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Ray MN, Ozono M, Nakao M, Sano S, Kogure K. Only one carbon difference determines the pro-apoptotic activity of α-tocopheryl esters. FEBS J 2023; 290:1027-1048. [PMID: 36083714 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16623] [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: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
α-Tocopheryl succinate (TS), a redox-silent succinyl ester of natural α-Tocopherol, has emerged as a novel anti-cancer agent. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. We found that the terminal dicarboxylic moiety of tocopheryl esters contributes to apoptosis induction and thus cytotoxicity. To further examine this relationship, we compared the pro-apoptotic activity of TS, which has four carbon atoms in the terminal dicarboxylic moiety, to that of a newly synthesized, tocopheryl glutarate (Tglu), which has five. Cytotoxicity assays in vitro confirmed that TS stimulated apoptosis, while Tglu was non-cytotoxic. In investigating biological mechanisms leading to these opposing effects, we found that TS caused an elevation of intracellular superoxide, but Tglu did not. TS increased intracellular Ca2+ in cultured cells, suggesting induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress; however, Tglu did not affect Ca2+ homeostasis. 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3 ) receptor antagonist 2-Aminoethyl diphenylborinate (2-APB) decreased TS-induced intracellular Ca2+ , restored mitochondrial activity and cell viability in TS-treated cells, establishing the ER-mitochondria relationship in apoptosis induction. Moreover, real-time PCR, immunostaining and Western blotting assays revealed that TS downregulated glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), which maintains ER homeostasis and promotes cell survival. Conversely, Tglu upregulates GRP78. Taken together, our results suggest a model in which TS-mediated superoxide production and GRP78 inhibition induce ER stress, which elevates intracellular Ca2+ and depolarizes mitochondria, leading to apoptosis. Because Tglu does not affect superoxide generation and increases GRP78 expression, it inhibits ER stress and is thereby non-cytotoxic. Our research provides insight into the structure-activity relationship of tocopheryl esters regarding the induction of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manobendro Nath Ray
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University, Japan
| | - Mizune Ozono
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Chemistry, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University, Japan
| | - Michiyasu Nakao
- Department of Molecular Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University, Japan
| | - Shigeki Sano
- Department of Molecular Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University, Japan
| | - Kentaro Kogure
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Chemistry, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University, Japan
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2
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Tocopheryl Phosphate Inhibits Rheumatoid Arthritis-Related Gene Expression In Vitro and Ameliorates Arthritic Symptoms in Mice. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27041425. [PMID: 35209214 PMCID: PMC8880618 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27041425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) effects of α-tocopherol (α-T) have been shown in human patients in a double-blind trial. However, the effects of α-T and its derivatives on fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) during the pathogenesis of RA remain unclear. In the present study, we compared the expression levels of genes related to RA progression in FLS treated with α-T, succinic ester of α-T (TS), and phosphate ester of α-T (TP), as determined via RT-PCR. The mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, and MMP-13 were reduced by treatment with TP without cytotoxicity, while α-T and TS did not show such effects. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of TP ameliorated the edema of the foot and joint and improved the arthritis score in laminarin-induced RA model mice. Therefore, TP exerted anti-RA effects through by inhibiting RA-related gene expression.
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3
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Kaneko S, Yamazaki T, Kohno K, Sato A, Kato K, Yano T. Combination Effect of Bowman-Birk Inhibitor and α-Tocopheryl Succinate on Prostate Cancer Stem-Like Cells. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2020; 65:272-277. [PMID: 31257268 DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.65.272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The reoccurrence of androgen-dependent prostate cancer after anti-androgen therapy mainly depends on prostate cancer stem-like cells. To reduce the risk, it is important to delete the cancer stem-like cells. Furthermore, to induce differentiation of cancer stem-like cells is critical to abrogate stemness of the cells. Therefore, we tried to investigate a possibility on the establishment of a new effective therapy to eradicate the cancer stem-like cells via the induction of differentiation in this study. Prostate cancer stem-like cells from an androgen-dependent prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP cell) had severe resistance against an anti-androgen therapeutic agent. We selected Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI) from soybeans reported as a chemopreventive agent in prostate cancer to differentiate the caner stem-like cells and α-tocopheryl succinate (TOS) known as a mitocan to induce effectively cytotoxic effect against the cancer stem-like cells. In fact, only TOS treatment had cytotoxic effect against the cancer stem-like cells, but the addition of BBI treatment to the cells treated with TOS reinforced TOS-mediated cytotoxicity in the cancer stem-like cells. This reinforcement coincided with the combination-enhanced apoptosis in the stem-like cells. Also, we confirmed caspase9-caspase3 cascade mainly contributed to the enhancement of the cytotoxicity in the stem-like cells caused by the combination, indicating that the reinforcement of BBI on TOS-mediated apoptosis via mitochondria related to the enhancing cytotoxic effect of the combination on the prostate cancer stem-like cells. Overall, it seems that the combination is an effective new approach to reduce the reoccurrence of prostate cancer targeting prostate cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saki Kaneko
- Graduate School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Toyo University
| | | | - Kakeru Kohno
- Graduate School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Toyo University.,Research Institute of Life Innovation, Toyo University
| | - Ayami Sato
- Research Institute of Life Innovation, Toyo University
| | - Kazunori Kato
- Graduate School of Science and Engineerin, Toyo University
| | - Tomohiro Yano
- Graduate School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Toyo University.,Research Institute of Life Innovation, Toyo University
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4
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Hama S, Okamura Y, Kamei K, Nagao S, Hayashi M, Shizuka M, Fukuzawa K, Kogure K. α-Tocopheryl succinate stabilizes the structure of tumor vessels by inhibiting angiopoietin-2 expression. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 521:947-951. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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5
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MAJIMA D, MITSUHASHI R, FUKUTA T, TANAKA T, KOGURE K. Biological Functions of α-Tocopheryl Succinate. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2019; 65:S104-S108. [DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.65.s104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dai MAJIMA
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima University
| | | | - Tatsuya FUKUTA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University
| | - Tamotsu TANAKA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University
| | - Kentaro KOGURE
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University
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6
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Savitskaya MA, Onischenko GE. α-Tocopheryl Succinate Affects Malignant Cell Viability, Proliferation, and Differentiation. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2017; 81:806-18. [PMID: 27677550 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297916080034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The widespread occurrence of malignant tumors motivates great attention to finding and investigating effective new antitumor preparations. Such preparations include compounds of the vitamin E family. Among them, α-tocopheryl succinate (vitamin E succinate (VES)) has the most pronounced antitumor properties. In this review, various targets and mechanisms of the antitumor effect of vitamin E succinate are characterized. It has been shown that VES has multiple intracellular targets and effects, and as a result VES is able to induce apoptosis in tumor cells, inhibit their proliferation, induce differentiation, prevent metastasizing, and inhibit angiogenesis. However, VES has minimal effects on normal cells and tissues. Due to the variety of targets and selectivity of action, VES is a promising agent against malignant neoplasms. More detailed studies in this area can contribute to development of effective and safe chemotherapeutic preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Savitskaya
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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7
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Hama S. [Development of a novel nanocarrier focusing on the physicochemical properties of an anti-cancer therapy drug--development of anti-cancer nanoparticles containing vitamin E derivative with mulitifaceted anti-cancer effect]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2014; 134:1049-54. [PMID: 25274215 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.14-00177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Successful cancer gene therapy is dependent upon the development of nanocarriers that exhibit anti-cancer effects via delivery of nucleic acids to the target site in tumor tissue. The effectiveness of such systems has typically relied on the potency of the anti-cancer nucleic acids, as conventional carriers do not exhibit inherent anti-cancer activity, serving only as vehicles for delivery. Ideal nanocarriers for effective cancer gene therapy should not only serve as delivery systems for transporting anti-cancer nucleic acids to the target tumor tissue, but should also exhibit their own inherent anti-cancer activity. α-tocopheryl succinate (TS) has attracted attention as a unique anti-cancer agent for its ability to induce apoptosis in various cancer cells; moreover, TS readily forms nanovesicles (TS-NVs). Thus, vesicles comprised of TS represent prospective tools for use as drug delivery systems (DDS) for cancer therapy. Owing to the low vesicle stability in the presence of divalent cations or serum, however, TS-NVs are not suitable for encapsulating nucleic acids, and require passive targeting delivery to tumor tissue via an enhanced permeability and retention effect. To improve the stability of TS-NVs, we developed novel nanovesicles comprised of TS and egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC), which can form a stable lamellar structure (TS-EPC-NVs). In this review, we introduce the development of nanovesicles comprised of TS as a novel DDS carrier and demonstrate the anti-cancer activity of both the encapsulated nucleic acids and the carrier itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Hama
- Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University
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8
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Hahn T, Polanczyk MJ, Borodovsky A, Ramanathapuram LV, Akporiaye ET, Ralph SJ. Use of anti-cancer drugs, mitocans, to enhance the immune responses against tumors. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2013; 14:357-76. [PMID: 22201597 DOI: 10.2174/1389201011314030010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2010] [Revised: 09/02/2010] [Accepted: 09/17/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cytotoxic drugs in cancer therapy are used with the expectation of selectively killing and thereby eliminating the offending cancer cells. If they should die in an appropriate manner, the cells can also release danger signals that promote an immune reaction that reinforces the response against the cancer. The identity of these immune-enhancing danger signals, how they work extra- and intracellularly, and the molecular mechanisms by which some anti-cancer drugs induce cell death to bring about the release of danger signals are the major focus of this review. A specific group of mitocans, the vitamin E analogs that act by targeting mitochondria to drive ROS production and also promote a more immunogenic means of cancer cell death exemplify such anti-cancer drugs. The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the events leading to the activation of the inflammasome and pro-inflammatory mediators induced by dying cancer cell mitochondria are discussed along with the evidence for their contribution to promoting immune responses against cancer. Current knowledge of how the danger signals interact with immune cells to boost the anti-tumor response is also evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Hahn
- School of Medical Sciences, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Parklands Ave., Gold Coast, Queensland 4222, Australia
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9
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Development of a novel drug delivery system consisting of an antitumor agent tocopheryl succinate. J Control Release 2012; 161:843-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2012.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2012] [Revised: 05/14/2012] [Accepted: 05/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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10
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Promising antitumor effect of alpha-tocopheryl succinate in human colon and liver cancer cells. Med Chem Res 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-011-9801-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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11
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Inhibitors of succinate: quinone reductase/Complex II regulate production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and protect normal cells from ischemic damage but induce specific cancer cell death. Pharm Res 2011; 28:2695-730. [PMID: 21863476 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-011-0566-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2011] [Accepted: 08/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Succinate:quinone reductase (SQR) of Complex II occupies a unique central point in the mitochondrial respiratory system as a major source of electrons driving reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. It is an ideal pharmaceutical target for modulating ROS levels in normal cells to prevent oxidative stress-induced damage or alternatively,increase ROS in cancer cells, inducing cell death.The value of drugs like diazoxide to prevent ROS production,protecting normal cells, whereas vitamin E analogues promote ROS in cancer cells to kill them is highlighted. As pharmaceuticals these agents may prevent degenerative disease and their modes of action are presently being fully explored. The evidence that SDH/Complex II is tightly coupled to the NADH/NAD+ ratio in all cells,impacted by the available supplies of Krebs cycle intermediates as essential NAD-linked substrates, and the NAD+-dependent regulation of SDH/Complex II are reviewed, as are links to the NAD+-dependent dehydrogenases, Complex I and the E3 dihiydrolipoamide dehydrogenase to produce ROS. This review collates and discusses diverse sources of information relating to ROS production in different biological systems, focussing on evidence for SQR as the main source of ROS production in mitochondria, particularly its relevance to protection from oxidative stress and to the mitochondrial-targeted anti cancer drugs (mitocans) as novel cancer therapies [corrected].
