Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 is an essential receptor for trichosanthin in 2 choriocarcinoma

Yizu Jiao1, Wangyi Liu

  • 1Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China.

Insights

Type-I ribosome-inactivating protein (TCS) selectively targets cells. Researchers found Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) acts as a key receptor for TCS entry into choriocarcinoma cells, explaining its activity.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Medicine

Background:

  • Type-I ribosome-inactivating proteins, like trichosanthin (TCS), display selective cytotoxicity.
  • TCS exerts its effects by inhibiting protein synthesis, necessitating specific cellular uptake mechanisms.
  • Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) is a scavenger receptor involved in endocytosis of various ligands.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cellular uptake mechanisms of trichosanthin (TCS).
  • To identify the specific cell surface receptor responsible for TCS binding and internalization.
  • To elucidate the role of LRP1 in TCS activity against choriocarcinoma cells.

Main Methods:

  • Comparing TCS binding and internalization in choriocarcinoma cell lines (JAR, BeWo) and Hela cells.
  • Utilizing LRP1 gene silencing in JAR and BeWo cells.
  • Assessing the interaction between TCS and LRP1.

Main Results:

  • Choriocarcinoma cell lines (JAR, BeWo) demonstrated significant binding and internalization of TCS.
  • Hela cells showed minimal TCS binding and internalization.
  • LRP1 gene silencing abrogated TCS binding in JAR and BeWo cells, indicating LRP1's crucial role.
  • TCS was shown to interact directly with LRP1.

Conclusions:

  • Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) is identified as a major receptor for TCS uptake in choriocarcinoma cells.
  • LRP1-mediated phagocytosis of TCS is likely the molecular basis for its abortifacient and anti-choriocarcinoma effects.