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Jia Y, Chen X, Guo H, Zhang B, Liu B. Comprehensive characterization of β-alanine metabolism-related genes in HCC identified a novel prognostic signature related to clinical outcomes. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:7073-7100. [PMID: 38637116 PMCID: PMC11087131 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stands out as the most prevalent type of liver cancer and a significant contributor to cancer-related fatalities globally. Metabolic reprogramming, particularly in glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism, plays a crucial role in HCC progression. However, the functions of β-alanine metabolism-related genes (βAMRGs) in HCC remain understudied. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation of βAMRGs is required, specifically in HCC. Initially, we explored the pan-cancer landscape of βAMRGs, integrating expression profiles, prognostic values, mutations, and methylation levels. Subsequently, scRNA sequencing results indicated that hepatocytes had the highest scores of β-alanine metabolism. In the process of hepatocyte carcinogenesis, metabolic pathways were further activated. Using βAMRGs scores and expression profiles, we classified HCC patients into three subtypes and examined their prognosis and immune microenvironments. Cluster 3, characterized by the highest βAMRGs scores, displayed the best prognosis, reinforcing β-alanine's significant contribution to HCC pathophysiology. Notably, immune microenvironment, metabolism, and cell death modes significantly varied among the β-alanine subtypes. We developed and validated a novel prognostic panel based on βAMRGs and constructed a nomogram incorporating risk degree and clinicopathological characteristics. Among the model genes, EHHADH has been identified as a protective protein in HCC. Its expression was notably downregulated in tumors and exhibited a close correlation with factors such as tumor staging, grading, and prognosis. Immunohistochemical experiments, conducted using HCC tissue microarrays, substantiated the validation of its expression levels. In conclusion, this study uncovers β-alanine's significant role in HCC for the first time, suggesting new research targets and directions for diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Jia
- Department of General Surgery, Xinhua Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Hui Guo
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Biao Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Xinhua Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
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2
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Wang SH, Yeh CH, Wu CW, Hsu CY, Tsai EM, Hung CM, Wang YW, Hsieh TH. PFDN4 as a Prognostic Marker Was Associated with Chemotherapy Resistance through CREBP1/AURKA Pathway in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3906. [PMID: 38612711 PMCID: PMC11012048 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and its incidence is increasing. It is currently mainly treated by clinical chemotherapy, but chemoresistance remains poorly understood. Prefolded proteins 4 (PFDN4) are molecular chaperone complexes that bind to newly synthesized polypeptides and allow them to fold correctly to stabilize protein formation. This study aimed to investigate the role of PFDN4 in chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer. Our study found that PFDN4 was highly expressed in breast cancer compared to normal tissues and was statistically significantly associated with stage, nodal status, subclasses (luminal, HER2 positive and triple negative), triple-negative subtype and disease-specific survival by TCGA database analysis. CRISPR knockout of PFDN4 inhibited the growth of 89% of breast cancer cell lines, and the triple-negative cell line exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect than the non-triple-negative cell line. High PFDN4 expression was associated with poor overall survival in chemotherapy and resistance to doxorubicin and paclitaxel through the CREBP1/AURKA pathway in the triple-negative MDAMB231 cell line. This study provides insightful evidence for the value of PFDN4 in poor prognosis and chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Ho Wang
- Division of General Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hsi Yeh
- Division of General Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Wu
- Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital/E-Da Cancer Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan; (C.-W.W.); (Y.-W.W.)
| | - Chia-Yi Hsu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan; (C.-Y.H.)
| | - Eing-Mei Tsai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan; (C.-Y.H.)
| | - Chao-Ming Hung
- Department of Surgery, E-Da Cancer Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wen Wang
- Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital/E-Da Cancer Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan; (C.-W.W.); (Y.-W.W.)
| | - Tsung-Hua Hsieh
- Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital/E-Da Cancer Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan; (C.-W.W.); (Y.-W.W.)
