Modulating the unfolded protein response with ONC201 to impact on radiation response in prostate cancer cells

Francesca Amoroso, Kimberley Glass, Reema Singh, Francisco Liberal, Rebecca E. Steele, Sarah Maguire, Rohinton Tarapore, Joshua E. Allen, Sandra Van Schaeybroeck, Karl T. Butterworth, Kevin Prise, Joe M. O’Sullivan, Suneil Jain, David J. Waugh, Ian G. Mills

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)
80 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-cutaneous cancer in men and a notable cause of cancer mortality when it metastasises. The unfolded protein response (UPR) can be cytoprotective but when acutely activated can lead to cell death. In this study, we sought to enhance the acute activation of the UPR using radiation and ONC201, an UPR activator. Treating PCa cells with ONC201 quickly increased the expression of all the key regulators of the UPR and reduced the oxidative phosphorylation, with cell death occurring 72 h later. We exploited this time lag to sensitize prostate cancer cells to radiation through short-term treatment with ONC201. To understand how priming occurred, we performed RNA-Seq analysis and found that ONC201 suppressed the expression of cell cycle and DNA repair factors. In conclusion, we have shown that ONC201 can prime enhanced radiation response.

Original languageEnglish
Article number4252
JournalScientific Reports
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2021

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Modulating the unfolded protein response with ONC201 to impact on radiation response in prostate cancer cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this