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Nath P, Alfarsi LH, El-Ansari R, Masisi BK, Erkan B, Fakroun A, Ellis IO, Rakha EA, Green AR. The amino acid transporter SLC7A11 expression in breast cancer. Cancer Biol Ther 2024; 25:2291855. [PMID: 38073087 PMCID: PMC10761065 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2023.2291855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC), characterized by its diverse molecular profiles and clinical outcomes, presents a significant challenge in the development of effective therapeutic strategies. Metabolic reprogramming, a defining characteristic of cancer, has emerged as a promising target for novel therapies. SLC7A11, an amino acid transporter that facilitates cysteine uptake in exchange for glutamate, plays a crucial role in sustaining the altered metabolism of cancer cells. This study delves into the comprehensive analysis of SLC7A11 at the genomic, transcriptomic, and protein levels in extensive BC datasets to elucidate its potential role in different BC subtypes. SLC7A11 gene copy number and mRNA expression were evaluated using the Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) cohort (n = 1,980) and Breast Cancer Gene Expression Miner (n = 4,712). SLC7A11 protein was assessed using immunohistochemistry in a large BC cohort (n = 1,981). Additionally, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset was used to explore SLC7A11 DNA methylation patterns using MethSurv (n = 782) and association of SLC7A11 mRNA expression with immune infiltrates using TIMER (n = 1,100). High SLC7A11 mRNA and SLC7A11 protein expression were significantly associated with high tumor grade (p ≤ .02), indicating a potential role in cancer progression. Interestingly, SLC7A11 copy number gain was observed in HER2+ tumors (p = .01), suggesting a subtype-specific association. In contrast, SLC7A11 mRNA expression was higher in the basal-like/triple-negative (TN; p < .001) and luminal B tumors (p = .02), highlighting its differential expression across BC subtypes. Notably, high SLC7A11 protein expression was predominantly observed in Estrogen Receptor (ER)-negative and Triple Negative (TN) BC, suggesting a role in these aggressive subtypes. Further analysis revealed that SLC7A11 was positively correlated with other amino acid transporters and enzymes associated with glutamine metabolism, implying a coordinated role in metabolic regulation. Additionally, SLC7A11 gene expression was positively associated with neutrophil and macrophage infiltration, suggesting a potential link between SLC7A11 and tumor immunity. Our findings suggest that SLC7A11 plays a significant role in BC metabolism, demonstrating differential expression across subtypes and associations with poor patient outcomes. Further functional studies are warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which SLC7A11 contributes to BC progression and to explore its potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preyanka Nath
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Academic Unit of Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
| | - Lutfi H. Alfarsi
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Academic Unit of Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
| | - Rokaya El-Ansari
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Academic Unit of Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
| | - Brendah K. Masisi
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Academic Unit of Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
| | - Busra Erkan
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Academic Unit of Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ali Fakroun
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Academic Unit of Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ian O. Ellis
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Academic Unit of Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
- Cellular Pathology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, UK
| | - Emad A. Rakha
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Academic Unit of Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
- Cellular Pathology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, UK
| | - Andrew R. Green
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Academic Unit of Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
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Morotti M, Zois CE, El-Ansari R, Craze ML, Rakha EA, Fan SJ, Valli A, Haider S, Goberdhan DCI, Green AR, Harris AL. Increased expression of glutamine transporter SNAT2/SLC38A2 promotes glutamine dependence and oxidative stress resistance, and is associated with worse prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer. Br J Cancer 2021; 124:494-505. [PMID: 33028955 PMCID: PMC7852531 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-01113-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glutamine (Gln) is an abundant nutrient used by cancer cells. Breast cancers cells and particularly triple-receptor negative breast cancer (TNBC) are reported to be dependent on Gln to produce the energy required for survival and proliferation. Despite intense research on the role of the intracellular Gln pathway, few reports have focussed on Gln transporters in breast cancer and TNBC. METHODS The role and localisation of the Gln transporter SLC38A2/SNAT2 in response to Gln deprivation or pharmacological stresses was examined in a panel of breast cancer cell lines. Subsequently, the effect of SLC38A2 knockdown in Gln-sensitive cell lines was analysed. The prognostic value of SLC38A2 in a cohort of breast cancer was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS SLC38A2 was identified as a strongly expressed amino acid transporter in six breast cancer cell lines. We confirmed an autophagic route of degradation for SLC38A2. SLC38A2 knockdown decreased Gln consumption, inhibited cell growth, induced autophagy and led to ROS production in a subgroup of Gln-sensitive cell lines. High expression of SLC38A2 protein was associated with poor breast cancer specific survival in a large cohort of patients (p = 0.004), particularly in TNBC (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS These results position SLC38A2 as a selective target for inhibiting growth of Gln-dependent breast cancer cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Morotti
- Hypoxia and Angiogenesis Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK.
