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Lin Y, Yuan M, Wang G. Copper homeostasis and cuproptosis in gynecological disorders: Pathogenic insights and therapeutic implications. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2024; 84:127436. [PMID: 38547725 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2024.127436] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
This review comprehensively explores the complex role of copper homeostasis in female reproductive system diseases. As an essential trace element, copper plays a crucial role in various biological functions. Its dysregulation is increasingly recognized as a pivotal factor in the pathogenesis of gynecological disorders. We investigate how copper impacts these diseases, focusing on aspects like oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, immune function, estrogen levels, and angiogenesis. The review highlights significant changes in copper levels in diseases such as cervical, ovarian, endometrial cancer, and endometriosis, underscoring their potential roles in disease mechanisms and therapeutic exploration. The recent discovery of 'cuproptosis,' a novel cell death mechanism induced by copper ions, offers a fresh molecular perspective in understanding these diseases. The review also examines genes associated with cuproptosis, particularly those related to drug resistance, suggesting new strategies to enhance traditional therapy effectiveness. Additionally, we critically evaluate current therapeutic approaches targeting copper homeostasis, including copper ionophores, chelators, and nanoparticles, emphasizing their emerging potential in gynecological disease treatment. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of copper's role in female reproductive health, setting the stage for future research to elucidate its mechanisms and develop targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China; Medical Integration and Practice Center, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China; Jinan Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Gynecological Disease, Jinan, Shandong Province China; Gynecology Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan Shandong Province, China; Gynecology Laboratory, Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan Shandong Province, China
| | - Ming Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China; Jinan Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Gynecological Disease, Jinan, Shandong Province China; Gynecology Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan Shandong Province, China; Gynecology Laboratory, Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan Shandong Province, China
| | - Guoyun Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China; Jinan Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Gynecological Disease, Jinan, Shandong Province China; Gynecology Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan Shandong Province, China; Gynecology Laboratory, Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan Shandong Province, China.
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2
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Li X, Peng X, Li Y, Wei S, He G, Liu J, Li X, Yang S, Li D, Lin W, Fang J, Yang L, Li H. Glutamine addiction in tumor cell: oncogene regulation and clinical treatment. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:12. [PMID: 38172980 PMCID: PMC10763057 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01449-x] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
After undergoing metabolic reprogramming, tumor cells consume additional glutamine to produce amino acids, nucleotides, fatty acids, and other substances to facilitate their unlimited proliferation. As such, the metabolism of glutamine is intricately linked to the survival and progression of cancer cells. Consequently, targeting the glutamine metabolism presents a promising strategy to inhibit growth of tumor cell and cancer development. This review describes glutamine uptake, metabolism, and transport in tumor cells and its pivotal role in biosynthesis of amino acids, fatty acids, nucleotides, and more. Furthermore, we have also summarized the impact of oncogenes like C-MYC, KRAS, HIF, and p53 on the regulation of glutamine metabolism and the mechanisms through which glutamine triggers mTORC1 activation. In addition, role of different anti-cancer agents in targeting glutamine metabolism has been described and their prospective applications are assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Xueqiang Peng
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Shibo Wei
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Guangpeng He
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Jiaxing Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Shuo Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Dai Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Weikai Lin
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Jianjun Fang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Liang Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China.
| | - Hangyu Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China.
