Mitochondrial adaptations dynamically reprogram cellular bioenergetics and metabolism and confer key properties for human cancers. However, the selective regulation of these mitochondrial responses remains largely elusive. Here, inspired by a genetic screening in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), we identify RAS effector RREB1 as a translational regulator and uncover a unique translation control system for nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins in human cancers. RREB1 deletion reduces mitochondrial activities and succinate metabolism, thereby damaging leukemia stem cell (LSC) function and AML development. Replenishing complex II subunit SDHD rectifies these deficiencies. Notably, inhibition of complex II re-sensitizes AML cells to venetoclax treatment. Mechanistically, a short RREB1 variant binds to a conserved motif in the 3′ UTRs and cooperates with elongation factor eEF1A1 to enhance protein translation of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial mRNAs. Overall, our findings reveal a unique translation control mechanism for mitochondrial adaptations in AML pathogenesis and provide a potential strategy for targeting this vulnerability of LSCs.

中文翻译：

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核线粒体呼吸蛋白的选择性翻译在 AML 发展和化疗耐药中重新编程琥珀酸代谢


线粒体适应动态地重新编程细胞生物能量和代谢，并赋予人类癌症的关键特性。然而，这些线粒体反应的选择性调节在很大程度上仍然难以捉摸。在这里，受到急性髓系白血病 (AML) 基因筛查的启发，我们将 RAS 效应子 RREB1 确定为翻译调节因子，并揭示了人类癌症中核编码线粒体蛋白的独特翻译控制系统。 RREB1 缺失会降低线粒体活性和琥珀酸代谢，从而损害白血病干细胞 (LSC) 功能和 AML 发展。补充复合体 II 亚基 SDHD 可以纠正这些缺陷。值得注意的是，复合物 II 的抑制使 AML 细胞对 Venetoclax 治疗重新敏感。从机制上讲，短的 RREB1 变体与 3' UTR 中的保守基序结合，并与延伸因子 eEF1A1 配合，增强核编码线粒体 mRNA 的蛋白质翻译。总的来说，我们的研究结果揭示了 AML 发病机制中线粒体适应的独特翻译控制机制，并为针对 LSC 的这种脆弱性提供了潜在的策略。