively provide strong evidence that VCN-2 is effective against CaP progression along with indicating that VCN-2 and DTL co-administration is more effective than either of the single agents in androgen-independent prostate cancer.
    Biochemical pharmacology 07/2011; 82(9):1100-9. · 4.25 Impact Factor
  • Article: Targeting p53-null neuroblastomas through RLIP76.
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    ABSTRACT: The search for p53-independent mechanism of cancer cell killing is highly relevant to pediatric neuroblastomas, where successful therapy is limited by its transformation into p53-mutant and a highly drug-resistant neoplasm. Our studies on the drug-resistant p53-mutant as compared with drug-resistant p53 wild-type neuroblastoma revealed a novel mechanism for resistance to apoptosis: a direct role of p53 in regulating the cellular concentration of proapoptotic alkenals by functioning as a specific and saturable allosteric inhibitor of the alkenal-glutathione conjugate transporter, RLIP76. The RLIP76-p53 complex was showed by both immunoprecipitation analyses of purified proteins and immunofluorescence analysis. Drug transport studies revealed that p53 inhibited both basal and PKCα-stimulated transport of glutathione conjugates of 4HNE (GSHNE) and doxorubicin. Drug resistance was significantly greater for p53-mutant as compared with p53 wild-type neuroblastoma cell lines, but both were susceptible to depletion of RLIP76 by antisense alone. In addition, inhibition of RLIP76 significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of cisplatin. Taken together, these studies provide powerful evidence for a novel mechanism for drug and apoptosis resistance in p53-mutant neuroblastoma, based on a model of regulation of p53-induced apoptosis by RLIP76, where p53 is a saturable and specific allosteric inhibitor of RLIP76, and p53 loss results in overexpression of RLIP76; thus, in the absence of p53, the drug and glutathione-conjugate transport activities of RLIP76 are enhanced. Most importantly, our findings strongly indicate RLIP76 as a novel target for therapy of drug-resistant and p53-mutant neuroblastoma.
    Cancer Prevention Research 03/2011; 4(6):879-89. · 4.91 Impact Factor
  • Article: 2'-hydroxyflavanone inhibits proliferation, tumor vascularization and promotes normal differentiation in VHL-mutant renal cell carcinoma.
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    ABSTRACT: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the top ten cancers prevalent in USA. Loss-of-function mutations in the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene constitute an established risk factor contributing to 75% of total reported cases of RCC. Loss-of-VHL leads to a highly vascularized phenotype of renal tumors. Intake of citrus fruits has been proven to reduce the risk of RCC in multicenter international studies. Hence, we studied the effect of 2'-hydroxyflavanone (2HF), an active anticancer compound from oranges, in RCC. Our in vitro investigations revealed that 2HF suppresses VHL-mutant RCC to a significantly greater extent than VHL-wild-type RCC by inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, which is increased due to VHL mutations in RCC. Our results also revealed for the first time, that 2HF inhibits glutathione S-transferase pi activity. 2HF reduced cyclin B1 and CDK4 levels and induced G2/M phase arrest in VHL-mutant RCC. Importantly, 2HF inhibited the angiogenesis in VHL-mutant RCC by decreasing vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Our in vivo studies in mice xenografts confirmed our in vitro results as evident by decreased levels of proliferation marker, Ki67 and angiogenic marker, CD31, in 2HF-treated mice xenografts of VHL-mutant RCC. 2HF also increased the expression of E-cadherin in VHL-mutant RCC, which would be of significance in restoring normal epithelial phenotype. Collectively, our in vitro and in vivo results revealed the potent antiproliferative, anti-angiogenic and prodifferentiation properties of 2HF in VHL-mutant RCC, sparing normal cells, which could have significant implications not only in the specific management of VHL-mutant RCC but also towards other VHL syndromes.
    Carcinogenesis 02/2011; 32(4):568-75. · 5.70 Impact Factor
  • Article: Glutathione-conjugate transport by RLIP76 is required for clathrin-dependent endocytosis and chemical carcinogenesis.
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    ABSTRACT: Targeted depletion of the RALBP1-encoded 76-kDa splice variant, RLIP76, causes marked and sustained regression of human xenografts of lung, colon, prostate, and kidney cancers without toxicity in nude mouse models. We proposed that the remarkable efficacy and broad spectrum of RLIP76-targeted therapy is because its glutathione-conjugate (GS-E) transport activity is required for clathrin-dependent endocytosis (CDE), which regulates all ligand-receptor signaling, and that RLIP76 is required not only for survival of cancer cells but also for their very existence. We studied RLIP76 mutant proteins and the functional consequences of their expression into RLIP76(-/-) MEFs, identified key residues for GS-E binding in RLIP76, established the requirement of RLIP76-mediated GS-E transport for CDE, and showed a direct correlation between GS-E transport activities with CDE. Depletion of RLIP76 nearly completely blocked signaling downstream of EGF in a CDE-dependent manner and Wnt5a signaling in a CDE-independent manner. The seminal prediction of this hypothesis-RLIP76(-/-) mice will be deficient in chemical neoplasia-was confirmed. Benzo[a]pyrene, dimethylbenzanthracene, and phorbol esters are ineffective in causing neoplasia in RLIP76(-/-). PMA-induced skin carcinogenesis in RLIP76(+/+) mouse was suppressed completely by depletion of either PKCα or RLIP76 by siRNA or antisense and could be restored by topical application of RLIP76 protein in RLIP76(-/-) mouse skin. Likewise, chemical pulmonary carcinogenesis was absent in female and nearly absent in male RLIP76(-/-) mice. In RLIP76(-/-) mice, p53, p38, and JNK activation did not occur in response to either carcinogen. Our findings show a fundamental role of RLIP76 in chemical carcinogenesis.
    Molecular Cancer Therapeutics 01/2011; 10(1):16-28. · 5.23 Impact Factor
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    Article: RLIP76, a glutathione-conjugate transporter, plays a major role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome.
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    ABSTRACT: Characteristic hypoglycemia, hypotriglyceridemia, hypocholesterolemia, lower body mass, and fat as well as pronounced insulin-sensitivity of RLIP76⁻/⁻ mice suggested to us the possibility that elevation of RLIP76 in response to stress could itself elicit metabolic syndrome (MSy). Indeed, if it were required for MSy, drugs used to treat MSy should have no effect on RLIP76⁻/⁻ mice. Blood glucose (BG) and lipid measurements were performed in RLIP76⁺/⁺ and RLIP76⁻/⁻ mice, using Ascensia Elite Glucometer® for glucose and ID Labs kits for cholesterol and triglycerides assays. The ultimate effectors of gluconeogenesis are the three enzymes: PEPCK, F-1,6-BPase, and G6Pase, and their expression is regulated by PPARγ and AMPK. The activity of these enzymes was tested by protocols standardized by us. Expressions of RLIP76, PPARα, PPARγ, HMGCR, pJNK, pAkt, and AMPK were performed by Western-blot and tissue staining. The concomitant activation of AMPK and PPARγ by inhibiting transport activity of RLIP76, despite inhibited activity of key glucocorticoid-regulated hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes like PEPCK, G6Pase and F-1,6-BP in RLIP76⁻/⁻ mice, is a salient finding of our studies. The decrease in RLIP76 protein expression by rosiglitazone and metformin is associated with an up-regulation of PPARγ and AMPK. All four drugs, rosiglitazone, metformin, gemfibrozil and atorvastatin failed to affect glucose and lipid metabolism in RLIP76⁻/⁻ mice. Studies confirmed a model in which RLIP76 plays a central role in the pathogenesis of MSy and RLIP76 loss causes profound and global alterations of MSy signaling functions. RLIP76 is a novel target for single-molecule therapeutics for metabolic syndrome.
    PLoS ONE 01/2011; 6(9):e24688. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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    Article: A central role of RLIP76 in regulation of glycemic control.
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    ABSTRACT: Pathology associated with oxidative stress frequently results in insulin resistance. Glutathione (GSH) and GSH-linked metabolism is a primary defense against oxidative stress. Electrophilic lipid alkenals, such as 4-hydroxy-t-2-nonenal (4HNE), generated during oxidative stress are metabolized primarily to glutathione electrophile (GS-E) conjugates. Recent studies show that RLIP76 is the primary GS-E conjugate transporter in cells, and a regulator of oxidative-stress response. Because RLIP76(-/-) mice are hypoglycemic, we studied the role of RLIP76 in insulin resistance. Blood glucose, insulin, lipid measurements, and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic and hyperglycemic clamp experiments were performed in RLIP76(+/+) and RLIP76(-/-) C57B mice, using Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee-approved protocols. Time-resolved three-dimensional confocal fluorescence microscopy was used to study insulin endocytosis. The plasma insulin/glucose ratio was ordered RLIP76(-/-) < RLIP76(+/-) < RLIP76(+/+); administration of purified RLIP76 in proteoliposomes to RLIP76(+/+) animals further increased this ratio. RLIP76 was induced by oxidative or hyperglycemic stress; the concomitant increase in insulin endocytosis was completely abrogated by inhibiting the transport activity of RLIP76. Hydrocortisone could transiently correct hypoglycemia in RLIP76(-/-) animals, despite inhibited activity of key glucocorticoid-regulated hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, in RLIP76(-/-). The GS-E conjugate transport activity of RLIP76 mediates insulin resistance by enhancing the rate of clathrin-dependent endocytosis of insulin. Because RLIP76 is induced by oxidative stress, it could play a role in insulin resistance seen in pathological conditions characterized by increased oxidative stress.
