In Silico Prediction of Metabolic Fluxes in Cancer Cells with Altered S-adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase Activity

Cell Biochem Biophys. 2021 Mar;79(1):37-48. doi: 10.1007/s12013-020-00949-8. Epub 2020 Oct 11.

Abstract

This paper investigates the redistribution of metabolic fluxes in the cell with altered activity of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMdc, EC: 4.1.1.50), the key enzyme of the polyamine cycle and the common target for antitumor therapy. To address these goals, a stoichiometric metabolic model was developed that includes five metabolic pathways: polyamine, methionine, methionine salvage cycles, folic acid cycle, and the pathway of glutathione and taurine synthesis. The model is based on 51 reactions involving 57 metabolites, 31 of which are internal metabolites. All calculations were performed using the method of Flux Balance Analysis. The outcome indicates that the inactivation of SAMdc results in a significant increase in fluxes through the methionine, the taurine and glutathione synthesis, and the folate cycles. Therefore, when using therapeutic agents inactivating SAMdc, it is necessary to consider the possibility of cellular tumor metabolism reprogramming. S-adenosylmethionine affects serine methylation and activates serine-dependent de novo ATP synthesis. Methionine-depleted cell becomes methionine-dependent, searching for new sources of methionine. Inactivation of SAMdc enhances the transformation of S-adenosylmethionine to homocysteine and then to methionine. It also intensifies the transsulfuration process activating the synthesis of glutathione and taurine.

Keywords: Cancer cell; Flux balance analysis; Metabolic flux; Polyamine metabolism; S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase; Stoichiometric model.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase / metabolism*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Computer Simulation
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Folic Acid / chemistry
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Methionine / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Phenotype
  • Polyamines / metabolism
  • Serine / metabolism
  • Taurine / metabolism
  • Uric Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Polyamines
  • Taurine
  • Uric Acid
  • Serine
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Folic Acid
  • Methionine
  • Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase
  • Glutathione