PKCδ sensitizes neuroblastoma cells to L-buthionine-sulfoximine and etoposide inducing reactive oxygen species overproduction and DNA damage.

Abstract

Neuroblastoma is a type of pediatric cancer. The sensitivity of neuroblastoma (NB) cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiation is inhibited by the presence of antioxidants, such as glutathione (GSH), which is crucial in counteracting the endogenous production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We have previously demonstrated that cells depleted of GSH undergo apoptosis via oxidative stress and Protein kinase C (PKC) δ activation. In the present study, we transfected PKCδ in NB cells resistant to oxidative death induced by L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BSO), a GSH-depleting agent. Cell responses, in terms of ROS production, apoptosis and DNA damage were evaluated. Moreover, PKCδ activation was monitored by analyzing the phosphorylation status of threonine 505 residue, carrying out PKC activity assay and investigating the subcellular localization of the kinase. The cell responses obtained in BSO-resistant cells were also compared with those obtained in BSO-sensitive cells subjected to the same experimental protocol. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that PKCδ induces DNA oxidation and ROS overproduction leading to apoptosis of BSO-resistant NB cells and potentiates the cytotoxic effects induced by BSO in sensitive cells. Moreover, PKCδ overexpression enhances the sensitivity of NB cells to etoposide, a well-characterised drug, commonly used in neuroblastoma therapy. Altogether our data provide evidence of a pro-oxidant role of PKCδ that might be exploited to design new therapeutic strategies aimed at selective killing of cancer cells and overcoming drug resistance. However, it becomes evident that a more detailed understanding of ROS-mediated signaling in cancer cells is necessary for the development of redox-modulated therapeutic approaches.

• Authors: Barbara Marengo, Chiara De Ciucis, Roberta Ricciarelli, Mario Passalacqua, Mariapaola Nitti, Jean-Marc Zingg, Umberto M Marinari, Maria A Pronzato, Cinzia Domenicotti
• Journal: PloS one (PLoS One) Vol. 6 Issue 2 Pg. e14661 (Feb 07 2011) ISSN: 1932-6203 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21326872 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Enzyme Inhibitors
• Onium Compounds
• RNA, Small Interfering
• Reactive Oxygen Species
• Buthionine Sulfoximine
• diphenyleneiodonium
• Etoposide
• Protein Kinase C-delta

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Brain Neoplasms (drug therapy, genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Buthionine Sulfoximine (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• DNA Damage (drug effects, genetics, physiology)
• Enzyme Activation (drug effects, physiology)
• Enzyme Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Etoposide (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic (drug effects)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic (drug effects)
• Humans
• Neuroblastoma (drug therapy, genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Onium Compounds (pharmacology)
• Protein Kinase C-delta (antagonists & inhibitors, genetics, metabolism, physiology)
• RNA, Small Interfering (pharmacology)
• Reactive Oxygen Species (metabolism)
• Transfection
• Tumor Cells, Cultured