Estimation of energy pathway fluxes in cancer cells - Beyond the Warburg effect

Glycolytic and respiratory fluxes were analyzed in cancer and non-cancer cells. The steady-state fluxes in energy metabolism were used to estimate the contributions of aerobic glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) pathways to the cellular ATP supply. The rate of lactate production - corrected for the fraction generated by glutaminolysis - is proposed as the appropriate way to estimate glycolytic flux. In general, the glycolytic rates estimated for cancer cells are higher than those found in non-cancer cells, as originally observed by Otto Warburg. The rate of basal or endogenous cellular O₂ consumption corrected for non-ATP synthesizing O₂ consumption, measured after inhibition by oligomycin (a specific, potent and permeable ATP synthase inhibitor), has been proposed as the appropriate way to estimate mitochondrial ATP synthesis-linked O₂ flux or net OxPhos flux in living cells. Detecting non-negligible oligomycin-sensitive O₂ consumption rates in cancer cells has revealed that the mitochondrial function is not impaired, as claimed by the Warburg effect. Furthermore, when calculating the relative contributions to cellular ATP supply, under a variety of environmental conditions and for different types of cancer cells, it was found that OxPhos pathway was the main ATP provider over glycolysis. Hence, OxPhos pathway targeting can be successfully used to block in cancer cells ATP-dependent processes such as migration. These observations may guide the re-design of novel targeted therapies.

17-β Estradiol up-regulates energy metabolic pathways, cellular proliferation and tumor invasiveness in ER+ breast cancer spheroids

Several biological processes related to cancer malignancy are regulated by 17-β estradiol (E2) in ER+-breast cancer. To establish the role of E2 on the atypical cancer energy metabolism, a systematic study analyzing transcription factors, proteins, and fluxes associated with energy metabolism was undertaken in multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) from human ER+ MCF-7 breast cancer cells. At E2 physiological concentrations (10 and 100 nM for 24 h), both ERα and ERβ receptors, and their protein target pS2, increased by 0.6-3.5 times vs. non-treated MCTS, revealing an activated E2/ER axis. E2 also increased by 30-470% the content of several transcription factors associated to mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) (p53, PGC1-α) and glycolytic pathways (HIF1-α, c-MYC). Several OxPhos and glycolytic proteins (36-257%) as well as pathway fluxes (48-156%) significantly increased being OxPhos the principal ATP cellular supplier (>75%). As result of energy metabolism stimulation by E2, cancer cell migration and invasion processes and related proteins (SNAIL, FN, MM-9) contents augmented by 24-189% vs. non-treated MCTS. Celecoxib at 10 nM blocked OxPhos (60%) as well as MCTS growth, cell migration and invasiveness (>40%); whereas the glycolytic inhibitor iodoacetate (0.5 µM) and doxorubicin (70 nM) were innocuous. Our results show for the first time using a more physiological tridimensional cancer model, resembling the initial stages of solid tumors, that anti-mitochondrial therapy may be useful to deter hormone-dependent breast carcinomas.

High expression of both desmoplastic stroma and epithelial to mesenchymal transition markers associate with shorter survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Desmoplastic stroma (DS) and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) play a key role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression. To date, however, the combined expression of DS and EMT markers, and their association with variations in survival within each clinical stage and degree of tumor differentiation is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between expression of DS and EMT markers and survival variability in patients diagnosed with PDAC. We examined the expression levels of DS markers alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin, and vimentin, and the EMT markers epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EPCAM), pan-cytokeratin, and vimentin, by immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray in a retrospective cohort of 25 patients with PDAC. The results were examined for association with survival by clinical stage and by degree of tumor differentiation. High expression of DS markers -α-SMA, fibronectin, and vimentin- was associated with decreased survival at intermediate and advanced clinical stages (p=0.006-0.03), as well as with both poorly and moderately differentiated tumor grades (p=0.01-0.02). Interestingly, the same pattern was observed for EMT markers, i.e., EPCAM, pan-cytokeratin, and vimentin (p=0.00008-0.03). High expression of DS and EMT markers within each clinical stage and degree of tumor differentiation was associated with lower PDAC survival. Evaluation of these markers may have a prognostic impact on survival time variation in patients with PDAC.

Celecoxib and dimethylcelecoxib block oxidative phosphorylation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and invasiveness in breast cancer stem cells

BACKGROUND

Drug resistance and invasiveness developed by breast cancer stem cells (BCSC) are considered the major hurdles for successful cancer treatment. <P> Objective: As these two processes are highly energy-dependent, the identification of the main ATP supplier required for stem cell viability may result advantageous in the design of new therapeutic strategies to deter malignant carcinomas. <P> Methods: The energy metabolism (glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, OxPhos) was systematically analyzed by assessing relevant protein contents, enzyme activities and pathway fluxes in BCSC. Once identified the main ATP supplier, selective energy inhibitors and canonical breast cancer drugs were used to block stem cell viability and their metastatic properties. <P> Results: OxPhos and glycolytic protein contents, as well as HK and LDH activities were several times higher in BCSC than in their parental line, MCF-7 cells. However, CS, GDH, COX activities and both energy metabolism pathway fluxes were significantly lower (38-86%) in BCSC than in MCF-7 cells. OxPhos was the main ATP provider (>85%) in BCSC. Accordingly, oligomycin (a specific and potent canonical OxPhos inhibitor) and other non-canonical drugs with inhibitory effect on OxPhos (celecoxib, dimethylcelecoxib) significantly decreased BCSC viability, levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition proteins, invasiveness, and induced ROS over-production, with IC50 values ranging from 1 to 20 µM in 24 h treatment. In contrast, glycolytic inhibitors (gossypol, iodoacetic acid, 3-bromopyruvate, 2-deoxyglucose) and canonical chemotherapeutic drugs (paclitaxel, doxorubicin, cisplatin) were much less effective against BCSC viability (IC50> 100 µM). <P> Conclusion: These results indicated that the use of some NSAIDs may be a promising alternative therapeutic strategy to target BCSC.

Regulatory role of acetylation on enzyme activity and fluxes of energy metabolism pathways

BACKGROUND

Most of the enzymes involved in the central carbon metabolism are acetylated in Lys residues. It has been claimed that this covalent modification represents a novel regulatory mechanism by which both enzyme/transporter activities and pathway fluxes can be modulated.

METHODS

To establish which enzymes are regulated by acetylation, a systematic experimental analysis of activities and acetylation profile for several energy metabolism enzymes and pathway fluxes was undertaken in cells and mitochondria.

RESULTS

The majority of the glycolytic and neighbor enzymes as well as mitochondrial enzymes indeed showed Lys-acetylation, with GLUT1, HPI, CS, ATP synthase displaying comparatively lower acetylation patterns. The incubation of cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions with recombinant Sirt-3 produced lower acetylation signals, whereas incubation with acetyl-CoA promoted protein acetylation. Significant changes in acetylation levels of MDH and IDH-2 from rat liver mitochondria revealed no change in their activities. Similar observations were attained for the cytosolic enzymes from AS-30D and HeLa cells. A minor but significant (23%) increase in the AAT-MDH complex activity induced by acetylation was observed. To examine this question further, AS-30D and HeLa cells were treated with nicotinamide and valproic acid. These compounds promoted changes in the acetylation patterns of glycolytic proteins, although their activities and the glycolytic flux (as well as the OxPhos flux) revealed no clear correlation with acetylation.

