ABSTRACT
Coordination of gene expression with nutrient availability supports proliferation and homeostasis and is shaped by protein acetylation. Yet how physiological/pathological signals link acetylation to specific gene expression programs and whether such responses are cell-type-specific is unclear. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key energy sensor, activated by glucose limitation to resolve nutrient supply-demand imbalances, critical for diabetes and cancer. Unexpectedly, we show here that, in gastrointestinal cancer cells, glucose activates AMPK to selectively induce EP300, but not CREB-binding protein (CBP). Consequently, EP300 is redirected away from nuclear receptors that promote differentiation towards ß-catenin, a driver of proliferation and colorectal tumorigenesis. Importantly, blocking glycogen synthesis permits reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and AMPK activation in response to glucose in previously nonresponsive cells. Notably, glycogen content and activity of the ROS/AMPK/EP300/ß-catenin axis are opposite in healthy versus tumor sections. Glycogen content reduction from healthy to tumor tissue may explain AMPK switching from tumor suppressor to activator during tumor evolution.
Subject(s)
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism , Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism , E1A-Associated p300 Protein/metabolism , Glucose/pharmacology , Animals , CREB-Binding Protein/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Enzyme Activation/drug effects , Glycogen/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Protein Binding/drug effects , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , beta Catenin/metabolismABSTRACT
Angular tetracyclic p-peroxyquinols, p-quinols, and a pentacyclic double peroxide, showing anticancer properties, were synthesized from the corresponding phenols by an environmentally friendly solvent- and wavelength-controlled irradiation under air in the absence of an external photosensitizer.
ABSTRACT
Even though the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for treating premalignant and malignant lesions has been demonstrated, resistant tumor cells to this therapy occasionally appear. Here, we describe the published methods to isolate resistant cancer cells to PDT and propose new procedures that may be used, as laboratory models allow a better understanding of resistance mechanisms. For this purpose, the treatment conditions, the photosensitizer (PS) or pro-drug, the cell line and the final selection - clonal of total population - must be taken into account. In general, high and repeated treatment doses are used. The resistant cell population characterization may include cell morphology, response to PDT, expression of death proteins or survival related genes and cell proliferation analysis. In addition, in vivo models such as the resistant cell transplantation to mice, allow evaluating tumorigenicity and aggressiveness, leading to the determination of the in vivo resistance. Summarizing, in order to improve clinical results, cellular models can help understand PDT-resistance mechanisms in vivo and in vitro.
