Role of Glutathione in the Multidrug Resistance in Cancer

Emerging Roles for SIRT5 in Metabolism and Cancer

SIGNIFICANCE

Developing evidence in the literature suggests that sirtuin 5 (SIRT5) may be involved in metabolic reprogramming, an emerging hallmark of cancer by which neoplastic cells reconfigure their metabolism to support the anabolic demands of rapid cell division. SIRT5 is one of the seven members of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent sirtuin family of lysine deacetylases. It removes succinyl, malonyl, and glutaryl groups from protein targets within the mitochondrial matrix and other subcellular compartments. SIRT5 substrates include a number of proteins integral to metabolism. Recent Advances: New work has begun to elucidate the roles of SIRT5 in glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, fatty acid oxidation, nitrogen metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway, antioxidant defense, and apoptosis.

CRITICAL ISSUES

In this study, we summarize biological functions of SIRT5 reported in normal tissues and in cancer and discuss potential mechanisms whereby SIRT5 may impact tumorigenesis, particularly focusing on its reported roles in metabolic reprogramming. Finally, we review current efforts to target SIRT5 pharmacologically.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

The biological significance of SIRT5 has been elucidated in the context of only an extremely small fraction of its targets and interactors. There is no doubt that further studies in this area will provide a wealth of insights into functions of SIRT5 and its targets in normal and neoplastic cells. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 28, 677-690.

An ultrasensitive fluorogenic probe for revealing the role of glutathione in chemotherapy resistance

Unveiling the detailed roles of glutathione (GSH) in chemoresistance necessitates a reliable assay for its detection in intact live specimens. Herein, by taking advantage of the susceptibility of electron-poor C_sp² -S_sufinyl bond to GSH nucleophilic attack, we developed a naphthalimide-sulfoxide based fluorogenic probe (Na-8) applicable for tracking endogenous GSH fluctuation in live cells. Na-8 features a high degree of sensitivity towards GSH as demonstrated by its utmost 2200-fold fluorogenic response. As a proof of concept, Na-8 has been applied to image GSH in liver cancer HepG2 cells with the normal L02 cell counterparts serving as a control, and elevated GSH level was observed in HepG2 in contrast to L02. Further experiments showed that this elevated GSH level was involved in doxorubicin-resistance but not in cisplatin-resistance. Noteworthy, monitoring GSH change in HepG2 and L02 cells in response to doxorubicin treatment revealed that while normal cells showed a burst of GSH in adaption to doxorubicin treatment, no significant change was detected in HepG2 cells, suggesting that HepG2 cells have been preconditioned by their intrinsic oxidative stress which confers drug-resistance. Given the observed sensitivity and spatiotemporal resolution, Na-8 should hold promise for future study on the detailed roles of GSH in drug-resistance.