Akt-mediated phosphorylation of MICU1 regulates mitochondrial Ca2+ levels and tumor growth
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ABSTRACT: Although mitochondria play a multifunctional role in cancer progression and Ca2+ signaling is remodeled in a wide variety of tumors, the underlying mechanisms that link mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis with malignant tumor formation and growth remain elusive. Here, we show that phosphorylation at the N-terminal region of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) regulatory subunit MICU1 leads to a notable increase in the basal mitochondrial Ca2+ levels. A pool of active Akt in the mitochondria is responsible for MICU1 phosphorylation, and mitochondrion-targeted Akt strongly regulates the mitochondrial Ca2+ content. The Akt-mediated phosphorylation impairs MICU1 processing and stability, culminating in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and tumor progression. Thus, our data reveal the crucial role of the Akt-MICU1 axis in cancer and underscore the strategic importance of the association between aberrant mitochondrial Ca2+ levels and tumor development.
SUBMITTER: Dr. Saverio Marchi
PROVIDER: S-SCDT-EMBOJ-2018-99435 | biostudies-other |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
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