CONCLUSION

Acetylation seems to play no predominant role in the control of energy metabolism enzyme activities and pathway fluxes.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The physiological function of protein acetylation on energy metabolism pathways remains to be elucidated.

Acetate Promotes a Differential Energy Metabolic Response in Human HCT 116 and COLO 205 Colon Cancer Cells Impacting Cancer Cell Growth and Invasiveness

Under dysbiosis, a gut metabolic disorder, short-chain carboxylic acids (SCCAs) are secreted to the lumen, affecting colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Butyrate and propionate act as CRC growth inhibitors, but they might also serve as carbon source. In turn, the roles of acetate as metabolic fuel and protein acetylation promoter have not been clearly elucidated. To assess whether acetate favors CRC growth through active mitochondrial catabolism, a systematic study evaluating acetate thiokinase (AcK), energy metabolism, cell proliferation, and invasiveness was performed in two CRC cell lines incubated with physiological SCCAs concentrations. In COLO 205, acetate (+glucose) increased the cell density (50%), mitochondrial protein content (3–10 times), 2-OGDH acetylation, and oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) flux (36%), whereas glycolysis remained unchanged vs. glucose-cultured cells; the acetate-induced OxPhos activation correlated with a high AcK activity, content, and acetylation (1.5–6-fold). In contrast, acetate showed no effect on HCT116 cell growth, OxPhos, AcK activity, protein content, and acetylation. However, a substantial increment in the HIF-1α content, HIF-1α-glycolytic protein targets (1–2.3 times), and glycolytic flux (64%) was observed. Butyrate and propionate decreased the growth of both CRC cells by impairing OxPhos flux through mitophagy and mitochondrial fragmentation activation. It is described, for the first time, the role of acetate as metabolic fuel for ATP supply in CRC COLO 205 cells to sustain proliferation, aside from its well-known role as protein epigenetic regulator. The level of AcK determined in COLO 205 cells was similar to that found in human CRC biopsies, showing its potential role as metabolic marker.

Kinetic modeling of glucose central metabolism in hepatocytes and hepatoma cells

BACKGROUND

Kinetic modeling and control analysis of a metabolic pathway may identify the steps with the highest control in tumor cells, and low control in normal cells, which can be proposed as the best therapeutic targets.

METHODS

Enzyme kinetic characterization, pathway kinetic modeling and control analysis of the glucose central metabolism were carried out in rat (hepatoma AS-30D) and human (cervix HeLa) cancer cells and normal rat hepatocytes.

RESULTS

The glycogen metabolism enzymes in AS-30D, HeLa cells and hepatocytes showed similar kinetic properties, except for higher AS-30D glycogen phosphorylase (GP) sensitivity to AMP. Pathway modeling indicated that fluxes of glycogen degradation and PPP were mainly controlled by GP and NADPH consumption, respectively, in both hepatocytes and cancer cells. Likewise, hexose-6-phosphate isomerase (HPI) and phosphoglucomutase (PGM) exerted significant control on glycolysis and glycogen synthesis fluxes in cancer cells but not in hepatocytes. Modeling also indicated that glycolytic and glycogen synthesis fluxes could be strongly decreased when HPI and PGM were simultaneously inhibited in AS-30D cells but not in hepatocytes. Experimental assessment of these predictions showed that both the glycolytic and glycogen synthesis fluxes of AS-30D cells, but not of hepatocytes, were inhibited by oxamate, by inducing increased Fru1,6BP levels, a competitive inhibitor of HPI and PGM.

CONCLUSION

HPI and PGM seem suitable targets for decreasing glycolytic and glycogen synthesis fluxes in AS-30D cells but not in hepatocytes.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The present study identified new therapeutic targets within glucose central metabolism in the analyzed cancer cells, with no effects on non-cancer cells.

Physiological Role of Glutamate Dehydrogenase in Cancer Cells

NH 4 + increased growth rates and final densities of several human metastatic cancer cells. To assess whether glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in cancer cells may catalyze the reverse reaction of NH 4 + fixation, its covalent regulation and kinetic parameters were determined under near-physiological conditions. Increased total protein and phosphorylation were attained in NH 4 + -supplemented metastatic cells, but total cell GDH activity was unchanged. Higher V _max values for the GDH reverse reaction vs. forward reaction in both isolated hepatoma (HepM) and liver mitochondria [rat liver mitochondria (RLM)] favored an NH 4 + -fixing role. GDH sigmoidal kinetics with NH 4 + , ADP, and leucine fitted to Hill equation showed n _H values of 2 to 3. However, the K _0.5 values for NH 4 + were over 20 mM, questioning the physiological relevance of the GDH reverse reaction, because intracellular NH 4 + in tumors is 1 to 5 mM. In contrast, data fitting to the Monod-Wyman-Changeux (MWC) model revealed lower K _m values for NH 4 + , of 6 to 12 mM. In silico analysis made with MWC equation, and using physiological concentrations of substrates and modulators, predicted GDH N-fixing activity in cancer cells. Therefore, together with its thermodynamic feasibility, GDH may reach rates for its reverse, NH 4 + -fixing reaction that are compatible with an anabolic role for supporting growth of cancer cells.

Transcriptional Regulation of Energy Metabolism in Cancer Cells

Cancer development, growth, and metastasis are highly regulated by several transcription regulators (TRs), namely transcription factors, oncogenes, tumor-suppressor genes, and protein kinases. Although TR roles in these events have been well characterized, their functions in regulating other important cancer cell processes, such as metabolism, have not been systematically examined. In this review, we describe, analyze, and strive to reconstruct the regulatory networks of several TRs acting in the energy metabolism pathways, glycolysis (and its main branching reactions), and oxidative phosphorylation of nonmetastatic and metastatic cancer cells. Moreover, we propose which possible gene targets might allow these TRs to facilitate the modulation of each energy metabolism pathway, depending on the tumor microenvironment.

Hypoxia increases chemoresistance in human medulloblastoma DAOY cells via hypoxia‑inducible factor 1α‑mediated downregulation of the CYP2B6, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 enzymes and inhibition of cell proliferation

Medulloblastomas are among the most frequently diagnosed pediatric solid tumors, and drug resistance remains as the principal cause of treatment failure. Hypoxia and the subsequent activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) are considered key factors in modulating drug antitumor effectiveness, but the underlying mechanisms in medulloblastomas have not yet been clearly understood. The aim of the present study was to determine whether hypoxia induces resistance to cyclophosphamide (CPA) and ifosfamide (IFA) in DAOY medulloblastoma cells, whether the mechanism is dependent on HIF-1α, and whether involves the modulation of the expression of cytochromes P450 (CYP)2B6, 3A4 and 3A5 and the control of cell proliferation. Monolayer cultures of DAOY medulloblastoma cells were exposed for 24 h to moderate (1% O₂) or severe (0.1% O₂) hypoxia, and protein expression was evaluated by immunoblotting. Cytotoxicity was studied with the MTT assay and by Annexin V/PI staining and flow cytometry. Cell proliferation was determined by the trypan-blue exclusion assay and cell cycle by propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry. Hypoxia decreased CPA and IFA cytotoxicity in medulloblastoma cells, which correlated with a reduction in the protein levels of CYP2B6, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 and inhibition of cell proliferation. These responses were dependent on hypoxia-induced HIF-1α activation, as evidenced by chemical inhibition of its transcriptional activity with 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME), which enhanced the cytotoxic activity of CPA and IFA and increased apoptosis. Our results indicate that by stimulating HIF-1α activity, hypoxia downregulates the expression of CYP2B6, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5, that in turn leads to decreased conversion of CPA and IFA into their active forms and thus to diminished cytotoxicity. These results support that the combination of HIF-1α inhibitors and canonical antineoplastic agents provides a potential therapeutic alternative against medulloblastoma.

Control of the NADPH supply and GSH recycling for oxidative stress management in hepatoma and liver mitochondria

To unveil what controls mitochondrial ROS detoxification, the NADPH supply and GSH/GSSG recycling for oxidative stress management were analyzed in cancer and non-cancer mitochondria. Therefore, proteomic and kinetomic analyses were carried out of the mitochondrial (i) NADPH producing and (ii) GSH/GSSG recycling enzymes associated to oxidative stress management. The protein contents of the eight enzymes analyzed were similar or even higher in AS-30D rat hepatoma mitochondria (HepM) than in rat liver (RLM) and rat heart (RHM) mitochondria, suggesting that the NADPH/GSH/ROS pathway was fully functional in cancer mitochondria. The Vmax values of IDH-2 were much greater than those of GDH, TH and ME, suggesting that IDH-2 is the predominant NADPH producer in the three mitochondrial types; in fact, the GDH reverse reaction was favored. The Vmax values of GR and GPx were lower in HepM than in RLM, suggesting that the oxidative stress management is compromised in cancer mitochondria. The Km values of IDH-2, GR and GPx were all similar among the different mitochondrial types. Kinetic modeling revealed that the oxidative stress management was mainly controlled by GR, GPx and IDH. Modeling and experimentation also revealed that, due to their higher IDH-2 activity and lower GPx activity presumably by acetylation, HepM (i) showed higher steady-state NADPH levels; (ii) required greater peroxide concentrations to achieve reliable steady-state fluxes and metabolite concentration; and (iii) endured higher peroxide concentrations without collapsing their GSH/GSSG ratios. Then, to specifically prompt lower GSH/GSSG ratios under oxidative stress thus compromising cancer mitochondria functioning, GPx should be re-activated.

Control of the NADPH supply for oxidative stress handling in cancer cells

It has not been systematically analyzed whether the NADPH supply is a limiting factor for oxidative stress management in cancer cells. In the present work, it was determined in non-cancer and cancer cells the protein contents and kinetomics of (i) the cytosolic enzymes responsible for the NADPH production (i.e., Glc6PDH, 6PGDH, ME, IDH-1); and (ii) the two main enzymes responsible for NADPH/NADP⁺ and GSH/GSSG recycling (GR, GPx-1) associated to oxidative stress management. With these data, kinetic models were built and further validated. Rat liver and hepatoma AS-30D cytosolic fractions exhibited greater Vmax for IDH-1 than for Glc6PDH and 6PGDH whereas human cancer cells and platelets showed greater Vmax for Glc6PDH than for 6PGDH and IDH-1. The ME activity was comparatively low in all cell types tested. The Km values for the respective specific substrates were all similar among the different cell types. Most activities were lower in AS-30D cells than in liver. In contrast, IDH-1, Glc6PDH and GR activities in human cancer cells were similar or greater to those of platelets, but GPx-1 activity was severely suppressed, despite showing similar GPx-1 protein content vs. platelets. Kinetic analysis and pathway modeling revealed a previously unveiled feedback IDH-1 regulation by GSH. The oxidative stress management in cancer cells (i) was mainly controlled by GPx-1 and the main NADPH provider was Glc6PDH; and (ii) modeling indicated that NADPH supply was not a controlling step. These data suggested that Glc6PDH and GPx-1 are adequate and promising targets for anti-cancer therapeutic intervention.

Glycoprotein Ib activation by thrombin stimulates the energy metabolism in human platelets

Thrombin-induced platelet activation requires substantial amounts of ATP. However, the specific contribution of each ATP-generating pathway i.e., oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) versus glycolysis and the biochemical mechanisms involved in the thrombin-induced activation of energy metabolism remain unclear. Here we report an integral analysis on the role of both energy pathways in human platelets activated by several agonists, and the signal transducing mechanisms associated with such activation. We found that thrombin, Trap-6, arachidonic acid, collagen, A23187, epinephrine and ADP significantly increased glycolytic flux (3–38 times vs. non-activated platelets) whereas ristocetin was ineffective. OxPhos (33 times) and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (88%) were increased only by thrombin. OxPhos was the main source of ATP in thrombin-activated platelets, whereas in platelets activated by any of the other agonists, glycolysis was the principal ATP supplier. In order to establish the biochemical mechanisms involved in the thrombin-induced OxPhos activation in platelets, several signaling pathways associated with mitochondrial activation were analyzed. Wortmannin and LY294002 (PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitors), ristocetin and heparin (GPIb inhibitors) as well as resveratrol, ATP (calcium-release inhibitors) and PP1 (Tyr-phosphorylation inhibitor) prevented the thrombin-induced platelet activation. These results suggest that thrombin activates OxPhos and glycolysis through GPIb-dependent signaling involving PI3K and Akt activation, calcium mobilization and protein phosphorylation.

Hypoglycemia Enhances Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Invasiveness, and Restrains the Warburg Phenotype, in Hypoxic HeLa Cell Cultures and Microspheroids

The accelerated growth of solid tumors leads to episodes of both hypoxia and hypoglycemia (HH) affecting their intermediary metabolism, signal transduction, and transcriptional activity. A previous study showed that normoxia (20% O₂ ) plus 24 h hypoglycemia (2.5 mM glucose) increased glycolytic flux whereas oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) was unchanged versus normoglycemia in HeLa cells. However, the simultaneous effect of HH on energy metabolism has not been yet examined. Therefore, the effect of hypoxia (0.1-1% O₂ ) plus hypoglycemia on the energy metabolism of HeLa cells was analyzed by evaluating protein content and activity, along with fluxes of both glycolysis and OxPhos. Under hypoxia, in which cell growth ceased and OxPhos enzyme activities, ΔΨm and flux were depressed, hypoglycemia did not stimulate glycolytic flux despite increasing H-RAS, p-AMPK, GLUT1, GLUT3, and HKI levels, and further decreasing mitochondrial enzyme content. The impaired mitochondrial function in HH cells correlated with mitophagy activation. The depressed OxPhos and unchanged glycolysis pattern was also observed in quiescent cells from mature multicellular tumor spheroids, suggesting that these inner cell layers are similarly subjected to HH. The principal ATP supplier was glycolysis for HH 2D monolayer and 3D quiescent spheroid cells. Accordingly, the glycolytic inhibitors iodoacetate and gossypol were more effective than mitochondrial inhibitors in decreasing HH-cancer cell viability. Under HH, stem cell-, angiogenic-, and EMT-biomarkers, as well as glycoprotein-P content and invasiveness, were also enhanced. These observations indicate that HH cancer cells develop an attenuated Warburg and pronounced EMT- and invasive-phenotype. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 1346-1359, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Inhibition of Non-flux-Controlling Enzymes Deters Cancer Glycolysis by Accumulation of Regulatory Metabolites of Controlling Steps

