1
|
Fujii J. Redox remodeling of central metabolism as a driving force for cellular protection, proliferation, differentiation, and dysfunction. Free Radic Res 2024:1-24. [PMID: 39316831 DOI: 10.1080/10715762.2024.2407147] [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: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is elevated via metabolic hyperactivation in response to a variety of stimuli such as growth factors and inflammation. Tolerable amounts of ROS moderately inactivate enzymes via oxidative modification, which can be reversed back to the native form in a redox-dependent manner. The excessive production of ROS, however, causes cell dysfunction and death. Redox-reactive enzymes are present in primary metabolic pathways such as glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and these act as floodgates for carbon flux. Oxidation of a specific form of cysteine inhibits glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, which is reversible, and causes an accumulation of upstream intermediary compounds that increases the flux of glucose-6-phosphate to the pentose phosphate pathway. These reactions increase the NADPH and ribose-5-phosphate that are available for reductive reactions and nucleotide synthesis, respectively. On the other hand, oxidative inactivation of mitochondrial aconitase increases citrate, which is then recruited to synthesize fatty acids in the cytoplasm. Decreases in the use of carbohydrate for ATP production can be compensated via amino acid catabolism, and this metabolic change makes nitrogen available for nucleic acid synthesis. Coupling of the urea cycle also converts nitrogen to urea and polyamine, the latter of which supports cell growth. This metabolic remodeling stimulates the proliferation of tumor cells and fibrosis in oxidatively damaged tissues. Oxidative modification of these enzymes is generally reversible in the early stages of oxidizing reactions, which suggests that early treatment with appropriate antioxidants promotes the maintenance of natural metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junichi Fujii
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang Y, Ji X, Wang Y. ENO2 promotes anoikis resistance in anaplastic thyroid cancer by maintaining redox homeostasis. Gland Surg 2024; 13:209-224. [PMID: 38455357 PMCID: PMC10915417 DOI: 10.21037/gs-24-44] [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] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Background Anoikis presents a significant barrier in the metastasis of cancer. As the most aggressive type of thyroid cancer, anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) exhibits a high risk of metastasis and is characterized by high mortality. Therefore, investigating the molecular mechanisms of anoikis resistance in ATC is important for devising therapeutic targets in clinical research. Methods Differentially Expressed Genes were screened in ATC cells under attached and detached culture conditions with RNA-seq. Investigate the impact of enolase 2 (ENO2) on apoptosis and spheroid formation by gain and loss of function. Changes of reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) were detected to assess redox balance. The transcriptional regulatory role of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) on ENO2 was validated through Dual-Luciferase Reporter Gene Assay. Explore the impact of ENO2 expression on the formation of lung metastases in nude mice. Results We found that the glycolysis process was activated in detached ATC cells. Several genes in the glycolysis process, particularly ENO2, a member of the enolase superfamily was upregulated in ATC cells cultured in suspension. The upregulation of ENO2 enabled the maintenance of redox balance by supplying GSH and NADPH, thereby preventing cells from undergoing anoikis. In terms of mechanism, the expression of STAT1 was enhanced in anoikis resistance cells, which in turn positively regulated the expression of ENO2. In vivo, ENO2-suppressed ATC cells resulted in a significantly lower rate of lung colonization compared to control ATC cells. Conclusions Stable expression of ENO2 and the maintenance of redox balance played a pivotal role in facilitating anoikis resistance of ATC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyu Ji
- Department of Oncology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bishayee K, Lee SH, Park YS. The Illustration of Altered Glucose Dependency in Drug-Resistant Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13928. [PMID: 37762231 PMCID: PMC10530558 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813928] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A chemotherapeutic approach is crucial in malignancy management, which is often challenging due to the development of chemoresistance. Over time, chemo-resistant cancer cells rapidly repopulate and metastasize, increasing the recurrence rate in cancer patients. Targeting these destined cancer cells is more troublesome for clinicians, as they share biology and molecular cross-talks with normal cells. However, the recent insights into the metabolic profiles of chemo-resistant cancer cells surprisingly illustrated the activation of distinct pathways compared with chemo-sensitive or primary cancer cells. These distinct metabolic dynamics are vital and contribute to the shift from chemo-sensitivity to chemo-resistance in cancer. This review will discuss the important metabolic alterations in cancer cells that lead to drug resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kausik Bishayee
