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Lee JK, Kamran H, Lee KY. L-asparaginase induces IP3R-mediated ER Ca 2+ release by targeting µ-OR1 and PAR2 and kills acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:366. [PMID: 39147734 PMCID: PMC11327372 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02142-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
L-asparaginase is a standard therapeutic option for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (aLL), a hematologic cancer that claims the most lives of pediatric cancer patients. Previously, we demonstrated that L-asparaginase kills aLL cells via a lethal rise in [Ca2+]i due to IP3R-mediated ER Ca2+ release followed by calpain-1-Bid-caspase-3/12 activation (Blood, 133, 2222-2232). However, upstream targets of L-asparaginase that trigger IP3R-mediated ER Ca2+ release remain elusive. Here, we show that L-asparaginase targets µ-OR1 and PAR2 and induces IP3R-mediated ER Ca2+ release in aLL cells. In doing so, µ-OR1 plays a major role while PAR2 plays a minor role. Utilizing PAR2- and µ-OR1-knockdown cells, we demonstrate that L-asparaginase stimulation of µ-OR1 and PAR2 relays its signal via Gαi and Gαq, respectively. In PAR2-knockdown cells, stimulation of adenylate cyclase with forskolin or treatment with 8-CPT-cAMP reduces L-asparaginase-induced µ-OR1-mediated ER Ca2+ release, suggesting that activation of µ-OR1 negatively regulates AC and cAMP. In addition, the PKA inhibitor 14-22 amide (myr) alone evokes ER Ca2+ release, and subsequent L-asparaginase treatment does not induce further ER Ca2+ release, indicating the involvement of PKA inhibition in L-asparaginase-induced µ-OR1-mediated ER Ca2+ release, which can bypass the L-asparaginase-µ-OR1-AC-cAMP loop. This coincides with (a) the decreases in PKA-dependent inhibitory PLCβ3 Ser1105 phosphorylation, which prompts PLCβ3 activation and ER Ca2+ release, and (b) BAD Ser118 phosphorylation, which leads to caspase activation and apoptosis. Thus, our findings offer new insights into the Ca2+-mediated mechanisms behind L-asparaginase-induced aLL cell apoptosis and suggest that PKA may be targeted for therapeutic intervention for aLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Kwon Lee
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institutes, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Hamza Kamran
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institutes, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ki-Young Lee
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institutes, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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2
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Jiao Y, Peng X, Wang Y, Hao Z, Chen L, Wu M, Zhang Y, Li J, Li W, Zhan X. Malignant ascites supernatant enhances the proliferation of gastric cancer cells partially via the upregulation of asparagine synthetase. Oncol Lett 2023; 26:418. [PMID: 37664666 PMCID: PMC10472050 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.14005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant ascites (MA) is a common manifestation of advanced gastric cancer (GC) with peritoneal metastasis (PM), which usually indicates a poor prognosis. The present study aimed to explore the effects of MA, a unique microenvironment of PM, on the proliferation of cancer cells and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Ex vivo experiments demonstrated that GC cells treated with MA exhibited enhanced proliferation. RNA sequencing indicated that asparagine synthetase (ASNS) was one of the differentially expressed genes in GC cells following incubation with MAs. Furthermore, the present study suggested that MA induced an upregulation of ASNS expression and the stimulatory effect of MA on cancer cell proliferation was alleviated upon ASNS downregulation. Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), a pivotal transcription factor regulating ASNS, was upregulated when cells were treated with MA supernatant. After ATF4 knockdown, the proliferation of MA-treated GC cells and the expression of ASNS decreased. In addition, the decline in the proliferation of the ATF4-downregulated AGS GC cell line was rescued by ASNS upregulation. The findings indicated that MA could promote the proliferation of GC cells via activation of the ATF4-ASNS axis. Hence, it may be a potential target for treating GC with PM and MA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Jiao
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Xiaobo Peng
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Yujie Wang
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Zhibin Hao
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Ling Chen
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Meihong Wu
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Yingyi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Wenlin Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Xianbao Zhan
- Department of Oncology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
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3
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Grima-Reyes M, Vandenberghe A, Nemazanyy I, Meola P, Paul R, Reverso-Meinietti J, Martinez-Turtos A, Nottet N, Chan WK, Lorenzi PL, Marchetti S, Ricci JE, Chiche J. Tumoral microenvironment prevents de novo asparagine biosynthesis in B cell lymphoma, regardless of ASNS expression. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn6491. [PMID: 35857457 PMCID: PMC9258813 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn6491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Depletion of circulating asparagine with l-asparaginase (ASNase) is a mainstay of leukemia treatment and is under investigation in many cancers. Expression levels of asparagine synthetase (ASNS), which catalyzes asparagine synthesis, were considered predictive of cancer cell sensitivity to ASNase treatment, a notion recently challenged. Using [U-13C5]-l-glutamine in vitro and in vivo in a mouse model of B cell lymphomas (BCLs), we demonstrated that supraphysiological or physiological concentrations of asparagine prevent de novo asparagine biosynthesis, regardless of ASNS expression levels. Overexpressing ASNS in ASNase-sensitive BCL was insufficient to confer resistance to ASNase treatment in vivo. Moreover, we showed that ASNase's glutaminase activity enables its maximal anticancer effect. Together, our results indicate that baseline ASNS expression (low or high) cannot dictate BCL dependence on de novo asparagine biosynthesis and predict BCL sensitivity to dual ASNase activity. Thus, except for ASNS-deficient cancer cells, ASNase's glutaminase activity should be considered in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Grima-Reyes
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | - Ashaina Vandenberghe
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | - Ivan Nemazanyy
- Plateforme d’étude du métabolisme SFR-Necker, Inserm US 24–CNRS UAR, 3633 Paris, France
| | - Pauline Meola
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | - Rachel Paul
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | - Julie Reverso-Meinietti
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | - Adriana Martinez-Turtos
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | | | - Wai-Kin Chan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Philip L. Lorenzi
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sandrine Marchetti
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | - Jean-Ehrland Ricci
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | - Johanna Chiche
- Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
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4
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Costa-Silva T, Costa I, Biasoto H, Lima G, Silva C, Pessoa A, Monteiro G. Critical overview of the main features and techniques used for the evaluation of the clinical applicability of L-asparaginase as a biopharmaceutical to treat blood cancer. Blood Rev 2020; 43:100651. [DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2020.100651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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5
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Garcia-Bermudez J, Williams RT, Guarecuco R, Birsoy K. Targeting extracellular nutrient dependencies of cancer cells. Mol Metab 2020; 33:67-82. [PMID: 31926876 PMCID: PMC7056928 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2019.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer cells rewire their metabolism to meet the energetic and biosynthetic demands of their high proliferation rates and environment. Metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells may result in strong dependencies on nutrients that could be exploited for therapy. While these dependencies may be in part due to the nutrient environment of tumors, mutations or expression changes in metabolic genes also reprogram metabolic pathways and create addictions to extracellular nutrients. SCOPE OF REVIEW This review summarizes the major nutrient dependencies of cancer cells focusing on their discovery and potential mechanisms by which metabolites become limiting for tumor growth. We further detail available therapeutic interventions based on these metabolic features and highlight opportunities for restricting nutrient availability as an anti-cancer strategy. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Strategies to limit nutrients required for tumor growth using dietary interventions or nutrient degrading enzymes have previously been suggested for cancer therapy. The best clinical example of exploiting cancer nutrient dependencies is the treatment of leukemia with l-asparaginase, a first-line chemotherapeutic that depletes serum asparagine. Despite the success of nutrient starvation in blood cancers, it remains unclear whether this approach could be extended to other solid tumors. Systematic studies to identify nutrient dependencies unique to individual tumor types have the potential to discover targets for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Garcia-Bermudez
- Laboratory of Metabolic Regulation and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Robert T Williams
- Laboratory of Metabolic Regulation and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Rohiverth Guarecuco
- Laboratory of Metabolic Regulation and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kıvanç Birsoy
- Laboratory of Metabolic Regulation and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Wrona E, Jakubowska J, Pawlik B, Pastorczak A, Madzio J, Lejman M, Sędek Ł, Kowalczyk J, Szczepański T, Młynarski W. Gene expression of ASNS, LGMN and CTSB is elevated in a subgroup of childhood BCP-ALL with PAX5 deletion. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:6926-6932. [PMID: 31807194 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.11046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to L-asparaginase (L-asp) is a major contributor to poor treatment outcomes of several subtypes of childhood B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). Asparagine synthetase (ASNS), legumain (LGMN) and cathepsin B (CTSB) serve a key role in L-asp resistance. The association between genetic subtypes of BCP-ALL and the expression of ASNS, LGMN and CTSB may elucidate the mechanisms of treatment failure. Bone marrow samples of 52 children newly diagnosed with BCP-ALL were screened for major genetic abnormalities and ASNS, LGMN and CTSB gene expression levels. The cohort was further divided into groups corresponding to the key genetic aberrations occurring in BCP-ALL: Breakpoint cluster region and Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1 fusion; hyperdiploidy, hypodiploidy, ETS variant 6 and runt-related transcription factor 1 fusion and other BCP-ALL with no primary genetic aberration identified. A subgroup analysis based on the differences in copy number variations demonstrated a significant increase of ASNS, LGMN and CTSB median expression in other BCP-ALL cases with paired box 5 (PAX5) deletion (P=0.0117; P=0.0036; P<0.0001, respectively) compared with those with wild-type PAX5. Patients with high ASNS expression exhibited longer relapse-free survival (RFS) compared with those with low ASNS levels (P=0.0315; HR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.04-0.86); the 5-year RFS for patients in the high ASNS expression group was 90.15% (95% CI, 87.90-92.40%). Despite the impact on ASNS, LGMN and CTSB expression, PAX5 deletion did not influence RFS in the other BCP-ALL group (P=0.6839). Therefore, the results of the present study revealed high levels of ASNS, LGMN and CTSB expression in the other BCP-ALL group with concomitant PAX5 deletion and no subsequent deterioration in 5-year RFS. High ASNS expression level, as a single factor, was strongly associated with an improved outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Wrona
- Department of Chemotherapy, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz 91-738, Poland
| | - Justyna Jakubowska
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz 91-738, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Pawlik
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz 91-738, Poland
| | - Agata Pastorczak
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz 91-738, Poland
| | - Joanna Madzio
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz 91-738, Poland
| | - Monika Lejman
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin 20-093, Poland
| | - Łukasz Sędek
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Katowice 40-752, Poland
| | - Jerzy Kowalczyk
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin 20-093, Poland
| | - Tomasz Szczepański
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Katowice 40-752, Poland
| | - Wojciech Młynarski
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz 91-738, Poland
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7
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HAP1 loss confers l-asparaginase resistance in ALL by downregulating the calpain-1-Bid-caspase-3/12 pathway. Blood 2019; 133:2222-2232. [PMID: 30819925 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2018-12-890236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
l-Asparaginase (l-ASNase) is a strategic component of treatment protocols for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It causes asparagine deficit, resulting in protein synthesis inhibition and subsequent leukemic cell death and ALL remission. However, patients often relapse because of the development of resistance, but the underlying mechanism of ALL cell resistance to l-asparaginase remains unknown. Through unbiased genome-wide RNA interference screening, we identified huntingtin associated protein 1 (HAP1) as an ALL biomarker for l-asparaginase resistance. Knocking down HAP1 induces l-asparaginase resistance. HAP1 interacts with huntingtin and the intracellular Ca2+ channel, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor to form a ternary complex that mediates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ release upon stimulation with inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate3 Loss of HAP1 prevents the formation of the ternary complex and thus l-asparaginase-mediated ER Ca2+ release. HAP1 loss also inhibits external Ca2+ entry, blocking an excessive rise in [Ca2+]i, and reduces activation of the Ca2+-dependent calpain-1, Bid, and caspase-3 and caspase-12, leading to reduced number of apoptotic cells. These findings indicate that HAP1 loss prevents l-asparaginase-induced apoptosis through downregulation of the Ca2+-mediated calpain-1-Bid-caspase-3/12 apoptotic pathway. Treatment with BAPTA-AM [1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetrakis(acetoxymethyl ester)] reverses the l-asparaginase apoptotic effect in control cells, supporting a link between l-asparaginase-induced [Ca2+]i increase and apoptotic cell death. Consistent with these findings, ALL patient leukemic cells with lower HAP1 levels showed resistance to l-asparaginase, indicating the clinical relevance of HAP1 loss in the development of l-asparaginase resistance, and pointing to HAP1 as a functional l-asparaginase resistance biomarker that may be used for the design of effective treatment of l-asparaginase-resistant ALL.
