FBXW7 mutations reprogram glucose metabolism by activating the ETV6-GLUT1 axis

The progression of endometrial cancer (EC) involves substantial metabolic reprogramming, frequently driven by mutations in tumor suppressors and oncogenes. In this study, we identify a previously unrecognized pathway through which FBXW7 mutations rewire glucose metabolism in EC cells. Specifically, we demonstrate that loss-of-function mutations in FBXW7 disrupt the SCF<sup>FBXW7</sup> E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, resulting in the stabilization of the transcription factor ETV6 by preventing its ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Accumulated ETV6 subsequently enhances the transcriptional activation of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), elevating its expression and localization to the plasma membrane. This increased GLUT1 expression significantly enhances glucose uptake, fueling both aerobic glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, which collectively accelerate EC cell proliferation and tumor growth. Importantly, targeting GLUT1 pharmacologically partially reverses the proliferative advantage conferred by ETV6 overexpression, highlighting a promising therapeutic vulnerability. Our findings establish the FBXW7-ETV6-GLUT1 regulatory axis as a critical driver of metabolic adaptation and tumor progression, offering potential strategies for targeted therapy in FBXW7-mutant EC.

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Publication Details

Journal
Molecular Cancer
Published
2026-02-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-026-02605-w
Primary Topic
Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
Type
article
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article

FBXW7 mutations reprogram glucose metabolism by activating the ETV6-GLUT1 axis

Zeheng Lv, Chenji Wang, Tingrui Wang, X. Steven Chen et al.
Molecular Cancer
Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
article

FBXW7 mutations reprogram glucose metabolism by activating the ETV6-GLUT1 axis

Zeheng Lv, Chenji Wang, Tingrui Wang, X. Steven Chen, Yingji Chen, Xiayun Xu, Kun Gao, Hanrong Zhu, Xinyue Jiang, Zhijian Gao, Siqi Fei, Huanxin Liu, Renjie Yuan
article en

Abstract

The progression of endometrial cancer (EC) involves substantial metabolic reprogramming, frequently driven by mutations in tumor suppressors and oncogenes. In this study, we identify a previously unrecognized pathway through which FBXW7 mutations rewire glucose metabolism in EC cells. Specifically, we demonstrate that loss-of-function mutations in FBXW7 disrupt the SCF<sup>FBXW7</sup> E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, resulting in the stabilization of the transcription factor ETV6 by preventing its ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Accumulated ETV6 subsequently enhances the transcriptional activation of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), elevating its expression and localization to the plasma membrane. This increased GLUT1 expression significantly enhances glucose uptake, fueling both aerobic glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, which collectively accelerate EC cell proliferation and tumor growth. Importantly, targeting GLUT1 pharmacologically partially reverses the proliferative advantage conferred by ETV6 overexpression, highlighting a promising therapeutic vulnerability. Our findings establish the FBXW7-ETV6-GLUT1 regulatory axis as a critical driver of metabolic adaptation and tumor progression, offering potential strategies for targeted therapy in FBXW7-mutant EC.

Molecular CancerVol. 25(1)
Fudan University (CN), Pudong Medical Center (CN), Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital (CN), Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital (CN)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 58%
Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
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