PB01 suppresses radio-resistance by regulating ATR signaling in human non-small-cell lung cancer cells

Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 8;11(1):12093. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-91716-z.

Abstract

Despite the common usage of radiotherapy for the treatment of human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), cancer therapeutic efficacy and outcome with ionizing radiation remains a challenge. Here, we report the antitumor effects and mechanism of a novel benzothiazole derivative PB01 (4-methoxy-cyclohexane carboxylic acid [2-(3,5-dimethyl-isoxazole-4-yl) sulpanil-benzothiazole-6-yl]-amide) in radiation-resistant human NSCLC cells. PB01 treatment is cytotoxic because it induces reactive oxygen species, ER stress, Bax, cytochrome c expression, the ATR-p53-GADD45ɑ axis, and cleavage of caspase-3 and -9. Additionally, we found that radio-resistant A549 and H460 subclones, named A549R and H460R, respectively, show enhanced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), whereas PB01 treatment inhibits EMT and mediates cell death through ER stress and the ATR axis under radiation exposure in radio-resistant A549R and H460R cells. Together, these results suggest that PB01 treatment can overcome radio-resistance during radiotherapy of NSCLC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • A549 Cells
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Radiation Tolerance / drug effects*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • ATR protein, human
  • Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins