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Lin JC, Oludare A, Jung H. Connecting dots between nucleotide biosynthesis and DNA lesion repair/bypass in cancer. Biosci Rep 2024; 44:BSR20231382. [PMID: 39189649 PMCID: PMC11427732 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20231382] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Purine and pyrimidine nucleotides are crucial building blocks for the survival of cells, and there are layers of pathways to make sure a stable supply of them including de novo nucleotide biosynthesis. Fast-growing cells including cancer cells have high demand for nucleotide, and they highly utilize the nucleotide biosynthesis pathways. Due to the nature of the fast-growing cells, they tend to make more errors in replication compared with the normal cells. Naturally, DNA repair and DNA lesion bypass are heavily employed in cancer cells to ensure fidelity and completion of the replication without stalling. There have been a lot of drugs targeting cancer that mimic the chemical structures of the nucleobase, nucleoside, and nucleotides, and the resistance toward those drugs is a serious problem. Herein, we have reviewed some of the representative nucleotide analog anticancer agents such as 5-fluorouracil, specifically their mechanism of action and resistance is discussed. Also, we have chosen several enzymes in nucleotide biosynthesis, DNA repair, and DNA lesion bypass, and we have discussed the known and potential roles of these enzymes in maintaining genomic fidelity and cancer chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson C Lin
- The Division of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, The University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, U.S.A
| | - Ayobami Oludare
- The Division of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, The University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, U.S.A
| | - Hunmin Jung
- The Division of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, The University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, U.S.A
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2
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Zhang X, Hu D, Sun X, Gu Y, Zhou Y, Su C, Liu S, Zhang C, Lu G, Wu Q, Chen A. PHGDH/SYK: a hub integrating anti-fungal immunity and serine metabolism. Cell Death Differ 2024:10.1038/s41418-024-01374-7. [PMID: 39256519 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-024-01374-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune cells modify their metabolic pathways in response to fungal infections. Nevertheless, the biochemical underpinnings need to be better understood. This study reports that fungal infection drives a switch from glycolysis to the serine synthesis pathway (SSP) and one-carbon metabolism by inducing the interaction of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) and phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH). As a result, PHGDH promotes SYK phosphorylation, leading to the recruitment of SYK to C-type lectin receptors (CLRs). The CLR/SYK complex initiates signaling cascades that lead to transcription factor activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. SYK activates SSP and one-carbon metabolism by inducing PHGDH activity. Then, one-carbon metabolism supports S-adenosylmethionine and histone H3 lysine 36 trimethylation to drive the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. These findings reveal the crosstalk between amino acid metabolism, epigenetic modification, and CLR signaling during fungal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyong Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second People's Hospital of Huai 'an, Huai 'an, 223001, China
| | - Dongdong Hu
- Department of Emergency, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210031, China
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- School of Food and Pharmacy, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, China
| | - Yichun Gu
- The Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, and Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Department of Neurology, The Second People's Hospital of Huai 'an, Huai 'an, 223001, China
| | - Chuanxin Su
- The Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Clinical Disease, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, 45122, Germany
| | - Shi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Caiyan Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoping Lu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiwen Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001, China.
| | - Aidong Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, and Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China.
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3
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Minchenko OH, Sliusar MY, Khikhlo YP, Halkin OV, Viletska YM, Khita OO, Minchenko DO. Knockdown of ERN1 disturbs the expression of phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 and related genes in glioblastoma cells. Arch Biochem Biophys 2024; 759:110104. [PMID: 39059599 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2024.110104] [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: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endoplasmic reticulum stress and synthesis of serine are essential for tumor growth, but the mechanism of their interaction is not clarified yet. The overarching goal of this work was to investigate the impact of ERN1 (endoplasmic reticulum to nucleus signaling 1) inhibition on the expression of serine synthesis genes in U87MG glioblastoma cells concerning the suppression of cell proliferation. METHODS Wild type U87MG glioblastoma cells and their clones with overexpression of transgenes dnERN1 (without cytoplasmic domain of ERN1) and dnrERN1 (with mutation in endoribonuclease of ERN1), and empty vector (as control) were used. The silencing of ERN1 and XBP1 was also used to inhibition of ERN1 and its function. Gene expression was measured by qPCR. RESULTS We show that the expression of PSAT1 and several other related to serine synthesis genes is suppressed in cells with ERN1 inhibition by dissimilar mechanisms: PHGDH gene through ERN1 protein kinase, because its expression was resistant to inhibition of ERN1 endoribonuclease, but ATF4 gene via endoribonuclease of ERN1. However, in the control of PSAT1 and PSPH genes both enzymatic activities of ERN1 signaling protein are involved. At the same time, ERN1 knockdown strongly increased SHMT1 expression, which controls serine metabolism and enhances the proliferation and invasiveness of glioma cells. The level of microRNAs, which have binding sites in PSAT1, SHMT1, and PSPH mRNAs, was also changed in cells harboring dnERN1 transgene. Inhibition of ERN1 suppressed cell proliferation and enzymatic activity of PHGDH, a rate-limiting enzyme for serine synthesis. CONCLUSION Changes in the expression of phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 and other genes related to serine synthesis are mediated by diverse ERN1-dependent mechanisms and contributed to suppressed proliferation and enhanced invasiveness of ERN1 knockdown glioblastoma cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksandr H Minchenko
- Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Myroslava Y Sliusar
- Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Yevgen P Khikhlo
- Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Oleh V Halkin
- Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Yuliia M Viletska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Olena O Khita
- Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Dmytro O Minchenko
- Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
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Drago VN, Phillips RS, Kovalevsky A. Universality of critical active site glutamate as an acid-base catalyst in serine hydroxymethyltransferase function. Chem Sci 2024; 15:12827-12844. [PMID: 39148791 PMCID: PMC11323337 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc03187c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) is a key enzyme in the one-carbon metabolic pathway, utilizing the vitamin B6 derivative pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) and vitamin B9 derivative tetrahydrofolate (THF) coenzymes to produce essential biomolecules. Many types of cancer utilize SHMT in metabolic reprogramming, exposing the enzyme as a compelling target for antimetabolite chemotherapies. In pursuit of elucidating the catalytic mechanism of SHMT to aid in the design of SHMT-specific inhibitors, we have used room-temperature neutron crystallography to directly determine the protonation states in a model enzyme Thermus thermophilus SHMT (TthSHMT), which exhibits a conserved active site compared to human mitochondrial SHMT2 (hSHMT2). Here we report the analysis of TthSHMT, with PLP in the internal aldimine form and bound THF-analog, folinic acid (FA), by neutron crystallography to reveal H atom positions in the active site, including PLP and FA. We observed protonated catalytic Glu53 revealing its ability to change protonation state upon FA binding. Furthermore, we obtained X-ray structures of TthSHMT-Gly/FA, TthSHMT-l-Ser/FA, and hSHMT2-Gly/FA ternary complexes with the PLP-Gly or PLP-l-Ser external aldimines to analyze the active site configuration upon PLP reaction with an amino acid substrate and FA binding. Accurate mapping of the active site protonation states together with the structural information gained from the ternary complexes allow us to suggest an essential role of the gating loop conformational changes in the SHMT function and to propose Glu53 as the universal acid-base catalyst in both THF-independent and THF-dependent activities of SHMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria N Drago
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831 USA
| | - Robert S Phillips
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia Athens GA 30602 USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia Athens GA 30602 USA
| | - Andrey Kovalevsky
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831 USA
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Collins M, Gorgoglione R, Impedovo V, Pan X, Chakkarai S, Yi SS, Lodi A, Tiziani S. Exploration of the intracellular chiral metabolome in pediatric BCP-ALL: a pilot study investigating the metabolic phenotype of IgH locus aberrations. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1413264. [PMID: 39161381 PMCID: PMC11332069 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1413264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Aberrations in the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus are associated with poor prognosis in pediatric precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) patients. The primary objective of this pilot study is to enhance our understanding of the IgH phenotype by exploring the intracellular chiral metabolome. Materials and methods Leukemia cells were isolated from the bone marrow of BCP-ALL pediatric patients at diagnosis. The samples' metabolome and transcriptome were characterized using untargeted chiral metabolomic and next-generation sequencing transcriptomic analyses. Results For the first time D- amino acids were identified in the leukemic cells' intracellular metabolome from the bone marrow niche. Chiral metabolic signatures at diagnosis was indicative of a resistant phenotype. Through integrated network analysis and Pearson correlation, confirmation was obtained regarding the association of the IgH phenotype with several genes linked to poor prognosis. Conclusion The findings of this study have contributed to the understanding that the chiral metabolome plays a role in the poor prognosis observed in an exceptionally rare patient cohort. The findings include elevated D-amino acid incorporation in the IgH group, the emergence of several unknown, potentially enantiomeric, metabolites, and insights into metabolic pathways that all warrant further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Collins
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Ruggiero Gorgoglione
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Valeria Impedovo
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Xingxin Pan
- Department of Oncology, Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Sathyaseelan Chakkarai
- Department of Oncology, Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - S. Stephen Yi
- Department of Oncology, Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Programs, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Alessia Lodi
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Stefano Tiziani
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Oncology, Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
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6
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Lee HM, Muhammad N, Lieu EL, Cai F, Mu J, Ha YS, Cao G, Suchors C, Joves K, Chronis C, Li K, Ducker GS, Olszewski K, Cai L, Allison DB, Bachert SE, Ewing WR, Wong H, Seo H, Kim IY, Faubert B, Kim J, Kim J. Concurrent loss of LKB1 and KEAP1 enhances SHMT-mediated antioxidant defence in KRAS-mutant lung cancer. Nat Metab 2024; 6:1310-1328. [PMID: 38877143 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-024-01066-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with concurrent mutations in KRAS and the tumour suppressor LKB1 (KL NSCLC) is refractory to most therapies and has one of the worst predicted outcomes. Here we describe a KL-induced metabolic vulnerability associated with serine-glycine-one-carbon (SGOC) metabolism. Using RNA-seq and metabolomics data from human NSCLC, we uncovered that LKB1 loss enhanced SGOC metabolism via serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT). LKB1 loss, in collaboration with KEAP1 loss, activated SHMT through inactivation of the salt-induced kinase (SIK)-NRF2 axis and satisfied the increased demand for one-carbon units necessary for antioxidant defence. Chemical and genetic SHMT suppression increased cellular sensitivity to oxidative stress and cell death. Further, the SHMT inhibitor enhanced the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of paclitaxel (first-line NSCLC therapy inducing oxidative stress) in KEAP1-mutant KL tumours. The data reveal how this highly aggressive molecular subtype of NSCLC fulfills their metabolic requirements and provides insight into therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Min Lee
- Department of Urology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nefertiti Muhammad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Lieu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Feng Cai
- Children's Medical Center Research Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jiawei Mu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yun-Sok Ha
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, Korea
| | - Guoshen Cao
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Chamey Suchors
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kenneth Joves
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Constantinos Chronis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kailong Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Gregory S Ducker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | - Ling Cai
- Department of Population and Data Sciences, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Derek B Allison
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Sara E Bachert
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | | | - Harvey Wong
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hyosun Seo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Isaac Y Kim
- Department of Urology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brandon Faubert
- Department of Medicine-Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - James Kim
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jiyeon Kim
- Department of Urology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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7
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Qiu Y, Xie E, Xu H, Cheng H, Li G. One-carbon metabolism shapes T cell immunity in cancer. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2024:S1043-2760(24)00160-7. [PMID: 38925992 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2024.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
One-carbon metabolism (1CM), comprising folate metabolism and methionine metabolism, serves as an important mechanism for cellular energy provision and the production of vital signaling molecules, including single-carbon moieties. Its regulation is instrumental in sustaining the proliferation of cancer cells and facilitating metastasis; in addition, recent research has shed light on its impact on the efficacy of T cell-mediated immunotherapy. In this review, we consolidate current insights into how 1CM affects T cell activation, differentiation, and functionality. Furthermore, we delve into the strategies for modulating 1CM in both T cells and tumor cells to enhance the efficacy of adoptively transferred T cells, overcome metabolic challenges in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and maximize the benefits of T cell-mediated immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Qiu
- National Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammation, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China; Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Elements, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ermei Xie
- National Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammation, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China; Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Elements, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haipeng Xu
- Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fujian, 350011, China
| | - Hongcheng Cheng
- National Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammation, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China; Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Elements, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Guideng Li
- National Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammation, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China; Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology Regulatory Elements, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
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8
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Lee Y, Vousden KH, Hennequart M. Cycling back to folate metabolism in cancer. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:701-715. [PMID: 38698089 PMCID: PMC7616045 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-024-00739-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic changes contribute to cancer initiation and progression through effects on cancer cells, the tumor microenvironment and whole-body metabolism. Alterations in serine metabolism and the control of one-carbon cycles have emerged as critical for the development of many tumor types. In this Review, we focus on the mitochondrial folate cycle. We discuss recent evidence that, in addition to supporting nucleotide synthesis, mitochondrial folate metabolism also contributes to metastasis through support of antioxidant defense, mitochondrial protein synthesis and the overflow of excess formate. These observations offer potential therapeutic opportunities, including the modulation of formate metabolism through dietary interventions and the use of circulating folate cycle metabolites as biomarkers for cancer detection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marc Hennequart
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), Molecular Physiology Unit (URPHYM), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
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9
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Fanqiao M, Chen X, Ren X, Li L, Wu T. CD7 CAR T bridging to allo-HSCT in R/R T-ALL: A case report. Pediatr Transplant 2024; 28:e14367. [PMID: 35860981 DOI: 10.1111/petr.14367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Refractory/relapsed T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R T-ALL) is a hematological malignancy with a poor prognosis. The current treatment strategy has not benefited most patients, and the treatment methods are still being explored. CASE PRESENTATION An 8-year-old boy with R/R T-ALL achieved CR after multiple chemotherapies, followed by the first allo-HSCT. Unfortunately, 1 year and 3 months later, he relapsed. After recurrence, the patient underwent multiple chemotherapies, but the NOTCH1 gene and MRD were still positive. FCM and immunohistochemistry revealed abnormally high expression of CD7, so we considered bridging the second allo-HSCT after CD7 CAR T-cells treatment. The patient has low toxic and side effects and is still in CR, findings from this case report have more important therapeutic significance for R/R T-ALL. CONCLUSION In conclusion, CD7 CAR T-cells bridging to allo-HSCT is a safe and effective approach for R/R T-ALL, resulting in durable CR and longer survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Fanqiao
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Beijing Boren Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuqiong Chen
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaotong Ren
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Lijuan Li
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Tong Wu
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Beijing Boren Hospital, Beijing, China
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10
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Zarou MM, Rattigan KM, Sarnello D, Shokry E, Dawson A, Ianniciello A, Dunn K, Copland M, Sumpton D, Vazquez A, Helgason GV. Inhibition of mitochondrial folate metabolism drives differentiation through mTORC1 mediated purine sensing. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1931. [PMID: 38431691 PMCID: PMC10908830 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46114-0] [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: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Supporting cell proliferation through nucleotide biosynthesis is an essential requirement for cancer cells. Hence, inhibition of folate-mediated one carbon (1C) metabolism, which is required for nucleotide synthesis, has been successfully exploited in anti-cancer therapy. Here, we reveal that mitochondrial folate metabolism is upregulated in patient-derived leukaemic stem cells (LSCs). We demonstrate that inhibition of mitochondrial 1C metabolism through impairment of de novo purine synthesis has a cytostatic effect on chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) cells. Consequently, changes in purine nucleotide levels lead to activation of AMPK signalling and suppression of mTORC1 activity. Notably, suppression of mitochondrial 1C metabolism increases expression of erythroid differentiation markers. Moreover, we find that increased differentiation occurs independently of AMPK signalling and can be reversed through reconstitution of purine levels and reactivation of mTORC1. Of clinical relevance, we identify that combination of 1C metabolism inhibition with imatinib, a frontline treatment for CML patients, decreases the number of therapy-resistant CML LSCs in a patient-derived xenograft model. Our results highlight a role for folate metabolism and purine sensing in stem cell fate decisions and leukaemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha M Zarou
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Kevin M Rattigan
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Daniele Sarnello
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Engy Shokry
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Amy Dawson
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Angela Ianniciello
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Karen Dunn
- Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 0ZD, UK
| | - Mhairi Copland
- Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 0ZD, UK
| | - David Sumpton
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Alexei Vazquez
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK.
| | - G Vignir Helgason
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK.
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11
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Zhang X, Wang Z. Targeting SHMTs and MTHFDs in cancer: attractive opportunity for anti-tumor strategy. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1335785. [PMID: 38444944 PMCID: PMC10912643 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1335785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
One-carbon metabolism is a universal metabolic process that mediates the transfer of one-carbon units for purine and thymidine synthesis. One-carbon metabolism has been found to be dysregulated in various cancer types due to its role in production of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, epigenetic program, and redox homeostasis. One-carbon metabolism is composed a network of one-carbon metabolic enzymes. Disturbing the expression and enzymatic activity of these one-carbon metabolic enzymes could lead to fluctuations of metabolites in the tumor microenvironment. Serine hydroxymethyltransferases (SHMTs) and methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenases (MTHFDs) are gradually recognized as important one-carbon metabolic enzymes for regulating tumor initiation and development, representing potential therapeutic targets for anti-tumor strategies. In the review, we primarily focused on the role of SHMTs and MTHFDs in cancer. Several inhibitors targeting MTHFDs and SHMTs have exert its potential to decrease tumor burden and inhibit tumor proliferation, highlighting the potential of targeting one-carbon metabolic enzymes for anti-cancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhang
- The VIP Department, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhenhua Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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12
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Kim YH, Yoon SJ, Kim M, Kim HH, Song YS, Jung JW, Han D, Cho SW, Kwon SW, Park YJ. Integrative Multi-omics Analysis Reveals Different Metabolic Phenotypes Based on Molecular Characteristics in Thyroid Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:883-894. [PMID: 38088902 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-2025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Thyroid cancer metabolic characteristics vary depending on the molecular subtype determined by mutational status. We aimed to investigate the molecular subtype-specific metabolic characteristics of thyroid cancers. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN An integrative multi-omics analysis was conducted, incorporating transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics data obtained from human tissues representing distinct molecular characteristics of thyroid cancers: BRAF-like (papillary thyroid cancer with BRAFV600E mutation; PTC-B), RAS-like (follicular thyroid cancer with RAS mutation; FTC-R), and ATC-like (anaplastic thyroid cancer with BRAFV600E or RAS mutation; ATC-B or ATC-R). To validate our findings, we employed tissue microarray of human thyroid cancer tissues and performed in vitro analyses of cancer cell phenotypes and metabolomic assays after inducing genetic knockdown. RESULTS Metabolic properties differed between differentiated thyroid cancers of PTC-B and FTC-R, but were similar in dedifferentiated thyroid cancers of ATC-B/R, regardless of their mutational status. Tricarboxylic acid (TCA) intermediates and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) were enriched with the activation of TCA cycle only in FTC-R, whereas one-carbon metabolism and pyrimidine metabolism increased in both PTC-B and FTC-R and to a great extent in ATC-B/R. However, the protein expression levels of the BCAA transporter (SLC7A5) and a key enzyme in one-carbon metabolism (SHMT2) increased in all thyroid cancers and were particularly high in ATC-B/R. Knockdown of SLC7A5 or SHMT2 inhibited the migration and proliferation of thyroid cancer cell lines differently, depending on the mutational status. CONCLUSIONS These findings define the metabolic properties of each molecular subtype of thyroid cancers and identify metabolic vulnerabilities, providing a rationale for therapies targeting its altered metabolic pathways in advanced thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoo Hyung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Sang Jun Yoon
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Mina Kim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Hwan Hee Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Young Shin Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Jin Woo Jung
- Proteomics Core Facility, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Dohyun Han
- Proteomics Core Facility, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
- Transdisciplinary Department of Medicine & Advanced Technology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Sun Wook Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Sung Won Kwon
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Young Joo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine and Genomic Medicine Institute, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
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13
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Lee SE, Park S, Yi S, Choi NR, Lim MA, Chang JW, Won HR, Kim JR, Ko HM, Chung EJ, Park YJ, Cho SW, Yu HW, Choi JY, Yeo MK, Yi B, Yi K, Lim J, Koh JY, Lee MJ, Heo JY, Yoon SJ, Kwon SW, Park JL, Chu IS, Kim JM, Kim SY, Shan Y, Liu L, Hong SA, Choi DW, Park JO, Ju YS, Shong M, Kim SK, Koo BS, Kang YE. Unraveling the role of the mitochondrial one-carbon pathway in undifferentiated thyroid cancer by multi-omics analyses. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1163. [PMID: 38331894 PMCID: PMC10853200 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45366-0] [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: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of the serine/glycine metabolic pathway (SGP) has recently been demonstrated in tumors; however, the pathological relevance of the SGP in thyroid cancer remains unexplored. Here, we perform metabolomic profiling of 17 tumor-normal pairs; bulk transcriptomics of 263 normal thyroid, 348 papillary, and 21 undifferentiated thyroid cancer samples; and single-cell transcriptomes from 15 cases, showing the impact of mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism in thyroid tumors. High expression of serine hydroxymethyltransferase-2 (SHMT2) and methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) is associated with low thyroid differentiation scores and poor clinical features. A subpopulation of tumor cells with high mitochondrial one-carbon pathway activity is observed in the single-cell dataset. SHMT2 inhibition significantly compromises mitochondrial respiration and decreases cell proliferation and tumor size in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our results highlight the importance of the mitochondrial one-carbon pathway in undifferentiated thyroid cancer and suggest that SHMT2 is a potent therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Eun Lee