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3
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Cardioprotective effect of taurine and β-alanine against cardiac disease in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion-induced rats. ELECTRON J BIOTECHN 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejbt.2020.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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4
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Liu YS, Wei B. Over-expression of Bcl2-associated athanogene 2 in oral cancer promotes cellular proliferation and is associated with poor prognosis. Arch Oral Biol 2019; 102:164-170. [PMID: 31055249 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2019.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to state the role of BAG2 in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). DESIGN Expression data of BAG2 in OSCC tissues were extracted from Oncomine and TCGA database. Expression levels of BAG2 mRNA and protein were examined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot assay. The Kaplan-Meier method was conducted to evaluate the overall survival of OSCC patients. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) strategy was used to confirm the effect of BAG2 expression on proliferative, invasive, migrated capacities of OSCC cells by Cell Counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colon formation assay, wound healing and transwell assay. RESULTS Our results showed that BAG2 expression was up-regulated in oral squamous cell carcinomas tissues. Compared with OSCC patients with low BAG2 expression, poorer overall survival rate was found in OSCC patients with high BAG2 expression. Furthermore, proliferation, invasion and migration of HO-1-N-1 cells were significantly inhibited because of the knockdown of BAG2. Transfection of si-BAG2 has no impacts on proliferation in HNOEC cells. Inhibition of BAG2 downregulated the expression of relevant proteins, such as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), c-Myc, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and Vimentin. Additionally, the expression levels of the important protein phosphorylation (p-ERK1/2 and p-MEK) in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway were reduced in HO-1-N-1 cells transfected with si-BAG2. CONCLUSIONS High-regulated BAG2 is related to poor prognosis and could promote proliferation, invasion and migration of OSCC cells by activating the MAPK signaling pathway. Thus, BAG2 may be a potential target for OSCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Song Liu
- Dental Department, Daqing Oilfield General Hospital, Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province, 163001, China
| | - Bing Wei
- Endocrine Department, Daqing Oilfield General Hospital, Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province, 163001, China.
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Hong YC, Wang Z, Peng B, Xia LG, Lin LW, Xu ZL. BAG2 Overexpression Correlates with Growth and Poor Prognosis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Open Life Sci 2018; 13:582-588. [PMID: 33817129 PMCID: PMC7874702 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2018-0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that Bcl2-associated athanogene 2 (BAG2) serves as a crucial regulator for tumorigenesis in multiple tumors. However, little is known about the effect of BAG2 on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study focused on investigating whether BAG2 functions as a cancer-promoting gene in ESCC. In this work, gene expression data and clinical information from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Oncomine and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were collected and analyzed. Expression of BAG2 in ESCC was determined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). BAG2 was knocked down using small interference RNA (si-RNA) approach. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assays. Molecular mechanism was detected by western blotting assay. The expression of BAG2 both in ESCC tissues and cells was upregulated and overexpression was associated with worsened prognosis. BAG2 silencing inhibited ESCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, which was regulated by the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/ protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. These results reveal contributions of BAG2 as a predictor and potential therapeutic target in ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Cai Hong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital, 2nd Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, P.R.China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital, 2nd Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, P.R.China
| | - Bin Peng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital, 2nd Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, P.R.China
| | - Li-Gang Xia
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital, 2nd Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, P.R.China
| | - Lie-Wen Lin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital, 2nd Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, P.R.China
| | - Zheng-Lei Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, 2nd Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, P.R.China
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β-Alanine mediated inhibition of PTHR1suppresses the proliferation, invasion and tumorigenesis in metastatic human osteosarcoma U2OS cells. Int J Biol Macromol 2018; 111:1255-1263. [PMID: 29366883 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.01.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of β-alanine mediated inhibition of parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTHR1), suppresses the proliferation, invasion, and tumorigenesis in metastatic human osteosarcoma U2OS cells. Cell survival rate was reduced 96.54, 91.23, 84.62, 76.42 and 69.72% following incubation of β-alanine at 50-250 mM respectively. Annexin-V/propidium iodide (PI) staining showed a reduced level of viable cells (71.37%) at 250 mM of β-alanine. U2OS cell proliferation, adhesion, invasion, and migration were decreased following incubation with β-alanine. Matrix metalloproteinases-2/9 (MMP-2/9) mRNA expression was reduced, whereas tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1/2 (TIMP-1/2) mRNA expression was increased remarkably. The mRNA and protein of PTHR1 were reduced in the cells following incubation with β-alanine. Vacuole membrane protein 1 (Vmp1) mRNA and protein were increased in the cells following incubation with β-alanine. In tunel assay, the number of PTHR1 positive cells was 67, 34 and 17 following incubation with β-alanine at 150, 200 and 250 mM respectively. Taking all these data together, it is concluded that β-alanine mediated inhibition of PTHR1 reduced the U2OS cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and tumorigenesis. Furthermore, the results indicated that the β-alanine induced expression of PTHR1 has a positive relationship with invasion and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells.
