Abstract

Remodeling of energy metabolism is described as one of the major hallmarks of cancer and contributes to its heterogeneity and survival in a dynamic environment with reduced nutrient and oxygen levels. Defects in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) can also cause a switch in energy metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis, referred to as the Warburg effect. Mitochondrial translation plays a crucial role in the biogenesis of OXPHOS complexes by synthesizing 13 mitochondrially‐encoded subunits of complexes I, III, IV, and V (ATP synthase). Interestingly, the changes in expression of mitochondrial translation components and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of their corresponding genes have been associated with breast cancer. In this study, we studied the expression of OXPHOS components in 34 ER/PR (+) breast tumors. We found that the changes in the expression of mitochondrial ribosomal proteins (MRPs) contribute to the remodeling of oxidative energy metabolism and deregulation of apoptosis in breast cancer. We also investigated the expression of the pro‐apoptotic MRPs DAP3 and MRPS30 and their contribution to energy metabolism and apoptosis in ER/PR (+) breast tumors and cell lines. Our results showed reduced expression of both protein and impaired mitochondrial translation and therefore OXHOS. In the meantime, their ectopic expression resulted in increased apoptosis in ER/PR (+) MCF7 cell lines. We believe that a good understanding the role of MRPs in remodeling of energy metabolism and apoptosis will be essential in characterization of heterogeneity in breast tumors at molecular levels.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.