Abstract
Superoxide, a form of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is catabolized by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and contributes to carcinogenesis via the oxidative damage it inflicts on cells. The aim of this research was to analyze the potential vitamin D-mediated regulation of the antioxidative “SOD1-to-SOD2 switch” within the human MG-63 osteosarcoma model. For this study, real-time PCR analysis was performed using MG-63 cells exposed to metabolically active 1,25(OH)2D3. Frist, a sustained statistically significant >2-fold suppression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) transcripts was observed after 10nM but not at 100nM of 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment, suggesting a cytostatic effect. In order to assess regulators of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, gene expression of COX2 and COX4l1 of the mitochondrial complex IV and antioxidative enzymes (SOD1, SOD2 and Catalase (CAT)) were monitored. For COX2 and COX4l1, no changes in gene expression were observed. However, a concomitant decrease in CAT and SOD1 mRNA, and increase in SOD2 mRNA after 24 hours of 10nM 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment were observed. A ~8-fold increase in SOD2 mRNA was apparent after 48 hours. The significant increase in SOD2 activity in the presence of vitamin D indicates an antioxidant potential and sensitization of vitamin D during osteosarcoma transformation and mitochondrial detoxification over time.
Footnotes
Competing interests: Authors have nothing to declare.
Funding: Supported by start-up funds from the College of Arts and Sciences, Biology Department, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
Supported by Grant # IRG-17-183-16 from the American Cancer Society, and from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami