BACKGROUND: Tumor targeting of radiotherapy represents a great challenge. The addition of multimodal nanoparticles, such as 3 nm gadolinium-based nanoparticles (GdBNs), has been proposed as a promising strategy to amplify the effects of radiation in tumors and improve diagnostics using the same agents. This singular property named theranostic is a unique advantage of GdBNs. It has been established that the amplification of radiation effects by GdBNs appears due to fast electronic processes. However, the influence of these nanoparticles on cells is not yet understood. In particular, it remains dubious how nanoparticles activated by ionizing radiation interact with cells and their constituents. A crucial question remains open of whether damage to the nucleus is necessary for the radiosensitization exerted by GdBNs (and other nanoparticles). METHODS: We studied the effect of GdBNs on the induction and repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the nuclear DNA of U87 tumor cells irradiated with γ-rays. For this purpose, we used currently the most sensitive method of DSBs detection based on high-resolution confocal fluorescence microscopy coupled with immunodetection of two independent DSBs markers. RESULTS: We show that, in the conditions where GdBNs amplify radiation effects, they remain localized in the cytoplasm, i.e. do not penetrate into the nucleus. In addition, the presence of GdBNs in the cytoplasm neither increases induction of DSBs by γ-rays in the nuclear DNA nor affects their consequent repair. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the radiosensitization mediated by GdBNs is a cytoplasmic event that is independent of the nuclear DNA breakage, a phenomenon commonly accepted as the explanation of biological radiation effects. Considering our earlier recognized colocalization of GdBNs with the lysosomes and endosomes, we revolutionary hypothesize here about these organelles as potential targets for (some) nanoparticles. If confirmed, this finding of cytoplasmically determined radiosensitization opens new perspectives of using nano-radioenhancers to improve radiotherapy without escalating the risk of pathologies related to genetic damage.

• Klíčová slova
• DNA double-strand breaks, DNA repair, Gadolinium, Nanomedicine, Nanoparticles, Radiosensitization, Radiotherapy, Theranostic,
• MeSH
• dvouřetězcové zlomy DNA účinky léků   MeSH
• gadolinium toxicita   MeSH
• glioblastom metabolismus   MeSH
• kovové nanočástice toxicita   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• oprava DNA účinky léků   MeSH
• poškození DNA účinky léků   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• gadolinium MeSH

We compared the effects of inhibitors of kinases ATM (KU55933) and ATR (VE-821) (incubated for 30 min before irradiation) on the radiosensitization of human promyelocyte leukaemia cells (HL-60), lacking functional protein p53. VE-821 reduces phosphorylation of check-point kinase 1 at serine 345, and KU55933 reduces phosphorylation of check-point kinase 2 on threonine 68 as assayed 4 h after irradiation by the dose of 6 Gy. Within 24 h after gamma-irradiation with a dose of 3 Gy, the cells accumulated in the G2 phase (67 %) and the number of cells in S phase decreased. KU55933 (10 μM) did not affect the accumulation of cells in G2 phase and did not affect the decrease in the number of cells in S phase after irradiation. VE-821 (2 and 10 μM) reduced the number of irradiated cells in the G2 phase to the level of non-irradiated cells and increased the number of irradiated cells in S phase, compared to irradiated cells not treated with inhibitors. In the 144 h interval after irradiation with 3 Gy, there was a considerable induction of apoptosis in the VE-821 group (10 μM). The repair of the radiation damage, as observed 72 h after irradiation, was more rapid in the group exposed solely to irradiation and in the group treated with KU55933 (80 and 77 % of cells, respectively, were free of DSBs), whereas in the group incubated with 10 μM VE-821, there were only 61 % of cells free of DSBs. The inhibition of kinase ATR with its specific inhibitor VE-821 resulted in a more pronounced radiosensitizing effect in HL-60 cells as compared to the inhibition of kinase ATM with the inhibitor KU55933. In contrast to KU55933, the VE-821 treatment prevented HL-60 cells from undergoing G2 cell cycle arrest. Taken together, we conclude that the ATR kinase inhibition offers a new possibility of radiosensitization of tumour cells lacking functional protein p53.