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongyeol Park
- GENOME INSIGHT TECHNOLOGY Inc, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shinae Yi
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Na Rae Choi
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Ae Lim
- Research Institute for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Won Chang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Ryun Won
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Je Ryong Kim
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Mi Ko
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Jae Chung
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Joo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Wook Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeong Won Yu
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - June Young Choi
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Kyung Yeo
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Boram Yi
- GENOME INSIGHT TECHNOLOGY Inc, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kijong Yi
- GENOME INSIGHT TECHNOLOGY Inc, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Joonoh Lim
- GENOME INSIGHT TECHNOLOGY Inc, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Young Koh
- GENOME INSIGHT TECHNOLOGY Inc, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Jeong Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Young Heo
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Jun Yoon
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Won Kwon
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Lyul Park
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Deajeon, Republic of Korea
| | - In Sun Chu
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Deajeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology (UST), Deajeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Man Kim
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Young Kim
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Deajeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology (UST), Deajeon, Republic of Korea
- Korea Bioinformation Center (KOBIC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yujuan Shan
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Lihua Liu
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Sung-A Hong
- Department of Biochemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Wook Choi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Junyoung O Park
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Young Seok Ju
- GENOME INSIGHT TECHNOLOGY Inc, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Minho Shong
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Kyu Kim
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Deajeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Bon Seok Koo
- Research Institute for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yea Eun Kang
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
- Research Institute for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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14
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Ghrayeb A, Finney AC, Agranovich B, Peled D, Anand SK, McKinney MP, Sarji M, Yang D, Weissman N, Drucker S, Fernandes SI, Fernández-García J, Mahan K, Abassi Z, Tan L, Lorenzi PL, Traylor J, Zhang J, Abramovich I, Chen YE, Rom O, Mor I, Gottlieb E. Serine synthesis via reversed SHMT2 activity drives glycine depletion and acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in MASLD. Cell Metab 2024; 36:116-129.e7. [PMID: 38171331 PMCID: PMC10777734 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects one-third of the global population. Understanding the metabolic pathways involved can provide insights into disease progression and treatment. Untargeted metabolomics of livers from mice with early-stage steatosis uncovered decreased methylated metabolites, suggesting altered one-carbon metabolism. The levels of glycine, a central component of one-carbon metabolism, were lower in mice with hepatic steatosis, consistent with clinical evidence. Stable-isotope tracing demonstrated that increased serine synthesis from glycine via reverse serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) is the underlying cause for decreased glycine in steatotic livers. Consequently, limited glycine availability in steatotic livers impaired glutathione synthesis under acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress, enhancing acute hepatotoxicity. Glycine supplementation or hepatocyte-specific ablation of the mitochondrial SHMT2 isoform in mice with hepatic steatosis mitigated acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity by supporting de novo glutathione synthesis. Thus, early metabolic changes in MASLD that limit glycine availability sensitize mice to xenobiotics even at the reversible stage of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alia Ghrayeb
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Alexandra C Finney
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Bella Agranovich
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Daniel Peled
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Sumit Kumar Anand
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - M Peyton McKinney
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Mahasen Sarji
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Dongshan Yang
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Natan Weissman
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Shani Drucker
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Sara Isabel Fernandes
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Jonatan Fernández-García
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Kyle Mahan
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Zaid Abassi
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Lin Tan
- Metabolomics Core Facility, Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Philip L Lorenzi
- Metabolomics Core Facility, Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - James Traylor
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ifat Abramovich
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Y Eugene Chen
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Oren Rom
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA; Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA.
| | - Inbal Mor
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel.
| | - Eyal Gottlieb
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel; Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA.
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15
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Minchenko OH, Sliusar MY, Khita OO, Minchenko DO, Viletska YM, Halkin OV, Levadna LO, Cherednychenko AA, Khikhlo YP. Inhibition of signaling protein ERN1 increases the sensitivity of serine synthesis gene expressions to glucose and glutamine deprivations in U87MG glioblastoma cells. Endocr Regul 2024; 58:91-100. [PMID: 38656254 DOI: 10.2478/enr-2024-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective. Glucose and glutamine supply as well as serine synthesis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are important factors of glioblastoma growth. Previous studies showed that the knockdown of ERN1 (ER to nucleus signaling 1) suppressed glioblastoma cell proliferation and modified the sensitivity of numerous gene expressions to nutrient deprivations. The present study is aimed to investigate the impact of glucose and glutamine deprivations on the expression of serine synthesis genes in U87MG glioblastoma cells in relation to ERN1 knockdown with the intent to reveal the role of ERN1 signaling pathway on the ER stress-dependent regulation of these gene expressions. Clarification of the regulatory mechanisms of serine synthesis is a great significance for glioblastoma therapy. Methods. The control U87MG glioblastoma cells (transfected by empty vector) and ERN1 knockdown cells (transfected by dominant-negative ERN1) were exposed under glucose and glutamine deprivation conditions for 16 h. RNA was extracted from cells and reverse transcribed. The expression level of PHGDH (phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase), PSAT1 (phosphoserine amino-transferase 1), PSPH (phosphoserine phosphatase), ATF4 (activating transcription factor 4), and SHMT1 (serine hydroxymethyltransferase 1) genes was studied by real-time qPCR and normalized to ACTB. Results. It was found that the expression level of genes responsible for serine synthesis such as PHGDH, PSAT1, PSPH, and transcription factor ATF4 was up-regulated in U87MG glioblastoma cells under glucose and glutamine deprivations. Furthermore, inhibition of ERN1 significantly enhances the impact of glucose and especially glutamine deprivations on these gene expressions. At the same time, the expression of the SHMT1 gene, which is responsible for serine conversion to glycine, was down-regulated in both nutrient deprivation conditions with more significant changes in ERN1 knockdown glioblastoma cells. Conclusion. Taken together, the results of present study indicate that the expression of genes responsible for serine synthesis is sensitive to glucose and glutamine deprivations in gene-specific manner and that suppression of ERN1 signaling significantly modifies the impact of both glucose and glutamine deprivations on PHGDH, PSAT1, PSPH, ATF4, and SHMT1 gene expressions and reflects the ERN1-mediated genome reprograming introduced by nutrient deprivation condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksandr H Minchenko
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Myroslava Y Sliusar
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Olena O Khita
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Dmytro O Minchenko
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
- 2Department of Pediatrics, National Bohomolets Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Yuliia M Viletska
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Oleh V Halkin
