Neuroblastoma (NB) is an extra-cranial pediatric cancer. Amplification of the proto-oncogene MYCN is associated with advanced stage, high risk NB and poor prognosis. Novel drugs and alternative treatments are being investigated for patients with advanced NB with MYCN amplification. However, finding an effective treatment strategy for advanced stage NB remains elusive. In order to address this limitation, the proposed project examines the effects of calcium and magnesium signaling on cell migration and invasion in NB cells with different MYCN status. The preliminary data indicate that MYCN initiates a change in calcium signaling, accompanied by a change in the transcriptional regulation of calcium channels, namely Orai1, Orai3 and TRPM7. In addition, MYCN induces calcium-dependent NB cell migration. These observations support the hypothesis that MYCN alters calcium and magnesium homeostasis during cell migration and invasion through a mechanism that involves calcium-mediated regulation of integrin signaling and focal adhesion turnover, and calcium- and magnesium-permeable ion channels. The research plan has the following specific aims: (1) Examine the effect of MYCN on [Ca2+] and [Mg2+] homeostasis in NB cells. NB cells with different MYCN status will be cultured in external media with different extracellular [Ca2+]/[Mg2+] ratios. The intracellular calcium and magnesium will be measured, and migration and invasion rates will be determined in these cells. (2) Elucidate the mechanism by which MYCN regulation of calcium and magnesium promotes NB migration and invasion. The effect of calcium and magnesium on the expression and phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and integrin, focal adhesion turnover rate (assembly, disassembly and recycling of focal adhesion proteins), and actin cytoskeletal re-organization will be examined in NB cells that are actively migrating. (3) Identify the molecular components regulating NB migration and invasion. The calcium- permeable ORAI channels and the calcium- and magnesium-permeable TRPM7 channel protein will be modulated pharmacologically or using molecular methods (RNAi or transient over-expression), and the effect of these changes on cell migration and invasion, focal adhesion turnover (assembly, disassembly, and recycling of focal adhesion proteins), and intracellular [Ca2+] will be determined in NB cells. This study may identify new biomarkers for advanced stage NB, and reveal novel targets for the development of more effective chemotherapeutic drugs. In addition, this study may lead to a new model of the regulation of NB progression, which includes monitoring the status of the prognostic marker MYCN as well as the dietary intake, metabolism and cellular regulation of calcium and magnesium. This new model may apply to other cancers with MYC amplification (e.g. breast and prostate cancers, and lymphoma, etc).

Public Health Relevance

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric tumor. Calcium and magnesium ions regulate cell migration and invasion. I propose to elucidate the mechanisms by which calcium and magnesium regulate these processes in NB cells. This study will improve our current knowledge of NB progression, and reveal more innovative treatment strategies for NB.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01CA154758-03
Application #
8727482
Study Section
Subcommittee B - Comprehensiveness (NCI)
Program Officer
Davani, Behrous
Project Start
2012-09-12
Project End
2017-08-31
Budget Start
2014-09-01
Budget End
2015-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
City
Hilo
State
HI
Country
United States
Zip Code
96720
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Lange, Ingo; Moschny, Julia; Tamanyan, Kamilla et al. (2016) Scrophularia orientalis extract induces calcium signaling and apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells. Int J Oncol 48:1608-16
Shimoda, L M N; Showman, A; Baker, J D et al. (2015) Differential regulation of calcium signalling pathways by components of Piper methysticum ('Awa). Phytother Res 29:582-90
Lange, Ingo; Koomoa, Dana-Lynn T (2014) MycN promotes TRPM7 expression and cell migration in neuroblastoma through a process that involves polyamines. FEBS Open Bio 4:966-75
Koomoa, Dana-Lynn T; Geerts, Dirk; Lange, Ingo et al. (2013) DFMO/eflornithine inhibits migration and invasion downstream of MYCN and involves p27Kip1 activity in neuroblastoma. Int J Oncol 42:1219-28