A double tyrosine phosphorylation of P68 RNA helicase confers resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis

Oncogene. 2007 Sep 6;26(41):6082-92. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1210427. Epub 2007 Mar 26.

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising anticancer agent with the capability of inducing apoptosis specifically in tumor cells. However, cancer cells of many cancer types developed TRAIL resistance, limiting the applications of TRAIL in cancer therapies. We show here that p68 acquires a double tyrosine phosphorylation at Y593 and Y595 in TRAIL-resistant T98G glioblastoma cells. The double phosphorylations are induced by platelet-derived growth factor autocrine loop. The double phosphorylation mediates resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Our data suggest that the phosphorylated p68 protects the cells from programmed cell death by preventing procaspase-8 from proteolytic cleavage. The double-phosphorylated p68 may also confer apoptosis resistance by upregulation of X-chromosome-linked inhibitor apoptosis protein-associated factor 1. In addition, exogenous expression of p68 mutant that carries mutations at the phosphorylation sites (Y593/595F) dramatically sensitizes TRAIL-resistant cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome TRAIL resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chromosomes, Human, X
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / drug effects
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / metabolism*
  • Glioblastoma
  • Glioma
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms
  • Mutation
  • Phosphorylation
  • Phosphotyrosine / metabolism
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / pharmacology
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / physiology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • Phosphotyrosine
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases