Acidosis decreases c-Myc oncogene expression in human lymphoma cells: a role for the proton-sensing G protein-coupled receptor TDAG8

Int J Mol Sci. 2013 Oct 11;14(10):20236-55. doi: 10.3390/ijms141020236.

Abstract

Acidosis is a biochemical hallmark of the tumor microenvironment. Here, we report that acute acidosis decreases c-Myc oncogene expression in U937 human lymphoma cells. The level of c-Myc transcripts, but not mRNA or protein stability, contributes to c-Myc protein reduction under acidosis. The pH-sensing receptor TDAG8 (GPR65) is involved in acidosis-induced c-Myc downregulation. TDAG8 is expressed in U937 lymphoma cells, and the overexpression or knockdown of TDAG8 further decreases or partially rescues c-Myc expression, respectively. Acidic pH alone is insufficient to reduce c-Myc expression, as it does not decrease c-Myc in H1299 lung cancer cells expressing very low levels of pH-sensing G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Instead, c-Myc is slightly increased by acidosis in H1299 cells, but this increase is completely inhibited by ectopic overexpression of TDAG8. Interestingly, TDAG8 expression is decreased by more than 50% in human lymphoma samples in comparison to non-tumorous lymph nodes and spleens, suggesting a potential tumor suppressor function of TDAG8 in lymphoma. Collectively, our results identify a novel mechanism of c-Myc regulation by acidosis in the tumor microenvironment and indicate that modulation of TDAG8 and related pH-sensing receptor pathways may be exploited as a new approach to inhibit Myc expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acidosis / genetics*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Genes, myc / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Lymph Nodes / metabolism
  • Lymphoma / genetics*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics*
  • Spleen / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics
  • U937 Cells

Substances

  • GPR65 protein, human
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled