Cerulenin-induced apoptosis is mediated by disrupting the interaction between AIF and hexokinase II.

Abstract

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a key enzyme that plays a critical role in numerous metabolic functions by catalyzing the synthesis for long-chain fatty acids. FASN is highly expressed in various human cancers. This preferential expression makes FASN an attractive target for anticancer therapy. Hexokinase II (HKII) is overexpressed in most cancer cells, and it generally localizes to the outer mitochondrial membrane. Recent studies have demonstrated the protective role of mitochondrial HKII in preservation of mitochondrial integrity. The association of hexokinase with mitochondria has emerged as a powerful mechanism in protecting numerous cell types against cell death. We performed this study to examine the mechanism underlying apoptosis induced by cerulenin and with specific focus on its effect on HKII in ZR-75-1 human breast cancer cells. Additionally, we sought to elucidate whether inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway can potentiate the anticancer effect of cerulenin. Here, we showed that cerulenin disrupts the physical association between HKII and AIF, leading to eventual cell death. In addition, LY294002, a PI3K/Akt inhibitor, sensitized ZR-75-1 breast cancer cells to cerulenin-induced apoptosis. Collectively, cerulenin induces apoptosis via disrupting the interaction between AIF and HKII and inhibition of PI3K sensitizes cells to cerulenin-induced apoptosis in ZR-75-1 cells.

• Authors: Na Young Jeong, Young Hyun Yoo
• Journal: International journal of oncology (Int J Oncol) Vol. 40 Issue 6 Pg. 1949-56 (Jun 2012) ISSN: 1791-2423 [Electronic] Greece
• PMID: 22426850 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• AIFM1 protein, human
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Apoptosis Inducing Factor
• Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
• Chromones
• Morpholines
• Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
• Cerulenin
• 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one
• Cytochromes c
• Hexokinase
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
• CASP3 protein, human
• Caspase 3

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents (pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Apoptosis Inducing Factor (metabolism)
• Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins (metabolism)
• Caspase 3 (metabolism)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Cerulenin (pharmacology)
• Chromones (pharmacology)
• Cytochromes c (metabolism)
• Drug Synergism
• Hexokinase (metabolism)
• Humans
• Mitochondria (enzymology)
• Morpholines (pharmacology)
• Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases (metabolism)
• Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
• Phosphorylation
• Protein Binding
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt (metabolism)