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O-GlcNAc transferase regulates glioblastoma acetate metabolism via regulation of CDK5-dependent ACSS2 phosphorylation

Oncogene volume 41, pages 2122–2136 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

Glioblastomas (GBMs) preferentially generate acetyl-CoA from acetate as a fuel source to promote tumor growth. O-GlcNAcylation has been shown to be elevated by increasing O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) in many cancers and reduced O-GlcNAcylation can block cancer growth. Here, we identify a novel mechanism whereby OGT regulates acetate-dependent acetyl-CoA and lipid production by regulating phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) by cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5). OGT is required and sufficient for GBM cell growth and regulates acetate conversion to acetyl-CoA and lipids. Elevating O-GlcNAcylation in GBM cells increases phosphorylation of ACSS2 on Ser-267 in a CDK5-dependent manner. Importantly, we show that ACSS2 Ser-267 phosphorylation regulates its stability by reducing polyubiquitination and degradation. ACSS2 Ser-267 is critical for OGT-mediated GBM growth as overexpression of ACSS2 Ser-267 phospho-mimetic rescues growth in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, we show that pharmacologically targeting OGT and CDK5 reduces GBM growth ex vivo. Thus, the OGT/CDK5/ACSS2 pathway may be a way to target altered metabolic dependencies in brain tumors.

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Fig. 1: OGT and O-GlcNAcylation levels are elevated in human glioblastoma.
Fig. 2: OGT is required for glioblastoma growth in vitro and in vivo.
Fig. 3: OGT promotes acetate and lipid accumulation in glioblastoma cells.
Fig. 4: Ser267-ACSS2 phosphorylation is mediated by O-GlcNAcylation in a CDK5-dependent manner.
Fig. 5: Phosphorylation of Ser267 enhances stability of ACSS2 and is required for GBM growth.
Fig. 6: CDK5 is a critical regulator of GBM growth and requires ACSS2 phosphorylation.
Fig. 7: Phosphorylation of S267-ACSS2 is required for OGT-mediated GBM growth.
Fig. 8: Targeting OGT or CDKs blocks GBM growth ex vivo.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by PA CURE grant (to MJR, NWS and JGJ), UO1CA244303 (to MJR), Drexel University Dean’s Fellowship award (to ZAB and LC). KEW acknowledges R01CA228339. LTI is supported by 2-T32-CA-115299-14. The authors thank Chaitali Bhadiadra for technical assistance, Dr. Valerie Sodi and Dr. Edward Hartsough for helpful discussions. In memoriam Christos D. Katsetos.

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  1. These authors contributed equally: Lorela Ciraku, Zachary A. Bacigalupa.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA

    Lorela Ciraku, Zachary A. Bacigalupa, Jing Ju, Rebecca A. Moeller, Giang Le Minh, Rusia H. Lee, Michael D. Smith, Christina M. Ferrer, Wiktoria A. Gocal & Mauricio J. Reginato

  2. Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA

    Sophie Trefely, Mary T. Doan & Nathaniel W. Snyder

  3. Department of Cancer Biology and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Luke T. Izzo & Kathryn E. Wellen

  4. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA

    Luca D’Agostino & Christos D. Katsetos

  5. Department of Radiation Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Wenyin Shi

  6. Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA

    Joshua G. Jackson

  7. Translational Cellular Oncology Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Mauricio J. Reginato

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  1. Lorela Ciraku
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Contributions

LC and ZAB performed most of the experimental work; GL, JJ, RAM, and RHL helped with experimental work; CMF helped establish intracranial mouse model; SF, MTD, LTI, KEW and NWS performed acetate labeling and analyzed data. WAG, LD and CDK helped with IHC and CDK performed pathological analysis; WS provided GBM tissue array; JGJ, LC, RAM helped establish ex vivo brain slice model. LC, ZAB and MJR participated in study conception and design as well as data analysis and interpretation; LC, ZAB and MJR drafted the manuscript; All co-authors reviewed the final manuscript version.

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Correspondence to Mauricio J. Reginato.

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Ciraku, L., Bacigalupa, Z.A., Ju, J. et al. O-GlcNAc transferase regulates glioblastoma acetate metabolism via regulation of CDK5-dependent ACSS2 phosphorylation. Oncogene 41, 2122–2136 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41388-022-02237-6

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