Nuclear-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 regulates BMI1 expression and determines proliferative capacity of high-grade gliomas

Nuclear-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 (COX4) is a key regulatory subunit of mammalian cytochrome c oxidase, and recent studies have demonstrated that COX4 isoform 1 (COX4-1) could have a role in glioma chemoresistance. The Polycomb complex protein BMI1 is a stem cell regulatory gene implicated in the pathogenesis of many aggressive cancers, including glioma. This study sought to determine if COX4 regulates BMI1 and modulates tumor cell proliferation. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas database and a retrospective data set from patients with glioblastoma multiforme, we found that BMI1 expression levels positively correlated with COX4-1 expression and overall survival. Whereas COX4-1 promoted cell growth by increasing BMI1 expression, COX4-2 inhibited cell growth even in cells overexpressing BMI1. We also demonstrate that COX4-1 attenuates mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which is required for COX4-1-mediated effects on BMI1 expression and cell proliferation. Notably, mice bearing COX4-1-expressing glioma cell xenografts quickly developed invasive tumors characterized by the presence of multiple lesions positive for Ki-67, BMI1, and COX4-1, whereas mice bearing COX4-2-expressing xenografts rarely developed tumors by this point. COX4-1 also promoted the self-renewal of glioma stem-like cells, consistent with the reported role of BMI1 in stem cell growth. Taken together, these findings identify a novel COX4-1-mitochondrial ROS axis, in which differential expression of COX4 isoforms regulates mitochondrial ROS production and controls BMI1 expression.     

Cytochrome c oxidase is activated by the oncoprotein Ras and is required for A549 lung adenocarcinoma growth

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Constitutive activation of Ras in immortalized bronchial epithelial cells increases electron transport chain activity, oxygen consumption and tricarboxylic acid cycling through unknown mechanisms. We hypothesized that members of the Ras family may stimulate respiration by enhancing the expression of the Vb regulatory subunit of cytochrome c oxidase (COX). RESULTS: We found that the introduction of activated H-RasV12 into immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells increased eIF4E-dependent COX Vb protein expression simultaneously with an increase in COX activity and oxygen consumption. In support of the regulation of COX Vb expression by the Ras family, we also found that selective siRNA-mediated inhibition of K-Ras expression in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells reduced COX Vb protein expression, COX activity, oxygen consumption and the steady-state concentration of ATP. We postulated that COX Vb-mediated activation of COX activity may be required for the anchorage-independent growth of A549 cells as soft agar colonies or as lung xenografts. We transfected the A549 cells with COX Vb small interfering or shRNA and observed a significant reduction of their COX activity, oxygen consumption, ATP and ability to grow in soft agar and as poorly differentiated tumors in athymic mice. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our findings indicate that the activation of Ras increases COX activity and mitochondrial respiration in part via up-regulation of COX Vb and that this regulatory subunit of COX may have utility as a Ras effector target for the development of anti-neoplastic agents.     

Loss of COX5B inhibits proliferation and promotes senescence via mitochondrial dysfunction in breast cancer

COX5B, a peripheral subunit of the cytochrome c oxidase complex, has previously been reported to maintain the stability of this complex. However, its functions and mechanisms involved in breast cancer progression remain unclear. Here, by performing SILAC assays in breast cancer cell models and detecting COX5B expression in tissues, we found that COX5B expression was elevated in breast cancer. Down-regulation of COX5B in breast cancer cell lines can suppress cell proliferation and induced cell senescence which was accompanied by elevating production of IL-8 and other cytokines. Interestingly, conditioned medium from COX5B knockdown cells could promote breast cancer cell migration. Mechanistic studies reveal that COX5B silence induces an increase in production of ROS, depolarization of MMP and a decrease in ATP. What''s more, silence of COX5B leads to metabolic disorders, such as increased glucose uptake and decreased lactate secretion. Collectively, our study shows that loss of COX5B induces mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequently leads to cell growth suppression and cell senescence. Cytokines such as IL-8 secreted by senescent cells may in turn alter the microenvironment which could enhance cell migration. These findings may provide a novel paradigm for the treatment which combined anti-cancer drugs with particular cytokine inhibitors such as IL-8 blockers.     

Differential expression of mitochondrial energy metabolism profiles across the metaplasia–dysplasia–adenocarcinoma disease sequence in Barrett's oesophagus

Contemporary clinical management of Barrett's oesophagus has highlighted the lack of accurate predictive markers of disease progression to oesophageal cancer. This study aims to examine alterations in mitochondrial energy metabolism profiles across the entire disease progression sequence in Barrett's oesophagus. An in-vitro model was used to screen 84 genes associated with mitochondrial energy metabolism. Three energy metabolism genes (ATP12A, COX4I2, COX8C) were significantly altered across the in-vitro Barrett's disease sequence. In-vivo validations across the Barrett's sequence demonstrated differential expression of these genes. Tissue microarrays demonstrated significant alterations in both epithelial and stromal oxidative phosphorylation (ATP5B and Hsp60) and glycolytic (PKM2 and GAPDH) protein markers across the in-vivo Barrett's sequence. Levels of ATP5B in sequential follow up surveillance biopsy material segregated Barrett's non progressors and progressors to HGD and cancer. Utilising the Seahorse XF24 flux analyser, in-vitro Barrett's and adenocarcinoma cells exhibited altered levels of various oxidative parameters. We show for the first time that mitochondrial energy metabolism is differentially altered across the metaplasia–dysplasia–adenocarcinoma sequence and that oxidative phosphorylation profiles have predictive value in segregating Barrett's non progressors and progressors to adenocarcinoma.     

The oncoprotein HBXIP promotes glucose metabolism reprogramming via downregulating SCO2 and PDHA1 in breast cancer

The glucose metabolism reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer. The oncoprotein hepatitis B X-interacting protein (HBXIP) functions in the development of breast cancer. In this study, we supposed that HBXIP might be involved in the glucose metabolism reprogramming in breast cancer. We showed that HBXIP led to increases in generation of intracellular glucose and lactate, as well as decreases in generation of reactive oxygen species. Expression of synthesis of cytochrome c oxidase 2 (SCO2) and pyruvate dehydrogenase alpha 1 (PDHA1), two factors of metabolic switch from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis, was suppressed by HBXIP. In addition, miR-183/182 and miR-96 directly inhibited the expression of SCO2 and PDHA1 through targeting their mRNA coding sequences (CDSs), respectively. Interestingly, HBXIP elevated the miR-183/96/182 cluster expression through hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α). The stability of HIF1α was enhanced by HBXIP through disassociating interaction of von Hippel-Lindau protein (pVHL) with HIF1α. Moreover, miR-183 increased the levels of HIF1α protein through directly targeting CDS of VHL mRNA, forming a feedback loop of HIF1α/miR-183/pVHL/HIF1α. In function, HBXIP-elevated miR-183/96/182 cluster enhanced the glucose metabolism reprogramming in vitro. HBXIP-triggered glucose metabolism reprogramming promoted the growth of breast cancer in vivo. Thus, we conclude that the oncoprotein HBXIP enhances glucose metabolism reprogramming through suppressing SCO2 and PDHA1 in breast cancer.     

Synthesis of cytochrome C oxidase 2: a p53-dependent metabolic regulator that promotes respiratory function and protects glioma and colon cancer cells from hypoxia-induced cell death

