Methionine metabolite spermidine inhibits tumor pyroptosis by enhancing MYO6-mediated endocytosis
The connection between amino acid metabolism and pyroptosis remains elusive. Herein, we screen the effect of individual amino acid on pyroptosis and identify that methionine inhibits GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Mechanistic analyses unveil that MYO6, a unique actin-based motor protein, bridges the GSDME N-terminus (GSDME-NT) and the endocytic adaptor AP2, mediating endolysosomal degradation of GSDME-NT. This degradation is increased by the methionine-derived metabolite spermidine noncanonically by direct binding to MYO6, which enhances MYO6 selectivity for GSDME-NT. Moreover, combination targeted therapies using dietary or pharmacological inhibition in methionine-to-spermidine metabolism in the tumor promotes pyroptosis and anti-tumor immunity, leading to a stronger tumor-suppressive effect in in vivo models. Clinically, higher levels of tumor spermidine and expression of methionine-to-spermidine metabolism-related gene signature predict poorer survival. Conclusively, our research identifies an unrecognized mechanism of pyroptotic resistance mediated by methionine-spermidine metabolic axis, providing a fresh angle for cancer treatment.
Authors
- Jiawei Wu
- Hairong Wei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3551-4998)
- Liufen Long
- Zhaoqun Deng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0037-4697)
- Ling‐Long Tang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8561-1454)
- Jun Ma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1137-9349)
- Xiaoyu Liang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8901-9239)
- Tingting He (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7523-6550)
- Chuqing Zhang
- Cong Ding (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1324-2845)
- Zhimin Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4633-8969)
Institutions
- Sun Yat-sen University (CN)
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-03-04
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57511-4
- Citations
- 6
- Primary Topic
- Polyamine Metabolism and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.84
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China