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Misir S, Ozer Yaman S, Petrović N, Šami A, Akidan O, Hepokur C, Aliyazicioglu Y. Identification of a Novel hsa_circ_0058058/miR-324-5p Axis and Prognostic/Predictive Molecules for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Outcome by Bioinformatics-Based Analysis. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:487. [PMID: 39056681 PMCID: PMC11273384 DOI: 10.3390/biology13070487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (LAML) is one of the most prevalent hematological malignancies. In recent years, while targeted approaches have shown promise in the fight against cancer, the treatability and prognosis of patients remain inadequate due to the shortage of drugs. Noncoding RNAs, especially circular RNA (circRNA) and microRNA (miRNA), have been shown to play a unique role in tumor development. This study aims to identify the disease-associated circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network by bioinformatic analysis and investigate the mechanisms in the development and progression of LAML. Additionally, it reveals the promising roles of these molecules as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for LAML treatment. Using various bioinformatics approaches, we identified the hsa_circ_0058058/miR-324-5p axis in LAML and its possible functions in LAML development. According to our results, hsa circ-0058058 can regulate the expression of AP1G1 and SP1 through miR-324-5p to support angiogenesis, the cell cycle, and DNA replication processes. Downregulation of hsa circ-0058058 may contribute to the anticancer functions of miR-324-5p on LAML tumorigenesis, and upregulation of miR-324-5p can abolish the oncogenic effects of AP1G1 and SP1 on LAML tumorigenesis. Additionally, highly enriched pathways indicated possible interactions between molecules underlying LAML pathology. Targeted molecules within this network may be able to function as therapeutic and diagnostic biomarkers for disease, while more research and clinical confirmation are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sema Misir
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, 58140 Sivas, Turkey;
| | - Serap Ozer Yaman
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, 61080 Trabzon, Turkey; (S.O.Y.); (Y.A.)
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Trabzon Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, 61080 Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Nina Petrović
- Laboratory for Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Health and Environment, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia;
- Department for Experimental Oncology, Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ahmad Šami
- Cellular and Molecular Radiation Oncology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitaetsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany;
| | - Osman Akidan
- Department of Hematology, Mengücek Gazi Education and Research Hospital, 24100 Erzincan, Turkey;
| | - Ceylan Hepokur
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, 58140 Sivas, Turkey;
| | - Yuksel Aliyazicioglu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, 61080 Trabzon, Turkey; (S.O.Y.); (Y.A.)
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Ci Y, Zhang Y, Zhang X. Methylated lncRNAs suppress apoptosis of gastric cancer stem cells via the lncRNA-miRNA/protein axis. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2024; 29:51. [PMID: 38600465 PMCID: PMC11005211 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-024-00568-8] [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: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play essential roles in the tumorigenesis of gastric cancer. However, the influence of lncRNA methylation on gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) remains unclear. METHODS The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) levels of lncRNAs in gastric cancer stem cells were detected by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq), and the results were validated by MeRIP-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Specific sites of m6A modification on lncRNAs were detected by single-base elongation- and ligation-based qPCR amplification (SELECT). By constructing and transfecting the plasmid expressing methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) fused with catalytically inactivated Cas13 (dCas13b) and guide RNA targeting specific methylation sites of lncRNAs, we obtained gastric cancer stem cells with site-specific methylation of lncRNAs. Reverse transcription (RT)-qPCR and Western blot were used for detecting the stemness of treated gastric cancer stem cells. RESULTS The site-specific methylation of PSMA3-AS1 and MIR22HG suppressed apoptosis and promoted stemness of GCSCs. LncRNA methylation enhanced the stability of PSMA3-AS1 and MIR22HG to suppress apoptosis of GCSCs via the PSMA3-AS1-miR-411-3p- or MIR22HG-miR-24-3p-SERTAD1 axis. Simultaneously, the methylated lncRNAs promoted the interaction between PSMA3-AS1 and the EEF1A1 protein or MIR22HG and the LRPPRC protein, stabilizing the proteins and leading to the suppression of apoptosis. The in vivo data revealed that the methylated PSMA3-AS1 and MIR22HG triggered tumorigenesis of GCSCs. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed the requirement for site-specific methylation of lncRNAs in the tumorigenesis of GCSCs, contributing novel insights into cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Ci
- College of Life Sciences, Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology of Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology of Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobo Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology of Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China.
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Alam S, Doherty E, Ortega-Prieto P, Arizanova J, Fets L. Membrane transporters in cell physiology, cancer metabolism and drug response. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050404. [PMID: 38037877 PMCID: PMC10695176 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050404] [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] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
By controlling the passage of small molecules across lipid bilayers, membrane transporters influence not only the uptake and efflux of nutrients, but also the metabolic state of the cell. With more than 450 members, the Solute Carriers (SLCs) are the largest transporter super-family, clustering into families with different substrate specificities and regulatory properties. Cells of different types are, therefore, able to tailor their transporter expression signatures depending on their metabolic requirements, and the physiological importance of these proteins is illustrated by their mis-regulation in a number of disease states. In cancer, transporter expression is heterogeneous, and the SLC family has been shown to facilitate the accumulation of biomass, influence redox homeostasis, and also mediate metabolic crosstalk with other cell types within the tumour microenvironment. This Review explores the roles of membrane transporters in physiological and malignant settings, and how these roles can affect drug response, through either indirect modulation of sensitivity or the direct transport of small-molecule therapeutic compounds into cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Alam
- Drug Transport and Tumour Metabolism Lab, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Emily Doherty
- Drug Transport and Tumour Metabolism Lab, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Paula Ortega-Prieto
- Drug Transport and Tumour Metabolism Lab, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Julia Arizanova
- Drug Transport and Tumour Metabolism Lab, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Louise Fets
- Drug Transport and Tumour Metabolism Lab, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