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Liudmyla O Levadna
- 2Department of Pediatrics, National Bohomolets Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Anastasiia A Cherednychenko
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Yevgen P Khikhlo
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
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16
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Ren X, Wang X, Zheng G, Wang S, Wang Q, Yuan M, Xu T, Xu J, Huang P, Ge M. Targeting one-carbon metabolism for cancer immunotherapy. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1521. [PMID: 38279895 PMCID: PMC10819114 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1521] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One-carbon (1C) metabolism is a metabolic network that plays essential roles in biological reactions. In 1C metabolism, a series of nutrients are used to fuel metabolic pathways, including nucleotide metabolism, amino acid metabolism, cellular redox defence and epigenetic maintenance. At present, 1C metabolism is considered the hallmark of cancer. The 1C units obtained from the metabolic pathways increase the proliferation rate of cancer cells. In addition, anticancer drugs, such as methotrexate, which target 1C metabolism, have long been used in the clinic. In terms of immunotherapy, 1C metabolism has been used to explore biomarkers connected with immunotherapy response and immune-related adverse events in patients. METHODS We collected numerous literatures to explain the roles of one-carbon metabolism in cancer immunotherapy. RESULTS In this review, we focus on the important pathways in 1C metabolism and the function of 1C metabolism enzymes in cancer immunotherapy. Then, we summarise the inhibitors acting on 1C metabolism and their potential application on cancer immunotherapy. Finally, we provide a viewpoint and conclusion regarding the opportunities and challenges of targeting 1C metabolism for cancer immunotherapy in clinical practicability in the future. CONCLUSION Targeting one-carbon metabolism is useful for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Ren
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Department of PathologyCancer CenterZhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of PharmacyAffiliated Hangzhou First People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Guowan Zheng
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Qiyue Wang
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Mengnan Yuan
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Tong Xu
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Jiajie Xu
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Ping Huang
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Minghua Ge
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
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17
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Liu Y, Du Z, Li T, Zhang J, Cheng Y, Huang J, Yang J, Wen L, Tian M, Yang M, Chen C. Lycorine eliminates B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells by targeting PSAT1 through the serine/glycine metabolic pathway. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 961:176162. [PMID: 37951487 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176162] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) has been confirmed as the most common malignant hematologic neoplasm among children. A novel antitumor mechanism of lycorine was elucidated in this study. As revealed by the result of this study, lycorine significantly inhibited the growth and proliferation of REH and NALM-6 and induced their apoptosis. The result of the RNA-seq analysis suggested that lycorine targeted PSAT1 of serine/glycine metabolism in B-ALL cells. As indicated by the result of the GSEA analysis, the genes enriched in the amino acid metabolic pathways were down-regulated by lycorine. As revealed by the results of ectopic expression, shRNA knockdown assays, and further liquid-phase tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis, lycorine reduced serine/glycine metabolites by down-regulating PSAT1, further disrupting carbon metabolism and eliminating B-ALL cells. Furthermore, lycorine showed a synergistic effect with cytarabine in ALL treatments. Lastly, lycorine significantly down-regulated leukemia progression in the cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) model. In brief, this study has suggested for the first time that lycorine is a promising anti-ALL drug, and a novel amino acid metabolism-associated property of lycorine was identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Liu
- Pediatric Hematology Laboratory, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, China; Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zefan Du
- Pediatric Hematology Laboratory, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tianwen Li
- Pediatric Hematology Laboratory, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, 510623, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yucai Cheng
- Pediatric Hematology Laboratory, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, China
| | - Junbing Huang
- Pediatric Hematology Laboratory, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Pediatric Hematology Laboratory, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, China
| | - Luping Wen
- Department of Pharmacy, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mengyao Tian
- Pediatric Hematology Laboratory, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mo Yang
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Chun Chen
- Pediatric Hematology Laboratory, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, China.
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18
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Petrova B, Maynard AG, Wang P, Kanarek N. Regulatory mechanisms of one-carbon metabolism enzymes. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105457. [PMID: 37949226 PMCID: PMC10758965 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
One-carbon metabolism is a central metabolic pathway critical for the biosynthesis of several amino acids, methyl group donors, and nucleotides. The pathway mostly relies on the transfer of a carbon unit from the amino acid serine, through the cofactor folate (in its several forms), and to the ultimate carbon acceptors that include nucleotides and methyl groups used for methylation of proteins, RNA, and DNA. Nucleotides are required for DNA replication, DNA repair, gene expression, and protein translation, through ribosomal RNA. Therefore, the one-carbon metabolism pathway is essential for cell growth and function in all cells, but is specifically important for rapidly proliferating cells. The regulation of one-carbon metabolism is a critical aspect of the normal and pathological function of the pathway, such as in cancer, where hijacking these regulatory mechanisms feeds an increased need for nucleotides. One-carbon metabolism is regulated at several levels: via gene expression, posttranslational modification, subcellular compartmentalization, allosteric inhibition, and feedback regulation. In this review, we aim to inform the readers of relevant one-carbon metabolism regulation mechanisms and to bring forward the need to further study this aspect of one-carbon metabolism. The review aims to integrate two major aspects of cancer metabolism-signaling downstream of nutrient sensing and one-carbon metabolism, because while each of these is critical for the proliferation of cancerous cells, their integration is critical for comprehensive understating of cellular metabolism in transformed cells and can lead to clinically relevant insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boryana Petrova
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adam G Maynard
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Graduate Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Naama Kanarek
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
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19
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Sahu S, Poplawska M, Lim SH, Dutta D. CRISPR-based precision medicine for hematologic disorders: Advancements, challenges, and prospects. Life Sci 2023; 333:122165. [PMID: 37832631 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The development of programmable nucleases to introduce defined alterations in genomic sequences has been a powerful tool for precision medicine. While several nucleases such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFN), transcriptor activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN), and meganucleases have been explored, the advent of CRISPR/Cas9 technology has revolutionized the field of genome engineering. In addition to disease modeling, the CRISPR/Cas9 technology has contributed to safer and more effective treatment strategies for hematologic diseases and personalized T-cell-based therapies. Here we discuss the applications of the CRISPR technology in the treatment of hematologic diseases, their efficacy, and ongoing clinical trials. We examine the obstacles to their successful use and the approaches investigated to overcome these challenges. Finally, we provide our perspectives to improve this genome editing tool for targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sounak Sahu
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 1050 Boyles Street, Building 560, Room 32-04, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Maria Poplawska
- Department of Medicine (Division of Hematology and Oncology), State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Seah H Lim
- Department of Medicine (Division of Hematology and Oncology), State University of New York Upstate Medical University, 750 E Adams, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Dibyendu Dutta
- Department of Medicine (Division of Hematology and Oncology), State University of New York Upstate Medical University, 750 E Adams, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
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20
