Morphofunctional effects of mitotane on mitochondria in human adrenocortical cancer cells.

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: BioScientifica Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9436481 Publication Model: Electronic-Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1479-6821 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 13510088 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Endocr Relat Cancer Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: Jan. 2011- : Bristol, UK : BioScientifica
      Original Publication: Woodlands, Almondsbury, Bristol, UK : Published for the Society of Endocrinology by the Journal of Endocrinology Ltd., 1994-
    • Subject Terms:
    • Abstract:
      At present, mitotane (MTT) represents the first-line pharmacological approach for the treatment of advanced adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). Despite clear evidence that the drug can reduce the clinical signs of steroid excess in secreting ACC, the mechanism mediating the possible toxic effect of MTT on tumor cells still remains obscure. This study investigated the intracellular events underlying the toxic effect of MTT by studying qualitative and quantitative alterations in mitochondrial morphology and functions in human adrenocortical cancer cell lines, H295R and SW13. Increasing concentrations of MTT resulted in rapid intracellular accumulation and conversion of the drug. Cytostatic and cytotoxic effects were evident at doses corresponding to the therapeutic window (30-50 μM) through an apoptotic mechanism involving caspase 3/7. Electron microscopic analysis of cell mitochondria displayed MTT-induced dose- and time-dependent alterations in the morphology of the organelle. These alterations were characterized by a marked swelling and a decrease in the number of respiratory cristae, accompanied by a significant depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, finally leading to the disruption of the organelle. A drastic reduction of oxygen consumption was observed due to mitochondrial membrane damage, which was accompanied by a decrease in the levels of VDAC1 integral membrane channel. These findings contribute to better understand the intracellular mechanism of action of MTT in ACC cells, showing that its cytotoxic effect seems to be mainly mediated by an apoptotic process activated by the disruption of mitochondria.
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: adrenal cortex; carcinoma; intracellular signalling
    • Accession Number:
      0 (Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal)
      4M7FS82U08 (Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene)
      78E4J5IB5J (Mitotane)
      S88TT14065 (Oxygen)
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20130601 Date Completed: 20140124 Latest Revision: 20220330
    • Publication Date:
      20240829
    • Accession Number:
      10.1530/ERC-13-0150
    • Accession Number:
      23722227