The histone deacetylase inhibitor cambinol prevents acidic pHe-induced anterograde lysosome trafficking independently of sirtuin activity.

Common features of the solid tumor microenvironment, such as acidic extracellular pH and growth factors, are known to induce the redistribution of lysosomes from a perinuclear region to a position near the plasma membrane. Lysosome/plasma membrane juxtaposition facilitates invasion by allowing for the release of lysosomal proteases, including cathepsin B, which contribute to matrix degradation. In this study we identified the sirtuin 1/sirtuin 2 (SIRT1/2) inhibitor cambinol acts as a drug that inhibits lysosome redistribution and tumor invasion. Treatment of cells with cambinol resulted in a juxtanuclear lysosome aggregation (JLA) similar to that seen upon treatment with the PPARγ agonist, troglitazone (Tro). Like Tro, cambinol required the activity of ERK1/2 in order to induce this lysosome clustering phenotype. However, cambinol did not require the activity of Rab7, suggesting that this drug causes JLA by a mechanism different from what is known for Tro. Additionally, cambinol-induced JLA was not a result of autophagy induction. Further investigation revealed that cambinol triggered JLA independently of its activity as a SIRT1/2 inhibitor, suggesting that this drug could have effects in addition to SIRT1/2 inhibition that could be developed into a novel anti-cancer therapy.

Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) mediate the "glucose sensor" mechanism in metastatic breast cancer-derived cells MDA-MB-231.

In this study we investigated the effect of glucose on GSK3ß and ß-catenin expression and the involvement of the N-linked glycosylation and hexosamine pathways in the Wnt canonical pathway in response to in vitro conditions resembling normoglycemia (5 mmol) and hyperglycemia (20 mmol) in the metastatic breast cancer-derived cell line MDA-MB-231. We also investigated the relationship between this circuitry and the thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) regulation that seems to be related. MDA-MB-231 cells were grown either in 5 or 20 mM glucose chronically prior to plating. For glucose shift (5/20), cells were plated in 5 mM glucose and shifted to 20 mM at time 0. Both protein and mRNA levels for GSK3ß but only the protein expression for ß-catenin, were increased in response to high glucose. Furthermore, we assessed the response of GSK3ß, ß-catenin, and TXNIP to inhibition of the N-linked glycosylation, hexosamine, and Wnt pathways. Wnt signaling pathway activation was validated by specific reporter assay. We show that high levels of glucose regulate mRNA and protein expression of GSK3ß, and consequently higher levels of activated ß-catenin protein, which locates to the nucleus and is associated with increased levels of cyclin D1 expression. This event coincides with increased level of N-terminal Ser 9 phosphorylation of GSK3ß protein. The inhibition of both the hexosamine pathway and N-linked glycosylation along with Wnt signaling pathway by sFRP1 and DKK1 is associated with significant decrease of the protein levels of GSK3ß, ß-catenin, and TXNIP RNA. Our work illuminates a novel and never described before function of this signaling pathway that relates glucose metabolism with redox regulation mechanism.

Response to dexamethasone is glucose-sensitive in multiple myeloma cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia is among the major side effects of dexamethasone (DEX). Glucose or glucocorticoid (GC) regulates the expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) that controls the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the modulation of thioredoxin (TRX) activity. METHODS: Multiple myeloma (MM) cells were grown in 5 or 20 mM/L glucose with or without 25 µM DEX. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) was used to assess TXNIP RNA expression in response to glucose and DEX. ROS were detected by 5-6-chloromethyl-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (CM-H2DCFDA). TRX activity was assayed by the insulin disulfide-reducing assay. Proliferation was evaluated using CellTiter96 reagent with 490-nm absorbtion and used to calculate the DEX IC50 in 20 mM/L glucose using the Chou's dose effect equation. RESULTS: TXNIP RNA level responded to glucose or DEX with the same order of magnitude ARH77 > NCIH929 > U266B1 in these cells. MC/CAR cells were resistant to the regulation. ROS level increased concurrently with reduced TRX activity. Surprisingly glucose increased TRX activity in MC/CAR cells keeping ROS level low. DEX and glucose were lacking the expected additive effect on TXNIP RNA regulation when used concurrently in sensitive cells. ROS level was significantly lower when DEX was used in conditions of hyperglycemia in ARH77/NCIH9292 cells but not in U266B1 cells. Dex-IC50 increased 10-fold when the dose response effect of DEX was evaluated with glucose in ARH && and MC/Car cells CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows for the first time that glucose or DEX regulates important components of ROS production through TXNIP modulation or direct interference with TRX activity in MM cells. We show that glucose modulates the activity of DEX through ROS regualtion in MM cells. A better understanding of these pathways may help in improving the efficacy and reducing the toxicity of DEX, a drug still highly used in the treatment of MM. Our study also set the ground to study the relevance of the metabolic milieu in affecting drug response and toxicity in diabetic versus non-diabetic patients with MM.

Glutaminolysis and glycolysis regulation by troglitazone in breast cancer cells: Relationship to mitochondrial membrane potential.

We studied the roles of glycolysis and glutaminolysis following an acute reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential (Ψ(m)) induced by the thiazolidinedione troglitazone (TRO) and compared the responses with CCCP-induced depolarization in breast cancer derived MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells as well as in the MCF-10A normal breast cell line. TRO and CCCP both acutely reduced Ψ(m) but after 24 h TRO-treated cells had restored Ψ(m) associated with both increased glycolysis and glutaminolysis. In contrast, CCCP-treated cells exhibited only a partial restoration of Ψ(m) associated with increased glycolysis but decreased glutaminolysis. TRO-induced glutaminolysis was coupled to increased ammonium (GDH flux) and decreased alanine production (ALT flux) in all three cell lines. Both cancer cell lines exhibited a higher spontaneous GDH/ALT flux than the normal breast cell line associated with a reduced keto-acid pool. TRO's effect on GDH/ALT fluxes and mitochondrial keto-acid pool homeostasis was additive with glucose withdrawal suggesting limited intramitochondrial pyruvate availability. The TRO-induced acceleration in GDH flux supplies substrate for Complex I contributing to the restoration of Ψ(m) as well as Krebs cycle intermediates for biosynthesis. Inhibiting mitochondrial proton ATPase with oligomycin or nullifying the proton gradient with CCCP prevented both the TRO-induced recovery of Ψ(m) and accelerated GDH flux but restored ALT flux consonant with important roles for proton pumping in regulating GDH flux and Ψ(m) recovery. Blocking enhanced GDH flux reduced DNA synthesis consistent with glutaminolysis via GDH playing an important biosynthetic role in tumorigenesis.

Troglitazone regulates anaplerosis via a pull/push affect on glutamate dehydrogenase mediated glutamate deamination in kidney-derived epithelial cells; implications for the Warburg effect.

Mitochondrial Krebs cycle keto acid pool depends upon input from pyruvate and glutamate to maintain homeostasis. We studied the affect of glucose-derived pyruvate removal on compensatory input from glutamine-derived glutamate by accelerated glutamate metabolism via glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). In glutamine minus glucose media (Gln-Glc), NH(4)(+) production increased 41% without an increase in glutamine uptake consistent with accelerated glutamate metabolism via GDH. Alanine production dropped 40% consistent with a shift of glutamate from alanine aminotransferase (ALT) to GDH. Troglitazone (TRO) added to the Gln-Glc media further enhanced glutamate metabolism via GDH at the expense of glutamate metabolism via ALT since alanine production dropped an additional 70%. TRO reduced cell glutamate content 30% while increasing lactate production 5-fold consistent with blocking of cytosolic pyruvate formed from mitochondrial malate from reentering the cycle and maintaining keto acid pool homeostasis. Consequently mitochondrial keto acid pool deficit pulls glutamate via GDH into the cycle. Additionally TRO reduced cytosolic pH which effectively pushes glutamate via GDH, rather than merely shifting glutamate from ALT to GDH. Providing intramitochondrial pyruvate in the form of methyl pyruvate reduced glutamate metabolism via GDH and elevated glutamate metabolism via ALT to control levels restoring acid-base balance. Our findings are consistent with TRO regulation of anaplerosis dependent upon dual pull (cycle keto-acid deficit)/push (cytosolic acidosis) mechanisms.

Troglitazone induced cytosolic acidification via extracellular signal-response kinase activation and mitochondrial depolarization: complex I proton pumping regulates ammoniagenesis in proximal tubule-like LLC-PK1 cells.