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea;
| | | | - Yong Soo Park
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu Z, Yang Y. Ginkgolide A Participates in LPS-Induced PMVEC Injury by Regulating miR-224 and Inhibiting p21 in a Targeted Manner. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2022; 2022:6384334. [PMID: 36134118 PMCID: PMC9482518 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6384334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Most studies have focused on the protective effects of ginkgolide A against ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiomyopathy and injury of the brain, liver, and other organs, but there are few reports about the protection of lung tissues. This study was designed to clarify the protection of ginkgolide A against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell (PMVEC) injury. PMVECs were extracted and fell into control, LPS, and ginkgolide A groups. Next, we delved into the growth activity and apoptosis rate of cells via the CCK-8 assay and Hoechst staining, independently. Beyond that, western blotting (WB) was implemented for measurement of the expressions of cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), and CDK inhibitor (p21) that pertained to the cell cycle. The target sites of ginkgolide A were confirmed by miRNA array and real-time quantitative PCR. The relationship between miR-224 and p21 was analyzed using dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Compared with the control group, the LPS group and ginkgolide A group had significantly decreased cell growth activity and relative expressions of cyclin D1 and CDK4 and elevated apoptosis rate and p21 expression. Pronounced elevations were observable in the cell growth activity and expressions of cyclin D1, CDK4, and p21, while the ginkgolide A group presented with a reduced apoptosis rate in comparison with the LPS group (P < 0.05). MiR-224 was the target of ginkgolide A, which had targeted regulatory effects on p21. Ginkgolide A can modulate miR-224 expression and regulate p21 expression in a targeted manner to enhance the resistance of PMVECs to LPS-induced cell apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhonglin Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital University of South China, Hengyang 421000, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Pain Medicine, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital University of South China, Hengyang 421000, Hunan, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
D’Alessio S, Cheng H, Eaton L, Kraev I, Pamenter ME, Lange S. Acute Hypoxia Alters Extracellular Vesicle Signatures and the Brain Citrullinome of Naked Mole-Rats (Heterocephalus glaber). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094683. [PMID: 35563075 PMCID: PMC9100269 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) may be indicative biomarkers of physiological and pathological status and adaptive responses, including to diseases and disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) and related to hypoxia. While these markers have been studied in hypoxia-intolerant mammals, in vivo investigations in hypoxia-tolerant species are lacking. Naked mole-rats (NMR) are among the most hypoxia-tolerant mammals and are thus a good model organism for understanding natural and beneficial adaptations to hypoxia. Thus, we aimed to reveal CNS related roles for PADs in hypoxia tolerance and identify whether circulating EV signatures may reveal a fingerprint for adaptive whole-body hypoxia responses in this species. We found that following in vivo acute hypoxia, NMR: (1) plasma-EVs were remodelled, (2) whole proteome EV cargo contained more protein hits (including citrullinated proteins) and a higher number of associated KEGG pathways relating to the total proteome of plasma-EVs Also, (3) brains had a trend for elevation in PAD1, PAD3 and PAD6 protein expression, while PAD2 and PAD4 were reduced, while (4) the brain citrullinome had a considerable increase in deiminated protein hits with hypoxia (1222 vs. 852 hits in normoxia). Our findings indicate that circulating EV signatures are modified and proteomic content is reduced in hypoxic conditions in naked mole-rats, including the circulating EV citrullinome, while the brain citrullinome is elevated and modulated in response to hypoxia. This was further reflected in elevation of some PADs in the brain tissue following acute hypoxia treatment. These findings indicate a possible selective role for PAD-isozymes in hypoxia response and tolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefania D’Alessio
- Tissue Architecture and Regeneration Research Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6 UW, UK;
| | - Hang Cheng
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (H.C.); (L.E.); (M.E.P.)
| | - Liam Eaton
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (H.C.); (L.E.); (M.E.P.)
| | - Igor Kraev
- Electron Microscopy Suite, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK;
| | - Matthew E. Pamenter
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (H.C.); (L.E.); (M.E.P.)
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Sigrun Lange
- Tissue Architecture and Regeneration Research Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6 UW, UK;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-(0)-20-7911-5000 (ext. 64832)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
A “Weird” Mitochondrial Fatty Acid Oxidation as a Metabolic “Secret” of Cancer. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:2339584. [PMID: 35178152 PMCID: PMC8847026 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2339584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cancer metabolism is an extensively studied field since the discovery of the Warburg effect about 100 years ago and continues to be increasingly intriguing and enigmatic so far. It has become clear that glycolysis is not the only abnormally activated metabolic pathway in the cancer cells, but the same is true for the fatty acid synthesis (FAS) and mevalonate pathway. In the last decade, a lot of data have been accumulated on the pronounced mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (mFAO) in many types of cancer cells. In this article, we discuss how mFAO can escape normal regulation under certain conditions and be overactivated. Such abnormal activation of mitochondrial β-oxidation can also be combined with mutations in certain enzymes of the Krebs cycle that are common in cancer. If overactivated β-oxidation is combined with other common cancer conditions, such as dysfunctions in the electron transport complexes, and/or hypoxia, this may alter the redox state of the mitochondrial matrix. We propose the idea that the altered mitochondrial redox state and/or inhibited Krebs cycle at certain segments may link mitochondrial β-oxidation to the citrate-malate shuttle instead to the Krebs cycle. We call this abnormal metabolic condition “β-oxidation shuttle”. It is unconventional mFAO, a separate metabolic pathway, unexplored so far as a source of energy, as well as a source of cataplerosis, leading to biomass accumulation, accelerated oxygen consumption, and ultimately a source of proliferation. It is inefficient as an energy source and must consume significantly more oxygen per mole of ATP produced when combined with acetyl-CoA consuming pathways, such as the FAS and mevalonate pathway.
Collapse
|
7
|
Sha L, Lv Z, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Sui X, Wang T, Zhang H. Shikonin inhibits the Warburg effect, cell proliferation, invasion and migration by downregulating PFKFB2 expression in lung cancer. Mol Med Rep 2021; 24:560. [PMID: 34109434 PMCID: PMC8201656 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the most lethal diseases and therefore poses a significant threat to human health. The Warburg effect, which is the observation that cancer cells predominately produce energy through glycolysis, even under aerobic conditions, is a hallmark of cancer. 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 2 (PFKFB) is an important regulator of glycolysis. Shikonin is a Traditional Chinese herbal medicine, which has been reported to exert antitumor effects. The present study aimed to investigate the anticancer activity of shikonin in lung cancer. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assays were used to analyze proliferation in A549 and H446 cells. Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to measure migration and invasion in A549 and H446 cells. Cell apoptosis was analyzed using flow cytometry. Lactate levels, glucose uptake and cellular ATP levels were measured using their corresponding commercial kits. Western blotting was performed to analyze the protein expression levels of key enzymes involved in aerobic glucose metabolism. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was used to analyze the mRNA expression levels of PFKFB2. The results of the present study revealed that PFKFB2 expression levels were significantly upregulated in NSCLC tissues. Shikonin treatment decreased the proliferation, migration, invasion, glucose uptake, lactate levels, ATP levels and PFKFB2 expression levels and increased apoptosis in lung cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. The overexpression of PFKFB2 increased the proliferation, migration, glucose uptake, lactate levels and ATP levels in lung cancer cells, while the knockdown of PFKFB2 expression exerted the opposite effects. Moreover, there were no significant differences in lung cancer cell migration, apoptosis, glucose uptake, lactate levels and ATP levels between cells with knocked down PFKFB2 expression or treated with shikonin and the knockdown of PFKFB2 in cells treated with shikonin. In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed that shikonin inhibited the Warburg effect and exerted antitumor activity in lung cancer cells, which was associated with the downregulation of PFKFB2 expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liying Sha
