The mevalonate coordinates energy input and cell proliferation

Cell Death Dis. 2019 Apr 11;10(4):327. doi: 10.1038/s41419-019-1544-y.

Abstract

The mevalonate pathway is known for the synthesis of cholesterol, but recent studies have reported that it also controls Hippo signaling, which is critical for the regulation of organ size and tumorigenesis. Here, we discover that the suppression of the mevalonate pathway inhibits the growth and proliferation of colon cancer cell lines. The results of transcriptomic and proteomic assays suggested that the mevalonate pathway controls multiple signaling pathways relevant to cell proliferation, and the results were further confirmed using western blot, PCR, and immunofluorescence assays. As cell proliferation is an energy-consuming process, we postulate that the mevalonate pathway may also control nutrient uptake to coordinate the processes of energy supply and cell proliferation. Here, we found that lovastatin, a mevalonate pathway inhibitor, suppresses glucose and amino acid uptake and lactate acid production. More importantly, mevalonic acid itself is sufficient to promote glucose uptake by colon cancer cells. In addition, we found that colon cancer tissues displayed a higher expression of mevalonate pathway enzymes, which may promote cell growth and stimulate energy uptake. Together, our findings establish the mevalonate pathway as a critical regulator in coordinating energy input and cell proliferation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / drug effects
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Amino Acids / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colonic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lovastatin / pharmacology
  • Mevalonic Acid / metabolism*
  • Proteomics
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / drug effects
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / drug effects
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / genetics
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Amino Acids
  • Transcription Factors
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins
  • YAP1 protein, human
  • Lovastatin
  • Glucose
  • Mevalonic Acid