Altered Mitochondrial Dynamic in Lymphoblasts and Fibroblasts Mutated for FANCA-A Gene: The Central Role of DRP1.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by bone marrow failure and aplastic anemia. So far, 23 genes are involved in this pathology, and their mutations lead to a defect in DNA repair. In recent years, it has been observed that FA cells also display mitochondrial metabolism defects, causing an accumulation of intracellular lipids and oxidative damage. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the metabolic alterations have not yet been elucidated. In this work, by using lymphoblasts and fibroblasts mutated for the FANC-A gene, oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) and mitochondria dynamics markers expression was analyzed. Results show that the metabolic defect does not depend on an altered expression of the proteins involved in OxPhos. However, FA cells are characterized by increased uncoupling protein UCP2 expression. FANC-A mutation is also associated with DRP1 overexpression that causes an imbalance in the mitochondrial dynamic toward fission and lower expression of Parkin and Beclin1. Treatment with P110, a specific inhibitor of DRP1, shows a partial mitochondrial function recovery and the decrement of DRP1 and UCP2 expression, suggesting a pivotal role of the mitochondrial dynamics in the etiopathology of Fanconi anemia.

The diterpene Manool extracted from Salvia tingitana lowers free radical production in retinal rod outer segments by inhibiting the extramitochondrial F1 Fo ATP synthase.

Uncontrolled oxidative stress production, especially in the outer retina is one of the causes of retinal degenerations. Mitochondria are considered the principal source of oxidative stress. However, a Reactive Oxygen Intermediates (ROI) production in the retinal photoreceptor layer seems to depend also on the expression of an extramitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) machinery in the rod outer segments (OS). In fact, OS conduct aerobic metabolism, producing ATP through oxygen consumption, although it is devoid of mitochondria. As diterpenes display an antioxidant effect, we have evaluated the effect Manool, extracted from Salvia tingitana, on the extramitochondrial OxPhos and the ROI production in the retinal rod OS. Results confirm that the OxPhos machinery is ectopically expressed in the OS and that F1 Fo -ATP synthase is a target of Manool, which inhibited the OS ATP synthesis, binding the F1 moiety with high affinity, as analysed by molecular docking. Moreover, the overall slowdown of OxPhos metabolism reduced the ROI production elicited in the OS by light exposure, in vitro. In conclusion, data are consistent with the antioxidant properties of Salvia spp., suggesting its ability to lower oxidative stress production, a primary risk factor for degenerative retinal diseases. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: Here we show that Manool, a diterpene extracted from Salvia tingitana has the potential to lower the free radical production by light-exposed rod outer segments in vitro, by specifically targeting the rod OS F1 Fo -ATP synthase belonging to the extramitochondrial OxPhos expressed on the disk membrane. The chosen experimental model allowed to show that the rod OS is a primary producer of oxidative stress linked to the pathogenesis of degenerative retinal diseases. Data are also consistent with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action of Salvia spp., suggesting a beneficial effect also in vivo.

Simulated Microgravity Effects on Human Adenocarcinoma Alveolar Epithelial Cells: Characterization of Morphological, Functional, and Epigenetic Parameters.

BACKGROUND: In space, the reduction or loss of the gravity vector greatly affects the interaction between cells. Since the beginning of the space age, microgravity has been identified as an informative tool in biomedicine, including cancer research. The A549 cell line is a hypotriploid human alveolar basal epithelial cell line widely used as a model for lung adenocarcinoma. Microgravity has been reported to interfere with mitochondrial activity, energy metabolism, cell vitality and proliferation, chemosensitivity, invasion and morphology of cells and organelles in various biological systems. Concerning lung cancer, several studies have reported the ability of microgravity to modulate the carcinogenic and metastatic process. To investigate these processes, A549 cells were exposed to simulated microgravity (µG) for different time points. METHODS: We performed cell cycle and proliferation assays, ultrastructural analysis of mitochondria architecture, as well as a global analysis of miRNA modulated under µG conditions. RESULTS: The exposure of A549 cells to microgravity is accompanied by the generation of polynucleated cells, cell cycle imbalance, growth inhibition, and gross morphological abnormalities, the most evident are highly damaged mitochondria. Global miRNA analysis defined a pool of miRNAs associated with µG solicitation mainly involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and stress response. To our knowledge, this is the first global miRNA analysis of A549 exposed to microgravity reported. Despite these results, it is not possible to draw any conclusion concerning the ability of µG to interfere with the cancerogenic or the metastatic processes in A549 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence that mitochondria are strongly sensitive to µG. We suggest that mitochondria damage might in turn trigger miRNA modulation related to cell cycle imbalance.

