HepG2 liver cells treated with fumonisin B1 in galactose supplemented media have altered expression of genes and proteins known to regulate cholesterol flux

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) contributes to mycotoxicosis in animals and has been associated with the incidence of some cancers in humans. The effect of FB1 on lipidomic profiles, sphingolipids and cholesterol levels have been demonstrated in experimental models, however, the events leading to altered cholesterol levels are unclear. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms that regulate the effect of FB1 on cholesterol homeostasis in galactose supplemented HepG2 liver cells. Galactose supplementation is a proven method utilised to circumvent the Crabtree effect exhibited by cancer cells, which forces cancer cells to activate the mitochondria. HepG2 cells were cultured in galactose supplemented media and treated with FB1 (IC50 = 25 μM) for 6 h. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay. Metabolic status was evaluated using ATP luciferase assay, and cholesterol regulatory transcription factors (SIRT1, SREBP-1C, LXR, LDLR, PCSK9, and ABCA1) were investigated using western blotting and qPCR. FB1 in galactose supplemented HepG2 cells increased gene expression of SIRT1 (P<0.05), SREBP-1C, LXR, and LDLR; however, PCSK9 (P<0.05) was decreased. Furthermore, protein expression of SIRT1, LXR, and LDLR was elevated upon FB1 treatment, while SREBP-1C and PCSK9 were reduced. The data provides evidence that SIRT1 reduced the expression of PCSK9 and deacetylated LXR to prevent degradation of LDLR. This could result in a dysregulated cholesterol flux, which may contribute to FB1 mediated toxicity.