    Diabetes 12/2009; 59(3):714-25. · 8.29 Impact Factor
  • Article: RLIP76: a target for kidney cancer therapy.
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    ABSTRACT: RLIP76 is a multifunctional transporter protein that serves as an energy-dependent efflux mechanism for endogenously generated toxic metabolites as well as exogenous toxins, including chemotherapy drugs. Our recent studies in cultured cells, syngeneic animal tumor model, and in xenograft model have shown that RLIP76 serves a major cancer-specific antiapoptotic role in a wide variety of histologic types of cancer, including leukemia, melanoma, colon, lung, prostate, and ovarian cancer. Results of present studies in cell culture and xenograft model of Caki-2 cells show that RLIP76 is an important anticancer for kidney cancer because inhibition of RLIP76 function by antibody or its depletion by small interfering RNA or antisense DNA caused marked and sustained regression of established human kidney xenografts of Caki-2 cells in nude mouse.
    Cancer Research 06/2009; 69(10):4244-51. · 7.86 Impact Factor
  • Article: hSET1: a novel approach for colon cancer therapy.
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    ABSTRACT: Histone-methyl transferases (HMTs) are key enzymes that post-translationally modify histones, and serve key role in gene expression, epigenetic regulation, and as determinants of survival in malignant cells. Recent studies have shed light on the role of hSET1 which is a key element of highly conserved multi-protein HMT complex that catalyze methylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) regulating expression of specific proteins important for the malignant phenotype. To understand the importance of differential expression of H3K4 HMTs in cancer, we specifically down-regulated hSET1 the only H3K4 specific histone-methyl transferase present in yeast as well as in human that is directly involved in gene expression. hSET1 has been shown to be differentially over-expressed in the malignant cells as compared to the normal cells at the RNA as well as protein level. In a wide array of normal and malignant cells it has been demonstrated that phosphorothioate antisense against hSET1 (DN5) caused selective and differential apoptosis in malignant cells only while the normal cells remains unaffected. Down-regulation of hSET1 leads to rapid and complete regression of SW480 colon xenograft in mice model. These findings demonstrate that hSET1 over-expression promotes cell proliferation and cancer cell survival, and may be a novel target for cancer therapy.
    Biochemical pharmacology 06/2009; 77(10):1635-41. · 4.25 Impact Factor
  • Article: Increased expression of cdc2 inhibits transport function of RLIP76 and promotes apoptosis.
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    ABSTRACT: RLIP76 is a stress-responsive glutathione-electrophile-conjugates (GS-E) and drugs transporter which is over-expressed in different types of cancers. Cdc2 is a cell-cycle check point control kinase which has been shown to bind to RLIP76 during mitosis, such that endocytosis is inhibited. In present studies, we have purified cdc2 and examined its effect on the transport activity of RLIP76 reconstituted into artificial liposomes. Both doxorubicin (DOX) and dinitro-phenyl S-glutathione (DNP-SG) transport were inhibited by cdc2 in a concentration dependent manner. Liposomal delivery of cdc2 to H358 cells caused apoptosis, resulted in an increased intracellular doxorubicin-accumulation and decreased rate of efflux from the cells. In the present communication, we propose that the accumulation-deficient drug-resistance mediated by RLIP76 can be modulated by inhibition of RLIP76 transport activity by cdc2.
    Cancer letters 05/2009; 283(2):152-8. · 4.86 Impact Factor
  • Article: Regression of prostate cancer xenografts by RLIP76 depletion.
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    ABSTRACT: RLIP76 plays a central role in radiation and chemotherapy resistance through its activity as a multi-specific ATP-dependent transporter which is over-expressed in a number of types of cancers. RLIP76 appears to be necessary for cancer cell survival because both in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal tumor studies show that depletion or inhibition of RLIP76 causes selective toxicity in malignant cells. RLIP76 induces apoptosis in cancer cells through the accumulation of endogenously formed GS-E. The results of our in vivo studies demonstrate that administration of RLIP76 antibodies, siRNA or anti-sense to mice bearing xenografts of PC-3 prostate cancer cells leads to near complete regression of established subcutaneous xenografts with no apparent toxic effects. Since anti-RLIP76 IgG (which inhibit RLIP76-mediated transport), siRNA and antisense (which deplete RLIP76) showed similar tumor regressing activities, our results indicate that the inhibition of RLIP76 transport activity at the cell surface is sufficient for observed anti-tumor activity. These studies indicate that RLIP76 serves a key effector function for the survival of prostate cancer cells and that it is a valid target for cancer therapy.
