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Recouvreux MV, Grenier SF, Zhang Y, Esparza E, Lambies G, Galapate CM, Maganti S, Duong-Polk K, Bhullar D, Naeem R, Scott DA, Lowy AM, Tiriac H, Commisso C. Glutamine mimicry suppresses tumor progression through asparagine metabolism in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:100-113. [PMID: 37814011 PMCID: PMC10956382 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00649-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), glutamine is a critical nutrient that drives a wide array of metabolic and biosynthetic processes that support tumor growth. Here, we elucidate how 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON), a glutamine antagonist that broadly inhibits glutamine metabolism, blocks PDAC tumor growth and metastasis. We find that DON significantly reduces asparagine production by inhibiting asparagine synthetase (ASNS), and that the effects of DON are rescued by asparagine. As a metabolic adaptation, PDAC cells upregulate ASNS expression in response to DON, and we show that ASNS levels are inversely correlated with DON efficacy. We also show that L-asparaginase (ASNase) synergizes with DON to affect the viability of PDAC cells, and that DON and ASNase combination therapy has a significant impact on metastasis. These results shed light on the mechanisms that drive the effects of glutamine mimicry and point to the utility of cotargeting adaptive responses to control PDAC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Victoria Recouvreux
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shea F Grenier
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yijuan Zhang
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Edgar Esparza
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Guillem Lambies
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cheska Marie Galapate
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Swetha Maganti
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Karen Duong-Polk
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Deepika Bhullar
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Razia Naeem
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - David A Scott
- Cancer Metabolism Core Resource, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andrew M Lowy
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hervé Tiriac
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cosimo Commisso
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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2
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Lee YJ, Nam EJ, Kim S, Kim YT, Itkin-Ansari P, Kim SW. Expression Profiles of ID and E2A in Ovarian Cancer and Suppression of Ovarian Cancer by the E2A Isoform E47. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122903. [PMID: 35740568 PMCID: PMC9221321 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The E2A and inhibitor of DNA binding (ID) proteins are transcription factors involved in cell cycle regulation and cellular differentiation. Imbalance of ID/E2A activity is associated with oncogenesis in various tumors, but their expression patterns and prognostic values are still unknown. We evaluated ID and E2A expression in ovarian cancer cells, and assessed the possibility of reprogramming ovarian cellular homeostasis by restoring the ID/E2A axis. We analyzed copy number alterations, mutations, methylations, and mRNA expressions of ID 1-4 and E2A using The Cancer Genome Atlas data of 570 ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma patients. Incidentally, 97.2% cases exhibited gain of ID 1-4 or loss of E2A. Predominantly, ID 1-4 were hypomethylated, while E2A was hypermethylated. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that ID-3 and ID-4 expressions were high while E2A expression was low in cancerous ovarian tissues. Correlation analysis of ID and E2A levels with survival outcomes of ovarian cancer patients indicated that patients with high ID-3 levels had poor overall survival. We also determined the effect of E2A induction on ovarian cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo using SKOV-3/Luc cells transduced with tamoxifen-inducible E47, a splice variant of E2A. Interestingly, E47 induced SKOV-3 cell death in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in SKOV-3 implanted mice. Therefore, restoring ID/E2A balance is a promising approach for treating ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Jae Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Women’s Medical Life Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (Y.-J.L.); (E.-J.N.); (S.K.); (Y.-T.K.)
| | - Eun-Ji Nam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Women’s Medical Life Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (Y.-J.L.); (E.-J.N.); (S.K.); (Y.-T.K.)
| | - Sunghoon Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Women’s Medical Life Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (Y.-J.L.); (E.-J.N.); (S.K.); (Y.-T.K.)
| | - Young-Tae Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Women’s Medical Life Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (Y.-J.L.); (E.-J.N.); (S.K.); (Y.-T.K.)
| | - Pamela Itkin-Ansari
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Correspondence: (P.I.-A.); (S.-W.K.)
| | - Sang-Wun Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Women’s Medical Life Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (Y.-J.L.); (E.-J.N.); (S.K.); (Y.-T.K.)
- Correspondence: (P.I.-A.); (S.-W.K.)