PURPOSE: To determined the mechanism(s) through which troglitazone induces cytosolic acidification and glutamine-dependent ammoniagenesis in pig kidney derived LLC-PK1 cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Acute experiments measured acid extrusion, acid production and simultaneous Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase activation. TRO-enhanced acid production was correlated with mitochondrial membrane potential and rotenone and 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride, were employed to test specifically the role of Complex I proton pumping. Chronic experiments correlated inhibitors of Complex I with prevention of TRO-increased ammoniagenesis and affects on glutamine metabolism. RESULTS: Exposure to TRO acutely activated Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase in a dose dependent manner associated with a fall in spontaneous cytosolic pH. Cytosolic acidosis was associated with both an increase in acid production and inhibition of sodium/hydrogen ion exchanger -mediated acid extrusion. Preventing TRO-induced Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase activation with Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Kinase inhibitors blocked the increase in acid production, restored sodium/hydrogen ion exchanger-activity and prevented cytosolic acidification. Mechanistically, increased acid production was associated with a rapid mitochondrial depolarization and Complex I proton pumping. Blocking Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase activation prevented both the fall in Psim and the increased acid production suggesting that the former underlies the accelerated mitochondrial 'acid production'. Mitochondrial Complex I inhibitors EIPA and rotenone prevented increased acid production despite Extracellular Response Kinase activation and reduced sodium/hydrogen ion activity. Inhibition of Complex I prevented TRO's effects on glutamine metabolism. CONCLUSION: TRO induces cellular acidosis through Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase activation-associated acid production and impaired acid extrusion. Acutely, increased acid production reflects mitochondrial Complex I proton pumping into the cytosol while chronically Complex I activity appears coupled to mitochondrial glutamate uptake and oxidation to ammonium at the expense of cytosolic transamination and alanine formation in these proximal tubule-like cells.

Role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-signaling versus cellular acidosis via Na+/H+ exchanger1(NHE1)-inhibition in troglitazone-induced growth arrest of breast cancer-derived cells MCF-7.

PURPOSE: We previously showed that troglitazone (TRO) induces a profound cellular acidosis in MCF-7 cells as a result of inhibiting Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE)1-mediated acid extrusion and this was associated with a marked reduction in cellular proliferation. The present study focuses on TRO-activated signaling pathways versus TRO-mediated NHE1-inhibition in reducing DNA synthesis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: TRO activation of the signaling pathway involving epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) 1/2/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was studied by Western blotting and phospho-specific antibodies. TRO induction of cellular acidosis and inhibition of NHE1 activity were measured using (2, 7)-biscarboxyethyl-5 (6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) assay and NH4(+)/NH(3) pulsing. Cellular proliferation was assessed as DNA synthesis by (3)H-thymidine incorporation. RESULTS: TRO simultaneously reduces pH(i) and elevates phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK). These responses reflected inhibition of acid extrusion and EGFR activation respectively and were sustained over 18h associated with a large decrease in DNA synthesis. Preventing TRO-induced ERK activation did not restore DNA synthesis or cellular pH. CONCLUSIONS: TRO activates two parallel pathways: I] EGFR/MEK1/2/ERK1/2 and II] NHE1 inhibition/cellular acidosis. Elimination of I] did not prevent the inhibition of DNA synthesis consistent with TRO-induced growth arrest dependent upon II] in tumorigenic non-metastatic breast cancer derived MCF-7 cells.

Hyperglycemia regulates thioredoxin-ROS activity through induction of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) in metastatic breast cancer-derived cells MDA-MB-231.

BACKGROUND: We studied the RNA expression of the genes in response to glucose from 5 mM (condition of normoglycemia) to 20 mM (condition of hyperglycemia/diabetes) by microarray analysis in breast cancer derived cell line MDA-MB-231. We identified the thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), whose RNA level increased as a gene product particularly sensitive to the variation of the level of glucose in culture media. We investigated the kinesis of the TXNIP RNA and protein in response to glucose and the relationship between this protein and the related thioredoxin (TRX) in regulating the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in MDA-MB-231 cells. METHODS: MDA-MB-231 cells were grown either in 5 or 20 mM glucose chronically prior to plating. For glucose shift (5/20), cells were plated in 5 mM glucose and shifted to 20 mM at time 0. Cells were analyzed with Affymetrix Human U133A microarray chip and gene expression profile was obtained. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot was used to validate the expression of TXNIP RNA and protein in response to glucose, respectively. ROS were detected by CM-H2DCFDA (5-6-chloromethyl-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate) and measured for mean fluorescence intensity with flow cytometry. TRX activity was assayed by the insulin disulfide reducing assay. RESULTS: We found that the regulation of TXNIP gene expression by glucose in MDA-MB-231 cells occurs rapidly within 6 h of its increased level (20 mM glucose) and persists through the duration of the conditions of hyperglycemia. The increased level of TXNIP RNA is followed by increased level of protein that is associated with increasing levels of ROS and reduced TRX activity. The inhibition of the glucose transporter GLUT1 by phloretin notably reduces TXNIP RNA level and the inhibition of the p38 MAP kinase activity by SB203580 reverses the effects of TXNIP on ROS-TRX activity. CONCLUSION: In this study we show that TXNIP is an oxidative stress responsive gene and its expression is exquisitely regulated by glucose level in highly metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells.

