Effect of different concentrations of oxygen on expression of sigma 1 receptor and superoxide dismutases in human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines

Superoxide dismutase and the sigma1 receptor as key elements of the antioxidant system in human gastrointestinal tract cancers

This long-term research was designed to evaluate whether superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoenzymes participate in the development of human gastrointestinal neoplasms and the potential influence of the sigma1 receptor (Sig1R) on the regulation of SOD gene expression during the neoplastic process. The experiments included human tissues from selected gastrointestinal tract tumors (liver cancer, colorectal adenocarcinoma, and colorectal cancer liver metastases). Activity, protein levels, and mRNA levels were determined for SOD isoenzymes and Sig1R. Additionally, markers of oxidative stress (glutathione, lipid peroxidation) were measured. The results showed significant changes in the antioxidant system activity in all examined types of tumors. SOD changed both in healthy cells and in neoplastic cells. The activity and expression of all studied enzymes significantly changed due to the advancement of tumor development. The Sig1R might be an additional regulator of the antioxidant system on which activity might depend on the survival and proliferation of cancer cells. Overall, the study shows that SOD1 and SOD2 are involved not only in the formation of neoplastic changes in the human gastrointestinal tissues (healthy intestine - colon tumor; healthy liver - liver cirrhosis - liver cancer) but also in the development of tumors in the sequence: benign tumor - malignant tumor - metastasis.

Effect of Sigma-1 Receptors on Voltage-Gated Sodium Ion Channels in Colon Cancer Cell Line SW620

Background: Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) play pivotal roles in the metastatic process in several cancers, including breast and colon cancers. Sigma-1 receptors are known to interact and form complexes with a number of ion channels aiding the delivery of the channel protein to the plasma membrane. Drugs that bind the Sigma-1 receptor are hypothesized to affect this process and reduce the delivery of the channel protein to the plasma membrane, in turn reducing the metastatic potential of the cells. Methods: Human colon cancer cell line SW620 was utilized as a model to investigate the interaction between the neonatal VGSC (nNav1.5) and the Sigma-1 receptor. This was accomplished using drugs that bind the Sigma-1 receptor, Sigma-1 receptor silencing, and antibodies that bind and block the nNav1.5 channel. Results: Sigma-1 receptor drugs SKF10047 and dimethyl tryptamine were found to alter (reduce) the adhesion of these cells by 46-54% at a 20 μM drug concentration. In a similar manner, gene silencing of the Sigma-1 receptor had a similar effect in reducing the adhesion of these cells to collagen-coated plates by 30%. The Sigma-1 receptor was found to be in a complex with nNav1.5 in SW620 cells, and Sigma-1 drugs or gene silencing of the Sigma-1 receptor results in a reduction of the surface expression of nNav1.5 by ∼50%. Culture of SW620 cells under hypoxic conditions resulted in upregulation of the Sigma-1 receptor and nNav1.5. In addition, surface expression of nNav1.5 protein increased under hypoxic culture conditions and this was inhibited by the application of SKF10047. Conclusions: It is proposed that in colon cancer cells, upregulated Sigma-1 receptor expression in hypoxia led to increased nNav1.5 protein expression at the plasma membrane and resulted in the cells switching to a more invasive state.