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3
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Song L, Wei X, Zhang X, Lu Y. Combining single-cell and transcriptomic analysis revealed the immunomodulatory effect of GOT2 on a glutamine-dependent manner in cutaneous melanoma. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1241454. [PMID: 37693904 PMCID: PMC10483140 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1241454] [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: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Reprogramming in glutamine metabolism is a hallmark of cancers, while its role in cutaneous melanoma has not been studied at great length. Methods: Here, we constructed a glutamine metabolism-related prognostic signature in cutaneous melanoma with a variety of bioinformatics methods according to the glutamine metabolism regulatory molecules. Moreover, experimental verification was carried out for the key gene. Results: We have identified two subgroups of cutaneous melanoma patients, each with different prognoses, immune characteristics, and genetic mutations. GOT2 was the most concerned key gene among the model genes. We verified its role in promoting tumor cell proliferation by CCK-8 and clone formation assays. Conclusion: Our study cast new light on the prognosis of cutaneous melanoma, and the internal mechanism regulating glutamine metabolism of GOT2 may provide a new avenue for treating the cutaneous melanoma disease precisely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lebin Song
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiyi Wei
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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4
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Moldovan OL, Sandulea A, Lungu IA, Gâz ȘA, Rusu A. Identification of Some Glutamic Acid Derivatives with Biological Potential by Computational Methods. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28104123. [PMID: 37241864 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28104123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamic acid is a non-essential amino acid involved in multiple metabolic pathways. Of high importance is its relationship with glutamine, an essential fuel for cancer cell development. Compounds that can modify glutamine or glutamic acid behaviour in cancer cells have resulted in attractive anticancer therapeutic alternatives. Based on this idea, we theoretically formulated 123 glutamic acid derivatives using Biovia Draw. Suitable candidates for our research were selected among them. For this, online platforms and programs were used to describe specific properties and their behaviour in the human organism. Nine compounds proved to have suitable or easy to optimise properties. The selected compounds showed cytotoxicity against breast adenocarcinoma, lung cancer cell lines, colon carcinoma, and T cells from acute leukaemia. Compound 2Ba5 exhibited the lowest toxicity, and derivative 4Db6 exhibited the most intense bioactivity. Molecular docking studies were also performed. The binding site of the 4Db6 compound in the glutamine synthetase structure was determined, with the D subunit and cluster 1 being the most promising. In conclusion, glutamic acid is an amino acid that can be manipulated very easily. Therefore, molecules derived from its structure have great potential to become innovative drugs, and further research on these will be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octavia-Laura Moldovan
- Medicine and Pharmacy Doctoral School, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Alexandra Sandulea
- Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Ioana-Andreea Lungu
- Medicine and Pharmacy Doctoral School, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Șerban Andrei Gâz
- Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Aura Rusu
- Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
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5
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Nguyen TTT, Katt WP, Cerione RA. Alone and together: current approaches to targeting glutaminase enzymes as part of anti-cancer therapies. FUTURE DRUG DISCOVERY 2023; 4:FDD79. [PMID: 37009252 PMCID: PMC10051075 DOI: 10.4155/fdd-2022-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is a major hallmark of malignant transformation in cancer, and part of the so-called Warburg effect, in which the upregulation of glutamine catabolism plays a major role. The glutaminase enzymes convert glutamine to glutamate, which initiates this pathway. Inhibition of different forms of glutaminase (KGA, GAC, or LGA) demonstrated potential as an emerging anti-cancer therapeutic strategy. The regulation of these enzymes, and the molecular basis for their inhibition, have been the focus of much recent research. This review will explore the recent progress in understanding the molecular basis for activation and inhibition of different forms of glutaminase, as well as the recent focus on combination therapies of glutaminase inhibitors with other anti-cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy-Tien T Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - William P Katt
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Richard A Cerione
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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6
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Lin S, Xu Y, Liu B, Zheng L, Cao C, Wu P, Ding W, Ren F. A novel cuproptosis-related gene signature for overall survival prediction in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC). Heliyon 2023; 9:e14613. [PMID: 37035374 PMCID: PMC10073764 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cuproptosis is a copper-dependent model of cell death involved in tumor genesis and progression. Its roles in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) remains elusive. Here, we aimed to explore the expression and prognostic values of cuprotosis-related genes (CRGs) in UCEC. Expression profiles and clinical data of UCEC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and randomly divided into testing or training cohort (1:1 ratio). The CRG signature was identified by LASSO regression analysis. The differentially expressed genes and their functional enrichment analysis were performed by the "limma" R package and Metascape, respectively. The immunocytes infiltration was measured by TIMER, and "GSVA" R package. In total, seven differentially expressed prognostic genes of CRGs in UCEC were identified, and four genes (GLS, CDKN2A, PC, and SUCLG1) were selected to construct a predictive model in training cohort. UCEC patients from training and testing cohorts were further divided into high- or low-risk groups according to the median risk score. High-risk group favored poor prognosis compared to low-risk group. Functional enrichment analysis revealed this CRG signature were got involved in the process of cell-cell adhesion and immune activities (e.g., IL-1 signaling pathway, cellular response to cytokine stimulus). Further analyses revealed there were significant differences between high- and low-risk patients regarding immunocytes infiltration, chemokines, and chemokine receptors. Finally, the expression and biological functions of identified CRGs were confirmed by UCEC samples and experimental methods in vitro. In summary, the CRG signature was significantly correlated with patients' overall survival, which could provide insights into the diagnosis and prognosis prediction for UCEC.