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12
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Neuzil J, Cerny J, Dyason JC, Dong LF, Ralph SJ. Affinity of vitamin E analogues for the ubiquinone complex II site correlates with their toxicity to cancer cells. Mol Nutr Food Res 2011; 55:1543-51. [DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201100066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2011] [Revised: 03/17/2011] [Accepted: 03/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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13
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Jain AK, Swarnakar NK, Das M, Godugu C, Singh RP, Rao PR, Jain S. Augmented anticancer efficacy of doxorubicin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles after oral administration in a breast cancer induced animal model. Mol Pharm 2011; 8:1140-51. [PMID: 21557558 DOI: 10.1021/mp200011f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The present investigation reports an extensive evaluation of in vitro and in vivo anticancer efficacy of orally administered doxorubicin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (Dox-NPs) in a breast cancer induced animal model. Spherically shaped Dox-NPs were prepared with an entrapment efficiency and particle size of 55.40 ± 2.30% and 160.20 ± 0.99 nm, respectively, and freeze-dried with 5% trehalose using stepwise freeze-drying. Cytotoxicity, as investigated on C127I cell line, revealed insignificant differences between the IC(50) of free Dox and Dox-NPs treated cells in the first 24 h, while higher cytotoxicity was demonstrated by Dox-NPs, following 72 h of incubation. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) imaging corroborated that nanoparticles were efficiently localized into the nuclear region of C127I cells. The cellular uptake profile of Dox-NPs revealed both time and concentration dependent increases in the Caco-2 cell uptake as compared to the free Dox solution. Further, Dox-NPs significantly suppressed the growth of breast tumor in female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats upon oral administration. Finally, orally administered Dox-NPs showed a marked reduction in cardiotoxicity when compared with intravenously injected free Dox as also evident by the increased level of malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine phosphokinase (CK-MB) and reduced levels of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The reduced cardiotoxicity of orally administered Dox-NPs was also confirmed by the major histopathological changes in the heart tissue after the treatments of intravenously injected free Dox and orally delivered Dox-NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit K Jain
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Punjab 160062, India
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14
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Jain AK, Swarnakar NK, Godugu C, Singh RP, Jain S. The effect of the oral administration of polymeric nanoparticles on the efficacy and toxicity of tamoxifen. Biomaterials 2011; 32:503-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2010.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2010] [Accepted: 09/19/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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15
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Ralph SJ, Rodríguez-Enríquez S, Neuzil J, Saavedra E, Moreno-Sánchez R. The causes of cancer revisited: "mitochondrial malignancy" and ROS-induced oncogenic transformation - why mitochondria are targets for cancer therapy. Mol Aspects Med 2010; 31:145-70. [PMID: 20206201 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2010.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2010] [Accepted: 02/19/2010] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The role of oncoproteins and tumor suppressor proteins in promoting the malignant transformation of mammalian cells by affecting properties such as proliferative signalling, cell cycle regulation and altered adhesion is well established. Chemicals, viruses and radiation are also generally accepted as agents that commonly induce mutations in the genes encoding these cancer-causing proteins, thereby giving rise to cancer. However, more recent evidence indicates the importance of two additional key factors imposed on proliferating cells that are involved in transformation to malignancy and these are hypoxia and/or stressful conditions of nutrient deprivation (e.g. lack of glucose). These two additional triggers can initiate and promote the process of malignant transformation when a low percentage of cells overcome and escape cellular senescence. It is becoming apparent that hypoxia causes the progressive elevation in mitochondrial ROS production (chronic ROS) which over time leads to stabilization of cells via increased HIF-2alpha expression, enabling cells to survive with sustained levels of elevated ROS. In cells under hypoxia and/or low glucose, DNA mismatch repair processes are repressed by HIF-2alpha and they continually accumulate mitochondrial ROS-induced oxidative DNA damage and increasing numbers of mutations driving the malignant transformation process. Recent evidence also indicates that the resulting mutated cancer-causing proteins feedback to amplify the process by directly affecting mitochondrial function in combinatorial ways that intersect to play a major role in promoting a vicious spiral of malignant cell transformation. Consequently, many malignant processes involve periods of increased mitochondrial ROS production when a few cells survive the more common process of oxidative damage induced cell senescence and death. The few cells escaping elimination emerge with oncogenic mutations and survive to become immortalized tumors. This review focuses on evidence highlighting the role of mitochondria as drivers of elevated ROS production during malignant transformation and hence, their potential as targets for cancer therapy. The review is organized into five main sections concerning different aspects of "mitochondrial malignancy". The first concerns the functions of mitochondrial ROS and its importance as a pacesetter for cell growth versus senescence and death. The second considers the available evidence that cellular stress in the form of hypoxic and/or hypoglycaemic conditions represent two of the major triggering events for cancer and how oncoproteins reinforce this process by altering gene expression to bring about a common set of changes in mitochondrial function and activity in cancer cells. The third section presents evidence that oncoproteins and tumor suppressor proteins physically localize to the mitochondria in cancer cells where they directly regulate malignant mitochondrial programs, including apoptosis. The fourth section covers common mutational changes in the mitochondrial genome as they relate to malignancy and the relationship to the other three areas. The last section concerns the relevance of these findings, their importance and significance for novel targeted approaches to anti-cancer therapy and selective triggering in cancer cells of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Ralph
- Genomic Research Centre, Griffith Institute of Health and Medical Research, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Parklands Avenue, Southport, 4222 Qld, Australia.
