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Ha SY, Kim JY, Choi JH. Transcriptional regulation of genetic variants in the SLC40A1 promoter. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 28:113-120. [PMID: 38414394 PMCID: PMC10902591 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2024.28.2.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Solute carrier 40A1 (SLC40A1) encodes ferroportin, which is the only known transmembrane protein that exports elemental iron from mammalian cells and is essential for iron homeostasis. Mutations in SLC40A1 are associated with iron-overload disorders. In addition to ferroportin diseases, SLC40A1 expression is downregulated in various cancer types. Despite the clinical significance of the SLC40A1 transporter, only a few studies have investigated genetic variants in SLC40A1. The present study was performed to identify genetic variations in the SLC40A1 promoter and functionally characterize each variant using in vitro assays. We investigated four haplotypes and five variants in the SLC40A1 promoter. We observed that haplotype 3 (H3) had significantly lower promoter activity than H1, whereas the activity of H4 was significantly higher than that of H1. Luciferase activity of H2 was comparable to that of H1. In addition, four variants of SLC40A1, c.-1355G>C, c.-662C>T, c.-98G>C, and c.-8C>G, showed significantly increased luciferase activity compared to the wild type (WT), whereas c.-750G>A showed significantly decreased luciferase activity compared to the WT. Three transcription factors, cAMP response element-binding protein-1 (CREB-1), chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor 1, and hepatic leukemia factor (HLF), were predicted to bind to the promoter regions of SLC40A1 near c.-662C>T, c.-98G>C, and c.-8C>G, respectively. Among these, CREB-1 and HLF bound more strongly to the variant sequences than to the WT and functioned as activators of SLC40A1 transcription. Collectively, our findings indicate that the two SLC40A1 promoter haplotypes affect SLC40A1 transcription, which is regulated by CREB-1 and HLF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Yeon Ha
- Department of Pharmacology, Inflammation-Cancer Microenvironment Research Center, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Korea
| | - Jin-Young Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Inflammation-Cancer Microenvironment Research Center, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Korea
| | - Ji Ha Choi
- Department of Pharmacology, Inflammation-Cancer Microenvironment Research Center, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07804, Korea
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Farahzadi R, Hejazi MS, Molavi O, Pishgahzadeh E, Montazersaheb S, Jafari S. Clinical Significance of Carnitine in the Treatment of Cancer: From Traffic to the Regulation. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2023; 2023:9328344. [PMID: 37600065 PMCID: PMC10435298 DOI: 10.1155/2023/9328344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is a common hallmark of cancer cells. Cancer cells exhibit metabolic flexibility to maintain high proliferation and survival rates. In other words, adaptation of cellular demand is essential for tumorigenesis, since a diverse supply of nutrients is required to accommodate tumor growth and progression. Diversity of carbon substrates fueling cancer cells indicate metabolic heterogeneity, even in tumors sharing the same clinical diagnosis. In addition to the alteration of glucose and amino acid metabolism in cancer cells, there is evidence that cancer cells can alter lipid metabolism. Some tumors rely on fatty acid oxidation (FAO) as the primary energy source; hence, cancer cells overexpress the enzymes involved in FAO. Carnitine is an essential cofactor in the lipid metabolic pathways. It is crucial in facilitating the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria for β-oxidation. This role and others played by carnitine, especially its antioxidant function in cellular processes, emphasize the fine regulation of carnitine traffic within tissues and subcellular compartments. The biological activity of carnitine is orchestrated by specific membrane transporters that mediate the transfer of carnitine and its derivatives across the cell membrane. The concerted function of carnitine transporters creates a collaborative network that is relevant to metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells. Here, the molecular mechanisms relevant to the role and expression of carnitine transporters are discussed, providing insights into cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raheleh Farahzadi
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saeid Hejazi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ommoleila Molavi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elahe Pishgahzadeh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soheila Montazersaheb
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sevda Jafari
- Nutrition Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Pochini L, Galluccio M, Scalise M, Console L, Pappacoda G, Indiveri C. OCTN1: A Widely Studied but Still Enigmatic Organic Cation Transporter Linked to Human Pathology and Drug Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020914. [PMID: 35055100 PMCID: PMC8776198 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The Novel Organic Cation Transporter, OCTN1, is the first member of the OCTN subfamily; it belongs to the wider Solute Carrier family SLC22, which counts many members including cation and anion organic transporters. The tertiary structure has not been resolved for any cation organic transporter. The functional role of OCNT1 is still not well assessed despite the many functional studies so far conducted. The lack of a definitive identification of OCTN1 function can be attributed to the different experimental systems and methodologies adopted for studying each of the proposed ligands. Apart from the contradictory data, the international scientific community agrees on a role of OCTN1 in protecting cells and tissues from oxidative and/or inflammatory damage. Moreover, the involvement of this transporter in drug interactions and delivery has been well clarified, even though the exact profile of the transported/interacting molecules is still somehow confusing. Therefore, OCTN1 continues to be a hot topic in terms of its functional role and structure. This review focuses on the most recent advances on OCTN1 in terms of functional aspects, physiological roles, substrate specificity, drug interactions, tissue expression, and relationships with pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Pochini
- Unit of Biochemistry, Molecular Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4c, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (L.P.); (M.G.); (M.S.); (L.C.); (G.P.)
