LRH-1-dependent programming of mitochondrial glutamine processing drives liver cancer

P Xu, MH Oosterveer, S Stein, H Demagny… - Genes & …, 2016 - genesdev.cshlp.org
P Xu, MH Oosterveer, S Stein, H Demagny, D Ryu, N Moullan, X Wang, E Can, N Zamboni
Genes & development, 2016genesdev.cshlp.org
Various tumors develop addiction to glutamine to support uncontrolled cell proliferation.
Here we identify the nuclear receptor liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1) as a key regulator in
the process of hepatic tumorigenesis through the coordination of a noncanonical glutamine
pathway that is reliant on the mitochondrial and cytosolic transaminases glutamate pyruvate
transaminase 2 (GPT2) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase 1 (GOT1), which fuel
anabolic metabolism. In particular, we show that gain and loss of function of hepatic LRH-1 …
Various tumors develop addiction to glutamine to support uncontrolled cell proliferation. Here we identify the nuclear receptor liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1) as a key regulator in the process of hepatic tumorigenesis through the coordination of a noncanonical glutamine pathway that is reliant on the mitochondrial and cytosolic transaminases glutamate pyruvate transaminase 2 (GPT2) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase 1 (GOT1), which fuel anabolic metabolism. In particular, we show that gain and loss of function of hepatic LRH-1 modulate the expression and activity of mitochondrial glutaminase 2 (GLS2), the first and rate-limiting step of this pathway. Acute and chronic deletion of hepatic LRH-1 blunts the deamination of glutamine and reduces glutamine-dependent anaplerosis. The robust reduction in glutaminolysis and the limiting availability of α-ketoglutarate in turn inhibit mTORC1 signaling to eventually block cell growth and proliferation. Collectively, these studies highlight the importance of LRH-1 in coordinating glutamine-induced metabolism and signaling to promote hepatocellular carcinogenesis.
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