Molecular Biology and Genetics / Moleküler Biyoloji ve Genetik

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11147/9

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 8
    Citation - Scopus: 8
    Multidrug Resistance in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
    (TÜBİTAK, 2014) Ünlü, Miray; Kiraz, Yağmur; Kacı, Fatma Necmiye; Özcan, Mehmet Ali; Baran, Yusuf
    Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is characterized by the accumulation of Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) myeloid cells. Ph+ cells occur via a reciprocal translocation between the long arms of chromosomes 9 and 22 resulting in constitutively active Bcr-abl fusion protein. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are used against the kinase activity of Bcr-abl fusion protein for the effective treatment of CML. However, the development of drug resistance, directed by different genetic mechanisms, is the major problem of clinical applications of TKIs. These mechanisms include mutations in the TKI binding site of Bcr-abl, overexpression of Bcr-abl, overexpression of ATP binding cassette transporters, aberrant ceramide metabolism, inhibition of apoptosis, and changes in expression levels of microRNAs. Recently, many studies have focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in cancer while targeting therapies providing reversal of resistance. Cancer stem cells also have roles in tumor initiation, maintenance, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. Uncovering the mechanisms of drug resistance can provide more efficient treatment of cancer since these findings may provide novel targets for a complete cure. In this review, we discuss recent findings on the mechanisms of multidrug resistance and its reversal in CML. © TÜBİTAK.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 46
    Citation - Scopus: 53
    Therapeutic Potential of Targeting Ceramide/Glucosylceramide Pathway in Cancer
    (Springer Verlag, 2013) Kartal Yandım, Melis; Apohan, Elif; Baran, Yusuf
    Sphingolipids including ceramides and its derivatives such as ceramide-1-phosphate, glucosylceramide (GlcCer), and sphingosine-1-phosphate are essential structural components of cell membranes. They now recognized as novel bioeffector molecules which control various aspects of cell growth, proliferation, apoptosis, and drug resistance. Ceramide, the central molecule of sphingolipid metabolism, generally mediates anti-proliferative responses such as inhibition of cell growth, induction of apoptosis, and/or modulation of senescence. There are two major classes of sphingolipids. One of them is glycosphingolipids which are synthesized from the hydrophobic molecule, ceramide. GlcCer, generated by glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) that transfers the glucose from UDP-glucose to ceramide, is an important glycosphingolipid metabolic intermediate. GCS regulates the balance between apoptotic ceramide and antiapoptotic GlcCer. Downregulation or inhibition of GCS results in increased apoptosis and decreased drug resistance. The mechanism underlying the drug resistance which develops with increased glucosylceramide expression is associated with P-glycoprotein. In various types of cancers, overexpression of GCS has been observed which renders GCS a good target for the treatment of cancer. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the structure and functions of glucosylceramide synthase and glucosylceramide and on the roles of glucosylceramide synthase in cancer therapy and drug resistance. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 7
    Citation - Scopus: 9
    Effect of Cobalt-60 (? Radiation) on Multidrug-Resistant Multiple Myeloma Cell Lines
    (Portland Press, 2011) Mutlu, Pelin; Baran, Yusuf; Ural, Ali Ugur; Avcu, Ferit; Dirican, Bahar; Beyzadeoglu, Murat; Gündüz, Ufuk
    Emergence of resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy is a major obstacle for the successful treatment of MM (multiple myeloma). Prednisone, vincristine and melphalan are commonly used chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of MM. In the current study, we examined the presence of possible cross-resistance between these drugs and gamma (γ) radiation. Prednisone, vincristine and melphalan resistant RPMI-8226 and U-266 MM cells were generated by stepwise increasing concentrations of the drugs. The sensitive and resistant cells were exposed to 200- and 800 cGy c radiation, and proliferation was examined by XTT {2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-2H-t etrazolium hydroxide} assay. The results showed that Prednisone- and melphalan-resistant RPMI-8226 cells were also cross-resistant to 200 and 800 cGy γ radiation application, while vincristine-resistant cells did not show resistance. On the other hand, Prednisone-, vincristine- and melphalan-resistant U-266 cells showed cross-resistance to 200- and 800 cGy c radiation application. These results demonstrated that MM cells resistant to anticancer agents respond to radiation in different levels. These findings may be important in the clinical applications of radiation therapy in the treatment of vincristine resistant MM. © The Author(s) Journal compilation
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 7
    Citation - Scopus: 7
    Nilotinib Significantly Induces Apoptosis in Imatinib Resistant K562 Cells With Wild-Type Bcr-Abl, as Effectively as in Parental Sensitive Counterparts
    (Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2010) Ekiz, Hüseyin Atakan; Can, Geylani; Gündüz, Ufuk; Baran, Yusuf
    Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematological malignancy characterized by high levels of immature white blood cells. CML is caused by the translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 (which results in the formation of the Philadelphia chromosome) creating BCR-ABL fusion protein. Imatinib and nilotinib are chemotherapeutic drugs which specifically bind to the BCR-ABL and inhibit cancer cells. Nilotinib is more effective in this respect than imatinib. We have shown that nilotinib induces apoptosis in imatinib-resistant K562 CML cells which have the wild-type BCR-ABL fusion gene almost to the same extent as it does in the parental sensitive cells by the increase in caspase-3 enzyme activity and the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. This effect of nilotinib, even in low concentrations, may indicate the efficacy of the usage of nilotinib in imatinib-resistant CML with less risk of undesired cytotoxic effects in the remaining cells of the body. © 2010 W. S. Maney & Son Ltd.