1
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Corsetto PA, Zava S, Rizzo AM, Colombo I. The Critical Impact of Sphingolipid Metabolism in Breast Cancer Progression and Drug Response. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032107. [PMID: 36768427 PMCID: PMC9916652 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women in the world, and its management includes a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, whose effectiveness depends largely, but not exclusively, on the molecular subtype (Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2+ and Triple Negative). All breast cancer subtypes are accompanied by peculiar and substantial changes in sphingolipid metabolism. Alterations in sphingolipid metabolite levels, such as ceramides, dihydroceramide, sphingosine, sphingosine-1-phosphate, and sphingomyelin, as well as in their biosynthetic and catabolic enzymatic pathways, have emerged as molecular mechanisms by which breast cancer cells grow, respond to or escape therapeutic interventions and could take on diagnostic and prognostic value. In this review, we summarize the current landscape around two main themes: 1. sphingolipid metabolites, enzymes and transport proteins that have been found dysregulated in human breast cancer cells and/or tissues; 2. sphingolipid-driven mechanisms that allow breast cancer cells to respond to or evade therapies. Having a complete picture of the impact of the sphingolipid metabolism in the development and progression of breast cancer may provide an effective means to improve and personalize treatments and reduce associated drug resistance.
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2
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Li RZ, Wang XR, Wang J, Xie C, Wang XX, Pan HD, Meng WY, Liang TL, Li JX, Yan PY, Wu QB, Liu L, Yao XJ, Leung ELH. The key role of sphingolipid metabolism in cancer: New therapeutic targets, diagnostic and prognostic values, and anti-tumor immunotherapy resistance. Front Oncol 2022; 12:941643. [PMID: 35965565 PMCID: PMC9364366 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.941643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biologically active sphingolipids are closely related to the growth, differentiation, aging, and apoptosis of cancer cells. Some sphingolipids, such as ceramides, are favorable metabolites in the sphingolipid metabolic pathway, usually mediating antiproliferative responses, through inhibiting cancer cell growth and migration, as well as inducing autophagy and apoptosis. However, other sphingolipids, such as S1P, play the opposite role, which induces cancer cell transformation, migration and growth and promotes drug resistance. There are also other sphingolipids, as well as enzymes, played potentially critical roles in cancer physiology and therapeutics. This review aimed to explore the important roles of sphingolipid metabolism in cancer. In this article, we summarized the role and value of sphingolipid metabolism in cancer, including the distribution of sphingolipids, the functions, and their relevance to cancer diagnosis and prognosis. We also summarized the known and potential antitumor targets present in sphingolipid metabolism, analyzed the correlation between sphingolipid metabolism and tumor immunity, and summarize the antitumor effects of natural compounds based on sphingolipids. Through the analysis and summary of sphingolipid antitumor therapeutic targets and immune correlation, we aim to provide ideas for the development of new antitumor drugs, exploration of new therapeutic means for tumors, and study of immunotherapy resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Run-Ze Li
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Xuan-Run Wang
- Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery/State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine/Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Oncology, Luzhou People’s Hospital, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Chun Xie
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Science, University of Macau, Macao, Macao SAR, China
- MOE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Xing-Xia Wang
- Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery/State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine/Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Hu-Dan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Wei-Yu Meng
- Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery/State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine/Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Tu-Liang Liang
- Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery/State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine/Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Jia-Xin Li
- Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery/State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine/Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Pei-Yu Yan
- Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery/State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine/Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Qi-Biao Wu
- Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery/State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine/Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Liang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Macao, Macao SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Xiao-Jun Yao, ; Liang Liu, ; Elaine Lai-Han Leung,
| | - Xiao-Jun Yao
- Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery/State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine/Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Xiao-Jun Yao, ; Liang Liu, ; Elaine Lai-Han Leung,
| | - Elaine Lai-Han Leung
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Science, University of Macau, Macao, Macao SAR, China
- MOE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Macao, Macao SAR, China
- Breast Surgery, Zhuhai Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhuhai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiao-Jun Yao, ; Liang Liu, ; Elaine Lai-Han Leung,
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3
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Zaurin R, Ferrari R, Nacht AS, Carbonell J, Le Dily F, Font-Mateu J, de Llobet Cucalon LI, Vidal E, Lioutas A, Beato M, Vicent GP. A set of accessible enhancers enables the initial response of breast cancer cells to physiological progestin concentrations. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:12716-12731. [PMID: 34850111 PMCID: PMC8682742 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we report that in T47D breast cancer cells 50 pM progestin is sufficient to activate cell cycle entry and the progesterone gene expression program. At this concentration, equivalent to the progesterone blood levels found around the menopause, progesterone receptor (PR) binds only to 2800 genomic sites, which are accessible to ATAC cleavage prior to hormone exposure. These highly accessible sites (HAs) are surrounded by well-organized nucleosomes and exhibit breast enhancer features, including estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), higher FOXA1 and BRD4 (bromodomain containing 4) occupancy. Although HAs are enriched in RAD21 and CTCF, PR binding is the driving force for the most robust interactions with hormone-regulated genes. HAs show higher frequency of 3D contacts among themselves than with other PR binding sites, indicating colocalization in similar compartments. Gene regulation via HAs is independent of classical coregulators and ATP-activated remodelers, relying mainly on MAP kinase activation that enables PR nuclear engagement. HAs are also preferentially occupied by PR and ERα in breast cancer xenografts derived from MCF-7 cells as well as from patients, indicating their potential usefulness as targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roser Zaurin
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, 08003, Spain.,Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Roberto Ferrari
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, 08003, Spain.,Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Ana Silvina Nacht
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, 08003, Spain.,Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Jose Carbonell
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, 08003, Spain.,Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Francois Le Dily
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, 08003, Spain.,Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Jofre Font-Mateu
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, 08003, Spain.,Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Lara Isabel de Llobet Cucalon
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, 08003, Spain.,Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Enrique Vidal
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, 08003, Spain.,Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Antonios Lioutas
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, 08003, Spain.,Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Miguel Beato
