Macropinocytosis requires Gal-3 in a subset of patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells

Commun Biol. 2021 Jun 10;4(1):718. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-02258-z.

Abstract

Recently, we involved the carbohydrate-binding protein Galectin-3 (Gal-3) as a druggable target for KRAS-mutant-addicted lung and pancreatic cancers. Here, using glioblastoma patient-derived stem cells (GSCs), we identify and characterize a subset of Gal-3high glioblastoma (GBM) tumors mainly within the mesenchymal subtype that are addicted to Gal-3-mediated macropinocytosis. Using both genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of Gal-3, we showed a significant decrease of GSC macropinocytosis activity, cell survival and invasion, in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that Gal-3 binds to RAB10, a member of the RAS superfamily of small GTPases, and β1 integrin, which are both required for macropinocytosis activity and cell survival. Finally, by defining a Gal-3/macropinocytosis molecular signature, we could predict sensitivity to this dependency pathway and provide proof-of-principle for innovative therapeutic strategies to exploit this Achilles' heel for a significant and unique subset of GBM patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Proteins / genetics
  • Blood Proteins / metabolism*
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Galectins / genetics
  • Galectins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Glioblastoma / genetics
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism*
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Pinocytosis
  • Protein Interaction Maps
  • Transcriptome
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Blood Proteins
  • Galectins
  • LGALS3 protein, human