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Zhang Q, Wu Q, Huan XJ, Song SS, Bao XB, Miao ZH, Wang YQ. Co-inhibition of BET and NAE enhances BIM-dependent apoptosis with augmented cancer therapeutic efficacy. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116198. [PMID: 38588830 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Agents that inhibit bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins have been actively tested in the clinic as potential anticancer drugs. NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) inhibitors, represented by MLN4924, target the only activation enzyme in the neddylation pathway that has been identified as an attractive target for cancer therapy. In this study, we focus on the combination of BET inhibitors (BETis) and NAE inhibitors (NAEis) as a cancer therapeutic strategy and investigate its underlying mechanisms to explore and expand the application scope of both types of drugs. The results showed that this combination synergistically inhibited the proliferative activity of tumor cells from different tissues. Compared to a single drug, combination therapy had a weak effect on cycle arrest but significantly enhanced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the growth of NCI-H1975 xenografts in nude mice was significantly inhibited by the combination without obvious body weight loss. Research on the synergistic mechanism demonstrated that combination therapy significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of the proapoptotic gene BIM. The inhibition and knockout of BIM significantly attenuated the apoptosis induced by the combination, whereas the re-expression of BIM restored the synergistic effects, indicating that BIM induction plays a critical role in mediating the enhanced apoptosis induced by the co-inhibition of BET and NAE. Together, the enhanced transcription mediated by miR-17-92 cluster inhibition and reduced degradation promoted the increase in BIM levels, resulting in a synergistic effect. Collectively, these findings highlight the need for further clinical investigation into the combination of BETi and NAEi as a promising strategy for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xia-Juan Huan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shan-Shan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xu-Bin Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ze-Hong Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Ying-Qing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.
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Song C, Wang Z, Cao J, Dong Y, Chen Y. Hesperetin protects hippocampal neurons from the neurotoxicity of Aflatoxin B1 in mice. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 269:115782. [PMID: 38056121 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a major food and feed pollutant that endangers public health. Previous studies have shown that exposure to AFB1 causes neurotoxicity in the body. However, the mechanism of neurotoxicity caused by AFB1 is not well understood, and finding a workable and practical method to safeguard animals from AFB1 toxicity is essential. This study confirmed that AFB1 caused endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) and apoptosis in hippocampal neurons using C57BL/6 J mice and HT22 cells as models. In vitro experiments showed that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays a significant role in the cytotoxicity of AFB1. Finally, we assessed how hesperetin protecting against the neurotoxicity caused by AFB1. Our findings demonstrated that AFB1 increased the levels of BAX and Cleaved-Caspase3 proteins, while decreasing the levels of BCL2 protein in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. The AFB1 increased the expression of AHR and activated nuclear translocation. It also elevated the expression levels of Chop, GRP78, p-IRE1/ Xbp1s, and p-PERK/p-EIF2a. Importantly, we also discovered for the first time that blocking AHR in HT22 cells dramatically reduced the level of ER stress and apoptosis caused by AFB1. In vivo and in vitro studies, supplementation of hesperetin effectively reversed AFB1-induced cytotoxicity. We have demonstrated that hesperetin effectively restored the imbalance in the GSH/GST system in HT22 cells treated with AFB1. Furthermore, we observed that elevated GSH levels facilitated the formation of AFB1-GSH complexes, which enhanced the excretion of AFB1. Therefore, hesperetin improves ER stress-induced apoptosis by reducing AFB1 activation of AHR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Haidian, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zixu Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Haidian, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jing Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Haidian, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yulan Dong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Haidian, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yaoxing Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Haidian, Beijing 100193, China; Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Haidian, Beijing 100193, China.
