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Jakobsen S, Nielsen CU. Exploring Amino Acid Transporters as Therapeutic Targets for Cancer: An Examination of Inhibitor Structures, Selectivity Issues, and Discovery Approaches. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:197. [PMID: 38399253 PMCID: PMC10893028 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Amino acid transporters are abundant amongst the solute carrier family and have an important role in facilitating the transfer of amino acids across cell membranes. Because of their impact on cell nutrient distribution, they also appear to have an important role in the growth and development of cancer. Naturally, this has made amino acid transporters a novel target of interest for the development of new anticancer drugs. Many attempts have been made to develop inhibitors of amino acid transporters to slow down cancer cell growth, and some have even reached clinical trials. The purpose of this review is to help organize the available information on the efforts to discover amino acid transporter inhibitors by focusing on the amino acid transporters ASCT2 (SLC1A5), LAT1 (SLC7A5), xCT (SLC7A11), SNAT1 (SLC38A1), SNAT2 (SLC38A2), and PAT1 (SLC36A1). We discuss the function of the transporters, their implication in cancer, their known inhibitors, issues regarding selective inhibitors, and the efforts and strategies of discovering inhibitors. The goal is to encourage researchers to continue the search and development within the field of cancer treatment research targeting amino acid transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Jakobsen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Carsten Uhd Nielsen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark
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2
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Qin L, Cheng X, Wang S, Gong G, Su H, Huang H, Chen T, Damdinjav D, Dorjsuren B, Li Z, Qiu Z, Bian J. Discovery of Novel Aminobutanoic Acid-Based ASCT2 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. J Med Chem 2024; 67:988-1007. [PMID: 38217503 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Alanine-serine-cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2) is up-regulated in lung cancers, and inhibiting it could potentially lead to nutrient deprivation, making it a viable strategy for cancer treatment. In this study, we present a series of ASCT2 inhibitors based on aminobutanoic acids, which exhibit potent inhibitory activity. Two compounds, 20k and 25e, were identified as novel and potent ASCT2 inhibitors, with IC50 values at the micromolar level in both A549 and HEK293 cells, effectively blocking glutamine (Gln) uptake. Additionally, these compounds regulated amino acid metabolism, suppressed mTOR signaling, inhibited non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) growth, and induced apoptosis. In vivo, experiments showed that 20k and 25e suppressed tumor growth in an A549 xenograft model, with tumor growth inhibition (TGI) values of 65 and 70% at 25 mg/kg, respectively, while V9302 only achieved a TGI value of 29%. Furthermore, both compounds demonstrated promising therapeutic potential in patient-derived organoids. Therefore, these ASCT2 inhibitors based on aminobutanoic acids are promising therapeutic agents for treating NSCLC by targeting cancer Gln metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, P. R. China
| | - Xinying Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, P. R. China
| | - Shijiao Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, P. R. China
| | - Guangyue Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, P. R. China
| | - Huiyan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, P. R. China
| | - Huidan Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241002, P. R. China
| | - Tian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, P. R. China
| | - Davaadagva Damdinjav
- School of Pharmacy, Mongolian National University of Medical Science, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia
| | - Buyankhishig Dorjsuren
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, P. R. China
| | - Zhixia Qiu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, P. R. China
| | - Jinlei Bian
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211100, P. R. China
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3
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Kahlhofer J, Teis D. The human LAT1-4F2hc (SLC7A5-SLC3A2) transporter complex: Physiological and pathophysiological implications. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 133:459-472. [PMID: 36460306 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13821] [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: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
LAT1 and 4F2hc form a heterodimeric membrane protein complex, which functions as one of the best characterized amino acid transporters. Since LAT1-4F2hc is required for the efficient uptake of essential amino acids and hormones, it promotes cellular growth, in part, by stimulating mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1) signalling and by repressing the integrated stress response (ISR). Gain or loss of LAT1-4F2hc function is associated with cancer, diabetes, and immunological and neurological diseases. Hence, LAT1-4F2hc represents an attractive drug target for disease treatment. Specific targeting of LAT1-4F2hc will be facilitated by the increasingly detailed understanding of its molecular architecture, which provides important concepts for its function and regulation. Here, we summarize (i) structural insights that help to explain how LAT1 and 4F2hc assemble to transport amino acids across membranes, (ii) the role of LAT1-4F2hc in key metabolic signalling pathways, and (iii) how derailing these processes could contribute to diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Kahlhofer
- Institute for Cell Biology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - David Teis
- Institute for Cell Biology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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4
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Ye Y, Yu B, Wang H, Yi F. Glutamine metabolic reprogramming in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1242059. [PMID: 37635935 PMCID: PMC10452011 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1242059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal disease with limited management strategies and poor prognosis. Metabolism alternations have been frequently unveiled in HCC, including glutamine metabolic reprogramming. The components of glutamine metabolism, such as glutamine synthetase, glutamate dehydrogenase, glutaminase, metabolites, and metabolite transporters, are validated to be potential biomarkers of HCC. Increased glutamine consumption is confirmed in HCC, which fuels proliferation by elevated glutamate dehydrogenase or upstream signals. Glutamine metabolism also serves as a nitrogen source for amino acid or nucleotide anabolism. In addition, more glutamine converts to glutathione as an antioxidant in HCC to protect HCC cells from oxidative stress. Moreover, glutamine metabolic reprogramming activates the mTORC signaling pathway to support tumor cell proliferation. Glutamine metabolism targeting therapy includes glutamine deprivation, related enzyme inhibitors, and transporters inhibitors. Together, glutamine metabolic reprogramming plays a pivotal role in HCC identification, proliferation, and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Ye
