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Erb HHH, Polishchuk N, Stasyk O, Kahya U, Weigel MM, Dubrovska A. Glutamine Metabolism and Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2871. [PMID: 39199642 PMCID: PMC11352381 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16162871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Glutamine (Gln) is a non-essential amino acid that is involved in the development and progression of several malignancies, including prostate cancer (PCa). While Gln is non-essential for non-malignant prostate epithelial cells, PCa cells become highly dependent on an exogenous source of Gln. The Gln metabolism in PCa is tightly controlled by well-described oncogenes such as MYC, AR, and mTOR. These oncogenes contribute to therapy resistance and progression to the aggressive castration-resistant PCa. Inhibition of Gln catabolism impedes PCa growth, survival, and tumor-initiating potential while sensitizing the cells to radiotherapy. Therefore, given its significant role in tumor growth, targeting Gln metabolism is a promising approach for developing new therapeutic strategies. Ongoing clinical trials evaluate the safety and efficacy of Gln catabolism inhibitors in combination with conventional and targeted therapies in patients with various solid tumors, including PCa. Further understanding of how PCa cells metabolically interact with their microenvironment will facilitate the clinical translation of Gln inhibitors and help improve therapeutic outcomes. This review focuses on the role of Gln in PCa progression and therapy resistance and provides insights into current clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger H. H. Erb
- Department of Urology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Nikita Polishchuk
- Department of Cell Signaling, Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 79000 Lviv, Ukraine; (N.P.); (O.S.)
| | - Oleh Stasyk
- Department of Cell Signaling, Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 79000 Lviv, Ukraine; (N.P.); (O.S.)
| | - Uğur Kahya
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (U.K.); (M.M.W.)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthias M. Weigel
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (U.K.); (M.M.W.)
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (U.K.); (M.M.W.)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, 01309 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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2
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Tambay V, Raymond VA, Voisin L, Meloche S, Bilodeau M. Reprogramming of Glutamine Amino Acid Transporters Expression and Prognostic Significance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7558. [PMID: 39062801 PMCID: PMC11277143 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent primary liver malignancy and is a major cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. This study aimed to characterize glutamine amino acid transporter expression profiles in HCC compared to those of normal liver cells. In vitro and in vivo models of HCC were studied using qPCR, whereas the prognostic significance of glutamine transporter expression levels within patient tumors was analyzed through RNAseq. Solute carrier (SLC) 1A5 and SLC38A2 were targeted through siRNA or gamma-p-nitroanilide (GPNA). HCC cells depended on exogenous glutamine for optimal survival and growth. Murine HCC cells showed superior glutamine uptake rate than normal hepatocytes (p < 0.0001). HCC manifested a global reprogramming of glutamine transporters compared to normal liver: SLC38A3 levels decreased, whereas SLC38A1, SLC7A6, and SLC1A5 levels increased. Also, decreased SLC6A14 and SLC38A3 levels or increased SLC38A1, SLC7A6, and SLC1A5 levels predicted worse survival outcomes (all p < 0.05). Knockdown of SLC1A5 and/or SLC38A2 expression in human Huh7 and Hep3B HCC cells, as well as GPNA-mediated inhibition, significantly decreased the uptake of glutamine; combined SLC1A5 and SLC38A2 targeting had the most considerable impact (all p < 0.05). This study revealed glutamine transporter reprogramming as a novel hallmark of HCC and that such expression profiles are clinically significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Tambay
- Laboratoire d’Hépatologie cellulaire, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Valérie-Ann Raymond
- Laboratoire d’Hépatologie cellulaire, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Laure Voisin
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et en Cancérologie de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Sylvain Meloche
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et en Cancérologie de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Département de Pharmacologie et Physiologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Marc Bilodeau
- Laboratoire d’Hépatologie cellulaire, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
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3
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Lei ST, Lai ZZ, Hou SH, Liu YK, Li MQ, Zhao D. Abnormal HCK/glutamine/autophagy axis promotes endometriosis development by impairing macrophage phagocytosis. Cell Prolif 2024:e13702. [PMID: 38956970 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The presence of extensive infiltrated macrophages with impaired phagocytosis is widely recognised as a significant regulator for the development of endometriosis (EMs). Nevertheless, the metabolic characteristics and the fundamental mechanism of impaired macrophage phagocytosis are yet to be clarified. Here, we observe that there is the decreased expression of haematopoietic cellular kinase (HCK) in macrophage of peritoneal fluid from EMs patients, which might be attributed to high oestrogen and hypoxia condition. Of note, HCK deficiency resulted in impaired macrophage phagocytosis, and increased number and weight of ectopic lesions in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, this process was mediated via regulation of glutamine metabolism, and further upregulation of macrophage autophagy in a c-FOS/c-JUN dependent manner. Additionally, macrophages of EMs patients displayed insufficient HCK, excessive autophagy and phagocytosis dysfunction. In therapeutic studies, supplementation with glutamine-pre-treated macrophage or Bafilomycin A1 (an autophagy inhibitor)-pre-treated macrophage leads to the induction of macrophage phagocytosis and suppression of EMs development. This observation reveals that the aberrant HCK-glutamine-autophagy axis results in phagocytosis obstacle of macrophage and further increase the development risk of Ems. Additionally, it offers potential therapeutic approaches to prevent EMs, especially patients with insufficient HCK and macrophage phagocytosis dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha-Ting Lei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Gynecology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Lai
