Peroxiredoxin 2 contributes to the malignant phenotype of glioblastoma cells

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant primary brain tumor. To adapt to intrinsic oxidative stress, GBM cells upregulate antioxidant systems. Out of six peroxiredoxins (PRDX) involved in protecting cells from oxidative stress, PRDX1 and PRDX4 are proteins that have been attributed with GBM-promoting properties. The role of PRDX2 in these tumors remains elusive. We have recently reported that treatment with conoidin A (CONA), considered a covalent inhibitor of PRDX2, diminished growth of GBM cells. The question arose whether PRDX2 itself affects the growth of GBM cells and whether the decrease in survival observed under CONA treatment could be due to inhibition of PRDX2 activity. To address this issue, we silenced PRDX2 in human GBM cells, U87MG and LN229, which reduced cell viability to a degree similar to that observed in PRDX4-deficient GBM cells used here as an acknowledged reference. Additionally, PRDX2 silencing inhibited growth of U87MG cells and increased the level of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, such modulation reduced susceptibility to CONA, suggesting that this compound exerts its effect on cell viability at least partially through PRDX2 inhibition.