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, 08003, Spain.,Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, 08003, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Guillermo P Vicent
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona, 08003, Spain.,Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IBMB-CSIC), Barcelona, 08003, Spain
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4
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Reza S, Ugorski M, Suchański J. Glucosylceramide and galactosylceramide, small glycosphingolipids with significant impact on health and disease. Glycobiology 2021; 31:1416-1434. [PMID: 34080016 PMCID: PMC8684486 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwab046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous clinical observations and exploitation of cellular and animal models indicate that glucosylceramide (GlcCer) and galactosylceramide (GalCer) are involved in many physiological and pathological phenomena. In many cases, the biological importance of these monohexosylcermides has been shown indirectly as the result of studies on enzymes involved in their synthesis and degradation. Under physiological conditions, GalCer plays a key role in the maintenance of proper structure and stability of myelin and differentiation of oligodendrocytes. On the other hand, GlcCer is necessary for the proper functions of epidermis. Such an important lysosomal storage disease as Gaucher disease (GD) and a neurodegenerative disorder as Parkinson’s disease are characterized by mutations in the GBA1 gene, decreased activity of lysosomal GBA1 glucosylceramidase and accumulation of GlcCer. In contrast, another lysosomal disease, Krabbe disease, is associated with mutations in the GALC gene, resulting in deficiency or decreased activity of lysosomal galactosylceramidase and accumulation of GalCer and galactosylsphingosine. Little is known about the role of both monohexosylceramides in tumor progression; however, numerous studies indicate that GlcCer and GalCer play important roles in the development of multidrug-resistance by cancer cells. It was shown that GlcCer is able to provoke immune reaction and acts as a self-antigen in GD. On the other hand, GalCer was recognized as an important cellular receptor for HIV-1. Altogether, these two molecules are excellent examples of how slight differences in chemical composition and molecular conformation contribute to profound differences in their physicochemical properties and biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safoura Reza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C.K. Norwida 31, 50-375, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Ugorski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C.K. Norwida 31, 50-375, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jarosław Suchański
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C.K. Norwida 31, 50-375, Wroclaw, Poland
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5
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Liu J, Zhang X, Liu A, Zhang D, Su Y, Liu Y, You D, Yuan L, Kong X, Wang X, Sun P. Altered methylation of glucosylceramide synthase promoter regulates its expression and associates with acquired multidrug resistance in invasive ductal breast cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 7:36755-36766. [PMID: 27191984 PMCID: PMC5095037 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) increases multidrug resistance (MDR) in many cancer cells. However, its mechanism is unknown. The aim of the present study is to detect the association of methylation at the GCS gene promoter with its expression and MDR in invasive ductal breast cancer. 40 cases GCS-positive and 40 cases GCS-negative primary breast carcinoma samples, three drug-sensitive breast cancer cell lines and one multidrug-resistant breast cancer cell line were used. Immunohistochemistry, methylation-specific PCR (MSP), quantitative real-time (qPCR), westernblot and cytotoxicity assay techniques were employed. Thwe results revealed that there was a statistically negative correlation between GCS CpG islands methylation and GCS phenotype in patients with breast cancer. GCS CpG islands methylation was negatively associated with high ER, meanwhile positively with high HER-2 status. Similar results were obtained from the analysis of breast cancer cell lines. Treatment with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dc) changed the GCS promoter methylation pattern in three sensitive cells and also caused increased drug resistance of them. These results suggested that the changes of DNA methylation status of the GCS promoter correlates with multidrug resistance in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiannan Liu
- Department of Oncology, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, P. R. China
| | - Xiaofang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P. R. China
| | - Aina Liu
- Department of Oncology, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, P. R. China
| | - Daoping Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, P. R. China
| | - Yi Su
- Department of Oncology, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, P. R. China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Oncology, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, P. R. China
| | - Dong You
- Department of Oncology, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, P. R. China
| | - Leilei Yuan
- Department of Radiology, Taian Central Hospital, Taian, Shandong, 271000, P. R. China
| | - Xiangshuo Kong
- Department of Oncology, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, P. R. China
| | - Xiaodan Wang
- Department of Oncology, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, P. R. China
| | - Ping Sun
- Department of Oncology, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, 264000, P. R. China
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6
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Astudillo L, Therville N, Colacios C, Ségui B, Andrieu-Abadie N, Levade T. Glucosylceramidases and malignancies in mammals. Biochimie 2016; 125:267-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2015.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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7
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Molina-Guijarro JM, García C, Macías Á, García-Fernández LF, Moreno C, Reyes F, Martínez-Leal JF, Fernández R, Martínez V, Valenzuela C, Lillo MP, Galmarini CM. Elisidepsin Interacts Directly with Glycosylceramides in the Plasma Membrane of Tumor Cells to Induce Necrotic Cell Death. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140782. [PMID: 26474061 PMCID: PMC4608773 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasma membrane integrity is essential for cell life. Any major break on it immediately induces the death of the affected cell. Different molecules were described as disrupting this cell structure and thus showing antitumor activity. We have previously defined that elisidepsin (Irvalec®, PM02734) inserts and self-organizes in the plasma membrane of tumor cells, inducing a rapid loss of membrane integrity, cell permeabilization and necrotic death. Here we show that, in sensitive HCT-116 colorectal cells, all these effects are consequence of the interaction of elisidepsin with glycosylceramides in the cell membrane. Of note, an elisidepsin-resistant subline (HCT-116-Irv) presented reduced levels of glycosylceramides and no accumulation of elisidepsin in the plasma membrane. Consequently, drug treatment did not induce the characteristic necrotic cell death. Furthermore, GM95, a mutant derivative from B16 mouse melanoma cells lacking ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG) activity and thus the synthesis of glycosylceramides, was also resistant to elisidepsin. Over-expression of UGCG gene in these deficient cells restored glycosylceramides synthesis, rendering them sensitive to elisidepsin, at a similar level than parental B16 cells. These results indicate that glycosylceramides act as membrane targets of elisidepsin, facilitating its insertion in the plasma membrane and the subsequent membrane permeabilization that leads to drug-induced cell death. They also indicate that cell membrane lipids are a plausible target for antineoplastic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carolina García
- Departamento de Química Física Biológica, Instituto de Química-Física “Rocasolano” (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Macías
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Cristina Moreno
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Reyes
- Fundación MEDINA, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Rogelio Fernández
- Departamento de Investigación y Desarrollo, PharmaMar S.A., Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain
| | - Valentín Martínez
- Departamento de Investigación y Desarrollo, PharmaMar S.A., Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Valenzuela
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Pilar Lillo
