Augmented O-GlcNAcylation of AMP-activated kinase promotes the proliferation of LoVo cells, a colon cancer cell line

Abstract

Increasing incidence of various cancers has been reported in diabetic patients. O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification of proteins at serine/threonine residues (O-GlcNAcylation) is an essential post-translational modification that is upregulated in diabetic patients and has been implicated in tumor growth. However, the mechanisms by which O-GlcNAcylation promotes tumor growth remain unclear. Given that AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) has been thought to play important roles in suppressing tumor growth, we evaluated the involvement of AMPK O-GlcNAcylation on the growth of LoVo cells, a human colon cancer cell line. Results revealed that administration of Thiamet G (TMG), an inhibitor of O-GlcNAc hydrolase, increased both anchorage-dependent and -independent growth of the cells. O-GlcNAc transferase　overexpression also increased the growth. These treatments increased AMPK O-GlcNAcylation in a dose dependent manner, which led to reduced AMPK phosphorylation and mTOR activation. Chemical inhibition or activation of AMPK led to increased or decreased growth, respectively, which was consistent with the data with genetic inhibition of AMPK. In addition, TMG-mediated acceleration of tumor growth was abolished by both chemical and genetic inhibition of AMPK. To examine the effects of AMPK O-GlcNAcylation in vivo, the LoVo cells were subcutaneously transplanted onto the backs of Balb/c-nu/nu mice. TMG injection promoted the growth and enhanced O-GlcNAcylation of the tumors of the mice. Consistent with in vitro data, AMPK O-GlcNAcylation was increased, which reduced AMPK phosphorylation and resulted in activation of the mTOR. Collectively, the higher colon cancer risk of diabetic patients could be due to O-GlcNAcylation-mediated AMPK inactivation and subsequent activation of mTOR.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

http://ift.tt/2yW0hdR