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An J, Du C, Xue W, Huang J, Zhong Y, Ren G, Shang Y, Xu B. Endoplasmic reticulum stress participates in apoptosis of HeLa cells exposed to TPHP and OH-TPHP via the eIF2α-ATF4/ATF3-CHOP-DR5/P53 signaling pathway. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2023; 12:1159-1170. [PMID: 38145092 PMCID: PMC10734570 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfad110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) is a widely used organophosphate flame retardant, which can be transformed in vivo into diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) and 4-hydroxyphenyl phosphate (diphenyl) ester (OH-TPHP) through biotransformation process. Accumulation of TPHP and its derivatives in biological tissues makes it necessary to investigate their toxicity and molecular mechanism. Methods The present study evaluated the cellular effects of TPHP, DPHP, and OH-TPHP on cell survival, cell membrane damage, oxidative damage, and cell apoptosis using HeLa cells as in vitro model. RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were conducted to monitor the differently expressed genes, and then RT-qPCR and Western bolt were used to identify potential molecular mechanisms and key hub genes. Results Results showed that OH-TPHP had the most significant cytotoxic effect in HeLa cells, followed by TPHP; and no significant cytotoxic effects were observed for DPHP exposure within the experimental concentrations. Biological function enrichment analysis suggested that TPHP and OH-TPHP exposure may induce endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and cell apoptosis. The nodes filtering revealed that ERS and apoptosis related genes were involved in biological effects induced by TPHP and OH-TPHP, which may be mediated through the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)/ATF3- CCAAT/ enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) cascade pathway and death receptor 5 (DR5) /P53 signaling axis. Conclusion Above all, these findings indicated that ERS-mediated apoptosis might be one of potential mechanisms for cytotoxicity of TPHP and OH-TPHP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing An
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Road 333, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Chenyang Du
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Road 333, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Wanlei Xue
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Road 333, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Jin Huang
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Road 333, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Yufang Zhong
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Road 333, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Guofa Ren
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Road 333, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Yu Shang
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Road 333, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Bingye Xu
- Zhejiang Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Ecological and Environmental Monitoring, Forewarning and Quality Control, Xueyuan Road 117, Hangzhou 310012, PR China
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Samandari-Bahraseman MR, Khorsand B, Zareei S, Amanlou M, Rostamabadi H. Various concentrations of hesperetin induce different types of programmed cell death in human breast cancerous and normal cell lines in a ROS-dependent manner. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 382:110642. [PMID: 37487865 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
The polyphenolic component of citrus fruits, hesperetin (Hst), is a metabolite of hesperidin. In this study, we examined the effect of varying doses and exposure times of hesperetin on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells, as well as MCF-10A normal cells. By using MTT assay, real-time PCR, western blot, and flow cytometry, we determined the effects of Hst on cell viability, ROS levels, and markers of cell death. Furthermore, molecular docking was used to identify Hst targets that might be involved in ROS-dependent cell death. According to the results, different concentrations of Hst induced different modes of cell death at specific ROS levels. Paraptosis occurred in all cell lines at concentration ranges of IC35 to IC60, and apoptosis occurred at concentrations greater than IC65. In addition, MDA-MB-231 cells were subjected to senescence at sub-toxic doses when treated for a long period of time. When Hst levels were higher, N-acetylcysteine (NAC)'s effect on neutralizing ROS was more pronounced. According to the docking results, Hst may interact with several proteins involved in the regulation of ROS. As an example, the interaction of CCS (Copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase) with Hst might interfere with its chaperone function in folding SOD-1 (superoxide dismutase enzyme), contributing to an increase in cytoplasmic ROS levels. Finally, depending on the ROS level, Hst induces various modes of cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Babak Khorsand
- Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran; Gastroenterology and Liver Disease Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Sara Zareei
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Massoud Amanlou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hanieh Rostamabadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
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Peng X, Liu K, Hu X, Gong D, Zhang G. Hesperetin-Cu(II) complex as potential α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitor: Inhibition mechanism and molecular docking. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2023; 290:122301. [PMID: 36603279 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2022.122301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity is an effective way for controlling postprandial blood glucose-related diabetes. The study found that hesperetin-Cu(II) complex (Hsp-Cu(II)) exhibited a stronger inhibitory ability on α-amylase and α-glucosidase compared to hesperetin (Hsp), with smaller IC50 values of Hsp-Cu(II) (60.3 ± 0.9 µM for α-amylase; 1.25 ± 0.03 µM for α-glucosidase) than Hsp (115.6 ± 1.1 µM for α-amylase; 55.2 ± 0.1 µM for α-glucosidase). Interestingly, Hsp-Cu(II) and acarbose exerted a synergistic effect on inhibition of α-glucosidase. The binding affinities of Hsp-Cu(II) to α-amylase and α-glucosidase were strong with the Ka values (binding constant) in the magnitude order of 105, which was 9 times larger than Hsp. After interacting, Hsp-Cu(II) reduced α-helix contents of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, resulting in a looser conformation of these two enzymes. Molecular simulations manifested that Hsp-Cu(II) bound to the active center of enzymes driven by hydrogen bonds and interacted with the key catalytic amino acids (α-amylase: Gln63, Asp300 and His305; α-glucosidase: Tyr158, Asp215, Glu277 and Glu411), altering the conformation of enzymes, blocking the entrance of substrates, ultimately reducing the activities of α-glucosidase and α-amylase. This study has demonstrated that Hsp-Cu(II) may be a promising candidate of functional nutritional additive and medicine for the prevention of diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China; Jiangxi Biotech Vocational College, Nanchang 330200, China
| | - Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Xing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Deming Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Guowen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China.
