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Wang N, Wang B, Maswikiti EP, Yu Y, Song K, Ma C, Han X, Ma H, Deng X, Yu R, Chen H. AMPK-a key factor in crosstalk between tumor cell energy metabolism and immune microenvironment? Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:237. [PMID: 38762523 PMCID: PMC11102436 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02011-5] [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: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has now garnered significant attention as an essential component in cancer therapy during this new era. However, due to immune tolerance, immunosuppressive environment, tumor heterogeneity, immune escape, and other factors, the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy has been limited with its application to very small population size. Energy metabolism not only affects tumor progression but also plays a crucial role in immune escape. Tumor cells are more metabolically active and need more energy and nutrients to maintain their growth, which causes the surrounding immune cells to lack glucose, oxygen, and other nutrients, with the result of decreased immune cell activity and increased immunosuppressive cells. On the other hand, immune cells need to utilize multiple metabolic pathways, for instance, cellular respiration, and oxidative phosphorylation pathways to maintain their activity and normal function. Studies have shown that there is a significant difference in the energy expenditure of immune cells in the resting and activated states. Notably, competitive uptake of glucose is the main cause of impaired T cell function. Conversely, glutamine competition often affects the activation of most immune cells and the transformation of CD4+T cells into inflammatory subtypes. Excessive metabolite lactate often impairs the function of NK cells. Furthermore, the metabolite PGE2 also often inhibits the immune response by inhibiting Th1 differentiation, B cell function, and T cell activation. Additionally, the transformation of tumor-suppressive M1 macrophages into cancer-promoting M2 macrophages is influenced by energy metabolism. Therefore, energy metabolism is a vital factor and component involved in the reconstruction of the tumor immune microenvironment. Noteworthy and vital is that not only does the metabolic program of tumor cells affect the antigen presentation and recognition of immune cells, but also the metabolic program of immune cells affects their own functions, ultimately leading to changes in tumor immune function. Metabolic intervention can not only improve the response of immune cells to tumors, but also increase the immunogenicity of tumors, thereby expanding the population who benefit from immunotherapy. Consequently, identifying metabolic crosstalk molecules that link tumor energy metabolism and immune microenvironment would be a promising anti-tumor immune strategy. AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) is a ubiquitous serine/threonine kinase in eukaryotes, serving as the central regulator of metabolic pathways. The sequential activation of AMPK and its associated signaling cascades profoundly impacts the dynamic alterations in tumor cell bioenergetics. By modulating energy metabolism and inflammatory responses, AMPK exerts significant influence on tumor cell development, while also playing a pivotal role in tumor immunotherapy by regulating immune cell activity and function. Furthermore, AMPK-mediated inflammatory response facilitates the recruitment of immune cells to the tumor microenvironment (TIME), thereby impeding tumorigenesis, progression, and metastasis. AMPK, as the link between cell energy homeostasis, tumor bioenergetics, and anti-tumor immunity, will have a significant impact on the treatment and management of oncology patients. That being summarized, the main objective of this review is to pinpoint the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy by regulating the energy metabolism of the tumor immune microenvironment and to provide guidance for the development of new immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Wang
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, China
| | - Bofang Wang
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, China
| | - Ewetse Paul Maswikiti
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, China
| | - Yang Yu
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, China
| | - Kewei Song
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, China
| | - Chenhui Ma
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, China
| | - Xiaowen Han
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, China
| | - Huanhuan Ma
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, China
| | - Xiaobo Deng
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, China
| | - Rong Yu
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, China
| | - Hao Chen
- The Department of Tumor Surgery, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, China.
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Oncology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730030, China.
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2
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Zarou MM, Vazquez A, Vignir Helgason G. Folate metabolism: a re-emerging therapeutic target in haematological cancers. Leukemia 2021; 35:1539-1551. [PMID: 33707653 PMCID: PMC8179844 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01189-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Folate-mediated one carbon (1C) metabolism supports a series of processes that are essential for the cell. Through a number of interlinked reactions happening in the cytosol and mitochondria of the cell, folate metabolism contributes to de novo purine and thymidylate synthesis, to the methionine cycle and redox defence. Targeting the folate metabolism gave rise to modern chemotherapy, through the introduction of antifolates to treat paediatric leukaemia. Since then, antifolates, such as methotrexate and pralatrexate have been used to treat a series of blood cancers in clinic. However, traditional antifolates have many deleterious side effects in normal proliferating tissue, highlighting the urgent need for novel strategies to more selectively target 1C metabolism. Notably, mitochondrial 1C enzymes have been shown to be significantly upregulated in various cancers, making them attractive targets for the development of new chemotherapeutic agents. In this article, we present a detailed overview of folate-mediated 1C metabolism, its importance on cellular level and discuss how targeting folate metabolism has been exploited in blood cancers. Additionally, we explore possible therapeutic strategies that could overcome the limitations of traditional antifolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha M Zarou
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alexei Vazquez
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK.
| | - G Vignir Helgason
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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3
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Višnjić D, Lalić H, Dembitz V, Tomić B, Smoljo T. AICAr, a Widely Used AMPK Activator with Important AMPK-Independent Effects: A Systematic Review. Cells 2021. [PMID: 34064363 DOI: 10.3390/cellsl0051095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAr) has been one of the most commonly used pharmacological modulators of AMPK activity. The majority of early studies on the role of AMPK, both in the physiological regulation of metabolism and in cancer pathogenesis, were based solely on the use of AICAr as an AMPK-activator. Even with more complex models of AMPK downregulation and knockout being introduced, AICAr remained a regular starting point for many studies focusing on AMPK biology. However, there is an increasing number of studies showing that numerous AICAr effects, previously attributed to AMPK activation, are in fact AMPK-independent. This review aims to give an overview of the present knowledge on AMPK-dependent and AMPK-independent effects of AICAr on metabolism, hypoxia, exercise, nucleotide synthesis, and cancer, calling for caution in the interpretation of AICAr-based studies in the context of understanding AMPK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Višnjić
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Physiology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Hrvoje Lalić
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Physiology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vilma Dembitz
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Physiology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Barbara Tomić
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Physiology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Smoljo
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Physiology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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4
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AICAr, a Widely Used AMPK Activator with Important AMPK-Independent Effects: A Systematic Review. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051095. [PMID: 34064363 PMCID: PMC8147799 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAr) has been one of the most commonly used pharmacological modulators of AMPK activity. The majority of early studies on the role of AMPK, both in the physiological regulation of metabolism and in cancer pathogenesis, were based solely on the use of AICAr as an AMPK-activator. Even with more complex models of AMPK downregulation and knockout being introduced, AICAr remained a regular starting point for many studies focusing on AMPK biology. However, there is an increasing number of studies showing that numerous AICAr effects, previously attributed to AMPK activation, are in fact AMPK-independent. This review aims to give an overview of the present knowledge on AMPK-dependent and AMPK-independent effects of AICAr on metabolism, hypoxia, exercise, nucleotide synthesis, and cancer, calling for caution in the interpretation of AICAr-based studies in the context of understanding AMPK signaling pathway.
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5
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Alghamdi F, Alshuweishi Y, Salt IP. Regulation of nutrient uptake by AMP-activated protein kinase. Cell Signal 2020; 76:109807. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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6
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Papadopoli DJ, Ma EH, Roy D, Russo M, Bridon G, Avizonis D, Jones RG, St-Pierre J. Methotrexate elicits pro-respiratory and anti-growth effects by promoting AMPK signaling. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7838. [PMID: 32398698 PMCID: PMC7217946 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64460-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One-carbon metabolism fuels the high demand of cancer cells for nucleotides and other building blocks needed for increased proliferation. Although inhibitors of this pathway are widely used to treat many cancers, their global impact on anabolic and catabolic processes remains unclear. Using a combination of real-time bioenergetics assays and metabolomics approaches, we investigated the global effects of methotrexate on cellular metabolism. We show that methotrexate treatment increases the intracellular concentration of the metabolite AICAR, resulting in AMPK activation. Methotrexate-induced AMPK activation leads to decreased one-carbon metabolism gene expression and cellular proliferation as well as increased global bioenergetic capacity. The anti-proliferative and pro-respiratory effects of methotrexate are AMPK-dependent, as cells with reduced AMPK activity are less affected by methotrexate treatment. Conversely, the combination of methotrexate with the AMPK activator, phenformin, potentiates its anti-proliferative activity in cancer cells. These data highlight a reciprocal effect of methotrexate on anabolic and catabolic processes and implicate AMPK activation as a metabolic determinant of methotrexate response.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Papadopoli
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada
- Goodman Cancer Research Centre, Montréal, QC, H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Eric H Ma
- Goodman Cancer Research Centre, Montréal, QC, H3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Program in Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Dominic Roy
- Goodman Cancer Research Centre, Montréal, QC, H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Mariana Russo
- Goodman Cancer Research Centre, Montréal, QC, H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Gaëlle Bridon
- Goodman Cancer Research Centre, Montréal, QC, H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Daina Avizonis
- Goodman Cancer Research Centre, Montréal, QC, H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Russell G Jones
- Goodman Cancer Research Centre, Montréal, QC, H3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Program in Metabolic and Nutritional Programming, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Julie St-Pierre
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada.