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7
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Glassman D, Kim MS, Spradlin M, Badal S, Taki M, Bhattacharya P, Dutta P, Kingsley CV, Foster KI, Animasahun O, Jeon JH, Achreja A, Jayaraman A, Kumar P, Nenwani M, Wuchu F, Bayraktar E, Wu Y, Stur E, Mangala L, Lee S, Yap TA, Westin SN, Eberlin LS, Nagrath D, Sood AK. Exploiting metabolic vulnerabilities after anti-VEGF antibody therapy in ovarian cancer. iScience 2023; 26:106020. [PMID: 36824283 PMCID: PMC9941132 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite modest clinical improvement with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody (AVA) therapy in ovarian cancer, adaptive resistance is ubiquitous and additional options are limited. A dependence on glutamine metabolism, via the enzyme glutaminase (GLS), is a known mechanism of adaptive resistance and we aimed to investigate the utility of a GLS inhibitor (GLSi). Our in vitro findings demonstrated increased glutamine abundance and a significant cytotoxic effect in AVA-resistant tumors when GLSi was administered in combination with bevacizumab. In vivo, GLSi led to a reduction in tumor growth as monotherapy and when combined with AVA. Furthermore, GLSi initiated after the emergence of resistance to AVA therapy resulted in a decreased metabolic conversion of pyruvate to lactate as assessed by hyperpolarized magnetic resonance spectroscopy and demonstrated robust antitumor effects with a survival advantage. Given the increasing population of patients receiving AVA therapy, these findings justify further development of GLSi in AVA resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna Glassman
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1362, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mark S. Kim
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1362, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Meredith Spradlin
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sunil Badal
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Mana Taki
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1362, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Pratip Bhattacharya
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Prasanta Dutta
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Charles V. Kingsley
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Katherine I. Foster
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1362, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Olamide Animasahun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jin Heon Jeon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Abhinav Achreja
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anusha Jayaraman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Praveen Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Minal Nenwani
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Fulei Wuchu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Emine Bayraktar
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1362, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yutuan Wu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1362, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Elaine Stur
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1362, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lingegowda Mangala
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1362, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sanghoon Lee
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1362, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Timothy A. Yap
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- The Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shannon N. Westin
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1362, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Livia S. Eberlin
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Deepak Nagrath
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anil K. Sood
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1362, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Tong M, Wong TL, Zhao H, Zheng Y, Xie YN, Li CH, Zhou L, Che N, Yun JP, Man K, Lee TKW, Cai Z, Ma S. Loss of tyrosine catabolic enzyme HPD promotes glutamine anaplerosis through mTOR signaling in liver cancer. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109617. [PMID: 34433044 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver plays central roles in coordinating different metabolic processes, such as the catabolism of amino acids. In this study, we identify a loss of tyrosine catabolism and a concomitant increase in serum tyrosine levels during liver cancer development. Liver cells with disordered tyrosine catabolism, as exemplified by the suppression of a tyrosine catabolic enzyme 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPD), display augmented tumorigenic and proliferative potentials. Metabolomics profiling and isotope tracing reveal the metabolic reliance of HPD-silenced cells on glutamine, coupled with increased tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites and their associated amino acid pools. Mechanistically, HPD silencing reduces ketone bodies, which regulate the proliferative and metabolic phenotypes via the AMPK/mTOR/p70S6 kinase pathway and mTOR-dependent glutaminase (GLS) activation. Collectively, our results demonstrate a metabolic link between tyrosine and glutamine metabolism, which could be exploited as a potentially promising anticancer therapy for liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Tong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Tin-Lok Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hongzhi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu-Nong Xie
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cheuk-Hin Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Noélia Che
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jing-Ping Yun
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kwan Man
- The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China; Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Terence Kin-Wah Lee
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zongwei Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Stephanie Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
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9
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Yang R, Guo Z, Zhao Y, Ma L, Li B, Yang C. Compound 968 reverses adriamycin resistance in breast cancer MCF-7 ADR cells via inhibiting P-glycoprotein function independently of glutaminase. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:204. [PMID: 34354052 PMCID: PMC8342604 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00590-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Adriamycin (ADR) is a chemotherapeutic drug widely utilized to treat multiple types of cancers; however, the clinical efficacy of ADR is compromised due to the development of drug resistance in patients. The combination of drugs with ADR may provide a better therapeutic regimen to overcome this obstacle. Glutaminase (GLS) has been explored as a therapeutic cancer target, and its inhibition also results in increased sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents. This study aimed to investigate whether GLS inhibition could reverse ADR resistance. We treated the ADR-resistant MCF-7 (MCF-7ADR) cells with a GLS inhibitor, compound 968 or CB-839, in combination with ADR. We found that compound 968, rather than CB-839, together with ADR synergistically inhibited the cell viability. These results indicated that compound 968 reversed ADR resistance in MCF-7ADR cells independently of GLS. Moreover, we modified the structure of compound 968 and finally obtained a compound 968 derivative, SY-1320, which was more potent than compound 968 in eliminating the drug resistance in MCF-7ADR cells. Furthermore, using drug affinity responsive target stability and streptavidin-biotin immunoprecipitation assays, we demonstrated that SY-1320 could specifically target P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and increase ADR accumulation through inhibition of P-gp, thereby resulting in cell death in MCF-7ADR cells. Together, our findings indicate that compound 968 or SY-1320 might be a promising drug for new combination chemotherapy in breast cancer to overcome the drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronghui Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China
| | - Zihao Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China
| | - Yiliang Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China
| | - Lingdi Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China
| | - Binghui Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanzhen Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China. .,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China.
