Targeting N-glycosylation of 4F2hc mediated by glycosyltransferases B3GNT3 sensitizes ferroptosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

ABSTRACT: Aberrant glycosylation involves multifaceted pathological and pathophysiological changes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), including but not limited to conferring tumor cells the ability to resist cell death. Ferroptosis driven by lethal lipid peroxidation provides a targetable vulnerability to PDAC. However, the crosstalk between glycosylation and ferroptosis remains unclear. Here, we identified 4F2hc, a subunit of the glutamate-cystine antiporter system Xc–, its N-glycosylation is involved in PDAC ferroptosis by N- and O-linked glycoproteomics. Knockdown of SLC3A2 (gene name of 4F2hc) or blocking the N-glycosylation of 4F2hc potentiates ferroptosis sensitization of PDAC cells by impairing the activity of system Xc– manifested by a marked decrease in intracellular glutathione. To identify which glycosyltransferases are critical for glycosylation initiation during ferroptosis execution. We collected 207 glycosyltransferase genes (GTGs) and performed parallel RNA-seq to reveal that the glycosyltransferase B3GNT3 catalyzes the glycosylation of 4F2hc, which stabilizes the 4F2hc protein as well as its interaction with xCT. Additionally, upon the combination with a ferroptosis inducer, treatment with the classical N-glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin (TM) markedly triggered the overactivation of lipid peroxidation and enhanced the sensitivity of PDAC cells to ferroptosis. Notably, we confirmed that genetic perturbation of SLC3A2 or combination treatment with TM markedly increased ferroptosis sensitivity in the orthotopic PDAC model. Clinically, high expression of 4F2hc and B3GNT3 contributes to the progression and poor survival of PDAC patients. Collectively, our findings reveal a previously unappreciated function of N-glycosylation of 4F2hc in ferroptosis and suggest that targeting glycosylated 4F2hc can induce susceptibility to ferroptosis in PDAC.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE207741 | GEO | 2023/07/12

REPOSITORIES: GEO