A SILAC-based proteomics elicits the molecular interactome of alisertib (MLN8237) in human erythroleukemia K562 cells

Li-Ping Shu1, Zhi-Wei Zhou2, Dan Zi1

  • 1Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Research Center, Laboratory Animal Center, Department of Immunology, Guiyang Medical UniversityGuiyang, Guizhou 550004, People's Republic of China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South FloridaTampa, FL 33612, USA.

Insights

Alisertib (ALS) effectively targets cancer cells by modulating protein expression, inducing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy. This study reveals ALS mechanisms for treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Proteomics

Background:

  • Alisertib (MLN8237, ALS) is an Aurora kinase A (AURKA) inhibitor with demonstrated anti-tumor activity.
  • The precise molecular targets and anticancer mechanisms of ALS in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the proteomic responses to ALS treatment in K562 cells.
  • To identify molecular interactomes and elucidate the anticancer mechanisms of ALS in CML.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized stable-isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) for quantitative proteomic analysis.
  • Performed pathway and functional enrichment analysis on differentially expressed proteins.
  • Verified effects on cell cycle, apoptosis, and autophagy using flow cytometry and Western blotting.

Main Results:

  • ALS treatment modulated 1541 proteins (570 upregulated, 971 downregulated).
  • Affected proteins were involved in cell growth, metabolism, survival, and death pathways.
  • ALS induced G2/M phase arrest, mitochondria-dependent apoptosis, and autophagy via PI3K/Akt/mTOR, p38 MAPK, and AMPK signaling.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides a quantitative proteomic evaluation of ALS effects in K562 cells.
  • Identified potential molecular targets and elucidated mechanisms underlying ALS's anticancer activity in CML.
  • Findings may contribute to developing novel and safer CML therapies.