Leucine-rich repeat containing 4 act as an autophagy inhibitor that restores sensitivity of glioblastoma to temozolomide

Oncogene. 2020 Jun;39(23):4551-4566. doi: 10.1038/s41388-020-1312-6. Epub 2020 May 5.

Abstract

Temozolomide (TMZ) insensitivity and resistance are major causes of treatment failure and poor prognosis for GBM patients. Here, we identify LRRC4 as a novel autophagy inhibitor that restores the sensitivity of GBMs to TMZ. LRRC4 was associated with the DEPTOR/mTOR complex, and this interaction resulted in autophagy inhibition. Further investigation demonstrated that the PDZ binding domain of LRRC4 binds to the PDZ domain of DEPTOR. This binding decreases the half-life of DEPTOR via ubiquitination, thus inhibiting GBM cell autophagy and increasing the TMZ treatment response of GBM. Combined LRRC4 expression and TMZ treatment prolonged the survival of mice with tumour xenografts. Furthermore, the levels of LRRC4, DEPTOR and autophagy are clinically relevant for GBM, indicating that LRRC4 is likely to have significant potential as a therapeutic marker and target for TMZ treatment in glioma patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / pharmacology*
  • Autophagy / genetics*
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Glioblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Domains / physiology
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Temozolomide / pharmacology*
  • Ubiquitination
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • LRRC4 protein, human
  • LRRC4 protein, mouse
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • DEPTOR protein, human
  • MTOR protein, human
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Temozolomide