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bodong Yu
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Nanchang University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, China
| | - Fengming Yi
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, China
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5
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Chen P, Jiang Y, Liang J, Cai J, Zhuo Y, Fan H, Yuan R, Cheng S, Zhang Y. SLC1A5 is a novel biomarker associated with ferroptosis and the tumor microenvironment: a pancancer analysis. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:7451-7475. [PMID: 37566748 PMCID: PMC10457057 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204911] [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: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Solute carrier family 1 member 5 (SLC1A5) is a member of the solute carrier (SLC) superfamily of transporters and plays an important role in tumors as a key transporter of glutamine into cells. However, the relationship between SLC1A5, which is involved in immune regulation, and immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment has not been elucidated, and the relationship between SLC1A5 and ferroptosis is rarely reported. Therefore, we comprehensively analyzed the expression level of SLC1A5 across cancers and compared it with that in normal tissues. Then, the relationship between SLC1A5 expression and the tumor immune microenvironment was analyzed by single-cell analysis, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER). Next, the correlations of the SLC1A5 expression level with immunotherapy response, immunomodulator expression, tumor mutation burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability (MSI) were evaluated. Finally, in vitro experiments verified that SLC1A5 participates in ferroptosis of glioma cells to regulate tumor progression. Our results indicated that SLC1A5 is aberrantly expressed in most cancer types and closely associated with prognosis. The GSEA results showed that SLC1A5 is involved in immune activation processes and closely related to the infiltration levels of different immune cells in different cancer types. Upon further investigation, we found that SLC1A5 is a suppressor of ferroptosis in glioma, and SLC1A5 knockdown inhibited the proliferation and migration of glioma cells in vitro. In conclusion, we conducted a pancancer analysis of SLC1A5, demonstrated its role as a prognostic biomarker in cancer patients and explored its potential biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
- Department of Medical, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - YongAn Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
- Department of Medical, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - JiaWei Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
- Department of Medical, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - JiaHong Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
- Department of Medical, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Yi Zhuo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
- Department of Medical, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - HengYi Fan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - RaoRao Yuan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - ShiQi Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
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6
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Kim SY, Ong Q, Liao Y, Ding Z, Tan AQL, Lim LTR, Tan HM, Lim SL, Lee QY, Han W. Genetic Ablation of LAT1 Inhibits Growth of Liver Cancer Cells and Downregulates mTORC1 Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119171. [PMID: 37298123 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Through a comprehensive analysis of the gene expression and dependency in HCC patients and cell lines, LAT1 was identified as the top amino acid transporter candidate supporting HCC tumorigenesis. To assess the suitability of LAT1 as a HCC therapeutic target, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to knockout (KO) LAT1 in the epithelial HCC cell line, Huh7. Knockout of LAT1 diminished its branched chain amino acid (BCAA) transport activity and significantly reduced cell proliferation in Huh7. Consistent with in vitro studies, LAT1 ablation led to suppression of tumor growth in a xenograft model. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the observed inhibition of cell proliferation upon LAT1 KO, we performed RNA-sequencing analysis and investigated the changes in the mTORC1 signaling pathway. LAT1 ablation resulted in a notable reduction in phosphorylation of p70S6K, a downstream target of mTORC1, as well as its substrate S6RP. This reduced cell proliferation and mTORC1 activity were rescued when LAT1 was overexpressed. These findings imply an essential role of LAT1 for maintenance of tumor cell growth and additional therapeutic angles against liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Yee Kim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 11 Biopolis Way, #02-02, Helios, Singapore 138667, Singapore
| | - Qunxiang Ong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 11 Biopolis Way, #02-02, Helios, Singapore 138667, Singapore
| | - Yilie Liao
- Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Zhaobing Ding
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 11 Biopolis Way, #02-02, Helios, Singapore 138667, Singapore
| | - Alicia Qian Ler Tan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 11 Biopolis Way, #02-02, Helios, Singapore 138667, Singapore
| | - Ler Ting Rachel Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 11 Biopolis Way, #02-02, Helios, Singapore 138667, Singapore
| | - Hui Min Tan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 11 Biopolis Way, #02-02, Helios, Singapore 138667, Singapore
| | - Siew Lan Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 11 Biopolis Way, #02-02, Helios, Singapore 138667, Singapore
| | - Qian Yi Lee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 11 Biopolis Way, #02-02, Helios, Singapore 138667, Singapore
| | - Weiping Han
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 11 Biopolis Way, #02-02, Helios, Singapore 138667, Singapore
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7
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Anwar A, Sapra L, Gupta N, Ojha RP, Verma B, Srivastava RK. Fine-tuning osteoclastogenesis: An insight into the cellular and molecular regulation of osteoclastogenesis. J Cell Physiol 2023. [PMID: 37183350 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Osteoclasts, the bone-resorbing cells, are essential for the bone remodeling process and are involved in the pathophysiology of several bone-related diseases. The extensive corpus of in vitro research and crucial mouse model studies in the 1990s demonstrated the key roles of monocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and integrin αvβ3 in osteoclast biology. Our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms by which these variables control osteoclast differentiation and function has significantly advanced in the first decade of this century. Recent developments have revealed a number of novel insights into the fundamental mechanisms governing the differentiation and functional activity of osteoclasts; however, these mechanisms have not yet been adequately documented. Thus, in the present review, we discuss various regulatory factors including local and hormonal factors, innate as well as adaptive immune cells, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), etc., in the molecular regulation of the intricate and tightly regulated process of osteoclastogenesis. ncRNAs have a critical role as epigenetic controllers of osteoclast physiologic activities, including differentiation and bone resorption. The primary ncRNAs, which include micro-RNAs, circular RNAs, and long noncoding RNAs, form a complex network that affects gene transcription activities associated with osteoclast biological activity. Greater knowledge of the involvement of ncRNAs in osteoclast biological activities will contribute to the treatment and management of several skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Moreover, we further outline potential therapies targeting these regulatory pathways of osteoclastogenesis in distinct bone pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleena Anwar
- Translational Immunology, Osteoimmunology & Immunoporosis Lab (TIOIL), Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Leena Sapra
- Translational Immunology, Osteoimmunology & Immunoporosis Lab (TIOIL), Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Navita Gupta
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, Chitkara School of Health Sciences, Chitkara University, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
| | - Rudra P Ojha
- Department of Zoology, Nehru Gram Bharati University, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Bhupendra Verma
- Translational Immunology, Osteoimmunology & Immunoporosis Lab (TIOIL), Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Rupesh K Srivastava
- Translational Immunology, Osteoimmunology & Immunoporosis Lab (TIOIL), Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
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Wang J, Xiang Y, Fan M, Fang S, Hua Q. The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System in Tumor Metabolism. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082385. [PMID: 37190313 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming, which is considered a hallmark of cancer, can maintain the homeostasis of the tumor environment and promote the proliferation, survival, and metastasis of cancer cells. For instance, increased glucose uptake and high glucose consumption, known as the "Warburg effect," play an essential part in tumor metabolic reprogramming. In addition, fatty acids are harnessed to satisfy the increased requirement for the phospholipid components of biological membranes and energy. Moreover, the anabolism/catabolism of amino acids, such as glutamine, cystine, and serine, provides nitrogen donors for biosynthesis processes, development of the tumor inflammatory environment, and signal transduction. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) has been widely reported to be involved in various cellular biological activities. A potential role of UPS in the metabolic regulation of tumor cells has also been reported, but the specific regulatory mechanism has not been elucidated. Here, we review the role of ubiquitination and deubiquitination modification on major metabolic enzymes and important signaling pathways in tumor metabolism to inspire new strategies for the clinical treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Yuandi Xiang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Mengqi Fan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Shizhen Fang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Qingquan Hua
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
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9
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HPV16 E6 and E7 Oncoproteins Stimulate the Glutamine Pathway Maintaining Cell Proliferation in a SNAT1-Dependent Fashion. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020324. [PMID: 36851539 PMCID: PMC9964736 DOI: 10.3390/v15020324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus infection is the main risk factor for cervical cancer establishment, where the viral oncogenes E6 and E7 promote a cancerous phenotype. Metabolic reprogramming in cancer involves alterations in glutamine metabolism, also named glutaminolysis, to provide energy for supporting cancer processes including migration, proliferation, and production of reactive oxygen species, among others. The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of HPV16 E6 and E7 oncoproteins on the regulation of glutaminolysis and its contribution to cell proliferation. We found that the E6 and E7 oncoproteins exacerbate cell proliferation in a glutamine-dependent manner. Both oncoproteins increased the levels of transporter SNAT1, as well as GLS2 and GS enzymes; E6 also increased LAT1 transporter protein levels, while E7 increased ASCT2 and xCT. Some of these alterations are also regulated at a transcriptional level. Consistently, the amount of SNAT1 protein decreased in Ca Ski cells when E6 and E7 expression was knocked down. In addition, we demonstrated that cell proliferation was partially dependent on SNAT1 in the presence of glutamine. Interestingly, SNAT1 expression was higher in cervical cancer compared with normal cervical cells. The high expression of SNAT1 was associated with poor overall survival of cervical cancer patients. Our results indicate that HPV oncoproteins exacerbate glutaminolysis supporting the malignant phenotype.
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SLC1A5 enhances malignant phenotypes through modulating ferroptosis status and immune microenvironment in glioma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:1071. [PMID: 36566214 PMCID: PMC9789994 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05526-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Glioma is the most common type of primary malignant tumor in the central nervous system with limited treatment satisfaction. Finding new therapeutic targets has remained a major challenge. Ferroptosis is a novel and distinct type of programmed cell death, playing a regulatory role in the progression of tumors. However, the role of ferroptosis or ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in glioma progression has not been extensively studied. In our study, a novel ferroptosis-related prognostic model, including 7 genes, was established, in which patients classified into the high-risk group had more immuno-suppressive status and worse prognosis. Among these 7 genes, we screened solute carrier family 1 member 5 (SLC1A5), an FRG, as a possible new target for glioma treatment. Our results showed that the expression of SLC1A5 was significantly upregulated in glioblastoma tissues compared with the low-grade gliomas. In addition, SLC1A5 knockdown could significantly inhibit glioma cell proliferation and invasion, and reduce the sensitivity of ferroptosis via the GPX4-dependent pathway. Furthermore, SLC1A5 was found to be related to immune response and SLC1A5 knockdown decreased the infiltration and M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages. Pharmacological inhibition of SLC1A5 by V9302 was confirmed to promote the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy. Overall, we developed a novel prognostic model for glioma based on the seven-FRGs signature, which could apply to glioma prognostic and immune status prediction. Besides, SLC1A5 in the model could regulate the proliferation, invasion, ferroptosis and immune state in glioma, and be applied as a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for glioma.
