C/EBPβ-LIP induces cancer-type metabolic reprogramming by regulating the /LIN28B circuit in mice.

The transcription factors LAP1, LAP2 and LIP are derived from the -mRNA through the use of alternative start codons. High LIP expression has been associated with human cancer and increased cancer incidence in mice. However, how LIP contributes to cellular transformation is poorly understood. Here we present that LIP induces aerobic glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration reminiscent of cancer metabolism. We show that LIP-induced metabolic programming is dependent on the RNA-binding protein LIN28B, a translational regulator of glycolytic and mitochondrial enzymes with known oncogenic function. LIP activates LIN28B through repression of the microRNA family that targets the -mRNA. Transgenic mice overexpressing LIP have reduced levels of and increased LIN28B expression, which is associated with metabolic reprogramming as shown in primary bone marrow cells, and with hyperplasia in the skin. This study establishes LIP as an inducer of cancer-type metabolic reprogramming and as a regulator of the /LIN28B regulatory circuit.