p53 Protects lung cancer cells against metabolic stress

Int J Oncol. 2010 Dec;37(6):1575-81. doi: 10.3892/ijo_00000811.

Abstract

The preferential use of aerobic glycolysis for energy production by cancer cells, a phenomenon known as the 'Warburg effect', is well recognized and is being considered for therapeutic applications. However, whether inhibition of glycolysis will be effective in all types of cancer is unclear. The current study shows that a glycolytic inhibitor, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), exhibits the cytotoxic effect on non-small cell lung cancer in a p53-dependent manner. 2DG significantly inhibits ATP production in p53-deficient lung cancer cells (H358) but not in p53-wt cells (A549). In contrast to p53-wt cells, p53-defective cells are unable to compensate for their need of energy via oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) when glycolysis is inhibited. In the presence of p53, increased ROS from OXPHOS increases the expression of p53 target genes known to modulate metabolism, including synthesis of cytochrome c oxidase 2 (SCO2) and TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR). Importantly, 2DG selectively induces the expression of the antioxidant enzymes manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) in a p53-dependent manner. The results demonstrate that the killing of cancer cells by the inhibitor of glycolysis is more efficient in cancer cells without functional p53 and that p53 protects against metabolic stress by up-regulation of oxidative phosphorylation and modulation of antioxidants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / drug effects
  • Adaptation, Physiological / genetics
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytoprotection* / genetics
  • Deoxyglucose / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Oxidative Phosphorylation
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / genetics
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Stress, Physiological / drug effects
  • Stress, Physiological / physiology*
  • Time Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / physiology*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • SCO2 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Deoxyglucose
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
  • TIGAR protein, human