EGFL9 promotes breast cancer metastasis by inducing cMET activation and metabolic reprogramming

Nat Commun. 2019 Nov 6;10(1):5033. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-13034-3.

Abstract

The molecular mechanisms driving metastatic progression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that epidermal growth factor-like 9 (EGFL9) is significantly upregulated in basal-like breast cancer cells and associated with metastatic progression in breast tumor samples. Functionally, EGFL9 is both necessary and sufficient to enhance cancer cell migration and invasion, as well as distant metastasis. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that EGFL9 binds cMET, activating cMET-mediated downstream signaling. EGFL9 and cMET co-localize at both the cell membrane and within the mitochondria. We further identify an interaction between EGFL9 and the cytochrome c oxidase (COX) assembly factor COA3. Consequently, EGFL9 regulates COX activity and modulates cell metabolism, promoting a Warburg-like metabolic phenotype. Finally, we show that combined pharmacological inhibition of cMET and glycolysis reverses EGFL9-driven stemness. Our results identify EGFL9 as a therapeutic target for combating metastatic progression in TNBC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / metabolism
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / genetics
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Glycolysis
  • Humans
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms

Substances

  • COA3 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Electron Transport Complex IV
  • MET protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met
  • Glucose