Tuberous sclerosis complex neuropathology requires glutamate-cysteine ligase.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disease resulting from mutation in TSC1 or TSC2 and subsequent hyperactivation of mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR). Common TSC features include brain lesions, such as cortical tubers and subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs). However, the current treatment with mTOR inhibitors has critical limitations. We aimed to identify new targets for TSC pharmacotherapy.

RESULTS:

The results of our shRNA screen point to glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), a key enzyme in glutathione synthesis, as a contributor to TSC-related phenotype. GCLC inhibition increased cellular stress and reduced mTOR hyperactivity in TSC2-depleted neurons and SEGA-derived cells. Moreover, patients' brain tubers showed elevated GCLC and stress markers expression. Finally, GCLC inhibition led to growth arrest and death of SEGA-derived cells.

CONCLUSIONS:

We describe GCLC as a part of redox adaptation in TSC, needed for overgrowth and survival of mutant cells, and provide a potential novel target for SEGA treatment.

• Authors: Anna R Malik, Ewa Liszewska, Agnieszka Skalecka, Malgorzata Urbanska, Anand M Iyer, Lukasz J Swiech, Malgorzata Perycz, Kamil Parobczak, Patrycja Pietruszka, Malgorzata M Zarebska, Matylda Macias, Katarzyna Kotulska, Julita Borkowska, Wieslawa Grajkowska, Magdalena E Tyburczy, Sergiusz Jozwiak, David J Kwiatkowski, Eleonora Aronica, Jacek Jaworski
• Journal: Acta neuropathologica communications (Acta Neuropathol Commun) Vol. 3 Pg. 48 (Jul 30 2015) ISSN: 2051-5960 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26220190 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Enzyme Inhibitors
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• RNA, Small Interfering
• TSC1 protein, human
• TSC2 protein, human
• Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein
• Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
• Tumor Suppressor Proteins
• Green Fluorescent Proteins
• Buthionine Sulfoximine
• TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
• GCLM protein, human
• Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase
• Sirolimus

Topics

• Adolescent
• Animals
• Brain (pathology)
• Buthionine Sulfoximine (pharmacology)
• COS Cells
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects, genetics)
• Child
• Chlorocebus aethiops
• Enzyme Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Female
• Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase (metabolism)
• Green Fluorescent Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (pharmacology)
• Male
• Neurons (metabolism)
• RNA, Small Interfering (genetics, metabolism, pharmacology)
• Sirolimus (pharmacology)
• TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases (metabolism)
• Tuberous Sclerosis (pathology)
• Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein
• Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
• Tumor Suppressor Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Young Adult