HIGD1A-mediated dormancy and tumor survival.
1Department of Pediatrics; University of California, San Francisco ; San Francisco, CA, USA.
Molecular & Cellular Oncology
|June 17, 2016
Summary
Cancer cells survive extreme tumor conditions like low oxygen and glucose by regulating HIGD1A. This protein impacts oxygen use and reactive oxygen species, activating dormancy for survival.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Cellular Metabolism
Background:
- Solid tumors exhibit anoxic and glucose-deprived regions, creating harsh conditions for cancer cell survival.
- The mechanisms enabling cancer cell survival under nutrient and oxygen deprivation are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of hypoxia-inducible gene domain family member 1A (HIGD1A) in cancer cell survival during glucose starvation.
- To elucidate the epigenetic regulation of HIGD1A and its impact on cellular metabolism and dormancy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of HIGD1A regulation through epigenetic mechanisms.
- Measurement of oxygen consumption rates in cancer cells under glucose deprivation.
- Assessment of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
- Evaluation of cancer cell dormancy activation.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic regulation of HIGD1A is crucial for cancer cell adaptation to glucose starvation.
- HIGD1A modulates oxygen consumption and reactive oxygen species production.
- Activation of HIGD1A promotes cancer cell survival via dormancy mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- HIGD1A plays a key role in enabling cancer cell survival in the challenging tumor microenvironment.
- Targeting HIGD1A or its regulatory pathways may offer novel therapeutic strategies for solid tumors.
Related Concept Videos
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
5.4K
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.4K
02:40Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
6.3K
Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
6.3K
02:40Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
2.3K
2.3K
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
6.2K
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
6.2K
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
2.0K
2.0K
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
10.3K
The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
10.3K