- Departamento de Química Física Biológica, Instituto de Química-Física “Rocasolano” (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos M. Galmarini
- Departamento de Investigación y Desarrollo, PharmaMar S.A., Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain
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8
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Sänger N, Ruckhäberle E, Györffy B, Engels K, Heinrich T, Fehm T, Graf A, Holtrich U, Becker S, Karn T. Acid ceramidase is associated with an improved prognosis in both DCIS and invasive breast cancer. Mol Oncol 2015; 9:58-67. [PMID: 25131496 PMCID: PMC5528695 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2014.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2014] [Revised: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Acid ceramidase (ASAH1) a key enzyme of sphingolipid metabolism converting pro-apoptotic ceramide to sphingosine has been shown to be overexpressed in various cancers. We previously demonstrated higher expression of ASAH1 in ER positive compared to ER negative breast cancer. In the current study we performed subtype specific analyses of ASAH1 gene expression in invasive and non invasive breast cancer. We show that expression of ASAH1 is mainly associated with luminal A - like cancers which are known to have the best prognosis of all breast cancer subtypes. Moreover tumors with high ASAH1 expression among the other subtypes are also characterized by an improved prognosis. The good prognosis of tumors with high ASAH1 is independent of the type of adjuvant treatment in breast cancer and is also detected in non small cell lung cancer patients. Moreover, even in pre-invasive DCIS of the breast ASAH1 is associated with a luminal phenotype and a reduced frequency of recurrences. Thus, high ASAH1 expression is generally associated with an improved prognosis in invasive breast cancer independent of adjuvant treatment and could also be valuable as prognostic factor for pre-invasive DCIS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Sänger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Eugen Ruckhäberle
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Balazs Györffy
- MTA TTK Lendület Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Budapest, Hungary; 2(nd) Dept. of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; MTA-SE Pediatrics and Nephrology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Knut Engels
- Zentrum für Pathologie, Zytologie und Molekularpathologie Neuss, Germany
| | - Tomas Heinrich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tanja Fehm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Anna Graf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Uwe Holtrich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sven Becker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Karn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany.
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9
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Wegner MS, Wanger RA, Oertel S, Brachtendorf S, Hartmann D, Schiffmann S, Marschalek R, Schreiber Y, Ferreirós N, Geisslinger G, Grösch S. Ceramide synthases CerS4 and CerS5 are upregulated by 17β-estradiol and GPER1 via AP-1 in human breast cancer cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2014; 92:577-89. [PMID: 25451689 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2014.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Revised: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Ceramide synthases (CerS) are important enzymes of the sphingolipid pathway, responsible for the production of ceramides with distinct chain lengths. In human breast cancer tissue, we detected a significant increase in CerS4 and CerS6 mRNA in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) cancer tissue. To clarify the molecular mechanism of this upregulation, we cloned CerS2, -4, -5 and CerS6 promoter and 3'-UTR fragments into luciferase reporter gene plasmids and determined luciferase activity in MCF-7 (ERα/β) and MDA-MB-231 (ERβ) cells after 17β-estradiol treatment. Only the activities of CerS4 and CerS5 promoter Luc constructs, as well as CerS2- and CerS5-3'-UTR Luc constructs increased after estradiol treatment in MCF-7 cells, and this could be inhibited by the anti-estrogen fulvestrant. Co-transfection with the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) also enhanced CerS2, CerS4 and CerS6 promoter activity whereas CerS5 promoter activity was inhibited in both cell lines. Promoter deletion and mutation constructs from CerS4 and CerS5 promoters revealed that estradiol and GPER1 mediate their effects on both promoters by activating AP-1, most likely through dimerization of c-Jun and c-Fos. At least we could show, that cell proliferation induced by estradiol could be blocked by co-treatment with Fumonisin B1, indicating that upregulation of CerS in breast cancer cells by estrogen is important for cell proliferation and possibly tumor development. In conclusion, our data highlight transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms regulating CerS expression in human cells which provide the basis for further studies investigating the regulation of CerS expression and ceramide synthesis after diverse stimuli in physiological and pathophysiological processess.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marthe-Susanna Wegner
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Ruth Anna Wanger
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Stephanie Oertel
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Sebastian Brachtendorf
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Daniela Hartmann
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Schiffmann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Project Group Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (TMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Rolf Marschalek
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, Biozentrum, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Yannick Schreiber
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Nerea Ferreirós
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Gerd Geisslinger
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Sabine Grösch
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
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10
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Don AS, Lim XY, Couttas TA. Re-configuration of sphingolipid metabolism by oncogenic transformation. Biomolecules 2014; 4:315-53. [PMID: 24970218 PMCID: PMC4030989 DOI: 10.3390/biom4010315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2013] [Revised: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The sphingolipids are one of the major lipid families in eukaryotes, incorporating a diverse array of structural variants that exert a powerful influence over cell fate and physiology. Increased expression of sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1), which catalyses the synthesis of the pro-survival, pro-angiogenic metabolite sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), is well established as a hallmark of multiple cancers. Metabolic alterations that reduce levels of the pro-apoptotic lipid ceramide, particularly its glucosylation by glucosylceramide synthase (GCS), have frequently been associated with cancer drug resistance. However, the simple notion that the balance between ceramide and S1P, often referred to as the sphingolipid rheostat, dictates cell survival contrasts with recent studies showing that highly potent and selective SPHK1 inhibitors do not affect cancer cell proliferation or survival, and studies demonstrating higher ceramide levels in some metastatic cancers. Recent reports have implicated other sphingolipid metabolic enzymes such as acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) more strongly in cancer pathogenesis, and highlight lysosomal sphingolipid metabolism as a possible weak point for therapeutic targeting in cancer. This review describes the evidence implicating different sphingolipid metabolic enzymes and their products in cancer pathogenesis, and suggests how newer systems-level approaches may improve our overall understanding of how oncogenic transformation reconfigures sphingolipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony S Don
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Xin Y Lim
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Timothy A Couttas
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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Liu J, Sun P, Sun Y, Liu A, You D, Jiang F, Sun Y. Expression of glucosylceramide synthase in invasive ductal breast cancer may be correlated with high estrogen receptor status and low HER-2 status. Diagn Pathol 2014; 9:22. [PMID: 24456584 PMCID: PMC3976100 DOI: 10.1186/1746-1596-9-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Virtual slides The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1559854430111589.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Yuping Sun
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital, Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P R China.
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12
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Liu YY, Hill RA, Li YT. Ceramide glycosylation catalyzed by glucosylceramide synthase and cancer drug resistance. Adv Cancer Res 2013; 117:59-89. [PMID: 23290777 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394274-6.00003-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Glucosylceramide synthase (GCS), converting ceramide to glucosylceramide, catalyzes the first reaction of ceramide glycosylation in sphingolipid metabolism. This glycosylation by GCS is a critical step regulating the modulation of cellular activities by controlling ceramide and glycosphingolipids (GSLs). An increase of ceramide in response to stresses, such as chemotherapy, drives cells to proliferation arrest and apoptosis or autophagy; however, ceramide glycosylation promptly eliminates ceramide and consequently, these induced processes, thus protecting cancer cells. Further, persistently enhanced ceramide glycosylation can increase GSLs, participating in selecting cancer cells to drug resistance. GCS is overexpressed in diverse drug-resistant cancer cells and in tumors of breast, colon, and leukemia that display poor response to chemotherapy. As ceramide glycosylation by GCS is a rate-limiting step in GSL synthesis, inhibition of GCS sensitizes cancer cells to anticancer drugs and eradicates cancer stem cells. Mechanistic studies indicate that uncoupling ceramide glycosylation can modulate gene expression, decreasing MDR1 through the cSrc/β-catenin pathway and restoring p53 expression via RNA splicing. These studies not only expand our knowledge in understanding how ceramide glycosylation affects cancer cells but also provide novel therapeutic approaches for targeting refractory tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Yu Liu
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA, USA.
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13
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Jennemann R, Gröne HJ. Cell-specific in vivo functions of glycosphingolipids: lessons from genetic deletions of enzymes involved in glycosphingolipid synthesis. Prog Lipid Res 2013; 52:231-48. [PMID: 23473748 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2013.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2012] [Revised: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 02/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are believed to be involved in many cellular events including trafficking, signaling and cellular interactions. Over the past decade considerable progress was made elucidating the function of GSLs by generating and exploring animal models with GSL-deficiency. Initial studies focused on exploring the role of complex sialic acid containing GSLs (gangliosides) in neuronal tissue. Although complex gangliosides were absent, surprisingly, the phenotype observed was rather mild. In subsequent studies, several mouse models with combinations of gene-deletions encoding GSL-synthesizing enzymes were developed. The results indicated that reduction of GSL-complexity correlated with severity of phenotypes. However, in these mice, accumulation of precursor GSLs or neobiosynthesized GSL-series seemed to partly compensate the loss of GSLs. Thus, UDP-glucose:ceramide glucosyltransferase (Ugcg), catalyzing the basic step of the glucosylceramide-based GSL-biosynthesis, was genetically disrupted. A total systemic deletion of Ugcg caused early embryonic lethality. Therefore, Ugcg was eliminated in a cell-specific manner using the cre/loxP-system. New insights into the cellular function of GSLs were gained. It was demonstrated that neurons require GSLs for differentiation and maintenance. In keratinocytes, preservation of the skin barrier depends on GSL synthesis and in enterocytes of the small intestine GSLs are involved in endocytosis and vesicular transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Jennemann
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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Abstract
Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) is a lipid hydrolase that cleaves the sphingolipid, sphingomyelin, into ceramide. Mutations in the ASM gene (SMPD1) result in the rare lysosomal storage disorder, Niemann-Pick disease (NPD). In addition to its role in NPD, over the past two decades, the importance of sphingolipids, and ASM in particular, in normal physiology and the pathophysiology of numerous common diseases also has become known. For example, altered sphingolipid metabolism occurs in many cancers, generally reducing the levels of the pro-apoptotic lipid, ceramide, and/or elevating the levels of the proliferative lipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). These changes likely contribute to the tumorigenicity and/or metastatic capacity of the cancer. In addition, many cancer therapies induce ceramide-mediated death, and cancer cells have evolved novel mechanisms to overcome this effect. In the present review, we discuss sphingolipid metabolism in cancer, and specifically the potential for pharmacological modulation using ASM. Of note, recombinant human ASM (rhASM) has been produced for human use and is being evaluated as a treatment for NPD. Thus, its use for cancer therapy could be rapidly evaluated in the clinic after appropriate animal model studies have been completed. As this enzyme was initially studied in the context of NPD, we start with a brief overview of the history of ASM and NPD, followed by a discussion of the role of ASM in cancer biology, and then summarize emerging preclinical efficacy studies using rhASM as an adjunct in the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radoslav Savić
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA
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Delgado A, Fabriàs G, Casas J, Abad JL. Natural products as platforms for the design of sphingolipid-related anticancer agents. Adv Cancer Res 2013; 117:237-81. [PMID: 23290782 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394274-6.00008-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Modulation of sphingolipid metabolism is a promising strategy for cancer therapy that has already opened innovative approaches for the development of pharmacological tools and rationally designed new drugs. On the other hand, natural products represent a classical and well-established source of chemical diversity that has guided medicinal chemists on the development of new chemical entities with potential therapeutic use. Based on these premises, the aim of this chapter is to provide the reader with a general overview of some of the most representative families of sphingolipid-related natural products that have been described in the recent literature as lead compounds for the design of new modulators of sphingolipid metabolism. Special emphasis is placed on the structural aspects of natural sphingoids and synthetic analogs that have found application as anticancer agents. In addition, their cellular targets and/or their mode of action are also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Delgado
- Spanish National Research Council, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules, Jordi Girona 18-26, Barcelona, Spain.