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3
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Chen YH, Huang YC, Yang SF, Yen HH, Tsai HD, Hsieh MC, Hsiao YH. Pitavastatin and metformin synergistically activate apoptosis and autophagy in pancreatic cancer cells. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2021; 36:1491-1503. [PMID: 33886150 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Metformin is the standard first-line of treatment for hyperglycemia in Type 2 diabetes, whereas pitavastatin is a cholesterol-lowering drug used to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Both these agents evidently exert anticancer effects on pancreatic cancer; however, it remains unclear whether cotreatment using them has additive or synergistic anticancer effects on pancreatic cancer. Thus, we herein used the ASPC-1 and PANC-1 cells and treated them with metformin and/or pitavastatin. We performed the cell viability assay, transwell migration assay, and cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to determine protein levels. We found that cotreatment with metformin (30 mM) and pitavastatin (10 μM) significantly reduced cell viability; caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest; upregulated the expression levels of Bax, PCNA, cleaved PARP-1, cleaved caspase-3, LC3 II, and p27 Kip1 /p21Cip1 ; and inhibited cell migration. The combination index value for cell viability indicated a synergistic interaction between metformin and pitavastatin. Moreover, cotreating the cells with metformin (30 mM) and pitavastatin (10 μM) could preserve mitochondrial function, activate AMPK, and inhibit PI3K/mTOR than treatment with metformin or pitavastatin alone. These findings clearly indicated that metformin plus pitavastatin had a synergistic anticancer effect on pancreatic cancer cells, potentially caused due to the activation of AMPK and inhibition of PI3K/mTOR signaling. Altogether, our results provide that use of metformin plus pitavastatin maybe serve as a chemotherapeutic agent for human pancreatic cancer in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Hui Chen
- Women's Health Research Laboratory, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chih Huang
- Department of Research, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsu-Heng Yen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Der Tsai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chia Hsieh
- Intelligent Diabetes Metabolism and Exercise Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsuan Hsiao
- Women's Health Research Laboratory, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
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4
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Nagayama D, Saiki A, Shirai K. The Anti-Cancer Effect of Pitavastatin May Be a Drug-Specific Effect: Subgroup Analysis of the TOHO-LIP Study. Vasc Health Risk Manag 2021; 17:169-173. [PMID: 33953560 PMCID: PMC8092348 DOI: 10.2147/vhrm.s306540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The significance of statin treatment for the reduction of cardiovascular (CV) disease has been reported, whereas other reports have also described anti-cancer properties associated with the class effect of statins. However, the differences in anti-cancer effect of various types of statins have rarely been examined. Pitavastatin is a statin with a different chemical structure and pharmacokinetics from other statins, and the mechanism of the specific anti-cancer effect of pitavastatin has been reported in in vivo therapeutic models. We previously revealed that pitavastatin therapy was superior to atorvastatin therapy in the prevention of CV events, despite similar LDL-cholesterol-lowering effect in the TOHO Lipid Intervention Trial Using Pitavastatin (TOHO-LIP). Furthermore, in subgroup analysis of the TOHO-LIP study, cumulative 240-week incidence of new cancer cases tended to be lower in the pitavastatin group compared to the atorvastatin group [0.32% (1/312) vs 1.94% (6/310), log-rank P=0.051]. This finding might reveal the superiority of pitavastatin to prevent carcinogenesis. The molecular mechanism by which pitavastatin suppresses the incidence of any-organ cancer is gradually elucidated, and new combination of cancer treatments with pitavastatin will be developed in the future to further enhance the anti-cancer activity and reduce the side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiji Nagayama
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nagayama Clinic, Tochigi, Japan.,Center of Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolism, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Atsuhito Saiki
- Center of Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolism, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kohji Shirai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mihama Hospital, Chiba, Japan
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5
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Recouvreux MV, Moldenhauer MR, Galenkamp KMO, Jung M, James B, Zhang Y, Lowy A, Bagchi A, Commisso C. Glutamine depletion regulates Slug to promote EMT and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. J Exp Med 2021; 217:151843. [PMID: 32510550 PMCID: PMC7478719 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20200388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells rely on glutamine to fulfill their metabolic demands and sustain proliferation. The elevated consumption of glutamine can lead to intratumoral nutrient depletion, causing metabolic stress that has the potential to impact tumor progression. Here, we show that nutrient stress caused by glutamine deprivation leads to the induction of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that glutamine deficiency regulates EMT through the up-regulation of the EMT master regulator Slug, a process that is dependent on both MEK/ERK signaling and ATF4. We find that Slug is required in PDAC cells for glutamine deprivation–induced EMT, cell motility, and nutrient stress survival. Importantly, we decipher that Slug is associated with nutrient stress in PDAC tumors and is required for metastasis. These results delineate a novel role for Slug in the nutrient stress response and provide insight into how nutrient depletion might influence PDAC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Victoria Recouvreux
