Novel copper complex CTB regulates methionine cycle induced TERT hypomethylation to promote HCC cells senescence via mitochondrial SLC25A26

Cell Death Dis. 2020 Oct 11;11(10):844. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-03048-x.

Abstract

Related research has recognized the vital role of methionine cycle metabolism in cancers. However, the role and mechanism of methionine cycle metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma are still unknown. In this study, we found that [Cu(ttpy-tpp)Br2]Br (Referred to as CTB) could induce hepatocellular carcinoma cells senescence, which is a new copper complex synthesized by our research group. Interestingly, CTB induces senescence by inhibiting the methionine cycle metabolism of HCC cells. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of CTB on the methionine cycle depends on mitochondrial carrier protein SLC25A26, which was also required for CTB-induced HCC cells senescence. Importantly, we found that CTB-induced upregulation of SLC25A26 could cause abnormal methylation of TERT and inhibited TERT expression, which is considered to be an essential cause of cell senescence. The same results were also obtained in vivo, CTB inhibits the growth of subcutaneously implanted tumors in nude mice and promoted the expression of senescence markers in tumor tissues, and interference with SLC25A26 partially offset the antitumor effect of CTB.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Transport Systems / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cellular Senescence / drug effects
  • Coordination Complexes / chemistry
  • Coordination Complexes / pharmacology*
  • Copper / chemistry
  • Copper / pharmacology*
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Methionine / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Methionine / metabolism*
  • Methylation / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Telomerase / metabolism*
  • Transfection
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Amino Acid Transport Systems
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Coordination Complexes
  • SLC25A26 protein, human
  • Copper
  • Methionine
  • TERT protein, human
  • Telomerase