The oligosaccharyltransferase complex is an essential component of multiple myeloma plasma cells
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignancy characterized by mutated plasma cell clonal expansion in the bone marrow, leading to severe clinical symptoms. Thus, identifying new therapeutic targets for MM is crucial. We identified the oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) complex as a novel vulnerability in MM cells. Elevated expression of this complex is associated with relapsed, high-risk MM, and poor prognosis. Disrupting the OST complex suppressed MM cell growth, induced cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Combined inhibition with bortezomib synergistically eliminated MM cells <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>, via suppressing genes related to bortezomib-resistant phenotypes. Mechanistically, OST complex disruption downregulated MM pathological pathways (mTORC1 pathway, glycolysis, MYC targets, and cell cycle) and induced TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Notably, MYC translation was robustly suppressed upon inhibiting the OST complex. Collectively, the OST complex presents a novel target for MM treatment, and combining its inhibition with bortezomib offers a promising approach for relapsed MM patients.
Authors
- Mahesh Lamsal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7440-9149)
- Mohammad Abu Zaid (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4018-6941)
- Hong Phuong Nguyen
- Reuben Kapur (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2225-1700)
- Brian A. Walker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8615-6254)
- Rafat Abonour (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1491-2548)
- Enze Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3162-461X)
- Jagannath Misra (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9713-0298)
- Sankalp Srivastava (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7094-6630)
- Ngoc Tung Tran (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0896-8641)
- Ronald C. Wek
- Ji Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8178-3049)
- Anh Q. Le
- Harikrishnan Hemavathy
Institutions
- Indiana University Health (US)
- Indiana University Indianapolis (US)
- Indiana University School of Medicine
- Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Molecular Therapy Oncology
- Published
- 2025-03-08
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omton.2025.200964
- Primary Topic
- Multiple Myeloma Research and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00