1
|
Guo X, Song J, Liu M, Ou X, Guo Y. The interplay between the tumor microenvironment and tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles in cancer development and therapeutic response. Cancer Biol Ther 2024; 25:2356831. [PMID: 38767879 PMCID: PMC11110713 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2356831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an essential role in tumor cell survival by profoundly influencing their proliferation, metastasis, immune evasion, and resistance to treatment. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small particles released by all cell types and often reflect the state of their parental cells and modulate other cells' functions through the various cargo they transport. Tumor-derived small EVs (TDSEVs) can transport specific proteins, nucleic acids and lipids tailored to propagate tumor signals and establish a favorable TME. Thus, the TME's biological characteristics can affect TDSEV heterogeneity, and this interplay can amplify tumor growth, dissemination, and resistance to therapy. This review discusses the interplay between TME and TDSEVs based on their biological characteristics and summarizes strategies for targeting cancer cells. Additionally, it reviews the current issues and challenges in this field to offer fresh insights into comprehending tumor development mechanisms and exploring innovative clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuanyu Guo
- The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
| | - Jiajun Song
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
| | - Miao Liu
- Nanobiosensing and Microfluidic Point-of-Care Testing, Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
| | - Xinyi Ou
- Nanobiosensing and Microfluidic Point-of-Care Testing, Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
| | - Yongcan Guo
- Nanobiosensing and Microfluidic Point-of-Care Testing, Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Han Y, Pu Y, Liu X, Liu Z, Chen Y, Tang L, Zhou J, Song Q, Ji Q. YTHDF1 regulates GID8-mediated glutamine metabolism to promote colorectal cancer progression in a m6A-dependent manner. Cancer Lett 2024:217186. [PMID: 39151722 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217186] [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: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Dysregulation of epigenetics is a hallmark of cancer development, and YTHDF1 stands out as a crucial epigenetic regulator with the highest DNA copy number variation among all N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Here, we aimed to investigate the specific contribution of YTHDF1 overexpression to CRC progression and its consequences. Through multiple bioinformatic analysis of human cancer databases and clinical CRC samples, we identified GID8/Twa1 as a crucial downstream target of YTHDF1. YTHDF1 manipulates GID8 translation efficiency in a m6A-dependent manner, and high expression of GID8 is associated with more aggressive tumor progression and poor overall survival. Mechanistically, GID8 is intimately associated with glutamine metabolic demands by maintaining active glutamine uptake and metabolism through the regulation of excitatory amino acid transporter 1 (SLC1A3) and glutaminase (GLS), thereby facilitating the malignant progression of CRC. Inhibition of GID8 attenuated CRC proliferation and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, we identified a previously unknown target pertaining to glutamine uptake and metabolism in tumor cells, underscoring the potential of GID8 in the treatment of CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yicun Han
- Department of Medical Oncology & Cancer Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yunzhou Pu
- Department of Medical Oncology & Cancer Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaodie Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology & Cancer Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhiyi Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology & Cancer Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yongqi Chen
- Department of Pathology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lei Tang
- Department of Medical Oncology & Cancer Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology & Cancer Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Liver Disease Department of Integrative Medicine, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315000, China
| | - Qing Song
- Department of Medical Oncology, Suzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215007, China.
| | - Qing Ji
- Department of Medical Oncology & Cancer Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang GQ, Xi C, Ju NT, Shen CT, Qiu ZL, Song HJ, Luo QY. Targeting glutamine metabolism exhibits anti-tumor effects in thyroid cancer. J Endocrinol Invest 2024; 47:1953-1969. [PMID: 38386265 PMCID: PMC11266413 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02294-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effective treatment for patients with advanced thyroid cancer is lacking. Metabolism reprogramming is required for cancer to undergo oncogenic transformation and rapid tumorigenic growth. Glutamine is frequently used by cancer cells for active bioenergetic and biosynthetic needs. This study aims to investigate whether targeting glutamine metabolism is a promising therapeutic strategy for thyroid cancer. METHODS The expression of glutaminase (GLS) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in thyroid cancer tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and glutamine metabolism-related genes were assessed using real time-qPCR and western blotting. The effects of glutamine metabolism inhibitor 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) on thyroid cancer cells were determined by CCK-8, clone formation assay, Edu incorporation assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assay. The mechanistic study was performed by real time-qPCR, western blotting, Seahorse assay, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer assay. The effect of DON prodrug (JHU-083) on thyroid cancer in vivo was assessed using xenograft tumor models in BALB/c nude mice. RESULTS GLS and GDH were over-expressed in thyroid cancer tissues, and GLS expression was positively associated with lymph-node metastasis and TNM stage. The growth of thyroid cancer cells was significantly inhibited when cultured in glutamine-free medium. Targeting glutamine metabolism with DON inhibited the proliferation of thyroid cancer cells. DON treatment did not promote apoptosis, but increased the proportion of cells in the S phase, accompanied by the decreased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and cyclin A. DON treatment also significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of thyroid cancer cells by reducing the expression of N-cadherin, Vimentin, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and matrix metalloproteinase-9. Non-essential amino acids, including proline, alanine, aspartate, asparagine, and glycine, were reduced in thyroid cancer cells treated with DON, which could explain the decrease of proteins involved in migration, invasion, and cell cycle. The efficacy and safety of DON prodrug (JHU-083) for thyroid cancer treatment were verified in a mouse model. In addition to suppressing the proliferation and metastasis potential of thyroid cancer in vivo, enhanced innate immune response was also observed in JHU-083-treated xenograft tumors as a result of decreased expression of cluster of differentiation 47 and programmed cell death ligand 1. CONCLUSIONS Thyroid cancer exhibited enhanced glutamine metabolism, as evidenced by the glutamine dependence of thyroid cancer cells and high expression of multiple glutamine metabolism-related genes. Targeting glutamine metabolism with DON prodrug could be a promising therapeutic option for advanced thyroid cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G-Q Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China
| | - C Xi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China
| | - N-T Ju
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China
| | - C-T Shen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China
| | - Z-L Qiu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China
| | - H-J Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| | - Q-Y Luo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tambay V, Raymond VA, Voisin L, Meloche S, Bilodeau M. Reprogramming of Glutamine Amino Acid Transporters Expression and Prognostic Significance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7558. [PMID: 39062801 PMCID: PMC11277143 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent primary liver malignancy and is a major cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. This study aimed to characterize glutamine amino acid transporter expression profiles in HCC compared to those of normal liver cells. In vitro and in vivo models of HCC were studied using qPCR, whereas the prognostic significance of glutamine transporter expression levels within patient tumors was analyzed through RNAseq. Solute carrier (SLC) 1A5 and SLC38A2 were targeted through siRNA or gamma-p-nitroanilide (GPNA). HCC cells depended on exogenous glutamine for optimal survival and growth. Murine HCC cells showed superior glutamine uptake rate than normal hepatocytes (p < 0.0001). HCC manifested a global reprogramming of glutamine transporters compared to normal liver: SLC38A3 levels decreased, whereas SLC38A1, SLC7A6, and SLC1A5 levels increased. Also, decreased SLC6A14 and SLC38A3 levels or increased SLC38A1, SLC7A6, and SLC1A5 levels predicted worse survival outcomes (all p < 0.05). Knockdown of SLC1A5 and/or SLC38A2 expression in human Huh7 and Hep3B HCC cells, as well as GPNA-mediated inhibition, significantly decreased the uptake of glutamine; combined SLC1A5 and SLC38A2 targeting had the most considerable impact (all p < 0.05). This study revealed glutamine transporter reprogramming as a novel hallmark of HCC and that such expression profiles are clinically significant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Tambay
- Laboratoire d’Hépatologie cellulaire, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Valérie-Ann Raymond
- Laboratoire d’Hépatologie cellulaire, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Laure Voisin
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et en Cancérologie de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Sylvain Meloche
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et en Cancérologie de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Département de Pharmacologie et Physiologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Marc Bilodeau
- Laboratoire d’Hépatologie cellulaire, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Shen H, Wang H, Mo J, Zhang J, Xu C, Sun F, Ou X, Zhu X, Du L, Ju H, Ye R, Shi G, Kwok RT, Lam JW, Sun J, Zhang T, Ning S, Tang BZ. Unrestricted molecular motions enable mild photothermy for recurrence-resistant FLASH antitumor radiotherapy. Bioact Mater 2024; 37:299-312. [PMID: 38694765 PMCID: PMC11061705 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Ultrahigh dose-rate (FLASH) radiotherapy is an emerging technology with excellent therapeutic effects and low biological toxicity. However, tumor recurrence largely impede the effectiveness of FLASH therapy. Overcoming tumor recurrence is crucial for practical FLASH applications. Here, we prepared an agarose-based thermosensitive hydrogel containing a mild photothermal agent (TPE-BBT) and a glutaminase inhibitor (CB-839). Within nanoparticles, TPE-BBT exhibits aggregation-induced emission peaked at 900 nm, while the unrestricted molecular motions endow TPE-BBT with a mild photothermy generation ability. The balanced photothermal effect and photoluminescence are ideal for phototheranostics. Upon 660-nm laser irradiation, the temperature-rising effect softens and hydrolyzes the hydrogel to release TPE-BBT and CB-839 into the tumor site for concurrent mild photothermal therapy and chemotherapy, jointly inhibiting homologous recombination repair of DNA. The enhanced FLASH radiotherapy efficiently kills the tumor tissue without recurrence and obvious systematic toxicity. This work deciphers the unrestricted molecular motions in bright organic fluorophores as a source of photothermy, and provides novel recurrence-resistant radiotherapy without adverse side effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanchen Shen
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, School of Biomedical Engineering, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Division of Life Science, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hongbin Wang
- The Second Ward of Breast Surgery, Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, 150081, China
| | - Jianlan Mo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Jianyu Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Division of Life Science, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Changhuo Xu
- MOE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Feiyi Sun
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Division of Life Science, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xinwen Ou
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Division of Life Science, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xinyan Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Division of Life Science, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lidong Du
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Division of Life Science, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- MOE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Huaqiang Ju
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Division of Life Science, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ruquan Ye
- Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guangfu Shi
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Ryan T.K. Kwok
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Division of Life Science, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jacky W.Y. Lam
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Division of Life Science, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jianwei Sun
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Division of Life Science, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tianfu Zhang
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, School of Biomedical Engineering, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shipeng Ning
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Ben Zhong Tang
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Division of Life Science, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- School of Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Aggregate Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen), Guangdong, 518172, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gao W, Wang J, Xu Y, Yu H, Yi S, Bai C, Cong Q, Zhu Y. Research progress in the metabolic reprogramming of hepatocellular carcinoma (Review). Mol Med Rep 2024; 30:131. [PMID: 38818815 PMCID: PMC11148525 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2024.13255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and its morbidity is increasing worldwide due to increasing prevalence. Metabolic reprogramming has been recognized as a hallmark of cancer and serves a role in cancer progression. Glucose, lipids and amino acids are three major components whose altered metabolism can directly affect the energy production of cells, including liver cancer cells. Nutrients and energy are indispensable for the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, thus altering the metabolism of hepatoma cells can inhibit the progression of HCC. The present review summarizes recent studies on tumour regulatory molecules, including numerous noncoding RNAs, oncogenes and tumour suppressors, which regulate the metabolic activities of glucose, lipids and amino acids by targeting key enzymes, signalling pathways or interactions between the two. These regulatory molecules can regulate the rapid proliferation of cancer cells, tumour progression and treatment resistance. It is thought that these tumour regulatory factors may serve as therapeutic targets or valuable biomarkers for HCC, with the potential to mitigate HCC drug resistance. Furthermore, the advantages and disadvantages of metabolic inhibitors as a treatment approach for HCC, as well as possible solutions are discussed, providing insights for developing more effective treatment strategies for HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenyue Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Yuting Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Hongbo Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Sitong Yi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Changchuan Bai
- Internal Department of Chinese Medicine, Dalian Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Qingwei Cong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Leverett B, Austin S, Tan-Arroyo J. Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in cancer: a promiscuous enzyme, a redox regulator, and a metabolic co-conspirator. Essays Biochem 2024:EBC20230088. [PMID: 38864161 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20230088] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) is an essential enzyme in the tricarboxylic acid cycle that functions in cellular respiration and redox homeostasis. Recent studies indicate that MDH facilitates metabolic plasticity in tumor cells, catalyzing the formation of an oncometabolite, contributing to altered epigenetics, and maintaining redox capacity to support the rewired energy metabolism and biosynthesis that enables cancer progression. This minireview summarizes current findings on the unique supporting roles played by MDH in human cancers and provides an update on targeting MDH in cancer chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Betsy Leverett
- Department of Biochemistry, University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209, U.S.A
| | - Shane Austin
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown Barbados BB11000, Barbados
| | - Jason Tan-Arroyo
- Department of Biology, Augsburg University, 2211 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55454, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Li A, Wang R, Zhao Y, Zhao P, Yang J. Crosstalk between Epigenetics and Metabolic Reprogramming in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A New Sight. Metabolites 2024; 14:325. [PMID: 38921460 PMCID: PMC11205353 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14060325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming alterations are two important features of tumors, and their reversible, spatial, and temporal regulation is a distinctive hallmark of carcinogenesis. Epigenetics, which focuses on gene regulatory mechanisms beyond the DNA sequence, is a new entry point for tumor therapy. Moreover, metabolic reprogramming drives hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) initiation and progression, highlighting the significance of metabolism in this disease. Exploring the inter-regulatory relationship between tumor metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic modification has become one of the hot directions in current tumor metabolism research. As viral etiologies have given way to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)-induced HCC, it is urgent that complex molecular pathways linking them and hepatocarcinogenesis be explored. However, how aberrant crosstalk between epigenetic modifications and metabolic reprogramming affects MASLD-induced HCC lacks comprehensive understanding. A better understanding of their linkages is necessary and urgent to improve HCC treatment strategies. For this reason, this review examines the interwoven landscape of molecular carcinogenesis in the context of MASLD-induced HCC, focusing on mechanisms regulating aberrant epigenetic alterations and metabolic reprogramming in the development of MASLD-induced HCC and interactions between them while also updating the current advances in metabolism and epigenetic modification-based therapeutic drugs in HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Li
- College of Basic Medical Science, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China; (A.L.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.)