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Hui Hou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Gynecology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Kai Liu
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming-Qing Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Reproductive Immunology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Li S, Zhang Z, Li Z, Yang L, Liu J, Liu Y, Liu Y, Hou Y, Mei M, Huang Y. CENPA promotes glutamine metabolism and tumor progression by up-regulating SLC38A1 in endometrial cancer. Cell Signal 2024; 117:111110. [PMID: 38382691 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Glutamine addiction is a significant hallmark of metabolic reprogramming in tumors and is crucial to the progression of cancer. Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanisms of glutamine metabolism in endometrial cancer (EC) remains elusive. In this research, we found that elevated expression of CENPA and solute carrier family 38 member 1 (SLC38A1) were firmly associated with worse clinical stage and unfavorable outcomes in EC patients. In addition, ectopic overexpression or silencing of CENPA could either enhance or diminish glutamine metabolism and tumor progression in EC. Mechanistically, CENPA directly regulated the transcriptional activity of the target gene, SLC38A1, leading to enhanced glutamine uptake and metabolism, thereby promoting EC progression. Notably, a prognostic model utilizing the expression levels of CENPA and SLC38A1 genes independently emerged as a prognostic factor for EC. More importantly, CENPA and SLC38A1 were significantly elevated and positively correlated, as well as indicative of poor prognosis in multiple cancers. In brief, our study confirmed that CENPA is a critical transcription factor involved in glutamine metabolism and tumor progression through modulating SLC38A1. This revelation suggests that targeting CENPA could be an appealing therapeutic approach to address pan-cancer glutamine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zihui Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zhifang Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei Province, China
| | - Lian Yang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yujie Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yancai Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yanmei Hou
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei Province, China
| | - Mei Mei
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei Province, China.
| | - Yuqin Huang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei Province, China.
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5
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Gan PXL, Zhang S, Fred Wong WS. Targeting reprogrammed metabolism as a therapeutic approach for respiratory diseases. Biochem Pharmacol 2024:116187. [PMID: 38561090 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming underlies the etiology and pathophysiology of respiratory diseases such as asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The dysregulated cellular activities driving airway inflammation and remodelling in these diseases have reportedly been linked to aberrant shifts in energy-producing metabolic pathways: glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). The rewiring of glycolysis and OXPHOS accompanying the therapeutic effects of many clinical compounds and natural products in asthma, IPF, and COPD, supports targeting metabolism as a therapeutic approach for respiratory diseases. Correspondingly, inhibiting glycolysis has largely attested effective against experimental asthma, IPF, and COPD. However, modulating OXPHOS and its supporting catabolic pathways like mitochondrial pyruvate catabolism, fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO), and glutaminolysis for these respiratory diseases remain inconclusive. An emerging repertoire of metabolic enzymes are also interconnected to these canonical metabolic pathways that similarly possess therapeutic potential for respiratory diseases. Taken together, this review highlights the urgent demand for future studies to ascertain the role of OXPHOS in different respiratory diseases, under different stimulatory conditions, and in different cell types. While this review provides strong experimental evidence in support of the inhibition of glycolysis for asthma, IPF, and COPD, further verification by clinical trials is definitely required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phyllis X L Gan
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Singapore-HUJ Alliance for Research and Enterprise, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - W S Fred Wong
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Singapore-HUJ Alliance for Research and Enterprise, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Drug Discovery and Optimization Platform, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore.
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6
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Cheng X, Wang Y, Gong G, Shen P, Li Z, Bian J. Design strategies and recent development of bioactive modulators for glutamine transporters. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:103880. [PMID: 38216118 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.103880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Glutamine transporters are integral to the metabolism of glutamine in both healthy tissues and cancerous cells, playing a pivotal role in maintaining amino acid balance, synthesizing biomolecules, and regulating redox equilibrium. Their critical functions in cellular metabolism make them promising targets for oncological therapies. Recent years have witnessed substantial progress in the field of glutamine transporters, marked by breakthroughs in understanding of their protein structures and the discovery of novel inhibitors, prodrugs, and radiotracers. This review provides a comprehensive update on the latest advancements in modulators targeting the glutamine transporter, with special attention given to LAT1 and ASCT2. It also discusses innovative approaches in drug design aimed at these transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinying Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yezhi Wang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Guangyue Gong
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Pei Shen
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhiyu Li
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Jinlei Bian
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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7