| | - Christos E Zois
- Hypoxia and Angiogenesis Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Rokaya El-Ansari
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Madeleine L Craze
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Emad A Rakha
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Shih-Jung Fan
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Le Gros Clark Building, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Alessandro Valli
- Hypoxia and Angiogenesis Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Syed Haider
- Hypoxia and Angiogenesis Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, Division of Breast Cancer Research, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Deborah C I Goberdhan
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Le Gros Clark Building, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Andrew R Green
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Adrian L Harris
- Hypoxia and Angiogenesis Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK.
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3
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El-Ansari R, Craze ML, Alfarsi L, Soria D, Diez-Rodriguez M, Nolan CC, Ellis IO, Rakha EA, Green AR. The combined expression of solute carriers is associated with a poor prognosis in highly proliferative ER+ breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2019; 175:27-38. [PMID: 30671766 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-018-05111-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease characterised by variant biology, metabolic activity, and patient outcome. Glutamine availability for growth and progression of BC is important in several BC subtypes. This study aimed to evaluate the biological and prognostic role of the combined expression of key glutamine transporters, SLC1A5, SLC7A5, and SLC3A2 in BC with emphasis on the intrinsic molecular subtypes. METHODS SLC1A5, SLC7A5, and SLC3A2 were assessed at the protein level, using immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays constructed from a large well-characterised BC cohort (n = 2248). Patients were stratified into accredited clusters based on protein expression and correlated with clinicopathological parameters, molecular subtypes, and patient outcome. RESULTS Clustering analysis of SLC1A5, SLC7A5, and SLC3A2 identified three clusters low SLCs (SLC1A5-/SLC7A5-/SLC3A2-), high SLC1A5 (SLC1A5+/SLC7A5-/SLC3A2-), and high SLCs (SLC1A5+/SLC7A5+/SLC3A2+) which had distinct correlations to known prognostic factors and patient outcome (p < 0.001). The key regulator of tumour cell metabolism, c-MYC, was significantly expressed in tumours in the high SLC cluster (p < 0.001). When different BC subtypes were considered, the association with the poor outcome was observed in the ER+ high proliferation/luminal B class only (p = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, SLC clusters were independent risk factor for shorter BC-specific survival (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION The co-operative expression of SLC1A5, SLC7A5, and SLC3A2 appears to play a role in the aggressive subclass of ER+ high proliferation/luminal BC, driven by c-MYC, and therefore have the potential to act as therapeutic targets, particularly in synergism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rokaya El-Ansari
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, Nottingham City Hospital, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Madeleine L Craze
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, Nottingham City Hospital, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Lutfi Alfarsi
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, Nottingham City Hospital, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Daniele Soria
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Westminster, New Cavendish Street, London, WW1 6UW, UK
| | - Maria Diez-Rodriguez
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, Nottingham City Hospital, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Christopher C Nolan
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, Nottingham City Hospital, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Ian O Ellis
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, Nottingham City Hospital, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
- Breast Institute, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Emad A Rakha
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, Nottingham City Hospital, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
- Breast Institute, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Andrew R Green
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, Nottingham City Hospital, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK.