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Du D, Qin M, Shi L, Liu C, Jiang J, Liao Z, Wang H, Zhang Z, Sun L, Fan H, Liu Z, Yu H, Li H, Peng J, Yuan S, Yang M, Xiong J. RNA binding motif protein 45-mediated phosphorylation enhances protein stability of ASCT2 to promote hepatocellular carcinoma progression. Oncogene 2023; 42:3127-3141. [PMID: 37658192 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02795-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Targeting metabolic remodeling represents a potentially promising strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. In-depth understanding on the regulation of the glutamine transporter alanine-serine-cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2) contributes to the development of novel promising therapeutics. As a developmentally regulated RNA binding protein, RBM45 is capable to shuttle between nucleus and cytoplasm, and directly interacts with proteins. By bioinformatics analysis, we screened out that RBM45 was elevated in the HCC patient specimens and positively correlated with poor prognosis. RBM45 promoted cell proliferation, boosted xenograft tumorigenicity and accelerated HCC progression. Using untargeted metabolomics, it was found that RBM45 interfered with glutamine metabolism. Further results demonstrated that RBM45 positively associated with ASCT2 in human and mouse specimens. Moreover, RBM45 enhanced ASCT2 protein stability by counteracting autophagy-independent lysosomal degradation. Significantly, wild-type ASCT2, instead of phospho-defective mutants, rescued siRBM45-suppressed HCC cell proliferation. Using molecular docking approaches, we found AG-221, a mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (mIDH2) inhibitor for acute myeloid leukemia therapy, pharmacologically perturbed RBM45-ASCT2 interaction, decreased ASCT2 stability and suppressed HCC progression. These findings provide evidence that RBM45 plays a crucial role in HCC progression via interacting with and counteracting the degradation of ASCT2. Our findings suggest a novel alternative structural sites for the design of ASCT2 inhibitors and the agents interfering with RBM45-ASCT2 interaction may be a potential direction for HCC drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyu Du
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Mengyao Qin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Li Shi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Chan Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jingwei Jiang
- Shuangyun BioMed Sci & Tech Co., Ltd., Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Zhengguang Liao
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Hongxv Wang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Zhibo Zhang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Li Sun
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Hui Fan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Zhengrui Liu
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Department of Pathology, Taizhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Dalian Medical University, Taizhou, 225300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongyang Li
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, 210042, China
| | - Jun Peng
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Shengtao Yuan
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Mei Yang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Jing Xiong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Guan J, Xu X, Qiu G, He C, Lu X, Wang K, Liu X, Li Y, Ling Z, Tang X, Liang Y, Tao X, Cheng B, Yang B. Cellular hierarchy framework based on single-cell/multi-patient sample sequencing reveals metabolic biomarker PYGL as a therapeutic target for HNSCC. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:162. [PMID: 37420300 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02734-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of research has revealed the connection of metabolism reprogramming and tumor progression, yet how metabolism reprogramming affects inter-patient heterogeneity and prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) still requires further explorations. METHODS A cellular hierarchy framework based on metabolic properties discrepancy, METArisk, was introduced to re-analyze the cellular composition from bulk transcriptomes of 486 patients through deconvolution utilizing single-cell reference profiles from 25 primary and 8 metastatic HNSCC sample integration of previous studies. Machine learning methods were used to identify the correlations between metabolism-related biomarkers and prognosis. The functions of the genes screened out in tumor progression, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance were validated in vitro by cellular functional experiments and in vivo by xenograft tumor mouse model. RESULTS Incorporating the cellular hierarchy composition and clinical properties, the METArisk phenotype divided multi-patient cohort into two classes, wherein poor prognosis of METArisk-high subgroup was associated with a particular cluster of malignant cells with significant activity of metabolism reprogramming enriched in metastatic single-cell samples. Subsequent analysis targeted for phenotype differences between the METArisk subgroups identified PYGL as a key metabolism-related biomarker that enhances malignancy and chemotherapy resistance by GSH/ROS/p53 pathway, leading to poor prognosis of HNSCC. CONCLUSION PYGL was identified as a metabolism-related oncogenic biomarker that promotes HNSCC progression, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance though GSH/ROS/p53 pathway. Our study revealed the cellular hierarchy composition of HNSCC from the cell metabolism reprogramming perspective and may provide new inspirations and therapeutic targets for HNSCC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiezhong Guan
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi Xu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guo Qiu
- Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chong He
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyue Lu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Liu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zihang Ling
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuan Tang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yujie Liang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoan Tao
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Bin Cheng
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Bo Yang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China.
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Lu J, Su Z, Li W, Ling Z, Cheng B, Yang X, Tao X. ASCT2-mediated glutamine uptake of epithelial cells facilitates CCL5-induced T cell infiltration via ROS-STAT3 pathway in oral lichen planus. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 119:110216. [PMID: 37116342 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110216] [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: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by T cell infiltration at lesion sites. T cell migration is greatly facilitated by chemokines produced by epithelial cells. Studies have noted the potential role of glutamine uptake in OLP and other inflammatory diseases. Here, we investigated the effect of altered glutamine uptake of epithelial cells on T cell infiltration and its underlying mechanisms in OLP. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to identify the expressions of glutamine transporter alanine-serine-cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2) and C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) in oral tissues of OLP and healthy controls. Human gingival epithelial cells (HGECs) were treated with glutamine deprivation and ASCT2 inhibiter GPNA respectively to detect the expressions of CCL5 and its related signaling molecules. Additionally, we had determined the impact of epithelial cell-derived CCL5 on T-cell migration using a co-culture system in vitro. RESULTS ASCT2 and CCL5 expressions in OLP were significantly higher than healthy controls and positively correlated with the density of inflammatory infiltrations. Glutamine supplement significantly increased CCL5 production in HGECs, which was effectively inhibited by GPNA. Besides, glutamine could inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS) production to activate the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) causing higher expression level of CCL5 in HGECs. Simultaneously, T cell migration could be blocked by anti-CCL5 neutralizing antibody and STAT3 inhibitor stattic in the co-culture system. CONCLUSION The upregulated ASCT2-mediated glutamine uptake in epithelial cells promotes CCL5 production via ROS-STAT3 signaling, which boosts the T-cell infiltration in OLP lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Lu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China.
| | - Zhangci Su
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China.
| | - Wei Li
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China.
| | - Zihang Ling
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China.
| | - Bin Cheng
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China.
| | - Xi Yang
- Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China.
| | - Xiaoan Tao
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China.