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Pochini L, Barone F, Console L, Brunocilla C, Galluccio M, Scalise M, Indiveri C. OCTN1 (SLC22A4) displays two different transport pathways for organic cations or zwitterions. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2024; 1866:184263. [PMID: 38092232 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2023.184263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND OCTN1 belongs to the SLC22 family, which includes transporters for cationic, zwitterionic, and anionic substrates. OCTN1 function and role in cells are still poorly understood. Not only cations, such as TEA, but also zwitterions, such as carnitine and ergothioneine, figure among transported molecules. METHODS In this work, we carried out transport assays measuring [14C]-TEA and [3H]-Carnitine in proteoliposomes reconstituted with the recombinant human OCTN1 in the presence of Na+ or other cations. The homology model of OCTN1 was built using the structure of OCT3 as a template for docking analysis. RESULTS TEA and carnitine did not inhibit each other. Moreover, carnitine uptake was not affected by the presence of Na+ and TEBA, whereas TEA was strongly inhibited by both compounds. Computational data revealed that TEA, Na+, and carnitine can interact with E381 in the OCTN1 substrate site. Differently from TEA, in the presence of Na+, carnitine is still able to interact with the binding site via R469. CONCLUSIONS The lack of mutual inhibition of the two prototype substrates, the different effect of Na+ and TEBA on their transport reaction, together with the computational analysis supports the existence of two transport pathways for cations and zwitterions. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The results shed new light on the transport mechanisms of OCTN1, helping to get further insights into the structure/function relationships. The described results correlate well with previous and very recent findings on the polyspecificity of the OCT group of transporters belonging to the same family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Pochini
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze della Terra) Laboratory of Biochemistry, Molecular Biotechnology, and Molecular Biology, University of Calabria, Via Bucci 4C, 6C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IBIOM), via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Barone
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze della Terra) Laboratory of Biochemistry, Molecular Biotechnology, and Molecular Biology, University of Calabria, Via Bucci 4C, 6C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Lara Console
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze della Terra) Laboratory of Biochemistry, Molecular Biotechnology, and Molecular Biology, University of Calabria, Via Bucci 4C, 6C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Chiara Brunocilla
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze della Terra) Laboratory of Biochemistry, Molecular Biotechnology, and Molecular Biology, University of Calabria, Via Bucci 4C, 6C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Michele Galluccio
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze della Terra) Laboratory of Biochemistry, Molecular Biotechnology, and Molecular Biology, University of Calabria, Via Bucci 4C, 6C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Mariafrancesca Scalise
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze della Terra) Laboratory of Biochemistry, Molecular Biotechnology, and Molecular Biology, University of Calabria, Via Bucci 4C, 6C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.
| | - Cesare Indiveri
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze della Terra) Laboratory of Biochemistry, Molecular Biotechnology, and Molecular Biology, University of Calabria, Via Bucci 4C, 6C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IBIOM), via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy.
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Siqueira JM, Vega MCMD, Pimentel GD. Amino acids and cancer: potential for therapies? Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2024; 27:47-54. [PMID: 37997812 DOI: 10.1097/mco.0000000000000998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Cancer patients may have a variety of disorders associated with systemic inflammation caused by disease progression. Consequently, we have protein hypercatabolism. In view of this, protein and amino acid adequacy should be considered in relation to nutritional behavior. Therefore, this review aims to evaluate the influence of protein and amino acids in the nutritional therapy of cancer. RECENT FINDINGS Diets with adequate protein levels appear to be beneficial in the treatment of cancer; guidelines suggest consumption of greater than 1.0-1.5 g/kg body weight/day. In patients diagnosed with malnutrition, sarcopenia, or cachexia, it is recommended to use the maximum amount of protein (1.5 g/kg of weight/day) to adapt the diet. In addition, based on the evidence found, there is no consensus on the dose and effects in cancer patients of amino acids such as branched-chain amino acids, glutamine, arginine, and creatine. SUMMARY When evaluating the components of the diet of cancer patients, the protein recommendation should be greater than 1.0-1.5 g/kg of weight/day, with a distribution between animal and vegetable proteins. We found little evidence demonstrating clinical benefits regarding individual or combined amino acid supplementation. Still, it is unclear how the use, dose, and specificity for different types of cancer should be prescribed or at what stage of treatment amino acids should be prescribed.
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Wu W, Wang J, Hu Z, Zhao Y, Wang X, Bai N, Chen L, Gao P. High WFDC3 gene expression is associated with poor prognosis and reduced immune cells infiltration in pancreatic adenocarcinoma: A study using the TCGA database and bioinformatics analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e35595. [PMID: 37861515 PMCID: PMC10589585 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000035595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Whey-acidic-protein (WAP) four-disulfide core domain protein 3 (WFDC3) is one of the WAP family proteins. This protein family is associated with the development of solid tumors and affects the tumor immunological microenvironment. However, the prognostic value of WFDC3 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) and its effect on the tumor immune microenvironment is yet to be clarified. The Cancer Genome Atlas database and Genotype-Tissue Expression database were used to analyze the differential expression of WFDC3 between the tumor and adjacent tissues. The clinical significance of WFDC3 was analyzed in The Cancer Genome Atlas and International Cancer Genome Consortium database using WFDC3 transcripts and clinical information. In order to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, gene set enrichment analysis was conducted to determine potential activated pathways. Immune score evaluation and publicly available pharmacogenomics database [the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer] were utilized to quantify immune cell infiltration and the effect on chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity. WFDC3 levels were higher in PAAD tissues than in normal pancreatic tissues. High levels of WFDC3 expression progressively increased as PAAD tumor stages progressed. Patients with elevated WFDC3 expression showed a poor prognosis. The gene set enrichment analysis analysis revealed that glutamate, arginine, and proline, and histidine metabolism levels were elevated in patients with a high WFDC3 expression phenotype. B, CD4+ T, and CD8+ T cell infiltration was diminished in PAAD tissues with elevated WFDC3 expression. According to pharmacogenomics, PAAD tissues with high WFDC3 expression are susceptible to gemcitabine. WFDC3 is highly expressed in PAAD, and patients with a high level of WFDC3 expression have a shorter overall survival time, indicating a poorer prognosis. High expression of WFDC3 may lead to the development of PAAD by affecting the amino acid metabolism and the tumor immunological microenvironment. WFDC3 may serve as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for PAAD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiayuan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiping Hu
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Yiguo Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Bai
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Pengji Gao
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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10
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Guo C, You Z, Shi H, Sun Y, Du X, Palacios G, Guy C, Yuan S, Chapman NM, Lim SA, Sun X, Saravia J, Rankin S, Dhungana Y, Chi H. SLC38A2 and glutamine signalling in cDC1s dictate anti-tumour immunity. Nature 2023; 620:200-208. [PMID: 37407815 PMCID: PMC10396969 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06299-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells evade T cell-mediated killing through tumour-immune interactions whose mechanisms are not well understood1,2. Dendritic cells (DCs), especially type-1 conventional DCs (cDC1s), mediate T cell priming and therapeutic efficacy against tumours3. DC functions are orchestrated by pattern recognition receptors3-5, although other signals involved remain incompletely defined. Nutrients are emerging mediators of adaptive immunity6-8, but whether nutrients affect DC function or communication between innate and adaptive immune cells is largely unresolved. Here we establish glutamine as an intercellular metabolic checkpoint that dictates tumour-cDC1 crosstalk and licenses cDC1 function in activating cytotoxic T cells. Intratumoral glutamine supplementation inhibits tumour growth by augmenting cDC1-mediated CD8+ T cell immunity, and overcomes therapeutic resistance to checkpoint blockade and T cell-mediated immunotherapies. Mechanistically, tumour cells and cDC1s compete for glutamine uptake via the transporter SLC38A2 to tune anti-tumour immunity. Nutrient screening and integrative analyses show that glutamine is the dominant amino acid in promoting cDC1 function. Further, glutamine signalling via FLCN impinges on TFEB function. Loss of FLCN in DCs selectively impairs cDC1 function in vivo in a TFEB-dependent manner and phenocopies SLC38A2 deficiency by eliminating the anti-tumour therapeutic effect of glutamine supplementation. Our findings establish glutamine-mediated intercellular metabolic crosstalk between tumour cells and cDC1s that underpins tumour immune evasion, and reveal glutamine acquisition and signalling in cDC1s as limiting events for DC activation and putative targets for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuansheng Guo
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Zhiyuan You
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Hao Shi
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Xingrong Du
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Gustavo Palacios
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Cliff Guy
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Sujing Yuan
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Nicole M Chapman
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Seon Ah Lim
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Xiang Sun
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jordy Saravia
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Sherri Rankin
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yogesh Dhungana
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Hongbo Chi
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
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11
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Yu M, Zhang S. Influenced tumor microenvironment and tumor immunity by amino acids. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1118448. [PMID: 36798123 PMCID: PMC9927402 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1118448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
It is widely accepted that tumors are a complex tissue composed of cancer cells, extracellular matrix, inflammatory cells, immune cells, and other cells. Deregulation of tumor microenvironment promotes tumor aggressiveness by sustaining cell growth, invasion, and survival from immune surveillance. The concepts that some dietary nutrients could change tumor microenvironment are extremely attractive. Many studies demonstrated that high-fat diet-induced obesity shaped metabolism to suppress anti-tumor immunity, but how amino acids changed the tumor microenvironment and impacted tumor immunity was still not totally understood. In fact, amino acid metabolism in different signaling pathways and their cross-talk shaped tumor immunity and therapy efficacy in cancer patients. Our review focused on mechanisms by which amino acid influenced tumor microenvironment, and found potential drug targets for immunotherapy in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yu
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Shuang Zhang,
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12
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Phan T, Nguyen VH, Su R, Li Y, Qing Y, Qin H, Cho H, Jiang L, Wu X, Chen J, Fakih M, Diamond DJ, Goel A, Melstrom LG. Targeting fat mass and obesity-associated protein mitigates human colorectal cancer growth in vitro and in a murine model. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1087644. [PMID: 36874096 PMCID: PMC9981948 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1087644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant cause of cancer related mortality. Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) is a m6A mRNA demethylase that plays an oncogenic role in various malignancies. In this study we evaluated the role of FTO in CRC tumorigenesis. Methods Cell proliferation assays were conducted in 6 CRC cell lines with the FTO inhibitor CS1 (50-3200 nM) (± 5-FU 5-80 mM) and after lentivirus mediated FTO knockdown. Cell cycle and apoptosis assays were conducted in HCT116 cells (24 h and 48 h, 290 nM CS1). Western blot and m6A dot plot assays were performed to assess CS1 inhibition of cell cycle proteins and FTO demethylase activity. Migration and invasion assays of shFTO cells and CS1 treated cells were performed. An in vivo heterotopic model of HCT116 cells treated with CS1 or with FTO knockdown cells was performed. RNA-seq was performed on shFTO cells to assess which molecular and metabolic pathways were impacted. RT-PCR was conducted on select genes down-regulated by FTO knockdown. Results We found that the FTO inhibitor, CS1 suppressed CRC cell proliferation in 6 colorectal cancer cell lines and in the 5-Fluorouracil resistant cell line (HCT116-5FUR). CS1 induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase by down regulation of CDC25C and promoted apoptosis of HCT116 cells. CS1 suppressed in vivo tumor growth in the HCT116 heterotopic model (p< 0.05). Lentivirus knockdown of FTO in HCT116 cells (shFTO) mitigated in vivo tumor proliferation and in vitro demethylase activity, cell growth, migration and invasion compared to shScr controls (p< 0.01). RNA-seq of shFTO cells compared to shScr demonstrated down-regulation of pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation, MYC and Akt/ mTOR signaling pathways. Discussion Further work exploring the targeted pathways will elucidate precise downstream mechanisms that can potentially translate these findings to clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Phan
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Vu H Nguyen
- Department of Hematology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Rui Su
- Beckman Research Institute, Department of Systems Biology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Monrovia, CA, United States
| | - Yangchan Li
- Beckman Research Institute, Department of Systems Biology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Monrovia, CA, United States
| | - Ying Qing
- Beckman Research Institute, Department of Systems Biology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Monrovia, CA, United States
| | - Hanjun Qin
- Beckman Research Institute, The Integrative Genomics Core, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Hyejin Cho
- Beckman Research Institute, The Integrative Genomics Core, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Lei Jiang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Xiwei Wu
- Beckman Research Institute, The Integrative Genomics Core, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Beckman Research Institute, Department of Systems Biology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Monrovia, CA, United States
| | - Marwan Fakih
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Don J Diamond
- Department of Hematology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Ajay Goel
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Monrovia, CA, United States
| | - Laleh G Melstrom
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
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13
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Wang D, Wan X. Progress in research on the role of amino acid metabolic reprogramming in tumour therapy: A review. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 156:113923. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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14
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Metabolic Abnormalities Linked to Auditory Pathways in ApoE-Knockout HEI-OC1 Cells: A Transcription-Metabolism Co-Analysis. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091217. [PMID: 36139057 PMCID: PMC9496352 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid transporter protein apolipoprotein E (APOE) has contributed to functional studies of various organ functions. Animals with ApoE knockout (KO) have been used to study atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia while an increasing number of researchers have recently focused on the association of ApoE with hearing loss. A study found that ApoE KO mice experience sensorineural hearing loss and hair cell loss, but the exact mechanism is unclear. To explore the potential relationship between ApoE and hearing loss, we used HEI-OC1 cells (House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti) with Corti apparatus properties to reveal cell changes after ApoE knockout by combined transcriptome and metabolomic analysis. We found that glutamate deficiency, caused by reduced expression of glutamine transporter proteins, was a key correlate of basal metabolism and that inadequate glutamate causes apoptosis by reducing the cells’ resistance to external damage. Our study provides a reference mechanism for hearing loss due to ApoE KO.
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15
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Duan Z, Zhou Z, Lu F, Zhang Y, Guo X, Gui C, Zhang H. Antitumor activity of mianserin (a tetracyclic antidepressant) primarily driven by the inhibition of SLC1A5-mediated glutamine transport. Invest New Drugs 2022; 40:977-989. [PMID: 35834041 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-022-01284-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Targeting tumor metabolic vulnerabilities such as "glutamine addiction" has become an attractive approach for the discovery of novel antitumor agents. Among various mechanisms explored, SLC1A5, a membrane transporter that plays an important role in glutamine cellular uptake, represents a viable target to interfere with tumor's ability to acquire critical nutrients during proliferation. In the present study, a stably transfected HEK293 cell line with human SLC1A5 (HEK293-SLC1A5) was established for the screening and identification of small molecule SLC1A5 inhibitors. This in vitro system, in conjunction with direct measurement of SLC1A5-mediated L-glutamine-2,3,3,4,4-D5 (substrate) uptake, was practical and efficient in ensuring the specificity of SLC1A5 inhibition. Among a group of diverse compounds tested, mianserin (a tetracyclic antidepressant) demonstrated a marked inhibition of SLC1A5-mediated glutamine uptake. Subsequent investigations using SW480 cells demonstrated that mianserin was capable of inhibiting SW480 tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo, and the in vivo antitumor efficacy was correlated to the reduction of glutamine concentrations in tumor tissues. Computational analysis revealed that hydrophobic interactions between SLC1A5 and its inhibitors could be a critical factor in drug design. Taken together, the current findings confirmed the feasibility of targeting SLC1A5-mediated glutamine uptake as a novel approach for antitumor intervention. It is anticipated that structural insights obtained based on homology modeling would lead to the discovery of more potent and specific SLC1A5 inhibitors for clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zelin Duan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Zhiyun Zhou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Feifei Lu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yawen Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Xvqin Guo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Chunshan Gui
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Hongjian Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.