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8
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Schejbal J, Glatz Z. Immobilized-enzyme reactors integrated with capillary electrophoresis for pharmaceutical research. J Sep Sci 2017; 41:323-335. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201700905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Schejbal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science; Masaryk University; Brno Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Glatz
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science; Masaryk University; Brno Czech Republic
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9
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Kang SM, Rosales JL, Meier-Stephenson V, Kim S, Lee KY, Narendran A. Genome-wide loss-of-function genetic screening identifies opioid receptor μ1 as a key regulator of L-asparaginase resistance in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Oncogene 2017. [PMID: 28650467 PMCID: PMC5658664 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
L-asparaginase is a critical chemotherapeutic agent for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It hydrolyzes plasma asparagine into aspartate and NH3, causing asparagine deficit and inhibition of protein synthesis and eventually, leukemic cell death. However, patient relapse often occurs due to development of resistance. The molecular mechanism by which ALL cells acquire resistance to L-asparaginase is unknown. Therefore, we sought to identify genes that are involved in L-asparaginase resistance in primary leukemic cells. By unbiased genome-wide RNAi screening, we found that among 10 resistant ALL clones, six hits were for opioid receptor mu 1 (oprm1), two hits were for carbonic anhydrase 1 (ca1) and another two hits were for ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2C (ube2c). We also found that OPRM1 is expressed in all leukemic cells tested. Specific knockdown of OPRM1 confers L-asparaginase resistance, validating our genome-wide retroviral shRNA library screening data. Methadone, an agonist of OPRM1, enhances the sensitivity of parental leukemic cells, but not OPRM1-depleted cells, to L-asparaginase treatment, indicating that OPRM1 is required for the synergistic action of L-asparaginase and methadone, and that OPRM1 loss promotes leukemic cell survival likely through downregulation of the OPRM1-mediated apoptotic pathway. Consistent with this premise, patient leukemic cells with relatively high levels of OPRM1 are more sensitive to L-asparaginase treatment compared to OPRM1-depleted leukemic cells, further indicating that OPRM1 loss has a crucial role in L-asparaginase resistance in leukemic patients. Thus, our study demonstrates for the first time, a novel OPRM1-mediated mechanism for L-asparaginase resistance in ALL, and identifies OPRM1 as a functional biomarker for defining high-risk subpopulations and for the detection of evolving resistant clones. Oprm1 may also be utilized for effective treatment of L-asparaginase-resistant ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Kang
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Division of Pediatric Oncology, Alberta Children's Hospital and POETIC Laboratory for Preclinical and Drug Discovery Studies, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - J L Rosales
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - V Meier-Stephenson
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Alberta Children's Hospital and POETIC Laboratory for Preclinical and Drug Discovery Studies, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - S Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - K Y Lee
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - A Narendran
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Alberta Children's Hospital and POETIC Laboratory for Preclinical and Drug Discovery Studies, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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10
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Einsfeldt K, Baptista IC, Pereira JCCV, Costa-Amaral IC, da Costa ES, Ribeiro MCM, Land MGP, Alves TLM, Larentis AL, Almeida RV. Recombinant L-Asparaginase from Zymomonas mobilis: A Potential New Antileukemic Agent Produced in Escherichia coli. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156692. [PMID: 27253887 PMCID: PMC4890785 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
L-asparaginase is an enzyme used as a chemotherapeutic agent, mainly for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In this study, the gene of L-asparaginase from Zymomonas mobilis was cloned in pET vectors, fused to a histidine tag, and had its codons optimized. The L-asparaginase was expressed extracellularly and intracellularly (cytoplasmically) in Escherichia coli in far larger quantities than obtained from the microorganism of origin, and sufficient for initial cytotoxicity tests on leukemic cells. The in silico analysis of the protein from Z. mobilis indicated the presence of a signal peptide in the sequence, as well as high identity to other sequences of L-asparaginases with antileukemic activity. The protein was expressed in a bioreactor with a complex culture medium, yielding 0.13 IU/mL extracellular L-asparaginase and 3.6 IU/mL intracellular L-asparaginase after 4 h of induction with IPTG. The cytotoxicity results suggest that recombinant L-asparaginase from Z. mobilis expressed extracellularly in E.coli has a cytotoxic and cytostatic effect on leukemic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Einsfeldt
- Programa de Engenharia Química, COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail: (ALL); (KE); (RVA)
| | - Isis Cavalcante Baptista
- Programa de Engenharia Química, COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Clínica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Juliana Christina Castanheira Vicente Pereira
- Programa de Engenharia Química, COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Isabele Campos Costa-Amaral
- Programa de Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca (ENSP), Centro de Estudos da Saúde do Trabalhador e Ecologia Humana (CESTEH), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elaine Sobral da Costa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Clínica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Cecília Menks Ribeiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Clínica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Gerardin Poirot Land
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Clínica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tito Lívio Moitinho Alves
- Programa de Engenharia Química, COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ariane Leites Larentis
- Programa de Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca (ENSP), Centro de Estudos da Saúde do Trabalhador e Ecologia Humana (CESTEH), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail: (ALL); (KE); (RVA)
| | - Rodrigo Volcan Almeida
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail: (ALL); (KE); (RVA)
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11
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Chen SH. Asparaginase Therapy in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Focus on the Mode of Drug Resistance. Pediatr Neonatol 2015; 56:287-93. [PMID: 25603726 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2014.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Revised: 08/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Asparaginase is one of the most important chemotherapeutic agents against pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood cancer. The therapeutic efficacy (e.g., chemoresistance) and adverse effects of asparaginase (e.g., hypersensivity and pancreatitis) have been investigated over the past four decades. It was suggested early on that leukemic cells are resistant to asparaginase because of their increased asparagine synthetase activity. Afterward, other mechanisms associated with asparaginase resistance were reported. Not only leukemic cells but also patients themselves may play a role in causing asparaginase resistance, which has been associated with unfavorable outcome in children with ALL. This article will briefly review asparaginase therapy in children with ALL and comprehensively analyze recent reports on the potential mechanisms of asparaginase resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Hsiang Chen
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, 5 Fu-Shin Street, Kwei-Shan 333, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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12
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Pharmacological inhibition of fatty-acid oxidation synergistically enhances the effect of l-asparaginase in childhood ALL cells. Leukemia 2015; 30:209-18. [DOI: 10.1038/leu.2015.213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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13
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Maggi M, Chiarelli LR, Valentini G, Scotti C. Engineering of Helicobacter pylori L-asparaginase: characterization of two functionally distinct groups of mutants. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117025. [PMID: 25664771 PMCID: PMC4321988 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial L-asparaginases have been used as anti-cancer drugs for over 4 decades though presenting, along with their therapeutic efficacy, several side effects due to their bacterial origin and, seemingly, to their secondary glutaminase activity. Helicobacter pylori type II L-asparaginase possesses interesting features, among which a reduced catalytic efficiency for L-GLN, compared to the drugs presently used in therapy. In the present study, we describe some enzyme variants with catalytic and in vitro cytotoxic activities different from the wild type enzyme. Particularly, replacements on catalytic threonines (T16D and T95E) deplete the enzyme of both its catalytic activities, once more underlining the essential role of such residues. One serendipitous mutant, M121C/T169M, had a preserved efficiency vs L-asparagine but was completely unable to carry out L-glutamine hydrolysis. Interestingly, this variant did not exert any cytotoxic effect on HL-60 cells. The M121C and T169M single mutants had reduced catalytic activities (nearly 2.5- to 4-fold vs wild type enzyme, respectively). Mutant Q63E, endowed with a similar catalytic efficiency versus asparagine and halved glutaminase efficiency with respect to the wild type enzyme, was able to exert a cytotoxic effect comparable to, or higher than, the one of the wild type enzyme when similar asparaginase units were used. These findings may be relevant to determine the role of glutaminase activity of L-asparaginase in the anti-proliferative effect of the drug and to shed light on how to engineer the best asparaginase/glutaminase combination for an ever improved, patients-tailored therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maristella Maggi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, Laboratory of Protein Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Laurent R. Chiarelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giovanna Valentini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, Laboratory of Protein Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudia Scotti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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14
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Ben Tanfous M, Sharif-Askari B, Ceppi F, Laaribi H, Gagné V, Rousseau J, Labuda M, Silverman LB, Sallan SE, Neuberg D, Kutok JL, Sinnett D, Laverdière C, Krajinovic M. Polymorphisms of asparaginase pathway and asparaginase-related complications in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Clin Cancer Res 2014; 21:329-34. [PMID: 24907114 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-0508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Asparaginase (ASNase) is a standard and critical component in the therapy of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but it is also associated with several toxicities. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We recently reported the results of an association study between ASNase pathway genes and event-free survival (EFS) in childhood patients with ALL. The same polymorphisms were interrogated here in relation to allergies, pancreatitis, and thrombotic events following treatment with E. coli ASNase. RESULTS Among patients of the discovery group, allergies, and pancreatitis were more frequent in individuals who are homozygous for the triple-repeat allele (3R) of the asparagine synthetase (ASNS) gene, resulting in remarkably higher risk of these toxicities associated with 3R3R genotype [OR for allergies, 14.6; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.6-58.7; P < 0.0005 and OR for pancreatitis, 8.6; 95% CI, 2.0-37.3; P = 0.01]. In contrast, the ASNS haplotype *1 harboring double-repeat (2R) allele had protective effect against these adverse reactions (P ≤ 0.01). The same haplotype was previously reported to confer reduction in EFS. The risk effect of 3R3R genotype was not replicated in the validation cohort, whereas the protective effect of haplotype *1 against allergies was maintained (P ≤ 0.002). Analysis with additional polymorphisms in ASNS locus in lymphoblastoid cell lines showed that haplotype *1 is diversified in several subtypes of which one was associated with reduced in vitro sensitivity to ASNase (rs10486009, P = 0.01) possibly explaining an association seen in clinical setting. CONCLUSIONS This finding might have implication for treatment individualization in ALL and other cancers using asparagine depletion strategies. Clin Cancer Res; 21(2); 329-34. ©2014 AACR. See related commentary by Avramis, p. 230.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lewis B Silverman
- Pediatric Oncology; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital; and
| | - Stephen E Sallan
- Pediatric Oncology; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital; and
| | - Donna Neuberg
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; and
| | - Jeffery L Kutok
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel Sinnett
- Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine; Departments of Pediatrics
| | | | - Maja Krajinovic
- Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine; Departments of Pediatrics; Pharmacology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Qubec, Canada; Departments of
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15
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Abstract
The metabolic adaptations that support oncogenic growth can also render cancer cells dependent on certain nutrients. Along with the Warburg effect, increased utilization of glutamine is one of the metabolic hallmarks of the transformed state. Glutamine catabolism is positively regulated by multiple oncogenic signals, including those transmitted by the Rho family of GTPases and by c-Myc. The recent identification of mechanistically distinct inhibitors of glutaminase, which can selectively block cellular transformation, has revived interest in the possibility of targeting glutamine metabolism in cancer therapy. Here, we outline the regulation and roles of glutamine metabolism within cancer cells and discuss possible strategies for, and the consequences of, impacting these processes therapeutically.