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11
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Zhao J, Lv J, Chen Y, Dong Q, Dong H. Recent progress of amino acid transporters as a novel antitumor target. OPEN CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/chem-2022-0239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Glutamine transporters transport different amino acids for cell growth and metabolism. In tumor cells, glutamine transporters are often highly expressed and play a crucial role in their growth. By inhibiting the amino acid transport of these transporters, the growth of cancer cells can be inhibited. In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to the study of glutamine transporter. In this article, the differences between the ASC system amino acid transporter 2 (ASCT2), L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1), and the cystine–glutamate exchange (xCT) transporters research progress on the mechanism of action and corresponding small molecule inhibitors are summarized. This article introduces 62 related small molecule inhibitors of different transporters of ASCT2, LAT1, and xCT. These novel chemical structures provide ideas for the research and design of targeted inhibitors of glutamine transporters, as well as important references and clues for the design of new anti-tumor drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiye Zhao
- Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, School of Teacher Education, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University , No. 3601 Hongjing Avenue, Jiangning District , Nanjing 211171 , China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University , No. 639 Longmian Avenue, Jiangning District , Nanjing 211198 , China
| | - Jiayi Lv
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University , No. 639 Longmian Avenue, Jiangning District , Nanjing 211198 , China
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University , No. 639 Longmian Avenue, Jiangning District , Nanjing 211198 , China
| | - Qile Dong
- Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, School of Teacher Education, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University , No. 3601 Hongjing Avenue, Jiangning District , Nanjing 211171 , China
| | - Hao Dong
- Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, School of Teacher Education, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University , No. 3601 Hongjing Avenue, Jiangning District , Nanjing 211171 , China
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12
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Paulusma CC, Lamers W, Broer S, van de Graaf SFJ. Amino acid metabolism, transport and signalling in the liver revisited. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 201:115074. [PMID: 35568239 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The liver controls the systemic exposure of amino acids entering via the gastro-intestinal tract. For most amino acids except branched chain amino acids, hepatic uptake is very efficient. This implies that the liver orchestrates amino acid metabolism and also controls systemic amino acid exposure. Although many amino acid transporters have been identified, cloned and investigated with respect to substrate specificity, transport mechanism, and zonal distribution, which of these players are involved in hepatocellular amino acid transport remains unclear. Here, we aim to provide a review of current insight into the molecular machinery of hepatic amino acid transport. Furthermore, we place this information in a comprehensive overview of amino acid transport, signalling and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coen C Paulusma
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter Lamers
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Broer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Stan F J van de Graaf
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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13
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Wang W, Pan H, Ren F, Chen H, Ren P. Targeting ASCT2-mediated glutamine metabolism inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells. Biosci Rep 2022; 42:BSR20212171. [PMID: 35237783 PMCID: PMC8935385 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20212171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Some tumor cells have a high rate of glutamine uptake and exhibit glutamine addiction. Alanine-serine cysteine-preferring transporter 2 (ASCT2) is a major mediator of glutamine supply in many tumor cells, but the underlying effects and mechanisms of ASCT2 in pancreatic cancer (PC) are largely unknown. Our results show that ASCT2 expression is significantly higher in PC than in normal pancreatic duct cells and pancreas. Utilizing the Kaplan-Meier Plotter database, a high expression of SLC1A5 mRNA was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) in patients with PC. shRNA-mediated inhibition of ASCT2 function in vitro can significantly decrease glutamine consumption, α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) production and ATP generation and increase the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Moreover, the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine partially attenuated the increase in the ROS levels and reduced ATP generation. These data suggest that ASCT2 mediates glutamine metabolism and maintains redox homeostasis in PC. To further investigate whether ASCT2 is involved in PC cell growth, we blocked ASCT2 activity with the ASCT2 inhibitor l-γ-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide (GPNA) and silenced the expression of ASCT2 with specific shRNAs. We found that the growth of PC cells was significantly inhibited. Additionally, knockdown of ASCT2 induced apoptosis through the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, the loss of ASCT2 in BxPC-3 cell xenografts significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo, and this effect was associated with an increase in cleaved caspase-3 expression and a decrease in Ki67 staining. Taken together, our results show that ASCT2 may be utilized as a putative therapeutic target for PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Wang
- Wuhan Sixth Hospital Affiliated to Jianghan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Haihua Pan
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei, China
| | - Feihua Ren
- School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Hongxia Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei, China
| | - Ping Ren
- College of Medicine and Health Science, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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14
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Abdullah M, Lee SJ. Extracellular Concentration of L-Cystine Determines the Sensitivity to System x c - Inhibitors. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2021; 30:184-190. [PMID: 34667132 PMCID: PMC8902454 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2021.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting the cystine/glutamate exchange transporter, system xc-, is a promising anticancer strategy that induces ferroptosis, which is a distinct form of cell death mediated by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. The concentration of L-cystine in culture medium is higher than the physiological level. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of L-cystine concentration on the efficacy of ferroptosis inducers in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. This study showed that treatment with sulfasalazine or erastin, a system xc- inhibitor, decreased the viability of Huh6 and Huh7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and the degree of growth inhibition was greater in medium containing a physiological L-cystine concentration of 83 µM than in commercial medium with a concentration of 200 µM L-cystine. However, RSL3, a glutathione peroxidase 4 inhibitor, decreased cell viability to a similar extent in media containing both L-cystine concentrations. Sulfasalazine and erastin significantly increased the percentages of propidium iodide-positive cells in media with 83 µM L-cystine, but not in media with 200 µM L-cystine. Sulfasalazine- or erastin-induced accumulation of lipid peroxidation as monitored by C11-BODIPY probe was higher in media with 83 µM L-cystine than in media with 200 µM L-cystine. In contrast, the changes in the percentages of propidium iodide-positive cells and lipid peroxidation by RSL3 were similar in both media. These results showed that sulfasalazine and erastin, but not RSL3, were efficacious under conditions of physiological L-cystine concentration, suggesting that medium conditions would be crucial for the design of a bioassay for system xc- inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Abdullah
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Jin Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
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15
