The NF-κB member p65 controls glutamine metabolism through miR-23a

Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2012 Sep;44(9):1448-56. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2012.05.011. Epub 2012 May 24.

Abstract

Cancer cells have elevated aerobic glycolysis that is termed the Warburg effect. But several tumor cells, including leukemic cells, also increase glutamine metabolism, which is initiated by glutaminase (GLS). The microRNA (miRNA) miR-23 targets GLS mRNA and inhibits expression of GLS protein. Here we show that in human leukemic Jurkat cells the NF-κB p65 subunit binds to miR-23a promoter and inhibits miR-23a expression. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors release p65-induced inhibition. Jurkat cells growing in glutamine decrease proliferation due to cell accumulation in G0/G1 phase. Nevertheless, cells get used to this new source of energy by increasing GLS expression, which correlates with an increase in p65 expression and its translocation to the nucleus, leading to a higher basal NF-κB activity. Jurkat cells overexpressing p65 show increase basal GLS expression and proliferate faster than control cells in glutamine medium. Overexpressing miR-23a in leukemic cells impaired glutamine use and induces mitochondrial dysfunction leading to cell death. Therefore, p65 activation decreases miR-23a expression, which facilitates glutamine consumption allowing leukemic cells to use this alternative source of carbon and favoring their adaptation to the metabolic environment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / genetics
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Death / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Genes, Reporter / genetics
  • Glutaminase / metabolism
  • Glutamine / metabolism*
  • Glutamine / pharmacology
  • Histone Deacetylases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Luciferases / genetics
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / drug effects
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Transcription Factor RelA / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn23b microRNA, mouse
  • Transcription Factor RelA
  • Glutamine
  • Luciferases
  • Glutaminase
  • Histone Deacetylases