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Sexauer AN, Alexe G, Gustafsson K, Zanetakos E, Milosevic J, Ayres M, Gandhi V, Pikman Y, Stegmaier K, Sykes DB. DHODH: a promising target in the treatment of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood Adv 2023; 7:6685-6701. [PMID: 37648673 PMCID: PMC10641474 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with relapsed or refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) have a poor prognosis with few therapeutic options. With the goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets, we used data from the Dependency Map project to identify dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) as one of the top metabolic dependencies in T-ALL. DHODH catalyzes the fourth step of de novo pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis. Small molecule inhibition of DHODH rapidly leads to the depletion of intracellular pyrimidine pools and forces cells to rely on extracellular salvage. In the absence of sufficient salvage, this intracellular nucleotide starvation results in the inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis, cell cycle arrest, and, ultimately, death. T lymphoblasts appear to be specifically and exquisitely sensitive to nucleotide starvation after DHODH inhibition. We have confirmed this sensitivity in vitro and in vivo in 3 murine models of T-ALL. We identified that certain subsets of T-ALL seem to have an increased reliance on oxidative phosphorylation when treated with DHODH inhibitors. Through a series of metabolic assays, we show that leukemia cells, in the setting of nucleotide starvation, undergo changes in their mitochondrial membrane potential and may be more highly dependent on alternative fuel sources. The effect on normal T-cell development in young mice was also examined to show that DHODH inhibition does not permanently damage the developing thymus. These changes suggest a new metabolic vulnerability that may distinguish these cells from normal T cells and other normal hematopoietic cells and offer an exploitable therapeutic opportunity. The availability of clinical-grade DHODH inhibitors currently in human clinical trials suggests a potential for rapidly advancing this work into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy N. Sexauer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Gabriela Alexe
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Karin Gustafsson
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
| | - Elizabeth Zanetakos
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Jelena Milosevic
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Mary Ayres
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Varsha Gandhi
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Yana Pikman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - David B. Sykes
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA
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21
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Radzishevsky I, Odeh M, Bodner O, Zubedat S, Shaulov L, Litvak M, Esaki K, Yoshikawa T, Agranovich B, Li WH, Radzishevsky A, Gottlieb E, Avital A, Wolosker H. Impairment of serine transport across the blood-brain barrier by deletion of Slc38a5 causes developmental delay and motor dysfunction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2302780120. [PMID: 37812701 PMCID: PMC10589673 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2302780120] [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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain L-serine is critical for neurodevelopment and is thought to be synthesized solely from glucose. In contrast, we found that the influx of L-serine across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is essential for brain development. We identified the endothelial Slc38a5, previously thought to be a glutamine transporter, as an L-serine transporter expressed at the BBB in early postnatal life. Young Slc38a5 knockout (KO) mice exhibit developmental alterations and a decrease in brain L-serine and D-serine, without changes in serum or liver amino acids. Slc38a5-KO brains exhibit accumulation of neurotoxic deoxysphingolipids, synaptic and mitochondrial abnormalities, and decreased neurogenesis at the dentate gyrus. Slc38a5-KO pups exhibit motor impairments that are affected by the administration of L-serine at concentrations that replenish the serine pool in the brain. Our results highlight a critical role of Slc38a5 in supplying L-serine via the BBB for proper brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Radzishevsky
- Department of Biochemistry, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institue of Technology, Haifa3109601, Israel
| | - Maali Odeh
- Department of Biochemistry, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institue of Technology, Haifa3109601, Israel
| | - Oded Bodner
- Department of Biochemistry, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institue of Technology, Haifa3109601, Israel
| | - Salman Zubedat
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa3498838, Israel
| | - Lihi Shaulov
- Electron Microscopy Unit, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa3109601, Israel
| | - Maxim Litvak
- Department of Biochemistry, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institue of Technology, Haifa3109601, Israel
| | - Kayoko Esaki
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Sojo University, Kumamoto860-0082, Japan
| | - Takeo Yoshikawa
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama351-0198, Japan
| | - Bella Agranovich
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Metabolomics Center, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa3109601, Israel
| | - Wen-Hong Li
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390-9039
| | | | - Eyal Gottlieb
- Technion-Integrated Cancer Center, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa3109601, Israel
| | - Avi Avital
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa3498838, Israel
| | - Herman Wolosker
- Department of Biochemistry, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institue of Technology, Haifa3109601, Israel
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Metabolomics Center, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa3109601, Israel
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22
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Verstraete P, De Keersmaecker K, Kampen KR. Drivers of de novo Serine/Glycine synthesis in acute leukemia. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2145-2146. [PMID: 37526379 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14700] [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: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells hijack metabolic pathways in order to provide themselves with building blocks to support their proliferation and survival. Upregulation and addiction to de novo serine/glycine synthesis is an example of metabolic rewiring in cancer cells whereby serine and glycine are synthesised via a side branch of glycolysis. In this review, we focus on upregulation of endogenous serine/glycine production in acute leukemia, namely T-cell acute leukemia (T-ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Several genetic lesions directly driving the serine/glycine addiction in acute leukemia have been established. Additionally, indirect regulation of de novo serine/glycine synthesis is observed in acute leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulien Verstraete
- Laboratory for Disease Mechanisms in Cancer, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kim De Keersmaecker
- Laboratory for Disease Mechanisms in Cancer, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kim Rosalie Kampen
- Laboratory for Disease Mechanisms in Cancer, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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23
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Drago VN, Campos C, Hooper M, Collins A, Gerlits O, Weiss KL, Blakeley MP, Phillips RS, Kovalevsky A. Revealing protonation states and tracking substrate in serine hydroxymethyltransferase with room-temperature X-ray and neutron crystallography. Commun Chem 2023; 6:162. [PMID: 37532884 PMCID: PMC10397204 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-023-00964-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes utilize a vitamin B6-derived cofactor to perform a myriad of chemical transformations on amino acids and other small molecules. Some PLP-dependent enzymes, such as serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), are promising drug targets for the design of small-molecule antimicrobials and anticancer therapeutics, while others have been used to synthesize pharmaceutical building blocks. Understanding PLP-dependent catalysis and the reaction specificity is crucial to advance structure-assisted drug design and enzyme engineering. Here we report the direct determination of the protonation states in the active site of Thermus thermophilus SHMT (TthSHMT) in the internal aldimine state using room-temperature joint X-ray/neutron crystallography. Conserved active site architecture of the model enzyme TthSHMT and of human mitochondrial SHMT (hSHMT2) were compared by obtaining a room-temperature X-ray structure of hSHMT2, suggesting identical protonation states in the human enzyme. The amino acid substrate serine pathway through the TthSHMT active site cavity was tracked, revealing the peripheral and cationic binding sites that correspond to the pre-Michaelis and pseudo-Michaelis complexes, respectively. At the peripheral binding site, the substrate is bound in the zwitterionic form. By analyzing the observed protonation states, Glu53, but not His residues, is proposed as the general base catalyst, orchestrating the retro-aldol transformation of L-serine into glycine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria N Drago
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Claudia Campos
- Department of Natural Sciences, Tennessee Wesleyan University, Athens, TN, 37303, USA
| | - Mattea Hooper
- Department of Natural Sciences, Tennessee Wesleyan University, Athens, TN, 37303, USA
| | - Aliyah Collins
- Department of Natural Sciences, Tennessee Wesleyan University, Athens, TN, 37303, USA
| | - Oksana Gerlits
- Department of Natural Sciences, Tennessee Wesleyan University, Athens, TN, 37303, USA
| | - Kevin L Weiss
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Matthew P Blakeley
- Large Scale Structures Group, Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Robert S Phillips
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Andrey Kovalevsky
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA.