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Hahn T, Fried K, Hurley LH, Akporiaye ET. Orally active alpha-tocopheryloxyacetic acid suppresses tumor growth and multiplicity of spontaneous murine breast cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2009; 8:1570-8. [PMID: 19509249 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-08-1079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We recently demonstrated the antitumor efficacy of orally administered alpha-tocopheryloxyacetic acid (alpha-TEA), a redox silent and nonhydrolyzable derivative of naturally occurring vitamin E. In order to move alpha-TEA closer to the clinic to benefit patients with breast cancer, the present study had two goals. First, to determine the minimal effective treatment dose; and second, to test the efficacy of dietary administration of alpha-TEA in the clinically relevant MMTV-PyMT mouse model of spontaneous breast cancer that more closely resembles human disease. The minimal effective dose of alpha-TEA was evaluated in the transplantable 4T1 tumor model and we show a dose-dependent decrease of primary tumor growth and reduction of metastatic spread to the lung. Six-week-old MMTV-PyMT mice were treated with oral alpha-TEA for 9 weeks, with no apparent signs of drug toxicity. The alpha-TEA treatment delayed tumor development and significantly slowed tumor progression, resulting in a 6-fold reduction of the average cumulative tumor size. In addition, oral alpha-TEA caused an 80% reduction in spontaneous metastases. In situ analysis of tumor tissue identified apoptosis as an important mechanism of alpha-TEA-mediated tumor suppression in addition to inhibition of tumor cell proliferation. This study shows, for the first time, the ability of orally administered alpha-TEA to delay tumor onset and to inhibit the progression and metastatic spread of a clinically relevant model of spontaneous breast cancer. Our finding of the high efficacy in this tumor model highlights the translational potential of oral alpha-TEA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Hahn
- Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Portland Medical Center, 4805 North East Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97213, USA
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Zhao Y, Neuzil J, Wu K. Vitamin E analogues as mitochondria-targeting compounds: from the bench to the bedside? Mol Nutr Food Res 2009; 53:129-39. [PMID: 19072740 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.200800045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Despite considerable effort focusing on designing and finding efficient anti-cancer drugs over the last decade, little progress has been achieved, in particular in case of highly recalcitrant malignancies. Also, since there is a trend suggesting that deaths from cancers may be more frequent than from cardiovascular diseases, it is important to look for novel efficient and selective therapeutic approaches to gradually start winning the battle with cancer. Redox-silent vitamin E analogues, epitomised by alpha-tocopheryl succinate, give some hope in the quest for drugs with such properties. Thus far, these agents have been successfully tested in experimental animals with different types of cancer, showing high efficacy against malignancies including HER2-positive breast carcinomas or malignant mesotheliomas. Further research will provide additional, necessary data to launch clinical trials, possibly in near future, translating into development of innovative anti-cancer drugs acting by targeting mitochondria selectively in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhao
- Department of Nutrition and Food, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
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18
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Dong LF, Freeman R, Liu J, Zobalova R, Marin-Hernandez A, Stantic M, Rohlena J, Valis K, Rodriguez-Enriquez S, Butcher B, Goodwin J, Brunk UT, Witting PK, Moreno-Sanchez R, Scheffler IE, Ralph SJ, Neuzil J. Suppression of Tumor Growth In vivo by the Mitocan α-tocopheryl Succinate Requires Respiratory Complex II. Clin Cancer Res 2009; 15:1593-600. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-08-2439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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A redox-silent analogue of tocotrienol acts as a potential cytotoxic agent against human mesothelioma cells. Life Sci 2009; 84:650-6. [PMID: 19232361 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2009.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2008] [Revised: 02/02/2009] [Accepted: 02/05/2009] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer with no effective treatment options. A redox-silent analogue of alpha-tocotrienol, 6-O-carboxypropyl-alpha-tocotrienol (T3E) is a new potential anti-carcinogenic agent with less toxic effect on non-tumorigenic cells. Here, we evaluated the effect of T3E on killing of chemoresistant mesothelioma cell (H28). MAIN METHODS The cytotoxic effect of T3E was evaluated by a WST-1 assay, and cell cycle and apoptosis analysis were done by FACS. Each signal molecule's activity was determined by protein array and immunoblot analysis. KEY FINDINGS T3E effectively inhibited H28 cell growth at practical pharmacological concentrations (10-20 muM) without any effect on non-tumorigenic mesothelial cell (Met-5A). Inhibition of H28 cell growth by T3E mediated through G2/M arrest in cell cycle and induction of apoptosis. Protein array and immunoblot analyses revealed that T3E inhibited the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) via the inactivation of the Src family of protein tyrosine kinases (Src). However, the blockade of the EGFR signaling was not associated with the T3E-dependent H28 cell growth control. In addition to Src inactivation, T3E inhibited signal transduction and activation of transcription Stat3. A combination of an Src inhibitor, PP2, and a Stat3 inhibitor, AG490, induced G2/M arrest and enhanced apoptosis compared with PP2 alone. These results suggest that T3E suppresses H28 cell growth via the inhibition of Src activation and Src-independent Stat3 activation. SIGNIFICANCE T3E can be a new effective therapeutic agent against chemoresistant mesothelioma cells.