• MeSH
• akutní promyelocytární leukemie patologie   MeSH
• apoptóza účinky léků   MeSH
• ATM protein antagonisté a inhibitory   MeSH
• HL-60 buňky MeSH
• inhibitory proteinkinas farmakologie   MeSH
• kontrolní body fáze G2 buněčného cyklu účinky léků   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• morfoliny farmakologie   MeSH
• oprava DNA účinky léků   MeSH
• pyraziny farmakologie   MeSH
• pyrony farmakologie   MeSH
• sulfony farmakologie   MeSH
• tolerance záření účinky léků   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 2-morpholin-4-yl-6-thianthren-1-yl-pyran-4-one MeSH Prohlížeč
• 3-amino-6-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-N-phenylpyrazine-2-carboxamide MeSH Prohlížeč
• ATM protein MeSH
• ATR protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• inhibitory proteinkinas MeSH
• morfoliny MeSH
• pyraziny MeSH
• pyrony MeSH
• sulfony MeSH

In the work presented here, changes in haematopoiesis of mice (B6129SF2/J) were studied 1 year after their whole-body exposure to a dose of 7 Gy (72% of mice survived). The irradiated mice were compared with non-irradiated younger (4 months of age) and older (16 months of age) mice. There was a significant increase in the relative abundance of primitive stem cells with long-term capability of the haematopoiesis recovery lin(-)/Sca-1(+)/CD117(+)/CD34(-) in the bone marrow of mice aged 16 months (irradiated and non-irradiated) compared with those aged 4 months. In terms of the ability to respond to further whole-body irradiation at a dose of 1 Gy, the presence of γH2A.X foci was studied in lin(-) bone marrow cells. There was a considerable number of persisting foci in lin(-) stem cells isolated from the bone marrow of the older irradiated mice. In the blood count from the peripheral blood of the older mice (both non-irradiated and irradiated at 7 Gy), there was a significant increase in granulocytes. In the group exposed to 7 Gy, the numbers of thrombocytes significantly increased, and on the contrary, the numbers of erythrocytes, the amount of haemoglobin, and haematocrit significantly decreased.

• MeSH
• buněčné linie MeSH
• celotělové ozáření metody   MeSH
• erytrocyty metabolismus   účinky záření   MeSH
• granulocyty metabolismus   účinky záření   MeSH
• hematopoetické kmenové buňky cytologie   metabolismus   účinky záření   MeSH
• hematopoéza účinky záření   MeSH
• hemoglobiny metabolismus   účinky záření   MeSH
• histony metabolismus   MeSH
• kostní dřeň účinky záření   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• trombocyty metabolismus   účinky záření   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• gamma-H2AX protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• hemoglobiny MeSH
• histony MeSH

During apoptosis several mitochondrial proteins are released. Some of them participate in caspase-independent nuclear DNA degradation, especially apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and endonuclease G (endoG). Another interesting protein, which was expected to act similarly as AIF due to the high sequence homology with AIF is AIF-homologous mitochondrion-associated inducer of death (AMID). We studied the structure, cellular localization, and interactions of several proteins in silico and also in cells using fluorescent microscopy. We found the AMID protein to be cytoplasmic, most probably incorporated into the cytoplasmic side of the lipid membranes. Bioinformatic predictions were conducted to analyze the interactions of the studied proteins with each other and with other possible partners. We conducted molecular modeling of proteins with unknown 3D structures. These models were then refined by MolProbity server and employed in molecular docking simulations of interactions. Our results show data acquired using a combination of modern in silico methods and image analysis to understand the localization, interactions and functions of proteins AMID, AIF, endonuclease G, and other apoptosis-related proteins.

• MeSH
• apoptóza * MeSH
• biologické modely MeSH
• endonukleasy metabolismus   MeSH
• fluorescenční mikroskopie metody   MeSH
• kaspasy metabolismus   MeSH
• konformace proteinů MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• počítačová simulace MeSH
• proteomika metody   MeSH
• software MeSH
• terciární struktura proteinů MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• výpočetní biologie metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• endonukleasy MeSH
• kaspasy MeSH

Nuclear locations of the c-myc gene and its transcripts (c-myc (T)) have been investigated in relation to nuclear domains involved in RNA synthesis and processing. Transcription of the c-myc gene appears to be linked to the late G(1)- and preferentially to S-phases of the cell cycle. The c-myc gene and its transcripts were positioned non-randomly within the interphase nucleus; additionally, c-myc RNA signals accumulated at nucleoli. Using oligo-probes, designed to exon II and exon III of the c-myc gene, single c-myc (T) was preferentially observed in human carcinoma HT29 and A549 cells. Conversely, human embryonal teratocarcinoma NTERA cells were characterized by the presence of multiple c-myc RNA signals located in both the nucleoli and nucleoplasm. When accumulated at nucleoli, c-myc (T) occupied the periphery of this organelle, though not those associated with the cultivation surface. In HT29 cells, approximately 80% of c-myc (T) co-localized with the RNAP II positive regions, so-called transcription factories. However, in approximately 20% of the cells with c-myc transcripts, the c-myc (T) was released from the site of synthesis, and was not associated with either transcription factories or SC35 domains. In approximately 60% of nuclei with c-myc (T), these signals were located in close proximity to the SC35 regions, but promyelocytic leukaemia bodies were associated with c-myc (T) only in approximately 20% of the nuclei. Taken together, c-myc RNA signals were positioned in the most internal parts of the cell nuclei preferentially associated with the nucleoli. Specific nuclear and nucleolar positioning probably reflects the kinetics of c-myc RNA metabolism.

