Abstract 4071: Sestrins modulate the expression of the metabolic stress sensor AMPK in breast cancer cells
Authors: Sanli Toran , Linher Katja , Tsakiridis Theodoros , Singh Gurmit 
Published: July 2012

Introduction: Sestrins (SESN) are stress response mediators that accumulate in cells exposed to genotoxic stresses, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation (IR). The three mammalian SESN (1-3) were recently shown to modulate signalling events. SESN1/2 are suggested to interact with and increasing the activity of the metabolic stress sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). SESN1/2 have been postulated to act as scaffolding proteins that can bind targets of the AMPK metabolic pathway including AMPKα and TSC2. However, the direct mechanism in which SESN1/2 increase AMPK activity is still being elucidated. Furthermore, the ability of SESNs to modulate the expression of AMPK subunits in untreated or IR treated cells has not been examined.

Methods: Immunoprecipitation of the AMPK subunits (α1-2, β1-2, γ1-3) with subunit-specific antibodies was preformed to determine the function AMPK heterotrimer complexes in MCF7 breast cancer cells. Overexpression of full length SESN2 cDNA was achieved in MCF7 cells using tetracycline inducible promoter system. SESN1/2 siRNA was introduced into cells using HiPerFect transfection reagent and the Qiagen protocol. Protein and mRNA levels were measured with western blotting and RT-PRC, respectively. Cells were treated with 0 – 8 Gy IR, and cell survival was measured using clonogenic assays.

Results: Through immunoprecipitation we identified that the most prominent AMPK functional complex in MCF7 cells is the α1β1γ1 heterotrimer. SESN2 overexpression increases both mRNA and protein expression levels of AMPKα1 and AMPKβ1, and was co-immunoprecipitated with the AMPKβ1 subunit. Similarly, increasing SENS2 expression increased the phosphorylation levels of AMPKα (Thr172) and AMPKβ1 (Ser108), as well as phosphorylation of the AMPK substrate ACC. Conversely, siRNA against SESN2 decreased both AMPKα1 and AMPKβ1 mRNA and protein levels, while SESN1 siRNA blocked basal and IR-induced phosphorylation of AMPKα (Thr172). In addition, SESN2 overexpression sensitized MCF7 cells to the cytotoxic effects of IR.

Conclusions: To date our work suggests that upregulation of SESNs in breast cancer cells modulates AMPK by stabilizing the AMPK (α1β1γ1) heterotrimer and by enhancing the subunit expression of AMPK. We observed that SESN2 was shown to directly interact with the AMPKβ1 subunit and also enhance its Ser108 phosphorylation, an additional marker of AMPK activity. Furthermore, silencing SESN1 expression blocks basal IR-induced AMPKα (Thr172) phosphorylation, while SESN2 overexpression acts as a radiation sensitizer in MCF7 cells. Taken together, this data indicates that SESNs not only regulate AMPK activity, but also play a role in stabilizing this enzymes basal and stress-induced expression.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4071. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4071