Gynecology & Obstetrics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0932
ISSN: 2161-0932
Qing Jiang
Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, USA
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Gynecol Obstet (Sunnyvale)
Gamma-tocotrienol (�?³TE) is a vitamin E form rich in palm oil. Gamma-tocotrienol has been shown to be stronger than vitamin E tocopherols in inducing death of cancer cells, and therefore proposed to be a potentially useful chemopreventive agent. However, mechanisms underlying these actions are not clear. Here using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, we show that �?³TE induced marked changes of sphingolipids including rapid elevation of dihydrosphingosine and dihydroceramides (dhCers) in various types of cancer cells. The elevation of dihydrosphingolipids coincided with increased cellular stress, as indicated by JNK phosphorylation, and was prior to any sign of induction of apoptosis. Chemically blocking de novo synthesis of sphingolipids partially counteracted �?³TE-induced apoptosis and autophagy. Experiments using 13C3, 15N-labeled L-serine together with enzyme assays indicate that �?³TE inhibited cellular dihydroceramide desaturase (DEGS) activity without affecting its protein expression or de novo synthesis of sphingolipids. Unlike the effect on dhCers, �?³TE decreased ceramides (Cers) after 8 h treatment, but increased C18:0-Cer and C16:0-Cer after 16 and 24 h, respectively. The increase of Cers coincides with �?³TE-induced apoptosis and autophagy. Since �?³TE inhibits DEGS and decreases de novo Cer synthesis, elevation of Cers during prolonged �?³TE treatment is likely caused by sphingomeylinase-mediated hydrolysis of sphingomyelin. This idea is supported by the observation that an acid sphingomeylinase inhibitor partially reversed �?³TE-induced cell death. Our study demonstrates that �?³TE altered sphingolipid metabolism by inhibiting DEGS activity and possibly by activating SM hydrolysis during prolonged treatment in cancer cells.
Dr. Jiang is a Professor in the Department of Nutrition Science at Purdue University. Her research has focused on different forms of vitamin E and novel vitamin E metabolites, long-chain carboxychromanols, with respect to their anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. Her lab has identified new vitamin E metabolites and novel bioactivities, and developed various analytical methods for quantifying vitamin E metabolites. Dr. Jiang has authored in 48 publications and obtained three patents. She is a member of the editorial board of Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. She has served as a reviewer in study sections of NIH and USDA as well as numerous scientific journals. She is a recipient of E.L.R. Stokstad Award for outstanding fundamental research in nutrition from American Society for Nutrition and University Faculty Scholar Award from Purdue University.
Email: qjiang@purdue.edu