Article: LY294002 and metformin cooperatively enhance the inhibition of growth and the induction of apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells
| Title | LY294002 and metformin cooperatively enhance the inhibition of growth and the induction of apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells |
|---|---|
| Authors | Li, C1 Liu, VWS1 Chan, DW1 Yao, KM1 Ngan, HYS1 |
| Keywords | AKT AMPK LY294002 Metformin MTOR Ovarian cancer |
| Issue Date | 2012 |
| Publisher | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.ijgc.net/ |
| Citation | International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 2012, v. 22 n. 1, p. 15-22 [How to Cite?] DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/IGC.0b013e3182322834 |
| Abstract | Background: The phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is frequently aberrantly activated in ovarian cancer and confers the chemoresistant phenotype of ovarian cancer cells. LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) and metformin (5′-adenosine monophosphate [AMP]-activated protein kinase [AMPK] activator) are 2 drugs that were known to inhibit mTOR expression through the AKT-dependent and AKT-independent pathways, respectively. In this study, we explored the effectiveness of LY294002 and metformin in combination on inhibition of ovarian cancer cell growth. Methods: Western blotting was used to detect the changes of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and AMPK/acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) signaling activities, cell cycle control, and apoptosis. Cell growth was evaluated by cell proliferation, colony formation, and soft agar assays. Flow cytometry was used to study cell cycle distribution and cell death upon drug treatment. Results: Our study showed that LY294002 and metformin in combination could simultaneously enhance the repression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and the activation of the AMPK/ACC pathway. The downstream target of AKT and AMPK, mTOR, was cooperatively repressed when the drugs were used together. The cell cycle regulatory factors, p53, p27, and p21, were up-regulated. On the other hand, caspase 3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase activities involved in apoptosis were also activated. Cell growth assays indicated that LY294002 and metformin could effectively inhibit ovarian cancer cell growth. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the treatment of the 2 drugs mentioned above induced cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and increased sub-G1 apoptotic cells. Conclusion: The combinational use of LY294002 and metformin can enhance inhibition of the growth and induction of the apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells. Our results may provide significant insight into the future therapeutic regimens in ovarian cancer. Copyright © 2012 by IGCS and ESGO. |
| ISSN | 1048-891X 2011 Impact Factor: 1.646 2011 SCImago Journal Rankings: 0.181 |
| DOI | http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/IGC.0b013e3182322834 |
| References | References in Scopus |
| dc.contributor.author | Li, C | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| dc.contributor.author | Liu, VWS | ||||
| dc.contributor.author | Chan, DW | ||||
| dc.contributor.author | Yao, KM | ||||
| dc.contributor.author | Ngan, HYS | ||||
| dc.date.accessioned | 2011-11-24T10:03:25Z | ||||
| dc.date.available | 2011-11-24T10:03:25Z | ||||
| dc.date.issued | 2012 | ||||
| dc.description.abstract | Background: The phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is frequently aberrantly activated in ovarian cancer and confers the chemoresistant phenotype of ovarian cancer cells. LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) and metformin (5′-adenosine monophosphate [AMP]-activated protein kinase [AMPK] activator) are 2 drugs that were known to inhibit mTOR expression through the AKT-dependent and AKT-independent pathways, respectively. In this study, we explored the effectiveness of LY294002 and metformin in combination on inhibition of ovarian cancer cell growth. Methods: Western blotting was used to detect the changes of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and AMPK/acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) signaling activities, cell cycle control, and apoptosis. Cell growth was evaluated by cell proliferation, colony formation, and soft agar assays. Flow cytometry was used to study cell cycle distribution and cell death upon drug treatment. Results: Our study showed that LY294002 and metformin in combination could simultaneously enhance the repression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and the activation of the AMPK/ACC pathway. The downstream target of AKT and AMPK, mTOR, was cooperatively repressed when the drugs were used together. The cell cycle regulatory factors, p53, p27, and p21, were up-regulated. On the other hand, caspase 3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase activities involved in apoptosis were also activated. Cell growth assays indicated that LY294002 and metformin could effectively inhibit ovarian cancer cell growth. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the treatment of the 2 drugs mentioned above induced cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and increased sub-G1 apoptotic cells. Conclusion: The combinational use of LY294002 and metformin can enhance inhibition of the growth and induction of the apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells. Our results may provide significant insight into the future therapeutic regimens in ovarian cancer. Copyright © 2012 by IGCS and ESGO. | ||||
| dc.description.nature | Link_to_subscribed_fulltext | ||||
| dc.identifier.citation | International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 2012, v. 22 n. 1, p. 15-22 [How to Cite?] DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/IGC.0b013e3182322834 | ||||
| dc.identifier.doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/IGC.0b013e3182322834 | ||||
| dc.identifier.epage | 22 | ||||
| dc.identifier.hkuros | 197744 | ||||
| dc.identifier.isi | WOS:000298628800005
Funding Information: This study was generously supported by the Wong Check She Charitable Foundation. | ||||
| dc.identifier.issn | 1048-891X 2011 Impact Factor: 1.646 2011 SCImago Journal Rankings: 0.181 | ||||
| dc.identifier.issue | 1 | ||||
| dc.identifier.openurl | ![]() | ||||
| dc.identifier.pmid | 22080879 | ||||
| dc.identifier.scopus | eid_2-s2.0-84863229883 | ||||
| dc.identifier.spage | 15 | ||||
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10722/143365 | ||||
| dc.identifier.volume | 22 | ||||
| dc.language | eng | ||||
| dc.publisher | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.ijgc.net/ | ||||
| dc.publisher.place | United States | ||||
| dc.relation.ispartof | International Journal of Gynecological Cancer | ||||
| dc.relation.references | References in Scopus | ||||
| dc.rights | The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com | ||||
| dc.subject | AKT | ||||
| dc.subject | AMPK | ||||
| dc.subject | LY294002 | ||||
| dc.subject | Metformin | ||||
| dc.subject | MTOR | ||||
| dc.subject | Ovarian cancer | ||||
| dc.title | LY294002 and metformin cooperatively enhance the inhibition of growth and the induction of apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells | ||||
| dc.type | Article |
Author Affiliations
- The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine