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16
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Fomina-Yadlin D, Gosink JJ, McCoy R, Follstad B, Morris A, Russell CB, McGrew JT. Cellular responses to individual amino-acid depletion in antibody-expressing and parental CHO cell lines. Biotechnol Bioeng 2013; 111:965-79. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.25155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Revised: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 11/12/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - John J. Gosink
- Molecular Sciences & Computational Biology; Seattle Washington
| | - Rebecca McCoy
- Cell Sciences & Technology; Amgen, Inc.; Seattle Washington 98119
| | - Brian Follstad
- Cell Sciences & Technology; Amgen, Inc.; Seattle Washington 98119
| | - Arvia Morris
- Cell Sciences & Technology; Amgen, Inc.; Seattle Washington 98119
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17
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Mehta RK, Verma S, Pati R, Sengupta M, Khatua B, Jena RK, Sethy S, Kar SK, Mandal C, Roehm KH, Sonawane A. Mutations in subunit interface and B-cell epitopes improve antileukemic activities of Escherichia coli asparaginase-II: evaluation of immunogenicity in mice. J Biol Chem 2013; 289:3555-70. [PMID: 24297177 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.486530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
L-Asparaginase-II from Escherichia coli (EcA) is a central component in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, the therapeutic efficacy of EcA is limited due to immunogenicity and a short half-life in the patient. Here, we performed rational mutagenesis to obtain EcA variants with a potential to improve ALL treatment. Several variants, especially W66Y and Y176F, killed the ALL cells more efficiently than did wild-type EcA (WT-EcA), although nonleukemic peripheral blood monocytes were not affected. Several assays, including Western blotting, annexin-V/propidium iodide binding, comet, and micronuclei assays, showed that the reduction in viability of leukemic cells is due to the increase in caspase-3, cytochrome c release, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activation, down-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-XL, an arrest of the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, and eventually apoptosis. Both W66Y and Y176F induced significantly more apoptosis in lymphocytes derived from ALL patients. In addition, Y176F and Y176S exhibited greatly decreased glutaminase activity, whereas K288S/Y176F, a variant mutated in one of the immunodominant epitopes, showed reduced antigenicity. Further in vivo immunogenicity studies in mice showed that K288S/Y176F was 10-fold less immunogenic as compared with WT-EcA. Moreover, sera obtained from WT-EcA immunized mice and ALL patients who were given asparaginase therapy for several weeks recognized the K288S/Y176F mutant significantly less than the WT-EcA. Further mechanistic studies revealed that W66Y, Y176F, and K288S/Y176F rapidly depleted asparagine and also down-regulated the transcription of asparagine synthetase as compared with WT-EcA. These highly desirable attributes of these variants could significantly advance asparaginase therapy of leukemia in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjit Kumar Mehta
- From the School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
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18
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Smallwood TL, Small GW, Suter SE, Richards KL. Expression of asparagine synthetase predictsin vitroresponse tol-asparaginase in canine lymphoid cell lines. Leuk Lymphoma 2013; 55:1357-65. [DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2013.842980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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19
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Balasubramanian MN, Butterworth EA, Kilberg MS. Asparagine synthetase: regulation by cell stress and involvement in tumor biology. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2013; 304:E789-99. [PMID: 23403946 PMCID: PMC3625782 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00015.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Asparagine synthetase (ASNS) catalyzes the conversion of aspartate and glutamine to asparagine and glutamate in an ATP-dependent reaction. The enzyme is ubiquitous in its organ distribution in mammals, but basal expression is relatively low in tissues other than the exocrine pancreas. Human ASNS activity is highly regulated in response to cell stress, primarily by increased transcription from a single gene located on chromosome 7. Among the genomic elements that control ASNS transcription is the C/EBP-ATF response element (CARE) within the promoter. Protein limitation or an imbalanced dietary amino acid composition activate the ASNS gene through the amino acid response (AAR), a process that is replicated in cell culture through limitation for any single essential amino acid. Endoplasmic reticulum stress also increases ASNS transcription through the PERK-eIF2-ATF4 arm of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Both the AAR and UPR lead to increased synthesis of ATF4, which binds to the CARE and induces ASNS transcription. Elevated expression of ASNS protein is associated with resistance to asparaginase therapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and may be a predictive factor in drug sensitivity for certain solid tumors as well. Activation of the GCN2-eIF2-ATF4 signaling pathway, leading to increased ASNS expression appears to be a component of solid tumor adaptation to nutrient deprivation and/or hypoxia. Identifying the roles of ASNS in fetal development, tissue differentiation, and tumor growth may reveal that ASNS function extends beyond asparagine biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukundh N Balasubramanian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shands Cancer Center and Center for Nutritional Sciences, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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20
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Microchip CE-LIF method for the hydrolysis of L-glutamine by using L-asparaginase enzyme reactor based on gold nanoparticle. Electrophoresis 2013; 34:409-16. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201200461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2012] [Revised: 09/23/2012] [Accepted: 10/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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21
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Hermanova I, Zaliova M, Trka J, Starkova J. Low expression of asparagine synthetase in lymphoid blasts precludes its role in sensitivity to L-asparaginase. Exp Hematol 2012; 40:657-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2012.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2012] [Revised: 03/16/2012] [Accepted: 04/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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22
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History of treatment and long-term outcome in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the Czech Republic. MEMO-MAGAZINE OF EUROPEAN MEDICAL ONCOLOGY 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s12254-011-0289-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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23
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ATF5 polymorphisms influence ATF function and response to treatment in children with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood 2011; 118:5883-90. [PMID: 21972289 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2011-05-355560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Asparaginase is a standard and critical component in the therapy of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Asparagine synthetase (ASNS) and the basic region leucine zipper activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) and arginosuccinate synthase 1 (ASS1) have been shown to mediate the antileukemic effect of asparaginase and to display variable expression between leukemia cells that are resistant and sensitive to treatment. Fourteen polymorphisms in the regulatory and coding regions of these genes were investigated for an association with acute lymphoblastic leukemia outcome. Lower event-free survival (EFS) was associated with ATF5 T1562C, tandem-repeat ASNS polymorphism, derived haplotype, and ASS1 G1343T and G34T substitutions (P ≤ .03). Associations were limited to patients who received Escherichia coli asparaginase. Variations that sustained correction for multiple testing (ATF5 T1562C, P = .005; ASNS tandem-repeat and related haplotype, P ≤ .01) were subsequently analyzed in the replication cohort. The E coli-dependent association of the ATF5 T1562 allele with reduced EFS was confirmed (P = .01). A gene-reporter assay showed that the haplotype tagged by T1562 had higher promoter activity (P ≤ .01). The remaining regulatory polymorphisms also appeared to affect ATF5 function; 2 additional high-activity haplotypes were identified (P ≤ .02) and were further corroborated by quantitative mRNA analysis in lymphoblastoid cell lines. The ATF5-regulated increase in ASNS expression in response to more efficacious E coli-induced asparagine depletion may explain our observed results.
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24
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Qiao J, Qi L, Mu X, Chen Y. Monolith and coating enzymatic microreactors of l-asparaginase: kinetics study by MCE–LIF for potential application in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment. Analyst 2011; 136:2077-83. [DOI: 10.1039/c1an15067g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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25
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Chen SH, Yang W, Fan Y, Stocco G, Crews KR, Yang JJ, Paugh SW, Pui CH, Evans WE, Relling MV. A genome-wide approach identifies that the aspartate metabolism pathway contributes to asparaginase sensitivity. Leukemia 2010; 25:66-74. [PMID: 21072045 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2010.256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Asparaginase is an important component for treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The basis for interindividual differences in asparaginase sensitivity remains unclear. To comprehensively identify genetic variants important in the cytotoxicity of asparaginase, we used a genome-wide association approach using the HapMap lymphoblastoid cell lines (87 CEU trio members) and 54 primary ALL leukemic blast samples at diagnosis. Asparaginase sensitivity was assessed as the drug concentration necessary to inhibit 50% of growth (inhibitory concentration (IC)(50)). In CEU lines, we tested 2,390,203 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes at the individual SNP (P<0.001) and gene level (P<0.05), and identified 329 SNPs representing 94 genes that were associated with asparaginase IC(50). The aspartate metabolism pathway was the most overrepresented among 199 pathways evaluated (P=8.1 × 10(-3)), with primary involvement of adenylosuccinate lyase and aspartyl-tRNA synthetase genes. We validated that SNPs in the aspartate metabolism pathway were also associated with asparaginase sensitivity in primary ALL leukemic blast samples (P=5.5 × 10(-5)). Our genome-wide interrogation of CEU cell lines and primary ALL blasts revealed that inherited genomic interindividual variation in a plausible candidate pathway can contribute to asparaginase sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- S-H Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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26
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Su N, Pan YX, Zhou M, Harvey RC, Hunger SP, Kilberg MS. Correlation between asparaginase sensitivity and asparagine synthetase protein content, but not mRNA, in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008; 50:274-9. [PMID: 17514734 PMCID: PMC8441542 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.21213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asparaginase (ASNase) is an essential component of most treatment protocols for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Although increased asparagine synthetase (ASNS) expression may contribute to ASNase resistance, there is conflicting data from patient samples with regard to correlation between ASNS mRNA content and ASNase sensitivity. PROCEDURE Both T-cell and B-cell derived ALL cell lines were treated with ASNase and then monitored for cell proliferation, cell death, and ASNS mRNA and protein expression. RESULTS Despite elevated ASNS mRNA following ASNase treatment, different ALL cell lines varied widely in translation to ASNS protein. Although ASNS mRNA levels did not consistently reflect ASNase sensitivity, there was an inverse correlation between ASNS protein and ASNase-induced cell death. Expression of ASNS in an ASNase-sensitive cell line resulted in enhanced ASNase resistance, and conversely, siRNA-mediated inhibition of ASNS expression promoted increased drug sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS These observations provide an explanation for the ASNase sensitivity of ALL cells and demonstrate the importance of measuring ASNS protein rather than mRNA in predicting ASNase responsiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Su
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Yuan-Xiang Pan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Mi Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Richard C. Harvey
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Merico
| | - Stephen P. Hunger
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Michael S. Kilberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Correspondence to: Michael S. Kilberg, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Box 100245, JHMHC, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0245.
