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Katinas JM, Nayeen MJ, Schneider M, Shah K, Fifer AN, Klapper LM, Sharma A, Thalluri K, Van Nieuwenhze MS, Hou Z, Gangjee A, Matherly LH, Dann CE. Structural Characterization of 5-Substituted Pyrrolo[3,2- d]pyrimidine Antifolate Inhibitors in Complex with Human Serine Hydroxymethyl Transferase 2. Biochemistry 2024:10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00613. [PMID: 38324671 PMCID: PMC11303599 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
We previously discovered first-in-class multitargeted 5-substituted pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine antifolates that inhibit serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2), resulting in potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor efficacies. In this report, we present crystallographic structures for SHMT2 in complex with an expanded series of pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine compounds with variations in bridge length (3-5 carbons) and the side chain aromatic ring (phenyl, thiophene, fluorine-substituted phenyl, and thiophene). We evaluated structural features of the inhibitor-SHMT2 complexes and correlations to inhibitor potencies (i.e., Kis), highlighting conserved polar contacts and identifying 5-carbon bridge lengths as key determinants of inhibitor potency. Based on the analysis of SHMT2 structural data, we investigated the impact of mutation of Tyr105 in SHMT2 kinetic analysis and studies with HCT116 cells with inducible expression of wild-type and Y105F SHMT2. Increased enzyme inhibition potency by the pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine inhibitors with Phe105 SHMT2 accompanied an increased growth inhibition of Phe105-expressing HCT116 cells compared to wild-type SHMT2. Pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine inhibitors with polyglutamate modifications were evaluated for potencies against SHMT2. We determined the crystal structures of SHMT2 in complex with our lead antifolate AGF347 lacking L-glutamate, or as a diglutamate and triglutamate, for comparison with parent AGF347. These data provide the first insights into the influence of antifolate polyglutamylation on SHMT2:inhibitor interactions. Collectively, our results provide new insights into the critical structural determinants of SHMT2 binding by pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine inhibitors as novel antitumor agents, as well as the first structural characterization of human SHMT2 in complex with polyglutamates of an SHMT2-targeted antifolate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade M Katinas
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Md Junayed Nayeen
- School of Pharmacy & Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Mathew Schneider
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Khushbu Shah
- School of Pharmacy & Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Alexandra N Fifer
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Lily M Klapper
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Abhishekh Sharma
- School of Pharmacy & Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Kishore Thalluri
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | | | - Zhanjun Hou
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- School of Pharmacy & Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Charles E Dann
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
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Liu Y, Liu N, Zhou X, Zhao L, Wei W, Hu J, Luo Z. Constructing a prognostic model for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma based on glucose metabolism related genes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1245629. [PMID: 37876534 PMCID: PMC10591078 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1245629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Glucose metabolism (GM) plays a crucial role in cancer cell proliferation, tumor growth, and survival. However, the identification of glucose metabolism-related genes (GMRGs) for effective prediction of prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) is still lacking. Methods We conducted differential analysis between HNSC and Normal groups to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Key module genes were obtained using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Intersection analysis of DEGs, GMRGs, and key module genes identified GMRG-DEGs. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to screen prognostic-associated genes. Independent prognostic analysis of clinical traits and risk scores was implemented using Cox regression. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to explore functional pathways and genes between high- and low-risk groups. Immune infiltration analysis compared immune cells between the two groups in HNSC samples. Drug prediction was performed using the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) database. Quantitative real-time fluorescence PCR (qRT-PCR) validated the expression levels of prognosis-related genes in HNSC patients. Results We identified 4973 DEGs between HNSC and Normal samples. Key gene modules, represented by black and brown module genes, were identified. Intersection analysis revealed 76 GMRG-DEGs. Five prognosis-related genes (MTHFD2, CDKN2A, TPM2, MPZ, and DNMT1) were identified. A nomogram incorporating age, lymph node status (N), and risk score was constructed for survival prediction in HNSC patients. Immune infiltration analysis showed significant differences in five immune cell types (Macrophages M0, memory B cells, Monocytes, Macrophages M2, and Dendritic resting cells) between the high- and low-risk groups. GDSC database analysis identified 53 drugs with remarkable differences between the groups, including A.443654 and AG.014699. DNMT1 and MTHFD2 were up-regulated, while MPZ was down-regulated in HNSC. Conclusion Our study highlights the significant association of five prognosis-related genes (MTHFD2, CDKN2A, TPM2, MPZ, and DNMT1) with HNSC. These findings provide further evidence of the crucial role of GMRGs in HNSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Department of Oncology, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Nana Liu
- Department of Onclogy, People’s Hospital of Chongqing Hechuan, Chongqing, China
| | - Xue Zhou
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Lingqiong Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Oncology, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhibin Luo
- Department of Oncology, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
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Liu Y, Guo S, Xie W, Yang H, Li W, Zhou N, Yang J, Zhou G, Mao C, Zheng Y. Identification of microRNA editing sites in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15117. [PMID: 37704698 PMCID: PMC10499803 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42302-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a malignant tumor originating from the renal tubular epithelium. Although the microRNAs (miRNAs) transcriptome of ccRCC has been extensively studied, the role of miRNAs editing in ccRCC is largely unknown. By analyzing small RNA sequencing profiles of renal tissues of 154 ccRCC patients and 22 normal controls, we identified 1025 miRNA editing sites from 246 pre-miRNAs. There were 122 editing events with significantly different editing levels in ccRCC compared to normal samples, which include two A-to-I editing events in the seed regions of hsa-mir-376a-3p and hsa-mir-376c-3p, respectively, and one C-to-U editing event in the seed region of hsa-mir-29c-3p. After comparing the targets of the original and edited miRNAs, we found that hsa-mir-376a-1_49g, hsa-mir-376c_48g and hsa-mir-29c_59u had many new targets, respectively. Many of these new targets were deregulated in ccRCC, which might be related to the different editing levels of hsa-mir-376a-3p, hsa-mir-376c-3p, hsa-mir-29c-3p in ccRCC compared to normal controls. Our study sheds new light on miRNA editing events and their potential biological functions in ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Shiyong Guo
- College of Landscape and Horticulture, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Wenping Xie
- College of Landscape and Horticulture, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Huaide Yang
- College of Landscape and Horticulture, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
- Faculty of Information Engineering and Automation, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Wanran Li
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
- College of Landscape and Horticulture, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Nan Zhou
- College of Landscape and Horticulture, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Jun Yang
- School of Criminal Investigation, Yunnan Police College, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Guangchen Zhou
- College of Landscape and Horticulture, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Chunyi Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
- College of Landscape and Horticulture, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Yun Zheng
- College of Landscape and Horticulture, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China.