- Goodman Cancer Research Centre, Montréal, QC, H3A 1A3, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada.
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada.
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7
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Oizel K, Tait-Mulder J, Fernandez-de-Cossio-Diaz J, Pietzke M, Brunton H, Lilla S, Dhayade S, Athineos D, Blanco GR, Sumpton D, Mackay GM, Blyth K, Zanivan SR, Meiser J, Vazquez A. Formate induces a metabolic switch in nucleotide and energy metabolism. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:310. [PMID: 32366892 PMCID: PMC7198490 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2523-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Formate is a precursor for the de novo synthesis of purine and deoxythymidine nucleotides. Formate also interacts with energy metabolism by promoting the synthesis of adenine nucleotides. Here we use theoretical modelling together with metabolomics analysis to investigate the link between formate, nucleotide and energy metabolism. We uncover that endogenous or exogenous formate induces a metabolic switch from low to high adenine nucleotide levels, increasing the rate of glycolysis and repressing the AMPK activity. Formate also induces an increase in the pyrimidine precursor orotate and the urea cycle intermediate argininosuccinate, in agreement with the ATP-dependent activities of carbamoyl-phosphate and argininosuccinate synthetase. In vivo data for mouse and human cancers confirms the association between increased formate production, nucleotide and energy metabolism. Finally, the in vitro observations are recapitulated in mice following and intraperitoneal injection of formate. We conclude that formate is a potent regulator of purine, pyrimidine and energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sergio Lilla
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Karen Blyth
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sara R Zanivan
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Johannes Meiser
- Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-1526, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Alexei Vazquez
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK.
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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8
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Steinberg GR, Carling D. AMP-activated protein kinase: the current landscape for drug development. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2020; 18:527-551. [PMID: 30867601 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-019-0019-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 390] [Impact Index Per Article: 97.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as a central regulator of energy homeostasis, many exciting insights into its structure, regulation and physiological roles have been revealed. While exercise, caloric restriction, metformin and many natural products increase AMPK activity and exert a multitude of health benefits, developing direct activators of AMPK to elicit beneficial effects has been challenging. However, in recent years, direct AMPK activators have been identified and tested in preclinical models, and a small number have entered clinical trials. Despite these advances, which disease(s) represent the best indications for therapeutic AMPK activation and the long-term safety of such approaches remain to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory R Steinberg
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, Department of Medicine and Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
| | - David Carling
- Cellular Stress Group, Medical Research Council London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK
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9
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Methotrexate significantly induces apoptosis by inhibiting STAT3 activation in NPM-ALK-positive ALCL cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 170:113666. [PMID: 31654627 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.113666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is associated with a characteristic chromosomal translocation that generates the oncogenic fusion protein, nucleophosmin-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (NPM-ALK). Methotrexate is a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug in the treatment of multiple cancers due to its inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), which suppresses the synthesis of DNA. In the present study, we found that low-dose methotrexate significantly induced apoptosis in transformed Ba/F3 cells expressing NPM-ALK by inhibiting the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 (STAT3), a critical downstream molecule of NPM-ALK. Although methotrexate prevented the phosphorylation of STAT3, it did not affect the activity of NPM-ALK. A co-treatment with folinic acid prevented the methotrexate-induced inhibition of STAT3 activation and induction of apoptosis, suggesting that methotrexate exerts its cytotoxic effects by depleting tetrahydrofolate (THF) in transformed cells by NPM-ALK. Furthermore, methotrexate induced the down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein, MCL-1, DNA damage, and the activation of a p53 tumor suppressor, leading to apoptosis through the inhibition of STAT3. Methotrexate significantly induced apoptosis in ALK inhibitor-resistant cells expressing the NPM-ALK mutant harboring the point mutation, G262R, and in ALCL patient-derived NPM-ALK-positive Ki-JK cells. Collectively, these results demonstrate the potential therapeutic application of methotrexate, which inhibits the activation of STAT3, to NPM-ALK-positive ALCL.
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10
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Abstract
Nutrient overload occurs worldwide as a consequence of the modern diet pattern and the physical inactivity that sometimes accompanies it. Cells initiate multiple protective mechanisms to adapt to elevated intracellular metabolites and restore metabolic homeostasis, but irreversible injury to the cells can occur in the event of prolonged nutrient overload. Many studies have advanced the understanding of the different detrimental effects of nutrient overload; however, few reports have made connections and given the full picture of the impact of nutrient overload on cellular metabolism. In this review, detailed changes in metabolic and energy homeostasis caused by chronic nutrient overload, as well as their associations with the development of metabolic disorders, are discussed. Overnutrition-induced changes in key organelles and sensors rewire cellular bioenergetic pathways and facilitate the shift of the metabolic state toward biosynthesis, thereby leading to the onset of various metabolic disorders, which are essentially the downstream manifestations of a misbalanced metabolic equilibrium. Based on these mechanisms, potential therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders and new research directions are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haowen Qiu
- Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences and Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Vicki Schlegel
- Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences and Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
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11
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Dolinar K, Jan V, Pavlin M, Chibalin AV, Pirkmajer S. Nucleosides block AICAR-stimulated activation of AMPK in skeletal muscle and cancer cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2018; 315:C803-C817. [PMID: 30230919 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00311.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is a major regulator of energy metabolism and a promising target for development of new treatments for type 2 diabetes and cancer. 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR), an adenosine analog, is a standard positive control for AMPK activation in cell-based assays. Some broadly used cell culture media, such as minimal essential medium α (MEMα), contain high concentrations of adenosine and other nucleosides. We determined whether such media alter AICAR action in skeletal muscle and cancer cells. In nucleoside-free media, AICAR stimulated AMPK activation, increased glucose uptake, and suppressed cell proliferation. Conversely, these effects were blunted or completely blocked in MEMα that contains nucleosides. Addition of adenosine or 2'-deoxyadenosine to nucleoside-free media also suppressed AICAR action. MEMα with nucleosides blocked AICAR-stimulated AMPK activation even in the presence of methotrexate, which normally markedly enhances AICAR action by reducing its intracellular clearance. Other common media components, such as vitamin B-12, vitamin C, and α-lipoic acid, had a minor modulatory effect on AICAR action. Our findings show that nucleoside-containing media, commonly used in AMPK research, block action of the most widely used pharmacological AMPK activator AICAR. Results of cell-based assays in which AICAR is used for AMPK activation therefore critically depend on media formulation. Furthermore, our findings highlight a role for extracellular nucleosides and nucleoside transporters in regulation of AMPK activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klemen Dolinar
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana , Ljubljana , Slovenia.,Group for Nano and Biotechnological Applications, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana , Ljubljana , Slovenia
| | - Vid Jan
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana , Ljubljana , Slovenia
| | - Mojca Pavlin
- Group for Nano and Biotechnological Applications, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana , Ljubljana , Slovenia.,Institute of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana , Ljubljana , Slovenia
| | - Alexander V Chibalin
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Integrative Physiology, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden.,National Research Tomsk State University , Tomsk , Russia
| | - Sergej Pirkmajer
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana , Ljubljana , Slovenia
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12
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Co-Cultured Continuously Bioluminescent Human Cells as Bioreporters for the Detection of Prodrug Therapeutic Impact Pre- and Post-Metabolism. SENSORS 2017; 17:s17122827. [PMID: 29211045 PMCID: PMC5751572 DOI: 10.3390/s17122827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Modern drug discovery workflows require assay systems capable of replicating the complex interactions of multiple tissue types, but that can still function under high throughput conditions. In this work, we evaluate the use of substrate-free autobioluminescence in human cell lines to support the performance of these assays with reduced economical and logistical restrictions relative to substrate-requiring bioluminescent reporter systems. The use of autobioluminescence was found to support assay functionality similar to existing luciferase reporter targets. The autobioluminescent assay format was observed to correlate strongly with general metabolic activity markers such as ATP content and the presence of reactive oxygen species, but not with secondary markers such as glutathione depletion. At the transcriptional level, autobioluminescent dynamics were most closely associated with expression of the CYP1A1 phase I detoxification pathway. These results suggest constitutively autobioluminescent cells can function as general metabolic activity bioreporters, while pairing expression of the autobioluminescent phenotype to detoxification pathway specific promoters could create more specific sensor systems.