    Biochemical pharmacology 12/2008; 77(6):1074-83. · 4.25 Impact Factor
  • Article: RLIP76 in defense of radiation poisoning.
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    ABSTRACT: To determine the role of RLIP76 in providing protection from radiation and chemotherapy. In the present report, we used RLIP76 to refer to both the mouse (Ralbp1) and the human (RLIP76) 76-kDa splice variant proteins (RLIP76) for convenience and to avoid confusion. In other reports, Ralbp1 refers to the mouse enzyme (encoded by the Ralbp1 gene), which is structurally and functionally homologous to RLIP76, the human protein encoded by the human RALBP1 gene. Median lethal dose studies were performed in RLIP76(-/-) and RLIP76(+/+) C57B mice after treatment with a single dose of RLIP76 liposomes 14 h after whole body radiation. The radiosensitivity of the cultured mouse embryonic fibroblasts and the effects of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), amifostine, c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), protein kinase B (Akt), and MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) were determined by colony-forming assays. Glutathione-linked enzyme activities were measured by spectrophotometric assays, glutathione by dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB), lipid hydroperoxides by iodometric titration, and aldehydes and metabolites by thiobarbitauric acid reactive substances and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS). RLIP76(-/-) mice were significantly more sensitive to radiation than were the wild-type, and RLIP76 liposomes prolonged survival in a dose-dependent manner in both genotypes. The levels of 4-hydroxynonenal and glutathione-conjugate of 4-hydroxynonenal were significantly increased in RLIP76(-/-) tissues compared with RLIP76(+/+). RLIP76(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts were markedly more radiosensitive than RLIP76(+/+) mouse embryonic fibroblasts, despite increased glutathione levels in the former. RLIP76 augmentation had a remarkably greater protective effect compared with amifostine. The magnitude of effects of RLIP76 loss on radiation sensitivity was greater than those caused by perturbations of JNK, MEK, or Akt, and the effects of RLIP76 loss could not be completely compensated for by modulating the levels of these signaling proteins. The results of our study have shown that RLIP76 plays a central role in radiation resistance.
    International Journal of Radiation OncologyBiologyPhysics 11/2008; 72(2):553-61. · 4.11 Impact Factor
  • Article: RLIP76: A novel glutathione-conjugate and multi-drug transporter.
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    ABSTRACT: RLIP76, a stress-responsive, multi-functional protein with multi-specific transport activity towards glutathione-conjugates (GS-E) and chemotherapeutic agents, is frequently over-expressed in malignant cells. Our recent studies suggest that it plays a prominent anti-apoptotic role selectively in cancer cells. We have previously shown that RLIP76 accounts for up to 80% of the transport of GS-E and blocking the RLIP76-mediated transport of GS-E in cells results in the accumulation of pro-apoptotic endogenous electrophiles and on-set of apoptosis. Here we demonstrate that when RLIP76 mediate transport of GS-E is abrogated either by anti-RLIP76 IgG or accumulation of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and its GSH-conjugate (GS-HNE) occurs and a massive apoptosis is observed in cells, indicate that the inhibition of RLIP76 transport activity at the cell surface is sufficient for observed anti-tumor activity. RLIP76 is linked with certain cellular functions including membrane plasticity and movement (as a primary 'effector' in the Ral pathway, perhaps functioning as a GTPase activating protein, or GAP), and as a component of clathrin-coated pit-mediated receptor-ligand endocytosis-a process that mediates movement of membrane vesicles.
    Biochemical pharmacology 11/2008; 77(5):761-9. · 4.25 Impact Factor
  • Article: Diminished drug transport and augmented radiation sensitivity caused by loss of RLIP76.
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    ABSTRACT: This study was undertaken to characterize the consequences of Ral-interacting protein (RLIP76)-loss with respect to drug resistance, transport, radiation resistance, and alternative transport mechanisms in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). MEFs were derived from RLIP76+/+, RLIP76+/- and RLIP76-/- mice. The transport of doxorubicin (DOX), colchicine (COL), leukotriene C4 and dinitrophenyl S-glutathione (DNP-SG) was analyzed in inside-out vesicles (IOVs) prepared from MEFs. We used immuno-titration of transport activity to determine the contribution of RLIP76, MRP1, and p-glycoprotein (Pgp) towards total transport activity. Loss of RLIP76 alleles resulted in significant sensitization to radiation, DOX, cisplatin, and vinorelbine (VRL). In IOVs prepared from MEFs, we observed a stepwise loss of transport activity. Loss of RLIP76 confers sensitivity to xenobiotics and radiation due to the loss of a common transport mechanism for glutathione-electrophile conjugates and xenobiotics.