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16
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SLC6A14 Depletion Contributes to Amino Acid Starvation to Suppress EMT-Induced Metastasis in Gastric Cancer by Perturbing the PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 Pathway. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:7850658. [PMID: 35865664 PMCID: PMC9296317 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7850658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is the main obstacle for the treatment of gastric cancer (GC), leading to low survival rate and adverse outcomes in CG patients. SLC6A14, a general amino acid transporter, can import all the essential amino acids in a manner dependent on the NaCl-generated osmotic gradients. Herein, we constructed GC cell sublines with high (SGC7901-M and MKN28-M) and low (MKN28-NM and SGC7901-NM) metastatic ability. Putative functional genes advancing GC metastasis were identified using mRNA microarray analysis and High-Content Screening. In particular, most significant change with a dampening trend in the migration potentiality of GC cells emerged after SLC6A14 gene was silenced. SLC6A14 expression was positively correlated with the migrated capability of different GC cell lines, and SLC6A14 was also constitutively expressed in GC patients with venous or lymphatic invasion, lymph node, or distant metastasis and poor prognosis, thus prompting SLC6A14 as a nonnegligible presence in supporting GC migration and invasion. Consistently, SLC6A14 depletion drastically depressed GC metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Most importantly, pharmacological blockade and gene silence of SLC6A14 both restricted epithelial-mesenchymal transition- (EMT-) driven GC metastasis, in which attenuated activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 pathway caused by amino acid starvation was involved. In summary, it is conceivable that targeting SLC6A14 has a tremendous promising for the treatment of metastatic GC.
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17
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Trafficking to the Cell Surface of Amino Acid Transporter SLC6A14 Upregulated in Cancer Is Controlled by Phosphorylation of SEC24C Protein by AKT Kinase. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071800. [PMID: 34359969 PMCID: PMC8307180 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells need a constant supply of nutrients. SLC6A14, an amino acid transporter B0,+ (ATB0,+) that is upregulated in many cancers, transports all but acidic amino acids. In its exit from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), it is recognized by the SEC24C subunit of coatomer II (COPII) for further vesicular trafficking to the plasma membrane. SEC24C has previously been shown to be phosphorylated by protein kinase B/AKT, which is hyper-activated in cancer; therefore, we analyzed the influence of AKT on SLC6A14 trafficking to the cell surface. Studies on overexpressed and endogenous transporters in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 showed that AKT inhibition with MK-2206 correlated with a transient increase of the transporter in the plasma membrane, not resulting from the inhibition of ER-associated protein degradation. Two-dimensional electrophoresis demonstrated the decreased phosphorylation of SLC6A14 and SEC24C upon AKT inhibition. A proximity ligation assay confirmed this conclusion: AKT inhibition is correlated with decreased SLC6A14 phosphothreonine and SEC24C phosphoserine. Augmented levels of SLC6A14 in plasma membrane led to increased leucine transport. These results show that the inactivation of AKT can rescue amino acid delivery through SLC6A14 trafficking to the cell surface, supporting cancer cell survival. The regulation of the ER export of the amino acid transporter seems to be a novel function of AKT.
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18
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Yang C, Zhao K, Zhang J, Wu X, Sun W, Kong X, Shi J. Comprehensive Analysis of the Transcriptome-Wide m6A Methylome of Heart via MeRIP After Birth: Day 0 vs. Day 7. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:633631. [PMID: 33829047 PMCID: PMC8019948 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.633631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To systematically classify the profile of the RNA m6A modification landscape of neonatal heart regeneration. Materials and Methods: Cardiomyocyte proliferation markers were detected via immunostaining. The expression of m6A modification regulators was detected using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting. Genome-wide profiling of methylation-modified transcripts was conducted with methylation-modified RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (m6A-RIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). The Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO) dataset was used to verify the hub genes. Results: METTL3 and the level of m6A modification in total RNA was lower in P7 rat hearts than in P0 ones. In all, 1,637 methylation peaks were differentially expressed using m6A-RIP-seq, with 84 upregulated and 1,553 downregulated. Furthermore, conjoint analyses of m6A-RIP-seq, RNA-seq, and GEO data generated eight potential hub genes with differentially expressed hypermethylated or hypomethylated m6A levels. Conclusion: Our data provided novel information on m6A modification changes between Day 0 and Day 7 cardiomyocytes, which identified that increased METTL3 expression may enhance the proliferative capacity of neonatal cardiomyocytes, providing a theoretical basis for future clinical studies on the direct regulation of m6A in the proliferative capacity of cardiomyocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanxi Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kun Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoguang Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangqing Kong
- Department of Cardiology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Shi
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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19
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Sniegowski T, Korac K, Bhutia YD, Ganapathy V. SLC6A14 and SLC38A5 Drive the Glutaminolysis and Serine-Glycine-One-Carbon Pathways in Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14030216. [PMID: 33806675 PMCID: PMC8000594 DOI: 10.3390/ph14030216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The glutaminolysis and serine–glycine–one-carbon pathways represent metabolic reactions that are reprogramed and upregulated in cancer; these pathways are involved in supporting the growth and proliferation of cancer cells. Glutaminolysis participates in the production of lactate, an oncometabolite, and also in anabolic reactions leading to the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol. The serine–glycine–one-carbon pathway is involved in the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines and the control of the epigenetic signature (DNA methylation, histone methylation) in cancer cells. Methionine is obligatory for most of the methyl-transfer reactions in the form of S-adenosylmethionine; here, too, the serine–glycine–one-carbon pathway is necessary for the resynthesis of methionine following the methyl-transfer reaction. Glutamine, serine, glycine, and methionine are obligatory to fuel these metabolic pathways. The first three amino acids can be synthesized endogenously to some extent, but the need for these amino acids in cancer cells is so high that they also have to be acquired from extracellular sources. Methionine is an essential amino acid, thus making it necessary for cancer cells to acquire this amino acid solely from the extracellular milieu. Cancer cells upregulate specific amino acid transporters to meet this increased demand for these four amino acids. SLC6A14 and SLC38A5 are the two transporters that are upregulated in a variety of cancers to mediate the influx of glutamine, serine, glycine, and methionine into cancer cells. SLC6A14 is a Na+/Cl− -coupled transporter for multiple amino acids, including these four amino acids. In contrast, SLC38A5 is a Na+-coupled transporter with rather restricted specificity towards glutamine, serine, glycine, and methionine. Both transporters exhibit unique functional features that are ideal for the rapid proliferation of cancer cells. As such, these two amino acid transporters play a critical role in promoting the survival and growth of cancer cells and hence represent novel, hitherto largely unexplored, targets for cancer therapy.