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Nayeen MJ, Katinas JM, Magdum T, Shah K, Wong JE, O’Connor CE, Fifer AN, Wallace-Povirk A, Hou Z, Matherly LH, Dann CE, Gangjee A. Structure-Based Design of Transport-Specific Multitargeted One-Carbon Metabolism Inhibitors in Cytosol and Mitochondria. J Med Chem 2023; 66:11294-11323. [PMID: 37582241 PMCID: PMC10461232 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Multitargeted agents provide tumor selectivity with reduced drug resistance and dose-limiting toxicities. We previously described the multitargeted 6-substituted pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine antifolate 1 with activity against early- and late-stage pancreatic tumors with limited tumor selectivity. Structure-based design with our human serine hydroxymethyl transferase (SHMT) 2 and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFTase) structures, and published X-ray crystal structures of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase/inosine monophosphate cyclohydrolase (ATIC), SHMT1, and folate receptor (FR) α and β afforded 11 analogues. Multitargeted inhibition and selective tumor transport were designed by providing promiscuous conformational flexibility in the molecules. Metabolite rescue identified mitochondrial C1 metabolism along with de novo purine biosynthesis as the targeted pathways. We identified analogues with tumor-selective transport via FRs and increased SHMT2, SHMT1, and GARFTase inhibition (28-, 21-, and 11-fold, respectively) compared to 1. These multitargeted agents represent an exciting new structural motif for targeted cancer therapy with substantial advantages of selectivity and potency over clinically used antifolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Junayed Nayeen
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Jade M. Katinas
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47408, United States
| | - Tejashree Magdum
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Khushbu Shah
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Jennifer E. Wong
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47408, United States
| | - Carrie E. O’Connor
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Alexandra N. Fifer
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47408, United States
| | - Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Molecular
Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos
Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Larry H. Matherly
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Molecular
Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos
Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Charles E. Dann
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47408, United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
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Huang M, Xue J, Chen Z, Zhou X, Chen M, Sun J, Xu Z, Wang S, Xu H, Du Z, Liu M. MTHFD2 suppresses glioblastoma progression via the inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Biochem Cell Biol 2023; 101:112-124. [PMID: 36493392 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2022-0291] [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] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a WHO grade 4 tumor and is the most malignant form of glioma. Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2), a mitochondrial enzyme involved in folate metabolism, has been reported to be highly expressed in several human tumors. However, little is known about the role of MTHFD2 in GBM. In this study, we aimed to explore the biological functions of MTHFD2 in GBM and identify the associated mechanisms. We performed experiments such as immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and transwell assays and found that MTHFD2 expression was lower in high-grade glioma than in low-grade glioma. Furthermore, a high expression of MTHFD2 was associated with a favorable prognosis, and MTHFD2 levels showed good prognostic accuracy for glioma patients. The overexpression of MTHFD2 could inhibit the migration, invasion, and proliferation of GBM cells, whereas its knockdown induced the opposite effect. Mechanistically, our findings revealed that MTHFD2 suppressed GBM progression independent of its enzymatic activity, likely by inducing cytoskeletal remodeling through the regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation, thereby influencing GBM malignance. Collectively, these findings uncover a potential tumor-suppressor role of MTHFD2 in GBM cells. MTHFD2 may act as a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target for GBM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihui Huang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiajian Xue
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiming Chen
- Department of Pathology, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao Zhou
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Mantong Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianhong Sun
- Department of Pathology, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhennan Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Shaohong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Haixiong Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Zepeng Du
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
- Department of Pathology, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingfa Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
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Usman M, Hameed Y, Ahmad M, Iqbal MJ, Maryam A, Mazhar A, Naz S, Tanveer R, Saeed H, Bint-E-Fatima, Ashraf A, Hadi A, Hameed Z, Tariq E, Aslam AS. SHMT2 is Associated with Tumor Purity, CD8+ T Immune Cells Infiltration, and a Novel Therapeutic Target in Four Different Human Cancers. Curr Mol Med 2023; 23:161-176. [PMID: 35023455 DOI: 10.2174/1566524022666220112142409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This study was launched to identify the SHMT2 associated Human Cancer subtypes. BACKGROUND Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death worldwide. Previous reports revealed the limited involvement of SHMT2 in human cancer. In the current study, we comprehensively analyzed the role of SHMT2 in 24 major subtypes of human cancers using in silico approach and identified a few subtypes that are mainly associated with SHMT2. OBJECTIVE We aim to comprehensively analyze the role of SHMT2 in 24 major subtypes of human cancers using in silico approach and identified a few subtypes that are mainly associated with SHMT2. Earlier, limited knowledge exists in the medical literature regarding the involvement of Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) in human cancer. METHODS In the current study, we comprehensively analyzed the role of SHMT2 in 24 major subtypes of human cancers using in silico approach and identified a few subtypes that are mainly associated with SHMT2. Pan-cancer transcriptional expression profiling of SHMT2 was done using UALCAN while further validation was performed using GENT2. For translational profiling of SHMT2, we utilized Human Protein Atlas (HPA) platform. Promoter methylation, genetic alteration, and copy number variations (CNVs) profiles were analyzed through MEXPRESS and cBioPortal. Survival analysis was carried out through Kaplan-Meier (KM) plotter platform. Pathway enrichment analysis of SHMT2 was performed using DAVID, while the gene-drug network was drawn through CTD and Cytoscape. Furthermore, in the tumor microenvironment, a correlation between tumor purity, CD8+ T immune cells infiltration, and SHMT2 expression