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Zhiqiang Lv
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Yujun Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Department of Business, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Xin Sui
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Teng Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhu X, Jin C, Pan Q, Hu X. Determining the quantitative relationship between glycolysis and GAPDH in cancer cells exhibiting the Warburg effect. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100369. [PMID: 33545174 PMCID: PMC7960551 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have identified GAPDH as a promising target for treating cancer and modulating immunity because its inhibition reduces glycolysis in cells (cancer cells and immune cells) with the Warburg effect, a modified form of cellular metabolism found in cancer cells. However, the quantitative relationship between GAPDH and the aerobic glycolysis remains unknown. Here, using siRNA-mediated knockdown of GAPDH expression and iodoacetate-dependent inhibition of enzyme activity, we examined the quantitative relationship between GAPDH activity and glycolysis rate. We found that glycolytic rates were unaffected by the reduction of GAPDH activity down to 19% ± 4.8% relative to untreated controls. However, further reduction of GAPDH activity below this level caused proportional reductions in the glycolysis rate. GAPDH knockdown or inhibition also simultaneously increased the concentration of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GA3P, the substrate of GAPDH). This increased GA3P concentration countered the effect of GAPDH knockdown or inhibition and stabilized the glycolysis rate by promoting GAPDH activity. Mechanistically, the intracellular GA3P concentration is controlled by the Gibbs free energy of the reactions upstream of GAPDH. The thermodynamic state of the reactions along the glycolysis pathway was only affected when GAPDH activity was reduced below 19% ± 4.8%. Doing so moved the reactions catalyzed by GAPDH + PGK1 (phosphoglycerate kinase 1, the enzyme immediate downstream of GAPDH) away from the near-equilibrium state, revealing an important biochemical basis to interpret the rate control of glycolysis by GAPDH. Collectively, we resolved the numerical relationship between GAPDH and glycolysis in cancer cells with the Warburg effect and interpreted the underlying mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobing Zhu
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory for Cancer Intervention and Prevention, China National Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chengmeng Jin
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory for Cancer Intervention and Prevention, China National Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiangrong Pan
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory for Cancer Intervention and Prevention, China National Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xun Hu
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory for Cancer Intervention and Prevention, China National Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Medical Sciences), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Disruption of the Complex between GAPDH and Hsp70 Sensitizes C6 Glioblastoma Cells to Hypoxic Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041520. [PMID: 33546324 PMCID: PMC7913589 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia, which commonly accompanies tumor growth, depending on its strength may cause the enhancement of tumorigenicity of cancer cells or their death. One of the proteins targeted by hypoxia is glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and we demonstrated here that hypoxia mimicked by treating C6 rat glioblastoma cells with cobalt chloride caused an up-regulation of the enzyme expression, while further elevation of hypoxic stress caused the enzyme aggregation concomitantly with cell death. Reduction or elevation of GAPDH performed with the aid of specific shRNAs resulted in the augmentation of the tumorigenicity of C6 cells or their sensitization to hypoxic stress. Another hypoxia-regulated protein, Hsp70 chaperone, was shown to prevent the aggregation of oxidized GAPDH and to reduce hypoxia-mediated cell death. In order to release the enzyme molecules from the chaperone, we employed its inhibitor, derivative of colchicine. The compound was found to substantially increase aggregation of GAPDH and to sensitize C6 cells to hypoxia both in vitro and in animals bearing tumors with distinct levels of the enzyme expression. In conclusion, blocking the chaperonic activity of Hsp70 and its interaction with GAPDH may become a promising strategy to overcome tumor resistance to multiple environmental stresses and enhance existing therapeutic tools.
