Razidlo, Gina L.

Background and Aims: Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis are major global health burdens with limited treatments. Activated HSCs drive fibrosis through increased proliferation, migration, collagen deposition and glycolysis. The aim of this study is to elucidate the signaling events that lead to enhanced glycolysis, subsequent HSC activation, and liver fibrosis. Approach and Results: Utilizing a phospho-kinase array, we identified with no lysine kinase 1 (WNK1) as a new kinase in primary human HSCs activated by the profibrotic PDGF-B. PDGF-mediated glycolysis in HSCs was attenuated by the WNK1 selective inhibitor, WNK-IN-11, as measured by live-cell metabolic assay, Glifon-300 fluorescence, Glucose-Glo assay, and glucose transporter 1 immunofluorescence. To understand how WNK1 promotes glycolysis, we employed chemical genetics where an engineered WNK1 carrying threonine 301 to glycine mutation (WNK1 T301G ) mutant with a modified ATP pocket accommodated a specific ATP-γ-S analogue to thio-phosphorylate its substrates. Thio-phosphorylated proteins were analyzed by mass spectrometry, which identified the glycolytic protein, triosephosphate isomerase 1 (TPI1), as a novel WNK1 direct substrate. TPI1 interacted with WNK1 in condensates, membrane-less phase separation structures. Condensate disruption and knockdown of TPI1 or WNK1 reduced HSC proliferation and migration in vitro. In vivo, pharmacological or genetic WNK1 inhibition significantly attenuated liver fibrosis in carbon tetrachloride and high-fat, choline-deficient, L -amino acid diet mouse models. Finally, WNK1 inhibition reduced fibrogenesis ex vivo in human precision-cut liver slices. Conclusions: These findings identify WNK1 as a previously unrecognized kinase that promotes HSC activation and liver fibrosis via TPI1-mediated glycolysis, highlighting the WNK1-TPI1 axis as a potential therapeutic target.

Abstract Metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer have been targeted primarily to suppress tumor growth, but less is known about the metabolic requirements for tumor cell invasion. Here we report that lipid catabolism by cytosolic and lysosomal lipases supports pancreatic cancer cell invasion through both overlapping and distinct functional and metabolic mechanisms. Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL)-dependent lipid droplet catabolism promotes invadopodia formation and stabilization, enabling extracellular matrix degradation. In addition to modulating cellular energetics, lipidomics revealed that lipid droplet catabolism regulates cholesterol and membrane phospholipid levels. Using spatially resolved biosensors and cholesterol imaging, we found that lysosomal lipid catabolism occurs at invadopodia and sustains local ATP and membrane cholesterol. These findings identify spatially organized lipid catabolism as a mechanism that couples local energetics and membrane remodeling during the earliest steps of pancreatic cancer cell invasion.

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy due in part to metabolic rewiring and a high rate of metastasis. Pancreatic tumors are particularly dependent upon glutamine (Gln) as a nutrient source for multiple metabolic pathways. To adapt to low levels of glutamine, PDAC cells upregulate the Rac1 dependent process of macropinocytosis, which internalizes extracellular macromolecules to scavenge them as a glutamine source. The proto oncogene Vav1 is an activator of the potent Rac/Cdc42 signaling cascades that regulate actin dynamics. While Vav1 is normally restricted to hematopoietic cells, Vav1 expression is significantly increased in PDAC, with high Vav1 correlating with worse overall survival. Here we uncover a novel Vav1 mediated regulation of glutamine metabolism in PDAC cells. While Vav1 is a potent activator of Rac1, surprisingly, Vav1 expression inhibited macropinocytosis in PDAC cells. Intriguingly, genomic and metabolomic analysis revealed that high Vav1 expression correlates with increased dependence on glutamine and glutamate (Glu) metabolism. Indeed, Vav1 dependent macropinocytosis was rescued by cell permeable glutamate, confirming disrupted Gln/Glu balance in Vav1 knockdown cells. RPPA screening indicated a Vav1 dependent effect on glutaminase 1 (GLS1, KGA isoform), which converts glutamine to glutamate. Mechanistically, we discovered that Vav1 modulates GLS1 localization to the mitochondria through regulation of GLS1 posttranslational modification. Disrupting GLS1 localization by deleting its mitochondrial targeting motif phenocopied loss of Vav1 in reducing the invasive potential of tumor cells. Investigation of Vav1 dependent metabolic consequences showed that knockdown of Vav1 alters 13C Gln derived metabolic flux into the TCA cycle, as well as a deficiency in the level of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH), which utilizes glutamate for its synthesis. Consequently, targeting Vav1 resulted in increased levels of cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased sensitivity to lipid peroxidation. Notably, dual targeting of both glucose and glutamine pathways showed significant synergistic effects on cellular viability in Vav1 expressing cells. Here we established a new tumor promoting role for Vav1 via Gln/Glu regulation and uncover a novel subcellular regulation of mitochondrial glutamine metabolism. Our findings establish Vav1 as a critical regulator of metabolic rewiring in PDAC and orchestrates glutamine metabolism by controlling the KGA isoform of GLS1 mitochondrial localization. Importantly, Vav1 functions as a signaling adapter in glutamine metabolism, providing a potential therapeutic vulnerabilities for PDAC patients with high Vav1 expression. Citation Format: Mustafa Emre Gedik, Omar L. Gutierrez-Ruiz, Katherine M. Johnson, Ella Rose D. Chianis, Jing Chen, Alex Bittner, Adam Zahm, Ankit Chhoda, Taro Hitosugi, Mark A. McNiven, Gina Razidlo. Vav1 promotes pancreatic tumor cell invasion via GLS1-dependent glutamine metabolism [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 7322.