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10
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Jariyal H, Gupta C, Andhale S, Gadge S, Srivastava A. Comparative stemness and differentiation of luminal and basal breast cancer stem cell type under glutamine-deprivation. J Cell Commun Signal 2021; 15:207-222. [PMID: 33511560 PMCID: PMC7991029 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-020-00603-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamine (gln) metabolism has emerged as a cancer therapeutic target in past few years, however, the effect of gln-deprivation of bCSCs remains elusive in breast cancer. In this study, effect of glutamine on stemness and differentiation potential of bCSCs isolated from MCF-7 and MDAMB-231 were studied. We have shown that bCSCs differentiate into CD24+ epithelial population under gln-deprivation and demonstrated increased expression of epithelial markers such as e-cadherin, claudin-1 and decreased expression of mesenchymal protein n-cadherin. MCF-7-bCSCs showed a decrease in EpCAMhigh population whereas MDAMB-231-bCSCs increased CD44high population in response to gln-deprivation. The expression of intracellular stem cell markers such sox-2, oct-4 and nanog showed a drastic decrease in gene expression under gln-deprived MDAMB-231-bCSCs. Finally, localization of β-catenin in MCF-7 and MDAMB-231 cells showed its accumulation in cytosol or perinuclear space reducing its efficiency to transcribe downstream genes. Conclusively, our study demonstrated that gln-deprivation induces differentiation of bCSCs into epithelial subtypes and also reduces stemness of bCSCs mediated by reduced nuclear localization of β-catenin. It also suggests that basal and luminal bCSCs respond differentially towards changes in extracellular and intracellular gln. This study could significantly affect the gln targeting regimen of breast cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heena Jariyal
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Chanchal Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Shambhavi Andhale
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Sonali Gadge
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Akshay Srivastava
- Department of Medical Devices, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Ahmedabad, Opposite Air force Station, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India.
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11
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Metabolic Classification and Intervention Opportunities for Tumor Energy Dysfunction. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11050264. [PMID: 33922558 PMCID: PMC8146396 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11050264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A comprehensive view of cell metabolism provides a new vision of cancer, conceptualized as tissue with cellular-altered metabolism and energetic dysfunction, which can shed light on pathophysiological mechanisms. Cancer is now considered a heterogeneous ecosystem, formed by tumor cells and the microenvironment, which is molecularly, phenotypically, and metabolically reprogrammable. A wealth of evidence confirms metabolic reprogramming activity as the minimum common denominator of cancer, grouping together a wide variety of aberrations that can affect any of the different metabolic pathways involved in cell physiology. This forms the basis for a new proposed classification of cancer according to the altered metabolic pathway(s) and degree of energy dysfunction. Enhanced understanding of the metabolic reprogramming pathways of fatty acids, amino acids, carbohydrates, hypoxia, and acidosis can bring about new therapeutic intervention possibilities from a metabolic perspective of cancer.
