title: A novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ligand, MCC-555, induces apoptosis via posttranscriptional regulation of NAG-1 in colorectal cancer cells.
abstract: Apoptosis and/or differentiation induction caused by the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) ligand is a promising approach to cancer therapy. The thiazolidinedione derivative MCC-555 has an apoptotic activity in human colorectal cancer cells, accompanied by up-regulation of a proapoptotic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene (NAG-1) in a PPARgamma-independent manner. Treatment with MCC-555 resulted in the induction of NAG-1 expression and apoptosis in HCT-116 cells. Down-regulation of NAG-1 by small interfering RNA suppressed MCC-555-induced apoptosis. MCC-555 was found to affect NAG-1 mRNA stability. To further define the underlying mechanism of RNA stability affected by MCC-555, we cloned the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of human NAG-1 mRNA, which contains four copies of an AU-rich element (ARE), downstream from the luciferase gene. The reporter activity was reduced to approximately 70% by inserting the 3'UTR. In addition, deletion of ARE sequences in the 3'UTR or MCC-555 treatment substantially restored activity. This effect of MCC-555 on the ARE-mediated mRNA degradation was inhibited by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway inhibitors. Subsequently, rapid phosphorylation of ERK1/2 by MCC-555 treatment was detected. Moreover, ERK small interfering RNA suppressed MCC-555-induced NAG-1 expression. These results suggest that ARE sequences in the 3'UTR of the NAG-1 gene contribute to mRNA degradation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation is responsible for the stabilization of NAG-1 mRNA. These findings may provide a novel explanation for the antitumorigenic and/or proapoptotic action of MCC-555 in human colorectal cancer and the ability of pharmacologic approaches to be used against diseases caused by alterations of RNA stability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Seong-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Eling
authors.forename: Seung Joon
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Baek
mesh_terms: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001483:Base Sequence; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15; D045325:HCT116 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; C526140:GDF15 protein, human; D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15; D008024:Ligands; D047495:PPAR gamma; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013844:Thiazoles; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; C115174:netoglitazone