CuZnSOD and MnSOD inhibit metabolic stress-induced necrosis and multicellular tumour spheroid growth

Su Yeon Lee1, Hyun Min Jeon, Cho Hee Kim

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Pusan 609-735, Korea.

Insights

Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) suppress tumor growth by preventing necrosis and HMGB1 release. These enzymes inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS) production under metabolic stress, a key factor in tumor progression.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) exhibit tumor suppressive activities, but their precise molecular mechanisms remain elusive.
  • Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role in tumor growth, with metabolic stress in solid tumors leading to necrosis and promoting progression via HMGB1 release.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the tumor suppressive activities of CuZnSOD and MnSOD.
  • To investigate the role of ROS, metabolic stress, necrosis, and HMGB1 in tumor growth suppression by CuZnSOD and MnSOD.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized multicellular tumor spheroid (MTS) and 2D cell culture models.
  • Overexpressed CuZnSOD and MnSOD in A549 and MCF-7 cell lines.
  • Analyzed ROS production, necrosis, HMGB1 release, and carbonic anhydrase (CA) IX expression in tumor tissues.

Main Results:

  • Overexpression of CuZnSOD and MnSOD significantly suppressed A549 and MCF-7 MTS growth.
  • CuZnSOD and MnSOD overexpression inhibited metabolic stress-induced necrosis and HMGB1 release by reducing mitochondrial ROS and intracellular O2- production.
  • These enzymes were detected in the para-necrotic regions of human lung adenocarcinoma tissues.

Conclusions:

  • CuZnSOD and MnSOD suppress tumor growth by inhibiting metabolic stress-induced necrosis and HMGB1 release.
  • The mechanism involves the inhibition of mitochondrial ROS production under conditions of metabolic stress, such as glucose depletion.
  • Findings suggest a therapeutic potential for CuZnSOD and MnSOD in cancer treatment by targeting ROS-mediated tumor progression.

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