Cited by 862Cancer, Hypoxia, and MetabolismCancer-related Molecular PathwaysAmino Acid Enzymes and Metabolism

Glutaminase 2, a novel p53 target gene regulating energy metabolism and antioxidant function

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Hu, Wenwei, Zhang, Cen, Wu, Rui, Sun, Yvonne, Levine, Arnold, Feng, Zhaohui·2010·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Whereas cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and senescence are traditionally thought of as the major functions of the tumor suppressor p53, recent studies revealed two unique functions for this protein: p53 regulates cellular energy metabolism and antioxidant defense mechanisms. Here, we identify glutaminase 2 (GLS2) as a previously uncharacterized p53 target gene to mediate these two functions of the p53 protein. GLS2 encodes a mitochondrial glutaminase catalyzing the hydrolysis of glutamine to glutamate. p53 increases the GLS2 expression under both nonstressed and stressed conditions. GLS2 regulates cellular energy metabolism by increasing production of glutamate and α-ketoglutarate, which in turn results in enhanced mitochondrial respiration and ATP generation. Furthermore, GLS2 regulates antioxidant defense function in cells by increasing reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and decreasing ROS levels, which in turn protects cells from oxidative stress (e.g., H 2 O 2 )-induced apoptosis. Consistent with these functions of GLS2, the activation of p53 increases the levels of glutamate and α-ketoglutarate, mitochondrial respiration rate, and GSH levels and decreases reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cells. Furthermore, GLS2 expression is lost or greatly decreased in hepatocellular carcinomas and the overexpression of GLS2 greatly reduced tumor cell colony formation. These results demonstrated that as a unique p53 target gene, GLS2 is a mediator of p53’s role in energy metabolism and antioxidant defense, which can contribute to its role in tumor suppression.

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Crossref · 10.1073/pnas.1001006107

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  • GLS2 catalyzes the hydrolysis of glutamine to glutamate and ammonia and is encoded by a direct p53 target gene.

    “GLS2 catalyzes the hydrolysis of glutamine to glutamate and ammonia and is encoded by a direct p53 target gene.197, 198”

    From Census and evaluation of p53 target genes (2017) · cites this paper as [198]

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Authors
Hu, W., Zhang, C., Wu, R., Sun, Y., Levine, A., & Feng, Z.
Affiliations
  • Rutgers Cancer Institute (US)
  • Institute for Advanced Study (US)
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Published
2010-04-08
Volume
107
Issue
16
Pages
7455-7460
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
OpenAlex
W2038652783
Cited by
862
References
25
Citations by year
2026: 33 · 2025: 56 · 2024: 45 · 2023: 55 · 2022: 53 · 2021: 67 · 2020: 49 · 2019: 47 · 2018: 49 · 2017: 45 · 2016: 50 · 2015: 55 · 2014: 73 · 2013: 63 · 2012: 66
FWCI
18.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Cancer Institute (R01CA143204, P01CA087497, P01CA87497., CA143204-01)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer-related Molecular Pathways
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biochemistry › Amino Acid Enzymes and Metabolism
Keywords
GLS2, p53 target genes, cellular energy metabolism, antioxidant defense, glutamate, alpha-ketoglutarate, mitochondrial respiration, ATP production, reduced glutathione, reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, hepatocellular carcinoma, tumor suppression
MeSH terms
Adenosine Triphosphate, Transaminases, Antioxidants, Gene Expression Regulation, Glutathione, Humans, Hydrogen Peroxide, Ketoglutaric Acids, Mitochondria, Oxygen, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic, Genes, p53, Tumor Suppressor Protein p53, Reactive Oxygen Species, Cell Line, Tumor

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