Oxidative Stress, Mutations and Chromosomal Aberrations Induced by In Vitro and In Vivo Exposure to Furan.

Furan is a volatile compound that is formed in foods during thermal processing. It is classified as a possible human carcinogen by international authorities based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals. Although a vast number of studies both in vitro and in vivo have been performed to investigate furan genotoxicity, the results are inconsistent, and its carcinogenic mode of action remains to be clarified. Here, we address the mutagenic and clastogenic activity of furan and its prime reactive metabolite cis-2 butene-1,4-dial (BDA) in mammalian cells in culture and in mouse animal models in a search for DNA lesions responsible of these effects. To this aim, Fanconi anemia-derived human cell lines defective in the repair of DNA inter-strand crosslinks (ICLs) and Ogg1-/- mice defective in the removal of 8-hydroxyguanine from DNA, were used. We show that both furan and BDA present a weak (if any) mutagenic activity but are clear inducers of clastogenic damage. ICLs are strongly indicated as key lesions for chromosomal damage whereas oxidized base lesions are unlikely to play a critical role.

Characterization of C2C12 cells in simulated microgravity: Possible use for myoblast regeneration.

Muscle loss is a major problem for many in lifetime. Muscle and bone degeneration has also been observed in individuals exposed to microgravity and in unloading conditions. C2C12 myoblst cells are able to form myotubes, and myofibers and these cells have been employed for muscle regeneration purposes and in myogenic regeneration and transplantation studies. We exposed C2C12 cells in an random position machine to simulate microgravity and study the energy and the biochemical challenges associated with this treatment. Simulated microgravity exposed C2C12 cells maintain positive proliferation indices and delay the differentiation process for several days. On the other hand this treatment significantly alters many of the biochemical and the metabolic characteristics of the cell cultures including calcium homeostasis. Recent data have shown that these perturbations are due to the inhibition of the ryanodine receptors on the membranes of intracellular calcium stores. We were able to reverse this perturbations treating cells with thapsigargin which prevents the segregation of intracellular calcium ions in the mitochondria and in the sarco/endoplasmic reticula. Calcium homeostasis appear a key target of microgravity exposure. In conclusion, in this study we reported some of the effects induced by the exposure of C2C12 cell cultures to simulated microgravity. The promising information obtained is of fundamental importance in the hope to employ this protocol in the field of regenerative medicine.

Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Chronic Airway Diseases.

INTRODUCTION: The global burden of chronic airway diseases represents an important public health concern. The role of oxidative stress and inflammation in the pathogenesis of these diseases is well known. The aim of this study is to evaluate the behavior of both inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with chronic bronchitis, current asthma and past asthma in the frame of a population-based study. METHODS: For this purpose, data collected from the Gene Environment Interactions in Respiratory Diseases (GEIRD) Study, an Italian multicentre, multicase-control study, was evaluated. Cases and controls were identified through a two-stage screening process of individuals aged 20-65 years from the general population. Out of 16,569 subjects selected from the general population in the first stage of the survey, 2259 participated in the clinical evaluation. Oxidative stress biomarkers such as 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), 8-isoprostane and glutathione and inflammatory biomarkers such as Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FENO) and white blood cells were evaluated in 1878 subjects. RESULTS: Current asthmatics presented higher levels of FENO (23.05 ppm), leucocytes (6770 n/µL), basophils (30.75 n/µL) and eosinophils (177.80 n/µL), while subjects with chronic bronchitis showed higher levels of GSH (0.29 mg/mL) and lymphocytes (2101.6 n/µL). The multivariable multinomial logistic regression confirmed high levels of leucocytes (RRR = 1.33), basophils (RRR = 1.48), eosinophils (RRR = 2.39), lymphocytes (RRR = 1.26) and FENO (RRR = 1.42) in subjects with current asthma. Subjects with past asthma had a statistically significant higher level of eosinophils (RRR = 1.78) with respect to controls. Subjects with chronic bronchitis were characterized by increased levels of eosinophils (RRR = 2.15), lymphocytes (RRR = 1.58), GSH (RRR = 2.23) and 8-isoprostane (RRR = 1.23). CONCLUSION: In our study, current asthmatics show a greater expression of the inflammatory profile compared to subjects who have had asthma in the past and chronic bronchitis. On the other hand, chronic bronchitis subjects showed a higher rate of expression of oxidative stress biomarkers compared to asthmatic subjects. In particular, inflammatory markers such as circulating inflammatory cells and FENO seem to be more specific for current asthma, while oxidative stress biomarkers such as glutathione and 8-isoprostane appear to be more specific and applicable to patients with chronic bronchitis.

Gambogic acid counteracts mutant p53 stability by inducing autophagy.

Mutant p53 (mutp53) proteins are frequently present at higher levels than the wild-type (wt) protein in tumors, and some of them can acquire oncogenic properties. Consistently, knockdown of mutp53 protein in human cancer cell lines leads to reduced cell proliferation and invasion as well as to an increased sensitivity to some anticancer drugs. Therefore, the exploitation of cellular pathways and/or molecules that promote mutp53 degradation may have a therapeutic interest. Recently, autophagy is emerging as an important pathway involved in the stability of mutp53. In this paper, we explored the autophagic potential of gambogic acid (GA), a molecule that stimulates the degradation of mutp53 and increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents. We demonstrated that GA may induce mutp53 degradation through autophagy in cancer cells expressing the p53-R280K (MDA-MB-231) and the p53-S241F (DLD1) proteins. The inhibition of autophagy with bafilomycin A1 or chloroquine counteracted mutp53 degradation by GA. However, the autophagy induction and mutp53 degradation affected cell survival and proliferation only at low GA concentrations. At higher GA concentrations, when cells undergo massive apoptosis, autophagy is no longer detectable by immuno-fluorescence analysis. We concluded that autophagy is a relevant pathway for mutp53 degradation in cancer cells but it contributes only partially to GA-induced cell death, in a time and dose-dependent manner.

Concentration-dependent metabolic effects of metformin in healthy and Fanconi anemia lymphoblast cells.

Metformin (MET) is the drug of choice for patients with type 2 diabetes and has been proposed for use in cancer therapy and for treating other metabolic diseases. More than 14,000 studies have been published addressing the cellular mechanisms affected by MET. However, several in vitro studies have used concentrations of the drug 10-100-fold higher than the plasmatic concentration measured in patients. Here, we evaluated the biochemical, metabolic, and morphologic effects of various concentrations of MET. Moreover, we tested the effect of MET on Fanconi Anemia (FA) cells, a DNA repair genetic disease with defects in energetic and glucose metabolism, as well as on human promyelocytic leukemia (HL60) cell lines. We found that the response of wild-type cells to MET is concentration dependent. Low concentrations (15 and 150 µM) increase both oxidative phosphorylation and the oxidative stress response, acting on the AMPK/Sirt1 pathway, while the high concentration (1.5 mM) inhibits the respiratory chain, alters cell morphology, becoming toxic to the cells. In FA cells, MET was unable to correct the energetic/respiratory defect and did not improve the response to oxidative stress and DNA damage. By contrast, HL60 cells appear sensitive also at 150 µM. Our findings underline the importance of the MET concentration in evaluating the effect of this drug on cell metabolism and demonstrate that data obtained from in vitro experiments, that have used high concentrations of MET, cannot be readily translated into improving our understanding of the cellular effects of metformin when used in the clinical setting.

