Interactome analysis reveals that lncRNA HULC promotes aerobic glycolysis through LDHA and PKM2

Nat Commun. 2020 Jun 22;11(1):3162. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-16966-3.

Abstract

Interacting with proteins is a crucial way for long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) to exert their biological responses. Here we report a high throughput strategy to characterize lncRNA interacting proteins in vivo by combining tobramycin affinity purification and mass spectrometric analysis (TOBAP-MS). Using this method, we identify 140 candidate binding proteins for lncRNA highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC). Intriguingly, HULC directly binds to two glycolytic enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2). Mechanistic study suggests that HULC functions as an adaptor molecule that enhances the binding of LDHA and PKM2 to fibroblast growth factor receptor type 1 (FGFR1), leading to elevated phosphorylation of these two enzymes and consequently promoting glycolysis. This study provides a convenient method to study lncRNA interactome in vivo and reveals a unique mechanism by which HULC promotes Warburg effect by orchestrating the enzymatic activities of glycolytic enzymes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Glycolysis*
  • Humans
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Proteome / metabolism
  • Pyruvate Kinase / metabolism*
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / metabolism*
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 / metabolism
  • Transcriptional Activation

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Proteome
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
  • Pyruvate Kinase
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1