• MeSH
• buněčné jádro genetika   metabolismus   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• buňky HT-29 MeSH
• exprese genu MeSH
• genetická transkripce MeSH
• geny myc * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lidské chromozomy, pár 8 MeSH
• messenger RNA metabolismus   MeSH
• nádorové buňky kultivované MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-myc metabolismus   MeSH
• RNA-polymerasa II metabolismus   MeSH
• tkáňová distribuce MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• messenger RNA MeSH
• MYC protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• protoonkogenní proteiny c-myc MeSH
• RNA-polymerasa II MeSH

Mammalian heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1alpha, HP1beta, HP1gamma subtypes) and transcriptional intermediary factor TIF1beta play an important role in the regulation of chromatin structure and function. Here, we investigated the nuclear arrangement of these proteins during differentiation of embryonal carcinoma P19 cells into primitive endoderm and into the neural pathway. Additionally, the differentiation potential of trichostatin A (TSA) and 5-deoxyazacytidine (5-dAzaC) was studied. In 70% of the cells from the neural pathway and in 20% of TSA-stimulated cells, HP1alpha and HP1beta co-localized and associated with chromocentres (clusters of centromeres), which correlated with clustering of TIF1beta at these heterochromatic regions. The cell types that we studied were also characterized by a pronounced focal distribution of HP1gamma. The above-mentioned nuclear patterns of HP1 and TIF1beta proteins were completely different from the nuclear patterns observed in the remaining cell types investigated, in which HP1alpha was associated with chromocentres while HP1beta and HP1gamma were largely localized in distinct nuclear regions. Moreover, a dispersed nuclear distribution of TIF1beta was observed. Our findings showed that the nuclear arrangement of HP1 subtypes and TIF1beta is differentiation specific, and seems to be more important than changes in the levels of these proteins, which were relatively stable during all the induced differentiation processes.

• MeSH
• azacytidin analogy a deriváty   farmakologie   MeSH
• buněčná diferenciace účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• buněčné jádro metabolismus   MeSH
• centromera metabolismus   MeSH
• chromozomální proteiny, nehistonové genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• decitabin MeSH
• homolog proteinu s chromoboxem 5 MeSH
• imunohistochemie MeSH
• inhibitory enzymů farmakologie   MeSH
• inhibitory histondeacetylas MeSH
• jaderné proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• konfokální mikroskopie MeSH
• kyseliny hydroxamové farmakologie   MeSH
• metylace DNA účinky léků   MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• podjednotky proteinů genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• rekombinantní fúzní proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• signální transdukce účinky léků   MeSH
• transkripční faktory metabolismus   MeSH
• western blotting MeSH
• zelené fluorescenční proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• azacytidin MeSH
• chromozomální proteiny, nehistonové MeSH
• decitabin MeSH
• homolog proteinu s chromoboxem 5 MeSH
• inhibitory enzymů MeSH
• inhibitory histondeacetylas MeSH
• jaderné proteiny MeSH
• kyseliny hydroxamové MeSH
• podjednotky proteinů MeSH
• rekombinantní fúzní proteiny MeSH
• transcriptional intermediary factor 1 MeSH Prohlížeč
• transkripční faktory MeSH
• trichostatin A MeSH Prohlížeč
• zelené fluorescenční proteiny MeSH

To determine the influence of increased gene expression and amplification in colorectal carcinoma on chromatin structure, the nuclear distances between pairs of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones with genomic separation from 800 to 29,000 kb were measured and compared between the tumor and parallel epithelial cells of six patients. The nuclear distances were measured between the loci in chromosomal bands 7p22.3-7p21.3; 7q35-7q36.3; 11p15.5-11p15.4; 20p13; 20p12.2; 20q11.21 and 20q12 where increased expression had been found in all types of colorectal carcinoma. The loci were visualized by three-dimensional fluorescence in situ hybridization using 22 BAC clones. Our results show that for short genomic separations, mean nuclear distance increases linearly with increased genomic separation. The results for some pairs of loci fell outside this linear slope, indicating the existence of different levels of chromatin folding. For the same genomic separations the nuclear distances were frequently shorter for tumor as compared with epithelial cells. Above the initial growing phase of the nuclear distances, a plateau phase was observed in both cell types where the increase in genomic separation was not accompanied by an increase in nuclear distance. The ratio of the mean nuclear distances between the corresponding loci in tumor and epithelium cells decreases with increasing amplification of loci. Our results further show that the large-scale chromatin folding might differ for specific regions of chromosomes and that it is basically preserved in tumor cells in spite of the amplification of many loci.

• MeSH
• amplifikace genu genetika   MeSH
• buněčné jádro genetika   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• chromatin genetika   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• DNA nádorová genetika   MeSH
• DNA sondy MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• epitelové buňky patologie   MeSH
• hybridizace in situ fluorescenční MeSH
• kolorektální nádory genetika   patologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lidské chromozomy genetika   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• pruhování chromozomů MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chromatin MeSH
• DNA nádorová MeSH
• DNA sondy MeSH

The spatial arrangement of some genetic elements relative to chromosome territories and in parallel with the cell nucleus was investigated in human lymphocytes. The structure of the chromosome territories was studied in chromosomes containing regions (clusters) of highly expressed genes (HSA 9, 17) and those without such clusters (HSA 8, 13). In chromosomes containing highly expressed regions, the elements pertaining to these regions were found close to the centre of the nucleus on the inner sides of chromosome territories; those pertaining to regions with low expression were localized close to the nuclear membrane on the opposite sides of the territories. In chromosomes with generally low expression (HSA 8, 13), the elements investigated were found symmetrically distributed over the territories. Based on the investigations of the chromosome structure, the following conclusions are suggested: (1) Chromosome territories have a non-random internal 3D structure with defined average mutual positions between elements. For example, RARalpha, TP53 and Iso-q of HSA 17 are nearer to each other than they are to the HSA 17 centromere. (2) The structure of a chromosome territory reflects the number and chromosome location of clusters of highly expressed genes. (3) Chromosome territories behave to some extent as solid bodies: if the territory is found closer to the nuclear centre, the individual genetic elements of this chromosome are also found, on average, closer the centre of the nucleus. (4) The positions of centromeres are, on average, nearer to the fluorescence weight centre of the territory (FWCT) than to genes. (5) Active genes are not found near the centromeres of their own territory. A simple model of the structure of chromosome territory is proposed.

• MeSH
• buněčné jádro genetika   MeSH
• centromera genetika   MeSH
• euchromatin genetika   MeSH
• geny MeSH
• heterochromatin genetika   MeSH
• hybridizace in situ fluorescenční MeSH
• jaderný obal genetika   MeSH
• kompartmentace buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lidské chromozomy, pár 17 ultrastruktura   MeSH
• lidské chromozomy ultrastruktura   MeSH
• lymfocyty diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• metoda Monte Carlo MeSH
• modely genetické MeSH
• počítačová simulace MeSH
• počítačové zpracování obrazu MeSH
• ultrasonografie MeSH
• zobrazování trojrozměrné * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• euchromatin MeSH
• heterochromatin MeSH

Higher-order compartments of nuclear chromatin have been defined according to the replication timing, transcriptional activity, and information content (Ferreira et al. 1997, Sadoni et al. 1999). The results presented in this work contribute to this model of nuclear organization. Using different human blood cells, nuclear positioning of genes, centromeres, and whole chromosomes was investigated. Genes are located mostly in the interior of cell nuclei; centromeres are located near the nuclear periphery in agreement with the definition of the higher-order compartments. Genetic loci are found in specific subregions of cell nuclei which form distinct layers at defined centre-of-nucleus to locus distances. Inside these layers, the genetic loci are distributed randomly. Some chromosomes are polarized with genes located in the inner parts of the nucleus and centromere located on the nuclear periphery; polar organization was not found for some other chromosomes. The internal structure of the higher-order compartments as well as the polar and non-polar organization of chromosomes are basically conserved in different cell types and at various stages of the cell cycle. Some features of the nuclear structure are conserved even in differentiated cells and during cellular repair after irradiation, although shifted positioning of genetic loci was systematically observed during these processes.

• MeSH
• buněčné jádro genetika   účinky záření   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• buněčný cyklus MeSH
• buňky kostní dřeně účinky záření   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• centromera účinky záření   MeSH
• geny účinky záření   MeSH
• HL-60 buňky MeSH
• hybridizace in situ fluorescenční MeSH
• interfáze MeSH
• kompartmentace buňky MeSH
• leukopoéza MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lidské chromozomy účinky záření   MeSH
• lymfocyty cytologie   účinky záření   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• U937 buňky MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH