Vosaroxin induces mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in cervical cancer HeLa cells: Involvement of AMPK/Sirt3/HIF-1 pathway

Chem Biol Interact. 2018 Jun 25:290:57-63. doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2018.05.011. Epub 2018 May 22.

Abstract

Vosaroxin is a quinolone-derivative anticancer agent with inhibitory activity on type II DNA topoisomerases (TOP2). The aim of the present study was to investigate its cytotoxic effect and potential molecular mechanisms in human cervical cancer HeLa cells. Vosaroxin decreased cell viability and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in a dose- and time-dependent manner in HeLa cells, but not in normal cervical epithelial cells. Vosaroxin also induced apoptosis and increased caspase-3 activity in HeLa cells. These effects were accompanied by increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial swelling and reduced ATP production. Western blot analysis showed that vosaroxin significantly reduced hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) protein levels. However, it had no effect on HIF-1α protein degradation and HIF-1α mRNA levels. The results showed that vosaroxin inhibited the synthesis of HIF-1α protein and interfered with the dimerization of HIF-1α and aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT). In addition, vosaroxin stimulated mitochondrial enzyme activities and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) deacetylation via activating (Sir2 like protein 3) Sirt3. More importantly, vosaroxin-induced inhibition on HIF-1α and its cytotoxic effects, as measured by cell viability, LDH release and apoptosis, were partially prevented by Sirt3 knockdown or the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor compound C. Overall, vosaroxin is demonstrated to be a chemotherapeutic agent targeting the Sirt3/HIF-1 pathway and could be beneficial for inducing cytotoxicity in human cervical cancer cells.

Keywords: Cervical cancer; HIF-1; Mitochondrial dysfunction; Sirt3.

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator / metabolism
  • Female
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / drug effects*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Naphthyridines / pharmacology*
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Sirtuin 3 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Sirtuin 3 / genetics
  • Sirtuin 3 / metabolism
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Thiazoles / pharmacology*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Naphthyridines
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Thiazoles
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • superoxide dismutase 2
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Sirtuin 3
  • vosaroxin