It is well established that many tumor types possess defective autophagic pathways. Several studies have reported that the transmembrane, autophagic lipid scramblase ATG9B is altered in multiple cancers, suggesting that this dysregulation could contribute to oncogenesis. Therefore, the goal of this study was to define the cellular distribution of ATG9B in two different tumor cell types and to provide insights into its cellular function. Surprisingly, we found that ATG9B shows a modest association with autophagic structures and exhibits a unique and prominent localization to mitochondria, in contrast to its related form ATG9A. Upon expression of tagged ATG9B forms, this mitochondrial distribution was accompanied by aberrant changes in mitochondrial morphology as well as a reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential and the release of mtDNA. Few indicators for ATG9B-dependent mitophagy were noted. Instead, ATG9B overexpression led to pronounced apoptotic cell death as assessed by a variety of indicators. Further, we find that the N-terminal sequence of ATG9B acts as a mitochondrial targeting domain and that expression of this peptide alone can induce apoptotic cell death. These findings provide new insights into a putative cellular localization and function for ATG9B.

Rab32 is a small GTPase and molecular switch implicated in vesicular trafficking. Rab32 is also an A-Kinase Anchoring Protein (AKAP), which anchors cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase (PKA) to specific subcellular locations and specifies PKA phosphorylation of nearby substrates. Surprisingly, we found that a form of Rab32 deficient in PKA binding (Rab32 L188P) relocalized away from the Golgi apparatus and induced a marked disruption in Golgi organization, assembly, and dynamics. Although Rab32 L188P did not cause a global defect in PKA activity, our data indicate that Rab32 facilitates the phosphorylation of a specific PKA substrate. We uncovered a direct interaction between Rab32 and the adaptor protein optineurin (OPTN), which regulates Golgi dynamics. Further, our data indicate that optineurin is phosphorylated by PKA at Ser342 in a Rab32-dependent manner. Critically, blocking phosphorylation at OPTN Ser342 leads to Golgi fragmentation, and a phospho-mimetic version of OPTN rescues Golgi defects induced by Rab32 L188P. Finally, Rab32 AKAP function and OPTN phosphorylation are required for Golgi repositioning during cell migration, contributing to tumor cell invasion. Together, these data reveal a role for Rab32 in regulating Golgi dynamics through PKA-mediated phosphorylation of OPTN.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. This is largely due to the lack of routine screening protocols, an absence of symptoms in early-stage disease leading to late detection, and a paucity of effective treatment options. Critically, the majority of patients either present with metastatic disease or rapidly develop metastatic disease. Thus, there is an urgent need to deepen our understanding of metastasis in PDAC. During metastasis, tumor cells escape from the primary tumor, enter the circulation, and travel to a distant site to form a secondary tumor. In order to accomplish this relatively rare event, tumor cells develop an enhanced ability to detach from the primary tumor, migrate into the surrounding matrix, and invade across the basement membrane. In addition, cancer cells interact with the various cell types and matrix proteins that comprise the tumor microenvironment, with some of these factors working to promote metastasis and others working to suppress it. In PDAC, many of these processes are not well understood. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent advances in the cell biology of the early steps of the metastatic cascade in pancreatic cancer. Specifically, we will examine the regulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in PDAC and its requirement for metastasis, summarize our understanding of how PDAC cells invade and degrade the surrounding matrix, and discuss how migration and adhesion dynamics are regulated in PDAC to optimize cancer cell motility. In addition, the role of the tumor microenvironment in PDAC will also be discussed for each of these invasive processes.