| | - Rui Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China;
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Application Research of Beiyao, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Yuqiang Zhao
- College of Basic Medical Science, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China; (A.L.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.)
| | - Peiran Zhao
- College of Basic Medical Science, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China; (A.L.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.)
| | - Jing Yang
- College of Basic Medical Science, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China; (A.L.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liang XH, Chen XY, Yan Y, Cheng AY, Lin JY, Jiang YX, Chen HZ, Jin JM, Luan X. Targeting metabolism to enhance immunotherapy within tumor microenvironment. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024:10.1038/s41401-024-01304-w. [PMID: 38811773 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01304-w] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer metabolic reprogramming has been considered an emerging hallmark in tumorigenesis and the antitumor immune response. Like cancer cells, immune cells within the tumor microenvironment or premetastatic niche also undergo extensive metabolic reprogramming, which profoundly impacts anti-tumor immune responses. Numerous evidence has illuminated that immunosuppressive TME and the metabolites released by tumor cells, including lactic acid, Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), fatty acids (FAs), cholesterol, D-2-Hydroxyglutaric acid (2-HG), adenosine (ADO), and kynurenine (KYN) can contribute to CD8+ T cell dysfunction. Dynamic alterations of these metabolites between tumor cells and immune cells can similarly initiate metabolic competition in the TME, leading to nutrient deprivation and subsequent microenvironmental acidosis, which impedes immune response. This review summarizes the new landscape beyond the classical metabolic pathways in tumor cells, highlighting the pivotal role of metabolic disturbance in the immunosuppressive microenvironment, especially how nutrient deprivation in TME leads to metabolic reprogramming of CD8+ T cells. Likewise, it emphasizes the current therapeutic targets or strategies related to tumor metabolism and immune response, providing therapeutic benefits for tumor immunotherapy and drug development in the future. Cancer metabolic reprogramming has been considered an emerging hallmark in tumorigenesis and the antitumor immune response. Dynamic alterations of metabolites between tumor cells and immune cells initiate metabolic competition in the TME, leading to nutrient deprivation and subsequent microenvironmental acidosis, which impedes immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hui Liang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xin-Yi Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yue Yan
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Ao-Yu Cheng
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jia-Yi Lin
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yi-Xin Jiang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hong-Zhuan Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Jin-Mei Jin
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Xin Luan
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research and Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ziki RA, Colnot S. Glutamine metabolism, a double agent combating or fuelling hepatocellular carcinoma. JHEP Rep 2024; 6:101077. [PMID: 38699532 PMCID: PMC11063524 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The reprogramming of glutamine metabolism is a key event in cancer more generally and in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in particular. Glutamine consumption supplies tumours with ATP and metabolites through anaplerosis of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, while glutamine production can be enhanced by the overexpression of glutamine synthetase. In HCC, increased glutamine production is driven by activating mutations in the CTNNB1 gene encoding β-catenin. Increased glutamine synthesis or utilisation impacts tumour epigenetics, oxidative stress, autophagy, immunity and associated pathways, such as the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway. In this review, we will discuss studies which emphasise the pro-tumoral or tumour-suppressive effect of glutamine overproduction. It is clear that more comprehensive studies are needed as a foundation from which to develop suitable therapies targeting glutamine metabolic pathways, depending on the predicted pro- or anti-tumour role of dysregulated glutamine metabolism in distinct genetic contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Razan Abou Ziki
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers (CRC), Paris, F-75006, France
- Équipe labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, France
| | - Sabine Colnot
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers (CRC), Paris, F-75006, France
- Équipe labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, France
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hasan Bou Issa L, Fléchon L, Laine W, Ouelkdite A, Gaggero S, Cozzani A, Tilmont R, Chauvet P, Gower N, Sklavenitis-Pistofidis R, Brinster C, Thuru X, Touil Y, Quesnel B, Mitra S, Ghobrial IM, Kluza J, Manier S. MYC dependency in GLS1 and NAMPT is a therapeutic vulnerability in multiple myeloma. iScience 2024; 27:109417. [PMID: 38510131 PMCID: PMC10952034 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematological malignancy in which MYC alterations contribute to the malignant phenotype. Nevertheless, MYC lacks therapeutic druggability. Here, we leveraged large-scale loss-of-function screens and conducted a small molecule screen to identify genes and pathways with enhanced essentiality correlated with MYC expression. We reported a specific gene dependency in glutaminase (GLS1), essential for the viability and proliferation of MYC overexpressing cells. Conversely, the analysis of isogenic models, as well as cell lines dataset (CCLE) and patient datasets, revealed GLS1 as a non-oncogenic dependency in MYC-driven cells. We functionally delineated the differential modulation of glutamine to maintain mitochondrial function and cellular biosynthesis in MYC overexpressing cells. Furthermore, we observed that pharmaceutical inhibition of NAMPT selectively affects MYC upregulated cells. We demonstrate the effectiveness of combining GLS1 and NAMPT inhibitors, suggesting that targeting glutaminolysis and NAD synthesis may be a promising strategy to target MYC-driven MM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lama Hasan Bou Issa
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Léa Fléchon
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - William Laine
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Aicha Ouelkdite
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Silvia Gaggero
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Adeline Cozzani
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Remi Tilmont
- Department of Hematology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Paul Chauvet
- Department of Hematology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Nicolas Gower
- Department of Hematology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | | | - Carine Brinster
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Xavier Thuru
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Yasmine Touil
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Bruno Quesnel
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
- Department of Hematology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Suman Mitra
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Irene M. Ghobrial
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jérôme Kluza
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Salomon Manier
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
- Department of Hematology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kim JH, Lee J, Im SS, Kim B, Kim EY, Min HJ, Heo J, Chang EJ, Choi KC, Shin DM, Son J. Glutamine-mediated epigenetic regulation of cFLIP underlies resistance to TRAIL in pancreatic cancer. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:1013-1026. [PMID: 38684915 PMCID: PMC11058808 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-024-01231-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising anticancer agent because it kills cancer cells while sparing normal cells. However, many cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), exhibit intrinsic or acquired resistance to TRAIL, and the molecular mechanisms underlying TRAIL resistance in cancers, particularly in PDAC, remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that glutamine (Gln) endows PDAC cells with resistance to TRAIL through KDM4C-mediated epigenetic regulation of cFLIP. Inhibition of glutaminolysis significantly reduced the cFLIP level, leading to TRAIL-mediated formation of death-inducing signaling complexes. Overexpression of cFLIP dramatically rescued PDAC cells from TRAIL/Gln deprivation-induced apoptosis. Alpha-Ketoglutarate (aKG) supplementation significantly reversed the decrease in the cFLIP level induced by glutaminolysis inhibition and rescued PDAC cells from TRAIL/Gln deprivation-induced apoptosis. Knockdown of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 2, which facilitates the conversion of oxaloacetate and glutamate into aspartate and aKG, decreased aKG production and the cFLIP level and activated TRAIL-induced apoptosis. AKG-mediated epigenetic regulation was necessary for maintaining a high level of cFLIP. Glutaminolysis inhibition increased the abundance of H3K9me3 in the cFLIP promoter, indicating that Gln-derived aKG production is important for Jumonji-domain histone demethylase (JHDM)-mediated cFLIP regulation. The JHDM KDM4C regulated cFLIP expression by binding to its promoter, and KDM4C knockdown sensitized PDAC cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. The present findings suggest that Gln-derived aKG production is required for KDM4C-mediated epigenetic regulation of cFLIP, which leads to resistance to TRAIL.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Humans
- CASP8 and FADD-Like Apoptosis Regulating Protein/metabolism
- CASP8 and FADD-Like Apoptosis Regulating Protein/genetics
- TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand/metabolism
- Epigenesis, Genetic
- Glutamine/metabolism
- Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism
- Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/genetics
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Ketoglutaric Acids/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Aspartate Aminotransferase, Cytoplasmic/metabolism
- Aspartate Aminotransferase, Cytoplasmic/genetics
- Animals
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hye Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Jinyoung Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Se Seul Im
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Boyun Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Eun-Young Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Hyo-Jin Min
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Jinbeom Heo
- Department of Cell and Genetic Engineering, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Eun-Ju Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Kyung-Chul Choi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Dong-Myung Shin
- Department of Cell and Genetic Engineering, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Jaekyoung Son
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brain Korea 21 Project, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Prange CJ, Sayed NYB, Feng B, Goepfert C, Trujillo DO, Hu X, Tang L. A redox-responsive prodrug for tumor-targeted glutamine restriction. J Control Release 2024; 368:251-264. [PMID: 38403173 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Modulating the metabolism of cancer cells, immune cells, or both is a promising strategy to potentiate cancer immunotherapy in the nutrient-competitive tumor microenvironment. Glutamine has emerged as an ideal target as cancer cells highly rely on glutamine for replenishing the tricarboxylic acid cycle in the process of aerobic glycolysis. However, non-specific glutamine restriction may induce adverse effects in unconcerned tissues and therefore glutamine inhibitors have achieved limited success in the clinic so far. Here we report the synthesis and evaluation of a redox-responsive prodrug of 6-Diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (redox-DON) for tumor-targeted glutamine inhibition. When applied to treat mice bearing subcutaneous CT26 mouse colon carcinoma, redox-DON exhibited equivalent antitumor efficacy but a greatly improved safety profile, particularly, in spleen and gastrointestinal tract, as compared to the state-of-the-art DON prodrug, JHU083. Furthermore, redox-DON synergized with checkpoint blockade antibodies leading to durable cures in tumor-bearing mice. Our results suggest that redox-DON is a safe and effective therapeutic for tumor-targeted glutamine inhibition showing promise for enhanced metabolic modulatory immunotherapy. The approach of reversible chemical modification may be generalized to other metabolic modulatory drugs that suffer from overt toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Céline Jasmin Prange
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland; Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Nadia Yasmina Ben Sayed
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland; Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Bing Feng
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland; Institute of Materials Science & Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Christine Goepfert
- Histology Core Facility, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland; COMPATH, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, University of Berne, Berne CH-3012, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Ortiz Trujillo
- Mass Spectrometry Platform, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Xile Hu
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland.
