Proteomic Profiling of Iron-Treated Ovarian Cells Identifies AKT Activation that Modulates the CLEAR Network

Stephanie Rockfield1, Jennifer Guergues1,2, Nabila Rehman1

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, ISA2015, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA.

Proteomics
|September 30, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Iron dysregulation impacts ovarian cell survival and cancer. This study reveals AKT pathway and MiTF family involvement in iron-induced cellular responses, using proteomic and pathway analysis technologies.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular biology
  • Molecular oncology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Iron is vital for cell survival, but abnormal iron levels are linked to cancer development and cell death.
  • Mechanisms underlying iron's role in cell fate, particularly in ovarian cells, are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate proteomic and functional alterations in iron-treated ovarian cells.
  • To elucidate the role of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MiTF) family and related pathways in iron-mediated cellular responses.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized reverse phase protein array (RPPA) technology to assess proteomic changes.
  • Employed Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to predict functional responses.
  • Investigated expression and localization of transcription factor EB (TFEB) and CLEAR network genes.

Main Results:

  • Identified differential pathway alterations, including mTOR, MAPK, and AKT signaling, between ovarian cancer (HEY) and non-malignant (T80) cells upon iron treatment.
  • Observed increased TFEB expression, nuclear translocation, and CLEAR network gene upregulation in T80 cells compared to HEY cells in response to iron.
  • Found that AKT inhibition modulated these responses, while mTOR inhibition had minimal effect.

Conclusions:

  • RPPA and IPA are effective tools for predicting functional responses to iron in ovarian cells.
  • The AKT pathway and MiTF family members, including TFEB, play significant roles in iron-induced cellular responses and iron metabolism in ovarian cells.

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