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13
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Fales KR, Njoroge FG, Brooks HB, Thibodeaux S, Torrado A, Si C, Toth JL, Mc Cowan JR, Roth KD, Thrasher KJ, Frimpong K, Lee MR, Dally RD, Shepherd TA, Durham TB, Margolis BJ, Wu Z, Wang Y, Atwell S, Wang J, Hui YH, Meier TI, Konicek SA, Geeganage S. Discovery of N-(6-Fluoro-1-oxo-1,2-dihydroisoquinolin-7-yl)-5-[(3R)-3-hydroxypyrrolidin-1-yl]thiophene-2-sulfonamide (LSN 3213128), a Potent and Selective Nonclassical Antifolate Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide Ribonucleotide Formyltransferase (AICARFT) Inhibitor Effective at Tumor Suppression in a Cancer Xenograft Model. J Med Chem 2017; 60:9599-9616. [PMID: 29072452 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
A hallmark of cancer is unbridled proliferation that can result in increased demand for de novo synthesis of purine and pyrimidine bases required for DNA and RNA biosynthesis. These synthetic pathways are frequently upregulated in cancer and involve various folate-dependent enzymes. Antifolates have a proven record as clinically used oncolytic agents. Our recent research efforts have produced LSN 3213128 (compound 28a), a novel, selective, nonclassical, orally bioavailable antifolate with potent and specific inhibitory activity for aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (AICARFT), an enzyme in the purine biosynthetic pathway. Inhibition of AICARFT with compound 28a results in dramatic elevation of 5-aminoimidazole 4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (ZMP) and growth inhibition in NCI-H460 and MDA-MB-231met2 cancer cell lines. Treatment with this inhibitor in a murine based xenograft model of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) resulted in tumor growth inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R Fales
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - F George Njoroge
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Harold B Brooks
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Stefan Thibodeaux
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Alicia Torrado
- Centro de Investigación Lilly , S. A., Avda. de la Industria 30, 28108 Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Chong Si
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - James L Toth
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Jefferson R Mc Cowan
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Kenneth D Roth
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Kenneth J Thrasher
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Kwame Frimpong
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Matthew R Lee
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Robert D Dally
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Timothy A Shepherd
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Timothy B Durham
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Brandon J Margolis
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Zhipei Wu
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Yong Wang
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Shane Atwell
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Jing Wang
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Yu-Hua Hui
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Timothy I Meier
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Susan A Konicek
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Sandaruwan Geeganage
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company , Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
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14
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Cheng X, Chen B, Pan Y, Guo L, Feng W, Dong Y. Simultaneous Quantification of 5-Aminoimidazole-4-Carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside and Its Active Metabolite 5-Aminoimidazole-4-Carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranotide in Mice Plasma by LC–MS/MS. Chromatographia 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10337-017-3392-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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15
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Gabel SA, Duff MR, Pedersen LC, DeRose EF, Krahn JM, Howell EE, London RE. A Structural Basis for Biguanide Activity. Biochemistry 2017; 56:4786-4798. [PMID: 28766937 PMCID: PMC5740485 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Metformin is the most commonly prescribed treatment for type II diabetes and related disorders; however, molecular insights into its mode(s) of action have been limited by an absence of structural data. Structural considerations along with a growing body of literature demonstrating its effects on one-carbon metabolism suggest the possibility of folate mimicry and anti-folate activity. Motivated by the growing recognition that anti-diabetic biguanides may act directly upon the gut microbiome, we have determined structures of the complexes formed between the anti-diabetic biguanides (phenformin, buformin, and metformin) and Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (ecDHFR) based on nuclear magnetic resonance, crystallographic, and molecular modeling studies. Interligand Overhauser effects indicate that metformin can form ternary complexes with p-aminobenzoyl-l-glutamate (pABG) as well as other ligands that occupy the region of the folate-binding site that interacts with pABG; however, DHFR inhibition is not cooperative. The biguanides competitively inhibit the activity of ecDHFR, with the phenformin inhibition constant being 100-fold lower than that of metformin. This inhibition may be significant at concentrations present in the gut of treated individuals, and inhibition of DHFR in intestinal mucosal cells may also occur if accumulation levels are sufficient. Perturbation of folate homeostasis can alter the pyridine nucleotide redox ratios that are important regulators of cellular metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A. Gabel
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, 111 T. W. Alexander Dr. Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
| | - Michael R. Duff
- Department of Biochemistry, Cellular & Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996
| | - Lars C. Pedersen
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, 111 T. W. Alexander Dr. Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
| | - Eugene F. DeRose
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, 111 T. W. Alexander Dr. Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
| | | | - Elizabeth E. Howell
- Department of Biochemistry, Cellular & Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996
| | - Robert E. London
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, 111 T. W. Alexander Dr. Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
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16
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Gejjalagere Honnappa C, Mazhuvancherry Kesavan U. A concise review on advances in development of small molecule anti-inflammatory therapeutics emphasising AMPK: An emerging target. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2016; 29:562-571. [PMID: 27707958 DOI: 10.1177/0394632016673369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory diseases are complex, multi-factorial outcomes of evolutionarily conserved tissue repair processes. For decades, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and cyclooxygenase inhibitors, the primary drugs of choice for the management of inflammatory diseases, addressed individual targets in the arachidonic acid pathway. Unsatisfactory safety and efficacy profiles of the above have necessitated the development of multi-target agents to treat complex inflammatory diseases. Current anti-inflammatory therapies still fall short of clinical needs and the clinical trial results of multi-target therapeutics are anticipated. Additionally, new drug targets are emerging with improved understanding of molecular mechanisms controlling the pathophysiology of inflammation. This review presents an outline of small molecules and drug targets in anti-inflammatory therapeutics with a summary of a newly identified target AMP-activated protein kinase, which constitutes a novel therapeutic pathway in inflammatory pathology.
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17
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Rajh M, Dolinar K, Miš K, Pavlin M, Pirkmajer S. Medium Renewal Blocks Anti-Proliferative Effects of Metformin in Cultured MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154747. [PMID: 27135408 PMCID: PMC4852933 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies indicate that metformin, a widely used type 2 diabetes drug, might reduce breast cancer risk and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Metformin might protect against breast cancer indirectly by ameliorating systemic glucose homeostasis. Alternatively, it might target breast cancer cells directly. However, experiments using MDA-MB-231 cells, a standard in vitro breast cancer model, produced inconsistent results regarding effectiveness of metformin as a direct anti-cancer agent. Metformin treatments in cultured MDA-MB-231 cells are usually performed for 48-96 hours, but protocols describing renewal of cell culture medium during these prolonged treatments are rarely reported. We determined whether medium renewal protocol might alter sensitivity of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with metformin. Using the MTS assay, BrdU incorporation and Hoechst staining we found that treatment with metformin for 48-72 hours failed to suppress viability and proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells if low-glucose (1 g/L) medium was renewed every 24 hours. Conversely, metformin suppressed their viability and proliferation if medium was not renewed. Without renewal glucose concentration in the medium was reduced to 0.1 g/L in 72 hours, which likely explains increased sensitivity to metformin under these conditions. We also examined whether 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) reduces resistance to metformin. In the presence of 2-DG metformin reduced viability and proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells with or without medium renewal, thus demonstrating that 2-DG reduces their resistance to metformin. In sum, we show that medium renewal blocks anti-proliferative effects of metformin during prolonged treatments in low-glucose medium. Differences in medium renewal protocols during prolonged treatments might therefore lead to apparently inconsistent results as regards effectiveness of metformin as a direct anti-cancer agent. Finally, our results indicate that co-therapy with 2-DG and metformin might provide an effective strategy to overcome metformin resistance of breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maruša Rajh
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Klemen Dolinar
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katarina Miš
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mojca Pavlin
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sergej Pirkmajer
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- * E-mail:
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18
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Arkwright RT, Deshmukh R, Adapa N, Stevens R, Zonder E, Zhang Z, Farshi P, Ahmed RSI, El-Banna HA, Chan TH, Dou QP. Lessons from Nature: Sources and Strategies for Developing AMPK Activators for Cancer Chemotherapeutics. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2016; 15:657-71. [PMID: 25511514 DOI: 10.2174/1871520615666141216145417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Revised: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase or AMPK is a highly-conserved master-regulator of numerous cellular processes, including: Maintaining cellular-energy homeostasis, modulation of cytoskeletaldynamics, directing cell growth-rates and influencing cell-death pathways. AMPK has recently emerged as a promising molecular target in cancer therapy. In fact, AMPK deficiencies have been shown to enhance cell growth and proliferation, which is consistent with enhancement of tumorigenesis by AMPK-loss. Conversely, activation of AMPK is associated with tumor growth suppression via inhibition of the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex-1 (mTORC1) or the mTOR signal pathway. The scientific communities' recognition that AMPK-activating compounds possess an anti-neoplastic effect has contributed to a rush of discoveries and developments in AMPK-activating compounds as potential anticancer-drugs. One such example is the class of compounds known as Biguanides, which include Metformin and Phenformin. The current review will showcase natural compounds and their derivatives that activate the AMPK-complex and signaling pathway. In addition, the biology and history of AMPK-signaling and AMPK-activating compounds will be overviewed, their anticancer-roles and mechanisms-of-actions will be discussed, and potential strategies for the development of novel, selective AMPK-activators with enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity will be proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Q Ping Dou
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, 540.1 HWCRC, 4100 John R Road, Detroit, MI 48201- 2013.
