Evidence for a protective role of Mcl-1 in proteasome inhibitor-induced apoptosis

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Abstract
Proteasome inhibitors exhibit antitumor activity against malignancies of different histology. Yet, the mechanisms underlying this effect are poorly understood. Recent evidence indicates that antiapoptotic factors may also accumulate as a consequence of exposure to these drugs, possibly reducing their cytotoxicity. These include the Bcl-2 family member Mcl-1, whose down-regulation has been proposed to initiate apoptosis in response to genotoxic stimuli. In this study, we found that proteasome inhibitors release cyotochrome c and second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (SMAC)/Diablo and trigger the subsequent apoptotic cascade in spite of concomitant Mcl-1 increase. However, our data indicate that subtraction of Mcl-1 during apoptosis, although not required for early release of proapoptotic factors, is probably relevant in speeding up cell demise, since RNA interference-mediated Mcl-1 silencing is lethal in lymphoma cells. Consistent with this, the cytotoxic effects of proteasome inhibitors are enhanced when Mcl-1 increase is impeded. Thus, this study identifies Mcl-1 accumulation as an unwanted molecular consequence of exposure to proteasome inhibitors, which slows down their proapoptotic effects. Pharmacologic or genetic approaches targeting Mcl-1, including therapeutic RNAi, may increase the effectiveness of these compounds.