STAT3, a hub protein of cellular signaling pathways, is triggered by β-hexaclorocyclohexane

Background: Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are widely distributed in the environment and their toxicity is mostly associated with the molecular mechanisms of endocrine disruption. Among OCPs, particular attention was focused on the effects of β-hexaclorocyclohexane (β-HCH), a widely common pollutant. A detailed epidemiological study carried out on exposed population in the “Valle del Sacco” found correlations between the incidence of a wide range of diseases and the occurrence of β-HCH contamination. Taking into account the pleiotropic role of the protein signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), its function as a hub protein in cellular signaling pathways triggered by β-HCH was investigated in different cell lines corresponding to tissues that are especially vulnerable to damage by environmental pollutants. Materials and Methods: Human prostate cancer (LNCaP), human breast cancer (MCF-7 and MDA-MB 468), and human hepatoma (HepG2) cell lines were treated with 10 µM β-HCH in the presence or absence of specific inhibitors for different receptors. All samples were subjected to analysis by immunoblotting and RT-qPCR. Results and Conclusions: The preliminary results allow us to hypothesize the involvement of STAT3, through both its canonical and non-canonical pathways, in response to β-HCH. Moreover, we ascertained the role of STAT3 as a master regulator of energy metabolism via the altered expression and localization of HIF-1α and PKM2, respectively, resulting in a Warburg-like effect

Selective Association of Peroxiredoxin 1 with Genomic DNA and COX-2 Upstream Promoter Elements in Estrogen Receptor Negative Breast Cancer Cells

PRDX1 was identified as a protein preferentially crosslinked to DNA in estrogen receptor negative but not in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cells. In estrogen receptor negative cells, PRDX1 is phosphorylated, binds to NF-κB, and is recruited to COX-2 upstream promoter elements

Pharmaceutically Enhancing Medical Professionals for Difficult Conversations

A peer-reviewed electroni

Dangerous liaison: organochlorine substances, energy metabolism and cancer

none10nononeCarissimi S; Chichiarelli S; Marrocco I; Altieri F; Romaniello D; Giamogante F; Francioso A; Cocchiola R; D’Erme M; Eufemi M.Carissimi S; Chichiarelli S; Marrocco I; Altieri F; Romaniello D; Giamogante F; Francioso A; Cocchiola R; D’Erme M; Eufemi M

The binding of antibiotics to ERp57/GRP58

The effects of five antibiotics, previously described as ligands of protein disulfide isomerase PDI, have now been studied on the homologous protein ERp57. They bind to this protein with much higher affinity than to PDI, and some of them inhibit the reductase and the DNA-binding activities of ERp57. In view of the high affinity of vancomycin, erythromycin and streptomycin, some effects of their interaction with this protein might be expected in vivo