Levels of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and hyper-O-GlcNAcylation expression levels are associated with cancer pathogenesis. This study aimed to find conditions that maximize the therapeutic effect of cancer and minimize tissue damage by combining an OGT inhibitor (OSMI-1) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). We found that OSMI-1 treatment in HCT116 human colon cancer cells has a potent synergistic effect on TRAIL-induced apoptosis signaling. Interestingly, OSMI-1 significantly increased TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by increasing the expression of the cell surface receptor DR5. ROS-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by OSMI-1 not only upregulated CHOP-DR5 signaling but also activated Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), resulting in a decrease in Bcl2 and the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. TRAIL induced the activation of NF-κB and played a role in resistance as an antiapoptotic factor. During this process, O-GlcNAcylation of IκB kinase (IKK) and IκBα degradation occurred, followed by translocation of p65 into the nucleus. However, combination treatment with OSMI-1 counteracted the effect of TRAIL-mediated NF-κB signaling, resulting in a more synergistic effect on apoptosis. Therefore, the combined treatment of OSMI-1 and TRAIL synergistically increased TRAIL-induced apoptosis through caspase-8 activation. Conclusively, OSMI-1 potentially sensitizes TRAIL-induced cell death in HCT116 cells through the blockade of NF-κB signaling and activation of apoptosis through ER stress response.
Keywords: ER stress; NF-κB; O-GlcNAc transferase inhibitor; TRAIL; apoptosis.