- National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Matthew R Moldenhauer
- National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Koen M O Galenkamp
- National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Michael Jung
- National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Brian James
- National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Yijuan Zhang
- National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Andrew Lowy
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA.,Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Anindya Bagchi
- National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Cosimo Commisso
- National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
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6
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Xu B, Muramatsu T, Inazawa J. Suppression of MET Signaling Mediated by Pitavastatin and Capmatinib Inhibits Oral and Esophageal Cancer Cell Growth. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 19:585-597. [PMID: 33443139 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Despite increasing knowledge on oral and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC and ESCC), specific medicines against both have not yet been developed. Here, we aimed to find novel anticancer drugs through functional cell-based screening of an FDA-approved drug library against OSCC and ESCC. Pitavastatin, an HMGCR inhibitor, emerged as an anticancer drug that inhibits tumor growth by downregulating AKT and ERK signals in OSCC and ESCC cells. One of the mechanisms by which pitavastatin inhibits cell growth might be the suppression of MET signaling through immature MET due to dysfunction of the Golgi apparatus. Moreover, the sensitivity of tumor growth to pitavastatin might be correlated with GGPS1 expression levels. In vivo therapeutic models revealed that the combination of pitavastatin with capmatinib, a MET-specific inhibitor, dramatically reduced tumor growth. Our findings suggest that GGPS1 expression could be a biomarker in cancer therapy with pitavastatin, and the combination of pitavastatin with capmatinib might be a promising therapeutic strategy in OSCC and ESCC. IMPLICATIONS: This study provides new insight into the mechanism of pitavastatin as an anticancer drug and suggests that the combination of pitavastatin with capmatinib is a useful therapeutic strategy in OSCC and ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Xu
- Department of Molecular Cytogenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoki Muramatsu
- Department of Molecular Cytogenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan. .,Laboratory for Integrated Research Projects on Intractable Diseases, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Johji Inazawa
- Department of Molecular Cytogenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan. .,Bioresource Research Center, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
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7
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Zhang ZM, Zhuang M, Wang BT, Jin L, Jin FJ. Identification and characterization of a DevR-interacting protein in Aspergillus oryzae. Fungal Biol 2020; 124:155-163. [PMID: 32220376 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2020.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins belong to a superfamily of transcription factors. Recent research has shown that the bHLH transcription factor DevR is involved in both sexual and asexual development as well as conidial melanin production in Aspergillus species. Our previous research also found that DevR significantly influences polysaccharide metabolism in Aspergillus oryzae. In this study, to further explore the function of DevR, its interaction proteins were screened by a yeast two-hybrid assay. An A. oryzae cDNA library was transformed into the Y187 strain by using the SMART technique and the homologous recombination method, and then hybridized with a constructed DevR bait plasmid introducing strain to obtain positive clones. Through sequencing analysis, the potential interaction proteins of DevR were determined. Among them, an AO090701000363 gene-encoding protein (named DipA), which was predicted to be a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor, was a possible candidate. Phenotypic analysis indicated that overexpression of the AodipA may significantly suppress growth of the strain. Additionally, although no obvious change in the growth rate was found, the deletion of AodipA resulted in thicker hyphae morphology relative to the control. Comparative proteomic analysis further indicated that DipA was potentially involved in the regulation of cell wall integrity, carbon utilization, acetate catabolic process and other biological processes. Partial similarity of the phenotype to that of DevR suggested a correlation between them and implied that the DipA has a function partially similar to that of DevR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Min Zhang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Miao Zhuang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Bao-Teng Wang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Long Jin
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Feng-Jie Jin
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, China.