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12
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Glutaminase isoforms expression switches microRNA levels and oxidative status in glioblastoma cells. J Biomed Sci 2021; 28:14. [PMID: 33610185 PMCID: PMC7897386 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-021-00712-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Glutaminase isoenzymes GLS and GLS2 play apparently opposing roles in cancer: GLS acts as an oncoprotein, while GLS2 (GAB isoform) has context specific tumour suppressive activity. Some microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in progression of tumours, including gliomas. The aim was to investigate the effect of GLS and GAB expression on both miRNAs and oxidative status in glioblastoma cells. Methods
Microarray profiling of miRNA was performed in GLS-silenced LN229 and GAB-transfected T98G human glioblastoma cells and their wild-type counterparts. Results were validated by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Oxidative status and antioxidant enzymes were determined by spectrophotometric or fluorescence assays in GLS-silenced LN229 and T98G, and GAB-transfected LN229 and T98G. Results MiRNA-146a-5p, miRNA-140-3p, miRNA-21-5p, miRNA-1260a, and miRNA-92a-3p were downregulated, and miRNA-1246 was upregulated when GLS was knocked down. MiRNA-140-3p, miRNA-1246, miRNA-1260a, miRNA-21-5p, and miRNA-146a-5p were upregulated when GAB was overexpressed. Oxidative status (lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione levels), as well as antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase) of silenced GLS glioblastoma cells and overexpressed GAB glioblastoma cells significantly changed versus their respective control glioblastoma cells. MiRNA-1246, miRNA-1260a, miRNA-146a-5p, and miRNA-21-5p have been characterized as strong biomarkers of glioblastoma proliferation linked to both GLS silencing and GAB overexpression. Total glutathione is a reliable biomarker of glioblastoma oxidative status steadily associated to both GLS silencing and GAB overexpression. Conclusions Glutaminase isoenzymes are related to the expression of some miRNAs and may contribute to either tumour progression or suppression through certain miRNA-mediated pathways, proving to be a key tool to switch cancer proliferation and redox status leading to a less malignant phenotype. Accordingly, GLS and GAB expression are especially involved in glutathione-dependent antioxidant defence.
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13
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Host cell glutamine metabolism as a potential antiviral target. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:305-325. [PMID: 33480424 DOI: 10.1042/cs20201042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A virus minimally contains a nucleic acid genome packaged by a protein coat. The genome and capsid together are known as the nucleocapsid, which has an envelope containing a lipid bilayer (mainly phospholipids) originating from host cell membranes. The viral envelope has transmembrane proteins that are usually glycoproteins. The proteins in the envelope bind to host cell receptors, promoting membrane fusion and viral entry into the cell. Virus-infected host cells exhibit marked increases in glutamine utilization and metabolism. Glutamine metabolism generates ATP and precursors for the synthesis of macromolecules to assemble progeny viruses. Some compounds derived from glutamine are used in the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines. These latter compounds are precursors for the synthesis of nucleotides. Inhibitors of glutamine transport and metabolism are potential candidate antiviral drugs. Glutamine is also an essential nutrient for the functions of leukocytes (lymphocyte, macrophage, and neutrophil), including those in virus-infected patients. The increased glutamine requirement for immune cell functions occurs concomitantly with the high glutamine utilization by host cells in virus-infected patients. The development of antiviral drugs that target glutamine metabolism must then be specifically directed at virus-infected host cells to avoid negative effects on immune functions. Therefore, the aim of this review was to describe the landscape of cellular glutamine metabolism to search for potential candidates to inhibit glutamine transport or glutamine metabolism.
