DNAJA1 dysregulates metabolism promoting an anti-apoptotic phenotype in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Roth ◽  
Fatema Bhinderwala ◽  
Rodrigo Franco ◽  
You Zhou ◽  
Robert Powers

Abstract BackgroundAt less than 7%, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has one of the poorest 5-year cancer survival rates and is set to be the leading cause of cancer related deaths by 2030. The co-chaperone protein DNAJA1 (HSP40) is downregulated four-fold in pancreatic cancer cells, but its impact on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression remains unclear.MethodsDNAJA1 was overexpressed in pancreatic cancer cell lines, BxPC-3 and MIA PaCa-2, through retroviral transfection. The impact of overexpressing DNAJA1 was investigated using a combination of untargeted metabolomics, stable isotope resolved metabolomics (SIRM), confocal microscopy, flow-cytometry, and cell-based assays.ResultsPancreatic cancer cells overexpressing DNAJA1 exhibited a global metabolomic change. Specifically, differential output from Warburg glycolysis, an increase in redox currency, and an alteration in amino acid levels were observed in both overexpression cell lines. DNAJA1 overexpression also led to mitochondrial fusion, an increase in the expression of Bcl-2, a modest protection from redox induced cell death, a loss of structural integrity due to the loss of actin fibers, and an increase in cell invasiveness in BxPC-3. These differences were more pronounced in BxPC-3, which contains a loss-of-function mutation in the tumor suppressing gene SMAD4.ConclusionsThe overexpression of DNAJA1 promoted cellular proliferation, redox tolerance, invasiveness, and anti-apoptosis, which suggests DNAJA1 has numerous regulatory roles. Overall, our findings suggest a proto-oncogenic role of DNAJA1 in PDAC progression and suggests DNAJA1 may function synergistically with other proteins with altered activity in pancreatic cancer cell lines.

1994 ◽  
Vol 266 (1) ◽  
pp. R277-R283 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Smith ◽  
G. Liu ◽  
V. Soundararajan ◽  
P. J. McLaughlin ◽  
I. S. Zagon

The gastrointestinal peptide cholecystokinin (CCK) is known to stimulate growth of human pancreatic cancer in a receptor-mediated fashion. The purpose of this study was to characterize the receptor responsible for the trophic effects of CCK in cancer cells. With the use of homogenates of PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells grown in vitro, the binding characteristics and optimal conditions of radiolabeled selective CCK-receptor antagonists ([3H]L-365,260 and [3H]L-364,718) were examined. Specific and saturable binding was detected with [3H]L-365,260, and Scatchard analysis revealed that the data were consistent for a single site of binding with a binding affinity of 4.3 +/- 0.6 nM and a binding capacity (Bmax) of 283 +/- 68 fmol/mg protein in log phase cells. Binding was dependent on protein concentration, time, temperature, and pH and was sensitive to Na+, K+, Mg2+, and ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. In contrast to log phase cells, Bmax decreased by 80 and 92% in confluent and postconfluent cultures, respectively. Subcellular fractionation studies revealed that binding was in the membrane fraction. Competition experiments indicated that L-365,260 and gastrin were more effective at displacing the radiolabeled L-365,260 than CCK. No binding was detected with the CCK-A antagonist [3H]L-364,718. Assays performed with [3H]L-365,260 on five additional human pancreatic cancer cell lines in vitro and tumor tissue from xenografts in nude mice also revealed specific and saturable binding. These results provide the first identification of a CCK-B/gastrin receptor in human pancreatic cancer cells and tumors and explain the effects of CCK on the growth of this malignancy.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenna A. Rheinheimer ◽  
Lukas Vrba ◽  
Bernard W Futscher ◽  
Ronald L Heimark

