Peroxisomes protect lymphoma cells from HDAC inhibitor-mediated apoptosis

Cell Death Differ. 2017 Nov;24(11):1912-1924. doi: 10.1038/cdd.2017.115. Epub 2017 Jul 21.

Abstract

Peroxisomes are a critical rheostat of reactive oxygen species (ROS), yet their role in drug sensitivity and resistance remains unexplored. Gene expression analysis of clinical lymphoma samples suggests that peroxisomes are involved in mediating drug resistance to the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) Vorinostat (Vor), which promotes ROS-mediated apoptosis. Vor augments peroxisome numbers in cultured lymphoma cells, concomitant with increased levels of peroxisomal proteins PEX3, PEX11B, and PMP70. Genetic inhibition of peroxisomes, using PEX3 knockdown, reveals that peroxisomes protect lymphoma cells against Vor-mediated cell death. Conversely, Vor-resistant cells were tolerant to elevated ROS levels and possess upregulated levels of (1) catalase, a peroxisomal antioxidant, and (2) plasmalogens, ether glycerophospholipids that represent peroxisome function and serve as antioxidants. Catalase knockdown induces apoptosis in Vor-resistant cells and potentiates ROS-mediated apoptosis in Vor-sensitive cells. These findings highlight the role of peroxisomes in resistance to therapeutic intervention in cancer, and provide a novel modality to circumvent drug resistance.

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytoprotection / drug effects*
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Gene Silencing / drug effects
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Hydroxamic Acids / pharmacology
  • Lipoproteins / metabolism
  • Lymphoma / pathology*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Peroxisomes / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Vorinostat

Substances

  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Hydroxamic Acids
  • Lipoproteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • PEX3 protein, mouse
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Vorinostat
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Catalase