1. Academic Validation
  2. MCCC2 is a novel mediator between mitochondria and telomere and functions as an oncogene in colorectal cancer

MCCC2 is a novel mediator between mitochondria and telomere and functions as an oncogene in colorectal cancer

  • Cell Mol Biol Lett. 2023 Oct 12;28(1):80. doi: 10.1186/s11658-023-00487-0.
Wanjun Liu # 1 2 Si Chen # 1 Wenqing Xie 1 2 Qian Wang 3 Qianxin Luo 3 Minghan Huang 1 2 Minyi Gu 2 4 Ping Lan 5 6 Daici Chen 7 8
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 26 Yuancun Er Heng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, Guangdong, China.
  • 2 Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
  • 3 Department of Intensive Care Unit, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 26 Yuancun Er Heng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, China.
  • 4 Scientific Journal Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 26 Yuancun Er Heng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, China.
  • 5 Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 26 Yuancun Er Heng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, Guangdong, China. lanping@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
  • 6 Department of General Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 26 Yuancun Er Heng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, China. lanping@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
  • 7 Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 26 Yuancun Er Heng Road, Guangzhou, 510655, Guangdong, China. chendc3@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
  • 8 Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. chendc3@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
  • # Contributed equally.
Abstract

Background: The mitochondrial gene MCCC2, a subunit of the heterodimer of 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase, plays a pivotal role in catabolism of leucine and isovaleric acid. The molecular mechanisms and prognostic value still need to be explored in the context of specific cancers, including colorectal Cancer (CRC).

Methods: In vitro and in vivo cell-based assays were performed to explore the role of MCCC2 in CRC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Mitochondrial morphology, membrane potential, intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), Telomerase activity, and telomere length were examined and analyzed accordingly. Protein complex formation was detected by co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP). Mitochondrial morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) CRC cohort analysis, qRT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to examine the MCCC2 expression level. The association between MCCC2 expression and various clinical characteristics was analyzed by chi-square tests. CRC patients' overall survival (OS) was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results: Ectopic overexpression of MCCC2 promoted cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, while MCCC2 knockdown (KD) or knockout (KO) inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. MCCC2 KD or KO resulted in reduced mitochondria numbers, but did not affect the gross ATP production in the cells. Mitochondrial fusion markers MFN1, MFN2, and OPA1 were all upregulated in MCCC2 KD or KO cells, which is in line with a phenomenon of more prominent mitochondrial fusion. Interestingly, telomere lengths of MCCC2 KD or KO cells were reduced more than control cells. Furthermore, we found that MCCC2 could specifically form a complex with telomere binding protein TRF2, and MCCC2 KD or KO did not affect the expression or activity of telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT). Finally, MCCC2 expression was heightened in CRC, and patients with higher MCCC2 expression had favorable prognosis.

Conclusions: Together, we identified MCCC2 as a novel mediator between mitochondria and telomeres, and provided an additional biomarker for CRC stratification.

Keywords

Colorectal cancer; MCCC2; Mitochondria; Telomere.

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