Glycolysis provides precursors for the synthesis of macromolecules and may contribute to the ATP supply required for the constant and accelerated cellular duplication in cancer cells. In consequence, inhibition of glycolysis has been reiteratively considered as an anti-cancer therapeutic option. In previous studies, kinetic modeling of glycolysis in cancer cells allowed the identification of the main steps that control the glycolytic flux: glucose transporter, hexokinase (HK), hexose phosphate isomerase (HPI), and glycogen degradation in human cervix HeLa cancer cells and rat AS-30D ascites hepatocarcinoma. It was also previously experimentally determined that simultaneous inhibition of the non-controlling enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), pyruvate kinase (PYK), and enolase (ENO) brings about significant decrease in the glycolytic flux of cancer cells and accumulation of intermediate metabolites, mainly fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (Fru1,6BP), and dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), which are inhibitors of HK and HPI, respectively. Here it was found by kinetic modeling that inhibition of cancer glycolysis can be attained by blocking downstream non flux-controlling steps as long as Fru1,6BP and DHAP, regulatory metabolites of flux-controlling enzymes, are accumulated. Furthermore, experimental results and further modeling showed that oxamate and iodoacetate inhibitions of PYK, ENO, and glyceraldehyde3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), but not of LDH and phosphoglycerate kinase, induced accumulation of Fru1,6BP and DHAP in AS-30D hepatoma cells. Indeed, PYK, ENO, and GAPDH exerted the highest control on the Fru1,6BP and DHAP concentrations. The high levels of these metabolites inhibited HK and HPI and led to glycolytic flux inhibition, ATP diminution, and accumulation of toxic methylglyoxal. Hence, the anticancer effects of downstream glycolytic inhibitors are very likely mediated by this mechanism. In parallel, it was also found that uncompetitive inhibition of the flux-controlling steps is a more potent mechanism than competitive and mixed-type inhibition to efficiently perturb cancer glycolysis.

Assessment of the low inhibitory specificity of oxamate, aminooxyacetate and dichloroacetate on cancer energy metabolism

BACKGROUND

Exceedingly high therapeutic/experimental doses of metabolic drugs such as oxamate, aminooxyacetate (AOA) and dichloroacetate (DCA) are required to diminish growth, glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) of different cancer cells. To identify the mechanisms of action of these drugs on cancer energy metabolism, a systematic analysis of their specificities was undertaken.

METHODS

Hepatocarcinoma AS-30D cells were treated with the inhibitors and glycolysis and OxPhos enzyme activities, metabolites and fluxes were analyzed. Kinetic modeling of glycolysis was used to identify the regulatory mechanisms.

RESULTS

Oxamate (i) not only inhibited LDH, but also PYK and ENO activities inducing an increase in the cytosolic NAD(P)H, Fru1,6BP and DHAP levels in AS-30D cells; (ii) it slightly inhibited HPI, ALD and Glc6PDH; and (iii) it inhibited pyruvate-driven OxPhos in isolated heart mitochondria. AOA (i) strongly inhibited both AAT and AlaT, and 2-OGDH and glutamate-driven OxPhos; and (ii) moderately affected GAPDH and TPI. DCA slightly affected pyruvate-driven OxPhos and Glc6PDH. Kinetic modeling of cancer glycolysis revealed that oxamate inhibition of LDH, PYK and ENO was insufficient to achieve glycolysis flux inhibition. To do so, HK, HPI, TPI and GAPDH have to be also inhibited by the accumulated Fru1,6BP and DHAP induced by oxamate.

CONCLUSION

Oxamate, AOA, and DCA are not specific drugs since they inhibit several enzymes/transporters of the glycolytic and OxPhos pathways through direct interaction or indirect mechanisms.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

These data explain why oxamate or AOA, through their multisite inhibitory actions on glycolysis or OxPhos, may be able to decrease the proliferation of cancer cells.

Mitochondrial free fatty acid β-oxidation supports oxidative phosphorylation and proliferation in cancer cells

Oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) is functional and sustains tumor proliferation in several cancer cell types. To establish whether mitochondrial β-oxidation of free fatty acids (FFAs) contributes to cancer OxPhos functioning, its protein contents and enzyme activities, as well as respiratory rates and electrical membrane potential (ΔΨm) driven by FFA oxidation were assessed in rat AS-30D hepatoma and liver (RLM) mitochondria. Higher protein contents (1.4-3 times) of β-oxidation (CPT1, SCAD) as well as proteins and enzyme activities (1.7-13-times) of Krebs cycle (KC: ICD, 2OGDH, PDH, ME, GA), and respiratory chain (RC: COX) were determined in hepatoma mitochondria vs. RLM. Although increased cholesterol content (9-times vs. RLM) was determined in the hepatoma mitochondrial membranes, FFAs and other NAD-linked substrates were oxidized faster (1.6-6.6 times) by hepatoma mitochondria than RLM, maintaining similar ΔΨm values. The contents of β-oxidation, KC and RC enzymes were also assessed in cells. The mitochondrial enzyme levels in human cervix cancer HeLa and AS-30D cells were higher than those observed in rat hepatocytes whereas in human breast cancer biopsies, CPT1 and SCAD contents were lower than in human breast normal tissue. The presence of CPT1 and SCAD in AS-30D mitochondria and HeLa cells correlated with an active FFA utilization in HeLa cells. Furthermore, the β-oxidation inhibitor perhexiline blocked FFA utilization, OxPhos and proliferation in HeLa and other cancer cells. In conclusion, functional mitochondria supported by FFA β-oxidation are essential for the accelerated cancer cell proliferation and hence anti-β-oxidation therapeutics appears as an alternative promising approach to deter malignant tumor growth.

Who controls the ATP supply in cancer cells? Biochemistry lessons to understand cancer energy metabolism

Applying basic biochemical principles, this review analyzes data that contrasts with the Warburg hypothesis that glycolysis is the exclusive ATP provider in cancer cells. Although disregarded for many years, there is increasing experimental evidence demonstrating that oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) makes a significant contribution to ATP supply in many cancer cell types and under a variety of conditions. Substrates oxidized by normal mitochondria such as amino acids and fatty acids are also avidly consumed by cancer cells. In this regard, the proposal that cancer cells metabolize glutamine for anabolic purposes without the need for a functional respiratory chain and OxPhos is analyzed considering thermodynamic and kinetic aspects for the reductive carboxylation of 2-oxoglutarate catalyzed by isocitrate dehydrogenase. In addition, metabolic control analysis (MCA) studies applied to energy metabolism of cancer cells are reevaluated. Regardless of the experimental/environmental conditions and the rate of lactate production, the flux-control of cancer glycolysis is robust in the sense that it involves the same steps: glucose transport, hexokinase, hexosephosphate isomerase and glycogen degradation, all at the beginning of the pathway; these steps together with phosphofructokinase 1 also control glycolysis in normal cells. The respiratory chain complexes exert significantly higher flux-control on OxPhos in cancer cells than in normal cells. Thus, determination of the contribution of each pathway to ATP supply and/or the flux-control distribution of both pathways in cancer cells is necessary in order to identify differences from normal cells which may lead to the design of rational alternative therapies that selectively target cancer energy metabolism.

