GSTA1/CTNNB1 axis facilitates sorafenib resistance via suppressing ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

The emergence of sorafenib resistance has become a predominant impediment and formidable dilemma in the therapeutic approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although the approval of next-generation drugs as alternatives to sorafenib is a significant development, the concurrent use of inhibitors...

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Main Authors: Shiwen Ma, Fei Xie, Xiaohu Wen, Yao Mawulikplimi Adzavon, Ruping Zhao, Jinyi Zhao, Han Li, Yanqi Li, Jingtao Liu, Chen Liu, Yang Yi, Pengxiang Zhao, Boqing Wang, Wei Zhao, Xuemei Ma
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Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Pharmacological Research
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661824004353
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author Shiwen Ma
Fei Xie
Xiaohu Wen
Yao Mawulikplimi Adzavon
Ruping Zhao
Jinyi Zhao
Han Li
Yanqi Li
Jingtao Liu
Chen Liu
Yang Yi
Pengxiang Zhao
Boqing Wang
Wei Zhao
Xuemei Ma
author_facet Shiwen Ma
Fei Xie
Xiaohu Wen
Yao Mawulikplimi Adzavon
Ruping Zhao
Jinyi Zhao
Han Li
Yanqi Li
Jingtao Liu
Chen Liu
Yang Yi
Pengxiang Zhao
Boqing Wang
Wei Zhao
Xuemei Ma
author_sort Shiwen Ma
collection DOAJ
description The emergence of sorafenib resistance has become a predominant impediment and formidable dilemma in the therapeutic approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although the approval of next-generation drugs as alternatives to sorafenib is a significant development, the concurrent use of inhibitors that target additional key molecular pathways remains an effective strategy to mitigate the acquisition of resistance. Here, we identified Glutathione S-Transferase Alpha 1 (GSTA1) as a critical modulator of sorafenib resistance (SR) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on our findings from experiments conducted on recurrent liver cancer tissues, xenograft mouse models, organoids, and sorafenib-resistant cells. Elevated GSTA1 levels are strongly associated with adverse clinical prognoses. The knockout of GSTA1 reinstates sorafenib sensitivity, whereas its overexpression attenuates drug efficacy. Mechanistically, GSTA1 enhances the accumulation of lipid peroxides and suppresses ferroptosis by exerting its peroxidase function to regulate the SR. Notably, the upregulation of GSTA1 expression is mediated by the transcription factor CTNNB1 (β-catenin), resulting in the formation of a cytoplasmic complex between GSTA1 and CTNNB1. This complex facilitates the nuclear translocation of CTNNB1, establishing a positive feedback loop. The combined use of GSTA1 and CTNNB1 inhibitors demonstrated synergistic anti-tumour effects through the induction of ferroptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings reveal a novel regulatory role of the GSTA1/CTNNB1 axis in ferroptosis, suggesting that targeting GSTA1 and CTNNB1 could be a promising strategy to circumvent sorafenib resistance in HCC.
