Blocking lactate export by inhibiting the Myc target MCT1 Disables glycolysis and glutathione synthesis

Cancer Res. 2014 Feb 1;74(3):908-20. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-13-2034. Epub 2013 Nov 27.

Abstract

Myc oncoproteins induce genes driving aerobic glycolysis, including lactate dehydrogenase-A that generates lactate. Here, we report that Myc controls transcription of the lactate transporter SLC16A1/MCT1 and that elevated MCT1 levels are manifest in premalignant and neoplastic Eμ-Myc transgenic B cells and in human malignancies with MYC or MYCN involvement. Notably, disrupting MCT1 function leads to an accumulation of intracellular lactate that rapidly disables tumor cell growth and glycolysis, provoking marked alterations in glycolytic intermediates, reductions in glucose transport, and in levels of ATP, NADPH, and ultimately, glutathione (GSH). Reductions in GSH then lead to increases in hydrogen peroxide, mitochondrial damage, and ultimately, cell death. Finally, forcing glycolysis by metformin treatment augments this response and the efficacy of MCT1 inhibitors, suggesting an attractive combination therapy for MYC/MCT1-expressing malignancies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Glutathione / biosynthesis*
  • Glycolysis / drug effects
  • Glycolysis / genetics
  • Homeostasis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / pharmacology
  • Lactic Acid / metabolism*
  • Metformin / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters / genetics*
  • Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters / metabolism
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxidative Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Protein Binding
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism*
  • Symporters / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Symporters / genetics*
  • Symporters / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • Symporters
  • monocarboxylate transport protein 1
  • Lactic Acid
  • Metformin
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Glutathione