HDAC inhibition decreases the expression of EGFR in colorectal cancer cells

PLoS One. 2011 Mar 25;6(3):e18087. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018087.

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a receptor tyrosine kinase which promotes cell proliferation and survival, is abnormally overexpressed in numerous tumors of epithelial origin, including colorectal cancer (CRC). EGFR monoclonal antibodies have been shown to increase the median survival and are approved for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Histone deacetylases (HDACs), frequently overexpressed in colorectal cancer and several malignancies, are another attractive targets for cancer therapy. Several inhibitors of HDACs (HDACi) are developed and exhibit powerful antitumor abilities. In this study, human colorectal cancer cells treated with HDACi exhibited reduced EGFR expression, thereby disturbed EGF-induced ERK and Akt phosphorylation. HDACi also decreased the expression of SGLT1, an active glucose transporter found to be stabilized by EGFR, and suppressed the glucose uptake of cancer cells. HDACi suppressed the transcription of EGFR and class I HDACs were proved to be involved in this event. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that HDACi caused the dissociation of SP1, HDAC3 and CBP from EGFR promoter. Our data suggested that HDACi could serve as a single agent to block both EGFR and HDAC, and may bring more benefits to the development of CRC therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects*
  • Gene Silencing / drug effects
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Histone Deacetylases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Space / drug effects
  • Intracellular Space / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 1 / metabolism
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects

Substances

  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • SLC5A1 protein, human
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 1
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Histone Deacetylases
  • Glucose