Alpha-fetoprotein is a biomarker of unfolded protein response and altered proteostasis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells exposed to sorafenib. Issue 2 (28th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Houessinon, Aline; Gicquel, Albane; Bochereau, Flora; Louandre, Christophe; Nyga, Rémy; Godin, Corinne; Degonville, James; Fournier, Emma; Saidak, Zuzana; Drullion, Claire; Barbare, Jean-Claude; Chauffert, Bruno; François, Catherine; Pluquet, Olivier; Galmiche, Antoine
• Is Part Of: Cancer letters. Volume 370:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 242
• Page End: 249
• Publication Date: 2016-01-28
• Subjects: AFP alpha-feto protein -- AREG amphiregulin -- ATF6 activating transcription factor-6 -- DFX deferoxamine -- eIF-2α eukaryotic translation initiation factor-2α -- ERK1/2 extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 -- IRE-1α inositol-requiring enzyme-1α -- GRP glucose regulated protein -- HCC hepatocellular carcinoma -- PERK PKR-like ER kinase -- RIDD regulated IRE-1α-dependent decay of mRNA -- UPR unfolded protein response -- VEGFR vascular endothelial growth factor receptor -- XBP1 X-box binding protein 1; Hepatocellular carcinoma -- Sorafenib -- Alpha-fetoprotein -- Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) -- Proteostasis; Cancer -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.10.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-3835

Abstract

Highlights: We examine the regulation of AFP production in HCC cells exposed to sorafenib. Sorafenib inhibits the production of AFP independently of its effect on HCC cell viability. Sorafenib activates the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) in HCC cells. The production of AFP reflects the impact of sorafenib on HCC cell proteostasis. Abstract: Sorafenib is the treatment of reference for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A decrease in the serum levels of Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is reported to be the biological parameter that is best associated with disease control by sorafenib. In order to provide a biological rationale for the variations of AFP, we analyzed the various steps of AFP production in human HCC cell lines exposed to sorafenib. Sorafenib dramatically reduced the levels of AFP produced by HCC cells independently of its effect on cell viability. The mRNA levels of AFP decreased upon sorafenib treatment, while the AFP protein remained localized in the Golgi apparatus. Sorafenib activated the Regulated Inositol-Requiring Enzyme-1α (IRE-1α) and the PKR-like ER Kinase (PERK)-dependent arms of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). The inhibition of IRE-1α partially restored the mRNA levels of AFP upon treatment with sorafenib. The inhibition of both pathways partially prevented the drop in the production of AFP induced by sorafenib. The findings provide new insights on the regulation of AFP, and identify it as a biomarker suitable for the exploration of HCC cell proteostasis in the context of therapeutic targeting.