T2R bitter taste receptors regulate apoptosis and may be associated with survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Ryan M. Carey, Derek B. McMahon, Zoey A. Miller, Tae Beom Kim, Karthik Rajasekaran, Indiwari Gopallawa, Jason G. Newman, Devraj Basu, Kevin T. Nead, Elizabeth A. White, Robert J. Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Better management of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) requires a clearer understanding of tumor biology and disease risk. Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) have been studied in several cancers, including thyroid, salivary, and GI, but their role in HNSCC has not been explored. We found that HNSCC patient samples and cell lines expressed functional T2Rs on both the cell and nuclear membranes. Bitter compounds, including bacterial metabolites, activated T2R-mediated nuclear Ca2+ responses leading to mitochondrial depolarization, caspase activation, and ultimately apoptosis. Buffering nuclear Ca2+ elevation blocked caspase activation. Furthermore, increased expression of T2Rs in HNSCCs from The Cancer Genome Atlas is associated with improved overall survival. This work suggests that T2Rs are potential biomarkers to predict outcomes and guide treatment selection, may be leveraged as therapeutic targets to stimulate tumor apoptosis, and may mediate tumor-microbiome crosstalk in HNSCC.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1474-1492
Number of pages19
JournalMolecular oncology
Volume16
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2022

Keywords

  • apoptosis
  • calcium
  • cell signaling
  • genetics
  • head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
  • taste receptors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Genetics
  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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