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ROS signaling under metabolic stress: cross-talk between AMPK and AKT pathway
Yang Zhao1, Xingbin Hu1, Yajing Liu1
1Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Abstract:
Cancer cells are frequently confronted with metabolic stress in tumor microenvironments due to their rapid growth and limited nutrient supply. Metabolic stress induces cell death through ROS-induced apoptosis. However, cancer cells can adapt to it by altering the metabolic pathways. AMPK and AKT are two primary effectors in response to metabolic stress: AMPK acts as an energy-sensing factor which rewires metabolism and maintains redox balance. AKT broadly promotes energy production in the nutrient abundance milieu, but the role of AKT under metabolic stress is in dispute. Recent studies show that AMPK and AKT display antagonistic roles under metabolic stress. Metabolic stress-induced ROS signaling lies in the hub between metabolic reprogramming and redox homeostasis. Here, we highlight the cross-talk between AMPK and AKT and their regulation on ROS production and elimination, which summarizes the mechanism of cancer cell adaptability under ROS stress and suggests potential options for cancer therapeutics.
Insights
Cancer cells adapt to metabolic stress via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and AKT signaling pathways, which regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) to promote survival and suggest new cancer therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Metabolism
- Cellular Stress Response
Background:
- Cancer cells face metabolic stress in tumor microenvironments due to rapid growth and limited nutrients.
- Metabolic stress can trigger cancer cell death via reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced apoptosis.
- AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and AKT are key regulators of cellular response to metabolic stress, with roles in energy sensing and production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cross-talk between AMPK and AKT signaling pathways under metabolic stress.
- To elucidate the regulation of ROS production and elimination by AMPK and AKT in cancer cells.
- To summarize mechanisms of cancer cell adaptability to ROS stress and identify potential therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of recent studies on AMPK, AKT, and ROS signaling in cancer metabolic stress.
- Analysis of the interplay between metabolic reprogramming and redox homeostasis.
- Highlighting the antagonistic roles of AMPK and AKT under metabolic stress conditions.
Main Results:
- AMPK acts as an energy sensor, rewiring metabolism and maintaining redox balance.
- The role of AKT under metabolic stress is debated, but recent findings suggest antagonistic interactions with AMPK.
- ROS signaling is central to metabolic reprogramming and redox homeostasis during metabolic stress.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the cross-talk between AMPK and AKT provides insight into cancer cell adaptation mechanisms under ROS stress.
- Targeting these pathways offers potential therapeutic strategies for overcoming cancer cell adaptability.
- Further research into AMPK-AKT-ROS axis modulation could lead to novel cancer treatments.