Pharmacologically targetable vulnerability in prostate cancer carrying RB1-SUCLA2 deletion

Oncogene. 2020 Aug;39(34):5690-5707. doi: 10.1038/s41388-020-1381-6. Epub 2020 Jul 21.

Abstract

RB1 gene is often homozygously deleted or mutated in prostate adenocarcinomas following acquirement of castration resistance and/or metastatic ability. We found that SUCLA2 gene is frequently involved in the deletion of the RB1 gene region in advanced prostate cancer. SUCLA2 constitutes the β-subunit of succinate CoA ligase heterodimer that reversibly converts succinyl CoA into succinate. We sought the possibility that deletion of SUCLA2 gives rise to a metabolic vulnerability that could be targeted therapeutically. We found a significant metabolic shift in SUCLA2-deleted prostate cancer cells, including lower mitochondrial respiratory activity. By screening a number of libraries for compounds that induce cell death selectively in SUCLA2-deficient prostate cancer cells, we identified thymoquinone (2-isopropyl-5-methylbenzo-1,4-quinone) and PMA (phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate) from a natural compound library. These findings indicate that the metabolic vulnerability in SUCLA2-deficient prostate cancer cells is pharmacologically targetable.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Benzoquinones / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Gene Deletion*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mice, SCID
  • PC-3 Cells
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Retinoblastoma Protein / deficiency
  • Retinoblastoma Protein / genetics*
  • Succinate-CoA Ligases / deficiency
  • Succinate-CoA Ligases / genetics*
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / analogs & derivatives
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology

Substances

  • Benzoquinones
  • Retinoblastoma Protein
  • phorbolol myristate acetate
  • Succinate-CoA Ligases
  • SUCLA2 protein, human
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate
  • thymoquinone