Citrullination of pyruvate kinase M2 by PADI1 and PADI3 regulates glycolysis and cancer cell proliferation

Nat Commun. 2021 Mar 19;12(1):1718. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-21960-4.

Abstract

Chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 4 (CHD4) is an ATPase subunit of the Nucleosome Remodelling and Deacetylation (NuRD) complex that regulates gene expression. CHD4 is essential for growth of multiple patient derived melanoma xenografts and for breast cancer. Here we show that CHD4 regulates expression of PADI1 (Protein Arginine Deiminase 1) and PADI3 in multiple cancer cell types modulating citrullination of arginine residues of the allosterically-regulated glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2). Citrullination of PKM2 R106 reprogrammes cross-talk between PKM2 ligands lowering its sensitivity to the inhibitors Tryptophan, Alanine and Phenylalanine and promoting activation by Serine. Citrullination thus bypasses normal physiological regulation by low Serine levels to promote excessive glycolysis and reduced cell proliferation. We further show that PADI1 and PADI3 expression is up-regulated by hypoxia where PKM2 citrullination contributes to increased glycolysis. We provide insight as to how conversion of arginines to citrulline impacts key interactions within PKM2 that act in concert to reprogramme its activity as an additional mechanism regulating this important enzyme.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allosteric Regulation
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology*
  • Citrullination / physiology*
  • Glycolysis / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Melanoma
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mi-2 Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase Complex
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Protein-Arginine Deiminase Type 1 / genetics
  • Protein-Arginine Deiminase Type 1 / metabolism*
  • Protein-Arginine Deiminase Type 3 / genetics
  • Protein-Arginine Deiminase Type 3 / metabolism*
  • Pyruvate Kinase / metabolism*
  • Thyroid Hormone-Binding Proteins
  • Thyroid Hormones
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • CHD4 protein, human
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Thyroid Hormones
  • Pyruvate Kinase
  • Mi-2 Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase Complex
  • PADI3 protein, human
  • Protein-Arginine Deiminase Type 1
  • Protein-Arginine Deiminase Type 3