Annexin A1 sustains tumor metabolism and cellular proliferation upon stable loss of HIF1A

作者:Rohwer Nadine; Bindel Fabian; Grimm Christina; Lin Suling J; Wappler Jessica; Klinger Bertram; Bluethgen Nils; Du Bois Ilona; Schmeck Bernd; Lehrach Hans; de Graauw Marjo; Goncalves Emanuel; Saez Rodriguez Julio; Tan Patrick; Grabsch Heike I; Prigione Alessandro; Kempa Stefan*; Cramer Thorsten*
来源:Oncotarget, 2016, 7(6): 6693-6710.
DOI:10.18632/oncotarget.6793

摘要

Despite the approval of numerous molecular targeted drugs, long-term antiproliferative efficacy is rarely achieved and therapy resistance remains a central obstacle of cancer care. Combined inhibition of multiple cancer-driving pathways promises to improve antiproliferative efficacy. HIF-1 is a driver of gastric cancer and considered to be an attractive target for therapy. We noted that gastric cancer cells are able to functionally compensate the stable loss of HIF-1a. Via transcriptomics we identified a group of upregulated genes in HIF-1a-deficient cells and hypothesized that these genes confer survival upon HIF-1a loss. Strikingly, simultaneous knock-down of HIF-1a and Annexin A1 (ANXA1), one of the identified genes, resulted in complete cessation of proliferation. Using stable isotope-resolved metabolomics, oxidative and reductive glutamine metabolism was found to be significantly impaired in HIF-1a/ANXA1-deficient cells, potentially explaining the proliferation defect. In summary, we present a conceptually novel application of stable gene inactivation enabling in-depth deconstruction of resistance mechanisms. In theory, this experimental approach is applicable to any cancer-driving gene or pathway and promises to identify various new targets for combination therapies.