AbstractBackgroundSLIT2 has been shown to serve as a tumor suppressor in breast, lung, colon, and liver cancers. Additionally, expression of SLIT2 has been shown to be epigenetically regulated in prostate cancer. Therefore, we sought to determine transcriptional regulation of SLIT2 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.MethodsRNA expression of SLIT2, SLIT3, and ROBO1 was examined in a panel of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines while protein expression of ROBO1 and SLIT2 was examined in tumor tissue. Methylation of the SLIT2 promoter was determined using Sequenom while histone modifications were queried by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Reexpression of SLIT2 was tested by treatment with 5-aza-2’deoxycytidine and Trichostatin A.ResultsPancreatic cancer cell lines fall into three distinct groups based on SLIT2 and ROBO1 expression. The SLIT2 promoter is methylated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and SLIT2 expression is dependent on the level of methylation at specific CpG sites. Treatment with 5-aza-2’deoxycytidine (but not Trichostatin A) led to SLIT2 reexpression. The SLIT2 promoter is bivalent in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and histone marks around the transcriptional start site are responsible for transcription.ConclusionsLoss of SLIT2 expression modulated by epigenetic silencing may play a role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenna A. Rheinheimer ◽  
Alex Cardenas ◽  
Luis Camacho ◽  
Evan S. Ong ◽  
Tun Jie ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundDeregulated phosphorylation of sphingosine by the sphingosine kinases and signaling through the EDG family of receptors enhances growth and survival in many cell types. Therefore, we sought to elucidate the effect of alterations in the ceramide/sphingosine/S1P rheostat on driving human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma towards a malignant phenotype.MethodsPancreatic cancer cell lines were treated with exogenous S1P, FTY720, and siRNA to Sphk1. Migration was evaluated by wound healing assays, cell growth by MTT assays, and invasion by tumorsphere assays. Expression of S1PR1, S1PR3, Sphk1, and Sphk2 were measured by quantitative PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry.ResultsS1PR1, S1PR3, and Sphk2 were overexpressed in all pancreatic cancer cell lines. Sphk1 translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in cells located at the leading edge of cell clusters. Exogenous S1P increased cell migration while treatment with FTY720 and Sphk1 siRNA decreased cell growth and invasion.ConclusionsOur results suggest that increased S1PR1 expression may be an early event in pancreatic cancer pathogenesis. Additionally, altered Sphk1 localization may provide a mechanism through which pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells at the leading edge invade into the surrounding matrix. Finally, inhibition of sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling may provide a novel therapeutic target for patients with metastatic disease.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lulu Farhana ◽  
Marcia I. Dawson ◽  
Jayanta K. Das ◽  
Farhan Murshed ◽  
Zebin Xia ◽  
...  

Pancreatic carcinoma has a dismal prognosis as it often presents as locally advanced or metastatic. We have found that exposure to adamantyl-substituted retinoid-related (ARR) compounds 3-Cl-AHPC and AHP3 resulted in growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in PANC-1, Capan-2, and MiaPaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cell lines. In addition, AHP3 and 3-Cl-AHPC inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in spheres derived from the CD44+/CD24+(CD133+/EpCAM+) stem-like cell population isolated from the pancreatic cancer cell lines. 3-Cl-AHPC-induced apoptosis was preceded by decreasing expression of IGF-1R, cyclin D1,β-catenin, and activated Notch-1 in the pancreatic cancer cell lines. Decreased IGF-1R expression inhibited PANC-1 proliferation, enhanced 3-Cl-AHPC-mediated apoptosis, and significantly decreased sphere formation. 3-Cl-AHPC inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin pathway as indicated by decreasedβ-catenin nuclear localization and inhibited Wnt/β-catenin activation of transcription factor TCF/LEF. Knockdown ofβ-catenin using sh-RNA also induced apoptosis and inhibited growth in pancreatic cancer cells. Thus, 3-Cl-AHPC and AHP3 induce apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells and cancer stem-like cells and may serve as an important potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.


