scholarly journals mTOR Complexes as a Nutrient Sensor for Driving Cancer Progression

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 3267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mio Harachi ◽  
Kenta Masui ◽  
Yukinori Okamura ◽  
Ryota Tsukui ◽  
Paul Mischel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Cell Survival ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Metabolism ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Cancer Cell Survival

Recent advancement in the field of molecular cancer research has clearly revealed that abnormality of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes causes tumor progression thorough the promotion of intracellular metabolism. Metabolic reprogramming is one of the strategies for cancer cells to ensure their survival by enabling cancer cells to obtain the macromolecular precursors and energy needed for the rapid growth. However, an orchestration of appropriate metabolic reactions for the cancer cell survival requires the precise mechanism to sense and harness the nutrient in the microenvironment. Mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complexes are known downstream effectors of many cancer-causing mutations, which are thought to regulate cancer cell survival and growth. Recent studies demonstrate the intriguing role of mTOR to achieve the feat through metabolic reprogramming in cancer. Importantly, not only mTORC1, a well-known regulator of metabolism both in normal and cancer cell, but mTORC2, an essential partner of mTORC1 downstream of growth factor receptor signaling, controls cooperatively specific metabolism, which nominates them as an essential regulator of cancer metabolism as well as a promising candidate to garner and convey the nutrient information from the surrounding environment. In this article, we depict the recent findings on the role of mTOR complexes in cancer as a master regulator of cancer metabolism and a potential sensor of nutrients, especially focusing on glucose and amino acid sensing in cancer. Novel and detailed molecular mechanisms that amino acids activate mTOR complexes signaling have been identified. We would also like to mention the intricate crosstalk between glucose and amino acid metabolism that ensures the survival of cancer cells, but at the same time it could be exploitable for the novel intervention to target the metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells.

scholarly journals Adipocytes Promote Breast Cancer Cell Survival and Migration through Autophagy Activation

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3917
Author(s):  
Dorine Bellanger ◽  
Cléa Dziagwa ◽  
Cyrille Guimaraes ◽  
Michelle Pinault ◽  
Jean-François Dumas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Cell Survival ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
White Adipose Tissue ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Cell Survival

White adipose tissue interacts closely with breast cancers through the secretion of soluble factors such as cytokines, growth factors or fatty acids. However, the molecular mechanisms of these interactions and their roles in cancer progression remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of fatty acids in the cooperation between adipocytes and breast cancer cells using a co-culture model. We report that adipocytes increase autophagy in breast cancer cells through the acidification of lysosomes, leading to cancer cell survival in nutrient-deprived conditions and to cancer cell migration. Mechanistically, the disturbance of membrane phospholipid composition with a decrease in arachidonic acid content is responsible for autophagy activation in breast cancer cells induced by adipocytes. Therefore, autophagy might be a central cellular mechanism of white adipose tissue interactions with cancer cells and thus participate in cancer progression.

scholarly journals Targeting Mitochondrial Metabolism in Prostate Cancer with Triterpenoids

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2466
Author(s):  
Kenza Mamouni ◽  
Georgios Kallifatidis ◽  
Bal L. Lokeshwar
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cell Survival ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Mitochondrial Metabolism ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Prostate Cancer Cells ◽  
Normal Prostate ◽  
Cancer Cell Survival ◽  
The Impact

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of malignancy. It implements profound metabolic changes to sustain cancer cell survival and proliferation. Although the Warburg effect is a common feature of metabolic reprogramming, recent studies have revealed that tumor cells also depend on mitochondrial metabolism. Due to the essential role of mitochondria in metabolism and cell survival, targeting mitochondria in cancer cells is an attractive therapeutic strategy. However, the metabolic flexibility of cancer cells may enable the upregulation of compensatory pathways, such as glycolysis, to support cancer cell survival when mitochondrial metabolism is inhibited. Thus, compounds capable of targeting both mitochondrial metabolism and glycolysis may help overcome such resistance mechanisms. Normal prostate epithelial cells have a distinct metabolism as they use glucose to sustain physiological citrate secretion. During the transformation process, prostate cancer cells consume citrate to mainly power oxidative phosphorylation and fuel lipogenesis. A growing number of studies have assessed the impact of triterpenoids on prostate cancer metabolism, underlining their ability to hit different metabolic targets. In this review, we critically assess the metabolic transformations occurring in prostate cancer cells. We will then address the opportunities and challenges in using triterpenoids as modulators of prostate cancer cell metabolism.

AMPA Receptor Antagonist CFM-2 Decreases Survivin Expression in Cancer Cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 591-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Domingo Sanchez Ruiz ◽  
Hella Luksch ◽  
Marco Sifringer ◽  
Achim Temme ◽  
Christian Staufner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Survival ◽  
Receptor Antagonist ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Glutamate Receptors ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Ampa Receptor ◽  
Ampa Receptors ◽  
Survivin Expression ◽  
Ampa Receptor Antagonist ◽  
Cancer Cell Survival

Background: Glutamate receptors are widely expressed in different types of cancer cells. α-Amino-3- hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) receptors are ionotropic glutamate receptors which are coupled to intracellular signaling pathways that influence cancer cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Blockade of AMPA receptors by pharmacologic compounds may potentially constitute an effective tool in anticancer treatment strategies. Method: Here we investigated the impact of the AMPA receptor antagonist CFM-2 on the expression of the protein survivin, which is known to promote cancer cell survival and proliferation. We show that CFM-2 inhibits survivin expression at mRNA and protein levels and decreases the viability of cancer cells. Using a stably transfected cell line which overexpresses survivin, we demonstrate that over-expression of survivin enhances cancer cell viability and attenuates CFM-2–mediated inhibition of cancer cell growth. Result: These findings point towards suppression of survivin expression as a new mechanism contributing to anticancer effects of AMPA antagonists.

scholarly journals LONP1 and ClpP cooperatively regulate mitochondrial proteostasis for cancer cell survival

Oncogenesis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Geon Lee ◽  
Hui Won Kim ◽  
Yeji Nam ◽  
Kyeong Jin Shin ◽  
Yu Jin Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Cell Growth ◽  
Cell Survival ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Mitochondrial Matrix ◽  
Mitochondrial Functions ◽  
Cancer Cell Survival

AbstractMitochondrial proteases are key components in mitochondrial stress responses that maintain proteostasis and mitochondrial integrity in harsh environmental conditions, which leads to the acquisition of aggressive phenotypes, including chemoresistance and metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms and exact role of mitochondrial proteases in cancer remain largely unexplored. Here, we identified functional crosstalk between LONP1 and ClpP, which are two mitochondrial matrix proteases that cooperate to attenuate proteotoxic stress and protect mitochondrial functions for cancer cell survival. LONP1 and ClpP genes closely localized on chromosome 19 and were co-expressed at high levels in most human cancers. Depletion of both genes synergistically attenuated cancer cell growth and induced cell death due to impaired mitochondrial functions and increased oxidative stress. Using mitochondrial matrix proteomic analysis with an engineered peroxidase (APEX)-mediated proximity biotinylation method, we identified the specific target substrates of these proteases, which were crucial components of mitochondrial functions, including oxidative phosphorylation, the TCA cycle, and amino acid and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, we found that LONP1 and ClpP shared many substrates, including serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2). Inhibition of both LONP1 and ClpP additively increased the amount of unfolded SHMT2 protein and enhanced sensitivity to SHMT2 inhibitor, resulting in significantly reduced cell growth and increased cell death under metabolic stress. Additionally, prostate cancer patients with higher LONP1 and ClpP expression exhibited poorer survival. These results suggest that interventions targeting the mitochondrial proteostasis network via LONP1 and ClpP could be potential therapeutic strategies for cancer.

scholarly journals The metabolic adaptation mechanism of metastatic organotropism

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Wang ◽  
Daya Luo
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Cancer Metabolism ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Tumour Microenvironment ◽  
Metabolic Adaptation ◽  
Adaptation Mechanism ◽  
Metastatic Sites ◽  
The Impact

AbstractMetastasis is a complex multistep cascade of cancer cell extravasation and invasion, in which metabolism plays an important role. Recently, a metabolic adaptation mechanism of cancer metastasis has been proposed as an emerging model of the interaction between cancer cells and the host microenvironment, revealing a deep and extensive relationship between cancer metabolism and cancer metastasis. However, research on how the host microenvironment affects cancer metabolism is mostly limited to the impact of the local tumour microenvironment at the primary site. There are few studies on how differences between the primary and secondary microenvironments promote metabolic changes during cancer progression or how secondary microenvironments affect cancer cell metastasis preference. Hence, we discuss how cancer cells adapt to and colonize in the metabolic microenvironments of different metastatic sites to establish a metastatic organotropism phenotype. The mechanism is expected to accelerate the research of cancer metabolism in the secondary microenvironment, and provides theoretical support for the generation of innovative therapeutic targets for clinical metastatic diseases.

scholarly journals Osteoblast-Derived Paracrine and Juxtacrine Signals Protect Disseminated Breast Cancer Cells from Stress

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1366
Author(s):  
Russell Hughes ◽  
Xinyue Chen ◽  
Natasha Cowley ◽  
Penelope D. Ottewell ◽  
Rhoda J. Hawkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cell Survival ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Accessory Cell ◽  
Cancer Cell Survival