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7
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Pandurangan M, Enkhtaivan G, Mistry B, Patel RV, Moon S, Kim DH. β-Alanine intercede metabolic recovery for amelioration of human cervical and renal tumors. Amino Acids 2017; 49:1373-1380. [PMID: 28516269 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-017-2437-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
β-Alanine is a non-essential amino acid and presents as a major component of various sports supplements. It is a non-proteogenic amino acid, formed in vivo by degradation of carnosine, anserine, balenine, and dihydrouracil. The present study was aimed at investigating the anti-tumor effects of β-alanine in renal and cervical tumor cells. Sulforhodamine-B assay and flow cytometric analysis were used to measure cell viability. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) expression was analyzed using FITC-conjugated fluorescent antibody. The cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content was measured using bioluminescence method. Cell migration was determined by the simple standard-scratch method. β-Alanine reduced renal and cervical cell growth significantly. Percentage of inhibition of renal and cervical tumor cells was increased at higher concentration of β-alanine. LDH expression and ATP content were significantly reduced in renal and cervical tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner. Renal and cervical tumor cell migration were significantly reduced following 10 and 100 mM of β-alanine treatment. In our study, β-alanine exerts no significant effect on normal MDCK cells except a marginal effect at the highest concentration (100 mM). In summary, our experimental data suggest that β-alanine may be a potential anti-tumor agent exhibiting several anti-cancer effects in renal and cervical tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gansukh Enkhtaivan
- Department of Bioresources and Food Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bhupendra Mistry
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University-Seoul, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 410-820, South Korea
| | - Rahul V Patel
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University-Seoul, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 410-820, South Korea
| | - Sohyun Moon
- Research Institute of Biotechnology and Medical Converged Science, Dongguk University, Biomedical Campus, 32 Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyenggi-do, South Korea
| | - Doo Hwan Kim
- Department of Bioresources and Food Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea.
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8
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Carnosine and the processes of ageing. Maturitas 2016; 93:28-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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9
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Pandurangan M, Mistry B, Enkhataivan G, Kim DH. Efficacy of carnosine on activation of caspase 3 and human renal carcinoma cell inhibition. Int J Biol Macromol 2016; 92:377-382. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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10
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Prefoldin 1 promotes EMT and lung cancer progression by suppressing cyclin A expression. Oncogene 2016; 36:885-898. [PMID: 27694898 PMCID: PMC5318667 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Prefoldin (PFDN) is a co-chaperone protein that is primarily known for its classic cytoplasmic functions in the folding of actin and tubulin monomers during cytoskeletal assembly. Here, we report a marked increase in prefoldin subunit 1 (PFDN1) levels during the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and in human lung tumor tissues. Interestingly, the nuclear localization of PFDN1 was also detected. These observations suggest that PFDN1 may be essential for important novel functions. Overexpression of PFDN1 induced EMT and cell invasion. In sharp contrast, knockdown of PFDN1 generated the opposite effects. Overexpression of PFDN1 was also found to induce lung tumor growth and metastasis. Further experiments showed that PFDN1 overexpression inhibits the expression of cyclin A. PFDN1 suppressed cyclin A expression by directly interacting with the cyclin A promoter at the transcriptional start site. Strikingly, cyclin A overexpression abolished the above PFDN1-mediated effects on the behavior of lung cancer cells, whereas cyclin A knockdown alone induced EMT and increased cell migration and invasion ability. This study reveals that the TGF-β1/PFDN1/cyclin A axis is essential for EMT induction and metastasis of lung cancer cells.