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Enhancement in alpha-tocopherol succinate-induced apoptosis by all-trans-retinoic acid in primary leukemic cells: role of antioxidant defense, Bax and c-myc. Mol Cell Biochem 2008; 319:133-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s11010-008-9886-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2008] [Accepted: 07/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Alpha-tocopheryl succinate induces apoptosis by targeting ubiquinone-binding sites in mitochondrial respiratory complex II. Oncogene 2008; 27:4324-35. [PMID: 18372923 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2008.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-tocopheryl succinate (alpha-TOS) is a selective inducer of apoptosis in cancer cells, which involves the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The molecular target of alpha-TOS has not been identified. Here, we show that alpha-TOS inhibits succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity of complex II (CII) by interacting with the proximal and distal ubiquinone (UbQ)-binding site (Q(P) and Q(D), respectively). This is based on biochemical analyses and molecular modelling, revealing similar or stronger interaction energy of alpha-TOS compared to that of UbQ for the Q(P) and Q(D) sites, respectively. CybL-mutant cells with dysfunctional CII failed to accumulate ROS and underwent apoptosis in the presence of alpha-TOS. Similar resistance was observed when CybL was knocked down with siRNA. Reconstitution of functional CII rendered CybL-mutant cells susceptible to alpha-TOS. We propose that alpha-TOS displaces UbQ in CII causing electrons generated by SDH to recombine with molecular oxygen to yield ROS. Our data highlight CII, a known tumour suppressor, as a novel target for cancer therapy.
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Neuzil J, Dong LF, Ramanathapuram L, Hahn T, Chladova M, Wang XF, Zobalova R, Prochazka L, Gold M, Freeman R, Turanek J, Akporiaye ET, Dyason JC, Ralph SJ. Vitamin E analogues as a novel group of mitocans: anti-cancer agents that act by targeting mitochondria. Mol Aspects Med 2007; 28:607-45. [PMID: 17499351 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2007.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2007] [Revised: 02/12/2007] [Accepted: 02/13/2007] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria have recently emerged as new and promising targets for cancer prevention and therapy. One of the reasons for this is that mitochondria are instrumental to many types of cell death and often lie downstream from the initial actions of anti-cancer drugs. Unlike the tumour suppressor gene encoding p53 that is notoriously prone to inactivating mutations but whose function is essential for induction of apoptosis by DNA-targeting agents (such as doxorubicin or 5-fluorouracil), mitochondria present targets that are not so compromised by genetic mutation and whose targeting overcomes problems with mutations of upstream targets such as p53. We have recently proposed a novel class of anti-cancer agents, mitocans that exert their anti-cancer activity by destabilising mitochondria, promoting the selective induction of apoptotic death in tumour cells. In this communication, we review recent findings on mitocans and propose a common basis for their mode of action in inducing apoptosis of cancer cells. We use as an example the analogues of vitamin E that are proving to be cancer cell-specific and may soon be developed into efficient anti-cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Neuzil
- Apoptosis Research Group, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Qld, Australia.
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Neuzil J, Dyason JC, Freeman R, Dong LF, Prochazka L, Wang XF, Scheffler I, Ralph SJ. Mitocans as anti-cancer agents targeting mitochondria: lessons from studies with vitamin E analogues, inhibitors of complex II. J Bioenerg Biomembr 2007; 39:65-72. [PMID: 17294131 DOI: 10.1007/s10863-006-9060-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Recently mitochondria in cancer cells have emerged as the Achilles heel for tumour destruction. Anti-cancer agents specifically targeting cancer cell mitochondria are referred to as 'mitocans'. These compounds act by destabilising these organelles, unleashing their apoptogenic potential, resulting in the efficient death of malignant cells and suppression of tumour growth. Importantly, at least some mitocans are selective for cancer cells, and these are represented by the group of redox-silent vitamin E analogues, epitomised by alpha-tocopheryl succinate (alpha-TOS). This compound has proven itself in pre-clinical models to be an efficient anti-cancer agent, targeting complex II of the respiratory chain to displace ubiquinone binding. We propose that disrupting the electron flow of mitochondrial complex II results in generation of superoxide, triggering mitochondrial destabilisation and initiation of apoptotic pathways. Moreover, alpha-TOS is selective for cancer cells with their reduced anti-oxidant defenses and lower esterase activity than the normal (non-malignant) counterparts. In this mini-review we discuss the emerging significance of mitocans, as exemplified by alpha-TOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Neuzil
- Apoptosis Research Group, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Qld, Australia.