    FEBS Letters 10/2008; 582(23-24):3408-14. · 3.54 Impact Factor
  • Article: The determination of glutathione-4-hydroxynonenal (GSHNE), E-4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), and E-1-hydroxynon-2-en-4-one (HNO) in mouse liver tissue by LC-ESI-MS.
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    ABSTRACT: Glutathione (GSH) conjugation of 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal (HNE) is an efficient means of cellular detoxification. HNE is a byproduct of lipid peroxidation which has shown toxicity but also signaling roles. E-1-hydroxynon-2-en-4-one (HNO) is another byproduct of lipid peroxidation which has the same molecular weight as HNE. This study presents the LC-MS detection of GS-HNE, HNE, and HNO in tissue samples without derivatization and with minimal sample preparation. Tissue samples were taken from wild-type mice and knock-out mice, which have been bred without the RLIP76 transfer protein. Extraction procedures were developed to determine GS-HNE and HNE levels in the mouse liver tissue. A gradient elution LC-MS method was developed for GS-HNE analysis using electrospray ionization and selected ion monitoring (SIM). The HNE/HNO method involves isocratic elution due to instability issues. Higher levels of GSHNE, HNE, and HNO were found in the knock-out animals, due to the absence of the RLIP76 transport mechanism.
    Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 10/2008; 392(7-8):1325-33. · 3.78 Impact Factor
  • Article: Hsf-1 and POB1 induce drug sensitivity and apoptosis by inhibiting Ralbp1.
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    ABSTRACT: Hsf-1 (heat shock factor-1) is a transcription factor that is known to regulate cellular heat shock response through its binding with the multispecific transporter protein, Ralbp1. Results of present studies demonstrate that Hsf-1 causes specific and saturable inhibition of the transport activity of Ralbp1 and that the combination of Hsf-1 and POB1 causes nearly complete inhibition through specific bindings with Ralbp1. Augmentation of cellular levels of Hsf-1 and POB1 caused dramatic apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cell line H358 through Ralbp1 inhibition. These findings indicate a novel model for mutual regulation of Hsf-1 and Ralbp1 through Ralbp1-mediated sequestration of Hsf-1 in the cellular cytoskeleton and Hsf-1-mediated inhibition of the transport activity of membrane-bound Ralbp1.
    Journal of Biological Chemistry 08/2008; 283(28):19714-29. · 4.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Regression of lung and colon cancer xenografts by depleting or inhibiting RLIP76 (Ral-binding protein 1).
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    ABSTRACT: Ral-binding protein 1 (RALBP1) is a stress-responsive and stress-protective multispecific transporter of glutathione conjugates (GS-E) and xenobiotic toxins. It is frequently overexpressed in malignant cells and plays a prominent antiapoptotic role selectively in cancer cells through its ability to control cellular concentration of proapoptotic oxidized lipid byproducts. In the absence of chemotherapy, depletion or inhibition of RALBP1 causes regression of syngeneic mouse B16 melanoma. Because RALBP1 transports anthracycline and Vinca alkaloid drugs, as well as GS-E, and because it confers resistance to these drugs, we proposed that depletion or inhibition of RALBP1 should cause regression of human solid tumors that overexpress RALBP1 and augment chemotherapy efficacy. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) H358 and H520 and colon SW480 cell lines were used. Cytotoxic synergy between anti-RALBP1 immunoglobulin G (IgG), cis-diammine-dichloroplatinum (II) [CDDP], and vinorelbine was examined in cell culture and xenografts of NSCLC cells. Effects of RALBP1 depletion by antisense were examined in xenografts of NSCLC H358, NSCLC H520, and colon SW480 cells. RALBP1 depletion by phosphorothioate antisense was confirmed and was associated with rapid, complete, and sustained remissions in established s.c. human lung and colon xenografts. RALBP1 inhibition by anti-RALBP1 IgG was equally as effective as antisense and enhanced CDDP-vinorelbine in lung cancer xenografts. These studies show that RALBP1 is a transporter that serves as a key effector function in cancer cell survival and is a valid target for cancer therapy, and confirm that inhibitory modulation of RALBP1 transport activity at the cell surface is sufficient for antitumor effects.
    Cancer Research 06/2007; 67(9):4382-9. · 7.86 Impact Factor