Nrf2:INrf2 (Keap1) are cellular sensors of oxidative and electrophilic stress. Nrf2 is a nuclear factor that controls the expression and coordinated induction of a battery of genes which encode detoxifying enzymes, drug transporters (MRPs), anti-apoptotic proteins and proteasomes. In the basal state, Nrf2 is constantly degraded in the cytoplasm by its inhibitor, INrf2. INrf2 functions as an adapter for Cul3/Rbx1 E3 ubiquitin ligase mediated degradation of Nrf2. Chemicals including antioxidants, tocopherols including α-tocopherol (vitamin E), phytochemicals and radiations antagonize the Nrf2:INrf2 interaction and leads to the stabilization and activation of Nrf2. The signaling events involve pre-induction, induction and post-induction responses that tightly control Nrf2 activation and repression back to the basal state. Oxidative/electrophilic signals activate unknown tyrosine kinase(s) in a pre-induction response which phosphorylates specific residues on Nrf2 negative-regulators, INrf2, Fyn and Bach1, leading to their nuclear export, ubiquitination and degradation. This prepares nuclei for unhindered import of Nrf2. Oxidative/electrophilic modification of INrf2cysteine151 followed by PKC phosphorylation of Nrf2serine40 in the induction response results in the escape or release of Nrf2 from INrf2. Nrf2 is thus stabilized and translocates to the nucleus resulting in a coordinated activation of gene expression. This is followed by a post-induction response that controls the ‘switching off’ of Nrf2-activated gene expression. GSK3β under the control of AKT and PI3K, phosphorylates Fyn leading to Fyn nuclear localization. Fyn phosphorylates Nrf2Y568 resulting in nuclear export and degradation of Nrf2. The activation and repression of Nrf2 provides protection against oxidative/electrophilic stress and associated diseases, including cancer. However, deregulation of INrf2 and Nrf2 due to mutations may lead to nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 that reduces apoptosis and promotes oncogenesis and drug resistance.

Introduction-Sandwich-cultured human hepatocytes (SCHHs) are the most common in vitro hepatocyte model used for studying hepatic drug disposition and hepatotoxicity. Targeted quantification of key DME and transporter protein expression is useful for in vitro-in vivo extrapolation of drug and xenobiotic clearance and developing corresponding PBPK models. However, established methods for comprehensive quantification of drug metabolizing enzyme (DMEs) and transporter expression in SCHHs are lacking. In this study, a targeted quantitative proteomic isotope dilution nanoLC-MS/MS method developed in our laboratory was adapted to quantify a panel of phase I & II DMEs and transporter proteins in SCHHs under basal and induced conditions.Methods-SCHHs were treated with known inducers of DMEs (Rifampin: PXR activator, CITCO: CAR activator) and transporters (CDCA: FXR activator) or with vehicle control (DMSO) for 72 h. Membrane protein was isolated from the SCHHs using a membrane extraction kit and 30 μg membrane protein was digested with trypsin. The resulting peptides were analyzed by isotope dilution nanoLC-MS/MS to quantify the DMEs and transporters.

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Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are cells within tumors that maintain the ability to self-renew, drive tumor growth, and contribute to therapeutic resistance and cancer recurrence. In this study, we investigate the role of Zinc finger and SCAN domain containing 4 (ZSCAN4) in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The murine Zscan4 is involved in telomere maintenance and genomic stability of mouse embryonic stem cells. Our data indicate that the human ZSCAN4 is enriched for, marks and is co-expressed with CSC markers in HNSCC. We show that transient ZSCAN4 induction for just 2 days increases CSC frequency both in vitro and in vivo and leads to upregulation of pluripotency and CSC factors. Importantly, we define for the first time the role of ZSCAN4 in altering the epigenetic profile and regulating the chromatin state. Our data show that ZSCAN4 leads to a functional histone 3 hyperacetylation at the promoters of OCT3/4 and NANOG, leading to an upregulation of CSC factors. Consistently, ZSCAN4 depletion leads to downregulation of CSC markers, decreased ability to form tumorspheres and severely affects tumor growth. Our study suggests that ZSCAN4 plays an important role in the maintenance of the CSC phenotype, indicating it is a potential therapeutic target in HNSCC.

Background: Human adult stem cells hold the potential for the cure of numerous conditions and degenerative diseases. They possess major advantages over pluripotent stem cells as they can be derived from donors at any age, and therefore pose no ethical concerns or risk of teratoma tumor formation in vivo. Furthermore, they have a natural ability to differentiate and secrete factors that promote tissue healing without genetic manipulation. However, at present, clinical applications of adult stem cells are limited by a shortage of a reliable, standardized, and easily accessible tissue source which does not rely on specimens discarded from unrelated surgical procedures. Method: Human tonsil-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) were isolated from a small sample of tonsillar tissue (average 0.88 cm 3 ). Our novel procedure poses a minimal mechanical and enzymatic insult to the tissue, and therefore leads to high cell viability and yield. We characterized these MPCs and demonstrated robust multipotency in vitro. We further show that these cells can be propagated and maintained in xeno-free conditions.