A Mitochondria-K+ Channel Axis Is Suppressed in Cancer & Its Normalization Promotes Apoptosis and Inhibits Cancer Growth

The unique metabolic profile of most cancers (aerobic glycolysis) might confer apoptosis-resistance and be therapeutically targeted. Compared to normal cells, several human cancers have high mitochondrial membrane potential and low expression of the K+ channel Kv1.5, both contributing to apoptosis-resistance. Dichloroacetate (DCA), an inhibitor of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK), shifts metabolism from glycolysis to glucose oxidation, decreases mitochondrial membrane potential, increases mitochondrial-H2O2 and activates Kv channels in all cancer, but not normal cells; DCA upregulates Kv1.5 by an NFAT1-dependent mechanism. DCA induces apoptosis, decreases proliferation and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo, without apparent toxicity. Molecular inhibition of PDK2 by siRNA mimics DCA. The mitochondria-NFAT-Kv axis and PDK are important therapeutic targets in cancer; the orally available DCA is a novel selective anticancer agent.

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Bonnet S, Archer SL, Allalunis-Turner J, Haromy A, Beaulieu C, Thompson R, Lee CT, Lopaschuk GD, Puttagunta L, Bonnet S, Harry G, Hashimoto K, Porter CJ, Andrade MA, Thebaud B, Michelakis ED