Critical issues in genotoxicity assessment of TiO2 nanoparticles by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

In the last years, a number of in vitro studies have been performed to assess the genotoxic activity of titanium dioxide (TiO2 ). To resolve the contradictory results, in this study, we investigated the genotoxic activity of commercial TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) and microparticles of different forms (anatase, rutile and mix of both). We evaluated micronucleus formation in stimulated lymphocytes, as well as DNA strand breaks and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), a mixed population of lymphocytes and monocytes. Different responses to TiO2 exposure were obtained depending on the assay. Both TiO2 NPs and microparticles and all the crystalline forms elicited a significant increase in 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine and DNA strand breaks in the whole PBMC population, without a concurrent increase of micronuclei in proliferating lymphocytes. The distribution of DNA damage in PBMCs, detected by the comet assay, that measures DNA damage at level of single cells, indicated the presence of a more susceptible cell subpopulation. The measurement of side scatter signals by flow cytometry highlighted the preferential physical interaction of TiO2 particles with monocytes that also displayed higher reactive oxygen species generation, providing a mechanistic explanation for the different responses observed in genotoxicity assays with PBMCs and lymphocytes. This study confirmed the suitability of human PBMCs as multi-cell model to investigate NP-induced DNA damage, but suggested some caution in the use of stimulated lymphocytes for the assessment of NP clastogenicity.

Defects in mitochondrial energetic function compels Fanconi Anaemia cells to glycolytic metabolism.

Energetic metabolism plays an essential role in the differentiation of haematopoietic stem cells (HSC). In Fanconi Anaemia (FA), DNA damage is accumulated during HSC differentiation, an event that is likely associated with bone marrow failure (BMF). One of the sources of the DNA damage is altered mitochondrial metabolism and an associated increment of oxidative stress. Recently, altered mitochondrial morphology and a deficit in the energetic activity in FA cells have been reported. Considering that mitochondria are the principal site of aerobic ATP production, we investigated FA metabolism in order to understand what pathways are able to compensate for this energy deficiency. In this work, we report that the impairment in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in FA cells is countered by an increase in glycolytic flux. By contrast, glutaminolysis appears lower with respect to controls. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that in FA cells glycolysis represents the main pathway for producing energy, balancing the NADH/NAD+ ratio by the conversion of pyruvate to lactate. Finally, we show that a forced switch from glycolytic to OXPHOS metabolism increases FA cell oxidative stress. This could be the cause of the impoverishment in bone marrow HSC during exit from the homeostatic quiescent state. This is the first work that systematically explores FA energy metabolism, highlighting its flaws, and discusses the possible relationships between these defects and BMF.

Genetic instability in lymphoblastoid cell lines expressing biallelic and monoallelic variants in the human MUTYH gene.

The MUTYH DNA glycosylase counteracts mutagenesis by removing adenine misincorporated opposite DNA 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). Biallelic germline mutations in MUTYH cause the autosomal recessive MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP). The impact on genetic instability of the p.Tyr179Cys and p.Arg245His MUTYH variants was evaluated in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) derived from MAP patients and their relatives in comparison to wild-type LCLs. No difference in MUTYH expression was identified between wild type and LCLs with the p.Tyr179Cys, while the p.Arg245His mutation was associated with an unstable MUTYH protein. LCLs homozygous for the p.Tyr179Cys or the p.Arg245His variant contained increased DNA 8-oxodG levels and exhibited a mutator phenotype at the PIG-A gene. The extent of the increased spontaneous mutation frequency was 3-fold (range 1.6- to 4.6-fold) in four independent LCLs carrying the p.Tyr179Cys variant, while a larger increase (6-fold) was observed in two p.Arg245His LCLs. A similar hypermutability and S-phase delay following treatment with KBrO3 was observed in LCLs homozygous for either variant. When genetic instability was investigated in monoallelic p.Arg245His carriers, mutant frequencies showed an increase which is intermediate between wild-type and homozygous cells, whereas the mutator effect in heterozygous p.Tyr179Cys LCLs was similar to that in homozygotes. These findings indicate that the type of MUTYH mutation can affect the extent of genome instability associated with MUTYH inactivation. In addition, the mild spontaneous mutator phenotype observed in monoallelic carriers highlights the biological importance of this gene in the protection of the genome against endogenous DNA damage.