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Jehl A, Conrad O, Burgy M, Foppolo S, Vauchelles R, Ronzani C, Etienne-Selloum N, Chenard MP, Danic A, Dourlhes T, Thibault C, Schultz P, Dontenwill M, Martin S. Blocking EREG/GPX4 Sensitizes Head and Neck Cancer to Cetuximab through Ferroptosis Induction. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050733. [PMID: 36899869 PMCID: PMC10000618 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Epiregulin (EREG) is a ligand of EGFR and ErB4 involved in the development and the progression of various cancers including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Its overexpression in HNSCC is correlated with short overall survival and progression-free survival but predictive of tumors responding to anti-EGFR therapies. Besides tumor cells, macrophages and cancer-associated fibroblasts shed EREG in the tumor microenvironment to support tumor progression and to promote therapy resistance. Although EREG seems to be an interesting therapeutic target, no study has been conducted so far on the consequences of EREG invalidation regarding the behavior and response of HNSCC to anti-EGFR therapies and, more specifically, to cetuximab (CTX); (2) Methods: EREG was silenced in various HNSCC cell lines. The resulting phenotype (growth, clonogenic survival, apoptosis, metabolism, ferroptosis) was assessed in the absence or presence of CTX. The data were confirmed in patient-derived tumoroids; (3) Results: Here, we show that EREG invalidation sensitizes cells to CTX. This is illustrated by the reduction in cell survival, the alteration of cell metabolism associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and the initiation of ferroptosis characterized by lipid peroxidation, iron accumulation and the loss of GPX4. Combining ferroptosis inducers (RSL3 and metformin) with CTX drastically reduces the survival of HNSCC cells but also HNSCC patient-derived tumoroids; (4) Conclusions: The loss of EREG might be considered in clinical settings as a predictive biomarker for patients that might undergo ferroptosis in response to CTX and that might benefit the most from the combination of ferroptosis inducers and CTX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude Jehl
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Ombline Conrad
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Mickaël Burgy
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institute of Cancerology Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Sophie Foppolo
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Romain Vauchelles
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Carole Ronzani
- Laboratory of Design and Application of Bioactive Molecules, University of Strasbourg, UMR7199, CNRS, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Nelly Etienne-Selloum
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Cancerology Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Chenard
- Department of Pathology, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Aurélien Danic
- Department of Otolaryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas Dourlhes
- Department of Otolaryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Claire Thibault
- Department of Otolaryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Philippe Schultz
- Department of Otolaryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Monique Dontenwill
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Sophie Martin
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-36-885-4197; Fax: +33-36-885-4313
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The Impact of YRNAs on HNSCC and HPV Infection. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030681. [PMID: 36979661 PMCID: PMC10045647 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023] Open
Abstract
HPV infection is one of the most important risk factors for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma among younger patients. YRNAs are short non-coding RNAs involved in DNA replication. YRNAs have been found to be dysregulated in many cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In this study, we investigated the role of YRNAs in HPV-positive HNSCC using publicly available gene expression datasets from HNSCC tissue, where expression patterns of YRNAs in HPV(+) and HPV(−) HNSCC samples significantly differed. Additionally, HNSCC cell lines were treated with YRNA1-overexpressing plasmid and RNA derived from these cell lines was used to perform a NGS analysis. Additionally, a deconvolution analysis was performed to determine YRNA1’s impact on immune cells. YRNA expression levels varied according to cancer pathological and clinical stages, and correlated with more aggressive subtypes. YRNAs were mostly associated with more advanced cancer stages in the HPV(+) group, and YRNA3 and YRNA1 expression levels were found to be correlated with more advanced clinical stages despite HPV infection status, showing that they may function as potential biomarkers of more advanced stages of the disease. YRNA5 was associated with less-advanced cancer stages in the HPV(−) group. Overall survival and progression-free survival analyses showed opposite results between the HPV groups. The expression of YRNAs, especially YRNA1, correlated with a vast number of proteins and cellular processes associated with viral infections and immunologic responses to viruses. HNSCC-derived cell lines overexpressing YRNA1 were then used to determine the correlation of YRNA1 and the expression of genes associated with HPV infections. Taken together, our results highlight the potential of YRNAs as possible HNSCC biomarkers and new molecular targets.
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Hu J, Ling Z, Li W, Su Z, Lu J, Zeng Q, Cheng B, Tao X. Glutamine promotes the proliferation of epithelial cells via mTOR/S6 pathway in oral lichen planus. J Oral Pathol Med 2023; 52:150-160. [PMID: 36459062 DOI: 10.1111/jop.13391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although abnormal cell proliferation and apoptosis are associated with the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP), the exactly mechanism of which is not yet known. It has been reported that glutamine (Gln) can promote cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of various tumor cells. This study aims to evaluate the effect of Gln metabolism on the balance of proliferation and apoptosis in epithelial cells of OLP. METHODS Thirty human OLP specimens and 11 normal controls were stained by immunohistochemistry to detect the levels of proliferation and Gln metabolism related proteins. Then, the critical role of Gln in cell proliferation and apoptosis was determined by Gln deprivation or treatment with glutaminase inhibitor (CB-839) to intervene Gln metabolism in human gingival epithelial cells. Cell proliferation was detected using CCK8, p-mTOR and p-S6 proteins were detected using Western Blot, cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected using flow cytometry, and cell stress was detected using immunofluorescence. RESULTS Compared with normal controls, OLP specimens showed higher levels of Ki-67 and Gln metabolism-related proteins, including Gln transporter (ASCT2), glutaminase (GLS), and pathway proteins (p-mTOR and p-S6). In vitro, Gln promoted cell proliferation and simultaneously upregulated the activity of mTOR/S6 pathway. Moreover, rapamycin, an mTOR pathway inhibitor, could effectively block the Gln-induced cell proliferation. MHY1485, an mTOR pathway agonist, could effectively reverse the decline of cell proliferation under Gln deprivation. In addition, inhibiting Gln metabolism caused the accumulation of intracellular radical oxygen species (ROS) and induced cell apoptosis. However, N-acetylcysteine reversed this state and then decreased cell apoptosis by eliminating intracellular ROS. CONCLUSION Gln metabolism is essential to maintain the balance of proliferation and apoptosis in oral epithelial cells, and inhibition of Gln metabolism may have a beneficial effect on OLP treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Hu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zihang Ling
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Li
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhangci Su
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingyi Lu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zeng
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Cheng
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoan Tao
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
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10
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Gong T, Zheng C, Ou X, Zheng J, Yu J, Chen S, Duan Y, Liu W. Glutamine metabolism in cancers: Targeting the oxidative homeostasis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:994672. [PMID: 36324588 PMCID: PMC9621616 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.994672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in blood and tissues, and the most important nutrient except for glucose in cancer cells. Over the past years, most studies have focused on the role of Gln metabolism in supporting energy metabolism rather than maintaining oxidative homeostasis. In fact, Gln is an important factor in maintaining oxidative homeostasis of cancer cells, especially in “Glutamine addicted” cancer cells. Here, this paper will review the recent scientific literature about the link between Gln metabolism and oxidative homeostasis, with an emphasis on the potential role of Gln metabolism in different cancers. Given that oxidative homeostasis is of critical importance in cancer, understanding the impacts of a Gln metabolism on oxidative homeostasis, gaining great insights into underlying molecular mechanisms, and developing effective therapeutic strategies are of great importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengfang Gong
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Changbing Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Physiology and Metabolic Process, National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
| | - Xidan Ou
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Physiology and Metabolic Process, National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiayi Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Physiology and Metabolic Process, National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuyu Chen
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Yehui Duan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Physiology and Metabolic Process, National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yehui Duan, ; Wei Liu,
| | - Wei Liu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Yehui Duan, ; Wei Liu,
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11
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MicroRNA-641 Inhibits Endometrial Cancer Progression via Targeting AP1G1. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:7918596. [PMID: 36212964 PMCID: PMC9546697 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7918596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNA-641 (miR-641) was significantly decreased in various cancers, but its roles in endometrial cancer (EC) remain unclear. We explored the influences of miR-641 on the EC cells. In our study, the miR-641 expression was reduced in EC cells. Overexpression of miR-641 inhibited viability and proliferation of HEC-1A and HECCL-1 cells by CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Additionally, flow cytometry revealed that overexpression of miR-641 could remarkably promote apoptosis and arrest the cell cycle at the G1 phase of HEC-1A and HECCL-1 cells. Besides, forced expression of miR-641 suppressed the migration and invasion of HEC-1A and HECCL-1 cells as evidenced by wound healing and transwell assay. Moreover, AP1G1 was confirmed as a target gene of miR-641 by StarBase prediction and DLR assay and their expressions were negatively correlated. Overexpression of AP1G1 neutralized the roles of miR-641 mimic on the viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of HEC-1A and HECCL-1 cells. Our findings illustrated that miR-641 was reduced in the EC cells and AP1G1 antagonized the miR-641 mimic-induced inhibition of the EC progression in vitro. Therefore, miR-641 may emerge as an effective molecule for EC treatment.