Metastatic breast cancer in bone is incurable and there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic approaches to improve survival. Key to this is understanding the mechanisms governing cancer cell survival and growth in bone, which involves interplay between malignant and accessory cell types. Here, we performed a cellular and molecular comparison of the bone microenvironment in mouse models representing either metastatic indolence or growth, to identify mechanisms regulating cancer cell survival and fate. In vivo, we show that regardless of their fate, breast cancer cells in bone occupy niches rich in osteoblastic cells. As the number of osteoblasts in bone declines, so does the ability to sustain large numbers of breast cancer cells and support metastatic outgrowth. In vitro, osteoblasts protected breast cancer cells from death induced by cell stress and signaling via gap junctions was found to provide important juxtacrine protective mechanisms between osteoblasts and both MDA-MB-231 (TNBC) and MCF7 (ER+) breast cancer cells. Combined with mathematical modelling, these findings indicate that the fate of DTCs is not controlled through the association with specific vessel subtypes. Instead, numbers of osteoblasts dictate availability of protective niches which breast cancer cells can colonize prior to stimulation of metastatic outgrowth.

scholarly journals Metabolic reprogramming ensures cancer cell survival despite oncogenic signaling blockade

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (20) ◽  
pp. 2067-2084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-wen Lue ◽  
Jennifer Podolak ◽  
Kevin Kolahi ◽  
Larry Cheng ◽  
Soumya Rao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Survival ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Oncogenic Signaling ◽  
Cancer Cell Survival

scholarly journals Role of Sigma-1 Receptor in Calcium Modulation: Possible Involvement in Cancer

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
Ilaria Pontisso ◽  
Laurent Combettes
Keyword(s):  
Cell Survival ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Protective Function ◽  
Sigma 1 Receptor ◽  
Contact Sites ◽  
Calcium Modulation ◽  
Sigma 1 ◽  
Cancer Cell Survival

Ca2+ signaling plays a pivotal role in the control of cellular homeostasis and aberrant regulation of Ca2+ fluxes have a strong impact on cellular functioning. As a consequence of this ubiquitous role, Ca2+ signaling dysregulation is involved in the pathophysiology of multiple diseases including cancer. Indeed, multiple studies have highlighted the role of Ca2+ fluxes in all the steps of cancer progression. In particular, the transfer of Ca2+ at the ER-mitochondrial contact sites, also known as mitochondrial associated membranes (MAMs), has been shown to be crucial for cancer cell survival. One of the proteins enriched at this site is the sigma-1 receptor (S1R), a protein that has been described as a Ca2+-sensitive chaperone that exerts a protective function in cells in various ways, including the modulation of Ca2+ signaling. Interestingly, S1R is overexpressed in many types of cancer even though the exact mechanisms by which it promotes cell survival are not fully elucidated. This review summarizes the findings describing the roles of S1R in the control of Ca2+ signaling and its involvement in cancer progression.

The role of hypoxia in endometrial cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yarely M. Salinas-Vera ◽  
Dolores Gallardo-Rincón ◽  
Erika Ruíz-García ◽  
Macrina B. Silva-Cázares ◽  
Carmen Sol de la Peña-Cruz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endometrial Cancer ◽  
Cell Survival ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Targeted Therapies ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Vasculogenic Mimicry ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Corpus Uteri

: Endometrial cancer represents the most frequent neoplasia from the corpus uteri, and comprises the 14th leading cause of death in women worldwide. Risk factors that contribute to the disease include early menarche, late menopause, nulliparity, and menopausal hormone use, as well as hypertension and obesity comorbidities. The clinical effectiveness of chemotherapy is variable, suggesting that novel molecular targeted therapies against specific cellular processes associated with the maintenance of cancer cell survival and therapy resistance urged to ameliorate the rates of success in endometrial cancer treatment. In the course of tumor growth, cancer cells must adapt to decreased oxygen availability in the microenvironment by upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factors, which orchestrate the activation of a transcriptional program leading to cell survival. During this adaptative process, the hypoxic cancer cells may acquire invasive and metastatic properties as well as increased cell proliferation and resistance to chemotherapy, enhanced angiogenesis, vasculogenic mimicry, and maintenance of cancer cell stemness, which contribute to more aggressive cancer phenotypes. Several studies have shown that hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) protein is aberrantly overexpressed in many solid tumors from breast, prostate, ovarian, bladder, colon, brain, and pancreas. Thus, it has been considered an important therapeutic target. Here, we reviewed the current knowledge of the relevant roles of cellular hypoxia mechanisms and HIF-1α functions in diverse processes associated with endometrial cancer progression. In addition, we also summarize the role of microRNAs in the posttranscriptional regulation of protein-encoding genes involved in the hypoxia response in endometrial cancer. Finally, we pointed out the need for urgent targeted therapies to impair the cellular processes activated by hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment.

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