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Qin L, Guo J, Zheng Q, Zhang H. BAG2 structure, function and involvement in disease. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2016; 21:18. [PMID: 28536620 PMCID: PMC5415834 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-016-0020-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bcl2-associated athanogene 2 (BAG2) shares a similar molecular structure and function with other BAG family members. Functioning as a co-chaperone, it interacts with the ATPase domain of the heat shock protein 70 (dHsp70) through its BAG domain. It also interacts with many other molecules and regulates various cellular functions. An increasing number of studies have indicated that BAG2 is involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. This paper is a comprehensive review of the structure, functions, and protein interactions of BAG2. We also discuss its roles in diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and spinocerebellar ataxia type-3. Further research on BAG2 could lead to an understanding of the pathogenesis of these disorders or even to novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixia Qin
- Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jifeng Guo
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qian Zheng
- Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hainan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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12
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Pandurangan M, Enkhtaivan G, Kim DH. Therapeutic efficacy of natural dipeptide carnosine against human cervical carcinoma cells. J Mol Recognit 2016; 29:426-35. [DOI: 10.1002/jmr.2541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Revised: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gansukh Enkhtaivan
- Department of Bioresources and Food Science; Konkuk University; Seoul Korea
| | - Doo Hwan Kim
- Department of Bioresources and Food Science; Konkuk University; Seoul Korea
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13
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Ditte Z, Ditte P, Labudova M, Simko V, Iuliano F, Zatovicova M, Csaderova L, Pastorekova S, Pastorek J. Carnosine inhibits carbonic anhydrase IX-mediated extracellular acidosis and suppresses growth of HeLa tumor xenografts. BMC Cancer 2014; 14:358. [PMID: 24886661 PMCID: PMC4061103 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) is a transmembrane enzyme that is present in many types of solid tumors. Expression of CA IX is driven predominantly by the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway and helps to maintain intracellular pH homeostasis under hypoxic conditions, resulting in acidification of the tumor microenvironment. Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) is an anti-tumorigenic agent that inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the role of CA IX in carnosine-mediated antitumor activity and whether the underlying mechanism involves transcriptional and translational modulation of HIF-1α and CA IX and/or altered CA IX function. METHODS The effect of carnosine was studied using two-dimensional cell monolayers of several cell lines with endogenous CA IX expression as well as Madin Darby canine kidney transfectants, three-dimensional HeLa spheroids, and an in vivo model of HeLa xenografts in nude mice. mRNA and protein expression and protein localization were analyzed by real-time PCR, western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. Cell viability was measured by a flow cytometric assay. Expression of HIF-1α and CA IX in tumors was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. Real-time measurement of pH was performed using a sensor dish reader. Binding of CA IX to specific antibodies and metabolon partners was investigated by competitive ELISA and proximity ligation assays, respectively. RESULTS Carnosine increased the expression levels of HIF-1α and HIF targets and increased the extracellular pH, suggesting an inhibitory effect on CA IX-mediated acidosis. Moreover, carnosine significantly inhibited the growth of three-dimensional spheroids and tumor xenografts compared with untreated controls. Competitive ELISA showed that carnosine disrupted binding between CA IX and antibodies specific for its catalytic domain. This finding was supported by reduced formation of the functional metabolon of CA IX and anion exchanger 2 in the presence of carnosine. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that interaction of carnosine with CA IX leads to conformational changes of CA IX and impaired formation of its metabolon, which in turn disrupts CA IX function. These findings suggest that carnosine could be a promising anticancer drug through its ability to attenuate the activity of CA IX.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jaromir Pastorek
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovak Republic.
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Iovine B, Oliviero G, Garofalo M, Orefice M, Nocella F, Borbone N, Piccialli V, Centore R, Mazzone M, Piccialli G, Bevilacqua MA. The anti-proliferative effect of L-carnosine correlates with a decreased expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha in human colon cancer cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e96755. [PMID: 24804733 PMCID: PMC4013086 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years considerable attention has been given to the use of natural substances as anticancer drugs. The natural antioxidant dipeptide L-carnosine belongs to this class of molecules because it has been proved to have a significant anticancer activity both in vitro and in vivo. Previous studies have shown that L-carnosine inhibits the proliferation of human colorectal carcinoma cells by affecting the ATP and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production. In the present study we identified the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α (HIF-1α) as a possible target of L-carnosine in HCT-116 cell line. HIF-1α protein is over-expressed in multiple types of human cancer and is the major cause of resistance to drugs and radiation in solid tumours. Of particular interest are experimental data supporting the concept that generation of ROS provides a redox signal for HIF-1α induction, and it is known that some antioxidants are able to suppress tumorigenesis by inhibiting HIF-1α. In the current study we found that L-carnosine reduces the HIF-1α protein level affecting its stability and decreases the HIF-1 transcriptional activity. In addition, we demonstrated that L-carnosine is involved in ubiquitin-proteasome system promoting HIF-1α degradation. Finally, we compared the antioxidant activity of L-carnosine with that of two synthetic anti-oxidant bis-diaminotriazoles (namely 1 and 2, respectively). Despite these three compounds have the same ability in reducing intracellular ROS, 1 and 2 are more potent scavengers and have no effect on HIF-1α expression and cancer cell proliferation. These findings suggest that an analysis of L-carnosine antioxidant pathway will clarify the mechanism underlying the anti-proliferative effects of this dipeptide on colon cancer cells. However, although the molecular mechanism by which L-carnosine down regulates or inhibits the HIF-1α activity has not been yet elucidated, this ability may be promising in treating hypoxia-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Iovine
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Giorgia Oliviero
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Mariangela Garofalo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria Orefice
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Francesca Nocella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Nicola Borbone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Piccialli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Roberto Centore
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Mazzone
- Lab of Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis, Vesalius Research Center, Leuven, Belgium
- Lab of Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis, Vesalius Research Center, Department of Oncology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gennaro Piccialli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria Assunta Bevilacqua
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
- * E-mail:
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15
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Impairment of electron transfer chain induced by acute carnosine administration in skeletal muscle of young rats. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:632986. [PMID: 24877122 PMCID: PMC4024420 DOI: 10.1155/2014/632986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Revised: 04/06/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Serum carnosinase deficiency is an inherited disorder that leads to an accumulation of carnosine in the brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, skeletal muscle, and other tissues of affected patients. Considering that high levels of carnosine are associated with neurological dysfunction and that the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in serum carnosinase deficiency remain poorly understood, we investigated the in vivo effects of carnosine on bioenergetics parameters, namely, respiratory chain complexes (I–III, II, and II-III), malate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase activities and the expression of mitochondrial-specific transcription factors (NRF-1, PGC-1α, and TFAM) in skeletal muscle of young Wistar rats. We observed a significant decrease of complexes I–III and II activities in animals receiving carnosine acutely, as compared to control group. However, no significant alterations in respiratory chain complexes, citric acid cycle enzymes, and creatine kinase activities were found between rats receiving carnosine chronically and control group animals. As compared to control group, mRNA levels of NRF-1, PGC-1α, and TFAM were unchanged. The present findings indicate that electron transfer through the respiratory chain is impaired in skeletal muscle of rats receiving carnosine acutely. In case these findings are confirmed by further studies and ATP depletion is also observed, impairment of bioenergetics could be considered a putative mechanism responsible for the muscle damage observed in serum carnosinase-deficient patients.