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Kim J, Yang G, Kim Y, Kim J, Ha J. AMPK activators: mechanisms of action and physiological activities. Exp Mol Med 2016; 48:e224. [PMID: 27034026 PMCID: PMC4855276 DOI: 10.1038/emm.2016.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 472] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a central regulator of energy homeostasis, which coordinates metabolic pathways and thus balances nutrient supply with energy demand. Because of the favorable physiological outcomes of AMPK activation on metabolism, AMPK has been considered to be an important therapeutic target for controlling human diseases including metabolic syndrome and cancer. Thus, activators of AMPK may have potential as novel therapeutics for these diseases. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of both indirect and direct AMPK activators and their modes of action in relation to the structure of AMPK. We discuss the functional differences among isoform-specific AMPK complexes and their significance regarding the development of novel AMPK activators and the potential for combining different AMPK activators in the treatment of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joungmok Kim
- Depatment of Oral Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Goowon Yang
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeji Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joohun Ha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
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20
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Biniecka M, Canavan M, McGarry T, Gao W, McCormick J, Cregan S, Gallagher L, Smith T, Phelan JJ, Ryan J, O'Sullivan J, Ng CT, Veale DJ, Fearon U. Dysregulated bioenergetics: a key regulator of joint inflammation. Ann Rheum Dis 2016; 75:2192-2200. [PMID: 27013493 PMCID: PMC5136702 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-208476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Revised: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Objectives This study examines the relationship between synovial hypoxia and cellular bioenergetics with synovial inflammation. Methods Primary rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASF) were cultured with hypoxia, dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) or metabolic intermediates. Mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial DNA mutations, cell invasion, cytokines, glucose and lactate were quantified using specific functional assays. RASF metabolism was assessed by the XF24-Flux Analyzer. Mitochondrial structural morphology was assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In vivo synovial tissue oxygen (tpO2 mmHg) was measured in patients with inflammatory arthritis (n=42) at arthroscopy, and markers of glycolysis/oxidative phosphorylation (glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), PKM2, GLUT1, ATP) were quantified by immunohistology. A subgroup of patients underwent contiguous MRI and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT imaging. RASF and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) migration/angiogenesis, transcriptional activation (HIF1α, pSTAT3, Notch1-IC) and cytokines were examined in the presence of glycolytic inhibitor 3-(3-Pyridinyl)-1-(4-pyridinyl)-2-propen-1-one (3PO). Results DMOG significantly increased mtDNA mutations, mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial mass, reactive oxygen species and glycolytic RASF activity with concomitant attenuation of mitochondrial respiration and ATP activity (all p<0.01). This was coupled with altered mitochondrial morphology. Hypoxia-induced lactate levels (p<0.01), which in turn induced basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) secretion and RASF invasiveness (all p<0.05). In vivo glycolytic markers were inversely associated with synovial tpO2 levels <20 mm Hg, in contrast ATP was significantly reduced (all p<0.05). Decrease in GAPDH and GLUT1 was paralleled by an increase in in vivo tpO2 in tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitor (TNFi) responders. Novel PET/MRI hybrid imaging demonstrated close association between metabolic activity and inflammation. 3PO significantly inhibited RASF invasion/migration, angiogenic tube formation, secretion of proinflammatory mediators (all p<0.05), and activation of HIF1α, pSTAT3 and Notch-1IC under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Conclusions Hypoxia alters cellular bioenergetics by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and promoting a switch to glycolysis, supporting abnormal angiogenesis, cellular invasion and pannus formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Biniecka
- Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - M Canavan
- Department of Molecular Rheumatology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - T McGarry
- Department of Molecular Rheumatology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - W Gao
- Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - J McCormick
- Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - S Cregan
- Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - L Gallagher
- Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - T Smith
- Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - J J Phelan
- Department of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - J Ryan
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - J O'Sullivan
- Department of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C T Ng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - D J Veale
- Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - U Fearon
- Department of Molecular Rheumatology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Fodor T, Szántó M, Abdul-Rahman O, Nagy L, Dér Á, Kiss B, Bai P. Combined Treatment of MCF-7 Cells with AICAR and Methotrexate, Arrests Cell Cycle and Reverses Warburg Metabolism through AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) and FOXO1. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150232. [PMID: 26919657 PMCID: PMC4769015 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells are characterized by metabolic alterations, namely, depressed mitochondrial oxidation, enhanced glycolysis and pentose phosphate shunt flux to support rapid cell growth, which is called the Warburg effect. In our study we assessed the metabolic consequences of a joint treatment of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with AICAR, an inducer of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) jointly with methotrexate (MTX), a folate-analog antimetabolite that blunts de novo nucleotide synthesis. MCF7 cells, a model of breast cancer cells, were resistant to the individual application of AICAR or MTX, however combined treatment of AICAR and MTX reduced cell proliferation. Prolonged joint application of AICAR and MTX induced AMPK and consequently enhanced mitochondrial oxidation and reduced the rate of glycolysis. These metabolic changes suggest an anti-Warburg rearrangement of metabolism that led to the block of the G1/S and the G2/M transition slowing down cell cycle. The slowdown of cell proliferation was abolished when mitotropic transcription factors, PGC-1α, PGC-1β or FOXO1 were silenced. In human breast cancers higher expression of AMPKα and FOXO1 extended survival. AICAR and MTX exerts similar additive antiproliferative effect on other breast cancer cell lines, such as SKBR and 4T1 cells, too. Our data not only underline the importance of Warburg metabolism in breast cancer cells but nominate the AICAR+MTX combination as a potential cytostatic regime blunting Warburg metabolism. Furthermore, we suggest the targeting of AMPK and FOXO1 to combat breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Fodor
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Magdolna Szántó
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
- MTA-DE Cell Biology and Signaling Research Group, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Omar Abdul-Rahman
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
- MTA-DE Cell Biology and Signaling Research Group, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Lilla Nagy
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
- MTA-DE Cell Biology and Signaling Research Group, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Ádám Dér
- Department of Oncology, Section of Radiation Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Borbála Kiss
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
| | - Peter Bai
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
- MTA-DE Lendület Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, H-4032, Hungary
- * E-mail:
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22
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Thornton CC, Al-Rashed F, Calay D, Birdsey GM, Bauer A, Mylroie H, Morley BJ, Randi AM, Haskard DO, Boyle JJ, Mason JC. Methotrexate-mediated activation of an AMPK-CREB-dependent pathway: a novel mechanism for vascular protection in chronic systemic inflammation. Ann Rheum Dis 2016; 75:439-48. [PMID: 25575725 PMCID: PMC4752671 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-206305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Premature cardiovascular events complicate chronic inflammatory conditions. Low-dose weekly methotrexate (MTX), the most widely used disease-modifying drug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), reduces disease-associated cardiovascular mortality. MTX increases intracellular accumulation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide which activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). We hypothesised that MTX specifically protects the vascular endothelium against inflammatory injury via induction of AMPK-regulated protective genes. METHODS/RESULTS In the (NZW×BXSB)F1 murine model of inflammatory vasculopathy, MTX 1 mg/kg/week significantly reduced intramyocardial vasculopathy and attenuated end-organ damage. Studies of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and arterial endothelial cells (HAEC) showed that therapeutically relevant concentrations of MTX phosphorylate AMPKα(Thr172), and induce cytoprotective genes including manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1). These responses were preserved when HUVECs were pretreated with tumour necrosis factor-α to mimic dysfunctional endothelium. Furthermore, MTX protected against glucose deprivation-induced endothelial apoptosis. Mechanistically, MTX treatment led to cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB)(Ser133) phosphorylation, while AMPK depletion attenuated this response and the induction of MnSOD and HO-1. CREB siRNA inhibited upregulation of both cytoprotective genes by MTX, while chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated CREB binding to the MnSOD promoter in MTX-treated EC. Likewise, treatment of (NZW×BXSB)F1 mice with MTX enhanced AMPKα(Thr172) phosphorylation and MnSOD, and reduced aortic intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that MTX therapeutically conditions vascular endothelium via activation of AMPK-CREB. We propose that this mechanism contributes to the protection against cardiovascular events seen in patients with RA treated with MTX.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Thornton