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27
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Abbatiello SE, Pan YX, Zhou M, Wayne AS, Veenstra TD, Hunger SP, Kilberg MS, Eyler JR, Richards NGJ, Conrads TP. Mass spectrometric quantification of asparagine synthetase in circulating leukemia cells from acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients. J Proteomics 2007; 71:61-70. [PMID: 18541474 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2007.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2007] [Revised: 10/26/2007] [Accepted: 11/01/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The appearance of asparaginase-resistant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in transformed cell lines has been correlated with increased expression of asparagine synthetase (ASNS). Recent measurements using mRNA-based assays have raised doubts, however, as to the importance of ASNS protein in the cellular mechanisms that confer drug resistance upon the leukemic cells. Studies aimed at determining the concentration of ASNS protein in human leukemias are therefore needed to resolve this issue. A mass spectrometry (MS)-based procedure is presented for the direct quantification of ASNS protein concentration in complex sample mixtures. This assay is able to distinguish samples from transformed cell lines that express ASNS over a wide dynamic range of concentration. Importantly, this method directly detects ASNS protein, the functional entity that may be synthesizing sufficient asparagine to render leukemia cells resistant to asparaginase-treatment. We also report the successful use of this MS method, which has lower limits of detection and quantification of 30 and 100 attomoles, respectively, for the first direct measurements of ASNS protein concentrations in four patient blast samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Abbatiello
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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28
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Starkova J, Madzo J, Cario G, Kalina T, Ford A, Zaliova M, Hrusak O, Trka J. The identification of (ETV6)/RUNX1-regulated genes in lymphopoiesis using histone deacetylase inhibitors in ETV6/RUNX1-positive lymphoid leukemic cells. Clin Cancer Res 2007; 13:1726-35. [PMID: 17325341 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-06-2569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chimeric transcription factor ETV6/RUNX1 (TEL/AML1) is believed to cause pathologic block in lymphoid cell development via interaction with corepressor complex and histone deacetylase. We wanted to show the regulatory effect of ETV6/RUNX1 and its reversibility by histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), as well as to identify potential ETV6/RUNX1-regulated genes. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We used luciferase assay to show the interaction of ETV6/RUNX1 protein, ETV6/RUNX1-regulated gene, and HDACi. To identify ETV6/RUNX1-regulated genes, we used expression profiling and HDACi in lymphoid cells. Next, using the flow cytometry and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, we measured differentiation changes in gene and protein expression after HDACi treatment. RESULTS Luciferase assay showed repression of granzyme B expression by ETV6/RUNX1 protein and the reversibility of this effect by HDACi. Proving this regulatory role of ETV6/RUNX1, we identified, using complex statistical analysis, 25 genes that are potentially regulated by ETV6/RUNX1 protein. In four selected genes with known role in the cell cycle regulation (JunD, ACK1, PDGFRB, and TCF4), we confirmed expression changes after HDACi by quantitative analysis. After HDACi treatment, ETV6/RUNX1-positive cells showed immunophenotype changes resembling differentiation process compared with other leukemic cells (BCR/ABL, ETV6/PDGFRB positive). Moreover, ETV6/RUNX1-positive leukemic cells accumulated in G(1)-G(0) phase after HDACi whereas other B-lineage leukemic cell lines showed rather unspecific changes including induction of apoptosis and decreased proliferation. CONCLUSIONS Presented data support the hypothesis that HDACi affect ETV6/RUNX1-positive cells via direct interaction with ETV6/RUNX1 protein and that treatment with HDACi may release aberrant transcription activity caused by ETV6/RUNX1 chimeric transcription factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Starkova
- Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague, Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology, 2nd Medical School, Charles University Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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29
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Tardito S, Uggeri J, Bozzetti C, Bianchi MG, Rotoli BM, Franchi-Gazzola R, Gazzola GC, Gatti R, Bussolati O. The inhibition of glutamine synthetase sensitizes human sarcoma cells to L-asparaginase. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2007; 60:751-8. [PMID: 17256128 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-007-0421-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2006] [Accepted: 01/04/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the activity of the antitumor enzyme L: -asparaginase (ASNase) on tumor cells of mesenchymal origin and the contribution of glutamine synthetase (GS) to the adaptation to the metabolic stress caused by the anti-tumor enzyme. METHODS We studied the effects of ASNase in six human sarcoma cell lines: HT1080 (fibrosarcoma); RD (rhabdomyosarcoma); SW872 (liposarcoma); HOS, SAOS-2, and U2OS (osteosarcoma) in the absence or in the presence of the GS inhibitor methionine L: -sulfoximine (MSO). RESULTS HT1080 and SW872 cells were highly sensitive to ASNase-dependent cytotoxicity. In contrast, RD, SAOS-2, HOS, and U2OS cells exhibited only a partial growth suppression upon treatment with the anti-tumor enzyme. In these cell lines ASNase treatment was associated with increased levels of GS. When ASNase was used together with MSO, the proliferation of the poorly sensitive cell lines was completely blocked and a significant decrease in the IC(50) for ASNase was observed. Moreover, when ASNase treatment was carried on in the presence of MSO, HOS and U2OS osteosarcoma cells exhibited a marked cytotoxicity, with increased apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS In human sarcoma cells (1) GS markedly contributes to the metabolic adaptation of tumor cells to ASNase and (2) the inhibition of GS activity enhances the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of ASNase. The two-step interference with glutamine metabolism, obtained through the combined treatment with ASNase and MSO, may provide a novel therapeutic approach that should be further investigated in human tumors of mesenchymal origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tardito
- Unit of General and Clinical Pathology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Italy
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30
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Reinert RB, Oberle LM, Wek SA, Bunpo P, Wang XP, Mileva I, Goodwin LO, Aldrich CJ, Durden DL, McNurlan MA, Wek RC, Anthony TG. Role of Glutamine Depletion in Directing Tissue-specific Nutrient Stress Responses to L-Asparaginase. J Biol Chem 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(19)84035-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Reinert RB, Oberle LM, Wek SA, Bunpo P, Wang XP, Mileva I, Goodwin LO, Aldrich CJ, Durden DL, McNurlan MA, Wek RC, Anthony TG. Role of glutamine depletion in directing tissue-specific nutrient stress responses to L-asparaginase. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:31222-33. [PMID: 16931516 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m604511200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