Inhibition of metalloproteinase activity in FANCA is linked to altered oxygen metabolism.

Bone marrow (BM) failure, increased risk of myelodysplastic syndrome, acute leukaemia and solid tumors, endocrinopathies and congenital abnormalities are the major clinical problems in Fanconi anemia patients (FA). Chromosome instability and DNA repair defects are the cellular characteristics used for the clinical diagnosis. However, these biological defects are not sufficient to explain all the clinical phenotype of FA patients. The known defects are structural alteration in cell cytoskeleton, altered structural organization for intermediate filaments, nuclear lamina, and mitochondria. These are associated with different expression and/or maturation of the structural proteins vimentin, mitofilin, and lamin A/C suggesting the involvement of metalloproteinases (MPs). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are involved in normal physiological processes such as human skeletal tissue development, maturation, and hematopoietic reconstitution after bone marrow suppression. Current observations upon the eventual role of MPs in FA cells are largely inconclusive. We evaluated the overall MPs activity in FA complementation group A (FANCA) cells by exposing them to the antioxidants N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and resveratrol (RV). This work supports the hypothesis that treatment of Fanconi patients with antioxidants may be important in FA therapy.

Understanding the role of the Q338H MUTYH variant in oxidative damage repair.

The MUTYH DNA-glycosylase is indirectly engaged in the repair of the miscoding 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanine (8-oxodG) lesion by removing adenine erroneously incorporated opposite the oxidized purine. Inherited biallelic mutations in the MUTYH gene are responsible for a recessive syndrome, the MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP), which confers an increased risk of colorectal cancer. In this study, we functionally characterized the Q338H variant using recombinant proteins, as well as cell-based assays. This is a common variant among human colorectal cancer genes, which is generally considered, unrelated to the MAP phenotype but recently indicated as a low-penetrance allele. We demonstrate that the Q338H variant retains a wild-type DNA-glycosylase activity in vitro, but it shows a reduced ability to interact with the replication sensor RAD9:RAD1:HUS1 (9-1-1) complex. In comparison with Mutyh(-)(/)(-) mouse embryo fibroblasts expressing a wild-type MUTYH cDNA, the expression of Q338H variant was associated with increased levels of DNA 8-oxodG, hypersensitivity to oxidant and accumulation of the population in the S phase of the cell cycle. Thus, an inefficient interaction of MUTYH with the 9-1-1 complex leads to a repair-defective phenotype, indicating that a proper communication between MUTYH enzymatic function and the S phase checkpoint is needed for effective repair of oxidative damage.

Advanced Analysis and Validation of a microRNA Signature for Fanconi Anemia.

Some years ago, we reported the generation of a Fanconi anemia (FA) microRNA signature. This study aims to develop an analytical strategy to select a smaller and more reliable set of molecules that could be tested for potential benefits for the FA phenotype, elucidate its biochemical and molecular mechanisms, address experimental activity, and evaluate its possible impact on FA therapy. In silico analyses of the data obtained in the original study were thoroughly processed and anenrichment analysis was employed to identify the classes of genes that are over-represented in the FA-miRNA population under study. Primary bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs) from sixFA patients and sixhealthy donors as control samples were employed in the study. RNAs containing the small RNA fractions were reverse-transcribed and real-time PCR was performed in triplicate using the specific primers. Experiments were performed in triplicate.The in-silico analysis reported six miRNAs as likely contributors to the complex pathological spectrum of FA. Among these, three miRNAs were validated by real-time PCR. Primary bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs) reported a significant reduction in the expression level of miRNA-1246 and miRNA-206 in the FA samples in comparison to controls.This study highlights several biochemical pathways as culprits in the phenotypic manifestations and the pathophysiological mechanisms acting in FA. A relatively low number of miRNAs appear involved in all these different phenotypes, demonstrating the extreme plasticity of the gene expression modulation. This study further highlights miR-206 as a pivotal player in regulatory functions and signaling in the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) process in FA. Due to this evidence, the activity of miR-206 in FA deserves specific experimental scrutiny. The results, here presented, might be relevant in the management of FA.

hMTH1 expression protects mitochondria from Huntington's disease-like impairment.

Huntington disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by expansion of CAG repeats in the huntingtin (Htt) gene. The expression of hMTH1, the human hydrolase that degrades oxidized purine nucleoside triphosphates, grants protection in a chemical HD mouse model in which HD-like features are induced by the mitochondrial toxin 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP). To further examine the relationship between oxidized dNTPs and HD-like neurodegeneration, we studied the effects of hMTH1 expression in a genetic cellular model for HD, such as striatal cells expressing mutant htt (Hdh(Q111)). hMTH1 expression protected these cells from 3-NP and H2O2-induced killing, by counteracting the mutant htt-dependent increased vulnerability and accumulation of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA 8-hydroxyguanine levels. hMTH1 expression reverted the decreased mitochondrial membrane potential characteristic of Hdh(Q111) cells and delayed the increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species associated with 3-NP treatment. Further indications of hMTH1-mediated mitochondrial protection are the partial reversion of 3-NP-induced alterations in mitochondrial morphology and the modulation of DRP1 and MFN1 proteins, which control fusion/fission rates of mitochondria. Finally, in line with the in vitro findings, upon 3-NP in vivo treatment, 8-hydroxyguanine levels in mitochondrial DNA from heart, muscle and brain are significantly lower in transgenic hMTH1-expressing mice than in wild-type animals.

Oxidative stress in Fanconi anaemia: from cells and molecules towards prospects in clinical management.

Fanconi anaemia (FA) is a genetic disease featuring bone marrow failure, proneness to malignancies, and chromosomal instability. A line of studies has related FA to oxidative stress (OS). This review attempts to evaluate the evidence for FA-associated redox abnormalities in the literature from 1981 to 2010. Among 2170 journal articles on FA evaluated, 162 related FA with OS. Early studies reported excess oxygen toxicity in FA cells that accumulated oxidative DNA damage. Prooxidant states were found in white blood cells and body fluids from FA patients as excess luminol-dependent chemiluminescence, 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine, reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione imbalance, and tumour necrosis factor-α. Some FA gene products involved in redox homeostasis can be summarized as follows: (a) FANCA, FANCC, and FANCG interact with cytochrome P450-related activities and/or respond to oxidative damage; (b) FANCD2 in OS response interacts with forkhead box O3 and ataxia telangiectasia mutated protein; (c) FANCG is found in mitochondria and interacts with PRDX3, and FA-G cells display distorted mitochondria and decreased peroxidase activity; (d) FANCJ (BACH1/BRIP1) is a repressor of haeme oxygenase-1 gene and senses oxidative base damage; (e) antioxidants, such as tempol and resveratrol decrease cancer incidence and haematopoietic defects in Fancd2(-/-) mice. The overall evidence for FA-associated OS may suggest designing chemoprevention studies aimed at delaying the onset of OS-related clinical complications.