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - F Al-Rashed
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK King Fahad Cardiac Centre, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - D Calay
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - G M Birdsey
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - A Bauer
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - H Mylroie
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - A M Randi
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - D O Haskard
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - J J Boyle
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - J C Mason
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
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Garcin G, Guiraud I, Lacroix M, Genthon C, Rialle S, Joujoux JM, Meunier L, Lavabre-Bertrand T, Stoebner PE, Le Gallic L. AMPK/HuR-Driven IL-20 Post-Transcriptional Regulation in Psoriatic Skin. J Invest Dermatol 2015; 135:2732-2741. [PMID: 26176762 DOI: 10.1038/jid.2015.282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Revised: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
IL-20 is involved in the development of skin psoriasis. The molecular mechanisms underlying IL-20 overexpression in psoriatic epidermis remain to be elucidated. We showed that IL-20 was primarily upregulated in psoriatic skin at the post-transcriptional level. The RNA-binding protein HuR relocalized to the cytoplasm of keratinocytes (KCs) of psoriatic patients, suggesting that it stabilizes numerous transcripts, as observed in the human KC cell lines used to assess IL-20 mRNA. We characterized epidermal HuR RNA targets in psoriatic skin using ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation analyzed via high-throughput sequencing. Numerous transcripts that are upregulated in psoriasis were targeted by HuR, supporting the participation of HuR in pathogenic processes such as morphological changes, innate and adaptive immune responses, and metabolic inflammatory responses. Finally, we identified the metabolic sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as being responsible for HuR cytoplasmic relocalization because its activity was severely impaired in human psoriatic epidermis, and in vivo drug-mediated AMPK inhibition in mouse epidermis promoted HuR cytoplasmic localization, IL-20 overproduction, acanthosis, and hyperkeratosis. These results provide insights into the molecular links between metabolism and post-transcriptional networks during chronic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geneviève Garcin
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques (DIMNP), CNRS UMR 5235, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Isabelle Guiraud
- Laboratoire d'Histologie-Embryologie-Cytogénétique, Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), CNRS UMR 5247, Faculté de Médecine Montpellier-Nîmes, Université de Montpellier, Nîmes, France
| | - Matthieu Lacroix
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier (ICM), INSERM U896, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Clémence Genthon
- Montpellier Genomix (MGX), Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), CNRS INSERM UMS3426, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Stéphanie Rialle
- Montpellier Genomix (MGX), Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), CNRS INSERM UMS3426, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Marie Joujoux
- Service d'Anatomopathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - Laurent Meunier
- Service de Dermatologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - Thierry Lavabre-Bertrand
- Laboratoire d'Histologie-Embryologie-Cytogénétique, Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), CNRS UMR 5247, Faculté de Médecine Montpellier-Nîmes, Université de Montpellier, Nîmes, France
| | | | - Lionel Le Gallic
- Laboratoire d'Histologie-Embryologie-Cytogénétique, Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), CNRS UMR 5247, Faculté de Médecine Montpellier-Nîmes, Université de Montpellier, Nîmes, France.
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Tedeschi PM, Johnson-Farley N, Lin H, Shelton LM, Ooga T, Mackay G, Van Den Broek N, Bertino JR, Vazquez A. Quantification of folate metabolism using transient metabolic flux analysis. Cancer Metab 2015; 3:6. [PMID: 26023330 PMCID: PMC4446824 DOI: 10.1186/s40170-015-0132-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systematic quantitative methodologies are needed to understand the heterogeneity of cell metabolism across cell types in normal physiology, disease, and treatment. Metabolic flux analysis (MFA) can be used to infer steady state fluxes, but it does not apply for transient dynamics. Kinetic flux profiling (KFP) can be used in the context of transient dynamics, and it is the current gold standard. However, KFP requires measurements at several time points, limiting its use in high-throughput applications. RESULTS Here we propose transient MFA (tMFA) as a cost-effective methodology to quantify metabolic fluxes using metabolomics and isotope tracing. tMFA exploits the time scale separation between the dynamics of different metabolites to obtain mathematical equations relating metabolic fluxes to metabolite concentrations and isotope fractions. We show that the isotope fractions of serine and glycine are at steady state 8 h after addition of a tracer, while those of purines and glutathione are following a transient dynamics with an approximately constant turnover rate per unit of metabolite, supporting the application of tMFA to the analysis of folate metabolism. Using tMFA, we investigate the heterogeneity of folate metabolism and the response to the antifolate methotrexate in breast cancer cells. Our analysis indicates that methotrexate not only inhibits purine synthesis but also induces an increase in the AMP/ATP ratio, activation of AMP kinase (AMPK), and the inhibition of protein and glutathione synthesis. We also find that in some cancer cells, the generation of one-carbon units from serine exceeds the biosynthetic demand. CONCLUSIONS This work validates tMFA as a cost-effective methodology to investigate cell metabolism. Using tMFA, we have shown that the effects of treatment with the antifolate methotrexate extend beyond inhibition of purine synthesis and propagate to other pathways in central metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip M Tedeschi
- />Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA
| | | | - Hongxia Lin
- />Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA
| | - Laura M Shelton
- />Human Metabolome Technologies America, Boston, MA 02134 USA
| | - Takushi Ooga
- />Human Metabolome Technologies, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052 Japan
| | - Gillian Mackay
- />Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD UK
| | - Niels Van Den Broek
- />Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD UK
| | - Joseph R Bertino
- />Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA
| | - Alexei Vazquez
- />Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA
- />Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD UK
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Pirkmajer S, Kulkarni SS, Tom RZ, Ross FA, Hawley SA, Hardie DG, Zierath JR, Chibalin AV. Methotrexate promotes glucose uptake and lipid oxidation in skeletal muscle via AMPK activation. Diabetes 2015; 64:360-9. [PMID: 25338814 PMCID: PMC5703413 DOI: 10.2337/db14-0508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) is a widely used anticancer and antirheumatic drug that has been postulated to protect against metabolic risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes, although the mechanism remains unknown. MTX inhibits 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase/inosine monophosphate cyclohydrolase (ATIC) and thereby slows the metabolism of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-5'-monophosphate (ZMP) and its precursor AICAR, which is a pharmacological AMPK activator. We explored whether MTX promotes AMPK activation in cultured myotubes and isolated skeletal muscle. We found MTX markedly reduced the threshold for AICAR-induced AMPK activation and potentiated glucose uptake and lipid oxidation. Gene silencing of the MTX target ATIC activated AMPK and stimulated lipid oxidation in cultured myotubes. Furthermore, MTX activated AMPK in wild-type HEK-293 cells. These effects were abolished in skeletal muscle lacking the muscle-specific, ZMP-sensitive AMPK-γ3 subunit and in HEK-293 cells expressing a ZMP-insensitive mutant AMPK-γ2 subunit. Collectively, our findings underscore a role for AMPK as a direct molecular link between MTX and energy metabolism in skeletal muscle. Cotherapy with AICAR and MTX could represent a novel strategy to treat metabolic disorders and overcome current limitations of AICAR monotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergej Pirkmajer
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Integrative Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sameer S Kulkarni
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Integrative Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Robby Z Tom
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Integrative Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fiona A Ross
- Division of Cell Signalling & Immunology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | - Simon A Hawley
- Division of Cell Signalling & Immunology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | - D Grahame Hardie
- Division of Cell Signalling & Immunology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | - Juleen R Zierath
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Integrative Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Integrative Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alexander V Chibalin
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Integrative Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Glossmann H, Reider N. A marriage of two "Methusalem" drugs for the treatment of psoriasis?: Arguments for a pilot trial with metformin as add-on for methotrexate. DERMATO-ENDOCRINOLOGY 2014; 5:252-63. [PMID: 24194965 PMCID: PMC3772913 DOI: 10.4161/derm.23874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2012] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In this article we present arguments that the “antidiabetic” drug metformin could be useful as an add-on therapy to methotrexate for the treatment of psoriasis and, perhaps, for rheumatoid arthritis as well. Biochemical data suggest that both drugs may share a common cellular target, the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This enzyme is a master regulator of metabolism and controls a number of downstream targets, e.g., important for cellular growth or function in many tissues including T-lymphocytes. Clinical observations as well as experimental results argue for anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic and antiproliferative activities of metformin and a case-control study suggests that the drug reduces the risk for psoriasis.
