SOD2 Enhancement by Long-Term Inhibition of the PI3K Pathway Confers Multi-Drug Resistance and Enhanced Tumor-Initiating Features in Head and Neck Cancer.

The phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway has widely been considered as a potential therapeutic target for head and neck cancer (HNC); however, the application of PI3K inhibitors is often overshadowed by the induction of drug resistance with unknown mechanisms. In this study, PII3K inhibitor resistant cancer cells were developed by prolonged culturing of cell lines with BEZ235, a dual PI3K and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor. The drug resistant HNC cells showed higher IC50 of the proliferation to inhibitors specifically targeting PI3K and/or mTOR, as compared to their parental cells. These cells also showed profound resistance to drugs of other classes. Molecular analysis revealed persistent activation of phosphorylated AKT at threonine 308 in the drug resistant cells and increased expression of markers for tumor-initiating cells. Interestingly, increased intra-cellular ROS levels were observed in the drug resistant cells. Among anti-oxidant molecules, the expression of SOD2 was increased and was associated with the ALDH-positive tumor-initiating cell features. Co-incubation of SOD inhibitors and BEZ235 decreased the stemness feature of the cells in vitro, as shown by results of the spheroid formation assay. In conclusion, dysregulation of SOD2 might contribute to the profound resistance to PI3K inhibitors and the other drugs in HNC cells.

Mechanistic insights into avian reovirus p17-modulated suppression of cell cycle CDK-cyclin complexes and enhancement of p53 and cyclin H interaction.

The avian reovirus p17 protein is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein. Although we have demonstrated that p17 causes cell growth retardation via activation of p53, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. This is the first report that avian reovirus p17 possesses broad inhibitory effects on cell cycle CDKs, cyclins, CDK-cyclin complexes, and CDK-activating kinase activity in various mammalian, avian, and cancer cell lines. Suppression of CDK activity by p17 occurs by direct binding to CDKs, cyclins, and CDK-cyclin complexes; transcriptional down-regulation of CDKs; cytoplasmic retention of CDKs and cyclins; and inhibition of CDK-activating kinase activity by promoting p53-cyclin H interaction. p17 binds to CDK-cyclin except for CDK1-cyclin B1 and CDK7-cyclin H complexes. We have determined that the negatively charged 151LAVXDVDA(E/D)DGADPN165 motif in cyclin B1 interacts with a positively charged region of CDK1. p17 mimics the cyclin B1 sequence to compete for CDK1 binding. The PSTAIRE motif is not required for interaction of CDK1-cyclin B1, but it is required for other CDK-cyclin complexes. p17 interacts with cyclins by its cyclin-binding motif, 125RXL127 Sequence and mutagenic analyses of p17 indicated that a 140WXFD143 motif and residues Asp-113 and Lys-122 in p17 are critical for CDK2 and CDK6 binding, leading to their sequestration in the cytoplasm. Exogenous expression of p17 significantly enhanced virus replication, whereas p17 mutants with low binding ability to cell cycle CDKs had no effect on virus yield, suggesting that p17 inhibits cell growth and the cell cycle, benefiting virus replication. An in vivo tumorigenesis assay also showed a significant reduction in tumor size.

Avian reovirus σA-modulated suppression of lactate dehydrogenase and upregulation of glutaminolysis and the mTOC1/eIF4E/HIF-1α pathway to enhance glycolysis and the TCA cycle for virus replication.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an energy source for many types of viruses for facilitating virus replication. This is the first report to demonstrate that the structural protein σA of avian reovirus (ARV) functions as an activator of cellular energy. Three cellular factors, isocitrate dehydrogenase 3 subunit beta (IDH3B), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), and vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (vATPase) co-immunoprecipitated with ARV σA and were identified by 2D-LC/MS/MS. ARV enhances glycolytic flux through upregulation of glycolytic enzymes. Increased ATP levels in both ARV-infected and σA-transfected cells were observed by a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based genetically encoded indicator, Ateams. Furthermore, σA upregulates IDH3B and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) to promote glutaminolysis, activating HIF-1α. Both HIF-1α level and viral yield in IDH3B-depleted and glutamine-deprived cells, and inhibition of glutaminolysis was significantly reduced. The σAR155/273A mutant loses its ability to enter the nucleolus, impairing its ability to regulate glycolysis. In addition, we have identified the conserved untranslated regions (UTR) of the 5'- and 3'-termini of the ARV genome segments that are required for viral protein synthesis in an ATP-dependent manner. Deletion of either the 5'- or 3'-UTR impaired viral protein synthesis. Knockdown of σA reduced the ATP level and significantly decreased virus yield, suggesting that σA enhances ATP formation to promote virus replication. Collectively, this study provides novel insights into σA-modulated suppression of LDHA and activation of IDH3B and GDH to activate the mTORC1/eIF4E/HIF-1α pathways to upregulate glycolysis and the TCA cycle for virus replication.

Cell entry of bovine ephemeral fever virus requires activation of Src-JNK-AP1 and PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathways as well as Cox-2-mediated PGE2 /EP receptor signalling to enhance clathrin-mediated virus endocytosis.

Although we have previously demonstrated that cell entry of bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) follows a clathrin-mediated and dynamin 2-dependent endocytosis pathway, the cellular mechanism mediating virus entry remains unknown. Here, we report that BEFV triggers simultaneously Src-JNK-AP1 and PI3K-Akt-NF-κB signalling pathways in the stage of virus binding to induce clathrin and dynamin 2 expressions, while vesicular stomatitis virus only activates Src-JNK signalling to enhance its entry. Activation of these pathways by ultraviolet-inactivated BEFV suggests a role for virus binding but not viral internalization and gene expression. By blocking these signalling pathways with specific inhibitors, BEFV-induced expressions of clathrin and dynamin 2 were significantly diminished. By labelling BEFV with 3,3'-dilinoleyloxacarbocyanine perchlorate to track viral entry, we found that virus entry was hindered by both Src and Akt inhibitors, suggesting that these signalling pathways are crucial for efficient virus entry. In addition, BEFV also triggers Cox-2-catalysed prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis and induces expressions of G-protein-coupled E-prostanoid (EP) receptors 2 and 4, leading to amplify signal cascades of Src-JNK-AP1 and PI3K-Akt-NF-κB, which elevates both clathrin and dynamin 2 expressions. Furthermore, pretreatment of cells with adenylate cyclase (cAMP) inhibitor SQ22536 reduced BEFV-induced Src phosphorylation as well as clathrin and dynamin 2 expressions. Our findings reveal for the first time that BEFV activates the Cox-2-mediated PGE2/EP receptor signalling pathways, further enhancing Src-JNK-AP1 in a cAMP-dependent manner and PI3K-Akt-NF-κB in a cAMP-independent manner. Accordingly, BEFV stimulates PGE2/EP receptor signalling amplifying Src-JNK-AP1 and PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathways in an autocrine or paracrine fashion to enhance virus entry.

The p17 nonstructural protein of avian reovirus triggers autophagy enhancing virus replication via activation of phosphatase and tensin deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), as well as dsRNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR)/eIF2α signaling pathways.

Autophagy has been shown to facilitate replication or production of avian reovirus (ARV); nevertheless, how ARV induces autophagy remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the nonstructural protein p17 of ARV functions as an activator of autophagy. ARV-infected or p17-transfected cells present a fast and strong induction of autophagy, resulting in an increased level of autophagic proteins Beclin 1 and LC3-II. Although autophagy was suppressed by 3-methyladenine or shRNAs targeting autophagic proteins (Beclin 1, ATG7, and LC3) as well as by overexpression of Bcl-2, viral transcription, σC protein synthesis, and virus yield were all significantly reduced, suggesting a key role of autophagosomes in supporting ARV replication. Furthermore, we revealed for the first time that p17 positively regulates phosphatase and tensin deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and dsRNA dependent protein kinase RNA (PKR)/eIF2α signaling pathways, accompanied by down-regulation of Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1, thereby triggering autophagy. By using p53, PTEN, PKR, AMPK, and p17 short hairpin RNA (shRNA), activation of signaling pathways and LC3-II levels was significantly suppressed, suggesting that p17 triggers autophagy through activation of p53/PTEN, AMPK, and PKR signaling pathways. Furthermore, colocalization of LC3 with viral proteins (p17 and σC), p62 with LAMP2 and LC3 with Rab7 was observed under a fluorescence microscope. The expression level of p62 was increased at 18 h postinfection and then slightly decreased 24 h postinfection compared with mock infection and thapsigargin treatment. Furthermore, disruption of autophagosome-lysosome fusion by shRNAs targeting LAMP2 or Rab7a resulted in inhibition of viral protein synthesis and virus yield, suggesting that formation of autolysosome benefits virus replication. Taken together, our results suggest that ARV induces formation of autolysosome but does not induce complete autophagic flux.

Bovine ephemeral fever virus uses a clathrin-mediated and dynamin 2-dependent endocytosis pathway that requires Rab5 and Rab7 as well as microtubules.

The specific cell pathways involved in bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) cell entry have not been determined. In this work, colocalization of the M protein of BEFV with clathrin or dynamin 2 was observed under a fluorescence microscope. To better understand BEFV entry, we carried out internalization studies with a fluorescently labeled BEFV by using a lipophilic dye, 3,30-dilinoleyloxacarbocyanine perchlorate (DiO), further suggesting that BEFV uses a clathrin-mediated endocytosis pathway. Our results suggest that clathrin-mediated and dynamin 2-dependent endocytosis is an important avenue of BEFV entry. Suppression of Rab5 or Rab7a through the use of a Rab5 dominant negative mutant and Rab7a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) demonstrated that BEFV requires both early and late endosomes for endocytosis and subsequent infection in MDBK and Vero cells. Treatment of BEFV-infected cells with nocodazole significantly decreased the M protein synthesis and viral yield, indicating that microtubules play an important role in BEFV productive infection, likely by mediating trafficking of BEFV-containing endosomes. Furthermore, BEFV infection was strongly blocked by different inhibitors of endosomal acidification, suggesting that virus enters host cells by clathrin-mediated and dynamin 2-dependent endocytosis in a pH-dependent manner.

Cell entry of avian reovirus follows a caveolin-1-mediated and dynamin-2-dependent endocytic pathway that requires activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Src signaling pathways as well as microtubules and small GTPase Rab5 protein.

Very little is known about the mechanism of cell entry of avian reovirus (ARV). The aim of this study was to explore the mechanism of ARV entry and subsequent infection. Cholesterol mainly affected the early steps of the ARV life cycle, because the presence of cholesterol before and during viral adsorption greatly blocked ARV infectivity. Although we have demonstrated that ARV facilitating p38 MAPK is beneficial for virus replication, its mechanism remains unknown. Here, we show that ARV-induced phosphorylation of caveolin-1 (Tyr(14)), dynamin-2 expression, and Rac1 activation through activation of p38 MAPK and Src in the early stage of the virus life cycle is beneficial for virus entry and productive infection. The strong inhibition by dynasore, a specific inhibitor of dynamin-2, and depletion of endogenous caveolin-1 or dynamin-2 by siRNAs as well as the caveolin-1 colocalization study implicate caveolin-1-mediated and dynamin-2-dependent endocytosis as a significant avenue of ARV entry. By means of pharmacological inhibitors, dominant negative mutants, and siRNA of various cellular proteins and signaling molecules, phosphorylation of caveolin-1, dynamin-2 expression, and Rac1 activation were suppressed, suggesting that by orchestrating p38 MAPK, Src, and Rac1 signaling cascade in the target cells, ARV creates an appropriate intracellular environment facilitating virus entry and productive infection. Furthermore, disruption of microtubules, Rab5, or endosome acidification all inhibited ARV infection, suggesting that microtubules and small GTPase Rab5, which regulate transport to early endosome, are crucial for survival of ARV and that exposure of the virus to acidic pH is required for productive infection.