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Wang XF, Dong L, Zhao Y, Tomasetti M, Wu K, Neuzil J. Vitamin E analogues as anticancer agents: lessons from studies with alpha-tocopheryl succinate. Mol Nutr Food Res 2006; 50:675-85. [PMID: 16835868 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.200500267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The new millennium has witnessed considerable decrease in a number of previously fatal pathologies, largely due to the advancement in molecular medicine and modern approaches to treatment. In spite of this success, neoplastic disease remains a serious problem due to several reasons. These include an exceedingly high variability of cancer cells even within the same type of tumour. Cancer cells, albeit of clonal origin, mutate so that they escape established treatments, resulting in the fatal outcome of current therapies. Moreover, there are types of cancer, such as mesotheliomas, that cannot be treated at present. A novel group of clinically interesting anticancer drugs has been a recent focus in the literature that hold substantial promise as selective anticancer drugs. These compounds, epitomised by alpha-tocopheryl succinate, comprise redox-silent analogues of vitamin E that have been shown to suppress several types of cancer in animal models, including breast, colon and lung cancer as well as mesotheliomas and melanomas, while being nontoxic to normal cells and tissues. It is now proven that the strong anticancer effect of vitamin E analogues stems from their propensity to induce selective apoptosis in malignant cells. The results point to the novel group of vitamin E analogues as promising agents applicable to different types of tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Fang Wang
- Apoptosis Research Group, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
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Neuzil J, Wang XF, Dong LF, Low P, Ralph SJ. Molecular mechanism of 'mitocan'-induced apoptosis in cancer cells epitomizes the multiple roles of reactive oxygen species and Bcl-2 family proteins. FEBS Lett 2006; 580:5125-9. [PMID: 16979626 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2006.05.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2006] [Revised: 05/29/2006] [Accepted: 05/31/2006] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria have emerged recently as effective targets for novel anti-cancer drugs referred to as 'mitocans'. We propose that the molecular mechanism of induction of apoptosis by mitocans, as exemplified by the drug alpha-tocopheryl succinate, involves generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS then mediate the formation of disufide bridges between cytosolic Bax monomers, resulting in the formation of mitochondrial outer membrane channels. ROS also cause oxidation of cardiolipin, triggering the release of cytochrome c and its translocation via the activated Bax channels. This model may provide a general mechanism for the action of inducers of apoptosis and anticancer drugs, mitocans, targeting mitochondria via ROS production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Neuzil
- Apoptosis Research Group, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Qld, Australia.
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Neuzil J, Dong LF, Wang XF, Zingg JM. Tocopherol-associated protein-1 accelerates apoptosis induced by α-tocopheryl succinate in mesothelioma cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006; 343:1113-7. [PMID: 16579965 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.03.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2006] [Accepted: 03/09/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-tocopheryl succinate (alpha-TOS), a redox-silent analogue of vitamin E, induces apoptosis in multiple cell lines in a selective manner, by activating the intrinsic pathway. Since it is a highly hydrophobic compound, it may require a carrier protein for its trafficking to intracellular targets like mitochondria. We studied the role of the ubiquitous tocopherol-associated protein-1 (TAP1 or sec14-like 2) in apoptosis induction by alpha-TOS in malignant mesothelioma (MM) cells. Over-expression of TAP1 in MM cells sensitised them to apoptosis by low doses of alpha-TOS which were sub-apoptotic for the parental cells. Apoptosis induced in TAP1-over-expressing cells was mitochondria- and caspase-dependent, as suggested by dissipation of mitochondrial trans-membrane potential and inhibition by zVAD-fmk, respectively. Binding assays showed affinity of alpha-TOS for TAP1. Finally, TAP1 over-expressing cells accumulated alpha-TOS at higher levels compared to their normal counterparts. We suggest that TAP1 may act as an intracellular shuttle for alpha-TOS, promoting apoptosis initiated by this vitamin E analogue, as shown here for MM cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Neuzil
- Apoptosis Research Group, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Qld, Australia.