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14
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Delgir S, Bastami M, Ilkhani K, Safi A, Seif F, Alivand MR. The pathways related to glutamine metabolism, glutamine inhibitors and their implication for improving the efficiency of chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2021; 787:108366. [PMID: 34083056 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2021.108366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous cancer with multiple subtypes affecting women worldwide. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a prominent subtype of BC with poor prognosis and an aggressive phenotype. Recent understanding of metabolic reprogramming supports its role in the growth of cancer cells and their adaptation to their microenvironment. The Warburg effect is characterized by the shift from oxidative to reductive metabolism and external secretion of lactate. The Warburg effect prevents the use of the required pyruvate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle progressing through pyruvate dehydrogenase inactivation. Therefore, it is a major regulatory mechanism to promote glycolysis and disrupt the TCA cycle. Glutamine (Gln) can supply the complementary energy for cancer cells. Additionally, it is the main substrate to support bioenergetics and biosynthetic activities in cancer cells and plays a vital role in a wide array of other processes such as ferroptosis. Thus, the switching of glucose to Gln in the TCA cycle toward reductive Gln metabolism is carried out by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) conducted through the Warburg effect. The literature suggests that the addiction of TNBC to Gln could facilitate the proliferation and invasiveness of these cancers. Thus, Gln metabolism inhibitors, such as CB-839, could be applied to manage the carcinogenic properties of TNBC. Such inhibitors, along with conventional chemotherapy agents, can potentially improve the efficiency and efficacy of TNBC treatment. In this review, we discuss the associations between glucose and Gln metabolism and control of cancer cell growth from the perspective that Gln metabolism inhibitors could improve the current chemotherapy drug effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Delgir
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Milad Bastami
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Khandan Ilkhani
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Asma Safi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Farhad Seif
- Department of Immunology and Allergy, Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Alivand
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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15
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Matés JM, Campos-Sandoval JA, de Los Santos-Jiménez J, Segura JA, Alonso FJ, Márquez J. Metabolic Reprogramming of Cancer by Chemicals that Target Glutaminase Isoenzymes. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:5317-5339. [PMID: 31038055 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190416165004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic reprogramming of tumours is a hallmark of cancer. Among the changes in the metabolic network of cancer cells, glutaminolysis is a key reaction altered in neoplasms. Glutaminase proteins control the first step in glutamine metabolism and their expression correlates with malignancy and growth rate of a great variety of cancers. The two types of glutaminase isoenzymes, GLS and GLS2, differ in their expression patterns and functional roles: GLS has oncogenic properties and GLS2 has been described as a tumour suppressor factor. RESULTS We have focused on glutaminase connections with key oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. Targeting glutaminase isoenzymes includes different strategies aimed at deactivating the rewiring of cancer metabolism. In addition, we found a long list of metabolic enzymes, transcription factors and signalling pathways dealing with glutaminase. On the other hand, a number of chemicals have been described as isoenzyme-specific inhibitors of GLS and/or GLS2 isoforms. These molecules are being characterized as synergic and therapeutic agents in many types of tumours. CONCLUSION This review states the metabolic pathways that are rewired in cancer, the roles of glutaminase isoforms in cancer, as well as the metabolic circuits regulated by glutaminases. We also show the plethora of anticancer drugs that specifically inhibit glutaminase isoenzymes for treating several sets of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Matés
- Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga (IBIMA), Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Canceromics Lab, Faculty of Sciences, Campus de Teatinos, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
| | - José A Campos-Sandoval
- Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga (IBIMA), Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Canceromics Lab, Faculty of Sciences, Campus de Teatinos, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
| | - Juan de Los Santos-Jiménez
- Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga (IBIMA), Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Canceromics Lab, Faculty of Sciences, Campus de Teatinos, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
| | - Juan A Segura
- Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga (IBIMA), Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Canceromics Lab, Faculty of Sciences, Campus de Teatinos, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
| | - Francisco J Alonso
- Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga (IBIMA), Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Canceromics Lab, Faculty of Sciences, Campus de Teatinos, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
| | - Javier Márquez
- Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga (IBIMA), Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Canceromics Lab, Faculty of Sciences, Campus de Teatinos, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
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16
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Lukey MJ, Cluntun AA, Katt WP, Lin MCJ, Druso JE, Ramachandran S, Erickson JW, Le HH, Wang ZE, Blank B, Greene KS, Cerione RA. Liver-Type Glutaminase GLS2 Is a Druggable Metabolic Node in Luminal-Subtype Breast Cancer. Cell Rep 2020; 29:76-88.e7. [PMID: 31577957 PMCID: PMC6939472 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.08.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts to target glutamine metabolism for cancer therapy have focused on the glutaminase isozyme GLS. The importance of the other isozyme, GLS2, in cancer has remained unclear, and it has been described as a tumor suppressor in some contexts. Here, we report that GLS2 is upregulated and essential in luminal-subtype breast tumors, which account for >70% of breast cancer incidence. We show that GLS2 expression is elevated by GATA3 in luminal-subtype cells but suppressed by promoter methylation in basal-subtype cells. Although luminal breast cancers resist GLS-selective inhibitors, we find that they can be targeted with a dual-GLS/GLS2 inhibitor. These results establish a critical role for GLS2 in mammary tumorigenesis and advance our understanding of how to target glutamine metabolism in cancer. Lukey et al. report that basal- and luminal-subtype breast cancers employ different strategies for glutamine catabolism, impacting their sensitivity profiles to glutaminase inhibitors. Elevated GLS2 expression in luminal-subtype cancers is driven in part by GATA3. Targeting GLS2 with the pan-glutaminase inhibitor 968 inhibits luminal-subtype breast cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Lukey
