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Das A, Chakrabarty S, Nag D, Paul S, Ganguli A, Chakrabarti G. Heavy water (D 2O) induces autophagy-dependent apoptotic cell death in non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon microtubule disruption. Toxicol In Vitro 2023; 93:105703. [PMID: 37751786 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2023.105703] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Deuterium oxide (D2O) or heavy water is known to have diverse biological activities and have a few therapeutic applications due to its limited toxicity to human subjects. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of D2O-induced cytotoxicity in non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells. RESULTS We found that D2O-treatment resulted in cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in A549 cells in a dose-dependent fashion. In contrast, limited cytotoxicity was observed in lung fibroblasts WI38 cells. Moreover, D2O-treatment resulted in the disruption of the cellular microtubule network, accompanied by the generation of ROS. On further investigation, we observed that the intracellular ROS triggered autophagic responses in D2O-treated cells, leading to apoptosis by inhibiting the oncogenic PI3K/ Akt/ mTOR signaling. D2O-treatment was also found to enhance the efficacy of paclitaxel in A549 cells. SIGNIFICANCE D2O induces autophagy-dependent apoptosis in A549 cells via ROS generation upon microtubule depolymerization and inhibition of PI3K/ Akt/ mTOR signaling. It augments the efficacy of other microtubule-targeting anticancer drug taxol, which indicates the potential therapeutic importance of D2O as an anticancer agent either alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amlan Das
- Department of Biotechnology and Dr. B.C. Guha Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal 700019, India; Department of Biochemistry, Royal School of Biosciences, The Assam Royal Global University, Assam 781035, India.
| | - Subhendu Chakrabarty
- Department of Biotechnology and Dr. B.C. Guha Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal 700019, India; Department of Microbiology, M.U.C. Women's College, Burdwan, West Bengal 713104, India
| | - Debasish Nag
- Department of Biotechnology and Dr. B.C. Guha Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal 700019, India
| | - Santanu Paul
- Department of Biotechnology and Dr. B.C. Guha Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal 700019, India; Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Swami Vivekananda University, Barrackpore, West Bengal 700121, India
| | - Arnab Ganguli
- Department of Microbiology, Techno India University, West Bengal 700091, India
| | - Gopal Chakrabarti
- Department of Biotechnology and Dr. B.C. Guha Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal 700019, India.
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Giubertoni G, Bonn M, Woutersen S. D 2O as an Imperfect Replacement for H 2O: Problem or Opportunity for Protein Research? J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:8086-8094. [PMID: 37722111 PMCID: PMC10544019 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c04385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
D2O is commonly used as a solvent instead of H2O in spectroscopic studies of proteins, in particular, in infrared and nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectroscopy. D2O is chemically equivalent to H2O, and the differences, particularly in hydrogen-bond strength, are often ignored. However, replacing solvent water with D2O can affect not only the kinetics but also the structure and stability of biomolecules. Recent experiments have shown that even the mesoscopic structures and the elastic properties of biomolecular assemblies, such as amyloids and protein networks, can be very different in D2O and H2O. We discuss these findings, which probably are just the tip of the iceberg, and which seem to call for obtaining a better understanding of the H2O/D2O-isotope effect on water-water and water-protein interactions. Such improved understanding may change the differences between H2O and D2O as biomolecular solvents from an elephant in the room to an opportunity for protein research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Giubertoni
- Van
’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mischa Bonn
- Max
Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Sander Woutersen
- Van
’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Xiao Z, Qu L, Chen H, Liu W, Zhan Y, Ling J, Shen H, Yang L, Chen D. Raman-Based Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing on Antibiotics of Last Resort. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:5485-5500. [PMID: 37638072 PMCID: PMC10456006 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s404732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Antibiotic resistance represents a serious global health challenge, particularly with the emergence of strains resistant to last-resort antibiotics such as tigecycline, polymyxin B, and vancomycin. Urgent measures are required to alleviate this situation. To facilitate the judicious use of antibiotics, rapid and precise antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is essential. Heavy water (deuterium oxide, D2O)-labeled Raman spectroscopy has emerged as a promising time-saving tool for microbiological testing. Methods Deuterium incorporation and experimental conditions were examined to develop and apply a Raman-based AST method to evaluate the efficacy of last-resort antibiotics, including tigecycline, polymyxin B, and vancomycin, against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecium. Essential agreement and categorical agreement were used to assess the metabolism inactivation concentration based on Raman spectroscopy (R-MIC)-a new metric developed in this study-and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determined via the traditional microdilution broth method. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was employed to measure the association between R-MIC and MIC values. Results The Raman-based AST method achieved a 100% categorical agreement (92/92) with the traditional microdilution broth method within five hours, while the traditional method required approximately 24 h. The R-MIC values shared 68.5% (63/92) consistency with the MIC values. In addition, the R-MIC and MIC values were highly correlated (Spearman's r=0.96), resulting in an essential agreement of 100%. Conclusion Our optimized experimental method and conditions indicate that Raman-based AST holds great promise as a solution to overcome the time-consuming challenges of traditional AST methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhirou Xiao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liping Qu
- Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haijun Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wanting Liu
- Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhan
- Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiahui Ling
- Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongwei Shen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dingqiang Chen
- Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
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Jandova J, Galons JP, Dettman DL, Wondrak GT. Systemic deuteration of SCID mice using the water-isotopologue deuterium oxide (D 2 O) inhibits tumor growth in an orthotopic bioluminescent model of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Mol Carcinog 2023; 62:598-612. [PMID: 36727657 PMCID: PMC10106369 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Since its initial discovery as a natural isotopologue of dihydrogen oxide (1 H2 O), extensive research has focused on the biophysical, biochemical, and pharmacological effects of deuterated water (2 H2 O [D2 O, also referred to as "heavy water"]). Using a panel of cultured human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells we have profiled (i) D2 O-induced phenotypic antiproliferative and apoptogenic effects, (ii) redox- and proteotoxicity-directed stress response gene expression, and (iii) phosphoprotein-signaling related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and MAP-kinase stress response pathways. Differential array analysis revealed early modulation of stress response gene expression in both BxPC-3 and PANC-1 PDAC cells elicited by D2 O (90%; ≤6 h; upregulated: HMOX1, NOS2, CYP2E1, CRYAB, DDIT3, NFKBIA, PTGS1, SOD2, PTGS2; downregulated: RUNX1, MYC, HSPA8, HSPA1A) confirmed by independent RT-qPCR analysis. Immunoblot-analysis revealed rapid (≤6 h) onset of D2 O-induced MAP-kinase signaling (p-JNK, p-p38) together with ER stress response upregulation (p-eIF2α, ATF4, XBP1s, DDIT3/CHOP). Next, we tested the chemotherapeutic efficacy of D2 O-based drinking water supplementation in an orthotopic PDAC model employing firefly luciferase-expressing BxPC-3-FLuc cells in SCID mice. First, feasibility and time course of systemic deuteration (30% D2 O in drinking water; 21 days) were established using time-resolved whole-body proton magnetic resonance imaging and isotope-ratio mass spectrometry-based plasma (D/H)-analysis. D2 O-supplementation suppressed tumor growth by almost 80% with downregulated expression of PCNA, MYC, RUNX1, and HSP70 while increasing tumor levels of DDIT3/CHOP, HO-1, and p-eIF2α. Taken together, these data demonstrate for the first time that pharmacological induction of systemic deuteration significantly reduces orthotopic tumor burden in a murine PDAC xenograft model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Jandova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - David L. Dettman
- Department of Geosciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Georg T. Wondrak
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Abilev SK, Igonina EV, Sviridova DA, Smirnova SV. Bacterial Lux Biosensors in Genotoxicological Studies. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:bios13050511. [PMID: 37232872 DOI: 10.3390/bios13050511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of the bacterial lux biosensors for genotoxicological studies. Biosensors are the strains of E. coli MG1655 carrying a recombinant plasmid with the lux operon of the luminescent bacterium P. luminescens fused with the promoters of inducible genes: recA, colD, alkA, soxS, and katG. The genotoxicity of forty-seven chemical compounds was tested on a set of three biosensors pSoxS-lux, pKatG-lux and pColD-lux, which allowed us to estimate the oxidative and DNA-damaging activity of the analyzed drugs. The comparison of the results with the data on the mutagenic activity of these drugs from the Ames test showed a complete coincidence of the results for the 42 substances. First, using lux biosensors, we have described the enhancing effect of the heavy non-radioactive isotope of hydrogen deuterium (D2O) on the genotoxicity of chemical compounds as possible mechanisms of this effect. The study of the modifying effect of 29 antioxidants and radioprotectors on the genotoxic effects of chemical agents showed the applicability of a pair of biosensors pSoxS-lux and pKatG-lux for the primary assessment of the potential antioxidant and radioprotective activity of chemical compounds. Thus, the results obtained showed that lux biosensors can be successfully used to identify potential genotoxicants, radioprotectors, antioxidants, and comutagens among chemical compounds, as well as to study the probable mechanism of genotoxic action of test substance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serikbai K Abilev
- The Laboratory of Ecological Genetics, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117971, Russia
| | - Elena V Igonina
- The Laboratory of Ecological Genetics, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117971, Russia
| | - Darya A Sviridova
- The Laboratory of Ecological Genetics, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117971, Russia
| | - Svetlana V Smirnova
- The Laboratory of Ecological Genetics, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117971, Russia