| | - Li Tang
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland; Institute of Materials Science & Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Han X, Wang D, Yang L, Wang N, Shen J, Wang J, Zhang L, Chen L, Gao S, Zong WX, Wang Y. Activation of polyamine catabolism promotes glutamine metabolism and creates a targetable vulnerability in lung cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2319429121. [PMID: 38513095 PMCID: PMC10990097 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319429121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyamines are a class of small polycationic alkylamines that play essential roles in both normal and cancer cell growth. Polyamine metabolism is frequently dysregulated and considered a therapeutic target in cancer. However, targeting polyamine metabolism as monotherapy often exhibits limited efficacy, and the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here we report that activation of polyamine catabolism promotes glutamine metabolism, leading to a targetable vulnerability in lung cancer. Genetic and pharmacological activation of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1), the rate-limiting enzyme of polyamine catabolism, enhances the conversion of glutamine to glutamate and subsequent glutathione (GSH) synthesis. This metabolic rewiring ameliorates oxidative stress to support lung cancer cell proliferation and survival. Simultaneous glutamine limitation and SAT1 activation result in ROS accumulation, growth inhibition, and cell death. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of either one of glutamine transport, glutaminase, or GSH biosynthesis in combination with activation of polyamine catabolism synergistically suppresses lung cancer cell growth and xenograft tumor formation. Together, this study unveils a previously unappreciated functional interconnection between polyamine catabolism and glutamine metabolism and establishes cotargeting strategies as potential therapeutics in lung cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinlu Han
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Deyu Wang
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Liao Yang
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Bio-med Big Data Center, Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianliang Shen
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ08854
| | - Jinghan Wang
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Li Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai200433, China
| | - Shenglan Gao
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Wei-Xing Zong
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ08854
| | - Yongbo Wang
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
- Minhang Hospital & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Fan Y, Xue H, Li Z, Huo M, Gao H, Guan X. Exploiting the Achilles' heel of cancer: disrupting glutamine metabolism for effective cancer treatment. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1345522. [PMID: 38510646 PMCID: PMC10952006 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1345522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells have adapted to rapid tumor growth and evade immune attack by reprogramming their metabolic pathways. Glutamine is an important nitrogen resource for synthesizing amino acids and nucleotides and an important carbon source in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and lipid biosynthesis pathway. In this review, we summarize the significant role of glutamine metabolism in tumor development and highlight the vulnerabilities of targeting glutamine metabolism for effective therapy. In particular, we review the reported drugs targeting glutaminase and glutamine uptake for efficient cancer treatment. Moreover, we discuss the current clinical test about targeting glutamine metabolism and the prospective direction of drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Fan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, School of Medical Technology, Beihua University, Jilin City, China
- Department of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Han Xue
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, School of Medical Technology, Beihua University, Jilin City, China
- Department of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhimin Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, School of Medical Technology, Beihua University, Jilin City, China
- Department of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Mingge Huo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, School of Medical Technology, Beihua University, Jilin City, China
- Department of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hongxia Gao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, School of Medical Technology, Beihua University, Jilin City, China
| | - Xingang Guan
- Department of Basic Medicine, Medical School, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wu K, El Zowalaty AE, Sayin VI, Papagiannakopoulos T. The pleiotropic functions of reactive oxygen species in cancer. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:384-399. [PMID: 38531982 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-024-00738-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Cellular redox homeostasis is an essential, dynamic process that ensures the balance between reducing and oxidizing reactions within cells and thus has implications across all areas of biology. Changes in levels of reactive oxygen species can disrupt redox homeostasis, leading to oxidative or reductive stress that contributes to the pathogenesis of many malignancies, including cancer. From transformation and tumor initiation to metastatic dissemination, increasing reactive oxygen species in cancer cells can paradoxically promote or suppress the tumorigenic process, depending on the extent of redox stress, its spatiotemporal characteristics and the tumor microenvironment. Here we review how redox regulation influences tumorigenesis, highlighting therapeutic opportunities enabled by redox-related alterations in cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Wu
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Perlmutter NYU Cancer Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ahmed Ezat El Zowalaty
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Volkan I Sayin
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Thales Papagiannakopoulos
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Perlmutter NYU Cancer Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhang Q, Wei T, Jin W, Yan L, Shi L, Zhu S, Bai Y, Zeng Y, Yin Z, Yang J, Zhang W, Wu M, Zhang Y, Peng G, Roessler S, Liu L. Deficiency in SLC25A15, a hypoxia-responsive gene, promotes hepatocellular carcinoma by reprogramming glutamine metabolism. J Hepatol 2024; 80:293-308. [PMID: 38450598 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The role of solute carrier family 25 member 15 (SLC25A15), a critical component of the urea cycle, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression remains poorly understood. This study investigated the impact of SLC25A15 on HCC progression and its mechanisms. METHODS We systematically investigated the function of SLC25A15 in HCC progression using large-scale data mining and cell, animal, and organoid models. Furthermore, we analyzed its involvement in reprogramming glutamine metabolism. RESULTS SLC25A15 expression was significantly decreased in HCC tissues, and patients with low SLC25A15 levels had a poorer prognosis. Hypoxia-exposed HCC cells or tissues had lower SLC25A15 expression. A positive correlation between HNF4A, a transcription factor suppressed by hypoxia, and SLC25A15 was observed in both HCC tissues and cells. Modulating HNF4A levels altered SLC25A15 mRNA levels. SLC25A15 upregulated SLC1A5, increasing glutamine uptake. The reactive metabolic pathway of glutamine was increased in SLC25A15-deficient HCC cells, providing energy for HCC progression through additional lipid synthesis. Ammonia accumulation due to low SLC25A15 levels suppressed the expression of OGDHL (oxoglutarate dehydrogenase L), a switch gene that mediates SLC25A15 deficiency-induced reprogramming of glutamine metabolism. SLC25A15-deficient HCC cells were more susceptible to glutamine deprivation and glutaminase inhibitors. Intervening in glutamine metabolism increased SLC25A15-deficient HCC cells' response to anti-PD-L1 treatment. CONCLUSION SLC25A15 is hypoxia-responsive in HCC, and low SLC25A15 levels result in glutamine reprogramming through SLC1A5 and OGDHL regulation, promoting HCC progression and regulating cell sensitivity to anti-PD-L1. Interrupting the glutamine-derived energy supply is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating SLC25A15-deficient HCC. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS We first demonstrated the tumor suppressor role of solute carrier family 25 member 15 (SLC25A15) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and showed that its deficiency leads to reprogramming of glutamine metabolism to promote HCC development. SLC25A15 can serve as a potential biomarker to guide the development of precision therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting glutamine deprivation. Furthermore, we highlight that the use of an inhibitor of glutamine utilization can enhance the sensitivity of low SLC25A15 HCC to anti-PD-L1 therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiangnu Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020 Shenzhen, China; Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, 510632 Guangzhou, China
| | - Teng Wei
- Cytotherapy Laboratory, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020 Shenzhen, China
| | - Wen Jin
- Department of Neurology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020 Shenzhen, China
| | - Lesen Yan
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020 Shenzhen, China
| | - Lulin Shi
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020 Shenzhen, China
| | - Siqi Zhu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020 Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu Bai
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020 Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuandi Zeng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020 Shenzhen, China
| | - Zexin Yin
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020 Shenzhen, China
| | - Jilin Yang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020 Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenjian Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020 Shenzhen, China
| | - Meilong Wu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020 Shenzhen, China
| | - Yusen Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020 Shenzhen, China
| | - Gongze Peng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020 Shenzhen, China
| | - Stephanie Roessler
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Liping Liu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020 Shenzhen, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Jenkins SV, Shruti Shah, Jamshidi-Parsian A, Mortazavi A, Kristian H, Boysen G, Vang KB, Griffin RJ, Rajaram N, Dings RP. Acquired Radiation Resistance Induces Thiol-dependent Cisplatin Cross-resistance. Radiat Res 2024; 201:174-187. [PMID: 38329819 PMCID: PMC10993299 DOI: 10.1667/rade-23-00005.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Resistance to radiation remains a significant clinical challenge in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). It is therefore important to identify the underlying molecular and cellular features that drive acquired resistance. We generated genetically matched NSCLC cell lines to investigate characteristics of acquired resistance. Murine Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) and human A549 cells acquired an approximate 1.5-2.5-fold increase in radiation resistance as compared to their parental match, which each had unique intrinsic radio-sensitivities. The radiation resistance (RR) was reflected in higher levels of DNA damage and repair marker γH2AX and reduced apoptosis induction after radiation. Morphologically, we found that radiation resistance A549 (A549-RR) cells exhibited a greater nucleus-to-cytosol (N/C) ratio as compared to its parental counterpart. Since the N/C ratio is linked to the differentiation state, we next investigated the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and cellular plasticity. We found that A549 cells had a greater radiation-induced plasticity, as measured by E-cadherin, vimentin and double-positive (DP) modulation, as compared to LLC. Additionally, migration was suppressed in A549-RR cells, as compared to A549 cells. Subsequently, we confirmed in vivo that the LLC-RR and A549-RR cells are also more resistance to radiation than their isogenic-matched counterpart. Moreover, we found that the acquired radiation resistance also induced resistance to cisplatin, but not carboplatin or oxaliplatin. This cross-resistance was attributed to induced elevation of thiol levels. Gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase inhibitor buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) sensitized the resistant cells to cisplatin by decreasing the amount of thiols to levels prior to obtaining acquired radiation resistance. By generating radiation-resistance genetically matched NSCLC we were able to identify and overcome cisplatin cross-resistance. This is an important finding arguing for combinatorial treatment regimens including glutathione pathway disruptors in patients with the potential of improving clinical outcomes in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samir V. Jenkins
