We studied human cancer cell models in which we detected constitutive activation of ERK. A fraction of active ERK was found to be located in mitochondria in RWPE-2 cells, obtained by v-Ki-Ras transformation of the epithelial prostate RWPE-1 cell line; in metastatic prostate cancer DU145 cells; and in osteosarcoma SAOS-2 cells. All these tumor cells displayed marked resistance to death caused by apoptotic stimuli like arachidonic acid and the BH3 mimetic EM20-25, which cause cell death through the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP). PTP desensitization and the ensuing resistance to cell death induced by arachidonic acid or EM20-25 could be ablated by inhibiting ERK with the drug PD98059 or with a selective ERK activation inhibitor peptide. ERK inhibition enhanced glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3)-dependent phosphorylation of the pore regulator cyclophilin D, whereas GSK-3 inhibition protected from PTP opening. Neither active ERK in mitochondria nor pore desensitization was observed in nontransformed RWPE-1 cells. Thus, in tumor cells mitochondrial ERK activation desensitizes the PTP through a signaling axis that involves GSK-3 and cyclophilin D, a finding that provides a mechanistic basis for increased resistance to apoptosis of neoplastic cells.

a b s t r a c tThe permeability transition pore (PTP) is an inner mitochondrial membrane channel that has been thoroughly characterized functionally, yet remains an elusive molecular entity. The best characterized PTP-regulatory component, cyclophilin (CyP) D, is a matrix protein that favors pore opening. CyP inhibitors, CyP-D null animals, and in situ PTP readouts have established the role of PTP as an effector mechanism of cell death, and the growing definition of PTP signalling mechanisms. This review briefly covers the functional features of the PTP and the role played by its dysregulation in disease pathogenesis. Recent progress on PTP modulation by kinase/phosphatase signal transduction is discussed, with specific emphasis on hexokinase and on the Akt-ERK-GSK3 axis, which might modulate the PTP through CyP-D phosphorylation. Ó 2010 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. General features of the permeability transition poreThe permeability transition pore (PTP) is a voltage-and Ca 2+ -dependent, cyclosporin A (CsA)-sensitive, high conductance channel, whose opening leads to permeabilization of the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) to solutes with molecular masses up to 1500 Da. A prolonged PTP opening has major consequences on energy metabolism and cell viability. Mitochondria depolarize due to equilibration of the proton gradient and the initial uncoupling is followed by release of matrix pyridine nucleotides resulting in respiratory inhibition and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the direct transfer of electrons to molecular oxygen. Oxidative phosphorylation and ATP synthesis cease, and the F 0 F 1 ATP synthase starts working in reverse, hydrolyzing ATP generated by glycolysis or by residual functional mitochondria. As a result, a bioenergetic failure rapidly occurs [1]. Moreover, ions and solutes with molecular mass below the pore size equilibrate across the IMM, inducing disruption of metabolic gradients and release of the Ca 2+ stored in the matrix. The colloidal osmotic pressure exerted by the high protein concentration in the matrix causes its swelling. Inner membrane cristae unfold and eventually may disrupt the outer membrane, leading to release of intermembrane proteins, including pro-apoptotic factors [2]. Thus, PTP opening prompts the demise of the cell, either through apoptosis (if enough ATP is present to fuel caspase activity), or through necrosis (that follows loss of Ca 2+ homeostasis and mitochondrial dysfunction). The mode of cell demise could be necrotic when the permeability transition (PT) occurs in a fraction of mitochondria sufficient to cause ATP depletion. A more limited number of permeabilized mitochondria would lead to release of proapoptotic factors, and ATP production by the residual healthy mitochondria would be enough to support apoptosis execution. In a cell, a subpopulation of mitochondria may have a lower threshold for opening (e.g. those spatially closer to the triggering signal) and therefore open the ...

ObjectiveDilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major complication and leading cause of death in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DCM onset is variable, suggesting modifier effects of genetic or environmental factors. We aimed to determine if polymorphisms previously associated with age at loss of independent ambulation (LoA) in DMD (rs28357094 in the SPP1 promoter, rs10880 and the VTTT/IAAM haplotype in LTBP4) also modify DCM onset.MethodsA multicentric cohort of 178 DMD patients was genotyped by TaqMan assays. We performed a time-to-event analysis of DCM onset, with age as time variable, and finding of left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% and/or end diastolic volume > 70 mL/m2 as event (confirmed by a previous normal exam < 12 months prior); DCM-free patients were censored at the age of last echocardiographic follow-up.ResultsPatients were followed up to an average age of 15.9 ± 6.7 years. Seventy-one/178 patients developed DCM, and median age at onset was 20.0 years. Glucocorticoid corticosteroid treatment (n = 88 untreated; n = 75 treated; n = 15 unknown) did not have a significant independent effect on DCM onset. Cardiological medications were not administered before DCM onset in this population. We observed trends towards a protective effect of the dominant G allele at SPP1 rs28357094 and recessive T allele at LTBP4 rs10880, which was statistically significant in steroid-treated patients for LTBP4 rs10880 (< 50% T/T patients developing DCM during follow-up [n = 13]; median DCM onset 17.6 years for C/C-C/T, log-rank p = 0.027).ConclusionsWe report a putative protective effect of DMD genetic modifiers on the development of cardiac complications, that might aid in risk stratification if confirmed in independent cohorts.