was accessed using TIMER. RESULTS SHMT2 was found overexpressed in 24 different subtypes of human cancers and its overexpression was significantly associated with the reduced Overall survival (OS) and Relapse-free survival durations of Breast cancer (BRCA), Kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP), Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), and Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients. This implies that SHMT2 plays a significant role in the development and progression of these cancers. We further noticed that SHMT2 was also up-regulated in BRCA, KIRP, LIHC, and LUAD patients of different clinicopathological features. Pathways enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of SHMT2 enriched genes in five diverse pathways. Furthermore, we also explored some interesting correlations between SHMT2 expression and promoter methylation, genetic alterations, CNVs, tumor purity, and CD8+ T immune cell infiltrates. CONCLUSION Our results suggested that overexpressed SHMT2 is correlated with the reduced OS and RFS of the BRCA, KIRP, LIHC, and LUAD patients and can be a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for these cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Usman
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Yasir Hameed
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Mukhtiar Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | | | - Aghna Maryam
- Department of Biochemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Afshan Mazhar
- Department of Biochemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Saima Naz
- Department of zoology, Government Sadiq College Women University Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Rida Tanveer
- University College of Conventional Medicine, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Hina Saeed
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Bint-E-Fatima
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan
| | - Aneela Ashraf
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Alishba Hadi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Zahid Hameed
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, International Islamic University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Eman Tariq
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Swabi, Swabi, Pakistan
| | - Alia Sumyya Aslam
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
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Wei Y, Li Y, Chen Y, Liu P, Huang S, Zhang Y, Sun Y, Wu Z, Hu M, Wu Q, Wu H, Liu F, She T, Ning Z. ALDH1: A potential therapeutic target for cancer stem cells in solid tumors. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1026278. [PMID: 36387165 PMCID: PMC9650078 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1026278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Solid tumors can be divided into benign solid tumors and solid malignant tumors in the academic community, among which malignant solid tumors are called cancers. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world, and the global incidence of cancer is increasing yearly New cancer patients in China are always the first. After the concept of stem cells was introduced in the tumor community, the CSC markers represented by ALDH1 have been widely studied due to their strong CSC cell characteristics and potential to be the driving force of tumor metastasis. In the research results in the past five years, it has been found that ALDH1 is highly expressed in various solid cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, cervical cancer, esophageal cancer, ovarian cancer, head,and neck cancer. ALDH1 can activate and transform various pathways (such as the USP28/MYC signaling pathway, ALDH1A1/HIF-1α/VEGF axis, wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway), as well as change the intracellular pH value to promote formation and maintenance, resulting in drug resistance in tumors. By targeting and inhibiting ALDH1 in tumor stem cells, it can enhance the sensitivity of drugs and inhibit the proliferation, differentiation, and metastasis of solid tumor stem cells to some extent. This review discusses the relationship and pathway of ALDH1 with various solid tumors. It proposes that ALDH1 may serve as a diagnosis and therapeutic target for CSC, providing new insights and new strategies for reliable tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaolu Wei
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Yan Li
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Yenan Chen
- Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Pei Liu
- Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Sheng Huang
- Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Yuping Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Yanling Sun
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Zhe Wu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Meichun Hu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Qian Wu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Hongnian Wu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Fuxing Liu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
- *Correspondence: Fuxing Liu, ; Tonghui She, ; Zhifeng Ning,
| | - Tonghui She
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
- *Correspondence: Fuxing Liu, ; Tonghui She, ; Zhifeng Ning,
| | - Zhifeng Ning
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
- *Correspondence: Fuxing Liu, ; Tonghui She, ; Zhifeng Ning,
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ATF4/MYC Regulates MTHFD2 to Promote NSCLC Progression by Mediating Redox Homeostasis. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:7527996. [PMID: 36051358 PMCID: PMC9425107 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7527996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose. Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) has been reported to be overexpressed in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to correlate with malignant proliferation. However, the mechanism of high MTHFD2 expression in NSCLC has not been clarified. Methods. qPCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence experiments were used to measure the expression of related mRNAs and proteins. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and TUNEL assays. The CCK-8 assay was used to determine cell viability. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle. ROS, H2O2, MDA, SOD, and NADPH/NADP+ were evaluated by relevant assay kits. Transfection of siRNA or vectors was used to downregulate or upregulate gene expression. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were used to evaluate the regulated relationship between MTHFD2 and ATF4 or MYC. Results. MTHFD2 was highly expressed in NSCLC cells. Knockdown of MTHFD2 inhibited proliferation and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, oxidative factors significantly increased, while antioxidant factors significantly decreased in NSCLC cells with MTHFD2 knockdown, indicating that MTHFD2 was involved in NSCLC progression through the redox pathway. Although MTHFD2 was downregulated with ATF4 silencing, the dual-luciferase reporter assay suggested that ATF4 did not directly mediate MTHFD2 transcription. Further studies revealed that MYC had a transcriptional effect on MTHFD2 and was also regulated by ATF4. PCR, and western blotting experiments with ATF4 knockdown and MYC overexpression as well as ATF4 overexpression and MYC knockdown proved that ATF4 stimulated MTHFD2 through MYC mediation. Conclusions. ATF4 promoted high expression of MTHFD2 in NSCLC dependent on MYC.
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TXN inhibitor impedes radioresistance of colorectal cancer cells with decreased ALDH1L2 expression via TXN/NF-κB signaling pathway. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:637-648. [PMID: 35597868 PMCID: PMC9381770 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01835-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is prevalent worldwide and is often challenged by treatment failure and recurrence due to resistance to radiotherapy. Here, we aimed to identify the elusive underlying molecular mechanisms of radioresistance in CRC. Methods Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to identify potential radiation-related genes. Colony formation and comet assays and multi-target single-hit survival and xenograft animal models were used to validate the results obtained from the bioinformatic analysis. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine the clinical characteristics of ALDH1L2. Co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were used to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying radioresistance. Results Bioinformatic analysis, in vitro, and in vivo experiments revealed that ALDH1L2 is a radiation-related gene, and a decrease in its expression induces radioresistance in CRC cells by inhibiting ROS-mediated apoptosis. Patients with low ALDH1L2 expression exhibit resistance to radiotherapy. Mechanistically, ALDH1L2 interacts with thioredoxin (TXN) and regulates the downstream NF-κB signaling pathway. PX-12, the TXN inhibitor, overcomes radioresistance due to decreased ALDH1L2. Conclusions Our results provide valuable insights into the potential role of ALDH1L2 in CRC radiotherapy. We propose that the simultaneous application of TXN inhibitors and radiotherapy would significantly ameliorate the clinical outcomes of patients with CRC having low ALDH1L2. ![]()
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10
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Choi S, Engelke R, Goswami N, Schmidt F. Proteomic profiling of metformin effects in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by SILAC-based quantification. Proteomics 2022; 22:e2100196. [PMID: 35275438 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202100196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Metformin is a common and generally the first medication prescribed for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Its mechanism involves affecting pathways that regulate glucose and lipid metabolism in metabolic cells such as that of muscle and liver cells. In spite of various studies exploring its effects, the proteome changes in adipocytes in response to metformin remains poorly understood. In this study, we performed SILAC-based quantitative proteomic profiling to study the effects of metformin specifically on 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We define proteins that exhibited altered levels with metformin treatment, 400 of them showing statistically significant changes in our study. Our results suggest that metformin affects not only the PPARγ signaling pathway, as well as glucose and lipid metabolism, but also protein folding, endoplasmic reticulum stress, negative regulation of appetite, and one-carbon folate metabolism in adipocytes. This proteomic investigation provides important insight into effects of metformin in adipocytes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunkyu Choi
- Proteomics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation - Education City, Doha, PO 24144, Qatar
| | - Rudolf Engelke
- Proteomics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation - Education City, Doha, PO 24144, Qatar
| | - Neha Goswami
- Proteomics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation - Education City, Doha, PO 24144, Qatar
| | - Frank Schmidt
- Proteomics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation - Education City, Doha, PO 24144, Qatar
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11
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Du J, Huang Y, Jing S, Pei Y, Qian Y, Zeng Y. Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 predicts unfavorable outcomes in multiple cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Transl Cancer Res 2022; 11:444-455. [PMID: 35402174 PMCID: PMC8990865 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-21-2485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Background Serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) is critical for one-carbon unit metabolism and is increasingly reported to be associated with tumor patients' outcomes. Thus, we designed and performed this meta-analysis to reveal its prognostic role and relationship with clinicopathological characteristics in human cancer. Methods A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) was carried out. Two reviewers independently screened all references for eligibility according to the inclusion criteria. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale was used to assess the quality and data was extracted for the meta-analysis. Results Ten studies, composed of 1,942 patients in total, were included in this meta-analysis. Higher expression of SHMT2 means an unfavorable prognosis [overall survival: hazard ratio (HR) =2.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.53 to 2.99; progression-free survival (PFS)/disease-free survival (DFS)/recurrence-free survival (RFS): HR =1.90, 95% CI: 1.31 to 2.76]. Furthermore, higher SHMT2 expression is associated with larger tumor size [odds ratio (OR) =2.09, 95% CI: 1.58 to 2.77], more lymph node invasions [OR =2.67, 95% CI: 1.78 to 4.00), and higher tumor node metastasis classification (TNM) stage (OR =2.23, 95% CI: 1.55 to 3.21). Higher expression of SHMT2 is also related to higher histopathological grade (OR =3.46, 95% CI: 1.46 to 8.27) and distant metastasis (OR =1.25, 95% CI: 0.32 to 4.90), however, with significant heterogeneity (I2=61%, P=0.08 for distant metastasis; I2=82%, P<0.001 for histopathological grade). The prognostic clinical role of SHMT1 in clinical patients has not been directly investigated yet. Discussion SHMT2 may serve as a promising prognostic biomarker in various cancer, especially in the alimentary system. Further large-scale studies are warranted to verify the possible effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Du
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yongkang Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Suxian Jing
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yongjian Pei
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yajuan Qian
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zeng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Suzhou Key Laboratory for Respiratory Diseases, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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12
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Sun B, He Z, Liu G, Fu X, Chen Z, Li G. Methylene tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) is overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and correlated with patient’s poor prognosis. Pteridines 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/pteridines-2020-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Objective
To investigate methylene tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) expression, biological function, and correlation with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patient’s prognosis.
Methods
The relative expression levels of MTHFD2 gene mRNA in tumor tissues of HNSCC and adjacent normal tissues were analyzed in the Cancer Genome Atlas and oncomine database. MTHFD2 protein relative expression in tumor tissue of HNSCC patients was analyzed in human proteome database. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of MTHFD2 and correlated genes were constructed in STRING database. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway of MTHFD2 and relevant proteins involved in the PPI network was enriched. The Tumor Immune Estimation Resource database was used to analyze the relationship between MTHFD2 expression and immune infiltration. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for MTHFD2 high and low expression groups were investigated in the Kaplan–Meier Plotter database.
Results
In HNSCC, MTHFD2 mRNA relative expression level in tumor tissue was significantly higher than the corresponding normal tissue with statistical difference (p < 0.05). In the PPI network, 21 protein coding genes were involved in the network with 124 edges, which indicated that the enrichment was significant (p < 0.05). MTHFD2 and PPI network involved genes were mainly enriched in tetrahydrofolate metabolic process, one-carbon metabolic process biological process. In KEGG pathway, MTHFD2 and PPI network involved genes were mainly enriched in one-carbon pool by folate, metabolic pathways, glyoxylate, and dicarboxylate metabolism, and carbon metabolism. The relative expression level of MTHFD2 gene was correlated with immune infiltration of macrophage (r = 0.712, p < 0.05), neutrophil (r = 0.158, p < 0.05), dendritic cell (r = 0.1825, p < 0.05), and CD4+ T lymph cell (r = 0.1825, p < 0.05). HNSCC patients with high expression MTHFD2 had low OS compared to low expression cases (hazard ratio = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.16–2.02, p < 0.05).
Conclusion
MTHFD2 is overexpressed in HNSCC and correlated with patient’s prognosis. MTHFD2 maybe a potential target for HNSCC target treatment and provides a possible direction for the research and development of related targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biqiang Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan Traditional Chinese Medical College , Zhuzhou , Hunan Province 412012 , China
| | - Zhijun He
- School of Medicine, Hunan Traditional Chinese Medical College , Zhuzhou , Hunan Province 412012 , China
| | - Gan Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head Neck, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine , Changsha , Hunan Province 410007 , China
| | - Xiao Fu
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medical College , Zhuzhou , Hunan Province 412000 , China
| | - Zhiyong Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medical College , Zhuzhou , Hunan Province 412000 , China
| | - Guoli Li
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medical College , Zhuzhou , Hunan Province 412000 , China
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13
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Aladelokun O, Hanley M, Mu J, Giardina JC, Rosenberg DW, Giardina C. Fatty acid metabolism and colon cancer protection by dietary methyl donor restriction. Metabolomics 2021; 17:80. [PMID: 34480220 PMCID: PMC8416812 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-021-01831-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A methyl donor depleted (MDD) diet dramatically suppresses intestinal tumor development in Apc-mutant mice, but the mechanism of this prevention is not entirely clear. OBJECTIVES We sought to gain insight into the mechanisms of cancer suppression by the MDD diet and to identify biomarkers of cancer risk reduction. METHODS A plasma metabolomic analysis was performed on ApcΔ14/+ mice maintained on either a methyl donor sufficient (MDS) diet or the protective MDD diet. A group of MDS animals was also pair-fed with the MDD mice to normalize caloric intake, and another group was shifted from an MDD to MDS diet to determine the durability of the metabolic changes. RESULTS In addition to the anticipated changes in folate one-carbon metabolites, plasma metabolites related to fatty acid metabolism were generally decreased by the MDD diet, including carnitine, acylcarnitines, and fatty acids. Some fatty acid selectivity was observed; the levels of cancer-promoting arachidonic acid and 2-hydroxyglutarate were decreased by the MDD diet, whereas eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels were increased. Machine-learning elastic net analysis revealed a positive association between the fatty acid-related compounds azelate and 7-hydroxycholesterol and tumor development, and a negative correlation with succinate and β-sitosterol. CONCLUSION Methyl donor restriction causes dramatic changes in systemic fatty acid metabolism. Regulating fatty acid metabolism through methyl donor restriction favorably effects fatty acid profiles to achieve cancer protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oladimeji Aladelokun
- Center for Molecular Oncology, University of Connecticut Health Center, The University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT, 06030-3101, USA.
