Hexokinase II (HXK II) controls the first step in glycolysis, phosphorylating glucose to glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P). Cancer cells over-express HXK II with the majority being bound to the mitochondria through an interaction with VDAC-1 (voltage dependent anion carrier), an abundant outer mitochondrial membrane protein (OMM). The enhanced binding of HXK II to mitochondria in cancer cells accelerates the rate of glycolysis, thus providing an ample supply of precursors for amino, nucleic and fatty acid synthesis. Mitochondria have emerged as an important component of the cell death pathway in both apoptosis and necrosis, with the release of mitochondrial intermembrane space proteins being critical in the execution and ultimate demise of cellular viability. Proapoptotic proteins such as Bax, Bid and Bim induce mitochondrial dysfunction, possibly by interacting with VDAC-1, thereby provoking the release of intermembrane space proteins. For this proposal our working hypothesis is that the increased binding of HXK II to mitochondria is critical for providing cancer cells with the necessary metabolic profile for maintaining their accelerated rate of proliferation. Additionally, HXK II binding to mitochondria aids in the survival and resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents by preventing proapoptotic proteins such as Bax, Bim and Bid from inducing mitochondrial dysfunction. The localization of HXK II to mitochondria is controlled in part by the activity of the PBR and glycogen synthase kinase 3P (GSKP). These hypotheses are supported by the preliminary results demonstrating the ability of recombinant HXK II to prevent Bax from binding to and releasing cytochrome c from isolated mitochondria and the enhanced sensitivity exhibited by transformed cells to a range of chemotherapeutic agents upon the detachment of mitochondrial bound HXK II. Inhibition of PBR mediated cholesterol uptake and phosphorylation of VDAC-1 by GSK3? resulted in a detachment of HXK II from mitochondria with the subsequent development of enhanced sensitivity to chemotherapy induced cell death. The general goals of this project are to provide a deeper understanding of the mechanism(s) by which mitochondrial bound HXK II increases the proliferation and survival of cancer cells and to elucidate how HXK II binding to mitochondria is regulated and maintained, with the goal of exploiting the binding of HXK II to mitochondria as an anti-cancer target.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA118356-07
Application #
8215860
Study Section
Basic Mechanisms of Cancer Therapeutics Study Section (BMCT)
Program Officer
Spalholz, Barbara A
Project Start
2007-04-10
Project End
2014-02-28
Budget Start
2012-03-01
Budget End
2014-02-28
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$251,464
Indirect Cost
$90,269
Name
University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Osteopathic Medicine
DUNS #
140757589
City
Stratford
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
08084
Verma, Manish; Shulga, Nataly; Pastorino, John G (2013) Sirtuin-3 modulates Bak- and Bax-dependent apoptosis. J Cell Sci 126:274-88
Verma, Manish; Shulga, Nataly; Pastorino, John G (2013) Sirtuin-4 modulates sensitivity to induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Biochim Biophys Acta 1827:38-49
Neary, Catherine L; Pastorino, John G (2013) Akt inhibition promotes hexokinase 2 redistribution and glucose uptake in cancer cells. J Cell Physiol 228:1943-8
Shulga, Nataly; Pastorino, John G (2012) GRIM-19-mediated translocation of STAT3 to mitochondria is necessary for TNF-induced necroptosis. J Cell Sci 125:2995-3003
Shulga, Nataly; Wilson-Smith, Robin; Pastorino, John G (2010) Sirtuin-3 deacetylation of cyclophilin D induces dissociation of hexokinase II from the mitochondria. J Cell Sci 123:894-902
Neary, Catherine L; Pastorino, John G (2010) Nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of hexokinase II in a cancer cell. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 394:1075-81
Shulga, Nataly; Wilson-Smith, Robin; Pastorino, John G (2009) Hexokinase II detachment from the mitochondria potentiates cisplatin induced cytotoxicity through a caspase-2 dependent mechanism. Cell Cycle 8:3355-64
Pastorino, John G; Shulga, Nataly (2008) Tumor necrosis factor-alpha can provoke cleavage and activation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein in ethanol-exposed cells via a caspase-dependent pathway that is cholesterol insensitive. J Biol Chem 283:25638-49
Pastorino, John G; Hoek, Jan B (2008) Regulation of hexokinase binding to VDAC. J Bioenerg Biomembr 40:171-82