G. E. Onishchenko

Oncogene‐specific gene expression signatures at preneoplastic stage in mice define distinct mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis

We applied a genome‐wide microarray analysis to three transgenic mouse models of liver cancer in which targeted overexpression of c‐Myc, E2f1, and a combination of the two was driven by the albumin promoter. Although gene expression profiles in HCC derived in all three transgenic lines were highly similar, oncogene‐specific gene expression signatures were identified at an early dysplastic stage of hepatocarcinogenesis. Overexpression of E2f1 was associated with a strong alteration in lipid metabolism, and Srebp1was identified as a candidate transcription factor responsible for lipogenic enzyme induction. The molecular signature of c‐Myc overexpression included the induction of more than 60 genes involved in the translational machinery that correlated with an increase in liver mass. In contrast, the combined activity of c‐Myc and E2f1 specifically enhanced the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial metabolism—particularly the components of the respiratory chain—and correlated with an increased ATP synthesis. Thus, the results suggest that E2f1, c‐Myc, and their combination may promote liver tumor development by distinct mechanisms. In conclusion, determination of tissue‐specific oncogene expression signatures might be useful to identify conserved expression modules in human cancers. (HEPATOLOGY 2006.)

Mechanisms of Apoptosis.

Nearly 15 types of programmed cell death (PCD) have been identified to date. Among them, apoptosis is the most common and well-studied type of PCD. In this review, we discuss different apoptotic pathways in which plasma membrane and membrane organelles, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and nucleus play the pivotal role. Data concerning caspase cascades involved in these mechanisms are described. Various apoptosis induction mechanisms are analyzed and compared. The close relations between them and the possibility of switching from one pathway to another are demonstrated. In most cases, the result of these pathways is mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and/or caspase activation. These two events are closely linked and serve as the central point of integration of the apoptotic cell death pathways.

Structural and Functional Characteristics of the Centrosome in Gametogenesis and Early Embryogenesis of Animals

We present a description of the wide spectrum of centrosome behavior during gametogenesis, early development, and cell differentiation. During meiosis and terminal differentiation of gametes there occurs a process of centrosome maturation which includes alterations in characteristics such as the number of centriolar cylinders and their structure if the basal body is formed and ability to function as MTOC, reduplicate, split, and serve as a polar organizer. Such centrosome properties require modifications of the molecular composition. Maturation of the centrosome in gametes may be compared to transformation of centrosome characteristics during terminal differentiation of other cells. After fertilization different properties of maternal and paternal centrosomes are supposed to combine, adding to each other in the fused (hybrid) centrosome of a zygote. Restoration of centrosome features typical in diploid somatic cells takes place in cells of a developing embryo in the course of early cell cycles.

Uptake and accumulation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes change the morphometric and biochemical characteristics of Onobrychis arenaria seedlings

We have studied the effect of the engineered nanomaterial Taunit, containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), on the growth of Onobrychis arenaria seedlings and investigated whether affected plants uptake and accumulate MWCNTs. We found that 100 μg/mL and 1000 μg/mL of Taunit stimulated the growth of roots and stems, and enhanced the peroxidase activity in these parts of plants. Microscopy studies showed the presence of MWCNTs in the root and leaf tissues of seedlings exposed to Taunit, suggesting that MWCNTs have a capacity to penetrate the cell walls, accumulate in roots and translocate to the leaves. Thus the stimulating effect of MWCNTs on seedlings of O. arenaria may be associated with the primary uptake and accumulation of MWCNTs by plant roots followed by translocation to the other plant tissues.

Unusual Tubulin-Clustering Ability of Specifically C7-Modified Colchicine Analogues

Highly cytotoxic C7-modified colchicine analogues, exemplified by tubuloclustin, promote microtubule disassembly followed by the formation of very stable tubulin clusters, both in vitro and in cells. The proposed mechanism of action of tubuloclustin and its analogues, beyond that of colchicine, includes additional specific interactions with the α-tubulin subunit.

