The oncogene AAMDC links PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling with metabolic reprograming in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

Nat Commun. 2021 Mar 26;12(1):1920. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-22101-7.

Abstract

Adipogenesis associated Mth938 domain containing (AAMDC) represents an uncharacterized oncogene amplified in aggressive estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers. We uncover that AAMDC regulates the expression of several metabolic enzymes involved in the one-carbon folate and methionine cycles, and lipid metabolism. We show that AAMDC controls PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling, regulating the translation of ATF4 and MYC and modulating the transcriptional activity of AAMDC-dependent promoters. High AAMDC expression is associated with sensitization to dactolisib and everolimus, and these PI3K-mTOR inhibitors exhibit synergistic interactions with anti-estrogens in IntClust2 models. Ectopic AAMDC expression is sufficient to activate AKT signaling, resulting in estrogen-independent tumor growth. Thus, AAMDC-overexpressing tumors may be sensitive to PI3K-mTORC1 blockers in combination with anti-estrogens. Lastly, we provide evidence that AAMDC can interact with the RabGTPase-activating protein RabGAP1L, and that AAMDC, RabGAP1L, and Rab7a colocalize in endolysosomes. The discovery of the RabGAP1L-AAMDC assembly platform provides insights for the design of selective blockers to target malignancies having the AAMDC amplification.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Everolimus / pharmacology
  • Female
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Oncogenes / genetics
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Quinolines / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • AAMDC protein, human
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Imidazoles
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Quinolines
  • RABGAP1L protein, human
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Everolimus
  • MTOR protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • dactolisib