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Involvement of BH4 domain of bcl-2 in the regulation of HIF-1-mediated VEGF expression in hypoxic tumor cells.

ABSTRACT: In addition to act as an antiapoptotic protein, B-cell lymphoma (bcl)-2 can also promote tumor angiogenesis. In this context, we have previously demonstrated that under hypoxia bcl-2 promotes hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1)-mediated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in melanoma and breast carcinoma. Here, we report on the role of the BH4 domain in bcl-2 functions, by showing that removal of or mutations at the BH4 domain abrogate the ability of bcl-2 to induce VEGF protein expression and transcriptional activity under hypoxia in human melanoma cells. We have also extended this observation to other human tumor histotypes, such as colon, ovarian and lung carcinomas. The involvement of BH4 on HIF-1α protein expression, stability, ubiquitination and HIF-1 transcriptional activity was also demonstrated in melanoma experimental model. Moreover, we validated the role of the BH4 domain of bcl-2 in the regulation of HIF-1/VEGF axis, demonstrating that BH4 peptide is sufficient to increase HIF-1α protein half-life impairing HIF-1α protein ubiquitination, and to enhance VEGF secretion in melanoma cells exposed to hypoxia. Finally, we found that the mechanism by which bcl-2 regulates HIF-1-mediated VEGF expression does not require BH1 and BH2 domains, and it is independent of antiapoptotic and prosurvival function of bcl-2.

SUBMITTER: Trisciuoglio D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3131942 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundB-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family proteins are key regulators of apoptosis, which possess four conserved Bcl-2 homologies (BH) domains. Among the BH domains, the BH3 domain is considered as a potent 'death domain' while the BH4 domain is required for anti-apoptotic activity. Bcl-2 can be converted to a pro-apoptotic molecule through the removal or mutation of the BH4 domain. Bcl-2 is considered as an inducer of angiogenesis, which can promote tumor vascular network formation and further afford nutrients and oxygen to promote tumor progression. However, whether disrupting the function of the BH4 domain to convert Bcl-2 into a pro-apoptotic molecule could make Bcl-2 possess the potential for anti-angiogenic therapy remains to be defined.MethodsCYD0281 was designed and synthesized according to the lead structure of BDA-366, and its function on inducing a conformational change of Bcl-2 was further evaluated via immunoprecipitation (IP) and immunofluorescence (IF) assays. Moreover, the function of CYD0281 on apoptosis of endothelial cells was analyzed via cell viability, flow cytometry, and western blotting assays. Additionally, the role of CYD0281 on angiogenesis in vitro was determined via endothelial cell migration and tube formation assays and rat aortic ring assay. Chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and yolk sac membrane (YSM) models, breast cancer cell xenograft tumor on CAM and in mouse models as well as the Matrigel plug angiogenesis assay were used to explore the effects of CYD0281 on angiogenesis in vivo.ResultsWe identified a novel potent small-molecule Bcl-2-BH4 domain antagonist, CYD0281, which exhibited significant anti-angiogenic effects both in vitro and in vivo, and further inhibited breast cancer tumor growth. CYD0281 was found to induce conformational changes in Bcl-2 through the exposure of the BH3 domain and convert Bcl-2 from an anti-apoptotic molecule into a cell death inducer, thereby resulting in the apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells.ConclusionsThis study has revealed CYD0281 as a novel Bcl-2-BH4 antagonist that induces conformational changes of Bcl-2 to convert to a pro-apoptotic molecule. Our findings indicate that CYD0281 plays a crucial role in anti-angiogenesis and may be further developed as a potential anti-tumor drug candidate for breast cancer. This work also provides a potential anti-angiogenic strategy for breast cancer treatment.

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Involvement of BH4 domain of bcl-2 in the regulation of HIF-1-mediated VEGF expression in hypoxic tumor cells.

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