Abstract
Methionine adenosyltransferase II (MAT II) is a key enzyme in cellular metabolism and catalyzes the formation of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) from L-methionine and ATP. Normal resting T lymphocytes have minimal MAT II activity, whereas activated proliferating T lymphocytes and transformed T leukemic cells show significantly enhanced MAT II activity. This work was carried out to examine the role of MAT II activity and SAMe biosynthesis in the survival of leukemic T cells. Inhibition of MAT II and the resultant decrease in SAMe levels enhanced expression of FasL mRNA and protein, and induced DISC (Death Inducing Signaling Complex) formation with FADD (Fas-associated Death Domain) and procaspase-8 recruitment, as well as concomitant increase in caspase-8 activation and decrease in c-FLIPs levels. Fas-initiated signaling induced by MAT II inhibition was observed to link to the mitochondrial pathway via Bid cleavage and to ultimately lead to increased caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation in these cells. Furthermore, blocking MAT 2A mRNA expression, which encodes the catalytic subunits of MAT II, using a small-interfering RNA approach enhanced FasL expression and cell death, validating the essential nature of MAT II activity in the survival of T leukemic cells.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grants AA014371 (Barve) and AA015970 (McClain), and the Office of Dietary Supplements, NIH, USA.
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Jani, T., Gobejishvili, L., Hote, P. et al. Inhibition of methionine adenosyltransferase II induces FasL expression, Fas-DISC formation and caspase-8-dependent apoptotic death in T leukemic cells. Cell Res 19, 358–369 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/cr.2008.314
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/cr.2008.314
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