Id-1 activation of PI3K/Akt/NFkappaB signaling pathway and its significance in promoting survival of esophageal cancer cells.

Abstract

Inhibitor of differentiation or DNA binding (Id-1) is a helix-loop-helix protein that is over-expressed in many types of cancer including esophageal cancer. This study aims to investigate its effects on the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/ nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) signaling pathway and the significance in protecting esophageal cancer cells against apoptosis. We found elevated expression of phosphorylated forms of Akt, glycogen synthase kinase 3beta and inhibitor of kappa B, as well as increased nuclear translocation of NFkappaB subunit p65 and NFkappaB DNA-binding activity, in esophageal cancer cells with stable ectopic Id-1 expression. Transient transfection of Id-1 into HEK293 cells confirmed activation of PI3K/Akt/NFkappaB signaling and the effects were counteracted by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Treatment with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) elicited a significantly weaker apoptotic response, following a marked and sustained activation of Akt and NFkappaB in the Id-1-over-expressing cells, compared with the vector control. The effects of Id-1 on the PI3K/Akt/NFkappaB signaling pathway and apoptosis were reversed in esophageal cancer cells transfected with siRNA against Id-1. In addition, inhibition of PI3K or NFkappaB signaling using the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 or the NFkappaB inhibitor Bay11-7082 increased the sensitivity of Id-1-over-expressing esophageal cancer cells to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. Our results provide the first evidence that Id-1 induces the activation of PI3K/Akt/NFkappaB signaling pathway, and protects esophageal cancer cells from TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in vitro. Inactivation of Id-1 may provide us with a novel strategy to improve the treatment and survival of patients with esophageal cancer.

• Authors: Bin Li, Pak Yan Cheung, Xianghong Wang, Sai Wah Tsao, Ming Tat Ling, Yong Chuan Wong, Annie L M Cheung
• Journal: Carcinogenesis (Carcinogenesis) Vol. 28 Issue 11 Pg. 2313-20 (Nov 2007) ISSN: 1460-2180 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 17638919 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Chromones
• Enzyme Inhibitors
• Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 1
• Morpholines
• NF-kappa B
• Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
• RNA, Small Interfering
• 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt

Topics

• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Survival (physiology)
• Chromones (pharmacology)
• Enzyme Activation
• Enzyme Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Esophageal Neoplasms (enzymology, metabolism, pathology)
• Humans
• Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 1 (genetics, physiology)
• Morpholines (pharmacology)
• NF-kappa B (metabolism)
• Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases (metabolism)
• Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
• Phosphorylation
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt (metabolism)
• RNA, Small Interfering (genetics)
• Signal Transduction