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20
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Carusela MF, Miguel Rubi J. Computational Model for Membrane Transporters. Potential Implications for Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:642665. [PMID: 33693005 PMCID: PMC7937797 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.642665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
To explain the increased transport of nutrients and metabolites and to control the movement of drug molecules through the transporters to the cancer cells, it is important to understand the exact mechanism of their structure and activity, as well as their biological and physical characteristics. We propose a computational model that reproduces the functionality of membrane transporters by quantifying the flow of substrates through the cell membrane. The model identifies the force induced by conformational changes of the transporter due to hydrolysis of ATP, in ABC transporters, or by an electrochemical gradient of ions, in secondary transporters. The transport rate is computed by averaging the velocity generated by the force along the paths followed by the substrates. The results obtained are in accordance with the experiments. The model provides an overall framework for analyzing the membrane transport proteins that regulate the flows of ions, nutrients and other molecules across the cell membranes, and their activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Florencia Carusela
- Instituto de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - J. Miguel Rubi
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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21
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Host cell glutamine metabolism as a potential antiviral target. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:305-325. [PMID: 33480424 DOI: 10.1042/cs20201042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A virus minimally contains a nucleic acid genome packaged by a protein coat. The genome and capsid together are known as the nucleocapsid, which has an envelope containing a lipid bilayer (mainly phospholipids) originating from host cell membranes. The viral envelope has transmembrane proteins that are usually glycoproteins. The proteins in the envelope bind to host cell receptors, promoting membrane fusion and viral entry into the cell. Virus-infected host cells exhibit marked increases in glutamine utilization and metabolism. Glutamine metabolism generates ATP and precursors for the synthesis of macromolecules to assemble progeny viruses. Some compounds derived from glutamine are used in the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines. These latter compounds are precursors for the synthesis of nucleotides. Inhibitors of glutamine transport and metabolism are potential candidate antiviral drugs. Glutamine is also an essential nutrient for the functions of leukocytes (lymphocyte, macrophage, and neutrophil), including those in virus-infected patients. The increased glutamine requirement for immune cell functions occurs concomitantly with the high glutamine utilization by host cells in virus-infected patients. The development of antiviral drugs that target glutamine metabolism must then be specifically directed at virus-infected host cells to avoid negative effects on immune functions. Therefore, the aim of this review was to describe the landscape of cellular glutamine metabolism to search for potential candidates to inhibit glutamine transport or glutamine metabolism.
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22
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Abstract
Drug transporters are integral membrane proteins that play a critical role in drug disposition by affecting absorption, distribution, and excretion. They translocate drugs, as well as endogenous molecules and toxins, across membranes using ATP hydrolysis, or ion/concentration gradients. In general, drug transporters are expressed ubiquitously, but they function in drug disposition by being concentrated in tissues such as the intestine, the kidneys, the liver, and the brain. Based on their primary sequence and their mechanism, transporters can be divided into the ATP-binding cassette (ABC), solute-linked carrier (SLC), and the solute carrier organic anion (SLCO) superfamilies. Many X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures have been solved in the ABC and SLC transporter superfamilies or of their bacterial homologs. The structures have provided valuable insight into the structural basis of transport. This chapter will provide particular focus on the promiscuous drug transporters because of their effect on drug disposition and the challenges associated with them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur G Roberts
- Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences Department, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
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23
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Wang W, Zou W. Amino Acids and Their Transporters in T Cell Immunity and Cancer Therapy. Mol Cell 2020; 80:384-395. [PMID: 32997964 PMCID: PMC7655528 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Metabolism reprogramming is critical for both cancer progression and effective immune responses in the tumor microenvironment. Amino acid metabolism in different cells and their cross-talk shape tumor immunity and therapy efficacy in patients with cancer. In this review, we focus on multiple amino acids and their transporters, solute carrier (SLC) members. We discuss their involvement in regulation of immune responses in the tumor microenvironment and assess their associations with cancer immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, and we review their potential as targets for cancer therapy. We stress the necessity to understand individual amino acids and their transporters in different cell subsets, the molecular intersection between amino acid metabolism, and effective T cell immunity and its relevance in cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Wang
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Weiping Zou
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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24
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Nałęcz KA. Amino Acid Transporter SLC6A14 (ATB 0,+) - A Target in Combined Anti-cancer Therapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:594464. [PMID: 33195271 PMCID: PMC7609839 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.594464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells are characterized by quick growth and proliferation, demanding constant supply of various nutrients. Several plasma membrane transporters delivering such compounds are upregulated in cancer. Solute carrier family 6 member 14 (SLC6A14), known as amino acid transporter B0,+ (ATB0,+) transports all amino acids with exception of the acidic ones: aspartate and glutamate. Its malfunctioning is correlated with several pathological states and it is upregulated in solid tumors. The high expression of SLC6A14 is prognostic and unfavorable in pancreatic cancer, while in breast cancer it is expressed in estrogen receptor positive cells. As many plasma membrane transporters it resides in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane after translation before further trafficking through Golgi to the cell surface. Transporter exit from ER is strictly controlled. The proper folding of SLC6A14 was shown to be controlled from the cytoplasmic side by heat shock proteins, further exit from ER and formation of coatomer II (COPII) coated vesicles depends on specific interaction with COPII cargo-recognizing subunit SEC24C, phosphorylated by kinase AKT. Inhibition of heat shock proteins, known to be upregulated in cancer, directs SLC6A14 to degradation. Targeting proteins regulating SLC6A14 trafficking is proposed as an additional pharmacological treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna A Nałęcz
- Laboratory of Transport Through Biomembranes, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
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25
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Kou L, Yao Q, Zhang H, Chu M, Bhutia YD, Chen R, Ganapathy V. Transporter-Targeted Nano-Sized Vehicles for Enhanced and Site-Specific Drug Delivery. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2837. [PMID: 33019627 PMCID: PMC7599460 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nano-devices are recognized as increasingly attractive to deliver therapeutics to target cells. The specificity of this approach can be improved by modifying the surface of the delivery vehicles such that they are recognized by the target cells. In the past, cell-surface receptors were exploited for this purpose, but plasma membrane transporters also hold similar potential. Selective transporters are often highly expressed in biological barriers (e.g., intestinal barrier, blood-brain barrier, and blood-retinal barrier) in a site-specific manner, and play a key role in the vectorial transfer of nutrients. Similarly, selective transporters are also overexpressed in the plasma membrane of specific cell types under pathological states to meet the biological needs demanded by such conditions. Nano-drug delivery systems could be strategically modified to make them recognizable by these transporters to enhance the transfer of drugs across the biological barriers or to selectively expose specific cell types to therapeutic drugs. Here, we provide a comprehensive review and detailed evaluation of the recent advances in the field of transporter-targeted nano-drug delivery systems. We specifically focus on areas related to intestinal absorption, transfer across blood-brain barrier, tumor-cell selective targeting, ocular drug delivery, identification of the transporters appropriate for this purpose, and details of the rationale for the approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longfa Kou
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang 325027, China;
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, Zhejiang 325027, China; (Q.Y.); (H.Z.); (M.C.)
| | - Qing Yao
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, Zhejiang 325027, China; (Q.Y.); (H.Z.); (M.C.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Hailin Zhang
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, Zhejiang 325027, China; (Q.Y.); (H.Z.); (M.C.)
- Department of Children’s Respiration Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Maoping Chu
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, Zhejiang 325027, China; (Q.Y.); (H.Z.); (M.C.)
- Pediatric Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Yangzom D. Bhutia
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA;
| | - Ruijie Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang 325027, China;
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, Zhejiang 325027, China; (Q.Y.); (H.Z.); (M.C.)
| | - Vadivel Ganapathy
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang 325027, China;
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, Zhejiang 325027, China; (Q.Y.); (H.Z.); (M.C.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA;
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Singh N, Villoutreix BO. Demystifying the Molecular Basis of Pyrazoloquinolinones Recognition at the Extracellular α1+/β3- Interface of the GABA A Receptor by Molecular Modeling. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:561834. [PMID: 33041802 PMCID: PMC7518038 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.561834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
GABAA receptors are pentameric ligand-gated ion channels that serve as major inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors in the mammalian brain and the target of numerous clinically relevant drugs interacting with different ligand binding sites. Here, we report an in silico approach to investigate the binding of pyrazoloquinolinones (PQs) that mediate allosteric effects through the extracellular α+/β- interface of GABAA receptors. First, we docked a potent prototype of PQs into the α1+/β3- site of a homology model of the human α1β3γ2 subtype of the GABAA receptor. Next, for each docking pose, we computationally derived protein-ligand complexes for 18 PQ analogs with known experimental potency. Subsequently, binding energy was calculated for all complexes using the molecular mechanics-generalized Born surface area method. Finally, docking poses were quantitatively assessed in the light of experimental data to derive a binding hypothesis. Collectively, the results indicate that PQs at the α1+/β3- site likely exhibit a common binding mode that can be characterized by a hydrogen bond interaction with β3Q64 and hydrophobic interactions involving residues α1F99, β3Y62, β3M115, α1Y159, and α1Y209. Importantly, our results are in good agreement with the recently resolved cryo-Electron Microscopy structures of the human α1β3γ2 and α1β2γ2 subtypes of GABAA receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natesh Singh
- Univ. Lille, INSERM, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1177-Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Lille, France.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bruno O Villoutreix
- Univ. Lille, INSERM, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1177-Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Lille, France
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