Avicins, a novel plant-derived metabolite lowers energy metabolism in tumor cells by targeting the outer mitochondrial membrane

Avicins are pro-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory molecules with antioxidant effects both in vitro and in vivo. Based on their ability to perturb mitochondrial functions and initiate apoptosis in tumor cells, we chose to study the bioenergetic effects of avicins on tumor cell mitochondria. Avicin-treated Jurkat cells, showed a decrease in the levels of cellular ATP as well as the rate of oxygen consumption. These effects on cellular metabolism appear to be a result of avicin’s actions on the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM). We speculate that avicins might initially inhibit the exchange of metabolites across the OMM leading to its subsequent permeabilization to cytochrome c. This speculation is supported by biophysical studies using lipid bilayers, which suggest that upstream of these effects, avicins target and close the voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC). Closure of VDAC would lead to an overall lowering of the cell energy metabolism, subsequently pushing these cells towards the apoptotic pathway by permeabilization of the OMM and release of cyt-c. Avicins therefore not only represent a novel pharmacological tool for treatment of cancers, but also highlight the influence ancient plant metabolites could have on human health.