| | - Matthew Hanley
- Center for Molecular Oncology, University of Connecticut Health Center, The University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT, 06030-3101, USA
| | - Jinjian Mu
- Statistical Consulting Services, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - John C Giardina
- Center for Health Decision Science, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel W Rosenberg
- Center for Molecular Oncology, University of Connecticut Health Center, The University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT, 06030-3101, USA
| | - Charles Giardina
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
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14
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One-Carbon Metabolism Associated Vulnerabilities in Glioblastoma: A Review. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13123067. [PMID: 34205450 PMCID: PMC8235277 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Glioblastoma tumours are the most malignant and common type of central nervous system tumours. Despite aggressive treatment measures, disease recurrence in patients with glioblastoma is inevitable and survival rates remain low. Glioblastoma cells, like other cancer cells, can leverage metabolic pathways to increase their rate of proliferation, maintain self-renewal, and develop treatment resistance. Furthermore, many of the metabolic strategies employed by cancer cells are similar to those employed by stem cells in order to maintain self-renewal and proliferation. One-carbon metabolism and de novo purine synthesis are metabolic pathways that are essential for biosynthesis of macromolecules and have been found to be essential for tumourigenesis. In this review, we summarize the evidence showing the significance of 1-C-mediated de novo purine synthesis in glioblastoma cell proliferation and tumourigenesis, as well as evidence suggesting the effectiveness of targeting this metabolic pathway as a therapeutic modality. Abstract Altered cell metabolism is a hallmark of cancer cell biology, and the adaptive metabolic strategies of cancer cells have been of recent interest to many groups. Metabolic reprogramming has been identified as a critical step in glial cell transformation, and the use of antimetabolites against glioblastoma has been investigated. One-carbon (1-C) metabolism and its associated biosynthetic pathways, particularly purine nucleotide synthesis, are critical for rapid proliferation and are altered in many cancers. Purine metabolism has also been identified as essential for glioma tumourigenesis. Additionally, alterations of 1-C-mediated purine synthesis have been identified as commonly present in brain tumour initiating cells (BTICs) and could serve as a phenotypic marker of cells responsible for tumour recurrence. Further research is required to elucidate mechanisms through which metabolic vulnerabilities may arise in BTICs and potential ways to therapeutically target these metabolic processes. This review aims to summarize the role of 1-C metabolism-associated vulnerabilities in glioblastoma tumourigenesis and progression and investigate the therapeutic potential of targeting this pathway in conjunction with other treatment strategies.
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15
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Zhao LN, Björklund M, Caldez MJ, Zheng J, Kaldis P. Therapeutic targeting of the mitochondrial one-carbon pathway: perspectives, pitfalls, and potential. Oncogene 2021; 40:2339-2354. [PMID: 33664451 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01695-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Most of the drugs currently prescribed for cancer treatment are riddled with substantial side effects. In order to develop more effective and specific strategies to treat cancer, it is of importance to understand the biology of drug targets, particularly the newly emerging ones. A comprehensive evaluation of these targets will benefit drug development with increased likelihood for success in clinical trials. The folate-mediated one-carbon (1C) metabolism pathway has drawn renewed attention as it is often hyperactivated in cancer and inhibition of this pathway displays promise in developing anticancer treatment with fewer side effects. Here, we systematically review individual enzymes in the 1C pathway and their compartmentalization to mitochondria and cytosol. Based on these insight, we conclude that (1) except the known 1C targets (DHFR, GART, and TYMS), MTHFD2 emerges as good drug target, especially for treating hematopoietic cancers such as CLL, AML, and T-cell lymphoma; (2) SHMT2 and MTHFD1L are potential drug targets; and (3) MTHFD2L and ALDH1L2 should not be considered as drug targets. We highlight MTHFD2 as an excellent therapeutic target and SHMT2 as a complementary target based on structural/biochemical considerations and up-to-date inhibitor development, which underscores the perspectives of their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Na Zhao
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Mikael Björklund
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh (ZJU-UoE) Institute, Haining, Zhejiang, PR China.,2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China.,Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Matias J Caldez
- Laboratory of Host Defense, The World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jie Zheng
- School of Information Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Philipp Kaldis
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
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16
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Cuthbertson CR, Arabzada Z, Bankhead A, Kyani A, Neamati N. A Review of Small-Molecule Inhibitors of One-Carbon Enzymes: SHMT2 and MTHFD2 in the Spotlight. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2021; 4:624-646. [PMID: 33860190 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is a key hallmark of cancer and shifts cellular metabolism to meet the demands of biomass production necessary for abnormal cell reproduction. One-carbon metabolism (1CM) contributes to many biosynthetic pathways that fuel growth and is comprised of a complex network of enzymes. Methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil were pioneering drugs in this field and are still widely used today as anticancer agents as well as for other diseases such as arthritis. Besides dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthase, two other enzymes of the folate cycle arm of 1CM have not been targeted clinically: serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) and methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD). An increasing body of literature suggests that the mitochondrial isoforms of these enzymes (SHMT2 and MTHFD2) are clinically relevant in the context of cancer. In this review, we focused on the 1CM pathway as a target for cancer therapy and, in particular, SHMT2 and MTHFD2. The function, regulation, and clinical relevance of SHMT2 and MTHFD2 are all discussed. We expand on previous clinical studies and evaluate the prognostic significance of these critical enzymes by performing a pan-cancer analysis of patient data from the The Cancer Genome Atlas and a transcriptional coexpression network enrichment analysis. We also provide an overview of preclinical and clinical inhibitors targeting the folate pathway, the methionine cycle, and folate-dependent purine biosynthesis enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine R Cuthbertson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and the Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 1600 Huron Parkway, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Zahra Arabzada
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and the Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 1600 Huron Parkway, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Armand Bankhead
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.,Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Armita Kyani
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and the Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 1600 Huron Parkway, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Nouri Neamati
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and the Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 1600 Huron Parkway, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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Wu Q, Chen X, Li J, Sun S. Serine and Metabolism Regulation: A Novel Mechanism in Antitumor Immunity and Senescence. Aging Dis 2020; 11:1640-1653. [PMID: 33269112 PMCID: PMC7673844 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2020.0314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