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Zhao J, Yang Z, Tu M, Meng W, Gao H, Li MD, Li L. Correlation Between Prognostic Biomarker SLC1A5 and Immune Infiltrates in Various Types of Cancers Including Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:608641. [PMID: 34367941 PMCID: PMC8339971 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.608641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Solute carrier family 1 member 5 (SLC1A5) is a major glutamine transporter and plays a key role in tumor growth. The main objectives of this study were to visualize the prognostic landscape of SLC1A5 in multiple cancers and determine the relations between SLC1A5 expression and tumor immunity. Methods SLC1A5 expression and its effect on tumor prognosis were analyzed using multiple online tools Oncomine, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, PrognoScan, and Kaplan-Meier plotter with their own datasets as well as the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The correlations between SLC1A5 and tumor immune infiltrates were determined via TIMER. Results SLC1A5 expression was significantly higher in several types of cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), compared with corresponding normal tissues. High SLC1A5 expression correlated with poor overall survival and with disease-free survival related to alcohol consumption. Moreover, SLC1A5 expression correlated positively with the numbers of tumor-infiltrating B cells, CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells in HCC and in lower-grade glioma (LGG). Also, SLC1A5 expression showed strong correlations with diverse immune marker sets in HCC and LGG, indicating its role in regulating tumor immunity. Conclusions SLC1A5 represents a useful prognostic biomarker in multiple cancers, and its expression correlates highly with tumor immune-cell infiltration, especially in HCC and LGG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junsheng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhongli Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mingmin Tu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hangzhou Tongchuang Medical Laboratory, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Meng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zoucheng People's Hospital, Zoucheng, China
| | - Hainv Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ShuLan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ming D Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Research Center for Air Pollution and Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lanjuan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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16
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Tsumura H, Shindo M, Ito M, Igarashi A, Takeda K, Matsumoto K, Ohkura T, Miyado K, Sugiyama F, Umezawa A, Ito Y. Relationships between Slc1a5 and Osteoclastogenesis. Comp Med 2021; 71:285-294. [PMID: 34301346 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-21-000012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Slc1a5 (ASCT2) encodes a small neutral amino-acid exchanger and is the most well-studied glutamine transporter in cancer cells. To investigate the role of Slc1a5 in osteoclastogenesis, we developed Slc1a5-deficient mice by using a conventional gene-targeting approach. The Slc1a5-/- mice showed no obvious abnormalities in growth. Glutamine uptake was assessed in Slc1a5+/+ and Slc1a5-/- bone marrow cells stimulated with RANKL. The rate of glutamine uptake in Slc1a5-/- bone marrow cells was reduced to 70% of that of cells from Slc1a5+/+ bone marrow. To confirm the involvement of Slc1a5 in osteoclast formation, bone marrow cells derived from Slc1a5+/+ or Slc1a5-/- mice were stimulated with RANKL and macrophage colony-stimulating factor and stained with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. The bone resorption activity and actin ring formation of stimulated cells were measured. The formation of multinucleated osteoclasts in bone marrow cells isolated from Slc1a5-/- mice was severely impaired compared with those from Slc1a5+/+ mice. RANKL-induced expression of ERK, NFκB, p70S6K, and NFATc1 was suppressed in Slc1a5-/- osteoclasts. These results show that Slc1a5 plays an important role in osteoclast formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideki Tsumura
- Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan;,
| | - Miyuki Shindo
- Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Morihiro Ito
- Department of Microbiology, College of life and Health Science, Chubu University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Arisa Igarashi
- Departments of Genome Medicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazue Takeda
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsumoto
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Ohkura
- Reproductive Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Miyado
- Reproductive Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumihiro Sugiyama
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Transborder Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Akihiro Umezawa
- Reproductive Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Ito
- Department of Microbiology, College of life and Health Science, Chubu University, Aichi, Japan
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17
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Nachef M, Ali AK, Almutairi SM, Lee SH. Targeting SLC1A5 and SLC3A2/SLC7A5 as a Potential Strategy to Strengthen Anti-Tumor Immunity in the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:624324. [PMID: 33953707 PMCID: PMC8089370 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.624324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells are metabolically vigorous and are superior in the uptake of nutrients and in the release of the tumor microenvironment (TME)-specific metabolites. They create an acidic, hypoxic, and nutrient-depleted TME that makes it difficult for the cytotoxic immune cells to adapt to the metabolically hostile environment. Since a robust metabolism in immune cells is required for optimal anti-tumor effector functions, the challenges caused by the TME result in severe defects in the invasion and destruction of the established tumors. There have been many recent developments in NK and T cell-mediated immunotherapy, such as engineering them to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to enhance tumor-recognition and infiltration. However, to defeat the tumor and overcome the limitations of the TME, it is essential to fortify these novel therapies by improving the metabolism of the immune cells. One potential strategy to enhance the metabolic fitness of immune cells is to upregulate the expression of nutrient transporters, specifically glucose and amino acid transporters. In particular, the amino acid transporters SLC1A5 and SLC7A5 as well as the ancillary subunit SLC3A2, which are required for efficient uptake of glutamine and leucine respectively, could strengthen the metabolic capabilities and effector functions of tumor-directed CAR-NK and T cells. In addition to enabling the influx and efflux of essential amino acids through the plasma membrane and within subcellular compartments such as the lysosome and the mitochondria, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the amino acid transporters participate in sensing amino acid levels and thereby activate mTORC1, a master metabolic regulator that promotes cell metabolism, and induce the expression of c-Myc, a transcription factor essential for cell growth and proliferation. In this review, we discuss the regulatory pathways of these amino acid transporters and how we can take advantage of these processes to strengthen immunotherapy against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Nachef
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alaa Kassim Ali
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Saeedah Musaed Almutairi
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Seung-Hwan Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,The University of Ottawa Centre for Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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18
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Zacharias NM, Wang L, Maity T, Li L, Millward SW, Karam JA, Wood CG, Navai N. Prolyl Hydroxylase 3 Knockdown Accelerates VHL-Mutant Kidney Cancer Growth In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2849. [PMID: 33799686 PMCID: PMC8001211 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Von Hippel Lindau (VHL) inactivation, which is common in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), leads directly to the disruption of oxygen homoeostasis. VHL works through hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). Within this VHL-HIF system, prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) are the intermediary proteins that initiate the degradation of HIFs. PHD isoform 3's (PHD3) role in ccRCC growth in vivo is poorly understood. Using viral transduction, we knocked down the expression of PHD3 in the human ccRCC cell line UMRC3. Compared with control cells transduced with scrambled vector (UMRC3-SC cells), PHD3-knockdown cells (UMRC3-PHD3KD cells) showed increased cell invasion, tumor growth, and response to sunitinib. PHD3 knockdown reduced HIF2α expression and increased phosphorylated epidermal growth factor (EGFR) expression in untreated tumor models. However, following sunitinib treatment, expression of HIF2α and phosphorylated EGFR were equivalent in both PHD3 knockdown and control tumors. PHD3 knockdown changed the overall redox state of the cell as seen by the increased concentration of glutathione in PHD3 knockdown tumors relative to control tumors. UMRC3-PHD3KD cells had increased proliferation in cell culture when grown in the presence of hydrogen peroxide compared to UMRC3-SC control cells. Our findings illustrate (1) the variable effect of PHD3 on HIF2α expression, (2) an inverse relationship between PHD3 expression and tumor growth in ccRCC animal models, and (3) the role of PHD3 in maintaining the redox state of UMRC3 cells and their proliferative rate under oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niki M. Zacharias
- Department of Urology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (N.M.Z.); (L.W.); (T.M.); (L.L.); (J.A.K.); (C.G.W.)