Patients with psoriasis have higher risk of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular mortality. Metformin has proven efficacy in the treatment of prediabetes and leads to a pronounced and sustained weight loss in overweight individuals. We expect that addition of metformin to methotrexate can lead to positive effects with respect to the PASI score, reduction of the weekly methotrexate dose and of elevated cardiovascular risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome and psoriasis. For reasons explained later we suggest that only male, overweight patients are to be included in a pilot trial. On the other side of the coin are concerns that the gastrointestinal side effects of metformin are intolerable for patients under low dose, intermittent methotrexate therapy. Metformin has another side effect, namely interference with vitamin B12 and folate metabolism, leading to elevated homocysteine serum levels. As patients must receive folate supplementation and will be controlled with respect to their B12 status increased hematological toxicity is unlikely to result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hartmut Glossmann
- Institute for Biochemical Pharmacology; Department of Dermatology; Medical University of Innsbruck; Innsbruck, Austria
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Fox EJ, Leeder JS, Ye SQ, Becker ML. Decreased expression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis receiving methotrexate. J Rheumatol 2013; 40:741-2. [PMID: 23637381 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.120639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Funk RS, van Haandel L, Becker ML, Leeder JS. Low-dose methotrexate results in the selective accumulation of aminoimidazole carboxamide ribotide in an erythroblastoid cell line. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2013; 347:154-63. [PMID: 23887097 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.113.206672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic and toxic response to low-dose methotrexate (MTX) in the treatment of autoimmune disease continues to be highly variable, resulting in a critical need to identify predictive biomarkers of response. Biomarker development has been hampered by an incomplete understanding of the molecular pharmacology of low-dose MTX. To address this issue, accumulation of the substrates for aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide transformylase (AICART) and thymidylate synthase (TS) was measured as markers of pharmacological activity of MTX in an erythroblastoid cell line. A 115-fold increase in the AICART substrate and anti-inflammatory mediator, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranosyl 5'-monophosphate (ZMP), was observed following exposure to 10 nM MTX but subsequently decreased with increasing MTX concentrations, declining to baseline levels with 1000 nM MTX. In contrast, the TS substrate, 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate disodium salt (dUMP), displayed concentration-dependent accumulation, increasing 29-, 342-, and 471-fold over baseline with 10, 100, and 1000 nM MTX, respectively. Cellular levels of dUMP correlated with levels of the parent drug (MTX-PG1; r = 0.66, P < 0.001) and its polyglutamates (MTX-PG2-6) (r = 0.81, P < 0.001), whereas cellular levels of ZMP were only moderately correlated with MTX-PG1 (r = 0.34, P < 0.01). In contrast, accumulation of ZMP at 10 nM MTX was associated with a 2.9-fold increase in the AICART inhibitor dihydrofolate (DHF), represented primarily by long-chain DHF polyglutamates. Selectivity, defined as the ratio of ZMP to dUMP, was maximal following exposure to 6 nM MTX. Characterizing the range of MTX concentrations that selectively promote ZMP accumulation while preserving pyrimidine biosynthesis may lead to optimization of low-dose MTX therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan S Funk
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri (R.S.F., L.v.H., M.L.B., J.S.L.); and Schools of Medicine (M.L.B., J.S.L.) and Pharmacy (J.S.L.), University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
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Cheng XL, Zhou TY, Li B, Li MY, Li L, Li ZQ, Lu W. Methotrexate and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside exert synergistic anticancer action against human breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2013; 34:951-9. [PMID: 23603981 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2013.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2012] [Accepted: 02/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the influences of methotrexate (MTX) on the anticancer actions and pharmacokinetics of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICA riboside) in human breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS Human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 were examined. The cell proliferation was assessed using a sulforhodamine B assay. Western blotting and radioactivity assays were used to analyze the phosphorylation of AMPK. The DNA synthesis was analyzed with BrdU incorporation. Nude mice bearing MCF-7 cell xenografts were used to for in vivo study. MTX (50 mg/kg, ip, per week) and AICA riboside (200 mg/kg, ip, every other day) were administered the animals for 2 weeks. The concentrations of AICA riboside and its active metabolite AICA ribotide in the plasma and tumors were measured with HPLC. RESULTS Synergistic cytotoxicity in vitro was observed with MTX (0.1, 0.5, and 1 μmol/L) combined with AICA riboside (0.25-1 mmol/L) in MCF-7 cells, and with MTX (0.5 and 1 μmol/L) combined with AICA riboside (0.5 and 1 mmol/L) in HepG2 cells. MTX (1 μmol/L) significantly enhanced the AICA riboside-induced AMPK activation and BrdU incorporation in both MCF-7 and HepG2 cells. Co-treatment with MTX and AICA riboside exerted more potent inhibition on the tumor growth in nude mice than either drug alone. After injection of AICA riboside (200 mg/kg, iv) in nude mice bearing MCF-7 xenografts, MTX (50 mg/kg, iv) significantly increased the concentrations of AICA riboside and its active metabolite AICA ribotide in tumors. CONCLUSION MTX and AICA riboside exert synergistic anticancer action against MCF-7 and HepG2 cells in vitro and in vivo. MTX increases the concentration of AICA riboside and its active metabolite AICA ribotide in tumors in vivo.
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McGettrick AF, O'Neill LAJ. How metabolism generates signals during innate immunity and inflammation. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:22893-8. [PMID: 23798679 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r113.486464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The interplay between immunity, inflammation, and metabolic changes is a growing field of research. Toll-like receptors and NOD-like receptors are families of innate immune receptors, and their role in the human immune response is well documented. Exciting new evidence is emerging with regard to their role in the regulation of metabolism and the activation of inflammatory pathways during the progression of metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. The proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β appears to play a central role in these disorders. There is also evidence that metabolites such as NAD(+) (acting via deacetylases such as SIRT1 and SIRT2) and succinate (which regulates hypoxia-inducible factor 1α) are signals that regulate innate immunity. In addition, the extracellular overproduction of metabolites such as uric acid and cholesterol crystals acts as a signal sensed by NLRP3, leading to the production of IL-1β. These observations cast new light on the role of metabolism during host defense and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne F McGettrick
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Buqué A, Aresti U, Calvo B, Sh Muhialdin J, Muñoz A, Carrera S, Azkona E, Rubio I, López-Vivanco G. Thymidylate synthase expression determines pemetrexed targets and resistance development in tumour cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63338. [PMID: 23675481 PMCID: PMC3652812 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Although treatment options for cancer patients are increasing every year, the drug resistance problem remains very present. It is very difficult to find a drug that acts equally on tumours of the same histology as the individual's genetic characteristics often determine the response to treatment. Furthermore, tumours that initially respond to anti-tumour therapy are able to adapt and develop resistance to the drug, while others do not. In addition, this usually implies resistance development to agents to which the cells have not been exposed, a phenomenon called cross-resistance or multidrug resistance. Given this situation, it has been suggested that the most appropriate treatment would be able to act in parallel on multiple pathways constitutively altered in tumour cells. Pemetrexed is a multitargeted antifolate that exerts its activity against folate-dependent enzymes involved in de novo pyrimidine and purine synthesis. It is currently in use in combination with cisplatin against malignant pleural mesothelioma and non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer with favourable results. By real-time RT-PCR gene expression assays and restoration viability assays we demonstrated that Pemetrexed targets folate-dependent enzymes involved in de novo biosynthesis of purines differently depending on the intrinsic genetic characteristics of the tumour. These differences did not, however, interfere either with the initial response to the drug or with the activation of apoptotic pathways. In addition, these genetic fingerprints can differentiate two groups of tumours: those capable of developing resistance to antifolate, and not capable. These results may be useful to employ targets gene expression as resistance markers, a valuable tool for identifying patients likely to receive combination therapy to prevent the development of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitziber Buqué
- Medical Oncology Research Laboratory, Cruces Universtity Hospital, Bizkaia, Spain.
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Dandapani M, Hardie DG. AMPK: opposing the metabolic changes in both tumour cells and inflammatory cells? Biochem Soc Trans 2013; 41:687-93. [PMID: 23514177 PMCID: PMC3638122 DOI: 10.1042/bst20120351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) is a sensor of cellular energy status that appears to have arisen during early eukaryotic evolution. In the unicellular eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the AMPK orthologue is activated by glucose starvation and is required for the switch from glycolysis (fermentation) to oxidative metabolism when glucose runs low. In mammals, rapidly proliferating cells (including tumour cells) and immune cells involved in inflammation both tend to utilize rapid glucose uptake and glycolysis (termed the Warburg effect or aerobic glycolysis) rather than oxidative metabolism to satisfy their high demand for ATP. Since mammalian AMPK, similar to its yeast orthologue, tends to promote the more energy-efficient oxidative metabolism at the expense of glycolysis, it might be expected that drugs that activate AMPK would inhibit cell proliferation and and hence cancer, as well as exerting anti-inflammatory effects. Evidence supporting this view is discussed, including our findings that AMPK is activated by the classic anti-inflammatory drug salicylate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhumita Dandapani
- College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, U.K.