P53 has an important role in the processing of starvation signals. P53-dependent molecular mediators of the Warburg effect reduce glucose consumption and promote mitochondrial function. We therefore hypothesized that the retention of wild-type p53 characteristic of primary glioblastomas limits metabolic demands induced by deregulated signal transduction in the presence of hypoxia and nutrient depletion. Here we report that short hairpin RNA-mediated gene suppression of wild-type p53 or ectopic expression of mutant temperature-sensitive dominant-negative p53(V135A) increased glucose consumption and lactate production, decreased oxygen consumption and enhanced hypoxia-induced cell death in p53 wild-type human glioblastoma cells. Similarly, genetic knockout of p53 in HCT116 colon carcinoma cells resulted in reduced respiration and hypersensitivity towards hypoxia-induced cell death. Further, wild-type p53 gene silencing reduced the expression of synthesis of cytochrome c oxidase 2 (SCO2), an effector necessary for respiratory chain function. An SCO2 transgene reverted the metabolic phenotype and restored resistance towards hypoxia in p53-depleted and p53 mutant glioma cells in a rotenone-sensitive manner, demonstrating that this effect was dependent on intact oxidative phosphorylation. Supplementation with methyl-pyruvate, a mitochondrial substrate, rescued p53 wild-type but not p53 mutant cells from hypoxic cell death, demonstrating a p53-mediated selective aptitude to metabolize mitochondrial substrates. Further, SCO2 gene silencing in p53 wild-type glioma cells sensitized these cells towards hypoxia. Finally, lentiviral gene suppression of SCO2 significantly enhanced tumor necrosis in a subcutaneous HCT116 xenograft tumor model, compatible with impaired energy metabolism in these cells. These findings demonstrate that glioma and colon cancer cells with p53 wild-type status can skew the Warburg effect and thereby reduce their vulnerability towards tumor hypoxia in an SCO2-dependent manner. Targeting SCO2 may therefore represent a valuable strategy to enhance sensitivity towards hypoxia and may complement strategies targeting glucose metabolism.     

Dimethylthiourea inhibition of B16 melanoma growth and induction of phenotypic alterations; relationship to ATP levels.

1,3 Dimethylthiourea (DMTU) has previously been shown by us to inhibit the growth of melanoma cells and to induce phenotypic alterations in these cells, including ultrastructural alterations of mitochondria. These findings raised the possibility that impaired mitochondrial function might be involved in mediating the effect of DMTU on cell growth and phenotypic expression. The present study indicates that DMTU as well as another growth inhibitory methylurea derivative, tetramethylurea (TMU) significantly decrease ATP content in the B16 melanoma cell line. 1,3 Dimethylurea (1,3DMU) and 1,1 dimethylurea (1,1DMU) which are poor growth inhibitors, do not reduce ATP content significantly. Altered energy metabolism in the DMTU-treated cells is reflected by inhibition of the activity of cytochrome c oxidase and by increased lactate levels. A cell line selected for resistance to growth inhibition by DMTU was shown to be completely resistant to induction of phenotypic alterations by DMTU. These cells possess high lactate levels, high ATP content and a somewhat decreased Na/K ATPase activity as compared to wild type B16 F10 cells. 1,3 DMTU treatment of the resistant cells leads to a decrease in the activity of the mitochondrial enzyme cytochrome c oxidase, similar to its effect on the wild type B16 F10 cells. DMTU also reduces ATP content moderately in the resistant cells. However, the levels of ATP do not decrease beyond those found in untreated B16 F10 wild type cells. Taken together the results suggest that decreased ATP content might be involved, at least partially, in mediating the effects of DMTU on B16 melanoma cell growth and phenotypic expression.     

Expression of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase in human colonic cell differentiation, transformation, and risk for colonic cancer

In a panel of eight cloned complementary DNA sequences whose level of expression characterize colon cells as transformed in vivo and in vitro, one which may also serve as a marker of risk in familial polyposis and familial colon cancer flat mucosa has been identified as mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3. Mean level of expression of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3 decreases progressively in colon adenomas and carcinomas relative to normal mucosa in vivo, and returns to higher levels present in biopsies of normal mucosa when the HT29 human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line is induced to differentiate with sodium butyrate. Quantitation of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3 DNA by dot blots indicated that these changes in expression were not associated with alterations in the number of mitochondrial genomes.     

Presence of glucocorticoid responsive elements in the mitochondrial genome

Glucocorticoids rapidly affect nuclear RNA synthesis by binding, as hormone-receptor complexes, to Glucocorticoid Responsive Elements (GRE), differently positioned in glucocorticoid inducible genes. Glucocorticoids also affect, within minutes, mitochondrial RNA synthesis. We therefore searched for GREs in the mitochondrial genome of human (H), rat (R) and mouse (M) and found a number of such potential elements as follows: one within the 12s - rRNA gene (H1, R1 and M1) one within (H2), or at the start (R2, M2), of the presumptive protein 1 gene and three within the mouse cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 gene (COX1, COX2 and COX3). The nucleotide sequence of H1, R1 and M1 reveals the possibility of the formation of hairpin structures, stabilized by hydrogen bond formation, between three or four consecutive bases. The presence of potential GREs in the mitochondrial genome suggests an adjustment of mitochondrial metabolic control to the general control mechanisms of the cell.     

Epigallocatechin gallate affects glucose metabolism and increases fitness and lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster

In this study, we tested whether a standardized epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) rich green tea extract (comprising > 90% EGCG) affects fitness and lifespan as well as parameters of glucose metabolism and energy homeostasis in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Following the application of the green tea extract a significant increase in the mean lifespan (+ 3.3 days) and the 50% survival (+ 4.3 days) as well as improved fitness was detected. These effects went along an increased expression of Spargel, the homolog of mammalian PGC1α, which has been reported to affect lifespan in flies. Intriguingly, in flies, treatment with the green tea extract decreased glucose concentrations, which were accompanied by an inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity. Computational docking analysis proved the potential of EGCG to dock into the substrate binding pocket of α-amylase and to a greater extent into α-glucosidase. Furthermore, we demonstrate that EGCG downregulates insulin-like peptide 5 and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, major regulators of glucose metabolism, as well as the Drosophila homolog of leptin, unpaired 2. We propose that a decrease in glucose metabolism in connection with an upregulated expression of Spargel contribute to the better fitness and the extended lifespan in EGCG-treated flies.     

Genomic analysis of synchronous intracranial meningiomas with different histological grades

Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 7A2 (COX7A2) is a nuclear-encoded polypeptide involved in assembly and regulation of cytochrome c oxidase (COX). Changes in the respiratory chain as big complex are known to be associated with cancer, but little research has been performed to discover COX7A2 as a prognostic marker in glioma. In the present study, we investigated COX7A2 expression and its prognostic significance in glioma. Glioma surgical tissue samples were taken from 126 patients who had been followed up from 4 to 51 months. Immunohistochemistry were used to test COX7A2 expression in the 126 tumor samples. Eighty-six of 126 (68.3%) paraffin-embedded glioma biopsies showed high expression of COX7A2. Statistical analysis displayed that there was significant difference of COX7A2 expression level in patients categorized according to WHO classification. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed that patients with higher COX7A2 expression had longer overall survival time and better prognosis. R2: microarray analysis based on Tumor Glioma French 284 database, Tumor Glioblastoma TCGA 540 database, and Tumor Glioma Kawaguchi 50 database testified that high expression of COX7A2 is associated with a good prognosis in patients with glioma. Multivariate analysis showed that COX7A2 high expression was an independent prognostic indicator for survival. Our results suggest that COX7A2 could be served as a valuable prognostic marker of glioma.     

Inhibitory Effect of Orally Administered 5-Aminolevulinic Acid on Prostate Carcinogenesis in the FVB-Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of a Mouse Prostate (FVB-TRAMP) Model

Background: 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a constituent of mitochondrial electron carriers, heme and cytochrome c, which are crucial for aerobic energy metabolism and cell apoptosis. We investigated the chemopreventive efficacy of 5-ALA against prostate cancer using the FVB-transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (FVB-TRAMP) model. Methods: Samples were collected from 24 FVB-TRAMP mice at 12 and 20 weeks of age (named the first and second sets, respectively). Sixteen mice (from the first set) were randomly allocated into 3 treatment groups: 1) control (no treatment), 2) low dose of 5-ALA (30 mg/kg/day), and 3) high dose of 5-ALA (300 mg/kg/day). Similarly, 8 mice were divided into 2 treatment groups: 1) control and 2) high dose of 5-ALA (300 mg/kg/day). 5-ALA was orally administered to mice before cancer onset, from 6 weeks of age. Results: In the control group, prostate cancer was pathologically detected in 33 and 50 % of mice at 12 and 20 weeks, respectively, while 25% of 12-week old mice in the low-dose group were affected and none of the high-dose group mice developed prostate cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis showed higher expression of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 (COX4) in the prostate gland of the high-dose group compared to the control (P = 0.018). Similarly, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using lysed prostate tissue revealed higher amounts of cytochrome c in the prostate of the high-dose group compared to the control (P = 0.021). Furthermore, western blot analysis showed higher level of cleaved caspase-3 in mice in the high-dose group diagnosed with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Conclusion: Our results suggest that oral 5-ALA may support the functional expression of mitochondrial cytochrome c and COX4, leading to caspase 3-dependent apoptosis in carcinogenesis in FVB-TRAMP mice. Future clinical studies are warranted to confirm the chemopreventive value of 5-ALA in prostate carcinogenesis.     