| | - Michele Galluccio
- Unit of Biochemistry, Molecular Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4c, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (L.P.); (M.G.); (M.S.); (L.C.); (G.P.)
| | - Mariafrancesca Scalise
- Unit of Biochemistry, Molecular Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4c, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (L.P.); (M.G.); (M.S.); (L.C.); (G.P.)
| | - Lara Console
- Unit of Biochemistry, Molecular Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4c, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (L.P.); (M.G.); (M.S.); (L.C.); (G.P.)
| | - Gilda Pappacoda
- Unit of Biochemistry, Molecular Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4c, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (L.P.); (M.G.); (M.S.); (L.C.); (G.P.)
| | - Cesare Indiveri
- Unit of Biochemistry, Molecular Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4c, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (L.P.); (M.G.); (M.S.); (L.C.); (G.P.)
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnology (IBIOM), National Research Council—CNR, Via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Borodina I, Kenny LC, McCarthy CM, Paramasivan K, Pretorius E, Roberts TJ, van der Hoek SA, Kell DB. The biology of ergothioneine, an antioxidant nutraceutical. Nutr Res Rev 2020; 33:190-217. [PMID: 32051057 PMCID: PMC7653990 DOI: 10.1017/s0954422419000301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ergothioneine (ERG) is an unusual thio-histidine betaine amino acid that has potent antioxidant activities. It is synthesised by a variety of microbes, especially fungi (including in mushroom fruiting bodies) and actinobacteria, but is not synthesised by plants and animals who acquire it via the soil and their diet, respectively. Animals have evolved a highly selective transporter for it, known as solute carrier family 22, member 4 (SLC22A4) in humans, signifying its importance, and ERG may even have the status of a vitamin. ERG accumulates differentially in various tissues, according to their expression of SLC22A4, favouring those such as erythrocytes that may be subject to oxidative stress. Mushroom or ERG consumption seems to provide significant prevention against oxidative stress in a large variety of systems. ERG seems to have strong cytoprotective status, and its concentration is lowered in a number of chronic inflammatory diseases. It has been passed as safe by regulatory agencies, and may have value as a nutraceutical and antioxidant more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Borodina
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Building 220, Chemitorvet 200, Technical University of Denmark, 2800Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Louise C. Kenny
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, LiverpoolL8 7SS, UK
| | - Cathal M. McCarthy
- Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Republic of Ireland
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Cork, Republic of Ireland
| | - Kalaivani Paramasivan
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Building 220, Chemitorvet 200, Technical University of Denmark, 2800Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Etheresia Pretorius
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1 Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - Timothy J. Roberts
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1 Matieland, 7602, South Africa
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, LiverpoolL69 7ZB, UK
| | - Steven A. van der Hoek
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Building 220, Chemitorvet 200, Technical University of Denmark, 2800Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Douglas B. Kell
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Building 220, Chemitorvet 200, Technical University of Denmark, 2800Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1 Matieland, 7602, South Africa
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, LiverpoolL69 7ZB, UK
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Abstract
It is proposed that proteins/enzymes be classified into two classes according to their essentiality for immediate survival/reproduction and their function in long-term health: that is, survival proteins versus longevity proteins. As proposed by the triage theory, a modest deficiency of one of the nutrients/cofactors triggers a built-in rationing mechanism that favors the proteins needed for immediate survival and reproduction (survival proteins) while sacrificing those needed to protect against future damage (longevity proteins). Impairment of the function of longevity proteins results in an insidious acceleration of the risk of diseases associated with aging. I also propose that nutrients required for the function of longevity proteins constitute a class of vitamins that are here named "longevity vitamins." I suggest that many such nutrients play a dual role for both survival and longevity. The evidence for classifying taurine as a conditional vitamin, and the following 10 compounds as putative longevity vitamins, is reviewed: the fungal antioxidant ergothioneine; the bacterial metabolites pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and queuine; and the plant antioxidant carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, α- and β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and the marine carotenoid astaxanthin. Because nutrient deficiencies are highly prevalent in the United States (and elsewhere), appropriate supplementation and/or an improved diet could reduce much of the consequent risk of chronic disease and premature aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce N Ames
- Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI), Oakland, CA 94609-1809
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