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Craze ML, El-Ansari R, Aleskandarany MA, Cheng KW, Alfarsi L, Masisi B, Diez-Rodriguez M, Nolan CC, Ellis IO, Rakha EA, Green AR. Glutamate dehydrogenase (GLUD1) expression in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2018; 174:79-91. [PMID: 30470977 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-018-5060-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysregulated cellular metabolism is one of the hallmarks of cancer with some tumours utilising the glutamine metabolism pathway for their sustained proliferation and survival. Glutamate dehydrogenase (GLUD1) is a key enzyme in glutaminolysis converting glutamate to α-ketoglutarate for entry into the TCA cycle. Breast cancer (BC) comprises a heterogeneous group of tumours in terms of molecular biology and clinical behaviour, and we have previously shown that altered glutamine metabolism varies substantially among the different molecular subtypes. We hypothesise that the prognostic value of GLUD1 expression will differ between the BC molecular subtypes and may act as a potential therapeutic target for BC tumours. METHODS GLUD1 was assessed at the DNA, mRNA (n = 1980) and protein (n = 1300) levels in large, well-characterised cohorts and correlated with clinicopathological parameters, molecular subtypes, patient outcome, and treatments. RESULTS There was a correlation between GLUD1 mRNA and GLUD1 protein expression which were highly expressed in low grade luminal/ER + BC (p < 0.01). GLUD1 mRNA and protein was associated with good patient outcome but not in any specific molecular subtypes. However, high GLUD1 protein expression was associated with a better outcome in triple negative (TN) patients treated with chemotherapy (p = 0.03). High GLUD1 mRNA was associated with the glutamine transporter, SLC1A5, and leucine transporter, SLC7A8 as well as mTOR (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION We provide comprehensive data indicating GLUD1 plays an important role in luminal/ER + BC. GLUD1 expression predicts a better patient outcome and we show that it has the potential for predicting response to chemotherapy in TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine L Craze
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK.
| | - Rokaya El-Ansari
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Mohammed A Aleskandarany
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Kiu Wai Cheng
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Lutfi Alfarsi
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Brendah Masisi
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Maria Diez-Rodriguez
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Christopher C Nolan
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Ian O Ellis
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK.,Cellular Pathology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Emad A Rakha
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK.,Cellular Pathology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Andrew R Green
- Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
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5
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Luan H, Mohapatra B, Bielecki TA, Mushtaq I, Mirza S, Jennings TA, Clubb RJ, An W, Ahmed D, El-Ansari R, Storck MD, Mishra NK, Guda C, Sheinin YM, Meza JL, Raja S, Rakha EA, Band V, Band H. Loss of the Nuclear Pool of Ubiquitin Ligase CHIP/STUB1 in Breast Cancer Unleashes the MZF1-Cathepsin Pro-oncogenic Program. Cancer Res 2018; 78:2524-2535. [PMID: 29510992 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-2140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
CHIP/STUB1 ubiquitin ligase is a negative co-chaperone for HSP90/HSC70, and its expression is reduced or lost in several cancers, including breast cancer. Using an extensive and well-annotated breast cancer tissue collection, we identified the loss of nuclear but not cytoplasmic CHIP to predict more aggressive tumorigenesis and shorter patient survival, with loss of CHIP in two thirds of ErbB2+ and triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) and in one third of ER+ breast cancers. Reduced CHIP expression was seen in breast cancer patient-derived xenograft tumors and in ErbB2+ and TNBC cell lines. Ectopic CHIP expression in ErbB2+ lines suppressed in vitro oncogenic traits and in vivo xenograft tumor growth. An unbiased screen for CHIP-regulated nuclear transcription factors identified many candidates whose DNA-binding activity was up- or downregulated by CHIP. We characterized myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1) as a CHIP target, given its recently identified role as a positive regulator of cathepsin B/L (CTSB/L)-mediated tumor cell invasion downstream of ErbB2. We show that CHIP negatively regulates CTSB/L expression in ErbB2+ and other breast cancer cell lines. CTSB inhibition abrogates invasion and matrix degradation in vitro and halts ErbB2+ breast cancer cell line xenograft growth. We conclude that loss of CHIP remodels the cellular transcriptome to unleash critical pro-oncogenic pathways, such as the matrix-degrading enzymes of the cathepsin family, whose components can provide new therapeutic opportunities in breast and other cancers with loss of CHIP expression.Significance: These findings reveal a novel targetable pathway of breast oncogenesis unleashed by the loss of tumor suppressor ubiquitin ligase CHIP/STUB1. Cancer Res; 78(10); 2524-35. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Luan
