Hui Mo: Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 33 Ying Feng Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
Jiajia Shao: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The Second People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, China.
Zhun Li: Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 33 Ying Feng Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
Peiting Zeng: Department of Hematology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
Xinke Yin: Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 33 Ying Feng Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
Yongsheng Huang: Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 33 Ying Feng Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China. huangysh65@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
Peng Wang: Department of Emergency Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 33 Ying Feng Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China. wangp49@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
Jianwei Liao: Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 33 Ying Feng Road, Guangzhou, 510120, China. liaojw8@mail.sysu.edu.cn. ORCID
BACKGROUND: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have unique metabolic characteristics and are hypothesized to contribute significantly to the recurrence and drug resistance of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). However, the reliance on mitochondrial metabolism and the underlying mechanism of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) remains to be elucidated. METHODS: To quantify differential mitochondrial protein expression between GSCs and differentiated cells, a mass spectrum screen was applied by the Stable Isotope Labeling with Amino Acids in Cell Culture (SILAC) technique. Functional experiments including CCK8, neurosphere formation, flow cytometry, transwell, and wound healing assays were conducted to evaluate GBM cell malignant phenotype. The potential molecular mechanism of FDFT1 was screened by RNA-seq analyses. The candidate target genes were validated through RT-qPCR and western blot analyses. RESULTS: As a top candidate, FDFT1 protein expression in GSCs was elevated relative to their differentiated counterparts. Functionally, the knockdown of FDFT1 suppressed the GBM cell proliferation and migration, while simultaneously enhancing sensitivity to temozolomide. Treatment with both the FDFT1 inhibitor (YM-53601) and simvastatin (an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) induced apoptosis in GSCs. Mechanistically, FDFT1 was transcriptionally regulated by SREBP2 but not SREBP1. Furthermore, FDFT1 activates the AKT pathway to regulate tumor metabolism and maintain the stemness of tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS: GSCs exhibit a dependency on FDFT1-mediated mevalonate metabolism. Inhibition of FDFT1 could represent a potent strategy to eliminate GSCs.