Reactive oxygen species are generated by the respiratory complex II--evidence for lack of contribution of the reverse electron flow in complex I

Succinate-driven oxidation via complex II (CII) may have a significant contribution towards the high rates of production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by mitochondria. Here, we show that the CII Q site inhibitor thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA) blocks succinate + rotenone-driven ROS production, whereas the complex III (CIII) Qo inhibitor stigmatellin has no effect, indicating that CII, not CIII, is the ROS-producing site. The complex I (CI) inhibitor rotenone partially reduces the ROS production driven by high succinate levels (5 mm), which is commonly interpreted as being due to inhibition of a reverse electron flow from CII to CI. However, experimental evidence presented here contradicts the model of reverse electron flow. First, ROS levels produced using succinate + rotenone were significantly higher than those produced using glutamate + malate + rotenone. Second, in tumor mitochondria, succinate-driven ROS production was significantly increased (not decreased) by rotenone. Third, in liver mitochondria, rotenone had no effects on succinate-driven ROS production. Fourth, using isolated heart or hepatoma (AS-30D) mitochondria, the CII Qp anti-cancer drug mitochondrially targeted vitamin E succinate (MitoVES) induced elevated ROS production in the presence of low levels of succinate(0.5 mm), but rotenone had no effect. Using sub-mitochondrial particles, the Cu-based anti-cancer drug Casiopeina II-gly enhanced succinate-driven ROS production. Thus, the present results are inconsistent with and question the interpretation of reverse electron flow from CII to CI and the rotenone effect on ROS production supported by succinate oxidation. Instead, a thermodynamically more favorable explanation is that, in the absence of CIII or complex IV (CIV) inhibitors (which, when added, facilitate reverse electron flow by inducing accumulation of ubiquinol, the CI product), the CII redox centers are the major source of succinate-driven ROS production.

Phosphofructokinase type 1 kinetics, isoform expression, and gene polymorphisms in cancer cells

Kinetic analysis of PFK-1 from rodent AS-30D, and human HeLa and MCF-7 carcinomas revealed sigmoidal [fructose 6-phosphate, Fru6P]-rate curves with different V(m) values when varying the allosteric activator fructose 2,6 bisphosphate (Fru2,6BP), AMP, Pi, NH(4)(+), or K(+). The rate equation that accurately predicted this behavior was the exclusive ligand binding concerted transition model together with non-essential hyperbolic activation. PFK-1 from rat liver and heart also exhibited the mixed cooperative-hyperbolic kinetic behavior regarding activators. Lowering pH induced decreased affinity for Fru6P, Fru2,6BP, citrate, and ATP (as inhibitor); as well as decreased V(m) and increased content of inactive (T) enzyme forms. High K(+) prompted increased (Fru6P) or decreased (activators) affinities; increased V(m); and increased content of active (R) enzyme forms. mRNA expression analysis and nucleotide sequencing showed that the three PFK-1 isoforms L, M, and C are transcribed in the three carcinomas. However, proteomic analysis indicated the predominant expression of L in liver, of M in heart and MCF-7 cells, of L>M in AS-30D cells, and of C in HeLa cells. PFK-1M showed the highest affinities for F6P and citrate and the lowest for ATP (substrate) and F2,6BP; PFK-1L showed the lowest affinity for F6P and the highest for F2,6BP; and PFK-1C exhibited the highest affinity for ATP (substrate) and the lowest for citrate. Thus, the present work documents the kinetic signature of each PFK-1 isoform, and facilitates the understanding of why this enzyme exerts significant or negligible glycolysis flux-control in normal or cancer cells, respectively, and how it regulates the onset of the Pasteur effect.

Molecular mechanism for the selective impairment of cancer mitochondrial function by a mitochondrially targeted vitamin E analogue

The effects of α-tocopheryl succinate (α-TOS), α-tocopheryl acetyl ether (α-TEA) and triphenylphosphonium-tagged vitamin E succinate (mitochondrially targeted vitamin E succinate; MitoVES) on energy-related mitochondrial functions were determined in mitochondria isolated from AS-30D hepatoma and rat liver, bovine heart sub-mitochondrial particles (SMPs), and in rodent and human carcinoma cell lines and rat hepatocytes. In isolated mitochondria, MitoVES stimulated basal respiration and ATP hydrolysis, but inhibited net state 3 (ADP-stimulated) respiration and Ca(2+) uptake, by collapsing the membrane potential at low doses (1-10μM). Uncoupled mitochondrial respiration and basal respiration of SMPs were inhibited by the three drugs at concentrations at least one order of magnitude higher and with different efficacy: MitoVES>α-TEA>α-TOS. At high doses (>10μM), the respiratory complex II (CII) was the most sensitive MitoVES target. Acting as an uncoupler at low doses, this agent stimulated total O(2) uptake, collapsed ∆ψ(m), inhibited oxidative phosphorylation and induced ATP depletion in rodent and human cancer cells more potently than in normal rat hepatocytes. These findings revealed that in situ tumor mitochondria are preferred targets of the drug, indicating its clinical relevance.

Multi-biomarker pattern for tumor identification and prognosis

In last decades, the basic, clinical, and translational research efforts have been directed to the identification of standard biomarkers associated with the degree of malignancy. There is an increasingly public health concern for earlier detection of cancer development at stages in which successful treatments can be achieved. To meet this urgent clinical demand, early stage cancer biomarkers supported by reliable and robust experimental data that can be readily applicable in the clinical practice, are required. In the current standard protocols, when one or two of the canonical proliferating index biomarkers are analyzed, contradictory results are frequently reached leading to incorrect cancer diagnostic and unsuccessful therapies. Therefore, the identification of other cellular characteristics or signatures present in the tumor cells either alone or in combination with the well-established proliferation markers emerge as an alternative strategy in the improvement of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Because it is well known that several pathways and processes are altered in tumor cells, the concept of "single marker" in cancer results incorrect. Therefore, this review aims to analyze and discuss the proposal that the molecular profile of different genes or proteins in different altered tumor pathways must be established to provide a better global clinical pattern for cancer detection and prognosis.

Oxidative phosphorylation as a target to arrest malignant neoplasias

Since Warburg proposed in 1956 that cancer cells exhibit increased glycolysis due to mitochondrial damage, numerous researchers have assumed that glycolysis is the predominant ATP supplier for cancer cell energy-dependent processes. However, chemotherapeutic strategies using glycolytic inhibitors have been unsuccessful in arresting tumor proliferation indicating that the Warburg hypothesis may not be applicable to all existing neoplasias. This review analyzes recent information on mitochondrial metabolism in several malignant neoplasias emphasizing that, although tumor cells maintain a high glycolytic rate, the principal ATP production may derive from active oxidative phosphorylation. Thus, anti-mitochondrial drug therapy may be an adequate adjuvant strategy to arrest proliferation of oxidative phosphorylation-dependent neoplasias.

Mitochondrial targeting of vitamin E succinate enhances its pro-apoptotic and anti-cancer activity via mitochondrial complex II

Mitochondrial complex II (CII) has been recently identified as a novel target for anti-cancer drugs. Mitochondrially targeted vitamin E succinate (MitoVES) is modified so that it is preferentially localized to mitochondria, greatly enhancing its pro-apoptotic and anti-cancer activity. Using genetically manipulated cells, MitoVES caused apoptosis and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in CII-proficient malignant cells but not their CII-dysfunctional counterparts. MitoVES inhibited the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity of CII with IC(50) of 80 μM, whereas the electron transfer from CII to CIII was inhibited with IC(50) of 1.5 μM. The agent had no effect either on the enzymatic activity of CI or on electron transfer from CI to CIII. Over 24 h, MitoVES caused stabilization of the oxygen-dependent destruction domain of HIF1α fused to GFP, indicating promotion of the state of pseudohypoxia. Molecular modeling predicted the succinyl group anchored into the proximal CII ubiquinone (UbQ)-binding site and successively reduced interaction energies for serially shorter phytyl chain homologs of MitoVES correlated with their lower effects on apoptosis induction, ROS generation, and SDH activity. Mutation of the UbQ-binding Ser(68) within the proximal site of the CII SDHC subunit (S68A or S68L) suppressed both ROS generation and apoptosis induction by MitoVES. In vivo studies indicated that MitoVES also acts by causing pseudohypoxia in the context of tumor suppression. We propose that mitochondrial targeting of VES with an 11-carbon chain localizes the agent into an ideal position across the interface of the mitochondrial inner membrane and matrix, optimizing its biological effects as an anti-cancer drug.

The causes of cancer revisited: "mitochondrial malignancy" and ROS-induced oncogenic transformation - why mitochondria are targets for cancer therapy

The role of oncoproteins and tumor suppressor proteins in promoting the malignant transformation of mammalian cells by affecting properties such as proliferative signalling, cell cycle regulation and altered adhesion is well established. Chemicals, viruses and radiation are also generally accepted as agents that commonly induce mutations in the genes encoding these cancer-causing proteins, thereby giving rise to cancer. However, more recent evidence indicates the importance of two additional key factors imposed on proliferating cells that are involved in transformation to malignancy and these are hypoxia and/or stressful conditions of nutrient deprivation (e.g. lack of glucose). These two additional triggers can initiate and promote the process of malignant transformation when a low percentage of cells overcome and escape cellular senescence. It is becoming apparent that hypoxia causes the progressive elevation in mitochondrial ROS production (chronic ROS) which over time leads to stabilization of cells via increased HIF-2alpha expression, enabling cells to survive with sustained levels of elevated ROS. In cells under hypoxia and/or low glucose, DNA mismatch repair processes are repressed by HIF-2alpha and they continually accumulate mitochondrial ROS-induced oxidative DNA damage and increasing numbers of mutations driving the malignant transformation process. Recent evidence also indicates that the resulting mutated cancer-causing proteins feedback to amplify the process by directly affecting mitochondrial function in combinatorial ways that intersect to play a major role in promoting a vicious spiral of malignant cell transformation. Consequently, many malignant processes involve periods of increased mitochondrial ROS production when a few cells survive the more common process of oxidative damage induced cell senescence and death. The few cells escaping elimination emerge with oncogenic mutations and survive to become immortalized tumors. This review focuses on evidence highlighting the role of mitochondria as drivers of elevated ROS production during malignant transformation and hence, their potential as targets for cancer therapy. The review is organized into five main sections concerning different aspects of "mitochondrial malignancy". The first concerns the functions of mitochondrial ROS and its importance as a pacesetter for cell growth versus senescence and death. The second considers the available evidence that cellular stress in the form of hypoxic and/or hypoglycaemic conditions represent two of the major triggering events for cancer and how oncoproteins reinforce this process by altering gene expression to bring about a common set of changes in mitochondrial function and activity in cancer cells. The third section presents evidence that oncoproteins and tumor suppressor proteins physically localize to the mitochondria in cancer cells where they directly regulate malignant mitochondrial programs, including apoptosis. The fourth section covers common mutational changes in the mitochondrial genome as they relate to malignancy and the relationship to the other three areas. The last section concerns the relevance of these findings, their importance and significance for novel targeted approaches to anti-cancer therapy and selective triggering in cancer cells of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

NF-kappa B is required for the development of tumor spheroids

Tumor cells cultured in three-dimensional models provide a more realistic and biologically meaningful analysis of the initial phases of cancer development and drug resistance. Several studies have demonstrated that culture of cancer cells in three dimensions induces cellular resistance to a variety of anti-neoplastic drugs by poorly understood mechanisms. The role of the transcription factor NF-kappaB and inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) in the onset and development of drug resistance during tumor spheroid growth has not been established. In this work, we found a significant increase in the activity and expression of NF-kappaB and its downstream target XIAP (X-linked IAP) in cancer cells grown as multi-cellular tumor spheroids. Blocking XIAP expression with RNA interference markedly increased the sensitivity of cancer tumor spheroid cells toward anti-neoplastic drugs, indicating a role for IAPs in establishing drug resistance. In turn, inhibition of NF-kappaB by negative dominants suppressed spheroid formation, whereas overexpression of the upstream kinase IkappaBKbeta increased their growth and resistance. The present data suggested that NF-kappaB and its downstream target XIAP were essential for the growth and drug resistance of small avascular tumor.

HIF-1alpha modulates energy metabolism in cancer cells by inducing over-expression of specific glycolytic isoforms

To develop new and more efficient anti-cancer strategies it will be important to characterize the products of transcription factor activity essential for tumorigenesis. One such factor is hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), a transcription factor induced by low oxygen conditions and found in high levels in malignant solid tumors, but not in normal tissues or slow-growing tumors. In fast-growing tumors, HIF-1alpha is involved in the activation of numerous cellular processes including resistance against apoptosis, over-expression of drug efflux membrane pumps, vascular remodeling and angiogenesis as well as metastasis. In cancer cells, HIF-1alpha induces over-expression and increased activity of several glycolytic protein isoforms that differ from those found in non-malignant cells, including transporters (GLUT1, GLUT3) and enzymes (HKI, HKII, PFK-L, ALD-A, ALD-C, PGK1, ENO-alpha, PYK-M2, LDH-A, PFKFB-3). The enhanced tumor glycolytic flux triggered by HIF-1alpha also involves changes in the kinetic patterns of expressed isoforms of key glycolytic enzymes. The HIF-1alpha induced isoforms provide cancer cells with reduced sensitivity to physiological inhibitors, lower affinity for products and higher catalytic capacity (Vmax(f)) in forward reactions because of marked over-expression compared to those isoforms expressed in normal tissues. Some of the HIF1alpha-induced glycolytic isoforms also participate in survival pathways, including transcriptional activation of H2B histone (by LDH-A), inhibition of apoptosis (by HKII) and promotion of cell migration (by ENO-alpha). HIF-1alpha action may also modulate mitochondrial function and oxygen consumption by inactivating the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in some tumor types, or by modulating cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 expression to increase oxidative phosphorylation in other cancer cell lines. In this review, the roles of HIF-1alpha and HIF1alpha-induced glycolytic enzymes are examined and it is concluded that targeting the HIF1alpha-induced glucose transporter and hexokinase, important to glycolytic flux control, might provide better therapeutic targets for inhibiting tumor growth and progression than targeting HIF1alpha itself.

Targeting of cancer energy metabolism

The main purpose of this review is to update and analyze the effect of several antineoplastic drugs (adriamycin, apoptodilin, casiopeinas, cisplatin, clotrimazole, cyclophosphamide, ditercalinium, NSAIDs, tamoxifen, taxol, 6-mercaptopurine, and alpha-tocopheryl succinate) and energy metabolism inhibitors (2-DOG, gossypol, delocalized lipophilic cations, and uncouplers) on tumor development and progression. The possibility that these antineoplastic drugs currently used in in vitro cancer models, in chemo-therapy, or under study in phase I to III clinical trials induce tumor cellular death by altering also metabolite concentration (i.e., ATP), enzyme activities, and/or energy metabolism fluxes is assessed. It is proposed that the use of energy metabolic therapy, as an alternative or complementary strategy, might be a promising novel approach in the treatment of cancer.

The bioenergetics of cancer: is glycolysis the main ATP supplier in all tumor cells?

The molecular mechanisms by which tumor cells achieve an enhanced glycolytic flux and, presumably, a decreased oxidative phosphorylation are analyzed. As the O(2) concentration in hypoxic regions of tumors seems not limiting for oxidative phosphorylation, the role of this mitochondrial pathway in the ATP supply is re-evaluated. Drugs that inhibit glycoysis and oxidative phosphorylation are analyzed for their specificity toward tumor cells and effect on proliferation. The energy metabolism mechanisms involved in the use of positron emission tomography are revised and updated. It is proposed that energy metabolism may be an alternative therapeutic target for both hypoxic (glycolytic) and oxidative tumors. (c) 2009 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Post-conditioning preserves glycolytic ATP during early reperfusion: a survival mechanism for the reperfused heart

BACKGROUND

Glycolytic activity during the transition period from anaerobic to aerobic metabolism has been demonstrated to be critical for heart recovery in isolated reperfused hearts. The purpose of this work was to investigate the relevance of the glycolytic pathway in preserving the cardiac function of post-conditioned hearts.

METHODS

The activation of the glycolytic pathway in post-conditioned hearts was evaluated by measuring GLUT-4 insertion, glucose consumption and lactate production. Iodoacetic acid and 2-deoxy-D-glucose were administrated to the working hearts to evaluate the effect of glycolytic inhibition in the post-conditioning protective effect.

RESULTS

Post-conditioning maneuvers applied to isolated rat hearts, after prolonged ischemia and before reperfusion, promoted recovery of cardiac mechanical function with sustained increase of GLUT-4 translocation and activation of the glycolytic pathway during ischemia and early reperfusion. Iodoacetate inhibited the protective effect of post-conditioning, without affecting the mitochondrial oxidative capacity. Glycolysis contribution to maintain mechanical function at early reperfusion was observed in post-conditioned hearts perfused with 2-deoxy-D-glucose and in hearts in which iodoacetate was administered only during reperfusion.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that in the post-conditioned heart, a functional compartmentation of anaerobic energy metabolism, at early reperfusion, plays a significant role in cardiac protection against reperfusion damage.

Energy metabolism transition in multi-cellular human tumor spheroids

It is thought that glycolysis is the predominant energy pathway in cancer, particularly in solid and poorly vascularized tumors where hypoxic regions develop. To evaluate whether glycolysis does effectively predominate for ATP supply and to identify the underlying biochemical mechanisms, the glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) fluxes, ATP/ADP ratio, phosphorylation potential, and expression and activity of relevant energy metabolism enzymes were determined in multi-cellular tumor spheroids, as a model of human solid tumors. In HeLa and Hek293 young-spheroids, the OxPhos flux and cytochrome c oxidase protein content and activity were similar to those observed in monolayer cultured cells, whereas the glycolytic flux increased two- to fourfold; the contribution of OxPhos to ATP supply was 60%. In contrast, in old-spheroids, OxPhos, ATP content, ATP/ADP ratio, and phosphorylation potential diminished 50-70%, as well as the activity (88%) and content (3 times) of cytochrome c oxidase. Glycolysis and hexokinase increased significantly (both, 4 times); consequently glycolysis was the predominant pathway for ATP supply (80%). These changes were associated with an increase (3.3 times) in the HIF-1alpha content. After chronic exposure, both oxidative and glycolytic inhibitors blocked spheroid growth, although the glycolytic inhibitors, 2-deoxyglucose and gossypol (IC(50) of 15-17 nM), were more potent than the mitochondrial inhibitors, casiopeina II-gly, laherradurin, and rhodamine 123 (IC(50) > 100 nM). These results suggest that glycolysis and OxPhos might be considered as metabolic targets to diminish cellular proliferation in poorly vascularized, hypoxic solid tumors.

Enhanced alternative oxidase and antioxidant enzymes under Cd2+ stress in Euglena

To identify some of the mechanisms involved in the high resistance to Cd(2+) in the protist Euglena gracilis, we studied the effect of Cd(2+) exposure on its energy and oxidative stress metabolism as well as on essential heavy metals homeostasis. In E. gracilis heterotrophic cells, as in other organisms, CdCl(2) (50 microM) induced diminution in cell growth, severe oxidative stress accompanied by increased antioxidant enzyme activity and strong perturbation of the heavy metal homeostasis. However, Cd(2+) exposure did not substantially modify the cellular respiratory rate or ATP intracellular level, although the activities of respiratory complexes III and IV were strongly decreased. In contrast, an enhanced capacity of the alternative oxidase (AOX) in both intact cells and isolated mitochondria was determined under Cd(2+) stress; in fact, AOX activity accounted for 69-91% of total respiration. Western blotting also revealed an increased AOX content in mitochondria from Cd(2+)-exposed cells. Moreover, AOX was more resistant to Cd(2+) inhibition than cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria from control and Cd(2+)-exposed cells. Therefore, an enhanced AOX seems to be a relevant component of the resistance mechanism developed by E. gracilis against Cd(2+)-stress, in addition to the usual increased antioxidant enzyme activity, that enabled cells to maintain a relatively unaltered the energy status.

