Conversion of PRPS hexamer to monomer by AMPK-mediated phosphorylation inhibits nucleotide synthesis in response to energy stress [Research Articles]

Tumors override energy stress to grow. However, how nucleotide synthesis is regulated under energy stress is unclear. We demonstrate here that glucose deprivation or hypoxia results in the AMPK-mediated phosphorylation of phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase (PRPS) 1 S180 and PRPS2 S183, leading to conversion of PRPS hexamers to monomers and thereby inhibiting PRPS1/2 activity, nucleotide synthesis, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) production. Knock-in of non-phosphorylatable PRPS1/2 mutants, which have uninhibited activity, in brain tumor cells under energy stress exhausts cellular ATP and NADPH and increases ROS levels, thereby promoting cell apoptosis. The expression of those mutants inhibits brain tumor formation and enhances the inhibitory effect of the glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose on tumor growth. Our findings highlight the significance of recalibrating tumor cell metabolism by fine tuning nucleotide and NAD synthesis in tumor growth.

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