1991 ◽  
Vol 276 (3) ◽  
pp. 599-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Yonezawa ◽  
J C Byrd ◽  
R Dahiya ◽  
J J L Ho ◽  
J R Gum ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to determine the quantity and nature of the mucins synthesized and secreted by four different pancreatic cancer cell lines. Well- to moderately-differentiated SW1990 and CAPAN-2 human pancreatic cancer cells were found to produce more high-Mr glycoprotein (HMG) than less-differentiated MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells. Most of the labelled HMG was secreted within 24 h. The results of chemical and enzymic degradation, ion-exchange chromatography and density-gradient centrifugation indicated that the HMG in SW1990 and CAPAN-2 cells has the properties expected for mucins, whereas much of the HMG in MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells may not be mucin, but proteoglycan. These results are consistent with immunoblots and Northern blots showing the presence of apomucin and apomucin mRNA in SW1990 and CAPAN-2 cells, but not in MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells. The Western blots and Northern blots also show that SW1990 and CAPAN-2 cells, like breast cancer cells, have the mammary-type apomucin and mRNA coded by the MUC1 gene, but lack the intestinal type apomucin and mRNA coded by the MUC2 gene. In contrast, the colon cancer cell lines tested in culture express apomucin and mRNA coded by MUC2 but not by MUC1.


Biomedicines ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
David J. Wooten ◽  
Indu Sinha ◽  
Raghu Sinha

Survival rate for pancreatic cancer remains poor and newer treatments are urgently required. Selenium, an essential trace element, offers protection against several cancer types and has not been explored much against pancreatic cancer specifically in combination with known chemotherapeutic agents. The present study was designed to investigate selenium and Gemcitabine at varying doses alone and in combination in established pancreatic cancer cell lines growing in 2D as well as 3D platforms. Comparison of multi-dimensional synergy of combinations’ (MuSyc) model and highest single agent (HSA) model provided quantitative insights into how much better the combination performed than either compound tested alone in a 2D versus 3D growth of pancreatic cancer cell lines. The outcomes of the study further showed promise in combining selenium and Gemcitabine when evaluated for apoptosis, proliferation, and ENT1 protein expression, specifically in BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells in vitro.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiajun He ◽  
Hongjian Ding ◽  
Huaqing Li ◽  
Zhiyu Pan ◽  
Qian Chen

While many anti-cancer modalities have shown potent efficacy in clinical practices, cancer prevention, timely detection, and effective treatment are still challenging. As a newly recognized iron-dependent cell death mechanism characterized by excessive generation of lipid peroxidation, ferroptosis is regarded as a potent weapon in clearing cancer cells. The cystine/glutamate antiporter solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) is the core target for ferroptosis regulation, the overexpression of which dictates downregulated sensitivity to ferroptosis in cancer cells. Hence, we elaborated the pan-cancer level bioinformatic study and systematically elucidated the role of intra-tumoral expression of SLC7A11 in the survival of cancer patients and potential immunotherapeutic response. Specifically, 25/27 (92.6%) cancers were featured with upregulated SLC7A11 expression, where SLC7A11 overexpression is a risk factor for worse overall survival in 8 cancers. We also validated SLC7A11 expression in multiple pancreatic cancer cell lines in vitro and found that it was upregulated in most pancreatic cancer cell lines (p < 0.05). Single-cell sequencing method revealed the SLC7A11 was majorly expressed in cancer cells and mononuclear cells. To further explore the function of SLC7A11 in cancer progression, we analyzed the influence on cell proliferation after the knockdown or knockout of SLC7A11 by either CRISPR or RNAi methods. Besides, the association between SLC7A11 and drug resistance was characterized using bioinformatic approaches as well. We also analyzed the association between the expression of SLC7A11 in multi-omics level and the intra-tumoral infiltration of immune cells based on cell annotation algorithms. Moreover, the relationship between SLC7A11 and the expression of MHC, immune stimulators, immune inhibitors as well as the response to immunotherapy was investigated. In addition, the SLC7A11 expression in colon adenocarcinoma, uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma, and stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) is also positively associated with microsatellite instability and that in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, STAD, and prostate adenocarcinoma is positively associated with neoantigen level, which further revealed the potential relationship between SLC7A11 and immunotherapeutic response.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1643
Author(s):  
Sandy Anania ◽  
Raphaël Peiffer ◽  
Gilles Rademaker ◽  
Alexandre Hego ◽  
Marc Thiry ◽  
...  

Pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the deadliest cancers where surgery remains the main survival factor. Mitochondria were described to be involved in tumor aggressiveness in several cancer types including pancreas cancer. We have previously reported that myoferlin controls mitochondrial structure and function, and demonstrated that myoferlin depletion disturbs the mitochondrial dynamics culminating in a mitochondrial fission. In order to unravel the mechanism underlying this observation, we explored the myoferlin localization in pancreatic cancer cells and showed a colocalization with the mitochondrial dynamic machinery element: mitofusin. This colocalization was confirmed in several pancreas cancer cell lines and in normal cell lines as well. Moreover, in pancreas cancer cell lines, it appeared that myoferlin interacted with mitofusin. These discoveries open-up new research avenues aiming at modulating mitofusin function in pancreas cancer.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3628
Author(s):  
Manoj Amrutkar ◽  
Nils Tore Vethe ◽  
Caroline S. Verbeke ◽  
Monica Aasrum ◽  
Anette Vefferstad Finstadsveen ◽  
...  

Gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is attributed to cancer cell-intrinsic drug processing and the impact of the tumor microenvironment, especially pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). This study uses human PDAC-derived paired primary cancer cells (PCCs) and PSCs from four different tumors, and the PDAC cell lines BxPC-3, Mia PaCa-2, and Panc-1, to assess the fate of gemcitabine by measuring its cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and LC-MS/MS-based metabolite analysis. Expression analysis and siRNA-mediated knockdown of key regulators of gemcitabine (hENT1, CDA, DCK, NT5C1A) was performed. Compared to PSCs, both the paired primary PCCs and cancer cell lines showed gemcitabine-induced dose-dependent cytotoxicity, high uptake, as well as high and variable intracellular levels of gemcitabine metabolites. PSCs were gemcitabine-resistant and demonstrated significantly lower drug uptake, which was not influenced by co-culturing with their paired PCCs. Expression of key gemcitabine regulators was variable, but overall strong in the cancer cells and significantly lower or undetectable in PSCs. In cancer cells, hENT1 inhibition significantly downregulated gemcitabine uptake and cytotoxicity, whereas DCK knockdown reduced cytotoxicity. In conclusion, heterogeneity in gemcitabine processing among different pancreatic cancer cells and stellate cells results from the differential expression of molecular regulators which determines the effect of gemcitabine.


2005 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 235-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Greco ◽  
D. Basso ◽  
P. Fogar ◽  
S. Mazza ◽  
F. Navaglia ◽  
...  

Background We investigated in vitro whether IL-1β and TGF-β1 affect pancreatic cancer cell growth, adhesion to the extracellular matrix and Matrigel invasion. Materials and methods Adhesion to fibronectin, laminin and type I collagen, and Matrigel invasion after stimulation with saline, IL-1β and TGF-β1 were evaluated using three primary and three metastatic pancreatic cancer cell lines. Results Extracellular matrix adhesion of control cells varied independently of the metastatic characteristics of the studied cell lines, whereas Matrigel invasion of control cells was partly correlated with the in vivo metastatic potential. IL-1β did not influence extracellular matrix adhesion, whereas it significantly enhanced the invasiveness of three of the six cell lines. TGF-β1 affected the adhesion of one cell line, and exerted contrasting effects on Matrigel invasion of different cell lines. Conclusions IL-1β enhances the invasive capacity of pancreatic cancer cells, whereas TGF-β1 has paradoxical effects on pancreatic cancer cells; this makes it difficult to interfere with TGF-β1 signaling in pancreatic cancer treatment.


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