Garcinol, a Histone Acetyltransferase Inhibitor, Radiosensitizes Cancer Cells by Inhibiting Non-Homologous End Joining

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJROBP.2012.01.017· OSTI ID:22149603

Oike, Takahiro ^[1]; Ogiwara, Hideaki ^[2]; Torikai, Kohta ^[3]; Nakano, Takashi ^[4]; Yokota, Jun ^[1]; Kohno, Takashi ^[2]

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1. Division of Multistep Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Japan)
2. Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Japan)
3. Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, Maebashi, Gunma (Japan)
4. Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma (Japan)

Purpose: Non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), a major pathway used to repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) generated by ionizing radiation (IR), requires chromatin remodeling at DSB sites through the acetylation of histones by histone acetyltransferases (HATs). However, the effect of compounds with HAT inhibitory activities on the DNA damage response (DDR), including the NHEJ and cell cycle checkpoint, as well as on the radiosensitivity of cancer cells, remains largely unclear. Here, we investigated whether garcinol, a HAT inhibitor found in the rinds of Garcinia indica fruit (called mangosteens), has effects on DDR, and whether it can be used for radiosensitization. Methods and Materials: The following assays were used to examine the effect of garcinol on the inhibition of DSB repair, including the following: a conventional neutral comet assay; a cell-based assay recently developed by us, in which NHEJ repair of DSBs on chromosomal DNA was evaluated; the micrococcal nuclease sensitivity assay; and immunoblotting for autophosphorylation of DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs). We assessed the effect of garcinol on the cell cycle checkpoint after IR treatment by analyzing the phosphorylation levels of checkpoint kinases CHK1 and CHK2 and histone H3, and by cell cycle profile analysis using flow cytometry. The radiosensitizing effect of garcinol was assessed by a clonogenic survival assay, whereas its effects on apoptosis and senescence were examined by annexin V and senescence-associated {beta}-galactosidase (SA-{beta}-Gal) staining, respectively. Results: We found that garcinol inhibits DSB repair, including NHEJ, without affecting cell cycle checkpoint. Garcinol radiosensitized A549 lung and HeLa cervical carcinoma cells with dose enhancement ratios (at 10% surviving fraction) of 1.6 and 1.5, respectively. Cellular senescence induced by IR was enhanced by garcinol. Conclusion: These results suggest that garcinol is a radiosensitizer that inhibits NHEJ and facilitates senescence without impairing activation of the cell cycle checkpoint.

• OSTI ID: 22149603
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Vol. 84, Issue 3; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGANISMS AND BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ACETYLATION
APOPTOSIS
CARCINOMAS
CELL CYCLE
CHROMATIN
DNA
DOSES
GALACTOSIDASE
HISTONES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LUNGS
PHOSPHORYLATION
PHOSPHOTRANSFERASES
RADIOSENSITIVITY
REPAIR
STRAND BREAKS