Mutant p53-dependent mitochondrial metabolic alterations in a mesenchymal stem cell-based model of progressive malignancy

Cell Death Differ. 2019 Sep;26(9):1566-1581. doi: 10.1038/s41418-018-0227-z. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Abstract

It is well accepted that malignant transformation is associated with unique metabolism. Malignant transformation involves a variety of cellular pathways that are associated with initiation and progression of the malignant process that remain to be deciphered still. Here we used a mouse model of mutant p53 that presents a stepwise progressive transformation of adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). While the established parental p53Mut-MSCs induce tumors, the parental p53WT-MSCs that were established in parallel, did not. Furthermore, tumor lines derived from the parental p53Mut-MSCs (p53Mut-MSC-TLs), exhibited yet a more aggressive transformed phenotype, suggesting exacerbation in tumorigenesis. Metabolic tracing of these various cell types, indicated that while malignant transformation is echoed by a direct augmentation in glycolysis, the more aggressive p53Mut-MSC-TLs demonstrate increased mitochondrial oxidation that correlates with morphological changes in mitochondria mass and function. Finally, we show that these changes are p53Mut-dependent. Computational transcriptional analysis identified a mitochondrial gene signature specifically downregulated upon knock/out of p53Mut in MSC-TLs. Our results suggest that stem cells exhibiting different state of malignancy are also associated with a different quantitative and qualitative metabolic profile in a p53Mut-dependent manner. This may provide important insights for cancer prognosis and the use of specific metabolic inhibitors in a personalized designed cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Glycolysis / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / pathology
  • Metabolome / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mutant Proteins / genetics
  • Mutant Proteins / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism

Substances

  • Mutant Proteins
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53