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12
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Shin J, Nile A, Oh JW. Role of adaptin protein complexes in intracellular trafficking and their impact on diseases. Bioengineered 2021; 12:8259-8278. [PMID: 34565296 PMCID: PMC8806629 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1982846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adaptin proteins (APs) play a crucial role in intracellular cell trafficking. The 'classical' role of APs is carried out by AP1‒3, which bind to clathrin, cargo, and accessory proteins. Accordingly, AP1-3 are crucial for both vesicle formation and sorting. All APs consist of four subunits that are indispensable for their functions. In fact, based on studies using cells, model organism knockdown/knock-out, and human variants, each subunit plays crucial roles and contributes to the specificity of each AP. These studies also revealed that the sorting and intracellular trafficking function of AP can exert varying effects on pathology by controlling features such as cell development, signal transduction related to the apoptosis and proliferation pathways in cancer cells, organelle integrity, receptor presentation, and viral infection. Although the roles and functions of AP1‒3 are relatively well studied, the functions of the less abundant and more recently identified APs, AP4 and AP5, are still to be investigated. Further studies on these APs may enable a better understanding and targeting of specific diseases.APs known or suggested locations and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhyun Shin
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology and Animal Resources Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Arti Nile
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology and Animal Resources Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Wook Oh
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology and Animal Resources Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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13
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Scalise M, Console L, Cosco J, Pochini L, Galluccio M, Indiveri C. ASCT1 and ASCT2: Brother and Sister? SLAS DISCOVERY 2021; 26:1148-1163. [PMID: 34269129 DOI: 10.1177/24725552211030288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The SLC1 family includes seven members divided into two groups, namely, EAATs and ASCTs, that share similar 3D architecture; the first one includes high-affinity glutamate transporters, and the second one includes SLC1A4 and SLC1A5, known as ASCT1 and ASCT2, respectively, responsible for the traffic of neutral amino acids across the cell plasma membrane. The physiological role of ASCT1 and ASCT2 has been investigated over the years, revealing different properties in terms of substrate specificities, affinities, and regulation by physiological effectors and posttranslational modifications. Furthermore, ASCT1 and ASCT2 are involved in pathological conditions, such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. This has driven research in the pharmaceutical field aimed to find drugs able to target the two proteins.This review focuses on structural, functional, and regulatory aspects of ASCT1 and ASCT2, highlighting similarities and differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariafrancesca Scalise
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Lara Console
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Jessica Cosco
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Lorena Pochini
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Michele Galluccio
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Cesare Indiveri
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.,CNR Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnology (IBIOM), Bari, Italy
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14
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Usmani MA, Ahmed ZM, Magini P, Pienkowski VM, Rasmussen KJ, Hernan R, Rasheed F, Hussain M, Shahzad M, Lanpher BC, Niu Z, Lim FY, Pippucci T, Ploski R, Kraus V, Matuszewska K, Palombo F, Kianmahd J, Martinez-Agosto JA, Lee H, Colao E, Motazacker MM, Brigatti KW, Puffenberger EG, Riazuddin SA, Gonzaga-Jauregui C, Chung WK, Wagner M, Schultz MJ, Seri M, Kievit AJ, Perrotti N, Klein Wassink-Ruiter J, van Bokhoven H, Riazuddin S, Riazuddin S, Riazuddin S. De novo and bi-allelic variants in AP1G1 cause neurodevelopmental disorder with developmental delay, intellectual disability, and epilepsy. Am J Hum Genet 2021; 108:1330-1341. [PMID: 34102099 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptor protein (AP) complexes mediate selective intracellular vesicular trafficking and polarized localization of somatodendritic proteins in neurons. Disease-causing alleles of various subunits of AP complexes have been implicated in several heritable human disorders, including intellectual disabilities (IDs). Here, we report two bi-allelic (c.737C>A [p.Pro246His] and c.1105A>G [p.Met369Val]) and eight de novo heterozygous variants (c.44G>A [p.Arg15Gln], c.103C>T [p.Arg35Trp], c.104G>A [p.Arg35Gln], c.229delC [p.Gln77Lys∗11], c.399_400del [p.Glu133Aspfs∗37], c.747G>T [p.Gln249His], c.928-2A>C [p.?], and c.2459C>G [p.Pro820Arg]) in AP1G1, encoding gamma-1 subunit of adaptor-related protein complex 1 (AP1γ1), associated with a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) characterized by mild to severe ID, epilepsy, and developmental delay in eleven families from different ethnicities. The AP1γ1-mediated adaptor complex is essential for the formation of clathrin-coated intracellular vesicles. In silico analysis and 3D protein modeling simulation predicted alteration of AP1γ1 protein folding for missense variants, which was consistent with the observed altered AP1γ1 levels in heterologous cells. Functional studies of the recessively inherited missense variants revealed no apparent impact on the interaction of AP1γ1 with other subunits of the AP-1 complex but rather showed to affect the endosome recycling pathway. Knocking out ap1g1 in zebrafish leads to severe morphological defect and lethality, which was significantly rescued by injection of wild-type AP1G1 mRNA and not by transcripts encoding the missense variants. Furthermore, microinjection of mRNAs with de novo missense variants in wild-type zebrafish resulted in severe developmental abnormalities and increased lethality. We conclude that de novo and bi-allelic variants in AP1G1 are associated with neurodevelopmental disorder in diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Saima Riazuddin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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15
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Teixeira E, Silva C, Martel F. The role of the glutamine transporter ASCT2 in antineoplastic therapy. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2021; 87:447-464. [PMID: 33464409 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-020-04218-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells are metabolically reprogrammed to support their high rates of proliferation, continuous growth, survival, invasion, metastasis, and resistance to cancer treatments. Among changes in cancer cell bioenergetics, the role of glutamine metabolism has been receiving increasing attention. Increased glutaminolysis in cancer cells is associated with increased expression of membrane transporters that mediate the cellular uptake of glutamine. ASCT2 (Alanine, Serine, Cysteine Transporter 2) is a Na+-dependent transmembrane transporter overexpressed in cancer cells and considered to be the primary transporter for glutamine in these cells. The possibility of inhibiting ASCT2 for antineoplastic therapy is currently under investigation. In this article, we will present the pharmacological agents currently known to act on ASCT2, which have been attracting attention in antineoplastic therapy research. We will also address the impact of ASCT2 inhibition on the prognosis of some cancers. We conclude that ASCT2 inhibition and combination of ASCT2 inhibitors with other anti-tumor therapies may be a promising antineoplastic strategy. However, more research is needed in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefânia Teixeira
- Department of Biomedicine, Unit of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Al Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Silva
- Department of Biomedicine, Unit of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Al Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação E Inovação Em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Fátima Martel
- Department of Biomedicine, Unit of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Al Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
- Instituto de Investigação E Inovação Em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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16
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Tran QH, Than VT, Luu PL, Clarke D, Lam HN, Nguyen TGT, Nguyen DT, Duy PQ, Phung D, Nguyen MN. A novel signature predicts recurrence risk and therapeutic response in breast cancer patients. Int J Cancer 2021; 148:2848-2856. [PMID: 33586202 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase (ASMT) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of melatonin. Although melatonin has been shown to exhibit anticancer activity and prevents endocrine resistance in breast cancer, the role of ASMT in breast cancer progression remains unclear. In this retrospective study, we analyzed gene expression profiles in 27 data sets on 7244 patients from 11 countries. We found that ASMT expression was significantly reduced in breast cancer tumors relative to healthy tissue. Among breast cancer patients, those with higher levels of ASMT expression had better relapse-free survival outcomes and longer metastasis-free survival times. Following treatment with tamoxifen, patients with greater ASMT expression experienced longer periods before relapse or distance recurrence. Motivated by these results, we devised an ASMT gene signature that can correctly identify low-risk cases with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.997 and 0.916, respectively. This signature was robustly validated using 23 independent breast cancer mRNA array data sets from different platforms (consisting of 5800 patients) and an RNAseq data set from TCGA (comprising 1096 patients). Intriguingly, patients who are classified as high-risk by the signature benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, and those with grade II tumors who are classified as low-risk exhibit improved overall survival and distance relapse-free outcomes following endocrine therapy. Together, our findings more clearly elucidate the roles of ASMT, provide strategies for improving the efficacy of tamoxifen treatment and help to identify those patients who may maximally benefit from adjuvant or endocrine therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quynh Hoa Tran
- Department of Biotechnology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Food Industry, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Van Thai Than
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, PHENIKAA University, Hanoi, Vietnam.,PHENIKAA Research and Technology Institute (PRATI), A&A Green Phoenix Group JSC, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Phuc Loi Luu
- Epigenetics Research Laboratory, Genomics and Epigenetics Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Declan Clarke
- Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Hanh Ngoc Lam
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
| | | | | | - Phan Q Duy
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Dung Phung
- School of Medicine, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Minh Nam Nguyen
- School of Medicine, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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17
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Raudenská M, Balvan J, Masařík M. Cell death in head and neck cancer pathogenesis and treatment. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:192. [PMID: 33602906 PMCID: PMC7893032 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03474-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Many cancer therapies aim to trigger apoptosis in cancer cells. Nevertheless, the presence of oncogenic alterations in these cells and distorted composition of tumour microenvironment largely limit the clinical efficacy of this type of therapy. Luckily, scientific consensus describes about 10 different cell death subroutines with different regulatory pathways and cancer cells are probably not able to avoid all of cell death types at once. Therefore, a focused and individualised therapy is needed to address the specific advantages and disadvantages of individual tumours. Although much is known about apoptosis, therapeutic opportunities of other cell death pathways are often neglected. Molecular heterogeneity of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) causing unpredictability of the clinical response represents a grave challenge for oncologists and seems to be a critical component of treatment response. The large proportion of this clinical heterogeneity probably lies in alterations of cell death pathways. How exactly cells die is very important because the predominant type of cell death can have multiple impacts on the therapeutic response as cell death itself acts as a second messenger. In this review, we discuss the different types of programmed cell death (PCD), their connection with HNSCC pathogenesis and possible therapeutic windows that result from specific sensitivity to some form of PCD in some clinically relevant subgroups of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Raudenská
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Balvan
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Masařík
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00, Brno, Czech Republic. .,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00, Brno, Czech Republic. .,Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00, Brno, Czech Republic. .,BIOCEV, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prumyslova 595, CZ-252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic.
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18
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Kahya U, Köseer AS, Dubrovska A. Amino Acid Transporters on the Guard of Cell Genome and Epigenome. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:E125. [PMID: 33401748 PMCID: PMC7796306 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13010125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenesis is driven by metabolic reprogramming. Oncogenic mutations and epigenetic alterations that cause metabolic rewiring may also upregulate the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Precise regulation of the intracellular ROS levels is critical for tumor cell growth and survival. High ROS production leads to the damage of vital macromolecules, such as DNA, proteins, and lipids, causing genomic instability and further tumor evolution. One of the hallmarks of cancer metabolism is deregulated amino acid uptake. In fast-growing tumors, amino acids are not only the source of energy and building intermediates but also critical regulators of redox homeostasis. Amino acid uptake regulates the intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels, endoplasmic reticulum stress, unfolded protein response signaling, mTOR-mediated antioxidant defense, and epigenetic adaptations of tumor cells to oxidative stress. This review summarizes the role of amino acid transporters as the defender of tumor antioxidant system and genome integrity and discusses them as promising therapeutic targets and tumor imaging tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uğur Kahya
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (U.K.); (A.S.K.)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ayşe Sedef Köseer
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (U.K.); (A.S.K.)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (U.K.); (A.S.K.)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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19
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Ma H, Wu J, Zhou M, Wu J, Wu Z, Lin L, Huang N, Liao W, Sun L. Inhibition of Glutamine Uptake Improves the Efficacy of Cetuximab on Gastric Cancer. Integr Cancer Ther 2021; 20:15347354211045349. [PMID: 34590499 PMCID: PMC8488517 DOI: 10.1177/15347354211045349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment for advanced gastric cancer is challenging. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) contributes to the proliferation and development of gastric cancer (GC), and its overexpression is associated with unfavorable prognosis in GC. Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting EGFR, failed to improve the overall survival of gastric cancer patients indicated in phase III randomized trials. Glutamine is a vital nutrient for tumor growth and its metabolism contributes to therapeutic resistance, making glutamine uptake an attractive target for cancer treatment. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether intervention of glutamine uptake could improve the effect of cetuximab on GC. The results of MTT assay showed that by glutamine deprivation or inhibition of glutamine uptake, the viability of gastric carcinoma cells was inhibited more severely than that of human immortal gastric mucosa epithelial cells (GES-1). The expression of the key glutamine transporter alanine-serine-cysteine (ASC) transporter 2 (ASCT2; SLC1A5) was significantly higher in gastric carcinoma tissues and various gastric carcinoma cell lines than in normal gastric tissues and cells, as shown by immunohistochemistry and western blotting, while silencing ASCT2 significantly inhibited the viability and proliferation of gastric carcinoma cells. Consistent with previous studies, it was shown herein by MTT and EdU assays that cetuximab had a weak inhibitory effect on the cell viability of gastric carcinoma cells. However, inhibiting glutamine uptake by blockade of ASCT2 with l-γ-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide (GPNA) significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of cetuximab on suppressing the proliferation of gastric cancer both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, combining cetuximab and GPNA induced cell apoptosis considerably in gastric carcinoma cells, as shown by flow cytometry, and had a higher depressing effect on gastric cancer proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, as compared to either treatment alone. The present study suggested that inhibition of glutamine uptake may be a promising strategy for improving the inhibitory efficacy of cetuximab on advanced gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanrong Ma