Effects of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on Small Intestinal Mucosa in Rats

Penetration of titanium dioxide nanoparticles into enterocytes after their administration into isolated loop of rat small intestine was shown in vivo by transmission electron microscopy. Using electron diffraction, titanium dioxide nanoparticles were identified in the apical regions of the cells under plasma membranes and in deeper parts of the cytoplasm as solitary objects or small aggregations. Water dispersions of nanoparticles (3-h exposure to high concentrations) caused no appreciable morphological changes in enterocyte ultrastructure. A 28-day subacute intragastric administration of water dispersion of nanoparticles to rats led to titanium accumulation in the liver, their level was significantly higher than in the control group, which was shown by mass spectrometry with inductive-bound plasma. These data indicated the possibility of penetration of titanium dioxide nanoparticles through the gastrointestinal barrier under near-physiological conditions.

Apoptosis in Cryopreserved Eukaryotic Cells

This review considers apoptosis mechanisms that have been revealed in cryopreserved cells and which can be controlled using different chemical agents, thereby improving the viability of cells after their return to normal conditions. The role of oxidative stress as of the most significant damaging factor is discussed, as well as the reasonability of including antioxidants into cryopreservation/thawing protocols as independent agents or in combination with other compounds.

Consecutive entosis stages in human substrate-dependent cultured cells

Entosis, or cell death by invading another cell, is typical for tumor epithelial cells. The formation of cell-in-cell structures is extensively studied in suspension cultures, but remains poorly understood in substrate-dependent cells. Here, we used electron, confocal and time-lapse microscopy in combination with pharmacological inhibition of intracellular components to study the kinetics of entosis using two human substrate-dependent tumor cultures, A431 and MCF7. In total, we identified and characterized five consecutive stages of entosis, which were common for both examined cell lines. We further demonstrated that actin filaments in the entotic as well as invading cells were crucial for entosis. Microtubules and the Golgi apparatus of entotic cells provided membrane expansion required for internalization of the invading cell. Depolymerization of microfilaments and microtubules, and disintegration of the Golgi complex inhibited entosis. We confirmed the presence of adhesive junctions and discovered the formation of desmosomes between the invading and entotic cells. The internalized cell was shown to be degraded due to the lysosomal activation in both cells whereas the disintegration of the Golgi apparatus did not affect the process. Thus, in the substrate-dependent cultures, entosis requires microfilaments, microtubules and the Golgi complex for cell invasion, but not for internalized cell degradation.

Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubules Induce Pathological Changes in the Digestive Organs of Mice.

We studied the effects of regular long-term exposure to industrial nanomaterial based on multiwalled carbon nanotubules on the digestive system of mice. Nanomaterial in a concentration of 30 mg/kg was administered with drinking water over 30 days. Tissue specimens from the small intestine and liver were studied by light and electron microscopy. Multiwalled carbon nanotubules caused multiple necrotic foci in the small intestine and mixed parenchymatous degeneration in the liver. These findings suggested that multiwalled carbon nanotubules entering the digestive tract damaged intestinal villi, presumably via mechanical damage to enterocytes. It seems that multiwalled carbon nanotubules could cause degeneration indirectly, by triggering inflammatory reactions and ROS generation.

Stages of Cell Cannibalism--Entosis--in Normal Human Keratinocyte Culture.

Entosis is a type of cell cannibalism during which one cell penetrates into another cell and usually dies inside it. Researchers mainly pay attention to initial and final stages of entosis. Besides, tumor cells in suspension are the primary object of studies. In the present study, we investigated morphological changes of both cells-participants of entosis during this process. The substrate-dependent culture of human normal keratinocytes HaCaT was chosen for the work. A combination of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy was used to prove that one cell was completely surrounded by the plasma membrane of another cell. We investigated such “cell-in-cell” structures and described the structural and functional changes of both cells during entosis. The outer cell nucleus localization and shape were changed. Gradual degradation of the inner cell nucleus and of the junctions between the inner and the outer cells was revealed. Moreover, repeated redistribution of the outer cell membrane organelles (Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, mitochondria, and autophagosomes), rearrangement of its cytoskeleton, and change in the lysosomal, autophagosomal, and mitochondrial state in both entotic cells were observed during entosis. On the basis of these data, we divided entosis into five stages that make it possible to systematize description of this type of cell death.