Cell transformation by the superoxide-generating oxidase Mox1

Nature. 1999 Sep 2;401(6748):79-82. doi: 10.1038/43459.

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in some non-phagocytic cells are implicated in mitogenic signalling and cancer. Many cancer cells show increased production of ROS, and normal cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide or superoxide show increased proliferation and express growth-related genes. ROS are generated in response to growth factors, and may affect cell growth, for example in vascular smooth-muscle cells. Increased ROS in Ras-transformed fibroblasts correlates with increased mitogenic rate. Here we describe the cloning of mox1, which encodes a homologue of the catalytic subunit of the superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase of phagocytes, gp91phox. mox1 messenger RNA is expressed in colon, prostate, uterus and vascular smooth muscle, but not in peripheral blood leukocytes. In smooth-muscle cells, platelet-derived growth factor induces mox1 mRNA production, while antisense mox1 mRNA decreases superoxide generation and serum-stimulated growth. Overexpression of mox1 in NIH3T3 cells increases superoxide generation and cell growth. Cells expressing mox1 have a transformed appearance, show anchorage-independent growth and produce tumours in athymic mice. These data link ROS production by Mox1 to growth control in non-phagocytic cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Aconitate Hydratase / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Catalysis
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Colon / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases / genetics
  • NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases / physiology*
  • NADPH Oxidase 2
  • NADPH Oxidases / chemistry
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Superoxides / metabolism*
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Superoxides
  • NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases
  • CYBB protein, human
  • NADPH Oxidase 2
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • superoxide-forming enzyme
  • Aconitate Hydratase

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF127763
  • GENBANK/AF152963