Repeated radon exposure induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like transformation via disruption of p53-dependent mitochondrial function

Backgrouds As a human carcinogen, radon and its progeny are the second most important risk factor for lung cancer after smoking. The tumor suppressor gene, p53, is reported to play an important role in the maintenance of mitochondrial function. In this work, we investigated the association between p53 and p53-responsive signaling pathways and radon-induced carcinogenesis.Methods After repeated radon exposure, the malignant characteristics, cell cycle arrest, cell apoptotic rate, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number as well as indicative biomarkers involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism were evaluated in BEAS-2B cells or BALB-c mouse lung tissue.Results Radon exposure induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like transformation in BEAS-2B cells, as indicated by increased cell proliferation and migration. Additional mitochondrial alterations, including decreased ATP content, increased ROS levels, mtDNA copy numbers, cell apoptosis, and G2/M cell cycle arrest were observed. Radon exposure caused an energy generation shift from aerobic respiration to glycolysis as reflected by increased expression of TIGAR and p53R2 proteins and decreased expression of SCO2 protein in BEAS-2B cells, and increased expression of p53, SCO2 and TIGAR proteins in mouse lung tissue, respectively. The effects of p53 deficiency on the prevention of mitochondrial dysfunction suggested a protective role of p53 in radon-induced malignant-like features in BEAS-2B cells.Conclusions Repeated radon exposure induced EMT-like transformation in BEAS-2B cells via disruption of mitochondrial function. Activation of p53 and p53-responsive signaling pathways in BEAS-2B cells and BALB-c mice may confer a protective mechanism for radon-induced lung injury.