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8
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Galenkamp KMO, Sosicka P, Jung M, Recouvreux MV, Zhang Y, Moldenhauer MR, Brandi G, Freeze HH, Commisso C. Golgi Acidification by NHE7 Regulates Cytosolic pH Homeostasis in Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Cancer Discov 2020; 10:822-835. [PMID: 32200349 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-19-1007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells reprogram their metabolism to meet elevated energy demands and favor glycolysis for energy production. This boost in glycolytic flux supports proliferation, but also generates acid in the form of hydrogen ions that must be eliminated from the cytoplasm to maintain the alkaline intracellular pH (pHi) associated with transformation. To cope with acid production, tumor cells employ ion transport systems, including the family of sodium-hydrogen exchangers (NHE). Here, we identify NHE7 as a novel regulator of pHi in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We determine that NHE7 suppression causes alkalinization of the Golgi, leading to a buildup of cytosolic acid that diminishes tumor cell fitness mainly through the dysregulation of actin. Importantly, NHE7 knockdown in vivo leads to the abrogation of tumor growth. These results identify Golgi acidification as a mechanism to control pHi and point to the regulation of pHi as a possible therapeutic vulnerability in PDAC. SIGNIFICANCE: NHE7 regulates cytosolic pH through Golgi acidification, which points to the Golgi as a "proton sink" for metabolic acid. Disruption of cytosolic pH homeostasis via NHE7 suppression compromises PDAC cell viability and tumor growth.See related commentary by Ward and DeNicola, p. 768.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 747.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen M O Galenkamp
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Paulina Sosicka
- Human Genetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Michael Jung
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - M Victoria Recouvreux
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Yijuan Zhang
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Matthew R Moldenhauer
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Giovanni Brandi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Hudson H Freeze
- Human Genetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Cosimo Commisso
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California.
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9
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Huilgol D, Venkataramani P, Nandi S, Bhattacharjee S. Transcription Factors That Govern Development and Disease: An Achilles Heel in Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E794. [PMID: 31614829 PMCID: PMC6826716 DOI: 10.3390/genes10100794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Development requires the careful orchestration of several biological events in order to create any structure and, eventually, to build an entire organism. On the other hand, the fate transformation of terminally differentiated cells is a consequence of erroneous development, and ultimately leads to cancer. In this review, we elaborate how development and cancer share several biological processes, including molecular controls. Transcription factors (TF) are at the helm of both these processes, among many others, and are evolutionarily conserved, ranging from yeast to humans. Here, we discuss four families of TFs that play a pivotal role and have been studied extensively in both embryonic development and cancer-high mobility group box (HMG), GATA, paired box (PAX) and basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) in the context of their role in development, cancer, and their conservation across several species. Finally, we review TFs as possible therapeutic targets for cancer and reflect on the importance of natural resistance against cancer in certain organisms, yielding knowledge regarding TF function and cancer biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhananjay Huilgol
- Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, NY 11724, USA.
| | | | - Saikat Nandi
- Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, NY 11724, USA.
| | - Sonali Bhattacharjee
- Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, NY 11724, USA.
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10
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Donmez-Altuntas H, Bayram F, Coskun-Demirkalp AN, Baspınar O, Kocer D, Toth PP. Therapeutic effects of statins on chromosomal DNA damage of dyslipidemic patients. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2019; 244:1089-1095. [PMID: 31426681 DOI: 10.1177/1535370219871895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Statins are a group of cholesterol lowering drugs and frequently used in the therapy of dyslipidemia. Our knowledge of the impact of statin therapy on DNA damage is as yet rudimentary. In this study, we aimed to assess the possible (1) genotoxic, cytostatic, and cytotoxic effects of statins in peripheral blood lymphocytes by using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMN-cyt) assay, and (2) oxidative DNA damage by measuring plasma 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in response to statin therapy. Thirty patients with dyslipidemia who had no chronic diseases and did not use any medicines that interfere lipid values and twenty control subjects were included in the study. Statin therapy was initiated at risk-stratified doses. Blood samples were taken before and after treatment with statins and from control subjects, and CBMN-cyt assay parameters and 8-OHdG levels were evaluated. The chromosomal DNA damage (micronuclei and nucleoplasmic bridges [NPBs]), cytostasis (nuclear division index [NDI]), and cytotoxicity (apoptotic and necrotic cell frequencies) were decreased in patients with dyslipidemia after statin treatment. No significant differences were found for 8-OHdG levels between patients with dyslipidemia before or after statin therapy. The total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels showed positive correlations with NPB frequency in patients with dyslipidemia prior to statin treatment. The present study is the first to evaluate CBMN-cyt assay biomarkers and 8-OHdG levels in patients with dyslipidemia before and after treatment with statins. The observed reductions of chromosomal DNA damage and NDI values with statin treatment could represent an important and under-appreciated pleiotropic effect of these agents. Impact statement In literature, it is possible to find some in vitro cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay studies about human lymphocytes and statins. But, there are no data on CBMN-cytome (CBMN-cyt) assay parameters related to statin therapy in patients with dyslipidemia. The present study is the first to evaluate CBMN-cyt assay biomarkers and 8-OHdG levels in patients with dyslipidemia before treatment and after treatment with statins (5–10 mg/day rosuvastatin or 10–20 mg/day atorvastatin). In this study we show that statin therapy decreased chromosomal DNA damage (micronuclei and nucleoplasmic bridges) and nuclear division index (NDI) values in patients with dyslipidemia by possible molecular reasons independent of oxidative DNA damage. In addition, the decrease of chromosomal DNA damage and NDI values with statin treatment could be indicated by the association between statin use and reduced risk of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamiyet Donmez-Altuntas