Energy metabolism in tumor cells

In early studies on energy metabolism of tumor cells, it was proposed that the enhanced glycolysis was induced by a decreased oxidative phosphorylation. Since then it has been indiscriminately applied to all types of tumor cells that the ATP supply is mainly or only provided by glycolysis, without an appropriate experimental evaluation. In this review, the different genetic and biochemical mechanisms by which tumor cells achieve an enhanced glycolytic flux are analyzed. Furthermore, the proposed mechanisms that arguably lead to a decreased oxidative phosphorylation in tumor cells are discussed. As the O(2) concentration in hypoxic regions of tumors seems not to be limiting for the functioning of oxidative phosphorylation, this pathway is re-evaluated regarding oxidizable substrate utilization and its contribution to ATP supply versus glycolysis. In the tumor cell lines where the oxidative metabolism prevails over the glycolytic metabolism for ATP supply, the flux control distribution of both pathways is described. The effect of glycolytic and mitochondrial drugs on tumor energy metabolism and cellular proliferation is described and discussed. Similarly, the energy metabolic changes associated with inherent and acquired resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy of tumor cells, and those determined by positron emission tomography, are revised. It is proposed that energy metabolism may be an alternative therapeutic target for both hypoxic (glycolytic) and oxidative tumors.

Phytochelatin-cadmium-sulfide high-molecular-mass complexes of Euglena gracilis

High-molecular-mass PC complexes (PC-HMWCs) constituted by phytochelatins (PCs), cadmium and sulfide are synthesized by several organisms after exposure to cadmium. In this study, PC-HMWCs were isolated from photoheterotrophic Euglena gracilis and purified to homogeneity, resulting in compounds of molecular mass 50-380 kDa depending on the CdCl2 and sulfate concentrations in the culture medium. In contrast with plants and some yeasts, PC-HMWCs from E. gracilis mainly comprise (57-75%) monothiol molecules (Cys, gamma-glutamylcysteine, GSH) and, to a lesser extent (25-43%), PCs. A similar acid-soluble thiol compound composition was found in whole cell extracts. The -SH/Cd2+ and S2-/Cd2+ ratios found in purified PC-HMWCs were 1.5 and 1.8, respectively; the (-SH + S2-)/Cd2+ ratio was 3.2. PC-HMWCs of molecular mass 60 and 100 kDa were also localized inside Percoll-purified chloroplasts, in which cadmium and PCs were mainly compartmentalized. Cadmium and sulfur-rich clusters with similar sulfur/cadmium stoichiometries to those of the purified PC-HMWCs were detected in the chloroplast and throughout the cell by energy dispersive microanalysis and atomic resolution electron microscopy. The presence of PC-HMWCs in primitive photosynthetic eukaryotes such as the protist, E. gracilis, suggests that their function as the final cadmium-storage-inactivation process is widespread. Their particular intracellular localization suggests that chloroplasts may play a major role in the cadmium-resistance mechanism in organisms lacking a plant-like vacuole.

Determining and understanding the control of glycolysis in fast-growth tumor cells. Flux control by an over-expressed but strongly product-inhibited hexokinase

Control analysis of the glycolytic flux was carried out in two fast-growth tumor cell types of human and rodent origin (HeLa and AS-30D, respectively). Determination of the maximal velocity (V(max)) of the 10 glycolytic enzymes from hexokinase to lactate dehydrogenase revealed that hexokinase (153-306 times) and phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) (22-56 times) had higher over-expression in rat AS-30D hepatoma cells than in normal freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. Moreover, the steady-state concentrations of the glycolytic metabolites, particularly those of the products of hexokinase and PFK-1, were increased compared with hepatocytes. In HeLa cells, V(max) values and metabolite concentrations for the 10 glycolytic enzyme were also significantly increased, but to a much lesser extent (6-9 times for both hexokinase and PFK-1). Elasticity-based analysis of the glycolytic flux in AS-30D cells showed that the block of enzymes producing Fru(1,6)P2 (i.e. glucose transporter, hexokinase, hexosephosphate isomerase, PFK-1, and the Glc6P branches) exerted most of the flux control (70-75%), whereas the consuming block (from aldolase to lactate dehydrogenase) exhibited the remaining control. The Glc6P-producing block (glucose transporter and hexokinase) also showed high flux control (70%), which indicated low flux control by PFK-1. Kinetic analysis of PFK-1 showed low sensitivity towards its allosteric inhibitors citrate and ATP, at physiological concentrations of the activator Fru(2,6)P2. On the other hand, hexokinase activity was strongly inhibited by high, but physiological, concentrations of Glc6P. Therefore, the enhanced glycolytic flux in fast-growth tumor cells was still controlled by an over-produced, but Glc6P-inhibited hexokinase.

Control of cellular proliferation by modulation of oxidative phosphorylation in human and rodent fast-growing tumor cells

The relationship between cell proliferation and the rates of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in HeLa (human) and AS-30D (rodent) tumor cells was evaluated. In glutamine plus glucose medium, both tumor lines grew optimally. Mitochondria were the predominant source of ATP in both cell types (66-75%), despite an active glycolysis. In glucose-free medium with glutamine, proliferation of both lines diminished by 30% but oxidative phosphorylation and the cytosolic ATP level increased by 50%. In glutamine-free medium with glucose, proliferation, oxidative phosphorylation and ATP concentration diminished drastically, although the cells were viable. Oligomycin, in medium with glutamine plus glucose, abolished growth of both tumor lines, indicating an essential role of mitochondrial ATP for tumor progression. The presumed mitochondrial inhibitors rhodamines 123 and 6G, and casiopeina II-gly, inhibited tumor cell proliferation and oxidative phosphorylation, but also glycolysis. In contrast, gossypol, iodoacetate and arsenite strongly blocked glycolysis; however, they did not affect tumor proliferation or mitochondrial metabolism. Growth of both tumor lines was highly sensitive to rhodamines and casiopeina II-gly, with IC(50) values for HeLa cells lower than 0.5 microM, whereas viability and proliferation of human lymphocytes were not affected by these drugs (IC(50) > 30 microM). Moreover, rhodamine 6G and casiopeina II-gly, at micromolar doses, prolonged the survival of animals bearing i.p. implanted AS-30D hepatoma. It is concluded that fast-growing tumor cells have a predominantly oxidative type of metabolism, which might be a potential therapeutic target.

Metabolic changes induced by cold stress in rat liver mitochondria

The mechanisms involved in the metabolic changes induced by cold stress in isolated rat liver mitochondria were studied. Respiration, ATP synthesis, and membrane potential as well as the contents of several metabolites were determined in liver mitochondria from cold-exposed rats. At different times of cold exposure, the force-flux relationships showed net variation in flux (enhanced respiration, diminished ATP synthesis) with no associated variation in force (H+ gradient); this suggested that decoupling rather than classical uncoupling was involved in the effects of cold stress. The flux control coefficient of the H+ leak on basal respiration was slightly increased by 380 h of cold exposure. Cold stress also induced a diminution in total membrane fatty acids, Zn2+, Fe3+, ATP, and ADP/O ratios; the content of cytochromes c + c1 and b oscillated. The contents of Ca2+, Na+, Pi, and cytochromes a + a3 were not affected, whereas matrix ADP, AMP, K+, and Mg2+ were markedly increased. Basal and oleic acid-stimulated respiration of mitochondria from cold-stressed rats was inhibited by GDP, carboxyatractyloside, or albumin. These agents did not affect basal respiration in control mitochondria. Western blot analysis showed enhanced expression of a protein of about 35 kDa, presumably the uncoupling protein 2, induced by long-term cold exposure. The overall data suggest that cold stress promoted decoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, and hence, changes in several matrix metabolites, by increasing free fatty acids and the UCP2 content.