Collapse
|
10
|
Ordway B, Tomaszewski M, Byrne S, Abrahams D, Swietach P, Gillies RJ, Damaghi M. Targeting of Evolutionarily Acquired Cancer Cell Phenotype by Exploiting pHi-Metabolic Vulnerabilities. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 13:E64. [PMID: 33379345 PMCID: PMC7795337 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13010064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary dynamics can be used to control cancers when a cure is not clinically considered to be achievable. Understanding Darwinian intratumoral interactions of microenvironmental selection forces can be used to steer tumor progression towards a less invasive trajectory. Here, we approach intratumoral heterogeneity and evolution as a dynamic interaction among subpopulations through the application of small, but selective biological forces such as intracellular pH (pHi) and/or extracellular pH (pHe) vulnerabilities. Increased glycolysis is a prominent phenotype of cancer cells under hypoxia or normoxia (Warburg effect). Glycolysis leads to an important aspect of cancer metabolism: reduced pHe and higher pHi. We recently showed that decreasing pHi and targeting pHi sensitive enzymes can reverse the Warburg effect (WE) phenotype and inhibit tumor progression. Herein, we used diclofenac (DIC) repurposed to control MCT activity, and Koningic acid (KA) that is a GAPDH partial inhibitor, and observed that we can control the subpopulation of cancer cells with WE phenotype within a tumor in favor of a less aggressive phenotype without a WE to control progression and metastasis. In a 3D spheroid co-cultures, we showed that our strategy can control the growth of more aggressive MDA-MB-231 cells, while sparing the less aggressive MCF7 cells. In an animal model, we show that our approach can reduce tumor growth and metastasis. We thus propose that evolutionary dynamics can be used to control tumor cells' clonal or sub-clonal populations in favor of slower growth and less damage to patients. We propose that this can result in cancer control for tumors where cure is not an option.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bryce Ordway
- Department of Cancer Physiology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (B.O.); (M.T.); (S.B.); (D.A.); (R.J.G.)
| | - Michal Tomaszewski
- Department of Cancer Physiology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (B.O.); (M.T.); (S.B.); (D.A.); (R.J.G.)
| | - Samantha Byrne
- Department of Cancer Physiology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (B.O.); (M.T.); (S.B.); (D.A.); (R.J.G.)
| | - Dominique Abrahams
- Department of Cancer Physiology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (B.O.); (M.T.); (S.B.); (D.A.); (R.J.G.)
| | - Pawel Swietach
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK;
| | - Robert J. Gillies
- Department of Cancer Physiology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (B.O.); (M.T.); (S.B.); (D.A.); (R.J.G.)
| | - Mehdi Damaghi
- Department of Cancer Physiology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (B.O.); (M.T.); (S.B.); (D.A.); (R.J.G.)
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Galbiati A, Zana A, Conti P. Covalent inhibitors of GAPDH: From unspecific warheads to selective compounds. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 207:112740. [PMID: 32898762 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Targeting glycolysis is an attractive approach for the treatment of a wide range of pathologies, such as various tumors and parasitic infections. Due to its pivotal role in the glycolysis, Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) represents a rate-limiting enzyme in those cells that mostly, or exclusively rely on this pathway for energy production. In this context, GAPDH inhibition can be a valuable approach for the development of anticancer and antiparasitic drugs. In addition to its glycolytic role, GAPDH possesses several moonlight functions, whose deregulation is involved in some pathological conditions. Covalent modification on different amino acids of GAPDH, in particular on cysteine residues, can lead to a modulation of the enzyme activity. The selectivity towards specific cysteine residues is essential to achieve a specific phenotypic effect. In this work we report an extensive overview of the latest advances on the numerous compounds able to inhibit GAPDH through the covalent binding to cysteine residues, ranging from endogenous metabolites and xenobiotics, which may serve as pharmacological tools to actual drug-like compounds with promising therapeutic perspectives. Furthermore, we focused on the potentialities of the different warheads, shedding light on the possibility to exploit a combination of a finely tuned electrophilic group with a well-designed recognition moiety. These findings can provide useful information for the rational design of novel covalent inhibitors of GAPDH, with the final goal to expand the current treatment options.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Galbiati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milano, Italy.
| | - Aureliano Zana
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Conti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase is a Multifaceted Therapeutic Target. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12050416. [PMID: 32370188 PMCID: PMC7285110 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12050416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a glycolytic enzyme whose role in cell metabolism and homeostasis is well defined, while its function in pathologic processes needs further elucidation. Depending on the cell context, GAPDH may bind a number of physiologically important proteins, control their function and correspondingly affect the cell’s fate. These interprotein interactions and post-translational modifications of GAPDH mediate its cytotoxic or cytoprotective functions in the manner of a Janus-like molecule. In this review, we discuss the functional features of the enzyme in cellular physiology and its possible involvement in human pathologies. In the last part of the article, we describe drugs that can be employed to modulate this enzyme’s function in some pathologic states.
Collapse
|