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24
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Bukhari SIA, Truesdell SS, Datta C, Choudhury P, Wu KQ, Shrestha J, Maharjan R, Plotsker E, Elased R, Laisa S, Bhambhani V, Lin Y, Kreuzer J, Morris R, Koh SB, Ellisen LW, Haas W, Ly A, Vasudevan S. Regulation of RNA methylation by therapy treatment, promotes tumor survival. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.19.540602. [PMID: 37292633 PMCID: PMC10245743 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.19.540602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Our data previously revealed that chemosurviving cancer cells translate specific genes. Here, we find that the m6A-RNA-methyltransferase, METTL3, increases transiently in chemotherapy-treated breast cancer and leukemic cells in vitro and in vivo. Consistently, m6A increases on RNA from chemo-treated cells, and is needed for chemosurvival. This is regulated by eIF2α phosphorylation and mTOR inhibition upon therapy treatment. METTL3 mRNA purification reveals that eIF3 promotes METTL3 translation that is reduced by mutating a 5'UTR m6A-motif or depleting METTL3. METTL3 increase is transient after therapy treatment, as metabolic enzymes that control methylation and thus m6A levels on METTL3 RNA, are altered over time after therapy. Increased METTL3 reduces proliferation and anti-viral immune response genes, and enhances invasion genes, which promote tumor survival. Consistently, overriding phospho-eIF2α prevents METTL3 elevation, and reduces chemosurvival and immune-cell migration. These data reveal that therapy-induced stress signals transiently upregulate METTL3 translation, to alter gene expression for tumor survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed IA Bukhari
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Samuel S Truesdell
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Chandreyee Datta
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Pritha Choudhury
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Keith Q Wu
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Jitendra Shrestha
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Ruby Maharjan
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Ethan Plotsker
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Ramzi Elased
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Sadia Laisa
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Vijeta Bhambhani
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Yue Lin
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Johannes Kreuzer
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Robert Morris
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Siang-Boon Koh
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Leif W. Ellisen
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Wilhelm Haas
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Amy Ly
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Shobha Vasudevan
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
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25
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Mishra SK, Millman SE, Zhang L. Metabolism in acute myeloid leukemia: mechanistic insights and therapeutic targets. Blood 2023; 141:1119-1135. [PMID: 36548959 PMCID: PMC10375271 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022018092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic rewiring and cellular reprogramming are trademarks of neoplastic initiation and progression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Metabolic alteration in leukemic cells is often genotype specific, with associated changes in epigenetic and functional factors resulting in the downstream upregulation or facilitation of oncogenic pathways. Targeting abnormal or disease-sustaining metabolic activities in AML provides a wide range of therapeutic opportunities, ideally with enhanced therapeutic windows and robust clinical efficacy. This review highlights the dysregulation of amino acid, nucleotide, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism in AML; explores the role of key vitamins and enzymes that regulate these processes; and provides an overview of metabolism-directed therapies currently in use or development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott E. Millman
- Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Lingbo Zhang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
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26
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Zhou X, Tian C, Cao Y, Zhao M, Wang K. The role of serine metabolism in lung cancer: From oncogenesis to tumor treatment. Front Genet 2023; 13:1084609. [PMID: 36699468 PMCID: PMC9868472 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1084609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is an important hallmark of malignant tumors. Serine is a non-essential amino acid involved in cell proliferation. Serine metabolism, especially the de novo serine synthesis pathway, forms a metabolic network with glycolysis, folate cycle, and one-carbon metabolism, which is essential for rapidly proliferating cells. Owing to the rapid development in metabolomics, abnormal serine metabolism may serve as a biomarker for the early diagnosis and pathological typing of tumors. Targeting serine metabolism also plays an essential role in precision and personalized cancer therapy. This article is a systematic review of de novo serine biosynthesis and the link between serine and folate metabolism in tumorigenesis, particularly in lung cancer. In addition, we discuss the potential of serine metabolism to improve tumor treatment.
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27
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Sliusar MY, Minchenko DO, Khita OO, Tsymbal DO, Viletska YM, Luzina OY, Danilovskyi SV, Ratushna OO, Minchenko OH. Hypoxia controls the expression of genes responsible for serine synthesis in U87MG cells on ERN1-dependent manner. Endocr Regul 2023; 57:252-261. [PMID: 37823569 DOI: 10.2478/enr-2023-0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective. Serine synthesis as well as endoplasmic reticulum stress and hypoxia are important factors of malignant tumor growth including glioblastoma. Previous studies have shown that the knockdown of ERN1 (endoplasmic reticulum to nucleus signaling) significantly suppressed the glioblastoma cell proliferation and modified the hypoxia regulation. The present study is aimed to investigate the impact of hypoxia on the expression of PHGDH (phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase), PSAT1 (phosphoserine aminotransferase 1), PSPH (phosphoserine phosphatase), ATF4 (activating transcription factor 4), and SHMT1 (serine hydroxymethyltransferase 1) in U87MG glioblastoma cells in relation to knockdown of ERN1 with the intent to reveal the role of ERN1 signaling pathway on the endoplasmic reticulum stress-dependent regulation of expression of these genes. Methods. The control U87MG glioblastoma cells (transfected by empty vector) and ERN1 knockdown cells (transfected by dominant-negative ERN1) were exposed to hypoxia introduced by dimethyloxalylglycine for 4 h. RNA was extracted from cells and reverse transcribed. The expression level of PHGDH, PSAT1, PDPH, SHMT1, and ATF4 genes was studied by real-time qPCR and normalized to ACTB. Results. It was found that hypoxia up-regulated the expression level of PHGDH, PSAT1, and ATF4 genes in control U87MG cells, but PSPH and SHMT1 genes expression was down-regulated. The expression of PHGDH, PSAT1, and ATF4 genes in glioblastoma cells with knockdown of ERN1 signaling protein was more sensitive to hypoxia, especially PSAT1 gene. At the same time, the expression of PSPH gene in ERN1 knockdown cells was resistant to hypoxia. The expression of SHMT1 gene, encoding the enzyme responsible for conversion of serine to glycine, showed similar negative sensitivity to hypoxia in both control and ERN1 knockdown glioblastoma cells. Conclusion. The results of the present study demonstrate that the expression of genes responsible for serine synthesis is sensitive to hypoxia in gene-specific manner and that ERN1 knockdown significantly modifies the impact of hypoxia on the expression of PHGDH, PSAT1, PSPH, and ATF4 genes in glioblastoma cells and reflects the ERN1-mediated reprograming of hypoxic regulation at gene expression level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myroslava Y Sliusar
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Dmytro O Minchenko
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Olena O Khita
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Dariia O Tsymbal
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Yuliia M Viletska
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Olha Y Luzina
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Serhij V Danilovskyi
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Oksana O Ratushna
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Oleksandr H Minchenko
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
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28
