A mitochondrial switch promotes tumor metastasis

Cell Rep. 2014 Aug 7;8(3):754-66. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.06.043. Epub 2014 Jul 24.

Abstract

Metastatic progression of cancer is associated with poor outcome, and here we examine metabolic changes underlying this process. Although aerobic glycolysis is known to promote metastasis, we have now identified a different switch primarily affecting mitochondria. The switch involves overload of the electron transport chain (ETC) with preserved mitochondrial functions but increased mitochondrial superoxide production. It provides a metastatic advantage phenocopied by partial ETC inhibition, another situation associated with enhanced superoxide production. Both cases involved protein tyrosine kinases Src and Pyk2 as downstream effectors. Thus, two different events, ETC overload and partial ETC inhibition, promote superoxide-dependent tumor cell migration, invasion, clonogenicity, and metastasis. Consequently, specific scavenging of mitochondrial superoxide with mitoTEMPO blocked tumor cell migration and prevented spontaneous tumor metastasis in murine and human tumor models.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Electron Transport Chain Complex Proteins / metabolism
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 2 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mitochondria / ultrastructure
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / metabolism
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Superoxides / metabolism
  • src-Family Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Electron Transport Chain Complex Proteins
  • Superoxides
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 2
  • src-Family Kinases