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27
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Stapelberg M, Gellert N, Swettenham E, Tomasetti M, Witting PK, Procopio A, Neuzil J. α-Tocopheryl Succinate Inhibits Malignant Mesothelioma byDisrupting the Fibroblast Growth Factor Autocrine Loop. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:25369-76. [PMID: 15878867 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m414498200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We have studied the potential effect against human malignant mesotheliomas (MM) of alpha-tocopheryl succinate (alpha-TOS), a redox-silent vitamin E analog with strong pro-apoptotic and anti-cancer activity. alpha-TOS at sub-apoptotic levels inhibited proliferation of MM cell lines, while being nontoxic to nonmalignant mesothelial cells. Because MM cells are typified by a highly metastatic phenotype, we investigated the effect of alpha-TOS on genes playing a major role in MM progression. Of these, alpha-TOS down regulated fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1 and, in particular, FGF-2 on the transcriptional level in MM cells, and this was not observed in their nonmalignant counterparts. FGF-2 short interfering RNA suppressed proliferation of MM cells. Down-regulation of FGF-2 was likely because of inhibition of the egr-1 transcription activity that was decreased in MM cells via oxidative stress induced by alpha-TOS, as evidenced by EPR spectroscopy, whereas nonmalignant cells did not show this response. Treatment of MM cells with egr-1 short interfering RNA suppressed proliferation, which was overridden by exogenously added recombinant FGF-1 and, in particular, FGF-2. An analog of coenzyme Q targeted to mitochondria and superoxide dismutase overrode inhibition of MM cell proliferation by alpha-TOS as well as alpha-TOS-induced inhibition of egr-1-dependent transactivation. Finally, alpha-TOS significantly suppressed experimental MM in immunocompromised mice. Our data suggest that alpha-TOS suppresses MM cell proliferation by disrupting the FGF-FGF receptor autocrine signaling loop by generating oxidative stress and point to the agent as a selective drug against thus far fatal mesotheliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Stapelberg
- Apoptosis Research Group, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, 4216 Queensland, Australia
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28
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Fukunaga-Takenaka R, Shirai Y, Yagi K, Adachi N, Sakai N, Merino E, Merida I, Saito N. Importance of chroman ring and tyrosine phosphorylation in the subtype-specific translocation and activation of diacylglycerol kinase α by d-α-tocopherol. Genes Cells 2005; 10:311-9. [PMID: 15773894 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2443.2005.00842.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) has been suggested to be a pharmacological target of D-alpha-tocopherol for diabetic renal dysfunctions. However, the DGK subtypes involved in the D-alpha-tocopherol-induced improvement of diabetic renal dysfunctions and the activation mechanisms of DGK by D-alpha-tocopherol are still unknown. Therefore, using GFP-tagged DGKalpha, beta, gamma, epsilon and zeta, we analyzed their response to D-alpha-tocopherol and its derivatives. Only DGKalpha was translocated from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane with elevation of kinase activity. In addition, troglitazone and trolox possessing 'chroman ring' similarly to D-alpha-tocopherol, induced the subtype-specific translocation of DGKalpha. Furthermore, the translocation of DGKalpha was abolished by pretreatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors or by mutation on Tyr-334 of the kinase (YF mutant). D-alpha-tocopheryl succinate enhanced the Src-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of wild-type DGKalpha but the same reagent did not enhance that of the YF mutant. These results demonstrate that tyrosine phosphorylation on Tyr-334 and chroman ring are important for the D-alpha-tocopherol-induced translocation of DGKalpha.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rika Fukunaga-Takenaka
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Biosignal Research Center, Kobe University, Nadaku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
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Neuzil J, Massa H. Hepatic processing determines dual activity of α-tocopheryl succinate: a novel paradigm for a shift in biological activity due to pro-vitamin-to-vitamin conversion. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2005; 327:1024-7. [PMID: 15652498 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.12.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2004] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Redox-silent vitamin E analogues, represented by alpha-tocopheryl succinate, are potent anti-cancer drugs with potential secondary bioactivity due to their processing in vivo. Here we verified the hypothesis that hepatic processing of these agents determines the secondary effect. Mice were repeatedly injected with alpha-tocopheryl succinate, and their systemic and hepatic vein blood was assessed for alpha-tocopheryl succinate and its hydrolysis product, vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol). While levels of alpha-tocopherol doubled compared to control mice and alpha-tocopheryl succinate accumulated in the systemic blood, no alpha-tocopheryl succinate was detected in blood draining the liver. We conclude that hepatic processing endows compounds like alpha-tocopheryl succinate with a secondary, anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory activity due to converting it to the redox-active alpha-tocopherol. Our finding epitomises a novel, general paradigm, according to which a drug can be converted in the liver into a product that has a different beneficial bioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Neuzil
- Apoptosis Research Group, School of Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Southport, Qld., Australia.
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Kogure K, Hama S, Kisaki M, Takemasa H, Tokumura A, Suzuki I, Fukuzawa K. Structural characteristic of terminal dicarboxylic moiety required for apoptogenic activity of alpha-tocopheryl esters. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2004; 1672:93-9. [PMID: 15110091 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2004.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2003] [Revised: 03/01/2004] [Accepted: 03/02/2004] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
alpha-Tocopheryl succinate (TS) is known to induce apoptosis in various cells and has attracted attention as a chemotherapeutic agent. Recently, we reported the structural significance of the terminal dicarboxylic moiety for the action of TS [J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. 49 (2003) 310-314]. In this study, to determine details of the relationship between the structure and the function of the terminal ester moiety of alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T), we synthesized four novel esters, alpha-tocopheryl oxalate (TO), alpha-tocopheryl malonate (TM), alpha-tocopheryl pimelate (TP) and alpha-tocopheryl succinate ethyl ester (TSE), and compared their apoptogenic activities with those of TS, alpha-T, gamma-tocopherol (gamma-T) and two commercially available alpha-T derivatives, alpha-tocopheryl nicotinate (TN) and alpha-tocopheryl acetate (TA), in vascular smooth muscle cells and a mouse breast cancer cell line C127I. TO and TM in addition to TS, but not the others, induced apoptosis in both cells. Particularly, TO was the most potent of all alpha-T derivatives used. The addition of exogenous superoxide dismutase (SOD) significantly prevented the apoptosis induced by TM as well as that by TS as reported previously, but did not affect TO-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that O(2)(-) generated exogenously participates in TM-induced apoptosis but not in TO-induced apoptosis. The difference in their apoptotic effects is attributed to structural properties of the terminal dicarboxylic moiety, which has an inflexible plane conformation in TO, while it is highly flexible in TM and TS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Kogure