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Urology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (N.M.Z.); (L.W.); (T.M.); (L.L.); (J.A.K.); (C.G.W.)
| | - Tapati Maity
- Department of Urology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (N.M.Z.); (L.W.); (T.M.); (L.L.); (J.A.K.); (C.G.W.)
| | - Li Li
- Department of Urology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (N.M.Z.); (L.W.); (T.M.); (L.L.); (J.A.K.); (C.G.W.)
| | - Steven W. Millward
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Jose A. Karam
- Department of Urology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (N.M.Z.); (L.W.); (T.M.); (L.L.); (J.A.K.); (C.G.W.)
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Christopher G. Wood
- Department of Urology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (N.M.Z.); (L.W.); (T.M.); (L.L.); (J.A.K.); (C.G.W.)
| | - Neema Navai
- Department of Urology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (N.M.Z.); (L.W.); (T.M.); (L.L.); (J.A.K.); (C.G.W.)
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19
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Hewton KG, Johal AS, Parker SJ. Transporters at the Interface between Cytosolic and Mitochondrial Amino Acid Metabolism. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11020112. [PMID: 33669382 PMCID: PMC7920303 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11020112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are central organelles that coordinate a vast array of metabolic and biologic functions important for cellular health. Amino acids are intricately linked to the bioenergetic, biosynthetic, and homeostatic function of the mitochondrion and require specific transporters to facilitate their import, export, and exchange across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Here we review key cellular metabolic outputs of eukaryotic mitochondrial amino acid metabolism and discuss both known and unknown transporters involved. Furthermore, we discuss how utilization of compartmentalized amino acid metabolism functions in disease and physiological contexts. We examine how improved methods to study mitochondrial metabolism, define organelle metabolite composition, and visualize cellular gradients allow for a more comprehensive understanding of how transporters facilitate compartmentalized metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keeley G. Hewton
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (K.G.H.); (A.S.J.)
| | - Amritpal S. Johal
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (K.G.H.); (A.S.J.)
| | - Seth J. Parker
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (K.G.H.); (A.S.J.)
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V6H 0B3, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-604-875-3121
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20
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Lopes C, Pereira C, Medeiros R. ASCT2 and LAT1 Contribution to the Hallmarks of Cancer: From a Molecular Perspective to Clinical Translation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020203. [PMID: 33429909 PMCID: PMC7828050 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of the amino acid transporters ASCT2 and LAT1 in cancer has been explored throughout the years. In this review, we report their impact on the hallmarks of cancer, as well as their clinical significance. Overall, both proteins have been associated with cell death resistance through dysregulation of caspases and sustainment of proliferative signaling through mTOR activation. Furthermore, ASCT2 appears to play an important role in cellular energetics regulation, whereas LAT1 expression is associated with angiogenesis and invasion and metastasis activation. The molecular impact of these proteins on the hallmarks of cancer translates into various clinical applications and both transporters have been identified as prognostic factors in many types of cancer. Concerning their role as therapeutic targets, efforts have been undertaken to synthesize competitive or irreversible ASCT2 and LAT1 inhibitors. However, JHP203, a selective inhibitor of the latter, is, to the best of our knowledge, the only compound included in a Phase 1 clinical trial. In conclusion, considering the usefulness of ASCT2 and LAT1 in a variety of cancer-related pathways and cancer therapy/diagnosis, the development and testing of novel inhibitors for these transporters that could be evaluated in clinical trials represents a promising approach to cancer prognosis improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Lopes
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (C.L.); (R.M.)
| | - Carina Pereira
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (C.L.); (R.M.)
- CINTESIS—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-225-084-000; Fax: +351-225-084-001
| | - Rui Medeiros
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (C.L.); (R.M.)
- Research Department of the Portuguese League Against Cancer—North (LPCC-NRNorte), Estrada da Circunvalação, 4200-177 Porto, Portugal
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21
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Exploiting the metabolic dependencies of the broad amino acid transporter SLC6A14. Oncotarget 2020; 11:4490-4503. [PMID: 33400734 PMCID: PMC7721610 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells typically enhance their metabolic capacity to sustain their higher rate of growth and proliferation. One way to elevate the nutrient intake into cancer cells is to increase the expression of genes encoding amino acid transporters, which may represent targetable vulnerabilities. Here, we study the regulation and function of the broad amino acid transporter SLC6A14 in combination with metabolic stress, providing insights into an uncharacterized aspect of the transporter activity. We analyze the pattern of transcriptional changes in a panel of breast cancer cell lines upon metabolic stress and found that SLC6A14 expression levels are increased in the absence of methionine. Methionine deprivation, which can be achieved via modulation of dietary methionine intake in tumor cells, in turn leads to a heightened activation of the AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) in SLC6A14-deficient cells. While SLC6A14 genetic deficiency does not have a major impact on cell proliferation, combined depletion of AMPK and SLC6A14 leads to an increase in apoptosis upon methionine starvation, suggesting that combined targeting of SLC6A14 and AMPK can be exploited as a therapeutic approach to starve tumor cells.
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22
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Take Advantage of Glutamine Anaplerosis, the Kernel of the Metabolic Rewiring in Malignant Gliomas. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10101370. [PMID: 32993063 PMCID: PMC7599606 DOI: 10.3390/biom10101370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid that plays a key role in the metabolism of proliferating cells including neoplastic cells. In the central nervous system (CNS), glutamine metabolism is particularly relevant, because the glutamine-glutamate cycle is a way of controlling the production of glutamate-derived neurotransmitters by tightly regulating the bioavailability of the amino acids in a neuron-astrocyte metabolic symbiosis-dependent manner. Glutamine-related metabolic adjustments have been reported in several CNS malignancies including malignant gliomas that are considered ‘glutamine addicted’. In these tumors, glutamine becomes an essential amino acid preferentially used in energy and biomass production including glutathione (GSH) generation, which is crucial in oxidative stress control. Therefore, in this review, we will highlight the metabolic remodeling that gliomas undergo, focusing on glutamine metabolism. We will address some therapeutic regimens including novel research attempts to target glutamine metabolism and a brief update of diagnosis strategies that take advantage of this altered profile. A better understanding of malignant glioma cell metabolism will help in the identification of new molecular targets and the design of new therapies.