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16
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Zhang X, Wu X, Su P, Gao Y, Meng B, Sun Y, Li L, Zhou Z, Zhou G. Doxorubicin influences the expression of glucosylceramide synthase in invasive ductal breast cancer. PLoS One 2012; 7:e48492. [PMID: 23133636 PMCID: PMC3487728 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) is one enzyme that provides a major route for ceramide clearance. Recent evidence has indicated an important role for GCS in multidrug resistance (MDR) tumors. Doxorubicin (DOX)can modulate the expression of GCS in leukemia and ovary cell lines. However, few studies have investigated their relationship in breast cancer; Methods We collected 84 excision biopsies from patients with invasive ductal breast cancer of whom 33 patients had undergone preoperative chemotherapy. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the expression of GCS protein and significantly showed that the expression of GCS was higher in the samples from patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy(p = 0.018). In order to investigate the underlying mechanism, breast cancer cell lines were cultured with different concentrations of DOX, and mRNA and protein levels of GCS were then detected; Results DOX significantly upregulated the expression of GCS at both the mRNA and protein level in ERα-positive MCF-7 cells.We then block down the Sp1 site of GCS promoter, which inhibited the DOX-mediated increase in GCS expression; and after Erα was inhibited in MCF-7 cells, the up-regulation of GCS by DOX also been inhibited. Conclusions In conclusion, our data demonstrated the novel finding that DOX could modulate the expression of GCS through the Sp1 site of GCS promoter in ERα-positive breast cancer cells.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Antibiotics, Antineoplastic/pharmacology
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/enzymology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Doxorubicin/pharmacology
- Estrogen Receptor alpha/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Glucosyltransferases/biosynthesis
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry/methods
- Middle Aged
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojuan Wu
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Peng Su
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Yongsheng Gao
- Department of Pathology, Academy of Tumor Treatment and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong, P.R.China
| | - Bin Meng
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Yanlin Sun
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Gengyin Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
The bioactive sphingolipids including, ceramide, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) have important roles in several types of signaling and regulation of many cellular processes including cell proliferation, apoptosis, senescence, angiogenesis, and transformation. Recent accumulating evidence suggests that ceramide- and S1P-mediated pathways have been implicated in cancer development, progression, and chemotherapy. Ceramide mediates numerous cell-stress responses, such as induction of apoptosis and cell senescence, whereas S1P plays pivotal roles in cell survival, migration, and inflammation. These sphingolipids with opposing roles can be interconverted within cells, suggesting that the balance between them is related to cell fate. Importantly, these sphingolipids are metabolically related through actions of enzymes including ceramidases, ceramide synthases, sphingosine kinases, and S1P phosphatases thereby forming a network of metabolically interrelated bioactive lipid mediators whose importance in normal cellular function and diseases is gaining appreciation. In this review, we summarize involvement of sphingolipids and their related enzymes in pathogenesis and therapy of cancer and discuss future directions of sphingolipid field in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideki Furuya
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, 651 Ilalo Street, BSB #222H, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
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18
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Hilvo M, Orešič M. Regulation of lipid metabolism in breast cancer provides diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.2217/clp.12.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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19
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Romero Q, Bendahl PO, Klintman M, Loman N, Ingvar C, Rydén L, Rose C, Grabau D, Borgquist S. Ki67 proliferation in core biopsies versus surgical samples - a model for neo-adjuvant breast cancer studies. BMC Cancer 2011; 11:341. [PMID: 21819622 PMCID: PMC3163632 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-11-341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2011] [Accepted: 08/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increasing number of neo-adjuvant breast cancer studies are being conducted and a novel model for tumor biological studies, the "window-of-opportunity" model, has revealed several advantages. Change in tumor cell proliferation, estimated by Ki67-expression in pre-therapeutic core biopsies versus post-therapeutic surgical samples is often the primary end-point. The aim of the present study was to investigate potential differences in proliferation scores between core biopsies and surgical samples when patients have not received any intervening anti-cancer treatment. Also, a lack of consensus concerning Ki67 assessment may raise problems in the comparison of neo-adjuvant studies. Thus, the secondary aim was to present a novel model for Ki67 assessment. METHODS Fifty consecutive breast cancer cases with both a core biopsy and a surgical sample available, without intervening neo-adjuvant therapy, were collected and tumor proliferation (Ki67, MIB1 antibody) was assessed immunohistochemically. A theoretical model for the assessment of Ki67 was constructed based on sequential testing of the null hypothesis 20% Ki67-positive cells versus the two-sided alternative more or less than 20% positive cells.. RESULTS Assessment of Ki67 in 200 tumor cells showed an absolute average proliferation difference of 3.9% between core biopsies and surgical samples (p = 0.046, paired t-test) with the core biopsies being the more proliferative sample type. A corresponding analysis on the log-scale showed the average relative decrease from the biopsy to the surgical specimen to be 19% (p = 0.063, paired t-test on the log-scale). The difference was significant when using the more robust Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test (p = 0.029). After dichotomization at 20%, 12 of the 50 sample pairs had discrepant proliferation status, 10 showed high Ki67 in the core biopsy compared to two in the surgical specimen (p = 0.039, McNemar's test). None of the corresponding results for 1000 tumor cells were significant - average absolute difference 2.2% and geometric mean of the ratios 0.85 (p = 0.19 and p = 0.18, respectively, paired t-tests, p = 0.057, Wilcoxon's test) and an equal number of discordant cases after dichotomization. Comparing proliferation values for the initial 200 versus the final 800 cancer cells showed significant absolute differences for both core biopsies and surgical samples 5.3% and 3.2%, respectively (p < 0.0001, paired t-test). CONCLUSIONS A significant difference between core biopsy and surgical sample proliferation values was observed despite no intervening therapy. Future neo-adjuvant breast cancer studies may have to take this into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quinci Romero
- Department of Oncology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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Wang JX, Zhang KG, Li C, Li XC, Wang XQ, Ding M. Significance of expression of COX-2 and GCS in gastric cancer. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2011; 19:2171-2175. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v19.i20.2171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) in gastric cancer and to analyze their clinical significance.
METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the expression of COX-2 and GCS in 63 cases of gastric cancer tissues and 30 cases of non-gastric cancer tissues. The correlation of COX-2 and GCS expression with patient's age, sex, tumor histological type, differentiation, and lymph node metastasis was analyzed.
RESULTS: The positive rate of COX-2 expression in gastric cancer was higher than that in non-cancerous tissue (87.3% vs 36.7%, P < 0.05). The positive rate of GCS expression in gastric cancer was also higher than that in non-cancerous tissue (49.2% vs 23.3%, P < 0.05). Neither COX-2 nor GCS expression was related with age, sex, tumor differentiation, depth of invasion or histological type (all P > 0.05). The positive rate of COX-2 in patients with lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than that in patients without lymph node metastasis (100% vs 69.2%, P < 0.05), whereas the positive rate of GST-π was not related with lymph node metastasis (P > 0.05). There is a significant correlation between the expression of COX-2 and that of GST-π in gastric cancer (r = 0.724, P = 0.004).
CONCLUSION: GCS is highly expressed in gastric cancer and may be involved in tumor drug resistance. COX-2 may mediate drug resistance by influencing the expression of GCS in gastric cancer.
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Liu YY, Patwardhan GA, Xie P, Gu X, Giuliano AE, Cabot MC. Glucosylceramide synthase, a factor in modulating drug resistance, is overexpressed in metastatic breast carcinoma. Int J Oncol 2011; 39:425-31. [PMID: 21617856 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2011.1052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2011] [Accepted: 04/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance causes treatment failure in approximately 50% of breast cancer patients with chemotherapy. Overexpression of glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) confers drug resistance in cancer cells, and suppression of GCS sensitizes cancers to chemotherapy in preclinical studies. Thus, GCS becomes a potential target to reverse drug resistance; however, little is known about GCS expression levels in normal tissues and whether GCS overexpression is associated with metastatic cancers. Herewith, we report our studies in GCS expression levels and breast cancer from patients. GCS levels were analyzed using cancer profiling arrays, breast cancer histo-arrays and quantitative RT-PCR in tumor tissues. We found that breast (18 exp. index) and other hormone-dependent organs (testis, cervix, ovary, prostate) displayed the lowest levels of GCS mRNA, whereas liver (52 exp. index) and other organs (kidney, bladder, stomach) displayed the highest levels of GCS. GCS mRNA levels were significantly elevated in tumors of breast, cervix, rectum and small intestine, as compared to each paired normal tissue. In mammary tissue, GCS overexpression was detected in breast cancers with metastasis, but not in benign fibroadenoma or primary tumors. GCS overexpression was coincident with HER2 expression (γ2=0.84) in ER-negative breast adenocarcinoma. In tumor specimens, GCS mRNA was elevated by 4-fold and significantly associated with stage III (5/7), lymph node-positive (7/8) and estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers (7/9). GCS expression was significantly and selectively elevated in breast cancer, in particular in metastatic disease. GCS overexpression was highly associated with ER-positive and HER2-positive breast cancer with metastasis. Although a small study, these data suggest that GCS may be a prognostic indicator and potential target for the treatment of chemotherapy-refractory breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Yu Liu
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Louisiana at Monroe, 700 University Avenue, Monroe, LA 71209, USA.
