Mitochondrial respiratory complex I dysfunction promotes tumorigenesis through ROS alteration and AKT activation

2^nd World Congress on Cancer Science & Therapy

September 10-12, 2012 Hilton San Antonio Airport, USA

Yidong Bai

AcceptedAbstracts: JCST

Abstract :

Previously, we have shown that a heteroplasmic mutation in mitochondrial DNA-encoded complex I ND5 subunit gene resulted in an enhanced tumorigenesis through increased resistance to apoptosis. Here we report that the tumorigenic phenotype associated with complex I dysfunction could be reversed by introducing a yeast NADH quinone oxidoreductase (NDI1) gene. The NDI1 mediated electron transfer from NADH to Co-Q, bypassed the defective complex I and restored oxidative phosphorylation in the host cells. Alternatively, suppression of complex I activity by a specific inhibitor, rotenone or induction of oxidative stress by paraquat led to an increase in the phosphorylation of v-AKT murine thymoma viral oncogene (AKT) and enhanced the tumorigenesis. On the other hand, antioxidant treatment can ameliorate the reactive oxygen species-mediated AKT activation and reverse the tumorigenicity of complex I-deficient cells. Our results suggest that complex I defects could promote tumorigenesis through induction of oxidative stress and activation of AKT pathway.

Biography :

Yidong Bai obtained his Ph.D degree from Columbia University and completed postdoctoral training from Caltech. He has been on the faculty of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio since 2001, and is now a tenured associate professor at the Department of Cellular and Structural Biology. He has published more than 40 papers. The work of his laboratory has been supported by NIH, AHA, Ellison Medical Foundation and UMDF.