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Zhang Z, Miao L, Wu X, Liu G, Peng Y, Xin X, Jiao B, Kong X. Carnosine Inhibits the Proliferation of Human Gastric Carcinoma Cells by Retarding Akt/mTOR/p70S6K Signaling. J Cancer 2014; 5:382-9. [PMID: 24799956 PMCID: PMC4007526 DOI: 10.7150/jca.8024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine), described as an enigmatic peptide for its antioxidant, anti-aging and especially antiproliferation properties, has been demonstrated to play an anti-tumorigenic role in certain types of cancer. However, its function in human gastric carcinoma remains unclear. In this study, the effect of carnosine on cell proliferation and its underlying mechanisms were investigated in the cultured human gastric carcinoma cells. The mTOR signaling axis molecules were analyzed in carnosine treated cells. The results showed that treatment with carnosine led to proliferation inhibition, cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, apoptosis increase, and inhibition of mTOR signaling activation by decreasing the phosphorylation of Akt, mTOR and p70S6K, suggesting that proliferation inhibition of carnosine in human gastric carcinoma was through the inhibition of Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway, and carnosine would be a mimic of rapamycin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenwei Zhang
- 1. Key Laboratory of Liver Disease, Center of Infectious Diseases, Guangzhou 458 Hospital, Guangzhou, China ; 3. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Miao
- 2. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy and Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Wu
- 1. Key Laboratory of Liver Disease, Center of Infectious Diseases, Guangzhou 458 Hospital, Guangzhou, China ; 4. Institute of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Guangze Liu
- 1. Key Laboratory of Liver Disease, Center of Infectious Diseases, Guangzhou 458 Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuting Peng
- 1. Key Laboratory of Liver Disease, Center of Infectious Diseases, Guangzhou 458 Hospital, Guangzhou, China ; 4. Institute of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoming Xin
- 2. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy and Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China ; 5. Department of pharmacology, Taishan Medical University, Tai'an, China
| | - Binghua Jiao
- 3. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangping Kong
- 1. Key Laboratory of Liver Disease, Center of Infectious Diseases, Guangzhou 458 Hospital, Guangzhou, China
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Xu M, He RR, Zhai YJ, Abe K, Kurihara H. Effects of Carnosine on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Hematopoietic Suppression in Mice. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2014; 42:131-42. [DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x14500098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cyclophosphamide is one of the most widely used chemotherapeutic agents in treating cancers. Chemotherapy drug-induced oxidative stress produces side effects. The severity of myelosuppression increases with a high dose of cyclophosphamide. Chicken soup or chicken essence, a traditional Chinese aliment, is a popular health supplement for patients with cancers or other diseases in Asia. As a major functional component of chicken meat extract, carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine), a dipeptide of the amino acids beta-alanine and histidine, has been shown to have strong antioxidant activities. In the present study, we investigated the effects of carnosine on hematopoietic suppression in mice treated with cyclophosphamide. As expected, we found that cyclophosphamide administration (with a single dose of 150 mg/kg) induced a rapid (within 24 hours) and severe hematopoietic suppression in mice. We further showed that carnosine administration (100 mg/kg/day or 200 mg/kg/day for continuous seven days) could substantially improve suppressed hematopoietic functions and accelerate the recovery of leukocyte counts, bone marrow spontaneous proliferation, colony stimulating activity (CSA) in serum, and production of endogenous cytokines such as interleukin-3 (IL-3) and stem cell factor (SCF). These results indicate that carnosine has the potential to promote the recovery from hematopoietic suppression induced by cyclophosphamide. Our data suggest that carnosine holds a potential in clinical application to minimize the side effects induced by chemotherapeutic agents such as cyclophosphamide and thus will substantially improve the overall anti-tumor effects of the standard chemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Xu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Rong-Rong He
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yu-Jia Zhai
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Keiichi Abe
- BRAND'S Foundation Health Center, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Hiroshi Kurihara
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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Vaughan RA, Gannon NP, Garcia-Smith R, Licon-Munoz Y, Barberena MA, Bisoffi M, Trujillo KA. β-alanine suppresses malignant breast epithelial cell aggressiveness through alterations in metabolism and cellular acidity in vitro. Mol Cancer 2014; 13:14. [PMID: 24460609 PMCID: PMC3937146 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-13-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Deregulated energetics is a property of most cancer cells. This phenomenon, known as the Warburg Effect or aerobic glycolysis, is characterized by increased glucose uptake, lactate export and extracellular acidification, even in the presence of oxygen. β-alanine is a non-essential amino acid that has previously been shown to be metabolized into carnosine, which functions as an intracellular buffer. Because of this buffering capacity, we investigated the effects of β-alanine on the metabolic cancerous phenotype. Methods Non-malignant MCF-10a and malignant MCF-7 breast epithelial cells were treated with β-alanine at 100 mM for 24 hours. Aerobic glycolysis was quantified by measuring extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) and oxidative metabolism was quantified by measuring oxygen consumption rate (OCR). mRNA of metabolism-related genes was quantified by qRT-PCR with corresponding protein expression quantified by immunoblotting, or by flow cytometry which was verified by confocal microscopy. Mitochondrial content was quantified using a mitochondria-specific dye and measured by flow cytometry. Results Cells treated with β-alanine displayed significantly suppressed basal and peak ECAR (aerobic glycolysis), with simultaneous increase in glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1). Additionally, cells treated with β-alanine exhibited significantly reduced basal and peak OCR (oxidative metabolism), which was accompanied by reduction in mitochondrial content with subsequent suppression of genes which promote mitochondrial biosynthesis. Suppression of glycolytic and oxidative metabolism by β-alanine resulted in the reduction of total metabolic rate, although cell viability was not affected. Because β-alanine treatment reduces extracellular acidity, a constituent of the invasive microenvironment that promotes progression, we investigated the effect of β-alanine on breast cell viability and migration. β-alanine was shown to reduce both cell migration and proliferation without acting in a cytotoxic fashion. Moreover, β-alanine significantly increased malignant cell sensitivity to doxorubicin, suggesting a potential role as a co-therapeutic agent. Conclusion Taken together, our results suggest that β-alanine may elicit several anti-tumor effects. Our observations support the need for further investigation into the mechanism(s) of action and specificity of β-alanine as a co-therapeutic agent in the treatment of breast tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger A Vaughan
- Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Science, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
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Inhibition of tumour cell growth by carnosine: some possible mechanisms. Amino Acids 2013; 46:327-37. [PMID: 24292217 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-013-1627-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The naturally occurring dipeptide carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) has been shown to inhibit, selectively, growth of transformed cells mediated, at least in part, by depleting glycolytic ATP levels. The mechanism(s) responsible has/have yet to be determined. Here, we discuss a number of probable and/or possible processes which could, theoretically, suppress glycolytic activity which would decrease ATP supply and generation of metabolic intermediates required for continued cell reproduction. Possibilities include effects on (i) glycolytic enzymes, (ii) metabolic regulatory activities, (iii) redox biology, (iv) protein glycation, (v) glyoxalase activity, (vi) apoptosis, (vii) gene expression and (viii) metastasis. It is possible, by acting at various sites that this pluripotent dipeptide may be an example of an endogenous "smart drug".