- Department of Health Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Shomachi-1, 770-8505 Tokushima, Japan
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31
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Kogure K, Fukuzawa K. Tocopheryl Succinate—Versatile Functions due to Its Unique Physicochemical Properties. J Clin Biochem Nutr 2004. [DOI: 10.3164/jcbn.35.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Kogure
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokushima
| | - Kenji Fukuzawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokushima
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32
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Kang YH, Lee E, Choi MK, Ku JL, Kim SH, Park YG, Lim SJ. Role of reactive oxygen species in the induction of apoptosis by ?-tocopheryl succinate. Int J Cancer 2004; 112:385-92. [PMID: 15382062 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.20424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Alpha-tocopheryl succinate (TOS), a vitamin E analog, is a promising anticancer agent due to its abilities to inhibit proliferation and to induce apoptosis in a variety of human malignant cell lines, while being relatively less active toward normal cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the apoptotic effects of TOS are not precisely understood. Reports that TOS can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) prompted us to investigate the role of ROS in TOS-induced apoptosis in cancer cells. We found that the human lung cancer A549 and H460 cell lines were much more sensitive to TOS-induced apoptosis than the human glioblastoma T98G and U87MG cell lines. Our data suggested that the differential TOS sensitivity was not caused by differences in the uptake and retention of TOS between TOS-sensitive and -resistant cancer cells. The differential ability of cancer cells to generate ROS in response to TOS appears to be an important factor in determining the susceptibility of cells to TOS-induced apoptosis. Our results further suggest that TOS-induced generation of ROS is involved in caspase-independent apoptosis. Taken together, our findings suggest an important role of ROS generation in TOS-induced, caspase-independent apoptosis of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Hwa Kang
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, Korea
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Kogure K, Nakashima S, Tsuchie A, Tokumura A, Fukuzawa K. Temporary membrane distortion of vascular smooth muscle cells is responsible for their apoptosis induced by platelet-activating factor-like oxidized phospholipids and their degradation product, lysophosphatidylcholine. Chem Phys Lipids 2003; 126:29-38. [PMID: 14580708 DOI: 10.1016/s0009-3084(03)00091-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
To obtain information about the mechanism of apoptosis induced by oxidized low density lipoproteins (oxLDL) in atherosclerotic plaques, we examined the effects of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and platelet-activating factor (PAF)-like lipids (PAF-LL), which can be derived from oxLDL, on rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). All the lipids with different structures examined induced apoptosis of VSMC, so we studied the mechanism of induction of apoptosis by LPC. LPC-induced apoptosis was inhibited by alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T) and cholesterol (Chol), but not by other antioxidants such as palmitoyl ascorbic acid and PAF receptor antagonist. The cells temporarily became spherical and highly permeable before induction of apoptosis, and their change in shape was prevented by alpha-T and Chol. From these results, we suggest that the apoptosis induced by oxLDL-derived phospholipids in VSMC is caused by temporary membrane distortion, not through specific receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Kogure
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Shomachi-1, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
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Birringer M, EyTina JH, Salvatore BA, Neuzil J. Vitamin E analogues as inducers of apoptosis: structure-function relation. Br J Cancer 2003; 88:1948-55. [PMID: 12799642 PMCID: PMC2741106 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6600981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent results show that alpha-tocopheryl succinate (alpha-TOS) is a proapoptotic agent with antineoplastic activity. As modifications of the vitamin E (VE) molecule may affect its apoptogenic activity, we tested a number of newly synthesised VE analogues using malignant cell lines. Analogues of alpha-TOS with lower number of methyl substitutions on the aromatic ring were less active than alpha-TOS. Replacement of the succinyl group with a maleyl group greatly enhanced the activity, while it was lower for the glutaryl esters. Methylation of the free succinyl carboxyl group on alpha-TOS and delta-TOS completely prevented the apoptogenic activity of the parent compounds. Both Trolox and its succinylated derivative were inactive. alpha-tocotrienol (alpha-T3 H) failed to induce apoptosis, while gamma-T3 H was apoptogenic, and more so when succinylated. Shortening the aliphatic side chain of gamma-T3 by one isoprenyl unit increased its activity. Neither phytyl nor oleyl succinate caused apoptosis. These findings show that modifications of different functional moieties of the VE molecule can enhance apoptogenic activity. It is hoped that these observations will lead to the synthesis of analogues with even higher apoptogenic and, consequently, antineoplastic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Birringer
- German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany
- Peptides & Elephants Gmbh, Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany
| | - J H EyTina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - B A Salvatore
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - J Neuzil
- Department of Pathology II, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
- School of Health Sciences, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
- School of Health Sciences, Griffith University Gold Coast Campus, Southport, 9726 Queensland, Australia. E-mail:
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Kogure K, Manabe S, Hama S, Tokumura A, Fukuzawa K. Potentiation of anti-cancer effect by intravenous administration of vesiculated alpha-tocopheryl hemisuccinate on mouse melanoma in vivo. Cancer Lett 2003; 192:19-24. [PMID: 12637149 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3835(02)00683-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
We examined the effect of alpha-tocopheryl hemisuccinate (TS) on the growth of mouse melanoma cells B16-F1 inoculated on the back of hairless mice by two administration procedures of TS, i.p. administration of TS dissolved with dimethyl sulfoxide (TS i.p.) and i.v. administration of TS vesicles (TS-vesicle i.v.). TS i.p. significantly prevented the tumor growth of only half the mice in the group. However, TS-vesicle i.v. almost completely inhibited the tumor growth of all mice. Furthermore, the mean survival of the TS-vesicle i.v. group was 1.4-fold those of the control and TS i.p. groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Kogure
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Shomachi-1, Tokushima, 770-8505, Japan
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