Peng Weihui, Zeng Zhijun
Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China.
Department of Geriatric Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China.
FASEB J. 2025 May 15;39(9):e70558. doi: 10.1096/fj.202401788RR.
Cancer cells undergo metabolic reprogramming, shifting their programs toward aerobic glycolysis and enhanced glutaminolysis to fulfill the requirements of rapid proliferation. Investigating the mechanisms underlying glutaminolysis and its connection with colorectal cancer (CRC) could aid in identifying novel therapeutic targets. PTCD3, a mitochondrial RNA-binding protein, is implicated in cancer progression, and IGF2BP2 regulates mRNA stability and translation. SLC38A2, a key transporter in glutamine metabolism, plays a crucial role in supporting cancer cell growth. This study aims to develop inhibitors of PTCD3 or SLC38A2 to prevent metabolic changes in cancer cells that facilitate rapid growth and metastasis in CRC. RT-qPCR, western blot, IHC, and IF staining assays confirmed the targeted gene and protein expression. Proliferation, migration, and invasion were evaluated using CCK-8 assay, scratch assay, and Transwell assay, respectively. Co-IP, RIP, and dual-luciferase assays were conducted to investigate the interactions among PTCD3, IGF2BP2, and SLC38A2. A CRC xenograft nude mice model was established for additional in vivo validation. PTCD3 was upregulated in CRC and positively correlated with GLS1. PTCD3 knockdown suppressed CRC cell glutaminolysis, thereby inhibiting CRC migration and invasion. PTCD3 promoted SLC38A2 mRNA stability in an IGF2BP2-dependent manner. KAT2A promoted the expression of PTCD3 by increasing H3K27 acetylation. The inhibitory effect of PTCD3 depletion on the glutaminolysis of CRC cells, as well as CRC cell proliferation and migration, was reversed by SLC38A2 overexpression. The in vivo mouse experiments further confirmed that silencing of PTCD3 inhibited CRC tumor growth. In summary, KAT2A upregulates PTCD3 expression by promoting H3K27 acetylation, which promotes glutaminolysis and metastasis in CRC via enhancing SLC38A2 mRNA stability in an IGF2BP2-dependent manner.
癌细胞会经历代谢重编程,将其代谢程序转向有氧糖酵解并增强谷氨酰胺分解代谢,以满足快速增殖的需求。研究谷氨酰胺分解代谢的潜在机制及其与结直肠癌(CRC)的关联,有助于确定新的治疗靶点。PTCD3是一种线粒体RNA结合蛋白,与癌症进展有关,而IGF2BP2调节mRNA的稳定性和翻译。SLC38A2是谷氨酰胺代谢中的关键转运蛋白,在支持癌细胞生长方面发挥着至关重要的作用。本研究旨在开发PTCD3或SLC38A2的抑制剂,以防止癌细胞发生代谢变化,从而促进CRC的快速生长和转移。RT-qPCR、蛋白质免疫印迹、免疫组化和免疫荧光染色试验证实了靶向基因和蛋白的表达。分别使用CCK-8试验、划痕试验和Transwell试验评估细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭能力。进行免疫共沉淀、RNA免疫沉淀和双荧光素酶试验,以研究PTCD3、IGF2BP2和SLC38A2之间的相互作用。建立CRC异种移植裸鼠模型进行进一步的体内验证。PTCD3在CRC中上调,且与GLS1呈正相关。敲低PTCD3可抑制CRC细胞的谷氨酰胺分解代谢,从而抑制CRC的迁移和侵袭。PTCD3以IGF2BP2依赖的方式促进SLC38A2 mRNA的稳定性。KAT2A通过增加H3K27乙酰化促进PTCD3的表达。SLC38A2过表达可逆转PTCD3缺失对CRC细胞谷氨酰胺分解代谢以及CRC细胞增殖和迁移的抑制作用。体内小鼠实验进一步证实,沉默PTCD3可抑制CRC肿瘤生长。综上所述,KAT2A通过促进H3K27乙酰化上调PTCD3表达,PTCD3通过以IGF2BP2依赖的方式增强SLC38A2 mRNA稳定性,促进CRC中的谷氨酰胺分解代谢和转移。