Dysregulated choline metabolism in T-cell lymphoma: role of choline kinase-α and therapeutic targeting

Blood Cancer J. 2015 Mar 13;5(3):287. doi: 10.1038/bcj.2015.10.

Abstract

Cancer cells have distinct metabolomic profile. Metabolic enzymes regulate key oncogenic signaling pathways and have an essential role on tumor progression. Here, serum metabolomic analysis was performed in 45 patients with T-cell lymphoma (TCL) and 50 healthy volunteers. The results showed that dysregulation of choline metabolism occurred in TCL and was related to tumor cell overexpression of choline kinase-α (Chokα). In T-lymphoma cells, pharmacological and molecular silencing of Chokα significantly decreased Ras-GTP activity, AKT and ERK phosphorylation and MYC oncoprotein expression, leading to restoration of choline metabolites and induction of tumor cell apoptosis/necropotosis. In a T-lymphoma xenograft murine model, Chokα inhibitor CK37 remarkably retarded tumor growth, suppressed Ras-AKT/ERK signaling, increased lysophosphatidylcholine levels and induced in situ cell apoptosis/necropotosis. Collectively, as a regulatory gene of aberrant choline metabolism, Chokα possessed oncogenic activity and could be a potential therapeutic target in TCL, as well as other hematological malignancies with interrupted Ras signaling pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Choline / blood*
  • Choline Kinase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Choline Kinase / biosynthesis*
  • Choline Kinase / blood
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / blood*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / genetics
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • CHKA protein, human
  • Choline Kinase
  • Choline