Abstract Cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by extensive body weight, lean muscle and fat mass loss. Cachexia worsens cancer patient prognoses and contributes to poor chemotherapy tolerance and response rates. About 80% of pancreatic cancer patients suffer from cachexia and one-third die due to cachexia-related complications such as respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. Although there has been considerable research into cachexia mechanisms and interventions, there are, to date, no FDA-approved cachexia therapies. A major contributing factor could be the failure of animal models to accurately recapitulate the human condition. In this study, we generated an aged murine model of pancreatic cancer cachexia to compare cachexia progression in young versus aged tumor-bearing mice. Comparative transcriptomic analyses of the muscles identified 3-methyladenine (3-MA), a known autophagy inhibitor, as a candidate anti-wasting compound. In vitro analyses confirmed anti-wasting effects while in vivo analysis demonstrated that 3-MA could rescue muscle wasting and suppress tumor growth. Surprisingly, transcriptome analyses of 3MA-treated tumor cells did not reveal autophagy-related signatures but instead implicated Perp as a novel 3-MA target. Probing further, we 1) observed significantly higher expression of Perp in pancreatic cancer cell lines compared to control cells, 2) noted a survival disadvantage associated with elevated PERP in the TCGA database, 3) found that PERP knockdown in cancer cells led to reduced tumor proliferation, and 4) confirmed that 3-MA-associated Perp reduction inhibited tumor growth. Moreover, we also demonstrate that survival benefits associated with 3MA is independent of tumor progression. Finally, we queried Perp expression in human tumor samples and observed increased Perp expression in adenocarcinoma regions compared to tumor adjacent tissue. Taken together, we report a novel mechanism linking 3-MA to Perp inhibition, and further implicate Perp as a novel tumor promoting factor in pancreatic cancer. Citation Format: Aneesha Dasgupta, Paige C. Arneson-Wissink, Rebecca E. Schmitt, Dong Seong Cho, Alexandra M. Ducharme, Tara L. Hogenson, Eugene W. Krueger, William R. Bamlet, Lizhi Zhang, Gina Razidlo, Martin E. Fernandez-Zapico, Jason D. Doles. Identification of perp as a tumor promoter in pancreatic cancer via the utilization of an aged model of cancer cachexia [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3995.

Approximately 80% of pancreatic cancer patients suffer from cachexia, and one-third die due to cachexia-related complications such as respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. Although there has been considerable research into cachexia mechanisms and interventions, there are, to date, no FDA-approved therapies. A major contributing factor for the lack of therapy options could be the failure of animal models to accurately recapitulate the human condition. In this study, we generated an aged model of pancreatic cancer cachexia to compare cachexia progression in young versus aged tumor-bearing mice. Comparative skeletal muscle transcriptome analyses identified 3-methyladenine (3-MA) as a candidate antiwasting compound. In vitro analyses confirmed antiwasting capacity, while in vivo analysis revealed potent antitumor effects. Transcriptome analyses of 3-MA–treated tumor cells implicated Perp as a 3-MA target gene. We subsequently (a) observed significantly higher expression of Perp in cancer cell lines compared with control cells, (b) noted a survival disadvantage associated with elevated Perp , and (c) found that 3-MA–associated Perp reduction inhibited tumor cell growth. Finally, we have provided in vivo evidence that survival benefits conferred by 3-MA administration are independent of its effect on tumor progression. Taken together, we report a mechanism linking 3-MA to Perp inhibition, and we further implicate Perp as a tumor-promoting factor in pancreatic cancer.

Macropinocytosis is an essential mechanism by which pancreatic tumor cells internalize extracellular material to be used as an energy source to fuel proliferation. We describe the mechanism by which the actin cross-linking α-actinin proteins mediate membrane ruffling and macropinosome delivery to the lysosome during this process.

Abstract One of the greatest barriers to curative treatment of neuroblastoma is its frequent metastatic outgrowth prior to diagnosis, especially in cases driven by amplification of the MYCN oncogene. However, only a limited number of regulatory proteins that contribute to this complex MYCN-mediated process have been elucidated. Here we show that the growth arrest-specific 7 (GAS7) gene, located at chromosome band 17p13.1, is preferentially deleted in high-risk MYCN-driven neuroblastoma. GAS7 expression was also suppressed in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma lacking 17p deletion. GAS7 deficiency led to accelerated metastasis in both zebrafish and mammalian models of neuroblastoma with overexpression or amplification of MYCN. Analysis of expression profiles and the ultrastructure of zebrafish neuroblastoma tumors with MYCN overexpression identified that GAS7 deficiency led to (i) downregulation of genes involved in cell–cell interaction, (ii) loss of contact among tumor cells as critical determinants of accelerated metastasis, and (iii) increased levels of MYCN protein. These results provide the first genetic evidence that GAS7 depletion is a critical early step in the cascade of events culminating in neuroblastoma metastasis in the context of MYCN overexpression. Significance: Heterozygous deletion or MYCN-mediated repression of GAS7 in neuroblastoma releases an important brake on tumor cell dispersion and migration to distant sites, providing a novel mechanism underlying tumor metastasis in MYCN-driven neuroblastoma. See related commentary by Menard, p. 2815