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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.
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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
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Fermaintt CS, Wacker SA. Malate dehydrogenase as a multi-purpose target for drug discovery. Essays Biochem 2024:EBC20230081. [PMID: 38818725 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20230081] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) enzymes play critical roles in cellular metabolism, facilitating the reversible conversion of malate to oxaloacetate using NAD+/NADH as a cofactor. The two human isoforms of MDH have roles in the citric acid cycle and the malate-aspartate shuttle, and thus both are key enzymes in aerobic respiration as well as regenerating the pool of NAD+ used in glycolysis. This review highlights the potential of MDH as a therapeutic drug target in various diseases, including metabolic and neurological disorders, cancer, and infectious diseases. The most promising molecules for targeting MDH have been examined in the context of human malignancies, where MDH is frequently overexpressed. Recent studies have led to the identification of several antagonists, some of which are broad MDH inhibitors while others have selectivity for either of the two human MDH isoforms. Other promising compounds have been studied in the context of parasitic MDH, as inhibiting the function of the enzyme could selectively kill the parasite. Research is ongoing with these chemical scaffolds to develop more effective small-molecule drug leads that would have great potential for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles S Fermaintt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, U.S.A
| | - Sarah A Wacker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Manhattan College, The Bronx, NY, U.S.A
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Martinez-Vaz BM, Howard AL, Jamburuthugoda VK, Callahan KP. Insights into the regulation of malate dehydrogenase: inhibitors, activators, and allosteric modulation by small molecules. Essays Biochem 2024:EBC20230087. [PMID: 38813781 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20230087] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Cellular metabolism comprises a complex network of biochemical anabolic and catabolic processes that fuel the growth and survival of living organisms. The enzyme malate dehydrogenase (MDH) is most known for its role in oxidizing malate to oxaloacetate (OAA) in the last step of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, but it also participates in the malate-aspartate shuttle in the mitochondria as well as the glyoxylate cycle in plants. These pathways and the specific reactions within them are dynamic and must be carefully calibrated to ensure a balance between nutrient/energy supply and demand. MDH structural and functional complexity requires a variety of regulatory mechanisms, including allosteric regulation, feedback, and competitive inhibition, which are often dependent on whether the enzyme is catalyzing its forward or reverse reaction. Given the role of MDH in central metabolism and its potential as a target for therapeutics in both cancer and infectious diseases, there is a need to better understand its regulation. The involvement of MDH in multiple pathways makes it challenging to identify which effectors are critical to its activity. Many of the in vitro experiments examining MDH regulation were done decades ago, and though allosteric sites have been proposed, none to date have been specifically mapped. This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge surrounding MDH regulation by its substrate, products, and other intermediates of the TCA cycle while highlighting all the gaps in our understanding of its regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betsy M Martinez-Vaz
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry Program, Hamline University, Saint Paul, MN, U.S.A
| | - Alicia L Howard
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of the Incarnate World, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A
| | | | - Kevin P Callahan
- Department of Chemistry, Saint John Fisher University, Rochester, NY, U.S.A
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Fiorillo M, Ricci E, Fava M, Longobucco C, Sotgia F, Rizza P, Lanzino M, Bonofiglio D, Conforti FL, Catalano S, Barone I, Morelli C, Aquila S, Lisanti MP, Sisci D. FoxO3a Drives the Metabolic Reprogramming in Tamoxifen-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells Restoring Tamoxifen Sensitivity. Cells 2023; 12:2777. [PMID: 38132097 PMCID: PMC10742319 DOI: 10.3390/cells12242777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells (TamR-BCCs) are characterized by an enhanced metabolic phenotype compared to tamoxifen-sensitive cells. FoxO3a is an important modulator of cell metabolism, and its deregulation has been involved in the acquisition of tamoxifen resistance. Therefore, tetracycline-inducible FoxO3a was overexpressed in TamR-BCCs (TamR/TetOn-AAA), which, together with their control cell line (TamR/TetOn-V), were subjected to seahorse metabolic assays and proteomic analysis. FoxO3a was able to counteract the increased oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) observed in TamR by reducing their energetic activity and glycolytic rate. FoxO3a caused glucose accumulation, very likely by reducing LDH activity and mitigated TamR biosynthetic needs by reducing G6PDH activity and hindering NADPH production via the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Proteomic analysis revealed a FoxO3a-dependent marked decrease in the expression of LDH as well as of several enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism (e.g., Aldolase A, LDHA and phosphofructokinase) and the analysis of cBioPortal datasets of BC patients evidenced a significant inverse correlation of these proteins and FoxO3a. Interestingly, FoxO3a also increased mitochondrial biogenesis despite reducing mitochondrial functionality by triggering ROS production. Based on these findings, FoxO3a inducing/activating drugs could represent promising tools to be exploited in the management of patients who are refractory to antiestrogen therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Fiorillo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.F.); (E.R.); (M.F.); (C.L.); (P.R.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (F.L.C.); (S.C.); (I.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Elena Ricci
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.F.); (E.R.); (M.F.); (C.L.); (P.R.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (F.L.C.); (S.C.); (I.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Mariarosa Fava
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.F.); (E.R.); (M.F.); (C.L.); (P.R.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (F.L.C.); (S.C.); (I.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Camilla Longobucco
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.F.); (E.R.); (M.F.); (C.L.); (P.R.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (F.L.C.); (S.C.); (I.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Federica Sotgia
- Translational Medicine, School of Environment and Life Sciences, Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), University of Salford, Greater Manchester M5 4WT, UK; (F.S.); (M.P.L.)
| | - Pietro Rizza
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.F.); (E.R.); (M.F.); (C.L.); (P.R.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (F.L.C.); (S.C.); (I.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Marilena Lanzino
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.F.); (E.R.); (M.F.); (C.L.); (P.R.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (F.L.C.); (S.C.); (I.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Daniela Bonofiglio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.F.); (E.R.); (M.F.); (C.L.); (P.R.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (F.L.C.); (S.C.); (I.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Francesca Luisa Conforti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.F.); (E.R.); (M.F.); (C.L.); (P.R.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (F.L.C.); (S.C.); (I.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Stefania Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.F.); (E.R.); (M.F.); (C.L.); (P.R.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (F.L.C.); (S.C.); (I.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Ines Barone
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.F.); (E.R.); (M.F.); (C.L.); (P.R.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (F.L.C.); (S.C.); (I.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Catia Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.F.); (E.R.); (M.F.); (C.L.); (P.R.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (F.L.C.); (S.C.); (I.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Saveria Aquila
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.F.); (E.R.); (M.F.); (C.L.); (P.R.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (F.L.C.); (S.C.); (I.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Michael P. Lisanti
- Translational Medicine, School of Environment and Life Sciences, Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), University of Salford, Greater Manchester M5 4WT, UK; (F.S.); (M.P.L.)
| | - Diego Sisci
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (M.F.); (E.R.); (M.F.); (C.L.); (P.R.); (M.L.); (D.B.); (F.L.C.); (S.C.); (I.B.); (D.S.)
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