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spelling doaj-art-d7ca2ab9838b438d950e58df7dfa31b02025-08-20T02:49:40ZengElsevierPharmacological Research1096-11862024-12-0121010749010.1016/j.phrs.2024.107490GSTA1/CTNNB1 axis facilitates sorafenib resistance via suppressing ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinomaShiwen Ma0Fei Xie1Xiaohu Wen2Yao Mawulikplimi Adzavon3Ruping Zhao4Jinyi Zhao5Han Li6Yanqi Li7Jingtao Liu8Chen Liu9Yang Yi10Pengxiang Zhao11Boqing Wang12Wei Zhao13Xuemei Ma14College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; Beijing Molecular Hydrogen Research Center, Beijing 100124, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research/Ministry of Education, Department of Clinical laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, ChinaCollege of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; Beijing Molecular Hydrogen Research Center, Beijing 100124, ChinaCollege of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; Beijing Molecular Hydrogen Research Center, Beijing 100124, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research/Ministry of Education, Department of Clinical laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, ChinaCollege of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; Beijing Molecular Hydrogen Research Center, Beijing 100124, ChinaCollege of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; Beijing Molecular Hydrogen Research Center, Beijing 100124, ChinaCollege of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; Beijing Molecular Hydrogen Research Center, Beijing 100124, ChinaCollege of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; Beijing Molecular Hydrogen Research Center, Beijing 100124, ChinaCollege of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; Beijing Molecular Hydrogen Research Center, Beijing 100124, ChinaKey Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research/Ministry of Education, Department of Clinical laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, ChinaDepartment of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830011, ChinaCollege of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; Beijing Molecular Hydrogen Research Center, Beijing 100124, ChinaCollege of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; Beijing Molecular Hydrogen Research Center, Beijing 100124, ChinaDepartment of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830011, China; Correspondence to: No.789 Suzhou East Street, Xinshi District, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region 830011, China.Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research/Ministry of Education, Department of Clinical laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China; Correspondence to: No.52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100142, China.College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; Beijing Molecular Hydrogen Research Center, Beijing 100124, China; Correspondence to: No.100, Pingleyuan, Chaoyang, Beijing 100124, China.The emergence of sorafenib resistance has become a predominant impediment and formidable dilemma in the therapeutic approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although the approval of next-generation drugs as alternatives to sorafenib is a significant development, the concurrent use of inhibitors that target additional key molecular pathways remains an effective strategy to mitigate the acquisition of resistance. Here, we identified Glutathione S-Transferase Alpha 1 (GSTA1) as a critical modulator of sorafenib resistance (SR) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on our findings from experiments conducted on recurrent liver cancer tissues, xenograft mouse models, organoids, and sorafenib-resistant cells. Elevated GSTA1 levels are strongly associated with adverse clinical prognoses. The knockout of GSTA1 reinstates sorafenib sensitivity, whereas its overexpression attenuates drug efficacy. Mechanistically, GSTA1 enhances the accumulation of lipid peroxides and suppresses ferroptosis by exerting its peroxidase function to regulate the SR. Notably, the upregulation of GSTA1 expression is mediated by the transcription factor CTNNB1 (β-catenin), resulting in the formation of a cytoplasmic complex between GSTA1 and CTNNB1. This complex facilitates the nuclear translocation of CTNNB1, establishing a positive feedback loop. The combined use of GSTA1 and CTNNB1 inhibitors demonstrated synergistic anti-tumour effects through the induction of ferroptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings reveal a novel regulatory role of the GSTA1/CTNNB1 axis in ferroptosis, suggesting that targeting GSTA1 and CTNNB1 could be a promising strategy to circumvent sorafenib resistance in HCC.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661824004353GSTA1SorafenibDrug resistanceFerroptosisHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
spellingShingle Shiwen Ma
Fei Xie
Xiaohu Wen
Yao Mawulikplimi Adzavon
Ruping Zhao
Jinyi Zhao
Han Li
Yanqi Li
Jingtao Liu
Chen Liu
Yang Yi
Pengxiang Zhao
Boqing Wang
Wei Zhao
Xuemei Ma
GSTA1/CTNNB1 axis facilitates sorafenib resistance via suppressing ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Pharmacological Research
GSTA1
Sorafenib
Drug resistance
Ferroptosis
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
title GSTA1/CTNNB1 axis facilitates sorafenib resistance via suppressing ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
title_full GSTA1/CTNNB1 axis facilitates sorafenib resistance via suppressing ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
title_fullStr GSTA1/CTNNB1 axis facilitates sorafenib resistance via suppressing ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
title_full_unstemmed GSTA1/CTNNB1 axis facilitates sorafenib resistance via suppressing ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
title_short GSTA1/CTNNB1 axis facilitates sorafenib resistance via suppressing ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
title_sort gsta1 ctnnb1 axis facilitates sorafenib resistance via suppressing ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
topic GSTA1
Sorafenib
Drug resistance
Ferroptosis
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661824004353
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