SH3GLB1-related autophagy mediates mitochondrial metabolism to acquire resistance against temozolomide in glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism by which glioblastoma evades temozolomide (TMZ)-induced cytotoxicity is largely unknown. We hypothesized that mitochondria plays a role in this process. METHODS: RNA transcriptomes were obtained from tumor samples and online databases. Expression of different proteins was manipulated using RNA interference or gene amplification. Autophagic activity and mitochondrial metabolism was assessed in vitro using the respective cellular and molecular assays. In vivo analysis were also carried out in this study. RESULTS: High SH3GLB1 gene expression was found to be associated with higher disease grading and worse survival profiles. Single-cell transcriptome analysis of clinical samples suggested that SH3GLB1 and the altered gene levels of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) were related to subsets expressing a tumor-initiating cell signature. The SH3GLB1 protein was regulated by promoter binding with Sp1, a factor associated with TMZ resistance. Downregulation of SH3GLB1 resulted in retention of TMZ susceptibility, upregulated p62, and reduced LC3B-II. Autophagy inhibition by SH3GLB1 deficiency and chloroquine resulted in attenuated OXPHOS expression. Inhibition of SH3GLB1 in resistant cells resulted in alleviation of TMZ-enhanced mitochondrial metabolic function, such as mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial respiration, and ATP production. SH3GLB1 modulation could determine tumor susceptibility to TMZ. Finally, in animal models, resistant tumor cells with SH3GLB1 knockdown became resensitized to the anti-tumor effect of TMZ, including the suppression of TMZ-induced autophagy and OXPHOS. CONCLUSIONS: SH3GLB1 promotes TMZ resistance via autophagy to alter mitochondrial function. Characterizing SH3GLB1 in glioblastoma may help develop new therapeutic strategies against this disease in the future.

Avian reovirus p17 and σA act cooperatively to downregulate Akt by suppressing mTORC2 and CDK2/cyclin A2 and upregulating proteasome PSMB6.

Although we have shown that avian reovirus (ARV) p17-mediated inhibition of Akt leads to induction of autophagy, the precise mechanisms remain largely unknown. This study has identified a specific mechanism by which ARV coordinately regulates the degradation of ribosomal proteins by p17-mediated activation of E3 ligase MDM2 that targets ribosomal proteins and by σA-mediated upregulation of proteasome PSMB6. In addition to downregulating ribosomal proteins, p17 reduces mTORC2 assembly and disrupts mTORC2-robosome association, both of which inactivate mTORC2 leading to inhibition of Akt phosphorylation at S473. Furthermore, we discovered that p17 binds to and inhibits the CDK2/cyclin A2 complex, further inhibiting phosphorylation of Akt S473. The negative effect of p17 on mTORC2 assembly and Akt phosphorylation at S473 is reversed in cells treated with insulin or overexpression of CDK2. The carboxyl terminus of p17 is necessary for interaction with CDK2 and for induction of autophagy. Furthermore, p17-mediated upregulation of LC3-II could be partially reversed by overexpression of CDK2. The present study provides mechanistic insights into cooperation between p17 and σA proteins of ARV to negatively regulate Akt by downregulating complexes of mTORC2 and CDK2/cyclin A2 and upregulating PSMB6, which together induces autophagy and cell cycle arrest and benefits virus replication.

Commentary on the regulation of viral proteins in autophagy process.

The ability to subvert intracellular antiviral defenses is necessary for virus to survive as its replication occurs only in the host cells. Viruses have to modulate cellular processes and antiviral mechanisms to their own advantage during the entire virus life cycle. Autophagy plays important roles in cell regulation. Its function is not only to catabolize aggregate proteins and damaged organelles for recycling but also to serve as innate immunity to remove intracellular pathogenic elements such as viruses. Nevertheless, some viruses have evolved to negatively regulate autophagy by inhibiting its formation. Even more, some viruses have employed autophagy to benefit their replication. To date, there are more and more growing evidences uncovering the functions of many viral proteins to regulate autophagy through different cellular pathways. In this review, we will discuss the relationship between viruses and autophagy and summarize the current knowledge on the functions of viral proteins contributing to affect autophagy process.