An in vivo screen identifies NAT10 as a master regulator of brain metastasis

Sci Adv. 2025 Mar 28;11(13):eads6021. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ads6021. Epub 2025 Mar 26.

Abstract

Emerging evidence has shown that epigenetic regulation plays a fundamental role in cancer metastasis, the major cause of cancer-related deaths. Here, we conducted an in vivo screen for vulnerabilities of brain metastasis and identified N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) as a driver of brain metastasis. Knockdown of NAT10 restrains cancer cell proliferation and migration in vitro and tumor growth and brain metastasis in vivo. The poorly characterized RNA helicase domain of NAT10 is critical for cell growth in vitro, while both RNA helicase and NAT domains are essential for primary tumor growth and brain metastasis in vivo. Mechanically, NAT10 promotes the expression of 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) and phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1), two enzymes for serine biosynthesis implicated in brain metastasis. Silencing PHGDH or PSAT1 in metastatic breast cancer cells inhibits their growth in the serine/glycine-limited condition, phenocopying the effects of NAT10 depletion. These findings establish NAT10 as a key regulator of brain metastasis and nominate NAT10 as a target for treating metastasis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms* / secondary
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • N-Terminal Acetyltransferase E* / genetics
  • N-Terminal Acetyltransferase E* / metabolism
  • N-Terminal Acetyltransferases
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Phosphoglycerate Dehydrogenase / genetics
  • Phosphoglycerate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Transaminases* / genetics
  • Transaminases* / metabolism

Substances

  • N-Terminal Acetyltransferase E
  • Transaminases
  • Phosphoglycerate Dehydrogenase
  • phosphoserine aminotransferase
  • NAT10 protein, human
  • N-Terminal Acetyltransferases