Hyperglycemia-induced thioredoxin-interacting protein expression differs in breast cancer-derived cells and regulates paclitaxel IC50.

PURPOSE: We studied the hyperglycemia-induced expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) expression and its relevance on the cytotoxic activity of paclitaxel in mammary epithelial-derived cell lines. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Nontumorigenic cells (MCF10A); tumorigenic, nonmetastatic cells (MCF-7/T47D); and tumorigenic, metastatic cells (MDA-MB-231/MDA-MB-435s) were grown either in 5 or 20 mmol/L glucose chronically. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR was used to assess TXNIP RNA expression in response to glucose. Reactive oxygen species were detected by CM-H2DCFDA (5-6-chloromethyl-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate) and measured for mean fluorescence intensity with flow cytometry. Thioredoxin activity was assayed by the insulin disulfide-reducing assay. Proliferation was evaluated using CellTiter96 reagent with 490-nm absorption. Obtained absorbance values were used to calculate the paclitaxel IC(50) in 5 or 20 mmol/L glucose using the Chou's dose-effect equation. RESULTS: We show that hyperglycemia by itself affects the level of TXNIP RNA in breast cancer-derived cells. TXNIP RNA level differs between nontumorigenic/nonmetastatic, tumorigenic cells (low TXNIP level), and metastatic cells (high TXNIP level). The differences in TXNIP RNA level, in reactive oxygen species level, and in thioredoxin activity are all related. We further show that hyperglycemia is a favorable condition in increasing the paclitaxel cytotoxicity by causing IC(50) 3-fold decrease in metastatic breast cancer-derived MDA-MB-231 cells. The increased paclitaxel cytotoxicity is associated with an additive effect on the hyperglycemia-mediated TXNIP expression more evident in conditions of hyperglycemia than normoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: Our study opens a new perspective on the relevance of metabolic conditions of hyperglycemia in the biology and treatment of cancer, particularly in view of the epidemic of diabetes.

ALK-mediated Na+/H+ exchanger-dependent intracellular alkalinization: does it matter for oncogenesis?

In this study we investigated the relevance of the oncogenic protein NPM-ALK in regulating cellular pH (pHi) through the modulation of Na+/H+ exchanger 1 (NHE1)-activity and the consequences of pHi pharmacological manipulation in cells expressing NPM-ALK.

Troglitazone and pioglitazone interactions via PPAR-gamma-independent and -dependent pathways in regulating physiological responses in renal tubule-derived cell lines.

Troglitazone (Tro) and pioglitazone (Pio) activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma and PPAR-gamma-independent pathways was studied in cell lines derived from porcine renal tubules. PPAR-gamma-dependent activation of PPAR response element-driven luciferase gene expression was observed with Pio at 1 microM but not Tro at 1 microM. On the other hand, PPAR-gamma-independent P-ERK activation was observed with 5 microM Tro but not with Pio (5-20 microM). In addition, Pio (1-10 microM) increased metabolic acid production and activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) associated with decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, whereas Tro (1-20 microM) did not. These results are consistent with three pathways through which glitazones may act in effecting metabolic processes (ammoniagenesis and gluconeogenesis) as well as cellular growth: 1) PPAR-gamma-dependent and PPAR-gamma-independent pathways, 2) P-ERK activation, and 3) mitochondrial AMPK activation. The pathways influence cellular acidosis and glucose and glutamine metabolism in a manner favoring reduced plasma glucose in vivo. In addition, significant interactions can be demonstrated that enhance some physiological processes (ammoniagenesis) and suppress others (ligand-mediated PPAR-gamma gene expression). Our findings provide a model both for understanding seemingly opposite biological effects and for enhancing therapeutic potency of these agents.

Troglitazone's rapid and sustained activation of ERK1/2 induces cellular acidosis in LLC-PK1-F+ cells: physiological responses.