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jingjing Wu
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Minyu Zhou
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jianhua Wu
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Zhenzhen Wu
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Li Lin
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Na Huang
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Wangjun Liao
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Li Sun
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
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20
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Target the human Alanine/Serine/Cysteine Transporter 2(ASCT2): Achievement and Future for Novel Cancer Therapy. Pharmacol Res 2020; 158:104844. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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21
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ROS-Mediated Therapeutic Strategy in Chemo-/Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Cancer. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:5047987. [PMID: 32774675 PMCID: PMC7396055 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5047987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Head and neck cancer is a highly genetic and metabolic heterogeneous collection of malignancies of the lip, oral cavity, salivary glands, pharynx, esophagus, paranasal sinuses, and larynx with five-year survival rates ranging from 12% to 93%. Patients with head and neck cancer typically present with advanced stage III, IVa, or IVb disease and are treated with comprehensive modality including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Despite advancements in treatment modality and technique, noisome recurrence, invasiveness, and resistance as well as posttreatment complications severely influence survival rate and quality of life. Thus, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed that offer enhanced efficacy with less toxicity. ROS in cancer cells plays a vital role in regulating cell death, DNA repair, stemness maintenance, metabolic reprogramming, and tumor microenvironment, all of which have been implicated in resistance to chemo-/radiotherapy of head and neck cancer. Adjusting ROS generation and elimination to reverse the resistance of cancer cells without impairing normal cells show great hope in improving the therapeutic efficacy of chemo-/radiotherapy of head and neck cancer. In the current review, we discuss the pivotal and targetable redox-regulating system including superoxide dismutases (SODs), tripeptide glutathione (GSH), thioredoxin (Trxs), peroxiredoxins (PRXs), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Nrf2/keap1), and mitochondria electron transporter chain (ETC) complexes and their roles in regulating ROS levels and their clinical significance implicated in chemo-/radiotherapy of head and neck cancer. We also summarize several old drugs (referred to as the non-anti-cancer drugs used in other diseases for a long time) and small molecular compounds as well as natural herbs which effectively modulate cellular ROS of head and neck cancer to synergize the efficacy of conventional chemo-/radiotherapy. Emerging interdisciplinary techniques including photodynamic, nanoparticle system, and Bio-Electro-Magnetic-Energy-Regulation (BEMER) therapy are promising measures to broaden the potency of ROS modulation for the benefit of chemo-/radiotherapy in head and neck cancer.
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Luo Y, Li W, Ling Z, Hu Q, Fan Z, Cheng B, Tao X. ASCT2 overexpression is associated with poor survival of OSCC patients and ASCT2 knockdown inhibited growth of glutamine-addicted OSCC cells. Cancer Med 2020; 9:3489-3499. [PMID: 32162845 PMCID: PMC7221297 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.2965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Alanine‐serine‐cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2), a major glutamine transporter, is essential for cell growth and tumor development in a variety of cancers. However, the clinicopathological significance and pathological role of ASCT2 in OSCC (oral squamous cell carcinoma) lesions remain unclear. Methods Sections from 89 OSCC patients and 10 paracancerous tissue controls were stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect the expression of ASCT2, glutaminase, and Ki‐67. Survival analysis was carried out to determine the predictive value of ASCT2 expression using the log‐rank test. Moreover, the critical role of ASCT2 in tumor growth was determined by a series of in vitro and in vivo assays. Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK8), Western Blotting (WB), Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and Glutathione (GSH) detection were applied to explore the molecular mechanism of ASCT2 involvement in tumor development. Results In OSCC lesions, ASCT2 expression was significantly increased and associated with cell proliferation index (Ki‐67) and GLS expression. Moreover, survival analysis showed that OSCC patients with high ASCT2 expression had lower overall survival (P = 0.0365). In OSCC cell lines, the high level of ASCT2 was inherent and related to the glutamine addiction of tumor cells. In vitro and in vivo functional experiments revealed that targeted silencing of ASCT2 can effectively inhibit OSCC cell proliferation and tumor growth. Mechanistically, targeting ASCT2 knockdown reduced glutamine uptake and intracellular GSH levels, which contribute to the accumulation of ROS and induce apoptosis in OSCC cells. Conclusion ASCT2 is a significant factor for predicting overall survival in patients with OSCC, and targeting ASCT2 to inhibit glutamine metabolism may be a promising strategy for OSCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Oral Medicine, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Wei Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Oral Medicine, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Zihang Ling
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Oral Medicine, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Qinchao Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Oral Medicine, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Zhen Fan
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bin Cheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Oral Medicine, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoan Tao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Oral Medicine, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
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Zhang Z, Liu R, Shuai Y, Huang Y, Jin R, Wang X, Luo J. ASCT2 (SLC1A5)-dependent glutamine uptake is involved in the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Br J Cancer 2019; 122:82-93. [PMID: 31819178 PMCID: PMC6964701 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-019-0637-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Glutamine is an abundant and versatile nutrient in cancer cells. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) was reported to be dependent on mainly glucose, not glutamine, for producing the energy required for survival and proliferation. Methods The roles of ASCT2 (SLC1A5) and associated glutamine metabolism were determined by the MTT, colony formation, glutamine uptake, intracellular glutathione, ROS detection, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and apoptosis enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays as well as animal studies. Results We found that glutamine is also critical for HNSCC. In this study, ASCT2, an amino acid transporter responsible for glutamine transport, in addition to LAT1 and GLS, is overexpressed in HNSCC and associated with poor survival. Using both in vivo and in vitro models, we found that knocking down ASCT2 by shRNAs or miR-137 or the combination of silencing ASCT2 and pharmacologically inhibiting SNAT2 via a small-molecule antagonist called V-9302 significantly suppressed intracellular glutamine levels and downstream glutamine metabolism, including glutathione production; these effects attenuated growth and proliferation, increased apoptosis and autophagy, and increased oxidative stress and mTORC1 pathway suppression in HNSCC. Additionally, silencing ASCT2 improved the response to cetuximab in HNSCC. Conclusions In summary, ASCT2-dependent glutamine uptake and subsequent glutamine metabolism are essential for HNSCC tumorigenesis, and the combination of glutamine uptake inhibitors and cetuximab presents a promising strategy for improving the outcomes of HNSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Zhang
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngology Oncology and Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Ruoyan Liu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Yanjie Shuai
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngology Oncology and Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Yuting Huang
- Cancer and Immunology, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20010, USA
| | - Rui Jin
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngology Oncology and Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Xudong Wang
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngology Oncology and Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Jingtao Luo
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngology Oncology and Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China.