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Zhang X, Wu X, Li J, Sun Y, Gao P, Zhang C, Zhang H, Zhou G. MDR1 (multidrug resistence 1) can regulate GCS (glucosylceramide synthase) in breast cancer cells. J Surg Oncol 2011; 104:466-71. [DOI: 10.1002/jso.21958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2010] [Accepted: 03/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Nomura KH, Murata D, Hayashi Y, Dejima K, Mizuguchi S, Kage-Nakadai E, Gengyo-Ando K, Mitani S, Hirabayashi Y, Ito M, Nomura K. Ceramide glucosyltransferase of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is involved in oocyte formation and in early embryonic cell division. Glycobiology 2011; 21:834-48. [PMID: 21325339 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwr019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ceramide glucosyltransferase (Ugcg) [uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucose:N-acylsphingosine D-glucosyltransferase or UDP-glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase (GlcT): EC 2.4.1.80] catalyzes formation of glucosylceramide (GlcCer) from ceramide and UDP-glucose. There is only one Ugcg gene in the mouse genome, which is essential in embryogenesis and brain development. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has three Ugcg genes (cgt-1, cgt-2 and cgt-3), and double RNAi of the cgt-1 and cgt-3 genes results in lethality at the L1 larval stage. In this study, we isolated knockout worms for the three genes and characterized the gene functions. Each gene product showed active enzymatic activity when expressed in GM95 cells deficient in glycosphingolipids (GSLs). When each gene function was disrupted, the brood size of the animal markedly decreased, and abnormal oocytes and multinucleated embryos were formed. The CGT-3 protein had the highest Ugcg activity, and knockout of its gene resulted in the severest phenotype. When cgt-3 RNAi was performed on rrf-1 worms lacking somatic RNAi machinery but with intact germline RNAi machinery, a number of abnormal oocytes and multinucleated eggs were observed, although the somatic phenotype, i.e., L1 lethal effects of cgt-1/cgt-3 RNAi, was completely suppressed. Cell surface expression of GSLs and sphingomyelin, which are important components of membrane domains, was affected in the RNAi-treated embryos. In the embryos, an abnormality in cytokinesis was also observed. From these results, we concluded that the Ugcg gene is indispensable in the germline and that an ample supply of GlcCer is needed for oocytes and fertilized eggs to maintain normal membranes and to proceed through the normal cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuko H Nomura
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences 33, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Calcagno AM, Salcido CD, Gillet JP, Wu CP, Fostel JM, Mumau MD, Gottesman MM, Varticovski L, Ambudkar SV. Prolonged drug selection of breast cancer cells and enrichment of cancer stem cell characteristics. J Natl Cancer Inst 2010; 102:1637-52. [PMID: 20935265 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djq361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells are presumed to have virtually unlimited proliferative and self-renewal abilities and to be highly resistant to chemotherapy, a feature that is associated with overexpression of ATP-binding cassette transporters. We investigated whether prolonged continuous selection of cells for drug resistance enriches cultures for cancer stem-like cells. METHODS Cancer stem cells were defined as CD44+/CD24⁻ cells that could self-renew (ie, generate cells with the tumorigenic CD44+/CD24⁻ phenotype), differentiate, invade, and form tumors in vivo. We used doxorubicin-selected MCF-7/ADR cells, weakly tumorigenic parental MCF-7 cells, and MCF-7/MDR, an MCF-7 subline with forced expression of ABCB1 protein. Cells were examined for cell surface markers and side-population fractions by microarray and flow cytometry, with in vitro invasion assays, and for ability to form mammospheres. Xenograft tumors were generated in mice to examine tumorigenicity (n = 52). The mRNA expression of multidrug resistance genes was examined in putative cancer stem cells and pathway analysis of statistically significantly differentially expressed genes was performed. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Pathway analysis showed that MCF-7/ADR cells express mRNAs from ABCB1 and other genes also found in breast cancer stem cells (eg, CD44, TGFB1, and SNAI1). MCF-7/ADR cells were highly invasive, formed mammospheres, and were tumorigenic in mice. In contrast to parental MCF-7 cells, more than 30% of MCF-7/ADR cells had a CD44+/CD24⁻ phenotype, could self-renew, and differentiate (ie, produce CD44+/CD24⁻ and CD44+/CD24+ cells) and overexpressed various multidrug resistance-linked genes (including ABCB1, CCNE1, and MMP9). MCF-7/ADR cells were statistically significantly more invasive in Matrigel than parental MCF-7 cells (MCF-7 cells = 0.82 cell per field and MCF-7/ADR = 7.51 cells per field, difference = 6.69 cells per field, 95% confidence interval = 4.82 to 8.55 cells per field, P < .001). No enrichment in the CD44+/CD24⁻ or CD133+ population was detected in MCF-7/MDR. CONCLUSION The cell population with cancer stem cell characteristics increased after prolonged continuous selection for doxorubicin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Calcagno
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Liu YY, Gupta V, Patwardhan GA, Bhinge K, Zhao Y, Bao J, Mehendale H, Cabot MC, Li YT, Jazwinski SM. Glucosylceramide synthase upregulates MDR1 expression in the regulation of cancer drug resistance through cSrc and beta-catenin signaling. Mol Cancer 2010; 9:145. [PMID: 20540746 PMCID: PMC2903501 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-9-145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2009] [Accepted: 06/11/2010] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Drug resistance is the outcome of multiple-gene interactions in cancer cells under stress of anticancer agents. MDR1 overexpression is most commonly detected in drug-resistant cancers and accompanied with other gene alterations including enhanced glucosylceramide synthase (GCS). MDR1 encodes for P-glycoprotein that extrudes anticancer drugs. Polymorphisms of MDR1 disrupt the effects of P-glycoprotein antagonists and limit the success of drug resistance reversal in clinical trials. GCS converts ceramide to glucosylceramide, reducing the impact of ceramide-induced apoptosis and increasing glycosphingolipid (GSL) synthesis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying MDR1 overexpression and how it interacts with GCS may find effective approaches to reverse drug resistance. Results MDR1 and GCS were coincidently overexpressed in drug-resistant breast, ovary, cervical and colon cancer cells; silencing GCS using a novel mixed-backbone oligonucleotide (MBO-asGCS) sensitized these four drug-resistant cell lines to doxorubicin. This sensitization was correlated with the decreased MDR1 expression and the increased doxorubicin accumulation. Doxorubicin treatment induced GCS and MDR1 expression in tumors, but MBO-asGCS treatment eliminated "in-vivo" growth of drug-resistant tumor (NCI/ADR-RES). MBO-asGCS suppressed the expression of MDR1 with GCS and sensitized NCI/ADR-RES tumor to doxorubicin. The expression of P-glycoprotein and the function of its drug efflux of tumors were decreased by 4 and 8 times after MBO-asGCS treatment, even though this treatment did not have a significant effect on P-glycoprotein in normal small intestine. GCS transient transfection induced MDR1 overexpression and increased P-glycoprotein efflux in dose-dependent fashion in OVCAR-8 cancer cells. GSL profiling, silencing of globotriaosylceramide synthase and assessment of signaling pathway indicated that GCS transfection significantly increased globo series GSLs (globotriaosylceramide Gb3, globotetraosylceramide Gb4) on GSL-enriched microdomain (GEM), activated cSrc kinase, decreased β-catenin phosphorylation, and increased nuclear β-catenin. These consequently increased MDR1 promoter activation and its expression. Conversely, MBO-asGCS treatments decreased globo series GSLs (Gb3, Gb4), cSrc kinase and nuclear β-catenin, and suppressed MDR-1 expression in dose-dependent pattern. Conclusion This study demonstrates, for the first time, that GCS upregulates MDR1 expression modulating drug resistance of cancer. GSLs, in particular globo series GSLs mediate gene expression of MDR1 through cSrc and β-catenin signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Yu Liu
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana 71209, USA.
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Cakir Z, Saydam G, Sahin F, Baran Y. The roles of bioactive sphingolipids in resveratrol-induced apoptosis in HL60: acute myeloid leukemia cells. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2010; 137:279-86. [PMID: 20401667 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-010-0884-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2010] [Accepted: 03/22/2010] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Acute promyelocytic leukemia results from a translocation between 15 and 17 chromosomes that produce PML/RARα fusion protein. PML/RARα inhibits differentiation of myeloid precursor cells at stem cell level. Resveratrol is a phytoalexin that exerts cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. Ceramides have crucial roles in cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, drug resistance, and apoptosis. In this study, we examined the possible cytotoxic effects of resveratrol on acute myeloid leukemia cells and determined the roles of ceramide-metabolizing genes in resveratrol-induced apoptosis, in addition to investigating the possibility of increasing the sensitivity of HL60 cells to resveratrol by manipulating sphingolipids. METHODS Cytotoxic effects of resveratrol, C8:ceramide, PDMP, and SK-1 inhibitor were determined by XTT cell proliferation assay. Changes in caspase-3 enzyme activity and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured using caspase-3 colorimetric assay and JC-1 MMP detection kit. Expression levels of ceramide-metabolizing genes were examined by RT-PCR. RESULTS The results revealed that manipulations of ceramide metabolism toward generation or accumulation of apoptotic ceramides increased apoptotic effects of resveratrol in HL60 cells, synergistically. More importantly, gene expression analyses revealed that resveratrol-induced apoptosis via increasing expression levels of ceramide-generating genes and decreasing expression levels of antiapoptotic sphingosine kinase-1 and glucosylceramide synthase genes. CONCLUSION These results showed for the first time that increasing intracellular levels of ceramides by biochemical approaches has also increased sensitivity of HL60 cells to resveratrol. We also showed that resveratrol induces apoptosis through manipulating ceramide-metabolizing genes that resulted in the accumulation of ceramides in HL60 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Cakir
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Izmir Institute of Technology, Gulbahce Campus, 35430 Urla, Izmir, Turkey
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A new mixed-backbone oligonucleotide against glucosylceramide synthase sensitizes multidrug-resistant tumors to apoptosis. PLoS One 2009; 4:e6938. [PMID: 19742320 PMCID: PMC2735002 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2009] [Accepted: 08/05/2009] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhanced ceramide glycosylation catalyzed by glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) limits therapeutic efficiencies of antineoplastic agents including doxorubicin in drug-resistant cancer cells. Aimed to determine the role of GCS in tumor response to chemotherapy, a new mixed-backbone oligonucleotide (MBO-asGCS) with higher stability and efficiency has been generated to silence human GCS gene. MBO-asGCS was taken up efficiently in both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cells, but it selectively suppressed GCS overexpression, and sensitized drug-resistant cells. MBO-asGCS increased doxorubicin sensitivity by 83-fold in human NCI/ADR-RES, and 43-fold in murine EMT6/AR1 breast cancer cells, respectively. In tumor-bearing mice, MBO-asGCS treatment dramatically inhibited the growth of multidrug-resistant NCI/ADR-RE tumors, decreasing tumor volume to 37%, as compared with scrambled control. Furthermore, MBO-asGCS sensitized multidrug-resistant tumors to chemotherapy, increasing doxorubicin efficiency greater than 2-fold. The sensitization effects of MBO-asGCS relied on the decreases of gene expression and enzyme activity of GCS, and on the increases of C(18)-ceramide and of caspase-executed apoptosis. MBO-asGCS was accumulation in tumor xenografts was greater in other tissues, excepting liver and kidneys; but MBO-asGCS did not exert significant toxic effects on liver and kidneys. This study, for the first time in vivo, has demonstrated that GCS is a promising therapeutic target for cancer drug resistance, and MBO-asGCS has the potential to be developed as an antineoplastic agent.
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Ruckhäberle E, Karn T, Rody A, Hanker L, Gätje R, Metzler D, Holtrich U, Kaufmann M. Gene expression of ceramide kinase, galactosyl ceramide synthase and ganglioside GD3 synthase is associated with prognosis in breast cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2009; 135:1005-13. [PMID: 19125296 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-008-0536-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2008] [Accepted: 12/12/2008] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Sphingolipids are bioactive lipids implicated in apoptosis, cell survival and proliferation. We analyzed the prognostic value of enzymes from sphingolipid metabolism in breast cancer. METHODS Differences in expression of ceramide galactosyl transferase (UGT8), ceramide kinase (CERK), and Ganglioside GD3-Synthase (ST8SIA1) in breast cancer cells were investigated by using microarray data of 1,581 tumor samples. RESULTS UGT8, CERK, and ST8SIA1 were associated with poor pathohistological grading (P < 0.001). High CERK expression was correlated with ErbB2 status (P = 0.006). Among ER positive breast cancers a significant worse prognosis for patients with tumors showing low ST8SIA1 and UGT8 expression was observed. In the ER negative subgroup those samples with high CERK expression displayed a worse prognosis. In a multivariate analysis only ST8SIA1 and tumor size remained significant. CONCLUSIONS Our experiments reveal that expression of enzymes from the sphingolipid metabolism has prognostic implications in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugen Ruckhäberle
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, J. W. Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
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