title: GSK-3beta inhibition enhances sorafenib-induced apoptosis in melanoma cell lines.
abstract: Glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) can participate in the induction of apoptosis or, alternatively, provide a survival signal that minimizes cellular injury. We previously demonstrated that the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib induces apoptosis in melanoma cell lines. In this report, we show that sorafenib activates GSK-3beta in multiple subcellular compartments and that this activation undermines the lethality of the drug. Pharmacologic inhibition and/or down-modulation of the kinase enhances sorafenib-induced apoptosis as determined by propidium iodide staining and by assessing the mitochondrial release of apoptosis-inducing factor and Smac/DIABLO. Conversely, the forced expression of a constitutively active form of the enzyme (GSK-3beta(S9A)) protects the cells from the apoptotic effects of the drug. This protective effect is associated with a marked increase in basal levels of Bcl-2, Bcl-x(L), and survivin and a diminution in the degree to which these anti-apoptotic proteins are down-modulated by sorafenib exposure. Sorafenib down-modulates the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Noxa in cells with high constitutive GSK-3beta activity. Pharmacologic inhibition of GSK-3beta prevents the disappearance of Noxa induced by sorafenib and enhances the down-modulation of Mcl-1. Down-modulation of Noxa largely eliminates the enhancing effect of GSK-3 inhibition on sorafenib-induced apoptosis. These data provide a strong rationale for the use of GSK-3beta inhibitors as adjuncts to sorafenib treatment and suggest that preservation of Noxa may contribute to their efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Panka
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Atkins
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Mier
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001557:Benzenesulfonates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077157:Sorafenib
chemical_list: D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines; D009536:Niacinamide; D000077157:Sorafenib; C000605506:GSK3B protein, human; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3