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
| | - Shruti Shah
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
| | - Azemat Jamshidi-Parsian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
| | - Amir Mortazavi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
| | - Hailey Kristian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
| | - Gunnar Boysen
- Environment Health Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
| | - Kieng B. Vang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
| | - Robert J. Griffin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
| | - Narasimhan Rajaram
- Department for Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
| | - Ruud P.M. Dings
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Yang J, Shay C, Saba NF, Teng Y. Cancer metabolism and carcinogenesis. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:10. [PMID: 38287402 PMCID: PMC10826200 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00482-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is an emerging hallmark of cancer cells, enabling them to meet increased nutrient and energy demands while withstanding the challenging microenvironment. Cancer cells can switch their metabolic pathways, allowing them to adapt to different microenvironments and therapeutic interventions. This refers to metabolic heterogeneity, in which different cell populations use different metabolic pathways to sustain their survival and proliferation and impact their response to conventional cancer therapies. Thus, targeting cancer metabolic heterogeneity represents an innovative therapeutic avenue with the potential to overcome treatment resistance and improve therapeutic outcomes. This review discusses the metabolic patterns of different cancer cell populations and developmental stages, summarizes the molecular mechanisms involved in the intricate interactions within cancer metabolism, and highlights the clinical potential of targeting metabolic vulnerabilities as a promising therapeutic regimen. We aim to unravel the complex of metabolic characteristics and develop personalized treatment approaches to address distinct metabolic traits, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiang Yang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 201 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Chloe Shay
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 201 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Yong Teng
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 201 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Zhang Z, Ju M, Tang Z, He Z, Hua S. DNAJC8: a prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1289548. [PMID: 38274804 PMCID: PMC10808467 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1289548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer, accounting for ~90% of the total cases. DnaJ heat shock protein family member C8 (DNAJC8), belonging to the heat shock protein 40 (HSP40) family, is known to regulate cancer biology function. However, the role of DNAJC8 on HCC development remains unknown. Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas, GTEx, cBioPortal, and Human Protein Atlas were used to analyze the expression and clinical significance of DNAJC8 in HCC. Two HCC cell lines, MHCC-97H and Huh-7, were utilized to determine the biological function of DNAJC8. Results DNAJC8 expression was upregulated in HCC tissues and correlated with poor clinical prognosis. It was closely related to spliceosome, nucleocytoplasmic transport, and cell cycle and might be involved in the formation of tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. Knockdown of DNAJC8 severely inhibited HCC cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Conclusion Our study demonstrate that DNAJC8 functions as an oncogene in HCC and hence may be used as a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker for HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Shengni Hua
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhuhai People’s Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Fatemi N, Karimpour M, Bahrami H, Zali MR, Chaleshi V, Riccio A, Nazemalhosseini-Mojarad E, Totonchi M. Current trends and future prospects of drug repositioning in gastrointestinal oncology. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1329244. [PMID: 38239190 PMCID: PMC10794567 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1329244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers comprise a significant number of cancer cases worldwide and contribute to a high percentage of cancer-related deaths. To improve survival rates of GI cancer patients, it is important to find and implement more effective therapeutic strategies with better prognoses and fewer side effects. The development of new drugs can be a lengthy and expensive process, often involving clinical trials that may fail in the early stages. One strategy to address these challenges is drug repurposing (DR). Drug repurposing is a developmental strategy that involves using existing drugs approved for other diseases and leveraging their safety and pharmacological data to explore their potential use in treating different diseases. In this paper, we outline the existing therapeutic strategies and challenges associated with GI cancers and explore DR as a promising alternative approach. We have presented an extensive review of different DR methodologies, research efforts and examples of repurposed drugs within various GI cancer types, such as colorectal, pancreatic and liver cancers. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of employing the DR approach in GI cancers to inform future research endeavors and clinical trials in this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nayeralsadat Fatemi
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Karimpour
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hoda Bahrami
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Chaleshi
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Andrea Riccio
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics (IGB) “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Ehsan Nazemalhosseini-Mojarad
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Totonchi
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Wang Q, Liu J, Chen Z, Zheng J, Wang Y, Dong J. Targeting metabolic reprogramming in hepatocellular carcinoma to overcome therapeutic resistance: A comprehensive review. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 170:116021. [PMID: 38128187 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a heavy burden on human health with high morbidity and mortality rates. Systematic therapy is crucial for advanced and mid-term HCC, but faces a significant challenge from therapeutic resistance, weakening drug effectiveness. Metabolic reprogramming has gained attention as a key contributor to therapeutic resistance. Cells change their metabolism to meet energy demands, adapt to growth needs, or resist environmental pressures. Understanding key enzyme expression patterns and metabolic pathway interactions is vital to comprehend HCC occurrence, development, and treatment resistance. Exploring metabolic enzyme reprogramming and pathways is essential to identify breakthrough points for HCC treatment. Targeting metabolic enzymes with inhibitors is key to addressing these points. Inhibitors, combined with systemic therapeutic drugs, can alleviate resistance, prolong overall survival for advanced HCC, and offer mid-term HCC patients a chance for radical resection. Advances in metabolic research methods, from genomics to metabolomics and cells to organoids, help build the HCC metabolic reprogramming network. Recent progress in biomaterials and nanotechnology impacts drug targeting and effectiveness, providing new solutions for systemic therapeutic drug resistance. This review focuses on metabolic enzyme changes, pathway interactions, enzyme inhibitors, research methods, and drug delivery targeting metabolic reprogramming, offering valuable references for metabolic approaches to HCC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Juan Liu
- Research Unit of Precision Hepatobiliary Surgery Paradigm, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, China; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Institute for Organ Transplant and Bionic Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Key Laboratory of Digital Intelligence Hepatology (Ministry of Education/Beijing), School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Ziye Chen
- Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China
| | - Jingjing Zheng
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China
| | - Yunfang Wang
- Research Unit of Precision Hepatobiliary Surgery Paradigm, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, China; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Institute for Organ Transplant and Bionic Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Key Laboratory of Digital Intelligence Hepatology (Ministry of Education/Beijing), School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Jiahong Dong
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China; Research Unit of Precision Hepatobiliary Surgery Paradigm, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, China; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Institute for Organ Transplant and Bionic Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Key Laboratory of Digital Intelligence Hepatology (Ministry of Education/Beijing), School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Elmetwalli A, Nageh A, Youssef AI, Youssef M, Ahmed MAER, Noreldin AE, El-Sewedy T. Ammonia scavenger and glutamine synthetase inhibitors cocktail in targeting mTOR/β-catenin and MMP-14 for nitrogen homeostasis and liver cancer. Med Oncol 2023; 41:38. [PMID: 38157146 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02250-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The glutamine synthetase (GS) facilitates cancer cell growth by catalyzing de novo glutamine synthesis. This enzyme removes ammonia waste from the liver following the urea cycle. Since cancer development is associated with dysregulated urea cycles, there has been no investigation of GS's role in ammonia clearance. Here, we demonstrate that, although GS expression is increased in the setting of β-catenin oncogenic activation, it is insufficient to clear the ammonia waste burden due to the dysregulated urea cycle and may thus be unable to prevent cancer formation. In vivo study, a total of 165 male Swiss albino mice allocated in 11 groups were used, and liver cancer was induced by p-DAB. The activity of GS was evaluated along with the relative expression of mTOR, β-catenin, MMP-14, and GS genes in liver samples and HepG2 cells using qRT-PCR. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of the NH3 scavenger phenyl acetate (PA) and/or GS-inhibitor L-methionine sulfoximine (MSO) and the migratory potential of cells was assessed by MTT and wound healing assays, respectively. The Swiss target prediction algorithm was used to screen the mentioned compounds for probable targets. The treatment of the HepG2 cell line with PA plus MSO demonstrated strong cytotoxicity. The post-scratch remaining wound area (%) in the untreated HepG2 cells was 2.0%. In contrast, the remaining wound area (%) in the cells treated with PA, MSO, and PA + MSO for 48 h was 61.1, 55.8, and 78.5%, respectively. The combination of the two drugs had the greatest effect, resulting in the greatest decrease in the GS activity, β-catenin, and mTOR expression. MSO and PA are both capable of suppressing mTOR, a key player in the development of HCC, and MMP-14, a key player in the development of HCC. PA inhibited the MMP-14 enzyme more effectively than MSO, implying that PA might be a better way to target HCC as it inhibited MMP-14 more effectively than MSO. A large number of abnormal hepatocytes (5%) were found to be present in the HCC mice compared to mice in the control group as determined by the histopathological lesions scores. In contrast, PA, MSO, and PA + MSO showed a significant reduction in the hepatic lesions score either when protecting the liver or when treating the liver. The molecular docking study indicated that PA and MSO form a three-dimensional structure with NF-κB and COX-II, blocking their ability to promote cancer and cause gene mutations. PA and MSO could be used to manipulate GS activities to modulate ammonia levels, thus providing a potential treatment for ammonia homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Elmetwalli
- Department of Clinical Trial Research Unit and Drug Discovery, Egyptian Liver Research Institute and Hospital (ELRIAH), Mansoura, Egypt.