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ahmad A Cluntun
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Graduate Field of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - William P Katt
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Miao-Chong J Lin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Joseph E Druso
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Sekar Ramachandran
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Jon W Erickson
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Henry H Le
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Zhihan-Emily Wang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Bryant Blank
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Kai Su Greene
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Richard A Cerione
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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17
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Matés JM, Campos-Sandoval JA, de Los Santos-Jiménez J, Márquez J. Glutaminases regulate glutathione and oxidative stress in cancer. Arch Toxicol 2020; 94:2603-2623. [PMID: 32681190 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02838-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Targeted therapies against cancer have improved both survival and quality of life of patients. However, metabolic rewiring evokes cellular mechanisms that reduce therapeutic mightiness. Resistant cells generate more glutathione, elicit nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) activation, and overexpress many anti-oxidative genes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and thioredoxin reductase, providing stronger antioxidant capacity to survive in a more oxidative environment due to the sharp rise in oxidative metabolism and reactive oxygen species generation. These changes dramatically alter tumour microenvironment and cellular metabolism itself. A rational design of therapeutic combination strategies is needed to flatten cellular homeostasis and accomplish a drop in cancer development. Context-dependent glutaminase isoenzymes show oncogenic and tumour suppressor properties, being mainly associated to MYC and p53, respectively. Glutaminases catalyze glutaminolysis in mitochondria, regulating oxidative phosphorylation, redox status and cell metabolism for tumour growth. In addition, the substrate and product of glutaminase reaction, glutamine and glutamate, respectively, can work as signalling molecules moderating redox and bioenergetic pathways in cancer. Novel synergistic approaches combining glutaminase inhibition and redox-dependent modulation are described in this review. Pharmacological or genetic glutaminase regulation along with oxidative chemotherapy can help to improve the design of combination strategies that escalate the rate of therapeutic success in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Matés
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Canceromics Lab, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071, Málaga, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain.
| | - José A Campos-Sandoval
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Canceromics Lab, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071, Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Juan de Los Santos-Jiménez
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Canceromics Lab, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071, Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Javier Márquez
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Canceromics Lab, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071, Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
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18
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Khoury ES, Sharma A, Ramireddy RR, Thomas AG, Alt J, Fowler A, Rais R, Tsukamoto T, Blue ME, Slusher B, Kannan S, Kannan RM. Dendrimer-conjugated glutaminase inhibitor selectively targets microglial glutaminase in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:5736-5748. [PMID: 32483415 PMCID: PMC7254984 DOI: 10.7150/thno.41714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Elevated glutamate production and release from glial cells is a common feature of many CNS disorders. Inhibitors of glutaminase (GLS), the enzyme responsible for converting glutamine to glutamate have been developed to target glutamate overproduction. However, many GLS inhibitors have poor aqueous solubility, are unable to cross the blood brain barrier, or demonstrate significant toxicity when given systemically, precluding translation. Enhanced aqueous solubility and systemic therapy targeted to activated glia may address this challenge. Here we examine the impact of microglial-targeted GLS inhibition in a mouse model of Rett syndrome (RTT), a developmental disorder with no viable therapies, manifesting profound central nervous system effects, in which elevated glutamatergic tone, upregulation of microglial GLS, oxidative stress and neuroimmune dysregulation are key features. Methods: To enable this, we conjugated a potent glutaminase inhibitor, N-(5-{2-[2-(5-amino-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-ethylsulfanyl]-ethyl}-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-2-phenyl-acetamide (JHU29) to a generation 4 hydroxyl PAMAM dendrimer (D-JHU29). We then examined the effect of D-JHU29 in organotypic slice culture on glutamate release. We also examined GLS activity in microglial and non-microglial cells, and neurobehavioral phenotype after systemic administration of D-JHU29 in a mouse model of RTT. Results: We report successful conjugation of JHU29 to dendrimer resulting in enhanced water solubility compared to free JHU29. D-JHU29 reduced the excessive glutamate release observed in tissue culture slices in a clinically relevant Mecp2-knockout (KO) RTT mouse. Microglia isolated from Mecp2-KO mice demonstrated upregulation of GLS activity that normalized to wild-type levels following systemic treatment with D-JHU29. Neurobehavioral assessments in D-JHU29 treated Mecp2-KO mice revealed selective improvements in mobility. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that glutaminase inhibitors conjugated to dendrimers are a viable mechanism to selectively inhibit microglial GLS to reduce glutamate production and improve mobility in a mouse model of RTT, with broader implications for selectively targeting this pathway in other neurodegenerative disorders.
