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Zhang Y, Yan H, Wei Y, Wei X. Decoding mitochondria's role in immunity and cancer therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189107. [PMID: 38734035 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189107] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The functions of mitochondria, including energy production and biomolecule synthesis, have been known for a long time. Given the rising incidence of cancer, the role of mitochondria in cancer has become increasingly popular. Activated by components released by mitochondria, various pathways interact with each other to induce immune responses to protect organisms from attack. However, mitochondria play dual roles in the progression of cancer. Abnormalities in proteins, which are the elementary structures of mitochondria, are closely linked with oncogenesis. Both the aberrant accumulation of intermediates and mutations in enzymes result in the generation and progression of cancer. Therefore, targeting mitochondria to treat cancer may be a new strategy. Several drugs aimed at inhibiting mutated enzymes and accumulated intermediates have been tested clinically. Here, we discuss the current understanding of mitochondria in cancer and the interactions between mitochondrial functions, immune responses, and oncogenesis. Furthermore, we discuss mitochondria as hopeful targets for cancer therapy, providing insights into the progression of future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041 Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Hong Yan
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041 Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041 Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041 Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
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Belosludtseva NV, Dubinin MV, Belosludtsev KN. Pore-Forming VDAC Proteins of the Outer Mitochondrial Membrane: Regulation and Pathophysiological Role. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:1061-1078. [PMID: 38981701 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924060075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Voltage-dependent anion channels (VDAC1-3) of the outer mitochondrial membrane are a family of pore-forming β-barrel proteins that carry out controlled "filtration" of small molecules and ions between the cytoplasm and mitochondria. Due to the conformational transitions between the closed and open states and interaction with cytoplasmic and mitochondrial proteins, VDACs not only regulate the mitochondrial membrane permeability for major metabolites and ions, but also participate in the control of essential intracellular processes and pathological conditions. This review discusses novel data on the molecular structure, regulatory mechanisms, and pathophysiological role of VDAC proteins, as well as future directions in this area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia V Belosludtseva
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia
- Mari State University, Yoshkar-Ola, Mari El, 424001, Russia
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Psilopatis I, Vrettou K, Troungos C, Theocharis S. The Role of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors in Endometrial Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119190. [PMID: 37298140 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the female genital tract in the United States. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptor proteins which regulate gene expression. In order to investigate the role of PPARs in endometrial cancer, we conducted a literature review using the MEDLINE and LIVIVO databases and were able to identify 27 relevant studies published between 2000 and 2023. The PPARα and PPARβ/δ isoforms seemed to be upregulated, whereas PPARγ levels were reported to be significantly lower in endometrial cancer cells. Interestingly, PPAR agonists were found to represent potent anti-cancer therapeutic alternatives. In conclusion, PPARs seem to play a significant role in endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iason Psilopatis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Kleio Vrettou
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Constantinos Troungos
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld 16, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Allon I, Pettesh J, Livoff A, Schlapobersky M, Nahlieli O, Michaeli E. Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel 1 Expression in Oral Malignant and Premalignant Lesions. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13071225. [PMID: 37046443 PMCID: PMC10093190 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13071225] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The voltage-dependent anion channel 1 protein (VDAC1) plays a role in cellular metabolism and survival. It was found to be down or upregulated (overexpressed) in different malignancies but it was never studied in application to oral lesions. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the expression of VDAC1 in biopsies of oral premalignant, malignant, and malignancy-neutral lesions and to examine the possible correlations to their clinicopathological parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS 103 biopsies including 49 oral squamous cell carcinoma, 33 epithelial dysplasia, and 21 fibrous hyperplasia samples were immunohistochemically stained with anti-VDAC1 antibodies for semi-quantitative evaluation. The antibody detection was performed with 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB). The clinicopathological information was examined for possible correlations with VDAC1. RESULTS VDAC1 expression was lower in oral squamous cell carcinoma 0.63 ± 0.40 and in oral epithelial dysplasia 0.61 ± 0.36 biopsies compared to fibrous hyperplasia biopsies 1.45 ± 0.28 (p < 0.01 for both; Kruskal-Wallis test). CONCLUSION Oral squamous cell carcinoma and epithelial dysplasia tissues demonstrated decreased VDAC1 protein expression if compared to fibrous hyperplasia samples, but were not different from each other, suggesting that the involvement of VDAC1 in oral carcinogenesis is an early stage event, regulating cells to live or die.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irit Allon
- Institute of Pathology, Barzilai University Medical Center, Ashkelon 7830604, Israel
- School of Health Sciences, The Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheba 84105, Israel
| | - Jacob Pettesh
- Oral Medicine Unit, Barzilai University Medical Center, Ashkelon 7830604, Israel
| | - Alejandro Livoff
- Institute of Pathology, Barzilai University Medical Center, Ashkelon 7830604, Israel
| | - Mark Schlapobersky
- Institute of Pathology, Barzilai University Medical Center, Ashkelon 7830604, Israel
| | - Oded Nahlieli
- School of Health Sciences, The Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheba 84105, Israel
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Barzilai University Medical Center, Ashkelon 7830604, Israel
| | - Eli Michaeli
- School of Health Sciences, The Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheba 84105, Israel
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Heslop KA, Milesi V, Maldonado EN. VDAC Modulation of Cancer Metabolism: Advances and Therapeutic Challenges. Front Physiol 2021; 12:742839. [PMID: 34658929 PMCID: PMC8511398 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.742839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Most anionic metabolites including respiratory substrates, glycolytic adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and small cations that enter mitochondria, and mitochondrial ATP moving to the cytosol, cross the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) through voltage dependent anion channels (VDAC). The closed states of VDAC block the passage of anionic metabolites, and increase the flux of small cations, including calcium. Consequently, physiological or pharmacological regulation of VDAC opening, by conditioning the magnitude of both anion and cation fluxes, is a major contributor to mitochondrial metabolism. Tumor cells display a pro-proliferative Warburg phenotype characterized by enhanced aerobic glycolysis in the presence of partial suppression of mitochondrial metabolism. The heterogeneous and flexible metabolic traits of most human tumors render cells able to adapt to the constantly changing energetic and biosynthetic demands by switching between predominantly glycolytic or oxidative phenotypes. Here, we describe the biological consequences of changes in the conformational state of VDAC for cancer metabolism, the mechanisms by which VDAC-openers promote cancer cell death, and the advantages of VDAC opening as a valuable pharmacological target. Particular emphasis is given to the endogenous regulation of VDAC by free tubulin and the effects of VDAC-tubulin antagonists in cancer cells. Because of its function and location, VDAC operates as a switch to turn-off mitochondrial metabolism (closed state) and increase aerobic glycolysis (pro-Warburg), or to turn-on mitochondrial metabolism (open state) and decrease glycolysis (anti-Warburg). A better understanding of the role of VDAC regulation in tumor progression is relevant both for cancer biology and for developing novel cancer chemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kareem A Heslop
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Veronica Milesi
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Instituto de Estudios Inmunológicos y Fisiopatológicos (IIFP), UNLP, CONICET, CIC PBA, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Eduardo N Maldonado
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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