Energy Deficiency-Induced ATG4B Nuclear Translocation Inhibits PRMT1-Mediated DNA Repair and Promotes Leukemia

Zhenkun Wang1, Xianli Zhang1, Yuanyuan Zhou1,2

  • 1Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Aging and Regenerative Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.

Insights

Energy deficiency disrupts DNA repair via ATG4B nuclear translocation, causing genomic instability. Inhibiting ATG4B enhances DNA repair and survival in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) models.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Metabolism

Background:

  • Cancer is characterized by metabolic alterations and genomic instability.
  • The links between metabolism and DNA repair are not fully understood.
  • Understanding these links is crucial for developing new cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanism linking cellular energy metabolism and DNA repair.
  • To investigate the role of ATG4B in regulating DNA repair during energy deficiency.
  • To explore ATG4B as a therapeutic target in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the translocation of ATG4B during energy deficiency.
  • Examined the interaction between ATG4B and PRMT1.
  • Assessed the effect of ATG4B inhibition on DNA repair and AML progression in vitro and in vivo.

Main Results:

  • Energy deficiency causes ATG4B to translocate to the nucleus, inhibiting DNA repair by disrupting PRMT1-mediated MRE11 methylation.
  • This leads to genomic instability, particularly in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells.
  • Inhibition of ATG4B in AML models improved DNA repair, reduced proliferation, decreased mutation burden, and prolonged survival.

Conclusions:

  • Energy deficiency compromises DNA repair through ATG4B nuclear translocation.
  • ATG4B inhibition represents a promising therapeutic strategy for AML by enhancing DNA repair and mitigating malignant evolution.

Related Concept Videos

Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.6K
Nucleotide Excision Repair01:38

Nucleotide Excision Repair

DNA Distortion and Damage
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
3.8K
DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle02:37

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
9.3K
Translation01:31

Translation

Lesson: Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of...
143.4K