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Brown KA, Samarajeewa NU, Simpson ER. Endocrine-related cancers and the role of AMPK. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2013; 366:170-9. [PMID: 22801104 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2012.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2011] [Revised: 04/06/2012] [Accepted: 06/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a master regulator of energy homeostasis involved in the regulation of a number of physiological processes including β-oxidation of fatty acids, lipogenesis, protein and cholesterol synthesis, as well as cell cycle inhibition and apoptosis. Important changes to these processes are known to occur in cancer due to changes in AMPK activity within cancer cells and in the periphery. This review aims to present findings relating to the role and regulation of AMPK in endocrine-related cancers. Obesity is a known risk factor for many types of cancers and a number of endocrine factors, including adipokines and steroid hormones, are regulated by and regulate AMPK. A clear role for AMPK in breast cancer is evident from the already impressive body of work published to date. However, information pertaining to its role in prostate cancer is still contentious, and future work should unravel the intricacies behind its role to inhibit, in some cases, and stimulate cancer growth in others. This review also presents data relating to the role of AMPK in cancers of the endometrium, ovary and colon, and discusses the possible use of AMPK-activating drugs including metformin for the treatment of all endocrine-related cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristy A Brown
- Metabolism and Cancer Laboratory, Prince Henry's Institute, Clayton 3168, Australia.
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O'Neill LAJ, Hardie DG. Metabolism of inflammation limited by AMPK and pseudo-starvation. Nature 2013; 493:346-55. [PMID: 23325217 DOI: 10.1038/nature11862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 859] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Accepted: 11/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic changes in cells that participate in inflammation, such as activated macrophages and T-helper 17 cells, include a shift towards enhanced glucose uptake, glycolysis and increased activity of the pentose phosphate pathway. Opposing roles in these changes for hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and AMP-activated protein kinase have been proposed. By contrast, anti-inflammatory cells, such as M2 macrophages, regulatory T cells and quiescent memory T cells, have lower glycolytic rates and higher levels of oxidative metabolism. Some anti-inflammatory agents might act by inducing, through activation of AMP-activated protein kinase, a state akin to pseudo-starvation. Altered metabolism may thus participate in the signal-directed programs that promote or inhibit inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke A J O'Neill
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
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Hardie DG, Ross FA, Hawley SA. AMP-activated protein kinase: a target for drugs both ancient and modern. CHEMISTRY & BIOLOGY 2012; 19:1222-36. [PMID: 23102217 PMCID: PMC5722193 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2012.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 281] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Revised: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 08/31/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a sensor of cellular energy status. It is activated, by a mechanism requiring the tumor suppressor LKB1, by metabolic stresses that increase cellular ADP:ATP and/or AMP:ATP ratios. Once activated, it switches on catabolic pathways that generate ATP, while switching off biosynthetic pathways and cell-cycle progress. These effects suggest that AMPK activators might be useful for treatment and/or prevention of type 2 diabetes and cancer. Indeed, AMPK is activated by the drugs metformin and salicylate, the latter being the major breakdown product of aspirin. Metformin is widely used to treat diabetes, while there is epidemiological evidence that both metformin and aspirin provide protection against cancer. We review the mechanisms of AMPK activation by these and other drugs, and by natural products derived from traditional herbal medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Grahame Hardie
- Division of Cell Signalling & Immunology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, Scotland, UK.
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Martelli AM, Chiarini F, Evangelisti C, Ognibene A, Bressanin D, Billi AM, Manzoli L, Cappellini A, McCubrey JA. Targeting the liver kinase B1/AMP-activated protein kinase pathway as a therapeutic strategy for hematological malignancies. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2012; 16:729-42. [PMID: 22686561 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2012.694869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite considerable advances, several hematological malignancies remain incurable with standard treatments. Therefore, there is a need for novel targeted and less toxic therapies, particularly for patients who develop resistance to traditional chemotherapeutic drugs. The liver kinase B1 (LKB1)/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway has recently emerged as a tumor suppressor axis. A critical point is that the LKB1/AMPK network remains functional in a wide range of cancers and could be stimulated by drugs, such as N,N-dimethylimidodicarbonimidic diamide (metformin) or 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR). AREAS COVERED The literature data show that drugs activating LKB1/AMPK signaling induced cell cycle arrest, caspase-dependent apoptosis or autophagy in hematopoietic tumors. Moreover, metformin effectively inhibited mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)-controlled oncogenetic protein translation, which does not occur with allosteric mTORC1 inhibitors, such as rapamycin and its derivatives. Metformin was also capable of targeting leukemic stem cells, the most relevant target for leukemia eradication. EXPERT OPINION Data emerging from preclinical settings suggest that the LKB1/AMPK pathway is critically involved in regulating proliferation and survival of malignant hematopoietic cells. Thus, it is proposed that drugs activating the LKB1/AMPK axis may offer a novel and less toxic treatment option for some types of hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto M Martelli
- University of Bologna, Human Anatomy, via Irnerio 48, Bologna, 40126, Italy.
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Visentin M, Zhao R, Goldman ID. Augmentation of reduced folate carrier-mediated folate/antifolate transport through an antiport mechanism with 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside monophosphate. Mol Pharmacol 2012; 82:209-16. [PMID: 22554803 DOI: 10.1124/mol.112.078642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR), an agent with diverse pharmacological properties, augments transport of folates and antifolates. This report further characterizes this phenomenon and defines the mechanism by which it occurs. Exposure of HeLa cells to AICAR resulted in augmentation of methotrexate, 5-formyltetrahydrofolate, and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate initial rates and net uptake in cells that express the reduced folate carrier (RFC). This did not occur in cells that express only the proton-coupled folate transporter and accumulated folates by this mechanism. Transport stimulation correlated with the accumulation of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribotide monophosphate (ZMP), the monophosphate derivative of AICAR, within cells as established by liquid chromatography. When ZMP formation was blocked with 5-iodotubercidin, an inhibitor of adenosine kinase, folate transport stimulation by AICAR was absent. When cells first accumulated ZMP and were then exposed to 5-iodotubercidin or AICAR-free buffer, the ZMP level markedly decreased and folate transport stimulation was abolished. Extracellular ZMP inhibited RFC-mediated folate influx, and the presence of intracellular ZMP correlated with inhibition of folate efflux. The data indicate that intracellular ZMP trans-stimulates folate influx and inhibits folate efflux, which, together, produce a marked augmentation in the net cellular folate level. This interaction among ZMP, folates, and RFC, a folate/organic phosphate antiporter, is consistent with a classic exchange reaction. The transmembrane gradient for one transport substrate (ZMP) drives the uphill transport of another (folate) via a carrier used by both substrates, a phenomenon intrinsic to the energetics of RFC-mediated folate transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Visentin
- Albert Einstein Cancer Center, 1300 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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Isebaert SF, Swinnen JV, McBride WH, Begg AC, Haustermans KM. 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside enhances effect of ionizing radiation in PC3 prostate cancer cells. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2011; 81:1515-23. [PMID: 21944462 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2011.06.1964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2010] [Revised: 06/06/2011] [Accepted: 06/07/2011] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The nucleoside 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR) is a low-energy mimetic and adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) agonist that can affect the phenotype of malignant cells by diminishing their anabolism. It does this by being converted to 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribotide (ZMP), an AMP analog. We combined this promising antineoplastic agent with ionizing radiation in an attempt to increase its efficacy. METHODS AND MATERIALS The effect of AICAR on cell proliferation, cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species production, radiosensitivity, and AMPK activation was determined in the human prostate cancer cell line PC3. To elucidate the radiosensitizing mechanism, clonogenic survival assays in the presence of a drug agonist or antagonist or with small interfering RNA targeting AMPK were done, as well as measurements of ZMP production and double strand break repair. Moreover, immunoblot analysis of the radiation response signaling pathways after AICAR treatment was performed. RESULTS The incubation of human PC3 prostate cancer cells with AICAR-activated AMPK inhibited cell proliferation, decreased viability, increased apoptosis, and generated reactive oxygen species in a dose- and time-dependent manner. None of these endpoints gave more than additive effects when radiation was added. Radiosensitization was observed but only after 72 hours of treatment with 250 μM AICAR, suggesting that it was independent of AMPK activation. This finding was confirmed by small interfering RNA knockdown of AMPK. The mechanism of radiosensitization was associated with imbalanced deoxynucleotide pools owing to ZMP accumulation after AICAR administration that interfered with DNA repair. CONCLUSIONS Our findings on the favorable interaction between low doses of AICAR and ionizing radiation in PC3 cells could open new perspectives for the clinical use of this or similar compounds. However, additional research is still required to establish the ZMP pathway as being of general applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie F Isebaert
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven Campus Gasthuisberg, and Department of Experimental Medicine and Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Kuznetsov JN, Leclerc GJ, Leclerc GM, Barredo JC. AMPK and Akt determine apoptotic cell death following perturbations of one-carbon metabolism by regulating ER stress in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Mol Cancer Ther 2011; 10:437-47. [PMID: 21262957 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-10-0777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
AICAr is a cell-permeable nucleotide that has been used in vivo and in vitro to activate AMPK. Our previous findings have shown that AICAr as a single agent induces dose- and time-dependent growth inhibition in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell lines. In addition, the combination of AICAr with antifolates [methotrexate (MTX) or pemetrexed] has been shown to further potentiate AMPK activation and to lead to greater cytotoxicity and growth inhibition in leukemia and other malignant cell types. Our data presented herein show that sustained endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is the predominant mechanism behind the synergistic induction of cell death by the combination of AICAr plus the inhibitor of one-carbon metabolism, MTX, in Bp- and T-ALL, as evidenced by induction of several unfolded protein response markers leading to apoptosis. We also show for the first time that AICAr in combination with MTX significantly induces Akt phosphorylation in ALL. Under these conditions, the concomitant inhibition of Akt, a cellular antagonist of AMPK, leads to further upregulation of AMPK activity and alleviates AICAr plus MTX-induced ER stress and apoptosis. Therefore, we also show that the concomitant activation of AMPK actually rescues the cells from AICAr plus MTX-induced ER stress and apoptosis. Our data suggest that the effects of AMPK activation on cell death or survival differ contextually depending on its signaling alterations with related oncogenic pathways and provide insight into the reported paradoxical proapoptotic versus prosurvival effects of AMPK activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffim N Kuznetsov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1580 NW 10 Ave, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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Van Den Neste E, Van den Berghe G, Bontemps F. AICA-riboside (acadesine), an activator of AMP-activated protein kinase with potential for application in hematologic malignancies. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2010; 19:571-8. [DOI: 10.1517/13543781003703694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Abstract
The function and survival of all organisms is dependent on the dynamic control of energy metabolism, when energy demand is matched to energy supply. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) alphabetagamma heterotrimer has emerged as an important integrator of signals that control energy balance through the regulation of multiple biochemical pathways in all eukaryotes. In this review, we begin with the discovery of the AMPK family and discuss the recent structural studies that have revealed the molecular basis for AMP binding to the enzyme's gamma subunit. AMPK's regulation involves autoinhibitory features and phosphorylation of both the catalytic alpha subunit and the beta-targeting subunit. We review the role of AMPK at the cellular level through examination of its many substrates and discuss how it controls cellular energy balance. We look at how AMPK integrates stress responses such as exercise as well as nutrient and hormonal signals to control food intake, energy expenditure, and substrate utilization at the whole body level. Lastly, we review the possible role of AMPK in multiple common diseases and the role of the new age of drugs targeting AMPK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory R Steinberg
- Protein Chemistry and Metabolism, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.
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Racanelli AC, Rothbart SB, Heyer CL, Moran RG. Therapeutics by cytotoxic metabolite accumulation: pemetrexed causes ZMP accumulation, AMPK activation, and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition. Cancer Res 2009; 69:5467-74. [PMID: 19549896 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-4979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Pemetrexed represents the first antifolate cancer drug to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 20 years; it is currently in widespread use for first line therapy of mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer. Pemetrexed has more than one site of action; the primary site is thymidylate synthase. We now report that the secondary target is the downstream folate-dependent enzyme in de novo purine synthesis, aminoimidazolecarboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (AICART). The substrate of the AICART reaction, ZMP, accumulated in intact pemetrexed-inhibited tumor cells, identifying AICART as the step in purine synthesis that becomes rate-limiting after drug treatment. The accumulating ZMP causes an activation of AMP-activated protein kinase with subsequent inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and hypophosphorylation of the downstream targets of mTOR that control initiation of protein synthesis and cell growth. We suggest that the activity of pemetrexed against human cancers is a reflection of its direct inhibition of folate-dependent target proteins combined with prolonged inhibition of the mTOR pathway secondary to accumulation of ZMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C Racanelli
- Department of Pharmacology and the Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0035, USA
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Peairs A, Radjavi A, Davis S, Li L, Ahmed A, Giri S, Reilly CM. Activation of AMPK inhibits inflammation in MRL/lpr mouse mesangial cells. Clin Exp Immunol 2009; 156:542-51. [PMID: 19438609 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2009.03924.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent reports show that 5-amino-4-imidazole carboxamide riboside (AICAR), a pharmacological activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), inhibits the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines. MRL/MPJ-Fas(lpr) (MRL/lpr) mice show an intrinsic decreased threshold for the production of inflammatory mediators when stimulated. In our current studies, we sought to determine if AMPK activation would inhibit inflammatory mediator production in stimulated kidney mesangial cells. Cultured mesangial cells from MRL/lpr mice were treated with AICAR and stimulated with LPS/interferon (IFN)-gamma. AICAR decreased dose-dependently inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 and interleukin-6 production in LPS/IFN-gamma-stimulated mesangial cells. Mechanistically, AICAR inhibited the LPS/IFN-gamma-stimulated PI3K/Akt signalling inflammatory cascade but did not affect LPS/IFN-gamma-mediated inhibitory kappa B phosphorylation or nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB (p65) nuclear translocation. Treatment with the adenosine kinase inhibitor 5'-iodotubercidin blocked the ability of AICAR to activate AMPK and prevented AICAR from inhibiting the LPS/IFN-gamma-stimulated PI3K/Akt pathway and attenuating iNOS expression. Taken together, these observations suggest that AICAR inhibits LPS/IFN-gamma-induced Akt phosphorylation through AMPK activation and may serve as a potential therapeutic target in inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Peairs
- Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
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Winder WW, Thomson DM. Cellular energy sensing and signaling by AMP-activated protein kinase. Cell Biochem Biophys 2007; 47:332-47. [PMID: 17652779 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-007-0008-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/1999] [Revised: 11/30/1999] [Accepted: 11/30/1999] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an energy sensing/signaling protein that, when activated, increases ATP production by stimulating glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation while at the same time inhibiting ATP = consuming processes such as protein synthesis. Chronic activation of AMPK inhibits expression of lipogenic enzymes in the liver and enhances expression of mitochondrial oxidative enzymes in skeletal muscle. Deficiency of muscle LKB1, the upstream kinase of AMPK, results in greater fluctuation in energy charge during muscle contraction and decreased capacity for exercise at higher work rates. Because AMPK enhances both glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle, it has become a target for prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- William W Winder
- Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA.
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5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-4-ribofuranoside (AICA-riboside) as a targeting agent for therapy of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: are we there and are there pitfalls? J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2007; 29:805-7. [PMID: 18090925 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0b013e31815bbb83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Kridel SJ, Lowther WT, Pemble CW. Fatty acid synthase inhibitors: new directions for oncology. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2007; 16:1817-29. [PMID: 17970640 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.16.11.1817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is the enzyme that catalyzes the de novo synthesis of fatty acids in cells. Because of the strong expression in many cancers, FASN is an attractive and tractable target for therapeutic intervention. The discovery and development of pharmacologic agents that block FASN activity highlight the promise of these anticancer compounds. FASN inhibitors have also proven to be invaluable in developing a better understanding of the contribution of FASN and fatty acid synthesis to tumor cells. Recent advances in the development of crystal structures of FASN have provided promise towards the development of novel FASN inhibitors. This review outlines the preclinical development of FASN inhibitors, their antitumor effects and the strategies underway to develop novel inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Kridel
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Department of Cancer Biology, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA.
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Baggott JE, Morgan SL. Methotrexate and erythro-9-(2-hydroxynon-3-yl) adenine therapy for rat adjuvant arthritis and the effect of methotrexate on in vivo purine metabolism. Eur J Pharm Sci 2007; 31:95-101. [PMID: 17408934 PMCID: PMC1976409 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2007.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2006] [Revised: 02/01/2007] [Accepted: 02/20/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The objectives were: (1) to test the association of methotrexate (MTX) efficacy in rat adjuvant arthritis (rat AA) with interference of purine biosynthesis and adenosine metabolism and (2) to test the efficacy of erythro-9-(2-hydroxynon-3-yl) adenine (EHNA), an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, and the efficacy of aminoimidazolecarboxamide (AICA) riboside plus MTX in rat AA. Radiographic and histologic examinations of the hind limbs were measures of efficacy. Urinary excretions of AICA and adenosine were markers of AICA ribotide transformylase inhibition (i.e., blockage of purine biosynthesis) and interference with adenosine metabolism, respectively. AICA and adenosine excretions increased during the day of MTX dosing (treatment day) compared to the previous baseline day in animals responding well to MTX (i.e., low radiographic and histologic scores). Based on radiographic and histologic scores, adjuvant injected rats were separated into two disease categories (i.e., no/mild and moderate/severe). Only AICA excretion was significantly elevated on the treatment day in rat AA with no/mild disease (i.e., those responding well to MTX therapy). AICA (not adenosine) excretion was significantly correlated with the above scores. EHNA was not efficacious, even at toxic levels, while AICA riboside potentiated the efficacy of MTX. The data suggests that efficacious MTX therapy in rat AA (1) blocks purine biosynthesis; (2) increases in in vivo AICA levels. Also adenosine accumulation and blockage of adenosine deaminase (i.e., by EHNA) appear to be less critical to MTX efficacy. Increased levels of AICA metabolites may suppress the immune response in rat AA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph E. Baggott
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Sarah L. Morgan
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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