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Department of Genetics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Bhopal Mohapatra
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Department of Genetics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Timothy A Bielecki
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Insha Mushtaq
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Sameer Mirza
- Department of Genetics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Tameka A Jennings
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Robert J Clubb
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Wei An
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Department of Genetics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Dena Ahmed
- Department of Pathology, University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, City Hospital Campus, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rokaya El-Ansari
- Department of Pathology, University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, City Hospital Campus, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew D Storck
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Nitish K Mishra
- Department of Genetics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Chittibabu Guda
- Department of Genetics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Yuri M Sheinin
- Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Jane L Meza
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Srikumar Raja
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Emad A Rakha
- Department of Pathology, University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, City Hospital Campus, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Vimla Band
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska. .,Department of Genetics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Hamid Band
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska. .,Department of Genetics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
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6
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Craze ML, Cheung H, Jewa N, Coimbra NDM, Soria D, El-Ansari R, Aleskandarany MA, Wai Cheng K, Diez-Rodriguez M, Nolan CC, Ellis IO, Rakha EA, Green AR. MYC regulation of glutamine-proline regulatory axis is key in luminal B breast cancer. Br J Cancer 2018; 118:258-265. [PMID: 29169183 PMCID: PMC5785743 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2017.387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Altered cellular metabolism is a hallmark of cancer and some are reliant on glutamine for sustained proliferation and survival. We hypothesise that the glutamine-proline regulatory axis has a key role in breast cancer (BC) in the highly proliferative classes. METHODS Glutaminase (GLS), pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (ALDH18A1), and pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1) were assessed at DNA/mRNA/protein levels in large, well-characterised cohorts. RESULTS Gain of PYCR1 copy number and high PYCR1 mRNA was associated with Luminal B tumours. High ALDH18A1 and high GLS protein expression was observed in the oestrogen receptor (ER)+/human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2)- high proliferation class (Luminal B) compared with ER+/HER2- low proliferation class (Luminal A) (P=0.030 and P=0.022 respectively), however this was not observed with mRNA. Cluster analysis of the glutamine-proline regulatory axis genes revealed significant associations with molecular subtypes of BC and patient outcome independent of standard clinicopathological parameters (P=0.012). High protein expression of the glutamine-proline enzymes were all associated with high MYC protein in Luminal B tumours only (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS We provide comprehensive clinical data indicating that the glutamine-proline regulatory axis plays an important role in the aggressive subclass of luminal BC and is therefore a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine L Craze
- Academic Pathology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Hayley Cheung
- Academic Pathology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Natasha Jewa
- Academic Pathology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Nuno D M Coimbra
- Department of Pathology, Instituto Português de Oncologia do Porto FG, Porto 4200-072, Portugal
| | - Daniele Soria
- Department of Computer Science, University of Westminster, New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6UW, UK
| | - Rokaya El-Ansari
- Academic Pathology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Mohammed A Aleskandarany
- Academic Pathology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Kiu Wai Cheng
- Academic Pathology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Maria Diez-Rodriguez
- Academic Pathology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Christopher C Nolan
- Academic Pathology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Ian O Ellis
- Academic Pathology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Emad A Rakha
- Academic Pathology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Andrew R Green
- Academic Pathology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK
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