Fumarate Mediates a Chronic Proliferative Signal in Fumarate Hydratase-Inactivated Cancer Cells by Increasing Transcription and Translation of Ferritin Genes.

Germ line mutations of the gene encoding the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzyme fumarate hydratase () cause a hereditary cancer syndrome known as hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC). HLRCC-associated tumors harbor biallelic inactivation that results in the accumulation of the TCA cycle metabolite fumarate. Although it is known that fumarate accumulation can alter cellular signaling, if and how fumarate confers a growth advantage remain unclear.