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Cartwright SP, Bill RM, Hipkiss AR. L-carnosine affects the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a metabolism-dependent manner. PLoS One 2012; 7:e45006. [PMID: 22984600 PMCID: PMC3440334 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2012] [Accepted: 08/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The dipeptide L-carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) has been described as enigmatic: it inhibits growth of cancer cells but delays senescence in cultured human fibroblasts and extends the lifespan of male fruit flies. In an attempt to understand these observations, the effects of L-carnosine on the model eukaryote, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, were examined on account of its unique metabolic properties; S. cerevisiae can respire aerobically, but like some tumor cells, it can also exhibit a metabolism in which aerobic respiration is down regulated. L-Carnosine exhibited both inhibitory and stimulatory effects on yeast cells, dependent upon the carbon source in the growth medium. When yeast cells were not reliant on oxidative phosphorylation for energy generation (e.g. when grown on a fermentable carbon source such as 2% glucose), 10-30 mM L-carnosine slowed growth rates in a dose-dependent manner and increased cell death by up to 17%. In contrast, in media containing a non-fermentable carbon source in which yeast are dependent on aerobic respiration (e.g. 2% glycerol), L-carnosine did not provoke cell death. This latter observation was confirmed in the respiratory yeast, Pichia pastoris. Moreover, when deletion strains in the yeast nutrient-sensing pathway were treated with L-carnosine, the cells showed resistance to its inhibitory effects. These findings suggest that L-carnosine affects cells in a metabolism-dependent manner and provide a rationale for its effects on different cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie P. Cartwright
- Aston Research Centre for Healthy Ageing, School of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Roslyn M. Bill
- Aston Research Centre for Healthy Ageing, School of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (RMB); (ARH)
| | - Alan R. Hipkiss
- Aston Research Centre for Healthy Ageing, School of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (RMB); (ARH)
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Boldyrev AA. Carnosine: New concept for the function of an old molecule. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2012; 77:313-26. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006297912040013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Carnosine and cancer: a perspective. Amino Acids 2012; 43:135-42. [PMID: 22454085 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-012-1271-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2011] [Accepted: 03/09/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The application of carnosine in medicine has been discussed since several years, but many claims of therapeutic effects have not been substantiated by rigorous experimental examination. In the present perspective, a possible use of carnosine as an anti-neoplastic therapeutic, especially for the treatment of malignant brain tumours such as glioblastoma is discussed. Possible mechanisms by which carnosine may perform its anti-tumourigenic effects are outlined and its expected bioavailability and possible negative and positive side effects are considered. Finally, alternative strategies are examined such as treatment with other dipeptides or β-alanine.
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Carnosine derivatives: new multifunctional drug-like molecules. Amino Acids 2011; 43:153-63. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-011-1178-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2011] [Accepted: 11/22/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Energy metabolism, proteotoxic stress and age-related dysfunction - protection by carnosine. Mol Aspects Med 2011; 32:267-78. [PMID: 22020113 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2011.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2011] [Accepted: 10/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
This review will discuss the relationship between energy metabolism, protein dysfunction and the causation and modulation of age-related proteotoxicity and disease. It is proposed that excessive glycolysis, rather than aerobic (mitochondrial) activity, could be causal to proteotoxic stress and age-related pathology, due to the generation of endogenous glycating metabolites: the deleterious role of methylglyoxal (MG) is emphasized. It is suggested that TOR inhibition, exercise, fasting and increased mitochondrial activity suppress formation of MG (and other deleterious low molecular weight carbonyl compounds) which could control onset and progression of proteostatic dysfunction. Possible mechanisms by which the endogenous dipeptide, carnosine, which, by way of its putative aldehyde-scavenging activity, may control age-related proteotoxicity, cellular dysfunction and pathology, including cancer, are also considered. Whether carnosine could be regarded as a rapamycin mimic is briefly discussed.
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Iovine B, Iannella ML, Nocella F, Pricolo MR, Bevilacqua MA. Carnosine inhibits KRAS-mediated HCT116 proliferation by affecting ATP and ROS production. Cancer Lett 2011; 315:122-8. [PMID: 22137144 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2011.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2011] [Revised: 07/13/2011] [Accepted: 07/20/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Carnosine is a natural dipeptide that has generated particular interest for its antioxidant, anti-aging and especially for its antiproliferative properties. In this study, we demonstrate that carnosine inhibits the proliferation of human HCT116 colon cancer cells. In this cell line, the activating KRAS mutation induces mitochondrial ROS, the signaling molecules for cell proliferation. We observed that 50-100 mM carnosine decreases ATP and ROS concentration and induces cell cycle arrest in G1 phase. In HCT116 cells these effects are related to decreased ERK1/2 phosphorylation and increased p21waf1 protein. Our findings support the concept that carnosine could inhibit HCT116 cell growth via its antioxidant activity and its ability to affect glycolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Iovine
- Dipartimento di Biochimica e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131 Napoli, Italy
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