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Lu H, Lu Y, Xie Y, Qiu S, Li X, Fan Z. Rational combination with PDK1 inhibition overcomes cetuximab resistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. JCI Insight 2019; 4:131106. [PMID: 31578313 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.131106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cetuximab, an EGFR-blocking antibody, is currently approved for treatment of metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but its response rate is limited. In addition to blocking EGFR-stimulated cell signaling, cetuximab can induce endocytosis of ASCT2, a glutamine transporter associated with EGFR in a complex, leading to glutathione biosynthesis inhibition and cellular sensitization to ROS. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-1 (PDK1), a key mitochondrial enzyme overexpressed in cancer cells, redirects glucose metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation toward aerobic glycolysis. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that targeting PDK1 is a rational approach to synergize with cetuximab through ROS overproduction. We found that combination of PDK1 knockdown or inhibition by dichloroacetic acid (DCA) with ASCT2 knockdown or with cetuximab treatment induced ROS overproduction and apoptosis in HNSCC cells, and this effect was independent of effective inhibition of EGFR downstream pathways but could be lessened by N-acetyl cysteine, an anti-oxidative agent. In several cetuximab-resistant HNSCC xenograft models, DCA plus cetuximab induced marked tumor regression, whereas either agent alone failed to induce tumor regression. Our findings call for potentially novel clinical trials of combining cetuximab and DCA in patients with cetuximab-sensitive EGFR-overexpressing tumors and patients with cetuximab-resistant EGFR-overexpressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiquan Lu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yang Lu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yangyiran Xie
- Program in Neuroscience, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Songbo Qiu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xinqun Li
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zhen Fan
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USA
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Targeting Cellular Metabolism Modulates Head and Neck Oncogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20163960. [PMID: 31416244 PMCID: PMC6721038 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering the great energy and biomass demand for cell survival, cancer cells exhibit unique metabolic signatures compared to normal cells. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most prevalent neoplasms worldwide. Recent findings have shown that environmental challenges, as well as intrinsic metabolic manipulations, could modulate HNSCC experimentally and serve as clinic prognostic indicators, suggesting that a better understanding of dynamic metabolic changes during HNSCC development could be of great benefit for developing adjuvant anti-cancer schemes other than conventional therapies. However, the following questions are still poorly understood: (i) how does metabolic reprogramming occur during HNSCC development? (ii) how does the tumorous milieu contribute to HNSCC tumourigenesis? and (iii) at the molecular level, how do various metabolic cues interact with each other to control the oncogenicity and therapeutic sensitivity of HNSCC? In this review article, the regulatory roles of different metabolic pathways in HNSCC and its microenvironment in controlling the malignancy are therefore discussed in the hope of providing a systemic overview regarding what we knew and how cancer metabolism could be translated for the development of anti-cancer therapeutic reagents.
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26
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Targeting cancer metabolism through synthetic lethality-based combinatorial treatment strategies. Curr Opin Oncol 2019; 30:338-344. [PMID: 29994904 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000000467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Targeting cancer metabolism for therapy has received much attention over the last decade with various small molecule inhibitors entering clinical trials. The present review highlights the latest strategies to target glucose and glutamine metabolism for cancer therapy with a particular emphasis on novel combinatorial treatment approaches. RECENT FINDINGS Inhibitors of glucose, lactate, and glutamine transport and the ensuing metabolism are in preclinical to clinical trial stages of investigation. Recent advances in our understanding of cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic factors that dictate dependence on these targets have informed the development of rational, synthetic lethality-based strategies to exploit these metabolic vulnerabilities. SUMMARY Cancer cells exhibit a number of metabolic alterations with functional consequences beyond that of sustaining cellular energetics and biosynthesis. Elucidating context-specific metabolic dependencies and their connections to oncogenic signaling and epigenetic programs in tumor cells represents a promising approach to identify new metabolic drug targets for cancer therapy.
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27
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Benedetto R, Massicano AVF, Crenshaw BK, Oliveira R, Reis RM, Araújo EB, Lapi SE. 89Zr-DFO-Cetuximab as a Molecular Imaging Agent to Identify Cetuximab Resistance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2019; 34:288-296. [PMID: 30865493 DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2018.2616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite the improvement in clinical outcomes for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) as the result of cetuximab, patients may present with or develop resistance that increases tumor recurrence rates and limits clinical efficacy. Therefore, identifying those patients who are or become resistant is essential to tailor the best therapeutic approach. Materials and Methods: Cetuximab was conjugated to p-NCS-Bz-DFO and labeled with 89Zr. The resistance model was developed by treating FaDu cells with cetuximab. Western blotting (WB) and specific binding assays were performed to evaluate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and 89Zr-DFO-cetuximab uptake in FaDu cetuximab-resistant (FCR) and FaDu cetuximab-sensitive (FCS) cells. Positron emission tomography imaging and biodistribution were conducted in NU/NU nude mice implanted with FCR or FCS cells. Results: Cetuximab was successfully radiolabeled with 89Zr (≥95%). Binding assays performed in FCR and FCS cells showed significantly lower 89Zr-DFO-cetuximab uptake in FCR (p < 0.0001). WB suggests that the resistance mechanism is associated with EGFR downregulation (p = 0.038). This result is in agreement with the low uptake of 89Zr-DFO-cetuximab in FCR cells. Tumor uptake of 89Zr-DFO-cetuximab in FCR was significantly lower than FCS tumors (p = 0.0340). Conclusions: In this work, the authors showed that 89Zr-DFO-cetuximab is suitable for identification of EGFR downregulation in vitro and in vivo. This radiopharmaceutical may be useful for monitoring resistance in HNSCC patients during cetuximab therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Benedetto
- 1 Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriana V F Massicano
- 2 Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Bryant K Crenshaw
- 2 Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Renato Oliveira
- 3 Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rui M Reis
- 3 Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elaine B Araújo
- 1 Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Suzanne E Lapi
- 2 Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, Alabama
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Scalise M, Pochini L, Console L, Losso MA, Indiveri C. The Human SLC1A5 (ASCT2) Amino Acid Transporter: From Function to Structure and Role in Cell Biology. Front Cell Dev Biol 2018; 6:96. [PMID: 30234109 PMCID: PMC6131531 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2018.00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
SLC1A5, known as ASCT2, is a neutral amino acid transporter belonging to the SLC1 family and localized in the plasma membrane of several body districts. ASCT2 is an acronym standing for Alanine, Serine, Cysteine Transporter 2 even if the preferred substrate is the conditionally essential amino acid glutamine, with cysteine being a modulator and not a substrate. The studies around amino acid transport in cells and tissues began in the '60s by using radiolabeled compounds and competition assays. After identification of murine and human genes, the function of the coded protein has been studied in cell system and in proteoliposomes revealing that this transporter is a Na+ dependent antiporter of neutral amino acids, some of which are only inwardly transported and others are bi-directionally exchanged. The functional asymmetry merged with the kinetic asymmetry in line with the physiological role of amino acid pool harmonization. An intriguing function has been described for ASCT2 that is exploited as a receptor by a group of retroviruses to infect human cells. Interactions with scaffold proteins and post-translational modifications regulate ASCT2 stability, trafficking and transport activity. Two asparagine residues, namely N163 and N212, are the sites of glycosylation that is responsible for the definitive localization into the plasma membrane. ASCT2 expression increases in highly proliferative cells such as inflammatory and stem cells to fulfill the augmented glutamine demand. Interestingly, for the same reason, the expression of ASCT2 is greatly enhanced in many human cancers. This finding has generated interest in its candidacy as a pharmacological target for new anticancer drugs. The recently solved 3D structure of ASCT2 will aid in the rational design of such therapeutic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariafrancesca Scalise
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze Della Terra) Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Lorena Pochini
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze Della Terra) Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Lara Console
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze Della Terra) Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Maria A Losso
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze Della Terra) Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Cesare Indiveri
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze Della Terra) Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy.,CNR Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnology, Bari, Italy
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Chaganty BKR, Qiu S, Gest A, Lu Y, Ivan C, Calin GA, Weiner LM, Fan Z. Trastuzumab upregulates PD-L1 as a potential mechanism of trastuzumab resistance through engagement of immune effector cells and stimulation of IFNγ secretion. Cancer Lett 2018; 430:47-56. [PMID: 29746929 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Here, we report that treatment of syngeneic mouse tumors transduced to overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) with the anti-human HER2 antibody trastuzumab upregulated the level of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), an important negative regulator of T-cell response, in a transgenic mouse model immune-tolerant to human HER2. We further found that trastuzumab alone had no detectable effect on the level of PD-L1 expression in monocultures of HER2-overexpressing human breast cancer cells but upregulated PD-L1 in the same panel of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells when they were co-cultured with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and the upregulation of PD-L1 could be blocked by an IFNγ-neutralizing antibody. Inhibition of HER2 intrinsic signaling via HER2 expression knockdown or kinase inhibition had variable and cell-context-specific effects on downregulating the PD-L1 level. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas database showed no direct correlation between HER2 and PD-L1 at the messenger RNA level. Trastuzumab-mediated upregulation of PD-L1 through engagement of immune effector cells may function as a potential mechanism of trastuzumab resistance. Our data justify further investigation of the value of adding anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 therapy to trastuzumab-based treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharat K R Chaganty
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Songbo Qiu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Anneliese Gest
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yang Lu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Cristina Ivan
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - George A Calin
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Louis M Weiner
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Zhen Fan
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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30
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Meng S, Wang G, Lu Y, Fan Z. Functional cooperation between HIF-1α and c-Jun in mediating primary and acquired resistance to gefitinib in NSCLC cells with activating mutation of EGFR. Lung Cancer 2018; 121:82-90. [PMID: 29858032 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2018.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 04/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and activator protein 1 (AP-1) are important transcription factors regulating expression of genes involved in cell survival. HIF-1α and c-Jun are key components of HIF-1 and AP-1, respectively, and are regulated by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated cell signaling and tumor microenvironmental cues. The roles of HIF-1α and c-Jun in development of resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating mutation of EGFR have not been explored. In this study, we investigated the roles of HIF-1α and c-Jun in mediating primary and acquired resistance to gefitinib in NSCLC cells with activating mutation of EGFR. MATERIALS AND METHODS Changes in HIF-1α protein and in total and phosphorylated c-Jun levels in relation to changes in total and phosphorylated EGFR levels before and after gefitinib treatment were measured using Western blot analysis in NSCLC cells sensitive or resistant to gefitinib. The impact of overexpression of a constitutively expressed HIF-1α (HIF-1α/ΔODD) or a constitutively active c-Jun upstream regulator (SEK1 S220E/T224D mutant) on cell response to gefitinib was also examined. The effect of pharmacological inhibition of SEK1-JNK-c-Jun pathway on cell response to gefitinib was evaluated. RESULTS Downregulation of HIF-1α and total and phosphorylated c-Jun levels correlated with cell inhibitory response to gefitinib better than decrease in phosphorylated EGFR did in NSCLC cells with intrinsic or acquired resistance to gefitinib. Overexpression of HIF-1α/ΔODD or SEK1 S220E/T224D mutant conferred resistance to gefitinib. There exists a positive feed-forward regulation loop between HIF-1 and c-Jun. The JNK inhibitor SP600125 sensitized gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells to gefitinib. CONCLUSIONS HIF-1α and c-Jun functionally cooperate in development of resistance to gefitinib in NSCLC cells. The translational value of inhibiting HIF-1α/c-Jun cooperation in overcoming resistance to EGFR TKI treatment of NSCLC cells with activating mutation of EGFR deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyan Meng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China; Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Guorui Wang
- Department of Surgery, Jiangyuan Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Province, 214063, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Lu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhen Fan
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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31
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Fumarola C, Petronini PG, Alfieri R. Impairing energy metabolism in solid tumors through agents targeting oncogenic signaling pathways. Biochem Pharmacol 2018. [PMID: 29530507 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cell metabolic reprogramming is one of the main hallmarks of cancer and many oncogenic pathways that drive the cancer-promoting signals also drive the altered metabolism. This review focuses on recent data on the use of oncogene-targeting agents as potential modulators of deregulated metabolism in different solid cancers. Many drugs, originally designed to inhibit a specific target, then have turned out to have different effects involving also cell metabolism, which may contribute to the mechanisms underlying the growth inhibitory activity of these drugs. Metabolic reprogramming may also represent a way by which cancer cells escape from the selective pressure of targeted drugs and become resistant. Here we discuss how targeting metabolism could emerge as a new effective strategy to overcome such resistance. Finally, accumulating evidence indicates that cancer metabolic rewiring may have profound effects on tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Modulating cancer metabolic pathways through oncogene-targeting agents may not only restore more favorable conditions for proper lymphocytes activation, but also increase the persistence of memory T cells, thereby improving the efficacy of immune-surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Fumarola
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | | | - Roberta Alfieri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
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