Chemotherapeutic drugs sensitize cancer cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis: up-regulation of DR5 and inhibition of Yin Yang 1.
Several chemotherapeutic drugs in combination with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) result in reversal of resistance to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis through up-regulation of DR5 expression. The promoter of DR5 has one putative binding site for the transcription repressor Yin Yang 1 (YY1), and thus, we hypothesized that the sensitizing drugs may inhibit YY1. We have found that treatment of tumor cells with various chemotherapeutic drugs inhibited nuclear factor-kappaB. We examined whether drugs also inhibit YY1 activity and whether YY1 inhibition correlates with up-regulation of DR5 expression and sensitization of cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. The TRAIL- and drug-resistant prostate carcinoma PC-3 cell line was treated with CDDP, VP-16, ADR, and vincristine. DR5 luciferase reporter constructs and small interfering RNA against YY1 were used to determine the role of YY1 in DR5 transcription. Pretreatment of PC-3 cells and other tumor cell lines with various chemotherapeutic drugs sensitized the cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis concurrently with up-regulation of DR5 expression and inhibition of YY1 expression and its DNA-binding activity. The baseline luciferase activity in PC-3 cells transfected with the wild-type DR5 reporter was significantly augmented in cells transfected with DR5 constructs carrying deletions or mutation in the YY1-binding site. Treatment with drug enhanced DR5 wild-type luciferase activity, with no increase in cells transfected with the YY1-deleted or YY1-mutated constructs. Cells transfected with YY1 small interfering RNA showed up-regulation of DR5 expression and sensitization to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. The findings provide evidence that drug-induced sensitization of tumor cells to TRAIL is mediated, in part, by inhibition of the transcription repressor YY1 and up-regulation of DR5 expression. Hence, YY1 may be a potential therapeutic target to reverse resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
Baritaki
Stavroula
S
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Huerta-Yepez
Sara
S
Sakai
Toshiyuki
T
Spandidos
Demetrios A
DA
Bonavida
Benjamin
B
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D053220:Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / Q000235:genetics*; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D050986:YY1 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D053220:Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D050986:YY1 Transcription Factor