Anticancer drugs induce increased mitochondrial cytochrome c expression that precedes cell death

Recent studies have demonstrated that cytochrome c plays an important role in cell death. In the present study, we report that teniposide and various other chemotherapeutic agents induced a dose-dependent increase in the expression of the mitochondrial respiratory chain proteins cytochrome c, subunits I and IV of cytochrome c oxidase, and the free radical scavenging enzyme manganous superoxide dismutase. The teniposide-induced increase of cytochrome c was inhibited by cycloheximide, indicating new protein synthesis. Elevated cytochrome c levels were associated with enhanced cytochrome c oxidase-dependent oxygen uptake using TMPD/ascorbate as the electron donor, suggesting that the newly synthesized proteins were functional. Cytochrome c was released into the cytoplasm only after maximal levels had been reached in the mitochondria, but there was no concomitant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential or caspase activation. Our results suggest that the increase in mitochondrial protein expression may play a role in the early cellular defense against anticancer drugs.     

Wnt/Snail signaling regulates cytochrome C oxidase and glucose metabolism

Wnt signaling plays a critical role in embryonic development, and its deregulation is closely linked to the occurrence of a number of malignant tumors, including breast and colon cancer. The pathway also induces Snail-dependent epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is responsible for tumor invasion and metastasis. In this study, we show that Wnt suppresses mitochondrial respiration and cytochrome C oxidase (COX) activity by inhibiting the expression of 3 COX subunits, namely, COXVIc, COXVIIa, and COXVIIc. We found that Wnt induced a glycolytic switch via increased glucose consumption and lactate production, with induction of pyruvate carboxylase (PC), a key enzyme of anaplerosis. In addition, Wnt-induced mitochondrial repression and glycolytic switching occurred through the canonical β-catenin/T-cell factor 4/Snail pathway. Short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of E-cadherin, a regulator of EMT, repressed mitochondrial respiration and induced a glycolytic switch via Snail activation, indicating that EMT may contribute to Wnt/Snail regulation of mitochondrial respiration and glucose metabolism. Together, our findings provide a new function for Wnt/Snail signaling in the regulation of mitochondrial respiration (via COX gene expression) and glucose metabolism (via PC gene expression) in tumor growth and progression.     

Role of hypoxia-induced Bax translocation and cytochrome c release in reoxygenation injury

We investigated mechanisms of cell death during hypoxia/reoxygenation of cultured kidney cells. During glucose-free hypoxia, cell ATP levels declined steeply resulting in the translocation of Bax from cytosol to mitochondria. Concurrently, there was cytochrome c release and caspase activation. Cells that leaked cytochrome c underwent apoptosis after reoxygenation. ATP depletion induced by a mitochondrial uncoupler resulted in similar alterations even in the presence of oxygen. Moreover, inclusion of glucose during hypoxia prevented protein translocations and reoxygenation injury by maintaining intracellular ATP. Thus, ATP depletion, rather than hypoxia per se, was the cause of protein translocations. Overexpression of Bcl-2 prevented cytochrome c release and reoxygenation injury without ameliorating ATP depletion or Bax translocation. On the other hand, caspase inhibitors did not prevent protein translocations, but inhibited apoptosis during reoxygenation. Nevertheless, they could not confer long-term viability, since mitochondria had been damaged. Omission of glucose during reoxygenation resulted in continued failure of ATP production, and cell death with necrotic morphology. In contrast, cells expressing Bcl-2 had functional mitochondria and remained viable during reoxygenation even without glucose. Therefore, Bax translocation during hypoxia is a molecular trigger for cell death during reoxygenation. If ATP is available during reoxygenation, apoptosis develops; otherwise, death occurs by necrosis. By preserving mitochondrial integrity, BCL-2 prevents both forms of cell death and ensures cell viability.