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19
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Dragan M, Nguyen MU, Guzman S, Goertzen C, Brackstone M, Dhillo WS, Bech PR, Clarke S, Abbara A, Tuck AB, Hess DA, Pine SR, Zong WX, Wondisford FE, Su X, Babwah AV, Bhattacharya M. G protein-coupled kisspeptin receptor induces metabolic reprograming and tumorigenesis in estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:106. [PMID: 32034133 PMCID: PMC7005685 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2305-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly metastatic and deadly disease. TNBC tumors lack estrogen receptor (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 (ErbB2) and exhibit increased glutamine metabolism, a requirement for tumor growth. The G protein-coupled kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R) is highly expressed in patient TNBC tumors and promotes malignant transformation of breast epithelial cells. This study found that TNBC patients displayed elevated plasma kisspeptin levels compared with healthy subjects. It also provides the first evidence that in addition to promoting tumor growth and metastasis in vivo, KISS1R-induced glutamine dependence of tumors. In addition, tracer-based metabolomics analyses revealed that KISS1R promoted glutaminolysis and nucleotide biosynthesis by increasing c-Myc and glutaminase levels, key regulators of glutamine metabolism. Overall, this study establishes KISS1R as a novel regulator of TNBC metabolism and metastasis, suggesting that targeting KISS1R could have therapeutic potential in the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Dragan
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Mai-Uyen Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Stephania Guzman
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Cameron Goertzen
- Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Muriel Brackstone
- Department of Surgery, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada
| | - Waljit S Dhillo
- Section of Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Paul R Bech
- Section of Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sophie Clarke
- Section of Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ali Abbara
- Section of Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Alan B Tuck
- Department of Pathology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - David A Hess
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Sharon R Pine
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Wei-Xing Zong
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Frederic E Wondisford
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Child Health Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Xiaoyang Su
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Andy V Babwah
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Moshmi Bhattacharya
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. .,Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. .,Child Health Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
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20
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Katt WP, Cerione RA. Inhibition of cancer metabolism: a patent landscape. Pharm Pat Anal 2019; 8:117-138. [PMID: 31414969 PMCID: PMC6713032 DOI: 10.4155/ppa-2019-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cancer metabolism is currently a hot topic. Since it was first realized that cancer cells rely upon an altered metabolic program to sustain their rapid proliferation, the enzymes that support those metabolic changes have appeared to be good targets for pharmacological intervention. Here, we discuss efforts pertaining to targets in cancer metabolism, focusing upon the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the mechanisms which feed nutrients into it. We describe a broad landscape of small-molecule inhibitors, targeting a dozen different proteins, each implicated in cancer progression. We hope that this will serve as a reference both to the areas being most highly examined today and, relatedly, the areas that are still ripe for novel intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- William P Katt
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-6401, USA
| | - Richard A Cerione
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-6401, USA
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-6401, USA
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21
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Mitochondria as playmakers of apoptosis, autophagy and senescence. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2019; 98:139-153. [PMID: 31154010 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 261] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria are the key energy-producing organelles and cellular source of reactive species. They are responsible for managing cell life and death by a balanced homeostasis passing through a network of structures, regulated principally via fission and fusion. Herein we discuss about the most advanced findings considering mitochondria as dynamic biophysical systems playing compelling roles in the regulation of energy metabolism in both physiologic and pathologic processes controlling cell death and survival. Precisely, we focus on the mitochondrial commitment to the onset, maintenance and counteraction of apoptosis, autophagy and senescence in the bioenergetic reprogramming of cancer cells. In this context, looking for a pharmacological manipulation of cell death processes as a successful route for future targeted therapies, there is major biotechnological challenge in underlining the location, function and molecular mechanism of mitochondrial proteins. Based on the critical role of mitochondrial functions for cellular health, a better knowledge of the main molecular players in mitochondria disfunction could be decisive for the therapeutical control of degenerative diseases, including cancer.
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