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Zhang L, Li S, Cong M, Liu Z, Dong Z, Zhao M, Gao K, Hu L, Qiao H. Lemon-Derived Extracellular Vesicle-like Nanoparticles Block the Progression of Kidney Stones by Antagonizing Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Renal Tubular Cells. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:1555-1563. [PMID: 36727669 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c05099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Kidney stones, represented by the calcium oxalate (CaOx) type, are highly prevalent and recrudescent. Cumulative evidence shows regular consumption of lemonade intervenes with stone development. However, the detailed mechanism remains obscure. Here, extracellular vesicle-like nanoparticles (LEVNs) isolated from lemonade are demonstrated to traffick from the gut to the kidney, primarily enriched in tubule cells. Oral administration of LEVNs significantly alleviates the progression of kidney stones in rats. Mechanistically, in addition to altering the crystallization of CaOx toward a less stable subtype, LEVNs suppress the CaOx-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress response of tubule cells, as indicated by homeostasis of specific signaling molecules and restoration of subcellular function, thus indirectly inhibiting stone formation. To exercise this regulation, endocytosed LEVNs traffick along the microtubules throughout the cytoplasm and are eventually recruited into lysosomes. In conclusion, this study reveals a LEVNs-mediated mechanism against renal calculi and provides positive evidence for consumption of lemonade preventing stone formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Simin Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Minghui Cong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhuoya Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhiyue Dong
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Efficient Delivery System of TCM, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Meng Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Kun Gao
- Division of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Lihong Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hongzhi Qiao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Efficient Delivery System of TCM, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
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Zhou P, Wu C, Ma C, Luo T, Yuan J, Zhou P, Wei Z. Identification of an endoplasmic reticulum stress-related gene signature to predict prognosis and potential drugs of uterine corpus endometrial cancer. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2023; 20:4018-4039. [PMID: 36899615 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2023188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Uterine corpus endometrial cancer (UCEC) is the sixth most common female cancer worldwide, with an increasing incidence. Improving the prognosis of patients living with UCEC is a top priority. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been reported to be involved in tumor malignant behaviors and therapy resistance, but its prognostic value in UCEC has been rarely investigated. The present study aimed to construct an ER stress-related gene signature for risk stratification and prognosis prediction in UCEC. The clinical and RNA sequencing data of 523 UCEC patients were extracted from TCGA database and were randomly assigned into a test group (n = 260) and training group (n = 263). An ER stress-related gene signature was established by LASSO and multivariate Cox regression in the training group and validated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and nomograms in the test group. Tumor immune microenvironment was analyzed by CIBERSORT algorithm and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis. R packages and the Connectivity Map database were used to screen the sensitive drugs. Four ERGs (ATP2C2, CIRBP, CRELD2 and DRD2) were selected to build the risk model. The high-risk group had significantly reduced overall survival (OS) (P < 0.05). The risk model had better prognostic accuracy than clinical factors. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells analysis depicted that CD8+ T cells and regulatory T cells were more abundant in the low-risk group, which may be related to better OS, while activated dendritic cells were active in the high-risk group and associated with unfavorable OS. Several kinds of drugs sensitive to the high-risk group were screened out. The present study constructed an ER stress-related gene signature, which has the potential to predict the prognosis of UCEC patients and have implications for UCEC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Zhou
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Caiyun Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Cong Ma
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Ting Luo
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Zhaolian Wei
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
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Li X, Zhu S, Li Z, Meng Y, Huang S, Yu Q, Li B. Melittin induces ferroptosis and ER stress-CHOP-mediated apoptosis in A549 cells. Free Radic Res 2022; 56:398-410. [PMID: 36194238 DOI: 10.1080/10715762.2022.2131551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Melittin is a natural polypeptide present in bee venom, with significant anti-tumor activity. Melittin has been reported to induce cell death in lung carcinoma cell line A549 cells, suggesting an excellent potential for treating lung cancer. However, the core mechanism underlying melittin-induced cell death in A549 cells remains unclear. This work reports that melittin induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst, upregulates intracellular Fe2+ levels, disrupts the glutathione-glutathione peroxidase 4 antioxidant system, and increases lipid peroxide accumulation, eventually inducing cell death, indicating that ferroptosis may be involved in the antitumor effects of melittin in A549 cells. Furthermore, A549 cells treated with the ferroptosis inhibitors ferrostatin-1 and deferoxamine demonstrated that these inhibitors could reverse the cell death induced by melittin, further confirming that melittin induces A549 cell death via ferroptosis. Furthermore, the results also illustrated that melittin activated the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-CHOP (C/EBP homologous protein) apoptotic signal, closely associated with high-level intracellular ROS. The ER stress inhibitor, 4-Phenyl butyric acid, was used to confirm that ER stress-CHOP apoptotic signaling is another molecular mechanism of melittin-induced A549 cell death. Thus, our results demonstrate that ferroptosis and ER stress-CHOP signaling are key molecular mechanisms of melittin-induced cell death in lung cancer.Key policy highlightsMelittin upregulates intracellular Fe2+ levels, leading to the accumulation of lipid peroxides in A549 cells.Melittin disrupts the glutathione-glutathione peroxidase 4 antioxidant system in A549 cells.Melittin induces activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress-C/EBP homologous protein apoptosis signal.Ferroptosis and ER stress are the core molecular mechanisms underlying melittin-induced apoptosis in A549 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University 730030, Lanzhou, China
| | - Sen Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, 730030, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University 730030, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuqi Meng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University 730030, Lanzhou, China
| | - Sujie Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, 730030, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qiyao Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University 730030, Lanzhou, China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University 730030, Lanzhou, China
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