High Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Bioenergetic Function Are Associated with Tumor Invasion of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines

We previously reported a gradual increase of relative mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number during the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Because mitochondria are the intracellular organelles responsible for ATP production, we investigated the associations among mtDNA copy num...

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Main Authors: Liang-Shun Wang, Yann-Jang Chen, Yau-Huei Wei, Yao-An Shen, Shu-Yu Lee, Hui-Ting Lee, Chen-Sung Lin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2012-09-01
Series:International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/13/9/11228
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author Liang-Shun Wang
Yann-Jang Chen
Yau-Huei Wei
Yao-An Shen
Shu-Yu Lee
Hui-Ting Lee
Chen-Sung Lin
author_facet Liang-Shun Wang
Yann-Jang Chen
Yau-Huei Wei
Yao-An Shen
Shu-Yu Lee
Hui-Ting Lee
Chen-Sung Lin
author_sort Liang-Shun Wang
collection DOAJ
description We previously reported a gradual increase of relative mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number during the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Because mitochondria are the intracellular organelles responsible for ATP production, we investigated the associations among mtDNA copy number, mitochondrial bioenergetic function, tumor invasion and the expression levels of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in a series of seven ESCC cell lines, including 48T, 81T, 146T, TE1, TE2, TE6 and TE9. Among them, TE1 had the highest relative mtDNA copy number of 240.7%. The mRNA of mtDNA-encoded ND1 gene (2.80), succinate-supported oxygen consumption rate (11.21 nmol/min/106 cells), ATP content (10.7 fmol/cell), and the protein level of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) were the highest and the lactate concentration in the culture medium (3.34 mM) was the lowest in TE1. These findings indicate that TE1 exhibited the highest bioenergetic function of mitochondria. Furthermore, TE1 showed the highest trans-well migration activity of 223.0 cells/field, the highest vimentin but the lowest E-cadherin protein expression levels, which suggest that TE1 had the highest invasion capability. We then conducted a knockdown study using pLKO.1-based lentiviral particles to infect TE1 cells to suppress the expression of TFAM. Molecular analyses of the parental TE1, control TE1-NT and TFAM knockdown TE1-sh-TFAM(97) cells were performed. Interestingly, as compared to the control TE1-NT, TE1-sh-TFAM(97) exhibited lower levels of the relative mtDNA copy number (p = 0.001), mRNA of mtDNA-encoded ND1 gene (p = 0.050), succinate-supported oxygen consumption rate (p = 0.065), and ATP content (p = 0.007), but had a higher lactate concentration in the culture medium (p = 0.010) and higher protein level of lactate dehydrogenase. A decline in mitochondrial bioenergetic function was observed in TE1-sh-TFAM(97). Significantly, compared to the control TE1-NT, TE1-sh-TFAM(97) had a lower trans-well migration activity (p < 0.001), a higher E-cadherin level but a lower vimentin protein level, which indicates a decrease of invasiveness. Taken together, we suggest that high relative mtDNA copy number and bioenergetic function of mitochondria may confer an advantage for tumor invasion of ESCC.
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spelling doaj.art-a2609fb47a79487d8eabcf373da1c60c2022-12-22T03:54:50ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1422-00672012-09-01139112281124610.3390/ijms130911228High Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Bioenergetic Function Are Associated with Tumor Invasion of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell LinesLiang-Shun WangYann-Jang ChenYau-Huei WeiYao-An ShenShu-Yu LeeHui-Ting LeeChen-Sung LinWe previously reported a gradual increase of relative mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number during the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Because mitochondria are the intracellular organelles responsible for ATP production, we investigated the associations among mtDNA copy number, mitochondrial bioenergetic function, tumor invasion and the expression levels of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in a series of seven ESCC cell lines, including 48T, 81T, 146T, TE1, TE2, TE6 and TE9. Among them, TE1 had the highest relative mtDNA copy number of 240.7%. The mRNA of mtDNA-encoded ND1 gene (2.80), succinate-supported oxygen consumption rate (11.21 nmol/min/106 cells), ATP content (10.7 fmol/cell), and the protein level of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) were the highest and the lactate concentration in the culture medium (3.34 mM) was the lowest in TE1. These findings indicate that TE1 exhibited the highest bioenergetic function of mitochondria. Furthermore, TE1 showed the highest trans-well migration activity of 223.0 cells/field, the highest vimentin but the lowest E-cadherin protein expression levels, which suggest that TE1 had the highest invasion capability. We then conducted a knockdown study using pLKO.1-based lentiviral particles to infect TE1 cells to suppress the expression of TFAM. Molecular analyses of the parental TE1, control TE1-NT and TFAM knockdown TE1-sh-TFAM(97) cells were performed. Interestingly, as compared to the control TE1-NT, TE1-sh-TFAM(97) exhibited lower levels of the relative mtDNA copy number (p = 0.001), mRNA of mtDNA-encoded ND1 gene (p = 0.050), succinate-supported oxygen consumption rate (p = 0.065), and ATP content (p = 0.007), but had a higher lactate concentration in the culture medium (p = 0.010) and higher protein level of lactate dehydrogenase. A decline in mitochondrial bioenergetic function was observed in TE1-sh-TFAM(97). Significantly, compared to the control TE1-NT, TE1-sh-TFAM(97) had a lower trans-well migration activity (p < 0.001), a higher E-cadherin level but a lower vimentin protein level, which indicates a decrease of invasiveness. Taken together, we suggest that high relative mtDNA copy number and bioenergetic function of mitochondria may confer an advantage for tumor invasion of ESCC.http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/13/9/11228bioenergetic functionesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)invasionepithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)
spellingShingle Liang-Shun Wang
Yann-Jang Chen
Yau-Huei Wei
Yao-An Shen
Shu-Yu Lee
Hui-Ting Lee
Chen-Sung Lin
High Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Bioenergetic Function Are Associated with Tumor Invasion of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
bioenergetic function
esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)
mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
invasion
epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)
title High Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Bioenergetic Function Are Associated with Tumor Invasion of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines
title_full High Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Bioenergetic Function Are Associated with Tumor Invasion of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines
title_fullStr High Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Bioenergetic Function Are Associated with Tumor Invasion of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines
title_full_unstemmed High Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Bioenergetic Function Are Associated with Tumor Invasion of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines
title_short High Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Bioenergetic Function Are Associated with Tumor Invasion of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines
title_sort high mitochondrial dna copy number and bioenergetic function are associated with tumor invasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines
topic bioenergetic function
esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)
mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
invasion
epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)
url http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/13/9/11228
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