As one of the nonessential amino acids (NEAAs), serine is involved in the anabolism of multiple macromolecular substances by participating in one-carbon unit metabolism. Thus, rapidly proliferating cells such as tumor cells and activated immune cells are highly dependent on serine. Serine supports the proliferation of various immune cells through multiple pathways to enhance the antitumor immune response. Moreover, serine influences aging specificity in an epigenetic and metabolic manner. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the relationship between serine metabolism, antitumor immunity, and senescence. The metabolic regulation of serine seems to be a key point of intervention in antitumor immunity and aging-related disease, providing an opportunity for several novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wu
- 1Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xinyue Chen
- 1Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Juanjuan Li
- 1Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shengrong Sun
- 1Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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18
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Tong D, Zhang J, Wang X, Li Q, Liu L, Lu A, Guo B, Yang J, Ni L, Qin H, Zhao L, Huang C. MiR-22, regulated by MeCP2, suppresses gastric cancer cell proliferation by inducing a deficiency in endogenous S-adenosylmethionine. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:99. [PMID: 33168819 PMCID: PMC7652948 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-00281-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) on miRNA transcription. Our results of miRNA chip assay and ChIP-seq showed that MeCP2 inhibited the expressions of numerous miRNAs by binding to their upstream elements, including not only the promoter but also the distal enhancer. Among the affected miRNAs, miR-22 was identified to remarkably suppress gastric cancer (GC) cell proliferation, arrest G1-S cell cycle transition, and induce cell apoptosis by targeting MeCP2, MTHFD2, and MTHFR. Understanding GC metabolism characteristics is the key to developing novel therapies that target GC metabolic pathways. Our study revealed that the metabolic profiles in GC tissues were altered. SAM (S-adenosylmethionine), a universal methyl donor for histone and DNA methylation, which is specifically involved in the epigenetic maintenance of cancer cells, was found increased. The production of SAM is promoted by the folate cycle. Knockdown of MTHFD2 and MTHFR, two key enzymes in folate metabolism and methyl donor SAM production, significantly suppressed GC cell proliferation. MiR-22 overexpression reduced the level of endogenous SAM by suppressing MTHFD2 and MTHFR, inducing P16, PTEN, and RASSF1A hypomethylation. In conclusion, our study suggests that miR-22 was inhibited by MeCP2, resulting in deficiency of endogenous SAM, and ultimately leading to tumor suppressor dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Tong
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics/Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Translational Medicine Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics/Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics/Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Translational Medicine Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Liying Liu
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics/Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Axin Lu
- Instrument Analysis Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Bo Guo
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics/Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Translational Medicine Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Juan Yang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics/Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Translational Medicine Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Lei Ni
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics/Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Hao Qin
- Department of peripheral vascular disease, 1st Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Lingyu Zhao
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics/Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Translational Medicine Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
| | - Chen Huang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics/Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Translational Medicine Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
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Wang H, Chong T, Li BY, Chen XS, Zhen WB. Evaluating the clinical significance of SHMT2 and its co-expressed gene in human kidney cancer. Biol Res 2020; 53:46. [PMID: 33066813 PMCID: PMC7566128 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-020-00314-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Kidney cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. It is necessary to clarify its underlying mechanism and find its prognostic biomarkers. Current studies showed that SHMT2 may be participated in several kinds of cancer. Methods Our studies investigated the expression of SHMT2 in kidney cancer by Oncomine, Human Protein Atlas database and ULCAN database. Meanwhile, we found its co-expression gene by cBioPortal online tool and validated their relationship in A498 and ACHN cells by cell transfection, western blot and qRT-PCR. Besides these, we also explored their prognostic values via the Kaplan–Meier plotter database in different types of kidney cancer patients. Results SHMT2 was found to be increased in 7 kidney cancer datasets, compared to normal renal tissues. For the cancer stages, ages and races, there existed significant difference in the expression of SHMT2 among different groups by mining of the UALCAN database. High SHMT2 expression is associated with poor overall survival in patients with kidney cancer. Among all co-expressed genes, NDUFA4L2 and SHMT2 had a high co-expression efficient. SHMT2 overexpression led to the increased expression of NDUFA4L2 at both mRNA and protein levels. Like SHMT2, overexpressed NDUFA4L2 also was associated with worse overall survival in patients with kidney cancer. Conclusion Based on above results, overexpressed SHMT2 and its co-expressed gene NDUFA4L2 were all correlated with the prognosis in kidney cancer. The present study might be benefit for better understanding the clinical significance of SHMT2 and provided a potential therapeutic target for kidney cancer in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Wang
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, P.R. China.,Urology Department, The First Hospital of Yueyang City, Yueyang City, Hunan Province, 414000, China.,Female Urologic Institution, The First Hospital of Yueyang City, Yueyang City, Hunan Province, 414000, China
| | - Tie Chong
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, P.R. China.
| | - Bo-Yong Li
- Urology Department, The First Hospital of Yueyang City, Yueyang City, Hunan Province, 414000, China.,Female Urologic Institution, The First Hospital of Yueyang City, Yueyang City, Hunan Province, 414000, China
| | - Xiao-San Chen
- Urology Department, The First Hospital of Yueyang City, Yueyang City, Hunan Province, 414000, China.,Female Urologic Institution, The First Hospital of Yueyang City, Yueyang City, Hunan Province, 414000, China
| | - Wen-Bo Zhen
- Urology Department, The First Hospital of Yueyang City, Yueyang City, Hunan Province, 414000, China.,Female Urologic Institution, The First Hospital of Yueyang City, Yueyang City, Hunan Province, 414000, China
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20
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NADPH homeostasis in cancer: functions, mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:231. [PMID: 33028807 PMCID: PMC7542157 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00326-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is an essential electron donor in all organisms, and provides the reducing power for anabolic reactions and redox balance. NADPH homeostasis is regulated by varied signaling pathways and several metabolic enzymes that undergo adaptive alteration in cancer cells. The metabolic reprogramming of NADPH renders cancer cells both highly dependent on this metabolic network for antioxidant capacity and more susceptible to oxidative stress. Modulating the unique NADPH homeostasis of cancer cells might be an effective strategy to eliminate these cells. In this review, we summarize the current existing literatures on NADPH homeostasis, including its biological functions, regulatory mechanisms and the corresponding therapeutic interventions in human cancers, providing insights into therapeutic implications of targeting NADPH metabolism and the associated mechanism for cancer therapy.
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Abstract
Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) converts serine plus tetrahydrofolate (THF) into glycine plus methylene-THF and is upregulated at the protein level in lung and other cancers. In order to better understand the role of SHMT2 in cancer a model system of HeLa cells engineered for inducible over-expression or knock-down of SHMT2 was characterized for cell proliferation and changes in metabolites and proteome as a function of SHMT2. Ectopic over-expression of SHMT2 increased cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Knockdown of SHMT2 expression in vitro caused a state of glycine auxotrophy and accumulation of phosphoribosylaminoimidazolecarboxamide (AICAR), an intermediate of folate/1-carbon-pathway-dependent de novo purine nucleotide synthesis. Decreased glycine in the HeLa cell-based xenograft tumors with knocked down SHMT2 was potentiated by administration of the anti-hyperglycinemia agent benzoate. However, tumor growth was not affected by SHMT2 knockdown with or without benzoate treatment. Benzoate inhibited cell proliferation in vitro, but this was independent of SHMT2 modulation. The abundance of proteins of mitochondrial respiration complexes 1 and 3 was inversely correlated with SHMT2 levels. Proximity biotinylation in vivo (BioID) identified 48 mostly mitochondrial proteins associated with SHMT2 including the mitochondrial enzymes Acyl-CoA thioesterase (ACOT2) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLUD1) along with more than 20 proteins from mitochondrial respiration complexes 1 and 3. These data provide insights into possible mechanisms through which elevated SHMT2 in cancers may be linked to changes in metabolism and mitochondrial function.
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22
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Dekhne AS, Hou Z, Gangjee A, Matherly LH. Therapeutic Targeting of Mitochondrial One-Carbon Metabolism in Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 19:2245-2255. [PMID: 32879053 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
One-carbon (1C) metabolism encompasses folate-mediated 1C transfer reactions and related processes, including nucleotide and amino acid biosynthesis, antioxidant regeneration, and epigenetic regulation. 1C pathways are compartmentalized in the cytosol, mitochondria, and nucleus. 1C metabolism in the cytosol has been an important therapeutic target for cancer since the inception of modern chemotherapy, and "antifolates" targeting cytosolic 1C pathways continue to be a mainstay of the chemotherapy armamentarium for cancer. Recent insights into the complexities of 1C metabolism in cancer cells, including the critical role of the mitochondrial 1C pathway as a source of 1C units, glycine, reducing equivalents, and ATP, have spurred the discovery of novel compounds that target these reactions, with particular focus on 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 and serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2. In this review, we discuss key aspects of 1C metabolism, with emphasis on the importance of mitochondrial 1C metabolism to metabolic homeostasis, its relationship with the oncogenic phenotype, and its therapeutic potential for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aamod S Dekhne
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.
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Reina-Campos M, Diaz-Meco MT, Moscat J. The complexity of the serine glycine one-carbon pathway in cancer. J Cell Biol 2020; 219:jcb.201907022. [PMID: 31690618 PMCID: PMC7039202 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201907022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Perturbations in cellular metabolism are ubiquitous in cancer. Here Reina-Campos et al. review the role of one-carbon metabolism in tumorigenesis. The serine glycine and one-carbon pathway (SGOCP) is a crucially important metabolic network for tumorigenesis, of unanticipated complexity, and with implications in the clinic. Solving how this network is regulated is key to understanding the underlying mechanisms of tumor heterogeneity and therapy resistance. Here, we review its role in cancer by focusing on key enzymes with tumor-promoting functions and important products of the SGOCP that are of physiological relevance for tumorigenesis. We discuss the regulatory mechanisms that coordinate the metabolic flux through the SGOCP and their deregulation, as well as how the actions of this metabolic network affect other cells in the tumor microenvironment, including endothelial and immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Reina-Campos
- Cancer Metabolism and Signaling Networks Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Maria T Diaz-Meco
- Cancer Metabolism and Signaling Networks Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Jorge Moscat
- Cancer Metabolism and Signaling Networks Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
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Zhu Z, Leung GKK. More Than a Metabolic Enzyme: MTHFD2 as a Novel Target for Anticancer Therapy? Front Oncol 2020; 10:658. [PMID: 32411609 PMCID: PMC7199629 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The bifunctional methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase/cyclohydrolase (MTHFD2) is a mitochondrial one-carbon folate metabolic enzyme whose role in cancer was not known until recently. MTHFD2 is highly expressed in embryos and a wide range of tumors but has low or absent expression in most adult differentiated tissues. Elevated MTHFD2 expression is associated with poor prognosis in both hematological and solid malignancy. Its depletion leads to suppression of multiple malignant phenotypes including proliferation, invasion, migration, and induction of cancer cell death. The non-metabolic functions of this enzyme, especially in cancers, have thus generated considerable research interests. This review summarizes current knowledge on both the metabolic functions and non-enzymatic roles of MTHFD2. Its expression, potential functions, and regulatory mechanism in cancers are highlighted. The development of MTHFD2 inhibitors and their implications in pre-clinical models are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Zhu
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Gilberto Ka Kit Leung
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
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25
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He H, Li PC, Jia W, Hu B, Ji CS. High Expression of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and its Clinical Prognostic Significance. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e920259. [PMID: 32088725 PMCID: PMC7055195 DOI: 10.12659/msm.920259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, targeted therapy for malignant tumors has developed rapidly, but there is still no effective targeted therapy for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) is a key enzyme involved in folate metabolism and is closely related to the proliferation in many cancers. However, few studies have explored the expression of MTHFD2 in ESCC and its prognostic significance. Material/Methods The expressions of MTHFD2, ki67, and p53 in ESCC tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Further, MTHFD2 expression level in ESCC and its correlations with patients’ clinicopathological characteristics and survival prognosis were investigated. Results The enhanced expression of MTHFD2 was observed in ESCC specimens compared with adjacent normal tissue. The increased expression of MTHFD2 was closely related to pathological grading (P=0.020) and tumor TNM stage (P=0.019). In addition, patients with high expression of MTHFD2 had worse survival than those with low MTHFD2 expression (P<0.05). High expression of MTHFD2 in ESCC tissues was often associated with high expression of ki67 and p53 (P<0.05). Conclusions MTHFD2 had significantly enhanced expression in ESCC tissues and was associated with pathological grading and TNM stage. Taken together, high expression of MTHFD2 was an independent unfavorable prognostic parameter for overall survival (OS) of ESCC patients, suggesting that MTHFD2 might be a potential therapeutic target for ESCC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan He
- Department of Medical Oncology, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland)
| | - Peng-Cheng Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland)
| | - Wei Jia
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of The University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland)
| | - Bing Hu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of The University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland)
| | - Chu-Shu Ji
- Department of Medical Oncology, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland).,Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of The University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China (mainland)
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26
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Dekhne AS, Ning C, Nayeen MJ, Shah K, Kalpage H, Frühauf J, Wallace-Povirk A, O'Connor C, Hou Z, Kim S, Hüttemann M, Gangjee A, Matherly LH. Cellular Pharmacodynamics of a Novel Pyrrolo[3,2- d]pyrimidine Inhibitor Targeting Mitochondrial and Cytosolic One-Carbon Metabolism. Mol Pharmacol 2019; 97:9-22. [PMID: 31707355 DOI: 10.1124/mol.119.117937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Folate-dependent one-carbon (C1) metabolism is compartmentalized in the mitochondria and cytosol and is a source of critical metabolites for proliferating tumors. Mitochondrial C1 metabolism including serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) generates glycine for de novo purine nucleotide and glutathione biosynthesis and is an important source of NADPH, ATP, and formate, which affords C1 units as 10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate and 5,10-methylene-tetrahydrofolate for nucleotide biosynthesis in the cytosol. We previously discovered novel first-in-class multitargeted pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine inhibitors of SHMT2 and de novo purine biosynthesis at glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase with potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor efficacy toward pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. In this report, we extend our findings to an expanded panel of pancreatic cancer models. We used our lead analog AGF347 [(4-(4-(2-amino-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidin-5-yl)butyl)-2-fluorobenzoyl)-l-glutamic acid] to characterize pharmacodynamic determinants of antitumor efficacy for this series and demonstrated plasma membrane transport into the cytosol, uptake from cytosol into mitochondria, and metabolism to AGF347 polyglutamates in both cytosol and mitochondria. Antitumor effects of AGF347 downstream of SHMT2 and purine biosynthesis included suppression of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, and glutathione depletion with increased levels of reactive oxygen species. Our results provide important insights into the cellular pharmacology of novel pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine inhibitors as antitumor compounds and establish AGF347 as a unique agent for potential clinical application for pancreatic cancer, as well as other malignancies. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study establishes the antitumor efficacies of novel inhibitors of serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 and of cytosolic targets toward a panel of clinically relevant pancreatic cancer cells and demonstrates the important roles of plasma membrane transport, mitochondrial accumulation, and metabolism to polyglutamates of the lead compound AGF347 to drug activity. We also establish that loss of serine catabolism and purine biosynthesis resulting from AGF347 treatment impacts mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, glutathione pools, and reactive oxygen species, contributing to antitumor efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aamod S Dekhne
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Changwen Ning
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Md Junayed Nayeen
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Khushbu Shah
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Hasini Kalpage
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Josephine Frühauf
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Carrie O'Connor
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Seongho Kim
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Maik Hüttemann
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
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A Robust Gene Expression Prognostic Signature for Overall Survival in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2019; 2019:3614207. [PMID: 31885574 PMCID: PMC6925684 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3614207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this research was to develop a robust gene expression-based prognostic signature and scoring system for predicting overall survival (OS) of patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). Transcriptomic data of HGSOC patients were obtained from six independent studies in the NCBI GEO database. Genes significantly deregulated and associated with OS in HGSOCs were selected using GEO2R and Kaplan–Meier analysis with log-rank testing, respectively. Enrichment analysis for biological processes and pathways was performed using Gene Ontology analysis. A resampling/cross-validation method with Cox regression analysis was used to identify a novel gene expression-based signature associated with OS, and a prognostic scoring system was developed and further validated in nine independent HGSOC datasets. We first identified 488 significantly deregulated genes in HGSOC patients, of which 232 were found to be significantly associated with their OS. These genes were significantly enriched for cell cycle division, epithelial cell differentiation, p53 signaling pathway, vasculature development, and other processes. A novel 11-gene prognostic signature was identified and a prognostic scoring system was developed, which robustly predicted OS in HGSOC patients in 100 sampling test sets. The scoring system was further validated successfully in nine additional HGSOC public datasets. In conclusion, our integrative bioinformatics study combining transcriptomic and clinical data established an 11-gene prognostic signature for robust and reproducible prediction of OS in HGSOC patients. This signature could be of clinical value for guiding therapeutic selection and individualized treatment.
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Léveillé M, Estall JL. Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Transition from NASH to HCC. Metabolites 2019; 9:E233. [PMID: 31623280 PMCID: PMC6836234 DOI: 10.3390/metabo9100233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver constantly adapts to meet energy requirements of the whole body. Despite its remarkable adaptative capacity, prolonged exposure of liver cells to harmful environmental cues (such as diets rich in fat, sugar, and cholesterol) results in the development of chronic liver diseases (including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)) that can progress to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathogenesis of these diseases is extremely complex, multifactorial, and poorly understood. Emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction or maladaptation contributes to detrimental effects on hepatocyte bioenergetics, reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, inflammation, and cell death leading to NASH and HCC. The present review highlights the potential contribution of altered mitochondria function to NASH-related HCC and discusses how agents targeting this organelle could provide interesting treatment strategies for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélissa Léveillé
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, QC H2W 1R7, Canada.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, QC H3G 2M1, Canada.
| | - Jennifer L Estall
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, QC H2W 1R7, Canada.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, QC H3G 2M1, Canada.
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.
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