Mutated FANCA Gene Role in the Modulation of Energy Metabolism and Mitochondrial Dynamics in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Fanconi Anaemia (FA) is a rare recessive genetic disorder characterized by a defective DNA repair mechanism. Although aplastic anaemia is the principal clinical sign in FA, patients develop a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with a frequency 500-700 folds higher than the general population, which appears more aggressive, with survival of under two years. Since FA gene mutations are also associated with a defect in the aerobic metabolism and an increased oxidative stress accumulation, this work aims to evaluate the effect of FANCA mutation on the energy metabolism and the relative mitochondrial quality control pathways in an HNSCC cellular model. Energy metabolism and cellular antioxidant capacities were evaluated by oximetric, luminometric, and spectrophotometric assays. The dynamics of the mitochondrial network, the quality of mitophagy and autophagy, and DNA double-strand damage were analysed by Western blot analysis. Data show that the HNSCC cellular model carrying the FANCA gene mutation displays an altered electron transport between respiratory Complexes I and III that does not depend on the OxPhos protein expression. Moreover, FANCA HNSCC cells show an imbalance between fusion and fission processes and alterations in autophagy and mitophagy pathways. Together, all these alterations associated with the FANCA gene mutation cause cellular energy depletion and a metabolic switch to glycolysis, exacerbating the Warburg effect in HNSCC cells and increasing the growth rate. In addition, the altered DNA repair due to the FANCA mutation causes a higher accumulation of DNA damage in the HNSCC cellular model. In conclusion, changes in energy metabolism and mitochondrial dynamics could explain the strict correlation between HNSCC and FA genes, helping to identify new therapeutic targets.

Mutant p53K120R expression enables a partial capacity to modulate metabolism.

The TP53 tumor suppressor gene is one of the most studied gene in virtue of its ability to prevent cancer development by regulating apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, autophagy and senescence. Furthermore, the modulation of metabolism by P53 is fundamental for tumor suppressor activity. Studies in mouse models showed that mice carrying TP53 mutations affecting the acetylation in the DNA binding domain still retain the ability to transactivate genes involved in metabolism. Noteworthy, mice expressing the triple 3KR or the single K117R mutant do not show early on-set tumor development in contrast to TP53 -/- mice. Interestingly, the mouse K117R mutation corresponds to the human tumor-derived K120R modification, which abrogates P53-dependent activation of apoptosis without affecting growth arrest. In this study, we investigated the property of the human P53 K120R mutant in the regulation of metabolism by analyzing the transcriptional specificity in yeast- and mammalian-based reporter assays, the metabolic phenotype associated to its expression in colon cancer HCT116 TP53-/- cells and the induction of P53 targets and proteins involved in the antioxidant response. These properties were analyzed in comparison to wild type P53 protein, the human triple mutant corresponding to mouse 3KR and the cancer hot-spot R273H mutant. We confirm the selective functionality of P53 K120R mutant, which shows a transcriptional activity on cell cycle arrest but not on apoptotic targets. Interestingly, this mutant shows a partial transactivation activity on p53 response element belonging to the metabolic target TIGAR. Moreover, we observe a significant uncoupling between oxygen consumption and ATP production associated with higher lipid peroxidation level in all P53 mutants carrying cells with respect to wild type P53 expressing cells. Noteworthy, in the absence of a pro-oxidative challenge, cells expressing K120R mutant retain a partial capacity to modulate glucose metabolism, limiting lipid peroxidation with respect to the other P53 mutants carrying cells. Lastly, especially in presence of human 3KR mutant, a high expression of proteins involved in the antioxidant response is found. However, this response does not avoid the increased lipid peroxidation, confirming that only wild type P53 is able to completely counteract the oxidative stress and relative damages.

Simulated Microgravity Modulates Focal Adhesion Gene Expression in Human Neural Stem Progenitor Cells.

We analyzed the morphology and the transcriptomic changes of human neural stem progenitor cells (hNSPCs) grown on laminin in adherent culture conditions and subjected to simulated microgravity for different times in a random positioning machine apparatus. Low-cell-density cultures exposed to simulated microgravity for 24 h showed cell aggregate formation and significant modulation of several genes involved in focal adhesion, cytoskeleton regulation, and cell cycle control. These effects were much more limited in hNSPCs cultured at high density in the same conditions. We also found that some of the genes modulated upon exposure to simulated microgravity showed similar changes in hNSPCs grown without laminin in non-adherent culture conditions under normal gravity. These results suggest that reduced gravity counteracts the interactions of cells with the extracellular matrix, inducing morphological and transcriptional changes that can be observed in low-density cultures.