Magnesium and its transporters in cancer: a novel paradigm in tumour development

2012 ◽  
Vol 123 (7) ◽  
pp. 417-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica I. Wolf ◽  
Valentina Trapani

The relationship between magnesium and cancer is not as simple as could be assumed from the well-established requirement of magnesium for cell proliferation. Basic and pre-clinical studies indicate that magnesium deficiency can have both anti- and pro-tumour effects. In the present review, we briefly outline the new findings on the role of magnesium in angiogenesis and metastatization, and focus on the relationship between tumour cell proliferation and metabolic reprogramming, discussing how magnesium and its transporters are involved in these processes. The role of magnesium in cancer is also critically examined with regard to mitochondrial function, apoptosis and resistance to treatment. Finally, we bring together the latest experimental evidence indicating that alteration in the expression and/or activity of magnesium channels is a frequent finding in cancer cells and human tumour tissues examined to date, and we discuss the potential implications for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 181
Author(s):  
Francesca Zonta ◽  
Christian Borgo ◽  
Camila Paz Quezada Meza ◽  
Ionica Masgras ◽  
Andrea Rasola ◽  
...  

CK2 is a Ser/Thr protein kinase overexpressed in many cancers. It is usually present in cells as a tetrameric enzyme, composed of two catalytic (α or α’) and two regulatory (β) subunits, but it is active also in its monomeric form, and the specific role of the different isoforms is largely unknown. CK2 phosphorylates several substrates related to the uncontrolled proliferation, motility, and survival of cancer cells. As a consequence, tumor cells are addicted to CK2, relying on its activity more than healthy cells for their life, and exploiting it for developing multiple oncological hallmarks. However, little is known about CK2 contribution to the metabolic rewiring of cancer cells. With this study we aimed at shedding some light on it, especially focusing on the CK2 role in the glycolytic onco-phenotype. By analyzing neuroblastoma and osteosarcoma cell lines depleted of either one (α) or the other (α’) CK2 catalytic subunit, we also aimed at disclosing possible pro-tumor functions which are specific of a CK2 isoform. Our results suggest that both CK2 α and α’ contribute to cell proliferation, survival and tumorigenicity. The analyzed metabolic features disclosed a role of CK2 in tumor metabolism, and suggest prominent functions for CK2 α isoform. Results were also confirmed by CK2 pharmacological inhibition. Overall, our study provides new information on the mechanism of cancer cells addiction to CK2 and on its isoform-specific functions, with fundamental implications for improving future therapeutic strategies based on CK2 targeting.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 485-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P Plebanek ◽  
Michael Sturdivant ◽  
Nicholas C DeVito ◽  
Brent A Hanks

Abstract The dendritic cell (DC) is recognized as a vital mediator of anti-tumor immunity. More recent studies have also demonstrated the important role of DCs in the generation of effective responses to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. Metabolic programming of DCs dictates their functionality and can determine which DCs become immunostimulatory versus those that develop a tolerized phenotype capable of actively suppressing effector T-cell responses to cancers. As a result, there is great interest in understanding what mechanisms have evolved in cancers to alter these metabolic pathways, thereby allowing for their continued progression and metastasis. The therapeutic strategies developed to reverse these processes of DC tolerization in the tumor microenvironment represent promising candidates for future testing in combination immunotherapy clinical trials.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Cao ◽  
Huan Deng ◽  
Hao Cui ◽  
Ruiyang Zhao ◽  
Hanghang Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1) acts as an important regulator in glucose metabolism. However, the role of PGM1 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of PGM1 and develop novel regimens based on metabolic reprogramming in GC. MethodsCorrelation and enrichment analysis of PGM1 was conducted based on The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Data derived from the Kaplan-Meier Plotter database were analyzed for correlations between PGM1 expression and survival time of GC patients. CCK-8, EdU, flow cytometry assays, generation of subcutaneous tumor and lung metastasis mouse models were used to determine growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Cell glycolysis was detected by a battery of glycolytic indicators, including lactate, pyruvic acid, ATP production and glucose uptake. Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN) activity and detection of lipid regulators levels by western blot were used to reflect on the cell lipid metabolism. ResultsCorrelation and enrichment analysis suggested that PGM1 was closely associated with cell proliferation and metabolism. PGM1 was overexpressed in GC tissues and cell lines. High PGM1 expression served as an indicator of shorter survival for specific subpopulation of GC patients, which was also correlated with some clinicopathological features, including T stage and TNM stage. Under low glucose conditions, knockdown of PGM1 significantly suppressed cell proliferation and glycolysis levels, whereas lipid metabolism was enhanced. Orlistat, as a drug that was designed to inhibit FASN activity for obesity treatment, effectively induced apoptosis, suppressed FASN activity. However, orlistat conversely increased glycolytic levels in GC cells. Orlistat exhibited more significant inhibitive effects on GC progression after knockdown of PGM1 under glucose deprivation due to combination of glycolysis and lipid metabolism. ConclusionsDownregulation of PGM1 expression under glucose deprivation synergistically enhanced anti-cancer effects of orlistat. This combination application may serve as a novel strategy for GC treatment.


1983 ◽  
Vol 244 (5) ◽  
pp. G469-G474 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Buts ◽  
R. De Meyer ◽  
J. Kolanowski

This study was undertaken to determine whether the rat colon exhibits ontogenic changes in epithelial cell proliferation and DNA synthesis during growth. DNA synthesis was measured at intervals after birth in four colonic segments by the incorporation rates of [3H]thymidine. The labeled crypt cell index was determined by radioautography. New findings from our study are that 1) in each colonic segment of suckling rats, [3H]thymidine incorporation rate overshot the adult levels (49-119%) with a peak occurring at day 14 postpartum, 2) between days 14 and 20, the incorporation rates declined sharply to adult values and remained thereafter unchanged until adulthood; during the same period, the labeled and mitotic index decreased, respectively, from 52 to 19% and from 3.58 to 1.43%, 3) the decrease in DNA synthesis and in cell proliferation rates was concomitant with an upsurge in plasma total corticosterone initiated on day 14, and 4) treatment of 10-day-old sucklings with physiological doses of hydrocortisone for 4 consecutive days significantly depressed (P less than 0.01) colonic DNA content and DNA synthesis rates to levels about 45-67% of the control values. These data indicate that growth of the colon may be under the control of glucocorticoid secretion at the weaning period.


1992 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 77S-77S ◽  
Author(s):  
SEAMUS V. LENNON ◽  
STEPHEN A. KILFEATHER ◽  
THOMAS G. COTTER

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