ASNA-1 activity modulates sensitivity to cisplatin

• Cancer can be cured by platinum based chemotherapy but resistance is a major cause of treatment failure. Here we present the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model to study interactions between the platinum drug cisplatin and signaling pathways in vivo. Null mutations in a single gene, asna-1, makes worms hypersensitive to cisplatin. The metalloregulated ATPase ASNA-1 promotes insulin secretion and membrane insertion of tail-anchored proteins. Using structural data from ASNA-1 homologs, we identify specific ASNA-1 mutants that are sensitive to cisplatin while still able to promote insulin signaling. Mutational analysis reveals that hypersensitivity of ASNA-1 mutants to cisplatin remains in absence of CEP-1/p53 or apoptosis. Human ASNA1 can substitute for the worm gene, indicating a conserved function. Cisplatin sensitivity is not affected by decreased insulin signaling in wild type nematodes or restored insulin signaling in asna-1 mutants. These findings provide a functional insight into ASNA-1, demonstrate that C. elegans can be used to characterize cisplatin resistance mechanisms and propose that rationally designed drugs against ASNA-1 can sensitize cancer cells to cisplatin.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Farmaceutiska vetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Pharmaceutical Sciences (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Cellbiologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Cell Biology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

ASNA1

cisplatin

C. elegans

Drug resistance

arsenite

Oncology

Onkologi

Other pharmacy

Övrig farmaci

Cell biology

Cellbiologi

Surgery

kirurgi

Oncology

onkologi

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)