As3MT is related to relative RNAs and base modifications of p53 in workers exposed to arsenic

Effect of Arsenic Exposure on AS3MT Protein Levels in Serum of Type 2 Diabetic Patients Compared to Non-diabetics

This research explores the impact of arsenic exposure on serum protein profiles in type 2 diabetes patients, with an emphasis on the AS3MT protein as a biomarker. Utilizing Bradford protein assay, SDS-PAGE, HPLC, and mass spectrometry, we quantified and analyzed variations in serum protein levels, focusing on differences between control groups (82.94 ± 8.03 µg/mL) and diabetic patients (96.95 ± 5.02 µg/mL) of high arsenic exposed in areas Kasur and Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The study revealed a significant increase in total serum proteins and specifically identified elevated levels of AS3MT in the diabetic group compared to controls. By using 15% gel, proteins were separated, and bands were visible at 42KD. Further investigations using HPLC provided a detailed chromatographic profile of AS3MT, isolating this protein effectively and displaying its heightened abundance through a marked peak within the sample chromatograms. Additionally, intact mass and tryptic digestion profiles analyzed by mass spectrometry (molecular weight of 41,747.79 D) further corroborated the identity and modification of AS3MT in the context of arsenic exposure. ELISA was used for the quantification of AS3MT protein concentration, and a 260% increase was confirmed in the diabetic group exposed to arsenic. These findings suggested that arsenic exposure significantly alters AS3MT protein and serum protein levels in diabetic patients, supporting the hypothesis that AS3MT can serve as a biomarker for arsenic-induced diabetic conditions.

Tetraarsenic tetrasulfide triggers ROS-induced apoptosis and ferroptosis in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia by targeting HK2

PURPOSE

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in children. Despite cure rates of higher than 85 %, refractory or relapsed ALL still exhibits a bleak prognosis indicative of the dearth of treatment modalities specific for relapsed or refractory ALL. Prior research has implicated metabolic alterations in leukemia pathogenesis, and literature on the therapeutic efficacy of arsenic compounds targeting metabolic pathways in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cells is scarce.

METHODS

A compound extracted from realgar, tetraarsenic tetrasulfide (As4S4), and its antitumor effects on B-ALL were experimentally examined in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

As4S4 apparently targets B-ALL cells by inducing specific cellular responses, including apoptosis, G2/M arrest, and ferroptosis. Interestingly, these effects are attributed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and increased ROS levels have been linked to both the mitochondria-dependent caspase cascade and the activation of p53 signaling. The ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can counteract the effects of As4S4 treatment on Nalm-6 and RS4;11 cells. Specifically, by targeting Hexokinase-2 (HK2), As4S4 induces alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential and disrupts glucose metabolism, leading to ROS accumulation, and was shown to inhibit B-ALL cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Intriguingly, overexpression of HK2 can partially desensitize B-ALL cells to As4S4 treatment.

CONCLUSION

Tetraarsenic tetrasulfide can regulate the Warburg effect by controlling HK2 expression, a finding that provides both new mechanistic insight into metabolic alterations and pharmacological evidence for the clinical treatment of B-ALL.