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Antioxidant and oncogene rescue of metabolic defects caused by loss of matrix attachment

Abstract

Normal epithelial cells require matrix attachment for survival, and the ability of tumour cells to survive outside their natural extracellular matrix (ECM) niches is dependent on acquisition of anchorage independence1. Although apoptosis is the most rapid mechanism for eliminating cells lacking appropriate ECM attachment2, recent reports suggest that non-apoptotic death processes prevent survival when apoptosis is inhibited in matrix-deprived cells3,4. Here we demonstrate that detachment of mammary epithelial cells from ECM causes an ATP deficiency owing to the loss of glucose transport. Overexpression of ERBB2 rescues the ATP deficiency by restoring glucose uptake through stabilization of EGFR and phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI(3)K) activation, and this rescue is dependent on glucose-stimulated flux through the antioxidant-generating pentose phosphate pathway. Notably, we found that the ATP deficiency could be rescued by antioxidant treatment without rescue of glucose uptake. This rescue was found to be dependent on stimulation of fatty acid oxidation, which is inhibited by detachment-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). The significance of these findings was supported by evidence of an increase in ROS in matrix-deprived cells in the luminal space of mammary acini, and the discovery that antioxidants facilitate the survival of these cells and enhance anchorage-independent colony formation. These results show both the importance of matrix attachment in regulating metabolic activity and an unanticipated mechanism for cell survival in altered matrix environments by antioxidant restoration of ATP generation.

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Figure 1: Loss of matrix attachment causes reduction in cellular ATP that is rescued by ERBB2 through PI(3)K pathway activation.
Figure 2: Matrix detachment causes a reduction in glucose uptake and ERBB2 rescue of this defect is dependent on PPP flux.
Figure 3: Antioxidants rescue low ATP levels in detached cells by permitting fatty acid oxidation.
Figure 4: Analysis of antioxidant effects on acinar morphogenesis and colony formation in soft agar.

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Acknowledgements

We thank M. Overholtzer, G. Mouneimne, M. Mazzone and C. Leung for critical reading of the manuscript and/or experimental assistance. We thank A. Mailleux, A. Kaanta, V. Schafer, A. Zhou, K. Simpson, and the members of the Brugge laboratory for experimental assistance, comments, and/or discussion. This work was supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute (J.S.B.) and a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (P.P.). Z.T.S. is the recipient of a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) for Postdoctoral Fellows from the National Cancer Institute; L.S. an NCI Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award (K25); A.R.G. a National Science Graduate Research Fellowship; and H.Y.I. an NCI K08 Award.

Author Contributions Z.T.S. and J.S.B. were responsible for the overall study design. Z.T.S., A.R.G., H.Y.I. and S.G. conducted experiments. L.S. and Z.J. conducted the experiments measuring native fluorescence of NADPH in 3D cell culture. Z.G.-H. and P.P. designed the fatty acid oxidation studies and Z.T.S. and Z.G.-H. conducted the fatty acid oxidation assays. Z.T.S. and J.S.B. drafted the manuscript and all other authors made revisions.

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Correspondence to Joan S. Brugge.

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Schafer, Z., Grassian, A., Song, L. et al. Antioxidant and oncogene rescue of metabolic defects caused by loss of matrix attachment. Nature 461, 109–113 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature08268

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