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Jandova J, Park SL, Corenblum MJ, Madhavan L, Snell JA, Rounds L, Wondrak GT. Mefloquine induces ER stress and apoptosis in BRAFi-resistant A375-BRAF V600E /NRAS Q61K malignant melanoma cells targeting intracranial tumors in a bioluminescent murine model. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:603-614. [PMID: 35417045 PMCID: PMC9133119 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Molecularly targeted therapeutics have revolutionized the treatment of BRAFV600E -driven malignant melanoma, but the rapid development of resistance to BRAF kinase inhibitors (BRAFi) presents a significant obstacle. The use of clinical antimalarials for the investigational treatment of malignant melanoma has shown only moderate promise, attributed mostly to inhibition of lysosomal-autophagic adaptations of cancer cells, but identification of specific antimalarials displaying single-agent antimelanoma activity has remained elusive. Here, we have screened a focused library of clinically used artemisinin-combination therapeutic (ACT) antimalarials for the apoptotic elimination of cultured malignant melanoma cell lines, also examining feasibility of overcoming BRAFi-resistance comparing isogenic melanoma cells that differ only by NRAS mutational status (BRAFi-sensitive A375-BRAFV600E /NRASQ61 vs. BRAFi-resistant A375-BRAFV600E /NRASQ61K ). Among ACT antimalarials tested, mefloquine (MQ) was the only apoptogenic agent causing melanoma cell death at low micromolar concentrations. Comparative gene expression-array analysis (A375-BRAFV600E /NRASQ61 vs. A375-BRAFV600E /NRASQ61K ) revealed that MQ is a dual inducer of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and redox stress responses that precede MQ-induced loss of viability. ER-trackerTM DPX fluorescence imaging and electron microscopy indicated ER swelling, accompanied by rapid induction of ER stress signaling (phospho-eIF2α, XBP-1s, ATF4). Fluo-4 AM-fluorescence indicated the occurrence of cytosolic calcium overload observable within seconds of MQ exposure. In a bioluminescent murine model employing intracranial injection of A375-Luc2 (BRAFV600E /NRASQ61K ) cells, an oral MQ regimen efficiently antagonized brain tumor growth. Taken together, these data suggest that the clinical antimalarial MQ may be a valid candidate for drug repurposing aiming at chemotherapeutic elimination of malignant melanoma cells, even if metastasized to the brain and BRAFi-resistant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Jandova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, RK Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Sophia L. Park
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, RK Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Mandi J. Corenblum
- Department of Neurology, Evelyn F McKnight Brain Institute and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Lalitha Madhavan
- Department of Neurology, Evelyn F McKnight Brain Institute and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Jeremy A. Snell
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, RK Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Liliana Rounds
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, RK Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Georg T. Wondrak
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, RK Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Jandova J, Wondrak GT. Vemurafenib Drives Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Gene Expression in BRAF Inhibitor‒Resistant BRAF V600E/NRAS Q61K Melanoma Enhancing Tumor Growth and Metastasis in a Bioluminescent Murine Model. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:1456-1465.e1. [PMID: 34687745 PMCID: PMC9021323 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) resistance compromises long-term survivorship of patients with malignant melanoma, and mutant NRAS is a major mediator of BRAFi resistance. In this study, employing phenotypic and transcriptomic analysis of isogenic melanoma cells that differ only by NRAS mutational status (BRAFi-sensitive A375-BRAFV600E/NRASQ61 vs. BRAFi-resistant A375-BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K), we show that BRAFi (vemurafenib) treatment selectively targets BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K cells upregulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) gene expression, paradoxically promoting invasiveness and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. First, NanoString nCounter transcriptomic analysis identified the upregulation of specific gene expression networks (EMT and EMT to metastasis) as a function of NRASQ61K status. Strikingly, BRAFi treatment further exacerbated the upregulation of genes promoting EMT in BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K cells (with opposing downregulation of EMT-driver genes in the BRAFV600E/NRASQ61 genotype) as detected by EMT-focused RT2 Profiler qPCR array analysis. In BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K cells, BRAFi treatment enhanced proliferation and invasiveness, together with activation of phosphorylated protein kinase B (Ser473), with opposing phenotypic effects observable in BRAFV600E/NRASQ61 cells displaying downregulation of phosphorylated protein kinase B and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. In a SCID mouse bioluminescent melanoma metastasis model, BRAFi treatment enhanced lung tumor burden imposed by BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K cells while blocking BRAFV600E/NRASQ61 metastasis. These preclinical data document the BRAFi-driven enhancement of tumorigenesis and metastasis in BRAFi-resistant human BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K melanoma, a finding with potential clinical implications for patients with NRAS-driven BRAFi-resistant tumors receiving BRAFi treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Jandova
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA; UA Cancer Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Georg T Wondrak
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA; UA Cancer Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
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