Aberrant DR5 transport through disruption of lysosomal function suggests a novel mechanism for receptor activation.

To examine reciprocal or unilateral implications between two cell destruction processes, autophagy and apoptosis, in 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-treated tumor cells, a combination of chemical inhibitors, RNAi and genetic approaches were used. In contrast to cancer cells harboring obstructed apoptosis, either at the DISC or the mitochondrial level, p53-deficiency generated signs of autophagy deregulation upon chemotherapy. On the other, hand disruption of lysosomal function by chloroquine, caused a profound decrease in apoptotic markers appearing in response to 5-FU. DR5, which is essential for 5-FU-induced apoptosis, accumulated in lysosomes and autophagosomes upon chloroquine treatment. Since neither 3-MA, RNAi of critical autophagy regulators or inhibition of cathepsins reversed apoptosis in a similar manner, it is likely that not autophagy per se but rather correct receptor transport is an important factor for 5-FU cytotoxicity. We found that apoptosis generated by TRAIL, the cognate ligand for DR5, remained unchanged upon chloroquine lysosomal interference, indicating that 5-FU activates the receptor by a discrete mechanism. In support, depletion of membrane cholesterol or hampering cholesterol transport drastically reduced 5-FU cytotoxicity. We conclude that targeting of lysosomes by chloroquine deregulates DR5 trafficking and abrogates 5-FU- but not TRAIL-stimulated cell elimination, hence suggesting a novel mechanism for receptor activation.

Loss of PTEN Facilitates Rosiglitazone-Mediated Enhancement of Platinum(IV) Complex LA-12-Induced Apoptosis in Colon Cancer Cells.

We demonstrated for the first time an outstanding ability of rosiglitazone to mediate a profound enhancement of LA-12-induced apoptosis associated with activation of mitochondrial pathway in human colon cancer cells. This effect was preferentially observed in the G1 cell cycle phase, independent on p53 and PPARγ proteins, and accompanied with significant changes of selected Bcl-2 family protein levels. Further stimulation of cooperative synergic cytotoxic action of rosiglitazone and LA-12 was demonstrated in the cells deficient for PTEN, where mitochondrial apoptotic pathway was more stimulated and G1-phase-associated dying was reinforced. Our results suggest that combined treatment with rosiglitazone and LA-12 might be promising anticancer strategy in colon-derived tumours regardless of their p53 status, and also favourable in those defective in PTEN function.