- Microbiology Division, Higher Technological Institute of Applied Health Sciences, Egyptian Liver Research Institute and Hospital (ELRIAH), Mansoura, Egypt.
| | - Aly Nageh
- Fertility and Assisted Reproductive Techniques Unit, International Teaching Hospital, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Amany I Youssef
- Department of Applied Medical Chemistry, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Magda Youssef
- Department of Histochemistry and Cell Biology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Abd El-Rahman Ahmed
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Military Medical Academy, Alexandria Armed Forces Hospitals, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ahmed E Noreldin
- Department of Histology and Cytology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, 22511, Egypt
| | - Tarek El-Sewedy
- Department of Applied Medical Chemistry, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Yang F, Hilakivi-Clarke L, Shaha A, Wang Y, Wang X, Deng Y, Lai J, Kang N. Metabolic reprogramming and its clinical implication for liver cancer. Hepatology 2023; 78:1602-1624. [PMID: 36626639 PMCID: PMC10315435 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells often encounter hypoxic and hypo-nutrient conditions, which force them to make adaptive changes to meet their high demands for energy and various biomaterials for biomass synthesis. As a result, enhanced catabolism (breakdown of macromolecules for energy production) and anabolism (macromolecule synthesis from bio-precursors) are induced in cancer. This phenomenon is called "metabolic reprogramming," a cancer hallmark contributing to cancer development, metastasis, and drug resistance. HCC and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are 2 different liver cancers with high intertumoral heterogeneity in terms of etiologies, mutational landscapes, transcriptomes, and histological representations. In agreement, metabolism in HCC or CCA is remarkably heterogeneous, although changes in the glycolytic pathways and an increase in the generation of lactate (the Warburg effect) have been frequently detected in those tumors. For example, HCC tumors with activated β-catenin are addicted to fatty acid catabolism, whereas HCC tumors derived from fatty liver avoid using fatty acids. In this review, we describe common metabolic alterations in HCC and CCA as well as metabolic features unique for their subsets. We discuss metabolism of NAFLD as well, because NAFLD will likely become a leading etiology of liver cancer in the coming years due to the obesity epidemic in the Western world. Furthermore, we outline the clinical implication of liver cancer metabolism and highlight the computation and systems biology approaches, such as genome-wide metabolic models, as a valuable tool allowing us to identify therapeutic targets and develop personalized treatments for liver cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flora Yang
- BA/MD Joint Admission Scholars Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Leena Hilakivi-Clarke
- Food Science and Nutrition Section, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota
| | - Aurpita Shaha
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Section, the Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota
| | - Yuanguo Wang
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Section, the Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota
| | - Xianghu Wang
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Section, the Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota
| | - Yibin Deng
- Department of Urology, Masonic Cancer Center, The University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jinping Lai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center, Sacramento, California
| | - Ningling Kang
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Section, the Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Holt AK, Najumudeen AK, Collard TJ, Li H, Millett LM, Hoskin AJ, Legge DN, Mortensson EMH, Flanagan DJ, Jones N, Kollareddy M, Timms P, Hitchings MD, Cronin J, Sansom OJ, Williams AC, Vincent EE. Aspirin reprogrammes colorectal cancer cell metabolism and sensitises to glutaminase inhibition. Cancer Metab 2023; 11:18. [PMID: 37858256 PMCID: PMC10588174 DOI: 10.1186/s40170-023-00318-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To support proliferation and survival within a challenging microenvironment, cancer cells must reprogramme their metabolism. As such, targeting cancer cell metabolism is a promising therapeutic avenue. However, identifying tractable nodes of metabolic vulnerability in cancer cells is challenging due to their metabolic plasticity. Identification of effective treatment combinations to counter this is an active area of research. Aspirin has a well-established role in cancer prevention, particularly in colorectal cancer (CRC), although the mechanisms are not fully understood. METHODS We generated a model to investigate the impact of long-term (52 weeks) aspirin exposure on CRC cells, which has allowed us comprehensively characterise the metabolic impact of long-term aspirin exposure (2-4mM for 52 weeks) using proteomics, Seahorse Extracellular Flux Analysis and Stable Isotope Labelling (SIL). Using this information, we were able to identify nodes of metabolic vulnerability for further targeting, investigating the impact of combining aspirin with metabolic inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS We show that aspirin regulates several enzymes and transporters of central carbon metabolism and results in a reduction in glutaminolysis and a concomitant increase in glucose metabolism, demonstrating reprogramming of nutrient utilisation. We show that aspirin causes likely compensatory changes that render the cells sensitive to the glutaminase 1 (GLS1) inhibitor-CB-839. Of note given the clinical interest, treatment with CB-839 alone had little effect on CRC cell growth or survival. However, in combination with aspirin, CB-839 inhibited CRC cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in vitro and, importantly, reduced crypt proliferation in Apcfl/fl mice in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Together, these results show that aspirin leads to significant metabolic reprogramming in colorectal cancer cells and raises the possibility that aspirin could significantly increase the efficacy of metabolic cancer therapies in CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy K Holt
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TW, UK
| | - Arafath K Najumudeen
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tracey J Collard
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TW, UK
| | - Hao Li
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Ashley J Hoskin
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TW, UK
| | - Danny N Legge
- School of Translational Health Sciences, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS1 3NY, UK
| | - Eleanor M H Mortensson
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TW, UK
| | | | - Nicholas Jones
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Madhu Kollareddy
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TW, UK
| | - Penny Timms
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TW, UK
| | - Matthew D Hitchings
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - James Cronin
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Owen J Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Ann C Williams
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TW, UK
| | - Emma E Vincent
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Oakfield House, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Galvan C, Flores A, Cerrillos V, Avila I, Murphy C, Zheng W, To TT, Christofk HR, Lowry WE. Defining metabolic flexibility in hair follicle stem cell induced squamous cell carcinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.16.562128. [PMID: 37905122 PMCID: PMC10614763 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.16.562128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Among the numerous changes associated with the transformation to cancer, cellular metabolism is one of the first discovered and most prominent[1, 2]. However, despite the knowledge that nearly every cancer is associated with the strong upregulation of various metabolic pathways, there has yet to be much clinical progress on the treatment of cancer by targeting a single metabolic enzyme directly[3-6]. We previously showed that inhibition of glycolysis through lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA) deletion in cancer cells of origin had no effect on the initiation or progression of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma[7], suggesting that these cancers are metabolically flexible enough to produce the necessary metabolites required for sustained growth in the absence of glycolysis. Here we focused on glutaminolysis, another metabolic pathway frequently implicated as important for tumorigenesis in correlative studies. We genetically blocked glutaminolysis through glutaminase (GLS) deletion in cancer cells of origin, and found that this had little effect on tumorigenesis, similar to what we previously showed for blocking glycolysis. Tumors with genetic deletion of glutaminolysis instead upregulated lactate consumption and utilization for the TCA cycle, providing further evidence of metabolic flexibility. We also found that the metabolic flexibility observed upon inhibition of glycolysis or glutaminolysis is due to post-transcriptional changes in the levels of plasma membrane lactate and glutamine transporters. To define the limits of metabolic flexibility in cancer initiating hair follicle stem cells, we genetically blocked both glycolysis and glutaminolysis simultaneously and found that frank carcinoma was not compatible with abrogation of both of these carbon utilization pathways. These data point towards metabolic flexibility mediated by regulation of nutrient consumption, and suggest that treatment of cancer through metabolic manipulation will require multiple interventions on distinct pathways.
Collapse
|
27
|
Ventura C, Junco M, Santiago Valtierra FX, Gooz M, Zhiwei Y, Townsend DM, Woster PM, Maldonado EN. Synergism of small molecules targeting VDAC with sorafenib, regorafenib or lenvatinib on hepatocarcinoma cell proliferation and survival. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 957:176034. [PMID: 37652292 PMCID: PMC10586475 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Voltage dependent anion channels (VDAC) in the outer mitochondrial membrane regulate the influx of metabolites that sustain mitochondrial metabolism and the efflux of ATP to the cytosol. Free tubulin and NADH close VDAC. The VDAC-binding small molecules X1 and SC18 modulate mitochondrial metabolism. X1 antagonizes the inhibitory effect of tubulin on VDAC. SC18 occupies an NADH-binding pocket in the inner wall of all VDAC isoforms. Here, we hypothesized that X1 and SC18 have a synergistic effect with sorafenib, regorafenib or lenvatinib to arrest proliferation and induce death in hepatocarcinoma cells. We used colony formation assays to determine cell proliferation, and a combination of calcein/propidium iodide, and trypan blue exclusion to assess cell death in the well differentiated Huh7 and the poorly differentiated SNU-449 cells. Synergism was assessed using the Chou-Talalay method. The inhibitory effect of X1, SC18, sorafenib, regorafenib and lenvatinib was concentration and time dependent. IC50s calculated from the inhibition of clonogenic capacity were lower than those determined from cell survival. At IC50s that inhibited cell proliferation, SC18 arrested cells in G0/G1. SC18 at 0.25-2 IC50s had a synergistic effect with sorafenib on clonogenic inhibition in Huh7 and SNU-449 cells, and with regorafenib or lenvatinib in SNU-449 cells. X1 or SC18 also had synergistic effects with sorafenib on promoting cell death at 0.5-2 IC50s for SC18 in Huh7 and SNU-449 cells. These results suggest that small molecules targeting VDAC represent a potential new class of drugs to treat liver cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Ventura
- Department of Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Institute for Immunological and Physiopathological Studies (IIFP), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Argentina
| | - M Junco
- Department of Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - F X Santiago Valtierra
- Department of Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - M Gooz
- Department of Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Y Zhiwei
- Department of Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - D M Townsend
- Department of Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - P M Woster
- Department of Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - E N Maldonado
- Department of Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Du D, Qin M, Shi L, Liu C, Jiang J, Liao Z, Wang H, Zhang Z, Sun L, Fan H, Liu Z, Yu H, Li H, Peng J, Yuan S, Yang M, Xiong J. RNA binding motif protein 45-mediated phosphorylation enhances protein stability of ASCT2 to promote hepatocellular carcinoma progression. Oncogene 2023; 42:3127-3141. [PMID: 37658192 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02795-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Targeting metabolic remodeling represents a potentially promising strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. In-depth understanding on the regulation of the glutamine transporter alanine-serine-cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2) contributes to the development of novel promising therapeutics. As a developmentally regulated RNA binding protein, RBM45 is capable to shuttle between nucleus and cytoplasm, and directly interacts with proteins. By bioinformatics analysis, we screened out that RBM45 was elevated in the HCC patient specimens and positively correlated with poor prognosis. RBM45 promoted cell proliferation, boosted xenograft tumorigenicity and accelerated HCC progression. Using untargeted metabolomics, it was found that RBM45 interfered with glutamine metabolism. Further results demonstrated that RBM45 positively associated with ASCT2 in human and mouse specimens. Moreover, RBM45 enhanced ASCT2 protein stability by counteracting autophagy-independent lysosomal degradation. Significantly, wild-type ASCT2, instead of phospho-defective mutants, rescued siRBM45-suppressed HCC cell proliferation. Using molecular docking approaches, we found AG-221, a mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (mIDH2) inhibitor for acute myeloid leukemia therapy, pharmacologically perturbed RBM45-ASCT2 interaction, decreased ASCT2 stability and suppressed HCC progression. These findings provide evidence that RBM45 plays a crucial role in HCC progression via interacting with and counteracting the degradation of ASCT2. Our findings suggest a novel alternative structural sites for the design of ASCT2 inhibitors and the agents interfering with RBM45-ASCT2 interaction may be a potential direction for HCC drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danyu Du
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Mengyao Qin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Li Shi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Chan Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jingwei Jiang
- Shuangyun BioMed Sci & Tech Co., Ltd., Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Zhengguang Liao
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Hongxv Wang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Zhibo Zhang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Li Sun
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Hui Fan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Zhengrui Liu
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Department of Pathology, Taizhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Dalian Medical University, Taizhou, 225300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongyang Li
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, 210042, China
| | - Jun Peng
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Shengtao Yuan
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Mei Yang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Jing Xiong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Li W, Ling Z, Wang J, Su Z, Lu J, Yang X, Cheng B, Tao X. ASCT2-mediated glutamine uptake promotes Th1 differentiation via ROS-EGR1-PAC1 pathway in oral lichen planus. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 216:115767. [PMID: 37634599 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease of oral mucosa concerning with the redox imbalance. Although glutamine uptake mediated by alanine-serine-cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2) is critical to T cell differentiation, the exact mechanism remains ambiguous. Here, we elucidate a novel regulatory mechanism of ASCT2-mediated uptake in the differentiation and proliferation of T cells through maintaining redox balance in OLP. The results of immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed that both ASCT2 and glutaminase (GLS) were obviously upregulated compared to controls in OLP. Moreover, correlation analyses indicated that ASCT2 expression was significantly related to GLS level. Interestingly, the upregulation of glutamine metabolism in epithelial layer was consistent with that in lamina propria. Functional assays in vitro revealed the positive association between glutamine metabolism and lymphocytes infiltration. Additionally, multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) uncovered a stronger colocalization among ASCT2 and CD4 and IFN-γ, which was further demonstrated by human Th1 differentiation assay in vitro. Mechanistically, targeting glutamine uptake through interference with ASCT2 using L-γ-Glutamyl-p-nitroanilide (GPNA) decreased the glutamine uptake of T cells and leaded to the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), which promoted dual specificity phosphatase 2 (DUSP2/PAC1) expression through activation of early growth response 1 (EGR1) to induce dephosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and inhibit Th1 differentiation in turn. These results demonstrated that glutamine uptake mediated by ASCT2 induced Th1 differentiation by ROS-EGR1-PAC1 pathway, and restoring the redox dynamic balance through targeting ASCT2 may be a potential treatment for T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zihang Ling
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinmei Wang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhangci Su
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingyi Lu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi Yang
- Department of Periodontology, Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Bin Cheng
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xiaoan Tao
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Lobel GP, Jiang Y, Simon MC. Tumor microenvironmental nutrients, cellular responses, and cancer. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:1015-1032. [PMID: 37703882 PMCID: PMC10528750 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, the rapidly expanding field of tumor metabolism has enhanced our knowledge of the impact of nutrient availability on metabolic reprogramming in cancer. Apart from established roles in cancer cells themselves, various nutrients, metabolic enzymes, and stress responses are key to the activities of tumor microenvironmental immune, fibroblastic, endothelial, and other cell types that support malignant transformation. In this article, we review our current understanding of how nutrient availability affects metabolic pathways and responses in both cancer and "stromal" cells, by dissecting major examples and their regulation of cellular activity. Understanding the relationship of nutrient availability to cellular behaviors in the tumor ecosystem will broaden the horizon of exploiting novel therapeutic vulnerabilities in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Graham P Lobel
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yanqing Jiang
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - M Celeste Simon
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Aboushousha R, van der Velden J, Hamilton N, Peng Z, MacPherson M, Erickson C, White S, Wouters EFM, Reynaert NL, Seward DJ, Li J, Janssen-Heininger YMW. Glutaredoxin attenuates glutathione levels via deglutathionylation of Otub1 and subsequent destabilization of system x C. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi5192. [PMID: 37703360 PMCID: PMC10499329 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi5192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Glutathione (GSH) is a critical component of the cellular redox system that combats oxidative stress. The glutamate-cystine antiporter, system xC-, is a key player in GSH synthesis that allows for the uptake of cystine, the rate-limiting building block of GSH. It is unclear whether GSH or GSH-dependent protein oxidation [protein S-glutathionylation (PSSG)] regulates the activity of system xC-. We demonstrate that an environment of enhanced PSSG promotes GSH increases via a system xC--dependent mechanism. Absence of the deglutathionylase, glutaredoxin (GLRX), augmented SLC7A11 protein and led to significant increases of GSH content. S-glutathionylation of C23 or C204 of the deubiquitinase OTUB1 promoted interaction with the E2-conjugating enzyme UBCH5A, leading to diminished ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of SLC7A11 and augmentation of GSH, effects that were reversed by GLRX. These findings demonstrate an intricate link between GLRX and GSH via S-glutathionylation of OTUB1 and system xC- and illuminate a previously unknown feed-forward regulatory mechanism whereby enhanced GSH protein oxidation augments cellular GSH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reem Aboushousha
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Jos van der Velden
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Nicholas Hamilton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Zhihua Peng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Maximilian MacPherson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Cuixia Erickson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Sheryl White
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Emiel F. M. Wouters
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, NUTRIM School of nutrition and translational research in metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Niki L. Reynaert
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, NUTRIM School of nutrition and translational research in metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - David J. Seward
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Jianing Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Zhang D, Wang M, Huang X, Wang L, Liu Y, Zhou S, Tang Y, Wang Q, Li Z, Wang G. GLS as a diagnostic biomarker in breast cancer: in-silico, in-situ, and in-vitro insights. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1220038. [PMID: 37664031 PMCID: PMC10471892 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1220038] [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: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, a novel programmed cell death mechanism, Cuproptosis, has been discovered and found to play an important role in the development and progression of diverse tumors. In the present study, we comprehensively investigated the core gene of this mechanism, GLS, in breast cancer. Materials and methods Bulk RNA sequencing data were curated from the TCGA repository to investigate the aberrant expression of GLS over diverse cancer types. Then, we examined its efficacy as a diagnostic biomarker in breast cancer by Area Under Curve (AUC) of the Receiver Operative Characteristic (ROC) curve. Furthermore, by applying siRNA technique, we knocked down the GLS expression level in cancerous cell lines, measuring the corresponding effects on cell proliferation and metastasis. Afterward, we explored the potential implications of GLS expression in the tumor immune microenvironment quantitatively by using several R packages and algorithms, including ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, etc. Results Pan-cancer analysis suggested that GLS was aberrantly over-expressed in many cancer types, with breast cancer being typical. More in-depth analyses revealed the expression of GLS exerted a high ROC-AUC value in breast cancer diagnosis. Through the knock-down of GLS expression, it was found that GLS expression was strongly relevant to the growth and metastasis of tumor. Furthermore, it was also found to be correlated with the immune tumor microenvironment. Conclusion We highlighted that GLS expression might be applicable as a diagnostic biomarker in breast cancer and possess significant implications in the growth and metastasis of tumor and the immune tumor microenvironment, sharing new insights into ontological and personalized medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danfeng Zhang
- Departments of Breast Thyroid Vascular Surgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Man Wang
- Departments of Outpatient Department, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Xufeng Huang
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Longbin Wang
- Faculty of Life Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Sixth Medical Center, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shujing Zhou
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Yidan Tang
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Qi Wang
- Faculty of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Zhengrui Li
- Faculty of Dentistry, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Geng Wang
- Departments of Breast Thyroid Vascular Surgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Hwang Y, Yun HJ, Jeong JW, Kim M, Joo S, Lee HK, Chang HS, Kim SM, Fang S. Co-inhibition of glutaminolysis and one-carbon metabolism promotes ROS accumulation leading to enhancement of chemotherapeutic efficacy in anaplastic thyroid cancer. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:515. [PMID: 37573361 PMCID: PMC10423221 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06041-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most aggressive tumors with an extremely poor prognosis. Based on the several biological features related to glutamine metabolism in ATC, we hypothesized glutaminolysis inhibition induces cell death in ATC cells. However, glutamine metabolism inhibition triggered cell growth arrest independent of cell death in ATC, suggesting that other signaling pathways avoid glutamine metabolism inhibition-induced stress exist. To investigate the functional mechanism against glutamine metabolism inhibition, we conducted mRNA and ATAC-Sequencing data analysis and found that glutamine deprivation increased ATF4-mediated one-carbon metabolism. When we inhibited PHGDH, the first rate-limiting enzyme for one-carbon metabolism, cell growth arrest was promoted upon glutamine metabolism inhibition by accumulating intracellular ROS. We next observed that the co-inhibition of glutamine and one-carbon metabolism could augment the anticancer effects of drugs used in patients with ATC. Finally, single-cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed that one-carbon metabolism was strengthened through the evolutionary process from PTC to ATC. Collectively, our data demonstrate that one-carbon metabolism has a potential role of modulation of cell fate in metabolic stress and can be a therapeutic target for enhancing antitumor effects in ATC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeseong Hwang
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeok Jun Yun
- Department of Surgery, Thyroid Cancer Center, Institute of Refractory Thyroid Cancer, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Woong Jeong
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Minki Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seyeon Joo
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hae-Kyung Lee
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hang-Seok Chang
- Department of Surgery, Thyroid Cancer Center, Institute of Refractory Thyroid Cancer, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seok-Mo Kim
- Department of Surgery, Thyroid Cancer Center, Institute of Refractory Thyroid Cancer, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Sungsoon Fang
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Severance Institute for Vascular and Metabolic Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ye Y, Yu B, Wang H, Yi F. Glutamine metabolic reprogramming in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1242059. [PMID: 37635935 PMCID: PMC10452011 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1242059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal disease with limited management strategies and poor prognosis. Metabolism alternations have been frequently unveiled in HCC, including glutamine metabolic reprogramming. The components of glutamine metabolism, such as glutamine synthetase, glutamate dehydrogenase, glutaminase, metabolites, and metabolite transporters, are validated to be potential biomarkers of HCC. Increased glutamine consumption is confirmed in HCC, which fuels proliferation by elevated glutamate dehydrogenase or upstream signals. Glutamine metabolism also serves as a nitrogen source for amino acid or nucleotide anabolism. In addition, more glutamine converts to glutathione as an antioxidant in HCC to protect HCC cells from oxidative stress. Moreover, glutamine metabolic reprogramming activates the mTORC signaling pathway to support tumor cell proliferation. Glutamine metabolism targeting therapy includes glutamine deprivation, related enzyme inhibitors, and transporters inhibitors. Together, glutamine metabolic reprogramming plays a pivotal role in HCC identification, proliferation, and progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Ye
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bodong Yu
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Nanchang University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, China
| | - Fengming Yi
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, China
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Bao X, Sun J, Yi M, Qiu J, Chen X, Shuai SC, Zhao Q. MPFFPSDC: A multi-pooling feature fusion model for predicting synergistic drug combinations. Methods 2023:S1046-2023(23)00098-1. [PMID: 37321525 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2023.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug combination therapies are common practice in the treatment of cancer, but not all combinations result in synergy. As traditional screening approaches are restricted in their ability to uncover synergistic drug combinations, computer-aided medicine is becoming a increasingly prevalent in this field. In this work, a predictive model of potential interactions between drugs named MPFFPSDC is presented, which can maintain the symmetry of drug inputs and eliminate inconsistencies in predictive results caused by different drug inputting sequences or positions. The experimental results show that MPFFPSDC outperforms comparative models in major performance indicators and exhibits better generalization for independent data. Furthermore, the case study demonstrates that our model can capture molecular substructures that contribute to the synergistic effect of two drugs. These results indicate that MPFFPSDC not only offers strong predictive performance, but also has good model interpretability that may provide new insights for the study of drug interaction mechanisms and the development of new drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Bao
- School of Automation and Electrical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, China
| | - Jianqiang Sun
- School of Automation and Electrical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, China.
