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VHL Dependent Expression of REDD1 and PDK3 Proteins in Clear-cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Bojana B Ilic1, Jadranka A Antic1, Jovana Z Bankovic1
1Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Medical School, University of Belgrade, Department of Neuroendocrine Tumors and Hereditary Cancer Syndromes, Belgrade, Serbia.
Background:
Sporadic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is associated with mutations in the VHL gene, upregulated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity and glycolytic metabolism. Here, we analyze the effect of VHL mutational status on the expression level of mTOR, eIF4E-BP1, AMPK, REDD1, and PDK3 proteins.
Methods:
Total proteins were isolated from 21 tumorous samples with biallelic inactivation, 10 with monoallelic inactivation and 6 tumors with a wild-type VHL (wtVHL) gene obtained from patients who underwent total nephrectomy. The expressions of target proteins were assessed using Western blot.
Results:
Expressions of mTOR, eIF4EBP1 and AMPK were VHL independent. Tumors with monoallelic inactivation of VHL underexpressed REDD1 in comparison to wtVHL tumors (P = 0.042), tumors with biallelic VHL inactivation (P < 0.005) and control tissue (P = 0.004). Additionally, REDD1 expression was higher in tumors with VHL biallelic inactivation than in control tissue (P = 0.008). Only in wt tumor samples PDK3 was overexpressed in comparison to tumors with biallelic inactivation of VHL gene (P = 0.012) and controls (P = 0.016). In wtVHL ccRCC, multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that 97.4% of variability in PDK3 expression can be explained by variations in AMPK amount.
Conclusion:
Expressions of mTOR, eIF4EBP1 and AMPK were VHL independent. We have shown for the first time VHL dependent expression of PDK3 and we provide additional evidence that VHL mutational status affects REDD1 expression in sporadic ccRCC.
Insights
VHL gene mutations impact REDD1 and PDK3 protein expression in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). mTOR, eIF4E-BP1, and AMPK levels remain unaffected by VHL status.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Sporadic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is linked to VHL gene mutations, increased mTOR activity, and altered metabolism.
- Understanding the VHL gene's role in ccRCC protein expression is crucial for targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of VHL (von Hippel-Lindau) gene mutational status on the expression of key proteins: mTOR, eIF4E-BP1, AMPK, REDD1, and PDK3.
- To elucidate the relationship between VHL inactivation and specific protein expression patterns in ccRCC.
Main Methods:
- Protein expression analysis using Western blot on tumor samples from ccRCC patients.
- Categorization of samples based on VHL gene status: biallelic inactivation, monoallelic inactivation, and wild-type (wtVHL).
Main Results:
- mTOR, eIF4E-BP1, and AMPK expression were independent of VHL mutational status.
- REDD1 was underexpressed in tumors with monoallelic VHL inactivation and overexpressed in tumors with biallelic VHL inactivation compared to controls.
- PDK3 was overexpressed in wild-type VHL tumors, with its expression significantly correlated with AMPK levels in wtVHL ccRCC.
Conclusions:
- VHL gene status influences REDD1 and PDK3 protein expression in sporadic ccRCC.
- mTOR, eIF4E-BP1, and AMPK expression are not directly regulated by VHL mutational status in ccRCC.
- This study highlights VHL-dependent regulation of PDK3 and REDD1, offering insights into ccRCC pathogenesis.
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