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38030, Turkey.,Betül-Ziya Eren Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38030, Turkey
| | - Fahri Bayram
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38030, Turkey
| | - Ayse N Coskun-Demirkalp
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38030, Turkey.,Mucur Vocational School of Health Services, Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir 40500, Turkey
| | - Osman Baspınar
- Department of Internal Diseases, Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Health Sciences University, Kayseri 38080, Turkey
| | - Derya Kocer
- Department of Biochemistry, Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Health Sciences University, Kayseri 38080, Turkey
| | - Peter P Toth
- The Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.,Preventive Cardiology, CGH Medical Center, Sterling, IL 61081, USA
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11
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Bigelsen S. Evidence-based complementary treatment of pancreatic cancer: a review of adjunct therapies including paricalcitol, hydroxychloroquine, intravenous vitamin C, statins, metformin, curcumin, and aspirin. Cancer Manag Res 2018; 10:2003-2018. [PMID: 30034255 PMCID: PMC6049054 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s161824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite new and exciting research and renewed optimism about future therapy, current statistics of survival from pancreatic cancer remains dismal. Patients seeking alternative or complementary treatments should be warned to avoid the hype and instead look to real science. A variety of relatively safe and inexpensive treatment options that have shown success in preclinical models and/or retrospective studies are currently available. Patients require their physicians to provide therapeutic guidance and assistance in obtaining and administrating these various therapies. Paricalcitol, an analog of vitamin D, has been shown by researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies to break though the protective stroma surrounding tumor cells. Hydroxychloroquine has been shown to inhibit autophagy, a process by which dying cells recycle injured organelles and internal toxins to generate needed energy for survival and reproduction. Intravenous vitamin C creates a toxic accumulation of hydrogen peroxide within cancer cells, hastening their death. Metformin inhibits mitochondrial oxidative metabolism utilized by cancer stem cells. Statins inhibit not only cholesterol but also other factors in the same pathway that affect cancer cell growth, protein synthesis, and cell cycle progression. A novel formulation of curcumin may prevent resistance to chemotherapy and inhibit pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. Aspirin therapy has been shown to prevent pancreatic cancer and may be useful to prevent recurrence. These therapies are all currently available and are reviewed in this paper with emphasis on the most recent laboratory research and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Bigelsen
- Department of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA,
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12
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Scully KM, Lahmy R, Signaevskaia L, Sasik R, Medal R, Kim H, French R, James B, Wu Y, Lowy AM, Itkin-Ansari P. E47 Governs the MYC-CDKN1B/p27 KIP1-RB Network to Growth Arrest PDA Cells Independent of CDKN2A/p16 INK4A and Wild-Type p53. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 6:181-198. [PMID: 30003124 PMCID: PMC6039985 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Oncogenic mutations in KRAS, coupled with inactivation of p53, CDKN2A/p16INK4A, and SMAD4, drive progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). Overexpression of MYC and deregulation of retinoblastoma (RB) further promote cell proliferation and make identifying a means to therapeutically alter cell-cycle control pathways in PDA a significant challenge. We previously showed that the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor E47 induced stable growth arrest in PDA cells in vitro and in vivo. Here, we identified molecular mechanisms that underlie E47-induced growth arrest in low-passage, patient-derived primary and established PDA cell lines. METHODS RNA sequencing was used to profile E47-dependent transcriptomes in 5 PDA cell lines. Gene Ontology analysis identified cell-cycle control as the most altered pathway. Small interfering RNA/short hairpin RNA knockdown, small-molecule inhibitors, and viral expression were used to examine the function of E47-dependent genes in cell-cycle arrest. Cell morphology, expression of molecular markers, and senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity assays identified cellular senescence. RESULTS E47 uniformly inhibited PDA cell-cycle progression by decreasing expression of MYC, increasing the level of CDKN1B/p27KIP1, and restoring RB tumor-suppressor function. The molecular mechanisms by which E47 elicited these changes included altering both RNA transcript levels and protein stability of MYC and CDKN1B/p27KIP1. At the cellular level, E47 elicited a senescence-like phenotype characterized by increased senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity and altered expression of senescence markers. CONCLUSIONS E47 governs a highly conserved network of cell-cycle control genes, including MYC, CDKN1B/p27KIP1, and RB, which can induce a senescence-like program in PDA cells that lack CDKN2A/p16INK4A and wild-type p53. RNA sequencing data are available at the National Center for Biotechnology Information GEO at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/; accession number: GSE100327.
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Key Words
- CDK, cyclin-dependent kinase
- CDKN1B/p27KIP1, CDKN1B/p27Kinase Inhibitory Protein 1
- CDKN2A/p16INK4A, CDKN2A/p16Inhibitor of CDK 4A
- CEBP-α, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha
- CENP-A, centromere protein A
- CIP, Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 1
- Cell Cycle
- DDR, DNA damage response
- ERK, extracellular signal–regulated kinase
- GO, Gene Ontology
- INK, Inhibitor of CDK
- KIP, Kinase Inhibitory Protein
- MSCV, murine stem cell virus
- OIS, oncogene-induced senescence
- PCR, polymerase chain reaction
- PDA, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
- Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
- RB, retinoblastoma
- RNA-seq, RNA sequencing
- SA-βgal, senescence-associated β-galactosidase
- SKP, S-phase Kinase-associated
- Senescence
- bHLH
- bHLH, basic helix-loop-helix
- lfdr, local false discovery rate
- mRNA, messenger RNA
- shRB, short hairpin RNA directed against RB
- shRNA, short hairpin RNA
- si-p27, small interfering RNA directed against p27
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen M. Scully
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Reyhaneh Lahmy
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Lia Signaevskaia
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Roman Sasik
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Rachel Medal
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Heejung Kim
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Randall French
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Brian James
- Genomics Core, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Yifan Wu
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Andrew M. Lowy
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Pamela Itkin-Ansari
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
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13
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Zhang Z, Chen H, Lu Y, Feng T, Sun W. LncRNA BC032020 suppresses the survival of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells by targeting ZNF451. Int J Oncol 2018. [PMID: 29532883 PMCID: PMC5843399 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2018.4289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This study examined the effects of long non‑coding RNA (lncRNA) BC032020 on the development of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and the potential molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects. The expression of BC032020 was assessed in 20 pairs of PDAC tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues. The overexpression of BC032020 was enforced in the AsPC‑1 and PANC‑1 cells, and the effects on cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, cell migration and apoptosis were determined. We also analyzed the functions of zinc finger protein 451 (ZNF451), which shares a gene sequence with two exons of BC032020 and a non‑coding region with another two exons, in PDAC cells. The AsPC‑1 and PANC‑1 cells that overexpressed BC032020 were used to establish a subcutaneous tumor xenograft model in order to examine the effects of BC032020 on tumor growth in vivo. The results revealed that the BC032020 levels in the PDAC tumor tissues were lower than those in the adjacent normal tissues, and ZNF451 expression inversely correlated with the BC032020 levels in the PDAC tumor tissues and cell lines. BC032020 overexpression led to a decrease in ZNF451 expression; it also suppressed the proliferation and migration of the AsPC‑1 and PANC‑1 cells, and induced G1 phase arrest and cell apoptosis. The results of in vivo experiments revealed that BC032020 suppressed tumor growth in a xenograft model by inhibiting ZNF451 expression. Taken together, the findings of this study indicate that BC032020 suppresses the survival of PDAC cells by inhibiting ZNF451 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Hongxi Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Yebin Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Tiecheng Feng
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Weijia Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
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