GCSH antisense regulation determines breast cancer cells' viability

Sci Rep. 2018 Oct 18;8(1):15399. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-33677-4.

Abstract

Since it is known that cancer cells exhibit a preference for increased glycine consumption, the respective glycine metabolizing enzymes are in focus of many research projects. However, no cancer associated studies are available for the Glycine Cleavage System Protein H (GCSH) to date. Our initial analysis revealed a GCSH-overexpression of the protein-coding transcript variant 1 (Tv1) in breast cancer cells and tissue. Furthermore, a shorter (391 bp) transcript variant (Tv*) was amplified with an increased expression in healthy breast cells and a decreased expression in breast cancer samples. The Tv1/Tv* transcript ratio is 1.0 in healthy cells on average, and between 5-10 in breast cancer cells. Thus, a GCSH-equilibrium at the transcript level is likely conceivable for optimal glycine degradation. A possible regulative role of Tv* was proven by Tv1-Tv*-RNA-binding and overexpression studies which consequently led to serious physiological alterations: decreased metabolic activity, release of the lactate dehydrogenase, increased extracellular acidification, and finally necrosis as a result of impaired plasma membranes. In contrast, Tv1-overexpression led to an additional increase in cellular vitality of the tumor cells, primarily due to the acceleration of the mitochondrial glycine decarboxylation activity. Ultimately, we provide the first evidence of a sensitive GCSH-antisense regulation which determines cancerous cell viability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast / enzymology
  • Breast Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Glycine / metabolism
  • Glycine Decarboxylase Complex H-Protein / biosynthesis
  • Glycine Decarboxylase Complex H-Protein / genetics*
  • Glycine Decarboxylase Complex H-Protein / physiology
  • Humans
  • Nanoparticles
  • Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology
  • RNA, Antisense / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Glycine Decarboxylase Complex H-Protein
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA, Antisense
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Glycine