Dysregulated sphingolipid metabolismdrives pancreatic carcinogenesis through plasma membrane Kras enrichment

As key constituents of cellular sphingolipid pools, sphingomyelin (SM) and ceramide (CER) are central to the regulation of cancer cell death and survival. The metabolic flux between these two lipids is a vital component of the cellular stress response, yet the underlying regulatory mechanisms in cancer remain elusive. Acid sphingomyelinase (SMPD1) facilitates the conversion of SM to CER, functioning as a key enzymatic driver of CER-mediated signalling.

Herein, we aim to evaluate the role of SMPD1-driven sphingolipid metabolism in pancreatic carcinogenesis.

A targeted quantitative analysis of the plasma metabolome was conducted involving patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC, n=202) and matched control subjects (n=204). Multiplex immunohistochemistry was performed on resected PDAC (n=122) to identify expression of SMPD1 with tumour and immune cell markers. CRISPR/Cas9 driven Smpd1-deleted murine cell lines were generated and subsequently assessed for their carcinogenic potential in vitro. The effects of Smpd1 deletion on tumour formation were evaluated using both syngeneic orthotopic and metastatic murine models.

Here, we demonstrate that tumour cell-autonomous expression of SMPD1, in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is associated with poorer patients' outcomes. Smpd1 ablation in murine PDAC cells resulted in reduced proliferation and migration in vitro and decreased metastases and tumour burden in vivo. Integrated transcriptomic, metabolomic and proteomic studies revealed that SMPD1 abrogation impairs Kras^G12D oncogenic signalling and, thus, reduces tumour burden. Reduced plasma membrane interaction of Kras^G12D was associated with SMPD1-dependent sphingolipid metabolism. Notably, the SMPD1 inhibitor (ARC39) potently synergised with the Kras^G12D inhibitor (MRTX1133).

In summary, SMPD1 regulated plasma membrane sequestration of Kras^G12D represents a potential therapeutic target within the Kras signalling pathway for intractable PDAC.