| | - Ming Yi
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Jianlong Qiu
- School of Automation and Electrical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, China
| | - Xiangyong Chen
- School of Automation and Electrical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, China
| | - Stella C Shuai
- Biological Science, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Qi Zhao
- School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, University of Science and Technology Liaoning, Anshan 114051, China.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Yoon B, Kim H, Oh T, Oh S, Jo S, Kim M, Chun KH, Hwang N, Lee S, Jin S, Atkins A, Yu R, Downes M, Kim JW, Kim H, Evans R, Cheong JH, Fang S. PHGDH preserves one-carbon cycle to confer metabolic plasticity in chemoresistant gastric cancer during nutrient stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2217826120. [PMID: 37192160 PMCID: PMC10214193 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2217826120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular classification of gastric cancer (GC) identified a subgroup of patients showing chemoresistance and poor prognosis, termed SEM (Stem-like/Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition/Mesenchymal) type in this study. Here, we show that SEM-type GC exhibits a distinct metabolic profile characterized by high glutaminase (GLS) levels. Unexpectedly, SEM-type GC cells are resistant to glutaminolysis inhibition. We show that under glutamine starvation, SEM-type GC cells up-regulate the 3 phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH)-mediated mitochondrial folate cycle pathway to produce NADPH as a reactive oxygen species scavenger for survival. This metabolic plasticity is associated with globally open chromatin structure in SEM-type GC cells, with ATF4/CEBPB identified as transcriptional drivers of the PHGDH-driven salvage pathway. Single-nucleus transcriptome analysis of patient-derived SEM-type GC organoids revealed intratumoral heterogeneity, with stemness-high subpopulations displaying high GLS expression, a resistance to GLS inhibition, and ATF4/CEBPB activation. Notably, coinhibition of GLS and PHGDH successfully eliminated stemness-high cancer cells. Together, these results provide insight into the metabolic plasticity of aggressive GC cells and suggest a treatment strategy for chemoresistant GC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Kyung Yoon
- Graduate school of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
| | - Hyeonhui Kim
- Graduate school of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
| | - Tae Gyu Oh
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Sciences, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Se Kyu Oh
- Kynogen corporation, Suwon16229, Korea
| | - Sugyeong Jo
- Graduate school of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
| | - Minki Kim
- Graduate school of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
| | - Kyu-Hye Chun
- Graduate school of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
| | - Nahee Hwang
- Graduate school of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
| | - Suji Lee
- Graduate school of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
| | - Suyon Jin
- Graduate school of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
| | - Annette R. Atkins
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Sciences, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Ruth T. Yu
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Sciences, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Michael Downes
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Sciences, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Jae-woo Kim
- Graduate school of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
| | - Hyunkyung Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul02841, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, BK21 Graduate Program, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul02841, Korea
| | - Ronald M. Evans
- Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Sciences, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Jae-Ho Cheong
- Graduate school of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
- Veraverse Inc., Seoul06162, Korea
| | - Sungsoon Fang
- Graduate school of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul03722, Korea
- Kynogen corporation, Suwon16229, Korea
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul06230, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Wetzel TJ, Erfan SC, Figueroa LD, Wheeler LM, Ananieva EA. Crosstalk between arginine, glutamine, and the branched chain amino acid metabolism in the tumor microenvironment. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1186539. [PMID: 37274280 PMCID: PMC10235471 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1186539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Arginine, glutamine, and the branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) are a focus of increased interest in the field of oncology due to their importance in the metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), these amino acids serve to support the elevated biosynthetic and energy demands of cancer cells, while simultaneously maintaining the growth, homeostasis, and effector function of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. To escape immune destruction, cancer cells utilize a variety of mechanisms to suppress the cytotoxic activity of effector T cells, facilitating T cell exhaustion. One such mechanism is the ability of cancer cells to overexpress metabolic enzymes specializing in the catabolism of arginine, glutamine, and the BCAAs in the TME. The action of such enzymes supplies cancer cells with metabolic intermediates that feed into the TCA cycle, supporting energy generation, or providing precursors for purine, pyrimidine, and polyamine biosynthesis. Armed with substantial metabolic flexibility, cancer cells redirect amino acids from the TME for their own advantage and growth, while leaving the local infiltrating effector T cells deprived of essential nutrients. This review addresses the metabolic pressure that cancer cells exert over immune cells in the TME by up-regulating amino acid metabolism, while discussing opportunities for targeting amino acid metabolism for therapeutic intervention. Special emphasis is given to the crosstalk between arginine, glutamine, and BCAA metabolism in affording cancer cells with metabolic dominance in the TME.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Elitsa A. Ananieva
- Ananieva Laboratory, Biochemistry and Nutrition Department, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Moldovan OL, Sandulea A, Lungu IA, Gâz ȘA, Rusu A. Identification of Some Glutamic Acid Derivatives with Biological Potential by Computational Methods. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28104123. [PMID: 37241864 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28104123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamic acid is a non-essential amino acid involved in multiple metabolic pathways. Of high importance is its relationship with glutamine, an essential fuel for cancer cell development. Compounds that can modify glutamine or glutamic acid behaviour in cancer cells have resulted in attractive anticancer therapeutic alternatives. Based on this idea, we theoretically formulated 123 glutamic acid derivatives using Biovia Draw. Suitable candidates for our research were selected among them. For this, online platforms and programs were used to describe specific properties and their behaviour in the human organism. Nine compounds proved to have suitable or easy to optimise properties. The selected compounds showed cytotoxicity against breast adenocarcinoma, lung cancer cell lines, colon carcinoma, and T cells from acute leukaemia. Compound 2Ba5 exhibited the lowest toxicity, and derivative 4Db6 exhibited the most intense bioactivity. Molecular docking studies were also performed. The binding site of the 4Db6 compound in the glutamine synthetase structure was determined, with the D subunit and cluster 1 being the most promising. In conclusion, glutamic acid is an amino acid that can be manipulated very easily. Therefore, molecules derived from its structure have great potential to become innovative drugs, and further research on these will be conducted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Octavia-Laura Moldovan
- Medicine and Pharmacy Doctoral School, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Alexandra Sandulea
- Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Ioana-Andreea Lungu
- Medicine and Pharmacy Doctoral School, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Șerban Andrei Gâz
- Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Aura Rusu
- Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Blachier J, Cleret A, Guerin N, Gil C, Fanjat JM, Tavernier F, Vidault L, Gallix F, Rama N, Rossignol R, Piedrahita D, Andrivon A, Châlons-Cottavoz M, Aguera K, Gay F, Horand F, Laperrousaz B. L-asparaginase anti-tumor activity in pancreatic cancer is dependent on its glutaminase activity and resistance is mediated by glutamine synthetase. Exp Cell Res 2023; 426:113568. [PMID: 36967104 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
l-Asparaginase is a cornerstone of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy since lymphoblasts lack asparagine synthetase (ASNS) and rely on extracellular asparagine availability for survival. Resistance mechanisms are associated with increased ASNS expression in ALL. However, the association between ASNS and l-Asparaginase efficacy in solid tumors remains unclear, thus limiting clinical development. Interestingly, l-Asparaginase also has a glutaminase co-activity that is crucial in pancreatic cancer where KRAS mutations activate glutamine metabolism. By developing l-Asparaginase-resistant pancreatic cancer cells and using OMICS approaches, we identified glutamine synthetase (GS) as a marker of resistance to l-Asparaginase. GS is the only enzyme able to synthesize glutamine, and its expression also correlates with l-Asparaginase efficacy in 27 human cell lines from 11 cancer indications. Finally, we further demonstrated that GS inhibition prevents cancer cell adaptation to l-Asparaginase-induced glutamine starvation. These findings could pave the way to the development of promising drug combinations to overcome l-Asparaginase resistance.
Collapse
|
40
|
Nadhan R, Kashyap S, Ha JH, Jayaraman M, Song YS, Isidoro C, Dhanasekaran DN. Targeting Oncometabolites in Peritoneal Cancers: Preclinical Insights and Therapeutic Strategies. Metabolites 2023; 13:618. [PMID: 37233659 PMCID: PMC10222714 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13050618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Peritoneal cancers present significant clinical challenges with poor prognosis. Understanding the role of cancer cell metabolism and cancer-promoting metabolites in peritoneal cancers can provide new insights into the mechanisms that drive tumor progression and can identify novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for early detection, prognosis, and treatment response. Cancer cells dynamically reprogram their metabolism to facilitate tumor growth and overcome metabolic stress, with cancer-promoting metabolites such as kynurenines, lactate, and sphingosine-1-phosphate promoting cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. Targeting cancer-promoting metabolites could also lead to the development of effective combinatorial and adjuvant therapies involving metabolic inhibitors for the treatment of peritoneal cancers. With the observed metabolomic heterogeneity in cancer patients, defining peritoneal cancer metabolome and cancer-promoting metabolites holds great promise for improving outcomes for patients with peritoneal tumors and advancing the field of precision cancer medicine. This review provides an overview of the metabolic signatures of peritoneal cancer cells, explores the role of cancer-promoting metabolites as potential therapeutic targets, and discusses the implications for advancing precision cancer medicine in peritoneal cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Revathy Nadhan
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.N.); (S.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.J.)
| | - Srishti Kashyap
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.N.); (S.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.J.)
| | - Ji Hee Ha
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.N.); (S.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.J.)
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Muralidharan Jayaraman
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.N.); (S.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.J.)
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Yong Sang Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Republic of Korea
| | - Ciro Isidoro
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and NanoBioImaging, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy;
| | - Danny N. Dhanasekaran
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.N.); (S.K.); (J.H.H.); (M.J.)
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Fan H, Zhang S, Yuan Y, Chen S, Li W, Wang Z, Xiang Y, Li J, Ma X, Liu Y. Glutamine metabolism-related genes predict prognosis and reshape tumor microenvironment immune characteristics in diffuse gliomas. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1104738. [PMID: 36970537 PMCID: PMC10036600 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1104738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundDiffuse gliomas possess a kind of malignant brain tumor with high mortality. Glutamine represents the most abundant and versatile amino acid in the body. Glutamine not only plays an important role in cell metabolism but also involves in cell survival and malignancies progression. Recent studies indicate that glutamine could also affect the metabolism of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME).Materials and methodsThe transcriptome data and clinicopathological information of patients with glioma were acquired from TCGA, CGGA, and West China Hospital (WCH). The glutamine metabolism-related genes (GMRGs) were retrieved from the Molecular Signature Database. Consensus clustering analysis was used to discover expression patterns of GMRGs, and glutamine metabolism risk scores (GMRSs) were established to model tumor aggressiveness-related GMRG expression signature. ESTIMATE and CIBERSORTx were applied to depict the TME immune landscape. The tumor immunological phenotype analysis and TIDE were utilized for predicting the therapeutic response of immunotherapy.ResultsA total of 106 GMRGs were retrieved. Two distinct clusters were established by consensus clustering analysis, which showed a close association with the IDH mutational status of gliomas. In both IDH-mutant and IDH-wildtype gliomas, cluster 2 had significantly shorter overall survival compared with cluster 1, and the differentially expressed genes between the two clusters enriched in pathways related to malignant transformation as well as immunity. In silico TME analysis of the two IDH subtypes revealed not only significantly different immune cell infiltrations and immune phenotypes between the GMRG expression clusters but also different predicted responses to immunotherapy. After the screening, a total of 10 GMRGs were selected to build the GMRS. Survival analysis demonstrated the independent prognostic role of GMRS. Prognostic nomograms were established to predict 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates in the four cohorts.ConclusionDifferent subtypes of glutamine metabolism could affect the aggressiveness and TME immune features of diffuse glioma, despite their IDH mutational status. The expression signature of GMRGs could not only predict the outcome of patients with glioma but also be combined into an accurate prognostic nomogram.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Fan
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- West China Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shuxin Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yunbo Yuan
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Siliang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wenhao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhihao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yufan Xiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junhong Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chengdu Second People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaohong Ma
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- West China Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaohong Ma
| | - Yanhui Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Yanhui Liu
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Nguyen TTT, Katt WP, Cerione RA. Alone and together: current approaches to targeting glutaminase enzymes as part of anti-cancer therapies. FUTURE DRUG DISCOVERY 2023; 4:FDD79. [PMID: 37009252 PMCID: PMC10051075 DOI: 10.4155/fdd-2022-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is a major hallmark of malignant transformation in cancer, and part of the so-called Warburg effect, in which the upregulation of glutamine catabolism plays a major role. The glutaminase enzymes convert glutamine to glutamate, which initiates this pathway. Inhibition of different forms of glutaminase (KGA, GAC, or LGA) demonstrated potential as an emerging anti-cancer therapeutic strategy. The regulation of these enzymes, and the molecular basis for their inhibition, have been the focus of much recent research. This review will explore the recent progress in understanding the molecular basis for activation and inhibition of different forms of glutaminase, as well as the recent focus on combination therapies of glutaminase inhibitors with other anti-cancer drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thuy-Tien T Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - William P Katt
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Richard A Cerione
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Raninga PV, He Y, Datta KK, Lu X, Maheshwari UR, Venkat P, Mayoh C, Gowda H, Kalimutho M, Hooper JD, Khanna KK. Combined thioredoxin reductase and glutaminase inhibition exerts synergistic anti-tumor activity in MYC-high high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Mol Ther 2023; 31:729-743. [PMID: 36560881 PMCID: PMC10014232 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 50%-55% of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) patients have MYC oncogenic pathway activation. Because MYC is not directly targetable, we have analyzed molecular pathways enriched in MYC-high HGSOC tumors to identify potential therapeutic targets. Here, we report that MYC-high HGSOC tumors show enrichment in genes controlled by NRF2, an antioxidant signaling pathway, along with increased thioredoxin redox activity. Treatment of MYC-high HGSOC tumors cells with US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1) inhibitor auranofin resulted in significant growth suppression and apoptosis in MYC-high HGSOC cells in vitro and also significantly reduced tumor growth in an MYC-high HGSOC patient-derived tumor xenograft. We found that auranofin treatment inhibited glycolysis in MYC-high cells via oxidation-induced GAPDH inhibition. Interestingly, in response to auranofin-induced glycolysis inhibition, MYC-high HGSOC cells switched to glutamine metabolism for survival. Depletion of glutamine with either glutamine starvation or glutaminase (GLS1) inhibitor CB-839 exerted synergistic anti-tumor activity with auranofin in HGSOC cells and OVCAR-8 cell line xenograft. These findings suggest that applying a combined therapy of GLS1 inhibitor and TrxR1 inhibitor could effectively treat MYC-high HGSOC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prahlad V Raninga
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia.
| | - Yaowu He
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Keshava K Datta
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Xue Lu
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Uma R Maheshwari
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Pooja Venkat
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Chelsea Mayoh
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Harsha Gowda
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Murugan Kalimutho
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - John D Hooper
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Kum Kum Khanna
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Metabolism as a New Avenue for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043710. [PMID: 36835122 PMCID: PMC9964410 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is today the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, despite the decreased incidence of chronic hepatitis infections. This is due to the increased diffusion of metabolic diseases such as the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The current protein kinase inhibitor therapies in HCC are very aggressive and not curative. From this perspective, a shift in strategy toward metabolic therapies may represent a promising option. Here, we review current knowledge on metabolic dysregulation in HCC and therapeutic approaches targeting metabolic pathways. We also propose a multi-target metabolic approach as a possible new option in HCC pharmacology.
Collapse
|
45
|
Targeting Glutaminolysis Shows Efficacy in Both Prednisolone-Sensitive and in Metabolically Rewired Prednisolone-Resistant B-Cell Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043378. [PMID: 36834787 PMCID: PMC9965631 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The prognosis for patients with relapsed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (cALL) remains poor. The main reason for treatment failure is drug resistance, most commonly to glucocorticoids (GCs). The molecular differences between prednisolone-sensitive and -resistant lymphoblasts are not well-studied, thereby precluding the development of novel and targeted therapies. Therefore, the aim of this work was to elucidate at least some aspects of the molecular differences between matched pairs of GC-sensitive and -resistant cell lines. To address this, we carried out an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis, which revealed that lack of response to prednisolone may be underpinned by alterations in oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, amino acid, pyruvate and nucleotide biosynthesis, as well as activation of mTORC1 and MYC signalling, which are also known to control cell metabolism. In an attempt to explore the potential therapeutic effect of inhibiting one of the hits from our analysis, we targeted the glutamine-glutamate-α-ketoglutarate axis by three different strategies, all of which impaired mitochondrial respiration and ATP production and induced apoptosis. Thereby, we report that prednisolone resistance may be accompanied by considerable rewiring of transcriptional and biosynthesis programs. Among other druggable targets that were identified in this study, inhibition of glutamine metabolism presents a potential therapeutic approach in GC-sensitive, but more importantly, in GC-resistant cALL cells. Lastly, these findings may be clinically relevant in the context of relapse-in publicly available datasets, we found gene expression patterns suggesting that in vivo drug resistance is characterised by similar metabolic dysregulation to what we found in our in vitro model.
Collapse
|
46
|
The Role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metabolism. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032652. [PMID: 36768977 PMCID: PMC9916527 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the world. Metabolic reprogramming is considered a new hallmark of cancer, but it remains unclearly described in HCC. The dysregulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is common in HCC and is, therefore, a topic of further research and the concern of developing a novel target for liver cancer therapy. In this review, we illustrate mechanisms by which this signaling network is accountable for regulating HCC cellular metabolism, including glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and oxidative metabolism, and summarize the ongoing clinical trials based on the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in HCC.
Collapse
|
47
|
HPV16 E6 and E7 Oncoproteins Stimulate the Glutamine Pathway Maintaining Cell Proliferation in a SNAT1-Dependent Fashion. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020324. [PMID: 36851539 PMCID: PMC9964736 DOI: 10.3390/v15020324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus infection is the main risk factor for cervical cancer establishment, where the viral oncogenes E6 and E7 promote a cancerous phenotype. Metabolic reprogramming in cancer involves alterations in glutamine metabolism, also named glutaminolysis, to provide energy for supporting cancer processes including migration, proliferation, and production of reactive oxygen species, among others. The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of HPV16 E6 and E7 oncoproteins on the regulation of glutaminolysis and its contribution to cell proliferation. We found that the E6 and E7 oncoproteins exacerbate cell proliferation in a glutamine-dependent manner. Both oncoproteins increased the levels of transporter SNAT1, as well as GLS2 and GS enzymes; E6 also increased LAT1 transporter protein levels, while E7 increased ASCT2 and xCT. Some of these alterations are also regulated at a transcriptional level. Consistently, the amount of SNAT1 protein decreased in Ca Ski cells when E6 and E7 expression was knocked down. In addition, we demonstrated that cell proliferation was partially dependent on SNAT1 in the presence of glutamine. Interestingly, SNAT1 expression was higher in cervical cancer compared with normal cervical cells. The high expression of SNAT1 was associated with poor overall survival of cervical cancer patients. Our results indicate that HPV oncoproteins exacerbate glutaminolysis supporting the malignant phenotype.
Collapse
|
48
|
A High-Throughput Sequencing Data-Based Classifier Reveals the Metabolic Heterogeneity of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030592. [PMID: 36765548 PMCID: PMC9913608 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic heterogeneity plays a key role in poor outcomes in malignant tumors, but its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unknown. In the present study, we aim to disentangle the metabolic heterogeneity features of HCC by developing a classification system based on metabolism pathway activities in high-throughput sequencing datasets. As a result, HCC samples were classified into two distinct clusters: cluster 1 showed high levels of glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway activity, while cluster 2 exhibited high fatty acid oxidation and glutaminolysis status. This metabolic reprogramming-based classifier was found to be highly correlated with several clinical variables, including overall survival, prognosis, TNM stage, and 𝛼-fetoprotein (AFP) expression. Of note, activated oncogenic pathways, a higher TP53 mutation rate, and increased stemness were also observed in cluster 1, indicating a causal relationship between metabolic reprogramming and carcinogenesis. Subsequently, distinct metabolism-targeted therapeutic strategies were proven in human HCC cell lines, which exhibit the same metabolic properties as corresponding patient samples based on this classification system. Furthermore, the metabolic patterns and effects of different types of cells in the tumor immune microenvironment were explored by referring to both bulk and single-cell data. It was found that malignant cells had the highest overall metabolic activities, which may impair the anti-tumor capacity of CD8+ T cells through metabolic competition, and this provided a potential explanation for why immunosuppressive cells had higher overall metabolic activities than those with anti-tumor functions. Collectively, this study established an HCC classification system based on the gene expression of energy metabolism pathways. Its prognostic and therapeutic value may provide novel insights into personalized clinical practice in patients with metabolic heterogeneity.
Collapse
|
49
|
4T1 cell membrane-derived biodegradable nanosystem for comprehensive interruption of cancer cell metabolism. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
|
50
|
SLC1A5 enhances malignant phenotypes through modulating ferroptosis status and immune microenvironment in glioma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:1071. [PMID: 36566214 PMCID: PMC9789994 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05526-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Glioma is the most common type of primary malignant tumor in the central nervous system with limited treatment satisfaction. Finding new therapeutic targets has remained a major challenge. Ferroptosis is a novel and distinct type of programmed cell death, playing a regulatory role in the progression of tumors. However, the role of ferroptosis or ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in glioma progression has not been extensively studied. In our study, a novel ferroptosis-related prognostic model, including 7 genes, was established, in which patients classified into the high-risk group had more immuno-suppressive status and worse prognosis. Among these 7 genes, we screened solute carrier family 1 member 5 (SLC1A5), an FRG, as a possible new target for glioma treatment. Our results showed that the expression of SLC1A5 was significantly upregulated in glioblastoma tissues compared with the low-grade gliomas. In addition, SLC1A5 knockdown could significantly inhibit glioma cell proliferation and invasion, and reduce the sensitivity of ferroptosis via the GPX4-dependent pathway. Furthermore, SLC1A5 was found to be related to immune response and SLC1A5 knockdown decreased the infiltration and M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages. Pharmacological inhibition of SLC1A5 by V9302 was confirmed to promote the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy. Overall, we developed a novel prognostic model for glioma based on the seven-FRGs signature, which could apply to glioma prognostic and immune status prediction. Besides, SLC1A5 in the model could regulate the proliferation, invasion, ferroptosis and immune state in glioma, and be applied as a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for glioma.
Collapse
|