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Montanaro A, Kitara S, Cerretani E, Marchesini M, Rompietti C, Pagliaro L, Gherli A, Su A, Minchillo ML, Caputi M, Fioretzaki R, Lorusso B, Ross L, Alexe G, Masselli E, Marozzi M, Rizzi FMA, La Starza R, Mecucci C, Xiong Y, Jin J, Falco A, Knoechel B, Aversa F, Candini O, Quaini F, Sportoletti P, Stegmaier K, Roti G. Identification of an Epi-metabolic dependency on EHMT2/G9a in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:551. [PMID: 35710782 PMCID: PMC9203761 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05002-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Genomic studies have identified recurrent somatic alterations in genes involved in DNA methylation and post-translational histone modifications in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), suggesting new opportunities for therapeutic interventions. In this study, we identified G9a/EHMT2 as a potential target in T-ALL through the intersection of epigenome-centered shRNA and chemical screens. We subsequently validated G9a with low-throughput CRISPR-Cas9-based studies targeting the catalytic G9a SET-domain and the testing of G9a chemical inhibitors in vitro, 3D, and in vivo T-ALL models. Mechanistically we determined that G9a repression promotes lysosomal biogenesis and autophagic degradation associated with the suppression of sestrin2 (SESN2) and inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), suggesting that in T-ALL glycolytic dependent pathways are at least in part under epigenetic control. Thus, targeting G9a represents a strategy to exhaust the metabolic requirement of T-ALL cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Montanaro
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, 43126 Italy
| | - Samuel Kitara
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Elisa Cerretani
- grid.8484.00000 0004 1757 2064Department of Medical Science, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, 44121 Italy
| | - Matteo Marchesini
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, 43126 Italy ,IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori “Dino Amadori” IRST (S.r.l.), Meldola, 47014 Italy
| | - Chiara Rompietti
- grid.9027.c0000 0004 1757 3630Department of Medicine, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, University of Perugia, Perugia, 06123 Italy
| | - Luca Pagliaro
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, 43126 Italy
| | - Andrea Gherli
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, 43126 Italy
| | - Angela Su
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Maria Laura Minchillo
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, 43126 Italy
| | - Mariafrancesca Caputi
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, 43126 Italy
| | - Rodanthi Fioretzaki
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, 43126 Italy
| | - Bruno Lorusso
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, 43126 Italy
| | - Linda Ross
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Gabriela Alexe
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Elena Masselli
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, 43126 Italy ,grid.411482.aAzienda-Ospedaliera di Parma, Hematology and BMT Unit, Parma, 43126 Italy
| | - Marina Marozzi
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, 43126 Italy
| | - Federica Maria Angela Rizzi
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, 43126 Italy ,grid.419691.20000 0004 1758 3396National Institute for Biostructures and Biosystems (I.N.B.B.), Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta La Starza
- grid.9027.c0000 0004 1757 3630Department of Medicine, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, University of Perugia, Perugia, 06123 Italy
| | - Cristina Mecucci
- grid.9027.c0000 0004 1757 3630Department of Medicine, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, University of Perugia, Perugia, 06123 Italy
| | - Yan Xiong
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Jian Jin
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Angela Falco
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, 43126 Italy
| | - Birgit Knoechel
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215 USA ,grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Franco Aversa
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, 43126 Italy
| | | | - Federico Quaini
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, 43126 Italy
| | - Paolo Sportoletti
- grid.9027.c0000 0004 1757 3630Department of Medicine, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, University of Perugia, Perugia, 06123 Italy
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215 USA ,grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02215 USA ,grid.66859.340000 0004 0546 1623The Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
| | - Giovanni Roti
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, 43126 Italy ,grid.411482.aAzienda-Ospedaliera di Parma, Hematology and BMT Unit, Parma, 43126 Italy
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29
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He L, Endress J, Cho S, Li Z, Zheng Y, Asara JM, Blenis J. Suppression of nuclear GSK3 signaling promotes serine/one-carbon metabolism and confers metabolic vulnerability in lung cancer cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm8786. [PMID: 35594343 PMCID: PMC9122323 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm8786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Serine/one-carbon metabolism provides critical resources for nucleotide biosynthesis and epigenetic maintenance and is thus necessary in cancer cell growth, although the detailed regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. We uncover a critical role of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) in regulating the expression of serine/one-carbon metabolic enzymes. Nuclear enrichment of GSK3 significantly suppresses genes that mediate de novo serine synthesis, including PHGDH, PSAT1, PSPH, and one-carbon metabolism, including SHMT2 and MTHFD2. FRAT1 promotes nuclear exclusion of GSK3, enhances serine/one-carbon metabolism, and, as a result, confers cell vulnerability to inhibitors that target this metabolic process such as SHIN1, a specific SHMT1/2 inhibitor. Furthermore, pharmacological or genetic suppression of GSK3 promotes serine/one-carbon metabolism and exhibits a significant synergistic effect in combination with SHIN1 in suppressing cancer cell proliferation in cultured cells and in vivo. Our observations indicate that inhibition of nuclear GSK3 signaling creates a vulnerability, which results in enhanced efficacy of serine/one-carbon metabolism inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long He
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer Endress
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sungyun Cho
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zhongchi Li
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yuxiang Zheng
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - John M. Asara
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John Blenis
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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30
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Wang H, He X, Li Z, Jin H, Wang X, Li L. Guanosine primes acute myeloid leukemia for differentiation via guanine nucleotide salvage synthesis. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:427-444. [PMID: 35141027 PMCID: PMC8822274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiation arrest represents a distinct hallmark of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Identification of differentiation-induction agents that are effective across various subtypes remains an unmet challenge. GTP biosynthesis is elevated in several types of cancers, considered to support uncontrolled tumor growth. Here we report that GTP overload by supplementation of guanosine, the nucleoside precursor of GTP, poises AML cells for differentiation and growth inhibition. Transcriptome profiling of guanosine-treated AML cells reveals a myeloid differentiation pattern. Importantly, the treatment compromises leukemia progression in AML xenograft models. Mechanistically, GTP overproduction requires sequential metabolic conversions executed by the purine salvage biosynthesis pathway including the involvement of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase 1 (HPRT1). Taken together, our study offers novel metabolic insights tethering GTP homeostasis to myeloid differentiation and provides an experimental basis for further clinical investigations of guanosine or guanine nucleotides in the treatment of AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanying Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical CenterDuarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Xin He
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical CenterDuarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical CenterDuarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Hongchuan Jin
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key Lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xian Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science, Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical CenterDuarte, CA 91010, USA
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