Identification of mitochondrial F(1)F(0)-ATP synthase interacting with galectin-3 in colon cancer cells

Duck-Woo Kim1, Kyung Hee Kim, Byong Chul Yoo

  • 1Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Chongno-Gu, Seoul, Korea.

Cancer Science
|November 20, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Galectin-3 interacts with ATP synthase in colon cancer mitochondria, inhibiting its activity. Suppressing galectin-3 promotes cell cycle progression, offering potential therapeutic strategies for colon cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Galectin-3 is implicated in various cellular processes, including cancer progression.
  • Understanding galectin-3's role in colon cancer cell cycle regulation is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interaction between galectin-3 and its binding molecules in colon cancer cells.
  • To determine the effect of galectin-3 and its binding partners on cell cycle regulation.
  • To explore the functional consequences of galectin-3 suppression on colon cancer cell proliferation.

Main Methods:

  • Identification of galectin-3 binding molecules using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry.
  • Validation of subcellular localization of galectin-3 and ATP synthase.
  • Assessment of ATP synthase activity and intracellular ATP content.
  • Monitoring of cell cycle progression after galectin-3 suppression via siRNA transfection.
  • Analysis of cell cycle distribution in the presence of chemotherapeutic agents.

Main Results:

  • ATP synthase beta-subunit was identified as a binding molecule for galectin-3.
  • Galectin-3 and ATP synthase were co-localized in mitochondrial inner membrane vesicles.
  • Galectin-3 exhibited inhibitory activity against ATP synthase, with suppression leading to increased intracellular ATP.
  • Suppression of galectin-3 promoted G0/G1 phase progression in colon cancer cells arrested by doxorubicin, etoposide, or nocodazole.
  • Reduced sub-G1 fraction was observed upon galectin-3 suppression compared to ATP synthase delta-subunit suppression.

Conclusions:

  • Galectin-3 co-localizes with ATP synthase in mitochondria and inhibits its activity in human colon cancer cells.
  • Galectin-3 suppression facilitates cell cycle progression from arrested phases to G0/G1.
  • These findings highlight a novel mechanism involving galectin-3 and ATP synthase in colon cancer cell cycle control.