Human cytomegalovirus encoded chemokine receptor US28 activates the HIF-1α/PKM2 axis in glioblastoma cells

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Raymond H de Wit
  • Azra Mujić-Delić
  • van Senten, Jeffrey
  • Alberto Fraile-Ramos
  • Marco Siderius
  • Martine J Smit

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encoded chemokine receptor US28 promotes tumorigenesis through activation of various proliferative and angiogenic signaling pathways. Upon infection, US28 displays constitutive activity and signals in a G protein-dependent manner, hijacking the host's cellular machinery. In tumor cells, the hypoxia inducible factor-1α/pyruvate kinase M2 (HIF-1α/PKM2) axis plays an important role by supporting proliferation, angiogenesis and reprogramming of energy metabolism. In this study we show that US28 signaling results in activation of the HIF-1α/PKM2 feedforward loop in fibroblasts and glioblastoma cells. The constitutive activity of US28 increases HIF-1 protein stability through a Gαq-, CaMKII- and Akt/mTOR-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, we found that VEGF and lactate secretion are increased and HIF-1 target genes, glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), involved in glucose metabolism, are upregulated in US28 expressing cells. In addition, PKM2 is phosphorylated and found to be in a tumor-associated dimeric state upon US28 expression. Also in HCMV-infected cells HIF-1 activity is enhanced, which in part is US28-dependent. Finally, increased proliferation of cells expressing US28 is abolished upon inhibition of the HIF-1α/PKM2 cascade. These data highlight the importance of HIF-1α and PKM2 in US28-induced proliferation, angiogenesis and metabolic reprogramming.

Original languageEnglish
JournalOncoTarget
Volume7
Issue number42
Pages (from-to)67966-67985
Number of pages20
ISSN1949-2553
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Oct 2016
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • Animals, Carrier Proteins/genetics, Cell Line, Tumor, Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics, Cells, Cultured, Cytomegalovirus/physiology, Fibroblasts/metabolism, Glioblastoma/genetics, HEK293 Cells, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Humans, Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics, Male, Membrane Proteins/genetics, Mice, NIH 3T3 Cells, Receptors, Chemokine/genetics, Signal Transduction, Thyroid Hormones/genetics, Viral Proteins/genetics

ID: 217942893