Teleological role of L-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase in the kidney.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
L-2-hydroxyglutarate (L-2HG) is an oncometabolite found elevated in renal tumors. However, this molecule might have physiological roles that extend beyond its association with cancer, as L-2HG levels are elevated in response to hypoxia and during Drosophila larval development. L-2HG is known to be metabolized by L-2HG dehydrogenase (L2HGDH), and loss of L2HGDH leads to elevated L-2HG levels. Despite L2HGDH being highly expressed in the kidney, its role in renal metabolism has not been explored. Here, we report our findings utilizing a novel CRISPR/Cas9 murine knockout model, with a specific focus on the role of L2HGDH in the kidney. Histologically, L2hgdh knockout kidneys have no demonstrable histologic abnormalities. However, GC-MS metabolomics demonstrates significantly reduced levels of the TCA cycle intermediate succinate in multiple tissues. Isotope labeling studies with [U-13C] glucose demonstrate that restoration of L2HGDH in renal cancer cells (which lowers L-2HG) leads to enhanced incorporation of label into TCA cycle intermediates. Subsequent biochemical studies demonstrate that L-2HG can inhibit the TCA cycle enzyme α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. Bioinformatic analysis of mRNA expression data from renal tumors demonstrates that L2HGDH is co-expressed with genes encoding TCA cycle enzymes as well as the gene encoding the transcription factor PGC-1α, which is known to regulate mitochondrial metabolism. Restoration of PGC-1α in renal tumor cells results in increased L2HGDH expression with a concomitant reduction in L-2HG levels. Collectively, our analyses provide new insight into the physiological role of L2HGDH as well as mechanisms that promote L-2HG accumulation in disease states.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Brinkley, G; Nam, H; Shim, E; Kirkman, R; Kundu, A; Karki, S; Heidarian, Y; Tennessen, JM; Liu, J; Locasale, JW; Guo, T; Wei, S; Gordetsky, J; Johnson-Pais, TL; Absher, D; Rakheja, D; Challa, AK; Sudarshan, S
Published Date
- November 27, 2020
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 13 / 11
PubMed ID
- 32928875
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC7710027
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1754-8411
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1242/dmm.045898
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England