L-asparaginase is important in the induction regimen for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cytotoxic complications are clinically significant problems lacking mechanistic insight. To reveal tissue-specific molecular responses to this drug, mice were administered asparaginase from either Escherichia coli (clinically used) or Wolinella succinogenes (novel, glutaminase-free form). Both enzymes abolished serum asparagine, but only the E. coli form reduced circulating glutamine. E. coli asparaginase reduced protein synthesis in liver and spleen but not pancreas via increased phosphorylation of the translation factor eIF2. In contrast, treatment with Wolinella caused no untoward changes in protein synthesis in any tissue examined. Treating mice deleted for the eIF2 kinase, GCN2, with the E. coli enzyme showed eIF2 phosphorylation to be GCN2-dependent, but only initially. Furthermore, although eIF2 phosphorylation was not increased in the pancreas or by Wolinella asparaginase, expression of the amino acid stress response genes, asparagine synthetase and CHOP/GADD153, increased as a result of both enzymes, even in tissues demonstrating no change in eIF2 phosphorylation. Finally, signaling downstream of the mammalian target of rapamycin kinase was repressed in liver and pancreas by E. coli but not Wolinella asparaginase. These data demonstrate that the nutrient stress response to asparaginase is tissue-specific and exacerbated by glutamine depletion. Importantly, increased expression of asparagine synthetase and CHOP does not require eIF2 phosphorylation, signifying alternate or auxiliary means of inducing gene expression under conditions of amino acid depletion in the whole animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel B Reinert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Evansville, Indiana 47712, USA
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Akagi T, Yin D, Kawamata N, Bartram CR, Hofmann WK, Wolf I, Miller CW, Koeffler HP. Methylation analysis of asparagine synthetase gene in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Leukemia 2006; 20:1303-6. [PMID: 16598302 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2404216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Leslie M, Case MC, Hall AG, Coulthard SA. Expression levels of asparagine synthetase in blasts from children and adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Br J Haematol 2006; 132:740-2. [PMID: 16487174 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2005.05945.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
L-asparaginase is active in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) through the depletion of serum asparagine. Here we report that median asparagine synthetase (AS) mRNA levels were higher in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) than ALL blasts in both children and adults, with intermediate levels in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (NPBMC). NPBMC versus child ALL (Tukeys multiple comparison test, P < 0.05); child ALL versus child AML (P < 0.001) and adult ALL versus adult AML (P < 0.01) were all significant and support the hypothesis that selectivity to treatment with l-asparaginase is due, at least in part, to lower AS expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Leslie
- Leukaemia Research Group, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Hurteau GJ, Broome JD, Brock GJ. Accurate detection of asparagine synthetase (ASNS) using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), without requiring DNaseI treatment. Leukemia 2006; 19:2368-70. [PMID: 16270045 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2403969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Abstract
Modern clinical treatments of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) employ enzyme-based methods for depletion of blood asparagine in combination with standard chemotherapeutic agents. Significant side effects can arise in these protocols and, in many cases, patients develop drug-resistant forms of the disease that may be correlated with up-regulation of the enzyme glutamine-dependent asparagine synthetase (ASNS). Though the precise molecular mechanisms that result in the appearance of drug resistance are the subject of active study, potent ASNS inhibitors may have clinical utility in treating asparaginase-resistant forms of childhood ALL. This review provides an overview of recent developments in our understanding of (a) the structure and catalytic mechanism of ASNS, and (b) the role that ASNS may play in the onset of drug-resistant childhood ALL. In addition, the first successful, mechanism-based efforts to prepare and characterize nanomolar ASNS inhibitors are discussed, together with the implications of these studies for future efforts to develop useful drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael S. Kilberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611;
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Rotoli BM, Uggeri J, Dall'Asta V, Visigalli R, Barilli A, Gatti R, Orlandini G, Gazzola GC, Bussolati O. Inhibition of glutamine synthetase triggers apoptosis in asparaginase-resistant cells. Cell Physiol Biochem 2005; 15:281-92. [PMID: 16037693 DOI: 10.1159/000087238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/14/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The resistance to L-asparaginase (ASNase) has been associated to the overexpression of asparagine synthetase (AS), although the role played by other metabolic adaptations has not been yet defined. Both in ASNase-sensitive Jensen rat sarcoma cells and in ARJ cells, their ASNase-resistant counterparts endowed with a five-fold increased AS activity, ASNase treatment rapidly depletes intracellular asparagine. Under these conditions, cell glutamine is also severely reduced and the activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) is very low. After 24 h of treatment, while sensitive cells have undergone massive apoptosis, ARJ cells exhibit a marked increase in GS activity, associated with overexpression of GS protein but not of GS mRNA, and a partial restoration of glutamine and asparagine. However, when ARJ cells are treated with both ASNase and L-methionine-sulfoximine (MSO), an inhibitor of GS, no restoration of cell amino acids occurs and the cell population undergoes a typical apoptosis. No toxicity is observed upon MSO treatment in the absence of ASNase. The effects of MSO are not referable to depletion of cell glutathione or inhibition of AS. These findings indicate that, in the presence of ASNase, the inhibition of GS triggers apoptosis. GS may thus constitute a target for the suppression of ASNase-resistant phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Maria Rotoli
- Units of General and Clinical Pathology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Universita degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- John Holcenberg
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA.
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Ding Y, Li Z, Broome JD. Epigenetic changes in the repression and induction of asparagine synthetase in human leukemic cell lines. Leukemia 2005; 19:420-6. [PMID: 15674423 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2403639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In common with certain other lymphoid neoplasms, cells of the human lymphocytic leukemia lines 1873 and 1929 are asparagine (ASN) auxotrophs. Asparagine synthetase (ASY), which is a housekeeping gene, is repressed and the promoting region of the gene is highly methylated. We now demonstrate in these cells multiple levels in control of the expression of this gene, in a system of cocultivation with macrophages and other cell types. In this system, mediated by cell-to-cell contact, ASY becomes expressed by the leukemic cells and they become prototrophic. Demethylation of ASY occurs; it follows expression and is permanent over multiple cell generations, but the cells return to auxotrophy with rapid repression of ASY on removal from cell contact. With ASY expression, the associated histone H3 at lysine position 9 (H3K9) becomes acetylated and H3K4, methylated. In contrast to other systems, H3K9 methylation does not characterize the repressed state. The changes leading from repression to induction of ASY and demethylation parallel the physiological changes specific to functional maturation of normal lymphoid precursors. The lability of expression of ASY has potential significance in determining the sensitivity of leukemic cells to L-asparaginase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Ding
- Department of Pathology, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
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Stams WAG, den Boer ML, Beverloo HB, van Wering ER, Pieters R. Upregulation of asparagine synthetase and cell cycle arrest in t(12;21)-positive ALL. Leukemia 2005; 19:318-9; author reply 319-21. [PMID: 15526023 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2403573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Krejci O, Starkova J, Otova B, Madzo J, Kalinova M, Hrusak O, Trka J. Reply to ‘Upregulation of asparagine synthetase and cell cycle arrest in t(12;21) positive ALL’ by Stams et al. Leukemia 2004. [DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2403574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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