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23
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Bröer S. Amino Acid Transporters as Targets for Cancer Therapy: Why, Where, When, and How. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176156. [PMID: 32859034 PMCID: PMC7503255 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Amino acids are indispensable for the growth of cancer cells. This includes essential amino acids, the carbon skeleton of which cannot be synthesized, and conditionally essential amino acids, for which the metabolic demands exceed the capacity to synthesize them. Moreover, amino acids are important signaling molecules regulating metabolic pathways, protein translation, autophagy, defense against reactive oxygen species, and many other functions. Blocking uptake of amino acids into cancer cells is therefore a viable strategy to reduce growth. A number of studies have used genome-wide silencing or knock-out approaches, which cover all known amino acid transporters in a large variety of cancer cell lines. In this review, these studies are interrogated together with other databases to identify vulnerabilities with regard to amino acid transport. Several themes emerge, such as synthetic lethality, reduced redundancy, and selective vulnerability, which can be exploited to stop cancer cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Bröer
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
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24
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Target the human Alanine/Serine/Cysteine Transporter 2(ASCT2): Achievement and Future for Novel Cancer Therapy. Pharmacol Res 2020; 158:104844. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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25
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A Variant of SLC1A5 Is a Mitochondrial Glutamine Transporter for Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer Cells. Cell Metab 2020; 31:267-283.e12. [PMID: 31866442 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Glutamine is an essential nutrient that regulates energy production, redox homeostasis, and signaling in cancer cells. Despite the importance of glutamine in mitochondrial metabolism, the mitochondrial glutamine transporter has long been unknown. Here, we show that the SLC1A5 variant plays a critical role in cancer metabolic reprogramming by transporting glutamine into mitochondria. The SLC1A5 variant has an N-terminal targeting signal for mitochondrial localization. Hypoxia-induced gene expression of the SLC1A5 variant is mediated by HIF-2α. Overexpression of the SLC1A5 variant mediates glutamine-induced ATP production and glutathione synthesis and confers gemcitabine resistance to pancreatic cancer cells. SLC1A5 variant knockdown and overexpression alter cancer cell and tumor growth, supporting an oncogenic role. This work demonstrates that the SLC1A5 variant is a mitochondrial glutamine transporter for cancer metabolic reprogramming.
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26
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Serpa J. Metabolic Remodeling as a Way of Adapting to Tumor Microenvironment (TME), a Job of Several Holders. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1219:1-34. [PMID: 32130691 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-34025-4_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The microenvironment depends and generates dependence on all the cells and structures that share the same niche, the biotope. The contemporaneous view of the tumor microenvironment (TME) agrees with this idea. The cells that make up the tumor, whether malignant or not, behave similarly to classes of elements within a living community. These elements inhabit, modify and benefit from all the facilities the microenvironment has to offer and that will contribute to the survival and growth of the tumor and the progression of the disease.The metabolic adaptation to microenvironment is a crucial process conducting to an established tumor able to grow locally, invade and metastasized. The metastatic cancer cells are reasonable more plastic than non-metastatic cancer cells, because the previous ones must survive in the microenvironment where the primary tumor develops and in addition, they must prosper in the microenvironment in the metastasized organ.The metabolic remodeling requires not only the adjustment of metabolic pathways per se but also the readjustment of signaling pathways that will receive and obey to the extracellular instructions, commanding the metabolic adaptation. Many diverse players are pivotal in cancer metabolic fitness from the initial signaling stimuli, going through the activation or repression of genes, until the phenotype display. The new phenotype will permit the import and consumption of organic compounds, useful for energy and biomass production, and the export of metabolic products that are useless or must be secreted for a further recycling or controlled uptake. In the metabolic network, three subsets of players are pivotal: (1) the organic compounds; (2) the transmembrane transporters, and (3) the enzymes.This chapter will present the "Pharaonic" intent of diagraming the interplay between these three elements in an attempt of simplifying and, at the same time, of showing the complex sight of cancer metabolism, addressing the orchestrating role of microenvironment and highlighting the influence of non-cancerous cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta Serpa
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil (IPOLFG), Lisbon, Portugal.
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Gong X, Huang C, Yang X, Mao Q, Zeng L, Zheng P, Pu J, Chen J, Wang H, Xu B, Zhou C, Xie P. Proteomic analysis of the intestine reveals SNARE-mediated immunoregulatory and amino acid absorption perturbations in a rat model of depression. Life Sci 2019; 234:116778. [PMID: 31430454 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.116778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To clarify the role of the gut-brain axis in depression. MAIN METHODS We used the iTRAQ technique to identify differential proteins in the intestine of the rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression. Significant differential proteins were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotations and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Key proteins were validated at the mRNA and protein levels. The levels of cytokines in the intestine, serum and hypothalamus were examined by ELISA. HPLC-UV was used to detect the levels of amino acids. KEY FINDINGS In the rat intestine, 349 differential proteins (209 downregulated, 140 upregulated) were identified. GO analysis indicated that "protein complex assembly" was the first-ranked biological process. SNARE complex components, including SNAP23, VAMP3 and VAMP8, were increased at the mRNA levels, while only VAMP3 and VAMP8 were also upregulated at the protein level. TNFα, IL6 and IL1β were upregulated in the CUMS rat intestine, while TNFα was decreased in the serum and hypothalamus. IL1β was decreased in the serum. "Protein digestion and absorption" was the most significantly enriched KEGG pathway, involving 5 differential proteins: SLC9A3, ANPEP, LAT1, ASCT2 and B0AT1. Glutamine, glycine and aspartic acid were perturbed in the CUMS rat intestine. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings suggest that CUMS enhances the adaptive immune response in the intestine through ER-phagosome pathway mediated by SNARE complex and disturb absorption of amino acids. It advances our understanding of the role of gut-brain axis in depression and provides a potential therapeutic target for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Gong
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xun Yang
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiang Mao
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Li Zeng
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Department of Nephrology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Peng Zheng
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Juncai Pu
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Haiyang Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Bing Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chanjuan Zhou
- Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Peng Xie
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Department of Neurology, Yongchuan Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 402160, China; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Mind and Brain Theme, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
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28
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Targeting Cellular Metabolism Modulates Head and Neck Oncogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20163960. [PMID: 31416244 PMCID: PMC6721038 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering the great energy and biomass demand for cell survival, cancer cells exhibit unique metabolic signatures compared to normal cells. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most prevalent neoplasms worldwide. Recent findings have shown that environmental challenges, as well as intrinsic metabolic manipulations, could modulate HNSCC experimentally and serve as clinic prognostic indicators, suggesting that a better understanding of dynamic metabolic changes during HNSCC development could be of great benefit for developing adjuvant anti-cancer schemes other than conventional therapies. However, the following questions are still poorly understood: (i) how does metabolic reprogramming occur during HNSCC development? (ii) how does the tumorous milieu contribute to HNSCC tumourigenesis? and (iii) at the molecular level, how do various metabolic cues interact with each other to control the oncogenicity and therapeutic sensitivity of HNSCC? In this review article, the regulatory roles of different metabolic pathways in HNSCC and its microenvironment in controlling the malignancy are therefore discussed in the hope of providing a systemic overview regarding what we knew and how cancer metabolism could be translated for the development of anti-cancer therapeutic reagents.
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29
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanu Wahi
- a Translational Cancer Metabolism Laboratory , School of Medical Sciences and Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW Sydney , Australia
| | - Jeff Holst
- a Translational Cancer Metabolism Laboratory , School of Medical Sciences and Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW Sydney , Australia
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30
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Bröer A, Gauthier-Coles G, Rahimi F, van Geldermalsen M, Dorsch D, Wegener A, Holst J, Bröer S. Ablation of the ASCT2 ( SLC1A5) gene encoding a neutral amino acid transporter reveals transporter plasticity and redundancy in cancer cells. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:4012-4026. [PMID: 30635397 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The neutral amino acid transporter solute carrier family 1 member 5 (SLC1A5 or ASCT2) is overexpressed in many cancers. To identify its roles in tumors, we employed 143B osteosarcoma cells and HCC1806 triple-negative breast cancer cells with or without ASCT2 deletion. ASCT2ko 143B cells grew well in standard culture media, but ASCT2 was required for optimal growth at <0.5 mm glutamine, with tumor spheroid growth and monolayer migration of 143B ASCT2ko cells being strongly impaired at lower glutamine concentrations. However, the ASCT2 deletion did not affect matrix-dependent invasion. ASCT2ko 143B xenografts in nude mice exhibited a slower onset of growth and a higher number of small tumors than ASCT2wt 143B xenografts, but did not differ in average tumor size 25 days after xenotransplantation. ASCT2 deficiency was compensated by increased levels of sodium neutral amino acid transporter 1 (SNAT1 or SLC38A1) and SNAT2 (SLC38A2) in ASCT2ko 143B cells, mediated by a GCN2 EIF2α kinase (GCN2)-dependent pathway, but this compensation was not observed in ASCT2ko HCC1806 cells. Combined SNAT1 silencing and GCN2 inhibition significantly inhibited growth of ASCT2ko HCC1806 cells, but not of ASCT2ko 143B cells. Similarly, pharmacological inhibition of l-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) and GCN2 significantly inhibited growth of ASCT2ko HCC1806 cells, but not of ASCT2ko 143B cells. We conclude that cancer cells with reduced transporter plasticity are more vulnerable to disruption of amino acid homeostasis than cells with a full capacity to up-regulate redundant transporters by an integrated stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika Bröer
- From the Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Gregory Gauthier-Coles
- From the Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Farid Rahimi
- From the Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Michelle van Geldermalsen
- Origins of Cancer Program, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | | | | | - Jeff Holst
- School of Medical Sciences and Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Stefan Bröer
- From the Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia,
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31
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Scalise M, Pochini L, Console L, Losso MA, Indiveri C. The Human SLC1A5 (ASCT2) Amino Acid Transporter: From Function to Structure and Role in Cell Biology. Front Cell Dev Biol 2018; 6:96. [PMID: 30234109 PMCID: PMC6131531 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2018.00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
SLC1A5, known as ASCT2, is a neutral amino acid transporter belonging to the SLC1 family and localized in the plasma membrane of several body districts. ASCT2 is an acronym standing for Alanine, Serine, Cysteine Transporter 2 even if the preferred substrate is the conditionally essential amino acid glutamine, with cysteine being a modulator and not a substrate. The studies around amino acid transport in cells and tissues began in the '60s by using radiolabeled compounds and competition assays. After identification of murine and human genes, the function of the coded protein has been studied in cell system and in proteoliposomes revealing that this transporter is a Na+ dependent antiporter of neutral amino acids, some of which are only inwardly transported and others are bi-directionally exchanged. The functional asymmetry merged with the kinetic asymmetry in line with the physiological role of amino acid pool harmonization. An intriguing function has been described for ASCT2 that is exploited as a receptor by a group of retroviruses to infect human cells. Interactions with scaffold proteins and post-translational modifications regulate ASCT2 stability, trafficking and transport activity. Two asparagine residues, namely N163 and N212, are the sites of glycosylation that is responsible for the definitive localization into the plasma membrane. ASCT2 expression increases in highly proliferative cells such as inflammatory and stem cells to fulfill the augmented glutamine demand. Interestingly, for the same reason, the expression of ASCT2 is greatly enhanced in many human cancers. This finding has generated interest in its candidacy as a pharmacological target for new anticancer drugs. The recently solved 3D structure of ASCT2 will aid in the rational design of such therapeutic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariafrancesca Scalise
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze Della Terra) Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Lorena Pochini
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze Della Terra) Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Lara Console
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze Della Terra) Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Maria A Losso
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze Della Terra) Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Cesare Indiveri
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze Della Terra) Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy.,CNR Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnology, Bari, Italy
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