Genipin-induced inhibition of uncoupling protein-2 sensitizes drug-resistant cancer cells to cytotoxic agents.
Uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) is known to suppress mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and is employed by drug-resistant cancer cells to mitigate oxidative stress. Using the drug-sensitive HL-60 cells and the drug-resistant MX2 subline as model systems, we show that genipin, a UCP2 inhibitor, sensitizes drug-resistant cells to cytotoxic agents. Increased MX2 cell death was observed upon co-treatment with genipin and different doses of menadione, doxorubicin, and epirubicin. DCFH-DA fluorimetry revealed that the increase in MX2 cell death was accompanied by enhanced cellular ROS levels. The drug-induced increase in ROS was linked to genipin-mediated inhibition of mitochondrial proton leak. State 4 and resting cellular respiratory rates were higher in the MX2 cells in comparison to the HL-60 cells, and the increased respiration was readily suppressed by genipin in the MX2 cells. UCP2 accounted for a remarkable 37% of the resting cellular oxygen consumption indicating that the MX2 cells are functionally reliant on this protein. Higher amounts of UCP2 protein were detected in the MX2 versus the HL-60 mitochondria. The observed effects of genipin were absent in the HL-60 cells pointing to the selectivity of this natural product for drug-resistant cells. The specificity of genipin for UCP2 was confirmed using CHO cells stably expressing UCP2 in which genipin induced an ∼22% decrease in state 4 respiration. These effects were absent in empty vector CHO cells expressing no UCP2. Thus, the chemical inhibition of UCP2 with genipin sensitizes multidrug-resistant cancer cells to cytotoxic agents.
Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
Ryan J
RJ
Mailloux
Cyril Nii-Klu
CN
Adjeitey
Mary-Ellen
ME
Harper
D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000633:toxicity; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005470:Fluorometry; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D057889:Iridoid Glycosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D039823:Iridoids; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D000071246:Uncoupling Protein 2
D018943:Anthracyclines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007473:Ion Channels; D057889:Iridoid Glycosides; D039823:Iridoids; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C000604389:UCP2 protein, human; D000071246:Uncoupling Protein 2; C007834:genipin