IRB Barcelona BioMed Seminar
by Isabel Fabregat, PhD – GL TGF-β and Cancer Group. Oncobell Program. Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), University of Barcelona and CIBEREHD-ISCIII, L’Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract
The NADPH oxidase NOX4 plays a tumor suppressor function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Silencing NOX4 confers higher cell proliferative and migratory capacity and increased tumorigenic potential. NOX4 gene deletions are frequent in HCC, correlating with higher tumour grade. To determine the molecular mechanisms regulated by NOX4, we performed in vitro experiments of loss- or gain-of-function, as well as in vivo experimental hepatocarcinogenesis in NOX4-/- mice and analyses in human HCC samples. Results pointed to the identification of MYC as negatively regulated by NOX4, which mediates mitochondria dynamics and a transcriptional program leading to increased oxidative metabolism, enhanced use of both glucose and fatty acids and, overall, higher energetic capacity and ATP levels. NOX4 deletion induces a redox imbalance that produces activation of the NRF2 pathway, which is upstream from the increase in MYC expression. In conclusion, loss of NOX4 induces metabolic reprogramming in a NRF2/Myc-dependent manner to promote HCC progression.