We studied the signal pathway through which troglitazone (TRO) acts in inducing cellular acidosis in LLC-PK1-F+ cells in relation to ammoniagenesis and DNA synthesis. Cells were grown to confluent monolayers in 30-mm chambers and monitored for intracellular pH (pHi) by the BCECF assay and activated ERK by phospo-ERK1/2 antibodies. TRO induces a severe cellular acidosis (pHi 6.68 +/- 0.10 vs. 7.28 +/- 0.07 time control at 4 min, P < 0.01), whereas phospho-ERK1/2 to total ERK1/2 ratio increases 3.4-fold (P < 0.01). To determine whether ERK1/2 was activated by cellular acidosis or TRO was acting via MEK1/2 to activate ERK1/2, cells were pretreated with specific inhibitors of MEK1/2 activity, PD-098059 and U-0126, followed by the addition of TRO or vehicle. With MEK1/2 activity inhibited, TRO treatment failed to activate ERK1/2. Preventing ERK1/2 activation abrogated the TRO-induced cellular acidosis and maintained the pHi within the low normal range (7.06 +/- 0.11). To determine whether blocking ERK activation prevents TRO's inhibitory effect on NHE activity, cells were acid-loaded and the recovery response was monitored as DeltapHi/t over a 4-min recovery period. TRO inhibited NHE activity by 85% (P < 0.01), whereas blocking ERK activation restored the response. We measured activated ERK levels and pHi after 3- and 18-h exposure to TRO or extracellular acidosis (pHe = 6.95) to determine whether ERK activation was sustained. Whereas both TRO and extracellular acidosis increased activated ERK and decreased pHi after 3 h, only TRO sustained this response at 18 h. Furthermore, both enhanced ammoniagenesis and decreased DNA synthesis reflected the effect of TRO to induce and sustain a cellular acidosis.

Troglitazone acts on cellular pH and DNA synthesis through a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma-independent mechanism in breast cancer-derived cell lines.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess whether troglitazone (TRO) would induce cellular acidosis by inhibiting Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) 1 in breast carcinoma-derived cell lines and, if so, whether cellular acidosis would be associated with a reduction in proliferation. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Intracellular pH (pH(i)) and acid extrusion capacity after an exogenous acid load were assayed using (2, 7)-biscarboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells treated with TRO. Radiolabeled thymidine incorporation was used to assess DNA synthesis. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma involvement was assessed using an antagonist and PPARgamma(-/-) NIH3T3 cells. RESULTS: TRO induced a prompt (<4 minute) and severe cellular acidosis in both MCF-7 (7.54 +/- 0.23 to 6.77 +/- 0.06; P < 0.001) and MDA-MB-231 cells (7.38 +/- 0.18 to 6.89 +/- 0.25; P < 0.05) after 12 minutes, without increasing acid production. Acid extrusion as assessed by the response to an exogenous acid load (NH(4)Cl pulse) was markedly blunted (MDA-MB-231, P < 0.01) or eliminated (MCF-7, P < 0.001). Chronic exposure to TRO resulted in NHE1 activity reduction (P < 0.05) and a dose-dependent decrease in DNA synthesis (<75% inhibition at 100 micromol/L; P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 for MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, respectively) associated with a decreased number of viable cells. TRO-mediated inhibition of proliferation was not reversed by the presence of the PPARgamma inhibitor GW9662 and was demonstrable in PPARgamma(-/-) NIH3T3 cells, consistent with a PPARgamma-independent mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: TRO induces marked cellular acidosis in MCF-7 and MDA-MD-231 cells. Sustained acidosis is consonant with decreased proliferation and growth that is not reversed by a PPARgamma antagonist. Our results support a NHE-mediated action of TRO that exerts its effect independent of PPARgamma.

Troglitazone acts by PPARgamma and PPARgamma-independent pathways on LLC-PK1-F+ acid-base metabolism.

Troglitazone was studied in pH-sensitive LLC-PK1-F+ cells to determine the effect on pHi and glutamine metabolism as well as the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARgamma)-dependent and PPARgamma-independent signaling pathways. Troglitazone induces a dose-dependent cellular acidosis that occurs within 4 min and persists over 18 h as a result of inhibiting Na+/H+ exchanger-mediated acid extrusion. Cellular acidosis was associated with glutamine-dependent augmented [15N]ammonium production and decreased [15N]alanine formation from 15N-labeled glutamine. The shift in glutamine metabolism from alanine to ammoniagenesis appears within 3 h and is associated after 18 h with both a reduction in assayable alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity as well as cellular acidosis. The relative contribution of troglitazone-induced cellular acidosis vs. the decrease in assayable ALT activity to alanine production could be demonstrated. The PPARgamma antagonist bisphenol A diglycide ether (BADGE) reversed both the troglitazone-induced cellular acidosis and ammoniagenesis but enhanced the troglitazone reduction of assayable ALT activity; BADGE also blocked troglitazone induction of peroxisome proliferator response element-driven firefly luciferase activity. The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine mimics troglitazone effects, whereas phorbol ester reverses the effects on ammoniagenesis consistent with troglitazone negatively regulating the DAG/PKC/ERK pathway. Although functional PPARgamma signaling occurs in this cell line, the major troglitazone-induced acid-base responses appear to be mediated by pathway(s) involving PKC/ERK.