SNF2L maintains glutathione homeostasis by initiating SLC7A11 transcription through chromatin remodeling

Abstract SNF2L encodes an ISWI chromatin remodeling factor that promotes gene transcription and is consistently elevated in cancers. Previous studies have shown that inhibiting SNF2L expression in cancer cells leads to significant growth suppression, DNA damage, and cell death. However, the underlyi...

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Main Authors: Jiaguan Zhang, Zeshou Gao, Yi Yang, Zhenhao Li, Binjie Wu, Chunxin Fan, Yuyan Zheng, Ruohan Yang, Fangrong Zhang, Xiaohuang Lin, Daoshan Zheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2024-11-01
Series:Cell Death and Disease
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-024-07221-4
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author Jiaguan Zhang
Zeshou Gao
Yi Yang
Zhenhao Li
Binjie Wu
Chunxin Fan
Yuyan Zheng
Ruohan Yang
Fangrong Zhang
Xiaohuang Lin
Daoshan Zheng
author_facet Jiaguan Zhang
Zeshou Gao
Yi Yang
Zhenhao Li
Binjie Wu
Chunxin Fan
Yuyan Zheng
Ruohan Yang
Fangrong Zhang
Xiaohuang Lin
Daoshan Zheng
author_sort Jiaguan Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract SNF2L encodes an ISWI chromatin remodeling factor that promotes gene transcription and is consistently elevated in cancers. Previous studies have shown that inhibiting SNF2L expression in cancer cells leads to significant growth suppression, DNA damage, and cell death. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that cancer cells lacking SNF2L show significantly decreased glutathione (GSH) levels, leading to elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased oxidative stress. SNF2L deficiency also heightened the sensitivity of cancer cells to APR-246, a drug that depletes GSH and induces oxidative stress, consequently decreasing cell viability and increasing ROS levels, regardless of p53 status. Mechanistically, we found that NRF2 recruits SNF2L to the SLC7A11 promoter, leading to increased chromatin accessibility and facilitating SLC7A11 transcription. This results in decreased cystine uptake and impaired GSH biosynthesis. These findings suggest that targeting the SNF2L/SLC7A11 axis could enhance the effectiveness of APR-246 by depleting GSH and increasing ROS level in cancer cells, highlighting SNF2L as a promising therapeutic target.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2024-11-01
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series Cell Death and Disease
spelling doaj-art-0dab2deaf1eb4730b60f9d642385b52c2024-11-17T12:51:04ZengNature Publishing GroupCell Death and Disease2041-48892024-11-01151111310.1038/s41419-024-07221-4SNF2L maintains glutathione homeostasis by initiating SLC7A11 transcription through chromatin remodelingJiaguan Zhang0Zeshou Gao1Yi Yang2Zhenhao Li3Binjie Wu4Chunxin Fan5Yuyan Zheng6Ruohan Yang7Fangrong Zhang8Xiaohuang Lin9Daoshan Zheng10Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical UniversityDepartment of Urology, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese MedicineKey Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical UniversityAbstract SNF2L encodes an ISWI chromatin remodeling factor that promotes gene transcription and is consistently elevated in cancers. Previous studies have shown that inhibiting SNF2L expression in cancer cells leads to significant growth suppression, DNA damage, and cell death. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that cancer cells lacking SNF2L show significantly decreased glutathione (GSH) levels, leading to elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased oxidative stress. SNF2L deficiency also heightened the sensitivity of cancer cells to APR-246, a drug that depletes GSH and induces oxidative stress, consequently decreasing cell viability and increasing ROS levels, regardless of p53 status. Mechanistically, we found that NRF2 recruits SNF2L to the SLC7A11 promoter, leading to increased chromatin accessibility and facilitating SLC7A11 transcription. This results in decreased cystine uptake and impaired GSH biosynthesis. These findings suggest that targeting the SNF2L/SLC7A11 axis could enhance the effectiveness of APR-246 by depleting GSH and increasing ROS level in cancer cells, highlighting SNF2L as a promising therapeutic target.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-024-07221-4
spellingShingle Jiaguan Zhang
Zeshou Gao
Yi Yang
Zhenhao Li
Binjie Wu
Chunxin Fan
Yuyan Zheng
Ruohan Yang
Fangrong Zhang
Xiaohuang Lin
Daoshan Zheng
SNF2L maintains glutathione homeostasis by initiating SLC7A11 transcription through chromatin remodeling
Cell Death and Disease
title SNF2L maintains glutathione homeostasis by initiating SLC7A11 transcription through chromatin remodeling
title_full SNF2L maintains glutathione homeostasis by initiating SLC7A11 transcription through chromatin remodeling
title_fullStr SNF2L maintains glutathione homeostasis by initiating SLC7A11 transcription through chromatin remodeling
title_full_unstemmed SNF2L maintains glutathione homeostasis by initiating SLC7A11 transcription through chromatin remodeling
title_short SNF2L maintains glutathione homeostasis by initiating SLC7A11 transcription through chromatin remodeling
title_sort snf2l maintains glutathione homeostasis by initiating slc7a11 transcription through chromatin remodeling
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-024-07221-4
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