Shikonin exerts antitumor activity by causing mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatocellular carcinoma through PKM2–AMPK–PGC1α signaling pathway

Shikonin, a naphthoquinone derivative isolated from the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, exhibits broad-spectrum antitumor activity via different molecular mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the effect of shikonin on mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our results showed that shikonin inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasiveness of HCCLM3 cells, and promoted cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. More importantly, shikonin affected mitochondrial function by disrupting mitochondrial membrane potential and oxidative stress (OS) status. Furthermore, shikonin decreased the oxygen consumption rate of HCCLM3 cells, as well as the levels of ATP and metabolites involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle). We also investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of mitochondrial function by shikonin as an inhibitor of PKM2. Shikonin decreased the expression of PKM2 in the mitochondria and affected other metabolic pathways (AMPK and PGC1α pathways), which aggravated the oxidative stress and nutrient deficiency. Our results indicate a novel role of shikonin in triggering mitochondria dysfunction via the PKM2–AMPK–PGC1α signaling pathway and provide a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of HCC.

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Emodin Alleviates Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress via Mitochondrial Dysfunction by Inhibiting the PI3K/mTOR/GSK3β Pathway in Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/1562915 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Rui Li ◽

Wenzhou Liu ◽

Li Ou ◽

Feng Gao ◽

Min Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Cell Damage ◽

Neuroblastoma Cells ◽

Inflammatory Factors ◽

Protective Mechanism ◽

Human Neuroblastoma ◽

Induced Apoptosis

Emodin is an active monomer extracted from rhubarb root, which has many biological functions, including anti-inflammation, antioxidation, anticancer, and neuroprotection. However, the protective effect of emodin on nerve injury needs to be further elucidated. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of emodin on the neuroprotection and the special molecular mechanism. Here, the protective activity of emodin inhibiting H2O2-induced apoptosis and neuroinflammation as well as its molecular mechanisms was examined using human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y cells). The results showed that emodin significantly enhanced cell viability, reduced cell apoptosis and LDH release. Simultaneously, emodin downregulated H2O2-induced inflammatory factors, including IL-6, NO, and TNF-α, and alleviated H2O2-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, emodin inhibited the activation of the PI3K/mTOR/GSK3β signaling pathway. What is more, the PI3K/mTOR/GSK3β pathway participated in the protective mechanism of emodin on H2O2-induced cell damage. Collectively, it suggests that emodin alleviates H2O2-induced apoptosis and neuroinflammation potentially by regulating the PI3K/mTOR/GSK3β signaling pathway.

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Elucidation of Molecular Mechanisms of Streptozotocin-Induced Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Rin-5F Pancreatic β-Cells

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2017/7054272 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Arwa M. T. Al Nahdi ◽

Annie John ◽

Haider Raza

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Pancreatic Beta Cell ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Respiratory Enzymes ◽

Altered Expression ◽

Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Streptozotocin is a pancreatic beta-cell-specific cytotoxin and is widely used to induce experimental type 1 diabetes in rodent models. The precise molecular mechanism of STZ cytotoxicity is however not clear. Studies have suggested that STZ is preferably absorbed by insulin-secreting β-cells and induces cytotoxicity by producing reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS). In the present study, we have investigated the mechanism of cytotoxicity of STZ in insulin-secreting pancreatic cancer cells (Rin-5F) at different doses and time intervals. Cell viability, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial bioenergetics were studied. Our results showed that STZ induces alterations in glutathione homeostasis and inhibited the activities of the respiratory enzymes, resulting in inhibition of ATP synthesis. Apoptosis was observed in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Western blot analysis has also confirmed altered expression of oxidative stress markers (e.g., NOS and Nrf2), cell signaling kinases, apoptotic protein-like caspase-3, PARP, and mitochondrial specific proteins. These results suggest that STZ-induced cytotoxicity in pancreatic cells is mediated by an increase in oxidative stress, alterations in cellular metabolism, and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study may be significant in better understanding the mechanism of STZ-induced β-cell toxicity/resistance and the etiology of type 1 diabetes induction.

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Weaning differentially affects mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in normal and low birth weight piglets

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0247188 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. e0247188

Author(s):

Aliny K. Novais ◽

Karine Deschêne ◽

Yan Martel-Kennes ◽

Caroline Roy ◽

Jean-Paul Laforest ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽

Mitochondrial Function ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Target Genes ◽

Antioxidant Defenses ◽

Inflammatory Status ◽

And Oxidative Stress

Weaning is associated with increased occurrence of infections and diseases in piglets. Recent findings indicate that weaning induces mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress conditions that more severely impact smaller piglets. The objective of this study was to characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying these physiological consequences and the relation with systemic inflammatory status in both normal and low birth weight (NBW and LBW) piglets throughout the peri-weaning period. To conduct the study, 30 sows were inseminated, and specific piglets from their litters were assigned to one of two experimental groups: NBW (n = 60, 1.73 ± 0.01 kg,) and LBW piglets weighing less than 1.2 kg (n = 60, 1.01 ± 0.01 kg). Then, 10 piglets from each group were selected at 14, 21 (weaning), 23, 25, 29 and 35 days of age to collect organ and plasma samples. Specific porcine RT2 Profiler™ PCR Arrays related to mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis processes were first used to target genes that are modulated after weaning in NBW piglets (d 23 and d 35 vs. d 14). Expression of selected genes was evaluated by quantitative PCR. These analyses revealed that expression of inflammatory genes CXCL10 and CCL19 increased after weaning in intestinal mucosa, while expression of genes encoding subunits of the mitochondrial respiratory chain was downregulated in liver and kidney of both groups. Interestingly, major modulators of mitophagy (BNIP3), cell survival (BCL2A1) and antioxidant defense system (TXNRD2, GPx3, HMOX1) were found to be highly expressed in NBW piglets. The systemic levels of TNF-α and IL1-β significantly increased following weaning and were higher in NBW piglets. These results provide novel information about the molecular origin of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress observed in weaned piglets and suggest that clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria, antioxidant defenses and inflammatory response are compromised in LBW piglets.

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Blockade of Cyclophilin D Attenuates Oxidative Stress-Induced Cell Death in Human Dental Pulp Cells

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2019/1729013 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shengbin Huang ◽

Bingbing Zheng ◽

Xing Jin ◽

Qihao Yu ◽

Xiaorong Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Cell Death ◽

Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽

Dental Pulp ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Mitochondrial Permeability Transition ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Dental Pulp Cells ◽

Cyclophilin D ◽

Pulp Cells

Pathological stimuli, such as bacterial activity, dental bleaching, and nonpolymerized resin monomers, can cause death of dental pulp cells (DPCs) through oxidative stress- (OS-) induced mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the crucial molecular mechanisms that mediate such a phenomenon remain largely unknown. OS is characterized by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), e.g., H2O2, O2−, and ⋅OH. Mitochondria are a major source of ROS and the principal attack target of ROS. Cyclophilin D (CypD), as the only crucial protein for mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) induction, facilitates the opening of mPTP and causes mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to cell death. In the present study, we hypothesized that CypD-mediated mitochondrial molecular pathways were closely involved in the process of OS-induced death of human DPCs (HDPCs). We tested the phenotypic and molecular changes of HDPCs in a well-established OS model—H2O2 treatment. We showed that H2O2 dramatically reduced the viability and increased the death of HDPCs in a time- and dose-dependent manner by performing MTT, flow cytometry, and TUNEL assays and quantifying the expression changes of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins. H2O2 also induced mitochondrial dysfunction, as reflected by the increased mitochondrial ROS, reduced ATP production, and activation of mPTP (decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and enhanced intracellular Ca2+ level). An antioxidant (N-acetyl-L-cysteine) effectively preserved mitochondrial function and significantly attenuated H2O2-induced cytotoxicity and death. Moreover, H2O2 treatment markedly upregulated the CypD protein level in HDPCs. Notably, genetic or pharmacological blockade of CypD significantly attenuated H2O2-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. These findings provided novel insights into the role of a CypD-dependent mitochondrial pathway in the H2O2-induced death in HDPCs, indicating that CypD may be a potential therapeutic target to prevent OS-mediated injury in dental pulp.

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Sipjeondaebo-tang Alleviates Oxidative Stress-Mediated Liver Injury through Activation of the CaMKK2-AMPK Signaling Pathway

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2018/8609285 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sang Mi Park ◽

Sung Woo Kim ◽

Eun Hye Jung ◽

Hae Li Ko ◽

Chae Kwang Im ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Protein Kinase ◽

Liver Injury ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Glutathione Depletion ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Ampk Signaling ◽

Compound C

Sipjeondaebo-tang (SDT) is used frequently as a herbal prescription to treat deficiency syndromes in traditional Korean medicine. We investigated the hepatoprotective effects of SDT against oxidative stress and attempted to clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms. SDT pretreatment reduced arachidonic acid (AA) plus iron-mediated cytotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner and prevented changes in apoptosis-related protein expression. In addition, SDT pretreatment significantly reduced glutathione depletion, hydrogen peroxide production, and mitochondrial dysfunction via treatment with AA plus iron. SDT increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in accordance with the phosphorylation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CaMKK2). Experiments using an AMPK chemical inhibitor (Compound C) or CaMKK2 chemical inhibitor (STO-609) suggested that the CaMKK2-AMPK signaling pathway contributes to SDT-mediated protection of mitochondria and cells. Moreover, administration of SDT for 4 consecutive days to mice significantly reduced the alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities induced by carbon tetrachloride, and the numbers of degenerated hepatocytes, infiltrated inflammatory cells, nitrotyrosine-positive cells, and 4-hydroxynonenal-positive cells in liver tissue. Therefore, SDT protects hepatocytes from oxidative stress via CaMKK2-dependent AMPK activation and has the therapeutic potential to prevent or treat oxidative stress-related liver injury.

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Pisosterol Induces G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis via the ATM/ATR Signaling Pathway in Human Glioma Cells

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1871520620666200203160117 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

pp. 734-750

Author(s):

Wallax A.S. Ferreira ◽

Rommel R. Burbano ◽

Claudia do Ó. Pessoa ◽

Maria L. Harada ◽

Bárbara do Nascimento Borges ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Cycle ◽

Cell Cycle Arrest ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Glioma Cell ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Glioma Cells ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

M Cell ◽

Trypan Blue Exclusion ◽

Cycle Arrest

Background: Pisosterol, a triterpene derived from Pisolithus tinctorius, exhibits potential antitumor activity in various malignancies. However, the molecular mechanisms that mediate the pisosterol-specific effects on glioma cells remain unknown. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the antitumoral effects of pisosterol on glioma cell lines. Methods: The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and trypan blue exclusion assays were used to evaluate the effect of pisosterol on cell proliferation and viability in glioma cells. The effect of pisosterol on the distribution of the cells in the cell cycle was performed by flow cytometry. The expression and methylation pattern of the promoter region of MYC, ATM, BCL2, BMI1, CASP3, CDK1, CDKN1A, CDKN2A, CDKN2B, CHEK1, MDM2, p14ARF and TP53 was analyzed by RT-qPCR, western blotting and bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP-PCR). Results: Here, it has been reported that pisosterol markedly induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis and decreased the cell viability and proliferation potential of glioma cells in a dose-dependent manner by increasing the expression of ATM, CASP3, CDK1, CDKN1A, CDKN2A, CDKN2B, CHEK1, p14ARF and TP53 and decreasing the expression of MYC, BCL2, BMI1 and MDM2. Pisosterol also triggered both caspase-independent and caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways by regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and activating caspase-3 and p53. Conclusions: It has been, for the first time, confirmed that the ATM/ATR signaling pathway is a critical mechanism for G2/M arrest in pisosterol-induced glioma cell cycle arrest and suggests that this compound might be a promising anticancer candidate for further investigation.

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Glycine ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction caused by ABT-199 in porcine oocytes

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab072 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sicong Yu ◽

Lepeng Gao ◽

Yang Song ◽

Xin Ma ◽

Shuang Liang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽

Oocyte Maturation ◽

Mitochondrial Function ◽

Protective Action ◽

Damage Model ◽

Developmental Competence ◽

Free Calcium ◽

Maturation In Vitro

Abstract Mitochondria play an important role in controlling oocyte developmental competence. Our previous studies showed that glycine can regulate mitochondrial function and improve oocyte maturation in vitro. However, the mechanisms by which glycine affects mitochondrial function during oocyte maturation in vitro have not been fully investigated. In this study, we induced a mitochondrial damage model in oocytes with the Bcl-2-specific antagonist ABT-199. We investigated whether glycine could reverse the mitochondrial dysfunction induced by ABT-199 exposure and whether it is related to calcium regulation. Our results showed that ABT-199 inhibited cumulus expansion, decreased the oocyte maturation rate and the intracellular glutathione (GSH) level, caused mitochondrial dysfunction, induced oxidative stress, which was confirmed by decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (Δ⍦m) and the expression of mitochondrial function-related genes (PGC-1α), and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the expression of apoptosis-associated genes (Bax, caspase-3, CytC). More importantly, ABT-199-treated oocytes showed an increase in the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca 2+]i) and had impaired cortical type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3R1) distribution. Nevertheless, treatment with glycine significantly ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and apoptosis, glycine also regulated [Ca 2+]i levels and IP3R1 cellular distribution, which further protects oocyte maturation in ABT-199-induced porcine oocytes. Taken together, our results indicate that glycine has a protective action against ABT-199-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in porcine oocytes.

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The Parkinson’s Disease-Associated Protein DJ-1 Protects Dictyostelium Cells from AMPK-Dependent Outcomes of Oxidative Stress

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10081874 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1874

Author(s):

Suwei Chen ◽

Sarah J. Annesley ◽

Rasha A. F. Jasim ◽

Paul R. Fisher

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽

Mitochondrial Respiration ◽

Cysteine Residue ◽

Reduced Form ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Loss Of Function ◽

Cellular Pathology

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). In Dictyostelium discoideum, strains with mitochondrial dysfunction present consistent, AMPK-dependent phenotypes. This provides an opportunity to investigate if the loss of function of specific PD-associated genes produces cellular pathology by causing mitochondrial dysfunction with AMPK-mediated consequences. DJ-1 is a PD-associated, cytosolic protein with a conserved oxidizable cysteine residue that is important for the protein’s ability to protect cells from the pathological consequences of oxidative stress. Dictyostelium DJ-1 (encoded by the gene deeJ) is located in the cytosol from where it indirectly inhibits mitochondrial respiration and also exerts a positive, nonmitochondrial role in endocytosis (particularly phagocytosis). Its loss in unstressed cells impairs endocytosis and causes correspondingly slower growth, while also stimulating mitochondrial respiration. We report here that oxidative stress in Dictyostelium cells inhibits mitochondrial respiration and impairs phagocytosis in an AMPK-dependent manner. This adds to the separate impairment of phagocytosis caused by DJ-1 knockdown. Oxidative stress also combines with DJ-1 loss in an AMPK-dependent manner to impair or exacerbate defects in phototaxis, morphogenesis and growth. It thereby phenocopies mitochondrial dysfunction. These results support a model in which the oxidized but not the reduced form of DJ-1 inhibits AMPK in the cytosol, thereby protecting cells from the adverse consequences of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and the resulting AMPK hyperactivity.

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MAPK/ERK Signaling Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13123026 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 3026

Author(s):

Hyuk Moon ◽

Simon-Weonsang Ro

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Therapeutic Strategies ◽

Erk Signaling ◽

Health Concern ◽

Alternative Mechanism ◽

Major Health ◽

Activating Mutations ◽

Genetic Events

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health concern worldwide, and its incidence is increasing steadily. Recently, the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in HCC has gained renewed attention from basic and clinical researchers. The MAPK/ERK signaling pathway is activated in more than 50% of human HCC cases; however, activating mutations in RAS and RAF genes are rarely found in HCC, which are major genetic events leading to the activation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in other cancers. This suggests that there is an alternative mechanism behind the activation of the signaling pathway in HCC. Here, we will review recent advances in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the activation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway and discuss potential therapeutic strategies targeting the signaling pathway in the context of HCC.

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